Helen the Cat

Caradina,
What day is your surgery scheduled for? I want to put you on my prayer list so I can specifically pray for you the day of your surgery?
Kathy D

Caradina,
Please don't stress yourself out about the incident I described in my post! I am sure it was an isolated incident and probably a one time thing. Everybody else was SO nice to me, so helpful and accomodating! I thought Dr. Rod was FANTASTIC! And he did such a great job on me! I have been so thrilled with my weight loss! Both his coordinator (sorry, I can't remember her name) and the translator were in to see me several times each day I was a patient, and both were wonderful! They were so concerned that I had everything I needed, and asked repeatedly if there was anything they could do to help either me or Bill. Also I discussed the incident with Dr. Rod's coordinator, and she said she was going to look into it, as it Should NOT have happened. So I would guess things have been addressed and it probably hasn't happened again. So PLEASE don't stress and worry about something happening. If you do have a problem, ask to speak with his coordinator. (I wish I could remember her name!) She was so kind and helpful, I sure that she would step in and advocate for you if you had ANY problems. She was so nice, and her brother was the van driver that picked us up at the airport, took us to the hotel, the hospital ,and then back to San Diego airport when I was discharged. They were both REALLY great people! So Please don't worry over this! Will be praying for you and thinking about you!
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

What a GREAT idea! Thanks illgeturhairdid for suggesting it! I have to say though, for SO many years, my thoughts, no, my entire life has centered around "what can I do to get rid of some of this weight? I know I would be happier (healthier, more content, would love myself more, would feel better about myself, etc) if I was thinner"!

But anyway, here goes...... I am a 62 year old female, a wife of 42 years to Bill, mother to Katie, 37, Sarah 36, J.D. also 36 (NOT twins!) and Daniel 35. (Sarah will soon be 37 and Katie soon to be 38). I am also Grandma to Taylor, 17 tomorrow!, Alex 14, Ella 7, Tate 6 and Tyler 5. The kids, their spouses and the grandkids are the lights of my life and the joy of my heart!

I am a Labor and Delivery nurse of 42 years and still working. I am a travel nurse, which means I work for an agency that contracts me out, usually for periods of 13 weeks to various hospitals. I grew up and live in Iowa, but have been working contracts in California for the last 4-5 years. I HATE Iowa winters (it is freezing rain right now as I write this, the TV is already publishing the school closings for tomorrow!) which is one of the reasons I love to work in California.
I love to cook and bake (one of the reasons I ended up having a VSG!) and of course I used to love to sample what I made. My only regret in life is that I didn't understand how much I loved to cook and bake till about 10-15 years ago. If I had realized it in my 20's, I would have been a chef, not a nurse. My youngest son IS a chef, and he kindly teaches me lots of tips and tricks of the trade. So I do get to do some "chef" like cooking sometimes.
I love to read (Yeah Kindle!), cook/bake (already mentioned that one), travel (hench the Travel Nurse job), collect antiques (have a house full, am becoming VERY selective of what I buy these days!), decorate my house (am currently stripping the wallpaper in our bedroom. If I even mention wallpapering one of the rooms in our house again, please shoot me! I HATE TO STRIP WALLPAPER!!!), shop (that one gets me into trouble!), Entertain (hence the cooking/baking) and socialize with friends and family.

I had a total hip replacement when I was 48, and my doctor told me he was sure my weight at least contributed to my need for it. My joints (other hip and knees) have been painful for years now, and I was dreading the thought of more surgery, which seemed like it was going to need to be done SOON. I was plagued by fatigue from dragging 260 pounds around all the time. I was finding it difficult to go out in public anymore as I was ashamed of how I looked. My (Intimate) relationship with my husband had deteriorated due to the fact that I hated to have him see or touch me as I was so fat. In short, I was miserable! I hated my body and how I looked. I finally decided I HAD to do SOMETHING in order to feel better physically, and to feel better about myself!

