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About this blog

The weight is almost over . . .

Entries in this blog

 

A year since my last post

I really can't believe it has been a year since I updated my blog - but now that I feel pretty "normal" thinking of the lapband isn't something I do very often. I am still no where NEAR skinny - but I can shop in normal stores and I don't feel huge anymore. I am pretty happy with myself! I would love to lose 25 more pounds - but as it is - I maintain my weight and I don't have to worry or think about what I am eating - nor do I have to exercise. I hope to get back to working out - I felt better when I did. I know it is all about priorities and mine are just focused on enjoying life. I do have a fab announcement - I got a Spyder! I got my license and go everywhere on it. Love my bike!   Hope all is well in bandland!
minpinmom

minpinmom

2
 

Hello world

Hey there guys! Things are going great - I have held my own during Halloween I wanted to just maintain - but I actually lost a lb! Totally jazzed about that. I hope that keeps up for Thanksgiving. I am a baker - all the time I love to cook - and this is MY season! But Im doing awesome! :-)
minpinmom

minpinmom

2
 

It has been forever!

Hey there Band World - it has been so long since I posted on here. Things are going great - I finally lost all the weight I had gained during the un-fill for the gallbladder surgery. Took FOREVER, but I am back to my lowest weight. To tell you the truth - I am pretty darn happy! I still want to lose about 20lbs more - which is not nearly what the Dr.s would like me to lose - but I want to be in the 100s and that will get me there with enough room to spare for ups and downs. I still love my band - it doesn't work like everyone elses - I can't eat foods for breakfast ever - only liquids - for lunch sometimes real food - sometime liquids and supper is a free for all - I can eat anything in any amount. But you know what - it helps me keep from eating horrible all the time like I used to. But I can really still eat anything I want. Hope all is going well and I will post more updates soon!
minpinmom

minpinmom

14
 

Our cruise

I posted this on Myspace and thoguht you guys might find it entertaining.   Okay, so we went on our first cruise ever. It was awesome. We took the Carnival Ecstasy out of Galveston on a 5 night cruise to Mexico. It was very cheap - about 300 a person. Don't get me wrong - it was the tiniest cabins ever - but so worth it!   It was pretty cold starting off - Galveston was overcast and probably around 50 degrees. I was surprised at how many people WORK on the ship. You can't turn around without bumping into someone asking if you need help. The food was awesome - and way too much of it. If you haven't been on a cruise, everything is included but your drinks and your tips. When you board, you give them your Credit Card and they give you a Fun Pass - everything gets charged to it. The first thing they do is charge 10$ a day per person for tips (very reasonable) if you order drinks (anything other than water), they charge your card. There are a couple places where they have coffee, tea, juices, etc. buffet style - so you can get around the drink thing if you work at it.   We gambled in the casinos - watched shows, attended all sorts of events and sales and had a blast. Our first stop was Cozumel. We had pre-chosen and pre-paid for an excursion in Cozumel. A 3-reef snorkeling trip by boat. It was to take all day. They picked us up at the pier, we boarded their boat and were off. The water was so gorgeous - you could see the bottom no matter how deep. There were about 60 of us total (I think 2 boats). The guides spoke perfect English and were awesome. We stopped - got on our gear and jumped in. We swam quite a ways over some reefs and our boat caught up with us. This took about an hour or so. This is where it gets crazy.   We all get back on board and the guides start acting funny - started speaking in Spanish to each other and something just didn't seem normal. We sat there for about 15 minutes, just kind of bobbing up and down in the water when a small emergency boat comes flying up. They board and ask for a lady - her and her husband were sitting next to Eddie and I - they took her to the side, spoke to her in private, she started crying, ran over, grabbed her stuff and told us something happened to her Dad (on the other boat). Her and her husband get on the emergency boat and they speed off.   We asked the guides what happened and they said that her father had swallowed too much saltwater and they called an ambulance as a precaution - but that EVERYTHING was fine.   We continue on to our next reef. Things start getting weird again - everyone speaking Spanish - and we are going super slow in circles - they finally stop - the guides go up top (where the captain is), we all get our gear on - they come flying back down - tell us to take the gear off - that the US Embassy and the Maritime something or other said all Americans have to disembark immediately. So they take us to the nearest pier - which is in the middle of the jungle - we have to step off of the boat onto barrels to get to the shore. We are met with 5 camera crews from local news stations, police and ambulances. Our friend was there with her husband and mom. Her dad had drown and was in the ambulance. We had to walk through the jungle about a half a mile to an area where taxis could come pick us up. They took us back to the boat and refunded our money.   The family was from our ship as well. They were already taking their luggage off when we returned. Carnival was trying to keep it all hush - hush - but since we were sitting with the couple - we knew more details then most. It was really sad. We also have their disposable underwater camera - they left it when they got off our boat. Carnival wouldn't give us any information to get it back to them. I can't imagine losing a family member on vacation - I hope they are doing okay.   We spent the rest of the day shopping in Cozumel. We had lunch in Pancho's Backyard and spent too much money on souvenirs. Can you believe a bottle of Don Julio Blanco was only 30 bucks? It is well over 100 here! I was totally stoked!   We got back on the boat that night and woke up in Progresso. We took a van ride into Merida and took a tour of the city by Segway. It was the MOST fun! I loved it. I can totally rock and roll on those things. We toured a museum, had Sorbet and ended the day with a couples massage on the beach in Progresso.   The rest of the cruise we spent relaxing, gambling, shopping and eating. What fun. I did get a bit sea-sick - I had the patch - but still felt the motion of the boat mostly in the evening (I think they speed the boat up at night). The last day at sea was warm and breezy - we arrived in Galveston to near freezing temperatures! I guess that MAY be the reason we are both sick now.   If you ever get to go on a cruise - do it! And invite us - I am about ready to plan my next!
minpinmom

