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What better words can you say when you have lived with what we have lived with and through?

No more moving skin around so you can sit without pinching yourself.
No more bouncing up and down to get the skin folds into the pants.
No more looking in the mirror and seeing the "fat shaped" you.
No more worrying about making the pants fit in the hips and then having a huge gap at the waist.

and the best for last....

no more GRANNY PANTIES!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very ready, yet as the time gets closer, I notice I am getting more nervous. I had a dream the other night. I woke up after surgery, I had my scar and yet still looked the same. Nothing was gone! I know right after my sleeve surgery, I kept wondering, did they really do my surgery? I felt the same. Outside of having the obvious holes and the drain, I felt the same. By the third day, I realized I was not hungry. When we did the barium and x-ray test, I could see my new stomach. That was the best decision I ever made and this one will rank right up there as well!

Gail

I am trying to stay upbeat and optimistic that the surgery is going to happen, but it is going so slow! I tried to plan everything out so that the surgery would not impact my job as much as possible. I also had it set up so that I would have all the support I would need at my beck and call, but that too will be falling to the wayside. In the long run though it IS better. I getting the BEST doctor. He wrote the book on the current procedures.
I will get to meet Dr Kenkel and with Dr Lee on Aug 22. On this day we will set up the gameplan and schedule the surgery. I am not trying to look like Barbie, just take all the lumps away and let me get into my clothes without all the drama.
No more bouncing up and down to get the fat pockets/excess skin into the pants. and especially - - - - - no more granny panties!!!!!

Will write more after my appointment.

I can't believe that it has been 2 years since I have updated this blog. I think one reason is that it is not on the front page and out of sight out of mind. ... Hmmmmm

I have been living life and enjoying every minute. I have competed in 3 5K's for the Fort Worth Zoo. It is glorious to be able to move, walking and running! My grandson has joined me and believe me when I say life is good!

I am now moving on to the next step... Plastic Surgery! I am so ready! I don't have the exact date of surgery yet, but should be the first week of August. I am having Dr Michael Lee of UT Southwestern University Hospital of Dallas perform the surgery. Yes, they are a Residency Training Program, but I feel very comfortable in their hands. The price was equivalent to Mexico, without the concern of post-op care. I was all for going to Mexico, but not with all the trouble with the Drug Lords and violence.

My first surgery will be a Lower Body Lift and liposuction of the inner and outer thighs. Just think - no more bouncing to get into my pants! No more GRANNY PANTIES!!!!!!!

Isn't it amazing what we will be happy about! :)

Hello!
I survived my first ever 5K race. It was the 12th Annual Fort Worth Zoo Run on April 18th, 2009. I completed the race in 45 min and 20 secs! I am very happy and proud! I had a lot of fun and will do this again! I am wearing medium tops and medium shorts! I am ALIVE!!!!!

I can hardly believe that 6 months ago I began this journey! What did I think I would expect? Have I achieved it? How much more? It's both mind boggling and mind blowing at the same time. The surgery and the results have blown my expectations right off the chart. I would never in a million years believed what I have accomplished with the use of this tool.

I was never a big fried food eater. The most was maybe KFC once or twice a year. My biggest downfall was french fries. Now, I leave fried foods alone. While I might have a french fry or two, I have found the grease/fat upsets my tummy and I don't like that feeling. Of course that cuts out my favorite, the jalepeno popper, which used to be a monthly staple. Now, I'll just have one, once a year when we go to Saltgrass to celebrate our Anniversary. And that is fine with me because they have the best!!!

I had to go through my closet and completely empty it out. That in itself was a shocker! I pulled out clothes that, even though I was that size, was too big for me. Luckily, I have Goodwill close by and was able to find clothing to wear. I am now in a size 14, although I did fit into a size 12 pants the other day. My goal of being in a size 12 by my birthday is so close to reality. What struck me as being the weirdest, was having to get new shoes, sweaters and coats. I guess, I just never thought of having to replace them. It would make sense, but still never crossed my mind.

Hubby is totally entranced with the "NEW ME"! Although I know he loves me, no matter the size, he likes this much better. We are going back to AZ next month. The last time most of the people we will see has seen me was right before surgery. I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!

Sorry that it has been awhile since I typed anything.

I had gone back to work and even with the restrictions I was exhausted. Now 2 weeks later, I still am getting tired, but it's a good tired.

I have been on soft foods now for about a week. Really enjoying the flavors. Still impressed about not having an appetite or being hungry. But that is what it's all about!

Dr's appointment on the 27th. Should then go to real foods. Just think about all the flavors I can enjoy then (within reasons!)

I feel fabulous! I have had no nausea. So far everything outside of FF milk has been fine. Regular cheese has been fine, just the milk was giving me issues.

I LOVE MY SLEEVE!

Thank you Dr Davidson and Staff!

I made it over to Dr Davidson's office in record time with the least amount of traffic I had ever had! And didn't get lost once!

Dr Davidson removed 1/2 of my staples and pulled out my drain! I was so happy that was finally out. I felt much better instantly. Isn't that amazing?

Now, I can twist (somewhat), bend over (somewhat) and wash my own hair! 

I was a little disappointed that I need to continue another week on clear liquids. As the Dr said, "why take a chance?" I have another appointment next week, Mon, hopefully then I can move on to Full Liquids.

I feel good, which I find amazing for not eating. I don't feel hungry, but I do have my brain telling me to eat something. I believe that is what they call Head Hunger. No Way Jose! Doing what the Dr orders!

I am finally at home! While I enjoyed all the pampering at the hospital, I am so glad to be HOME!

I was at the hospital on Monday the 15th. I weighed in at 235! Total loss 13 lbs! On Tuesday, I had the surgery as scheduled. Thankfully, I don't remember too much about that. On Wednesday, I got up to walk and go potty EVERY 2 HOURS, day and night. I had to take the Upper GI Test 4 times. There was no leak, but I was very swollen in the upper stomach area and couldn't get the liquids to move through quick enough. Don't want to stretch and burst the staple line.

I finally got to leave on Friday the 20th. The first thing I did this morning, well afternoon, was go and get my hair washed and condidtioned. I still have my drain and I am having a hard time raising my hands above my head. Besides, having someone wash my hair feels glorious! That was a little treat from myself.

I go back to the DR's on Tuesday. They will take out half of the staples and hopefully this yucky drain will disappear.

Vista Hospital in Garland... what can I say.... nothing but the best! They treated me like royalty. I had Norma on Days and Carolyn at night. Judi was my surgical nurse. Turns out, Judi had this surgery almost a year ago. We talked about her surgery and results which in turn kept my mind off my surgery. They all were fantastic! I highly recommend Vista Hospital in Garland if you have a choice of hospitals! 

Gail

On Wed, Sept 3rd, I completed my Stress Echo and made my Pre-op class with Dr Davidson's office.
I tried to convince the Cardiologist's office that since I survived the stress of the traffic from Fort Worth to Dallas during morning rush, that I should be exempt from the Stress Echo. Sorry! Didn't work. Actually, it was kind of fun! It was very interesting to see my heart at work. Wow! It's amazing what modern technology can see.
The Pre-op class was small and felt more like one on one. I enjoyed meeting several people having the same type of surgery. I even met one who is having the surgery on the same day as me! Knowing that I am not alone in this has helped me to keep the nerve gremlins away.