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epogi's Journal

A blog by epogi in General

  • Entries

    22

  • Comments

    23

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    448

About this blog

just me

Entries in this blog

One Year Out

One year gone and took 87 pounds with it. Yupeee!!! I'm happy and sad. Happy that I feel good and have not had any complications. I feel energized with alot more self esteem and do feel like my life is in a new phase. Sad, because my goal was to loose 100 pounds in one year. It's getting much more harder now. I've caugt myself going into old bad habits. I feel like my body continues to fight me. Hunger is also against me. It's harder to loose the pounds. I stay in a range of 10 pounds. Loose
  • epogi

fight it

Just looked at my weight journal. Lost only 10 pounds since last year. Alot of occasions have thrown me off of my path. I need to learn to stay on track and focus on my eating during special days. I easily see them as opportunities to get out of my health eating. Almost like treats that I deserve to splurge. But so many special days/occasions have really set me back. I made an appointed with Dr. T for a fill. But having second thoughts about it. I already feel the tightness when I eat beef or ch
  • epogi

i'm back

It's my favorite month of May. I eventually did get my 3rd fill and doing good. The bad news is that my weight hasn't changed that much. My body is changing alot. How is that? My newest clothes in size 20 is starting to fit loose. I think my body is trying to catch up. My energy level is awesome. I go up and down stairs without SOB. I love my yoga. I walk at work 15-20 mins. At home 20-30 mins. I love all the new energy. I get boy attention. I am alot more involved in things than before. Sometim

To fill or not to fill?

:confused:It's Feb and my weight has not continued to drop. I have been at 239/240 for the past 4 weeks. I believe it's time for a fill. I had planned on staying away from a fill as long as I could. I wanted to try it on my own. Last one was end of Nov. I had increased my excercise and kept good eating habits, but something is not working. My meals are larger. I am very hungry before it's time to eat. I do snack. On fruits. And intake as much water as possible. My routine at work has changed and
  • epogi

entering the new year

I'm past my first holidays with the band. It was a good experience, especially being back home to El Paso surrounded by memories of old habits. I loved the way it prevents me from overeating. I learned I can overcome the site of large amounts of food. And tasting my favorite things will statisfy the strong wants. I had a large amount of family support who understood what I was facing. Before flying back to texas I had lost 5 pounds. I was feeling awesome. Plus I had starting running. Me run
  • epogi

over the big Thanksgiving

It's been over a month without going into my journal. So here's my update: Finally had my second fill. Under flouro. Doc tried at the office, but not succesful. Then cancelled my next appointment at the hospital because of an emergency surgery he had to do. Finally got it done Nov. 14th. Felt good. Noticed harder time with chicken. I just have to chew alot more. Thanksgiving. Sort of glad that's over with. Visiting my brother in Dallas. Overate that day and ended up in pain. Experienced my
  • epogi

it moved ! ....finally

Getting ready to head back home to EP next week. Already traveling? I feel up to it. I have energy, I'm flexable and my mind seems to be clearing up. I'm able to think a lot better at work now. Things also seem to be happier. I feel like a fresh onion after a few layers have been lifted off. I'm able to walk pretty good. Once I get started, I don't want to stop. The music pushes me to work harder. I can jog, maybe for about 3 mins. I love it. It makes me feel free. I can walk 40 mins. Plus incli
  • epogi

scale stuck?

It's been more than two weeks that I've stayed around the same weight. I go up 1-2 lbs, then I'll go down those same 1-2 lbs. (254-257) I'm thinking am at the platue area that people talk about. Although there is something major going on. My exercise has increased. I'm starting to like it. I love the energy level. I get a high when I'm at most strenous point of excersing. I'm able to walk 1.5 miles in 40 mins. (with an incline of 2%) I feel my muscles are getting stronger. Especially
  • epogi

back to reality

It's almost October. Just passed my two months post surgery. Everything seems to be going along. I'm down to 254. I think that's what I was 7 yrs ago when I arrived in Vegas. Total loss= 57lbs. I'm eating just about everything now. Just a bit worried about my hair loss. It's starting to thin out. I'm enjoying the comfort of my clothes. Everything used to be tight and now stuff falls off. Even my skin looks better, no more colored spots. I feel alot of energy, yet I sleep less than
  • epogi

Two Months done

Two months have pasted by so very quickly. My weight is at 255. I stayed at 260 for what seemed a very long time. My portions had increased and I was starting to snack in between meals. Last Monday I got my first fill. It was a bit unexpected. I thought I was going just for a regular follow-up. After speaking with the doctor and realizing that I didn't want to return back to his office in a few days, we decided to go for the 1/4 filling. No big deal. No pain and it was fast. Didn't fee
  • epogi

BAD Week- SIX wks post op why now?

