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Lab Band hopeful

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Travel problems

Ok so it's been a while since I last blogged but a lot has been going on.   I'm from Iceland. An island way up north. So I just came back from travelling to Spain, a Mediterranean country and let me tell you, things there are different from what I'm used to.   I've been to Spain 3 times before and never thought that much about food. I just ate what ever and loved it.   But having the lap band is more difficult. The town I was staying at didn't have that many restaurants but when I went to them, they carried BREAD BREAD BREAD. They loved serving bread or huge dishes! I love tabas mmmm but it's served on bread, thick slices of bread. I can only eat thin slices.   So when out eating, I ended up eating fries, omelette and lasange. But only found one restaurant carrying lasagne. But I tried cooking at home as well, so I wouldn't starve and didn't really want omelette or fries for every meal.     The temperature! Gosh it was HOT. That mean that my polar body was swollen ever day with extra fluid and that also meant that my stomach opening was a lot smaller. I had to make a lot of trips to the bathroom spit out food that got stuck in the opening. The Productive burping was terrible! No matter what I ate. My worst case was a tomato!! Hello!! A tomato, a very well chewed tomato! I just had terrible time with it. That's why I was afraid to eat what ever was on the menu. But fries, I know they are deep fried and not that healthy, but I could chew them into baby food! What does a hot woman need in a hot weather??? ice cream. mmmm love some good ice cream. And I had a lot of it. It was a guilty pleasure. But it was so good in the hot weather.   Alcohol. I was very very careful with that. I wanted a cold beer very badly but I stuck to cocktails with no carbonated liquids in it and yes that was just fine. And never got drunk or tipsy or what ever. Did not want to add hangover and throwing up to the PB!!   I even at once point thought that it would be best to finish the trip off by eating only chocolate and ice cream because that went down very well haha.   Also the company I was with. They were so nice and understanding but I was giving myself hard time for making them wait for me while I ate really really really slowly. We could never eat anywhere in hurry, ever. I came with a solution though, I sometimes grabbed a banana because that's easy to eat on a go.   Now at home, I'm still swollen from the travel but I couldn't wait stepping on the scale and no weight gain!! to my surprise! I'll see how it went after my body has adjusted after the travel.   I have to tell you though that for the first time in my life, I had lots of left overs at the restaurants I ate at. I felt like apologizing for it to the waiters, for not finishing my food. I've always finished everything at a restaurant but I was very careful, even though the portions were big, that I would only eat until I was satisfied (not full) and I'm proud of that.   Overall, I did enjoy my trip very much and Spain is a fantastic country. And I've always enjoyed the food there before the lap band. But this was a difficult trip food wise and not that healthy I'm glad it didn't set me back tough.   I'm happy to be home and on Monday hopefully my body has recovered and that I will not have any extra fluid.  
lapband78

lapband78

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Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be 4 weeks since I had the lap band. I will meet with the surgeon and go over what has happening. I don't really know what to expect. I hope I will get a fill so I can begin my journey of eating normally with a lap band (1 cup a meal) but from what I've read here on the site and other places, I know that not everyone is getting a fill.   I can eat more than I used to. I guess I eat maybe 2-2.5 cups for lunch and dinner. Not sure though, I haven't measured. But I think I eat a lot more than on week 1 or 2.   Today I ate more than I should and I felt so full! First time in 4 weeks that I've felt so full but not so much that I felt sick, just full   I'm having trouble with water. I bought a 1 liter bottle to keep track of how much I drink. I only empty it once a day. And then I have maybe 2-3 glasses of other drinks than water. I read I should drink up to 3 liters a day! ugh, I need to see what my doctor wants me to drink.   I don't have any pain from my port anymore!! yay, that's good news! So happy because last week it was driving me crazy and I was worried it would be like that always. My scars are healing really well. I've removed all bandages but they are a bit sore. Like if my desk presses on the big scar. But nothing that bothers me. Burping continues, and I accidentally burped out loud at work, that was a bit embarrassing haha.   So over all it almost feels like I haven't had the surgery at all..... almost!!   Hoping for the best tomorrow.. what ever that will be
lapband78

lapband78

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Thoughts

I spend a LOT of time to think about my new life.   I crossed the big 20 pounds weight loss since the Lap band surgery yay. Very happy about that. And I got my third fill on August 5th. I'm going to talk to my doctor about the edema problem I had. I don't know if I want to or can experience it again. Maybe he will give me some meds for that in case it happens again. I stole a tablet from my mom. I hope he won't see it as an excuse to loose weight faster or something. I guess he's heard it all.. oh dear.   Anyway, last night when I just turned of the lights in bed, I was thinking about what's going on and the best feeling is to feel good when going to bed. Not full and not hungry, just good. That did not happen before. I was usually hungry or just stuffed my mouth with something and was full. It feels nice to yeah feel good haha.   I've also spent some time reading messageboards from all over the internet about WLS questions. Where people ask questions and explain they are not ready about this and that change. I can tell you that a person that has a WLS surgery is someone who has tried it all! And most likely couldn't manage because they were not ready or it was too difficult. At least that was me. I'm a food addict or a foodaholic as I call it. Love eating.   But the Lap band has given me something that I didn't think it would do. I enjoy food a lot more now than before. I am now forced to eat slow, slooooooooow so yeah I get to enjoy the taste longer. I also don't bother eating food I don't like anymore. And at dinner when there are lots of stuff on the table, meat, veggies, potatoes, I have begun to pick the food I really like. We don't get to eat that much now, so why bother with food that we don't love??   But bred. I'm noticing how much I love bread. I didn't know that we shouldn't eat bread before the lap band and you can imagine the shock I had when I heard I couldn't !! I still haven't gotten over that. But I can have a tortilla and thin crusted pizza. I have no problem with that so I guess I can eat bread. BUT I don't want to open that can of worms because who knows what will happen after the next fill. Maybe I won't be able to eat any of it, no pizza (omg!) and no tortilla. But I'm glad I didn't know about the bread thing because I seriously don't know if I had gone through with the lap band.   But today I love my lap band and I hope I can keep it for the rest of my life
lapband78

