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Entries in this blog

 

It's been a week

I was banded last Monday, don't remember much about that day. But here a week later I am feeling much better. I did leave the house today just for about 30 minutes and maybe that was not such a good idea. I am sure it is just a matter of time. The good news is I am still not hungry. I make my 3 protein shakes each day, now off of broth. Next week is mushies, but at this time that is no big deal. I am having to learn to bend at the knees and not at the waste and that was the issue with my trip out today. I want to go to group support on Thursday, I think it will be good for me. Again thanks for reading my blog.

Gregnlr

Gregnlr

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

First Blood

Today I had to run by my doctor's office to give a final blood panel meaning I had to fast all day. Two weeks from today I will be home from the hospital, counting down the day. Told my friends by next summer vacation I would be wearing a thong :smile:, ya me 50+ in a thong.

Gregnlr

Gregnlr

 

Feel better already

I made it through my first day of fatty liver reducing diet, that sounds so sweet (NOT). I had two protein shakes and a lean cuisine. I really did not struggle at all. Lets' see what today brings.:w00t:

Gregnlr

Gregnlr

 

Three Days post band

Good news to report today. I was able to sleep in the bed some last night, only about two hours at a time,then I would have to get up and walk around to get the gas off my stomach. But this is a huge improvement and I feel much better today. Yesterday evening I begin to belch a lot and begin taking Mylanta. Not sure it is working but it helps, yesterday the belching was painful today not so much. I was also about to go to the bathroom for the first time since the band. So it looks like by body is beginning to adjust and get back into the norm. The best news of all is this morning my scale was below 300lbs for the first time in a long time. :sneaky: My abdomen no longer hurts like it did the first couple of days when I would get up and down out of the chair. Looks like a brand new day to me....

Gregnlr

Gregnlr

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Life is to short to be FAT

I just completed my first week of the pre-op diet, not to bad. One week to go. I have a pre-op exam by my primary tomorrow. My surgery has been moved up an hour to 8:30 Monday 3-16. I watched the Emmi program yesterday, then sat down with my other half and watched it again to make sure we were both on the same page. This time next week I will be wanting to leave the hospital to come home.

Gregnlr

Gregnlr

 

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

 

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

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