sweetsoutherngirl

It has been a while since I have updated this blog. Today I am five months out and 38 pounds lighter! I am also two pounds from reaching one of my goals to lost 100 pounds. I feel great and have been told I am looking great! LOL! I have had four fills and think finally this last one is it. I have 7.5 CC's in my 10 CC band. I am still experimenting with which foods are ok. Beef is hard for me, but chicken and seafood are okay. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, green tea and greek yogurt are a huge part of my fridge. I am still exercising 4-5 times a week, and I recently started running, which I really do hate, but it is good for me.LOL. I am here to tell you that this amazing tool will work for you as long as you work with it. Do not try to east around it, do not cheat yourself by not exercising. The hardest part is keeping going and every day is a struggle. Just keep going!

It has been a while since I have updated this blog. Today I am five months out and 38 pounds lighter! I am also two pounds from reaching one of my goals to lost 100 pounds. I feel great and have been told I am looking great! LOL! I have had four fills and think finally this last one is it. I have 7.5 CC's in my 10 CC band. I am still experimenting with which foods are ok. Beef is hard for me, but chicken and seafood are okay. I eat a lot of fruits and veggies, green tea and greek yogurt are a huge part of my fridge. I am still exercising 4-5 times a week, and I recently started running, which I really do hate, but it is good for me.LOL. I am here to tell you that this amazing tool will work for you as long as you work with it. Do not try to east around it, do not cheat yourself by not exercising. The hardest part is keeping going and every day is a struggle. Just keep going!

I went in for my fill appoinment and came out with...............NOTHING!! LOL! Looks like I have hit the green zone! I am going to take this month slow and see what happens. Since I first went to true results I have lost 49 pounds and 30 since surgery. I lost 8.5 last month and we confirmed I have 6.9 CC in my band. I told the nurse about my eating habits and I am afraid that more fluid may put me in the red zone, so I will just hang out here for this month and see how it goes. But I am over the moon happy about my progress so far. I hope that people that are researching this option see my story and know that if I can be successful, that they can too. Life is about choices and I am choosing to be happy and healthy!

Seems as though my fills are always the week before TOM and then the scale is stuck for a week and a half. So I had my second fill last wed. and today I still way 240 even thought I have been eating right and exercising 4x a week. I am full time back in the gym and have started to work my core again. I guess I should just be patient, but it is frustrating. I am anxious to see if the .7 CC i got last week will move me to my sweet spot!

Seems as though my fills are always the week before TOM and then the scale is stuck for a week and a half. So I had my second fill last wed. and today I still way 240 even thought I have been eating right and exercising 4x a week. I am full time back in the gym and have started to work my core again. I guess I should just be patient, but it is frustrating. I am anxious to see if the .7 CC i got last week will move me to my sweet spot!

i had my first fill this morning under fluro...it took all of 15 minutes and i was a nervous wreck prior...it proved to be all for nothing. the worst part was having to have all my piercings taken out prior to the procedure! here's what went down...
 
i laid on a table and had a pic taken of my belly that showed up on a small screen beside my bed
 
i saw my port and the how it was attached to my abdominal wall with hooks (that was weird)
 
i saw my band which is nowhere near the port and in between all sorts of other inside stuffs!
 
i was given a shot of lidocaine to the numb the area-it burned a little like the heparin shots
 
the NP stuck a needle in my port area and felt for the pockets on the band (which i did not feel but could seen on the screen) the needle was attached to some tubing but i could not see what was in the end of it...
 
the bed was placed in a standing position and i was given a cup of contrast that i watched flow freely down my esophagus
 
she injected some saline i think about 1 cc and i drank some more contrast...the flow was a littler slower
 
she injected another cc and i drank some more contrast...the flow was slower still...
 
she injected another cc and i drank some more contrast...i felt like it was going to come up...
 
she removed a 1/2 cc and i drank some more contrast...i felt like i had to burp...
 
she removed another 1/2 cc and i drank some more contrast and then some water...and i felt ok...
 
so i got a 2 cc fill today on top of the one from surgery...so 3 total in my 10cc band
 
i felt like a had a lump in my throat for the first hour afterward, but i feel better now...
 
i am now back to mushies for two days...she said it appears i am tighter in the morning and i should try to drink a shake or yogurt in the mornings...
 
that's it:) now the fun begins...i must remember to chew...

