lisacaron

Just a quick second to check in here. Liz you look awesome!! Love the dress!! It's been a very trying couple of weeks, and I don't see any signs of things slowing down any time soon. Been keeping on track, just not making it to the gym. I decided that when you keep falling up the stairs and getting hurt your body is trying to tell you something...like slow down your killing me!!!??? So I thought it wise to take a couple of weeks and let my knees and bruised up legs heal and maybe stop trying to run and lift and do 100 things all through out the day and then do them again at the gym. Something has to give somewhere and I'm not sorry to say not fighting for a parking spot so I can work out till I am ready to drop literally is not the hardest thing for me to give up right now. Work is going 90 to nothing which is good and bad at the same time, and I have some major issues going on with my son again, so prayers please and if your in the NY Tri-State area check out my project...https://freewheel.com/ Back to work for me!!!

I enjoy spending every day with the ones that I love and cherish. Valentines Day is a special day that I get to be extra corny!! Where displays of affection, hearts, and flowers expressions of love and kisses don't make the world as uncomfortable as they do on say a Wednesday in March. We don't spend enough time showing, telling or living with the people that we love. We might not think we take them for-granted but I'll bet that if you really thought it about that for a moment you might find that you probably don't say I love you or hug these people as much as you could. Valentines Day is another reason to amp it up. Put on that bright red dress, a pair of high heels that might not wear on a Tuesday to work, put on that extra sparkle and paint the town red with my hubby. I love the flowers, the balloons, the sparkly things that come in small packages!! Yes I even love the romantic dinners, champagne and chocolate! What we like to do since we are both WLS patients is book a romantic dinner at an exclusive place where the food is decadent and the atmosphere is beautiful. Maybe there is live music or dancing, we will enjoy some expensive chocolates the kind that cost you so much that you are satisfied with just that bit. Maybe chocolate covered strawberries and champagne. Maybe we will go see a movie together and snuggle up. When it comes to kids, all my kids are older now, and looking for their own special someone to share the day with, but I will still get them their favorite chocolate in a small heart of Ferrero Rocher, if they are at home we might make our own chocolate covered strawberries cook and have a nice family dinner together, but for me it's a day to enjoy life and love. Wear my heart on my sleeve and share it with the world!!

@@My3Girls you are so right about that. I do get some exercise in during the day, I walk all over my building and I take the stairs everywhere which is about 4-6 flights depending on where I am going and coming from. It's just not the "gym" kind which is kind of funny because my personal trainer sent me a text this morning to see if everything was OK since he hasn't seen me in 2 weeks!! I guess it's time to start getting back to the gym and stop using my stress as an excuse. How are you doing today?

@@My3Girls I'm in! I'm in every day!! Pretty much every day I have to remind myself to be on track and not let the stress of the day and life get to me and trust me it can!!! Boy oh Boy can it!! Now I know getting this butt to the gym would help with weight and stress also but for some reason I just can't get there. By the end of the day I am totally and utterly exhausted!!

@@tootyoyo yes if you were to get sick or have food poisoning you would vomit from your actual stomach. Being banded does not mean that you should be vomiting. The only reason you would be vomiting is if you were sick with some type of virus or food poisoning. As a banded patient you should NEVER want to be vomiting. Practicing good eating mechanics will help to ensure that this does not happen even when your band is adjusted properly and you are in the "green" zone. The goal is not to be vomiting but to control the amount, type and timing of your food intake. The band does not hold food at the top of the band, the food passes through the stoma that the band creates and food moves into the larger part of the stomach. So any food that is coming back up is usually coming up from the larger portion of the stomach. If there is food caught above the band it is because there are some eating mechanics in failure. Either you have eaten a bite that is too big and not chewed well enough and there for is unable to pass the stoma, you have eaten the bite too quickly after the previous bite and you have now caused a stacking situation about the band and/or you have taken a drink of Fluid while eating before the food has cleared the band and again causing a bit of stacking issue which will cause the liquid to move below the food and filter through the band and force the food up and out. So if you practice good eating mechanics cutting small bites, eating slowly chew chew chewing and do not drink while eating you should never need to vomit.

Ah yes I have done this as well. Some of those longer capsules even can get a bit stuck if they go down sideways and you can't always control the way they go down. In the morning I take one pill at a time with my morning coffee. Takes me about 30 minutes to get them all down. I do the same thing at night since I have meds I have to take in the AM and PM, and when they get stuck if they come back up or your gurgling they don't always taste so great!! I look at this way though it def. takes my appetite away I don't even want chocolate!

