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Diet & Weight Loss Forums > General Discussions > Surgery > Lap Band Surgery: Before, After and In Between by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member 
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Date Posted: 12-26-2006 at 02:19 PM -  Well, I'm gearing up for the fight of my life. I'm 36, will be 37 Jan 31st. for the past 15 years I've been over 200. The past 10 years I've been over 250 and the past 5 over 300. I think I need to get of this ride. I love food. I love to eat. I don't eat as much junk as one would assume a person of my size would eat, but what I do eat.. I eat a lot of. I consider myself a quantity eater... even if it's salad. I've been following this procedure for about 4 years now but my insurance at work excluded anything to do with weight loss specifically. Last year they added another company as an option. 7 other woman in the company went with the new one offered (BCBS of TN) and even thought the procedure is still excluded by the company, they went in, were denied once, fought it and won. I'm scared and nervous all at once. Of course going through my head is, what if they decide that they aren't going to accept any in '07? I am prepared to fight them tooth and nail this time. I went in for it 3 yrs ago, was denied and just cried for 3 weeks instead of fighting. In preperation for it, I have gone to a therapist and gotten a recommendation from them, I am requesting my maternal and paternal medical history, going to my doctor to get my past 5 year medical history and I've been food journaling for the 1st 9 months of 2006. My numbers are great when I have a physical ever year which means I'm going to have to fight extra hard. I have an appointment with my regular Dr. to start the process on Jan 3rd. She will have to refer me to the Lap Band Doctor I will be using. wish me luck Tracy  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-03-2007 at 08:54 PM -  Holy freakin #%@&!. Had my consultation today. My BMI is......54 how the geebbies am I even walking around??? ANYwho... I'm hitting them with TONS of paper. I have been food journaling on caloriesperhour.com since jan of 06/ I have printed up every freakin' page and put it in a note book, have the three pages from my therapist recommending the procedure, a typed up page of my family Medical history ( THAT my friends.. was a HUGE Eye opener ) My company considers any and everything to do with Weight loss to be.... are you ready... COSMETIC That's right folks... the fact that I'm 329 isn't a health matter... gosh no.. it's a matter of just wanting to look spankin hot in a tootoo I guess. this site is, to put it mildly.. FANTASTIC  (referring to a lapbandtalk site I also journal on)I have learned more in the past two nights sitting in front of my computer  reading post for about four hours a night Than I have in the four years I have been wanting to have this procedure done.Please, if there is anyone out there that is about my height and that started about my weight and you are almost at goal.... What happens to your skin. I feel kind of vain asking.. but I am really SCARED of the floppy skin thing. I'm going to be 37 at the end of the month so I am no spring chicken here.  em em.. cough... yes folks.. I do realize that this is a flying horse and NOT in fact... a spring chicken.. but well, i didn't feel like searching for one. Synicalchick(Tracy) |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-04-2007 at 06:05 PM - Man.. worn out today. Went to work then left to go to my general dr. to get her letter of recommendation. Dr. Morton is v. convienantly across the hall from my general Dr. so i stopped by there to give them my food/exercise journal for 2006 and my personal letter to the insurance company. She gave me the  phone number to the RN that I will be dealing with the most. I gave her a call and she went over the stuff I provided. She said that BCBS is VERY persnickety and she wants me to have every single little thing before we turn anything in. She likes the letter I got from my therapist but knows that they will want an actual Psych test done and gave me a couple of numbers. I called one, drove down town, and took the test. Two different paper test at least 20 pages each. True/False, then False SomewhatTrue, Mostly True and Very true. HOLY MOLY FOLKS. the questions on there. do you hear voices.. do you see people no one else sees, headaches? is the world against you? have you ever dreamed of writing a good bye letter to your friends if you were going to die, do you feel as though you are more than one person? WOW ANYwho.... I finished turned them in, then scheduled an appointment for 1/15 to see if I'm crazy  or not so everything is on hold until then. I was just really glad to be out of there  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-15-2007 at 03:51 PM -    I'm feeling pretty good right now. My session down town went REALLY well(psyche eval). He was very impressed with my research and in fact said that I was by far one of the most educated about the lap band procedure before and post surgery that he had tested and talked to. He feels that I am an extremely good candidate. the tests summary was basically "Tracy is a very warm and friendly person who tends to bend over backwards for others and likes for everyone to get along. She also has a good head on her shoulders. Im' pegged as suffering with very mild depression brought on strictly by my weight and not feeling well.So.. NOW, he writes up a report and a letter of recommendation, faxes that in to Dr. Morton, then assuming they have all the paper they need, they will fax to BCBS of TN then we sit and wait, then wait some more.. then.. well, wait some more.  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-19-2007 at 08:09 AM - My old doctor FINALLY found all of my past paperwork and faxed it in. I went there 3 weeks ago to sign a release form and finally go them yetserday. I'm going to call Dr. Morton on Monday or later this afternoon to see if they have everything now. My current dr is supposed to send in a 4 page form for BCBS and she is fixing to go on maternity leave so I'm hoping she got it done before she left. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-19-2007 at 01:13 PM - I'm a nervous wreck  .. Dr. Morton's office just called and they faxed all of my paperwork (over 400 pages) to BCBS. They said it would be 2-4 weeks before we know something. They also said with the food journal included (which accounts for the bulk of the pages) I would be hard to turn down, however, I'm trying REAL hard not to get my hopes up. If I can just mentally count on being denied then I'll be pleasantly surprised right? Ugh. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-28-2007 at 09:14 PM -
first meeting with internist at surgeons office _2/20_? Surgery date__2/27_? Last edited on 22 February 2007 01:57 am by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-29-2007 at 02:00 PM - URGH.. all this waiting and not knowing if I'll be approved. sigh My DH and I have planned my 'last steak dinner' trip for the weend following V.day in Gatlinburg, TN. One of our favorite spots. it's only about a 3 hour drive from here. Is it sad that we have planned a trip based on me eating one last large steak dinner... hmmmm ANYwho. tick tick tick tick tick T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 01-30-2007 at 06:27 PM - Well, I got my friggin insurance letter today from BCBS of TN saying that .. and I quote " Based on the information received and teh terms of your health benefit plan, we determined that the requested service is not medically necessary." Even though I had prepared myself for this.. it's still irritating. Let's review.."not medically neccessary" shall we.
Anywho. going to talk to my surgeon tomorrow about my options, see if they'll contact the lawyers that represent the lap band people and take it from there. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-04-2007 at 11:45 AM - I got my 1st denial and we are now in the 1st appeal process. My  DH is telling me that if in a week or two that haven't approved it he wants us to go ahead and self pay... keep fighting the insurance and get reimbursed. Self pay for me would be $16K. That's like a car payment. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-05-2007 at 06:45 PM - Such big ideas I can have on the weekends... all it takes is a trip to Sam's and a  debit card... ooooooo a WHOLE CASE of Slim Fast *improved* chocolate drink. WOW.. like.. I can start doing slim fast and just eat supper. ROCK! Well.. Monday a.m. rolls around.. so far so good.. drank a bottle of water on the way to work. Got to work and drank my breakfast @ 7. 8:20 rolls around and I'm hungry so, I grab another slim fast. 10:30 rolls around and I'm hungry again so this time I eat a pack of oatmeal. Noon/lunch time rolls around and I"m like.. Ok.. if I do another freaking slim fast I won't have anything to fall back on this afternoon.. I'll get a salad out of the vend... well... they didn't HAVE any salad in the vend so Naturally a good replacement is a roast beef sandwhich and a bag of chips ... what? Oh.. it wasn't? Hmmm I stood there in front of the vend forever deciding.. . so after that I was ok the rest of the afternoon except about 2ish I go REALLY  REALLY sleepy. Drank some coffee  and I'll just tell ya now.. it didn't help. 4 is time to go home so on the way I stop at the tanning place (In my opinion my fat looks better the darker it is...) Anywho.. I get home thinking.. I'll do another slim fast and be good... again I say PSSHHH I ate the rest of my venison stew. now it's after 6 and i can't have ANYTHING else. Just knowing I can't have anything else.. makes me want to eat everything in the house ... but I digress.... sigh I am hopeless. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-06-2007 at 07:20 AM - Today I came armed with slim fast to use in between meals and tons of Spring greens/lean ham/one slice provolone/ and other of my fav salad fixins... cranberries, flax seed, blueberries and some sunflower seeds. I will be chowing down for lunch.. I brought so much of the spring greens that I may even eat some for breakfast.. hard to beat a really good salad. I'm trying to get a handle on myself again, mentally something happened when I finally made the decision to get the procedure... I'll call it 'emergency eating'. OMG.. I may never get to eat this again..  OR this.. or this .. or this .. or that over there ... And OMG I won't be able to eat this quantity ever again so I must eat the 12 oz  steak.. not just 7 oz.. I mean....So basically, this thinking has found me at  335. Now I must take control again and behave and eat good things like I KNOW I should. Food is my addiction and I've let it  rage out of control. sigh.. baby steps. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-13-2007 at 05:15 PM - I WAS APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they will call me tomorrow to schedule a date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Turns out they didn't receive all fo the 1st fax. Last edited on 3 February 2008 06:57 am by |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-14-2007 at 04:15 PM - holy moly!! My surgery date is February 27th!!!!!!!!!! That's less than two weeks! Now All I have to do is survive the pre op. liquid breakfast, liquid lunch and small protein supper. (I may switch the supper with the lunch for the sanity of my co=workers... ) |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-19-2007 at 08:26 AM - Got up @ 6. about 6:20 prepared my 'green vibrance' water (16.9 ounces) and added some liquid vitamin stuff.. made the mistake of tasting it before I added it to my water... OH MY.. I do NOT have the words for how horrid it was. On the way to work, choked down my disgusting concoction of water. Started a Raspberry Fruit20 to get the horrible taste out of my mouth. I feel like I've been licking a possum's butt. set on desk my 50 ounce bottle of Smart Water and my partially drunk Fruit20. For a week I get to Drink a atkins for breakfast, drink an atkins for lunch and have a small diet frozen dinner for supper.  In between the bountiful amounts of lip smackin' stuff I just listed, I have to cram in about 70 ounces of water. Nothing else can touch my lips. It is 8:13 now, I though I would wait until I was STARVING before drinking my breakfast. I'm sipping on it now and wondering how on earth this is supposed to last me until lunch. I had frosted flakes last night for supper and I think I may have gotten a little weepy . I definately got weepy at Sams yesterday while buying all my water and Atkins stuff. I just have to pull this off until next Monday. SURELY I can handle that right? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Date Posted: 02-19-2007 at 08:20 PM - I have a raging freaking headache.  I Guess it's from no caffiene . I almost made it the whole day then I got home and ate a HUGE bowl of coco pebbles. Well that temptation is gone now cause I ATE THEM ALL> sigh tomorrow is my pre-op testing.. not sure what all is involved there... I'm assuming an EKG. I'm paranoid and I just know they'll know I screwed up and ate today  . If I could just make it through the next 6 days . |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I went in for my pre-op testing yesterday (Ekg, blood work & x-rays) passed all of these with flying colors, again much to their surprise considering I now weigh 331. Then I got to sit down with the surgeon Dr. Morton and talk one on one and ask questions. I really like him. Very personable. He was impressed with my pre-op test results and wanted to know how old I was. He thought I was in my late 20's. He said that I am really fortunate to be my age and numbers wise be this healthy. He had a couple of band samples there and he demonstrated filling one up through the port. That was pretty cool. he's done over a 1,000 of them now. His stats are better than the us average. He has only had 12 bands slip, all of which he was able to fix. he hasn't had any erosions and he's only had four that leaked and zero deaths, blood clots or any other serious issues related to surgery. Todd has taken three days off next week so I'll be well taken care of. As soon as I'm able to walk and swallow a small sip of water without it coming up I'll be able to come home. It's considered outpatient. He said within 2-3 weeks my appetite will start to go back to normal, and that is when I go in to get my 1st 'fill' to restrict the opening in my stomach. he said sometimes it takes 2 or 3 fills to get the restriction just right. He thinks within 4 or 5 years that I will end up around 150 or 160. I was quite shocked. I have a hard time seeing myself below 200, but I guess that's because I haven't been below 200 in 16 years. He also said I would lose the fastest in the 1st year then it would taper off and how well I did was up to me and how I 'worked the band' and exercised. My surgery is next Tuesday Feb. 27 around 9 or 10 a.m. I'm kind of in the surreal part of this experience so far. I feel fortunate that my family and friends are so supportive. Thanks guys, Tracy |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm not going to have as much trouble getting through these days of pre-op diet as I thought. After all of my testing and stuff yesterday, he said my stats were so  good that instead of only one atkins drink for Breakfast one for lunch and one frozen ww meal I could during the day have one atkins every two hours and then a frozen for supper and that I could have sugar free jello inbetween. My headache has finally gone away and I'm not so grumpy. YAY |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well... still going...It's 10 a.m. and I've had three Atkins drinks so far. Some  EEVILLL person has made toast and it's permeated my senses and I WANT SOME TOAST! But I shall prevail. mmmmmm 15 g's of protein and 1 g of sugar... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm sigh |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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wow... the time is drawing near....I'm 5 days away. I'm going shopping today for my post op list. For the 1st two days after surgery I can have liquids only:
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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One of my co-workers up here hasn't been feeling to good for about three weeks now. Gave birth two months ago and her symptoms have been very gall bladder like. ANYwho, yesterday it was bad and by 3:30 she was on the floor expelling into her trash can. I'm so convinced it's gall bladder related that it didn't occur to me that it might be viral. Her mom just called and said her gall bladder is acting up, however, she also has a stomach virus. #%@&!. I'm supposed to have surgery on Tuesday. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't let me get this #%@&!. ugh! What should I do? Is there any think preventative I can do? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well... $200 later I just got back from Kroger. Loaded up on more EAS low carb high protein shakes, no sugar granny smith applesauce, kefir probiotic yogurt smoothies, sugar free jello's and puddings, v-8 juice and v-8 fruit  splash, PRUNE YOGURT (whoever ever heard of such???) This awesome stuff in the produce section called Blue Goodness, chicken broth  beef broth, soup, chewable rolaids+ gas, liquid ibuprophen, benedryll tabs, a copy of Spianal Tap..oh..wait.. that's a DVD.. like you care... sorry.. UH.. and more STUFF. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well, it's the day before my surgery and this is how it's gone so far. 6:00: UGH.. wanted to wake up early so I could pick some things up at the store before work. Oh well, I'll at least be on time any way.6:15: mmmmm I'm so glad I did laundry yesterday so i can wear my most favorite soft cotton knit pale pink shirt to work.  6:37 while in truck: ACK! NO NO NO! chocolate protein drink ALL OVER MY PINK SHIRT. Can i cover with my badge... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Not even. Well, haven't passed Wal-mart yet.. I'll stop anyway and get new shirt. 6:50 in Wal-Mart OH MY GAH... I'm starting to cramp.. I can't BELIEVE I'm starting TODAY. Better get tampons and Tylenol, even though only ibuprophen works.. I can't take ibuprophen before surgery per Dr... Please let extra strength Tylenol work... 7:15 get to work... LATE wearing new scratchy, fit's a littl big, pink shirt that isn't NEAR as cute and comfy as the one laying crumpled in the bottom of the floorboard with massive chocolate stains on it shirt. 7:30 stuffed 4 chewable tylenol go tabs in mouth... cramping so bad I'm sweating and I want to punch something or tear all of my hair out... NOT exaggerating. 8:00 Cannot concentrate on ANYThing cramping is so bad. Tylenol SUCKS 8:30 ran into friend, Shannon in bathroom, she has a cherrypit heating pad that you heat in the microwave... temped to kiss friend 8:45 nuke pad for 3 minutes.. is so hot have to put thick papers on leg to protect but FEELS REALLY GOOD on left side that is somehow hurting worse than the rest of my uterus/right ovary. had two cups of BLACK coffee 9:00 Call surgeon to beg him to let me take my ibuprophen.. left message 9:10 they called back to tell me it was ok to take   9:10 and 1/2 inhaled ibuprophen, reheated cherry pit thingy for the 3rd time and waited for some relief.  9:40 FINALLY getting some relief but feel loopy for taking ibuprophen on top of four tylenol.11:00 life is back to normal  except for incredibally annoying new pink shirt that rides up and makes my already huge rack look three times as big.... and the burn spot on the left side of tummy.1:13.. time for more pills. I'm not eating at all today.. just doing my EAS shakes. Be glad when tomorrow's procedure is done and over so I can quit thinking about it. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok. I am sitting propped up in my bed at home several hours post op. Things went well, though he had to switch out all of the needles for the port site because my adominal wall was thick and the needles he had out to stitch it in place were to thin. *I* would like to think that this is because I am so MUSCULAR... R I G H T. I"ll have to ask him in three weeks when I go in for my fill. ANYwho... this is how my day went.As you may already now, Auntie Flow decided to visit yesterday  VEHEEERRRRy convineant . I slept pretty well last night suprisingly (thanks to the two tylenol p.m.) and woke up about 6. I got up and showered with the monkey blood soap stuff they gave me that kind of dried my skin out, got out of the shower and laid down with my heating pad until my sweetie got up and got ready. I put on my best/favorite pair of tie dyed socks and undies and threw my favorite denim dress over my head, grapped my little stuffed moose and away to Baptist we went. Got there about 8:20 checked in and hung out in w. room. The called me back about 8:40 and got me changed. The anesethia guy came in and did my IV then two or three more anesthia people came in asking me the same quesitons over and over.. who are you,, what are you having done.. WHAT... is your favorite color... etc. I'm like.. hmmmm The do know what they are doing and where they are right??  They let my hubby back about 9:30. OH>>> and those of you who might be wondering, they let me wear a tampon.. it probably depends on the surgeon. Anywho.. 10:39 comes around and they wheel me back to the surgery room, scoot me on to a different table and put on this DREAMY warm blanket ... Next think I know, I'm awake and my 'port site' was hurting like a mo-fo . they give me something for pain in my IV...30 minutes later some more of that then 30 minutes later the finally gave up and gave me some morphine. After that they wheeled me back to xray, had me drink some barium... which folks.. I'll tell you here and now... WAS DELICIOUS . I was "lips sticking to my teeth" parched. And you know.. after not eating real food for awhile.. it's amazing what taste great. The table they had me scootch up on this time was a beeeeatch for me to scoot on because of the discomfort of the port site. Anywho... it was like a frigging 6 flags ride . My feet were against a metal thing at the foot of the bed and it was the only thing between me and me sliding off in the floor ... ALL 331 lbs of me. Wasn't a real comfortable experience and lasted a little long for my taste.. but.. the things we do for beauty . All that took what seemed to be about 40 minutes or so then they wheeled me into my room where I got to hang out and watch Oprah, the news, then Hank Hill. Had to wait around until someone looked at my rays to make sure things could go down. I had lots of ice in the meantime. The 1st thing I remember when I woke up was... YES IT"s over Finanly it's over. To ,me it's the worst part.. all the waiting . waiting for all of the paper work to get filled in...  waiting for Dr.'s appointments, waiting to hear all of your paper work was faxed in. getting denied and waiting for paper work to be faxed again. finding out your approved, then waiting to schedule, waiting for your preop testing, waiting for you surgery date, the THE WORST waiting of all for me, is waiting in your pre op room for the procedure.. then all of the sudden.. the waiting is over... well... unless you count waiting to go home. I 1st tried to do this 4 yrs ago with diff. insurance and was crushed when I got denied, now, Im sitting here, typing up my experience.. and it's DONE! Now all the work begins, but that is ok... because now I have a Tool,,, finally a tool that will work for me and help me to become the healthy me that I was meant to be. I'll be healthier at 40 that I have ever been in my life. I just had my 37th bday and I can't wait to be 40!  I didn't really have trouble with nausea  until the ride home and it wasn't overwhealming. Todd turned up the air and drove real slow. When I got home he got me set up in my bed with tons of pillows and stuff so i'm not laying down flat. I'm keeping my liquied antibiotic and liquid Loritab in a cooler filled with ice right here along with some sugar free popcicles.My throat is fairly sore from the breathing tube stuff and my chest is kind of tight and breathing deep isn't the best experience. I kind of dread Thursday slighly 'cause for me, the 2nd or third day after something is usually pain wise the worst.. but maybe not this time. I'm on liquids until Friday then I start stuff like soft scrambled eggs and soups and oatmeal. Don't know that I'll be ready for that yet but we'll see. I would be nice if I could work a 1/2 day on FRiday even though I have it off. So far.. knock on wood, no gas pains however I did buy some rolaids gas chewables just in case. When I do get up and walk around some I burp a couple of times and i feel a little better. I have had to cough a few times and I've been holding a pillow on my tummy for that and it's not so bad. It keeps going through my head over and over.. now I have a chance..... now I have a chance. I am so excited about this new opportunity I've been given and can't wait to become more active and do the outdoor things I love. Oh.. also.. if you haven't had it done yet.. I got a reach/grabber thing from bed bath and beyound called the gopher and IT"S GREAT. I can grap stuff with out bending over. I can't wait to take a hot bath.  He did say that I chould shower tomorrow. YOu should see my insicion bandages.. they cut the gauze into heart shapes.... Well it's about time for pain med dose 2 so more later.    __________________ Started Process 1/3/07 Insurance of BCBS if TN Have exclusion policy for WLS Date of approval 2/13 Date of surgery 2/27 BMI 54 Weight 336 Height 5'6 1/2" age 37 Surgeon Dr Charles Morton Baptist Hospital Nashville, TN Goal: Not sure yet. Somewhere under 200 "Always leave get well cards on your mantel, that way when guests come over, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean." Blessings & Fae Kisses |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well I made it through my 1st night. got up about every 3 hours to take more med. I'm not used to sleeping on my back and that's all I can do right now. Now I'm sipping on a 1/2 c of Kefir lowfat probiotic smoothie. It's pretty good and high in protein. What's bothering me the most right now is the port site. The port is the part of the band that allows the dr to insert saline soloution that controls the adjustablility of the band. WOW... not realy comfy. Gas pains are suposed to be a pretty big side effect and so far so good.. no gas.. though I do burp everytime I get up. My chest is really sore as well and I'm coughing up stuff. I guess that is from the breathing tubes. For my outside excursion today i'll have todd take me to Target so I can pick out some cute small plates and untensils. I'll probably hit the baby ilse and get the classic pooh stuff. I bought some classic pooh dixie cups and that is waht I"m using now to drink from. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I think today is going to be my worst day. What is it now.. technically my 2nd day post? surgery was Tuesday. ANywho.. I woke up feeling like a pack of wild drunk monkeys was partying in my abdomen all night. The part up by my ribcage/diaphram where the ports located is hard and swollen and all my other places I didn't feel before are starting to protest. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little better.. I'm having a few minor gas pains for the 1st time today too. It's v. uncomfy to breath deep at all and I lose my breath v. easily. Also, it is v. uncomfortable when my stomach starts growling It almost hurts... and I'm just on liquids right now so that's a lot. I shall prevail though.... sniff |
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squirrelygirl New Member 
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I'm so proud of you!!!  For your courage and strength!!! You are a tough cookie, and I'm glad to know you!!!! Keep us updated on your progress! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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For my outdoor excersion today, Dear hubby is taking me to Catherines to pick up a couple of slip over my head cotton dresses. I do not forsee anytime soon being about to wear anything that would come close to touching my incisions. I am doing very well I believe. I'm on liquid antiobiotics and so far no fever or anything.. just stiff sore and gasey. It was really bad this a.m. but I had laid still on my back for 8+ hours so I guess that's to be expected. I am alternating my liquid loritab with liquid Ibuprophen.T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Good a.m. Feeling slightly better today. This a.m. instead of flailing wildly for 10 minutes trying to get out of bed it only took me 9 minutes of flailing wildly. I'm starting to suspect some of my innards were stolen during surgery and sold on the black market. My  furkids seem to think that the big a$$ pillow I keep on my tummy is JUST for their entertainment and like to take a running leap from the ground and land... RIGHT SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE... which of course results in my jerking up and screaming bloody murder, spazzing the cats out which causes them to AGAIN run across said pillow that I'm using for 'protection'. hmmmm I may have just figured out the whole pack of wild drunk monkey feeling from yesterday.....My tummy is still swollen larger than a baboons a$$ in heat but not as pretty. I know it's only friday, but I'm like.. how on EARTH am I going to drive my truck to work on Monday. I may end up bartering with DHubby to take me. I can't wait to get to work to show off my new Cave man posture and walk.I also have this weird numb but itchy feeling on the surface of my tummy. Itching is a good sign I reckon but it's very surreal to be running my finger over the surface of my tummy and not really be able to feel it. I am VERY happy to report that my auntie flow has packed her bags and left the building . I asked Dr. Morton if he could just to ahead and remove my uterus while he was in there and he just looked at me like I was a goof ball.  Oh well.. never no unless you ask.OK.. having major gas pain .. must go kick something.later T |
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squirrelygirl New Member
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Glad you are feeling a little better... Try not to be mad @ the kitties... they are probably wondering what is up with you...lol. Hope you drastically improve over the weekend. Try not to do any keg stands or anything! Hang in there.... you have lots of people who want you to succeed! K |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I just ate a small prune yogurt (sounds gross but is actually quite DEEELISH ) and a small sf pudding. I went to Target and bought these cute little plastic toddler spoons and forks plus some classic pooh plates and bowls and though I haven't been able to use the bowls and plates yet, the small spoons have been great. I feel at this point I am actualy taking a turn for the better. Basically I'm just sore, gasey, itchy and restless. Great combo huh? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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OH Mah GAH If you would have told me that a soft boiled egg smashed up w/ a small pat of magerine would make me moan and roll my eyes up in my head I would have LAUGHED MY A$$ off at you. Well, I just ate one and that's what happened. DEEEEEEEEElish |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Day four post op. Allive and kicking... and ITCHING. Drank my watery oatmeal with protein powder mixed in. Was quite delicious actually. Hubby will make me a soft scrambled egg for lunch and a 1/4 cup of 'wet' lean ground beef for supper to be chased with a v-8 juice. Did I mention I was ITCHING? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Every day seems that I turn another corner for the best. I'm still itching like crazy, however, this a.m. I was able to, with the aid of several pillows.. lay on my side! HOORAH! it still slighly pulls on my port site which isn't v. comfy but it's a nice few minute change from laying on my back. It doesn't take much to wear me out. I go back to work tomorrow and kind of dread it, I have a desk job though so the worst part will be going from truck to desk. after that I should be fine. I'm eating a soft scrambled egg right now that DH made for me. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I thought I would return back to work tomorrow but now I'm not so sure. It's a good 30 minute drive to work and I drive a stick shift truck. Not to mention, I'm still so tired. I've been getting out and walking for at least 10 minutes since the day after and it knocks me out. I emailed my boss and let him know that I wasn't sure that I'd be in and that Tuesday would be a half day. Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and feel 100% better.. which I am feeling better.. but there's big differnce in feeling better and being able to drive to work be there for 9 hours, then drive back home... If I do a 180 then I'll take a stab at it. I guess I could go in late then leave when I get tired. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I actually drove myself to work this a.m. and survived the evil seat belt and steering wheel. I'll probably leave here around noonish. I bent over a LITTLE to far this a.m. in the bathroom at work and nearly shreaked. OH MY GOSH.. The pain in my port.... I guess it pulled on my stitches holding the port in place. That was like an hour ago and I'm still feeling it a little. My tongue is all messed up, gross and sore too. I"m going to call my dr. about it. I think I noticed it yesterday being sore and today when I got up and looked at it, it's all blotchy. white in spots and ANGRY red in others. Maybe it's the antibiotics or it could be the liquid ibuprophen I'm using. I sure hope it's not the ibuprophen. It's what keeps me going during the day. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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update: I have never before had this in my life and I'm still not sure how it happened, but it would appear after speaking with my dr, that I have Thrush. Isn't that what babies get? ANYwho, he is calling in a prescription that I will pick up on the way home. T |
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squirrelygirl New Member
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That IS what babies get!  .... Not sure what causes it.... but I dont think either one of my boys ever had it. It's probably from not being able to eat much... I dunno. You're such a trooper for going to work today, tho. I know your co-workers have probably missed you! Hang in there!K |
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collegestudent Distinguished Member 
