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My WLS Journey - Revision from LapBand to VSG - surgery scheduled for March 7, 2012

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One Week To Go.... Week 1 Pre-Op Diet Complete.

I can't believe how quickly the time is going by - no complaints there. I am actually thankful for these two weeks for me to get things in order - not only for my home and work but mostly for my psyche. I have followed the Pre-Op Diet the last week religiously and lost 7.9 lbs - I'm down to 278.3 now. I feel great. Thankfully my surgeon's pre-op diet is not liquids only like so many others - it is mostly liquids - protein drinks - but also includes 4 servings of fruit/veggies, 4 oz meat, 1 serving whole grain starch, 1 srv yogurt and my personal favorite - 1 oz nuts. It's been very livable.   Today I went for my 3 hour pre-op education class with the nurse. It was excellent!! I was the only one scheduled for the class so lots of one on one. She still took me through the 1+ inch book that they provide which was specific to Sleeve Gastrectmy and so comprehensive and useful (it is only available to their patients, understandably so). I love the fact that my surgeon, Dr. Robert Marema, is not only a pioneer in this field but also a patient himself having had gastric bypass many years ago. The way the whole program is developed really shows that they understand what we go through. It is so like 'Night and Day' from my Lapband surgeon's practice which had no pre-op diet, seminars nor regular post op follow up outside of Dr. appointments - 15 minutes for another fill, that sort of thing.   I guess it's time for me to figure out how to do the Avatar - I think that's what it's called - to show my results in my signature. I did it years ago on ObesityHelp. Then I want to go read up some more in my book and highlight things, etc.     Susie   Pre-Op Diet Start: 286.2 1 wk Pre-Op: 278.3
want2bthin

want2bthin

7
 

Looking Forward To These "ah Hah!" Moments Now That I'm Sleeved!

I keep thinking of these randomly in my head and have been meaning to put them down in writing.   First I should share an update - I am SLEEVED!!!! Surgery went as scheduled on March 7th. They removed my Lapband, repaired a hiatal hernia (unexpected) and performed the sleeve gastrectomy. I cannot say enough good things about my surgeons (Dr. Marema & Dr. Koppman assisting), their staff, the hospital, and above all their overall Center of Excellence program. There is no way to compare it to the care I received with my Lapband surgery six years ago. Pain was very minimal afterwards. I was most pleased that I did not have the shoulder pain (from gas) that I usually get when going under anesthesia. They had me walking within 4-5 hours. I stayed in the hospital for two nights in St. Augustine and then at a local Hilton Garden Inn for another two nights after surgery so I would be nearby if any complications arose. They did not. They sent me home with all kinds of goodies from shake bottles to protein drinks, jello, broth, water, crystal light drinks, a pedometer, measuring spoons, etc. all packaged up in this nice carrying case.   I'll be a week post op tomorrow and I've been doing very well at home - following my post op diet closely and virtually not hungry. Today was the first time I felt a mild hunger pain. I am continuing to walk each day. Yesterday I walked for 22 minutes and was a little out of breath so may have overdone it - cut back to 15 mins today and was fine. I plan on weighing myself tomorrow and will update my weight tracker afterwards.   So now back to my "Ah Hah" moments that I am looking forward to - in relatively random order: Weigh under 280 lbs -- Achieved -- 2/29/2012 - 10 lbs lost during 2 week pre-op diet
Surgery complete -- Achieved -- 3/7/2012
Weigh under 270 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/14/2012
Weigh under 260 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/31/2012
Size 2X clothes fit again -- Achieved -- 4/4/2012
Weigh under 250 lbs -- Achieved -- 4/18/2012
Weigh under 248 lbs (personal significance) -- Achieved 4/20/2012
Weigh under 240 lbs -- Achieved 5/9/2012
Start Jazzercise Classes -- Decide to join LA Fitness and work with a Personal Trainer instead -- 5/23/12
Weigh under 230 lbs
Weigh under 229 lbs (lowest with LapBand)
No longer have to wear airplane seat belt extender -- Achieved 5/1/2012 - WOOHOO!!! Flew on six planes (different models) over the next three weeks with no Extender!!
Size 1X clothes fit again
Weigh under 220 lbs
Weigh under 210 lbs
Weigh under 200 lbs -- ONEDERLAND!
Size XL clothes fit again
Weigh under 190 lbs
Weigh under 189 lbs (lowest while on WW in 2001 after losing 105 lbs)
Able to wear one of the cute sundresses I see at Flea Markets
Go bike riding -- Achieved 5/20/2012 Bought a new bike and took it for a spin.
Weigh under 180 lbs
Size L clothes fit again
Weigh under 170 lbs
Weigh 163 lbs or less - Wedding Day weight in 1983
Weigh under 160 lbs
Size M clothes fit again
Weigh under 150 lbs
Weigh under 140 lbs
Go rollerblading
Size S clothes fit??
Reach Goal Weight - 134 lbs!!!

