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For me, I did better being under scrutiny. I posted on FB from the first day, and put pictures up every time I lost 15 pounds so my friends could see where I had been and where I had gone. I also thought that it would be a kind of chronicle of my experiences for those friends who might want to know what having the surgery was really like. And, for me, knowing that I had committed to post every 15 pounds lost and setting realistic deadlines for accomplishing each 15-pound loss, gave me something to shoot for, and got a lot of people rooting for me and encouraging me onward. All my friends wanted me to succeed, now fail. I am now 10-1/2 months post sleeve, and I have lost 92 pounds and gone from a size 2X to a size XS in bottoms and a size S in tops. My friends on FB have been right there with me every step of the way cheering me on, and became a motivation for me not to fail, and to keep going to I could keep posting positive results. So, I say, don't hide from your co-workers and friends. Enlist their aid in helping you along your journey. You can do it, and your friends will cheer you on every step of the way.

So this 25 pounds......it's your nutritionist's goal but NOT an insurance requirement, right? If so, you'll be fine. The 6 month diet is a great way to make the needed changes before surgery. I used every month of mine to change my diet, increase exercise, and practice some post op stuff. I'm about 4 months post op but haven't had caffeine or carbonation in almost 10. It makes your post op SO much easier! During my 6 months I think I only lost 15 pounds....and most of that was during the 2 week preop diet I had. Don't expect any miracles during those 6 months because it's not gonna happen. Just keep your eyes on the prize. You sound like you're doing great so far! The holidays are rough on everyone. I avoided the Thanksgiving temptations because I was at work but I already dread Christmas. Just going to the grocery store is torture right now lol

Hi Bryn, I too started over on Lapbandtalk.com, but wanted to do plenty of research before coming to a decision. Once I started seriously considering the long term complications of the band I decided it wasn't for me and looked for an alternative. The bypass was never an option for me due to bowel issues, so that left the sleeve. It sounded terrifying at first, and I almost scrapped the idea. But after chatting to these guys on here for a month or so and doing tons of research, I decided to go ahead privately as I live in Guernsey and the local health department do not financially support WLS of any kind. I was sleeved 10 days ago in Southampton, and recovery is going well. I am SO happy I didn't go with the band. You're in the right place for support and helpful information, trust me. There's nothing these guys don't know! :thumbup1: Welcome! And good luck on your journey! xx

Excellent! Size 8, that is just awesome. My dream size is a 10/12

I just got a call from the surgeon’s office. I thought it was their insurance expert FINALLY calling me back.:smile2: I started off with “Thanks for calling me back!” Then I get “Thanks? You might not want to thank me yet…I have to reschedule your appointment.” :mad:#@%& (in my head) are you kidding me??! Mr.SA was off for the holiday and set to go with me on Dec. 23. I had all my questions ready to go.:sad: I was SO HAPPY:crying: that this would be done right before Christmas…a nice little present for me.:ohmy: At first she tried to put me off until Feb…:angry:not happening. Now it’s on Jan. 13th at noon, so who knows if Mr.SA can make it or not.:nonod: I’m depressed:sad2:…I know, that’s life. Many people don’t get to see their surgeon until that point anyway (half-way through 6 mo. diet). I’m still bummed…OK, upside-:nopity:pity party time, join me:party:…time to open that wine early tonight (maybe a lovely fruit martini even)…now that I’ve really got something to whine about!:cheers2: Who's joining me?