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You probably got the thrush from the antibiotics you are on. Oral thrush is caused by a type of yeast infection. The antibiotics they put you on post surgery may have also killed off some of the "good" bacteria in your mouth which gave the naturally occuring yeast in your mouth the chance to overgrow. Wikipedia has a small amount of information on the subject: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_thrush Just take the antifungal medicines your doctor prescribed and it should go away pretty quickly Good luck. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Kewl, thanks! I'm waiting for them to call in my prescrip, then I will go home. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ok.. I attmepted to attach an image of my heart shaped guaze covered incisions from a word document in my documents and this is what it said...Sorry, the attachment size is bigger than the maximum allowed (29K). HOW DO I SHOW PICTURES! T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm at home now and have my prescrip for Thrush. She said that some of the patients get it from the antibiotics. My resistance was low because of the surgery so it didn't take much. I get to gargle this lovely tasting stuff 4 times a day... |
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Nir Senior Administrator 
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Synicalchick wrote: HOW DO I SHOW PICTURES! How to Put an Image in Your Post |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ACK... my mouth is still on fire. I've had four doses of the prescrip stuff so hopefully it will be better by this afternoon. Back at work today and will probably leave this afternoon when I start to get tired. I can tell the swelling is starting to go down now cause I'm hungry more often. I had 3 ounces of chicken breast this a.m. then a 15 g protein shake around 9 and then a sf jello a few minutes ago. I forgot to bring my chicken to work so I'll do another drink I guess for lunch plus I brought some kefir probiotic yogurt smoothie stuff too. My mouth is so friggin' tender that just about anything I eat or drink hurts... i think I'm ssssin' my words too. Tongue feel swollen. Soreness is SLOWLY but surely diminishing each day. I feel like I've been in a wreck every a.m. when I wake up and try to get out of bed. I haven't had any ibuprophen yet today but may break down and take some here in a few minutes. Surgeon and other fellow bansdters say I should start feeling about normal around Friday. Considering I am one week to the day today from the operation I'm doing GREAT. Driving myself to work and everything. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Please ignore this post I'm going to start this by saying.. *Please* don't bother to read this. It's a bitching/grumpy whiny pity party pants session and I needed to sit down and type out my grumblings so I can grab my britches and trek on... I KNOW I am SO lucky.. for real, to have been given this opportunity, this gift, if you will, of the band and I have been wanting this for FOUR years.. and here I am one week to the day post op, and I'm going to bitch. So, please.. especially for those of you who are not banded yet.. IGNORE MY PITY PARTY. I am freakin miserable. I flippin mouth feels like a firely dragon took a piss in it because of this hateful thrush #%@&! (which is a yeast overload by the way generaly caused by antibiotics and a low imune system) AND.... IT HAS MOVED DOWN FREAKING SOUTH ARGH. WHY WHY WHY?!?!?!? ARGH I STILL can't sleep on my side which means I'm stuck sleeping on my back, which causes me to snore, which irritates my already on fire, dry mouth and I don't sleep as well, and I can't take my pain meds because it sets my mouth on fire even worse so when I wake up in the a.m. I feel like a heard of elephants has been tap dancing on my freaking large #%@&! stomach, which by the way, is so freaking large, that I can't really reach my now on fire itchy nether regions for fear of ripping a port stich or opening up an incision. I am also, starting today.... H U N G R Y. so.. what's going through my mind today? I'm HUNGRY.. #$%* one fricking week post op and I want to EAT EAT EAT EAT. I've had 3 oz chicken breast 120c 20prtn 6:30 1 can atkins 160c 15 prtn 9:36 SF Jello 10c 10:30 1 cup Probiotic Kifir smoothie yogurt thingy 174 c 14Prtn 12:30 Fruit fusion Peach smoothie drink 250 c prtn7 3:30 Sfree pudding 60c 2prtn 4:00 Chicken of the Sea Roasted Garlic Salmon Steak 150c prtn 25 with one slice provolone cheese melted on top 70c 5prtn 5:00 another slice 'o provolone.. well.. I had to read the package so.. I ate a slice 70c 5prtn Let's add this up shall we.. Well.. uh. according to my calculations.. that's only 1064cs with 93 prtn. Ok... I feel as though I pigged out today and now I'm seeing that I've only had 1064 c's. Ok.. so it's not that bad. I felt like I really screwed up when I bought and drank the 250 c smoothie. and I'm really full right now so I reckon I haven't blown it food wise. hmmm ANYwho, I was feeling like, oh my god.. maybe I can't do this, I'm never going to even get below 300 little long lose around 170 lbs... and part of me still feels this way. I've been reading post on here (lap band forum) since jan and I have seen some discouragement.. I just wasn't expecting to be one of the discouraged.. especially one week out. This can work. I just have to make good food choices. I need to bring more stuff to work with me tomorrow. Part of my issues I think are as far as feeling physically like #%@&!, is that I have Fibromyalgia ( can't spell) and that's really dealing me a hand right now. I can't take my liquid kids ibuprophen because my mouth is so $%(*ed up and that really keeps my fibro in check whine whine whine. sorry guys. I really think I would feel a little better if I could just freaking sleep on my side again. It will get better I know. Thanks for not reading my bull$%^( SYNICALchick aka Tracy __________________ Started Process 1/3/07 Insurance of BCBS if TN Have exclusion policy for WLS Date of approval 2/13 Date of surgery 2/27 BMI 54 Weight 336 Height 5'6 1/2" age 37 Surgeon Dr Charles Morton Baptist Hospital Nashville, TN Goal: Not sure yet. Somewhere under 200 "Always leave get well cards on your mantel, that way when guests come over, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean."Blessings & Fae Kisses |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I tan and found this to be helpful. Sunning, Tanning Booths, & Surgery While having a golden tan is lovely to look at - it damages the skin. Tanning is a personal choice, but it's important to know the results of doing so in conjunction with your surgery. No one ever healed skin cancer by getting a tan. If tanning improved our skin there would be no need for sunscreens and all the media messages about skin cancer we hear daily. Stay out of the sun before your surgery You want your skin to be in good shape so that you can have the best chances for healing. Suntanned skin does not promote well-healed incisions. Stay out of the sun after your surgery Sun on your new incisions will turn them permanently red. This is not our opinion - it's a fact. Incisions need to stay out of the sun for about a year, and longer if they have not turned white. Once you sun them and turn them red, there is no going back. Only excising them and starting over will get rid of the red, sun damaged incision lines. If you will be in the sun post-operatively (we realize we all have lives and vacations happen), please make sure your suit covers your incisions completely. Depending on how far post-op you are, you should ask your plastic surgeon if you can put sunscreen on your incisions. Sunscreens are chemicals, and it may not be a good idea to put this on your incisions if you are newly post-op, so ask your plastic surgeon. Of course, exposing them to sun would be worse, so do ask your plastic surgeon as he or she might also be able recommend the brand they'd like you to use. Some people have even put surgical adhesive tape over their incisions. This might be a good alternative to the chemical aspects of sunscreen - provided the tape stays on. Again, ask your plastic surgeon. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ATTENTION: THE FOLLOWING IS GRAPHIC AND ABOUT YEAST INFECTIONS SO MALE READERS/ EASILY OFFENDED/GROSSED OUT JUST MOVE ON PAST THIS POST PLEASE. The antibiotic they gave me to take every 8 hours has absolutely REAKED HAVOC on my body. I don't normally get yeast infections. I'm 37 and have had about 8 in my life and have NEVER had thrush. I SHOULD have known, that if my mouth was overloaded as bad as it was with the thrush that I needed to go ahead and treat my other end for a yeast infection. I'm telling you what, I have NEVER had one EVER that was this bad. I had to leave early from work today and by the time I got home I was boohooing like a big baby. I'm like raw shredded meat down there and am even a little bloody. I took a prescription oral pill for this on Tuesday and it doesn't seem to be helping. My DH, thank god, came home this afternoon (he travels) and got me some maximum strenth itch/burn stuff then went back later after I boo hoo'd and cussed when I had to tinkle, to buy the 3 day treatment stuff. I have been using ice packs on it as well and that seems to help. It seems the worst around my ureathra and clit. It was murder when he was putting on the topical stuff. I'm calling the doc tomorrow, though, I don't think there is anything else we can do since I'm already using the prescrip stuff. I am going to make note of the name of this antibiotic that I was given so I don't ever take it again. Am I the ONLY one this has happened too? I haven't read about anyone else going through this on my feb & march post. For those of you not yet banded... please speak with your doc about the possibility of getting a yeast infection and see if there are any preventative measures you can take or maybe you can at least get some supplies to prepare for the possibility. After you are banded, if you find that your mouth/tongue starts getting sore and discolored.. PLEASE call your doc and don't wait like I did. I'm really paying for it now. Tracy |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Fell asleep last night about 10:30, woke up today around 1 p.m. I Really needed it to. Last night for the 1st time I could actually sleep on my side. My YInf is at a manageable phase right now, more like the ones I'm used to. I'm drinking my kefir yogurt and sitting on an ice pack. As I look over the past two weeks, I'm a little amused if not slightly irritated, that a lot of people consider WLS as the 'easy way out'. None of this has been easy and I know it will get better but no regrets. Oprah had a program on yesterday not about the Band like I have, but Gastric Bypass and I was thinking the whole time.. GREAT, now people are going to be judging me based on this program and I started to regret that I have been so open about this procedure, but then decided, you know what. I don't care. If I can help one person it's worth it. Most people who know me at all, wouldn't judge me anyway so worries for nothing. I was amazed to learn, that people that have had the gastric bypass where prone to alcoholism because the alcohol hit their system so quick. That's scary stuff. I really admire Carnie Wilson who has been such a poster child for things and has made her life an open book so others may not have to suffer. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I feel great today. Finally turned that corner. Yinfec is under control & I can totally sleep on my side now! Thursday I went to bed (the 1st night I was able to sleep on my side) and I woke up 14 hours later! I needed it. We have been blessed with BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS weather today. I'm sitting here at my computer, ate my prune yogurt, drinking my coffee, have the patio door open, birds are chirping, my windchimes are chiming, the smell of burning sage is in the air and all is right with the world. I may even be able to talk DH into walking at the zoo today. Nasvhille has a really beautiful zoo and I have a membership. I hope no one has been discouraged by my whiny post, I just wanted to be as honest as factual as possible because I like to know what's up before hand. Now that I'm on the other side of things, I know I've done the right thing and I'm really excited about my future. I have a normal to small sized husband, he married me at almost my top weight, so I'm excited to see where this takes our relationship as we are able to do more outdoor activites together. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Having another great day today... This week starts my working full days.. FINALLY. didn't quite make it last week. Been sipping on vanilla chai protein all a.m. and it's a little after noon and I was hungry so I'm eating my tuna and multigrain crackers. HOLY JEEZ. I'm not restricted really but big bites of tuna are a NO NO . I took two large/normal bites with a normal size fork (left kiddie spoons at home) and WHAM ... kind of very uncomfy. so... must stick with little bites. I have got to get myself trained before the 1st restriction, because as you can see from my previous post.. I REALLY don't care for pain.T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I walked for THIRTY MINTUES outside today on my lunch break! HOORAH HOORAH HOORAH! I can tell I've lost too because pre op/diet walking from my truck to my desk winded me and made my lower back SCREAM this time I was burping and tooting like a maniac and my middle back by my shoulder blades was protesting so I went to like.. you know.. stretch my middle back by bringing my elbows back... Holy Frickin Frogs Teeth.. IT HURT. I'll be so glad when this port site heals.. won't be doing THAT again any time soon. Sheesh! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Today was yet another fabu day. it's about 3:08 and the weather has been perfection except now I believe it's going to start raining. I still feel sore in the a.m. when I'm getting out of bed but I haven't had to take ibuprophen or ANYthing.. which is HUGE for me. I walked across & back the road to our other building this a.m. (takes me about 5 min.) to the wellness center to get my measurements. She's going to do them once a month for me. After lunch I walked for about 35 minutes. I can't say this enough.. it is so nice for my lower back to not hurt when I'm walking for more than 2 minutes. I called to book my 1st appointment for my fill and the earliest they can get me in is march 27. One month to the day. I just hope I can behave long enough to maintain the 20 I have lost if not lose more. I don't think that I have any restriction, HOWEVER, I am getting full quicker. I think that because of the pre-op diet and the 3-4 days of swelling, what happened is that my stomach has shrunk so the portions I am eating now are what I would consider a 'normal' portion to be. I know if I pushed it I could eat more, but I'm trying real hard to 'listen' and stop when I start feeling a little tight and not drink when I eat and wait an hour after. I sure am burping a lot though. Would I be burping this much with no restriction what so ever? I can drink like normal too. ANYwho...after walking I get real tender around the port area for some reason. It last about 20 minutes then settles down. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well poke a badger with a spoon I was worried about not getting a fill until 3/27 well, now it's not until 4/2. That's one day short of 5 weeks. whew... give me the strength to control myself for that long. I think I'll be ok but I'm afraid overdoing it once is all that it will take... hopefully that knowledge will keep me in line. I forgot my lunch today so i went to a mex place with friend and got grilled chicken and beans. Ate half and boxed up the rest. Since I have been walking on my lunch break and knew I would'nt be able to today, I walked once around the building this a.m. and plan to go again this afternoon. |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com 
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Poke a badger with a spoon? That's too funny to shake a stick at! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I wish I could claim that phrase as my own.. however I cannot. It's from one of my all time favorite comics/actors Eddie Izzard. He referrs to it in an "Original Sin" skit. Well, that's pretty original... and dangerous! |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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I learned mine, above, from my wife's grandmother. Another I love: There's so many [fill in the blank]s around here you can't swing a cat without hitting one! Peter P.S. As long as we're "off topic," over 1400 people have read this topic so far. Thanks for sharing! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I KNOW>>> isn't that INSANE? I never in my life would have thought ANYONE would want to read anything I wrote. I have hidious grammer skills and can't spell worth a durn.. not to mention.. I must sound like a crazy idiot most of the time. I fell going up the stairs going in to work this a.m. and am now v. stiff and pouty Can't wait for my 1st fill. Really having to exercise self control as I can eat pretty much whatever. Last edited on 13 April 2007 07:45 pm by Synicalchick |
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squirrelygirl New Member
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T- Just had a chance to catch up on your posts, as I have been in training and away from my office all week!! I just want to say I am very proud of you (AGAIN), and I want to thank you for sharing this journey with all of us. As you know, I have also been looking into the band. Currently, I am on a program @ church to try to lose some weight before I go thru any surgery. This gives anybody who is considering Lap Band the 'down and dirty' of it all. I think you are very courageous! And you're really cool, too!!! K |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I don't know what it is out Sundays but I am having another fabulous day. I am moving around BETTER than I was pre op. I topped out at 339 in January and am at 319 and holding. I don't expect to lose anymore until after my 1st fill.It's another  GORGEOUS day out, got the sage burning, all the windows open and I am.. get this.. CLEANING! I'm also going to do a batch of tie dye this afternoon... feeling creative. It'll will take me about 3-4 days to finish this batch but it's nice to be in the biz again. Doing some shirts and undies for my in-laws that are going to Disney for their spring break. I made a big ole pitcher of Green Tea and I've got my ABBA gold album blasting.It's so nice to feel good and optimistic about my future. YAY! I still have the weird numb/pain on the surface of my tummy but it's tolerable. Todd(DH) is having outpatient surgery for his deviated septum one month to the day of my surgery and I know that by then I'll really be feeling great.I think I may even dye some eggs on Tuesday I did this last year using all natural dye stuff. I boiled all kinds of stuff experimenting like spinich, coffee, tea, blackberries, strawberries and then I used cheese cloth and wrapped different plant leaves like carrot tops, rosemary and lavendar and they came out REALLY neat. I think my favs were the blackberry and tea ones. I have found that post op my meat preference to be  fish.Well, I'm just rambling now. Later Tracy Last edited on 26 April 2007 10:08 pm by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Three weeks post op. Doing well. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I've been walking 30 minutes a day and I just have to say AGAIN... how nice it is to do so and not feel like I am going to DIE |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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For those of you who 'know' me and have followed my ravings since january of last year... you will be proud to know that I have once again, purchased a pedometer and THIS one.. I THINK.. will actually stay on and not fall off everytime I go to the restroom. We shall see. This could be the start of a new beautiful relationship... or.. NOT T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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This is so kewl... Restaurant Card for kids portions Check this out.. this is so cool! You can print this card up and take it to restaurants so you can order off of the kids menu. There is also a list of places that already allows adults to order kids size meals. obesityhelp.com/magazine/RestaurantCard.html Basically it explains that you've had surgery that olmits your ability to eat a large amount of food, and it requests that you be premitted to order off the children's menu or to order half portions. Of course, it's up to the retaurant whether it will honor the card. One one side of the card is the name & address of the practice * the surgeon & on the other side is the request information. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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One day post op. I have 7 incisions as you can see below. I believe average is 5 or 6. I have the WHALE kind of fat that instead of being mixed in and amongts my organs it's a nice thick layer between my skin and on top of my organs. Yay.. I'm built like a whale... ANYwho. The procedure took about 45 minutes longer than normal because of this so I guess that would also explain the extra cut. My 1st appointment is 4/2 so I'll be sure to ask lots of questions and report back. Some sweetie took the time to cut out heart shaped gauze. Maybe they thought any 37 yr old that would bring a stuffed moose and ask to be allowed to wear her tie dye socks and undies needed cute gauze shapes afterwards..... Attached Image (viewed 1342 times): |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Almost but not quite three weeks post op incision picture. I am SO sorry you are having to look at mee belly without having cute heart shapes to distract you..... the one at my belly button in this pic is kind of hard to see.. there is also one to the far left that is v. small that isn't that visable here either but if you refer to the heart pic you can kind of figure out where they are. I think they look pretty great. The little one to the far left kind of came open the day after and I am still 'scabby' there. I've been rubbing a mixture of vitamin E oil, oatmeal lotion and mederma on my tummy every day. The large incision at the top center is the one you hear me refer to as my 'port site'. This spot will take some time to heal as they stitched the port into my abdominal muscle. YIKES. Attached Image (viewed 1302 times): Last edited on 24 March 2007 06:51 am by Synicalchick |
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squirrelygirl New Member
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Those heart-shaped gauze pads are too cute... I think it's TRUE LOVE!!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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1st fill in a couple of hours... I am getting ready to leave work. I'm anxious/nervous and feel silly about feeling so but I can't help it. Today is my post op appointment and 1st fill... as in go into the sorest incision scar I have with a needle appointment . It's the unknown part that is getting to me... I mean, I haven't had this part done before and it involves a V. long needle in a sensative spot so I'm being a baby.I am having to talk myself out of bringing my stuffed moose to cling to desperately as they jab a super long needle into my innards.. Instead, I shall cling to my hubby for dear life, then feel like a two year old when it's over and I discover it wasn't that bad to begin with.  I really NEED this appointment because I can EAT I really misbehaved this weekend and though I'm still not totally at the quantity of food I can normally have, I'm still ate more than I should have and I had BREAD. I had two biscuits yesterday and perchance a slice of brownie....ok.. I had two hunking big pieces of brownie followed by a glass of milk.. ANYwho... As I sit her typing this my stomach is screaming for me to throw it some food and of course.. I can't. I'm not supposed to eat four hours prior so I ate 'brunch' at 10 a.m. to make extra sure my tummy was empty when I got there. Did I remember to ask if I could drink... NNNOOOOO . ok.. assuming I survive and don't faint and break my neck.. I shall report in more detail than you could ever hope for as soon as I get back.tootles, Tracy |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Ouch! Can't wait for your report. I think this is so valuable for people to fully understand what this surgery involves. I hope it wasn't worth all the worrying! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok. today @ 2:45 was my post op appointment and 1st fill. I walked in, & they weighed me. I was kind of dreading this because 1. It's that 'special' time of the month 2. I've been hungry 3. this weekend, though I still didn't eat volume wise what I normally do, ate things I shouldn't have, like bread and brownies 4. last but not least, I weigh about 4 lbs heavier in the afternoon than I do in the a.m. water retention I guess. Much to my delight I have maintained myself at 318.. I was 331.5 on the day of surgery, which means I weighed even more than that before surgery and lost some before because of the hellacious pre-op 'all food is evil so you must drink your meals' diet. So I lost around 20 lbs and have kept it off without gaining any before my fill. From what I've been reading on the forums, some people gain before their 1st fill so HOOfreakinRAH for me! They had a "basket 'o Needles sitting on the desk.. boy that cheered me up and fast. Todd was like... well look honey.. they aren't THAT big...Dr. Morton thought my incisions sites looked great and where healing V well. They also thought my matching tie dyed undies/sports bra and socks were a hoot, I informed them that of course, I wore them for this ever so special of occasions. At this point, they had me laying down on the table in my colorful skivies and it occurred to me that this bragging on my homemade undies was a clever ploy for them to distract me from the bee sting of a numbing shot they administered to the incision on my sternum. I think Todd's fingers may still be tingling... but I have to admit.. it was like a baby bee sting and not one of those big A$$ scary bees....So.. after this he sticks in the saline needle and all I feel is pressure, I was like.. wow, that's kind of weird, he then informed me that he was going to help me SIT UP with said needle protruding from my sternum. uh.... He gave me his hand and helped me sit up.. I didn't pass out or anything! In fact at this point, I didn't feel a thing but I guess my eyes were still bugged out like a fly in a frog pit cause he commented on my expression.. It was kind of weird to look down and see a needle sticking out of me but, it didn't hurt  They then gave me a cup holding 9 ounces of water and asked me to sip on it. Apparently the band I have holds 4 thingies of saline (cc's maybe?) and while I sat there drank water and burped profusely he put in 2.2 thingies of fluid. He seemed pretty happy with how it was sounding and he pulled out the needle and slapped on a bandaid. I was like... 'THAT's IT?" As I predicted, I felt silly for being to worked up over this. It all took about 10 minutes from weigh in/strip down to fill up. I was grinning like a cat in the fish market on the way up front because my stomach had been growling like crazy when I got there and all the sudden.. I was FULL. HOLY #%@&!>>>> I went from ravenous beast to pleasantly just ate full.... on 9 ounces of water. NICE. I scheduled my next appointment for 3 weeks from now to weigh in and see if I need more fluid in my band. I am on liquids until wednesday afternoon then I can switch to soft stuff like cottage cheese/apple sauce then gradually at my own pace, work up to real food again. I am ever so slightly sore now where my port is and he said I might bruise a little. I got a protein drink and some veggie juice for supper and right now I'm full as a tick.  |
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squirrelygirl New Member
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I knew you would survive!! So cute about your matching undies ;). |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOWEEE WHAT an afternoon. I have been sipping on stuff at work like veggie juice and coffee. I left to go pick up hubby for his nose appointment and grabbed a Naked protein juice drink out of the fridge. It's about a 14 oz bottle and has almost 40 grms of protein in it. I started sip/drinking it and about 20 minutes later probably had about 2 ounces of it left, then OH MY GOD... weirdness. I don't even know if I can begin to describe it, but obviously I drank to much of it. It didn't occur to me that I should go over 8 or 9 ounces because, well, it's liquid.. it will run right through right? Well I guess not. I was V. uncomfy for about an HOUR. slight nausea but not overwhealming, felt like I had gas and trapped air, slightly sweaty, sitting down was not comfy AT ALL so I was standing/pacing and bending. we finally got home and I stripped down went upstairs, go a cold wash rag turned the fan on high and laid down on a slight incline until it passed. wow. Moral of the story... even when drinking... drink/sip SMALL amounts and not in a hurry... it sneaks up on you. I'm supposed to start eating tomorrow and now I'm slightly paranoid about it but I'm sure I'll be fine. Tell you what.. I'd rather over do it and learn on liquid than actual food. I'm still pretty gassy feeling but after the worst was over I went outside and walked for about 10 minutes and that made me feel better as well. I can tell right now, this band/tool will most def be a success. NICE. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Walked about 45 minutes during my lunch break. I am on liquids until this evening when I can convert to mushies. When I came back in I drank some protein stuff by bolthouse farms.. probably about 9 ounces or so and now my freaking chest is tight again. This is going to take some getting used to and I have got to learn to start SMALL and work my way up. I'm not bad like yesterday but this is fairly uncomfortable which means... IT"S WORKING after only one fill. Of course he said the fill can cause slight swelling which is why liquids for two days so It may relax up some but.. this is how it works. I was just kind of surprised because I have read a lot of comments about the 1st fill not really working. Maybe it's the size of my band and the fac that it only holds 4 thingies and he put in 2.2. I actually think I will bust out of 300 by the end of the month!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm going to lunch today to eat some beans so I'm having to break my walk up. I just did a once around the building on the property line which, when you walk it in the parking lot from entrance back to the same entrance one time, it's 6/10th of a mile. Well, I walk the property line which is quite a difference and NOT flat. I wore a chicken little disney pedometer this time(don't know how acurate it is) and It was 1,859 steps around once by the property line and it takes me right under 15 minutes. I forgot to note the time so I'm not sure. So, I typically go around twice.. yesterday I went around 3 times so that is 5577 steps for yesterday not counting regular steps for everything else. =) |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Pretty soon you can join the 10,000 steps challenge! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Yah. That's my plan. I went to the exercise calculators. What are 10,000 steps equivalent to distance wise?? |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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You'd have to calculate that from your pace, but generally the 10,000 steps are measured with a cheap pedometer. Peter |
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Meltini New Member
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Tracy, You are my hero! I have read all you blogging and it is SO entertaining and informative! Both my husband and I are having LAP Band surgery and we are looking forward to it. I now am more calm an reassured that I can do this because of your commentary. Thanks for sharing your life with us! Keep up he GREAT work!!Melissa |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Meltini, I was sure Synicalchick's sharing would be helpful to others considering surgery, and I'm grateful for all her work and pleased that it helped you. Of course now you are indebted to come back and share about your experience!  Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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thanks guys. please feel free to pm me if you need anything or have any questions. I know there are other forums that are lapband specific, but for me, it was important for a weightloss forum to represent. Are y'all getting banded at the same time or spreading it apart so you can take care of each other? My DH was a HUGE help. I am down to 314 today and the weather is gorgeous so I am planning on a two mile walk today Couldn't have done that 15 lbs ago. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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This is going to sound silly probably.. but I can't believe how well this is working. My Doc told me it is designed to work with real food, not soft, liquid or mushy food. Now that I am on food again.. WOW. I get full on so little AMAZING! There is hope! I am at 310 now. I swear man... TWOterville is right around the corner! HOORAH HOORHA! |
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Meltini New Member
