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marcyinak

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Everything posted by marcyinak

  1. marcyinak
    Tied - I'm down another lb. One measly lb., but it's not up! AND it's not stable! So all's good! Total loss 6 lbs. Hey, when is our 10 weeks up? I can't remember when we started.
  2. marcyinak
    I agree with Tied....I was headed to Mexico for surgery...here in Alaska it would've been around $30K (and that's without pre-op appointments, aftercare, and fills!). Through LBT I was able to find Dr. K. I've worked in heathcare for half my life and was very pleased with his bed-side manner, his QUICK responses to calls, and how thorough he was. We had a TERRIFIC phone consult and I was totally at ease making the trip down. To note, I had no problems getting Dr. K to write a little letter of medical necessity. (This might help with insurance paying for it, if you primary care provider has already documented the pre-qualifying issues then the letter is all you really need if your insurance pays for it - mine didn't.) BUT this letter is good to have for tax reasons, especially if you've spent so much on medications, travel expenses are covered for this too so you can get that deduction! Besides, if I'd waited for insurance I would've been kicking my butt! The money was worth it! Just wish I'd done it sooner - and with an insurance provider that DID pay for it!
  3. marcyinak
    Lap - that's exciting! I'm actually looking forward to getting the pannus ripped off me (and some days I'm ready to take a knife to it myself - that might MAKE insurance pay for it! Gross, I know, thats why I haven't done it...that and I'm not crazy!) Good luck! A couple of weeks ago I had a major NSV that I don't think I wrote about, but wanted to. Anita and I have a total aversion to excercise so it's a pretty big deal when I even head outside at all! Well, I got myself a new bike, hooked up the kid trailer and set out for town. (It just happened to be the ONE nice day since.) I planned with a friend to meet "in town" at a park and our girls would play. I was VERY apprehensive because there's a BIG hill on the way into town and then once I got there...would I be able to come back? Well, I decided that if I had to I'd just walk my bike up the hill and call my husband to come get us if I just couldn't get back....so there were no excuses. Turns out I didn't need my back-up plans a all! It was about a 3 mile ride each way with several hills, but I made it and wasn't even a little pooped when we got home! My daughter had a great time too! This is big... My husband FINALLY made an unsolicited comment on how good I looked today. And that was after the Chief of Police told me I was lookin' good! So now I have both bosses of public safety telling me I'm hot....I can get away with anything! Right?
  4. marcyinak
    JillyPoo - moved to FBKS when I was 7 and lived there until I was 30 (left to Idaho for school). Lived in Bethel for 3 1/2 years and we've been here in Nome for a little over a year. My husband is a State Trooper so we move around like the mililtary, depending on what positions open up and then we bid on them. Bethel was just an "experience move", Nome was a promotion....would like to go to Ketchikan some day because we have family there...actually going for a couple of weeks this summer. I'll be in good 'ol squarebanks in Aug., maybe we could meet? Do you have a fill doc there? I was only able to find fill docs in Anchorage, but I hear there is now someone in FBKS now. My sisters and parents live in FBKS too. I actually LIKE Nome, but wish we had better access to a Walmart like store...we've got 7-11 merchandise at Neiman Marcus prices!!
  5. marcyinak
    Jill - I'm in Nome. Went to CO last July for the surgery w/ Dr. K and was able to meet a few folks at Red Robin before I flew home. I have to fly to Anchorage for a fill and that gets expensive. About telling the kids. Well, I'm one of those people who told everyone. I'm happy about my decision and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. My kids (8, 5, almost 3) are aware that there are things I can and can't eat and the poor things have to deal with some of my "exception experiments" for dinner. They get concerned when I get stuck, but notice that I am still living even when I eat half as much as they do (which, really, is a BIG deal since we are a huge helping kinda family). You'll do fine with the pre-op diet...just think that it's only two weeks that you'll have to try SO HARD, then you'll still have to try and work at it, but never that hard again! Also, to keep up with the thread (and this is really the only one I read anymore) I just choose the daily update option at the bottom of the reply page and I get all the daily posts in an email - which is a GREAT option for me since internet is slow out here! Mini - Keep up the good work. I know it's hard at times, but it will be worth it in the end. You want to be your healthiest for the surgery so you recover well/quick and get on with your new life. Mal - way to go with the roller blading, but I'm sure it's easier with SIDEWALKS! Love to see