KrisW

I have let my family know but I have kept it from everyone at work. Honestly I wish I would have just told my hubby and best friend. I get really tired of the first question I get from family is "so how much have you really lost" I have read a lot of post and I have started to use the comeback "I haven't weighed in recently so I don't know" or "i'm not at goal" No body but me and my doc need to know the numbers. Also if I focus on the numbers it drives me insane. I like to focus on clothes. Something I have always hated to shop for. But right now I am down from a 24w to a 16w. You need to ask yourself what kind of support you need after the surgery. Do you need the accountability? or do you need extra emotional support? Work out buddy? Do you not want to hear it at work? Just go through some questions and listen to your heart on who you would like to know. Hope that helps, it's a tough decisions. ~Kris

Great blog. I agree a lot of people think this is a miracle fix. It is not!!!! It's a tool. We still have to do all the work. I had a long road even before the surgery with nutritionalist and insurance programs. I am 2 months post op but 8 months since the start of my journey. I have lost 45 lbs. It's slow but I'm happy with that since for once I am sticking with it. ~Kris

OK. First I have to say I am so happy this morning. Even though it is not my official weigh in day I have been doing well so I hoped on the scale. Finally 199. I haven't seen a 1 in the front of my weight in years. Yah!!!!! Now on to the stuck issue. We had a lunch at work and I usually never stay but it was baked chicken and I thought ok I can handle this. A few bites and I'll just sit and talk. Well the first bit was a little dry but I chewed chewed chewed. I should have stop the second bite was just as bad and even though I chewed like crazy it got stuck. It got stuck to bad I got the shakes started to sweat and had to go get sick. Still felt bad after getting sick 4 times so I went home (I live really close to work) for the rest of lunch and my great daughter sat on the couch with me and hit my back like burping a baby. About 20 minutes later I was feeling fine. Did liquids and softs again after that but feeling better now. I have come to conclusion if I don't make it and the hubby don't make it then I don't eat it. At least when it somes to meat stuff. Oh to my previous note. Yes no more chips I like are in the house anymore. This way even if I want them I would have to go to the store to get them and by the time I got there I would have come to my senses. (I have not done this....yet, will power still strong) Have a great day all. I know I will. Woot Woot. 1-9-9 Woot Woot 1-9-9Woot Woot

I had another fill on Monday and I can really feel the restriction right now. More so than the last time. I hope this one helps longer than the last. Curves is going well. I thought about do something more vigorous but I know me I tend to go hard at things and burn out. So instead I have mad a commitment to curves first and after a few months I will add more. Curves is easy to commit to right now because it is only 1 mile from work. I have NO excuse (except last friday my car died) not to go. Even if I have to pick up the kid she can read a book while I am working out. I am having a little bit of trouble with stress the past few days. Work is stressing me and some family issues are stressing me. Honestly all I want to do is eat a bad of chips. Nice crunchy chips. Thankfully I had a fill because I can't have any of that stuff now even if I tried. I just keep telling myself that I CAN make it through. How does everyone else handle the stress? Keep the smiles up. ~Kris

My weight is still holding. I have started going to curves and have been feeling great. I just hope that my next fill can get me past this hump. Looking forward to Onederland. Still the same few pounds away. ~Kris

I wish I would have just told my hubby, daughter and best friend but my family and managers at work know. The only people that are the problem is family especially my mother, mother in-law and sister in-law. they are always asking my questions and looking at what I am doing. I had to tell the managers because I had to give them a doc note to use my extended illness time off. No one else at work knows and if the found out someone would be in trouble because that means they looked in my medical file (I work at a dr's office). ~Kris

