Loving Life

Mar 07, 2010

I'm so ashamed when I logged on to post that I've not updated in over a year!!!  Life has been so busy.  I made it into the nursing program and am now in my 3rd semester.  I will be graduating in December and am so excited about the new opportunities that should come with that achievement. 

I've been maintaining my weight loss for the past 1-1 1/2 yrs now.  I get comments all the time from people that think I am still losing.  I'm not sure what is happening unless the weight is shifting to different areas, but the scales don't reflect any more loss.  I'm sure I could drop some pounds if I really put my mind to the exercise and diet, but I'm happy where I am.  I have gone from a size 26 at the beginning of my journey to a size 12-14 currently.  My loss to date is 120 lbs and sometimes fluctuates +/- 5 lbs or so.  I've never received any fills other than my 1/2 cc in the very beginning....I guess I've been blessed.  No problems at all with my band and I am convinced it's the best decision I ever made!!!
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Time Flies by!

Dec 06, 2008

Well here it is December already!  I don't post here often enough, but felt it was time to check in.  I'm down 100+ pounds now, and have finally hit ONE-DERLAND!  I saw my surgeon for my yearly checkup in Oct, and things are fine.  I still haven't had a fill since last year, the 1.5cc in my band seems to be fine.  The weight loss is slow, but still moving in the right direction and I feel that if it's not broke...let's not fix it.  I admit I don't make all the right eating choices all the time, and my exercise routine leaves alot to be desired.  With that being said, I AM aware of what I'm eating and how much.  I don't deny myself of anything I truly enjoy eating, but I keep in mind that moderation is the key. 

The big news is that I am now engaged!  My BF of the past several years has stuck by me through thick and thin...LITERALLY!  LOL  I'm happier and healthier than I've been in years and looking forward to a wonderful 2009!

Down 90 pounds

Sep 24, 2008

It's been quite awhile since I've been on here.  Things are busy.  I'm still working full time in dialysis, and finishing up my last semester of pre-req's for nursing.  I did get accepted into the nursing program for January, so at that time I'll be dropping back from work to part time and hit school full time at that point. 

My mother died this weekend....so I'm kinda down right now.  She's been sick for some time, and it was expected, but it didn't make it any easier.  It was hardest on my kids.  I am happy though, that my mother was able to witness my journey through my weight loss thus far.  My weight worried her for years.  I am down now 90 pounds.  I'm wearing a size 14 and feel better physically than I ever have.  The weight loss is really slow at this point.  I don't even weigh very often now.  Every so often I'll step on the scale and it will have dropped a pound or two...or there is no change at all.  It's not something I think about anymore.  If I never lost another pound...I can still say I'm satisfied with where I am at this point in time. 

The XXX Rating

Jun 20, 2008

The XXX Rating is simple.... IT SUCKS!  And I'm happy to say I've left it forever...talking clothes of course!!  LOL  It's been quite awhile since I posted here and thought it was time for an update.  Life has been busy, and the weight loss fairly slow, but that's ok.  I'm down 72 pounds now and couldn't be happier.  My scrubs for work have gone from a 3X to 2X to XL....and now finally to a L.  I can't even begin to explain how it feels not to have that big fat X in front of every size I wear!!!  In traditional sizes I've gone from a 26 to a size 16.  I'm now doing better on my exercise and going to the YMCA several times a week.  I usually do water aerobics 3 times and have just started a weight training session 2 times a week.  There are still things I have to work on...getting in enough calories and protein and my water intake.  I believe I have slowed things down by not eating enough from time to time, and it stalls the weight loss.  I've still not had another fill....doing well with the 1.5 cc in my 4cc band.  My six month lab work came back fine, a little low on my Vit D and am taking a suppliment.  Other than that, things are looking good and I'm feeling great!


Officially down 50 POUNDS!

Mar 17, 2008

Well I'm finally down 50 pounds, and although I have a long way to go, I feel better than I have in years!!!  I am at a point that I have restriction now.  The band is definitely a learning process, and it let's me know right away when I slip back into my old habits of eating too fast, not chewing well enough, or taking too big of bites!  My next check up should include the 6 month lab work up, and the results of that should be interesting.  I just posted a couple of pics that I had before surgery, and now....sometimes I don't really see the difference until I actually see a picture.  Wow.
Until next time......

Another Fill

Feb 24, 2008

I finally got in for another fill last Friday.  This time they only put in 1/2 cc since the 1cc fill was too much last time.  This fill seems to be doing the trick.  I can eat, but definitely have restriction.  I also have to make sure I get my water intake in everyday or I definitely have trouble with things getting "stuck".  I'm down another 5 lbs, and I'm grateful.  I really hadn't seen any weight loss since the unfill, so it's good to have things moving again in the right direction.