somthing like that in Alaska some day! I hate roller-blading on roads piddled with rocks (we don't use salt here, it gets too cold so they just spread rocks). I, too, and worried about Brandy and Adorkable...it's hard to do anything this far away, but I'm here for you...remember, I'm on Alaska time so I'm up "later" than the rest of you! haha! Well, we had some sun for a couple of days and we're back at rain...maybe this weekend we'll have a sunny day for a bonfire on the beach?!?! It's been almost a year and I want to lose a few more lbs. to make it to -50 in a year....with NO gaining! Really, the best part about this whole thing is that I don't care what I put in my mouth anymore - it's not something on my mind all the time. THAT is the best feeling in the world! Let's get our butts in gear and reach our weight loss goals this summer! We can do it!
  6. marcyinak
    Tied - I'm down .5 lbs. from last week - total down 4 lbs. for challenge. I need to get my butt in gear!!!
  7. marcyinak
    Deb - Here's the long story: came to AK with my mom (who followed boyfriend from WA) in 2nd grade. Lived in Fairbanks until I was almost 21 and went to college in Idaho - swearing off Alaska forever. The best opportunity for my internship just happened to be back in Fairbanks so I went there. Then, after applying for over 600 jobs (no type-o there) I met my husband and we got married. We always planned on moving to the "lower 48", but then I talked him into being an Alaska State Trooper (the Troopers are like the military and they move you around the state). So now we're here in Nome...there was a promotion involved. It's ok, but I'm looking forward to getting back onto a highway (paved or marine). The weather is stinkin' right now, but usually it's quite tolerable and nice. There's nothing like going to the beach in the evening after looking at musk ox in the afternoon! (NOTE: I am NOT the out-doorsy type so this is a big deal that I'm into something that's not indoors!) Anyway...short story...followed my husband here.
  8. marcyinak
    Thanks! Way to be optimistic there Mini!!! :tongue:
  9. marcyinak
    I was just looking at my ticker and realized that I'm MORE - much MORE - than halfway to goal! My goal is really just a number I came up with and I should change it because, really, 200 is my goal, not 180...but I'm going to leave it and see what happens. Thanks everyone! I'm almost a year out and haven't gained a lb! Realistically, I did the surgery to NOT gain anymore. So I've lost! BONUS! I will NEVER weight that much again...EVER! So sweet it is!
  10. marcyinak
    Good news today! I had gone up 1.5 lbs. on our challenge, but I've lost that AND another lb.!!! Now, just have to keep it off for the "official" weigh-in on Saturday! Weather in Nome is awful! It's been misty/foggy for SEVERAL days. As you know, there are no roads here so everything (mail, groceries, medicines, tourists, etc.) come by plane. Well, we usually have 3 flights a day here and we've had SEVEN in a row cancel! That means the grocery store is getting sparse...glad I switched to powdered milk a few weeks ago (milk is about $7.50/gal so I went the cheap route...heck, it's cheaper to drink GAS! And that's $4.26/gal right now - that'll go up about $2 next week though because the barge just came in with our fuel). It's just LOVELY living out in the middle of nowhere!!!
  11. marcyinak
    Tied -sadly, I'm up 1.5lbs. this week....but there were some M&M's and Cherry Pepsi involved yesterday that I'm sure added to it...funny how my scale STILL won't say 217!! Haha! I AM going to lose it this week though! Total loss of 3.5 lbs. so far.
  12. marcyinak
    Anita - I've had the same issue with my "fat clothes", but I'm learning to just let go...I haven't gained any weight in a year and I haven't been able to say that for over 10 years! Just count your blessings and bag it up for others who need it because you don't NEED it anymore! Mal - How horrible! Maybe this is why I have chickens instead of dogs! Poor baby! Pneumonia can knock the socks off a human, I can't imagine what it does to a little pooch! He's probably using all his energy to just breathe! I'll say a little prayer for him - and you - tonight. It's friggin' snowing again! I'm getting real sick of this place! When is summer going to start? My chicks are getting sickly and I lost 2 more today! Yep, now I'm down to 12 and it looks like I might have 2 more on the death list. CRAP! This cold weather isn't helping them thrive at all! I know that I should expect a couple to die (growing that fast will kill ya, ya know), but for cryin' out loud! I'd like to have at least a COUPLE of chicken dinners out of this! AAAAHHHHH!!!!! It's been a bad day...needed Pepsi and M&M's to make it better. The sun better come out tomorrow or that pack of Hershey bars we have saved for the beach and s'mores is going to disappear!!!!!
  13. marcyinak