One of the best things I have re-discovered was a body shaper! I love mine! I got it at Lane Bryant from Cacique and it was only 45.00. As I am losing, I thought it was a good idea to make sure that I keep things..ummm... sucked in! LOL! I remember after my first child was born my grandmother and mother both kept telling me to wear this god awful girdle and I refused. Oh how many times I have wished I had worn it to keep this tummy from not being so flabby. With mine on, overall I am three inches "slimmer" It is also very comfortable, and does not roll down. The only thing that is a bit of trouble is when nature calls and then I have to basically get undressed to go. I have a friend who had the sleeve and she has been wearing one every day and today I saw her without one. She went from a 26 to a 14 in about four months and she has really done well wearing her body shaper every day. She looks amazing!
 
Tomorrow is six weeks since my surgery and I feel good. I have a second fill on 4/11., if I need it. I have gone from a size 24 from when I first started my weight loss journey, to a loose size 18 today. I am 55 pounds from my goal.I am also back on my regular gym schedule and that feels awesome! I am toying with the idea of maybe buying a swimsuit this summer..... Well I will think about it

One of the best things I have re-discovered was a body shaper! I love mine! I got it at Lane Bryant from Cacique and it was only 45.00. As I am losing, I thought it was a good idea to make sure that I keep things..ummm... sucked in! LOL! I remember after my first child was born my grandmother and mother both kept telling me to wear this god awful girdle and I refused. Oh how many times I have wished I had worn it to keep this tummy from not being so flabby. With mine on, overall I am three inches "slimmer" It is also very comfortable, and does not roll down. The only thing that is a bit of trouble is when nature calls and then I have to basically get undressed to go. I have a friend who had the sleeve and she has been wearing one every day and today I saw her without one. She went from a 26 to a 14 in about four months and she has really done well wearing her body shaper every day. She looks amazing!
 
Tomorrow is six weeks since my surgery and I feel good. I have a second fill on 4/11., if I need it. I have gone from a size 24 from when I first started my weight loss journey, to a loose size 18 today. I am 55 pounds from my goal.I am also back on my regular gym schedule and that feels awesome! I am toying with the idea of maybe buying a swimsuit this summer..... Well I will think about it

One of the best things I have re-discovered was a body shaper! I love mine! I got it at Lane Bryant from Cacique and it was only 45.00. As I am losing, I thought it was a good idea to make sure that I keep things..ummm... sucked in! LOL! I remember after my first child was born my grandmother and mother both kept telling me to wear this god awful girdle and I refused. Oh how many times I have wished I had worn it to keep this tummy from not being so flabby. With mine on, overall I am three inches "slimmer" It is also very comfortable, and does not roll down. The only thing that is a bit of trouble is when nature calls and then I have to basically get undressed to go. I have a friend who had the sleeve and she has been wearing one every day and today I saw her without one. She went from a 26 to a 14 in about four months and she has really done well wearing her body shaper every day. She looks amazing!
 
Tomorrow is six weeks since my surgery and I feel good. I have a second fill on 4/11., if I need it. I have gone from a size 24 from when I first started my weight loss journey, to a loose size 18 today. I am 55 pounds from my goal.I am also back on my regular gym schedule and that feels awesome! I am toying with the idea of maybe buying a swimsuit this summer..... Well I will think about it

One of the best things I have re-discovered was a body shaper! I love mine! I got it at Lane Bryant from Cacique and it was only 45.00. As I am losing, I thought it was a good idea to make sure that I keep things..ummm... sucked in! LOL! I remember after my first child was born my grandmother and mother both kept telling me to wear this god awful girdle and I refused. Oh how many times I have wished I had worn it to keep this tummy from not being so flabby. With mine on, overall I am three inches "slimmer" It is also very comfortable, and does not roll down. The only thing that is a bit of trouble is when nature calls and then I have to basically get undressed to go. I have a friend who had the sleeve and she has been wearing one every day and today I saw her without one. She went from a 26 to a 14 in about four months and she has really done well wearing her body shaper every day. She looks amazing!
 
