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LeeLee76's Blog
 

Feeling great!

Feeling great today! I went for a nice long walk before work this morning, a walk on my dinner break and I have so much energy I might just go to the gym after work as well.. sounds a little crazy I know..   I'm scouring the websites for some different low fat recipes for Cod and Haddock. I eat mostly those two and chicken and don't want to become bored too quickly. Also, does anyone have any recommendations for breakfast things that are really quick, easy to make and can be eaten in the car or on the run? I have an hour commute to work and work a ton of overtime so generaly I do not eat my meals at home and breakfast is a must.   I made a pact with myself. I'm going to try not to weigh myself for the next 2 weeks, until 9/14 when I go to the doctor for what could be my first fill. I want to concentrate on eating right and finding that spot where I feel full rather than stressing about what my scale says. With any luck when I arrive at the doctors office I will be pleasantly surprised.   Hope everyone in bandland had a great week and have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend!    
LeeLee76

LeeLee76

0
boshie's Blog
 

Not Good...

Well trying to find my way again... WAS doing great! Got sick a few months ago and had to get unfilled. bummer for me. I have fallin hard! Gained 23 lbs. . I told myself I will never be that sad 268 lb women again. somehow im eating my words. Sad but true. I went back 2 days ago to get a fill only to find out that my port has done a 90 degree turn on me. working on getting it fixed soon. Right now being able to eat what ever is not good for me!!! Anyone else ever had this problem? would love to hear from you. Peace~
boshie

boshie

3
CAMMYD's Blog
 

9lbs TIL WONDERLAND OH YEAH !!!!!

Yes I spelled it Wonder ,because I wonder what its going to feel like to be back in my 100's, I can't remember the last time I saw a 1 as the first number of my weight ...sigh!!!!! But OH BABY I sure am looking forward to it in the not to distant upcoming days!!! I got on the scales the other day and they tell me I am at 209.2 , the scale wavered between 208.9 but stopped at 209.2 , I'll take it !!!!! I went to Jazzercise to get my sweat on and burn some of the calories from yesterday and my Jazz instructor really made my day when she said   "The more I see of you ... The Less I see of you !!!!!!!!"   Wow that felt good to hear, I don't visually see the change , but I feel it in my clothes and the way I feel in general.   MY STATS:     June 10th, 2011 251 lbs - Two weeks prior June 27th, 2011 234 lbs - Day of Surgery July 13th, 2011 217 lbs - Two weeks after surgery (Down 34 lbs) Sept 1st , 2011 209 lbs - Today a little over two months - (Down 42 lbs)   9 lbs to Onederland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And also My first visit to Victorias Secret
CAMMYD

CAMMYD

1
kab's Blog
 

scared

Ok I got my call Yesterday yah right well I am scared now and having second thought!!! HELP   I know people that have gotten banded and didnt loose a pound!!!!!! Then the one person I do tell goes you can do this yourself. and plus you will lose it quickly and your skin will be hanging and you will still look like s%^&. so now i dont know what to do HELP please   Thank you   Kim
kab

kab

10
Journey Begins
 

WI Banders??

Anyone out there from WI getting banded soon, just curious if there is and if so where is the surgery takeing place. I have never actually met someone that has got the band done recently, I go on Oct 7th and I really love reading all the posts it has taught me alot already!!! Im scared and nervouse all at the same time!! Have a great day!
Wear your Passion

Wear your Passion

0
Blog
 

First consult with Dr. Schumacher

I woke up this morning feeling nervous about my appointment. I didn't sleep well last night, tossing and turning. I made it to my appointment 40 minutes early for paperwork and there were three other patients in the waiting room. One of them was a girl my age, who had undergone RNY 6 months ago and was having her 6 month check up with Dr. Brown. She started out over 400 pounds, and is now under 300. I was amazed! She told me about her struggles with food addiction, and how she has always been obese. I asked her what the scariest part of having surgery was and she replied "there is more to be known about complications with morbid obesity alone than there are complications with RNY". I thought about what she said, and realized that is so true. I waited an extra 10 minutes to be called back by the medical assistant. I had my first weigh in at 315lbs, and then was asked a long list of questions regarding why I am looking into weight loss surgery. By the time Dr. Shumacher came in, I wasn't nervous at all. He asked me some general questions and then did his examination. I was told that I was a "classic pear shape" and that I would be a great candidate for VGS. We also discussed RNY a little bit, and to be honest the details of RNY scare me a little. We discussed it because some insurance companies view VGS as experimental and the surgery is not covered, but RNY almost always is. I decided at that point that I would research and put in a lot of consideration to RNY before giving up if VGS wasn't covered. Either way, the end result is a healthier me. After the consult, I was given a packet to fill out for the other consults that are required by KMC Bariatrics. I am now awaiting a call to schedule my ancillary consults  
riggsrn

riggsrn

0
icuingme2's blog
 

The much anticipated phone call came today.....

