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zil's Blog

A blog by zil in General

  • Entries

    45

  • Comments

    109

  • Views

    16,859

About this blog

The journey of a lifetime

Entries in this blog

Green Zone / Red Zone

H-E-L-L-O. I have been away from the site for awhile. Really no excuse except that May, June and July are my really busy time where I work.   Things have been going well until this past week. I reached the green zone on January, but with the weight loss I had to get a few fills in July & August. Did good until last one, when I asked for just a tweak, say maybe a .10 in my band, but she insisted that would not do a thing and ended up giving me more, which put me over the edge. Took me
  • zil

Drum Roll, Ta Ta Da!!!!

Well, I have not blogged for a while, since I did not feel as if I had anything to write about, but have been following all your posts...I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU ALL!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.   Now for the drum roll part, 2 of my daughters and I went shopping yesterday and ended up looking for a dress for "mother of the bride" (my youngest daughter is getting married Sept 1st). We started with sizes 20 and went down from there (I was a 24/26 when I first got my surgery). I ended up getting a s
  • zil

I Am Going To Show It Again, And Again, And Again!

I LOVE MY LAPBAND. I have been banded almost 10 months and am down 90+ pounds. Less than 50 to my goal. I could not have done this without this marvelous tool and such a supportive family.   I LOVE MY BAND. To anyone who is comtemplating getting the procedure done, I say ' GO FOR IT '. Keep a positive attitude, play by the rules and reach for the brass ring. The longest journey starts with one small step.   I LOVE MY BAND. I am a self-pay and I would definitely put out the money agai
  • zil

Help Please, I Need Some Info

It has been a whilke since I have blogged, Things are still good. I am down about 90 pounds, but am having to fight for the last 50 to go away. Anyway, can anyone who has been banded for awhile let me know if you had problems with food going down about 3 months after hitting the green zone? I hit the green zone in Jan 2012, and just lately I have been having problems with food getting stuck, or slowly passing through the port, which is very uncomfortable. Not sure if I should have a tiny bi
  • zil

Can Anyone Out There Give Me Some Advice???? Please

OK, here goes. I was banded 8/19/2011 and had a wonderful 5 months...lost 75 pounds without really putting much effort into it. At least, I did not think it was much effort...I followed the eating plan and exercised - mostly bike riding.   Now I have found that I am stalled...really stalled. I can't move this weight for anything. I am so close, yet so far away. Since January, I have lost about 8 to 10 pounds, and it has been a real struggle.   I also have seasonal alergies which have be
  • zil

Omg What A Week!!!

Well, I am not sure if I would call it the week from hell, but it has been close, real close.   Over the w/e I came down with what I thought was possible STREP throat. Throat irritated and dry, ears itchy and hurt. Headed to the dr Monday afternoon after working 4 hours. Good news - not strep (this after 2 swabs of my back throat because the first swab showed negative), bad news -- my allergies were acting WAY up. So, after 2 RX's and the co-pay at the dr's office, I was sent on my way.
  • zil

The Good And The Bad

Well, I had a visit with the doctor yesterday...my first in a month, and what a month it has been.   Here I have been sailing along rather swimmingly since I started my journey July 26, 2011... have lost 80 pounds (60 more to go).   Then, it was as if I hit a wall that really did not want to give. Last month I lost 5, THAT'S RIGHT, 5 pounds and 1 inch around my waist.   Good news - I lost 5 pounds and 1 inch.   Bad news - and this hit me right where it hurts, and boy is it going to hu
  • zil

New Middle Number - Back On Track

I hit a new middle number this morning when I stepped on the scale...I am finally in the 200teens. YEA ME!!! I really LOVE my band. 80 pounds down since I started my journey in July 2012.   I hit a plateau during the past month, but that seems to have gone away (until the next one). I have been able to get back at the gym this past week too.   I really LOVE my band, but I think I already said that. However, it does bear repeating...probably numerous times.   I have not had a fill sin
  • zil

I Have Hit A Really Long Plateau

OMG, I have been the same weight for the past few weeks. I can't seem to get past this darned plateau. Thought for sure that by now I would be in the 210's, but no such luck. I do think I am losing inches, tho. My clothes are getting loose on me.   Any thoughts on how to move off, and start sliding back down the mountain again??? or is this just something that will happen in time as long as I stick to the rules???   I ust confess that it has been very hard for me to get to the gym the
  • zil

Wls Bashers / Walk A Mile In My Shoes...and Then See What You Think Or Why I Had Wls

I have heard the same harsh comments as many people have...just cut back, exercise, diet, drink more water, eat more veggies...you name it, and I have probably heard it.   I didn't choose to be overweight, it just seemed to creep up on me slowly and before I knew it, I weighed 300 pounds...from having kids, from not being active, from being a good cook, from marrying into an Italian family.   I had WLS after my husband said to me that he was concerned about me and my health, and that he wan
  • zil

Reminder Info For Everyone

Today while reading, I noticed that a lot of people who have been recently banded seem to be frustrated because they are not losing weight...   Well, just remember, the band is a tool that only assists us with our weight loss but we have to do the work. We have to make healthy choices in selecting foods, we have to be sure to drink water and exercise. And most of all, we need to understand that just because we can "eat as much as we did before surgery" we should not be doing that.   It m
  • zil

I Hope This Helps

I enjoy reading the different entries. It so gives us all a chance to ask questions, vent, share, etc. This section has been a Godsend to me many times over the past 6 months.   I am realitively newly banded (August 2011), and I am very proud to say I have lost 70+ pounds to date. I want to share my best advice with those who may need it.   #1 find a doctor/surgeon you have confidence in - one that will take their time with you, answer all your questions, and give you the truth.   #2 re
  • zil

Happy To Report...

