I'm B A C K..............

I've missed yall. We've had some computer issues at work so I was blocked from getting on line but that seems to have resolved itself. It's been months since I've been on here regularly. Let me bring you up to speed.

RNY (laproscopically) on 8-8-08.
Lost nearly 100 lbs.
Emergency Pacemaker installed on 8-5-11 (Genetic related not bypass related)
Gained back nearly 30 lbs.

UUUGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's frustrating. On top of everything else my ulcer has decided to come back - that may be a large part of my weight gain. I realized right before the holidays that I was gaining weight so I made a conscious decision to get back on track. I coasted through the holidays without gaining anything and once I started tracking and really sticking to the program I realized that I was wanting to eat way too often and that what I was feeling wasn't actually hunger - it was the burn from the ulcer. Feeding the pain made it go away. Unfortunately I was chosing all the wrong things.

I go for another endoscope on the 9th of March to make sure that the thing hasn't perforated and decide if anything other than long term treatment with Nexium (or the like) is necessary. I've also got to go have labs drawn in the next couple of days to have all that checked out again.

I've gotten used to the pacemaker (for the most part). It's been so cold this winter that I haven't wanted to do a blessed thing. I've hibernated. That isn't good for weight loss mentality. I do know that since I've been stricter on myself that the pouch does in fact still work. While Oscar the Pouch can tolerate most anything (except Dairy) he has gone back to demanding it be well chewed and eaten slowly. At 2 1/2 years out I has a case of the foamies this past weekend when I attempted to eat peanut butter on wheat toast too quickly.  Guess what gang - it still feels like a garbage truck is parked on top of you when something gets stuck.

well enough for now - just thought I'd drop in and give yall an udpade on things. I will be here more often.

- Iris

Glad to see you are back posting Iris. Missed you.

missed you too!

I have been MIA taking care of my mom. Hopefully things are settling down now (we will know more after another follow-up dr visit on Monday) and I'll be around more too!

Hey Iris, 

So good to see you here again. I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling, but am glad that you are back in the saddle. I hope that Nexium or something along those lines will resolve the ulercation for you. I know that you are one very determined and capable woman, which to me means that you will do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Like you, I experienced a regain and like you, I realized that I would just work my tool, that I could stop and reverse the trend. While un-nerving when it happens, I also found it profoundly empowering. I found that I now have control over my weight and for a 'forever fat girl,' that was something I never really thought would happen for me.Knowing that we have this tool and can leverage it to have the life we want to live empowering.

I look forward to seeing you more often.

Warmly,

I hope to get to one of the Raleigh meet ups before long. Buddy is going to school at wake tech and living in Garner. I've been up there for a couple of weekends already and love the area. This last trip we went out and explored a couple of great parks in the surrounding communities.

Can't wait to see you again.
- Iris

Make one of your trips on the 3rd Saturday of the month and join us! We'd love to see you again too.

Hugs,