Right now I'm wearing 3 x things, and a pair of 26/28 pants and shorts, and I'm swimming out of both. Just the other day, I had on my pants from when I went into surgery and came home from surgery and if it weren't for the overhang that I have, I would have been mooning everyone. I really need to just retire those pants and use them for comparison pictures.
I did see my primary last night. This has been the lightest I've looked since I was young. I am only 362 lbs, but, I've always looked like I weighed a ton.
I saw my primary for three things. One was for my monthly shot. I refuse to give myself my shots, because I am not steady with a needle. (If my dad were here, he would tell you this.) The second was for blood work. That was a PITA!! My veins kept rolling, so they poked me three times before they got me. I'm gonna be bruised!! LOL
The third thing is something that I didn't think would happen until I was under 300 lbs. I started with loose skin rubbing against each other... like in the back of my knees. I also have had problems with chafing under my breasts, and this would turn into yeast infections. I've had this even before surgery with the breasts. I know once I get a good bra, it may stop this to a degree, but it will still be there, so ineed to start documenting this now, so I can get approval for plastic surgery, when I decide to have it. I was put on lotrisone cream for now, but I can look forward to a skin removal.
I did wow my Dr with my loss, and he looked at my incision. It's by far the cleanest cut he has seen, and may start referring his patients down to HUP for surgery. I may have to talk to those that he refers, and that's fine. I will do it.
One last thing. I had a lunch that a few of us on Spotlight attended. Before surgery, I would have NEVER been able to publically speak. I do it now. I got up and announced that Paula and Tim got engaged last night, and that we had a card that we all signed congratulating them. I also announced that if anyone hadn't done so, I had a Get Well Card for Dave that I was going to run down if Dave was still in the next day. (Thanks To the Drs down at HUP, he was coming home when I was getting the card signed, so I have it sitting at the house still, but Dave WILL get it.)
The whole idea of standing up making announcements tho, I would have never done that before surgery.
That's all for now... will update more soon!!!
The 21st will be 6 months exactly. This has been a rough road, but a blessing.
Rather then brag about things, I want to pull my time out to thank a few people.
For starters, I want to thank Dr Williams. For he gave me the opportunity to take my life back. Before my surgery, I would have never thought it possible to go walking 4 miles 3 times a week. I would have never thought about thinking about my future. School, settling down... everything. I know I met the right person, but he's going to get the thanks down the line here. I am thankful that his competence showed through when I was under. (Nope, I was never mad about you converting me to an open Doc! Just concerned as to why, that's all!) I am thankful everyday that I now get up, breath in a deep breath, and know that I'll have the energy to go on with my day. I'm also thankful that I'm finally on the straight and narrow. If it wasn't for Dr Williams, I would never be there. Thanks Doc. I know you're paid to do your job, but even what you were paid will never amount to what you have given me.
I wish to thank Rachel Griehs. Her expertise never ceases to amaze me. Not only did Dr Williams have a hand in my recovery of my life and sending me on the straight and narrow, she had a hand in helping with helping reshape my attitude towards food. I may go off the path at times, but I know now how to get myself back into the path, and it's because of her guidance that many of us at HUP are very successful. Again, like Dr Williams, no amount of money could repay what you have done for me too, Rachel.
To my support teams, HUP Support Team, Spotlight Support Team, Team Hershey Kiss (I know... I'm not a member, but I will be!), The Chat crew on Spotlight, You guys have fast become my friends... let me rephrase that. You guys have become my extended family. I continue to support everyone regardless of what comes up, and it's because of many of you that I have the common knowledge of what this surgery does. NO amount of money could repay you for your support and knowledge.
To Mike, my best friend. You were the one to plant the seed into my mind of the possibility of having this. At the time you mentioned it, I had no insurance. You've been there through my ups and down, and I can only hope to be there through yours. Know that I love you always and forever, though I many not show or say it enough. You, my great friend, have helped me immensely in taking something that was a possibility and turning it into a driving force within myself. I can only hope that when you need that driving force, I can help you with that. Thanks for Believing in me when I didn't believe in myself.
To Annie, Joe, Brian, Larry (SoulKen), Jason, Jarod, Paul, Jeanine, and TC, Thanks for putting up with my boasting and updates. But most of all, thanks for not being quick to judge me for making a drastic move. The drastic move I needed to move has helped keep me alive longer now. I just wish there were others out there who understood this.
To My dad, who I know is probably reading this somewhere out there, I'm really trying. This is so much different then just dieting. It's a change of life for me. I really wish you were here to see my success, but I know that you're grinning somewhere in enjoyment that I'm finally getting myself healthy, which I know was one of your dying wishes. (BTW, Dad, Aunt Denise is looking to me for advice for this.) Also, I wish you were here to see your grandson. Shane is adorable. I see so much of you in him. I can only hope that with the continued drop that I can be a great Aunt to him.
Oh and Dad, PS,- My ability to possibly have kids has come back.
One last thing to all. I felt the need to put this up over my thoughts, because these are my thoughts. I know in 6 months time, I wouldn't be where I am without each and every one of you. Thank you!
I do want to wish my nutritionist, Rachel, well in her upcoming back surgery. Rachel has to go in for a spine fusion. She had this done 10 years ago, and the problem has gotten increasingly worse, so it's time to get it fixed.
I'm also impressed with the line up of who is going to be speaking at the Philly Gathering. I am a little concerned about who will take Rachel's place, but I'm sure a suitable replacement will be found.
So far, the line up is: Dave, a personal trainer who sits in on the support group meetings for HUP, Dr Williams, God in my book, One of My Angels, Kellie Jo, A Plastic surgeon is wanting to be booked, and a psychologist.
Sorry to say this, but if I only was in school. LOL I'm doing my part tho... and I won't say here in case there are some people coming to Philly. (It's a surprise, ya know!)
I'm having a blast with my weight loss. Just the other day, I sat in a chair I wouldn't have Pre-operative. I also walked the mall, made people look for me, and say "Wait up for me!"
Yesterday, I also did the steps at the train station. I could have used the elevator, but I refuse to if I'm starting to become able-bodied enough to. I may even take up a part time job for the money for me to start a home schooling course, Nutrition Specialist. This will be my first start in my nutrition degree, that way I can transfer my diploma over to a community college and work from there into getting the rest of my degree. I definitely want to do this, as I feel the need to help those around me out who have my problem. And I know that , and this is no offense to Rachel or Wanda, with myself as a WLS patient, it will make the program very credible.
I'm down 136 lbs. Since my official 6 month follow up isn't until the 19th, I'll take the 136 lbs as an unofficial/official total for the halfway mark in my year. I'm very pleased.
Lastly, Throw this one into the I'm having trouble area. My thighs. The left thigh has started an overhang of it's own. About a week ago, it was like a Tangerine sized overhang, yesterday it was the size of a grapefruit. it's starting to get hard too, so I know what it is. I'm going to have to make an appointment to see my primary and get my referral to my Plastic Surgeon sooner.
That's all for now.. will be back on the 19th.
Also, I weighed in on April 1, 2003, and I'm 10 lbs from my halfway mark. 140 lbs gone forever.
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