First Fill in my Band!

Had my doctors appointment today. Didn't have much weight loss since the 7th of December. Only 4 lbs. So I got a fill today on my lap band. It was the holidays that did me in. So now because I had a fill, I will have a few days on liquids again. Like I told my hubby, it will jump start the weight loss again I feel.

The fill itself was not bad at all. In fact Dr. Cywes made me laugh! I laid down on the table, he felt where my port was, said this might sting a bit (didn't really) and then said, ok here comes the worse part and then said he was done. I laugh because I said "what worse part?" Sat up, drank some water. Then I felt a bit of pressure in my throat you could say. He took a bit out of the band and that went away. Took another drink of water and the pressure was there again but not as bad. Took a bit more out and I was good then! So I am on clear liquids for 24 hours then full liquids for 2days (this is when I can have my protein shake) and then on the soft foods for 5 days. I can do this! It is going to take 3-5 fills to get me in the "Green Zone" but I can't wait to see what happens with this first fill!

The soreness around my port will go away as well as the little bump that is there. The other pain on my side is not from the band and it sounds like just from working out and the kidney stones that I had a few weeks ago. I think for the most part the kidney stones is gone!

In a few days it will be a new year. I have to say, the last few months have be great really. I committed myself to loosing this weight and changed the way I live. I feel better, look better and so for the new year I am just recommitted myself to working out, eating right and helping others if I can with their journey.

Not Cool. Not Cool at all

Short post. Yes, I partook of the Chex Puppy Chow (see my other post), but I know I didn't eat all that much. However, it seems I put on a little weight back on! UGH! It has been hard on me to work out like I use to ever since surgery. First it was the surgery, then the Kidney Stones that seems to have left a dull ache on that side ever since! Hurts to move sometimes because of that!

Tomorrow, I have a Dr. appointment, I might get my first fill. Maybe I need it. I know I am not eating that much but something is going on! Plus where my port is bugging me too. I am afraid I might get yelled at because I have (by their scale) not lost any since my appointment 5 days after surgery! Only because the 5 or so pounds I lost is BACK!

Once I have my appointment tomorrow I will post more. Today the plan is to work out, work out work out! Maybe only drink stuff too and not eat. I just don't know what to do!

Christmas Eve FUN!

Oh why do I not have will power over this stuff! Puppy Chow we call it in our home, it is also know as Muddy Buddies. Pinch here, one or two there! UGH! I know it is Christmas Eve but I must have will power!

Tonight we had fun! My older boys came over. Had our Christmas Eve dinner of soup in bread bowls. I did not have a bread bowl and maybe an half of cup of cheese soup. It is always good but I limited myself and I could not even finish it!

After dinner we read the birth of Christ and then made a ginger bread house that quickly fell apart! The kids really enjoy making and playing with it. I have some pictures and will post some of the night and Christmas day maybe later tomorrow.

We played games and now relaxing. Did spend part of the day getting some last minute things. So LOTS of walking.

I am going to be up and walk and enjoy the day...in hopes that the Puppy Chow don't get the best of me!

Got with the Trainer today

I now have a workout plan for the gym and for home. I am still sore in the core. A plan is really what I needed. This way, I can go and work out and push myself a bit more you could say.

Next week when I go in for my appointment and if my Doctor does a fill, I pray that I am not to sore around my port! I can really see where my port is. It is like a goose egg bump on my belly. It is right above my belly button. So if I can tell now where it is...what is going to happen next week if I get a fill? It is strange, it seems almost each morning when I get up, I have a stretch mark scar that swells around the area of the port. It goes down after I get up and move around but I do feel in if I rub my hand right there.

All bandages are now off. That means really no more inching! YES! I am rubbing some Vitamin E on the scars to help with the healing. Vitamin E really help in the healing of my foot last year so I am trying it with these little scars.

So, I am tired from the workout today so it is time to end this post. Have a great night everyone!

Hoarder of the "Fat Clothes"

Ok, been watching that TV show Hoarders off and on and I fear I may have a problem. I don't want to get rid of my old "Fat Clothes". Grant it, I still have a LONG WAY to go to reach goal, but there someplace in the back on my mind is the "what if". What if I gain it all back? I am having problems right now finding in my own closet what I can wear. I did go out this past weekend and got some things to wear to church but I need to get more. I was able to buy a size I have not bought in YEARS!