    I HIGHLY recommend forkin' out the cash to pay for an extra night at the hotel. There are SEVERAL reasons for this: if you have issues, you have the doc right there - you can just HEAL as opposed to dealing with home issues with kids or even just well wishers (the time is for YOU) - you'll feel better about it in the long run! I had surgery on Tues. and flew home to Alaska on Thurs afternoon. I was feeling quite good and only needed one dose of pain meds for the trip...and it was a long trip (we had to over-nite in Anchorage). As for a vehicle...there's a few folks (deboregan among them) that are looking at renting a vehicle. I rented one and got an economy thing for about $12/day! I used Priceline. It's a GREAT service is you know for sure that you'll be needing a vehicle. I don't know if you'll be able to drive right after the surgery (depends on your pain level and how you tolerate meds, and I don't recommend poppin' pills and drivin' if you know what I mean), but if you have someone to drive then I'd totally go with Priceline! Good luck!
  14. marcyinak
    Mal - you crack me up girl! I can totally see you there, standing in front of the Wii Fit display with your arms out, with a look on your face that says, "Mess with me and you'll have a whole group of crazy women to deal with!" It'll be one of my great Mal memories....right up with the vision of you on all fours hacking like a cat - remember last year when you got stuck? Hahaha!) Tied - thanks for keeping up with the goals, etc. My internet is so friggin' slow that it's just easier to do a quick reply and not quote anyone...and keeping up with everyones stories and progress, but I'm here if anyone needs me...or needs a place to sleep if they come to Nome! OK people...drum roll please...my scale has FINALLY moved!!! I swear, I didn't think I'd ever see 217!!! (I've been bobbing from 220 to 218 since February! Which is ok, since I'm not gaining either!) So today, yep, didn't see 217...saw 215!!!! WOW! So, I started this goal thing at 220 and am at 215 now, that's 5 lbs. in two weeks! Thanks so much for helping me! I attibute this loss to YOU, becaue my motivation isn't 5 lbs. worth right now. Feelin' good! Thank you! Thank you!
  15. marcyinak
    I'm here, I'm here! I've been excruciatingly busy these past few days....husband went out of town and I've had to do that first week of summer by myself! Something they offer here in Nome for the kids for the summer is called "Summcize". It's a day camp where the kids participate in sports, nutrition, and cultural stuff. (Like flag football, Gardening, Wholesome Baking, Nutrition Fitness, etc.) I'm excited for the kids to have this opportunity and maybe they'll bring some ideas back to us here at home?!?! The baby chicks are doing ok. They had a VERY rough trip to Nome and SEVERAL died, but the rest are still very hearty and growing fast! When are we supposed to be weighing in for our 10 week goal? I'm suckin' at trying to eat right and work out (but let's be real here, I don't work out, I just try to get moving during the day - and I'm ok with that for now). I've been bobbing at 221-218 for MONTHS now and just can't seem to break past 218...that's what this goal is for me really. At least I got to walk on the beach today. Since gold is at an all time high, there are TONS of people out on the beaches with sluice boxes and out in the ocean with dredges (boats with an underwater vacuum - you have a diver that goes and sucks up the dirt and then on top of the dredge you filter it and get the gold). A good "sluicer" will get about 1/2 ounce a day (that's about $500) and a dredge could easily yield about 2-10 ounces a day! That's just incredible! Anyway, we're full of tourists and miners...a LOT of people with tents on the beach for the summer....I'll have to take a picture of that...something quite peculiar I tell ya! Later gals! Good luck to everyone, trust me, I KNOW how hard it is. I have to admit that I'm grateful that I actually know that I WON'T gain any of this weight back, but I'd like to lose a bit more if you know what I mean...just got to get over the hump.
  16. marcyinak
    First..LA...er...adorKable...thanks for setting us straight on your name change...I was a little confused. I keep on top of our thread, but don't post often. My baby chicks are coming next week. We dug out the shed today and I need to get my bike ready because I'm going to start riding...I've got to get some excersize here! Don't EVER quote me on that! I take the challenge...I'll say 15lbs. in 10 weeks....I think I can do it! I've already pushed the popcorn away! It's looking a little like summer here! There isn't much "spring" or "fall" in the north...like a week of melting and then it's just sunny and a week of everything turning ugly brown and then it's snowing! You know...some people might think this midnight sun thing is pretty cool...but the kids NEVER sleep! It is 11:14pm right now and they're out playing in the street on one side of my house and on the other they're playing basketball! Put the kids to bed already!!!
  17. marcyinak
    Ok, I see that picture and I think about how high the sides are on that outfit and that it would never work for me because I have a panus...that great roll of skin that hangs down on my abdomen. It would look just awful, but then if I look awful enough the insurance people will PAY me to go get surgery, eh?:confused_smile:
  18. marcyinak

