Heather A.

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Well, just wanted to do a real quick check in. Things are going really great her. since reaching onederland the weight is just falling off. I am averaging 2.5 - 3 pounds a week and that's every week. So, I flew through the 190's and am now more than 1/2 way through the 180's. In just 17 pounds away from the lightest  I've been in more than 10 years. It is very exciting.

However, I am still struggling horribly with the exercise. I worked out so hard to lose the weight last time that as soon as I backed out just a bit I started gaining. I had maxxed out and had nowhere to go to continue the weight loss. Now I sit here losing without the exercise and feel that I'm doing my tool a disservice. To be healthy exercise is a must period. So, then why can't I get my butt in gear. I definitely have the energy but in my head I keep telling myself save it for when the weight stops coming off. Give yourself something to fall back on. I wish I could get through to this thick head of mine. I NEED to exercise. Ideally I want to walk no less than 4 times a week and add 3 days of weight resistance and flexibility exercises. It would work out to about 5 1/2 hours per week. That's totally doable. And about a third of what I was doing the last time. I just need to do it and quit thinking about it.

So all in all things are great. I am in a size 11/12 and will be out of those shortly. I feel amazing and starting to look that way also. This tool is such a gift and I am so grateful.

Well I am officially in onederland. I actually hit 199 last week and have continued to lose to a weight this AM of 194. I am completely amazed once again at this wonderful tool I am blessed with. I am not struggling with food at all. I know what I can and can't tolerate and I stick with that. I am up to 80 - 100 grams of protein a day mostly in supplements. I have a protein shake for breakfast, a 1/2c. turkey chili for lunch, 1/2 a protein bullet after my afternoon workout, sinner is made up of some kind of lean meat I've had in the crock pot all day (nice & moist) and PM snackis the remainder of my protein bullet. I don't venture from this often because ot works so well. I am satisfied and feel good and my pouch stays happy. The scale moving in the right dorection also helps me stick to plan. I have still not upped my exercise I would like but am alternating between the treadmill & elliptical 5 days a week for 30 - 45 minutes daily. I don't want to push myself to an unrealistic schedule. I want to keep my exercise simple so I can stick with it. Clothes are amazing right now. I am losing sizes like crazy. I started at a very tight 16 or some 18's in pants and now wear 12's and 11 in Levi's. My tops are size L now and I can shop anywhere. It is so amazing. I can't express how greatful I am for this new lease on life. I will be 4 months out on Saturday and will be sure and post a surgiversary post. I just wanted to share some great news with anyone who may be reading this.

It's been a few weeks since Iupdated and it was because I honestly didn't have a whole lot to report. At least not much I thought would benefit anyone on this journey. However in the last week I have really started improving the way I feel, my energy level, my exercise and following my pouch rules.
Since surgery one of my major struggles has been with my energy level.. I have felt very tired and run down and lacked motivation to exercise. I thought maybe my thyroid was off again so, I went and saw my PCP. I requested a full blood work up. Turns out all's well including all my vitamin and iron levels. I show no deficiencies at all. Good news, right? Well then why am I still so tired? My PCP explained that with such an intensive and invasive surgery I will not be 100% for a good 6 months to a year. WHAT?? That's not going to work. I need to bust my butt to lose this weight!!! So, I go to my therapist (who I've been seeing for over a year) I have been in therapy for the greater part of the last 13 years due to an eating disorder. So, I explain to her what my PCP said. She did some diggin in my file and asked "Weren't you diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) back in 1999. Why, yes I was. But, I'm back in sunny California so, that wouldn't be it. Would it? Yes it absolutely is it. I have improved so dramatically in the last week thanks to the sunny weather. I need to remember that I need to tan in the winter months to keep my serotonin levles up or I will suffer the same depression symptoms no matter what. Rainy and cloudy days just about do me in. It  takes everything I have just to get out of bed. I can't believe I didn't think of ot sooner. That being said we really need to listen to our bodies. Don't disregard symptoms for complete health we have to be in tune with our bodies.
So, now to all the positives of this last week. I have started working out. I am up to 40 minutes daily on the eliptical and 30 minutes with the resistance bands 3x weekly. After what seemed like an eternity of little to no weight loss I am starting to lose again. I have energy and feel great again. I know this tool is going to continue working for me and I plan to work it.
I am down 47.1 pounds staring onederland right in the face with only 3 more pounds. I am in a much smaller pant size between 12 - 14's comfortably depending on the brand from tight 18's (I refused to buy 20's). And my tops are L - XL in juniors from plus size 18 - 20's. Life is good and I am so grateful for this surgery. Thank you God for allowing me this surgery that has not only improved my life but saved it.
Until next time,
Heather

Well, here I am 10 & 1/2 weeks out and down 42.9 pounds since surgery and I am struggling with my appetite, and not in the way I'm used to. The truth is I have no appetite at all and the last couple of days I am lacking on my protein because I just keep forgetting to eat. I can make excuses that it's been hectic with all 3 of my boys being sick and making different trips to the doctor's and running around trying to get all their baseball stuff before opening day but the truth is as I start living this new life I am not focused on my pouch rules. The last 2 days I have only eaten one meal a day which is not good. So, I am committing to getting back on track with my eating, getting in all my protein, water and vitamins.

On another note, I have posted some concerns I have regarding my energy level. I seem to have missed the jump in energy a couple weeks after surgery and have struggled with my energy level everyday. It seemed to be getting progressively worse so, I went to my PCP last Thrusday. He seems to think that with the malabsorption of my thyroid medication my T4 & TSH levels are down thus causing the fatigue and other symptoms I've been experiencing. He decided to run some labs so, I asked him to go ahead and check all my levels including the Iron, B12 and such. I am anxious to hear what the results are, I am expecting them today so, we'll see. I hope they figure out somethng that will help with the fatigue. I really need to up my exercise and right now I just can't seem to.

