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My New Life
 

I did it - I'm sleeved!

I checked in to the hospital earlier than anticipated Monday, Aug. 26th (they called and said they had a cancellation and could I come in early!).  After a few hours of prep and waiting and more waiting, I was finally wheeled away.  Surgery went quickly, doc said about an hour and NO hiatal hernia to repair after all!  Apparently sometimes the endoscopy will pick something up but then when they actually get in there, there's nothing to sew up.  Recovery was long for me.  I had a hard time waking up from the anesthesia.  I was in a ton of pain and almost collapsed when they got me out of bed the first time to go to the bathroom (no catheter for me) but thank goodness for my husband and a strong nurse that held on tight.  First night was rough - not going to lie.  I wasn't prepared for the pain from the gas they fill your tummy up with.  I have 6 2 inch incisions on my stomach and no bandages!  I came home yesterday the 27th and took my pain pills religiously thru the night to allow me to sleep.  Each hour gets easier and easier pain wise.  I'm up and walking a bit and doing 2 oz. or protein shakes at the top of each hour and as much water as I can get in.  My daughter just shared her chicken noodle soup broth with me and it was HEAVEN.  It feels very strange at first to have anything going down to the stomach pouch but I'm getting used to it.  I weighed 266 going in to surgery and gained a few pounds from the gas, fluids, etc. but my weight is going down quickly.  I can't eat until 9/19 when I go back for my 3 week appointment but I'm prepared with all my shakes and supplements, etc.  I'm so happy to have the actual surgery behind me and be moving on.  And I can't say enough about the staff at Swedish Hospital in Seattle - they are AMAZING! 
smryan

smryan

6
Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

WLS, Dehydration, and Fibromyalgia

Question from a member: "Do you have FM? If so, how has it affected your recovery?"   Answer from Fibro Diva: Yes I have Fibromyalgia. The first week post op my Fibro pain went through the roof. I went from a baseline of pain at about 4 to post op pain of 10. I was taking pain medicine 4-6 times a day. 2 weeks post op pain level went down to 6 and pain meds went to 2 times a day. Now that I am four weeks post op my Fibro pain is back to 5 and I am only take pain meds 1 time every other day.   I did end up in the emergency room, that's why it has taken reply. The reason, I can't stomach the protein shakes and I was taking my anti-nausea meds incorrectly so I got to the point that I could not drink anything and became severely dehydrated. They pumped me full of IV fluids and anti-nausea meds and now I am back to business.   Just like with Fibromyalgia, everyone's experiences will be different. If you have not already spoken to your own FM doctor, do so as soon as possible and ask for liquid forms of all your FM medicines. If your FM is not under control before surgery, it will get even worse afterwards so work on getting and keeping it under control.   Finally, talk to your surgeon and the anesthesiologist pre-op. Emphasize to them that you have Fibromyalgia which may impede your recovery via increased pain. My surgical team at Little Company of May Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL has had lots of experience with people with Fibro so they made sure to address possible triggering issues such as plenty of warm blankets, postioning of IV arm for anesthesia, and frequency of post op pain meds.   I hope this was helpful   Fibro Diva
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

1
journey to the centre of blackfalls
 

100% of people with BMI >30 who lose weight with diet and exercise gain it back and more within 3 years.

The below quote is from here.     Welp. That's depressing. And very accurate for me.   My timeline (that I can remember)   2003 - 200 lbs, graduated high school tried Jenny Craig, Weight Watcher's, Herbal Magic, physician-supervised weight loss 2004 - 230 lbs, freshman "15" 2006 - 200 lbs with diet/exercise concurrent with first serious relationship 2006 - 230 lbs, 3 months after end of first serious relationship 2007 - 250 lbs 2008 - 220 lbs with diet and exercise, then started a grueling intensive 3 year program 2009 - 250 lbs 2011 - 275 lbs, graduated from said program, then couldn't find a job for 4 months, did food and retail therapy 2012 - 235 lbs, with personal trainer costing $4000 with diet/exercise 2013 - 285 lbs, highest weight ever at pre-op for vertical gastric sleeve surgery, found out 2 weeks before surgery I am hypothyroid.   Time to put an end to this horrific yo-yo dieting.   It reinforces in my mind that I'm doing the right thing by having this surgery. No turning back now.
blackfalls

blackfalls

4
Kime-lou's Blog
 

Blah............

It has been a long time since I have written or read much on this site. Work is kicking my butt, working about 9-10 hours a day in the office, then coming home to do house work. It's become a work, work, work atmosphere and it's getting me down.   This past Sunday I spent most of the day sleeping, I was exhausted. It's just Tuesday and I have already put in 22 hours. My body aches, I feel blah, and have zero motivation or desire to do anything more that what is necessary. Exercise just ain't happening and lately neither has healthy eating.   I caught myself today eating like I use to and it scared me. I haven't had time to think lately or put much effort into meals. Breakfast is still the same yogurt, blueberries with a sprinkle of granola. Lunch is anything from cereal to take out. Today a friend went to Moes and got me a burrito bowl. I was busy working at my desk, she put it in front of me and said eat. I said thanks and started working. I was working and eating and caught myself mindlessly eating and shoveling it in. That is a habit I never want to see again. When I finally get home from work, I have no energy left to want to cook, so it easy stuff like bag meals or delivery pizza.   Thankfully, this crazy time tends to only last about a month, before things get back to normal. I can't wait!! My stress level is higher than it's been in a very long time, people at work are ill, the new computer system at work plan out sucks and cause me to work twice as hard to do half the work. Honestly, I want to sit down and cry.   My weight is still holding in the 186-189 range, which I guess I should be thankful that it hasn't gone up considering my horrific eating habits of late. With all the stress it causes me to look at myself like I use to- like a huge fat blob that will never loose weight so why try. I know 60 lbs are gone, but I still feel huge.   I am guessing it's the working myself to the bone, exhaustion, time of the month, ect that are getting me down. I had so hoped that by this time or at least by Christmas this year I would be at my goal of 140, but I am starting to think I will never get there and why try.   Any one with some words of wisdom or some encouragement out there? Totally feeling down and unworthy.
Kime-lou