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Hi Tracy! What the heck does PM you mean? LOL! I'm kinda dumb.Eric is having his on 04/16/07 and I am having mine on 05/07/07. We'll be able to take care of eachother! I am a little . I had the upper GI today and MAN did that suck! Barfd in the parking lot on the way out from all that barium #%@&!! EWWW! Double eww! Not to mention what things looked like later in the day if you know what I mean!Excited though I am! I want to be healthier , I want to be able to do all the things I used to before the back surgery and weight gain.How much have you lost already? And in what time frame? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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sorry about that. It means Private Message me. Click on my name over to the left and then you can send me one. I am glad to hear that y'all aren't doing it at the same time. This will give y'all enough recovery time to take care of each other. I've lost 30 lbs so far and am pretty sure I'll be under 300 by the end of the month. The cool thing is, once you start eating real food after your 1st fill you can tell that it truly is going to work and you didn't go through all the surgery torture for nothing. My hubby and I went to red robin yesterday, he was jonesing for a burger. I ordered a avacado burger. I ate one onion ring and three bites of burger minus the top bun VERY WELL CHEWED.. literally i'm counting my chews.. and I'll be dipped if I wasn't full. with a huge grin on my face I asked for a couple of 2go boxes. I had about 3 more bites plus one more onion ring for supper and I still have over half a burger left this a.m.! THIS FREAKING ROCKS. I could not control my quantity intake before the surgery, now I can and get this. I am satisfied! you really have to pay attention to your body and STOP when you start feeling full.. take time between bites. the hardest thing for me to get used to is not to drink during and and hour after. sometimes I take a tiny swig to clean out my mouth and swallow but no more than that. I am very excited for you. go here... lapband talk . com and read read read. it will be loads of help for you. my user name is still Synicalchick there xo T Last edited on 8 April 2007 08:12 pm by |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Had another great day with my band. It's easter and we went to KY to eat Easter dinn with the hubbies family. We had ham, cole slaw, tomatoes, mashed taters, green beans, beans, corn, corn bread, rolls, chocolate pie and fruit stuff. I had three tiny bites of ham, two tomato slices about 1/8 c of slaw (normally I don't eat this stuff but we made it fresh with just cabbage and the slaw dressing in a bottle) a small spoon of potatoes and corn and about 4 flat green beans. NO bread. about 2 hours later I ate a little of the fruit and shared a small piece of choc pie with hubby. THIS IS AMAZING... and the kewl thing is I was full and satisfied. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Weight at the chiropractors office today........ 309! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ok.. I KNOW I should be spanked for weighing again so soon.. but I can't seem to help myself. I am now at 308! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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HOLY FREAKIN' FLEA TITS My 1st fill is W O R K I N G I have the small band (4) and doc put in 2.2 and OH man does it work. I am 6 weeks post op today & one week one day post 1st fill. I've lost 10 pounds JUST SINCE my fill, yet I am still able to eat and not feel cheated!!!! I am right now, on the back side of my 1st pb (productive burp )My hubby travels and is out of town this week. by the time 4 came around I was REALLY hungry and so far for the day I had only consumed about 400 c's not including coffee. I was in the mood for chicken so I stopped at KFC's and got a drumstick and a thigh. about three bites before I stopped, I remember thinking, I'm not hungry so I should stop... but my head hunger was like.. but wait.. you aren't FULL yet.. just a few more bites. Well, Three bites later the PB started . All this of course while I'm trying to drive a stick shift home on a 25 minute drive of course. Thank goodess I followed a thread on my lap band forum by the name "Flaming Golf Ball From #%@&!" where people tell different PB stories and jokingly/seriously suggested keeping  bottles/papertowels and cups in your vehicle for just such an occasion. I bought some vitamin water and left two of the empty bottles in the truck just in case, even though I was like..  i won't need these because I'll stop before it's to late... Famous Last Words. All the freaking way home I was having to spit profusely into my bottle and a few times a little chicken would come up with it. This started about 4:20 and though I feel better, my chest is still tight.It was/is such a surreal  experience, I wasn't 'throwing up' it was just coming..  gently and my chest was NOT HAPPY. ANYwho. Lesson learned. I don't have to be STUFFED to quit eating. 1st impressions/instinct..if you think you should stop,,, then by god stop already. Now, for the weird part. This PB (productive burp) gives me hope. This really is going to work for me and not just to take the weight off, but more importantly KEEP IT OFF . Unless you have a thing for slime covered food you have already chewed and swalloed ending up in your pie hole, you will NOT over eat. 'nough said Last edited on 11 April 2007 02:42 am by Synicalchick |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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How long ago was it that you once before worked down to 300? This time I expect you to keep going... and stay there! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Right at a year ago I would say. This time I'm going pass it and tell the 300's to smack me on the hiney cause never again will I see that number!!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey girl! I see you made it to the lap band forum. Hip Hooee! T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ok... it's the day after my 1st PB and I survived. I feel as though I have just gone through a 'rite of passage' When I bust out of the 300's my hubby says for a treat I can get a pair of the new pale pink croc flip flops!! HOORAH! I'm somewhat of a croc freak. Oh who am I kidding, I'm just a shoe ho in general. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Yet another fabulous day with my new band. WE are going to be best friends.. I can tell. I had almost one pack of watery oatmeal for breakfast, went to my fav lunch place Blue Coast Burrito for lunch ordered one small steak/black bean burrito. Split it open like a baked potato, took 12-15 v. small bites, chewed the living dickens out of the bites and was full so I wrapped up the rest and brought home. Met with the girls tonight at chili's, ordered the firecracker grilled tilapia no sides (again, you'd think I'd ordered fried bum) ate v small bites and took slightly less than half home. This is GREAT. It's giving me the moderation control I didn't have on my own and I don't feel cheated! WHOOO HOOOO! I'm staying away from bread and rice products and I have to say so far it hasn't bothered me. I'm working so hard on getting in my protein, I don't want to waste valuable space on bread or stuff that will expand. I need to find a really good vitamin. I can't wait until garden season when I can eat fresh tomatoes, basil and squash. |
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Meltini New Member
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Sounds so good! You are doing great!!! That is one of my biggest fears is that I will feel cheated. I am a total volume eater myself. This is one of the reasons I am doing this. DH (Eric) is days away from his.  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I just discovered that I like cottage cheese. Then I'm like.. well when did I discover I *didn't* like it. uh... I can't remember ever trying it. I suspect it was how it looked that convinced me I never wanted it to touch my lips. ANYwho, I bought a think of it by breakstone's that is 3/4 cottage cheese 2% with a small pocket of Peach. I thought when I bought it, well If I'm going to try it, I should at least have something in there I know I DO like. Well, it's been sitting in my fridge for over a week so I thought this a.m. I would be brave and bring it to work and I'll be dipped if I don't think it's quite tasty Meltini, I am a volume eater myself. I would on RARE occasions eat 'junk' but seriously... very rarely.. also stayed away from fast food and fried stuff. I actually prefer broiled seafood to fried.. always have. ANYwho, I think this procedure is PERFECT for volume eaters. I am so very please with how this is working out! My bm's are the same, just much less. I used to go 1-3 times a day now its 1-2 and as I said before...much less. Y'all need to watch yourselves post op with the pain killers. I made sure I was drinking a little prune juice and also it helps with your pre-op diet that you aren't eating solids. I did a clean out the Sunday (two days) before my surgery. we got some of the stuff at the pharmacy that is liquid and is the same ingredients that you find in Epsom salts. it did a good job without the abdominal cramping. The best advice I can give for preop is make sure you are exercising NOW,, even if it's walking. the more mobile you can be pre op, the easier time you will have of it post op. My doc wanted me up and walking around 4 hours post op. any time you have gas issues walking is what helps get rid of the discomfort. I still burp like crazy when I'm walking for exercise. v. strange, but normal. Below I am going to paste something I typed up in the lap band forum about the different types of bands. Ask your doctor which band he will be using for y'all so you know what to expect when reading the post from other bansdters. I think I have narrowed down some of the differences on this forum and why they are different as far as "blind fills" vs. Flouroscopy fills AND feeling restriction with one or two fills vs. mulitple. There are reperesented on this forum two sizes of bands. The larger band/VG band not only is a larger ring but of course holds more saline 10-11 cc's I believe, where as the smaller band, the one I have, the ring is smaller and only holds 4cc's the people with the smaller band feel restriction quicker. The other difference which I thought was kind of neat, is on the larger VG band there is a mark on the ring that can been seen with flouroscopy and there is not this mark on the smaller one. SO, I'm assuming that if we know what size band was 'installed' we can better taylor our expectations according to what we read on this forum. I like to refer to my fill as "The blind touch test".  I am now 10 days post my 1st fill and boy is this sucker working. I called the doc yesterday to re-confirm that I still needed to come in again on the 23rd & they said yes, even if I didn't need another fill they wanted me to come in.T __________________ Believe those who seek the Truth. Doubt those who find it. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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MAN.. I am now 11/12 days post 1st fill and my complete restriction I was feeling all this time is wearing off. It's kind of funny actually cause I called my doc and asking if I would still need to come in if I didn't need a fill and she just kind of laughed and said yes, they wanted to check in with me and weigh me & stuff. Well,, SHE knew that by the time the 23rd rolled around I'd be begging for more!!!! Monday when I went to blue coast I was only able to eat 10 v small bites of my burrito. Today when I went and got the same exact small burrito I ate all the innards and left the tortilla. I'm starting to get snacky too. Thank goodness I brought in some string cheese to stave off 'the beast'T |
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Meltini New Member
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Sweet! Less BMs, Always a good thing. Well I'm real glad that this seems to be working for you. You and I seem about the same when it comes to food. I dont snack much and really avoid candy and junk. So this will help me SOOOO much! How often do you have to see the doc? weekly? every few weeks? RAH RAH RAH! Keep up the good work and you'll have those crocadile flip-flops in no time!  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Band life is interesting. Though I am not restricted as much as I was in the 1st 10 days, I am however def experiencing SOME. Eating in the a.m. is hard/can barely get anything down, by lunch it's about where I should be, then by supper I can eat decent but not go crazy. about slightly over a cup or a cup and half. I'm still staying away from breads/pastas & rice. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Will start walking again today. Didn't all last week 'cause the weather was Horrid. The is actually out today and it's above freezing |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Yesterday I did 30 min on my lunch break which is 1.6 miles according to the people at work. TODAY however... I went to the park and walked around the lake which is premeasured to be exactly 2 miles. I started it at 4:36 and finished at 5:17 which is a decent clip for a person of my size I think and it took me 5,014 steps (according to my NEW free Chicken Little pedometer that a co-worker gave me out of a cereal box... whatever works man.. What's cool about all this is NO LOWER BACK PAIN! now as far as the REST of my body goes... hmmph My hubby let me order a Refurbished iPod off of the Apple site for me to walk with (that my ex hubby suggested... I lead an interesting life.. what can I say..)I Can't WAIT to get that puppy in! Of course, the challenge for me will be figuring out how on EARTH to get music on it off of my computer. I'm so excited.. now I can bust a move to ABBA, Jack Johnson, Simon & Garfunkle, Nickel Creek, Dixie Chicks & Blue October.. just to name a few. I'll have to be careful.. I'm liable to dance my way around the lake when Cecelia comes on.My restriction is still more than in the a.m. and by supper, though I'm not NEAR what I used to be and I still have to be careful WHAT it is to avoid the dreaded PB I can def eat more by supper time. I've been eating about 1/8 cup of cut up Spring Greens (hubby bought me a Hinkle scissor and knife set) 1-2 cut up strawberries, one cut up low fat string cheese and vinaigrette. It's VERY good. if that's all I'm having I'll add extra cheese for protein, & do about 1/2 cup of greens, or If I have fixed bacon for my hubby I'll cut up a couple of strips of that. Tonight I am fixing one of those Campbell's supper bakes.. garlic something. It comes with pasta and I'll only be able to eat like 2 or 3 pieces of that and the chicken we'll have to see. The whole thing is an experiment. I don't know WHAT I'd do without sFree popsicles. Good for late night cravings.Ok.. I'm like rambling now. More tomorrow Cheers! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Oh my gosh I did NOT want to get up this a.m. I may have pushed it a little by the 2 mile walk yesterday. I'm a little sore and V. tired. It's supposed to rain  so I guess if I'm going to walk I should get it out of the way this a.m. ughT |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Patting myself on the back I did it. I actually got my tired, sore bum outside and did 1.6 miles before it rained. yay |
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Meltini New Member
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You crack me up girlfriend!Good for and the walking!! My husband had his surgery on Monday 04/16/07. He is doing fine. He's cold a lot all of a sudden. That never happened to him before. Does this happen to you? Last edited on 19 April 2007 06:36 am by Meltini |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Slightly but not as bad as I've heard from others, I also didn't have the extreme gas pains and phantom pain in the shoulder either though. Let me know how he's doing. Hey, maybe y'all could start your own thread on here about y'alls experience too. The intrest is there or there wouldn't be so many people checking in on what I've got to say and it would be good for them to have different perspectives. xo T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOHOO.. No more Sanjaya! Though secretly I have to admit I felt bad for him.. but he really had no business at this stage still being there... T |
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Meltini New Member
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Sure! How do I start the thread? My husband was complaining of the "shoulder pain too"! What's that all about? How do I start a thread? PLEASE HELP!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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When you go into the obesity forum you should see at the top right NEW TOPIC You click on it name your thread.. and there you go! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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The shoulder pain, believe it or not, is your DIAPHRAM. Weird huh? Your diaphram isn't any where near your shoulder, however, during surgery, it gets stressed and stretched out some because of the gas they use to bloat us up, and that pain in your shoulder is the product of that. WALK WALK WALK. it helps with gas and stuff. My doc had me walking the DAY of surgery. it really helps. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm fixing to leave to go to another follow up appointment then possibly get 'filled up' again. wish me luck. I know it's silly but this stuff really makes me nervous! T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok.. Fill number two was pretty uneventful.. They are v. happy with my progress and say that I am right on track. I'm losing 3.5 per week and they really prefer I don't lose faster than that. I am no longer a BMI of 50+ HOORAH!! I was a 49.8 this a.m. The day of surgery I weighed in at 331.5 and I know in Jan I was around 336+. Today I was 308 so Total weight lost is 32. Total lost from day of surgery 23.5. My band holds 4cc's, last time they put in 2.2, today they made me an even 3. Again, this fill made a diff. I was REALLY hungry when I went in. You can't have anything in your tummy so I hadn't eaten yet but when I left I was FULL. I have an appointment in three weeks with Morton again and also a nutritionalist. Chicken & Tuna don't always go down well (feels like I'm swallowing a v. dry golfball) & steak is a big pain in the butt to chew. I get really tired of chewing it so I end up spitting it out. This pretty much leaves.. well, , cheese, beans, hummas, eggs.. you get the pic. SO this makes getting in all my protein somewhat of a challenge. Well of course i could live on CHEESE but that would probably impede the whole weight loss goal...I'm on liquids again for two days then work my way up to real food. I went to the pick yer own strawberry farm on Saturday and bought a gallon of THE MOST deeelish berries EVER. Well Todd's out of town and I can't have any until Wednesday and they were picked Saturday so I'll have to bring 'em to work so they don't go bad. I'll get some more this Saturday. I like to eat them on my salads. One of the main differences this time from last time is when the numbing shot started wearing off at work, it started STINGING. I'm still stinging but I guess it will fade. I just put a new garfield band-aid over the spot and it already feels better. Now if I could just find band-aids with a moose on it.... I'm going to start tracking my protein grams every day. I need to get in 60-80. This should be fun. Last edited on 23 April 2007 10:45 pm by Synicalchick |
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Nir Senior Administrator
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chicken can be succulant if not over-cooked (I cook it in the microwave). As you recognise, cheese is more fat and calories than protein. low-fat cottage cheese and low-fat cream cheese can (depending on the brand and nutritional information) be great lean sources (but I'm not sure how this will work: on the one hand these are soft foods, on the other hand, will the required quantity (e.g. 200g soft cheese for about 25g protein) be too much volume for you? A last resort option, which is also suitable for your liquid days, is Whey protein shakes. Calorie-wise they're a very efficient way of getting as much protein as you require in you (80%-90% of calories come from protein). Though you've said before that you should generally beware liquids as the band doesn't "protect" you from them. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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During this process (a few days following a fill) soft foods are ok, however in a day or so, I must eat "real" solid food. It's what makes the band sucessful. If i eat soft/mushy easy to digest foods, they run right through the band. The ironic thing is, all junk typically is soft/mushy/crunchy and runs right through the band. You really have to keep a level/good head on your shoulders or you can GAIN weight with the band. I had some lowfat cottage cheese for breakfast and enjoyed it. In the mornings, the stoma is tighter and drinking doesn't even go as quickly as normal so I'll stick with the liquids/mushies in the a.m. then by lunch I can have meat protien but it has to be V moist. I need to start tracking my protein grams. I know the lowfat string cheese I use as a snack is only 60-80c's but don't remember the protein grams. I can't tell you how happy I was to discover that I actually like cottage cheese. I have vehemetly AVIODED the stuff since,, well, forever. Bridgstone brand makes the 2% version that's available in individual serving sizes like yogurt. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WOW.. this 2nd fill is much tighter than the 1st one. I find myself scrambling around to find stuff that I can eat, that won't just slide through and leave me hungry. It's been a slight challenge. I can't eat in the a.m. until about 8ish or later, so for that meal I've been eating the breakstone 2% lowfat cottage cheese that comes in individual snack sizes. We went strawberry picking this weekend and I was really tight all day Sat and sunday... had trouble eating strawberries. Meat wise the safest bet for me is fish, so I'm eating a lot of low fat cottage cheese, fish and lowfat string cheese. Good think I have low LDL. At this rate I should be below 300 for GOOD in a matter of days. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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READ IT AND WHEEP HOMIES!!! 299! BOOOOYAH!! |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Yea! Peter |
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JulesG New Member
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FABULOUS!!!!!!! WAY TO GO GIRL. Have watched your daily postings since February this year, you make me feel proud for you. Jules |
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tnfemme New Member
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I'm soooo happy for you!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Thanks everyone for your support! I haven't really been reporting daily cause it's pretty much the same stuff. I'm still at 299.5 and holding. I get to work, drink coffee , then about 1.5 later I eat low fat cottage cheese, then about another hour after that I eat a low fat string cheese and a baby food container of Prunes. Lunch varies. Sometimes spring greens w/ strawberries, string cheese and vinaigrette, sometimes more cottage cheese. If I eat out I get some sort of fish usually. Chicken/tuna still goes down rough so I usually avoid it. I'm still pretty tight in the a.m.'s however I can eat cottage cheese ok. I also keep Whole Wheat Goldfish crackers at work to snack on. For supper it's a salad or ground sirloin slightly undercooked. I get along with Tilapia and cat fish REALLY well but still can't eat much.I had a horridly painful 'Golfball from #%@&!' moment last Wednesday @ Olive Garden. I ordered the Tilapia but I also ate a small amount of salad. Well it came with angel hair pasta so I had (against my better judgment) 3 forks of that along with the salad and we'll just say that the 5th small bite of Tilapia was ONE TO MANY. OUCH. I had another one of those moments that included beating on my chest ferociously this past weekend and my in-laws house. My absolute favorite thing to eat there is chopped up tomatoes mixed with low fat cottage cheese, low fat string cheese and Cole slaw Dressing. DEEEEELISH. I guess I got excited and took to many bites to close together, and the bugged eyed chest beating commenced for about 5 minutes...Good times. Oh, I also discovered that I can eat pork chops... OH.. and homemade Banana Ice cream I'm thinking the main thing with the meats that I can eat pain free are they have to be MOIST MOIST MOIST> If they are over cooked at all or the least bit dry it hurts like Hades. Peace out! T |
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tnfemme New Member
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i definitely need to try the cottage cheese thing. Right now i eat either a scrambled egg with cheese or oatmeal for breakfast. I loooove V8 juice too. Tuna fish makes me sick and hurt. I tried it 2 times and the last time i vomited. Bleh. For lunches and dinner the best thing for me is soup. I've also learned i can eat most anything if its 2 bites or less. LOL!! I'm not sure ill be trying beef anytime soon though. Thank God for sugar free jello, pudding, and popsicles!! :) |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey there Tn Femme. What did you have done & When? If you posted that already.. sorry. Share sister... share. I have oatmeal but I'm trying to pack protein in everything I eat so I've become the low fat cheese queen. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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How are you two doing???? Progress reports please! It's important. Lots of people are following this thread. T Meltini wrote: You crack me up girlfriend!Good for and the walking!! |
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tnfemme New Member
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You know me Synical, but i'll share with everyone else. I had a sleeve gastrectomy on April 23rd. The doctor didn't think i was healthy enough to do a full gastric bypass. To be exact...I have cardiomyopathy and have an ongoing anemia issue. I also carry most of my weight in my stomach area. Im on the pureed stage right now...and get to start soft foods next monday when i go back to work. But i dont see my diet changing much for a little while longer cause i dont like that sick feeling. What bothers me the most right now is having to open capsules and pour the medicene in a little cup of water or tea. i swear....it makes me gag. If anyone has any advice on a better way id love to hear it. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Heeheehee.. I am such a goober. I just realized who you were ANYwho. Any thing you can share here will help others. & can I say.. JEEZEE CREEZEE. I did not know that you had cardiomyopothy. #%@&!. I'm so glad you had this done. I can't wait to see you back at work. fae hugs n smooches T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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You know, Lowfat Cottage cheese and whole wheat goldfish taste pretty good together..... |
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tnfemme New Member
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LOL! I must try this! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok.. to clarify.. I'm NOT mixing them INTO the c. cheese. I'm taking a small bit 'o c. cheese and chasing it with a fish cracker..... |
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tnfemme New Member
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LOL! Okay...i was picture the fishies swimming in a bowl of cottage cheese. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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My Dr.s appointment and my appointment with the nutrisionist was yesterday and went really well. They are both v. happy with my protein intake, however my doc. wasn't happy that more of it wan't actual meat so I will work on that one. He says the band works the best with REAL food/stuff you have to chew up. So now instead of just eating meat for supper I have to try and get it in for lunch as well. When I told him why I wasn't really eating meat for lunch (it's uncomfy) he told me to take smaller bites and chew longer, so I'll be giving chicken a try again. Basically the reason is the meats stay in my pouch longer and cheese/prunes/salad go right through. I am at 297 and my BMI is down to 48. & it hasn't been quite 3 months yet. They are v. happy with my progress and said that I was right on track if not a smidge ahead. He doesn't want me losing much more than 10 lbs per month and I'm at 11.5 lb loss per month. I told him how vocal I was about having the procedure and every one knows & how sometimes that made me a little self concious because I know people are looking at me and thinking... I thought she had surgery.. shouldn't she be shrinking a lot faster? He reminded me that the slower weight loss was why I chose this procedure and that my body and skin would thank me later. I saw pictures of myself that were taken this weekend and I still can't get over how huge I appear. It's weird. When you see yourself in the mirror it doesn't seem that bad... you don't realize what you look like until someone snaps a photo of you. It is so nice to no longer belong to the 300+ club and to know that I will never again be weighing in at those numbers. I leave work early today to go sign House/land papers and get insurance. We are both SO excited. We'll take possession as of today but won't be moving in until sometime in September. We have a lot of work to do on the house in the meantime. We are going to rip out all carpet and replace with wood laminate and redo all the walls. Take out the 32x32 shower in the master bed and turn it into a laundry station, take out the old dinky dark looking tub/shower in the guest bath and replace it with a nice large shower. Line & border the rooms in cedar planks, replace the h-vac(heating & cooling) & various other things. We are doing the air/heat & walls 1st, then after all the walls are done we'll start on the flooring. T |
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squirrelygirl New Member
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I'm so proud of you for getting below 300!!! We actually weigh the same thing now... I'm holding steady, no loss, but no gain either. I'm getting ready to start a new job outside of the company I'm currently with, so I'm hoping that some of the stress that I have been under will go away!! Virtual hug and congrats on your new crib, girl!!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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HEH.. my new Croc Kentucky Wildcat flip flops came in today!!! T |
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Houston Gal New Member
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Hi! I am new to this webiste, but have found reading your comments regarding Lap Band to be really helpful. Its Wednesday, May 23rd and I go in first thing tomorrow morning for my procedure and I am really nervous but excitied about the outcome (getting healthy). Todays been really tough because I can only have "clear liquids" and Jello all darn day....man I an hungry.  Not really sure why this, does anyone know?I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning from everyones experiences so we can help each other! I wish everyone mush success!!!!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOHOO! Good luck Houston Gal. I'll be thinking of you. are you actually having the lap band done or something else? T |
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Houston Gal New Member
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Thanks! Yes, I am having Lap Band done first thing tomorrow morning. I am really nervous, but also very excited! I currently weigh 225 and my goal weight is 150!! I really enjoyed reading your emails about your progress, you are doing GREAT and it gives me great hope that I will also! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well Houston, I'm thinking you are banded by now.... T |
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Houston Gal New Member
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Yes I am!! In a lot of pain, so I am really gald I filled my pain medicine prescription! I am very fortunate to have my family taking care of me the next few days. REALLy looking forward to feeling better so I can really get int he lap band diet and starting loosing all the weight. How are you doing so far? Where you in a lot of pain afterwards also? |
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Nir Senior Administrator
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just go back to the first page! http://www.caloriesperhour.com/forums/forum6/2860-1.html |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Welcome Houston Gal! I hope you do well too, and please consider starting a topic of your own to share your story and help others like Synicalchick helped you. Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey Houston Gal, I have a detailed account of my days after surgery in this forum near the beginning. How are you doing so far? I just got back from a much to short trip to my Grandma's in Oklahoma. It's always so good to see everyone & made me feel better that I was ever so slightly smaller than the last time the saw me. I've always been so self concious whenever I would see my relatives because I just kept getting bigger and bigger . My Aunts/Uncles and cousins have been excited for me and v. supportive. I am very fortunate. When we got back from Ok on Sunday night we passed out then got up the next day and drove to KY to our new house. Todd mowed and used the weedeater and I attacked the inside of the house. They have these beams on the ceiling to cover up ceiling seams that are made of 2x4's covered in a thin wood veneer that's covered in fake wood contact paper. uh.......... ANYwho, I ripped all of those down in two rooms. The beams will be replaced with cedar. Also, where the sheet rock joins another piece of sheet rock, instead of using joint tape or whatever it is you use, they nailed small strips of annoying wood on top. The only thing those are good for is messing you up when you are trying to hang pictures. I like things to be balanced and with these you have to hang in between the wood slats. This is about every three feet. Three rooms had this so I ripped all of those off while cackling like a maniac. This weekend we are going to replace the heating/cooling system (H-vac) paint the ceilings, prep & mud the walls. the stuff has to cure so I can't start painting until the following week. When all the painting is done we will start on the floors.I'm about ready to start some light weight training & just have to muster up the mo jo to actually show up and do it. I've been doing pretty well eating meat twice a day instead of just eating some type of protein. I only had meat for supper yesterday because we were rushing around and working on the house and boy could I tell the difference. |
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melbrandon New Member
