Wow! What a new world that I am about to embark on! I have joined (and started) this blog so that I can keep record of my thoughts, feelings, weight, etc, during this journey to a healthy me. I want to be able to look back and say, "Look how far I have COME!"
I am a mother of 4 children (2 of the them are natural; 2 are 'bonus children' from my husband). I love them all and love spending time with them. My husband has two boys, 12 and 13. I have a son who is 11. And, our daughter together is 10 months old. I am 30 years old and have my hands full, for sure!
All of my life, I have been overweight. I have often joked that I was the sister who was slapped with "the fat stick". Both of my parents are of normal weight, as is my sister. However, if you look closely at the women on my father's side of the family, all of us are of size. Weight is something that I have always seemed to struggle with. When I was 9, I remember at the health fair at school, hiding my card because my weight showed 104 pounds. I remember when I was 12, going to a chiropracter for the first time with my Mom. There were no health issues--I just wanted to go because she was going. They weighed me and I was 184 pounds! I can't believe how that number has stuck with me all of these years! Over the years, my weight has crept up.
For the longest time, I refused to step on scales. When I was 18 (1998), I got pregnant with my son. I was probably around 215 at that time. I have no idea how high I was for sure on the scale. I gained 70 pounds with him, but lost most of the weight after I had him. The next time I stepped on a scale, it was 2005. It said 270 and I almost fainted! I couldn't believe how high my weight had gotten. It seemed like overnight, but it really wasn't. After, that, I tried various diets (and failed) and swore off scales again.
Around that time, I met my incredibly supportive husband. He has always loved me the way I am and never misses an opportunity to tell me how beautiful I am. He is amazing. Needless to say, being in love and happy prompted me to put on even more weight. My weight crept up to 309 when I found out I was pregnant with our daughter. Can you believe one of my first thoughts was,"Wow! I can't gain anymore weight while I am pregnant with this one."? Well, I topped out around 332. That was my heighest point and my most miserable point. My ankles were swollen and it was horrifying carrying around that extra weight on my already loaded down frame. After I had my daughter, I lost 40 pounds. But, like clockwork, it came back up.
Today, I am sitting at 320 and have beat myself up time and time again. I look at pictures and want to cry sometimes. There are very few pictures of me with my family and most of those are waist up. I guess there have been times that I have been an emotional eater, but I don't really see that as my main problem. My issue is being full. I always seem to be hungry and love the full sensation. Embarassing, yes.
I made the decision to explore weight loss surgery and am very proud of my decision. I know I need to do something for my health and my family. I want to be around for my children and grandchildren. I want their memories to be doing things with them and not being tired from lugging around extra weight. I want to be able to sleep well at night (I haven't woken up well rested in at least 5 years). I am so motivated and this point and can't wait to sail straight forward.
I attended my first seminar last night with another scheduled for this Saturday. Gastric bypass is just too invasive for my liking. I toyed around with the sleeve for a bit. A friend of mine went from 270 to 135 in a mere year using that tool. Of course, my insurance won't pay for that. I did, however, find out that my insurance will cover LAP-BAND® at 100%. I am quite certain I will be headed in that direction. I do know i will have to work at it hard, but I am sooooo ready.
After my seminar this weekend, I will be equipped to make a surgeon decision and plan on making it quickly. I can't wait to get this ball rolling!
I am going on a cruise to the Bahamas with my family this June and plan on it being the last trip I take that I have to worry about fitting in an airplane seat...haha!! I would really love to get the surgery done after that. I would actually do it beforehand, if given the choice, but being out of the country so soon afterwards probably isn't the smartest decision!
If any of you "bandsters" have any comments, suggestions, or supportive thoughts, please let me know! I have a supportive family but is would be so helpful to have others in my same boat to share this experience with. I am ready to do this...and ready to do this RIGHT!