Kime-lou

6
Weight Loss Institute Blog
 

Diabetes Risk - The Importance of Finding A Good Dietician

By: Anthony Galitsky, M.D.   Many of my weight loss patients in Phoenix are afraid of developing diabetes later in life. According to the American Diabetes Association, 8.3% of the U.S. population has the disease, and the risks go way up for those who are very overweight. Here’s how you can find out whether you are at risk:   · Consider your health and lifestyle. Are you very overweight? Are you sedentary? Do you eat a lot of sugary, unhealthy foods? Do you smoke or have high blood pressure? Has anyone in your family had the disease? These are all major factors that can contribute to your likelihood of developing diabetes.   · Take the American Diabetes Association test. This is a simple, useful tool that can be the first step in helping you determine your risk level. If you have lifestyle or genetic factors that you think might heighten your risk, spend a moment taking this quiz and check out how you can lower your chances.   · Visit a physician who specializes in bariatric surgery. There is no better way to determine your risk level than speaking with a highly qualified specialist. A thorough physical exam by a bariatric expert can give you precise information, and that expert can advise you on getting your health on track.   You Are What You Eat   Even the most dedicated patients need the support of an experienced dietician to achieve and maintain their weight loss. At our Tucson, Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix centers, we understand that bad eating habits are hard to break, even after a bariatric surgery that changes how much you can eat at a time. Here are some reasons it’s a good idea to visit a qualified dietician:   · A diet plan: From the first day you decide to have a life-changing surgery, you can set up a nutritional plan that can help you bring your goals to fruition. A dietician will chart the course for you, taking your schedule and budget into consideration and giving you meal plans that work for your lifestyle. A solid plan can make the road to dramatic weight loss much smoother.   · Tips and tricks: Experienced dieticians have seen all the bad habits before and can give you simple tips for beating them. If after your surgery, you find yourself having trouble avoiding snacks at work or soda when you go out to eat, you can ask your dietician for advice. Getting tired of salads? These experts can also be a great source for healthy recipes that mix up your routine.   · Long-term support: A bariatric surgery is not a quick fix for weight problems; it’s a long-term commitment to changing your lifestyle. In the years that follow your surgery, you may encounter stumbling blocks, and having a dietician on call can help you overcome them. Establish a relationship with a specialist who can be there for you through your entire journey.   Tips for Curbing Your Soda Cravings   When giving diet advice to my weight loss patients at risk of diabetes, one of my top tips is to avoid soda and other sugary drinks. Recent studies show that these beverages are a huge contributor to health problems such as diabetes. We all know how difficult it can be to resist a cold soda on a warm day, but here are some strategies for fighting the urge:   · Enjoy the alternatives. More and more these days, there are so many good drink options out there. You don’t always have to settle for water. Your local grocery store probably has more healthy alternatives than you ever imagined — have fun exploring them! Research at the Imperial College of London recently showed that just 1 soda a day can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes by 18 percent. If you can find a substitute for that 1 soda, you’re doing a great service for your health.   · Be prepared for trigger situations. Does your workplace have a soda machine? Does your family always order a 2-liter bottle with pizza? Prepare for these common pitfalls ahead of time. Keep beverage alternatives at your desk, and order water or another healthy option when you go out to eat. Also, talk to your family about their support if you have trouble refraining from soda while they all partake. You can all find another option together.   · Carry a water bottle and sugar-free mints. Many people find that carrying a water bottle can help them break a bad soda habit with a new good habit. Drinking lots of water has numerous health benefits, and the better hydrated you are, they less likely you’ll be to reach for a soda. If you do get a craving, pop a mint instead.
WLI_Arizona

