July 2006 Band Crew

[deckedout 0]

Susan,

How is it going with your port repaired? Do they fill it right away? I'm not sure how that happens, Let us know how things are going!

I'm at that TOM and am totally amazed that I can eat ANYTHING. I had a meeting today for lunch and they served pizza, that I was able to eat! I haven't eaten pizza for lunch in like 6 months.

I think things are beginning to tighten back up because I was totally stuck on dinner tonight which was steak, so whatever. I wish I would just stay tight so I could keep losing weight, but it is like I am starving. Although, I feel like I am eating TONS, according to sparkpeople, I am still staying around 1200 calories a day.

I'm still shooting for 148 by April fools day. however, that is still 8 lbs for me to lose, so I might not make it. But, I set the standards high for my students, and I should set those high for myself too, I think.

Keep checking in guys, when we aren't doing as well is when we need the support. When everything is going great, we can get the positive reinforcement from the weight loss.

I havent lost in 3 weeks and have been exercising 4-5 days a week. I'm bumming a bit.

[DonnaMarie 0]

Hey guys! Remember me?? I was banded on July 5th 2006.. OMG what a roller coaster I have gone thru.. I have only lost 20 lbs. First thing is, I was my Doc's guinea pig. I was his first band. (of course he had a specialist with him to do the surgery) Filling was new to him and he thought he was filling me up but in actuality, he wasn't. I also have a wiggler port. It takes 2 people to fill me. One to stabilize it and another to inject. Doc says I might have to get that stabilized in the future but it is okay for now. That was the first problem.

Second problem was me. I totally BLEW it over the holidays. I got a mixer (Artisan) for christmas from my fiance and was "going to bake for the family and friends".. well, apparently that means for myself too.. UGH.. When I went for my January check up, I gained 6.. thats right 6 pounds!! Boy did the nurse ream me out.. whew.. she made me cry but then felt bad and hugged me.. she said I had to get some "tough love" ..

I then went home and went thru my kitchen. I got rid of the crackers, pretzels, bread, micro popcorn etc. (just like Dr. Phil says, get rid of the triggers) And then I did the unthinkable... I JOINED THE GYM! ME! wow.. If you would have asked me if I would join a gym a year ago, I would have laughed in your face! And it is a regular gym.. not curves or a gym geared towards "fat people".. do you know it was sooooo hard to walk in there the first time.. My friend couldnt make it so I went alone! I went alone!.. I got there, scanned in, went to the locker room and even struck up a conversation with a young girl (24ish) who was all thin and trim.. she said to me, "comon! lets grab a treadmill before they are gone!".. So there I was.. working out with a stranger.. a nice one at that! Me, Ms. Low Selfesteem.. I walked on that thing for 30 mins and then rode a recumbant bike for 15 mins. WOW.. and I actually liked it! I go every other day now.

Last thing that inhibited rapid weight loss is that I suffer from "seasonal" depression so I am on wellbutrin. My doc says wellbutrin can cause weight gain. yay.. but I will be off that shortly..

Fast forward to this past Friday... I went for a check up and lost 7 lbs!! and Doc gave me a 2cc fill.. aggressive I know but I tell you.. I feel restriction now.. for the first time in 8 months!!! So with my new exercise routine and FINALLY getting restriction.. my ticker better show some loss!

I have given up some comfort foods and what not and that is very hard.. things like pizza, rice, regular Pasta (I do still eat wheat pasta but only once a week or so)

That is my update and I am so glad to be back. So sorry this was so long but I really wanted to get stuff off my chest.

Love and loss (weight loss that is!),

Donnamarie

[deckedout 0]

Way to go DonnaMarie!

You are on your way! Even if you've had a few missteps along the way, you are back and doing what you need to do for yourself.

Keep coming back and checking in. It really helps to have support and be accountable to someone. Do you want to try setting a weightloss goal or any other type of goal, for April Fool's Day? It is 5 weeks away, so if you set a goal, try to make it something that is reasonable, but not TOO easy.

Welcome back again.

[Paulax 8]

Sad but true, but for me to lose any weight whatsoever after the initial 50 pounds, I have to eat very little and exercise daily.

So this past fill, left me with very little room in my pouch. (and I like it that way) It can be frustrating when I really want to eat a larger portion than 1/2 cup, but satisfying at the same time as I know that when I step on the scale every week, it will have moved.

Report to date. Down 61 pounds, have 39 to go and can't tell you how stinking exciting it is.....39 pounds just sounds so trivial compared to my initial 100. So happy I could cry.

[hippmom 2]

the port repair was fairly easy just sore the last couple of days and yes the dr filled me up pretty tight and i am learning how to deal with that because i have never had this kind of restriction!!!

my b day is 4-22 and i would like to be down 15 lbs by then so i guess my goal will be 231 by 4-22

[ready2bthin 2]

Hey friends,

I haven't checked in lately because I've been in Michigan again with my family. My dad was declining badly and I flew up on Friday, the 16th. He rallied around on Saturday and even joked with me a couple times. Well, on Wednesday morning with my mom, 2 hospice nurses and me by his side, he went on to be with the Lord. It was very peaceful and I'm thankful for that. With this sad news, I will report that my 21 year old nephew who collapsed at college (his heart stopped) came home on Tuesday and he was able to attend the funeral on Saturday. He is doing well physically but has a ways to go concerning his thinking and memory processes. He improves daily and we are so thankful for that. I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers concerning that situation.

