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Oh, so much...

I haven't posted in a long time...first, I was busy with the crazy holiday season at work. Then I went to England for Christmas. I actually got a fill the day before I was flying overseas! Not recommended, by the way! I hardly ate anything before I got on the plane and not quite half the (awful) meal on the plane. Mainly drank water the whole time. But it wasn't until after I landed that I really felt the restriction! I got to my in-laws' house and my husband's mom had prepared this huge meal! Ugh!! Roast chicken, veggies, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes...I ate some of the chicken and some of the veggies...and then had to throw up! It was awful. I was so tight from the pressure on the plane, I guess. It was just that one day, but wow...rough at first!   Well, I lie...it was rough food-wise the whole time! His mom cooks the most rich food you can imagine!! And even though my portions were smaller, it was packed full of fat (I'm sure) and carbs and generally good-tastin' stuff! Ha! I gained about 4 pounds in the 2 weeks I was there! When I got home, though, I had the WORST cold/flu I've ever had and lost it all in 3 days.   On the 3rd day after I got home, I got a text message from my husband's mom saying Mark (my husband) was in the hospital with a chest infection. (He still lives there because we are waiting for his greencard.) So I called the hospital the next morning to find out how he was. He had taken a BIG turn for the worse and was in the ICU, sedated and ventilated. They advised me to come over as quickly as I could. So I booked a ticket BACK to England and flew out the next afternoon. Crazy. I was so sick, coughing, sniffling and trying not to eat much (because of my last experience) all at 36,000 feet above the Atlantic. It was hard trip! But it was harder once I got there. Mark's mom was in tears when she saw me. We drove straight to the hospital where he had been sedated for 3 days at that point.   Tests found he had swine flu of all things! He had cancer a few years ago and now has a lot of lung problems. Anytime he gets an infection or virus, it sits in his lungs and he can't clear it. So it developed into pneumonia. Now, nearly 4 weeks after getting the initial call that he was in the hospital, he is STILL in ICU over there. I came back after about 10 days over there. But there were a few times while I was there that we were very close to losing him. He developed other infections while they were trying to clear the H1N1. He had to go on dialysis because his kidneys were failing. His heart rate was 125bpm and his temp was 104. We watched other patients in the ward DIE of this while I was there. SO hard! Thank God he started to improve a little bit before I left. He's had a few bad days since, but more ok, than bad. They had to do a trach and they finally stopped his sedation a couple days ago. Now it's a matter of his waking up...though he it still on a ventilator.   So...between the stress, the trips back and forth to England and super rich food over there, I haven't lost a flippin' pound since my fill in December! Well, I did gain 4, lost 4, gained 3, lost 3...now I'm stuck.   And I am frustrated. But I am also finding that I'm literally getting "stuck" a bit too often. So, I might not get a fill on Wednesday when I go in...or I might even have a slight UNfill...ugh.   It's just been a really crappy month. And I am mad at myself for eating "junk." Even though I HAVE been going to the gym every other day. I am still not losing much. And I'm still worried about Mark.   Oh sheesh...sorry to ramble on and on...   ~ Maggs   P.S. Attached is a photo of me, Mark and our niece, Freya from our trip up to Scotland right after Christmas.
maggs79

maggs79

8
 

Just some thoughts...

I called a LAP-BAND® doctor here that takes out of town patients and he has some BIG restrictions for post-op rules! Not like my doc. My surgery was June 14th and I had my first fill on July 19th. His requirement is no first fill for 8 weeks after surgery, so a second fill can't be for at least 90 days after the surgery date. That means the earliest I could get in would be the day before I'm supposed to go on vacation to Florida! They went on to say there is no way I could fly with any liquid in my band. I've never heard THAT before! In fact, my doc in Chicago said I could fly 24 hours after a fill. Who to believe...I think I'll believe the doctor that I KNOW and TRUST already.   So, I called another place up here in the Minneapolis area. It's actually a bit closer to me anyway. They require a meeting with a dietician to assess where I am at this point, but I could get in this week! I scheduled an appointment for next Monday afternoon. We'll see what they say, but I already like how much more helpful they were than the other place.   I would really hate to have to drive 6 or 7 hours back to Chicago for a fill at the end of the month, but I can not wait until OCTOBER for a second fill! Sheesh! I want to start losing more weight, for cryin' out loud.   I've only lost about 5 pounds since my fill. (Right, "only" can be excluded, I know. At least the pounds are going DOWN, not up.) But I also haven't been able to work out at a gym with the move going on. I plan on joining the gym in the next week or so. Waiting for payday! :thumbup:   So, loving Minnesota so far! Not looking forward to winter, but I'm prepared as much as I can be for it! Haha!   How is everyone else doing out there??   ~ M
maggs79

