06/11/2001
I just had my first appointment at the University of Iowa on June 7, 2001. They
were all so helpful. I am on my fourth day of learning some new eating habits.
I have to write down all of the food that I eat for about 90 days. Then I will
go back and have the information evaluated. If everything goes well, I will
be scheduled for a laproscopic Roux-en-y with Dr Maher and Dr Samuel. I am very
excited and realize that I am now in charge, and better do what they say if
I want to have surgery.
There was someone turned down for surgery while I was there, for not passing
her 3 month diet evaluation which I am now doing. That means they are not joking
around, and I am taking this very seriously!!
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny
matters compared to what lies within us."
07/05/2001
The U of I contacted me today with a follow up date. I will be going in on September
5 for my follow up appointment. If all goes well that day, they will schedule
me for surgery!!!
I have been doing well with my journal. I am just sick of the waiting. But I
know that in a year or so, all of this waiting will pay of.
I have started a deep water aerobics class. I was invited to come by Meredith
Pruess. She is on Obesityhelp.com and ossg. There are two women in the class
that are post op, and Meredith and I, who are waiting. It is nice to have people
to talk to, and support. The class is twice a week, for about an hour. And,
my husband bought me a bike, to help me exercise. He is a great husband!!
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have
already mastered, you will never grow."
08/29/2001
Well, I only have one more week to wait for my follow up exam! I have been doing
well on the journal. I have only strayed a few times from the prescribed diet.
I have noticed that my clothes are fitting better, and I am feeling alot better.
Infact, I am wearing today the same jeans that I wore to my first consult. At
the first consult, I could hardly button the jeans. Today, they fit great. I
am feeling muscles pop out all over that I didn't even know I had before.
I am going to see Blues Traveler on Monday. John Popper looks so good. I can't
wait to see him. I also just bought the September issue of US Weekly, with Carnie
Wilson on the cover. The article in the magazine is from her book, "Gut Feelings"
that will come out in October.
I don't even have a date yet, but I can already feel the impact that this, and
all of the support has had on me. Thanks.
"Accept the challenge, so that you may feel the exhilaration
of Victory!"
09/11/2001
Well, first off, the Blues Traveler concert was great, and I can't get the songs
off my mind!
I had my appointment at UIHC on September 5, almost a week ago. I have lost
14 pounds, and am doing very well with everything. They were impressed with
my journal, the detail was great, and they liked the motivational phrases that
I have taped all over! Dr. Samuel said that I was a good candidate for the surgery,
and he approves me. But, I have to go back on October 12, and meet Dr. Maher,
and the nurse Deb. So, this means one more month of waiting!!!
I will keep my head up, and will do extra good this month, just to prove that
this has not deterred me in the least.
"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction
we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it
- but sail we must, and not drift, nor lie at anchor."
10/29/01
It has been awhile since my last update. I have a surgery date scheduled for
March 18, 2001. I will have my bone density test on January 25, and my anesthesia
test on March 8. I will have a Lap, Proximal RNY with Dr. Maher, and Dr. Samuel
at the University of Iowa.
I have lost 16 pounds since my first appointment in June. That doesn't seem
like alot, but at least it is losing, not gaining!
My date seems so far off, that I can't even grasp it. I know the time will fly,
but it doesn't seem real. One of my friends form the site, and OSSG has a date
for December 3, and I am starting to get nervous and excited for her. But, for
some reason, I just can't seem to comprehend that this is really going to happen,
and that I am really going to have the surgery and loose weight. Meredith thinks
part of this is just because we are all so conditioned to NOT losing any weight,
that we cannot understand that this is really going to happen for us.
I am working on not eating or drinking some things now, so I don't have to deal
with them after the surgery. I am cutting out: Alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and
carbonation. I have not heard from my Dr., or my nurse that I will have to cut
these things out, but I have read and heard from other sources about the side
effects of these things.
