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Am I Giving Up or Starting Over?
 

Sleep Study Done... And The Waiting Begins...

Per the surgeon I had my sleep study last night to see if I have apnea... I already have my comorbidity but this will rubber stamp it with the insurance just in case and apparently needs to be treated prior to surgery anyway. The study wasn't nearly as bad as I expected... I didn't sleep much the night before so I was asleep about 15 minutes after I hit the bed but I woke up about 4 times that I'm aware of and apparently a bunch more times that I was unaware of according to the tech. She said my REM was extremely brief because I kept waking up and going right back to sleep. I'm waiting on my official results but from everything I've read today, it looks like I probably do have apnea. Ah well... one more thing to add to the list .   I meet with my surgeon again on the 6th to see where we go from here... and I have my first of 3 nutrition classes tomorrow evening. I'm still shooting for being banded in October unless told otherwise on the 6th. That will give me enough time to recover and be some form of "normal" before my kids' birthdays in late December/early January when I have to be in full blown super mom mode. Speaking of kids... I just want to say how awesome my girls are... My oldest daughter (she's 11) and I have talked a lot about this surgery and I'm glad to have her and her sister. I know that when I'm recovering she'll be my biggest helper and if I'm struggling with choices she'll be my biggest promoter.   On the asthma front things are still rough but I'm figuring as long as I go to sleep and wake up it's still an ok day I guess. This whole thing is really frustrating because most asthma is not like this so I feel like no one understands... The Prednisone that they put me on has helped some but is making me a complete and a and my husband doesn't quite understand. The result is we're barely talking and right now I need him most. It hurts because I'm going through so much and I feel so alone. I feel like 2012 was supposed to finally be my year after having too many bad ones and it's all falling apart at once...   Back to the regular doc tonight to discuss my asthma again... I've got some ideas that I want to try on the meds since I've made some improvement but I'm still having several bad attacks a week. We'll see what she says... If what I'm thinking works, I'll start to feel a whole lot better and will not be adding any meds - just swapping two for two different ones and maybe even cutting one of my copays.
barbi1281

barbi1281

0
Short and Chunky's Blog
 

One Year And Not So Going Strong

Well, it has been a week since my last entry and boy can things change in a week. I went from a happy bandster to an unhappy one. Sure, I have lost 104 pounds and sure, I can wear short skirts and I have turned into an exercise fool but this band is another story. It is messing with my mind.   Two months ago my Doctor gave me an adjustment. He said he figured that I needed one and it was time to stop messing around and get serious with this stuff. You see, I had hit a wall and not lost anything in 3 months - really- up one, down two, up three, down one..you guys know the program. One of those plateau things - well, tighten he did. I did well in June - down 9 1/2 pounds for the month. July, not so much. I don't see the doctor for another two weeks, but I have not lost one ounce - in fact I think I may have added a pound or two. I am in constant stuck mode. Good food, bad food, ice water, soda, hot tea...doesn't much matter. I do believe this sucker has gotten tighter (on it's own) and I am miserable. I am too tight and need to have some removed.   Last night I made a very good dinner - ground beef, with onions, diced tomatoes, bellpeper and melted low fat cheese on top. (I added macaroni for my husband) - YUMMY the house smelled so good - well, two bites and then over an hour of PB, slime and pain. Well, smart me decided to take a teaspoon of ice cream to calm my throat - HAHA, that came back too - so did the hot tea - I just gave up, sat down and cried - what in the H have I done to myself and what did I do to get this much discomfort. I revisited my entire day - nope, I had done nothing wrong..small bites, chewed forever, drank all my fluids, no fluids with food, worked out at the gym for an hour, took a 2 mile walk,I was nice to the dog, my husband and my employees so what in the world did I do to deserve this???? To top it off, now I am having some pain (minor in nature) near my port. OH Pooh..Probably from throwing up too much. Good thing I had plication too or I might be looking at slippage.   I am sure it is just the band being too tight and there is nothing to worry about. I have a call into the doctor to see if I can get some taken out today..the point I am trying to make is...Even after 1 year, you are still learning from the band and how to handle things. Other than this latest issue - I feel great, look better than I have in years but the price I am paying is sometimes a bit high. In private, I am miserable at times - can't eat some of the things I used to love, when things get stuck, I am embarrassed and run and hide until it passes. My friends and family tell me that I am the tower of strenght and that "they could never have done this". Would I have the surgery again - well, YEP, but I will tell anyone thinking about it, to be sure they can handle it mentally. I need to get my head straight and back in the game. This setback has me a bit upside down but this will pass. I will have the tiny unfill, I will once again return to being able to eat my morsals and I will continue to trudge onward to reaching my goal weight.   For those of you that I talk to on a regular basis - don't panic, I am not jumping off the bridge and not abandoning the ship. It is just a setback. We all have them and I will be fine. So hang in there my friends and try to keep the spirits up. Have a great week.   Melinda in Florida
Short and Chunky

