I'm having a bit of a hard day today. I'm very constipated, and i don't know how to change it. I ate oatmeal this morning and i'm trying to drink lots of water today, because i heard that helps. I hope so! I spent 4 hours in the restroom last night, and today am very sore. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know!

This is my first time blogging ever.  I attended the support group yesterday for the second time since my surgery on Feb 10, 2009. I was so impressed by the love and support from everyone there.  I am so inspired by all the successes and beautiful people who attended that I want to work that much harder to be a success story. Thank so much to all those out there who have worked so hard to live again. You have inspired me more than you will ever know!!

Day 1:

After weighing myself for the first time in months, I realized that I weigh more now than I did before I had Lap-Band Surgery last year. I was planning to "get back to basics" on Monday, but I decided to start early once I saw the scale. So...today's Day 1. I'm really scared and unsure if I'll be able to do this again. What if it doesn't work? What if I can't kick my food addiction and beat it for good? What if I'm just supposed to be a fat chick? I can't answer any of those questions, but what I do know is I'm going to try. I can't begin to try answering my questions or changing my bad habits if I don't try. I'm going to give it my best effort (something I hardly ever do) and hope for the best. I think I have the right support and attitude to make it work this time. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...Katie

Oh My God!!! I had such a great time. I hope everyone else did to. A decent sized group met me at 600 Main for dance lessons and fun dancing! It was so much fun! Hopefully in the future more of you could come!!!

Okay, so here is my beginning.  My journey with WLS began on March 16th, 2009.  After 6 months of waiting, crying, stress, insurance denial and frustration I had the RNY procedure.  The surgery went great and Dr Hausmann and his staff were absolutely fab through the whole process!

A week into my recovery, I developed an infected incision.  I had recovered without incident after several different types of surgeries in the past (2 c-sections and an abdominal hysterectomy) and knew that with any surgery there is a certain amount downtime.  I figured this one will be a breeze compared to the others.  Afterall, it was laproscopic and I would not have to deal with being split open again.  I thought I would be out for 3 weeks, tops! 

Well, 3 weeks turned into 9 weeks. So many things to deal with all at one time!  Packing an incision twice a day; not being able to sleep like I normally sleep; dealing with the smell of an infection (the worst!); being weak from surgery; harmones raging from the weight loss; wanting to exercise and yet I couldn't even walk across my house without wanting to pass out from exhaustion; wanting to eat and take my supplements but not feeling like I could eat anything; the awful taste in my mouth due to ketosis; wanting to drink water by the gallon and only being able to sip, sip, sip.  Add to the mix that I was also worried about keeping my job.  Making those weekly phone calls to my supervisor to tell him that I was gonna be out a bit longer without being able to say, how long, created a stress for me that I had not counted on.  So roll all of this up into a ball, and you have a pretty good understanding of what my state of mind was in the beginning.  At the end of my second week, I broke...and the tears began to fall.

People who had been through surgery attempted to prepare me mentally. They said that I would go through a certain amount of difficulties and to be prepared. WLS is only a tool and it is not a quick and easy fix.  The road ahead is gonna be difficult, but it will be worth the struggle.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I had taken all of these words so lightly.

Into my second week, I didn't know for sure.  You see, I had fallen deeply into what I call the "OMG Factor".  I can only decribe it as that because it was what I kept thinking.  "OMG, what have I done to myself?"  "Did I make a huge mistake?"  I know that everyone who has WLS goes through some form of it.  You wonder if you will ever be normal again, yet the reason that you did all of this in the first place was to get back to some sort of "normal".  So I prayed and asked for help from everyone, to keep faith alive and to push twords "normal".  I pushed myself to eat, drink my water and heal my wounds.  I pushed to walk and to take a shower, to go outside and to see visitors when all I wanted to do was lay on the sofa and cry.  It was not easy.  But, pushing is myself is what I do best.  So I pushed everyday to do what I could, no matter how little and make sure that every day was not wasted.  When I put my head down every night, I wanted to feel like I had accomplished something that day.

Weeks passed and as I began to heal, I began to also see the results that I had been hoping for.  The weight started coming off.  I started walking more and feeling better day by day.  I wanted this surgery and to see the results so badly and now it was coming to pass.  By the time I was released from care (9 weeks out), I had lost approximately 35 pounds. 

It has not been an easy road.  I can say that without reservation.  Now, I am approximately 16 weeks out.  I have lost 60 pounds and have gone from a size 26 to a size 18.  I cannot wear any of the clothes that I wore before my surgery and I have started to have mental changes as well as those great physical changes that everyone hopes for. Some of these changes mentally, I will have to have professional help with.  I am not above admitting that.  I am not perfect.  I have daily struggles with food.  I am addicted to say the least.  But, that is why I decided to go through all of this.  It was the only way I knew of to keep me honest.  

I just thank goodness that I had a great support system!  My husband of 17 years, my girls and other family and friends, including several of my friends who had already begun their journey down the road that I have begun to take.  I thank goodness everyday for the second chance that I have been given.  So the burning question is...do I regret it?  Not in the least.  It's working and I am working it!

Hello ladies and fellow "losers".  Gosh it has been almost 2 years that I had GSleeve surgery.  At first, I lost 47lbs.  My goal was to lose 80 lbs. My insurance had an exclusion so this was paid out of my pocket.  True, I have had alot happening since the surgery.  My mother passed away and she was my rock.  I have SADS so winter months is deression city.  My spouse is still supportive to a degree.

I think I fell off the wagon.  I gained 9 lbs back and recently another 5lbs.  For the life of me, other than not having a regular exercise program, I do not understand what is going on with my body. I have awful gas pains and pressure on my bladder.  Drink whatever most of the day.  Yogurt is my favorite food.  I use it for smoothies - gladiator powder.  Sugar free and fat free are my friends.  So what gives.

Today I have vowed to start documenting what I put in my mouth.  I do have thryoid problems and high blood pressure still.  I think the diabetes has also returned.  I have blood work scheduled for next week.

Two things that I did was diet coke...carbonation bad for you.  And the biggy is not exercising like I should.  I will be 58 yrs old in September and I sure need to get back on track.  Still shaped like an apple.

I really need some support.  This group has been fantastic but my work is irregular and it is hard for me to make meetings.  I need an exercise Buddy who likes to swim, I have a pool.  I am limited as I broke my ankle in 2006 and having difficulty putting weight on the leg and foot.  Hopefully after the 17th of July, that will change.  Scheduled to have the hardware removed.

Please give me some pointers to get back on track.  Can someone tell me about the new endoscopic procedure and the cost of it.  Has anyone had it done?

Linda

I can't believe it's been almost a year and a half since I had the vertical sleeve.  I've lost 121 lbs. and lots of inches . . it is a good time to reflect on the gifts that this journey has brought me.  There's a lot for which to be thankful -- so where do I start??? I am thankful for a wonderful husband, who has supported me from day one.  He has always been there for me and is very proud of my accomplishment of losing 121 lbs. and 69.875 inches since surgery.  The support of my family and friends was vital to the success of my weight loss, and without everyone's help I know I would not be where I am today on this wonderful weight loss journey . .  .  . as I continue on my weight loss journey I no longer have to deal with constant foot and leg pain, I have more energy than I've had in years, and I have confidence in myself and a great feeling of accomplishment.  I enjoy exercising (did I say that?); especially walking and riding my bicycle --- and let's not forget about dancing!!! I love to dance and have been able to enjoy dancing now more than ever.  I'm also thankful for the many new friends that I've made through OH and the support group meetings that I faithfully attend -- both those that have had WLS and those that are contemplating WLS --- Just as I appreciate my friends for helping me through my journey, I'm now able to provide support and hope to others.  I encourage everyone who is contemplating weight loss surgery or who has had weight loss surgery to continue going to the support group meetings -- I believe it is vital to the success of my weight loss!  FAYE   
 

Two weeks ago, I had a Dr's appointment and I had to weigh-in. I was confronted by my archnemesis...the scale! Sadly, I am 10 lbs. heavier than I was BEFORE I had my Lap-Band surgery two years ago. I feel like such a failure at this point. That being said, I've decided to take action, once again, to jump-start my weightloss efforts. I've started boxing! A friend of mine encouraged me to join his gym, LA Boxing. I was pretty excited and really intimidated at the same time, but with the help of my friends, I signed up and went to class. I can only do 30 mins of the hour long class, but I already see improvements after this first week. Yesterday, I stayed 40 mins instead of my usual 30. Everyone it really encouraging and are newbies to boxing, just like me. It's also great to be able to get my frustrations with myself and other things that are going on in my life out. I can't wait for Monday!

Since I've got the exercise regimen down, my new problem is eating. My eating has sort of increased with this new boost in metabolism. Does anyone have any suggestions about how to start over?

Thanksgiving Day was my Six Month anniversary. I didn't realize that special fact until this morning. (Thanks for the email reminder, ObesityHelp!)

The last six months have been bitter sweet. I lost my full time job and probably lost a good bit of my frustration and stress in the process. There have been money woes, but I've had the opportunity to focus on walking and exercise earlier in the process instead of later. My new career focus involves medical marketing and leading this weight loss support group. I love New U and I truly believe New U loves me back.

