http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php Check out our Weight Loss Surgery Forum - over 1000 people that have been there and done that. Get the Weight Loss Surgery support you need on the journey. en Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:36:41 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=208 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:47:58 GMT I Had My Surgery On July 1st And It Went Extremely Well For Me. I Was Only In Surgery 1 Hour. Doctor Said He Was Amazed I Did So Well. I Did Great! I Was Only In The Hospital 2 Days And Released. I Still Have Alot Of Pain On Left Side Where Most Of The Work Was Done Which Details Some Burning But Other Than That I Feel Good. Dr. Diaz Was A Very Good Surgeon. Would Recommend Him To Anyone. :) I Had My Surgery On July 1st And It Went Extremely Well For Me. I Was Only In Surgery 1 Hour. Doctor Said He Was Amazed I Did So Well. I Did Great! I Was Only In The Hospital 2 Days And Released. I Still Have Alot Of Pain On Left Side Where Most Of The Work Was Done Which Details Some Burning But Other Than That I Feel Good. Dr. Diaz Was A Very Good Surgeon. Would Recommend Him To Anyone. :) ]]> patricia22657 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=208 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=207 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:54:26 GMT Good Morining To You,
In the WLS program at KP, they have a person drink 4 cans of Carnation Instant Breakfast a day. My thoughts after one week of this:barf:. Last night I had the pleasure of speaking with someone who had this surgery done a few weeks ahead of me, and she said she got to eat food right after her meeting with the surgeon--my apt in 8 days from now. So . . Yesterday I HIT THE WALL! It was all I could do to even think of it. I was dreaming of cottage cheese and egg whites mmmmm yum yum!

So . . . after a wonderful pitty party--complete with tears and anger, I decided to buck up! After all, I am doing this for a life time of health. The Jewish people ate manna for how long? I figured I could buck up and do this one thing for myself. I had an open surgery, so I REALLY need the nutrition to heal quickly, so I can be out there exercising and feeling good:p.
So I crushed ice, and put it in a bowl. I placed the drink mix can in the ice, and then the whole bowl in the fridge. When my timer chimes, I measure one ounce, and then treat it like a shot of tequilla.
Down the Hatch!!! :eek:
After one can, I get a sugar free popcycle. Then I drink water for a couple of hours. After that, I'm back to the cans! I have the fruit juice from carnation instant breakfast as well, but really, that has also lost it's allure.
:barf:
I'm In The Home Stretch!

It will never be this wretched again, but I know my committment to be on program will definately pay off in better health and wellness.

My thoughts go out to all of us in our struggles and peaks. My prayers today are for each and everyone of us--that we may extend the Grace we show to others into our own lives.

Bless You All,
Becky ]]> reastland http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=207 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=206 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:28:54 GMT :D:dogpile: SURGERY! HOME IN TWO DAYS!!!! HELLO EVERYONE--SURGERY ON JUNE 24TH AT 8 am. HOME ON JUNE 26TH BY 1 PM :high5: I ATTRIBUTE this great news to all of the prayers, and the support of everyone gave me. :D Thanks for the prayers--they worked! Becky :D:dogpile: SURGERY! HOME IN TWO DAYS!!!!

HELLO EVERYONE--SURGERY ON JUNE 24TH AT 8 am.
HOME ON JUNE 26TH BY 1 PM :high5:

I ATTRIBUTE this great news to all of the prayers, and the support of everyone gave me. :D

Thanks for the prayers--they worked!