finally all the testing and doctor's appts done.....I have been waiting on approval or denial from my insurance company.   <insert DEEP SIGH> THEY APPROVED MY SURGERY!!!!   I dare say all of you know what the feeling of anticipating that phone call is like and others who know what it is like to hear YES on the other end and not be expecting it. I don't mean to come off dramatic in saying this but I feel like those people (the insurance company) when they approved it....said yes! Yes Arnetta you can have a 2nd chance at life......you can have the chance to play with your kids on the floor without hurting, or take them to the park, and most importantly be here for them later in life.........I mean what an overwhelming feeling..... I was bracing myself for that NO and I got a YES. I am so excited and surprising....I am scared too.   I know some people think this is a mircle fix....and I know it's not...but I hoping it will be the tool I need to help me reach my goal. I have researched and looked into this since 2002 and I have been through the "fad diets" and worked out 4 days a week religiously for 3 years with little success. I worked my butt off with little results long term (no pun intended btw) I am so thankful to have the option of such a wonderful tool that will help me along the way.   I AM SO EXCITED...........    
arnetta

arnetta

4
Vickie1953's Blog
 

today first fill

Had my fill today got 5cc wasnt bad... took less than 15 min...am sore though.. should have asked him if it was ok to work out tomorrow... It wasnt as bad as the pics show lol... I drove myself etc etc etc... on liquids for a couple days then go back to soft foods.. Doc told me I wouldnt be able to eat bread and meat... with celiac cant eat bread anyway.. some days I wonder just what planet I came from... lol    
Vickie1953

Vickie1953

0
deedee72's Blog
 

A new middle one! and a new pic!

For the past few days the scale reads 229!! Wow! Been many years since I've seen a 2 in the middle. I'm loving life people! For the new bandsters, hang in there, get your fills, go to your appointments....it gets better! Good Luck EVERYONE!   I took this pic this morning (loving the camera now!)
deedee72

deedee72

5
zil's Blog
 

I have lots of questions

I realize I have lots of questions and this seems like the perfect place to get feedback. Before my surgery (8/19/2011) I was having 2 protein drinks a day and 1 well-balanced meal. things went pretty good. Since being banded, I stayed on the liquid diet for a week, and then progressed to the smooshies. I have not had any problems with any of it goesg down or staying down. About the only thing that I find that will fill me up and hold me for a while is oatmeal mixed wth a little yogurt or one of the protein shakes (I started using the powder and mixing it with skim milk). Does this seem right? I have not felt any tightness at all and have absolutely no problems that I keep hearing about. Does this just mean that I will need the fills to help me get to where I need to be? I hate thiking about the next time I can eat, and I do not like the fact that the 1/4 or 1/2 cup of food they recommend does not satisfy me.
zil

zil

4
tlatimo4's Blog
 

Incision

My incisions are not healing well. I am so upset! The largest incision has opened up on the end. It looks so nasty puss is coming out and the smell is horrible. Yesterday I went to Urgent Care and they refused to help me. The doctor suggested that I go see my surgeon immediately. Well I’m scheduled for my follow up appointment with her on this Friday so I decided to wait till then. My other incisions look good and I don’t think there will be any scaring from them after they heal. But this big one I know will look crazy. Im so upset cause I don’t have too many bruises or scars on my body. I guess this is what comes with surgery! Lol Have any of you out there ever tired Mederma if so how did it work?    
tlatimo4

tlatimo4

5
zil's Blog
 

I AM SO CONFUSED ... PLEASE! SOMEONE HELP ME

OK, I am confused. I understand the process of being banded (surgery) but what I am confused about is the recovery period. I know I am supposed to be eating healthy, which I am desperately trying to do, but here is the confusion part..why am I told to eat things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, oatmeal, puddings, applesauce??? all these things are packed with either sugar or carbohydrates. Is this just a recovery phase while healing and waiting for the fills to start? And after having watched the DVD which was provided to me yesterday, which outlines the 8 rules...am I supposed to do this from the very beginning or after I start fills? What do you do? I truly want this to work and I know the band is just a tool, but I need to know how to make it work to my benefit. Any suggestions?   Z
zil