lapband78

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The big test

The past week has been a HUGE test for me.   I don't eat candy often, about 3 times a year. Christmas, Easter and then on one family trip every summer.   I just came back from the family trip.   Before the trip, I went shopping for food. I bought some candy, but only like 5% of what I usually buy. I also prepared egg muffins (egg, bacon, ham, veggies) for breakfast. I can tell you that the trip wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I ate VERY little candy. I came home with almost all of it. That's the first time!! I did have Ice cream twice.   But food was more difficult. There was always BBQ, every night, with baked potatoes, veggies and meat. Then there was some snacking through out the day, something I haven't done since getting banded. The last day was specially bad. We had some cake, Dorritos, Dip (cream cheese, salsa). Wow she's bad you might think, but I did have a taste of it all but didn't eat a lot.   AND it was my birthday 5 days ago. I bought a cake, because you have to have a cake when it's your birthday! But I didn't even bring it out!! I didn't feel like having a cake. But I brought it out the day after. I also brought some other sweets to have at my birthday but they all came back home with me.   Now the result of the test. I should have done less snacking. I can eat more now than after my first fill so I ate bigger portions than I'm used to. I don't think I failed though but I've learned a lot through this week.   I went on the scale when I came back home. I hadn't gained any weight but I hadn't lost any weight either. I have a lot of edema, something I haven't had a lot of since the surgery.   Now it's back to work, eat 3 portions a day. No snacking. I have my second fill on Monday. I'm a bit stressed since the first fill was very uncomfortable.   I have a few questions for my doctor:   Dr. O'Brien says you can drink with food.. what will my doctor say What happens if I eat a thin crust pizza (I'm craving it) Can I try some pasta? What about toasted bread?   I'm noticing now that my diet was based on bread! And after 2 months of not eating bread, I'm feeling so much better. No stomach pains like before. So I will NEVER go back to my past bread diet. But 1 slice of pizza... grrr I want.   Edit: Today Friday is my step on the scale day and I am so surprised but I did loose 1 kg this week or 2,2 pounds. I am so surprised that I turned backwards on the scale, and forwards and I would have stood on my hands if I could. This means I have lost a total of 8 kg or 17,6 pounds since I got the lap band So happy
lapband78

lapband78

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Stuck stuck stuck!

Since Wednesday (it's Monday today) I've had huge problem eating! Everything gets stuck!! (I'm hammering the keyboard)   It took me an hour to eat my scrambled eggs with mushrooms and sausage, very well chewed, for lunch. And the portion was just the size of a cup. It has never got stuck before today.   Tonight, I'm eating high quality meat, sauce, boiled veggies and omg it felt like I was having a heart attack! And it all came up again.   I'm going to take a LOT smaller bites and see if it helps, and chew chew chew.   I think it might be because I am having some edema right now and it might cause swelling where the band is. I was eating some smoked meat on Tuesday and leftovers on Wednesday. And then travelling this weekend, I haven't really gotten rid of the edema. So I guess that means smoked meat is of the table for me. I love it sooooo much, but NOT worth it!
lapband78

lapband78

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So happy!

Yeah I'm so happy.   Ok the back story:   2 years ago, I was exercising a lot and was heavier than I'm today. I went to a trip and did a lot of walking and it was difficult.   Today: not exercising almost at all (I know I know) but not as heavy and today I went on the same trip and it was easier to do the exact same walk!!   OMG so happy and I have to tell you that it has given me a confidence boost! For the first time, I feel like I can go out there and exercise and win a marathon! no ok not a marathon! Ever haha.   I've been afraid to go out there, to exercise because it's been difficult. All the heavy breathing, red face like I'm about to explode. But gosh today! A new life! I could actually do the walk (up a hill) without being out of breath like 2 years ago. All because of less weight on my body!   This is so motivating and I just had to write this down so that I would remember and that I can always go back to this memory if I'm feeling down.     Oh and I can't eat rice!!! so no sushi for me but hey! I can walk up a hill without loosing my breath! so worth it
lapband78

lapband78

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Second fill and a chat with doc

