annecolorgreen

where are your pictures? I'm lost! (not unusual!)

Well, I'm about 12 weeks post-op and I've lost almost 39 pounds so I guess I'm doing pretty well. I had my first fill last week and feel a little more restriction but can still eat more than I think I should...so I need to work on my willpower for now!

I am exercising about five days a week and that is new for me (treadmill/light strength training). I just started a class at the Y...also a first. It's a latin dance class called "Zumba" and is really fun as everyone is willing to laugh at themselves! I am truly uncoordinated so that's a good thing! One BIG thing is that I am trying to do some jogging--I'm doing a program called C25K--we'll see. In the meantime, I'm signed up for walk/runs that benefit charities.

That's all for now!

I've lost 28 lb (four this past week). I saw a man tonight who had surgery the same day that I did...he's lost 60 lbs!

The doctor did NOT do my fill today as he said I'm doing great and I should "save my fills for when I need them". I agreed but can come back whenever I want.

Good luck Glenny!

Well...it's almost time for my first fill and I'm still doubting whether or not I need it. I guess that's a good thing. I've been trying to exercise 5/7 days a week and am losing regularly and doing well with my eating.

Thanksgiving day, I went on a 2-mile plus fast walk and then had dinner with family (I ate all I wanted...small quantities) and lost a pound that day! Two days later, I had my second T-day dinner after going on a hike with a friend that morning...and lost TWO pounds!

I think I know what's going on...I'm pretty sure I'm building muscle and that increases metabolism. Initially, I had 49% body fat...I'll be anxious to recheck that (I'm going to do it this week). I would bet I've increased muscle while decreasing fat.

I'm not doing any big muscle building exercises...just using some hand weights and doing some basic things like curls.

Hope this helps someone!

Congrats on both realizing you needed someone else AND finding someone else!

Congratulations!

When I first heard Obama speak, I thought "WOW, I think I may vote Democratic for president this time". Then I saw his voting record. That is solely the reason that I could not vote for him. My hope is that he will govern as he ran in the election--toward the middle instead of the left.

I AM proud that our country was able to get past the good ol' boy mentality and elect someone of another race (hopefully one day we will elect a woman too!!!).

I have high hopes for Obama because I feel he is highly intelligent and, I hope, smart enough to see that leaning too much to the left will divide the country instead of unite us.

We will see... :mad2:

I'm doing pretty well so far. I've lost 18 lbs (including pre-op) and have advanced to soft foods. I've worked with a trainer at the gym this week and feel pretty good about that.

I found out yesterday that I get to have a fill at FOUR weeks! Yay! The other MD's in the office wait for SIX weeks...mine doesn't!

So far, dh doesn't seem to be changing his eating habits as he said he would...we'll see.

I am itchy too...any suggestions? I have a bad habit of scratching until I bleed when I have bug bites...I definitely don't want to do that now!

I was hungry today for the first time. I just sipped on something almost all day. I also added back in the SF pudding which helped me feel full.

Eighteen pounds is awesome!

Yay! Today I am only severely obese instead of morbidly obese! :wub: I finally lost my "surgery" weight (aka GAS) and feel so much better. Basically, I spent last evening sipping hot tea while reading or watching tv (I did walk too) in my bedroom and told dh to STAY OUT! Fortunately, it was nice enough outside to have the windows open and I lit some candles! Such is life for us all I guess.

My gas was so bad that my stomach was FIRM from the bloating and even the incisions were pulling and bleeding a bit. EEK. It was bad.

On to happier days now...:mad2:

Today I had a one pound weight gain. Fortunately, I knew that I would have a gain right after surgery because of the fluids they pump in you and the swelling at the surgery site.

I felt pretty miserable last night and took a narcotic tablet that we had leftover from some back pain awhile back. My doctor doesn't prescribe narcotics...just an NSAID and I'm already on some of those (Voltarin) for my rheumatoid arthritis. This morning, I took 1/2 tablet and feel a little better.

I'm wondering how much weight I will have to lose to go down a size? I just bought (online) a shirt to wear for Thanksgiving that is in my current size (but tight right now). I hope it literally hangs on me! We'll see...

Oh wow. It's hard to imagine that in 12 hours, I will be banded! I've lost 10 lbs pre-op and THINK I have everything I need ready to go. I'm still doing a little laundry and have to work 1/2 night tonight.

The BIG thing I did today was get a pedicure/manicure. It was wonderful! Two hours of someone else pampering ME!

I have still not told my teen daughters although they know I'm dieting and will be starting at the gym next week. What are the chances I can keep them in the dark?

It's great to get on this site and see all the great success stories!

Until the next time...

Well, tonight is IT! My last non-diet dinner where I will overeat as usual . I grilled hamburgers/veggies last night and made a chicken pot pie tonight (and a veggie one for my vegetarian dd). For lunch today, I went to my last Chinese buffet trip (why go to one and pay so much if I'm not eating much later???).

