Kristin S.

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I'm back from my first trip to Europe.  It was fantastic!  We walked miles every day and I did pretty good. 1 week in Paris and 1 week in London.  Before I left I had a visit with the Dr. office and we did not fill my band.  I've had more unfills than fills, I think.  I seem to be pretty sensitive and need to go up in tiny amounts.  I was at about  5.7cc for the trip.  Airplane was fine and eating there was fine too.  Although I did look at the breads in Paris, I did not partake.  The airplane seat was not a huge struggle, the belt fit, with a tiny bit of tail, the arms still rested a bit on my hips.  This did help shake me out of the 'oh look at me I've worked hard and lost 50 lbs, I can stray back to my old habits.'  Plus seeing the pictures helped too, although I look much better now that at 335 lbs, I still need to keep working with the lap-band and get more weight off.

I went in for a fill 5.19.10 up to about 6.2cc, too much, had to go back in and because the area was irritated, back it down to 5cc.  I'm fine with this, slowly I'll build back up to the sweet spot.  In mean time next up - doing some 5k's and my 25 year class reunion this July, which is going to be pool side!!!

I'm in the count down to my trip to Paris and London!  Still looking for those perfect, cute walking shoes.  I believe I've found a couple.  Now the break-in phase.  My weight loss is stalled out at about 50-55 lbs.  The honeymoon is over, now working with my tool and really trying begins for me.  I went to get a fill yesterday, we decided not too.  I'm occ. having PB issues.  Not as much as before, the last few weeks have been pretty good.  Really concentrating on slowing down, small bites and chew, chew, chew.  I was given a food journal from WLS office, this looks like one I can use and will use.  I need to up my protein, as my hair is falling out more than usual.  I was thinking, "I'm eating so much better than before the band, surely I'm doing ok with the protein."  Not so and the journal will really help with tracking the right amount for me. I'm still doing PT/Pilates once a week, which I love.  Walking and riding my bike trainer at home.  These two not everyday, but getting better.  I'd like to drop as much lbs before my trip, which is April 30 - May 16.  My main concern is that airline seat - I need to fit!!!  Plus we're (my Mom) doing a Rick Steves, Europe Through the Back Door tour and there will be a lot of walking each day.  The support group that started recently has been great.  Connecting with other WSL/LapBand peeps has been really nice.

Hello!
Doing well and good.  Weight loss has slowed down.  I'm at 5cc in my band.  I still eat too fast and too much in one bite, so I'm having a lot of stuck issues.  Dr. wants me to get a handle on this before they fill me any more. I just got to 5cc 1/26/10 after staying at 4cc for 6 weeks.  I do Pilates once a week with a Physical Therapist, which I love and I believe has been a huge help in my flexabilty and stamina.   I'm trying to get in some walking, in but that's not a regular occurance.  I tried a hula hoop class, but that may have been too soon, need more weight off these poor knees!
I booked my trip to Paris and London.  May 1st I meet my tour group in Paris.  I'm so excited.  I've never been to Europe, so looking forward to it.

Hello!!!
All is well here. The weeks have gone by fast. I had my first fill Wed 10/14. From 0cc to 3cc. They said they usually fill up to 5cc first go, but since I had been unfilled, I'll start here. Go back on 10/29 to get 2cc more for a total of 5cc and hold at that for about 6 weeks. It's been a little hard to not over eat or eat too fast. I've been hungry a lot. I have not lost anymore since I last posted. BUT I have not gained any either, so I'm very pleased about that. I've just finished my 48 hours of liquids and now 48 hours of mushies. I've been going to a mix of PT/Pilates. My PCP approved me for some physical therapy and I found this place that incorporates the Pilates method and machines w. their PT. I've been really enjoying this and feeling longer and leaner already! Walking a little. Need to start picking up the exercise to help with the weigh loss. I've been invited to a Halloween party, and have decided to go.  I'm putting together my costume and having fun w. that.  I do need to check out the Jean M. blog for a band friendly appetizer to bring.

