angieb77
Clothes
Sep 19, 2011
So with all this weight loss I have had to give in and finally started getting some new clothes. My clothes were literally falling off of me. I was trying to hold out for as long as I could. I had a mini shopping spree at Lane Bryant. I got a pair of "jeggings" and they were a size 22! Crazy!! They were a bit snug at the waist but I know I will continue to drop sizes fast. I got such a great deal on them. Clearance rack Seven jeans originally 70 dollars and I got them for 9.99 and I had a coupon on top of that so I paid less then 5 dollars for them. I had my husband take some pictures of me wearing them.
So one thing I am sad about is getting rid of all of my old clothes. I don't know why but it is just hard for me to say goodbye to them. I don't know why. I love that I am losing weight and can buy new clothes but I guess it is sad saying goodbye to some of my old favorite items. So I have started to clean out my closets. I've decided that I am going to list my items on eBay. That way I can get some extra cash toward having to buy new clothes in the future.
1 comment
So one thing I am sad about is getting rid of all of my old clothes. I don't know why but it is just hard for me to say goodbye to them. I don't know why. I love that I am losing weight and can buy new clothes but I guess it is sad saying goodbye to some of my old favorite items. So I have started to clean out my closets. I've decided that I am going to list my items on eBay. That way I can get some extra cash toward having to buy new clothes in the future.
100lbs + lost!!
Sep 11, 2011
I've been meaning to make a post since last Tuesday but things have been pretty hectic and busy around here. I hit my 100 lbs weight loss last Tuesday. I was down to 275! I was so excited to weigh in when I went into exercise class last Tuesday. I'm not sure what I am at now because I just weigh in once a week at exercise class. We got a schwinn airdyne exercise bike for free on craigslist. It is in excellent condition and I am so excited to have it. :) We picked it up last weekend. We went and did some shopping last week on Labor day and I went into Lane Bryant. I was curious to see what size I am now. I started at a size 32/34. I was shocked to find out that I am already down to a size 22/24! I was super excited. I took pictures in the dressing room of me in my brand new pair of jeans. I didn't want to buy a lot of clothes but I did pick up a new pair of jeans, work pants and a few shirts. It was a crazy sale day at we got 40% off of everything including the 40% off of items that were already on clearance. I haven't been able to shop in Lane Bryant for probably the past 3 years because I got too big to fit in their clothes.
I don't know if anyone has any clothes they need to get rid of. But I imagine this fall/winter I am going to be in need of size 22/24 and 18/20.
We went out to dinner a few times last weekend for my husbands birthday. One thing that really amazed me was how easy it was to get into a booth. I no longer have to request a table. When we went out for dinner for my husbands Birthday I easily slide into the booth with an inch or two to spare between my belly and the table. I was shocked!! Especially shocked because I am almost the same size as his sister and mom now that I have lost all the weight. But I did notice they both had issues with the booth being tight up against their bellies. But Ive been very good staying away from bread (I haven't had any since surgery) and I'm trying to do lower carb items, although I did try mashed potatoes but I boosted up the protein in them.
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I don't know if anyone has any clothes they need to get rid of. But I imagine this fall/winter I am going to be in need of size 22/24 and 18/20.
We went out to dinner a few times last weekend for my husbands birthday. One thing that really amazed me was how easy it was to get into a booth. I no longer have to request a table. When we went out for dinner for my husbands Birthday I easily slide into the booth with an inch or two to spare between my belly and the table. I was shocked!! Especially shocked because I am almost the same size as his sister and mom now that I have lost all the weight. But I did notice they both had issues with the booth being tight up against their bellies. But Ive been very good staying away from bread (I haven't had any since surgery) and I'm trying to do lower carb items, although I did try mashed potatoes but I boosted up the protein in them.
3 lbs away from 100 lbs lost!
Aug 31, 2011
I went into the clinic for my blood pressure check today. My doctor had moved me down to half a pill of metoprolol a few weeks ago. My bp was excellent today actually better then what is considered normal. 114/68. She is going to pass the info onto my doctor and I am guessing she is going to take me off of the bp med. She said if my bp was good at half a dose then she would take me off of it. I got weighed in and I am 278! Just 3 lbs away from 100lbs lost. Crazy! I have almost lost almost half of what I was hoping to lose. That definitely makes me see what a dent I have put into things. I know I still have a long ways to go.
