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drj's Journal
 

When I'm on vacation-I don't pay attention

When I'm on vacation, I don't pay atention. I went out of town on Friday and returned late last night. Let's see if I can retrack my eating patterns. Friday breakfast-nothing lunch-bite chicken, 1/2 meatball, salad, water dinner-6 shrimp with shrimp sause, wine cooler, about 12 oz. Mountain Dew Saturday breakfast-2 slices bacon, 1 sausage link, 2 eggs-over easy, cup decaf coffee lunch-venti java chip decaf frappaccino dinner-two bites sole stuffed w/crab, two chips & cheese w/artichoke, wine cooler, Long Island Iced Tea, small slice bread w/ butter snack-slice cake w/ decaf coffee Sunday brunch-1/2 egg, 2 slice bacon, 1 sausage link, 1/2 cup coffee, bite french toast lunch-nothing dinner-1/4 baked potato w/ chives, sour cream, butter, 16 oz. Dr. Pepper, pinch cheeseburger snack-bite ground beef & chorizo w/ chichorron I think I did okay on food, although I was in my usual environment. Being out of town makes me out of control. But I kept thinking Protein, protein, protein. I think my family got sick of hearing about it. My sister noticed that I had lost a lot of weight and ask how I did it. (She is expremely heavy too.) I bragged about the LB and told her that she could do it too, if she wanted to. I mentioned this website and that she could apply to join and hear about what others struggle with and their successes. She never got the information from me. I told her I'd show her my marks from surgery. She never asked to see. I guess she's not ready. My other sister also noticed. She said that I looked great. She should know how I look. We live only 25 miles from each other, and never see each other. She asked all about it too. She said that our neice noticed too, but thought I'd be embarrassed if they said anything. I said that I was when I first started to lose. Now I love the compliments. I can't enough of them. Friday, my neice took me to a store to buy a new pair of jeans. I found a pair to match my jean coat. They were two sizes smaller than the last pair I bought a year ago. I couldn't believe they fit, almost. I wore them to our reunion. That's how everyone noticed the smaller me. I'm so glad and happy they all said something. It made me feel good about myself in a say that I never frlt before.   Now if I could jump start my weight loss again. I've been the same weight for about two months. I'm glad that I haven't gained any weight, but I'd like to lose about 45 more pounds. On Wednesday, I have a band adjustment. Maybe that will do it for me. I hope so. Until next time.
drj

drj

1
bluefishlover's Journal
 

US / Mexico

Am beginning to explore going to Mexico for the procedure. A bandster mentioned that her surgery cost $8500. I am paying $13,000 here in Covington. That is $4500.00 difference. Even with travel I could save $3500.   Exploring that parmeter.   The other issue is band success. I know that the success of the band is dependent on not stretching your stomach and not trying to subvert the process. But as one member of the banding group stated, "if I could control my eating I wouldn't be in this mess". Well I must echo that thought. If I could control volumes, which is required for banding success, would I need a band?   Just a thought, no answers.
bluefishlover

bluefishlover

1
Puddinpie's Journal
 

Monday, April 10, 2006

Workout: I did 40 minutes on Arc Trainer, elliptical, & treadmill in the AM   Food: B: Metagenics shake (w 1 scoop metagenics & 1/2 scoop Unjury) - 125 calories, 17g protein L: Chicken florentine (Lean Cuisine) - 18g protein, 200 calories S: 1 dark chocolate caramel bar & almond caramel sample from Sees (2g protein, 275 calories)   Totals (so far): 600 calories, 37g protein   Water: I've had 5 cups so far   Scale: Gym scale said 255
puddin

puddin

1
shackdog's Journal
 

The journey continues

:bandit well here it is, one week until B-day. It has been a long thiry days but am very happy with the physical results in the way I look:p . I am wearing clothes that I have not worn in a long time. I find that I do have extra energy also that I have not had for some time.   It became so much easier to just sit around and veg, but now with working out which is still a chore, I find that I want to get outside and do lots of things that I could not do before. I even bought my daughter a new car yesterday. I had made a promise to her several years ago that I would buy one for her if she wnt back to school and got her diploma, she did so I did what I needed to do.   I hope the results that come my way are always positive, and I know that this will be the case as long as I work hard each and every day to acheive success. I know that " Change is not change unless I change":clap2:
shackdog

shackdog

1
Fleur's Journal
 

Afternoon tea crisis

Yesterday we had family over to celebrate my daughters 3rd Birthday. I served afternoon tea and with out even thinking I ate a couple of scones and an egg sandwich. I didnt have lunch or dinner so I dont feel terribly bad but I am just wondering if it's normal to not feel any restriction after eating that. I think I really need a fill. I see Dr Bowden on Wed. Morning. Hovering a smidge above 101kg. I'd like to be an easy 101 by Wednesday.   Today I ate Scrambled egg - 3 eggs coffee 1 1/2 cups yoghurt refried beans 1/2 avocado and mashed up egg 1 cup yoghurt coffee Mashed Cauliflower coffee Matamucil Medications Water   Yesterday I ate   1 cup saltana bran with hot milk latte 2 glasses champagne 2 small scones with cram and jam 1 egg & lettace sandwich very small slice cake coffee 3-4 m&m's
Fleur

Fleur

1
Puddinpie's Journal
 

This weekend sucked!