minpinmom

3
 

I am back, less the gallbladder :-)

Well, the drama continued until 5:30 Monday night, when I got the call that I had been approved for Dr. Spiegel to remove my gallbladder the next morning. I was so excited. We got there about 6:00, the place is freakin awesome. I got to see Dr. Davis (Big D off of Big Medicine), he has a patient in the pre-op right beside me - yes, I know I am easily amused.   Everything went fine - but I had to tell Dr. S that I was so nervous I couldn't swallow my own spit - so he unfilled me during surgery. Everything went fine, but the pain was much worse than with the Lapband. I don't know why - but I am still really hurting (1 week out). With Lapband - I was back at work in 3 days and with this I didn't go back for almost a week. Now, I am one of the ones that doesn't take pain killers - so I can truly tell when the pain is worse - and this one sucked ass.   But I am feeling better every day. I have a HUGE Christmas Party we are hosting this Saturday with 20 guests - wow, I don't know how I am going to get everything done - but it will all turn out. Everyone knows I just had surgery so hopefully they won't expect my normal gala.   I don't know how much fluid Dr.S took out - he told me - but it didn't stick with me, it was in recovery and I was busy - uhm, waking up I guess :-)   I am able to eat ANYTHING - wow, how soon did I forget to chew- chew- chew. Without the band sending me reminders - I eat just as fast as everyone else.   I have enjoyed bread. I have had a few rolls over the past week - and I even ate part of a Hamburger. I am trying to make healthy choices - but I am also trying to take advantage of the fact that for a week I can eat the things I can't eat later. Its a hard line to walk.   I go in on Thursday for my follow-up. He is planning on filling me back up - but I think I am going to see if he will wait another week - when I get in a lot of pain (usually at night after a full day of work), I feel sick to my stomach and I don't want to cause a problem with my band. I also don't want to be on liquids for my party.   Well, thats my update for now. I haven't stepped on the scale - I am still swollen and think it will just make me sad :-)
minpinmom

minpinmom

2
 

Why is this so hard?

Well, I haven't blogged in a while - things have been crazy. I am down 47 lbs! WOOHOO. But I am having problems with my gallbladder. Friday I met with a surgeon, he scheduled surgery for today - I went in on Saturday to my LapBand Dr. for an un-fill for surgery and he said HE wanted to do the surgery, he didn't want another Dr. doing it and it would give him a chance to look at my port.   So, Saturday I called the Hospital I was scheduled with and canceled the surgery, along with calling the surgeon and letting him know.   Dr. Spiegel scheduled surgery for tomorrow (Tuesday). I had to call first thing this morning to get a new referral to see him for the gallbaldder problem and call the Hospital and get my blood work trasnfered.   Wow, this is where my world gets really upside down. I get a call that Dr. S is not in network - (mind you, he did my LB in Feb). They tell me, he is in Network as a General Sugeron with a specialty in Bariatrics, but it won't be covered unless he does something with my band during the surgery.   I freak out, call his office, they say the insurance is crazy they are in-network.   So I have been playing advocate, calling everyone, trying to get any inforamtion I can. So far I haven't even been successful in getting the freakin (please substitue the actual word here:-) blood work faxed over!   On top of that, my nerves are shot - so my band was too tight to eat yesterday - I couldn't get 2 bites down and I am fasting today for the surgery tomorrow (that, lets face it, isn't going to happen)   I am pissed, I feel like I want to puke and I need a valium, which I can't take in CASE I have the allusive surgery tomorrow.   I hate insurance.
minpinmom

minpinmom

7
 

I am totally going to do it!

Okay, so I went to the 2008 National Lapband Conference in Dallas at the beginning of the month. They had all sorts of Dr.s and speakers. The coolest thing - was a Dr. who was talking about Juice Plus. It is dried fruits and veggies in a capsule, chewable, gummie, etc. He did all sorts of illustrations and said we especially need Juice Plus since we can't eat as many fruits and veggies after being banded. I was interested, but not sold yet. EVERY Dr. that got up to speak after him, said that they too personally take Juice Plus and LOVE it, okay, so I orderd some. I and my hubby have been on in for a month.   I feel better - have more energy - not a huge difference, but they said it usually takes 3 months before you start to see a huge difference.   My hubby, on the other hand, has done a complete turnaround. He has MS, and one of the things he deals with so much is feeling down, sick and fatigued. A lot of days he doesn't get out of bed, or if he does, he never leaves his recliner. (he is 33). He rarely woke up before 11 AM. If he does something (exerts energy, like work on something outside), he is down for weeks afterwards. Let me tell you, after a month, he wakes up at 8AM every morning (no alarm), he has been working around the house, (putting up rain gutters all week). I have not seen him like this in 5 years! I can't believe it. It is like a miracle. So, I think I am going to become a distributor. I have seen first hand what this stuff can do.   Who know fruits and veggies were so important!   Wish me luck!
minpinmom

minpinmom

3
 

Dallas Convention

Okay - so last weekend we had a great Lapband Convention in Dallas. Since I am in Houston, I had no excuse not to attend.   I hooked up with another gal here in Houston, we rode together and shared a room. We arrived in Dallas around 4 (I think) on Friday.   Friday night we had a meet and greet - there were about 30 people there - we had dinner (well, we had cheese, I will get to that in a few). I met a few really nice ladies and hit it off right away with them. It was really just a night of socializing. Of course, since we only ate cheese - we ended up going out for dinner with each other - it was really nice.   Dinner on Friday consisted of 3-4 kinds of cheese, crackers, pineapple and strawberries. No drinks, no meat, no nothing. It was horrible. I think it would have been a great appetizer - but it was advertised as dinner (I don't know about y'all, but I could eat my weight in cheese) I am going to explain each meal - only because it was the topic of conversation ALL weekend. Cher apologized for the meal and said she talked with the Hotel. However, the next two meals were almost equally horrible. Saturday for lunch was BETTER, I will say that, it was lunch meat, cheese, bread, chips, a dessert and iced tea. However I was near the end of the line, when I got there to make my plate there was nothing left but ham and roastbeef. No cheese, no chips, no dessert, no tea . . . you get the drift. I asked if I could have the Hotel bring out more - they said that we only paid for 40 and we only get 40. So, I had ham, by itself. Hey, at least I got my protein! That night we had the exact same thing as the first night with the addition of meatballs and chicken fingers! Can you believe that-they gave us fried chicken that was so dry - I don't know of one single person who took more than one bite. Okay, that is all I have on the food - on to the Meat of the Conference (hehe)   We had some wonderful speakers and a couple that we could have done without. We got great goody bags and they had some neat door prizes and such. There wasn't much in the way of vendors - but the Hurricane here in Houston caused some of that.   We learned a lot and socialized even more. I really think some of the ladies I met - I will know for the rest of my life. The Dr.s were very infomative and I learned about JuicePlus a supplement that I immediately bought for myself and my hubby. I really think it will do great things for us both. I am actually thinking about selling it - I feel that strongly about it. anyways, google juiceplus and see what you think.   Saturday night we had a Fall Fling - (the meatball and fried chickenstrip dinner) - We left after about an hour - no one was dancing - Cher wasn't there or I bet she would have gotten someone on the dancefloor. So we left and went clubbing. We went to see this Coverband - I can't remember the name, we had a drink and left for a hip-hop club next door. Had a freakin blast. What fun. Didn't get home till after 100 AM.   The picture was taken at the entrance of one of the clubs - what a great memory.   Our firealarm kept squealling every 30 minutes or so - we had to have the hotel people come fix it at 200AM. So we didn't get much sleep at all.   Sunday morning was nice we had a WONDERFUL LB DR. out of Houston do a support group with us - I would have paid 100 bucks just for that! He totally rocked.   We packed up and headed home. I made some great friendships and hope to do it again soon. I am attending another Seminar in Houston in November - but it isn't Lapband specific - so not sure how informative it will be.    
minpinmom

