I have been super busy and definately preoccupied with finishing my nursing degree.  Well I did it....finally I passed the clinical in New York.  The only other obstacle is NCLEX-RN.  I am currently studying for it and hope to take it in 3-4 weeks.  Just awaiting my Authorization To Test......exciting and scarey.

Exercising has not been consistent....working on once again making it a daily priority.  I just feel like every ounce of free time I have should be spent studying.  My weight fluctuates between 181 and 187 on any given day.  I don't fret about it as I am sure that once I get back to a routine exercise plan, I will drop some more.  I would love to reach goal eventually.

I feel good.  I am still taking my 'truck load of vitamins' daily.  There are days that I do not get in my protein goal....which is 80-90 gm.  I do get my water in...love the Glaceu vitamin waters.  I stick with the 50 calorie per serving flavors.  20 ounce bottles.  I have some aches and pains in my hips....I figure it is from the years of abuse they took with the 100+ lbs of extra weight I carried for so many years.  Tylenol helps a little, but all is ok for the most part.  I have episodes of reactive hypoglycemia if I don't eat frequently enough.  I deal with dumping when I eat too much sugar or too much fatty foods......just the other day I ate some grilled chicken and darn if it didn't make me feel really yucky....go figure.

I am working 16 hour shifts every Sat and Sun.  Hopefully that will end shortly after getting my RN license......definately want to see a different side of nursing.  I am over long term care.  Heck, I love having the days off during the week, so if I could find something comparable in a hospital...I would probably stick with those hours.

Had to have a 2nd emergency surgery on 4/23/09.....another internal hernia.  This one did not take nearly as long to diagnose.  Started having that oh so familiar severe abdominal pain the 2nd week of April, the attacks started occurring every time I ate, but would subside....but then the eve of 4/22/09 I had eaten half of a grilled hamburger patty and wham....the most intense severe pain ever.....looked at hubby and said I know what this is, get me to the ER....so despite not really wanting to go to my local ER, I went anyway....I knew they would not know how to deal with me.  I was correct.....they was rude and crude, diagnosed me with a partial small bowel obstruction.  They did this with a CT scan.  I told them my history for the hundredth time and begged them to look at the scan again and specifically look for an internal hernia, I begged them to call in the local bariatric surgeon so he could look at it, they refused.  They wanted to admit me and give me fluids, pain med and wait to see if it would correct itself.  ABSOLUTELY NOT I told the ER MD.  Of course he was offended, I did not care one damn bit.....told him I was calling my bariatric surgeon, which I did right there in the ER exam room.  Dr. Cacucci returned my call within 5 minutes, I gave her the run down of events, she told me I needed to be seen by a bariatric surgeon, I told her the hospital refused to call the only one on staff, so she said to bring my lab results, CT scan disc and drive directly to St. V's and she would call in a direct admit order for me.

Local ER made me wait 45 minutes for my test results..they where upset I was signing myself AMA and going to ST. V's.....they even tried to tell me that they would not be able to do anymore for me than they could....I said fine....I doubt that and I will take my chances.  Finally arrived at St. V's at 11:30 pm....Dr. C came in, looked at CT disc and said internal hernia.  I was in surgery by 1:00 am.  Confirmed Peterson Hernia.  Dr. C flat out told my husband if I had waited and stayed at the local hospital I would have died.

So please please please NEVER EVER ignore abdominal pain and be your own advocate.

Despite the complications of 2 internal hernia repairs, and gallbladder removal I can honestly say I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat.  I still want to lose 40-50 lbs and eventually I will get there.  I have gained so much from what I have lost so far.  I got lots of loose jiggly skin....but it is ok...I would rather have loose jiggly skin than walk around looking 9 month pregnant.

I am a work in progress....I no longer judge my progress by others.  Everyone loses in different ways and at different paces.  When I get a bit down cause the scale isn't moving in the right direction....I look back at where I was in Aug 2007 before surgery.  I also hold my self accountable for slacking on the exercise.  Things will fall into place....eventually.....like I said...I am a work in progress.

Missy-h

I had my 6 months post op appt this past Friday.....it just so happened to be exactly 6 months to the day.

