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Blog 89695
 

I am on day 9 of Liquid Fast - Went to the Grocery Store today...

This could have been bad:   I went to the grocery store today for the first time since I started my liquid fast a week ago. It was weird, looking at all the yummy foods, but having been on this fast for awhile, I definitely wasn't craving carbs and sugars, it was the fruits and veggies that I desperatly wanted! OOOOH I can't wait until I can bite into a nice, juicy apple!!! Or crunch on a moist carrot!!! I am even looking forward to mashed carrots!:laugh:   I felt like a kid in a candy store, but I wasn't allowed to buy anything for me! My mom did that to me A LOT as a child. She wouldn't let us have sugar in the house, but when it was someone's birthday, anniversary, Christmas, she would always take me go to SpoKandy (I grew up in Spokane, WA) and get other people's gifts from there, ooooh how I wanted one of their melt-away mints, or their freshly made fudge, it was always TORTURE! She never bought any candy from there for me... That's how I felt in the produce section at the grocery store today...all those feelings of want and desire came rushing back from my childhood. At the very least, it is healthy food I am craving....:cool2:   Just have to remember:   Only two more days to surgery Four weeks post-op Liquid Diet Three more weeks liquid Diet + Mush meals THEN REAL FOOD!!!! (only 7 weeks until then)   I CAN DO IT!:thumbup:
hserra

hserra

2
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

Close thy mouth.

I have been so excited over the last few days with my renewed committment. That is great! However, with my new excitement, I have been talking about it A LOT and I noticed that a friend of mine's eyes started to glaze over a bit. HA!! I'm not at all upset because she is SUPER supportive, but it does tell me that I need to close my mouth and show...not tell. :thumbup: That is what my blog is for!!   My fill went well yesterday. I typically go to the fill doctor, but yesterday my surgeon was the fill doctor. He did a great job! He told me that I looked very close to my sweet spot and he only added 1/10 cc. I told him that is what the other doc added last time and it really made a difference for about 7 weeks, then it just seemed to drop off. He is quite concerned about over-filling and I appreciate that. I told him I have been having acid reflux at night due to my allergies and I think that added to his concern. Hopefully this darn ragweed will go away soon and I can get back to normal. He also told me that I will not need to get a COMPLETE UNFILL for my tonsillectomy. His first reaction was that I wouldn't need to get any taken out, but then he thought about it a few seconds and said that I probably should, but half would be appropriate. That sounds good to me!   It is always interesting to me to listen to the other people getting adjusted. Fills at my doc are cattle calls. We are given time frames and then first come, first served. We are checked in and moved to a holding area where we wait for the procedure then return to that area post-procedure to drink water. I like the system and it gives people a chance to discuss the band with otheres. Kind of a mini support group...   I really do try not to judge, but it amazes me how differently people approach this process. There was a very sweet girl talking about eating dinner rolls at a restaurant and knowing it will make her sick and she says that she still does it. Over and over. She said that she has a love affair with food. She also says that she doesn't exercise, but I can't remember if she said why. It made me a little sad because if getting sick or having physical pain isn't a deterrant to bad choices, then I think she is going to have a really tough time. She is a super pretty girl that has about 150 pounds to lose. I truly hope she finds a good support group and something that can help her move forward.   My scale was down 2.2 pounds this morning. I know that isn't REAL weight loss for one day, but I don't care. Today, I'm going to strut around like I'm 2 pounds lighter!! HA! I have on a sassy White House/Black Market shirt that I bought several years ago when I was last small. I think it looks really nice!   Yesterday, I had two NSV moments. (They sure do seem to be flying at me from everywhere at the moment!!) First, I was talking to a friend (who also struggles with weight, but not nearly to the extent that I have) here just about everything. I told her that I'm just giddy from feeling so good the last few days. I feel like I have gotten a TON of compliments and things just feel so awesome. She said that she thinks that I crossed the threshhold from being fat to being "normal". I think she might be right. For a long while there, I was losing weight and it was noticable (and great!) But going from a size 24 to a size 18, while absolutely EXCELLENT is not something that is really understood by "skinny" minded people. Now that I have moved into "normal" range clothing (even though I'm still a fat person in my head), people see me as "normal" and that they recognize. Does that make sense? I think it will take a long time for me to adjust my thinking as I discussed in my entry yesterday. But I get that other people may not need that time to adjust.   The second NSV...I was walking out of work yesterday afternoon. As you go out to the parking garage from my building, there is a wall of mirrors that you face as you turn a corner. For so long, I would cringe or avoid looking at that wall of mirrors. Yesterday, I looked right at myself and I didn't cringe. I have a long way to go before I think I'm hot (ha!), but it is so lovely to be able to not hate my reflection.
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

2
Blog 3526
 

LEss than 1 week 'til my Geyonce' transformation!