zil

3
momokev's Blog
 

Only 15 more days

In only 15 more days, I will be having the surgery that will change my life. I'm so excited! It is time for me to get a life! There are so many, many things I want to do. Ride my bike down the Virginia Creeper Trail, go hiking with my family, kick the soccer ball around with my son. And I am so sick of being ashamed of my body. I know this surgery is a tool, that this is going to take a lot of hard work on my part. I'm willing to do my part.   So I have a stock pile of protein shakes sitting in my dining room. I still need to get some soups, popsicles, and jello. It's coming along Heck, I am even packed for the most part. That's how ready I am to go!   I talked to my local doc last night and I was surprised how supportive he was. He asked a few questions, but didn't try to talk me out of having the surgery or going to Mexico for it. And I can plan for him to help with follow up labs, etc. This was the last area that troubled me, wondering what I would do if there was a problem, with Dr Aceves being so far away. Knowing Dr Kepley is there if I need him is very reassuring.   I have always believe that God will guide us to the right path. If it's the wrong thing, obstacle after obstacle will be thrown in our paths. I know this is the right path because everything has fallen so easily and perfectly into place.   Today is my last day to eat because I'm starting my preop diet tomorrow. I'm going to make today count, LOL! I've been taking a walk daily and drinking tons of water so I'll have some veins on my big day!
momokev

momokev

2
Andy's Articles
 

NSV

When I started this journey I was wearing 4x Scrubs at work. I had shrunk down to wearing 3x scrubs, but lately I noticed that thet were lose one me. When I picked up my 5 sets of scrubs today from the uniform room here at work I asked for 2X. I am wearing them now. YAY
AMayo1

AMayo1

5
AmyH33's Blog
 

35 inches GONE!

Banded 12/30/10 down 35 inches, from a size 22 to a 16, down 72 +/- lbs......would like to be @ 100lbs gone by my 1 yr banding date.....thats 3lbs a week, gonna be tough but maybe i will make it close, anything lost is progress!
AmyH33

AmyH33

4
LUCYCAT's Blog
 

DEPRESSION

I lost another 4 lbs this week. 22 pounds since my surgery. 37 pounds since the start of the year. I can wear clothes now that I haven't worn in ages. It is nice to have so many clothing options.   I have been hitting my protein goals every day. I usually hit or come close to hitting my water goals. I exercise every single day. Sometimes twice a day. Of course, that exercise is just walking swiftly. I am hoping the doc releases me a week early on the serious exercise. I don't see walking getting me much further.   I have been struggling with depression. Not because I regret what I have done. Not because I miss food or feel left out. Well, I am not sure why I feel this way. It is an odd hopeless feeling. I don't get excited about fitting into my old clothes. I don't get excited about the idea of losing more weight. I am just kind of going through the motions.   I had read that depression could be an issue for WLS patients. I am hoping this passes quickly.
LUCYCAT

LUCYCAT

0
earthchick97's Blog
 

Returning to Work

The time has come to return to work and today is my first day back. I was pleasantly surprised that the pair of pants I picked out to wear did not fit. They slid off of me. A great start to the day!!   I wasn't sure what to expect when I got off the elevator this morning. I was surprisingly eager to come back to the office, as it is one step closer to returning to a normal life. I told a few co-workers in confidence about my surgery before I left, and I knew they would be supportive after. Most others knew I had surgery but did not know anything specific.   What I was interested to see the most was what would be everyone's reaction. I have lost 30 pounds (15 pre-op, 15 post-op) so there is a noticable difference in my appearance. For the most part, the reaction was "You look good!" but nothing specific about weight loss. I was happy with that response.   What is almost funny to me is the different reaction a man vs. a woman has to the news of my bariatric surgery. I knew it was time to tell my boss and team leader, both of whom are men. When I checked in the office while I was still home recovering, I told them both the reason for my surgery. Their reaction was the same "Well..Oh, Great. Ok...". In other words, they didn't know what to say. I understand that it's a sensitive subject - addressing the need for bariatric surgey would also bring up the issue of being overweight, obese, etc. Given the sensitivity of the issue, avoidance was their plan of attack. Even though they didn't know how to respond, I'm glad I told them the whole story.   I was asked to go out to lunch today by coworkers to catch up. I knew this would be a big hurdle for me. I work in between Little Italy and Harbor East in the city of Baltimore. On top of the best Italian (er..carb loaded) places, we are also fortunate to have Indian, American, Mexican, Irish, etc.. You name it and I can walk to it and get it. Since I'm still on pureed foods, I knew it was not smart for me to go out to eat, even if it was for soup. Until I get back on a full diet again, I cannot tempt myself with the variety of food options available to me. I understand that I WILL eventually go out to lunch again. It's part of the journey - learning how to handle food in almost any situation, including eating out. But for now, I played it safe and stuck with my brought in lunch.   When I warmed up my lunch, I could tell those who knew I had bariatric surgery was curious what I was eating (3 oz. of blended tuna steak). Many don't know what someone who has had bariatric surgery can and cannot eat. I do not mistake curiosity with being nosy or insensitive. Most people do not know someone who has had bariatric surgery, and even if they do they may have not sat down and had a meal with them. So in a way, it's important to show those who do not know much about the weight loss surgery journey what it is all about. I do not use the words "role modle for bariatric surgery" though. That would impose too much pressure on me and indicate that mistakes are not possible. We will all fall (and get back up again) during this journey.   The best part of my first day back is that I can walk down the hall of my office with my head held a little higher than when I left. I still have a while to go, and more weight to lose, but I've started and I'm going in the right direction. People noticed. But more importantly I NOTICED and that's better satisfaction than a plate full of spaghetti and meatballs.    
earthchick97