Like gaining weight, over time I have collected clothes. I have work clothes that I have not worn since I stop working at Sawgrass. I have the clothes that I didn't wear because they were to tight and now they fit better. I have somethings that I know that I will never wear again even if I gain it all back that I don't want to get rid of! So why is this a problem for me?

Today, I started to go though them. I am putting the things that I know that are to big in a bag. I want to get like a rubber-made box to put them in and just store them. In doing this, I found some stuff I can now get into. Somethings I even forgot I had!

Maybe I will saving them all for a time. Who knows, maybe I will come across someone that could really use them someday.

Two Weeks Post Op and I am feeling petty good!

It is a wonderful day! I am two weeks post op, and everything now seems to be going well. I am learning what I can do and each day I can feel I am getting stronger. Drinking enough water is still an issue, and I am trying to figure out the best was to get my 64oz at least in.

Still sore, but it is getting better. I can now lean over and not have it bother me as much. Yesterday I was able to walk a mile and half. Today, I hope to at least do the same. Jogging right now seems to bother my port a bit much so I will just walk at a fast pace for now.

Tonight, I get to go to our support group meeting at the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center. I missed the last one due to surgery that day, but I want to go tonight as it is the last one for this year.

So each day brings a new feeling. Yesterday, it was tight in the chest after the walk. I think it was the cold. Today, was able to lean up out of bed and not be in pain! Be thankful for the little things.

Tomorrow will be interesting. I get to go to my hubbys school. I am taking 10 pizzas for his class "party". I have not been over at the school since August. That means, no one over there has seen me since then! I am now like 60lbs lighter! Time to do a little dance for that number! Food don't bother me to much really I have found. I am just going to enjoy seeing the kids faces enjoying their treat that they don't know anything about!

Can you say ROUGH Weekend?

Wow is what I say about this past weekend. I was in so much pain but it was not because of my band. It seems after a trip to the ER first thing Monday morning I had Kidney Stone/s ! It felt worse then the surgery did! For me it was like being in labor all over again! I probably should have gone into the ER on Sunday but I waited.

One thing Dr. Cywes said anything on the main body that is hurting, call him first. It might be band related, but this was not! I did call Dr. Cywes on his phone, and he was so great over the phone! He said to come on in and lets get this checked. He checked on me twice while at the ER and kept up with all the test that the ER Dr. was running. All I can say is Dr. Cywes is wonderful!

Today, I feel much better! I was able to sleep. Have not been able to do that for the past few nights because of the pain. So each day is going to get better.

One of the tapes on one of my incisions came off last night while I was sleeping and I could not find it. Probably Roxy found it. One down, two more to go.

I am giving myself today to heal some more after and eventful weekend. Tomorrow I hope to start back at the gym and do something there slowly. The Gate River Run is in March and I wank to at least walk the 15k!

Soft Food Time!

Yesterday was the first day I could have soft food. So I started the day with an egg! It was so good! I made two, but only ate half of what was on the plate. So really one egg I guess. I had some Mex mix cheese to add to it. Before I ate the egg, I was able to get down a half bottle of water first. Then waited 20 minute before I ate the egg.

Lunch was out kind of. So I made the best menu choice that I could and had some refried beans and cheese. It was a very small amount and ate about 3 oz or so is my best guess. Still not really filling the hunger pains you could say.

Dinner, I made Chicken and Biscuits for the family. It is like a Mock Pot Pie in a way. But I didn't eat the biscuits just the chicken and veggies. I put some on my plate and my dear wonderful hubby said, "is that a bit much for you?" I agree and put some back. Old habits die hard I guess. Then I chop it up really fine on my plate. I ate like 4oz and found myself full again. Didn't want to push it so I stop. But boy did it taste so good! I am using small plates and a small fork to eat with. This way, not to much to eat and I take smaller bites.

I got to start pushing my water again. Ever since surgery, I am finding it hard to drink the needed water. Should drink like 64oz a day! That is 5 water bottles worth.

Tonight was one of those nights I had trouble sleeping. I been up now almost 2 hours. The family will be getting up soon for Seminary and school soon. At least it is Friday.

Post-Op Dr. appointment

Today is day 6. Day 1 was the day of surgery so today is day 6. I went to my doctors for my post op appointment. Basically to check the the incisions. He removed the big bandage over my belly button and now I just have some tape on it. The tape on all will fall off in a week or so. Still have pain in my shoulder. The only bad part today was the wait to get into the room. But, I got to talk to some others. One was 2 years out, 1 month from surgery and one within days of mine. Learned about what to feel when eating and such. While waiting, Jodi there came out and talked to everyone about some upcoming events. One is the Gate River Run/Walk. I would love to run/walk it, but I know for sure I am going to walk it! They are doing a 15k walk this coming year and so I will walk it at least.

