Vicki H.

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Well, at least I am posting a little more regularly right now.  It has been a strange week for me.  Monday, my brother had an accident at his house and severed part of one of his fingers.  Long story but, I spent all night with him at the hospital waiting for surgery to reattach.  We arrived at 5:30 pm on Monday and the surgeon didn't begin the repair until 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.  I go no sleep.  I then had to drive home which is about 45 minutes away.  I am just glad I got there in one piece.  Everything since then has just kind of been out of whack.  I am very very tired.  My pouch has been incredibly picky.  I am mainly drinking my protein and water.  I am eating a little but not much because the Queen (pouch) is just not being very easy to please.  I am sure it is just everything going on right now.  I am down 2 more pounds this week.  Would have thought it would have been more.  But, I am not going to complain.  I now sit at 54 lbs lost since my surgery on 2/21/07.  Life is truly good!

Well, I can hardly believe it.  It has been exactly 2 months today since my new life began.  It really feels like I began really living after this surgery.  

I feel like I have the BEST doctor in the whol world.  He was amazing throughout pre-op stuff.  Everything really went fairly smoothly as far as approval and paperwork and stuff.  There was a signature glitch regarding one piece of paper that didn't get signed that threatened my surgery date at the very last minute.  But, everything worked out and surgery went on as planned.  

I remember leaving for the hospital.  The hospital that I was having surgery at was about 40 minutes from the house.  So, we had to leave around 11:15 to get there by noon.  I remember the nurses all making me feel so comfortable.  I was embarrassed and more than a little nervous.  I remember the holding area nurse.  I told her I was petrified of the anesthesia and she said I didn't need to worry.  They would give me some "I don't care" juice and it would all be okay.  They did and man, I didn't care.  I then remember waking up in my room about 3 1/2 hours later.  I had no complications during, or after surgery.  I have had NO problems from surgery whatsoever since coming home.

I cannot believe it but I am 52 lbs lighter as of 2 months.  It is amazing to me.  I am not hungry.  I get head hunger sometimes, especially if I have to stay up late studying or something.  I was a compulsive late night eater before surgery so I knew that late night times would be tough for me.  I do struggle at times with that time of day but, I am managing.  Otherwise, I amd doing great.  I measure all my food.  I track all my stuff in Fitday.com.  What a helpful sight.  I am getting my water in pretty much every day.  I am finally doing well on my vitamins also.  I guess I am saying that I am getting settled into this life change of mine.  And, I am loving it.  Really loving it!!!

I can't wait to see where I am at my 3 month checkup with Dr. Barker.  I am excited already and I have a whole month to go!

Well, I have not posted in a while.  I really planned to post everyday.  But, the best laid plans.......  Life tends to be quite crazy for me all the time.  I have been sick with bronchitis.  I also had bursitis in my big toe.  It hurt like @#$%.  I finally went to foot doctor.  They injected the site with cortisone.  It hurt worse than anything I think I have ever experienced.  But, two days later, it is feeling better.  This has been going on since December so I am glad it is subsiding.  

I am currently on my cycle and once again, it is sheer torture.  Bioth cycles since WLS have been monstrous.  Horrible cramps, heavy bleeding, and awful headaches.  Not fun.  Also, from what I have read here on OH, the hormones stored in all the fat I am losing are also raging in my system.  So, I am struggling emotionally.  But, I know this too will pass.  

I have lost 49 pounds.  I am literally one pound away from leaving the 300's forever.  I can't wait.  Maybe if I weigh in the buff it will show 299.  But, then that is cheating and as soon as I put clothes back on it won't so what is the point.  But, it is going to happen this week I know it will.  I started at 30/32.  My jeans were 32 and they fit well.  No real extra room in them.  The other night I wore some 26 jeans to a baseball game.  I couldn't believe.  I even have some 24's that I can get on.  I am wearing 24/26 shirts, skirts, etc.  I am so thrilled with this.  I am not hungry.  I am eating things that I should eat instead of eating all the junk.  I am looking forward to this summer.  I am only 12 lbs away from weighing what i did when I got married.  So, I should be considerably less this summer.  I even plan to go to Six Flags and ride all the rides I haven't been able to ride in so long!!!

Well, it is a beautiful Saturday morning here in Rowlett, Texas.  The last 2-3 days have been rainy, even thunderstorms.  But, this morning the sun is shining and it is beautiful.  The temp has cooled off, presumably with the cool front that came in with the storms. 

