marialcole

Dear Folks, Well, it is definitely time that I come clean with myself and return to my blog and face the fact that I have cheated quite a bit in the last 3 weeks. I haven't been getting on Lapbandtalk.com much because I did not want to face it, but its a reality I know o too well. I'm not here to excuse myself and my actions in anyway, but more and more I can see ever so clearly how little I actually take the time to love myself. I just let myself fall off the bandwagon after spending $12K on a Bariatric surgery in December?? What the hell is going on with me? I must vent these emotions because I want to get to the bottom of it. I did just quit a really bad job situation last week and start a new one; yes, I guess I've been under a bit of stress, but that is no excuse for me to just walk away and cheat like I have. So far, since my Lapband surgery on Dec. 22, 2008, I've lost about 18 lbs. and have got to get back on the horse and go back up this mountain of a journey. I've got to embrace myself and take it one day at a time. I ask for prayers and thoughts as I push forward with each of you at my side. Also, if anyone would be interested in communicating or being accountability partners or just friends that chat about their journey, please let me know. I would just really enjoy being able to email back and forth with someone else who is on their weight loss journey after their Band Surgery and welcome you to email me. My email address is: marialcole@gmail.com Tommorrow I return to my Doctor for my first fill. This cajun girl is getting ready to kick it up a notch or two! Wish me luck and all the best to you guys, Lauren :toetap05:

Dear Folks, Well, it is definitely time that I come clean with myself and return to my blog and face the fact that I have cheated quite a bit in the last 3 weeks. I haven't been getting on Lapbandtalk.com much because I did not want to face it, but its a reality I know o too well. I'm not here to excuse myself and my actions in anyway, but more and more I can see ever so clearly how little I actually take the time to love myself. I just let myself fall off the bandwagon after spending $12K on a Bariatric surgery in December?? What the hell is going on with me? I must vent these emotions because I want to get to the bottom of it. I did just quit a really bad job situation last week and start a new one; yes, I guess I've been under a bit of stress, but that is no excuse for me to just walk away and cheat like I have. So far, since my Lapband surgery on Dec. 22, 2008, I've lost about 18 lbs. and have got to get back on the horse and go back up this mountain of a journey. I've got to embrace myself and take it one day at a time. I ask for prayers and thoughts as I push forward with each of you at my side. Also, if anyone would be interested in communicating or being accountability partners or just friends that chat about their journey, please let me know. I would just really enjoy being able to email back and forth with someone else who is on their weight loss journey after their Band Surgery and welcome you to email me. My email address is: marialcole@gmail.com Tommorrow I return to my Doctor for my first fill. This cajun girl is getting ready to kick it up a notch or two! Wish me luck and all the best to you guys, Lauren :scared2:

Jerry, Don't worry one second about the incisions getting infected... Mine healed so fast it almost freaked me out! I had the lapband surgery on Dec. 22 and have had a very good smooth recovery. Don't get me wrong, I was pretty sore the first 3 days after surgery, but the more you move around post-surgery the quicker you feel better. Its by far the best decision I have made in my life so far. I have lost about 23 lbs. in one month, and going strong. Good luck to you and don't forget, it doesn't happen over night.! All the best, Lauren

I feel that I need to blog a little bit about my pos-op experience and thoughts. I had my lap-band procedure on Dec. 22, and for the most part it has been a very good recovery. However, the first 3 days after surgery were much more painful that I prepared for mentally. Today is Jan. 2, and I am in a much better state of mind and physically all of my energy has returned. I have lost about 15 lbs. already since surgery and to be honest the liquid diet was not as hard as I thought until now. I feel I am starting to have withdrawals from having a normal meal. if I see or go near another box of sugarfree jello or broth I get really frustrated. I have kept my surgery completely confidential with only my parents and boyfriend knowing about it. It has been pretty difficult to explain why I am drinking broth / soup everyday to my fellow co-workers, friends, etc. without them questioning me. But I am really blogging tonight, because I don't have many friends or really any support group who has gone through this experience that I can speak to. I feel motivated but would love to hear what others have done to pass through the period of liquid diet without becoming completely daunted or depressed by it. Thanks and All the best, Lauren :thumbup:

Hi Cate and Julieann, Thank you for your comments. Its so nice to hear from others about their journeys into this process of weightloss and self-discovery. To tell you a little about my experience, the first couple of days after surgery I really didn't have much of an appetite to be honest with you. I did experience quite a bit of pos-op pain from the CO2 gas, that is trapped in you during surgery, leaving very sharp pains in my shoulders for about 2 days. This was much more painful than my stomach soreness, but it went away the more I walked and moved around. As to the liquid diet, it has not been very difficult up until now (2 weeks out). I was so excited to have just had my surgery that I really wasn't too hungry and interested in eating much. Whereas now I am back to work and my normal life now, and I could honestly say that I am starting to become a little restless and disinterested in ever eating jello or broth again (lol) and looking forward to moving up to babyfood consistency (week 3). I had my surgery on Dec. 22, right before Christmas, so when I returned to work the following monday I had already lost close to 12 lbs. Several co-workers commented on my weight loss and asked me what I had did, and I only responded that I was a bit sick over Christmas with my stomach (which is kind of true - right?). When I was invited to lunch a few times, I just declined politely and said that I was going home for lunch because my stomach was still bothering me. To be honest, nobody was too noisy to pursue me with anymore questions after that, but I had to be pretty quick with my answers when they asked. I feel very happy about my decision to keep the surgery to myself and close family, being I feel that this is my personal choice and journey to pursue my happiness and health through this outlet of weightloss medicine and surgery option. I don't feel the need whatsoever to explain myself to anyone as to my weight loss other than to credit myself. When I first researched the lapband procedure and tool, I had this blown out of proportion idea and image of it, being almost like a fix it all surgery and all I had to was pay the big hospital bills and wake up pos-op and WA-LA, I would be skinny. HAHAHA... But this silly idea I had was smashed out of my head by the doctor before I even decided to do the surgery. I have been very pleased so far with my experience with the Lapband, and have not had any complications or serious reactions to the change, other than being happier. I feel that this is going to be a very good journey but will teach me a lot of patience along the way. I have already lost close to 20 pounds in about 13 days and am taking it one day at a time. I would love to hear about your journey so far and good luck to you both. All the best, Lauren Maria

I feel that I need to blog a little bit about my pos-op experience and thoughts. I had my lap-band procedure on Dec. 22, and for the most part it has been a very good recovery. However, the first 3 days after surgery were much more painful that I prepared for mentally. Today is Jan. 2, and I am in a much better state of mind and physically all of my energy has returned. I have lost about 15 lbs. already since surgery and to be honest the liquid diet was not as hard as I thought until now. I feel I am starting to have withdrawals from having a normal meal. if I see or go near another box of sugarfree jello or broth I get really frustrated. I have kept my surgery completely confidential with only my parents and boyfriend knowing about it. It has been pretty difficult to explain why I am drinking broth / soup everyday to my fellow co-workers, friends, etc. without them questioning me. But I am really blogging tonight, because I don't have many friends or really any support group who has gone through this experience that I can speak to. I feel motivated but would love to hear what others have done to pass through the period of liquid diet without becoming completely daunted or depressed by it. Thanks and All the best, Lauren :confused:

Best of luck to yoU!! Doesn't it feel great?? No better way to start the new year! I just had my surgery last Monday (Dec. 22) and have already lost 14 lbs. since surgery. The first couple days pos-op are a bit difficult (I was very sore and had very bad pain in my shoulders from the gas that gets trapped in you during surgery), but today on Day 6, I feel completely back to normal and have a lot of energy. Hope you have a nice week and keep in touch!

I highly recommend Liquicel and Prostat 64 (both protein concentrate liquids that you mix with water/koolaid). They are both bottles that you can find at most specialty drug stores and contain above 25 grams of protein per 2 ounces. They come in grape or cherry flavors and are very yummy. Hope that helps.

Cary, Its too funny because I loathe chicken broth with a passion and nearly gagged on it earlier today while I watched the rest of my family eat Christmas dinner (mash potatoes with gravy and prime ribs) ah!! What a day! When I woke up this morning the gas pains in my shoulders had finally gone away (thank God) because I thought I was going to lose my mind if I had them for another day. The gas pains in my shoulders have been much worse than the pain/soreness of my stomach/scars from surgery. How bout you? Don't worry though because your not alone in this;so far I have lost about 8 lbs. since Monday ( I guess because I'm on pure liquids and my body is in shock). I have only used the bathroom once (poopoo) since surgery (which I guess is ok since we are on liquids) but I hope that my body goes back to normal eventually. Anyways, Glad to hear from you and Merry Christmas. Keep in touch and good luck to you . All the best, Lauren

