Before and After. My Journey

 
I cannot believe it has been a WHOLE year since I started this journey.  I have had ups and downs but to be fair it has mostly been up. 

I started this journey because I simply could not breathe when walking.  It was so bad that as I was walking into work, I had to stop several times to bend over and catch my breath. Walking up and down from room to room was exhausting and even patients would mention that they were concerned and that embarrassed me to no end. Medicare denied me when I first applied until I mentioned it to my orthopedic doctor, Scott Yerger.  He wrote me a letter and I was accepted.  There are foods I cannot eat comfortably like raw cauliflower and broccoli which I love.  I can eat rice but only small amounts because it seems to sit on my stomach and makes my gut swell.  I have developed an intolerance to  milk but am not bothered by butter.  I do not like overly sweet things because it makes me nauseated.  I have learned to drink carbonated drinks but don't really like them EXCEPT tonic water that I use to make my Gin and tonics.  I don't drink a lot, but I do like my G and T's.   I am an abject failure as far as the exercise aspect of my journey.  I joined the gym and went twice, and I will not renew.  I have enough equipment at my house to use to tone up I just need to get the discipline to work out. My grandchildren were concerned that I might lose my "squishies" when I lost weight.  They are happy to know that the squishies are still there they just hang lower.  I will not have plastic surgery to correct the under-arm dingle-danglies, nor will I invest the money in having my thighs taken in.  My goal was to improve the quality of my life and I am doing that.  I am 15 to 20 lbs from my goal and I will do it.  I have also discovered something else.  I no longer care that I have arm flab.  If you don't like it then don't look.  If my legs jiggle in a bathing suit, so what? I have lost nearly 80 lbs which is 320 sticks of butter.  I have gone from a 3x scrubs to a large, 22-24 in regular clothes to a 16 and will probably end up in a 14 when I hit my goal.  I have gone from a 22-24 in Lane Bryant underwear to a 9 in Walmart drawers.  I can cross my legs, wipe my butt, and thankfully eliminated the occasional odor that excess fat rolls cause.   I cannot squat but that's an ortho issue. I have continued otho problems that I am taking steps to correct.  I walk like a duck according to my daughter and it's true.  I lean forward walking because of a hip issue.  I am seeing Dr. Yerger tomorrow and find out about dealing with a bone spur in my left hip that I should have had corrected 3 years ago.  The problem is that it will involve a large needle and I get sick to my stomach thinking about it.  After that will go back into physical therapy to correct my balance.  

I will gladly admit to vanity when it comes to my face and have gone to Nouveau Visage for lifts, fillers and all around tightening up.  I will continue that as it makes me feel better. 

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Eschette and his staff.  at Acadiana Weight Loss Surgery.  Dr. Eschette and his NP Brook are a constant source of encouragement.  Dr. Eschette told me on my first visit that he knew I could do this.  Kate, the diet guru, has such a professional demeanor that is tempered with a genuine caring. I looked forward to seeing her.  I didn't hedge the truth with her because it would not have helped my journey.  She offered so many good suggestions that I have committed to memory.  Thank you so much Kate for everything.  Nicole was the exercise and measurement person.  I laughed with her each time I went in to get measured.  I feel like I failed her because I just did not exercise.  I walk about 8000 steps a day at work and did not have the energy to go to the gym.  I was honest though and she just continued to provide encouragement.  I have cleared off my exercise equipment and now  I have the desire to show her that I CAN do it.  When I hit my goal I am going back to see them all  They have given me my life back.  I always felt that they were invested in my success.  They have a new receptionist.  Kathleen is a hoot.  I told her that I felt they, as a group, selected the farthest  office from the front of the building on purpose.  As  a short of breath, old, and fat person it is a an unbelievable distance to get to their place.  On my first visit I had to stop and bend over to breath about 5 times before I got there.  Kathleen laughed and agreed with me.  She is the first person you see when you go in and she is the one who sets the tone for your visit.  Kathleen you are awesome and need a raise!

This has taken me a few days to finish and I saw Dr. Yerger yesterday.  He was beyond pleased about the new me.   The good news is I don't need to have a humongous needle inserted into my hip.  The bad news is I need a new hip. I am actually looking forward to getting rid of the pain.  I set the appointment for surgery to mid January for several reasons. My work schedule is the main reason and I will tie my recovery time into my vacation with Becky and her family the last week of February.   Another big reason   is to start exercising now to increase my strength, stamina,  and to build muscles.  I "sailed" through my left hip surgery but I was about 5 years younger. Becky will tell you I was also a whiney baby, which is true.    I am now thinner and older so I need every advantage on my side.  I asked Dr. Yerger if I could stay on the rehab unit for a week after surgery and, get this, MY BMI IS TOO SMALL to meet the criteria for inpatient rehab.  He will schedule home PT visits for me until I can drive.  

I am so happy I chose to have the gastric sleeve.  The first week was a killer but as I progressed I was glad that I was able to do this for myself.  It is all about my quality of life.  It is nice to be able to wear smaller clothes and be able to walk into work without the horrible shortness of breath.  I truly wish I had done this years ago and cannot encourage others enough to think about this procedure for morbid obesity.  Each of us are granted this life but it's up to us to make it the best life possible.