Jodi D.

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I had the surgery that changed my life! I am doing great! I am off all meds except for the breathing meds which I'll have to take regardless, but my lung capacity has increased over 20%! I can walk now. I know it doesn't sound that exciting, but to go from homebound to getting out anywhere and everywhere I choose to go is outstanding in my opinion. I am living life again. I have had no complications with the surgery. I do what I'm suppose to do (except working out on the regular). Life happens and I don't make time, knowing that I should. That is now going to be a priority, no matter what. I have treated myself, but I try not to overindulge. I still have a long "weigh" to go to get to my goal. I see so many gain their weight back and I don't want that to happen to me. I know it's easy to do, been there, done that....50lbs put back on b4 you realize it. Well, just wanted to check in. For once, I am very excited to see what the coming year will bring. Wishing you all a very Happy 2013! Wish me luck on losing the next 100!

I have lost 80lbs...and I feel great!  I have been very lucky not to be sickly. I count my blessings just as I count the calories and pounds. There comes a point in obesity where you aren't able to do normal everyday activities with ease and some not at all. At 5'4" and almost 400lbs, I was at that point. Just living day to day was a hardship. I am still over 300lbs but the difference is remarkable.  The saying "you don't know what you got until it's gone" rings so true. I am very, very thankful for this surgery getting me back on track to living life again. I have a long, long way to go, but  I'm on my way!

The first time I read about foamies on here, I was like wth? Lemme tell ya... the foamies do exist! I have done so well since my surgery I guess I got cocky and must not have chewed my baked chicken very well. Started with alot of burping, then burping with spit, then one burp produced so much spit aka "foam" that it came out of my nose. This went on for an hour until I finally threw up the offending chicken. Felt so much better after that. But yeah...it does kinda look like foam. Oh...I've lost a total of 62 lbs and it's starting to slow down, so I'm going to bump up the exercise. Sometimes I just get mopey because I have so far to go, but 62lbs in less than 3 months is great. Gotta keep my eye on the prize.

Yesterday, I was 4 weeks post-op and still feeling great. No complications, thank God. I have not thrown up but maybe had 10 seconds of nausea once. The smell of protein drinks...yuck, but I do them...gladly. I haven't found anything yet that I can't eat, but I'm not pushing it either. No sugar...high fat for me. The only problem I have is getting 64 oz of water in. Seems impossible! I might get in 40-48 oz, but working on more. I guess the food I chew to a liquid could count for something..lol. Getting sick of scrambled eggs and potatoes. Oh and cheese...blah. I did celebrate yesterday with a small meatball.  Major excitement and it went down and stayed down great! The weight loss tally: 27 pounds since day of surgery and 42 pounds since 2 week pre-op visit with Doc. Considering I hang onto every bite that goes in, I'm happy with that! =) Ohhh.... still have gas all the time and my right shoulder is achy almost all the time. No big deal, but gonna mention it to the Dr. next visit in 2 weeks. Hope this finds everyone well!

Always check the protein powder that you are adding to your food. You know all the containers pretty much look alike if you use the same brand and chicken flavor DOES NOT taste good in hot (warm) chocolate.. ..lol.

Today I had an appointment with my nephrologist (kidney doc). I have been seeing him because of protein in the urine and messed up bun/creatinine levels. So!!!! Lab tests were great! Could it possibly happen that quick?  Go from stage 2 CKD to normal labs? Apparently so! I have lost another 11lbs in just a week. Seems like alot for one week. Maybe all the different Dr.'s scales are off from one another. The nephrologist was happy, I was happy, and he's expecting me to be off the last bp med soon.  The Dr.: "I can't wait to see how this turns out." ... Me too.

I have lost 22 lbs according to my Dr.'s records, but since they didn't weight me before surgery I know it's 14 lbs in 2 weeks. Not bad, not bad at all considering how swollen I was!  So all that water weight is coming off and soon the real work begins. My blood pressure is also doing great since being cut back to 1 low dose med. So yay me!!!

