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awesome62's Blog
 

Post Op Vacation

The doctors and staff at the bariatric center tell me I can return to work after 2 weeks but can't go on vacation. This sounds a little crazy to me. If I can go and work with 26 wild 7 year olds at 2 weeks, I'm wondering why I can't go and veg in a resort in Florida. I have an appointment tomorrow to discuss this with my doc. Any ideas?
awesome62

awesome62

6
mauraclegg's Blog
 

First Entry - Backround

Well, if I am starting a blog to hold myself a little more responsible then I guess I should start with a bit about my journey thus far:   I was banded June 8, 2010 and June 9, 2010 by the most wonderful surgeon, Dr. Nahmias here in CT. Yes, my band immediately slipped and I had to have a second surgery, but really it wasn't all that bad. The worst part was the NG Tube before the second surgery - I swear I could have punched the nurse tech who did it square in the face it hurt so damn bad. But after I woke from my second banding I felt like a million dollars and I didn't look back from there   I started about 262 lbs and by I lost my 100 lbs within 15 months, although the last 10 were as a result of my TT. But I am relatively happy with my size 10 bod.   I will say though I have HUGE body image problems. I think I look worse now than I did before. I don't see (somehow) that I look smaller. It's insane, but it's true. I have gone from a size 22 and a 44DDD to a size 10 and a 36DD and when I look in a mirror I see no improvement. I know it's all mental, and I am working on it, but it's HARD!!   My TT was uneventful, except for the hospital not being able to give me any ICE.. freakin crazy.   My JP Drains were removed within a week - I did have 2 small probs after - some fluid that had to be manually drained by my doc every week for about a month; and a small wound right above my pubic bone (smaller than a dime) that had to be chemically debrided - but it did eventually close (icky scar).   Lately I am maintaining my 96-100 lb weight loss - but I am occasionally bored with my food choices and I do push the envelope at times. I rarely vomit - only if I am talking when I am eating or I eat too fast or something I really shouldn't (more than 3 french fies)   I have to say my journey has been pretty easy - I lost my weight with minimum exercise which has led me to not want to exercise. I have been trying to walk again though.....
mauraclegg

mauraclegg

3
jennifer1's Blog
 

Slacking Off....ugh

ok so i made my goal of a size 12 in my one year since i was banded. and it seems like i lost my drive. ugh...last week was the first time in over a year that i only worked out 2 times versus 4 and i was just being soooo lazy. i cant loose my focus and start gaining weight back. ok so today i went to the gym and got back on track..i admit it was a little bit of a struggle, but i stuck with it. i'm praying that that lazyness was a one time fluke. anyway i finally uploaded my after pics..yeah me!!! well although i havent hit onederland yet!!!!!! i'm still shooting for my new goal of a size 10 by my bday in august. i gave myself plenty of time becuz really anything after this size 12 is icing on the cake. OK SO I'M BACK FOCUSED!! full steam ahead. oh i scheduled a small fill for june 23rd cuz that's my next off day when my doc is in the office. sometimes i think i need a fill and others i dont. so for right now i will keep the appoinment, but cancel it if need be. jennifer
jennifer1

jennifer1

0
bonitaloca42073's Blog
 

Dehydrated

I am 10 days post op and have had to many scares already. The burning ,ripping sensation,Pressure in my chest, and now my urine is dark really dark like tea, and I still havent had a BM, What should I do I am starting to think what Have I done to my, but yet I am so ready for the journey. Could someone help please.
bonitaloca42073

bonitaloca42073

6
blossoming's Blog
 

Feeling Sexy As Ever

Feels so good to be me today. I get more compliments and meet more men than ever. Cant image how it's going to be when I loose my last 30 pounds.   KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK EVERYONE, EVERYDAY IS A STRUGGLE BUT AS I ALWAYS SAY; "ALL FOR ME"
blossoming

blossoming

0
awesome62's Blog
 

Here We Go!

