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The life and tales of a Spree

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Hair Loss

Well for the past couple of weeks my hair as been coming out more and more. And I was in denial until this past weekend when I remembered cleaning out my brush Wednesday and was full of hair again Saturday. So I got some biotin, got more multivitamins, some protein shots, biotin pills, biotin shampoo&conditioner. Then I decided that my hair was falling out largely due to the fact that I was tugging on all my tangles. So I decided to get my hair cut. So today I have 12 inches less of hair. freaked out a bit but I am OK with it. Lol See the before and afters    
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

4
 

Just an update

So 2 weeks go I hit my 226 pound mark. As of today I am 221. I think once I get down to the teens i'm going to just be in shock. I am surprised to say the least that my weight is coming off as quickly as it is. (Those who know me know I'm a "bad girl" when it comes to food and I expected to lose quite slowly)   I spoke about a stall a few weeks ago as well.. safe to say thats stall is over and I've have learned my lesson. Keep my calorie count in the 1400-1500 range = losing weight 1000-1300 calories range = stall.   Experienced some different things this past few weeks.     I am starting my own business. I have a business partner and we are coming up with all the details currently. We hope to pilot our business in June of 2014. If all goes well it will be full-time. Wish me luck!     I also went to the county fair. this past weekend and tasted so many guilty treats. Deep fried oreos, deep fried Reese, cheesecake, vodka, and popcorn. And before anyone loses their damn mind. Did I eat all 7 oreos?? No, I had 1. Did I eat a whole cheesecake no- a bite. So simmer down now.     Sex - so had sex quite recently and I was able to wrap my legs around my boyfriends waist. HECK YES!! I can tell a huge difference in that department from where I was 45 pounds ago.     And then theres the hate- I have noticed all the random post about people quite frankly - losing their damn mind. People are getting so upset over some things that really I just like- Wow I wish I had time in my day to let things like this get to me, because I would have to have ALOT of spare time. In conclusion i think I have seen the following things...   1. People looking for people to tell them its OK to break the rules - You are just asking people to be nasty and tell you how undedicated you are and to listen to your Doctors Orders   2. If people are constantly telling you that you sound rude - maybe you should work on that. If you dont care then stop replying back. Cause thats what people do when they dont give a damn.   In the end this is just a website. Now I have made some awesome online buddies and gotten some invaluable advice, but what is really important is what is happening in my life, not on some computer screen. And if your life revolves around this site then maybe take a step and look for something tangible off the cyber world. In the end, these are people we don't know, will more than likely never interact with, so in my mind their opinions and complaints only go so far.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

2
 

Just a little more...

Sooo   For the past 3 weeks I have been going from 229 - 226 up and down up and down. So what happened 3 weeks ago?   Well I started work. So I'm thinking that my stalling of my weight is stress related??? And I have no idea how to begin to fix that.   Other than that I have lowered my calories and increased my activity   While teaching I move around ALOT   Breakfast is ALWAYS yogurt (100-150 calories) Lunch is ALWAYS Tuna ( 200 calories) Snack - Varies Dinner - Varies   So I dont know what my body is doing but I can estimate my calories have gone down from 1500/1600 to now 1100/1200.   We will see what happens with the scale later.   On another note. I am 1 pound away (on some days) to my 40pd mark! 1/2 to my doctors goal and only 2 months out of surgery
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

3
 

Swimming Kayaking and Shopping OH MY!

Well this weekend has been a blast thus far. My man was able to take off Saturday and Sunday so I wanted to find something to do!   Tried getting a room at the beach - FAIL Tried getting a room at the mountains - FAIL   So I tracked down a rental place at one of the lakes near by and YAY found a place renting out kayaks $35.00 for the day sounded awesome to me.   Went kayaking with my boyfriend (who cant swim and was FREAKING OUT! - even with a life vest) and we were out about 5 hours. We stop at a cove got out and swam it was fun. I even made him "practice" capsizing his boat in case it happened in deep water so he wouldn't freak out. All was fun an awesome UNTIL *MY* boat capsized - into the water I went. Now I had just shown my boyfriend how to get back in his boat at least 5 times and when it was in the middle of the lake.... I figured out HEY maybe I shoulda saved some energy in case I fell out of my boat. And on top of all that my boat knocked me in the head when I fell out. So now Ive got a huge goosegg. Well long story short I tied my boat to my boyfriends and swam 3/4 mile to a dock so that the rescue could come get me. Then went to eat at redlobster cause after being stranded I was FAMISHED. Can home and passed the hell OUT!   Today woke up needed to go shoe shopping. So went looked -nothing too great. So i decided to take a walk into DOTS my favorite clothing stores (its been about a yr since I went shopping). Just to look around and see what size I am now. So I went and tried on some 1X clothes in the plus size section. And they fit pretty nice. My boyfriend pointed out a shirt (XL) and told to try it on. I said it was too small. He said a 1X and an XL is the same thing. I said its not. So he googled it and turns out he was right. So I tried on the XL and IT FIT! So I ventured to the other size of the store.. BIG MISTAKE ...it was like a kid in the candy shop. I bought 70.00 worth of XL clothes lol     So doing good - amazing weekend. Glad for the small things in life.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