Got home and put the heating pad on my shoulder. It seems to help it. Then I went for a walk. I had not done that since before surgery. I only walked like 1/2 mile but I was outside and did it. I need to get back to a 15 min mile walking.

Now, I sit with the heating pad on typing this out. I am also thinking of my friend Nancy and hoping she is home or about home as she had her Lap-Band Surgery yesterday.

So, I am going to rest. Still need that it seems, and then it will be time to get the kids.

Day 4....

All and all a good day! I was able to get myself ready (after finding something to wear that I still could wear) for church and did sacrament at church. Phil brought me home after that and I drank one of my shakes and took a nap till about 3:30. So about a two hour nap. One of the things I am finding is that I am just tired but I do sleep now. I guess it is because the body is healing.

I am a bit black and blue around my belly button area. But Phil and I are not to worried. I go back in on Tuesday for a follow up. I am not having to take my pain meds to often now. So I am happy about that.

Today, I just feel better, but not 100%. Laughing still hurts so does singing LOL. Taking deep breaths is hard but I am making myself do it once in a while during the day. I find myself kind of sleeping on my side now, but I am also sleeping with like every pillow I have on our bed! I sleep kind of sitting up but I end up laying down.

Tomorrow is my first full day on my own. I will just take it easy. I do want to go for a short walk but I will not take the dogs. I hope to sit at my work computer for a bit and do some work. And come the afternoon, I should be able to pick up the kids from the bus stop. I would like to go shopping for a few things but I will see how I am and if I have to wait till Phi is home I will.

Phil and Kaitlynn got a lot of Christmas up this weekend. Did a new thing to the tree this year and I like it. Kaitlynn did that on her own and she did a good job! I love my Christmas lights and I hope he can find the time this week to get them up outside.

So I am feeling good and I am glad I am now on the "Losers Bench" !

I am now a Banded Woman

Surgery went on time, 10am. The Dr. was out talking to Phil at 10:45 am. And I was in recovery by 11:10 or so. Could not see the clock very well with out my glasses and besides I was still a bit groggy.

Around noon, I went over to the short stay unit. My shoulder was hurting as well as my neck from the gas they use to extend the tummy area. Not to say my tummy hurt! OMG it felt like someone used me as a punching bag. Part of the reason my tummy area hurts so bad is they repaired a really big hiatal hernia! My Dr. said it was one of the largest he ever had to repair and so the pain I have he is not surprised by. Because of hernia, I had to stay on my IV until I left to go home. I almost stayed the night, but at around 6:30pm I requested to go home. The dr had already signed the order so I could have stayed or go home. I had one more shot of morphine and went home since the edge of the pain was gone. 7pm I left. I took a pillow along with me for the ride home and that help with the seat belt going across me.

The first night I was home it was rough to sleep. I got up at 2:30 and walked a bit. Took my pain meds and stayed up for 90 mins. Went back to sleep for a few hours and then I just wanted to sit up. It felt better sitting up.

The pain in my shoulder and neck has gone away by the next morning. so it hurts in the belly! I am sure it will get better over time. Walking does help so does the heating pad. Taking GAS X too for the gas pain.

Sleepy all day of the surgery and the next day. Took a shower on day two early evening and had to go to bed right after that, but I slept a good 6 hours!

So I survived. I had the most silly grin on my face most of surgery day. When I had to get weighed in at the hospital at 289! I was so happy about that! I even cried and my Dr said I did really good prior to surgery making the lifestyle changes and I should do really good once I get my band and feeling better. . Just the fact I have a 2 in front of my weight just makes me so happy! Can't wait to see the 1!

So there you have it! I have 3 incisions. One big one in my belly button and one small one on the left side and about an inch one up top just under my breast. The bandages will be on for 2-3 weeks and can fall off on their own. My first fill will be the 28th of December but I go in for my post op appointment Tuesday the 7th.

HOME! Short post tonight

Hey everyone! I am home. Things went really well and I promise to post more later.

Like to say thanks to Trishelle for bringing diner to my family tonight. And thanks to everyone for their well wishes and prayers. Words can not express what I feel.

Thanks again and I will post later this weekend!

It was the Night before Surgery.....

And all though the home, everyone was anxious, even my dog. Was it Mommas surgery or was it the cold that made us jiggle? For Momma it was the jello that jiggle!


