WLS Update : 9 months post op

9 months post op - No way!



I do not know how this time keeps going by so quickly. It dawned on me Christmas Morning that at this time last year I was crying cause I was dissapointed that my surgery had been post poned. What a difference a year had made though -

here I was sitting in my chair which is way too big for me now, in sweats I hade bought on clearance last year after christmas in hopes I would fit into them ( a size 4/6 ) that are now too loose on me, and so different in each and every way now.

I am blessed and what better way to remember it?! I broke out the photos of last christmas to recall. This is still an incredibly painful thing to do. I had no idea how depressed the weight really made me and visa versa!



So ... 9 months here is where I am at.



Emotionally: I still have my struggles. More so with the fact that what the pro's warned be about others and how they handle my journey is true! Many are no ok with the fact that I changed my habbits, my styles and my needs. They dont handle me being selfish with my needs, despite the fact that other that food being for nutrition only now, I haven't changed for or with them in any other way. I struggle daily thinking and worrying about what others think and I am working hard to correct this. As we know its not about " them ". I don't cry as often as I used to, but I am still very much having " anxiety " attacks if you will, when I go out to eat, think about a big holiday or gathering with food etc. I work myself into a panic about wondering when and if I can eat ok when others are around. My comfort zones are well known as well as my comfort foods. Its clear now how much emotions really did play into my food choices back then.



Self Image : I struggle. I do now see " ME " in the mirror, but its not the reflection I expected to see. I don't expect anyone to know what that means but when I look I still see what I know of me. Loving, Caring, Fun, Happy, and Free..... just much smaller on the outside. Just as much as I used to pick myself apart when I was bigger, I do it now that I am smaller. I get sick at the sight of my skin, my rolls and my shape. It makes me sad to think I have no breast, no butt, and wrinkles in my face. I still do not beleive that I can go almost anywhere and buy a size 4/6 and " slip them on ". I am learning to be comfortable but it takes time... and I am still new.

The physcologist thinks I have moved into my new body... were working on the mind.



Self Esteem : WOW! I have always known who I am... but sometimes even I doubted it. Honestly this journey has brought to light many many things. One of them is just how strong I really am. Sure, I know I have endured alot - but at what cost? Now I know why, and that I can do many things on many levels.

I.e. Going back to work. I will use this as my most latest because it is the latest. I have been blessed to have great jobs in my past - a few of which I loved alot.... but this new one is amazing and I am led to beleive alot has to do with who and where I am in life at this moment. I cannot recall a time in recent years I could have been hired for this job, to be on my feet all hours of the day, touching, talking and being looked at my so many families day in and out... without fear of " of my gosh they think Im fat " running through my head! Its nice to not hide behind my phone as a receptionist because I have a great voice - but to be seen as a whole person. As much as I would have liked to think people didnt think I was big, fat or whatever they wanted to call me --- I was. They did!

Its all so different now. I love to slip on my work clothes, put on my make up and think - WOW I AM APRIL AND I CAN DO THIS!



Physically :

I am tired. They say this comes from the low iron levels. I am still anemic.

My bones ACHE!!! And I do mean ache - but they say its because your body isnt used to not having the fat padding it used to around all the joints, and bones in general. This gets better with time ( lord willing! ).

But I am doing ok. I am getting - for the most part - my 6 meals in a day, and am now slowly getting more active in hopes of finding that balance. Soon will be adding in swimming to the plan and looking forward to that!



Summary :

9 months post op RNY Bypass.

Currently about 130lbs and struggling to get back to the 135-140 range!

Size loose 4/6 bottoms and S/M on most tops.

Ring size is now a 7.5 ( was 11 )

Still not cycling normally, batteling thyroid and iron issues.





