AmyMoe

Hey everyone! Well the trip to Denver went well. No snow - only rain on the passes:thumbup::smile: Doc says I am doing great and that I have probably replaced fat with muscleand that I will see that scale move. He put in only .7cc again. Thanks for your encouragement Adamsmom!! I am so happy about the insulin. Blessings come in many forms right?

Hey everybody - well I am on my way to Denver for next appointment tomorrow and another big snow storm is on its way tonight. If you want it to snow in Colorado, just send me to Denver :glare: I have not lost any more weight. I admit that I am starting to feel a little frustrated. I have been excercising between 1 to 1 1/2 hours a day and not eating in between meals at all. We will just see what the Doc says right? On the plus side I have dropped 5 more units of insulin a day!! Chat with you all when I get back next week. Have a blessed Easter everyone!

Hey everybody!! Long time no see huh? I have been busy and not feeling well. I fought a HORRIBLE stomache bug that made it's way around the valley...cramps so bad that if I still had an appendix I would have thought it had ruptured, lasted about four days...thank goodness that is over:thumbup: I am down 2 lbs since my last fill and fill no restriction AT ALL, but my body is changing so much from the excercise. I am down to a 14 in pants and an XL to 1X on top (I am still quite busty. I am still hoping to lose a little bit of thegirls) My next fill is on the 9th. Adamsmom - I can't beleive those kids did that to your son. Is he physically ok? I really hope this can end up being a catalyst to et him into the school that he needs. It sounds like everyone is plugging along. I don't know about you all, but I am feeling pretty proud of myself. I don't think I have stuck with excercise this long in the past 20 years!! I think that that actually makes me happier than any weight loss. My 9 year old saw the Wynnona-Alli commercial when she said that she was more than a number on a scale and he looked at me and said " Your more than a number now to huh Mom?" It made me feel so good that he understands that this really is not just about that number!!

Hey! How is everbody? I got stuck and slimed for the first time this weekend. OMG!!!! It hurt and it was disgusting:eek: At least I have had that first experience and I hope to never have that again. All over 1 (yep 1) french fry!!!! I also ate some coleslaw and it went down fine but I was so bloated the rest of the night. Oh all these little learning curves right? I have alot more restriction since this last fill (only.7) but it has made a big difference. I am going to try pot roast tonight. So far I have only ate chicken and fish and the Dr. told me I need to eat more meat. I have been going through some of my clothes and it really is nice to get rid of alot. I have lost alot of my weight in my rear and thighs not so much in my gut which of course is where I would like to lose it. :sneaky: All in time... Hope everyone is doing well.

Happy 2 months! I went for my second fill yesterday. It went just fine. I am FINALLY down 2 more pounds. I have just gotto keep up with the excercise. For me, I think that is going to be the key. I met a gentleman in the Dr.'s office who had his band done 10 months ago. He is down 110 pounds!!! He doesn't eat much different than I do but he is excercising 2 1/2 to 3 hours a day! The Dr. and I were discussing it and he pointed out that most of us do not have that kind of time. He told me to really focus on the frequency so that is what I am going to do. Finally dropping even these 2 pounds has given me some motivation back:thumbup:

Thanks Jill! I am headed back over to Denver tomorrow morning for my next fill. At least I haven't gained right? I am increasing my walking by 1/2 hour everyday and doing a little strength training so hopefully that will do the trick. Good news is my blood sugar continues to do well and my endocrinoligist told me he really felt that I would be able to come off insulin all together!! Adamsmom - It sucks that your fill hurt so much. Mine did not hurt at all. Hopefully the next one will be better. I know these are really rough times for you and it is easy for me to say "keep your chin up" but you are not alone.

Hey Everybody! Well no new news here. I have not been able to replace my computer at home so I have to wait till I get to work. I am going to have to find a way to get a new computer because the whole family relies on it! I still have not lost. But the upside is I haven't gained!! I am excercising hard and trying to get back on track with my eating. It is not so much the quantity but the quality. Adamsmom - wow. I sure wish that I had something smart or clever to send you way but I don't. You sound very qualified and I hope that one of those colleges snatches you up, and good for you for getting your ducks in a row now. You will be that much ahead of all the others. My prayers are out there for you. For your son. For your cat. You sure do have a lot on your plate right now, so I will be any help that I can to you. In our area we are in deep S*$#!! The great governor Bill Ritter did a number on our area and the majority of our oil and gas has pulled out. They estimated that the Western Slope of Colorado had already lost 3 Billion this year!! We are scraping by, but if things don't pick up in the next few months we will probably lose everything. We have 12 employees and they have been great about no overtime, no purchases, etc. Every person has suffered. Restraunts, shops, mechanics are closing and our schools will suffer since these big companies have contributed to and actually built schools in this area. My heart is broke that so many of my friends are losing their lively hood. I keep telling myself that this is not the time to regress to my old bad behavior. I would only feel worse if I spent 10k on this then blew it. Whew, thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Everyone is suffering here so much that I just don't talk about it. LOVE, LOVE the puppies!! I would have a million if I could!

