Renee K.

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3/11/07
Here's this month's current stats....
..........8/10............10/7..........11/13.......12/5........1/6..........3/11
Waist ..48.25"........44.5"..........42.75".....39.5.........37.....///.35
Bust ....51.00"........48.00"........45"..........44.5.........40.......39
Neck ...17.00"........16.00" .......15.5"........14.25......14.25...14.25
Arms ..15.00".........13.75".......13"............13..........11.........12
Hips ....56.25".........53"...........47"..........46.5.........44.........40.75
Thighs 31.50".........29.5".........27.5".......25.75.......25.25....24
Calf ....20.5"...........20.25".......20"..........18.75.......18.25....17.75
Ankle ..11.50".........11"...........10.75"......10.75.......10.25....10.25
Wrist ....7.25"...........7" ...........6.75"........6.75.......6.6............6.5
weight 292lbs........259lbs......238lbs.......227lbs......214lbs..196lbs
pants ...22..............20............16............16...........14..............12..
shirt ....2X...............XL...........XL.............XL..........XL.................L
Bra ......42DD..........38DD........38DD.........38DD......38DD........38D

Doing very well!  Light headedness is getting better, not happening so often.  Hair thinning has slowed.  I've spent the last 2 months skiiing quite a bit which has been wonderful!  (I can keep up with the kids and ski all day!)  Other than that all is good, getting ready for the wedding in October and found my wedding dress, strapless imagine that!

1/6/07

Here's this month's current stats....
..........8/10............10/7..........11/13.......12/5........1/6
Waist ..48.25"........44.5"..........42.75".....39.5.........37
Bust ....51.00"........48.00"........45"..........44.5.........40
Neck ...17.00"........16.00" .......15.5"........14.25......14.25
Arms ..15.00".........13.75".......13"............13..........11
Hips ....56.25".........53"...........47"..........46.5.........44
Thighs 31.50".........29.5".........27.5".......25.75.......25.25
Calf ....20.5"...........20.25".......20"..........18.75.......18.25
Ankle ..11.50".........11"...........10.75"......10.75.......10.25
Wrist ....7.25"...........7" ...........6.75"........6.75.......6.6
weight 292lbs........259lbs......238lbs.......227lbs......214lbs
pants ...22..............20............16............16...........14
shirt ....2X...............XL...........XL.............XL..........XL
Bra ......42DD..........38DD........38DD.........38DD......38DD

So how am I doing... well just experienced my first UTI... I'm pretty sure that's because I stopped drinking juices (I used to drink OJ everyday) so I'm going to add a glass of unsweetened cranberry to my diet daily.  Feeling lightheaded and slightly forgetful/confused sometimes... I'm thinking it may be anemia, meeting with the surgeon on Monday.  BP was fine when I went to the doc 105/72, so it must be an iron problem.  Hair has definitely started to thin, I'm having to clean the drain every time I shower now...using Nioxin and I guess I'll need to get on biotin to try and help this and up my protein intake to closer to 80g/day, currently I'm closer to 60g/day.  All in all I'm feeling great.  Went skiing for the first time in 20years for new years eve, really enjoyed it.  I certainly felt it in my knees for a day or 2 after, but being able to do 5-6 runs with my son was quite a gift.  Went to Sea World over the holidays and definitely noticed a difference there... I had absolutely no issues walking that park the entire day and didn't NEED to sit down at all!  What a great feeling.  Just those 2 experiences are enough to have done this...

12/5
Here's this month's current stats....
..........8/10............10/7..........11/13.......12/5
Waist ..48.25"........44.5"..........42.75".....39.5
Bust ....51.00"........48.00"........45"..........44.5
Neck ...17.00"........16.00" .......15.5"........14.25
Arms ..15.00".........13.75".......13"............13
Hips ....56.25".........53"...........47"..........46.5
Thighs 31.50".........29.5".........27.5".......25.75
Calf ....20.5"...........20.25".......20"..........18.75
Ankle ..11.50".........11"...........10.75"......10.75
Wrist ....7.25"...........7" ...........6.75"........6.75
weight 292lbs........259lbs......238lbs.......227lbs
pants ...22..............20............16............16
shirt ....2X...............XL...........XL.............XL
Bra ......42DD..........38DD........38DD.........38DD