First of all I am sorry for not writing in over a week. I have no excuse. Let's see what has been going on. I had my last phone appointment with the insurance nurse so I am happy about that. But I still have the appointments with the insurance nutritionist. As much as I hate the time it takes up they really do help. I have been discourage this week because I have NOT lost any. But I have to admit I have not gained either. I know from reading so many other stories this is very common when you start eating again. I also have discovered I do not have enough restriction yet either. It felt great for awhile but man I can't tell there is anything there right now. I have been able to stick with the low cals high protein and low carbs. I think upping the exercise will help. To help with that I have found a local Curves and go in for orientation on Monday. I chose Monday because I have a free week coupon to try it out. They are closed on the weekend so I didn't want to start today. I was going to join a gym but I think I need the help of a team will I am working out. My understanding of Curves is that will help. I also found out they have Zumba classes at the same place on certain nights and I have always wanted to do that. School is out for my daughter so we are trying to find things for her to do this summer. I think if I do Curves during the week and her and I go walking or hiking on the weekend it will keep us both busy. I haven't had a huge struggle this week with what I have been eating but I have had a little struggle with stopping since I feel no restriction. I am just going to continue one day at a time and I also switched to a smaller plate and that is helping. Well that is it for now. Nothing really to report. ~Kris

Great Job!!!

Well last night my niece graduated. Before the graduation we had dinner at my sister in-laws house. They ordered pizza for dinner which even before the surgery I couldn't have because I can't eat dairy. But my Mother in-law was so nice and showed up with a fillet of smoked salmon for me. YUMMY!! The hard thing about the visit was everyone looked at my plate and kept saying is that all you are going to eat? What a pain. Also I wouldn't eat dessert and I was asked a few times are you sure you don't want 1 bite. I politely said no thanks. But I love my hubby, he would walk up to me and whisper you are doing awesome. A little family history: My mother in-law had gastric bypass in Dec 2000 (yes I have the month and year memorized because I had my daughter at the same time and took care of them both) She looks great she bottomed out at 115 I think and is back up to 140 I believe which I think looks awesome on her. My sister in-law was set to get a bypass 2 years ago but because of medication she is on could not get it done until she is off it for 6 months. (prednisone and one other doesn't work well with any surgery). My sister in-law has told me she is jealous that I had a band and she hasn't been able to get hers yet but I am tired of feeling guilty about it. Other than a few foodie issues last night was great! Congrats to my niece love her lots. ~Kris (oh, only a few lbs away from wonderland.... I can't wait)

So my fill was Monday I FINALLY after 40 days on a liquid diet got eat with the family. I have not had any stuck or over eating episodes with food yet. Yah me! But I was getting all my vitamins ready yesterday morning and without even thinking I popped my 2 rx's in my mouth and swallowed. They are small enough I don't need water with them but I forgot to crush them. I have a feeling of a bone stuck in my throat for about 1/2 an hour before it went away. I have learned to chop them up every time. Man what a pill I mean pain Other than that things are going well. I'll see on Monday if I lost or gained after getting back on food. I still hop on and off the scale all the time but I will NOT write the number down unless it is Monday morning. I will go insane if I write it every time I get off and on the scale. Cool thing about my scale is that it remembers my last Monday weigh in then will tell me exactly how much I lost in the week. It seems to be about 1-2 lbs off the doc scale so I can live with that. Have a great one. ~Kris

Are you kidding me? First my internet is down then I finally type out my post and when I click publish it disappears. Man hope this is not the start of another great day. Ok to the fill. It went well other than the doctor running late, which is unusual for him. When I finally got back there we talked alittle then I lied down and he found my port prepped the skin and gave me a mosquito bit shot to numb me. After it took affect he went in with the bigger needle. I have to admit it looked a little scary but other than the pressure he had to put on me to get it in the port I didn't feel anything. I ended up with 4cc in my 10cc band. On my way to athe sweet spot. I didn't know I would have to stick around after the fill for so long. I was almost late picking up the child (doctor office is 45-60 minutes away depending on traffic) But they keep you around the office untilyou have had 3 cups of water. That way if you need a defill it can be done right away. He doesn't like you to go home and throw up and aggravate your stomach. I go back on July 11 for another fill and I will go back every month for the first year until I get in the sweet spot. Then it will differ after that. I actually like the idea of every month because it makes me accountable since I will have to weigh in with him every month. Last night was my first real food in over a month and it was yummy. I had copper river salmon and that is it I was full after that so nothing else. I fear the being to full and having to throw up. blah anything I can do to not do that and I will. Ok I really have to run or be late for work. Have a great day, ~Kris man I hope this one post I don't have time for another.

