Audrey

oh thank you so much ! those were such lovely things to say ! You have got me all emotional now ! lol Here's to next year eh? aud x

One year out - ALREADY !!!!?????? I thought i'd write some of the things down that i've been thinking of - some of the things that have changed y'no? Stats first – get them out of the way ! I was banded on 26th August 2003, thats one year ago Today ! My heaviest recorded weight was in January 2003. I weighed 390 pounds (27 stone 12 pounds or 176.9 kg) On op day, I weighed 375 pounds (26 stone 11 pounds or 170 kg) So much has changed. As of today 22nd August 2004 I weigh 254 pounds (18 stone 2 or 115.2 kg). Measurements So ....................23 9 03....................126.8.04 Dress Size.......... 30/32......................20/22 Height.......... 5 ft 11inches (180cm)............ Neck.................... 18".........................15 Bicep.................... 20"........................16 Under Boobs.......... 47 1/2"..............39 1/2 Biggest bit of Boobs.. 55"...................45 Waist.................... 53"........................43 Belly.................... 61".......................48 1/2 Thigh.................... 33"........................25 Calf.................... 22 1/2"....................20 Wrist.................... 7 1/2".....................7 I remember this time last year… going for a “walk” with Chris. We walked to the top of my street… I’d say 800 yards ish? I had to stop & sit down on the wee wall at the bus stop – I was SO out of breath. Infact – when we walked, befre we left the house, I’d say to him – you speak and only ask things that I can nod yes, or shake no too – I simply couldn’t walk and speak at the same time! – sad really, at 32 you’d think I would have been in the prime of my life? Hmmmm Showering was becoming increasingly difficult – having to lean against the wall of the shower to wash my back side – having to think – booger it, that’ll do… then afterwards I’d be as sweaty as I was before I’d been in the shower! Baths were a complete no no. Clothes – well – I was bursting out of a UK size 30/32 – infact for the Christmas night out last year – I tried on a nice dress (evans…) I picked up the 32 & headed for the changing rooms – Chris came in after I’d contorted it on… he said – shall I go and get the bigger size? I said… that is the biggest size…. He said – oh no, what do we do now??? – how could I answer – what could I say? I’d reached past my only lifeline for clothes.. that may well have been one of my lowest point. The car, another nightmare. Getting the belt to fit? Fitting behind the steering wheel? Being in the way when sitting in the passenger seat. Having to move my bum & legs when he’s changing gears, or putting on the hand brake. Getting out of the thing! Getting into it without hitting my head or legs off of the doors – the list goes on. Sex…. Was getting so stoopid that I’d lost all drive.. being only 5 minutes married – you can imagine how I felt.. wasn’t this supposed to be the best years of our lives? The act itself was bordering on the ridiculous “trying” to find ways of doing… anything !! not good… Garden chairs – we’ve all been there! wondering – shall I dare sit on it? Will the back door step do? Or the ground… coz.. “I’m fine here… “honest” ! On the bus… nobody sitting beside you (partly because they couldn’t!). The fear of getting on a bus and there being no seats ! or worse – having to sit on an isle seat & my bum BARELY making it with 1 cheek ! – the panic setting in, because people have to squeeze past.. hated it. Emotions?? Well – what a can of worms that would be eh? Do I dare even go there?? Nah – for next year me thinks! Now? Things have changed so much – even though I still have at least 5 stone to lose (70 pounds) – I feel that I’ve come so far. My physical wellbeing has changed so much that it’s almost unthinkable! (ok, maybe not unthinkable – but you get my drift lol!). Cars – I don’t think about Seatbelts – don’t think about Shower – don’t think about Cloths – happy to be shopping ANYWHERE other that Evans ! (ahhh god bless Evans!) Sex – no comment! lol lets just say…. It’s very much improved! Garden chairs – still a bit wary – but at least I sit on them now! Walking – I joined the gym – and I’m loving it! YEAY! Downsides – ahhhh the downsides…. Taking an age to get to my “sweet spot” (4 months – thought it’d never happen!). Skin – not good, arms and legs are bad – we shall see what next year holds for that – possibly a referral for plastics? who knows ! Confidence growing – not the best for relationships – but with a lot of reassurance – that’s sorting itself (I hope). Eating out – having to ask for a “starter” sized main meal – saying that, once you’ve done it a few times, there’s nothing to it! hehe. PB – eating too much, not chewing enough or eating too fast! my own bloomin fault ! – I still do it – not as much as before – but I still do it! I have taken before and after pictures – for those of you who want a look click here http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk/audreys_pictures.htm Here’s a link to my journal – it pretty much takes you from pre op till now – with an entry almost every week (sometimes more!) – all of the up’s and downs. What a rollercoaster of emotions! – It’s VERY long! A years worth – so get a cuppah if your going to read it! http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk/newweb2/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1428 Thanks for taking the time to read my post and sharing in my journey. Aud x

I love your post - You write so well ! Thanks so much for sharing. Aud x

My goodness !! what a difference !!! You look gorgeous ! Aud x

YEAY !!! Brilliant !!! chufft for ya !! Aud x

i'm so proud of you !! What an achievement ! brilliant ! Aud x

Thanks very much for that lassies... It's very much appreciated.. Almost a year out - gawd it just seems likt the other day since I was in hospital ! I will have to think of all the things that have changed & add them to my journal ! I'll post them up once I think of them !lol Aud x

