I returned back to work this week from my 5 weeks off due to my hysterectomy.
It seems to be kicking my butt! So tired, but I'm hanging in there. I cannot wait to be back to normal!
I've been struggling the last year trying to lose the last 20 lbs. I decided to do something different and I joined weight watchers. Well, I have 1 week down and guess what, I gained 4 lbs by joining ww. I stuck to the plan to a T. Needless to say, I am very frustrated. I decided I will give WW 30 days. If in that 30 days I don't lose any weight, I'm done! So I'm trying not to get too frustrated, but I tell you, I am.
Next week I am hoping the doc will release me to exercise, she said it was still too soon this week, but she did say I can go for a leisure walk, just not hard core brisk walking and no lifting anything.
Now that I am back to work, I can keep my blog updated more.
Wt 174.8
OMG, I'm freaking out....I feel like my entire life is about to change. OMG OMG OMG.
Okay, Tonya, take a deep breath, breathe in, breathe out....okay, better now.
I just got a call from the docs office to officially schedule the surgery. I chose 1/18, so I'm scheduled for surgery on 1/18.
I have to have a Psych Eval on 1/2, I get an upper GI on 1/4, I have to pay my deposit on 1/4 for the surgery, I meet with the diatician on 1/8 at 2:00, I also have to have my pre-op consultation on 1/8 at 4:30. Everything is moving fast, I'm so nervous and excited at the same time. Its a weird feeling. I can't believe I am actually going to do this. I'm actually going to have surgery. I hope I am not making a huge mistake. I hope I can do this, I've been so pro-band for so long, now that it is actually here, I'm freaking out!
Okay, calm down, It will be okay, I can do this, yes I can.
The past 6 to 8 months I've not like posting my weight on my anniversary, as you can see, it has stayed in the same range. Today makes 17 months since my banding. I am still struggling to get my fill just right. I thought my 10th fill would be the perfect amount, but I still believe I need a tad more. I still can eat anything, bread, steak etc. some days are tighter than others, but I find that it is only about 1 week out of the month that I have perfect restriction - and that is during my monthly. sometimes when I ovulate I am tighter, but again, that is just a few days out of the month. I will be going for fill #11 next week, right before my cruise.
I know some might think I'm crazy, but I'm sick of not losing so I don't care if I am tight on the cruise. I don't want to gain on the cruise, I actually would like to lose a few pounds while on the cruise - this will be a first if that happens.
The average weight gain for a cruise is 10 pounds and I've always gained weight while on a cruise. Always, at least 5 lbs, last year, I think I only gained around 3 or 4, I can't remember.
Well, it hurts, but I have to be honest with myself - so here is my weight history since banding......month by month. I am still determined to finish this race by my 2 year anniversary! I want to lose and hit my goal, I will lose and hit my goal! I will not give up and I will not quit until I reach my goal!
Highest weight - 248
1 mo post op - 206.8
2 mo post op - 198
3 mo post op - 193
4 mo post op - 184.2
5 mo post op - 178
6 mo post op – 174
7 mo post op - 178 - went on vacation and ate big (7 day cruise)
8 mo post op - 174
9 mo post op - 170
10 mo post op- 167
11 mo post op - 170 - haven’t even been trying
12 mo post op - 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 - 183 - Ouch! started taking steroids and made my weight go up, along with not eating right and no exercise!
14 mo post op - 185 - grrrrr
15 mo post op - 180 - weight is finally going down, but inches are actually coming off faster since I've been exercising a lot.
16 mo post op - 178
17 mo post op - 175
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 - :rolleyes2:
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.
Okay, I was reading a magazine yesterday - since it was "me time" and I found an interesting article. It focussed on hitting 350 minutes a week of exercise, you can do it all in one day - ahhh, not me - or you can devide it up into 6 days a week, or 5 or even 3 - but the key is you have to do 350 minutes a week.
I opted for 6 days a week, which averages to be about 60 min a day. I know, 6 days a week is a lot, but I have found that I have to give it my all in the beginning or I just quit. Some people have to start off slow, but for me, if I start off slow, I never get going.
Anyhow, I decided to set some goals this week and push myself to do them. I hit the gym this morning, I did a circuit training, where I did 15 min on the elliptical - got my heart rate up - then jumped on the weights (worked my upper body -biceps, triceps, shoulders, back - and thru in the abs). After doing a set of weights, I jumped back on the elliptical for another 15 min, it was at this time my stomach started turning. I pushed anyhow, and did another set of weights. Jumped back on the elliptical machine (I was planning on doing another 10 to 15 min), but I realized my stomache was not settling down. I started dry heaving, which I HATE to do. I don't know about anyone else, but since I've been banding, I cannot throw up. I can PB, or spit up something thats in my pouch, but as far as something that has made it to my stomache, It is not coming back up, no matter what!