earthchick97

4
JenniLee0628's Blog
 

Psych Eval today!

Went to the psych evaluation today and the psychologist was super nice! Yet another member of Mercy Healthy Weight Solutions who goes above and beyond helping you set goals for the new you! As the surgery is getting closer I find myself more and more doing things in a more healthier direction. Last night my daughter and I went on a long walk with the dog, we did homework together and cooked together and at bedtime she read her books to me. It is amazing how positive I feel already. I can't wait to see how I feel after the surgery. I know there will be struggles but it will be worth it!
JenniLee0628

JenniLee0628

0
Nichelle's Blog
 

4 Month Measurements

:welcome: Hello all from VST. Thank you for stopping by and checking out my blog. I keep this so I can keep track of all my numbers. There is not alot of valuable, self motivation talk in this, but it does show real numbers and real losses. This is just my blurb that I throw down and account for each month so I can remember my journey. This is the kind of stuff I was always looking for before I decided to have surgery so I though I would keep a very detailed log of all my numbers in case anyone wanted to know how it all came off. Plus its great to come back here and check and see how things are going and see that I am losing. Moving on! :eek2: OMG, can not believe I am four months post of vsg. Time just flies by. When your in the moment sometimes things couldn't go any slower and all you want is the time to get to moving, but once the time does pass us by it seems almost too fast. Life is so short and I am so glad I decided to change mine for the better now instead of waiting till later. I could have lost so many valuable years to my weight. So ok a few things I want to mention I do not think about food the same way. Food is fuel and neccessary for me to live and to do things I need to get done. I don't worry any more about being hungry or what I am going to eat all the time. I do not really have cravings like I used to. I can see a commercial with food and not be mouth watering and go eat even though I probably wasn't even hungry. I do not think about pre eating before I go out. Like say before if I were to go out to a bbq or something like that I would eat first so I wouldn't look like a pig when we did eat or worry that there wouldn't be enough food. I am not embarrassed to eat in front on people now either. I remember alot of the food I would eat was when I was at home alone in my room. Its so great not to have to worry about things like that now. Its fantastic! :peace: So I have had just about the most amazing summer I can think of. I have never had so much fun and done so many great things. A few things I did were go on a float trip where we went canoeing, Oceans of Fun, state fair, went to the Ozarks twice, family reunion, casino, out with friends to RCs, Polka Dot, and Goodfellas singing karaoke, BBQ, wore a dress/a bathing suit/shorts, oh and did I mention I also lost 53lbs in the process!! Hell yeah. Life couldn't get any better right now I've been saying, but every month I feel better and smile more and simply enjoy life. :scared0: NUMBERS! That face is what I would have thought before this surgery. Nope this is more like it now :woot: This month was great. I lost another 9 lbs. which seems to be the tread for the past few months. I can hang with that. At that rate I'll be close to 200 by halloween and weigh less than my boyfriend at that point. This month I moved on the bmi scale also. I started this journey in the classification of morbid obesity. I moved down to obesity class 2 the first month out of surgery and just this month acutally this past week I have now moved under a bmi of 35 so that puts me in the classification of obesity class 1. Now some would say woopie big deal your still obese, but truthfully if you haven't been there you don't even know how great this feels to move down this scale and see your progress and know that you are just passing through these classes on your way to a normal bmi and a healthier you. It may take awhile, but the next class is overweight (for me about 190lbs) and I can't wait to get there it will be a great day. I began this journey and set my goal at 157lbs because that would put me in a normal bmi range. All I ever wanted was to be normal so that is still my goal. I know it may be a far stretch, but we will see when we get down to that point. It may come down to more of a jean size that a weight. Personally that may be the more important factor. I am 47% to my goal weight so by next month I hopefully will be over half way there. Which means I will have lost more than I need to so ooo good feeling. The measurement numbers are a little lower than before, but I think its just because I did them a week late last month and a half a week early this month. So next month's numbers on the tape will hopefully be much bigger, well or much smaller acutally! Sweet, thanks for taking a look.   