2+years PO-New here

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the Grads board, but chat here on OH often. I'm having a bit of a melt down type summer. I'm a teacher and usually spend summers trying to stay in shape, but this summer has been different. I started having some pain attacks in my lower left abdomin back in March. I ended up in the ER with one so severe that I couldn't even walk within 10 minutes of it's onset. Long story short...4 days in local hospital with nothing found on all tests imaginable. Went to my surgeon in Atlanta for Lap Exploritory on June 6. It was exactly what he'd figured...scar tissue. There was a band of tissue formed just on the staple line where he'd connected the intestines and it was obviously twisting my bowels around it and getting hung up. It was a quick surgery and I was home that day, but recovery seemed a little tougher than I expected. Now I have been a total bum all summer. My tummy which was looking fantastic is now hideous. I wore bikinis all summer long last year and was at the pool every single day. I have been once this summer and wore a one piece. Where he opened up one of my incisions it is now caved in looking. I can't believe something so simple has messed up my head so bad. I'm feeling great and all my blood work looks wonderful. It has been this way since surgery. I eat mostly meat and veggies, but have my usual breakdowns of eating chocolate still. I have dumped and try my best to avoid such nastiness. Only had a few full blown dumping episodes...that's enough to keep us pretty honest. I'm thrilled with my WLS, just hate that I'm letting myself go a bit right now and need to find strength and motivation to get my butt moving on exercise and eating right again. So, today I've recommitted to my lifestyle of no bread, rice, and pasta again. I'm also recommitting to getting in a minimum of 70 oz water per day. I'm also going to commit to at least walking 6 days per week or other type exercise in place of my walking. Not ready to commit to the gym again just yet. I'm happy to see a board that's active. I've missed that since my month of surgery board has died off. I look forward to sharing with others here. Please feel free to view my profile and picture trail. I've taken HUNDREDS of pics and keep them updated weekly. Christie 245/150ish/138(lowest since surgery has been 146) Lap RNY 5/25/04 Mastopexy 3/21/06

Welcome Christie! I'm sorry to hear you've had some problems and I can understand how having another surgery could get you way off track. Congratulations to you for recommitting to a healthy lifestyle! I went and looked at your pics~You look fantastic!!!! The Grads board is a really fun place to hang out so I hope to see you here often! Hugs, Tracy B 328/152 5'9"

Tracy, Thanks for the welcome and the compliment! I really hate that I came here after having some trouble. I'm one of those who was text book perfect for almost 2 years. I'm still doing great! It was a very small thing for my surgeon to fix. It was just a mystery to doctors who aren't used to WLS patients. Look forward to getting involved here with this board. Christie

Welcome, I am new here too and finding like people here has really helped me get back on track. Hairteacher

Hey..thanks for the welcome! Good luck getting and staying on track. Some days it seems easy and others impossible. Christie

Wow, Christie, you're looking great!! It's good to have you here. I'm with you on the Evil Carbs---the more I eat, the more I want! I'm also committing this week to doing better. We can help and support each other. We can and will do it!! Hugs, Connie -147#

Hi Connie, Thanks for the wonderful compliment. I'm glad to be here and yes, we certainly can support each other. I'm ready to get these last few pounds off and keep the dang things off. I've been a yo yo for about 15 months and I want to be maintaining, not yo yoing again. Christie

Hey Beautiful ~~~ Miss me ??? OMG when I seen this I had to write you . I have tried and tried to rejuvinate that board .. but .. I guess all the MAY BABIES have moved on and moved out . I am so sorry you are going thru this . I too now have a huge hernia .. and they want to do an abdomnioplasty but my insurance is not approving it . So here I sit in pain . I have not had any major gains.. I teeter with 2 or 3 pounds .. and I am ok with that .. but scared as hell to regain ... You look wonderful .. and I am so sorry about your incesion ... Stay in touch sweety .. This board is awesome ! Hugs, Natalie

Hey Natalie, I'm doing fine now. I'm glad to have the surgery and pain attacks behind me. I know I've stopped by and left some on the May board...it's just a sad lonely board now. LOL Maybe we should try to kick in the booty once more. Thanks for the compliment. You look great as always! Get that surgery one way or another ....that hernia will end up causing you more trouble if ya don't. Christie