Hello all I know it's not quite my one year bandiversary - but I managed to get my pictures taken today & thought i'd share. What a difference a year makes eh? Click here to get the photo's :- http://www.wlsinfo.org.uk/audreys_pictures.htm If you click on the photo's the become bigger. Aud x

Hello there ! Nice to meet ya ! I'm from Glasgow !! Did you know there were a few support groups in London & all over the country?? Let me know if your interested & I can PM you some details if you like? aud x

What a fantastic achievement ! You must be so pro proud !! YEAY !!! your pic's look fantastic too !! What a difference !!! your gorgeous ! Here's to another successfull year ! Aud x

Thanks so much for that Zoe - i'm quite tall ! i'm 5 foot 11 " (180cm) - I think i'm really lucky for that !! Kimber-lilly it's such a lovely place Dunoon ! it's only about 1 hour drive from here (unless I go on the ferry) - I live right beside glasgow airport... near Paisley (as in Paisle Pattern!) Infact - i'm going there next weekend for the "Cowal Games" !!! aud x

Hello there I'm so sorry that i'm in a different time zone & won't be able to help you !! Just thought i'd let you know that i'm thinking of you ! Hope your feeling better really soon. Aud x

The first and 3rd set are taken in my friends house - the second set are in my house.. I thought it would look better getting them done in the same spot - easier for me to compare for myself too ! thanks again ladies xxx

Thanx so much for your lovely comments.. I'm DEFINATELY a work in progress ! Still have loads still to go ! Maybe this time next year i'll be at target???? Wouldn't that be a dream come true? Thanks again xxx Aud x

YEAY !!! FANTASTIC !!! Chufft to bits for you ! Aud x

My Bandiversary is on the 26th of August - but I thought i'd add here for now ! day of surgery weight: 375 My highest weight was January 2004 - I weighed 390 1 year post weight: 254 today. total fills: 6 - 4 fills & 2 slight unfills total fill amount: 3.5 mls ever been filled to tight? Yes twice - once I couldn't eat more than 2 mouthfulls & got a wee 1/2 ml out & the other I was up at night choking/coughing in my sleep - got another 1/2 ml out ever vomited when restricted? how was it? I've never been "sick" - but i've PB'd - several times ! any complications? none so far ! apart from being too tight - all's been well ! do you think your to tight? to loose or just right? I'm probably a little too loose just now - I think a teeny bit more in should do the trick (I hope ! lol) longest plateau? 5 - 6 weeks - was HARD to handle ! took me ALL my time to not sabotage the band and start eating crap again ! how often do you exercise? I didn't excersize regularly at all - the odd time going to aerobix & aqua aerobix - but 2 weeks ago I joined a gym & I'm loving it ! (it also stopped the 3 week plateau that I had ! )

I'm so pleased your family are ok - what an nightmare for you ! I saw it on the news - it looked really scarey. Thanks god your all ok Aud x

you look FAB !!! what a fantastic acheivement ! You look great ! aud x

Hello Audrey ! I'm Audrey too - pleased to meet ya ! Looking forward to getting to know you better ! Aud x

It's lunch tme on Monday here in sunny sorry rainy Scotland ! Here's what i've had/having today ! Breakfast Oatso simple (kind of porridge?) with semi skimmed milk - 190 cals Lunch 2 seeded brown bread with 3 slice of cold meat - low fat spread & mayo - 220 cals (ish) 1 babybell (cheese) - 90 cals Snack will be at about 5ish... I will have my small carton of raisins (match box size) 50 cals.. T tonight after the gym (about 6:45ish) will be 2 chicken thighs with microwave veg has 1/2 litre of Water only today - will have at least another 1/2 litre this afternoon then "push fluids" tonight ! Hope this helps a little Aud x

I have to agree.. Why take the risk of losing your band? My advice would be to get a complete unfill - get the problem fixed then start again?.. Better that than losing your band completely ! 2 months out of your life, being careful and not going overboard.. (which you need to do anyway) is better than losing the band completely or worse & risking more unnecessary surgery? Good luck with your choices... please be safe and wise when making your decisions. I know which one id pick.. Audrey x

i'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of them and there family Take care Audrey x

aww thats so lovely ! ! great post ! Aud x

I'm just starting to tell people now - I suppose at the start when I initially got the band - telling people would have been like admitting I was fat & needed help ! lol - I know thats daft... & that everyone around me could see that... but it's so difficult admitting I had a problem - even though the world only had to look at me & could see it! I've mainly has positive responses about my band - although almost EVERYONE thinks its a Gastric Bypass or "stomach stapling" ARGH ! I feel it's an individual thing - don't feel pressured to tell people - if you do want to the go for it! if not? then don't... it's nobody's business! I used to say "I'm just cutting down what I eat & being really careful" - that usually does the trick ! I've actually printed off pictures of my band with a little info - if someone genuinely is interested in it - I show them it! Saves alot of explaining ! Aud x

so pleased you got this great news ! Great to see you got the answers too! nice one Leatha ! Audrey x