Since my last minor unfill, I have been able to eat more and I don't like it. I have been able to eat and enjoy food that I couldn't before. i know, it's bad, I should have more willpower, but my band is my buddy that helps keep me in line. I have managed to gain 4 pounds back and I am super disappointed. My next fill scheduled for Monday so i am on my p's and q's with the strict "no eating out" and protein shakes again. I just hate how you still have to "diet" in between fills and watch everything **sadface**. Oh, well, I wanna see that scale go back DOWN!
So, for the first time since being banded, I am having a fat day. I haven't lost anymore weight since my last posting and I know I need to work out more and add protein. I am leaving for vacation in a week and a half and having been busting my butt trying to get everything done. I make tutu princess dresses for babies and toddlers on the side, so I have been furiously constructing them to get them completed before I leave.....oy! A year ago, I stressed out for at least three months...at least...about the plane ride and being able to buckle my seatbelt. It was horrible. Everything buckled, thank goodness. One of the 4 planes barely buckled. This year, I am 50 pounds lighter but I started to freak out a week ago about the stupid seatbelts again.....yes, really, I did. It should be fine. While my body has changed, sometimes I still have the mentality that I originally started with. Strange, huh?
My surgeon's office called this evening and informed me that everything was submitted to my insurance company and that it can take up to 20 business days to get a response. I am glad all the paperwork is finally with him. The real waiting begins....NOW!
Uh oh....oops...guilt, then not feeling so well is what you feel like when you "cheat".
Although, cheat is a relative term, given the situation, it still doesn't make you feel good at all.
Yesterday, I got up, drank my protein shake, had some coffee...all was well. For lunch, another protein shake stomached, all was going good. I didn't even need Jello to help tie me over for dinner. Life was good and I was feeling great. Usually, by the time I make it home for dinner, I have consumed around 380 calories for the whole day, so I'm ready for some chicken!
Wellllll, shortly before the end of my work day, my husband called in excruciating pain from a headache. He has a shunt that was put in as a child, revised in his teen years, and revised about 4 years ago. He said this was the exact pain he had 4 years ago. So, I booked it home and got him to the hospital. They decided to admit him. We got at the hospital at 5pm (with nothing but my water bottle and a bowl..ahem..for him). By the time they admitted him, it was 11pm with storms rolling in.
By this time, the cafeteria was closed, my water bottle empty, my energy nonexistent, and I was not feeling to hot. So, I ventured out to see what was open. The local Applebee's kitchen had closed for the night. My options were....eeeek....McDonald's and Taco Bell. I wasn't thinking to clearly as I was tired, had no energy, felt so drained, and really ready to eat and sleep. I got a burrito and a couple tacos to go.
I ate most of it, besides a few bites of the burrito and maybe a half a taco and the guilt set in. I knew, in the back of my mind, there wasn't much I could have done, given the circumstances and no dollar bills to get something healthy out of the vending machine. I did kick myself for not looking on my sparkpeople.com app and finding the most appropriate choice at Taco Bell to keep somewhat on my my diet (if there even IS an appropriate choice..lol). But, I found that the Taco Bell didn't really taste too good at all and my tummy was actually upset at the morning. If it could talk, it would probably say,"What the hell where you thinking?" or "Ewwww, gross."
This morning, after a few hours of sleep, I drove about 35 minutes home, where my mom was staying with the kids. I got my son ready for school and dropped my daughter off at daycare. I downed a protein shake, which made me feel good, and went to my preop appointment with the surgery center.
We went over what is going to happen before, after, and during surgery. They did blood work and took a urine sample. I was asked if I was doing okay with the diet. I confided that I followed it PERFECTLY until last night mishaps (she was familiar with my husband as I almost cancelled this morning with my surgeon because I didn't know what HIS surgeon was going to do). She was understanding and didn't seem to think that was going to endanger the surgery or anything, which was good.
I did have a Starbucks coffee this morning at the hospital with real sugar, which I have not done since the "diet". Also bad. So, I have made the firm resolve tomorrow, when i am back on my normal Mommy/Work/Wife schedule, to get back on this routine and finish this sucker out. I am actually excited to get back on the firm routine and do it. I swear, after last night's carbs, my body is calling for them and I have to shut those voices up again (hello, day 2!). But, at least I know, in a couple more days, with the help of protein shakes, jello, and Lean Cuisine, I will get back to the 'no cravings'.