*re-posted from the forum for posterity*   7# down and ret-ta-go!!   I guess there is something to this pre-op liquid diet after all. Granted, I sorta kinda cheated, but not really cheated. I replaced 2 lean proteins (egg beaters in the am, a skinless boneless chix breast in the pm)…which helped me stay better on target during the rest of the day. After doing my research on the liver shrinking diets (the entire point of the pre-op diet, so the liver is more out of the way – ie: less FATTY), I decided that I could do that without detriment to the process. Must be working! I was told today “well, at least you were smart about it”. Funny thing? I think I’m gonna forgo the substitutions from here on out. I was so excited w/the small goal – that it broadened my veiw of the bigger picture. So, I’m all in! Let’s ger ‘er done!:thumbup1:     One week from today…the physical transformation begins where the mental one began 6 months ago. 9/21 – Surgery Day *woot & giggety* Today I had my final nutrition class and met w/the anesthesiologist. Everyone in there is scheduled for surgery next week, so I have a few buddies to walk the halls w/on Tuesday (since they will be getting us up to walk almost immediately afterwards). IDK how I end up w/the group of class clowns – but it made for a good time of bonding, musing, and well-wishes for the future. Good information, good vibes, and really…a bunch of excitement. I was also able to pre-register (which will give me an extra 45 mins of sleep time that morning), so all I have to do is show up Tuesday and go right to the surgical suite. Time to get this party started!!!     I can hardly believe that this is REALLY going to happen. I mean, to get a grip on the fact that this time next year – I will be close to half the size I am today is…unreal. *eyes watering*:001_wub: I’m at a loss for words, really. Just thankful for those on this journey with me in spirit, and in sisterhood…old friends who have had my back, and new ones to take my hand.     This is a happy time, but there is also a lot of work to do. It’s not lost on me that some folks -however well meaning in their “encouragement” – still still seem to think the surgical option to help get the weight off is a cop out. I won’t even get into the superiority complex :drool5: Far be it from me to say they aren’t entitled to their opinion (after all, just like @$$holes, we’ve all got one, right?) But for ME, I felt it the best way to expediciously put a halt to some of my immediate ailments (mainly neck, back/spinal issues, hip, knee pain that dr’s were discussion surgery for. So, surgery to fix an ailment that would only reoccur b/c of the weight? Or surgery to jumpstart the process of getting the weight off so I wouldn’t need numerous other more invasive surgeries in the future?) and get me on the right track for my future. Working this tool the way it is supposed to be worked w/healthy habits & lifestyle… exercise…is. A. MUST.   Before I forget – the physical trainer they have at my surgical center that spoke today? Used to weigh 500#. And decided AGAINST weight loss surgery. She quit her job, and has lost over 300# – she looks freakin AMAZING. IDK how many of us can afford to quit our jobs to lose weight, but she did. She is a domestic violence survivor that packed on 260+ pounds as a coping mechenism during a bad marriage. She decided to make this her life’s work – helping design exercises and workouts for those of us fatty’s will some restrictions due to injuries, ailments, etc. She knows what it’s like to be fat and try to do jumping jacks…and she said that a lot of the exercises that other trainers (who most likely have always been athletic/healthy) try to get folks fatty’s to do – sometimes do more harm than good to their bodies. She is sensitive – but honest – and will help you do the work. And I can’t WAIT to hut her Zumba class…(Check her out if you’re in the woodbridge area. Her name is Amy – and her info is on the bluepointgroup.com website) She is totally amazing and inspiring…I may have decided on the surgical route for my own personal reasons, but I still hope to be just a much of an inspiration to someone, someday.   Any way…I was just feeling so full that I needed to get it out. These rants & musings are a key part of my journey, and will no doubt become more frequent along the transformation process. Stay tuned… (I know this post was all over the place – but I was excited and full of emotion. I know y’all understand me)
vanishingvixen

vanishingvixen

1
Blog 96969
 

Almost Two Weeks Post Op

I have noticed so many changes already. One, my attitude has changed for the better. I'm happier :smile2:and I socialize with my co-workers more. Before I hid behind my desk because I was stressed and embarrased.   I can tell my stomach is healing because I'm taking in more liquids. Yesterday, I took a fitness test with a trainer and I noticed a change in my BMI. Unfortunately, when I tried to hold the plank position I became weak and fell on my stomach:eek:. My stomach is sore and I pray I didn't do anything to my port. Thanks God, I have a doctor's appoinment tomorrow, so I'll see if I did any damage.   I'm starting to miss food again, but once I get full I tend to forget about it. I'm continuing to read other people blogs to keep me motivated and mindful of how easy bad habits can come back in my life even with the band. Oh well. Life goes on and today is a new day. Time to continue on my journey and keep a positive mindset.   Everyone have a Whoop-tastic Day:w00t:!!
Loyalfriend

