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chriper

LAP-BAND Patients

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Blog Entries posted by chriper

  1. Looking forward to a fill

    · chriper · 10/21/10 10:19 PM

    OK I got spoiled being on the preop and post op diet. I was used to losing 2lbs a day and I miss those days. I won't get a fill until 6 weeks preop and i'm actually looking forward to it (not the needle). As of now I can eat anything I want. I have yet to feel sick and I can tolerate fish, chicken, steak, pork, all of it and while its good it makes me nervous. Oh well a couple more weeks to go.
  2. Hello All
     
    Well today's my last day of freedom. I return to work tomorrow. If it wasn't for short term disability paying only 70% I would stay off longer, but let's face it, we all need 100%. I had my 2 week appt on last week and I was told i'm healing fine and doing oK. I also attended my first post op support group, and I would recommend that everyone become a member of a local lap band specific support group...the info is phenomenal. Haven't lost much weight, but I was told I'll get my first fill at 6 weeks post op so I guess that's when all the fun will begin. My bariatric coordinator was suprised that I can eat anything. I haven't been sick once, and so far I can tolerate all meats including beef! So I guess I'm one of the lucky ones...hope you are too.
     
    The one drawback is that everyone's first question is how much weight have you lost. I chose to believe they are being supportive but it can become tiresome. I understand word has gotten around the office about my surgery so when I go back I'm sure all eyes will be on me. That's OK I can take it. Talk with you later.

  3. T-2

    · chriper · 09/27/10 11:17 PM

    OK I'm only 2 days away but I don't have time to be nervous. They finally hired a temp to replace me and I've been training her all day! I can't worry about work but I must admit the stress has caused me to slip on my diet, but I stuck to good food. I had a salad with dressing for lunch :smile:. I know, but I will do better this evening and tomorrow.
     
    by the way, my nutritionist recommended two cookbooks both by Margaret Furtado: Idiots Guide to Eating Well and Recipies for Life after Weight los.

  4. Cookie

    · chriper · 10/11/10 10:02 PM

    So my nickname since i was about 5 years old is Cookie. I was named this by my father and so began my love affair with cookies. I can bake any kind, eat just about any kind, and love the smell of them cooking. So as I sit in Panera Bread typing this message all of the lucious smells that go hand in hand with cookies are surrounding me. Then it dawns on me, I haven't had a cookie in how long?! It doesn't even seem real. I honestly can't recall the last time I had a cookie...wow.
     
    I'm active again. Walking about 30-45 minutes a day (can't believe the great weather this time of year) and its helping. My energy is returning and I'm feeling the burn. I go see my surgeon on Thursday for my first preop and presumably my first fill. Wish me luck. I had a mishap with one of my wounds opening but I went into the ER and they took care of it. Hopefully a huge ugly scar won't result from it. Haven't gone back to work yet and I'm not looking forward to it....if you're pre-op do yourself the favor of taking the time off! It really helps!

  5. one week later

    · chriper · 10/06/10 10:44 PM

    Im back up and at em. I'm still off of work but doing well. Surgery went well and healing is going well too, my only thing is I get tired so easy. I'm trying to increase my protein to fight it. Any recommendations?

  6. T-1

    · chriper · 09/28/10 08:36 PM

    So tomorrow's my day. I will be praying all the way to the hospital! Best wishes to my band twins especailly latin starr! Talk with you all soon!

  7. T-8 Short term disability

    · chriper · 09/21/10 07:30 PM

    Good Afternoon All
     
    Can I say errghh! I am so frustrted with the process to have my short term disability approved! FMLA is approved but now I have to go through hoops to obtain my companies funded short term disability while I'm out. I've been with the company for 12 years, you wouldn't think it would be this difficult, but oh well we will press through.
     
    Cheated last night and had some baked chicken wings and let me tell you its not worth it my stomach hurts! It did teach me however, that I don't have the willpower/lasting power I thought I did. I need this tool and won't make it without it. Until tomorrow...

  8. T-5

    · chriper · 09/24/10 06:31 PM

    I can't believe I am 5 days away from changing my life! I know I'm excited but work stress/frustration is stopping me from being truly happy right now. Its sad to say but my recovery time will be the first real vacation i've had in years and I can't wait!

  9. T-6

    · chriper · 09/23/10 10:31 PM

    Sorry for the late posting, but its been a crazy work day. One good thing came up today, my manager encouraged me to take my time coming back to work. Not to rush and think i have to come back ASAP. That was nice to hear. I think 2 weeks and a few days will be good.
     
    Talked with surgeons office today. They told me get milk of magnesium and it should relive the pressure in my stomach. The nurse believes I may be constipated. Go figure, i've never been irrelgular in my life but this preop diet is something special. I must admit I miss cooking and eating. I'm a southern girl at heart and I enjoy going home after a rough day and cooking a good meal. oh well, guess those days are over.

  10. Cookbooks for after surgery

    · chriper · 09/21/10 10:55 PM

    OK someone asked about books. I went to Barnes and Noble as well as Amazon and was amazed at how many books there are on weight loss. There are even an increased number of cookbooks for eating after weight loss surgery. the most popular seem to be: Eating Well After Surgery, Recipies for Life After Weight Loss Surgery, and the High Protein Cookbook. Just thought I'd share!:thumbup:
     
    Oh there are others on learning about the various surgeries and how to deal with the emotions of it, but i figured the September bandstars are beyond that point.

  11. Preop Visit (T-12)

    · chriper · 09/17/10 06:50 PM

    I had my preop visit with my primary care physician today. I was glad to see that I've lost 6 pounds but was a little suprised to see how low my blood pressure had dropped. Apparently this is part of the reason I've been so tired and lethargic. My doctor took me off of one of my blood pressure pills (yeah!) and actually suggested that I cut back on my exercise some becuase I just don't have the calories to sustain. She kept asking if I've been dizzy or had a headache so I guess she's concerned too. She actually mentioned that I may need a little extra so if I get weaker I'll have egg whites or a chicken breast.
     
    I had an ekg, blood work, and a nasal swab for MRSA all done in an hour. Gotta love an effecient visit. Not sure I'll have a chance to log in over the weekend but I'll be sure to update if I can.

  12. A new mindset

    · chriper · 09/16/10 04:53 PM

    OK today is a new day. Instead of thinking of what I cannot have on this diet, I have changed my mind to be grateful for the things I can have. I am able to drink 4 protein shakes that allot me 680 calories a day, more than enough to survive. I am also able to have veggies while some can only have liquids and dream of being able to chew something. I've been drinking tons of water with sugar free wylers shakers (taste much better than crystal lite) and I can have decaffinated tea with splenda. Everytime I think that I am suffering by not being able to eat what I want, I think about Job and all the suffering he endured. There are 40 chapters in the bible detailing Job's suffering in which he didn't know when it would end, yet I know mine will be over in 12 days. I can say its getting better as the days go by, and in combination to the workouts I've had this week, I'm losing 2 pounds per day, so really what do I have to compain about? As a man thinketh, so is he. So I am changing my mind to one of greatefuless for what I can have and knowing it is temporal, and that afterwards a new life awaits. Be blessed!

  13. T-14

    · chriper · 09/15/10 05:56 PM

    OK so I made it through day 1 of the liquid diet. I must admit i was a little perterbed to learn that others could have broth, jello, and other sugar free treats while on their liquid diet but my doctor says no to all of that. I took a bootcamp class last night at the gym and made it through OK, but I could tell my energy level wasn't the same. Tonight is hip hop so we'll see how we do.

  14. T-15 Day 1 of Liquids

    · chriper · 09/14/10 03:33 PM

    OK today is the start of the liquid diet. I don't know how i'm going to make it but i am determined to do so. I have a variety of raw veggies to chew on throughout the day and a variety of water shakers to help me get through it. I do have one question: did anyone exercise during their liquid fast? I am an advid exerciser and with the classes I take I don't know how in the world I will have the energy to do it with just these liquids and a few veggies...any suggestions?

  15. T-16

    · chriper · 09/13/10 07:16 PM

    Hello All
     
    Well today's my last day of food for a while. I have been very good so far. No binges, no day full of sweets, chips, and fried foods (all my favorites). I don't want to shock my system by having so much and immediately going into a liquid diet. I know the next two weeks will be trying but with determination and prayer I'm sure I can make it through.
     
    Any tips on raw veggies I should try? I have cucumbers, squash, carrots, celery and bell peppers anything else?
    Thanks

  16. 9/29/2010!!!

    · chriper · 09/09/10 10:58 PM

    OK today's a better day. I apologize for my temper tantrum yesterday but I was just frustrated. Anyhoo my mom and grannie are coming and wouldnt have it any other way. I begin my liquid diet on Tuesday so until then I'm just watching what I eat and trying to prepare myself. The official countdown has begun, 20 days and counting. :wink:

  17. Excitement

    · chriper · 09/10/10 04:12 PM

    Ok as the days tick away and I am now 19 days away from changing my life, I am beginning to become excited. I can't stop thinking about getting off of blood pressure pills, or going shopping to NY and Co and being able to buy more than the jewelry! Someone tell me, how long before you started dropping dress sizes?

  18. Scheduled!!!

    · chriper · 09/08/10 10:34 PM

    Well I'm not scheduled for my procedure on the 29th but all the support that was there before hand is now lost at sea. My mom is going to try and make it but she has to care for my elderly grandmother whose wheel chair bound herself. My sister who was supposed to come is now unable becuase she starts school 2 days prior. I tell you as soon as there's a little bit of joy, there's always something or someone to try and steal it away. I refuse to allow it to happen. If i have to ask a friend or my pastory, I will make it on 9/29/10.

  19. Upper GI

    · chriper · 09/08/10 04:57 PM

    OK I was ordered to have an upper GI done to make sure there aren't any ulcers or tears in my esophogus or stomach. I must say it was the most difficult portion of this process to date. Not that the procedure hurt or anything (i didn't feel a thing) but the liquids they make you drink to get the images leave quite a bit to be desired of!! All I can say is bare through it. How aweful to have to do that all over again. :smile:

  20. Leg Edima (sp)

    · chriper · 08/13/10 06:17 PM

    OK so i had my last appointment today in my 3 month supervised weight loss attempts. Sad to say I haven't lost any weight. In fact, I may have gained weight during the last 3 months. Don't take me the wrong way, I've been watching my intake, exercising, and all, but my doctor noted I am carrying a lot of excess water weight. I am already on 2 blood pressure pills and I have an extra water pill to take as needed, but I was told not to take it daily, so I haven't. The result, a lot of extra water weight which is messing with my numbers. My PCP put a note regarding this in her letter to the bariatric team so they would know the cause, I just hope its enough to get me approved. I don't think I could face rejection.

  21. Approval!!!

    · chriper · 08/31/10 02:33 PM

    Yeah I received my approval letter from BCBS today in the mail. A copy was mailed to my doctors office as well, so once they receive their letter the coordinator will call me and I will get scheduled! Can't wait. I'll keep you all posted. :tt2:

  22. Last Appointment

    · chriper · 08/12/10 10:52 PM

    OK tomorrow is my last appointment with my primary care physician for the 3 month supervised weight loss attempt. I am a little nervous about it. I haven't had much of a weight loss even though i appear smaller. I am afraid they will deny me because of this. I've done all i could do, so now it will be a waiting game.

  23. Bcbs

    · chriper · 08/13/10 11:09 PM

    OK I'm logging off for the day and I am going to force myself to have a good outlook. I just spoke with BCBS regarding a claim they didn't pay (turns out they don't cover nutritional services at a hospital or outpatient clinic) and while I had them on the phone i asked about the process. The customer service rep was really nice. She told me her friend had the procedure done in November and how great she's doing. She gave me encouragement, stating the plan doesn't require you to lose weight in the 3 mnths just to go through the program. She also said not to freak if by chance I get a rejction letter. Most often its becuae some piece of info is missing and once they receive it, the procedure is approved. So I guess I can sleep better at night. Enjoy the weekend!

  24. Potatoes Not Prozac!

    · chriper · 03/21/12 09:05 PM

    So if you've read my last post I mentioned that I thought I had an addiction to sugar. Well I spoke with my weight loss therapist and she suggested I read the book Potatoes not Prozac! After getting about halfway through it, I knew it was right for me. Don't worry it follows the same eating plan as the band but it gives perspective to why we do the things we do and why even when we try all we can we don't lose weight. Check it out, I think you'll like it.

  25. Life (heart health)

    · chriper · 10/04/11 01:46 PM

    Good Morning All
     
    I haven't been around lately because life has been moving really fast. I've done things in the last few months that I never thought I'd do prior to being banded. The "new me" was finally confident enough to leaev my job of 13 years for a better job with more opportunity at a new company. The change granted me a promotion, financial increase, and a whole new outlook on life. I also moved out of the suburbs into the city to further enhance my social life. Wish me luck as I am now a city girl open for new friends! I had my year out appointment and was disappointed by the numbers. the doctor said I'm good, but not great. At this rate it will take me 3 years to hit my goal instead of 2 and he said I've been at a plateau for the last 6 months so now I'm really watching my intake in attempts to break through the cycle. He said i probably could go for a fill but woudn't do it then becuase there was so much going on in my life that he didn't think it was a good idea. So now I'm back in the gym 4-5 days a week and walking on the weekends outside. I must say I enjoy walking on the lakefront so it doesn't seem like exercise.
     
    While all that is good I relly want to talk today about heart health. 2 weeks ago today my mother went to the doctor to follow up on bronchitis. While there the doctors realized that her blood pressure was extremely high 225/160 even though she was medicated. The doctor couldn't get it down with a shot or pills so they took her to the hospital where it took three days to get her pressure to a normal range, then the test began. Thankfully the hospital wouldn't give up on figuring out what was causing her high readings. After several test they found she had a leaking heart valve and surgery was necessary to complete it. Once they were inside they found that a 2nd valve was 25% damaged as well. My mom's not a heavy woman and she doesn't drink, smoke or anything like that but the doctors said this occurred as a result of her having Rhuematc fever as a child. I'm sharing all this to say listen to your heart! When we reviewed my mom's symptoms the only thing we could say is she was often out of breathe after climbing stairs but we attributed it to the bronchitis. I thank God that they found it and was able to fix it. She has a long road of recovery before her but I'm certain she will make it. I asked my surgeon if this was heriditary and he said no and the best thing I could do for my heart was to lose the weight.
     
    So in this weight loss journey keep moving its a win/win situation. Not only will you have a slimmer physiche but your heart will thank you!

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