Shontel

Down 1 more pound, 45 total. I noticed the first part of the week I was feeling sort of sick/tired....I switched from Prilosec to Prevacid and that helped alot!! Other than that, this week has been slow. Dreary weather, rain, cold....grrrrrrrr.....bringing me down! Ready for some warm weather. Have been researching some vaca places....tropical, beach, hut....lol...drink with umbrella...ahhhhhhhhhh....

I haven't had a chance to wish you a speedy recovery! I can so relate to feeling frustrated about not being able to be 100% or work out. You are a strong person and you'll get through it girl..chin up!!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but excess skin is just that....excess skin. You can build muscle under it but that won't solve the problem. My mom and sis both had RNY lost 125#'s each. My sis had a TT & breasts done. Plastics are essentially the only way you'll get rid of excess skin.

You had staples in your incisions? I had dissolvable stitches.

aHOMEgal, we're not trying to scare...lol...I know for me, info from how others were doing at various stages helped and inspired me. Its not that I don't still LOVE to cook, its just that at this time (and I'm sure it will pass) I'm not getting the pleasure out of it that I used to because I'm literally NEVER hungry. I think it will pass as I've read, and I'll find my 'normal' soon...

Yay!! Down 4 more pounds!! 44 pounds down! This week I've been under a lot of stress with work...not doing well with protein although I did buy some protein bars. One thing I've noticed this week is that I'm just NOT EVER hungry. Not necessarily a good thing for me, I find myself working at my desk and its noon or 1 o'clock without anything but coffee...yikes! Also, I'm thinking of switching from Prilosec to something else...I find that I am getting sort of a upset stomach, maybe its a little heartburn, not sure but annoying. I have started drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast to get me some protein, maybe not the best choice but I like it. I'm finding ways to cope with eating so little. My fiance' and I share entrees or he eats what I can't. I'm still only able to eat maybe 1/2 cup, depending on how dense the food is. I just don't care about food anymore, this has been a big emotional issue for me. I've lost my friend. (sigh) I think it will take me a long time to adjust to that part. Its a daily struggle. Last night when I was cooking, (and I LOVE to cook) it was like I was just going through the motions, weird, not satisfying or fun...just a task to complete. I realize now that the journey is complex, the physical part is nothing compared to the emotional part. An everyday struggle. I'm finding that, though I'm happy about the weight loss, this feeling of loss of my (food) friend is greater. I know it will balance itself out sooner or later, I know I will adjust as I have with everything else in my life, just a bumpy road for now...Stay Tuned.

Yes its the hole where the port was removed, and I had the Allergan band. They gave me Bactrim antibiotic (1 per day for 10 days) I am completely healed after about 3 weeks of packing, no complications whatsoever. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions!!

TexasT: I had an abcess on my wound, Very Similar to you..... you can look at my blog, I posted photos of it. At least yours opened on its own, I had to have mine re-opened, and packed.....its a pain in the a** but it does get better, I had very bad pain from my incision as it was infected. Did you have a drain after surgery? Good luck and hope you feel better!!

I had the band for 3 years before and did ok, towards the end, it stopped working, no fluid would go in or out...I had a removal and revision at the same time in November. For me it was rough in the first few days....the site of band removal had swollen shut causing me to dry heave for 3 days. This doesn't happen to everyone I should say. The sleeve is SO MUCH BETTER!! And you have a special insight, because you have the basics down: chew thoroughly and eat slow! Good Luck!

3 more pounds!! yay total of 40! 2 months out! This past week has been another up and down week, but I'm determined to end it well. I'm noticing and paying more attention to the amounts I eat. What I love about the sleeve vs the lap band is that when your full, you just know it...when I take my last bite and I feel full, I stop. With the band, you might take 3 bites past your feeling full point, then you feel MISERABLE..usually hacking up what you just put in. I haven't vomited at all since I've been sleeved (ok, I dry heaved my first 3 days after I got sleeved because of swelling due to the band, but I'm not really counting that..lol) I think having the band gave me an insight and tools that I wouldn't have had otherwise. It made me think about chewing my food and the speed at which I scarfed down my food. I can't say this past few months have been that hard. The liquids were, but I was fighting head hunger mainly, not so much that I was even hungry. My emotional state is improving as well, after weeks of being sick from the abscess, I'm finally feeling physically healthy again. I still find myself wanting to eat more than I can, but I find that if I just eat what I want, I don't feel deprived. I treat myself to ice cream when I feel like it. I dont' know if my weight loss will be typical, I mean I'm sort of breaking a lot of rules...but I know I'm eathing healthier, so that's gotta count for something Thanks to all for listening! Stay Tuned for more...:001_tt2:

