jen_1381

So far I've been keeping up with my vow to exercise daily, with the exception of four days last week that I had tonsillitis and a high fever. I gave myself a pass for those days Every day since being cleared for exercise post-op, I've done something active. I find now that my body craves it. I don't feel right if I don't get in a couple mile jog or some quality time with the treadmill. I actually like that feeling! I'm set for my second fill today - in an hour actually - and I don't really know how to describe where I'm at with my eating. I'm sticking to the portions, and the meal plan of protein, veggies, and fruit (sliding a little dairy in there every now and then) but my hunger is so weird now. Some days I struggle to eat three meals a day. Other days, I'm SO hungry a couple hours after lunch that the whole clinic can hear my stomach growling! It's hard for me to guage if I need a fill because I am not thinking about food and hunger like I used to - I just simply ignore hunger feelings between meals. I find it a huge struggle to eat away from home. We went to the Strikeforce (MMA) fights Saturday and there was literally nothing healthy available to eat. I had a couple handfuls of my husbands popcorn but was starving by the time I got home (the event went from 3:30 until 9:30 PM). With it being a controlled venue, I couldn't have brought any food in with me. I'm working through another plateau now. After being sick all last week and barely getting in liquids, I didn't lose an ounce. I've been stuck for about a week. I've heard that eating more calories one day may help bust the plateau but I'm honestly scared of gaining weight now! I better wrap this up and get my hiney to the doctors office. Hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday.

Weighed in at the EXACT same as last time - 202.2! Can we say "plateau"?! I even had tonsillitis all week last week, struggled to eat even liquids, and didn't lose an ounce. Oh well, it's better than gaining I guess!

I chew gum daily while I exercise. It was advised against, but I don't take water with me when I go jogging (too much to carry) and it helps keep my mouth from getting dry. I'm careful not to swallow it; I think that's where the advisement comes into play. You may get stuck if you swallow it. I'm just consicious of it and only chew 1 piece at a time.

I'm 2 months out and haven't had any hair loss at all. Protein is my focus though, it's the first thing I eat and all I have for snack. Maybe that's helping?

I had the band and hiatial hernia repair done at the same time. I had very minimal post-op pain, and I couldn't tell if the little pain I had was from the band placement, hernia repair, or the gas they use during surgery. I felt like the air pain in the shoulder was worst. That, and my band aggravates my vagal nerve and I get shoulder blade pain after fills.

Mine is on my right side, just below my rib cage, halfway between my sternum and naval. I asked the surgeon about placement, and he said that he always places his on the right side. I would have much preferred left, I'm a right-sided sleeper and wake up sore every now and then, but he said it was the best spot that he found for continued access.

I eat Greek Yogurt every morning. I'll also have some fruit or a few pieces of turkey if I'm really hungry. I still struggle getting a veggie in with breakfast. I usually start off my day with a cup of tea then my liquid vitamins mixed with Bolthouse juice, so waiting 20 minutes usually puts me just arriving at work. I have a desk job and can eat at my desk. I don't really have a good "on-the-fly" meal solution, but the Greek Yogurt really helps keep me full.

I think I'm coming down with Strep Throat for the second time in three months. Last time I was SO sick, but the tests showed Strep Throat and the Influenza. I was out of commission for six days, flat on the couch, couldn't swallow or talk (blessing for my husband, misery for me). I can't afford another missed week of work so I'm hoping this passes. I'm going to fill up on Nyquil, tea with honey, and a steam bath when I get home and see if I can't kick it's butt before it kicks mine. The only positive last time was I lost 8 lbs in five days. Besides starting to feel like death is becoming me, I'm rocking it with this band. I don't feel any restriction yet so I'm relying solely on my diet choices but I met and passed my goal I set for my July 16th fill. That felt good. I'm so close to being under 200 lbs. My BMI is almost to the "overweight" category instead of "obese". I think I'm most excited for that! I still find weekends to be a huge challenge. Our weekends are usually filled with family and friends, and I'm usually the one to cook a big meal for everyone and used to indulge in my cooking. I made a little "taco bar" on Saturday night and cut a tortilla in half to make me a taco with only the healthy ingredients. My husband gave me the funniest look - I even asked him why - and he didn't answer (we had friends around). The next day he said he was just surprised to see me take such a normal portion when I've been measuring and eating so small the past few months. I don't think he paid attention to the fact that I had half a tortilla, and threw away the last few bites. He said he wasn't judging, and it wasn't a bad thing, he was just surprised. I took it as a compliment that he was used to be chosing healthy options. We'll see how I feel tomorrow...I'm thinking I may have to take the night off from exercise. With my throat swollen, breathing may be uncomfortable. This will be the first night I haven't worked out in about six weeks.

UHC has tons of plans. My plan is specific to Georgia Pacific (the company) and I did not have to do any pre-op diet. It varies by plan though.

I struggle with this still, and I'm almost 2 months post-op. I started practicing pre-op but I also let myself get too hungry and eat faster. I haven't had any real "stuck" episodes but I have been uncomfortable twice from eating too much. Trying to sneak in that "one last bite" after you get your full signal. Feels like horrible indigestion for about 5 minutes then it passes. Maybe that is my stuck feeling? I'm not sure, I'm too new at this

How often is everyone exercising? I've gotten conflicted information between my WLS team. My psychologist said that doing something active every day is best. My dietician said 4-5 days a week. So, I went with what I could work with, and that's 7 days a week no matter what. I don't take a day off from exercise, but I do change up my routine. I flip between a 4 mile outside jog, hitting the elliptical, treadmill, and yoga ball, or the Xbox Kinect routines. Some part of my body is always sore depending on what I've been doing the day prior. I've always been an "all-or-nothing" girl though, and feel like if I skip a day it will be easier to talk myself out of working out and into a nap way too easily. My husband keeps persisting that I take a day off (when he sees me limp upstairs, ice my hip, or cringe when I raise my arms!). I do have a problem with my right hip but found that going to the chiropractor 1-2 times a week helps...but my husband thinks it wouldn't hurt if I gave myself a break every now and then. So I'm torn!