Tomorrow is six weeks since my surgery and I feel good. I have a second fill on 4/11., if I need it. I have gone from a size 24 from when I first started my weight loss journey, to a loose size 18 today. I am 55 pounds from my goal.I am also back on my regular gym schedule and that feels awesome! I am toying with the idea of maybe buying a swimsuit this summer..... Well I will think about it

One of the best things I have re-discovered was a body shaper! I love mine! I got it at Lane Bryant from Cacique and it was only 45.00. As I am losing, I thought it was a good idea to make sure that I keep things..ummm... sucked in! LOL! I remember after my first child was born my grandmother and mother both kept telling me to wear this god awful girdle and I refused. Oh how many times I have wished I had worn it to keep this tummy from not being so flabby. With mine on, overall I am three inches "slimmer" It is also very comfortable, and does not roll down. The only thing that is a bit of trouble is when nature calls and then I have to basically get undressed to go. I have a friend who had the sleeve and she has been wearing one every day and today I saw her without one. She went from a 26 to a 14 in about four months and she has really done well wearing her body shaper every day. She looks amazing!
 
Tomorrow is six weeks since my surgery and I feel good. I have a second fill on 4/11., if I need it. I have gone from a size 24 from when I first started my weight loss journey, to a loose size 18 today. I am 55 pounds from my goal.I am also back on my regular gym schedule and that feels awesome! I am toying with the idea of maybe buying a swimsuit this summer..... Well I will think about it

One of the best things I have re-discovered was a body shaper! I love mine! I got it at Lane Bryant from Cacique and it was only 45.00. As I am losing, I thought it was a good idea to make sure that I keep things..ummm... sucked in! LOL! I remember after my first child was born my grandmother and mother both kept telling me to wear this god awful girdle and I refused. Oh how many times I have wished I had worn it to keep this tummy from not being so flabby. With mine on, overall I am three inches "slimmer" It is also very comfortable, and does not roll down. The only thing that is a bit of trouble is when nature calls and then I have to basically get undressed to go. I have a friend who had the sleeve and she has been wearing one every day and today I saw her without one. She went from a 26 to a 14 in about four months and she has really done well wearing her body shaper every day. She looks amazing!
 
Tomorrow is six weeks since my surgery and I feel good. I have a second fill on 4/11., if I need it. I have gone from a size 24 from when I first started my weight loss journey, to a loose size 18 today. I am 55 pounds from my goal.I am also back on my regular gym schedule and that feels awesome! I am toying with the idea of maybe buying a swimsuit this summer..... Well I will think about it

Happy Friday!!! I am so pleased that the weekend is almost here! So a few weeks ago I blogged about a co-worker who is banded and seems to struggle a lot. I felt bad for her and could not understand. Well over the last week I have gotten a clear understanding of why and it pisses me off a bit. I am not any better than anyone, nor do I think I know all the answers. What I do know are the basics. We work so hard to get our bodies ready for the surgery and go through so much afterwards, why would you just say screw it? We had a celebration for our top performers today and the snacks were candies, cookies and juices. I was in charge of passing out the snacks and she came to the line three times and ate skittles, starburst and capri sun. Then she ate a hot pocket. I again am not perfect but I know these things are not good for us, especially with the band. Afterwards she came to ask me how long has it been since my surgery because I was losing weight fast. I explained I was five weeks out and had started to exercise again. She told me she has had 5 fills and she is really tight but can still eat some food. I told her maybe it was time go back to the see the doc. Her reply was that she would be going back to have it taken out since the band " failed" her........ It was not my place to suggest it may be the behavior and not the band, so I just said I was sorry to hear that.
 
WHY??? It is not a quick fix, it will not stop us from making bad food choices, nor will it stop you from possibly wanting to eat those things. I just did not know what to say and it made me feel annoyed that she feels that the "band" failed her. We have to eat right, exercise and take care of ourselves. The band is only a tool. Now I am back to feeling sorry for her because I think she wants someone to help her but I dont know if I am that person. She is seven months down the line and I am a newbie just trying to get my own bearings....