Anyhow, I had drank some water, and I think that was sitting in my pouch still, and I knew it was about to come up. So I had to cut the elliptical machine short, so I grabbed my towel and headed to the door. I almost made it, but hear it comes, I covered my mouth and out came the water, I knew several saw me. I left in a hurry, so embarrasing. Sorry if this is TMI. Anyhow, I did get in 60 min, despite it all.
I'm not sure what made me feel so sick, but I feel better now. I'm about to head to the kitchen and make me a colorful plate of food. Turkey breast, salad greens and some diced apple salad. yum.
I'm going to take my measurements later and see where I am too so I can also keep track of them.
Goals for the week:
1. Eat Clean
2. Exercise 350 min
3. Get some sleep
So far 350 min minus todays 60 min = 290 min to go!
Wt - 165.8 - grrrrrrr
Okay, so I knew I was starting this exercise challenge today, My restriction level is down to NOTHING.
I took my measurements below are the results - yuck - I also compared them to the last time I measured when I was exercising all the time. I wanted to see if there was a difference with exericising and not exercising. I do see some of my measurements went up, especailly in my thigh area. My problem area is my legs.
Neck - 16
Breast - 40 - I was at 39" when exericising
under breast - 36 1/2 - previously was at 36"
left bicep - 13 - previously at 12 3/4"
forearm - 9 1/4 -
waist - 34 - previously at 35"
hips - 43 - same, previous 43"
left thigh - 24 - prevously at 22 3/4"
left calves - 15 - same, previously at 15"
Weight - 181.7 - YIKES
I am so bloated, we had mexican and last night I had steak, so the salt intake is making me retain a lot of water.
The scales were VERY ugly today, but I know they will be dropping rapidly this week as I lose some of the "water weight".
Goals today, drink water, and drink more water.
I was up this morning at 4:50 am, headed to the gym and did a circuit training and focussed on upper body workout.
EXERCISE - UBWO/cardio - am exercise
M1 - 7:30 am egg white omlet with 2 turkey sausage links, picante sauce
M2 - SF yogurt, handful of granola to give it a crunch
M3 - salad with balsmic vingerette dressing/salmon
M4 - 3 oz of steak and 1/2 potatoe (small potatoe)
I am excited to see some good results over the next few months. I know if I stick to the program, and once I get my restriction back, I will see some results! I am so excited to go for my fill next week, I cannot wait!
Okay, since my accident, exercise has been pretty much slim pickens'. As I stated in my earlier post, my knee has really flared up again. So I go to my therapist today for my PT, and they took it easy on me because I had a lot of swelling. They ordered me off my knee all weekend.
I wish I could exercise. I'm ready to start another BFL challenge, I know I can do wonders with another challenge. I really miss exercise. I feel like my life is in limbo, I know I can shed these last 20 lbs if I could only kick some butt at the gym. Its just so frustrating. I keep having setbacks with this darn knee.
I'm wondering if this is going to be a life long challenge for me, will I ever be able exercise? Will I ever be the same again? I'm ready to do some dumbbell lunges, to work my booty, I'm ready to do some squats, some hard core cardio, I'm ready to sweat. I just feel so much better about myself when I have exercised.
Okay, just venting today. Sorry if anyone reads and It such a downer. I am just discouraged about my set back. grrrrr.
Okay, todays menu:
Bfast - had some iced coffee from McD's. Just wasn't hungry after drinking it.
Lunch - ate a breakfast burrito, without the flour tortia. Just the eggs out of it, good.
Dinner - grilled chicken (3 oz or less probably) and salad
Suppliments - Quickslim 30, 2 flinstones.
Exercise - not much, did only 10 min on recumbant bike. Taking it easy to help the knee heal.
Okay, my weightloss has really slowed down, I weighed 167 this morning. I've only lost 3 lbs this past month, but thats okay, I lost right? I didnt gain. And 3 lbs is making a BIG difference in my size. Peaple are noticing every pound I lose now. Before it took 50 lbs before people started noticing. Inches are falling off quicker than the weight. I'm okay with that too.
Here is how my weight has gone:
Highest weight - 248
1 mo post op - 206.8
2 mo post op - 198
3 mo post op - 193
4 mo post op - 184.2
5 mo post op - 178
6 mo post op - 174
7 mo post op - 178
8 mo post op - 174
9 mo post op - 170
10 mo post op- 167
Wt this morning 227.4 - Scale is moving REAL slow.
Yes, today marks 1 month away from my band surgery. Its exactly 31 days until banded date. Yay.
I have to say also, I MADE IT TO THE GYM last night. Thats right, I got off my ASS and exercised.
