Pain Update

Weight 280

I called the surgeon's office after the pain in my right side got worse. Apparently, they take this stuff pretty serious. They sent me immediately to have blood drawn.

I had an ultrasound. The technician was training someone so she talked the entire time. I knew immediately that I had gall stones because she pointed them out to the trainee.

Tim, my husband, had his 3 month appointment so they worked me in with the physician's assistant. I saw Dr. Kemmeter in the hall. He said that I had been the topic of discussion. He asked what the ultrasound showed and said I would need surgery. He almost seemed excited. I asked if he would do the surgery and he said, "Of course!".

The only problem is that I have to wait until April 13th (Friday) to have surgery. I'm in pain and the idea of having to wait that long is killing me.

I had to have a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia because of this crazy virus I've had for 2 weeks.

The PA was very excited about my weightloss. He did my pre-op exam so that I don't have to come back. That was the only good thing that came of this whole thing.

It's so strange because my head wants to be excited about my weight loss, but my body's not co-operating. I can't wait to feel better.

Woe Is Me

Weight 280

The virus still has it's grips on me, but, I'm feeling quite a bit better that way.

About five days ago, I started to feel some abdominal pain. It's dull, but constant on my right side just below my rib cage (I can actually feel my ribs!). Once in a while there is a sharp twinge. I was hoping it would go away.

It seems to be getting worse rather than better so I called the surgeon's office. I was instructed to have blood drawn immediately so I did. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound today and also with the physician's assistant. Of course, they think it's my gall bladder. I'm hoping it's not.

I'll be so mad if it is since I told them I had had problems in the past. The surgeon said he would check it when he did the RNY. He said at the time that it looked fine. I don't want another surgery but I do want the pain to go away.

More 5 Month Pictures

5 Month Pictures

Weight 281

(All pictures can be clicked to enlarge)












I tried as hard as I could to get these to be the same size, but couldn't get it right. Because I've got so many pictures, they have to be split in half.

I can finally notice that my stomach is getting smaller *sigh*.

On a happy note, the jeans in the final picture are a size 24. I just bought them today. They are my favorite Denim Lite jeans from The Avenue. I don't think a regular 24 would fit so well.

Tomorrow I will post my pre-op pics vs. my 5 month pics.

What Did I Do To Deserve This?

Weight 281 (-2 since yesterday, -103 total)

I'm not sure what I'm doing differently, but I'm back on the losing track. It could have something to do with this crazy virus that is kicking my butt. I can't seem to eat much real food. I take two bites and feel sick.

I still don't think I've had an actually full blown dumping experience. Yesterday, I made cube steak and it was really tender. After just a few bites, I knew it wasn't going well so I pushed it aside. An hour later, it revisited. I didn't feel particularly bad, just like something was stuck. Once I threw up, I felt much better.

I just hope the losing continues and I can get rid of this horrible virus.

Century Club

Weight 283

It's Official!

Weight 284





I have lost 100 pounds!!!!! I made it!!!!

I can't wait until I lose 100 more!!!!!!!!

My youngest (who is sick too) did a modified happy dance this morning. It's also the first day of my period so I'm hoping to be down more in the next couple of days.

This all seems surreal that in less than 5 months, I would lose this much weight. Now the hard work begins.

Weight Loss Talk

Weight 284

A conversation over lunch with my stepdad, Ted, yesterday sparked some thoughts about losing weight. Obviously, I have no clue about what really works since I had to cut into my gut to make a change.

My mom and Ted have been on a diet for the last three weeks.

Ted has a metabolism like a hummingbird. He eats constantly to keep up with his intense physical movements. He's small but works out voraciously to keep himself at a constant weight. He has lost 10 pounds on their diet.

Unfortunately, I got my metablolism from my mom. My poor mother has only lost 3 pounds. I tried explaining to Ted that when someone follows a diet and doesn't see results, it seems like it's the end of the world. He insisted that someone on a diet needs only to think about the moment, not the rest of their life. I disagreed because when I'm on a diet, that's all I can focus on, what I'm depriving myself of.

I should explain that Ted is a recovering alcoholic (28 years of sobriety). He has always equated overcoming alcohol with being able to lose weight. He says that addictions are the same. I have tried to explain to him that it isn't the same. We have to eat in order to survive. Just trying to eat a little is like telling an alcoholic to have one drink.

