jennilamb007

hi again just had to shout out loud I lost another 4 pounds this week had a fill last thurs. and went on liquides for 2 and half days then mushies and I lost 4 pounds thats a total of about 37 pds in 2 months I am loving my band
chow for now

Well, it is just 12 hours before I go to the hospital. I have gotten past the bout of nerves that I had yesterday and I am now excited and looking forward to this new journey. I am drinking my final protein shakes that I have to drink. I will have some jello and broth. I wonder if I will even sleep tonight. I have an hour drive to the hospital so I will be getting up at 4 to get ready. I have decided to wear some slip on workout pants and a tee shirt to be comfortable. I am contemplating just wearing slip on crocs so I don't have to worry about ties or anything. Well, I am going to go for now but I will keep you updated tomorrow.
 
Take care everyone,
Jen

Well, it is just 12 hours before I go to the hospital. I have gotten past the bout of nerves that I had yesterday and I am now excited and looking forward to this new journey. I am drinking my final protein shakes that I have to drink. I will have some jello and broth. I wonder if I will even sleep tonight. I have an hour drive to the hospital so I will be getting up at 4 to get ready. I have decided to wear some slip on workout pants and a tee shirt to be comfortable. I am contemplating just wearing slip on crocs so I don't have to worry about ties or anything. Well, I am going to go for now but I will keep you updated tomorrow.
 
Take care everyone,
Jen

In less than 3 days I will be happy to add Portia to my family (that is going to be the name of my lap band/port system). Portia is Latin for gift and she will be a happy gift for yours truly. I have not felt scared or anxious, just excited. I am ready to get rid of all this excessive baggage that I have carried around like a badge of poor choices and regret. I just wish that I had been able to do this 15 years ago honestly. The pre-op liquid diet continues and with just two more days to go, I have lost 11 pounds. I am thrilled. More than that, I am thrilled that I wont be gaining it back. I understand that in the hospital you get loaded up on fluids from the IV and so forth, so I won't be upset if there is a gain because I know one good pee and it will be gone. LOL. I am not even anxious about the pain involved afterward either, because I know it is temporary and will pass with each day. I am happier than I have ever been about anything and I am ready to change my life and move forward. No more looking back and certainly no more wallowing in how bad I look and feel right now. Good things are ahead for me...and for you as well. Good luck to all of you having surgery this week and Congrats to those who have had it done.
 
Take care,
Jen

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found some fantastic silverware for lap banders. I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and they pointed me to some appetizer spoons and forks. They are classy looking, silver, and come in a box of 12 for $15 each. The size of the utensils will help with keeping the bites small and the looks of them are nice for the dining table. If worse had come to worse I would have just eaten my food with a baby spoon that had Peter Rabbit on the end of it, but thankfully that won't be the case now. ; ) So, I wanted to let you know about my find. Also, they have adorable little tasting plates and bowls that are just right for our portions and they look fantastic. I bought a couple plates, but I plan to go back and get more. Hey, I am going to be eating like this forever and I want something nice to eat off of and with.
 
Take care,
Jen

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found some fantastic silverware for lap banders. I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and they pointed me to some appetizer spoons and forks. They are classy looking, silver, and come in a box of 12 for $15 each. The size of the utensils will help with keeping the bites small and the looks of them are nice for the dining table. If worse had come to worse I would have just eaten my food with a baby spoon that had Peter Rabbit on the end of it, but thankfully that won't be the case now. ; ) So, I wanted to let you know about my find. Also, they have adorable little tasting plates and bowls that are just right for our portions and they look fantastic. I bought a couple plates, but I plan to go back and get more. Hey, I am going to be eating like this forever and I want something nice to eat off of and with.
 
Take care,
Jen

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found some fantastic silverware for lap banders. I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and they pointed me to some appetizer spoons and forks. They are classy looking, silver, and come in a box of 12 for $15 each. The size of the utensils will help with keeping the bites small and the looks of them are nice for the dining table. If worse had come to worse I would have just eaten my food with a baby spoon that had Peter Rabbit on the end of it, but thankfully that won't be the case now. ; ) So, I wanted to let you know about my find. Also, they have adorable little tasting plates and bowls that are just right for our portions and they look fantastic. I bought a couple plates, but I plan to go back and get more. Hey, I am going to be eating like this forever and I want something nice to eat off of and with.
 
Take care,
Jen

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found some fantastic silverware for lap banders. I went to Bed, Bath and Beyond yesterday and they pointed me to some appetizer spoons and forks. They are classy looking, silver, and come in a box of 12 for $15 each. The size of the utensils will help with keeping the bites small and the looks of them are nice for the dining table. If worse had come to worse I would have just eaten my food with a baby spoon that had Peter Rabbit on the end of it, but thankfully that won't be the case now. ; ) So, I wanted to let you know about my find. Also, they have adorable little tasting plates and bowls that are just right for our portions and they look fantastic. I bought a couple plates, but I plan to go back and get more. Hey, I am going to be eating like this forever and I want something nice to eat off of and with.
 
Take care,
Jen

I have been on the pre-surgery Optifast 800 liquid diet for 3 days and so far I have lost 5 pounds. Being the third day today I have been struggling, but getting on the scale and seeing that drop has renewed me and I CAN DO THIS. So, while everyone at work is eating popcorn, chocolates and so forth, I am happily munching on my sugar free strawberry jello and thinking happy thoughts of this 5 pound loss and my surgery date on December 22nd. 2012 is going to be a great year.
 
Take care,
Jen

Well, I am sitting here smelling the food from the office potluck and it is killer. Everything smells delicious. But, a very good friend of mine told me to remember "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels". I use it as a mantra to get through the holidays. I have attended 3 different Christmas potluck dinners and the food there is always wonderful, but I concentrated on the conversation and sipped coffee (I drank my protein shake prior to attending). I decided my best line of defense would be to tell people what is going on with me and everyone is supportive. No one comes up and says "aw come on, one bite" or anything like that. I also realize that people will always continue to eat and be festive and it is not for me to come in all ashes and sackcloth acting like I am dying because I can't eat from the buffet they have set out. I put on a smile, I dress up and I enjoy talking to my friends and family. Last night, however, about did me in. My kids just had to have Pizza Hut pasta and breadsticks. The pasta wasn't the killer it was the smell of the breadsticks. I wanted to climb the wall seriously. But I deeply inhaled, enjoyed the scent and then got away from it. I wish I had had the will to do all of this ages ago before my weight went out of control. I am learning the subtle differences between hunger and cravings. I crave things all the time, especially when I smell things (like right now I smell turkey and baked ham), but I have not once been hungry on this liquid diet. I keep flavored water next to me all the time, I sip on broth (adding a few flakes of dried onion for flavor) and sugar free hot apple cider to keep me satisfied. I know this is temporary and that after the band is placed I can have things I like, but not in the same way that I did. I will have to slow down and really enjoy each bite. One thing this liquid diet has taught me, it is how to taste things. I never knew beef broth could taste as good as it does. I didn't know apple cider could taste so wonderful. I think I was just scarfing everything down and not truly appreciating the flavors and textures. I will from now on. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.
 
Take care,
Jen

I have been on the pre-surgery Optifast 800 liquid diet for 3 days and so far I have lost 5 pounds. Being the third day today I have been struggling, but getting on the scale and seeing that drop has renewed me and I CAN DO THIS. So, while everyone at work is eating popcorn, chocolates and so forth, I am happily munching on my sugar free strawberry jello and thinking happy thoughts of this 5 pound loss and my surgery date on December 22nd. 2012 is going to be a great year.
 
Take care,
Jen

Today I was contacted by my surgeon's office and was told to start the pre-op liquid diet today. Thank goodness all I had had so far was a cup of coffee. I am to have 2 meals that are liquid and 1 regular meal. The regular meal is to be whole foods and nothing processed. On December 7th, I switch to all meals being full liquid. My surgery date is set for December 22nd.
 