My cousin IS a bariatric surgeon, and I went to see him for a consult. He offered to do my surgery for free, but I would still have to pay the hospital and anesthesia charges myself, as our insurance would not cover any of it. Since those two items would amount to almost $15,000-20,000, I decided to go to Mexico for the surgery. I cashed in one of my retirement 401Ks to pay for the procedure. I wanted it THAT badly! And I have to say, it is the best thing I have EVER done for myself!
I have lost 98 pounds so far and am within 10 pounds of my goal weight. I went from wearing a size 26/28 top and size 24 pants to size 12/14 tops and size 8 jeans/slacks! I love it! And I love the way I look now. I hate it that my skin is saggy and floppy, but in my Size 8 jeans, no one can tell!
When I had my surgery, I was working a contract in California. My husband flew out and went to Tijuana with me, and then came home, leaving me in CA. That was in June. The next time he saw me was the end of September, when I flew home for a week of vacation, He came to the airport to pick me up, I was waiting curb side with my luggage. Guess what? He drove right past me! He didn't recognize me standing there, and we have been married for 42 years! As he drove by, he thought he recognized the luggage, and stopped and backed up to see if it really was me!
I am now home, working a contract at a small county hospital in (cold and frozen) Iowa. (Did I mention I HATE winter in Iowa?) I am hoping to do a contract on the east coast, somewhere within commute distance of Washington, DC this spring, as I have never been there and want so badly to explore the Smithsonian, all the Memorials and Monuments, the historic places, etc.
To help in my Quest to get healthy and fit, I recently joined a fitness center near our home, and now I work out for an hour four days per week. I HATE it too! But I am DETERMINED that I will succeed. I will be healthy. I will not go into old age gracefully giving up doing the things that I want to do. I will work to be lean and fighting mean and HEALTHY! Since the surgery, I have been able to go off my arthritis medications, my blood pressure meds, my cholesterol meds and my allergy meds (who knows about that last one? I don't have ANY idea why my allergies would be better from loosing weight!) But I am saving big bucks not having to purchase all those meds, and I AM Healthier!
And I almost forgot, I LOVE PINK TOO!!!

What a GREAT idea! Thanks illgeturhairdid for suggesting it! I have to say though, for SO many years, my thoughts, no, my entire life has centered around "what can I do to get rid of some of this weight? I know I would be happier (healthier, more content, would love myself more, would feel better about myself, etc) if I was thinner"!

But anyway, here goes...... I am a 62 year old female, a wife of 42 years to Bill, mother to Katie, 37, Sarah 36, J.D. also 36 (NOT twins!) and Daniel 35. (Sarah will soon be 37 and Katie soon to be 38). I am also Grandma to Taylor, 17 tomorrow!, Alex 14, Ella 7, Tate 6 and Tyler 5. The kids, their spouses and the grandkids are the lights of my life and the joy of my heart!

I am a Labor and Delivery nurse of 42 years and still working. I am a travel nurse, which means I work for an agency that contracts me out, usually for periods of 13 weeks to various hospitals. I grew up and live in Iowa, but have been working contracts in California for the last 4-5 years. I HATE Iowa winters (it is freezing rain right now as I write this, the TV is already publishing the school closings for tomorrow!) which is one of the reasons I love to work in California.
I love to cook and bake (one of the reasons I ended up having a VSG!) and of course I used to love to sample what I made. My only regret in life is that I didn't understand how much I loved to cook and bake till about 10-15 years ago. If I had realized it in my 20's, I would have been a chef, not a nurse. My youngest son IS a chef, and he kindly teaches me lots of tips and tricks of the trade. So I do get to do some "chef" like cooking sometimes.
I love to read (Yeah Kindle!), cook/bake (already mentioned that one), travel (hench the Travel Nurse job), collect antiques (have a house full, am becoming VERY selective of what I buy these days!), decorate my house (am currently stripping the wallpaper in our bedroom. If I even mention wallpapering one of the rooms in our house again, please shoot me! I HATE TO STRIP WALLPAPER!!!), shop (that one gets me into trouble!), Entertain (hence the cooking/baking) and socialize with friends and family.

I had a total hip replacement when I was 48, and my doctor told me he was sure my weight at least contributed to my need for it. My joints (other hip and knees) have been painful for years now, and I was dreading the thought of more surgery, which seemed like it was going to need to be done SOON. I was plagued by fatigue from dragging 260 pounds around all the time. I was finding it difficult to go out in public anymore as I was ashamed of how I looked. My (Intimate) relationship with my husband had deteriorated due to the fact that I hated to have him see or touch me as I was so fat. In short, I was miserable! I hated my body and how I looked. I finally decided I HAD to do SOMETHING in order to feel better physically, and to feel better about myself!