Tomorrow, I see the surgeon for a pre-op appointment and start my pre-op diet. I'm as ready as I can be! I have some EAS protein drinks, broth, SF popsicles and fudgesicles, diet "flavored" green tea, and SF pudding and jello. I also have Benefiber at the recommendation of the dietician (I tried it today...can't taste it). Oh, and they suggest Tums (for calcium) and a daily vitamin which I'm adding to my pillbox. It's sad to be 40 and already have TWO pillboxes...one for morning, one for evening. Sigh.

I'm ready to get this party started!

You DID it! You were successful with your pre-op even though it was hard. NOW, you can also manage te post-op and beyond! Today is your birthday girlfriend!

(praying for you today)

Today I made food for my supervisor as her mother died and they held visitation. I ran into a co-worker who was previously banded, had to be "re-banded" and was telling me a story of eating one day post up tiny bites at a wedding that she couldn't resist! Please, God, help me to follow the rules and do this the right way!!!

I'm off to pick up my dh from the airport and then we are having a late dinner with my oldest son and girlfriend before he heads back to Georgia in the morning to Ft. Stewart. It was a nice visit but I already miss him! I'm having a "last" dinner at our favorite restaurant...an amazing burger and fries. No more after tonight!

I had my "last" drinking splurge last night with a close friend. We had a bonfire and set around drinking our favorite adult beverage until about 2 am! It was fun...but I hope I can still be "fun" post-banded.

I had my pre-op appointment today and it was LONG as I had worked during the night and went straight to the appointment. One lady asked SO many questions that, IMO, she should have known the answers to at this point with only a week left until surgery. I was tired and irritable I guess!

The barium swallow was disgusting. I hope to NEVER have to do that again! The exercise folks were very thorough--apparently, we get through the end of the year up to four days a week in the cardiac rehab gym with a trainer and sports physiologist. They will adjust our exercise routine to individually meet our needs as far as our physical issues. They did do our measurements and body fat analysis and will continue to follow those as time goes on. They also did "before" pictures. I'm excited!

I had some "bad" news today. My future first grandchild is likely to be born premature as my DIL has a bicornuate uterus. So many ups and downs right now! My oldest son is in town for the weekend from the Army and it's so great to see him!

My pre-op is tomorrow and I feel the same way! We can do it!

Well, tomorrow is another step in the process and something else I can check off . I guess they do bloodwork, x-rays, EKG, barium swallow, and have everyone meet with an exercise physiologist and a dietician. Busy day! Can't wait!

Also, my oldest Army son is coming for a visit tomorrow at 3 pm for the weekend (Columbus Day). :thumbup: I just got back from a quick trip to Florida with my husband (business for him) and saw SO many soldiers in the airport in Atlanta and on the planes. I sat next to one heading to Atlanta from Orlando and felt God was telling me to give him some money for a meal on me. I tried to resist but couldn't! (I tend to be shy) When we were getting off, I passed him some money and told him what it was for and he tried to refuse...I looked him in the eye (mine were tear-filled the entire trip!) and told him how much I missed my boys and would he please have a meal on me and he thanked me . It helped ME so much to do that!

Still no word on the change in my job...that's a tad stressful needless to say .

Oh, one good thing, during my trip I walked more than usual and my "bad" knee held up better than usual!

Can't wait for tomorrow!

Hi!

I'm sorry you had a sad moment...I'm sure I'll have several before this is over!

About your security "blanket", maybe take a class in something? I was just thinking about a friend of mine who went through a divorce and threw herself into everything to stay positive--it worked! (and eventually she had to slow down) She joined support groups, saw a therapist, took up contra dancing, joined a hiking club, and started participating in 5k walks for charities.

Glad you are feeling better!

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I purchased some samples to try and then you can get larger quantities. The chicken soup was pretty good--tasted like those chicken broth packets and had 21g of protein and 90 calories!

But I do get it there is going to have to be a point were I am satisfied with who I am and what I look like.

Great statement! You know, my husband said not long ago that I am prettier now than when we got married (23 years ago). After looking at some old photos, I agree! I'm going to try to keep that in mind as I work to create a HEALTHIER body created in the image of God!

Hi Cassy--do you mind sharing how you get accurate measurements each time? Good luck!

~~anne

Yay! Congrats on having your parents support. I've told my stepmom because she had first told me about a co-worker who had he surgery...and I know that, if my Dad were alive, he would support anything that would help me to live a healthier lifestyle. I actually think he would be proud of me for making the decision. It's all good!

You are doing so awesome!!! Is it getting any easier?

~~anne

Only 25 days until my new life!

I had a huge MD's office scale and it did NOT fit in our small bathrooms. I prefer to weigh first thing in the morning in the buff, so I knew I needed to find a scale that "fit" our needs! I did some online research and ended up with a Weight Watcher's scale made by Conair. So far, I'm pleased. Each time I've weighed I have got on and off a few times and it ALWAYS weighs the same (down to the 1/10th of a pound). Yay!

My job IS changing in some way and I'm not happy. More hours/same pay. Tuesday I have a meeting to discuss it. I hate to think about having to change jobs at this time in my life.