sarawray

the sweet spot that is known as the green zone. Some are lucky and never have to worry about it and some of us have to figure out if we are really in it or not or if it even exists. Since my last fill on Jan 29th I can certainly say it exists. I can easily go 5 hours with need to eat and I never have the cravings or desires to snack. Jan 29th I weighed 346 and this morning I was 313. Today I also had my one year follow up visit and the Center was happy with everything they seen and heard and they feel I am in a very good place right now. They decided that they only need to see me every 6 months but if I have any problems at all with anything or think I need adjustment then call sooner and get in.
 
I still have a long way to go in my journey but sometimes it is good to take a step back and look at the big picture. My Doc took all my measurements this morning and then gave me this print out for a little perspective.
 
 
 

 
I am 93lbs from my personal goal but I am more motivated then ever.
 
My advice to all the new folks considering this option. Patience...this trip requires a lot patience but if you're true to yourself and follow your Docs advice and guidelines you can be successful. With anything there are ups and downs but you have to grind through the low points. Lapband surgery one day and weight loss the next does not happen. It can take some time for the ball to really start rolling.

I have signed up for a 5k. I have 6 weeks to get ready. 6 months ago I would have never even considered it. Yey Me!!!!!

I have signed up for a 5k. I have 6 weeks to get ready. 6 months ago I would have never even considered it. Yey Me!!!!!

I have signed up for a 5k. I have 6 weeks to get ready. 6 months ago I would have never even considered it. Yey Me!!!!!

I have signed up for a 5k. I have 6 weeks to get ready. 6 months ago I would have never even considered it. Yey Me!!!!!

Of things I want to be able to do on and after my weightloss journey.

To sky dive (weight limit is 200lbs for my height)
Be able to comfortably fit in an economy airline seat
Be able to ride roller coasts with a "no doubt" mind set that I will fit
Start training for a triatholon
Be back to my high school jean size of 11 and medium top
Learn to play violin (not really weightloss related... but whatev, I want to learn)
Be able to wear high heels longer than 3 hours with out my feet hurting from 270+lbs crushin my tooties
Not have to try on 20 dresses to find 1 that looks ok to wear
Be able to walk up the dry-dock stairs at work with out feeling like I'm dying (literally...my leg feel like they're going to fall off and my heart feels like it's going to explode)
Not having to crop pictures anymore
No more having to retake pictures 20 times to find one where I don't look huge

 
I know I'll come up with more....

Oh em gee...
 
I was looking at my niece's family album on FB, and Lord & behold, there I was.... I was sitting down, which of course, added even more weight to my already large thunder thighs. I can't say enough how unflattering of a picture it was. I'm talking absolutely terrible.
 
So, anyway, this picture was taken in May 2010 when (apparently) I was at my heaviest. I could easily tell, in my personal opinion, that I look "much" thinner now. At least, 25 - 30 pds.
 
I told my husband about the picture last night & told him I wanted him to see it, so he could see the difference in what I looked like. Oh, wait for it...
 
He looks, and he's studying the picture. I said to him, uh, you're taking way too long to say anything. He's frigin' analizing the picture, and I felt as though he was trying to formulate the words....
 
He says, I think the picture was taken at a really bad angle. My boobs looked bigger (because I had a breast reduction since 2010), and he could easily point that out. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT, he didn't say anything about me looking thinner now.
 
I"m like are you kidding? You can't tell that I look much thinner now than in that picture? He goes, ohhh... I didn't know that's what you were asking me. I thought you were just critisizing yourself in the picture. You know your weight doesn't mean anything to me.
 
Hummmm ... nice try to safe..... Needless to say, it was quite the buzz kill for what might have been a 'fun slumber!'
 
Let's try this again tomorrow babe!

I thought I'd update, work and life have been busy,
I think the last time I blogged here was right after my first fill, and I have my 2nd one in five more days.
 
I've lost 34 lbs. since my surgery at the end of June.
My struggle with exercise is an on-going thing, I just can't get myself to just do it.
 
Eating is easier as in I don't do a lot of it, I don't think about it much and when I do it's because I have to go out to eat.
That has always been the hardest for me, making good choices when I'm looking at a menu and then at other people's plates is HARD, but I'm doing it.
Last week at a birthday dinner I had a salad...actually it was lettuce and dressing...because everything else on the menu was not for me. Everyone else enjoyed the family style feast of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, BBQ chicken, baked beans, buttery green beans, chicken fried steak and biscuits...that was like my own version of hell for about two hours, but I did not put a single "bad" thing into my mouth.
While everyone left there stuffed and feeling gross, I left with a happy tummy and a happy heart.
 
When I got home I had a little grilled chicken, and it tasted amazing.
 
Another victory...I'm thankful.

Got my lapband/plication on Thurs. I guess I did really good. My RN told me he was surprised, people dont usually do as well as i did. I just basically woke up walked to get the xray thing done and went to the restroom ( wished I had went in opposite order lol). Then I got dressed and went home. The gas has been terrible and the port site is extremely tender, but getting better everyday. Planning on going to work on Tues., I can sit around up there just as easy as here. So here I go. Start of new life, Aug,9 2012.

