phyllser

WOW!! Very impressive, Karen!

Hi, again! I forgot that you wanted to hear my "story" until I was rereading the posts here. Fat all my life after being a skinny toddler who was constantly nagged to eat, eat, eat! (So they tell me!) So I guess I learned at an early age that eating was a way to get approval! Until it got out of hand and I started getting "chubby", and then my Dad would scold me for eating too much!! I think I was about a size 16 when I got married at age 20. Then three pregnancies added more weight and by the end of the 3rd pregnancy, I was horrified to see the scales top 200! Got down again... probably hovered around 180 for quite a few years (only 5 ft 2 in then, 5 ft now). Eventually, I was back over 200... no pregnancy this time, and went on to hit 250 at some point in time. By my late 40s I was topping 300! DH would not let me consider weight loss surgery and diets were not working. Finally, 2 yrs ago, after he had two emergency surgeries, I had an opportunity to talk with a bariatric surgeon in DH's presence (his surgeon) and he relented and we began planning for surgery. I was undecided as to what type until last spring (2007, that is) when we both agreed that lapband was the safest way to go. So I had my surgery 7/20/07. Top weight pre-surgery was 327. It's slow but steady for me... I am losing about 5 lb a month... but it's coming off! Today I had an appt with my primary care doc. She cut strength of one of my BP meds in half a couple of months ago, and discontinued one of my cholesterol meds. BP was 108/64 today, so now she's cutting strength of the other BP med in half. I need to have another sleep study because I"m sure I also need my CPAP adjusted.

Sorry, Karri... I meant DH's Mom. Got mixed up with SIL's Dad. Haven't heard from them this morning, but assume they are headed south on I-5 by now. Just got back from appt with my primary care doc. My BP 108/64! So we discussed cutting meds. She cut one of my BP meds in half last time I was there. She doesn't want to just cut the other one because that's the one that has a diuretic in it. So we agreed to cut the BP part of the med but leave the diuretic the same. Only problem with that is, that means TWO pills instead of one.... at least for now. I might have gotten away with completely cutting the other med... but then she said, "you don't have any problems with palpitations, right?" Well, I have, on a couple of occassions. If I'd kept my mouth shut, I could have gotten rid of that one! Guess it helps regulate the heart beat. Anyway, she's pleased with my progress... says slow & steady is okay. She has another lapband patient who is struggling and she thinks her problem is liquid calories. I have to go back in the morning for blood work because it didn't dawn on me that i should fast! Then we'll see about the thyroid & cholesterol meds.

Yeah, me too. Can I count my coffee??? Had about 16 oz black coffee this morning. Now moving on to crystal lite but one more coffee on my agenda, later. So sorry, Karri. Our SIL facing the same situation right now. It's hard. They just headed down to Sacramento this morning by car with all three kids. So I was selfishly really bummed about that yesterday because we're heading south in the RV Saturday, so I don't get to give our little sweeties one more hug and didn't really get to say goodbye. DH says maybe we can connect up with them next week. If they're still down there, we'll be in SF by Thursday if not before. Will be thinking of you, too, as you go through this similar situation with DH's dad.

Steph went to San Antonio with her mom & other relatives to see her niece graduate from AF basic training.

Think Indian Fry Bread... flat piece of deep fat fried DOUGH, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. I had one other choice that I would have gotten instead of the BBQ turkey leg.. they had something called a "Dinosaur Stick". So I asked what that was & they said it was a strip of sirloin steak on a stick. If SIL hadn't dragged us off to the BBQ place, that's what I would've had. Turkey leg was good, though, what I could eat of it. DH liked it.

SPINACH!! Who'd a thunk it!! Shows to go ya.... have to be careful with EVERYTHING!! Glad you're back, and back on track! Kudos!! We went to the fair yesterday... both DDs & both SILs, the three littlest grandkids and one SIL's Mom & step-Dad... old friends of ours in town from Atlanta for the weekend. I was worried about eating "Fair Food" since I knew we'd be there all day. But I think I did pretty good. Everyone else was eating scones, elephant ears, corn dogs!! I bought an ear of roasted corn. Later, I bought a BBQ turkey leg, most of which DH ate, and some cole slaw. I had a very few bites of the elephant ear and a couple of handfuls of DD's kettle corn. (!) But, no onion burgers, or all the other stuff everyone was eating. One SIL I am very concerned about. BIG belly.. way too much weight, triglycerides 400+. He was the one that went straight for the scones as soon as we got through the gate, then he went for corn dogs. Not 2 hrs later he led us all to his favorite BBQ stand for lunch!

