Bklynike

Hubby and I will be traveling tomorrow for CT to visit our family and friends for the holidays. I have many things to be thankful for this year, as I am sure most of you do, as well. I got my lap-band this year, which has helped me in so many ways. I am no longer a diabetic due to diet and exercise. I have dropped 64lbs, meaning I have 4 lbs left to be in the Onederland. I am still cancer free!!!! My new clothes are starting to get big on me, so I know I am doing things the right way. My husband, family and frieds are all doing well. I am happy and I am looking good. I have somewhere around 50lbs to go, and I know I will get there. To everyone of you reading this, have a very happy healthy holiday. May we all get through the holidays with the help of our lap-bands and not have a weight gain. I will be checking in whle on vacation.

Every journey is different and finding a way to make yours work for you is amazing. keep up the good work.

Being in pain is the worst because no one and nothing can help. I had an accident at work 22 years ago, yes 22 years ago and I still have neck and back pain. For 3 years I wasn't able to lift anything heavier than a loaf of bread. I was a very thin person, but then the accident and the weight just piled on. And then I quit smoking, which added 65lbs. You should make an appointment to see a pain specialist. They may be able to give you something other than medicationl. Losing weight will also help. Please hang in there. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, unfortunately sometimes the tunnel is very long.

When I started my journey October of last year, I was planning on having my lap band surgery in December. I had met with my surgeon, Dr. Bass. and all was good to go, or so I thought. Unfortunately, a little thing like breast cancer and a mastectomy took center stage and I had to postpone the surgery until my birthday on June 21st of this year. At that time I was 5'3" tall and weighed 268lbs. I had diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, my thyroid was not working properly, sleep apnea and overall just felt like crap all of the time. I couldn't walk 10 feet without stopping to gain my breath back. I was not able to sleep and because of the diabetes, my vision would blur after each meal. Knowing I was having the mastectomy and then I would have the LB, I started to eat a little bit less of the really bad foods and lost a couple of lbs. Then the liquid diet and after the lap-band, well you all know. I was at my primary care doctor today. From last year at this time to today, I have lost a total of 62lbs. I found out that I am no longer a diabetic and was told to stop my diabetic medication. I was not insulin dependent, but I did have to take pills twice a day. I had Type 2 diabetes for the last 6 years and now I do not. I have been able to control it with diet and exercise. I also do not have sleep apnea any longer. My blood pressure is perfect. In fact by my next visit, my doctor said she may take away that medication as well. My cholesterol was also better, so in 3 months I am hoping to drop that pill too! I have heard the phrase "you can't teach an old dog new tricks". Well, I am here to tell you that the phrase is no longer valid where I am concerned. I have learned to #1 take care of myself first. #2 Use the band as a tool #3 Eating correctly and exercise will save my life or at least make my life better. I know I am looking better, but I am healthier and that is the most important thing I could be. I wish you all the greatest success with your lap-band becuase I am here to tell you that it may be a slow and steady jog to the finish line, but I know we will all get there. We took years putting on the pudge, we need to love ourselves enough to allow the time to take it off. Today I am 206 lbs, cancer free, diabetic free, sleep apnea free, my cholesterol and high blood presssure are under control. I feel amazing and am getting stronger everyday. I am still only 5'3", but I feel 10' tall. Have a great night.

We are all pulling for you and know you will be fine. Please keep up posted, girlfriend.

I finally got my new pictures uploaded - one in the green shirt and another one that I personally liked. I can't believe the difference in just a little over 4 months. People keep telling me how great I look, but It is easier for me to see the changes in my body when I look at these pictures. I have to say I feel so good about it. :scared2: I actually weighed in tonight at 206.8. The Onederland is getting closer - I can feel it and I can't wait to join many of you who have already reached it. I am so proud of you all and I am proud of the work I am doing. I am truly loving this journey. Tomorrow I will see my primary and then I wil find out if I can stop some of my medications: diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and thyroid. I am excited about the possibility. I know if I don't stop them this time, I will the next time. I have already cut everything in half, so it is just a matter of time. And now that I have had the surgery, I will have much more time. OK, what are you waiting for? Go look at my pics and report back! Have a great night everyone.

