less-of-me

Well after getting to goal weight a year and a half ago I was doing quite well. Then life hit and slowely I have gained 27 pounds back after losing over 100. Before the new year my band was way too tight that all I could eat was ice cream and shakes. well needless to say that waasnt the best for me, but im 2 1/2 hours away from my fill dr and they only do band fills 2 a month. well I schedualed to have it unfilled but that day in dec it snowed really heavy and closed down the only hwy to get there. so, I decided I could wait a little longer (I had been really tight for 4 months), but one day out of the blue m stomach swelled and it hurt and I couldnt drink. By that night I was in excrusiating pain and couldnt swallow. I called and made an emergancy appointment. They took all the fluid out but my stomach still stayed swollen. For a couple days I could finally drink smothing and then after about a week I could move to mushies. It probably took about a month for all the swelling to go down and eat normal. Well.... since not being able to eat real food for so many months I maybe enjoyed a little too much. I didnt go crazy but I did crave a lot of sweets and carbs. well last saturday night I weighed myself and I was 27 pounds up from my lowest (goal weight). so i put a plan together. sunday I drank a protein shake for every meal and nothing else, monday I did the same, tuesday I received a fill and had 2 protein shakes and dinner two eggs blended with mayo into mush, then this morning a protein shake...and so far with just doing this I am down 7 pounds. I know a good portion of that is water weight but now Im only 20 pounds till I am back at goal weight. I also am motivated because I will be going on a cruise with my husband to purto rico in august and want to be back in good condition. Not to mention I run a lot of 1/2 marathons (in 2 years ive ran 10 1/2 marathons) and with the extra weight it is making it much more difficult to run and in January Im doing my first full marathon 26.2 miles so I need to be in peak condition. I know Im rambling but for some reason putting my goals and journey out there keeps me more accountable and I always seem to have better success. How are the rest of the may banditos doing to date?

How you felt when you decided to pursue WLS? excited to start the journey How you felt just before surgery?excited to start the journey...oddly I was never nervous and I was banded in Mexico How you felt just after surgery? greatful that I had the oppertunity to do this with my husbands support How you felt 6 months after surgery? overjoyed at the progress of how much I had lost 6 months into it...I think I had lost about 80 lbs How you felt a year after surgery? extatic ...I had lost 110 pounds and was schedualed for a tummy tuck How you felt 2 years after surgery? great but need too remember the basics because in have gained back 10 lbs How you feel right now? good but want to do better!

How you felt when you decided to pursue WLS? excited to start the journey How you felt just before surgery?excited to start the journey...oddly I was never nervous and I was banded in Mexico How you felt just after surgery? greatful that I had the oppertunity to do this with my husbands support How you felt 6 months after surgery? overjoyed at the progress of how much I had lost 6 months into it...I think I had lost about 80 lbs How you felt a year after surgery? extatic ...I had lost 110 pounds and was schedualed for a tummy tuck How you felt 2 years after surgery? great but need too remember the basics because in have gained back 10 lbs How you feel right now? good but want to do better!

wow its so good to see evryone coming back and checking in. You all have helped me get to my goal now I just need help maintaining my goal weight. Ann thankyou for your continued prayers for my daughter it means a lot. Im very sorry to hear that some are struggling with wieght or health. I pray that we stick together and be there as we were at the start of this journey. keep up the strength to always fight on. just because we lost the weight doesnt mean the battle is over. just keep moving forward! till next time... Take care all Denverlee

well, Im still around. I have had a lot of struggles with gaining 10-15 pounds. I havent been running over the summer due to the extream heat in Phoenix. So, I have lost a lot of muscle. I got a fill recently aand pretty much can only eat strained soup and ice cream. Doesnt make for a great diet but I cant afford to go back right now and I know I can make it work if I try. Most of you know ive been battling with my now 5 year old who was diagnosed with Leukemia 12 months ago. she is still in treatments for another 1 1/2 years but is doing extreamly well. I just need to go back and focus on myself and how good it felt to have those pounds off me. I miss talking to you all. Keep in touch. Denverlee

