TashaBeach
My Favorite Pic from Christmas 2005
185 lbs.
Welcome to my new and improved Website! A few things have changed and I want to say from the start that I had the Adjustable Lap Band... not the Gastric Bypass... I'm a little anal about the difference... there's a huge one! This journal starts at the beginning, so if you are looking for the lastest entry, it's at the end... thanks for stopping by!
May 2003
I'm 32 years old, married and the mommy of 2 boys. I've been heavy all my life! I finally decided to accept that I would be overweight and fat forever so... I gave away all my clothes that I couldn't make myself squeeze into anymore. Then...2 months later I heard about this great surgery called the Lap Band. Hmmm? Sounds pretty good, better and safer than the gastric bypass in my opinion. Wow! My insurance will pay 90%? Maybe I should check this out???
Yahoo! I've been approved! My surgery date is scheduled for Aug. 11. Dr. Alldredge will be doing my lap band! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!
28 hours and counting! I'm going crazy... these last couple of days have dragged on forever! Everyone here has been so awesome to write in and give great advice and support! Thank you so much! I'm not too nervous anymore. I just keep thinking that once I get into the O.R. I'm going to fall asleep and wake up before I know it and everything will be all done! I do have one nightmare... I wake up and the doc tells me that he did a gastric bypass... hee hee! That's what scares me but I'm confident I will be fine! I've heard so many success stories! When I went to the doctor I found out I weighed more than ever... 274...AND then they asked me to take off my shoes...well, course I'll weigh more with them on! Lol Then I found out I had shrunk 1/2 an inch! So this made my BMI go up... being the positive person I am I thought, OK that makes me a better candidate for the surgery. When I weigh myself at home I'm around 265, of course you know what I like better, but tomorrow I'm going to buy a digital scale and go with that weight. So I'll go with those numbers tomorrow. I'm due at the hospital at 2:15pm so I'll have plenty of time to run some errands, hopefully to keep my mind off the impending excitement!
Post-Op - August 13 - I'm baaaack! The surgery was "textbook" as the doc told me. I'm a great candidate for this and I will do great!
My tummy is a little sore, which I think can be expected since it underwent a little surgery. I have 5 little incisions (1" & under) and 1 bigger one (2"). They feel ok and just have steri strips over them. They will wear off in about a week. My back kills and is really sore! I can't wait to sleep on my side again.
My pain medication (Loritab Elixir) did absolutely nothing for me. I think I needed a higher dose (You know what a druggie I am). The Dr. didn't seem too concerned about it. I don't feel any differently without so I haven't taken the last two doses.
Once I get in the shower today, I'm sure I'll be feeling really good. I am able to walk around and sit up for a while. I had water, apple juice, orange jello, green jello and chicken broth throughout the day yesterday. I even had 1/2 a saltine with the broth. I just kept it in my mouth until it was completely dissolved... doesn't this sound like fun!?!
I'll probably try some different foods today... maybe yogurt or pudding or applesauce. I'll just take it realllllly slow. I don't want to get sick!
Oh yeah! On Monday, I bought a new scale, it said I weighed 269.4...now it says 264.2!!! I've lost 5 lbs. since Monday! That's a lifter-upper! Well, I'll talk to you all again soon! Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes! I appreciate all you do for me!
August 14, 2003
My shower was great. I was nervous about getting the incisions wet, but that wasn't a problem at all... they patted dried just fine. I felt very refreshed... clean hair does that for me!
I don't really feel deprived of food right now because I'm still in the "not really feeling like eating mode" I know I should, so I do. I was just eating jello, apple juice and the broth the first day, but guess what I had for dinner??? Grinded up spaghetti...it was soooooo good. I told my hubby not to eat the leftovers, but to save them for me! I probably only had about 2 Tbsp. but is was great and I even had a tiny piece of garlic bread. It was really good! My tummy started to hurt so I stopped eating. I can't tell if that is what feeling full is like yet cause my stomach hurts a little still when I don't eat. Time will tell, I'm sure. The incisions are feeling much better today. I'm able to sit up in bed and get up without them hurting anymore, except for the bigger one, where the port is.
I can get up and move around and sit down. I put two couch pillows on the recliner chair, one on the seat and one on the back and it gives me enough support so I don't feel like I'm sinking in and can get up pretty painlessly. After about an hour I'll go lay back down, watch a movie or doze off.
I didn't tell anyone besides my family about the WLS until 2 days before. Everyone has been really supportive and all the emails, and cards and visits have been nice. I do know what you mean about not telling them. This is how I finally figured out my thought process. I think I didn't want to tell them cause I didn't want to be responsible if I didn't lose weight. If it came off great, if not, they wouldn't know the trouble I had gone through. Now I figure I am responsible and accountable for my WL and hopefully they all will be supportive through my ups and downs.
Down another pound...263.2! Yahoo!
August 17, 2003
Things are going great! People can't believe I'm up and moving around. I'm so glad my doctor has me on the "Healing Diet" instead of liquids. I really feel like I have energy! The Healing Diet lasts for 4-6 weeks and the #1 principle is: If it goes down easily without being chewed, it's probably ok to eat. So that includes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, carnation instant breakfast, boost, cottage cheese, refried beans, mashed potatoes, etc. Then there is the list of foods to be pureed or run through a baby food grinder: spaghetti, turkey, chicken, stew, soups, canned peaches or pears, green beans. When I saw the Healing Diet I felt much better because I was so worried about the "feeling deprived" feeling. If anyone wants a copy...email me. I know I won't be able to keep all these things on my diet after the 4-6 weeks. After that I go to more of a protein diet.
I haven't been feeling hungry very often and I think it is more my brain thinking I need something and not my stomach. I have been so excited to get on the scale everyday and see a loss... here we gooooo.... drum roll please.... 256 pounds!!! I've lost 13 pounds in 6 days... and that's while eating food and not being on a full liquid diet! I'm loving this! Good luck to all!
August 28, 2003
It's been a while since I posted anything. It took off all my steristrips on Monday... the incisions look great! I'm using Mederma to help with the scarring. It's great stuff! My podiatrist suggested I used it after some foot surgery I had in January, you can't even see the incision anymore! If you're interested, it sells for around $13.99 at Costco or Sam's Club in the pharmacy...it's over $20 at the grocery store.
Everything was going great until Sunday, Aug 24. I didn't wake up until 11am, my hubby came in to ask me if I had not slept very good last night... must not have. Well, I figured I had already missed breakfast, so I better get something in my system PDQ. I fixed myself a scrambled egg. After about 3 bites I couldn't have any thing else, it kind of made me sick. Then I started having diarrhea. Then we went to church. We got home around 4:30pm and I still didn't feel like eating anything. I tried some left over chicken but after one bite that felt like that was getting stuck and I tried to wash it down with a drink and that just hurt. So I went to bed. I woke up the next morning, not hungry and in a flurry to get my son out the door for the first day of school, didn't think about making myself anything for breakfast. I work at the school part time so at 11:15 I went to do the playground duty with my other son. We got done around 12:45 and I had a raging headache...could it be that I'm dehydrated? So I stopped at 7-11 and got a Crystal Lite Slurpee. That was nice and my headache started to go away. Later, around 2:30 I ground up some spaghetti to have. It tasted great. Tuesday night I wasn't feeling so hot again and went to bed after having a little bit of cottage cheese and half of a string cheese. Wednesday morning I woke up around 3 am with a horrible stomach ache. I was able to go back to sleep for a couple of hours but at 7:30 I really felt like I needed to get something in my tummy, so I sipped some water...then I started dry heaving!! YUCK! My stomach was REALLY hurting now! Luckily my 2 week post-op with my doc was at 9:30am. I was in horrible pain. Dr. Aldridge said it was probably just a bug and to treat the symptoms. He gave me an anti-nausea suppository (I know, eeeeew!) and some liquid hydrocodone. The nausea stopped and so did the stomach ache after taking 3 tsp. of the pain meds. I was able to sleep and rest. I am finally feeling a bit better today. I really don't think it had anything to do with the banding, it probably just added to the pain, not causing it. It was frustrating to be sick because I have felt so wonderful and everything has been going great!
Well, at the doctor's appt. I weighed in at 250... 18 pounds lost! Yahoo! I am really starting to see it in my face and chest area. Let's hope it keeps working itself down the rest of my body. It's nice to see my BMI going down too! I'm exciting for my first support group coming up on the 16th of Sept. Bummed, I have to wait so long to go. They have split into 2 groups because so many people are having the surgery now. I think it's awesome!
September 3, 2003
Well, I've been hovering at 250 since my last post... that's ok, cause I'm starting to tell I'm losing inches now. I put on a button down shirt today that before the band I had to hike up around my waist or not button the bottom button... TODAY...it buttoned all the way down and laid nicely around my hips! Yahoo! I also started working out yesterday! It was great! I went today too... do you think I could get addicted to this? Never thought that could happen. I just know I need to treat the gym like it is a part of my work day! I've figured out the plan to stick with it...I'm fitting it into my day. I leave work early enough that I can work for 30 minutes before the kids get home off the bus! So far it feels great, not even sore...YET!
September 17, 2003
My one month anniversary was September 11, 2003. I took my measurements and couldn't believe what I saw! I had to keep measuring and remeasuring! I've lost 14.5 inches!!! I measured everything before my surgery...even my double chin! I'm proud to say that I've lost 3/4 in. from my double chin! Yahoo! I can't believe it! I felt like I had plateaued for a while but now I realize my body needed to catch up! I've lost 22 pounds.
I went to my first support group last night. It was great! I definitely don't ever want to miss. You really get inspired and have a new motivation! I love the info we get and the people you meet. I met a few people at the meeting that I had only talked to online before... Hi Wendy! The next group will be meeting at Curves and working out. I'm excited to check out a new gym...my membership at LifeStyles ends in December. Rock On Baby! Keep the weight comin' off... I wanna be a loser!
Sept. 29, 2003
Yahoo! I got my first fill on Sept. 24. I was nervous, but it was a breeze. Now I know why you don't hear people really talking about them...they are really NO big deal, pretty painless! Well, since then I have lost 7 pounds! I really needed that to boost my weight loss again. I feel renewed and ready to try harder to lose lose lose! I also rolled and twisted my ankle last Sunday. The first thing I thought of as I was rolling in agony on the floor was...I can't go work out??!!! I did start physical therapy on my ankle, though. I have weak ankles and roll them a lot! So I'm happy to strengthen them so this hopefully won't happen anymore! I'll probably go work out today for a little bit, but not push it! 12 more days until my 2-month anniversary...I can't wait to take my measurements again!
October 12, 2003
I'm back from a little weekend in Palm Springs with 4 of my girlfriends...it was a blast and I didn't even gain any weight! I have now lost a total of 30 pounds and a total of 23.5 inches! Yippee! I can't believe it! I have really been happy and never second-guessed my decision. I do think it is time for another fill though. I feel like I'm able to eat too much and I don't feel like stopping! Yikes! Dr. A is out of the office until Oct. 28... so my next appt. is that day! Thanks to everyone who has "patted me on the back" and continue to do so!
October 28, 2003
Well, I went in for my 2nd fill today. The nurse weighed me and we both realized that I had lost 14 pounds since my last fill on Sept. 24. After talking with the doctor we decided not to do a fill since I'm still losing and feeling great. I just feel like I am able to eat too much, but if I'm still losing weight (more than 3lbs. a week) why fix something that's not broken. I'll go another 2 weeks and see how things go! Yahoo! I love going to the doctor's office cause the nurses are awesome! They give me "yipees! and yahoos!" and when Dr. Alldredge came in the room today he said, "Hey Skinny!" Things are going great! I'm loving' this.
November 28, 2003
Rough couple of days!!! I got my 2nd fill on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. I wasn't worried cause this year I really wanted Thanksgiving to be about family and friends and not about food. I think Dr. A put too much in my band. I think it might be too full... I can't eat anything without getting totally sick and throwing up. The pain before I throw up hurts soooo bad! After the pain stops I'm fine but as soon as I try to eat something OUCH!! I had 3 bites of tuna fish and thought I would pass out. I've tried cottage cheese too. I was able to keep 3 tiny bites of turkey down on Thanksgiving. I will call the doctor and leave a message today and hopefully get in on Monday to see him and hopefully have some of the fluid removed! Ugh! My first fill I had 1 cc injected. This time the doc said he put in 1.5 cc but I'm not sure if that was in addition too what was already in there or not! We'll find out soon. On a better note, I'm down to 229 and have lost a total of 26.5 inches.
December 1, 2003
Hallelujah for Unfills! I had an unfill today from Dr. Alldredge. Today was his surgery day but afterwards he went into his office and I was able to run right over as soon as I knew he could see me! He took out .3cc and now I have 1.2 cc of fluid in my band! It feels wonderful to actually be able to eat something again without getting totally sick and throwing up! This band is great and I am soooo glad it is adjustable! Yee Haw!
December 10, 2003
It's been rough lately! I have pain and get sick EVERY time I try to eat something! I called the doctor today and left a message. He called me back and said, "Hang In There, give it sometime." Isn't 10 days enough? Well, I was able to eat some cottage cheese and a small slice of cheddar cheese and a couple bites of ramen noodles tonight for dinner. This is the first "meal" I've actually eaten since before thanksgiving without pain. I certainly hope things are getting better down there... in my tummy!
Tomorrow is my 4-month anniversary. I'm excited to take my measurements, although I don't think much has changed. Since my fill I have only been to the gym twice. I really haven't felt very good and been really tired... probably from lack of protein and food! I am down to 225 pounds though. It's been so long since I've seen those numbers on a scale that it doesn't seem real to me!
December 22, 2003
I'm feeling so much better! I went in last Wed. for ANOTHER UNFILL. Dr. A took me back down to my original fill of 1cc. I can eat again, and I've lost 3 pounds since my unfill! I took my measurements on 12/11/03 and I have lost a total of 33.5 inches! Yahoo! Merry Christmas to me!!!
January 14, 2004
Happy New Year!! It's been quite a while since I posted. Eating still is painful, sometimes. My band is really tight in the morning and open late at night.
I took my measurements on my 5th month anniversary. I've lost a total of 37.5 inches and 54 pounds. The biggest surprise is losing 6.5 inches from my waist, 7 inches from my gut/hip area and 6.5 inches from my thighs (about 3.25 each thigh!) My BMI is down to 34.5 from 42.9. I am no longer morbidly or severely obese…just obese! The weight loss has really slowed down, but I am still happy! I'm down to a size 18 pants and XL-1X tops. I put on a Large vest last night. It has been very exciting and was great to have John bring me home some new clothes last night! He said, "Honey, this stuff wasn't in the "Big Girl" section!" Woo Hoo! Until next time! I actually weigh less than my driver's license says! Hee hee!
February 3, 2004
It's been a while... I went to see Dr. A last Wednesday. I still haven't been able to eat without getting sick and I was SICK of it! Dr. Alldredge completely unfilled my band and HALLELUJAH! I feel like a real person again. I go back this Friday to start to refill it. I'm nervous! I don't want to be too tight again! I'm still losing weight, well, I haven't gained anything since the unfill, so we'll see what happens! I've been really happy and love the band! Love that it is adjustable and love that it is my friend again!
February 11, 2004 - Hey!! Today is my 6 month BANDIVERSARY!!!
Woo Hoo! I've made it this far and have loved the journey!
I was banded on 8/11/03. I started at 274 and this morning I weighed 216...that's -58 pounds. I have lost 43.75 inches! Unbelieveable!
Of course there have been good days and bad days! Thankfully, the good have far out-weighed (no pun intended) the bad! The band is awesomebecause it can be adjusted to work specifically for me!
I was in size 26 jeans and last night I could pull the size 18 jeans down over my hips w/o unbuttoning them!!!! I'm almost out of the "BIG Girl" section at the store... it will be scary shopping in the smaller sizes and seeing size 2 or 6!!! I'm up for the challenge though! Bring it on!
My hubby has been great! What a support system! He loves to bring me home new clothes to try on and tell me..."I didn't even have to look in the Plus Sizes!"... I love trying on clothes now!!
I love obesityhelp.com! You have all helped me along the way. I love reading all the posts, hearing people's trials and accomplishments! I love how we all get along and encourage each other!
I love the Lap Band! This is a wonderful tool! I want to shout it from the roof tops and tell the world! I love telling people about the band and how I have lost my weight! I share a lot of the experiences I have read about people from the messageboard. You guys are awesome!
Thank you everyone! Thanks for always being here for me! Keep up all your good work!
-58 lbs....more than half way to goal!
March 21, 2004
Wow! My 7 month bandiversary has come and gone already! Let's see where I am...
On March 5 I went to the doc's office to start the refilling process of my band. He filled me up to .5cc. It was the easiest fill I've ever had.... now I question if the fluid actually went in the band? I haven't felt any restriction yet, but I didn't before until I was filled to over 1 cc... so I'm not worried. After the fill I weighed 210 pounds!!! But since then I have been hovering between 210-212...PLATEAU???? Uuugh!
As of March 11, I have lost 49.75 inches. Wooooo HOOOOOOO! I'm in a size 16 jean and this is unbelieveable to me! I will soon be entering the sizes in my life when my mother still bought my clothes! I don't remember being this small... although my wedding picture looks it, I don't remember it!
I bought an exercise ball and really enjoy it. It is a low impact workout, but it makes me sweat! I can feel the burn! Dr. Alldredge's support group is awesome! I love it. I took in my size 26 jeans in the beginning of March and Dr. A took my picture and asked if I wanted to be on the website... Heck ya! I love the band and love to share info about it!
May 25, 2004
Huge Plateau! I've been celebrating my success a wee toooooo much! I'm still at 212-214... at least I haven't gained too much!
I found out Dr. Alldredge's website is www.svsurgical.com If you click on the part that reads "More About The Lap Band" and scroll to the bottom... there's my picture!
I actually had someone recognize me! I was at my boys' chess club meeting at school and another parent came up to me and asked, "Did you really have the lap band?" I hadn't really talked to her before and hadn't shared that I had the band. I said, "Why Yes I have!" and she told me she saw me on the website! I thought that was REALLY cool and made my whole week!
I go in today for another fill. I'm nervous about getting too full again, but know I really need it. I am able to eat way to much and I shouldn't be allowing myself to do that!
John, my hubby, just got a membership to the same gym so hopefully we can motivate each other to get over there more!
Tash
June 8, 2004
Not full yet. Going in tomorrow for another fill. Can't really feel any restriction.
I have been exercising though! Now that school is out I can get up early, go work out, and be back hours before the kids crawl outta bed!
I had my profile beautified by Sharon Neva... doesn't it look and sound great? Now I just need to get my pics in here!
July 13, 2004
Things are going much better... I'm losing weight again. Mostly, because I am so stressed out about the parade float I am building for the Days of '47 Pioneer Parade in Salt Lake City. Vivienne says my band is so tight probably due to the stress, but I have lost 5 pounds since I was at the doctor's a week ago today. I think I'll keep it up until after the parade and see if my band loosens up! At this rate I will definitely hit my "Under 200" goal by my 1 year bandiversary on August 11, 2004!!
Oh! I've lost 68 pounds and 55.25 inches!! I've lost 10 inches from my hip/gut area and 11 inches from around my thighs... how, oh how did I ever allow myself to get that big! It's unreal to me.
I saw a picture someone had taken of me while working on the float last week. I didn't recognize myself. My brain still tells me I'm fat and I have that image in my head. I'm not used to this skinnier me! It was really weird to see and I looked more like my sister than myself. This is a whole new world for me and I'm loving it!
July 20, 2004
Still really tight, but eating a little more solids. I lost 7 pounds in 11 days... due to the fact that I couldn't eat anything. The stress from the float is killing me! I was down to 203.8, which was freaking me out. I'm back up to 206 and I feel fine about that. I keeping going back and forth on whether to ask for an unfill. I want to see if after the stress is relieved a little if I will start feeling less restricted??? I'll probably go in to the doctor's anyway!
July 29, 2004?
I went in for an unfill today because I am still sooo tight and can't eat very much at all. I'm feeling sick and throw up a little when I eat. So I went to the Doc's office. I told Vivienne how I was feeling and when she saw the scale she said, Why yes, you have lost a considerable amount of weight since you were here last.... like 8 pounds! So we did an unfill to to .8cc. Vivienne said to expect to gain at least 5 pounds back. I'm not worried cause that was a lot to lose in such a short amount of time and am feeling pretty exhausted and weak!
August 11, 2004
Happy One Year BANDiversary to meeeeeee! Wow! What a difference a year can make! All the changes in my body and life! I'm so happy I love my band!
I feel like getting up and putting makeup and trying to look nice!
I look happy! (had a compliment from someone about that)
I have energy!
I can play with my boys without huffing and puffing!
I like running to places... not using the car!
I fit on the rides at Lagoon!
I don't feel like a cow!
As of today, I am 204 pounds. I have lost 70 pounds and 56.75 inches! Wooo Hooo! I never would have believed those numbers if I hadn't taken my measurements before surgery!
I still feel a little tight and had my 1 yr check up yesterday with Vivienne. I had only lost 1/2 pounds since I was in last and she thought maybe I should have another unfill because, when you are too tight you tend to eat the wrong things... AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH! Chocolate and ice cream go down much more smoothly than chicken and proteins! I didn't have an unfill but we'll see how the next few days go! We are off on vacation to Idaho and Yellowstone! I am soooo looking forward to getting away and enjoying my family! Talk to you when I get back!
Tasha
September 13, 2004
13 months since being banded! I'm still not under 200 pounds yet and I haven't tried very hard... I've just been happy, letting things happen as they will. I'm down to 202 and on my way to that ONE-derful life! (Just 2 more pounds to be in the 100's!!!)
I've lost 58.75 inches and feeling so great! I'm loving this skinnier feeling. The size 16 jeans are getting looser and John keeps telling me things look too big on me and get rid of them! Lovin' it!
My friend Stephanie, who I haven't seen since before surgery said she had never known me with a jaw line...lovin' it! I'm probably now to what I weighed when I got married, if not before that.... that's about 13 years of fat... gone!
Stephanie is one of my scrapbooking buddies and I have alot of scrapbook supplies. I hauled it all over to her house Saturday, but before I went I weighed my bag because it felt really heavy. It was 51 pounds... and I've lost 70! I can't imagine carry all that weight around... it's astounding!
Well, I'm off to run errands and work at the school! Until next month!
Tash
November 14, 2004
Geez! Laweeeeez! It's been a long time! Ya know, ya just get so busy living life that time just flies!
Well, I finally got under 200 pounds! Yahoo!!! I'm currently 198. I have seen 196 and sometimes back up to 199 and I'm feeling great!
I lost a total of 76 pounds and 63.25 inches! WOW! I am so happy! My BMI has gone from 42.9 to 30.9... 12 points! Woo Hoo for me!
I'm feeling pretty hot in my tight jeans, not feeling like I'll bust at the seams anymore! Someone took my picture the other day and afterwards I thought, oops! I should have sucked it! Well, I got home and checked myself out in the mirror... sucked it...no change!!!?! My stomach still looked flat! This is soooo cool!
I love showing off my size 26 jeans! People just don't believe or remember me that fat... neither do I!
Our Holiday Bash for my support group is November 30. I'm excited to meet new people and hopefully lots of my friends that I have just talked to online will be able to come and we can meet face to face! I can finally put a face with the name!
I'm feeling so great! It is so awesome to have a great time playing with my kids and actually "running" everywhere because I want to and CAN do it! I better run! I'll try to write again sooner next time!
