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vinesqueen's Journal
 

OHSU, part II

Tomorrow I go see Dr. L at OHSU again. A couple of weeks ago Lynne called me and told me that they want to see me. That I didn’t need to test any more. I guess when they tell you that it’s because they have all the data they need or want.   Part of me is so afraid that he’s calling me down to tell me that there is nothing they can do for me. That I don’t need to test any more because there is nothing wrong, at least nothing wrong that losing weight won’t fix. Oh sure, if only I could lose weight.   My husband said that I shouldn’t worry, that they wouldn’t have us drive 3 hours plus each way, just to tell me that there is nothing more to do. He figures that Dr. L would just dump me over the phone, like any bad relationship.   My son asks me every day when are they going to take this thing out of my head. And then he either punches me in the arm or bitch-slaps me, or attempts to anyway. That’s one way he can tell if I’m High or Low… if I’m High there is no way he’s going to count coup on me, no way. But when I’m Low on the other hand… well, he knows that I’m going to be moving in slow motion, tai chi slow… He’s got a long way to go before he counts enough coups on me, that’s for sure; I’m so far ahead on the coup count he will never catch up.   Last week was really rough for me. I was very, very Low, and my headaches were beyond reasonable. I was temped to go to the ER a couple of time, but it wasn’t until Friday night when I was throwing up that I went. I’d taken two phengren during the day, but by 8:00 pm I was throwing up, or at least I was giving it the old collage try. After the fifth dry heave session I gave up and had Mike drive me to the ER. I didn’t’ want to go, but I couldn’t’ stop heaving, and I couldn’t keep anything down.   We had to wait for over an hour in the waiting room, so many sic people on a Friday night. The doc thought it was another migraine, but this time I didn’t have the weakness, so I could explain exactly what the headache felt like. These headaches are nothing like migraine, but something more. I can only hope that when I finally do have the pit surgery they will go away.   Anyway, it took the nurse three tries before she was able to start the line. But she used lidocane, and besides, my head was in so much pain I don’t know that I would have even noticed the IV going in. Yeah, that bad. The doc wasn’t convinced that I’m not having “atypical migraines” so she wanted to try a combination of phenegren and benidryl. She said that was a sure fire way to knock out a migraine. Well, like I said, it wasn’t a migraine, and no it didn’t work. So she ordered a large dose of the narcotic for me. She said they were done pussy-footing around.   On previous trips to the ER they gave me the usual small amounts, then had to repeat several times before I was beyond the pain. The last time they gave me a double dose, but again, had to keep repeating the dosage of the medication. This time they just game me a large syringe of the good stuff, lowered my bed and put me on oxygen. I have no idea how long I was knocked out, but it worked. I didn’t have a head ache the next morning. You have no idea how wonderful it is to wake up without a headache. If you do know, you have my deepest sympathies.   Before she gave me the injection, we talked about pain management. She sent me home with a prescription for the highest dose percacet they make, a big bottle. She wants me to keep on top of the pain, and to not let it get away from me. So, now I don’t let the headaches get to far into the really bad range before I start managing the pain. No more “riding it out.” No more being the tough girl. She also had the radiology department make a CD of my CT scan from last week. We thought I was having a stroke or a TIA because the right side of my face was melting.   I see the neurologist in a couple of weeks, but tomorrow I go to OHSU to see Dr. L. Back to that worry.         And now for something completely different…   The chinchillas are my husband's pets, but I've been training them to get used to being handled, so they will willingly come to me in their cage, because they know I always have a treat for them. Tonight I decided that I'd start working on them to see going in their balls as a happy thing, so I put treats in them, and let it be their decision to go in the ball, or not. Usually my husband stuffs them in there so he can clean their cages, very high adrenaline stuff...   I was able to coax them into their balls and they had a good roll-around. Now I have these basketball sized balls roaming freely around my house. One of the chinchillas is really adventuresome, while the other got himself stuck between some pillows and boy shoes...Chilly got out of his ball, and it didn't take much effort to catch him. Spud, my son, scared him under my Chase lounge then I had him turn on the light, and I got one of the millet sprays to try to coax in from under it. Instead, he just crawled up between my arms as I was kneeled beside the chase   Chilly let me pick him up without any fight or struggle. He wasn't interested in the millet, he just wanted me. He didn't struggle at all while we walked to the cage, all the while I was telling him what a good boy he was. Then he stretched out on one of the platforms, like they do when they are hot.
vinesqueen