WLI_Arizona

0
Jim1967's Blog
 

Exercise needs to become a daily task

Every now and then I get a PM asking me how I have lost so much weight so fast and what do I do for exercise. Let me tell you honestly I have lost a significant amount of weight just by simply doing things that I couldn't do for a very long time. Things that most people do daily.   When I was 488lbs I could hardly stay on my feet for 10 minutes at a time without sever muscle cramps in the back of my legs. I couldn't even walk the grocery store with my Wife. I used to sit in the car and wait for her to do it and then I would get out and help her load the car. We would get home and carry the groceries into the house and I would have to sit and catch my breath, rest my legs before helping her put stuff away. It was no way for a 45 year old man to live.   So to say I lost a lot of weight with no exercise is not completely accurate but the exercise I was getting is stuff that some folks may take for granted and I never will again. At my heaviest everything but sitting and lying down was a task. I was a home body as much as possible and even going out to a movie was a task. I even reached a sad point where taking a shower was a real chore but I did it every day because not taking one is just unacceptable not mention gross.   So as my journey has progressed so has my physical activity but yet I am still having a problem getting in actual exercise and sometimes just a simple walk is hard to get in. Last week I committed to 10 hours of cardio and came up way short not even reaching half. This week same thing I committed to 10 hours of cardio and I didn't get the walk in yesterday. Today I am going and this time no excuses.   Exercise needs to become a daily task just like taking a shower is a daily task....   So far my weight loss has not really started to slow down but I am starting to see the signs that it might. I figure as I am inching closer to goal it will only get more difficult/slow. My initial goal that I was shooting for was to weigh 220lbs. That would still put me into the obese BMI but I can accept 220. I am on track to hitting my goal of 250 for Christmas which I set last Christmas.   Starting to wonder if 199 is possible. Excess skin is really becoming noticeable but there is not much I can do about that. Insurance is not going to cover plastic surgery. So you choose to live with the excess skin or be fat. I'll take the loose skin just as long as I don't start having problems.   Anyway if you read this far then thank you. I hope your day is going well and that your scale is being friendly to you!
Jim1967

Jim1967

7
My life, My new jourey, My new begining,MY SLEEVE!
 

first blog, HELP ! lol lets talk

Hey everyone I am new I just created my account. I am 23 years old 5'8 293lbs. at my highest weight I was 315.6lbs and since then I can not get lower than 290lbs its so frustrating .. I feel like if I just look at food I put weight on. I have met a surgeon about 2 years ago, but sadly my insurance didn't cover the VGS and I was WAY TO SCARED to consider anything else. Finally my insurance covers the VGS I have been thinking about it again for a while, but never said anything and a friend contacted me via Facebook telling me that she was sleeved and telling me how happy she is. Come to find out we have the same insurance. I went to my primary yesterday and he gave me the green light to begin the process. I am meeting with his head nurse on Thursday to speak further about the procedure and starting paper work. I have so many mixed emotions, most of all I am excited ! Ideally I would like to have the procedure done March of 2014, that would give me six months to prepare myself. I look forward to getting to know you guys and hearing your amazing stories and soon being able to share mine !
Niko Anthony