Well let's see, still working out the same, it gets easier and easier... up to 75 situps each time.  Walking the mall is no problem, carrying laundry, etc... all "normal" chores I can do with no issue anymore.  As I look in the stats, I've lost almost 10 inches off my waist already... hard to beleive.  I still have a hard time eating beef or roasts that are dry, sugar I can only have 1 or 2 bites of cake or pie, fats... they are the worst, gravies, dressings, sauces, make me feel very ill, I have to be careful of what I eat.  However I can certainly deal with that, I feel great!
11/13
Well here's the current stats....
..........8/10............10/7..........11/13
Waist ..48.25"........44.5"..........42.75"
Bust ....51.00"........48.00"........45"
Neck ...17.00"........16.00" .......15.5"
Arms ..15.00".........13.75".......13"
Hips ....56.25".........53"...........47"
Thighs 31.50".........29.5".........27.5"
Calf ....20.5"...........20.25".......20"
Ankle ..11.50".........11"...........10.75"
Wrist ....7.25"...........7" ...........6.75"
weight 292lbs........259lbs......238lbs
pants ...22..............20............16
shirt ....2X...............XL...........XL
Bra ......42DD..........38DD........38DD

I feel great!  I am walking 2 miles every day, water aerobics 3 times per week.  I can dance all night long and feel good. I can eat most things... beef is still tough to eat.  I have finally gotten over the queasiness... I think the B1 made the difference, but that went on for about 3 weeks.  I am so much more comfortable on an airplane and am definitely gaining overall confidence.  Honestly if I stopped losing weight tomorrow I would be happy!

10/24
7 weeks post op, today I weigh 248lbs.  Feeling absolutely wonderful and  have had several WOW moments.  I've had some queasiness over the last 3 weeks or so, but I'm thinking it's just part of healing and/or to much acid.  Started prevacid again... we'll see what happens.
Wow moments:
1st one....I've been back to my regular workouts for a few weeks now... hadn't been pushing myself though, wanted to ease back in. Well, last night I pushed it, as hard as I possibly could. I do water aerobics for 1 hour and I lift weight prior. I was able to increase ever weight machine by 5lbs or more. I was able to do the whole aerobic workout harder then I ever have and not be straining for my breath. Don't get me wrong, a few points when she was pushing out heart rate up I was breathing heavy, but literally within seconds of us slowing the excercise, I was back to normal breathing. I DO NOT EVER REMEMBER THAT HAPPENING TO ME IN MY LIFE!!!! I came home no need for ice on my knees they are NOT swollen to twice their normal size. My back is not in such pain that I needed to ice and take advil. I am just amazed, and SOOOOO GLAD I MADE THIS DECISION!

When I was in high school I was on the track team required to run 3 miles per day, even then I didn't feel like this, and I weighed less then...go figure!

2nd one... For kicks this morning as I'm getting ready for work I decided to put on my "skinny" jeans. They were 18's. I have not worn them for over 4 years. As I pulled them on the waist seemed awfully small and I thought there's no way. Well I buttoned them and zipped them no problem! Granted they are snug in the waist, but point is.... it's been 4 years!!

3rd one... This weekend my fiance shared his cold with me....it hit me Friday, runny nose, water eyes, head feeling swollen, etc... By Sunday I had a fever, so I rested all day. Monday I woke up and it was gone! No need for antibiotics... just some decongestant and rest and I got better quickly. How about that?!

Needless to say I'm feeling great. Even if I were to not lose any more, it would all be worth it. I feel so much better and am obviously much healthier. For those still on the fence... I say go for it!!!

10/7
1 month post op, doing VERY well. No complications!!  All has gone text book.  Eating soft solids (lots of crockpot cooking).  Can't digest beef roast or chicken roasted, seems to get stuck and has caused me to throw up.  I can however eat chili (with turkey burger), stew with beef, cheese of any sort, meatballs, scrambled eggs, soft cooked broccoli, green beans, etc... I'm traveling for work next week for the first time since surgery (which is how I found out I've lost so much), it's good to get back to normal life.  I've already lost 2 bra sizes, 2 shirt sizes and 1 pant size.  Total loss 32lbs, 22lbs since surgery, 10 prior. (If you've read the earilier post, I got a new scale it my old one was off by 5lbs...)I think it's going quite well.. can't wait to see how much I've lost at christmas time!
..........8/10............10/7
Waist ..48.25"........44.5"
Bust ....51.00"........48.00"
Neck ...17.00"........16.00" (minimum 18" necklace)
Arms ..15.00".........13.75"
Hips ....56.25".........53"
Thighs 31.50".........29.50"
Calf ....20.5"...........20.25"
Ankle ..11.50".........11"(minimum 12" ankle bracelet)
Wrist ....7.25"...........7" (minimum 8" bracelet)
weight 292lbs........259lbs
pants ...22..............20
shirt ....2X...............XL
Bra ......42DD..........38DD

What more do I need to say? woo hoo!!!

