Anita's life altering journey....

[Anita]

Okay everyone,

This is the beginning of my prepping for surgery. and I want to unload some things off of my chest (not my boobs though! I'd like to keep those just the way they are.).....

I've yo-yo'd all my life w/weight, but have NEVER gotten this extreme. I would like to list some of the pros & cons that have effected my life due to my weight gain:

I won't have to buy bicyle shorts to wear under my skirts to keep my thighs form rubbing together & causing a rash & then having to walk around in a straddled position as if I've just dismounted a horse for the first time. I also won't have to invest in doctor-perscribed cream for said rash as well.

I can't wait for the day when I WON't tear up photos of myself & actually be able to admire them again for the person I am (inside & out). And...get to the weight where I WAN'T to have a profesional family portrait taken. Before my girls are too old & I have to hire "stand-in kids".

I won't be able to use the joke: Inside of me is a skinny woman just begging to get out, but I can usually shut the bitch up w/cookies.

I won't be calling myself "big mama" anymore & will have to come up w/a new kick-butt name.

I won't miss using the handicap bathroom stall & having to straddle the toilet to wipe, feeling like I look like a giraffe when it drinks from a watering hole. Discriptive, I know, but it is what it is folks. I've always wondered why big women that weren't hadicapped at all used the hadicap stalls. Now I know.

I can't wait for the day when I will feel comfortable enough to go horseback riding w/out feeling that I HAVE to ask for a Draft horse. Note: One day I will own a Percheron horse & not because they can handle heavy weight, but because they are gentle giants.

I will be able again to go on a kiddie roller coaster w/my children w/out having to drape my legs in the empty car in front of us & praying that when the ride stops, my husband can easily extract me.

I've never, in all my life been able to do a split. Although I've come very close, this is on my "things to do before I die" list.

I can't wait for the day when I can bend over to tie my sneakers again without having to come up gasping for air because I wansn't able to tie them fast enough.

I also can't wait to be in good enough shape to start riding my bicycle again w/out looking as if I'm riding w/no seat!

I am also looking forward to attending karate classes for adults, once I stretch & feel more limber. This goes for skiing as well. Which I'm sure I'll be in tip-top shape once my girls are old enough & ready to ski.

I also can't wait to "down-size" the size of my underwear. You know you need help when you toss your underwear across the room to the hamper & they open up in mid-air & float to the floor like an open parachute!!! My husband & I just stood there in shock watching it sway back & forth as it floated to the ground. We had such a laugh over that & the only thing that was misssing was a green plastic parra-trooper! It never happened again since & you certainly can't make this stuff up.

I also can't wait to sit in a plastic garden chair w/out fear of it breaking or giving out. The same can be said for sitting in chairs w/arms & having the arms dig into my hips. OH!!!! And....sitting in a plane!!! My husband & I won't have to take turns eating because of lack of arm space!

One of the things I mostly look forward to...is being able to take a bath w/the waterline up to my chin!!! Ok, I'm not even going to go there except to say that I won't be needing to use one of the girls' sand pails to pour water over my neck & shoulders.

I also look forward to driving my car w/out having the steeringwheel rub on top of my thighs every time I turn.

I love to sprint, but I'm looking forward to being able to enjoy running w/out feeling like a Shar Pei dog w/all those wrinkles that, when I stop, I have to wait for my fat to catch up to me!

Last, but not least...I pray my bras will hold out for 3 more months after surgery (and then, I will BURN them!). The darn things are so bloody expensive & no matter how you adjust the straps, I'm constantly pulling them onto my shoulders throughout the day! In other words, I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE MY SHOULDERS BACK AGAIN!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh....I feel much better & will continue adding onto this thread as my surgery date nears & thereafter.