Today is my 43rd Birthday! I am happy to say that I am looking forward to this coming year for once. So many changes are about to happen and that is so exciting! I am also 10 days post-op. I have done very, very well. I think I worked myself up so much expecting the worst that lil things don't bother me at all..lol. I did get a pill stuck last night and was in a panic for about an hour. I sipped on some warm broth and eventually fell asleep. Woke up good as new.  Thinking back it was kind of funny. I had to keep warming up my broth because it would get cold before I could sip more..I was on the verge of calling an ambulance because it was just STUCK (knowing it was not an emergency and happens alot to post-ops)...yeah, I was a mess...lol.  I finally was like..whatever (not the word I used) and just fell asleep..lol. Now I will crush everything the pharmacist says that is able to be crushed no matter was the surgeon says I can swallow. If he thinks I can get down those iron capsules...uh uhhhh, not even trying. Heading out today for some liquid or chewable iron. As far as everything's going, not quite getting 64oz yet, but getting protein and vitamins all down. I'm even having my baby meals of full liquids. No hunger which is surprising. I'll look at a food commercial and think, "oooh that looks good", but no craving..lol. Have had no problem with nausea or vomiting. Alot of gas but no big deal. No pain. I guess my big complaint is swelling. Feet and legs are HUGE. I was told normal and to keep them up when not walking. They cut my bp pills to 1/2 of  one, and no diuretic. So I'm sure that is part of it too. I am counting all my blessings and thanking God that all is well. It helped that I had an excellent surgeon, too..lol. As far as weight lost, well, I'm staying away from the scale until the swelling goes down. I have my check up next week and wouldn't be surprised if I gained from all the fluid. I know it will come off eventually! Thanks to all who have checked in on me. You are much appreciated. Til next time... Jodi =)

I can't believe this! Only 2 more sleeps, as my youngest would say, and then it's my big day. I have to admit that I've let the nerves get the better of me this week. It hasn't helped that my brother is currently in ICU with possible CHF and the family is really worried about him. Then add my surgery into the mix and everyone is on high alert. We've shared the best of times and have supported each other through the worst, so "this too shall pass".  I know that I look at this surgery as a gift and a chance to better myself and at this point, I have no choice but to have this surgery with the hopes of improving my health. As I keep telling myself and my family, I've had surgeries before and have done great. As far as post-op, I've done just about everything I can to prepare myself. So let's rock!!

Oh! I'm not sure if anyoene ever reads this or ever will (I know I've been checking out profiles for years)...but pre-op appt with surgeon was just going over med history, and the usual check up. The nurse gave me alot of info. Pre-op testing was an all day thing. They made it easy and had us (myself and 2 other ladies having same surgery on same day) in the same room for the majority. Let's see...we had Huge Notebooks filled with info. Had to take a pre-test and post-test on diet/lifestyle after surgery to make sure we knew what was going to happen. Had the blood work (no big deal), gave us brunch. I had my No Sugar Instant Carnation drink, Crystal Lite, and a piece of turkey off the sandwich while they chowed on blueberry muffins and Pepsi...lol. I'd already started my 2 week pre-op diet. They had a different Surgeon, but same Practice. Then we had a chest x-ray, EKG, meeting with the Bariatric Nurse to go over what to expect the day of surgery and after in the hospital (mine included info on heparin shots for 2 weeks post op because of my high bmi, got a dvd to watch), a meeting with an exercise physiologist, a social worker, and the nutritionist for the 2nd time. I must say, this Bariatric Program is one of the best! I even have my surgeon's home phone number, so that was definitely reassuring. I haven't had to follow the liquid diet that I see most do prior to surgery and I don't have to do a bowel prep. It's just been a healthy lunch/dinner under 250-350 cal and 3 carnation drinks a day. All easily do-able! Kind of helps that I've been havig dental work done and can hardly chew anyway!The endoscopy was no big deal either. Get you naked waist up, in a gown, get stats, start iv port, lay down, spray your throat, put mouth gaurd? in, and fall asleep. Wake up- all over! So for those of you just starting out-- this is all the easy stuff. I hope to report how easy surgery and recovery was in the hospital in a couple weeks... but I promise I won't sugar coat anything...lol. To all those getting ready for surgery- stay calm, stay positive, and do well!

I have been approved! After so many years, so many tears, and so many pounds...I have actually been approved! I believe I was in shock the entire time I was on the phone with my surgeon's insurance coordinator, Jean. She scheduled my surgery for Nov. 7th, only 5 weeks away! I could have had it Oct. 31, but with it being Halloween and still having 2 trick or treaters at home, well that and it being kinda a spooky day....lol. Now I have to let it sink in and start making some plans. I'm in sort of a happy, scared, excited mode right now. But yeah...APPROVED! =)