Leaderboard

Today I wasn't feeling like taking my early morning walk. It's been a stressful few days and I was letting it get the best of me. When someone rang my doorbell and my dogs went nuts. I have two small dogs, a black POM and a brown Chihuahua. It was the mail carrier and I had to sign for a package. My husband is always ordering things from Ebay and Amazon, so I was thinking how annoyed I was at him for ordering something else! Well, guess what my little Taco did? He bolted out the door like a bat out of hell. I slipped on my flip flops and went chasing after him. Those of you who have small dogs know how quick they can be and wouldn't you know it... That little dog made me chase him around the entire neighborhood! He finally got tired about a mile away from home and I had to carry him the rest of the way. The entire time I'm cussing him under my breath. Then, as I'm walking up the finally hill to my house I realize my little doggy got me out of the house to take a walk. Not the kind I had in mind, but I still got out and walked a good two miles. Who knows if I would have walked today, but because my little Taco wanted to go on an adventure I took one and sitting her now... I feel great!

So today I met with my surgeon for the first time since surgery. (Surgery date 9/11/13) He was very pleased with everything including the 15 pounds that I have loss since 8/30/13 one month ago when I had my pre surgery appointment. I have been cleared to start back up my work out/exercise program. I have been doing the Lesile Sansone walking DVDs since February when I started my 6 month pre surgery wait. I swear by them and give them the credit for my 64 pound pre-surgery weight loss. Also cleared me to be romanic with my husband again! yippee! And also I leave pureed behind and start introducing more textrued foods. Today for dinner we grilled Maui Maui and I ate 1.7 ounces just by chewing and chewing and did I mention chewing. I had a tiny bit of heart burn, but over all nothing bad. I feel great and overall am excited to begin a more normal routine.

Okay, this post is not to bash the newbies or newts (not a newbie/not a veteran), although I can see how it could look that way. My sense of humor is dry/sarcastic and it's hard to convey that in print. I thought I'd start compiling some of the most commonly asked questions I see posted on weekly basis, just to show that you are not alone with your thoughts and concerns. Will all my hair fall out after VSG? "Individuals don't begin to notice the increase in hair loss when showering or brushing the hair until about three months post-surgery. Although the resting hair is being pushed out of the scalp by new hair that is already growing, it can take anywhere from about six months to a year for the hair to return to its normal fullness. Individuals who have undergone gastric bypass or other operations of the digestive tract designed to reduce obesity are more prone to hair loss post-surgery. This is due to the reduced intake of food in the weeks and months immediately following these procedures. The body needs an adequate amount of proteins and vitamins to maintain hair production. Protein-enhanced shakes are often recommended for these patients as a substitute until solid food can be better tolerated. Hair loss related to surgery typically reverses itself without any medicinal intervention or the need for over-the-counter hair loss tonics or treatments. However, maintaining a diet rich in protein and iron is believed to help promote and speed up healthy hair growth. Suggested foods include salmon, beans, eggs, spinach, broccoli, nuts and whole-grain cereals. Avoid foods that can inhibit hair growth, such as those that contain high levels of caffeine and fat." Losing Hair After Surgery | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/...l#ixzz2Maz1GjQH Can I take my leftover stomach home in a jar? Man, what kind of sickie... um I mean, that's a very astute question. I didn't ask my doctor about it, but from what I've read, it's considered medical waste and a biohazard in the U.S. So you can't have it as a trophy or to tan and make a beanie out of it. If you're having surgery out of the country, then they may let you take it home, just be careful going through customs. If they ask about it, just tell them you found proof that the Chupacabra exists in Mexico. Can't I do this with out the surgery? You know, eat the crazy small amounts and still lose weight? Why isn't that ok? You can eat the small meals to lose weight, and it is okay. I just couldn't live that lifestyle for very long. It was a non-stop battle to keep myself from eating more. How did you choose your doctor, how much did it cost, and how did you pay for it? I don't want to recommend my doctor, since I wasn't happy with the aftercare, but I paid about $5k between the doctor and hospital. I put it on a credit card and will have it paid off before the end of the year. I found my doctor by calling my insurance company and getting a list of approved WLS doctors. I did a Google search for each doctor and read the reviews before choosing my surgeon. Do you regret having WLS surgery? I do not regret it for a minute. Even with all the discomfort of the 1st 10 days, I am very happy with the result. Food is no longer the focus of my life and I love sitting at a buffet restaurant knowing that I will only eat about 1/4 plate of food. What do I need to pack for the hospital? Here is a long list of suggestions on things you might want to consider taking with you. http://www.verticals...surgery-thread/ How soon after surgery can I start drinking alcohol? I'm sure every doctor has their own recommendations, but my doctor said wait 6 months post-surgery before drinking alcohol again. I'm not a big drinker to begin with, so I didn't miss alcohol. But I did drink about 2 oz. of Tequila at month 6 or 7 and was buzzing immediately, more so than I would have been pre-surgery. So, if you're going to start drinking again, just be aware that it may take less alcohol to impair your system. :-)

Today although it's not like it wasn't apparent before ... i truly realized how blessed i am to work where i do. For the 1st week post surgery my manager supported 100% my working a reduced schedule at home with no impact to pay.. Being back in the office was less of a hindrance than i thought along with being chased home around 2pm everyday with the words go home and rest and heal..My work environment is amazing.. my desk is height adjustable so that i can go from sitting to standing at my desk easily so that i can take the pressure of the port incision so that it won't hurt as much. to they gym facilities where i can walk on the thread mil for as long as i want while i take a meeting on the phone. To the cafe with their long list of healthy/organic food options. to the AMAZING laptop bag our admin just ordered so that i don't have to carry my laptop around - given that it's pretty darn heavy.. I AM BLESSED..