After being humilated at a teacher's inservice I decided something had to be done. In February we were supposed to work on the federal government's Common Core Curriculum when the planners of the inservice thought it would be clever to play with those words and work on our 'cores.' So we were asked to do pilates to start the session off. Well, once I'm on the ground, it isn't easy or pretty to get up again. A week later, I began the journey to WLS.   It seems I've been trying to lose weight my whole life. I was a stick until about 4th grade. Ever since, I've been compared to all of my very athletic and thin siblings and relatives. I even had an uncle call me to congratulate me on the birth of my daughter who weighed 9 pounds. He ended the call with, "Have you lost any weight?" My reply was...9 pounds.   In addition to wanting to be able to move, look and feel good, and reverse my diabetes, I need to be healthy for my children. I have a 20 year old who is an amazing athlete and an adorable 11 year old. Both are often embarassed of my size. They rarely say anything but I've seen and heard comments from others. I want to be able to do things with them and have the energy to keep up with them.   I want to be active even into my 80's and 90's! So here we go!
awesome62

awesome62

3
Cnewme2012's Blog
 

Expectations Of Others !!!!

Has anyone experienced that others have expectations of how much weight you should have loss. It makes me feel like I've failed them someone. I am ok with losing 24 lbs in 5 weeks. I know that once I really get serious about exercising the weight will come off. I knew from the beginning that the weight loss would be much slower than the gastric bypass. Any suggestions as to how to handle this ?????  
Cnewme2012

Cnewme2012

2
Shelleymb's Blog
 

And So It Begins...

About a week ago, my boyfriend and I decided that this is our option and choice, Lap-Band surgery. The path that we will take to better our lives and selves before getting married and having children. I have tried so many ways to lose weight, but what ever small amount I lose, I always gain back, and now I am at my heaviest. I blame myself though and my lack of self control. I was in Japan for the first two months of the year and I went without a vast variety of foods that we take for granted, so when I came home from Japan I ate everything I didn't have for two months. So now I'm 275 pounds, almost pullin 3 bills, and it makes me sick. Tyler says that he is the heaviest that he has ever been, over 300 pounds, but he refuses to exercise, he's lazy that way. He thinks it's all about his portions, and that with Lap-band that will be the jump start he needs. I believe him, I feel like if he knew that he had a helping hand that it would be what he needed. Same for me too.   We are planning on getting the surgery in December (Tyler is going on a 6 month trip to San Diego for work and will be home close to Christmas). We are self-paying so I want to save up as much as we can so that we don't have to finance the whole thing.   My biggest issue right now is that I know for sure this is what we want to do, now I just have to wait 6 months, but it's completely changed my thought process. Now when I'm working out ( I do Crossfit, extreme cardio and weight lifting) it feels so hard and difficult and I find myself saying, "This shouldn't be so hard." And when I am making meal choices for me and Tyler, I sometimes go with the unhealthy choice with the back thought, my life will start anew in December. I need to get out of this mind set. I know that eating healthy and working out I'm not going to lose enough weight to not need the surgery in december, My goal weight is 165. Tyler says his is 200. These I feel are good goal, and obtainable once the surgery is complete. We shall see.
Shelleymb

Shelleymb

1
The Journey Has Begun!
 

Food Cheating

So for all the people who have had surgery... I was wondering how honest people were. Have any of you cheated and tried something you shouldn't have when you were almost 2 weeks out? I know people are starving for food if you are on a liquid/pureed diet. It's normal to want a consistency to food because your body is used to that. So has anyone cheated and chopped up something and tried to eat it?
lolletta

