Hello from a BBW in Tampa Bay

[Manderley 1]

Hi everyone. I'm a New York girl, transplanted to Florida's Tampa Bay in 2006. I'm 59 years old, divorced, a disabled RN. I've been obese most of my life, and even had an open "stomach stapling" back in the early 1980's, when it was still a new procedure and a very big deal. My surgery took hours. I was in ICU for almost a week afterwards, then in Progressive Care for a few weeks. Finally to a regular room and then home. I was hospitalized altogether for about a month and a half. I lost 160 lbs in just maybe 6 months, but ended up, through the years, gaining it all back. Either my stomach stretched out or the staples let go.

So I found myself mostly at 340 lbs most of the time, til I ended up on Prednisone, which caused a massive weight gain; then the insulin I was prescribed to bring down my insane blood sugars caused an additional weight gain. I peaked at 402 lbs, at which time I was unable to bathe or dress myself, take more than a few steps, get out of bed myself, move myself in bed, fit into any of my chairs, fit into my car, or find any position that was not painful. It was a living nightmare.

I was already half-way through the procedure to obtain insurance approval. I started a serious low-carb portion controlled diet and stopped both of those meds. I dropped 71 lbs in four months but started putting it back on when I got the call that my surgery was approved.

I started the pre-surgery 2 weeks of Optifast and dropped about 35 lbs in 10 days. Then found out my PCP wouldn't give me surgical clearance due to cardiac and renal issues, plus scary anemia. I'm currently drinking over the counter Protein shakes and planning on having a little chicken now and then, waiting for my new surgery date of June 18 to arrive.

I've lost 95 lbs since November 2012. Can't wait for the surgery to reach my goal weight and save what's left of my life.

[Manderley 1]

Can anyone tell me why my whole post doesn't show up?

[serenity1959 67]

It shows up but is shadow light. Try editing it and darkening the text color on the very light portion.

[Manderley 1]

:)Thanks

[Manderley 1]

I can't figure out how to edit. I don't see anything anywhere to click on ... so frustrating

[AmyRN09 28]

Hi everyone. I'm a New York girl' date=' transplanted to Florida's Tampa Bay in 2006. I'm 59 years old, divorced, a disabled RN. I've been obese most of my life, and even had an open "stomach stapling" back in the early 1980's, when it was still a new procedure and a very big deal. My surgery took hours. I was in ICU for almost a week afterwards, then in Progressive Care for a few weeks. Finally to a regular room and then home. I was hospitalized altogether for about a month and a half. I lost 160 lbs in just maybe 6 months, but ended up, through the years, gaining it all back. Either my stomach stretched out or the staples let go.

So I found myself mostly at 340 lbs most of the time, til I ended up on Prednisone, which caused a massive weight gain; then the insulin I was prescribed to bring down my insane blood sugars caused an additional weight gain. I peaked at 402 lbs, at which time I was unable to bathe or dress myself, take more than a few steps, get out of bed myself, move myself in bed, fit into any of my chairs, fit into my car, or find any position that was not painful. It was a living nightmare.

I was already half-way through the procedure to obtain insurance approval. I started a serious low-carb portion controlled diet and stopped both of those meds. I dropped 71 lbs in four months but started putting it back on when I got the call that my surgery was approved.

I started the pre-surgery 2 weeks of Optifast and dropped about 35 lbs in 10 days. Then found out my PCP wouldn't give me surgical clearance due to cardiac and renal issues, plus scary anemia. I'm currently drinking over the counter Protein shakes and planning on having a little chicken now and then, waiting for my new surgery date of June 18 to arrive.

I've lost 95 lbs since November 2012. Can't wait for the surgery to reach my goal weight and save what's left of my life. [/quote']

Hi! I too am a RN. I have my sleeve surgery June 18th as well!! Maybe we can keep in touch?!

Amy

[Manderley 1]

Hi! I too am a RN. I have my sleeve surgery June 18th as well!! Maybe we can keep in touch?!

Amy

iHi Amy, sure, i'd like that. so exciting, isn't it? I don't know how much i'll be on this board, the message board is the least "user friendly" board i've ever seen. it's very frustrating. Are you still currently working? I've been disabled due to my limited mobility due to my weight. I would love to go back to work, but since I've been out of work for a couple of years, i don't know who would hire me at this point. June 18 just can't come quickly enough for me. Waiting and waiting. I just can't wait to lose another 100 lbs and watch the expressions on everyone's faces! But most of all I can't wait to be able to WALK.