Loyalfriend

3
Blog 97014
 

2nd fill today

Well, technically still my first since I freaked out the first time. But, I need it for sure! The past few weeks have been not so good. I lost focus, ate larger portions, drank wine, ate when I wasn't hungry, etc. The scale shows it, too. Funny how that happens and how surgically altering my body still hasn't made that fact stick in my brain yet!   OK, all that is in the past. New start, new focus and a fill. I also picked up a copy of Jackie Warner's book "This is why you're fat". I learned a lot about sugar and its addictive hold. I went through my pantry and was shocked at how much sugar is added into "good" food! My favorite Kashi cereal has 13 grams per serving and I eat it with skim milk which has another 13 grams of sugar! Good grief! I'm going to follow her nutrition & exercise advice and see how it goes. I am ready for Onederland for sure! My goal is to be there before the start of basketball season, November 1st. I'll keep posting, that has a way of making me accountable!
Seanamw

Seanamw

0
Blog 101311
 

wow

i dont know how i did it but i lost 3lbs since yesterday. i always weigh my self in the morn as that is your true weight--i think?:thumbup:
laurajean1

laurajean1

2
Blog 94814
 

im back

Im back at work today is my 1st day back, had my 1st doc visited yesterday things are going better than expected, im losing about an half to an pound an week.   im please with my band, started out at 345 before surgrey as of this morning im at 317 my goal is to be at 300 by xmas wish me luck.:thumbup:
tommygunn49

tommygunn49

0
Blog 93702
 

Recipe Of The Day! Saucy Tomatoes With Spiced Meatballs

Easy and fast to prepare, this flavorful meatballs and feta-topped tomatoes is paired with pasta. Meatballs can be covered and refrigerated overnight before cooking. If making ahead, cook meatballs 5 minutes longer than specified. ENJOY!   Makes 4 main-dish servings   Total Time: 35 min Prep Time: 15 min   280 Calories per serving   CHECK MY BLOG FOR MORE INFO ON THIS RECIPE AND SO MANY MORE:thumbup: http://life-after-lap-band.blogspot.com/
Debra G

Debra G

0
Blog 53157
 

Anyone else going through this?

I couldn’t decide whether or not i was going to type this up. I soon came to the conclusion,if anyone knows how i feel it would be you guys...So here goes I was banded November 06,2008. I weighed in at 356 i was 20 yrs old. I got down to 244,and as of today September 15,2010 i am at 280...Iv taken a few too many steps back...Where did i go wrong. I started having very bad acid reflux, my Dr put me on every med he could think of to get rid of it, and with no such luck, he wanted to remove all of the fluid in my band...That’s just the start of it all...There is an obvious reason as to why i needed a lap band.I was active in school,played softball,was in the marching band,VP of our high school FFA. But portion control was always my problem. I would go the whole day of school and never eat,but as soon as i was to get home,it was an after school snack,followed by dinner,usually two plates,and then after dinner snack time,which my dad,my sister and myself always looked forward to what treats my mom brought home. So as you can see with my fluid all gone...well my portions increased.. Over time my dr has added my fluid back,and for a while now i would say its considerably tight. I have hard time eating anything. I try to start the morning with a protien shake,or some sort of low fat yogurt smoothie. I really dont ever seem to get hungry much more during the day,if i happen to between 4-5 i will have some sort of nut,or string cheese. I usually do dinner around 7,thats when my dad gets home from work. (Im living at home with my parents till my houses plumbing is fixed) I have such a hard time eating anything...i result in the bad stuff...ice cream,starbucks, or if i eat somthing and i realized im having no trouble with it at all...i find myself over eating...Ill pile it on the plate,where it takes my family 15 mins to consume their meals...im left holding on to it for hours..taking a bite walking away,checking my email,watching some tv..then i go right back in again..Why is this something i feel i cant control. I tell myself everytime."Danielle,your full throw it away,feed it to the dogs,JUST STOP EATING" I dont know what happend to my control..i dont know what happend to this person who wanted so much more out of life.The girl who would get up early in the mornings and go to the gym, who looked at herself in the mirror and was so excited at the changes that were occuring..now i look at myself and am disgusted that im almost back to where i started..I feel like a failure..my dad is the most awesome person in the world,he made it happen(my surgery) i feel like iv let him down. I could see the excitement in his eyes when i used to come home for visits and he see my progress..now i just feel like he looks at me as though iv thrown the towel in..Have i? I used to say,i wanted to loose the weight to be healthy,be able to keep up with my friend.Go to the local ATV ranch(im from Tx its what we do) and ride 4wheelers without looking like a cow...Yea my health is #1..but lets be honest..i want to wear the cute Katydid tops,and rhinestone embellished miss me jeans.Iv slowly found myself going back into hiding like i did before, not wanting to go anywhere. I started dating a guy..who i of course thought i was in love with..First real boyfriend iv ever had..sure i had lots of guy friends..but this i thought was the real thing. He told me how he loved me for me,my personality,my love for others,animals...Well what a liar he was..He thought i WOULD be perfect for him if i wasnt FAT..yea those were his words. So here i am its 1:38 am. I cant sleep,i lay down everynight mad at myself for the choices i made through out the day. I say prayers at night,ask for the strength to get back on track,make the right choices. You would think my love of life,and the want to be this new person who can enjoy life to its fullest would out weigh the bad decision iv been making. Ahhhh...well now after all that rambling..maybe someone can make sense of all this..if not..atleast iv been able to vent..i must say...it feels good to get this all out.
dnic87