maggs79

8
 

10 Months Post Op.

Well, I hoped I'd have a MEGA success story about some ridiculous weight loss, but I have lost about 40 pounds in 10 months. (I had to stop myself from saying "only" 40 pounds. 40 pounds is still great, right?)   I AM down 4 pants sizes...I think it's because I work out fairly regularly. I have to tell myself that that is why my weight hasn't shifted as quickly as I'd like...muscle weighs more than fat. And I've been doing a lot of weight training to build those muscles. I can at least SEE a difference. Even on a month to month basis for the most part.   I have an appointment tomorrow for a fill...I had .5cc removed from the band 2 months ago. I think I might only have .25cc put in tomorrow and see how that goes for me. Kinda dreading the appointment, to be honest. I've only lost a couple of pounds since that last appointment. Yuck. But I'm trying to figure out this whole thing. Even 10 months on, I'm still learning every single day!   Today I bought a Fitbit from Best Buy to track my activity and sleep, etc. I hope it works for me. If it does, I will sing its praises on here for sure. Let you know in a month or so!   Anyway, GOOD LUCK to everyone who is about to be banded. I do not regret it one bit! I just wish I was a fast loser...but a loser is a loser! Ha! Who'd have thought I would WANT to be a "loser?"   Blessings all!   xo   ~M
maggs79

maggs79

1
 

I'm Moving!!

I got a call today at work offering me a promotion of sorts...in Minneapolis!!! I am SO excited!! I've been wanting to get up for so long because that's where my corporate office is and my dream job is to work in photographic development at the home office. This is a HUGE step closer to that dream!!   So, I have to talk to my doctor and see if I can get a referral to somewhere I can get fills in Minneapolis. I'm only sad about that. Because I LOVE my doc and my clinic. I will miss them terribly. I have to move by August first!! Yikes!   So, any bandsters in Minneapolis??? Any recommendations??   Thanks for reading my short little blog! I just had to announce this publicly--and I can't say anything on Facebook yet because my work colleagues don't know yet!!   xoxo   Maggs
maggs79

maggs79

8
 

Up North! And other news...

Well, I've been offline for a few days looking for a place to live in the Minneapolis area. And I found a really great place about 12 minutes from where I will be working! SO happy about that!! Right now I drive about 45 minutes to work. Bleh. Done with it!   My first fill is a week from tomorrow!! I am excited! A bit nervous, but looking forward to some real restriction and (hopefully) seeing some weight come off.   This weekend is D-DAY! It's the awards ceremony at work...I hope I win SOME money! Even 3rd place gets $2,500...that would be a tremendous help. But that $25,000 is still my ultimate dream!! *praying!* I'm up against some ridiculously awesome photographers, so we'll see! It's a tough one.   I still have 3 more days scheduled up here to looks for a place! What on earth am I going to do with my time! I think I'll go out to some parks and take a walk or something. Maybe walk my friend's dog for her. :rolleyes2:   Anyway, it's been a while, so I just wanted to post SOMETHING to let people know I'm still here!   Blessings, all! xo
maggs79

maggs79

6
 

Fourth Fill already?!

