Patricia B.
I've been overweight since I was 18-19 years old. At 25 I joined Goodlife and lost 80 pounds and I felt great. Then I slowly put the weight back on. At 29 I had my first child and when he was five months old, I found out I was pregnant with twins! After the twins were born 2 1/2 years ago, I have been putting on more weight. I have a membership at Curves and I go 3x a week, but I never notice a difference. So after much research, I have decided that this is the way to go. I need to do this for me, my children and husband. Don't get me wrong, my hubby is wonderful and supports me either way. I love him to death.
October 17, 2006 - I called today for an appointment with my family Dr. to get a referral or to see if he will sign the OHIP forms for out of country. We'll see. I'm so nervous. I don't know why...I guess I keep thinking he's going to say no for whatever reason. My appointment is for October 26. I'll keep you updated.
October 26, 2006 - Went to my Dr. He said he would sign the form but he was apprehensive about it. His reasoning is that if something happens, there's no surgeon in Ontario that would want to even look at me because I'm not "their problem" so to speak. So he sent me for some bloodwork to see if there is anything to report with my OHIP form. He will put together a package for me he said. Now just waiting...
November 14 - My 32nd Birthday...why hasn't he filled out those forms yet!
November 15 - Drs off ice alled and I can pick up my forms!! Yay!!
November 16 - I have faxed my forms off to OHIP. Now I just wait...bite my nails a bit and wait...
November 16 - Barix called to set up my consultation meeting for November 27th. Holy this is happening soooo fast. It's incredible.
November 22 - I received word today from my Dr's office that OHIP has approved me for surgery!!!! I am sooo damned excited!! I am shaking!!
November 27 - I went to Barix today for my consultation. What can I say other than it's a great place. I met with Dr. Kam - what a great guy. My hubby was impressed. He said I was approved by him for surgery. When I told him I was already approved by OHIP he was pleasantly surprised at how fast it was moving for me. He has only ordered an EKG for me at this point, so that is pretty exciting. I'm fairly healthy he said and that I should do well because I am active in Curves. I am so excited!
November 30 - As part of my testing required by Dr. Kam I had my EKG done today. Just waiting for the results to be faxed to Dr. Kam. I'm getting a little antsy wondering when I'll be having surgery. It's all I talk about these days. I'm sure everyone around me (that I've told anyways) are getting sick of me talking about it. I can't help it! I can't wait to be healthy.
Jan 3/07 - I finally got my date! January 16th - only 13 days away. I was really persistent in calling them. I hadn't heard anything when they were supposed to call me about 2 weeks ago. Janessa finally called me this morning. I am so thrilled. I am shaking because I'm nervous but at the same time VERY excited! Now I have to figure out my child care etc. My kids are likely going to stay at my mom's because my hubby will be with me. I am soooo excited!
January 14/07 - Well, only 2 more sleeps! I am excited! More excited than nervous at this point, I'm sure things will change shortly with that though. I have found out I need to have my gallbladder out at the same time. So now I have to have my RNY open. I wasn't too thrilled, but I know I need it out and would rather kill two birds with one stone so to speak. I think the reason I'm not so thrilled with that is because I'm going to miss my kids soooo much. I'm sure any mother could understand that. Let's just hope I do well right after and don't have to stay in the hospital too long.
January 24/07 - I had my surgery on January 16th. It went well, but I didn't feel very well afterwards. The pain pump was my best friend. But amazingly, I never did fill my script for pain meds and haven't needed it. My incision is healing nicely and it's getting itchy which is a good sign. I came home on the Friday. The nurses and Dr's and everyone at Barix is the absolute best! I couldn't have picked a better place or a better Dr. So far as of today I am down 22lbs, now mind you, I gained 6lbs in the hospital from all the fluids, etc. I was glad to be home with my kids. They missed their mommy and daddy. I slept on the couch for a few night because quite frankly, I had bad diarreha and knew I wouldn't make it back down the stairs to the bathroom lol. As for the liquids, I'm doing well. I have found a protein drink or two that I can stomach. It involves Hershey's SF Choc syrup. It's good and my hubby drinks it too, he likes it as well. I had terrible terrible gas pains in the hospital and then once I came home. I had a hard time walking in the hospital especially the first day and a half because I was sooooo naseous. I figured that would happen.
