myjourneyagain

Ok i'm probably gonna be late for work but who cares. I FINALLY HIT ONEDERLAND!! i thought i did yesterday but wanted to make sure today and yep 199!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was a long haul, but now i'm here. i believe i can make my goal in1.5 months!!!!! thanks for all the encourgement guys...ok gotta get to work!

I finally went to Lane Bryant to get fitted for bra's. I"m so sad that the girls are disappearing! UGH! one effect i didnt want. well anyway she helped my find my right size and she asked how i was losing weight and i gladly shared with her about my lap band. She thought it was great. She asked me what size i wore now and i said 12's/ she told me you are too small for anything in our store! I COULD HAVE KISSED HER! never in a million years would i ever think someone would say this to me. And normally i woiuld reward myself with food, but this totally motivated me to hit the gym as soon as i left the store! WOW that felt sooo good!!!

Just thought I would post in the blog. Haven't posted in a while. Today I weighed and I am down 60 pounds! Very pleased considering I had failed at every diet out there. I will say the band is not an easy way out, it definitely requires a mindset change and lots of committment. I will say though that having support from family is the best thing ever too. However, I don't think I have support from my dad. He's never really been around and when I do talk to him on the phone it was always a lecture about my weight. Well I talked to him the other night and he says to me..."you havent given up have you??...I'm like on what? And he says to me "on losing weight". He says he hasn't seen a picture of me for a couple of weeks and so he was checking to see if I have given up. Are you serious? A couple weeks he hasn't seen a picture of me and he thinks that??? Needless to say I was a little crushed by his comment. I wanted to scream to the heavens...I have lost almost 60 pounds in 3 and half months for goodness sake! Some people are never happy I guess! Well enough about him even though it did take me a few days to get over his comment because then I would just look at myself and begin the doubting part. But today I am better, the scales moved again downward of course and I couldn't be happier. This journey so far has been incredible and I don't regret the band one bit. Well, that's enough rattling on for me for now. Hope everyone has a great day and good luck to all of you as well!

Well here it is one week from the day my life will change forever and a new healthy approach. This has indeed been a journey and learning about what is ahead makes it so much better. I am so grateful to God for allowing me to have a new life and just enjoy fullness. Thank you for everyone who is reading this for you have been a motivational tool like no other.

I've been kinda down the past couple of days because I've been seeing the scale either not move at all...or move in the wrong direction. Of course, I'm chalking it up to PMS. You know, water weight and all.
 
I'm also really bad about stepping on the scale every freakin' day. I have to stop that.
 
Instead of going to church today, My son and I stayed at home and watched Dr. Charles Stanley on television. His message today was about waiting on God's best for you. Wow! I needed that reminder. You see, when we don't wait on God...when we move ahead of Him, we step outside of His will and His plan for us. We can wind up hurting ourselves or others. We can get frustrated, distracted or disappointed. But mostly, we lose out on His BEST for us. Sure, whatever we get might be okay or even good. But when we move ahead of Him, we lose out on His BEST.
 
That really hit home for me. Learning to wait, to be patient and knowing that everything, especially this LB journey, takes time. I didn't get my body in this shape overnight, and I'm not going to get it healthy overnight....but I am taking steps to get there.
 
I'm just going to trust Him and this tool He gave me, to get there in just the right amount of time...and stay there this time around!
 
I pray God blesses you all richly and abundantly!

So, just finishing up regular liquids and moving to clear tomorrow. I'm sooo used to starving at this point, so it is much easier. I lost the weight I needed to and then some, so everything is set. My only slip up on my liquids has been that I haven't excercised as much as I would like. I feel so drained that I have a hard time really hitting the cardio. I did do the eliptical for 30 this week. I like to hit at least 3 workouts a week and usually do 4-5. I am going to get in a Zumba class tomorrow though. I think my big struglge this week was going to the movies with friends and having no popcorn or soda. I made it though, and it felt really good to have that small triumph! Well, the next time I blog I will probably be a newly banded person. Yipee!

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....

Which band to go with? The Realize or LAP-Band? I'm sure I'll talk it over with the surgeon but it's definitely something to think about.
 
I had my big 4 hour appointment today with everyone under the sun. The dietician was super nice. We first did the informational session on life and diet post banding. I then saw the Internist/Endocrinologist for an hour. He was nice...reminded me of Rain Man but very thorough. After hearing my symptoms that I've dealt with my whole life, he wants to do one additional lab test (24 hour urine collection - yippee!) to test for a Phenochromocytoma (benign tumor in the adrenal gland)but decided I didn't need any furter pre-op testing. Whew! I then had the 1:1 with the dietician. Not surprisingly, my method of skipping meals then ravenously eating isn't the best. After that I had the 1 hour Physical Education class which was interesting but nothing I didn't already know but still, another check mark off my list of To-Do.
 
After my psych appointment March 27 then April 2, I'll be ready to schedule with the surgeon! Super excited. I start my pre-bariatric surgery diet tomorrow. No, not the scary 2-4 week skim milk diet, but the very low calorie, balanced, high-protein diet. They gave me basically a list of foods from 4 food groups to pick from for each meal, and two protein drinks as snacks between meals, and that's it! I do really well with a regime, and it's expected that I lose weight before seeing the surgeon, so it looks like my journey begins tomorrow!

