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Forsythia's Blog
 

Bones

I'm starting to feel and see bones. Like, collar bones, and I can feel my spine in the neck area (I seem to be losing from the top down and from extremeties - fingers toes lower legs and arms). My wedding rings no longer stay on my fingers. And my calves, which were already pretty muscular and not fat, have gotten an inch smaller - from 16 inches to 15 inches. It is such a weird sensation, feeling bones and seeing results. I guess the swimming is really working my shoulders/upper body and legs. Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of flesh around my bones, but the weight loss is getting noticeable. People who don't know I had surgery are asking what I am doing. I tell them I log everything I eat and go to the gym 5x a week for anywhere from an hour to two hours depending on what I am doing that day (this is all true - they do not need to know I had a surgical assist!).   I'm creeping up on my lowest adult weight - 239. I was 244 this morning. The smaller clothes I bought are getting too loose. I have a couple of work out tops I got from Old Navy that used to cling to my tummy which now drape gracefully - it won't be long before I need to get an XL instead of an XXL.. Hell, the concept of clothes draping gracefully on me is whole new sensation. When I was 312 or 320 or 335, there was never graceful drape. There was tugging and layering. Looking in the mirror and feeling like crap. Now, there is possibility. I know I've got a long way to go, but I feel like I've come so far already.   Tomorrow is my 3 month follow up with my surgeon. I am interested in seeing how is going to assess my progress. I think he will be pleased. I've lost right around 70 lbs from my program start weight. He thinks I can lose 100 due to the surgery. I have every intention of surpassing that number.
Forsythia

Forsythia

0
I am reclaiming my success!
 

I fell but I'm standing up again!

I fell off the wagon because of work travel. I have to find a way to stop making work and travel an excuse. Today, however, i am back. Went and ran 2 rounds at Driscoll park with my friend. Re-engaging intermittent fasting because I felt great while on it and my lab results were superb following it. Yay me!! :-) also day 1 of the 12 week step challenge and work.
Htallgirl

Htallgirl

0
4me4them's Blog
 

A Bad (Unhelpful) Weekend

So my Progresso soup victory (see previous post) was very short lived. My stress overwhelmed me the past few days and well...lets just say I resorted right back to unhealthful eating habits. I'm not even going to try to put a positive spin on it. After 2 weeks clean eating...no flour products...bread, pasta...I have binged to the point of feeling woozy on carbs. Bread in particular...lots of bread.   I work in the education field...I've taught high school math and science and now work for the Army where I am in charge of about 55 people doing everything from teaching Soldiers how to teach, to designing curriculum, to building educational technology. Once every three years we get accredited which means a bunch of people descend on our organization and tell us whether we are doing a good job. This is the first year I am responsible for so much (last time I just had the teaching Soldiers how to teach part).   I mention this because as I've prepared for this visit, I've been looking at what the Army believes about training and education and one of the key beliefs is that Soldiers should be "self-directed learners". That is an awesome phrase and I understand what it means...the problem is, we don't do a good job teaching the young Soldiers how to be that....its as if we expect them to be born with the ability.   That's how I feel about stress management. I logically understand that my stress reactions are not helpful, that I should "shake it off" and "not let it derail me". The problem is I don't have a clue how to do that! I know how to eat. I've found myself thinking this afternoon that I just need to survive the week and then I can get back after it...after all I will still have 2 full weeks before I have to go weigh in again...sigh...I'm tired of just surviving.   So here's what I'm going to try...no I'm going to channel YODA and say here is what I'm going to do. Before I eat a meal, I'm going to walk for 5 minutes. I can do that, I can do it at work by walking through the halls to the other end of the building and back, I can do it at home rain (on the treadmill) or shine (outside). It might not solve all my unhealthful eating reactions to stress....but it IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT! I'll let you know how the experiment goes. Beth
4me4them

4me4them

0
MAGGIE
 

6 months post op

I am now 6 months since my surgery. The first 2 months were great then Mid April I started being very sick and could only keep down 1-2 oz of food a day. Even water would come back up. Well low and behold I had the old gall bladder issue. After the surgery in June I have been able to keep food down. I have lost a total of 105 lbs. 51 lbs was pre surgery. I haven't been back to the surgeon since my gall bladder surgery and I do not weigh unless it is at his office, so I am hoping when I see him next month I will have lost more. I am nervous because I am eating more than 1-2 oz of food a day now. But I do exercize 3-4 times a week in the pool because my back and knees are injured and I cannot walk. I have seen comments about the 5:2 plan and I would like that explained to me. Could someone help?   Thanks,   Maggie
bluegrass

bluegrass

0
4me4them's Blog
 

Progresso Soup Saved my butt...

So I'm still in the supervised diet phase before surgery and I've been doing pretty good (insert back pat here). But MONDAY was a MONDAY all day. I went to work with a long list of things I need to get done before our big accreditation team visit next week. Of course, life had other plans and by 1130 I had done exactly NOTHING on my list. I was stressed to the maximum....   And then it was lunch time.   And the 3oz can of tuna, lettuce and low fat dressing just didn't appeal to my emotional side. Now I've eaten this lunch quite happily many many days...but emotional Beth said nope not going to work.   Six weeks ago I would have walked across the parking lot...OK, who am I kidding, I would have driven across the parking lot and gone through the drive through of the fast food chain that is there.   So I start looking around the office and I found a can of Progresso Light cream of potato soup....so I had it, both servings...200 calories and way more sodium than I consume now but two amazing things happened: 1. The emotional side of me was soothed in a less destructive way 2. I didn't snack on anything rest of the day (except my veggies that I brought from home).   Hence the title...Progresso Soup saved my butt. I have now replaced that can and consider it my failsafe for the next MONDAY whenever it comes!
4me4them