Tomorrow is my 4th fill...but to be honest, I'm not sure I need one! I've lost about 8 pounds (I think) since my last fill a month ago. I'm happy with that! At least the numbers are going DOWN!! Obviously I'd like to lose 100 lbs over night, but that's just not going to happen! Ha!!   I've had quite a bit of trouble at first with my last 2 fills. I had a hard time keeping things down and a lot of pain eating solids for the first meal of the day. But I've gotten used to eating slower and taking smaller bites and STOPPING when I'm full. (That last bit is sometimes the hardest when I'm out with friends!)   I have also found that if I don't eat very much in a day, I won't lose very much that day. I have to have a decent amount of calories or my body goes into starvation mode or something. Weird thing. So, 5 months with the band and I'm still learning. Eventually I'll get it figured out, I'm sure.   I have been going to the gym when I can, but we're extra busy at the studio now with everyone wanting holiday portraits, so my ME time is somewhat limited until January. I tell myself that I'm doing a LOT of extra running around at work, so that will help a bit. And there's little time for snacking! Ha!   Planning my trip to England for Christmas. I'm interested to see how that goes, food-wise. I'll just eat what I know I can eat--no matter how much his mother tries to put on my plate! :bored:   I will let you know if I get any extra in my band tomorrow...but I might be getting to a good place with it! Yay! :thumbup:   Blessings,   Maggs xo
maggs79

maggs79

1
 

Oatmeal: The New Steak Dinner..err..Breakfast!

Who knew oatmeal could taste so good?! Today is my first day of mushies and I started the day with a nice bowl of oatmeal. Then I had a protein shake for a snack to complete that portion of protein I needed this morning. For lunch I'm going to have tuna and mashed potatoes. Strange combo, but what is "normal" at this point? Ha!   I'm in basically no pain (besides a little tenderness at the port site), so I feel up to working out today. Nothing too strenuous, but definitely the treadmill and bike...maybe some arms weights. We'll see how that feels.   Last night I had what I THINK was gas pain in my shoulder. Either that or I strained it somehow. But I hadn't had any gas pain up to this point. Anyway, I took some GasEx just in case and some liquid Tylenol and went to bed. Felt like a million bucks this morning, so that did the trick.   So, not much else to report today so far! How is everyone else doing today? I hope you are all well!!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

NO Fourth Fill!!!

I did not get a fill this morning. I didn't think I needed one and that was confirmed! I've lost 9 lbs this past month! That's the best weight loss I have experienced in only a month thus far!! My PA was ecstatic!! Maybe even more excited than I am. Ha! I'm hoping I'm in the green zone for a while and continue to shed the weight. I'm sure I could have lost even more had I actually gone to the gym as much as I probably COULD have. (Ok, my gym is 24 hours...I seriously have no excuse! LOL) But I have been TRYING to go more regularly. Work is just exhausting me!   Anyway, I still feel pretty tight in the mornings, so breakfast is the most difficult meal to get down, but the rest of the day I normally eat around a cup or so of food...pretty good over all. This morning after my appointment I had half a souffle from Panera (that's all I could eat!) and a fruit cup. I'm sitting in Panera right now, watching the clock for 30 minutes so I can drink my coffee! :smile: Not drinking with meals is sometimes still a challenge as well. But I am DETERMINED to overcome all these challenges!   Anyway, that was my quicky update of the day. I'll try to blog a bit more often like I did when I first got the band. Work keeps me going all day! But I enjoy reading all the blogs on here and I SHOULD contribute more often. :redface:   Hope you are all well!!   xo   Maggs
maggs79

maggs79

2
 

Some Results!!

Well, it looks like the .5cc unfill and stepping it up at the gym this week has helped to let me see some more results! Since the 9th of February, I have lost 4 pounds...not bad for just over a week! I'm extremely happy with that. I have also forced myself to go to the gym everyday this week so far and plan to go back for a 5th time tonight. My workout plan that I have set up on AnytimeHealth.com gives me Saturday and Sunday off from the gym...but I might go on Saturday evening anyway. I need a new addiction...maybe working out can replace all that junky food that I still tend to miss sometimes.   Oh, I have an INCREDIBLY good recipe for a super healthy meal if you're interested!   Spaghetti squash! I know, I was like, what the heck is spaghetti squash! It's completely vegetarian, though you can add any meat that you like. (I just was too lazy to cook some meat with it. Ha!) I made mine with zucchini, red peppers and mushrooms, but you can use any veggies you'd like. Cut the Squash in half, scoop out the guts to throw them away and drizzle the squash with olive oil and pinch some rosemary or thyme or basil---whatever spices you like. Put it in a microwaveable dish with 1/4 inch of water in it flat side down and cook for 10 minutes. While that is cooking, saute your veggies in olive oil, a little salt and pepper (I use salt substitute so it has zero sodium), and some lemon juice. When the squash is done cooking, take it out and fork out the insides. It will look like short spaghetti noodles. Take the insides and put the in a bowl. (You may be cooking the other half of the squash while your doing this.) Add the veggies to the squash with another squirt of lemon juice. Stir and serve!! If you add meat, add that at this time as well. You can also try it with spaghetti sauce, but that will add more calories and sodium. Though tomatoes are a good addition!   Ok, that's it. Don't expect me to share too many recipes...I'm just starting to experiment with healthier foods.   I hope to report more weightloss soon! I'm trying to kick my butt in gear a bit more!! I wish I had a workout partner...but I suppose that at the end of the day, I need to do this for me and no one else. Meh.   Blessings all!   Maggs
maggs79

maggs79

2
 

Holy Buckets, Batman!

It's been a LONG time! Well, a month at least. I'm settled into my place in Minneapolis, just got back from vacation in Disney World last night and have one more day of vacation to rest at home before going back to work on Friday.   I got a second fill about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Haven't lost much weight since then, but I also was eating a lot of not-so-healthy foods while in Florida. At least I walked about 10 miles a day in the 90 degree heat! I can most certainly feel a difference in the amount of food I can eat. It has taken some getting used to, that's for sure. More than once I ate too fast and paid the price, but I've gotten the hang of it! Just have to make better choices now that vacation is over! Ha!!   I'm down another pants size! I will get new pics soon...I actually have an appointment for a photography shoot in about 3 weeks! My sister, whom I have not seen in 2 years, is coming into town for a few days and we're getting pics together!! I cannot wait! :smile2:   I've been volunteering at the theater here in Minneapolis. Got to see Wicked for free 4 times! Woo! I think I'm going to be a volunteer captain because I used to volunteer at the theater in Cincinnati as well. It's pretty fun and a great way to see shows without paying anything!   I'm going to Target House in Memphis next Thursday to photograph the kids and their families at St. Jude's hospital. I'm looking forward to it, but nervous at the same time. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it emotionally. I'm a very emotional being, especially when it comes to sick kids. I'm positive I'll be excusing myself to the restroom several times to cry. :frown: But it's all going to be worth it to be able to give these families the gift of portraits. That is something they will have no matter what.   Well, I will try to get on here more often. :smile: How is everyone else doing out there??   xo   ~ M
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

Little Red Dress

Super quickie post tonight. I took the famed "mirror shot" of myself in the red dress I bought for a casual cocktail hour at the award ceremony for work. It's two sizes smaller than I would have bought a month ago, but I think I will also shrink even more into it by the time have to wear it for work. (A little less than a month from now.)   This is also 9 days post op! So, not much difference from "before," but what do you think of the dress anyway?   And (to the ladies) what SHOES should I wear with it?? Ha!!   xoxo   ~ Maggs
maggs79

maggs79

6
 

Withdrawal...

...from this site!   I haven't been on here in a day and half! LOL And I didn't blog yesterday, oh my! I'm trying to get things squared away for my move and I'm only just now starting to wrap my head around this. I'm moving in 5 weeks!! Aghhhh! Who wants to come help me pack? Ha!   Yesterday I had to go to a buffet for a birthday dinner. I flashed them my LapBand card and was only charged the children's price! Sweet!! I mean, I normally could have eaten 3 full plates, or just about, plus a big plate of dessert. But I had a total of about 1 plate. And made sure to eat mainly protein. I splurged and had some of the marshmallows on top of the sweet potatoes, though. Yum. Then I had a piece of sugar free cake for dessert. And it took me about an hour or more to eat all that! Didn't really finish it all completely, but ate only till I wasn't hungry. It was good experience for me. I'm relearning how to eat in a healthy way!   Though I still cannot wait till my first fill to really feel more restriction. Until then I'm trying not to worry too much about the weightloss. (Though I am still losing, it's slowing down a bit.)   Anyway, I felt like a needed to blog for a quick minute. Don't want anyone thinking I've disappeared!   Going to a baby shower tomorrow! Should be a fun day! Hoping they have some healthy snacks. If not, I'll bring something to be on the safe side.   Blessings!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

