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Lab Band hopeful

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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

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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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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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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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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

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31 pounds gone

Today I had my third fill since my surgery on May 8th. I have now got about 6.1 ml/cc in the band. The fill was painful!! The nurse was stuck the needle in and was moving the needle inside of me to find the port opening. She told me to push my body like I was doing a push up and I had to hold that position for 5 min to keep the port still. OMG it was painful!! I asked for a break because it was starting to hurt really bad where she had the needle. By then the doctor noticed that something was wrong and came to me. He took a new needle and stuck it in (omg it hurt because I was so sore) and found the port after like 30 sec. He then told me that the port is lying with the opening at the side. Ok sorry for the language but F*** that S*** sorry, but it hurt, really hurt. And now I'm really sore and have a blue mark.   I kept thinking, where is that X-ray machine some doctors use when making that fill! Seriously ugh. I like my doctor but I don't like pain. I'm gonna remember this next time and tell them that the port is sideways. I might even opt for an operation to fix it. But let's see what happens.   Anyway, I'm slightly under the curve for the weight loss. I'm 31 pounds down since May 8th. Trust me, I'm happy! really happy. I haven't had this weight for YEARS! but I'm disappointed in myself for not staying on the curve. But my doctor and I blame it on my trip to Spain where I didn't stay on a health diet.   I'm going to prove to myself that I can be on the curve in the beginning of December. He said I'd be there in January but I'm putting some pressure on myself now.   I admit that the two weeks since I went on the vacation have been really difficult mentally. I was so sick on the vacation and soon after I got home, I was laying in bed for 3 days. My throat hurt really bad and well ice cream helped a LOT. Felt like when I had my tonsils removed. And trust me, ice cream does not help with weight loss haha.   Don't judge though and think I'm not ready for this battle. I had a relapse. I did loose weight through this period, just not enough weight. I am now on the straight and narrow and back on track. I think you learn from a relapse. Being sick isn't a good thing and you seek things that make you feel good.   I have been mentally ill as well a few years back. People were either getting sick or dying around me. I took it hard and had depression. I gained a LOT of weight. But I have learned from that experience. I know the warning signs. Food will not be my friend like that again. Now I have learned about physical illness and food can't be my friend there either. I will not allow it.   Weight loss is a battle. You might think you have it all, you had a surgery, you are mentally ready for this, physically ready but what makes you stronger is if you can stand up again when you fall down. That will make you stronger in this weight loss battle.   But 31 pound is something to be proud of and I'm going to remember all the milestones and reach for the next one. I can't wait!
lapband78

lapband78

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Change of attitude?

Ok so my edema has been bothering me.   To explain, I gained 2kg or 4.4 pounds over night this morning! And no I did not eat that much. This just happens *sigh*   But ok now it's evening and I've lost most of it again. But I can hardly eat for breakfast and lunch.   So what to do?   I've decided to approach things differently. I don't eat breakfast and I have no problem with that. For lunch I've decided to go back to basic. Mashed food and liquid. I had a mashed banana (I like that), small protein drink and a small smoothie.   Now I'll see how long I manage that. I was a bit hungry at 4 pm when I came back home but I was careful not to overeat.   So now I'm going to stop complaining and adjust. I've seen that other people also have problems with AM eating so I'm there as well.   But every time I have to pull up my pants or even panties (haha), makes me very happy and gosh never turning back!
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

0
 

1 Month banded

Today is one month since I got banded. It had been an emotional roller coaster. First because of pain from the surgery and then food craving. The food craving will not go away but I will learn to live with it. Right now I'm craving bread, any bread with anything on it. But I'm going to make a Cauliflower bread tonight, I'm excited.   I had my first solid food yesterday. Chicken in a sauce and some lettuce. I was very careful on the amount I ate and chewed slowly. My family ate maybe 4-5 times more than I did, but it still took me longer to finish my portion. I had a tiny little nausea while eating but nothing that bothered me. And I have to tell you, I wasn't hungry and I managed until breakfast!! I was sooooo happy. When on liquid diet and soft died, I always had to have an evening snack. Yay   Today I had yesterdays leftover for lunch and I felt so sick!! The nausea was bad, but then after 2 hours I released a burp (haha) and I felt a lot better. I guess I ate to fast or something.   Now it's been 5 hour since lunch and I'm feeling a little hungry but I'm going to eat dinner in 1-2 hours. I hope I make it.   Happy 1 month anniversary to me
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
 

Changes in body

My weight has dropped since the surgery, a healthy drop. I'm only counting my weight loss from the day of surgery, not before. But my body has changed a lot more than my weight. I don't know why but it has. I was in a bath tub yesterday and I could easily put my arms down by the side. If I did that before, it would get really tight. My clothes are getting bigger, specially around the arms. I notice my chin has changed and my fingers. My pants are way to big now, and I need to buy new. Why there is more change in the body that the weight surprises me. I mean I have weighed this before and not looked like this. I love it   I struggle a little with the amount of food to eat. I try to figure it out but it's difficult, specially at work where I'm not measuring in a cup. I have a small dessert plate that I put my food on and I think it's the right amount, maybe a little more, maybe. But then when I'm eating with other people, I sometimes forget my speed and eat faster than I should. That means I get a reflux and have to wait a few minutes before I continue. But hey, it's only my 4th day on solids, so I'm learning.   But I keep thinking about Band slippage and I'm so afraid it will happen. Last night when sleeping, I woke up a few times thinking I could feel my band. I guess it's imagination but it's nerve wrecking I think. I need to Google how it feels like when people have a band slippage so that I can stop worrying about it so much.   But over all it's going really well. I need to add some amount of food for breakfast because I get hungry so soon. I usually don't eat a lot. So now I have some chicken sausages and eggs. Cheerios is NOT working as breakfast. It tastes terrible when you have to chew it a lot. But I'm not used to eat hot breakfast but I'm kinda looking forward to it.   Over and out
lapband78

lapband78

0
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