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Its been a while since I've been here - I've been trying to pop in once in a while when I get the chance, but I've been so busy! I have now officially dropped over 70 lbs since I started my preop, and over 50 since surgery 3 months ago. I have had no complications, my skin is bouncing back thus far (I know I'll need to have some work done later but I'm good with that) - I have energy, I have enthusiasm and I have the best future ahead of me. I have been staying away from the scale - about every 3 weeks I weigh myself. I weighed myself the other day and I was at 314, and that's with a few pounds of bloat since its that time of the month. I'll weigh myself again in a few weeks to see where I'm at - I don't wanna see a 3 as that first number the next time I step on the scale. I haven't had much opportunity to really incorporate additional exercise other than being a billion times more active than normal to my routine, but I'm getting there. As soon as i was able to, I of course tweaked my shoulder. But I'm feeling better and will be getting the exercise roaring very soon. I have noticed some of my tastes change - I still crave red meat - that will never change. The large majority of what I eat has always been lean protein, but now....those "guilty pleasure" items - mac and cheese, potatoes, anything really starchy just doesn't do it for me anymore. I really dig that. Hubby and I went out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel and I had their egg sandwich, which I ate the 2 eggs and had a bite of the hashbrown casserole and a small bite of hubby's pancakes and they just didn't satisfy me - I just wanted the eggs! Wow - i just got distracted by Maks on DWTS - (watching the results show on the DVR and he was dancing to "Let's get it on" good thing watching him dance is calorie free - in fact I think I just burned a few calories watching that! haha!) Anyway! back to what I was saying! I've gone down in clothes sizes, I have the steering wheel all the way down in the car (my legs used to hit it), I sit in booths and feel small in them, there ain't a chair my butt won't fit in and I even sleep better and don't need as much sleep as I did for so long, I fit comfortably in the bathtub to take a bath (one of my favorite things) I'm wearing clothes I havent worn in years. I put on a pair of heels and not only did they fit my feet, they didn't hurt my feet. I'm getting my shoes back! Yay! Right now, I weigh less than I have in about 4 years. I cannot believe the progress. Once I got those f**king tumors out of my body, I'm feeling so much better - the only rage I have is that I couldn't get it done sooner. However, I have come to terms with that for the most part. I think that with the breast cancer scare, the steroid tumors, nearly losing my marriage, all the trials and tribulations that my husband and I went through with losing our jobs and our employer stealing tens of thousands of dollars from us has made us stronger individually and as a couple. Nothing in my life that I wanted has EVER come easily - but I tell you what - I have more appreciation for everything I have brought to myself than most people I know - and I will FIGHT for it. I cannot describe what all of these battles have done for me as a person. I'm glad that I got to know so many people here. I'm glad that I had the surgeon I did. While I'm not glad that our previous employer stole so much money from us, I'm glad of the outcome that we ended up where we did with the careers that we have now. I am decidedly in love with my husband and we love our life and what we have to offer to the world. We can't wait to see what happens next. Many that I talk to about this wonder how having to have surgery to have tumors and the majority of my stomach removed could be the best thing that's happened to me in a long time. I just smile and tell them that they haven't lived my life What I do know is that life is good and its getting GREAT If you can't tell - I'm very excited about the future.

