Ready2loseIt

Well, yesterday marked the 3 month anniversary of this journey for me, and I am THRILLED to be down 48 pounds! I have dreamed of the day I could write something on the success stories thread because I spent a whole lot of time reading here during the dreaded pre-op diet, the post-op gas pains, and the bandster hell period to help remind me that this will be worth it in the end. I can say so far that I absolutely do not regret this decision.
On Thursday, March 15th, I went to the plus size clothing store on my lunch break to find something to wear for a college preview day my daughter I would be attending that weekend. I left the store nearly in tears. Even a 26 was tight and everything made me look like I was wearing a tent. Right there in the parking lot, it felt like I was hit by a bolt of lightning and "get a Lap Band" just came to my mind out of nowhere. I truly believe it was one of the "God moments" for me.
Over the next two weeks, I researched all I could on this and how I could make it happen. I learned that I would have to give up my 2 liter a day diet soda addiction because carbonated drinks stretch the pouch. I was pretty certain I was going to use one particular surgeon with a great success record, and he requires under 50 net carbs a day. OMG! How would I ever do that? I thought I would just eat the same as always, just a lot less, and I have to eat slower, chew how many times, and not drink with or after meals?? I wasn't sure how I would be successful but I knew I couldn't keep going this direction, and I was feeling my rock bottom.
Knowing I had to kick to soda and do the initial "carb detox", I decided to do get a jump on the pre-op diet and go back to Weight Watchers, so that I do not have to deal with such a drastic change all at once, and I am glad I did. So, on April 2nd, I went back to WW, with goals of getting off soda, cutting carbs and getting a new mindset. I did this for 1 month prior to starting the pre-op diet and that made the pre-op diet a little more tolerable and jump started my weight loss. I has initially lost 12 lbs by the time I had the 1st visit with the surgeon.
On May 14th I was banded, everything went well. No Fluid was put into my band during surgery. After the intial swelling went down, I felt like I could eat a house, and I struggled with this til I got my first fill on June 14th. I even gained a couple of pounds and this was so discouraging. Even though I was following the carb and Protein guidelines, I decided I was eating too much fat and calories, so I started tracking 5 things about everything I ate: WW points, fat, calories, carbs and protein, and I weighed everyday and wrote in on my log (a simple MS Word table). The negative feedback of a weight gain motivates me personally. If I stall, I can easily see what the problem food was and avoid it next time. This has been the most successful thing for me and I am learning to live with and work with the band. It is a huge priority for me to write everything down. Instead of pouting and wondering what I did wrong, I can easily identify it, learn from it and move on. Since I have done this, the weight has literally fallen off.
So, yesterday, July 2nd, was officially 3 months since I walked back in WW with my head hanging low. I walked in with my head held high and stepped on the scale to see a 48 pound loss. It was more than I ever imagined. I'm so glad I had that God moment in the parking lot that day.

When I first started my journey I thought about how I would reward myself too! Somewhere along the way in this past year the constant weight loss distracted me and when I reached my goal (I lost 150 pounds in one year) I completely forgot about that. I'm skinny now hehe... what an AWESOME reward!! I wear size 4 jeans and size small shirts now... REWARD! Honestly, I can't think of a single thing I could give myself that would outshine what I have already done for me~ a new body is about the best reward I can imagine! Happy Losing Everyone!! Trust me, it's BEYOND worth every struggle you will encounter!

I don't want to go to the Gym but I know that No work means no results I know the Lap Band can't do it alone!!! God Helps those who help themselves!! I'm Up On MY Game!!!

My mushies were divided into two sections. Week three was greek yogurt (used hand blender to mince the fruit, and added fat free milk to thin it out) and low fat/cal cottage or ricotta. Week four was canned chicken or tuna. I mixed those with low fat laughing cow cheese, much better than mayo. For chicken and tuna my doctor said to weight them out to 3 oz.

My favorite was pureed canned chicken with a spoon of fat-free sour cream and a spoon of low-cal vegetable flavored cream cheese. I would also puree some tuna with the healthiest mayo I could find and some garilc. By the time I hit the mushy stage, I was dying for some flavor! I also took fat-free refried beans, a spoon of fat-free sour cream, and some hot sauce. Taste just like the inside of a Taco Bell bean burrito! Greek yogurt was also a staple, as well as V8 juice.

I lost 10 pounds on the 2 week opti fast diet but i cheated a lot....

I was banded on Friday and now i'm sitting here thinking....what the hell have I done?!? I feel like poo! My mom is getting on my nerves. everytime i moan in pain she says "oh its going to be ok" umm dang it i know it will be ok but i dont feel good NOW! My sweetie is on a buisness trip sending me pictures of him in his tux drinking his champangne and im sitting in bed looking dishelved eating ice chips! There is no turning back now but geez i hope this gets better soon! <end rant> lol thanks for listening! yall are the only ones that understand.

I was banded on Friday and now i'm sitting here thinking....what the hell have I done?!? I feel like poo! My mom is getting on my nerves. everytime i moan in pain she says "oh its going to be ok" umm dang it i know it will be ok but i dont feel good NOW! My sweetie is on a buisness trip sending me pictures of him in his tux drinking his champangne and im sitting in bed looking dishelved eating ice chips! There is no turning back now but geez i hope this gets better soon! <end rant> lol thanks for listening! yall are the only ones that understand.

Just a note to say that this morning I hit 145.0 pounds - which means I've lost 131 pounds in just over 11 months from surgery - And I finally hit a normal BMI!!!! (i'm on the high end of normal - but normal nonetheless!!!!). I'm so excited. From tight size 22/24 to loose size 8 and size 6 - with medium and small shirts!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!! BEST OF LUCK TO US ALL ON OUR JOURNEYS!!!!!!