I have started kickboxing. It is very hard, but I know it is working. It has
only been 3 days now, but I think my legs are getting stronger.
I have also ordered a belly dance instruction video. This will be kind of a
treat for me, when I am healthier. I will learn it now, get good, and in a year
or so, I will look good doing it!
I have been driving my husband nuts lately. For awhile after I got my surgery
date, I wasn't interested in talking about it. I think I may have been in a
little bit of shock, and denial. Now I am back in the swing of things, and can't
stop talking about it!
And I finally told my mom about surgery....... My father told my mom I was having
surgery, when I was really just there for the date. So, I felt obligated to
give my mom more information. Now, I am a 24 year old women, and have not had
a very good relationship with my mother for a very long time. She is very negative
and hurtful to me, but this time I thought I would give her the benefit of the
doubt. The first the she said was that she was already picking out the dress
to wear to my funeral. (I about lost it there!!) She also told me that everyone
she knows with the surgery have been dead or very sick afterwards. (HAA!) I
gave her information, and links to all of my favorite sites, and that's all
I could do. I even offered to make an appointment at the hospital for her to
ask all the questions she wanted. I am not upset about her actions, infact,
it went better than expected. I told her that she didn't have to like it, or
support me, but that regardless of what she thinks, I am doing this. I don't
want to come off as bull headed, but I have been waiting over a year now, and
feel I am ready, and this is the best choice for me.
To conclude, some people may not be open to the surgery, but the best that we
can do is give some of them the information, and they can do with it what they
want. We cannot hold their hands and make them understand where we are coming
from, but we can support those who are coming from the same place to make up
for the rest!
"Success is what happens when preparation meets with
opportunity"
01/16/02
It is really hard to believe that I have traveled this far, in what appears
to be a very short period of time. I got my insurance approval letter on January
12. This was approved after the first letter was sent. I will be having an ultrasound
and a bone density test the first part of February. During that time, my husband
and I will be moving into our new house!
The time really is flying by. I can't believe how fast everything is moving.
I just watched Meredith go through surgery, and go through depression, and is
now doing great! She has lost 30 pounds, and is one of my inspirations! I am
also watching Paula, who is a week and a half short of being 1 year out and
has lost 160 pounds. Her Dr. actually talked to her about plastics.
I have been dreaming at night of a lighter, healthier me. But, when I get up
in the morning it is the same old, 260 pound me. I can't wait to be on the other
side!
I went to a Christmas party on Saturday night. It was awful having to get dressed
up, and meet all of my husbands friends. All I could think about was that the
clothes were hanging on my fat, and that everyone was probably staring. He said
that no one cares, and that I looked good. But, I also could tell myself that
this is the last Christmas party before WLS, and that next year I should be
proud to meet my husband's friends!
After reading this post, it appears to be pretty gloomy. I truly am happy about
this, and feel like I have been given an opportunity to turn my weight around.
"There are two ways of meeting difficulties. You alter
the difficulties or you alter yourself to meet them."
02/01/02
I had some pre surgery tests done today. I had some blood work, an ultrasound,
and a bone density test. They all went well. I also was told that my surgery
was going to be moved up a week. So, instead of having 45 days till surgery,
I only have 38 days. It is hard to believe. I already thought that the time
was coming fast!
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter
of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved"
02/25/02
I am finding it very hard to believe that I only have 2 weeks until surgery.
These past few days... months have gone past so fast! I am getting a little
nervous. I am not worried about the surgery, but things associated with it.
I have many lists; pre-surgery shopping list, take to hospital list, the weekend
before surgery list, who to email list, what to freeze for hubby to eat list.....
I don't know if I am helping myself, or hindering myself! I am having a hard
time concentrating at work, and at home (and in the bed room), all I can think
about is WLS. Maybe tomorrow it will be better, or maybe worse! Looking back
a month or more, I didn't think that I would have the WLS obsession so bad.