6
 

I'm alive! ALIVE!!! *muwahahahaaa!!*

And officially a Bandster!!   This will be long, I apologize in advance. :tt1:   Surgery went REALLY well. I went to Day One Health in Chicago and everyone there is phenomenal!   I got there are 5:00am (half hour earlier than scheduled) and NO ONE was there! The place was dark! Ha! But not for long. We got let in a few minutes later and completed the rest of the paperwork, then went back to prep for surgery. Again, I cannot stress how awesome everyone is there! I think I am going to get them a thank you card and bring it Friday for my follow-up.   ANYWHO--once they wheeled me back into the O.R., another nurse came in singing a Michael Jackson song-- "You are not alone...I am here with you." I said, oh that's good! They started to "strap" my arms onto the boards and I said "and this the part when I'm asking myself 'what the heck am I doing here?'" My anesthesiologist (sp?) said "one time I actually had someone jump off the table and say 'forget this' and leave!" That made me laugh. Then he gave me something to "relax" and I woke up in recovery!   I was very sore, but asked for some pain meds and that was NICE. Once I got the thing out of my nose, I decided to walk--a LOT. And this really does help! I lapped the area countless times. Started very slowly, but was jogging a while late. J/K! Yeah right! But I was walking at nearly "normal" speed. Everytime I would pass the nurse's station they would ask if I was ok and if I was nauseous. I NEVER got nauseous (yay!) and haven't had any gas pains yet either. (Hopefully I can avoid the majority of that.)   Didn't get to leave until about 2:30 because I was waiting for the doctor to do my swallow test--which tastes like butt, by the way! Ha! They gave me a little can of apple juice to get the taste out of my mouth. That juice could have been a steak dinner! It was amazing!!   Got back home around 4 and had a little chicken broth, SF popsicle and liquid Vicadin. Called my parents and they were really surprised how good I sounded. I may have talked their ears off. LOL But my dad is considering the surgery as well, so I talked in depth about everything! Finally took a nap from about 6:30 till 9. Will go back to bed soon, but was able to have a jello cup and TWO cups of hot tea (no milk!) And some Vicadin for dessert!   Who knows how I will feel tomorrow, but I do not regret this so far! Even with the pain in the incisions. That will pass and I'll be on my way to a new life.   The name of the clinic is very fitting...Day One. I feel like it's my birthday!!   Thanks again for everyone's thoughts and well wishes! I will post again tomorrow--hopefully as upbeat as I am right now!   xoxo   Maggs
maggs79

maggs79

8
 

SO close to the weekend!!

Happy Thursday everyone!   I have to go into work a little bit later, then I'm going to the gym! Gonna try to get an hour workout in, shower, then go shoe shopping! (My favorite past time, I think. Ha!) But I really do need shoes to go with that dress! I'm thinking leopard heals. Heehee! Vixon! Ha!   My friend and I are taking her 2 girls to Denny's later. I'm sure I can find something to eat! Even it's just some eggs and something else. Even eggs sound good by themselves!!   It's finally a beautiful day in the Chicago area after 2 days of thunderstorms. It makes me feel so much better to look outside and see sunshine. :smile:   I cannot wait till my first fill! I want to feel some real restriction. I still have had no problems eating anything I've tried so far. I'm guessing that's just because nothing was in the band when it was placed. I hope the pounds drop off quicker when I'm full more quickly! I'm making healthy food choices, just feel like I have to eat too much to be full. It's still less than I was eating before the surgery, but I know it's more than 4oz. Then again, it's mostly mushies still. I'm sure a lot of it is slipping right through.   Ok, that's it for now! Talk soon!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

