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About this blog

:thumbup:My journey with the band - On my way to the 2nd part of my life!

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Fill #14

Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's   Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's   Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)   Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!   Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's   Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.   Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince   UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :angry_smile:   Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital   UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :cursing:   Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.   FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!   FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.   FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.   UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.   FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.   Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.   FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill!
tonya66

tonya66

9
 

10/14/09 - Teenagers, can we shoot them?

Drama, drama, drama......story of my life these days with two teenagers in the house.   My 16 year old got grounded, so I took her phone away from her, well, she thinks she is smarter than me so she sneaks around and buys herself a "trackphone" or "pay as you go phone" so I wouldn't know about it.   I'm not stupid, everytime in the past I have taken her phone, she beggs me for it back, does extra chores etc. This time, she didn't say a word, I could tell it didn't even bother her so I figured she snuck around and got her a phone. Last night I found it hidden under her pillow. SCORE 1 for me! Well, being the concerned mother, I find a lot of text to this one boy that we have forbid her to see, and let me tell you, IT WAS NOT PRETTY AT OUR HOUSE LAST NIGHT! I don't think my daughter will be leaving the house until she is about 20 years old now. I've pretty much grounded her for the rest of her teenage years.   Needless to say, with all this drama, I didn't make it to the gym tonight which even made me more mad! Tonight we are having a meeting with our daughter and our Elders from church to finish up our little discussion, so I doubt I will make it tonight, but I might.....depends on how long it last and how emotionally drained I am afterwards.   Kids are wonderful, but teenagers........can we shoot them? lol.   Wt - 164.8   Menu: Bfast Weight Watchers Mexican Meatloaf - (I know, but I was hungry and this sounded good)   Lunch Weight Watchers Mexican Meatloaf - (I can't help it, I love it....and I made it last night so I have leftovers......yum yum)   Snack yogurt granola     Dinner Weight Watchers Mexican Meatloaf green beans   Below is the recipe for my Weight Watchers Mexican Meatloaf: Weight Watchers Mexican Meatloaf – 4 pts per serving   1/2 lb raw extra lean ground beef
1/2 lb raw lean ground turkey breast
2 large egg whites
2 ounces cornbread stuffing mix (about 1 cup) You could also substitute with oatmeal too – I usually do half stuffing and half oatmeal
1 medium onion
½ diced bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
4 ounces canned green chili peppers, diced
8 ounces red enchilada sauce
Directions   Preheat oven to 375 Spray broiler pan with fat free cooking spray. In large bowl, mix all ingredients except 4 oz of the enchilada sauce. Form into a loaf shape with your hands Place on broiler pan. Cook 1 hour Top with the rest of the enchilada sauce. Cook 5 minutes longer Slice and serve. Serving Size 1 (171g) Recipe makes 6 servings Calories 185 Calories from Fat 56 (30%) Amount Per Serving %DV Total Fat 6.3g 9% Saturated Fat 1.9g 9% Monounsaturated Fat 2.4g Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 53mg 17% Sodium 301mg 12% Potassium 458mg 13% Total Carbohydrate 13.7g 4% Dietary Fiber 2.4g 9% Sugars 2.5g           I will for sure get my protein in for today!
tonya66

tonya66

9
 

4/11/08 - The fill is working!

Okay, I am sure the fill is working and I don't think I will be going back.   I noticed last night when I was eating my dinner, it sure didn't take much to fill me up. Then, this morning was our office breakfast and it was my turn to pick it up. So, we all decided Steak & Shake, so I ordered me the cheese scrambler with wheat toast.   Okay, I take one bite of the eggs, and decided I would eat 1/2 slice of the wheat toast. Well, I've always been able to eat breat in the past, and plus this was toated, so no biggie right? Well..........wrong - it was long and I was running to the bathroom PBing. Wow, I actually PB'D! I'm excited that I have enough restriction now that I actually PB'd! After 15 1/2 months, I've got real restriction! Thank you thank you thank you!   I'm on cloud 9! No more bread for me! I finally have found a food that I cannot eat! Yay!   Menu today   Bfast - eggs/part of bread (whatever I didn't PB up)   Lunch Protein shake (my stomach hurts a bit from yacking so much, I think I will keep it simple)   Dinner - we're going out tonight, so not sure, but it will be healthy   Exercise - LBWO - I didn't make it to the gym last night to do the lower Body workout, so I will do it today.   Wt - still have not weighed, but will on Monday! TOM is around the corner, so the scales might not be nice to me on Monday, but I will still weigh on Monday.
tonya66

tonya66

9
 

A poem I wrote

My new life begins with a lap band placed within I am nervous and anxious and not sure when When will I be at goal, when will I be thin? I tried and tried all my life to please the scales Yes tried to please them, ate nothing at all but to no avail My family thinks I’m crazy, some might think I’m lazy Just diet they say, and you’ll look amazing. No one understands the pain and anguish of being this way No one understands the strain it takes to breathe every day I am thankful for my family and friends you see, But this choice I’ve chosen is mine and for me. So be there for me and cheer me on to the finish line I promise you all I will get there this time!
tonya66

tonya66

8
 

Scales - Sometimes its fun being a scale whore, sometimes its disgusting!

