Margie122

I was on the bus home the other day and when we passed the high school I saw that they had a sign for Bay Path University. I've been wanting to go back to school and get my Bachelors (I have my Associate Degree) so I looked it up. They have a campus at the high school for their "One Day A Week" college. I talked to one of the Admission's peeps today and I filled out the online application. I even completed the financial aid paperwork, but I know I won't qualify. Luckily my work will reimburse me up to $6,000 a year for classes (as long as I get a "C" or better). The school even has a "deferred payment" program knowing that most jobs won't pay until after you get your grades. I'm going to start in September. I'm excited. I haven't been this excited since finding out my surgery was approved.

Thanks again for all the birthday wishes. I had a great day...great birthday weekend. @@Suaniya Dr. McCluney is really great. He took care of me for a day or two when I was in the hospital after surgery. I went home initially after surgery but had to be readmitted because I was dry heaving and they were afraid I might pop stitches. Ended up staying an extra 4 days...but it was worth it. I would not change anything about my sleeve. My start to surgery date was about 5 months, but it wasn't because St. E's was slow....I didn't have a lot of vacation time at work and I had some scheduling conflicts. The staff at St. E's are great. I love the NUT David, he is a huge help to me. Valerie at the front desk is awesome too. I can't say enough good things about them. I wish you well on your journey!

Hello everyone! Today is my birthday....yay me! I am so blessed to be 16 months post-surgery. Had the gastric sleeve on 8/17/2015 and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am down 125lbs, and I feel great. I have gone from a tight size 22W to a 12. If I ever had skin surgery I would probably be a size 10. I am 5'10. I don't know if I will ever have skin surgery, it's not so bad. My body is my body and I am ok with how I look. I might get it done in the future, I haven't ruled it out. I also went back to school to pursue my Bachelor's Degree. I should be done by June of 2018. I'm taking one class per semester (they are accelerated semesters) because I have so much going on. I'm really enjoying the work. There are so many things I can do now that I couldn't do before the surgery. I can walk and walk and walk and even run when I need to. Going up and down stairs is no problem. I have so much more energy. I can cross my legs, fit in a standard seat, get into a booth, etc. When I see my reflection sometimes I can't believe that the person looking back is me. It's been such a journey these past 16 months. I am in a great bariatric program and I owe the fine people at St. Elizabeth's a kudo's! My nutritionist and surgeon are awesome. Since having surgery a friend of my family decided to have it done and he is down over 100lbs since August of this year. A cousin of mine just reached out and is thinking of having it done too. It would be wonderful for her because she has so many weight related health issues. I feel great being able to help them on their journey. I hope everyone is having a great day. Margie

Thanks @@proudgrammy! I appreciate your kind words

Raymia - I hope you get your sleeve soon too! Thanks Deeveg!

teedsg thanks for your post. I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I am settling into more of a routine and have had two good sessions with my new therapist. She is awesome. It finally hit me the other day that even if my mom makes absolutely NO ADDITIONAL PROGRESS that we will be ok. I can get her in/out of the car with no problem and we have the stairlift in the house to get her up and down stairs. I have every confidence she will get better and walk, so anything else is "gravy" at this point. I've been able to take her to restaurants and shopping, so I'm sure we will get even more confident as we do more things. School is challenging but I love it and I'm sticking with 1 class a semester. Our classes are 6 weeks in length so I'm midway through the second one now. I'm glad I didn't put it off. I'm still doing well and I love my sleeve. I'm so glad I had this surgery. It's been a real blessing. hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