Today I move to mushy foods! I'm doing much better!!! This past Saturday I wasn't so sure I had made a good decision to have the lap-band. I had been on powerful antibiotics since 9/03 and they were taking the stuffing out of me. By 9/10 I wasn't drinking very much fluid at all. Feeling very sick and weak. I went to Dr. office and they took all the fill out of the band that may have been in when the lap-band was placed. Saturday when I paged the surgeon, I was a wreck, he said I needed to stop all antibiotics, and eat some yogurt if I could tolerate it. That was the ticket. The yogurt perked me up and as the antibiotics left my body I was feeling better each day.  Now with a few more weeks to mend, I'm looking forward to working this tool and get the lbs off!!! 

Welllll - it's not been smooth sailing.  This past Thursday went in to Dr. as port site was very red, and got put on anti-bots and they're making me very nausea, and today threw up.  Going to start a new type of anti-bots tonight.  I'm still having issues with protein, so the nausea is not helping.  Otherwise back to work today, took two full weeks off.  Getting walking in, so that's been good.  One more week of liquids and then on to mushy diet, can't wait!!  Oh and down 30 lbs, can't figure out how to update my tracker  =  )

Hello!
I had my lap-ban Monday Aug 24, went in at noon, text book surgery the Dr. said.  I remember waking up in recovery, very hot.  The recovery room nurses, were patting my face, arms and legs with a cool washcloth.  Back into my room by 3:30pm.  Started drinking 1oz protein and took some pain pills.  Up going to bathroom by 4:30pm, walk to nurses station at 6pm and walking around a loop on my floor by 8pm that night.  First night wasn't too bad.  Slept a little.
Left hosp by 12:30 Tues Aug 25.  Rest of day at home not too bad.  Wed AM Aug 26, woke up feeling nausea, and took a anti nausea med.  Coughed quite a bit, as flem had settled in my chest. That hurt cough.  Didn't feel like drinking anything Wed, slept most of the day.
Today is Thur Aug 27 and still not feeling like drinking protein, they all make me gag, and then dry heave.  Looks like I may have to try the dry milk for protein.  I'm going to post out on the forum to see if anyone else has had this and their ideas.  Otherwise the pain isn't bad at all.  I can feel my port sight and one other entry spot. But the others not so much.  I've walked about 1/3 of a mile yesterday, try to bump that up today.
Thanks for all the well wishes -- I'm so glad you're all out there rooting for me !!

Today is clear liquid day.  So far so good, doing last minute things - lining up the protein drinks, vitamins, etc.  My Mom is here from Eastern WA to stay w. me for a week or so.  I'm most nervous about a couple of things, liver too big to put in lap-band, coming of the anesthesia - always been very rough for me.  My very good friend from H.S. sent me her walkman with inspirational music.  She had breast cancer and several reconstruction surgeries over the last 3 years.  I was so touched that she sent me her music to help give me strength.  I'm off to costco - need more laundry soap, always have laundry to do to take my mind off things.  I'll post once I'm up and about.

I was approved for my Lap-Band July 17, 2009.  My surgery is scheduled for Aug 24, 2009.  I started this journey in April 2009, going to various Dr. seminars.  After 3, I choose Dr. McMahon at Seattle Swedish.  There were a few others on my insurance plan, but after attending his seminar and hearing from someone that had their lap-band in Nov 2008 from him, I choose him.  I had to go thru 3 months of attending a medically supervised weight loss and a few other requirements before I could submit for insurance approval.  I  was aiming for first part of Aug, but Aug 24 is perfect.

I didn't loose any weight in the 3 month medically supervised weight loss, but I did make some small changes and began to move every day for at least 10 min, building to 30 minutes 3 times a week.  This is a huge deal for me as, the last 3 years I began to move less and less.  Taking the elevator between floors at work, and when getting off the train platform, instead of walking up the three small flight of stairs.  Searching parking lots for close spots instead of taking first available.  I could feel my body getting old and stiff.  I'm looking forward to more movement as the lbs are released