Oberhasli

Long time, no post. After going back to work after an extended time off, I just don't seem to have enough hours in the day. After getting completely unfilled in late summer, when I went for my one-year check-up (which was more like 13 months), I did get a 1.5 cc fill. After a few days, I had .5 cc taken out as I was way too restricted. The Nurse Practioner says that when you go from no fill to getting a fill, it's almost like starting over and she thinks it's best to go slow. I lost a few pounds pretty quickly but have been pretty well holding at 238 since then. My goal is 215. My pants are a bit too tight! I've been going to the fitness center twice a week but felt I needed to pick it up a notch but can't seem to find (or won't make the time!) to go more. I was out shopping and noticed JC Penney had a Tony Little's Gazelle Edge ellipitical type item. I need something low impact as my RA has been flaring lately so thought about it as they were on sale for $99.99 and they had a 3-day sale with 15% off. Went back to get it and they didn't have it but I found that Wal-Mart online had it for $84.56 with free shipping "site to store". I was going to order one but stopped at Wal-Mart yesterday and they had one in-store at the same price. I bought it and put it together today (took about 20 minutes to put together). It's fairly compact and will fold but I have room in the bedroom to leave it set up. Figure if I can just jump on here and there, even if only for 10 minutes at a time, I'll get much more exercise. I was on it for about 10 minutes tonight and it DOES give a fairly good work out. Depending on your position, you can not only get the cardio workout, but it can tone muscles too. I've only had it a day but so far I like it as well as I can like a piece of exercise equipment. It's fairly affordable. It does have a weight limit of 250 but most of us shouldn't have that issue now. Hope everyone survived the holidays with minimal setbacks. Tom

A friend forwarded this and I thought some here might enjoy it as well: > MY WEEK AT THE GYM > > If you read this without laughing out loud, > there is something wrong with you. This is dedicated > to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular > workout routine. > > Dear Diary, > For my birthday this year, my son(the dear) > purchased a week of personal training at the local > health club for me. > > Although I am still in great shape since being a > high school football cheerleader 33 years ago, I > decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give > it a try. > > I called the club and made my reservations with > a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified > herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and > model for athletic clothing and swim wear. > > My son seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get > started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to > chart my progress. > > MONDAY: > Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of > bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived > at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. > She is something of a Greek goddess -- with blonde > hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo > Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the > machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in > which she conducted her aerobics class after my > workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was > encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was > already aching from holding it in the whole time she > was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week! > > TUESDAY: > I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally > made it out the door. > > Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy > Iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My > legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I > made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made > it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new > life for me. > > WEDNESDAY: > The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying > the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth > back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in > both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't > try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in > the club parking lot. > > Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my > screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a > little too perky for early in the morning and when > she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY > annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, > so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the Hell > would anyone invent a machine to simulate an > activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda > told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy > life. She said some other shit too. > > THURSDAY: > Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like > teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled > back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half > an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes. > > Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When > she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. > She sent another skinny bitch to find me > > Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing > machine -- which I sank. > > FRIDAY: > I hate that bitch Belinda more than any human > being has ever hated any other human being in the > history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, > anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of > my body I could move without unbearable pain, I > would beat her with it. > > Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't > have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the > floor, don't hand me the damned barbells or anything > that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill > flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition > teacher. > > Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like > the drama coach or the choir director? > > SATURDAY: > Belinda left a message on my answering machine > in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did > not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to > smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked > the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up > catching eleven straight hours of the Weather > Channel. > > SUNDAY: > I'm having the Church van pick me up for > services today so I can go and thank GOD that this > week is over. I will also pray that next year my son > (the little shit) will choose a gift for me that is > fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. > > I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, > he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