Niko Anthony

2
LovetheNewMe's Blog
 

Maintenance

Wow! Has it really been that long since I blogged, March 2013! Yes it has been a while.   For those of you who do not know me, my name is "Love" and yes I still love my lap band 3 years post op. I am at goal weight and a normal BMI and have successfully maintained that weight for 1 year now.   The questions i still get asked are: 1. How much is in you band? ( I have no idea, I have not had a fill since January 2012) 2. How much can you eat? I eat about a cup to a cup to a half of food, Most meals consist of protein and veggies. I am one of those low carb eaters by choice because i still have issues with carbs. One I love them, two they get stuck, and three I lost weight better by eating on the low side. 3. What can you eat? Anything, yes I can eat most foods. The issues for me are, if I chose to eat a slice of pizza it will fill me up much quicker and I will be hunger much sooner. I do eat pizza and small burgers or sandwiches occasionally but it has to be the perfect storm. My band has to be cooperative and I have to be relaxed and take my time. Not the type of foods I eat out in a restaurant. When I eat out I usually eat off the appetizer menu or share with my hubby or friends. I am a cheap date! 4. If you had to do it all over again would you do the surgery again? That would be a big YES, lap band has given me back control over my life and my health. It is true you are what you eat, I eat healthy now and I feel great. 5. Don't you think you are too thin? NO, I am a normal BMI. You are suppose to see my collar bone and I am suppose to be able to feel and see my hip bones. Geez world it is really healthy to be thin. 6. Do you drink protein shakes or eat protein bars? Yes, I still supplement with protein bars and shakes. I do not drink or eat them daily but I always keep a good supply of them around. It took me lots pf trial and error to find protein supplements I like and that taste has changed over the past 3 years. I found the most difficulty finding a protein shake I could stomach the smell and taste of. I personally hated and still do the premixed drinks, too sweet for my taste. I ordered off a bariatric web site in the early days and used a lot of unflavored protein powders. Today, I like Pure Protein, Frosty Chocolate and Vanilla. They are my base and I add flavorings, fruit, peanut butter and ice. I never use milk to mix with unless I am supplementing them as a meal and need the calories. How did I learn to like the powders, it was necessary, I needed to eat between 90-100 gms of protein a day when I was weight training and this was the only way I could get in the necessary protein to build muscle and loss weight. You see I had plateaued for a very long time and still had 30-40 lbs to lose to reach goal. If you eat too little you will not lose weight and your body will stop losing. 7. How long did it take you to lose your weight and how much did you lose? It took me 2 years to reach goal and I lost 132 lbs. I like many of you thought I would have my weight off in a year, boy was I shocked and disappointed when that did not happen. I stalled really bad and stayed the same weight for about 6-7 months right before my 1 year date. 8. Do you exercise? Yes, exercise is key to losing and maintaining weight. These days I am not as aggressive and obsessive as i was when trying to melt off that 132 lbs but I still exercise.You have to really work to find out how your body burns calories and how many you need to maintain. Figuring all this out took me months to figure out. I used a fit bit, my fitness pal and a trainer to help me learn to use my body as a fat burning machine. Fat and muscle weigh the same, a pound is a pound and a pound of muscle does not weigh more than a pound of fat. Use this as your vision, a pound of jello is your fat and a pound of chicken is your muscle. The mass of the jello is greater than the chicken but still weighs the same. That is why when you are exercising and toning you look smaller and the scales my stall. I know silly but so true. Also when you are exercising to build muscle and tone you need to be in your target heart rate to maximize your burn of calories. Losing weight is really a delicate balance of everything and is so much more than just cutting back the calories. 9. Since it took you 2 years to lose the weight why could you not lose it on your own? Well I guess the answer to that is yes, I could have lost the weight on my own without my band but I never, never could have maintained it for a year without my band. I view my band as my safety net, my inner voice, my conscious so to speak. It keeps me focused and honest with my self. I was a closet eater, if no one saw me eat it, it did not count. Sound familiar to anyone? 10. Do you have a lot of excess skin? No, I am fortunate and do not have a lot of excess skin. Do I have a nice tight, firm body. No, I have the body of a 58 year old women who lost 132 lbs and I am very happy with how I look in and out of my cloths. And believe me it has taken me a while to get comfortable with those words. Would I like to have some nips and tucks, yes it would be nice but my WLS does not recommend, At my last visit in June we discussed cosmetic surgery and he informed me that the benefits did not out way the risks for me. My surgery would be completely cosmetic, I have no skin break down or health issues from excess skin. So I am happy with me and my Victoria Secret Boobs! lol 11. Do you consider you are on a diet and do you get tired of watching what you eat? No, I have adopted a healthy life style. Have you ever noticed what skinny people eat, they do enjoy desserts and they do enjoy high calorie foods but they enjoy them in moderation. Moderation and balance is the key to maintaining your weight, learning that your body uses food for fuel and if your intake is lower than your needed use you will gain. So keep moving if you feel the urge to eat. 12; Do you drink while eating? Sometimes but only sips. Fluids fill me up and if I drink while eating I get stuck and PB or slime and neither is pleasant. I do not drink high carbonated beverages, I do have a soda stream and I do drink low carbonated beverages that I make using half a pump of gas I drink these only occasionally when I want to treat myself. 13. Do you drink alcoholic beverages? Yes I do drink Alcohol. I have had several bad experiences with alcohol during this journey and had to learn the hard way that alcohol and weight loss do not mix for me. I always loved martinis but have had to learn that one is not enough and two is too many. So I drink my wine and have an occasional martini on special occasions and savior the entire glass. Remember alcohol is empty calories and has absolutely no nutritious value at all and no a fruity drink is not a substitute for one of your fruits. I do not drink beer, I have tried and for me it is too fizzy and makes my stomach hurt and causes a lot of bloating. 14. Final question, what do you do if you get hungry between meals? Silly question, but here it is. I eat! I try hard not to eat in between meals and to not give into boredom eating or head hungry. I believe in planned snacks. Boredom eating is one of issues that we all have and feel and the sooner you learn to accept and deal with them the better off you will be. We all need to Analyze why we eat and when we eat. i eat when bored and like to snack late at night. So I plan snacks and makes sure they are low in calories or if high in calories they are packed with protein. I do not keep sugary treats around, I keep dark chocolate, protein bars, nuts, peanut butter and bananas, apples and pop corn for snacks. I have to seriously watch the nuts and popcorn and not have them to readily accessible.     So this is my life on maintenance, is weight loss easy, NO! Is is worth the effort, YES! Do I love my Band, YES! Would I do it again, YES!   Everyone's experience with lap band is different, there are basic rules yes but the key for me was finding out how lap band was going to help me. I honestly do not think about my band these days, it is part of me and how I eat. Small plates and small portions are just how I eat these days. Funny, most of my family now eats off a salad plate these days, I have quilted them into my feelings on why America is fat. Portions... Portion Control and learning to put the fork DOWN and give it 20 minutes before you go back for seconds.   I wish all my lap band friends and family success and never compare yourself to others or allow others to make you feel bad about your journey.   Me than:   Me today:
♥LovetheNewMe♥

♥LovetheNewMe♥

10
CarryOn7's Blog
 

Day 1 Pre-Op Diet

I am surprised at how well the first day of the diet went, The hardest part was Dinner when you could eat 3oz of protein. That made me hungry. But I prevailed. It didn't hurt that I registered 1 of my kids for High school & spent 5hrs over there trying to sort out a messed up schedule. I put 2 bottle of water in my bag & drank them slowly. I've had a bit of a headache but I think that is part of detoxing from Sugar & Caffeine. I did pretty good with water. Better than I thought. I just need to try to add 2 more bottles.The whole "dry meal" thing is rough on the water intake. I got 59 grams of Protein so I will take it. I need more but that's a good start. I am thinking why my Dr put his patients on a 2 week diet is to work the bugs out the best you can before hand. rather than after. its a lot of managing your time, & being accountable, I guess this is where all the other diets I have been on come into play. A learning experience. I think the second thoughts are all part of the process too. I have noticed I second guess when I want something not on my diet. I just do my best to remind myself, I have tried numerous things & crashed & burned. now it's time to succeed. move forward & just flat out do the best I can do. some days will be hard some I won't think twice about. this is just a fact of life. That's where this site comes into play. A place to vent with others that can relate. Good Luck to everyone no matter where you are on your Journey!
CarryOn7

