PineNut

Hi All, I am struggling to be happy that I have gone a whole year without gaining anything. I did have a little gain (9lb) but was shocked into losing that. My weakness is Pepsi...full on , not diet....that I have let creep back into my life. Trying to limit it to 1 a day. Ice cream is a challenge too! I would like to have seen a better return on my investment (self-pay) than 50 pounds, but I too have to keep positive and relish the changes I have made. I did the Seattle Kid's Marathon with my girls in Nov and have been incredibly active inthe PTA. I would not have taken on these things prior to losing the weight. The cost of a fill does keep me from investigating if I need to have more restriction. There are a couple days a month where I can actually eat a sandwich or easily have pizza crust. Then there are days-like today- that I am struggling with grapes. ???? It is definately a change for the long haul. I also miss the support group meetings...I need to look into those again. All in all I am happy I had the surgery. I am telling myself that I will lose another 40 at least before I attempt insurance approval for a a panniculectomy. :ihih:

Seattle Girl, I had Dr. Michaelson and have been really pleased with my whole NWWLS experience. I have had about 7 fills and a couple unfills...all included in the cost for 13 months after surgery. I have never felt like I have been chastised or anything for my frequent visits. THey are all so friendly and always willing to answer questions or help in any way. I really enjoy their whole staff.

Carol, I am in the Twin Lakes area...in Campus Woods here in Federal Way. I had surgery in Everett. Where in FW are you? The ticker thing always gives people fits at first.....you can go back to the LINKS above (in blue on this page) and update your signature (edit signature). THen you can possibly link to the tickerfactory site or you may have to go back to the site direct and create a new one(make sure to open a new window to go to the tickerfactory.com site). Seems I loose the link or path to mine regularly. But, at the edit signature page, you can highlight the existing ticker and delete it, then you go and click the button with the little mountain and moon in it onthe toolbar to insert a picture. It should then take you to the window that will let you tell it the URL or whatever it is called.....to the ticker. I always have another window open to the tickerfactory and then right click and copy only the items from in between the to (without highlighting those). So you should end up backing out the http:// business on the edit signature page and then pasting your information that you copied into that little window thing. I am so techinical in my ability :frown: IF all is done right, you should see your updated ticker in the preview of your signature. Now that I have confused you thoroughly, good luck. It is easy once you manage to get it in the right place once!

Gosh, everyone is doing so well! I have not been on here in quite a while so I will give a quick update: I am down 45 pounds. Not as much as the rest of you, but I am at least steady! I may actually be having to reconsider the liquid diet pre-op required by Dr. Oh. I seem to recall from the support group I went to that maybe it was about 30+ pounds of your totals lost prior to surgery? I hope so so that I feel that my pace is more in line with the rest of y'all. At least I can see that I can get there. I am right there with you on the flappy skin! My daughters seem to get great humor from poking my flabby arms now. And not to mention the grasping of the "hang down belly fat" on my front that they then exclaim that "Mommy you need to loose that with your weight. When are you getting it cut off?" Believe me, I am right there at the head of the line. I have been amazed by the inches that have come off. I was looking for some pants to wear this morning and came across some Caslon shorts I had that I couldn't inhale deeply enough to get on this past summer. I tried them on and they don't even touch my waist now. I have to do more to enjoy the non sacale victories out there. My latest was putting on a 20 at the Liz outlet. And I can't tell you the last time I went to Lane Bryant and things were too big. I am finally down to the 18/20 shirts. And of course the 3 cup size loss has been expensive in the bra department. It didn't take long to use up the gift card from my brother at Christmas. I am hoping that with my new job change (back to Federal Way) I will be able to join in on the support groups again. Can anyone remind me of the a.m. one at St Francis? Is the St Joe's one at 6 or 7pm? One more question....which mall are you walking at? Tacoma or The Commons?

That would be POUNDS, not ponds.

Hey Cherrybomb! I spoke with Jessie at NWWLS after I went for an additional fill. I sure am glad we have 13 months of fills included. I have not hesitated to seek advice and help in that department! She thought maybe I had stalled because I was not getting all my water and then the fact that I was getting too many calories. Seems the bran muffin I have been having 2 times a week has about 500 calories. Gads. I have now cut those out. Also I was getting a bit carried away with the creamy sauce and having the chicken or burger patties out. So I packed my chicken salad today and just got the garden salad from the cafe up the street. I added apples to it and a bit of dressing. It was good. Then I had a secret shopper night at Applebees and I only had 1/3 of my chicken entree. I have been doing much better. I have an AP band (10cc) and have 6cc of fill in it now. I know it is tighter but I can still take my (2) 50mg zoloft. I have a whole bottle of the 100mg and can't stand the bitter taste of splitting them. Ugh. But I have to really watch drinking too soon after I eat. It is slowly becoming a less painful lesson. 32 ponds gone and counting!