Well, I havent been on here for awhile. Life comes at you fast and learning to deal with the ups and downs has been a struggle. I hit goal weight back in may. I then had a tummy Tuck in may. It definatly waas not as bad as people had told me or I expected. I am thrilled with the results! But in August I went on a cruise with my husband (actually we were on the splendor ship which has been on the news for breacking down during a cruise). the day we got off the ship we headed home because wee found out our 4 year old daughter who was staying with grandma was running a fever. We got home at 11pm that night. I took one look at my daughter knew something was wrong. I rushed her to urgent care. SHe had a bad wound on her nipple. Urgent care wanted to call an abulance. I took her to the hospital. after a bit of blood work they admitted her. By early the next morning a doctor came in and told me my daughter Had Leukemia! I started uncontrollably crying and iM NOT SURE WHEN i STOPPED. She had no platlets or red or white blood cells. she almost died. Immediatly gave her blood transfusions and plasma. Chemo started that day. Since then she is responding well. There has been a lot of issues. Her chemo was so bad the mesquito wond on her nipple grew to a massive 2 inch diamiter wound and an inch deep. she lost her breast bud so she will never develope on that side and she is left with a large scare and later a nipple will have to be constructed. But she is here with me...Thank you Lord!!! But chemo will continue for 2 1/2 years to rid all her bone marrow of the cancer. As you can imagine this has been very difficult and will continue to be. she gets spinal taps often (it was weekly) to put chemo in her spinal Fluid so the cancer doesnt spread to her brain. Please pray for her! But through all of this my foods of choice stink. I dont eat the right foods all the time. But what has helped is staying active. Running has been my stress outlet. I run 3-5 miles a day. I have completed 4 1/2 marathons (13.1 miles) since january, and I have another in vegas on dec. 5th...then im doing the full 26.2 marathon here in january. It keeps me focused and helps so I dont go backward and gain back the weight. well I apoligise for rambling...but i felt like I needed to. Thank you for listening. Also her school is putting on a 5k run for her in feb. to help with medical bills. check out the website! Dakota's Run - FCA Phoenix ActiveGiving.com Donations

wow, I havent been on here in a long time. Just thought I would give a quick update. My little girl is still fighting strong. She is doing well and her hair is starting to grow. she still has 2 years of treatment and then a life time of tests, not to mention all the other surgeries she will have from losing her breast due to the leukemia and the reconstructive surgery too. BUt I am doing better in her respect. as for my weight Im having a hard time. I recently got so busy I couldnt run much and I was eating as if I was. then there was an issue with my band so they had to open it up all the way. Needless to say I gained. I gained about 16 pounds and knew I was but seemed like I couldnt help myself. well recently I got a little fill and trying to get my running regimend back up. I have lost about 3 pounds but still find myself hungry. I know im an emotional eater and maybe im eating for all the emotions I will no longer let myself feel. I feel like after all this time with my daughters illness that I need to be strong and suck it up. People have moved on but im still living this day in and day out. Im forever changed and a little broken and I feel like I have to hid that and put on the strong front. Plus now I feel people expect more out of me. Im being pulled in so many ways that I just want to lay down and sleep....but i wont let myself. Im happy but im sad deep down and nobody knows that. I hate drama and I refuse to be around it but some people (FAMILY) always seems to bring it around. I guess I have so many mixed emotions that I need to sort out but Im affraid to because if I open those emotional gates I dont know how long it will take to close them again. Im sorry to ramble but it helps that I can just express myself with out the guilt of feeling not being strong for my family. Thanks for listening!