Ahhhhh, thank you if you were able to keep up with my rantings. I feel incredibly guilty and can't wait to get back on the schedule I am supposed to be on to get to the life I so desperately WANT to live!
Btw, DH will hopefully be released today with no surgery and hopefully no surgery for sometime **fingers crossed**
Here we are, day 5! Just 9 more to go! Going back to work today on the diet was soooo much easier than last Friday. Day 2 and 3 were horrible for me and i really missed my friend, Food. I have found that today, as was the case yesterday, I am not getting the hunger pains so much. My body seems to be adapting well. I do look forward to dinner at night, but the steamed veggies and chicken are really irresistible after drinking protein all day.
I have lost 10 pounds since last Wednesday night and that is a great payoff and motivation for me not to cheat. I can't believe the amount of self control I have pulled out of myself!
My energy seems to be returning somewhat, too. I am not feeling weak and in need of an afternoon nap so much anymore. I do find that between 3pm and dinner is the hardest part of my day without food. That is the part of the day when my fuel becomes depleted and my body is calling for actual food. But, I will take 2 hours of not-so-much-fun fighting with my body over years of it!
And, so I push on.....:thumbup:
Another day down, as day 4 comes to and end! Today was actually easier than yesterday. So far, day 2 and 3 have been the worst. I am not feeling as ran down or have the "starving" feeling as much. I had a protein shake when I got up, had a few bites of sugar free jello a few hours later, and another protein shake for lunch. I made (from scratch) chicken pot pie for the family and made myself a small chicken breast with steamed broccolli and carrots. It tasted so good! The chicken pot pie looked great.....the family loved it and I can only imagine what it tasted like. I am surprised that I have been strong enough to cook food and not even try it!
Anyhoo, another day wraps up and I am ready for the next day, as it is closer to surgery day. I have actually lost 10 pounds since the night before I started this diet. Probably water weight, but it feels good to already see the downward turn.
Goodnight, lapband friends!
Today was much better! I don't know if maybe it's because it's the weekend and I'm home or maybe I'm just getting used to everything.
I woke up this morning, had a protein shake, ran some errands, and took my kids to a kids carnival. The carnival was all free with moonwalks, pony rides, games, free food and drinks. It was hard to watch everyone eating hotdogs, nachos, cotton candy, ice cream, etc, but it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought that it would be. I drank my flavored water and just enjoyed being with the family.
I didn't get my other protein shake in until 2pm, and I could FEEL it! I felt so ran down. I blended a shake then took a 45 minute nap while my daughter was napping. After that, I felt better.
Now, tonight, my husband and I were without the kids as they went to my parents house. My normal dinner, during this diet, has been a Lean Cuisine or a Smart Ones Weight Watchers meal. However, I remembered that Applebees had some Weight Watchers items on their menu. Sure enough, I looked up the nutrion facts on their Italian Chicken and Portabello sandwich and it was very similar to their frozen meals, with maybe 30 extra calories. The protein and carbs were also similar. So, my husband and I went to Applebee's. I ordered that sandwich and an extra side of steamed brocolli. It came with fruit, but I opted not to eat that, since fruit wasn't listed anywhere in my preop diet. (I have been following that to a T!). But, it felt so good to eat actual, non frozen food, and not feel guilty about it. It is a smaller portion sandwich on a whole wheat bun and it was fabulous! If any of you are on a similar diet to mine, I would HIGHLY recommend it! I feel normal, happy, and satisified--with only 750 calories consumed today!
Today has immediately started off better than yesterday!
I swear, I was starving yesterday..lol. I had some coffee in the morning, which actually helped curb my appetite. Then, I had a protein shake for lunch. When I got home, I was lusting after my Weight Watchers Smart Ones Ravioli. It tasted sooooo good! The doctor said I could have sherbert (no more than a cup), so I had that, too. After I had the sherbert, I felt pretty satisfied and called it a night.