vinesqueen

1
Bettina's Journal
 

no title

I am amazed at all the people who were not told how the band really works...I find this very sad. People eating cold cuts...yikes they are never gonna lose that way. Others who wonder why the band doesn't keep them from being hungry -heartbreaking! Didn't anyone research the band before they had it installed? Others complaining that they don't lose it fast...others claiming the band no longer works...but they lost weight and that was what the band was for-so it did do its job. The doctors need to inform the patients better.
Bettina

Bettina

1
pbrown's Journal
 

Loosing Weight

Today is August 28th and a week and a half since my surgery. I decided to weigh myself for the first time since my initial visit to the surgeon in May, a couple of nights ago. In May I weighed 230 pounds. The dr. took a picture of me. I had been cutting back on carbs and exercising quite a bit on the treadmill since May. I now weigh 208 pounds. My clothes are starting to feel bigger on me. A jacket that I wore with my dress pants is too big now. That is a good feeling.   I feel like I am hungry even after I eat my yogurt or my Slim Fast. I know I won't get a fill until 6 weeks out in order to give my stomach time to heal. My stitches are starting to itch and I am able to sleep on my stomach now without pain.
pbrown

pbrown

1
Ali's Musings and Meanderings...
 

Air-cons and stuff

Oh the font thingy is working again :clap2: I am suffering a little from being in the air-conditioning so long. I am usually fine during the day but sometimes on an evening I get a headache and my temp goes up to 37.3ish. My BP is also playing up because of TOM...all the month it reads 110/70ish and and then TOM it's up each evening to 136/80...oh well c'est la vie. Still doing well with food and water and walked 2x today too. I am gonna try and get through the day without air-con and just have it a few hours when Jordan gets home... Apart from that-life is good
A1ikou

A1ikou

2
skinnymema's Journal
 

The road to the "surgery"

The start of the decision to have the surgery started over 2 years ago. I knew I was out of control. I tried every diet there is. I read books and more books, I prayed and Prayed hours for the right thing to do. The surgery choice was easy. I did not want to be cut open, have my stomach cut and have to miss so much work. So I went to a seminar, learned about Weight Loss Surgical Center in Overland Park, KS www.WTLSC.com. I did go to about 4 other seminars from different doctors and clinics this one was covered by United Health, and I was gotten in fairly fast. A couple of things, I foolishly did not do a liquid diet 2 weeks before the surgery, so the doctor who first “attempt” to do the surgery could not, because he said my liver was too large and he could not get around it. So four weeks later, and 2 weeks of liquid diet I had the surgery by the same clinic but different doctors, I was a special case I had to have two doctors, to get the band in, but after the surgery I was told it was not uncommon, for large livers as I have for obesity patients. Makes you think about the heart doesn’t it? It took me longer to recuperate from the successful surgery, I believe because I was having a horrid time of Fibermyalgia at the time. I was told when I start exercising and lose weight, I will be better. The first time I met with the first doctor my weight was 348. I went into surgery I was at 340. The next try I was at 332, after surgery in the first 6 weeks I lost 14 lbs, but I have been up and down the roller coaster. I have had my first fill. But I have gained instead of 318 I am now 321!:help: Ok, so now I am looking at the woman in the mirror, what on earth is wrong with you! This is my fault. I have not followed the recommend diet. Ok I thought they where just “suggestions” (I do know better I am being silly) The fist two weeks should be broth, skim milk, fruit juice anything you should see through but I was hungry by the end of the 2nd week so I ate mashed potatoes, chicken, salads…and nothing happened. I mean I was not in pain like I was told. And I kept losing I thought this is great! I have never done the pureed foods as was told me, I have felt some discomfort where the port is but when they did the fill everything was ok. The first day after the fill I did do the liquid diet, the second I was on good behavior too, then I was able to resume eating a regular diet. The bad thing is I am still hungry. So I am snaking. Where I am having problems is not to drink with my meals. So here again will end a chapter. I will start to just three small meals a day. And follow the recommend diet to the period, and see how I do this time next week. See you then!
skinnymema