I did 20 min on the elliptical machine, and then 10 min on the treadmill. I know its only 30 minutes, but I felt good and I will continue doing a minimum of 30 min. of exercise EVERYDAY until banding date. I'm getting my body in shape for surgery.
Had my 20th fill, and I feel a lot more restriciton so I'm pretty happy with it. I've been exercising, but the last few weeks, eating has been bad! So, back on track now and have rid my house of all the bad chocolates my clients have sent me!
Menu today:
Bfast
skinny latte
Lunch
spinach
turkey
olive oil
snack ff pudding
dinner
grilled fish
steamed spinach
Exercise
upper body workout and cardio
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 - :willy_nilly:
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.
Okay, I got my fill, very tight. By wednesday night, I could not swallow my own saliva. I ended up sleeping sitting up Wednesday night, I thru up all night. Thursday came around and it only got worse, I was violently throwing up this time, I could not swallow my own saliva. I was trying to hold off going to the hospital until at least Friday morning, I really wanted to wait until Monday.
Well, by Thursday evening, I was so sick, I felt so bad, my head was hurting with the worse migrane I had ever had. I went to the ER, I was filling out the paperwork, and realized, I couldn't remember what month it was, I couldn't even remember my middle initial. I was seeing green spots and very dizzy. I knew something was wrong. They get me back to the ER room and tried to get some IV's started and my veins kepts blowing, they said they had to admit me because I was so dehydrated.
They finally were able to get an IV started and I spent the evening in the hospital throwing up all night. They finally gave me something that helped calm my stomach and gave me some demoral for my severe headache. This morning my doctor showed up and took some of my fill out. OMG, instant releif! I could feel the saliva go thru. He wanted to take my entire fill out, but I begged him to leave some in. He was going to bring me downto 2.0 cc's, but he went ahead and left me at 3.0 cc's. I was at 4.0.
He said he wants to give it a good 2 weeks before I get another fill to give my stomach time to heal. I've learned a valuable lesson, DON'T GET TOO TIGHT! Being too tight is miserable and can cause lots of damage. Fortunately, my band was not damaged, however, I am really swollen and have to stay on mushies for a day or two. Now, I have to try and get some restriction back.
I had pretty good restriction before I got this fill, but I figured since I didn't have to take small bites of food, maybe I needed a teeny bit more of a fill. Well, .2cc's pushed it way over the edge, I should have left well enough alone. But stupid me, had to see how much tighter I could stand it.
Anyhow, I am glad I went ahead and went to the hospital, they said there was no way I would have made it until Monday, and maybe not even until Friday, I was already having some bad signs of sever dehydration. I couldn't believe just after 1 day it could do so much damage to my body. My potassium was also dangerously low they said. So my IV's wer filled with potassium as well.
I'm so gald I'm home and feel so much better and now I can enjoy the rest of my weekend.
The good knews, I didn't pig out on Thanksgiving, lol.
I went for fill #11 yesterday. I thought I would walk away very tight, not. You see, about 4 or 5 days out of the month, I have the perfect restriction. I finally figured out that this perfect restriction is when I'm ovulating and on my monthly. The rest of the month, I'm open. So anyhow, yesterday, I woke up, TIGHT. Not too tight, but tight enough that I had to sip on my coffee. So I went to get my fill and I told my doc that I would be leaving on my cruise on Friday.
Well, since I was leaving on Friday, and since I had good restriction, he would not fill me! He said he felt that if he filled me I might get too tight and I would be in the middle of the ocean with no doc around to unfill me and I might be sick my entire cruise. He thought I would enjoy the cruise more just the fill level that I was. So I left the office being restricted, but no fill. By yesterday afternoon I was wide open again. grrrrr. I am so frustrated.
He did tell me as soon as I get back from the cruise he will get me in and I don't have to have an appointment and he will get me a fill. He aslo gave me some appetite supresants for the cruise so I don't gain a bunch of weight.
So, fill #11 was a no go for me. shucks! I'm to the point now that it is just going to take a few drops to get me to a good restriction level, and I'm sure during my ovulation time and monthly I will be extremely tight once I get my fill and I might even have to be on liquids during that time.
Well, I'm off to the Eastern Carribean tomorrow, Its about a 22 hour drive to Florida - there are 20 of my family members going. We're going to have a great time I'm sure.
Here is my itinerary:
Sunday, June 29, 2008 Miami, Florida--
Monday, June 30, 2008 Nassau, Bahamas
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Fun Day At Sea-
Wednesday, July 2, 2008 St. Thomas, U.s.
Thursday, July 3, 2008 St. Maarten
Friday, July 4, 2008 Fun Day At Sea--
Saturday, July 5, 2008Fun Day At Sea--
Sunday, July 6, 2008 Miami, Florida
I'm so ready to get away from here, I am going to try and focus on relaxation and having a great time and not worry too much about my weight!
