My 20 Month Post-Op Report

Well, today is 20 months post-op for me. I think I'm still in the counting months realm. Guess that perhaps will change when I'm 2 years out or maybe not. Who knows. Yes, I did lose 5 lbs this past month. Stress, I guess. Kathy's Weight Loss By Month (as of 01/20/2007) Starting Weight = 276 Pre-Op Month 1: Weight = 264 Loss = -12 lbs Total Loss = -12 lbs Pre-Op Month 2: Weight = 253 Loss = -11 lbs Total Loss = -23 lbs Pre-Op Month 3: Weight = 244 Loss = -9 lbs Total Loss = -32 lbs Post-Op Month 1: Weight = 219 Loss = -25 lbs Total Loss = -57 lbs Post-Op Month 2: Weight = 211 Loss = -8 lbs Total Loss = -65 lbs Post-Op Month 3: Weight = 201 Loss = -10 lbs Total Loss = -75 lbs Post-Op Month 4: Weight = 192.5 Loss = -8.5 lbs Total Loss = -83.5 lbs Post-Op Month 5: Weight = 184 Loss = -8.5 lbs Total Loss = -92.0 lbs Post-Op Month 6: Weight = 178 Loss = -6.0 lbs Total Loss = -98.0 lbs Post-Op Month 7: Weight = 174 Loss = -4.0 lbs Total Loss = -102.0 lbs Post-Op Month 8: Weight = 171.5 Loss = -2.5 lbs Total Loss = -104.5 lbs Post-Op Month 9: Weight = 169.0 Loss = -2.5 lbs Total Loss = -107.0 lbs Post-Op Month 10: Weight = 171.0 Loss = +2.0 lbs Total Loss = -105.0 lbs Post-Op Month 11: Weight = 171.0 Loss = -0.0 lbs Total Loss = -105.0 lbs 1 Year (Post-Op Month 12): Weight = 167.0 Loss = -4.0 lbs Total Loss = -109.0 lbs Post-Op Month 13: Weight = 162.0 Loss = -5.0 lbs Total Loss = -114.0 lbs Post-Op Month 14: Weight = 160.0 Loss = -2.0 lbs Total Loss = -116.0 lbs Post-Op Month 15: Weight = 161.0 Loss = +1.0 lbs Total Loss = -115.0 lbs Post-Op Month 16: Weight = 158.5 Loss = -2.5 lbs Total Loss = -117.5 lbs Post-Op Month 17: Weight = 160.5 Loss = +2.0 lbs Total Loss = -115.5 lbs 1.5 Years (Post-Op Month 18): Weight = 157.0 Loss = -3.5 lbs Total Loss = -119.0 lbs Post-Op Month 19: Weight = 157.0 Loss = -0.0 lbs Total Loss = -119.0 lbs Post-Op Month 20: Weight = 152.0 Loss = -5.0 lbs Total Loss = -124.0 lbs Kathy's Measurements (as of 01/20/2007) Body Part ~ Starting ~ Current ~ Total Inches Lost * Neck ~ 16.50" ~ 13.00" ~ -3.50" * Left Upper Arm ~ 17.50" ~ 12.00" ~ -5.50" * Left Forearm ~ 11.50" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.50" * Left Wrist ~ 8.50" ~ 6.00" ~ -2.50" * Right Upper Arm ~ 17.50" ~ 12.00" ~ -5.50" * Right Forearm ~ 11.50" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.50" * Right Wrist ~ 8.25" ~ 6.00" ~ -2.25" * Bust ~ 52.50" ~ 38.00" ~ -14.50" * Waist ~ 49.00" ~ 33.00" ~ -16.00" * Abdomen ~ 53.00" ~ 38.00" ~ -15.00" * Hips ~ 54.00" ~ 37.50" ~ -16.50" * Left Thigh ~ 30.00" ~ 21.00" ~ -9.00" * Left Calf ~ 19.50" ~ 15.00" ~ -4.50" * Left Ankle ~ 11.00" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.00" * Right Thigh ~ 28.50" ~ 20.50" ~ -8.00" * Right Calf ~ 20.00" ~ 15.25" ~ -4.75" * Right Ankle ~ 11.00" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.00" * TOTAL: -115.50 inches! So, there is it. The stats. Can still lose weight at 20 months post-op. And no I'm not starving myself. Just seem to be ignoring some of the "extra" stuff and it appears that stuff adds up. Imagine that? Surgery (re-excision lumpectomy) is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:45. I'll probably be in the car on the way home by 3:30. My poor boob has an ugly hematoma in there from the first lumpectomy. It is large, sore and swollen but no signs of infection. If I hadn't been having it cut into this coming week I'd have been at the surgeon's office asking to do something. It hurts a bit and hasn't done that for a few weeks. I'll talk to surgeon Tuesday about what to do to keep this from occurring this next time. Sports bra. Ace bandage. Something. I saw my fabulous PCP the other day. She is awesome. She wanted to put me on antidepressants but I told her I was doing well. She said "Vitamin Z" as in zoloft can really help and anyone dealing with cancer is depressed to a degree. I agree to take the prescription. She had given me ambien which I need for sleep these days and xanax for anxiety but I haven't had a meltdown since I got them so haven't cracked the bottle. My FIL was hospitalized again earlier this week for fluid on the lungs. Too big a story to write about. He has an indeterminant spot on his lung. Could be infection, could be emphysema and could be a tumor. They are watching it. Not sure if it is responsible for the fluid or what. He got treatment and antibiotics. He has a repeat CT scan and visit with a pulmonary specialist in a few weeks. Rich's dad is either too weak (we aren't fully convinced of this) to push the button to get his artificial leg off so Rich has to stop their every night. I tell him he has to go "tuck his Papa in". LOL. FIL is doing so much better at this point we aren't sure if he just wants the individual attention or he physically isn't capable. Rich has his doubts. The man wants to be waited on. He looked like he was at the Ritz when he was in the hospital. Had the food menu like it was a room service menu. What a pip and pip can stand for many thing. I told him "Can't a girl have cancer in peace? This is supposed to be all about me right now, not you. I'm supposed to be getting all the attention." I had the nurse and him laughing pretty hard. That's my saga... Kathy