I got my second fill on July 8th. I now have 6 cc/mm in my band. I was very very nervous since the first fill was very painful because of the area around the port being swollen. I had a huge black mark around it for about 2 weeks. Now I didn't feel a thing and I could drink a cup of water without any problems.   Dr. Paul O'Brien is one of the doctors that has developed the lap band, he says that you can drink with food according to a new study. My doctor follows his procedure. I asked him about what he thought about drinking water with food. My doctor said that if I had to drink water, I should always wait for 30 sec after I swallowed my last bite. I was very happy since sometimes and some foods I just have to have a drink. Like if the food is too dry, spicy, hot/warm. I had a tiny bit of water with a spicy salsa.. it caught me by surprise. I don't like spicy food so the salsa was thrown out. I was at the canteen at work and didn't know it was going to be that spicy. But I'm going to be careful with drinking while eating still.   Second question, can I take Ibuprofen. Yes I can!! But only in liquid hmmm that sucks because normally Ibuprofen liquid is made for children so the dosage is very small. That means I have to take a LOT of liquid to get 200 -400 mg. So if you live in America, UK or Spain and know about a high dosage Ibuprofen Liquid, please let me know. I have a bad back and need my Ibuprofen from time to time.   Third question, what does my doctor feel about bread and pasta. Well he said they can cause blockage and he doesn't like bread at all (for us). I asked if he was ok with me trying it out to see if it would cause blockage. I told him I was having a craving for pizza. He told me that us humans, we love to eat the food love. I could try pizza but he wanted me to limit how often I eat it, if I could.   So tonight, we grilled some Pizza on our BBQ. We made a very thin crust pizza for me. I had two slices and it went down without any problems. But I was chewing a lot!!! I was still on my first slice when everyone else had about 3-4 or more (didn't count). I didn't eat the end of the pizza since the crust was thicker. But omg!! I can eat pizza yay. I'm going to limit pizza eating though. Maybe once a month. But then again I don't know how I will be after the next fills.   My doctor was happy about my weight loss. He told me it was a slow process. I'm ok with it being a slow process since the skin will adjust more. But I can already see my skin becoming loose on some parts of my body. I see more body change than weight change.   I still have to learn how to chew slowly. PB (Productive burping) is terrible!! I hate when that happens, specially around people that don't know that I have a lap band. It happens maybe twice a week and I normally have to spit out the food or kinda pressure the food up in to my mouth and spit out. Why? because when food gets stuck, there is a lot of slimy stuff there as well and it makes it worse. So I like to get the slimy stuff out. I don't know where the slimy stuff comes from but it doesn't help the food going through the band.   Other than the PB, I'm so happy I got the lap band! So happy! even if I could never eat bread or pizza again, I'm still happy
lapband78

lapband78

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Routine

I've now had the lap band for almost 4 months. I've learned a lot through these 4 months. I've lost about 27 pounds in these 4 months and I'm happy about that, actually very happy about that. Summer has been difficult. I've been naughty when it has come to food. I've had ice cream, cakes and lots of other stuff. But the difference between this summer and the summer last year is that I eat like a normal person. I don't sit with the box of ice cream and finish it in 1 evening. My portions are small.   What I've learned also that at a dinner table, I have to stand up as soon as I finish my meal. I can sit and chat with the people if there is still some food on the table.   I have also stopped going to the canteen with my co workers. After a few "stuck" and Productive burping, it became too much. Once I had to throw all of my food in the garbage because I just couldn't get it down. I talked to the chef and I am now able to take some food with me to my office and eat there. Where it's quiet and I can do it in my own speed.   No more breakfast for me. Now I eat lunch, something when I get home from work between 4-5 and then dinner at 8 latest. That routine is going really well for me.   I can eat almost everything. I can have pizza and tortilla. I have not tried regular bread yet but since I'm going to travel to the Mediterranean this week, I might have to try some since it might get difficult to control what you can eat, what's available. But I'm going to try my best to avoid bread. Might toast it if I can so that the texture wont be as soft.   Even though I have the productive burping very often, like almost once a day, I've learned to live with it. When I get it, I stop eating for a while, maybe 5 minutes and then continue with even smaller bite. I still love my lab band, I would do it all over again even with all the information I have now and some bad episodes.   27 pounds in 4 months, I think it's amazing. My doctor likes the speed. Says it's a normal speed, not too slow and not to fast. Very good for the skin to heal from being BIG. I've still got a long way to go. But this journey has been easier than I thought it would be, yes I said it, really it has. But it has some ups and down and I know there will be a lot of downs before everything becomes perfect. But as long as I'm loosing weight, I'm happy.   Last time I was at this weight was 3 years ago, I gained much weight last years since I went through some difficult time. But now I reached a milestone that I was looking forward to very much. My next milestone is 27 pound more, that means I will not be eligible for gastric bypass anymore. And that's something to celebrate!
lapband78

lapband78

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Overcoming Traditions

In Iceland we are big on traditions, at least my family. Ok probably all countries have their traditions. On Christmas, we always have this special drink, it's Orange Soda (kinda like Fanta) mixed with a Malt drink (non alcoholic) Both are carbonated. I love this drink. I could drink liters of it every day for Christmas, and well yes Easter as well. But lap band doesn't allow carbonated drinks. I tried one glass of it last weekend and I didn't feel that good. I had nausea that didn't go away until I let out a huge burp 3-4 hours later! How am I going to survive without that drink??? But I will I know I will. I will just find something really good instead. I tried a hot apple cider the other day that I made myself. It was seriously good but full of calories. I'm going to make that drink for Christmas as a special occasion.   Then we LOVE our smoked meat. I love it as well. My fave meat actually. Nope, can't eat it. Had it last weekend as well (dads bday) and I had problems with lunch all week. I could get some down and wasn't hungry but I had Productive Burping every day and I had to deliver some in the toilet. And I was at work! OMG but I eat by my desk so that I can eat at my own speed and not worry about other people.   I think this week has mentally been the most difficult since I went off liquid diet at the beginning. The smoked meat gave be lots of edema and I can't follow food tradition anymore.   But I saw the weight go down anyway! 0.4 pounds or 200 grams. Not a lot but with edema, it is something. It made me happy, yes that tiny weight loss did everything for me. I'm always learning, maybe a slow learner and I do the same mistake twice or ok three times haha, but I have to avoid smoked food and salt. If I do have those things, I have to suck it up and well feel bad for a week.   Is it worth it? nope not worth it. I even thought while this was going on, if I regretted the lap band, but nope, still love it. I can survive the productive burping, the slime and the fluid. I already feel overall better in my body. My underwear is even too big now! gosh haha, what a lovely feeling. Ok very bad for my bank account but it feels so good that my panties are about to slide down by itself if you get what I mean   And today I saw that I have a follower on my blog a woman who had the surgery at the same time I did and my blog is helping her. I saw her comment 1 month late. But wow that made me happy. I always thought I was just blogging for myself. Talking about my failures and how my mind works through all this. I'm glad someone like my blog   For those who don't know what edema is, it is excessive fluid in our body. Your face is like a balloon when you wake up and your fingers are like sausages. When you touch your skin, it doesn't feel like your own body, feels like jelly in there. Then the longer you are awake, then the fluid goes from your upper body and to your feet. But that doesn't bother me as much as when it's in my face, fingers and around the band.
lapband78