minpinmom

17
 

Another Fill from Hell Story

I guess everyone has one - but here is mine.   I went in last Wednesday for a small fill. I am great for Breakfast and Lunch, but can eat anything, in any amount for supper. So I wanted a small fill. I have a 4CC Band and I am already at 3CC.   So, I go in and they tell me (and everyone else there) that the buildings AC was damaged during the Hurricane and only the front 1/2 of the building is cooled. So we ALL pile in the check-in area. Finally, it gets so crowded I ask if I can go to the back, I don't mind if it is warm. They let me and about 1/2 of everyone else.   So it is hot and we wait and we wait. Another patient comes in from the front and says - I heard them say Dr. Spiegel is stuck in surgery and they are sending over another Dr.   No big deal I figure - he is a LapBand Dr.   So, he gets there, I go back, they say yes I can have a SMALL fill. .2 CC.   He pokes and jabs and digs and even says he can't find it because I have GAINED weight! WTF I have LOST weight since the last time I was in. Ass.   Anyway, he finally finds it after 10-15 minutes of poking and scraping the port (yes, I could totally HEAR him do it).   So, I drink my bottle of water - no problem and go home.   Next day - water seems to be going down slowly. I am on liquids for 3 days following the fill - but I can tell they are not going down as they should.   So, day 4 I am supposed to start soft foods. NOPE, nothing will go down.   By now it is the weekend - so I survive on SlimFast and juice - I know I am not going to die, I mean how many people were on liquids for weeks! So I am not in any danger, but getting a little bitchy.   So, I call this morning (Monday) and tell the staff that I refuse to be seen by anyone other than Spiegel because of the pain that I endured. So, her response - you can come in on Thursday! AND, I will have to pay a regular visit fee, + the Barium Swallow Fee because it isn't an emergency! Apparently since I don't want to go back to Dr. PAIN I am going to have to pay.   My Dr. is SO going to hear about this.    
minpinmom

minpinmom

5
 

Are you kidding me?

Okay, so I posted a while back about the allergic reaction I was having. So I finally got my referral and went to the specialist. By the time I got my approval, the reaction had gone away. However, I brought pictures . . .   You are not going to believe this.   I have something called Cold Urticaria. It is a reaction to COLD - like air conditioners, ice, fans, etc. It is very rare - but the only other case the Dr. has ever seen is another lady who had LB surgery.   Apparently - fat insulates the body and keeps it in a kind of remission. So as I lost weight, it triggered it. Now, the good news, it only reared its ugly little head because I had been sick, had other allergies at the same time and was in a cold AC. The Dr. said my immune system has to be really beat down for it to happen. Hopefully that won't "happen" again.   I thought I would share some of the pics with you guys again - in case it ever happens to any of you.   BTW, I will take allergic reactions over being Morbidly Obese any day of the week!    
minpinmom