Short and Chunky

2
JonnyB's Blog
 

My Decision

First let me say thank you for reading my blog. It’s nice to know there are people out there who are going through some of the same thing as I am.   Let me start with a little back round info, I am a 6'4" tall male who is 27 years old and weights 486 pound. I live just outside Edmonton Alberta Canada. I started researching lap banding and gastric by-passes over a year ago. I looked all over Canada and the United states. I even looked in Mexico, I decided to go with the lap band instead of the bypass for a few reasons, Two reasons really, one the lap band is not a quick fix, it only works as hard as you do. The band is a aid not a quick fix, it forces you to change your habits which results in a change in your life style. Whereas I felt with the bypass they was more of a chance to go back to my old habits and life style choices. The second reason why I chose the bang over the bypass is that it’s much safer I feel, there’s no rerouting your stomach and intestines, and there’s relatively less risk in surgery.   I looked into going to Mexico, after a few friends from work went down and had it done and seemed to be doing really well, until a 2 or 3 of them stopped losing weight. We all wondered what exactly happened and why they had plat owed. It turn out one of the guys band was defective and had to be removed and the other 2 did not go have it adjusted as needed do to the cost to have it filled. I found it was however around 4 to 6000 dollars cheaper to go and have it done in Mexico, but after I factored in the cost of a trip from Edmonton to Mexico, the week stay at a hotel. plus the 150-200 dollar fills which you have do get done often for the first year or so. you really don’t save that much. I found Canada and The United States to be fairly equal in pricing to have a band put in. So I started searching for a Surgeon here in western Canada, after a few months of looking I can across OMNI surgery, I decided to call them and get some info, after taking to Annie the assistant for almost 2 hours I decides to book a consultation. I failed to realize that the office was in Regina Sask. which is about 800kms from my home (one way) after learning that I almost didn’t go.... but my lovely better half said :Hun suck it up and start driving!!" so of course I did what I was told hahaha. And Let me tell you that was the best decision I have ever made was to listen to my wife and drive the 9hrs to my appointment. Dr Pooler the surgeon at the OMNI was super nice went through every last detail, showed me the operating rooms and basically put my hole mind at ease. After talking to Dr Pooler he then told me the steps they take to make sure you have the best chance of obtaining my weight lose goals, they have dieticians, exercise specialists and a psychologist who are all there to help you prepare you self. I let their blown away and feeling 100 percent about having the procedure done.   today I am starting to keep a food jornal of everything I eat in a day to track my intake. they staff at OMNI actually gave me the name of a great counter that goes on my smart phone. its called My Fitness pal. it seems to be pretty cool so fair. Im looking forward month and a half leading up to the big day. My next appointment is next week. Thanks again for reading and I will be posting very soon. If you have any pointers or tips for me please feel free to leave them on my wall
JonnyB

JonnyB

3
Hurry Up and Wait
 

New Scale Third Weigh In

I got a new scale yesterday because I wanted to see the numbers instead of squinting down at little hashmarks. I now weight 241. I am somewhat pleased. I guess about 2lbs a week is ok. I would rather that it was 3lbs a week, but its better than gaining.   I had to try on clothes this weekend. Shopping for a very important event. I realized that in the past I never liked to try stuff on because I hated knowing that the size didnt fit me. But I had to try on the dress this time because I wanted to see which one looked better on me. Neither did. I looked pregnant and not in a beautiful glowy way either. I think this is why women can become obsessive over shoes and purses. Those are two fashion items that you really dont have to worry about size wise, other than the shoes.   My birthday was this weekend, too. The big 4-0. Yay me. Kevan (my SO) made a comment about how he hated not being able to enjoy meals with me anymore since I got my surgery. I really hate hearing that. I WAS enjoying my meal. I love him but he had been really give me conflicting statements. Theres a history there about the support/no support with him. But I will leave that for another blog.   I added some pics of me that I could find. Further proof that I avoided the camera like the plague. Time to go have my first mini meal of the day!!
RahRahRah

RahRahRah

1
SMP1126's Blog
 

It All Began With A Comment

I've decided that I was going to attempt to start a blog to use as a sort of open online journal / diary of how I got here and what I'm doing or not doing to contribute to my weight loss success or lack thereof. If this helps anyone who takes the time to read it, great. Some of you might find it a good read or facinating, or humorous at times or maybe inspirational or a source of motivation, while others might find it to be a boring bunch of crap. Either way is fine with me. I guess if I'm going to do this, I might as well start at the beginning, or at least what I consider to be the beginning. I was born and raised in Connecticut in an Italian household where food was more than just sustanence, it was a means of showing love, gratitude, hospitality and probably a million other things. As soon as you walked in the door, my grandmother would see that as a signal to head for the fridge to find something, anything....even leftovers to spring on you. And God help you if you said no thank you or "I'm not hungry". To Gram (as I called her) everyone was ALWAYS hungry, or was supposed to be! If you were a friend, she'd just ignore you as she was preparing something for you to eat (I always thought she did this because if you said you didn't want anything, she figured you just didn't know what you were talking about....of course you wanted to eat!) and if you were family, you might get a slap across the back of the head, followed by a meal in front of you and a "shuddup and eat". One thing which we seemed to always have was gravy (we NEVER called it sauce) and meatballs, whether fresh made, which was every Sunday, or leftover. Sadly, Gram passed away in 1984 at 76 years old, but I swear to this day I have never tasted better meatballs by anyone, including myself, who was taught by her how to make them, or any restaurant EVER! She even taught me how to make homemade pasta, including ravioli, from scratch. I can remember clearly the day before Easter in 1983. We were in her kitchen until 2 in the morning making dough, rolling dough, making the ricotta filling and making the ravioli and cavitelli for tomorrows Easter dinner. We'd lay them out on a sheet on her bed to dry so we could cook them the next afternoon. I was the one grandson (she had 6 of us who all lived either on the same street or around the corner....a REAL Italian neighboorhood!) who took an interest in how she made stuff, and to her I was gonna be the one who took over after she couldn't do it anymore. Little did we know, she would sadly be gone the following year. Let me say here, even though I haven't yet mentioned my mother, she was no slouch when it came to cooking either....after all, she was Grams daughter and she was right in there with us most of the time, and her "gravy" was the best! My mother and father (he was Irish) were divorced when I was 8 and my sister was 2, and we were raised by my mom and Gram. I don't think there was any joint custody in those days...the kids always went with the mother and personally, I am glad it was that way. So, as I mentioned earlier, we had relatives all around us so no matter whose house you went to, there was usually something waiting for you to fill your face with. If I went around the block to my aunt's house to see if my cousins could come out and play, the usual answer was, "Sure, but get in here and eat something first". As a teenager, our Sunday routine was 9 o'clock mass, then home for some fried meatballs (they were always fried in olive oil, never baked) of which a 1/2 dozen or so were left out for us while the rest went straight from the frying pan to the now boiling pot of gravy to finish cooking. Some already browned Italian sausage (or sau-seege) as she called it was also left out. Me and usually one of my cousins would wolf those down with a couple of cups of coffee before heading out to the Italian bakery for some fresh Italian bread and grinder rolls. We loved this because the bread and grinders were always right out of the oven! We didn't even mind standing in the line that formed outside the bakery and sometimes halfway down the street because we could smell the bread and socialize with the other kids and neighbors who were in line also. (It wasn't just OUR Sunday ritual!) Then, after a stop at the Italian import store for some pepperoni, cappicola, provolone and whatever else Gram, my mother and aunt wanted we'd head back home where we would immediately start tearing off hunks of that fresh Italian bread and dipping them in the gravy until we either got yelled at for almost eating all the bread (after all, it was for Sunday dinner for the family) or chased out of the house by Gram or my mother wielding a wooden spoon at us like it was a broadsword. There was one thing about my childhood which wasn't so idyllic as far as food and eating go. There were a few things I wasn't particularly crazy for like homemade soup, canned asparagus, and over easy eggs for example. I can remember being around 10 or 11 years old, and perhaps younger when I was "forced" to eat that stuff. I'm 56 now so we're talking about the early to mid 1960's here, in a household where you ate what was put in front of you. We were by no means even middle class then so the menu wasn't very diverse and you didn't waste food because; one, we didn't have the money to cater to everyones particular tastes and two, according to them wasting food is a sin. So, not only did I have to eat this stuff (funny how in later years I grew to love homemade soup, grilled or sauteed asparagus and eggs!) but I had to finish everything in my bowl or on my plate. As if that wasn't bad enough, there was a little timer on the kitchen stove which they would set if I seemed to be stalling with my food. If that timer went off and I wasn't finished, they would REFILL MY PLATE AGAIN! Now, on this point I want to be clear. This wasn't done out of any type of abusive mean behavior, it was because they wanted to make sure I ate because believe it or not, I was a skinny kid. But this instilled 2 things in me which would become demons of mine later in life: 1. Eat everything on your plate. 2. Eat it fast.   Next Week - Teens and 20's - Sports, Late Night Eating and a Wife
SMP1126

SMP1126

10
sexymomma001's Blog
 

Protein Question??

Has anyone noticed that the more protein you take in the less sweets you want? Or your cravings just stop... Just wondering I think that I have noticed it in myself and I was just wondering if it was just me ...
sexymomma001

sexymomma001

2
dpeeler28's Blog
 

2 Days Post Op

must say that the 2nd day is much easier than the first! i have had no gas pains, and the general soreness of the incisions is starting to ease a little bit. i'm still on the morphine pump but using it only when i'm about to get up and walk(getting in and out of the bed is quite painful yet). all in all it hasn't been too bad. i was really regretting it yesterday when i first emerged from surgery,but that passed finally. the doc just came in and seen me and says everything looks fantastic and that i will probably be going home tomorrow YAYY! and the other wonderful news he gave me is that i can have clear liquids now...AMEN somethin with some taste! any advice from you pros about how slowly to start off drinking?? i'm kind of nervous eating/drinking the for the first time.
dpeeler28