lapband78

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No 3rd fill

I saw my doctor/Surgeon yesterday for my third visit after the lap band. I was supposed to have my 3rd fill but he decided against it because he was so happy with how I'm doing yay   On average I'm loosing ca 0,800 grams or 1.7 pounds a week and he said I was on the speed that her prefers the most. I'm so happy. I was so nervous since I wanted to loose more before my visit and usually when I'm on extreme diets, the weight goes down faster than this, but then again, I've never lasted more than 4 months on Extreme diets. Lap band is not a diet but a lifestyle, so I'm extremely happy   I had also been thinking that I didn't want another fill yet. I have had a few "stuck" episodes and I have problems eating when I wake up. I think that my band is balanced now and I know when, how and what I can eat.   I also talked about me eating to fast sometimes and that I am afraid of band slippage. He told me not to worry about that too much. The band was stuck where it is. But I should eat slowly and practice doing that. But that I wont damage anything. Even though I have a PB or I have a "stuck" episode, I shouldn't worry about damaging anything.   I also talked to him about me going abroad on a plane and what I should do, that I was worried I would gain weight. He told me to relax and he would see me again after the trip because he doesn't want to make any changes before the trip, in case I feel bad after it. He also told me not to eat on the plane, only fluids. It's a 4 hour flight so I think I will be able to manage but good to know though.   Today at work we had pork for lunch. I felt it a bit dry after the first bite and it felt like it wasn't going through very well. I stopped eating the pork and ate the potato, veggies and some cottage cheese. I never threw out food before the lap band. I always finished everything on my plate. So this is a very new thing, not finishing everything on my plate. I'm becoming a food snob! haha, yes I my stomach is not a trash can anymore. Only gets A+ food   Happy girl today
lapband78

lapband78

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Mind Games

Oh gosh, I haven't heard stomach growling as often and so loud as since I got banded! Usually I always thought I was hungry when my stomach was growling but now I have to change those thoughts. I am not hungry I'm not hungry I'm not hungry. I've read that it's a common thing to have your stomach growling after getting banded so I'm at ease with it. It's just weird. Specially if I'm lying on my back, it's so loud that I could possibly record it on my phone! But no haha I wont.   Yesterday my family had homemade pizza. Raise your hands if you love how pizza smells! OMG, it was driving me crazy! I'm telling you. I got into bad mood and thought my family wasn't supportive enough. My mind even got into this dark place, regretting what I had done, that I could never eat pizza again or go to a fast food place and eat my heart out. Yes my mind really got there and it was the first time since the surgery day that I had these negative thoughts.   But those dark thoughts didn't last for long. I began thinking about all the great things I will experience if I reach my goal. Like being able to sit in an airplane without feeling like I'm a giant. Being able to walk into any clothes store to see if they have something I like. Being able to exercise and participate in family walks. Being able to move around like normal people without looking like a penguin. Walking up stairs without being out of breath. Feeling better in my back. Not feeling so conscious when walking into a room and thinking everyone is watching you because of your weight. Not being afraid to meet family or friends you haven't seen for a long time. Going to the pool without thinking about what other people think (well that will probably never go away but at least it's not because of your weight)   So not being able to binge eat on fast food VS all that! Yes I can do it!! And I don't have to binge eat. I can have a pizza slice, or cut a burger in half. Well if my stomach can handle that kind of food. And it's not like I have this kind of food all the time. Maybe 1-2 times a month.   I guess being on liquid diet and then soft food is playing with my mind now but only 5 more days!! I can do it! But don't worry, I know my fight is not finished after the 5 days. I know what will happen after that. I will have to slowly find out what food suits me, and gradually try out stuff. No fast food for me, I know! Even though I crave it, I am not going to have it.. yet.   The mind is a tricky thing
lapband78

lapband78

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Listen to your pain

It's been 2 weeks since my surgery. I should start on soft food today.   I've been feeling ok for the past days, just had smal pain where I've got the scars and then around that area. So yesterday I played a bit with my nieces just by sitting on the floor with them. Then I went to the theater that evening.   Today I feel so bad! I didn‘t want to go to work since my stomach is hurting all over. I should have listened to the small pain I had. It hurt a little when a was bending to talk to my nieces and then it was exhausting to sit for 3 hours at the theater.   I was looking so much forward to have scrambled eggs to breakfast but I didn‘t feel up to it. I didn‘t want to put extra stress on my stomach. I had a fruit smoothie but at lunch I had a soup with some boiled red peppers (just a tiny amount) and I ate it really slowly. When I get home, I‘m going to try some soft foods. I didn‘t want to feel more sick while at work.   So, if you are feeling any pain at all, be careful! You are not healed, you should still take good care of yourself. I‘m going to use the weekend to rest a lot! Almost like the 2-3 days after the surgery.   Regarding my weight, turns out that I haven‘t gained any weight. But I haven‘t lost any either. I‘m very pleased about that. I should stop stepping on the scale every day and just step on it on Fridays, same day of the week as I had the surgery done.   Then after a few days of calling my doctors office, I FINALLY got an appointment. I‘m going to have my fill (hopefully) on June 5th! I know some people don‘t get any fills 4 weeks after the surgery so I‘m prepared for that. But I would love for that to be the day for the journey to begin for real.   That‘s it for now
lapband78