I really want to get some exercise equipment. I'd like to get an exercise bike and/or a treadmill. I know they would be very convenient having them in the house and it would be good to use them especially in the winter when I probably won't be as motivated to go out and exercise. We have also been contemplating a gym membership. We have some exercise clubs called Fitness 19. I'm not really sure what types of equipment they have but they are very reasonable in price $17/month. I just don't know if I would feel uncomfortable exercising in front of skinny people. If I'd feel self conscious and uncomfortable with it. I also don't know what kind of equipment they have. But I have a coupon for a free month of membership there. So it might be worth checking out.
I've been looking at maybe changing jobs. Considering finding something full-time. I feel like I can handle and do a full-time job now and it would be nice to have the extra money. We haven't heard anything back yet on Marvin's ctscan. Hoping that we hear back soon from the surgeon. I left him a message on Monday but haven't heard anything back. I know they aren't in the office on Wednesdays so I am hoping we will have some sort of news tomorrow. Next Monday is Marv's birthday. We are going to go out to eat this weekend to the Texas Roadhouse. We haven't eaten out much since my surgery but we have once or twice and it went okay.
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I really want to get some exercise equipment. I'd like to get an exercise bike and/or a treadmill. I know they would be very convenient having them in the house and it would be good to use them especially in the winter when I probably won't be as motivated to go out and exercise. We have also been contemplating a gym membership. We have some exercise clubs called Fitness 19. I'm not really sure what types of equipment they have but they are very reasonable in price $17/month. I just don't know if I would feel uncomfortable exercising in front of skinny people. If I'd feel self conscious and uncomfortable with it. I also don't know what kind of equipment they have. But I have a coupon for a free month of membership there. So it might be worth checking out.
I've been looking at maybe changing jobs. Considering finding something full-time. I feel like I can handle and do a full-time job now and it would be nice to have the extra money. We haven't heard anything back yet on Marvin's ctscan. Hoping that we hear back soon from the surgeon. I left him a message on Monday but haven't heard anything back. I know they aren't in the office on Wednesdays so I am hoping we will have some sort of news tomorrow. Next Monday is Marv's birthday. We are going to go out to eat this weekend to the Texas Roadhouse. We haven't eaten out much since my surgery but we have once or twice and it went okay.
Big update
Aug 24, 2011
So a lot has happened. My husband Marvin did not end up having his vertical sleeve gastrectomy. When the surgeon went in they discovered that he has an enlarged spleen. Like 3 times the size it is supposed to be. He also has a second spleen which is about the size of a ping pong ball. The surgeon removed scar tissue from his previous appendectectomy and moved the stomach back into its normal spot the spleen had grown so large that it was pushing on his stomach. We thought he had a hernia. That is what one of his previous doctors diagnosed his as having. He had a large buldge when he would do a crunch right below the breast bone. Turns out it was his spleen. He has undergone a lot of bloodwork since the attempted surgery; He had a ctscan done yesterday. We are hoping we will have some news by the end of this week. The surgeon is pretty sure he is going to have to have his spleen removed which he can do when he does the vsg. We just don't know anything yet on when that might be rescheduled. If he has his spleen removed he is going to have to get immunizations.
For me things have been going smooth. I am down a total of 95 lbs. I can't wait to get down 100lbs. I've tried some new things this week. Probably not the best things to try. I tried Chinese food at my parents house when they ordered it. I had beef and broccoli and a little bit of chicken chowmein and a scoop of the inside of a eggroll. It tasted alright but my stomach really didn't like it much. It didn't taste as good as it used to. Chinese food was my favorite. I also tried a slice of dijjornio pizza the other night. I was able to eat 3/4 of a small slice. It tasted so good, too good. Going to have to stay away from that for awhile.
I haven't tried rice or mashed potatoes trying to stay away from carbs, well at least trying to do lower carb. I have been staying away from desserts and cakes, etc. Cake is my huge weakness but I haven't given in. We've been pretty busy we've added another puppy to our family.
I've noticed a lot of changes in my body. I have some loose skin between my neck and under my chin. Kind of annoying but I know it is from the weight I've lost. I think I need to get a good skin firming lotion to use on my face and neck. I can do things a lot easier now. I have energy. Not everyday some days I feel wiped out. But for the most part I am feeling the best I have in a very long time. My nails have been crap. Peeling and breaking, weak and bendy. They are short and I am trying to keep polish on them. Before surgery they were so strong and they wouldn't even bend because they were nice and thick and they grew so fast and were long. I am taking biotin but I'm not sure if it is helping. Seems like I am losing a little bit more hair. But thank god I haven't noticed much of a difference on my scalp yet. I have thin hair as it is! I'm using my oxygen a lot less then I had been. Right now just using it as I am active and exercising. Staying up a little bit too late at night :P Which reminds me I should go to bed! I hope that all is well with all of you and sorry I haven't been around on the blogs or forum much lately.
1 comment
For me things have been going smooth. I am down a total of 95 lbs. I can't wait to get down 100lbs. I've tried some new things this week. Probably not the best things to try. I tried Chinese food at my parents house when they ordered it. I had beef and broccoli and a little bit of chicken chowmein and a scoop of the inside of a eggroll. It tasted alright but my stomach really didn't like it much. It didn't taste as good as it used to. Chinese food was my favorite. I also tried a slice of dijjornio pizza the other night. I was able to eat 3/4 of a small slice. It tasted so good, too good. Going to have to stay away from that for awhile.
I haven't tried rice or mashed potatoes trying to stay away from carbs, well at least trying to do lower carb. I have been staying away from desserts and cakes, etc. Cake is my huge weakness but I haven't given in. We've been pretty busy we've added another puppy to our family.
I've noticed a lot of changes in my body. I have some loose skin between my neck and under my chin. Kind of annoying but I know it is from the weight I've lost. I think I need to get a good skin firming lotion to use on my face and neck. I can do things a lot easier now. I have energy. Not everyday some days I feel wiped out. But for the most part I am feeling the best I have in a very long time. My nails have been crap. Peeling and breaking, weak and bendy. They are short and I am trying to keep polish on them. Before surgery they were so strong and they wouldn't even bend because they were nice and thick and they grew so fast and were long. I am taking biotin but I'm not sure if it is helping. Seems like I am losing a little bit more hair. But thank god I haven't noticed much of a difference on my scalp yet. I have thin hair as it is! I'm using my oxygen a lot less then I had been. Right now just using it as I am active and exercising. Staying up a little bit too late at night :P Which reminds me I should go to bed! I hope that all is well with all of you and sorry I haven't been around on the blogs or forum much lately.
Today's the day of my husbands vsg
Aug 10, 2011
I'm really nervous for my husbands vsg surgery today. More nervous then I was for my own. 
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Sore muscles!
Aug 09, 2011
Ouch! I am definitely feeling yesterdays workout this morning. We went to our exercise group at Mercy hospital last night and I tried a new machine out. It was a recumbant elipitical machine. Boy am I feeling it in the backs of my thighs. Ouwie!!
So I have been starting to wean off of my oxygen. It has been going pretty good. The first few days were hard and I just felt like I needed to wear the oxygen. After I started to get used to not having it on it seemed more normal to not have it on. I still have to wear it when I am active/exercising and when I am asleep. So I don't use it when I am home relaxing, I just put it on when I am out and about. I know in the beginning it was definitely a comfort thing. I think that I had gotten so used to the oxygen that it was actually comforting and "normal" to have it on. I know it took some getting used to not wearing it. But I feel so much better now that I am starting to wean off of it. I see the pulmonologist in September so it will be interesting to see if I can fully go off of it by then or what she has to say.
Tomorrow is my husbands sleeve surgery. He was lucky and didn't have to do a pre-op liquid protein diet. He is today on clear liquids so I know it will be rough for him. I think he is getting a litlte nervous about surgery.
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So I have been starting to wean off of my oxygen. It has been going pretty good. The first few days were hard and I just felt like I needed to wear the oxygen. After I started to get used to not having it on it seemed more normal to not have it on. I still have to wear it when I am active/exercising and when I am asleep. So I don't use it when I am home relaxing, I just put it on when I am out and about. I know in the beginning it was definitely a comfort thing. I think that I had gotten so used to the oxygen that it was actually comforting and "normal" to have it on. I know it took some getting used to not wearing it. But I feel so much better now that I am starting to wean off of it. I see the pulmonologist in September so it will be interesting to see if I can fully go off of it by then or what she has to say.
