Crystal Vincent
3 Months!!
Dec 27, 2008
Hey everyone!! I am now 3 months post op. I am a few days behind typing this, but my 3 month surgiversary landed very close to Christmas, making me busy, busy, busy!! It has been an amazing 3 months! Most likely the best 3 months of my life aside from having my son and marrying my Husband! Me the Crystal Marie, has lost 32lbs in 3 months, who woulda ever thought that??? 
I have had my moments in this journey, some may be repeated from my previous months, but it's my journey, and I'm telling the story over and over again!! From the begining, I had no clue about the pain I was going to endure from the gas in my abdominal cavity from surgery, but after the gas went away it was almost smooth sailing! My week of clear liquids were ok, I only missed having something to chew. I wasn't hungry at all, just wanting to chew something. I would suck on hard SF candies, I don't know how "legal" that is, but just like one a day satisified my need for something with texture in my mouth. Next was thick liquids, yumm!!! Cream of Broccoli was the best!! Then came soft/mushies how great it was to be able to chew something!! In my first month post-op, I lost 20 lbs. Somehow pre-op I managed to lose around 20lbs, not quickly, but say in about 6months up until surgery. I guess what I'm saying is I went into surgery 20lbs lighter than my highest weight! Which at the end of month 1 post op brought me to a grand total of 40lbs lost since my highest weight. Month 2 was a little better, I suffered from a mild depression from the end of month 1 to begining of month 2. It was a challenging time for me, but I delt with it like a superstar. Unfortunately I cannot give any credit to my physicians for getting me out of that, but that there is a entirely long sad story, we won't go there... Eatting was a full of lessons learned for me during month 2. I developed a much clearer understanding as to why we do not drink and eat at the same time. When i do make that mistake, It's usually a subconsious thing I do. Certianly not on purpose! I also learned about dumping, and that my new Tummy does not like hot Cholocate or Smoothie King! During month 2 I lost 10lbs more! Which is great! I'm feeling great and I had to totally had to give up my warderobe after 2 months post-op. Month 3 was a little more challenging. I'm realizing how badly i need to keep a documentation of my food intake. I learned that I am not eatting enough calories to lose much weight. The only 2 times during month 3 that I lost any weight was weekends we had family celebration, and I splurged eatting more junk than I should have, but in all upping my calories dramatically from my everyday eatting. I'm still challenged with how to increase my calories. Now though, my DH bought me this really nice minilaptop for Christmas and it came with att internet. It will give me internet access at work and anywhere. I will be able to start working with a website like the daily plate. I have lots of spare time at work that this wil be very doable!!! I hope everyone had a great Christmas also! Wishing for a wonderful New Year with lots of success!!!!Crystal
2 MONTHS
Nov 29, 2008
HEY EVERYONE!!!
IT'S BEEN 2 MONTHS SINCE I'VE HAD MY WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY! I AM FEELING BETTER THAN GREAT! ON MY ACTUAL 2 MONTH ANNIVERSARY I MADE IT TO 30 POUNDS LOST! HOW EXCITING. I THINK I'M AROUND A TOTAL 50 SINCE MY HIGHEST WEIGHT. I BELIEVE I AM TOTALLY HEALED, MY INCISIONS HAVE ALL HEALED UP, AND I'M EATTING NORMALY NOW, OR WHAT I CAN NOW CONSIDER NORMAL FOR MYSELF! I AM ENCOURAGED TO AVOID BEEF, RED MEATS, PASTA, BREAD AND RICE FOR 6 MONTHS, D/T THE BEEF AND RED MEATS ARE HARDER FOR THE STOMACH TO DIGEST, AND THE STARCHES WILL SLOW DOWN WEIGHT LOSS. I'M NOTICING THAT ABOUT EVERY 3 WEEKS I HIT A "STALL" WHERE THE SCALE STOPS MOVING, I'M ALSO CORRILATING(SP) THAT WITH MY CYCLE (SORRY TMI). IT'S ALL GOOD THOUGH, THE SCALE GETS MOVING ABOUT 1-1 1/2 WEEKS AFTER STALLING! I'M HOPING TO BE DOWN 40LBS BY THANKSGIVING. I'M NOT SURE IF I MENTIONED THAT WITH MY PRE-OP LAB WORK, I LEARNED THAT I AM DIABETIC, BUT MY INTERNIST BELIEVES THAT BY MY APPT WITH HIM IN JANURARY I WILL BE OFF OF MY MEDS!!! I JUST CAN'T BEGIN TO IMAGINE HOW SICK I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT MY DIABETIES?? JUST PRIOR TO SURGERY, I WOULD BE SO VERY TIRED, WANTING TO SLEEP ALL THE TIME, SINCE SURGERY (I BELIEVE SINCE TREATING MY DIABETIES) THINGS HAVE BEEN SO MUCH BETTER!!! i ALLOWED MYSELF A SMALL PIECE OF PECAN PIE, AND MY LEVELS WERE GOOD THAT NIGHT. I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING, AND WISHING EVERYONE A VERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I WILL POST AN UPDATE AROUND CHRISTMAS, WHICH THEN PUTS ME AT 3 MONTHS OUT! HOPEFULLY TO TELL YOU GUYS I'M DOWN ANOTHER 10LBS!!