lapband78

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Lap band forgotten

Forgetting for a split second you have a lap band is the worst!   I was hungry I stuffed my mouth with food, chewed a little and swallowed and OMG!!! I take my lap band seriously and I am always trying to be careful and eat correctly.   This is NOT my proudest moment. The food got stuck, there was pain! like my upper body was going to explode! I was able to get rid of the food without throwing up by using the muscles (that I didn't know I had in there) and gagged a few times, but did not throw up.   It took about an hour, a painful hour!   Still worth it having the lap band.   Yesterday I went out to meet my family at a camping trip out in the country. We had some BBQ and while everyone stuffed their faces with food, I just ate a little. And I had enough food, not starving myself. Then I looked at them still eating (it took me about 20 minutes to finish my portion) and thought about how odd it is, not eating so much. I used to be the one who ate the most of all of them. And I realized that I used to be a slave to food. And how much of my time went about eating and thinking about food.   I'm having my third fill on Wednesday next week. I have to talk to my doctor about my trip overseas to the Mediterranean sea. I am somewhat nervous about it because you eat differently when travelling. It's going to be hot (Ice cream and cold drinks) and then unusual eating habits. The trip is going to last 2 weeks, I hope he can give me some good advice.
lapband78

lapband78

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It's up to me

Since being banded I have changed my lifestyle a lot. I don't eat as much, eat 2 meals a day and 1 smaller meal, so kind of 2 and half meal a day. I only eat stuff I like and some food I don't even like anymore because after I had to chew and chew and chew, the taste just is that good anymore haha.   But to tell you the truth, I could cheat once in a while and have something not that healthy and still loose weight. But now after almost 6 months, it's ALL up to me!! If I cheat, I don't loose weight or at least not as much.   I'm learning and I think I'll keep on learning (hopefully hah!). For example, I need to drink more water than I used to. I try to drink 1 liter before lunch.   I do believe that if you think that the band is going to do the job for you, then you are going to fail, you are not going to meet your weight goal.   We all have to remember that. Touch you scar and think about what you have gone through and what a powerful tool you have in there.   I have my ups and down, I loose much weight one week and hardly anything the next week. It's a battle that I will win, it will take time but I will!
lapband78

lapband78

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Hungry!

12 Days post op today.   I am hungry! I'm almost always hungry. My bet is the swelling around the lap band is almost gone or completely gone. I should be able to eat soft food now but I'm gonna stick to the doctors orders and start my soft food diet on Saturday, on day 15 or 2 weeks after the operation. Maybe I should begin on Friday hmm. Gonna think about it.   I've begun to gain weight again! I am not eating that much over the day, about 1000 Cal I think. I'm not trying to starve myself, It's just difficult to get Calories from fluids. But I think the body is trying to hold on to every energy it can get.   I talked about this in my last blog, the weight. Of course it's on my mind. That's why I had the surgery but I'm going to keep calm and positive about this and I know once I start on soft food, the body will get more energy source and also I will be allowed to go out for walks and burn some of them calories enemies.   I removed ALL bandages yesterday and put some new ones over the scars so that they will heal properly. I'm really really pleased with how they look. The larges scar is very well healed and I actually don't think anyone would notice that if they saw my bare stomach (not like that's gonna happen anytime soon haha). It even made me think if my doctor had done some plastics hmm..   The only real problem I have now is that after sitting at work for 8 hours, I am full with gas, like everywhere. It hurts all the way up to my shoulders. Today I tried to stand up and walk around a few times today and it helped. Also my bra feels so tight that I am always trying to adjust it (without looking like I'm touching my boobs haha) I hope that will go away soon. Oh that brings me back to the beginning of this blog.. I guess I'm still swollen since this is bugging me hmm.   That's all for now
lapband78

lapband78

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Happy :)

