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newlife4nekaylyn's Blog
 

The Wrong Prescription

Well i am almost at my year mark. only one more month and ill be there September will be one whole year. Last month was truly the hardest month i have had in my journey. And it turns out it really wasn't my fault. But for me to get to the point of how this happened i guess you kinda have to go back to where it started right?? Back in February i found out that i have arthritis in my hands crazy because im only 25 but my reg Doctor said i have had it for a while i was just to big to really see it before. So he put me on a drug called neproxon to help with swelling and the pain. My lap band dr informed me that i shouldn't be taking them since i have had ulcers in the past and to go ahead and take what i was told but if i got heart burn to stop taking them. So i got the heart burn and i stopped. So last month i started to get what i thought was a tooth ache, i haven't ever had one before and the dentist that i work for was out of town so they called me in an antibiotic and some pain medication. i was sitting right there and hurt what she said when she called the meds in. I went and picked up the meds and started taking the antibiotic and the pain meds that on the bottle said Sub for lortab, which is hydrocodone. After a while the pain was still there and nothing seem to change. The pain was still there now before this i hurt my back falling out of a chair and my reg dr gave me Tramadol and a muscle relaxer. so i thought maybe i would take the Tramadol and that just made me sick to my stomach. So i stopped taking all of it but the antibiotic. Then i got a horrible ear infection and realized it wasn't my teeth but the ear. Any ways after that is when the horrible heart burn started and i thought i was just really sick i thought it was a stomach bug and nothing would stop it. Well during that time i started to look at the Tramadol the hydrocodone and realized that i wasn't taking what was on the pills the hydrocodone was actually neproxon and the Tramadol had more salt in it then median. After it was all said and done and i was better i got to wondering why they did that to me when both dr and dentist know i am not aloud to take neproxon. So i called the office last night and ask if that is what she called in for me and she said no i called in what i was supposed to and never once did i tell them to give you neproxon because i know you cant take it and i don't understand why that did that any ways what we call in is what needs to be in the bottle i said well i understand that but on the bottle it says something completely different then what was in the bottle. Then i got to thinking well i have lost alto of weight this year and what if he thinks that im just a pill popper?? i don't do it i only take what is given to me and that's it. And then Monday i went for my fill............................. Normally i am so excited about my fill and i cant wait but Monday i started crying as soon as we got there and i wouldn't go in. My lap band buddy was like what is wrong i said i dont know i just cant do this. Thank god for her she told me it would be ok and to go in so i did an i told them that i didn't know what was wrong with me. I told them what had happened at the hospital and i told them how i felt along and abandon by them they informed me that there was no reason for them to treat me like they did and that they would do anything to make it right. The er dr that took the liquid out shouldn't have done it and knew to call the on call nurse for lap band but i didn't feel much better i kinda feel like i have been done wrong buy them and my the pharmisy. I was told by my dad who i work for as a dental assistant what i felt like and what all had happen he said i needed to see my reg doctor so i did. I told him about everything i told him i couldn't stop cry but i didn't know what was wrong i have bad dreams and the fear that i felt was nuts. I also told him i didn't have time for a break down. He didn't tell me to calm down he told me he understood and that i was going to be ok i just needed to find a different pharmisy and that i needed to be on some meds just for a little bit to make me calm that i wasn't crazy and i wasn't depressed. He gave me the medication and well being myself I went to the same pharmisy and i looked him in the eyes and said if you think i have a pill problem that's fine, but my doctors don't give me meds that i don't need, and the next time you choose to give me something different because you think i have a pill problem ill turn you in. You put me in the hospital over the hydrocodone that was neproxon because i have lap band and i cant take that medication and all the doctors know that so maybe you should know that too. I told him i was going to give him this prescription and it had better be what is in that bottle. It was and it helped me through that day and now i am fine. But in a way i have a fear of trusting now about what am i really getting in the prescription bottles because clearly i cant trust what i am getting can it??????? I am scared and should i be? I never want to scare anyone away from lap band because it changed my life for more then the better and i would get it again but im just scared right now My lap band team is awesome and none of this was really my fault or there fault. But i have learned not to trust anything even if its my prescription and not to trust what it says on the bottle its what is in the bottle that you have to look at.
newlife4nekaylyn

newlife4nekaylyn

0
jhope's Blog
 

Taking It All In And I Mean All!