2
 

Im back - for the moment :)

So August 3rd was the last time i posted on here and I figured I needed to update.     The past couple weeks have been crazy. Work has started back, I got sick, went to Carowinds, got my first fill. But lets tackle one at a time.   #1 - THE KIDS ARE BACK. School is back in session. So far I've only made one kid cry *YAY* lol (Yes Im a mean art teacher) but he saw me today and gave me a hug, so I guess all is forgiven. New principal, lots of new staff, and still adjusting to everything. I am PRAYING tomorrow goes well with my all boy classes and that no one want to fight. But it is week one there are LOTS of weeks let for them to get tired of each other. But thus far lots of hugs and "I missed yous " I even had one of my little trouble makers jump into my arms when he saw me yesterday lol - Silly youngins . Then there was the "Ms.O'Malley do you have a baby in your belly kid?" ALWAYS 1 each year. I have accepted by kids DO NOT understand I am not pregnant but I just look pregnant (you cant tell my kindergartens that, they wont believe you lol)   #2 - Caught a cold the week before school. Well that sucked. All I wanted was carbs and cheese. I had cheesy mashed potatoes, cheesy grits, and mac and cheese galore. Chicken? Steak? Ugh wanted nothing to do with it. Lasted about 3 days and I glad it ended before school got back in. That would have been a crappy was to start the year.   #3 - Carowinds - Had a blast! I had (at that time) lost about 35 pounds from where I was last summer. And when I went I couldn't fit into about 3 of the roller coasters. Embarrassed much? HIGHLY. But this year went - fit in everything I tried to ride, although I didn't try everything for fear of hurting my port. I am still not where I fit "comfortably" but at least I fit. Funny enough it was last year when I couldn't fit in the roller-coaster that I reached my "breaking point" and decided to get the lapband as soon as I got insurance.   #4 Fill - Got my 1st fill FINALLY - 2 months+ later. Went weighing in at 227 (started at 265) which 4 pounds in 3 weeks before that 4 pounds in 2 weeks. So i'm averaging about 2 pounds loss per week. My doctor said we need to work on the AMOUNT of food I take in even if i'm losing 2 pounds steadily. Right now I'm eating 1 cup 4 or 5 times a day. She said we need to get me at 1 cup 3 times a day and 1 snack 1/2 cup. 1 cup of my food is the max I eat but I definitively am not satisfied on it so hopefully getting these fills will help.   When she removed the fluid from surgery to measure I was SHOCKED. She removed 5.6cc!!! I was like WHOA now, thats alot. She told me that why I]m not starving and my reply was THATS why I was in so much PAIN after surgery. She said... more than likely :::eye roll:: anyway...... my port is at an angle but in the perfect angle for a fill. IN - OUT - DONE I had my fill with fluoro so I got to see the xray of my band and the barium going through - pretty cool. She added 1cc couldn't feel a difference then another... still no difference. She told me that's all shes going to add for now I go back in 4 weeks for a check-up. Put on liquids 2 days, pureed 2 days and then solids. So we will see.   Hunger hasnt kicked in so far - 11oz of protein shake / Tea / 11oz Tomato soup   We will see!
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

3
 

Once I lose all my weight....

SO Here is my motivation list. Things I will do when I get to my goal weight. Skiing with no boot extenders
Ride a rollercoaster comfortably
Tan out by the pool
Learn to salsa dance
Go to an actual zumba class
Experiement with different sex positions
Go hiking and not feel like dying
Not be the biggest person in the room
Fit back into my little black dress
Looking awesome on the back of a bike
Go to the gym and not feel self consious
Buy clothes that arent in the plus size
Get lingerie
See my ex when I'm 100pds lighter
Walk up my steps without getting winded
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