minpinmom

3
 

Hurricane Ike

As most of you know, Hurricane Ike blew through our area with much gusto. We lost trees and power. Our power was restored on Friday night giving us power 1 week after we lost it.   We were one of the lucky families that had wonderful neighbors that gave us an extension cord to their generator so we could keep our freezers running. The last few days of no power, a friend of ours brought over her generator so we had fans and lights and such. No AC, but still - it was awesome.   Neighbors pulled together, we chopped up trees and brought grilled food to all the neighbors who were without. We had a little lady living behind us, she is 86 and by herself. We thought about her after a couple of days and I am glad we did. She was living on cold chicken noodle soup.   We grilled lunch and dinner at my house everyday. Neighbors kicked in on food and we fed lots of families.   We also went through the food/water/ice lines every day and got what we could for the neighborhood. So many families lost all the freezers.   It is amazing how something like this pulls a group together. I kinda miss the evenings in the front yard, grill burning and folks walking up and down the roads chatting with each other.   I hope that part of what Ike brought remains.   We are lucky to have power - 30% of the area is still without. Luckily, now food, generators and gas are easy to find. It was not fun to sit in a gas line for 3 hours to get a maximum of 25$ worth of fuel and then to find out they ran out.   We drove hours to find gas stations and grocery stores open. Everyone would pile into one vehicle and we would hit the road. It was so nice to find milk and BREAD :-)   Thanks everyone for the prayers - they were answered. I have included a few pictures of our neighborhood. I also have a video on myspace - you can find me by looking up Wendy Baldwin in Conroe TX   The first picture is our backyard, the second is a neighbors tree, third is a sign that was completely bent and the fourth is a car that thought it could make it through a flooded street.    
minpinmom

minpinmom

4
 

Hurricane Party

Okay - so I live like 80 miles from the Gulf Coast so we aren't in grave danger. We don't have to worry about storm surge. We do have to worry about 100 mph wind and lots of rain. However - we have gotten everything we needed to done - so I am relaxing with a nice cool beverage.   My neighborhood is mostly staying put. A lot of people boarded up their windows. We have TONS of trees - so the high wind is bound to bring some of them down. We didn't board up - hopefully the trees will miss our windows :-)   I have friends and family that are a lot closer than we are - so I hope they are safe and of course any and all of my Lapband buddies in the area.   But for now, I sit back with a nice glass of Riesling and enjoy all of my handywork. I have been a busy gal.   I hope we don't lose power till close to the end of it all - Eddie can't handle the heat with him MS - so we will end up driving to my parents an hour North if we do. They have dial up - so if we do - you sure won't hear from me for a while :-)   Anyways - I just wanted to give a shout out to my friends in the danger zone and let everyone know we will be hunkered down.   Stay safe, dry and wear lots of hairspray!  
minpinmom

minpinmom

2
 

Walk for Eddie

Some of you guys don't know me, so a little history. My husband Eddie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004. It has been very difficult. MS is considered a Terminal Illness, not the best news for someone in their 20s. He is currently Medically Retired from the USAF with 100% disability. He is now 32 and living day by day. Some days, he does great - you couldn't tell he was affected. Other days, he stays in bed. We take each day given to us.   Anyways, to raise money and awareness for the disease, I am doing a MS Walk this year. Below is the information - I copied the body of the email I am sending out.   To all my friends and family,   All of you know our struggle with MS. Each year there are MS Walks all over the country. This year I have decided I would walk for Eddie. My Mom is going to join me, along with Sasha (one of our dogs) on Saturday, September 27th in The Woodlands.   I am asking for donations of any size. This is a great cause that affects us deeply. Here is the link if you would like to donate online, if you would rather write a check, either send me an email or give me a call and I will be more than happy to come pick it up. Here is the link to donate online. (you will have to copy and paste link, lapbandtalk won't let it link) http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Eddie.Baldwin   (below is the suggested details I include - I didn't want to leave anything out - so I included it as well)   Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. That's why I registered for the MS Walk and that's why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax-deductible donation.   The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can't do it without our help. It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important to me. Simply click on this link:   (you will have to copy and paste link, lapbandtalk won't let it link)   http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/Eddie.Baldwin   Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.   P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Walk are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit Home : National MS Society.   Thanks so much,   Wendy Baldwin - walking for Eddie Baldwin  
minpinmom