3
 

6th Fill was an UNfill

I decided to get some fluid taken out of my band today. Just a 1/2 cc. The stress of the last 4-6 weeks has worked against me with losing weight. I didn't lose a single pound since my last visit.   Ok, well, I actually gained 4 or 5 pounds over Christmas, lost all that right away when I got back from vacation because I was sick! Then gained 3 and lost those too. But now I'm stuck where I was before my last fill...and I've been STUCK literally as well. Even throwing up sometimes. It's worst in the morning, but it can happen at any time. I think taking some fluid out of the band was the best plan I could have. Now, to see if it will work!   I have been working out about 3 times a week at the gym. I really need to ramp that up as well, but this week has been rough. It's negative 7 degrees outside with a windchill of negative 25. I don't feel like getting out of my PJ's except to go to work...and that takes some convincing. Plus, an old colleague is in town and we've been hanging out in the evenings. Soo, no gym so far this week...but Saturday evening for sure, if not sooner!   I will hopefully find out soon if this unfill has helped. I am close to what I was when I lost 9 pounds back in October. I hope this lets me move forward with my weight loss...another 20 pounds by May 26th (my birthday) is my goal...to bring into ONE-derland!!
maggs79

maggs79

0
 

The Gym

So, this has been a productive week! I found a place to live in Minnesota, signed my lease on Tuesday and found a local gym! Called...wait for it.......the Gym. LOL Really original, eh? Hulk Hogan was apparently one of it's very first members in 1979! Crazy! Anyway, it's definitely in my budget--cheap in fact! So as soon as I move up here in 3 weeks, I'm joining! The owner gave me a tour and it's just such a down to earth place. He's also going to set me up for two workouts with a personal trainer! Sweetness!   My first fill is this coming Monday! I cannot wait to have some restriction and start losing some weight! I really hope this band works for me. I still have a part of me that says it won't work. I know that I have to work for it too, but, well, ya know. I want to be bragging about some crazy weightloss in a few months!   Wish me luck! Tomorrow begins our 3-day summer meeting for work! And I'm up for photographer of the year and the top prize of $25,000! I don't think I'll win it, BUT 2nd or 3rd place would be ok...still get a couple thousand with that! So, if you're the praying type, PRAY that I win!   Heading to bed...it's going to be a long day tomorrow!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

Restriction??

I've had one fill, just this past Monday. And I've been pretty much on soft foods (besides 2 days of liquids following the fill) since then. Had some chicken and mashed potatoes last night with no problems. Though I was making sure to chew everything a LOT! So, this being said, I haven't felt much restriction. I am getting a bit hungry between meals and I don't like that! My doc did say, however, that if that is the case, to come back within two weeks for a bit more fill.   I'm trying to establish if I'm actually hungry or bored. I'm so used to eating for boredom that it's sometimes hard to tell the difference. It's a paradigm shift, that's for sure!   Oh, I have also learned what PB-ing is! Ha! For some strange reason, I'm glad to have found this out first hand. It tells me that the band IS working! I ate half a toasted Weight Watchers pita with fat free butter and got stuck-ish. Maybe I ate too fast or swallowed a bite too big. But the stuck feeling didn't last too long, at least! Sipped some Papaya juice. Not sure that really helped, but a little burp and it was over. Though I am not eating again till dinner! Ha!!   I have lost 3 pounds since Monday! K, that's not like a size down or something, but I'm celebrating the small things.   Hopefully one day I'll BE a small thing!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

General suckage.

Today was a bad day. Nothing to do with the band, though! But just not a good day. Everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong I think. Which of course put me in a bad mood for most of the day. Ugh! Suckage.   I won't go into the details, but the stress and frustration didn't help my healing today, that's for sure. For the first day in 2 days, I had pain in my port incision. So I'll be using an ice pack a little bit tonight I think. PLUS I didn't get to work out today. Double ugh!!   But I bought myself a super cute red dress tonight! That made me feel better. It's 2 sizes smaller than I would have bought a month ago and it's only the tiniest bit too tight! Still fits ok though. :thumbup: I have a month to fit better into it! I know I can do it!   Tomorrow morning I'm going to Zumba for the first time ever. We'll see how I can handle it! I've heard a lot of good things about it, so we'll see. I'm going to try to make up for the lack of workout today.   Hoping for a happier tomorrow!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

