Thought It Was Time to Tell My Story

[luckyyou0521 42]

I started this journey a little over a year ago. I went down to Ft. Wayne, Indiana to sit in a seminar about weight loss surgery. I had been to two or three seminars in the past but my insurance never covered the surgery. I had checked and found that my new insurance would cover it and that the closest hospital was in Ft. Wayne. While I was there I found out about a new operation they were offering called the Sleeve Gastrectomy. Once I had heard about it, I knew it was the one for me. No band that can slip and no rerouting of the intestines, sign me up. I checked into the insurance end a little further. I needed six months of medically managed weight loss with my Doctor before I would be eligible for the surgery and even then I could possibly be turned down. My first thought was, "okay she's going to put me on a diet, that's great, but what happens if I lose too much weight while on this six month diet? If they see I can do it on my own I won't be approved." Taking the weight off wasn't the real problem, keeping it off was. During that six months I only lost 30 pounds. Also, during that six months I had found out that my insurance was now covering my local hospital for the surgery. I immediately for in contact with someone there and set up an appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Knapp. After seeing Dr. Knapp he informed me that the decision I had made with the sleeve was a good choice but that he wanted me to lose another 30 pounds before he would perform the surgery on me. He wanted to make sure I would get to my goal weight and losing before would put me on track. I was directed to a program at my local hospital called New Directions. You eat their Protein bars and drink their shakes and you lose weight. I thought, "Oh this is going to be easy." That was one of the hardest parts of having this surgery. The shakes are not very good but thank GOD for the bars. It took me a little over a month to lose the 30 pounds he needed me to lose and my surgery was scheduled for December 11th 2013. A few days before surgery my father was taken to the hospital and put on life support. We weren't sure he was going to make it so I had to make a decision. Continue on with the surgery or push it back just in case. The day of my surgery my father was taken off life support and was moving around and talking. I went to see him before and asked him if it was okay for me to have it and he said of course, so downstairs I went to sign in. I'm getting ready for surgery (I had my mother and one of my good friends with mw) and they take me away. I remember nothing from the time they started to wheel me down the hall to when I woke up in my room. I knew after surgery I was going to have to get up and walk. Once my nurse found out that my father was in the hospital (on the same floor just on the other side in ICU) she had me walk over there to say hi. I called him a few times the next two day while I was in there and people came to visit. That was the start of my new life. Fortunately, I had zero complications after surgery and I was back to work within a week. I'm almost 5 months out now and if I'm honest with you and myself, I eat whatever I want. However, in saying that, you should know that whatever I want is the same things almost every day. When I wake up I drink a glass of milk with my pills (8 grams of protein). When I get to work I eat a Protein bad (14 grams of protein). Sometimes I will drink another glass of milk in between Breakfast and lunch or I'll eat some shredded chicken (8-12 grams of protein). For lunch I eat four pieces of low sodium lunch meat (11 grams of protein). Afternoon snack is a piece of string cheese (6 grams of protein). After work I go workout at the gym for an hour and when I get home my dinner is a chocolate Protein shake (27 grams of protein, not all at the same time). I get anywhere between 65 and 78 grams of protein a day. Once I get rid of the shakes I know it will be harder but when that time comes I'll be ready. Not that's not to say every once in a while I don't eat things that aren't bad for me. Sometimes you just want a piece of candy, so I eat it. I'm not going to deprive myself of anything. As long as I follow the plan and I'm not over filling my tiny stomach I'm in the clear. I do however struggle with Water. I get a solid 6 cups a day but 8 cups make me not feel well.

Since the beginning of this journey I've lost 126 pounds. I've got another 116 pounds to go but I'd say I'm right on track. For those who say it's the easy way out, I hope that one day they understand how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. This was first and foremost one of the hardest decisions I've ever made but it was the best decision I could have made. Even thought I'm on more medication now that I was before (medicines to make sure I don't get ulcers, for heart burn, a Calcium pill, a multi Vitamin and for my high cholesterol) I'm off my high blood pressure medicine and that's a huge win for me. After my 6 month checkup I hope to be off all the other except my multi Vitamin. If that's not an accomplishment then I don't know what is. Most of us have the surgery to be healthy and be around for our loved ones and that was number one to me. It doesn't hurt that we will look good in clothes eventually, that's just another plus. For anyone who is on the fence about having the surgery please, please make the decision to have it, it's life changing.