Tomorrow is my husbands sleeve surgery. He was lucky and didn't have to do a pre-op liquid protein diet. He is today on clear liquids so I know it will be rough for him. I think he is getting a litlte nervous about surgery.
2 month out bloodwork results
Aug 08, 2011
Some pretty good news 
Here is what my doc said, "It looks like you are anemic although your iron levels are just a little suboptimal. We'll start you on liquid iron once daily and I have sent this to your pharmacy. I would like a follow up hemoglobin in 4-6 weeks at the lab.
Your diabetes has resolved. Normal vitamin B12 level.
The rest of your labs are still pending."
Vitamin B12 = 715. (247-911 is normal range)
Hemoglobin A1C = 5.5. (4.3-6.0 is standard range)
Vit D2 = 5 ug/L
Vit D3 = 34 ug/L
Vit D total = 39 (Standard range is 30 - 75 ug/L)
Ferritin = 56 (Standard range 10-120)
Iron = 35 (Standard 35-180)
Iron Binding Cap = 323 (Standard 240-430)
Iron Saturation Index = 11 (Standard 15-46)
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Here is what my doc said, "It looks like you are anemic although your iron levels are just a little suboptimal. We'll start you on liquid iron once daily and I have sent this to your pharmacy. I would like a follow up hemoglobin in 4-6 weeks at the lab.
Your diabetes has resolved. Normal vitamin B12 level.
The rest of your labs are still pending."
Vitamin B12 = 715. (247-911 is normal range)
Hemoglobin A1C = 5.5. (4.3-6.0 is standard range)
Vit D2 = 5 ug/L
Vit D3 = 34 ug/L
Vit D total = 39 (Standard range is 30 - 75 ug/L)
Ferritin = 56 (Standard range 10-120)
Iron = 35 (Standard 35-180)
Iron Binding Cap = 323 (Standard 240-430)
Iron Saturation Index = 11 (Standard 15-46)
Doing great!!
Jul 29, 2011
I had a follow up appointment with my PCP today. She is really a great doctor. She was just in awe over my weight loss and kept saying how happy she was for me. She wouldn't stop staring. I know the weight loss is very noticeable in my face and neck. My weight is now down to 291lbs. I have lost 84lbs so far. She is lowering my dose on my blood pressure medicine to half a pill of metoprolol 25mg and then I have to go back in 2 weeks for a nurse to check my bp and if it is normal she is going to take me off the bp med.
I just got done with my second period since having the surgery. I got it 39 days after my first period post op. This one was shorter and luckily wasn't quite so heavy. It was really heavy during the first few days and the cramps were god awful!! But it got better after the first 2-3 days. It lasted for 7 days this time instead of the 14 days like the first one did. So I am grateful that things seem to be regulating themselves. I passed a lot of huge clots this last period like I did with the first period. My PCP said that is probably because of how many years of lining I have built up in my uterus. I have been charting my period and symptoms on a ap on my android phone. She told me to continue with that so that we can see if I establish a pattern.
She ran a bunch of blood work it will probably be a week before I hear back. She was going to run my Vitamin D levels, B12 levels and recheck my iron/anemia. I will most likely have to go back on a iron pill once she gets the results back. I was anemic prior to surgery.
I did get a little bit of good news. She retested my oxygen levels and she said that when I am not active or sleeping that I don't have to wear my oxygen anymore. That was awesome news! I see the pulmonologist in September so I hope by then maybe I will be improved enough to go off the oxygen. I'm sure she will want me to have another sleep study done to check my sleep apnea.
My husband had his weight check with our bariatric surgeon yesterday. I am a little envious he does not have to do a pre-surgery liquid protein diet. He has lost more then the doctor was requiring him to. So he just has to do full liquids the day before surgery. Lucky duck!
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I just got done with my second period since having the surgery. I got it 39 days after my first period post op. This one was shorter and luckily wasn't quite so heavy. It was really heavy during the first few days and the cramps were god awful!! But it got better after the first 2-3 days. It lasted for 7 days this time instead of the 14 days like the first one did. So I am grateful that things seem to be regulating themselves. I passed a lot of huge clots this last period like I did with the first period. My PCP said that is probably because of how many years of lining I have built up in my uterus. I have been charting my period and symptoms on a ap on my android phone. She told me to continue with that so that we can see if I establish a pattern.
