One Year After Surgery - Minus 155#

after

before

haircut 1 year post op

haircut a few days pre op

dentist 1 week pre op

dentist 1 year post op

dentist pre

dentist 1 year later

Well, here are my before and after pictures.  So totally embarrassing!  I don't show these to just anyone (okay, no one except my synchronized swim team members) so count yourself lucky.  They are very hard to look at.  I was so full of fluid and fat and misery!  These pictures really make me sad. And happy.  And proud.

9 months out, 150# down

May 3, 2014 @ SCAD walk

 Bob and I went to a 5K walk today to help raise money for research for SCAD, a rare heart condition.  It was at a beautiful forest preserve near Naperville.  I did not walk the 5K even though Sandy, my sister-in-law, motivated me by pledging money.  I did manage to do the fun 1.12 mile walk, and because we veered off course I'm going to go with 1.22 miles, and Sandy still pledged because she's just that good.  (Thanks Sandy!)  

It was fun looking at the old stables, the cool weather vanes and awesome statues.  But the most fun was just being able to walk!  There were many firsts today.  First time I've ever signed up for one of these things with the actual intent to walk it.  LOL  First time I've ever gotten a t-shirt at one of these things and could actually put it on and wear it.  Usually the largest size wasn't even close, and now I don't even need the largest size :)  First time in a very long time I was able to ride in a car that far and enjoy the ride because I didn't swell up and gain 15 # en route.  The whole day felt wonderful!  And the company was awesome :)

Been feeling pretty good these days.  The past 2 months have been pain free.  I'm forcing myself to eat a wider variety of foods now.  This sounds easier than it is.  I have a healthy fear of eating something and having pain and vomiting.  I feel just like one of Pavlov's rats - I've been conditioned!                

The new jeans are already getting baggy on me - it's a problem I am okay with.  

Had to throw this in, even the toes got skinnier!  And Christy wanted to see the pink she recommended.

On a more serious note, the reason we went to the 5K today was to support our cousin Shelley Simonton who was diagnosed with SCAD.  This is a rare heart condition.  Shelley has survived 3 heart attacks.  Unfortunately, very little is known about this disease.  Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) blocks the flow of blood to the heart, which can cause a heart attack and sometimes sudden death in generally young and healthy people.  Research is on hold (and Shelley's blood on ice) waiting for the funding to find some answers.  Please help if you can.   

Your donation will help to advance SCAD research and education. 

SCAD Research, Inc. is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity

http://www.scadresearch.org/

A night out......

feeling happy!

feeling good

It's been 8 months since surgery.  I have lost 130#.  I am very happy!

I am down to 3 pills a day.  To put that in better perspective, I used to take 21 pills a day!  Every time I take pills I feel as though I am forgetting some.  LOL  And of course, I will always take vitamins and calcium.

Last night we went to the Civic Center in Peoria to see Jim Gaffigan, a comic.  Here is a comparison of what it would have been like for me before the surgery and what it was like last night.

Pre-surgical night out:

• nothing to wear
• need dropped off at the door of restaurant, can't walk from parking lot
• at restaurant before show, worry about fitting in booth, request table
• need 60 to 100 units insulin to cover dinner
• need picked up at the door
• swelling worsening as the night progresses, feeling short of breath
• need dropped off at Civic Center theater door, can't walk
• worry about making it the short walk to the theater, looking for benches
• rest twice on benches before reaching theater
• as soon as I am in, look for chair to sit down, back pain
• rest 15 minutes so I can get to my seat
• make it to my seat, miserable, swelling really bad now
• difficult to enjoy show, wishing I were home in bed
• thankful when show ends, completely in pain now
• takes me 30 minutes to get back to the door, resting several times
• get picked up right outside theater, unable to stand for more than 2 minutes waiting for car
• miserable ride home, so swollen from head to toe, short of breath
• home, straight to bed to try to get some fluid off, thank goodness I don't have to work!

Post-surgical night out:

• what should I wear?  I have choices!  and they all look good!
• walking from parking lots? no problem!  wish I could walk further it feels so good
• restaurant, I fit everywhere now, love booths!
• insulin?  3 units :)
• no swelling!  
• breathing great!
• easy walk from parking lot, didn't need a bench, didn't even look for one!
• standing, no problem!
• found our seats, so comfy, lots of wiggle room
• loved the show
• no pain
• easy walk out, easy ride home
• got home and worked all night, no problem!