hello everyone, Just a quick update. I am continuing running. I can't believe how much it has helped me to have an outlet for stress and a goal to keep the weight off. My daughter is doing good. Thankfully, her body is responding well to all the chemo treatments. Sometimes its scary to really think about how much chemo is is truely on. She goes in every week and they inject several types into a port they surgically inserted. At least she knows mommy has a port too so she feels like we are bonded that way. The chemo even though its helping by killing the leukemia cells it also kills her good cells. Every week they have to test her blood counts to make sure she has enough to withstand another treatment...well this last thursday he counts were dangerously low. They couldnt give her the chemo schedualed and I was told to keep her away from people because it had killed all her white germ/infection fighting cells and she was very suseptable to getting sick, and if she got sick she wouldnt be able to fight it off on her own and would be back in the hospital. So, we canceled our plans too go out of town for Christmas... she was sad, but it was a wonderful Christmas. Were truely appriciated the more meaningful thing in life this holiday...its not presents...its family ! I am doing good most days...but when my daughter has a bad day I am able to keep it together long enough till her bed time then I lose it. Let me tell yoou its horrable when you have a major breakdown in walmart!! I had just had a bad day at the doctor with her and needed to go shopping...so my mother in law was able to come watch the kids at about 9pm and my husband and I went to walmart for groceries. The moment I stepped in there I couldnt think...I felt over whelmed...I had a list but it was like the things I wrote down I had never heard of before!?! So, I ended up balling in the middle of the store and we left (my husband though not crying was mentally as bad off as I was). But since day by day we got better and stronger and are functioning again. I pray so for my baby girl all the time and I thank those of you who pray for her as well. God does hear and hes answering my prayers. Well thankyou for letting me vent again. Sometimes its nice just to put into words what im feeling or going through. I also love hearing from you all. It is such an encouragement to hear all the kind words of encouragement. Hope everyone out there is doing well in losing or maintaining their weightloss! Thankyou Denverlee

well, I did not weigh in todaay but I am up 3 pounds. I think it has to do with going from working out like a mad woman to not being able to work out at all the last 4 1/2 weeks (due to healing from a tummy tuck)! But I have been doing a lot of walking...I just need to eat better foods. I also think I need a fill. I have not had a fill since october. I am at my original goal weight but now being here I might want 10 more pounds gone! Im a size 8-10 but cant wear jeans yet because im still swollen and sore from the tummy tuck. I hope everyone has a great weekend...AND HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL THE DADS!!!!!!!

Well, I dont know about the rest of you but I have major amounts of loose skin on my stomach! I am really close to goal weight and went in for a plastic surgery consult with one of the best plastic surgons in the country. He told me that I was doing great and that he could get rid of all the skin. My surgery date is may 17th. I hope to loose 15 pounds before then (whick I am working out even harder with still running)! I am just very scared. Is anyone else contimplating a TT? Or do you know someone who has gone through it and give me advice? Please let me know any advice or support would be greatly appriciated!!

Im the same weight this week. Its good i guess since I still cant workout because of recovering from a tummy tuck. I just have to wait another 4 weeks till im able to run again. Hopefully I will be ready for the next 1/2 marathon in DisneyLand on Septmeber 5th! Like everyone else I hope people keep checking in and giving support!

well Im 3 1/2 weeks post-op on my tt surgery. I feel great I went to the mall all day yesterday and this morning and I am going to another one after my kids take their nap. Right now the only exercise I can do is walking so I want to do a lot of it. I miss running soooo very much and because I havent run in weeks im losing all my muscle! I still have 5 weeks till I can begin running again....I cant wait!!! But Im also really excited next month is my 10 year reunion back home and we are doing some of the activities at the lake and then in auguest for my 9 year anniveersary my hubby is taking me on a 7 day cruise...so this afternoon im going swim suit shopping. Its weird to say that im very excited to see what I am able to wear after losing 106 pounds and getting my tummy tuck!!! Im still not brave enough yet to put up before and after pictures. I dont want to scare people away...lol! have a great thursday everyone!

Today is my one year bandaversary. I am very happy and excited about the new and wonderful change in my life. I am not only healthier, happier, and skinnier...I am the person that is enjoying every second of life! I am doing things I never thought I could do before. I am able to do things and run around with my kids, I run marathons, and most of all I am comfortable in my skin when I am out with my husband. I wouldnt change a thing about this last year. I am a couple pounds from goal and I just had a tummy tuck and feel amazing. This coming year is going to be even more wonderful. I look forward to hearing from everyone. I hope this group wasnt a 1 year lived group. I truely hope we all keep checking in and encouraging one another. Thanks for all the support this first year. Keep up the great work!