4me4them

0
sookielioncourt's Blog
 

Using Technology to Get Back in Shape

Many of us will agree that recent advancements in technology are a double-edged sword: on the one hand, they’ve made our lives so much easier, making tasks that are already simple even more convenient; on the other, these added conveniences have made it so the amount of physical exercise we do is dramatically lessened, making it that much easier to put on a few extra pounds.   But with global obesity rates continuing to climb higher, developers of smartphones and smart technology have finally begun developing features that not just help, but encourage weight loss in their users – and users haven’t been ones to be left behind.     Kantar Media’s MARS OTC/DTC 2014 study showed that 34% of smartphone owners look for health-related information online using their phones, and 32% of smartphone owners have also used a health- or fitness-related app. More than just using apps, however, there are other ways use smart technology for fitness.     The Hype of Google Glass for Fitness Last January, PCMag’s Jill Duffy talked about “The Internet of Fitness Things” – one of the biggest trends seen in fitness technology today. She wrote about how today’s fitness devices now need to be tightly integrated with an interface that lets users monitor their fitness and workout levels.   This is where Google Glass comes in. When fitness devices are integrated with Google Glass, workouts become more interactive and streamlined – not to mention tailor-fit for the user’s fitness goals. This is seen in Race Yourself, a Glass app that tracks your time, distance, and calories while running. Unlike other fitness apps, however, this Google Glass-integrated app comes with different games such as Zombie Chase and Giant Boulder, for high-intensity workouts.   Google’s partnership with Technogym also means that Google Glass can now control treadmills through voice prompts. The device can even scan barcodes on treadmills to determine the kind of workouts and settings that are optimal for the machine.     Smartphones with Built-In Health Tracking Apps Jill Duffy also mentioned that another apparent trend in fitness devices was seen in how developers seemed to be closing in on one detail of fitness: heart health. This is apparent not just in the number of heart rate monitoring devices out in the market now, but also in how even smartphone developers have begun integrating health and heart-tracking apps into their latest models.   • Samsung Galaxy S5 The revamped features of the S Health app include a Heart Rate Sensor, which is tasked to check the status of your heart at any time of the day. Samsung’s Exercise Mate was also enhanced with the addition of a Hiking option, allowing users to track their progress while walking, cycling, and running. Android and Me has also reported that Samsung’s update of the app allows the Heart Rate Sensor to monitor stress levels.   • HTC One M8 Pocket-Lint reported that HTC had partnered with FitBit to provide the One M8 with fitness tracking software, and the results were rather impressive. With BlinkFeed, you can track information such as fitness goals, achievements, and calories burned. There’s even a Smart Alarm that can wake you up at the most optimal time. O2 reports that the HTC One has also been equipped with HTC Boomsound, which the Smart Alarm makes use of quite extensively.     Video Games Making People More Active Most people will agree that video games may have been a factor in their weight gain, as playing these games meant sitting in front a TV or computer for hours at a time, munching on junk food. Today’s video games, however, can be a far cry from games of old.   Ace Fitness cites a study by Primack in 2012 that showed that active video games can be used to increase a person’s energy levels. Players interact with images on their screen using body movements, playing games like tennis, gold, boxing, and football. Developers like Nintendo have been hard at work creating games that not only set the benchmark for interactive games, but also meet the industry guidelines for cardiorespiratory fitness – meaning playing their games is a sure-fire way to get some aerobic exercise in.   Healthcare from the Perspective of Medical Professionals While there are tons of services to track your health on your own, there are also significant developments intended to enhance how medical professionals provide care services. Ellen Lee of Forbes reported that this year, the revenues of venture capitalists in healthcare IT have tripled to $955, from the $343 million invested three years ago. Here are ways Lee believes medical professionals will leverage technology:   • “Watson” Lee said IBM is developing “Watson,” a supercomputer tasked to assist physicians in recommending treatments and making accurate diagnoses. It also tracks patient history, analyze treatment methods, and assists medical research.   • Doximity Social media is also a product of technology, allowing doctors to connect together to provide better care to patients. The importance of Doximity, a social networking site exclusive to physicians, is that the platform allows physicians in the US to collaborate online.   With these significant improvements, the notion that technology induces more harm to our health is put to rest. As it improves in a heartbeat, we transition to an era where securing our health becomes a walk in the park.
sookielioncourt

sookielioncourt

0
LaVerne's Journey
 

Impatiently waiting

This month is dragging by! It seems I'm waiting so long between my appointments...they seem to never come. I've got a week & a half still before my next appointment. I'm being very impatient.   I think I'm doing very well on changing my diet. My doctor believes in and teaches that starch addiction is the reason behind obesity. While I know that not everyone is the same, I have cut out starches (bread, pasta, potatoes, rice & sugars) and am losing without much other effort. I feel like I've cut my portions pretty well. I use MyFitnessPal & 9 times out of 10 I'm well below my calorie allowance for the day. I look back at what I used to eat and I'm really amazed at how many calories are in starches. And I really don't miss them. The biggest issue I have is eating out for lunch. I try to bring food from home, but many times I don't. I know I should plan ahead more & I'll have no choice but to do so after surgery. I have a 30 minute lunch break with very limited options for lunches...and when you add in the fact that I'm broke and everything nearby is so expensive, it's just hard to make good choices. Wendy's chili is a great, cheap lunch & fills me well - but it gets tiring when you have it two or three times a week. I have to say though, I have not made those bad choices on this front for quite a while. I am willing to have chili as my "safe, go-to" rather than stuff french fries in my face. Just another thing I'll have to work on. Rome wasn't built in a day, right?!   I know I need to get moving more, that will accelerate my loss, but almost every day, the number goes down just a little. I keep hoping that I'll start feeling some of the energy come back to me. Right now, I am tired & exercise, even just walking, wears me out pretty quickly. By the time I work a full day, come home, make dinner for the family, I'm pretty much wiped out. But I'm going to get there. I have to push myself & I've not been doing that much. The rainy weather we've had lately hasn't been cooperating with my walking either. Just excuses though...it's me & I have to own up to that. I'm anxious to meet with the exercise physiologist to see what is expected of me. Am I going to have to make it up to a consistent average of 10,000 steps before I can have surgery? There's another question to add to my list.   I guess I'm not exactly clear on my requirements. Doc assures me that it's not a race to surgery & he's there for me until I'm ready - whether it takes one month or two years, but what does he consider "ready"? I feel like I'm ready right now. I foresee a long conversation when that appointment finally gets here.   I probably bore you all with my ramblings, but it's good for me to put my thoughts - no matter how random - out there. It helps me to slow down my mind for a moment and see my thoughts. And if by chance I stumble across anything that helps or provokes thoughts or ideas for someone else, then yay - bonus!   Best of luck to you all in your journeys. I'm finding this site very informative and helpful. Thanks for reading my ramblings
<3 Carolina Girl <3