Taking it all in and I Mean ALL!   This 61 lb weight loss is so great, but it is hard to keep up with! All those changing clothing sizes, and ya, I went and bought new ones for a few weeks, but that kinda was biting into my other spending frenzies, so I pulled up that weed. Now I am franticly roto zipping through all my slacks and jeans along with my capries and tops. By roto zipping, I mean flip the pants inside out, drag out the long arm sewing machine, and quick as a lick, stitch up the one inside leg and down the other. Next it is grasping the back label, pinch an inch between my finger and thumb, and away we stitch it to the other end, stopping short of the zipper with a tappering off to the nub. Next it is wisking away the affending portion of the clothe with my fiskers and, Wa Laah, Im lean mean and can do machine! The blouses dont have a match on me, they are next. Again grasping the label in the back, I make a single stitch down the back, and snipp and a snapp, and the garmet is wearable for another month, and next time it down the front! Let me know what encounters your having with your new future wardrobe!
jhope

jhope

3
ladyarwenrose's Blog
 

Sorry It Took So Long

hey everyone. long time no see. I've been busy with pre-op diets and such....and then surgery on July 2nd....and now post-op diet stuff. it's been 9 days since surgery and i'm feeling ok. been a lot of ups and downs.     pre-diet wasnt so bad! Due to diet restrictions I was able to have a tiny bit of real food mixed in with a lot of protein shakes and broth. the two weeks flew by pretty fast and it wasn't until the last few days that I started having the runs. that was embarassing at work.....in my head, no one actually noticed thank god! threw out a few pairs of undies though.       surgery day everything went smoothly, took 2.5 hrs actual surgery time. they did repair a hiatal hurnia as well. I basically slept that day/night away and wasn't good for anything until the next day. i'm like that from anesthesia. I was in the hospital for 2 days as my blood showed it was fighting something. they wanted to make sure it wasnt infection. I walked a lot the 2nd day and was able to get liquids down. not as much as they would have liked, but enough.   Please make sure your hospital knows who you want in the pre-op room, etc. don't let what happened to me happen to you........   day of my surgery I was in the pre-op room, in a hospital gown in the bed. i was about to talk to my bf about something personal that would get my mind off things. I tend to internalize everything and dwell on things. i was making myself anxious and starting to panic. i'd wanted to talk to him about stuff like dreams of vacations, etc. i open my mouth to ask a question and I hear a voice in the hall. i clamped my mouth shut and in walks a co-worker.....AND HER HUSBAND!!!! first of all i didn't want her there in the room with me. 2nd of all you bring your HUSBAND???? what made her think i wanted him to see me in a hospital gown? they spent the next 10 mins prattling on about their life, etc. probably to try and get my mind off things but it just made it worse. the anesthesia guy comes in and I had to talk about personal med stuff in front of them. they didn't get the hint to leave! then a few minutes later the doc peeks his head in and I turned to them and said, well I gotta kick you out now. yep, i was rude....but they didn't get the hint before! doc asked me who they were and I said a co-worker and her husband and he was appalled that they were there. the staff hadn't even tried to see if I wanted to see them! i made sure he and my bf knew that when the update came afterwards it was NOT to be in front of them. I was in full blown anxiety and panic by the time they wheeled me off to surgery. luckily they didn't notice as it only showed in the way my right leg was moving. I hide it well. if they hadn't sedated me almost the minute i was in the OR i probably would have jumped down and ran. and i also hear that they went up to the room afterward. i slept the full day so I have no clue who was there and who wasn't.       Home everyday has gotten better. i was on liquids for a week and by the end was drinking everything i was supposed to with no complications. i'm now on pureed foods. people say that's the worst stage. I won't lie, it's no fun eating mush when my boyfriend is eating chinese and fried chicken, etc. however, with that said i don't feel hungry at all. i eat because im supposed to eat. I have no cravings for food as I thought I would. i see him eat something and think yeah that would taste good. but i'm fine eating what i need to and letting him eat his fav foods. lol   i'm still bruised up a lot....especially from all the heprin injections (have to for 2 weeks). I still have quite a bit of pain on my left side and will need to ask the doc about that on Friday. and I wasn't able to go poop (sorry for graphic) since before the surgery. yesterday i was FINALLY able to and feel soooooo much better now. it hurt like HELL though!   i've been sleeping on the couch so I can be propped up some. kinda depressing since my bf and I are now sleeping seperately. but I just can't lie flat and get back up in the morning. first thing in the morning my pain is worse.   frustrated beyond belief right now. been having a hard time swallowing one of my night meds. it's a capsule so it's not like I can make it smaller. and if i take it out and take it as a powder I wanna puke. so called my psych and he switched it to liquid for me. got a call yesterday from the pharmacy (2 days later!) saying it would be over $100 (per month) with the discount card. discount card? what happened to my insurance? they won't cover it. so now i'm stuck with my capsules and hoping that they won't get stuck on the way down each night. i'm near tears!   my stomach pain isn't going away and they gave me a little bit of a hard time calling in more for me on Monday. i feel so bruised up inside, i look like a pin cushion from all the heprin shots and I'm getting frustrated that I can't even do normal everyday activities. i'm eating everything i'm supposed to to the T...no extra stuff. I've only lost 6 lbs. i did lose 3 inches of my belly, so guess that's something. maybe my shakes have too much sugar or something? trying not to give in to the feeling of eating even less just to lose more weight.   all in all it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. however it is still a very emotional journey and it's not over yet. i'm lucky to have the most amazing man in my life to help me through this and not let me slide down into my dark depression again. if anyone is reading this and still debating on the surgery please know that even after all i've just said I'd do it again. it really is worth it! one step at a time and i'll eventually get to that healthy life I desire so much
ladyarwenrose