I haven't posted in awhile as I've been running in 27 different directions but wanted to wish all of you a Happy 1 year Anniversary! Believe it or not, I got TOO skinny. I was looking gaunt and unhealthy. I was having major problems with energy and the surgeon didn't think it was band related but agreed to remove all of the fill just in case there was a nutritional link. (I was consistently losing 2-3 pounds per week.) I gained back the 10 pounds I needed and held there for a few weeks and then continued to gain. I know have about 15-20 pounds to lose again. I'm still down 100 pounds from my heaviest and almost 60 from my pre-surgery weight (from a high of a 48 slack and a 3XLT shirt to a 36 slack and a LT shirt!) so I'm happy. After 5 months off work I did go back 10/2 as the neurologist wasn't filling out the paperwork right for my disability insurance so I either returned to work or lost my job. I switched to doctors and she gave me a return to work so I'd keep my health insurance and said she'd write me back off if I still had energy issues. The sleep apnea worsened with the weight loss and I'm still struggling with the CPAP but I am back to work. Don't have lots of extra energy but making it through and I did lose a pound last week so not being home all day can be a good thing. Ice cream is still my downfall so I have to really watch having it in the house. I was to go to the surgeon next week for my one-year check up but my hours got changed and I had to reschedule to 12/10. I'll likely get a small fill to provide a bit more control. I have figured out that while I can eat to lsoe weight, I really have trouble finding the right amount to maintain. YEARS ago I was on Weight Watchers and did great on the weight loss portion but hit the maintenance part and quickly gained everything, and then some, back. I refuse to let that happen now. I'll get those 20 pounds off and find the answer to just maintaining. I may even breakdown and buy a scale. (I use the ones at work or at a friend's house.) Again, Happy Anniversary to everyone and good luck! Tom

It's been a bit busy lately with fair season here trying to maintain the goats, get them ready for shows, judging, etc. Add in that a friend had to move so tried to help with that and I'm still struggling with finding a decent mask for the CPAP machine and I just haven't had lots of online time. I got down to 205 but am now holding at 215. First goal was 225 and then revised to 210 but at 210, everyone thought I looked ill and 215 seems to be a bit healthier looking weight for me. I've held there for about 3 weeks with absolutely no fill so that's encouraging. Still have bad food days where things get stuck but, for the most part, I'm able to eat reasonable foods without difficulty. Ice cream is still my downfall so I try not to keep it in the house. If I go running around, I'll sometimes stop and get some. It's far more expensive that way but it keeps me a bit under control. My other stumbling block has been fudge. I've been making goat's milk fudge and have become rather proficient at it and have some interesting flavors. (A couple of friends are encouraging me to explore the options on selling the fudge.) Of course, I have to sample what I make! <G> I've also made some chevre (goat cheese) and some goat's milk ice cream but those products can't be sold in Ohio without getting licensure. Fudge has to be cooked to such a high temperature, there's more flexibility there. And, as if I didn't have enough going on, after wanting a miniature donkey for years, this past week, I now have two, Mary and Feller. A friend has one she's trying to find a home for so I may end up with three but if that happens, will probably find Feller a new home. And I may be getting a fourth dog. Before I got my first Aussie (who is almost 6 now), I really wanted a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I came across one that may get to live with me. Don't need it but I've decided that I need to do things for me and I want it. And I'm getting very spoiled. My mother and 86 year old grandmother come out at least weekly, when I'm not going to be home, and clean my house, do my laundry, dishes, etc. It's like having the good parts of a wife but not having to put up with one. <G> (Ducking now!) My mom hasn't been out since the donkeys came, and I didn't tell her so it will be interesting to hear her reaction. She likes animals (has 3 dogs, a rabbit and a couple of birds) but doesn't understand why I want so many. She already complains about how much dog hair my house has so I can just imagine her reaction if I get another dog. (She does know, though, I really want a Cavalier. My brother's fiance got one and I was jealous so she asked them if there were others available.) Off to milk. Hope everyone is having a good summer. I'll check in now and then. Tom

Well, I "failed" the sleep test which is why I had to go back. The first mask was dreadful. I slept for a couple hours with the next mask but it wasn't overly comfortable. I tried one that felt OK but didn't go back to sleep and every time I moved, it released air so who knows. They gave me the one I slept with and said to order the other one from the medical supply company so I'll have both. The goat-bitch and sexercise partner do not need to be the same person. Heck, if they're different, I can be doing the sexercise while the goat bitch is taking care of the animals! <G> Tom