OK, so I am back...... I was writing to Cherrybomb and that got kicked back so I was geting frustrated. I am doing ok, I managed to hit the -30 mark but now seem to need some help. I had to have an unfill of the .2cc I had earlier in August since I couldn't swallow any pills and was having difficulty with drinks too. I am better and have decided that I need a tiny bit more so I am off to Everett tomorrow so Jessie can fill me onthe first try. I have had a bout of pincushion-itis from the unfill. 5 pokes (3 under the scope) before the Dr. finally was summoned. He handled it on the 1st stick. THe one nurse just can not get me and of course she is the one who is doing the fills in Puyallup. SO off to Everett.....I am tracking that mileage for tax time! I need to concentrate onthe whole Water throughout the day and then protien first. I have been on a bit of a mixed diet- as in a lot of yum mixed and creamy saucey dishes. chicken divan last week was my undoing and I am sure it this the reason the scale is stuck. Funny how that works, huh. I like reading that all your kids are packing off to other ends and I am having my own battle of nerves with Kristen starting kindergarten! And another one right behind her next school year. I have a girlfriend from High School that has a Junior at WSU and she is only 9mo. older than me! Nothing like being the old Mommy I guess.

Hey everyone. I have posted but for some reason it tells me I am not authorized the action????? So I hope this posts. I will try before I write more. Here goes.....

After my first fill things were not that different. I had some restriction for about a week and then it seemed to be gone. Could eat pretty much anything. SO I called and got on the cancellation list for another fill. I ended up getting an appointment on the 18th and headed up there. It was a ghastly day and it took me an hour and a half to get up there from Tacoma and two and a half to get back. Needless to say, I was at work til 7 pm! I was feeling ok, and got a kids chicken meal at JITB thinking that I was starving. I managed to eat one of the strips. Thats it. One. It was enough, but in my mind I wanted more to eat. I had the rest at dinner time after work, but the real problem came when I took my pill at night. It is pretty big and it got STUCK. Cold chills, sweating, sitting on the potty. I had it all. I did NOT want to throw up and didn't feel I could take the anti nausea since I was pretty much blocked. THat lasted about 2 hours of yuck. I finally accomplished the mind over matter and went to sleep. When I called the office in the morning they pretty much confirmed that that is what happened. I was told that there is someone on call 24 hours and to always call if you feel something is wrong, and that sometimes, the only way through it is to bring it up. THey suggested drinking hot Water to help it disolve quicker or split the pill or try taking them with hot water all together. I have managed to get by the pill thing and just try to relax and take it. I will go back to the 2-50mg pills next week when I have insurance again. YEAH! SO I kept my appointment that I had for the 24th in case I needed to have an unfill or just needed some counseling. I tried to plan better during the week, but with TOM looming, I was STARVING on Tuesday and couldn't seem to get full. I tried to make better choices and got some chili and then some chicken salad rather than go for the cookie and chips. I was better on Wed. and then decided to make the trip to Everett on Thursday after all. I was concerned that I maybe had a leak since Audrey thought I was reading about 5.2 after she added 2cc's. It all didn't quite add up. I went up there and told Jessie what was going on and my concerns and we decided to have her try to pull what she could out and get a better measurement. She also added 2 more cc's, so by her measurements, I am now at 6 cc's after my third fill. WHAT A DIFFERENCE is an understatement. This must be what restriction is about. I have to concentrate hard on chewing. And my staple of tortilla does not pass well. I was even ok with dark bread, but I don't think that will be an option now. It is amazing what can fill you up. I still am having some liquid calories, but have made an effort to find the Tropicana SF lemonade vs the Minute Maid light. ONly 5 cals in the Tropicana and I actually prefer the taste. I have been sticking more steadfast to the Protein and veg rules and had gone down 6 lb since my 2nd fill the week before. I am at a total loss of 27 lb and am feeling good about myself. I am setting a new goal of an additional 40 lb down by Christmas. That would be fantastic! Now that you have read my novel, you will have to respond back with your status. Were you at the meeting earlier this month? I am planning on attending the St. Joseph meeting on the 1st Mon. in August.

I haven't had a chance to look here in a few days, but since the first fill, I have had another. I went in on the 18th and had an additional fill. It took a couple times but Audrey found the port. She didn't think there was as much Fluid as was noted in my chart but guess I am now at about a 5. I am actually on my way to an appointment to have Jessie take a look. I wil post more on my return! Thanks for asking! (I think m kyboar eeds atteries!)

My husband and I are planning a Portland trip on the 7/8 of September. A bit off, but not too far. Would like to meet other bandsters too!

I am in Federal Way and work in downtown Tacoma M-W. Have you been to the St. Joe's metting? There is another one on Monday at 6:45 next to the cafeteria. Sue11 and Wenjea should be there too.

