ackovach

Welcome aboard!!!

You R Smokin!!!

Hey Kim, I am new at all of this... I know you are working out all the time. You may want to check this out to get over your plateau. my husband & I hired a personal trainer for 6 weeks at Lifetime Fitness. This gym offers a MAP (metabolic assessment profile) and Resting metabolic Rate test (RMR). You can probably have it done at any gym. The RMR assesses calories, carbs, fat burned at rest to keep the body functioning. The map assesses calories, carbs, fat burned while exercising plus aerobic capacity. The MAP includes the following things: aerobic base, anaerobic threshold, & aerobic capacity. We were told that this should be done again after losing or gaining 20 pounds. So I am looking for a kick start to my weight loss. I get my fill on Saturday & have this testing done afterward. Amy

That is wonderful.. I was thinking for you and your husband!!! You will both be SO happy.

Hi Julie, Really no change with the diabetes area. It is still hanging around 160 in the mornings, but gets much better as the day goes on. I started my DBCARE natural medications again and it has gotten down to about 130 in the mornings & below 100 during the day. I swear by that supplement. After banding, I was put on metformin 2 x day and it really does not work on its own for me. I have read that my BP medication, procardia XL, can mess up blood sugars & insulin. I really did not have BS issues til after taking this. The docotor tried to take me off, my BS went below 100, but BP went crazy. So I am on the Procardia XL for now. If anyone is interested, I was taking the following BP meds prior to surgery on 8/1. 1 pill 1xday HCTZ (water pill) 1 pill 1xday Procardia XL 60mg 2 pill 2xday labetalol Dr. is weaning me off of the labetalol 1st because it makes me So tired. I am currently taking 1 labetalol pill 2x day, and reducing to 1/2 pill 2 x day this week, 1/2 pill 1 x day next week, then to nothing.

Hi, Yes, I am working with my doctor to get off these meds. I am on one that can cause some issues if not reduced gradually. but she gave me a 6 week plan for getting off of it. I keep dragging it out because I am scared of a sudden increase. Then I go back to her office. It is so amazing how much it has dropped. I find my self thinking that it is impossible and keep questioning it. I can't wait til I think my scales are wrong a positive way!!

Jena, I am guessing the answer is no, but I asking anyway... Did you have a hiatal hernia too? This is so bizarre to me. I don't understand how it drops so quickly. The bariatric Dr. in Atlanta basically squashed all of my hope of reducing my blood pressure with the lapband. He said it was the gastric bypass that reduces the bp. So I am totally astonished and so happy about this. When I had my surgery at the OCC, I did not ask about because I did not want to get upset about that part again. I wish someone was keeping track of all the health improvements that we see with the band and put it in some data bank for doctors to use.

so happy for you.... please do give details on how you did it. And would love to see some pictures too. Your weight loss is incredible.

You look so pretty!!! I can not imagine how tiny you will be at 113.... Keep up the hard work!!!

I am going to try it too. Thanks for the information.

Cathy, You are doing so good!!! I am so excited for you. You are such a beautiful person.

That is wonderful! Keep up the hard work!!!

Hi All, I am almost 6 weeks post op. I have lost almost 20 pounds depending on what day it is.... yipee... I get filled on 9/13.... Prior to surgery, my blood pressure was so out of control. I mean really, really scary. I would stay in the 160/100 and go all the way up to 200/110. In my head, I really felt like my blood pressure medications were not working at all. They had just put me on my 3rd medication. We all know that weight loss helps blood pressure. So I expected very slow reduction in my blood pressure. Immediately after my surgery my pressure went way down to 117/70. For about 5 weeks now it has been around 100/65 in the mornings. This is with a weekly reduction in medication. As I reduce meds, my blood pressure stays steady. You can not imagine how surprised I am by this. I was never given the expectation that this could happen so fast. So curious me does some research.... I have found a very limited amount information in the natural medicine & chiropractic that hiatal hernia and high blood pressure are linked. I have found nothing in regards to this in mainstream medicine. Anyone experience this or know anything about this? I find it extremely interesting and just wonder how many people could save their lives by having their hernia fixed. It is normally considered something that you just live with.

Hey, My first meal was a small wendys chili. I was so full afterwards. And it was awesome. Then I worked my way up to grouper at PappaDeaux. It was awesome too and I no problems with it either. I gag on too much bread. Don't try that anytime soon. It was very painful. Until just recently, lots of stuff kind of hurt going down. I think it could also be because of the hiatal hernia repair. I have not had a fill yet, but my intake is some much smaller than before. I have a really hard time with chicken and beef except hamburger meat. I eat fish all the time. I am getting into a grove with it. Strange though, tuna fish salad give me a stuck feeling. It could be because I can not chew it very well.

I have 2 things: When I finally feel physically fit & strong & below 200, I am going learn to snow ski. I went before going over the 200 pound mark and was terrified. Now I want to do it!!! My husband loves skiing. My weight has him back because I would not go. Second, when the time is right maybe at 160 or maybe at 130: Either with or without my husband, I am going to a nude beach even if it is just for a minute. I am going to strip down and be happy with my body!!!

It is a pill that you let melt under your tongue. The body supposedly uses b-12 better this way, than sending it to your tummy. I have a liquid vitamin called INTRAMAXX that directs to keep under tongue for a few a seconds too.

Great question....... I rarely drink so any point made about alcohol would have slipped right by me. YIKES..... Anyone know? I have steered clear of any sodas because of carbonation. I only drank a couple of drops of the Coors Light. It was horrible to me, but still..... need to know this for future social situations. Thanks Kimmy!

Thanks vix, that is great to know. I sublingual first. I was about to spend fortune on b-12 shots online. Amy

Kim, You are melting away!!!! Love the new picture. Your BMI is dropping so fast. It was just a few weeks ago when it went under 30. Now you are almost under 28.... WOW You are getting SO close to normal.

Over the past few months, I have seen so much useful information. Is there a place or a way to keep track of websites & other material so we can refer back to it later? mamamichelle has provided some great websites, but I always have to post and ask where it is......... Or I am overlooking something? Amy

In the past, I have given myself b12 shots. Of course, it is not my favorite thing to do. I did feel like they gave me tons of energy. I was going to gym everyday without blinking an eye. I bought them off this website. I called their office, they sounded legit.... but do your own homework cause I don't know for sure. I have always heard that the b vitamin pills really do not get into your system.... Any information on this would be very helpful. I am considering doing the shots again. I had blood work done while taking the shots and my bloodwork did show b-12. Can you get too much b vitamins? http://www.mydietsolutions.com/mds/

Yep, I thought that was crazy too. I was on drugs when Dr. Ortiz said this. I asked my husband later and he confirmed. Sounds impossible for a women to do this.

Thank you Mama Michelle.. I am really having to force back the tears today. Which calorie counter has restaurants already loaded in it like Longhorns, Chilis, etc? And fastfoods? I think weight watchers may have this..... You are so right. My body was detoxed of sugar.... That is a really important point for me. Since my surgery, my blood pressure has been unbelievably great. I have been reducing my meds every week. I know this change has so much to do with detox. I definitely do not want to undo my 21 days of goodness. I have had 0 energy since the surgery. I have been a slug. I feel so guilty about that. My head wants this type of lifestyle, my body is not responding yet.

I am curious if you could use this procedure in conjunction with the lap-band while waiting for your sweet spot......

The beast is calling for an immediate fill... OK... I know we all plead for help on this forum. I am in tears.... I had lost almost 18 pounds and looking forward to 20 pounds. Since I have been on solids, I am worse than ever. I heard that realize band patients get their fills 4 weeks post-op. A bariatric doctor in atlanta changed over to these bands because the initial weight loss was better with his patients. I still chose Dr. Ortiz for many reasons. But damn I want a fill NOW..... All through my 21 days of liquids, I am telling myself how good I am gonna be because losing weight feels goods. Kim2bslim was my role model. She lost 20 pounds in the 6 weeks after surgery. Dr. Ortiz said some women lose 40 pounds in those 6 weeks. This was gonna be me........ My lowest post-opt weight is 210. But I only saw that 1 time on the scales. I have been a steady 213 +/- a pound. But the rate I am going is not good. It is like I hate myself or something. I just do not get it...... Why am I this way... I have a tool and I want to do this. I want to be sexy.... But my brain just turns off and obsesses over food... I know I am whining and know you all get tired of hearing about this stuff......... I just want to find my off switch. I want a fill NOW. I want to feel satisfied and no hunger and no cravings. So the damage I have done.... Friday: oatmeal pretty plain sweeten with stevia & little brown sugar Longhorns Steak Salad (ate only the steak & tiny bit of dressing) Great pork barbecue (about 4 oz), a bite of Brunswick stew, a bite of mac-n-cheese, 1 fried green tomato & live country music and a coors lite (everyone was tasting each others sides) I think Friday was good day...... was it??? Or am I just in denial? Saturday: whole wheat waffles with maple syrup (not sure if this is bad or not, figure it was though) Giant Margarita 1 Chilis Southwest egg roll Chicken & shrimp fajitas. I ate 2 of the flour tortillas and mostly chicken & shrimp & veggies. (is this ok?) I thought I was being half way good) I think Saturday bad day...... was it??? Sunday: Whole wheat french toast, scrambled eggs, low-sodium bacon grilled chicken breast, 1/2 corn on cobb, rice, broccoli & cheese casserole I think Sunday was good day...... was it??? Or am I just in denial? Monday: oatmeal low sugar -- pretty good rice, broccoli & cheese casserole about 1/4 cup 1 bite of kids hamburger 2 hour walk in woods with family Outback really bad for me salad, really bad baked potato & 6 ribs Some stupid candy from blockbuster I think Monday was a horribly bad day...... was it??? Tuesday: oatmeal pretty plain sweeten with stevia & little jelly & pat of butter Mexican chips & salsa with cheese dip Mexican rice flour Burrito with chicken covered in cheese sauce. The tortilla was a huge one. I ate about half. I could have eaten the whole damn thing..... I was by myself waiting to get my nails done next door. Then to make matters worse.. I had a 2 musketeers bar and a 1 dunken doughnuts chocolate cake no frosting I think Tuesday was a horrible,horribly bad day...... We are seeing my in-laws this weekend. It always causes havoc in my marriage. The are like barbie and ken. When my son was 8 weeks old, my step-mom-in-law, says "you really have got to do something about your weight". She has had plenty of plastic surgery herself... but she is a size 4. Never been bigger than a size 10. Every time I see them they tell me they can help me. And ask, have you started exercising yet? UGH.... I am very stressed out about seeing them. They do not know about my surgery. I was hoping that I would be noticeably smaller by now. I had a mini goal of under 200 by the Sept 6. I have my surgery on Aug. 1. So I guess that was pretty unreasonable goal. My in-laws have good intentions. Any way.... I know I am ranting..... Just trying to keep from crying. I am at work and several folks have come by and seen my eyes filled with tears. No telling what kind of rumors are going around now.... Cheers, Amy