ladyarwenrose

2
sarasgonnashrink
 

Back On

Following the advice of one of my replies, I called Melissa Jenson at true results and she reffered me to a different Dr. She was great. The other Dr office called me the very next morning. (Dr.Snow). And she already had my insurance co change to him. She already had me a surgery date, Aug 9. and the best thing is they are only charging me half the co pay that Dr carter was charging, and they take my credit card, and no money up front. It will be longer before my surgery,but this just seems like a better deal all the way around. Not trying to be ugly, but I think Dr. Carter is alittle greedy.
sarawray

sarawray

4
Hiltoncats
 

Restarting And I Mean It!

Ok, I'm back on the forum and ready to restart my journey. It seems I've taken a long vacation from doing what I need to do...kind of like nearly 2 years. I haven't gained any weight back, I just haven't lost any. So now it begins...I am determined to do this.   Just a recap. I was banded in Oct 2009. My journey began at 309. I had great success early on then I, let me stress I stopped doing what I needed to do. For at least 18 months I have been up and down from 245-252. The lowest I have ever been with the band was 237 for maybe a minute on one random day. I usually stayed between 242-245.   I have decided that I have slacked off long enough. I have gone more regulary to the doctor for fills. It had been nearly a year since my last one when I went back in April. I went again in June and again just yesterday. I have to wrap my head around the fact that it doesn't matter how many ccs are in my band (9ccs in a 10cc realize band) but how my body is reacting to what I'm doing or not doing.   I have started going to water aerobics for 2 weeks now. I try to go three times a week Mon/Wed/Fri mornings. I know this will change once school starts. I'll only be able to go twice a week on Tues/Thurs afternoons if I'm lucky. I am determined to make this a priority. I'm planning on cutting back my after school hours to one day week for tutoring this year. I'm not going to stay in that building until 7pm this year. I am also going to be back in grad school to earn the next level of certification. I think more than ever, I will need the exercise of either water aerobics or Curves as an outlet for stress.   I am blessed to have a supportive family. My husband and son are wonderful. My son, who is 19, always talks about whether I should really try to eat something. He worries. My husband is there for whatever I need. Last night I had such painful gas trapped as I was trying to sleep that he woke up and rubbed my back for 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he had to get up and go to work.   So I guess in rambling about all of this, I am trying to tell myself that I have no excuses. So here I go!
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

1
Futureskinnyperson's Blog
 

Missing 'real Food" Terribly

Hi All, I just started week 2 post op from a VSG. I have to tell you that I am feeling a little freaked out that I still crave and desire REAL food, the same way that I did pre-operatively. I am told that magically this feeling goes away, but that is not happening here at my house! After the starvation diet of clear fluids for a week post op, and really wanting a cheeseburger, more than anything else in the world, the full fluids are really not doing it for me either!! I can't believe that it is going to take MONTHS before I can eat REAL FOOD???? I will be a crazy person by then if the desire for the taste and textures of real food, that you chew and swallow, does not subside!!!!!!! Somebody? Anybody? who is 3-4-5 weeks out....what are you really eating...... Also please tell me when I can have a BITE of a cheeseburger again.....that is all I really want....just one bite. From what my dietary notes say from my doctor.....4 months for beef???????? Are you kidding me??? HELP!!!
Futureskinnyperson

Futureskinnyperson

8
saramatos11's Blog
 

Fellow Bandsters!!!! Please Help

Had my first fill yesterday and now I am back on liquids. The liquid diet doesn’t really bother me because I know that it will help me achieve my goal. The Dr. put me on a 3 day liquid diet, then soft, then regular. I have read people going on a 1 day and even 2 day liquid diet, but not a 3 day after a fill. Is my Dr. exaggerating this diet by extending it another day or two? Or is this the regular post fill diet? Also, at this time, I am not hungry and have been satisfied with my liquids. My concern is…. Will I be hungry on liquids for 3 days? Although I am not hungry, I don’t feel full. Is that normal? My last question is…. How can I tell if I am over filled or under filled? Right now, everything feels a bit “normal”, but I have to assume that it is because I am only drinking liquids, but I can still drink at least a 16oz cup of water within 45 mins. Am I able to drink too much? The last, last, last question: Am I over thinking this too much? UGH… I feel so confused
saramatos11

saramatos11

9
desertmom's Blog
 

Great Suggestions!

