A New Beginning
Nov 25th 2008
Sabrina JeffriesMy Life As A Plebe & Sabrina Jeffries
I’m planning to drink my way through this holiday. I really don’t have a choice. You see, two weeks ago, I had gastric bypass surgery.
Yep, I took the plunge. I saw the writing on the wall and applied for the program nearly a year ago. Even up until the time of the surgery, I wasn’t sure I would go through with it. I’d lost 42 pounds on my own by then. But although it had taken me eight months to lose the first 38, the last 4 had taken three and a half months, and I was hungry the whole time. Plus, I’d lost large amounts of weight in the past–50 pounds once, 60 another time. That wasn’t even counting the 20 pounds here, thirty pounds there. I had always put them back on eventually. I decided I was tired of fighting with it. So two weeks ago, I entered a hospital and went under the knife.
I’m still recuperating. The first week and a half were hard, I’ll admit. I had a lot more pain than I expected. I was exhausted all the time and slept 12 hours a day at least. But since last Thursday, I haven’t needed a single pain killer. I can get some things done, fetch my own liquids for my liquid diet phase, take showers, and do a good bit of work (between naps). I feel pretty good. The liquid diet sucks (2 oz. of liquid protein drink an hour, 2 oz. of water, coffee, broth or other liquid every 15 minutes for at least 12 hours a day), but I expected that. It only lasts 3 weeks. I figure I can stand anything for 3 weeks. Then I graduate to soft foods and can stop dividing my day into 15-minute increments (which is actually the hardest part).
But I’ve already lost 14 pounds. Fourteen pounds! And I’m excited. Really excited. For the first time in years, I’m looking forward to buying new clothes. So wish me luck! For me, it’s a brand new beginning. I can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
So, have you ever taken a drastic step in your life? Surgery? Big move? Leave a job for unknown territory? Did it turn out as you’d planned? Did you regret it or did the risk pay off?
49 Comments »
49 Responses to “A New Beginning”
Marisa on 25 Nov 2008 at 5:17 am #
Wow, congratulations Sabrina, I wish you luck! My goodness, the holidays are here and you’ll be eating apple sauce and drinking water. Good luck with that.
I’ve taken so many ‘drastic steps’ in my life but most of them had to do with moving to a new city for a new job. I was always trying new things when I was younger and managed to live in 13 different cities over the course of 20 years. I loved every single one of them and even when things didn’t work out I loved the adventure of starting some thing new and challenging myself.
cail on 25 Nov 2008 at 7:46 am #
oh wow! Congratulations Sabrina! A few parents of my friends took your same plunge a few years ago and they were so happy, and looked great! They still do, which is such a great thing.
I did RFK Eye surgery, which is one of the alternatives to LASIK. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was pretty drastic for me since I’d been wearing glasses/contacts since I was 2 years old.
My more recent drastic step was moving out of NY, but its feeling less drastic every day as my new house feels more and more like home.
jessie on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:08 am #
Wow! Much good luck to you, Sabrina! Although, do you wish you could’ve picked a different time–like not right before Thanksgiving? Or was that not a concern you had?
No drastic steps in my life, yet, though ask me in May when I’m planning to leave Georgia for NYC, and my answer, I hope with all my heart, will be different.
My mom has taken a bunch of drastic steps, and I so admire her for it. The most recent one was eye surgery, but I think she wishes she hadn’t gotten it. It hasn’t worked out so well for her. Out of one eye she can see far away, and with the other she can see close, and it makes her pretty discombobulated. But, you know, you’ve gotta take risks, even if it doesn’t work out. Otherwise, you just live in a little cocoon of fear and doubt, or at least of sameness.
Gillian on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:32 am #
Bless you, Sabrina, and I hope you see continued success and better health with each new day.
amy1242 on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:58 am #
Good luck on your new venture, Sabrina. I know people who have had great success with that surgery, although it scares me to even think about it. I don’t know if I could be as brave as you. I’m pretty sure I’d chicken out.
