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Blog 43271
 

Getting serious...

So, I was banded almost 2 years ago. After about 6 months, I had to get a follow-up surgery because the port had gotten loose and had to be re-stapled. I lost a lot of confidence in the process because of this and have inched along ever since. In 2 years, I have lost about 65 pounds (starting at 365 and getting to around 300 right now). So, though I am glad to have lost what I have (and I really think I would be 400 by now if I hadn't have gotten the lap band), I am finally ready to be serious. I am re-committing to actually using the process as it is designed. I just got a fill and feel good about the amount of food I can eat. I am able to stay at about 1200 each day, with careful planning. I read other posts and see that some people are below that, but think for my psyche, I need to have at least 1000 a day. So, here goes...
limagoose

limagoose

1
Blog 100484
 

How many calories per day per meal??

I was just wondering what the calorie intake for dinner should be? because ive been looking at this great site calorieking.com.au (there is also the american version withouth the au at the end), which has great recipes and has every takeaway food calories to help get right choices!! and says the calorie amount for the recipes but im not sure if its right?? Also how much calories should i eat per day once i get to eat solids??
Supercutiebanded

Supercutiebanded

2
Blog 94814
 

wednesday day 5

today was an great day, loss another pound even if its just water weight i still dnt want lose it to fast. dnt want to much loose skin. already people are noticing.and i like that cnt wait to lose another 20 lbs...
tommygunn49

tommygunn49

0
Blog 85448
 

Fill#5

In the immortal words of Gomer Pyle, "Shazam!" Made you laugh didn't I!:tt2: So Fill #5 - I had been scheduling my appts for Friday afternoons think that especially in the summer, things are a little less busy and surely I'll be back before 3pm...but for the last four visits, my surgeon's practice is always running late and I never make it back to the office at a decent time, or have waited so long to eat that I end up with a migraine... SO...this time I took Monday off and scheduled a mid-morning appt. What a refreshing surprise..no crowds, no stressed out nurse or PA - I was in and out in 20 minutes. The "fill" ended up being an Unfill - saw a different PA this time and she actually listened to what I was telling her...how my incidents of vomiting have increased including throwing up sipped liquid...how I'm not losing but feel like all I can eat is safe(very crunchy or soft and melting) and dangerous(calorie-wise)...how I am always hungry and my stomach is growling so loudly it's embarassing...how at a family dinner the other night I had three pinky tip bites of med-rare filet mignon, two small slices of baked zucchini and a teaspoon of corn and felt uncomfortable with pain in my throat and upper chest. An awful feeling coupled with the fact that my lower stomach was telling me, "Eat - I'm hungry!" while my brain was saying, "God - please don't let me spit up at the table!" Half an hour later, I was able to eat...dessert - which was a texture I could manage, but not an appropriate energy source on it's own. I guess I should've realized something was off when the night before my fill, I was getting ready for bed, took my Crestor(very small pill) with a couple sips of water on an empty stomach, went to brush my teeth, felt nauseous and tossed my cookies - except there were no "cookies" - it was all water.   My hide is still chapped with regard to my surgeon's practice...the PA would not tell me how much was in my band, "A little over 5cc's..." or how much she took out. I live over an hour from my bariatric center. In an emergency I'm going to my local hospital which is less than five minutes from my house. I also travel quite a bit on business. I'd think that in an emergency I should be able to tell the responding docs what I've got in my body in case they need to take it out. If they'd tell me what's in the band, I'd even put it on a sticky flag with the band card in my wallet in case I was incapacitated. Just seems like common sense to me. Couple that with the $485 the practice just billed my insurance carrier for my last fill...billed as "surgery" ?! and I am moving forward with looking for another bariatric practice for my follow up care.   Why the Unfill? Well, I guess even with as little as I had in my 11cc band, it was too much and the vomiting, the pain after a few bites, the slight cough should've been a tip off. That afternoon after my unfill, I felt the best I had since Fill #4 - other than the extreme belching and burping. I'm eating what I should, feeling a bit more in control(thanks in part to my self-directed therapy), and haven't felt sick and fatigued! :thumbup:   I have to go back in two weeks...
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

0
Blog 95458
 

One week to go....

