One year ago today...

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

It seems like a usual thing for people to post an update on their one

year anniversary. I know that I enjoy reading such things, especially when I was

a pre-op.

So..

On March 26, 2003 first thing in the morning I was Sneezing like crazy, I was

allergic to Delano in spring I think and I was SO incredibly nervous. We left

the Best Western and I sneezed all the way to DRMC. The wonderful nurse who

gets you ready recognized that it could be some nerves and suggested we try

the Versed and she was right a few minutes on medication and being indoors and

the sneezing was calming down and so were my nerves. A bit, I remember thinking

I really could change my mind at the last minute and then remembered all the

reasons I wanted this and I am SO glad I went through with it.

My official day before surgery weight was 355.5. (I am 5'5 " ) When I had my

original consult with Dr. Welker in Eugene I was at 367 so I managed to lose a

little before my surgery but not as much as I had hoped.

My first few days in the hospital are pretty fuzzy memories now. I tell

people every single aspect of my recovery was better than I had braced myself

for.

Hubby reminds me that I was not comfortable and actually did complain of pain

and I wonder how I could be forgetting that? But the pain was well managed

and never did I say over a 5 on the pain scale. It was SO much better than I

thought it might be and I realize how very lucky I am to have had such a good

experience. I had almost no nausea. They took great care of me and my support

people.

I remember more discomfort at the hotel, I hated those drains I could NOT get

comfortable in any position. My BUTT hurt, seriously I remember that

complaint! (and complaining to Jo about it) I could not lie on my side as I was

used

to, could spend only a few hours lying on my back and spent most of my time in

that recliner I was glad we had rented. I remember being well enough to go to

the dollar store and look around but then was too tired to stand in line to

pay for anything! Every day DID get a little better and easier. I remember

food was a challenge. That first egg that Dr. K said I could have tasted SO

GOOD

and when I ordered it at Perko's I remember the waitress asking when my

surgery was and telling me about a family member who had been a patient, it felt

like being part of a community who understood. As I walked out carrying my

barely touched iced tea the manager happily poured it in to a to go cup for me

without my even asking. I also remember having hot cereal at the Shiloh that

tasted so good I couldn't wait to have it again the next morning and the very

next day it caused me to gag and almost hurl. Food was a trial and error

process.

To this day talking to people at support groups both online and in person it

seems we are all very different in what we can eat and what we can't. At one

year I truly can eat anything IN MODERATION if I have too many sugars I get

sick, too many carbs I get gas, too much fat extra time in the bathroom. All SO

WORTH IT!

So where am I today? Last night I weighed in at 191.5 pounds. Total loss

since surgery is 164 pounds! What a change for one year. I get measured at

Curves and have lost over 6 feet in inches! For those of you who haven't yet

heard my story in November I had a hernia repair and MAJOR tummy tuck where Dr.

K

removed 27 pounds of hanging pannus. What an overnight change. Although I had

lost over 100 pounds at that point I really didn't feel different, couldn't

buy any new clothes because I still needed them long to cover. People seldom

noticed my loss and I was feeling pretty discouraged. But I woke up a new

person. I could suddenly wear a smaller size, I could look down and see things I

hadn't seen in a very long time. Now I have glossed over the fact that THIS

surgery was a challenge, healing was a challenge, for ME it had to be done but

when

I see people at support meetings pinching an inch or two of flesh and talking

about needing it I want to tell them to think really hard about it and how it

will feel after.

Okay back to today, I am wearing a size 16 jean and it isn't a fluke!

Wherever I go the 16's seem to fit, the 14's I bought ARE a fluke LOL! but of

course

I had to buy them. I am shaped like a diamond and tops are a challenge I have

them in sizes 18 to 22 depending on the cut. I have totally exceeded my

initial expectations. All I wanted was to be a normal blend in the crowd

person.

To be able to walk in to Walmarta and buy clothing. To go to movies

comfortably, drive a car comfortably, take a bath comfortably. I have achieved

all these

things and more! I have had to deal with the reality that I am an almost 45

year old ordinary person and weight loss wasn't going to turn me gorgeous

(like it seems to do for SOME people we all know) and I am still shy clumsy and

lots of things the surgery didn't fix. But I am happier, more energetic and out

LIVING my life again. I would do it again in a heartbeat and consider it the

2nd best decision I have ever made (after marrying my sweet hubby). I will be

eternally grateful to Dr. K and his wife who I first saw in Las Vegas and the

rest of the staff that I met later. I can't imagine my life without some of

the people I have met through the surgery support. I am very very glad I had

this surgery and when and where I did. I am also so glad to be a part of this

wonderful support group who have seen me through the scary moments and

cheered me through the happy ones. I hope I can do the same for others.

Special

thanks to my local Dr. K support group Kym and Darla we ALL look good girls!!