minpinmom

10
 

Ugh

It spread to my neck. They started me on a steroid pack today - I don't feel like I am banded at all - I am starving - and eating like crazy. I feel very little restriction. I am super swollen - I hope that is what the weight gain is. I had gained 7 lbs when I went to the dr. today. I am trying to eat healthy. Okay - so the brownies weren't healthy - but they were low fat   The steroids make me feel like I am running out of my skin. I feel like a humming bird. A huge freaking spotted humming bird. :-) The steroids are helping. I take 6 doses today. Everytime I take a dose - the bumps go away for a couple of hours. Hopefully it will get rid of them totally soon.   Funny - at the Dr.s office - little kids were pointing and talking about me - and I knew it wasn't because I was fat! I guess you had to be there - in the elevator - I got in and everyone moved to the other side :-) too funny.   I almost wish I was contagious!  
minpinmom

minpinmom

5
 

Whats red and white and itchy all over?

WENDY   Okay, so on Thursday evening my hands started itching and got red. Then, my arms, feet, knees and legs. Soon I was covered with red whelps.   I have never been allergic to anything - but something has changed. I started taking Benadryl (which knocks me smooth out) and putting Cortisone Creams on. It helped, but it would come back after about 3 hours.   I called my Dr. Friday morning (they are only open a 1/2 day on Fridays) The nurse said to continue doing what I was doing, that it should go away - if it gets worse, to go to the afterhours clinic.   It got worse. :-)   So, this morning I went to the clinic. They gave me a sterroid shot and warned me that it would cause me to be very hungry - she said most people gain a FEW pounds with them. That is just what I need.   She also gave me a sterroid pack to take home and get filled on Tuesday if I am not significantly better by Tuesday. I am also taking Zyrtec (double dose), Claritin (double dose) and Pepcid AC (which I thought was weird, but she said it contains an anti-hystimine).   I got home, took an oatmeal bath and the spots started going away.   That was around noon.   They are coming back.   Ugh.   So, I guess I will continue what I am doing and hope for the best.   I thought I would include a few pics for you guys to share in my pain :-)
minpinmom

minpinmom

6
 

A quiz about me

Sometimes: I get mad just to get mad     No one realizes:   It is hard to be me   I am so: glad I had the Lap Band   People think: I am crazy for having so many dogs   Tonight I: Will watch TV with Eddie   It is hard to believe: I am wearing size 16   I realized that: I may never see myself as anything but heavy   More than before: I wonder if I will regret not being able to have kids   Obviously: I wish I could start over at age 20   I can't stop: Obsessing with the scale     Nothing matters if: I didn't have my Eddie   All I want is: Enough money, or a job to provide enough money to be stable   Without even thinking: I know how many calories are in almost everything!   It is clear to me that: People judge you no matter what size you are   I dont know: What other people see when they look at me   The only way: My way :-) sorry, but its true   Its hard to tell: What others really think   The only person: in this room with me is Piper - my dog   It kills me that: Eddie has a Terminal Illness   If I were: able to make my parents live forever I would   It is not that I: Am vain, I just want to know what THIN feels like My life: Seems to be easier than most   One thing I know is: I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband   I would never: Say I told you so   I can not stand: When people are late   Im sick of: The Texas Heat of Summer   Im afraid of: Losing someone I love   The best: Is yet to come   Its weird that: I just recently started using Myspace   I do not have enough: Self-esteem   I need: Clean House   I love: My family, friends and dogs   I tried: to ride on the back of Eddie's Motorcycle - but I really need a sissy bar   I am starting to: Take SCUBA lessens   For some reason: I worry so much about what other people think - Everyone has to like me   I should: Finish College   I cant: Stand Spiders, snakes and ticks   Tomorrow: Zoe has a Vet's appointment   I cant wait until: We can travel more   I miss: Chris, Stacey, Jodi, Tina and Alisa   I always: Show up 10 minutes early   My parents: Are the best parents in the world   Someone: Lives too far away - ROBIN   My friends: Always make me feel better   Valentines Day: Is a great date night   Parties: Have too many people   Why can't: I get motivated to go back to school   I dont want: To be different   I have to: CLEAN HOUSE!   I will never: Give up on Medical Science   Marriage: Isn't just for the good days.   Children: Make the world fun   It seems like: Time goes by much faster now than ever before   I dread: Making mistakes   School: Uhm, I need to go back, but feel like I am way too old   The best food: Mexican   Eventually: I will buy a purse for my concealed carry   Everyday: I have to try to eat right and workout   Rarely: Do I get angry   I still cannot decide: Who else I want to go to the Toby Keith Concert with me   I am hoping: My job to get busier   The suspense: Is killing me   It turns out: Life isn't over at 30   Everything: Happens for a reason   Wendy
minpinmom

