strwbryblnd
Goals..one down..
Sep 26, 2011
I had my surgery a month ago this past Saturday. Today, I weighed and I have already accomplished my first goal!! Before surgery, I weighed in at 338 pounds. As of today, I am 298! I have done away with the 300's! I go to see the surgeon again this coming Friday and I am also now on regular food..such as it is. I am NOT a cook and not imaginative in the kitchen so finding things to eat that taste good is a challenge. But i am accomplishing this! Onward and Upward!
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One Week Down
Aug 31, 2011
I had my first post-op appointment yesterday and the first thing I learned was that I have to slow down still. I tend to think I can do more than I truly can. That aside, though, I lost 14 pounds!! I began this journey at 338 and I am now down to 324! For some that may not seem like much, but to me it is a mountain I have climbed over..and I am on my way down the other side.
My main problem is trying to find some sort of nourishment while on this pureed part of the plan. I tried actual baby food and I must apologize to my children for ever feeding it to them.. it is disgusting! Whoever thought that tasted like bananas was obviously on some sort of drug. But I have changed tactics and will be fine. I get to 'enjoy' the pureed things for two weeks, then move on to soft foods.. at least that will include actual food..mashed potato, etc.. Personally, I would dearly love to eat something crunchy right about now and I wouldn't care very much what it was.
I told my daughter this evening that I find it very interesting what we crave when we know we can have nothing... for me, I was having a wild craving for breat and butter, of all things. That isn't even something I would normally eat much of, but there it is. I am reminding myself every few moments of the goal and the reason for the journey and how very much I want my life back. About that time, my other daughter texts me to remind me that I lost 14 POUNDS!! It was absolutely perfect timing. All these small depressive moments will come, but they will also go and I will survive and move onward and upward.
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My main problem is trying to find some sort of nourishment while on this pureed part of the plan. I tried actual baby food and I must apologize to my children for ever feeding it to them.. it is disgusting! Whoever thought that tasted like bananas was obviously on some sort of drug. But I have changed tactics and will be fine. I get to 'enjoy' the pureed things for two weeks, then move on to soft foods.. at least that will include actual food..mashed potato, etc.. Personally, I would dearly love to eat something crunchy right about now and I wouldn't care very much what it was.
I told my daughter this evening that I find it very interesting what we crave when we know we can have nothing... for me, I was having a wild craving for breat and butter, of all things. That isn't even something I would normally eat much of, but there it is. I am reminding myself every few moments of the goal and the reason for the journey and how very much I want my life back. About that time, my other daughter texts me to remind me that I lost 14 POUNDS!! It was absolutely perfect timing. All these small depressive moments will come, but they will also go and I will survive and move onward and upward.
Digestion
Jul 22, 2011
I have had just about 22 hours to digest the news that my surgery is just a month away. I have been trying to adjust to the idea that I need to have 1400 calories each day and how I am supposed to accomplish that. I am going to have to find a way to come up with things to take to work for lunch...what I can eat and what I cannot..
The main problem is not cutting DOWN on what I eat, but to eat a bit more. I reached this weight through a thyroid problem and I have never been a big eater. If I took in 1400 calories in any one day, I would be amazed. I just don't know. Guess I will have to find a good diet and write it out for myself because I have to have things very clearly spelled out.. no gray areas. Just tell me what I CAN eat and don't give me choices.
I'm sure I will figure it out..eventually..
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The main problem is not cutting DOWN on what I eat, but to eat a bit more. I reached this weight through a thyroid problem and I have never been a big eater. If I took in 1400 calories in any one day, I would be amazed. I just don't know. Guess I will have to find a good diet and write it out for myself because I have to have things very clearly spelled out.. no gray areas. Just tell me what I CAN eat and don't give me choices.
I'm sure I will figure it out..eventually..
FINALLY!!
Jul 21, 2011
I received the call today! My surgery [gastric bypass] is scheduled for August 24th! I am so excited and anxious. I am also nervous, scared and worried. Nervous for the usual and obvious reasons, scared simply because it is surgery and the whole thing is an unknown..and worried because I am So determined to have my life back and I am worried that I will screw it up somehow. I am worried that I won't understand the diet requirements. I am worried that something will go wrong. yes, I know all these things are normal, but that doesn't make them go away. Over it all, however, I am anxious and excited to start fresh.. to begin my new life.
