Positive people unite! This thread is being created for the sole use of positive people to give positive reinforcement to others in the group that we care about. We know that we may disagree on some issues but we will offer constructive criticism, objective suggestions, we will always give kind support even when delivering the occasional (but necessary) kick in the pants.

Oh Anne, I am SO sorry!! I can't imagine how upset you must be! As Crystl mentioned, why the heck didn't they fix the hernia while they had you open to avoid another surgery? I don't understand why they can't band you after it's fixed--I've read many posts about people who had to have the repair done then the band (and some that have had them both done at once). Any way to get a second opinion on that or is this a special circumstance, like the position of the hernia, size, etc.?

You have already been living like a bandster and losing like a bandster and you're almost in Onederland (if not already!) Honestly, look at all you've accomplished! I could see getting the band if you were pushing 300 lbs, but you are approaching the 100's, girl! You can do this and BAND or NO BAND, we are all here for you!!!! I would honestly continue on your path for another month or two and see where you are. I honestly don't see you needing to go through such a risky and permanent procedure when you are under 200 lbs (but then again, that's just my humble opinion ).

We are here for you! And you will be in my prayers as you continue to weigh your options (no pun intended).

xo

Anne, so sorry you did not have the surgery. I know how disappointing that could be. You have some tough decisions, and I am no expert on either surgery, but I have to agree with Karen. The gastric bypass, with it's rapid weight loss seems unecessary when you are under 200lbs. I would definitely get a second opinion

Thanks so much for all of your feedback- please keep it coming!

I think the reason my doctor didn't repair the hernia yesterday is that my stomach is so misshapen he wants to do everything at once when he goes in again. He did consult in the OR with the other, more senior, doctor in the practice.

At this point, even with my relatively low bmi I am leaning to the least invasive bypass surgery, possibly the gastric sleeve. My problems with weight and food and regaining weight lost are the same as they would be if I weighed 300 pounds. I have to weigh (no pun intended) the risks of bypass surgery against the long term risks of obesity and yo-yo dieting. I'm not so concerned with the rate of loss as I am with regaining what is lost.

I'm feeling better today in spite of my disappointment, and clearer-headed. I am certainly committed to continuing my momentum, and at the same time I have to be realistic about my abilities.

I'm sure going to have a lot to talk about with my doctor come Tuesday!

Edited May 27, 201016 yr by AnneGG

Anne--The sleeve is my backup plan, if something ever happens and I had to remove my band that is what I will do. Now if my Dr said I wasn't a candidate for that because I had some physical reason, then bypass would be my last option and I cant really say if I would do it or not. I have found during my life that I said I would "never" do something but then 10 years later there I am doing it so I try and keep my mind open. I guess I would have to decide if it was worth it to me, I think there are definite costs but there are benefits too. After you talk to the Dr. and if he says GB is your only option then you could do a pro/con sheet and see if its worth it to you.

After I was grown my mother married a man who has a daughter my age, so we are stepsisters but I barely know her. She had GB about 5 years ago and has lost 100% of her excess weight. She says that she never even gets hungry anymore. But that is really the only person I know personally who has had it. If you have a facebook and want to see pics of her, PM me and I will tell you who she is on my FB. I don't know if she would want me to post it to the whole world.

I am doing so well and am grateful for 15 lbs lost so far in four weeks. I got my first fill Tuesday and I do feel some extra restriction and no problem with backing up. I am learning when to stop. Keeping my cals at 1100 to 1400. This week has been emotional as my beautiful Mom is very sick and they say it is time to call in hospice. She is so precious to me and I am doing alot of praying and crying and talking. My mind is set I am not going to medicate myself with more food than my body needs....not this time.

Keep our family in your thots and prayers. This is tough!

Lee Anne, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. I went through it with my mom 4 1/2 years ago and It changed my world. My thoughts are with you and yours. I gained a great deal of weight during that time ..... it's so rough.

Hi everyone! Note to self, artichokes are NOT band friendly! Owie!