dpeeler28

0
dpeeler28's Blog
 

2 Days Post Op

must say that the 2nd day is much easier than the first! i have had no gas pains, and the general soreness of the incisions is starting to ease a little bit. i'm still on the morphine pump but using it only when i'm about to get up and walk(getting in and out of the bed is quite painful yet). all in all it hasn't been too bad. i was really regretting it yesterday when i first emerged from surgery,but that passed finally. the doc just came in and seen me and says everything looks fantastic and that i will probably be going home tomorrow YAYY! and the other wonderful news he gave me is that i can have clear liquids now...AMEN somethin with some taste! any advice from you pros about how slowly to start off drinking?? i'm kind of nervous eating/drinking the for the first time.
dpeeler28

dpeeler28

1
Jim1967's Blog
 

Cancer.....

What else needs to be said? Cancer affects everyone and it is not prejudice. It will go after whoever it wants and whenever it wants. It doesn't matter who you are, what color you are, what religion you are. It does not care if you are an infant or an 80 year old senior. It will take you. Stating the obvious? I suppose.....   Three years ago my Father was diagnosed with lung cancer. While he was preparing for lung surgery they performed a full body diagnoses and found he had bladder and prostate cancer. October 2009 he had his lower lobe of the left lung removed. He then did 12 weeks of chemo. He needed the chemo for the lung and they hoped it would shrink the tumors on the bladder but it did not.   August 2010 (on his birthday actually) he under went major surgery and had his bladder removed. He came through the surgery fine but recovery was long and tough. Because of heart disease (heart attack, triple bypass in 2004) they kept him sedated for 5 days and slowly brought him out of it. Pain meds they given him had a done a number on him. He had awful nightmares of war.   Six months ago my father was pronounced cancer free...then within the next 3 weeks he developed a cough a bad nasty cough and no one could tell him what it was. He started coughing up blood and then they found the cancer had returned but this time in the top stem of the left lung and also in the lymph node. He is currently undergoing testing to see if the right lung can sustain him with or without oxygen full time. He is on the fence about surgery and the testing they are doing will be his deciding factor. Either way he is facing another 12 weeks of chemo with or without surgery.   In the last 8 years my father has endured a heart attack, triple bypass and his 3rd bout with cancer is about to get under way. He is a fighter and I can only hope when I encounter such adversity that I can attack it with same tenacity.   I haven't been around much and I have only managed to drop a pound but hey its better then nothing and right now it's not about me....
Jim1967

Jim1967

9
KS Fort Worth's Blog
 

Today's The Day!

Sitting in the waiting room at Baylor Trophy Club, procedure scheduled for 8:30. A little nervous, but ready. Got my hair cut yesterday to make it easier to take care of, and had my toenails done. I had the girl put butterflies on the big toes in honor of my metamorphosis. (Will post pictures when I get home...)
KS Fort Worth

KS Fort Worth

0
meiliyitian's Blog
 

Nfl[1] Football Physical Fitness So That You Fullness And Also Of Tricks Of Your Trade

Swiftly procedure crossingConditioning from football is meant to permit you to behave effortlessly with a area choosing an array of lessons. The soccer drills speed helps to players very quickly improve guidance to the domain. Doing it creates by way of adding players in a small four sq . compartment. Used to be a players jobs their bodies at one of the aspects they can go to get going collected from one local of one's neighborhood with other in a choice a good solid patterned operate and with little thought. Several of the designs are usually relating to legged; maybe left or right, or even a updating the transaction those people players will work the main drill down. Themsleves DownsThe widespread health and fitness drill often called "up downs" is a really effective way to improve cardiac experience and in addition fortitude. Now this power drill will start using typically the players walk available you wish they're able to ask them to have their legs as exceptional as they possibly can. Inside experts indicator that players definitely will slump to the floor and additionally instigate a pushup, and afterwards rapidly claim back right up get started scampering again. This valuable look is the best work out routine and could generally be was successful on carefully earlier thereafter elevated throughout vibrance not to mention amount of time progressively.Lack of fluids is undoubtedly an adversary to help you football successDrinking numerous drinking is perhaps it can take and hence avoiding contamination, consequently must really be a significant part among football habits. Each and every golfer will have the perfect water small close up that they can grab speedy water reductions or perhaps a fabulous consume locations. Instances maintain updated or motor coach rentals in these days should become aware of hydration circumstances as well as never work with lake as a reward, or perhaps even hold it as a good punishment. Many safeguards assists always maintain players focused plus healthy and balanced.Applying typically the Fretting hand offRunning back would be wise to perpetually use that control off from. One particular awesome kids finger back punch unwraps establish yourself pair individual queues from players having the other person: model A and therefore lines P. A farmer results in type Your on the football and then flows located at tier G. In sync the real key primary musician, an extra unit finds type L, every time they meet up device An absolute flows that will athlete Be. Inside the point of the exact grip down yet another footballer vegetation level A new and so varies when it comes to golfer Be, who exactly hands and fingers the party to your additional user. This specific routine might conduct inside a effortless functinal range of motion. It is a incredible bore to be able to exercising supports apply pass offs, and may just be perform day-after-day.
meiliyitian

meiliyitian

0
meiliyitian's Blog
 

Nfl[1] Football Physical Fitness So That You Fullness And Also Of Tricks Of Your Trade

