Latest Updates

The last time Brian weighed himself, he had lost at least 135 pounds so far. That was about 3 weeks ago. He's down from 6X to 3X/4X!!! Work is going wonderful! 2 more weeks, and he's out on the floors again!!



I weighed in last on November 29th. I have lost over 171 pounds so far, and I'm under 200 pounds for the first time of my adult life!!! It's fabulous! I feel good!! I went into DEB at the mall the other day and just playing around tried on a few dresses. I would post the pics here, but I can't seem to get them to pull up.

Thanksgiving went well. We hosted it this year, and I made my first turkey as well as my first ham. . . They were pretty good! I guess that's about all for now. . .

Updates 11/16/09

Well let's see. Brian is beginning 5th week back at work. He's still in training, things were going very well until today. One of his classmates quit and said it was because of something Brian said. . . so he's taking it very hard!!

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week!! Where has the year gone? I'm hosting this year for my family. . . I'm making my very first turkey ever (so pray no one gets food poisoning).

The past few weeks have been crazy busy! My sister moved into the apartment across the hall over Halloween weekend. I've been watching my nephew on nights she works, and with the running Brian back and forth to work, helping her settle in, and visiting George (my FIL) in the hospital almost nightly the past 2 weeks, I'm just totally exhausted!!

My last step on the scale was on Sunday, November 8th. I've lost a total of 160 pounds so far :o) I'm very excited about it!

Well I think that's all the updates I have for now!

Pretty!!

Here are some pics I've taken at the Arboretum. Some very pretty flowers, and some of the Butterflies in the Butterfly House!

Mr Turtle has some moss issues on his shell!!

This is Brian, our nephew Jack, and Kristen at the arboretum.

Princess Kristen the Flutterby!!

Hope you enjoyed them!

What's New With You?

It's been awhile since I've posted. . . but really there isn't anything new to talk about, really.

School has started, so I don't get to see Brayden anymore. Kristen is still only here about 2ce a week. I'm watching my nephew Jack, about 2 days a week. . .

Brian is doing pretty good. He's reapplied to go back to work, right now we're just waiting to hear back from them. He's lost about 100 pounds since his surgery. He's moving around much better than before.

As of my last weigh in, I've lost 127 pounds. I have gone from a size 38W to a 24W in pants sizes. I feel really good about my progress! And I'm more than half way to my goal weight, only 87 pounds to go!

Last week I took Kristen to the Butterfly House at our local park. It was fun. I'll post pics soon. . . gotta find that cord!

Well that's all the rambles for now. . .

Ahh Children. . .

No matter how long I watch children, I will never understand some of their logic.

Today it's Kristen who has me confused. For those who don't know her, she is a very energetic 3 1/2 year old. She loves her big brother, her mommy and daddy, and her Brian and Julie! She like to play babies and tea party, loves to watch Dora and Spongebob!! She can have the patience of a saint, or act like the devil himself, at her whim. . .

But today my questioning is over food. She is the pickest eater, mostly prefering chicken (only in leg or nugget form) and frozen waffles (still frozen). The other day I made mac and cheese, asked her if she wanted any, to which the reply was, "Yucky, I don't like that!" Um ok, but you used to like it. . . Well 5 minutes later she standing next to me eating all of mine. (Not that that's a problem I really shouldn't be eating it anyway) So fast forward to today. I asked her what she wants for lunch. After I talk her out of another frozen waffle into a grilled cheese, she replies, "But DON'T cook it!!!!" Kristen, Honey that's a cheese sandwich, not a grilled cheese. So anyway I make her sandwich first, then grilled Brian a ham and cheese sandwich. . . and finally make a salad for myself. By the time I sit down to eat, the child has finished her sandwich and is wandering over to see what's in my bowl. My salad of lettuce, ham, cheese, scallions, and poppyseed dressing was just too hard for her to pass up. . . the child who wouldn't eat anything besides frozen waffles, ungrilled grilled cheese, and chicken suddenly had the need to devour my entire salad. . . so I question you, what goes through the mind of children?

7/9/09 Updates

I wanted to stop in to give you the latest updates!

Brian went to see the dr on Tuesday. He's lost a total of 82 pounds so far. He is having a much harder recovery length wise anyway. He got an infection that ruptured a hole in his incision, but it's on the mend.

I had an appointment yesterday, and my weight loss total so far is 92 pounds!!!! I'm doing pretty well. I still get tired quite easily, and my hair has started falling out by the handfuls, but it should be short lived (I hope).

What A Day

SIL, Amanda and I

enjoying a pre show beverage. It was a Down Home Punch, and I only had about half of mine. . .

Yesterday was the JABBAWOCKEEZ/Jesse McCartney/NKOTB Concert @ Riverbend in Cincinnati. It was very hot (about 90) and the ground was still wet from the rain the night before. . . but all in all I had a great time.


This was my view during the JABBAWOCKEEZ.