And since its been a few months since I have done measurments I will post this :



BODY PART DAY OF SURGERY (3/27/09) 6w VISIT (4/20/09) 3m post op (7/14/09) 4 month anniversary (7/27/09) 6m anniversary (9/27/09) & 9 month anniversary (12/27/09 )DIFFERENCE FROM SURGERY DAY!
Left Arm 14.5" 14" 12" 11" 10.75" 10.0" -4.5"
Left Thigh 28.5" 25.75" 21" 19.5" 18.5" 18.5" -10"
Left Calf -- -- -2.75" 14" 14" 13" 13" -3.75"
Chest ( across largest point in bra ) 50.25" 47.5" 42.5" 41" 38" 38" -12.25"

Waist 49" 45.5" 37" 35" 33" 31" -18"
Hips 50" 48" 42" 41" 37" 36" -14"
Neck 15.75" 14.75" 13.5" -- 13" 12.75" -3"
Wrist -- -- -- -- 6" 6" 6" 5.75"



Total loss 65.5+" in 9 months.

A Holiday that couldnt be beat!

I haven't had time to update lately so I am making myself sit here and do it now - better late than never!

A Holiday that couldn't be beat!
Christmas - in short, was simply wonderful this year!

It was spent at home and some of the family joined us later.
There was alot of fun that we had but really was just nice to be back to the basics and simple. We did not even " plan a dinner"! Everyone just brought something to share and it was wonderful!
Mike and I both had to work on Christmas Day so we celebrated on Christmas Eve.
Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Ann, Kandis, Ryan and Selina came to celebrate with us after most of us met at church at noon for service. We exhanged gifts with the kiddo's and enjoyed each other's company until it was time for bed.
Madaya was beat since earlier in the day she had her time with mommy and daddy and our little christmas together, then church ( a birthday party for Jesus ) and then of course her cousins and play time when everyone joined us!


Christmas Day we woke up at 5:30 am and while Mommy and Daddy got ready for work we made our traditional Breakfast of pigs in a blanket. We watched as Daya "opened" her stocking then off to work we went, leaving Daya and Grammy to enjoy the day.
No complaints other than I wish all our family could be together, and seriously this was one of the most joy-ful of holidays we have all shared in a while!
As for gifts we did great! Mike and I stuck to our budget of 150.00 for Madaya's gifts and Stocking ( we dont do santa so she does know its us! ) Thanks to great shopping on black friday she got a Motorized scooter, Art easel, Cherry Blossom Market, Art things, chair, 3 puzzles, 4 games and 2 outfits from gymboree and her favorite... a piano " an-o ".
* She was spoiled by many others too and those are not listed above.
Mike and Daya got me a scrapbook tote on wheels, 3 outfits from aeropostle and a pair of boots. Daya and I got daddy an aircompressor, sweatshirt, MP3 player, candy, and a pull up bar.
Our church blessed us all with Clothing! ( Which was very much needed! ) and was such a help to all of us!

We have sure felt the love lately and are truely thankful for all we have come to learn, endure and share with others!
We are wishing all of you a very happy 2010 and pray that you each and all realize just how much you mean to us and the world!
Mike, April and Madaya

Here are some photos from our day. I have not posted the ones of everyone here yet.

Will do soon!

Daya and her stocking

The frontroom before everyone came

Daya's new ornament perfectly suited : A dancing giraffe.

Sing with me guys!

Daya wearing her baby in the sling momma made for her!

Markers make her happy!

For roo - With love, Daddy and Mommy!

Roo's new wheels!

See roo go?

Daya made plates and Mugs for everyone!

Look .... I prayed for snow!

This morning when we awoke, we found ourselves ( and the rest of the world too! ) to have been abundantly blessed with God's white fluff.... Almost 6" to be exact!

No complaints here :)

Here is our fun for this morning...

Stomping it to make sure its real - I am sure.

" Momma it was this much! "

See! I like snow - Momma!

Can you see it... we sure can. 5.75" in the middle of the yard

- Now that's an answer to a prayer!

A diamond in the Ruff

Our family Christmas present has arrived ...