9/24
Ok so today I'm 2 1/2 weeks post op.  I am down 15lbs as of this am since surgery (260lbs today), and it's my son's bday, he's 14.  So I'm getting dressed to go pickup what I'm making for dinner and his cake so I thought I'd wear something casual but a bit nice.  So I go in my closet and try on 1/2 of my shirts....   THEY ARE TOO BIG!!!!  Can you beleive it.... I've lost a shirt size already!!  My jeans are looser but they still fit.  I almost cried.  I mean my rings were loose almost immediately after surgery and crossing my legs happened this week too which was very nice, but losing a shirt size (not a bra size yet, I think i could probably go down 1 but still in the same cup)???  I can't beleive it already.  I thank god for Dr. Fiallo and whoever it was that invented this surgery!  I can't wait to see where I'm at in April 2007.

As far as eating goes, yesterday I started soft solids all day... having a real hard time with beef, it gets stuck, other than that getting in all the protein from food is going to be tough as they suggest 82g/day for me due to my height.  I think I'll continue at least 1 protein drink per day...  Tolerating most everything well it just takes a while for me to eat.  We even went to the diner for breakfast... I had 1 egg with cheese on it... they put it on this huge platter... how funny it looked!  It took my about 30 min to eat it but I ate it all, was nice to get out and back to real life!

9/16

Well here it is over a week post op, I'm doing great.  I left here 9/7 weighing 281lbs, today i'm 270lbs.  I'm walking, still not the same pace, but certainly the same distance.  Doing well on the protien drinks, have found I cannot tolerate aspertame, but other than that no problems.  Still hard to sleep at night without a med.  I didn't take anything last night and was up 4-5 times.  Hopefully this will settle out soon.  Still feeling a little light headed and slightly foggy, but that gets better everyday.  I cannot wait to see where I am on 10/7!

As for the surgery itself really not bad, I expected much worse.  They took me in late in the afternoon that day so I didn't get to my room until 7pm.  Vince was pacing and nervous as it took quite a while until he could see me even though they'd told him it was over and I was ok.  I woke up from the anestesia with no problem, like I'd had a nap.  Then the pain hit... 22mg of morphine to cut that and a heating pad on my belly.  After a few hours in recovery they sent me to my room.  Gas pain was really bad, in the ribs and shoulders.  I kept trying to move to get it to move, but I couldn't escape it.  So once in the room I asked to walk.  Vince took me 1 door down and I thought I was going to get sick, so back to my room we went and thank god that feeling passed!  They gave me more pain meds, he went to his hotel and I tried to sleep.  Roomate had the tv on all night nurses in and out.  I think I slept maybe an hour that night.  Lots of ice chips though, they hit the spot.  By morning I was better, gas was still rough, but pain meds helped.  I walked quite a bit that day.  Tried to every hour.  That night a wonderful nurse came in and suggested I try a gas releiving med called Simethicone.  Hallelujah!!  I slept for 5 hours, until a new roomate was brought in at 1am.  Then at 5:30am the resident woke me up to remove the drain, UGH!!  However, she told me I could go home, so I wasn't so upset!

At 8am they brought me carnation instant breakfast (YUK!!) orange jello, crystal light lemonade and chicken broth... nasty all of it.  I tried to eat some but eww... so we got home and I got on my protein.  First day I could only get in 2 8oz and maybe 24 oz of water.  2nd day home I was on schedule, all 4 of my protein drinks (totalling 92g) and 56 oz of water. 3rd day I added vitamins and here I am.

I found I had to support my belly while walking for 5-6 days, as if I'd had a child, the abdominal muscles were just not there.  Other than that I really was good.  No problems at all...I sure hope it continues this way.

9/5

Two days to surgery...I've been doing pretty good on the fasting before surgery diet... today and tomorrow I'm doing ONLY clear liquids and protien.  I've lost 3-4 lbs it looks like since 9/1 so it's certainly working.  Boy is it hard.  I've got all the paperwork together just in case it's needed... Had a talk with Amy H, she had Dr. Fiallo last Thursday she was doing quite well by Sunday so that gave me great piece of mind.  I'm as prepared as I can be.  Now let's just get these 2 days over with!