Another major difference in trying to lose weight is that almost everything we do in life is based around food. All gatherings revolve around what's being served. Just walking up to someone's desk can be difficult if they have a huge jar of candy in your face.

What has changed for me since surgery is that I can no longer eat huge quanities of food, even if I wanted to. I have been forced to change my eating habits. If I don't, I must suffer the immediate consequence of throwing up. Even if my head tells me to eat more, I can't. Why couldn't I just eat smaller portions before surgery? Because my brain wouldn't let me. If food was there, I would eat it.

I'd love to say that I've overcome obsessing over food, but I'd be lying. What surgery has taught me is that I must now focus more on what I'm eating as well as how much. I have to get enough protein and water every day or I will suffer for the rest of my life. Being aware of every single morsel I put into my body for the rest of my life, is the only way I will overcome obesity.

-98 Pounds

Weight 286

I'm finally down a pound. It's been 7 days since I lost anything.

I spent yesterday obsessing about what I was going to eat. I had to tell myself a couple of times that it wasn't time to eat.

I have a horrible chest and head cold. The first since before surgery. I guess I usually eat to try to make myself feel better.

I started logging in to FitDay.com again. I'm usually pretty good about keeping track in my head. My calories fluctuate from 400-800 a day. Still too low.

Victory!

Weight 287 (Still!)

The weather was absolutely gorgeous yesterday. It was a warm 70 degrees F and the whole family had the day off.

Tim took the girls to the bookstore and I got myself together and trekked outside to do some yardwork. Keep in mind that last year, I was so mad about not having weight loss surgery that I didn't do much of anything. I was so focused on having surgery during the summer that really nothing else mattered.

I started out pulling last years dead flowers and leaves out of the front raised flower beds. As I stood on top of the landscaping bricks uncovering tupils and daffodils, I felt like I was a king on a mountain. I can bend and move like never before.

Tim came home and helped me tackle the garden. It was funny because there was still some snow on the ground and yet it was warm.

(Our youngest shoveling the deck in shorts)

As we finished up, I realized that it was indeed a good thing that I didn't have surgery last summer. I would have never felt as good as I do now and I get to spend the whole summer feeling great.

Whoa!

Weight 287

I was going through some pictures on disk and came up with some horrible before pictures. I hope I never end up like this again!

All of these were taken in 2003. I'm guessing my weight to be around 370. Not even as big as I got.

I Can't Belive It!

Weight 287!! (-4 since yesterday)

I couldn't believe it when I stepped on the scale this morning. I was down 4 pounds since yesterday. I knew that I would show a loss since I got rid of lots of fluids yesterday.

I'm sure tomorrow will show a rebound again, but I'm taking the 4 today!

Boing!

Weight 291

I'm back down a pound. I almost didn't weigh myself today. I was convinced that I had extra water weight because I didn't drink enough water yesterday.

When I first stepped on the scale, it read 289. I knew that couldn't be right so I stepped off and back on again. It read 291, then 290. I'll stick with 291.

I've noticed that people who barely gave me the time of day before, are starting to pay way more attention. It's so sad to me that because I'm less fat, people will speak to me.

Bouncing Around!

Weight 292 (up 2 pounds, argh!)

As you can see, I have rebounded back up 2 pounds. This frustrates me to no end. This gives me more reason not to weigh myself every single day. The problem I have with not weighing, is that I didn't weigh myself for many years and I believe that led to helping to fuel my morbid obesity. I thought it was better not to depress myself with knowing my weight.

I had a PTA meeting tonight (I've been the President for 4 years). Two different people cornered me to tell me how great I look. It was nice to hear a genuine compliment.

WOW

Weight 290

I had a couple of WOW moments on Friday. I was able to go into the restroom at my daughter's school and easily shut the door. In the past I almost had to stand on the toilet to close it. I also saw part of the car seat between my thighs. I never thought I'd see that, lol!

With Tim's weightloss and mine, we are like teenagers again. It's amazing what losing almost 200 pounds (between the two of us) can do for a marriage.

I also lost 2 pounds since yesterday!!!!

Slowly Creeping Down

Weight 292 (-92 pounds)

I noticed yesterday that my knees weren't screaming at me as I traversed the stairs. They are still not completely happy but it's so much better.

I've been doing well with getting all the protein in. Still can only get about 48 oz. of water in. I make it a goal every day to get 64 oz. but I just don't make it.

I have approximately 112 pounds left to lose to get to my goal of 180 pounds.