December 1, 2004
Last night was the South Valley Surgical Holiday Bash! What fun! It was great to see everyone! I made up a "get-to-know-you" game where you had to find someone that had the same doctor as you, or same number of fills, or had less hair than Dr. Hansen. Allison made a Before and After board with our pics and weight, surgery and NSV info. I didn't even recognize some of the people! Dr. Hansen & Dr. Alldrege spoke and gave some stats on how the practice is going. Dr. A also introduced the new "House Call" program website. It sound wonderful, and I can't wait to get online with other SVS Banders. They have patients from all over Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, so this will be a great way to stay in contact with the people that can't always come to support groups. Vivienne read "You know you're a bander when..." and there was an awesome raffle for some awesome gifts! I won!!! Woo Hoo! I couldn't believe it!... and to top it off I won exactly what I wanted! The heart rate monitor! I can't wait to use it!
Some of my Non Scale Victories (NSV)
* I can wear cordoroy without people looking around to see where "that sound" is coming from.
* Being able to take a bath without causing a dam effect with my hips.
* Only having one chin.
* Being told I do have a jawline.
* Being told "I didn't recognize you!" It's the best compliment EVER!
* Needing a new wedding ring because mine is too BIG!!
* My brother's marveled over me at Thanksgiving... "Tash, you're skinny!" (I have never, ever, ever been called skinny before in my life!)
* Wearing a size 14 dress
August 10, 2005
It has been a long, long time! Tomorrow is my 2 year bandiversary! Woo Hoo! I can't believe how the time flies! I'm still totally, completely, and utterly happy with my band!
In February I had to have my banded emptied again, and I still haven't gotten a fill. I started having heartburn, first just at night. It would wake me up and then I started getting it during the day.
Vivienne, my nurse at the Doc's office, said it was a sign of being too tight... oops, I'm already empty! So I had an x-ray to check to see if my band had slipped, nope! The band looked fine. So now I'm on Nexium. It has controlled the heartburn.
I want to get a fill but I'm nervous too. I'm still tight and still pb once in a great while, but I often get that full feeling.
I have maintained my weight for a year now! I'm excited about that! I need to lose more weight, and know that I can. I just need to get motivated. Being back here at obesityhelp will help!
December 12, 2005
Well, Hello There! Things are going just as well as ever! I down to 185... that's 89 pounds lost! Yahoo!
I've found out that I have esophagitis so I'll be on Nexium for the rest of my life. Okay. The doctor is also trying to tell me I have hyperthyroid...whatever! You are suppose to be really hot all the time with Hyper and I'm always COLD! I don't have hardly any of the symptoms of hyperthyroid so I'm really curious about what the heck is going on. Nothing is bothering me or causing me problems. I just had a blood test and this is what the doctor says. I have an iodine test on Wednesday to see just exactly what is going on.
Life has been great and continues to be. I got a new job and I'm loving it! It's fun to show my Before pictures to people... they just can't believe it. I love comments like: "I would never have recognized you, or I got the chills when I realized that was really you!"
It's now been 2 years and 4 months since my surgery.
January 19, 2006
Okay, I guess the Grave's Disease IS real. Strangely, in the last 2 weeks, I've started having more and more symptoms, to the point I can't bare it anymore. I even contemplated having my band removed if that would help anything. I went to an internist yesterday. He is an awesome doctor and I feel better already, knowing that he is helping me. We are going to treat the Grave's Disease first and see if this helps the digestion problems I've been having. He put me on Reglan for digestion and Ambien so I can sleep. After taking my new meds yesterday, I didn't have any heartburn or reflux, I didn't wake up in the middle of the night and I slept and entire 9 1/2 hours! Life is wonderful again!
August 11, 2006
Today is my 3 year Bandiversary! I can't believe how times flies when the weight flies off!
To date, I have lost 103 pounds (412 sticks of butter) & 76 inches! Happy Days!
My goal weight use to be 180. Now that I'm under that I don't know what to say my goal weight is? I'm afraid to say a number! I know I don't want to go below 150, I think I would just look sickly! I can feel my ribs on my chest, below my shoulders and that just grosses out my sister (so I do it often!).
People don't recognize me and tell me I look 10-20 years younger! This is the greatest! You can check out my blog at http://bloggerofthebeach.blogspot.com/