I've been extremely careful the past three weeks of my newly banded life. I've been very strict with the list of foods I'm allowed to eat. I'm meticulous in getting in my water. And, I've tried to not get overly excited by the pounds dripping off my very happy body. But... Today I had to check to be sure my pants weren't too saggy in the butt. Yep. And, my underwear is creeping up my...well...you know where it creeps My shirts are looking a little sloppy. I'm WAY FAR AWAY from any major goal or milestone...but the morning check for saggy butt has begun. I've already got a stack of "pants I can't wear anymore because they will fall down in public." There is currently one pair in the stack...but I've started a stack The little things are what keep me focused and smiling... Have a great day!

I didn't believe the dr. and nurses when they said I might not see the scale numbers falling at some point, but my clothes will tell me I'm still losing. Well it's happening. I'm not losing the lbs like I was, but I'm down in size. I've lost 77 lbs so far and in a size 12, from a 24! I'm shopping in 'regular' sized stores for the first time in 15+ years. It's a sense of freedom that I am relishing. I'm running 3.9 miles 5 days a week, but I know I need to start weight training, squats, abs, etc. Running is an escape for me, mindless, I listen to my audio-book and enjoy the beautiful weather. But as they say - "winter is coming!" So I'll need to make a plan for my exercise routine soon. After my birthday week-end of splurging a bit and rediscovering my taste for SUGAR, I'm noticing that I'm 'craving' sugar again. So I think I'm going to go cold turkey off of anything sweet to lose my taste for it again. I know myself well enough to understand that a little turns into too much all too quickly. Feeling excited about see family at Thanksgiving who haven't seen me since before the surgery.

OMG! What did I do! That was the first thing I asked my self day 2 post op! By day 3 I was telling myself this was a big mistake! This is not what I signed up for! What happened to the 3 day recovery and back to normal in a week! What happened to this is the least evasive! 1 out of ten have a problem...hmmm I should have known I would be that 1 in ten that would have a problem! Post op I was on my 5th day not able to take in any liquids without throwing up! OK this is not normal!!!! Let me call my doctor...hhmm OK sip slowly???? I was furios is this women seriously telling me sip slowly! 4 months of appointments and classes and test and research I know to sip SLOWLY!!! Ok forget this off to the ER need to let them know how thirsty I am! Finally someone listening to me so I'm dehydrated weak my lips are so sore and dry and chapped and I'M SO THIRSTY!!! Please just help me drink again!! So they drain the band and give my fluids...awe ice chips they taste as good as a super supreme pizza! I'm now addicted to ice chips and cranberry grape juice ! Nothing has quenched my thirst more than the taste of cran-grape juice!

I put on the dress that I have on in my before picture...I asked my 7 yr old to take a picture of me today! Just 2 months out! He said, "mom, you don't like taking pictures!" So I told him to just take it! I was so surprised when I did the side by side photo, what did we ever do without these!!! Holy crap...I SAW the difference! Is it possible to look at yourself everyday and NOT see the changes? In my case YES!!! I'm still working on my mind seeing me as a lighter version of myself...and sometimes I just don't see it...but today I did! And for the first time in a long time I like what I am seeing! Happy Friday, and thanks for listening to my rant!!!!

Ok none of us is totally perfect. You come on this site and tell us that you were extremely bad and don't want people to comment. If you robbed a bank, killed someone etc. would you still be pissed people commented? Same thing in my eyes. Do something wrong and write about it, people will say something. This is the USA, freedom of speech. That's all folks for tonight. Arlene

The nurse just called to tell me my labs yesterday look great and my diabetes is GONE! My blood pressure is down to 102/62 - amazing and the MS is still at bay. I feel so good and I'm still 56 lbs from my goal. I'm back at school and my colleagues have been wonderfully supportive and kind with their reactions to my deflated self. Had a few people not recognize me, so that's fun. The kids are so cute, they look at me with a bit of shock, but don't say anything, obviously struggling with what's appropriate in the situation. I love my job! Shopping is getting easier too. I was so excited yesterday to be able to shop in the 'regular' sized area and get XL (instead of my usual 3X) tops. Freedom! It's been blazing hot in Iowa for the last 10 days so I've been running on the treadmill, which I've named 'the evil one.' I LOVE my trail jogs in nature, but the evil one has pushed me to go faster and further, so that's something at least. Wondering if I should sign up for a 5K run in the area since I'm doing 3.5 miles easily now. I don't have a group that I'd be able to run with, so I'm leaning towards . . . not yet. Dear husband has been so wonderful, making me feel desirable again and so powerful. I love that man. I couldn't have done any of this without him.