I really hate the scale sometimes, I really do. Today is one day I want to kick it and stomp on it and throw it against the wall and smash the little head in!   I've done sooooo good, I have great restriction, was on liquids for three days, and when I did start back to eating, I ate good lean protein. So what the heck is the problem with the scale GOING UP? AND NOT GOING DOWN!   Weighed this morning at 165.1. What the *&()^)_(y%$# - I was cursing at that little demon this morning! Oh, makes me so livid mad, tempting to go get a donut from my bosses desk, but I refrained! Plus, not sure if a donut would even go down without some sliming, lol.   Anyhow, just coming to vent this morning. As you can tell, the scale has put me in a fowl mood today!   I was thinking about me being "a scale whore", I just gotta have it everyday, every morning, gotta have my scale fix. Sometimes I love it, I can see the numbers going down, but today it was just a disgusting habit! grrrrrrr:mad::wink::eek:
tonya66

tonya66

7
 

Fill #18 - my quest for that sweet spot!

Update on my life these past few weeks. I had an appointment with my doc on 10/29 and I explained to him how I felt I might have a slow leak because I keep loosing restriction. He decided he would completely drain me and add the contrast and test me. So......10/30/09 I show up and he did that just that. He could find no leak in the band, or the tubing. Good News right? Well, I was happy that I had no leak, however, I still don't understand why I lose restriction all the time.   Anyhow, he added 4.6 cc's. I knew right away that I didn't have restriction when he had me eat my peaches, and drink the water. But, I thought lets give it a week or two and see how it does. Sometimes it does take a few weeks for a fill to settle in. Well, I was starving all the time, hungry and I ate! I tried, I really did, but the hunger got the best of me. Anyhow, called and made an appointment for another fill.   Went in yesterday and I don't think the doc beleived that I was wide open like I said. So, he did a barium swallow test on me, and sure enough, I was right! He said, wow, you are wide open. It makes me wonder that if he missed my port the last fill? Maybe he didn't fill me up or some didn't get in? I don't know why I wouldn't have any restriction.   Well, he added 2.5 cc's to my band and I seem to have "some" restriction. I'm not as tight as I was still, but at least it is keeping my hunger at bay. I'm going to give it a few weeks and see how it does and focus on eating my protein first!!!   I had lasik enhancement surgery on Thursday ( I had it done 2 years ago) because my eyes were getting worse so I went ahead and had enhancement done on them. Because of my lasik surgery, I can't exercise, wear makeup or rub my eyes. They don't want me lifting over 10 lbs, and no sweat running in my eyes. I go for my 1 week checkup on Thursday and if all is good I can get back to the gym. I really need it!   I'm avoiding the scales, just don't want to see the numbers right now. Because of my last fill, and eating all the time, I know I've gained. My size 8 pants are wayyyyy to tight and I'm back in my 10's. grrrrrrr.   But thats going to change! I WILL be back into my 8's - soon!     Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's   Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's   Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)   Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!   Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's   Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.   Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince   UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :confused:   Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital   UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION -   Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.   FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!   FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.   FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.   UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.   FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.   Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.   FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill!   FILL #15 - 08/10/09 - Added about 1/10th of a cc. I think I'm right at 4.0 cc. Wt on the morning of my fill was at 165. But was very bloated from steroids I was on for the previous week.   FILL #16 - 8/31/09 - My last fill lasted 2 weeks then I felt wide open. Went in for another fill, this time he did not take any out and just added 2/10th's of a cc. I think I'm just a little more than 4.1 cc's in a 4.0 cc band. I feel great restriction so far. I'm hoping this last. I'm sick of fills. lol. - I could tell my fill was wide open, I was starving all the time, wt at the time of fill was 170! grrrrrrr   FILL #17 - 10/30/09 - completely drained me, checked for a leak - no leak YAY - added 4.6 cc's - I feel like he didn't add anything, feel wide open! Hungry all the time   FILL #18 - 11/09/09 Doc did barium swallow test - I think he thought I was full of it. He saw what I was talking about and agreed I was way too loose. He added 2.5cc's. I feel restriction again, but not a real tight restriction. I have no idea where I'm at these days and I really don't care anymore how much CC's I have, I just want RESTRICTION!!!!!!
tonya66

tonya66

6
 

The Lap Band Really works

I'm sitting here in tears, I can't believe it, the Lap Band really works! I weighed this morning and I weighed 189.6 - I tried for 6 years to get below the 190's doing Low Carb, and I couldn't do it. I have the Lap Band for 3 1/2 months and I've done it! I've broken out of the 190's! I'm so happy and so excited, and I have no more fears of failing!   I have not been in the 180's since 1997 or longer.
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

Fill #19 - feeling very discouraged at this point.

