fatkat

Twenty- fours Months and Counting

2011-08-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Shame on me for keeping you readers leaning on the edge of your seats for my word and not writing for months. (not) Actually a combination of things have happened to me since having my weight loss surgery. First of all my attitude, mental thinking and food preferences have changed. In seminar, the staff warned about this and they weren't kidding. I have had events happen that have been both good and bad. I guess pushed back into the deep recesses of my mind I was thinking that after having gastric bypass in August of 2009,that my surgery was going to “magically” fix my life? No I am not being facetious when I say this, just perceptions of unexpected expectations have shifted from that of being a obese woman to being a thin woman boarding on anorexic (my husband swears I am nowhere near that.) The woman inside hasn't changed, I am still the same ol' gal some of you know, love,hate, envy or despise. Yes, I'd still milk a cow if given the chance.

I get up every morning looking into the bathroom mirror knowing that the woman I am staring at is somehow related to me. Same bluish-grey eyes, an old scar on the left laugh line and reddish-blond hair with slight greying around the temples.Of all things, I favor my grandmother Nina Calvert. The biggest thing that stands out, is my throat, neck and shoulders. Thin shoulders that slope to a case of mild chicken wings,(not BQ) and skin so thin because there is the absence of fat padding my medium frame, that I turn blue with every small bump. Looking down, my boobs have divorced me and I can actually see my feet without sucking in my gut. Given that overall, I think I look pretty good. Nothing to write home about, but enough for someone who knows me to walk up to me and ask me have I been ill? I smile and politely tell them no I had surgery. Some people think they know me and have the OMG look on their face, When I am finished explaining, they usually nod, smile and ask “Do you feel better? Would I do it again?” I don't hesitate when I tell them “Yes I would.”

My mind drifts back to my surgery date of August 17, 2009. I was a fifty-two year old woman with numerous health problems, I stood a good weight of two-hundred and ninety-three pounds. I am only 5'4 and was wearing 2X-3X in clothing, struggling to breathe with every step while both my knees were killing me. One thing you can't change is genetics, there are those family traits you will have passed on that you have no control over. An example would be that my mom has Type II Diabetes, congestive heart failure and blood pressure problems, she developed those problems due to the fact she just quit moving around to stay healthy and became a couch potato. Sadly at age eighty, she is confined to a wheel chair and most of her daily care is by attendants. I was bound and determined NOT to wind up like her. I love my mother, no question of that. My mother's failing health is was gave me the incentive to have weight loss surgery and to start living a healthier lifestyle.

Since having surgery twenty-four months ago my weight has dropped by about one-hundred and twenty five pounds (almost one whole person.) I am now wearing a size 14-16 in pants and 12-14 in tops. When I go shopping, I go to the regular ladies department instead of the Plus Size. Old habits die hard, I still walk into the larger stalls in restrooms and giggle when I realize that I don't have to.... anymore. Funny how you get used to a way of living and then one thing or event, can change the whole thing. Hmmmm... events.

Good things! Let me focus on the positive things. I am doing some acting and stand up comedy as a middle-aged Southern woman. Maude Ellen Brooks is a character of mine. Maude is nosy, widowed and a gossip, worse than any coon dog. Being “Maude” gives me an outlet for my shenanigans. I think there has always been an actress inside me trying to get out. I love entertaining people and making them smile. Just this morning, I had to kick Maude in the rump to make her crawl back into the closet, she shot me a sign before I slammed the door in her face. Just the first part of this year I have signed with talent agents, never thought that would happen. For the first time I my life I am getting some respect, it's a shame that it took losing some weight before people acknowledge you have talent. People should love us for WHO we are, not WHAT we are. I can only hope this entry and the ones to come will inspire others to reach out for things. Come out of your shell and share a laugh with others. You won't know what talents you have until you get your feet wet. Come on, the waters fine.

"Out Of The Cocoon Into The Lime Light"

2011-03-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

I don't normally post on this blog every week. I reckon I should, I have had so many exciting things opening up for me. Not only has my angel changed, we have both come out of our Spring cocoons, spread our wings and let them dry in the warm sunshine. My angel and I are 18 months out from having our weight loss surgery, the day WE were both reborn. Miss Beverly is doing things, I'll have to let her share her news. I have been doing some media work and if you would of told me 5-6 years ago that I would be doing things like auditioning for commercials for actually being in them, I would of told you that you were crazy. My husband said I have had those talents all along, that I just needed that "push" to get me going. I have always been a clown, I have developed a character to let out the "demons" in me, the character is named: Maude Ellen Brooks, a fictitious person. I seem to have always cut up and been the a person that didn't know a stranger. I have always been friendly and of course along with that I have at times been taken advantage of. Today I am just updating some of my sites and returning correspondence with others. Today I smile because I am a healthier me, in mind and soul.