Almost exactly 6 wks after surgery my problems begin. Two days with pain. Epigastric shooting onto my left side, all around into my back. What is that all about? It all started as I streched out to water my bamboo plants and I leaned my belly on the counter. Then I felt a horrible burning, flashing pain. Did I stretch too much that my band dislocated. Well the pain continued for two days until the nights were intolerable. Today, Friday I became nauseated at work and then fear sat in. "Something
  • epogi

One Month Out

It's been just about a month now. All sorts of mixed feelings. Getting ready to return to work this coming monday. Finally getting stronger. I cannot believe how weak I was post-op. I feel like my muscles have atrophied and are still regaining their strength. I'm still taking all the vitamins and have increased my protein by adding unflavored protein powder anywhere I can. I can still smell it. I seem to have distanced myself from any kind of protein shake. Just thinking of it, gives a
  • epogi

Moving to Stage Two

Seven days after surgery, my doc says I can start on full liquids. Yuppy! I had 2 oz.cream of wheat and 2 oz V8 this morning. All good. Then for lunch 2oz protein shake with 2 oz sf jello. They all filled me up. I'm usually not hungry, but I have to eat to sustain my energy. I have little energy to go out, but I do. My co-workers sent me a teddybear with balloons today. That was nice of them. It really made my day. My cold symptoms are getting better. I'm on anti-biotics and a n
  • epogi

nauseated

It's Tuesday, 4th day post operative. Not a good day. Days 1-3 were good. I felt energetic, excited to drink my little liquid meals and ready to leave the house. Today, um. not like that. I woke up tired, with pain all over (like sorness), in a bad mood and a bit nauseated. Mid-morning I had to take a suppository for the nausea. I was so afraid that I might throw up. I don't want to do that. I didn't enjoy todays meals. The broths smelled bad and the juices were bitter. I don't know w
  • epogi

It's Done!

It's Sunday and surgery seemed to have gone good. All is done and here I sit two days post operative. Everything went by really fast. No time to have second doubts. Check in at 11am. Called me in at 12, changed into gown, IV set and rolled me in to the op room by 12:35. One big set back. I have cold symptoms that have made me struggle with pain a bit more. The coughing is annoying. But everytime phlem comes up I feel proud that I had the strengh to pull it out of my lungs. I've been walking
  • epogi

last days as the old me

Busy day. I feel like my marathon has started. Early this morning I had my pre-op. All final arrangements with my surgeon have been done. They even gave me a surprise pop quiz. They said my score was excellent. It was about general bariatric surgery knowledge. I am scheduled for July 13, 2007 at 2:30 pm. THIS FRIDAY!! I have to continue with my liquid diet. Thursday I need to drink 2 magnesium citrates and do clear liquids. Then nothing after midnight. I bought my last necesary items. Like
  • epogi

finally close

Finally my waiting period is coming to an end. My insurance has approved and I have been scheduled for surgery July 13, 2007. It also happens to be on a Friday. Once all :)my paperwork had been submitted to Cigna, it took about two weeks to hear from my doctor's office with good news. Monday July 9, I go and sign consents with my surgeon, pay fees (1500-surgeon, 500 anesthesiologist) and register in admitting (MountainView Hospital). I've been trying to stay on full liquids for the past t
  • epogi

June 05, 2007 already?

Saw my surgeon today. He was not happy with me. I had not lost weight but had gained six pounds since I last saw him in Feburary. "What happened to the nutritionist?" he asked. I sat there silent with nothing to say. Then with embarrassment my face blushed. "We need to prepare for surgery starting now." he said. I do plan on preparing two weeks ahead. But I guess the earlier the better. I've been eating very, very bad things. Almost like saying good bye, farewell to my little best frie
  • epogi

passing time

I'm heading into May. Two more office visits and I should be ready to submit all my evidence to my insurance. I haven't lost weight. I've gained four pounds. And that's from all the bad food I've had. I keep thinking that I will no longer have that privledge so might as well enjoy it for the last time. I've been allowing myself to have diet pepsi. But every time I have it I think to myself remember the taste and the feeling of the carbonation because soon this will only be a memory. I

Progress

It's mid February and I find myself busy. It seems that I will go thru six months of preparation, again. :embarassed: My former physicain, from my old insurance doesn't feel right releasing me for surgery since I haven't seen her in the last 3 months. Found a primary physician who is willing to care for me thru my weight loss journey and willing to work with my surgeon. I've seen her twice (jan/feb) and found her to be extremely helpful and excited about my health. I have done my psych evaluat
  • epogi

new year, plan has been changed

It's the first day into 2007 and no band. Good and bad news:   Right before making an appt to see the surgeon for the first consultation, our company announced changes in our health insurance. Now we have Cigna, whose benefit plan states that the band is covered under an HCA facility. Lucky me! Here I had gone thru a 7 month program requirement by my primary; physican/nutristionist/excercise/lab program. Now with this new insurance I have to be under supervision for 6 months. Like starting all
  • epogi

entering

A little over two years now, deciding, preparing, saving and educating myself on the tool that will help me. I reached the most unhealthy, most depressing stage in my life. I can no longer let my body control me. I have to take charge. I feel so, so tired. I have started by disclosing all my health issues with my family and friends. One of the hardest things for me to do is admit that I need help. I bought a scale. It took me about six months to convince myself and three trips to the store t
  • epogi

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