My cousin IS a bariatric surgeon, and I went to see him for a consult. He offered to do my surgery for free, but I would still have to pay the hospital and anesthesia charges myself, as our insurance would not cover any of it. Since those two items would amount to almost $15,000-20,000, I decided to go to Mexico for the surgery. I cashed in one of my retirement 401Ks to pay for the procedure. I wanted it THAT badly! And I have to say, it is the best thing I have EVER done for myself!
I have lost 98 pounds so far and am within 10 pounds of my goal weight. I went from wearing a size 26/28 top and size 24 pants to size 12/14 tops and size 8 jeans/slacks! I love it! And I love the way I look now. I hate it that my skin is saggy and floppy, but in my Size 8 jeans, no one can tell!
When I had my surgery, I was working a contract in California. My husband flew out and went to Tijuana with me, and then came home, leaving me in CA. That was in June. The next time he saw me was the end of September, when I flew home for a week of vacation, He came to the airport to pick me up, I was waiting curb side with my luggage. Guess what? He drove right past me! He didn't recognize me standing there, and we have been married for 42 years! As he drove by, he thought he recognized the luggage, and stopped and backed up to see if it really was me!
I am now home, working a contract at a small county hospital in (cold and frozen) Iowa. (Did I mention I HATE winter in Iowa?) I am hoping to do a contract on the east coast, somewhere within commute distance of Washington, DC this spring, as I have never been there and want so badly to explore the Smithsonian, all the Memorials and Monuments, the historic places, etc.
To help in my Quest to get healthy and fit, I recently joined a fitness center near our home, and now I work out for an hour four days per week. I HATE it too! But I am DETERMINED that I will succeed. I will be healthy. I will not go into old age gracefully giving up doing the things that I want to do. I will work to be lean and fighting mean and HEALTHY! Since the surgery, I have been able to go off my arthritis medications, my blood pressure meds, my cholesterol meds and my allergy meds (who knows about that last one? I don't have ANY idea why my allergies would be better from loosing weight!) But I am saving big bucks not having to purchase all those meds, and I AM Healthier!
And I almost forgot, I LOVE PINK TOO!!!

What a GREAT idea! Thanks illgeturhairdid for suggesting it! I have to say though, for SO many years, my thoughts, no, my entire life has centered around "what can I do to get rid of some of this weight? I know I would be happier (healthier, more content, would love myself more, would feel better about myself, etc) if I was thinner"!

But anyway, here goes...... I am a 62 year old female, a wife of 42 years to Bill, mother to Katie, 37, Sarah 36, J.D. also 36 (NOT twins!) and Daniel 35. (Sarah will soon be 37 and Katie soon to be 38). I am also Grandma to Taylor, 17 tomorrow!, Alex 14, Ella 7, Tate 6 and Tyler 5. The kids, their spouses and the grandkids are the lights of my life and the joy of my heart!

I am a Labor and Delivery nurse of 42 years and still working. I am a travel nurse, which means I work for an agency that contracts me out, usually for periods of 13 weeks to various hospitals. I grew up and live in Iowa, but have been working contracts in California for the last 4-5 years. I HATE Iowa winters (it is freezing rain right now as I write this, the TV is already publishing the school closings for tomorrow!) which is one of the reasons I love to work in California.
I love to cook and bake (one of the reasons I ended up having a VSG!) and of course I used to love to sample what I made. My only regret in life is that I didn't understand how much I loved to cook and bake till about 10-15 years ago. If I had realized it in my 20's, I would have been a chef, not a nurse. My youngest son IS a chef, and he kindly teaches me lots of tips and tricks of the trade. So I do get to do some "chef" like cooking sometimes.
I love to read (Yeah Kindle!), cook/bake (already mentioned that one), travel (hench the Travel Nurse job), collect antiques (have a house full, am becoming VERY selective of what I buy these days!), decorate my house (am currently stripping the wallpaper in our bedroom. If I even mention wallpapering one of the rooms in our house again, please shoot me! I HATE TO STRIP WALLPAPER!!!), shop (that one gets me into trouble!), Entertain (hence the cooking/baking) and socialize with friends and family.

I had a total hip replacement when I was 48, and my doctor told me he was sure my weight at least contributed to my need for it. My joints (other hip and knees) have been painful for years now, and I was dreading the thought of more surgery, which seemed like it was going to need to be done SOON. I was plagued by fatigue from dragging 260 pounds around all the time. I was finding it difficult to go out in public anymore as I was ashamed of how I looked. My (Intimate) relationship with my husband had deteriorated due to the fact that I hated to have him see or touch me as I was so fat. In short, I was miserable! I hated my body and how I looked. I finally decided I HAD to do SOMETHING in order to feel better physically, and to feel better about myself!