Highest weight - November - 2007 248
Banded 1/18/07
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!
You know, I know I can't change the past, I know I've come a long way since last year, but sometimes I am just a little disappointed - not in the band, but in myself.
It all began with my cruise last year, after I fell, and had to have surgery, along with my house flooding when we returned home, and my grandmother dying, everything went to H-E - _ _.
I ate whatever I wanted, I couldn't exercise, I was so depressed and just ate. The habits came rushing back in full swing. I'm disappointed in myself because I thought I had changed. Now I look at me 14 months post op and I haven't lost weight since - well, November I think I weighed my lowest, 167. I did so good the first 6 months, but the 2nd 6 months were pure aweful!
I know, there is nothing I can do about it now, I'm just venting. I am now determined to get 'er done! I want to reach or be pretty close to my goal by my 18 month post op anniversary.
I just had to write down my frustration and my disappointment in myself.
Now, I'm ready to kick some butt and ready to lose this weight. I think my mind is finally right!
Thought I would come by to post in my lonely journal. lol.
Anyhow, took a break from HCG for most of the month of April, not sure why I did it, just felt I needed a break.
The good news is, MAINTIANING my weight. Down in the 150's which is my doctor's goal. My personall goal is 145 or maybe even 135.
I started the HCG again this month and will do it until the end of the month and then will end it. I should be close to my goal by then.
I am very happy with the fact that as soon as I began eating more than the diet required, I didn't gain. It seems that the resetting of your hypotholamus (sp) is what the HCG is supposed to do, it seems it might have worked because I am not gaining. I didn't lose either, but I didnt try. I just ate normally, protein first and then the rest of my meal.
I will post more this month with my results. I plan on stopping on 5/30 then I will do a 3 week maintenance plan according to the manuscript and then 3 weeks slowly reintroducing the starches and carbs into my diet. Then I will be leaving for my cruise.....If I still have another 10 lbs to lose after my cruise I might do one more round.
It feels so good to be in a size 6 and being so close to my personal goal! Also, I'M NO LONGER OVERWEIGHT according to the charts. I'm a normal weight. Wow, first time in 22 years I'm normal!
Thank you Mr. band and thank you HCG. Together they have acheived miracles for me!
I also want to say that I owe most of my progress to the band! The band helped me lose 80 lbs! HCG is just helping me get to my personal weighloss goal. For some people they can get to goal with the band by itself, but for me, it just wasn't happening - I was sooooo close to goal, but yet sooooo far.
The last 20 lbs is by far the hardest. I tried Weight Watchers, low carb etc and just couldn't lose the last of my weight. So I decided to give HCG a try and it worked for me, very happy with the results if I havent mentioned that before. :thumbup:
Anyhow, I just don't want to confuse anyone especially newbies that they will have to go on some special diet with the band, that IS NOT THE CASE.
Follow the band rules, proteins first, no drinking with meals, exercise 30 minutes a day, stay up on your fills, etc. You will do great! And then when you get to final stage and having problems lose the very last 10 to 20 lbs, thats when you might think of trying something new for your body. But until then, I recommend eating the lap band way. It does work!
Day 1 - loading days 178.2
Day 2 - 178.5 (another loading day)
Day 3 - First day of VLCD 179.8
Day 4 - 176.2
Day 5 - 175.6
Day 6 - 173.4
Day 7 - 172.4
Day 8 - 171.1
Day 9 - 168.9
Day 10 - 168.9
Day 11 - 168.8
Day 12 - 169.0
Day 13 - 168.2
Day 14 - 167.6
Day 15 - 167.5
Day 16 - 166.9
Day 17 - 165.8
Day 18 - 165.4
Its so nice getting on the scales and seeing them continue to go down. And its nice not experiencing any hunger! Today's menu
Bfast
1/2 grapefruit, 2 cups of green tea
snack
melba toast
Lunch
Shrimp salad, celery
Dinner
HCG approved chili
Applie crisp made with stevia - yum
Wt this morning - 165.4
Well, eating has been going good, my restriction level seems to be good. I do have to slow down a bit, and I just don't eat as much.
I've trying to make good choices on my eating, making sure I eat my protein first and that does make a big difference. I grilled some chicken last night on my george Foreman grill, and I had 1 1/2 tenders and I was done! That was about 2 oz of meat, I had a sliver of cantelope with it as well.
My acid reflux is gone, no more waking up in the middle of the night coughing, so things seem to be good with this fill. I don't get too excited because this has happened to me before, then all of a sudden the restriction leaves, but we'll see how this one goes.