Happy Friday!!! I am so pleased that the weekend is almost here! So a few weeks ago I blogged about a co-worker who is banded and seems to struggle a lot. I felt bad for her and could not understand. Well over the last week I have gotten a clear understanding of why and it pisses me off a bit. I am not any better than anyone, nor do I think I know all the answers. What I do know are the basics. We work so hard to get our bodies ready for the surgery and go through so much afterwards, why would you just say screw it? We had a celebration for our top performers today and the snacks were candies, cookies and juices. I was in charge of passing out the snacks and she came to the line three times and ate skittles, starburst and capri sun. Then she ate a hot pocket. I again am not perfect but I know these things are not good for us, especially with the band. Afterwards she came to ask me how long has it been since my surgery because I was losing weight fast. I explained I was five weeks out and had started to exercise again. She told me she has had 5 fills and she is really tight but can still eat some food. I told her maybe it was time go back to the see the doc. Her reply was that she would be going back to have it taken out since the band " failed" her........ It was not my place to suggest it may be the behavior and not the band, so I just said I was sorry to hear that.
 
WHY??? It is not a quick fix, it will not stop us from making bad food choices, nor will it stop you from possibly wanting to eat those things. I just did not know what to say and it made me feel annoyed that she feels that the "band" failed her. We have to eat right, exercise and take care of ourselves. The band is only a tool. Now I am back to feeling sorry for her because I think she wants someone to help her but I dont know if I am that person. She is seven months down the line and I am a newbie just trying to get my own bearings....

I think I am adjusting pretty well. So far I have lost 12 pounds in the almost month since surgery. I have my first fill on 3/14. I still am feeling pretty good. I do not eat anymore than 1/2- 1 cup at a time and I always eat my protein first. Water is a bit of a struggle because I have to make sure that I drink it slow enough to not cause this overwhelming feeling of being super full. Mushies have been so great!! But honestly I am not looking forward to solids. The thought kinda scares me. I know I can not stay on soft food forever, but i just am not looking forward to regular food. And I will be back to liquid and mushies after I get my fill for a day or two, so I really will not have a chance to actually be on solids for long. Sigh....... I am enjoying not being focused on food and also I have learned the difference in between being hungry and just eating for the heck of it!
 
My mother is not really happy that I did this. She told me that between her and my brother that they thought I was being vain and it was not as though I was spilling out of my clothes and falling out of my seat. Well, I am never going to spill out of clothes, because I always have clothes that fit. But buying a size 24 in said clothes is not ideal. Oh and nevermind that I take meds for high BP for two years( I was able to stop those recently) or that my back, knees and feet were hurting all the time. My feet will swell at the drop of a hat due to the amount of walking I do and the weight I carry. I am only 37 years old and quite honestly I should not have these "old lady issues" So it hurt my feeling when she said it, but I just told her that I did this for me and my health. I can't place my health and expectations on no one but me.
 
I have been getting lots of compliments on how defined my face is looking. I looked in the mirror and it actually looked "skinny" to me!! I can not express how happy I am that I have made the choice to do this!

I had my first fill today at True Results in Houston. I was nervous and really did not know what to expect. I waited almost a hour for my turn, filled out paper work and went to the back with the nurse. She was trying to make me more comfortable by telling me everything she was doing but that did not work She started with a small needle and lots of pushing, which just felt odd. It did not hurt, but it did not feel good either. She determined that she need a longer need to reach my port, so the second time was a charm. She took out the saline that was in the band and measured it. I have a 10CC band and there was already 5CC in it!! She added 1 CC today for a total of 6 in my band. No wonder I have not been hungry!! I sat for about 15 minutes and drank my water and I am feeling good. I am on liquids for today and soft food tomorrow and then back to regular food. I have lost 12 pounds since my surgery and I will see them again next month. I hope it will be another good month for me!!
 