It's been a long time since I've been on bariatricpal.com and I've missed it. My life changed drastically on 6/20/2016 when my mother had a large right sided hemorrhagic stroke. My life was the hospital ICU, acute rehab hospital and finally the subacute rehab. She didn't come home until the end of September and then had a setback where her vitals were so low she had to be readmitted to the hospital for 3 days and then do another week at the subacute rehab. She finally came home on 10/2. My stress levels haven't gotten any better since her coming home. I'm thrilled she is home, but she cannot be left alone. This means we have a home health aide for 11 hours a day, from 6AM to 5PM....while I am at work. Medicare and her private health insurance pay for none of it. We've had to modify the house, and stairlifts are also not covered. Luckily mom is a fighter and just turned 67. She had the gastric sleeve in March and thank goodness she lost weight because her stroke recovery would be so much harder for her and me. I like to say she is full of piss and vinegar. She is DETERMINED to walk again and I know she will do it. Unfortunately she's very impatient and I have to remind her of her "gains" even though they may be small, every day. She's done SO WELL since June it really is amazing. In the life of a stroke 4 months isn't a lot and there is so much she can do on her own that I'm amazed. As for me - I had my gastric sleeve surgery in August of 2015. I am SO THANKFUL I did because if I was 295lbs there is no way I would have survived the last four months. I would not have had the stamina or the strength. Weekdays I am up at 5AM and out the door at 6. When I get home I am constantly running around, up and down stairs, etc....trying to get laundry done in between a million other things. Transferring her from the wheelchair to the chair, or the chair to her bed is also serious exercise. On top of it I decided to go back and pursue my bachelors degree. I must be crazy! I had signed up before she had the stroke and I only have 11 classes to get my degree. Luckily I was able to switch to online courses and have already completed one. I had homework due by 11:59PM and it just happened to be on the night she was taken to the ER and I actually logged on from the "cubby" we were in while she was resting. I kid you not, less then 3 feet away from me in the other "cubby" a guy was getting a rectal exam. All that separated me from them was the curtain. I guess you do what you have to do! I submitted the last assignment at 11:45PM. She finally went up to a room around 12:30. My weight has been semi-stable during this time. At first I couldn't eat....just couldn't hold anything down. Then I wanted everything that was bad for me. Then I realized that wasn't making me feel any better so I had better stop. I'm not going to lie, I pretty much existed on decaf iced coffee, egg & cheese on english muffin from Dunkin Donuts, and Protein bars. I know it's not the greatest but it was all I could muster. I was getting up at 5AM and not getting home some nights until 10...and I still had stuff to get done at home. Right now I'm 175. People say I'm thin enough. I have some loose skin on my stomach but it's no so terrible that I can't hide it and I have some loose skin on my thighs and upper arms. It's not enough to make me NOT wear a bathing suit or a sleeveless shirt. I feel good, and clothes fit well. I would like to get down to 165 but if that doesn't happen that's ok too. I'm comfortable where I am. I know if I had skin removal surgery it would probably get me there or close to it. That's probably not in the cards for me right now. Don't know if it will ever be. I see my PCP next Tuesday. I am also going to see a therapist next Wednesday. I had to ask my PCP for something to help me with my anxiety and depression. I have cried every day since 6/20, sometimes several times a day. I know that's not healthy. I'm taking an anti-depressant, but I've only been on it since 10/25...and it takes about a month to come up to it's full effect. I hope it helps. I'm also taking .5mg of clonazepam for the anxiety in the morning and at bedtime. It's not a lot, but it's enough to keep me steady. I hate having to take those medications, but I need them right now. Some day I won't hopefully. I know this is a long post - if you made it this far thanks! The one thing I need to make time for again is my monthly meeting at my bariatric center. I have only been to one meeting and that was in October. It was a celebration of everyone who had done well and had surgery the year before. I wore a lovely black dress and "big girl" shoes. I felt wonderful. I need to make the time to get back to my meetings because they are important and they keep me grounded. I'll figure out a way. Margie

Thank you all for your kind responses. I am settling into a routine and we have caregivers during the day. I have hired some extra help every other Friday and every other Saturday to give me a little break. It's expensive though and I do have anxiety about money issues but we will get through it. Today is my physical with my PCP. Tomorrow is my first therapy appointment. I do think the depression meds are helping. The change in the time though did a number on me and I'm waking up way too early. Hopefully my body adjusts. I weighed myself this morning and I was 171.4......I'm trying to keep up with the Vitamins and the Protein but I do A LOT of running around...so maybe it's all the extra steps that is getting the weight down. It could be the anxiety too. I am trying to take some time for me....especially with the school work. I renewed my license the other day and the difference in the photos is amazing. I hope the color photo they mail me with my actual license is a little better than the black and white printout because I look tired! Oh well, it's just a license photo. I hope everyone has a great day today. I am constantly amazed by the angels that are sent to me when I need help the most. So many people have been so kind to both my mom and me and that makes it a little easier to deal with. On a positive note she has a physical therapy reevaluation today and I hope that goes well so she can continue on with home PT services. She had her occupational therapy reevaluation last week and I was told that went very well. If we could just control her left shoulder and arm pain we would be in such a better place. It's day by day but we are getting there.