Swiftly procedure crossingConditioning from football is meant to permit you to behave effortlessly with a area choosing an array of lessons. The soccer drills speed helps to players very quickly improve guidance to the domain. Doing it creates by way of adding players in a small four sq . compartment. Used to be a players jobs their bodies at one of the aspects they can go to get going collected from one local of one's neighborhood with other in a choice a good solid patterned operate and with little thought. Several of the designs are usually relating to legged; maybe left or right, or even a updating the transaction those people players will work the main drill down. Themsleves DownsThe widespread health and fitness drill often called "up downs" is a really effective way to improve cardiac experience and in addition fortitude. Now this power drill will start using typically the players walk available you wish they're able to ask them to have their legs as exceptional as they possibly can. Inside experts indicator that players definitely will slump to the floor and additionally instigate a pushup, and afterwards rapidly claim back right up get started scampering again. This valuable look is the best work out routine and could generally be was successful on carefully earlier thereafter elevated throughout vibrance not to mention amount of time progressively.Lack of fluids is undoubtedly an adversary to help you football successDrinking numerous drinking is perhaps it can take and hence avoiding contamination, consequently must really be a significant part among football habits. Each and every golfer will have the perfect water small close up that they can grab speedy water reductions or perhaps a fabulous consume locations. Instances maintain updated or motor coach rentals in these days should become aware of hydration circumstances as well as never work with lake as a reward, or perhaps even hold it as a good punishment. Many safeguards assists always maintain players focused plus healthy and balanced.Applying typically the Fretting hand offRunning back would be wise to perpetually use that control off from. One particular awesome kids finger back punch unwraps establish yourself pair individual queues from players having the other person: model A and therefore lines P. A farmer results in type Your on the football and then flows located at tier G. In sync the real key primary musician, an extra unit finds type L, every time they meet up device An absolute flows that will athlete Be. Inside the point of the exact grip down yet another footballer vegetation level A new and so varies when it comes to golfer Be, who exactly hands and fingers the party to your additional user. This specific routine might conduct inside a effortless functinal range of motion. It is a incredible bore to be able to exercising supports apply pass offs, and may just be perform day-after-day.
meiliyitian

meiliyitian

0
Neenie 1285's Blog
 

A Little Over Two Months Post Op

Okay so my surgery was june 6th 2012. I spent one night in the hospital. When i got out of surgery i was in so much pain and my pressure was realllyyyy high. They gave me lots of pain med to bring it down. I slept for about four hours. When i woke up a nurse told me i would have to get up and walk around. I looked at her like she was crazy. However, it was not that bad at all. I was pretty sore but not to the point where i couldnt walk for just a few minutes at a time. I went into the hospital at 7 am june 6th and i was home by 2:00 pm june 7th. I am down 30 pounds in two months and i just got my band filled for the first time last week and added exercise and im now expecting the weight to fly off... All in all, so far, best decision i ever made Be back with updates!
Neenie 1285

Neenie 1285

0
Ruthsdaughter3's Blog
 

New And Not Feeling Well

I just got the surgery in Mexico by Dr. Garcia on July 16, 2012. I have been adhereing to the liquid diet but I gained 27 pounds the first week. I started peeing a lot yesterday and lost 15 pounds and lost 15 pounds again today. I just don't feel well. I am walking around and even did a couple hours of gardening (light) yesterday, but I feel almost like I have the flu. I want to eat too, which is not what I am supposed to be doing right now and even drinking tea is kind of difficult. One drink goes down pretty well and the next is all bubbly and I don't have a sense of how I am supposed to drink, let alone get all of the liquid ounces in. I wish I could just take a hot bath. Does anyone know how long before you can bathe? I live in the Pacific Northwest and hope to find some support group here to meet with once in a while until I feel I understand how this is going to be to live with. I hope I didn't make a mistake. I had the lap band from 2001- 2005 when it slipped and I had to have emergency surgery to remove it. I was pretty scared to try another wls, but once I gained all of my weight back and tried for seven years to lose it, I decided on the sleeve. Any words of wisdom, support or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Ruthsdaughter3

Ruthsdaughter3

7
Izuri's Blog
 

T Minus 2 Days (And Pat Eve)