lolletta

4
A funny thing happend while I was loosing weight
 

Strutting My Stuff At The Pool

Now, for the record, I am not by any means thin...YET. However, I have to admit that today at the pool, I felt really good about myself. From my highest weight, I have lost close to eighty five pounds. Since my surgery, seven weeks ago, I have lost a total of fifty five pounds. It amazes me how losing that weight has affected me.   Last year I would go to the pool and try to get a chair as far away from people as possible. I would also make sure the chair was in close proximity to the steps of the pool so that I could just dart in without having too many people see me. I know people don't like to look at overweight people so I didn't want to cause their eyes to have to hurt any more than they would have to. I figured that the faster I got in, the faster I could "hide" in the water. I would have never EVER thought about sitting on the edge of the pool and chatting with a friend or walking to the far steps to get in becasue someone was hanging out at the ones near my chair. I would have waited until the people moved and then darted in to the pool. I broke all my rules today.   First, I proudly strutted my stuff down the length of the pool to go in the steps that were not being occupied. Then, I sat on the edge of the pool, legs in, and didn't once think about how fat I looked and how I shouldn't be sitting there. I also didn't dart in, and attempt to hide in the water. I took my time getting in the chilly water and enjoyed myself. When I was done, I again proudly strutted my stuff back to my chair, laid down and soaked up the sun. At one point I even looked at my ever shrinking legs and thought, "Damn girl, looking good!"   I have to admit, I like this new feeling. I can't remember ever feeling this good about myself. Even when I was a size 10 I was self conscience. I am sure the more I lose, the more my body image will change for the better. and I can't wait for that to happen, but for now, I am going to enjoy my time this summer at the pool or beach and continue to strut my stuff every chance I get and I hope you all do the same. Strut that stuff and be proud...sleeve or no sleeve, we are all beautiful!!!
tmorgan813

tmorgan813

4
300 Pounds down
 

Secrets

Warning:: This one might be a trigger for anyone who has suffered any form of abuse/attack in their life so just letting you know that before you click.   Love to all my fellow sleevers! Press on to victory. I know we can do it!!   Click here
300PoundsDown

300PoundsDown

3
EMC28's Blog
 

Quitting Smoking

This is the hardest part of the preparation for this surgery. I have been smoke free for just about 5 days now, and its not getting easier, it just seems to be getting harder. I know this is something I have to do in order to have the surgery. My surgeon wants his patients smoke free for three months before surgery, and I do not have an official date yet so I think that is the reason I am really not motivated to quit 100%. It is definitely something that is very hard for me to do but I am working on it and so far I have been ok.
almostsleeved28

almostsleeved28

3
newlife4nekaylyn's Blog
 

I Conquered The Water Park!!!

Ok so here it is summer and here i am with three kids who LOVE swimming just as much as me. Which was always fine as long as it was our own pool but about two years ago my kids learned about hurricane harbor and all the water fun that has to offer. All that i could see was me being the over weight mom wishing that i wasn't. I love to make my kids smile and i knew that i would be the only one uncomfortable with myself because i was over weight. I mean i never ever bought myself a swim suit because well let face it i knew i was big and big isn't always pretty in swim wear. So when i started my lap band journey i had many goals and one of the goals was to get myself to where i looked good enough to wear a swim suit in June. I have push myself and pushed my self. And back in march i bought a swim suit and i wore it at a hotel in and indoor pool and i thought to myself this wasn't bad i wasn't made fun of and this swim suit really hid all the loose skin areas. So last week i bought my whole family season passes to hurricane harbor. It was the first time that i went since i was about 17 and had an adorable body. But now here i am branded looking of some sort of redemption as far as all the excuses i had given my husband in the past about why i didn't want to go to the BIG water park. In my husbands eyes i have looked beautiful at every point but my kids are a little harder to sell on the idea. But we went yesterday and i wore my swim suit in front of the thousands of people and no bad looks no mean name calling nothing. And what made the day even better was that my son wanted to ride all the rides with me he asked me to go ride rides with him. And he said mom your pretty. He is nine and i have said this before but just to be clear i haven't had any children of my own i have three step children that i adopted. But my son is the one that i have really raised because he was so small when we met each other He acts just like me and everyone thinks that he is really mine but any ways. He told me that i was pretty and that made the day that much better! Thanks to my lap band i can go to water parks and i can feel like everyone else at them and as long as my kids are happy im pretty sure i can do anything!
newlife4nekaylyn

newlife4nekaylyn

2
Vicki147's Blog
 

Stalled

I have been stalled for two weeks (weeks 3 and 4). I am very discouraged. I am staying on the diet to the letter, and I am getting in all my proteins and fluids. I would really like to hear about others who are stalled, and who have been stalled. I would like to know how long your stalls were, and after the stall, how much wt. did you start losing? HELP
Vicki147