Got my lapband/plication on Thurs. I guess I did really good. My RN told me he was surprised, people dont usually do as well as i did. I just basically woke up walked to get the xray thing done and went to the restroom ( wished I had went in opposite order lol). Then I got dressed and went home. The gas has been terrible and the port site is extremely tender, but getting better everyday. Planning on going to work on Tues., I can sit around up there just as easy as here. So here I go. Start of new life, Aug,9 2012.

Got my lapband/plication on Thurs. I guess I did really good. My RN told me he was surprised, people dont usually do as well as i did. I just basically woke up walked to get the xray thing done and went to the restroom ( wished I had went in opposite order lol). Then I got dressed and went home. The gas has been terrible and the port site is extremely tender, but getting better everyday. Planning on going to work on Tues., I can sit around up there just as easy as here. So here I go. Start of new life, Aug,9 2012.

The other day I sent Kate my nurtioist a whiney email about gaining 2 lbs I then followed up that email with a vist to her and she said you look great then sent me this.
 
 
 
The number on the scale will not tell you
 
* what a great person you are
 
* how much your freinds and faimily love you
 
* That you are Kind, smart, Funny & Amazing in ways numbers cannot define
 
* that you have the power to choose happness
 
* Your own self worth
 
 
So just relex take a breath it just a number your doing great

No not completely. I may not have the experience that some bandsters do, but I am quickly learning in my 13 short days. I am sooo very greatful I have found ways to enjoy my protien powder without getting bored. I am very happy I invested in a Magic Blender. It's been my lifesaver. I put all my Light Progresso soups in it with some chicken or beef broth...to make it soupier. I add vanilla and/or chocolate protien powder to a cup of ice and a cup of coffee in the morning to make an iced coffee. I bought Lipton diet tea with honey, individual packs, and add unflavored whey protien to it for my afternoon drink and I drink another one at night. So I am getting atleast 75g of protien per day. I am getting in the habit to brush my teeth after EVERY meal, that helps the hunger cravings. Then when my 30 minutes are up the toothpaste taste is gone and I can have my liquids. I am still having trouble getting all my liquids in, but I am trying since the hunger has increased over the past couple of days.
 
The worst time of day for me is suppertime. My family has always depended on me to cook a hot dinner. The first week and a half they did fend for themselves, but I had to help because alot of what they were cooking were my recipes. Now, my husband has stopped helping make dinner and my kids are tired of ramen noodles and frozen pizza's. Actually they are out of them and I refuse to buy those anymore. So, I am cooking chicken and rice for dinner tonight and I have the BBQ chicken in the oven for tomorrow night. The house smells soooo good, and so tempting. I miss eating with my family, but I know if a couple of weeks I will be eating with them and they will be eating healthier since I don't short oder cook.
 
Time to move on and take another walk on the treadmill.

Following the advice of one of my replies, I called Melissa Jenson at true results and she reffered me to a different Dr. She was great. The other Dr office called me the very next morning. (Dr.Snow). And she already had my insurance co change to him. She already had me a surgery date, Aug 9. and the best thing is they are only charging me half the co pay that Dr carter was charging, and they take my credit card, and no money up front. It will be longer before my surgery,but this just seems like a better deal all the way around. Not trying to be ugly, but I think Dr. Carter is alittle greedy.

Ok, sorry one day late, but I was BEAT yesterday!!
 
There was a special workout class for Zumba yesterday as in we were supposed to all wear red, white and blue. AHA...ok. I wore my Texas Rangers t shirt. But I was mistaken for the time and got there an hour early so I was convinced by an older woman to join in on the class that was going on- a Nike Fit boot camp!!!!
 
That class killed me more than Zumba, but I went forward. It was the same instructor who kept mentioning that Zumba followed the boot camp and she challenged/invited people to do both. So I did.
 
I was only able to do 23 minutes of Zumba before I cut out. I just couldnt lift my legs or arms for it. I felt like a rag doll. But I weighed before I left and it was 245.
 
So Ive recovered some of the ground I had lost last week, yay!
 
Afterwards we spent the 4th of July at Six Flags over Texas. Walked the whole park from 4-9pm and then we went to a firework festival in Bedford, more walking. Probably another mile or so. Now this morning I can barely walk, hahaha.

Well, I finally got the call yesterday, that I have been waiting on. The insurance approved my surgery, and I have my consult with the surgeon on July 9. I am very excited, cant wait.I went to my lap band consultation on June 6. Got my ekg and pulmonary test. They told me how to eat and what I can expect. The next day I called my Dr and got him to call me in some chantix. My last cigarette was June 15 at 8:30 pm. I highly recommend chantix. After a week of taking it I barely had any desire to smoke. At the consultation I weighed in at 244. I immediatley started to incorporate the mechanics of eating like they described to me. Most of the time I eat that way and it is fine. There is still that little part of me that knows I can, so I occasionally cheat, telling myself I wont do it after I get my band. I am now down to 236. I really hope my journey continues to be so positive. I am very excited, and just cant wait till the surgery. Wish my luck and keep me in your prayers.