Julia W.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Well, it has been a couple of months since I've posted anything.  I struggled through the summer but am now back on track.  I went in on August 24th for a fill and weighed in at 173 which is 70 pounds lighter than where I started from 8 months ago.  I've continued to exercise regularly which keeps me focused and feeling good.  I'm trying to get my body in shape to run a 5K at some point.  It's not an easy task.  My body resists my efforts, but I persevere through and will hope it pays off in the long run. 

Not much else to say at this point.  I hope all my fellow banders are doing well.  It's a daily struggle, and I don't always make the right choices, but I recognize the error of my ways and try to correct and move on.  That's something I never did before.  My band is the best tool, and I wouldn't change a thing!!

Until the next update........

I have been in somewhat of a plateau since my unfill on May 11th.  It's very frustrating!  I have found that my head hunger wants to creep back into my life, but I recognize what I'm doing and stop before I get too far off track.  It's too bad the surgery doesn't automatically fix the head hunger issues.  That sure would be nice.  To say the least, I have fallen off the wagon to some degree.  I've been working very hard the past few weeks to get back on track with eating/measuring/logging and with exercising regularly.  I find that I feel so much better when I exercise, so I'm motivated to do it more.  To make things worse, I have this big floppy stomach on the front of my body that will not budge when squeezed into pants.  It still sticks out like I'm several months pregnant.  I would love to cut it off, but the doctor won't even consider referring me to the plastic surgeon until I'm a year out.  While it is much smaller than what it used to be, it gets in the way when I'm exercising.  One of my mini goals is to be able to tuck my shirt in.  I can't with this large mass on the front.  I hope I'll get to at some point. 

Several of my coworkers are finishing up their 6 month insurance required preparation and will be having surgery soon.  I'm so excited for them.  I've had my own issues with the band, but I wouldn't change a thing.  Most of my problems have been because I've eaten too fast or taken to large of bites.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Many of them are getting very nervous and want to back out, and I remember feeling that very same way.  Most of the time when we have surgery, it's to fix a problem and to feel better.  Weight loss surgery is very different.  While it's done to make you feel better, you're body is altered forever.  Our eating habits are altered forever, and that's a scary thought.  I'm glad I went through with the surgery.  I'm 60 pounds lighter and so much more active than before.  For instance, my husband and I have a garden for the first time.  It's a large garden too, and it takes lots of work.  I would never have had the energy to do a garden before which is why we never had one before. 

Just some of my random thoughts.  I'll be going on vacation to Florida next week and can't wait.  I'm prepared to be a very good girl and not go crazy with food choices.  I can do it.....I know I can!!!!

Enjoy the summer folks!

I never thought I would have needed an unfill, but it has been a rough month since my last adjustment on 4/8/10.  My food was always getting stuck, and I couldn't eat very much at all without it being painful.  On top of the pain from eating, I had a terrible "stuck" episode Mother's Day afternoon.  I ate a piece of toasted bread which got stuck.  Mind you, I don't like bread all that much and don't eat it very often, and this is one time that I was sorry I did.  The bread blocked all access out which began a series of vomiting/heaving sessions which lasted 3 hours.  I was in so much pain from the whole ordeal.  Finally, the bread moved on, and I welcomed the relief.  I had already scheduled the appointment for the unfill earlier that week, so the stuck episode really prompted me to keep that appointment.  So far, all is well, but I haven't really tested all the different textures either.  I'm easing into food and taking it slow.  The PA only took out .5cc, so it wasn't like I lost all progress.  Needless to say, I have a renewed understanding of my band limits.  The good news is that I lost 10 pounds over not being able to eat that much. 

I had mixed emotions about the unfill.  On one hand, I hated the thought of any fluid being removed, but on the other hand, I was tired of always hurting after I ate.  Overall, I'm good but on guard now.  I had no idea my band could be so relentless and now I know.  I'm grateful for its unwavering assistance too.  I still wouldn't change a thing about having it and love the fact that it provides the consequences I need to straighten up!!

I hope everyone is doing well these days.  I'm so busy with work that I rarely ever have time to lurk around OH.  Summer is getting closer, and I'm looking forward to my vacation this year in Florida.  I'm still nervous about buying a new bathing suit, but it must be done.  Anyone have any tips for me about bathing suit shopping?

Julia

I went to the doctor yesterday for a bariatric check up/post op visit.  I met with the PA, Jason, who is adorable and great.  I weighed in at 193 which was so exciting.  I also met with the nutritionist, and she really keeps me in line.  I really appreciate her suggestions.  She was complimentary on my success so far even though I was a bit disappointed with my weight loss results.  I strive for the 2 pound a week loss but didn't quite make it this time.  Oh well, 7 pounds in a month isn't too shabby. 

Hope everyone has a good weekend!!

It has been 3 months as of today, and I've lost quite a bit of weight.  I had my gall bladder taken out on 3/26/10 and am now on my way to recovery.  This surgery wasn't near as bad as the lap band, but I've had to take it easy.  Fortunately, the doctor used my existing lap band scars to take my gall bladder.  I'm anxious for another fill but will have to wait until I go in for my follow up visit on 4/21/10. 

I'm excited about my progress so far.  I can't wait to get back into my exercise routine and eating habits.  Getting back to my normal schedule like work and such will be helpful too.  I'm such a structured person, and I thrive on consistency to make my life easier.  I've had to fight with head hunger alot these past few days because I'm used to medicating my pain with food, and I really wanted to revert back.  I didn't do too much damage though. 

I'll write more later.  It's supposed to be in the upper 70's by the end of the week.  I'm totally stoked for some warm weather. 

Hope everyone is doing well!!

Just finished up my pre op stuff at the hospital this morning.  After having a horrible gall bladder attack a few days ago, the doctor moved my surgery to tomorrow.  I'm anxious for it to come out, as it has given me all sorts of problems.  Hopefully the surgery will be a breeze like the doctor said, and I'll be back to my old self in no time.  I haven't been able to exercise very much the past few weeks because of not feeling well, so I'm ready to get back into my exercising routine.  My eating habits haven't changed other than not being able to eat as much. 

Will write more when I'm done with surgery and home recovering!!

Received a call yesterday from the nurse at the doctor's office with my test results.  Just as I thought, I have gallstones.  Went in today for a consult  and scheduled surgery for my gall bladder to be removed on 3/31/10.  Not looking forward to this, but I'm sure I'll feel better once it's out.  On a more positive note, I weighed in at 198 at the doctor's office.  I'm so excited to be in onederland now.  I never thought I'd see that happen, but I have.  I'm surprised to see the 198 because I haven't been exercising this week because of feeling bad.  Regardless the reason, I'm continuing to lose and that's what counts. 

I'm not going to let this gall bladder thing become a set back.  If anything, I hope it will promote some extra weight loss from not having an appetite after surgery!!  Okay, I'm stretching it some but trying to look on the bright side!!

Tomorrow I go in to see Dr. Scott about some abdominal pain I'm having.  I had an episode last week which occured in the early morning hours.  My husband seems to think it's my gall bladder, so I'm going in to see what the actual doctor thinks.  Overall, I've been doing good with eating and exercising.  I weighed in this morning at 199.  While that's exciting, that weight reflects no clothes and upon waking up from a night's sleep.  My stomach is empty.  It's exciting though to see my body changing, and those changes keep me motivated to do what I'm supposed to do.  I'm so proud of myself for sticking with this.  It is hard some days, but I have to continually remind myself of how far I've come in two months. 

I hope the doctor can find the source of my pain.  I will report back when I know more.  Until then, eat, drink, and be merry!!

It has been almost 2 months since I had surgery.  I weighed myself this morning, and the scale said 201.6 which means that I will not make my first mini goal of under 200 pounds by tomorrow.  That's okay though.  I'll continue to work hard to make that goal. 

No worries about anything right now.  I'm getting the eating thing down pretty good and continuing to exercise regularly. 

That's all for now.  I'll write more later!!

Well, it's me again.  Just thought I'd pop in to write a bit.  Here it goes....

Since my last post, I've been struggling a bit with my eating.  While I know what I'm supposed to do, it's difficult to put the new habits into practice when challenged.  By challenged, I mean the weekends.  So far, the weather has been rainy and dreary every weekend, and I've been stuck in the house.  I feel like a hermit because I stay in my room all the time.  If I don't, I tend to venture into the kitchen and see what's available.  I know I'm just wanting to eat out of boredom, and it's hard to resist.  I also try to keep myself busy with other things, but somehow I gravitate back to the kitchen.  This past weekend was the worst.  I caught myself grazing a few times and was completely disappointed and disgusted by Sunday.  I shouldn't be so hard on myself since I'm still so new at all this, and it will take some time incorporate all the good habits over the bad ones.  My obsession with the scale has not diminished either which means my grazing over the weekend showed up too.  I do such a good job all week because I'm busy and structured at work, but the weekends pose a very different challenge for me.  I must work harder to find ways to occupy my idle mind, but I am feeling so much better physically that I want to get out and do something.  I guess this is just something I'll have to work through just like everything else. 

That's enough whining for now.  I'll save some for my next entry.  Hopefully, my next post will be more positive!!