Well hello everybody. I have not been on because my computer at home bit the dust. The tech called it the "blue screen of death" so... Since I have been filled I have not lost a pound. Not a one. I am trying to step up the excercise and be very concious of my intake because obviously something is not working. I want to get frustrated but I know that I can do more to make this work. I actually have been able to eat larger quantities since I got the fill????? Anyway I go back on the 12th for another fill so we will see... Theresa - 32LBS!!!! Amazing and inspiring! Good for you:thumbup: Cher - I voted for ya:wink2: Good Luck! Adamsmom - how are things?

Adamsmom - I am so sorry to hear about the job situation and more importantly your son. I have fought depression since I was a kid and it was awfully hard on my Mom. I was melancholy one minute and violent the next. I still think about some of the things that I put her through and cry. I will be praying for you both and I know his situation is very different from mine, but I will tell you that the worst was over by the end of 8th grade. Our business is also struggling with the economy. So much of our economy is based on the oil and gas industry. Unfortunately, our wonderful governor is doing what he beleives to be popular and not what is right. Businesses are closing and we are probably going to have to lay off the majority of our family. I say that because that is what they are. They have never been just employees to us. I am sick about it. I have resorted also to old habits. I find such comfort in them I send you a hug and all the positive energy that I can muster. I keep telling my husband, we will get through this. What shape we will be in on the other side remains to be seen, but at least we will be through it.

Baylee / Jill - I felt "tight" for only the first couple of days. I was on cold liquids only for 24 hours then quickly made it through mushies and on to solid food by Sunday. I thankfully have not had any of the sliming. Since the fill I have been diligent with chewing SLOWLY. That is probably my biggest issue yet. I did not realize just how fast I could eat:unsure: I was eating some mushrooms yesterday and just shoved one in my mouth took a big gulp of water and before I knew it it felt like I had swallowed a golf ball. I sat back for a few minutes and it passed. So many lessons still to learn!

Ok - the fill went just fine! The Dr asked if I would mind a few people observing and I told him that was fine. I was on the table and the Dr found my port right away. Then the PA put the betadine on the spot and the Dr came over with the needle. It is a big needle but I did not even feel a poke. He put in some saline then had me sit up. The needle and syringe were just sticking out about 4inches! Then he had me drink some water. I kept drinking and he kept adjusting until I did not feel any restriction. He said that he put 2.8 ccs but did let me know that that is really just a number they use to see if the band is leaking. When we both felt good about the amount, he pulled the needle out - did not hurt at all but was one of the strangest feelings I have ever had. I am on cold liquids for tonight and then soft food tomorrow and if everything is feeling ok move back on to solids. I am scheduled for my next fill on March 12th. I feel fine right now except for a headache from the 9 hours of driving today.

I ate 1/2 a sandwich on toasted bread and I think it was the bread. I had bought some really nice (maybe I dont think so nice anymore) whole grain bread and I think even with the toasting, chewing, etc. it was just too much. I don't think it would make me bloated, but since the preop that is only the second time I have had bread. I am feeling better tonight. I used some gas strips and just sipped on crystal light with protein. I am headed to Denver in the morning for my fill and of course a snow storm has hit:angry: I will post as soon as I get back and let you all know how it goes!!

Friends, I am a little nervous. I am REALLY uncomfortable. I have a constant ache. I have had it since yesterday afternoon. It came on so I ate mushies for lunch. The pain seemed to subside a little then came back on last night. I did take one of my pills uncrushed last night and now I am wondering if it is stuck which makes me worry about slippage and prolapse. I have been trying to drink water at a steady pace. I just don't know:frown:

Thanks Cherbear!!!! I knew it was easier than I was making it!

Well, I am ready to go to the Dr. tomorrow. I have been very uncomfortable the last two days, almost like right after surgery. I feel bloated and one of my incisions is very sore. Adamsmom - Great news - Great Feeling! One of the guys that works for me said that he didn't want to be offensive but that he could tell that I had lost weight, and I told him it is NEVER offensive to tell a lady she looks like she has lost weight!:crying:

Hey! Glad everyone is doing well... I love to hear the clothes stories!! It is really exciting isn't it!? I am down 16lbs and get my fill on Thursday. I can't wait to get this first one over with. I can fill the port through my skin so that makes me feel confident that there won't be to much poking and prodding. The needle does not bother me since I have been giving myself shots for years! My excercise has suffered the last two days since the weather had to turn terrible again. This is also putting my drive to Denver in jeopardy, but my DH says we will get there. I have a totally non WLS question...How do you get the little tickers at the bottom of your posts? I went to the tickerfactory web site and created one, but I just can't seem to get it in my signature...It is probably the easiest thing in the world - but I just can't get it:tongue_smilie:

Adamsmom - whatever support you need - we will all be here for you. You should be very proud of yourself for standing up for this child in the first place. I don't blame you a bit for feeling nervous about this situation, but you had the strength to turn him in you will find the strength the see this thru.

