bearwitme

Standup crunches ???

WOOHOO I'm so proud of us ! ! ! Thanks for joining me. . .

My plan for tomorrow is to do 75 standup crunches, 50 leg lifts (each leg), and do some really focused leg exercises. I think I donated my weighted ball so I'm in the market for another one. I pulled the 5, 8 and 10 pound dumbbells out of the garage, and started with 5s today, definitely bumping up to the 8s tomorrow because the 5s weren't enough.

Hey Tiff..

I am not quite 6 weeks post op. I have been doing some walking but it has not been everyday. They weather here is changing quite a but and getting cold and dark early. I was proud of my self cause I am up to 2 miles. Today, I went to see my mom at the nursing home so I was not able to go out and walk since it was already dark and raing when I got home. But I will be walking as much as I can and will post here also. I want to exercise and be active but I do not want to be addicted to it. I have done this in the past and was never able to maintain the exercise to keep the weight down. Anyway..Lets do this!!!!!

Connie

Many of y'all know I used to work out big time. Weight training, one hard day of cardio, and major toning. In February, I had my gallbladder removed, and kicked the workout bug to the curb (Doc's orders for 6 weeks post gb removal), and never got my mojo back.

SO, in attempts to put it out in the universe; DECEMBER 1st, I'm hitting the gym again. I have a mini-gym in my garage, and I'm going to start lifting again, and do 2 days of cardio and toning. I'm flabby, and jiggly everywhere except my calves and lower thighs. I can only attribute that to wearing heels constantly.

I know I'd do better with an accountability partner, but none of my friends here have the time to workout. I'm going to have to do it on my own. Since I get up so early in the morning, I'm going to get back into a routine. Unass the recliner, and get toned up again. I might be a size 2, but under these rocking skinny jeans, I'm jello-like and it's getting on my nerves.

My husband is super supportive, but I'd like to throat punch him when we work out together so that's not a good idea. I love him, but when we workout together, I would like to gently smother him.

Anyone else struggle with routine working out? I hate walking, and tedious working out really grates my nerves. I'm hoping to see marked improvement by March/April, and maybe just maybe be in a bikini by next summer.

I'm going to do 4 days a week. 1 hard day of cardio, and 3 days of lifting and toning exercises. No more excuses of "there's not enough time", I have tons of time, it's the motivation and drive that's lacking. I did secretly buy a bikini top and hid it in my drawer so I can have a "goal" to work towards, so we'll see how this goes.

If anyone wants to join me, keep each other accountable, let me know ! ! !

Congrats!!!! Keep up the good work.!!!

Hi everyone,

I just thought I would share some exciting news! I had set a personal goal to no longer be classified as obese before the end of the year. For me, that meant 175 pounds and a BMI of 30. Well, today I hit that goal! And I still have a month until the end of the year! I'm soooo ridiculously happy. I was trying on old clothes yesterday and I was swimming in my old pants...I can't believe how different my body is! I'm still shocked when I look in the mirror some days! I'm not there yet, I still have 30 pounds to go until my goal weight, but it has all happened so quickly that I just have to pinch myself sometimes. Anyways, I was just in a great mood and thought I would share with all of you. Before I joined this site, I just wasn't sure if surgery was for me....boy am I glad I listened to all of you! Thanks for changing my life!!

Andrea

I want to appeal the payment of the Anesthesia. They charged $2400.00 for their time in the OR and Aetna only paid then $30.00. So now they send me a bill for the rest. I want to appeal to Aetna to pay more or agree with the Anesthesia folks to accept another amount. I am not good at writing these things so looking for some advise. According to Aetna they do not have a contract with the Anesthesia company which is why they only paid $30.00. It's crazy that they have a contracts with the hospital, and the surgeons but not he Anesthesia company. You would think that they would all be in concert.

Thanks in Advance..

Connie

BMI of 29 yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not obese anymore, just overweight!

Congratulations!!!! Keep up the good work...

I didn't have reflux before my sleeve even with the dreaded band, I didn't suffer with reflux. I admit that I ate some queso (semi-spicy) and some tortilla chips about 20 minutes before going to bed so that's the reason it happened plus I did forget my Prilosec that day. I was fine until I went to bed with spicy food in my stomach. That one little episode is definitely the reason I have zero desire to wean off my Prilosec, I was miserable, and ate half of a roll of Tums without any relief. I popped another Prilosec and was finally able to go to sleep without anymore issues.