hi,thanks for the great suggestions!I have had a good food day and I tried to drink more water.I now have the lipbalm and that seems to help as well.   I counted a little calories (hehe) and found that I was drinking 5 cups of coffee or tea with milk every day.That didnt help.The carbs also went over 100 every day.What stumped me is the fact that my weight can go up when I eat 1300 cals a day.It petrifies me to think I will have to eat this little for ever.HOWEVER,I have realized that if I exercise it is different.Of course this makes me understand the importance of exercise once again.   I need to stop worrying so much about this.Of course I want to lose weight on holiday but if it can just stay stable I will be thrilled.It was the right choice not to come to SA for the usual 2 months and in 2 weeks I will be home again and will start with a personal trainer.   All this just makes me a little depressed as I realize once again that this is a life long battle.I will have to change my attitude about food and stress and I will have to work on my coping skills.   O well,Rme wasnt built in a day and I will get this!I want to succeed and I feel that thi is already a big change in me.   xxo
desertmom

desertmom

0
LLCoolNoe's Blog
 

1 Day To Go

What a long strange trip it's been! In less than 24 hours the slicing and dicing will begin! I thought I'd be more nervous, but with all of information I've received from the True Results people, all of the posts in the forums, and all the other random reading I've been doing I really feel like I have a pretty good handle of what's in store for me. I'm sure when I wake up tomorrow morning I'll be singing a different tune, but for now, I'm just excited and anxious to get this part over with so I can get started on the rest of the journey. Well, I hope today goes by fast so I can get to the big day tomorrow!
LLCoolNoe

LLCoolNoe

4
Sleeved by Dr. Kelly in Mexico
 

Week 15 - Post Op

Week 15   Last week’s weight – 205.2 This week’s weight – 203.8 Total weight lost this week – 1.4 lbs   Total weight loss since surgery – 42.2 lbs   Average weekly weight loss since surgery – 2.6 lbs   I’m getting closer to my goal of being under 200 lbs (yay!). I’m also happy that I haven’t reached any kind of stall in my weight loss. I keep waiting for it to happen but so far so good (knock on wood!). I also haven’t experienced any hair loss (I make sure that I think protein first when eating and I take a dissolvable Biotin tablet each morning – which is suppose to help strengthen nails and promote hair growth).   I have hit the summer doldrums but luckily the surgery helped remove any feelings of hunger so I know that when I am reaching for something to eat it is completely out of boredom and I am able to resist (in my pre-surgery days my stomach would act like it was hungry when really I was bored). I’ve retaken up knitting (nothing fancy just scarves and hats) to keep my hands busy. Right now I am knitting a scarf with a new stitch called a basket weave stitch (saw it on Pinterest) and that requires a bit of concentration, time, and attention.   My favorite go to food these days is edamame. I bought a giant bag at Sams that had lots of individual bags inside it. I microwave it for 4 minutes, sprinkle lightly with salt and by the time I am finished eating it (which takes awhile) I am completely full and I feel like I’ve gotten some good protein in.   I am still walking in the morning (3 miles) and it feels good to get it over with so early in the day. It is super hot and humid here so I am seriously motivated to get it done first thing in the morning before it becomes too unbearable. I know I have talked about joining the Y but I am thinking I might wait until school starts back up since it will be difficult to walk in the morning and get to school on time.   The biggest news this week is that I told a coworker about the surgery (she is the first person to know outside my husband and sister…who I told on vacation a few weeks ago). We were on the beach and she was saying that her husband wanted the sleeve and she thought he was crazy to want to do it in Mexico. I wanted her to know that it was perfectly fine having it done in Mexico and that he would be ok so I told her. I told her that she could have him call me if he wanted. It sounded like a different procedure then what I had so I kind of want to talk to him as well (not removing stomach but putting something around the stomach to restrict it???? She said it was called the Gastric Sleeve because it was a sleeve that was put around the stomach. I hadn’t heard of that so I am curious.)   Until next week!
mrsteacher

mrsteacher

6
JUDY1458's Blog
 

"should I Get On The Scale"

My Doctor's appt is tomorrow I wonder should I get on the scale or be surprise tomorrow .? I do not want to get obsessive w/Mr. Scale "uhg" So confused 5days post-op. Can anyone shed some light, tell me how does everyone feel about Mr. Scale?
JUDY1458