My divorce, while pregnant with twins, was a huge, pivital point in my life. It was the best thing I could have done, all around, for myself and the babies. The following two years were a blur, but things eventually calmed down enough for me to reflect on my “drastic step” as a positive, new beginning. No regrets here at all. I’m sure you will feel the same way once you see the results of your tremendous efforts. Again, good luck and I’ll be sending good thoughts your way for Thanksgiving and the holidays!
Becky on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:00 am #
Oh, Sabrina, congrats! I hope you feel better soon, but hooray for feeling great about the way you look!
I’m so happy to be back! It’s been the longest week and a half of my life as my comp has been getting fixed and I’ve missed you guys so much!!!
As for being drastic, I would have to say that I’ve not done anything so very drastic…yet. Other than running off to England for a study abroad for two months post graduation to escape having to think about a career and post-grad work. It was the msot amazing experience of my life and now I suffer from bouts of homesickness for England! I could not have planned a better excursion.
PJ on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:17 am #
(((Sabrina))) Sending you gentle hugs and wishes for continued success in your journey. My former next-door neighbor had that surgery three years ago and has never regretted it.
I’ve taken several leaps of faith over the years and they’ve all turned out great. I think our attitude has a lot to do with how successful those changes in our lives are.
Margaret on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:18 am #
Congratulations, Sabrina! That is exciting news. A friend of one of granddaughters had the surgery about 1 1/2 years ago and lost quite a bit of weight. I haven’t talked to her in a long time, but I think she’s having a blast at life these days. She’s only 24.
For an odd coincidence, my Dr. told me in the spring he thought I was a good candidate for the surgery. So, in May I toddled off to the Hershey clinic for the first meeting. Sort of fact finding, info giving, signing up sort of meeting. Then, I didn’t hear from them. I didn’t have my hopes up as I was told my age was a factor.
It wasn’t till the middle of July that I received a rejection letter. Too old. My Dr. got PO’d and called them. My blood pressure is 120/70 and heart rate is 60. Pretty good for an old, obese woman. They said I could take it on a step-by-step basis but weren’t promising anything.
Cntd next post
Kari on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:20 am #
Congrats to you, Sabrina!! I’m not sure I could/would go under the knife voluntarily. That 14 pounds is awesome!!!! It will be exciting to see your progress in the coming months.
My biggest step I took in my live was at 19. I moved from Michigan to Florida on my own. I had maybe 500 dollars but I had the enthusiasm to be on my own and find the bigger and better things life had to offer. About 6 months after I moved down here I met my husband to be and 2 years later we were married. 2 years after that I had my son. It was the best step I’ve ever taken. It lead me to where I am today and I obviously would never change that. It’s funny how one choice in life can take you down a road you’d never thought you’d travel.
Best of luck, wishes and prayers to you. I can’t wait to hear more tales of the “Incredibly Shrinking Sabrina”!!
Margaret on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:25 am #
I went to a meeting with the dietician last month and we had a good come to Jesus talk. She explained why I would be at higher risk than someone younger. I received a manual as thick as a phone book.
The upshot was I am not having it done. I’d be nearly 71 by surgery time. I tried not to get my hopes up but I was a bit depressed for a few days. Oh well.
I am happy for you, Sabrina, and look forward to your adventures in bypass surgery land.
Big Hugs
Margaret on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:28 am #
On a brighter note. My biggest risk was marrying a guy I’d known 2 months and moving from Dallas to Lancaster with my 2 teens. Richard and I had a joke that we did things backwards. We married first. Then dated.
Luckily for me, it turned out well and I’ve never regretted a minute of it in spite of his illness and early death. It was a good marriage and we had a good time together. And I got 5 new kids in the bargain. Plus, as time went by, 13 grandkids & 2 greats. What’s not to like about that?
JudyPatooty on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:30 am #
Oh Sabrina! That was indeed a very, very big step! I’m sending you very gentle hugs and my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery from your surgery.