I will go on August 2nd for the pre-surgery physical and blood tests, etc., then to see the Doctor's P.A. I am to keep to a 1400 calory diet beforehand and I have NEVER been good with that sort of thing. I don't want to screw that up either.
I will make it through. That much I know. I have an enormous faith so I know things will be fine, but the emotions are also there.
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I will go on August 2nd for the pre-surgery physical and blood tests, etc., then to see the Doctor's P.A. I am to keep to a 1400 calory diet beforehand and I have NEVER been good with that sort of thing. I don't want to screw that up either.
I will make it through. That much I know. I have an enormous faith so I know things will be fine, but the emotions are also there.
Just steps away
Nov 07, 2010
I have now had all three assessments and I think they went well. I have to attend a required support group meeting, but when I went the first of the month, after traveling two hours to get there, I was told it had JUST been cancelled. Apparently, there is no guarantee that the meeting will take place. They only meet once a month, so I now have to wait three more weeks and HOPE that it isn't cancelled again. I will be calling in the next day or two to see about it and see if there are alternatives.
Beyond that, my next appointment will be with the doctor himself. I am nervous about the whole thing, but moreso excited and anxious. I SO look forward to the light at the end of this tunnel.
One of the things I am really concerned about, however, is the excess skin. Even though I know to exercise a LOT in order to firm it all back up, there is so much of it! I'm just concerned about that. Well, onward and upward.
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Beyond that, my next appointment will be with the doctor himself. I am nervous about the whole thing, but moreso excited and anxious. I SO look forward to the light at the end of this tunnel.
One of the things I am really concerned about, however, is the excess skin. Even though I know to exercise a LOT in order to firm it all back up, there is so much of it! I'm just concerned about that. Well, onward and upward.
Assessments
Oct 09, 2010
On October 1, I had my physical therapy assessment. I think that went well enough. Everyone there was so nice and made the experience actually pleasant. Then, on October 7, I had the assessment with the behavioral psychologist. She was really awesome. Not to mention she had the most awesome view of the St Louis skyline..including the Arch..out her windows. I talked with her for a long time and then took the longest test on a computer. 569 questions! Luckily, I enjoy answering questions, surveys, that sort of thing. Some of the questions were a bit odd, but having studied psychology a bit, I understood the reasoning.
Next assessment..with a nutritionist..is on November 2nd. I also, now, need to make the arrangements for attending the support group meeting as well. At least for that one I won't have to take off work more than an hour or so.
Every day that goes by, I am more and more anxious for this surgery and more and more hopeful for the results. I am fully aware that it will be difficult and stressful at times, but keeping the end result in my head leads me onward.
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Next assessment..with a nutritionist..is on November 2nd. I also, now, need to make the arrangements for attending the support group meeting as well. At least for that one I won't have to take off work more than an hour or so.
Every day that goes by, I am more and more anxious for this surgery and more and more hopeful for the results. I am fully aware that it will be difficult and stressful at times, but keeping the end result in my head leads me onward.
step by step
Sep 04, 2010
I have just completed the first lab work and EKG. I completed the initial questionnaires and sent them to Dr. Eagon's office yesterday.. had the lab work and EKg done same day. The next step is to make my appointments with the behavioural and physical therapists along with the dietician. I will do that on Tuesday, I guess.
I am feeling pretty nervous about all of this, but it is a good nervous. Having them draw FIVE tubes of blood started to make it all pretty real. My family is VERY supportive and excited for me. We keep talking about all the things we will do together when I have lost the weight.
I am looking forward to walking again.. not just here to there, but in marathons! I used to walk in the Muscular Dystrophy walk-a-thon every year and enjoyed it SO much. I plan to do that again. My youngest daughter is excited because my loss of weight will mean SHOPPING!! Not MY favorite pasttime by any stretch of the imagination, but I will need new clothes.
I mostly look forward to feeling better. Being able to have shoes with laces again.. wearing heels.. wearing dresses again.. feeling good in my own skin again.
