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So, today I am feeling a bit weird. Weak. Stoned (as one of my bandster friends said). Or like I just took some antihistamines. I think this is because I did not eat nearly enough yesterday. Not just protein, but anything. I wasn't hungry. I'm not hungry today, but I'm making myself eat. Frozen fruit pop, stock with protein added, jello. The doctor even said I can do yogurt at this point but, as I'm not a huge fan I would prefer not. I also did not get enough water in yesterday, so I'm having to remind myself to drink, drink, drink. Which leads me to the letter G. G stands for Gas. Yes, gas. I have gas. On surgery day, the gas was really noticeable. It made me feel like someone punched me in my gut (another G). As the days progress, the gas gets less, but it is still there nonetheless. Thus, I make a point of getting up and moving frequently. This results in some rather significant belches, followed by my utterance of another G: "That was glorious." I'm not saying this to anyone in particular, as I live alone. I'm not even saying it to my cat, who is very sad that she cannot climb up on my belly for cuddles. I simply say it because each large belch really is glorious. The not so glorious end of the gas is the farting. When I feel a fart come along, I must extricate myself from my bed and go to the bathroom because, more often than not and my apologies for the TMI, the fart is accompanied by diarrhea. Granted, this could be worse. My bathroom is only a few steps from my bed and the diarrhea is not of the sort that results in an RBA (raw, burning a**hole). So, as it is right now, I am accepting of the farting. Yet another end of the gas is the third G for today's installment: Gurgling. When I walk, I gurgle. When I lay, I gurgle. And when I drink, I gurgle even more. I have a veritable symphony of gurgling going on in my gullet. I should start laying some notes down on staff, that's how musical my insides have become. I am like Pooh Bear. There is a rumbly in my tumbly. Tomorrow, I am hoping for less gas and more feeling like myself. But for today, I will continue my Will & Grace marathon and enjoy the cacophony of sounds emanating from my abdomen.

Just yapping about the changes I've noticed since being sleeved. Some NSVs, some new revelations. My relationship with food is more enhanced. Since my portions have decreased so much, I really have to savor and enjoy the food that I’m eating. I used to scarf my food down like I was afraid someone was gonna take it away from me. Now I actually TASTE and appreciate the food I’m eating. I used to taste it before too, but dining is now an experience for me where as before it was a task. Does that make sense to you? For example, I’ve been making Spinach Lasagna for my family for years, and they all rant and rave about how good it is. Before I didn’t really eat it, but this past New Years, I had a spoonful, and actually tasted all the herbs and different flavors of the cheeses. That was a great EXPERIENCE for me and my tastebuds. I LOVE going to the gym. A year ago you couldn’t even pay me to step foot in a gym! I guess with the weight loss and the boost of confidence, I’m no longer worried about looking like a fat person trying to lose weight. I get to Planet Fitness, plug my headphones in and I become one with that treadmill, or bike, or ellipticall machine. I have never been this amped and motivated to get in shape. I think getting in shape is the key to this – I’m not focusing on losing weight because that is happening any way. I’m focusing on toning my body and getting my endurance up and seeing that progress makes going to the gym a very enjoyable experience. I don’t know how to shop for clothing anymore! It’s like I’m a stylist trying to give someone a makeover! I’m not complaining because it’s fun! I’m trying on clothes that I would never have considered in my pre-sleeved life. I got so accustomed to going right into Lane Bryant and the other big girl stores and settling for all the oversized blouses and tent like dresses they offer us. I’m not necessarily ready to shop in a skinny girl store for all my clothing yet, but it’s nice to be able to walk into a “regular” store and have the option to wear some of their clothing and not just the jewelry. I loved to shop before, but now that my options for stores to shop in have doubled, I’m in heaven!!! On another note, my ass and boobs have left the building. I wasn’t a Dolly Parton Kardashian candidate before, but now my profile looks like that of a door. You gotta see how I’m going after that glute machine in that gym. SMH. Been looking for “booty pop panties” on EBay and Amazon. New adventures in grocery shopping too! I was never a label reader up until about 2 years ago. Even then I was really only focusing on finding foods that had aspartame in them because I’m trying to stay away from it as much as I can. I would also glance at fiber content, as I like to know that my fam is eating foods rich in fiber. Now I find myself comparing everything to see what has the most protein in it. I am losing my hair. It’s coming out at the root. It’s my fault though because I’ve been neglecting my vitamin regimen as usual. I know, I know. Gotta get my vitamins in, it's essential to my well being. I can see my pubes. My stomach hung so low before that it covered my lady parts. I have gotten comfortable with telling people that I’ve changed my eating habits when they say “What are you doing to lose the weight?”. I tell them that my portions have gotten way smaller, and I’m more aware of what I’m putting in my mouth. I tell them that I’m also going to the gym, trying to get to a healthier place. Who says I have to mention the part about being sleeved? I sat in the movie theatre with my sons to watch the Chipmunks movie the other day. The seat was comfortable. Its usually to snug and I end up having to scooch my self forward to get out of the seat without bruising my hips. Now, no problem. Will definitely be going to the movies a lot more from now on. I have to brush my teeth several times a day. I guess since we have to chew our food so much that we’re more susceptible to plaque. I just know that I hate that feeling – the cheesy film that you feel when you run your tongue across your teeth. Instead of twice a day, I’m up to 4 to 5 times for toothbrushing. Flossing is becoming more frequent too. I have to get my wedding rings sized. They look like hula hoops when I put them on my finger now. Everytime I see someone who is obese I want to run and tell them about the sleeve. I’m realizing that since I’ve gotten more accustomed to my sleeve, the less I get on to VST and the less I have to vlog about on Youtube. I now understand why so many people are all in for months at a time, and then they just disappear and return a year later to announce their “surgiversary.” Once life with your sleeve becomes normal, there isn’t much to report.

