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lisacaron's Blog
 

The Warrior

The Warrior. I am not new to stress, any kinds of stress. I have it in abundance, it finds me no matter where or how I try to hide from it. I am not one of those people that seeks out drama and enjoys creating struggles in her life. I would much rather turn on the TV and see it play out there, where I can turn it off when it gets to be too much. My life is nothing like TV and there is no remote to change the channel or to mute the nonsense or abort it all together by switching it off. Nope not for me, some days I feel like it's a constant assault of one thing after another. Trust me I am not one of those people that makes mountains out of mole hills either. The stress I speak of is real, it is the stress of 5 children all over the age of 18 that can't seem to find their direction and all live at home with me. It is the stress of working 12 hour days 5 days a week with an hour each way to commute. It is the stress of sick in laws and fathers. It is the stress of burying ex-wives, and the untimely death of friends with megawatt high profile funerals to plan and execute. It is also the stress of good things like graduations and holidays. Weddings, and new babies being born. It is the stress of family, I'm sure everyone can relate, not need to expand here.   There are days when I just want to cave in, I want to curl up and give up.   If you knew me that would be one of the last things that this warrior would say or do, but it doesn't mean that I don't think about it, and just having those thoughts of giving up bring me even more stress because I know I am that low, and it is going to take me that much more work to pull myself up and out. I am the Warrior. I have spent my 42 years battling everything under the sun, yet the hardest battle there is to fight is the one against myself. I am my own worst enemy. I get so lost in the excuse of having to do this and that for all others that I lose the focus on what I really should be doing. I put aside taking care of myself and I say it's for this one or that one and what would they do if I didn't stop to do it or help them out? They can't get along without my help and my input right? The world as we know it might come to an end is my response. If you follow any of the movies Hollywood is putting out these days…that might just happen with me or without me helping. So why am I doing something for everyone but me? This year I vowed along with my husband that this was going to be the year I get healthy WE get healthy. Wait a second, I didn't realize that I was doing it AGAIN. I don't have to wait around, or put the fault on him or anyone else. If he can't walk or he's tired or my cousin bought a new car, or his having a baby, that doesn't mean I shouldn't lace up my sneakers and get that walk in today! My father is in surgery and my son is graduating and the tent my sister in law was supposed to lend me conveniently has holes in it from of all things ants, that or she just didn't like that I called her out last night on her bullshit, but either way that doesn't mean that I shouldn't make a better choice for dinner then Domino's pizza! Even if I can only eat 2 slices instead of half the pie it's still a bad choice. Wait a second, I think the bug zapper in my brain finally came to life, and zapped a few of those annoying thoughts that plague me with their incessant buzzing annoyance. You know the ones that I bred to keep me distracted and diverted from doing all the things I should be doing to make my life healthy. I went through major surgery to make my life better! I didn't just sit in some pretend yoga pose chanting I think I can I think I can I think I can. No, I really can! So what the heck am I doing? Why am I not getting my act together and getting out there and working out and eating better. I have NO excuse. I have to stop blaming everyone and THEIR problems. I have to stop making their problems my problems. I have to start taking care of my problems because I just realized no one else is going to do it! No matter how much I help them, they are never going to be able to help me with what I need. I have to open up and let go and start doing it and stop making excuses to myself about why I feel the way I do.   So what you, feel the way you feel. Acknowledged now deal with it. Get off your ass and do something about it! I know I can, I will and I AM! Right now! Today! This very moment. I am the Warrior!
lisacaron

lisacaron

0
dylanmiles23's Blog
 

saw on FB

That awesome moment when your ex is getting fatter and you are getting hotter!!   Love this. I don't have an ex but I have many ex friends and saw one the other day and she couldn't believe how great my hub and I look.
dylanmiles23

dylanmiles23

4
zelmo's Blog
 

No regrets

I am so happy that I had the sleeve surgery. My life changed almost immediately. I got rid of the C-pak machine for my sleep apnea and no longer take high blood pressure meds! My knees and feet no longer ache from the 207 pounds I was carrying around. And I have discovered that I am tolerating the climate heat like never before. I have actually worked in my flower beds this summer! I am 9 months out from my surgery, weigh 149 ( down 58 pounds)! I want to lose another 14 pounds. My weight loss has been on a stall but I understand what is happening and I am staying on course with exercise and diet. I know that weight loss will continue with my efforts. This experience has been a miracle for me. I just wanted to feel better! My energy level is astonishing! I am loving my sleeve! No regrets at all! It was an answer to a prayer for me!
zelmo

zelmo

5
Thesaurophile's Blog
 

Surgery tomorrow!

I was going to type "I woke up this morning thinking..."   But, no. I woke up this morning to a giant thunderstorm after two hours of sleep, angry at the world. I drove an hour to work in the driving rain and had to stop and scramble for doctor-approved protein shakes at the grocery store so I could eat ("eat") at work. When I got to work fifty loud teenagers were babbling in the breakfast hall, three people needed transportation, and so on. So it was only after I finally got to run back, sit in my office and turn on some ridiculous cheesy "meditation" piano music that I cleared my head and I thought:   Today is the last day I have my whole, I-got-born-with-it stomach.   And that's cool by me. Goodbye, 75% of my stomach. We've had some okay times, particularly downing way more alcohol than we ever should have in the 18-21 years and getting stuffed full of all kinds of delicious things that were probably mostly butter and sugar painted to look like something edible. I'd say it's been a good run, but actually, now wearing clothes bums me out and my leg joints hurt a lot.   So I think it's time we part ways. Goodbye, regular stomach; I'm trading you in for a bionic model. Helloooo, staple line~
Thesaurophile

Thesaurophile

1
Being Thankful
 

Grrr... Day 11

Ok I feel like a total failure today. I'm lightheaded Yesterday I felt great!! Today I am right back to the light headedness When does this get better? I am going to look into the vertigo meds that were suggested the other day, but I was soo happy yesterday, I felt absolutely wonderful! I woke up feeling great, ate some cottage cheese, then boom... the vertigo/light headedness sets in. SMDH.. Ugh!   But on the plus side...kinda, My shorts are usually very snug, but yesterday I could pull them off and on without even unbuttoning them! I was like YEAAAAH!! So this morning I figured I would hop on the scale (after my bm of course) to see what happiness the scale was going to show..... NOT. A. DAMN. CHANGE. I know, I know. This is an NSV. Before the shorts were snug on me and I had to unbutton them to go to the bathroom, now I can just ''pull them down'' and they are loose. That is a good thing, and yes you can lose inches without losing weight. I know that. It's just frustrating because I feel I hardly eat ANYTHING and it's not showing where I want it to. I think I am going to go back to using myfitnesspal so I can keep track of how many calories I am eating.   Oh and to top it off, we have no water in our house. The city that I live in decided that we have a leak somewhere in my neighborhood and shut the water off. No warning, no nothing. Just don't flush!!   Boy I am just a ray of freaking sunshine this morning huh?   I will try to amend this post this evening with something positive that's happened today... but until them BLAH!
txflea

txflea

2
Life with less of me
 

Journey As The Scale Moves Down...

So my signature was getting too long for all the info in it so I'm just going to put it in a blog and I will update it as needed. I'm not using my highest weight as my starting weight because my highest weight was actually the day I went in the hospital to deliver our daughter. My starting weight is my highest weight less her birth weight.   2/23/13 Highest weight 342.2 (332.4 not counting baby girl's birth weight) 3/12/13 Start of preop diet 309.7 (-22.7) 3/25/13 Surgery day 297.7 (-12) Total lost before surgery 34.7   4/1/13 1 week post op 286.6 (-10.9) 4/8/13 2 weeks post op 281.5 (-5.1) 4/15/13 3 weeks post op 281.4 (-0.1) 4/22/13 4 weeks post op 279.8 (-1.6) Lost in the first 4 weeks 17.7, since starting preop diet 29.7   4/29/13 5 weeks post op 273.0 (-6.8) 5/6/13 6 weeks post op 269.2 (-3.8) 5/14/13 7 weeks post op 270.6 (+1.4) 5/20/13 8 weeks post op 264.7 (-5.9) Lost in the 2nd 4 weeks 15.1, since surgery 32.8, since starting preop diet 44.8   5/27/13 9 weeks post op 260.7 (-4) 6/3/13 10 weeks post op 257.7 (-3) 6/10/13 11 weeks post op 255.3 (-2.4) 6/17/13 12 weeks post op 248.7 (-6.6) Lost in the 3rd 4 weeks 16, since surgery 48.8, since starting preop diet 64.8   6/24/13 13 weeks post op (3 months out tomorrow) post op 247.3 (-1.5) 7/1/13 14 weeks post op 243.1 (-4.2) 7/8/13 15 weeks post op 241.4 (-1.7) 7/15/13 16 weeks post op 238 (-3.4) Lost in the 4th 4 weeks 10.8, since surgery 59.6, since starting preop 75.6   7/22/13 17 weeks post op 235.8 (-2.2) 7/29/13 18 weeks post op 237.7 (+1.9) 8/5/13 19 weeks post op 235.2 (-2.5) had my gall bladder removed this day 8/12/13 20 weeks post op 230.4 (-4.8) Lost in the 5th 4 weeks 7.6, since surgery 67.2, since starting preop 83.2 I hit 100 pounds total gone on 8/11/13!!!   8/19/13 21 weeks post op 226.9 (-3.5) 8/26/13 22 weeks post op 227.1 (+0.2) 9/2/13 23 weeks post op 223 (-4.1) 9/9/13 24 weeks post op 222.8 (-0.8) Lost in the 6th 4 weeks 7.6, since surgery 74.8, since starting preop 90.8   9/16/13 25 weeks post op 220.7 (-2.1) 9/23/13 26 weeks post op 219.1 (-1.6) 9/30/13 27 weeks post op 222 (+2.9) 10/7/13 28 weeks post op 217.3 (-4.1) Lost in the 7th 4 weeks 4.9, since surgery 79.7, since starting preop 95.7   10/14/13 29 weeks post op 217.8 (+0.5) 10/21/13 30 weeks post op 213.8 (-4.0) 10/28/13 31 weeks post op 212.4 (-1.4) 11/4/13 32 weeks post op 212.7 (+0.3) Lost in the 8th 4 weeks 5.1, since surgery 84.8, since starting preop 100.8   11/11/13 33 weeks post op 213.9 (+1.2) 11/18/13 34 weeks post op 210.2 (-3.7) 11/25/13 35 weeks post op 209.1 (-1.1) 12/2/13 36 weeks post op 207.4 (-1.7) Lost in the 9th 4 weeks 5.3, since surgery 90.1, since starting preop 106.1   12/9/13 37 weeks post op 204.2 (-3.2)
Wedding Weight Loss Challenge
 

Day 14

Well .... In a previous post I mentioned that I usually don't feel the restriction of my fills immediately. It takes 2-3 weeks then out of nowhere I start to feel that restriction and I have to alter how I eat ...   Well my last fill was May 30 and I was discouraged for several reasons: 1. I had been losing weight at a FABULOUS pace from Feb-Mar ... but I had some sever acid reflux issues and I got an unfill.   2. Because of the unfill I gained about 7-8 lbs ...   3. I went back and got GRADUAL fills, so I still wasnt at my prior level of restriction ... I gained 2-3 more lbs ...   4. Got this last most recent fill and I'm back where I was before as far as cc's in my band ... I think I actually have 0.25 more than I had before ... which is great EXCEPT I didn't feel the same. I felt like I could eat anything ...   Welp ... on June 14 (14-15 days after my fill) ... It came back! I actually started to subconsciously feel the triggers and started pushing away my plates much sooner than before. This is important to me bc its one thing to feel a trigger and have to force myself to stop eating because I still feel hunry, or because Ive reached 1.5 cups of food and I know I shouldnt eat anymore ... its ANOTHER thing to actually feel somewhat satisfied and just stop eating with playing mind games with myself about why I should put the fork down ...   SO this week I feel optimistic ... I feel like I am back in my happy place or somewhat near it and I can go for hours and hours without eating or obsessing about food. I can be satisfied with 1 cup of food and not be upset inside because I want to eat more.   I am very excited for what's instore this summer, as I just want to be able to lose 5 lbs a month and see some changes in my body <fingers crossed - prayers going up>
Sunshyne068

Sunshyne068

1
KristyM's Blog
 

6 month stall. Am I done losing weight?/

I am a few days away from my 6 month anniversary of my Sleeve. I have lost 94 pounds and have about 12 pounds to go to reach my original goal. I have been hovering right at my current weight for about 2 weeks now, and I am fluctuating a pound up or down from my current weight. I am still eating right and exercising as much as before, but I just can't get past my current weight. Am I done losing??? I know 94 pounds is a lot of weight loss and everyone tells me I am looking and doing exceptionally well, but I really want to reach my goal of 12 more pounds. Am I being unrealistic about the 12 pounds? Should I just accept that 94 pounds lost might be it for me? I know 94 pounds is nothing to sneeze at, but up til now, I have been accustomed to stepping on the scale and seeing a loss in weight. It is freaking me out to see the same weight, and sometimes a pound more, especially knowing how hard I am trying. Signed, Not sure if I should be sad or glad...........
KristyM

KristyM

6
Kime-lou's Blog
 

Shut up and Listen!!