I had to pick my 15 month old daughter from daycare last night and made a beeline to the grocery store for more sugar free jello (needed some variety!) and sherbert. Badddd idea. The foods in the deli smelled delish. The food looked amazing. And, the fruits were calling my name as we walked by. I was sure to grab what I needed and got out of there asap.
I also did great cooking the kids dinner last night. I made sure to warm up my Smart Ones right at the time they started eating. Their food looked awfully good, but after drinking protein shakes all day, mine did, too!
Anyhoo, today is better. I can do this!
Today's word: HUNGRY!
I woke up, had a protein shake around 5:30, and was hungry at 7:30. So, I had some sugar free jello to help tie me over until lunch time (when I can have another protein shake). I can have coffee, so I just poured myself a bit of that.
I am not loving being hungry, but I am loving the thought of a brand new me. I am determined to follow this pre op diet to a T! I weighed myself last night and felt soooo discouraged. i want it to be the last time I feel that way. I actually lost 6 pounds the last two weeks of my doctor supervised diet, but gained 12 back in just a month and a half!
I am ready to get my body where it needs to be: healthy. I refuse to let my body be a dumping site for all things bad. So, while I am fighting this hungry feeling, this, too, shall pass.
One more pound and I will have hit the 40 pound weight loss in my (almost) 5 months of being banded. I am now down to 287. It is incredibly sllllooowwww, but so worth it. I can tell a little difference (mainly in how my clothes fit-----or, not really fit anymore, I should say), but other people say they can tell a big difference. I am to the point where I really need to go out and get some new clothes.
After my last fill, my band keeps me in CHECK! If I eat too fast or take too big of bites, i get stuck, feel miserable, and eating time is o-v-e-r. I really have to remember to chew chew chew. And, sometimes (with dry chicken, steak, etc) that is not enough. And, some days are different than others. My husband make steak on our anniversary last Thursday. I took a few bites of the 4 oz steak, felt sick, and dinner was done (even though I took small bites and chewed). I brought the leftover steak for lunch the next day and got it down fine. However, when I tried to eat my small baked potato afterwards, I got two bites in and that was it.
My husband and I just shared our 4 year anniversary this past week. I went out to dinner with him Saturday evening to McCormick and Schmicks. It was sooooo good! They brought huge chuncks of fresh bread out (my heart really sank), but I did clip off a tiny smidge (and I do mean TINY!) and dipped it in butter just to try it. And, I did order a tuna tartare appetizer, salad, and stuffed salmon for dinner. Yes, I still think sometimes like the fat girl I became over the years, but this time, I ordered knowing I'd have left overs for a couple meals and could take it home :-) It's a fantastic restaurant, why not have leftovers? I ate the appetizer and some of the side salad. I ended up bringing home my full entree. And, how nice was it to actually slow down and enjoy the flavors. REALLLLLL NICCCCCE!!!!
The next day, we had lunch with friends. I ordered a tuna appetizer and a side salad. I ate the side salad, felt full, and brought the tuna home. I must say, I like leftovers!
I really like the restriction and tightness that I have now. I would definitely rather be a little too tight than not enough. Sometimes I am not as wise as I should be and the band now seems to "smack my hand" if I have something I shouldn't. I love that!
I have pretty much kissed goodbye all bread products, pizza, donuts, etc, but I am totally okay with that. Stringy fruits (oranges, grapefruits, pineapples) seem like ages ago since I haven't been able to eat those for awhile now. I can still get down all veggies (I love asparagus and thank the Banding Gods for allowing me to still eat that), but potatoes pose a problem unless they are mashed. Thankfully, too, chicken wings don't go down good anymore. I really needed my band to help me with those as they are my weakness. I do miss regular chicken and steak sometimes (as it seems to be 50/50 if I can even eat a little bit). But, really, I have found that fish goes down perfectly and is much better for me than red meat.