skinnymema

1
skinnymema's Journal
 

SkinnyMema's Story

Well, I thought I should start this journal to not only help myself but also help others. Sometimes we feel like we are alone through a journey, plus I can be a lazy person :phanvan so if someone can assist me in directing me to the correct way to go that will be good, until I can get on the right path myself. I have not always had a weight problem. I have not always been the “ideal” insurance idea of the perfect weight. I have always been about 20 lbs over the “insurance guide” for a perfect weight. In the past I really did not think too much about diet or exercise. I keep busy with dancing, teaching dance, riding horses, training horses, busy with children, hiking, camping and gardening. Now I can’t do any of it. It is very depressing. I felt my best when I was 140 lbs at 5’4”, but according to the “insurance guide” I was about 20-25 lbs over weight. So in the back of my head all my life I felt “fat”. :think I decided to have lap-band surgery after hitting the grand total of 348 lbs :help: . Man I never saw it coming to this degree. My mother told me when I was a pre-teen that her mother told her a “fat woman is a happy woman”! This was some kind of Spanish proverb. I still do not understand. At the weight I am at I should be jumping for joy instead of wanting to hide. My childhood was not ideal, like most of the adults in America. I am the youngest of 4 and the only girl. But here what is interesting. I do not remember a lot of my childhood or my second oldest brother when I was growing up…makes you wonder why. I was abused by my third brother, and I still remember many of the incidents. I had not been the best to select boyfriends, some friends and I married and divorce two horrid men. One died at 33 because of substance abuse, the other went to jail for what he did to my children. I began to put on weight fast, and did not care. My second husband moved me to the middle of the U.S. I was a native Californian until 15 years ago. And that is when I stopped doing all the things I loved. That chapter is closed to all of those awful things that did in fact hurt me in more then one way . I now have a wonderful husband :clap2: who does really love me for me. I have two great adult children and 5 count them 5 wonderful, fabulous, cute just like thier Mema grandsons. I want to get healthy, I want to take the grandsons camping, teach them to ride horses, work in the garden and best of all run and play with them with out feeling I may have to be rushed to the hospital. And not to forget my husband I want to look nice for him but more then that, I was robbed of 25 years to be with a good man, now that I have him I want to live for at least 50 more with him, healthy and fit. :clap2: So the journey begins. Start weight is 348. Goal will be many ranges, first is to get to 248, then to 148. My first 75 lbs lost I plan on treating myself to getting my nails done, next 75 lbs get a new hair style. Then by the last goal of 50 lbs boy the credit card better be paid I going to Victoria Secrets and other stores to buy things I have not been able to fit into for a long time. I have joined a gym to start water exercise, and then I hope to move to other things. But one step at a time. Here we go!
skinnymema

skinnymema

1
KariK's Journal
 

Today I will eat well!

Yep scale didn't move, but tomorrow its going to!   7:45 am Breakfast: Atkins shake + 1 scoop unjury.   12:00 pm Lunch: Skinless baked chicken 1/2 cup, 2 flowerettes of broccoli, 1 SF choc. pudding.   6:00 pm Supper: 1/2 chicken breast in alfredo sauce, a couple bites of rib meat, 1/2 cup of mashed potatoe, a couple bites of green beans.   Vitamins: 1500 mcg Biotin, 2 Tbs. Multi vit, 1 Calcium chew   Water: 60 oz.   Exercise: 30 min. treadmil 3mph 0-5% incline.   Goal: Stay on track with my 5 day challenge to not have any sugar. Exercise tomorrow.
KariK