Patients at work are really beginning to notice the weight loss, and the compliments sure feel good.  I've gone from a size 26 to a size 20 and don't have many clothes that fit anymore.  I'm hesitant to buy, as I'm such a tight ass, and I can't bear to spend money on something if I know I won't use it much.  However, I swore to myself that when I get to a size 18 (TEEN!  WOO HOO!!)  that I'd buy myself at least one new outfit.  It seems all I do is work, and therefore I'm in scrubs everyday.  I do have some new scrubs and have gone from a 2LX top to a Large, and from a 2XL pants to an XL.  

I bought myself a new digital camera for my birthday, and I need to take some updated photos.  I'm looking forward to a day that I might actually LIKE having my picture taken, but it hasn't happened yet.


Overdue post

Jan 17, 2008

Wow.  I didn't realize it has been so long since I've made a post here on my page.  It's the middle of January already.  The holidays were a blur and I'm glad they are over.  I had my first fill the day before Thanksgiving, but didn't seem to have much restriction with it, but wasn't surprised.  I had my second fill (1cc in my 4cc band...for a total of 2cc) on Dec. 19th.  That fill was too much, and I wasn't able to eat anything.  I went back in almost two weeks later, and the doc took out the 1cc he'd placed for my 2nd fill.  This was fine by me, as we were getting ready to go to Orlando, Fl for vacation the first week of January.  I didn't want to go on vacation being miserable and not able to eat any solid food.  Now that we're back, I'm getting ready to set up an appt for another fill.  I've only lost a couple of pounds in the last month due to the unfill, and can eat, eat, eat.  

All in all, I'm feeling good.  The vacation to Orlando was wonderful!  I was long overdue for some sun and relaxation without worrying about work or school.  I was thrilled that I fit just fine into the airplane seats, the roller coaster rides, etc. with no problems!  I can finally see some difference in my before pictures vs. pics we took in Orlando.  I've gone from a BMI of 44 to 38 since surgery, and feel better than I have in years.  I admit I'm struggling with the exercise thing now that we're back home.  But I must have walked 50 miles in Orlando going through the theme parks!!! 

First Fill

Nov 21, 2007

Wow time flies!  It's already been 4 weeks since my surgery!  I'm officially down 27 pounds since surgery...YAHOO!  The "restriction" I was feeling post surgery was definitely the swelling, as I have been able to eat quite well the past couple of weeks.  I realize now just how hard old habits are going to be to break.  I have a tendency with my schedule to get behind on my water intake, and sometimes have a hard time getting in lunch between work and school.  By the time I get home, I've been ravenously hungry, and it's then that I know I would eat too fast and too much.  I have yet to get stuck, slime, or PB....but it made me worry on whether I might have stretched my pouch a time or two.  However, I had my first fill today, and the doc didn't seem worried that I had done any kind of damage.  He said that if I really over did it in the eating, chances were I would have vomitted.  The fill was no problem at all and only took a few minutes.  I have to be on clear liquids for a couple of days....on THANKSGIVING of all days!!!  It's probably a blessing in disguise, though, because I won't be able to over do it with all the food.  I have my next fill in 4 weeks.....so until then I'll keep my fingers crossed that this fill does me some good.

Home and BANDED!!!

Oct 27, 2007

Well I'm home.....and on the loser's bench!!!  I can't explain how happy I am right now!  I'm feeling wonderful...still a little sore, but it's getting better every day.  I had my surgery as scheduled on Oct. 24, stayed all night at the hospital, and was released and back home by Thurs evening.  So far I've had no problems, and I'm surprised that I'm not hungry.  I don't know if it's really "restriction" at this point, or if I'm just swollen from the surgery, but I have a feeling of tightness high up, almost in my chest.  It kinda feels like swallowing a pill or a bite of bread that doesn't quite go down all the way.  It doesn't hurt or anything...but I'm very aware of it.  Maybe this is the way it's suppose to feel....

I have my follow up appt with Dr. Hoehn on Friday Nov. 2.  Hopefully everything will check out and I won't have to go back until my fill check.


A DATE!!!!!

Oct 02, 2007

Finally!!!!  I was beginning to think it would never happen!  October 24, 2007 will be the beginning of a new life!  I had my appointment with Dr. Hoehn for the first time yesterday.  Wow, he seems so young!  Anyway, he didn't have any concerns and felt I was an excellent candidate for surgery.  He did think I should stay over night in the hospital however, simply because it's such a long drive between KC and Wichita.  He didn't want me to have to drive that far just in case there were any complications.  I was fine with that!  Anyway...not much else going on at the moment.  I just wanted to voice my excitement at FINALLY having a surgery date!!!


About Me
Wichita, KS
Location
28.3
BMI
Surgery
10/24/2007
Surgery Date
Nov 14, 2006
Member Since

Friends 33

Latest Blog 25
Time Flies by!
Down 90 pounds
The XXX Rating
Officially down 50 POUNDS!
Another Fill
Overdue post
First Fill
Home and BANDED!!!
A DATE!!!!!

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