Anita

January 26, 2007
I took my 2 year old to her class @ Creative Play in Quogue & for a girl who wanted nothing to do w/the trampoline & zip-line in the past, was sure making up for lost time. Parents usually go on the trampoline & sit on the rail while the kiddies are jumping around. Allison climbs up the steps & crawls onto the mat & looks back @ me all excited to come in & join her too
(I was so hoping that she'd be ok w/me just standing outside & supporting her, but I was wrong). Not to be the fat mom that won't participate & dissapoint my angel....Oh wait! Let me mentally paint this picture for you.....I'm wearing a brown cotton skirt w/white ankle socks & a sweater (my now normal dress). As I delicately crawl in smiling, I roll onto the center of the trampoline, skirt in air!!! I sure pulled that sucker down in a flash. Well, getting in was a lot easier than getting out. Allsion went in 4 times!!! I finally got smart & learned my lesson to tuck my skirt between my legs as I got in. Whew!
Waiting for the day when I can comfortably wear leggings once again & enter & exit the trampoline w/out making a production of it.
Will keep you posted as more "Anita's Laws" occur.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007
I'm getting our 4 yr old ready for pre-k & asked if she brushed her "dragon breath" from her mouth? She comes over all smiles & blows on me at which point I fall back onto the bed as if she's killed me w/her breath. We find this very funny & continue two more times until I'm laying on the bed w/the worst left leg charlie horse I've ever experienced!!! My husband is laughing hysterically as I'm rubbing, punching & doing everything I can think of to rid this pain. Once it was all over, we all had a good laugh. Hmmmmm......

[Regina]

Anita I have to tell you that you hit home on so many of the things you said in your post.

I felt a lot of those things too before surgery.

I am 3 years and 4 months out. I have to tell you that it is the best thing that I ever did for myself. You in time will be able to do all those things that are on you’re to do list. Hang in there and in time it will all be happening so fast that your head might spin.

Just follow everything that Dr. Allam, Pat and Nanette tell you to do to get to have the surgery. It’s a road that can be a little bumpy when starting out but then again with the way our lives are that’s nothing for us. It might start off like that but it will turn out ok in the end. As long as you follow everything to a T it will.

Do whatever it is that you need to do to get the surgery no matter what it is. After the surgery make sure you follow the plan. Don't try to take short cuts or think that you can eat certain things before you should be. Just follow that plan it works and it will work for you and anyone if you do what you are suppose to do. Make sure you go for your follow up visits with Dr. Allam. Don't think that cause you are feeling ok that it is ok to miss them cause they are not. It is very important for the first year especially to go. Get the blood work done that he tells you to. Make sure you try to attend the support meetings. Don't let people tell you oh you don't need them your doing just fine. They are a great way of keeping in touch with people that are walking in your shoes and who have walked in them. We are there for each other along with Dr. Allam, Pat and Nanette. So try to come before and after.

You are on the right road now so stay on it all the way. I wish you all the luck and make sure you speak with Nanette about our Angel program that we have. It is where someone will always be there for you. Along with all of us here. But it is someone that you can personally count on to call or email. Also let her know when it is time if you want visitors in the hospital. There are a few of us that have gone to see people after surgery so just let Nanette know.

Good luck to you and if you need anything feel free to contact me. Post here also someone is always around to answer questions.

[mssfire]

I'm sitting here glad I'm sitting down because I'm laughing AND crying at the same time....my god....I think I was reincarnated in your body!!!!!!!!!!! Or you've been reincarnated in MINE!!!!!!! You've put on paper just about everything that I bet all of us have gone thru one time or another--(INCLUDING the floating underwear--LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ) You have a fantastic outlook on things....just keep that and I KNOW you'll be fine. Call me if you want a buddy...cell is 631-493-4947 and home is 631-283-5272, and let me know if you want some company @ the hospital when you go...I'm only 10 minutes away.

And for god's sake...KEEP THE ATTITUDE YOU HAVE! IT'S FABULOUS!

[NCatena]

Anita,

To quote a sign in my daughter's store, "I laughed so hard I had tears streaming down my legs"!!! :oÞ

Keep up that attitude!!

Nanette

[Risbie]

Anita, That was really great!!! You summed up so much of what I feel.. I too am scheduled for surgery in February. I am so excited and eager to begin to LIVE again.... to stop hiding behind everyone in photos, to not be ashamed to do things that "normal" people get to do in public... I actually had a scene at Hershey Park with a group of my Girl Scouts where they had to stop the Great Bear rollercoaster ride so they could re-arrange my group into the ONE larger sized chair they had..... All eyes were on me .. But I promised my Girls that I would ride it right next to them (it was their first time on such a scary coaster). I took that humiliation to hold my promise to the girls... I cannot wait to ride all the thrill rides again and not fear them popping open or breaking! Most of all I cannot wait to stand next to my daughter for her High School graduation photos in June 2008 and be the the same size I was in High School... Thanks for sharing your words and humor... Debbie
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[sarrah345]

WOW! What a post! It's so great!

I have my surgery in 11 days and really anxious and excited at the same time.

I wish I could write up a to do list, like you did. When I have a little more time, I will!

I'm looking forward to getting my health back, and ultimately, my life back!

That's my main focus right now. I do have other things I can't wait to do or have happen, but health and life are my priority #1!

My surgery is on Monday, February 12. When is yours?

I can't wait to hear from you again, and I hope and wish the best for you!

Hugs,
Cathy Monsell
sarrah345@aol.com

[Anita]

Hi Cathy,

My surgery date is March 12th. I'm very, very excited. In fact, I just came back from my family doctor's visit & I gained 12lbs in 6 weeks!!! Meantime, I go in there all sure of myself thinking that I lost. I got scolded by my doctor. Ok, so I need to cut out all the stuff that got me fat(large coloa slushees & large onion rings w/extra dipping sauce @ BK).

I will definately come visit you in the hospital & I PROMISE......I won't bring you a box of get well chocolates!!! Well, maybe the rubber kind. Boy, come to think of it, we can't even get fruit baskets!!! How about an entire meal w/dessert from Gerber or Beechnut? How funny does that sound?!

It'll only be for a little while & by the time we have those eating habits down to a science, I'm hoping to NEVER go back to sugar. It'll be like quitting smoking & just not being able to have just 1 puff. So, it's do or die & we'll be doing like everyone else who've conquered their bad eating demons.

Lotsa luck & I'll see you soon!

Anita

[Anita]

I think we should get a group of us & go to Coney Island Amusement Park the first or second weekend in September & celebrate our losses by riding The Cyclone & Wonder Wheel!!! Ha! Debbie, what would your girlscout troup say then?! It's one of the last ever-changing old-time wooden roller coasters & it DOESN'T have "special" seats for large people! Just a thought.

Lots of luck on your "new life". I know you're in good hands. You better be, I'm next!! hahaha Please let me now your date so I can come visit.

Sincerely,
Anita

[Anita]

Now I know just what to bring you in the hospital!!! Your own pen & stationary so you can start writing your "to do" list!!! You'll have at least 3 days to do it! Ok, and I'll even bring the Gerber/Beechnut 5 course meal. Yummy! :)

I'm not going to wish you good luck, because luck has nothing to do with it & you've already started your road to a better life & lifestyle.
Sincerely,
Anita

[Sissy]

Count me in for the roller coasters!!! I love "em!! Going to be so nice to do that kind of stuff again. I've already got a date with my Nephew for Splish Splash this summer. Working on my horsey connections & looking into skiing with my Daughter for next winter. So much to look forward to!! Darla

[Anita]

Excellent Darla!!!

I think it'll be a blast as well as a form of liberation from flubberation! I can't wait! I think we should get a list of people together & go on at least 4 quarterly adventurous outings a year (winter, spring, summer & fall). Each simple, but fun & exciting all the same.

Keep up, or should I say down, the good work Darla!

Anita

[Anita]

Ok, just to let you all know...My surgery date is March 12th! Whew! Yes, like everyone else, I never thought I'd get here. Tomorrow, my husband & I will attempt to take the girls ice skating once again. I just HOPE there's a bench this time where I can lace up my skates. At this point with all the breaths I hold in bending over to tie my shoes, I figure I'd be a good candidate for "free diving" once I loose my weight! hahaha.
I also purchased a metal detector for my birthday (something I've always wanted).
I've also made a promise to myself on this years family trip to Rocking Horse Ranch (feb 13, 14 & 15).... That no matter how much I love a leisure western horseback ride, I'll give the poor beasts a break & not ride. But next year....yeeeeeeehawwwwwwww!!!!
Will keep you posted.
Anita
P.S. My surgery is on March 12th & I purchased tickets for the family for Ringling Bros. Circus @ Nassau Collisium for Saturday March 17th because my daughter will be 2 on March 18th. My hubby thinks I'm nuts (HA!!! He finally realizes what he married! Too funny!!!). I think I'll be fine as long as I don't carry the little one & take it easy. Geeze! my last C-section I came home a day early & left the baby home w/hubby (for some bonding time) & took my then 2 year old to Babys-R-Us in Patchougue to do some exchanging. I supported myself with the shopping cart & walked slowly (in my houseshoes no less!!) & was fine. Ok, until I couldn't get out of bed the next morning & just needed a full day of bed rest. But, I was fine!
So, I guess what I'm trying to find out here, is what kind of recovery time have other people had. And what were they able to do within a few days of being home.
Thank you,
Anita