Just had fill #19. I've decided that I am making an appointment for the first of next year - something is not right. I should not still be getting fills. I will see how the 19th fill does, I do have some restriction, but not enought. I am very frustrated at this point, but trying to stay positive.   Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's   Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's   Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)   Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!   Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's   Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.   Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince   UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN :cool2:   Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital   UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION - :eek:   Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.   FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!   FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.   FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.   UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.   FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.   Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.   FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill!   FILL #15 - 08/10/09 - Added about 1/10th of a cc. I think I'm right at 4.0 cc. Wt on the morning of my fill was at 165. But was very bloated from steroids I was on for the previous week.   FILL #16 - 8/31/09 - My last fill lasted 2 weeks then I felt wide open. Went in for another fill, this time he did not take any out and just added 2/10th's of a cc. I think I'm just a little more than 4.1 cc's in a 4.0 cc band. I feel great restriction so far. I'm hoping this last. I'm sick of fills. lol. - I could tell my fill was wide open, I was starving all the time, wt at the time of fill was 170! grrrrrrr   FILL #17 - 10/30/09 - completely drained me, checked for a leak - no leak YAY - added 4.6 cc's - I feel like he didn't add anything, feel wide open! Hungry all the time   FILL #18 - 11/09/09 Doc did barium swallow test - I think he thought I was full of it. He saw what I was talking about and agreed I was way too loose. He added 2.5cc's. I feel restriction again, but not a real tight restriction. I have no idea where I'm at these days and I really don't care anymore how much CC's I have, I just want RESTRICTION!!!!!!   Fill #19 - 11/23/09 - I had a some restriction, but not enough, the doc added 3/10ths of a cc. I feel pretty good, not too tight, which means it probably will get looser. I will ride this fill out and see what happens. Very discouraged at this point.
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

Update on my fill

I hate to type it down for fear that it will go away, but I'm tight again. Not too tight, but just right tight! Today makes the 10th day since my fill and it really feels like it kicked in. Like I said, I hate to really say it out loud, I'm fearful it will go away. lol.   I made another appointment to get another fill yesterday because I was so frustrated, and of course they cannot get me in until JUNE 25TH! I hate that it takes now over 2 months to get a fill, crazy.   But anyhow, I might not need to go now, I'm going to go ahead and keep it on the books, just in case.   Here is an example - I'm eating lunch - a tortia wrap, I usually can eat a whole one, well, I'm stuffed on half of it. Completely satisfied, actually there is no way I could eat another bite.   I'm wondering if exercise is making me more restricted? Either way, I like it. So, we'll see what tomorrow will bring............
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

6/17/08

Well tomorrow makes my 17 month Band Anniversary. I am still struggling with my weight, however, I need to stay focussed. I don't know what is wrong with me? I seem to fall off the wagon so easy these days.   Anyhow, I will continue to try and hopefully soon I will win and will get my mind right!   Todays menu   Doing a cleanse so drinking some lemonade /maple syrup - its called the master cleanse.   Exercise - I did go exercise last night, and plan on doing it again tonight!   Wt 178
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

28 months ago!

28 months ago I got the band. What a ride its been. Below are my stats - month by month - as you can see, the longer you have the band and the closer you get to goal, the harder its been for me. Some fly right to their goal, for me, its been hard work - and lots of it!   Consultation with Doc 11/24/06 - 248.9 Surgery Date 1/18/07 - 226 1 mo post op (Feb 18)- 206.8 2 mo post op (March 18) - 198 3 mo post op (April 18th)- 193 4 mo post op (May 18th)- 184.2 5 mo post op (June 18th(- 178 6 mo post op (July 18th)– 174 7 mo post op (Aug 18th)- 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise) 8 mo post op (Sept 18th)- 174 9 mo post op (Oct 18th)- 170 10 mo post op (Nov 18th) - 167 11 mo post op (Dec 18th) - 170 - haven’t even been trying 12 mo post op (Jan 18th 2008)- 174 - again, not trying. But finally refocused - exactly where I was at 6 mos post op – so basically no weight loss in the past 6 mos 13 mo post op (Feb 18th) - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise! 14 mo post op (March 18th)- 185 - grrrrr 15 mo post op (April 18th)- 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot. 16 mo post op (May 18th)- 178 17 mo post op (June 18th)- 175 18 mo post op (July 18th)- 179- still not focussed:sad: 19 mo post op -(Aug 18th) - 178 - focussed again - This time I am committed to getting to goal and will not stray! I do not ever want to see the 180's again! 20 mo post op (Sept. 18) - 171 - :smile2: 21 mo post op (Oct 18) - 168 22 mo post op (Nov 18) - 169 - I am focussed and doing good, but need to get back to exercising. I want to hit 160 by year end. 23 mo post op (Dec 18) - 166 - only 6 more pounds to get to my goal by year end. I don't think it will happen, but I will continue to try. 24 mo post op (Jan 18, 2009) - 168 - had hysterectomy and gained from all the fluid due to surgery 25 mo post op (Feb 18) - 168 - not losing, maintaining - joined Weight Watchers to give me some accountability and some structure. 26 mo post op (March 18) - 165 - WW going slow, but finally moving down again 27 mo post op (April 18) - 165 - grrrr - 28 mo post op (May 18) - 160 - FINALLY, almost out of the 160's. The lowest I have been in YEARS! 5 lbs away from being at a healthy weight, and 15 lbs away from my ultimate goal of 145!!!   Had my Weight Watchers meeting last night, I hit my 5% goal of weight loss, so I was excited. I'm half way to my goal of 10% - which would put me to 17 lbs and at a healthy weight (with clothes on).   WW scales last night read 163.2 - fully clothed, my scales read 160 - first thing in the am in my bday suit. I go by my scales since that is the way I've weighed all along.   It feels so good to be so close to being HEALTHY. My BMI was at 25.89. I want to get it to around 23. Something below 25. I love my band, but its a tool that I have to work with, not let it do all the work.   Today's menu   Bfast - Iced Mocha - non fat milk   Lunch grilled chicken tossed salad   Snack Apple - peanut butter (1 TBS)   Dinner soup
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