<3 Carolina Girl <3

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Forsythia's Blog
 

I hate being cold

To be fair, I really hate being hot too. But my office is a meat locker. Since my sleeve my perception of the office being at morgue like temperatures has only been exacerbated. As I lose my layer of protection, this bone chilling cold is only going to get worse. Right now I am wearing jeans, a tank top, a long sleeved shirt and two fairly thin cardigan sweaters. WHO WEARS TWO CARDIGANS?! This broad. I'm pretty sure under my manicure my nail beds are turning blue. I'm just shivering and miserable. Every day. The building controls the heat/cold. So there is nothing I can do about it other than complain in my blog and suffer in abject misery. The funny thing is that summer is my least favorite season due to the heat and the humidity. This summer has been really mild with temps barely topping 75 F all summer. In theory it's been my dream summer. But I'm so cold, that I want the heat. I just want to go outside and warm up, only I can't. It's barely going to be over 70F here today in Chicago. Are skinny people always cold? Do they sit around in freezing misery? Am I doomed to wear cardigans evey day for the rest of my life?!   Perhaps I'm being overly dramatic.   This is a consequence I had not even thought of. There are worse problems to have. This blog post is brought to you by me being a whiner.
Forsythia

Forsythia

0
Lite'N'Sweet's LapBand Life
 

My 1 Month LapBandiversary!

Today makes 1 month since I had Peachez installed. (It's a working name... It may change) and I can't say I have any regrets. I'm down 25 lbs since then, have been working out pretty diligently ever since (despite my achilles injury :-( ) but the thing that has impressed me the most about my progress is that I feel absolutely 100% ZERO restriction from my lapband even WITH the fill / I don't regurgitate anything / i don't slime / I don't get stuck -- but have installed my mental restriction and it's pretty solid. My issue going into the surgery was that my resolve was constantly failing me. I would give myself loopholes and exceptions and ways out of having to have willpower or stick-to-it-iveness. So no matter what the plan, I failed. But with this... there's a new little voice in the back of my thoughts that reminds me right before I contemplate a cheat or anything that's anti productive.   YOU CUT YOURSELF OPEN FOR THIS.... SERIOUSLY??? You're going to rethink this "cheat" right now.   That ALWAYS gets me right back in line. I've taken all the great advice I've learned here on the message boards: chew my food REALLY well; wait in between bites; don't drink while i'm eating; stop when I'm satisfied; sometimes hunger is thirst in disguise so start with a liquid. They've all been essential tools in my progress. I hope that they'll bring me through the next few months and the next 25 lbs. however long that may take. My clothes are fitting differently... folks are starting to notice. I just need to keep it going. Might I see ONEderland again before I turn 40... would be an awesome birthday gift.   So happy one monthiversary for me. Here's to a lifetime of better choices as a result!
Lite'N'Sweet

Lite'N'Sweet

0
kickingthisweight
 

Negative vibs

I have been really open to everyone about my upcoming VSG. I have been considering surgery for about 3 years, and at first I didn't even want to tell my parents..only my husband. As time has passed, and I am actually going to do it, I have changed my mind. I don't want to live a secret. It is just a personal prefrence. I knew/know that people will be judgemental for whatever reason, and I was expecting negative vibs from some. I have mentally prepared myself, and it helps to have thick skin.   So, yesterday I took my 6 year old to a small pool party. Many of my friends were there, some I am close to, some--not so much. Ironically, one of the people I am closer too threw some negative vibs. She isn't small but is currently trying to loose weight. In a general conversation between us and one other friend, I told her I was having VSG. One friend was excited for me, and I appreciated her kind words. The other said that she had asked her husband about it, and he said that he supported her if that was the choice she made.. She went on to tell me that it was cheating and that she hadn't cheated on anything in her life, and she wasn't going to start with weight loss. I simply told her, "To each their own". She further told me that it was the easy way out and that she liked working for her's. After telling her it was still WORK, she laughed. I left shortly thereafter, but continued other convos with a smile on my face.   I felt like, in the long run, I had the upper hand, strangely. I was able to face the first negative vibs with a smile on my face, without feeling defeated, and without having any second thoughts. That, my friends, let me know that I am absolutely comfortable with my choices, and I won't let anyone take it away from me. SELF-FREAKING-HIGH-FIVE!!
mistymc

mistymc

4
kickingthisweight
 

Surgery scheduled: Past, present, future..