On a side note since I first began the process with them in December I have lost a total of 33 pounds!!

the numbers...
 
lets start there because that's what matters here right!!! when i went into surgery i weighed 233# and today i am 221. i have been down on myself for these numbers mostly because it is easy to get into a comparison game with other wls folks and this is absolutely silly. i have lost 12# in a month and this is indeed spectacular! if i continued to lose at this pace i would be at my goal weight in six months! however, i know this may not be a realistic goal as my weight loss has been extremely slow over the past two weeks...according to my surgeon a 1-2# weight loss a week is what is expected with the lapband and any more than that is phenomenal. i have not been as diligent in tracking my measurements which will be key for me because let's face it, we all need some way to measure success, and if the scale is not moving it can quickly become...well, depressing. i picked up some new vocab while perusing this site and found that NSV's are also a cause for celebration! this may seem like a no-brainer, but i have never thought of doing this the past 800 billion other times i have tried to lose weight. so here are a few of
 
my NSV's...
 
doing some type of physical activity---> daily!
sticking to allotted food items--->daily!
logging my food, mood, and exercise-->daily!
testing my blood sugars-->daily!
 
trying to be encouraging and supportive to at least one other person on this journey--->daily
fitting into a pair of jeans that are one size smaller!
needing to wear a belt with all of my other pants!
improving my time and distance when walking outside
finding ways to celebrate that do not include alcohol and food
 
my pain...
 
my pain is virtually non-existent and i can pretty much do everything i was doing before surgery. i still have some discomfort and pain in the area of my largest incision at times. i am still not able to sleep/lay on my stomach and i still have some swelling in this area...(anyone else have this 4 weeks out)? also, i seem to have developed a slight headache issue...this happens at least once daily and i am not sure of this is due to my sugars dropping too low, a sign that i'm not drinking enough, or that i'm letting too much time go by between meals...i'm keeping an eye on it.
 
a lump...
 
i have had what feels like a lump in my throat for the past 3-4 days...i'm also trying not to read to much into this as i have had this feeling before pre-band and it has been attributed to anxiety...anxiety! what anxiety?! i have been off work for almost a month, completed school a week ago, have been eating better for almost two months and have been exercising daily for the past month...what gives? being on this forum i have come to understand that this is sign of other things, like being stuck, being too tight, reflux, gas, and on and on...i have not had a fill yet and i am able to get down liquids and foods just fine...i'm going to see my primary care physician this friday who is also banded and i will discuss this with her.
 
burping...
 
ok...so i am finding that burping has become...weird! about half of the time when i burp instead of going out they go in and then i spend the rest of the night expelling this gas from various places or burping outwards all that i burped in several hours later...does this make sense? anyone else experience this? burping outwards is grand!
 
support...
 
my biggest supporter in this journey, my husband, was banded yesterday! i am so happy for him and happy to have him take this journey with me! he has decided to name his band "wife #2"!!! i am thankful for this site and other social media that i use and for all that have commented on anything or reached out in any way! i am on fitbit, mfp, and youtube as phatkatblue please add me if you use any of those outlets...the more support and encouragement the better:) i have also found that getting on these sites encouraging others and reading their stories has been good for me as well...
 
till next week in weight loss and beyond...

I had my first fill today at True Results in Houston. I was nervous and really did not know what to expect. I waited almost a hour for my turn, filled out paper work and went to the back with the nurse. She was trying to make me more comfortable by telling me everything she was doing but that did not work She started with a small needle and lots of pushing, which just felt odd. It did not hurt, but it did not feel good either. She determined that she need a longer need to reach my port, so the second time was a charm. She took out the saline that was in the band and measured it. I have a 10CC band and there was already 5CC in it!! She added 1 CC today for a total of 6 in my band. No wonder I have not been hungry!! I sat for about 15 minutes and drank my water and I am feeling good. I am on liquids for today and soft food tomorrow and then back to regular food. I have lost 12 pounds since my surgery and I will see them again next month. I hope it will be another good month for me!!
 
On a side note since I first began the process with them in December I have lost a total of 33 pounds!!

I had my first fill today at True Results in Houston. I was nervous and really did not know what to expect. I waited almost a hour for my turn, filled out paper work and went to the back with the nurse. She was trying to make me more comfortable by telling me everything she was doing but that did not work She started with a small needle and lots of pushing, which just felt odd. It did not hurt, but it did not feel good either. She determined that she need a longer need to reach my port, so the second time was a charm. She took out the saline that was in the band and measured it. I have a 10CC band and there was already 5CC in it!! She added 1 CC today for a total of 6 in my band. No wonder I have not been hungry!! I sat for about 15 minutes and drank my water and I am feeling good. I am on liquids for today and soft food tomorrow and then back to regular food. I have lost 12 pounds since my surgery and I will see them again next month. I hope it will be another good month for me!!
 