Becky ]]> reastland http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=206 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=205 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:54:39 GMT Good day everyone: My surgery date was moved again… :bangbang: I am going in tomorrow June 24, 2008 at 7:00 am; please have me in your prayers. I started my prep on Sunday evening (my decision) instead of waiting till Monday morning as suggested by my doctor. I hate that liquid phosphate stuff. It made my stomach churn. Somehow, I managed to keep it down. My problem right now is that I have a very serious headache. I have tried everything from cold to hot compress and a little stretching. I went to bed at about 11:00 pm and got up @ around 2:00 am. I don’t know if I am nervous. I think I have managed to bury all thoughts about the surgery. I feel numb; I want it to be Tuesday already knowing that by God’s grace I made it through. Since lack of sleep and I are best friends right now, I have decided to use this opportunity to start a journal. I will add more to this as I get to know Mr. “_*Sleeplessness*_” better. I guess we are in for a long relationship (I hope not!) Just in case- I want to thank everyone for their support. I will see you on the other side of my new beginning.:scales: Good day everyone:

My surgery date was moved again… :bangbang:

I am going in tomorrow June 24, 2008 at 7:00 am; please have me in your prayers.

I started my prep on Sunday evening (my decision) instead of waiting till Monday morning as suggested by my doctor. I hate that liquid phosphate stuff. It made my stomach churn. Somehow, I managed to keep it down.

My problem right now is that I have a very serious headache. I have tried everything from cold to hot compress and a little stretching.

I went to bed at about 11:00 pm and got up @ around 2:00 am. I don’t know if I am nervous. I think I have managed to bury all thoughts about the surgery. I feel numb; I want it to be Tuesday already knowing that by God’s grace I made it through.

Since lack of sleep and I are best friends right now, I have decided to use this opportunity to start a journal. I will add more to this as I get to know Mr. “Sleeplessness” better. I guess we are in for a long relationship (I hope not!)

Just in case- I want to thank everyone for their support. I will see you on the other side of my new beginning.:scales: ]]> Galadriel07111 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=205 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=204 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 05:29:26 GMT My surgery is in three days. Good news is that I have the worship team duties for tommorow at church. That is really good news, because it keeps me busy.
I sheduled my surgery for a real stress free time in my life, and low and behold--STRESS FILLED!

One Word: Family

I really could care less that they have things going on--because this is my time. My sisters seem to be sabatures(SP). I never realized it unitil this moment, I am so used to changing every thing in my life around to fit their needs, that I have always put myself on the back burner. After all, I am the single one with no life?

Not anymore! Now I go swimming, biking, church, walking at the dog park, and their drama will just have to wait.
After this surgery, (actually starting now) I will be empathetic, but not the rescuer. I had my older sister for a week, and since she and the younger one are at odds (for good reasons I might at--the younger one is raising the older ones children because of her drug abuse and alcohol addiction.) But here she was clean and sober for many months--working her AA program, and half way through the week of running her too and frow I realixed how easily I let her imfluence me into enabling behavior. So I stopped, and she responded very well. At the restaurant she wanted to take home a doggy bag--groddy fries with extra ranch sauce, and I said, no I can't have it at the house. Then I made eye contact and said, this is a trigger food for me, please do not bring it home. She was taken back and then realized that she was not being supportive of my program. :eek:

Well, things improved, and now she is home. She helped me get parts of my house in order (After 12 years of teaching 5th grade in the same classroom, I took a position that is out of the classroom--a less stressful job). Now I am still trying to get the things I brought home in their propper place. :confused: Wherever that might be!