For right now.... stay away from any sites where the "nay sayers" hang out. You can always find horror stories.... I know it's important to educate yourself as to what "could" happen, possible complications, etc., but know that those are few and far between. It is very normal to worry and be nervous, but try to keep a positive attitude. The risks of NOT doing something about your excess weight far outweigh the risks of what "might" happen. Stay excessively overweight and you can guarantee you will be facing life threatening health issues, not to mention mobility issues. I know all about those! I'm only half way to my goal, but I'm so thrilled to be able to climb steps without huffing and puffing. And I'm walking so much better. It's wonderful and I couldn't be happier! Funny story.. just happened within the last hour. I went over to RiteAid on my scooter.... when I get the rest of this weight off I will be walking over there..... and was using my credit card to check out. Cashier asked if she could see my ID & said she knew my photo was on the back. So she turned it over and said, "Oh, my! What happened to it?" So, I told her it was kind of faded (from taking it in & out of my wallet), so she wanted to see something else. So I gave her my driver's license & told her "this is worse... I've lost a lot of weight since then!" So she was pretty amazed & we had a good chuckle over that. Then she wanted to know more... she never talked to anyone who had lapband surgery before. Had to end it when we noticed a line had built up behind me! So, I guarantee you, you will not be sorry. Relax... everything will be fine!

Black stuff is NOT good.... could be old blood. No dump in a week is also NOT good! :smile::smile: I think you need to call your doctor first thing Monday morning, if not before!

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Well, if you're acting like a 2 yr old, so are we! I think we're probably all as excited as you are!! Especially me because I'll probably actually get to see this commercial!! I am PSYCHED!! When are they supposed to shoot it??? Did they give you any clue as to how they might want you to dress!??? Maybe the green dress is too formal... cute little tight jeans and a top that shows a little cleavage????? AND YOUR HAT!! ?????????????

You can add Nurse Phyl to that list, Janet.... go get the ankle x-rayed!!! Congrats, Sis!! That's great!! And I know the feeling... bought my first pair of jeans with a button & zipper last week... on sale at Target for $6.24!! So I got two more pairs in the next two sizes down!! And THEN I went back and bought a BELT!! Yes, a belt! Because the ones that fit now are a little big around the waist. Other than that the fit is perfect! It's a great feeling not to have an elastic waistband, isn't it!!

How about the slinky green dress??? You look cute in just about anything these days.... you might have to wear something a little sporty so you can wear your hat! Whenever I picture you, it's always wearing your hat! I'm a hat person, I guess! WOW!! A celebrity in our midst! Hope they get it on TV while we're in the area!!

How about the slinky green dress??? You look cute in just about anything these days.... you might have to wear something a little sporty so you can wear your hat! Whenever I picture you, it's always wearing your hat! I'm a hat person, I guess! WOW!! A celebrity in our midst! Hope they get it on TV while we're in the area!!

YOU HAVE GOT IT, GIRL!! Not yet banded, but you've already won some major battles... the ones in the head! Now all you have to do is put it into practice. YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL!!

Yeah!! That sure sounded good!! I think I may look for some of those chillies!!

Ha! He IS a good looking boy... but, he's our youngest and he's adopted! But I'll take credit for his good looks! :biggrin: Yes, those ARE my new jeans. Too bad it was a little windy & chilly down by the water... Under the sweat shirt?? A polo shirt I got at the Goodwill Store last week for $3 and it was NOT on the PLUS size rack... it fits and its only an XL! We took two more boxes of baggy clothes to Goodwill and I always have to go in and see what I can find!