I did use Tums a couple times it happened and it did help. Last night I just let it run it's course. I always try to eat way before it's time to go to bed so I know it was not the tuna I ate hours before. And I am not a spicy eater. We will see what happens tonite. If it happens again I will call the doc and see what he says.. In the mean time I need to get a BIG bottle of Tums...

Yeppers, and sometimes you might have to change PPI to a different brand. Are you taking the Prilosec on an empty stomach? My RX pamphlet says to take on an empty stomach 1 hour before eating, or wait 2-3 hours after eating.

I just recently had one episode of acid reflux and it was horrible. I forgot to take my Prilosec and I was miserable. I hope your doc has some suggestions.

Hey Tiff...

Yes I take ithe Protonix in the morning before I eat anything so Not sure what's going on. At least I know it's common. You are over a year out and still have these issues. I thought for sure it would eventually go away.

I even went as far as sleeping proped up a little more. And on top of that I have to use my CPAP machine. Gonna give it a few more days and see if it subsides. If not gonna call and see if they can change to another PPI or figure some thing out.

Thanks Tiff..

Connie

I am just wondering how long some of you got off of work, at first i thought i was going to get 8 weeks but I am only getting 4 weeks off......

I took 2 weeks off. I did not do Short Term Disability from work. That being said I was exhausted after the first week back. Ii will all depend on the type of job you do.

Hi all..

I am 20 days post op and not doing to bad. Lately, I have been waking up in the middle of the night with this lump feeling like when you either eat to much or to fast. Last night I had this acid stuff come up to my throat. Terrible....When that did my sleeve they also took my gallbladder out. Not sure if that is affecting it or not. I am on Protonix 40mg once a day. I would have hoped that would control the acid. Now that being said it did not start till I went on mushies. Has any one experienced this. I am eating stuff like cottage cheese, tuna, chicken, getting my protien in. It's not like I am going to bed on a full stomach cause I eat earliey enough so that it should not bother me..I plan on calling the doc but wanted to see if anyone has experienced this..

Thanks

Connie

Hi I had my sleeve on Oct 19 I have lost 41 bls I have been doing good but some days are harder then others of course but I love not feeling hungery and not to crave! I have 187 bls to my goal when I look at that number it scars me but I know if I work my sleeve and my butt off I can do it!!!

I had my sleeve on Oct 19th also. Combined pre and post surgery I have lost 35 pounds. Today is my 19th day post op and I did not lose any weight this week. I am currently on mushies and try to eat 4 tablespoons of what ever food I am eating. So far I have only eaten scrambled eggs, tuna, chicken, cottage cheese, protien shakes. Get filled fast and I need to slow down my eating and drinking. Boy does it let me know!! I just get so thirsty some times and just want to gussle the Water down. Been trying to track as much as possible. Not very hunger most of the time but eat because I know I need to. I hope that the weight starts to fall again. Will not be weighing myself till the end of the week..Good luck to all...

Connie

Well, I was sleeved on the 19th of Oct. They let me come home on the 21th. They had to take my gall bladder while they were in there so I do not have to worry about that now. They removed the drain the day of release. Was not bad. Just need to continue getting in the fluids small sips at a time. Too fast and it will let you know. I am sure that is will get better in the coming days. Insidse am sure are swollen and will take time to get back to some kind of normal status..What ever that is. Tomorrow I will start with the walking plan. Did not want to jump the gun to fast but I am ready. Don't go back to work till next week so gotta start getting stronger. Thanks for all the support from this forum. Will keep checking in and posting my successes.. Move over on that bench I am on my way...

Connie

Once submitted to insurance it took less than a week for them to reply...

My surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday the 19th..Can't Wait..

So, I finally heard back from the patient advocate. After playing phone tag with the patient advocate...I finally got an email back from her. She has sent it into Aetna....waiting for approval! I am sooo nervous! What is they don't approve? I have to do this this year if I do it because I am 100% covered until the end of the year and our ins will be changing (thanks to dh's new job! YEAH!!). AAAHH! Who knows how long I will have to wait to hear.