Can't sell the cheese in Ohio unless you're a licensed dairy and creamery. Just use it for myself. I "cheated" today. A friend and I were out running around and we were hungry. Stopped at CiCi's Pizza. Not the greatest pizza but being a buffet you get all you want and the price is good. I had a small salad, had to have a piece of the cheesy garlic bread, and I had 7 pieces of pizza, kind of. I scrapped the toppings off figuring the protein was in the cheese and meats. I didn't eat any of the crusts (figure since it was a buffet, I wasn't "wasting" pizza). Not the lowest fat food choice in the world but figure it allowed me to have pizza without all of the calories. Now, for the brownie and cinnamon roll, we won't talk about those. I went back for my CPAP fitting overnight. Finding a mask I like is an exercise in futility. I'm shooting for least objectionable! Anyway, I weighed myself on their scale and despite having no fill since Monday and feeling like I'm eating like a pig, I lost 2 pounds from last week and am 205. I'm afraid to eat too much as the last thing I want to do is get in the mode of gaining, and I seem to eat continuously, but obviously if I'm still losing, I've got to do something. Guess I should have had the 2nd cinnamon roll! Now to get a bit of sleep in my bed before facing the day. I'm in charge of a goat show this weekend so will be on the run. Tom

Welcome back, Karen. And congrats on getting through your obstacles. Just remember, what doesn't kill you just makes you stronger! At this rate, by the time our time has come, we should all be WAY too strong to die. :eek: I'm enjoying salads again. YEAH. Now just to make sure I don't go too far the other way now that I can eat some. I did get a call from the sleep lab and they have a cancellation for tomorrow evening so I don't have to wait until 7/24. Once they figure out all the settings, a home-health company will get me set up with my CPAP and hopefully, that will take care of the exhaustion issue. Maybe if I can get good restful sleep combined with good nutrition, I'll be all ready for sex-exercise program! Tom

One big thing I've noticed since I was unfilled is that my Water consumption has greatly increased. Before, I struggled to get 48 ounces a day in. I did best using the Fruit-2-O flavored waters and recently tried their "enhanced" waters for Immunity, Hydration and Energy (got love water that has caffiene in it!). Today, I easily have over 64 ounces. I can actually take a nice swig instead of sipping. And speaking of water, has anyone tried the Special K2O Protein water? I bought a bottle of the Tropical the other day and it's not bad. The other flavor choices are Lemon Twist and Strawberry-Kiwi. I'm not big on fake strawberry flavor so a bit apprehensive about that with fake kiwi but the lemon could be good. They're pricey (I think it was close to $6 for a 4 pack but they had singles for $1.25 so I tried one) but do provide 5 grams of protein per 16 ounces. There are 50 calories. The Sam's I went to had 12 packs of the Strawberry-Kiwi or Tropical for $12.88 so just over $1 a bottle so LOTS more than just plain water, but you can kill two birds with one stone - get your protein and get your water. Tom

Well, I'll see what happens long-term but I've definitely had MUCH more of an appetite since yesterday morning. I met my son for a late lunch yesterday. He's 19 and eats LOTS so he wanted a buffet, but fortunately doesn't have expensive tastes so we went to Golden Corral. I was well controlled but definitely ate more than I've been eating. Since I've been losing 2-3 pounds per week, that's a good thing! For dinner last night, I had 3 ounces of grilled pork chop and about a cup of grilled veggies. I had NO problem with anything getting stuck or getting it all down. (Lately, I wouldn't have been able to eat all of the pork chop, let alone the veggies.) I had a Slim Fast Breakfast bar and a cup of V8 for breakfast, about 2 ounces of grilled chicken and 1/2 cup of Pasta in a tomato based sauce for lunch and for my afternoon "grazing" I had a salad with about 1 cup of salad greens, maybe 1/4 cup of cucumber, 1/4 cup of tomato, some goat cheese (that I made!), some horseradish cheese and about an ounce of grilled pork chop. Prior to the unfill, I haven't been able to eat many vegetables at all, and certainly not a salad. It's going to be a new learning curve as to how much I can eat to maintain. I feel like I'm pigging out but my son kept asking if that's all I was going to eat. I figure I probably need to almost triple what I was eating just to maintain current weight. (If the 500 calories less a day to lose a pound is correct, I need at 1000-1500 more calories a day than I was eating which was 800-1200 calories.) Based on my weight, I should need about 2000 calories a day base, plus whatever I do to burn calories. Feeling wise it feels great, especially since I was experiencing quite a bit of restriction before even though I only had 2 cc. I wouldn't be surprised if I do have to get a bit of a fill to control what I eat. I've been hungry off and on today, which almost never happened with the fill. Before, fixing food was often more effort than it was worth so even if hungry, I didn't always eat much because I didn't want to go to the trouble of fixing it. I have leftovers today so fixing was easy. I'll have to make sure I have appropriate things stocked to eat easily. I think I have a bit more energy with eating right but it's so hot that I'm not sure. I think the reason we have to be such detectives is that we're all so different. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for someone else. The nice thing about here is we can all relate our individual experiences and try different things until we find what works for us. Tom