3
 

A little bit of guilt

Doc appointment today. I went in for a checkup on my stitches and good news is that it is healing great! not great enough to get a fill though. - Sooo close but no dice. I scheduled an appointment for next week in hope that my issue will be resolved.   While I was there I was praised by my Doc. Two weeks ago I went in about my stitches and weighed in at 236 pds and today weighed in at 232. So an average of 2 pounds per week. She told me she was very impressed with my weight loss thus far. She told me most people do not lose during this stage because they do not feel restriction and constantly eat and some even gain weight. She also went on to say it shows that I have real dedication and making the choices that I should be making. The last part made me feel guilty but I didnt say anything.   I am far from a poster child. For example I had a Reese cup just yesterday. I eat 1400-1600 calories a day. Where some people are eating 800. My only exercise is playing with my dog and walking up my horrendous 3 flight of stairs to my apartment 3 times a day (and the occasional Zumba song ). But really, am I putting in my all. Nope. And I think it is unfair that someone like me who isnt trying all that hard can lose weight faster than someone that is.   I do stick to my 1 cup of food at every meal - I do not want to cause any damage to my band and think it is irresponsible to eat more. But I have cut out a BUNCH of crap used to eat on a daily basis (try 4 packs a Reeses, Taco Bell for Lunch, Golden Corral for dinner) but compared to some of the hard work and efforts of people on here. I am not doing much.   Will this catch up to me? Probably. And when it does it will kick my ass into gear! But as silly as it sounds I feel like why should I try harder if what i'm doing is already working. Whats the saying....dont fix what aint broken?   Maybe things will change once I am back working. I feel like I have no routine in my schedule and its throwing me off. Once I get back to school and have a assigned slot for Breakfast/Lunch/Snack/Dinner I wont be grazing or doing other guilty food actions. I know my exercise will increase once I get the ok from my Doc because I actually like lifting weights. But these are all in the future and havent been done. And like my status says ..... When it is all said and done, Will I have SAID more than Ive DONE?"   Lets hope not.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

0
 

Things are looking up!

This post will jump around and might be confusing but I got lots to mention over the past 2 weeks!   So last I posted some days ago. I was put on a new Antibiotic. Well its working!!!! :::: cue streamers, dancers, strobe light:::: Looking at it today I estimate it will be healed by next week   I got the abdominal support. Awkward. I look pregnant and it makes me feel pregnant and I only wear it around the house. LoL   I am completely moved into my new place! I didn't have to lift much - my mom would slap me with her eyes every time I did (like only my mother can do). And I love it. We are on the 3rd floor, so much more space and a 24 hr gym My poor dog FLIPPED out at the wooden floor. He had to be practically dragged up the stairs. But after 3 days he is good now.   As far as my band goes. I am doing better. I am no longer counting calories but making good calorie decisions. I found I obsess when I count the calories instead of eating when i'm hungry and just remembering portion size. I do not not count carbs either.     And I'm losing I weighed 248 going into surgery. I am now at 233. All with no fill. I am happy especially since I didnt loose anything from week 2-4. I lost 5oz during that time to be exact lol. Looking at my weight history this means I weighed this much back in 2009. That makes me excited. Soon I will be how much I weighed in high school   As far as food. I can eat anything it seems like. No problem getting stuck, not one. I can not eat berries plain. I tried eating strawberries and raspberries, that didn't sit well, but I can eat them on cereal or yogurt. Gulping water (which i've done accidentally) didn't hurt either.   I have been dealing with pain in my abdomen. Not where my band or port is but on my right side. Its odd. Some episodes of nausea. Some of this I have to give credit to my gastroparesis, it causes random and unexplained pain.   Now I am ready for a fill. I feel encouraged. I am losing weight with no fill but I am hungry every 2 - 3 hours. I think with a fill I will be on a great track. I am going to tell my doc I dont think it will take much. I am amazed at how much my stomach is adjusting to lesser amount of food over time.   Doc appt on Tuesday, we will see what they say about...welll....everything   :::continues to party with strobe lights and streamers::::
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

1
 

Keflex now Biaxin

Went to the Doc office today. Brother went with me this time. I found out I dropped a pound since I was there last week. Funny when I actually start eating again and not as stressing about my calories I lose weight. Anywho surgeon took a good look at my stitches. He told me that there was still infection and he was putting me on a major antibiotic - Biaxin. So when I finish this antibiotic that means I will have been on 30 days on antibiotics. Wow.   Surgeon also asked how I was doing in general and I told him everything else was ok, had some heartburn off and on, but most of all I was just hungry. He told me to eat 5-6 small meals a day, low fat, and low sugar, didn't say anything about calories...     I also asked how long until I could get a fill. Answer - possibly a month. Greeeaattttt.   If this antibiotic doesn't work then the next step is for them to cut out the infected and stitch me back up . I 100% do not want this to happen! I return back to work the middle of August and I just dont need that additional hassle in my life.   I also have to get a abdominal support (?) because the weight of my belly is pulling my incision apart. Healing rate is estimated from 2 - 4 more weeks. Which means no swimming, no amusement park, no vacation. Good bye summer I guess.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

2
 

Oh what fun these stitches are!