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Hey Chick. Reading your post has been a great insperation to me. I haven't had the lap band procedure done yet. I'm trying to learn all that I can about this before I have it done. I just want you to know that I found your post and stayed up all last night untill this morning just reading about your experience. Many Props to you Girl!!! I also that think that you are a true born writer. Might as well make some extra money at it. LOL, Thanks for being so open with your experience. Not many are that honest. After reading all about you I feel like I am ready to take the leap into healthy land. MANY THANKS, MEL Last edited on 31 May 2007 06:56 am by melbrandon |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hello,  My name is Tracy and I, have to wear...... a 46 DDD My saga begins the day before yesterday.  I have a desk job and tend to slouch. Since I have been slowly shrinking, my back problems have migrated from lower back to right under my shoulder blades. Some days I'm just aware of it, and others I have spasms. Tuesday by the time I got home I was bowed over periodically with 'ram butting me in the back with sharp pointy horns' spasms and couldn't straighten up. This ram butting continued through the night & Wed I decided to call in to work and go to my chiro.I get there and two different Docs worked on me. There were a couple of moments when I was like.. what on earth are they doing back there?? They Cracked stretched, used roller balls & I suspect a small herd of Llamas were dancing on my back  The second doc did this.. "Ok lets pull on your neck and stretch you out maneuver and I heard a small explosion  which turned out to be my spine popping and my toes being yanked up into my nostrils. They send me over into therapy then were we discussed why this pain was occurring. 1. I slouch when I'm sitting 2. All of my over the shoulder boulder holders are 5-7 years old and wouldn't hold pebbles in place little long what I'm packing around They slathered about a gallon of fire on my back then sent me on my way with me promising to look in to purchasing some support.Dear Hubby comes home then drives me to Catherine's, or as I like to refer to it, Your Grandmothers Dress Store, to purchase new 'back support'. I called a head to find out if they would measure and fit you for this most important piece of cotton & spandex & they informed me that yes.. they do. I haven't been measured for one of these LOVELY contraptions since high school if even then, so I was like, so do I go in wearing one already or comando??? Todd just looked at me blankly.. like "How on earth would I know that??" So, I armed myself with one of my 'best' ones and off we go.Alrighty, we get there, I march to the back and announce that I need to be measured. I can tell you now, they had NO IDEA what they were in for. I'm standing in the store with arms raised in the air while the nice lady in her 70's measures me. She informs me that I'm a 46" Of course I was like "What??? are you SURE" The last time we measured this I was in the upper 50's ~ This is the section underneath the poking out areas..She then said, "Ok..you need a 46DDD.. let's see what we have." [size=+0]We have two sales associates involved at this point.. could it have been the announcement that all my bras were about 5-7 yrs + old  ?I of course told her that there was NO WAY I was a DDD. To demonstrate this, I well, uh kind of, uh, smoothed my shirt over one and framed it with my hand and said "Are you SURE?" To which she replied very exuberantly... "OH YES HONEY" I informed her that what I was currently wearing and everything I owned was a D. To which she replied.. "I bet the back of your bra strap is up high in between your shoulder blades huh?" "mmmmmm yes" She then showed me where it was supposed to be & I was horrified. Holy flea biscuits, I don't recall ever having one go down THAT low. I then made the following announcement... "Ladies, My Chest Is In Your Hands" (I am so not making that up, it was out of my mouth before I could control it...) I thought the older lady was going to drop her hanger... I don't believe that in the almost 5 yrs I've known Todd that I have ever embarrassed him... this might have done the trick.15 minutes later I am now 'armed' with three new contraptions... I got a DD since I'm losing weight and I just refuse to acknowledge that third D. I threw away my old one at the store and tried not to knock everything down I passed with my chest that is now positioned under my chin(s) It looks like someone is poking me in the back with a stick  now and my lovely annoying huge orbs enter a room before I do.. but, by gosh... my back feels better.The End  Tracy 'who now weighs 296' Willoughby |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Should I or  Both, I guess! Congrats on the -4 and counting! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well Peter, I don't know.. my hubby was grinning like a maniac all the way home from our bra expedition... like, they were new or something. Just knowing what size they were for real made his day... go figure. We just got back home from Kentucky home project. My body hates me right now. We got a lot accomplished. Did a lot of scraping, mudding & carpet ripping also got the new Air unit in. On the back of the property, there is what I like to call a hen house and it was FULL of GARBAGE. I mean FULL to the roof, wall to wall garbage. Diapers, food trash, etc.. UGH. & when that got full they started chucking in the ditch full of Poison Ivy behind the hen house. I thought I was going to HURK My most WONDERFUL Pop-in-law and bro-in-law emptied and hauled it to the dumpster we rented. T |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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You should be at least -5 after that day! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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FOR REAL! |
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janmitsa New Member
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hi, I see that WLS was excluded from your policy and you got approved! I have Carefirst BC/BS and it is exluded. PERIOD! Should I fight? janell |
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luvthelord New Member
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Heck yes fight it all the way. I have a girlfriend who had the exact same thing happen to her and she ended up getting approved. So don't give up. I have my lap band surgery in the morning. I'm surprisingly very calm, now tomorrow may be a different story. I am anxious to have the surgery behind me and let my new future begin. I haven't done 100% on the pre-op diet. I am such a foodaholic it's insane. I know this will be struggle for me, but God's in the drivers seat and I'm ready to travel. God's blessings all......xoxoxo |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hang in there and fight it and do some research. Your's might be the same as mine.. get HR and your insurance involved. Mine was excluded... UNLESS DEEMED MEDICALLY NECESSARY. Big Difference. So the 1st thing you need to do is find out that part. If that is the case, it's up to your doctors to prove/deem it medically necessary. luvthelord, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Congratulations.. you have just made a decision that could not just Save your life.. but allow you to LIVE LIFE! T |
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luvthelord New Member
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Thanks so very much, I feel the same way. I have lots of health issues that I hope will soon leave. I'm very anxious, have to be at the hospital at 7:45, surgery is scheduled for 9:35. Hope they give me something to relax asap tomorrow. I've had surgeries before but never one I'm excited about, ha!! Reading your journal has been very uplifting to me. Nice to see someone that is going down the same path as me. I'm praying and believing this will soon be behind me...hugs Diane |
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luvthelord New Member
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My wife had surgery yesterday, she is suffering from a lot of post-op pain (shoulder, stomache , etc) she was wondering if you had similar problems, and if so, how long they lasted. Thank you |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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The advice I'm about to give you is VERY IMPORTANT. Walk walk walk. This is THE best thing she can do for the gas and shoulder pain which results from the gas they 'blow you up' with. Her shoulder hurts because of the diaphram being expanded by the gas. make sure she has chewable gas stuff and don't let her pain meds' wear off' |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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How is she doing today? Has she been walking?? T |
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STARGAZER40 New Member 
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Thanks so much for everything you've posted. I'm having surgery this Thursday the 14th and now I know more of what to expect.....stuff you can't find on any of the information pages I have seen. I am still very nervous! But at least better informed........... Thanks again!! |
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luvthelord New Member
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Hi there this is the patient, ha!!! Feel today like I may live through this. This was a much more difficult procedure than I ever dreamed it would be. Granted I'm 51 years old now, so not as young as I once was. I suffered with such a horrible headache until yesterday afternoon. It finally started easing up. And now all the little sites are trying to come back to life. They shoots horses don't they? (dang only if I were a horse) I know it'll get better, just have to take it one day at a time. God's blessings and thanks for letting me vent....... xoxo Diane Last edited on 11 June 2007 07:24 am by luvthelord |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Unfortunately, the older we get, the longer/tougher recoup is from any type of surgery no matter how minimal... not that this one IS... but it is compared to others. The anesthisia really knocked me on my bum for a few days, I was REALLY tired. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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This is by far not my highest but still good to measure by. I don't have any measurements from my 340 & 330 days. 1/9/06 3/13/07 6/11/07  Bust/Chest 55" 57 54.25 Waist 48" 49.5 46 Abdomen 60" 60.5 58 Hips 61" 61.75 53 Thighs 33" 32.5 31 Calves 19" 18.5  18.75Arms 18" 19.5 18.5 Weight 321 319  295Update on house stuff:
This weekend will be all about mudding/sinking screws & sanding. hoorah. My mom is flying in this week to help me pick out paint colors. I am totally stumped & am relieved to have that burden taken off of my head. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Holy fish farts I'm tired & draggin' this week Energy level is a big fat ZERO Hopefully I'll catch a break the last part of this week. My mom is flying in tomorrow through Saturday to help me pick out paint colors which means 2 & 1/2 days off from work and no working on the house until late Sat afternoon. My hands are irritated from all the work we've been doing and they've been keeping me up at night. I am totally hitting the tylenol p.m. on wed night and knocking my arse OUT t -- see.. to tired to use the shift key.... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz |
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Dondi31 Distinguished Member 
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Chick, Thanks for posting your stats! It helps me ponder decisions I have to make. I am thrilled for your success---Keep it up. Sorry about the water leak--that stinks. Hopefully you will cut out all the mold and whatnot. |
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luvthelord New Member
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hi dondi, where in IL, just curious, I'm south of Decatur. Had the lapband procedure June 6th. Feeling oh so good today, finally ready to boast and brag, ha!!! And Ms chick, congrats on your progress, you are so uplifting to me...xoxoxo |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Good to hear from you Dondi! T p.s. you will note the time of this post...and possibly you will vaguely remember my complaining of being v. tired this afternoon.. yet I find myself doing the 'last minute cleaning before the mom shows up' thing. sigh. Why so late? Because I'm mentally challenged and I didn't get home until 6:20 (bying bras on clearance at LaneBryant that give me support without making my boobs look like pointed torpedos ready to strike). My chest is now wonderfully ROUND and SMOOTH! Hoorah! THEN when I got home, I made the mistake of putting in a DVD as 'background' noise then 3 hours later.. 9 ish to be exact, I was like.. well, guess I'll vacuum n stuff. well.. I'm still doing "n stuff" |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOWHOO luvthelord! you are on the down hill side of things now! |
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luvthelord New Member
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Amen to that sister, now if the port pain would go bye bye I'd be a happy camper. But I know, one day at a time, ha!! I see my surgeon on Thursday I'm not sure if I'll get a fill then or not. I can't remember the protocol. I just know I'm definitely taking in less food than I was one week ago. Your house sounds awesome and you've got a long road ahead of you with it but what a blessing it will be when you're done. I'm grateful I've got you to talk with along this journey sister xoxoxo |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOHOO. I'm fixing to leave to go pick up my mom from the airport AND I found out that my Uncle Leroy, who I love VERY much, has protate cancer, however, it hasn't spread anywhere else so they will take care of it with surgery. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I am SOOOOO happy to discover that I can still have sushi. Ok... it took me 45 minutes to an hour to eat one roll and I had to cut it up with a v. sharp knife but OH MY IT WAS DIVINE! When you consider pre surgery I would have woofed that roll down in about 5 minutes and could have easily eaten 2 0r 3 more with salad and some of Todd's main course... Major improvement I would say! Yesterday was our 1st anniversary. I got beautiful orange/peach roses a small dark chock dove bar SUSHI and I'm getting a set of wide bottom rocking chairs for the front porch... well and of course.. I got my sweetie My visit with mom was fabulous and fun. The paint is officially all picked out and I don't have to think about it again! We dropped her off at the airport saturday @ 1 then left for KY to work on the house (she didn't have a cell phone) then when I called dad @ 5 to see if she got there ok I find out she is in Nashville still and won't be flying out until 10. Bad weather in Houston. She didn't get to Houston until midnight and home until almost 2 a.m. I spent the rest of the weekend on my bum/belly pulling nails/staples/screws & carpet tack strips out of the floor leftover from the carpet and linoleum. Almost every room is done for that, but not quite. should finish that this Friday evening. Todd got the master bedroom ceiling painted and the walls sprayed down with primer. I think we are going to need one more coat of primer so you don't see the color diff between where we mudded & the reg wall. Our plan is to have the bedroom done and completed 1st floor to ceiling. We are going with a Raven Oak in the bedroom and a smokey maple in the rest of the house except for the kitchen and small bathroom which will be 16x16 neutral tile. My hobby/craft room will be done in vinyl so It won't matter if I get dye and stuff on the floor. I think I'm at about 293/2 but it's that LOVELY time of the month so it's hard to tell for certain. I have our new land line phone number, the girls vet appointment scheduled for October w/ their new Doc, & their new collars and name tags ordered. Slowly but surely things are starting to kind of come together. coffee time |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok... I will be calling my doc this a.m. and requesting that she put me back on B.control. I had my tubes tied when I was 35 & my doc suggested to go ahead and not take bcontrol anymore. I stupidly agreed and 2.5 yrs later I'm cramping like a maniac, going through a box of tampons each cycle and have the zit raged face of a teenager for 10 days. I start breaking out about a week prior and they are the kind that like to hang out for DAYS. I am OVER IT. I was taking a pretty weak one anyway. i'm hoping she'll go ahead and call me some in so I can start them on Sunday. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Got an appointment for Next Tuesday and she is calling in a script! T |
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tripsha New Member 
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Chick, I just want you know that I think you are a very brave person . I too have considered this surgey but I'm a chicken. I just sat here and read your whole story. I think you should create a web page for yourself. Good luck with the rest of your progress.Trish |
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Geminimom76 New Member 
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what is cecelia? or who is cecelia? |
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Geminimom76 New Member
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I am sooooooo very proud of you. I am going to check into a membership at curves...that way I am guaranteed not to have to stare at incredibly beefy men in tank tops! You are so open with everything and I have a call into my insurance to see if this procedure would be covered. I think i might need to ahve it over the summer though so I have plenty of time to recoup!  S |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Geminimom76 wrote: I am sooooooo very proud of you. I am going to check into a membership at curves...that way I am guaranteed not to have to stare at incredibly beefy men in tank tops! Awwww! Your cherries are SO CUTE! Where did you read the C word you are asking about?? Cecelia?? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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UGH... there's a new show on the History Channel "Ice Trucks or Ice Roads" or something like that about these 18 wheelers that drive v. heavy loads over frozen lakes to carry supplies into remote areas a Canada. It's v. dangerous and I can't imagine why anyone would be crazy enough to do it.. ANYwho. After watching that for an hour I had a GLORIOUS night of dreaming about driving an 18 wheeler. Fabulous... NOT I got the Master Bedroom painted this weekend! WHOOHOO! Todd will try putting in the flooring this weekend then we'll do crown molding and trim and one room will be FINISHED! I don't report much anymore food wise because there's really nothing new to report. I'm still fairly tight in the a.m. and usually do a protien drink with liquid vitamins about 6:20, a small single serving of cottage cheese with live cultures around 8:30-10 & lunch around noon. LUnch veries. I really am trying to do meat for lunch and supper and not soft stuff. I got to pick some yellow squash and zuchinni out of Pop's garden this weekend and Todd is cooking tonight so I'll be trying squash. I'll let you know how that goes. I'll have to eat my meat 1st, then if I have room left over I can have the squash. T |
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Geminimom76 New Member
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It is in a post about your refurbed iPod. |
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Geminimom76 New Member
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Synicalchick wrote:
here is is..hahahaha |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Geminimom76 wrote: It is in a post about your refurbed iPod. OH>.. it's a song by Simon & Garfunkle. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well ho hum. I just missed another day at work because of the pain in my thorasic/mid back area. Had horrid non=stop spasms last night for about 45 mintues then they tapered off, only to return in full force again this a.m. around 4. I went to the chiro for new Xrays & it turns out that at the ripe ole age of 37 I have arthritis and numerous bone spurs. hoorah They sent me to a specialist and he put a shot of inflammatory stuff into one of the mucles so hopefully I'll be better in a few days. He said when it gets bad to call and come back in for another shot. I was kind of expecting the spasms to go away completely but i'm still having small to med spasms. Anything is better than last night and this a.m. though. I'm going to have to cut back on the work I've been doing on the new house and watch any physical activity that involves using my arms and hands. Gee. I'll just buy a cane and sit in my new rocking chair we got for the house I guess. Anywho.. I'm whining, I actually have tons to be thankful for and it could ALWAYS be worse. I can walk without nary a problem and I have GREAT insurance that allows me to run across town and get shots when I need them and go to the chiro.According to the chiro I'm down to 292.. another thing to be thankful for, this procedure and the fact that I am slowly shrinking and aren't hungry all the time. Later |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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The shot that I got in my back helped that one big muscle. I'm still having spasms in my side to front. I may end up going back today. They are increasingly getting stronger instead of fading out. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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"I now have the side profile of a beer wench & hello... burps aren't REALLY burps anymore" I haven't really reported lately because food wise/lap band wise, there really isn't much to report. I'm at 3.2 in my 4cc band and it seems to be working. tight in the a.m. slightly tight for lunch and eating fairly easy but not much for supper. I've been fighting my stinking back stuff for about a week and a half now. I have arthritis/bone spurs in my middle back/thoracic area. Normally not that big a deal with chiro maintenance every 3 weeks. I have, however, been painting, scraping,sanding, mudding, sanding, mudding, sanding, mudding, sanding pulling nails/staples for almost 2 months every single weekend with Saturdays sometimes going for 10-14 hours. Well apparently, when you do repetitive stuff like the above aforementioned, and you have bone spurs, it pisses your muscles off.. go figure. Well, I thought, I'll nip this in the bud, go see an orthopedic dude, get a shot in the muscle and spasms be GONE! It will be 7 days tomorrow and though with the exception of this afternoon, they have been better and fewer in-between but.. I'm still having those hateful spasms. I did NOTHING this weekend but supervise and sleep. My sweet hubby got the floor installed in the master bedroom and I slept. I get up this a.m. and was like.. well SHOOT, this is kind of like when they 1st started... I drug my gimpy self to work and ignored them for the most part. I had a 'female' appointment today @ 2 so I figured I'd ask her about my back. Now.. I'd almost rather get poked in the shin with a pointy stick that to have a pap smear done... throw in some spasms on top of that & you have one hoot'in holler'in of time I'll tell you. By the time I got there they were kicked in to almost high gear. I was sitting in the waiting room having vision of a leather strap in which to put in my mouth so others around me wouldn't suspect that I had Tourettes Syndrome. (which reminds me.. the other day I was talking to my mother while getting into the truck when a spasm hit and I hollered into the phone... F$%^! I thought Todd was going to die laughing. My mom is a preachers wife. He was like.. I can't BELIEVE you screamed that bad word to her on the phone.) ANYwho... imagine if you will... being in the assumed mortifying position that we females have to get in for this... and WHAM SPASM. That poor woman.. it took her 10 minutes to get in the right spot to get what she needed. I reached a whole new realm of physical and mental uncomfyness right there. She said.. You know... Why don't I write you a script for that and you come back to see me Monday. OH.. I almost forgot to mention... she had to get her assistant to lift my leg up(i couldn't because it hurt) so she's doing all this while her assistant held my leg up in the air... very dignified I assure you After this lovely experience I drove my unhappy not-so-little arse across town, spasms in full bloom at this point, to the chiro. They proceeded to tell me how unique I was & that bone spurs weren't common in the thoracic area. Well, isn't that nice... uh.. now can you fix me please? They did there thing all the while announcing how tight I was and how there was NO MOVEMENT and how unusual it was. I felt like I was flopping around on the table like a fish out of water. This episode ended with me trying on a rib cage Velcro thingy. It's right under my 'glorious DDD rack' and now my rack is even more the 'rackier' & I look like a beer wench... man where are those Lederhosen when you need 'em? Maybe I could pick up some tips? I finally made it home without running anyone off of the road and am fixing to take drugs. I come home, heat up a meat patty to eat so I can take my pills, eat half of it, guessing that the rib thing cutting off my circulation is affecting the quantity and I 'burp' not thinking that there is no such thing for a bandster as just a 'burp'. THAT was fun. I loosened up the rib thing after that. And that.. is the rest of the story... well not quite.. but I love Paul Harvey and it seemed to fit. Later |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I forgot to mention that I am running a low grade fever and my chiro wants me to get my gal bladder checked out. T |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Hi Synicalchick! I know this is a little off-topic, but you being the only person I know who loves tie dye... I finally saw it in action! I took my grandkids to the Portland, OR Children's Museum and outside they had a tie dye activity. The grandkids each made a scarf. I had NO idea how it was done. What fun! What a mess!! Wow, I really appreciate a detailed, multi-color job. Very difficult! Peter P.S. As of recently I have a new passion in life, which by coincidence of timing relates to the above. I absolutely hate the trendy new tie dye prints! If people are going to wear them, they should wash them 100 times or bleach them a little. They are just too bright and FAKE looking! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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For anyone interested in dabbling in this wonderful hobby... Dharma Trading is where is where I get all my stuff via their website! I weighed 288 this a.m. and I have been spasm free for three days now (viciously knocking on wood) T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Still spasm free AND I have purchased my Harry Potter ticket for tomorow! All is well with the world. T |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Will you tell us who dies? Just kidding, Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Snort... What and risk the wrath? Oh wait, It's only book five.. surely all H.P. fans already know for book five. As for the final book... I will be up bright n early on sat 21st to buy both my book and the book on CD..... CAN'T WAIT |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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4 hours and 20 minutes until I get to start watching HP 5..... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I LOVED IT. Number one complaint.... not long enough. It's the longest book in the series so far yet it's the shortest movie. It was only 2.18 It's def a PG 13 in my opinion. Got pretty stressful in the end. I almost cried in part of it. NOW.. I just have to wait for the book... NEXT WEEK! WHOOT! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I go back to Dr. Morton tomorrow for a tummy check up. I'll get my new BMI number and such. Should be interesting. I always seem to have a talent for these being scheduled smack dab in the middle of my monthly no matter WHEN I schedule. We finally finished mudding/sanding the living/den/family/great room or whatever people are calling the largest room in the house with a tv these days... which MEANS.... WE GOT TO PAINT! That was such a beast of a room and to have it primed and painted floor to ceiling was a HUGE monkey off of our back. He'll start the laminate flooring in there this weekend. I also finished painting the kithchen walls which were a pain because of all the nooks and crannies. Part of what I really like about the kitchen is the sink is in a corner which gives me potted plant space behind the sink on the counter... which = frickin' hard to paint. Imagine if you will, myself though under 300 lbs now, but still a very large girl, climbing up on the kitchen counters to then squat and balance myself while doing trim work and painting the walls. I thought Todd was going to have a coronary the 1st time he walked in and saw me straddling the sinks. Needless to say, after two weekends of that, my legs got quite a work out.I also got a reel mower to putter around with every weekend for exercise and boy, it works you out. (Reel mowers are the 'old timey' ones that are just a rotary blade with a handle and you push.. no gas, no electricity. They are quite fun actually if you aren't trying them out at 1 in the afternoon... We also got the dining room ceiling primed and painted and primer on the floor. Next weekend while he's installing the floor in the big room, I'll be sanding down the kitchen cabinets & doors and getting those ready to prime and paint. The kitchen walls are a pale pale yellow and the trim and cabinets are going to be semi gloss white. Of course I *say* white, but anyone whose looked at paint lately knows there is no such thing as just... white. later |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Almost cried? I should take boxes of Kleenex to movies! What got me was when... oh, I don't want to give anything away! I'll send you a note. I'm not a big HP fan, but I've seen all the movies and I liked this as much as any of them. It kept moving. I always love all the characters and the sets. Now, back to the topic of Obesity Surgery! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well, My appointment is today. I know it's silly, but I always DREAD them. Because the weight loss with this procedure is so slow and gradual, like it's supposed to be, I'm always paranoid I'm going to go in and not be where he wants me to be & then I'd have to admit that I secretly divuldge in one small banana shake per week. It's kind of funny. On the days I feel gross and bloated, those are the days someone will say, you know, I can REALLY tell you're losing weight! I'll report later on my 'progress' I'm hoping for a fabulous new BMI number. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOT! I am happy to announce that since I've started my BMI (Body Mass Index) has gone down 10 points from a 56 to a 46! LLALALALALALALAAAAAAAAA! I was a smidgen dissapointed with my weight.. 288. That's 10 lbs in 2 months when it's been 10 lbs per month, however I was down about 3 weeks with really bad back issues. She stated that they expect 5-10 lbs per month, that I was right on track, and that the BMI number is more important than the weight number & they are VERY happy with my BMI progress. I have a 4cc band with 3.3 cc of saline in it. She bumped it up to 3.4 yesterday so I' on liquids for 48 hours. She said I would see a small minor difference but not enough to choke me. I won't really know until Thursday evening when I start on food again. This is the best decision I have ever made & it is slowly but surely changing my health for the better |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Synicalchick, I have a question for you. It's the one that always puzzles me about weight loss surgery and I'm asking it to help me understand better as well as others reading this topic. As your posts show, it's somewhat of a struggle to keep on your food plan. But as you are able to keep to your plan, you are losing weight. But that was true before you had the surgery? So why is the surgery necessary? I'm playing a little dumb here because I'd like to hear your answer to the question. Thanks, and congrats on your progress. I remember when you couldn't get below 300 before the surgery! Oh, and I am not at all disappointed that you are losing it slowly. You only have to do this once in your life, and I think in general people are better at learning new habits and adjusting when they lose weight slowly. Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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As your posts show, it's somewhat of a struggle to keep on your food plan. But as you are able to keep to your plan, you are losing weight. Because I am a quantity eater, I could eat large quantities before, snack when I wasn't hungry.. etc. That is physically impossible to do now. I couldn't over eat if I wanted to. That, is what makes the surgery successful for me. You cannot stuff your face, or eat when you are not hungry. It's physically impossible unless you want to do major harm to your stomach. For people that are not quantity eaters, but sugar & carb fanatics, life would still be difficult post surgery, ice cream, puddings, cheese cake, cheese sauce, chips.... all that goes down smooth as a babies a$$. I'm a meat eater. Don't get me wrong, I love the other stuff to, but when you use this tool like you are supposed to, and you eat your small quantity of meat, you can't eat anything else. If you practice no self control over what you put in your mouth, and eat soft high calorie liquid foods, the lap band will not work for you. This procedure helps give my dicipline a boost, I don't have to worry about eating to much, because, physically, I can't. It's not left up to me. It's why this particular procedure, that doesn't surgically re-route/cut up or change your inner workings, is so successful. I really don't know how to explain it any better. I don't have to think about it, I'm not on a diet. I eat a little bit, and I'm stuffed. The nerves in your stomach that tell your brain that you are full are located at the top of your stomach. The band creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach where those nerves are, eat a little, you are thanksgiving full. Your food is digested v. slowly in the top pouch and works it way into the rest of your stomach, by the time it reaches your intestines, it's time to eat again. Before, My will power would be strong for weeks, then I would fall off the wagon. When you use the band properly, that's not an issue. I can have anything I want, just not a whole lot of it. I know what you are saying, well, you could before the surgery too.. yup, if I could stop. I didn't always have the willpower to stop. This takes that painstaking war out of my hands. Sunday, at my mom-in-laws, we had home made fired chicken/mashed pototates graves & corn. I had one chicken thigh that I was not able to finish, two bites of potatoes with gravy and a couple of spoon fulls of corn. I don't eat bread so the biscuits weren't even an issue. I left the table completely happy and satisfied. Pre surgery, I would have felt cheated. Pre-surgery, I would have had a couple of legs, a thigh and maybe a breast, not to mention a heap of potatoes and corn and a couple of biscuits. Couldn't do that now if I wanted to. THANK GOD Last edited on 18 July 2007 10:55 pm by Synicalchick |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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That was very clear, and a good answer. Thanks! I especially liked that you explained that it might not work as well for everyone... depending on their eating habits and food preferences. Right now you have enough on your mind, but of course eventually you'll want to think about eating very healthy foods for your health even if it's not necessary to control your weight. Hmm. Guess they don't have surgery for our minds (yet)! I'd be first in line! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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heh.. for real! It's a tool, not a calorie catcher. I shouldn't be I don't guess, but I am annoyed at the old thread started by someone that says " I had weight loss surgery and I'm STILL on a diet" I want to scream at that person. Did you not DO your research before you totally changed the make up of your body? HELLO. It frustrates the He!! out of me when people see this as a quick fix option with no work or common sense involved. There's no such thing. Try like heck to do it on your own and when all esle fails, try again, and by all means if you decide to look at the surgical route, do your research, read about all procedures, the pros and most certainly, the cons. YOu need to know what the risks are and what could go wrong. Also research your doctors. It's a life changing decision and shouldn't just be jumped into. I believe this has extended my quality of life greatly if not extended it period. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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So last night was my 1st time with 'real' food. We went to Tony Roma's in the mall before seeing HP on 3D IMax. He ordered ribs/shrimp and I ate off of his plate. I ate one shrimp and 5 or 6 tiny bites of delicious ribs and about 3 bites of his baked potato and was completely satisfied. I was full and satisfied until bedtime. I'm still probably a bit swollen so this effect won't last but about for a week then I will slowly be able to eat a tad more. She was right.. it did slow me down. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Went to Blue Coast today for lunch, I can normally eat the inside of a small burrito with black beans & beef. I was only able to finish just barely over half. |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Good! |