My cousin IS a bariatric surgeon, and I went to see him for a consult. He offered to do my surgery for free, but I would still have to pay the hospital and anesthesia charges myself, as our insurance would not cover any of it. Since those two items would amount to almost $15,000-20,000, I decided to go to Mexico for the surgery. I cashed in one of my retirement 401Ks to pay for the procedure. I wanted it THAT badly! And I have to say, it is the best thing I have EVER done for myself!
I have lost 98 pounds so far and am within 10 pounds of my goal weight. I went from wearing a size 26/28 top and size 24 pants to size 12/14 tops and size 8 jeans/slacks! I love it! And I love the way I look now. I hate it that my skin is saggy and floppy, but in my Size 8 jeans, no one can tell!
When I had my surgery, I was working a contract in California. My husband flew out and went to Tijuana with me, and then came home, leaving me in CA. That was in June. The next time he saw me was the end of September, when I flew home for a week of vacation, He came to the airport to pick me up, I was waiting curb side with my luggage. Guess what? He drove right past me! He didn't recognize me standing there, and we have been married for 42 years! As he drove by, he thought he recognized the luggage, and stopped and backed up to see if it really was me!
I am now home, working a contract at a small county hospital in (cold and frozen) Iowa. (Did I mention I HATE winter in Iowa?) I am hoping to do a contract on the east coast, somewhere within commute distance of Washington, DC this spring, as I have never been there and want so badly to explore the Smithsonian, all the Memorials and Monuments, the historic places, etc.
To help in my Quest to get healthy and fit, I recently joined a fitness center near our home, and now I work out for an hour four days per week. I HATE it too! But I am DETERMINED that I will succeed. I will be healthy. I will not go into old age gracefully giving up doing the things that I want to do. I will work to be lean and fighting mean and HEALTHY! Since the surgery, I have been able to go off my arthritis medications, my blood pressure meds, my cholesterol meds and my allergy meds (who knows about that last one? I don't have ANY idea why my allergies would be better from loosing weight!) But I am saving big bucks not having to purchase all those meds, and I AM Healthier!
And I almost forgot, I LOVE PINK TOO!!!

So Helen were you satisfied with hospital and the recovery house? It seems outdated compared to the other. It would be nice to be in a newer hospital but TJ seems safer than Juarez if traveling alone to me.
Dear Southerngirl,
I thought the INT hospital was sort of old, but it was very clean. I really can't complain about it at all, with the exception of the one nurse who yelled at me. There was no recxovery house. I was sleeved on a Saturday, and stayed in the hospital till Monday noon. Then was discharged from the hospital and transported back to San Diego. We elected to stay in San Diego for two days, to give me a chance to recover a little, as we had a long flight back to Iowa with one three hour layover in Dallas. Then a two hour drive to get home from the Des Moines airport. As it was, my main problem after the surgery was fatigue, and so I was glad to spend two days in San Diego just laying in the sun and relaxing. My husband went out and explored the city a little, but I slept, napped, watched TV, laid by the pool and slept some more! All in all was very satisfied with my experience at the INT hospital.
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

Caradina,
What day is your surgery scheduled for? I want to put you on my prayer list so I can specifically pray for you the day of your surgery?
Kathy D

Caradina,
Please don't stress yourself out about the incident I described in my post! I am sure it was an isolated incident and probably a one time thing. Everybody else was SO nice to me, so helpful and accomodating! I thought Dr. Rod was FANTASTIC! And he did such a great job on me! I have been so thrilled with my weight loss! Both his coordinator (sorry, I can't remember her name) and the translator were in to see me several times each day I was a patient, and both were wonderful! They were so concerned that I had everything I needed, and asked repeatedly if there was anything they could do to help either me or Bill. Also I discussed the incident with Dr. Rod's coordinator, and she said she was going to look into it, as it Should NOT have happened. So I would guess things have been addressed and it probably hasn't happened again. So PLEASE don't stress and worry about something happening. If you do have a problem, ask to speak with his coordinator. (I wish I could remember her name!) She was so kind and helpful, I sure that she would step in and advocate for you if you had ANY problems. She was so nice, and her brother was the van driver that picked us up at the airport, took us to the hotel, the hospital ,and then back to San Diego airport when I was discharged. They were both REALLY great people! So Please don't worry over this! Will be praying for you and thinking about you!
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