Exercise - well I need to be more consistant. I have been sick all weekend, but feeling a little better today. I'm going to go to the gym today and get some cardio in! For me, its all or nothing, and lately if I can't do it all, I do nothing. I'm trying to change my mindset, one of the suggestions that Dr. Vuong's book made was to take some baby steps, just incorporate some type of exercise in each day, whether its taking the stairs, or parking further away at the store. I am going to have that attitude instead of "I blew it today, didn't make it to gym".
Weight - I go thru spurts, most of the time I'm a total scale whore, I have to weigh every day, every evening, and sometimes in between. I'm going thru a phase where I just don't want to see the number. I am just not interested in that damn scale controlling my mood today, so I've stayed off it. I am just focussing on eating right and hoping when I do weigh, I will be pleasantly surprised and happy.
I did wear a size 8 dress this weekend to my assembly and did I get a lot compliments, made me feel good. The dress was a little tight, but it wasn't too tight that I couldn't wear it.
So maybe the scales are bouncing up and down, or maybe I haven't made it to the gym on a consistant basis lately - but what I can say is my size 8 dress is long way from my size 18 dress I used to wear. I've made a lot of changes in my life since getting the band, and a lot has changed on the inside of me. I still feel like a fat cow, and have a hard time thinking "I'm skinny", but then sometimes when I slip into a dress that I can look at and think "there is no way I'm fitting into that", and I do, wow.....it makes me realize how far I've come.
I seem to focus on that ending number, that goal weight but today I'm going to pat myself on the back and say, Good Job Tonya, you've come a long way baby! No negative talk today....
Now that the doctor has quit taking all my fluid out every time I get a fill, the fills are slowly but surely getting tighter. Fill #20 did pretty good, but still too lose, so I just had fill #21 and I'm having a hard time drinking my shake. I have to slow down a bit on it, that is GREAT! My fingers, leggs and toes are all crossed, hoping that this fill is the one that works - I am hoping to keep the restriction! I am to be on liquids for the next 48 to 72 hours.
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 :bored:
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 - :mad3:
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. :rant: - 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.
FILL #20 - 12/28/09 - did not take any fluid out, just added 4/10th's of a cc. Still feel lose, but on the fluro it showed I was tight, so we'll see how it goes.........
FILL #21 - 02/01/10 - Doc did not take any fluid out, added 1/2 a mil then I told him it was still too loose, so he added another 1/10th of a cc. Feel really good right now - but as always we will have to wait and see.
Tomorrow is my day! I'm so excited, I'm nervous a bit, and I'm anxious. I'm anxious to get it over with!
I will have to be at the hospital at 11:00 am, my surgery time is not until 1:00. The only thing I am worried about is my low profile port. I hope they ordered it!
I had a GREAT workout last night, my DH & I went to the gym and I worked my upper body out. I worked it so hard, I felt like mush when I left. But it sure felt good to be back in the gym workout out like i used to do! I'm excited to be back in the program! I can't wait for 1 month from now, because I know if I am consistant, the results will start showing.
Menu today
Bfast
1/2 cup skim milk, grapenuts cereal (about 1/2 cup)
Snack
yogurt
Lunch
tomatoe soup (this is the last of my container, thank gawd, getting tired of it, but it is good)
snack - handful of nuts
Dinner
1/2 cup of beans & ham - yum
Exercise
10:00 am - 15 min on elliptical
2:30 pm - 22 min of HIIT - burned 181 calories, and 1.71 distance
Gym - my plan is go tonight and work my lower body - the abs are screaming for crunches!
Well, back on the HCG diet - started it again on 4/01.
I did pretty good until Tuesday night (3/30). Had a late dinner and did not make good choices, ate fried chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and french fries, then had two drinks!!! Can you say yuk? Anyhow, by Thursday morning was up 7 pounds. Good news, I'm down 5 of the 7 pounds in 4 days. I know a lot ot it that I gained was water weight, alcohol seems to do that to me.
Anyhow, will stay on HCG until 4/21, leaving for my puerto vallarta trip on 4/22. So I will be taking another "break" for about 4 or 5 days from the HCG diet.
I will "try" and not over indulge in to much fruity alcohol drinks, but can't make promises. :thumbup:
I just love sipping on an umbrella drink by the beach or pool! I love the sunshine, I hate the winter!
Wearing a size 6 - thats right a size 6 capri pant today!!!!! I love it! I am totally loving my legs these days. My cellulite is even disappearing, I still have some, but not near as bad. I really am seeing the changes in my body, the fat is truly melting away. I'm a believer!
Life is good - The scale is steadily moving down, although the 2nd time around trying to lose this is a lot SLOWER. I'm losing a steady 1 pound per week, I wish it was more, but I am just glad the scale is moving down!
