I have been thinking about having this surgery for years, but was unwilling to admit defeat through other methods. A couple of months ago, in January, 2005, my husband asked if I had ever considered WLS - I was surprised - he is 6'3, 165 lbs and a BMI of 20.6 - and I was delighted that he would ask. One of the reasons that he was so concerned is that I had had yet another joint injury. While I was on vacation in September, I tore the meniscus in my right knee. That needs surgery, but it will have to wait until the fall because the WLS is moving ahead as rapidly as it is. 

Through fairly extensive searching on the internet, I found the WISH Center in Renton. At the end of January, we went down there for a consultation and I was very impressed with Dr. Alperovich and the staff. Everyone was very caring, helpful and able to allay my fears about this life-altering process. I like the fact that they have you prepare with a couple of months of behavior modifications - nutrition, emotional, and physical - before you are scheduled for the surgery. I feel that I can contact them at any time with any questions I may have. 

We live in the beautiful San Juan Islands of Puget Sound. There are so many outdoor activities that are available for us here. One of the things that my husband and I would like to do is kayak together. I am looking forward to the time when I can actually physically fit into a kayak and be limber enough to do so. 

With April 5, 2005 being my scheduled surgery date - I am ready to start this new adventure and begin the rest of my life.

June 9, 2005 -- 218 lbs

-32 from day of surgery / -62 from all time high weight

I went to see my PCP this morning, just on general principles. I had not checked in with him since I went in for a chest X-ray about a month prior to surgery. I wanted to schedule to get some blood work done to see how I am doing.

Anyway, what a wonderful surprise to discover that my weight was down 51 lbs from the last time I had seen him 4 months ago. Needless to say, he was very pleased to see that I am losing. Hearing of the loss in one lump sum like that is awesome.  

Until next time .....

May 28, 2005 -- 223 lbs

-27 from day of surgery / -57 from all time high weight

I've had my ups and downs in weight this week. The scales had gone down to 223.5 on Tuesday, then up to 225.5 on Thursday. This morning it was back down to 223, which is the lowest it has been since I started.

Since the beginning of the month, I have been averaging 579 calories and 67 grams of protein a day. I have been keeping track of it through a copy of FitDay, which you can obtain at www.FitDay.com. They also have an on-line version that is free to use.

It is hard to believe how things are progressing. My weight loss has been slow and gradual to this point, however I feel great. There has been absolutely no problem with eating - I am still on the pureed foods (no more than 1/2 cup at a sitting). No dumping, no vomiting, no upset stomach. There don't seem to be any foods that I can't tolerate, though I haven't even tried any of the things that might possibly cause me to dump. I'm am being very cautious.

Exercise currently consists of walking - I walk after work, generally 1.7 miles, with an occasional 3.1 mile route. It gets easier all the time.

On June 5 I will be 2 months out. I'm not scheduled to go to the WISH Center again until 3 months out and have an appointment scheduled for July 12.

I am so thankful for the OH site - having all the support and encouragement available is a God-send.

Until next time .....

 

5/20/05 - 225.5 lbs

-24.5 from day of surgery / -54.5 from all time high weight 

A milestone hit today - I have dropped from MORBIDLY OBESE to SEVERELY OBESE. To those who are of a normal weight and have not been through this process, this may not mean anything, but to the ones who have been there, you know exactly what an accomplishment this can be.

Until next time.....

5/6/05 - 233.5

-16.5 lbs from day of surgery, -46.5 lbs from all time high weight

The past couple of weeks has been rather frustrating - I have only lost 1 lb in a little over two weeks. Unfortunately, I do have the habit of getting on the scales on a daily basis, which probably isn't such a good idea at this point. I've been watching it go up a half-pound or so, then go down a like amount. One of these days it's going to break loose and I will see it go down regularly. 

I am eating less than my 1/2 cup per meal, starting with the protein and having protein shakes, 4 to 6 oz, for my 3 daily snacks. The food I'm eating consists of yogurt, malt-o-meal, applesauce and baby foods. It'll be another month on this type of diet, then I can start incorporating some soft foods. I'm rather looking forward to being able to chew on something. 

All in all, I am feeling good and have had no problems. I'm walking most days, generally 1.5 miles a day. The only thing that I may not be doing properly is getting in enough water - need to keep working on that. 

Until next time .....