One week to go until having the procedure. I'm doing well on the pre-op diet I'm on (basically high protein). I've even lost 2 lbs.   Am disappointed to really learn that someone very, close to me doesn't think I should have the procedure. I knew this person wasn't super excited or anything, but I didn't think it was like this. I told he/she that this was the exact reason why I've hardly told anyone that I am having the procedure. I don't want people judging me for having this done. ...and I don't want them thinking I am weak.   I'm doing this because of health issues and because I also know that if I really "buckled down" and tried diet and exercise again, I would not have the will-power to be successful.   I just have to tell myself that it is my choice and if I didn't feel this was my only real chance, I wouldn't get the procedure. I am still looking forward to being healthier and happier with how I look.   I wonder how others banded individuals have dealt with this. Any advice, feel free to add comment. Thanks.
nomorejellybelly

nomorejellybelly

3
Blog 3238
 

WooHoo! Score 1 for the weight loss team!

Yay me! I went to my post-op appt today and they weighed me before my actual meet with the doctor. I officially now weigh 300.3 lbs. I've lost 16 lbs in 2 weeks! I'm ecstatic! I knew I had lost weight but I hadn't expected it to be so much. But... I am nearing the third week and if I'm not mistaken that's when the stall begins. But, it's okay. I've lost more in this month than I would've ever dared to dream. I've been so preoccupied about the slow rate of healing I apparently thought was happening that when I went to the clinic I was met with surprise. One of the same women whom I had shared a hospital room with had come to her appt and was being pushed around in a wheelchair. Damn. And I thought I had it bad. I finally met with the doctor who told me that there's nothing I can do about my stitching problem unless, somewhere down the line, I elect to have minor surgery to fix my stitching. 'Perhaps in 2 years when I come back for the plastic surgery' is what she said like I'm really about to go through this pain for two years. Besides, after experiencing this pain, I'm kinda thinking about not getting that surgery. I'm still not entirely convinced it's really worth it. And, as soon as I can, I plan on going to the gym and becoming ms.musclegirl. I'm going to throw myself into it. Anyway, she prescribed me more tylenol codeine (thank god) and told me I can begin my mushies on Sunday. I'm already planning on having a baked potato that day. :drool5: I was given another appt for next month. Let's see how much I can manage to lose by then. Of course, the bit of walking I did to get there made me feel a slightly better than I've felt in a longtime. So, needless to say, I took advantage only to have it bite me in the butt even before I got home. When I got to my neighborhood, I got my prescription, then went to the supermarket. By the time we left the supermarket I was dying from the pain. All I could feel was the pain just hitting my abdomen. By the time I had crossed the street, I was walking crooked, breathing hard and about ready to faint. My poor boyfriend :001_wub: couldn't do much and didn't know what was going on. He had been carrying like 6 bags of grocery so it was pretty hard for him to hold my hand. He ended up leaving the bags halfway down the block (I had told him to go ahead) to come get me. First thing he did was give me water followed by a big gulp of the tylenol codeine. Phew! It started to work almost immediately and soon I was feeling drunk. But, thanks to his quick thinking, we got home in one piece AND without me kissing the sidewalk. Never again. But I'm happy today and as much as I've bitched and moaned and cried tears of frustration, I certainly wouldn't change a thing. :thumbup1:
Butrcupz622

Butrcupz622

0
Blog 3370
 

First Post-Op Visit

I went in and saw Dr. Castro for the first time since leaving the hospital. I showed him the itchy and annoying rash on my abdomen where they "scrubed me". I told everyone and it was written on my bracelet that I am allergic to Iodine/Shellfish. I have full confidence he will find out what bothered me and if in fact they used the wrong pre-op prep.   I had a very small amount of creamy chicken soup made from Soup on Hand. It was sooooooooooo good! Next week I get to start eating mushies and soft foods. I am really wanting red kidney beans and specifically Wendy's Chili. I figure at that point if I only eat and chew chew chew the beans and meat I should be fine. I've had zero nausea during this whole thing.   Dr. Castro wants me to get 60 grams of protein each day based on my body structure and goal along with water of course. He wants me to set a goal to lose 10 pounds each month, which I believe to be reasonable. I know from past experience with the band that my body has a hard time with me being around 160 and any ounce I lose beyond that I will HAVE to work for.   Dr. Castro said to start walking as I feel like it and move up as my body tells me to. He wants me to listen to my body in what I can and can not do. He basically said as long as I don't have pain or pressure during exercise all will be well. So it looks like eventually I will have to join a gym.     Overall the visit went well. I am to return in 3 weeks for another follow up. I really like Dr. Castro and the fact he keeps up with all his patients. :thumbup1:
Carrie