I'm so excited, I have dreamed of being able to have WLS for so long, and it is coming true! September 3! I have so much I want to say, so I thought about doing youtube videos to keep up with my progress and reflect back during difficult times to see my progress. I made many, many attempts, but I either get toungetied or I just rambled, leaving me with a 25 min video, or I just don't feel comfortable about doing it. I plan to still record myself for only my use, and I'll stick to hiding behind the keyboard for now.   Past: I was reared in a very stable, loving family, with the exception of one grandmother. My parents are the most amazing people and have supported me and my dreams, fully. I was not an overweight child, although my grandmother led me to believe that I was the heaviest child...EVER born. She had high expectations of everyone around her, and if you didn't fit the bill, she found no use for you. Anyway, so in 1991, I started lifting weights while my brother was at football pratice or using his equipment at home. It progressed to a passion of mine and eventually I began to lift competitively. I started lifting in the 181 class, this class is for people weighing 165-181. I stayed in that class until my senior year, and I decided to move up to the 198 class (181-198). I found that if I weighed a few more pounds, I could lift a considerably larger amount of weight, increasing my total for our 3 events, therefore, increasing my chances of winning. In order to stay in that class, I had to eat and eat and eat and eat....... I went on to lift for Louisiana Tech University. I was very successful in high school, so I chose to lift in the same class, doing the same thing-eating. I, too, was very successful there and it was really an opportunity of a lifetime, as I was able to lift with and for icons like Billy Jack Talton, Trey Cunningham, Doc Holloway, and PJ Chavonoac. The problem really began after powerlifing, as I continued to eat the same way but without the intense workouts. I still worked out, but not enough to counteract the amount of calories I was consuming. From there, I went to the Police Academy, and of course they ran us to death, and we did more push ups than any human should ever do in an entire lifetime. After I graduated from there, I worked patrol, 12 hour night shifts, for a Sheriff's Department. Basically, I rode around the parish (county for you non-Louisiana ppl) and responded to calls: wrecks, domestics, shootings, thefts, ect. Now remember my eating habits had not changed, and now I was adding more fuel to the fire. I worked nights, which increases everything like chances of breast cancer and diabetitis. I also ate alot of fast food and I ate it as quickly as possible. I never knew when the next call was going to come in, where it was going to be, or how long I was going to be on it, so I ate even when I wasn't hungry. However, I was on SWAT, SCAT, and SRT with weekly training, so I did exercise frequently, but again, not enough cardio to do the job. I continued that lifestyle until my husband and i found out we were having a baby. The eating didn't stop, but I did quit my job, and haven't returned to that career. It was a personal choice my husband and I made. So, after the baby was born, I lost about 40# and kept it off for sometime, and to be quite honest, I don't even really know how I ended up weighing 283#. (PRESENT) Somedays, it is literally like i woke up weighing 100# more. In reality, it happened over the course of 10+ years, but it happened so slowly, I didn't realize how bad it was. To top that off, I have some self-image reality issue: I see a current pic of myself and that is NOT the person i see in the mirror. But then again, I don't own a full body mirror, just small picture frame style mirrors in our bathrooms, and 2 dressers with mirrors in 2 bedrooms (not ours). I was just recently that I realized if I see a larger mirror, one that would allow me to see ME, I quickly turn my head and never give it another thought. The amazing news is that is all about to change, starting now, but really on Sept. 3. I see some people questioning having their procedure, and I did but only for a quick second. I had planned on having lapband, and really didn't do any detailed research on VSG. I went to my consult with my fabulous surgeon and he never entertained the idea of lapband, and when I mentioned it to him, he quickly told me that I would have to go elsewhere, that I had far too much to loose to trust the lapband. Now, I work with him occassionally, with post surgery patients that require life support systems....did I mention that I am now, for 5 years, a Respiratory Therapist (working 12 hour nights?)?? Sorry. I also work with him on tramas and have even cracked a few chest with him in the ER. So, he was most-likely more blunt with me and wasn't ashamed of his classic 'colorful' mouth, as he may be with others. Mentally, while sittting there, I did consider seeing someone else... I didn't want to stay overnight, I didn't want to take off of work for ANY amount of time, I didn't want to alter our routine at home in anyway, even though I know I am about to crash that party after surgery... Lapband or VSG, but then this is the person I trust MOST. I think I sat in the parking lot for an hour doing my own research after my appointment, and when I left that lot, I never looked back, lapband only crosses my mind as I think of what I once wanted. Now that I have done the research, I am glad that I am doing VSG. That day, my consult, was the heaviest recorded weight at 283, currently I am 275. Some part of me wishes that I would have had to do a monitored program with my NUT until surgery date, but then again, not so much. I want to loose some more in these next 3 weeks, but I guess we will see. Future: Goals...oh, so many!! I really have never been about the scales. I have never had a problem with telling people my weight. I suppose I have powerlifting to thank for that, since everyone knew what i weighed at all times. Numbers are numbers but since I really do need a "number" I am shooting for 160-180. My doctor says he wants me to be about 180, my shrink (& fitness gooro) says 160. ME? I really "think" I want to be 165-174. 174 is the heighest I can be per BMI and be normal weight. I just want to know what that feels like...you know, to use weight and normal in the present tense and in the same sentence, in regaurds to myself.... NSV's..............the list is endless really 1. I want to wear my wedding rings. They are beautiful and the meaning behind them is sacred, and it has been 3 years since I have worn them. 2. I want to play tennis again with my friends. Simple and true. 3. I want to be able to tie my shoes with getting out of breath. 4. I want to be able to run in the park with my kid.. Crap, WTH am I talking about....I want to just want to go to the park with my kid. 5. I want to feel like I belong next to my husband. Thank God he loves me unconditionally, and that I know that. 6. I want to run. Like really run. Perhaps a 5K or one of these toughmudder events or color runs. I never did enjoy running, but hopefully I can do it just to prove to myself that I can. 7. I want my ass to feel comfortable when I sit. Like in a fold-out chair at ballgames or even in the seats in our vehicles. 8. I want to be able to sit on the floor with comfort and get up...just freaking get up.. Ya know, without the assistance of anything...just get up. 9. Did I mention that I want to breathe better? Like really. I feel like I do 'normally' but in the event that I am rushing or carrying a load of something, I get winded from time to time. OR walk with a friend and talk at the same time. I don't know if I am the only one with this issue, but it is a concern. I also feel that I have sleep apnea. I snore terribly. If yall ever hear that I died in my sleep, investigate my husband, bc he threathens to smother me often, lol. 10. i want increased confidence, sex drive, energy, ect. Things I am most afraid of: 1. My hair will all fall out. Hairloss is a huge concern for me, as my hair is naturally fine and thin. i have considered getting some type of extension once this starts happening, but will it make it worse? Does anyone have any experience with extensions post op?? Any advice on hairloss will be fab! 2. Head hunger scares the hell out of me. I am an overeater.. It isn't the sweets or anything like that. I eat ALOT of food. 3. Skin..Skin..Skin.. I know I will have flabby arms, I know I will have an excess of skin, but how much is the question. I will be saving up in the next year for surgery. Powerlifting left me with gigantic arms...19" arms to be exact. Theres no way I will be skin free. I know it will be worth it, and i know that there are ways to minimize it...like staying hydrated... Has anyone tried a compression garment??   I included 4 pics. 2 before pics. 1 in 2004 with my cousins(I'm in the middle with hat) 1 in 2008 with my husband 2 now pics 1 with the mom's of my daughters class (green cardy) 1 at my sister's wedding (same cardy)
mistymc