On a side note since I first began the process with them in December I have lost a total of 33 pounds!!

I had my first fill today at True Results in Houston. I was nervous and really did not know what to expect. I waited almost a hour for my turn, filled out paper work and went to the back with the nurse. She was trying to make me more comfortable by telling me everything she was doing but that did not work She started with a small needle and lots of pushing, which just felt odd. It did not hurt, but it did not feel good either. She determined that she need a longer need to reach my port, so the second time was a charm. She took out the saline that was in the band and measured it. I have a 10CC band and there was already 5CC in it!! She added 1 CC today for a total of 6 in my band. No wonder I have not been hungry!! I sat for about 15 minutes and drank my water and I am feeling good. I am on liquids for today and soft food tomorrow and then back to regular food. I have lost 12 pounds since my surgery and I will see them again next month. I hope it will be another good month for me!!
 
On a side note since I first began the process with them in December I have lost a total of 33 pounds!!

I had my first fill today at True Results in Houston. I was nervous and really did not know what to expect. I waited almost a hour for my turn, filled out paper work and went to the back with the nurse. She was trying to make me more comfortable by telling me everything she was doing but that did not work She started with a small needle and lots of pushing, which just felt odd. It did not hurt, but it did not feel good either. She determined that she need a longer need to reach my port, so the second time was a charm. She took out the saline that was in the band and measured it. I have a 10CC band and there was already 5CC in it!! She added 1 CC today for a total of 6 in my band. No wonder I have not been hungry!! I sat for about 15 minutes and drank my water and I am feeling good. I am on liquids for today and soft food tomorrow and then back to regular food. I have lost 12 pounds since my surgery and I will see them again next month. I hope it will be another good month for me!!
 
On a side note since I first began the process with them in December I have lost a total of 33 pounds!!