want2bthin

want2bthin

5
 

The Official Journey To Susie 2.0 Begins Today With My Post-Op Diet...

Well I am officially on my way as of today. Scheduled for Lapband revision to VSG on March 7th at Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, FL with Dr. Robert Marema.   My prior journey was spread over the last six months during which I began to think that perhaps there was something wrong with my Lapband - that it wasn't just all my fault that I had gained back the weight I lost since having my Lapband surgery on 3/6/06. Now mind you, I do not blame the Lapband in total or probably even for most of the failure. I gave up on the whole thing a couple of years ago. I was so frustrated from either being too tight to eat or too loose and hungry to eat everything in sight and more. I was sick of the sliming, food getting stuck, excusing myself in restaurants, and never feeling full for more than 2 hours at a time. I went to multiple surgeons for fills. This past July I went to Dr. Marema who sent me for tests which revealed that the Lapband was not even on my stomach - it had slipped up on my esophagus which explained why food was always getting stuck but once it passed I was wide open as if I didn't have a band. For the first time ever I felt somewhat vindicated. It wasn't just my fault anymore. I have learned a lot of personal lessons and what I believe to be contributors to my failure and which I am absolutely convicted that I won't repeat them again. The past is in the past and it's time to move forward. It's been an emotional and physical at times roller coaster just getting to this point after two appeals, etc. to have this surgery finally deemed 'medically necessary', approved and scheduled - so I'll leave it at that.   So..... drum roll please...... Today's official Pre-Op start and stats:   YIKES!!!! Putting this out for the public to see.... what am I nuts!!! (I'll explain more below).   2/22/2012 - Measurements:   Pre-Op Diet Weight: 286.2 lbs.   Height: 5 1 1/2"   Bust: 53 1/2" Waist: 49" Hips: 60"   Thighs - L: 32" R: 32" Calves - L: 18" R: 18"   Upper Arms - L: 21" R: 21 1/2" Forearms - L: 12 1/4" R: 13"   Age = 52   I'm attaching some before photos taken first thing this morning. I purposely wore a close-fitting shirt and pulled up the shorts in front to show slightly above my knees for comparison purposes as I lose weight. No smiles there.... but I expect that to change in the future too   The main reason I am putting this out here is specifically related to one of the things I think I did not do well with my Lapband surgery.... which was telling others about it and facing the facts.   Prior to and just after my Lapband surgery only my husband knew about it. My kids didn't know - my sister who is a Nurse Practitioner didn't know - nor my other siblings nor my mother who lived with me at the time. I told no one at work either - I didn't want them to gossip and I didn't want the 'food police' around. I thought for sure I would lose all this weight and then I would tell them. Well my mother passed away in 2007 without ever knowing and still to this day the people I worked with do not know. I eventually told my kids, siblings and a select few friends. The most I ever lost with the Lapband though was 44 lbs so no one was exactly noticing any dramatic changes since I started at 273 lbs - some certainly did but most people are self absorbed anyway, in my experience. And when you are super morbidly obese 44 lbs is not as noticeable as when you are just obese.   So.... this time it will be different. I've already told several people at work that I'll be having this surgery. My family and friends know also. And now.... so do you....   and so, once again, the journey begins....   Until next time,   Susie
want2bthin