mistymc

2
hectorduran's Blog
 

One month Post-Op

August 7th was my 1-month post-op anniversary!! hahaha I don't even know if there is such a thing but oh well I am making it a thing. I had my doctor's appointment the day before that so my doctor could check how I am doing after my whole ulcer deal. He told me I was doing good and that I was losing enough weight and that everything seemed normal. He ended up ordering some blood test to check on how my vitamins are working and stuff so I will see him again in about 2-3 weeks. He also told me that I could start working out my arms and legs and to avoid any exercise involving my stomach for now due to my ulcer. I have to say that I am really glad I can start working out a little bit because I haven't been doing much since the doctor had restricted me from exercising and I was starting to get lazy.   That would be all I have to report for now. Everything seems to be going well and I hope it stays that way from now on. Before I forget, I want to thank all the people who read my last blog entry and sent their good vibes and prayers so THANK YOU!   H.D.
hectorduran

hectorduran

0
4me4them's Blog
 

A movie without popcorn

So I love movie theater popcorn...I don't get the butter, but I can put away a really big tub...or I should say I used to put away a really big tub of popcorn. I'm still in my preop, but even so I know that movie theater popcorn is not exactly a health food. We don't go to the movies very often, but I couldn't imagine a movie without popcorn.   My office was meeting at the theater today to see Guardians of the Galaxy (totally worth your consideration) and I wanted to go AND I wanted to stay within my calories for the day...so...hubby got a small popcorn (he used to eat big tubs too) and I took a Quest Strawberry Cheesecake protein bar (which I had already budgeted for in my daily menu). I had one handful of popcorn...it tasted good....then was perfectly satisfied with my protein bar...and guess what...I still enjoyed the movie!   One bad habit conquered...a bajillion more to go...
4me4them

4me4them

2
Switching it Up
 

The Waiting Game

It's official - all of my Pre-Op requirements (except the weight-loss and 1 test) are complete. I've also satisfied all of the initial insurance requirements for approval - so all of my docs have been submitted for pre-approval. Fingers crossed! The PC at my surgeon's office says they usually hear back within a couple of weeks. I may start calling next week just to 'check' on things.   All my tests came back good with the exception of an umbilical hernia, slight Hiatal hernia and some of my blood work was off (iron, live enzymes, etc - nothing unexpected). I think my least favorite test was the Upper GI (swallow study). I've never had one, so had no idea what to expect which was probably a good thing. That stuff they make you drink is DISGUSTING! I barely made it through the test without throwing up. I really hope I don't have to do another one right after surgery, because I can't imagine how I'd be able to keep it down.   The only things I have left to do are get my infusions of iron and turn in my 24hr urine test. I figure I'll do that next Sunday and drop it off on Monday when I have to bring the hubby to the hospital to do his testing.   This is probably going to be my least favorite stage - where I get to sit and wait until we hear back.   I'm still on the mostly-liquid diet and plan to stay on it until 10 days before surgery. Then I'll go on my clear-liquid diet in prep. As of last Friday I had 17lbs left to lose. It's been a bit slow-going this week, but I didn't really start until Monday. Either way, as of today I'm down around 5lbs ... so 12 left to go! If I can get my butt in gear, that (hopefully) shouldn't be a problem at all.   As we get closer and closer to approval, I find myself getting more nervous and scared. I think it's normal. I keep wondering if this is really the path I need to go. I mean, I'm losing weight on this pre-op diet, so why not just stick with it for a while until lose weight? The problem is I fell into that trap before and I know how it ends. I lose a good amount of weight (usually in the 60-80lb range), then I start slacking off and before you know it I've gained it all back. There's nothing that's FORCING me to stick to it and keep from cheating. There's no consequences other than slowly tightening pants that I can ignore for a while. I know I need more than that.   I need help to keep me on track for longer than a few months. Restriction, malabsorption and physical side-effects if I don't follow plan. Yes, I know I can't count on those side effects but at least I can count on the rest. I'll have a smaller stomach that will feel full sooner. I'll have lost a good portion of the stomach that releases the hormone that makes me think I'm hungry.   I think my biggest fear is having this surgery and then becoming one of those people that doesn't lose or winds up gaining back most of their weight. I hope I have the mental and physical strength to keep that from happening.
Lexibelle

Lexibelle

0
Sreeves' Blog
 

I want to be a woman again.