3/30/09 - I'm kicking some butt in the exercise dept.

Thats right, I am doing so great in the exercise department. I worked out so hard for 6 days last week. I mean really hard, where sweat is dripping off me and my shirt looks like someone dumped a bucket of water over me. I am so proud of myself for getting back to the gym and making NO EXCUSES!   I almost blew it off last night, I was so tired and I worked all day with my husband in garage, so I was telling myself, I already had a workout. But as the night grew closer, I started feeling guilty, so I headed to the gym and did a gruelling cardio and lower body workout! My face was beat red, I think some of the people around me thought I was going to pass out. LOL. They were all looking at me like "is she okay". One guy even said to me "your serious about this stuff aren't you". uhhhh, hello, Heck yes I'm serious!   So, I jump on the scale this morning and AGAIN, no loss. I've eaten good all week, really I've eaten good for the past two weeks and I've exercised 6 days a week for the past two weeks, you would think the scale would be a little nicer to me. Heck no, the scale likes to treat me like the red headed step child! :biggrin:   Okay, I can't focus on numbers, I just can't. I feel good, I look good, and my clothes are fitting better. So no matter what the scales say to me, I know its working!   Today's menu   Bfast 1/2 cup bran fiber one cereal - 1 pt 1/2 cup skim milk - 1 pt mixed fruit added in (Strawberries & blueberries) - 1 pt   Snack 1 apple and WW cheese - 2 pts   Lunch 3 0z of chicken breast - 3 pts 1 whole wheat, lc tortilia - 1 pt salsa - 0 pts cilantro - 0 pts   snack 1/2 cup cottage cheese, sliced peaches - 3 pts   Dinner   1 cup lean chili - 6 pts ww cheese - 2 pts   20 pts total   Exercise - 30 min elliptical Upper Body workout at gym - 15 min of cool down time on elliptical   Wt - AM naked on scales at home - 164.6 (yesterday was 163.4) grrrrrr:cursing:   NOTES - tonight is my WW meeting and for the past 3 weeks I have weighed exactly the same - 167.6 with my clothes on ofcourse, so we'll see what tonight brings.
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

I'm going to be a skinny Bitch!

Thats what I keep telling myself. I call myself a skinny bitch because, all these beautiful women that walk by, I always whisper to my friends, "skinny bitch". lol. Its a way of vent out my jealousy. I really want to trip them when they walk by eating an ice cream bar and wearing a size 3 jean.   Anyhow, last night I kept telling myself yes, I'm going to be a skinny bitch too! and I can't wait.   I know a lot of people have surgery for health reasons, and thats what I'm telling my husband. But deep down, I want to be skinny, I want to be that skinny bitch that walks by in the mall and the fat girls say "look at that skinny bitch". I know that sounds weird, but thats how I feel. I want someone to call my skinny, just once.   I know that its a little vain, but I just can't help it. I want my skinny body back damn it! I know that the other health issues I have will go away with me losing weight, but really, I don't even care. The only thing I care about is getting my 20 yr old body back at 40! It sucks being 40 and looking 40, I want to be 40 and look 20. Maybe its a mid-life crises, hell, maybe I'm just crazy and a freak, but I don't care, I want my skinny body back. Some say it can't be done, I'm 40 and face it, but I will prove them wrong!   I took my before pic in a bikini, it is SCARY. You can see all the cottage cheese on my thighs, its really gross. But...........I plan on taking my after picture in a bikini too!
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

I broke the 180's!