Dear SkinnyCow,
Was Great to read of your experience! I too was sleeved by Dr. Rod, but in Tijuana, not Juarez. I was sleeved 8 months ago, and at that time, he was doing surgery in both places. Don't know if that is still the case or not. It sounds like he has added a lot to the experience since I was done. He had no psychologist to meet with patients when I had my surgery. Also no chest x-ray pre-op, just blood work and an EKG. Also sounds as if the Juarex hospital facility is far superior to the one in Tijuana. My room was a dinky little room. with no chairs at all, no couch. They had what they called a bench bed. It was a built in bench that ran along one wall. It was about 2 feet wide and around 6-7 feet long. It had a foam pad on it that was about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick, and Bill (hubbie) had to sleep there. He kept falling off the "bench bed" since it was so narrow.
Also the staff in Tijuana wasn't as great as the one in Juarez sounds. The one and only time I put my call light on, a nurse came in and Yelled at me "WHAT?". She grabbed the call light out of my hand and put it far back on the bedside table, where I couldn't reach it without getting out of bed. I told her I was hurting and would like some pain medication. She didn't say Yes, No or Boo. Just turned on her heel and exited my room. About two hours later, someone else came in with something in a syringe and when I asked they said "Well you SAID you wanted pain medication, here it is." I am a nurse, and if I was rude like either of these individuals, I might as well pack up my stuff and head out the door. It wouldn't be tolerated here I know. However, overall, I am still very pleased with my outcome. I have lost right at 100 pounds. I am 8 months post op, and still loosing VERY slowly.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It was great to hear from another of Dr. Rod's patients! And welcome to the Loser's Bench!
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

I am going to have to find skinnier friends! I have been giving away all my clothes that are to big for me, and now I am small enough that I am smaller than all my friends. For a long time my sister took my clothes, but now I am like 45 or 50 pounds small than she is. So now I need to find smaller sized friends and relatives!

Glad to hear you are feeling better. I was just thinking this morning that there are definitly days when I have "buyer's remorse"!
I don't usually do Fast Foods any more, but this morning I was starved cause I didn't get a lunch break at work last night. (worked 12 1/2 hours with NO break at all) I have almost a two hour commute to and from work, and thought I CAN'T wait two more hours to eat, so went through the drive up at Mickey Ds. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their Bacon Egg and cheese Biscuits!!! In my former life (before VSG) I would eat two of them on my way home from work every morning.
Well, I can only eat 5-7 bites of one now (about 1/2 to 2/3 of the biscuit), so I got one. It was fresh out of the oven, or whatever. The biscuit was tender and fluffy, not hard and dry. The bacon was crisp, and very flavorful, just the way I love it. The cheese was melting and gooey. The egg so fluffy and tender. In other words, a PERFECT Bacon Egg & Cheese Biscuit!
After my sixth bite, I knew I was full and couldn't eat another bite or I would be very uncomfortable (read that to mean IN PAIN!). And I was SO SAD. I mean I REALLY WANTED THE REST OF THAT BACON EGG AND CHEESE BISCUIT in the WORST way!!!
And then at Noon, my hubbie and I went out for brunch with another couple. Our son is a chef and his restaurant serves a Breakfast buffet on Sundays and we went to try it out. I SO wanted to eat more than I did. They had so many yummy foods on the buffet, and I wanted to try them ALL!
But tonight, I am happy that I only ate 6 bites of the biscuit. And even happier that I didn't overeat at the buffet. I came home and still weigh what I weighed yesterday. I wasn't uncomfortable and didn't have to feel guilty all the way home thinking that I had AGAIN eaten WAY to much! Buyer's Remorse ? Yep, for sure! Change and go back to having my whole stomach and weighing 260 pounds again? NO WAY! I will live with my occasional buyer's remorse as I put my size 8 jeans on, and as I save all kinds of $$$$ since I was able to come off 5 or 6 different medications that I no longer need since I have lost 98 pounds!

I'm happy for you LIssa, I wish at times my first husband could have understood that I had needs. He wasn't a bad man, but was needy and God forbid I needed a shoulder. I think we often have to mature a lot before we can truly communicate. At times the other person isn't willing to participate. Hopefully your husbands sobriety will be the key that unlocks new doors for both of you. It looks like you BOTH are on paths to a healthier life which will keep you in a healthier and happy relationship.