I had lost 93 pounds on the surgeons scales.  I wish I could have made it to 100 pounds lost by my 6 month anniversary.....oh well, all is good, no one can complain over 93 pounds, I could have NEVER been this successful without wls, that is for sure.

I have been in a stall for most of February.  I suffered with the flu for almost 2 solid weeks, man that stuff sure does kick you in the a**.  High fevers, aches and pains everywhere and then some, no appetite.....I did really good though gettting in the fluids, thank heavens for that, I do not want to battle dehydration.  I believe that Unjury Chicken soup was my primary if not only source of protein while sick,,,,,,that stuff was my saving grace.  If I tried walking on the treadmill, even at a much slower pace, I became short of breath and very dizzy.  So needless to say I am sure that the lack of exercise has greatly impacted the weight loss.

But, good thing is, I am feeling better and am walking again.....it certainly isn't like the fast paced incline walking I was doing, but I will get there again.

In Feb I completed another Nursing Concepts exam and passed it!!!  Only 5 more tests to go and I can apply for my clinical.  I really do hope to complete it this year, so everyone cross their fingers for me.

My clothes continue to get loose, and I am buying smaller sizes.....it is funny, whenever I go shopping I find myself still looking at the size 26/28 pants and shirts......as a matter of fact I bought a couple of shirts on clearance the other day and my size options was 18/20 and 22/24, well stupid me grabbed the 22/24 thinking the other would not fit and since they are long sleeved and to wear now, MISTAKE!!!  They are a bit too loose.  Oh well, they was only $5 a piece and I am going to wear them, maybe they will shrink a bit when I wash them.

It just blows my mind how our minds continue to deceive us into believing we are still big after weight loss.  There are days that I still struggle to see the weight loss in the mirror and pictures.....don't get me wrong, I know I have lost, but if someone asked me what I thought I had lost based on looks alone, I would say about 25 30 pounds.

I have a horrible low self esteem, always have and always will, I know wls won't fix that.  I have always hated looking in a mirror because of the weight and just the plain simple fact that I believe I am ugly.

I have lost 8 inches off of my waist.  I was at a 48 inch waist and now I am 40 inches.  I will post my 6 month post op pics from the Dr.'s visit as soon as they email them to me.

OH and everyone have so very supportive and educational for me during this journey, I am so blessed to have found this place, I would be lost without it.

I hope everyone else is doing great.

Missy

Well the holidays are over and I can say I did really well food wise.  I enjoyed the feasts with my family, but stuck to my nutrition plan and program.  I stuck with my exercising with the exception of a few days that I spent 10-12 hours out shopping.  

As of today I have lost 76.4 pounds and I feel great.  Hubby says my face is really looking different.  He glanced at my driver license picture in my wallet and stopped in mid sentence and said wow what a difference already.  That made me smile from ear to ear, the check out lady in the store gave us an odd look, but that is ok.  : -)

My current weight is 221, I am just chomping at the bit to hit onderland,.....so close, bet yet it seems so out of reach.  

I am packing up more and more of my clothes as they are really getting big and sloppy looking.  I am going to try on a set of my scrubs and see how they fit......just for a good giggle and more inspiration.....I haven't had them on since April 2007 because I am staying at home and knocking out my classes for my RN.  The scrub sizes are 4x bottoms, and 4-5 x tops.  I am wearing a 18-20 shirt now and 20 or 22 jeans, depends on the brand.  Down from a shirt size of 30/32 and pant size 28.  I guess I am a progress in work.

I feel great, I have no problem getting in my protein....if you have seen some of my posts lately....I actually asked if one could get in too much protein.  I can easily get in 60-70 grams with my meals as I choose to eat meats, fish, cheese, high protein pudding and I still drink 1-2 shakes a day.  I don't mind them at all, I use Muscle Milk Light or Unjury, and it helps me get in the fluids as well, so it is a win win deal.

