April 2003: I'm scheduled for my sleep study on 4/7/03. This process seems to be taking forever, but it's moving along. It seems this year is going by so quickly and I thought last year that by now I would have a surgery date. I appreciate all the encouragement I have gotten so far. I was diagnosed with apnea and another study was scheduled. Right before Easter, I found out that my insurance has lapsed. (that was devastating since I got the bill for the sleep study soon after). My family pitched in to help and I got my insurance reinstated. My doctor has taken me off work until July and my consult is in two days. Hoping to have a surgery date before July so if I go back to work, I won't have to take time off again. Saw Dr. Ho on the 29th and my official preop weight is 268. She wants me to lose about 10% before surgery.
June 2003: I finally went back to work at the beginning of June. About a week later, I got the letter from Blue Cross approving the surgery. I called my surgeon and have to do a couple of more tests but it's getting there. For the first couple of weeks back, I was in a lot of pain. I have given up soda (for the most part/switched to diet) and discovered diet snapple. In May gained a few pounds and weighed 276. By the end of this month, I was back down to 271 and counting.
July 2003: I am down to 262 by the 15th and I got the call from surgeon. I have my official date for surgery on August 15. Less than a month away I will start my new life. Things have taken so long to get here and now it seems so scary. Yesterday, I wrote my obituary in case I don't make it. It really made me think that I could be depriving my children of a mother by this one decision. Then I thought about how my children will suffer more if I continue this "fat" life where I can't do things with them, I don't enjoy life the way it is meant to be enjoyed, I am not happy with my medical problems and that could get worse. I must take this risk for the better life that awaits me.
August 2003: I got a call from Dr. Ho's office and was told my surgery was changed to August 8th. A week sooner than expected. I was nervous but my friend, Beverly was going in the same day as well. It made me feel better. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. I weighed 260 (by the hospital scale) on the day of surgery. The recovery (first two weeks) were the worst. I was alone for the most part and I could not tolerate water. I got dehydrated in the second week.
September 2003: I've lost 30 lbs. and starting to feel good. I gained a little after recovering from the dehydration (water weight).
October 2003: Down 40 lbs and starting to exercise more. Still have a lot of back pain so that rules out a lot of lifting. Co-workers are beginning to really notice the difference.
November 2003: I've lost a total of 62.5 lbs. I have a lot more energy and trying to tone up but it feels like a losing battle. Losing so quickly doesn't give me a chance to keep up in toning. I'm doing a lot more walking and some aerobics, but the skin won't shrink. My family is trying to talk me out of plastic surgery but I know it's inevitable. By Thanksgiving, I was 207 (from high of 276) 69 lbs of life shortening , energy robbing, organ damaging fat is gone. I couldn't give enough thanks to my friends, surgeon and the Lord for bringing me through this life. I'm finally getting the courage to make changes in MY life. I have hope finally for a happy ending to my life (and lots of fun til then)