@@Deedee13 it's a very good idea to give your Dr. a call and let them know how uncomfortable you are and that you are still experiencing acid re-flux at night. There are medications they can give you to help with all of these things and to help guard the stomach while you are healing. The last thing you want is to leave it, you will continue to be uncomfortable and could cause other severe issues like erosion. I have had these issues before and cause not only swelling but irritation to my stomach that was revealed on a endoscopy exam. I am no on preventive medication so that this does not happen again. Let us know how you are doing OK?

I would ask him to share the results of the scans with you and get copies of them, call another office and see if you can get a second opinion from another Dr. we are still talking about major surgery so a second opinion is not uncalled for. If there needs to be a revision then you will know without a doubt. Let us know how your doing and what happens!!

My son who has not had WLS or need it in any way has had what the Dr.'s called allergy shiners for most of his life. Even when he was a little boy especially when he was tired his eyes would like he got punched right before bed. He's 26 now but it still happens to him when he's over tired. I also have this problem...but as those have said with make up there are ways around it for us gals. I use well rested by bare minerals when I am less then well rested and if my eyes are looking a little "hollow".

@@amponder Your doc is right about the shakes going right through the band, however in the absence of something good to eat that is packed with Protein a shake is the way to go. Don't always think of "breakfast" as having to eat yogurt or oatmeal or eggs you can have anything. Turkey, chicken, even a nice bit of steak. Improvise and you will find ways to make sure you have what you need. It's hard to keep everyone in the household supportive of us, but even more with spouses who are not on the same page. Perhaps reminding them that you did this for you so you could be healthy and happy and share a long happy life with them as well they will be able to be a bit more understanding. When we tell people they can't or shouldn't have something I know from myself that it only makes me want it that much more in spite of it and the person telling me. So use a bit of psychology here and don't do that. Once in an argument with my Dad who just had quadruple bypass surgery he was fighting with my Mom about having to eat rubber chicken for the rest of his life etc. I told my mother to go out and buy him his bacon and sausage and meatballs and salami and all that stuff and give it to him. Make him a BIG heart attack dinner. So we did and his response..are you trying to kill me? Where's the chicken? That ended that ordeal

I found this topic to be hilarious!! I HATE grocery shopping!! In fact I don't do it! Maybe if it was a "professional" shopper who went out and video'd their haul as a marketing tool but why do that for no reason? We already know that Americans spend too much money on stuff do we need video evidence of that now too:) Sorry it's just like the couponing hoarders that buy vats of soap and toilet paper and every thing that's on sale or has a coupon. Are they feeding or taking care of a hungry nation with all that stuff? If you are so bored why not go back to school and learn something useful if nothing else I'm 100% sure there are ditches that need filling and roads that could use some work. Come on people...get out there and live life food shopping is a necessary evil like taking a poop I don't need to see it or hear about it..but you know that will be next!!

@@amponder don't lose faith you will get there. With the band it takes some time to find that sweet spot and when you get there it takes some time to get used to being there. Trust me I have been where you are and I have been at that sweet spot and back to where you are again from having the band unfilled. I'm finally back at that sweet spot..and trying to remind myself when I'm bored that it's just that and I don't "need" to be eating. It's a learning process...but we will get there!

OK I admit I have Fast Forwarded to the end of this chain and only skimmed the last few pages. Mostly because the topic Liz started about my big fat fabulous life has been on my mind since I saw the show. Whitney is a beautiful girl. She has a pretty face and for the most part I think it's easy for her to be in denial when she looks in a mirror. Her body as big as it is seems well proportioned...that is about all I can say about that. All that said, the fact that we are watching this girl live a life in denial looking for excuses of PCOS to blame and not the amount or choice of food being the reason for her obesity is just sad! Why exploit this lovely girl and not HELP her? Yes you can be fat and happy. I was very fat and very happy in fact at my highest weight I was the happiest in my life at the time. However I was never happy with my weight or my health. My life as a fat lady was a happy one, I knew how to dress and keep myself in style so I didn't think about my weight or what I ate or how much I just did it. When I was upset about something I ate, it was my coping mechanism. Being sick, being a fellow suffer of PCOS,needing major organ removal, feeling like I could not walk from my office to my car without feeling like I was going to have a heart attack in the parking lot...not being able to walk up a flight of stairs or down the hallway without being out of breath all this things made me NOT happy. This girl is talking about her chin hair and chub rub, and not going out because she can't fit in a movie theater seat...yes all these things are reality. You can say yes to life but the reality is that even the handicapped chairs are not meant to hold a 400 or 500 pound person. I was/am a very active fat person I work at 150 mile an hour speed, I dance I work out I do all those things. I admit though as I gained weight those things became a bit less and less as I got older they became harder to do so I did them less and less and got heavier and heavier. I would like to see TLC take this show and bring this lovely girl with the positive attitude who is trying to make the best of her life as it is to see a WLS doctor. Working out and eating right sure that's a start but when you are "craving" (sorry barf reflex here) banana and mayonnaise sandwiches...and eating like no body's business...you need an intervention not more people to enable you by putting you on display on TV. Help this girl, educate this girl her friends and her family. I would love to see some WLS doctors come to meet her some friends who are supportive of a change in her life not enabling her. Most of them could use a bit of intervention as well. Fat people can and are beautiful chubby chasers or no...but it's just not healthy. She does not need to become a Barbi doll but she needs some intervention for her health and to make that smile reality in all areas of life.