    Deb - I travelled from out of state (I'm in Nome, Alaska) last year for the surgery. The experience was great...I also recovered quite well (WAY better than my gallbladder removal and about the same as my 3 c-sections-which I thought were great).

     

    Now...fills. Everyone is different. Some people think it's cheaper to just fly to Denver and see Dr. K for fills...since that's not feasable to me I found a doctor in Anchorage (still have to fly there). I think you should at LEAST find some aftercare in your area...someone you could go to in an emergency at least. There might even be a support group locally that would really be beneficial (although we've all found that most support groups are for the bypass folks). Fills are very individual. Some people find that "sweet spot" very quickly (within a couple of fills). I've had 5 fills (I'm at 3.4cc in a 4cc band) and could actually use more, but it's one of those things where you kind of get used to the fill then need more. Needle size vary...mine uses a teeny tiny needle, most use something bigger. No one really complains of the stick so if you're needle-shy this should be the LEAST of your worries!

     

    Fluro - some fills docs use fluro and some don't. Dr. K doesnt...he just has you drink some water and fills you 'till that gets stuck then takes just a wee bit out...to make a kinda funnel-affect. (This is what I've heard, I haven't been to him for a fill.) My doc fills me at a level I want, he's very cautious and requires me to stay in town for a few days to make sure that everything is good to go. He has some fluro people available if there seems to be a problem. Fluro, I've heard, makes it so you ge to the sweet spot earlier because they can actually observe the liquid funnelling...but then, like I said earlier, you get used to the fill and need more so....I would say don't pay extra for it unless you are pretty darn sure there's a problem.

     

    Unfills - done the same as a fill. Someimes your stomach will swell when you get a fill (from the irritation). This has not happened to me, and I think rarely happens anyway. This can cause you to not even be able to swallow spit...then an unfill is needed. Now, my doc in Anchorage lets me "tweak" my fill for a week without an extra charge so if I feel too tight (which has never been the case) he'd take some out or if I feel like I could use a bit more (which HAS happened) then he adds more. My doc also doesn't require me to drink liquids the day of and day after a fill - some do. I think it's better not to so you can really see how the fill did for you.