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Teenie New Member 
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Tracy, you are my hero! You are doing awesome!!!!! I've gotten so much more information on this surgery from your posts than in the past year or so I have been researching this. Thank you so much for documenting this for people like me. I'm still unsure about if procedure is for me, but I feel like I know so much more now -- thank you so much!!! --Christina |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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That's exactly why I'm doing it. It's really come to a point that I don't report as much because there's not much to report. You fall into a shcedule of sorts. I may do a everything I put into my mouth food journal for a week so others can see what I'm eating. I'm neck deep in my harry potter book right now. Bought both the book and the audio and have been trying to listen with wonderful hubby, however, we didn't get to listen as much as I wanted this weekend working on the house and he's out all week so I'm fixing to buckle down and get some serious hp#7 time in. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I went to Ruby Tuesday's salad bar today for lunch. Since the procedure I've been getting a v. small amount of spring greens with eggs, cheese, cranberries, edama(sp?) beans, sunflower seeds & fat free vinaigrette. small enough to not fill my plate. Upt till today(or before this last adjustment) i've been able to finish this small salad. Today I could not. Again, this could wear off a little but i'm going to enjoy it while it last. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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man... just finished book 7 of HP. I am WORN OUT. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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This last fill had definately made a difference. I'm having to relearn when to stop and stop eating much sooner. When we lay down, we swell and retain fluid, this also effects the band and I guess the opening swells shut somewhat, hence, bandsters are not able to eat solid food usually until mid-day, and even then not that much. I came home last night, put on some laundray to wash, then sat down in my relax the back zero gravity chair with cats on top and woke up over 2 hours later. Ooops. So I'm hungry and it's 7:30, however, because I was at an incline and I feel asleep, I was as tight as I am in the morning so I coudln't eat the Tilapia I had planned. So, today, when I go home.. I will do my best NOT to nap. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I am happy to report that if I chew the living dickens out of it I can have Vidalia's/tomatoes/cucumbers in vinegar chopped up. I had that and some ground chuck for lunch. I am now eating my daily ration of gerber prunes. YUM We have been getting fresh tomatoes & cucumbers out of Pop's garden every week and that's what I've been doing with them. I also ordered some pumpkin seeds (5 different varieties) and planted them in a tray to get them started. I soaked them for 24 hours then planted the seeds on Wednesday. When I left Friday to go to Kentucky, I had two v. small sprouts from my Sugar Pie pumpkins. When I got home on Sunday,,, holy tomato.. All seeds had sprouted and are each about 6 inches tall with beautiful leaves at the top |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I swear my pumpkin babies grew another inch while I was at work yesterday. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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MUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAI HAVE JUST PLACED MY WONDERFUL ROSE BUSH ORDERI SHALL RULE THE UNIVERSE(ok,the office)WITH MY MOST BEAUTIFUL ROSESuh.. anywho. I ordered 8 reg size 2 climbing and 6 miniature. I can't WAIT!I shall smell fabulous all the time! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I got my babies planted last night in KY (my pumpkin slips) and they look great. Now.. if they'll just be ok on their own during the week and safe from rabbits... T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm sorry.. I just think these are TOO FUNNY not to share. Enjoy... or not 19 Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down. 2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice. 3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask If They Want Fries with that. 4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label it "In". 5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone hasGotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso. 6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds". 7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy". 8. Dont use any punctuation 9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk. 10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face. 11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go". 12. Sing Along At The Opera.  13. Go To A Poetry Recital. And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme? 14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day. 15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood. 16. Have Your Co-workers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom. 17. When The Money Comes Out Of The ATM , Scream "I Won! I Won!" 18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot yelling, "Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!"      19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go."  |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member 
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OMG - thanks for the laughs! I think I scared my dog I was laughing so loud. I have to admit I did #9 before. My co-workers now know for sure I'm nuts. I think #6 will be next on my list... Thanks again! Scoobs  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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A friend of mine did the "Diet Water" one and they looked at him blankly and said "I'm sorry, we don't have bottled water" to which he replied "no, Tap water on ice is fine... just make sure it's diet" |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Goodness gracious this house is going to be the death of me. I think all of my weight loss is happening on the weekends... We keep it 68 in the new house when we are slaving in it and I'll still have sweat dripping off of my head. It's ridiculous. Note to self: ALWAYS wear a hat or bandana when sanding sheet rock mud. I didn't think I was EVER going to get all the sheet rock dust out of my hair & of course and soon as the shower water hit it... MUD. yay I suspect I am in the upper 270's. I'll weigh at the chiros this afternoon. |
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Snow Distinguished Member 
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Synicalchick, I found you! I'm so glad you are still here. You are one of the people I always wondered about while I was away from the messageboard. It sounds like you are doing amazingly well after your lap band surgery! I caught up on some of your board, busier than ever it sounds like. So glad you are still here and doing so well! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey Snow! Long time no read! I'll go back on my diary link to remind people I'm posting over here now. The house is coming along. I'm going up today to deliver a vanity and sink and to plant marigolds around my pumpkins to keep of beetles. xo T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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HOLY MOLY My 6 month Band anniversary is coming up (Aug 27) so I had some pictures taken this a.m. in almost the same outfit as the pictures of the week of surgery. Wow. I'm still huge but the difference is amazing. WOW. I don't have the updated pics on the computer yet, but as soon as I do I'll try to get them posted. WOW |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Alrighty. This took some nerve... especially the pics at the end. I'm still HUGE but I'm slowly shrinking and am leaving my HUGEness behind forever. These were taken the night I found out I was approved, which if I remember correctly, was on either 2/13 or 14 (hence the valentines outfit). My 6 month surgery date is August 27th. The day of surgery I weight 331. I think I weight about 340 in these and I'm in the 270's now... about 279 or 8 I think. Don't go back to Dr. Morton until Sept 25th. You will also notice I have lost about 10 lbs of hair. We're in the middle of a 15 day triple digit streak and it was just to HOT. Attached Image (viewed 734 times): Last edited on 23 August 2007 04:33 am by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Set 2: In this one I can really see the difference in my face. more of a curve in my upper nose.. who knew that part could be fat. Different in the tummy here too Attached Image (viewed 700 times): Last edited on 23 August 2007 04:28 am by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Set 3:The funny thing in this one is in the presurgery pic., the black "undies" I'm wearing are actually panty girdles holding me in some. Attached Image (viewed 694 times): Last edited on 23 August 2007 04:26 am by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Set 4: Is it just me.. or do my boobs look... um.. B I G G E R Attached Image (viewed 699 times): Last edited on 23 August 2007 04:29 am by Synicalchick |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member
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WOW - Kudos to you! You can totally see the wonderful progress you've made! You really are the incredible shrinking woman. Happy 6th month anniversary; we won't even recognize you on the next one!!! P.S. - Love your haircut, too! |
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voodoodoll Distinguished Member 
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wow, you are doing awesome synicalchick! keep up the amazing weight loss it must have took some guts to post those pictures so hats off to you for being so brave. |
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DeterminedGal Distinguished Member 
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WOW! What an amazing story. And I agree that it was very brave of you to post those pics. Inspiring. I don't know how old you are but your weight loss and hair cut make you look younger. Keep up the good work. DG |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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37 |
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DeterminedGal Distinguished Member
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You look like early 30's! You go girl! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Thanks! It's because you can't see me in person! T |
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Ohm Senior Member 
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Tracey, or is it Tracy (without the e)? Just saw your piccies. Wow. You are doing incredibly. Had to congratulate you. I only hope that I can follow in your footsteps. You are amazing and an inspiration to the rest of us. Keep it up. Becci x |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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WHOOHOO! BIGGEST LOSER IS BACK AND SO IS JILLIAN!!! |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member
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I KNOW!!! I love that show!!! Just got done watching it tonight. I really missed 'psycho' trainer Jillian last season and glad she's back. Her black team certainly has their work cut out for them! |
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CarolSwitzer New Member 
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Hi I am new here...and need ALL the help and encouragement I can use. But anyway, I nearly flipped when I saw that bike pass the bus last night...I KNEW IT WAS HER!!! I get motivated every time, without fail, when that show comes on, and then lose it half way through the show, so if you all could help me stay motivated..I would REALLY appreciate it!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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If you know any plus siz gals that are around a 22-24 size my wedding gown is up on eBay for 6 days starting at 49.99 It is gorgeous and it's so hard to find a nice plus size gown that is flattering. the item number is 220149313827 |
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Hisgal Distinguished Member 
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Oh my goodness, Tracy, you look so good already! Look at the changes in your body! I had to do a closer look at your face, to make sure the pics were of the same woman! Your friends and family won't know you, when you hit goal! You know, I couldn't understand that.............that people didn't recognize me! I was at a bridal shower, and a lady I've known for years (our daughters played softball together in high school-we visited at games for years), but hadn't seen since I lost weight (the girls graduated), came up to me and introduced herself! I was kind of dumbfounded............I didn't know what to say..........it felt really weird! That was with 90 lbs. gone..........I felt like inside I was the same person, and I had trouble bringing the two together-the me inside and the slimmer me on the outside. I still find myself heading to the women's sizes, and I haven't worn a size 24 for about 5 years now. Keep it up! I've really enjoyed reading what the lap band surgery was really like! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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What a beautiful little kitty!!! I go back to my surgeon on the 25th so I'll report some numbers then. The following is just for fun. Four things about me that you may or may not have known; in no particular order.
Four jobs I have had in my life: 1. Hair dresser/make up artist 2. Photographer 3. Cake Decorator 4. Store Manager Four Favorite Movies: 1. Muppet Christmas Carol 2. Hp movies 3. Lord of the Rings movies 4. Original 3 Starwars movies.... I need more than four options... Four Favorite Series: 1. Serenity 2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer 3. 6 Feet Under 4. Dead Like Me Four programmes that I watch: 1. Biggest Loser 2. Men In Trees 3. The Office 4. Boston Legal Four Favorite Authors: 1. Janette Oke
2. Kim Harrison
3. R. Dahl
4. Nora Roberts
Four Favorite Books:
1. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
2. HP and the Goblet of Fire
3. Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
4. Guilty Pleasures
Four places I have lived: 1. Daisetta Texas named after the two town whores, Daisy and Etta. I did NOT make that up 2. Beaumont, Texas which means Beautiful mountain.... It is VERY FLAT there 3. Glorietta, New Mexico 4. Nashville, Tennessee Four places I have been: 1. Yellowstone National Park 2. Redwood Forest 3. Disney Land in Florida 4. Snow Skiing in Brekenridge, Colorado People who e-mail me (regularly): 1. Karen 2. Molly 3. Pat 4. Cathy Four of my favourite foods: 1. Sushi 2. Rare Steak 3. Mashed potato's 4. Cheese Four places I would rather be right now: 1. My new House in Kentucky 2. Home taking a nap snuggled up with my girls 3. Soaking in my new tub 4. Having a massage in a cabin in the Smokies
Four things I am looking forward to: 1. The end of the house remodeling 2. Getting completely moved & unpacked 3. Getting under 200 4. Picking my pumpkins
~~To Share the Earth is in All Ways a Nobler Thing Than to Conquer Her~~ |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I am packing like a maniac while listening to Trout Fishing in America. Bro-in- law is showing up tomorrow with a huge truck and a trailer. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well, It's Monday. My A$$ hurts, I'm limping, I feel like I have a badger latched on with teeth and claws in the middle back area, I have bags under my eyes and I'm broken out like a teenager, but doggonit, we are mostly moved. Yup.. I said..... "mostly" My water babies are still sitting at the apt, waiting patiently for me to get their tank at the house ready for them. Then of course, there's all the various assundries of #%@&! laying around EVERY WHERE that I don't know what to do with, all my pots of roses and then, we have to clean. This of course on top of the fact that we were NOT finished working on the house and had to move in on top of it anyway. My poor girls(cats) are super freaked out and will proabably have to stay locked up in one room for at least a week. I can't wait for this to all be over. I have a check up appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. I'll report numbers on Wednesday. I'm actually going to have to come up with an exercise regamin after this is all over. DRAT T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Slow n steady wins the race... Total lbs lost since top weight of 343 - 70 Total lbs lost since the day of my surgery on 2/27 58.5 BMI is now a 44 down from a 56 ~ major victory there! They are very happy with my progress. Every time I go in there I'm concerened they will think I'm losing to slowly and they remind me that the slow steady weight loss was one of the main reasons I chose this route. I'm down 15 lbs from the last dr visit so I wasn't adjusted. She seems to think I'll be able to stay at my fluid level (3.4 out of 4) until I hit the 100+ lb loss mark. I don't go back until mid Decemeber then I meet with My surgeon. I meet with him every 3rd visit from what I can tell. |
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Ohm Senior Member
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Your progress is amazing. We would all like to simply walk around the corner and find that our weight has simply fallen off, but you are doing this sensibly, and you are winning the race, so slow and steady definitely seems to be the way to go! I think your progress is fantastic. Keep it up, and please keep diarising, I love to read it! Becci |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ugh.. sometimes i 'cheat' and drink while eating... A BIG NO NO. I was doing it today becuase I wanted some tea really bad. OMG. I got v. painful hiccups really bad for about 3 minutes or so. OUCH. Live n Learn. We are moved out of the town house completely. ABout 30% of our belongings are on a trailer bed under the carport where they will remain while we finish the house....yay. |
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Ohm Senior Member
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Hey Tracey, I have my second appointment with my surgeon tommorrow - I'm hoping he will be able to give me a date for the surgery! I really hope he hasn't changed his mind. He told me lose some weight before the next appointment - I have - but it's getting really, really hard - the yoyo wants to kick in any time now. I have read this thread from start to finish, and I understand, I think, what you say about the lap band being a tool that really can help you to get to your goal. I cannot wait to have that same tool. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I am v. excited for you and will be thinking about you tomorrow. I believe you are about 6-7 hours ahead of me. Please let me know how it goes. xo T |
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Ohm Senior Member
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Hi, Tracey, it is now 4 pm and I have just got back from the hospital. He was ever so pleased with my progress and has promised to fit a lap band for me on 17th December, so it will be in place before Christmas, and psychologically, I shall start the new year as a slim person with some weight to lose rather than a fat person with no hope. I am, quite literally, sick with anticipation! I cannot wait! I just cannot wait! Becci Last edited on 4 October 2007 07:08 pm by Ohm |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Congratulations! Please read over my stuff again as you get close... I was as brutally honest as I could be & when you are in the beginning stages I think it will help you to read along as I was in the beginning stage. T |
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Ohm Senior Member
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I will. And while I ws there I got chatting with a few other women, all of them with weight problems and hoping for a surgical solution. I hope you don't mind, but I told them about your thread and gave them the web address. Your story is so inspirational. SOme of my "friends" are so judgemental about my seeking surgery - they seem to think that I am taking the easy way out. DOn't they realise that nobody with any sense would seek out a surgical solution unless it was the very last resort? I've got one friend who was very big, over 20 stone (280 lbs) but she decided to lose weight, so she stopped eating - eriod. She does not eat. She likes her alcohol, so she drinks quite lot, but not a morsel of food passes her lips - except for the kebabas when she is drunk. She has lost the weight, although she is still obese - just. Her BMI is around 31, and at 5ft 4 and around 13 stone (185 lbs) she has now stuck - but she is no longer heavy enough to be considered for surgery. And she is the most judgemental of all. She thinks it's unfair that I will be getting this help when she had to struggle alone. But she could have done the same as me. She could have taken the route I took, talking to doctors and dieticians, taking up exercise and tackling it the boring way, but she chose to do things her own, not very sensible way. Such is life! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I had the weirdest experience this a.m.
I now get to work around 6:20-30. Another worker who sits closest to me came in around 7:00 & asked me if I had noticed the lady out in the parking lot looking into my car. I got up and went over to the window, & sure enough, this person I didn't recognize was all up in my car.... looking under in the side, the back etc. I decided to go outside with a box of books to put in my car so as to put my face with it in case she assumed it was her hubby's mistresses car or something. I noticed that when anyone would drive up she would get in her truck and just sit there. I go out, put the books in the car, look at her through her tinted windows, she smiled, I went back in, making a big deal out of locking the car. I put on some coffee, and Stacey said, "Tracy, now she's looking at your car again but now she's has a notepad and is writing stuff down." At this point I was really starting to get weirded out & thought I should confront her. Again I noticed that when someone drove up, she got back in her truck. As soon as the parking lot would clear, she would get back in. I go out, she see's me, quickly walks back to her truck and starts it for the 1st time in about 45 minutes. I make it up to her window before she backs out. She rolls it down & at this point I can tell she is either currently seriously strung out on something or having withdrawals. She was visibly shaking, couldn't keep her hands still, Her eyes were kind of bugged out and filmed over a bit and not a word that came out of her mouth made sense. I started the 'conversation' with "Can I help you with something, that's my car you seem so interested in". I mean, a normal thinking person would have complimented the car, and said they had always wanted one and was just writing stuff down about it and asked me questions on it. Instead, she just babbled nonsense and looked like she was going to bolt. She had a seriously icky feeling about her. any who, about 5-7 minutes of that I walk off, and stand in the front of the building waiting for her to leave.. STUPIDLY not thinking to write down her plate numbers... I'm also ticked that I didn't think to ask her for that piece of paper with my number stuff or whatever she was writing down. DUH. She finally drove off and got on the road going about 10 miles per hour turning into McDonalds. I called the police to report it, feeling desperately stupid for not having the brains to write any of her info down. When she's gone, I move Tink in the front row, right in front of my office window. WEIRDNESS.
The description I gave the police is below... Dark hair, Blue eyes, tobacco stained crooked teeth, flip flops, black shirt with another shirt under it, Blue Jeans, Black extended cab truck either Toyota or Nissan, Texas tag, chrome tackle box in bed of truck, laundry basket full of stuff in front seat, chain smoker, had the shakes really bad. Was talking nonsense, numbers on the glass/ in the glass, "I just want to know what's going on" Cumberland heights, mentioned 615 several times, etc. I asked him if she could do anything with my temp plate number & or VIN number and he didn't seem to concerned. |
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Hisgal Distinguished Member
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Chick, THAT IS REALLY WEIRD! Did you ever hear anything more? It's like getting to the next to the last page of a good mystery, and find out the last page has been torn out! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Not a thing. zip. Nada weirdness |
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Ohm Senior Member
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Hi Tracey, I have a strong suspicion that you may not have heard the last of that (particularly strange) individual. Something tells me that the episode may not be over. I would keepyour eyes open. Be careful and look after yourself. Becci |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Gee, that was an interesting read! Isn't it frustrating how we always think of what to do after it's too late. I can give you a list of things I'll do next time! But of course I hope that's the end of that! Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm really starting to get a lot of comments about my appearance which is nice, however, my pictures are still hard to look at. Took pictures with a co-workers 10 month old and got one from the side and I still don't have a jaw line. Just one big solid swoop from the bottom of my neck to my face. ACK So... how many pounds until I can stand to see myself in pictures I wonder????? Not asking for real just retorical. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I know this will sound silly 8 months post surgery, but it still amazes me sometimes at how effective (once you have reached your 'sweet spot') this band is. I'll find myself having to stop eating and I look at whats left and all the to go boxes and I just can't believe it. I've been ruled by food and quantity since I was a preteen... more is better. Todd was out of town all week this week and Monday p.m. he pulled out two chicken breast that didn't get fixed that night. I sliced them up on Wednesday and fixed them up in a skillet. So far, those two average chicken breast have been eaten for supper, lunch & supper. I still have quite a bit left. I'm going to have to throw it over the fence. NEVER did I think I'd see the day when I couldn't eat a whole chicken breast. WOW |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Is that what you do with trash in Tennessee? Throw it over the fence? Just after reading your post about showing us your picture the other day I saw this very sweet couple at the gym publicly displaying affection for each other. Just big smiles and a little touching and sweet stuff, nothing raunchy. They both looked so sweet and happy and that's what I saw, despite the fact that they were both morbidly obese. So remembering your post I was thinking that you could post a pic now and we'll all see your pretty face again. But alas, you'd be looking at the weight and I suppose that is the point of posting it. Peter |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Not Trash silly organic stuff for the critters to snack on. We don't have a compost box built yet so that's where all the scraps go! |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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I was just teasing. I used to throw whole chicken carcases on the front lawn of my condo and the crows would have them gone in minutes. It was kinda fun. It got so when I drove in from the market or gym they would follow my car! Finally one day there were a dozen and it was getting kinda messy (with the bird droppings) so I had to stop it. My friend used to live in a floating home (a home on a raft, so-to-speak) on the Columbia River nearby. It seemed so offensive when he would just throw stuff into the river, but it was just dead blossoms and such from his patio garden. I kid him that I do the same from my patio now. I'll toss dead pansie blossoms and such over my little fence onto the lawn... knowing that the lawn mower will scoop them up! Peter |
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Theresa Senior Member 
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Hi Synicalchick I have just read your posts and I must say that you definately look so much younger for all the weight that you have lost. Your sense of humour is absolutely amazing and kept me giggling most of the time that I was reading. You should be so proud of yourself and you will get to your goalweight eventually and feel and look all the better for it. Don't ever lose your sense of humour or all those wonderful ridiculous sayings neither. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Why thank you that is very sweet! I'm a country girl 100% My job is working with International bookstores in over 107 countries and they all really get a kick out of me! T |
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mommaduck New Member
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Hello, I am starting my journey as soon as I can lose my 10 % of body weight. Did you have to do this for Blue Cross of TN also? Do you have any tips. This seems like a huge mountain to climb. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm in the 260's and my size now is a lose 24! HOORAH! I went to buy jeans cause none of mine fit anymore and bought 24's... could have goten away with 22's I think. yay |
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Ohm Senior Member
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I am so happy for you - but i note that you don't dro pin so often any more - evidence that now you have a useful tool that effectively manages to aid your wieght loss you don't need to concentrate so closely on that particular task and can take time out to have a life? No, but seriously, good for you. I cannot wait to be where you are! OnLy 6 weeks and 6 days to go! B |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Great progress! I remember the excitement in reaching 300! Peter |
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northernsis New Member