So. After a confrontational 3-way called between me, my brother and my doc office. I now have an Appt to see the SURGEON. Not the nurses, or assistants. Hopefully I will get some answers about my incision infection. My brother is going with me as well. He is being very demanding, makes me think that maybe this is more serious than I was thinking? who knows we will see.     On another note. Fooooddd. LoL. Been having problems with hunger, today not so much. Woke up had 1/2 cup grits. Then a taco from taco bell, sushi for dinner (been craving sushi), and a new desert that I can guilt free Reese Pie. (1 serving of greek yogurt/ 1 scoop chocolate protein/ 1 tlb peanut butter with granola) All under my 1,200 cal limit andddddddd. IM NOT HUNGRYYYYY!!! Yay     Last thing. I am moving this weekend and I am not moving a thing. With the exception of some blankets. My family has already told me I am not to lift a finger and further damage my incision site. Kinda nice thinking that I don't have to move everything up 3 flights of stairs. Poor boyfriend has to box up most of the stuff around the house. But he goes back to work tomorrow. Thinking about a packing party ::::whootwhoot::::
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

2
 

A not so good day

So here it comes, a rant. If was bound to happen and here it is. WARNING: there will be lots of negativity     Okay so today must just not be my day. I couldnt fall asleep until 5:00am. Then woke up at 8:30am from a nightmare. I was hungry and I wanted something to keep me full. So I chose 1/2cup baked beans and 1/2cup refied beans. They kept me full all of what 2 hours, normally it keeps me full longer. GREAT. So 11:00am i'm hungry again, I ignore it for an hour at noon I cant do it anymore. I have a protein drink. No joke an hour later Im doing chores and my stomach says hello again. So I saw screw it im taking a nap. I nap until 4:00pm, wake up hungry. So im thinking grits & eggs because normally they keep me full. Overcooked the egg, threw it out. Ate 3/4 cup of organic grits. It seems to be setting on my stomach just fine but who knows how long this will last. So far 618 calories and 45 grams of protein. I plan on have quiona and chicken for dinner. Which will put me right at my 1,000 calorie limit and put me at 65 - 75 grams of protein, depending on how much I can eat.   I am really discouraged right now. I am trying to look at the grand scheme of things but it is hard. I teach the rest of the year and it is a tough school. I 100% need my summer break to recover and have some fun before school sucks the life out of me again and it seems like this summer I haven't been able to do that.   One complication after another. Its 4.5 weeks out my stitch is open, i'm always hungry and I wont be able to get a fill until my stitch heals. Well judging by the looks of things that wont be for a while. So im just destined to be hungry for the rest of summer? I would eat more but im terrified of my band slipping, and even dense protein like grilled chicken keeps me full for like an hour or two. I cant exercise because my weight pulls down my stitch and makes my wound open more. It has honestly increased in size since 2 weeks ago. The doctors are not comforting. Its pretty much 1)antibiotics will heal your wound and 2)hunger is part of the game, get over it.   I think too, I dont have anyone or anything to blame. Blame myself? No its not my fault (other than being this big in the first place) Is it the docs fault, no? Its just life. There is no one to blame   Im doing to start another drawing hopefully this can ease my mind.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

2
 

Learning a little at a time

Combining yesterday and today.     YESTERDAY: Not much to say other than I went out to eat for the first time last night. A friend of mine and my boyfriend went out to TGI Fridays. I got an appetizer plate to share with everyone for 1 variety and 2 portion. Food was great, no idea of the calories but I hadnt gone anywhere near my calories for the day. I planned what I thought was 1 cup of food but must have been 1.5 cups because I was finished and full. This got me worried because I have heard about bands slipping and all sort of stuff. I dont have a fill so no PBing or sliming. About 30 minutes later I felt fine so I dont think I overdid it took much but I am going to really have to stuff my measuring cups so I can figure out what 1 cup looks like when I can physically measure it. Or maybe I should put a measuring cup in my purse? Who knows. But after my full feeling passed I felt great. I had went out, ate awesome food (for the most part healthy) and didn't drink with my meal. WHICH I ALWAYS DID BEFORE. Baby steps I guess. I have talked to someone else on here who has told me that we dont magically become experts at this after we have the band, you have to learn along the way.     Strangest thing was after I got home I weighed in and the scale was the lowest I have seen it ever (ive stalled the past 3 weeks). Went down 2 pounds. So that was odd.     TODAY: Today uneventful except it marks 1 week until I move!!! YAY. But because of my stitches being stupid I have been given instructions to not do any lifting. This means my boyfriend and the males of my family are moving me instead ( to the 3rd floor) ::::evil grin::::   Also ate out today as well. No food in house, gotta fix that. This time was Chili's. i got the kids meal grilled chicken breast with sweet potato fries. I had 3/4 of the chicken breast and 5 fries. My boyfriend ate the rest along with his pizza. So this kept me full for 3 hours maybe? I can eat a cup of grits and it keeps me full for 5 hours. I feel like the strangest foods keep me full while others do nothing. I will be experimenting with food over the next week and see if I can find a trend.   Well good night and best wishes to my fellow bandsters.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

