Hey guys! Sorry I haven'...
Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been on the board in a while. I do read all of
the post, but I never seem to be able to find the time or energy to respond. I'm just about to the point that I feel comfortable enough to post my pictures. Up until now, my self esteem has been so bad that I just refused to put myself out there. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I will be able to get up enough courage to show you guys my face!
I thought that I would give you an update on my progress.
Since my surgery on May 19th of this year, I have lost 72 pounds! I started at 5 feet 7 1/2 inches weighing 267 and I now am up to 5 feet 8 inches (who knew I would get taller) and weigh 195 (can't believe that I made it into the hundreds). My goal originally was 150lbs, but the more I shrink, the more that I think that might be too small for me (I'm a big boned girl). I don't want to look sick. I'm thinking now more in the range of 160-165. That would just barely put my BMI back in the healthy range. Either way, I'm only 30-45 pounds away from goal! I've gone from a size 28 to a size 16 pants and from a XXXL size shirt to a large or sometimes XL shirt depending on the cut. Clothes are a HUGE problem right now considering I'm a single mom of two kids on a tight budget, but I would rather have that problem then face death from obesity anyday!
I am completely off of my diabetes and high blood pressure meds. In fact, at the doctor's office on Monday, my blood pressure was 118/82! I do have one problem that has cropped up now concerning my back. I've always had back pain and I attributed it to the weight. However, the past few weeks, I have not even been able to sleep at night because the pain in my back wakes me up every hour (raising two kids on three hours of sleep makes for a grouchy mommy). I finally went to the doctor this week and found out that I have some pretty bad degenerative disk disease in my back. I have to go back on Tuesday and they are probably going to send me for an MRI to make certain that I haven't blown a disk. Physical therapy is looming in the near future too. I hope that if this panni of mine doesn't shrink, this will give me what I need to possibly have insurance pay to have it removed (although I think that I would rather carry around this panni for the rest of my life rather that deal with the back pain).
I am able to tolerate most foods. The hardest foods for me are white
chicken meat and sometimes beef. I haven't pushed the sugar to much, but what small quantities that I have eaten in fruits, milk, etc have not
bothered me yet. However, I did experience a dumping episode after a bite of canteloup. Talk about misery!
Overall, I do feel better with the exception of my back issues. I'm
very greatful that I had this surgery when I did because I could only imagine what my back would be like in 5 years with all of that extra weight that I had.
Anyway, I'll quit rambling now. Even though I may just lurk most of the time, I certainly do celebrate each of your successes with you!
Love you guys bunches,
Heather Paschal
start weight - 267
current weight - 195
goal weight - where she stops, nobody knows!
I thought that I would give you an update on my progress.
Since my surgery on May 19th of this year, I have lost 72 pounds! I started at 5 feet 7 1/2 inches weighing 267 and I now am up to 5 feet 8 inches (who knew I would get taller) and weigh 195 (can't believe that I made it into the hundreds). My goal originally was 150lbs, but the more I shrink, the more that I think that might be too small for me (I'm a big boned girl). I don't want to look sick. I'm thinking now more in the range of 160-165. That would just barely put my BMI back in the healthy range. Either way, I'm only 30-45 pounds away from goal! I've gone from a size 28 to a size 16 pants and from a XXXL size shirt to a large or sometimes XL shirt depending on the cut. Clothes are a HUGE problem right now considering I'm a single mom of two kids on a tight budget, but I would rather have that problem then face death from obesity anyday!
I am completely off of my diabetes and high blood pressure meds. In fact, at the doctor's office on Monday, my blood pressure was 118/82! I do have one problem that has cropped up now concerning my back. I've always had back pain and I attributed it to the weight. However, the past few weeks, I have not even been able to sleep at night because the pain in my back wakes me up every hour (raising two kids on three hours of sleep makes for a grouchy mommy). I finally went to the doctor this week and found out that I have some pretty bad degenerative disk disease in my back. I have to go back on Tuesday and they are probably going to send me for an MRI to make certain that I haven't blown a disk. Physical therapy is looming in the near future too. I hope that if this panni of mine doesn't shrink, this will give me what I need to possibly have insurance pay to have it removed (although I think that I would rather carry around this panni for the rest of my life rather that deal with the back pain).
I am able to tolerate most foods. The hardest foods for me are white
chicken meat and sometimes beef. I haven't pushed the sugar to much, but what small quantities that I have eaten in fruits, milk, etc have not
bothered me yet. However, I did experience a dumping episode after a bite of canteloup. Talk about misery!
Overall, I do feel better with the exception of my back issues. I'm
very greatful that I had this surgery when I did because I could only imagine what my back would be like in 5 years with all of that extra weight that I had.
Anyway, I'll quit rambling now. Even though I may just lurk most of the time, I certainly do celebrate each of your successes with you!
Love you guys bunches,
Heather Paschal
start weight - 267
current weight - 195
goal weight - where she stops, nobody knows! 
Heather - You've done absolutely awesome!!! As we all travel this road we find out new things about ourselves (butt pain, Kathy gall bladder, three of us with hernia's to get repaired, etc..) but you are correct - how much worse would you have been 5 years from now had you not lost over 70lbs??!!
I know I was losing my mobility. I was headed for knee replacement surgery (at age 35 that's so horrible). I was "pre-diabetic". And I was having trouble breathing. Now - ALL of that is gone!!!! It was so worth having this surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sure your kids are proud of you!!!!! It's great to get compliments from the kids.
Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!
Praying that your MRI shows nothing blown.
Laurie
Rejoicing 2B free
on 10/7/05 9:08 am - southern states
on 10/7/05 9:08 am - southern states
Hiya Heather, You are doing so great!!! Congratulations. You will be at goal before long, good for you. My surgery was just 5 days after yours...so I'm tagging behind you. I have lost 60 to 65lbs. I don't believe tha scale today actually showed -66 but I don't believe it. If it says that tomorrow too... then I'll begin to jump for joy!!!
* You mentioned the problem of clothes and funds tight with being a single Mom.
* Just wanted to ask if you have a wls support group? At ours people bring in their out grown clothes and anybody can take whatever they want or need. What doesn't get taken is sent to Salvation army.
also here on OH there is a place { clothing exchange} you can click on to see what's available and make arrangements to get. do a search maybe "clothing exchange" would get you there or go to home page.
God bless ya and hope you get some great clothes cuz that boosts a girl's mood plus provides an opportunity to see just how you look with your new figure.!!! I have been soooo blessed by 2 ladies at my group sharing their out grown clothes w/me. (thankyou Angel and Teresa ! I am dressing better than I could have ever afforded to and it's such fun and FREE. I pass them on to newer post-ops as I out grow them as well.
Mary
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