Nearing The Goal

2011-02-22T12:43:00.000-08:00

February 21, 2011

Wow how time flies when you are regaining your life. I underwent RNY gastric bypass surgery August 17, 2009. At that time I was tipping the scale at 424 pounds. I stand 5 foot 11 inches tall so let's just say that I was a really big gal! Along with being morbidly obese, I was seriously ill. From A to Z, there probably was something wrong with me beginning with those letters. The simple act of getting across the room was a big struggle. The breathing problems, the joint problems, the mass of body weight I was carrying, all made the decision to have gastric bypass my best possible answer.

Today I am 188 pounds lighter and nearing my intended goal of 200 pounds of weight lost. I wore 5x clothes back then. Now I am wearing size 16 and 18. Many of my health problems are gone. Some are nearly gone and let us say that the pharmacy is missing my $1000.00 plus per month!
I have been supported by a wonderful husband, family, church family and friend who went through the same process with me and remains my true support angel. This journey is a real trip. There have been bumps in the road to recovery and there have been many times that I am still not being recognized by folks that have known me for years. For goodness sakes, some times I wonder who that woman is in the mirror or even in that photo.

The one problem that I continue to battle is the depression and anxiety that have plagued me most of my adult life. Even though I continue to get counseling and see a mental health provider on a regular basis, this battle goes on.
I know that gastric bypass has given me a chance to live a lot longer and healthier life. I also know that the procedure is only a tool and I must adhere to a life style change for the rest of my days in order to get the full benefit of that tool.

By: Beverly Kelly

February 21, 2011

16 Months Out From RNY Gastric Bypass-The Heifer Has Been Broken

2011-02-21T05:04:00.000-08:00

When I began this journey I was 293 pounds the day of my surgery, wearing 2X-3X in clothing or 22-24-26 in the plus size department.. I had RNY gastric bypass on August 17, 2009. I have written several posts on other blogs about "Having to take the heifer by the horns." You can find those articles by using the title.

I had been overweight for most all of my adult life. I was suffering from several chronic health conditions related to my being overweight.(High blood pressure, looking at becoming a Diabetic, bad knees, shortness of breath criticism from family)Today, (February 21, 2011, I am 16 months out from my surgery date, almost like being re-born. Any of you that have the gastric bypass, have gone through "the tunnel" so to speak. I look at it like riding a horse pulling a pack mule coming through a train tunnel or mountain pass. You go through the tunnel, once you get there, you throw a couple of sticks of dynamite back behind you to destroy any chance of you going back that way, because aren't going to go that way ever again.

The journey hasn't been easy, at times all I wanted to do was curl up and die. I had some depression, issues and fought through them with a good husband. Having a friend who had surgery when I did made a lot of differences, at least we could call each other for advise. The effects of having this surgery, really changes a lot of things, not only are you losing weight, wondering who the women in the mirror is, your sense of smell and taste are jacked up. People at functions just don't understand when you tell them you can't eat this or eat that they think you are being a snob and you really aren't. I have had people come up to me and ask "Is that you?" I usually nod my head and they say "You look really great!" I tell them thank you.

I get these questions ALL the time:

1st of these are: "Would you do it again?" Yes, even though I had a few complications right after the surgery. 2nd- "How do you feel?" Most days I feel alright. some days I am tired. 3rd- "How expensive was it?" enough. I get asked the most about my general health and then of course my clothes started NOT fitting me. If you are smart you will go to 2nd hand stores and by cheap clothes while you are losing the weight. I went from a size 22-26 to down to 12-14 in clothing. I haven't worn those sizes since I was 12-16 years old, and here I am 52 years old and people can't believe I am 52. I don't either most days. It's nice to be able to walk with waddling like a duck or being short of breath. I still have a few physical issues that need to be addressed, I guess with time I will get those fixed. I am just glad I am helping others through my journey. Check Out "Fat Kat" my healthier living site. you'll see the progress we have made. If you have a story about your weight loss, share it with us at "Fat Kat."