minpinmom

1
 

Picture Comparison 38lbs down

I got a new shirt and made the hubbs take some new pics of me. They turned out really good. It is funny - used to I never believed I looked as bad as I did or as fat as I did in pictures. Now I can't believe I look as good as I do in the pictures.
minpinmom

minpinmom

10
 

Its been a while

Hey guys, I am normally so good at keeping up with my Blog, but lately life has been hectic.   I am doing great, I have lost 38lbs in 6 months. :-) My last fill took me to 3CC in a 4CC band and I finally got restriction. I have so much restriction in the morning that it takes me 30 minutes to finish a drink. For lunch I have perfect restriction - I can eat just a few bites and I am stuffed. For Supper - I can eat anything and in any amount. It just happens to be my window where the band is wide open. I know my Dr. won't give me another fill because of how tight I am in the morning, so I am learning to live with it. I have wonderful help from the band for 2 out of 3 meals a day. That is more than any diet program ever gave me :-)   To tell you the truth, I am so happy with my results - never in my life have I been able to lose this much weight and keep it off. To be totally truthful, I have never been able to lose ANY weight and keep it off. Thank you BAND!   I no longer snore, I have gone from wearing size 24 (sometimes bigger) to wearing a 14-16 top and 18 bottoms (sometimes 16!) I feel so much better. I can do anything without getting winded. I feel like a total success.   However, I still don't feel any "thinner". I still feel like a fat person, just a smaller fat person. It is hard to explain. I am much smaller - but I still have all the problem areas as I did before, they are just smaller. I will take smaller any day.   My blood pressure is back down to wear it was most of my life 105/60 and my resting pulse went from 125 to 90.   Thank you band! I think it is time to give you a name!
minpinmom

minpinmom

2
 

More before and during pictures

Here are a few comparisons. (Notice I finally bought new shorts!) These are the day before surgery and 5 months, 35lbs down. The face shots are some old ones with some current ones - not sure of dates.
minpinmom

minpinmom

6
 

More Scar Stages

Hey guys, here is my latest scar update. The one between my boobs has completely disappeared.
minpinmom

minpinmom

4
 

Finally the Video from the MinPin Nationals!

Hey gang - I have been not so patiently awaiting the arrival of the DVD from this years Miniature Pinscher National Competition. I finally got it! I edited it so it is just a 30 second clip of Piper and I. Hope you enjoy!  
minpinmom