I've learned the hard way <HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Just thought I'd post a few things I've learned after having the lap band installed. I hope you dont mind me putting my spin on your cool post! 1. You get hungry after a week or so. I was absolutely ravenous, but I found ways to eat Protein and still managed to lose 9 pounds in 2 weeks. >>>>>>I was never hungry.. and if I got a hunger pain here and there it didnt bug me.... (this was the same before the band, but then I was eating wasnt I..lol) >>>>>>>>I got kinda hungry for the first time in february and march when my band was too tight, my fill doctor was out of the country, and I went days without eating.. I am usually good for three days max.... this was three days, then a week,. then two days, on and off for two months... I did get hungry! but it takes so little to saticecy those pains.. (to me) I had to have steroid shot to open me up... Then it was time to pig out before I was back to choking again.. (pig out on Soup and candy and chips, lol) 2. You really need to chew your food a whole lot. I got hungry and didn't chew enough and, boy, that hurt. It helps to wash the food down with Water. >>>>>>>>>from day one, I had no problem chewing my food to death...I felt like a pro. (i never told anyone that before, lol) Now a days, I chew a while and get sick of it and spit it out.. its easier. I know what the pain is.... thus the chewing pro! Oh and I drink with almost everything I eat. I dont find it washes the food down, it actualy limits my food intake.. I dont like filling my pouch with solids, it feels weird. I rather eat less and be able to drink! 3. Plan on throwing up at least once. I was doing just fine and got a piece of food stuck. So I drank some water and that went down the wrong tube so I was coughing and carrying on when I just burped up the food. It was just like a baby burps. Unfortunately, I did it on the carpet. This would be most embarrassing in company. >>>>>>Thats a PB, I had one on pills for 9 hours and on my saliva for 30 more hours. I dont do it. 4. Don't pick up heavy stuff for at least 4 weeks. I picked up a couple of cases of Dasani water and sprang a leak or something in my stomach. It hurts a bit, but I suspect it will go away in awhile. >>>I dont remember any recovery at all.. I think and think and NOTHing.. I had glue residue. And little red marks.. 5. Yard work is probably not good for a month or so after the surgery. >>>what surgery did you get? 6. Deviled eggs are good and they go down well if your family doesn't eat them all. >>>YUM, and low carb! 7. Buy stock in the Dasani water company.>>>>I do, (but I dont drink water, its gross) My four kids drink 4 cases a month.. 8. fruit juice mixed with water is good. >>>>Thats like getting your cocain mixed with cutt stuff...(bunk dope) ... I am addicted to juice. UNCUT, lol 9. You can drink if you want to expend the calories. I drank some brandy and lived to tell about it. But it's fattening. >>>>Drinking alcohal has not changed at all for me.. It does not affect me more or anything like that.. 10. You can poach anything -- pork chops, chicken, beef--just let it boil enough and you can eat it. >>>>>>>I need a cook! 11. My sweet tooth did not disappear. I have a piece or two of candy though and am satisfied. I find chocolate mints do the trick. >>>I eat more candy now than I ever did before. 12. Taking care of one's 86 year old mother after surgery is a real pain in the wazoo. >>>My mom is 49, I thinkk.. please dont remimd me she may get bent someday. 13. It is wise to have a Cadillac or other luxury car after surgery. It hurts less, and the air conditioner is good. (I bought a Cadillac on eBay and love it.) >>>>>>>>>>>>yeah, and a private jet too.. 14. Excited dogs are not good when you first come home. One of my dogs jumped up on my stomach which was pretty bruised. He meant well. >>>I was laying on my stomach the first night and these other banded ladies were all freaking out about it.. (hey at least they could walk around and sip gatoraid while I was still gagging on ice chips) 15. It is probably better if your cat does not bring in a field rat to live with you while you are recovering. Our rat seems to be doing well and is healthy so far. Of course, I feed it and give it water. Okay, I'm a severe animal lover. I hope to capture it in my net and put it outside. This is much better than discovering it's innerds on my beige carpet. >>>awwwww, I coulndt live without my animals 16. A person can tell if he/she is full if he/she pays attention. If one doesn't pay attention, pain can result. >>>>>>>>I dont call it "full".... but I agree.. 17. It is difficult to make oneself exercise if one hates exercise like I do. I still haven't managed that, but my friends are lobbying for me to sign up at the fitness center. I figure I can do the low impact aerobics which consist of waving one's arms around. I may sign up for yoga which doesn't involve heavy lifting or jogging on a treadmill. I might be willing to walk sedately on a treadmill, but the exercise freaks always expect so much. >>>I cant imagine ever being into excersize.. maybe DO something thats active and excersizes your body.. BUT plain ol excersize in a gym... not for me.. (?) 18. Expect your metabolism to change. I have been waking up at ungodly hours like 5:45 a.m. I have spent many years arranging my life so that I could sleep late, and I wake up early! This is disgusting. I hope my metabolism returns to its normal laziness soon since I'm on vacation. I will wake up early when I go back to work. >>>I dont notice metabolism. Its a mystery to me. These are just a few of pitfalls of the lapband that I have discovered. Stay tuned for new developments >>>haha that was fun... have you seen the "you might be a bandster" thread its hillarious