Saturday, April 8, 2006   B: None (woke up too late cuz the basement flooded Friday) L (about 4 PM): 1 cheeese stick, 1 triangle quesadilla, 2 bbq buffalo wings, a couple of chips, and a couple bites of chicken at Applebees D: none S: Chocolate chip cookie   Sunday, April 9, 2006 B: 1/2 Metagenics shake w/ unjury L: About 4 BBQ Spare ribs & some beans, 2 bites of cake D: Whole piece of Applebees lime chicken S: Betty Crocker carmel chocolate cake (microwave thing)   Workout Saturday: None, but walked all day and did dance dance revolution Sunday: Rode my bike for around 20 minutes
puddin

puddin

1
wiggygiggy's Journal
 

Trying to be patient!

:help: I am trying to hard to be patient with this process, but really getting frustrated with all the hoops and BS that we have to go through. I can honestly understand why people go to Mexico now to have it DONE! I just found out that now I'll also have to attend a 4 hour pre-op class on a Wed. before I have the surgery. That means ANOTHER trip to the cities - oh joy!! Maybe I'll just have to switch our piano lessons to Tues. nites now until this is all done with?? Or Hopefully they'll let me skip this part of the process, I"m going to try and see if I can do that - since I've already done had a surgery before?? We'll see if that works. Thanks for listening.
wiggygiggy

wiggygiggy

1
Yoda's Journal
 

Sun 9 Apr 06

I'm scheduled for my surgery on 21 Apr. I am on day 3 of my 2 week "pre-op" diet. It is difficult but not as bad as I thought. It is actually kind of nice having limited options and I look forward to next week when all I can have is yougurt for that very reason. I just have to be sure that I drink the proper amount of fluid.   Right now I'm just extremely stressed out about the approval issue. I hope to find out more about this early next week. I may be worrying for nothing but experience tells me otherwise. I just know how the organization works; it can be so very slow to move and ppl aren't always as helpful as I would like.   I also have concerns about what (if anything) to tell people. This wouldn't even be an issue if it weren't for the fact that J. had the same thing done; it puts a whole other perspective on it. I don't feel like I should have to defend myself but due to the nature of ppl and what they think, I know I will be put in that exact position to do so.   I joined the lapbandtalk site a few days ago and have found it to be extremely useful. The info one can glean from this site is tremendous and I intend to make as much use of it as I can. I have already learned so much.   My other concern is for C. I know that this was have an impact/effect on him as well...and our relationship. Not our personal feelings for each other but what we "do" together. Eating out and food, in general, has been an important part of what we do together. And though I know this will force us to change I don't want him to think or feel he is being forced and even though I know it will be good for us, I know it will also be difficult to break some of our habits. I love C. for all his unconditional support he gives me and I only hope I can give back the same and I hope he doesn't become disappointed or bitter over this whole thing...due to us not being able to do the food thing together anymore (ie. eating out etc). Hopefully we'll just be able to enjoy it together, but in a different way...a healthier way. I hope this will help the diabetic situation as well as my comorbidities.
Yoda

Yoda

1
ddiedre's Journal
 

OH profile....My history from then to now.

Starting weight: 283 Height: 5'8" Starting BMI: 43 Goal: 150ish. I'd be happy with higher if I thought I looked and felt good. I guess it depends on where my body feels comfortable.   I have been overweight all of my adult life and really, as long as I can remember. I feel like I've been on some sort of diet forever. The first diet I can remember is at the age of 16, my mother sent me to Weight Watchers. I've been on Jenny Craig, Richard Simmons. I've taken Redux and just about any over the counter "dietary supplement" known to man. I've been able to lose weight with these things but I've never been able to keep the weight off and the pounds usually bring a few friends back with them. It's really amazing when I look in the mirror. I don't think I look that bad, but when I see photos of myself I am shocked at how big I look. I'm ashamed of what I look like.   I am looking foreward to the day when I have the lap band as a tool to help me keep on track. I was born with a condition known as congenital hip dysplasia (my hips weren't formed right and were dislocated). I'm told that I'm lucky to be able to walk, but I had a good doctor as a child and with many surgeries, I'm whole again. It's hard for me to participate in high impact exercise, but I walk, ride bicyle, swim and try to keep active.   I enjoy reading and music. My favorite author is Stephen King. My husband and I own a travel trailer and do a lot of camping in the summer time. That keeps me active with walking and bicycling.   I had my surgical consult on 1/14/05 and am currently waiting for insurance approval for adjustable gastric banding.   2/3/05 I got word that my insurance approved me for the lap band. Hooray!.   2/9/05 I've scheduled all my pre-op testing and dietician appointments. They tell me my surgery is scheduled for 4/4/05!. WOW. This is happening faster than I thought. The nurse from the office had told me yesterday that 4/4/05 was a possible date but didn't tell me they were going to schedule it.   02/11/05 I got a letter from my doctor's office and from the hospital advising me that my surgery has been scheduled for 4/4/05. What a way to notify someone. Well, at least it's official. Now the waiting game begins. I'm trying to follow the post banding diet so it won't come as such a shock for me post operatively. I'm "in training" so to speak. I think I find the no drinking with my meals and trying to time my fluid intake around my meals the hardest.   2/23/05 I had my first appointment with the office nurse who does most of the follow ups. She was doing my lap band teaching. All the pre-op, actual operative and post op advice I understood and was prepared for except for one thing. She told me to start eating with a baby spoon and a pickle fork so that I could get accustomed to small bites. I don't even know what a pickle fork is!. Is this something I'll have to do forever? I can't find anywhere on the forums where anyone has been advised this except for other patients of Dr. Duckett. I guess this will just become part of my "in training" whether I feel good about it or not. How am I gonna explain those utensils to my co-workers since I've tried to keep the whole surgery from them to begin with?   2/26/05 Had my consultation with the dietician today. It took 2 hours! Who knew it would take 2 hours to go over food? She made me feel very comfortable and she gave me a lot of hand-outs on the different types of diets should I ever stray. There's even examples of menu's. Although, that's exactly what I've been researching ever since I decided the lap band was for me. I felt very informed going in and very confidant going out. OH, and one more thing. I weighed myself today. I'm down to 272.5!. That's 9lbs gone since I've started trying to follow the lap band diet after my consultation with Dr. Duckett. WooHoo!   3/2/05 I found this on a post tonight and thought that it spoke volumes for my situation. I wanted to save it in case I forgot all the reasons I chose lap band.   Once in awhile, someone will come around asking for the reasons why I chose the Band, so I'll compile my reasons here:   More natural rate of weight loss: * Minimal sagging skin * No "window of opportunity" * Plenty of time to develop better eating/living habits, including exercise   Least invasive surgery: * Lower rate of complications or death * Complications are easier to manage * Quicker recovery time; less painful * No cutting/rearranging of body parts * No changing the natural digestive process * No necessity of taking vitamins or supplements; I can get all I need from food   Most innovative technique: * Adjustable for permanent weight-loss aid * Removable, should something more effective become available * "Cool" factor   Generous but effective learning curve: * Better eating habits must be adopted from day one - no coasting * Has been labeled as "thinking person's WLS" * No punitive "dumping syndrome"; may eat like a normal person * Ability to drink normally and get in enough water * Safety-net effect; may put weight loss on hold to concentrate on other matters without gaining   I never seriously considered RNY. When I heard about the Band, it was like a light bulb going on for me.   By the way, I weighed myself again. 270.5! Another 2lbs gone. I don't want to get in the habit of weighing myself more than once a week, but I couldn't help myself, and I stepped on.   3/18/05 I had the upper GI and venous doppler studies today. Man, I felt like I was playing twister on that x-ray table for the upper GI. It was like, "turn left, more left, turn right, more right, now on your stomach, bend your knee, roll over." Venous doppler was a piece of cake other than the goo they use for the ultrasound. It was kind of hard to get all of it off. I haven't lost any more weight, but on the bright side, I haven't gained either. Once I'm banded, my portions will be significantly less and with the liquid diet required, I'm sure I'll get moving again.   4/2/05 I've been on the full liquid diet since 3/30/05. Sometimes I feel like I'm being tortured. I dream about food. Is that sick or what? I feel really sorry for those individuals who have to do this for longer than the 5 days I'm required to follow it.   4/6/05 I'm home and banded. I read about this gas pain, but geez it really is the worst. I'm not nauseated or anything. But the pressure in my chest and upper abdomen feels like I'm having a heart attack sometimes. I try to walk it off, but last night it was even hard to breathe. I'm trying to sip my water and eat a little at a time, but really I'm not hungry. I'm only eating out of fear that I'll get run down and not feel well if I don't.   4/8/05 Feeling better today. I've been up and about the house. The only discomfort I've had is from moving too quickly. I do have an odd sensation of bloatedness. It seems like I have it all the time. I'm trying to learn the language of the band but it's hard when everything feels like different levels of full at this point, even when I'm only consuming liquids.   4/16/05 Feeling back to my old self for the most part. I'm up and around, even starting to feel hungry. I have 2 more days of full liquids then I can move onto pureed. I can honestly say I'm really looking foreward to that as I'm getting tired of soup! I plan on going back to work on 4/18/05 and although I am physically ready, I would like more time off. Who doesn't like being home and relaxing?   4/25/05 Gee, the last week has gone by so fast, I haven't had time to blink let alone update or post. My husband's grandmother passed away on 4/18/05 so, we had to leave for Texas on very short notice. I've been on mushies and let me tell you, traveling on mushies is a difficult task. Especially to Texas where there is GREAT Tex-Mex food available. My husband's family doesn't know I had surgery, so I had to make do. I had some cold cuts, chewed really well and some very well cooked roast beef (also very well chewed). I didn't have any problems with them, other than some extra gas, but I didn't push it and tried to stay with very soft, mushy or even foods that boardered on liquids for the duration of the trip. I got on the scale today, and I've lost 3 more pounds! WOW! I never thought I would because truthfully, I didn't think I was getting enough calories in and I definately wasn't drinking enough. I've also been fortunate enough to have some sort of cold or bronchitis and haven't been feeling up to eating or drinking. I guess, I must have done something right! This journey is so unique.   5/3/05 I had read other member's NSV's but I didn't really realize the significance of them until this morning. I had dressed for work in slacks that zipped on the side. They were loose, but I didn't realize how loose they were until...I had to tinkle and when I went into the bathroom I pulled my pants down. I had absentmindedly thought that I was wearing elastic waistband pants! They came down without any problem and as I sat there, I started laughing, my husband thought I was crazy laughing there on the toilet. This has been on my mind all day and I had to share it because I've read everyone's weight loss in the first few weeks and I felt that my own weight loss was a little slower than others. (I know, we're not supposed to compare ourselves, but it's hard not to) I had resigned myself to being a slow loser. I must be losing inches and because I hadn't measured myself, I'll never know exactly how many inches I've lost. Oh well, I can feel it in my clothes and the way I move.   5/23/05 Just a quick update. Feeling good. The weight is slowly going down. 250.5 today. I think it's been 2 years since I've weighed that. Over the weekend, I cheated a little and had some Doritos. Not a lot, just maybe an ounce or 2. Just the same, shouldn't have had them. Well it's just 1 day along the road. "one day at a time"   6/5/05 I've been 248 for about a week now, just didn't update. Hope to see some more loss soon. I haven't had a fill, so I don't really have much restriction. I follow the diet and I do feel satisfied for about 3 hours. I can't say that I'm hungry a lot or "starving" or anything. Still trying hard to get all my water in every day.   6/10/05 I weighed myself today. 244.5! I've been out of town for work and I've been eating all my meals out. I feel I've made mostly good choices, a lot of grilled chicken salads though. I do log everything I eat in a program I have for my PDA, it's called Balancelog. It's O.K., although I'm sure no program's perfect. I've been staying about 1200 cal or less. :-P once in a great while I'm over, but not by much. I've also been doing better with the water because it's been so hot here.   7/18/05 I haven't updated in a while because I've been stuck for about a month. In fact, after my last post, I gained 4 lbs and had to lose them again. I've been more active with exercising and I've been doing well with my eating habits, but still I was stuck. So...I scheduled a fill. I had to convince the doctor's office nurse first, but I did it. Today was my first fill. It wasn't so bad. The doctor did it under fluoro at the hospital where I had my surgery. BUT, I'm filled to 2.8 or "just under 2.8" according to the doctor. That seems like a lot. I watched the passage of barium through the band and it went through, albeit slowly. The doctor reminded me several times to take it slow and to call anytime, day or night if I have spitting or problems. I'm a little scared. I've been on clear liquids since the fill this morning and haven't had any problems getting those down. I guess I'm just nervous. I've never had a PB and I don't want to.   7/29/05 Oh my God! Yesterday I thought I was going to die. Or at least I wished I had for a time. I've still been on mushies. The doctor told me to take it slow after that fill and I've been ever faithful to those orders mostly out of fear. I had very finely shredded tuna salad and one of those breakstone's creamed cottage cheese with fruit for lunch. It went down fine and I took my time. I had eaten both of those items before and wasn't worried. About an hour and a half afterwards, the pain started. It felt like something was stuck. I started to walk around. I even took a couple sips of water, which I know doesn't usually help but I have found it's kind of instinct. When that didn't work, I kept walking. I walked for nearly a half hour straight, sometimes leaning over a sink hoping and wishing I'd vomit for the pain to go away. I finished my work and got in my car. By this time, an hour had passed and the pain was so bad I could hardly breathe. I called my DH who called the surgeon and told me to get to the ER to be checked. The ER is an hour from my home and I was more than a half hour from my home! That drive home was the most painful torture I have ever experienced. The pain only seemed to get worse and worse. Then, about 2 miles from my house, I felt a "pop" and suddenly the pain and pressure was gone. When I got home, DH and I decided to go to the ER anyway mostly because we were scared. I had never experienced anything this extreme (nor do I again, thank you). The doc checked my band under fluoro and to my amazement, the 2.8cc he said he put in is now down to 2cc and everything is moving just fine, band has not moved. What happened to the 0.8cc? And, what the hell was all that pain?   8/13/05 Gosh how time flies. I didn't really realize that I hadn't updated my profile since "BLACK THURSDAY". I've come to the conclusion that the pain on 7/28 was probably some solid food that I hadn't chewed well enough that had gotten stuck. My Dr. thought maybe I had eaten too fast or swallowed too much air in the process, both viable possibilities. No matter what the cause, I WILL be chewing better and eating slower. I did mushies for a day or 2 after that then continued on soft foods for another week before going back to regular food. I'm doing fine now. I was amazed to find that I can still eat bread, rice, red meat, etc. I really haven't found anything that doesn't go down...yet. I haven't lost any more weight. I'm still at 234.5, but that's o.k. I feel great. I've been kind of bad at getting my water in the last couple of weeks, my work schedule has been weird. I'll get back on track and I'm sure my weight will get moving again.   8/22/05 Been doing O.K. Weighed on Friday. I'm at 232 lbs. I'm doing about a pound a week. I'm very happy with that. I'm in a size 18 comfortably right now. Today, I had to try three pairs of pants to find one that fit well enough to wear to work. The others were so big I looked bad. What can I say, I'm too cheap to buy all new just yet. I think I'm going to have to break down and buy a couple of outfits. I've been telling myself that as I got fat, I also gathered plenty of clothes that got me there. Well, I think I skipped a size or two because I can't find many in size 18 in my closet. Darn, shopping will be such a pain I'm sure. I look back and remember that when I started this journey in January and in the pic below I was in a size 24. In January that size 24 was rather snug.   9/13/05 Feeling pretty good about my weight loss. Still doing the 1-1.5lb loss per week. Went to my monthly support group meeting last night. I realized how lucky I am to be losing steady and to be going along so well. I haven't PB'd, just that "stuck" episode. I tolerate any food I put into my mouth and I have followed my rules pretty well. I try to make good choices most of the time, but I do allow myself treats. I think that's what keeps me happy and on track. I am satisfied with smaller amounts of the things I love. This is exactly what I wanted. I can eat what I want, in moderation and still lose weight. I do track my nutritional and caloric intake nearly daily (I may take a day or 2 off on a weekend, but rarely). And, I don't cheat on that log...I track everything the best that I can. I admit I could be doing better with my exercise. 228lbs.   9/22/05 Although, I generally weigh myself on Friday or Saturday I thought I'd post today because I have plans for the weekend and thought maybe I'd be too busy to post later. The last time I weighed myself I was 225lbs. That's a total of 57lbs gone. I can't say it enough...I am so pleased with my surgery and my weight loss so far. I can't even remember the last time I weighed that. I think it was more than 10 years ago to be honest. I don't feel deprived. I have more energy. My self confidance has gone up. How could it not? So many people have noticed the loss and are making comments. Lap band was the best thing I have ever done for myself and I would do it again in an instant.   10/5/05 Well, I can no longer boast that I have never PB'd. I am not proud of that fact, but here goes...Today at work I started to have that now familiar epigastric pain. I had clam chowder for lunch with a small salad and a breadstick. None of those items were new to me, so I had no fears whatsoever. About an hour after I ate, the pain started. This time I even started to sweat. I figured that I wasn't going to put up with this so...(bulemics beware) I went to the bathroom and put my finger down my throat in hopes to feel better. I only brought up mucous. This only temporarily relieved my pain, so I did this same routine 3 more times. One of those, I did bring up some undigested food. This has not been a pleasant banded day. I'm still uncomfortable, but unless I can't stand the pain I'm not doing it again. I guess it's a jello night.   10/24/05 After the last update, I went to the ER and was kept overnight for dehydration because I couldn't keep anything down. Dr. Duckett took out 1cc from my band the next day. I've been really careful ever since mostly staying with soft foods. I did have a salad over the weekend and felt pretty confidant about it. Today I PB'd again. It was the best PB I've had if that's possible. The pain started, I walked, up it came. All in all it lasted about 10 or 15 minutes. If they were all like that, I would consider it a blessing. Not that I really want them. But that torture of 7/28/05 and 10/5/05 made me want to die. I'm gonna cut this update short because I'm a little sore. I'm down to 223 lbs which is good considering my band is looser than before.   11/24/05. Wow, I forgot to check my profile and hadn't realized how llong it had been. I can remember that time like it was yesterday. I feel like the whole month of October and most of November has been brutal torture for me. I had to keep going back to liquids for one thing or another and I sincerely developed a fear of food. On 11/14/05 when it felt like I was gonna get that pain again I called the doctor's office. I didn't go into a full blown attack, but it was distracting to say the least. I felt like I was eating papaya enzyme tabs like candy in hopes to help digest whatever was the problem (although really how could tomato soup and a bit of tuna salad do that?) Dr. Duckett insisted on seeing me. On 11/17/05 I saw him and he felt that what I was having was esophogeal spasms. I suppose they may have originally been started by something getting stuck, but he felt they were caused by increased stress in my life (which I've been having A LOT of). He gave me a prescription for Valium to help calm those muscles down which I'm only supposed to take when I feel the spasms coming. So far, no more really intense ones since 10/24/05 and 10/25/05 but I fear that and would avoid that with everything in me. I've been doing much better ever since. I do have a little bit of reflux, but I think that may be from eating too late at night. I'm down to 216.5 lbs and very happy with that. I cleaned out my closet and got rid of all of the clothes that were hanging on me. That's a good feeling.   12/28/05 Well, I didn't make it to my unofficial goal of "onederland" by the end of the year but that's O.K. I've lost 69 pounds and am very happy with that. Especially considering the last three months worth of trials I've had, I'm very very happy. October started with a hospitalization for pain and inability to keep liquids down that turned out to be esophageal spasms. November was more of the same then turned into reflux that went on and on which convinced me that my band was slipped. After a long struggle with that reflux, I finally called the doctor who (I think mostly to ease my mind) checked my band under fluoro. All was well. I think he thinks I'm a nervous freak-he told my husband that once my mind was eased I should be just fine. Now, my struggle is HOLIDAY TREATS. I haven't really gained any, but I'm truly shocked. Those darn cookies will be the death of me. 2006 will be good for me. My band is in place, once I'm away from the posessed cookies that call my name I'll be fine with my choices and "onederland" here I come. Only 14 lbs to go.   1/20/05 I've been hesitant to update. Not because I'm not losing weight or anything. I've just been down in the dumps about banding. There have even been times I wish I had the damn thing out of my body. I am SICK and TIRED of having these episodes where I have pain and pressure that goes on and on. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've had it for a whole day in varying degrees. I don't have a clue what causes it. I keep track of everything I eat and NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING that I eat is consistent enough to figure out what causes this. Because the pain comes about an hour to an hour and a half AFTER I've eaten I can't say whether it's because I've eaten too fast or not chewed well enough. All I can say is that I try to pay attention at each meal, mostly out of fear. I'm averaging one of these "spasms" about once every two weeks. The doctor says it's consistent with esophageal spasms. Well, FIX IT! I'm tired of having them. I'm losing weight, but not necessarily the right way. Basically I'm starving. I'll eat normally for a week or two, then WHAMO! smasm and then it's nothing to eat for a day (or 2) but maybe tea then slowly work back up to solid foods again. 211lbs   1/30/06 Here I am, still suffering to a certain extent. A couple days after that last entry, I got fed up with the poor answer from my band surgeon to "seek counseling". I started considering the possibility that maybe these attacks were not related to my band. I saw a doctor for a second opinion and found out that I have gall stones. All of these months, at least since October, I have been suffering with gall bladder attacks. I am scheduled to have my gall bladder removed on 2/2/06. These last few weeks I have not felt well, I constantly have a sick taste in my mouth. It's kind of what I thought was reflux before. Now, I'm wondering if I had reflux at all and not some weird bile overload or even infection from the gall bladder. Who knows? I sincerely hope this gall bladder surgery solves my problems. If not, I may just have the band removed. I am tired of being sick and I'm tired of being in pain. 207 lbs   2/5/06 Well, where do I begin? I had the gall bladder surgery. They say that part went fine. Somehow during the surgery they dislocated my artificial hip. Yes, they dislocated my hip. My abdomen is sore from the gall bladder surgery. Generally, I feel better than I did before although I really don't have much of an appetite. The problem is my hip. I am not to bear any weight on it. It's been 3 years since I've dislocated it. I was doing so well. I feel really low, as if I've started all over again with my hip. I hobble around with my walker and my a$$ is really sore from sitting all the time. Weight loss is really not a priority right now, but it's amazing that when you feel so bad or are in pain it really doesn't matter.   3/24/06 Well, I'm fully recovered from the gall bladder surgery. I'm still in physical therapy for my hip. They tell me that the muscles are really weak. I'm planning on going back to work on 3/27, so I hope they're strong enough for that. Other than a little bit of pain that comes and goes, I guess I'll have to go on. I've come to the realization that all of the problems I've had since October, probably even the "black Thursday" mentioned in July 2005 was a gall bladder attack. All of those experiences were variations of the same. Any vomiting I had was only mucous and came as a last resort to relieve the pressure associated with the pain. Although I couldn't testify, I believe I have NEVER had a true PB. Is that possible? At almost 1 year out, to never PB? I would have taken a PB or 2 over the torture of those months. OH Well. Now that I can eat, I do. I'm stuck at 211lbs. Yes, I gained a couple since the gall bladder surgery, but I'm not terribly sad about it. Not happy, but not really depressed or anything. I can eat, Happy. I gained, sad. I think it's also because I'm working out with weights to strengthen muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat. It's only 4lbs. I'll eventually get it off. I hope.   4/9/06 I know this is a LONG first entry for a journal, but I wanted to put my entire OH profile on here. I'm told that there's a possibility I may lose it. So...I figured I'd have it on 2 sites. What's the chances of both of them losing it? Anyway, I'm still bouncing between 210 and 211 lbs. I'm thinking that I may be experiencing my first ever real plateau. Even when I've dieted whenever my weight even slowed down I'd give up and return to my prior eating. I've been exercising more, trying to strengthen those weak hip muscles. I have had a bit of Easter candy, but I don't think enough to stall me this long. I'm sure with patience I'll break it, eventually.
S@ssen@ch