I am not sure exactly when it started. Some time into my re-ascent into morbid obesity, after the Lap-Band surgery failed, I stopped being a girl. First I grew out of all my jeans. Even my fat jeans, the one pair I had saved "just in case." I started wearing sweats all the time; at home, to the store, to the movies... Then it was my hair. I cut it short because I just couldn't be bothered to fix it. Why? I was always in jeans and tee shirts anyway, so what was the point?   Then I stopped wearing makeup. I guess I just figured it didn't matter anyway, no one is looking at my face. I suppose it made me feel a little more invisible. I really wanted to be anonymous, nondescript. If I don't call attention to myself, maybe no one will notice how much weight I have gained...   So here I am, refusing to buy clothing, even bras and undies, in "this" size. I need to punish myself for doing this to myself. Again. Or do I?   Maybe I really don't want to be invisible. Maybe I do want to feel pretty again. Maybe I don't want to be uncomfortable all the time, everywhere I am. I want to cross my legs again. I want to be able to walk through the mall and not get winded while I am shopping for jeans. I want to walk up to the makeup counter at Macy's and say, "Make me pretty" because I want to FEEL pretty. I don't want to get rashes in my skin folds. I want to grow my hair.   First thing I am going to buy when I am able to shop at a normal store is a pink Seahawks jersey. I tried to buy one last year, but I can only shop for shirts in mens' big and tall. They don't make pink Seahawks jerseys in mens' big and tall. Next football season I am going to dress like a girl.
Sreeves

Sreeves

4
Justification for the Justified
 

Beware: Prepare Emotionally and Financially

I am 4 weeks post op, for 3 of those weeks I was off work. And being one of those people that live paycheck to paycheck never seeming to be able to save anything I've found myself basically out of cash. This wouldn't be such a big deal if I weren't still dealing with learning how to eat again, and my body's slow progression in handling less food and losing weight. All of these things lead me to having a panic attack Friday morning, heart beating what felt like out of my chest and of course I'm a weepy mess. I also had a dear friend and mentor pass away, but I think I've mentioned that in previous entries, it's an on going thing.   My surgeon's office, Barker Bariatric, has been very helpful. They gave me many protein samples, although none of them have wowed me to be honest. But they are to help make sure that I can at least make it through to the 22nd when I get my first paycheck.   The emotional stress of this whole process cannot be overstated. If you have a tendency or even diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or any mood disorders you will need to keep in close contact with your mental health provider. I never felt like hurting myself, but certainly the guilt of putting myself in this situation was and continues to be overwhelming.   When you have your psychiatrist consultations be honest with them about who and how you are. MO people are fantastic at pushing things under the rug, and down playing the severity of situations. Perhaps you will be denied surgery, but consider that you being alive with extra weight on might be better than you going down a dark road of depression and possible suicide. Counseling might be a great way to getting help as well.   I have a huge support network of family, friends, and other WLS patients who have been vital to my survival through this initial phase. I pray you find the same, Face Book has several WLS support groups, of course there are some here, your own town should have a face to face support group. Even if you don't feel like you have supportive family and current friends the WLS community is full of helpful people and you'll find a few that can help.   If you are a paycheck to paycheck kind of person like me, expect that at the end of your leave of absence at work that you will probably be hurting for money, and might just freak out if your cupboards start to get bare and you run out of milk to mix with your protein shakes.
dsdesigna

dsdesigna

0
Traci's Blog
 

Three weeks and counting... last night was the worst yet...

I can hardly believe that the surgery is 3 weeks from today. It will be about 3 months after I started this whole thing, and as long as I stay on track, I will have lost 25-30 lbs prior to surgery. That, in and of itself, is unheard of. Amazing.   Last night was the worst night I've had so far. I couldn't do anything to curb my hunger, and I had a whole bunch of stuff come at me at once. I was ready to punch someone. I decided to remove myself from that situation before I exploded. I grabbed a bottle of water, my dog, and we went for a walk, despite my house being full of guests. I couldn't take it anymore and just needed to leave. As soon as we were out walking, I burst into tears. I was so hungry, so frustrated, so upset. I was thankful that the darkness outside could mask my tears a bit. We kept walking until I had calmed down. Everyone who was at the house had left or was in bed by the time I returned.   I love my family, but I can't stand them at times. I haven't been entirely open with them about everything that is going on, but it would be nice if they could try to understand the boundaries I've given them. I wish they wouldn't look to me whenever they needed something fixed in their own lives. As one of my friend's said this morning, They always seem to look at things from their point of view, but never can look from your point if view and be understanding.   Wouldn't it be nice if people could be understanding? Wouldn't it be nice if kids would understand better that their actions/words really can hurt others? Wouldn't it be nice if people didn't tease or pick on others because of what they look like or what a person can/cannot eat? I have to remind myself that there are things I can't change, I can only control/change how I respond to those things. And by going through this process, I'm making a big change in my life about how I handle things.
Trace Lynne

Trace Lynne

0
A Journey to Me
 

Dealing with Stress

11 Weeks Post OP Weight: 261 Total Weight Lost: -43.9 BMI: 42.3     Let’s just say that last week was a bad week. Personal issues topped off with work issues. Before the surgery I used to deal with stress by eating. I would get a pint of ice cream or stuff myself with whatever fast food restaurant was my obsession at the time. But now that I do not have that option anymore, how do I handle those bad days? Unfortunately I sacrificed my workouts. Instead of going to the gym and working out those frustrations of the week, I went home and hid from the world. By the end of the week I was disappointed in myself for not keeping my momentum going and got back on the exercise track. I feel more accomplished at the end of the day when I have done some sort of workout.   Eating is still going good. I am still consuming less than 1000 calories a day. It continues to blow my mind. I don’t feel like I am depriving myself.   I have started to notice things are getting easier every day. Walking up the stairs to my apartment. Simple movements that used to be difficult are now slightly easier. It feels good to know that these changes are happening and that it will only continue to get better!   The best thing is seeing people that I haven’t seen in a long period of time. I had breakfast with my grandma last week and she was astonished with how I looked. She was amazed. I haven’t seen here since a week post op. I really looking forward to November when I see my parents whom I haven’t seen since last November and my brother whom I haven’t seen since one month post op.   Other than that, not much more to report. All is well and moving forward. I am continuing to do my workouts and training. Three month post op follow up in a couple of weeks.
yllwrose

yllwrose

0
LaVerne's Journey
 

Rambling...