Oh goodness. I feel you! Lost 15 lbs to start and then it sloooooooowed! I was completely frustrated but decided my body needed to adjust and I would not watch the scale. Best decision ever. At three weeks post op had my BMI checked at the gym- down 5 points! But the scale really wasn't moving. That said, I've dropped another 6 pounds this week. My nut said everyone is different. May not see a move then a week later wake up 10 lbs less. Keep rocking this!

So, whenever I would get out of the shower, I would wrap the bath towel around me backwards, leave the back open because it didnt fit, of course....unless it was a beach towel. Well, yesterday I decided I would try to wrap and tuck the towel, see how far I was from being able to wear a bath towel out of the shower...IT WRAPPED, and IT TUCKED..and it was CLOSED!! NOT A BEACH TOWEL, A REAL BATH TOWEL! LOL! I felt normal for once! I am also excited to announce that I bought a few dresses from Old Navy and of course I go STRAIGHT to XL. Well, they are WAY too big! L is even a little too big. I bought 3 in L and 1 in Med, the Med FITS!! I would like to lose 10 more before I wear the med...just to feel a little more comfortable. I have had to purge my closet AGAIN, I am running out of clothes! But it is great going shopping! I almost got emotional in Old Navy. My head still hasnt wrapped around the weight loss. That is my only hold back. I don't always see the 70 lbs gone.

Just had my surgery done on Feb 24th. I also had similar feelings before my surgery but I then I remembered my obesity is killing me anyways, a slow death. When I get older I can be put in a nursing home, diabetic with arthritis and who knows what else! A burden to my family and friends. It's normal to be nervous, worry about long term effects. It's been a tough few weeks but I still don't regret it. I was going down a wrong path, I needed help and decided to change. I lost 10 lbs on the pre op diet, then I lost 12 lbs my first week after surgery. I am already building back up my self confidence I know in a couple of months I will be sexy again... Hahaha Btw I was on my period the day of my surgery. It's not a big deal, your nurses will be great! Good luck If you have any questions just ask! Also look around this app there are lots of people with great success stories

I'm 9 days after getting my band. Liquid only diet. So far, as pretty much anyone would on liquid only, I've lost 10 lbs., but I lost that in the 1st 5 days...nothing since. I was hoping it would be more. Am I being unrealistic? No fills yet, and my 1st post-op appointment with surgeon is tomorrow. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Very nice and flat stomach. Glad you like the results. I also had a tuck done last year, and am happy with it. I must say it was a bit painful in the first 10 days though!! In the end. Totally worth it. Hope you also feel the same .

I have aetna, I did not do the physician administered diet and exercise requirement, but was diagnose wit CHF in April 2015 and have been on a diet and exercise regiment since then. My cardiologist wrote a letter stating this and explaining that this surgery is medically necessary. Of course because this plan was to help my heart not to get approval on weight loss surgery it is not documented as need. I submitted it anyway to Aetna for pre-certification on 01/22 i found out today I was denied I have a BMI of 40 and sleep apnea, CHF, and now borderline diabetic. I have now wrote a letter to Aetna which I faxed today hoping they will reverse their decision. Any ideas on possibility of this????

