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chivsg's Blog
 

Just Shy of 3 Weeks Out

I'm 2 weeks and 4 days out. I didn't lose very much weight on the pre-op diet. I think perhaps only a pound or 2. I don't know why, it was pretty frustrating and I found myself freaking out that this wouldn't work, etc. However, at the one week postop visit I had lost 12lbs total since the preop 2 weeks prior, and I think it's even more now. I'm not really weighing myself because of the difference of scales, etc, and I really don't want to be obsessed. So, my clothes still fit, but they do fit better. And I am comfortably in the smaller of the 2 sized scrubs I went between at work, which was awesome to realize. A few people have noticed but I don't look dramatically different.   My only complaint is a pretty decent pain near the incision they "did the most work through." It is kind of like a burning knife pain, and it's not all the time, but certainly with some bending, rolling over, etc. I'm having trouble sleeping on my side or stomach, which is awful and killing my sleep.   Food & Exercise: I have been walking mostly every day between 2-3 miles, sometimes a little more. I was off work for the first 2 weeks which made it way easier. Currently I am anxiously awaiting Tuesday, when I get to move to the soft foods portion of the diet. I, who gagged thinking of pureed foods, have thrown 2 oz chicken breast in the magic bullet and added to soup. Having trouble getting in all the fluids/protein I'm supposed to. I was doing better when I was drinking the Isopure Green/Black teas, then I read them carefully and realized that I was not allowed! They have caffiene! The other flavors are okay, but so sweet. I add water to them and then it takes forever to drink.   Overall, no regrets. I had worked on losing weight since January 2012 and never did it, despite a good effort. Once this pain is gone, I will be a happy camper, protein shakes and all.
chivsg

chivsg

1
Appearence - Inner Beauty
 

Who is that?

Today is the day the purge begins............   I'm am sending my 22/20/18 to the Salvation Army. They have served me well and I pray that they can continue to do the same for someone else.   It has been amazing to be able to purchase clothes in sizes 16 or 14, depends on the cut, style and fabric of course. I find that I love trying on the clothes at the stores not necessarily buying them lol $$$$.   Another cool thing I love is that it's not just clothes its the under garments as well. I have purged my size 10 undies to buy new size 8, my 40D bra to a 36-38D (styles vary).   The maintenance part of this journey is now finding the track to keep proteins first and staying hydrated. Just as before I feel I'm getting comfortable and I should not. I need to keep this process fresh and enjoyable so I have the success of health and happiness. So I'm back in the gym and loving it. I even purchased a kettle bell for home; as winter approaches I plan to be ready lol   I'm happy with my decision of the sleeve and hope those reading are happy as well with their WLS decision. I continue to do research so I understand the changes the body will undergo, again continued maintenance. I encourage you to do the same.   I now find every few weeks I stand in front of my mirror nude and take it all in. It's amazing! This transformation rocks!   Best of all I love saying to myself, "who is that?"   Continued and joyous success on your journey.   Karen  
kw2walker

kw2walker

1
Crystal VSG Journey!!
 

8 Weeks Post Op

On Sunday 9/22 I will be celebrating my 2 month Surgeriversery!!! I weighed in today at 252 which is 31 pounds lost since Surgery. Also a ton of inches!!! I have been extremely happy with my sleeve. I have had one episode of dumping since surgery and that was a day i was bad and got over 65 grams of carbs. My sleeve hated me that day. I am still on the meat, cheese and eggs and next week I can start adding 1/2 cup of veggies to one meal a day. I am a little scared to see how my sleeve will handle it but I am hoping for the best. I am so excited to have asparagus , cauliflower and brocolli!!! I know we aren't likely to have a dumping issue but I am positive that it was one, I was shaky, sweaty and weak. It passed with in a 1/2 hour. I hadn't had that many carbs in one day since months before surgery. Believe me I will not be having anything that isn't on my doctors approved list anymore. I was glad to have had something like that happen because it has put me back on my path. We all have times we mess up and it is what we learn from it that matters. I started Zumba on Friday nights and love it!!! My new love! I have been walking mainly since surgery so it is so nice to switch it up a little. I haven't gone shopping yet for anything but I do know I need smaller underwear!! LOL I just don't want to go out and shop and then have to shop again a month later so i have been wearing baggy clothes. I did find some old clothes of mine that now fit me that I will be wearing for a while.
Cmt7831