Dear Kathy,
You sound like a wonderful and compassionate woman. I admire your commitment to your husband. I also admire how you recognize that you are not the only one in pain. Sometimes we only see our own discomfort.
I know you said that your husband would probably have a fit if he knew you posted personnal things about your relationship online, my husband would also. Yet, I think if I was you I would share both of those posts that you have written. They showed your sincerity and mostly the love and commitment to your husband. He might get upset but eventually would he see how inlove with him you are?
Your words moved me.
You and your husband are in my prayers.

Kathy, you sound like a wonderful marriage partner. 42 years of marriage! What an accomplishment. You two will make it........I think you just need to try everything you can........ like what has been mentioned here on this board. You and your hubby have gone through an amazing amount of changes in your lives. Just hold on tight......you'll make it!

Kathy,
You've gotten some good advice already. I just want to let you know my thoughts are with you.
For myself, I wouldn't share my posts here with my husband. I know he would view that as a betrayal. He is very private. You will know what is best for you.
I agree with others that he sounds depressed. In men, depression often exhibits as anger. I found this out the hard way because I have a son with mental health issues. I think going to the Dr. with him is a great idea! Some medications and medical conditions can cause depression, not to mention all the changes you guys have been through the last few years.
And working on reconnecting is important.
My husband I didn't have these issues, but he does occasionally seem a little anxious about my weight loss. When he does, I try to make sure he feels my love and devotion and he gets over it quick. We have been together 31 years. It's easier to know how to make him happy after all that time! He likes to do things for me, so sometimes I just ask for help even if it's something I could do myself. And I make a point to cuddle up a little more than I used to. He likes that too!
Best wishes on your journey,
Lynda

I can't offer any other advice than what has already been given. I just wanted to make a suggestion..if you are a spiritual person then maybe you or you and your husband can talk to a pastor/preacher/priest. They don't normally charge.

hi kathy
bill has gone through a lot of physical problems - 2 heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure not to mention diabetes. Retiring then getting a new job over these past five years. That's quite a lot to deal with.As mentioned he's probably dealing with not diagnosed depression Not minimizing that its hard for you to go through too.. Then to stir into the pot that you are successfully losing weight now - thats a lot to swallow for him
You two always had that connection, being overweight. Going out to dinner. That common bond.
Now all of a sudden your weight has been dropping so much over this past year, down 100 lbs. with about 6 to go. How wonderful for you - but as said on the board - there is probably a confliction on bill's part, he is happy for you - but he doesn't feel too good about being heavy vs your weight.
Hang in there - you both do love each other for 42 years - i think thats a good "start" and worth it to continue while you deal with and solve these problems one day at a time. it will happen
I'm a Kathy too !
best

The thing that stands out most for me is that I think your husband is depressed and needs to be treated for it. He is acting out exactly in ways that are predictable for middle-aged men who are depressed. I think prozac or similar would work a miracle probably. Anyhow, ALL the best to both of you -- two really good people trying to work it out. :-) <3

That is wonderful news! So glad things are working out.

Kathy, As one who suffers from chronic depression since my own divorce 17 years ago, I can recognize Bill's symptoms as I was just like him. I've been taking an antidepressant since 1995 and will have to all my life. Believe me, I'm a nice guy now, but without them I'm a real jerk. It's brain chemistry. Get him to a psychiatrist who will put him on antidepressants. You will both see and feel a marked improvement in a matter of a couple weeks (took me 7 days exactly and it was like someone turned a light on.) He may resist going to a psychiatrist, thinking that's for crazy people. Assure him that's not the case. He needs medication. He wouldn't be resistant to taking insulin if he needed it would he? Besides (tongue in cheek) if people think you're crazy they won't mess with you......Kudos to you for taking a stand against divorce. Marriage is grand, but divorce is 100 grand...Good luck

Kathy, I completely recognized the issues you discussed. Several years ago my husband had a mid-life crisis related bout of depression. We moved cross country, he couldn't find a job, I lost a bunch of weight, and I ended up with a grouchy, irritable blob on the couch who only vaguely resembled my wonderful husband. It was the biggest crisis of our marriage. After about six months of that mess, he finally found a decent job and managed to pull himself back together. We were very lucky.
I think the other posters are exactly right with their advice and your plan of action is sound. I just wanted to tell you that it is recoverable and you will probably end up even closer than you were before. Hang in there, and good luck!

