Blazn

Just calm down!! There are socks in TJ!!! If you forget something there is a store right across from the hotel!! You'll be fine. You're not going to be gone that long. All you REALLY need is a pic ID and your birth certificate - you surely want to be able to come home. Oh and don't forget the money for the surgery. All else is just accessories - not necessities. The lucerna even has toothbrushes and paste if you forget that! I know because i forgot my brush - hairbrush that is - and I asked the front desk for one and they brought me a toothbrush. Way too much hair here for that!! LOL Just relax and have a great time.

Well thanks Denise, but you didn't give me time to post the 6 months post op pics so here they are!!!! 6 months post-op 169lbs!!!!

Well today marks my 6 month bandiversary and I am down 55lbs. Well I did lose 6 lbs on the pre-op diet. Weight loss has slowed a lot! I have a fill scheduled for October 18th so I'm just slugging along but that's okay. I am still happy with the results. Enjoy the pics. Old pics first..... new pics in next post!!! Pre-op 224lbs. 2 months post-op 194lbs 3 months post-op 186lbs 4 months post-op 182lbs 5 months post-op 176lbs

Great post. Thanks.

Okay, so I read in a previous post that Lori would submit info to the docs if she had it to submit. So, she wants a date, a place, a time, etc. Let's get this thing started. The last poll revealed San Diego as the place for Band Camp 2009 - next we need a date. Based on the other posts for this topic most people wanted to go between February and April. I did not put Valentine's day down as most will want to be at home with their families. The dates I have posted are weekends, as that seems to be the time people can easily get away. So let the voting begin. If there is a date that is not listed that you will like just add it in a reply! I am by far the organizer for this function but am willing to help get things rolling, so all others that are willing - let it be known. I think Dawn is the one who has been in contact with Lori, so when the poll ends (maybe mid October?) she can submit the info to her. Evette lives in San Diego and has offered to help find a place to have this party. Others have volunteered presentations, shows, etc but a girl can only remember so much. So post your ideas when voting so we can plan this thing!!

You look amazing!

Good post, Arlene. I was actually considering a fill for October but am having 2nd thoughts now. I will keep my appointment, I think, but really evaluate between now and then on whether I REALLY need one or not. Thanks.

House!!!!

Yay Vix, what a success story!!

Wow - that is wonderful! Congrats! Please post pics!

Yes, I am - thanks for asking. Needless to say I have not taken my HCTZ since Sunday and I took my BP today and it was 116/69. So, I am almost positive that my BP bottoming out is the reason for me fainting Monday. But I am doing great and I go back to clinical tomorrow. Maybe things will go a little better this time.

Thank you all for your sympathy and concern but I'm fine. I am about to go grill me some chicken - getting a little hungry. But I mainly posted this to warn everyone about the meds and keeping a watch on these things. Well although I am a nurse sometimes when it's you or your family you seem to down play things and overlook other things so I am considering this a lesson learned. I think you're right!!!

Ok, so I have done really well since being banded! Felt like I was eating pretty good with the occasional slip-up. Well I started my pediatric rotation last week and we went in to see our first patient today and I started feeling nauseated. Then I became a little diaphoretic and the room started spinning. But I propped up against a wall and thought to myself...."Ok self, you are getting a virus, you need to go to the bathroom, do whatever (not sure which kinda virus it was going to be yet, if you know what I mean) and then go home." That's all she wrote! I woke up not sure how long later but not long at all. I passed out!! Cold!! What the crap? Well we checked my blood sugar (which I was sure was fine - I had a protein bar for breakfast) - it was 101. I was helped into another room (keep in mind there is a mom, dad, and small child in the room I just passed out in) and I called my hubby to come get me and take me home. Well I'm home now and I have a headache and a small bump on my forehead but other than that fine. But I have diagnosed myself. My blood pressure bottomed out. When I was 50lbs heavier my blood pressure was always like 140s/90s so my MD started me on HCTZ (which is a water pill but it helps with BP). Well since losing the weight my BPs have been 120s/80s - which by JNCVII standards (the people who stage hypertension) that is still pre-hypertensive (the 80s part). So I said well I'll cut my pill back and take 1 every other day. Well I took my BP Friday and it was 109/73 - perfect!! Really, it's not low, it's perfect! So I skipped my pill Friday and Saturday and took one yesterday afternoon. It is also that time of the month so I figured I was carrying a little extra fluid anyway - so what the heck? Well you know the rest of the story. Not trying to scare any of you just wanted to point out to make sure you are following up on these things. Drink plenty of fluids (which I am guilty of not doing)! If you are a diabetic - watch your blood sugar - it may level out one of these days! If you are hypertensive - watch those BPs.

I would ask both Dr. Ortiz and your orthopedic surgeon about what order to have the surgeries in.

I buy new clothes!! Went shopping Thursday and bought all size 12 pants and size medium shirts! Woo-hoo!!

H - Have you drank enough water today?

I have also read on several sites that it is recommended to have an upper endoscopy every two years to check for erosion. This can be done by a gastroenterologist. A scope (tube with light and camera) is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus and then into the stomach. The GI doc will check the pouch and the area of the stomach which the band surrounds to ensure that there is no internal erosion.

This is the wildest thing I have ever seen on Ebay!! I cannot believe the bidding price right now! Good for her! I mean - I pray I am never in that situation but if so I would dang sure like to get a little cash out of the deal!

Great posts Michelle. We love you too and wish you well in the visit to come with your in-laws!

Thank you all so much for the nice comments. Some weeks are tough - I hate when the scale does not move. But I just try to keep on keeping on!! Anyway, thanks again!!! Well - actually my weight has fluctuated a lot the last couple of weeks. 174, 176, 175 etc. The ticker is updated but it keeps 182 on there as the half way point but my fish is acutally past that point. For that reason, I am thinking about changing back to tickerfactory. Thanks - that means a lot - I hated my arms before! Ok - 16 year old - not hardly! But thanks anyway! He says thanks! I definately agree. Michelle, quit being modest! You know you are the mac-daddy mama!! LOL. You have shrunk everywhere!!!! Including arms!!

Here are some pics I took today - my hubby's bday today! About to go out to celebrate! And, of course a few pre-op....