SO . . .Surgery on Tuesday. I took great care of myself today. Yesterday with help, I got all of the clothes that are too large sorted, matched and on hanger to donate to my support group. Many really nice teachery things:).
Today, I wore clothes I bought in a smaller size for after surgery, AND THEY FIT BEAUTIFULY.
tHEY
]]> reastland http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=204 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=203 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:24:13 GMT I had a seizure last week. I've been really horribly tired for several weeks, so many I've honestly just lost track. I'd had this horrible sense of 'doom' or something that I wanted to run from for nearly 24hrs..and in fact had been driving for nearly 2 hrs when I finally went home. I laid down on the couch and realized all of a sudden this sensation,feeling, physical feeling really not emotional and the last thing I remembered was feeling my hands draw up overy my chest and looking up and to the right...My daughter came in not long after and couldn't understand what I was trying to say, classic postictal (sp?)..I had to call in for work and that was a huge hassle as my supervisory officer didn't return the 2 calls and I had to make 2 other calls..called in for 2 days.
I finally got in to see the PA on wed (5days after the fact) and now...now he realizes that I needed a referral to a doc that can actually give me referrals within the hospital system I work for and my insurance gives discounts for using their facitilities.
First he made it seem like he was sending me to a psych..but then when I looked up the doc and realized he was sending me to a different MD family practice at my facility I understood what he was saying. I needed a physician who could give me referrals for the ins. to neuro, etc to get all the tests that he wanted me to have but can't order at my facility.
I get it, but when I was in a snit over him brining up the psych stuff...I went over the conversation later and realized that he was saying to me that I would need support in that area if the ms/cfids/lyme etc's was reactivating after all this time. The seizure he said could indicate a lesion or many other things possible.
My glucose was very low as I'd not eaten much in that 24hrs previous..but hell's bells...I don't feel good, I don't feel right and I'm soooo tired.
They did give me 3 times the normal amount of B12 injection and did it in my arm not the hip like usual, made me stay for awhile. but that's not improved energy or anything.
My friend who is married to a specialist is still up in arms over the low white counts which according to him indicate a bone marrow issue, is almost driving me crazy. Hey, I'm not rich girl here, I don't have the 'power' of being married to a high end person and use their name to get action you know?
On all ends right now I'm just worn out inside..
Work wise, I asked to be changed immediately to 2nd shift. The last straw for me was several things. One was the calling in and hearing everyone tell me how he went on and on "who the hell knows their sick for 2 days?"...inappropriate behaviour and sexual commenting that I have put up with for long months now and the very last straw to break my particular camel's back..
In front of another employee he ridiculed me about having any disability "you don't LOOK disabled to me...does she look disabled to you??" said to one of the other officers who said when the other one left..wasn't that against the law that he said that to you AND..get this...was ASKING me how much money I get from the SSA for disability and isn't it against the law for me to work..etc..what the hell??
There are programs through the SSA that you enroll in when your status changes and it assists you in getting self sufficient and then fast tracks you back to full status if you become worse again.
I looked up a ton of stuff online the ADA site and I got more and more pissed off.
He did not have the right to ridicule me or ask me those questions. I have given full disclosure and that does NOT mean anyone at work has the right to ask anything.
I'm good at my job and called the 2nd shift lead and talked to him..he'd heard and been concerned about how this person had talked abot me and had been treating me for quite awhile. I told him what had happened and by the next day I was put on the new shift..a faster paced shift for sure. But better in a lot of ways. ]]> BreeChick http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=203 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=201 Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:33:04 GMT :( I feel icky. I stopped taking Vicoden today and woah do I feel bad. It's like I went into insta-depressed mode. It sucks. I feel a little paranoid too. I keep having thoughts of leakage. I am outwardly optimistic most of the time but inside I have a darker paraniod "if it's BAD it will happen" kind of thinking. I am thinking of going to a counselor. I have tried before and always ended up frustrated and a little insulted. I wish I could find a therapist who had undergone weight loss surgury. that would really help I think. Some of my frioends and one cousin are acting like I have nothingf to bitch about bc/ supposedly i have taken the "easy" way out. Urrghhhhhhhhh! They have NO IDEA.:(

I hope tommorow is better. ]]> stella blue http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=201 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=200 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:32:16 GMT Well here I am on day 11. I am doing sooo much better now that the surgical gas or whatever they pump ya' full of is OUT! I am no longer hearing gurgles and roars coming from my innards and the pain and PRESSURE is gone :)

Eating real food has been going well too...I am not scared to anymore now that the awful bathroom "action" is over. I had blueberry applesauce,tomato soup,protien pudding and fat free cottage cheese today. When the awful bathroom stuff was happening last week I blamed it on the whey shakes and possibly lactose intolerance. I am happy to report that the cottage cheese caused no ill effects and I am ready to try another whey shake. I bought 2 jugs the size of my head pre op so I'm glad I will be able to use them! I am nearly pain free now and slept in my bed for the 1st time. I was getting really sick of the recliner. It's nice to be back in my little comfort nest, Ahhhhhh. I slept well. ]]> stella blue http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=200 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=199 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:36:45 GMT HI~
I am new here and looking to make friends who understand what is happening in my life now. I had Gastric bypass 9 days ago but lost 81 pounds on South Beach in the 10 months beforehand.