1
 

Loving awesome family

Today I went to see my brother. He and his wife are/were nurses in ICU. My brother left for another medical job and now works from home and makes bookoo money. Anyway after a discussion between him and my grandmother (also a nurse) he wanted me to come by and see him so he could look at my stitch thats open and infected.   So I get there. Brought my loving dog to meet his and he proceeded to look me over. He and his wife looked at the wound and had disagreeing ideas. Brother thought the wound should have been packed, wife says it was too shallow. They both agreed that the office should have done a culture (?) to see which exact antibiotic I should be on. They took out two big boxes filled with medical supplies and gave me a goody bag. It included some gauze, some awesome clear bandages that are waterproof, some antibiotic ointment, sterile saline, some rapid absorbing gauze (neat as well) and some other stuff I dont remember. Anyways my brother told me if its not better by next week he will join me for my doctor appointment. Aint he so sweet. (Background - he is 10 years older than me and we HATED each other like with a passion, so now that im older its funny we are concerned for each other).     On with my day, took my dog to the park. He was silly, left came home watched Iron Man, chatted with fine people on here. The only odd thing was I have the strange heartburn thats coming up. I ate a granny smith apple with peanut butter (skin removed) and about 30 minutes after I got heartburn. This happened again with my next meal Cheesy ground beef. I took an hour to eat that because I kept getting distracted but I dont think it was because I was getting full or had my "soft stop" I had only had 4 bites when it started.     I posted a thread and we will see if I get any answers...
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

1
 

Day 1 (but not really)

So this is Day 1 of my blog. I figured I have spent plenty of time on the site why not make a daily blog. WARNING: Now this is going to function more like a public diary, most question I post on a questions thread.   So this is at the end of week 3 for me. I went to the doc today (well his assistant) because these dang stitches are not healing. I am on another antibiotic for another week. She looked at my stomach commented on the rashes ( allergic reaction ) told me the incision wasnt too bad and was pretty much done. (((see attachments))) I also asked about hunger because the past two days... Whoa buddy I have been starvin'! So she took me off the pureed diet and told me soft food for 1 week (not 2 yay!) as long as I tolerate soft food well I can progress to normal .   I was reprimanded for eating too much protein. She told me too much protein can cause kidney failure. WHAT?!? crazy right. Never go over 90 grams are much instructions. So when I asked her what to do if I got hungry since protein shakes are not really an option (depending on how much im at) she basically told me to deal with it. Well... umm okay?   After leaving the doctor office I go home and my phone has BLOWN UP with messages. Apparently my brother has been calling nonstop today. Backstory - grandmother and brother were both nurses brother went back to school grandmother retired.This past weekend I freaked about because my incision still looked infected after my 1st round of antibiotics. It was weekend doc office closed so I asked if she could look at them. She did I called after afters nurse got refill blah blah blah blah... So my brother calls me asking if I left doc already. I told him yes and long story short my brother doesnt think I am getting the appropriate care. He asked me to come see him tomorrow. Is brother being overprotective? Maybe But I am in NO PLACE to fool around with an open incision so I will go tomorrow and see what he says. Cant trust anyone else like family right!   Last topic of the night - FOOD! I was put on soft food today and I was excited! So I cooked lemon pepper fish, sweet potato, and peas. Well I did 1/2 cup of fish 1/4 pea and 1/4 potatoes. 1 cup all together MISTAKE! I have been eating 1 cup of food but it never struck me that 1 cup pureed food IS NOT the same as 1 cup of solid food. Well lesson has been learned I will stick to 1/2 food total and if I'm hungry I can pick at some more. Im at 863 calories... might eat some cheese to bump it into 1000 as the doc ordered. 72grams of protein.     I think I can do this...     Fill in 2 weeks, cant imagine eating 1000 with a fill. We will see.
SolracSpree

SolracSpree

7
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