Anne, sorry you did not get a band. But better that than all sorts of complications! If I were to lose my band, I'd be willing to get GB. I know it is drastic, but so is obesity. I don't know much about the sleeve. Just that my insurance doesn't cover it, yet.

Bob! Welcome back! Congrats on your losses!

Anne--so sorry about the complications. I, personally, would never do bypass but many people do. It's permanently altering your body and I just wouldn't risk it. I will remember you in my prayers that you make the decision that is right for you. Bob-welcome back thinatheart-so sorry about your mom. That's a tough one and you, too, are in my prayers. Nothing new to report here. Just checking in and wanted to see how everyone is. Love, Dottie

Good morning everyone.

Lee Anne-- I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, we will be thinking about you.

Denise-- Hows the BP?

Christie--Heres to being a sophomore again!

I did it, after a 10 day plateau, I lost a pound yesterday and one today, so I am at 141. I think from here on out that is how it is probably going to be, I am going to have to wait 10 days and then lose a pound or two. I finished week 4 of C25K today, the runnings seems to be the only thing helping me. I am "running" (jogging is more like it) 16 out of 32 minutes. My BB says it burns 293 calories, so I am looking forward to being able to run the whole 35 min. Maybe I can burn 350 or 400. Next Friday I am suppose to run 20 min without stopping , I am very nervous about that.

Edited May 28, 201016 yr by LeighaMason

Hey Leigha, way to go! Those last few pounds will be the buggers of the bunch!!

My BP is still in the toilet. But yesterday and today I did see the top number reach into triple digits! Yay. My energy level is still pretty low, and I get winded very easily. I have been using the salt shaker with glee, hoping that will bring it up.

The 24 hour heart monitor came back normal, so that was good news, but no answer.

They are going to do a colonoscopy on June 18, woopie. Since I have still been having some issues with that, and they don't have a definite diagnosis on the c.diff. UGH.

The good news? I am down another pound! Need to update my ticker! If this keeps up, I'll reach goal by being sick...yeah, not the best way to go about it. I think Leigha's way is MUCH better!

I had once again been tossing about the idea of a fill, until I got uber stuck on the artichoke last night. Plus I am not gaining weight and am so close to goal, I probably don't really need one.

I hope everyone is enjoying a long weekend. The weather finally feels like spring to me.

We bought a little boat and took it to a lake on Saturday. The wind was blowing a little too much for comfort, but at least I caught my first fish! I couldn't eat it though. I have felt really tight the past couple days (too tight). I'm not sure what's up with that, but have not been able to eat much in the solid form. The plus side is that I dropped a couple pounds. If it stays this tight I may have to get that tiny .1cc removed. I'll ride it out for a bit to see how it goes.

We are going to go to another little lake today. I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Anne--I'm so sorry!!! I personally don't think that I would go through with a bypass...maybe a sleeve, but even then it would take me a loooonnnnggggg time to think about it and weigh every option. Just my opinion though and only you know what is best and right for YOU. Please stay with us though...we are all here to support you no matter which road you travel!

Denise-glad the heart monitor came back a-ok!

Leigha-congrats on breaking through the plateau

Bob-are you back for good??

Guess what....the other morning I stepped on the scale...and ONEDERLAND!!!!!! :smile2: (of course after this weekend...it prob won't be lol) I can't wait for the day I am permanently in ONDERLAND and not just 1st thing in the morning. I also went to Kohl's...and shopped out of the regular size dept!!!!! I did wander into the plus size out of habit I guess. Of course I still need to buy some big things. (guys cover your eyes lol) I was trying to buy a bra and even the DD was too small. I found a really cute sundress on sale for $10 and it fit everywhere perfectly cept there and it wasn't pretty. It looked all squished and was pouring out of the top and sides :thumbup:. I'd get a boob job once I am done losing, but it kinda scares me.

Stacie - I am back but maybe for bad

Denise - I've been told that smoking is what makes my blood pressure spike. I don't think your doctor would prescribe it though.

Leigha - congrats on the scale movement. I just broke one myself.

Christie - congrats on the 220's! That is the point where I seriously start looking for a plastic surgeon. I'm about 16 pounds out from 225.

Not a whole lot new here. 3 day weekends suck because they fly by. I spent the weekend sucking down Guinness and was afraid to step on the scale. I did this morning only to find out I lost another 2 pounds. I need to get this Guinness diet published. There would be no shortage of guy to try it out.

Well, I am for sure too tight. I am having trouble with everything. I have myself freaked out a bit thinking my band has slipped or something. That tight feeling like morning tightness stays all day. I can't eat any food.

Yesterday my protein shake was just too thick. I nursed it for a long time and then couldn't finish the last 1/3. Several hours later I tried a pre-bottled yogurt smoothie.

I had to just drink a bit and put it back in the cooler for awhile before I took it out and drank a bit more. Everything gives me that feeling of being stuck. I don't know how much dehydration would play a role. I know I have not been drinking enough, so yesterday I tried to drink more. It didn't seem to help. I tried to eat a couple bites of chilli last night and it was not a good feeling just after a few tiny bites. I am getting that stuck burpy feeling just tryng a few sips of coffee right now. I really have to work Today, Weds. & Thurs this week. I'm going to call my Dr. and see if I can get a tiny unfill Friday. I'm really feeling weak and just hope to make it through 3 work days. It's strange I feel like this so long after that last .1cc fill.

Edited June 1, 201016 yr by Humming Bird

Ugh! I'm so annoyed! We went to a Yankee game on Saturday and in the morning my husband took the battery for the digital camera off the charger and turned the camera on and said "Honey! The memory is full." So I told him that everything on it was already uploaded to the computer. After he handed it to me and I deleted all the pics I remembered I hadn't uploaded my "before" pics

Leanne--I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. My thoughts are with you.

Leigha--congrats on breaking that plateau--141 is my freaking DREAM!!! Go you!!!

HB--I'm so sorry to hear that you're too tight. If you are having issues getting a shake down, I'd agree maybe an unfill would be best, especially since you're feeling so weak. Please keep us posted!!

Amy--I'm so sorry you lost your before pics! Did your doc's office take any? Like 1 or 2? I can't imagine how you feel. That's the one time that I would be SEARCHING for chubby pics LOL

Stacie--congrats on Onederland!! Believe me, my girls were about a 46DD and I'm now at a 38D and can shop Victoria's Secret, so sometimes we get lucky! Hoping this is the case for you!!

Betsy--how's it going?

Bobbie--New job still going well?

Denise--BP check--how goes it?

So, I am driving myself nuts right now. I weighed in at 164 on Sunday morning and I get up this morning, 2 days later after burning almost 3,000 calories (and taking in 1370) and I am up to 166 again. ?????? Honestly, I didn't make the best choices during the bbq smorgasboard, but I was still under my calories and WAY over my burn target, so what gives? I'm so bummed. My BB weigh in is tomorrow and I can't bear to put that I am the same as last week. I have exceeded all my freaking targets and have worked out every single day!! I don't even eat the full 1450 calories it tells me too because that just sounds too high. HELP!

Anyway, been going through a tough time these past couple of days --my hubby is so miserable (job related) and it's trickling over here to home. I barely see him, but when I do, he's battling with me constantly about stupid crap. I feel like a freaking dog whose owner comes home after a long, hard day to get a swift kick. Grrrrr......always some kind of drama. So here I am trying to manage all this stress and somehow trying to focus on studying for my PMP (Project Management Professional) exam. 4 hours, 200 questions, like the CPA exam, but for Project Managers. SCARY test that cost my company $400 for me to take (and an additional $250 for each time I need to retest). One dude that was in my PM classes already failed and he has been a PM for about 15 years now. SCARED!!!! Anyway, my test is THIS FRIDAY and I'm starting to freak out a bit because I'm running out of time and this $hit still reads like Chinese trigonometry to me!!!

Anyway, hope you all had a great Holiday weekend! They played the most beautiful rendition of "America the Beautiful" on Sunday at church and all I could do was cry thinking of my brother who is back in Afghanistan while I am enjoying my freedom and worried about gaining 2 lbs back in a day.....puts it a bit into perspective I guess.

Sorry for the rambling, guys!