I know that is a bold statement, but not doing this is what got me to 250 and not doing this will make me gain weight back.   Yesterday was Father's Day and I went up to see my dad. I ordered a nice cake with a pic of him and his tractor on it and we got him a new Tab computer for a gift. He was so happy. I am a Daddy's Girl, so I love bringing a smile to his face. My brother's came, my mom had gotten chips and icecream to go with the cake. So we snacked. I got a small piece of cake with one scoop of ice cream. I ate about 3 bits of cake and got the hicups. At first I wanted to ignore them, but then I realized, wait that is my single to stop. My body is saying ok, we tasted this, now we are done- put the darn cake down.   This is when I can either continue eating or put it down. I ate another couple of bites and tossed the remainder.   I learned something in this. My body knows what it is suppose to do, but I over rule it sometimes and this is what lead to my original weight gain. If I just shut up and listen to my band/tummy it will tell me what I need to know. If I ignore it, not only will I gain weight, or not lose, I will increase my chance for complication with my band.   Soooo- if you are choosing to ignore your body, to ignore your band, to ignore your doctor, who do you have to blame for lack of weight loss or weight gain- YOURSELF. I know that may sound harsh, but it's true. I haven't lost as much as I wish I had, and you know whose fault it is - it's not Dr. Yoo's or my band's- it's Kim's!!! I have to own it.   Food is awesome, it taste wonderful. One of the great things about the band is- no I can't eat as much, but if I eat the way I am suppose to, slow and chew slow I can enjoy, savor, taste, really get the joy out of what I am eating. Think about it when you scarf something down, do you really taste all the flavors, do you taste the layers, the goodness, all the hard work put into making the dish - nope.   Enjoy food- slow down and take the time to savor. When you body says ok enough listen. Then when you body says ok, I need nutrition- eat.
Kime-lou

Kime-lou

3
mojaleski's blog
 

6/17/13 which way to go?

Well, here I am, reading everything I can on the successes and failures and complications of lap band surgery vs sleeve gastrectomy or bypass surgery. It is overwhelming. I want to lose ALL of my excess weight...and want to keep it off. I don't want scar tissue around my esophagus. I don't want a band eroding into my stomach. I want a band to do what it is supposed to do...help me feel satiated with less food...so that I will lose weight fast enough to see results which will keep me going. I want my energy back. I want my clothes to fit...the little ones hanging in my closets for more than 10 years now. I don't care if they are out of style! :-)   I am waiting for a call from an old friend who had the by pass surgery done at Brigham & Women's Hospital, perhaps 4 years ago. I have not see her since a few weeks post surgery. At that time she wasn't so sure she was glad she had done this...but looking at her fabulous photos one can see clearly that she is beautiful and happy with her surgical result. She and I have planned to meet for lunch today but in the meanwhile her e-mail said I should NOT do the band because no one she knew lost their weight with it and she advises the by pass surgery strongly. I will listen to everything she can tell me and ask questions and take it all to Lahey next week and discuss it with the surgeon.   Who knows...maybe it will be a choice only to have one surgery or nothing once my exams and family history and my age etc. are factored in.   Waiting is hard!
mojaleski

mojaleski

0
AZLatina's Blog
 

Is it normal to feel weak and tired?

I am 15 weeks post op and I barely eat anything. I get tired just walking around the grocery store and I think it's because I don't eat much. I have been going to the gym and trying to get in some exercise but I get exhausted very easily....Is this happening to anyone else?
AZLatina

AZLatina

4
Being Thankful
 

Happy Fathers Day!! Day 10

Today I made a HUGE FEAST for Fathers Day!!   I made; ranchy bacon potatoes, baked beans, corn on the cob (in the husks, straight on the pit) chicken leg quarters, ribs, and 2 different types of sausage, (pork with venison and pico de gallo sausage), home made chocolate ice cream (sugar free!) and turtle ice cream cake.   There was also buffalo ranch dip and chips and fresh brewed ice tea.   I had 1/2 cup split pea soup blended in my bullet and 2 bites of the potato ranch dressing chewed, chewed, chewed, chewed, till it was mush. (there was no onion or bacon in the 2 bites, just potato)   Then about an hour later, after I cleaned up the entire kitchen and put everything up in the refrigerator, I had 1/3 cup of the sugar free chocolate ice cream!   I am pretty damn proud of myself because ribs and chicken are my two most favorite bbq items. Especially since I made the bbq sauce and seasoned the ribs and chicken, but I resisted. I considered taking some bites of each, chewing them up and spitting them out (I know that's called dumping), but I didn't do it!!   Yeah me!   Now I am sitting here watching Rediculousness and feeling pretty good about myself. I am so nerdy.   Anyways I hope everyone else had a great Fathers Day!!
txflea