Post-Op!!!
Sep 27, 2008
Hey everyone...I'm now 5 day's post-op!!! I'm loving every minute of my sleeve. It's great!! I'm down from day of surgery weight 259 to this morning 243!!!! How great!!!! Last night my hubby and I took measurements, so I will start measuring every Tuesday from here on out, and do my best at figuring out how many inches lost!!! The Surgery went great. Dr. Hargroder did an awesome job, I'm in minimal discomfort, hardly no pain meds now (I was faitful with my med, the first few day though), I have only 2 incisions that have physical brusing around them. I can't complain, I feel like I'm a champion!!! Southpark hospital was great!! I believe because of their small size of a hospital, there was only us 4 patients for Dr. H. that stayed over night. The staff was alway very informative of what ever question I may have had, and very prompt when we would call for something. I would reccomend Dr. H. and Southpark hospital in a heartbeat!!! I go for my follow-up next week. I'm pretty excited about that. Now, while I was in the hospital, I learned that I may be borderline diabetic, and my blood pressure skyrocketed!!! They immediately called in the Internist on-call. He came by to see me, now has me monitoring my blood sugar, and put me on a mild dose of bloodpressure meds, and has me monitoring that every day also!! I follow-up with him in 2 weeks. My blood sugar levels are running pretty consistent around 200ish. I concerned to see what happens when I can start increasing my diet. I and he does feel that the weight loss will eliminate these problems that we've just encountered. Well, I just thought I'd stop by and leave an update for everyone. Love you all!!!!!
DIETERS PRAYER
Sep 22, 2008
Dear God,
I admit that I have come to both love
and hate the word "diet."
On the one hand, it represents hope for change.
On the other, it's like a sign flashing "Failure ahead!"
I don't want to embark on another faulty plan, Lord.
I want to embark on a journey with You
that is led by You and depends on Your power.
I can do nothing on my own!
Show me the path that will enable me to change.
Show me, as only You can,
what works for me, what is healthy for me.
I want to think of this venture in positive terms, Lord--
not that I am signing up to be miserable or in want.
I want to learn to feed my body what it truly needs when it truly needs it.
And to feed my soul with the Bread of Life--You!
Today I place my future, my failures, my setbacks,
all of my hopes and plans into Your hands.
There alone will I find meaning
and true success in my life.
Amen.
I admit that I have come to both love
and hate the word "diet."
On the one hand, it represents hope for change.
On the other, it's like a sign flashing "Failure ahead!"
I don't want to embark on another faulty plan, Lord.
I want to embark on a journey with You
that is led by You and depends on Your power.
I can do nothing on my own!
Show me the path that will enable me to change.
Show me, as only You can,
what works for me, what is healthy for me.
I want to think of this venture in positive terms, Lord--
not that I am signing up to be miserable or in want.
I want to learn to feed my body what it truly needs when it truly needs it.
And to feed my soul with the Bread of Life--You!
Today I place my future, my failures, my setbacks,
all of my hopes and plans into Your hands.
There alone will I find meaning
and true success in my life.
Amen.
Stressed!!!
Sep 06, 2008
Ok...today I'm offically stressed! I try to play it all down, but it's getting to me now. I feel like writing away on here helps me keep my sanity and my son's "safety" Just Kidding! He's pushing every last button...I can't wait to get the procedure done and have the energy to deal with him! This morning my husband and myself started working on "spring" cleaning the house before I have surgery. As soon as we accomplish one goal, my son has destroyed the next room (in total silence may i add). I patients are running short with him. I feel like sometimes I have better respect out of my patient who is mentally handicapped than my son, who should know better by now! Does anyone know when the terrible two's stop!!! He just turned Four and I've been waiting for Two years for this to finish. I guess it doesn't help, he does not fear me at all!!!! I can fuss, put him in time-out, spanking, taking away privalges (SP), everything...nothing works for him with me. When my husband is around he's a completely different child. Very well behaved, does what ever he would ask of him, just a sweet perfect child! I'm not saying he's horrible, he's just continues to test my patients. He is a very carring sweet boy! He's always worried about mommy being "happy". Just in terms of keeping the house in order he's torture!!!!! I love him dearly with every ounce of my soul, and I say soul, b/c no matter how much "weight" I loose I would never love him any less!!! He is what makes my world go round, sometimes too fast, but it goes round none the less!! As I said, my patients are running short,espically with the anxiety of trying to get my house in order to have surgery in the next couple of weeks! I hope I can deal with him better after this is all said and done, I hope I haven't waited too long. Wishing you all the best.
God Bless,
Crystal
God Bless,
Crystal
Just catching up!!!
Aug 19, 2008
Hey there, I've been in and out on here for the past couple of weeks!! My honey is working out of town on a big oil spil in the Mississippi river (boo). My son and myself have been going back and forth to New Orleans (about 3 hrs away) to visit with him on the weekends. I have to give all props and kudos to every single mom out there! I have unwillingly became on for this past month, while my husband is out of town, and I must say so...ITS VERY HARD!!!! My son challenges my patients, my sanity, and my house!!!! He's only 3 years old. I think I threaten his Birhtday party this weekend everyday..."if you don't stop this, or if you don't pick that up, your not going to have a party!" Like I'd really do that!!!! He gets everything, and I'm proud to say it, it's just easier when my husband is around. I told my husband the other day, please don't ever leave me for good. This is hard enough on a temporary basis. Ok, well I have to go now, time to go pay for a birthday cake, go to the bank and run a few errand while my awesome mother-in-law keeps my son!!!! She's the best!!!!
Crystal
Crystal
Yeah!!! I Got a Date!!!
Aug 05, 2008
Hey!!! Today I finally got a date! My consultation with Dr. Hargroder is on August 29, 2008, followed by a tenative surgery date of Septemeber 23, 2008!!! I'm so excited to actually have dates down on paper!!! I'm beside myself, just giggling like crazy on the inside!!! I'll post more as I know more!!
Update, and venting!
Aug 02, 2008
Ok...I have finally finished all of the questionaires online before getting an appt. with Dr. Hargroder. I am now just awaiting a phone call from his office for my direction to the next step in this process!! I'm so EXCITED about the changes about to go on in my life. I am so BLESSED to have the wonderful family I have. My parents, have offered to pay for this for me!! I'm sure I have mentioned this before, and I'm sure this is not the last time that I mention it either! I have to Brag, who has parents as awesome as mine! Let's not forget about my AMAZING Husband (Gosh, I miss him so much!), he's been in New Orleans for the last almost 2 weeks working on a big fuel spil in the Mississippi River! The company he works for, cleans up hazaderous materials and maintains fire and safety things? I'm not always sure what his job entails, but they do keep busy, and is a wonderful company to work for! I'm just lonely, he hasn't been on such a big job, since Hurricane Katrina, which was 3 years ago! He is probably going to be gone for a few months. I may have to face the procedure without him. I don't want to wait for him to come back, b/c then the oppertunity(sp) may not be there. Also, I've been feeling a little down today, but last night, and possibly the night before, I forgot to take my Lexapro (I call them the happy pills)...not to mention, my son has been extreemly cranky with his daddy gone for now, and just out of the routine! Well, Thank you so much for taking the time to listen (read) to my venting and getting some emotions off of my chest! I think I'm going to be great friends with OH! Have a wonderful evening, l know I will try my best to do so too!
About Me
Duson, LA
Location
39.1
BMI
Surgery
09/23/2008
Surgery Date
Jul 26, 2008
Member Since