Vicki147

5
angellic16's Blog
 

Day 8

So, it has been a tough week for me. There were so many highs and lows. It's hard being a single, independent woman because you are so used to relying on yourself for everything. No one came to visit me when I left the hospital so that sucked pretty bad. Maybe it's because everyone else is used to me doing for me period.   Food - I miss chewing everything. Gum, meat, vegetables, whatever. I lot of the protein drinks that I bought pre op taste awful but because I spent so much money I am trying to push through. The most digusting thing is the protein jello (what was I thinking when I bought that).   Work - I started working from home on day 7 and it was tough because I worked a full 8 hours. It felt good not to just be sitting around the house, plus I will not lose any additional time.   Exercise - I walked two full miles today and felt great. I was totally energized which is different. I have been getting my 1 mile in per day but decided to push it because my pain is pretty much gone. I am totally afraid to weigh myself because the last time I weighed I had gained a few pounds. I cannot wait to be able to do more than walking.   I am so glad that my child is almost 18 and does not require a lot of cooking from me. Cooking food in these first few weeks is hard. It is still hard to smell food when she cooks. I want to throw everything in the garbage.   Jello and popsicles are my best friend.   I wish I had a significant other to share little milestones with. I have a friend that had a bypass 4 years ago but I haven't had very much support from her since my surgery. Everyone is "too" busy. I'm definitely going to follow up with the therapy session so I will not completely lose my mind.   I guess this is all for now. Feel like I am rambling.
angellic16

angellic16

6
Leaha's Blog
 

Is This All Normal? What Am I Doing Wrong?

Ok, so this is my first attempt to ever writing any kind of blog, so bare with me, if I come off as an ignoramous, I apologize lol. First of all, I had surgery May 22nd and so far Ive lost 7lbs. But so far since Ive been home, I find myself always wanting to put something in my mouth. And its hard for me to decifer whether Im indeed hungry, or if Im just being my "old self" always wanting to eat? So, as I struggle with this, when I do eat, sometimes I can eat just enough and be fine, no stomach pains. And then there are times when I eat and I dont know when enough is enough...personally I thought that would go away after the surgery, but I was wrong I guess. Also, I dont eat to the point of vomiting, but close, I feel like I want to and need to, but eventually after sipping some water and a few stops to the restroom, I feel ok again. All the while, hating myself for going to far once again...I dont know what my problem is. I try to keep in my mind that I put my body through major surgery and this needs to work because its my last option. I was also a little discouraged when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw I have only lost 7lbs since my surgery date. I do know that the wieght comes off different for everyone but I just thought it would be more, like maybe 15lbs or something. I do have all of these 4oz portioned containers that are awesome, and even though I know that should be plenty of food, I find myself grazing and I know I shouldnt be snacking. I just feel like a failure. Im trying not to let it bother me so early in the process, but I cant help it. Ive got a 2yr old son that is more than enough motivation but I still get so frustrated with myself. Am I in this boat all by myself??
Leaha

Leaha

8
misschris' Blog
 

Insurance Denial For Revision -Then, Approval!

This is to all those people out there who need revision. KEEP PUSHING YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY! I had a band and had it slip. I had to have emergency surgery to get it removed. After a year, a re-gained 30 of the 80 pounds I lost. My surgeon recommended me for revision surgery to a sleeve, but my insurance denied me. The insurance was trying to treat me as if I was brand new to bariatric surgery. They said that I did not weigh enough! Clearly, I was on my way to total re-gain. It was a gradual, upward trend. I appealed and was denied again. I was about to give up and saw that there was a 2nd level appeal process that went through an outside panel, independent of the insurance company. I sent a detailed, tabbed binder with my medical records prior to the band and after the band with a 2 page cover letter describing my journey and the anguish that comes with failed weight loss surgery. Much to my surprise, they granted approval. This process took about 6 months, but was totally worth it!
misschris