That said, though I gotta tell you about the freak. . . There was some kid, didn't look old enough to drink, but he was obivously drunk, who just came and plopped down beside me (on the other half of my drink, spilling the rest of it) like he knew me. He then leaned over and acted like he was going to bite me. I jerked my arm away, and he's lucky I didn't punch them! He apologized but didn't go away. He then had the nerve to put his hand on my thigh, and I told him to leave (in a not so nice manor). When he didn't I went to get up and walk off. . . he got the hint (finally) and took off. FREAK!! When he took off I worried maybe he had been trying to steal something, so I checked everything, camera (check), wallet & debit card(check), SIL's debit card in her wallet (check), nothing seemed to be missing. . .

Jesse McCartney

And my other complaint is that all the young adults around us were totally trashed, and if the girl next to me stepped on my foot one more time, spilled one more drop of her beer on me, or grabbed ahold of my arm again to keep from falling over because she was so drunk, I was going to punch her too!!! Be an adult and know when to stop! Then the girl behind me dropped her cell phone on my shoulder *OUCH* People can be so rude!

New Kids on the Block

The WOW Moments

just keep coming! My pre-surgery clothes are way too big, so I headed to Fashion Bug today for some shorts to get through the summer. I bought a pair of shorts that were size 28!! I wore a size 38 before surgery. It felt so good! I feel good! I'm getting curves, I'm buying smaller clothes, I'm really beginning to love the newer me!

I've lost another 9 pounds since my weigh in and am down to 280, with a total loss of 84 pounds so far!

Work in Progress. . .

Everything about my life is a work in progress. I'm working to be a better wife, friend, sister, daughter, caregiver. I'm working to become closer with God, I'm working on getting my body where it needs to be so Brian and I can begin TTC again, and as the weight comes off I'm working on accepting the changes in my life.

Here is the latest picture update of my work in progress!

Yippie!

I'm finally getting excited about my weight loss!!! My dad found a couple pair of jeans I wore in high school, and I was just sitting around here tonight thinking hum. . . . I wonder. . ..

I tried them on and they FIT!!!! The blue pair are kinda stretchy and fit wonderfully! The black pair I can get on and button but they're still tight across my stomach, so maybe a few more pounds (or some swelling) and they'll be perfect too!

Anyway just wanted to share my excitement with you!!

Check-up #2

Was on Thursday May 7th. I was dehydrated and having issues with phlegm in my throat. I hadn't been taking my meds or vitamins. Well the dr sent me down stairs for fluids (3 liters) to hydrate me. I came home and rested the rest of the day.

Friday I had to go back for an upper GI to check for blockage--nothing.

Saturday I woke up and decided this was stupid, and even if it killed me (I was having issues with foods and such getting caught in my throat) I was going to get my meds in!! I did
and I did again on Sunday and I'm working on them today. I'm feeling better physically, but I haven't resolved the issue witht he phlegm, so I'm going to see my family doctor today.

I go back tomorrow for another check in (to the surgeon, checking on my progress from Thursday). Wish me luck!

Keeping track? Check in here!

As of Day 27 I have lost 56 pounds.

4/26/09~ 61 pounds gone forever!! 4 pounds to go to be under 300!!!

6/1/09~ 73 pounds gone forever! I'm @ 291 today! 6/19 I've hit a plateau and am holding steady at 291. . . . gotta get that protein in!

Where is Everyone?

It seems like I'm all alone! I belong to several online groups, I have a huge family, and many friends. . . yet it seems like noone is around.

I thought people would call or e-mail and check up on me. . . yet I haven't heard from my family since I visited them on Easter. . . .

I know I'm having a pity party for myself, but I had major surgery, aren't I entitled to feel as though I should be pampered and checked in on?

First post op appaointment

was today! They took out my J-tube and said it looks like I'm healing well. I've lost 21 pounds in 2 weeks! I can see it some in how my clothing fit, but I can't "see" it in my body yet, I guess that comes with time.



Now. . . what in the world is with the weather? SNOW in APRIL?!!? I want SPRING!!!!!!

Doing OK

I just wanted to let everyone know I'm alive and well. I'm taking one day at a time. I have a follow up appointment on Tuesday, I'll let ya know what the dr has to say!

This is what I had done. . .