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So, once again If I stay consistant, follow the lapband rules and have a motivation/inspiration I do so much better. I have big events upcoming and I wont to feel and look my best. Las Vegas Meet n Greet (May), Hawaii anniversary trip (June), fitting for bridesmaid (August), new school assignment (August). With that said...I can't be slacking and acting like I don't know how and what to do to lose this weight I put on. I saw one of my videos from April last year and I had actually gotten down to 218 lbs. Really !!! See, if you are reading this blog....DO NOT take a break from living as a bandster! Its a daily life changing event. If you take a break, eat whatever you want, exercise some, not follow the LB rules; you can and will gain the weight back and FAST. I will not let this happen again...once I get to my goal weight I must maintain. My doctor recommended goal weight for my body type and all that is 221 lbs. When he told me that I was like What!! Dang thats still FAT. He was like for you it would be good and you will be healthy, a smaller size. He was so right even though I saw 218-due to a liquid diet I'm sure... I still bounce back and forth all over the 220s. So, I won't be hard on myself Like I was last year. I won't just say' ugg forget it why work this hard and I'm not losing'...so what if I don't bounce in the 220s for months...years...I will be the best me in years.! With that said Never Giving UP is my motto for life. I have stayed consistant this week-eating basically the same meal plan daily,exercising at least 30-60 minutes, not eating and drinking together, not eating High calorie sweets (been doing the Weight Watchers desserts), eating protein first in all my meals and snacks. Sample of my Meals this week.... Brkft- Mocha Latte Protein Snack- Tuna in pouch w/ light mayo Lunch- Healthy Choice meal- taking out the carbs and adding more veggie Snack- Protein Smoothy ( made w/ protein, ice, hawaiian punch single, fresh strawberries) or one day I had a protein bar Dinner- Tilapia(sauteed)no salt, Stir Fry Veggies, and starch ( usually risotto, couscous,red potato)...later after if I have a desire a weight watcher dessert. ---- Workouts T/R zumba of course and all other days 30 min of either walk,kettlebell, softball (I coach) or bowl ( i'm on league) So, I will be eating the same way till I go to Hawaii.... I will eat different in Vegas but will make good choices. I must and will stay consistant.... I really like seeing the scales go down! Its motivating and not depressing of course. I'm the type that need to weigh daily.

What a cool experience! First I was SO nervous and a little scared. I had mine done in radiology with my doctor and the radiologist. I got to see everything on the monitor. Both doctors were so gentle and the actual shot part was nothing more than a little pinch on my tummy however I would advise not to look at the needle but then again I’m one of those people that passes out getting my blood taken. It was really neat to see the barium after I swallowed it to go down to my band and pass on. As for the feeling of your band tighten, you can feel that just a little. No pain what so ever. Just feels like something giving your stomach a little hug were the band is. I have a 10cc band and had 3cc filled from surgery so now I had 1.5cc put in today for a total of 4.5cc. Hope this helps calm the minds of others going in for their first fill. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

You're not being a baby. That is a LOT for one person to go through. Not sure I would have anything positive to say or post if I were in your shoes. Wishing you all the best and thanks for posting the angel story.

Oh, that's beautiful. I needed that, because I am still a rock... I woke up yesterday, two weeks out of surgery, had no complications, and it feels like I have a hernia in one of my incisions, the biggest one, of course. So I need to head back to the doctor and check to see... I hope you don't have a stricture. Did you have hiatal hernia repair? The last time I got put to sleep, which was for a hysterectomy, whoever intubated me during surgery, my esophagus got injured and it took a while to recuperate from that. It felt like everything I ate got stuck right between my breasts, and at one point, it felt like I had swallowed a golf ball. So possibly something like that happened, and then your stomach being cut out probably exacerbates it. I mean, there can be major complications with this surgery...I am glad everything has worked out so far. Did you have leak symptoms? I read somewhere a person who had no leak symptoms, so that was pretty scary to me. I am praying for you and hope everything works out and that you have no stricture.

goodness gracious! this should say 238 not 138!!!

That is awesome. Good Luck !

Good Luck first and for most!!! I have surgery tuesday and it is a life change already being on the liquid diet. I know I have alot more to learn and work on but yes this blog is a huge support. I wish you the best of luck and just know as women we can accomplish anything we want to!!! Hats off to you:)

Wow! Whew! Take a deep breath! You have a LOT going on here, including complications that you've had to deal with. Your body is going through a tremendous shock and tremendous changes, and everyone is different at this stage. Let me just address MyFitness Pal, though. I, too, log every single bite, and when I reached stalls it was SO beneficial to look at everything and see where I might tweak things. I highly recommend you continue to do this, now and forever. At the same time, the calorie goals set my MFP are for people who are on traditional diets. The unsleeved masses could not comfortably or successfully consume the small number of calories we can consume after surgery. The nutritionist at my bariatric center (of excellence) told me I should be consuming about 800 calories per day, including the 250 I get from my two protein drinks. Right now, you should be highly focussed on water, protein, vitamins, and as much exercise as you can do without injuring yourself or setting yourself back. After a lifetime of failed dieting, it's easy and natural to feel that once again we are failing. However, this is a game changer, and all the rules are different. Again, take a deep breath, track, relax, and go through the process. It's going to be ok!