I guess i can start with getting banded right, I guess that is where most start. I was banded on September 2,2011 its a day that you don't forget. I remember feeling scared, nerves, and completely terrified (to say the least). I guess i can also go back to the start of the weight problem right. Well here goes.
Believe it or not i wasn't always a big heavy person. I was 165 in high school and it was all muscle but at the time i just thought it was all fat, and being big boned didn't help my way of thinking or my mothers. She saw big boned as an excuse for fat. Even at my skinniest in high school i was 145lbs. Eating at home was a battle, My mom kept a metaphorical lock and key on the fridge and everywhere in the house that there was food and sodas. I was allowed three meals a day and forget about seconds no matter how hungry i was. And sodas where a no no except to my mom and dad. They could have all the sodas they wanted. She didn't really start to come down on me until high school when i started lifting weights and the weight wouldn't stop coming on little did i know it was muscle not fat. She really came down on me hard and so did my dad. I was playing all the sports i could and ran like crazy everyday. She started me on all the diet pills i could handle until i couldn't eat any more. My sophomore year of high school she thought it was best if i drank slim fast for all meals. I was embarrassed to take the can of slim fast to school so in the morning i would drink the nasty drinks and show her that i was taking one for lunch and head out the door. She didn't give me money because that would only mean that i would eat something from the school. So there i was at lunch time and my only choice was to either drink the slim fast and look like an over weight dork or just not eat. So i chose not to eat. At dinner i would drink my slim fast and after everyone was asleep go to the kitchen and sneak a quick snack and hope she wouldn't know that it was gone in the mornings. That was mostly fine during volley ball season because you don't really run to much. And at school there was always someone willing to give me 50 cents for a soda so i didn't really feel very hungry. But basketball was a very different story. I had a game on a Monday night out of town on of the few games my mother had time to come to, I was playing hard and before i knew it i was on my floor in the gym with my coach and everyone around me. I didn't know what had happened i just remember someone was shooting a free throw and i was ready then i woke up on the floor. I was sitting on the bench and my coach asked me what i ate that day looking at my mom i said nothing really. I told her i drank a shake for breakfast and didn't eat lunch. She asked me when the last time i ate was i said i don't remember. Right then she told my mom i could stay for the game but couldn't play until i was eating again. I don't know what else she told my mom that night but i remember my dad telling my mother that it was enough with diets that if i didn't want to stick with them i shouldn't have to if i was going to go and do things like this. I felt like i had let them down i felt the need to deal with it myself. So from that year until my senior year i had eating disorders like not eating or eating till i thought my stomach was about to explode but i didn't eat at home. I would go to my friends house where her mom knew what my mom was doing to me and would fix me all kinds of food. Im not saying what i was doing was right but i didn't know that at the time.
When i left for college i found a whole new life where i couldn't be controlled by anyone because i made all my own choices and food was my number one obsession. My boy friend was excited that i was eating and never stopped to let me know that i was gaining weight like crazy. Before i knew it i was about 240lbs the heaviest of my whole life. Other traumatic things had happened but ill save that for another story. I moved back in with my mom and that didnt help only now i could go to a fast food place and eat as much as i could and then come home. by the time that i moved out again i was a big 265 and i found it hard to loose the weight once it started. little did i know i have polytheistic ovarian syndrome and it makes it hard to loose weight.
I met the man of my dreams in 2008 we got married in 2009 where i was 275. I wasn't happy about the weight and it would go down and come back i was tired of trying and i didn't care any more i thought well if i cant get past 240 then what is the point. I just didn't care any more. My mom had been on my about weight loss surgery but i didn't think that it was possible and i didn't think that it would work i thought i was a lost cause and i would forever be "The heavy girl". I wouldn't take pictures with my kids or my husband i didn't want to look like a big whale next to small children or a whale next to a man. They are my step kids i don't have any children of my own. I was trying diet pills and all kinds of things but at the end of the day i would just eat and eat and eat.
One morning woke up and just hated everything my feet felt like they where going to explode from all the pressure that i was putting on them and my back was killing me. I was at the end of my rope i wanted to be skinny and i wanted my life back. I didn't like they way people would look at me and i didn't like that i felt so ugly. I hated the way that people would look at me when i went out to eat and the way that i felt when i would eat in front of people. I didn't want to go any where or do anything. I hadn't worn a swim suit in six years or more. And my whole wardrobe was basketball shorts, jeans, and XXX L t-shirts. I felt like a cow and i didn't see an end in site. August 2011 my mom came and got me and told me i needed a change and she was willing to help me no matter what the cost. I was offended of course but i wanted to change i wanted to show everyone that i was more then just "The fat girl" i was someone. I agreed to lap band and it all started.
I didn't know what to expect i was scared and thought they might tell me i was under weight or to fat to have it done. Or later i would hear them talk about how fat i was. But when i walked in to the office i was greeted real nice like i was a real person (something i didn't expect at all) considering all the times i have walked into a doctors office and had been treated like i looked. I met with the nurses and the doctor and they where so nice and caring. And i decided i had made the right choice.
I cried because i was scared every time i met with the doctor to be honest I knew i was going to be cut on and that scared me more then anything. My husband didn't want me to do it because he was just as scared as i was but i did it anyways. The night before the surgery i was so scared i couldn't even sleep. I felt like i was going to summer camp where i didn't know any one. I thought about my doctor telling me that i was going to be beautiful and love the way that i looked and i was going to be happy. It made that day a little easier that and i had lost 20lbs in two weeks that was a boost to. When called to the waiting room i was so scared i couldn't stop crying and i hate crying. They sent many people in there to talk to me to tell me what to expect even a nurse that met me the day before came in to check on me when she didn't even have to. Just to make sure that i was going to be ok. Now i wasn't loud and crazy lol i was just quietly worrying my self to death. they came in and gave me meds to calm me down and man did that i was happy and laughing and making jokes.
When i woke up the pain was ok the gas however sucked. i dont remember much of that day or the next to be honest i was moving around and not eating because my tummy wasn't ready for food but i tried. I know that the gas was gone from my stomach and that was much better. Getting rid of the gas from your stomach for me it was like im about to throw up and all that came out with this horrible burp see they don't tell me that you have to learn how to burp again.
Any ways I went back to the Dr a week later and lost another ten pounds i was happy and i didn't cry when the doctor said im happy to see your not terrified of me any more i said well your not trying to cut me he just laughed.
Since then i have lost a total of 80 something pounds with my ups and downs which i will get to more later, but in the end it is all well worth it. And im so happy that i when through with this. Still six months later.