9/1
Well EGD went well, I paniced before it but they found I have GERD and I'm now on prevacid, it's helping quite a bit.  Started the liquid diet this morning, all week we've eaten out... all those things I can't have anymore... I gave myself permission to be real bad for 3 days, now it's onto surgery preparation.  I start a new job when I get back from surgery, they wanted me to fly to Charlotte the for an all day meeting the day before surgery... ugh.  I'll do it over the phone and we'll get back to traveling when I'm better.  I feel ready for this now.  I've told many more folks then I anticipated and really don't care what their reaction is anymore.  Those who oppose it, quite honestly are not educated enough about obesity, it's comorbities, the surgery itself and my particular situation because I don't let folks know the pain I'm in all the time, so I don't get angry with them, it's truly just ignorance.  I know I need to do this, I know I'll feel so much better.  I know I will be able to have so much more of a life in a few months, I can't wait for it all.  Those closest to me are nervous for me, but very supportive.  It'll be tough over the next month, but in 3-4 it'll be soooo much better, everyday I will need to remind myself of that for a while.  I cannot wait to not NEED a chiropractor anymore, not have stairs be an obstacle that stops me, if I need to run after my dog, I can actually run!  It won't be long, no matter what happens after this I know I'm doing the right thing, if I don't do this I'm destined to be in a wheel chair and immobile.  I'm just not willing to live that way.  My family deserves better.

8/10
Tomorrow is my EGD... not looking forward to this, but thought a good time to put my preop measurements...

Waist 48.25"
Bust 51.00"
Neck 17.00" (minimum 18" necklace)
Arms 15.00"
Hips 56.25"
Thighs 31.50"
Calf 20.5"
Ankle 11.50"(minimum 12" ankle bracelet)
Wrist 7.25" (minimum 8" bracelet)
Pants 22 (very tight)
Shirt 2X
Bra: 42DD
8/3
Well I'm scheduled for surgery 9/7.  I have an EGD 8/10, meet with the surgeon and anesthesiologist 8/16 and that's it.  I'm nervous about the intial pain, and being able to know when I'm full, I don't want to pull any stitches getting sick initially.  I've got all the protein shakes and vitamins I'll need.  My son will starts 8th grade the day before my surgery so that'll be tough on him, but he'll stay with a friend of mine while I'm having this done.    I'm so excited, I might be able to ski this winter, or snowmobile... by my birthday in April, I could lose 100lbs if my body does what most seem to...I just can't beleive this is possible.  Nor do I have any concept of what I'll look like.  I have 130lbs to lose if I want to get to "ideal weight".  I think I'll hover somewhere in the 160-180 range,   I can't beleive I'll ever see 155lbs, I guess time will tell.  Today I weigh 285lbs, I've been stuck there for about a week.  As long as I maintain that weight until surgery I'll be happy.  (We have 2 weddings and a trade show to go to in the next 3 weeks, this might be tough).  Well here's hoping the next month passes quickly!

So here's my list of what I'm looking forward to:

• Buying clothes in a normal store at the mall.
  
• Actually having a selection of cute clothes to choose from.
  
• Skiing this winter.
  
• Snowmobiling this winter.
  
• Carrying anything over 15lbs without asking for help.
  
• Walking for more the 1/2 mile without pain.
  
• Wearing a sexy pair of heels.
  
• Feeling strong again.
  
• My hips fitting in an airplane seat comfortably.
  
• Not feeling like I can't move when I put on snowpants and a winter coat.
  
• Not having to use the handicap stall of public restrooms.
  
• Being able to paint my own toe nails.
  
• Planning a day at an amusement park without worry that I'll have enough energy to keep up with my 14 year old.
  
• No more fear of bathing suits in front of people.
  
• Wearing a dress, or even a short skirt (I haven't in years because of the size of my legs).
  

Wow, when I started that list I didn't think there was so much...   lots to look forward to.
7/28
I Finally got approved! What a headache!! Paperwork was submitted 3 weeks ago, everyday there seemed to be missing something else.. but at least it's done and official now!  When the insurance company told me I had instant happy tear reaction, but then fear.  What a roller coaster this is going to be...  The surgeons office is expecting end of Aug beginning of Sept will be my date, the girl who does the scheduling is on vaca, but returns Monday.   I've lost about 10lbs in the past 2 weeks (down to 285lbs) but I think it's leveling off.  Regardless, I'm staying stable, even with not walking the last few days (my right knee has swelled up significantly so i'm giving it a break). 