I wish I could say I had taken some big drastic step in my life, but I’ve never been much of one for big drastic steps! I tend to just go with the flow. I guess the biggest drastic step I took was when I broke up with my last boyfriend (way too many years ago). I realized that he was never going to make any moves forward with me and I wasn’t willing to accept our relationship at the somewhat shallow level it was at. I wanted more and he wasn’t willing or able to move forward with me.
That breakup led to several years of wonderful (but sometimes painful) personal growth for me, so with the 20-20 vision of hindsight, it was the right thing to do.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:35 am #
What inspiring stories! Y’all really give me a burst of optimism on this chilly Tuesday. And thanks for all the good wishes!
Cail, I’ve contemplated Lasik off and on, but to be honest, wearing glasses/contacts doesn’t bother me that much (I’ve worn contacts since I was 12). My eyesight is very bad, but it’s correctable, and the older I get, the more trouble it would be. So I’ve pretty much given up on that one. My husband is dying to get it, though.
jessie, believe me, I wasn’t planning on Thanksgiving. But it took forever to get the surgery approved and scheduled, so when they finally gave me a date, I was just happy to have it done finally. I didn’t worry about the holidays. I figured it would just save me from gaining more weight over the holidays like everybody else!
Aww, Margaret, I’m sorry they said you couldn’t have it. They told me at the program I’m with that the oldest person they’d ever operated on was 70. With your blood pressure, it sounds like you’re avoiding some of the health problems anyway, but still …
Megan on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:45 am #
Sabrina! I am so glad you finally got the procedure. I cannot wait to see you again, you are beautiful already (those eyes! My goodness!), but I know you will feel more confident now. Yay!!
Sonja Foust on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:51 am #
So glad to hear you’re doing well! I saw a woman on the discovery channel about a week ago who’d had gastric bypass and she looked GREAT! Very svelte and confident, and I know you’ll have the same results. I’m so happy for you!
I guess my big drastic step (at least regarding my appearance) would be my braces. I really, REALLY didn’t want to get them, but I also really really wanted to fix my bite, so I took the plunge. One more year and I’ll have super model teeth. Heh. One more year of rubber bands and metal and sharp pokey things and all that. But it’ll be worth it, I keep telling myself.
SheridanLA on 25 Nov 2008 at 9:56 am #
Continued good healing to you, Sabrina.
Drastic steps… moving to new states, changing careers a few times.. owned my own shop.. I don’t really consider them drastic moves, just new adventures.
I sometimes ponder the eye surgery… but I would rather spend the money on another trip
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:14 am #
Thanks, Megan! You’re a doll! And Sonja, I think you’re gorgeous already, so I’m sure I’ll be blown away by your model teeth!
I’ve taken a couple of other really big drastic steps in my life. One was moving to North Carolina, which I’ve never regretted. And the other was changing from Avon to Pocket, another risky move I’ve never regretted. But at the time I was making the decision, it was scary!
Claudia Dain on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:19 am #
I’m glad you’re feeling so well, Sabrina! Sleep is the best cure, for anything.
Now, seriously, you *are* going to take me shopping with you when you buy new clothes, right? This could be the most fun I’ve had in years, bringing you outfits to try on, bringing them back to the rack for a SMALLER SIZE. And just think, we can do this over and over again as you keep shrinking!
This surgery is the best gift I ever got! Thank you, Sabrina!
elsiehogarth on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:22 am #
Congratulations Sabrina! Glad to know that you are feeling better, off the pain medication and ready for some shopping.
I walk 2 miles a day and also felt a stop in my weight loss. So I’ve stepped it up a notch….I bought different Dance DVD’s like: Dancing with the Stars, Belly Dancing, Afro Cuban Dance, Brazilian Dance and my ever faithful Richard Simmons Sweating to the Oldies (I had that in VHS and it was worn out). Now, every night I’m just dancing the night away.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:25 am #
Claudia, as I told Caren at the meeting, you and she can take me shopping and dress me up like a Barbie doll if you want. I’m always delighted to get y’all’s input, since I have virtually no fashion sense.