KariK

1
Teresita's Journal
 

Rollercoaster

I'm tired of this ride, I wanna get off for minute. dam *shuts the door, as I get off*......walking away......sitting on the bench.......looking around.....really quiet.....beautiful.......too quiet.....huuuuuuuu......get up.....walk back to ride......"I guess I'll get back on now, everyone else is still on it"   My emotions, hormones, whatever they are suck.   Hey, I am back in the saddle again. I walked 4 miles Saturday and then helped my neighbor move, then I took a 1 hour nap. LOL Sunday I walked 3 miles then I ate ice cream....hummmm:tired Oh well it sounds like an hourly 2 minute session coming on. I need a name for that.   Hourly 2 minute work out Hourly 2 minute mini Hourly mini workout Hourly metabolism booster (that sounds like a shot)   oh well I'll be back I'm going to do some sit ups.   100 sit ups 7:30 25 inner leg lifts each 25 push ups Woohooo if I would just keep this up daily. Next session a 2 minute jog.   Validity to my 2 minute workout http://diet.ivillage.com/workouts/0,,neporent_8xd44trh,00.html Woohoooo!!!
Teresita

Teresita

2
mferra's Journal
 

Nervous

Three full days until I enter bandland! I am very excited but also finding myself extremely nervous. . . nervous enough to screw up the pre-op diet. :embarassed: The next three days I really have to buckle down and stay with the 3-4 shakes a day and salads with balsamic vinegar.   I have been battleing allergies the past week but I am feeling better today. :sick
mferra

mferra

1
KariK's Journal
 

Dining at its Finest LOL

8:00 am Breakfast: Atkins shake + 1 scoop unjury   11:00 am Lunch: 2 Chicken tender strips, SF chocolate pudding   5:00 pm Supper: Chinese chicken, pork, with broccoli a few bites of shrimp in all I probably ate about 2 cups.   6:00 pm Snack: Ugh I hate to type this its humiliating but I had a sm. sundae with fudge. Im sure I will pay the price by having a nonmoving scale in the morning.   Vitamins: 2 Tbs. liquid multi, 1500 mcg Biotin, 1 Calcium chew   Water: 90 oz.   Exercize: what exercize? bad bad again but I was gone all day and took my daughter to the amusement park on some rides and stuff. Thats being active too right? lol And I went appliance shopping, and Grocery shopping, hey thats walking.. maybe could be called exercise but my heart rate wasn't up so I doubt it counts. We'll see what my friendly scale says in the morning.   Goal: For the next 5 days no ice cream, no sugar period. If I eat any sugar I will have to post a naked picture of myself!! lol if that doesn't do it nothing will motivate me.
KariK

KariK

1
avilla's Journal
 

Gave Up

:sickI finally gave up...I have been feeling terrible for more than several days now, thought it was a summer cold...Well, I finally gave up and went to the after hours clinic this morning...After finding out that they dont use my insurance there cuz my dr is not in their "group" and 70 bucks later I find out that I have a URI and brochitis...I knew I wasnt feeling quite right and I should have taken a hint when I was having severe headaches in the beginning of the week...Really sucked cuz I have been on vacation since Wend to get my son started in school and sick basically since Thursday...Oh well, finally got some liquid antibiotics and some codiene cough meds to help me out...I missed my weekly weigh in today due to not going to work and wont officially weigh in till Tuesday since I will be off till then...Its going to be kinda scarey Tuesday cuz I havent had the strength to work out since Thursday but hopefully that will change once I get the antibiotics working full force...Well back off to bed...Well, I guess its a good thing too cuz I have lost my ambition to eat... Thank goodness that came after my wonderful dinner out last night!!
avilla

avilla

2
Ali's Musings and Meanderings...
 

not much going on today....

I can't get the font thingy to work today and so it's simple black and white for me. I had a pretty lazy day today and by choice I didn't walk. I made a lovely roast beef dinner for hubby and number one step son...I ate a couple of pieces of meat and some brussel sprouts. They got roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. I slept 3hrs this afternoon which was nice but probably wont sleep well tonight now. Am now watching Oceans 11 on tv cos haven't seen it before. And that's it.
A1ikou

A1ikou

4
PattiU's Journal
 

It's over!