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Thank you so much for your honest and detailed accounts of your experience. I'm having lapband surgery on 12/5/07. From what I read from you, the first month is going to be tough but worth it. Thank you again for your postings. I'd love to read more. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I will soon be writing about my 1st Thanksgiving with the Lap Band but haven't yet. One of the main things I've noticed, is that I can bake now, enjoy the heck out of it, but don't have to worry about it sticking to my thighs and tummy.... Below is the account of being invited to my 1st cookie swap ever..... I have learned a valuable lesson this week. Don't doubt or belittle yourself in favor of something 'fancier or more complex'. Just because it may not be simple does not make it less than. Different is not always better. I was graciously invited to partake in a cookie swap. Oh My GOSH! I've never been invited to one of these.. this is SO FREAKIN' COOL. I must amaze and bedazzle all that attend with my baking brilliance!! I mean... I *was* after all, deemed the cookie angel when I worked at the mall. I immediately knew what to bring. My oatmeal/walnut/cranberry recipe. I wouldn't actually be able to attend since it was on the weekend but was told I could bring my example of baking wonderment on Friday. Thursday arrived, I could almost smell the delicious cinnamon/nutmeg combo. For lunch I decided to go to Publix to get the rest of the ingredients I needed. "Hmmm" I thought, "maybe my recipe is too simple and already exists in the minds and cupboards of the attendees. Maybe I should find a 'better' recipe." So on to the internet I crept. BINGO! with angels singing in the background, I found the 'Mother' of all oatmeal cookie recipes. It sounded much more complex than my simple recipe... I mean... TOASTED WALNUTS>>>> WOW. Not to mention, THIS recipe, unlike most others I ran across, actually included my fav spices that anything oatmeal cannot go without... Cinnamon and Nutmeg. THEY KNOW what they are doing. I showed the recipe to one of my favorite buds, "Wow, that sure seems like a lot of walnuts... THREE CUPS" I was "Yeah right?! But it includes the essential spices & not JUST walnuts... TOASTED walnuts, not to mention BUTTER." So, I buy what I need, thought about getting an extra bag of Brown Sugar, but though.. NAH... I've got enough, and checked out. I get home.. basically trembling with excitement... I'm going to make TWO batches, MY cookies Vs. Fancy Cookies. I get started later than hoped and changed that quickly to the one batch. I open the icebox, yes, I call it an Ice box... It's a big box, it has ice in it... whatever.. ANYwho, and much to my horror, THERE'S NO FREAKIN BUTTER. OMG. It's dark, cold & for me late. I was NOT going to the store. My wonderful husband offered to go, but I dug around, found my butter Crisco sticks & told him not to worry about it. So I get the 1st batch done, and decide that it's not enough for 4 dozen so I go ahead and make a 2nd batch to add to it before I start baking using up all the cinnamon and brown sugar. The kitchen smells great cookies sheets are coming out & then the taste test. I believe my hubby's comment was.. "These taste..insert brief pause here..healthy." OH DEAR, I clasp my chest and brace myself against the butler. "You know, kind of like a trail mix or a health bar" At this point, I feel faint. I grab a cookie and bite. "NOOOOOOO... IT DOES TASTE HEALTHY! WHAT ON EARTH AM I GOING TO DO?!?!?!" I tell myself..."it's ok.. you'll go ahead and make YOUR cookie recipe." So, with haste, I grab 3/4 stick of Crisco butter stick, I go for the brown sugar.... AAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHH no brown sugar That's ok... uh... I'll use Raw Sugar... It's slightly tinted... it's textured... it could be good...right? 1 & 1/2 cups of Raw Sugar later it sounds like my kitchen aid is mixing up sandpaper. In go the eggs/vanilla/cinn...uh... OH #%@&!....ACK ACK ACK... I USED UP ALL MY CINNAMON ON HEALTHY TRAIL MIX COOKIES. I scamper around the kitchen with the vague memory of a cinnamon stick attached to a grater. I then march into the TV room, cinnamon stick in hand and start grating. 35 minutes & a bummed up knuckle later... I have *almost* a WHOLE teaspoon of cinnamon. sigh alright... I throw everything else in. Now I realize I no longer have cranberries so I throw in raisins. in the oven.. out of the oven. they were lite, crunchy and... GRITTY. Raw sugar does NOT dissolve. sigh I have a freakin' ton of trail cookie mix left, I need 10 more cookies to finish up my 4 dozen so I bake 'em up, make a feeble attempt at kitchen clean up and fall into bed disgusted. I bring my cookies in armed with my story prepared to tell the Head Cookie Mistress to feed them to the birds, but she tried them and much to my shock, actually LIKED them. It occurred to us while discussing my cookie adventure, that the recipe called for THREE cups of walnuts which equaled the THREE cups of oatmeal. They should have been called WALNUT/Oatmeal w/ a Little Hint of Cranberry Trail Mix Cookies. So, anyone that will be there, I'm sorry ahead of time if you are not so impressed with my 'fancy' recipe and know that next year... I'm bringing my awesome Tea Cakes.. The ones I've been baking since my mid 20's... of course.. I have a whole year to compare to other recipes......right? T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey there, Been quiet for awhile. Been meaning to report on my 1st holiday season with the band and just haven't gotten around to it. Every holiday season, starting with Halloween and lasting through New Years, has always been a mixture of excitement and dread for me. As a food addict, a big part of the holiday season for me is about FOOD. I LOVE to bake, cook & experiment and bring goodies to friends and family. When I was younger living with the parents and we would travel to Grandmas in OK for Christmas I would be so excited.. EXCEPT for the part when I, the largest person in the family, would see dearly loved relatives that haven't seen me in a year, would notice how BIG I was & of course, this part of the dread only got worse as I got older. My family, God Love 'em never said a word but boy I dreaded the 1st initial day seeing everyone. I got over it about 10 minutes into it usually because they love me for ME and not my outside. My lap band has been such a gift & miracle in my life. This is the 1st holiday season I can remember not dreading. I've been excited about baking without the worry that I would gorge myself. I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the family and for once didn't feel sick from being over stuffed. I don't have to dread all of the snackies in the office this year either. I'm able to nibble & sample without going crazy and I don't feel cheated. Thanksgiving was....different. I started baking the night before getting the pies done. I decided to soak the turkey breast in a salt honey brine and slow smoke on the grill the next day. My hubby doesn't like turkey so much so I also had venison for him. I had the other various Turkey day fixings. Normally I make myself sick on mashed potatoes and dressing. I sit down, I have a bite of Turkey, 3 bites of venison, small portion of dumplins & mashed potatoes, about 2 bites of dressing and I had to stop. No more could I eat. I have NEVER had food left over on my plate, for a holiday meal. I have NEVER not gone for seconds/thirds on Thanksgiving. I was FULL and I didn't over do it. W O W W O W My next appointment w/ my surgeon is Jan 23. It was supposed to be yesterday however, my nurse had a funeral and had to reschedule. I weight at the chiropractor and came in at 262. WOW. It's the holiday season and I'm sneezing distance from the 250's by my 1 year bandaversary I'll be 100lbs down if not more. It's also cool to go out to eat, get a to go box and make 2-3 meals out of it. It's been so slow and steady that I forgot that my appearance is changing. This is the time of year that you start running in to people you haven't seen in almost a year. I forget I look different so when they ask you to stand up I'm looking for a chili stain on my shirt or something, & they are like.. YOU LOOK GREAT, and I think to myself OH RIGHT>>> they haven't seen me in awhile. It so hasn't been drastic. I'm wearing all of my long sleeve holiday denim shirts from last year, though this year they are buttoned up without having to wear them open with a shirt underneath. I didn't have to buy new work pants until a month ago ~ Size 22 ~ so when you are wearing the same stuff and your face is still chunky in pictures... it just doesn't hit you that you are shrinking. When I look in the mirror, I don't look any different to myself, though, I never saw the huge person in the mirror that looked back at me in pictures then either. Ok.. I'm rambling like crazy.... Blessings to all. Tracy |
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LattesMom Distinguished Member 
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Omigosh! Tracy! You're still here! I sent an email to your work email awhile back and didn't get an answer so thought you were AWOL. Didn't think to look on the CPH website, duh!!!! Now I have to catch up on reading in the forums about your progress. You have such an engaging writing style. When are you going to write a book, girl??!! hugs |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Girl I'm sorry. I'm usually REALLY good at the work email responses... our firewall could have blocked it I reckon. Still here.. just don't report much. I don't weight v. often and my eating habits haven't changed so I just check in when I have something to report. xo T |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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262... Yea! Peter |
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Penneyd28 New Member 
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Tracy after reading your posts I am sure you are meant to be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. My name is Penney. My Lapband surgery is scheduled for January 9th 2008...Talking about a way to start the new year. I read everyone of your posts on here and I want to say that I am so thakful that I now know more about what to expect. I have alot of things wrong with me being 28 years old I have more health issues than some 90 year olds. But I feel compelled to let you in on a little of my life and some of the others on here. It seems like a close nit family.. I like that. Anyways. I am 28 years old I have been overweight my entire life. I swear the day I was born I was put on a diet. I weigh 285 pounds, although that is still overweight I am down from 401 pounds from when I was 18. So I have lost weight and kept it off. Just one problem...I have weighed to the pound, month for month for over 5 years.( Doctors records) The same dang weight. can't lose anymore and gaining is just too easy so I try not to give in. I have alot of health problems. Diabetic, Acid Reflux, Chronic Bronchitis, Hernia, Disk dengenerative disease, high blood pressure, high cholestorol, Asthma, don't even ask about my triglycerides..And Arthritis. Although I have many issues I am still kicking and wanting to have a healthier and better more full filling life. So I have now after 2 years of trying been approved for the lapband Surgery. IT has been a long and hard road, but after reading your posts, I am less concerned about certain things. I have battled for the past 3 months. I had to quit smoking and now that it is time to be on the 2 week liquid diet I am failing. I used to smoke rather than eat and now that I am not smoking I am eating. I know I am supposed to be on liquid only but this is hard as can be to do. I live with a smoker who now goes outside to smoke, rarely see her anymore..LOL and when I do she is eating, chicken, steaks, and the ultimate friend of mine CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!! I have messed up on the liquid diet so far but I am starting again in the morning and I know I have no choice but not to eat a bite till The 9th. So I believe I can do this. I am very happy to have found this site and I hope to all of you out there that we can be friends and maybe that I can get some support from you since I have none at home.. Last edited on 2 January 2008 07:08 am by Penneyd28 |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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OH MY GOSH! TWO MORE DAYS! |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Two more days and I will be in the hot seat or bed one.. Please plray for me out there that I have a safe operation and quick recovery from being put under... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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You'll be fine and I'll be thinking about you. Bet you can't wait for that 'trampled by elephants' feeling about 2 days post op. Hang in there and WALK WALK WALK. have you bought prep stuff like gas-x chews? Keep a close eye for signs of a yeast infection/thrush in mouth or down stairs too. This of course depends on how powerful the antibiotics you are given afterwards... Doesn't mean you'll end up with one.. but watch for the signs so you can catch it early... I wasn't paying attention. hugs, T |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Hey I was checking opn the antibiotics...They didn't prescribe me any for after surgery. They gave me my prescriptions to be filled the day before surgery and Its Lortab liquid, phenegren liquid and this patch I have to put behind my ear the night before surgery. My main scare right now is the liver being too big to do the surgery. I have been on the liquid diet but I have cheated a little...Like they said I could have salads...But I had grilled chicken salads instead of plain. I am drinking lots of water tonight and tomorrow and not eating anyting else at all. So hopefully it will be small enough...I am so nervous..Do you think it will be small enough???? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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You'll be ok. DO NOT EAT ANYTHING ELSE before your surgery. Remeber, you could experience severe pain in your shoulder. This is normal and believe it or not has to do with your diaphram getting stretched out during the surgery.... |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Well I just got released from the hospital this morning. The surgery was a success. I did not hurt bad at all yesterday but today is pretty painful. I had a hernia in my chest that the doctor fixed while doing the band. So a little extra pain. I feel pretty good so far minus the pain.. I can drink water and then later on today I can have some chicken broth. I lost down to 262.8 day of surgery but as of right now I am up to 269.2 gas and stuff I guess. But I just wanted to let you all know I am out and minus the pain I am doing good..Living on GasX right now though...and its a little hard to breathe.. But all in all I am glad it is over. I will keep you all posted on the experience |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Best wishes for a speedy recovery Pennyd28! Peter |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Thanks Hun! I can use all your support now... I am taking on a new lifestyle and Life today.. Feeling hungry but I am sure that normal considering liquids is all I can have... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Please WALK! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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We are all rooting for you Penneyd28, and Synicalchick has been through it all so maybe get as much advice from her as possible to help with your recovery. |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Thanks hun.. I walked four times around the block yesterday. As much as it has hurt me I am doing it. I woke up a few hours ago in tears. The pain in my stomach is killing me this morning. Stomach seems ultra tight this morning, The pain is pretty bad. It hurts to breath too. I knew I would have some pain but this morning it seems unbearable. I do plan on going to walk when my girlfriend gets home and we get our son off to school. I feel like I might be over doing things a little. So far as for food, I have had warm creamy tomatoe soup and creamy potato. I also have drank some juice and one protien shake. took my vitamins and chewed some gasx quite often on that one. How long does this pain last before it goes away? The soreness of the cuts are what has bothered me more than anyting. Especially the one where the port is.. That is a big one let me tell ya. I wanted to go back to work today but I do not see that happening anytime soon. If anyone would like to chat with me. I could use all the support I can get...And I could always use a friend.. I welcome all phone calls... Send me a PM if you'd like my phone number. Thanks again.  |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Just remember soon the pain will go away and you will start seeing results. Hang in there and walk walk walk. |
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DeterminedGal Distinguished Member
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Hi Penneyd28! Just read this forum and wanted to tell you to hang in there. You have an expert in synicalchick...and your doctor, of course. I know everyone reading this is pulling for you. I'll be following your progress. Keep that chin up, sister! DG |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Hello again everyone. Doing ok this afternoon I guess. But there is one thing bothering me right now. This afternoon I noticed I had kinda like a heat rash all over my stomach and back. I am not sure what it is. The cuts are not swollen or red around them but I am sorta broke out all over my stomach and back. They gave me Lortab 7.5 Elixr and phenegren for nausea. I did not break out like this at the hospital but noticed this tonight. I have never been allergic to hydrocodone or the other, but I am not sure about this rash thing it itches something fierce. Did anyone else experience this? I took some childrens benedryl since it comes in liquid form. It seems to have helped a little but not a whole lot. I just feel real itchy all over. I hope I am not having a reaction to the band itself. That would suck badly. Did anyone here have a reaction to the band? Or MEds? Someone please help me out with this. I am not going to take the pain med or stomach meds again just incase that is the problem. Any suggestions or comments are welcomed.... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I didn't have a rash but I hear this is common. Any time your body undergoes surgery it suffers and goes into shock. Call your doctor, that's what he's there for. I doubt very seriously that it's a reaction to the band itself but I didn't go to medical school. There is also a lapband specific site/board you probably need to visit and browse through, I'm willing to bet you'll find a thread with those very questions and concerns. I'll p.m. you the link T |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Hello Again All. Ok so this morning I was able to get out of bed without help. But I did scream out in pain. I have been hurting all day and I did not take pain meds cause I think it may have caused the rash. But for most of the day the pain has been there. I slept a little but getting in and out of the bed seems more trouble than it is worth if you ask me. I have ate or drank some soup today and a couple of protien shakes. Still no resistance for anything. I like to have my 1/2 cup of coffee before I go to bed cause it relaxes the muscles in my chest. Other than that I have not had an all bad experience. SO FAR! I did call my doctor and told her I had a rash and she called me in daracet. Now come on.. Pills????? Not an easy task and it tastes horrid to even think about trying. But before I go to sleep I will crush one and take like a BC..YUCK!!!!!! I think once the pain goes away and I can move easier that things will be great. Oh and that pesky side effect of the rash...But I will keep you posted.. |
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Pam New Member 
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Hi Everyone, I am new to this forum. I was looking on the internet for lap band info and discovered Tracy's diary of her experience. Reading about everything she has gone through has made me feel less worried about having the procedure done - don't get me wrong, I am still worried but I am also really excited now. I have struggled with my weight since I was 12 (I am now 33) and have really been losing the battle for the last 7 years. I need to lose around 65-70 pounds (I am only 5 feet tall and really small boned). I am tired of having aches and pains, sore knees, low energy levels, low self-esteem, not being able to buy clothes (16 petites are too tight and I refuse to go to a plus-size store), and all the other problems that my weight has caused. I feel ashamed for letting myself get so heavy, but I am now looking forward to making a real change for the better. I want to feel great and be able to keep up with my husband and kids (ages 6, 4 and 2). I was originally schedule for surgery on Jan. 16th, but I got a call from my surgeon's office on Friday afternoon saying that he, Dr. Provost in Dallas, is going to be out of the office all next week for some reason (?) so I was rescheduled for the 23rd. I was pretty disappointed - especially because I have been on a strict low-carb, low-fat diet that he requires for the 2 weeks pre-surgery. So, I ate some carbs this weekend and am back on the diet Monday morning. I am really looking forward to next week. I am ready to start this next chapter in my life. I would love to hear from everyone about their experiences with the lap band. Any suggestions for surgery day? I am doing the surgery out-patient. Pam |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Welcome Pam! Hello everyone! I was unable to write yesterday because it was a hard day for me. One of the most horrible days I have yet to see. I woke up unable to move, could not get out of bed. I had to have help going to the bathroom. I mean the pain was nothing to play with yesterday. I have been unable to take any pain meds because I had an allergic reaction which put me in the hospital late yesterday evening. So I am going solo on dealing with the pain. I also had a hernia fixed while they were in there so that will add to the pain too. As far as the lapband goes I feel it would not have been this bad if I had not run into the problems I have so far. The wounds are healing nicely. They don't bother me too bad. The port area is by far the worst. I barely notice the others are there. But today has been a better day for me. I took a shower today by myself and washed my hair. It was nappy... I was able to straighten up a little more when I walked today. I am still having a little pain but it is bareable. I wanted to return to work today and that did not happen. so I am going to try tomorrow. I just want everything to go away so I can get back to work and life again. I am doing good on the diet. I did eat some cottage cheese and 1/2 cup was hard to get down. I have not had any vomiting yet and I hope I don't. Even after all I have been through I would still do it again. My life is changing for the better. Pam my advice to you is follow the diet and take your vitamins as directed. You do not want to mess anything up with this surgery. It will be the best choice you have ever made...Good luck and I am here if you ever want to chat.... |
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Beth Distinguished Member 
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Synical Chick - I've been reading about your weight loss journey. All I can say is WOW! You've been on quite a ride! I do notice you haven't written in a couple of days. Hope you'll be back soon! I'm probably not too far away from you - I'm in Mississippi. You know, we like our fried food, cooked to death veggies, and cornbread. I only like fried chicken and catfish. Love cornbread and those cooked to death veggies. I'm trying hard to learn to eat raw fruits and veggies. So far, I've just pretty much juiced them. I'm going to bookmark your diary. Even though I haven't had surgery to lose weight, I've got a lot to lose. Your diary seems to be an inspiration from a "southern girl." Beth |
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personsmom Distinguished Member 
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Hi Pam and welcome. I was watching Discovery health the other day and the reasoning for the strict diet is to shrink your liver. The smaller that is, and out of the surgeons way, the easier it will be for them to do the proceedure. Do yourself and the Dr a favor, watch your diet. Lee |
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Pam New Member
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Hi PenneyD28, I was just wondering how you are doing? Are you feeling normal yet? My surgery is tomorrow and I am feeling pretty nervous. I am worried about how painful the next few days will be. Let me know how you are doing. Pam |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Good luck tomorrow.. I"ll be thinking of you. To me.. it's day 2 -4 that are the worst pain wise. I would really like to see more lap band strings and daily happenings for people to read.. y'all consider creating one ok? I have an appointment w my surgeon tomorrow to check my progress. I'll report tomorrow night. T |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Hello everyone, I am ok! So sorry I have been delayed in writing my progress. I am finally back to work. I have been really stressed out so far though. On January 15, I had to go back to the doctor because I am broke out all over my body. I stopped taking the pain meds about 3 days after surgery to stop that, but it did not. My doctor said that it will go away and that it was not anything related to the band itself. I also have had some change in my vision. Which I had to have addressed. I went to the eye docotr and the medicine they gave me to put me under has caused a weakness in my eyes so now unfortunatly I am now having to wear bi-focals to read. I wore glasses before and contactsd but noticed I could not see anything up close anymore. Now as far as the pain from the surgery I am up and moving, walking and doing well. I still have a little discomfort from the port site but nothing I cannot deal with. I used to be a stomach sleeper, but I still cannot do that.......I am doing pretty good on the weight loss, but I am sorta at a stand still. I do not go in for a fill untl feb. 22..So I can eat right now which is not a great thing. I have still lost just 31 pounds and I am disappointed in myself for not trying harder. I eat chicken fingers everyday. They go down easy and stay down. I have not had any nausea through this entire thing. Yea! I have however found that eating 70 grams of protien a day is a hard thing to accomplish I have yet to make thqat goal. 40 is the most in one day. I am very thankful I have made it through this thing. I did have alot of pain for a few days but I did not take pain meds either so I am sure some of that would have helped a little. I wish everyone out there going for the band the very best of luck. I am so happy to have mine. Just wish I could have a fill....Getting eager.....But anyways I promise to keep in touch better. I couldn't see for a little bit.. Please forgive me.... and also this is off subject but I just wanna say to the world...Please remember Heath Ledger's family through this horrible tragedy..... RIP Heath !!!! I LOVE YOU! By the way he was my future husband! I was gonna get to looking good, go to hollywood and marry that man... No really though. I really adored him and I have been upset all day about this....I will write again soon my fellow banders ...Hope this catches you up..... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Had a good appointment w/ my surgeon today. He is very please with my progress, not to fast not to slow. I'm down 70lbs from day of surgery and 83lbs from top weight. My one year anniversary is 2/27 and I was really thinking I'd hit 100 loss by then and he told me to basically....'get over it'. This isn't a contest to see how fast and how much I could lose by a certain date. SO, good visit and I go back in March. I'll try to do measurements sometime this week. T |
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MinPinMom New Member 
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Wow, I found your post through a random google search, I am so glad I did. I have been a poster on LBTalk for a couple of years, but I did not know about this site. Your blog is awesome. So inspirational and kept me in stitches. I hate that I am caught up to current - I have to wait for your next post. Not quite as bad as waiting for the HPotter Series, but close Thanks for posting and sharing everything. Wendy |
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Pam New Member
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Hi Everyone, I just got banded yesterday afternoon. I feel like I did 3,000 sit-ups on my left side! Other than that, I feel pretty good. I actually got on my treadmill this morning for 30 minutes (only at 2.0 speed though), my doctor said it would help with any gas pains. I also had trouble sleeping as it was hard to get comfortable. I am really excited to begin my journey as a bandster! Congratulations to Tracey for having lost 70 lbs. since surgery - you should be so proud of yourself! You are a great role model for all of us! Pam |
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ddavis New Member 
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I also found your site quite by accident. I had my surgery 8/6/07 and I've lost 41.5 pounds so far. This forum is a real inspiration! It helps to know that you are not alone! |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Hello everyone. Pam girl you take it easy. I am glad to hear that things went well for you. As for me today nothing new. Pretty much the same old stuff. I am not losing well anymore and that has become depressing. Wish the fill was like tomorrow. I am so happy that everyone else is doing so well. It is so good to see so many bandsters gathered together to help each other out. Its a nice change to what i have seen in my lifetimje before. But I want to say Trace you just don't know girl how many people you have helped by writing your journey on here. You the inspiration that kept me going as well. Its almost like you are An Angel to help guides us.. Your Ace's Girl... I write more later bandsters...Keep Losing...... |
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gettinskinny New Member 
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Hello Everyone, I also found this site with a random google search and am very glad I did. My wife and I went in as a couple and got banded 1/21/08. We had such a journey to get to this point and most of the forums that I had visited in the past were very negitive and quite discouraging. In reading most of the stories here I found them very inspriational and kind of theraputic most of everyone here are really positive and supportive. our journey to get to this point has so many parallels with Synicalchick that you would think we were doing it togather. I look froward to meeting you all and sharing our expierances in getting here and our progress as we move froward. Talk to you soon. Mike |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Hi Mike Maybe open your own diary? It would definately be interesting to see the lapband experience from a male perspective as well. Best of luck to you and the wife on your experiences. |
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curious New Member 
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Good morning, I am new to this site and i have also struggled for many years with my weight, i am wanting the lapband surgery and i have been thinking about it for years. My insurance will pay for it if i loose 10% of my body weight. Can anyone on here tell me a good Dr to go to and how long from scheduling to actually getting surgery? Thanks so much and congrats to you all.. |
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curious New Member
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i should mention i am from nashville, tn.. |
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ddavis New Member
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In my opinion, Dr. Charles Morton is THE BEST! I visited his office in March and had my surgery in August. I could have been scheduled in July but we were in the process of buying a house and moving so I put it off until August. And I pretty much took my time. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Good luck and welcome! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I seriously can't SCREAM this LOUD ENOUGH. Dr. Morton at Baptist. He is the pioneer for the proceedure in the state of Tennessee and his numbers are THE best. I believe somewhere in my journal, I state his numbers. Good luck, T |
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curious New Member
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THANKS for the reply.. how long did it take from first appointment to surgery? And how long did it take for recovery? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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If you have the patience to start at the beginning of my journal it's all in there... and more... IN DETAIL.. I really don't remember anymore to be honest with you. There's good advice in there as far as what you need paper work wise as well. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Well, tomorrow I shall be a wonderful, young vibrant 38. I LOVE birthdays and this one will by far be the best one I've ever had. I'm in a 22 on some things and a 18/20 on others. Down from a 30/32 HOORAH. I went shopping today @ Catherine's and hit the clearance rack. Bought two dresses for work to wear 'later' that are 18/20 and got some 2x shirts. I came home and tried stuff on so I could compare now to a couple of months from now... like.. the dresses actually FIT.. slightly snug o rama for me.. but they freakin' FIT. I could pour myself into some spandex girdle contraption and actually wear them to work NOW! AN 18/20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOORAH! 2x fits however, I'm used to hiding behind yards 'o fabric, so what fits normal to me, seems entirely TO TIGHT. Everyone assures me when I ask that the shirts aren't to tight and say "NO TRACY, you do NOT looked like a stuffed sausage on a hot sidewalk". The last time I wore a shirt that was sausage tight in my opinion, I only lasted in it for 1/2 day then ended up running to the store to buy something one size to big.My arms are bigger around than most people's necks and I HATE IT when the sleeves are 'to tight'. And could someone tell me PLEASE, WHY stores that specialize in clothing for plus size woman missed the class on how verticle stripes bring the eye UP and DOWN, therefor stretching you tall and Horizontal stripes stretch your eye from SIDE TO SIDE therefore makeing one appear wider than normal. GOOD GRIEF PEOPLE. EVery freakin' striped shirt in the store ran side to side. "OOOO I want this striped shirt because I don't appear WIDE ENOUGH.. "ANYwhoo. My peach of a hubby is taking me to Gatlinburg this weekend and my request was some moose socks, a nice long sleeve denim shirt.. or flannel.. and a airbrushed plate for Tink (my fairly new tinkerbell green v. bug.) Last year when we went, it was the weekend before my surgery.. a last splurge if you will. I've always been surrounded by people that KNOW me and see ME and not the large outer package. Not really used to being around strangers. Last year on that trip, my hubby got so mad. We were in a store browsing around and apparently there were some teenage kids staring at me and making comments. I didn't even notice. I wasn't dressed to stand out, as I've pointed out before, I don't wear tight fitting clothes and even at my highest weight of 34something, I still had an hour glass shape. When he drug me out of the store so he could keep from cussing them out, he told me why he was so upset, I told him I hadn't even noticed and not to worry about it, that I learned a long time ago to ingore the public in general because they were rude and ignorant. I assured him it was ok and to forget about it. Then of course, internally, I got upset and wanted to crawl under a rock... did I really look that bad to bring attention to myself? Did I just humilate and embarass my husband... did I cause him to see me through their eyes and now he was 'grossed out'? Of course, this was ridiculous. My husband does now and has always thought I was beautiful. My surgery decision had nothing to do with a hubby that complained about my size or made comments. My decision had to do with wanting a long healthy life.. and an active one too. When I first started discussing the surgery with him he was concerned that I was doing it to please him. I think he was a little scared of it at first, but after doing our research and talking with the surgeon we both felt it was the right option for me. This time last year I was tied up in knots waiting on the decision from BCBS that would help me change my life for the better, and, it has. I thank God every day for this tool and that I've been given a second chance at life. I don't really have a goal.. I'm asked that a lot. I think it partially has to do with not being able to comprehend ever being below 200. I'll deal with that as it happens. Somewhere in the back of my mind I have a number 165 or so but even though I've been so successful, I have a hard time believing that I can be that person. God willing, I will be some day, and even if I dont' reach 'THE NUMBER' I'll be healthy and not exhausted all the time, and I can go out with my husband with my head held high with no worry that I'll embarass him but that he can be proud of me ( he insist he is now of course.) My main struggle right now is not food, it's WATER My new years resolution for once had nothing to do with how many pounds to lose but with water. I wasn't drinking ANY unless you count coffee and tea.I start my day now in my bug for my 1.15 hour drive to work, with a 17 ounce bottle of water and coffee. I can't have my coffee until my bottle is empty. When it's empty I drink my coffee. That's about as far as I've managed to do. I hope by february to also be drinking another 17 ounce bottle on the way home. I am rambling like an insane person.. sorry. That's all for now. Tracy |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok.. I went back one year today and pulled my post..... It's pretty interesting to see where I'm at. Tomorrow I'll be 38, I weight 257, My BMI is 41, I'm no longer out of breath and exhausted walking down the hallway, family history still sucks, I visit chiropractor as needed, it's very rare that my lower back aches from carrying around that large stomach,I still have trouble with my carpel tunel, I NO LONGER BELONG TO THE 300 CLUB.. I am a member of Twoterville and on my 'weigh' to ONEderland! My post One year ago today EXACT below...