3
 

Busy busy--

I've been SO busy, that I haven't even been able to get on here. Looking for a new place to live while not in the city you're moving to is very difficult! And stressful!   And I'm only about 2 1/2 weeks post op and have stopped losing weight for now. I have heard that this happens, so I'm trying not to worry about it too much. But I keep going back and forth with one pound. Annoying. So I'm being very careful to watch what I'm eating and make good choices. Yesterday was not so good--I had some food from the Chinese take-away in the mall. It was SO tasty, but I'm sure not so healthy. At least I only ate the meat and tofu! (Odd combo, I know! Normally I would only get stuck eating tofu at my vegetarian friend's house!)   I'm trying to keep track of what I eat on dailyplate.com, but I have forgotten to track a couple days so far. I need to make that a priority in the evenings, I suppose. Anyway, that site is really not for Bandsters. I'm following my doctor/dietician's guidelines more than that site, but it is interesting to see how things work.   If I don't have as many calories as suggested, will I not lose weight? One would think if you had less than suggested you would lose even more. But maybe that's backwards thinking. Maybe your body needs the fuel from the calories to be able to burn more fat. Oh, I just don't know! I might have to ask my dietician about this.   Anyway, that's my update for the day: packing, plateauing, and a little panicking about finding a place to move to! It's a day full of P's for me.   Still not regretting this, just waiting for my first fill in about 2 1/2 weeks! Hopefully that helps a bit with the weightloss!   Blessings! xo
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

4 more days till my "b" day!!

I've still been doing pretty well with the liquid diet, praise God! I wasn't sure how I was going to get through the two weeks of liquids only!! But it hasn't been horrible.   I'm going to the gym today again. Going to kick my butt for another hour this afternoon! the other day I went swimming afterwards and somehow I think that helped to avoid any muscle aches the next day! (Might be a good idea to try that today as well if I have time.)   I've been working on this project for work--writing a photography guide for on-location work. I have set my goal to have it DONE by tomorrow even though it's technically not due till next week. Frankly, I don't want to have to worry about work stuff right away after surgery! As it is, next Thursday I've been asked to shoot a lady in a bunch of vintage dresses. We'll see if I'm up to it...I'm really not sure how I will feel next week.   Thankfully I am able to stay with a friend the night of the procedure and then come home the next day. I've also gotten some EXCELLENT advice from some people that have gone thru the procedure.   So back to work...I have to get this guide done before the weekend so I can relax (and clean my place more) before Monday--my "b" day!   Blessings!   xo :bored:
maggs79

maggs79

5
 

Back to Basics

Ok, It has been almost 3 weeks since my surgery. I lost a bit in the first week and a half (about 10 pounds post op), but then pretty much stopped. I keep going back and forth with 1 or 2 pounds. I'm eating protein first and definitely eating less than I would have had before! But 1/2 cup does not fill me up! Not since the swelling has gone, at least!   Anyway, I'm just going to have to conciously eat less, stay a little hungry I guess. I don't know what else to do at this point. So, I'm having a protein shake for breakfast. I'll have a cup of tea at work and a protein shake for lunch. And I might bring some light string cheese as well. Or maybe I should just do the full liquid diet again? I don't know. So many people have these amazing success stories...but not me so far!   I really hope things get better after my first fill in a couple weeks. I'm TRYING to stay positive here, knowing that my band is empty and I won't feel a whole lot of restriction yet. But there is always this little nagging part that says this won't even work for me.   Ugh! Gotta get out of my head sometimes.   I'm heading up to a friend's house for the 4th. I'm just hoping they have something I can eat. Maybe a burger or hotdog without the bun. I'll figure out something, I'm sure.   Oh well, sorry for being a Debbie Downer today! I'll get happy sooner or later!   Off to work!!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

Evil, Demented and Must be Stopped!