I definitely see HOPE at the end of this journey. God is with me every step of the way and my FAITH will guide me through it all. 
It begins...
Jun 24, 2010
I recieved the initial questionnaire in the mail today. As I was filling it out, my hands were shaking. I kept thinking what is some information I put on here stops the process? What if they don't think I can have the surgery? What will I do then?
Since I decided to do this, I have felt in my heart that it is absolutely the right thing to do. Just the decision to go forward has given me such hope. I continually remind myself of what I will have to do to make it work..and it's fine. I keep having these conversations with my youngest daughter about the things we can do together when I am thinner and not so tired all the time.. when I am not in pain most of the time. The look of anticipation on her beautiful face fills my heart with even more resolve to make this work. But, I know that until it actually happens, I will have these huge doubts that it will actually happen. I have been so disappointed so many times in my life that I find it nearly impossible to believe in anything.
Please Lord, keep me in the palm of your hand and help me through this new journey. Give me the strength and the confidence I need to see it through and to believe..in the doctors and the procedure..and in myself. My Faith in you, Lord, sees me through. Amen
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Since I decided to do this, I have felt in my heart that it is absolutely the right thing to do. Just the decision to go forward has given me such hope. I continually remind myself of what I will have to do to make it work..and it's fine. I keep having these conversations with my youngest daughter about the things we can do together when I am thinner and not so tired all the time.. when I am not in pain most of the time. The look of anticipation on her beautiful face fills my heart with even more resolve to make this work. But, I know that until it actually happens, I will have these huge doubts that it will actually happen. I have been so disappointed so many times in my life that I find it nearly impossible to believe in anything.
Please Lord, keep me in the palm of your hand and help me through this new journey. Give me the strength and the confidence I need to see it through and to believe..in the doctors and the procedure..and in myself. My Faith in you, Lord, sees me through. Amen
My Journey Begins~6-16-10
Jun 16, 2010
Yesterday, I saw my own doctor to discuss having lap band surgery. She agreed that it was a good idea for me. We talked about things I had learned from my research. My daughters were with me so that they could hear the facts from the doctor and they could ask whatever questions they might want to ask. After our discussion, my doctor said that the nurse would get the info I need and call me.
So today, Donna [the nurse] called and gave me the number for the weight loss surgeon at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Chris Eagon. I called and was instructed to leave a message with my name, address and phone number in order to receive their information packet. I immediately called and left my information. I should receive the packet in about 2 weeks. I am anxious to read the info and get this thing started.
In the meantime, I told my oldest daughter that I felt as though I should eat all the things I enjoy now because later I won't be able to. Later, I will begin an entirely new life, complete with eating habits. I am more than fine with that. I will do whatever I have to do in order to get my life back. I have been fighting this demon for a few years now because of a thyroid condition and an inept physician and I want to change things and enjoy my life before I am too old to do all the things I enjoyed before the weight.
My children are very happy for me and very supportive of this decision. That makes all the difference in the world. My friends are 100% behind me, so I have a great support team in my corner. That, combined with my endless faith, will get me through everything. Onward and upward, my friends.
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So today, Donna [the nurse] called and gave me the number for the weight loss surgeon at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Chris Eagon. I called and was instructed to leave a message with my name, address and phone number in order to receive their information packet. I immediately called and left my information. I should receive the packet in about 2 weeks. I am anxious to read the info and get this thing started.
In the meantime, I told my oldest daughter that I felt as though I should eat all the things I enjoy now because later I won't be able to. Later, I will begin an entirely new life, complete with eating habits. I am more than fine with that. I will do whatever I have to do in order to get my life back. I have been fighting this demon for a few years now because of a thyroid condition and an inept physician and I want to change things and enjoy my life before I am too old to do all the things I enjoyed before the weight.
My children are very happy for me and very supportive of this decision. That makes all the difference in the world. My friends are 100% behind me, so I have a great support team in my corner. That, combined with my endless faith, will get me through everything. Onward and upward, my friends.
About Me
Salem, IL
Location
39.0
BMI
Surgery
08/24/2011
Surgery Date
Jun 16, 2010
Member Since