I had a great workout last night, was in the gym about an hour and 1/2. I did 45 min cardio and about 3o to 45 min on the weights, worked my biceps, triceps, shoulders, back, and chest. Did a total of 45 on the elliptical. I am doing circuit training these days. Below is about how I do my circuit training:
15 min - Elliptical (I get my heartbeat up)
Jump off Elliptical - did some Pectorial Flys (works the chest) 3 sets and then jumped on the tricep machine and did another 3 sets.
Jumped back on the Elliptical machine - for another 10 minutes - to get my heartbeat back up
Jumped off and worked my biceps (did curls) and shoulders (a killer workout)
Jumped back on my elliptical, this time I did 20 minutes = a total of 45 minutes
Finished the evening working my back.........
I figured out I burned around 550 to 600 calories last night - 450 just on the elliptical machine - I love the elliptical machine!
Todays Menu
Bfast
1 serving of mini wheat ceral/skim milk, 1 sliced strawberry & some blueberries mixed in
Lunch
Grilled chicken breast
Dinner
ground beef
salad
Exercise
Circuit training - lower body/abs
wt - 176.1
I am down 60 lbs now, I weighed in the morning at (drum roll please.........) 188.6!
I was having so much problems trying to lose weight in the 190's, and now that I broke the plateau, its falling off. I've lost 4 lbs since Monday! I'm eating and exercising just like before. I'm not complaining, I'll take it, I just find it strange! Heck, I might be out of the 180's sooner than I think.
Rules of the Road
What you need to know about living with the band
By Robin McCoy
When you begin the decision-making process to have Weight Loss Surgery (WLS), and specifically LapBand® Surgery, it is vital that you fully understand the changes you must make in your lifestyle. WLS is not a magic pill. Weight loss is something that you must work at to be successful. There are several rules and circumstances that someone who has undergone LapBand® Surgery, a “Bandster,” must follow and understand to see success and have a high quality banded life.
Drinking Before and After Meals
Not drinking during meals is, by far, one of the most important things to learn and is vital to your weight loss success. It is also one of the most challenging.
Stop drinking all liquids at least 30 minutes before your meal. This allows all that is in your pouch to drain through to the lower stomach. Therefore your pouch is empty when you eat allowing the food to fill you up properly.
Forgo all beverages during your meals. Drinking during a meal flushes the food through your band and the band is unable to function properly. Most people will have 2, 3 or even 4 glasses of liquid with meals. Servers in restaurants, trained to keep customers happy, will keep beverage glasses full throughout the meal. This is unhealthy for bandsters and sabotages their success. State firmly and clearly that you do not want a beverage. From personal experience, I know the often bewildered looks that follow the statement: “nothing to drink for me,” but diligence is the key. Like most changes required after the LapBand® procedure, not drinking with meals gets much easier with time. Having now lost over 100 pounds, I no longer have difficulty asking my server not to bring me a beverage!
Do not drink for an hour after a meal. The main reason is the same as drinking during your meal. Liquids wash the food through the band defeating its purpose. Another reason not to drink after a meal is if your pouch is full the beverage might not have anywhere to go…except backwards resulting in a spit-up. Suffice it to say that food and liquids making a return visit is not satisfying.
By starting this practice immediately, at the next meal, you will be well on your way to a successful banding experience.
Smaller Bites. More Chewing. Slower Eating.
Begin to recognize and understand what a Bandster Bite is. At your next meal look at your bite size. Look at the amount of food on your fork and remember it. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the Bandster bite size after surgery. Now, cut that bite in half. This is the size of a Bandster bite after the first fill or adjustment. After each fill the bite size will get smaller until the bandster is eating toddler-sized bites. The reason for this is so the bite can be chewed completely to a liquid before swallowing.
The next point is chewing. It is very important that food is completely chewed. Before swallowing ensure the food is a liquid. As the weight loss progresses the opening from the pouch to the lower stomach will be getting smaller. Therefore the food needs to be chewed more thoroughly. If a piece of food is too big to go through the stoma, or opening, it will get "stuck". This can be very painful.
Slower eating becomes inevitable. Eating too fast encourages bigger bites. The bigger bite means the food isn’t chewed properly and it can get stuck. As a Bandster with over 18 months in, I still find myself falling into this trap. I get excited, chatting with friends and just forget to pay attention.
A Bandster’s Eating Order
Lap-Band patients have a specific order in which to eat their food. It is important that there is enough protein in the diet to keep the bodies moving properly. Therefore, the protein should be eaten first. WLS patients need 40-60 grams of protein every day. This can come in a variety of ways. Protein shakes, cheese, fish, beef, chicken, soy. The challenge comes when only certain foods can be tolerated. Also, it is important that the protein is a “hard” protein (chicken, beef, and fish) if possible. It shouldn’t all come from protein shakes and cheese.
The vegetables should be eaten second, and carbohydrates/starches last (if there is room). Proteins last longer in the pouch and take longer to process through the band allowing you to feel full sooner and maintain satiety longer.