March 28, 2007 - Ok, it's been awhile since I updated. To date I have lost 46 pounds. I think it's great, of course, I don't have MUCH difference in my clothing yet. I have managed to change sizes yet. That part is kind of bothering me, but I'm sure it will be new clothes for me soon. I had my blood work drawn last Wednesday, just waiting for the results.
On a whole, I've had no problems. Aside from the odd eating too fast or not chewing enough, I feel like I can eat almost anything. It's kind of scary actually. I don't at all push the sugar though. I haven't dumped yet and don't want to. I'm so glad I have found this website - it's the best.
April 23, 2007 - So far I have lost about 60lbs. I go for my 3 month check up on Thursday with Dr. Kam. I'm pretty excited to see how much their scales say. The first time in my life I've actually liked weighing myself. I've lost 24 1/2 inches so far.
May 6/07 - I have now lost 70lbs!! I can't believe it! It's as though it is just melting off. I saw Dr. Kam on the 26th and he was very impressed. I've lost 30% of my excess weight so far. He put me on B-12 sublingual and iron tablets and Vitamin C. But otherwise, everything is great. I'm still doing lots of walking and exercise. I made the best decision of my life.
May 29/07 - As of this morning I have lost 81lbs. I am very conscious of what I put into my mouth as well as the kids. I buy lots of fruit for them etc, and they love it. I still made the best decision ever. I need to get new pics again I think.
June 7/07 - I have now lost 91lbs. The pounds melted right off me this past week. It's crazy! I have also increased my exercise - I walk 4 miles a day now. I'm sure I will increase it more. I have started lifting weights as well.
July 17/07 - Well yesterday was my 6 month surgiversary and I've lost 105lbs. I feel fantastic. I am walking 5 miles a day now. I increase my walking about once a month. I have to get my husband to take some pictures of me with a full body shot. I can do the head shots but you can't tell much from that. If you're thinking of doing this, don't think anymore - act on it. It will be the best thing you ever do!
Aug 20/07 - So far to date I've lost 118lbs and 65". It is just incredibly amazing to me to look at pictures of me. I think I look weird. People say I look great but I see a weird looking person. It's still a physcological thing for me when I look in the mirror, I still see a "fat" me. I've gone down 10 sizes from a 26-16 and in tops I can wear an XL and sometimes a size 14. I'm so happy and I love shopping again.
Aug 25/07 - I finally did it. I made it to Onderland. I weighed in at 199lbs. Feels great to finally be in the 100's.
Aug 27/07 - Down to 198 now. Yes, I weigh myself everyday - people say stay away from the scale, but honestly, it keeps me accountable. If I go up, I know what I need to do. I haven't gone up yet, so I guess this is working!
Sept 17/07 - Well yesterday was my 8 month "surgiversary". I weighed in at 191lbs and that means a total loss of 130lbs. I have also lost 73 3/4" total. This is just amazing to me. I just wish I could look in the mirror and see it. I am wearing a 16 bottom comfortably, a size 12-14 on top. I'd like to get to a 10 - but we'll see what happens.
Sept 28/07 - I am now down to 184lbs for a total loss of 137lbs! This month has been crazy for weight loss! But I'm lovin it...I love my RNY!
Oct 11/07 - I am down 140lbs as of today. I weighed 321 on day of surgery and now weight 181. This is just such a wild ride and I can't believe it!
Dec 11/07 - I am down 148lbs. I weigh 173. See how the weight has slowed down? lol. Still lovin life. It's all good!
Jan 15/08 - Tomorrow is my 1 Yr Surgiversary....wow the time flies. I have made goal. I have lost 1/2 my weight. I weigh 160lbs and have lost 160lbs. It's amazing. I love my RNY!
Mar 7/08 - Well I guess it seems I haven't done any updates recently. Well I am 5lbs below goal now and I feel wonderful. I'm having some personal issues at home right now, and hopefully these will be resolved soon. I still love my RNY and I would suggest this tool for anyone. Just remember, this is just a tool, and so you really have to work at it. Exercise is very important as well as eating healthy. My life is so amazing now. The only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner.