Why I Had Gastric Bypass

2010-07-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

For over 4 years I tipped the scale over 400 pounds. For the majority of 2008 I was unable to walk more than 50 yards without holding onto something to keep from crashing to the ground. It was difficult to breathe at rest and extreme difficult to breathe with any movement of my massive body. My body hurt and back ached like a toothache. My knees were so painful that injections were regular and I was on pain medicine every 4 to 6 hours.
After going through an extremely painful holiday season I went to my family doctor for some help. He asked me " Have you considered gastric bypass, you have got to get some of the weight off in order to help those knee joints and your back. It is silly to think any other treatment will help."
As a matter of fact I had started researching Gastric Bypass, great minds think alike. I was being treated for high blood pressure, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Lupus, depression and anxiety disorder to name a few. My pharmacy bill each month was nearly $1000.00. With all this I needed help, I was literally losing my life to morbid obesity. In my research I found out that my insurance would possibly pay for the surgery if the doctors who were treating me could refer me for the procedure. As I talked to each of them I found that everyone was in agreement. I then contacted a Medical Center with 100 miles of my home and began the process of regaining the life that I was loosing.
We attended an informational class first. I say we because I insisted that my husband go with me. You must have the support of your spouse and family to take on this journey. You also must be firmly committed to a new life that is not a temporary change. The head, the heart and the body all have to be made up that this is the direction that you will go. At the end of the class we were given an option to set up an appointment to come into the Weight Management Center for a consultation. This gets us up to February 2009. After that step is finished I was confirmed as a candidate and the process was rolling. It took some time to get letters from all of my doctors and to get pre-surgery tests done.
As each step was completed, time flying by, my daily struggles went on. When everything was completed the insurance clerk contacted me with the " Beverly, you are approved for the surgery, we need to get you in for two more classes one more doctor visit and we have set your surgery date for August 17, 2009!"

Today, I am healthier and happier!

2010 Guest Writer: Beverly Kelly

My Life Before I Had Weight Loss Surgery

2010-07-28T06:37:00.001-07:00

I won't paint you a pretty picture, because my life up until a year ago wasn't. Sure I had good and bad times. The good was good, the bad was bad... very bad. Before I had weight loss surgery I was a very miserable person. I had low self-esteem and low self-worth. Some people would treat me indifferently, rudely and I felt and looked ugly. Though I knew my husband loved me, I felt "unlovable."

Every day was a battle because I had several health conditions directly related to my being a heavy woman, partly from my genetic make up. I had chronic high blood pressure, hypothyroid, a strong family history for developing Diabetes.My knees hurt from the weight I carried, they both had been operated on. I was short of breath most all the time from the exertion of toting around the extra weight. Depression was my constant friend, at the times of my lowest moments, I thought I would be better off... dead. I was THAT miserable.Looking into the mirror I saw myself as nice looking, the bigness of me overshadowed that.

The years had come and gone of trying to use one weight loss program after another, nothing had worked, it was a losing battle. I desperately sought approval several times from a family member, all I received was the pain of "mentally" being knocked down, the message was clear, I deserved no love unless I was thin. Where was I to turn? Food was my quick fix, it was my comfort food. It was easier to submerge myself into cookies, chips or chocolate to relieve the loneliness I felt. The fact that I was a talented photographer and writer didn't mean a whole lot then, most people wouldn't take me seriously because I was overweight. The bigger me, smiled on the outside and cried on the inside. I knew things were missing from my life and being fatigued all the time only added to my depression.

(1st post of blog Fat Kat)

Photo: *Copyright 2009 Melanie Calvert Benton

*Photo shows me at almost 300 pounds, August 6, 2009

Welcome To The Fat Kat Blog Site

2010-07-26T05:31:00.001-07:00

*Fat Kat Blog is part of the website: http://www.fatkat.us I chose to blog separate from the site as not to detour anyone from seeking information on how they can live a healthier lifestyle (mentally & physically) maintain or change their weight goal, or seeking information related to their personal health issues. For me, this blog will allow the reader to "see inside" how my life has evolved from one of despair about my obesity, to a life that has been drastically altered due to my decision to have surgery to improve my quality of life. More to come soon!

*Fat Kat Warning:

Weight loss attempts and/or modifications are serious life changes that require professional medical attention before starting and constant monitoring during the program. The information provided on this site, is not to be considered as medical advice, nor a substitute for competent medical assistance during weight loss efforts. The information provided is with the implied understanding that changes in your lifestyle should be attempted only as directed by your physician and/or health-care-professional.