Peeps, I hope you don't mind, but for the next 9 weeks I'm going to use this post as an accountability post. I need your help. My one year "surgiversary" is coming up in 9 weeks on 8/17. I have been stalling at around 187-189 for a while now. Prior to that I was stuck in the low 190's and I did a 5 day rest. My original goal was 165. I am keeping that as my stretch goal but right now my goal is 175 by 8/17. I am asking my bariatricpal friends for help. I know that ultimately the goal is my own, and only I can do it, but any advice, etc. from people who have been there, done that, or even newer peeps who are working it would be appreciated! I have struggled before and coming to these boards for support has been a huge help. Thanks in advance! Margie

Ok...so I guess even when you feel like the whole world is crashing down around you YOUR APPETITE can and will come back. Your appetite for CR@P. Nipping it in the bud today, AND NOT going to use my mother's health issues as a crutch or an excuse to eat what I want. My appetite isn't what it was, but I can certainly eat more than I did when it first happened 3 weeks ago. Sorry for the rambling..... Yesterday was 3 weeks since mom had the stroke. She is doing better, had the feeding tube removed on Sunday and she feels so much better. I'm trying to make sure SHE gets in enough calories I have to CONSTANTLY remind them "SHE HAS A TUMMY THE SIZE OF A SMALL banana AND SHE CANNOT GET ALL HER CALORIES IN 3 MEALS A DAY!" She's not eating enough. I had to recommend ENSURE mid morning and mid afternoon. I want to make sure she gets in enough Protein. Hospitals don't carry anything else (except maybe THRIVE ice cream) - and I they can't be counted on to make a protein shake. Of course they sent her up strawberry Ensure (which is really gross) and she had wanted coffee or chocolate. I don't think they have coffee so I ordered 20 of them online and they will be here tomorrow. My NUT reached out to me via email again yesterday to see how I was doing. I am going to try to get to my monthly support meeting on the 21st. I'm going to make it happen. My 1 year surgiversary is 8/17.......the goal is 165..... still trying to hit it. Hope all is well with everyone else out in Bariatricpal land.....stay safe

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Wonderland is an amazing feeling. You have done soooooo well! You should be very proud.

You look amazing!

So I'm not sure if I have shrunk but I was 5'11....I'm going to say I'm 5'10.....my brain is fried. I'm at my lowest weight now of 180lbs. Wearing size L or XL tops (14-16) depending on the brand/cut and am wearing a size 12 or 14 jeans. Goal is still 165. 1 year anniversary coming up on 8/17.....we shall see.

Well I weighed in this morning. I'm down to 180lbs. I should be delighted, but the only reason I'm down this low is because of my mother's health issues. I really don't have much interest in food, I'm eating just to stay healthy and survive and be there for her in her time of need. The hospital she is in right now, while excellent for her rehab, stinks in the food department. They do stock decent coffee (a must!) and a variety of Protein bars. My goal is still 165lbs...so 15lbs to go. I have a Protein shake for Breakfast. There wasn't anything to pack for lunch but I'm working downtown I can hit Whole Foods for a salad with some protein. 1 year surgiversary is coming up on 8/17. My appointment with the NUT and my surgeon is scheduled for 8/23. Six weeks til the big day. Hopefully by that time mom has made some serious progress with her rehab and is walking. That would be the biggest joy I could have.

Hi - do you have an OBGYN that you are being followed by for the heavy periods? I too suffered from heavy periods and was anemic, but nothing like what you are going through. I'm sorry this is happening to you. There have got to be some options for you I would think. Be an advocate for yourself and see what is available and what might work for you...I wish you the best of luck in your journey.

@@Christinamo7 I am so sorry for the sudden loss of your dad. You said ... "I just do not really "want to" anything - and that is probably normal right now." I feel the same way. I have been dealing with a health issue for my mom and I don't want to do anything either. I feel dull. I feel flat. I cry every day. On 6/20 I came home to find her on the floor in the midst of a stroke. I could have lost her. Right now she is in Rehab and has a very long recovery ahead of her. I don't even want to imagine if it had been worse. I am really just so sorry for your loss......I hope that you are able to stay healthy and be comforted by the friends and family that surround you.

Inner Surfer Girl - thank you for your kind words. Yes being as healthy as possible will benefit the both of us. That is what is keeping me going. I have little to no interest in food but I know I have to eat to stay healthy. I'm still wearing my fitbit and trying to get my 10,000 steps in a day. Some days I do really well and others not so much. When I'm at the hospital I want to be by her side and that doesn't equate to a lot of steps at times. My NUT from my bariatric program has been great. He has been very helpful with suggesting certain readings that might comfort me and reminding me to take care of myself. My mother's bariatric surgeon has been great too - she called me to tell me how sorry she was to hear about my mom and said she would be more than happy to call the NUT at the rehab to discuss her dietary needs. It is a beautiful day outside. The sun is shining. The flowers are amazingly bright. But I feel dull. I will get outside for a bit before I go to see her at the hospital. I'm going to a friends house for a few hours today for a cookout. Honestly I don't want to go, but it will be good for me to do it.