Everything is going as planned. I have my anesthesia evaluation on Friday, March
1. I got my after surgery diet book in the mail. This post seems to be just
another list that I am crossing off in my head! I just so want to be prepared
for this, that I can't stop crossing my t's and dotting my i's.
Robby Elgin and I are having our last supper at the Ox Yoke Inn in Amana. We
have a room reserved at 1pm on Saturday, March 9. If you are in the area, please
stop by.
"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a
human being can alter his life by altering his attitude." - William James
"The currents that determine our dreams and shape our
lives, flow from the attitudes we nurture every day"
03/06/02
Another day or two closer. Before I know it the weekend will be here. I have
been keeping myself busy... but can't stop thinking and talking about the surgery.
I added my photo today, and I can't wait to add some post op ones!
Thanks for your continued support!
"In times of change, there is no incentive so great,
and no medicine so powerful as the hope for a better tomorrow."
03/19/02
I am doing really good. I get my stomach drain out tomorrow morning, which will
help out alot. I have already lost 15 pounds and can't hardly believe it! I
feel like I have done thousands of sit ups, and am a little sore. I get wore
out pretty easy, and need to rest every once in a while, but nothing like I
thought I would be. But it is still amazing how good I am feeling for just having
surgery a week ago. I wanted to thank you for visiting me in the hospital. I
know I wasn't much company, but I am sure you understand.
I am trying to get used to eating. I have head hunger, and want some real food.
I am sure this will pass. It will just take getting used to. I am on full liquids
now, so I can have milk and yogurt and pureed soup; things like that. So the
thicker food helps alot. I didn't realize before how much food is advertised
on TV, and it all looks so good. But, I just keep thinking that in a month I
will be able to have more real food, and by that time, it should mean different
things to me than before. No more food medication, just food nutrition. (hopefully!)
Andy is a little nervous about eating in front of me. He feels guilty for eating
real food. I keep telling him not to worry about it, but he doesn't want to
upset me. I just make sure that we are eating together, and reassure him that
I am fine. Everything is going really good, just takes some getting used to.
"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome
to reach your goals."
03/26/02
Sorry that I have not written much since surgery. I have just been trying to
figure out my new eating. It seems to be taking up most of my time. The eating,
drinking water, milk... taking tons of vitamins. I am doing really well and
this morning have officially broken the 20 pound mark. I would have to say that
the hardest thing was the head hunger. That almost brought me to tears a few
times. But, the good thing is that it didn't last very long. I am no longer
craving food. I look at the clock and know when I am supposed to eat, or drink
my milk.
The hospital called today and said that I need to go in Friday and do more blood
work. They measure your white blood cell count after surgery. This will tell
them if you have an infection, or a leak in your staple line. Normal white count
is 7, high-normal is 10.5. They kept me in the hospital till Sunday, because
mine was elevated, reaching 15.1 on one occasion. When they let me go it was
12.5. I went back on Wednesday to have my drain out, and it was back up to 14.5.
Hope it was just the flu or something. I am really feeling great. And, they
did all the test to insure that I don't have a leak. I will let you know if
they find something.
I am so far very happy that I had the surgery, and am sure that it will just
get better.
"Excellence always endures it remains long after cost
is for gotten."
04/16/02
It has been over a month since my surgery - and I have lost about 40 pounds.
I went for my one month check up last Friday, the 12th of April, and they told
me that everything looks very good. They took blood, and looked me over. That
was about it.
Some things I have had to teach myself:
I think I am finally getting a hold on all of this.
Everyday is easier. The eating, the water, the protein and the vitamins aren't
so bad. I have more energy, and am doing lots of stuff when I get home from
work. Where I used to just go home and crash on the couch.
Today will be my first day of seasonal mushroom hunting. My husband thinks it
is great that I can only eat a few little Morels, and he gets the rest! That
is ok. I can savor them more than he can.
"What seems like only a ripple today can become the
wave of the future."
09/24/02
I feel like such a heal having not updated my profile in such a long time. I
guess I just needed this time to make sure everything was working, and that
I am not going to fail. I have lost almost 100 pounds now, and am doing great.
I started weight training this week, to tighten up the muscle and skin. I don't
have much baggy skin, and want to keep it that way. I have found that I have
tons of energy and a renewed self esteem. I have found myself looking in the
mirror actually thinking that I look good.
People are really starting to take notice that I have lost alot of weight. My
mother is actually thinking it is a good idea for her, now that I am 6 months
out, lost almost 100 pounds and am not dead. (she will never change!) I have
also ran into some people asking me what size I am in. I tell them I was wearing
a 26/28 and am now in a 14 - getting ready to move down again Most people couldn't
be happier for me, and some say with a sneer "that is about what I am wearing".
I always tell myself the screw them and I did this for me... but is feels good
to have people jealous of my new me! I have also found that men are treating
me alot differently -nicer, flitier, pay me more attention. That is something
I have never had to deal with before, but it doesn't feel bad, just makes me
feel better about myself.
I have posted some new pics of me at OSSG-IOWA-NEBRASKA
under MB-IowaDirt. This has pics of me now, and before, as well as surgery pics.
E-mail me if you have questions! [email protected]
03/11/03
I was asked this morning "Any thoughts or reflections?" It has taken me all
day to decide what I wanted to write. I haven't discovered the meaning of life,
and I don't have any great knowledge to share. I can tell you that if anyone
had told me my life would be effected this drastically by surgery one year ago,
I would not have believed them. I could actually get teary eyed if I sat here
long enough and pondered the difference in my life. I feel like a completely
different person. I feel that everything has changed 180 degrees. I have tons
of energy, feel great about my self, and myself feels great. I find today that
I spend more time in front of the mirror to make sure I look pretty, where before
I would spend little time in front of the mirror just to make sure I was hiding
enough of myself. I notice little things changing today, like my huge collar
bones, or my skinny fingers. I look at my old pictures and don't even recognize
them, and can't believe that was me. I am still losing a little, but mostly
just "shifting". I am so happy with the way that I look and feel, that I would
be happy if I never lost another ounce. I am retaining my good eating habits,
and my exercise - that will never change. I don't miss any of the bad foods
I used to eat, they don't even look good most of the time. I would like to thank
you for the support and encouragement you have given me over the year. I also
have to thank Dr. Maher, Nurse Debbi and all at the University for what they
have done for me.
Mary Beth
03/11/02 Proximal RNY
Dr. Maher - U of I
01/22/2004
Lots to update! I had a tummy tuck in May 2003 with Dr. Cram at the University
of Iowa. I had about 4 pounds of skin and fat removed. Everything with that
surgery went perfect. I have a bunch of pics from the plastic surgery, and plan
on putting together a website. I will post here when I have it ready.
I am now down to 155. I am wearing a size 8 pant, and a small shirt. I have
not had any problems with the RNY. I can still only eat small amounts, and can't
eat bad foods. I don't even think about it most of the time now, unless I am
eating or taking my vitamens.
I am still not framilliar with my body. When I close my eyes I can't picture
myself. But when I am looking at clothes I can pick the right sizes.
I continue to have problems with some people about he weight loss. But for the
most part people are very happy for my success. I have even found that my success
has encouraged many others to have weight loss surgery. I am not afraid to tell
people about the surgery now. I used to be embarassed, or just not want to hear
what they had to say. But now I tell them, and I tell them with honor. I say,
"I did it, and I didn't have one problem"!
I am excited now about all of the Atkins hype. I was talking to another post
op yesterday, and we said "where was this low carb, no sugar stuff when
we first had surgery?" I am amazed now at the amount of low sugar food
that is out there. I haven't tried most of it, but I am excited for the ones
that do.
Please email me if you have any questions -
Mary Beth