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Blog 36634

A blog by Ollie123 in General

  • Entries

    25

  • Comments

    48

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    3912

About this blog

A weight loss surgery blog by Ollie123 on BariatricPal. 25 entries on surgery, recovery and progress.

Entries in this blog

The rings comes off...

In June, just 3 short months ago I blogged about not being able to get a ring off my right hand for many years. My doctor said they could cut it off as it was restricting my blood flow especially when retaining water.   I patiently waited. Every week trying to see if it would budge, a little soap..Nope. A little oil..Nope. Icing the finger...Nope. Wrapping dental floss tightly around the finger to then slide off...Nope.   Well...Drum roll. I just washed my hands and decided to twist away and

Stress can wear you down..

I'm 3/4 of the way through September and had lost 2 more pounds but gained back three!   I keep wondering what I'm doing differently and have determined EVERYTHING!   I stopped exercising, I stopped counting protein and calories, I started drinking high calorie libations, I started making excuses for eating cake and ice cream, blah, blah , blah...   Since my last blog I've enjoyed three family birthdays.   I've dealt with the death of family member.   I've learned new software at work

Summer's over already?

This has been the best summer in 5 years!   My highlights included wearing shorts and a swimsuit on multiple occassions and actually swimming while I was at the pool.   My hubby and I enjoyed several concerts including an outdoor concert that I wore a sundress.   I visited Las Vegas and walked every morning that I was there at least 4 miles. I have ridden my bike over 325 miles and walked over 138 since June 1st.   I've had an energy level and a renewed interest in life after losing 25

Plateau finally broken...hallelujah!

"Muscle weighs more than fat." Do you know how many times I've heard that in the month of July? Too many. But finally that wicked scale finally threw me a bone and dropped by two pounds. I'm now under 240.   Now, I'm not whining although it sounds like it. I have biked over 170 miles since July 3rd. So I deserved to drop at least 5 pounds in my mind. Don't you agree? Yes, the inches are dropping off too but I'm yet to drop a full size so that will be the telling moment.   Everyday I jump on

"Lightening Up Sale!"

So with all my newly acquired energy I have undertaken a Garage Sale this weekend.   As I strolled through my house plucking pictures from the wall, clothing from my closet, knick-knacks, furniture, dishes, jewelry, you name I have it and I'm tired of it.   Where in the world did all this excess baggage come from? My daughter made the comment, "Yeah Mom..you're lightening up!" As she encouraged me to get rid of the stuff she calls clutter.   I'm going to start a new rule at my house that w

Remember what you use to do with your legs?

Today as I was bicycling to work I saw a small girl running and it got me thinking about how strong children's legs are and subsequently how weak mine felt at that very moment due to a large hill I had just crested.   When I was a child these were my favorite things I used my legs for without knowing how much stronger they were making me.   leg wrestling Hanging from jungle gym cartwheels splits back handsprings riding a bike 50 yard dash climbing trees balance beam roll

60 days after surgery..What have I learned?

Although I wouldn't admit it, I think I felt that I would be "the one" that my weight would magically melt off after receiving my first fill. Guess what, it has not.   I now have 6.2 cc's in my band and struggle to eat some foods. I have had several PB episodes primarily because of acquired "bad" eating habits which include trying to enhale my food without chewing it and taking too big of bites for my own good. I feel restriction finally and it has helped me a great deal not to overeat.   As

Went to my first Support group last night

Went to my first Support group last night where we had a guest speaker; clinical phychologist who specializes in Weight Loss Counseling.   Best information I took away was learning to live your life today, not waiting for that "day" when you finally reach your goal. I seem to daydream about that day as if it will change my life. I'll wake up that day and be someone else. I'm starting to "get" what she means.   Tonight is "Girls Night Out" and I always look forward to some time with the girls

Did I ever mention that I hate that thing you step on and wait for a number?

I HATE SCALES!   So I've been exercising for 5 weeks without fail. Sometimes walking 5 miles a day, other times riding my bike for 10 miles. Each day I strip down, tip-toe my way onto that scale waiting for my prize. URGH!!!! I gained?     So the Dr. and everyother human being has reminded me that muscle weighs more than fat...How much more? Jeeze, I must be solid muscle by now and the fat should be dripping off me. Patience, patience... I'M NOT Patient!   Ok, so tomorrow when I get on

Going to Daytona Beach in November and will be wearing a skimpy suit!

I just confirmed a week's vacation with my hubby, son and daughter to spend Thanksgiving on the beach this year. This will be unusual for me as I usually host the big family dinner with 30 plus people and enough food to feed 60 which results in a 4 day feeding frenzy.   I'm glad we're doing something a little less traditional this year as I hope to break some of my Holiday habits...gaining 5-10 pounds.   What do I plan to do in Daytona? Swim, walk the beach, ride bicyles, dancing at night cl

Lean and green Club...Riding my bike to work 2 times a week

Today I accomplished a major milestone for me. I rode my bike to work with was over 8 miles. It took me approximately 45 minutes with one stop for a drink of water.   I really didn't think I could do it. First, I tried to talk myself out of it thinking I'd be too sweaty, and look terrible all day at work which is not optimal at my job. Then one of my co-workers rode and challenged me to. I'm a sucker for a challenge so this morning I woke up, took a shower, packed my backback with a knit dress

Bicycling again.. http://www.mapmyride.com/training

OMG! I had forgotten how fun it is to get on your bike and just ride. No destination, no goal, just cruise.   I now have the energy to bike for a hour at a time which can take you miles from home. Each time I hit a hill I have to count to 20, over and over again to make it to the top but with each wheel rotation I can feel the calories burning and my heart getting stronger.   I found this website that helps you find bike paths in your community and can chart your progress, count the calories

Entertaining for the 4th of July

I really haven't felt like entertaining for a very long time but I'm raring to go again. Now that my energy level is back up and I've actually cleaned every nook and cranny in my house let the entertaining begin!   We plan to have two couples over for the 4th. Planning a menu that's perfect for me appears to be easier than I thought. My hubby plans on grilling brats and chicken breasts. A great fresh salad and slurpy watermelon sounds perfect with a couple of lemonade martinis.   I also now

Setting a timer...Works for children, how about adults?

