Return to Dr

Well today I decided to call Dr. McQuire and move my Dr's appt. from the 30th to as soon as possible!!! I am no longer loosing weight which is concerning to me, in over a week now with exercising at least once a day!! It's like when I started eating solid foods my body has gone crazy, not to mention according to the 3-4wk out plan, I have been eating to much. So I got an appointment for Friday at 3:50 to have my band adjusted! I am spending next wknd with family and don't want to over eat if possible and if I have more restrictions I think I can resist easier. I went Monday to check out a gym for $20 a month...it was a joke. Phogy(sp) was my actual description which some of my friends had never hear of that word before! LOL Anyway, I called the gym I tanned at this summer yesterday and theirs is $37 a month. The offer a trainer for $90 which is broke down into 6 segments for 30 minutes. Anyway, I think it is the right decision for me. The Dr wanted to do an adjustment when I was there on the 9th but I assured him I was feeling resistance. Now I think that resistance is actually me not chewing my food up like I should! Anyway, not looking forward to him finding my port the 1st time, but looking forward to loosing weight again!!!

More Dr Appts.

On Friday the 2nd of November I went back to the Pshychiatrist. We had a good chat and I think everything is on track for my success!  On Monday the 5th I went to the nutritionist and she said I was doing above average for lap band surgery!! Today the scales have me down by 27lbs!! What a moment in time... and so hard to beleive!! I did go by the surgery center so I could get my actual weight the day of the surgery and that calculated at 293. They weighed me in Killograms and it didn't make it into my dr's notes etc. He had me down at 303 from my last appt with him before surgery which was 303 on August 31. Thankful for the success but fearful for the holidays fast approaching. My goal is to be at 250 by my Birthday!! I have 7 weeks to make it happen and 16lbs to go which will be 2 lbs a week! I know I can, I think I can, I will do it!!! Thank you Jesus for being with me every step of the way! Last night I went to the Town Board meeting where folks were noticing. The mayor said I must be Cheryl's skinnier sister...LOL

2nd Post Op visit 10/19

Well today I went back to Dr. McQuire to get an adjustment in my band, my first at that. My original appointment was set for 10/30 but with family plans the wknd of 10/26 & 27, game night the 20th I was desperate to have an adjustment because I knew the scales were going in the wrong direction despite all my efforts!!! I was right, they were up by 3 lbs!! This makes it 15lbs lost since 8/31 appt. Very discouraging when I think of all the things I have been resisting to LOOSE weight...let me list a FEW: hushpuppies, bread, rolls, biscuits, CHEESE biscuits, family reunion food, BBQ, steak, chocolate, corn bread, pancakes, sodas, caffeine, pasta, rice, gravy, chips, etc. etc. Dr. Mcquire proceeded to put 2cc's in my band...a lot of you have wondered how this works and now I know!! He has you lay on your back, bring your knees to your chest which makes your stomach muscles pop and then he can better see your port. He takes a needle with the saline solution in it and inserts the desired amount. Once complete, you sit up and proceed to do the water test. (see how you swollow) I immediately felt resistance and he decided to take out 1.5cc's. To repeat the process wasn't fun, it was actually more painful to keep my knees in position vs. the needle going into my gut!! LOL He said if he had left the 2cc's in it, I would have ended up in the ER unable to eat and throwing up etc. I'm glad he has these things in place to prevent these sort of things!!


I hosted game night Saturday the 20th despite my better judgement. I wanted to wait until November to host a FOOD event but tried to put some things in place so I wouldn't be tempted ALL night. Because despite the name of our gathering, we are really there for the food!! LOL I have always considered this time as my supper, but always eat way more and for hours on end!! We generally don't have a lot of healthy options either, not that I would eat them if we did, since I don't like most healthy options!! I had the ladies leave their food/snacks etc. in the kitchen vs. bringing it into the formal dining room where we play our games etc. I wasn't as tempted and was able to avoid overeating for the most part but did consume more than I should have. Well over the weekend I could see the scales moving in the correct direction and decided maybe the weight game I had experienced was from my monthly cycle!!! PTL, the scales are now on the other side of those 3lbs gained and I am now at about 19lbs lost over all. I think to that my body had to adjust to solid foods etc. I also joined the gym on 10/18 and finally worked out yesterday 10/22 for 30minutes which was interesting since I was by myself, but I managed to figure everything out on my own. Thankfully, although embarrassing!!

Post-Op Appointment

Dr. McQuire has me down 18lbs today!! He released me to go back to exercising except for my "core" as that area continues to heal. Didn't have any recomendations on the issues with the meds, but still searching. I go back on 10/30 to follow up and see if I need an adjustment.

Wknd of surgery

The day after the surgery (Sat) Kenny and Rhonda had to take Kayla to the bus station and I didn't feel up to going etc. I invited Bonnie to come stay with me, I just didn't want to be by myself after just having surgery the day before. Kenny also had to get the balance of my pain meds. Bonnie and I had a good visit as I shared with her my photo albums from my visits to England over the past 20yrs. She had to leave, so I then invited Janet to come stay with me. I didn't take a nap that day, just relaxed in my recliner in my pj's all day.

Week after surgery

Monday 10/1 Rhonda leaves to go to Ohio. We didn't get much quality time together as she packed and we both got ready for the ride to Greenville. We did manage to play a game almost every day of her visit and we played a hand of Skip Bo before we went to the airport. Thankfully her return flight was early getting into Ohio vs. her 8hr delay getting to Greenville. It's always sad when we say our goodbyes and over the years we have tried to develop new strategies to say goodbye without it being so emotional. It is always easier when we know when our next visit will be. This time it's Hebron Colony on 10/25 in Boone, NC. Tuesday I returned to work and it wasn't to bad. I would have preferred to have been in my recliner at home and after being off 4 days that was nothing new. I walked 5 minutes at lunch and called the dr about all the dirarrah I had been having. They explained it was normal since most everything I was eating was liquid so that was how it was going to come out as well. Tuesday I walked 10m at lunch. Wednesday I walked 15m and Kenny and I walked to the Dollar General. I didn't go to church though. Thursday and Friday I walked the full 20m or so. Friday I took off at 4 and met Janice at Lowe's and she helped me get some mums for the family reunion. I also went to Walmart for a few supplies. Mom got in about 7 and the we went to the fellowship hall to decorate etc. for the 25th Whichard Family Reunion. The reunion went well, couldn't have done it w/o mom and some of the other family there though!! Sunday I returned to church, went shopping for a baby gift with Bonnie that afternoon, and then went to see the Jay Stone Singers in Castalia, NC.

Surgery Day

The day of surgery 9/28 (which I am writing this after the fact) we got up around 4:30, got my shower, then woke up my sister. We took a few pics and hit the road by 5:40. We had to be there by 6:15am and they opened at 6:00. I called Dad to be sure he was up and he actually beat us to the surgery center. They checked me in right away and I was called back w/n minutes. My check in nurse was Cheryl and she was VERY nice! Unfortunately they weighed me in killograms and I still don't know what that weight was!! Anyway, after she got my IV in she let Rhonda and Kenny come back to see me. I met with the anesteciologist and his nurse (pre-ordered by Kim L. Bedwell). Then they told me the dr was 15m late. But overall it was a very relaxed and peaceful experience!! Once I went to the OR, in no time I was out. (in the past they have taken me back and you lay there for what seems like forever before they put you to sleep while my blood pressure goes higher and higher, but not this time) After surgery Rhonda and Kenny came back, then Kayla and then Dad. They let me drink some boost and shortly there after sent me home! We were at the drug store by 11am picking up my pain med rx. I went home and took 2 naps that afternoon. Dad brought BBQ for the family and went on back to VA. I did get sick twice that day, but I think I over did the drinking or applesauce, not sure which, but I haven't been sick since! PTL