Sitting in the doctors office for my first fill. Getting nervous. I'll report in later on how it went. ~Krris

I'm in. I think this might help me. Kris

JessyM, Welcome, you'll see you are not alone here. We all have our struggles with food. But adding to your diary will really help. I like to go back and read what I have written even a few days ago. I was banded on 5/12 but I am still on liquids until June 8-9 depending on how my first fill goes on the 6th. Take it one day at a time. Talk to you soon. ~Kris

It could be bile. I would give the doc a call because it could be a sign of Gastrointestinal bleeding. Which could be nothing as they can heal on there own but I wouldn't chance it with have a band in. Hope you feel better soon. ( my info is from what a friend went through) ~Kris

As I read your post I went back and forth in my mind. Would I or wouldn't I let my daughter take this step. Well, I would. Bottom line is health. Sounds like your daughter has medical issues this procedure would help. My only concern is making sure she is prepared for what she is about to go through. I personally before my surgery started to go to a local support group and that has really helped me. Nice to be able to talk with people who are going through the same thing. This site is wonderful to. Have her get on here and read... read... read. So many people have gone through such different things with this procedure it might help her see the good and bad. The best thing my insurance made me do was see a nutritionist. That would be a good thing for her too if she isn't already doing it. My husband and daughter (10 years old) have been the best support for me. They have changed their eating habits to make us all healthier. The hubby has lost 20lbs and the child has toned up. We don't let her focus on weight as she is only 10. I just don't want her to end up like me. Let your daughter know she ca ne-mail me anytime. Just click on my name and there will be a way to do so. You also if there is a question you have I will try to help. Of course this will be all from my experience and everyone is different. ~Kris

I really wish people would stop asking "How much have you lost" I'm talking about the people who know I have had surgery. There are only 3 people I have told that don't ask me all the time. The other family members that do know are always asking me. I finally went off on my mom and told her that I don't care about the weight I care about how I feel right now. I'm only 2 weeks 2 days post op. I am trying to NOT focus on the weight. Does anyone have and special/nice ways to tell people to lay off?!? ~Kris

Who have I told? Hubby, child, Mom, Dad, mom in law, dad in law, brother, sister in law, Manager at work (because I had to give dr note) and best friend. Who I wish I would have told? Hubby, child and best friend. They are the only ones who don't constantly ask "so how much have you lost" all the freaking time. AHHHHH I know the others mean well. BUT this is a slow process and it really annoys me. Now I just tell them "I don't know and I won't know until my next dr appointment" ~Kris

I was beating myself up at first but now I am ok. So last night I felt like I was sooo hungry, I had a protein drink and it did NOTHING. Then I just decided to go to bed. Well I woke up this morning and still I was hungry. Honestly I thought I could gnaw my arm off. So I made really runny SF oatmeal. I had 4 bites (sips really because it was so runny) then felt guilty. After that fourth bite I was really full and threw the rest out too. Who would have thought that little amount would make me feel so bad. My hubby (which I love even more now) reminded my I have gone 4 weeks now on a liquid diet and should be proud that even though I "cheated" it was with something healthy and that I really watered it down so I didn't actually eat to much of it. Was more like drinking the flavor from it. (just incase you don't know. I was on 2 weeks ALL liquid diet before surgery and have to continue on it until 06/09, for a total of approximately 41 days) So first I will say I learned my lesson and no more cheating. Felt way to guilty for such a little amount. Second I have already planned my first couple of mushies and will make sure I have them in the house when that stage begins. Fill on 06/06 and I should be on mushies by 06/09. mmmmmmm, looking forward to mashed potatoes Avocado hummus fruit in my protein drinks steamed veggies (pureed of course) Here is to a better day tomorrow. ~Kris

Great job!!