minpinmom

3
 

This years Lapband convention

I am so excited. I have made my reservations and registered for the event. This is going to be so much fun. I may have even found a gal to carpool with! Here is the information in case you haven't seen it. 2008 National Lap-band Conference Update     Early bird special is expiring on July 15, 2008 don't wait book today!!   New Speakers added and someone will have the opportunity to win a "Lap-band" Surgery via a raffle.   2008 National LAP-BAND Conference- LIVE and In Person For Pre-ops, Post-ops, Family, and Friends... Dallas Texas, October 3-5, 2008   We'll focus on "Living the LAP-BAND Lifestyle"so your Transformation gives you more Results, Support and Success:   Friday 6-9pm- Meet and Greet at the hotel -(buffet included)plus cash bar Saturday 8am-5pm- Registration and Conference (lunch included) Saturday night 8pm-midnight- "Fall Fling" (dinner included) dancing plus cash bar Sunday 9am-11am- Successful Post-Op's share their stories   Wyndham Hotel is our host hotel- We have made arrangements with the hotel to only charge us $99.00 a night for single, doubles or quads.   To make your reservation please call 877-999-3223 use "Banded Together" for the discount.   Speakers   Mary Jo Rapini- Body Image and Sexuality Cher Ewing- Is your band failing you or are you failing your band? (My Story) Dr. Sina Matin- Educating your support system Dr. Frank Veninga- Importance of Aftercare Dr. Jonathan Heistein- Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kevin Prentice- Health & Transformation Chiropractor Diane Wallace RD- Master Centers Dietitian Kat Winegar M.E.S- Banded Personal Trainer Chef Leslie Moore- Banded Chef will share band friendly recipes   We will also have people volunteer to receive a make-over and then we will choose three people via random draw to receive a make-over after the Saturday event and before the Fall Fling (should be fun).   Other exciting events planned Clothing Exchange
Raffle for a LAP-BAND Surgery
Professional Photographer
Dancing with Too Smooth
Before and After Slide Show
This live event is going to be life changing; you will meet people who are taking the same journey you are, meet professionals who want you to be successful. After the conference you will feel rejuvenated, inspired, and empowered to embrace every change you are going to experience during your LAP-BAND journey.   Please check back often to see what speakers and vendors have been added to the venue.   2008 National LAP-BAND Conference (Early Bird Special) pay before July 15, 2008 $100.00 after July 15, 2008 the cost will be $150.00
minpinmom

minpinmom

5
 

30 lbs

I can't believe it. I am down 30 lbs in less than 5 months! I no longer snore, I can exercise as much as I want without feeling like I am going to die. I can wear clothes that I thought I could never wear. I feel better about myself.   I believe I have restriction. I had my last fill on Wednesday, July 9th. I just started soft foods and def feel something :-)   I hope restriction will help me lose more, but to tell you the truth, if the LapBand merely kept the 30 lbs off that I have lost, I would consider the surgery a complete success!   I feel so much healthier and happier. I feel a bit selfish praying for restriction and begging God for more weight loss.   I am going to continue my journey, I want to feel what being normal feels like. But, I hope I can think about how much better life already is.  
minpinmom

minpinmom

3
 

75% Full

Okay, so I had my 5th or 6th fill today. I was at 2.6CC in a 4CC Band. My Dr. requires a Barium Swallow before each fill. So, I went in, told the gal doing the Xray, that I have ZERO restriction. After the Swallow, she agreed, she pulled up the stills and showed how the liquid went straight through, it didn't slow down or anything. She also showed me how wide my opening is, she said most people the opening is so small it looks closed on the xray.   So, at this point I am getting a bit nervous thinking maybe I have a leak. I haven't really had any restriction ever - and I have had lots of fills.   I go in and sit on the table. Dr. Spiegel comes right in and said he just reviewed my xray and is amazed that I don't have any restriction yet. So, he starts to give me a fill and pulls out all the liquid to make sure there isn't a leak. There wasn't. All 2.6 was in there.   He said I am one of the few people that he has seen that has a super thin upper stomach. He gave me a whoppin' .4 to bring me up to 3CC. He said at this level that is a very liberal fill. He said for me not to worry, he has yet to find someone who he can't get as tight as they want.   So, I am on liquids for the next 3 days, then soft foods for 3 days. I can't wait to try and eat something to see if I have restriction!   Keep your fingers crossed for me, I don't want to be the first person who is filled to the brim and has 0 restriction! I like making headlines, but not like that!    
minpinmom

minpinmom

7
 

Being sick sucks & upcoming fill

I am pretty much over it now, but I got sick over the 4th of July weekend - and couldn't go to the gym and workout. I usually go everyday, rarely missing 1 day a week. I missed 4 or 5 days in a row and it was SO hard going back.   I am doing the Couch to 5K program and I have to repeat week 1, I didn't get to finish it last week. I feel like such a loser!   Not really, I am just bummed that I am behind on working out. I can't believe I am saying this, coming from someone who NEVER workedout a day in her entire life! I can't believe how lazy I was!   I get my 5th or 6th fill tomorrow. I am really hoping for some real restriction. I have run out of willpower. I need some help. I can eat anything, just like before. I chew very well because I am scared of PBing, but tonight I had Ribeye steak, baked potato and corn on the cob. I still try to keep my calories low, but damn it is getting hard.   Please oh please let me get restriction tomorrow!
minpinmom

minpinmom

1
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