If I could completely rid myself of my Starbucks addiction, I would be doing even better. Starbucks is sabotaging me...even when I ask for nonfat milk with my white chocolate mocha. I have made an agreement with myself to treat myself on Fridays, but NO other time. It is amazing on how many calories that actually adds to my day. Seriously, I would be nailing my caloric goal everyday if it wasn't for those days I got Starbucks. Thank you sparkpeople.com for showing me how ugly this coffee can be In the art of compromising, so I don't sabotage myself, I iron out 100 calories everyday for my cups of coffee and creamer. I love it to much to completely let it go, but 100 sure beats 500!
I still haven't joined the gym but AM planning to. I just need to narrow down which one. I would like to do Curves, but I don't think it will be feasible for me to get to considering where I live, kids, and the fact my husband has a completely different work schedule than me. I think a 24 hour place will work good. I do like my Zumba video but would LOVE to do it at a gym. I find when I work out, I feel better and I drop a pound here and there like no one's business. I can definitely improve on the working out! Fortunately, a friend of mine has created a facebook group to help address this with everyone. It's sort of an online support page where we can become accountable to others. I really am looking forward to working this page for all it's worth :-)
Whew, how therapeutic it was to write!
I'm having a rotten day. So, I got back from vacation a couple of weeks ago. I managed to gain 7 pounds while I was there. 7 pounds!! I know it is my own fault....splurging in the high calorie drinks and zero protein shakes. I stepped on the scale and I was 284. I almost cried. At the end of this month, I will have had this band for 10 months. I remember, at the end of November, weighing around 297. That is so freaking discouraging. It's like I had to give EVERYTHING I had in me to lose the 50 lbs (which I am proud of). But, can not seem to go lower.
I have 7.7 in my band right now. The only food I can not tolerate is some chicken. It comes right back up. Everything else, with the exception of breads (which I don't eat at all), is okay. I portion out what I eat and am hungry 1 1/2-2 hours later. You might say, "Well, get a fill." Which, is what I think, too. I go to the dr. in a couple weeks. But, when they had 7.9 in my band, I was throwing up everything. I can not seem to find that spot. When I think I do, I get all excited then it seems like once the swelling goes down, I'm not there. I just feel like I am on an eternal diet. I stock my house with protein, greek yogurt, veggies, etc, but I can still eat portions that are bigger than what I should be. It doesn't help when I eat the proper portion and am hungry again in a couple of hours.
To make matters worse, I saw a friend who had the sleeve done 3 1/2 years ago. She went from 280 and is at a slim 130 right now. She just had a tummy tuck and boob job. She at 3 bites of a hamburger (with bread), a couple bites of fruit, and proclaimed, "Wow! I am STUFFED!" I didn't know whether I wanted to cry or strangle her! Meanwhile, I sitting across the table, with tiny bits of my half brat (I don't do the skin of it because it doesn't agree with me) and my tomato salad.......finishing it, feeling satisfied, then hungry again in a couple hours. My friend is never hungry and forgets to even eat. I. am. having. a. SUCKY. day.
Wow! That was soooo quick! Given the fact that BCBS of KC didn't get the paperwork until last Friday and yesterday was a holiday, we got a written approval in a little over 1 business day!
The doctor's office had a cancellation and was ready to schedule me in two weeks from today, but that is a bit too quick for my liking :-) I'm not prepared for the liquid diet to start today...lol. So, they scheduled me in on September 30th, which means I start my liquid diet a week from Thursday. I already am wondering where "the last meal" will be. I know it will most likely take place Monday evening :-)
I am sooo excited and so nervous all at the same time. I am ready for this new life to start!
I went to my doctor's office a couple of days ago and didn't receive a fill this time around. I have been seeing the nurse practitioner the past couple of times and she is just as nice and informative as the surgeon. She recommended I not get a fill this time and just focus on exercise for this month (which I have been very much slacking off on). She also gave me a list of recommended Lean Cuisine type dishes that they recommend for lunches. They all include chuncks of protein (which she tells me to have), under 300 calories, and over 15 grams of protein. I really like having that list because it wasn't what I was eating! So, hopefully I will lose more this month. I am almost to 7.5 cc's in a 10 cc band, but I finally have restriction, so that is a positive!
