88KEYZ

I am stuck and have not lost any more weight in over a month. I have a daily weigh in to insure I am not gaining in a horrible way, but up 3 pounds and then down again, basically I feel this is water retention or thyroid issues. I am watching my diet, probably not eating enough, but even with the band at a wide-open size according to my fill office, I still have the PBing way too much. I have an appointment set up for this Saturday to check things out again. I am going to get tightened, which I may regret due to not keeping food down, but also I need to eat slower, more carefully, and this should insure that. The holidays need to be for family and not food and a fill will help this issue. I have high hopes for myself and am basically half way to my goal. Now if I can just get there. I sometimes feel like "The Little Engine That Could"! I do know more exercise would only help and I have not been in a good routine for that lately. My swimming ended with the onset of fall-winter months, so walking needs to be more prominant for me. I don't know if I am the only one to go through this issue, but it is so hard. I want to get all this weight off and feel like I should! Hopefully Saturday will help me and the Lord will direct me through this path!

Wow - Five months today - this is my lap band anniversary. I am extremely thankful that I had this procedure done! Amazingly the five months have flown by. So far this tool has helped me lose 44 pounds. It also has helped me make so many new friends that have had the procedure as well. My life is improving and continues to do so, as I am not quite half way to my goal of losing 100 pounds. I feel better, I have more energy, I am exercising more (not quite enough yet, but more), I eat healthier, I am more active that before, I am shopping in the normal department and not plus size departments now!!! I just see my whole life getting better. My family have all been supportive, standing behind me, understanding my issues when they arise, in which I could not do this without that support! My Dad is a huge support source for me calling me and sharing our notes as he also had this procedure a month after me. My sis-n-law as well really understands as we did it together with the same doctor on the same day! We do stay in touch and try to lift each other up as needed. I am thankful for all the people and things listed in this blog, very thankful. My life had nowhere to go, I could not walk up a hill without chest pain, being extremely winded and I was on my way to a heart attack. This has completely turned me around! Here is to the next months and pounds that pass by me, I know I can do this and achieve my goal! I just want to thank each of you that have shown me some sort of support, you know who you are and I do to! I appreciate you and love you for it.

I begin this blog with venting my frustrations. My loss this month has been horrible. On Aug. 6th I had lost 41 pounds since my surgery back in April on the 19th of this year 2008. I had been proud, feeling so great, excited, but now it is Aug. 29th and yesterday I was at a loss of 43 pounds, with today having the scale bounce up 1.6 pounds. I just don't get it. I am barely eating, my last fill has had me throwing up most of the month and just in the past week have I held food down. I am swimming laps in a new pool, although with bad storms that is not daily. I am sick this week with the "crud" going around, which is sinus infection, upper respiratory issues, so that does not enhance a healthy way of losing weight. I have been enjoying my smoothies, made of pure fruit, yogurt, fat free milk and some juice at times. I eat chicken, green beans, broccoli, healthy things. So - why am I not losing weight as I should??? I am stuck and can't afford to get stuck! I am reading the books, just ordered more of the vitamins to see if they help kick it back into gear from the fill centers USA web site. I even ordered a diving suit that I can continue swimming as the weather turns and the water gets colder. I am not giving up!

That is the end of my venting for this morning. If you have suggestions - send them to me! If you pray, include me in your prayer list, if you care, just care!

A week ago today I had my 2nd fill. If you copy the link and paste in your browser address line, or click on the link you will see a video of the fill.

I did much better with this one than my first one as far as feeling comfortable and not being nervous. I have had more PBing with this than anything, but have finally figured out how to control that issue. I have noticed I have a lot of air bubbles, so when I take my first bite of food, I wait after swallowing until I feel the bubbles come up (such as a drink like coca-cola has the bubbles in it). I feel them moving upward and then I can actually feel the food move downward. This has really changed my response to food.

Watch the video and tell me what you think!

MySpaceTV Videos: My lapband fill by Aunt Debbie

I agree with "Skinny Grandma" - walk - walk - walk!!!! My gas pains were horrible and all through my left shoulder. Understand that they will come and go, but walking is the answer. Also, I still get those pains from eating, so you might get them later as well. Everyone is different. Good luck!!

Ahhh....I have not blogged in a little while, so thought I should jot a few thoughts down. Today was the first day I could get on my scale and not wear the boot for my broken ankle and leg bones.....I was very excited as it said I have now lost 34 pounds! Then I put the boot back on. I am transitioning out of the boot, I either have to use crutches or the boot. I'm healing up nicely though, I am happy to say.