I don't know what I expected from my revision to the Sleeve. I expected a much slower weight loss because I was revising. It seems to be going pretty fast, but due to fluid retention flucuations, I have had stalls, weight gains and rapid declines. The scale is a cruel task master, but the tape measure is my friend. My thigh, waist and bust measurement decreased by 3-5 inches. I was about a size 26/22 (top/bottom) and I am wearing loose 18s and hope to squeeze into some cute Size 16 jeans by Christmas.

I go to the buffet often -- the exercise buffet. I walk daily, run a (very) little, play tennis, work out at Contours Express and have tried my hand at Bocce and hiking.

  

I look at those pictures and I might cringe a little at the sagging skin and (huge) bat wings, but I am trying to use those things as positive indicators of progress and inspiration to get a job that will help me afford plastic surgery to fix my abs and my arms.

I think it will be neat to see a BMI of under 40. Lots of people start there, but I remember when I thought folks with BMI nears 40 were "lightweights." I will take lightweight obese over super morbidly obese/heavy weight any day.

My present goal is 200 pounds, but I will re-evaluate at that point and set another goal for the final count.

Thank you for sharing this journey with me and inspiring me to fight on.

Onward!
Frances

Yeah!!! It's been 7 1/2 months! Things are going very well! I've lost 137 lbs and feel great! I don't lift weights like I should and I need to pick up more on my excercise. It seems that now that I have a second job all my time during the day is gone. Maybe that is because the sun goes down quicker too! :) I'll have to focus a little harder to make sure that I get my excercise because I loose much slower now, and I don't want to quit yet! my goal is to loose 15 more lbs by Christmas! I know it's possible!!! I just need to work hard at it!!! If I loose that...I will weight under 200 lbs! YEAH!!! I don't remember the last time I weighed under 200!!!

September 16, 2009 - 6 Months Out

Surgery: Gastric Bypass - RNY

Doctor: Mark Hausmann

Current Losses:

Weight: -76#

Chest: -8.25"

Waist: -10.50"

Hips: -10.75"

Neck: -2.75"

Upper Arms: -2"

Thighs: -6"

Calves: -.25"

Blood Work: No Vitamin Deficiencies!

Initial Clothing Size: 26

Current Clothing Size: 16 or XL

~~I am playing softball in a women's league for the first time in over 10 years and I am loving it!!~~

Well as scepticle as I was about that 5 Day Pouch Test thing, here I am on Wednesday of week 2 and I am down another 1.1 lbs. HOORAY! If anything this little book has given me the confidence I needed to get back on track. Who would have thought that this would have set me on my losing ways again. I am back to the excited stage again about my weight loss. This has been the longest and hardest adventure of my life. But also the most rewarding and I can't imagine having done it without all of my friends at the weight loss support groups. The encouragement that I have gotten from all of you has been nothing short of miraculous. I could not have done it without you. Thank you for all of your help and support. See ya'll Thursday!

Yeah! I'm more than half way to my final goal! I have now lost 102 lbs! I'm very excited! Feeling great and working out hard!

...i embarked on the journey of my lifetime!  On October 27, 2008, I had the VSG and today I am pleased to report, I have a new lease on life!  Literally!.  I am down 79 pounds! (I so wanted it to be 80 for today but "oh, well")  No--Absolutely no--prescription medicines or machines to weigh me down!  Yesterday I shared with a captive audience at my church how this has proven to be the miracle I needed to reclaim my life.  I was informed that an automobile tire weighs 20 pounds.  If that is the case, six months ago I was carrying around the equivilance of 4 extra car tires everywhere, everyday!  No wonder I was dying!  No wonder I was crabby!  No wonder I didn't like my own company!  Today I am in so much gratitude for this journey and for the wonderful people God has placed in my path (YOU) to cheer me on, to give me love and support and to add a  new dimension to my life.  Thank You God and Thank you all for being there for me!

Big Big Hug,

Nannyre (Marie)

 In the ALS for deaf people, the sign for L is the thumb and index finger opened to form the shape of L.  In teenager terminology, L signed to the forehead means "LOSER"

I said all of that to say this.  I am so grateful for this journey that God has me on, that I developed a new prayer of thanksgiving.  The other day as I was coming from a boutique after shopping on the NORMAL side, I had this big ole grin on my face and was in so much gratitude, that I literally looked up and held the big L sign up to Heaven!  It felt so good that it has now become a thing between me and HIM!

And now that I've shared it with you, you can do it too, if you'd like! (You LOSER you!)