Hey Everyone! Hope all of your weekends have been good...We had a poker party at our home last night. I knew it would be a test for me. I am by no means a drinker but I do enjoy the occasional beer or mixed drink and what better time to test my will power than at at a munchie, beer drinkin poker party. I did great. I just kept telling myself that I did not want this to be the time that I overeat and PB so I kept myself in check. Drank my crystal light and only made one stop at he buffet table. I didn;t realize how stressed about he situation I was until the night was over. Luckily several of the people here are good friends and they knew about the surgery. One guest was a 23 year old that had breast enhancement and a tummy tuck the same week we had our surgery. She is very young, very judgmental and made a few off remarks. No matter the source it is still hard to hear. I gently remeinded her that we all make what we think are the best decisons for ourselves - be it WLS or plastic surgery, and that the worst thing we can do is sit in judgement of eachother. She was a little subdued after that. Glad I had this experience last night, but really gald that it is this morning!!

Baylee - I too am a mental eater. Part of my problem is I just love everything about food. I love to watch cooking shows, read recipes, shop for groceries. You name it - I enjoy it. What a self learning process I am on!! I have bben excercising but I know it is not enough for any loss, maybe just enough to maintain. The weather has been 50 for the last two days but we will be back in the 30's by this weekend so walking is hard to do. I only have one week till my fill so I am really ready for that. My oldest son is now sick with what is either the early stages of Fifth Disease or Strep. He is going to the Dr. tomorrow, but the poor guy is miserable with fevers, headaches and sore throat:frown: I think our fortitude has been tested quite a bit these last few weeks hasn't it?

bballmom - I eat yogurt with mashed banana. My personal favorite is refired beans (I do thin them with some water) with cheese and a little salsa. I have had some cauliflower very cooked and mushie but this gave me some gas issues. During the soft foods I had the go ahead for stew with hamburger and I really enjoyed that!

Adamsmom - I hope your kids get well soon. I hate it when kids are sick. I have fianlly dropped 3lbs. I am like you, I know that we are not supposed to worry about weight loss, but I just can't help it! I get my first fill on the 12th. I tell ya one thing I have learned about myself is that I have to keep busy. The minute I stop I want to snack. I do just fine at work, but in the evening I really have to watch it

The protein first really does make a difference. In the morning I have been doing srambled eggs, but this morning I did a pancake. I have been "snacky" all day. I had some soft cheese and shaved ham but let me tell ya if I could have licked the paint off the walls I probably would have:tongue: The weekend has been rough. My youngest who is 4 came down with stomache flu I told you all about. He started vomiting around 6 on Friday and he threw up every hour unitl 7am. I have sanitized this house like no bodies business but I am terrified of getting that flu. It is making its way like wildfire through our valley:scared2: I have the go ahead to start real foods. I am a little nervous, but I have been craving taco's for two months now so that is what I am making tonight! Adamsmom - how nice that someone noticed your loss!! It was also kind of you to share your story with her.

Adamsmom - I am so sorry you are not well. I am hoping for a speedy recovery for you. The stomache flu is going around and I am TERRIFIED of getting it - lots of vomiting! I think that we are all in a time of transition except this time we can't just go bakc to our old habits and comfort zones. Ladies, we are strong. It took guts to make the decisions we did to have this surgery. Remember what I told you about journaling the reasons you did this so you could look back in the tough times? Those times are now. I say this as I know I will fight a battle at about 8 oclock tonight with the snackies, but I am also listening to my two precious children and that is the gentle reminder I need. I made them, I can change... That also being said, I am very grateful to all of you and our chats. I feel like I want you all to suceed so much that I have to stay accountable too. I can't tell you "Go excercise" or "don't eat that" if I am not willing to do the same, so thank you.

Hello Everybody! Well I am still on mushies also. I am ok with it. I am nervous about eating to much ans stretching the pouch also. I am finding that if I listen to my body, I am really not physically hungry. Mentally is another story. Food has been SUCH go-to for me. If I don't stay busy, that is where my mind goes. The good news is that I continue to improve my blood sugar everyday. I really thought that I would be this progressed with weaning off my insulin in a few months - not a few weeks! That was really my motivating factor for this surgery. The weight is icing on the cake. My incisions are healing well. I swear I can feel the band. I had my husband feel, and he thinks that he can feel it too. I didn't think you were supposed to be able to actually feel it?:bored: Maybe I am just be a little bit of a worrier. I am going to read a couple of my books tonight and maybe call the Dr. tomorrow.

The Wii has been great! THe boxing is a cardio kick in the rear! I really enjoy the Wii Fit. The balance games and the yoga are my favorites plus there is rythm boxing that is fun too. It is nice because the weather is so cold and unpredictable right now, I can't always guarantee that I will get to walk outside. (We have had rain and snow for almost a week ):w00t: I had a partial hysterectomy almost 5 years ago, so I don't get the big P but I still go through the PMS, and I am definetly feeling it right now. I guess all our moons lined up didn't they?