My new life and body JOURNEY - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Dawnelle · 12-30-2008, 01:02 PM

I wanted to post my journey. This began 12 years ago when I realized OMG I was now 220 pounds. Now like others I did not gain it overnight this was a lifetime, I was never a skinny kid I fought with my weight all my life and was tased all my life. Being fat and a red head you can only imagine...... But now I was 30 years old and realized I had a serious problem. I tried all of the commercial weight loss programs, buying their foods, going to their programs......... Nothing no loss but some gain. I researched GBP and read medical journals on the subject, researched surgeons in AZ where I lived....... 10 years ago I was at 245 pounds and decided yes this is what I want to do, nothing else was helping I needed to before it was too late. I went to see a known doctor in Scottsdale AZ who treated me like I had the plague, they stated I was lieing to myself and that I had issues.... Because I was too hapy with my life and my family..... so needless to say I went back to my PCP who had known me for years and he could not believe she would be so harmful, we decided that we would try some more weight loss programs, low to no carb medications etc.......... no luck 3 years later I went to a new surgeon before I could see him I had to attend 6 meetings " The ABC's to Gastric Bypass" very informative........ completed me seminars and saw the surgeon nice guy...... he agreed I was a great candidate for the surgery....... they submitted the paperwork to my insurance, of course back then it was almost impossible to get the approval, wee worked on it for 3 years. Finally I gave up I felt if it was meant to be it would have been approved..... So again I tried more diets.......

My wonderful husband and I decided that we were moving to Hawaii, and we did 2 yars ago. I was able to get a job at a terrific hospital here and found the most spectacular surgeon....... She agreed that I was a great candidate and at that time I weighed 280 pounds, was insulin resistant, high blood pressure, super high triglycerides, high cholesterol, 2 low back surgeries, needing a knee replacement and so many aches and pain that I was taking 12 IB every day........ we got approval within 24 hours, I did all my tests and had surgery scheduled on July 27, 2007, however 5 days before I fell down stairs and shattered my ankle and fibula had major surgery. Since I now had steel plates and pins and screws in my leg holding it together I had to wait a year to ensure infection would not set in and that my body would not reject my new hardware......... We rescheduled surgery to August however I could not get time off from work......... AGAIN we rescheduled the surgery........December 19, 2008

I was so very careful the week before and tried my hardest to stay healthy.......... YES the day came I was not anxious, worries or nervous.. it was like any other day. However I did have the comfort of knowing that my team was hand picked by the surgeon I work for and he only uses the best, so I was at complete ease............

VeggieLover2004 · 12-30-2008, 01:10 PM

WOW!! What an incredible, amazing journey!! I'm so happy you finally had your surgery!! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!!

Dawnelle · 12-30-2008, 01:16 PM

When I woke up I felt good no pain,,,,, NONE....... at about 3 hours after surgery I was walking the halls of the hospital and felt really good, considering I had just had Lap RNY and Lap Cholecystectomy( removal of gall bladder).... wow I thought this was pretty easy.....

not easy but painless. I did very well, the next day they removed my catheter and allowed me to continue to walk all I wanted,,, feeling good

The second day they fed me some liquid and I kept it down just fine so YYYYYAAAAHHHHHHHH I got to go home. WOOO HOOOO
Came home expecting I would eventually have pain but none still. I went to Costco the next day with my husband and we bought my first scale......yes first ever. Before I was always too embarrassed to weigh myself.

what would I find....
Came home and weighed myself and wow 8 pounds off in 3 days. Ok I thought water weight and I haven't eaten for 5 days so yah I would have some weight loss......
I went to my 1 week post op appointment, I weighed 260 pounds 15 pounds loss........... wow pretty good. I joked with my surgeon and told her I want her to show me the Operative report because I feel too good for her to have done anything....
Now at 1 week and 4 days out I now am at 252.4 pounds

Pre op weight 280 pounds
Day of surgery 275.4 pounds
Current weight 252.4 pounds
Current weight loss: -23 pounds

yes I am on my way to a healthy life for me and my family...............

I just wanted everyone to know my story in hopes to help others.

Dawnelle · 01-10-2009, 05:34 PM

well I am 3 weeks out of surgeyr ad have now lost thirty pounds I am so excited. I am eating well and doing fabulous. I began going to the gym and now workout, of course no weights or tummy exercisies yet, but I am walking elptic and bike. Doing really well and feel better than I ever have. I am so glad I did this and now wonder what took me so long in the first place.
Down to 248.6 first time under 250 in 10 years. YAHOOOOOOOOO

hexx2003 · 01-10-2009, 06:04 PM

wow keep it up girl! hope I have as much success and a great recovery!

Jillybeanmike · 01-10-2009, 09:03 PM

WOW! That was wonderful. Thank you for sharing all of that. I love reading experiences others have been through.

)

Jillybeanmike · 01-10-2009, 09:05 PM

Oops and I meant to say CONGRADS on the weight loss so far. Your doing great. I am I think 2 weeks ahead of you and I have only lost 40. I am not walking as much as I would like though. But your doing GREAT! That is awesome. ;o) I am sure you will make your goal weight in no time.

Baja Big Dog · 01-11-2009, 09:37 AM

Holy cow, talk about Murphy law...my God!!

Hopefully you keep us up to date, this is one of those stories that really back up the need for some of us to have this surgery.....and what some of us will do, or go through to get it!!

With the half full cup, Im glad all the bad crap is behind you!!

Aviator · 01-11-2009, 01:39 PM

You are a couple of weeks ahead of me, but your path was much more convoluted. I applaud your courage and tenacity.

I look forward to seeing us lose those pounds together in 2009.

The best of luck, and Godspeed to that weight loss.

kanlyons1017 · 01-11-2009, 01:49 PM

What an amazing journey you have been on. We are almost surgery buddies - mine was Dec 17th. I didn't have Lap RNY and did have some pain, but mostly in my back, probably from laying flat on operating room table so long.

Keep up the great work. I need to get off my butt more and get more exercise. I have two classes this week that are kicking my a** and leave for my Study Abroad trip Friday, so I won't have time this week, but know I will be walking a ton in Mexico.

Please keep us posted on your progress.

Kim