dnic87

8
Blog 559
 

One Year VSG Anniversary

In about 8 hours it will be one year since I had my sleeve. I have reached my goal in fact I'm about a half pound below at 134.5lbs. I still can't eat some foods very well, like chicken (white meat especially). I've got multiple issues to work on that reach beyond the body. Today the size 10 shorts I picked up in June are too big, (I am able to pull them up and down without unzipping...so I went and purchased 2 pair in size 6-8 for what's left of the warm season here in NY and for then, next summer. I have yet much body work to do. My muscles need to be strengthened. I haven't any butt! It went flat and so did my breasts. My arms need a bit of sculpting as do my legs..so I am resigned to weight train best I am able. I can't believe how quickly the year went by. The weight came off. I want to thank every one here who has helped me along the way...If it were not for this message board and the many of you who reached over to me, I might have had a nervous breakdown. You all know who you are and I thank you each one, so very very much. I wish everyone who goes this route to lose weight the best in good health in every way, along the journey:001_wub:.
LAN2k

LAN2k

13
Blog 101431
 

The Psych Consult

August 31, 2010   The Psych Consult. For a therapist, I was surprisingly nervous. The subject matter rattled me. As I've mentioned in other posts, I don't make a habit of frank discussion of my weight and dieting habits.   The surgeon reccommended 3 therapists he had worked with before but only 1 was on my list of approved providers so my choice was made. The office was small but comfortable. The therapist was older and not threatening at all. After about 10 minutes I was able to relax and breathe normally.   We started by discussing a brief history of my life. Family, friends, school , jobs, relationships. How did my weight affect me in all these arenas? Did I have any mental health disorders or eating disorders? What did I expect the surgery to do for my life?   Then we moved into the surgery itself. What was my understanding of the procedure and the possible risks? How was I prepared to change my life afterwards?   The whole session was done in a very casual conversational manner. The only uncomfortable bit was when he was asking about my sex life and said "you know some guys really like big women. they look for that in particular..." Said with an ever-so-slightly-lecherous tone. Made me wonder why he chose this as a specialty. Lol.   Other than that it was fine. He said he'd send the report directly to Dr. Vaughan and my work there was done.   As I left I called the office girl to let her know the report was coming and informed her, while I wasn't sure about the money or the timeline for being able to proceed as a self-pay client. I was interested in continuing and would be moving on with the list of requirements.   The next of which was the Nutrition Consult.   :thumbup:
Jessica Lyndsey

Jessica Lyndsey

0
Blog 101431
 

The Insurance Decision

August 19, 2010   I mailed back the paperwork I got at the seminar a few days later. The response was almost immediate. The surgeon's receptionist called and told me that AETNA had denied my appeal. I tried to get approval on my own at first but had held out hope that the medical staff had some secret language or handshake that would unfreeze the cold-dead hearts of my insurance benfits reps. Apparently not.   She told me I could consider doing it as a self-pay patient. The hospital has a financing plan that approves everyone (with 30% down) and gives you five years repayment time with prime plus 6% or no interest if paid in 1 year. She encouraged me to consider it and told me the next step would be a psych consult if I decided to proceed. I told her it was a lot to process and I'd let her know.   I thought it over for a week or so and vaccillated like a mad woman. My mother and friends convinced me to see the therapist, talk about it some more and not make my mind up just yet. Since my insurance covered the psych visit, I figured what the hell... :thumbup:
Jessica Lyndsey

Jessica Lyndsey

1
Blog 101431
 

The first step on the path... the lecture

I feel compelled to start at the beginning to provide as accurate and thorough a retelling as possible. For those of my friends who are interested in taking the same route someday, perhaps I can help assuage some fear/doubt by mapping out my journey.   August 11, 2010     I finally attended the Weight Loss Surgery seminar at the Hospital. I had registered for it twice before in the last year but then cancelled at the last minute. I kept telling myself I wasn't there yet. That I didn't really need this.   There were about 35 people there to hear the lecture, and 2 post-op volunteers who came to share thier stories. The surgeon discussed the gastric bypass, vertical sleeve, and LAP-BAND®. He flat out announced that he's not a fan of the LAP-BAND® but I made my mind up that this was the surgery for me before I got there.   It took a lot to get me to this point. There's no way in hell I'm rerouting my intestines OR removing part of my stomach. The band is the safest weight loss surgery. I know he's worried I won't see the same results as I might with the others, but I know that all of the surgeries are tools, and that I will get out as much as I put in.   At first, being at the seminar was terribly uncomfortable. I was embarrassed to sit in a room where everyone knew I had come because I want to lose weight. I've made a lifetime habit of blending in, wearing dark clothes, and sitting in the back. I don't draw attention to my body or discuss my weight. The fact that the DR was so down on my preferred method didn't help either.   Despite it all, I liked him a lot. He is very frank and straightforward. I felt he was glib (almost to the point of rudeness) with some of the question askers but I appreciated his open discussion of some possible complications and even the possibility of death from the surgery. I've never had an operation and was really scared about the prospect of being cut open and talking about it upfront made it seem less sinister and more manageable, I guess.   One thing he said that really struck home was that... "if you go on living obese, there is a high likelihood you will need surgery in the future, hip replacement, hiatal hernia, open heart, etc. The mortality rates for these surgeries are 5-10x higher than the mortality rate for WLS." He almost convinced me right then and there.   As it was I took home all the paperwork he gave me to look over and filled out the health forms the next day on my lunch break.   I still wasn't conviced this was in my future but I figured it couldn't hurt to fill out the paperwork. :thumbup:
Jessica Lyndsey

Jessica Lyndsey

1
Blog 76847
 

Pain in Sternum

The last couple of days I have been getting this pain right below my sternum. It feels like it needs to be popped and if I press down on it, it feels a little tender. I am one year post op and wasn't sure if this could be a sign of slipage. Anyone out there who has had this same feeling and what it turned out to be. I don't have any pain when I eat or drink and I have had my gallbladder removed.
JennMarie

JennMarie

2
Blog 90804
 

Pictures

Well .. I got brave and uploaded some before pictures that I had taken "before" . . ughh. But it keeps me honest and reminds me of where I am going - feel free to check them out.
marw

marw

6
Blog 101042
 

Calendar page full of appointments

Well i have everything in place this month that the ins company wants done. so I hope next month I will know if i am approved or not for surgery. I have a feeling deep down they will say no. but i just keep praying they help me. I am excited about doing a sleep study. i love traveling and sleeping in really nice hotels. I hope this place is nice. I will not be posting until the end of this month when I get done with all my testing and phyic test. I wish everyone the best in there jorney's. :thumbup:
rmaxwell

rmaxwell

1
Blog 97826
 

Banding and dating?

:thumbup: I was banded on the 20th of July and thus far have had one fill. I am scheduled for my second fill on Thursday. I, of course, have since surgery met a really cool guy. We have been enjoying getting to know each other. A few coffees and meals have been shared. Mark asked me the other day how is it I survive on so little food. He's chided me about how slow I eat. He doesn't know. When would you tell someone your seeing? I am starting to think he might be around for a while. We have dates planned for the future. I can't keep saying I'm just not hungry or that I'm trying to eat healthier. I have told my very nearest and dearest friends. I haven't even told my mother (who would make it about her) or my brother (the body building wife sculpting/fake parts critic) or anyone that I work with. It's very personal to me. From the support I get from Mark about working out and eating healthy it's hard to say if he would understand or find it too much. Thoughts?
fool4dance

fool4dance

5

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