I'm having the same protein problem. Stopped doing shakes...just cant do them anymore. I have tried carnation instant breakfast which is working for me, also trying different protein bars. 48g ain't to shabby if you ask me...I'm 2 months out lost 40#

I'm not sure what slimes are, I only had those when I had my lap band. I have not vomited once (knock on wood) My stomach doesn't growl, it doesn't hurt. Its just like I can only eat a little now. I have no problems at all with my new stomach. With that said, let me say this. I have to agree with DeeDee. The emotional journey has been the most difficult for me. I think we all realize our attachment to food is beyond hunger. I'm from Louisiana, and people's whole lives are planned around FOOD...every event. I was depressed at first, I'm only two months out so I can say its still a struggle. Its hard ordering at restaurants, I still cringe when the wait-staff comment on how little I eat. I've lost 40 pounds so far, and I can tell you that I eat what I want. I try to keep the protien factor in mind..but I find that if I eat what I like and satisfying food, it minimizes my feelings of 'missing out' I don't eat low fat/fat free...but I'm only eating minimal amounts. Last night I had my first slice of pizza (gasp) Yummy flatbread type. I had one very small piece loaded with cheese, and it was HEAVEN. It was all I needed to kill the craving and FILLED me up. I think a support group would be great if you can find one. Well, wait, this place is an awesome support group :crying: Hope this helps and feel free to Private Message me if you have any other questions!

Good Luck! I had a band to sleeve revision and was dry-heaving for 3 days, had to sleep upright. The top of my stomach had completely swollen shut where my band was removed. It was rough, but I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING! You'll get through this in no time!! & while your in their care, ask for whatever you can get! lol

I had coffee probably from a week out. probably not advised by some, but it was soothing to me and I got protein from the milk. I still have me a tall mug everyday. :crying:

So I noticed despite last weeks lul, that I'm feeling more myself again. My energy is returning, my attitude is changing as I am adapting to my life now. My incision is healing nicely, no more packing, almost fully healed, not opened at all. I'm adjusting to my diet, not totally staying on track I must admit, but the effort is there. I'm thinking of trying some protein bars this week, since I'm not able to hack down the liquid type. I haven't done much in the way of exercise because of this incision problem, but keep saying I need to do some organized exercise. I think my Wii will seriously reprimand me if I turn it on at this point...lol I'm in a size 14 now but will soon be in a 12 (some already fit) now people are noticing my weight loss. Not sure how I'm feeling about going from invisible to people staring...that's going to be an adjustment.Well, I'll post again on Friday for weigh day. Don't feel as if I've lost, but ya never know. Stay Tuned. Oh & p.s. Go Saints! WIN the Superbowl!!! yeee haaaaaa!!!

Yay today is weigh day...I'm out of my one week stall and down 2 more pounds! In 'onderland'!! 37#'s total! Been awhile since I've been to this place!! This past week has been so weird. I woke up this morning with heartburn..grrrrrr. I hope to get back on track. I'm happy to lose a pound or two a week, slow and steady! Just wanted to share with everyone! Thanks for listening!!

Your situation is identical to mine. pay my own ins. 5K deductable...and I DID have a complication, I had an abscess in one of my incisions. Honestly, I didn't really have a plan other than going to my pcp for bloodwork. I faced this delimma when I went into the emergency room and had to face the judgmental ER doc...I handled it firmly though, and he let it go...and referred me to a local surgeon who also does bariatric work. That surgeon was FABULOUS...didn't judge me whatsoever and gave me the best of care. I guess you need to have some sort of contingency plan, I didn't and it worked out, but it would be wise to do some research.

OK, so this week has just been one of those long long weeks...nothing has tasted right, felt right, I guess I've just been in a funk. Tomorrow is weigh in day. I don't know what the scale will say, but my clothes are literally falling off of me (yay!!) Stay tuned :001_tt2:

Frankly, they nauseate me. I've tried, tried, tried....I've only ever came close to the Unjury Chicken Soup....(sigh)

After I posted earlier, I got the courage to....dust the treadmill...lol...lol...yes, I dusted it, then actually started it, and got on it for 20 minutes...yay me! It felt good, and I even put the incline on!!