misschris

3
Mo's Awesome Recipes
 

Please Help My Friend

Hey people.   I don't know most of you on this site. I am not a beggar or anything like that. However I have come forward to the WL Community for help.   My friend Jayr is in bad shape. He can lose his leg. He has developed some serious Cellulitis and Lymphdema. Its getting bad, and doctors told him that surgery is the only option. He can't afford the surgery. He used to be an unarmed guard, but he lost his job because of the 5 month stay at Kaiser Permamente Hosp. If you can give, please Give what you can. If you can't please, I beg of you- pray for his well being.   https://www.wepay.com/donations/weight-loss-surgery-to-keep-my-leg?utm_campaign=donations&utm_medium=link&utm_source=facebook&ref_uid=8298810   Thank you all.   Please share this with all you know.   I can vouch for my friend Jayr. If you have questions, inbox me.
mocaba1987

mocaba1987

0
mayolarubilt's Blog
 

A Normally White Grin

Have you looked in the mirror recently and wished for a whiter smile? Lots of people believe whiter teeth are out of their reach due to how costly dentist visits and tooth whitening products could be. But the truth is that there are several time-tested ways of tooth whitening that don’t require either of these. This is where I found the article:How to naturally lighten your smile   Improve your tooth health   You’re probably already doing one thing to help whiten and strengthen your teeth. Milk contains high volumes of calcium and vitamin D, compounds which work together, states “Today” show health expert Joy Bauer because, “Calcium helps to keep teeth and jawbones healthy and vitamin D helps our body absorb it.” You should also add broccoli to your diet, though, because it too is a significant source of calcium and is loaded with vitamin C, which Bauer claims “has been proven to help prevent gum disease and gingivitis.”   Scrub your teeth   Another way to get that white smile you’ve always wanted is to eat fibrous foods like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and apples. Bauer claims these foods act as “nature’s toothbrush.” Aesthetic dentist Jonathan Levine, DMD, adds, “[these foods] actually work to remove stains by exfoliating teeth before the stain molecules attach themselves deeply to the surface.” It’s best to eat these foods raw when you can.   Drink through a straw   Sugary foods do not do your smile any favors, but neither do starchy foods or dried fruits that get stuck easily between your teeth. When you do eat these foods, make sure to follow them up with sugarless gum or water to help rinse the debris from your teeth. Also, when you drink any sort of carbonated beverage or brightly colored fruit drink, make sure to use a straw that lets the liquid bypass your teeth. This will help prevent enamel damage and staining.   Sources Yahoo! Shine Woman's Day
mayolarubilt

mayolarubilt

0
It's My Life
 

Approved :)

I got approved today. My surgery date is teh 27th of June 2012. I'm ecstatic!   My life is about to change, and I can't wait!
pkehrer

pkehrer

4
englandconnie's Blog
 

Kidney Stones And Gastric Sleeve Surgery

I had my gastric sleeve surgery on February 20, 2012 and everything went great. I've lost 45 lbs since surgery. However, I have developed one problem...kidney stones! Mother's Day weekend I had my first experience with a small stone and also walking pneumonia, which was related to a sinus infection. Last week I suffered another kidney stone episode and wasn't as lucky with it this time. I was told that the stone was too large to pass (6mm), so I went to the urologist early Friday morning and had surgery on Friday afternoon. He used a lasar to get rid of the stone and then placed a stent in which was removed yesterday. He is concerned that my stones may be due to high uric acid/gout. I've been reading various information on both gout and the correlation between gastric sleeve and kidney stones. I am currently awaiting results from my blood work to determine if I might have gout. I have had some major flare ups with various joints that usually doesn't last long (another sign of gout). On a positive note: I'm very pleased with my weight loss and haven't had any problems with over eating and such. It is wonderful to try on clothes and have them "fall off." Since I'm a hoarder, I have had lots of smaller sizes to pull out and start wearing. I don't want to waste a lot of money on clothes that I won't be wearing very long, so I have purchased a few pair of shorts at the local Goodwill. I'm still wearing a lot of my t-shirts and other tops even though they are beginning to get a little baggy. I hope that these kidney stones are just a minor problem and don't become a regular event. I've read that some people have flare ups two or three times a month...I don't want this. First of all it really puts a limit on the things you want to do and can do, second they are very painful and I have a fairly high tolerance to pain. Third, I don't want to be a regular in the emergency room. I know that when people do this, doctors tend to start thinking that you are just looking for drugs. Personally, I don't like the way these pain killers affect your body. They put me into a zombie like state and I don't like it.
englandconnie

englandconnie

6

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