So, this is the eve of PAT. Finally, it is almost here.   I am trying not to feel nervous. I took CdnExpat's suggestion and made a list with all the outcomes I could think of, and what I would do. It decreased my anxiety a bit.   I spent the day cleaning my house. I was worried that today was going to last forever and I had a bunch that needed to be done anyway, so I got a ridiculous amount done. Aside from the regular vacuuming and dusting, I also cleaned out a bunch of stuff in my room that I didn't need anymore. I had an entire closet full of old shoes that I never wear. I also redid the corkboard that I have in my room. I put some new pictures that I drew on it, as well as some fun things I had laying around. It made me feel good to be so productive. Plus, there is the added bonus of the fact that my room is now clean enough that I feel comfortable having friends/family come in if I need some help.   My cats are thrilled that my room is cleared out some, they love to crash on the plush carpet I have in there.   Anyway, so weirdly enough today was on and off relaxing. I surfed a bunch of songs I had stored on SoundHound while I worked.   Tomorrow is going to be a super long day (PAT at 730am and work 3-11pm) and I want to get the chance to look through some posts and respond, Thanks again for all the kind words, they helped a lot yesterday with my frustration. Hope everyone is having a good day too =)
Izuri

Izuri

0
J. Fabulous' Blog
 

5 Months Out

It has been five months since my surgery. I have lost eighty pounds. That’s about sixteen pounds per month, or about four pounds per week. I would say on average, I am very pleased with my progress, even though I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I’ve had two major stalls, which had more to do with my depression and food addiction than actual physical changes within my body. During those times, I was terrified that I would never be able to lose another pound again – or, even worse – I would gain some weight.   Fortunately, I didn’t end up gaining weight, and I feel like I am back on track to losing some more. I still need to incorporate exercise into my everyday routine, but overall, I think I’m doing okay. As I look back over the last five months, I can’t believe how far I’ve come.   This much weight loss would never have been possible without the surgery, regardless of how much time I took to try to lose it. I still want to lose another seventy-five to eighty pounds. My doctor would be happy if I just lost another fifty. If I lose another eighty pounds, in the next five months, I’ll be at my goal weight by Christmas. Clearly, the biggest struggle has been the addiction. If it wasn’t for that, I think I would have been able to lose a lot more weight, faster.
Jack Fabulous

Jack Fabulous

0
Melissa's Blog
 

Just Joined The Loser's Bench!

Surgery went well and recovery is off to what seems to be a good start (I'll post more details at a later time). Drinking liquids is SO incredibly hard as it feels stuck going down. I'm really hoping this goes away in the near future. I have been walking much and feel great. One thing I am worried about are my stitches. All five areas are a bit red and one had liquid on the outside that was of a yellow color-- I guess it could be pus. They don't hurt, no fever, etc. Is my fear of having an infection coming true??
~*~ Melissa ~*~

~*~ Melissa ~*~

2
Candy for Dinner: RedGirl1976's Blog
 

Let's Try This...

So, I'm not sure why I think that what I have to share and what I have to say is interesting enough for other people to read. However, I have a lot of thoughts and ideas zapping and snapping in my brain. Things I want to write down. Things I want to share. Things I want to write into a story or comedy skit. Things that make me go "hmmm...". Things that make me go "Doh!". Things that make me cry. But more importantly, things that make me laugh. And, I'm all about that.   What else am I all about?   I'm a 36 year old single woman. I was banded just over 3 years ago. I had a weight problem most of my life. I was always the funny fat girl, with the pretty face. I was dreamy and awkward in high school, wasting all of my young adult angst over an overly religious boy that I'm pretty sure turned out to be gay. College was a good time. Went to a tiny liberal arts college and then graduate school in the mid-west, where I met some of my closest friends.   I grew even heavier after I graduated. I remember the scale tipping over 300lbs. Wow. NFL football players don't weigh that much! It was a pretty heavy (really!) time for me. I was 1,000 miles from home. My step dad was dying of cancer. It was a really sad time. And, fried cheese sticks and Taco Bell value meals served as my prime source of nutrition. I remember, it was the year the new Star Wars trilogy was coming out. Taco Bell had a $2.00 kids meal that came with nachos, a taco, a drink and a toy. Let's just say, I had the whole collection.   Fast forward about 7 or 8 years, I was miserable. I was 32. I was 326lbs. I somehow managed to have a boyfriend at that time, though. That's a whole other story. But, he was heavy. I was heavy. In fact, one time we broke the couch in our hotel room. Imagine two line backers getting frisky on a vintage sofa...something is bound to give. ANYWAY...I made a decision in November 2008 to change my life. And, I did. I did change my life. For better and worse. I'm still sorting the rest out.   Band-wise, I managed to lose about 75lbs. Mostly in my first year. Then, issues issues issues! 2nd year in was a roller coaster of tight, too tight, tight, too tight. Raging acid reflux and nausea. I remember spending entire weekends in bed, curled in the fetal position, totally unable to swallow my spit. Then, my band lapsed and included a surprise surgery. That was a year ago. And, here I am. Maintaining...but no weight loss. I am trying to find my place again. I'm trying to find that drive. That energy. That motivation that I need to become who I am on the inside. I'm the oldest, slowest caterpillar you'll ever find. But, I am getting more pretty as I age. Even through my self loathing, I can see that.   My dating life is interesting. And, confusing. I think I'm learning and experiencing things at 36 that most women experience when they are 19 or 21. Talk about a late bloomer.   So, my plan is to use this forum as a channel for me to offload my thoughts. To offload my brilliant ideas. To offload my pain. Or, whatever it is that is holding me down from soaring. Whether you choose to read this or not really won't make much difference, I suppose. It's really just my stream of consciousness. But, a follower or two might add to my accountability.   Here we go! Let's do this. Again.. (yeah, yeah...I know..) All the best, Natasha
RedGirl1976

RedGirl1976

1
Kekeboo's Blog
 

Wow, What A Difference A Day Can Make!!

