My name is Julie and I'm a recovering addict

Hello everyone my name is Julie and I'm an recovering addict. My addiction was food!! Its been 5 months since I had the Gastric Sleeve surgery and I've lost 61lbs. It's one of the best decisions I could have ever made. Since surgery I no longer take any kind of prescribed medications. This has been an incredible year for me. As my mother in law puts it, this is my season!! I lost my job in July after 8 years, went from part time college student to full time, had Gastric Sleeve surgery in July, turned 40 in November, and Shocker---> I had only 1 small plate of Thanksgiving food. Im also scheduled to graduate college this month. I dare not question God as to why things happen the way they do, because its his will. So with that being said, If the Lord never does anything else for me......
He's done enough!!!!

5 week post op update

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to give you a quick update.  I went today for my 5 week post op follow up visit.  I can't believe that its been 5 weeks already.  I got some really good news, my Dr. removed me from Exercise restriction and cleared me to eat whatever I wanted that was healthy.

Hubby and I joined the gym about 2 weeks ago and all I could do was walk on the treadmill so I was really excited to get the go ahead for different types of exercise.  We have been trying to go to the gym at least 2 to 3 times a week.

Did I bump my head?????

So today I decided to do a Zumba class.  Well it turns out this wasn't a beginners class so it kicked my behind.  I'm proud that I made it all the way to the end.  I wanna try it again because I'm sure it won't be as bad since this was the 1st time that I had did this class in years.

I have noticed in the last few weeks that the lbs slowed down but I am loosing inches.  I can't wait to see how much I have lost once I go back for my next followup in 6 weeks.  I am happy with my decision to do this surgery.  After the 1st week it was a breeze.  I thank God that I was required to be on a special diet and so I learned how to eat and drink for 6 months prior to surgery.  I thought that I would have had a problem waiting to drink 30 minutes after I ate, but it has turned out that it hasn't been a problem. I have been saving money on food when I eat out because I don't have to order a full meal.  Hubby and I went with the gang to Red Lobster this past weekend for the Endless Shrimp and I thought that this wasn't gonna be a good outing since all you can eat to me is a maybe 10 or less Shrimp, well it turns out that I showed my card that advised the manager that I had the surgery and she told me that her daughter and sister had also had the surgery and she understood and allowed me to eat Shrimp Scampi off of Mike's plate.  So it turns out we only had to pay for 1 Endless Shrimp.  I thank God for her understanding! Please continue to keep me in your prayers and I will update soon.

God Bless you all!!!!

3 week post op update

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to update you, I'm feeling  wonderful. I feel so much better and have lots of energy.  My mother in law came down from New York and cared for me.  I hated to see her leave.  Hubby and I  went to the gym on Saturday and I walked a mile on the treadmill.  The trainer didn't want to over do it since I haven't been removed from exercise restriction.  My Dr. did ok unlimited walking, so I have been doing a lot of walking.  I'm currently still eating soft foods.  I can only eat about 3 to 4 ounces of food at a time. So that's been my biggest adjustment. Hubby and I went to Red Lobster on Saturday and I ate off  his plate.  I had a serving of shrimp scampi and a couple bites of salad. He calls me a cheap date.  Lol. I wanna say that I appreciate all the calls, texts, IM'S and visits during my surgery.  It means a lot! 

7 days post op

Hello everyone I just wanted to update you, I went to the Dr. today for my 7 days post op followup.  This has been an incredible last 7 days.  Once all the anesthesia wore off, I have had so much energy. I went out everyday after coming home from the hospital on last Wednesday and got my walk on.  I am still shocked at my results.  Since last Monday's weigh in the morning before surgery and today at my appointment I have lost 16 lbs.  Since starting my weight loss journey in Feb I have now lost a total of 26.5 lbs. Now don't get me wrong the liquid diet was not one of my favorite things.  I really didn't have an appetite the 1st few days.  But that soon went away.  The Dr. wants to see me in 2 weeks and he moved me to soft foods today!!!!! Wohooooooo! So hopefully I won't start my stall period and I will continue to lose. In 2 weeks I am anticipating that he will remove me from the exercise restriction and to normal foods. Continue to keep me in your prayers as my story is still being written!

Got my groove back

Went out 2 days in a row. Feeling so much better. I believe I've got my groove back. Didn't take any pain meds today. I'm ready to start driving. Hopefully the Dr will allow me to when I go to see him on Wednesday. Thanks again for all your support!

Thanks for all the prayers, visits and calls.

Thanks for all the prayers, visits and calls.  I'm on my way home to rest.  Praying for an speedy recovery so I can go celebrate my Great Aunt's 100th bday celebration on Saturday.

Today is the day that the Lord has made. ..

Wohoo I completed my pre op diet.  Thank goodness I made it.  Surgery is in 3 1/2 hours.  Yesterday wasn't as bad as I thought.  I stayed really busy and tried to not think about not being able to eat. I made myself drink the broth and sugar free popsicles and jello was my motivators. I also took Jacob to Frankie's fun park and played some Laser Tag. Getting ready to leave to go to the hospital.  I have to be there at 5:30 am. God willing I will see you soon.

God bless you all!

Cleared for Surgery...........

Hello Friends and Family,

Feeling excited today because I finished my 10 day antibiotics. I struggled with those because I can't swallow pills without putting food in my mouth to get them to go down. I also went to my pre-operative assessment today. Thank goodness I didn't have to give anymore blood (not sure if I had any left after last blood that was drawn). I had to have an EKG, the results came out great.  So I have been cleared for surgery on Monday. I'm getting excited, but at the same time I'm not looking forward to the 2 night stay. This will be my 1st time staying overnight in the hospital so they better strap me down.  Again keep me in your prayers and I will update this blog within a few days. 