She ran a bunch of blood work it will probably be a week before I hear back. She was going to run my Vitamin D levels, B12 levels and recheck my iron/anemia. I will most likely have to go back on a iron pill once she gets the results back. I was anemic prior to surgery.
I did get a little bit of good news. She retested my oxygen levels and she said that when I am not active or sleeping that I don't have to wear my oxygen anymore. That was awesome news! I see the pulmonologist in September so I hope by then maybe I will be improved enough to go off the oxygen. I'm sure she will want me to have another sleep study done to check my sleep apnea.
My husband had his weight check with our bariatric surgeon yesterday. I am a little envious he does not have to do a pre-surgery liquid protein diet. He has lost more then the doctor was requiring him to. So he just has to do full liquids the day before surgery. Lucky duck!
My sleeve likes pickles!
Jul 20, 2011
I loved pickles prior to surgery and I was curious when I could try to eat them again. At my last appointment with my nurse she said I could try them (obviously in moderation because there really is no nutrional value). She said I can eat them as long as I chew them good. I love kosher baby dill pickles they are my fav. I haven't had baby pickles yet but I have tried dill pickle hamburger slices. I like to have 2 or 3 "pickle coins" with a meal especially if I have tuna salad. Yumm! 
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I am offically in twoderville!!
Jul 19, 2011
I weighed in at our exercise class tonight at 295!!! I was so excited. I have lost a total of 80lbs!! 50 pre-surgery and 30 post surgery. I don't know when I hit twoderville because I only weigh myself at the exercise class and it is only once a week that we can go to the hospital gym for free. It is a program that is sponsered by our bariatric center. I can officially say I will never weigh 300lbs ever again!! :)
I used the nustep machine for 40 minutes stepped for almost 2.5 miles and got a good cardio workout. Debating on resigning up at the hospital for their exercise program. It is 30/month but they are only open until like 7pm at night and not on the weekends. That is one of the huge bummers. But they do have a lot of bariatric friendly exercise equipment. I don't know if anyone has ever used a nustep machine it is a recumbant stepper and it works both your arms and your legs. I love it! It is very low impact on your joints. I am exhausted and we've had heat indexes of 112 the past few days. It is like a jungle here in Minnesota. Totally not a typical summer. We occasionally have a few days of heat like this in August but not in July. It has been really bad. I got a puppy on Thursday. She is a 9 month old Puggle. We adopted it from my husbands aunt, the puppy's name is Lola. I really want to take her for walks but with this heat index it is just not really safe to be exercising outside especially since I am still on O2. I go back to the pulmonologist in September.
Time for bed!! My constipation is much, much better. I am using miralax either daily or everyother day. And I am drinking a small glass of prune juice which is helping. I'm still meaning to get started on taking fiber. I wanted to get my bowels pretty regular first. Ok off to bed before I fall asleep at the keyboard
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I used the nustep machine for 40 minutes stepped for almost 2.5 miles and got a good cardio workout. Debating on resigning up at the hospital for their exercise program. It is 30/month but they are only open until like 7pm at night and not on the weekends. That is one of the huge bummers. But they do have a lot of bariatric friendly exercise equipment. I don't know if anyone has ever used a nustep machine it is a recumbant stepper and it works both your arms and your legs. I love it! It is very low impact on your joints. I am exhausted and we've had heat indexes of 112 the past few days. It is like a jungle here in Minnesota. Totally not a typical summer. We occasionally have a few days of heat like this in August but not in July. It has been really bad. I got a puppy on Thursday. She is a 9 month old Puggle. We adopted it from my husbands aunt, the puppy's name is Lola. I really want to take her for walks but with this heat index it is just not really safe to be exercising outside especially since I am still on O2. I go back to the pulmonologist in September.
Time for bed!! My constipation is much, much better. I am using miralax either daily or everyother day. And I am drinking a small glass of prune juice which is helping. I'm still meaning to get started on taking fiber. I wanted to get my bowels pretty regular first. Ok off to bed before I fall asleep at the keyboard
About Me
Blaine, MN
Location
47.6
BMI
Surgery
06/07/2011
Surgery Date
May 16, 2011
Member Since
