Been Around a While

[Trixie 4]

I started my journey toward my VSG over a year ago. One of my best friends, who happens to be an Ob/Gyn, pulled me aside to talk to me about my weight. She cautioned me that I was heading for diabetes, a heart attack or a stroke. She encouraged me to look into bariatric surgery "before it's too late."

That was in June of 2010. At 240 pounds, I was at my heaviest ever. My job doesn't help. I run my own law firm,with all the long hours and high stress that entails. I didn't exercise much, and my husband (who thinks bacon is a lean meat) did most of the cooking. I had just turned 43, and I had packed on most of the excess weight since starting law school in 2003.

But then I got news that my mom had lung cancer and that her oncologist recommended removing part of her lung. I dropped everything and went to be with my mom after her surgery. Meanwhile, my business partner and I started to have problems. By the end of the year, Mom was doing OK, but the business had fallen apart and I had to start over. By December I had relaunched my firm as a solo practice. And gained another four pounds.

I finally made it to a bariatric weight loss seminar in January and learned about my options. I settled on a VSG because it has fewer complications than either the RNY bypass or the gastric band. I submitted my insurance info to the practice manager, and crossed my fingers!

About a month later, I got word that my oldest sister had thrown a blood clot to her lungs (a saddle pulmonary embolus). Thank God she is a pediatrician! She knew what was happening when it started, took the right precautions, and the "widow maker" embolus didn't kill her. Once again I dropped everything, this time to help my sister when she came home from the hospital. Boy was THAT a wakeup call! My sister, who is only four years older than me, nearly died of something that is weight-related.

A few weeks after I got back, I got word that my insurance would indeed cover a sleeve gastrectomy. I met with my surgeon shortly thereafter, and started the six-month long process of physician-supervised dieting, lab tests, barium swallows, pulmonary and cardiology stress testing... the works. Finally, in August 2011, I got a surgery date: September 26th.

Along the way my mom's cancer had returned, metastasizing to her liver. It was terminal, I knew, but Mom made me swear that I would have my surgery on September 26th, no matter what. But on September 10, 2011, my mother passed way, just two days before I was to start my 2-week pre-op liquid diet. I called my surgeon's office and postponed the surgery indefinitely.

I was heartened to learn that my slot was given to a good friend who I met through this BBS: Hirskborn. Karma can be a wonderful thing!

My surgery has been rescheduled to November 28th. I am three days into my liquid diet (which sucks, by the way) and down 6 pounds. Hopefully I'll lose enough before my pre-op consult on Tuesday that my surgeon will give me the green-light for surgery.

And that's my story. I've been around here a while, lurking and reading everyone else's stories, questions and advice. This is the first time I've really felt up to sharing what I've been through in the last year and a half.

[Soon2BMiniMommy 92]

Wow. Wow, Trixie. You have been through many, many trials in such a short time. I am very sorry about your Mother. I am so glad you are here with us and we are waiting for you with open arms on the Loser's Bench! :grouphug:

Look at this way......you have gone through so much this past year, most of it negative, you have used up all your negative karma and now only have good karma coming, which means you will SAIL through this surgery with no complications and you will be a star patient!

I look forward to hearing about your experience and your progress! Good luck and keep us posted!

[Trixie 4]

Thanks. I hope you are right. But I have learned that there is no such thing as "using up my negative karma." Apparently I have plenty stored up! Maybe it was the whole "selling my soul and becoming a lawyer" thing...

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Hi Trixie, I'm so sorry to hear about your dear Mom. Hugs and prayers to you as you embrace your future now beginning in just a week and a half.

Thank you for sharing your story with us. It shows that no matter what, we must always get back on our feet and fight to survive!

[OCMICHELLE714 4]

HI TRIXIE,

WELCOME, AND AGAIN, I AM TRULY SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER. I LOST MY SON, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, AND THAT'S WHEN I PACKED ON 60 LBS IN LESS THAN A YEAR! IT CAN BE SO TRYING. BUT YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE..NOW...FOR A REASON. WE ALL ARE! THIS IS YOUR NEW START. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND HOPE TO FOLLOW YOU WITH YOUR UPDATES AS YOU PROGRESS WITH YOUR WEIGHT LOSS.

MICHELLE :smile1:

[favoredone 590]

Trixie, thanks for sharing your story... I do believe that your sacrifices for your loved ones will result in a great harvest of blessings for you... You are truly amazing and I wish you many blessings and much success... My thoughts, prayers and condolences are extended to you and your family.... I'm sure your mom is smiling down at you as you embark on a healthier life!!!

[Shoppingbeemom 31]

God bless you

[Becca 108]

Thanks for sharing your story. I am so sorry about your mom, but I know she is happy you are now going to have your sleeve. This is finally your time to take care of you. We are always here for you. I will be sending positive thoughts your way! You will do awesome. :teeth_smile:

[BroadwayBaby 19]

Trixie - I am so sorry to read about your Mom and the tough year you have had with everything going on at the same time. You are doing the right thing - taking care of your health and hopefully avoiding diabetes and other problems. I hope that the surgery will go well and that you will have positive changes over the next few months that will make you feel healthier. We are all here for you!

[Lissa 2,631]

(((Trixie))) You have indeed had a tough year! You didn't sell your soul to become a lawyer! It's obvious that you have a huge caring and compassionate heart! Here is hoping that Ms Karma gives you back the love and caring that you have given your family!

Good luck with your surgery!! I know you'll do great and you'll be at goal in a short time.

[mnbsleeve 87]

Trixie, thank you for posting such personal story. My sincerest condolences! Sounds like your mother really wanted this for you and knew what it meant only in a way a mother knows. I'm sure she will be close to your heart as you go through this journey. She will be smiling big wherever she is knowing you will be getting healthier and stonger. Sending lots of good thoughts your way for a great surgery and a super speedy recovery. Like others here, I am available to answer any questions or lend support as you move througth the steps. Feel free to contact me anytime! I look forward to reading about your progress. Be well! Stay strong!

[babigrl111 38]

So sorry to hear about what a hard year you've had. I'm glad you're doing something great for yourself by having this surgery.

And the whole selling your sole to become a lawyer thing just isnt true...I work in a law office and no matter what people think (and joke) about lawyers, I believe there are just as many great ones out there as there are slimey ones, and I bet you're one of the great ones

[Trixie 4]

Thanks for the support. Really, I'm not looking for sympathy - just wanted to introduce myself. I'm excited about my surgery and can't wait to move on to the next phase.

[missylvn 0]

I think I can understand a little bit of what you are going through. I am a nurse who works in the oncology dept. I have seen it with my own eyes how catastrophic cancer can be. I feel for you. Sorry about mom, there is something to be said about a women losing her mother. Go forward in starting a new, healthier lifestyle and know you are doing exactly what mom would have wanted. Take care of yourself and you will make her proud.