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Theresa Senior Member
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Wow! All I can say is Wow! You are so wise and realistic regarding the lap band and you will definately get to your 165. You just continue being patient. I want to see your post today in 2009 on the same day is this one. And that water consumption will definately be a great boost to not only your weight but your health and energy levels. C'mon push for at least your morning and afternoon bottles of water while driving to and from work. I challenge you to do that. |
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ddavis New Member
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Happy Birthday!!! |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Thank You! I turned 29 today. I had to work all day and out of town at that. But I did enjoy my birthday this year. Even dinner was great. Just to catch everyone up. I go in for my first fill on Feb. 7, 2008...Does anyone have anything they could tell me about how they do the fill exactly? Like sometimes I don't feel the port but sometimes when I wake up there is alot of pain there. How possible is it for the port to flip? And as far as eating I am wide open. I don't get full anymore and can eat a regular meal at this time. Is that normal without a fill? Any help would be great. Thanks Ya'll |
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ddavis New Member
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How did your fill go? It took 4 visits for them to get mine just right. They take "baby steps" so you won't have as hard a time. Hang in there...you'll get there! |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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The fill was horrible. There is not any difference now as there was then and the doctor was a jerk he would not tell me anything. I asked him about how much he put in and he yelled at me asked me my shoe size and said just because you wear an 8 1/2 or 9 doesn't mean I have to go right out and buy them just cause half the world waers that size. He said just know I put saline in your band. So I do not know how much I got on my first fill and franly to tell the truth I left his office in tears. He yelled and said I have not lost enough weight that I am a over eater and that I would not get another fill untill I was 60 pounds down. So I am dishearted and have stopped trying as of now. Any advice would help I also gained 5 pounds since my fill.......I am sorry I have let you all down....MUch love and luck to you all.. |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Hey Penneyd28 Your doctor sounds like a total A...hole! I would try find another one to go to if you are able and report your doctor to whomever you report doctors to for emotional abuse. Remember he is getting paid and he should be kissing your butt so that you will continue to use his services. You haven't let anyone down! Your doctor A...hole has! |
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ddavis New Member
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Please please please consider getting another doctor!!!! He's letting you down...you're not letting us down!! I'm so sorry that you aren't having a good experience. Please hang in there and know that we are all pulling for you! I don't know if you are close to Nashville or not but you would love Dr. Morton! Everyone in his office is great! |
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Penneyd28 New Member
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Thank you but at this point I am so discouraged. I have waited 2 years to have this surgery and I have endured alot of suffering to get to where I am today. I am 1 month post op. I am well was 31 pounds down gained 6 pounds now. So as you see everyday I wake up I am gaining. I honestlt don't even know if he actually put anything in the band at all but just stuck the needle in the port. I wish I had some help with this. Is it possible not to feel full with your first fill? I never feel full anymore. I just sit there and can eat and eat like a pig....HELP ME! I want to continue but how do I lose this weight? I thought the whole point of getting a .lapband is to improve your way of life. But if they won't fill it then how can I lose this weight? 0.5 is what my cousin says he started her out with. So I assume thats what I got. But I am not sure I got anything to be honest. But if I can eat the same as before I had the band then there is a problem that needs to be addressed. I just don't feel comfortable going back to this man and asking him for a fill. I can not lose this weight by myself and I am not really getting anywhere with the band as of right now. But why have this thing without the fill to make the opening a lot smaller. .Anybody know anybody in Texarkana Texas that can do fills? Last edited on 4 June 2008 06:17 pm by |
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Pam New Member
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Hi Penny, I think you should call your insurance company and tell them that the doctor made you feel very uncomfortable, and then ask for a list of lapband doctors in your area that are covered by your insurance. You don't want to gain back all the weight that you have lost, so put yourself back on the pre-op diet (or some other diet) until you get a fill. You are going to just have to suck it up and go hungry for a while until you get another fill. Just don't give up! You can do this! |
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mamas New Member 
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HEllo Miss maybe not so cynical chick LOL I joined this forum just to thank you for all your posts and honesty. it really emans alot to help people like me who are the start of our lap banding journies. I have many concerns in several areas and some I know may cause them to deny me. Im nervous. But I guess we all have our concerns. None the less the ball is rolling and your in depth posts are really the best info I found anywhere on the net. Im ten years older than you and live down in australia- and I hope i survive! anyway thanks xx xx |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hello there, I've been traveling a little, just got back from my grandma's in Oklahoma. I'm sorry Penny, that you are having issues. The issue sounds like the wrong Doctor. Every experience is different & it sounds like yours is a lot different than mine. Talk to your insurance and find out what other Surgeons are in your area that can take care of your fills. If you read my journal you will discover that even though I didn't gain wait, my 1st fill didn't really do either. In fact, it usually takes 1-3 fills to get you where you need to be. I sent you a private message with a lap band specific web site address. Please go to that site and look around. you will find others in your seat as well and they can help you throught this and even go so far as to help you find another doctor. Hang in there, Tracy |
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Pam New Member
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Hi Penny, Just wondering how you are doing - I hope you are doing well. Any luck finding another doctor and scheduling another fill? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Today is my one year surgery anniversary or as I like to call it.. My new Birthday. I'm 260 as of this a.m. My post one year ago today is below for those of you goofy enough to bother reading it knock yourself out, but I left NO info out... guys be warned... =)
Ok. I am sitting propped up in my bed at home several hours post op. Things went well, though he had to switch out all of the needles for the port site because my abdominal wall was thick and the needles he had out to stitch it in place were to thin. *I* would like to think that this is because I am so MUSCULAR...R I G H T. I"ll have to ask him in three weeks when I go in for my fill. ANYwho... this is how my day went. |
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Pam New Member
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Happy Surgery Anniversary!!! You have had an awesome year, and have been a real inspiration to all of us! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Happy anniversary! And to have dropped 73lbs so far must be a great weight off your chest er....... well all over actually. You will have the best 40th ever, when the time comes because you will be so light on your feet that you will dance the night away. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hello all. Well, I'm still at only one 17 ounce bottle of water in the a.m. along with one large cup of Decaff coffee, then at work, one cup reg coffee and maybe some herbal tea. On the weekends, No water at all. ARK! I have a friend in AZ that had the gastric bypass that is starting a 12 week challenge today so I too must step it up. I've been doing NO EXERCISE what-so-ever. I must do some form of exercise at LEAST 3 days per week. I'm going to think about this and come up with a 12 week plan. UGH I'll be back later with a post and an idea of what I'll be doing. xo T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Ok, here is what I have come up with. I will give my self 2 weeks to tackle each new thing. I know they seem minor but for me are quite a big deal... Week 1 starting March 10 One bottle of water on the way to work One bottle of water on the way home from work I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home the previous day. If not, I can't have it. One cup of Herbal tea 30 minutes of walking 3 days (monday/Wed/Friday). Week 2 starting March 17 One bottle of water on the way to work One bottle of water on the way home from work I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home the previous day. If not, I can't have it. One cup of Herbal tea 30 minutes of walking 3 days (monday/Wed/Friday) Week 3 Starting March 24 One bottle of water on the way to work One bottle of water on the way home from work One bottle of water while at work. I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home & at work the previous day. If not, I can't have it. One cup of herbal tea. 45 minutes of walking 3 days (monday/Wed/Friday) Week 4 Starting March 31
One bottle of water on the way to work One bottle of water on the way home from work One bottle of water while at work. I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home & at work the previous day. If not, I can't have it. One cup of herbal tea. 45 minutes of walking 3 days (monday/Wed/Friday) Week 5 Starting April 7 One bottle of water on the way to work
One bottle of water mid morning.
One bottle of wather on the way home from work.
I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home & at work the previous day. If not, I can't have it.
One cup of herbal tea.
45 minutes of walking 3 days per week
2 days of yoga or weight lifting
Week 6 Starting April 14 One bottle of water on the way to work
One bottle of water mid morning.
One bottle of wather on the way home from work.
I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home & at work the previous day. If not, I can't have it.
One cup of herbal tea.
45 minutes of walking 3 days per week
2 days of yoga or weight lifting Week 7 Starting April 21 One bottle of water on the way to work. One bottle of water Mid Morning. One bottle of water after lunch.
I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home & at work the previous day. If not, I can't have it.
One cup of herbal tea.
45 minutes of walking 3 days per week
2 days of yoga or weight lifting Week 8 Starting April 28.
One bottle of water on the way to work. One bottle of water Mid Morning. One bottle of water after lunch.
I can have one cup of decaf coffee and one cup of regular coffee. Whether or not I can have my one cup of regular coffee will depend on whether I drank my bottle of water on the way home & at work the previous day. If not, I can't have it.
One cup of herbal tea.
45 minutes of walking 3 days per week
2 days of yoga or weight lifting
Week 9-12 All the above PLUS 3 bottles of water per day at home on the weekends. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Day one 3/10 & decaf in the car Cottage cheese & Lunch 2 fish taco's (cod, raw cabbage, pineapple salsa & cheese didn't eat the corn tortilla) &  one fruit tea aka Liquid crack... but over half is in the fridge at workHand full of Apple Cinn fruit crisp/Flat Earth brand in the car on the way homeSupper 2 fish tacos I did NOT meet my walking goal today. Will try to make up tomorrow. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Day Two of Challenge In car: & DecafAt work so far: cottage cheese some left over fruit teaLunch one fish plank with most of the grody breading peeled off 2 LARGE mugs of green teaI stayed in town to go out with friends so for supper I split a fajita chicken nacho platter. I ended up eating about 15 chips and 3 skinny pieces of chicken. I would prefer NOT to discuss the MONSTER strawberry margarita I split as well. I am NOT kidding about the Monster part.. it was in the name. Four of us could have split it. I hardly EVER drink EVER, I was, to say the least, a happy, loud laughing camper (and wasn't driving) I did manage to NOT dance on our table I am happy to report. OH.. and I MIGHT have eaten a coupld of largeISH bites of fried cheesecake so... Yesterday was kind of a bust.. didn't walk, didn't drink water on the way home. Wednesday DAy Three: I woke up this a.m. with a REALLY sore throat and I feel as though I'm coming down with a cold. I didn't drive an Hour 15 like normal and my throat hurt so no water happned today either.. I'm switching between HOT coffee this a.m., Orange juice and now I'm sipping on Tea for Colds and snacking on Flat Earth potato/rice/veggie crisps. I had cottage cheese for breakfast.I feel as though a porkpupine is doing the mamaba in my throat today so the chances of water happen' are slim to none... UGH Last edited on 12 March 2008 06:02 pm by Synicalchick |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I have the crud.. thankfully so.. it could be so much worse. Yesterday I was wondering what horrid mystery sickness was sinking in it's teeth. Basically some mystery animal monster did the mamba in the throat on Tuesday p.m. copped a squat down in my lungs on Wednesday and today has wrapped his tail tightly around my head and stuck his little critter fingers up my nose... but all in all, I could feel MUCH worse. My Hubby is traveling and he is experiencing the same symptoms, though not quite described as above.ANYwho... on the way to work this a.m. I had 1/2 and orange juice .. 1 & 1/2 bottle of water and a large decaf Now at work I'm drinking another orange juice and during our staff i'll have coffee OR tea t |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Great going on the water intake. |
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paws4disabled New Member
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I have stumbled accross your posts and have enjoyed reading them. I am a paraplegic that is 296 pounds and my MBI is 42. I just went to the doctors last week and he has advised I go for the Lapband. I have agreed. With as many diets that I have tried. I am tired of losing to the weight. I was wondering when you first went to the dr. how long did it take for you? I have an appointment for the 28th of March to see the specialist that will be doing my Lapband. It will be my first visit. I would love it if I could email you sometime with questions and support. My husband is very supportive about me getting the band, yet my family is not so supportive. I am not sure if it is because they know I will lose the weight and look better then them or what but at this time... I am tired of doing things for them... This time its going to be for me and if nobody likes it then so be it. I was also wondering if you were put on a special diet before your sugery? Please feel free to email me at paws4disabled @ verizon.net I would love to keep in touch with the progress and also ask questions as they come up for me. Have a great day. Sherri Last edited on 23 March 2008 09:31 pm by |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Alrighty, Had my one year/1 month check up with Dr. Morton. I was there last month, however, Dr. Morton wasn't there to do my 1 year check up so I had to come back today. I wanted to cancel... REALLY bad because I have been able to eat quantity wise more than I should have been able to, and well, loving food , like you do... , I didn't stop until I felt I couldn't fit more in. AND as we all know from previous post and doing a 'challenge' Exercise has NOT been happening since last fall. That being said..... well, I gained 2 pounds.. I have to say I thought it would be a LOT worse AND I didn't get griped at by my most wonderful surgeon. It's been 1 year and 1 month(on the 27th) and they said I was doing great that up until this point I've had slow steady weight loss so he wanted to check the actual fluid content in my band. It will hold 4 blah blah's of saline and I was supposed to have 3.3 Basically he went in through my port with a needle and pulled everything out and I only had 2.8 if he didn't pull up on the stopper & left it relaxed. When he created suction he could make it read 3.2 so, basically some dissipated. At which point we aren't sure so it's possible that when I was filled to 3.3 it may not really have been 3.3 but today.. for SURE I'm a 3.4 and jeezy creezy can I tell, but that's cool. In the past I would lose down to a certain size.. like now, buy some clothes then slowly the weight would creep back on. NOT this time! We fixed the problem and I'm on my way to losing more! YAYThe moral of the story.. DON'T cancel your Doc appointments.... |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Wow, this last fill is really working for me. Back at my 'sweet spot.' I'm already down to 258. I was 266 at the docs office. Nice to be back on track. I've been drinking an ensure for early breakfast. (I get up at 4:30) Then around 8:30 - 9:00 I eat a little cottage cheese. Lunch varies. I had a beauti Control thing to attend yesterday and ate less than 1/8 cup of salad and 'picked at' my soup and had a couple of crackers and was almost to full. By supper I can eat about 1/2-1 cup of food depending on what it is. Last night Sis-in-law had everyone one over for supper. I had about 1/2 cup fried chicken or slightly less cut up VERY SMALL and some mashed potatoes. T |
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Pam New Member
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Tracy, You are doing great! Keep up the good work!Pam |
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ddavis New Member
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I'm just plain stuck. I've gained and lost the same two pounds for the last 3 weeks. My primary care doctor decreased my thyroid medication for the 1st time since I had my surgery and here I go again gaining weight. Happens every time. I was feeling better than I've felt for a long time, had energy, no complaints whatsoever, but my thyroid level was a little elevated. God Forbid!! Does anyone know a good endocrinologist (or just a regular doctor) that will treat ME and how I feel and not just my lab work???? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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gosh darn but this fill is working. I'm eating out all week because of sales conference. for lunch yesterday they plated stuff up for you. I felt guilty. They served a pulled pork sammich/baked potato and fruit salad. I was able to eat one little bite of the pork.. I guess its the texture or the stringyness of it or something. I could NOT eat it. I ate my potate and some strawberries. I felt real bad about throwing an entire sandwich worth of meat away. For supper last night we ate at The Acorn in Nashville. I normally avoid pasta/rice altogether, but they had a butternutsquash ravioli with tomato basil sauce & pine nuts. YUM. I ate half and a bite of a spring roll a bit of a pork dumplin one pita cracker with hummus one shrimp. All of this normally would have been fine except for the pasta part of the ravioli. I burped it all up.. fortunately, I felt it coming on and got to the bathroom in time. Tonight should be interesting. I went to Lane Bryant today and bought 18/20 skirts and tops. HOORAH! I was a 32! I've been mowing and stick picking and mulching and prepping my garden spaces. Since I've started all this I can tell a difference in my 'tone & how I feel'. Thank goodness SPring has Sprung. I planted about 45 trees on the property last fall, cows got into our yard and stomped and chewed a few, so I replaced them two weeks ago. Our land is going to be UBER fabulous in about 3-5 years! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Well done on the size 18-20's. You must be feeling great! You mentioned that you felt bad having to throw away the rest of the meat sandwich, STOP THAT THOUGHT RIGHT THERE! That is what got most of us overweight in the first place, so try and change that thought pattern and don't feel guilty. Either way it would be gone, on you in the form of obesity or in the dustbin. Prefer the dustbin. At least you get to feed little critters like rats etc. We took their living space by building buildings so we can at least give them some food. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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True that Theresa. At least at home, NO FOOD goes to waste. It goes outside 'over the fence' for the critters and birds. We are such a wasteful nation. I am daily getting comments on how I look. It's kind of nice. T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I have a thing.. I have to either workout/exercise for 30minutes or do some type of yard/gardening work. Yesterday I used the electric tiller on my front large bed and smallish side bed. I am SO FEELING it today. Was I the ONLY one that was 'shaken' out of bed @ 4:30 by an earth quake tremble? I thought I was losing my mind. My windows were rattling and the bed was vibrating.. I thought we were having a tornado.. I ran outside (real smart I know.. assuming I thought it was a tornado but I was 1/2 asleep) and it was still and quiet. I thought.. I must have been dreaming and didn't think about it again until I heard the news in the car that Illinois had a 5.4 this a.m around 4:30. |
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ddavis New Member
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I didn't feel a thing. Guess I'm one of those folks that could sleep through anything! Of course, Murfreesboro is a little farther away. On another note, I had a doctor's appt with my Primary Care Dr...the one who decreased my thyroid medication. Guess it helps to have a complete and total meltdown in the doctor's office because she changed my medication dose back to what it was. I'm hoping this will help me start losing again. I've gained 4 pounds. I'm so discouraged right now. I called to get an adjustment but can't get in until May 20th. (My original appt was June 2nd.) AND I think I'm addicted to Goldfish. They really are good with cottage cheese ! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Eeeeeww! Erm.......aren't Goldfish supposed to be just kept as pets? |
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ddavis New Member
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Goldfish crackers!! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Phew! Oops.......Sorry never heard of them |
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Peter Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Theresa wrote: Eeeeeww! Erm.......aren't Goldfish supposed to be just kept as pets? We should start an Off Topics forum to list pet foods! Haha, Peter |
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Theresa Senior Member
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It could be interesting |
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Ken-Ten Gal New Member
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I've been reading the messages about Lap-Band for sometime as I sturggled through the process of getting approval. I've especially enjoyed those of Synicalchick as they have helped me prepare quite a bit. I had my surgery yesterday (April 28th).....sort of miserable day but I'm home now and everything went very well. I'm beginning to get somewhat out of the groggy, post surgery fog, and now have the pain well under control. Today is the first day of my healthy life. |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Welcome Ken Ten Gal and I hope that all goes as you have planned in your weight loss journey. |
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ddavis New Member
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Congratulations! I know you will feel the same as so many of us do...this is the best thing I've ever done for myself! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey there, Nothing really new to report.. just hadn't in a while so I thought I would check in. I told my self 30 minutes of exercise or work outside in the yard so for two weeks every day minus to rain days, I've been busting my hiney in the yard and feeling it to! I suspect I weigh around 255 but I don't weigh myself, I just wait until I go to the doctor and I don't go back until June. Later! T |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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A day in the life of a banded country girl... I wake up every a.m. @ 4:30, stumble in to the shower, make the coffee, get dressed, load the car, fill coffee mug and stumble to the car by 5a.m. ish I make the almost 1.5 hour drive in to work listening to an audio book pausing @ 6 for the traffic report and sip on my decaf coffee. Around 6:20 I gas up the car and go to work. Around 8 I munch on some cottage cheese. Noon usually find me going to Blue Coast for one fish taco. I leave work @ 3:30 and usually get home around 5 when I water all my plant and tree babies, fix supper then plop on the couch and hopefully find myself in bed by 8:30. Yesterday.. was OH SO DIFFERENT. I get up.. turn on the hot water for a shower.. and wait for it to get hot.. and wait some more... and..... some more....uh. I'm thinking in my sleepy haze that if I don't have hot water after about 3 minutes I'm probably not going to get any. WAAAAAAAAAAAA I wet my hair down with COLD water get dressed and go to work.I get home and Todd checks the water heater and the element has burned out. I fix supper, we eat and he heads to Glasgow to buy an element. While he's gone I water the babies, spray round up around all the brick circles around my trees then I look up and spot THREE deer in the pasture. I grab my binocs and climb up on the cement pillar and watch. They were so cute.. chasing each other, eating & scratching (I'm easily entertained I guess) While I'm perched atop my cement column the girls(my cats) come out and want up there too. My little chunky monkey Buffy decides she wants to be up where I am and climbs up each horizontal post till she makes it to the top. I COULDN"T BELIVE IT. I was very proud of her. Zena the 'athletic' one wanted up to but couldn't quite figure it out. The deer bounded up to our front pasture and I was about to freak because the smaller one was 'acting like' it was going to nibble on one of my baby trees. I start walking that way and they bounded off. Todd gets home and the excitement begins. At 8:15 he shuts off the water and gets started on the water heater. 10 minutes later he is hollering out my name something desperately. Well it turns out, that IF the water heater hadn't been full of sediment, he could have just hooked up the hose to drain it.. however it WAS full of sediment and water started gushing out EVERYWHERE. I ran to the shed and got our 'wet vac' that can also be used as a dry vac. plugged it in and started sucking water. What I didn't realize is that the darn thing was used as a DRY vac last and we just filled it with about a gallon of water. Time was of the essence here so I had to make back and forth trips to the tub/sink to dump said 'wet vac'. Well the 1st dumping was BAD. Full of dust/dirt cat toys, mouse poop & anything you would vacuum out of duct work. GROSS. ANYWHO 2 hours later, in soggy socks and a horridly stained shirt our water heater was up and running again. sigh. I was in bed by 10:30 and at least today when I got up POOPED, I could take a hot shower. I think in lieu of a taco today I shall take a nap in the car. |
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Theresa Senior Member
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It sounds as if you live in a lovely peaceful place. Boy! do you get up early thoough |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Haven't reported in lately 'cause there's nothing really to report. Doing great. Got the garden in and the corn is peeking their cute little heads above the ground. I don't weight at home but "weight" until my doc appointments which the next one happens to be coming up on Tuesday. |
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Theresa Senior Member
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I am sure that you will be a nice satisfactory weight down again. I am sure you must be feeling so great to have lost so much so far. |
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MemphisTransplant New Member
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I sat here and read your entire post. I thoroughly enjoyed your honesty and humour. I just started the journey of weight loss surgery and am still in the "infancy" stages. My psych eval is Wed. I am so excited to get started. It seems like it will take forever to "jump through the hoops" for insurance approval and then await the surgeons schedule. I will be 41 this Nov. and weighed 285 at my last doctor appointment. I have tried alot of diets and pharmacological aids for weight loss with some success but of course it always crept back up. I am lucky. My insurance DOES cover the surgery! But I have to have 6 months of doctor supervised weightloss attempts before they will approve the surgery. I have a bunch of other health issues (or as they like to call em comorbidities). Sheesh! I have been on synthroid for over 17 years and ever since my hysterectomy and resulting staph infection have been up and down in my attempts to maintain the proper levels. I also have high blood pressure, HIGH cholesterol, vitamin D deficiency ( 2 bouts of skin cancer make me a little shy of bright sunshine), depression, and trouble sleeping(snoring/sleep apnea). I also recently had an infected belly button (1 tubal ligation, 2 ovary surgeries, hysterectomy, & gall bladder removal make a very unattractive belly button). I ended up in the ER after starting an antibiotic with my regular dr. Both the triage nurse and ER nurse mentioned MRSA but they did not culture the "stuff" the got out of my belly button after the opened it up. I am now on another antibiotic (after the new, stronger rx at ER) to try and help with whatever might still be alive in my intestines. LOL. I feel this infection is a result of my being over weight. Since my belly rolls are shall we say "touching", a lot of sweat (bacteria) build up and no matter how often I clean my belly button there are just places that are gonna hold moisture. I don't know if there is any possible way for my insurance to look into "speeding up the process" but I am gonna look into it tomorrow. Sorry for the ramble, just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from. What made you decide to go with the lap band surgery v. gastric bypass? I have been doing some research online and with friends who have had both surgeries. I can obviously see pros and cons to both. Thank you for your opinion. BTW Congrats and good going for all those who are post surgery and good luck to everyone awaiting surgery. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ATTENTION PETER Is it just me or is this entire thread hard to read because it is S O S T R E T C H E D O U T ? It doesn't matter what computer I'm on, in order to read a post on this thread I have to scroll to the RIGHT REALLY FAR to read it all, instead of it being in one nice squarish box. Any clues? thanks, Tracy |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Weight 255: (90 pound weight loss so far) Good gravy.. some people start OUT at this weight and think they are HUGE. How on Earth did I move around at my top weight??? BMI: 41 This is about 16 points down I think? This is the number that they really watch when I go in and they are v. happy with it. It's all the weed pulling, chigger scratchin' and baby tree leaf snugglin' I think.... They are still happy with my progress and I have to go back in August to meet with Doctor Morgan the one who actually did the procedure. Last time I went in my saline had seeped out a little and it is still good to go since he refilled me. They want me to come up with a 'plan' for the winter months when I seemed to have slowed down/stalled out last year. I am such an out door person that it's EASY to get in the exercise this time of year but in the Winter.. NOT so much. I dread coming up with a 'plan'... What? Vicious hand washing and channel surfing don't count? How about if I type extra fast at work.... sigh. On a brighter note... The ol' 2 year anniversary is coming up and we are going to Cumberland Falls, Ky. I've seen pictures and its G O R G E O U S! It's the only place in this hemisphere that you can see a 'moonbow' the other being somewhere in Australia. It's only visible around the full Moon and we'll be there on the last night it's visible AND I get to go HORSEBACK riding! YAY ME! I told Todd when I got down to the 250 or less I wanted to and we are! WHOOT!
Blessings and Fae Kisses  |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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OK.. I have come up with a PLAN! We are going to get a Wii It will be fun, visually stimulating AND I'll get a work out. They even have 'games' called Fitness Wii. I am very excited! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Tracey I think the Wii is a brilliant idea. I don't have one but played with my nephew's one in December and it was a gas! I played the tennis and I was panting puffing and grunting away. |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member
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Hey Tracy - Congrats on the 90 pounds!!!! I hope you have an amazing time horseback riding! And a 'moonbow'? How cool that must be! I've heard that Wii Fit is really fun, too. |
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gladys New Member
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Hey T, You are doing great! I have been reading and reading and I still have so many questions. I just had the lap band surgery done. It has now been 6 days. I still am unsure of what to eat, when to eat, when to stop (when do you know you are getting full) and I have this burning question, does the feeling of having to burp ever go away? It's like I have a bubble in my upper chest at all times..... What’s the deal... please help! I don't know of anyone else who has had this surgery done and I need some help. I go in for my 1 week check up on Tuesday. But I somehow feel like I should go in tomorrow. Surely, you aren't always supposed to have that feeling in your chest at all times.... are you? Have you found foods that you cannot eat? If so, please list them... Thanks for any information that you give... I appreciate all! If any of the other readers have any answers, I would appreciate them also! Thanks, Gladys Last edited on 9 June 2008 12:00 am by gladys |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Hi Gladys and welcome! I hope you have as much success with your lap band as Tracy has had. I am sure I read in her diary that it is definately normal to have that feeling of needing to burp for a while after the surgery and I think she stated at the time that the best thing to do is to walk, walk and walk some more. I am sure you will find more answers just by continuing to read more of her diary. Hope this helps a little |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Tink's Crumpled Wing OR How to get 'picked up' by an 18 wheeler... sigh sniff..... hiccup sniff...waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa cough. sigh..Ok.. here we go. I'm beeboppin' along, I get off on my Exit for Kentucky... ALMOST HOME.. YAY.... I'm pulling up to the light.. there's an 18 wheeler in the middle of the lane, I don't notice a blinker.. "oh ok.. he must be turning left.. Like they doooo... I'll pull up in the far right and turn." Humming to myself..Alrighty.. it's clear I can turn now..uh...#$%$...OMG... THE TRUCK IS TURNING!! @$%! UMMMM SEE ME SEE ME.. I CAN'T GO ANYWHERE...UH... covering head in case glass shatters while watching the back end of 18 wheeler pick up my green little a$$ and slam me back down. Holy freakin' #%@&!. ok ok... Glass didn't shatter... heard horrid crunching noise.. um.. black smears on glass... side mirror buckled forward.... tire seems to be ok.. I'll just drive up to the truck stop. Alrighty.. she's driving fine.. I'm sure it's ok. Alright.. getting out of the car.... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA MY GREEN BABY! FREAK! sigh. If you can't open the image.. I'll be sending a Kodak slide later. Door is crushed in, side mirror ok Front fender cracked open and pushed forward but not impeding tire movement, Black rubber streaks and buckled in upper fender. I should check the window.. ok.. it rolls down.. CHECK... it rolls up.... #$%@ not check. #%@&!. ok.. Drama over.. kind of. Called the cop, swapped info, no one got a ticket, cop said the insurance people could fight over fault. She drives fine.. just really beat up... my fabulous hubby got the window to go back up... note here... the window I just had FIXED. On a happy note. I'm fine. It could have been SO MUCH WORSE. I have cute ittle bitty baby yellow squash on my plants... they are so cute I can hardly stand it... I don't think however that the rows are supposed to be covered in pretty green grass... hmmm. All of my tomatoes are COVERED in blooms and my pumpkins are growing nicely. My new 'not so baby' boy BuddhaGlen (my new bobtailed gorgeous furbaby) snuggled up to me last night on the couch and made biscuits on my side and leg with ALL FOUR PAWS. I have never had a cat do this. When I finally had to get up he was like.. WHAT? Where ARE you going? I have a new 'workout' program going that I LOVE and it's a BLAST. I am so SORE. We invested in the Nintendo Wii & Wii Fit. Got it hooked up and going last night. We played the sports part. Todd and I were even on the Tennis, he skunked me in Baseball & I tore is beeehind up on Golf.... =) Moral of the story? Don't EVER EVER EVER, pull up in the right lane next to an 18 wheeler unless you know 1,000% that he is turning left.