S@ssen@ch

3
my weightloss journey
 

April 8, 2006

Copied from a post I left about depression:     Hello all, I just wanted to chime in on the subject, I too have a history of depression, and found myself feeling really depressed after surgery, even though the recovery was way better than I expected. I think part of the depression is directly related to the surgery (as in many people suffer a little depression after major medical procedure) But i also think some of the depression is because of the lack of weight-loss after STARVING yourself for three weeks. I was banded on 4/3 after being on a 10 day liquid diet. I started back on the liquid diet after being on a clear liquid diet yesterday, I have consumed less than 1000 calories a day and I have only lost 11 lbs. I too, am hungry, and the last two days I have indulged in foods i shouldn't eat (telling myself If i chewed them to mush, what 's the difference) then I panic about the possibility that I may have messed up my lapband somehow, vow to stick to liquids, only to do it again! what is wrong with me? I paid out of pocket $14,000 for this surgery and I am messing it up. Someone please tell me that if I don't stick to the diet i will ruin my surgery. Maybe if I hear it from someone else I will believe it. I was so gung-ho on this, and I keep messing up. This my friends , is why I think I am depressed. (duh...) Maybe confession is good for the soul and after sharing with all of you, I will be better. I don't know what I will do if I don't make this work...
journey

journey

2
cjcole61's Journal
 

On the road to perfection!!

Today is the first day of writing in a journal in a long time!! Let me start with a big HELLO!!! I have begun my road to a better feeling, and looking person!! I have lost the required 15+ lbs:clap2: and am ready to go and get the tool I will need to accomplish my goal of losing weight and keeping it off!!:heh: Well I gonna sign off for now!! TaTa for now:notagree
cjcole61

cjcole61

1
Fleur's Journal
 

Maggic Mushies

Today I ate 1 cup saltana bran with hot skim milk Skim Latte 1 cup vegetable soup scrambled eggs - 4 Glass Nudie juice Optifast with banana Refried beans, avocade mash and tablespoon finely grated cheese Coffee 2 doses metamucil medications Lots of water
Fleur

Fleur

1
It's just fat.
 

The fitting room

Tonight I spent too long in a fitting room. I know all the 'feel good', 'positive body talk' rhetoric and how we should be kind to ourselves. But frankly, I was so grossed out. Who was that fat girl in the mirror? The heaving lower belly, like udders without nipples. The new dark purple stretch marks, crawling from above my bikini line like poison in my veins. Who IS that? The ill-fitting bra, confused as to where it should rest, over or under the back rolls. The lumpy cheese thighs, spotted with patches of broken blood vessels. The butt, which starts somewhere below the back rolls and ends somewhere above the meaty calves. The stance, awkward and pigeon-toed because the thighs are too large for the feet to get much closer together. Notice I don't say MY feet or MY butt. Because it doesn't even feel like my body anymore. The only good part of the whole interaction with 'The Body' was that it reinforced how much I would like to move forward with the surgery. My appt. with the surgeon is next week and I've been up and down with my feelings of certainty or lack thereof. In some sad but undeniable way, the fitting room, and so many other daily indignities may be what I need to muster up the ultimate certainty. I had hoped the decision would come rationally and organically. I do the research, attend the seminars and supprt groups, read the materials and BOOM, I'm certain. But it hasn't been that way. I hear about slime and PBs and scars and no eating of dounts (Ever. Again.) and I feel totally uncertain, afraid. Like I'm a 15 year old getting a boob job or something. Like this is just so dangerous, vain and uneccesary. Sometimes I regret reading every gritty detail of any and everything bad that can happen. I think overall it has muddied what should be a clear decision.
Constance

Constance

3
shauntil6266's Journal
 

update

Well this morning got up got dressed went to weigh myself didn't go anywhere. Lastnight for Ieshas birthday we went to Willies and my step mom allowed me to eat crawfish which i not suppose to but they went down really smoothly. Before the band crawfish would never fill me up, but last night i felt so full, i had to walk around before going inside the house. But i drank one glass of sweet ice tea, i know i just thought it should have been unsweetened tea. YIKES!!!, well i really want to try and loose seven more pounds and make it to 200 pds lost by next Wednesday, which will mark me for being banded for two whole weeks. So tonight we are going to a hotel for my step sisters little slumber party with her friends and sharon and i are going. Tiara might go after work not sure yet, we'll see. Well i tried to drink an ensure this moring but could not drink it i don't really like the taste i know i need my proteins, i haven't had any proteins. oooh thats bad but i am not sure what to do. i am going to have to try some type of protein pills or somthing. I do have vitamins but i have only taken one. since sharon bought them and that was sometime last week. Well i am going to go take a nap, oh yeah and for lunch i just made some ramen noodles. that was good and filing. ok bye for now
shauntil6266

shauntil6266

1
A Day In The Life - Miss Nikki's
 

May 10, 2006

:update: Well, I found out yesterday that my results from my Upper GI was A-OK , and I am scheduled for surgery May 10th :clap2:. I am so excited, this is going to be the best birthday present ever (May 16th). I look forward to starting a whole new chapter in my life!
missnikki

missnikki

1
Fleur's Journal
 

Getting harder no to eat.....