I haven't had much time to concentrate on bandster ways, but I'm doing okay. I know that in high stress times, one must just get through doing the best they can. That's me. My doc's assistant suggested that I may go on liquids if the stress causes me any discomfort. I haven't had to do that but have had that nagging shoulder pain a couple times. Overall, I'm just walking in the peace and comfort of the Lord. My hubby and kids will hopefully fly out tomorrow, but we are experiencing a winter storm here and they may get snowed in. I will stay on to be with my mom for some extra days.

I'll try to check in again in a few days.

[DonnaMarie 0]

So sorry for your loss.. I too went through the same thing in Jan of 2003.. My dad also rallied for a couple of days and then died in his sleep peacefully. Thank God for the peacefulness..

Just do what you can as far as bandster ways. VERY understandable if you are not perfect.. Hugz going out to you today..

Update on me..

WOW.. am I restricted. The gurgles stopped and right now I am pretty much just not able to eat much. I should have had this happen like 3 months ago!! But better late than never that is for sure..

I did not go to the gym this morning as we had 5 inches of snow and I didnt want to dry to drive in it early on with no plowing. I am definately going tomorrow morning and continueing the every other day process..

I went out with my mom, brother and SIL yesterday for lunch. I ordered a grilled chicken ceasar salad with dressing on the side, no croutons, light on the parm.. wow.. I only had a quarter of it and was STUFFED.. everyone else had these HUGE burgers and I couldnt believe what they were packing away.. Kinda made me nauseous.. LOL Geez over a year ago, I would have been able to eat that no prob.. but now.. kinda makes me sick to think about it. Never thought that would happen!

Hope everyone is having a great day.. I am off to go to work again!

Hugz,

Donnamarie

[DonnaMarie 0]

Me again.. lol

Keeping the thread alive..

I have news.. I am going to be in the audience of Emeril Live in NYC in April! How cool is that? My bro won tickets and cannot make it so I am going with my mom, SIL and her sister.. I live in CT so we are going to take the train in.. BAM! LOL sorry had to say it..

I am doing well with this restriction. Don't have any hunger at all really and when I do, it is usually time to eat anyway. I am just so happy that my Doc finally figured out what I needed in regards to a fill and did it. I was a big one.. but necessary since I was getting very discouraged. Today I am going to buy a scale so I can keep track weekly. That should hold me reliable too.

Hope everyone has a great day!

~Donnamarie~

[Paulax 8]

Well, I continue to feel pretty tight at 2.5ccs. I am LOVING IT. It makes me feel so alive again to feel lighter by 61 pounds. And I CAN feel it, especially when I am walking up our brutal hill noticing how much easier it is.

Anyway, also want to keep checking in and keep the thread alive.

Forever greatful for this life saving surgery.

[Paulax 8]

OK, joined the bloody gym. Hope to increase my strength and agility and cardio and see this loose body firm up a bit.

Had to post this as proof of the day I joined the gym.....hold me

To make matters worst, I hired a personal trainer, she will be calling in the next day or so to set up our first appointment. ....HOLD ME.....

[DonnaMarie 0]

There there Paulax..

I feel your pain.. lol No personal trainer here..(good for you!) there is the hug and holding.. I was supposed to go to the gym today but for some reason, could not get up! I was so tired this morning.. UGH.. but DEFINATELY tomorrow morning before work. I will post on here to prove it. LOL (Heck you might think I am lying.. but I hope not!)

I am still very restricted and having a hard time getting Protein down. I think I have to work on my chewing.. I had some lowfat turkey chili w/red Beans for dinner and BAM came right back up.. sorry if TMI..

Hope everyone is doing well!

Regards,

~Donnamarie~

[hippmom 2]

man donnamarie

i know what you mean about having a hard time getting the Protein in since the port repair i finally understand what being a true bandsster is

it has been a week since the repair and i think i'm tighter than i was at first today i actually pb'd on h2o that i drank to fast!!!

[DonnaMarie 0]

Ugh it is killing me! I have been banded for 8 months but just finally had restriction so I feel like a newbie all over again. I feel like I am irritated so I had some Carnation Instant Breakfast and will do mushies tomorrow..

It seems like in the evenings it is the worst. But that is good cuz Lord knows I was a slave to the nighttime munchies. Mornings I am able to eat scrambled eggs and what not..

Sheesh.. sorry to whine so much guys but I feel like I am just starting! :violin: there.. I played my violin.

~Donnamarie~

[deckedout 0]

DonnaMarie,

I am just the opposite of you. Can't eat anything in the morning, Water goes down slow.. then usually by dinner, I am almost wide open. Sometimes I'm not but the last 2 days I have been really hungry. I hope it is just a stage and it doesn't mean I need another fill.

Make sure you go to the gym! It feels great once you get going on it. Although yesterday I was really tired, and I had to stop myself from falling asleep in the pool, LOL.

I was swimming along with my eyes closed and everything. But, I did wake up, and without needing CPR!

[DonnaMarie 0]

WHEW!

Glad you didn't need CPR.. lol I am picturing you sleep swimming.. hee hee

I love going to the gym. this week has been killer on me though.. but i will go back tomorrow darn it!

~Donna~