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December 16th, 2009
wls
[sefouille]
 | 10:41 am - it's a marked adjustment
fast weight loss has given me freedom of movement that escaped me over 20 years.
my weight had increased at an alarming rate, then, settled into my bones, pressed on my
psyche until i thought i was stuck in that situation for the rest of my days.
surgery jump started my life again, proving all things are possible if you take care of yourself
and follow the steps to succeed.
realizing those steps are only mere details and there's more to the whole thing than following a few
rules is the journey.
after just 2.5 years the road is still long.
i have cross addicted into cigarettes, sometimes using them as a way to cope, because, hey- i can't eat.
my head is slowly, slowly evolving, my body passed it by long before.
the concept of people looking at me from the outside and calling me names like 'normal' and 'regular sized'
and heaven forbid- 'thin, now...' is too enormous to comprehend. i'm still the fattest girl in the room, aren't i?
those of you out there who've been 'stuck' for years as a person of size and now can look straight down to your toes without sucking your middles in, how have you adjusted to this amazing change in your body, mind and spirit? have all 3 components caught up together, or has it taken some time to regulate, are some of you in the right place? some not so fully aware of the whole picture?
how has the recovery from chronic overweightness been for you?
wls july 30, 2007
surgery weight: 430
current weight 216
still plugging along.....
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December 15th, 2009
wls
[gdgtgrl]
 | 10:18 pm - for all those who have been there
I'm wondering...I'm pretty much eating everything now, not large quantities mind you, but eating everything without sticks and all.
My question is this...when do you stop losing weight and how is it possible to gain it back...
LapRNY
05-26-09
226, 150ish, 130
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wls
[pretend_to_care]
 | 10:00 pm
SALAD!!
Seriously. I used to spend so much of my life eating as much greasy and crappy food as possible when I should have spent every waking moment eating salad. Now that my stomach can handle it, I eat it allll the time. I love wrapping nice, crunchy lettuce up in deli-sliced turkey.
I am so appreciative that I now crave healthy food. Right after the surgery I had intense cravings for all kinds of horrible junk food, but I barely think of it now. Tonight I sat with my friends in a pizza parlor while they ate an entire large pizza between the two of them and the only thing I was thinking is that I wanted to get home so I could my salad with grilled chicken.
LapRNY
10/07/2009
292/267/220/140
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wls
[trina4ufl]
 | 06:41 pm - Surgiversary
So, technically I missed posting on my surgiversary, or my one year anniversary of getting my lap band. It's been a good ride. It's had it's ups and downs but as of today, two weeks after my one year mark, I weigh 210 pounds. That is 120 pounds less than I did a year ago. Wow! I never really thought I would get this far! I'm still 32 pounds from my goal but I'm feeling pretty great. I have alot of energy now that I've gotten over this bronchitis thing. I lost 10 pounds this month when I weighed in at the doctor today. My surgeon showed me my before picture and I don't even recognize it. Did I really look like that?
No diet could have done this. I will take credit for my part, because I have exercised, gone to all my follow up appointments and fills, followed the rules (for the most part!) and try to eat healthy most of the time. But I will give the band the credit that is due because with the band, it is not impossible.
LapBand 12/1/08
Starting weight/surgery weight/current weight/goal weight/height
330/316/210/175/5'10"
Current Mood: accomplished
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wls
[madlori]
 | 10:44 am - Five month surgiversary round-up
This week is my five-month surgiversary. It's hard to believe! The time has floooooown by and it feels like a lot has happened.
My surgery day weight was 335 lbs, and today I weigh 260 lbs. I've lost 75 lbs in those five months. That's a 22% reduction in my body weight, and it's almost halfway to my goal weight. I have just over 100 lbs to go before I hit my goal weight, although I might not be able to hit that weight without plastics given that by the time I get down there I'll probably have 15-20 lbs of extra skin.
I'm still obese. I have a ways to go. But for those still considering surgery, or those getting ready to have it, or those who've just had it...or hell, for anyone who's had it at all, I thought I'd share some of the ways that losing 75 lbs has changed my life.
( Longish discussion of surgery results and effects )
And here's a five-month progress pic:
( 335 to 260 )
Lori
Lap RNY 7/16/2009
341/335/260/150
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December 14th, 2009
wls
[missjewell]
 | 11:18 am - dealing with others and surgery question
I haven't had my surgery yet! 16 more days and I can't wait! I am so tired of living in this body......Last night I was crushed when a very old dear friend said, "Where did you get your bigness from?" Your parent's weren't big people.....
Wow, that's nice..........lol I know some people don't think before the speak but that kinda hurt. My mother in law added her two cents and said, "She cooks good, did you see how fat my son is now?" He isn't over weight AT ALL.....He hasn't gained very much weight in the last 16 years of us being together.