I weighed this morning at 179.6 YAY! I now weight LESS than my husband (he weighs 181).   I still can't believe I saw 179 on the scales - but I did!   This weekend is a busy weeked, I'm attending a convention with my church, it was all day yesterday, and all day today and tomorrow, but I love seeing all my friends there.   I've been eating good healthy foods, and exercising so its paying off. I just don't want it to end! I want to get to my goal within a year of 145, but if I don't I will still be happy because I've already almost lost 70 lbs! In about 6 months!
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

1/21/09

Just swinging by to update my journal. I had my hysterectomy on 1/14/09 and I'm hoping it will cure the pain I was having.   Already, the horrible back pain is GONE.   I will post my 2 year band report when I recoup from the hysterectomy. I still hurt to sit, but for the most part I am feeling pretty good.   The Doctor has ordered me to do absolutely nothing for 2 weeks, and I have done nothing so far, but going a little stir crazy. But trying to follow the docs orders :tt1:.   I've been eating pretty good, hardly have an appetite and the band seems to have gotten a little tighter, it actually is perfect restriction right now, and I love it. Hopefully it will stay like this and I can lose some weight. :thumbup:   Well, gotta go, starting to hurt and I don't want that :cursing:
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

How to get insurance to pay for your PS

I found this while searching on the net, so I wanted to save it for future reference. I'm down around 70 to 80 lbs and so far the only thing I'm experiencing is lower back pain. I still have more weight to lose, but so far everyone tells me no need for tummy tuck. But you never know, I want to have all the info I can in case I do require one.     GET INSURANCE APPROVAL FOR COSMETIC SURGERY   Since I previously worked at an insurance company and have discussed what I’ve learned there, I often get inquiries about how to get insurance approval for cosmetic surgery after weight loss. It is possible to have the insurance company approve payment for your reconstructive surgery. The most common type of surgery requested after weight loss is an abdominoplasty.This single surgery can make one of the biggest differences in the body – it removes excess skin and tissue of the abdomen area. This procedure is also often called a “Tummy Tuck.” Do not EVER use the term Tummy Tuck when communicating with your insurance company – they consider this strictly a cosmetic surgery term and they do not like it. Once thing I’ve learned with having worked at an insurance company is that how you communicate with them is as important as what you say. The abdominoplasty is a term used to cover a few different procedures. Two of the terms, panniculectomy and abdominoplasty are often used interchangeably, but the terms actually have some subtle differences.   In a panniculectomy, the hanging or excess skin of the pannus (the lower part of your abdomen) is removed surgically.In this procedure, muscle repair may not be done – in most adults who have had weight changes or pregnancy there is often some separation of the abdominal muscles.   In an abdominoplasty, this excess skin is removed and often there is a repair of the abdominal muscles if there is separation or loosening of the muscles in this area. Hernias in this area are usually covered by insurance, and the repair of these hernias is often done simultaneously with an abdominoplasty.   I think the keys to insurance approval are very simple. It's difficult for one doctor to completely ignore another - so I always try to have my insurance approvals passed on to the clinical doctor in whatever group is in charge of making the decision.   To make sure this happens, I include a lot of doctors' letters in any file that is going to be sent to an insurance company. By this I mean letters from your PCP or General Practitioner, letters from your OB/Gyn, your dermatologist - any doctors you have.Add these letters along with the file and photos that your Plastic Surgeon will send to the insurance company.   Now after a massive weight loss, it is inevitable you'll have lots of excess skin. For that reason, I suggest you make sure that the insurance company understands that it's not cosmetic reasons that you want this skin removed - but for medical reasons.   In other words, you want to make sure that they understand that this excess skin (and excess tissue, especially in the areas of your abdomen, thighs, hips etc - and perhaps even your bust) is interfering with your daily function and life.   The things I would stress would be the issues that occur with excess skin. These may seem gross but they are actual medicalresults of excess or hanging skin. If your hanging abdominal skin is forming an apron of skin that hangs toward your pelvic area, then this may cause complications that can be used as justification for approving your abdominoplasty surgery.   The idea is if you have any of these conditions to make sure that your doctor notes you've been diagnosed or treated with it. Or if you haven't been diagnosed but the doctor knows you are PRONE to this conditions this can be used as justification for getting your surgery before you suffer from these conditions. For example, if a female has been treated for yeast infections from her OB/Gyn, then it is perfectly acceptable for that doctor to note that the hanging skin might make you prone to that condition (even if it has not yet surfaced.)   Letters from your dermatologist noting skin irritations, rashes, infections from your hanging skin or having been treated with medication for these conditions is also a very strong factor in getting approval. A letter from your urologist might mention if you've been diagnosed as having excess abdominal skin that is pressing or your bladder or urethra. This pressure can cause various urological conditions and disorders.   If you’ve been treated by a chiropractor for any lower back pain, any type of alignment difficulties or other conditions that might be affected by hanging or excess skin, get a letter documenting that.   It has been studied that every one pound of abdominal tissue add 10 pounds of strain on the disks of the spine and lower back. The extra weight affects the normal curve of the spine and contributes to lower back pain. In other words, an extra five pounds can add 50 lbs of strain to the lower back. And extra ten pounds of abdominal tissue can add 100 lbs of strain to the disks of the lower back and this is another reason this area common suffers abdominal hernias (this is especially true after changes in weight, pregnancy, and abdominal surgeries).   Your PCP or Family doctor can also be of great help in helping the insurance company to realize that getting an abdominoplasty is reconstructive and not cosmetic. Having this doctor detail the conditions you’ve experienced is essential to getting approval for this procedure.   Insurance companies are often in the business of not approving procedures that they even suspect are not medically necessary but cosmetic. Make sure that your documentation reflects common medical industry terminology (writing panniculectomy or abdominoplasty instead of Tummy Tuck, as discussed earlier) and utilizing the correct codes to document the conditions that you may suffer from. If you have even more significant excess skin that extends throughout your lower body area, then the more severe Belt Lipectomy or even a Lower Body Lift may be needed. This procedure involves a full around-the-world incision that spans your entire body. The surgical and recovery times are also more lengthy in this much more costly procedure and often insurance companies are hesitant to approve a Belt Lipectomy or Lower Body Lift without some significant documentation to show that it is needed.   The CPT code for the abdominoplasty procedure is generally CPT 15831 – The excision of excessive skin and subcutaneous tissue. (This is the code that is on my insurance approval letter for my abdominoplasty.) The code for removal of excess hip area tissue is CPT 15834. With other areas included (flanks, back) it is CPT 15839. If this process includes suction-assisted lipectomy (like liposuction) then it can be CPT 15877. (Note: Insurance companies are notoriously loathe to approve CPT 15877 as they consider it cosmetic.)   It is important to document that the excess skin is not a cosmetic issue but is “interfering with exercise, hygiene and health” and that it is not cosmetic.   The following is a list of common industry ICD-9 codes are descriptive diagnostic codes that used to describe symptoms, in this case relating to excess skin. These can be used in the letters that describe the various conditions and symptoms that are prompting you to seek the surgery.   Panniculitis 729.39 - Skin irritation underneath pannus area Large pannus 701.9 - Redundant skin, lower abdominal area Intertrigo 695.89 - Rashes & Irritation of skin in pannus area Back pain 724.1 - Back pain from diminished abdominal muscle Skin Abcess 682.2 - Can result from excess or hanging skin   This is just some of the information that can be included in the documentation provided to the insurance company. I know I did not want to wait until my excess skin became a full hanging apron, so I knew I had to be persistent and diligent in seeking insurance approval.
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