4/23/05 - 234.5 lbs

- 15.5 lbs from day of surgery 

As you have probably noticed, I am trying to put the most current update at the top of my profile, right after the introductory comments I had. Things are going well. I had my 2 week post-op appointment with the WISH Center on Tuesday and was told that everything was going as expected. I was told that I could eat pureed (blended) foods for the next 4 weeks, but no more that 1/2 cup at a time. So I went out and bought several jars of baby food to make this transition. Really, not bad tasting stuff. I eat 2 jars of baby food a day, 1/2 for lunch and 1/2 for dinner. Breakfast right now consists of Cream of Wheat and yogurt and a bit of applesauce. 3 snacks a day are WISH Plus Protein powder mixed with nonfat milk - 1/2 cup for each snack. With this I am getting in only 55 or so grams of protein and I think I need to increase that. I will look into other options for protein. 

All in all, I am feeling good, though a little frustrated today because as soon as I started with the baby food on Wednesday, I gained a 1/2 pound and have been stuck at the same weight for 3 days.  Patience!!!

Until next time .....

4/11/05 - 256 lbs

+ 6 lbs. from day of surgery 

Today will be my first day at home since the surgery. We arrived home yesterday afternoon after spending a couple of nights at a hotel in Renton, to be close to the hospital, if needed. 

I'm not quite a week out and I can't believe how well I feel. The pain is more than tolerable and it is relatively easy to move around. The experience in the hospital was wonderful, from the time I checked in until I left. I was so ready for this surgery and had prepared myself to such an extent that I wasn't really nervous. In pre-op, my BP was just a little over normal. The nurses did have a little bit of difficulty getting the IV started - my veins have a tendency to hide whenever a needle is present. The anesthesiologist came by to introduce himself and to ask if I had any questions. Once I was wheeled down the hall to the operating room, I don't remember a thing until I heard someone calling my name in recovery. I don't remember entering the operating room or even seeing the doctor. 

The procedure did take a little longer than had been planned, due to having to go through some scar tissue from a previous hysterectomy. The doctor also wound up taking out my gallbladder due to gallstones being present. Once I got to my room, the nurses were all very attentive. I went through so much saline while I was hooked up to the IV, that I think I must have gained about 25 pounds of fluids. I think the hardest thing was not being able to have anything by mouth until my new pouch was x-rayed to check for leaks. Ice chips to swish around my mouth and then spit out was the only moisture to a mouth that felt like cotton. I did take along some of those "Brush-ups", waterless tooth wipes, which did help some. 

My husband was allowed to stay with me in my room, so he took care of a lot of my needs. The true measure of his devotion to me was when he cleaned me up after some bowel discharges. He's the love of my life and I don't know what I would do without him. My weight this morning was 256, up from the 250 before surgery. I do have to remember though that it had been 270 when I started the whole process at the end of January and had even been as high as 280 last September.  

Thank you, everyone, for all your support, encouragement and prayers. 

Until next time ....

4/2/05

Yesterday was my last day at work for a while. There are only a couple of people there that know I am having the surgery. I just decided to let everyone else know "after the fact". 

Since we are a ways away from Valley Medical in Renton - a hour and a half ferry ride and two hours of driving - Bill (hubby) and I are leaving to go down tomorrow. Part of this is because we want to be established in a motel (and have access to the bathroom) so that I can start my bowel purging on schedule on Monday at noon. I'm to check into the hospital at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday. After discharge from the hospital, at the surgeon's request, since we live in such a remote area, we will be staying for a couple of days at the same motel. 

I am excited and also a bit nervous. The nervousness is actually pretty mild, considering. Maybe it just hasn't really set in yet. 

I'll post again when I return.

3/20/05 

It's a little over two weeks prior to my surgery. A week from tomorrow, my husband and I go down to Renton for the pre-op appointment. I am both excited and scared. I have several questions for the surgeon, but feel that a lot of my concerns have been covered by reading on this site. 

The WISH Center has you follow a program of 8 weeks of "practice" eating - protein at every meal and snack (you eat 6 times a day) and 30-45 minutes of cardio exercise 6 times a week. I've been doing pretty good with each of these. I have lost 10 pounds following this regimen. 

I took a look in my closet this morning. I have clothes ranging from size 26 down to 20, so I should be covered for at least a while. (I even have a couple of size 16 pants that I have never worn, stuck away in a drawer - wishful thinking, I guess.) 

It is so inspiring to read of all the success stories - and even those with complications - I feel, every day, that I have made the right decision to take this step and improve my life. 

Until next time ...

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