I guess people just never stop to think that maybe you have a health problem and that's why you gained a lot of weight?? It's not always food that makes a person bigger you know??
Now on to my question.
I hadn't planned on telling anyone about my surgery but since I will be starting a liquid diet on Christmas Eve my husband felt that he should tell his parent's because they wouldn't understand why I couldn't eat and make a big deal about it....I wasn't there with him when he told them. And I haven't spoken out about it personally to them. But last night we were having dinner with them and I noticed several times that they were really watching the way I was eating and what I was eating.
How do you deal with that?? Just ignore it???
I am kinda worried that they are going to become the food police and I don't want that!
Lapband schueduled
Dec 30
cw/268/gw 160-180
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wls
[lmacd]
 | 06:51 am - 7 months
I'm officially just overweight and no longer obese. Woooop.
Also, after doing my measurements last night (kept forgetting to do em, should have done them on the 5th but too much life crap going on lately) the MOST amazing thing to me is that I've lost 10 inches in each THIGH. WTF. Holding the measuring tape out to my beginning leg measurement I seriously can no longer even remotely remember being that large.
I've lost:
8 inches in my chest
10 inches in my waist
14 inches in my hips
6 inches in each upper arm
2 inches in each forearm
10 inches in each thigh
4 inches in each calf
7 months out and only 30 lbs to go...feels like the last 30 will take me a while though, only like 5 lbs per month at this point.
Also, a friend of mine who I met a couple years ago just moved back to the states earlier this year (so I don't get to see her anymore :( I'm in Canada). Because of seeing my progress and hearing my struggles and successes, she has gotten financing and is self-paying for VGB and is getting it done this Thursday! I am very excited for her :)
Lap RNY May 5 2009
300/194/164
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December 11th, 2009
wls
[pretend_to_care]
| 11:12 am
Hey everyone! Thanks for all the comments yesterday regarding the gallbladder medicine. I still haven't decided if I am going to get the medicine, but I will probably end up doing so because, like I said to one commenter, I have this huge fear of having my gallbladder/appendix removed.
Anyway, I am posting again because today is a big day for me. Last semester I was taking an American Literature course at my university. I had a big paper due the same say I had my initial meeting with my surgeon. I pulled an all-nighter to write the paper and went into my appointment with 0 hours of sleep. When I stepped on their scale and saw 292 pounds, I became absolutely hysterical. I had been avoiding scales for a long time and the last time I had checked I had weighed about 245.
They managed to calm me down and take me into one of the rooms to talk about options. I had gone into the appointment with the intentions of getting the lap band, but I left deciding that I wanted LapRNY. I began the very long and tedious process of getting my surgery date scheduled. About 6 months later I had my surgery.
A few weeks ago I was hating life. I had already stalled in weight loss and I was getting nauseous with everything I ate or drank. I was at the point where I was eating only about 200 calories a day and drinking only about 25 ounces of liquid a day. After spending a couple of weeks really depressed and regretting the surgery before I woke up one day with a new attitude. I started eating breakfast (something I haven't done for years) and working out at my university's gym. It has seriously made all the difference in the world!
This semester I am taking the second half of the American Literature course. My paper is due today. I wrote it last night (I refuse to pull another all-nighter like I did last semester. I was miserable). I decided to step on the scale today. I am now 222 pounds. I have lost SEVENTY pounds since last semester and my first meeting with the surgeon. It has been a crazy ride, but I am so incredibly happy today that it seems so worth it.
So, super long story short, don't give up! A good part of these past seven or so months have been pretty miserable for me and I constantly found myself questioning why I am even doing this. Today, I get comments almost daily on how good I look. I have gone down two sizes in pants and I can fit in my L and XL shirts again. I have tightened my watch up two notches and moved my high school ring from my ring finger to my middle finger. I can finally wear the beautiful diamond ring my grandmother gave me just before she passed away. I thought I was going to be too fat to ever get it on my pudgy fingers.
I hope everyone else is feeling as wonderful I am today!
LapRNY
10/07/2009
292/267/222/140
HW/SW/CW/GW
5'6"
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/smile.gif) happy
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December 10th, 2009
wls
[pretend_to_care]
| 11:21 pm
Quick question. At one of my last pre-op meetings my doctor said that I would need to take ActiGall for 6 months post-op to prevent gallstones. The first prescription they gave me only last 2 months and had no refills. I had them call it in the other day.
There is only one problem. Since getting the surgery I've been kicked off of my parents' insurance (about a month after surgery on my 22nd b-day). The new price for the prescription is waaaay too much for me to pay.
Do any of you take ActiGall? How long did you take it for? I had them call in a generic brand, but it isn't that much cheaper :-( I don't want gallstones, but I simply cannot afford it. I keep trying to get health insurance but I am getting denied because my RNY is a "preexisting condition".