That's the best way I can explain how different my life is now.  Just having fun feeling normal again :)

Jack and Diana

  

6 months out

One-derland!

I have reached One-derland!

That's weight-loss surgery talk for losing 100#.

One-derland came early for me.  Sooner than most.  I have had such a touchy stomach and still struggle to eat 600 calories a day. When I eat meat, I can only do 1/2 ounce.  So, for all that struggling, I get One-derland!
My surgeon would be happy.  He believes in suffering to achieve your goals.  LOL  A little sadistic he is.

As you can see, once again, I lack "selfie" skills. And my eyes always look closed in these pictures.  I think I am squinting trying to see what I am doing with the camera.
But you get the idea.  It's me, minus 100.  :)

I can't think of anything else to say.   It's been 4 months, 3 weeks since surgery.  I go back to the surgeon in January to check labs.  I need new clothes but can't spend money on something I'll need to replace in a couple of weeks.  In this picture I am wearing mom's shirt and dad's vest.  LOL  They are my teeth, though.  Just wanna be clear on that.

Diana

The Honeymooner

3 months and 3 weeks tomorrow...

I am proud and happy to announce I am now in the honeymoon phase!  
Wooot!  / \ ˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。

It took 3.5 months, to be exact, but I got there!  The main misery seems to be over, someone better be knocking on wood.  No vomiting.  No pain.  ★ℒℴѵℯ★

Down 80#.  Let's take a moment and focus on that, shall we?  
♥✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿♥✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿♥✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿♥✿´¯`*•.¸¸✿♥    

Okay moment is over.  LOL  But seriously, 80#!  I have dropped a 3rd grader, or possibly 4th, can't remember.  Makes it much easier to move I must say.  Going to the Y and working out now.  Most surprising?  I actually like it!  °♥ ˚

Clothes are fun.  Everything I own is too big now.  There are no more smaller sizes to move into.  But it's great to put something on and see it hanging loose.  Broke down and bought 2 shirts to wear for meetings and occasions. Will need to add more soon to the wardrobe.  I am down 3 or 4 sizes.  Into the sizes you can just walk in any store and find.  

Wooot!   / \ ˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。

Which brings us to the new joy in my life.  Shopping!  Boy is Bob worried.  I have no cute pictures to depict "worried" so I am just gonna do this.......((((((hugs for Bob))))))

It is so cool to be able to walk in stores and look at things without pain.  Focus on what you are there for......spending $$$!  LOL  I am trying hard to focus on Christmas and others, but I did end up with 2 new purses this month.  Oops.  ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。

So life is getting better in major ways.  Happy.  Thanks again for all the support!  It has been stellar!
Helps in ways you will only understand if you have been through something traumatic and life-changing. Okay most of you probably know that feeling.  That explains why you are SO good at it!  * ♥ ˚

Want to leave you with some pictures of my new quilt!  If you are a FB reader you have already seen this.  My cousin Judy Dallinger, along with John and Tim, surprised me with this gorgeous, unbelievable quilt that is a work of art!  She explained that since I can no longer eat the treats and comfort foods, she put them in a comfort quilt for me.  I absolutely love it!  I feel so humbled that she would put all of that thought, time and skill into creating this for me.  Thank you Judy!  

  ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★ℒℴѵℯ★

Nice teeth!

As you can see I am not good with pictures!  This is me, 3 months from surgery, down 70#.  Gotta say I feel MUCH better.  Would I recommend this to others?  No way. You have to be knocking on desperation's door to do this.  I had stumbled halfway through the door, so I think it was right for me.  But if you have any other way to do this, do it that way.  This is not pretty.  It's filled with frustration, pain, vomiting, misery and more frustration.  I look and feel like I've been drug through it.  Choose another way.  That's my advice.

On the positive side, I can walk more every day.  I join a wellness program @ the YMCA in Peru Friday.  The IVCH physical therapists work with you and develop an exercise plan, teach you how to use the machines and what to do in the therapy pool.  All it takes is permission from the doctor and $27/month.  Thank you Jolene for the tip!  I think exercise is the key to keeping the weight off.  It is scary how many people go through all this misery only to regain the weight.  Not happening to me!  No way.

Bob says I'm looking more like myself again.  And Shelby tells me how pretty I am.  LOL  She is so well trained, isn't she?  :)  She took the picture on the bottom and the top is a self portrait, like the kids do!  I only put it on because my teeth look so good.  LOL

Diana  <3