taralynneRN59

Yep, butt; thighs; arms; belly - oh well, at least clothing (spanx; tight jeans; etc) can shape them!!! At least my boobs are looking bigger!! But, that is because I have silicone implants (bilat mastectomy) and while the excess weight is disappearing, the implants look larger and do not sag!! One consolation!! At 53, I am not trying to look good in skimpy clothing!! But I do wish that I was not getting "batwing" arms - living in Texas, I would like to wear sleevless tops!!

I am a bad blogger!! While I take advantage of everyone's posts - they get me through every day, I do not get on and post myself!

12/10 and down 45 #. Slower than some but am happy with my results. My sister asked me the other day "Don't you miss eating whatever you want, and however much you want?" Well to be honest, yes!! But so does an ex smoker miss cigarettes and an alcoholic miss alcohol. It was my enjoyment of eating and my lack of self control that got me here in the first place (plus the fact that my metabolism has "left the building" so to speak). So regarding the fact that I really do not enjoy eating like I used to - it is totally worth it when I see the results. I am down to a 12 jean (I am sure that if they were the old fashioned "non-stretch" it would be a 14!).

Regarding the victories that are not "scale related" - I did my first 3K walk last week. My goal was to finish, but not last!! I did finish and despite the shin splints, I was basically in the middle group of walkers and excited that I actually enjoyed it!! Also, I am off of my diabetic; high cholestrol; and high blood pressure medications! In fact, my blood pressure is usually on the low side now!! Woo Hoo!!

I agree that comparing yourselves with others can have an opposite effect of setting yourself up to fail, everyone really sounds like they are doing well (most of the "tickers" are hovering around the 50% area) and I believe that the "December Sleevers" are all winners!!!!

You look great! 3 weeks out also - 22 # down!

You are an inspiration!!!

236 pre op; Surgery 12/10 and down 22 lbs!! :wub: I also seem to stall for a few days then drop some for a few days! Am looking forward to starting to exercise more - but I need to get more protien in which is a challenge since I cannot stand any type or brand of protien powder!! So getting it in with real food at only 1/2 cup at a time is hard! But I am perservering!! I give myself a pat on the back for surviving the holidays at work and families dinners without cheating; and not even really suffering for it!!! Biggest surprise? My BMI is now 35.44 which means In only .5 I would be ineligible for the surgery!!! Looking forward to "Onederland" myself - it has been 20 years!!!!

Okay all!! am finishing up my first pre-op diet day. I now feel I am really part of the "group"!! Here is to the next couple of weeks countdown to the 10th! Blessings and luck to us all!!! Tara

I am the opposite; pre op at this time but dreading trying to drink as I have always been of opinion "water is to take showers in"!! Water has always made me feel bloated and kind of nauseous. Off my Dr. Pepper now, and the only drink I can stand is either iced tea (thank goodness I don't mind the caffiene free and like it plain) or Peach Mango Green Tea Crystal Light! Fluids are going to be my challenge as well as not being able to stand Protein Drinks so far!

You can use the aria fit bit scale; kind of pricey but works great! Tara

Texas Hill Country!!

_{LOL!! I told my mom and sister I was going to have the surgery (Dec 10) because it really messed up all of our "holiday routines". But now my sis - who is about the same size I am is trying to prove that she can do it on her own. At work I have heard "if the pre op and post op diet is so strict, why have the surgery? why not do it on your own? so I just let it pass me by! I have not told my kids however, they all live out of state and I do not want to deal with the constant questions and checking up on me!! And plus my oldest daughter (a 35 year old hippy) is in to "totally natural", the hardest part is to remember to only post stuff on this site and not my facebook!!! Good luck with your continued weight loss, and just plan on buying that Victoria's Secret catalog before long!!! Tara}

_{I know, Right? I was told that the caffiene "dehydrates" you! I am making do with hot Decaf Tea or Diet Hot Chocolate!! Good Luck! Tara}

I am sorry you felt bad! In your mom's defense, maybe she feels like if she is too complimentary, she will be insulting you on how you looked before! My mom is like that also - trying to get a straight and honest opinion is like pulling teeth. Your are right though "Relatives; you can't live with them and you can't throw them under the bus"!!!!! Congratulations on your loss and good luck for the rest!! Tara