I'm a June June 2019 sleever. For some reason this week every time I eat I feel sick. Anyone else ever experience this?

Has anyone ever got denied surgery from any of the Kaisers in southern california? and if so why did you get denied. The reason im asking is because im quite scared that they will not give me surgery because i am on week 10 of the options classes and have not lost any weight. My weight fluctuates, it goes up and down, but never past my first weigh in.. Back at week 4, I had an appointment with sarah turner an MD from the metabolic center and she told me if i didnt lose weight that the surgeons wont operate on me. I find this dissatisfying because throughout the whole options classes they did not tell anyone that they would have to lose a set amount of pounds such as a certain percentage of weight. Its just getting closer and closer to graduation and im starting to worry that i wont be eligible to have surgery.

It's been an interesting 10 months. I've had some ups and downs along the way. But im happy to say that things are finally coming together. Im getting healthier and Im definitely happier. Im currently down 90 pounds. Trying to it my 100 pound mark by my 1 year surgiversary (April 1St). I am extremely happy I had this surgery. I needed it. My knees and my feet couldn't take my weight anymore. I was having constant pain in my back, I had trouble sleeping. Dieting just hadn't worked for me in the past and my exercising was limited. I was in fear of getting diabetes and most of all dying young. I was tired of being depressed and unhappy. I had my surgery April 1St, 2014. I am now down 90 pounds from where I was (280). And I have 60 pounds left to get to my goal (130). This surgery has been one of the decisions I have ever made. But I am in no way shape or form saying it is easy. Because it sure isn't. The main thing to remember about this surgery and the other surgerys is to reach optimal results YOU MUST DO YOUR PART. Yes you will lose weight but if you don't do your part it will return. I've seen it. My mom and my sister have both had the surgery as well different times. My sister had it a year before me and my mom had hers over 10 years ago. They both struggle with their weight now. My mom was down to 180 at her lowest she lost 150pounds and struggles now a days and fluctuates between 215 and 240. My sister had lost 100 pounds and was down to 240. She's now at 260. The reason why they are struggling is because they didn't adapt and make a lifestyle change. You must eat better you must exercise. Im not saying go run a marathon (unless you want too). But just add a little 30min exercise to your day. It might not seem like a lot but it's an extra 30 minutes of exercises that you weren't going to do. You don't need a gym membership. Squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, crunches, torso twists, kicks, walking, etc etc etc is all FREE! AND BE REALISTIC! This is the problem my sister and my mom have and it's normal. My mom noticed more that I was exercising more and she got inspired and motivated and that's awesome. So what did she do? She started on day 1: 90 sit ups!!! Really? I don't even do 90 sit ups yet. I mean I probably could but im not trying to hurt myself the point is to progress. Anyway...what happens with the 90 push ups. The next day she's in so much pain she can barely bend down to tie her shoes and what happens next? No more sit ups. The point im trying to make is be realistic. You don't have to kill yourself right off at the start. It's a gradual process. Start small and work toward a greater goal. If she would have done what I suggested start of 25 sit ups and then gradually increase by 5 she would ultimately get to 90 because she wouldn't be in so much pain and she wouldn't give up because your changing it up and your progressing. BE REALISTIC...RESULTS WILL COME. I do zumba at home, I work out at home. Im starting to go to the gym now though. Eating better is important!!! Diet is key. I'm not saying starve yourself. You will get no where with that. Plan your means ahead of time. I started doing this and it's helped me so much I don't have to think about it. I don't get tempted as much. It's great. The main thing is GET YOUR Protein IN FIRST...then your veggies then your carbs. Stay way from sugary things. Fruits will satisfy that sugary craving usually. And there is nothing wrong with giving into your temptation. This surgery is not only physical it is a mental one and it takes your mind longer to catch up to speed. It's going to keep thinking you can eat the things you were and the quantity. Example: my husband had texted me he was going to order pizza for dinner one day. I told him to order a medium pizza. He asked if i was sure amd i said yes. Normally we would have gotten 2 large pizza's.