Today is the first time I have been able to get back on line. We've had no internet for a week. The cable guy actually came out on Sunday and replaced all kinds of wires and things to get us up and running. Finally, we are able to check emails again. I had well over 200, mostly garbage Because the system was down, I haven't been able to post my new green shirt picture. But I did have it taken and now the hubs has to upload it for me. I am hoping he can get to it soon. My 2nd fill was scheduled for this week, but I postponed it until after Thanksgiving. I still don't need it yet. As of today, I am down to 207lbs, which is 62 lbs since I started my journey (47lbs since my surgery). I have conquered my nemesis, the dreaded elliptical machine. I am up to 35 minutes and I really love it. I can't wait until I can get up to 1 hour on it. When I first started using it, I was only able to go about 2-3 minutes. Then I went to 5 and every time I tried it, I stayed on a minute longer than the last time. I don't get winded on it - the problem is my feet. They start to go numb. I spoke to one of the trainers who said it was not uncommon. I am hoping I will be able to get past it. I will try to get my pics uploaded and check back in within the next day or two. Have a great night everyone.

It will come off on its own when it is time. It is a little uncomfortable, but it won't be there all that long. Good luck

How much of a fill did they give you? Perhaps you are now too restricted? I've had one fill and will probably have a 2nd in a week or two, I just hope I don't have the problem you are speaking about. Please keep us posted about your condition.

You go girl. You are doing so well. Down 75lbs is so amazing. I used to love Jazzercise but I blew out my knee doing it, so I go to the gym. At least now that the election is almost over those darn ads will end. I guess the candidates have nothing to brag about because of all of the negative ads. I would like to know where some of them stood on some of the issues, but I guess they didn't want to tell us.

It does get easier, but you have to help. You say you have a lot of free time, so you have to make use of it. Take a walk, call a friend, go to the gym, clean your house. Drink a lot of fluids - water with Crystal Lite. If you get in your fill of water, 64 oz a day, you won't be hungry or think about food. Best of luck.

I had a lot of salads: tuna fish, canned chicken, canned shrimp and canned salmon with lots of lite Helmann's mayo. Scrambled eggs made with 1 whole egg and 1/3 cup egg whites. Best of luck.

It is a lot of work, but worth every single second. Best of luck and congrats on graduating college.

Hi, Kelly111: I can't imagine how you feel, but let's try to figure this out. First, you say you eat lots of protein and very few carbs. What type of carbs are you eating, how much and how often? I do not eat any carbs, unless they are naturally in veggies. No bread, no crackers, no pasta or potato - none since my surgery in June. My doctor said to wait about 1 year before adding carbs to my diet, and so I will do exactly that. How much and what kind of protein are you eating? How many meals a day are you eating? How many and what kind of snacks? How much fluid are you taking in? How often do you go to the gym or exercise. My suggestion is you get a journal, or a pad, and write down everything you eat/drink and at what time you eat/drink. Write down your exercise regiment and then make an appointment to discuss your list with your doctor or his assistant. You might already need a fill. But, don't give up. You will lose the weight. Don't get discouraged - you will not fail. I wish you the best of luck. Please keep us informed as to what is going on with you.

Hi, Everyone: Today is November 1st and I just took my monthly green shirt photo. I can't believe the changes in how I look and feel. It has been just a little over 4 months and I am down 46 lbs, plus the 14lbs I lost prior to the actual surgery. That is 60lbs folks. I believe someone told me today that 60lbs is about the weight of a 2 year old child. This surgery has saved my life in more ways than one. Besides feeling amazing, I am so much happier. I can do things now that I haven't been able to do in years like tie my own shoes, cross my legs and walk up a flight of stairs. I am sleeping so much better and I can actually see my feet! For anyone who is thinking about having this surgery, don't walk - run to the nearest surgeon and get it done. I will have my pictures posted by the end of the week so look for them. All I can say is I hope each and everyone of you who read this blog are feeling as good as I am.