This morning after completing my walk I decided to set a timer to complete some chores before going to work. I set the stove timer to one hour, put in some music and promised myself not to slow down for one hour.   Did it work? Why yes it did. I used to set timers for my children that are now grown and it worked famously. I'm beginning to understand that I'm having to retrain my brain to stay active and become a energized person rather than a lazy one which I've accomplished over the last few

Giving up multiple Vices all at one time?

I was injured in a car accident 3 years ago and due to the chronic neck pain I was taking Hydrocodone for 3 years daily. I actually took them during the day to get me through the long hours at the office along with muscle relaxers. Thank goodness my Cervical Fusion in March relieved the pain, pressure and dull ache I woke to everyday. I was finally able to eliminate the fog the medication caused and haven't had to take either medication for over two months.   Prior to my LB surgery I also gave

Still waiting for my unexpected gift of a 5 pound loss

So it's now been 35 days since my surgery and although happy I've lost weight I'm sensing I'm getting to that place in the "Dieting" plan that I would historically have given up.     I have always had the tendancy to compare my progress with others. I just left the Chat room and learned that another Bandster (male) that had surgery 1 week after mine had lost 35 pounds. He said he's averaging 5 pounds a week. What's wrong with me? I've been fighting to lose 17 pounds in 7 weeks?   I'm very h

When I said I do...

Saw Clint Black at an outdoor concert this weekend with my hubby of 27 years.   When we first met we liked Rock and Roll, I'm talking Pink Floyd, Moody Blues and Yes.   As all relationships change so do tastes in music. When my husband started listening to Country Music I was shocked to say the least. When I asked him why he started listening to Country he said he felt the lyrics were more real and he could identify with them.   About ten years ago we went through a really tough time in ou

When I said I do...

Saw Clint Black at an outdoor concert this weekend, yeehaw! Ok. So maybe some of you are not Country fans? At the time that my husband and I married 27 years ago we were Pink Floyd and Moody Blues fans.   Somewhere along the way my hubby who back then had long hair started to like and listen Country Music I couldn't believe it as you couldn't pay him to listen to it when we first met?   When I asked what he liked about the artists he said they have more to say in their lyrics about the com

Down 17 lbs and feel like cleaning house?

Ok. Has anyone been through the nesting phase?   I started cleaning my house yesterday at 7am. First the bathrooms, on to the dusting and I mean oiling the furniture including the kitchen cabinets. I took a break to have a protein shake and wipe the sweat away but then it hit me like a freight train... I must clean the windows, scrub the kitchen floor, and rearrange the laundry room.   On to the bedroom where I cleaned my everything including my closet? I was possessed!   I finally put the

Cut the ring off my finger or lose weight

Many years and pounds ago my very sweet husband purchased a Mother's ring for me. He commissioned to have it made from a small jeweler and asked that the birthstones of our children, his and my birthdays; Citrine, Emerald, Sapphire and Peridot, be surrounded by two rings of gold.   I remember when he gave it to me. We took a Ski trip to Winter Park, CO, where he surprised me over the Christmas Holiday. He was so proud to give it to me as I was to receive it.   Now twenty years later, the ri

Walking 1,2,3

Why is it when I think about exercising I find so many "excuses" not to follow through. Here are my best:   1. I'm so busy, hard to find time... Reality- I'm blogging right now?   2. I'm so tired after working 8 hours... Reality- I feel energized after walking   3. My ankles swell after walking... Reality- My heart swells from not walking   4. It's too hot... Reality- I love the sun   5. It's too cold... Reality- I love to ski in wintry conditions   6. No one will walk with me.

5 days to go before my first fill, Yikes! Can I wait that long?

Ok. So the first month was not such a breeze as I expected?   What did I expect? I wanted to be down 20lbs, perhaps one size? Instead after the scale kept jumping around, initially losing 15 lbs then regaining 4 after I started to exercise and now down again by 2 pounds leaving me at a net loss of 13. But I'm down so this is good.   My Dr. told me that the two weeks before your first fill was the hardest because you have the band but no restriction and can eat solid food again. So why don't

Happy Memorial Day

My first Memorial day after having lap-band surgery and a befitting day for memories.   I lost my father on this day 15 years ago from Congestive Heart Failure. He struggled with multiple strokes and many more lung disorders some caused by smoking and others genetic. I miss him dearly and hope by having this surgery I will give the gift of "time" to my children and their children some day.   I'm heading back to work tomorrow and trying out some of my newly acquired eating habits, 1200 calori

34 hours and counting down....

My surgery date is just around the corner. In the last week I've found so much strength and comfort with this website. I hope others are as lucky as I to have found this site prior to their surgery.   Today I had the Last Supper Syndrome. I chose Carlos O'Kelly's for a Santa Fe Chicken Salad for my last sensible meal before my clear liquids start tomorrow morning.   I'm ready.

One week and counting, a very long journey

Today is Wednesday, May 14th and I'm one week out from my surgery. I started my journey 2.5 years ago when my sister was banded. Jealousy immediatley deployed me to the internet to learn more about this procedure, combing through everyone's stories wondering if I could finally accomplish the one goal I haven't been able to tackle, a healthy state of being.   During my gestation period (pre-banding) I've learned a lot about myself. I love food so much that the glaring "red flags" from the Docto

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