RenaeP77

Good day to you all! I wanted to share some good news. I woke up Sunday and weighed myself and realized I hit just a tad over my half way goal! I've lost 62 lbs! I started my pre-op diet in Feb 28th of this year. The Dr had put me on a 4 week shake diet. @ weeks of all shakes except a sensible dinner then 2 weeks full liquid. I lost 25 lbs in doing just that alone. I had my surgery March 28th and have lost 37 since. It's been an up and down journey that's for sure. Good days and bad days. Days with good restriction and days where I wanted to eat EVERYTHING in sight. Meeting with my dietitian really helped. When I saw her a few weeks ago she told me she has seen hundreds of patients and that I'm the most successful in such a short period of time that's she can remember seeing. That made my day and really helped get me back to being motivated! I saw her again earlier this week and she said she couldn't believe how different I looked in just a month since she last saw me. I was so nervous to start this journey and kept looking for excuses to not go through with it, but like many have said, in this wonderful forum, that the only regret was not getting it done sooner. I couldn't be more thrilled with the results. It has happened so fast and I cant' believe the little things I'm noticing. Several nsv's. A few of them may be silly. For instance. One I've noticed is when I was at my heaviest using a regular sized public bathroom was so difficult. I was so uncomfortable and could barely open the door to get out sometimes. I always had to use the handicapped stall. Now I'm noticing I can fit in regular stalls with ease now! :-) I was able to paint my toenails the other night with them propped in the same chair seat that I was sitting in without being out of breath and stretching to reach because my big belly was in the way. These are a few of many I notice. They may sound silly but when you couldn't do them for so long it's amazing feeling to do what "regular" people can do that they take for granted. I'm far from goal and I'm a bit nervous because this is the weight I usually have given up with in the past. I felt I could never get any smaller than this, but I'm determined this time. I do most of the work, but this little band has really been a great tool for me. I never understood what people meant in the beginning that it was only a tool if used properly. I totally get that now. I went from barely being able to get off the couch to actually wanting to get up early to go start my 3 mile walk. Sorry for the long ramble, I just wanted to share my story and also give myself some accountability so I won't give up and hopefully maybe to encourage others who may be struggling right now. I've had a lot of encouragement from my surgical team, dietitian, friends, and family and I'm so grateful God's been holding my hand and giving me strength through it all when I really thought I had none of my own left. Well, I hope you all are having a blessed Thursday! The first picture is about an hour before surgery. I look extra gross because of the wet shower hair on no makeup and the fact I was talking when my husband snapped the picture. I almost didn't post it because seeing it makes me cringe, sick to my stomach and want to cry my eyes out, but I ended up posting it because I want to remind myself I never want to go there again. The second one was taken this past Sunday after church. It's crazy how sometimes my mind doesn't see a difference in the mirror at all, I have to take old pics out sometimes to keep my mind in check. Anyone else go through that?

I got my biotin at the vitamin shop. It's a losenge that melts uner my tongue so I don't have to worry with trying to swallow a pill. It's orange flavored so it tastes pretty good too.

My heart goes out to you both. What an awful thing to go through. Please keep us posted. Praying for quick recoveries and an ease up and stop of complications. Will be thinking of you all.

Dr. Enochs did mine as well on march 28 2012. Love him and his staff! I couldn't be happier. I see Brett now for after care. They are very patient and genuinely seem to care. Big plus for me.

I wonder if it could be a simple muscle spasm? They usually don't hurt just jump. Especially since that muscle was cut and a port was sown to it it takes some adjusting. That would be my guess...and it's only a guess. Good luck! If it gets bothersome I'm sure your Dr's office would be more than happy to answer a quick call. They are used to it.

Apparently I've lost an elephant penis and a rack of baby back ribs haha! Oh, my! Or I guess I could say a small bale of hay and a bald eagle. The last one makes me less embarrassed lol

Yay!! I can only imagine how amazing that felt seeing the 1! Congratulations! So happy for you!

I have two left feet too is why I wanted to try it at home first so I don't TOTALLY humiliate myself at the clas haha! I've been too nervous to go, especially by myself. I guess I need to learn to break out oft shell. I'll let you guys know if it's any good when I get it. :-)

That's awesome! Do you think Zumba for the wii would give the same results?

Oh, and the fusion vitamins are 27 a bottle but it has lasted me forever!

I take Bariatric fusion chewables in tropical. I take one in the morning and one in the evening. The taste isn't wonderful but I can get it down. It's nice because I don't have to take a bunch of others. Calcium is included. I do take a Biotin lozenge that melts under my toungue that I can get a Vitamin world. The Protein I like is at walmart. 14.95 per 2lbs as apposed to 40+ for others. If you buy little baggies you can scoop Protein Powder in it and make it at work. They have portable blenders (Hamilton beach has a great one) and you can get protein in a pinch. Just a few ideas that help get me through. It can be very overwhelming but it's doable.

I use unsweetened almond milk with added protein.It's only 35 calories and hardly any carbs (I think 1g) or sugars and has 5 proteins. Once it's mixed with the powder and ice in the blender I can't tell the difference between that and regular milk.

I'm from Stafford, but recently moved to Raleigh. My heart is still there does that count? :-)

I'm getting my first fill tomorrow too and I'm nervous! The nurse at my Dr.'s office said the band doesn't make you fuller faster but forces you to eat slower, but that goes against everything I was ever taught about lap band. Good luck! I hope it gies great for you! :-)