I have been overweight since my late teens/early 20's. What some call the "freshman 15" turned into the freshman 85 when I moved away to college in 1993. I was unhappy at nearly 300 lbs but still functioning and couldn't seem to stay on any diet longer than a week or two. After school I moved back to my hometown and started working as a caterer...being around food 24/7 was no help and I continued to gain.

In 2003 I had some odd symptoms, went to the dr and was MISdiagnosed w/stage II endometrial cancer. I was sent to a cancer institute where I was rediagnosed with ONLY hyperplasia atyipia. A pre cancerous condition of the endometrium. I was told it was caused by excess estrogen. Women who are overweight tend to make too much. My Oncologist put me on progesterone (orally) for the next year and I gained over 150 pounds. I guess progesterone can cause massive weight gain. Not good. I had to have surgical biopsies every 6 months and it was recommended that I get a progesterone IUD to get me off the oral pro. I gained about 30 more pounds over the next year and then seemed to hover in the 480's.

I had been interested in GB for about a year at this point and had brought it up with my primary care dr who was not at all supportive. I went to my (WONDERFUL) oncologist and he was completely for it...saying it would most likely stop the overproduction of estrogen and allow me to get off the progesterone alltogether and still be able to have childern someday!

I started in a program in August 2007. I was asked to follow South Beach and just modify it to suit my vegetarianisim. I did. At 1st didn't stick with the program very well but every time I messed up I restarted the next day. S L O W L Y I began to lose weight! About 20 lbs a month on "phase I" and then on "phase II" much less. There were even months when I gained a few lbs. but over the past 10 months I have unloaded 81 lbs!!! Yay! :)

At my heaviest (487 lbs) I had to sit down every 5 feet when walking and couldn't shop or really go anywhere. I was crushed. It was awful. I had been backpacking and hiking (even as a BIG girl) most of my life and couldn't even walk 20 feet without pain in my back, knees, etc. I was too embarassed to leave the house. People are very unkind. Even medical personell. I got huffs and sighs when I had to ask for a chair without arms at the freaking dr! And they are supposed to help. The scale stopped at 350, there were never gowns to fit me and even blood pressure cuffs wouldn't fit. Ugghhh :(

When I reaches a BMI of 67 my surgeon agreed to "do me". I was ecstatic and cried all the way home....It was going to be OVER. I had my gastric Bypass 9 days ago and had my post op check up today! I was allowed to eat for the 1st time too. I had a baby spoon of cottage cheese and 2 Tbsp. of mashed yam over an hours time. Now... 3 hours later I feel fine. :)



Ok guys...now that you know my life story maybe this newbie can get some advice from the seasoned pros! Lol.

Take care all and thanks for stopping by!

Stella. ]]> stella blue http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=199 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=198 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:28:44 GMT Hello. I am scheduled for July for bypass. I have a friend who has done this already and has given me a lot of suggestions. Does anyone have any suggestion that I should do before surgery? My friend told me to start using Nioxin shampoo to reduce hair loss. I am looking for more helpful tips. Thanks!:) Hello. I am scheduled for July for bypass. I have a friend who has done this already and has given me a lot of suggestions. Does anyone have any suggestion that I should do before surgery? My friend told me to start using Nioxin shampoo to reduce hair loss. I am looking for more helpful tips. Thanks!:) ]]> Kristy http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=198 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=197 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:58:48 GMT I feel quite grumpy and out of sorts. Hormonal possibly. It's going into the new moon which seems to be when I ovulate from my still existing ovaries causing me to feel out of sorts, etc. Plus I'm tired again. I'd kinda gotten on a roll of having more energy.