Starting mine Monday!! I am at work until Sat morning, and am planning on cleaning out my kitchen cupboards and closet over the weekend. Am keeping only the very basic clothing and have my shopping list for "reward clothing" all made out!! How is that for "positive thinking"? Most of my nerves are from fear of failure - too many years of it I guess. As for the actual surgery - I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction 5 years ago followed by chemotherapy; a hysterectomy; a appendectomy and 2 surgically removed cysts on my legs; plus to pilonidal cyst surgeries! all in the past 10 years - so a lap procedure does not make me nervous as much as trying to get really gross Protein Shakes down!!!! I work nights - so it is a challenge to keep up with a good eating schedule. Good luck with the pre-op, I hate to start things on the weekend, so Monday is good for me!!!! Tara

For Insurance to pay, I think your BMI has to be 40 - or 35 if you have co-morbidities such as diabetes; high blood pressure; high cholestrol; arthritis; stress fractures etc, or a combination of them. I have a friend that has been turned down with a BMI of 34 even though she is on insulin and major cholesterol / blood pressure medications. I do not know if you are self pay what the guidelines are. I hope I am wrong!! Good Luck

December 10 for my surgery also!! Good luck!!

There seems to be quite a few "December 10's" out there!! Monday and all that! Starting my pre-op liquid diet this coming monday, Cleaning out my kitchen cupboards and closets this weekend. Getting work all settled for a week off. So much to do, but I have been working towards this for over 2 years and "I CAN DO IT"!!!!!! Looking forward to everybodies success. I have a shortcut to this site on my phone; my laptop; my desktop and my work computer!!! Blessings, Tara

My name is Tara. I am 53 and my scheduled surgery date is Dec 10th! I start my preop diet on Monday. I am cleaning out my kitchen and my closet this weekend and getting all my ducks in a row at work during the next two weeks so that I will not have to worry about work during my week off! I am determined to be optimistic and only have to take a week off even though I have had several people advise me to take two weeks off. I am the House Supervisor (RN) at our hospital on the night shift, and always have back up help for lifting so that should not be a problem. I have all ofmy menus and supplies (protein) ready. I have worked for this for over 2 years and am determined that I succeed! Good luck to you both and hopefully we can stay in touch! I am in Central Texas. I have not posted my before pictures because they are so bad that I am going to wait for some good "after" pictures to put in at the same time!!

Hey; approved also yesterday!! Surgery date 12/10! Start my pre-op diet on Monday. Good luck also!

_{Hey Fellow Texans! I just got my authorization and I can really relate!! I am from Central Texas and my surgery date (as of this morning) is December 10th. I have told my mom and sister because they live nearby and this is affecting our holidays, but I have not told my children who all live out of state for the main reason, I do not want them to know if it fails! I do not want them calling me all of the time to check and see how it is working. I also plan on following everything to a T! I have menu plans down to the times of meals for the pre op and post op phase up to 6 weeks. I am so set on it working, but in the back of my mind is "what if it doesn't work for me"? "what if I can't do it"? Too many years of failing and it really sticks doesn't it? I will start my pre-op on Monday and am determined to succeed. I hope that you all have had good recoveries and things are going well.}

Okay, I was so looking forward to a November week 1-2 surgery date! But after my cardiology appointment (EKG) yesterday I had to schedule a dobutamine stress echo. I have no history of cardiac problems at all!! The closest date I could get was October 25th and then the coardiologist is on vacation for a week so the follow up is November 5th. The only consulation is that since we are changing insurance for next year they are planning on getting everyone done before the first of the year. It is just that I had my plans all set to be at least a month post op for Christmas!! I know, no biggie, but I am paranoid none of this is going to happen! *****I guess, we plan; God laughs!!!*****

Hey, can anyone tell me what type of pain medication used, and for how long? I usually take Ibuprofen and a muscle relaxor for procedures because I am allergic to opoids (codeine; vicodin; percocet; ultram). Since Ibuprofen will be out due to risk of bleeding, that does not leave much! Also, an overnight stay or 2? I know I will be talking to the physician before than, but wanted to get ideas. All pre-op stuff done by end of week and then paperwork sent in for final approval!! Hoping for 1st or 2nd week of November! This site getting me through a lot of "nervous empty time"!! Better than to just sit and think about the worst! Thanks!