The lap-band is something that has now been 9 and a 1/2 weeks for me since my surgery. I am so very happy I had this done. The weight loss is very important, but feeling better is more important. My health was going down fast and I knew it. This is the only way I found to gain control again of myself and my body. It is working!!!!

Today is the first day I have had a PB which mean "Productive Burp"; I have on a couple of occasions hurt after eating, but today I lost it. I ate about 8 bites of fish. It was fried from a restaurant and I had it at home, but let me tell you - I won't eat fried anymore. I will only eat baked, broiled or grilled. That is an awful feeling to have. I was told to drink lemon juice if this happens and it will break it up, well it did! Not too tasty, but it helps.

I'm going to return to my chair and The Braves game now. I'll hope that something I have said might be an encouragement to you!

I have not blogged in a little while, so today is my day! I am excited as I have lost 27 lbs. at this point. :thumbup: My band was put on April 19th and tomorrow is 6 weeks plus my first fill. I know I need it, I can eat more than I was, so the restriction has lessened. I think I could have lost more, but 3 weeks ago today I fell and broke my ankle and my leg, :thumbup: so no walking or exercising going on. I'm hanging in there, staying positive, feeling and looking different.

Two days ago 5/28 my Dad had the lap-band surgery and I am so glad he did! He has been overweight throughout most of my life, lost and gained over and over. He is totally mentally ready for this and has supported me in the past 6 weeks through mine. I know he will do great. So for us, the fun of it all....the race is on! :tt2:

Also, I have started taking Mona Vie juice - 4 ounces a day. This stuff is fabulous. I have more energy, less joint pain, and my husband is incredible in the difference of himself from using it too. Have you heard of it or tried it? Ask me about it or how to get it as it is not in stores. I will never go without Mona Vie in my home or family again. It has 19 berries in it, all natural and no preservatives. A great enhancement vitamin wise for our weight loss programs!! Don't miss out on this easy way to take these nutrients in.

http://www.mymonavie.com/DEBBIECLANTON

A lot has happened for me in six weeks, I pray that this all continues and the success for me is a healthier life and that I am able to feel stronger, better and breathe when walking again!

I was approved by doctors in the USA, but not by insurance. Also, I was approved by the doctors in Mexico as a definate candidate for lap-band. I will use Fill Centers USA for my fills, they are located in different areas around the country.

I am very tired today as I returned home last night........On April 19th (Sat.) I flew to San Diego, a driver picked me up and whisked me away to Hospital Angeles in Tijuana! Upon my arrival I immediately had blood drawn, x-ray completed, then taken to my private room which was very nice, then they did my EKG, blood pressure, etc. Soon there after Dr. Corvala came in to meet me and was just wonderful with me. I truly felt at ease. Shortly later the anestheseologist came in and we went over my history one more time, then within an hour I was taken down to surgery. Whirlwind....Yes it was! They are very good, very cautious and very caring! I would do it again. I am sore, having shoulder pain each time I need to burp or have excess gas, but once I do so, it goes away. The hospital staff were constantly checking on me, plus the nurses as well. My Mother was with me and my Sister-n-law. On Monday, they dismissed me and a driver took us to San Diego but instead of flying home we opted to stay 2 more days to enjoy the city. I am so happy we did, as I was too sore to fly home at that point. We rented a car and I was great riding around and it was so much easier to walk there and get stronger with new things to see! Oh the beaches, cliffs, landscapes, everything there is just beautiful! My eyes were so full looking in every direction. Then on Thursday 4/24 - we flew home. A great flight we had too. We were given medical papers, x-rays, and a wallet card to carry that would tell any authorities we were surgical patients and we were allowed to bring small lunch coolers on the plane with our liquids we needed for our special diet. It all worked out perfectly with no issues. Now that I am home, I am so happy I went through with it, I am truly going to be very cautious with all instructions given to me and make a healthier me! :thumbup:

A process of changes is truly the way to describe this unexpected turn of events. I started checking out the lap-band procedure about 2 months ago for my father. He joined me in our home to attend a seminar held in Atlanta and we learned a lot about the surgery. My insurance denied me the opportunity for this surgery, :biggrin: but my fathers approved him. :crying: He is scheduled in May for his at Emory in Atlanta. After basically giving up the idea for myself a funny thing happened in a visit with my cousin. We found 4 people we knew that had the surgery in Mexico. Upon researching more, I am happy to say, I was approved today to fly out on April 19th to California and proceed to Tijuana for the procedure! :wink2: My mother will join me for support and my sister-n-law will join me as she also was approved! This is truly a family affair and we all are very excited at the opportunity given to us to change our lives! So with prayers needed, I'm ready to proceed to Hospital Angeles! This is my first trip to leave the USA - any border - ever! :smile: