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Restarting And I Mean It!

Ok, I'm back on the forum and ready to restart my journey. It seems I've taken a long vacation from doing what I need to do...kind of like nearly 2 years. I haven't gained any weight back, I just haven't lost any. So now it begins...I am determined to do this.   Just a recap. I was banded in Oct 2009. My journey began at 309. I had great success early on then I, let me stress I stopped doing what I needed to do. For at least 18 months I have been up and down from 245-252. The lowest I have ever been with the band was 237 for maybe a minute on one random day. I usually stayed between 242-245.   I have decided that I have slacked off long enough. I have gone more regulary to the doctor for fills. It had been nearly a year since my last one when I went back in April. I went again in June and again just yesterday. I have to wrap my head around the fact that it doesn't matter how many ccs are in my band (9ccs in a 10cc realize band) but how my body is reacting to what I'm doing or not doing.   I have started going to water aerobics for 2 weeks now. I try to go three times a week Mon/Wed/Fri mornings. I know this will change once school starts. I'll only be able to go twice a week on Tues/Thurs afternoons if I'm lucky. I am determined to make this a priority. I'm planning on cutting back my after school hours to one day week for tutoring this year. I'm not going to stay in that building until 7pm this year. I am also going to be back in grad school to earn the next level of certification. I think more than ever, I will need the exercise of either water aerobics or Curves as an outlet for stress.   I am blessed to have a supportive family. My husband and son are wonderful. My son, who is 19, always talks about whether I should really try to eat something. He worries. My husband is there for whatever I need. Last night I had such painful gas trapped as I was trying to sleep that he woke up and rubbed my back for 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he had to get up and go to work.   So I guess in rambling about all of this, I am trying to tell myself that I have no excuses. So here I go!
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

1
 

Great Fill Appointment

I just got home from my first fill appointment. I was so apaprehensive. Dr. Hobson and his staff were wonderful. They used iodine on the spot where the needle was going in. First, there was a small little pinch (if you can call it that) for the numbing agent shot. Next, came the big needle. I didn't look. My husband watched though. I did feel it upon insertion, but it wasn't anything. I kept breathing (kind of like when in labor) because I didn't want to feel it hurt or pass out. I had worked myslef all up over nothing! I did feel a bit dizzy when I sat up. They handed me a cup of water to drink slowly to make sure that the band wasn't too tight. I drank it without a problem. Shortly afterward, I could feel a difference in my stomach area that I didn't feel before. It felt strange, but did not hurt. I was also sent to the lab for some blood work since this is week post op. I can't say enough about Dr. Hobson and his nurse Rebecca who was also in the room. Jackie in the front office is as nice as can be. The whole experience went well. He filled me with ccs. I'm having my chicken broth now, and will be on liquids for a couple of days. Good thing we had our Thanksgiving Saturday! Darn, I didn't get to have my lefover turkey sandwich...oh well, I'll take skinny over that anyday!:cool2:
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

4
 

One month since surgery

I just celebrated one month since banding (Oct. 7). I am down 30-35 pounds depending on the day. I have found that since I am back on solid food though, the weight loss has stopped. I guess I need to increase activity now. Everything is healing fine. I am able to wear things in my closet that I haven't looked at in over 3 years. It's a great feeling. I haven't really purchased any new clothes yet, but my husband has surprised me with a few things here and there. The big thing for me is not to stress and to find more time for activity. I fell prey to a small handfull of cheese its yesterday. I should have gone for a walk or had a glass of water instead. I am proud that I refused the alcoholic beverages at a birthday party on Saturday, though I did have the cupcake...It was the first real sugar I've had since before the surgery. It was nice to have, but I can see where it was only that good because I don't eat those things much anymore. I think it is time for my first fill. I can eat almost like before surgery, but I don't. I am scheduled for 2 days before Turkey Day.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

3
 

2 Things: In a Slump and a Milestone

Well, I guess I should start with the positive...my school was hosting a 5K as a fundraiser two Saturdays ago. Last year, I wouldn't have even attended, except maybe to pass out water or something. I totally surprised myself and walked the 5K. I told all of my students that I would be the last one to finish and that most likely all of the awards would be over by the time I did, but that I would finish. Much to my surprise I was not last and I finished in under an hour 55.17! I am so happy about doing it!   Ok the other thing on my mind is that my band feels too tight. I have trouble eating and keeping down most solids. I now understand the term PBing. It seems that the things I can keep down are not the best things for me, either...potatoes, etc.   I am filled almost to a 6. I have not lost any more weight since the fill on Feb. 23rd. I am thining of having them pull out about .5cc just so I can keep some solids down, especially before my husband deploys in May. I'd hate to have serious problems while he is gone, although I guess I will finally have to drive myself to my appointments while he is gone...ah the joys of Atlanta traffic.   So what is your opinion: do I have some of the fill taken out or do I leave it the way it is? Do you have any suggestions for keeping food down? What can I do to jumpstart the weight loss again? I really wanted to be 238 by April 9th. I am currently 257.   Thanks so mcuh.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

4
 

A Small Goal Reached

For the first time in more years than I can remember, I was able to purchase a blouse in a regular department store. Sure, it was still a plus size, but in JC Penney...not a store specifically for plus sized women. When Imy husband gave me the shirt and suggested I try it on I thought, "Oh God, here we go, but maybe it will fit". I came running and jumping up and down from the fitting room to reveal that, not only did it fit, but it was roomy!:thumbup:   It was a wonderful birthday present.   35 down and many, many more to go!
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