I have to say, I am simply amazed by this journey thus far! I wanted to post my story (in a condensed version) for those of you who are thinking about getting this procedure or have just begun your journey.
I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. I just ate what I wanted, and enjoyed it very much. I had little to no concern about my health. I remember in middle school, I would sit in my bedroom closet just eating a can of icing. How disturbing is that?! I finally started thinking about WLS about a year ago. My highest weight was 259 LBS. Although I didn't have any health issues, I had began to miss my monthly visitor (sorry for the TMI). This really concerned me because I desperately want children in my future and I knew that the direction I was going in would make that difficult. I went to meet with a surgeon, and got the ball rolling! My insurance required that I meet with a nutrionist for 6 months before surgery. Those 6 months just FLEW by! However, I had not originally planned on getting the Lapband. My heart was set on getting the Vertical Sleeve. A week before surgery, my Insurance Cordinator gave me a call saying that my insurance will not cover that surgery as I needed to have a BMI of 50. I was really far off. However, I COULD get the Lapband. So after crying my eyes out all day, I decided that this is how it was supposed to be and I agreed to get the Lapband. It was the best decision of my life!
I stayed one night in the hospital. It was my first surgery ever, and was relatively easy. The only difficult part was that I felt more comfortable resting in a chair than I did in the bed. I did not sleep much that night. Also, the first time they got me up to walk, I thought I was going to throw up and/or pass out. It got better.
Today, it is exactly 4 months since my surgery, which I got on November 21st 2011. Today, I am exactly 60 pounds lighter. Today, I am FINALLY in Onderland (199 pounds)!! It has been simply amazing!
I have had 2 fills. My doctor decided to hold off on another one due to the amount of weight I have lost. My weight loss has slowed down a bit, but I am still losing about 2 pounds a week. I will probably ask for another fill when I see him next month.
I know everyone says this, but the band really is a tool that YOU have to use. I believe you have to want to put some effort into this before even getting the surgery or it won't work for you. Your mind has to be in the right spot. You have to WANT to change. You have to be willing to give up some of the foods you love or at least only have them on a very rare occasion. You have to be willing to work out. I guess its possible to lose weight without working out, but you will lose more slowly and you may end up looking disproportionate. Thanks to the band, better choices, and the gym, I have lost 60 pounds. I never thought I would be here. I love to work out as it makes me feel so much better and I have so much more energy. I also do the Couch to 5K Program. I strongly suggest this program to anyone and everyone! Although I am only in the 4th week (9 weeks total) I am seeing an improvement. My thighs are smaller, I have lost inches, and I am more fit! Since my surgery, I have also lost 2 inches on my neck, 7 inches on my waist, and 6 inches on my hips. Oh, I also use myfitnesspal like a fanatic! Feel free to add me on there. My username is legnarevocrednu. Also, feel free to message me on here if you have any questions. Good luck to all of you on your journey! I still have about 54 pounds to lose, but I'm glad that I could finally post my story as a success!!

April 27th is the first meeting I have with my surgeon to decide what surgery I want to do. I am so excited about it and really thought I wanted the lapband, now I am not too sure. I think I might want to do the gastric bypass. I know I have plenty of time to decide and want to know if this is normal to go back and forth about what surgery to get. Can you guys tell me if any of you went thru this, and what at the end made you decide to get the lapband?

Today, March 19, 2012 is the start of a new life not just for me but my family as well. Today marks the beginning of a life for health, fitness and well being. When I started this journey on February 17th, I never thought that I would be here based on all the things I have heard and seen. Hearing my husband stating he would have to wait six months and reading his information, who would have thought that a month later I am starting my PreOp Diet. However, when I think back over my life, in 2002 I started Hydroxcut and lost 60 pounds and gained it all back with the birth of my son in 2003. In 2009 for one solid year, I took Adipex and lost 30 pounds and gained it all back. In 2011, I was a contestant in the Genghis Grill Health Kwest and lost 13 pounds and gained. So for almost 10 years, I have been trying to get this weight off and nothing work. I have decided to put my fears aside with this being a major surgery and starting to concentrate on what God has prepared for me ahead. This will be a huge milestone, but I am so happy I have the support from my husband and mom which means the world to me. To the wonderful support system on LapBand Talk, you are the absolute best anyone can ask for.
Yes, the next two weeks will be hard but I will make it even with me being sick right now. What I realize this morning is that it will be better for me to prepare everything for me to eat during the day to avoid eating the junk foods at work. But I am going to enjoy my soup and salad tonight like no other!
 

I haven't blogged in so long! I am currently almost 4 weeks post op and am getting ready for my first fill on Thursday morning. I have to be at the surgery center at 7:00 for my fill at 7:30....having it done under fluoroscopy. It should take about 5 minutes and I am SO ready for it!
I am hungry!!!!! I am trying very hard to follow the rules and so far have been able to do so.
 