jasleeve,
Don't have the words to tell you how happy I am for you that things have FINALLY turned around and you are feeling better!
I know it was a LONG Haul for you when you had the stent in. Am SO glad that you are doing so well now! Keep posting, keep encouraging us!
Love you!
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

jasleeve,
Don't have the words to tell you how happy I am for you that things have FINALLY turned around and you are feeling better!
I know it was a LONG Haul for you when you had the stent in. Am SO glad that you are doing so well now! Keep posting, keep encouraging us!
Love you!
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

Friends-
Today, I Celebrate one of my biggest moments of bravery. I Celebrate agreeing to be wheeled into surgery despite a healthy dose of fear of both complications and the unknown. I had no idea how I'd cope in life without the crutch of food and failure. I wasn't excited about surgery and possibilities. I was simply scared and resolved. Now, I live a life I truly wasn't sure I'd ever get to enjoy. Life is good. So good.
I have been incredibly blessed on this journey. My approval process was relatively painless. It only involved four months of supervised diet. I didn't even have to do a liquid diet leading up to surgery. My only real complication was a very minor infection on one of my incisions. A round of antibiotics and I was fine.
My biggest memories of life following surgery were trying to figure out how to live without food as a focus and exhaustion. I wasn't hungry but still felt a need to eat but couldn't. I worked hard in therapy to be ready for this yet I wasn't. On top of that, I remember being absolutely exhausted until week 5. My other biggest memory is when I lost about 50 lbs. and realized that I no longer hurt. I had been overweight so long that I simply accepted pain as a part of life. To wake up one day and comprehend than general life no longer hurt left me giddy.
Since surgery, I have dropped 112 pounds, 12 inches (literally a foot!) off my waist, and 6 dress sizes (from 24/26 to 12/14). I have found a passion for running that culminated in running a half-marathon in January. I found the confidence to apply for a dream job that came with a crazy raise and got the job! I've found pride in myself and my appearance. I've become more than what I eat and how I look.
I haven't been the most well-behaved sleever. I feel I should share that in the interest of honesty. When I got the crazy, awesome promotion I started making some poor choices. I have yet to gain weight but I am in the world's longest stall due to poor food choices and a lack of focus on diet. I haven't lost a pound since December. I recognize that I haven't lost the last thirty pounds because of my less than ideal food choices but I am okay with this for now. I know that I will soon be ready to lose the last thirty and I will focus and finish what I started. My goal is to be at or under 175 by 18 months. I feel this is very doable. However, I recognize that this is my journey and I will finish it when it is right for me. Right now, I am enjoying the ride and life in general.
I would like to take a moment to thank all of you for your constant support, opinions and advice. I've found this forum and the people it consists of a lifeline on more than one occasion. Bless you all!
Of course, a surgiversary post isn't complete without photos!


PS- I swear I am not a big drinker... it just happens that pics normally occur when I'm drinking.

Dear LitaSoFly,
I think you are doing something really positive to change your life for the better, making a Permanent change! I know that is why I had the surgery! I had tried EVERYTHING under the sun to lose weight and Keep It OFF! And nothing worked as far as keeping it off.
I joined Weight Watchers 17 times (that's right SEVENTEEN times!) I lost weight every time, not just a couple of pounds either, 50 or 60 pounds, once 78 pounds! But the problem was I would get bored, or tired of the diet and think, "well I am almost to goal, I can eat now". And those pounds would come right back on, with a couple extra ones, just for good measure.
I also went to T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), went to Diet Center, Jenny Craig, NutriSystems, Weight Down Workshop, Overeaters Annonymous, Overeaters Victorious, Optifast, MediFast, Adkins, South Beach Diet, and many more, to numerous to name. I mean I did everthing! And nothing worked on a permanent basis.
That is what is so beautiful about my sleeve, it is permanent. It is working and will continue to work, because I have no choice! I have lost 100 pounds, and am loving my new life!!! My BP is now normal, my cholesterol is normal, my blood sugar is down to normal, I have been able to go off the anti-inflammatories that I have taken for almost 20 years! It is great, and I feel SO good! I have more energy than I know what to do with. I feel like someone has given me back my life! And I am so thankful to have it. I only wish this option had been available 30 years ago!
You are not paranoid, you are not crazy. You are making a choice for a better life! You are doing something positive to make your life healthier and better!
Good luck and keep us posted! We (I) love to read success stories! Let me welcome you in advance to The Loser's Bench!
Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)