Cmt7831

0
Journey Journal! :)
 

Day 3: Pre-Op Diet and More Art! :)

At the moment, I'm pretty happy that I followed my doctor guided diet really well. I miss food, but I'm kind of use to the food restrictions already, which is amazing! I'm not struggling near as much as I thought I would, and now, by day three, I really enjoy the protein shakes. The only hard thing is smelling the food all my family is eating, that kinda gets me down a bit, you know? Today I found out that I can have sugar free jello and sugar free popsicles though, so that will be amazing! I'm so excited!! I've finally transitioned into making his a positive experience as much as possible, and finding this website has proved very helpful, I just hope I can find some talkative friends, you know?   Well, not everything is about the LAP-Band for me, I can't just focus on that, I need to focus on more social aspects of this journey, like the opportunity to network and meet people who are more than just mentors, but also friends. That's what I'm looking for most in this experience, especially with this website!   I'm going to use this as a chance to enjoy my LAP-Band by finding people who I never would've found without it. That way the darker parts don't see so dark, you know?   Currently, I'm listening to some uplifiting Beatles' music, because everyone loves and relates to the Beatles! I'm also counting down the days until the first "Gleetlemania" episode! My dad made me a Beatles' fan at a very young age, and I've carried that throughout my life and I just love watching the Beatles be reinvented by other artists and being interpreted in new ways! I might watch "Across the Universe" in preparation too! <3   I'm reflecting on the Beatles piece I did for my dad a couple of years ago. He's been my biggest support throughout the LAP-Band process and I'm really glad that we share things like music and entertainment together. This took me 18 months, but it was totally worth it. It's a mixed media piece.  
Allieg8tor

Allieg8tor

3
smjuroska's Blog
 

2 months already!

Well I am just shy of 2 months! I have made it to my first mini goal! Yay! So excited! I am and proud that I actually made it! I still am struggling to get in exercise! I know I need to but time is not my friend right now. I literally am so busy right now with everything else. My husband is going through some sort of something right now and I am picking up his slack. ALL the house chores and cooking is falling on me. Not to mention soccer pratice, homework, and giving the kids baths ect. You parents know the deal. It's like I am a single parent right now! He is not happy about his weight and I think seeing me losing and becoming more postive and happy has him in the dumps. He isn't being ugly to me or making me feel guilty but he seems a little checked out. I have mentioned to him about the slacking off but I am trying to let him work through this funk. I am however feeling a little stretched and I am going to snap soon! He is complaining about his weight all the time. It's like he is becoming me before surgery! Hopefully I can inspire him to change his lifestyle and this is just a phase before he snaps out of it and starts to. Well enough of that! It is just something I never thought would happen when I started this. I didn't think it would affect him this way. Well back to me! lol So my next mini goal is 199! That's right ONEDERLAND! Oh to see those numbers on my scale! What a happy day! So hopefully in the next couple of months I am going to make that happen! I want to make it there or under by Christmas! It is my Christmas present to myself! So my stats so far are... Pre-Op -7lbs Size 20 pant 1-2x tops 1 Month -26lbs Size 18/16 XL 2 Month -12lbs Size 16/14 regular L no PLUS SIZE! And 45 lbs lighter! Can't wait to see what next month loss will be! Happy Friday Y'all!
smjuroska

smjuroska

7
My Journey
 

Anemia

So yesterday I had an appointment with my surgeon to get my result of all the preliminary test for surgery. Everything was normal except for my blood count due to low iron levels. My medical doctor had already told me this so I had been on iron supplements for about a month and also vitamin D. He recommended that I had blood work done again to see if those iron supplements had raise my iron counts. He said he's concerned because after surgery its going to lower even more and that might be a problem.   I have to back for the results of the blood work next Thursday and see where we go from there. I have to work on the getting those iron count up but my whole life I had anemia. I went to my medical doctor and asked for a hematologist referral and I will see him on Tuesday. Let see what can be done.
HipsAndLipstick