Last week I went for my first surgical consultation. I'm so impressed with the Dr & his staff. Everyone is so nice. They scheduled my appointment for my Upper GI, EKG & chest Xray, and they were done yesterday. My next appointments will be with the dietitian & exercise physiologist. I still have to set up a psych evaluation. So I'm moving right along...   Doc was very encouraging and talked through some of my concerns. He took the time to hear my story and he agreed with me - he too, believes that the sleeve would be the best option for me.   I had an "aha" moment...or actually, a weekend worth of it. We had friends in town to visit this past weekend. I knew there would be a good bit of alcohol involved in our visit. But I actually went completely off my wagon! My eating wasn't as awful as it could have been, but I wasn't following the plan. breads & potatoes were the biggest culprits. I even passed on ice cream...so I guess I wasn't so bad. But I certainly felt the difference. I gained 9 lbs from Friday morning to Sunday evening. Salty margaritas are my vice, so I'm sure most of that was water retention, but still - it made me feel horrible, physically & mentally. At the same time, I was able to recognize that I'm not going to be able to do this anymore. I don't need the alcohol in such mass quantities, I truly don't need the breads and potatoes - I would have been fine without them. I just have to work on finding better food choices when we're out and about. I'm back in the saddle again this week. And the water weight is dropping off already. I know I shouldn't be weighing myself everyday, but I have been & right now, I'm glad to see it going back down. Once I get back to where I was last week & see steady loss for a while, I'll stop weighing everyday.   I've also called my insurance company to verify coverage and prerequisites for my surgery. I shouldn't have any problems, but I'm afraid of one bit of red tape. I'm supposed to have 6 months of consecutive medical weight loss (failure) documentation. I think I should be OK because I did take phentermine for several months and this was all documented, of course. And since then, I've regained every bit of the weight lost on that program. My worry is that "consecutive" word. I'm not sure that I was in the office exactly every month. I will be going to see her again at the end of the month, so I'll find out then. I really don't want to have to drag this out for 6 months. I'm hoping that I will be approved based on the records we have already established. I would be devastated to have to wait so long. I'm ready now. I want so much to start feeling better. I hate feeling so tired all the time! I hate that my back hurts from carrying all of this weight all my life. I hate knowing that I have only a 10% chance of living until I'm 65. Really? So my life is more than half over right now! Unless I can lose this weight, I won't have a life. I'm merely existing from day to day right now. I don't feel like I live at all. Who knows if I'll make it another 6 months? With my family history and horrible health as it is, I am simply a walking time bomb.   I'm rambling...just some random thoughts that pop into my head.
<3 Carolina Girl <3

<3 Carolina Girl <3

0
Choosing Me
 

My Life, My Decision

I have been on the fence about bariatric surgery. I am 19 years old. I never thought I would be thinking about getting banded. My family is mostly against it. They want me to lose weight fast, but not with surgery. I went to a surgeon, who also has a weight management program, to get all the information. I realized while talking to the doctor that the main thing keeping me from getting the band was other people's opinions. I was very concerned about not being loved or being judged. I did not want people to think I was weak. After weeks of stressing and fighting with my family, I realized; I am fighting with them? Why is that? Because I know what is right for me. I had one family member push me into the mentality that only I know what is best for me, and as long as I am doing what I feel is right, then I should have no regrets. I have been able to lose weight just on the diet, however I have fallen into the same "diet traps" that I know i wont be able to do with the lap band. I am the kind of person who if I cannot do it and know i do not have the option, I will not do it. That is my personality. right now, i know there is nothing technically keeping me from cheating on the diet, so i allow myself to do it. With all the factors kept in mind, I have decided I want to go ahead with getting the lap band. I went to the nutritionist and she is confident I can maintain what I need to before and after surgery, even while I am away at school. Every professional I have talked to has said they are confident I can be overly successful, but they are not sure I can do it all on my own. I know I can lose weight with the lap band as a tool. I am ready to just move on with my life. I am at an age where I should be experiencing life, and I don;t want to waste any more time. I can continue to tell myself I can lose weight on my own, but thats irresponsible. I know myself well enough to know I am kidding myself.   So. A lot of people are against me and I know that I will may be alone on this journey, BUT I know what I have to do. This is my decisions to make. No one else has to deal with the consequences of my weight so they should not try to make the decision for me. I know I am ready for this, I know I am making the right decision, for the right reasons. I am excited to start living my life.
jewlz318

jewlz318

0
4me4them's Blog
 

Second NUT, EKG, Upper GI, Cardiac....all in one visit!