Ok I know it's only been 6 weeks since I got the lap band but I have to tell you that I'm very very happy   I've had my ups and downs like everyone else but overall I'm very happy.   One of the reasons for why I had the lap band is so that I can eat and have a normal relationship with food. About 3 years ago, I went to rehab where they thought you about food and exercise. It was a preparation for Gastric bypass surgery. There were 8 weeks in patient program and then a few times we had to go to meetings. I'm still in the program but I said no to the Gastric bypass even though it was for free. Instead I had a lap band that costs me about $9000 because the insurance doesn't cover lap band procedures. Call me crazy but I didn't want an invasive surgery.   At rehab they said that you can allow your self to eat everything you want, just very small amounts and not all the time. Of course they say that you should try to leave unhealthy stuff alone but if you really really want some, then take a walk to try to forget and if you don't, then you can have just a small amount. This shouldn't be a punishment.   Now I probably sound like I'm not ready for lap band but I am. I stopped drinking soft drinks 4 years ago, I only eat candy 3 times a year (Christmas, Easter and one family vacation).   But what I want is to go to a birthday party where there is a cake and just have a tiny slice and that's it. Or if I am at someones house and they offer me some candy, I can have one piece and that's it. Before I would probably have ate the whole cake!! (well not really, I'm polite haha)   Yesterday it was the Icelandic Independence day and I had the task to go to the bakery and buy the cakeS. I bought two and I had a slice of each, but the slices were so tiny that you wouldn't call it a slice. I ate it and I was done. I didn't even want more. Before the lap band I would probably have had 3 slices of EACH cake!!   That's what I call a healthy relationship with food.   Of course I know that if I'm not careful, I won't loose weight as quickly. But like with the cakes yesterday, I ate the "slices" as my second meal of the day. I only had 3 meals. I calculate how the day is going to be.   My family is very proud of me and see how much I've changed. I also see it. My skin has changed, feels "bigger". I'm down from XXL in pants to XL and I've officially lost 6kg or 13.2 pounds since the surgery.   My second fill (and I need it) will be on July 7th. I actually can't wait since I feel I can eat more and the hours between lunch and dinner are difficult. So I'm trying to delay lunch so that there will be less hours between. That's helping a little. Oh and I'm making seriously good egg muffins/cupcake for breakfast (not cakes, just like omelette in a muffin/cupcake pan).   And also, I was watching the 8 golden rules video and Dr. Paul O'Brien says you can drink while eating yay!! so happy about that. But my doctor is following Dr. Paul O'Brien and recommends listening to him
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

Getting better

Today is day 23 post op.   I‘m doing so much better now than last week. My port pain is getting better and I‘m also more careful. I also had LOT of gas in my body but that‘s almost gone now. I can burp and I purp a LOT. That‘s something that has changed since pre op. But at least I can burp. At work, I of course don‘t burp out loud but people around me can hear the air moving inside of me. Like a lion roaring. But it doesn‘t bother me since it‘s not happening a lot at work. It‘s mostly in the evenings I have to burp     I‘m eating mashed soft food now and ohhh so good and nice to eat real food. I was kinda sick of the liquid diet! I feel it‘s difficult to eat around other people though, since I have to eat really slowly but when eating with others, I tend to get on their speed. So for now, while learning to eat slowly, I prefer to eat alone.   I have restrictions sometimes, if I eat too quick. It‘s not very comfortable but nothing that I can‘t handle. I just stop eating and wait until I feel better and then continue eating. I just have to chew better and eat slowly! And it‘s not like I have to chew much since the food is mashed, but sometimes there are a few pieces that I have to chew.   I guess my biggest problem right now is the drinking liquid part. Before the lap band, I usually drank most of my daily fluids while eating. But now I am not allowed to drink 15 minutes before a meal and 30 minutes after. That means I have to drink a lot inbetween meals. I sometimes have apple juice or orange juice because drinking only water is boring. I know I shouldn‘t drink a lot of juices so I try to limit it. Coffee, I only manage about a cup a day. I used to drink 3 cups a day but now I don‘t like coffee as much! (what‘s wrong with me??) and I used to love carbonated water but that‘s not allowed. So Juices it is! And what if the food is too hot to eat? I used to cool my mouth down with cold water. What happens in the future if I‘m eating spicy food and can‘t drink with it.. well ok that‘s future problems haha.   But yeah this sure is life changing. Oh one thing I forgot. Even though my stomach can‘t handle as much food as before, my mouth craves food! It craves sweet stuff. That does NOT change! My mouth loves eating food! But I‘m doing good in that area. I sometimes have a mousse as a snack (not a lot) but that‘s going to change when I get on Solid food. One step at a time for better life J
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

First party after banding

It's almost been 6 months since I had the lap band surgery. Still the best thing I've done for my body! I admit that I'd like to have lost more weight specially when I read about how much other people have lost. But I'm at 15 kg or 33 pounds. I had 1 month set back because of sickness and travel, I have to remember that. I also have to remember that this is not a competition, that I'm doing this for myself and nobody else. Also that I'm only 3 kg or 6.6 pounds away from a personal milestone. Can't wait.   I also have to remember that for the first time in 20 years, I'm living a normal life. I chose to live normal and not diet. I eat like other people do. Ok I eat a LOT less than what other people do but I now can enjoy food like other people do. I allow myself to have a cake if there is a cake at the office, or ice cream if there is some at the office. Just a small amount for the taste and no seconds! Before the lap band, I NEVER had any sweets and it was mentally destroying me that I never allowed myself to do anything and still gain weight. Yes I did and by over eating normal food. But because I allow myself to have a cake, ice cream, candy.. (no not too often!! seriously) then I loose weight slower than I could.   But I also always check if the cake (omg love cakes) are worth it, worth the calories. For example 2 days ago at work there was a store bought chocolate cake. I like home made more, so I decided it was not worth it. I mean it would have tasted ok but not worth it since it wasn't a fantastic cake! Also there was ice cream for desert at work and mmmmm I wanted some really badly. But nope, I decided not to have some since I was going out in the weekend and there is a birthday party I'm going to as well. So I do have self control   I went partying yesterday for the first time. I was a bit nervous so I decided not to go to a club. Just stay at the party at a friends place. I had white wine. There was beer but nope no carbonated drinks. I had read that some people don't need a lot of drinks to get a little tipsy so I was kinda expecting that. But nope, it was the same as before the lap band. I had to drink the same amount to feel a little tipsy. I didn't want to get drunk and loose control and throw up. My doctor and reading about the lap band have all warned about that. But I never get that drunk anyway so I wasn't that worried. I always just get a little tipsy and happy   But I don't like alcohol that much so I was hoping I only needed 2 or 3 glass of white wine. Maybe when I loose more weight, I will need less. Oh gosh this is such a luxurious problem haha.   So this is the day after, slight hung over as in head ache and no binge eating or wanting really greasy unhealthy food so yay I've been a good girl.   That's it for now
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