It's been almost 3 weeks since my band and I feel fine and have been since 1 week. A little pain in the port site from time to time, but that is all. I am eating what I should be and losing slowly. I walk 30 min. most days. When I first saw Dr. O I was 214. now I an 195.8. last summer I was at least 220. so I can't complain. My next Doctor's visit is on Oct.4 and i will get a fill fo sure. just have to wonder if my husband's new insurance will pick it up. The book is saying I should be eating a 1/4 cup of food at atime but I can eat 1 cup. I hope my band did not slip because i had a hiatal hernia in there that he fixed too, and severe dry heaves the day I went home. I will call the office and see about it.
PattiU

PattiU

1
Goannabanda's Journal
 

Riding the rollercoaster.

I feel like I've been riding a rollercoaster for the past four days. The pace of events, and emotional highs and lows have left me worn out. It'll be good to get back to work tomorrow for a break! LOL! Here's what I've been up to:   Thursday - had a late night Wed writing up the kinder newsletter, so I could print it during the morning. Then we had a surprise party at playgroup for AD's 40th - she was touched! I met up with jenny from LBT for a coffee - her insights were very reassuring. Had dinner out with the kinder mums. After 2 glasses of wine, I felt like I'd had the whole bottle. Friday - got a call in the morning that uncle B was very ill and may not live more than few days to two weeks - so I drove to Sale to visit him in hospital. At this stage, he really doesn't know his prognosis is so grim - the doctors are preparing him for this news. He didn't look good - could hardly breathe, and the medications that he had been on had made him bloated and blotchy. These have been stopped now (because they found out it's not an infection), and they were making a gradual transition towards palliative care, with morphine pain relief being started. But he was still the same old B - happy (and surprised!) to see me. Mum and Dad would have liked to have been here to see him. It was very hard to kiss him goodbye when time to go home, as I won't see him alive again. He is my favourite uncle - a bit of a larrikin, and had his problems, but still loves us all. Didn't get home until late - quite emotional. Time to cry later, not now. I had some phone calls with friends etc when I got home that were a bit stressful - some anxiety and stresses amongst the gang - some of them have some major issues in their home lives at the moment which are making them agressive due to stress. A bit like what's going on around parts of LBT too. I hope to keep out of it as best I can. Saturday - Mad rush day - to get ready for church family dinner (30 ppl at our place). Had my visit to the weight loss counsellor - very enlightening - I journal about this separately when my head has cleared, so I don't lose the benefit of her insights. The main one is that I am anxious - and need to find time to calm down and relax - this will help with the snacking, which she believes are due to an energy imbalance (well-being sense). I need to sit in the sun more! Hooray - permission to relax and be girlie!!! A doctor's prescritpion to break out the oil burners, massage oil, yoga classes, mediation... ...mmmmmmm! bliss!!! What more could a girl want?? Sunday - church, followed by puppet rehearsal for next Sunday. After lunch at home, we went to Elwood Beach for a family break afternoon. DS loved playing on the playground, and we had a coffee in the foreshore cafe. He crashed out fairly early - he's been grumpy tired all day. Finally time to clean up and do laundry etc in the evening. I'm off to bed now - I feel like I've not slept in days - it's mainly emotional exhaustion - but elements of physical exhaustion and probably dehydration from rapid pace of the weekend are not helping either.   Anyway - it's been wone of those weekends where it feels like the world has tilted and adjusted itself - funny how things often all happen in a rush at times - and then all is calm for a while. Except this weekend, following the counsellor's consultation - it feels like it has finally tilted in the right direction in terms of finding some of the ansers to my emotional / head hunger issues. Halleleulia!
Goannabanda