     

    I was on the fill thread for a bit, but it didn't give as much information as I'm giving you here.

     

    The hardest part of aftercare is really that it's all up to you and how YOU feel. I, like LapDancer, am a food adict and am working on that - working on even accepting that. The band hasn't cured me of everything, but on bad days it does stop me from being super gluttonous! I'm at a state now that if I lose weight I now I won't gain it back.

     

    Also...a friend of mine had the Band put in a few years ago. She reached goal in about 1 1/2 years and then got a complete unfill...she lost 10 more lbs. and has maintained that without filling up...just letting the band "sit there". Now, there's some hope for us!

  19. marcyinak
    ShelbiCallie - funny you should mention the cow...we actually considered it! Actually, we thought about getting a couple of goats! (My friend buys organic milk and that's $10/gal!!!) Unfortunately, the feed cost would be so much more...and trying to keep the thing alive through winter is just more than I could think of. We get paid well for living here (you can usually find a non-skilled job for at least $12/hr...we, of course are very skilled so we get MUCH more) so the costs aren't THAT much of a bite! This IS (I mean anywhere in the state really) the place to come for work, but housing out in these rural areas is scarce...just saw a posting for a 2 bdrm, unfurnished, no utilities for rent at $1300 - that's a bit steep for anywhere! I'm actually drinking a DIET soda right now! At least I've made that change! Of course, soda is about as expensive as gas so I'd better give it up soon!
  20. marcyinak
    Sorry my dear...it was my sister's friend that we stayed with in Aurora...my sister came with me as my "nurse". We don't have any plans to go back to Denver even though I offer my services as a nurse if one of my friends is interested in the Band I drive an Exploder and fill up about every two weeks. Our pumps used to have a $75 shut off, but not any more. It usually costs me about $65 every two weeks, but summer means the roads are open and I'll be driving a bit more to go fishing in the rivers. I'm switching to powdered milk for a while to ease up on the grocery bill! My friend (and her sister) who just got the gastric sleeve done are recoving very well and are still on a liquid diet, although they've been given the go-ahead to eat mushies. They are both glad they did it and have lost about 25lbs. each (but I'm sure that has EVERYTHING to do with the liq. diet). I'm going to try a plateau buster diet, but I need to get a little motivated...maybe I'll be motivated after crawling around in the greenhouse building the indoor part of my chicken coop! Haha!:thumbup: Husband is good, but he just weighed himself and is at his highest ever. I've noticed that he's become an emotional eater so I'm trying to keep the crap out of the house so he doesn't have that as an option. Kids are crazy as usual! My 8yr old was just tested for being a genius - well, he's not quite a genius, but he's finishing 2nd grade, but tested ahe 5th-6th grade level....we're not sure what to do with him. Home schooling is not an option for me and there is no gifted/talented program here. They're going to try to put him in 3rd grade and go up to another grade for academics...like having a home-room. I don't really want him to skip a grade...we'll see!:w00t:
  21. marcyinak
    I'm still around...I get the daily email with all the posts and just read there. I don't have much to say other than after spending $500 on a couple of fills and countless thou$ands on airfare, I've lost NOTHING since January! I know I have some issues with my food choices and that's something I'm just going to have to deal with. Another "problem" is that I truly am happy where I am. I'm not thinking about the food I put in my mouth, I'm not obsessing about my looks or clothes, and I have the energy to do what I want....all things that were my "goal". So there really isn't any complaining on my part...I'm happy about where I am (even if I AM overweight) and I would still do the surgery again! Where are all my "regular friends"? Anita? Mal? Michelle? I need to hear about you ladies for my own mental health. I'm so glad I got to meet you last year so I can put an actual live person to the post. Does anyone know if there is a charge for