With much happiness we would like to introduce our new fur baby :

HANNA

Hanna ( and yes, we do plan to spell it this way! ) is 1 week old, and is lovingling coming to us when she is old enough from a friend of Selina.

We are so thankful for this blessing, and the ability to be able to add to our family.

It really was in God's time and way.

Hanna is a Golden Retreiver/Lab mix and is one of twelve puppies! She is chubby, weighs about a pound and is so tiny she fits in my hands cupped.

Her eyes are not open yet, but we will be getting pics when they do open via email - we will share her growth with you all too!

We got to paint her nails red today so they know who she belongs to, and we are so excited to be gathering a few things she will need while we await her homecoming. If all goes well we expect to welcome her home Early-Mid Janaury.

Mike, Madaya and I have been searching for a while now, and know this is why it took so long. Much like our previous fur babies this one had a meaning too!

Stay tunned for puppy news! ( and more pics as she grows )

Asleep in my scarf

Daya ♥'s Hanna!

Momma Daya and a sleepy Hanna

My Hanna

Hear- ye - Hear Ye- I LOVE MY JOB!

It is so great to be " doing something " again, whats even nicer is to be doing something for a company who helped you so much with your baby, and your needs and who loves you!

I work for Pediatrix Medical Group as a Newborn Hearing Screener - and I am in love!

Who wouldnt love handling new born babies day in and out?
But what I really love is knowing that with this test, that untill recentely wasnt availible is now such an invaluble resource for all parents and babies.

Its a labor of love, and I am doing it.

I know this job was sent by God because everything from how it came about to pay right down to how Madaya is handling things with mommy not being home FT is PERFECT ( I hope I dont curse myself )

If you want to read a little more about what I do please visit Pediatix Hearing Screens or email for more info.

No feeding tube!

The latest Dr's appointment brought the news that we were hoping to hear.
With the nutritionist's help we will be using more planning and diet to try to bring Madaya's weight up and for now will avoid the " feeding tube ".

Her weight : 20.9 lbs.

Now many have said shes " not that small " its not an issue of her being small. Its an issue of when a child doesnt progress in growth or keep a constant curve the dr's start to worry of complex issues like kideny failure, brain growth, milestones not being met etc!
Its dangerous and their bodies are much like ours as adults in the fact they must have certain amounts of fat, fat stores, and lean muscle to make everything move right.


We pulled her off of her medication for allergies as she is ... get this.... ALLERGIC TO IT!!! and are now trying some other things to help her stay healthy.

Her dr has her feeding every 2 hours, were using only whole grains and fibers, adding reall butter into anything she can handle and still making sure to avoid most things with dies, high fructose corn syrups ( TRY THAT DURING THE HOLIDAYS! ) and bleached flours.

To help with the environmental allergies weve gone back to bleaching the hard wood floors weekly with non-chlorine bleach, asking shoes to be removed in the entry way along with coats, and outerwear and avoiding much contact with cats, trees etc!

So far... so good.

Re-weigh in 1 month, but for now all looks well!

Schedule! Whats that?

I set my hours the other day with the Hospital and I think were on our way to a good Schedule....
if there is one!

I chose to work Everyother Monday, all Wednesdays, Everyother Fridays and every Saturday.
This would allow Daya's Schedule to look like this :

Mondays : Home with Daddy / Home with Mommy
Tuesdays : Home with Mommy ( Daddy works )
Wednesdays : Preschool - Full day
Thursdays : Home with Family Mommy and Daddy off ( unless one called in )
Friday : Preschool ( and mommy gets mommy day on the ones I don't work! )
Saturdays : Grammy Day
Sunday : Home with Family


:) Mike and I are so excited that this allow us to only need to place her in a school for 2 days a week and seems to allow us the ability to teach at home too.
Now obviously this will take a bit to fall in to and my sched. may need tweaked a little but for the most part this is how were looking.

I still have offers from friends and family for the days when things MAY come up!
We are very lucky to have this and know that Madaya will be well cared for always.
For making a decission we didn't think we would have to make, I think we came up with a pretty good one!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I think I was way to apprehensive about many things, now looking back I am so Thankful for what it is, and was and will be.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving at church pastor W gave his sermon on " Grace " and always being " Thankful "
Sounds easy right --- wrong. Slow down and think about this. How many times are you REALLY THANKFUL.

We as humans can and usually do find flaw in everything, and then turn around and put them down. I.e. when things are going bad, were not where we want to be, things arent our way....
In doing so we are not being truely thankful. We need to see the good in all things, and give thanks for that!
How many times has a bad thing led to a good thing? --- Ahh - see now your thinking! And you can see why it hit us hard too.

Mike and I agreed ( yes hes going to church too ;) ). We are guilty of playing the whoa is me, game and not always giving " grace ". We agreed that despite many things we feel ill about this Thanksgiving that there would be no time like the present to institute this new rule and we did.

You know what?!

Thanksgiving was SO easy, and honestly I have no complaints. Yes, I miss a few things and would have loved for it to be a bit different but I am truely giving Grace for what it was!

We had a wonderful day with many of our family and a few friends, and I learned some things that were very heart humbling.

We are thankful for so many things and even more so for being reminded of why!

Our family hopes you and your's had wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday's too and a very blessed Christmas season.

WLS UPDATE : Post Nutrition

I know some of you have asked, and I do read the emails I promise, but some things I just haven't shared purely out of need to keep it in until I knew what end was up or down.

My health is not what I would have hoped it to be for the most part, and the Dr's have been very concerned. I am still loosing weight till this day, and am having a hard time retaining anything I do happen to gain through food etc.
So --- While they have been busy doing all these thyroid tests ( which are a mess ) they decided I needed to see the new nutritionist and see what we can do to help.

I weighed in the other day fully clothed at 129lbs. NOT GOOD. Remember they wanted be no lower than 135 before skin revision because they estimate 15-20lbs in dead tissue and skin. Gross, but the truth is its just too skinny for me. Im boney, there is NO fat, and lots of tissue.
So to be healthy your body has to be at a healthy Body Mass Index ( BMI ) and I simply am too thin. Who would have thought?

We came to this - I met with the new NUT. and she said she wants me to stop working out and being so active in hopes of slowing the metabolisum for now, and bumping up my calories to 1500 a day. HA - talk about a mind trip, its really hard to do.
She went over my labs and said my vitamin levels, and hormones except for the iron are perfect. I am extremely anemic and my blood cells are suffering and are small because of it so thats impeding alot too.
My thyroid is the other mess, its now extremely HIGH and they have agreed to check every 4 weeks now and just did another change. I am no on 125mcg of Levoxyl and .5mg of Cytomel.
I wouldnt have thought I would go from being HYPO to HYPER and the Dr's are just as perplexed. Were working hard on these three things :

1. Weight Gain/Maintain
2. Thryoid Uptake - Maintain ( its estimated this will take 5 more months )
3. Iron Levels ( they think this ties to thyroid and iodine uptake too )

So .... I am 8 months post op weighing around 130lb and doing good for the most part. I am hitting all my NUT goals, its just not staying with me. I am not TRYING to loose more, but scarely its happening!
I also have a big challenge ahead as I go back to work on a busy nursing floor this coming week. This will play into intake and output for sure and I will see the NUT ( who happens to be in the same office I work in ) mid week to see how I am doing.

I am blessed to have such a team behind me!

Please let me say that even though SOME things arent great compared to my health 1 year ago I am 97% better! Its amazing what this journey has done.
Pics to come soon!

Quick Stats :
Height : 5'3"
Weight: 126-130lbs
Hair : Not falling out anymore, infact coming back in curly!
Size : Pants 4, Shirts M, Bra 32B
weight lost : 96-100lbs