So I haven't been back to this post for a long time, but it's not because I fell off track. On June 20th I came home to find my mom on the floor. She had a stroke. It was very scary and I have cried every day. She is only 66 years old and is a vibrant, active, wonderful person. It's a right sided stroke and it affected her left side. She can't really move her left arm or leg at all. Unfortunately they couldn't give her that drug if you get to a stroke victim early enough. She was awake when I found her. She had been on the floor for about 4 hours. My friend's mom is a retired nurse and worked with stroke victims. She told me to move my mom's arm and leg every day so her muscle memory would stay. I was at the hospital as many hours a day as I possibly could. She went into AFIB while she was there and they determined that was the cause of her stroke. We didn't know she had it. The cardiologist said it is very difficult to detect and no one did anything wrong - not me, not mom, etc... Mom had been in the ER twice in the last year with GERD and chest pain and each time they checked out her heart and told her it was fine. She was in a great ER and they have a great cardiac team. After diagnosing AFIB they brought her to the cardiac ICU. She progressed and was in the step-down Neuro unit and then a regular room. On Tuesday 6/28 she was stable enough to be moved to rehab. I worked with the case manager at the initial hospital to get her into the best rehab possible. It's rated one of the top 6 rehab hospitals in the country. I am lucky to live where I do and have such choice in healthcare. I know we are lucky that she has good insurance (private) and Medicare. She is in an acute rehab facility and the goal is once she has progressed to where her medical needs are not so high that she can go to the regular rehab facility and continue working on moving. She has physical, occupational, and speech therapy. They do some vision training, music therapy, etc. They keep her busy in the hospital. That is my goal...to keep her busy and not getting depressed. I am going to talk to the case manager at the rehab to make sure they have her evaluated for depression. Mom is a fighter, but even the strongest need help at times. She has a very long road ahead. Luckily she has an army of support behind her and it is a true testament to the way she lived her life and the person she is because I have heard from so many people offering support, doing things at the house (watering plants, feeding animals, bringing out the trash) and sending cards, and flowers. Sorry for the long post. In all of this I have not turned to food for comfort. I find the only joy that food brings me is when I can find something that she can have (hospital approved) that brings some brightness to her day. I am truly eating just to survive to be healthy and be strong for my mom. I would appreciate any and all good thoughts/prayers for my mom. Thanks for listening. Margie

I figured I would post this in the fitness forum - I want to get a GO PRO camera for my 13 year old, very active niece who loves photography. Is it better to get one that is wi-fi enabled? The prices range from $100 to $300+.....is the $100 one worth it??? If there is another forum that this could go in...let me know! Any responses appreciated. THANKS!

Thank you all who responded! Gpmed – I think I am snacking too much too. I need to do better with tracking. Crackers, especially Triscuits, are my downfall. I can eat too many of them and when I’m eating Triscuit’s I’m not eating protein Valentina – I think my body might need a shock too. More Protein, more exercise, and less excuses for now! I have a monthly meeting with my NUT tomorrow and I will get some suggestions from him. He was very helpful in breaking my first stall. Thanks for the prayers, I will take them! Cseidman – Congrats on your loss so far! I too have become a creature of habit and I need to mix things up. Sounds like you are doing well on your journey…I wish you continued success. Cowgirljane – thanks for the encouragement. I can do low carb, it’s the high intensity exercise that I need to do. I have to find something that works for me. Janet1000 – Yes you are right, more patience is definitely required J I have a great yoga series on DVD that is supposed to be great for toning that I am going to try. I am also going to try to not go crazy losing this last 23.6lbs! I really do appreciate everyone’s kind words, encouragement, and strategies for moving forward. Today I woke up feeling cautiously optimistic! I found my fitbit charger and I’m wearing it again. Today I resolve to: get my Water in, log my food, and make conscious meal choices at the restaurant I am going to tonight with people from work. That’s what I can do to help myself today.

I'm cold all the time. ALL THE TIME. Did I mention it was all the time?!

188 lbs this morning. Thanks!

Start weight 188.4lbs - GOAL weight - 183lbs.

Late post - 188.4 Thanks for hosting!