CarryOn7

3
dylanmiles23's Blog
 

plus size clothes

Good evening, On Yahoo I was just reading an article that said Tim Gunn thinks it is awful the way designers treat plus size women. Finally someone on our side. He said if he was on the 8th floor at Saks in NY he would jump through the window because the clothes are that bad. I am not in plus size any more but I totally understand what he is talking about. When I wore plus size I wore a lot of Ralph Lauren. The jeans fit the best and lasted forever. Maybe now the designers will listen because Tim has a lot clout!!
dylanmiles23

dylanmiles23

0
BillieG's Blog
 

How much can you eat??

Hello Everyone! I was curious as to how much everyone can eat after the band. I was just wondering if I go out to eat with family and friends, what will it be like? I picture myself eating small portions, obviously, but just wondered if this was uncomfortable for anyone? ~~ To be banded sometime after Christmas
BillieG

BillieG

4
3-Sibe-Mom's Blog
 

Unexpected Visit to the Surgeon

I woke up this morning with a positive out look. I did great until I again was in tears from the barfy feeling that would not go away. It was at the point where just opening my eyes made me heave. I called and I was told this is classified as an emergency an to come in now. I explained to the doctor when I arrived that I am a very violent vomitter and I know that causes serious problems so I have been fighting it for 4 days now and just can not take it any longer. Well I survived my first adjustment. I had to have fluid removed. OMG the relief I felt it was pretty much instant the pukey feeling gone! Apparently my band became to full. I am still very puzzled how this could happen. I felt fine up till 4 days ago and then all of a sudden whamo.   He told me to tolerate the protein drinks. He also believed that now they would be easier to drink now that the nausea was gone. Well that is a no go. For what ever reason I still can't stomach them.   He also adjusted my diet and told me all liquids again. After reviewing the paperwork he gave me again. I was on the right diet. I dunno. Here I go again. I just hope this hungry thing goes away as it makes me weak and supper tired.   Also I was worried about the adjustment because I read up on how it's done. People say that it is pretty painful. Piece of cake, the only thing I felt was the numbing shot (2). Mmmm c..a..k..e. Sorry all, I mentioned cake.
3-Sibe-Mom

3-Sibe-Mom

0
Cajunlady12's Blog
 

New Surgery Date

I have managed to move up my surgery date. My original date was Oct 7. My new date is Sept 24. I am so excited about the fact that I will be sleeved sooner that I expected. I talked to the nurse at the office and asked if I had to go on a liquid diet two weeks ahead of time and was told no. I only have to do liquids the day before surgery. I go see the surgeon on Sept 10 to sign the consents and get the surgery pre-op labs as well as the surgery explained. I am happy to move the surgery date.
Cajunlady12

Cajunlady12

0
TBone55's Blog
 

Eating Veggies

I no everyone is different. I did learn from this sight I was able to eat shrimp, w/o a problem, I hadn't even tried..   NOW I have a question.. Has anyone tried CORN? w/or w/o problems? I am on my third surgeon now and my visit isn't until October..   So I am kinda on my own.   Banded 3/22/13 Any input I would appreciate..    
TBone55

TBone55

4
M Squared Blog
 

Did I just cry at work?

No matter how old I am, I always try to pull it together and look professional at work. Most of the time I succeed. Today I failed. Usually I am the youngest person in the office (really isn’t saying much now that I am in my mid-thirties) which in itself lowers my credibility. The over achiever in me also plays into this.   Stress can come at you full force, or in little pieces building up. Effective stress relief is a requirement in life. I am in serious need of finding a new tool. When I was in college, I would hit tennis balls as hard as I could against the backboard. After I hurt my knee, I would go shopping. Then I would have buyers remorse and return stuff. After shopping it was baking and eating it. No chocolate for me today = tears.   I saw this coming a few weeks ago when my eyelid twitch returned. The last time I had a twitch I was in college and the doctor’s resolution was to be less stressed. Ha good one! Furloughs…Potential RIF…spouses inconsistent pay…rental house…weight loss…pending surgery…knee pain…work project…3 hours in the ER…then a phone call that resulted in tears. The phone call in itself should not have resulted in me crying, but alas I had reached my breaking point. It is really unfortunate that I work in a cubicle and someone can walk up at anytime, like my boss.   Everyday is a new day. Just have to hope tomorrow is a better one. Also need to find a contractor to remove the brick wall from my cubicle.   Next up on the to do list: Research stress relief techniques. Need to be prepared next time. Have any suggestions? (Other than food, shopping, or alcohol.)
Roo101769's Blog
 

