Time to Celebrate!!
Today is March 4th. One year ago today I was checking in to Fairview Southdale Hospital - a nervous wreck - waiting for the surgery that would change my life.
It wasn't an easy recovery - I had a lot of pain, fluid filling my lung, and a stitch pulled so tight I had a second belly button indent on my right side. I was in the hospital for 5 days.
It wasn't an easy journey either. Two weeks post-surgery I started doing IV therapy for 12 weeks, having to have 2 PICCs put in, and suffering from a very large ulcer. This wouldn't be the last one either, I've had 2 more rounds of IV therapy, and 2 more bouts of "erosions'.
I've recently been suffering from excruciatingly painful gas that simethicone and reglan aren't even touching...so I was prescribed pain killers for when it gets really bad. The C/T showed large amounts of gas in my colon, but no breaks, blockages or leaks.
Since surgery I now suffer migraines, 1-4 times per month - never had them before!
I was asked twice this week if I would have the surgery over, and my only response was yes, with no hesitation, YES!!
It hasn't been an easy road, I've had just about any complication you could imagine, and I would definately repeat the surgery if I had to do it all over again.
A little over 1 year ago I weighed in at 335 pounds, and wore 26/28 pants, and 28/30 shirts. Now, even with the "gas" weight gain in the last 3 weeks, I'm down 125 pounds. I know where size 16 pants, and ladies 16/18 tops, or mens large shirts.
I have lost a total of 78 inches over my body - over 15 off my waist, and 16 off my hips alone.
I just had my rings resized finally and they went from a size 8 to a size 6.
I can run with my kids, ride a bike, and I recently started skating lessons - something I never would have tried at 335 pounds. I feel like a new person!
So....thank you to all who have supported me, and thank you to Dr. Laguna who helped me become the me that was always there, but hidden in layers of fat and shame.
I know it won't be easy to lose the last 40 pounds I would like to lose, but anything worth accomplishing is never easy.
Even if I never lost another pound, I am happy with where I am now, and who I've become!
Thank you all for listening!
It wasn't an easy recovery - I had a lot of pain, fluid filling my lung, and a stitch pulled so tight I had a second belly button indent on my right side. I was in the hospital for 5 days.
It wasn't an easy journey either. Two weeks post-surgery I started doing IV therapy for 12 weeks, having to have 2 PICCs put in, and suffering from a very large ulcer. This wouldn't be the last one either, I've had 2 more rounds of IV therapy, and 2 more bouts of "erosions'.
I've recently been suffering from excruciatingly painful gas that simethicone and reglan aren't even touching...so I was prescribed pain killers for when it gets really bad. The C/T showed large amounts of gas in my colon, but no breaks, blockages or leaks.
Since surgery I now suffer migraines, 1-4 times per month - never had them before!
I was asked twice this week if I would have the surgery over, and my only response was yes, with no hesitation, YES!!
It hasn't been an easy road, I've had just about any complication you could imagine, and I would definately repeat the surgery if I had to do it all over again.
A little over 1 year ago I weighed in at 335 pounds, and wore 26/28 pants, and 28/30 shirts. Now, even with the "gas" weight gain in the last 3 weeks, I'm down 125 pounds. I know where size 16 pants, and ladies 16/18 tops, or mens large shirts.
I have lost a total of 78 inches over my body - over 15 off my waist, and 16 off my hips alone.
I just had my rings resized finally and they went from a size 8 to a size 6.
I can run with my kids, ride a bike, and I recently started skating lessons - something I never would have tried at 335 pounds. I feel like a new person!
So....thank you to all who have supported me, and thank you to Dr. Laguna who helped me become the me that was always there, but hidden in layers of fat and shame.
I know it won't be easy to lose the last 40 pounds I would like to lose, but anything worth accomplishing is never easy.
Even if I never lost another pound, I am happy with where I am now, and who I've become!
Thank you all for listening!
Nicole
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
Highest (Oct. '09) ~ 335 Surgery ~ 292.2 Current ~ 217.8.0 Goal ~ 170
Nicole
You are an inspiration! No matter what has been thrown at you, you embraced it and kept on going. You have a GREAT support system and you are simply a wonderful person!
Keep going with the attitude - keeping positive certainly helps. So very proud of you!
CONGRATS!
Kelly
http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2Fm5C4/">
262 HW 
245 SW 
182 CW 
145 GW 
Nicole-
You are doing such and amazing job with your tool!! I don't know of any words that I can put together to say how much I admire and look up to your strength and determination.
Way to go!
Sam
You are doing such and amazing job with your tool!! I don't know of any words that I can put together to say how much I admire and look up to your strength and determination.
Way to go!
Sam
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind-Dr. Seuss 
What an awesome post for nervous pre-ops to read! That even WITH the complications you've had to deal with, the weight loss has been worth it all!
You deserve every bit of happy you feel - as for those last 40 pounds? Just remember - this is a life long journey, not a race. BUT - the more you lose in the first 18-24 months, the better your chances of reaching your goal! Then it's a matter of maintenance - which is rough, but definitely do-able.
Congrats to you. I've often said I would have WLS every year if that's what it took. (okay, I'm glad it doesn't, but I would do it!!!)
You deserve every bit of happy you feel - as for those last 40 pounds? Just remember - this is a life long journey, not a race. BUT - the more you lose in the first 18-24 months, the better your chances of reaching your goal! Then it's a matter of maintenance - which is rough, but definitely do-able.
Congrats to you. I've often said I would have WLS every year if that's what it took. (okay, I'm glad it doesn't, but I would do it!!!)
Imperfect does not = unsuccessful
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