I just wanted to apologize if anyone was offended by my post. I would never take anyones story lightly, or dismiss them, that was not my intention.

Im 53; Diabetic; High Cholestrol and BP; GERD; Arthritis (with an especially bad R knee/don't want replaced!) and on medications for all of the above! I have survived breast cancer with a bilat mastectomy and chemo (5 years out). I know that on the one hand, people think that looks are not important when you get our age, but wait until they get there! I have a full time profession where I am with the public and co-workers, and while I will be relieved to be healthier and off of the meds (my brain knows this) I will be also be happy that I will not longer have to buy scrubs in such large sizes and will look nice (my heart knows this!). Balance is important in life and as we get older, we need to have other reasons to be happy after our children are gone and living thier own lives! My husband, bless him would never imply by a look or comment that I am not acceptable at this weight, but I want to look nice for him also! I realize that most having this done are younger, but I think that it is brave for us to do this at our age since really we could just "coast" and accept "what do you expect, she is going to be 60 - it does not matter what she looks like" which is what I have heard. I am looking forward to interacting with others during this journey. Am looking at a November surgery date at this point!!

I am sorry you had a bad experience with your surgery. I just wanted to tell you that as a nurse for years, your nurse was very unprofessional and maybe inexperienced. An incident of tachycardia ( yes, heart racing ) is not a reason for a nurse panicking, especially in front of a patient. Many people wake up from surgery and it takes awhile for their vital signs to adjust!

As for the horror stories - you should hear the ones I hear following emergency department visits out and about town. I will hear stories about visits that I was personally present for, and their versions are dramatically different from what I witnessed. That is not to say that in "their" perception they are describing it is not true but often when the outcome is not as they expected for example; waiting longer than they wany; not getting the medication they want; expecting chronic conditions to be "fixed" in an ER visit; or having the physician tell them that they cannot do anything form them.

Someones visit may go as follows: they come in with their child with a cough and fever and have to wait 20 minutes for the current triage; after triaged they have to wait 20 minutes to come back; after coming back they have to wait 20 minutes for the doctor to see them because we have 2 motor vehicle crash victims; a chest pain; a baby being transferred and a pshych patient taking up a bed; we draw blood; it takes 2 attempts; the chest x-ray takes 30 minutes because the MVC victims are being done; Respiratory Therapy does a breathing treatment; we give medication for the fever (generally we have to wait an hour for it to kick in). During all of this time, the child is fussy and crying but VS are stable except the fever. Baby is fussy, and it takes 2 nurses to give the antibiotics; Finally, the fever comes down; the labs are good and the doctor prescribes some more antibiotics and they have to wait for 20 minutes for the discharge paperwork. Baby is still fussy because they are sick, but we cannot make that go away!

After all of this, here is the point of the story, in our perception - this was a totally stable patient and a 3-4 hour ER visit is the norm with everything going on.

The patients story which I heard the next day in the store was: Baby was really sick and it took hours in the ER to even be seen - they did not care that she was crying and hot. When we got in the back the nurses did not even know what they were doing and stuck her twice to get her blood. Even though she was screaming they made us wait forever and then they did not even admit her - they just sent her home with p prescription and told us to give her tylenol, We are never going back to that place!

I know this is a long story, but while I do not want to minimize the risks, on all of the horror stories, how many of them were done by physicians that were not researched; in facilities that were not the greatest; did not comply with pre op and/or post op instructions; had pre existing conditions that they do not disclose on thier stories such as smoking; alcohol or drug usage?? I agree with the others that have posted, the risk of obesity and its health related problems are looming out there and shaking thier fist at us on a daily basis!! We are going into this with great expectations and not without thought and prayer, you can do it.

And, if you ever have a nurse do this again, ask her calmly to take her own pulse before panicking!!!!

I just ordered the vanilla; chocolate; unflavored and chicken broth for starting my pre-op. I was surprised that neither the Vitamin store nor GNC carried the unjury since after reviewing hundreds of blogs; reviews; it seems to be the most recommended. I hope I can at least tolerate them, I have never been able to drink an entire instant breakfast; diet drink or other protien drink in the past! I have accumulated an entire notebook of recipes and am determined to find what I like before having to start my pre-op which is in a couple of weeks (fingers crossed). Even if I have to drink the same thing all day!!