(there is a purpose to this) The whole time I was at work I was literally thinking about all the pizza I was going to eat. How many slices! Yum! I couldn't wait. I decided before I got home I was going to have 2 slices maybe 3! I got home he was eating his pizza. I went to the box. At first I thought im gonna put the 2 slices on my plate. Then I was like no. I'll put only half of one on my plate when I finish I'll get up and get another. I ate the half of a slice of pizza and I was full and content. If I would have put the whole slice of pizza on the plate I probably would have make myself eat it even if I was full. And the point in buying a smaller pizza is...if I would have bought 2 large pies...he would be the one eating it all by himself. Which isn't good or healthy. Medium size pizza smaller slices...he had only ate 4 slices which u can equate to 2 maybe 3 large pizza slices and he was content. food is all mental. Im not in no way shape or form saying pizza is healthy. Im just saying you can treat yourself...because not treating yourself can actually make you sabotage yourself, by binging or over eating. Complications I had along the way: 1. The day after I got sent home I found out I was allergic to the Tylenol and Codeine I was prescribed. My lip had swell like a balloon. Wasn't anything super major but I did go a whole day with out pain medication which was really ok. I did have pain but I still did move around. 2. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I went to the ER. I had a lot of abdominal pain. It felt like a pulling filling right at the incision above my belly button. Turns out it's the stitch that was there on the inside. It tends to kink at times and it was normal by readjusting myself and my position it but have kinked. 3. In September, I had a scare. I was working pretty much everyday 16 hour shift. It was the norm for me. I had 2 jobs. Well one day after I got out of work, I was driving and all of a sudden I began to shake. My body was shaking not like a seizure but like if I was cold. It was weird because I wasn't a cold night. I rolled up the window and proceeded. I was still shaking...teeth shattering cold...and it was painful. I was only 10mins from where I needed to be. I turned on the heat on high but the seat warmer on. I was still cold and my body was in excruciating pain. I was trying not to panic and I was afraid to stop. No one knew where I was and my phone was dead. My vision got blurred by the time I got to the house and my husband opened the door. I told him I wasn't feeling good and I was worried. He helped me up the stairs and I got so cold. I couldn't even hold a cup of Water my hands were shivering so much. He was going to take me to the hospital but I couldn't move I felt so faint when I stood up so he called 911. I went to the hospital. They did some tests. I had some kind of virus like a small 24 hr flu. My Iron, Vitamin D, and B12 levels were so low that I was pretty much running on Empty and my body was trying to reboot. It had no energy to fight off the virus so my immune system was compromised. Afterwards I was so weak and my body hurt. I had to take off from work until my levels were a little better. I was off for 2 months. Vitamin D deficiency sucks really bad. So be sure to be taking your Vitamins. I am now prescribed prescription strength vitamin D and have to get blood work every couple months. My levels still aren't where they need to be but they are a lot better than what they were and im able to function. This surgery is a journey lots of ups and downs along the way. But I believe it's well worth it and I would do it again. My journey isn't over yet....if you have any questions definitely message me!