Three years or so ago, a arogant rheumatologist told me I didn't have RA but had fibromyalgia and I'd have to deal with it. I went off my RA medicine and it flared up big time. The other rheumatologists I've seen all agree I do have RA. They did call from the sleep lab this afternoon and even though the preliminary results didn't show anything, the complete review of the study showed an index of 18.4 (means about 18 times an hour, my breathing is compromised - at some points, my oxygen levels dropped as low as 68%). Even though none of the symptoms were overly severe to fully wake me up, they are frequent enough to disrupt sleep. I'm scheduled for July 24 for a fitting on a CPAP. Hopefully I can get use to it this time. A friend has one and says she can't sleep without one. Tom

I visited the surgeon today and I'm no longer adjusted. <G> He removed ALL of the fill. He finally agreed that I don't have any more weight to lose. I'm to monitor my weight and if I see it's going up, he'll put 1 cc or so in but thinks I may be able to maintain with no fill at all. (I was losing with no fill but requested the first fill as I was hungry. It was self control keeping me on track, not band control.) He said I'll have less restriction now as the stomach as shrunk so the band isn't as tight. He feels my continually fatigue is at least made worse by the lack of nutrition. The surgeon speaks at several conferences each year on gastric reduction surgery and has many published works on both the band and bypass. He usually has a bypass patient at some of the weight loss conference to give a first-hand account. He doesn't often use LapBand patients as too many aren't as successful but he asked if I'd be willing to speak at an upcoming conference. He said I'm the model LapBand patient. (Another patient that was in earlier was complaining they could only eat 10 wings now and they wanted to still eat the 25 they did before surgery but still lose weight.) Tom

Life isn't fair! <G> I survived the sleep study. I had one 3+ years ago and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. The technician said I had "incidents" but nothing like it was last time. Original plan was to do 3 hours of study and 3 hours of fitting/adjusting the CPAP machine. I didn't meet the requirements for her to do the CPAP. The neurologist will have to review the study and make a decision. I guess that is good news in that I HATED the CPAP but that means that isn't my problem. The surgeon's office did call back and it looks like their going to do an bit of an unfill. They weighed me at the hospital last night and I was down another pound in 36 hours. Some could be the scale but I just don't eat. Tom

I went to the doctor yesterday for a follow-up and I'm now below my goal weight of 210. That's good EXCEPT I've been trying NOT to lose weight but continue to do so at 2-3 pounds per week. I've lost 82 pounds since being banded on 11/7 so 33 weeks ago or just under 2.5 pounds average per week. I had a couple weeks where I was stable and a couple where I lost 8-10 pounds (like when the band was too tight!). When I went for my 6 month follow-up, I wanted some fill out but the surgeon said I could get as low as 189. People are saying I'm looking gaunt now. Who would have ever thought that 8 months ago, someone would say I'm too skinny?! I go for the sleep study tonight (they had a cancelation). They still have no idea why I'm so exhausted. I can push myself for a day or two and then literally struggle to get out of bed. Having the animals is probably good because I HAVE to take care of them. Of course, I'm fighting disability now as "tired" is not sufficient for not going to work but they can't find out why. Fortunately, my family doctor is pretty good about working with me, but it is still frustrating. Anyway, I feel good that I hit goal but just wish I had more energy. Tom