Sue, My fill is at 1pm on Thursday. I thought I could get one last "free" meal in, but I was told now to not eat 1 hr prior. SO much for the zucchini sticks at claim jumper. Oh well. I have made by bed already, so guess I'll hop in- filled or not!

Weight loss surgery, gastric bypass support groups - St. Francis Hospital Washington I finally found the link for the support group at St Francis. THey have t hidden well! Thanks for the support Sue. I look forward to meeting again at St. Joe's! I will have a fill by the next meting. Hopefully I will have more weight loss to report!

Sue- I really enjoyed the meeting and meeting you the other day. Too bad I didn't meet Wendy too! I felt a bit on the spot by Marie and a bit guilty for having an easier nutritional plan to follow. It all helped me know that I ended up at the right place for me. Like they said, you have to go where you feel comfortable, especially when you pay yourself! I have not had any regrets...just really looking forward to my fill on the 28th! Are you thinking of going to the St Francis meeting on the 3rd Wed (I think).

Wenjea, Do you know if Sue plans on going? Or anyone else in your wallking group?

Any others going to the meeting tonight at St Josephs? I will be there! Jeans and white long sleeve top.

Seems like a lot to keep up on the posts. I just updated my Avatar and I am hoping my other photo stayed within my signature. We'll see. Yay! I can see results and progress in my face. 19 lbs down and lots more to go. I hope next month we can all post a phot of our progress. I am planning on the 2nd June meeting at St. Josephs. Can anyone let me know when it is? I think next Monday?? Is there a meeting AT St. Francis at all?

Mine was about a week after surgery and it was difficult to bend while sitting on the potty. Had to opt for the 1 foot up on the toilet seat method, ya know. HAHA. Other than that it was not too difficult.

Lets say I have learned my lesson and recommend stool softener. It can be pretty hard (haha) to twist on the toilet after and "help yourself" along a bit. Gross. I had a couple days before the 1st one where I tried a baby suppository and Milk of Magnesia. Always take a softener when taking pain meds!

Don't forget the heating pad! I suggest setting up a tv tray beside your bed and a pitcher with ice water so you don't have to get up too often of maneuver the stairs if you have 'em. Anyone know if the meeting at St. Josephs is on for tonight? Are you guys going?

Don't forget the heating pad! I suggest setting up a tv tray beside your bed and a pitcher with ice water so you don't have to get up too often of maneuver the stairs if you have 'em.

I don't know if you are eating anything with a refined type sugar, but I ate a bite of choc chip cookie at work the other day and I had to REALLY struggle with staying awake about 15 min later. I was SO tired. Then hte other night I tried to have a bite...1 bite of a Hostess pie since I thought it would be mushie...OK OK...and I had the same twirly dizzy feeling about 20 min later. Needless to say I have not had anything other than dairy sugar and no problems. I would also back up the water comment above. I am not working so hard on the not drinking with meals at this point since it is still healing and I DON'T want anything to get stuck.

Hi All! I hope everyone had something more exciting to do over the weekend. I was beat down by Sat. and laid in bed all day. WONDERFUL. I think that it was too much driving on Fri. I got stuck in traffic heading up to Everett but fine on 405 coming home. Sun and Mon I did laundry and such. Too much bending and I accidentally lifted Ryann and Kristen climed on my back. They have been really good for a week of not climbing on Mommy but it must have been a moment I wasn't paying attention. Now my port incision is angry looking and SORE. I too feel like there is swelling still inthe belly area. I have on jeans today, but how come the tops are looser, not the bottoms? Figures it would come off the boobs first! At least my bras are easing up a bit. No problem with the underwire. Although I am sittin ghere with my jeans un-done. I am just not comfy with things around my waist now. I had some muscle strain under the lower incision on the right (my port is onthe rt.) and it BURNS in the crease of my "waist". That has been the worst of all. It feels like a line of fire sometimes. I am counting the days to Thursday when I can have MUSHIES.

Cracks me up that I have had more comments on my haircut.....It is finally about back to like the photo. Too bad I had a REALLY BAD hair color appointment the next day. A guy at work called me "Elvira"...so you can imagine how dark it was. I thought is was more a suitable color for a stripper - not exactly fitting for me! And it was right before Halloween. Speaking of hair... Has anyone else noticed that their hair is acting like CRAP. Mine is completely limp and wont "do". I am hoping it is an effect from the anesthesia. I don't remember this happening with prior surgeries. I had to borrow a pretty barrette from my 5 year old to sport a "special" hairdo in the car today:biggrin1: I had my post op today and go back for a fill on the 28th of June. I am really anticipating the mushies. I have soaked a couple Chicken'Bisquit crackers and mushed those around in my mouth. yum..... I agree that those BEFORE photos can be a real motivator and reality check. I wore a lovely pair of shorts and a sport bra. All I noticed was a really big, white, stomach. I was at 301 at the Dr. office today and hope that by Monday I will never have to see a 300 number again!