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Blog 37200

A blog by cherieinnv in General

  • Entries

    24

  • Comments

    58

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    4365

Entries in this blog

Third Fill

Thanks for the encoragement, Michellelei!   It wasn't as bad as I thought. I only gained 2 1/2 lbs. Dr. Teng gave me a lecture, though. He said I'm the quarterback of the team and I have to be willing to go for the touchdown/   My 3rd fill was a little bit more intense than the first two. I asked the doctor to be more aggressive, he said no, but then said he put in so much it was squirting back out. For the first time, I could hear gurgling when I drank the water. I was able to drink coffee

Third Fill Tomorrow

I see my surgeon tomorrow for my 3rd fill. I was banded 5 months ago and have gained some weight back. I don't think the doctor is going to be very happy with me, but I have next to no restriction except on the day I have a fill. Yes, I stopped going to the gym and have been eating too much.   I'm hoping that this 3rd fill actually makes a difference on how much I can eat. Dr. Teng is very conservative with fills and I am going to ask that he get more aggressive this time. If I could only drin

1 lb away from 50!

I'm so excited! I am only 1 lb away from the 50-lb mark. I got my 2nd fill today and the surgeon said I was "right on track." I lost 30 lb before the surgery so "only" 19 since surgery on June 27, 2008, but I am happy that the scale is finally moving again. It was almost comical how it never budge from 269. I am staying home from the gym tonight but have been going religiously, which helps with the stress and mood. I am also doing well with "head hunger" since I started researching food addictio

There's a pattern here

OK, I've identified a pattern. I do well for a week or two, go to the gym, eat right, lose weight. Then I lose my grip and stop going to the gym, eat too much, eat chocolate, gain a few.   WHAT IS MY PROBLEM?   Tonight, I argued with myself as I drove home from work. I could have gone to the gym but I couldn't decide and then I was past the exit.   I like the support group I found but can't remember when it meets. Hopefully, I'll find info here.   People at work got laid off today. I'm s

Lots of changes

I haven't posted in over a month, but my life is changing and I am working hard to keep up my progress, since I had a few hard weeks.   I started eating bad stuff around my bday (cake, etc.) and my blood sugar went high for the first time since surgery. I forgot how sick I used to feel! It scared the hell out of me and I am being a very conscientious eater now, going to the gym, etc.   I got my first fill last week and I can feel the difference. Right after the fill, I tried to eat a small s

Two steps backward

I have really had a bad two weeks. I did great with weeks 1 and 2, but once I could eat "real food" I started overeating, even when it hurt. I don't seem to have any restriction and I know this is "bandster hell" but I am unhappy with myself. I gained weight back and went into a major depression, which I am just overcoming.   I know this is a learning experience but I didn't expect it to be so hard. I wanted to be one of those inspiring people, and here I am falling on my face. Well, all I can

Full liquids

I am so much happier on full liquids. I enjoy having soup. I found a really good Campbell's soup (in a box) that is red pepper and black bean. It was delicious!   I go back to work tomorrow. Sigh...but the routine will do me good. I just wish I had more energy. But I can't hide out in my apartment forever!   I drank V-8 today and it tasted really good. I am drinking a protein drink for lunch (Novarti) that is for bariatric patients. It tastes pretty good but I can only make it last 30 mins.,

Testing the Band--Bad Idea

Before I had the band, I read posts where people were testing their bands, and I thought I'd never do this. I was wrong. Yesterday, I ate a bite of my son's Hot Pocket, 1 M&M at the movies (ate around the peanut and threw it away), 2 cups of sf pudding. Looking at this list, it doesn't seem horrible, and nothing made me throw up or got stuck, but I woke up feeling a little blue. I IM'd a friend this morning who said :Don't stretch the pouch!" and I gave myself a talking-to. I went through al

Cleaning Day

I think I am up to cleaning house today. I am 6 days post-op and have little pain and little hunger. I crave foods like crazy--right now it's a tuna melt-- but will try to make it through the week on clear liquids, though I started adding a small protein shake in the evening for comfort and protein.   I am going to have to get out all my boxed up clothes and see what I have in the next size. I hope my daughter doesn't hate me but I may raid her closet once in awhile and see if anything fits. I

Hard Day

Today was a hard day. I thought I had low blood sugar but it checked at 122, so it may be low blood pressure. I drank a bottle of Special K water and felt better, and made sure to take my multi and iron today.   I see Dr. Teng Wednesday for my followup visit. I feel like I am doing everything right, so no fears. My post surgery weight is back to my presurgery weight (swelling is going down) and I hope to see losses again soon, but I am so happy to be 30 lbs thinner and to have come through th

I'm Banded!

I'm home. I think I am doing great, although energy level is waaaay down. I am able to sleep lying down, but alternate between bed and recliner (pillows behind back feel great!)   My surgery went well and they took me in 5 mins after I got there, and I got there 25 mins early. They prepped me right away and then there was some waiting before the tw Dr. Teng's came in--one brother is the surgeon and the other is the anesthesiologist. I don't remember the anesthesia at all! The last thing I kind

Last Blog Entry Before Banding

I leave for the hospital at noon. A friend is driving me. I can't eat or drink but brushed teeth twice and am rinsing mouth. Yes, I am nervous but have faith in my surgeon, Dr. Teng. My daughter is sleeping; we hugged goodbye last night. My son is at summer school. I'll call him from the hospital.   I'm not taking much to the hospital. They have gowns you can put on like a robe and booties, although my sandals can be worn like slippers. I am taking a change of clothes, 2 books, my cell phone,

2 days to go!

