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5 miles and the Big Dam Bridge

I have noted before that I am walking 2.5 miles each day a t lunch, or at least the days I am not stuck on calls. Well, this morning I got up and was at the river at 6:30, I walked my route then thought this is not big deal let me double it by going across the Big Dam Bridge, not kidding that is the official name of the walkway that goes across the Arkansas River at Murrey Lock and Dam, so it did it. I walked approx 5 miles it took me 1.5 hours but considering that before I had my LB I was winded just getting to my office, and that was only a little over two months ago. The LB has dramatically changed my life. I also continue to loss weight and will have a official update on Friday of next week following group. Let me also say the reason I had time to walk is now it takes me next to nothing t get things done. I mean I use to spend the weekend on projects that now I can complete on Friday night after I get home from work. No more naps, no more focusing on food. In fact tonight I am going to a party, something I would have avoided before because of my weight.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

It's my Birthday and yes I am really 52, my boss thinks I am 32

So I take a half day off work today, but when my Boss arrives, or at lease when she logs into the system in Atlanta, I am in Little Rock. The first thing she does is tell me to wrap it up and go home. She is such a great boss, and no she does not read this or even know I had a LB. So I go to walk the Big Dam Bridge, it is a 2.5 mile walk above the water crossing the Arkansas River, it is awesome. Then I go to the store and buy two filet minon steaks for dinner. Thinking it will be great to have beef, I have only had one other small sample of beef since the LB. I cook them in the oven and start to eat. TWO BITES, YES I SAID TWO BITES and I was full and had to take a papaya emizine just to get it to go down. My friend was all apologetic, but I thought it was great. I thought all day I was going to over eat, I was going to cheat, at least cheat with more protein than I should have had, not a chance the LB worked perfect. So next week when I get my official weight I should be down 60 pounds or at least that is my goal. Happy Birthday
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Your Fired

Friday I came home from work and my yard was not done, see I am the last yard of the week. So I am thinking after years of having my yard done, because I was too FAT to do it myself. I figured if I can walk 2.5 miles, I can mow my own yard. So I fired the yard crew and got the mower out and mowed. This may seem like a simple task to many but since I was so FAT I could not do it without it taking me hours since I would have to mow a little and rest a lot, mow a little and rest a lot. When I mowed I edged, fertilized, and killed the bugs while I was out there. I did everything in 2.5 hours on a Friday night after working all day and walking 2.5 miles at lunch. Boy I love the LB. More money saved since I was spending $200 a month for yard care, add this to the $400 I am saving in food and I will take a nice vacation this year.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

5
 

Twp Months Post-Op and the old jeans are now in the garage sale

I had my LB on March 16th so it seems fitting on May 15 to let everyone know, I have gone from a tight 46inch to a comfortable 42inch. I have added my 46's to the garage sale pile along with the belts I can no longer wear. Life is good going down. I am so much more active, I have not had a migraine since LB, I have not even taken any headache medicine, pepcid, rolaids, etc. Maybe the LBer's are contributing to the global recession. less food, less clothes, less everything. Life is good going down.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

I had my FIRST FILL today, much to do about nothing

I had my first fill today 8 weeks post-op. 3.4cc in a 10cc band. It was a piece of cake other than laying on the table with the pillow ( I would call it a pain pad) under the small of my back. I did the fill on my lunch hour and most of that was drive time. I pulled up my shirt, Dr. Luttrell, told me he would be pressing, never really had much pressure, maybe since it is easy to feel my port. He wiped something on my port area told me I would feel a pick then some burning that was the deadener for the fill. He got the port on the first try, took out everything if there was anything then had me set up so the Fluoroscope could be used, had to drink some strawberry barium just a sip, he could see as well as I could see it went right through, then he added saline, drank some more which showed it was slowed down he made another adjustment then had me drink water to flush it through. I was good to go. But now I am back on fluids for a week then mushes for a week. The issue with that is I will be on mushes for my birthday.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

5
 

Did I mention I turn 52 later this month, so what to do

Just more of my rants, I turn 52 later this month and by the way I don't look a day over 42 (you will just have to trust me, no pictures). Anyway the other half and I always go to dinner (usually Doe's Eat Place) and a movie for my birthday and I buy myself something nice. The dilemma is if I go to Doe's it won't be the same since I can't order a 5lb Porterhouse and the movie, I have already done that no coke and popcorn just a nice bottle of water. So how do I celebrate my new life, which trust me is better than the old one and I might actually live to the next birthday. My favorite thing to do now is work in the yard and walk... I am open to suggestions.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