So I’m glad I could give you such a gift!
Elsie, dancing is the best exercise! Unfortunately, I mostly walk on the treadmill, because I can work at the same time. How pathetic is that?
Claudia Dain on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:30 am #
And, really, Sabrina, it was too expensive, and you really shouldn’t have, but I am going to LOVE every second of playing Barbie with you.
And pish posh on your fashion sense! What are you talking about? You do, too!
Lori on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:47 am #
Mazel Tov! What a major step, and all for you and your health! And my best advice is to reward yourself at small intervals. When I was losing weight, I set small goals of 5 pounds. I could reward myself with a manicure, pedicure, highlights for the hair, a new outfit… well, you get the idea. But at every 5 pounds I rewarded myself with something, so that I wasn’t waiting for huge numbers. Kept me motivated.
Congrats, and what a wonderful thing to be thankful for this holiday season!
Deb Marlowe on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:59 am #
You guys aren’t shopping without me! We can buy new outfits to match all that amazing jewelry Sabrina collects.
I’m so glad you are feeling more chipper, Sabrina! I’m going to tell on you and tell them all you were on the phone wanting our latest critique before the first danged week was up! Then she had to go sleep.
And how amazingly brave are all the goddesses? Man, we’re a tough group of women! Margaret, your stories amaze me, I can’t imagine you have too many regrets to worry about.
Julia London on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:02 am #
Sabrina, congratulations! I hope you are back to your old new self in no time! I am happy for you.
I’ve taken a different step recently. I don’t know how drastic it is yet, but I am going to blog about it soon, so I will keep you in suspense.
Frankly, I wish I had an excuse like yours not to eat through Thanksgiving. I am trying to be good, but its already hard and its two days away!
Deb Marlowe on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:03 am #
Oh, and I forgot to say…I think that choosing writing was my biggest drastic change. When my oldest was over all of his health issues and my youngest went to school, all of my family and lots of my friends expected me to go back to my career. I even had a great job offer. But I chose to chase my dream and I’m glad I did!
Nicole Jordan on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:03 am #
That is so great about your recuperation and weight loss success after your surgery, Sabrina! That takes a lot of guts, no pun intended.
As for me, I can point to at least a half dozen points in my adult life that, had I made a different decision, would have changed my life completely. I often wonder about the road not taken. And from a science fiction perspective, I think about parallel universes.
Lisa H on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:09 am #
Oh Sabrina! Congratulations on this life-changing decision. I will pray for your continued recovery. My mom had the surgery about 7 years ago and lost over 130 lbs. She is much healthier and feels great. I know it was a godsend for her. I hope you will buy lots and lots of boots once you achieve your goal (I think in another blog you mentioned you desire for boots!)
Keep resting as much as possible and you will feel wonderful in no time!
Margaret on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:15 am #
Nicole – “I often wonder about the road not taken.”
I do that, too, Nicole! What if I hadn’t married at 18 and produced 2 kids immediately? What if I hadn’t gotten on a plane one November night and flirted with guy sitting behind me? What if I had gone to school in Swizterland like my mother wanted me to do instead of marrying the practice DH?
Hey, Deb. There’s a regret for you. I never did make it to Switzerland or any of the other places I’ve always wanted to see. One of the things I enjoy about reading is “seeing” the places from the writer’s view. Next best thing.
Margaret on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:16 am #
Good for you, Deb. Chasing a dream and chancing you might not realize it is still a lot better than never having tried for it. You go, girl.
Freedom Writer on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:42 am #
Congratulations Sabrina, I hope you have great success.