I just want to share with you that I have had the same exact experience as you say here in your blog for the last 3 days since I got my lapband (on Monday Dec. 22). I was starting to wonder if I was the only one, but I have had some serious dizzy spells, hot flashes when I get up, and very painful gas pains in my shoulders and stomach. To be completely honest, I did not at all think I would be in so much pain pos-surgery like I have been in. Today (Day 3) is the first day I can get up and walk down the hall without feeling like someone was stabbing me in the stomach or that I had just ran up 20 flights of stairs. I completely empathize with you and am glad to know that I am not the only one . I as well have not used the bathroom (no. 2) in 5 days... but I guess its because all I have eaten is Jello or sugarfree pudding... not much to pass. Hope you start feeling better and get some rest. Keep in touch. Merry Christmas, lauren

Hello wonderful people and Merry Christmas to you all. I have just finished my last supper (brocolli and snap peas with a little teriyaki sauce on it), before I go on liquids tommorrow and have my lap band surgery on Monday (Dec. 22, 2008). I am thrilled about my surgery, yet mentally a bit nervous as to how difficult this journey may be. I have had a serious weight problem since I was about 8 years old. Graduated high school topping off at 280 pounds. It was a very humiliating and frustrating experience to say the least. While most people gain weight in college, I tried to do something and lose weight. I lost approximately 90 lbs. throughout college while on a very strict meal plan/exercise program and graduated with my Bachelor's degree at 190 lbs. It was a dream! However, I joined the work force a couple years ago as an Oil & Gas Abstractor/ Petroleum Landwoman and I slowly let go of my exercise regimen and healthy food diet and have gained close to 45 lbs back. My first instinct is to beat myself up and be ashamed, but that is probably part of the reason I am still dealing with my weight problem. What I really need is to take charge of my health and learn to love myself first and foremost. Then look at why I'm not on my list of priorities. As I prepare for my surgery on Monday, I feel amazed and embarrassed in a way by how I have not taken care of myself and let my health go. However, I am looking forward to the near future and the beginning of another journey to health and self discovery, as cheesy as that might sound. I just feel really grateful to be able to have the surgery, even though it nearly wiped out my bank account. If any of you guys have any suggestions as to what you did to have motivation at the beginning, please share with me. Also, was there a lot of nausea after the surgery? Well, good people, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year's. All the best, Lauren

Thanks to each of you for your words.... Its been 24 hours now that I have been on a liquid diet and I haven't lost my mind yet . LOL. It hasn't been easy, but I'm ready. Thanks again for your support and I will keep in touch. lauren :biggrin:

Hello wonderful people and Merry Christmas to you all. I have just finished my last supper (brocolli and snap peas with a little teriyaki sauce on it), before I go on liquids tommorrow and have my lap band surgery on Monday (Dec. 22, 2008). I am thrilled about my surgery, yet mentally a bit nervous as to how difficult this journey may be. I have had a serious weight problem since I was about 8 years old. Graduated high school topping off at 280 pounds. It was a very humiliating and frustrating experience to say the least. While most people gain weight in college, I tried to do something and lose weight. I lost approximately 90 lbs. throughout college while on a very strict meal plan/exercise program and graduated with my Bachelor's degree at 190 lbs. It was a dream! However, I joined the work force a couple years ago as an Oil & Gas Abstractor/ Petroleum Landwoman and I slowly let go of my exercise regimen and healthy food diet and have gained close to 45 lbs back. My first instinct is to beat myself up and be ashamed, but that is probably part of the reason I am still dealing with my weight problem. What I really need is to take charge of my health and learn to love myself first and foremost. Then look at why I'm not on my list of priorities. As I prepare for my surgery on Monday, I feel amazed and embarrassed in a way by how I have not taken care of myself and let my health go. However, I am looking forward to the near future and the beginning of another journey to health and self discovery, as cheesy as that might sound. I just feel really grateful to be able to have the surgery, even though it nearly wiped out my bank account. If any of you guys have any suggestions as to what you did to have motivation at the beginning, please share with me. Also, was there a lot of nausea after the surgery? Well, good people, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year's. All the best, Lauren :biggrin:

Hello everyone...:rolleyes2: What a great day! I just finished up all my pre-op testing today and my surgery is set for Dec. 22, 2008 (its gonna be a liquid Christmas! lol), but I do want to ask how long after the surgery were you able to drive? move around with no problem? How sore were you? What liquids are the best to eat for the first few days? I am sincerely grateful for any suggestions. Thanks and Happy Holidays friends! lauren :cursing: