Profile: Wendy H Surgery: Post Op McAdoo, PA, USA Personal Comments I am mom to three active little boys. My family has a strong history of many weight related problems including diabetes and high blood pressure. I want to live a long time and have failed at every other diet I have tried. It is time to be happy and healthy! June 13,2002 Took my written test and got 100%! I am now at the approval process. I am hoping for a fast approval. And a surgery date to look forward to! August 11,2002 Called BC/BS and my claim is in review right now. Also attended a support group meeting and enjoyed seeing all the post ops and hearing thier stories! I can't wait to join them! This waiting is taking forever. September 4,2002 Approval letter came in the mail Saturday!! Scheduled for October 29th. It is finally going to happen. Time to start counting down the weeks. October 11,2002 A little over 2 weks to go! I am so excited. Trying to decide on a final meal. I had my bloodwork today and all is well. Talked to surgeons office and everything is a go! I can't wait! Time to count down days soon. October 28,2002 Oh my! Tomorrow is my big day! The day I am reborn into a healthy life. I am so nervous yet so happy. Have had some problems with blood pressure this week but things seem to be under control right now. I will update fromt eh other side! November 2,2002 I am a loser! I cam ehome today and feel like I was hit by a trcuk, I am off to try and rest, will update further when feelng a bit more like sitting here. I am glad to be on the other side/ November 26, 2002 4 weeks out today and I have lost 33 lbs!!!! I am so grateful for this tool and the chance to be healthy. I feel better then I have in years. Odd to have all this energy when not eating much at all. December 16,2002 had my 6 week check up last week, down 39 lbs in 6 weeks! Feeling great except for dumping on things I never expected. Still having a hard time getting all my fluids in but trying really hard! December 17th 2002 7 weeks out today and down another 5 lbs!! a total of 44 in 7 weeks, not too shabby. Can wear size 20 in jeans and 18 in skirts. WOW I am sooooo happy. 259/215 today December 26,2002 8 weeks post RNY and down 50lbs!!! Amazing. Only 64 more to my goal of 145. I am so happy I had this surgery. Next mini goal, to be under 200lbs. January 3,2003 Happy New Year. I find myself only 1 lb down this week so I am a bit mad at myself. Need to increase the protien again. I admit I was a bit negligent about it. And time to increase the exercise too. January 21,2003 My oldest son turned 9 this weekend, I feel so old! But I am below 200! the first time in many years. I am over half way to my goal and in a size 18 from a tight 24! I love this surgery. Wonderful tool. I am now down 61.5 lbs! 259/197.5/145 January 31,2003 Loosing slow righ tnow, my own fault. We went on a mini vacation and I did not keep my fluids or protein up as I had been at home. Back on track now so I hope the pounds melt off again. 259/196/145 February 28,2003 ALmost 4 months and down 75 lbs! Still don't see the changes in me. Oh well I will officially be 4 months Tuesday and will post weight again. March 29,2003 5 months out and down 82 lbs, slow loss last month. Gotta do better this month with exercise and water intake. April 30,2003 6 months have passed since surgery! I am down 90 lbs and 24 from my goal. Loss has slowed but I know as a relative light weight it would at the 6 month point. Doctor feels I should reach my goal hopefully by my 1 year visit. AMazing to think I have lost 1/2 lb a day for 6 months. I am trying to exercise more and watch the fluids, I get very dizzy without my proper fluid intake. May 5,2003 Must have been a good weekend, LOL I managed to loose 2 lbs and 1 inch off my waist!! I am so haappy as my waist hadn't changed in a long time! May 23,2003 Weight loss has slowed down, a bit upsetting but I will try harder to keep my protein intake high and maintain my fluid intake. I have learned that not enough fluid makes me get very dizzy and lightheaded. Now down 95 lbs, can see 100 off in the distance. June 4,2003 After being stuck for a few weeks I am down 2 lbs! MAkes me happy to see the scale move. Only 3 more till my 100!!! June 30,2003 100 lbs gone!!!!!! Amazing! Actually 100.5 gone LOL can't forget the 1/2 lb. Also went shopping and can fit myself nicely into a size 12! No more teen sizes for me. What a wonderfully rocky emotional 8 months this has been. August 28,2003 10 months tomorrow and weighing in at 155. 10 more to my goal. SLow slow loss is very annoying right now :( WIggled myself into a 10 one day but I know plastic surgery is in my future, I bet I could wear an 8 without this loose skin. October 29,2003 1 year today! My weight has been stuck for 2 months now and I am a bit frustrated not to reach my goal by 1 year. But some of the things that have changed: wrists went from 7 3/4 inches to 6 1/4, waist is down 14 inches, chest down 8 inches, neck from a huge 22 inches to a graceful 14.5. From a size 24 to a size 12. Can do some much more and feel better doing it. I have no regrets at all. Time for serious plastic surgery consult, once this loose ugly tummy is gone I know I will feel so much better. March 18 2004 Boy it has been a long time since I updated. Have been having a really rough few months. Sadly I lost my mom to a pulmonary emboli, a complication from her RNY surgery right before Christmas. Life just has not been the same since. Weight is holding steady, a bit upset at not reaching my goal yet but I will, just need to get back to worrying about me and not everyone else now. Not gaining either so that is a good thing. Ready to get this loose panni removed now. Time to call the surgeon. July 24 2004 Been a long time since an update. Weight is standing still. Just moved and am amazed that I have had the energy to move without getting breathless or tired. Bitter sweet move, returned to my childhood home so my dad could move into a smaller space, he is missing my mom so much, breaks my heart. We got a puppy as well, a Shiba Inu and cute as a button. September 23 2004 Still holding weight steady. Discovered I need a hysterectomy due to large fibroid that is causing alot of pain and other issues for me, was a bit shocked to say the least. Have been to a PS about TT and he suggested a LBL and liposuction. He would operate 2-3 weeks post hyster. and all of my loose skin could be taken care of at once , excpet for thighs. Still a bit scared of surgery but the thought of smooth mid section thrills me! October 18 2004 Had LAVH Oct 13 and am feeling great. Hard to believe I had major sugery 5 days ago. Only 3 small scars with 6 stiches that come out tomorrow. Nice not to have the right sided pain I was having. She was suprised that after 3 sections there were no adhesions, there are a ton up under RNY scar but if they are no problem they said to leave them alone, so I will. November 10, 2004 Well I did it. Nov 1 I had a LBL and extensive liposuction. Plastic surgeon took off 17 lbs of skin and fat. Still pretty sore and swollen/bruised but wow no more huge pile of skin in my lap. Final tapes came off yesterday and now I just have to apply creams to help the wound scar as minimally as I can. I can't wait till the swelling is gone to get to see final weight and results. Heck even puffy I look 100% better. 259 At my son's bday party. I hate pics of myself! 155 10 Months post op -104. Surgeon Info: William S. Peters (Peckville, PA) I emailed Dr. Peters amd he called me back the next day! I really liked the fact he called me back, shows me he wants to know his patients not just have a assembly line type practice. I have my appointment for my first consult on June 6th! I can't wait to get started. Insurer Info: BC/BS