First fill

I got my first fill today. It wasn't what I expected. I had read about it being no problem at all, and it wont hurt.   But oh my it hurt!! I've been having pains where my port is but I was finally better. My doctor was pressing hard on the port to find the correct place. Then he stuck the needle in, still finding the correct place and oh my it hurt!! He put 2ml in the band and told me that now I had total of 6ml.   I then had to drink some water and that was difficult! It all came up again so I kinda had to throw it up. I felt so sick. But that passed when the water was gone. He then took 0,7ml out of the band and I'm ok now.   I'm on fluids for three days thought ugh! It was expected though since I had read about it. But still I was secretly hoping to be able to eat. I had a mushroom soup for lunch (without the mushrooms) and it went down well. I was a bit nervous about that because it felt so bad this morning.   I asked the doctor some questions about eating. I'm not allowed bread since it will be difficult to get down and no pasta since that could cause bloating. No carbonated water (buhu) and I guess no beer (not a big drinker so that will be ok). But he said chewing gum will be ok, I'm happy about that because I chew gum if I'm dying for sweets.   Now I will try not do die over the weekend, being on fluids again haha and I plan to start exercising on monday. He said I can now behave like normal person yay Though my port is hurting a lot but I think that it will get better soon.
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

First exercise

It's been 6 months since I got banded. To be honest, I haven't felt like exercising at all!! I mean I have been taking walks, parking my car far away from the entrance but no real exercise.   I had anxiety about it. I mean moving that heavy body, gosh so difficult. But last week I felt how easier is it now. Just walking up a small hill and feel the difference from last time I walked up the hill. It gave me confidence and I decided that the first change I got, I was going to do something about it.   So me, that LOVES to sleep and would sleep for as long as possible, woke up at 6 am (way to early for me) and went to the local swimming pool. I stopped going there a year ago since my weight was dragging me down (hah!). My swimsuit didn't fit and I just didn't feel comfortable.But now I bought a year membership and I'm going to use that for sure.   So here in Iceland we have to take a shower before going into the pool. For the first time I felt proud of my scars, because they are a reminder. But nope, empty showers. I mean who wakes up that early!! seriously! haha. Ok ok I heard Americans do that a lot so ok you must think I'm nuts LOL. So nobody to show my scars too haha   But ok my swimsuit! It's this slim-up swimsuit (LOL) and a year ago it did not fit me! It almost looked like a Playboy swimsuit, it was showing that much of my body haha. But this time omg it covered all the desired areas!!! I was so extremely happy. I've actually never fit into that swimsuit that well before, not even when I bought it. What a great energy kick that was.   I decided to take it slow and swam 400 meters (438 yards?) since it was the first time I exercised in a long time. But it felt good. Can't wait to get into the pool again   I know on this site there are a lot of stories about some amazing successes that people have made. Lost a lot more than I have and have achieved enormous success. Of course I'd like to be there, I mean who wouldn't??   But over the years doing all the dieting, trying to make life style changes and always failing, I have discovered that you have to do things your own way. You have to do it in the speed that you know you can do it in. If I try to overdo stuff, I do fail, that's just how I am. So taking babysteps works for me. I know I will not fail if I do it in babysteps.   But I do read other success stories, the inspire me and I love how we are different and how we go through this journey differently. As long as I am happy, as long as my doctor is happy then I'm doing things right for me.   But 40 pounds gone Swimsuit fits me better than ever before All my clothes are getting bigger Need a new wardrobe Feeling more confident   That in itself is a victory. Not the biggest victory, but still a victory. I've got 2 major milestones left. 1 when I will not be eligible for a gastric bypass here in Iceland and 2,2 pounds until I have officially never lost as much weight. I decided to set myself small milestones to celebrate and no I won't award myself with food !!!   After those milestones, the next one is in 10 kg /22 pounds that I want to loose before April. That's when I'm going to travel to America and buy new clothes   Love those new milestones
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

First day at work

Today is 10 days post op and my first day at work.   I was looking so much forward to go back to work! I sit at a desk and oh my it was more difficult than I thought.   When I'm home, I'm leaning back a bit when I'm on my laptop or watching tv, reading or what ever. But today I had to sit up straight and it was difficult. It felt like my upper half of my body was just pressuring my incisions and I felt all kind of pain that I hadn't felt before.   When I came home it was so good to lie down and relax. My body was full of air and I feel that lying on my right side helps releasing the air.   I'm hoping tomorrow will be better, I'm sure it will.   Other than this little work issue, I am feeling ok. The energy is coming back slowly, after I began eating cream soup (thin). I've stopped loosing weight though, even though I am eating half the amount I used to do before the surgery. But I guess it's the survival system of the body, it's holding on to everything it can.   I've read that once you begin to eat more, the weight starts to go down again. But also the doctors don't want you to worry about any weight issues for the first month. It's all about the stomach pouch and trying to get some energy. After the first month when you get the fill, the real work begins where you have to watch how much you eat. I am ready for that work!! bring it on !
lapband78