I walk/jog 4+ miles every day. I keep it fun by changing up my route and taking my iPod along with me. Sometimes I'll take the dogs but 4 miles wipes them out for the rest of the day I also have an elliptical and treadmill at home for the rainy days (yes, here in the NW our summers are not always sunshine!!). I love doing the UFC Trainer game with the Kinect on Xbox. Kickboxing is a great cardio and fat burner.

Protein, Veggies, and Fruit should be the staples of every meal. Also - your nutritionist could be your best friend at this point. I was able to email the one I met with pre-op with questions. Can you do that with yours?

Sorry my mouse is a little "click-happy"...didn't mean to quote myself twice

Weighed in yesterday (Sunday) at 202.2. Getting so close!! Jogged 4 miles each day this weekend and am *almost* to the point of loving it!!

Name, real or screen~ Jen Goal weight for July 31st~ 198 lbs Weight on July 1st~ 207.6 Age~ 28 Dietary goal for July~ Stick to my plan of only protein, veggies, and fruit! Exercise goal for July~ Do something active every day. Personal goal for July~ Organize the basement storage room - ugh. Date banded~ May 18th Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 40 lbs What is your favorite 4th of July activity~ BBQ time with family (this time, minus the BBQ foods for me!)

A little update on my challenge: I hit my goal weight for June! My new goal for July is to be at 198 lbs. My weight today, July 6th, is 203.4. I have been active every single day, even jogged 4 miles yesterday along the Columbia in this beautiful summer weather. My husband has started eating more fruits and veggies and cut out most of the junk food. My total weight loss to date has been 40 lbs. June was good to me!

Awesome job! I also find that my iPod helps me keep going, whether it be on the elliptical or treadmill, or jogging outside. I push myself to "just get through this song" then the next one comes on and I think - "I can do this one too" and before long I've hit my goal. The more upbeat the better, helps me keep my feet moving!

I've only lost 40 lbs and I can feel mine really well. It almost looks like a hernia in that photo! That was my first thought. The way I see it, and you may too B-52; as unsightly as it may be, you worked HARD to have that port show! It's no longer covered up by fat. That's an accomplishment! I have it set in my head that the looser skin and showing port that come along as I get closer to my goal are an accomplishment. I may not entirely love how my body looks when I hit my goal, but I hated my body at 243 lbs.

They now make Frozen Greek Yogurt. I keep a half gallon of the blackberry in the house and allow myself a spoonful every day. It's lower calorie than ice cream - but still not low calorie - but it does have a fair amount of protein. Plus, it's super yummy!

Another fun Greek yogurt recipe (used it this 4th for veggie dip) is to add a packet of the Hidden Valley Ranch powder to some plain Greek Yogurt. I felt less guilty dipping the few veggies I had in it since it was a good source of protein. It makes a good thick ranch dip.

This sounds crazy, but anesthesia makes me sad! I've had quite a few surgeries, and seem to go through a little bout of depression for about 3-4 days after. I had been working with a fertility specialist and had gone through 3 surgeries with him, and told him that I feel weepy aftewards, and he said that was completely normal and that there are a lot of reasons for it - not only can the anesthesia have that affect on you, but also "coming down" from the stress and anxiety that surgery causes. Even though I didn't necessarily feel stressed, I knew emotions were running high before surgery and when it was all over, the relief can make you touchy.

When I was in the mushy stage, I was out shopping with my husband and he was "starving" so we decided to stop off at Shari's. I ordered their Loaded Potato Soup and ate about 6 bites and did not feel well. The next day I had gained almost a pound. Now, granted, a few bites of soup won't make you gain fat, but I think all of the sodium in it made me gain some Water weight. I told my husband that I didn't think we should go out again for a while. We finally went out two weeks ago, when I was almost done with the "soft" stage and I ordered their lean omlett. Ate about half and took the other half home for lunch. For me, restaurants are a tempting place I'm trying to avoid at all cost. Going once a month or so gives me a good opportunity to exercise my will power, and I love the socializing that goes along with it, but I thankfully now can recognize my "slippery slope" situations and can avoid them.

I've only had one fill so far (surgery May 18th) but he did 3 cc's and I have an 11 cc band. My surgeon said he goes fill by fill, no set amount schedule, and judges it by weight loss. He said he typically will do 3 for the first one and asked if I agreed (kind of surprised me - like I know the difference right now! It was a nice gesture though.)

I do liquid Vitamins. Mix them with a little fruit juice (actual fruit juice - like the Bolthouse Farms that doesn't have all of the additives) or you can drink them on their own but they don't taste the greatest. My nutritionist was adamatly against gummy vitamins. For one, the consistency she didn't care for (may not be able to chew them into an acceptable texture post-op). But what she disliked the most was the amount of sugar, calories, and carbs in most of the over-the-counter gummies. The ones that taste acceptable are usually coated with or made with sugar. I have seen a few brands that don't have a lot of sugar, but I'm trying hard to follow all of their advice so I switched to liquid. Again, this is just the theory of my nutritionist, and the surgeon agreed. I've heard from a lot of people that they take the gummy vits and they are just fine.