I think I am adjusting pretty well. So far I have lost 12 pounds in the almost month since surgery. I have my first fill on 3/14. I still am feeling pretty good. I do not eat anymore than 1/2- 1 cup at a time and I always eat my protein first. Water is a bit of a struggle because I have to make sure that I drink it slow enough to not cause this overwhelming feeling of being super full. Mushies have been so great!! But honestly I am not looking forward to solids. The thought kinda scares me. I know I can not stay on soft food forever, but i just am not looking forward to regular food. And I will be back to liquid and mushies after I get my fill for a day or two, so I really will not have a chance to actually be on solids for long. Sigh....... I am enjoying not being focused on food and also I have learned the difference in between being hungry and just eating for the heck of it!
 
My mother is not really happy that I did this. She told me that between her and my brother that they thought I was being vain and it was not as though I was spilling out of my clothes and falling out of my seat. Well, I am never going to spill out of clothes, because I always have clothes that fit. But buying a size 24 in said clothes is not ideal. Oh and nevermind that I take meds for high BP for two years( I was able to stop those recently) or that my back, knees and feet were hurting all the time. My feet will swell at the drop of a hat due to the amount of walking I do and the weight I carry. I am only 37 years old and quite honestly I should not have these "old lady issues" So it hurt my feeling when she said it, but I just told her that I did this for me and my health. I can't place my health and expectations on no one but me.
 
I have been getting lots of compliments on how defined my face is looking. I looked in the mirror and it actually looked "skinny" to me!! I can not express how happy I am that I have made the choice to do this!

I think I am adjusting pretty well. So far I have lost 12 pounds in the almost month since surgery. I have my first fill on 3/14. I still am feeling pretty good. I do not eat anymore than 1/2- 1 cup at a time and I always eat my protein first. Water is a bit of a struggle because I have to make sure that I drink it slow enough to not cause this overwhelming feeling of being super full. Mushies have been so great!! But honestly I am not looking forward to solids. The thought kinda scares me. I know I can not stay on soft food forever, but i just am not looking forward to regular food. And I will be back to liquid and mushies after I get my fill for a day or two, so I really will not have a chance to actually be on solids for long. Sigh....... I am enjoying not being focused on food and also I have learned the difference in between being hungry and just eating for the heck of it!
 
My mother is not really happy that I did this. She told me that between her and my brother that they thought I was being vain and it was not as though I was spilling out of my clothes and falling out of my seat. Well, I am never going to spill out of clothes, because I always have clothes that fit. But buying a size 24 in said clothes is not ideal. Oh and nevermind that I take meds for high BP for two years( I was able to stop those recently) or that my back, knees and feet were hurting all the time. My feet will swell at the drop of a hat due to the amount of walking I do and the weight I carry. I am only 37 years old and quite honestly I should not have these "old lady issues" So it hurt my feeling when she said it, but I just told her that I did this for me and my health. I can't place my health and expectations on no one but me.
 
I have been getting lots of compliments on how defined my face is looking. I looked in the mirror and it actually looked "skinny" to me!! I can not express how happy I am that I have made the choice to do this!

Ok, so It's been several months since I've visited my page or been compliant with my lap-band. I've been so off track since December. I had lost 83 pounds in 8 months and since December I've gained 27 pounds back! I've been pigging out on slidder foods or "eating around the band" as my surgeon calls it. I haven't even been to see my surgeon since October because I'm embarrassed about my weight gain. I feel like a complete looser and physically feel worse than when I weighed 323 pounds. I'm not sure how to start over or get serious again but I'm definitely going to try. I need to place my focus back on me. I have a treadmill, elipictal, free weights and an exercise bike in the guest room collecting dust! I'm making a public and personal committment right now to get back to being on track. If anyone has experienced anyone like this or has any suggestions on assisting me in my struggle please don't hesitate to comment or e-mail me.