txflea

2
beanie80's Blog
 

Biking

1O more days! 10! it has gone by so fast. When I first scheduled my surgery it seemed so far away. I'm having a lot of mixed emotions but mostly excitement. I'm ready to get this going!   I love going to spin class and go twice a week but have been too afraid to ride my bike in public. I've been worried that I'm too fat to make it very far and will have to get off and walk. It is very hilly where I live so there is a very good chance that I wouldn't even make it a block away from home. I decided today that I'm going to sign up for some sort of bike race/charity event this fall with one of my friends. We will start training after I'm banded and with the help of the band (and exercise) I will lose some weight and biking will be easier I hope!   Can't wait to be more active and fit!
beanie80

beanie80

1
LadyDiva618's Blog
 

Yesterday I had my first personal victories

Yesterday morning Mandy met me at my house and she brought me over my shirt. I thought she ordered a XL but she got me a large. At first I was like I can’t wear large but she encouraged me to try it on. To my surprise the large was a perfect fit and I was shocked! One thing about me and Mandy we are always late. So how late were we? One hour but better late than never right? Anyway yesterday it finally hit me that I have the lap band. I know you would have thought the weight loss and my change of eating habits would turn on the light upstairs but it didn’t. So what happened to me that finally clicked? I had my first frothing but I know what happened. Me and Mandy were rushing and while we were getting ready. I was drinking on my protein shake and when I was done with the shake I started drinking on my coffee. While waiting on the metro link (the train) I started to get nauseous and on my way to the race I started frothing. Mandy asked me if I was okay I told her if she ever seen me drinking a protein shake and coffee back to back stop me. I believe that was the cause of my frothing. I was afraid that I couldn’t do the race but the frothing came and went. Me and Mandy walked 3.34 miles and had fun. I was dancing and didn’t feel like stopping. We finished the race and gave each other a big hug and it was amazing. Afterwards we went to subway I ordered a chopped turkey salad and Mandy was teasing me because it took me 45 mins to finish. Yesterday was a great day. My plan for the rest of today is to go spent time with my daddy. He work overtime this morning so I am want him to rest up before I go see him. My daddy is amazing and I love him so much. Happy Father’s Day to all my readers and thank you for reading
LadyDiva618

LadyDiva618

1
judysbabies' Blog
 

Five days out...

I really intended to get on line everyday and post.....I didn't.   Day 1 - surgery day - went well. Nausea was my enemy but not pain. I slept most of the time. When the came to take my vitals, I would get out of bed, with no problem, and walk down the hall and back. I also tried to pee every time but it was the next morning before that worked.   Day 2 - Up early for barium swallow....yuck! No vomiting or pain with that and I passed. Later during the morning, I did throw up the bile stuff I had to drink. I was sore but still not in serious pain. I had no problem swallowing. I slept all I could.   Day 3 - IV out and ready to go home. Nice warm shower was wonderful. Nausea gone. We drove 8 long hours home. It is a 5 hour trip but we took the not-so-scenic route.....and not on purpose. My sister got on I35 going south to the border instead of north to home. It took an hour and a half before she realized it. I was mostly snoozing. We made it home at 9:30 p.m. to my own bed. Ahhhh   Day 4 - Pretty sore after riding so far but no pain meds needed. Seriously, I was not even in the pain of a bee sting. I got in the floor with my grandson and helped build a tower with blocks. The protein drink I have been drinking for a couple of weeks now makes my stomach cramp. I am using another one I had here that I do not like. Oh well. I had trouble with diarrhea all day. Not fun.   Day 5 - Today - I am really battling cramping and diarrhea today. Still have soreness but no pain from surgery. My body says I can do whatever I want but my brain says I better not. I have been outside on the deck watching the kittens play and I've watched way more TV than I want. I am bordering stir crazy. I am now literately sipping protein drink followed by a swallow of water every few minutes in hopes of winning the battle of diarrhea.   The one thing I am shocked about: I am starving! My stomach is growling, even in the night. It didn't do that last week when I was on just protein drinks. Oh my gosh! I will prevail but geeze Louise!   I will report in tomorrow.
judysbabies