Liquids, that is.   Right, ok, I tried to go back to liquids only! Try to re-kickstart some more weightloss before my 1st fill. It worked till lunch. Ha!! I tried, I did! But then I was just too hungry. How on earth did I do this before the surgery for 2 weeks?? Crazy.   But anyway, I had some chicken from the Chinese restaurant in the mall and felt SO much better with actual food in me. I'll be walking a lot tonight and a LOT tomorrow in the heat, so that should also help me to lose a pound or too.   I have decided to eat till I'm not hungry--not stuffing myself, but just not starve myself! What a silly idea that was. I just have to make good choices.   I have unfortunately missed the chance to go to the gym the past few days, so after this weekend I am going to hit it hard! Then next weekend I'm driving up to Minneapolis to look for a place to live! No gym up there. But I am sure I'll be walking much more than 30 minutes per day! And in the evening I'll walk with my friend when she takes her dog out.   Every apartment I am looking at has a fitness center in the community! This has to be a MUST for me! I won't be able to do this without constantly working out!   Anyway, thank you for your support! I really needed to hear some encouragement today!   Have a great weekend all!   xo
maggs79

maggs79

3
 

Moved!

...to Minnesota, that is!   In fact, the movers are here as we speak. They were supposed to be here yesterday...no tip for them! 3 nights of sleeping on the floor bites...just sayin'.   So, lots of stress and having to eat out for the last 4 days (since my kitchen was packed up!) means I haven't lost any more weight! So I'm down 4 pounds since my first fill. I have to call the local doc today to try to get in for a second fill at the end of the month.   On that note, I got my op report and fille report from my surgeon back in Chicago and it was a very interesting read!! Kinda weird how they described in detail everything they did during the surgery...pulling back the liver, cuting here or there...seems unreal! Good thing I'm not too squeamish about that kind of stuff! Ha! Oh, I also found out that since my first fill, I have 3cc in a 10cc band. Good to know!   Ok, this was just an "I'm still alive, just busy!" blog. :smile: Now that I'm starting to settle in, I'll be able to get online more often.   Blessings, all!   xo   ~ M :tt2:
maggs79

maggs79

4
 

First Fill...check!!

I had my first fill yesterday! I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I was warned to not look! And that I would hear a "pop" noise at the needle went into the port. So, I stared at the wall and heard the pop, drank some barium and was out the door in a little under a minute! it did pinch a bit, but it wasn't too bad.   I have no idea how many CC's he put in, but they did tell me that if I am not feeling much restirction, get hungry between meals or am not losing weight, to come back within 2 weeks for another fill! I thought that was different from what I've read on here...and I like it! So, if this doesn't work as well as I want it to at first, I'll have another visit to the clinic before I move to Minnesota in two weeks!   I'm on liquids till tomorrow afternoon, so I'm thinking that's why I'm able to "eat" more than 4oz. Just taking my time drinking an 11oz protein shake. Last night, I hadn't eaten in like 8 or 9 hours and was SO hungry after the fill. So I had half a bowl of soup at Fridays and about 5 bites of mashed potatoes that I let get extra mushy before I swallowed. That satisfied my hunger, so I suppose that is some restriction. But I think I'll know more once I eat regular food. I know that all that was more than 4oz!   I've lost 17 pounds total so far. Can't tell much from looking at me, though. But a couple pairs of my jeans are starting to get really loose! So that's a good sign! (And good excuse to go shopping! Ha!)   Anyway, back to work! I'm just taking a quick break, but I hear a whining child in the camera room...better go see if she needs some help to photograph him!   Blessings! xo   ~ M
maggs79

maggs79

2
 

Second Runner Up!

Well, I didn't win photographer of the year, but I was second runner up, so I received $2,500! Better than nothing!!! And I'm pretty proud to be number 3 in a company of over 15,000 photographers!! :rolleyes2: Very happy! Next year...$25,000!!! :bye:   Tomorrow is my first fill! I'm driving back from Minnesota as we speak. Stopped somewhere in Wisconsin for the night. Probably have about 4 hours to go till I'm back in Chicago. Then two weeks to pack and move!!   Busy busy! But I love every moment of it.   How have you all been??   xo
maggs79

maggs79

3
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