7
 

Like a bad date the hunger has finally arrived

For those who have read my blog, I have been very proud that I did not have to go through Bandster Hell and have not had a fill and this is post-op+ 8 weeks. Well a couple of nights ago I got very hungry and had to have another protein shake and each day since it has been an issue. I went from eating 700 calories a day to forcing 1000 to keep from getting weak. Now I am around 1500 a day. The only thing that changed is my increased exercise. That might be driving my hunger. But I did not wait, the next morning I picked up the phone and called the Doctor's office and I will get my first fill next Tuesday at 11:15am. That is how it is going to roll, I paid good money or at least the part the insurance did not cover for this band and I plan to use it to it's fullest. If I need a fill, I will get one. Trust me the money I save on food each month will more than pay for my fill. And for those who take satisfaction that I need a fill, I also slimed and PB'ed today because when I am hungry I eat too fast. I may be doing more of that once I get a fill.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

DON'T GET A LAPBAND if....

I read a few entries today and want to make sure you have a very clear understanding. LB is not a miracle, you can't continue your bad habits of before and expect to lose weight. If you are getting the LB and think you can set on the couch and eat bonbons all day and then whine bitch and moan because your not losing weight DON"T GET A LAPBAND. You can't drink that beer as one guy complained, or I am still drinking cola as another complained and don't understand why after a year she had lost only 20 pounds. The LB is a lifestyle change not a cosmetic. If you are unwilling to follow your doctors orders for eating and exercise save your money, go on a cruise and stuff yourself at the buffet. The LB for me is a great tool, it gives me more control than I had before, I can eat, sleep, and exercise to become a better and healthier person. Eating, follow your doctors directions, follow the good advise on here ask your nutritionist when you have questions, find what works for you and do it. Exercise, you have to do it, get off your butt, walk, mow the yard, do your honey do list, whatever it takes to stay busy. The more you do the more you feel like doing. It gets better everyday, not easy but better. Sleep: this lets your body recharge, if you are not getting sleep you are not losing weight. Make a plan and stick to it. Last of my rant is don't compare yourself to anyone else on here, what you lose is what you lose based on what you ate, slept and exercised. Sorry I just had to get this off my chest after reading a few post from those who whine bitch and moan and won't get off their butts. Exercise is the hardest thing I do, but I do it. Pushing myself away from the table is hard, but I do it. Making myself go to bed at 8:30 at night so I can get 8 hours sleep is hard but I do it. The reward for this is that I feel better, I look better, I have more energy, I am alive again and I might just live a few more years.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

5
 

New Toy must have for the LB and it's free

Last week in group one of the ladies talked about The Daily Plate which is now located on Livestrong. I had been tracking my calories manually in a spreadsheet, not much fun. Well on The daily Plate you can track what you eat, when you eat, and your exercise. It is just awesome, since I am trying to stay around the 1000 calories a day. it is so easy and has food by the brand. I will soon be adding a link so you can see what I eat. Also I still continue to walk when it is not raining. Will write again soon, gotta run.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Will it ever stop raining

It has rained none stop for the past two day, this use to not bother me. I would just get a gallon of ice cream and all my favorite foods and cook, eat, and sleep for two days. But now, I have energy, I want to do things. First it messes up my walks, you have to walk and exercise to loss weight. You can't get a LB and set on the couch, your energy level won't let you do that. In group this week we had two groups, the groups that exercise and loses weight and the group that does not and complains that they are not losing it very fast, if at all. They are also the ones that said they cheat more often than the other group. But don't worry, I am not talking about being a gym rat. I am talking about returning to a normal life, doing things, going to the park, museums, malls, things you avoided before. You know like working in the yard cleaning the garage. Anyway back to me, on Friday I forgot to eat, I had two protein shakes and then missed dinner. Just forgot, amazing. Yesterday I had one protein shake and for dinner I cooked a tuna steak and two crab cakes for me. Remember I am treating myself well. I also cooked a steak and mashed potatoes for the other half. I did eat 3 bits of steak, the first beef I had had since LB. Wanted to know if I could eat it, and yes it was very good. I ate my two small crab cakes and a few bites of tuna and I was done. All together maybe 6 ounces. That seems to be my max. Hope this helps you as much as it helps me.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