3
 

3rd Band Fill Today

:thumbup:Well, I had my 3rd band fill today. I told the doctor that it was time to tighten things up, that I haven't had that much restriction yet. He withdrew the liquid to see how much was in...4.5 ccs as we thought. He added it back plus almost 2 more. He said that I am almost at 6 and that my band would hold 9 and be closed at that. So, he also said liquids only for awhile. Let's see how it goes. I had surgery on October 7th and have lost 40.5 pounds since. I have lost a total from 309 to 257.5 in total since being my largest. I have joined Curves and really enjoy it. I like that I don't have to adjust machines and weights. I have so much more energy already. I hope my husband can keep up!
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

3
 

Not that restrictive yet

Ok, so I had the second fill on Tuesday. I have 4.5 ccs. While I do notice that I am eating smaller portions, I do not really feel any restriction. I'm monitoring it though.   :thumbup:
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

2
 

Second Fill

I have just had my second fill today. The first one was 3.5ccs and today they just added 1cc. I expressed concern with being too full while my hubby is TDY. I really don't want to make the 2 hour drive to Atlanta and have the fill alone. I always feel dizzy afterward and don't feel like I should drive in that traffic. I'll just have to wait and see how full I feel in a couple of days. Today my Dr's assisstant did the fill. That made me really nervous. He was going to do it without any numbing agent. I hate needles, so I asked him to numb it first. It was fine.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

1
 

1 Year Ago Today

One year ago today I was banded. I will say that it has been a positive experience. I began losing weight immediately. I joined Curves and really felt good. This summer my husband deployed. Just before he left I had my band partially unfilled to avoid issues while he was gone. I did not want to have to make the long drive to Atlanta and deal with issues without my support system. To say the least my weight loss has completely stalled since then. He deployed, I lost my job (teacher budget cuts) and summer really sucked. I did find another job at a school I'm less than thrilled to be at, but it is a job. Now that my husband is home again it is time to go back to Atlanta and have the band filled again and to get back on track. I had hoped to have lost 100 pounds by the year anniversary...I have lost 60. Not really sure how I feel about things right now. Maybe I'm getting a bit depressed, but I really want this under control again. While partially unfilled I do still have some restriction with certain foods like bread various meats, but not like before. I'm looking forward to the appointment on Wednesday but feel like I have let myself and my surgeon down.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

4
 

Follow Up Appointment

Went to the follow up appointment. The doctor's scale said I have lost 30 pounds since the pre-surgical diet! Whew Whew!   He also said that my band is empty. I have another appointment the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I think they are going to fill it then.   I have found that I can eat pretty much whatever at this point. I'm not, but I can. I did have a guilty pleasure of some pasta, about 1 cup the other night. Usually I would have eaten an entire plate full. I am determined to get back to it though. I've had a few days of just kind of whatever, eating what my husband and son eat only in extreme moderation. The hunger just really got the best of me.   I am going to check out Curves this week too.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

1
 

First Day Back to Work

So today is the first day back at work. It is nice to see all of my co-workers and to know that my students actually did miss me. Surprisingly, I have managed to do the routine as normal without any real restrictions. I think being up all the time has helped me. If I were at home I probably would have been sitting a lot more. Many people have told me that they can tell that I have lost weight already. I only had the surgery last Wednesday, but with the pre-surgical diet and the week of clear liquids, I have managed to lose 20 pounds already. I have a follow up in another 2 weeks.   Also, I did find a local support group finally. Funny thing, I was getting my hair done when another client started talking about it. It was ment to be...
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

1
 

Middle GA Lap Band Newbie

So this is my first attempt at a blog. I am new to all of this.   I just had my LAP-BAND® surgery on October 7th from Dr. Larry Hobson at Atlanta Medical Center.   Since there are no support groups that I can find in the middle GA area, I thought this might be a great way to connect with others.   It has been 5 days now. I am starting to feel some hunger pains. Nothing that I can't handle yet. I am wondering if I made the right choice, as I read through all the material available on the internet, it is kind of scary to think of what I have permanently done to my body. I keep telling myself that it is for the best. I guess it's kind of like buyers remorse.:confused:   It would be great if anyone else from the middle GA area is on the website too. Maybe we could get a support group organized locally.   I look forward to chatting with anyone who is going through the same thing.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

2
 

Nearly 3 Weeks Banded

So now I'm nearly 3 weeks banded and am feeling hungry. For the first 2 weeks I didn't have much of an appetite. Since starting mushy foods, I find that I am hungrier more than before. I have noticed a decrease in my water intake. I'm sure that has something to do with it.   I have been walking my neighborhood for exercise. It takes about 20-30 minutes to maket he loop with my puppy. We make him sit whenever a car comes which pretty much messes up my groove, but that's ok.   I am down 26 pounds so far and have my first follow up appointment tomorrow.   How do I find the ticker that many of you have at the bottom of your post that counts down the weight loss?   Thanks.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

5
 

First Fill

I have my first fill tomorrow. I am very nervous. I have no tolerance for pain. I don't know what to expect, but I hope to lose weight afterward. I have been at a standstill for nearly a month.
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

1
 

I ate Lunch at Work Today

ok, so I was all ready to begin the hard core liquid diet again and then it happened...a wonderful lunch was prepared for us today at work by our coaches. I was mindful of what I ate, but I ate. I had one piece of fried chicken (most of the skin removed), one bite of mac-n-cheese and I ate the green beans. I had some of the apple dessert too. I did not have any of the soda though. Now I feel like I could be rolled out the door. I have to stop this before I gain back all of the weight I have lost.   :crying:
hiltoncats

hiltoncats

2
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