So tomorrow is my weigh day. Those of you who follow my blog might remember so far I've lost 35 pounds. 2 inches in my hips and 2 in my waist....but since my abscess, I've not really been doing any organized form of exercise. I have a state of the art treadmill in my living room that I just can't bring myself to get on...grrrrr. I can't do any ab workouts because of this wound...and I think I've been using that as my ticket to get out of exercising. ok. there. I said it. So as I'm typing this, I'm looking at my treadmill (cursing it) But I think that I am going to get on it today. I have to start somewhere! Why is it so hard to get MOTIVATED to exercise??

Now your getting me thinking...although I have to say I am guilty of 'lurking' too...before I started posting. Is your thought that random people that have nothing to do with WLS are lurking?

So yesterday I went for my wound check. (Recap: I had an abscess in my largest incision that had to be drained. Its been packed for 14 days now.) The nurse said it is healing nicely and switched my packing material from the 4x4 gauze sponge material to the ribbon type packing. She thinks by Friday it may be healed enough to do the final step which is putting an ointment on it to make it 'scab' and heal. This was all good news to me, since right before I left I did the 'q-tip' test only to get half the darn thing down there. She also explained to me that the body heals in different ways (not necessarily from the bottom to top, sometimes from the sides in..(big sigh) So, I'm optimistic. At least the packing is not so bulky now. She also said no abdominal exercise for a good while (I don't want a hernia!) She cleared me for walking, and arm exercise with free weights. I'm glad of that, I need to get out or on the treadmill...need a boost, need to feel normal again. I did go out with friends Sunday night, it was nice to be out and around people again. I've become a shut in! Afraid to get sick, trying to cope with not feeling 100%. I'm struggling with my protien..just can't choke down another protien shake. Waaay past being sick of them. I do still drink the chicken soup protien I got from Unjury..not bad. I also been taking my vitamins/calcium irratically. Just hate the taste/texture. I guess I need to get off my 'feel sorry for yourself' box and get on with it. I am going to be in a parade on Monday for MLK day, so I'm pretty excited about it. My cousin saw me Sunday night (the first time since my 35# weight loss) She was amazed. Said she could really see it in my face. Well, I DID fit in a size 13 Jr. pair of Levis that I hadn't fit in in a LONG time..lol They were stretchy, but better than the 16's (almost 18's) that I was fitting in in November. I've lost 2 inches in my waist & hips! I guess I need to pat myself on my back for that :svengo: I'm thankful for all that, and need to stop the pity party! OK, resolved to do just that!! Yay me! :thumbup:

So yesterday I went for my wound check. (Recap: I had an abscess in my largest incision that had to be drained. Its been packed for 14 days now.) The nurse said it is healing nicely and switched my packing material from the 4x4 gauze sponge material to the ribbon type packing. She thinks by Friday it may be healed enough to do the final step which is putting an ointment on it to make it 'scab' and heal. This was all good news to me, since right before I left I did the 'q-tip' test only to get half the darn thing down there. She also explained to me that the body heals in different ways (not necessarily from the bottom to top, sometimes from the sides in..(big sigh) So, I'm optimistic. At least the packing is not so bulky now. She also said no abdominal exercise for a good while (I don't want a hernia!) She cleared me for walking, and arm exercise with free weights. I'm glad of that, I need to get out or on the treadmill...need a boost, need to feel normal again. I did go out with friends Sunday night, it was nice to be out and around people again. I've become a shut in! Afraid to get sick, trying to cope with not feeling 100%. I'm struggling with my protien..just can't choke down another protien shake. Waaay past being sick of them. I do still drink the chicken soup protien I got from Unjury..not bad. I also been taking my vitamins/calcium irratically. Just hate the taste/texture. I guess I need to get off my 'feel sorry for yourself' box and get on with it. I am going to be in a parade on Monday for MLK day, so I'm pretty excited about it. My cousin saw me Sunday night (the first time since my 35# weight loss) She was amazed. Said she could really see it in my face. Well, I DID fit in a size 13 Jr. pair of Levis that I hadn't fit in in a LONG time..lol They were stretchy, but better than the 16's (almost 18's) that I was fitting in in November. I've lost 2 inches in my waist & hips! I guess I need to pat myself on my back for that :svengo: I'm thankful for all that, and need to stop the pity party! OK, resolved to do just that!! Yay me! :thumbup:

Good for you girl. I don't smoke, but my friend did quit on Zyban. My sister though, (a pack plus per day smoker for 20 + years) Was able to quit with Chantix. She still struggles but it is so do-able. Good Luck girl, we're rootin for ya!!