I slimmed and PB'ed

I have been doing great, sticking to my less than 1000 calories a day and have lots of energy. The weight is coming off slowly, but better than it going up. I still have not had a fill, but think I might ask for one...Anyway to the point. If you read my blog, I am treating myself well, I can afford to since I eat so little. Well Saturday night I cooked the two lobster tails I had bought at the first of the month (by the way lobster is dirt cheap right now due to the economy), I digress. Anyway, yesterday I worked in the yard all day, I mean all day, then came in and got a shower. I decided I would eat the second lobster tail, they are only 6 ounces out of the shell, yes I weighed them, I weigh everything so I can track my calories. So I popped that bad boy in the microwave to heat it up and since I had been so good I also heated up a turkey patty. So I sat down in front of the TV to eat, with my small fork and my surf and turf. I get most of the way through it and I get that feeling that you get when you are suppose to stop. I thought what the hell only a couple more bits, who is going to throw away lobster. That is when it happened. This horrible pain mid-way down my chest, OK, I jump up run around the house for a few hoping it will go through, not so lucky the pain get worst, then I start the sliming, all a sudden I am spitting out slim, a lot of it. Then I belch a few times, it continues on for several minutes and then the food goes down which is way better than up. It made eating very unpleasant. I even thought about just doing shakes, that was how bad it was. But man can not live on shakes, so tonight I bakes 6 ounces of flounder and it went down without issue, of course I was very slow eating. I did not want to repeat that ever again. You may also remember me mentioning my new toy the Magic Bullet, which I mix my shakes in, well, now with the vanillas Chike and some fruit, I have tried, cherries, mango, blueberry's and raspberries (blueberries are the best). It is a great treat like a dessert. I limit myself to one a day since I still have to come in under 1000 calories. I have done so well I tried on my 42 waist pants today, wishful thinking, still a ways to go. But it did start my day out more determined. I go to group on Thursday and will update my ticker after I get an official weight. Stay the course.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

4
 

Interesting twist of faith

Well,, I am up in the middle of the night; not by my choosing. My other half, is having back issues and I had to get up an get him a heating pad. The reason it is interesting is because it use to be me. I was up all night tossing and turning or with back pain. But not anymore, the LB has changed that; not that I have lost a ton or weight yet. But since I have had the lapband and recovered I sleep like a baby and I sleep longer. This is amazing, I don't remember in my adult life sleeping like this...so good. I have been working in the yard non-stop after being limited by my weight and lack of energy for years I am able to go out for 10 hours of straight work with little after pain. Not only is this good exercise it is good on the food aspect as well. Today I only had morning and lunch shake and then shrimp and lobster for dinner. Since is have little restriction I had no trouble getting them down. The lobster was broiled in the oven and the Shrimp was Ruby Tuesday's ( I know this was not the best choice, but it was the first outside food I have had since surgery and I shared the portion). My weight loss has slowed to a stop but since I am working hard in the yard and walking (when I can) and still keeping to 650-1000 calories a day, I know it will come off. Back to bed, the yard will be calling at sunrise.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Still doing GREAT

I am still on track and doing great. I have stayed the course and not even thought about cheating. I am still walking two miles everyday and working in the yard. I am still sleeping better than ever and while I don't have tons of energy I feel good for the most part. I am getting between 700-900 calories a day, but after speaking to the nutritionist after feeling weak on day, I may need to boost it to around 1000 calories a day. Weight has slowed down as far as coming off, but did I really expect to continue losing 5 pounds per week, well maybe hoping. Still eating the same thing, food no longer seems to b the issue in my life. I will be glad in a year when I can blog that I have lost my weight.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Found a new toy

You know Iam doing the two shakes a day plus the Lean Cuisine, or fish, or turkey. Anyway I bought a Magic Bullet, ya like the ones you see on TV. It is like a mini blender, but has two separate blanes and more than 4 cups. So here is what is cool, I can but my 10 ounces of Silk Light Vanilla Soy Milk, with my Vanilla Chike (protein supplement) and a few Blueberry's and about 10 ounces of water and I have a great shake, you would never know it is diet food, this summer I can add ice instead of water and make a smoothie. Anyway I worked in the Yard the past two days, maybe a little too much, sore back. But I feel great, look great and losing weight. What more can a man ask for (don't answer that).
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

Change of diet

I have changed my diet. I am now having my two protein shakes and a Lean Cuisine and two protein waters a day. Lets see what this does. I walked two miles again at lunch today. My energy levels are up and best of all today a person I work with who I have known for 8 years saw me walking across the floor today stopped me to say how good I was looking, she did not know I had the LB. You have to understand, I am the first one at work each day, I go to my office which does not have windows and is next to the bathroom, so no one ever sees me. I don't support the building I work in so most of the 1000 of people who work with don't know I exist. Anyway, it was nice to be noticed for losing weight. My clothes are looking baggie and I can actually lift my legs so I can tie my shoes. The LB is GRAND.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

These boots are made for walking

On Tuesday, I did a half mile. Yesterday I did a mile and a half. Today two miles, mind you this is on my hour lunch. Plus I came home and worked in the yard for two hours. Beats coming home to nap. Also even though I do not have a fill, I reached my full level today. If you read my blog, I am eating turkey patties and some turkey each night for dinner, I only have one meal. Today I had my patty, it was a little bigger than the others but not by much and I ate some turkey, well about half way though my turkey, I was full had that bad feeling in my stomach. You know with turkey you can feel it go though the stoma, well I reached a point that no more would go through. I got right up threw the rest away and begin walking to help ease the pain. Then begin belching and now all is good. Mind you this was just one turkey patty, I get four out of a pound of turkey and a slice of turkey breast and I eat with an appetizer fork so I won't eat too much. I may never need a fill. :smile2: I have not noticed much weight loss this week, but the inches are coming off, I now wear my belt on the last inside notch as opposed to the first notch. If your large get a LB.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

2
 

Second day back at work and I walked during lunch

I am slow to get to the exercise due to my hernia surgery, but today I walked during lunch. Maybe only did a mile, maybe less, but I walked. Now that the weather is getting nice I will do this everyday during lunch. The walk did me good, when I got home I was able to go piddle around outside for 1.5 hours before I came in and had my turkey patty and a piece of turkey breast. I could feel the turkey breast go down and then slide through, not such a good feeling, maybe I should stick to the ground turkey. Anyway this is one month and one day past surgery and I already feel so much better, and look so much better. I do not have to come home and take a nap after work, and not worrying about food is great. I want to tell all the people who are like me, large, have you thought about a LB. Wish this was around when I was 30.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

First day back at work

Today was my first day back at work after a month off due to my LB and hernia surgery. All went well, went to lunch with friends and was not tempted, came home and had my turkey burger, but I must admit I was a little hungry when I got home, more head hunger than actual hunger. So I will have to come up with a plan for that, I think it is because I had my first protein shake at 5am, just made it seem later. Also, I am tired so I will be going to bed as soon as Big Bang Theory is over. Back to the grindstone. The positive note is everyone could tell I had lost weight even those who did not know I had surgery. I thought about my goals for weight loss, so I am hoping for at least 10 pounds a month till I get this baggage off me. Hope everyone else is doing well. Oh I should mention the shirts I usually wear to work were TOO big so, I wore a shirt I have not wore in a few years :w00t:
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

7
 

Planning for the week

I go back to work tomorrow after a month off and am planning for my meals. Breakfast before I go in each day will be a Chike Protein Shake, lunch will be a Slim fast 20 gram protein shake, I will take 3 waters and two Special K protein Packets, 5g each ( that in itself will give me 58g of protein). I am cooking 4 turkey burgers, which I made out of a one pound package of Italian ground turkey, which I binded with some southwest Eggbeaters, and I am also cooking one of those JenneO Turkey breast in a bag. Easy, Easy, Easy. This should cover me through next Saturday. I wanted to have good food prepared and ready to go, so I won't eat bad food. Everything else is going well. I find it very interesting that I now can eat for week for less than I use to spend to eat a day. I guess my food budget is about $25 a week now. I will still treat myself well, since I eat so little I am going to make sure what I eat is the best. Yesterday I got so busy, that I forgot to eat dinner, so the Grouper I cooked on Friday will be my dinner tonight.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

