WHO'S HERE? 4/4 ROLL CALL

Good morning everyone. Sorry this is so late. Jesi - thanks for doing this last week for me. You are certainly better at replying to everyone than I am lately. Spring break was busy and didn't get half of what I needed to accomplished. It's amazing that when mamma is home, hubby thinks that I should run the place again. Spent a lot of time shopping, cleaning, playing with kids, etc. All in all, it wasn't too bad, but I didn't get a lot of those things done, like working on my thesis, that I needed to do. Anyway, enough about my break. I know that there are some new folks on here that are having surgery really soon. Because I don't have time to read all the posts anymore, like I like to do, please give us a shout, (to use Jesi's terms ) and let us know where you are in your journey. I'm about 16 months out have lost over 140 pounds. I still struggle with some eating issues but I fight to control them daily. I see a plastic surgeon May 3rd to discuss his recommendations - don't know what I will do because I want another baby. Where are you in your journey? If you set goals, this is the place to do that as well. My goals are a few less than last week - I think that I need to snack in front of the tv at night to have some "me" time. For this week, I'm going to try to do that and see how it goes. 1) KEEP CONTROL OVER FOOD EVERY DAY, EVERY HOUR AND EVERY MINUTE!!! 2) One evening snack. 3) Sit at the kitchen table to eat, except for that evening snack, maybe. 4) DON'T OVEREAT!! 5) Lay off all peanut butter - (Got my low carb p.b. out of the house and have been eating regular now and dumped on it last night!) That's enough for me. Please chime in and let us all know how you are doing today!!! God bless, Andrea

Hi Andrea, I need to still concentrate on my fluids one day I'll do good and the next day I don't do so well. I got to remember I don't need to get dehydrated with working out and working outside. A goal of mine is to try to get more protein in with food so I don't have to supplement. I am just not hungry and when I eat I still don't feel well. But to me that is a positive thing in its own way. I have stabilized out on my weight at 138. I was getting a little worried. I am 13 months out and have lost 162lbs. I would do this surgery over again in a heart beat. My sister in law had this surgery done also and she feels the same way. My father in law should have his surgery I estimate with in the next two months. He has insurance approval so It is just a matter of the office getting the rest done. I am so happy for spring!!!! Maybe if I ever get down to Davenport to see my best friend which I haven't seen in 13 years, maybe I can meet you all some time. Hope you all have a great day!!! Kim L.

Oh my gosh, Kim - 162 pounds - that's a full grown man that you lost off your back!!!! I'm so proud of your accomplishment! Now, remember those fluids are vital to your health. Maybe you can set a schedule for drinking. When I'm working, I drink 36 oz of water before lunch and another 36 oz after lunch. Then I have 16-32 oz at the gym and try to get in more in the evening before going to bed. None of that includes my coffee or tea in the morning before going to work Do you get nauseated when you eat? If I overdo it just a little bit, I get nauseous. I really have to pay attention to when I feel a little bit of fullness and then STOP because if I don't, I will be miserable in 20 minutes. That has been hard for me. Are you maybe eating too quickly or too much? In my opinion, taking a look at How you are eating as well as What you are eating may help, too. Good luck to your father-in-law! I hope that insurance approves quickly for him. I'd love to meet you if you ever come this way. E-mail me if it ever works out for you. Some of the others around this area would probably like to get together, too. Have a blessed week! God bless, Andrea

Hi Andrea! Ugh!! I've gained 6.5 pounds since last month. Don't really know how that is possible since all I can keep down are low-sugar animal crackers and chicken broth...I know in my head that it is most likely water retention; but, I still wince every morning when I weigh in. I've had two ultrasounds so far...and the baby has a strong heartbeat, my due date was confirmed as being 11/11/05 and the baby seems to be perfect! Goals: 1) Get back to walking more...nausea, fatigue and Fibromyalgia have been kicking my butt lately. 2) Try to eat more (and keep it down!). 3) Try to spread my meals more throughout the day instead of not eating until early afternoon/evening. 4) Get up the nerve to call my surgeon and tell him that I'm pregnant. Hope that everyone is doing well! ~~Sherry Open RNY 02/04/04 (Proximal-75 cm) 294.5/141/147.5 (Nugget must be going to be a 'big' baby, huh? ) E.D.D. of Child #2~~11/11/05

Sherry, Hi - so sorry to hear that you are feeling bad about the weight. You know that it is more than likely something that you have changed since finding out your pg or just the water weight. Are you exercising? Hope that all is going well for you. Don't forget your protein - even if you have to supplement. You and the little one need to remain healthy. Remember (according to what I've learned during each pregnancy), - the little one will get the nutrition he or she needs - YOUR body will be robbed of any nutrients of which you are lacking. Now, your goal for November is to be overdue or push that due date back several days! My birthday is November 15th and my daughter's is the 19th! It must be a blessed month!!! Stay healthy this week and hang in there!! God bless, Andrea

Well here's my first "roll call" so to speak. This is what I have going on this week: 1. Bowel prep today and pre-op physical/yearly at MD. - Check 2. Fax pre-op physical to Dr. G and take anti-biotics tomorrow. 3. Pack the girls clothes and pack myself for hospital. 4. Tomorrow night take girls to my mom's. 5. Wed morning leave house by 7:15 to be at hospital at 8:30. 6. Surgery at 11:30!!!!! So today sucked but Desitin is a godsend!!! Goal for me is to not want a cigarette when I can't eat!! I still crave them sometimes! Wish me luck y'all!!! Hugs, jen

Oh jen you have to do the bowel prep he said that day in the office he wasn't going to make ya guys do them anymore. I guess he changed his mind or he wasn't serious when he said it. Sorry! But he did say it. Have fun with the prep drink lots of juice or gatorade to kill the taste. Best of luck! Kim L.

Jen, I'm so sorry that I didn't get back to you before you were in for surgery. I'm praying that everything went okay for you and that you heal quickly. Be sure to post to let us know when you are back and feeling up to it. God bless, Andrea

Hello Andrea, im doing better started walking today the leg is fineally healing I feel great im so happy for you about seeing a plastic surgant so who are you going to? i love the results of my tummy its hard to believe. well my goals this week are walking,more water, get spring cleaning done im planning to be at the meeting the 20th Roseanne is coming with any way im down to 168 its so hard to believe. take care have a good week. Laurie

Laurie, So glad that your leg is finally feeling better. I gotta ask - what size pants are you in now? Did the surgeon tell you how much skin he removed? I see Dr. Bayne from across the river in Illinois. I'm anxious and a little nervous to see what he says. He'll probably tell me that I need a thigh lift, full all around tuck and boob lift as well as a face lift. I need to go on one of those reconstruction shows, it sounds like. Wow - down to 168 is wonderful! I can't wait to see you and the results of your surgery. Hopefully we'll see you on the 20th with RoseAnn. God bless, Andrea