12/5/08

Well, things are rolling along, I'm doing great, then what happens? Well, I start to sab0tage myself. I go on an eating binge that last approximately 5 days. Man, old habits are hard to break!   I will say, since the band, my binges are less frequent, however, the band has not stopped my binge eating. I am not able to binge on as much food pre band, but let me tell you, I can still hold my share of eating. Not that I eat a whole lot, I guess what I do now when I binge eat is eat the wrong stuff. I ate about 2 pieces of Tres Leches cake - yum.   I guess I should be happy that all I was able to eat was 2 pieces. Pre band - I would have eaten at least 1/2 the cake. Now, thats not all I ate during my bings, everytime I would eat - I turned to sugar, instead of my good protein. It was a vicious cycle. I don't know what is wrong with me sometimes.   But, because of eating the WRONG stuff, the scale has not moved. Also, when I binge eat, I figure, why exercise, so I don't even exercise.   Enough of my talk, enough of being down about it, so I got rid of the cake, and headed to the gym last night and I just got back from the gym today. So, I'm over my binge eating for awhile. And over whatever made me snap and go crazy.   My question to myself is WHY? Why do I do it? I'm doing so great then all of a sudden somthing snaps inside of me and I go completely CRAZY with food. Why? For the life of me I cannot figure it out.   They say people eat because of emotions, but I can't figure out what emotions are causing me to eat. I have a wonderful marriage of 20 years, two beautiful children and my life is for the most part is perfect. Or at least, its perfect for me.   My dad was going thru an ordeal, he almost died in November, however, he had two surgeries and pulled thru wonderfully. The binge eating didn't even start until a few weeks AFTER his ordeal. I held myself together and made good food choices when he was going thru his ordeal, so not sure why all of a sudden, when things are good, I go crazy.   So, this is something that I must work on. I must be good to myself and quit trying to destroy all the work that I've done to get to my weight.   Well, my goal was to weigh 160 by end of the year. In order to do that, I need to lose 2.5 lbs every week until the end of the year. Can I do it? Darn right I will!   So I am making a promise to myself that I WILL be good to me. I WILL NOT binge eat. I WILL go to the gym, and I WILL do everything in my power to reach my goal. I deserve it and I'm worth it.   Now, how is that for self talk. :thumbup:   wt - 167.9   exercise - 10:00 am 20 min eliptical HIIT 3:00 pm upper body work out 9:00 pm - 30 min on eliptical   Goal for the weekend - 1. stay off the scale 2. eat clean 3. Go to the gym - EVERYDAY!
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