Thanks so much to all my supporters.  Words can't express how much it means to me.

Grateful!!!!

10 days till surgery....5 days of pre-op diet

Greetings...
I'm 5 days in on my pre-op diet.  I've adjusted and discovered some new things during the last 5 days. SUGAR FREE ISN'T THAT BAD!!! For some reason I assumed sugar free meant it wasn't sweet.  I tried some sugar free popsicles, jello and pudding and it was actually good.  Jacob even liked it. This has been a big change especially since I can't  eat fried foods, potatoes, rice, and pasta.

But I'm hanging in there. 

Say a prayer for me so that I continue to be strong.

Work in progress

Motivated....

Lunch today!!!!

Started my 2 week pre-op diet today

So I started my 2 week pre-op diet today.   It wasn't that bad as I have been preparing myself for it. I had a great weekend and ended it with getting one of my favorite meals.  Popeye's...Goodness just think 2 weeks from today I will start a new chapter in my life.  I know that things will change tremendously but I'm up for a challenge. 

Please keep me in your prayers!

1 of my favorite meals......
my friends know when I travel this is a must have for me...

This was my breakfast....

This was my lunch......

Surgery date.....1st visit with the Dr.

So I went to meet my Dr. this am who will be doing my surgery that is tentatively scheduled for Monday July 22nd. He's really nice and young. All I could think about was Mariah from Married to the Medicine.  Maybe I could introduce him to my sister. Lol he told me that his birthday is also on the 22nd. He ordered some blood work.  So they took about 8 vials of blood. Didn't realize I had that much to give them! I'm getting excited now, I start my 2 week pre op diet on Sunday. So I need to find the nearest Popeyes chicken when I get to Columbia.  Everyone please enjoy your holiday and safe travels.  Bless you! ****my dietitian warned me about patients over doing it and she has seen some of them gaining weight while waiting for the surgery**** 

My 1st visit to the psychiatrist

Greetings!!!
So today I went to have my mental exam to make sure I'm mentally prepared for this life changing event. The encounter with the  psychiatrist was very different from what I had seen on tv. I expected to go in and lay on the couch and be asked some questions that I may not like. I called my Mother while I was on the way there and for the ones that know her, knows she's a mess, but she says don't go see them they might say you are CRAZY!!!  Lol, but I go on Wednesday to see the Dr. so hopefully I will get my results and my surgery date.

Bless you all!!!!

WHY????

WHY????

So everyone wants to know WHY I decided to have surgical weight loss surgery?  Well the real reason is because of my recent loss of multiple family members on both sides.  This was my wake up call to me that LIFE is not a game and that I must make sure that I live right Spiritually and that I need to take care of this Temporary body that I have while I am here on this earth.  I am turning 40 in November and I reflect back to when I lost my Father due to him being morbidly obese.  I can remember my daddy's weight going up and and up and up and then he passed at the age of 43 due to complications that was associated with his weight.  I used to think that 43 years of age was old age until now when I'm about to turn 40. Now don't get me wrong It's not all my daddys fault, because my Mother was a heavy set person in her younger years. So I believe its combined genetics. She has since gotten older and has lost weight to keep her diabetes under control.  I have accomplished so much in life and done so many exciting things that I look back on now and can only Thank God for allowing me to make it this far.  I have a loving husband, friends and family who will love me no matter how big I am.  With that being said I was diagnosed years ago with having high blood pressure.  I take a low dosage pill every day of my life.  I have always been told that I was pre-diabetic and I have been taking a pill for years to keep me from getting it as long as I kept my weight in check.  There is no way that I want to have to take insulin shots for the rest of my life.  So this is the time for me to get it right!!!! Also after surgery there is a chance that all of my conditions may be removed.  I see that my weight has increased in the last 20 years.  I was never a big child growing up and for people that really know me, they know I don't eat too too crazy. I mean I am not sitting around eating buffets every week and double cheeseburgers and pizza on a daily basis.  That's just not me! My main goal is to be around just a little longer so I can be a loving wife and watch Jacob and my nieces and nephews, and my little cousins and friends kids grow up.  I hear this all the time "just cut back what you eat and you can loose it" and "start exercising".  Well here is the deal I don't believe anyone that is overweight wakes up on a daily basis and says I WANT TO BE FAT!!!! If they do they are crazy.  That's never been my goal.  I was very active for years with playing softball but the weight continued to come on. So my time is ticking down and I am scheduled to have this surgery during the 2nd week in July. I ask for continued support, God Bless you all and please continue to pray for me!!!!

My father and I before he passed

Teenage years

Taken in April 2013 during my prep for surgery

Please walk with me on this new journey

Hello everyone, this has been a interesting last 2 years of my life.  I have had some up's and down's.  I have lost some close family members that I loved so much and this was motivation for me to get my health in check. I also reached my highest weight. This was a eye opener because I want to be here as long as my God wants me to be.  While I am using this temporary body I want to ensure that I take care of it.  This is why I decided to have Surgical Weight loss.  I have been visiting my dietitian for the last 5 months.  During this time I have mentally and physically changed what and the way I eat.  I have lost a total of 13 lbs since I started my visits with my dietitian.  My weight has always been up and down for the last 20 years.  I have tried fab diets, going the gym, and changed the way I have eaten.  I am scheduled to have the surgery next month.

I only wanted to share this journey with a few.  I am requesting your prayers during this new chapter of my life.  Love you all!!!!