I think my biggest concern is I never know when I am eating too much OR too little because I'm usually preoccupied with counting grams of Protein and carbs. I'm one month post-op and have lost 19 lbs post-op (27 total) but have had 2 stalls already (one due to monthly cycle). I really don't want to be one of those people who go thru all this and don't lose anything which I have to admit is one of my greatest fears.

I am completely happy with the results of my band. I tried going the excercise route and ended up with firm fat. Within 10 months I went from wearing size 18W pants to wearing size 10 and from wearing a 3X top (I used to need a baggy top because I was ashamed of my body) to an XL. It has been a little over a year now and my size 10 pants are a little bit loose. This is pretty exciting for me. I had the surgery when I was 57 and had a very short recovery time.

My doctor said I had 'plastic surgery type incisions' and that I could swim in 10 days. But to be safe, 2 weeks.

Try carnation breakfast. U can mix it with skim milk and make it the taste and consistancy you like. When u mix with skim milk it gives about 16 grams of protien and doesn't have to taste thick and nasty. Hang in tjere on the liquid diet. Mine was 10 days too and it is hard. Try French onion. Soup the broth is very flavorful and make some jello jiigglers! Makes it seem like you have something to chew on. I am in the hospital now had surgery on Friday. So far so good.

My doctor said the size of a band sometimes has to do with the size of a person's stomach. He may lean more towards one than the other, but may not have a choice based on the size of someone's stomach. He also said he prefers the low pressure bands as opposed to the high pressure band. the high pressure ones have more of a chance of leaking. I have a 10 cc low pressure band. I think it depends on what the doctor likes, what he's had success with and your anatomy.

I've been reading in here about care credit. Apparently they loan for medical costs with no interest if pain in 10 mos.