I really feel like I need to give something more substantial a go. I am so sick of soup. Today I had a some 'normal' food and it felt like I had intergestion so that put the brakes on me pretty quick. I haven't been going out much because I thought it would be harder to stick to the diet. That, and I have also set myself a 90 day 'no unnecessary purchases' challenge. So I have been at home working hard but I have moments of feeling quite depressed. I know it will pass but God it's really there. Maybe it is because I have removed my usual copeing tool - food. Yesterday I wanted to eat and eat but today it isn't too bad. I'm going to have to come up with somethinginspired for dinner. I did weigh myself today, even though I promised myself I would only do it on a Monday BUT it was 102kg so I'm happy but I'll be happier if I can get rid of this constipation. I had a a lovely emaio from another Brisbane girl with the band, Lara. She is amazing - she has lost 48kg since last October (6 months). She's given me her number and I'm going to meet her for a coffee. Lara also had the same doctor as well. Be nice to have a little band buddy close by.   Today I ate Optifast with Banana Skim Latte 1/2 cinnomon roll - I know but I was in town and starving Optifast with banana 1/2 cup potato & leek soup Water Water Water Medication & Soluable Multi vit.   Yesterday I ate Optfast with Banana and tinned apricots 1 1/2 cups pea soup Optifast with banana & tinned apricots 1 1/2 cups roast vegie soup Optifast with banana sm slice mushed up quiche Coffee Medication Water
Fleur

Fleur

1
Stitchy's Journal
 

One week until consultation

My consultation is next Wednesday. I have got myself so psyched up over this. Now I am getting paranoid. What if I'm not fat enough? What if my BMI is below 40 and I don't have co-morbid conditions? I read on one of these forums that high cholesteral isn't one. That is the only thing I am taking meds for. I called medical records to get my last glucose reading for diabetes. My mom and grandpa both had diabetes. Since I am so overweight, I thought that I might be at risk. Dr. said that I was fine when I saw him last, but this is the same Dr that told DH that 160 bp was ok too. I was losing faith, but maybe it was just isolated. Maybe I should ask him what my bp is last time.   I should just get over it.
Stitchy

Stitchy

1
Kathy.thebestme.Journal
 

weight chart

1991 130 1995 170 1996 190 1997 168 June 1998 230 Dec 1998 208 Sept 1999 214 August 2000 240 June 2002 208 March 2003 219 Dec 2003 242 Dec 2004 219 ______________ 223.4 Band day 4/8/05 208.0 12 days post-op 207.2 6/27 yes, almost 3 months post-op with NO further weight loss 205.4 7/4 205.0 7/6 1st fill-12 weeks 202.0 7/11 small unfill 199.8 7/12 welcome to Onederland! 200.0 8/8 198.4 8/11 197.0 8/15 196.6 9/12-22 weeks 194.0 9/24 193.6 10/17 194.0 10/24 195.0 10/31 193.4 11/1-30 weeks 190.4 1/17-40 weeks 186.8 2/26 183.4 3/24-48 weeks 182.8 4/8 One Year Bandiversary!
the best me

the best me

1
Sandybells's Journal
 

Medicare and Tricare

They just paid for the hospital bills for my lapband. Gosh, what a relief that is. We agreed to selfpay just to get the surgery and figured we would sort it out afterwards... A gamble that payed off.
Sandybells

Sandybells

1
Kathy.thebestme.Journal
 

measurements

12/30/03 Weight 235.5 Arms 16 Bust 47 Waist 41.5 Abs 51.5 Hips 52.5 Thighs 30 Body Fat 45.7%     11/13/04 Weight 219.5 Arms 16 Bust 45 Waist 40 Abs 49 Hips 48 Thighs 28.5 Body Fat 43.2%     4/8/05 Band Day Weight 223 Arms 15.5 Bust 45 Bra Band 38 Waist 41 Abs 50 Hips 50 Thighs 29 Body Fat% ???   6/2/05-8 weeks post-op Weight 208 Arms 15 Bust 44 Bra Band 37 Waist 39.5 Abs 50 Hips 48 Thighs 28 Body Fat% ???     11/2/05 Weight 193 Arms 14.5 Bust 42 Bra Band 36 Waist 38 Abs 46 Hips 46 Thighs 26.5 Body Fat% ???   3/9/06 Weight 190.5 Arms 14.5 Bust 43 Waist 37.25 Abs 46.5 Hips 46.5 Thighs 28.75 Body Fat 40%   4/8/05 Weight 182.8 Arms 14 Bust 42 Bra Band 35.5 Waist 36.5 Abs 44 Hips 45 Thighs 28 Body Fat 38.5%   Total Lost since High Weight Weight -59.2 Arms -2 Bust -5 Bra Band -2.5 Waist -5 Abs -7.5 Hips -7.5 Thighs -2 Body Fat -7.2%
the best me

the best me

1

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