On a good note, dh got the job with Wells Fargo! WOOHOO! He has been a contractor there (computers) and the end date for him was Dec....meaning he would HAVE to leave for 6 mo and then go back if they had room. BUT he got the ONE Full-time Employee job they had open this year in his area. =) So....we will have benefits, PTO, vacation days. We have not had this stuff in 8 yrs! woohoo! We are VERY happy and relieved.

Thanks for reading.

Thanks..I will keep in touch..

Connie

Hooray Connie!! Crossing my fingers and toes for you -- let us know as soon as you're able how the surgery went We'll be thinking of you on the 19th!

Well, on Tuesday 19 Oct I will be going in to get my sleeve. I have been on Optifast and have already lost about 15 lbs as of this morning with 4 days to go. I just can't wait to get this over with. I have my final appt with the Surgoen and the Nut this afternoon.. SOOOO,,,,,

Move over on the Losers Bench...I am on my way!!!!!

Connie

Hi..

Connie here..I live in Stafford VA. I just started my 2 week Optifast today. My surgery is on 19 Oct in Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge. My surgeon is Dr. Halmi of the BluePoint Surgery Group.

Connie

hi all, i'm in arlington and still gong to endless seminars. i'd love to know which programs people have used. hated arlington/va hospital ctr seminar, and they've only done 12 anyway, loved sibley in dc, but they've only done 7, didn't want rny from gw, though great program, and now going to seminar at fairfax next week. i'm exhausted!!!!!!! would love to get in touch with some local folks! :thumbup1:

I have Atna also but HMO. Which Aetna do you have. The Group that I am going with told me every thing that was required of Aetna to have this approved. They told me the options that Aetna had and I went with the 3 months of the Nutritionist and the exercise therapist. I actuall went to 1 class a month for 2 hours. 1 hour with the Nut and 1 hr with the ET. I have completed all the requirements and started my Optifast today surgery on the 19 of Oct. I guess what I am trying to say is that why didn't the Docs office tell you were the requirements were. I am glad I went to a one stop shop. Ask them alot of questions about what you will have to do before and after surgery. It took only 1 week for Aetna to approve my procedure.

Hello all I am Tayna. I am a 26 year old mother of 2. I stand 5'3 and weigh in at 237 right now. My BMI is at 42 1/2 is what the nurse told me yesterday. I started my journey back in June for a 3 month weigh in. Only to find out at the end of the 3 months I was suppose to be seeing an exercise therapist as well as a dietician for the 3 months charting if I was doing it that way. Knowing that I would have to start over if I wanted to do the 3 months I went ahead and decided to do the 6 months of consecutive charting. I have 2 months left and I am feeling more more stressed over the whole thing. My biggest fear is being denied for the surgery through insurance. I don't have the money to pay for surgery out of pocket, and insurance covers at 80% leaving hubby and I paying the other 20% which is more in a price range we can afford. I have done my pych evaluation and just had my meeting with the dietician yesterday. The only thing I have left is these last 2 months. Out of experience did you have problems with your insurance approving for surgery, or did it go pretty quickly?? :thumbup::confused::confused:

Thanks Ms Diva...

Hey Girl..

So glad everything went well for you..Congrats on the weight loss ..I am right behind you. I pickup my Optifast today and start it on Tuesday the 5th. Surgery on the 19th with Dr. Halmi at Potomac Hospital also...

Keep up the good work and pls keep in touch..

Connie

*grinnin ear to ear* *pls excuse the jumble/typos - blogging via crackberry* Heyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! ((This will just be a quickie update until I can get to a pc)) I made it to the other side!! Not w/out a few obstacles. But 3 days post-op, and I feel pretty great. My surgery was on Tuesday, and today...I'm in amazement. 1st of all - the pain that I anticipated wasn't the issue - my biggest prob has been nausea. Like, morning sickness on crack. The. Worst. *blah* And other then my BP going thru the roof and them having to admit me to ICU b/c of it...everything else went off with out a hitch. I was up walking by wednesday eve, and kept it going yesterday...(And looking forward to putting on some kicks and walking the block I'd be remiss if I didn't say that Potomac Hospital (in Woodbridge, VA) freekin rocks! Dr. Halmi & staff made this experience a great one, as far as surgery goes. Now, the pure craziness? I started at 310# pre-liquid diet. Today, I weighed? I'm already down to 283#! *gadzooks* I'm still sorta-kinda in disbelief, really. I had to go buy new pannies today...like, WTH? *laughing wildly* I will say - I'm. More. Motivated. Than. Ever. Tomorrow, I'm gonna take a stroll down by the Water...then after my follow-up, I'm gonna hit step class once a week. But the real excitement for me? Going back to bellydancing class. I have never felt sexier than after a good belly-dance workout. Just beware - you may end up knocked up, like I did! (Quiet as kept ladies - one of THE best workouts you'll ever get. Total body, plus the added "benefits" that come with working the Yoni *wink, wink, wink* - anyone in the DC area down, we can try to meet up for a class. Check out Dr. Sunyatta at: MamaSita Home) In any event - I just wanted to send out a collective thank you to all my friends/fam - real world & online - who have been praying for me and supporting me and encouraging me beyond belief. I could NOT have done this without you. More follow-up's as the transformation continues...but for now, sweet sleep!

Here I come!!!!!

Tomorrow Oct 1st I will be picking up my 2 Weeks supply of Optifast ..I have to start on 5 Oct and will be sleeved on 19 Oct...SO!!!!! Make room on that losers bench cause here I come !!!!!!!! WOOO HooOOO

Connie :thumbup:

:thumbup: :thumbup::biggrin2::drool:

Tomorrow is my 3 month surgiversary. To date I have lost 67.2 lbs. and a total of 44 inches!

You need to do what is best for you. Not them...

My mom let it slip to my brother and SIL that I am headed to Mexico on the 14th for surgery on the 15th, and of course all the are you crazy comments started! They are trying to talk me out of this, and I am beside myself. I was called so many names from selfish to spoiled. My brother was just told that he may (probably) has prostate cancer, and now i'm torn!

He was the biggest speaker, with why can't you just lose the weight yourself, that band didn't work what makes you think this will. what if you die, who will take care of your kids, are you crazy, you are a selfish bitch, you are not my sister.

not sure what to do or think anymore!

Computer Network Administrator:ranger:

What does everyone do for a living??

I pick up my Optifast on Friday 1 Oct. Start on the 5th and surgery on the 19th...

Connie :thumbup:

when r you guys starting your preop diets?... I feel so out of control right now with food... I just eat whatever I crave because I feel like its my last chance.... Oh man I need some advice as to when I should make the switch?

Great Post Tiff.. I have not been sleeved yet but have been reading on some folks being disappointed for what ever reason, stall, gain etc.

I pick up my Optifast on Friday and start on the 5th and surgery on the 19th. I have learned alot from your posts and posts of others experiences. I believe that all these reading will help in the recovery and there after.

Thanks to you all

Connie :biggrin0: :001_smile:

I think sometimes we all need little reminders throughout our journeys.

I challenge each of to go look at some of your before pictures, or grab a pair of jeans that you wore pre-op. Look at how far you've come, and I don't care if that's 10lbs ago, or 100lbs. We need to Celebrate in every victory regardless of how small or trivial it may seem.

There is so much more to this entire process than just the physical changes, BUT those changes are the tangible ones. The changes we can see and feel. When you're feeling down, or discouraged, really look at yourself and SEE where you are today from you were be it 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 pant sizes ago! ! !

When John and I first started dating, we lived 1800 miles apart. We had struggles like every couple plus add in those miles, and I honestly never thought we'd make it. A wise friend told me "Tiffany, it's not always going to be easy, but it'll all be worth it." I didn't believe her then, and you may not believe me right now, but hang on to the hope that all your struggles will be outweighed by numerous victories.

After my complications, if I would have given up, or succumbed to the all the negatives that truly smothered me, I would have never made it. BUT, here I am today, below goal, eating a balanced, healthy diet, loving life, and enjoying a very active, fun social life.

This may seem silly, but honestly, you have got to be your own biggest cheerleader in this journey. You have to believe in yourself, and in your efforts. You might not see that light at the end of the tunnel, but believe me it's there.