The chance I took was to quit working so that I could be at home to write and take care of my family. It is working well so far. I have completed a first draft on one manuscript and am over half way through the first draft of a second manuscript. I hope to have the second finished by years end. After that I will revise and shop around for an agent or publisher, so I have yet to see if my gamble will pay off completely. I am, however, proud of my accomplishments in regards to my two manuscripts. I have been writing since I was 11 and these two manuscripts are the first story ideas that I have completed. 2 down hundreds more to go. I also write poetry, and am trying to put together a selection of my poems to put into a chapbook that I can shop around.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 11:53 am #
I don’t know about the boots, LisaH. Even when I was thin, I had trouble with them, and my big calves don’t look good in them. But who knows, I may give them a whirl!
BTW, y’all, I’m wearing a sweater today that I’d NEVER worn before! I must have ordered it when I was a little thinner and losing some weight, thinking I’d get into it, and I never did. So I tried it on this morning and it fit! It’s a little snug in the hips, but it looks fine. And it’s a really pretty sweater!! So nice to have some new clothes!
Kim on 25 Nov 2008 at 12:13 pm #
Yay Sabrina!! That’s such a brave step you took. I’m so happy you’re feeling good and doing so well.
Claudia is taking you shopping, we should talk about your big clothes! LOL
Julia–spill!
Janae on 25 Nov 2008 at 12:23 pm #
That’s awesome, Sabrina. I wish you the best of luck.
I moved to another state with maybe $500 to my name when I was 21. It worked out well because the following year, dh and I were married. It’s been almost 14 years now.
Last January I had LASIK, which was the best thing ever. I started wearing glasses when I was 10; contacts since 14. The past few years my contacts weren’t fitting properly because my astigmatism, and I couldn’t wear glasses since they give me headaches. So my eye dr recommended that I do LASIK. The day after the surgery my vision was 20/15, and it’s stayed that ever since then. The astigmatism in my left eye is gone completely, and the one in my right eye is almost completely gone.
dbrown3400 on 25 Nov 2008 at 1:01 pm #
Sabrina, best wishes on your continued good health. A friend of mine had the surgery and looks fantastic. You and Claudia should plan those shopping trips soon!
Lori, your idea of setting small goals is a good one. Speaking as someone on a special meal plan, it’s so frustrating to want to lose all the weight at once — especially when you reach a plateau.
My two biggest moves were when I left my hometown for a job in a small town over 1500 miles away to live alone for the first time then on to another state to marry my ex.
Kay on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:20 pm #
Oh Sabrina, three cheers for you and your continued good health. It’s so great that you are able to do something to take care of yourself.
Keep taking the naps—surgery is controlled trauma, and your body is using much of your available energy to heal.
Biggest risk for me—to quit working full time to be a full time parent. It was so hard to give up the paycheck. So much of my self-worth was based on my income.
Second biggest risk—sending out my first short story. I was so afraid of letting anyone read what I wrote. I’m hoping to take a third big risk soon and send out query letters for my WIP–when it’s done.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:44 pm #
Congratulations to all of you who took the plunge to write fulltime! It’s a scary world, it really is, but it’s so worth it to be doing something you love. Honestly, I would never have been happy without the writing. I gained 30 pounds in the 6 months I did temp tech writing when we were saving money to move to NC. I’d just sold Pirate Lord, and we needed the money, but I swear it was the most boring job ever! I ate my way through it.
Actually, I ate my way through Nick’s hard autism years, too. But I think I’ve learned better ways to cope since then. I hope so, anyway.
Claudia, the only reason I have any fashion sense is because you, Caren, and Rexanne taught it to me over the years. I swear. You should see some of the clothes I wore when I was younger.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:48 pm #
Nicole, I often wonder about the road not taken, too, because I dated my dh at the same time as I dated a physics grad student. I had to choose between them. I’m very happy with dh, don’t get me wrong, but I always wonder what would have happened if I’d married the other guy. Would I have become a writer? I’m not sure I would have. My dh was incredibly supportive of that, and not all men are.
You can’t help wondering things like that. Like, what if I’d never gone to grad school? Would I even have met my husband? Or what if I’d never submitted that first novel? Or what if I’d never found RWA?