Happy Monday pals!!! It's freezing raining here in NY after we got about another 4 inches of snow so of course now there is a horrible mess out there and they are expecting an arctic freeze later in the day that is going to make commuting treacherous. I have decided to take a personal day from work and stay home even though of course I am working from home...but at least I can stay snug and warm in my fleece PJ's and keep an eye on my 4 legged children who don't love this weather any more than I do! SuperBowl Sunday was great until my husband made some pigs in blankets (mini hotdogs in cresent rolls) of course these are a favorite and I ate all of three of them and got 100% stuck! That little nub on the end of the hot dog was enough to plug my stoma and cause some really uncomfortable wretching thank goodness we were home in our own house an I should have stuck to my carrots and hummus!! Painful lesson learned by both hubs and myself. He felt so bad that he made them and served them to me...but you know I am a grown woman and I made the choice to put them in my mouth. So today there is that extra special swelling going on and it looks like at least a few days of liquids to rest and relax my poor esphogus, belly and band. The up side of the Super Bowl no matter the winners or losers though I have to say the calls made at the end of the game were sickening and I really feel for the Seattle fans!!! Ken did win the half time score for the football pool I started How is everyone else doing??

@@JustWatchMe {{{{{sending you some hugs!!!}}}}} Yes it will all be over and done with soon...but your ex is a real D-bag for forcing you to go through all this! The thing you can secure your Mom about is that no one but the lawyers and the judge need to see those statements or information and it should be kept confidential since she did not marry this person he has no right to know her business! Make sure you secure that with your lawyer and ensure that she shares the information only with the court and protects your mothers right to privacy. Also make sure the lawyer stresses to the judge that you are an in case of emergency signer and not a part of the account. That you don't contribute to it or draw from it as income in any way. Tell your Mom to be nice to you, and supportive of your new life as you are of her. If you weren't supportive of her you would not be on her accounts to begin with. {{{{love to you}}}}

So I spent some time at the hair salon yesterday and decided it was time for some exciting change to my blond locks and decided to add in some {{red}} and some {{burgundy}} low lights! It's a bit bold...but it's FUN!!! Boy does my hair dresser love challenges and none of them are pink! I realize that I look pretty darn tired..but hey it was 11 PM I was tired!!

@@alexis l I hope you can get into the Dr. quickly. In the mean time my friend, move to a liquid diet until then. You want to try and minimize the throwing up and re-flux issue you are having as those things can be very damaging to your internal organs. If you can call the Dr. and let them know you are having this reflux at night and see if they can prescribe some medication for you to take to ease the symptoms and protect your esophagus and stomach. Get a liquid medication if you can so you don't have to swallow the pills. Tums is not going to work you need a prescription medication. Dr. can call that into the pharmacy for you till you can get to the office. As @@KateP said it could be scar tissue causing tightness and/or it could be irritation from food you have eaten, allergy, and now trauma from throwing up and reflux. So take it easy, go on liquids and rest your throat and tummy for a few days till you see the Dr. Please take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing.

@@gowalking I want to let you know that I have seen you recently and you look fantastic! You are looking healthy and vibrant and I want to see you stay that way!!! So yes my friend increase the amount of Protein that you are eating. Protein is the only nutrient that your body does not hold on to that you have to replenish every day. Your body will make good use of it and help you to increase your muscle tone and that's what you don't want to loose and once you are at nearly zero % body fat that's what's going to happen. Your muscles are going to start breaking down to support the energy your body is calling for, and your going to slowly feel weak and sickly. So increase that protein!! Add in a bit extra at lunch go from 3-5 oz of chicken or fish. You don't have to go to red meats in high volume but add them in occasionally in high quality like lamb, filet minion etc. Can you tell I have been certified as a nutritionist? If I wanted to go to med school I'd have lots of credits to add toward a degree

@@amponder you doing great! Slow and steady wins the race is my motto!! When you get a comfortable place that's the time to pump it up just a little. Even if it's for a few minutes and then drop back down. Getting your heart rate up a notch at intervals is a good way to rev up the metabolism. Inclines can be rough on the knees so if you find it's rough drop it down and go a little faster vs higher. Keeping the routine varied will keep your body guessing and keep your metabolism moving. I took this week off...just couldn't handle the gym and the snow but no regrets!

@@JustWatchMe I am feeling for you!!! I have heard and seen a co-worker go through this before..very painful she was sitting on a donut ring for weeks and that's what scared me. I had the internal ones done a few years ago during a colonoscopy and your right those didn't hurt at all, no stitching involved. These little buggers are external, they are small but I'm sure that doesn't matter much. Maybe when I"m ready for the TT they can get those too and I can just be in agony all over at once

One of my incisions became infected about 2 weeks after surgery. I am short waisted and so pants and seat belts and desks hit right about that incision site and cause some irritation to the stitches and ultimately cause a bit of an infection. The Dr. removed a stitch that was left behind and the wound was left open to drain and heal. That is the only scar that was wider then the others because of the opening of the stitches. It took a good 4 weeks after to fully heal but I would do it all again in a heart beat.

@@JustWatchMe OK now you make me rethink this again....I have had stomach and bowel issues my whole life. However..nothing created the roids until I had my first son. Pushing that little sucker out into the world created a bunch of little annoyances I have had for the last 26 years. Now I'm sure I didn't help by pushing and pushing and not breathing and then taking a deep breath after a push and sucking that little guy right back up instead of OUT. So a few years after I had my last son a Dr. asked me about this operation..and I said I'll think about it since they don't really bother me. Then a co-worker a few years after that had it done and I heard about the painful recovery and I said NOPE with my fat fanny no one is gonna care so why should I they don't bother me. OK well now that the fanny is not so "fat" even though it's still a biggin and it sits on my back I have a very tiny torso so it's all TnA (I know TMI) and now...those little buggers bug me. I recently told hubs I might do this after all...and now...yeah Ima rethinking that thought.

@@gowalking Thanks!! We made it through, though I will admit I'm glad the city storm wasn't as bad. I remember a few years ago having to go and dig my father out of the ice cave his cars were covered in. First baby photo's! Amazing the technology we have today!! @@dylanmiles23 I'm sure your going to fashionable no matter what! Pink and purple are a great combo and warm and dry are even better!!!

@@Trace Lynne Thanks this is a great fun post. I am still doing these.. I still default to the handicap stall in the restroom I try to park with more space between me and the car next to the driver-side/or in an end spot to make sure the space isn't too small So this last one with the car happened to me this weekend. It was raining out Saturday night and my husband and I parked in the back side of the parking lot of the movie theater. We went to a fairly early movie at 4:15 and I was so glad we did because when we came out of the movie the theater was PACKED with kids and families and the 20 somethings looking to spend the Saturday night "out" doing something. We walked back to the car and this pick up truck parked on an angle into the spot next to my car. I was royally peeved #1 because the spot was not meant for a truck of that size which is why he bad to park crooked he couldn't make the turn..and second because it left this sliver of space to get into the drivers seat. I was fuming and telling my husband I don't think I will be able to get into the car at all!! Yeah well...I was wrong, and there was more then enough room for me to get in and I was not having to squeeze through. However I was still angry because what if it wasn't me now and it was me then?? This person just had no respect for others and that was obvious but it was an eye opener that I could fit through that sliver of space into my car.

We got about 27 inches in my neck of the woods yesterday. Thank goodness we were home and able to keep ahead of it all. Clearing it away about as fast as it was falling just to make getting out the next day (today) easier then it was during the last storm. Even though it's only Wed. I feel like it's been a week in 2 days!! All the "preparation" that went into getting ready for the storm. I'm glad we did it I was worried about power outages but in the end it was mostly not necessary but better safe then sorry right? Here is quick photo of me in my winter gear as I drove with my son in his new car (holding my breath the whole way!) to get gas on Monday morning, and a photo of the puppies out in snow that was way over their heads but still having a great time playing out there in it! Me...sorry your not going to get me to build a snowman!! Maybe a sand castle on a beach somewhere. I do not like snow or winter! Do love snowflakes in the form of diamond jewelry though but that's about it.