JUDY1458

2
CdnExpat's Blog
 

The "perfect" Patient

Fourth doctor's visit last night. I'm down to 178, and it's the first time I've been below 180 for about 15 years. A loss of 11 pounds. Doctor tells me from now on, it should be two pounds a week as I eat more "real" foods. Okay by me.   Anyway, he quizzed me about the meds which I've taken faithfully. (I also did the Heparin shots on myself at home for 10 days after surgery - an action that tore a whole in the Ozone over here because in this culture, they hire a nurse to give insulin shots! ) I'd had blood tests after the last checkup, and the doctor gave me a copy "for your records" (like THAT would ever happen in Canada) and we went over the numbers together. And how lovely they were. Upshot is that I can stop taking the iron tablets (yeah!!!), don't need to take calcium separately anymore, and I can stop the nightly Pariet. If I have occasional heartburn, I can do like everyone else and eat an antacid. All my left with is the Centrum multivitamin. No biggie.   I had a few questions about my hair loss which is becoming more obvious, and he confirmed the research I've done. The hair loss is in fact the result of the surgery and the wls. Ensuring I get enough protein is to prevent Ketosis and to ensure I lose fat, not muscle mass. The side-effect of enough protein is that the hair loss lasts for a shorter period and the regrowth starts sooner.   After we were done, the doctor told me I didn't need to see him for two months, and that he wished all his patients were like me. He talked a bit about compliance - how difficult it is in this culture to ensure his patients do as they need to do for optimum health. (Think the insulin thing) There is no psychological assessment here prior to surgery, and no one is turned away except for grave medical risk. He told me that the consequence of that is the majority of his patients lose the weight but end up with severe nutritional deficiencies which have a life long impact on their quality of life. Yikes. He ended by telling me that I've been the perfect patient and he wished he had the opportunity to work with more expats. A nice little bit of validation, considering that I'm pretty forthright and demanding in my encounters with the medical profession, having been a patient advocate for years. My husband insists I'm the worst patient EVER, and sometimes I agree with him. But in this case, it's all good.   So I'm basking in the happiness of being "perfect" at something. As an added bonus, I got the doctor to give me all the stats. I don't have a scale and I never wrote them down, so he gave me the record of original weight, weigh-ins, and goal weight. I've adjusted my ticker, and I'm halfway! I hope on Thursday when I see the cardiac specialist, I'll get off the BP medication after four years.   Fingers crossed.
CdnExpat

CdnExpat

0
A funny thing happend while I was loosing weight
 

My House Is Vacation Central

I have had a really busy summer. I had my friend and her daughter visit in May. Then in June, they returned with her husband. Now, I have a a friend coming over from Ireland for two weeks and while she's here, I have my brother in law and his daughter visiting for two nights as well. Now, please know that I love everyone that is visiting and I wouldn't have it any other way. The issue is that I put so much pressure on myself to make my home look clean and welcoming. 10 years ago, I could clean my house from top to bottom, scrub the floors, clean the bathrooms, do laundry, make the beds, do dishes, and finally finish it all with dusting and vacuuming. Well, 10 years ago, my back wasn't as bad and I could wake up and have the house all done by 4pm. I would end the day by taking a shower and then getting a beer or glass of wine and relaxing on the couch while I looked around and admired my work.   That's not even an option now. My back has made it so that I have to clean in spurts. Because I have procrastinated, tomorrow, I will have to suck up the pain and attack the dirt and clutter with no mercy. Now, I know my home isn't 'dirty", it's more cluttered than anything. I also have the issue that we have no storage area, so there are many things that I would throw out, but my husband SWEARS he needs that empty box in case one day it's worth money. Yes, that's all true. I have boxes of empty game boxes for him. I have found a place to store them, but if I had my way, they would all be out side in the trash.   You all know that becasue this is how I feel, what will happen is one day, he will sell a game with the box and we'll have $10,000. Then I'll have to hear, "I told you so" for the rest of my life. Oh, I can't wait. LOL   Ok, back to cleaning. Because I know what I have to do tomorrow, and becasue I am stressed with all I have to do before my Irish friend gets here Thursday night, I now am not able to fall asleep. So, tomorrow, I will be in pain, tired, and I will have to clean for a guest. This should be fun. The problem is I know what will happen. By the time my husband gets home from work, I will be so exhausted that I will either break down sobbing (and then have to worry about the sinus issues), or I will start a fight with him for no reason except I want to yell at someone. Gosh I hope I cry.   For now, I think I will go to bed now. I will wake up around 9 or 10. I will do the laundry, dishes, and kitchen floor. Then I will do the bathrooms (quickly), and then go to the pool. Once I am done at the pool, I can come back, dust, and vacuum. Then I will make the house "company ready". You know what I mean: towels folded perfect and the bed made perfect, books placed in the perfect spot as well as a candle. I hope I'm not the only one who attempts to make my home look like it's in Good Housekeeping becasue if I am, I need more help than I thought. LOL Then on Thursday, I will relax and wait for her arrival.   Yes, that sounds perfect. Problem is, I know tomorrow, I will totally mess this up and will still be running around like a chicken with his heard cut off right to the point she walks through the door. Then I will say the words we all say to company. "I'm so sorry the house is a mess, please just ignore it." Yes, that will have to do.
tmorgan813