3/24/09

Last night was my weight watchers meeting and guess what the freaken scales said, NOTTA, nothing, NO LOSS AT ALL. I weighed exactly the same as last week. 167.6! What the heck? I exercised 6 days last week, I ate pretty darn good and I didn't lose 1 freaken ounce? What the *&$%#!!!!!   Okay, so the scales say I didn't lose but my clothes say differently, they are looser, fit so much better and some of my jeans, I must wear a belt! So am I worried - NOPE, am I upset, well, a little. I really wanted to see some movement. According to my scales, I've lost, but according to the WW scales, I haven't. We'll see what next week says. All I can say is if they tell me I didn't lose next week, someone is getting slapt. Thats right, I'm jumping over the counter and slapping one of those skinny little receptionist. :thumbup:   The old me would have come home and just ate and said "what the use", but the new me can see the changes that my body is making and feel the changes that my body is making and I like it. So, do I care what the scales say? Well, a little, but I know they are liars so I am going to keep plugging away doing what I am doing because I know that changes are happening!   Last night after dinner, I headed to the gym and did a very hard workout! I did cardio plus upper body strength training.   Todays menu:   Breakfast   1 cup of sliced strawberries - 1 pt 1/2 container of WW yogurt mixes with granoloa - 5 pts   Lunch 4 oz talapia - baked - 3 pts salsa, cilantro - 0 pts 2 Whole wheat tortia - 4 pts (fish tacos - yum)   Snack 1 mandarian orange - 1 pt   Dinner - WW meal - 6 pts   Exercise - tonight is my night off, none tonight. :cursing:   Wt - Naked on my scales in AM 164.3 WW Scales - 167.6
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

Fill #16 - yes, another fill!

Okay, I got fill #15 and had GREAT restriction, then all of a sudden I felt like I had NO restriction, I was eating anything and everything, hungry all the time. Stepped on the scales and was up to 170! What the heck? So I went in for yet another fill. I explained the situation to my fill doc and he usually takes a small bit of fill out before he adds some in. He believes an air bubble was in the tubing on the last fill so this time he did not take any out at all, he just added 2/10ths of a cc and I immediately felt a huge huge huge difference. I think this was the first time I actually hurt when he made me eat the peaches.   I noticed how much restriction I had when we went out for dinner, I stuck to some mashed potatoes and I was full all night long. I was a little nausiated this morning, but still felt that tight restriction.   I know I get my hopes up high and hoping that this restricition will last, and then I get disappointed when it doesnt. But for some reason, this fill really fills different. So we will see.   I am mordified to be back up to 170 again. What in the world? I feel so fat today, bloated and just miserable. My feet are very swollen too.   I will keep my blog updated on my progress. Below is my fill history so far.     Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's   Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's   Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's)   Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more!   Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's   Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the best restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter.   Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince   UNFILL #1 - 11/23/07 - unfilled to somewhere between 2.5 to 3.0 cc's - NO RESTRICTIONS AGAIN   Fill #8 - 1/18/08 Went in and the doc filled me back up to just right under 4.0, according to Flouro, it was perfect. Well, by next morning, could not hold down saliva again, ended up back in hospital   UNFILL #2 - 1/19/08 - Doctor had to unfill me to 3.0 again because of the swelling from all the PBing for being too tight. Again, NO RESTRICTION -   Fill #9 - 2/12/08 - 3.5 cc's - was tight for about a week, now feel lose again. grrrr, still have "some" restriction, just not quite enough! Next fill scheduled for 4/7/08 - I hate that it takes sooooooo long to get in to see the fill doc.   FILL #10 - 4/7/08 The doc just added .4cc's, making me at 3.9cc's. I think this might be the one!   FILL #11 - Was scheduled on 6/25/08 - but the doc did not fill me up, I was leaving for a cruise on 6/27 so he didn't want to risk me being too tight, so did not get a fill.   FILL #11 - 8/5/08 Went for a fill, this time the doc took all my fill out and all he could get out was 2.4 cc's. Filled me up to 4.0 cc's, I left, had to go right back because I could not drink, he took out a little over .2 cc's, he said I'm somewhere between 3.5 to 3.7 cc's. - I had great restriction for 2 weeks, but It has now loosened some. I feel I might need a tad more. I'm worried I have a very slow leak.   UNFILL #3 - 8/5/08 - Took a little over .2 cc's out, had pretty good restriction, but still a tad too lose.   FILL #12 - 9/17/08 - Added just 1/10th of a cc - I think I'm somewhere between 3.8 to 3.9 cc in a 4cc band. I am hoping and praying this is the fill that I stop with! I do not have another appointment for another fill, will wait this one out and see.   Fill #13 - 10/06/08 - Doc added about 2/10's of a cc. He took everything out and put it all back in and said I was about 3.7 to 3.8cc's. - which is where he said I was last time.   FILL #14 - 11/10/08 - Doc took everything out and I had about 3.6cc's, which is pretty good. He then filled me up to just under 4.0cc's I believe I'm about 3.9cc's. I ate some canned peaches and set around the office for a bit, made sure none came back up. Seems to be doing good so far. I hope this is my last fill!   FILL #15 - 08/10/09 - Added about 1/10th of a cc. I think I'm right at 4.0 cc. Wt on the morning of my fill was at 165. But was very bloated from steroids I was on for the previous week.   FILL #16 - 8/31/09 - My last fill lasted 2 weeks then I felt wide open. Went in for another fill, this time he did not take any out and just added 2/10th's of a cc. I think I'm just a little more than 4.1 cc's in a 4.0 cc band. I feel great restriction so far. I'm hoping this last. I'm sick of fills. lol. - I could tell my fill was wide open, I was starving all the time, wt at the time of fill was 170! grrrrrrr
tonya66