Finally, it appears I may be filing for divorced. I don't want to get into too much right now but I will. I really didn't think I'd be one of the WLS statistics with a failed marriage.

Well another week down and another 3 lbs. which makes 33 lbs. gone forever. I am surprised how well things are going for the most part. I am doing great getting in all of my vitamins and protein although the water is tough. There doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. I am getting better with the water than earlier out especially since hitting the treadmill daily on my lunch hour. I need to bump up the exercise I know it just seems I am so tired at the end of each work day. I don't know if it's because of the decrease in calories or still recovering from surgery. I just still don't feel like myself. I certainly hope things improve soon, I am so grateful for this surgery and really would like to work this opportunity most effectively. I think I am going to go post on the boards to get some ideas. I don't drink coffee or tea and I no diet pills are no longer allowed.

I was just updating my weight tracker and realized I am no longer morbidly obese. I am so amazed at how awesome it feels to drop that title. I can't weight to just be overweight and normal watch out.. I notice my weight loss slowing especially when I am lacking in protein and water. I really have to be sure and get everything in. I have been slacking on the exercise. Since coming back to work last week I am just so tired. I know excuses, excuses. I will snap out of this, I have to. My clothes are getting too big which is a great feeling but frustrating. Nothing fits. But, I'm not complaining. Life is good and I am so thankful for this surgery.

Well, I had surgery on Friday January 16th and everything went pretty well. I had some complications with the anesthesia but was in my own room within a few hours. I have been doing really well all in all. Food does not taste good to me nor does it feel the same. I receive no euphoric feeling after eating at all. There is no snacking because there is no hunger. I eat by a clock and that's that. I am up to 1 & 1/2 oz. of protein for lunch and dinner. Breakfast remains a protein shake containing 27 grams of protein and I drink one protein bullet to hit my 60+ grams of protein. I am down 27.5 pounds as of this morning and feel great. I was doing pretty good with walking until we were bombarded with snow and walking in the mountains became unsafe. I am back to work which means lunch hour trips to the gym for 45 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical.
I think I am one of the lucky ones I never struggled with "head hunger" it feels too good to finally be free from food. I guess mentally having the surgery clicked something in my brain that told me "food is no longer for anything but to sustain life". And so far I have respected that. I hope things continue on this path because it feels good to be free and in control.

Okay, so I now have a surgery date and an official weight that I can not exceed (248 lbs) my weight at my last appointment. I was trying to do a protein shake liquid diet to get off a few pounds before Christmas so I had a buffer, let's just say I am failing miserably. We got a horrible storm here in Southern California burying us under more than 5 feet of snow where I live and I ate like I was hibernating. I haven't gotten on the scale in fear of what the damage actually is but I know it's not good. So, today is my first day out since Monday and what awaits me here at work but counters full of candies, pastries and cakes. This is so difficult I have my lunch packed with 3 protein shakes and what did my breakfast consist of but a cheese danish. I have got to get through these holidays without a weight gain so, as of New Year's Day I can resolve to stick to a liquid protein diet until surgery on the 16th. I will not ruin this opportunity!!!! I hate that I lack control over food!!! I can't wait to have this surgery to regain some control!!!

Well, it's official I have my date and it's in writing.
I will be officially on the other side on January 16th, 2009. Exactly 5 weeks from today. I am so excited I can't hardly stand it. On one hand 5 weeks seems like an eternity but on the other hand I know it will be here in no time especially with all the activity with the holidays. I can't wait and now I can start setting goals. I really can't even imagine next summer. What a difference from this past summer. The thought of being able to run and play with my boys and not be embarrassed at their sporting events. That's the importance of this surgery, not just the weight loss but gaining my life back. So, I guess the countdown is on 35 days and counting. Make room on the loser's bench I'll be joining you very soon!!!

Okay.....
So, today is the mandatory "class" that I just found out about last week. I take off work and head to the Dr's office get there 15 minutes early and go to sign the sign-in sheet and it says "Lap-Band" Class. I was like excuse me... I am supposed to be having the RNY and the receptionist apologized and said wait right here and I'll find out what's going on. Well, out comes the insurance & scheduling Nazi, she calls me back and says I must have misunderstood the date because my chart clearly states I am an RNY patient. So, I went all She-Na-Na on her and was like oh no you didn't. I went so far and explained exactly what happened last week and explained that I had taken off of work and everything. So, she calls in the head nurse & asks if she has the RNY material and could I get it and skip the class. Of course that was a big fat NO. So, they explained again that I must attend the class next week before I will be scheduled. So, I have to take off another 1/2 day next week to attend.

Now, what really frustrates me is when I brought up scheduling she informs me thay are now scheduling out to mid-February. I was like are you kidding me? She tries to explain well we're already 1/2 through December at which point I said "Uh, No it's the 5th" and she says well when you consider the holidays... So, I am frustrated to say the least. 

Another major reason I wanted to get this done this year is because of my Short Term Disability Insurance. I missed a lot of work in 2008 because of my mother's illness and as of the 1st of january they will take my 2008 earnings to figure out my payments which are subsequently less than my 2007 earnings. And with the current state of the new home construction industry my husband has been off for almost a year. Taking the time off will seriously hurt if I have to wait until 2009. So, I am going to do some heavy duty praying and really hope that is God's will & I will be able to have this surgery in the next 3 1/2 weeks.