I'm saying this with the utmost of love.... but if you are going to be successful in this.... you are going to have to make some big changes in what you eat! That means taking some of the "NOs" out of your vocabulary! NO kind of fish??? Can you experiment with some new ways of preparing fish so that maybe you can tolerate it?? Most of us who are enjoying success in this weight loss journey have made major sacrifices and changes in the way we eat/drink. We've given up things we enjoy... for me.. Diet Coke, all carbonated beverages, in fact.. and added things we didn't think we could tolerate. Crystal Lite is my new beverage of choice. I used to eat fish maybe a couple of times a month. Now I sometimes have it three times a day! Today for instance, eggbeaters omelet with shrimp for Breakfast, salmon taco for lunch, salmon patty & frozen peas for dinner. I'm growing gills. Try to expand your horizons!

You betcha!! I LOVE seeing everyone's pictures!! And I"m going to post one soon... took a ferry ride today with our son & it was such a BEAUTIFUL day in the Pacific NW!!! For a change!! 7 day forecast says it's supposed to stay like this!! 70-80 & sunny!

Wow!! DH would not handle that... he won't put frozen food in the shopping cart until he is SURE we're ready to check out!! No way he would wait... or let me wait... 2 hrs to check out!! :eek::eek::wub::eek::eek: You gals are GREAT!! Thanks for your encouragement! I know I have to keep my eyes on the goal and not get bogged down in the process!! I needed a little SMACK!! Thanks! YOU LOOK GREAT!!! Ha Ha!! She got you with that one, Steph!! Good one Candice!!

Thanks, gals... appreciate the encouragement from both of you. I am happy with my new jeans, and my BELT!! And my 18/20 shirts. Progress has just been very slow lately. Five lb in June & another five in July but less than 1 lb last month.... vacation. Now youngest DS is here... haven't seen him in about 3 years I think... so ate the wrong things yesterday, going out to lunch today! Took him to see both daughters. One had made stroganoff for dinner (I didn't eat the noodles, but she'd heated up a little rice for me) The other one was just taking (ANOTHER) blackbery pie out of the oven when we got there! Had a small sliver, spoonful of icecream! UGH! Money thing is ridiculous! HAH!! Sounds like we ARE married to the same guy. Mine keeps his calculator & notebook with all his charts and figures right next to his laptop in the living room. I get daily updates as to how much we've "LOST", but never talks aobut it when it looks good! This latest episode started with a big fight, which is kinda funny. I've been playing "Parking Wars" with 2 DDs, SIL, DIL & others on Facebook. You get a street with your name and 2 cars to start out with. You can't park your cars on your street. They have to be parked on other people's street in "legal" parking spaces. So I woke up one morning and I'd had a red car parked in a red car space on DIL's street and the parking space status changed overnight to a different color and she'd given me a "parking ticket" which cost me $5K+, and I lost the value of the car... they increase in value up to a max value the longer you are parked, and then you cash them in. So DIL "caught" me parked illegally which cost me over $10K. So I was complaining to DH (who is also playing). So he started chewing me out because I was more upset over pretend money than I am about real money! So I told him it's all pretend to me because it's only figures on a piece of paper and he'll never spend it anyway. That was the WRONG thing to say! It escalated from there and cost me a couple of days of grumpy! :biggrin::frown::biggrin: Anyone want to play "Parkng Wars"??? You have to get a Facebook account first.

I'm here.. lurking. just haven't felt like posting anything lately so just reading all the posts. Too much petty bickering here. Stupid. It's just depressing. DH very grumpy... stock market #s go bad & he is in a slump! Doesn't make sense to me! Then he gets mad because it doesn't upset me! Youngest DS flew in this afternoon. So will be busy for a couple of days before he flies back. He got some time off because job they were doing is in New Orleans! He works for a mobile paint company painting heavy equipment, trains right now...locomotives, cabooses, etc. He was up in Alberta visiting his latest hot romance. Of course, every time he has a new girlfriend, this is THE one! Had to remind him, he's never gotten around to divorcing the first wife.. hasn't seen her in over 10 years! You all are depressing me... I'm happy to be wearing jeans that are a size 20, shirts that are 20/22, some 18/20s. It's taken me a year to get to where you all started! TOPS weight this week.. down 1 1/2 lb. But last week I ws down more on my Wii... I would've been down several pounds but I've gained back like .2 lb about 3-4 days in a row. Not good. :redface::frown::frown::frown::smile:

I think you'll sail through this in less than six months. Have no idea why they would require physical therapist eval. I think that is the first I have heard of that!! Maybe to see where you are atwith respect to exercise capability???