DFW Rachel

Here is my backstory January 2011 - Weight 285 pounds.. working towards being approved for lapband March 2011 - Weight 260 pounds - had lap band surgery August 2011 - band at 4ml volume=> 3.5ml - Weight down to 195 - had 0.5ml removed to allow more food intake to work on getting pregnant.. became pregnant in august May 2012 - Weight 235 pounds - Full term pregnancy End of May 2013 - Weight 235 pounds - after 1st year of sons life and weight not coming down, decided to start working on fitness End of November 2013 - Weight 180 pounds - after 6 months of rigid diet and exercise program(walk/bicycle/weight training) lost all of baby weight plus 15 pounds This is where I made the decision to schedule a fill. My exercise routine is amazing, and my food choices and portion sizes are really great -most- of the time, but I've reached a point where I am getting so hungry in between meals and Snacks that I am not losing anymore. My main goal with the fill is that it will provide me that wonderful feeling of being content between eating times where my mind isnt overrun with thoughts of hunger and food. I am having tons of anxiety today though knowing that the big day is tomorrow. What if they tell me I have stretched out the pouch? What if they cant find the port? What if they want me to do a liquid diet for a while before filling? What if I can't eat at all after the fill? What if the fill doesn't help with between meal hunger? I can't stop thinking about all these worries. Surely everything is okay, but I feel all of the nervousness of the night before surgery. I just wanted to share with anyone that wants to read that can identify.

So yesterday was an experience that I don't think I will forget for a long time. I arrived at the clinic(had never been there before-changed places to fill due to moving) and immediately had a proud moment looking at the oversized chairs that I no longer need to sit comfortably. As I walked past several other patients in the waiting room I felt strange as if I didnt look like I belonged here anymore. I almost felt skinny for the first time in a long time. I knew that I had to get this fill though to lose 20ish more pounds and get to a completely respectable/non-obese and just "overweight" weight. After I checked in, I sat down in a chair aned checked the space on each side of my thighs to the sides of the chair and felt so proud and almost beautiful for it. :-) I waited about an hour and 15 minutes to be seen. When I got back with the dr I was expecting a fill with fluoro, but this turned out to just be a regular ole fill like I remember from a couple of years ago. He asked about my journey and I went through the timeline. He then decided it would be best to just start this time by adding 0.5 ml's back to my band to put me back at 4ml total and see how that worked. I was worried that this wouldnt be enough if maybe I had stretched something or become resistant(doesnt really happen). He assured me that I can come back in 4 weeks to get another fill if I need one. I got up on the table and he pressed around on my stomach to find the port. It seems that maybe my little monkey was rowdy on my port when I was pregnant, but with some manipulation and lots of pressure and 4 needles sticks he was finally able to access the port. As soon as he added the 0.5ml and I sat up I started having tiny burp, so I knew I was definitely feeling something. I drank my Water and it went down fine though so I was ready to go. I knew even more right away that this was going to be at least somewhat effective as my complete and total preoccupation with food and hunger was GONE! In fact I wouldn't even have eaten dinner last night if I didnt feel like I needed to make sure I could eat before coming to work today. Dinner went perfect and nothing got stuck. I probably ate more than I had to, so I think I am going to have to get used to being ABLE TO eat just a half of a cup and not NEEDING more. After dinner I was not hungry later in the evening and dying to have something more. :-) I couldn't be happier. This morning as I packed my lunch bag, I threw in so much extra becuase I'm not sure what I will be able to eat today and we have inclement weather so I wont be able to leave to get anything. When I arrived at work I stashed away the foods so that I wouldnt be staring at them and thinking about food. I drank a Protein shake for Breakfast and havent felt the need to have anything else. Normally I would have had my Protein Shake, a weight watchers string cheese and 1/2 cup of whole grain cheerios(dry). I havent felt the need to eat the cheerios or the string cheese yet. Usually by this point I would have eaten all 3 and already been thinking about my next snack. I dont want to get ahead of myself, but if this worked that well and has done EXACTLY what I needed it to then I am going to be the happiest bandster ever!! The thought that with this little push I may reach my next goal of 160 pounds(28.3 BMI) by valentines day lights me up with joy! I hope everyone has an amazing Friday! :-)

Good luck and get ready for your new life!!!