I FINALLY got in for the fill that I seem like I have been waiting forever for! YAY! I had a little fluid taken out in March, due to me having a cold and the drainage was miserable! I couldn't hold anything down. I made an appointment for April, but I couldn't get off work to make the appointment as our owners were in town. So, I finally got to go yesterday. They had taken .5 out of my band and put .3 in this time around. I should be around 7.7 in my band. Up until yesterday, I felt like I was eating more than I should and definitely hungrier. No fun. I could eat biscuits (even though I know I shouldn't) with no problem...I didn't get stuck on anything! Amazingly, i still lost a pound during that time. Now that I have a nice bump, I'm ready to get on the weight loss train fully. I have been trying to get my daily workout in and also trying to keep track of myself on sparkpeople.com. When I weighed this morning, I am 282, still up from my lowest of 280, but I know water weight can fluctuate, so whatever. Goal for next weight in: 272. Full steam ahead!
Well, I thought I had more time to go on my diet plan, but apparently not. I am now officially done with the diet portion. Now, once I do the psych evaluation, I will be going for preapproval.
I have my first meeting today. I heard that he is just going to do some background questions today. On my next visit, I will do the pen and paper test. Then, on my last visit, he will go over my answers.
It's exciting to know I am this close. My daughter's babysitter got LapBand in March 2010 and has already lost 88 pounds in her journey. I am simply stoked to have this tool!
Well, as of tomorrow, I will be banded a month. I was a rockstar the first couple weeks post op. I did fabulously. Then, when my husband landed back in the hospital for 5 days, I slipped off the wagon and began making poor choices as far as food. Strangely, when he landed back in the hospital is when my hunger actually returned. I was set in my ways after the surgery, without much hunger, even though I knew it would return. I am finally getting back in to the routine of things and need to start keeping track of everything on sparkpeople.com again. I also have been slacking on my protein shakes the past week and need to do that, too. I seriously can't wait for the fills to start! My worst habit is grabbing something on my way home from work. I live about 45 minutes away from home and by the time i leave work, I'm starving. I need to just stock up on protein bars so i can have a mid afternoon snack. Can anyone recommend any good snacks that have nothing to do with jello? lol
On the plus side, I am eating smaller bites and taking longer to chew. Therefore, I'm not eating crazy big portions And, I am starting Zumba this week. . On the minus side, I have gained 5 pounds...eeeeek!
Must....lose.....again.
I feel so much better since that last fill! I have restriction back. YAY! No more bread eating or too many carbs...I love how my band helps keep me in line when I go off track. I hit 279 this morning....which, I think is great considering this is normally my highest time of the month (if you know what I mean). I have officially lost 48 pounds and am now 8 months out. Sometimes I sit and think about how slow the process is and how I should have lost more. Other times, I think what a big accomplishment this is.....considering I have had a couple missed appts and overfill recoveries :-) So, I continue plugging right along......
Well, I am officially a little over 6 months out. I have lost a total of 46 pounds total, including preop. It is coming off slowly, but surely. I have been at a plateau the past couple of months and need to make better food choices and definitely work out more. Overall, though, I am very happy being 46 pounds down. It is 46 less of me that I have to lug around. I am going to Cozumel in just a couple months and my goal is to get down even further and finally invest in some new clothes! Right now, they are hanging on to me for dear life (YES!). I may not have lost as much weight as my friend who had RNY at the same time, but I still feel great and feel this choice is a "for life" commitment. And, on days I feel sad I haven't lost as much, I look at my before pictures and take notice of the weight that IS gone.....forever!
The first day back to work yesterday was okay. I lasted about 7 1/2 hours out of 9 then called it a day. I took ibuprofen with me, but it wasn't cutting it. I was so happy to get home and take my pain meds!
