Well this time last year I was at Shawnee Mission Medical Center groggy as all get out. I started my weight loss journey at 396lbs in Sept 2011. I went through a lot personally and financially and I turned to food for comfort. I became a BIG sussie homemaker... lol. I didn't realize how big I had gotten until it wouldn't register on a scale at Walgreens. I kept getting dizzy and having hot flashes. I found out that due to all the weight I had put on my blood sugar was low. And for many of people that is the begining stages of diabetes.

I went to see Dr. Smolen she perscribed me phentermine. My body had a hard time adjusting to phentermine, I was constipated, back aches, heart palpatations, mood swings, you name it... I went from 396 to 360 before I finally stopped taking those pills due to all the side effects. (Around Dec 2011) Jan 2012 I went to a seminar at KC Bariatric and chose Dr. Hoehn to be my surgeon. I had to do a 6 month supervised diet (3 month's were from Dr. Smolen), a psychiatric clearence, a EGD scope, and a nutrition class on living after the surgery.

July 2012 I weighed 378 (yes I put back on weight after I stopped taking phentermine). As a insurance requirement you can't be over 350 the day of surgery so I had one month to drop 28lbs!!! YIKES! But I did it with protein shakes and soup for a month. The day of surgery I was 347! With ton's of stalls and a few back slides today I am at 244. My goal is to be at 200. Yes I still have a ways to go but when I see where I cam from I am glad I am where I am.

This journey has had it's up's and down's but WAY more UPS! I wish I could eat salad (my new tummy doesn't like it) and spicy food is now a BIG NO NO! I did give up pasta, and rice except for every blue moon. I also gave up beef and pork. I learned to say NO to carbonated drinks! I have definately made some significant changes since I started this journey.

I am still only eating small portions. I was afraid that my stomach would streatch but rest assured that I still can't eat more than 1 cup of food and that's only if it's soft. If it's a solid like meat I can eat about 6oz.

I had a vitamin deficency of B1 (I was becoming dizzy again) thought I had developed high blood pressure after surgery... I now take a B-Complex vitamin, Biotin(for hair loss around my edges), a multi vitamin, and Iron glucconate(my iron was low before surgery). When I first found out I was low on B1 I took B1 pills and it actually kick started my weight loss again.

I have also learned that I am a mental eater. I want to eat so I eat instead of being hungry when I eat. I have a decent handle over it now but not perfect. Some times I fall short but I am human!

Do I regret the sleeve? NO, I wish my insurance at my old job would have covered it. I would have had it sooner! If you are considering this surgery I HIGHLY recommend it!

Even though I am not done with my journey yet I am close to the finish line!

Have a Blessed Day! I am!!!