tmorgan813

3
Ashtyn's journey!
 

Pre-Op Diet

Well, Thursday is my big day! I'm thinking a lot tonight, probably way too much. The good thing is, I had to lose at least 10 lbs on my Pre-Op diet & I've lost 15 so I'm pretty excited about that. Although, I'm feeling a little discouraged reading everyone else's Pre-Op posts about "3 days" or "7 days".. because mine has been 10. I was given a few puddings and things like that from my doctor. Since LAST Monday the 2nd, I've been eating jello, popsicles, pudding and water. I'm extremely hungry and it's getting very hard coming up on this last day. I hope this is normal & I wasn't instructed to do something bad. This Monday-Thursday I'm on all-water. I hope this is right. :/ Anyways. Any advice anyone has I'd love to hear, because I've never had surgery & I'm pretty much very scared! I don't handle pain well & that's scaring me. Anyways it's way past bedtime. goodnight.
AshtynClaire

AshtynClaire

3
Am I Giving Up or Starting Over?
 

My First Visit & Other Goings On

Well, I'm posting again so I guess that means I survived, right? I managed to weigh in at 181.9 which put me at a BMI of 35.5... apparently I have to maintain this weight though because my surgeon says that Cigna is going to go by the weight that I am when the paperwork is submitted so my current motto is to "gain or maintain". Yep, I'm off my rocker but when you're 30 and your prescription drug list reads like an essay what do you do?   Next big hurdle is waiting to hear from the patient coordinator who is contacting the insurance to see if any of my comorbidities qualify me with my BMI and I'm having a sleep study on July 23rd as a back up plan (apparently I have 4 of the 6 main symptoms of sleep apnea)... I think it's quite funny that at 30 (yes I keep harping on my age because I'm too young to be this d@mn sick) I have hypothyroidism, metabolic syndrome, severe asthma, anemia, GERD, osteoarthrosis (aka degenerative joint disease), migraines, ADD (which was brought about my the migraine preventive), and a newly developed heart murmur (am I sure it's new - yep b/c when I was in the Navy it wasn't there); yet, the combination of all of these conditions - nearly all of which will be remedied or at least greatly improved by this surgery may not be significant enough but sleep apnea which is the least of my worries will be enough. I'm now even more convinced that the decision makers at the insurance companies are on some really good drugs .   The doctor said that if we don't hit any snags with the insurance, I'm good to go for surgery in October... otherwise, I don't know what I do... Perhaps I'll just gain another 25 pounds because in the scheme of things I'd rather rejump the 200 line for a few months than keep starting my day with 7 pills, an inhalor, and a nasal spray, and ending it with 8 pills and an inhalor and wondering when I'll go from prediabetic to full blown diabetic so that I can add more pills...   In other news - my asthma hates me... I've been in some ongoing verson of a mild asthma attack since yesterday afternoon and nothing is making it stop. I went to the ER last night to only decide to leave after spending entirely too much time in the waiting room (apparently difficulty breathing is no longer a priority - who knew you didn't need to breath anymore? ). I hate the ER and pretty much any other medical facility and/or doctor who thinks that you have to be wheezing to be having an asthma attack... NEWSFLASH!!! NOT ALL ASTHMATICS WHEEZE ALL THE TIME! SOME NEVER EVER EVER WHEEZE! I'm convinced that's why these morons marked me as "ok" - I have two types of asthma and my most prevalent type involves tons of coughing when I have an attack and no wheezing. Nonetheless, I've had this overall breathless feeling off and on since... sometimes I'm ok and then othertimes I feel like I have to make a concious effort to breathe or I don't get enough air (If there was a blue smiley I'd insert him here, but since there's not use your imagination). I'm supposed to see some new PA at my doctor's office tomorrow afternoon - I'm calling in the morning though to see if my doc can squeeze me in because I wan't someone familiar with my health history and if this chic tells me I'm fine because I'm not wheezing, I may just break both of her legs .
barbi1281

barbi1281

1
slojo67's Blog
 

Just A Waitin'