tonya66

5
 

Another Day in the Lap Band world

Things are smoothing out for me and I am now realizing it is going to be a real struggle to get the last 25 lbs off. So, I've got to focus on what I'm eating....I've been eating whatever the heck I want,but just in small amounts, I've been maintaining, but not losing. My knee is preventing me from serious exercise.   I see the doc today and I'm hoping he releases me to start doing some elliptical training, I need something to make me sweat, I need to burn calories.   My weight this morning was 174.4 - Keep bouncing from 170 to 174! I need to see 169 on the scales, soon! I've got to get below the 170's! I've got to push myself, I've got to stay away from the chocolates, I've got to use some will power, I'm weak, I tell you I'm weak these days. I cave in for anything! Head hunger is getting the best of me, I'm doing the mindless eating thing! I want to see a size 10! My size 12's fit just right, my 14's are way too big. I need to see a size 10!   Now, for a little motivation, we booked our 2008 vacation last week. We're headed to the Eastern Carribean on a 7 day cruise out of Florida. We go to St. Thomas, St. Marteen, Nassau Bahamas. So now I have something to look forward to. I would love to wear a bikini!
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

Fill #11 may be too tight

I just went for fill #11, He took out my previous stuff, and I only had 2.4cc's instead of 3.9, so not sure why I had so much less?   He filled me up to 4.0 cc's, this is where I usually have problems, so I'm trying to stick it out, but I think I am too tight. I PB'd on some liquid and some soft peaches.   I am so tired of trying to get this restriction, I think I will ride it out for the rest of the day and barely sip on liquids and see how that goes.
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

11/12/08

Day three of my pouch test. For info on this check this site out - http://www.5daypouchtest.com/   Today I can have proteins, but soft proteins. So far menu as follows:   Bfast - yogurt with added protein mix   Lunch Chicken soup, mostly ate the chicken   Dinner canned white meat chicken with a little spinach dip mixed in.   Wt - didn't weigh today - yay. I'm trying to stay off the scales until Monday....
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

It hurts, but it has to be done!

Yes, it hurts, but it has to be done, I'm talking about taking my measurements. Since I start my pre-op tomorrow, I had my daughter take a before pic and I took my measurements. Man, they are BAD. I'm as big as a Dallas Cowboy linebacker! I decided that the pre-op is ever bit a part of the lap band, so I am counting every pound I lose, and every inch I lose from this point on.   I also probably will count the 20 pounds I already lost, I have worked for those, and I believe I deserve them. lol.   Okay, here goes my measurements:   Waist - 41 1/2" Hips - 51" ( ) Left Thigh - 28" (this is what the waist is suppose to be) calves - 17" left arm - 15 1/2" breast - 43" under breast - 37"   OMG, I can't believe I am this fat! My before pics makes me look prego. My belly is huge! But all this is going to change!
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

I can cross my leggs!

Last night, I'm sitting on my couch, just relaxing. Without thinking I crossed my legg, after I did it, I realized, I can cross my leggs now, comfortablly! Wow!:clap2: Its another NSV for me. I hadn't tried in so long to cross them, or I could cross them and it cut the breath out of me. But now, I feel so feminane when I can cross my leggs. I just had to journal this down.
tonya66

tonya66

4
 

5/9/07

Exercise #1 - 25 min on treadmill (would have done 30 min or more, but the darn thing came unplugged and then couldn't get it to work again - so left)   Exercise #2 - LBWO   M1 - SF yogurt mixed with lf cottage cheese m2 - coffee & cream m 3 - 3 whole wheat crackers & 3 oz of pink salmon m 4 - grilled talapia and broccoli sald (the last of it - getting sick of it now - lol)   Notes - I've started tanning and I tried on a shirt I bought last year on clearance for $4.00, it was way too tight on me, but I tried it on, it fit! I'm wearing it today and I feel so good in it! I guess I feel so good becaue I remember how tight it was on me, and now it slips on with ease.
tonya66

tonya66

4

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