So, Day 8 is here and I can't believe what a difference I feel every day. I was still hurting on Friday (Day 5) and every day since I have woken up feeling better and better. The neck pain can still get pretty bad, so I cut back to 3 oz. of liquid at a time and it was a big difference.   I am down 19 lbs. since I started my pre op, I am not starving or feeling deprived. I am learning to eat to live. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have the flavor of a good steak or some lasagna....but I know what the consequences will bring and that's just terrifying. My fear of throwing up is enough keep me dedicated.   I am walking 1 mile a day...it's a start. I sat in one of those full body massage chairs at the gym today, WHOA!! That is worth going to the gym everyday. I need to do that after my walk though, I sure didn't feel like getting on the treadmill after that.   Okay, time to sit back and enjoy the evening.
Kekeboo

Kekeboo

0
reignoftara's Blog
 

1St Day

Today I started my preop diet, also am quitting smoking. It's tough but I know I can do it I just keep thinking about my future and the future for my kids. Wow I'm just so hungry but I get to eat a meal at dinner so that's good. I've never been so excited for salad and protein. I just keep reminding myself that I can do this, I am determined!!!!!
reignoftara

reignoftara

1
A funny thing happend while I was loosing weight
 

They Took My Irish Drinking Crown

NOTE: As always, this is a funny look at the things that have happened/are happening as I continue on my weight loss journey. I in NO way plan to replace food with alcohol or need to be told how bad I am for drinking one night with a friend (mind you it's a friend I haven't seen in 15 years). Please don't feel the need to lecture me or get passive aggressive with your comments. As my regular readers know, I am just giving a comedic side to WLS. Also, remember that everyone's journey is different and just becasue I may or may not be doing it the same way you are, does not mean that I am better or worse than anyone else. Ok, I think I covered it all. As always, enjoy and I hope the story puts a smile on your face.     Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged but I've been one little busy beaver. I had my friend and her family in from Costa Rica, then my friend from Ireland came in for two weeks (she is still here), and while she was here, my brother-in-law and niece came for a two night visit. Needless to say, I've been the hostess with the mostest. I've really missed doing my blogs. They seem to keep me focused and help me put things in perspective. I've also not had time to do myfitnesspal.com. So, for about a week and a half, I haven't written any of my food intake down. That just makes me feel like I've been a bad, bad girl....and not in a kinky good way. (sorry, those hormones are still pouring out of the fat cells LOL)   Anyway, I have so many stories for you all. I wish I could just sit down and type them all for you but I can't so today I am going to let you know about my first drinking experience since the sleeve and the interesting things I've learned from that experience. I hope I can give you a good idea of how the night went as I am not sure if I remember it all....but more on that later.   First, you have to understand how I met my Irish friend Cat. 15 years ago, I worked and lived at the beach. Cat worked at the same place and even though she didn't live with me, I swear there were times I thought she did. We were 21/22 and we were having fun. We worked hard and played harder. We spent many nights at a bar across the street from my house and only a 1/2 block away from work. I somehow was able to keep up with all the Irish kids that were in town for the summer. I could go one for one with them with any drink (except Guinness. That stuff is REALLY thick). I was even told I had become an honorary Irish lassie ( I even learned most of the Irish pub songs that they sang). I tell you all this to explain that after 15 years, loosing more than 1/2 my stomach, and a lot of weight I for some reason thought I could still drink like a fish. Never mind the fact that I haven't drank in almost a year (except for an occasional glass of wine or a night cap).   So, we go into a local bar and order two drinks. I got a L.I.T (long island iced tea) as I have always enjoyed them when they are done well. As I drank my drink and did some catching up with my friend, I could feel the effects of the liquor seeping into my blood. I won't lie, I enjoyed it. Paying less to feel this way was great (before anyone freaks, I don't plan to go out drinking on a regular basis......BUT....it was nice to go out and spend less money and get tipsy). This is about the time I knew the night was getting ready to change. The bartender (a little bored) asked if we wanted shots. "Are you buying them for us?" I asked. Of course he wasn't but after talking it over with Cat, we decided, "Hey, why not"? Now as I explained already, I haven't seen Cat for a long time and we needed to go on "a tear". Patron it was. Lick. Slam. Suck. OHHHHH how smooth. Now, from that moment on, the night began to just blend together. I know I played pool...and lost. (wonder why!!!) The drinks went down easier than I ever remember them going down and I have to admit, I was enjoying myself. Through it all, I never felt “drunk”. I mostly felt tipsy and then I would feel mostly sober....then tipsy again...and so on and so forth. I never thought anything about it as I was having fun and enjoying being out and about...the alcohol was just an added positive.   