want2bthin

5
 

Updated "ah Hah" Moments

August 23, 2012: Still trying to figure out how this Blog works but figured it was time for another update. As of yesterday, I am down 90.1 lbs!!! Adding a Before/After photo and am updating my "Ah Hah" moments below.... Feeling 'on top of the world'!!!   July 13, 2012: Achieved another 'Ah Hah' Moment today - under 210 lbs. Now down 77.6 lbs - WooHoo!!   Happy July 4th to all. Figured it was time to update these again. Currently down 72 lbs since the start of my pre-op diet on 2/22; surgery was on 3/7.   Check out my Photos for updated 'After... So Far...' pictures.   Feeling great!!!     Updates to my "Ah Hah" moments that I am looking forward to - in relatively random order: Weigh under 280 lbs -- Achieved -- 2/29/2012 - 10 lbs lost during 2 week pre-op diet
Surgery complete -- Achieved -- 3/7/2012
Weigh under 270 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/14/2012
Weigh under 260 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/31/2012
Size 2X clothes fit again -- Achieved -- 4/4/2012
Weigh under 250 lbs -- Achieved -- 4/18/2012
Weigh under 248 lbs (personal significance) -- Achieved 4/20/2012
Weigh under 240 lbs -- Achieved 5/9/2012
Start Jazzercise Classes -- Decided to join LA Fitness and work with a Personal Trainer instead -- 5/23/12
Weigh under 230 lbs -- 5/29/12 (228.9 lbs)
Weigh under 229 lbs (lowest with LapBand) -- 5/29/12 (228.9 lbs)
No longer have to wear airplane seat belt extender -- Achieved 5/1/2012 - WOOHOO!!! Flew on six planes (different models) over the next three weeks with no Extender!!
Size 1X clothes fit again -- 6/13/12 - some fit, not all - varies by brand of course
Weigh under 220.2 lbs -- 6/18/12 (219.5 lbs)
BMI less than 40 - graduated from Morbidly Obese to Very Obese -- 7/3/12 -- 214.5 lbs (BMI 39.9) started at BMI of 53.2
Weigh under 210.2 lbs -- 7/13/2012 -- now 208.6 lbs -- WooHoo I'm more than half way there!
Weigh 206.2 - 80 lbs lost! -- 7/21/2012 -- @ 205.7 lbs
Weigh under 200 lbs -- ONEDERLAND! -- 8/4/2012 @ 199.9 lbs
Size XL clothes fit again -- approx 8/4/2012
Weigh 196.2 - 90 lbs lost! -- 8/22/2012 -- @ 196.1 lbs
Sit with legs crossed - comfortably! -- 8/15/2012
Weigh under 190 lbs
Weigh under 188 lbs (lowest while on WW in 2001 after losing 105 lbs)
BMI less than 35 - graduated from Very Obese to Obese -- started at BMI of 53.2
Weigh under 186.2 lbs -- ONE HUNDRED POUNDS LOST!!
Able to wear one of the cute sundresses I see at Flea Markets
Go bike riding -- Achieved 5/20/2012 Bought a new bike and took it for a spin.
Weigh under 180 lbs
Size L clothes fit again -- 8/15/2012 and wear Size 16 tops/bottoms
Weigh under 176.2 lbs -- 110 LBS DOWN
Weigh under 170 lbs
Weigh under 166.2 lbs -- 120 LBS DOWN
Weigh 163 lbs or less - Wedding Day weight in 1983
BMI less than 30 - graduated from Obese to Overweight -- started at BMI of 53.2
Weigh under 160 lbs
Size M clothes fit again
Weigh under 156.2 lbs -- 130 LBS DOWN
Weigh under 150 lbs
Weigh under 146.2 lbs -- 140 LBS DOWN
Weigh under 140 lbs
Weigh under 136.2 lbs -- 150 LBS DOWN
Go rollerblading
Size S clothes fit??
Reach Goal Weight - 134 lbs!!! -- 152 LBS DOWN
want2bthin