Okay so this week has taken a lot of adjustment for me. Although I still haven't felt restriction, I definitely am feeling SOMETHING when I'm eating. A tightness in the chest area. I've posted about this on the board, so this may be a bit repetitive to those of you who have read that. Anyways, I've decided to let it go for now. It's not painful, it's just uncomfortable. If I still feel it at my next appointment, I'll let my doctor know. For now, it's bearable and I've lost 3 pounds since Tuesday so I'm good with that! lol. As far as hunger goes...very little. I felt my stomach growl for the first time since Tuesday at 11PM last night while I was laying in bed. It was not pleasant but I just ignored it and went to sleep. Yesterday I had a SF Carnation Instant Breakfast, my refried beans recipe for lunch (about 1/2 cup) and for dinner, about an ounce of halibut which I chopped up real good and it took me about an hour to eat lol. I would think that would have been enough but I guess not!! I also want to give kudos to myfitnesspal! I am in LOVE with that app and I truley believe it's part of the reason I've lost so much weight without restriction. It helps keep me accountable for everything I put in my mouth. Also, seeing my progress is encouraging. If any of you would like to add me on there, my sn is legnarevocrednu. The picture I'm attaching is a body shot of me in my bridesmaids dress (wedding is a week from today). Again, crappy quality, but I think the dress looks well on me! I'm 35 pounds down as of today and couldn't be happier!

I enjoy reading the different entries. It so gives us all a chance to ask questions, vent, share, etc. This section has been a Godsend to me many times over the past 6 months. I am realitively newly banded (August 2011), and I am very proud to say I have lost 70+ pounds to date. I want to share my best advice with those who may need it. #1 find a doctor/surgeon you have confidence in - one that will take their time with you, answer all your questions, and give you the truth. #2 remember that having the lapband procedure (or any WLS) is a personal choice, and no one can make it for you. #3 if you decide to go ahead an have the lapband surgery done, you will need to work to make it a success. Remember, the band is not a cure all for weight loss. Along with the band comes hard word. #4 you will have to follow the rules given you by your doctor. #5 no matter how how you try to avoid it, you will have to exercise. No excuses will be tolerated. #6 you are going to have to say good bye to the bad foods if you really want to be successful. That means saying no to chips, candy, popcorn, bread, cookies, cake, ice cream and a whole host of other foods that have caused us to become overweight. #7 reconfirm your convictions. #8 find family and friends who will support you throughout your journey. #9 be proud if you made the decision to have wls. Anyone who says you could have done it without surgery has probably never been overweight. Me??? I was obese, I weighed 299 at my heaviest point, and decided then and there I had to do something so I would be around to dance at my granddaughter's wedding (she's only 9). #10 after care is a must. I started getting fills 1 month after surgery and have received one every 2 weeks since then, 8 total. I have finally reached the green zone after 4 1/2 months. Be sure to drink you water, eat your protein first, and then fiber, fuits and veggies. Most of all, have faith in yourself and your decision. It took me 10 years to have wls, and I am a self-pay. It was the best money I have ever spent. I am now more than 1/2 way to my goal, and once I reach that, tummy tuck here I come. I LOVE MY BAND, AND I BELIEVE YOU WILL TOO.

Ok ..So I was banded December 1, 2011 and i kept talking about how I was not hungry and able to eat only small portions, even a month after surgery...... Well come to find out, I had 2. (something) cc in my band ??? At the time of surgery they said that they did not put anything in my band WRONG! The procedure is that once it is implanted, they put fluid in to make sure it is working properly or something then remove the fluid. BUT i guess they left some in ... Anyway on yesterday they put in 1cc so now I have a little over 3cc. i drank my water and I was fine and I left. I even went home and ate a coffee mug of light low sodium vegetable soup with no problem. I was SO SCARED of what i though was going to be a huge needle.... NOT I layed down on the bed and she started to clean the area with an alcohol swab....At this time I ws sweating bullets and breathing like I was having another kid....i had my eyes closed tight and was biting my bottom lip so hard I think I tasted blood... She said "ok, now pretend you are doing a small situp" i did it and said just tell me when you are gonna do it.....she said I did, I opened one eye and looked at her then I opened the other eye and said is that it ? She said yep, now sit up and sip this water and tell me how you feel (all while this needle thing was still in me (just in case she needed to remove some) I took a few sips and was fine, so she removed it, and told me to go back to the lobby and drink half the bottle if i did with no problems I could go. I had no problems so i left!!! So all you first time fill people dont worry! Well I take that back every facility is diffrent, so I just hope you guys have people that know what the heck they are doing because True Results here in Houston is GREAT!