Hang in there, and know that you are doing something wonderful for yourself. Your success and victories will overshadow any struggle or worry that you might have today.

Do not allow a little speed bump become a roadblock in your path to success! ! !

YOU DESERVE THIS, YOU DESERVE ALL OF IT! ! !

Well Ms Tiff..

You look simply FABULOUS!!!! You are a role model for the Sleeve. My turn coming up..Start pre-op diet 5 Oct and surgery on the 19th..

Continued success to you...

Oh life is grand! ! !

I'm close to 16 months out, and honestly, I'm just living life. I usually forget I even had surgery, and food is just an afterthought.

Some questions I get frequently:

1) What are you eating?

Literally, the answer is anything and everything I want. Nothing is off limits, nothing bothers me, I do still remain mindful of white carbs, but I eat them. I do steer clear of a lot of fried foods. I didn't eat fried foods pre-op, and I still don't enjoy them post-op.

2) How often do you eat?

4-6 meals per day - I do not track my intake anymore. I eat whatever I want, and go about my day. I've been easily maintaining for about 5.5 months now, and I still have amazing restriction. I can eat 1 slice of thin crust pizza, 6-8oz of chili (if I put crackers in it, it's closer to just 6oz of actual chili), I can eat a small side salad and 1/3 of a chicken breast. I still hate Breakfast foods so I typically don't eat until 9ish.

Do you drink coffee, tea, sodas? Yes to all 3. I drink on average a soda(not diet) every other day, 20-24oz of coffee with full fat french vanilla creamer/2 splendas, and I drink sweet tea when I go out to eat.

Do you have excess skin? I lost 145lbs, you betcha I have excess skin. BUT, it is not grotesque looking, nor do I have a bunch of sagging going on. I have wrinkly skin on my inner thighs, bottom on my butt cheek, and tummy. My arms are kind wrinkly and I have a little bit of sag, but not anything that is horrible.

Do you workout? No, and I have not worked out since February. I know, I know, but seriously I lost my workout mojo after my gallbladder surgery. I did weight train, and cardio/core/ab workouts hardcore from 4 months out to 8 months out. I have noticed that I'm a bit more flabby these days so I'm going to start Zumba again this next week with some girlfriends and see if I can get my mojo back. I'd love to tone up more, but I'm not losing sleep over a little flabbiness. When I'm wearing a size 2 most of the time, a little flab isn't making me rush out to the gym.

Other that that, I'm just a busy, busy lady. I'm back to bowling every week (our league takes a break during the summer), and I'm back to all my social/volunteer activities. I even started working again after having to resign from my job as an insurance agent last summer due to my complications. I'm a direct sales associate for lia sophia jewelry, and I'm kicking ass and taking names. I thought I would just do it for fun, score some free jewelry here and there, and just have something to do on the side. Well, least to say, I'm rocking and rolling, making money, earning tons of free fabulous jewelry, and loving every minute of it. I really can't believe just this time last year, I was getting released to return to normal activity, and I was finally off all my meds, and didn't have some sort of drain attached to my body somewhere.

I seriously can not express how lucky I am to be alive, much less living this amazing life that has been afforded to me because of the sleeve. We are still trying to conceive, and have started the fertility stuff with our insurance. But, thanks to the Obama care, Tricare's coverage has been cut, and some of the treatments, and services have been nixed. YAY YAY for healthcare reform *Insert sarcasm*. Anyways, we're still trying, and we will stand strong in our desires to have a healthy pregnancy, and deliver a fabulous, healthy baby.

I am looking into some facial plastic surgery stuff. Just because I'm vain, and since my face isn't fat anymore, I have more wrinkles than I care to have at the ripe age of 33.

My advice to everyone regardless of where you are on your journey is to NOT give up on yourself. You are worth it, you are worth every tear, you deserve every victory regardless of how tiny it may seem to anyone else, relish those moments, don't take for granted the little things, and don't set yourself up for failure. Nix the negative, and accentuate the positive ! ! !

Obligatory before pic: 270lbs size 22/24W

After 124lbs, size 2 (this was taken 4 nights ago at one of my jewelry shows, the only editing done is me cropping out my girlfriends) It's not the greatest quality due to being taken with a camera phone, but hey you get the idea ! ! !