want2bthin

0
 

Time For An Update - May 2012

I honestly can't believe how time has flown. At first it seemed to go oh so slowly. I think in part because my diet the first few weeks was liquid and I couldn't wait to move onto eating something more substantial.   I am very pleased with my progress so far. I will see my surgeon on Tuesday, 5/29, for my 3 month post-op visit (though I will be shy by 10 days of being out 3 months).   I think the main things I've learned are how badly simple carbs affected my life. My surgeon does not allow carbs until Month 7 - so I have had no bread, pasta, potatoes, beans or even nuts since surgery. It really hasn't bothered me which has been a surprise. I think it also shows that if you stay away from these things you won't miss them, but if you eat them you will think you can't live without them.   I am currently on my surgeon's Stage 4 diet which means I am to eat 3-5 oz of protein and 2 oz of fruit/veggies for my meals - 3 x day; plus a serving of yogurt and then a protein shake, if needed to make my required protein levels (63-87g per day). I am completely unable to eat this much food. I can tolerate 1 1/2 oz of protein. Any more than that and I cannot hold it down. It also seems that everytime I have tried to even have a bite of veggies after my protein I also then can't keep my meal down. One thing about the Sleeve is that it is unforgiving and it teaches you what you can and cannot do quickly.   One thing I continue to have to work on daily is taking a good amount of time to eat and chew, chew, chewing my food. I downloaded a free app for my iPhone called Timer+ and set up two timers (amongst many others). One is called "Take Time to Eat" and it's set for 20 minutes; the other is called "Wait to Drink" and it's set for 60 minutes. So what I do is when I begin eating I activate the first one and then when I am done eating I activate the second one. It has worked out pretty well for me. Not ideal if you are in a big group or travelling - I was out of town for several days each of the last 3 weeks. Speaking of that I took six different flights to travel - on different airlines and different models of planes. I brought my personal seat belt extender with me, just in case, and I'm thrilled to report that I never needed it. What a great feeling!! At the same time I found it so much easier to walk down the aisle when having to go use the rest room.   If there's one main thing that I need to do better, it's get in regular exercise. I have done OK - usually at least 30 mins a day of walking, swimming or biking. But my surgeon wants me to get 90-120 minutes in a day. To help with that I just joined LA Fitness this week and signed up to work with a Personal Trainer once a week. It was a big financial commitment but the sales guy reminded me that by having the surgery I had already made a major commitment (smart sales guy I guess I had a introductory session yesterday and have my first official one tomorrow night. I'm also going tonight to get my measurements done and do some cardio.   On Sunday, 5/13, I celebrated not only Mother's Day but also the fact that I lost more than 50 lbs -- 50.8 to be exact. What a great feeling. I'm going to try and attach an updated photo of myself taken that day below.   That's about it for now..... Very, very happy with my decision to have this life changing surgery.   All the Best to those of you contemplating surgery, working on your pre-requisites or along the journey with me         Updates to my "Ah Hah" moments that I am looking forward to - in relatively random order: Weigh under 280 lbs -- Achieved -- 2/29/2012 - 10 lbs lost during 2 week pre-op diet
Surgery complete -- Achieved -- 3/7/2012
Weigh under 270 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/14/2012
Weigh under 260 lbs -- Achieved -- 3/31/2012
Size 2X clothes fit again -- Achieved -- 4/4/2012
Weigh under 250 lbs -- Achieved -- 4/18/2012
Weigh under 248 lbs (personal significance) -- Achieved 4/20/2012
Weigh under 240 lbs -- Achieved 5/9/2012
Start Jazzercise Classes -- Decide to join LA Fitness and work with a Personal Trainer instead -- 5/23/12
Weigh under 230 lbs
Weigh under 229 lbs (lowest with LapBand)
No longer have to wear airplane seat belt extender -- Achieved 5/1/2012 - WOOHOO!!! Flew on six planes (different models) over the next three weeks with no Extender!!
Size 1X clothes fit again
Weigh under 220 lbs
Weigh under 210 lbs
Weigh under 200 lbs -- ONEDERLAND!
Size XL clothes fit again
Weigh under 190 lbs
Weigh under 189 lbs (lowest while on WW in 2001 after losing 105 lbs)
Able to wear one of the cute sundresses I see at Flea Markets
Go bike riding -- Achieved 5/20/2012 Bought a new bike and took it for a spin.
Weigh under 180 lbs
Size L clothes fit again
Weigh under 170 lbs
Weigh 163 lbs or less - Wedding Day weight in 1983
Weigh under 160 lbs
Size M clothes fit again
Weigh under 150 lbs
Weigh under 140 lbs
Go rollerblading
Size S clothes fit??
Reach Goal Weight - 134 lbs!!!
want2bthin

want2bthin

0
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