Happy to report that I am back on track. I officially closed the holidays on Monday night and Tuesday brought a new and improved me. My food choices have been right on track and I have managed to make it to the gym. I even started doing some more exercises...I must confess I don't like the ARC trainer, but I do try it for a few minutes. Riding 30 minutes on the bike and doing the treadmill for at least 1/2 mile - even managing to do a little. Have moved onto leg exercises, figured I would n
  • zil

The Holiay Struggle

The Christman holiday is now behine me (and us) and I am sad to say that I did not do very well for 3 days...the delicous foods and goodies were very tempting, and unfortunately I did succumb to the treats. I made healthy choices while having my meals, but I found myself enjoying cookies and carmel corn while we were playing cards and goofing around. I am ashamed of myelf.   Today I made it a priority to get back on the healthy kick journey. I also learned that I will not be having sweets
  • zil

The Beast

THE BEAST HAS ARRIVED. With all the holiday hustle and bustle, I find myself having difficulties eating the proper foods and making it to the gym. I was only able to go one day last week because of dr appts and being sick. I never thought I would say I miss exercising.   Sunday I went to a Christmas party at my friend's house. She is a fabulous cook and there was food galore. I stuck to my convictions pretty well, but did find myself munching on the stuffed and bacon wrapped dates. They
  • zil

Drum Roll Please...and It Is Another New Middle Number

well, I got on the scale Saturday morning, and I hit a new middle number...I am now officially into the 230's. Five months since I started my journey and still going strong.   I love my band and everything it has made me realize. I have always been a strong individual, but even so, I needed help with the eating thing.   At the risk of repeating myself, my band has made me so much more aware of what I eat, when I eat and how much I eat. I am also aware of what others eat and how much. It
  • zil

Being Noticed

I am about 4 months post op...and down about 60 pounds since I started my prop diet. Amazing, I had 3 people come up to me yesterday and ask what is going on with me...I look different. One person even told me that some of the people that work at my company didn't recognize me and wanted to know if someone new was hired. All 3 people commented on how good I look and wanted the specifics. When I told them, they gave me plenty of compliments and "keep up the good work" comments. I tell you, i
  • zil

It's That Time Of Year

OMG, the holidays are upon us. And with the holidays comes never ending array of holiday treats and temptations.   We, as bandsters, need to be even more vigilant and strong because it is just too easy to fall prey to the excitement, the hustle and bustle, and the celebration of the Holiday season. After all, we all love a good party, right? And, if we tell the truth, many of us are probably social eaters. So much of our previous life has been centered arond food.   So, here is my Chrimas
  • zil

I Remember...

I am fairly newly banded (8/19/2011) and I remember...   when I started my pre-op diet how I could not wait to taste solid foods. We I eat solid, but don't miss the junk foods like I thought I would.   I remember how I thought I would never feel full again. Now I look at what other put on their plates, and ask myself where do they put all that food.   wondering if this journey was going to be a struggle. I have found my journey to be rewarding in that I stick to the plan rules, my convi
  • zil

Question

I know I am going to show my ignorance, but what does BP stand for???   I have seen that numerous times in some of the blogs, but am unsure what it means.   Any takers to let me know.   BTW, down 56 pounds as of this morning. YEA.
  • zil

One Holiday Gone...2 More Just Around The Corner

I made it through Thanksgiving. What a wonderful day. I had the full blown holiday meal for my family. I am proud to say that I did not gain any weight, in fact lost 1 more pound.   I am also proud to say the worse thing I ate was cheese. Yes, I did eat 2 pieces of cheese. It did taste good. Being Italian, we had all the appetizers and I did good. I stayed away from potato chips, spinach dip and bread, corn chips and salsa, salami, pepperoni and crackers (3 kinds). I did have some shr
  • zil

It Happened

OMG, it finally happened yesterday...since I did not have a decent meal for lunch (did eat banana and yogurt and was full) but was hungry when I got home from work. So, in the process of fixing dinner, I grabbed a small piece of left over chicken and took a bite and then a second bite. Then about 30 seconds later, I felt a tightness like I had never felt before. You can imagine what happened next. So, while I knew the lesson, I did not follow the rule, of dime sized bites and chew, chew, che
  • zil

THAT FULL FEELING

I think I have definately hit the green zone. I just ate a bowl of soup and I am stuffed. Did the same yesterday, except since they were really small, I ate 2 (mostly broth), and was satisfied the rest of the day. OMG, never would I have figured that one bowl of soup would satisfy me.   I have I told you lately that I love my band? I really LOVE my band.   Keep your fingers crossed that I continue being full after just small meals.   Have a great day :party:
  • zil

NEW MIDDLE #

DOWN FROM 5 TO 4. YIPPIE. Finally made it into the 240s this morning. Only good things ahead for me.   I love my band. The best choice I have ever made. Down 50 pounds (which includes my pre-op diet phase) Looking forward to losing the next 50 pounds.   I know I am blowing my own horn, but if I don't, who will. Saw some pics of me from last week, and hardly recognized myself. Going for my 5th fill this afternoon and believe I will firmly be in the green zone. I am a happy camper
  • zil

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