Stir Crazy!

Well, I've been home all week, and it's simply maddening! I've been alternating between reading, playing World of Warcraft, and sleeping. Wow, fun stuff huh!?

Within 5 minutes of getting home from the hospital last Friday, I hopped on the scale (yes, I know I'm a freak!). I had gone up to 169.6 from around 163 or so. WOW! I thought I would have lost lots of weight b/c of not eating for several days, etc. Well, things are progressing again, and I'm down to an all time low of 155.6. So, drum roll... I am HALF the girl I used to be. It's crazy.. unreal! And the sad thing is, I still see fat girl in the mirror. I don't know how to make her go away. Any one have any ideas?

I can't go to the gym for awhile. I told John I overdid it yesterday, and he almost freaked b/c he thought I went to the gym.. but I just overdid it in general with trying to declutter my room. I pulled a muscle in my NECK of all places... wtf?! I am going to buy a bike very soon. I osld my recumbent bike and made $200 on it. So that's going to the REAL bike fund. Bikers, i am thinking of getting a TREK bike, a hybrid. Is it really a good investment? I haven't ridden a bike in years, but I am one of those people who want the best.. Or am I being foolish, and should just get a Schwinn?

Sorry again for the rambling nonsense... I'm good at that! :)
Oh, if anyone uses Facebook, feel free to add me! laurie9797@yahoo.com is the email it's linked to.
:)
Hugs to all!

Gallstones, Hernias, Surgery, OH MY!

Hello ladies and gents,
I am back from the hospital! Thanks to everyone for your well wishes, and thanks to Jil for keeping you all updated!
As I had posted last week, I've been having a lot of stomach aches. Apparently, you shouldn't dismiss that as gas! I called Dr. W on Tuesday afternoon to make an appointment, and of course he was booked solid. I just asked his nurse if he could try to fit me in, and she asked what was wrong, and then called Dr. W, who instructed me to go to the emergency room immediately! I started panicking, and was still at work, so I had to go tell my boss that I might not be in the next day, and then went home to grab a few things. My friend Michelle picked me up at home, and took me to the hospital. They ran lots of labwork on me, and followed my surgeons testing protocol to see what's wrong. After my CATscan, it was revealed that I had gallstones. I was admitted, and then finally got my room around 1:30 AM.
Wednesday morning, Dr. W came in to see me, and asked me to describe all my pain (shooting pains feeling like gas, lasting about 4-10 hours after eating in my 3 worst occasions, constant full feeling, no pain relief from gas x, etc.).. he then pushed on my stomach in a few places, and some hurt.. he then said that I was the proud owner of a hernia! A GI Doctor then came to see me, and I told the same story, and he told me the same thing. Basically, the pain I described can be one of three things - gallbladder (check!), hernia (check!), or an ulcer (thankfully, not!). I then got a HIDA scan, and it revealed that my gallbladder was not inflamed at the moment, so the culprit of the pain was the hernia. While I was in the HIDA scan, Dr. J came to visit me. He's another surgeon that does RNY/Lap Band, etc. He told me that I was going to have surgery at 5pm to fix my hernia and to remove the gallbladder.. it wasn't bothering me now, and as I needed to have the hernia repaired, they might as well remove the gallbladder. While I was finding all of this out, I was still in the HIDA Scan, where I could not move. What a way to find out you're going under the knife in just 3 short hours!!
As soon as I got back to my room, I lost it.. I started crying, freaking out.. I know it's a normal surgery, but the whole hernia thing really freaked me out. I know they can get really bad, and I know if I hadn't gone to the doctor, that I would be in much worse shape, and who knows what could have happend! I just had everything running through my mind at that moment and was panicking again! I called several people and got the chain going so everyone would find out. I got to see my mom and Michelle as I was getting rolled into the operating room, and when I got out, I got to see them as well as Jil and my boyfriend John! :) My mom hadn't gotten to meet John yet, so what great circumstances to, right? LOL
Everything went well with the surgery. I had a lot of scar tissue from my RNY, which is to be expected. The one risk that I was most nervous about (strangulated intestines) was the one I got.. Go figure! The surgery was about two longer than he told me it would be. I ended up getting to my room around 10 pm, when I went in around 5.
Here it is, Sunday morning.. and I'm feeling pretty good, but I am sore. Yesterday I was in a lot of pain, mostly gas pain. My stomach is still quite swollen, and I am about to meet my boyfriend's family, and wondering what the heck I'm going to wear that isn't going to kill my incisions.. lol I get to go back to work on Wednesday (WHOO HOO!)
Sorry for the rambling with everything.. I'm not a great writer, and just say things as I think them! :-P I hope everyone is well, and thanks again for all of the well wishes!
Hugs to all!
Laurie

Getting Back to Basics

I've been having a lot of stomach aches lately, and I really think it's because I'm eating whatever I damn well please.. we all know that's not a good thing! So, I'm going to try to get back to basics and focus on protein, exercise, liquids, etc.
It's really hard being so far out and resisting temptations that are out there! The past few weeks I've been terrible... re-introducing diet coke back into my life.. having a beer... I even had a piece of chocolate cake yesterday. Yes, I paid for it, but why didn't I think before I put it in my mouth?! GEEZ!
Anyways - the scale this morning said 160.4, and my goal is to see the 150s this week. I've seen 160.4 before.. and even gone back up to 165, but haven't seen below... So I'm ready!! :)

I hope everyone had a nice weekend! I had one of my dear friends get engaged over the weekend.. I'm so excited for her! So, I may possibly be in 2 weddings this year.. that's motivation enough to try to get into better shape! :)

Well, it's just a quick blog today - wanted to check in, and declare that I'm making some changes! :) All of you hold me accountable! :)

I'm off today - I may take a little nap to try to get rid of my headache before going to the gym! :)

Hugs to all!

GG

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees!

Hello my favorite people! This isn't really a post about losing weight, or trying to lose weight, but it is about cutting the fat in my life.. the extra money I spend! I'm trying so hard to get out of debt, and I've made several changes recently:

• Lowered the minutes on my mobile phone ($10/month savings)
• Removed a few other features on my mobile ($5/month savings)
• Lowered internet plan with Comcast from $45.95 to $24.95 ($21.00/month savings)
• Canceled movie channels with Comcast ($25.00/month savings)
• Called a credit card company to ask for a lower interest rate, since they were trying to kill me... They went from 22.99% to 18.99% - still crappy, but better than before!
• Canceled my home phone ($38/month savings)
• Called my auto insurance place to get my defensive driving discount ($12.00/month savings)

Soo... I'm now saving roughly $110 a month!
Anyone else have any good ideas?

I don't eat out very often. I definitely slowed down on my clothing purchases since I've been stuck in the same 10 lb range forever..

Hope to hear some good ideas from you all!
As far as my credit cards go, I'm doing the debt snowball that Dave Ramsey suggests. :-)

hugs to all!!
GG

10 Pounds

In 10 pounds, I will be "normal" as far as the BMI charts go. And you know what? It's really true.. the last 10 pounds are the hardest. My ultimate goal is 145, but the 10 lbs will put me at 154, which is the highest "normal" weight. I'll take it at this point! lol
I went to Weight Watchers yesterday and had a 0.2 lb gain. I was devastated.. why? No clue! I could have gone to the restroom and re-weighed and probably been fine.. but I was really bummed about it! And honestly I should be surprised that it was only 0.2. I had gone to Charleston for a business trip for 3 days the week before and ate like a pig.. and then Saturday night I had a massive drink... So, had I not done these terrible things, I bet I'd probably be in the 150s.. UGH!
I need to get back on the ball with things. I've done very well today. I've snacked a little, but nothing compared to what I have been. Wish me luck!
Sorry this is so random and garbled.. I'm grumpy today! lol

Honest Crap

I've been tagged on one of the blogs I read, She's a Rebel, She's a Saint to do this little number...

For this one, the rules are simple - list 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep! Then tag 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap Award.

So here goes...

10 Honest Things about Me

1) I'm still dealing with MAJOR self esteem issues that I'm having to deal with from my weight loss. I'm trying hard to increase my worthiness in my head, but damn it, it's hard!

2) If I could change anything about myself, the list would be pretty long. I wish my hair were thicker, longer.. My skin not such a brilliant shade of white.. my nose not quite so pointy.. As far as my personality goes, I'm pretty happy with that. Maybe I'm too nice? Is that possible? Lol

3) Lately I've been a gigantic rule breaker as a post wls patient, and it terrifies me. I've been drinking a few diet cokes a week, had a beer, eating more carbs, etc. I'm not at goal yet, and I am terrified my f'd up psyche is trying to screw me over!

4) I am a shopaholic. That's my "transfer addiction". In a way, I'm thankful my credit sucks, b/c I can't get into too much trouble. Shopping is so much more rewarding now that I can shop wherever I like. It's dangerous. I am, however, taking very large steps to improve my financial situation, and that means cutting out the shopping altogether. I will have to learn to actually deal with my issues

5) I'm very open with people about my surgery, except a few. I am starting to feel guilty that I haven't told one person in particular, and not sure if I should spill the beans, or just leave it. I know it's our prerogative whether we share or not, but it's difficult just keeping a small circle of people who don't know.

6) I'm feeling very unfulfilled in my career. I make decent money, but feel empty. When my financial situation improves, maybe I can actually do something I love and be able to make less money.

7) I feel truly blessed to have the friends that I do. I have an incredible amount in common with all of them, yet we're all very different. I know it's very rare to have several amazing friends, and I don't take that for granted.

8) I'm excited and nervous to see what the next year or so brings in every aspect of my life. I'm in a new relationship, I'm still trying to lose weight, and I'm trying to become debt free. I hope all things turn out wonderfully! :)

9) I have had a passport for about 6 months, and I am dying to use it. At this point, I don't care where I go.. I just want a stamp, damn it!

10) I don't have one hero in particular. There are many people who I look up to for one reason or another, but there is not one person I idolize completely. I think that's a good thing.

Now here's the part where I tag others:

Jil

Kim H

Kim J

Meg

Lacy

Heather

Tracey

Janine

Janene

Cindylou

Yeah, I tagged more than I needed to, but it's my blog! Muahaha!

Looking forward to reading about you all! :)

What's the Skinny?

Time sure does seem to fly! The last time I blinked, it was 2008.
I have been the worst blogger ever since I started this thing, but I am really wanting to start blogging at least once a week.. I think that's a hefty little goal for myself, but I'm sure I can do it.
What's new with me?
Hmm..

• I've been dating a great guy named John for about a month and a half now. He's cute, he's fun, he's patient with me and my craziness, and he's active! That's great for me so I don't get lazy ever again! WOO HOO!
• I'm currently wearing a pair of jeans that are size 10. WHA?! Yep, 10! Granted, many 10's don't fit me, but this one does, and maybe a few other pairs out there!
• I'm holding at 163ish right now... I'm doing Weight Watchers but fell off the wagon a bit last week with my business trip.. this week is my recovery week! lol
• I love bullet points.. they make things look important!
• I'm working on getting my finances under control. I want to be able to POSSIBLY do plastics one of these days, and with my current financial situation, that's just not possible.
• I drank a beer last night.. Yes, it had bubbles... and yes, it was damn good, and I may even have another quite soon!
• I've had about 3 diet cokes a week. I feel worse about this than I do about the beer.. why? B/c Diet cokes are free at work, and I don't want to get back into the 2-3 a day habit that I used to be in.
• I'm addicted to coffee. Well, this isn't new, but it's a confession. The highly caffeinated stuff is the best! lol
• Last month, John took me out to a shooting range, and I absolutely LOVED it! It was liberating, and I wasn't half bad at it! lol
• I want to save the money to buy a bike, and possibly ride the MS150 in 2010. I doubt I'll own my bike by the 2009 timeframe, and I want to actually make sure I can ride it.. it's been YEARS!

Well, that's about it on my side of the world. I do read all of your blogs ladies, and I will really try to start commenting more often. This bad blogger will try to make right with the world! :)

Love to you all, and I hope your 2009 is wonderful so far! :)