Maybe I should make a checkup appt with my PA and get some blood work done or something. With the pernicious anemia I've gotten used to a certain level of tiredness in spite of exercising and working, etc and etc.. But this is a deeper tired out feeling like I could lie down and sleep for days but when I lie down to sleep I don't sleep that long unless I take the excedrin PM.

Maybe it's just the continuing cycle of change I seem to be in with everything.

Emotionally right now I'm in a good place, feel content and happy for the most part of my days. This of course is always a great place to be.

My daughter and I rented "crazy sexy cancer" which even if you don't have cancer is quite inspiring. Live my life in spite of my ailment, my diagnosis, my (fill in the blank)...LIVE! Be wonderful, beautiful and sexy..life is crazy and amazing..it's a great message. ]]> BreeChick http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=197 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=196 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:47:52 GMT :devil: I feel quite :devil:
I feel quite ]]> BreeChick http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=196 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=195 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:52:52 GMT Well today was it for school for the kids and my prayers have been answered, by some miracle my oldest and youngest pulled it off, they both passed to the next grade. I am so happy to hear this news as we were pretty sure they had failed.:high5: Well today was it for school for the kids and my prayers have been answered, by some miracle my oldest and youngest pulled it off, they both passed to the next grade. I am so happy to hear this news as we were pretty sure they had failed.:high5: ]]> beckamarie http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=195 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=194 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:01:07 GMT Well the summer begins officialy today for us. The kids are all home and so far so good. They seem to be getting along well.:high5: Ellisha got word yesterday that she DID pass the 6th grade and will be moving to the 7th grade. I can't believe my baby girl is going into the 7th grade. I don't feel like I should have a child that age.
Sam I am not sure if his teacher is moving him up or not but I know I will be working with him this summer so he can be ready for the school year next year no matter if its a repeat of Kinder or he moves to 1st grade. I am waiting on a hooked on phonics I ordered.
Will called yesterday so I got to hear his voice, it was so nice. I miss actually hearing him speak. I like seeing him n webcam but the voice part doesnt work for us. Only 4 more months and we get him home for 2 weeks:banana:I can't wait for that.
He has been talking to the re-enlistment guy and is holding out for pick of duty and bonus together. I am ok with him re-enlisting, I actually want him to. I am so used to this life trying to do civilian life would be so hard I think.
Surgery wise things are going ok. On my part I wasn't taking my vitamins or iron like I should and boy did I pay for it, I have been so run down and tired. So I started taking them again and am waiting for them to kick in so I feel normal again. TOM finally left and with it the extra weight left too, so Now its back to maintaining my weight. I still don't see myself as thin as everyone else does. Maybe someday it'll kick in, or maybe once I get my tummy tuck and breast lift I'll see it. Who knows all I know is I cant believe I am almost 1 year out. The time has flown by. I am so much healthier. Well thats it for now:blowkiss: ]]> beckamarie http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=194 http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=193 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:29:19 GMT I think I read somewhere that when you dump sometimes moodiness is involved. I am pretty sure that this is very true in my case, tonight I ate some ribeye with fat attached, I ate a few pieces of fat and about 4oz of steak. Nothing else just the steak, as I know I needed the protein. Anyways not long after I get really irritable and sick...I feel like I could:barf:. Light headedness takes hold and in general I feel like :sick:. My boys are the only ones home and poor dears have had the mom from :devil:. It's just I feel so yucky and their normal arguing is magnified by 100 with the way I feel. I wonder why irritability plays into dumping? I have been lucky not to dump often but damn off of steak sucks. I can eat an ice cream bar but not a few pieces of fat, go figure:bangbang:Anyways just some ramblings from me.:blowkiss: ]]> beckamarie http://www.renewedreflections.com/forums/blog.php?b=193