Goannabanda

1
kimmiechelle's Journal
 

Waiting for my band

I am getting my band on Oct. 3rd. I am nervous about my decision. I have always been overweight, and I have been on to many diets to count. I am excited that I will finally have a tool to help my along my journey.
kimmiechelle

kimmiechelle

1
avilla's Journal
 

New Things

Well today has be kinda uneventful for me...I have been with my husband including dating time for little over 14 years and due to money reasons he has never financially spoil me its always been the other way around, but thank goodness for his raises...My husband actually went and bought brakes for my car this morning then gave me money for new underwear (which he has never done) and then took me out to dinner (which is the first time I have been actually out to eat since my sugery)...We went to Furrs Cafeteria so we could all have a taste of everything and it was great...I dont think that it did anything good for my weigh in tomorrow, but thats ok cuz it made him feel great to be able to do it for us...I had a couple bites of carrot slaw, a few bites of a salad, a couple bites of greens then a couple bites of bbq turkey and ribs...It was all wonderful...And with being able to get alot of different things and having a couple bites of each it was almost like cheating big time but I didnt...He noticed me smiling at him and wondered why, I let him know that this was the first time ever that he was able to do for me what I wouldnt have been able to do for myself and he loved it!!!
avilla

avilla

2
pjk's Journal
 

big day

I have been on this liquid diet for 2 weeks! 2 more days to my lap band. I have lost atleast 3 lbs, maybe more. I am so hungry:hungry:
pjk

pjk

1
KariK's Journal
 

Sam

Sam's results came back from his blood work from Monday, everything is improving but not his testosterone levels. Next appt. in Sept. will be the MRI and blood tests again. Doc will probably start him on testosterone if his levels haven't improved by then. He's looking kind of peaked this week, I hope he's not getting sicker. What would I do without the love of my life? I've got to just pray that his tumor is shrinking. I've got to believe he will be ok and make it through this. At least he is eating healthier now that im eating healthier.. thats gotta be a good thing. Ive gotta get healthy and strong so that I can take care of him and our family if need be in case he has to have brain surgery. I can and will do this! You can take that to the bank.
KariK

KariK

1
lianna's Journal
 

Aug 25

176 lbs. Officially down 53 lbs in 10 months. I am very happy with the progress....It seems a little slow at times but I still have all my hair...lol. I am not having any problems with sagging or loose skin, etc... I am very happy and healthy AND IT SHOWS!!!!
lianna

lianna

3
KariK's Journal
 

Another Pound Bites the Dust

Wow im down another pound today!! yayyy! So now im at 211. Exercise definitely works.:clap2:   8:30 am Breakfast: Atkins shake + One scoop unflavored unjury.   12:00 pm Lunch: Skinless roasted chicken thigh, 1 1/2 peices of deli ham thinly sliced, SF chocolate pudding.. was planning on eating some steamed broccoli but was too full! yay! Will have for supper instead.:hungry:   6:00 pm Supper: Skinless roasted chicken thigh, broccoli 1 cup, 1 blueberry activa yogurt, 1 SF chocolate pudding. ( I was actually low on calories today so I HAD to have the pudding hehe)   Vitamins: 1500 mcg Biotin, 2 Tbs. Liquid multi, 2 Calcium chews.   Water: 110 oz.   Exercise: 30 Min. on treadmil 3 mph 0-5% incline, 1.5 Mile walk outside with the family.   Goal: Exercise exercise exercise.. I hope im down a pound tomorrow!!
KariK

KariK

1
Ali's Musings and Meanderings...
 

Saturday Morning...cant think of better title!!!!

Weekend again...Sometimes they fly by and sometimes they drag. Guess it depends what you are doing and this weekend I have absolutely nothing planned so looks like a slow one. Still, when I'm home I tend to be able to stick to my own rules better so suppose that's not a bad thing. I didn't eat a thing last night at the dinner. I drank six glasses of water. Can't say it was easy but hubby understood, he was trying to keep food down wind of me lol. I don't have a problem with people eating and I can't but the smell last night...my favourite foods, all freshly cooked. It was a torture :phanvan Never mind...there's nothing on the schedule for the next few weeks so should be OK. Was tempted to look at scale this morning as I lay in bed wondering how things are going but I didn't. I got up and left the room immediately and then had other things on my mind and so another day passed... Have walked and drunk 3/4litre of water so need to drink some more. TOM back ache kicked in so maybe just a short walk this afternoon...I'll see how things go.
A1ikou

A1ikou

2

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