alegna242

All I can suggest that you walk as much as humanly possible right now. It is amazing what that does for your recovery. I know this is the last thing that you want to hear but It will help. I had a freak out moment a few days after my surgery, I think it was mostly from the lack of food, and the discomfort gets to you after a few days makes you on edge, and you just give in. It will pass. Remember you've made it this far! Best wishes!

Shanda! Gorgeous! As usual! I am in love with your smile!! You have the confidence! It is radiating from you! Love your look my dear, you are a class act! Where do you go to for support meetings? I went to my re-re-re scheduled 4 1/2 mo post op (more like 6 mo when I finally got there) like 3 weeks ago, Man, the new location is way far for me! He was busy, busy as usual!! I CAN'T WAIT for your next update with wedding pics! Like Dr. Alanis told me, keep do'n what your do'n! XOXOXOX

I'm glad that you were able to figure out the problem, I hate to laugh at your misfortune but, that was funny! If I find myself slaving to the scale I just throw it into the closet, outta sight outta mind! It works for me!

Ha! Thank you!!!! I should probably re-do my signature, I payed a total of $11,500. My loan was $10,500, and I saved up $1000.00 on my own. But, either way if I look like a million bucks, I'm out wayyyy ahead! Thanks!

You are correct. And that is what I wanted to change the most, my outlook on life, I think that was what suffered the most, and when that does everything starts to crumble. I'm not going to lie, yes I want to lose weight and look good, but what does that matter if you are in a fog? You will do well, anyone that has the right frame of mind will.

Thank You!!

I really have no advice, but I just wanted to say I am sorry for everything you are going through and best wishes on recovery.

How did I miss this? SHANDA! You are beautiful!!! OMG! you and your future hubby look so proud! Rightfully so I may add! You have such a wonderful glow! Keep up the great work lovie!

Well Thank You!

yea you caught my smirk it feels good!

Time will fly, trust me. I can't believe it's been over 6 months!

Ha,Ha! Yeah I guess I can't avoid it! Strange thing I'm not from Texas, my husband is, long time ago I used to make fun of him for saying "fixin" and "ya'all" now it just flows outta my mouth! I still say "you guys" though! I'm not sure what I was "fixin" to fix, but I know I was looking good while doing it!

Thank you to all that have posted. I appreciate the comments!

Thanks Tiff, you are my, and probably most of the people on here biggest inspiration!

Well, it's been 6 1/2 months and I thought I would post my progress for the first time. I am down 60 pounds (ticker says 59). My surgery was mostly un-eventful except for some nausea while in the hospital and for 2-3 days after I got home. Chancie helped me a lot on here. Looking back this is to be almost expected. Dr. Alanis is a fantastic surgeon and I would recommend him to anyone in the Houston area that is looking for a experienced, caring, low-cost surgeon in the states. As far as my home life, my husband and I have such a better intimate relationship, not because anything has changed for him, but for me. As a mother I am more involved as a whole, not this person that dreads to get up or go out but welcomes it. I love planning the next thing to do. For the first time ever I welcome the Texas summer! I'm not this aching, person in mental and physical pain anymore. Right now in my loss, I am in a slight stall. This is mostly from my own doing, I have been eating mostly whatever I want, just in smaller portions. For the last 6 months I have been watching, watching, watching, what I eat, feeling guilty when I mess up, and stressing. I am just wanting to step away from that mentality for awhile. I know these last 10-12 pounds from my goal will come, I just am not going to allow myself to worry over it. I have not had a exercise regime this whole time, I'm just more active as a whole. I know when the time comes that I want these last dozen pounds gone I will lose it, and I will have to work out. I'm happily neutral right now! My stats are: Weight: Pre 218-222 Now 161-163 Goal 150 Jeans: Pre 20-22 Now 14's Goal ? 12-10 ? Shirts: Pre: 2XL-3XL Now M-L Goal: Maybe all Mediums? Shoes: Pre: 8 Now 7-7.5 Goal: none really So, for the first time ever I thought I would post some pics!! I don't have many pre-op full body shots of myself, for obvious reasons, but you'll get the idea. BEFORE: 3/2008 BEFORE: Galveston 2008 NOW: In old slacks NOW: Fixing to go out! XOXOXOX!!