Biliopancreatic Diversion Weight Loss Surgery

The biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) is a malabsorptive weight loss surgery, which promotes weight loss primarily through incomplete food digestion and absorption. It is considered a very effective surgical procedure for the treatment of obesity, but it must be considered carefully as a patient will need life-long monitoring and daily vitamin supplements to prevent nutritional and mineral deficiencies. Because of the high risk of nutritional deficiencies, it is used less often than other types of weight loss surgeries.
The biliopancreatic diversion is a combined operation in which changes are made to both the stomach and the intestines. Although the BPD anatomy is similar in principle to the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGBP), it is a more complicated combined operation and fewer bariatric surgeons perform the procedure, especially laparoscopically. Compared to the RYGBP, the stomach pouch is larger which allows patients to eat more and a greater length of the small intestine is bypassed which reduces absorption of calories and nutrients.
Restrictive Aspect of BPD Weight Loss Surgery
With the biliopancreatic diversion weight loss surgery about two-thirds of the stomach is completely removed, unlike the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGBP) in which the stomach is bypassed but not removed. Removing a portion of the stomach somewhat restricts the amount of food that can be eaten at any one time, but the main purpose is to decrease the amount of acid produced by the remaining stomach.
The new stomach pouch is created from the upper stomach area, while the lower stomach section and normal stomach outlet (pyloric valve) is removed. A new stomach outlet is formed which is then joined to the final section of the small intestine. This procedure completely bypasses the first and middle section of the small intestine where most of digestion usually takes place. The bypassed section of the small intestine continues to transport bile and pancreatic digestive juices, but it is reattached near the end of the small intestine where it then mixes with the food.

Malabsorptive Aspect of BPD Weight Loss Surgery
By cutting and rerouting the small intestine, the distance between the stomach and colon (large intestine) is significantly shortened, as is the section of the small intestine in which food and digestive juices are mixed. Calorie and nutrient absorption does not occur once food enters the colon. By shortening the digestion process, the body is not able to fully absorb all of the calories and nutrients from the ingested food, resulting in weight loss.
The section of small intestine where the digestive juices and food mixes is referred to as the common channel. The bypassed section of the small intestine is referred to as the biliopancreatic channel. The section of the small intestine where the food travels is referred to as the alimentary channel. Bariatric surgeons can vary the length of the alimentary channel and the common channel using various formulas to determine what length is most appropriate for each patient.

So anyone who was curious about my surgery, there's the info!

Now onto after. The 3rd day was the worst!!! I cried most of the day, it hurt so much. That was the day I questioned "What have I done?!?!?!?!?" But everything seems to be going ok. I'm walking, keeping everything down (knock on wood) and doing pretty ok.

Two Weeks!

I can't believe it's only 2 weeks until my surgery. I meet with the surgeon tomorrow, I have pre admission testing on Wednesday. . . I started a low fat diet today.

Brian also got approved!!!! His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday April 28!


I gotta say I'm a bit nervous, but I'm so so excited too! I know the end results will be worth it!

Ready or Not. . .

Monday, March 23 at 7:30AM

What does that date and time mean? That's the date for my surgery!!!

What a week. . .

Well we're all moved in. Of course we still have unpacking to finish, but we're all moved in.

This week is going to be a busy one. . . I'm working Monday Tuesday and Thursday, plus we have unpacking to finish, We hear back probably Monday or Tuesday if Brian gets his approval for surgery (I got the call Friday I am approved), and then hopefully we'll set dates when we get the call Thursday from the surgeon. Friday is my 30th birthday. I'm so dreading it! I don't want to turn 30!!

Well got a lot to do. . . I'll check in again soon!

Another Blah Day

It has already been an emotional and crazy year. . . From having to fix yet another tire on the van, to the ups and downs of being with someone 24/7. . . from the highs of laughter at something the kids said funny, to the sadness of missing them so much. . . who knew 2009 would begin like this?

For the most part things are looking up and up. Brian and I have both completed our perquisites for surgery, and after 3 stress tests (between the two of us) and numerous other testing, I think now we just have to wait to hear if the insurance company will cover us.

I'm missing my boogies. . . I have only had them twice since Christmas eve. Between their parents having off, and us needing off to go to the doctor, I'm not getting enough Brayden and Kristen time.

Oh and moving. . . moving isn't so bad, but I hate relying on other people. In case you didn't already know, Brian's whole family is in the trucking business. His dad and both brothers work for his uncle, who owns the company. . . Now while this does come in handy at moving time, it isn't all it's cracked up to be. My brother in law (who shall remain nameless) has refused to let us come up to the shop for boxes, saying he'll drop them by. Well it's been a week of promises, and even as of yesterday a promise to deliver them today. . . and he was a no show again. . . It's frustrating! I am ready to start packing things up, and while, yes I do have 19 days to pack, I like to do things at my pace, and slow and steady wins the race. So hopefully he'll get off his bum and bring me some boxes, because come Wednesday about 1:00 if I haven't seen him, I'm going to arrive at the shop, and I just might not be so nice about it!

I guess that's all I have to whine about tonight. Thanks for "listening"

New Year, New me!

A new year is a time for new beginnings. I anticipate a multitude of new things to come this year, beginning with a new address.

We're moving! This time though, we're moving closer to my family, but we're still only about 15 minutes from Brian's family as well. This will take place by the month's end.

February will bring a new decade to my life :*( The big 3-0 is looming very near!

Hopefully March will bring about surgery, and the beginnings of a whole new me!!!

So as you can see the first quarter of my new year is already looking like new is going to be a familiar phrase. . .