So, the first day of pre-op liquid diet: I got the call as I was drinking my one and only cup of coffee for the day. I had a Whey Protein Vanilla shake for breakfast and lunch. I had an Odwalla C Monster juice for a snack. Dinner was a sandwich and some sugar free pudding. I have a slight headache that I attribute to my body revolting against me because I am depriving it of fat and sugar. Too bad. I am going to look into other things that I can drink and eat. I love V8 juice (Spicy Hot kind) and Naked Protein smoothies. I welcome any and all suggestions. I am pretty thrilled I can eat Sugar Free Jello, Sugar Free Pudding and Applesauce. I am a big soup eater too, so that will be good. I was also told that I can eat fruit and veggies. I am going to enjoy those things until I have to go totally liquid. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted on my progress.
 
Take care,
Jen

I got some great Thanksgiving news today. My surgeon's office called and informed me that I was approved by my insurance to proceed with the lap band procedure. So, officially, I am having the surgery December 22nd. I start the liquid diet on December 8th. So, instead of three weeks of liquids they are having me do 2 weeks. They sent the papers yesterday and got approved today. Wow, that was super fast. So, from the time I went to the lap band surgery seminar to the time I get the actual surgery, the process will have taken 5 months. I am going to enjoy my Thanksgiving, without going nuts. I am going to prepare myself for the change of a lifetime that is about to take place and prepare my family for the changes as well. They are all excited for me and know that they have a part to play too in my success. All are on board. Have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow.
 
Take care,
Jen

Today is my first day of blogging on Lap Band Talk. I received a tentative date for my surgery and I am excited. If the insurance company approves me, then I am set to have Lap Band surgery on December 22, 2011. Merry Christmas to me. I have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and I have heard that they are good about approving for the surgery. I have done the 3 month doctor supervised diet, I am definitely in the BMI category of having this surgery, I logged vital signs, weights and food intake for three solid months to turn in to the insurance so that I would have all ducks in a row. I need this surgery, and I want to have this surgery. I have a family that I want so much to spend time with and do things with. I have wasted a lot of time not feeling like doing anything. With the emergence of grandsons who want my time and energy, I now realize that I am depriving them of a grandma who used to have a lot of energy and strength and should want to get that back. I want to get that back and I will. I have a great team who is ready to help me meet my weight loss goals. I have several goals and dreams in mind that motivate me to be my very best. As a healthcare professional, it is very hypocritical of me to tell someone to watch their diet, sugar intake, salt, activity level, etc. when I don't. I want to be able to educate my patients without them looking at me like "why don't you take your own advice". Well, I am. I told my daughter that for my 41st birthday in June I want to go zip lining with her and her sister. That gives me 6 months to get to a comfortable size to do something I have always wanted to do. We shall see where we go. Next stop, the 3 week liquid diet leading up to the surgery. Wish me luck.
 
Take care,
Jen

Today is my first day of blogging on Lap Band Talk. I received a tentative date for my surgery and I am excited. If the insurance company approves me, then I am set to have Lap Band surgery on December 22, 2011. Merry Christmas to me. I have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and I have heard that they are good about approving for the surgery. I have done the 3 month doctor supervised diet, I am definitely in the BMI category of having this surgery, I logged vital signs, weights and food intake for three solid months to turn in to the insurance so that I would have all ducks in a row. I need this surgery, and I want to have this surgery. I have a family that I want so much to spend time with and do things with. I have wasted a lot of time not feeling like doing anything. With the emergence of grandsons who want my time and energy, I now realize that I am depriving them of a grandma who used to have a lot of energy and strength and should want to get that back. I want to get that back and I will. I have a great team who is ready to help me meet my weight loss goals. I have several goals and dreams in mind that motivate me to be my very best. As a healthcare professional, it is very hypocritical of me to tell someone to watch their diet, sugar intake, salt, activity level, etc. when I don't. I want to be able to educate my patients without them looking at me like "why don't you take your own advice". Well, I am. I told my daughter that for my 41st birthday in June I want to go zip lining with her and her sister. That gives me 6 months to get to a comfortable size to do something I have always wanted to do. We shall see where we go. Next stop, the 3 week liquid diet leading up to the surgery. Wish me luck.
 
Take care,
Jen