[Risbie]

Anita, I am scheduled for February 15th. I am excited! I am so up for that Roller Coaster Ride!!!! I rode that way back when I was a teenager!
I hope to see you at the February support meeting

Debbie

[Regina]

Ok, just to let you all know...My surgery date is March 12th! Whew! Yes, like everyone else, I never thought I'd get here. Tomorrow, my husband & I will attempt to take the girls ice skating once again. I just HOPE there's a bench this time where I can lace up my skates. At this point with all the breaths I hold in bending over to tie my shoes, I figure I'd be a good candidate for "free diving" once I loose my weight! hahaha.
I also purchased a metal detector for my birthday (something I've always wanted).
I've also made a promise to myself on this years family trip to Rocking Horse Ranch (feb 13, 14 & 15).... That no matter how much I love a leisure western horseback ride, I'll give the poor beasts a break & not ride. But next year....yeeeeeeehawwwwwwww!!!!
Will keep you posted.
Anita
P.S. My surgery is on March 12th & I purchased tickets for the family for Ringling Bros. Circus @ Nassau Collisium for Saturday March 17th because my daughter will be 2 on March 18th. My hubby thinks I'm nuts (HA!!! He finally realizes what he married! Too funny!!!). I think I'll be fine as long as I don't carry the little one & take it easy. Geeze! my last C-section I came home a day early & left the baby home w/hubby (for some bonding time) & took my then 2 year old to Babys-R-Us in Patchougue to do some exchanging. I supported myself with the shopping cart & walked slowly (in my houseshoes no less!!) & was fine. Ok, until I couldn't get out of bed the next morning & just needed a full day of bed rest. But, I was fine!
So, I guess what I'm trying to find out here, is what kind of recovery time have other people had. And what were they able to do within a few days of being home.
Thank you,
Anita

I sure hope that you will be able to make it to the circus. Just be careful not to over do it also. Although we tell people to walk I’m not sure if I would be attempting going to the circus 5 days after surgery. That is me though. Everyone is different. I also had to C - Sections and I still think that it was different then that. Good luck to you on your journey to a better healthier you.

PS...... I went to Rocking Horse Ranch


























In 1974 for my senior trip. com.hap26

[Sissy]

Anita, You might be able to make the circus, but I know I couldn't have done it. Although I have done many things thought impossible when my kids needed me. I was quite a wimp for a while post-op & I also had two C-sections which I found to be very different than the bypass. I also liked to be near home in case nature called quickly !!! Good luck on your surgery & I wish you the best post-op too!!! Darla

[Anita]

Thanks for the feedback ladies. I have isle seats, mezzanine. I'll be sure to wear Depends that day. Heck!!! If some love-struck astronut can get caught by the police wearing Depends, why shouldn't I be able to wear them to the circus!!! Oh Gosh...this is sounding bad isn't it? hahahaha

Ok, just got back from 3 days of our Valentine family vacation. I avoided the indoor pool at all costs & as much as I tried to squeeze through the padded poles of the ball pit obstacle course like every other parent w/their child, I couldn't. But, you gotta give me credit for trying!
We also had a nice family road trip up. I LOVE road trips! I was showing the girls how we make friends w/the eighteen-wheeler drivers by asking them to pull their horns while we make a closed fist as we pretend to pull our pretend horns. Well, the drivers blew their horns, the girls & I yahoo'd & my husband was in charge of getting their attention as I pulled along side them on the thruway. Now that's teamwork!!! Who needs headsets & portable DVD players!
Did some snow-tubing & snow angels, danced w/the girls & watched amazing magic shows! The girls were so excited that they got to pet the "magic" bunnies after the show.

Will keep you posted. Anita