Carrie

0
LoseIt!'s Blog
 

Monthly Update

Another month gone by! In some ways, it is hard to believe that it has been over 7 months since my surgery. In other ways, it just seems like it could've been a few weeks ago!   I was only slightly dissappointed when I realized that my loss for the month was 4.8 pounds. I mean pre-surgery, that would have been a really big deal! It is 60% of my monthly average. So the irritating portion of my brain says that isn't enough, but the other portion (the one that I CHOOSE to listen to) says that I should be proud of myself. I hit a plateau this month and instead of quitting in discouragement, I hit it head on. I learned a lot about myself and my body and I got myself back on track. THAT is the difference between me NOW and me BEFORE. I like it!!     That little lady is on the move! :tt2:   Today, I took my monthly measurements which I take in 13 places (neck, upper arms, wrists, bust, waist, belly, hips, thighs, calves). I am absolutely thrilled that I lost 11.25" this month. I have been tracking weight loss/measurements for eight months to include my preop diet. In those eight months, this is the 3rd most inches lost, but the LOWEST pounds lost. That just goes to show how important it is to measure!! It sent me from "not being disappointed" to being "absolutely thrilled." :thumbup: YAY!   I have to go sit through some boring CPE webinar. Boo! Talk to you all later!!
LoseIt!

LoseIt!

4
Blog 97014
 

What NOT to do during your first fill!

OK, so I thought I had prepared myself mentally, but boy was I wrong! I worked myself and my stomach (which made things so much worse) into such a tizzy, that they ended up having to remove 4 of the 6 DROPS they added. If only I knew how easy a fill would be prior, things would have gone so much smoother!   So, to my friends who have yet to have a fill:   1. It does NOT hurt! I am the biggest baby when it comes to needles, and I swear, I did not even feel a tenth of what I do when they take blood!   2. Relax and be calm. The band does react to stress (makes sense, we all feel stress in our stomachs!) and can make the fill very uncomfortable.   I go back in 2 weeks and I know it will go better!!!
Seanamw

Seanamw

5
Blog 3651
 

So far so good

Today is day 8 post-op. I started back to work two days ago. I though I was ready but maybe I should have taken a whole week off. It was crazy busy and I didn't get enough sleep the night before. I'm doing better today though. I've been looking forward to day 8...today is the day I got to start full liquids. I don't really know when I'm full though. When I swallow liquids to fast my chest hurts. Is that normal? So after a few bites I feel like my chest is about to start hurting and that's when I stop. I'm down 14lbs today. Two lbs a day as of right now. It's crazy. My pre-op appt is next Thursday. I'm feeling super good. The past five months pre-op I was having headaches everyday. They have almost completely disappeared. Since I'm off tomorrow...maybe I will treat myself to a pedicure. Oh! Can anyone tell me anything about the Iso-pure protein drinks? I'm not really feeling the super whey protein shots.
kRiSSee

kRiSSee

0
Blog 99181
 

Big Difference

:thumbup:OMG--- what a big difference one day makes! I finally got a good night's sleep. Woke up feeling full of energy and well rested. Tomorrow I go for my first post-op visit--- excited. Can't believe it's only been a week.   Hope you all have a wonderful day!
hawyn1972

hawyn1972

2
Blog 3370
 

What did I Do to Myself?

Yep as the title states I am smack dab in the middle of buyer's remorse. I am 6 days out from surgery and down two, yes ONLY 2 pounds. My thyroid refuses to budge anymore weight off at this time. I know I should be concentrating on healing but it's still no less annoying or upsetting. I had some beef broth last night and all it did was make want to eat the roast that goes with it. I have my post-surgical follow up today with Dr. Castro. At this point I regret having done this. I continue to feel like I was pushed into this surgery for other folk's convience and the fact that we are moving cross country in the next few months. I'm not necessarily upset that I can not eat, it's the fact I miss having dinner with my family. I miss being able to console my kid if she starts crying because I am still under weight restrictions as to how heavy I can lift. I was sent home with the On Q Painbuster ball inserted into my areas near my incisions and told to take it out the next morning. I wish I hadn't listened and kept it in as it was still mostly full and I started to regret taking it out. One thing I did learn is even if you say, I changed my mind stop touching me, they will only knock you out and keep on cutting. So make damn sure you can live with this before surgery day. Some asshat who had no idea how to read my allergy bracelet put Betadine all over my stomach to prep me for surgery. I'm allergic and I've had this annyong, itching, oozing rash all over the area they sterilized with this. The most sensitve is right at the area below my breasts at the bra line, making it very uncomfortable to wear a bra or go out. I've taken Benadryl and it's helped some I've put an ointment on it and it only goes so far.   Well that's all for now. I hope everyone has a better post-op time than I have.
Carrie

