Happy 1 Year SURGIVERSARY!!

ONE YEAR LATER....

Wow. It's hard to believe that my WLS was 1 year ago today. I remember it like it was yesterday, and yet it seems like decades ago.

As of today, I have lost 98 pounds since the day of my surgery! My total weight loss since the beginning of my gastric bypass journey is -120 pounds!

I don't even know where to start to tell you how much better I feel... physically, emotionally & even spiritually ~~

PHYSICALLY...

• No longer a pre-diabetic
• No more high blood pressure
• No more high cholesterol
  
• I wear a size 10/12 & Large tops (Down from a 22/24 & 3x tops where I looked like a busted can of biscuits)
• My shoe size has gone from a 10 to 9 1/2
• I take the stairs at work, and don't feel like I'm going to pass out when I reach the top
• Char-dog has become my *running* partner
• I'm training for a 5k on March 31st .... why not run my way into my 30s?! ;o)
  
• We eat high protein meals
• I stay away from rice, pasta & bread
• I don't crave fast food
• I still have no grace ;o)
• I eat every 2-3 hours
• I don't recognize myself in the mirror sometimes
• I have clavicles! 2 of 'em
  
• I enjoy shopping FOR MYSELF! (but I'm still in and out, no browsing needed)
  

EMOTIONALLY & SPIRITUALLY...

• I feel good about myself
• I finally accomplished a New Years Resolution in 2011
• I'm still a food addict. I always will be. WLS was the tool to help me jumpstart my rehab.
• I feel more comfortable meeting new people and reconnected with old friends
• I went through about 6 weeks of depression right after surgery ~ it was like my best friend (named Food) had been ripped away from me. I'm thankful for how God got me through that, and how much I learned about my dependence on food during that time.
  
• I am so proud of Richard! He's so hott ;o)
  

BEST DECISION I could have made! Gastric bypass surgery has transformed my life, and given me back confidence that I didn't even know I could have. I believe I'm more of an optimist now, seeing more potential in people and situations that they see in themselves. I've been given the opportunity to live my life to the fullest, and I plan on taking full advantage of it!

I believe fully that God's not done with any of us yet...
"There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears."
Philippians 1:6

What did they do to you?

I've had some people ask me "What did they do to you?" So I thought I'd share a drawing that my surgeon, Dr. Stephen McNatt, drew for me at my pre-op appointment on January 6th.

This first drawing is of a normal digestive system. The big part there is my stomach, and you can see where he wrote Liver and Pancreas (that's the point where they are attached to your intestines and deliver all their goods that we need.)



This is a picture of my NEW POUCH. You can see that they made a small pouch out of the upper part of my stomach. The rest of my stomach is still in there, it still makes digestive juices and things that aid digestion. They pulled up a lower part of my small intestine, and you can see the arrow at the pouch indicates where my new pouch was connected at that point. (The little thing that looked to me like a mouse attached to the end of a piccolo was the drain. They took that out on Friday, didn't hurt.) You can see by this illustration that my stomach and intestinal track now resemble a "Y"; hence the name "Roux en Y" Gastric Bypass.


I hope this was a little informative. I refer to these drawings quite often these days, and I'm still in awe of how God has made our bodies to be so resilient!

Every day is not rainbows and butterflies :o) but I'm doing great! Today I made the decision not to take any pain meds, and I've done well. Only 1 more day of full liquids, then I get to venture into the Pureed Food stage for several weeks.

7 weeks from today......

I will have gastric bypass surgery!!

Thats's right!! I have a surgery date!!!
January 12th, 2011

Woot! Woot!!

Roux-en-Y

Oops. Forgot to talk about the PAVE class.

I basically took an entourage with me. Mom asked if she could come, and our friend Kevin (who recommended Dr. Fuzz) also came along for the ride. I drug Richard along too for fun ;o)

The class was very straight forward, much of the information I already had learned from my research on the internet, but it's always good to hear it from a doctor.

I got to meet Dr. Fuzz (Fernandez), and his nutritionist - Amber (who was the sweetest thing!)

He talked about the 3 different types of weight loss surgery (lap band, Roux-en-Y, sleeve). I'm going all the way with Roux-en-Y.

Even though the lap band surgery is the most commonly used weight loss surgery right now, I don't trust the side effects (band slipping, I don't like the idea of having a port to fill the band, I also don't like that there is a possibility that the band could become infected inside-- weirds me out.)

The Sleeve is when they cut out 85% of the stomach, totally taking it out. I think the possibility for leakage with that would have to be high since the incision would be hugh compared to the bypass. (Not a fan.)

So Roux-en-Y it is! (Pronounced "Roo - n - y")

In short, they will cut the top part of my stomach and make a little pouch. They will take part of my small intestine, and attach it to the pouch, but will leave the rest of my stomach in tack, it just won't be used except to put deposit some digestive juices into my small intestine every once in a while.



So that's the tall and short of it. I'm waiting now... for medical records and for approval for surgery from the doctor and from my insurance company.