Momentive....is ....slowing....down

My momentive is slowing down. Does that mean I throw in the towel and forget it? Nope. But I will admit I am having a little problem staying on track. I have lost 13lbs on my self imposed pre surgery diet. I am already practicing for life after surgery. It has been pretty easy for the most part, but I have had a little bit of backsliding. I am not talking chocolate cake and pizza kind of backsliding. But I have overindulged in some of my "healthy" choices. Too much cheese, too many protein bars. Today I had an errand to run at lunch. I had already come into work late, so I needed to grab something quick. Taco Bell ( not normally a choice for ANYTHING healthy) had the protein bowls/ burritos this summer. The chicken bowl is pretty low calorie and good protein. I would even allow myself a "cheat" of guacamole & chips with it. Well I get into the drive thru ( this one is designed that once you enter you cannot exit) and low and behold the protein items are gone! Ugh!!! I went with the cantina bell menu as a back up option and got the chicken bowl. But I really wanted the guacamole and chips, so I got the combo. MISTAKE. First off they screwed up the order and I ended up with a side of guac and a side of salsa- plus TWO bags of chips. Then my bowl just was NOT what I wanted. I realized the Cantina bowl is very similar to the protein bowl, just bigger and loaded with white rice. I should have never ate the chips, but I ended up eating most of them with the guacamole. Then I started to eat the bowl. After about a third of it I realized I was full. A guess a small victory in the fact I stopped eating it. In the past I would have ate every bite because I paid for it! But today it was just not what I wanted and I was able to easily stop eating when I was full. ( side note- I realized after the fact I had ate more than "just full" as I sit here with a rock in my stomach) I debated whether to keep the rest and eat later but decided to just pitch it. Why eat something that was not what I had intended in the first place? So now my quick food options (pre op) are even further limited. My other issue is with eating fast/drinking with meals. I know both of these things will have to be changed once I have surgery. I really, really need to practice both now to get into the groove. Yet I keep putting it off. I can eat sometimes w/o drinking. But not all meals. And I still eat way too fast and too large of bites. I need to get used to chewing my food to oblivion and pausing between bites. Otherwise I will have a very rude awakening if I forget to do this post op! I guess my biggest problem right now is time. Having to wait to get to the next step in my journey. Knowing that I will worry until I hear my insurance has approved me for surgery. Not knowing if I will be able to get the surgery when I hoped. ( original goal was October) Just a lot of variables that are out of my control. I won't go as far as say I am a control freak, but I do feel better when I can create my destiny. ( at least in something as life changing as this) I just want to get there. I want to be past the "scary" parts and get to living the life I dream of....
Roo101769

Roo101769

4
Johnny99's Blog
 

A Brief on Briefs

What's new you ask?   Quick answer.... underwear! Yup. I had to replenish my entire supply of unmentionables, even the new ones I got last Christmas. They just weren't doing the job anymore. The always dependable waist bands were stretched beyond repair and my incredible shrinking ass left the backsides saggy and mis-shaped. Not to mention, all security for the family jewels had completely evaporated. I was dealing with an uncomfortable jail break every hour or so. This caused more than a few strange stares from others during what I thought was a private adjusting period. Good thing I wasn't near a Kinder Kare. That would have been hard to explain. So I solved the crisis. I went out and bought some new skivvies.   While this may not seem like a big deal to most of you. It was to me. Reason... I don't think I have bought my own underwear for twenty or so years. Why? Because every year when I am asked what I want for Christmas, I give the standard man-swer. "Underwear". So I get underwear. Every Christmas morning, I march up to my dresser with my new present stack and clean out last years Jockeys for this years models. I guess models is an overstatement. Other than a few new colors, the basic design hasn't changed since I was a kid. I mean, really. What can you do to improve underwear? And why do you need to?   Well imagine my amazement when I came upon the shorts section of my local department store. I was flabbergasted to see rows and rows and racks and racks of man-derwear! So many brands! So many styles! So little time. And the advertisements, oh my! Here I am, fresh off an embarrassing, not so private reorganizing incident, staring at a life size cut-out of a buffed teen lad with come hither eyes hiding nothing but his schvaanzen behind a scanty pair of man-ties. Honestly, I had to look around and make sure some cop wasn't following me. Or some hidden camera from one of those second rate TV shows.   As overwhelmed as I was, I was on a mission! I had to replenish my underwear supply. Two racks over, I spied the familiar Jockey logo. Thank God. I sauntered over thinking I'd pick up my shorts and be on my way. Wrong again. I guess Jockey, in an effort to keep up with times, has totally expanded their product line. Boxer briefs, sports shorts, low rise, high rise, full coverage or tiny pecker pouches. Ugh. After walking around three racks, I finally found the Classic style. Whew. My new size offers me a plethora of color choices. Sure beats the color selection at the old fat man's shop. There used to be three sizes ... FAT, REAL FAT and YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING. And there was only two color choices ... Santa Red and Your Wives's Gonna Kill You White. I always wondered why they would want to see a fat man in red briefs.   Without further adieu, I chose the multi colored 6 pack. Six pairs for the price of three, awesome. I took them to the checkout counter and pulled out a ten spot and expected some change. Wrong again. This paltry pack of panties was over $30! I had to double check the pack and see if there was some kind of vibrating device included. Nope. I pulled out a couple double sawbucks and through those down with the ten spot. I got my poor excuse of change and headed out the door.   I sure have been out of the man shopping game for a long time. And I am about to get a real education about shopping in the new millennium. My current wardrobe is completely nonfunctional. I had hoped to get through to next spring with some heavy alterations and cheap pants. But that ain't gonna happen. It's gonna cost me. I need to buy a functioning intermediate wardrobe. You know it would be nice if the current men's fashion were of the Fred Flintstone variety. Then I would only need one all purpose tunic.   That's all for now.   Johnny   P.S. I see Dr. X today for a weigh in and another fill. Let's hope I get a GOLD STAR again.   P.S.S. isit my blog: TheDeconstructionOfJohnny.blogspot.com
Johnny99

Johnny99

4
DebDUtah's Blog
 

I am walking on sunshine.......

