trying2findmyself

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Hello OH friends,
I have to be honest over the past couple of months I have let myself go and practically given up on myself:( Although my Husband says I look great now I am very dissapointed in myself.  I have worked so hard over the past 20 months having good success and for some reason am trying to go back to my old ways. Why I ask myself? I have no logical explanation, I just don't seem to care anymore. I am praying that by getting on here communicating with others and realizing I have a problem and dealing with it I can get back on track and back to my goal weight and continue to succeed! Thanks for listening and caring any advise is greatly appreciated. P.S. I can't go for a fill for awhile because my  deductible will be due for the new year and I can't afford it yet:(

Stacy Frederick

Band diagram
Realize Band Surgery on April 28, 2010
This was posted by OH member N.M. in response to another poster's question. I thought it was an excellent diagram and explaination.

FYI-


The band isn't on your esophagus. The esophagus is certainly affected by the band, but if it's around your esophagus, you'd know it. And that would be cause for emergency surgery. If your band has slipped, it could be causing your stomach to be in an hourglass shape. If it's prolapsed, the top portion of the stomach would be drooping over the band, causing problems, as well. If you have a hiatal hernia, the top portion of the stomach can rise up into the esophagus, causing a "gap" in the diaphragm. All of these things can affect how your band works.




The left shoulder pain common to banding is caused by the diaphragm (which "separates" the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity) and the Vagus nerves that run through it. Sometimes people who are banded have a "soft stop" signal... the pain in the left shoulder. The Vagus nerve:





The Vagus Nerve is the longest of twelve pairs that originate in the brain, serving as the brain's central command in the fight against stress, inflammation and toxicity. The Vagus Nerve regulates our "fight or flight" response, digestion, detoxification, various aspects of heart rate and blood pressure and more.


If your stomach is inflamed, which is not uncommon when you have a band, it will become irritated, creating restriction. When the swelling lessens, the restriction does, as well.
 

Hello OH Friends,
I am counting on you all for lots of encouragement and support, because I am not getting it here at home:(  I'm tired of trying to make my Husband happy by gaining weight so he wont think I am to skinny. I was happy with my size and should have never started eating the wrong things and larger amounts of them, because know I have to retrain myself before it is to late. I just don't understand why he can't be proud of me thats all I am asking. Any ideas My Friends?

Confused - Stacy

HELLO FRIENDS,
OK I REALLY NEED SOME SUPPORT, ADVISE, HELP TO GET MYSELF BACK ON TRACK! I WAS DOING SO GOOD AND ALMOST REACHING MY GOAL WEIGHT. MY HUSBAND HAS NOT BEEN SUPPORTIVE THROUGH MY WHOLE WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY AND HAD CONVINCED ME I WAS GETTING TO SLIM, WHICH REALLY I WASN'T BUT TO MAKE HIM HAPPY AND WANTING HIM TO BE PROUD OF ME I HAVE BEEN EATING MORE AND ALOT OF THE WRONG THINGS. WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY HE GOT WHAT HE WANTED BUT I GAINED WHAT I DIDN'T WANT:( SO WHAT DO I DO NOW? I DON'T WANT TO DISSAPPOINT MY HUSBAND BUT I FEEL I AM LETTING MYSELF DOWN AFTER ALL THE HARD WORK I HAVE DONE SO FAR. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!

STACY

I had my first weight gain since surgery which was only 3 pounds but very discouraging to me. I din't even want to go to the dr. in fear he would be dissapointed in me.Well I faced my fears and confessed of all my wrong doings and they were all so very understanding and are helping me get back on track by having me chart my meals and exercise daily and bring them a copy when I return in March. It is amazing the things you want to eat but will not if you have to write them down and have them see all the bad foods you might eat otherwise. I got a .2 cc fill and have been walking 3 miles 3 to 4 times a week and doing set ups so hopefully with all theses changes I will see success. I run across this poem on my friend Marilyn's Page It gave me
encouragement and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing so that I might encourage someone else.
 
Don't Quit

When you've eaten too much and you're wearing a frown,
And you feel like the biggest failure in town.
You want to give up just because you gave in,
You forgot all about being healthy again.
So What! You went over your limit a bit,
It's your next move that counts...So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, it's an attitude change,
It's learning the skills to get back in your range.
It's telling yourself you've done great up till now,
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow.
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal,
You're still going to make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace,
Take back your will and get back in the race.
Often the straggler looses the grip,
Throws in the towel and continues to slip.
And learns too late when the damage is done,
That the race wasn't over...and still could have won.
Lifestyle changes can be awkward and slow,
But facing each challenge will help you grow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver lining in a cloud of doubt.
When pushed to the brink ,
Just stop and think.
Refuse to submit,
But don't ever quit.


Have a Great Day and God Bless You My Friends:)

(1) Get your daily Protein requirements in (60 – 80 grams – ask your Doctor) (2) Drink at least 64 ounces of non-carbonated/non-caffeinated liquid. (3) No drinking while eating and/or 30 minutes before and/or after meals .  (4) Remember eat: Protein first, then fiber (ex veggies/fruits) then (if there is room) good carbohydrates. (5) Before you put that piece in your mouth, ask yourself “Would I give this size to a baby?” (6) Chew, Chew, Chew (until it feels like baby food consistency) (7) Wait 30 to 60 seconds between putting another piece food in your mouth (8) Each meal should take at least 25 to 30 minutes to complete (9) Eat until you are full, not stuffed (10) Make sure foods (especially meats) are moist (11) Eat at the same time everyday (12) Remember, during the operation they put the tool around your stomach, and not your brain. So, you will need to do some self control. (13) Exercise – begin slow (example walk; climbing a flight of stairs; park in the furthest spot in the lot) and then gradually increase (14) If you feel like “snacking” do something else (ex. Go outside; call a (WLS) friend; come to the board and post, etc) (15) Know I am always here to help you !!

I am going to call this story My Journey My Success! Although I have not completed my journey and am still 12 pounds away from my goal weight, I feel Incredible! I have struggled with my weight all my life. At my heaviest 221 lbs I started researching bariatric surgery. I really had my heart set on a sleeve at first but insurance would not approve it because it was still considered experimental. I was so upset but after more researching and discussing it with my surgeon we decided the Realize Band was for me! After all the neccesary tests and pre-op, I was scheduled for surgery Wednesday
4-28-10. I was so excited, the moment I had been waiting for was finally here! I called everyone, posted it on Facebook, ect... My Husband John, Mom Brenda, Daughter Crystal and Grandaughters Kassidy, Mallory and Cadence were all there to see me through my surgery. It was a incredible experience the staff at the Hospital were all so kind, considerate and caring! The first few days of the liquid diet was hard but once I got past that I did Great! I returned back to see Dr. Broussard at 4 weeks and weighed 23 pounds lighter! So no fill for me not this time anyways. Dr. Broussard was very pleased with my success. I returned at 2 months post op losing 8 more pounds and I talked him into a fill this time in July of 1cc and I could feel restriction for the 1st time since surgery. On September 9th 2010 which was yesterday I weighed 22 pounds lighter and am now 75 pounds lighter! Wow! I always schedule my appointments for Thursdays so I can stay for the support group meetings which are awesome by the way! Having my Mom there with me all these times has made it even more special she has got to see me go through this journey from the beginning and has been such a blessing to me. Support group meeting tonight was extra special for me, I had butterflies in my tummy as I shared my success story for the group and they were all shocked that I accomplished this in 4 months! I felt so honored as they all applauded my success! I am suppose to have my pictures made professionally soon and be posted on Dr. Broussard's Wall of Fame with a short success story. I am so excited and proud of myself for the 1st time! I know without all the support from my friends, family, OH friends, surgeon and nurses I wouldn't be where I am today and for that I thank all of you! God Bless You All! 
P.S. Bring on those last 12 pounds, I'm Ready!

Stacy

Well here I am 4 months after my surgery and just look how far I have came! I have even surprised myself on my accomplishments so far. When I first started y journey I never thought I could lose this much and feel this great in such a short amount of time. I stepped on the scales this morning an weighed myself and my scales showed 147 lbs! I can not even hardly put it in to words how good this makes me feel about myself! Coming from a Woman who weighed 221 back in December 2009 and whos self esteem was horrible to say the least. I never wanted to go out in the public, I felt like everyone was putting me down for my weight. I hated purchasing clothes for myself , never wanted to try anything on for fear of it not fitting, having to go up to next size, embarrasement. I never thought about myself or had me time, and had  no desire to exercise. I just couldn't fight off my habit to want to eat everything I seen and think nothing of it. But over the past 4 months I have learned alot from the Weight Wise Bariatrics Clinic in Edmond Oklahoma, (Dr. Broussard) My Surgeon has been excellent in all of his services! I go back to see him and the staff tommorow Thursday 9-9-10 for a checkup and hopefully a fill because I am getting my appetite back and know I need a fill. I have lost 74 lbs went from a size 18 to a size 8 which I may state I have never been!It is so much fun to be able to run and play with my Grandkids and not get so winded and exhausted, trying on clothes is now a treat instead of a task. I like the way people look at me now and I love getting out in the public now! I love my 3 mile walks with my Mom and Daughters & Grandaughters and our special times together. God has truly Blessed Me I just had to train my brain, lose some weight and open my eyes! Also all the support from my OH friends and Facebook Friends and Family has been a Blessing as well, for this I  thank you all for helping me through my Journey! Just about 10 lbs. to reaching goal weight! Bring it on!