Any options or advice? Thanks in advance!
LapRNY
10/07/2009
292/267/225/140
HW/SW/CW/GW
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wls
[missjewell]
| 01:40 pm - approved!! a new year a new me!
A post the other day my drama with the insurance company and this morning I feel was a little blue and down about myself. I hate freaking winter and having to find something to wear. As I was entering my son's school to read to his class my phone rang (8:30 a.m.)
and it was my insurance cordinator who cheerfully said "YOUR APPROVED" I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs from excitement.
Then she said there is a catch, you gotta do it before the first of the year......HOLY CRAP WHAT???? I have meet my deductiables and she said she hates my insurance cause they are fickle and they approved it this way. So I am ready to go on DEC 30th
No problem, just wasn't wanting to do it this way......My husband is all I have and he doesn't have any time off of work until Jan but I called him and he was delighted for me and told me that he would eat soup with me for the next two weeks since the pay check would be smaller......LOL And that he can make up a day at work any time, I deserve this!
So now I am walking on air but still freaking out inside! I really didn't want to travel Steven's Pass but it will be fine, we will make it an adventure for my kids!
So I got my birthday and Christmas present early~ New year New me is my mantra!
Thanks ladies~~
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wls
[madlori]
 | 11:03 am - Home for the holidays
I live in Ohio but I grew up in Wisconsin, and that's where most of my family is and where I go home to for the holidays. I have a loving, supportive family, but my weight has always been a matter of some...let's say concern. No one gives me a hard time, or says mean or rude things, but I know the matter was discussed out of my hearing and that my family worried.
Every year, when I'd go home, I'd look forward to it, but part of me would dread it. I'd worry about how fat I'd look to them. Was I heavier than last time, or would they not remember just how fat I really was and it'd be a shock again? Then the search for the most flattering, nicest clothes to try and offset it.
I'm not sure I can describe the sense of freedom I have this year that I don't have that dread. Instead I have anticipation. I'm excited for them to see me (most have seen pictures, but some haven't). I won't have that constant undercurrent of self-consciousness. I'm not yet where I want to be but I've made such progress, I know they'll be happy and proud.
Lori
Lap RNY 7/16/09
341/335/265/150
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December 9th, 2009
wls
[madlori]
 | 12:52 pm - Tea!
So I might have found a solution to my not-enough-fluids problem: hot tea. I have a 1-liter thermal carafe at work. I fill it with hot water and two teabags, and it holds about three mugs' worth of tea. I add a packet of Splenda to each cup. The big secret here? I use an electric mug warmer under my mug to keep it hot. Yesterday I put away seven mugs of tea, for a grand total of 56 oz of water, which means I can easily make my daily goal with some water in the evening or iced tea. Somehow hot tea is easier to drink than plain water or iced tea or whatever during the day. Huh.
I also wanted to post a link to some products for those of us who miss cocoa and hot cider mixes. Ron and Frank's carries a wide variety of sugar-free drink mixes. I've tasted and can personally vouch for most of the cappucino-based beverages and the no-sugar cocoa is good, too. The cider is...a tad sweeter than I like my cider but it's a step up from store-bought sugar free instant cider.
And I'm posting another pic today because I'm jazzed about the dress I'm wearing. Definitely one of my more daring outfits. Looking at this picture gave me one of those "oh...I look different" moments.
( pics beneath the cut )
Lori
Lap RNY 7/16/09
341/335/265/150
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December 8th, 2009
wls
[missjewell]
| 12:22 pm - so frusturated, can someone calm me down ;)
Ok, I have BCBS (Highmark) insurance and over the summer I got the nerve to start the lap band process called insurance and asked about requirements ect.
Was told that I didn't need any precertification (IE 6 mth diet because it was considered out patient) made appointment with surgical center met with all I need to and got paper work sent in.
Got denied because I did need to have a six month diet in place.
So I started that, followed all orders and directions and finally finished last week. Got all documentation sent to surgical office and she started resubmitting the paperwork today. They told her that my 6 month diet wasn't required and that they needed to have the surgeon speak to their medical DR.
I am so freaking confused and she told me she couldn't offer me much more than that and that we will just go with the flow....
What next? I am I going to be denied again???? Any insight???
My emotions are every where today~
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wls
[lilliephoenix]
 | 12:31 pm - winter blues
i have been feeling a little blah lately. i had a big stall, my first since the typical two-week-out stall. i stalled for three weeks, but then i lost 8 lbs. i still feel really discouraged lately. i can't seem to get my lazy bum on the treadmill either. the weather just makes me want to be lazy. i hate the cold! christmas goodies aren't helping either. on the upside of things, i found a pair of size 20 jeans in my closet, and they actually fit! i think i was a sophomore in high school the last time i was consistently in size 20 jeans. i can't be doing that bad, right? it's just starting to slow, and that scares the crap out of me! i still have 50 lbs to lose! :-( my goal is to lose 6 lbs by christmas. 100 lbs down would be a nice christmas present!
lap rny 7/14/09
318/224/160
Current Location: lappy
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/blah.gif) blah
Current Music: jimmy eat world
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wls
[madlori]
 | 01:10 pm - Tuesday appreciations. Don't know if it's the right day. :-)
Is Tuesday appreciation day? I hope so. I'm appreciating anyway.