judysbabies

5
Lirri's Blog
 

Three Weeks Post-Op - Quest for Normal and Games

Two days ago marked my 3 week anniversary to my surgery. What a difference each day makes!   I've been struggling with some deep depression since surgery and a lot of soul searching has gone on. One of the hardest things for me to do is sit still. I've spent more time at home than I'd like to and am actually looking forward to going back to work to break up the monotony. I've now read 7 books since surgery and about to finish my 8th. Reading has been my lifesaver through this surgery. Since I started on soft foods I've been unable to eat more than a few bites before I am overcome with nausea and have to go lay down. And that's been really frustrating. I'm still drinking two protein shakes a day and eating yogurt to balance out the fact that I can't eat any other types of protein without getting sick. On top of that, the anti gallstone medication (Actigall) I'm on really adds to the nausea. I can wake up full of energy every morning, have my protein shake and then my Actigall and a short time later I'm stuck in bed with nausea for the rest of the day, even after taking my nausea meds. So my books are really helping to take my mind off of things while I'm lying in bed.   Yesterday was the first day that I felt any way back to my normal self. Every day I do a self check to see if I feel like I'm ready to go back to work or not -- and every day I get the nausea. Yesterday I chose not to take the pills and got out of the house. New siding is getting installed on my apartment so it was pretty loud yesterday and was an added incentive for me to leave. I decided to go to a restaurant while we were out and try some of their halibut. I barely had a few bites down before I was full. I then spent the next half hour worrying about when the nausea was going to kick in. It didn't! Marking yesterday as a big jump in progress. Today I will go back to taking the stupid medication, but I'm happy to have one day where I felt I was returning to normal.   Summer break started for both girls this past week. Brie (15) already got a job for the summer. She'll be 16 in a few weeks. I'm taking her back to the DMV next Friday to see if she can pass her permit test. Summers are always hard, especially the beginning. My youngest, Sylar (11), has to go to her father's house in another state for the summer and he wants her the week that she gets out of school and will not allow her to return until the week before school starts. Sylar has been in basketball for the past three years and I haven't been able to get her into camps because any time she's out of school for over a week she has to be at her father's. I was able to wrangle keeping Sylar here for a week longer this year just so I could make sure she got into the local high school's basketball camp. She'll be able to meet and work with the varsity coach during camp and get to know some of the other girls in the upper grades that play basketball. Sylar and Brie typically experience some emotional problems before Sylar leaves so I'm glad that I'm able to keep her busy and happy before she heads out next Saturday.   I'm currently in more of a stall than I'd like to be but I'm working through it. It's been 2 weeks since I lost any weight. I took a recommendation by someone here about eating a tsp of peanut butter when you are in a stall. I don't know if it was that or something else but I started losing again right after I tried the peanut butter for the first time. I'm a believer for now.   I also saw my primary care physician two weeks ago and got results from my ferritin and Vitamin B-12 levels. Turns out both are elevated right now so I'm fine eating my gummy Multi Vites and not taking the B-12. I'll need to call back and find out about when I need to take another test to confirm my levels. The last thing I want to do is end up with levels getting too low.   I bought a new board game, Ticket to Ride, for myself as a late birthday present last week. I played it once while I was trying to snack on soft foods and ended up getting really nauseated. Between the memory of the nausea and losing the game, I have refused to play it since. I'm on a quest today to find Elder Sign, another board game. If I can't find it at any of the game stores in town, I'll be stuck going to Powell's for it. While Powell's isn't a bad place, I have no want to ever go into the stores anymore. I included a picture of the current rotation of board games that have a permanent spot at my kitchen table.   Now to get something to eat this morning and hope for the best after taking my Actigall.
lirri

lirri

0
krg75's Blog
 

So Many Victories

HI all, it has been forever since I have been on this site. Got lots of reasons/and or excuses, but I am back regardless.   First of all I have had my 2nd fill since I checked in last. I now have 4 cc's in my band. For the most part I am doing terrific with it. I am down to 272 pounds. That is a 54 pound weight loss since mid January. I am so happy, so very, very, very happy!! I have lost 42 pounds since my surgery March 18th. In losing all that weight I have gain oh so very much. I have super confidence, I have more energy, and I have such a different outlook on life. I was in a size 26...sometimes a 28 jean. Now, I am PROUDLY ROCKING a size 20!!! Flipping size 20!!!! OMG!!!! The difference is amazing. Both to me and my family and friends.   I went shopping this last weekend and bought something I never thought I ever would. See, I have been with the same man for 17 years...well..17 in July. We are not married, have thought about it, just never have done it. Well, he PROPOSED to me a month ago. I AM GETTING MARRIED!!! YES ITS EXCITING!! HAHA. So, I went and tried on wedding dresses, just to see if I could even bear the thought of wearing one...I love dresses, just not on me, they do nothing to hide fat!!! lol. So there I was trying on wedding dresses and I was so surprised to be LOVING IT!! I was going to get one with sleeves, because as with all of us, my arms are a big issue. But I fell in love with this strapless-halter type dress. AND I BOUGHT IT!!!. I figured that it doesnt matter about those arms, see, I fell in love with ME again. I felt beautiful in all of those dresses. That was something I had never expected. NEVER. I cannot wait to ROCK that wedding dress come September!!!   So yes my weight loss is fantastic, wonderful, exciting, and all of those other adjectives. But, what is even better, is that I have found me again. I have found the confident, out-going, smiling former image of myself. I still have a ways to go and I am not quiting until I am there. Everyday I have something to look forward to. Everyday I am happy when I wake up and feel so excited with my new life.   Well thats it. This is my life. Go me!!!
krg75