HipsAndLipstick

2
judysbabies' Blog
 

Frustrated and a little embarrassed

Ok....so it has been weeks since I posted. I am now 3 months and a few days out. I have lost a total of 40 pounds....that includes pre-op weight loss as well. I feel like I should have lost more. Most everyone I talk to, looses more in the first three months than I have.   I do not weigh everyday. I am exercising. I am eating my protein and drinking my water. My carbs are very few. I use a big piece of lettuce instead of bread for sandwiches of any kind. No sweets. I do eat peanuts (less than 1 ounce) for a crunchy snack 2 - 3 times a week. My caloric intake is under 1000 per day.   Make no mistake about it, I love that I have lost what I have. I have some new hand me down clothes that fit. I feel good. A few people have noticed that I am losing. I just expected that I would have dropped at least 15 more pounds by now.   That is all the whining I will do today.   Enjoy today!   Still looking like Shamu
judysbabies

judysbabies

7
dylanmiles23's Blog
 

WHY??????????

Why, do you get WLS, any type, and then not listen to your doctor or dietitian? Why?   When I was given the pre-op diet, I followed it to the 't' because I was afraid.   When it came to the post-op diet, I followed it to the 't', also.   When I get a fill, I am on 3 days of liquids, 3 days of mushy and then back to my regular foods. I listen to the doctor and his staff. They have been dealing with WLS for many many years.   So WHY, get the surgery and just follow your own rules??????   Think before putting the chip, the french fry, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts in your hand, let alone your mouth. If you have to have one of these, at least wait until your surgery has healed and you can eat regular foods.   People who have had the band for a while, I have had mine for almost 14 months, maybe some of us know what we are talking about. I listen to the masters, they have been here longer than me. I try to help and if I don't have an answer, I will say it.   So when you are getting wheeled into the operating room, just remember WHY, you are there. To get healthy and live longer.   Have a great night.   Arlene   ps Saturday night I have a wedding and yes I will eat but not over eat and I do not drink when I eat and never alcohol.
dylanmiles23

dylanmiles23

4
mary71's Blog
 

Wow, Stricture...

I had my surgery on August 14, and thought it would go smoothly. (for the most part). Then I started having issues where I couldn't get food down and I couldn't drink anything. Once the dehydration started, I finally called the doctor and made an appointment. Doctor. Taylor tells me that I have stricture and that he needs to go in and widen my esophagus. I had no idea. My advice to any and all, if you don't feel right, call the doctor. Dont wait as long as I did. Back to the hospital tomorrow and clear liquids. Yum..<---- sarcasm...
mary71

mary71

3
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Stealth Workouts - Oh No He Did'nt or Sneaky Ways To Trick Yourself Into Exercising