talking to Paula this far after surgery? Are her services still included? I don't know if she'd be able to help me...most of the things I eat out here aren't what you all would be eating (it's all based on game meat and what's on sale at the market). Now, on a separate note...we're paying $4.26/gal for gas and $7.49/gal for milk...cheaper to drink gas. We've "heard" that gas will go to about $7/gal by the end of the summer - we barge our fuel in so the price of fuel on the last barge is what we pay all year until the next barge comes in (in June). I'm glad we bought a wood stove last fall...I'll get some excersize chopping wood this summer, that's for sure! Oh, and for those who knew me last summer...I've ordered my chicks so I'll have some chicken to eat this fall....a friend taught me to "pound" my chicken before cooking and then I'm able to eat it, otherwise it just gets stuck and it's...well...not good. Thanks for your support and the posts...it's all helpful!
  22. marcyinak
    Brandy - no way are YOU making ME feel bad. I'm happy and even excited for you and your motivation. I come here for support and I need to be able to voice my honest opinion to get honest support. Please, don't EVER feel that you might be hurting my feelings by doing so well....I'll get out of this funk and NEED your inspiration!
  23. marcyinak
    J- Congratulations! That's just awesome!:rolleyes2: I just got back from another trip to Anchorage (and Fairbanks to see family). Went in for my son (thought he needed ear tubes again, but then doc said he didn't recommend surgery at this time - oh well, that's good) so I had another fill. I'm at 3.4cc in my 4cc band now. I don't feel much more restriction than before. I didn't lose any weight last week - there was some Coldstone involved. I HAVE learned to cheat and it's soooo easy to do so! I'm looking forward to the next few weeks. The snow is melting and all that means is that I'm going to get out more and be more active.:scared2: I've lost 40 lbs. and that's BIG for me...I have to admit that I still get jealous when I hear that others are doing so much better than I am. Instead of thinking, "Way to go!" I'm thinking, "Crap! I'm so far behind!" My DH is so wonderful that he reminds me often that the goal (for me) was to STOP GAINING and not really to lose anything so I've reached my goal...it just doesn't feel that convincing!:tongue2: My friend left the other day to go to Michigan to have the gastric sleeve procedure and I have to admit that I'm worried that she's going to lose all this weight and here I'll be not losing more than a 1 lb. a month!:thumbup: On a happy note...I've been having trouble with protein - actually eating meat because I get stuck. I've come up with some ways to help me eat it - the biggest change is the small bites and SLOW eating (which has been extra hard for me). I was actually able to eat some grilled steak last night! It was so yummy! I ate chicken the other day...things are looking up. I know that I've reached for the easy (read: bad) food because meat has been so difficult for me. I'm really glad I've "figured the meat thing out" - couldn't have come at a better time!:thumbup:
  24. marcyinak
    WAHOO Michelle! Now, I know we all don't NEED a man, but....aren't they nice to have around and play with? Good for you! I'm still enjoying my skinny jeans and looking forward to purchasing the next size smaller...just to have, an incentive maybe. Well, it's 9:45pm and the sun is still out...summer must be on its way!
  25. marcyinak
    LA - here's for hoping it was just something that got "stuck" somewhere and is now past! Geez! I can't imagine having something happen to me like that...there are no CT scans out here and they'd have to fly me into Anchorage - not that'd I'd be complaining about a trip to "town" mind you! Praying for you! Mal - you're inspirational...maybe I should get a dog...NOT! Just finished dog sitting one of the best dogs in the world and I'm glad she's gone! What happened to me? NSV!! Last year - squeezing into 22's...wearing 24's on a regular basis...today...eeeaaaased into a pair of 16's!!! And I'm all bloated and crampy today (I thought I'd just check to see how far I needed to go to get into them, not actually be able to WEAR them today!) Anyway, aside from needing some Mydol, the day is good!

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