Carrie

0
Blog 100212
 

copa, Dr Day

Well, today is 9-1-10, I have been thru my physcological evaluation, and today I see the doctor, not sure what's next. I was told by his assistant that I should be able to have my surgery 2-3 weeks after seeing him. So excited, and I just wish the "friends" that can be so critical and try to always discourage instead of encourage would just hush. I will let you know what my next move will be after I see my doctor.:tt2:  
copa

copa

1
Blog 94381
 

Had my first fill on 08/30/2010

Sorry I havent posted in awhile. I was very busy this last couple weeks. So no change in the scale a bit frustrating. However i have been hiking a lot 2-3 times a week and my cloths are starting to fall off of me. Its teaching me not to watch the scale to pay attention to my body and the changes its making it much more rewarding to feel sexy in my cloths then to worry about the scale.   So hiking is my new found passion my girlfriend and our kids do it together and it has been such an amazing experience :tt2: The feeling of a great work out and accomplishment when you stand at the top of the mountain and look down it is breath taking. Just bought new hiking shoes and a fanny pack ready to take on new mountains. With each mountain I climb its one more step towards my goal.
traceyna123

traceyna123

0
Blog 96969
 

Last Day of Liquid Diet before Surgery

Thank God I made it this far. It's been a long two weeks and I've been antsey all week long waiting on 9/2/2010 (my surgery date).   My friends and family are glad tomorrow is soo close because I've been a grumpy person with moderate mood swings. This is my first time to be excited to see September arrive. Yesterday, I was nervous. Today, I'm excited so tomorrow I will probably be nervous again.   I hope everyone has a great day!!   Happy September Everyone!!
Loyalfriend

Loyalfriend

3
Blog 90512
 

I guess I spoke too soon

GOOD MORNING!! Well my last post was me sobbing about not having lost hardly any weight so far...blah blah blah. Well I received my 3rd fill on 8/16 and have lost 7 pounds! That's half a month! Stepped on the scale and FINALLY reached my short term goal. I'm officially in the one hundreds at 198.8. YAY me!! :thumbup:   What's changed since my last post is well the fill of course helps a load. So I don't eat as much AND i have been on the treadmill for 30 minutes 4 times a week. I don't think I will ever be doing more than 30 minutes as I hate to work out and have to push myself everyday. But seeing these results helps me with that extra push.....new dilemma.....spending money on clothes that fit better. hahaha There's always something! :tt2:
Rubio5

Rubio5

4
Blog 90804
 

Call me Alice . . . I'm in Onederland!!

It wasn't a white rabbit I chased And there's no Cheshire Cat. The only grin is on MY face. And in this new amazing place, Each day unfolds With new possibilities to embrace. My journey began so long ago, With ups and downs, I'm sure you know. But now in ONEDERLAND, I know I will NEVER return to TWODERVILLE!!:tt2:   My husband and I were stuck in a car for several hours and got bored . .. hence the poor attempt at poetry!   I have reached onederland (granted this is my early morning, in my birthday suit weight - but I'm there!!) . . .and I know I have a long ways to go yet in onederland (I am only 4' 11"), but I am so thankful for this opportunity with the band and I'm also thankful for my new found support on this site - we all share a common journey and goal with similar highs and lows along the way - it's just great how we support each other.   So, today is a good day - hope yours is too. God bless!
marw

marw

5
Blog 3690
 

6 days out post op

6 days out from the sleeve operation and the feeling is great. the weight is coming off at a rate that im pleased with. Before surgery my weight was 302 then at the time of surgery 273. But today i woke up to 265. Yeah. Im not sore except when i go to sit down in a chair from the drain site, and even then no pain after therein the chair. This is the best thing ive done for me in a long time.:huh0:
nanas girls

nanas girls

0
Blog 93702
 

Recipe Of The Day! Chunky Sauce With Spaghetti Squash

This recipe is deliciously deceiving: Instead of starchy strands of pasta, it’s made with piles of healthy spaghetti squash, which is easily made in the microwave while you sauté turkey sausage, zucchini and onion, and chiffonade basil to layer on top. ENJOY!   Makes 6 servings   Active Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes   161 Calories Per Serving:thumbup:   http://life-after-lap-band.blogspot.com/
Debra G

Debra G

0
Blog 50043
 

ALL water weight??

i had a .6cc fill on monday morning. i was 279 then. yesterday morning i was 273. and just now im 270.   ive been on a full liquid diet (with protein powder added in) since monday. am i just losing water weight despite all the liquids im ingesting or do you think some of this is actual progress?:tt2:   whatever it is, im happy to see the numbers going down!:thumbup:
harliquinn

harliquinn

2

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