So since I live about 1.5 hrs away from the doctor/hospital, I tried to cram as much into today as I could. I'm glad I did with one minor exception which I will get to.   First up was the nutritionist. Good news, I lost 12 pounds since last visit 4 weeks ago. Bad news, I have to cut 200 more calories from my daily intake. Sigh. I knew that I couldn't stay at 1500 and I have had many days below that...but I thought with what I lost it might only go down 100. Not sure why this is freaking me out so much...but 1300 just seems like so much less than 1500. Also have to cut anything made with flour...entirely. While I haven't had any pasta (a known trigger for me) I have had an occasional piece of toast....I feel silly mourning a piece of toast but I am.   Next was the EKG. Pretty easy. Kept clothes on, hooked up with sticky pads one on each lower leg, one on each arm just above the elbow and then right around the left breast. Lay still. Done   Then it was off to get the upper GI. For this one I had been fasting since 600 the night before...not even water! So after being sent to the wrong area twice I got checked in and found out that they were doing a chest xray as well. So off with the top half of the clothes, on with an ill fitting (like didn't even come close to closing in the back) hospital gown. The chest xray room had to be no warmer than 60 degrees...it was really cold. After I finished the tech gave me a warm blanket for my shoulders/back which felt awesome!   The Upper GI was not horrible, but not fun either. First you drink a fizzy drink like alka seltzer and they tell you not to burp....which you really want to (or at least I did). The fizzy drink is to introduce some air into your empty stomach so that the second drink ( a really thick barium drink) will be able to coat your stomach. They use the barium to provide contrast when they take the pictures. I am using a teaching hospital so I had a newbie doctor...being coached by an experienced one. It was soo funny, I was trying really hard to not follow the coaches directions, even though it seemed silly because I could hear everything she said.   So you are standing on a footpad with a bed attached and as you drink the thick drink they start taking fluoroscopy pictures following the barium down the esophagus, into the stomach. After a couple of swigs of the thick stuff, they start to lower the bed which is kind of a weird feeling until you are laying on your back.   Then it is roll over time, which was not easy for me because 1. I'm a big gal, 2. the machine actually taking the pictures is right on top of me and 3. that ill fitting hospital gown got stuck....but I got all the way around...first left side, then tummy, then right side, then back to the back. This is all to literally roll the barium around in your stomach. Then, while laying, they give you a cup with a straw and a thinner barium and this time they are watching it leave the bottom of the stomach.   One more position, on the tummy with the left leg bent to check for a hiatal hernia and then I was done. Whole thing took about 30 minutes once I was in the room.   The only bad thing was I had planned to have breakfast in the hospital cafeteria...but GEESH. Would it kill them to have a healthy option....I guess it was between breakfast and lunch but the choices were small to none.   Cardiac clearance was last, she took a cardiac history, asked about exercise habits, asked if any cardiac symptoms....all in all about a 20 minute talk and she said I was low risk and she would send a report to the dr. Yay!   So , all in all, pretty efficient, arrived at 0800 and left at 1215....That's all the pre insurance tests...one more monthly visit to the nutritionist and I should be ready to submit!
4me4them

4me4them

0
Forsythia's Blog
 

Stall city

So I've been stuck at 252 for the last two weeks. Stalls suck. I have my three month post op this month (on the 19th, although it has been 90 days post surgery as of today). I desperately want to be in the mid 240s for this visit. It's a mental goal of mine based on where I feel I should be at 3 months out. I'm gonna try to low carb and cut back on weights this week (fast and light as opposed to slow and heavy), to see if that kickstarts my weight loss again. I'm going to continue swimming and taking my body works plus abs class. I love both of those things so much. LOL. I probably should better track my carbs. But I work out a lot ( almost two hours on cardio/weights days) and I know you need carbs for fuel when you are working out. Since the surgery, I do not seem to have the sensitivity to carbs that I had before my sleeve (considering that I was diabetic). But still, my guidelines pre-sleeve were to not go over 50g of carbs at a meal and 30g at a snack. That always worked for me to keep my blood sugars even. Those are the same guidelines I adhere to now. I know other sleevers are much stricter on carbs, so we will see if tweaking them does me any good.   Stall busting is complex business. I know I am not cheating my sleeve and overeating. I know my sleeve has not grown because I can still only eat tiny amounts of dense protein. Calorie wise I am good. So the trick is to rejigger something somewhere to kick it back into gear.   In other news, the second bathing suit I bought works divinely. It is a Land's end surplice front tugless tank. Looks better on that it looks hanging up. But my girls don't fall out. My old suit was a surplice front one as well, but it was a size 26. this one is a 20. I apparently have to buy my swimsuits for my boobs (smaller) and not my hips (bigger). If I buy for my hips, the girls will make an appearance. And it was on clearance. The suit is a bit tight in the hips, but not to the point where circulation is being cut off. Ha! The things I do for fitness. I spend a lot of money on fitness gear. But I always have. in the early 00s I used to work out at home and had all this stuff - weights, steps, mats. Now I work out at a gym and I still have all this workout related stuff.
Forsythia

Forsythia

0
joego2014's Blog
 

Frustrated with whole system

It's been a frustrating couple of months and it keeps getting better. In January I was able to get insurance through work. Kaiser is my Insurance. I asked my PCP about weight loss and he referred me to the options program through Kaiser. Its their weight loss class you have to attend before being approved for weight loss surgery. As I had previously had a lap band in place I was told that Kaiser no longer wants to deal with these as they have been found to be basically worthless and problems with slipping and erosion they are just not worth the problem. I was interested in getting it removed as in the 6 years Ihave had it I only lost 50 lbs initially and since then I have just stayed the same. Plus I was having complications of vomiting and unable to eat certain foods. As I received a call from Kaiser to see a surgeon on the following week I went to see him and was scheduled to have it removed. I asked him about the sleeve and said he needed to remove the band first then we would discuss the possibility of getting the sleeve after finishing the options program. 2 weeks later I went for out pt surgery and had the lap band removed. On my follow up visit 2 weeks later the surgeon told me he would be happy to see me in a year to discuss getting sleeved. 1 year I have to wait, Is he kidding me?. Depressed I continued to go to the options program and complied with their requirements of having labs drawn, being tested for H. pylori, going to 3 hour classes everyother friday evening after a long days work just to be told to wait a year. I talked to the program director as to having to wait a year to discuss with surgeon ossibility of having surgery but she said to complete the program as it was good for a year and she would schedule me for another consult with another surgeon. I researched on linne about timeline from lap band removal to having sleeve done and some said could be done immediately other said wait 2 to 3 months. I went to see the other surgeon and was asked why did I go see him. I explained my situation and was basically told the same thing. I would have to wait at least 6 months to a year as I run the risk of leaking from the stomach as the tissue has been damaged by the lap band. Has anybody heard of thishappening? Now I am not sure what I want to do. I know I can't stay this way and need to lose this weight but the possibility of a leak and complications really scared me. I wish the first doctor would have told me the risk and possile complications associated with the lap band removal. Now my hopes of being healthier and fit by this time next year is out the door and feel depressed at being overweight for another year. Sorry all just venting at this situation.
joego2014

joego2014

2

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