I have my niece and nephew here for the weekend with my 2 children.  So, my house is full.  But, they all play pretty well together so it isn't too hard.  It is hardest on my 3 year old because sometimes the older ones don't want to include her.  But, she handles everything so well.  Quite the little trooper.  With extra company, I have been cooking more.  Really hasn't been as hard as I thought.  Don't get me wrong.  I didn't make anything that was bad for you.  But, I can't eat the pasta in spagetti and I sure can't eat the cinnamon rolls.  Okay, that isn't a perfect breakfast.  But, it sure is easy.  They had the cinnamon rolls and I had cottage cheese pancakes.  So, it all went well.  Having roast for dinner.  It is already on marinade.  I am looking forward to that.  It is so moist and yummy.  

I haven't been able to walk the last 3 days because of the weather.  That is when the gym membership is nice.  But, I will be walking today.  I am getting ready to start working my muscle groups this week.  I have some exercise bands that I use.  I am looking forward to toning up my muscles as much as humanly possible anyway.  

I have started back on my regular vitamins this week.  They have all the B vitamins, iron, and calcium I need, all in one pill.  Unfortunately, the pill is big and I have to take 3 pills, twice a day.  So, I use a pill splitter and it takes me about 30-45 to get all the pieces down.  I took a couple of pieces too close together and quickly learned that my pouch wasn't amused.  So, I just have slow down.  In fact, I am taking them as I type this.  I swallow one, do some typing, reading, surfing, etc. then I can take another one.  

I am now at 40 lbs lost.  I am thrilled.  I am so thankful that I am not hungry.  I know that without that, I couldn't do this.  I have dropped 6 BMI points.  That feels great.  

What are my current goals and when do I want to reach them.  The next real goal is to get out of the 300's.  I have 10 lbs to go to get out of the 300's forever.  I have been able to get out of the 300's in the past.  But, what makes this one so special to me is that, this time I know it is forever.  That is exciting.  I hope to be out of the 300's by tax day.  We will see what happens.  Goal #2:  To weigh what I did the day I got married (Dec 19, 1992).  I have a total of 22 lbs to lose to get there.  So, I want to reach that goal by my 3 month anniversary (May 21, 2007).  After that, I am unsure of the next goals.  

That is my Saturday morning musings.  What a ride this WLS is

Wow, has it really been almost 5 weeks?  I can't believe it.  I have to confess that for a week or so before surgery up to now, my focus has almost all gone to my surgery, my recovery, my weight loss, etc.  However, there are other things in my life that need attention.  Thus, I haven't posted on my profile as much as I would like to.  I am a wife and mother of 2 children.  I work part time as a piano/voice/flute teacher and I am a full time student.  My schoolwork has really not gotten the attention it has needed the last 5 weeks.  Luckily, the effects are only slight.  But, I have got to get my butt back in gear and pay attention to my school work.  It is important that I make good grades in my courses so I have to give it the attention it deserves.

I am doing good.  Sometimes, I feel like maybe I am eating too much.  Just kind of don't feel real great after I eat sometimes.  But, sometimes, even when I don't each much, I still have that yuck feeling for awhile.  I don't know.  I wish I had a nutritionist to help me.  But, my insurance doesn't cover one.  They cover the surgery but won't cover the education to help get the maximum benefit of the surgery.  Go figure, that is insurance for you.

I think I might be entering a mini stall.  I had one between week 2-3.  Just not moving much on the scale the last 2 days or so.  But, overall I am currently down 37 lbs in 4 1/2 weeks.  Sure can't argue with that.  I am getting my 60 gms of protein and at least 64 ozs of water every day.  So, I guess everything is going okay for me.

I have to go back to the books now.  I will write more soon!

Good morning.  And I mean it is a good morning.  Life post wls is amazing.  I have successfuly lost 36 lbs in 4 weeks.  I am so excited.  I feel it in every part of my body.  

The bronchitis is finally fading away.  I am back walking 1.25 miles a day.  The weather here is helpful.  It continues to be in the 70's.  It has threatened rain the last three days but none has fallen.  I know we need the rain, but I need to walk more so I am happy it hasn't rained.

Okay, let's see on 2/21/07 I weighed 349 with a BMI of 52.8.  Today, 3/21/07, I weigh 313 and have a BMI of 47.6.  I am thrilled.  I am going to do my measurements today too.  I am also going to keep a photo record each month of my progress.  As long as I can, I will even wear the same clothes, which probably won't be long.  I think the pants just about fall of as it is.  But, I can hold them up for a couple of pictures.

I have met so many wonder friends here on OH and I know that I can always come here for support and encouragement.  That is such a help.  I need that support and understanding that most of the rest of the world never gets.  

I have gotten sick a couple times in the last week.  I think I am having to learn how to eat real slow.  I think at least 2 times it was because I ate too fast.  The 3rd time, I think I just ate something that the pouch rejected as undesirable.  And we all know, the pouch is in charge.

How do I feel emotionally.  Most days I feel on top of the world.  For someone who has suffered depression forever, that is major.  I still have days where I am frustrated and overwhelmed but those are definitely the minority.  I have days where I see or think of some comfort food and feel sad that it will not ever be able to comfort me again.  But, there is such comfort in watching the scale go down and watching myself get healthier and healthier every day.  