I was self pay, $13,4 on June 21. I was 251 and I am now 210. I want to get down to 140 or 150, we'll see how much I need to lose as I am getting closer. I didn't know they would do LP surgery unless you had 100lbs or more to lose????? This was the best thing I ever did. Good luck.

I am so happy for you. Please join the gym and continue on your journey. You are doing so well. Heck, I'm almost excited as your husband!

You are a wild woman and the chair is awesome! Best of luck on the 5K. I am hoping to do it next year for breast cancer. I don't think I could run a 5K, perhaps walk one???? Happy Halloween.

You know what has to be done. You know how to do it. The band is a tool, so every single ounce you lost, you did it. Every drop of sweat you lost working out, you did. You did it once and will do it again. Don't allow yourself to play the pity card. Get up, get moving and get back on track. Thousands of people would love to be on the journey we are on, but for one reason or another can't do it. Make us all proud - continue on track. I wish you the best of luck.

It is no one's business, but it is also nothing to be ashamed of. I tell anyone who will listen because my insurance company would not cover penny one. I did not have the surgery for vanity, I had it for health reasons and I am hoping we can turn things around for the next person who isn't as fortunate as I was to be able to pull $13,400 out of the bank and have life saving surgery. If you are not comfortable telling, don't. You are going to work very hard to lose the weight because the Lap Band is only a tool. You will have to watch what you eat and work out. So, no one will be the wiser. Good luck and I hope you make the right decision for you.

You are doing really well. I hope you continue to enjoy your journey. It is the best thing we could have done for ourselves. It can be hard work, but it is soooooo worth it.

You are awesome. Very inspirational and always supportive. I am so happy for you and I appreciate your comments to my blogs. You are 5 months, I'm 4. I have not been this happy in a long time. Isn't it great to hear peoples comments? I love it too. You keep up the good work.

Are you losing what you think you should? I wasn't sure if I was losing enough. 41 lbs in 4 months seemed like a good amount to me, but I read blogs here and some people are losing much more than I am. Some have lost less, but I wasn't sure. I felt that by talking to my doctor's PA, I would learn what was right for me. I wanted to make sure I was still on the right track with the foods I eat and with the 4 trips a week to the gym were enough. So, I went to get my second fill today. My first fill was a piece of cake, so I didn't expect today's fill to be any different. So the PA comes in and we start talking. How are you feeling? I am feeling great. Absolutely amazing. Are you losing? About 10 lbs a month, consistently. Are you hungry between meals? No. I am usually satisfied with my 3 meals a day. Have your portion size changed? No, I am still eating about the same amount as usual. Protein first, then veggies and if I have room, salad. I stop eating when I feel satisfied. We spoke about the fact that people who have let's say 200 or more lbs to lose will lose in larger quantities - 5-10 or more lbs a week, as opposed to me. I have about 60 lbs left to go, so my loss of approximately 10lbs a month is a great accomplishment. We decided I didn't need a fill today. She said she didn't want to mess with something that was working so I will go back on November 12th, if anything changes. If not, I'll reschedule for some time in December. What did I learn at my doctor's visit today? I learned that I should not compare my loss or gain to anyone else's. Each of us has our own journey to take and each journey will be different. If I have any doubt, my doctor and his staff will be there to keep me on track. I also realized that I love myself more and more each day. I am so proud of myself and I am starting to really like the way I look. I now have clothes that fit and it makes me happy to see myself looking so much better. I love hearing friends and coworkers comment on the changes I have made so far. I took this journey so I would be healthier, get off my medications and to look and feel better and I did it for me. My husband and family will also benefit from my Lap Band because if I am healthier, I will live longer. Thank you Dr. Bass, thank you Lap-Band. :thumbup:

BEST OF LUCK. We are all pulling for you. Enjoy your journey.