3
 

You can eat well, with good food, that is healthy for you

Well, I am almost 4 weeks post LB and life has for the most part returned to normal, other than the food which is better. I am still not hungry and have no problem going all day one the one meal and a shake or two, no snacks, not treats. Today I even made brownies for a friend and never even tasted them. That is how not hungry I am, not bad for someone who has not had a fill. I continue to treat myself good and my meals are good. I am eating wisely, tonight I had grouper and crab. I bought one Grouper fillet which will do two meals and used the last of my crab. Seasoned it with Old-bay and some other spices and pan seared it in a little butter and pancheta drippings (hoped I spelled that right). I am learning what I always knew but failed to practice. You can eat well, with good food, that is healthy for you. OK the butter and pancheta drippings could have been left out but the point I am making is I am eating good food and loving it. Thanks LB. I did get brought back to Earth yesterday when I moved 3 small plants that were in my home office outside, I felt it in my mid-section for the rest of the day. But this morning no issues.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Did I mention I am losing weight?

Well today was a normal day, I was busy most the day so I only got one shake in and then for dinner I had two chicken sausages, which were a bit much. I could have gotten by with just one. I also had two protein waters and of course my Vemma and vitamins. Each day I get up and the second thing I do is weigh, of course this is unofficial weight since my doctor stresses that home scales are not our official record. So unofficially I have lost 20 pounds pot LB, with the pre-op I should be down about 35 pounds. I will update my ticker following my group the last Thursday of each month with the official weight. Still not hungry, but no restriction so I can eat without any major issues.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Interesting

I had read about LB's having hiccups, well today was my first time, very odd for me. In fact I seemed to be in some distress most the day. My stomach has been rumbling, my belching is more than normal and also lots of gas, I did not eat till around 11 today and then for dinner I had turkey burger, minus everything but the turkey. Maybe it is just my body making adjustments, or a least I hope that is all it is. Excuse me while I belch.............ok guess it's just one of those days. It could be a reaction to the Vemma and assorted pills I am taking, went from one pill a day to now 6. Hope I am back to normal tomorrow. :thumbup:
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

I have been good to myself

I was reading that you save about $400 a month on food as a LB. So I am thinking since I should eat my protein first that I should be good to myself. So Friday I went to Sam's and bought lump crab meat, flounder, scallops, and lobster tail. Then Friday night I had a piece of Flounder with a little crab on top. It was all flaky and I cooked it in Pam and just a pat of butter. It went down good, no more than I eat now this should last me through the month. Last night I made a turkey burger. I used the Italian seasoned ground turkey and some southwest Eggbeaters added a few spices and got 4 burgers out of a pound package. It went down good as well. Since I cooked all 4 I plan to have another tonight. Still just eating one meal a day 1-2 shakes and no snacks, even thought I was told I could have some 2% string cheese which I bought and only ate once. Just no desire. I am still trying to add a couple of protein waters into the mix. So far I am not wanting, I actually cooked dinner for my friend tonight and I can't eat any of it, but again I have a goal. One of which is not to mess up my band, so I am sticking to my doctors orders. Only have one more week off work before I go back to the grind. Also I still notice I am cold more than normal, I use to keep the AC or heat at 65, now at 70 I am cold. I am also sleeping more and better. I use to be up by 4am no matter what, now I sleep to 7,8, or 9. That will change when I go back to work since I work 6-3 but I don't think I have ever slept like that. Still no exercise other than normal activities,I will start walking when I go back to work.
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
 

Another good day, I ATE MY FIRST REAL FOOD

While I am still on mushes for this week I decided I would sample some real food tonight. I had made a simple casserole of egg noodles, cream of chicken soup, cheddar soup, broccoli, and chicken, topped with a little cheddar. I actually made this for my friend, but decided I would have a little. So I got our my appetizer plate and fork that I bought pre-band and served myself a very small portion, about a 1/4 of a cup. Thinking I would not be able to get it down. I took my time chewed well and poof it was gone. I now have more confidence that the band and I will work together. PLEASE NOTE, I have not had a fill other than the little he put in the band at surgery. I could probably eat anything. But still no hunger and I only ate that as a test of real food. If I get on the scale tomorrow and I have gained an ounce, I will just die :thumbdown:. But I also know I can't continue eating baby food the rest of my life. First step, I know it should have been all protein, but it was not planned. Tomorrow I plan to try some fish for dinner. Thanks to all who commented on my blog, I am glad it helps. You can also read my chain in the "Men's Room" Men of March. Thanks all:smile:
Gregnlr

Gregnlr

1
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