This got way too long, sorry. If anyone has any specific questions I am

always happy to answer. I am going to get some new photos taken with yes a less

" flowing " top and get them posted. Thanks again to all of you.

in WA

355/191/??? (hoping to see an 8)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/26/2004 12:05:24 PM Central Standard Time,

Tops@... writes:

This got way too long, sorry. If anyone has any specific questions I am

always happy to answer. I am going to get some new photos taken with yes a

less

" flowing " top and get them posted. Thanks again to all of you.

in WA

355/191/??? (hoping to see an 8)

___________________________________-

,

I have a question...What was the determination to go ahead with the

pannie and not wait unil you were closer to goal? I am trying to decide wether

to

do a pannie now or wait. I know there are plusses to both ideas....Do you think

you'll be sorry in the long run if you lose a good portion more weight? I

haven't lost a clothing size in 3 months, despite 20+ lb loss....I think it's

due to the hanging skin.

in Bama

VBG 1982 (lost from 433lbs to 270's)

VBG -RNY1996 revision(Lost from 343 to 299)

RNY-DS revision Dec 2002 -down 130 lbs (377.7 to 247.2 and still going)

Homepage address- http://hometown.aol.com/mdl1031/myhomepage/profile.html

Many thanks to Dr. K willing to take on a 3rd timer....LOL

[Guest guest]

What a great and inspiring post, ! Congratulations!!

Jim

_____

From: Tops@... [mailto:Tops@...]

Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 10:01 AM

Subject: One year ago today...

Hi everyone,

It seems like a usual thing for people to post an update on their one

year anniversary. I know that I enjoy reading such things, especially when I

was

a pre-op.

So..

[Guest guest]

One year ago today...

congrats on such a great one year update and your wt loss is great . it just

shows how fab. this surgery is take care and have a great day

in WA

355/191/??? (hoping to see an 8)

[Guest guest]

Oh Kym thanks so much for the kind words! You always were MY shining star,

looking at you at the meetings and dreaming of looking half that good. And

your positive attitude is totally contagious!

I hope people didn't think I meant SIZE 8!! I wouldn't even know what one

of those looked like. I have much higher aspirations! like maybe a size 14

in my dreams!!

I sure have enjoyed the kind words and the good feelings today.

Group Hug!! in WA

[Guest guest]

Oh Kym thanks so much for the kind words! You always were MY shining star,

looking at you at the meetings and dreaming of looking half that good. And

your positive attitude is totally contagious!

I hope people didn't think I meant SIZE 8!! I wouldn't even know what one

of those looked like. I have much higher aspirations! like maybe a size 14

in my dreams!!

I sure have enjoyed the kind words and the good feelings today.

Group Hug!! in WA

[Guest guest]

So if you can COME TO THE SUPPORT MEETING APRIL 13TH. I would

love to meet

> you!

> The very talkative today.. in WA

...Wonderful, Wonderful, WONDERFUL update!!! But...(lol,

don't you just love Buts!)...Ok, But I have one Little bone to pick

with you. Is there something wrong with the mirrors in Washington?

Cuz I See a VERY Lovely woman when I look at you.

I sure do plan to be at the April support meeting...to many cool

people going to be there from out of town.

Katz

Melisa

Jeanne

Your update really was great, well written, fun to read...I'm

thinking you need to post more often since you do it so well.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

So if you can COME TO THE SUPPORT MEETING APRIL 13TH. I would

love to meet

> you!

> The very talkative today.. in WA

...Wonderful, Wonderful, WONDERFUL update!!! But...(lol,

don't you just love Buts!)...Ok, But I have one Little bone to pick

with you. Is there something wrong with the mirrors in Washington?

Cuz I See a VERY Lovely woman when I look at you.

I sure do plan to be at the April support meeting...to many cool

people going to be there from out of town.

Katz

Melisa

Jeanne

Your update really was great, well written, fun to read...I'm

thinking you need to post more often since you do it so well.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

What a wonderful update, ! I'm so happy for you!

Hugs!

Tracey

> Hi everyone,

> It seems like a usual thing for people to post an update on

their one

> year anniversary. I know that I enjoy reading such things,

especially when I was

> a pre-op.

> So..

>

> in WA

> 355/191/??? (hoping to see an 8)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ...

Thanx so much for sharing your story with us. You are a sweet heart.

It's funny, during the 1st part, your story sounded a lot like

mine...I weighed 365 in Niv. 2003 when I had my 1st consult with

Dr. K. When I had wls on Feb 11, 2004, I weighed 358, so I had lost

7 pounds before surgery, not as much as I wanted either. The whole

hospital experience...the same...2nd best decision you ever made,

next to marrying your sweet hubby....the same! That's what I tell

everybody! The nurses and the care I received...the same! I love it

when you, and all of you that have been thru all this already share

your experiences with us new ones that are just a few weeks out, or

even pre-op, because it gives us the will to keep going, because you

all so kindly share all your ups and downs...it gives us so much to

look forward too when we read the good stuff. And when we read the

stuff that's not so good, it's also encouraging because it let's us

know that we're gonna get thru it, just like all of you...so...just

wanted to say...thanx so much...I really appreciate it...Luv and

Hugs, Deb :-)

> Hi everyone,

> It seems like a usual thing for people to post an update on

their one

> year anniversary. I know that I enjoy reading such things,

especially when I was

> a pre-op.

> So..