I don't like exercise. I don't get that post workout rush so many people talk about. "Oh, I have so much energy after a workout." I call B.S. I think this is a buch of hype created by marketers, much like women who've had children encouraging other women to have kids by saying, "Oh, childbirth is painful, but it's the kind of pain you forget." Yeah, right! They just want you to suffer like they did. :-P   So post-op, I had to figure out how to get in some exercise without thinking I was really exercising. Here are the ways I've been able to sneak in more exercise without really exercising:   Parking far away from the entrance at the mall or superstores. If you've ever been to a mall or Super-Wal-Mart, you know what I'm talking about.   Wearing a backpack to work. I started using an old backpack as my lunch box after my old lunch box became overflowing with vitamins, protein powders and shaker bottles. It was an old one I had bought a few years ago when I went to college. It still had the school supplies (pens, pencils, calculator, screwdrives, and floppy disks (yes! we still used 3.5" floppies in 2005!)) and one of my old school books. The book weighs about 5lbs and I just left everythinging in the bag. It probably weighs around 20lbs with all my junk in it. I park at the far end of my office parking lot and wear it into work. It's almost a thousand feet from my car to my office. Do that twice a day and I've gotten in almost an extra quarter mile of walking. That's a sneaky way of burning a few extra calories without really exercising. Now if only I could get Security to let me walk up the stairwell to my office. :-P   Bathroom workouts - squats, wall push-ups. Another sneaky way to slip in a little extra exercise is to workout in the bathroom. Each bathroom break, I do 40 wall push-ups and 15 squats.   It's easy if you have a handicap stall. The one in my office has handrails that are perfect for using my arms to help support my weight when I do toilet seat squats. They're really simple, I stand up and sit down on the toilet, trying to use my legs (and not my arms) as much as possible.   The wall push-ups are really simple as well. I stand as far away from the wall as I can - and still be able to lean forward safely. I lean forward with my hands about shoulder width apart and rest my weight on my hands. Then do a push-up, 1 second down, 1 second to complete the up motion. I started out at 10 push-ups and now 2 months later I can easily do 40, 2 to 4 times a day.   Stairwell workout. My office moved from a single story building to a multi-story office building in January. Now I have access to the stairwell on the 5th floor. I walk down to the 1st floor and time myself going back up to the 5th. A round trip takes approximately 5 minutes. Do that 2 or 3 times a day and you can build some endurance in the legs.   Walking the long way around the building. My office is pretty big and is shaped like a baseball diamond, so no matter which direction I turn when I leave my office, I can make a loop around the building and get back where I started. So I always make a complete loop around my floor whenever I leave my office. Or if I have the time, I make a loop on the 5th floor, walk down to the 4th, make a loop there and walk back up to the 5th. Pretty sneaky, huh?   So these are some ways I have been able to sneak in some extra exercise without it really feeling like I'm exercising. Hopefully, you will take some inspiration from my tricks to find your own ways of working just a little more exercise into your life.   Keep Pimpin' that Sleeve!  
joatsaint

joatsaint

1
Jessica Lynn's Blog
 

1 Day Pre-Op

Yesterday I was having issues with gas but today the gas has gotten better. Since the gas pains have gone I am starting to feel the discomfort of the incisions. I had to sleep sitting up last night because it was to much to lay flat. Bless my mom's heart she is taking great care of me.   Overall the pain isn't bad. I have had ice on my stomach pretty much since I had surgery. My back is hurting today so I have been laying on a heating pad. I can't wait for the pain to go away so I can start moving some more. For now I am catching up on my reading.   The attached picture is from yesterday.
JessicaLynn04

JessicaLynn04

3
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Down Scale Down! or The Fear of Seeing the Scale Move Up Instead of Down

One of the scariest or infuriating things I encounter is when I've made a new low on the scale and then gain back 3 or 5 pounds in the next few days. And then it takes a week to get back where I was. I know it's just my body getting adjusted to my new lifestyle, but it is infuriating to see it happen.   After reading so many success stories about losing 20 plus pounds per month in the 1st 6 months, I WANT IT TOO! Not 10, not 15, I want my 20+ pound loss, just like clockwork - gimme, gimme, gimme! But that isn't the way my body wants to do it. So I'll just have to get used to the way it works.   In fact, the gains are my fault. I allow myself a "cheat" meal on Saturday nights and one more on Sundays when I visit my parents (twice a month). It's not that I eat more food, it's just less healthy.   For example:   Friday morning weight in: 296.8   Saturday night was Golden Corral buffet night. Over the hour I was there, I had about 4oz of meatloaf, 1 fried chicken strip, 1 big cauliflower floret w/cheese, about 2 tablespoons of Shepard's pie and about 1/2 of some kind of pecan gooey thing. I didn't stuff myself, just ate until I was full, waited while my friend hit the buffet again, and I ate a little here and there as my stomach emptied.   The following Sunday happened to be one of the 2 days a month I visit my parents. At lunch we had Churches fried chicken. I had 1 fried breast, 1 single serving of mashed potatoes, and 1 biscuit. This is not the normal fare, usually mom cooks meat and vegetables.   I wasn't able to eat the whole thing in one sitting. I broke it into 2 meals, one at 11am, the 2nd at 2pm.   The rest of my meals for the weekend were my normal fare: turkey hamburger w/cheese and spaghetti sauce or turkey hamburger w/gravy and chopped cauliflower. In a 4oz bowl.   Monday morning weigh in: 302.4 - almost a 6 pound gain!   I can only assume that all the salt and sodium caused quite a bit of water retention. I don't believe I really over did it too much on the calories.   Now it's Thursday - 4 days later - and I'm back down to 298.4 - 4 pounds. Not surprising really, it's happened more than once. That doesn't mean I have to like it!   I think it might be a good thing to switch up foods this way, my body won't get accustomed to a certain calorie count/protein/carb/fat intake. I just won't go overboard on the bad stuff and eat it more than 6 meals a month. Now if only I can get over my fear of seeing the scale move up instead of down!   And I'll watch and see how my body reacts long term. If turns out that it's causing stalls or long term weight gain, I'll have to go back to the basic diet and cut out the bad stuff.   NSV! Now, where's my light saber? I have to punch a new hole in my belt.
joatsaint