Well that didn't flow and nice as I had hope, but really all of us is for the most part is calm about this. Even me! I know I will be snoozing shortly but I just wanted to recap my day for a bit.

I have not eaten for the past two days. Lots of Jello and broth and don't forget the water. Other then the slight headache I am good but I am ready for bed! I think I got use to having all the protein that I had been eating. But I know I will be able to do anything that is asked of me regarding this band. I can do anything!

So in the morning, up and at them somewhat early. Have to be at the hospital by 8am and surgery is at 10. I should be home sometime that afternoon.

My next post will be from a Banded Woman! Take care all and will see you all in my new LIFE!

Day one of two of the LIQUID DIET

I have two days of a liquid diet. As we come to a close of the day, I have to say so far ok. I do have a slight headache, and I admit I am hungry but I will get though it. I think what help me today was I kept busy. I had to take the jax4kids paper around as it is the 1st of the month. So that kept me from the house from like 9am to almost 2pm. The afternoon I kept busy just running the kids around. What I ate today is what on the list and only on the list. I had some chicken broth, beef broth, some Sugar-Free Popsicles, and some Sugar-Free Jello. Drinking water with some Crystal Light in it as well. I think I am going to treat myself to a Diet Dr. Pepper tomorrow. So, going to watch some Glee and NCIS tonight and take it easy. Day two coming up soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so blessed with a wonderful Family and Friends. I am truly thankful for the time I have with them.

Being one week till I have surgery I am also thankful for everyone's support in this journey. I know I could not do it with out YOU! Everyone that sends words of encouragement, thoughts and prayers I thank you!

Today, my plate will have Turkey! A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless lean turkey breast has 120 calories, 26 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat. How great is that for protein!

I hope everyone is blessed with family and or friends at this time of the year. May God Bless the Troops that are away from their families. My prayers are with you each day! Bess their families as well for keeping the home fires burning.

Pre-Op with the Doctor today

Judy at 299lbs as of Nov. 24. I am below 300! Mini Goal met before surgery!

Pre-Op with the Doctor today went well I feel. Phil went with me. Learned what I had to do this week and the two days before surgery. I petty much keep doing what I been doing regarding no more then 30 carbs a day but NO SNACKS. So no more snacking on cheese I guess. Then two days before surgery I am on a only liquid diet. It is only two days. I can do this! So what is on the ok list to consume? Here is the list:
1. Water or zero calorie/zero carbohydrate liquids
2. Sugar-Free Jello
3. Sugar-Free Popsicle (not fudge)
4.Coffee, unsweetened tea, Hot tea (which I don't drink any of those)
5. Crystal Light (any flavor)
6. Propel water NOT gatorade
7. Bouillon cubes/granules of chicken or beef broth (low sodium with NO bits)

Thats it! I am kind of concern about the above but I guess I can do it. I done everything else up to this point. I will have to stay busy those two days to keep my mind off food. Night time I feel will be the hardest part about it.

Surgery will not take to long. We even get pictures! The dr. show us pictures today of what it looked like with the liver, the band in place etc. It was interesting and Phil was kind of excited at the fact I will get some pictures of all of this! LOL.

So tomorrow is Thanksgiving. What is going to be on my plate? Turkey and a Low Carb Green Bean casserole. That is about it. I am ok with that. Plus it only takes one last supper as you could call it to enlarge my liver so big that the surgery can not be done. I don't want to do that. The kids and hubby will have all their favorites. I been loosing the weight so why stop now.

Except for like the LAST WEEK! It seems I been stuck at just below 300lbs for over a week now! I hope over the next week prior to surgery I can drop another 9 or 10lbs at least something! I think because I was not feeling the best, my knee hurting, I just didn't loose any right now. Grrr.

So the picture above was taken today. Only 9lbs dropped over the last few weeks. But it is a loss. I will take one more picture the night before surgery and then maybe a bit more of a loss. However clothes fit better, some I can't wear because they are a bit to big on me now and I had to go get Phil and mine old wedding bands out and I am now wearing his old one! I am happy about that and maybe I can get into mine soon! Plus it is helping keep my engagement ring on!

At this time I like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Pre-Op check in today

Not much to it since I had labs done a few weeks ago as well as the EKG and Chest x-ray. So, just had a bunch of questions that I had to answer.

