6 month check up

It was actually done at 7 months, my bad, but all went well!  Dr. Bell was very pleased with my progress.  I had originally asked him for a goal weight for TOPS, and he looked up an insurance chart, and for a female my age 5'5" it should be about 145.  I thought no way, that "number" sound way too low to me, but I accepted it and continued on.  Now I am less than 40 lbs away from that goal, and it does seem doable.  My weight loss has slowed down, but I am still losing.  He let me know that whatever it is I am doing, to keep it up, it is obviously  working for me.  This was a big relief, I was very nervous, but I suppose that is normal.

Dr Bell also approved me to start plastic surgery consults.  Not that I can offord it, but it won't hurt to see what can be done for my skin issues.  Jane at his office was very helpful and showed me the results of  her  surgeries, and Jane if you are listening, thank you, you look FABULOUS!  I would have thought I had to wait till I was at my goal, but he said to go ahead and get started, the goal weight of 145 is according to the Metropolitan Life Insurance charts, not his opinion.  In his opinion, starting consults and documentation for my insurance company takes a lot of time, so I might as well get started now.

Today I am 181 lbs, a size 14, and have had no complications.  Even if I never lost another pound, I would be satisfied at this "average" size.  I thank God every day for my continued good health, and for my family and friends who are supporting me along this incredible journey!

 

HEY....Dr. Bell would NOT give me a goal weight!  and Jane said ...goal weights set us up for failure....but she said to pick a goal SIZE...I told my TOPS group...and they said to ask my PCP for a goal slip!  which I will do...

Dr. Bell thinks I will lose a minimum of 20 lbs with the TT and if I do the arms, another 10!  He suggested that I consider only losing another 30 lbs (that was 8 lbs ago...)prior to surgery.  I have called the Plastic surgery at Yale and left messages twice now...it seems like they don't want to help find out how much insurance will cover...considering I need a hernia repair also...but I am going to give them a few more weeks...I can't really afford to take time off from wor****il January....

bottom line...YOU LOOK FABULOUS!  keep up the good work!

Jennifer

Thanks, Jen,

Yeah, Dr. Bell didn't want to give me one either, Thats why he said "according to the insurance tables, you should be this".  But at my visit, he said not to worry about getting to that goal, and like you, PS and skin removal would probably get me to that weight.  I'm wondering  now if I should raise that goal weight for TOPS, It might be a long time before I am able to afford PS, and I was so hoping to make KOPS this year!  Take care!

I am working with a "pre surgery"goal weight...I am not going to consider pounds that I won't be able to lose naturally..doesn't that makes sense!

looking forward to seeing you onstage!

Jen

Sorry I didn't respond. I am usually more on top of these things. I know that about the time you were posting this I had yet another stricture and was looking at gall bladder surgery. ongrats on your success so far! I am sure you will get down to the 145.

Oops I lied, that all happened in July. I was planning on going home and didn't see it until I was in Ohio. Sorry.

Thank you, Kathy!  And congratulations to you, too!