*unfortunately my father passed away January 9th but I know he is looking down on me and is very proud of where I am. In the beginning I was doing this just for myself but now I'm doing it for my father and me. Love and miss you Daddy!

[SherB 220]

Congratulations on your weight loss. I too lost my father this last year. My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your father. I am in my 6th month of my supervised diet. I am scared to have the surgery. It is stories like yours that give me hope. Best of luck on your journey!

Edited April 22, 2014 by SherB

[ajs 22]

Thank you for your story! My condolences to you and your family but I know he's very proud of you! Your story inspires me it gives me hope I get sleeved April 28, 2014 super excited!!

[luckyyou0521 42]

SherB I'm sorry to hear about your father, it's never easy to lose a loved one. Thank you and good luck on your journey. I hope your surgery goes smooth once you get approved.

[luckyyou0521 42]

Thank you for your story! My condolences to you and your family but I know he's very proud of you! Your story inspires me it gives me hope I get sleeved April 28, 2014 super excited!!

That's next Monday! Good luck! I hope your surgery goes as smooth as mine and thank you.

[BigGirlPanties 957]

Sorry for your loss...my father was my hero too... but congrats on your weight loss etc... glad you are moving forward!

[luckyyou0521 42]

Sorry for your loss...my father was my hero too... but congrats on your weight loss etc... glad you are moving forward!

Thank you and yes moving forward is the only thing you can do.

[mariavg 154]

So sorry for your loss ! Big thumbs up on the weight loss! That's amazing I had surgery on Dec 2013 and have lost 63.5 pounds . It's not easy to do but I'm feel so much better . Keep up the good work!

[MIPoohbear 6]

I started this journey a little over a year ago. I went down to Ft. Wayne, Indiana to sit in a seminar about weight loss surgery. I had been to two or three seminars in the past but my insurance never covered the surgery. I had checked and found that my new insurance would cover it and that the closest hospital was in Ft. Wayne. While I was there I found out about a new operation they were offering called the Sleeve Gastrectomy. Once I had heard about it, I knew it was the one for me. No band that can slip and no rerouting of the intestines, sign me up. I checked into the insurance end a little further. I needed six months of medically managed weight loss with my Doctor before I would be eligible for the surgery and even then I could possibly be turned down. My first thought was, "okay she's going to put me on a diet, that's great, but what happens if I lose too much weight while on this six month diet? If they see I can do it on my own I won't be approved." Taking the weight off wasn't the real problem, keeping it off was. During that six months I only lost 30 pounds. Also, during that six months I had found out that my insurance was now covering my local hospital for the surgery. I immediately for in contact with someone there and set up an appointment with my surgeon, Dr. Knapp. After seeing Dr. Knapp he informed me that the decision I had made with the sleeve was a good choice but that he wanted me to lose another 30 pounds before he would perform the surgery on me. He wanted to make sure I would get to my goal weight and losing before would put me on track. I was directed to a program at my local hospital called New Directions. You eat their Protein bars and drink their shakes and you lose weight. I thought, "Oh this is going to be easy." That was one of the hardest parts of having this surgery. The shakes are not very good but thank GOD for the bars. It took me a little over a month to lose the 30 pounds he needed me to lose and my surgery was scheduled for December 11th 2013. A few days before surgery my father was taken to the hospital and put on life support. We weren't sure he was going to make it so I had to make a decision. Continue on with the surgery or push it back just in case. The day of my surgery my father was taken off life support and was moving around and talking. I went to see him before and asked him if it was okay for me to have it and he said of course, so downstairs I went to sign in. I'm getting ready for surgery (I had my mother and one of my good friends with mw) and they take me away. I remember nothing from the time they started to wheel me down the hall to when I woke up in my room. I knew after surgery I was going to have to get up and walk. Once my nurse found out that my father was in the hospital (on the same floor just on the other side in ICU) she had me walk over there to say hi. I called him a few times the next two day while I was in there and people came to visit. That was the start of my new life. Fortunately, I had zero complications after surgery and I was back to work within a week. I'm almost 5 months out now and if I'm honest with you and myself, I eat whatever I want. However, in saying that, you should know that whatever I want is the same things almost every day. When I wake up I drink a glass of milk with my pills (8 grams of protein). When I get to work I eat a Protein bad (14 grams of protein). Sometimes I will drink another glass of milk in between Breakfast and lunch or I'll eat some shredded chicken (8-12 grams of protein). For lunch I eat four pieces of low sodium lunch meat (11 grams of protein). Afternoon snack is a piece of string cheese (6 grams of protein). After work I go workout at the gym for an hour and when I get home my dinner is a chocolate protein shake (27 grams of protein, not all at the same time). I get anywhere between 65 and 78 grams of protein a day. Once I get rid of the shakes I know it will be harder but when that time comes I'll be ready. Not that's not to say every once in a while I don't eat things that aren't bad for me. Sometimes you just want a piece of candy, so I eat it. I'm not going to deprive myself of anything. As long as I follow the plan and I'm not over filling my tiny stomach I'm in the clear. I do however struggle with Water. I get a solid 6 cups a day but 8 cups make me not feel well.