Without reservation, this was one of the best things I have ever done for me!!!  Thank you Dr. Barker.

This has been a frustrating week.  This bronchitis is a real nasty thing.  I hurt all over.  I haven't walked since Saturday.  I am kind of frustrated.  I eat the same things every day and I am really tired of the same ole things.  I need some variety.  I am sure I won't be so bummed if I had some variety.  Actually, I am able to start adding things to my diet.  But, I really don't know where to start.  I always go back to eggs, chicken salad, tuna salad, or refried beens/cheese.  In and of themselves, all of those things are good.  But, I am just tired of them.  I need some ideas.  I need to do some surfing. 

I am finding that when I am a little down or frustrated, I tend to back off from everyone and not visit much or write much on this board.  I know that I need to do the opposite.  I guess that is one of those old habits that need to be broken in this "new life" of mine.  

I believe I am amd down 29 lbs.  Seems like it should be more.  But, I don't really know.  All I can do is keep doing what I am supposed to do and this will be successful.  It sure will help to be able to walk again.  Dang this bronchitis.

Well, I have bronchitis.   That is a real bummer.  I have been coughing the last couple of days and it was really starting to hurt when I coughed.  And, my chest burns all the time.  I didn't get to walk yesterday because I felt so bad.  So, I went to my PCP today.  And, alas, I have bronchitis.  So, at least I am now on medication and it should clear up.  I do have a tendency to have trouble with bronchitis and when I get it, it likes to stay awhile.  But, I will do everything I am supposed to to get rid of it.

Other than the bronchitis, I am feeling so good after surgery.  As of today I am down 28 lbs.  I am happy with that.  I sure can feel it in my clothes and just generally I can feel it.  You don't realize how much 28 lbs affects you until it is gone.  My PCP noticed as soon as he walked in.  He didn't even have to ask if I had lost weight.  He could see that I had.  That is a good feeling.  Actually that is a great feeling.

I am facing some financial decisions that affect a whole lot of areas in my life and I honestly don't know what I am going to do.  But, I am thrilled that I was able to have my surgery before I had to make these decisions.  

Well, I am coughing and feeling pretty bad at the moment.  So, I am going to go for now!

Wow it has been a couple of days since I posted here.  I actually had a rough day when the scale was my enemy.  I got real discouraged; but, I am okay now.  I just took an emotional side trip.  I know I am doing everything I am supposed to be doing.  I am eating right, drinking my water, getting my protein, and walking.  So, the stuff I don't have control over, such as the scale, is just not going to rule me.  

I confess that I am adding a few things to my diet a little early.  Everything is still soft and I am not eating any bad stuff at all.  For instance, this morning I added a little cooked ground beef to my egg for kind of an omelete kind of thing.  I have added a couple things like that at different times and have had no trouble.  And, I am very careful to keep it to about 1/2 a cup.  

I get to go to the dentist today and get some work done.  Yuck.  Not looking forward to that.  But, it has to be done.  Life really has been back to normal for me pretty quickly, with one exception.  I feel so much better.  I didn't realized how much 25 lbs gone would make a difference in how I feel.  But, it does.  

The weather here in Texas has been absolutely beautiful the last couple of days and I believe it is supposed to remain that way.  It makes walking an almost enjoyable activity.  I actually do enjoy the walking.  Still get huffy and my legs get tight.  But, it isn't supposed to be "easy" or I wouldn't be working hard enough.  

Well, life calls and I must go.  I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing OH family and am blessed every single day by what I read and the support I get by my fellow "Losers".

Okay guys, today is Monday.  What kind of goals are am I going to meet this week.  First and foremost, since the weather is really becoming quite nice, I must walk everyday.  I have begun my week well with walking a mile yesterday and today.  I have actually walked everyday since my surgery.  I haven't missed a single day.  

I am still on the "soft food" diet and really don't struggle too awful much on that.  I have several cream soups I am rotating and I have had cottage cheese with marinara sauce.  I have tried other things too.  I am supposed to go until next Tuesday before I start introducing new more solid foods.  I am looking forward to that.  However, I really am not hungry much so anything is fine with me.  

Today is my only campus bound school day.  The other classes are done online.  I am glad of that because I can do it whenever I have time as long as I stay on schedule.  

I guess things are continuing to go really great.  I haven't weighed the last 2 days.  I have decided to weigh only once a week.  So far, I have not weighed for 2 days.  That may be one goal that is a true struggle for me.  But, if that is it, I am not going to complain.

I purchased a "magic bullet" and love it.  I am excited about all the possibilities it has for me.  

I guess my life is not pretty much back to normal and going great.  The main difference is that I am not eating all the time and am not as miserable.  I will take that any day!