I fixed some thin, instant potatoes last night as yesterday marked the first day I could eat thicker, full liquids. They were so yummy and I'm not even a potato person! I had a serving of that and a serving of tomato soup for dinner and it was actually quite filling (I'm on high alert for portion sizes these days!). A couple hours later, I enjoyed a small container of actual pudding, which was a welcomed step up from popsicles (I need a tiny break from them).
Today, I had a protein shake for breakfast, leftover soup/potatoes for lunch, and I figure i will drink another shake this afternoon so I can get my protein in. I think I might puree some leftover taco soup for dinner tonight.
I am trying hard to at least get 1000 calories in. I haven't been doing that after the surgery and I find I don't have very much energy and my weight loss stalls out. I actually gained 4 pounds from the liquids during surgery, but lost it (and one more, too) as of this morning. One thing I make sure of is that I take my chewable vitamins and get my protein in. That is a must. Thank goodness for sparkpeople to keep me on track!
My incisions feel better today, too. Not as sore and I was actually able to move around from my back to side last night without realizing it. Usually, I wake up to change positions because it hurts. It is also easier to get in and out of bed. I still have a bit of a sore throat, but it is so much better! I think it has healed from the surgery but what is left is from this cold I am trying to shake. The kids have it, too, so I will be glad once it leaves the house. I am thinking that my throat probably hurt worse than it should because I had drainage on the day of surgery, which I'm sure didn't make the tube situation better.
I did bring my pain meds to work today. I took them shortly after arriving at work this morning so it'll be worn off by the time I drive home. Luckily, I have desk job and a position that will allow me to take pain meds and still perform. They are helping 100%. It is so hard to sit upright during the day, all day long, at the moment. I know it'll get all better and I'm hoping to be off of pain meds completely in the next couple of days. Each day,I fell better and better!
How is everyone else feeling since surgery? Any additional weight loss? What does your diet look like now (even if you are months post op, what do you eat?)?
42, to be exact. I am so proud to have that weight GONE. Although I have a lot more to lose, I am well on my way. I need to work out more and see the weight drop even farther, quicker :-)
aka "Back to work day". I probably should have taken today off to just sleep, but there always has to be a first day back, right? My throat pain has gotten a lot better. Unfortunately, it seems like a chest cold is settling in with my drainage. I was super freaked out about coughing and slipping, but my surgeon's office just told me it would be okay and it will get better :-) I have another dose of pain meds being called in (thankfully) and can't wait to get home, put on my pj's, and rest. My incision area has felt really good, considering, and is just sore due to some coughing.
I hope everyone is doing okay..I have managed to escape most of the gas pain and I feel extremely grateful for that!
Back to work and trying to remind myself to get up an move every hour!
I think after all of the putting fluid in/taking fluid out, I have finally hit my sweet spot. I feel restriction and I feel full for several hours in between meals. It's been nice. When I went to the doctor with for the 2nd fill and they overfilled me, I had some fluid taken out. I actually had less in there than with my first fill so I was very hungry. I gained several pounds back. But, with this fill, I have lost about 5 pounds this week, which was good. I have also noticed not only are my clothes starting to feel a bit looser, my pants also seem longer......anyone else have this? Strange!!! Other than busily scurrying to get last minute Christmas stuff together, life has been pretty vanilla. How is everyone else out there doing? Any good weight loss goals met recently?
Soooo, I'm getting a bit discouraged. They unfilled what they put in last time. And, I gained back the weight I lost. Of course, I realize that it is all water weight I lost and gained back, but that means I'm still at a standstill. I know my magic number should lie between 6.5 cc (where I can eat anything) and 7.5 ccs (where I can't drink anything). I yearn for the day I can feel restriction. Sometimes, I feel it and sometimes I don't. I can still eat bread and all of the things I shouldn't be able to eat and that actually makes me sad. i need to know something will get stuck if I eat it so I won't WANT it. I'm still working through the food issues, but it makes it harder when you can still have what you probably shouldn't be eating. Eeeeeek! When I try to measure out my food, I am STARVING after just the 4 ounces of protein and half a cup of veggies. How much in your band did it take to reach your "sweet spot"? What foods can't you have and how much can you eat?