I went to the doctor on tuesday for my 1 week post op. they undid my bandages and I saw my tummy for the first time. Really swollen but a HUGE differance. they also took aout all but 2 stitches out on my NEW beely button. And then they took out the drains. The drains being taken out was the worst part of the whole tummy tuck experience. Luckily, it sis not last long and I was on my way home. I am still only allowed to go from bed to couch to kitchen to bathroom. I am not allowed to go anywhere till tuesday. I had to explain I had to go to the dr with my 7 year old daughter who is having a large birthmark taken off her side while awake and only numbing cream on the site. Then they will test it for cancer. After that I have another follow up appointment with my surgon. Im hoping to be cleared to shower....I wash my hair in the sink but I cant wait to stand in running warm water! Besides my back hurting from laying down so much I feel amazing. It has been a good experience and Im greatful I have had little to no pain!!! Heres to another week of healing! have a great memorial day weekend!

Well, I just had a tummy tuck 4 days ago. I am very suprised that I feel amazing! I go back to the doctor in 2 days to get the bandages off. Im so excited to see my new belly button and tummy! I also hope that on that visit my doctor will take out my drains! Is it unusual that i bearly have any pain due to the tt? Also imn the last 2 days I bearly have any drainage is that normal? thanks in advance!

The morning of my tummy tuck weighed 180. after getting home the dy after surgery I weighed 190, probably due to all the fluids they put in my iv. but slowely I have been losing it since getting home. Plus I have absolutly NO appitite at all. I eat each day by forcing a cheese stick a yogurt and a few mini rice cakes. Anyways, I just got on the scalee and I was 179. yay!!! Im hoping it will go down a lot more as my swelling goes down!! Hope everyone has a great week!

Reneek Im feeling great! I heard so many bad things about this surgery that it truely scared me to bits. Everyone said the pain is umbearable and long recovery. My experience was the total opposite. I have almost zero pain. I am suppose to take pain meds every 4 hours and today I did it every 12 hours and I only took it because I thought I should not because I hurt. I am walking around fine. I could stand fully straight if I wanted but my doctor doesnt want me to unil he sees me at my 1 week post op. pulled the pain pump cords out of my legs lastnight (about 10 inches of cord fed inside of each of my legs to send pain meds straight to wound site). Now I just have the drains still in me. I am also still bandaged up so I havent seen my tummy or my new belly button. My doctor did move my port and reattached it becasuse it was flipped since 2 months after being banded. I hope this info helps. If you have any other questions let me know and I will do my best to answer them. Im excited to see the full results one tuesday and maybe I will be brave enough to post before and after pics!!! Have a great night all!

ok,, so I had my Tummy Tuck surgery monday. It went great as far as I can tell...Im still bandaged up. I was sent home tuesday at noon. My pain has been under control so it hasnt beem as bad as I expected. I am definatly drowsy all the time from the meds, but I rather that then pain! My first follow up appointment is tuesday next week where they will take off the bandages and take out my new belly button stitches. I will have to wait and see if they will take out the drain tubes then or if I will have to have them in another week after that. So all in all Im doing great and hoping for a speedy recovery. Have a great day everyone!!!!

I am having my tummy tuck tomorrow and they told me to wear the compression garment 23 hours a day for 4 weeks and then 10 hours a day for another 4 weeks. Do you feel or see a big differance...i know you are still swollen though!? how was the pain...im getting sick to my stomach with nerves about tomorrow!

Ok, so now my nerves are really hitting me. My tummy tuck is schedualed for monday at 8am but I have to be there at 6am. I dont remember being this nervous about lapband surgery, even though I probably was (i even had lap band surgery in mexico)! I am having my Tummy tuck in scottsdale az by a reputable dr. I dont even know how to explain the excitment/terror I feel. I have 3 little ones at home so I have someone moving in for 3 weeks to help me, so that is a plus. Has anyone else wanted or seen a dr. yet about a tummy tuck? I just hope I am as satisfied with this surgery as I was with the band surgery! I am almost at 100 pounds lost and my one yr bandaversary is the 29th of may! I cant wait to post on here after surgery and Im feeling better! I hope to heal quickly and get back out there running 1/2 marathons!!! counting down to monday....!!!!

Here are my before and after pictures. The last one was taken last weekend before going out with my hubby!