krg75

3
newmeIowa's Blog
 

11 days post-op

Woke up this morning actually feeling a bit more like myself. HOORAY! The light at the end of the tunnel has appeared. Only taking tylenol for the pain/fevers now.   Had a hard day/night last night, very depressed and hungry, but still on the liquid only diet so there's very little I can put into that new stomach.   Really looking forward to Tuesday when I get to eat eggs, refried beans, cottage cheese, etc. Yippee!   So the doctor did admit that a blood vessel burst in my abdomen during surgery which has caused the crazy bruising and the low hemoglobin problem. Things happen, but somehow I felt better that he explained WHY they happened.   The the most positive thing is that my husband can tell I'm losing weight. Of course the scale says it, but when I look in the mirror, I DON'T SEE IT. There's still so much swelling in my belly that I feel bigger. UGH!   My boys have been super supportive. I'm feeling guilty that tomorrow is Father's Day and I don't have much planned for the most wonderful Dad in the world. I'm so blessed to be his wife.
newmeIowa

newmeIowa

4
Being Thankful
 

Day 9... IDK how I feel today

Lets start with yesterday, I went to Houston with the girls to get parts for Bret. We hit traffic coming and going, so we spent a lot of time in the car. We ate at my favorite place, Panara Bread. I am pretty proud of myself, I had clam chowder. About a cup of it with no bread. But I was not thinking and when I did my drink I forgot about the straw. So I was sore from sitting in the car for so long and gassy from the straw. Not a good mix. I actually went home and took some gas-x and some pain meds I was so miserable. Now I wake up this morning and I was hungry. So I went and got me some yogurt and ate that slowly. Plus I'm drinking my water and IDK if its the water or if it was the yogurt, but I feel nauseated. Maybe I need to get up and move around, that might make my stomach settle down. Who knows.   I am just tired of the dizzy feeling that keeps coming and going. I have always hated feeling light headed, and this is not cutting it. I think I am going to go get me some chewable multivitamins. I originally had a liquid multivitamin, and it was very very NASTY and strong. Just the smell made me feel ill, and that was before the surgery. I could not imagine trying to take it after.   I also have to start getting ready for Fathers Day tomorrow. I'm not sure what I am going to get DH, but I have a general idea. He wants a BBQ, and I'm not looking forward to that, I'm trying to think of things I could actually eat. lol Since I am still on the stage 2 liquids I am thinking SOUP....sigh.   Right now I think I would kill someone for some fish. Just some baked fish, I literally dreamed about it last night!! But Next week makes week 2 and I can go to smooshies. So I am looking forward to some potatoes, or some eggs!   Hope everyone has a great day! And to all you awesome dad's, HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!
txflea

txflea

3
beanie80's Blog
 

The big break up

My surgery is scheduled for June 26th 2013 at 10:15am. I have contemplated lap band for over 2 years and just within the past year decided to do it. Sometimes I still think to myself "do I really need this? am I being crazy? I'm not THAT fat", but then I look in the mirror, look at the numbers on the scale or see someone in public looking at me funny and I realize that I am THAT fat and I need help. I had my first appointment with the surgeon on April 18th, 2013. Since then I have been eating like my life depends on it! Trying to get in everything I won't be eating after surgery. I know, I know, I'll be able to eat all the same things, just smaller portions (eventually), but I'm a food addict. Like an alcoholic can't have just one drink, I can't have just one bite. So for the last 2 months I've been eating like a glutton. I'm happy to say though, that over the last week I've come to terms with the fact that I won't be able to eat certain foods anymore. I've stopped the binge eating and am getting excited for my surgery. I've cut back my calories, started changing my eating habits by taking in more protein and not drinking when eating. I said goodbye to binge eating, my social and emotional crutch, the most damaging relationship I've ever been in, and we broke up. Like many break ups I know it will be hard, and there will be slip ups, but I'm ready to start a new life with a new love, me.
beanie80

beanie80

7
DebDUtah's Blog
 

All things being equal I prefer rollercoasters in the literal sense!