Hey Kathy!!!! LOL at Vitamin Z~that's cute! If you need something to take the edge off don't even hesitate to take it! I can imagine how stressful these past few months have been for you~you have ALOT going on in your life!!!!! Congratulations on your fantastic weightloss~that's wonderful!!! Sorry to hear that you need another surgery. I will keep you in my prayers and please update after Tuesday when you can! Your FIL sounds like quite a character, LOL!!! That's cute. I hope that he can get to feeling better! (((((HUGS)))))) Tracy B

Thanks, Tracy! Yup, the tally will be 6 surgeries in less than 2 years. It bites but what can I do. LOL. My FIL is a character alright. He just asked us about the "room off your living room - can that be made into a bedroom". Uh NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It's a sunroom... all windows and no door just a wide doorway. Rich asked him "Why are you asking?" He said "Oh just thought you could use it if Kathy's dad or sister comes to visit". My FIL lies aka as Rich says he is a BSA. Never asks the direct question. Makes crap up. Sometimes gives the "My wife said..." or the old "Who me?", "Not me", etc. An example, we bought him shirts since he outgrew the others. The others were Large so we got him X-Large. He tells Rich "Your mom says the shirts are too big on me." Rich answers back "Why would Mom say that when she didn't even see you try one on?" Rich knew that cuz he had just asked his mom. Just like in the hospital, when Rich leaves the room, FIL tells me "My wife told me to take another antibiotic last night so that maybe I got better faster." Well the meds he was on are a 1 pill a day dose so he ended up taking double for the day. No way, she told him that. He is the milligram king. Knows every pill he takes with dosage by heart and it's many. He believes more milligrams = more effective. Geez. Just the added stressed, I don't need, ya know. FIL has a certain old world (he's from Germany) charm in a way mixed with stubbornness, feistiness, resistence, spittle, scorn, little white lies, hypochondrism and most of all self-centerness. Ah! Appreciate the prayers! Hugs, Kathy

Hi Kathy, best of luck to you on Tuesday, let us know how it goes, will think good thoughts. Hugs, Connie

Kathy, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I only hope for the best for you on Tuesday. Sorry I have not been on a lot lately- we sold our house, moved, and much more going on in the last few months, so I did not know about the cancer. You seem to be a very strong and smart person and stay on top of everything pertaining to your health. I am sure you will fight this and win. I am very sorry you are having to go through this, after doing so good with the WLS. You will for sure be in my prayers. Susan