Today my life changed, at 09:02 mst my insurance approved my surgery!!! I thought this day would never come, and now that it is here I am even more anxious to keep going.   To all of you that are waiting on insurance approval, who think that everyone is out to get you, who think that the requirements that insurance give you are crazy......I was there and still can't have the clock move fast enough. Well I have my approval and I want my surgery date NOW....but of course my surgeon's office moves at a snails pace compared to how I think they should move.   My advice to you, don't give up, do what the insurance says, be your own advocate, talk to your insurance company (the utilization review nurse) and find out what is going on if your feel like your surgeon's office is not telling you everything. Ultimately it is the insurance that decides not the surgeon's office.   Ok I am so looking forward to my future for the first time in a long long time.
DebDUtah

DebDUtah

1
1stAuntyaya's Blog
 

Waiting ...waiting on my world to change...

Well, here i sit in what was to be my day of Lap Band surgery. But due to an insurance "mix-up" needing another test, I am back to pre-launch. I wonder if this is the way astronauts feel before a mission? Nervous, excited, aprehensive, and this feeling that somehow life would never be the same again for them. Miss their families, friends, pets. I wonder if they sit there and say ..."Boy, I am SURE going to miss eating regular food." Of COURSE not, I can guaranteee this. Anybody who can endure the battery of performance and fitness testing that THEY do cannot possibly be worried about FOOD. But I am,...kinda...no, definitely. Definitely worried. Definitely. Rainman worried. definitely. Food and I go back a long long way. It is my best friend and my worst enemy. It has been there with me thru lonely teenage nights when I was one of the "undesirables" who sat home on weekends with no date, but a can of Ravioli and a Heath bar filled the hole a little and numbed the pain. Temporarily. Until later that night when I lay in my bed and looked out the window into the dark sky thinking how many calories I could put on in just one sitting. And that God saw the WHOLE thing. And He was just as disgusted with me as I was with myself. So I laid there in the dark, crying, and listening to all the heart-break songs that Delilah had to offer. "I'm Not In Love" comes to mind most often, because it was then and there that I figured that I would NEVER be in love or be worth loving. At 12:30 I hunted for the Pringles can I had hidden under the bed. But i did fall in love, several times. It never stuck. And the young obese teen turned into the young obese woman who was still searching for love AND a teaching position right out of college. No jobs in my field, so my best friend and I decided we could search out of town. BIG MISTAKE. BIG. I found a job alright, 2 hours away from home in a little river town that rolled their sidewalks up at 5PM every night. And for a 21 year old single teacher (the only one in town it seems) life was pretty miserable. LONELY. Which made that hole in the center of my body grow bigger than a FLorida sinkhole. And GUESS what I decided to do? I took up Culinary Cooking. Julia Child, Justin Wilson,Paul Purdomme. I began collecting cookbooks and recipes. And cooking. ANd eating. Me and my little Huggy Bear, the happiest little chub of a cockapoo you ever saw. My friends were happy (wait, make that friend- jenny, who was painfully thin and resembled her pet parakeet that she brought everywhere with her. Including my dinners). I had plenty of left-overs, but not for long. ANd the sweet country cooks in the kitchen at the school just LOVED me because i was the only one who bragged and bragged on their cooking. Daily. ANd it was soooo good. Not the stuff kids get slung on their plates usually. But homemade chicken pot pie, brocolli casserole, real sweet potatoes with some delctable nutty crunch topping, and PIE. YES!! seriously, they made pies and cakes for the kids and the teachers every day. Used real butter too. LOADS of it. I think one day I saw the dairy truck back up with a "BEEP BEEP BEEP" and a ramp slid out with crate after crate of one pound blocks of butter by the dozens. And to complete the picture for you, at th end of my work day, I could always count on Mawmaw Jane to be waiting with a sack of "just a little something to keep you from having to cook for just one, honey." Leftovers of the day. but 2 servings of pie. That woman is still in my will I think. Better check. I carried extra weight until some neighbor had mercy on me and told me about a diet she had been on and she looked wonderful. She was eating and still losing. And even though she had 4 kids and was married, she befriended me and made me her project. And got me SO involved in projects around town, one of which I loved and still do to this day. Acting in community theeater and singing. Yes, under this fat is the soul of Patsy Cline. I dont know how she managed it, but maybe on one of those lonely night I spent crying myself to sleep, she crawled right into my soul and vocal chords and when I sang it sounded so much like her that i soon became a hit in this one-horse, no stoplight little town. AND then the neighboring towns, and then a big town heard about the "fat girl with the pretty face that can sing her behind off" and I wasnt lonely at night anymore. And I felt loved and needed, and I began to LOSE WEIGHT!! that lasted from 1982, married my blind date in '85, and continued to be active and still cook and sing and act. BUt then.... Then one morning I couldnt get out of bed. The pain that seized my back was so intense it took my breath away. I yelled for my husband who was getting ready to leave for work and he carried me to the car and put me in and i bellowed and cried in pain all the way. Tests and xrays later revealed I had two deteriorated discs in my lower spine and something called Spondylolythesis. I began epidurals for pain, but surgery was out of the question. I just needed to exercise and protect my back. Guess which one I decided to do and forget the other. Yep, the old Yaya reared her ugly fat head and soon i was "protecting my back" by being inactive and eating as much as I had before, for "comfort". And soon I had gained back over half of the 133 pounds I had lost before. Now add another 20 since my mom died 2 years ago. The hole was back with a vengence. I was desperate to find something to help me control this ravenous "hunger" (appetite)and it seemed NOTHING could fill this hole. Which grew with several miscarriages, 2 botched adoptions, and my dear husband who closed the door to any more heartbreak where kids were concerned. Not even foreign adoption. Bigger hole, more weight. I was, and am still as I write this, miserably sad with my life and situation. But blissfully hopefully for tomorrow, when I heard about Lap Banding. I think lifes going to change for Yaya.
1stAuntyaya