Now it feels so real. Now I have all the questions of what the heck am I doing? Why am I like this? I really need to do this but gees this way? Doubts and down today because I am thinking like this. Plus not feeling the best since Saturday night is not helping at all! I got to snap out of this.

Tomorrow is back to the gym. I do a slow mile on the treadmill but I am on it! Plus I do about 5 miles on the bike. I also work some with weights. I work with bands here at home. After I get out of surgery next week, I can only walk for a while. I will ask on Wednesday when I go in for my pre-op appointment with the Dr. when I can do more other then walking and when will I be able to bowl again.

This past Saturday I bowled with the league and I guess I was starting not to feel good then I did REALLY bad! Oh well.

Weight is coming off much slower now. Almost at the 50lb mark! I can't weight to loose another 50lbs!

I will write my next update after my Dr. Visit and I will do picture too to post!

Support Group last night and worked out today

Well back on track for the most part. I went back to the gym today and took it easy on the knee but still worked it. So I hope it don't hurt real bad later but I got meds for it if it does. Right now it feels ok.

Support Group last night was really interesting. We talked about skin. You know that excess skin that you can get when you drop a lot of weight. Learned that exercise primarily stretching and cardio are recommended to help the natural elasticity of skin. Proteins and Vitamins help with that dimple effect and skin rejuvenating. Last is Moisturizing Keeping the skin moisturized does help the skin itself, but there is nothing that will make the skin return back to its "youthful" look. Oh well. :) I will do the best that I can with what I got.

I did get some St. Ives Renewing Advanced body Moisturizer today at CVS. It was on sale even! Buy one get one FREE!

Last night we went and saw Harry Potter at Midnight. Lots of fun. Movie was good and glad I went even if I really wanted to crawl back into bed today. But I will sleep good tonight I think!

Went to my PCM to check on the knee

More then likely I done something to my ligament on the inside of my knee. Got some new drugs in a form of a cream and a patch to help with the aches and pains so I can get off my NSAID that I take as you can't take NSAIDS after surgery. So rest up for the knee for a few days and then take easy when working out at the gym.

Updated the weight loss ticker today! Since I got weighed at my Dr. office and it said I was at 300lbs with my shoes on...so below 300 I guess. I might get another weight in tomorrow night when I go to support group.

So thats it for now.....wanted to loose this weight to avoid problems like with my knees and bam! It seems I got it right before I had my WLS. Oh well, I feel it will heel.

Confession time

This is confession time for me. I have not been to the gym in almost a week! Between, the kids and hubby home from school last week, busy weekend, yesterday not feeling the best and today waking up with such pain in my knee that brought me to tears at 4am I just don't know what to do! That gym workout looks so painful right now and I had my mind going am I ever going to loose this weight! Is my goal of running a 5k going down the drain?

Two weeks out from my surgery almost and I met my mini goal to be at 300 or below by surgery. I met that...now what? I got to set another goal I guess for the next few weeks to get my mind off of things and to get myself going again. Just don't want to set one and not meet it and get depress is all. So it is a bad circle. Maybe 290 is one I could reach.......

Thanksgiving is next week and I am not sure what I can eat that day. It will be one week out from surgery. I know for a fact that I can not eat my all time favorites so I guess I will have to make some new things for myself. Who knows, maybe some of my family might like them too. I will know what I can eat the day before as my pre-op appointment is that Wednesday. Then I guess the month of December it will be an interesting diet as I will be healing from my surgery.

Found a new friend on ObesityHelp. I guess I should say she found me! Our dates for surgery is the same week and she is also a Navy wife retired like I am! So Nancy I look forward to getting to know you and having someone who is walking in the same shoes at the same time!

Happy National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day!!

Wow if I had known that today was National Clean Out your Frig I would have waited until today! Well there is a few more items in the Refrigerator that must go so out they go. Then, onto the pantry! It is amazing to me that all our eating habits are changing for the better.

I found my true weakness this weekend. Blasted Oreo Cookies! There is just something about those little Black cookies with that white stuff in the middle! Add those to milk (the only true time I had a glass as milk was never my favorite) and I could have eaten an whole sleeve from the bulk box at BJ's! Now, my friends don't worry...Judy still was under control for the most part. I only had two cookies this weekend. Both of them on Saturday one in the afternoon, and one that night. But come Sunday when hubby got them out again, I just gave him a dirty look and sulk in my chair as he sat there with his mug of milk and cookies! So I pat myself on the back for not totally loosing control and my family now knows to be careful when they come into the home.