lapband78

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Finally

Hi,   Not sure if anyone will read this but maybe it will help me writing about my experience.   After years and years of dieting, all kinds of programs, exercising and nothing happening, I finally had the Lab Band Surgery. I decided a few years ago to have it but as I live in Iceland, I would have to travel to UK to have the surgery and I didn't want that. Finally after 5 years, they offer the surgery in Iceland and I jumped on board.   I read LOTS of pros and cons about the surgery and let me tell you, the cons they sucked big time!! But I am willing to sacrifice so much to be healthy and to be able to enjoy life again. The pros for this surgery is so much more than the cons. I was in a line up for a gastric bypass. I had gone through a 3 year program to get that surgery but I thought it was to invasive. And there was no turning back. But because of that 3 year program with specialists, I think I'm prepared for the Lab Band.   I had the surgery on May 8th and it all went really well. The worst thing was waking up, I couldn't keep my eyes open and the drive home from the hospital was terrible! 1 day post op, I was full of gas, every where and it was so painful but I didn't feel any pain anywhere else. Well except for a headache that I don't seem to get rid of. 2nd post op, tired, sore, gas. Same on 3rd but on the 4th day, I feel like a new person. Hardly any gas pain and the headache is better.   Last night I did feel terrible hunger though when I went to sleep. I went to the kitchen and brought a smoothie to my bed. I drank a few sips and then again later in the night. That helped.   I have been really low on energy so I decided to eat what ever I was allowed to eat, no matter the calories. I think that's a good choice since fluid diet has hardly no calories. Like the smoothie is only 58 cal.   I'm on liquid pain killers that I take 2 times a day. It's supposed to work for the gas pain and headache. I had lots of re flux before surgery but I haven't had any post op so I have stopped taking those medicines yay!!. I'm on blood thinners since I hated the flight socks! stopped wearing them yesterday after talking to my doctor but I still have "ghost pain" from wearing them.   That's all for now. I hope I'll be active here and I'm sure other blogs will help me through my journey
lapband78

lapband78

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Edema

Ok I need to eat! I am so hungry!   But the food just gets stuck and doesn't go through.. some of it does but most of it doesn't.   So today I took one edema tablet to help with the edema. And omg, I'm constantly going to the bathroom! I counted 5 times within one hour! (and I'm at work haha)   I normally don't take water releasing tablets but now I just had to.   I am excited and nervous to see how my lunch will go. I'm going to eat something soft and see if it passes. If not, then I'm going to call my doctor to find out what might wrong.   But I'm almost sure it's edema, lots of extra fluid that makes everything tighter.   Crossing my fingers!   PS: So good to blog about this so that I can go back to this message and read about my experiences and remember not to eat smoked or salty food again!! never ever!!
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

Disappointed in myself

Yeah I'm disappointed in myself.   I had a doctors appointment today. I didn't gain weight but didn't loose much either or 800 gr / 1,7 pound in 1 freaking month.   But I have nobody to blame other than myself. I'm finding this time of the year extremely difficult. I live in Iceland. Christmas is a huge thing here (no doubt it's like that in other countries that celebrate). The office is full with candy, cookies. I've been able to leave that alone but gosh it's still difficult. It's the deserts at the canteen that has been difficult. Ice cream, Belgian waffle with ice cream (omg!), chocolate mousse cake! Seriously you are killing a food addict! Then a Christmas buffet! ugh. I don't think I'm eating much much more than I did before, it's the calorie intake that has increased a lot.   Then I had to help my mom bake cookies for Christmas, and cakes. Seriously it's all over! Calories calories calories. It's driving me insane.   I talked it over with my doctor and he told me that I'm not the only one struggling right now. I just have to keep focus. At least I did not gain weight. And I asked for more fill in the band.   I got 0,1cc in the band and after lunch my stomach got full with air, it just didn't want to go out! didn't feel that well. Might have been stress at well. But hopefully this fill will help a little and make me feel full sooner.   Yeah this was a very bad month, Christmas isn't even here yet But I will get through this. My doctor told me that even though I gain weight after Christmas, it won't be the end of this. I will continue. But he did encourage me to be careful and eat carefully.   I plan to do that and my goal is not to gain weight over Christmas.
lapband78

lapband78

0
 

Difficult days

Ok I'm 5 weeks post op and I've been doing really good. I need to begin exercising though but my neck and back has been giving me seriously bad time. I had to go and buy some liquid ibuprofen and I can hardly manage the days without it. Hopefully I'll get better very soon! I'm loosing some weight and I saw a new number on the scale that I haven't seen for a whole year!! I was very happy. It was this morning but it's not my day to step on the scale so I'm not counting it as weight loss yet.   But it comes as a bit of a surprise! I am having food craving!!! I want something unhealthy soooo bad now. So yesterday was a relapse. I had some chicken and then fries!! yes fries!! Only like 10 of them (that's not a lot for me!!) and then after like 4 hours I had maybe 4 dorritos chips with salsa dip and cheese and little bit of ice cream. OMG it's so difficult to write this down but I decided to be honest about this.   I decided since I was doing to eat this, I was going to have just small amount. And comparing to how I was before getting banded, this is nothing!   Today we had guest over and there were some waffles baked. Not Belgian waffles though, but some very soft ones. I had 1 waffle with jam and whipped cream. Usually I would have like 3 or even 4. And I didn't even crave more waffles. That was surprising to me.   Weekends are so hard. It's from decades of abusing food on weekends but I need to work my mind into not thinking about food on weekends.   I don't believe that a relapse is the end of everything. You fall and you stand up again.
lapband78

lapband78

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