Hanging in there.

First I wanna start out by saying that in my first post I said I would post a picture of me at my highest weight, but I can't seem to find them.  I've put them somewhere "safe", and don't remember the safe place.  Typical.

But I will put in a picture of me in April 2018

This is me at 222lbs. 

These were taken at a Day Quilting Retreat with one of my best friends aka partner in crime.  She is a great support and I love her like a sister. 

So this is where I am starting over.

STATS as of Today

Lapband to Bypass 5/14/18
HW 325
SW 221
CW 208
GW 158

I saw my surgeon today, and they removed the drain!!!!!  I'm very happy about that and put me on Protonix to keep the stomach acid down, I was having pain and issues with putting anything in my stomach. That has seemed to help because tonight I am able to eat....well drink my protein, without pain. He thinks once I start with something a little more solid that issue will go away.

Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose is all within Normal range and has been since I came home post-op.

Still emotional, and can cry at the drop of a hat.  But I'm dealing with that by just letting it happen.  Just letting it flow! 
I told a friend today that I didn't want to make a flosstube video because it is highly likely I could seriously cry over cross stitch.  NO ONE wants to see that.

So that's my update for now.  Thanks to everyone who reads these ramblings of mine!  I appreciate the comments you have made, as well as the support.

14days Post-op

So I had my first follow up with my doctor/surgeon.  That's different.  I think I went to the surgery center to get my staples out after lap band, or maybe they did while I was in the hospital afterward. Either way I didn't see my surgeon again after the hospital stay.

I go back in again on Tuesday to see him.  Hopefully to get the drain removed, aka the grenade (it looks like a clear grenade without the pin) 

I have three appointments this week one with the surgeon, one with my GP, they called because they heard I had surgery and wanted to touch base and schedule a follow up too. The doctor I had when I first moved to Dallas, whom I loved never followed up with me after surgery, so this was unexpected.

Thursday I meet with the Dietician, I'm actually looking forward to this one! 

I still feel tired and weak, but I'm beginning to get around a little more.  I think adding the protein drinks has added to my energy level, and I have started drinking electrolyte water because I was feeling dehydrated and I can't have Gatorade right now.

On June 4th I get to start healthier soups, with chunks in it! Looking forward to that I have already started menu planning.  I found some soup recipes for two. Because I have difficulty making small batches of soup. 

Oh and my daughter went with me to my Dr. appointment with the surgeon and we discussed the rapid weight loss.  I have already dropped like 14 lbs in a very short amount of time, it didn't' seem like that was good.  She would lose weight on the diet that I am on too if she were to do it but not likely to lose as much.  So we were both concerned at the rate.  Turns out it is normal.  I'm a little overwhelmed by it.  Seems like so much so fast.

 That's it for now. Until next time!

7days Post-op

So... Yesterday and today I went out.

Yesterday Saturday 5/19 I went to see my grandson and played with him a little.  Just being around him made me happy. Then hubby and I went shopping and I stopped to get some Pho minus all the goodies just the clear yummy broth.  Lasted me 4 meals and was only a little over $6

Today 5/20
I went to my English Paper Piecing (EPP) Club at a local quilt shop that meets once a month on Sunday.  I enjoyed that. Then hubby and I went to get some fruits for me infuse water with it was a good day all in all. 

My emotional level is a little low.  I feel weak, I know it is from lack of nutrients. 

This week I have a follow-up with my surgeon on Thursday and the following week I go start with my dietician/nutritionist. Which I have found out everyone just calls a nutritionist or NUT.  I was a little confused.  My daughter (a nurse) who works with people with severe eating disorders (she's a psych nurse) told me I had to work make sure my "nut" was a registered dietician so I followed her orders.  This had been the original plan get the band out and work with a dietician. So I am sticking with the plan.  Just not the plan I had imagined.

Still dealing with the emotions of this not being exactly ideal but I'm coming to terms with it. Slowly.

Current Stats
Lapband to ByPass 5/14/18
HW 325
SW 221
CW 214
GW 158

Super Emotional

Ok, I went for a walk this afternoon and became super emotional afterward. I cried for like 5mins. CRAZY!!! So I jumped on to a support group I joined on facebook and heard that I am not alone it's normal.

I got a lot of advice and support. Made me feel better, and I decided to just let it come.

The one thing that I'm not grieving is the loss of food.  I haven't really been able to eat much for the past 14 years because of the band so the lack of food is not an issue.  I don't feel cut off from that relationship that happened years ago.  I want that relationship back as a matter of fact in a healthy way. 

I have gone months without being able to eat anything without pain.  At least now I can drink tea and have some broth and it doesn't hurt my stomach. Literally, everything I was putting in hurt.

I understand what the people who are going through that feel because I did feel that as well at the beginning of my lapband journey in 2004. 

This journey, MY journey is different.

I promise when I feel better more up to it I will search for those pre-surgery 2004 pics of me and one current one of me.

Today I restarted my Fitbit

My goal for awhile is 3000 steps a day that is 250 steps every hour or so...My FitBit reminds me to walk.

As a matter of fact, I am going out for a walk now. My husband just came home from prayers. So someone will know where I am.

Goodnight from day 4 post surgery

P.S. They tell me it gets better!

New Journey Begins

So 14 years ago, I started a journey that didn't pan out so well.  I had a gastric lapband put in. 14 years of throwing up almost 4 time or more per week.  I did loose weight with the band I'm not gonna lie and I did maintain at 221-225 for the past 10 or so years.  But after my 50th birthday in February things started to go really south.  I had constant constipation, I could not eat anything without it hurting.  I was in pain.

My family convinced me to get the band taken out. So I consulted a doctor...who turned out to be kinda of a flake.  Needless to say that didn't pan out.  So I contacted one of the big names here in Dallas and made an appointment to see him and discuss my treatment plan. 

Turns out it was a good thing I went to see him.  He sent me for an EDG on Tuesday May 8th and by Friday everything had pretty much gone to Hell in a hand basket.

So today Thursday May 17th at 6:54am I sit in a hospital chair beside my bed writing this post. 

Monday May 14th

I had the lap band removed and a gastric by pass done. 

So this is my beginning.  I came into the hospital weighing 221lbs.

My goal it work with a dietitian and lose the remainder of my unhealthy weight.

What I had intended to do was to just have the lapband out but due to complications beyond our control it was medically necessary to have the bypass.

I'm tired and sore right now and feeling very gassy.



In the 14 years since I had the lapband there have many significant changes in my life.
1. I got divorced from a bad emotional marriage
2. I remarried a very kind loving man. Who loves me for me and I love him for him My Bestfriend
3. I'm a grandma to the most adorable little boy in the world

I feel like I am in a much better place to start over Maintaining ME. 
The Doctor told me it was time to get selfish and put myself first.  So here I am trying to do just that.

I will insert a before pic here, of where I started in 2004 if I can find it.  A pic of me today, when I get a chance to get out of this hospital gown and I will keep you posted on my journey.