Start Weight: 273 Pre-op: --- 6 lbs. lost   Surgery Weight: 267 1 month: 247 -- bmi 39.0 -- 20 lbs lost 2 month: 238 -- bmi 37.3 -- 9 lbs lost 3 month:229 --bmi 35.9 -- 9 lbs lost 4 month: 220 --bmi 34.5 -- 9 lbs lost   Lost since surgery: -47 Lost Total: -53 lbs.     Overall Goal Weekly Break Down, lbs. lost pre-op week: 6 lbs week 1 -- 8 lbs. 2 --5 3 --3 4 --2 5 --2 6 --3 ~2months 7 --3 8 --1 9 --2 10 --6 ~3months 11 --0 12 --2 13 --1 14 --3 ~4months 15 --0 16 --4 17 --2   Start Jean size: 24/22 Current Jean size: 18/16   Start Shirt size: 3x/2x Current Shirt size: 1x/xl/ one shirt I have is a L   Inches:   Neck Start: 16 Last: 14.5 Recent: 14 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -2   Upper Arm Start: 15 Last: 14 Recent: 13.5 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -1.5   Forearm Start: 11.5 Last: 10.5 Recent: 10.5 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1   Waist Start: 49 Last: 40.5 Recent: 39 Loss: -1.5 Total Loss: -10   Abdomen (belly button) Start: 55 Last: 47.5 Recent: 47 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -8   Hips Start: 55 Last: 49 Recent: 48 Loss: -1 Total Loss: -7   Bust Start: 54 Last: 48 Recent: 48 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -6   Chest Start: 44 Last: 38.5 Recent: 38 Loss: -0.5 Total Loss: -6   Thigh Start: 30.5 Last: 27 Recent: 25.5 Loss: -1.5 Total Loss: -5   Calf Start: 17.5 Last: 16 Recent: 16 Loss: 0 Total Loss: -1.5     1st month loss: -19.5 in   2nd month loss: -9 in   3rd month loss: -14.5 in   4th month loss: -6 in     Total Lost: -49 inches     Labor Day Goal Ok, so 2 months ago I made this goal and I hope to still reach it. I figure I will post now about it since it is only a week away and I can post about my next goal as well. I have 4lbs and one week. I think I consider this goal a win. I am much closer to this than my 4th of july goal that I missed by like 9lbs. If I miss this by a pound or two it won't ruin my day. I think I am still doing fantastic.   Labor Day Goal 7/5/11 to 9/5/11 -- 2 months or 9 weeks   Start Weight 238 Goal 216 To lose -22 Avg./week 2.44   Next Goal is Halloween :bat: 7/5/11 to 10/31/11 -- 2 months or 8 weeks Goal is 202 lbs. ***This goal is made by losing 9lbs a month which I have been doing.
Nichelle

Nichelle

0
zil's Blog
 

Post Op day 11

Well, good morning. Today is 11 days post op. I go to get the staples out today. Thank goodness because they are itching. I think I am going well. According to the info I received from my Dr, I was able to start consuming thicker liquid items such as cream of wheat, soups with noodles (blended up), mashed potatoes, etc. Doing pretty good. I found that as soon as I started eating semi-solids (or thicker liquids) the gas in my shoulder seems to dissapate. Oh, if anyone had told me that gas in your shoulder could be so painful I would have laughed...not anymore. It was awful.   This is such an exciting time in my life. I have been overweight for 25+ years, and no matter what I tried, I could not shake the weight. Oh, I would diet and lose 20 or 30 pounds only to put it right back on. I truly believe the lapband is the tool that is going to become my best friend.   I still have to wait 3 weeks for my first fill, but I am eagerly anticipating that day.   Until next time. Stay healthy, happy and stick to the rules.   Zil
zil

zil

4
Vickie1953's Blog
 

First Fill

Tomorrow is my first fill... I am glad because since surgery I have felt no restriction at all. The celiac disease along with the band I honestly have no clue as to what to eat.. I am learning that it is ok to be hungry... The hardest part for me is the waiting to drink before and after I eat. I have not had any problems with the banding... hopefully tomorrow I will feel that restriction....I have eliminated 40 pounds. I am enjoying exercise more every time I go.. Love the part where my stomach is actually sore from working out!!!
Vickie1953

Vickie1953

3

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