I can't believe I am getting banded in 2 days. After all the waiting and paperwork and qualifying...it is almost here.   I am calmer now and am having some fun with my "look." I cut my hair short and it looks much healthier. I also bought some new eye makeup and experimented.   I spent 4 hours today at the hospital, talking to the head of the bariatric program, doing tests like peeing in a cup and having blood drawn and another EKG. I panicked for a minute because I didn't know the hospital

Embarrassed by Bad Day

I didn't post yesterday because I went into some kind of downward spiral. I am supposed to be on the preop diet but my son wanted to go out to breakfast with me. He is 12 and I am happy whenever he wants to spend time with me. So we went to our favorite breakfast place and I had a very unhealthy breakfast, and I'll admit, I really enjoyed it. I found out my son loves US history and is a wealth of information about all wars. It was wonderful! But then I grocery shopped and bought things "the kids

Mutating

Today is the first day I see a difference in my face since I started losing weight. I don't look puffy or as old. I'll admit, I stood and looked for a minute or two. I've spent so many years NOT looking. I look at my hair to brush it, my teeth to floss, my blouse to see if it is buttoned right. But I avoid the big (really big) picture. Today, I met my eyes in the mirror and saw someone I remember looking back. This is a good thing since I am a little worried about losing myself. I've been chubby

Pregnancy test????

The good news is that I lost 2 more lbs! I had my last exam today and found out I have a hiatal hernia that needs to be repaired. I have my doubts since I have no reflux. The surgeon told me and another patient that we couldn't gain any weight between now and the surgery or he wouldn't operate. Or at least not more than 5 lbs. I don't plan to gain weight but I'll admit it was motivating.   Oh, here's something funny. One of the tests on the list for the hospital is a pregnancy test! What a wa

Zip Fizz really does FIZZZ!

A friend bought a drink mix called Zip Fizz and gave me a few packets to flavor my disgusting vanilla protein drinks. I was sitting at my desk at work and put water, protein powder, and Zip Fizz in my shaker cup, gave it a dozen shakes, then started to unscrew the top. My pink drink fizzed out all over my hand and the carpet. Gee, I wonder if that's why they call it Zip FIZZ? The drink that was left tasted OK, but I still prefer Special K powder drink mix as an "additive" for flavor.   Thanks

Products from GNC and a Laugh

I went to GNC today and found a liquid Amino protein that is going to help me get the protein I need after surgery. They also have herbal liquid iron, which claims not to constipate. I also bought the Trader Joe's soy protein powder in vanilla. Yuck! Chalky! I added Wyler's Lite fruit punch to make it easier to swallow. I may just stick to soy milk and add the amino protein. It HAS to taste better. I made a mistake today and tried to eat just protein drinks and ended up losing control an

Crazy countdown

I am feeling like a lunatic this weekend. I can't focus on anything and am shopping like a nut. Nothing too outgrageous, but I don't act like this. I've bought 3 pairs of flip flops, sports sandals, a lounging gown that I plan to wear home from the hospital, a new fan for the living room, protein powder, more broth, liquid Tylenol, Gas-x strips, weird cream soups, baby oatmeal, food I hate that my kids can eat, and other stuff. I keep forgetting to eat, which isn't good for a diabetic.   OK, f

22 pounds down and 2 weeks to go!

I lost another pound and broke 290 today. Hurray! This is my reward for only eating 2 small bites of pizza last night when I ordered it for the kids. I am getting to be an expert salad maker.   I am alternating eating protein shakes one day and solid foods the next, and this seems to be working for me. If I get hungry, I drink a can of V8 or have the Special K powder drink, which does help cut my hunger. I like the fruit flavor and mix it with my protein powder and water and it tastes good. I'

Weekends

It's the weekend and I'm going to try to ramp up my weight loss by just drinking protein drinks (1200 cals). If I am starving, I will eat some veggies.   I told my son (12) yesterday about my surgery, just in case anything goes wrong, also to explain why I am not eating much. He was not happy to hear I wouldn't be his big, cuddly mom anymore and asked if I would become anorexic. He offered to stay with me after my surgery, but I said I'll just want to sleep and be bitchy. I also don't want to

Stuck again...

I was so happy to break my last plateau and hit the 20-lb loss, but now I'm stuck again. I got on the scale today, expecting a loss, but I was where I was 4 days ago. BIG SIGH! Oh well, I'm excited that my new friend Mary is having her surgery tomorrow.   I think I am about to get really serious and start on just protein shakes for the 2 weeks before surgery. Yikes! It's almost here. I feel like food is losing it's hold on me. At work today they had a free cookout and I decided to take my lun

Jumping Ahead a Little

I started that detailed journal (previous blog entries) weeks ago. Things have changed a lot. I have a surgery date: June 27th. Yahoo! But the weirdest thing happened, as soon as I got the date, I was nervous as hell. But that, too, has passed. I have met Mary, and am happy to have a "band buddy." She has her surgery next Thursday and it is nice to be able to reassure someone else! She is kind enough to have offered to drive me to the hospital and stay with my daughter, who wants to come with, t

And the Band Plays On...

And the Band Plays on…   DAY 1:   Today isn’t really Day 1. It took me 2 years to decide to have gastric band (lap-band) surgery. I’m well into the process, too. I’ve attended Dr. Teng’s (surgeon) seminar, which was like a cattle call of the morbidly obese, plus some folks who looked just plump to me. I had my first consultation with the very pleasant and to-the-point doctor, who says I can get down to 165 (!!!!). I had a very intrusive but enlightening psychological profile. I’ve met with a

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