I'm calling it pre-op hell, where I still have this ferocious appetite, not much control over my diet at all. Trying to change eating habits at this time, more veggies, protein, & taking vitamins in preparations for surgery August 28th. Have all of the arrangements made up to my first post op aptmnt. on Sept. 4th to remove suturess if I have them. I guess I'll have sutures. The director of nursing where I work just had gastric sleeve done 2 weeks ago tuesday and she didn't have sutures, she was just "superglued" on the outside. My bariatric dr in the states is Dr. Brian Swain in Murray Ky. My best friend, the one going with me to mexico had her surgery/fill per this dr. as well. He's only an hour away, I got lucky when I found him, the only other option I had for my follow up care/fills was going to be in Cinncinati Oh. which is 5 hours away from me! I just found out earlier today that Dr. Swain would take me, as I'm having the band done in Mexico by another surgeon. The nurse I spoke with said more dr's are taking patients who had surgery out of the states nowadays. The first visit will be 450.00 the subsequent office visits/fills will be 200.00. This is also less than the Dr. in Cincinati was going to charge. I have been very fortunate in my quest for lapband surgery options. I found a reputable surgeon in Tijuana mexico with the awesome price of 3500.00, my flight is onlly 333.00 round trip, I have a fill dr. 1 hr from home... I have a best friend who was banded 3 years ago and also is a nurse. I feel very greatful that i'll have good care at decent prices...I just wish the day would ARRIVE! I can hardly stand myself. I want to be healthy and look good again...5 years ago I weighed 125 lbs, but I had to starve to get there and starve to maintain it. I took diet pills everyday just to maintain it. I hated the nervous feeling they gave me. HATED IT! Well, gotta go do something else. I just got a new laptop today so that I can stay in touch with you all on my trip in August... Enjoying sitting on the sofa on the pc rather than at the desk all the time. My right shoulder would kill me after just a short time on the desktop pc. Good-bye and Just a waitin'...
slojo67

slojo67

0
lizzyshade's Blog
 

7 Weeks Post-Op

It's been 7 weeks since WLS and life is finally moving on in a more normal fashion. I am returning to work next week and actually looking forward to it! I have been walking, but my weight loss has been stalled since last week. I feel great though and that's what counts. I have started a food journal to help me track what I am actually eating. This week I went to our families big summer barbecue and also celebrated my husband's birthday at a steakhouse. The barbecue was challenging and although I did eat about an ounce more than normal, I felt good about not eating the favorite sweets and such that I normally would have. Out to dinner was easier because there was not a buffet of every food I grew up with on display. The 2 oz plastic cups I take with me everywhere are my savior! They help me stay in control of the portions. My goal for week 8 is to incorporate weight training and get more protein in my daily diet. Here's to continued weight loss!
lizzyshade

lizzyshade

0
blossom12's Blog
 

Feeling A Little Paranoid

Today I started my full liquids and it went VERY well. Got more than enough of my proteins in, I don't understand where people have issues with that, but anyway, I'm laying in bed and my mind starts racing. I'm starting to freak out because now I'm incorporating a little more calories to my diet and I don't want to hit a stall. I know I'm being silly, but I'm honestly paranoid about it. I really want this weight to come off and every time I tried to lose weight, in the past, I hit a stall and I can never break it. I know it won't happen to me again as far as never breaking it, but mentally I'm still afraid of the "what if you don't break a stall If you hit one. This will have all been for nothing. It's going to be like every other time and you're going to stay this way." ugh. Day 8. First real pointless freak out- post op.
blossom12

blossom12

1
angellic16's Blog
 

No Not The Shoes, Not Yet...

So I'm excited about the fact that I am losing weight. Less than 10 more lbs to go before I am below 200. (i'm excited about that turning point) Now let's talk about my shoes. I knew that there was potential for my feet to shrink a bit but I didn't think it would happen so soon. I am only 7 weeks out. I was trying to get the wear out of a few of the cutest sandals I bought pre-season but they flopped around on my feet today almost like clown shoes.   Of course I got rid of so many shoes last fall because I had no idea I would really do this and the smaller, tighter shoes were clogging up my closet. Where are those shoes now? I am really going to have to get creative with this. All of my shoes are wide or stretched until they are wide. I am so picky about finding cute shoes I feel torn on having to shop for my collection all over again.
angellic16