Then, we decided to go to another bar only a block or two away. Now, you have to understand that drinking and feeling tipsy was a whole new experience to me. I would go from being (or should I say feeling) sober then in just a few moments, I would be “footloose and fancy free”. The back and forth wold happen so fast, it wouldn't make any sense but to be honest, I wasn’t trying to make sense out it as I really didn’t care.. So, when we left to go to the other bar, I REALLY thought I was sober...that is until the curb jumped up and tripped me. I know it grew at least a foot with out telling me. There is no way a sober gal, like myself, could have missed that curb. Then, as always, I did my thing. I fell. I fell hard...and I fell fast. My knee was the only thing between my face and the pavement and because of that it was all scrapped up. Even my hands had stones imbedded in them, and I am sure I messed up my back just a little more than it was. It was such a hard fall that even the person driving passed stopped to make sure I was alright. Poor Cat, was so concerned, and all I could say was, "Really, I had to fall TONIGHT?" LOL...then it happened. I felt DRUNK. I collected myself, raised myself up from the ground, dusted off my knees and hands and tried to focus on the person only a foot away from me. Needless to say, it took awhile to focus....mostly because my glasses went flying off my face were now in Cat’s hands. Not seeing well is only intensified when your half blind. LOL   Once I put on my glasses, Cat and I began the walk (she walked I stumbled) to the other bar. Then it hit me when we were almost there. I was sober. It was like I hadn’t had a drink at all. How was this even possible? So, I did what any sober person of sound mind and body would do....I ordered a drink. LOL As I was sipping on my drink, we decided to get something to eat. I also figured that maybe getting a little food in my tiny stomach may help....it didn’t. I still went back and forth from sober and drunk but now it was happening faster than I can even begin to describe.   After finishing up there, it was time to get home. Yes, we were safe about it and no, we didn't just wait for me to "feel sober".. I thought my husband would find my stories funny...and he did when I told them to him sober. But BAM, next thing you know I’m drunk again. This of course caused an argument. Now, I should be more honest. My lack of knowing when to just keep my mouth shut and go to bed is what caused the argument....nothing else. But for some reason I felt it would be a great idea to go for a walk. So I walked out the door and made it down three steps and then THUMP....yes, that’s right, I fell down the steps. I figured this would be a good time to go back inside with my head down and my tail between my legs. Once I did that and listened to my husband give me a very short lecture, I took my Tylenol and went to bed. When I awoke the next morning, I remembered why it was that I no longer drink like I am still in college and then I then looked at my knee. I should say I felt my knee...then I looked at it. Yep, it was bad. It was all scrapped up and swollen. It was so stiff that I was unable to walk down the steps of my condo to get to the pool. I felt like a total gimp having to take the elevator because I was sloppy drunk...or should I say a sloppy sober one minute, drunk the other person? Anyway, .I did get the to pool and worked it out. I had to as the day after my Irish drinking reunion, I had my 20th H.S. reunion (more on that tomorrow) and I figured I would have to be able to walk that night for it. It worked. I got my knee working (and ended up hurting my shin...not sure how), and I was ready to face all the people from H.S....or at least as ready as I'd ever be. Funny thing is, I was more upset to realize that I was no longer Irish!!! Apparently when they took my stomach, the doctors also took my Irish drinking crown as well. Needless to say, lesson learned. Funny thing is, I am sure it won’t be the first or the last lesson I learn after having this surgery....I mean it’s only been three months. But to be honest, this lesson was a fun one to learn...up to the point I fell down...no, that didn't damper the mood.....it was fun until I woke up the next day hung over. LOL
tmorgan813

tmorgan813

3
GiGi's Plication Surgery Blog
 

Well I Thought I Was Going Back To Work Today...not

Today is Monday July 23rd.. I am doing worse that I was doing a few days ago. My stomach is very very much in pain. It is cramping constantly and it just hurts and feels like it is burning. I called the Doctor today and he is calling in some liquid that coats the stomach and you take it before meals and before bedtime. Problem being it also makes you sleepy like the Levsin. I have basically no appetite for anything at all. I am loosing weight I have lost 31 pounds so far but i know I am not getting the nutrients I need or the protein I am supposed to be getting. I am getting worried. Tomorrow morning I have a follow up visit with the Doctor at 9:15am. I will have to drive myself in since my husband is out of town. I just plan on going to bed really early so I can sleep my usual 10-12 hours then get up and get moving around. I did have an applesauce today and a V-8 and a yogurt. I am going to have instant mashed potatoes for supper. Maybe that will stimulate my appetite.   I started a video blog on you tube called Jeanne's Journey. I recorded my first episode yesterday and I wasn't feeling so hot as you will be able to see.       Well heading back to bed for a while. With sleep there is no pain. I will let you know if the new meds work for me.  
GiGi

GiGi

0

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