Hard proteins are the most difficult for a Bandster to consume. The hard proteins need to be more moist, more tender and chewed more completely than any other type of food. Generally speaking, proteins are the foods that get “stuck” most often and cause spit ups. This happens because the bite isn’t small enough and/or, because the protein hasn’t been chewed sufficiently before swallowing.
For the record, beef is generally the most difficult food for Bandsters to eat. Beef is one of the most difficult foods for humans to digest. It can take several days for a piece of steak to actually work its way through the digestive track. And that’s on an un-banded person! So, if you eat a piece of steak and it isn’t chewed it up completely, it can sit in the pouch for an extended amount of time. Further, the stomach acids that help an un-banded person process beef are not present in the pouch and therefore are not there to help the body break the beef down.
Remember each and every person is different so you will have to test your own waters. Some Bandsters have no trouble with beef whatsoever; others won’t go near it. From personal experience I know that each Bandster will figure out what he or she can or cannot tolerate through trial and error. Trust me when I say that tolerances change; one day ground beef is fine and the next you realize it isn’t any longer. You must be willing and able to adapt to sudden changes in your body’s ability to process certain foods.
The Constant Quest for Restriction; Not enough vs. too much
Restriction. No one can really describe it but everyone wants it. You have restriction when your band is adjusted to the point where you can eat 3-5 bites of well-chewed food and you are full. When this happens you have what is called good restriction.
You are too loose, or open, if you don’t feel full after just a few bites. You are able to eat more on a consistent basis than before. Maybe your weight loss has slowed or stopped. This is when it is time for a fill, or adjustment, in your band.
You are too tight when you can eat very little solid food or worse—none at all. If you are so tight that only liquids go through your band or you are spitting up too often this is too tight. If you can’t keep liquids down this is a medical issue and you must get some removed. You run the risk of becoming dehydrated. Being too tight is not a good thing!
Not only are you not getting the nutrition your body needs to function properly but it can also bring on a slippage in your band. If this happens you will require minor surgery to repair it.
Now that you know a little about what restriction is, let’s get a little deeper. There are three points to learn:
1. The first thing to understand is that every banded person feels restriction differently. So to compare yourself to others is difficult.
2. Also the amount of fluid in the band and the stomach’s reaction, or restriction, to it is a varied as the Bandsters reading this now. Everyone’s stomach is a different size and reacts to the band differently. It is fine to compare fluid levels but don’t get too caught up in “I have this and they have that”.
3. Finally, your level of restriction can change day to day. It can change meal to meal in some cases.
You are now asking, “How in the heck do I deal with that?” My answer is trial and error and learning about your band.
Let us go back to the beginning. Immediately after surgery you will feel restriction. The surgeon usually doesn’t put any fluid in your band during the surgery. The restriction you feel is the swelling of your stomach and it’s adjustment to the band that has suddenly been wrapped around it. You won’t get your first fill until 4-6 weeks after surgery.
You will be on clear liquids and they will fill you up quickly for the first few days. Then they will stop filling you up you will begin to feel hungry. About this time you will be allowed to eat mushy foods like mashed potatoes, creamy soups, etc. You will find that you eat just a few bites and you are full. This is great! Who knew a ¼ can of soup would be enough? This is going to be a piece of cake.
It isn’t going to last. Shortly this won’t satisfy and you will be moving on to solid food. That feeling of restriction comes back. A slice of turkey and you are stuffed!
This doesn’t last either. At about 4 weeks, sometimes earlier, you will start to feel hunger again. You feel like you are eating everything. Your weight loss has slowed or stopped. You start to freak out. “Where is my restriction?!” you cry.
This is a difficult time but one that every Bandster gets through. Just be patient and let yourself finish the healing process. Watch what you eat and know that you are not eating anywhere near what you were pre-band. The unfilled band supplies a certain amount of restriction and you won’t hurt your progress.
Your first fill will bring you back to the restriction point right after surgery. You will eat a few bites and feel full. You will start losing weight pretty quickly. You want to make sure you are eating your protein first, vegetables second and any starches last. This will ensure satiety.
This fill will usually last several weeks. Then it starts to loosen up. Your second fill is the one that usually kicks a Bandster in the butt. This is where they learn what not chewing thoroughly and taking bites that are too large can do.
And so it goes. Some Bandsters need one fill others need more. I had 4 over the course of the first year. I heard of one woman that lost 80 pounds on her first fill. This is why I stress not comparing yourself to your banded friends. It brings on frustration and we have spent enough time in our lives comparing ourselves to others. Now is the time to stop.
One of the largest environmental factors that make our band feel tighter is stress. I never truly understood what Bandsters were talking about when they said stress was tightening their band. That is until I started the process of buying a house. The stress of the pending inspection and what they might find had my band so tight I was barely eating. My band was so tight I cancelled my fill appointment.