How many ups and downs are there on this "ride" put on by our insurance companies? I knew there were going to be hoops to jump thru, but how was I to know the hoops would change along the way!!! Let's see here is how my journey began, almost 6 months ago....   First met with my primary care doc, who once again said I might want to "think" about losing weight. Really, he said this like I have no idea that I am overweight, no wait obese, morbidly obese and he is introducing a new idea to me. I have (like everyone here) attempted, succeeded and regained, failed and basically had no success. But in a way he had, I had been looking into wls for several months and I came to the decision before ever entering his office that day that I was going to have to have wls to stay healthy. This "come to jesus" meeting about my weight was in the beginning of February. My insurance told me that I needed to have three visits no more than 2 months apart for the "supervised" diet to be considered supervised. So I planned my next visit in April, well within 2 months.   Then I am told that no I have to see the dr monthly for six months, this came from my surgeon, I called the insurance company and confirmed no not every month only three months.   So I continue and now I am told by my insurance that it is 3 visits in 6 months no more than 4 months apart. Oh for the love of it all.....if I didn't have a grasp on the requirements I would go insane and never meet their requirements. But I took a deep breath called again and cleared up the visit requirements a final time, and then started talking money.   This opened another can of worms as I have a maximum out of pocket of 1500.00 per year and this surgery will well exceed that (hospital stay alone) so the surgeon, anesthesiologist, etc will be paid 100%. Well my surgeon was wanting $900 before he would do the surgery and the hospital was wanting 1500.00 and the gas man wanted 500.00. What part of MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET do these people not get. I have the money to pay but I will not be worried about getting refunds on top of my recovery diet and exercise. I found out that if I pay the hospital on the day of admission they will give me a 25% discount on my portion/responsibility!! Well of course, I will pay so this left the surgeon....hmmmm how do I explain this to them. I told them why I was going to pay the hospital instead of him, his office was very understanding, I was surprised it was easy, I mean really easy they agreed that I would not owe them the 900! The first thing that went my way, yeehaw. I actually did the happy dance.   So come July 9, my paperwork will be submitted I will be waiting on the utilization review department to give the thumbs up, waiting on the beginning of the rest of my life. Let's hope it is the first week of August
DebDUtah

DebDUtah

0
mojaleski's blog
 

Feeling more comfortable with plan to have Lap Band

This was a "1st" for me...whoever heard of a significantly overweight woman getting on a scale with shoes and jeans!!! Even to get on any scale naked would not be something I would be doing at home in the "afternoon"...always stood on the scale on my left foot, wanting the scale to 'tip down'...the games we play trying to weigh less over the years...waiting for my hair to dry after a shower...and before breakfast...after going to the bathroom...jewelry off. How much did I think a small bracelet and stud earrings could weigh???   Weight (with sandals and jeans and after lunch!) was 238.9 lb. this afternoon at my doctor's appointment. Took the shoes off to be measured though... I am 5' 4.5"...and they calculated my BMI to be 40.37 which should just marginally get insurance to cover, hopefully, since I was told 40 was what I would need at Lahey. I wanted my BMI to qualify me as "morbidly obese" so I could be covered for bariatric surgery. (I am sure those of you reading this can understand this illogical thinking...happy momentarily at least to be 'morbidly' anything!!)   It seems (happily) that I have no co-morbid conditions which would allow me to be considered if BMI was between 35 and 40. So I will not be doing anything to lose weight until I have my appointment at Lahey when I will get officially weighed and submit paperwork to insurance company for approval. I am a bit worried because of my age. Looking through this website and doing some google searches it would appear that it would be unusual for many people at 70 get this done.   My pcp is very much in favor of the band and has had many patients who have done extremely well with it, and a couple at Lahey Clinic where I have my 1st appointment with surgeon on the 27th of this month, just 13 days from today. He was surprised to realize I have never had hypertension, high cholesterol, take no meds for anything routinely and am not diabetic...says I am an excellent candidate for surgery and expects I will do well. He is quite knowledgeable about obesity...and why it is hard for some of us to lose weight and keep it off, just by dieting and exercise. I also got a referral letter from a psychiatrist I have known for many years, stating I have no mental illnesses nor personality disorders and am a good candidate for this surgery.   So I think I am ready to go...looking forward to finding out more and once insurance approved (hopefully) then I can begin working to get as much weight off as possible before having the surgery so that I am an even better surgical risk and can be "on my way" to a healthier, more active ME!   I plan to join a health club...and think some yoga and zumba would be really good for me!
mojaleski

mojaleski

0

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