angellic16

4
A funny thing happend while I was loosing weight
 

What Size Are Those Pants? No Way

Today is almost my three month point. Also, I have my 20th high school reunion coming up so I figured it was a good time to go shopping. Now I have no idea what size I wear or where I should shop. So, I called my mother. I always like to have someone with me that will be completely honest and tell me I look like a teenage wannabe, or I'm trying to wear a size WAY to small or WAY to big. Mom will always be honest. Sometimes a little too honest. One time she told me not to buy something because my boobs looked to big. That's what I liked about the shirt. Needless to say, I bought it.   Anyway, today I started at Lane Bryant. You all know the Big Girl store. I found some things I liked and grabbed a couple different sizes. To my amazement, I fit into a 14/16 shirt, and a 16 or 18 pants (depending on the cut). I can't tell you the last time I wore anything that size. Especially for my shirts. At that moment, shopping began to be fun. I started to understand why people love shopping....I could totally get into this shopaholic thing.   Then I went to Old Navy. Now, understand that the only thing I used to be able to buy here was a men's XXXL sweatshirt. Well, today, I was able to fit into the woman's polo shirts (XXL), woman's jeans (size 18), and an XL woman's sweatshirt. Now, here's the funny thing. Being big for most of my life, I've always worn very baggy clothes. Because even though we all know baggy clothes don't hide anything, we feel more comfortable and let's be honest, we're hiding behind those extra baggy shirts and pants. So, when I came out to look in the mirror wearing these clothes that were the correct size and fit me the way they were supposed to, I felt so exposed. It took me awhile to get that this is what I am supposed to wear and how I am supposed to look. Trust me, it's crazy. I really had to look at the emotional issues that come with being fat. Then, I said "screw that" I'm losing weight and doing well. I have the body I would have died for when I was 25. I'm curvy, and yes I have more weight to lose, but I am going embrace my new body and not hide it being my XXXL sweatshirt.   Well, apparently embracing my body cost $300. I embraced it in new bras, underwear, jeans, pants, sweats, and shoes. I also made sure that none of those things were baggy or hiding anything. Everything I bought showed my body in a tasteful way. However, the only person who will see the panties and bras will be my husband....and he'll be happy to hear that my cup size is still a DD. He was so worried about that. LOL   So, now that I told you about my wonderful day, I have to tell you that I have been kind of down. My scale number has not really moved over the past month and a half. If goes up and down between five pounds. Now, I KNOW that I am working out more and gaining muscle and that my body is changing but I still want that number to go down. I want to be under 200 so badly, I can't even explain it. The last time I was under 200 I was in high school and I was working out all the time and barely eating. But, right now that's my goal and I am so upset that I'm not getting any closer to it. But, going today and seeing how my body is changing even if the scale isn't going down makes me feel REALLY GOOD. So, I decided to stop worrying about that number on the scale and enjoy my body and my new clothes. Now, I just have to figure out what I'm going to wear first.
tmorgan813

tmorgan813

3
A New Beginning
 

Steps 2 And 3

Well, steps 2 and 3 are successfully complete. Last month I completed the psychology review. I'm guessing since the men with white coats haven't been chasing me (or caught me), that I must have been deemed normal (or at least less than a bubble off normal).   Today my husband and I met with the surgeon, dietician and physical therapist. The surgeon was very positive and answered every question my husband and I had and explained things until we "got it". My husband went in with some trepidation, but walked out confident in the decision I have made. I'm a good candidate for the sleeve procedure, and with no co-morbidities, the surgery should go smoothly. I've never had surgery, and never been under anesthesia, so everything will be a new experience for me.   The dietician didn't really tell us anything we don't already know. We aren't "health nuts", but we aren't gluttons either. We know how to eat healthy, we just need to eliminate those little "cheats" that tend to pile up as the nights progress and boredom sets in.   The physical therapist was helpful, in a way. We both walk 4 1/2 miles/night together. The hard part is I have a 1 hr commute to work and then home at the end of the day, so squeezing in an hour and a half to walk, get dinner ready, and find time to unwind from the day (and those CRAZY drivers I deal with on the road), we run out of time for anything else and I'm exhausted! He had us walk down a hall way (about 100 ft.) down and back for 6 minutes. He then placed a device on my finger to measure something (I'm guessing this was to see what my oxygen level is when I work out and how quickly I recover from working ou.)   Overall, it wasn't really anything I have not heard all my life as I've endeavored to try and lose weight. I've always been overweight, and I think it's gotten to the point that my brain and body work so effeciently together, that no matter what I try to do, they're always going to get their way. So having the sleeve procedure will throw a MAJOR curve ball at them both and make them do things my way.   Now we're in "wait" mode. The paperwork is being submitted to the insurance company and we are just waiting for the approval. (I called them twice before this appointment and was told all that was required was a BMI of 35+ with no co-morbidities, and a 40 without) an 5 days notice of the procedure. Once the approval is received, the nurse practitioner will call to start the pre-op required testing and that's when I'll get my surgery date as well. According to the surgeon, they are currently scheduling mid-August. FINGERS CROSSED they make that decision quickly!   Last night I was a bit nervous and apprehensive about whether this was what I really wanted to do. After meeting these people and discussing everything, I think it's not only something I want to do, but it's the RIGHT thing to do.
Wisdom2KnowTheDifference's Blog
 

Bloodwork Update

So I did not hear anything back about my ultrasound and upper GI today, but I did hear about my labwork. Turns out I have elevated cortisol levels. I was referred to an endocrinologist and my appointment is Thursday. I am having my ultrasound results forwarded there as well in case this has something to do with the possible cyst on my kidney. I am getting closer to getting some answers but I am also getting more worried.   In other news, my sleep study is scheduled for Thursday as well. Just hope I will be able to sleep, depending on what the endocrinologist says...

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