Since the beginning of this journey I've lost 126 pounds. I've got another 116 pounds to go but I'd say I'm right on track. For those who say it's the easy way out, I hope that one day they understand how hard it is to lose weight and keep it off. This was first and foremost one of the hardest decisions I've ever made but it was the best decision I could have made. Even thought I'm on more medication now that I was before (medicines to make sure I don't get ulcers, for heart burn, a Calcium pill, a multi Vitamin and for my high cholesterol) I'm off my high blood pressure medicine and that's a huge win for me. After my 6 month checkup I hope to be off all the other except my multi Vitamin. If that's not an accomplishment then I don't know what is. Most of us have the surgery to be healthy and be around for our loved ones and that was number one to me. It doesn't hurt that we will look good in clothes eventually, that's just another plus. For anyone who is on the fence about having the surgery please, please make the decision to have it, it's life changing.

*unfortunately my father passed away January 9th but I know he is looking down on me and is very proud of where I am. In the beginning I was doing this just for myself but now I'm doing it for my father and me. Love and miss you Daddy!

Thanks for sharing. I'm curious though as it sounds like you are not eating an vegetables, whole grain or fruit is that correct?

[luckyyou0521 42]

So sorry for your loss ! Big thumbs up on the weight loss! That's amazing I had surgery on Dec 2013 and have lost 63.5 pounds . It's not easy to do but I'm feel so much better . Keep up the good work!

Thank you and amazing job. My dietitian says 3 to 5 pounds a week is what she wants to see. Looks like that's about what you're doing.

[luckyyou0521 42]

Thanks for sharing. I'm curious though as it sounds like you are not eating an vegetables, whole grain or fruit is that correct?

If we have roast I will eat a little bit of potatoes and carrots but normally with the Protein and Water intake you are full by the time you're done. Eventually I'll be able to eat meat a starch and a veggie but for now I'm full after the protein.

[getnhealthyintx 281]

Wow thank you for sharing. I am very sorry for your loss.

[DaddyMarie 291]

Congratulations on your fabulous weight loss and I am so sorry to hear about your father..... This story got to me cause I lost my daddy and he was my best friend... I miss him every day and sometimes I think he is on a vacation.. I want to call him and sometimes I dial his number just to hear it ring......

I hope your ok and know your daddy is proud of you.

[erieb2healthy_2014 27]

Your journey is so uplifting to me. Thank you so much for sharing it! I am planning to have the sleeve later this year and hearing stories like this keep me motivated. I know I am making the best decision for my life. Congratulations for all your hard work and success! Take care.

[bitter42 23]

Thank you so much for sharing. I hope to be as successful as you. I lost my mother on January 20th--she was only 57. I, too, am not doing this just for myself. For me, my mom, and my 1 year old son. Best of continued luck to you.