I switched from the Citracal creamy bites a little over a month ago, I got so tired of the flavors.  I now use the powdered calcium citrate called UpCal D.  3 packs a day gets me the 1500 mg.  Still taking my Flinestone's chewables, I don't love them, but I don't mind them.  I knew there would be things I would have to learn to live with in order for this surgery to work for me before I went under, and I made the committment and plan on sticking with it.  Hey whats a little gritty taste every day in exchange for a healthier and thinner me???

For the first time in years, I am looking forward to what the new year will bring my way.  It is such a refreshing outlook, I am once again loving life.

Hope everyone is doing well, and I wish everyone a wonderful and very Happy New Year.

Missy

I am feeling fine.  Getting the hang of post up life more and more as each day passes.  Got through Thanksgiving with no hiccups.  In all honesty, some of the "old" favorites that are now allowed, well....after a taste, I find myself questioning Why in the world did I eat that all the time.  This is not a bad thing.

For instance, prior wls, we loved going to eat at The Old Spaghetti Factory.  My favorite on the menu was Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese.  Well my dgt and I went there and ate yesterday.  I ordered my favorite thinking it is going to taste so good......well, it wasn't bad by no means, but it just didn't hold the same appeal for me as it used too!!  I ate half of the salad served, and 6 bites of the spaghetti and I was satisfied.

I remember when I could order the extra large portion, eat all of the salad, share 3 loaves of bread and butter with the family and eat the ice cream they offer at the meals end, and let's not forget the 4 or 5 soda refills.

I am so glad that I can finally have salad, and tolerating it well so far.....knock on wood.  I have to say I really did miss it.  I always have loved salad.  Here is another funny.....prior wls, the taste of Light Ranch dressing was horrible to me...I refused to eat it at any resteraunt and never bought it.  Well being a good girl, the Light Ranch has been my dressing of choice, and it tastes just like the reg Ranch that I remember!!
YIPPEE.

My 10 year dgt attended the Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus concert in Indianpolis yesterday.....of my what a crowd.  Imagine being a 15 year old girl drawing that much attention.  Anyway, my dgt is crazy about her and we was lucky enough to get tickets.  It was wonderful and memorable mom and dgt day out on the town.  Concert, shopping, and dinner out just the two of us.  I will be loading a pic of my dgt in front of one of the Tour buses.  Have a look.

I have no regrets regarding wls, I have been fortunate and have had no complications.  I would do it again tomorrow if I would be blessed to have insurance approval.  Nothing that I have had to give up means more to me than this weight loss and the slow building of my self esteem, and a healthier happier me.

Clothes are getting so slouchy looking, but it is hard to buy new ones when you know (hope) that they will not fit for long.  I did break down and buy an outfit for our night on the town.  Funny the first time you go shopping and like auto pilot you start picking out the larger sizes that you have worn for so long.  I actually started out trying on a size 26 jeans, and a 26/28 shirt.  Needless to say, I had to keep trying on smaller sizes.  I did look much neater and better put together in smaller clothing, so with that said, I guess I will go to the local GoodWill and see what I can find.

Since I probably won't update again until after the upcoming holidays, I will wish everyone joy and happiness along with good health.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Missy

Well yesterday was 10 weeks post op and I am down 57.4 pounds.  I am very happy with that.  I have only lost 1 pound over the last 11 days.  I guess I am in a mini stall.  That is ok too.....I have learned from  all the posters here at OH that this is quite normal and it is just my body adjusting.  Now 6 weeks ago when I had a bit of a stall, I was freaking out....I just knew that I had lost all I was going to lose.  So with this stall, I am keeping it calm.

I feel good with the exception of a stomach bug that my kids and I had for a couple of days this week.  I certainly have more energy....I find myself going to bed later and waking the same time as usual but I certainly feel rested.

My back pain has pretty much stopped, and I don't know if it is coincidence or if the weight loss has helped, but my headaches are far and few between and not as severe when I do have them.

I find myself moody from time to time, I guess that is the hormonal changes that are occurring in my body.

My head hunger is lurking about less and less, or I am able to get myself through an episode relatively easy by distraction.

I think I am wearing out my treadmill....it is over 10 years old....maybe Santa will bring me a new one for Christmas!!  LoL

Overall, life is good and I can't complain.  I am thankful everyday that I had the surgery and have zero regrets.

Missy