Just Starting!

I feel the same way you do. I have pretty much always been a big girl, and I come from a big family. It is time for change because I have noticed that alot of my "big girl" tendencies are passing on to my children. (who are starting to become "big" kids.) I wish you a lot of luck in your journey to getting the surgery.Just a word of advice from my own personal experience, it is a long road, so do not get discouraged.It took me almost a year to get everything done and now I am almost done with all of the clearances my insurance and surgeon requires before I get a date.

My insurance company required the 6 months of weight loss being monitored by a Professional (My Primary Care Physician). While I was "waiting", I took that opportunity to do all of the things the Surgeon required of me including an Endoscopy, sono of my abdomen, 12 Lead EKG, Psychological Evaluation, Meeting with Nutritionist, Blood Work and attended support group meetings.

I was approved immediately by my insurance company once the 6 months was up. Within a few weeks, I was given a Surgery date. My surgery was on June 11, 2012. I had to remain on a liquid diet consisting of Glucerna meal replacement shakes and water for two weeks before my surgery. The purpose of this is to shrink the liver down as much as possible for the safest surgery. Truth...I wasn't the slightest bit hungry!! I even had to attend events 3 times in restaurants and I was okay!

Surgery day came. I was not the slightest bit nervous, which is totally not my personality. I think it's because I was more than ready to begin my new life. I started this journey in November of 2011 with my first weigh in being 252. I am only 5'2". June 1, my last weigh in before my surgery, I was 241. Today, I am 218. The weight is just coming off.

After surgery, my Doctor required me to be on a liquid diet for 2 weeks. I had to drink very small amounts every 15 minutes while my belly healed. I was told to do the best I could to drink protein. I struggled with that because I found most of the protein drinks I bought to be foul. Actually, by week 2, they instructed me to drink 60 grams of protein. For me, the best protein drink is Muscle Milk Light. They are 20 grams of protein per container. I prefer the chocolate. Not easy to get all of this in, but so important. I want this to be the most successful journey, so I will do it. Now, I am into my 3rd week and have started to introduce food. I found that I didn't have to stick to pureed food. I am able to tolerate very and I mean very small amounts of well chewed food. I learned the hard way not to eat too fast. I had a hard boiled egg and it went down so easily. Then, it hit me. I knew I wasn't choking, but It felt like it was lodged in my chest. I had to stop and breathe. I actually got very nervous. I knew I wasn't "choking" because I could talk and breathe. It was a lesson learned. EAT VERY SLOW! I felt it in my chest for over a half hour.

I kept telling my husband that I don't feel any different. I haven't had any side effects from the surgery except not having the urge to ever have a bowel movement. I use glycerin suppositories every few days to help me out. I am never hungry. Eating has become a routine and I am eating only the things required to be healthy at this time.

I have absolutely no regrets having had this surgery. I cannot wait to see what I look like next summer!