Let me say right now that I learned from this experience and you need to make sure you are getting the right vitamins in to ensure your health. I wasn’t in any danger but I was very tired and was bruising like crazy! Well, the inspection went well. I got my house and my band opened back up. Food started going through more smoothly and I started eating better.
Other environmental factors can be tiredness, excitement, sadness, or just the fact that it is morning. Many Bandsters find they can’t eat until after 11 AM every day.
I don’t know if this satisfies your curiosity of what restriction is or what you are to do with it. I do hope you understand that everyone is different and it is a learning process. You will learn what it feels like for you to have good restriction and when your band is talking to you.
Being “stuck” and “spitting up”
As WLS patients we have a few fun words we use. Some are nice and some are not. You will hear “PB” which means “Productive Burp”. I prefer the simple term “spit up”.
What does “stuck” mean? Stuck means that what you have eaten won’t go through the opening between your pouch and lower stomach. This is called your “stoma”. The bite is too big to go through (meaning you didn’t chew it enough), it isn’t something that moves smoothly through the band (lettuce), or you just ate too darn much. When a bite of food goes through your esophagus and hits your pouch it has one of two places to go…through the band or back. If all is well it will go through with no problem either now or later. If it can’t make it to the pouch or through the stoma it will result in a spit up.
Understand that this is something that will happen to you and to every bandster out there. Call it a side-effect or whatever you like but it will happen. The questions are what causes a spit-up, what it feels like, what to do when it happens, and how to avoid them. Remember, things can change day-to-day, heck even meal to meal. This is the nature of the beast. Frustrating? Yes. Small price to pay? I think so.
What causes a spit up is easy. The bite it too big, you took one or two too many bites, you didn’t chew properly, or it is simply a food that you can’t tolerate right now. It is up to you to determine which of the above it true. Trust me… you will learn to determine this.
What does if feel like? You will know. The best way I can find to describe the feeling is when you drink a big gulp of water and it goes down with air. You get this pain in your chest that makes you feel like something is going to bust out. That is what it feels like when something is stuck. It can be minor or it can hurt like a son-of-a-gun. Some bandsters say their bodies tell them when they are finished eating and need to stop. Some Bandsters start to salivate which is their body’s way of washing the food through. Some, me included, get a heavy sigh or exhale; this tells us we are full. Don’t worry; you too will learn to read what your body is telling you…even if you don’t now.
What should you do when it happens? Stop eating is the first thing. It doesn’t matter if it is your first bite or your fifth. A spit up is your body’s way of telling you that you are full. This is your band in full-alert. It is telling you that you are done and to put the fork down. Many times you can stop eating and just wait it out. Until you are used to it you might get the “deer in the headlight” look. Soon you will just adjust. If it doesn’t go away then you need to deal with it.
Dealing with it means excusing yourself and heading to the bathroom. A spit up is just that. I compare it to a baby spit up. It should never be what you classify as vomiting. This is hazardous for a Bandster and should be avoided as it can cause slippage. There is a very large difference in spit ups and vomiting.
How to avoid them? Well, that comes with experience and a willingness to acknowledge when your “food police” tells you to stop. Very quickly you should learn when your band tells you to stop. I found that after my 2nd fill my band was at attention and told me when I was full. This is when I experienced my first spit ups and found foods that I could no longer tolerate.
One of the most difficult things to get your mind around is just how little you will be eating. Your band tells you that you are full but your brain engages and says, “You haven’t eaten nearly enough!” So you take that extra bite or two. Then there it is…the feeling in your chest…your eyes get big…and saliva fills your mouth.
The biggest point I want to get across to you is that, while normal, spitting up is not necessarily a good thing. You don’t want to be doing it every day and certainly not every meal. If this is happening you need to take a good look at what you are eating, how big your bites are, how much you are eating and to what level you are chewing. Be aware at the beginning and it will become more of a habit soon enough.
Surgery Is Not a Magic Pill
Surgery is not the magic pill we have all been waiting for. You will not wake up thin. You must be willing to meet the band half way. You will lose weight at a different pace than your friends. You must change your behavior for this to work. It is a tool—and nothing more. An electric mixer is easier than mixing by hand but you still have to follow the recipe for the cake to taste good.
Right now you should be asking yourself one question—“Am I ready to go the distance?”
It can be a joyful journey with the highest of highs. Moments that are so thrilling and uplifting that you don’t think you will ever come down. It is also a frightening journey as we venture into unfamiliar territory of who we are and where we are going. You are not going down this path alone. There are many Bandsters ahead of you on this path that are ready to help you along the way and take you with them to the next level.
So I ask, “Are you ready to go the distance?”