Celeste ~ I think I know you! Please consider a meeting with Dr. Alanis you will not be disappointed at all. Keep us posted!

Late to post but yes I am in Houston! Actually, I am real close to Tomball! Shanda and I have the same surgeon, Dr. Alanis. He's great. I was looking into the band originally for about 2 years but decided that wasn't a route I wanted to take for a few reasons. I love cooking as well and if this was a perfect world, I would be making purses and clothes for a living! So, if you have any questions please post or pm, Shanda is on here a bit more then me but I will get back to you! Take Care!

I had a quite a few bouts of nausea while in the hospital and the night and the next day a came home. I was scared. (but Chancie made my days brighter!!) But I noticed the pain medication was the culprit, I stopped taking all pain meds the day after I came home and I never vomited again. It wasn't that bad pain wise, I survived. I don't know if this is what is happening to you, but it may be something that you might want to look into. Either way it will pass, good luck.

Since I have lost my weight I have to agree, it is much better! I can't wait to loose more!

Ahhh, now I know! thanks Tiff!

I asked my Dr. at my 2 week post-op and he said "whenever you feel ready". I think on my discharge paperwork it said not to for 8 weeks so hubby was glad to hear that! As far as DH? I'm still not sure?!?!?! I think it's Darling? Husband? I dunno! TMI alert, I warn you, it seems much harder to "get there" for a good month or so after the surgery. At least that was my experience. I wonder if anyone else has had this problem?

Hey I know this is way late post. I am a self-pay patient and I got a loan through Wells Fargo, I tried Surgery loans, medfinance, etc. all those other ones that you see and they all wanted 16-23 % interest. Wells Fargo wanted 13%, I also was approved for a loan with Care Credit but the Dr. I went with did not take Care Credit. Care Credit wanted 13% interest so I thought I might as well go through Wells Fargo and go with the Dr. that I wanted. My loan was $10,500 (Dr. Alanis cash fee was $11,500) I saved 1,000 on my own. My loan is 5 yrs, 13% interest, payments are $244.00 a month. I have lost almost 50 pounds since I have started looking into surgery and I am about 20 pounds from my 1st goal of 150lbs. My surgery was 3 1/2 months ago and although I miss the extra $244 in my bank account, I am so glad that I went through with the surgery! Good luck! :thumbup1:

CONGRATS! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! :thumbup1:

Thank you, it is always appreciated to know someone else is right there with you! Being a sleep Tech 99.5% of shifts are nights to accommodate patients sleeping schedules so I was/am very lucky to have landed that .5% in the first place. I have thought about working out after I get off but if I do the math it will totally cut into my sleep time since I have to be up by 3 to get the kiddo off the bus. Right now I am riding at about 6 hrs average don't want to lose anymore! Oh, well.... I will just have to step up my game a notch on the days off and hope that my day position comes back soon! Thanks for the input!

Shanda~ You are always there to give me kind and encouraging words! Thank you! Yes Cortisol is EVIL and I have royally messed up my circadian rhythm. Being a sleep Tech I know this but as you may know being apart of the medical field doesn't mean your knowledge applies to you! (ha,ha). Guess what? I haven't weighed myself in about 4 days in fear of still being around 175-176 still.............drum roll............I'm 172!! yes yes yes! So I am hoping this is the beginning of the some loss! I am not taking anything for granted anymore and I am keeping the 160's in my sights for December! Until now I have not used daily plate I will start doing that as well. Dr. Alanis is moving to League City? WHY???? Well, I am grateful to hear that he will have a satellite location on Westheimer, because driving to SW freeway from The Woodlands is far enough but I will always do it for him! I do remember Linda telling me that right when they moved into the office there that the Twelve Oaks right next door closed and that was real bad timing for them. That nice big new building doesn't seem to be filling up that much! Maybe this is why they are moving?