1. I appreciate that my stall seems to be over. I'm down five pounds since last Friday. Hallelujah!
2. I appreciate that I participated in my very first 5K walk/run event last Saturday! This was not a milestone in terms of walking distance...I regularly walk that far on the treadmill or in parks...but in terms of my brain. I participated in an athletic event. I'm sure you guys will know what I mean when I say that my whole life I'd disqualified myself from any organized athletic event. Such things were not for the likes of me. But I did it!
Here I am right after finishing.
3. I appreciate that these days, though I'm still firmly in plus sizes, I'm in easier plus sizes. Before surgery I was at the point where even sometimes plus size stores didn't have my size, and forget the women's-sizes departments of regular stores. No longer. I have lots more options. I can buy and wear clothes that I actually like instead of just whatever I can find that'll cover me.
And because I feel like it...new progress pics! Beneath the cut.
( Before and after )
Lori
Lap RNY 7/16/09
341/335/267/150
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December 7th, 2009
wls
[nadalia]
 | 04:41 pm - Public Service Announcement
Recall Alert! Due to possible contamination and health risk, ALL SLIM-FAST READY-TO-DRINK CANNED PRODUCTS -- regardless of best-by date, UPC number, etc. -- have been recalled nationwide. If you have any, discard them immediately and contact the company for a full refund. Click here for more info: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm192978.htm?s_cid=w_c_sms_cont_001
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/sad.gif) worried
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December 6th, 2009
wls
[urbanfemme007]
 | 02:06 pm - My Supplements - My Routine
So, I have had people ask me about the supplements I take so I thought I would share. I've found these things througout the year and I completely different and healthier. My skin and energy have drastically improved!
I have found these products over the past year. I wish I would have discovered them a long time ago. The best prices I have found are at www.LuckyVitamin.com. www.VitaCost.com is also a good website.
AM-WHILE GETTING READY
1oz of Liquid Vitamins (Country Life Liq Vitamin) Info: www.Country-Life.com
1 Tabl of Potassium/Mag supplement (Twin Lab)
ADD to ½ cup Organic Juice.
*Takes seconds to make
THROUGHOUT THE WORK DAY:
Chewable Calcium Citrate
Chewable Iron with Vit C
-Both chews are by BariatricAdvantage.com
Drink some form of Liquid Protein
- IsoPure (Green Apple) is my favorite
Eat Greek Yogurt – high in Protein & Probiotics
- Often mix in Barlean's Omega Swirl (Strawberry/Banana) into the yogurt
- Info at http://www.barleans.com/omega_swirl.asp
B-12 Energy Packets (use occasional), taste like a sweet tart. Its a powder.
EVENING:
1 scoop Green SuperFood in Apple Juice
Try samples first. This was not easy to get used to but now I look forward to it. It gives me energy. Each brand of Greens taste completely different. Some make me gag. I found that I only like this in Apple Juice. I would start with a half scoop first to get used to it. The brand I like is by www.amazinggrass.com
Other things that I do differently AND I'm still learning:
I try to use all organic products as best as I can.
I NO LONGER drink sodas or any drinks that are full of chemicals.
I use Stevia and eliminated Sweet N'Low and anything else artificial.
Trying to watch my dairy intake and what works/doesn't work. I'm lactose-intolerant but can handle some things like cheese and yogurt.
In the house I've eliminated toxic chemicals.
I'm trying to switch all my personal products to things without chemicals, parabens etc. I'm still learning about that.
These two resources have been my invaluable:
Ann Louise Gittleman: She is a nutrionist and has written many books. www.AnnLouise.com You may not want to do one of her plans but she writes a lot of fabulouse articles and gives great tips on Facebook.
"Master Your Metabolish" by Jillian Michaels, This book is full of knowledge about getting toxins out of your life that affect your body and your metabolish.
~Laura 41, Dallas, TX | www.FaceBook.com/UrbanFemme007
Lapband: 10/10/08, @True Results
240 / 233 / 168 / 150 HW / SW/ CW / GW
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December 5th, 2009
wls
[brat_sheba]
 | 02:35 pm - 5K
Madlori and I met up at the 5K! I finished last...but I finished!!! 
Posted via LiveJournal.app.
Current Location: 39.889969, -82.986686
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