 

Anyhow... 1 step closer to a date, hopefully next week I'll know that too!

7/11
Well everything is done, attended the final required support meeting and the file is in the hands of the secretary who submits to the insurance company.  They are now telling me 2-4 weeks to get insurance approval.  UGH the waiting...I just want to get in and get this done...  My knees are really aching more and more.  I spent a full day at Six Flags and amazingly I didn't do quite as bad as I thought I would.  I was still walking at 8pm.  Next year will be so different, I can't wait!  Maybe I could even do the roller coasters! 

My emotions are very up and down still... one day I'm fine the next I'm crying... my weight has been tied to so many bad decisions in my life due to my lack of self worth.  I'm realizing the more I think about what life will be like when I'm one of the people who's pictures are displayed on the board after losing 100+ lbs, that all of the bad decision, the emotions I've had so much difficulty with are all tied up in this weight problem I've had since I was a young child.  I chose a bad husband because I thought I could do no better... I remember actually saying that to myself.  I've gotten stronger over the years and dealt with my weight better, I now have a very supportive fiance... but I think this will be the final piece I must heal to get better.  It's as if all of the wrongs of my childhood and the pain I've been through are stored in this fat on my body, I really feel like I'll be able to let it go through this wls and begin to have some deeper sense of self confidence that I've never had before.  I cannot wait for next summer!!

6/27
Well last week I went to his info night and he seems to be just as successful if not more so then Dr. Pearlstein.  Today my fiance and I met with him, he went over the surgery, sent me for blood work and they'll be submitting to my insurance for approval in about a week.  I should know about approval in 3 weeks or so, surgery date would be end of August early September depending on the assisting surgeon's wife, who is pregnant and due in that same timeframe.... so we'll see... That is assuming the insurance covers this, which when I call they give me every indication there should be no problem... I guess we'll see...

So many emotions, excited, scared, nervous, I was literally crying leaving his office, the staff and my fiance just were not sure what to do with all that, lol.  I did find out though I have a gall stone and they will be removing my gall bladder at the same time as the RNY... glad I had the ultrasound! Funny, I had no idea that pain was my gallbladder, I just assumed it was heart burn or a muscle or something!

Hopefully my next post will be an approval and a surgery date!

BTW todays weight 292lbs... (different scale... I don't think I really lost any weight).

6/23
I've found a new one, Dr. Fiallo in Springfield, MA.  They are going to get me in to see the surgeon next week!!!  The staff says I can probably get this done in August.  I am so thrilled I couldn't sleep last night!  This office seemed very resistent at helping me prior to going to their information night last evening.  I met one of their office staff, Raquel and she'll be calling me for an appt today and has all of my paperwork, YEAH!!! Now onto the insurance approval part... ugh, I'm and sooo hoping this will be easy, but I guess we'll see.

6/14/06
I am a 35 year old 5'9" female wieghing 296lbs as of last week, fighting my weight since 6 years old.  The lowest weight I can remember is 230lbs at 16 years old, I was running 3 miles per day, lifting weights 3 times per week.  The lowest adult weight  I can remember is 255lbs. The doctors have always told me I should weigh around 180lbs.  Today I'm doing water aerobics (have been since January) at my local YMCA 3 times per week, lifting weights 3 times per week, and have only lost 4lbs in the last year.  I finally am giving in to this surgery.  I have several friends who have gone through it and done quite well...

I have completed the Psychiatric eval, Gall Bladder ultrasound, Echo EKG and Pulmonary tests, all I have left to complete is my physical and bloodwork, nutrition consult and EGD.  I called my dr's office and Linda the coordinator, informed me the hospital has dropped this bariatric program as of 7/1/06, I'll need to find another surgeon.  I was SOOOOO angry, frustrated, disappointed...ugh!!!!   Onto the new search...

I've found 2 possible options:
2 in Schenectady Dr. Lirio and Clark, they have a waiting list to the end of the year and require 10% reduction in weight prior to surgery via some protien drink.

2 in Springfield, MA, Dr. Fiallo and Haag, they are scheduling into August now and do Lap band as well as Lap RNY.  They do not require prior weight loss and do approx 1 per week since 1999. They have an information session on 6/22 and it shouldn't hold things up to much for me.

I'm going to talk to Linda about these options, I think Dr. Fiallo will be my decision. 7 years experience, they're not to far away and timeframe works.