Let's see what I've discovered so far in my journey:
*my stomach growls a lot
*even without fluid, I can't eat as much as before
*I need my water
*Remembering to take my vitamins is hard to do
*my incisions look incredible...i only have 2...one is a tiny one below my breastbone and the other at my belly button
*I've been very selective in choosing the people with whom I've shared about having surgery...those people have all been incredibly supportive
*I am steadily losing weight...with my home scale showing about 21 pounds as of this morning
*I feel incredible and have a lot more energy than I did 21 pounds ago
*choosing food at a restaurant is tricky
*finding time for exercise is sometimes a challenge while raising 2 boys and teaching
*my portion of my hospital bill so far is about $2200.00 (I'm not sure how many more bills need to be processed by BCBS)
*the things that I write here on this site have inspired others and that means the world to me
 
And finally....I've learned that for me, this has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I don't regret it at all and pray that my positive experience continues.
 
Sending positive vibes to everyone on this journey!!!!
 
Deana

This is day one of the soft foods after my unadjustment on Wednesday..I have to say..it feels good to sleep without the acid reflex! One of my biggest problems is that I eat too fast. My Dr suggested I start a food diary..what I eat when and how long it takes me to finish.. I thought ok? I'll write I ate in 5 minutes..lol how is that gonna help?
My best friend suggested I read a book while I eat..IF I enjoyed to read, that might work... Walking around the Dollar Tree yesterday I found one of many word search and crossword puzzle books...Hmmmm! I bought a Large Print (lol i'm gettin old) book and started with page 1. At the top I put the date, time and what I was eating in this case Oatmeal ( I found an active living weight control brand..180 cal 40from fat, 1gm sugar, 8gm protein 7gm fiber..and it was actully pretty good).
I finished the 1st page faster than I did my Oatmeal but just continued to the next page and carried over the times only this time I recorded what time I started this Puzzle.. When finished I recorded the time I was done eating and all in all how long it took me to eat. 18 minutes...pretty good for someone who last week would have ate the bowl in 6mins. This is just a small step to my better eating Hopefully someone else can benifet from my tool.

Not that this probably matter to anyone BUT..I thought I would let those that read my blogs about the name change...
For ever!!!! I looked for that special someone! When I started my email account and needed to come up with a screen name, I figured on lkn412luv translation lookin for one to love...However now..this site seems to be the perfect place to change that! I have met someone..we are goin on 4 years in July and he has loved me FOR ME..even before I knew he did. We worked together and wernt really freinds..Lol I just tolorated him I guess you could say..one day he sent me a text message asking me out...all of me!..He has been very supportive in my journey and does everything possible to get me thru the rough times. SO needless to say the name changed from lkn412luv to FndSum12luvme... Just thought I would share!

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!

This has officially become easy... yes I said easy! I raise my heart rate for a few minutes and lose weight! My appetite is virtually non-existent, my growlies in my stomach tell me when to eat and now it doesn't take much to satisfy them! Even water does the trick when I'm out of calories for the day. I can eat what I want in 1/2 cup portions. Still try to use my calories wisely though. I drink at least 40 oz of water a day and eat an average of 800 calories. I did PB eating a piece of chicken wing the other night and I can tell you I used to do it like almost every day before I got my head in the game, and it was never as near painful! Even have to allow water to take its time going down right now. So right now I'm on cruise- control and my 15k investment is finally allowing me to do what I should have been doing years ago.....
 
 
Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...... I exhale....
 
I am no longer worried that the weightloss is going to stop. I weigh myself everyday just to get the rush when I see it go down. If it goes up (cause there are days it does go up!) It doesn't phase me cause I know I need to eat 3500 calories to gain 1 lb of fat and there' s no way I'm eating any way near that amount, so it has to be water or something else. After doing some research on the basal metabolic rate(bmr), I think that many of us are being advised wrongly by using the calculators. The calculator told me I needed over 3000 cals for my bmr, having a somewhat sedentary lifestyle. But the body weight analyzer scale advised that I only needed 2200! So now I don't have unrealistic expectations about losing tremendous amounts of weight when I only need 2200 cals to maintain my current weight. I now realize that even if I starved myself and didn't do any exercise whatsoever, I would only manage to lose 4lbs per week! Also I find myself questioning the starvation mode theory. Afterall bypass patients have to eat way less than 1200 cals and they still lose weight. So if I can get in enough of my important nutrients such as protein in under 1000 cals, that's what I'll do. I find the scale sticks for long times whenever I try to go over 1000. Below 1000 works for me, it might not for you.
 
I am no longer worried that my loose cothes will start to get back tight! I wore a 22 jeans today and the legs have space!
 
My greatest joy comes from hearing my sons' and husband's remarks about how much they enjoy watching me shrink! lol
 
I have more energy now to actually get out of bed and make them lunch and they are thoroughy enjoying the healthier meals the're now getting, plus I'm getting in exercise by being out of bed an hour earlier. Win-win!
 
To my weightloss.... This morning, beginning of my 7 week, I weighed in at 310 lbs. That's 25lbs in the 6 weeks, 5lbs this week and 42 lbs down from my pre-op weight.
 
 
I am estatic! My BMI is exactly 50! So I know by next week it will be below 50. ESTATIC! Till next week......

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!!