joatsaint

3
smorvant22's Blog
 

Headache's

Has anyone experienced headaches after drinking a whey protein shake??? I am scheduled to be sleeved on 9/25 and i have started replacing 2 meals a day with protein shakes. When i first started drinking them it was fine but now after every one i get this lingering headache. Has anyone had this before??
smorvant22

smorvant22

1
Jim1967's Blog
 

5K Walk for Breast Cancer and Band Surgery

This past Week or so has indeed been a busy one. Last Saturday (9/14) Kelli and I along with our friends participated in 5K Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness. Walking a 5K is pretty much a breeze for me...or so I thought. I finished no problem but I did learn along the way that walking a 5K on the public streets is not the same as walking a track or a treadmill. I did end up finishing with a pretty decent time of slightly over an hour. We had a great time and it was for a good cause. We were walking in honor of our friends Mom who had passed roughly 8 months ago.   We called our team Bosom Buddies and on the back we had his Mom's initials.     Almost to the finish line...styling in my pink shirt..   Kelli (knick1016) and I   Finish line!!   Sunday was busy day as well between Laundry, Grocery shopping day to day stuff. Kelli had band surgery Monday. She got the Realize band. She was in surgery for about an hour and everything went great. As with all patients she stayed over night at the hospital and came home on Tuesday afternoon. She is on the mend but is dealing with the usual gas cramps and fighting some nausea today. I am excited for her as her journey is just beginning and she is inspiring me to keep on keeping on....   I am sure she will post in a day or so if she hasn't already. Her screen name is knick1016
Jim1967

Jim1967

6
Dear Diary
 

Another day...

So I found it amusing my blog yesterday was titled "Reflections". I walked out of my building to meet a coworker of mine outside. As I was walking back in the building, I looked up and saw my reflection in the glass doors.. I literally giggled out loud like a giddy school girl. The reflection was...amazing. I was just your normal, average woman walking towards the door. My legs looks so thin...My entire body looked so thin. I know i've lost 100 lbs. I know I'm a new person..but there are days when I just don't see it. I just see me. But yesterday, Oh lord! I SAW IT!! HOLY SKINNY MINNIES BATMAN!! THAT'S ME IN THAT REFLECTION!! not a friend, not some stranger, ME.   I practically started skipping back to my desk. Oh what an amazing NSV moment. Just seeing ME. Who I was meant to be.. WHO I AM!!!   Now if I could just find another job or at least get a damn call back from 1 of the ones i've applied for... grr...but that's ok. God is watching...God has a plan...
PrettyLilButterfly

PrettyLilButterfly

2
Johnny99's Blog
 

Prickly Plateau

Yup. I'm stuck. Not the lap band "I need to toss my cookies" stuck. Weight stuck. I have reached a weight number that I cannot seem to bust through. If you look this phenonenom up in the FatAss World Dictionary, Volume 17, Second Edition, you will find that this is called a plateau.   A plateau for the over active metabolism crowd, is a nice place. The top of a mountain perhaps. Where you can gaze at beautiful vistas and see for miles. A plateau for the overly girthed is quite another matter. It's a tortuous place that plays with your emotions. It's a place that reminds you that your journey ain't easy. In fact, it reminds you that the road in front of you is only going to get harder. Moving off this plateau is metabolism over mind. Sometimes it's just out of your control. It's part of the process. I don't plan on pitching my tent and staying on this plateau. I plan on moving on as fast as possible. So I'll soldier on. Head down, focused on the goal.   Being stuck is about as frustrated as you can get in a weight loss campaign. Here you are doing everything right. Following the same plan that has worked for you for months with good results. Only to get kicked in the nuts with your daily or weekly scale visit. In my case, it's daily. I weigh my self every morning. For the last 10 days or so, my weight has fluctuated back and forth about a pound and a half either way. A couple days ago, I hit the low end and I thought "this is it. I'm gonna break this mark tomorrow." Only when tomorrow came, I bounced back up a pound. ARRGHHH! If my ultra high tech FitBit scale didn't cost so much, I would have flung it out the window. So I kicked it. (Note to self: Kicking your scale hurts and can only do bodily damage. Please refrain from hostile acts of aggression towards said device in the future. Resort to colorful language instead.)     This is also doubly frustrating for me. Why? Because my low weight right now is 200.4 pounds. I have been waiting to get that 1 in front of my weight number. I'm as excited as a kid on Christmas eve to hit that mark. Come to think of it, I'm probably more excited. Hell, a kid only has to wait one year for Christmas. I haven't had a 1 in front of my weight since ... well, I know I still had a record player. I'll have to do some research on this. Suffice to say, it's been a LONG friggin time. So here I sit ... on the door step of a personal milestone. I can only hope that I will break through this barrier by next Monday. If you want to be there for the breaking news. Stand outside my bathroom window around 6:30 a.m. If you don't see a FitBit scale flying through the glass, you know I made it. If not, DUCK!   I will report back from the other side of 2.   Johnny
Johnny99

Johnny99

0
My Journey
 

CARDIOLOGIST UPDATE

Sunday was my appointment to get the stress test done. It went by very good and fast. Yesterday I had to go back to my doctor to receive my results. Everything came out normal. And I'm cleared for surgery. I was somewhat relieve to know that I didn't have any cardiac problems specially after those chest pains.   Today I have to go back to Dr. Koshi to receive my results from all the test I've had done (The abdominal sonogram, the UGI etc.) and also see the nutritionist. If everything is normal I think I'll get a date!!   Wish me luck!!
HipsAndLipstick

HipsAndLipstick

3
Roo101769's Blog
 

Update

My PCP is the culprit of the delayed record share. I received a call back from them yesterday afternoon and the nurse told me they will be sending everything over tomorrow. (Friday) Apparently they have an outside company that comes in a couple times a month that handles these types of requests. She also said only one year of the two required is actually already in a computer file, therefore the earlier records have to be pulled manually. ( And scanned to be sent) To be honest it probably is not a lot of info. I did not have a lot of medical contact in 2012. So my surgeon's office will have everything they need from my PCP tomorrow. I hope the pulmonary evaluation report will be in too. It will be a week since the tests were ran. I may call the pulmonologists' office tomorrow to find out. So if they have all the records and needed clearances by tomorrow I am keeping my fingers ( and toes and eyes) crossed that they will submit them to insurance next week. That will probably be the most nerve wracking time, waiting to see if I am approved. Given I have a BMI in the 50s, (for several years) severe osteoarthritis in my knees, a history of DVTs and PEs and permanent vascular damage in my right leg I SHOULD be approved without problem. But there is a small nagging fear in the back of my mind that says I do not have the "big" co-morbidities of high blood pressure or diabetes. Those are two things that would pretty much guarantee approval with my insurance. I am scared to death that I have set myself on this path, I am determined it is my "salvation" of sorts, and that I could be denied and not get the surgery. That would devastate me to no end. I do not want my health to get worse. I do not want further damage done to my leg to the point I could actually lose it. (worst case scenario of course) I do not want to be the "fat mom" who is unable to be an active part in her child's life. My daughter already has to deal with the fact I am the "old" mom, at least I would like to be the active, highly energetic older mom who is not limited by her body! I have zero doubts that this is the path I need to be on. Yes, I have fear of major surgery. ( You would have to be pretty numb not to) But I have no reservations about what the sleeve means and how it will effect my life. I so hope I end 2013 starting my new life. Nothing else is acceptable now. It is now a waiting game. A very stressful, anxiety ridden, nail biting, difficult wait. My entire future depends on the outcome of the decision made by insurance. Some office flunky will have my life in their hands....
Roo101769

Roo101769

0
MzO's Blog
 

Feeling Good This Morning

Hello Fellow Sleevers!     Feeling good this morning!   Stepped on the scaled and I'm down 3 more pounds! Fist pumps! One thing I don't do is continuously weigh myself. That would drive me crazy because as I have found out, even though it's early, my body likes to retain water if I eat the slightest thing salty. Hence seeing three pounds creep back on me the first week I was on creamed chicken soup. I'm was pissed and annoyed to see that because the purpose of the surgery is to lose, not gain.   Of course after I exploded on my dietitian, she casually said it was because of the cream of chicken soup being salty. I think a clue for 100 Alex would have been better, it should have been discussed in the beginning when we started that stage that some things may or may not make you retain water and also constipate you since you wouldn't being eating a lot of fiber. You can't get all that water down that they ask you to do in the beginning. Realistically it's just not possible, but you work towards trying.   Fast forward to this morning, me jumping on the scale and seeing the 3 pounds lost. I still haven't incorporated daily exercise into my life. I know I have too. I enjoy walking and have done it a couple of times but not with consistency. That's the next phase I have to ease into...   Well, that's my exciting news for today. I am really happy about that! Continued success to all whom are traveling on this journey.   Blessings, MzO    
MzO

MzO

0
Thoughts/Updates/Whatnot
 

Dizzy

I am dizzy. Not physically, but mentally. First, we were worried about being able to get sleeved before January 1st.   Then, my insurance dropped me... long story short? I'll get back on my insurance, and this has become a non-issue. It lasted just long enough to put me in a tail spin and REALLY upset me.   After that was all settled and my insurance was reinstated, the case management person at my surgeon's office called me to express concern that I still may not make it by the end of the year. She suggested that I call my primary care physician to see if I have any notes from a visit in May. My insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet. They don't really care if it's with a dietician or a physician, as long as they're consecutive months.   I have April, June, July, August, and September. There is a giant gaping hole where MAY should be. I called my PCP today and they said there's record of 6 phone calls, and some lab work. I did not, however, have an office call. It's complicated, but the insurance requirements don't specify an office call. Only documented communication.   Fingers crossed, people. If by some miracle those phone call notes and my lab work can suffice as my 'monitored attempt at weight loss' I could be looking at surgery MUCH sooner than we thought.   Granted, I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I'm just tired of being anxious about the end of the year. Finals, surgery, holidays, it would be a lot to handle. Worth it, but crazy.
Mollz

Mollz

1
Think Sleeve...Be Sleeve's Blog
 

Can I do this?

Last night I lost my it cause I am scared. I have moments where I am ready to do it and the next I am having a full panic attack.   The more I think about it comes down to giving up my relationship with food. Food has been my main love my whole life. I eat for comfort, I eat when I am stress, I eat when I am stress...I just love eating. Once that is done I hate myself for eating and for not being able to "control" my eating.   I have not told many people I am considering this surgery because the few people I have told look at me like I am Dr. Frankenstein. I have had several people ask me why I was considering such an extreme measure. I feel like I just walked into work naked! I think I do a good enough job of beating myself up over my weight I don't need anyone's help.   I dream of looking at myself a year from now and being at my goal weight of 115. It is not about the weight it is about being healthy and taking control of my life and health, the weight loss is the added bonus. Why then can't i just jump in and go for it?
Think Sleeve...Be Sleeve

Think Sleeve...Be Sleeve

1
chasingadream's Blog
 

'Twas the Night Before Surgery.....

'Twas the night before surgery and all through the house everything was quiet even this mouse!   Well in 12 hours I will be leaving for the hospital to begin a new chapter in my life. I never thought this was a road I would be taking but here I am nevertheless. It has been an eye opening journey so far.   My pre-op diet turned out to be a total success. For 14 days I followed all the rules and directions of my surgeon and nutritionist. It was a positive experience and actually taught me a lot about myself. I can do what I must even when it puts me in an uncomfortable spot. I've re-learned what TRUE hunger is and I now have a better and more intimate understanding of what head hunger is and feels like. I wonder why I never strayed for these past 2 weeks and then I came to this conclusion. Besides laying on that operating table for the surgery, I have one job...and one job only. Shrink my liver! Well, I figure since they need to move it a bit I could at least make it as lean and non-slippery as possible. I've read many posts lately about how people are falling off the "pre-op wagon" and that its okay because after all if we could stay on a 2week diet we wouldn't need weight loss surgery would we....those posts really got to me. But in the end, I am only responsible for me and my body. I've abused it enough over the past 44 years so i figured I could do it right for 14 days at least. So I am not saying I am any better than the next person, because I surely am not....but perhaps people should think about those goldfish or that cheeseburger....is it really worth it....ummm, for me....NO. And please know, with a 3 and 6 year old I made it thru making lunches (with extra peanut butter on the knife)...lots of snacks (some with just a cookie or two left in the bag)...and meals (nothings better than leftover mac and cheese from my kids' plates). I lived my life and made it work because I HAD TO!   I've learned more about fear and uncertainty...constantly wondering if this was a good decision, the right decision, what may or may not happen before, during and after surgery. Will I love it....will my band be good to me...will i be good to it???....will I have success like so many here. Lots and lots of unanswered questions.   I've learned more about support and friendship. I've met many nice people, on this forum and in person, and am happy to now call several of them friends. It's nice to have a place to go and people who support you. A place like this...a place to come and not be judged....for what you look like or how "large" you are. That's a rare thing in todays cruel society.   I sit here on my couch feeling very calm and at peace and it bothers me a little that I am not more nervous...since that is my nature. Granted, my one and only concern....and its a biggy....is I just want to wake up from this surgery and know that I will see my babies again. I know that I will...I've come this far and all of this has happened for a reason. For me, I'm going to take each new day as it comes....each one is a gift and I am walking forward on this journey with good thoughts and the hopes of positive things to come.   Tomorrow's a new day! A day to celebrate a new and healthier me! I want this...I want it bad. I'm willing to work and following what I must. I'm willing to take responsibility for me and my new little friend that will soon become a part of me!   Sometimes it takes a lot of faith and a lot of work....I'm ready for both!
chasingadream

chasingadream

7
intelirish's Blog
 

Subliminal message

so i just got of the phone with a coworker meeting was for work but as all-things go quickly led to the more personal area.. how are.. your having your surgery tomorrow etc etc. then she shared with me some tips on being successful while on the liquid diet.. she recently had her jaw reconstructed and knows all about having to eat all your meals through a straw.. she was don't be afraid to experiment. the strangest things can taste wonderful in a blender but to always start with only a small portion that way you don't end up wasting food.   But the thing she shared with me that i found to be the most interesting. she told me to ask the anesthesiologist to give you a subliminal message as they put you to sleep. She said that during her first surgery for her jaw 13 mts ago she asked that he tell her she doesn't need to smoke and that she will recover quickly well and with limited pain..Her recovery she said was fast and she has not smoked since that day 13 mts ago   so tomorrow if i'm not too embarrassed or don't forget because i'm freaking out .... i'm going to mine to tell me i will recover well with limited pain and that i will enjoy my new healthier life style....
intelirish

intelirish

1

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