It's been an interesting 10 months. I've had some ups and downs along the way. But im happy to say that things are finally coming together. Im getting healthier and Im definitely happier. Im currently down 90 pounds. Trying to it my 100 pound mark by my 1 year surgiversary (April 1St). I am extremely happy I had this surgery. I needed it. My knees and my feet couldn't take my weight anymore. I was having constant pain in my back, I had trouble sleeping. Dieting just hadn't worked for me in the past and my exercising was limited. I was in fear of getting diabetes and most of all dying young. I was tired of being depressed and unhappy. I had my surgery April 1St, 2014. I am now down 90 pounds from where I was (280). And I have 60 pounds left to get to my goal (130). This surgery has been one of the decisions I have ever made. But I am in no way shape or form saying it is easy. Because it sure isn't. The main thing to remember about this surgery and the other surgerys is to reach optimal results YOU MUST DO YOUR PART. Yes you will lose weight but if you don't do your part it will return. I've seen it. My mom and my sister have both had the surgery as well different times. My sister had it a year before me and my mom had hers over 10 years ago. They both struggle with their weight now. My mom was down to 180 at her lowest she lost 150pounds and struggles now a days and fluctuates between 215 and 240. My sister had lost 100 pounds and was down to 240. She's now at 260. The reason why they are struggling is because they didn't adapt and make a lifestyle change. You must eat better you must exercise. Im not saying go run a marathon (unless you want too). But just add a little 30min exercise to your day. It might not seem like a lot but it's an extra 30 minutes of exercises that you weren't going to do. You don't need a gym membership. Squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, crunches, torso twists, kicks, walking, etc etc etc is all FREE! AND BE REALISTIC! This is the problem my sister and my mom have and it's normal. My mom noticed more that I was exercising more and she got inspired and motivated and that's awesome. So what did she do? She started on day 1: 90 sit ups!!! Really? I don't even do 90 sit ups yet. I mean I probably could but im not trying to hurt myself the point is to progress. Anyway...what happens with the 90 push ups. The next day she's in so much pain she can barely bend down to tie her shoes and what happens next? No more sit ups. The point im trying to make is be realistic. You don't have to kill yourself right off at the start. It's a gradual process. Start small and work toward a greater goal. If she would have done what I suggested start of 25 sit ups and then gradually increase by 5 she would ultimately get to 90 because she wouldn't be in so much pain and she wouldn't give up because your changing it up and your progressing. BE REALISTIC...RESULTS WILL COME. I do zumba at home, I work out at home. Im starting to go to the gym now though. Eating better is important!!! Diet is key. I'm not saying starve yourself. You will get no where with that. Plan your means ahead of time. I started doing this and it's helped me so much I don't have to think about it. I don't get tempted as much. It's great. The main thing is GET YOUR Protein IN FIRST...then your veggies then your carbs. Stay way from sugary things. Fruits will satisfy that sugary craving usually. And there is nothing wrong with giving into your temptation. This surgery is not only physical it is a mental one and it takes your mind longer to catch up to speed. It's going to keep thinking you can eat the things you were and the quantity. Example: my husband had texted me he was going to order pizza for dinner one day. I told him to order a medium pizza. He asked if i was sure amd i said yes. Normally we would have gotten 2 large pizza's.(there is a purpose to this) The whole time I was at work I was literally thinking about all the pizza I was going to eat. How many slices! Yum! I couldn't wait. I decided before I got home I was going to have 2 slices maybe 3! I got home he was eating his pizza. I went to the box. At first I thought im gonna put the 2 slices on my plate. Then I was like no. I'll put only half of one on my plate when I finish I'll get up and get another. I ate the half of a slice of pizza and I was full and content. If I would have put the whole slice of pizza on the plate I probably would have make myself eat it even if I was full. And the point in buying a smaller pizza is...if I would have bought 2 large pies...he would be the one eating it all by himself. Which isn't good or healthy. Medium size pizza smaller slices...he had only ate 4 slices which u can equate to 2 maybe 3 large pizza slices and he was content. food is all mental. Im not in no way shape or form saying pizza is healthy. Im just saying you can treat yourself...because not treating yourself can actually make you sabotage yourself, by binging or over eating. Complications I had along the way: 1. The day after I got sent home I found out I was allergic to the Tylenol and Codeine I was prescribed. My lip had swell like a balloon. Wasn't anything super major but I did go a whole day with out pain medication which was really ok. I did have pain but I still did move around. 2. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I went to the ER. I had a lot of abdominal pain. It felt like a pulling filling right at the incision above my belly button. Turns out it's the stitch that was there on the inside. It tends to kink at times and it was normal by readjusting myself and my position it but have kinked. 3. In September, I had a scare. I was working pretty much everyday 16 hour shift. It was the norm for me. I had 2 jobs. Well one day after I got out of work, I was driving and all of a sudden I began to shake. My body was shaking not like a seizure but like if I was cold. It was weird because I wasn't a cold night. I rolled up the window and proceeded. I was still shaking...teeth shattering cold...and it was painful. I was only 10mins from where I needed to be. I turned on the heat on high but the seat warmer on. I was still cold and my body was in excruciating pain. I was trying not to panic and I was afraid to stop. No one knew where I was and my phone was dead. My vision got blurred by the time I got to the house and my husband opened the door. I told him I wasn't feeling good and I was worried. He helped me up the stairs and I got so cold. I couldn't even hold a cup of Water my hands were shivering so much. He was going to take me to the hospital but I couldn't move I felt so faint when I stood up so he called 911. I went to the hospital. They did some tests. I had some kind of virus like a small 24 hr flu. My Iron, Vitamin D, and B12 levels were so low that I was pretty much running on Empty and my body was trying to reboot. It had no energy to fight off the virus so my immune system was compromised. Afterwards I was so weak and my body hurt. I had to take off from work until my levels were a little better. I was off for 2 months. Vitamin D deficiency sucks really bad. So be sure to be taking your Vitamins. I am now prescribed prescription strength vitamin D and have to get blood work every couple months. My levels still aren't where they need to be but they are a lot better than what they were and im able to function. This surgery is a journey lots of ups and downs along the way. But I believe it's well worth it and I would do it again. My journey isn't over yet....if you have any questions definitely message me!