I started my day not to well. I really need to stay away from the scale. Some days down some the same. I know you should only weigh once a week but I think I went a little crazy. Dropped the kid off daycare and headed to work. About two hours later I was walking past the nurses station and one of them yells "congratulations Kris" I turned around and asked what for. She said you look fantastic how much have you lost. I told them and they where super excited and said they haven't noticed because I always where clothes that are super baggy. A reminder, nobody knows at work about the surgery but they know I have been working with a nutritionist. I told them I just need to get the exercise stuff down and one of them told me she is at the gym every morning and I could join her anytime. Maybe when the doc gives me the clear I will take her up on it. I told them I just went out over the weekend and bought a couple shirts and stuff. They told me it was nice to see me in clothes that show off my body. ME!! A body to show off? I never would have thought. Then I thought Damn girl at the beginning of this you where a size 24 and the clothes I just bought are a size 18. I can do this! I need to focus on how I feel not the scale. This has been a long 7 months (6 1/2 months dr and nutritionist before surgery). I saw my Bff and her hubby over the weekend at the armed forces day parade and when we said good bye she was teasing me that I was going to waste away and her hubby even told me I was looking great (I hadn't seen him in awhile). That felt good. She is just starting her journey in to becoming a bander. She has 6 month program to do as well. I hope to get her on here. I know I have rambled on but bottom line started bad with scale but ended great with "someone noticed". I can do this......you can do this.....WE can do this. ~Kris

I had my one week follow up with doctor last Thursday and everything looks well. Incisions look well I'm able to add the protein back in now so that makes me very happy. I will get my first fill on 6/6 doc said to set it up on a Monday incase I have issue and need a little removed. Happy for the advice. Friday was my first day back to work and the first half of the day went well but by the end of the day I was very sore and tired. Unfortunately when I got home had to take the child to GS meeting. I Did do something fun, that is I went shopping. I was going to put if off longer because I hope to drop weight consistenly but when I don't need to unbutton my pants to get them off and on I thought I should get a few things. I had to try on a few sizes before I found my "new" size. I was practically dancing in the dressing room. My hubby has joked with me that my clothes bill will be more than the surgery, lol. I have noticed that my emotions have gone up and down since surgery. I hope this settles soon. I've read that a few people have had the same issue. Today we went to a parade and I did well. Not to sore. Didn't touch any bad foods. Now relaxing with the family watching the all star race. Have a great weekend all ~Kris

Great job!!! Keep it up.

Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery. ~Kris

(Man I hate it when you think you hit post but it deletes instead, let's try this again) Now on Day 5 of my post-op. Next doc appointment is set for this Thursday and back to work on Friday. I woke up today to a great morning. I had lots of energy and was able to drink lots of water. Got my girl off to school and decided to run and see the hubby at work for a few minutes. He even commented about how I had my color back. Yah! So I decided to drive to the store and walk a little. That didn't last long because I got really tired. My hubby tells me I forget I am on an all liquid diet (and I mean ALL liquid) I have been on the all liquid diet since 4/28 and boy it's getting old. It isn't that I feel hungry I think I am past that stage it's just that I don't have enough energy since the surgery. Since the surgery I haven't been able to drink the protein drinks, I am hoping that after my appointment on Thursday I will get the ok to drink protein again. I did something I didn't think I would need to quite this soon. I bagged up clothes that I can not fit anymore. I am not quite ready to go on a shopping spree but I think I am going to have to shop for a few things sooner than I thought. Well that would be all the good going on in my life and the only bad I can think of is still being sore and of course the lack of energy after a while. One last good thing. When the hubby got home I asked him if he would get on the Harley so I can climb up. I'm so freaking excited because i can actually put my hand between my leg and the saddle bags. I haven't felt great on his bike in 10+ years. My goal this summer is a weekend trip on the bike with the hubby. He even said it was alot easier with me getting on and off the bike. GOOD DAY!!! GOOD DAY!!! Have a great one. ~Kris “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” ~Unknown