>

> On March 26, 2003 first thing in the morning I was Sneezing like

crazy, I was

> allergic to Delano in spring I think and I was SO incredibly

nervous. We left

> the Best Western and I sneezed all the way to DRMC. The wonderful

nurse who

> gets you ready recognized that it could be some nerves and

suggested we try

> the Versed and she was right a few minutes on medication and being

indoors and

> the sneezing was calming down and so were my nerves. A bit, I

remember thinking

> I really could change my mind at the last minute and then

remembered all the

> reasons I wanted this and I am SO glad I went through with it.

>

> My official day before surgery weight was 355.5. (I am 5'5 " ) When

I had my

> original consult with Dr. Welker in Eugene I was at 367 so I

managed to lose a

> little before my surgery but not as much as I had hoped.

>

> My first few days in the hospital are pretty fuzzy memories now. I

tell

> people every single aspect of my recovery was better than I had

braced myself for.

> Hubby reminds me that I was not comfortable and actually did

complain of pain

> and I wonder how I could be forgetting that? But the pain was well

managed

> and never did I say over a 5 on the pain scale. It was SO much

better than I

> thought it might be and I realize how very lucky I am to have had

such a good

> experience. I had almost no nausea. They took great care of me and

my support

> people.

>

> I remember more discomfort at the hotel, I hated those drains I

could NOT get

> comfortable in any position. My BUTT hurt, seriously I remember

that

> complaint! (and complaining to Jo about it) I could not lie on my

side as I was used

> to, could spend only a few hours lying on my back and spent most

of my time in

> that recliner I was glad we had rented. I remember being well

enough to go to

> the dollar store and look around but then was too tired to stand

in line to

> pay for anything! Every day DID get a little better and easier.

I remember

> food was a challenge. That first egg that Dr. K said I could have

tasted SO GOOD

> and when I ordered it at Perko's I remember the waitress asking

when my

> surgery was and telling me about a family member who had been a

patient, it felt

> like being part of a community who understood. As I walked out

carrying my

> barely touched iced tea the manager happily poured it in to a to

go cup for me

> without my even asking. I also remember having hot cereal at the

Shiloh that

> tasted so good I couldn't wait to have it again the next morning

and the very

> next day it caused me to gag and almost hurl. Food was a trial

and error process.

>

> To this day talking to people at support groups both online and in

person it

> seems we are all very different in what we can eat and what we

can't. At one

> year I truly can eat anything IN MODERATION if I have too many

sugars I get

> sick, too many carbs I get gas, too much fat extra time in the

bathroom. All SO

> WORTH IT!

>

> So where am I today? Last night I weighed in at 191.5 pounds.

Total loss

> since surgery is 164 pounds! What a change for one year. I get

measured at

> Curves and have lost over 6 feet in inches! For those of you who

haven't yet

> heard my story in November I had a hernia repair and MAJOR tummy

tuck where Dr. K

> removed 27 pounds of hanging pannus. What an overnight change.

Although I had

> lost over 100 pounds at that point I really didn't feel different,

couldn't

> buy any new clothes because I still needed them long to cover.

People seldom

> noticed my loss and I was feeling pretty discouraged. But I woke

up a new

> person. I could suddenly wear a smaller size, I could look down

and see things I

> hadn't seen in a very long time. Now I have glossed over the fact

that THIS

> surgery was a challenge, healing was a challenge, for ME it had to

be done but when

> I see people at support meetings pinching an inch or two of flesh

and talking

> about needing it I want to tell them to think really hard about it

and how it

> will feel after.

>

> Okay back to today, I am wearing a size 16 jean and it isn't a

fluke!

> Wherever I go the 16's seem to fit, the 14's I bought ARE a fluke

LOL! but of course

> I had to buy them. I am shaped like a diamond and tops are a

challenge I have

> them in sizes 18 to 22 depending on the cut. I have totally

exceeded my

> initial expectations. All I wanted was to be a normal blend in

the crowd person.

> To be able to walk in to Walmarta and buy clothing. To go to

movies

> comfortably, drive a car comfortably, take a bath comfortably. I

have achieved all these

> things and more! I have had to deal with the reality that I am an

almost 45

> year old ordinary person and weight loss wasn't going to turn me

gorgeous

> (like it seems to do for SOME people we all know) and I am still

shy clumsy and

> lots of things the surgery didn't fix. But I am happier, more

energetic and out

> LIVING my life again. I would do it again in a heartbeat and

consider it the

> 2nd best decision I have ever made (after marrying my sweet

hubby). I will be

> eternally grateful to Dr. K and his wife who I first saw in Las

Vegas and the

> rest of the staff that I met later. I can't imagine my life

without some of

> the people I have met through the surgery support. I am very very

glad I had

> this surgery and when and where I did. I am also so glad to be a

part of this

> wonderful support group who have seen me through the scary moments

and

> cheered me through the happy ones. I hope I can do the same for

others. Special

> thanks to my local Dr. K support group Kym and Darla we ALL look

good girls!!

>

> This got way too long, sorry. If anyone has any specific questions

I am

> always happy to answer. I am going to get some new photos taken

with yes a less

> " flowing " top and get them posted. Thanks again to all of you.

>

> in WA

> 355/191/??? (hoping to see an 8)

>

>

>