All and all I am doing GREAT! I don't like to update the weight loss ticker until I go to the Dr. and get the real weight loss reading but I know, I know I am below 300! I am soooo happy about this. Also, Sunday was a great day for a NSV. That is Non Scale Victory. A friend of mine who has not seen me in I guess about a month or maybe a bit longer said YOU LOOK FANTASTIC! Glowing! I just smiled from ear to ear on that! Thanks Anna, you just made my day!

This week I have a feeling will go by slow, but next week is all my pre op appointments and then Thanksgiving. I am not even sure at the moment what I will be able to eat on Thanksgiving, but never the less I am so thankful that I can have this surgery to keep moving forward to better health. So I will have a lot to be thankful.

And it is approved!

Its is approved! I checked this afternoon online and it was approved sometime today! I was so excited to begin the next leg of this trail! The Lap Band will be my next tool in my weight loss. I was so excited that I called my Doctors office to talk with Jamie over there and get my surgery date! So my surgery date is 2 December. A month away. I could have had it on the 29th of this month but I wanted the first Thursday that he had open. So, I have a few appointments the week of Thanksgiving with the Hospital and with the Dr. Then one week later is my surgery!


Now I know this is not going to be easy, and sometimes may even be one of the hardest things I have ever done but I am going to do this! Average weight loss with the band is about 2 lbs a week. Not as fast and by pass surgery, but if you think about it, that is a little over 100 lbs a year! I didn't get here over night, and so it won't come off over night and I am ok with that. I just know what ever I loose is better then where I have been.

It's Pending!

Its Pending! I have been stalking Tricare online to find out what going on and my surgery approval is pending at the moment. At least they have it. Maybe I will have news by the end of the week.

Today, I lifted something heavy and I guess I threw my back out! Ouch! I hope to sleep and feel better tomorrow. Thursday is support group meeting and I am going.

One month later and down 24lbs

Judy One Month Later
(332 to 308)

Went for another appointment with my surgeon today. I went down in my weight 24lbs since my last visit!

Today's appointment was a group session with four others. Went over how we need to eat with the band, why the low carbs, why we need to loose some weight prior to surgery. Let me go over each one.

Why the Low Carbs. As long as we follow what the Dr. has said to do regarding carbs, we will loose some weight. Carbs will make the liver very large and it needs to shrink prior to surgery. Do this now will only be good for you come surgery day. And to get the weight off. After doing this for a month, it has only been better for me.

How to eat with the band. Small bites, small fork, small plate. Wont be able to eat a lot once I have the band to reach sanity. And with all of this, chew, chew, chew. Also, don't drink before a meal, about 10 mins or so. Also don't drink after a meal until 30 mins later. Don't want your food to come back up!

Now the reason for loosing some weight prior to surgery. The liver sits on top of the where the band will be going. The liver needs to be small and not in large to make sure when it is move it is not hurt or anything. That alone is a good enough reason for me not to eat what I should not eat! Even one BAD meal can in large the liver to the point that the Dr. can't do the surgery.

So my packet was sent off today to tricare. It should not take to long the lady at the office said to get approval. I asked about when did she think I could look at having the surgery. She said probably in November. So by the end of the year, I will be working on my new life! ( But I am already, I just get one more tool to help me! )

Right now, I am not sure when my next appointment is. I will get a call from the office once I am approved and then set that appointment and my surgery date. My Doctor does surgery on Mondays and Thursday. I think Thursday will be best. Phil will only have to take one to two days off. I figure if he can't take Friday off for some reason, I feel I can find someone to come spend the day with me....I hope. :)

It is going to be a great way to end a interesting year!

Excited! New Gym and Carrie Underwood tonight!

I am so loving today! I have started at the Lifestyle Family Fitness right up the road from me. I worked out last night with the Jax Weight Loss Center and I am feeling great! Tomorrow I get to update my weight loss ticker. I can't wait because I know I have lost a bit more. I hope to know more tomorrow after I see my Dr. as to a date for the surgery. Yes, I am nervous but I know I am going to be better for it!

Tonight is the Carrie Underwood concert and so I didn't work out as long as I really wanted to because I need to take care of a few things before tonight. I am excited for my date tonight with my hubby and then again on Friday when we go down to the Orlando Temple. What a wonderful week!

So stay tune I will be updating after my doctors appointment tomorrow with weight and a updated picture.

Labs, X-ray, EKG Oh MY!