Yesterday, I decided to do a run to St. Louis and shop by myself. I never get to do that. Got a call from a girl who wants my pup, so I said I would drop him off in Fenton on my way to St. Louis. Well right as I was ready to leave, the school called and my 10 yr old girl has a fever!:redface: So I picked her up, gave her tylanol, and went to Fenton. We dropped the pup off and starting to drive. Morgan started to shake uncontrollably and started to cry. Well, my shopping trip sucked as you can imagine, didn't make it. Went home and took her temp. It took us an hour and a half to get home, so by this time she is crying uncontrollably. Took her temp and it was 104.5. Ok, so I'm going to taking her after hours clinic. They took us right back because of her symptoms. She has a stiff neck (menagitis!) They wanted to do blood work, but they don't do that there so they said because of her stiff neck they would feel more comfortable with us going to the ER. We get there and she gets a blanket and motrin while we wait. It's a long time and they finally get her to triage. Get her symptoms, temp and weight. They said it would atleast be another hour. I told her I was taking her in my car to wait so she can lay down and they can call my cell phone when they are ready. So Morgan finally sleeps, poor thing. They call me in 1 hr later. Take us to a room and they leave..... just leave. Ok?........... Finally a sweet man nurse came in and took her temp and talked to her...... and left. Another hour goes by, her temp is not falling! They give her some tylonal and leave. :thumbup: Finally they come take her blood. I ask, why is the doctor doing this without even seeing my daughter???:smile2: Protocol was all she said. Nurse comes in with strep test, flu test and urine test and leaves. We wait another hour, literally!:wink2: By this time the meds and kicked in finally and she is bored.:eek: I'd rather her be sick cuz of the wait and she was sleeping. She keeps asking every 2 min. when the doc would be in. Finally he comes in and goes through all the bloodwork and such. Everything was fine except urine. She has UTI but it's in the kidneys, so kidney infection. HIgh fever and stiff neck very typical. He then asks me if My visit was satisfactory! WHAT??????????? SATISFACTORY? HELL NOOOOOOO it wasn't!:wub: told him I was pissed with waiting. He said I can't do anyting about that, 2 docs with 28 rooms filled and 17 people waiting to be seen. Not his fault. Oh ok, so we spent hours in the Er, with hundreds of dollars being spent to have the doctor say he can't do anything, kidney infection, and a perscription. Oh, ok! I'm joyously happy with my service!:sad: NOT!!!!!!!!!! TOO BOOT, I wanted and intented to drive to Columbia for a lap band support meeting and I missed it. I was too exhausted to go and we didn't get out of ER till 9:30 PM:cursing::crying: Ok, my husband is an anesthetist, I understand hospital protocol, but last night was rediculous! She is fine today, kept her home, her fever has broke but she still has aching muscles. She will be fine! Thank goodness! I guess that's all that matters! I ate the worst yesterday with being gone all day. Fast food twice! At this point today I don't care! I'm eating good today and that's all that matters, right?

I'm channeling my inner Dori and singing to myself...Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...in more ways than one. Today is 8 weeks and I lost a whole pound this week. So my 9# loss in Month 2 is a lot less than my 19# loss in my first month. BUT things are definitely changing...so I've just gotta keep going! I joined a gym last week. After a little fiasco with the first gym I tried (a very uncomfortable experience) I ended up joining a gym that the whole family can go to. They have 3 pools and a great kids program and I think it's going to be a great place for my whole family. I have gone everyday since I joined and am doing a lot of swimming. I'm not a very fast swimming but I can definitely tell I'm working parts of my body that haven't been worked in awhile. My step daughter is a water polo player and she has taken it upon herself to be my personal trainer and is having me do her water workouts....well my version of them anyway She is either going to whip me into shape or kill me...LOL My kids are swimming with me, and it's been interesting to hear their comments about Mom getting in and swimming and not just sitting on the side soaking my feet. Apparently, I have been missing out on a lot since I got heavier . So I am walking, and biking, and swimming...trying to get in 5-6 days a week of some sort of activity. So even if the scale isn't moving very much, I KNOW I am in a very different place than I was last year at this time. I'm not the heaviest person at the pool, and I'm not the skinniest...but I am starting to feel comfortable in my own skin!!! Heaviest Weight: 281 3/6/13 Surgery: 257 (-24) 3/13/13: 251 (-6) 3/20/13: 245 (-6) 3/28/13: 238 (-7) 4/3/13: 238 (-0) FIRST MONTH -19# 4/10/13: 237 (-1) 4/17/13: 235 (-2) 4/24/13: 233 (-2) 5/2/13: 229 (-4) SECOND MONTH -9#