1stAuntyaya

1
kmed21's Blog
 

OK, Let's Do This!

Ok... Today is 4 days post op.. I'm home.. I'm somewhat comfortable... I'm already confused! HAHAH! Let's go to surgery day! On the 22nd I had to be there at 5:15 for the dose of heparin before surgery at 8:15.. Pre op time with my mom was good, my hubby stayed home so he could get our two kids off to school, and be there when they got home.. We waited and waited.. Finally the team started trickling in and introducing themselves. I had a great team of nurses, anestethesiologists and of course my surgeon! I got suited up.. Anyone else have to wear the weird space age pants and hat thing? I swear I looked like an alien! Before any surgery I try to remember all I can before I go under.. This time I was able to remember getting to the OR and speaking to the people. It was soo cold in there, I said "It feels like a morgue in here!" I held my mask to my face and the next thing I remember is the nurse telling me to take deep breaths. I do, and then I remember her telling me again to take more deep breaths, but this time it's after surgery. Everything went smoothly, no complications. He said my liver looked great and he could tell I followed my pre-op diet.. He even took the picture like I asked him too of my stomach before he detached it. It's great and gross! I get up to my room, I don't even remember being in recovery at all, or the trip up to my room.. I dozed a bit, then realized I had a cath.. UGH.. I didn't think I was going to have one, but I woke up with one.. I got a dose of pain meds and took a stroll around the nurses station and the floor. Did great, felt great.. Thirsty as hell, but I was expecting that anyway. I did have some gas pains, nothing like major or crippling, just annoying for a few days.. I was feeling well enough to tell my mom she could go ahead and go home for the night and I'd see her in the morning... BIG MISTAKE!!! Once all the anestestia wore off, and I was trying to be a tough girl my pain got way out of control around 2:30 that morning.. OMG!! Full blown hissy fit, sobbing (which didn't help my pain) infront of my poor male nurse... I asked if I could have a heating pad and that helped me finally go to sleep around 4 that morning.. I am then rudely interrupted from my slumber for the contrast test. So they make me drink this crap that is horrible to see if everything is running right, and stuff isn't leaking and all that good stuff.. I pass.. They even tell me I pass while I'm down there. Telling me I'll start my liquids that day.. YAY!! I go back up to my room.. Wait... wait.. wait.. wait for water.. Just gimmie some water!!! Finally my doctor's PA comes in like, "where are your liquids?" "uh, I don't know.. they haven't given them to me". Once she started talking I got my water! Soooo thirsty.. I sipped.. sipped.. sipped.. Apparently while I was drinking the water, my stomach decided it didn't like the morphine they were giving me anymore.. Every time I got a shot, I got soo sick to my stomach.. Like you know you're gonna puke when all that saliva starts forming in your mouth sick.. Then the heaving started... owwwwwww!! We went back to the dilauded (sp?) Until I could have the lortab elixir.. Night two my mom stayed, pain was manageable, but getting liquids down, not so much.. I didn't know how much I was supposed to be drinking when.. I wish they would have a chart saying by this time, you should have 60 cc's in such n such time.. So I got really confused.. Saturday rolls around, day to go home.. Woo! The on call doc comes and checks me out, gives me the ok to leave.. I didn't like him at all.. He just asked if I was drinking ok at that point I was, and poked my belly. Said ok.. Thankfully for my nurse, she reminded him that I hadn't had full liquids, meaning the shake, so I shouldn't be discharged until I had those after lunch. So lunch came, I drank the unjury shake with no problems and got to come home! I had FANTASTIC nurses, well except for two.. But they were CNA's and LPN's. My RN's were fantastic! I look like I've been beaten with all the bruising from the heparin shots and people's hand prints on my arms from moving me.. I do have a drain, they call it a "grenande". It's gross... UGH... My first night at home I slept soooo good.. Sooooo good.. My kids haven't been too crazy, but they know mommy isn't feeling so hot.. Last night I didn't sleep well.. I kept thinking about blood clots.. I have anxiety really bad, so it ran off with itself. Once I took my anxiety meds, I was ok.. And here I am today. I've already walked around my culdesac a few times, had my protein drinks, and getting ready for some juice before I update my FB. If you've finished this, thanks so much! I am sooo looking forward to this journey!!
kmed21

kmed21

3

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