Yesterday I went and have my predetermination for surgery done. This was Labs, Chest x-ray and a EKG. The check in at Memorial Hospital took longer the the tests! For my labs this go around they took ten tubes of blood! This is what you might call a FULL WORK UP! I don't think in all my life I have ever had ten tubes of blood taken at one sitting! The gentleman that took my blood is also thinking of having the Lap-Band done. The EKG was very fast. It took him longer to set up the stuff on me then to run the test. Then on to x-ray and they took two x-rays one facing forward and one from the side. Hehe I got to hold my hands up like an Egyptian for a the side x-ray. But the total time was maybe an hour and half from check in to walking out the door. So not to bad. I had my book with me.

The book I am reading right now is Bandwagon by Jean McMillan. Very good book! She has the knowledge and experiences as a successful Adjustible Gastric Band patient. I know I will be opening this book up again after I am done and after I have my surgery. If you are thinking of having an Adjustable Gastric Band surgery I recommend reading this book.

My walking is a lot more fun now that I have my new IPOD Nano. It is so sweet! It even has a pedometer on it. That is the fun part for me. When you sync your Nano it will upload your information that is on your pedometer to Nike.com FUN! Right now I (via the computer) is walking across New York on Nike.com

I am still at battle with my PCM to send my medical records over to Dr. Cywes office. I called yesterday morning. I got a call from Dr. Cywes office saying they still don't have it and so I called again today. This seems to be hardest part about getting everything ready for my 2nd appointment next week. Please pray that I keep my wits about this! Grrr.

Tomorrow I am going to my first support group meeting. This is held over at my Dr. office. It should be interesting as they are also going to be doing Line Dancing? Anything to keep you moving!

So with that, I am off to walk the Dogs before lunch. Just gotta keep on Moving!

Grrr why does my PCM office take so long?

Ok, Sorry all but I must vent here for a sec. I promise to do another post on some positive stuff later tonight or this weekend!

I am a week and a half out from my 2nd appointment and I had to call this week to get my letter of Medical Necessity from my Dr. that I requested two weeks ago! Not only that, my surgeons office sent a fax to request my Medical Records on the 23rd of Sept. and I just found out today they have yet to send them! So the surgeons office sent the fax again this afternoon and I followed up with a phone call and left a message for my PCM.

These two items are some of the things I need to get done before my 2nd appointment on the 27th of Oct. I am going in next week to the Hospital to have my Labs, EKG, Chest X-ray which also have to be done prior to the 27th. All these items have to be in my packet to send off to the insurance company.

I did pick up my letter of Medical Necessity today and made a copy of it. I found it interesting that I had co-mobilities that I didn't even know I had?!?! Like Hyperlipidemia ( high blood cholesterol and triglycerides) and reflux disease!?!?!?! I have labs done every year never was told of the cholesterol and the reflux disease. Hmm.

Oh well, I got the letter, and I hope to have my PCM office send the medical records soon so by the 27th I will be all set for my 2nd appointment. I would love to have this done by the end of the year so I will be all set by Camp time in July!

Today I Will......

~be kind, loving, and healthy to myself
~love my body and mind and know that I AM who I want to be
~speak kindly, lovingly, and softly to my kids and family
~take time for myself
~eat only healthy meat & veggies
~have a completely Low Carb Day
~leave desserts out of my eating from this day forward
~exercise my dog for an hour daily
~review this affirmation as often as needed

Been busy visting other sites this week

I have been busy visiting this week some other sites about weight loss surgery. Some have forums that has people helping people. One thing for sure, there is someone out there that has faced what you are facing, feeling or the questions that you may have you might be able to find an answer to.

These are the ones I like so far.

Bariatric TV: This is a place for Surgically Altered FREAKS
I love this place! They explain the term FREAKS in one of their first episode. They do a new video segment each week and has a bunch of just good information.

Weight Loss Surgery of America: The WLSFA is the Only Nonprofit Organization granting weight loss surgery and re constructive plastic surgery to people who can not obtain it on their own. I am blessed with insurance that will cover my weight loss surgery, but there are many that don't have insurance or for what ever reason, their insurance has denied their claim.


ObesityHelp.com: A place where you make the journey together. Here you find all the surgery's, groups, a place that can help keep you on track. If you want to blog there is a place on there that you can do that as well. I myself have not posted much over there, but I do enjoy reading what others have said and I was surprised, there are many who are feeling the same thing as I am!


RunKeeper.com: I found this place and it helps you keep track of the exercise that you do. You can track your walking or running routes as well as other types work outs. I love going for my walks and then come home hit this site and map it out. Great resource if you trying to map a route as well.


Well that is it for now. I will be happy to post some more site later when I come across them. As for me, not much happen this week other just plugging along on this trail!

New Low Carb diet and how I feel today

This is day four of my Low Carb Diet. I'm a sugar-addicted carboholic and, like a recovering alcoholic or drug addict, cannot eat "just one" cookie or piece of cake or whatever, because it would be the beginning of a very quick slide down a very slippery slope. I have to just say no to all that now. Low Fat diet didn't cut it for me either as I just wanted to eat more and more and didn't feel full. I have found in the last few days that I eat less, and fill fuller. The downside is I got a flu shot yesterday and I don't know if I am felling bad because if it or if my body is adjusting to the new Low Carb lifestyle. Everything I have read so far this is going to be the best for me.

Had a fantastic dinner tonight. Mediterranean Style Burgers and Faux Potato Mash which is cauliflower mashed with little sour cream and butter for a big head of cauliflower. Kaitlynn, Phil and I all enjoyed that, but the boys Justin and Chris didn't really but Justin ate all that he put on his plate.

So I am going to go drink some more water, get a bit more rest today and maybe feel better tomorrow as it is a new day!

Walk from Obesity 2010

On September 25th I did the Walk from Obesity
Here are some photos from the day!

I met some really neat people these two lovely ladies walked with me and they are Kena Pugh and Inez Rowe. I even won one of the raffles. I won $150 worth of stuff from Bariatric Advantage!

The guest speaker was Shannon Miller 7 Time Olympic Medalist.


It was a really good morning but just a bit warm and humid.

I told the gals that were there for the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center that I will be pictured on their board one day!

Nutrition, Fitness and PSYCH!

Two half days of Doctors appointments is so worth it!

Learned so much today about what is expected of me. Nutrition was an eye opener. My Doctor expects his patients to go down to 30 Carbs a day! Carbs turns into sugar in the body and that in turn can make us fat! What was an eye opener for me was the fact the my fruits were not carb friendly. But I am commuted in making this work so I am on board for this! So tonight, I had a 1/3lb. Low Carb Thickburger from Hardees 5Carbs! So while everyone had pizza in my home I had this. I have to admit it was good!

Fitness talked about Resistance Bands and using them to help with your exercise. Gave Sample band exercises. I am going to find some this weekend. But they stressed Physical activity can include everything from flexing your arm to dancing and running. But do something! While physical activity alone will not make you lose weight, it is a key component in becoming a healthier happier ME!

Interesting thing about those two appointments above, both who giving the class was new. I guess everyone has to start sometime.

Last item of the appointments today was Psych review. A 100 question test and a short interview. It was basically for me to know what is going to happen and that I am ready to make the changes in my life to make it happen. So its all good!

Set a new goal today. My next appointment is the 27th of October. Between now and then I would like to loose around 12-15lbs. This would help me once I have my surgery. I feel now that I can do anything that I set my mind to regarding this. Because simply I am DONE with being overweight!

The First Appointment to get my lap-band

Picture taken 21 September 2010

First appointment today! Today I met both Doctors. Dr. Cywes and Dr. McClure. The staff took my history, weight, picture and end the end of it all, I set my next few appointments to get all this done! Everyone seem nice. Doctors seem a bit scripted but I feel it is to get all information across. I am going to the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center

My next appointment with the Dr. will not be until 27 October. However, first thing tomorrow September 23, I am going to see the Nutritionist, Fitness Dir. and do my Psych exam. I said I really want to get this going, and so far I am getting my wish! Then about two weeks before my 2nd appointment with the Dr. I have to get my labs, chest x-ray, ekg all done over at the hospital. I also need a letter of Medical Necessity from my primary care physician. There is an Emmi program I need to complete as well. Phil and I will sit down together to do that as from what I understand it will talk more about the surgery and such. It is all done on the web at www.my-emmi.com

I am glad I am doing this and that I have made the commitment to get my life in better shape. There is a bit of a cost to go with the center I am with but I feel I will have a support system there like no other as they will follow you for life! It is not go in get the surgery and never see the Dr. again.

Now for the picture. I am going to take a picture of myself each time I have an appointment with the Dr. I hope to have some form of progress that can be seen. I am also thinking of just updating my weight loss ticker with the weight at the office but I will think about that a bit more.

Tonight, I have filled out more paper work that they gave me for tomorrow. Ate a good dinner and getting ready for a shower and bed as tomorrow is a new day!