Blessings and Fae Kisses Gretchen Noel |
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cr8zangel New Member 
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Poor Tink! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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OMG Seriously. If it is at all in your power to cough up the ridiculous amount of clams it cost to purchase yourself not only the Wii console but the Wii FIT. JUST DO IT> Best money we have EVERRRRR spent. You have to have the console for the Wii FIT to work. IT IS FABULOUS. Talk about holding you accountable and making you set goals. I just don't have time to even begin to explain. It tracks your wieght/BMI. I used it Friday, was outide working all day pulling weeds.. mowing by 'hand' (reel mower) planting new plants etc.. & was to worn out to do anything but to fall in bed on Saturday. I turn it on Sunday evening before going to bed to do some Yoga & it says to me "Hi Gretchen, to tired to work out yesterday?" WHAT?!?!?! Holy Moly. My husband stated that he really didn't think he would use it much at all. EVery time I came inside Saturday, he was in there playing golf or boxing. I walked in one time and he was doing push ups on the Wii board. He's officially hooked himself. OH.. and while you are doing the yoga, it makes you pay attention to your center of balance. AMAZING. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT> I can't wait to go back to my Doctor with my new plan. My goal I set on my Wii calendar is to be down 15 lbs by 8/16. I had more than that and it made me change it because the Wii thought 22 wasn't realistic. WOW. Cr8zyAngel, you weren't kidding about the boxing. I feel like my arms are going to fall off, I was pouring sweat & my heart rate was UP UP UP. WHEW! |
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cr8zangel New Member
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Wait till you try Hula hoop on Wii Fit. Your hips will never be the same! This is also coming from the person who when it comes to normal life couldn't hoola hoop to save her life. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I DID I DID!!!! I got 89 spins clockwise & 149 spins counter clock wise. We won't discuss the 'bumps on the noggin' I should have from missing every single hoolahoop thrown at me to catch. I did manage to catch one on the last run. I'm noticing this is helping my lack of flexability in my back. I start out really stiff and was pretty limbered up before going back to bed. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ok.. so last night I unlocked an extra Yoga pose. The way the Wii fit works is the more you use it, the more exercises/poses you open. I went into the Aerobics part (where the hulahoop is) and did that a couple of times still getting bonked in the head by missed catches. Next was a step thing where you step on and off in time with the Mii characters.. didn't do so great once they threw in the side ways steps. THEN... the one I'm really proud of was the JOGGGING in place. If you would have told me 6 months ago I would have jogged in place for 3 minutes I would have laughed in your face.. but it's so cute and visually stimulating and you run right behind another Mii character. I guess I'm like 6 and have to have cute stuff to look at in order to be motivated.I went on to Strenth training where I managed 6 reps of knee push ups & side planks. I am so sorry if y'all get tired of reading about my Wii stuff but that & gardening is what is going on with me right now. The Wii is SUCH a big deal because exercise has always been my downfall. I HATE it and I am having a BLAST right now. |
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cr8zangel New Member
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You shouldn't be sorry, this is your blog! Ok, the trick I have found with the Wii Hula Hoop is when they throw the hoops is to put your whole body into the lean in whatever the direction the hoop is being thrown. Almost like a yoga position where your arms are above your head lean your whole body to that one side. Remember your center of balance and use your feet to lean into that direction as well. After I realized that I could get almost all of the hoops. I think it is so awesome that you do this every night. You are not 6, your a person who doesn't like to do this stuff by herself. I feel stupid exercising with people around me and I feel stupid standing in a room all by myself watching a video. With the Wii fit you get to interact with the screen. It encourages you, that's what so great about it. So have fun and good luck!!! |
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Theresa Senior Member
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Oh don't ever be sorry! You have made me want to buy one for myself now. It sounds like such a blast You keep on wii'ing.....erm! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ok so last night I stuck with the sports games (after weeding and watering outside for about 2 hours. There's a thing were you can test your Wii AGE and another for Wii Strength. Previously, the very 1st time I tested my age I was 51. The second time I tested it at home it was 73. Last night...26 BABY! The test always consist of 3 things but you don't know which three. It was boxing (OUCH>> MY ARMS) Bowling & baseball. 5 homeruns thank you very much!I then played some tennis and golf. Still loving it. |
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cr8zangel New Member
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26?! That's awesome. My Wii fitness age is 47 and i'm 27 :( ~B |
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Chipper New Member
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Hello Everyone, To begin with, Tracy, you are one wild and crazy chick!!! Thanks for letting all of us into your private life so we can see the "true" journey of gastric surgery. There is a lot more involved than what the doc's or other websites tell you. Now about me... I am a 41 year old female who is around 100 lbs overweight. I have considered the surgery for several years but now work for a company that will pay for it. I'm just not sure if it is right for me. I would like everyone's thoughts on it.... I tend to loose weight quickly but also gain it back quickly. I have IBS and diverticulitis so I have to kinda watch what I eat - not how much but what - haha. Salads are not a friend of mine. If I drink an Atkins shake it wreaks havoc on my innards. Unfortunately, carbs do well for me (potatoes, bread, rice). The idea of surgery appeals to me because you would not be hungry all the time. I guess my problem is self control. I'm not sure that gastric surgery is the right thing for me. I have spoken with primary doctor and gastroentrologist and they support the idea. I would like everyone's opinion. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I cannot speak for all surgeries, however, the lap band doesn't work that great with breads & rice. You can nibble/snack on them but that's about it. I have hardly any rice/bread in my diet at all. I eat LOTS of cottage cheese/cheese/milk mashed taters/'soft' meats & fish tacos minus the tortilla. Have you tried maybe just the exercise angle? Rollar coaster wieght is supposed to be worse on a body than just being one large size all the time. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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last night I did 30 minutes on my Wii (after more weeding and watering outside) I unlocked another yoga pose and a super hula hoop. I am happy to report that I caught all hoops minus one. I also jogged again and improved my time. The silly thing though.. I wish there was a way it knew when you opted to work out with sports Wii in place of the fit so it didn't greet you with "To tired to work out yesterday Gretchen?" ARGH |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I had a FABULOUS anniversary weekend @ Cumberland Falls, KY. It was gorgeous. I didn't get to see a moonbow because it was to over cast but it was still magnificent. We walked everywhere, rode horses, swam & relaxed for 2.5 days. sigh. |
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Chipper New Member
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Just got back from a wonderful vacation in the Keys.... my husband made me come back.... I was kicking and screaming. I was wondering how you are doing. I spoke with someone that had the bypass done. She said the hardest part for her was not eating. She was not hungry but the habit of wanting to eat was hard to break. Do you experience this? |
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bdo2553 New Member 
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Hi, through researching the lap band procedure I found your diary. I found it very honest. I am a 55 year old female who has had an up and down weight problem over the last 30 years. I have been as low as 110 lbs and as high as 248 lbs. Currently I am at 228 lbs. I am 5' 2" tall. As I have heard over and over again if you can lose down to 110 how is it you allow yourself to get up this high. All I have to say it is easy and you really do not pay attention until it's too late. I don't know what category I put myself in, whether it is addicitve or what?!?! I have alot of illnesses to go along with it as does everybody else......!! Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, High Blood pressure, GERD, Degenerative Disc Disease, which has caused some nerve damage, Hypo Thyroid disease, Sleep Disorder, Depression and so on and so on...!!! I have quite smoking cigarettes in Feb 2008 and drinking wine regularly in Mar 2008, now it is time to do something about my weight!! Especially since they want to do another surgery on my lower back to decompress 3.5 disks and fuse a couple. They did my neck in Aug 2002, 2.5 discs and fused 2 discs, I have improvement in my neck from the surgery. I am scared of the lower back surgery, for fear matters will get worse and I can't walk more than 100 ft, before I have to sit down now. Shopping requires a scooter, which I have and it is embarrassing, (some people cut you slack in stores and others are most annoyed and rude, you really just try and find someplace out of the way....I haven't been at this disabled thing very long). I am a USAF Retired Dependent, I have discovered that TriCare now covers this procedure. I guess I have to go to my primary care doc at the Air Force base and figure out where to go from here. But if they put me on a diet, I probably will lose weight which bumps me from the criteria of qualifying and it will just come back has been my pattern before. I have no idea as to how the military docs will view this and how much of a headache they will put me thru to do the procedure!!! I guess it can't be any worse than what you-all have been thru in the civilian sector!!!My Husband would like me to try Weight Watchers instead of considering the lap band, he fears things going wrong. He loves me no matter what my size!!! I don't love me no matter what my size!!! Anybody out there with any comments on the military retiree dependent getting this done and how they did??? |
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bdo2553 New Member
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OOOOOPPPPSSS MY BAD!!!!! What I mean is I don't love me at my current size!!!! OHHHH MYYYYYY!!!! Even that sounds bad!!!! Let me put it this way I am not satisfied with myself at this weight. That's it!!! That's what I mean!!! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Good gravy.. sorry I haven't been reporting. I'm hovering around 252 at the moment. Still have never gained just v e r y slowly lost. I've been meaning to report a TRIUMPH! I went to florida on a business trip. I was really nervous about having to fly on South West. Not only did I fit comfortably on the plane.... I DID NOT HAVE TO USE A BELT EXTENDER FOR THE 1ST TIME IN ABOUT 8 YEARS! WHOOT! Major victory. |
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl Distinguished Member 
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I hear you about very slow losses. I lose weight so slow it's ridiculous, but it's downward and that counts for something right? I have to agree with the other person who said they want to buy a wii now from reading your diary. I do too!!! I hate exercise, and it just sounds like so much fun, I might actually do it! keep up the good work. |
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mylifeback New Member
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Syn... I have absolutely enjoyed your journey which I happened upon in July while devowering all of the info I could find about lapbanding. After reading your journal, I planned to share mine as well. However, my surgery was 8/13/08 and the only thing I have to share is that there is nothing When I woke up from the surgery, I felt that if I did not know for a fact that I had had the surgery, no one would convince me that I actually had it. No pain, no discomfort. I have had dental cleanings that had more discomfort. Of course the 5 bands around the stomach area told the story. To date, I have lost 12 lbs (241 to 229) and I am loving it!!! Thank you, for all your support! I am really enjoying my new life - the best thing I could have done!!! |
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HeadingtoHealth New Member
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My surgery was Wednesday, August 27th. I've posted a diary and some pre-surgery tips, if you're interested. A friend of mine provided the pre-surgery tips, and I found them VERY helpful! http://www.justanana.com/. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Awesome. I it would be nice too if after you post there, you could copy and paste into a journal on calories under surgery as well. I would really like to see more diaries than just mine. Would you consider doing that? I don't know that you link will stay up permenantly or not. thanks, Tracy |
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HeadingtoHealth New Member
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I will keep posting, and I've been learning a ton in the past eight days. My first "fill" is two weeks from yesterday. I do keep a comprehensive journal because I want to make CERTAIN this works for me! If I start feeling hungry, I won't hesitate to call the doctor's office. I have been hungry all my life, and it's very liberating to feel full and satisifed and not concentrating on my next meal or snack every moment of my life! I found out yesterday that the "normal" meals should not start until week 4 after surgery. I did it DAY 4, so I've e-mailed the office to make sure I didn't do something to cause adverse effects on the surgical procedure! I will correct the "pre-surgery" notes in just a minute, because I recommend following their instructions to the letter. In addition, my noon appointment was a "training" session on the rest of your life. There were 8-10 women in the room (coincidence that it was a girls class!). Two of the 8-10 had miserable times with their surgical procedure due to the gasses accumulating. That can happen with all surgeries, and they warn you, but I didn't have one bit of problem and the surgery was easy. 80% of the class had as easy a time as me. The other two were pretty much in bed whimpering 5 days while their gasses expelled. Those are the gasses they "blow you up with" to fill you with air so that their camera can see everything clearly. Some react, others don't. The first week, meals should be no more than pudding and applesauce consistency. The second week, baked potatoes and that sort of consistency. Week 3 should be "almost" back to normal but no pork or beef, and then Week 4 back to normal. Something else worth mentioning is that the day of your fills, no food or they won't do it. Then, after your appointment, liquids the remainder of that day so that the "fill" area can heal. Day 1 of the fill - liquids; Day 2 - soft foods; Day 3, if you can tolerate it, back to normal. There's a huge learning curve, but it's worth it!!! |
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HeadingtoHealth New Member
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What was your surgery date? I'm new to blogs and I can't follow the thread. Thanks! |
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AussieLapBandChick New Member
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Hi Synical, I joined this site after reading your blog. Very informative! Awesome to see. I got addicted to the youtube banders. There's heaps and heaps of them with videos. One of them even took her camera into the doctor's office for her fills. So I've actually seen the fills being done. She didn't mention the part about not eating beforehand. Thanks for the tip. My surgery date is Jan 6th - the Christmas holidays for us (we get 6 weeks off in the summer - Dec to Jan). I am freaked to hear that your port site hurt so much. I had my gallbladder removed laprascopically 4 years ago and I was thinking the gas pain and abdo pain would be much the same. The idea of a port has been freaking me out. It's so frankensein! We don't get Atkins shakes here, and I miss them. I lived in Nashville (LaVergne, Bellevue) for 5 years and lived on them whenever I was going through a diet patch. Anyway. Can't wait to read your next post. I'm going to start mine soon. You'd hate to know, for example, that we don't have to go through the qualifying process with our insurance companies. If your GP says you need it, then you need it. We pay about $2000 out of pocket for it. All the best, Cat |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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OMG... so.. it's been awhile. I've been copying and pasting my post here on my Notes section of facebook. I need to sit down and re-read. This has been some year I tell ya. I'm still in the low 250's. I really need to go to my Doc and have my fill adjusted but with the change in insurance will probably have to wait until January. I need to just get off of my lazy arse and exercise with my Wii. I no longer have yard work to keep me busy and all I want to do after being gone 12 hours a day is pass out in front of the telly. |
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AussieLapBandChick New Member
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My surgery date is Jan 6. I started a low carb diet 5 days ago. So far so good. I'm prepping myself for Optifast stage (2 weeks of shakes and steamed veggies before surgery). I'm training my blood sugar and its worked like I thought it would. I live a 4 hour drive from my surgeon so my fill appointments may also be few and far between. The good news is that I get 10 sicks days per year so I will likely have to dip into those. I've lost 1.5 kilos / about 3.5 lbs All the best, synical Cat |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Yay for you! this has been a weird long year for me and hubby. We downgraded our insurance (at work we can choose between different plans) not realizing what that would mean for my fill cost & not knowing what a crazy year my hubby would have. Long story short, hubby has been off an on Prozac & other depresseion meds since his early 20's and when to the doc because it just wasn't working, they put him on a new one, then he started having weird heart stuff/anxiety. We went through a 2 month phase of heart test etc etc to find out his heart was in GREAT shape! YAY! Went back to the Doc because new depression drug was not working.. Doc asked some questions.. made him take a Bi-polar questionaire, they discussed that he thought Todd was Bi=polar II (a mix of depression & irritablility) and he put him a new drugs and sent him to a pshch doc in Bowling Green. That doc agreed with the diagnosis added another drug. Todd started to become extremely anxious, walked out on his job and hid in the house, Doc kept messing with his meds with minimal progress. We switched Docs and are still playing around with his meds. Todd has been not working for a good three months now. The job he walked out on wanted him back, he went back for 2 days and he was having high pressure/glaucoma issues in his left eye. He went to Retina Doc, Retina doc sent him to Glaucoma Doc, Glaucoma Doc sent him to Cataract/Lens replacement surgeon. He had cataracts and narrow angle Glaucoma. We are now 3 weeks post op on Left eye (was a -22 now a neg-2 ) and not quite one week post op on right eye( was a -16 and now is a ?) He is taking so many drops and still has stitches in one eye so his vision what little he has, is very hazy. he is very discouraged but we are hoping that when we go back on Wednesday and they remove the stitches than can prescribe him glasses so he can see further than 8 inches in front of his face. During all that he had a tube put in his ear as well. We are both kicking ourselves for downgrading our insurance and will be upgrading once again when it's time... YAY JANUARY. My fills were only 15. Normaly I would just go in anyway and cough up the $$ to get my band filled, however, with todd out of work and the out of pocket expense of the surgeries and Pill doc appointments, I am having to exercise some seriouls self control and I'm NOT EXERCISING so I'm stuck for the moment in the low 250's which will begin to creep up if I don't watch it. Now, I still can't just sit down and pig out, but I am able to eat more than I should and I've been eating NO NO type foods. I think when I sit down and re=read my journal it will snap my #%@&! back in focus. I fought long and hard to have this procedure done and I need to treat it (the band) & myself with with respect. I am very excited for you... keep me posted. EVen better.. PLEASE start a journal under the surgery link so we can have more than just my experience to people to read. xo Tracy |
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HeadingtoHealth New Member
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I had my second fill on October 15th. It's a tight one! I eat about 3 bites and it gives me that "to the throat" sensation. YIKES! I'm either at my "green zone" or a little too tight. I'm going to give it another week or two. What I have found is that right after a fill, I can barely eat, then as the month goes on, that seems to ease up, and by the time I had my 2nd fill, the last week, I had gotten quite hungry. I'm hoping this one will ease up, too. I've lost 27 lbs since 27 August. I only had 45 to lose, so I'm already down to a size 12 (from a 16). I'm loving it. All my old clothes are being given away because there's no going back to my "XL" closet! YAY! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Pass the Ibuprophen and smack me on the arse Hi, My name is Tracy "Rainbow Wheels Of Death" Willoughby... & by death.. I mean my own and whatever kid or human or table happens to be in my way. I am spitting distance from 40, weigh 250 pounds and am obviously to frickin' old & fat to be strapping on shoes with wheels attached to them.... I can't wait until this afternoon when the herd of dancing badgers becomes more like a herd of tap-dancing elephants. Last nights skating expedition didn't go as smoothly as my 1st in years 3 weeks ago. I had to change skates like 3 or 4 times finally settling on a pair that made me feel as though I was going to lose a darn toenail. One of my all time favorite songs Funky Town came on, I skated like maniac in spite of said squished toenails then took the darn things off, turned them in, tried on 'buy your own skates'. They felt like having your feet wrapped in angels butt fluff... FAAAABULOUS I tell you.. didn't want to take 'em off.. SO off to the counter to pay for skates.. before getting to the counter.... WWWWHOOOOOOOOSHHHH SMACK! omg oooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Yup... feet when out from in under me & I landed on the right side of my #%@&! & right elbow and I have a sneaky suspicion that I also smacked my skull on the floor as I have had a headache since it happened and my neck and shoulder is SUPER STIFF. I may still die yet. I didn't hurt that bad in September when I fell off of a co-workers table trying to hang streamers from the ceiling & hit several tables on the way down. I'm starting to think that wrapping myself in bubble wrap as my co-workers suggested isn't such a bad idea after all. So much for taking a round in my super fabulous new roller skates. On the way home I stopped at 'A&W' for root beer, the lady said.. "I'm sorry... we don't have root beer.. how about a Dr. Pepper" I then realize that instead of pulling into A&W I had actually pulled into Arby's. Fortunately I realized this before I smarted off.. but then realized that I still wanted to smart off any way. I'm sorry.. on what planet exactly.. does Dr. Pepper serve as a quality substitute for... ROOT BEER??? I've had both and never noticed the similarity in the taste... are there subtle notes of prune in root beer I've never noticed??? A little Sassafras hidden in the Dr perhaps? But I digress. SO, I drive in to the CORRECT drive through order my root beer, go to Pat's house and I rotated it from the back of my head to my elbow. I see a chiropractor visit in my NEAR future.. as in this afternoon. Can't wait until NEXT WEEK! Did I mention that my fabulous skates where Black with Red wheels and so to have tie dye shoestrings..... |
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zenobia Moderator
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bahahahahahahahahahahahaha you slay me!!!!!!!! not to be laughing at your pain or anything, but holy h*!^ you are hilarious! Last edited on 12 November 2008 10:27 pm by zenobia |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I am much better.. my elbow still REALLY hurts when I touch it but every where else is fine. The WORSE day was Saturday.. I have fibromyalgia and I wasn't worth spittin' on Saturday.. yikes.. Sunday slightly better and here it is wednesday, & if it weren't for my #%@&! off elbow & pictures to link me to the 'crime' I'd never know I went roller skating last Thursday.. all JUST IN TIME TO GO AGAIN TOMORROW AND TRY OUT MY NEW BADA$$ SKATES!! MUWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Attached Image (viewed 584 times): |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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crimescene picture #2 Attached Image (viewed 580 times): |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I seem to recall mentioning LAST week, that some people just weren't MEANT to strap wheels on a pair of shoes and expect to survive the experience. I guess I was still slightly freaked out by my massively horrid elbow cracking head smashing fall from last week and you would have though I had NEVER skated before in my life. Finally about 30-45 minutes in I started to kind of get my confidence back. Once again Funky Town came on. I've decided this must be my skating anthem because it almost restored my confidence completely. Then this 'Angel' song came on.. slightly slower tempo.. I'm relaxing and coasting to the music... then out of nowhere I stumbled and ended up doing the friggin' splits, then toppled over either on my back or face.. don't' quite remember which. Then my 'angel' who shall remain un-named so as to protect the innocent, stopped to peel me off of the floor (meanwhile 3-6 year olds are dangerously WHIZZING by my head and fingers) & I feel like I manhandled the poor guy. He's holding on to the wall & climbed his 6'4" frame like a tree. I thought Jenny would wreck watching the spectacle...heehee. Did I mention that there was a kids grade school skating party there? It was like playing FROGGER & sometime depending on the lights & music.. Galactica. This time after falling I continued to skate. I had to drive home to KY after it was over, and to say I was stiff by the time I go home around 11 would be the biggest understatement of my life. Well, this a.m. around 5 I was even S T I F F E R. I'm walking ok but sitting is not a joy. I slathered my left hamstring with this stuff called Toast, then washed my hands got in the car, cranked the seat heater on 5 and cooked on the way to work. which brings me to another misery. Did you know that stuff like Toast & BenGay don't really 'wash off'? My left eye says "NOPE>>>> NOPE IT DOESN'T" Pretty much, I'm almost completely handicapped on my left side. Oh well. Most people get BETTER every week when they do something.. me I seem to be getting WORSE. I won't get to go back again until after Thanksgiving, maybe I'll be healed up by then. |
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Lod24 New Member
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Hi Synicalchick! Just wanted to congratulate you on your lapband journey. I just came across your diary and I have to say I find it refreshing and honest. I also am a lapband patient. My date of 'rebirth' was Jan 19, 2007 around 282 lbs. Lost 10 lbs on my own before surgery, so on surgery date, I was 272. In the first month post op, I lost 20 lbs. Lost a total of 60 lbs in the first 6 months post op with no fills. Exercised like a mad woman, too, 2 hrs a day in those months. It's been very slow ever since even even after a fill and I've had fills twice this year. What's really funny is that I had come across a product called Apidexin, thinking it would probably speed up my progress because I felt my weight loss journey was a little too slow this year and the advertisement of the product basically states you lose weight really quickly like 4-7 lbs a week. I mean I know I was doing a little wishful thinking because normally I don't believe in them and boy, what a fluke of a product. lol! Well, it was a fluke for me, made me sick and lethargic (side effects) Needless to say, I returned it and got my refund. That is how I came across this website and lead me to your diary, thru that silly product and thankfully so, because your diary is a good incentive for me to continue what I have longed for for such a long time now. Freedom. So I am back on track again with my band and working WITH it and not against it. Drinking my liquids, doing some mindful eating, etc. I don't' exercise 2 hrs a day like before because I felt like I was overworking my body (wear and tear) so I've reduced it to 30 mins a day. Currently, I'm at 217 lbs. A little rough during the holiday season, but very doable to continue my weight loss journey. I'm at size 14/16 in jeans vs size 22/24 when I started. And you know, even after a WLS like we chose to do, apart from that, there really is no short cut, but boyyyyy the band sure is a nifty tool to have with regards to portion control and it does take about 2-3 years to transition in a new healthy lifestyle. The ride can be a little bumpy at times, but eventually you land smoothly. Thank you for the diary, Tracy. Sincerely, Lod Last edited on 24 November 2008 11:54 pm by Lod24 |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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YAY LOD! YOU GO GIRL. I am v. proud of you and I am glad that my goofy and very candid account could help. Hang in there, we didn't get this size over night and we won't lose it all over night either. T |
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Dondi31 Distinguished Member
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Tracy, Haven't heard from you for a while. Are you bolgging somewhere else??? |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Nope.. just haven't been blogging. I'm still 250ish and holding. I will be going back to the Doc to get adjusted. WAs waiting on the new year and the new insurance to kick in so I could afford the adjustments again. I'll report after. I'm maintaining but def. not losing and to durn lazy to workout. |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member
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Hey Tracy! I just wanted to say how much I miss your posts & humor; you still around or did those 'rainbow wheels of death' carry you away??? Hope all is well for you. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I'm still here and still skating on occasion. I'm down to 235 and feelin' great. I was 350ish at my top weight. I just got adjusted again about 8 weeks ago and though I have never gained any I had stalled out and since the adjustment lost another 15 lbs and now another 5 to put me at 235! I still say this was the best decision I've ever made and have never regretted it for a second. Busy with my yard (almost 4 acres 1 of which I use as THE YARD) and I'm still gone 12 hours per day working and commuting. I'm up to 16 rosebushes and my herbs all look FABULOUS. Hope to have some tomatoes, squash & peppers soon to go with all my yummy herbs. I am MOST excited about a cheese workshop that I'll be taking in MA this fall in MA from the Cheese Queen. I'll be making my very own mozerella, ricotta, creme fresh and farmers chedder (to name but a few) and I CAN'T WAIT! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Delicious BugBGone made by Star.. CHECK, Swimsuit on.. CHECK, Coffee..CHECK, bandana..CHECK, Sunscreen on face..CHECK...motivation to push mow almost an acre..MEH |
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Scoobees Distinguished Member
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Yay Tracy! So glad you're still around and doin' fabulous!! 235 - wow!!!!!!!! You have come a looooong way!!! By the way, that cheese workshop made me drool just a little. Good luck on push mowing that acre! |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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I am now currently fighting a war with Japanese Beetles who are munching on my roses. I've surrounded them with geraniums, mexican merigolds and onions and I think it's helped, there aren't as many this year but it may be early in the season. Next year I'll be adding catnip and garlic around them as well. The beetles really don't like the way they smell. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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ugh.. so I've had poison ivy for about 1.5 weeks now and they have me on prednazone. evil evil stuff. can we say munchies. I've been cravaing avacados like no ones business. I've been mixing/cutting up 4 per day with salt and homemade salsa & eating those with pringles. fortunately it doesn't leave room for much else but good gravy the fat content.. |
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Hisgal Distinguished Member
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Hey Tracy, glad to see you are still around! Congrats on the 235! Doesn't it feel great? Have you stopped to think about how much better you feel, than what you did at 350 lbs.? Sorry to hear about the poison ivy Miserable stuff! Just had to say "Hi!" I've been so busy, that I rarely get out of the "diary" section to see who's around and what's going on. Keep on with the wonderful weight loss! The lap band sure seems to be working for you. |
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Synicalchick Distinguished Member
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Hey cutie. LOVE your picture. I broke down and went to the Doc this a.m. and got a super powerful steroid shot. the pill form steroids weren't working (except that I've gained back up to 241). Should be dried up in a couple of days. so, anyone that has read any of my post, may or maynot remember my struggle with drinking.. water in particular. Well, I have stumbled across 'miracle' water. NO ASPERTAME! that is SO hard to find in sugar free stuff. It's the 0 calorie Lifewater from SoBe AND it has the important vitamins in it like vitamin water (which I LOVED but it was loaded with calories) but without the aspertame or calories. It's been so frustrating. in my experience, flavored water was either loaded with calories or carbonated or had aspertame in it. YAY SOBE! My favorite flavor is the fujiapple Pear but I also like the black and blueberry and the mango. Give it a try. In my area Target has them on sale 10 for $10 (20 ounces bottles) and a $5 gift card. I've got 3 gift cards so far and plan on buying more this week while on sale so when they AREN'T on sale I use my cards! I'm drinking 2-3 per day... that's 40-60 ounces of water folks! That is AWESOME for me! peace out T |
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First Consult: 1/3, 2007
Viewed online 'seminar' 1/3
Appt to discuss Psych eval results 1/15
Insurance approval__2/13____?
VEHEEERRRRy convenient. I slept pretty well last night surprisingly (thanks to the two Tylenol p.m.) and woke up about 6. I got up and showered with the monkey blood soap stuff they gave me that kind of dried my skin out, got out of the shower and laid down with my heating pad until my sweetie got up and got ready. I put on my best/favorite pair of tie dyed socks and undies and threw my favorite denim dress over my head, grabbed my little stuffed moose and away to Baptist we went. 
... ALL 331 lbs of me.
Wasn't a real comfortable experience and lasted a little long for my taste.. but.. the things we do for beauty
. All that took what seemed to be about 40 minutes or so then they wheeled me into my room where I got to hang out and watch Oprah, the news, then Hank Hill. Had to wait around until someone looked at my rays to make sure things could go down. I had lots of ice in the meantime. 
He did say that I could shower tomorrow. You should see my incision bandages.. they cut the gauze into heart shapes....:) 
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