Life is a series of choices, and we all hope that we make the right ones.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:49 pm #
Kim, you’re welcome to my big clothes!
Not sure that they’d fit you, though. I’m pretty big.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:53 pm #
Lori, thanks for the advice on the weight progression. Don’t worry, I always reward myself. Jewelry is my life!
LauraR on 25 Nov 2008 at 3:59 pm #
Good for you Sabrina! And congrats on your current and continuing weight loss. Sometimes the hardest thing is to just make that decision to do something.
Sonja I got braces for the *second* time almost 2 years ago. I am *so* ready to get them off, hopefully before Christmas.
Biggest decision was to go forward with my divorce, albeit way past the time I should have done. But it’s turned out to be the best path for me to follow.
freshechelle on 25 Nov 2008 at 5:05 pm #
Sabrina, congratulations to you on having the courage to have the surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery and healthy, short trip back to nutrient-rich solid foods!
I’m in the middle of my drastic change. Today was my second apt hunting trip in Chicago. I’m sad to be leaving my family and friends in NJ, happy to be leaving the New York commuting hell. It’s been 18 years since the last time I moved away from my family. At least chicago is closer to home than San diego was. I’ll never be lonely because all my goddess friends will be just a click away.
Yaya on 25 Nov 2008 at 6:17 pm #
Congratulations Sabrina! I am glad you are on the mend. it is always hard to go under the knife.
My mom went under for shoulder decompression last year and it was hard to for to agree to the surgery since she didnt want to go completely under. Now she is well but she was on disabled for 7 months after the surgery.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Nov 2008 at 7:46 pm #
Sabrina, congrats on taking the big jump! You’re a vibrant, healthy woman and you deserve the energy and health that goes with it. Kudos, m’dear!
The biggest plunge I’ve ever taken was quitting my safe, secure, benefits-rich job for this writing gig thing. It’s been a fun ride, but my needs-a-comfy-blanket soul fought me the whole way.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Nov 2008 at 7:47 pm #
(And Fresh, you’re right — we’re ALL going with you to Chi-town! Post pics of our new apartment, when you find it, will ya? We want to help decorate, too!)
Kathy/Cookiedough on 25 Nov 2008 at 8:33 pm #
Sabrina! Way to go for getting the procedure! I’ve been thinking on and off through the years of having it done. I have an old acquaintance that had it done and she has to my knowledge, no regrets.
Sorry to come so late, but better late than never! i had a full work day- two different clients homes today- but the rest of the week looks too quiet.
This is the first time I’ve had all day to come online.
plunges? risk?
hmm, I think I’m about to plunge into a new job. this one just isn’t giving me enough work time.
I think I might go with my strength and try to see if anyone wants keepsake slideshows like the ones I do for gifts.
I’m putting an ad on kijiji this week and see what happens.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Nov 2008 at 10:31 pm #
Kathy, good luck with trying to plunge into a new job! It’s those risks that make life worth it. Sounds like you’ve got an interesting business plan. Hope it works out.
So far, I really don’t have any regrets. I don’t miss the food as much as I thought I would, and I’m looking forward to the new clothes! Thanks so much for the well wishes, everyone!
Paula on 26 Nov 2008 at 4:20 am #
Sabrina not sure wether you will read this or not but Congratulations on the weight loss and wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery.
Next week I will be able to sympathise with you over the effects of anaesthetic, as on Monday I have to go to hospital (as a day case) for ‘minor’ gyne surgery and have to have a week off work to recover.
Freshechelle on 26 Nov 2008 at 7:07 am #
KH, you bet I’ll do that. I can’t wait to where you think I should put the couch versus the TV. Gotta tell you the bedrooms in a city place are so small there are no layout options.
Sabrina Jeffries on 26 Nov 2008 at 9:50 am #
Paula, good luck on your “minor” surgery. Hope everything goes well! And give yourself plenty of time to sleep afterward, because anesthesia really does stay in the blood awhile. Or so they told ME.