LoriPA

Well, my exercise so far today has consisted of cleaning the cat box and corralling the escaped furballs back into the house before it started to rain. Breakfast was one boiled egg and a slice of wheat toast...I still have to remind myself now and then to eat the Protein first and of course, wait at least 30 minutes before drinking anything afterwards (or drink before I eat), otherwise, I pretty much defeat the purpose...lol. If the sun decides to stay out the rest of the day, I would like to get in my two mile walk; otherwise, it is going to look like a Walk Away the Pounds day as well as clean the bathroom and kitchen.

This is usually about the time things will slow down. I am five weeks out today myself, and though I am still losing, they are smaller losses than what I had previously had post-op. I get a fill a week from this coming Monday, so that could be a possibility the swelling is down and a fill is needed.

I figured since I had a milkshake yesterday I would be in trouble with the WI today, but I got the surprise of my life when I got on the scale for the weekly numbers this morning--I was actually down three more pounds! I guess it must have been from all the moving around yesterday I had to do going from the ortho appointment to the PennDOT office to get my new ID. Plus I didn't finish the entire milkshake, a new thing for me. Heck, even 1/4 cup serving of egg beaters and a piece of wheat toast feels like Thanksgiving dinner now. LOL

Did you ever go to a driver's license/photo ID center, dreading it, knowing that they always take a bad picture EVERY time? Today was no different after I had left my ortho appointment--which, by the way, is going to be the last one--I am now officially on an "as needed" patient status there. I AM HEALED! LOL. You can say I am A-OK for dancing. Heh. Anyway, my state photo ID expires this coming Monday, and I had to take my "camera card" down to the photo center at the state building to get my picture taken for the new one, which will now be good for another four years They actually got a shot the first time around down at PennDOT that I actually LIKED. No more two chins and I have CHEEKBONES sneaking in! Hee! Compared to the pic from the ID taken back in 2003, put them both side by side and you'd think it was two different people with the chipmunk cheeks and the chins in the 2003 one. LOL. I'm keeping the old one in a scrapbook with a couple of "fatty" pics to show peeps down the road and just to remind myself of "way back when" and not to backslide. Tomorrow is the weekly weigh in. This should be interesting.

I was going through some stuff. I came across some ballet slippers I had from when I was doing dance class for exercise a long time ago before my knees got messed up, and then I had moved to where I live now. Why I hung on to them I have no idea, because they didn't fit anymore...at least that is what I thought. So I thought I would try them on before putting them into the Goodwill bag just to be goofy....lo and behold, wouldn't you know they fit me now? I think my feet shrunk too! And there's this little dance school down the street that just opened up that teach classes to all ages, but I am going to ask at the ortho appointment tomorrow if that kind of exercise would be good to strengthen my knee joints. I know it would be fun for exercise!

I got clearance the same day I had my evaluation, because my examiner was impressed with the "realistic outlook" I had on the lap band surgery. I was just upfront and honest in what goals I wanted to obtain and what research I had done on it, what the risks vs. benefits were, etc.

One month, two days post op here:)

My MySpace Page Click on the link for mine!

http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/celebrity_fit_club/series.jhtml This started tonight. It's going to be pretty motivating and giving me some ideas.

My own BMI was 57 when I had my band in a month ago; now I am about to break 50 soon....hard to believe. No more painful knees, and I actually can go up and down hills without the huff and puff that I did just a month ago pre-op!:clap2: And I even got brave enough to put on SHORTS today!

Steroids? No thanks; I'll take the safer road and leave my band intact. This guy is a total QUACK.

I cannot believe it has been a MONTH already since I was banded! Wow..where did the time go? Today was absolutely gorgeous; I spent the majority of it outside walking and doing other things. To think I used to pass days up like this because my knees hurt or I was too embarrassed to be around people. Wow, what a difference a little band makes, eh? I even put SHORTS on, and I never put them on before unless I was just staying around the house! I have to see my orthopedist Wednesday for my eight-week cortisone shot for my knee; the last time I was there, I was in pain and still using one of my crutches--gee, do you think he will know me this time when I practically sprint in there pain free? LOL! I have a feeling this is going to be my best ortho appointment yet.:clap2: All right, time for my workout. Just a mild one, since I did a two-mile walk today.

Dr. Courcoulas did my lap band on March 22 and I was in Magee a little over 24 hours with no problems at all. The whole procedure did indeed take about 45 minutes. I did have a catheter, but it was taken out the next day once the upper GI came back normal. They also called me a couple of days later to see how I was doing and was back at the office for a post-op checkup within a couple of weeks. I also healed very quickly and never got sick at all. I am scheduled to go back for a fill at her office on May 7.

Exactly four weeks ago today, I went under the knife to get my little lap band (or "lappy" as I call it) put in. And now here I am, down another two pounds this week. Yeah, some will say it isn't much, but take two one pound boxes of butter and stick it on each hip and there you go! I guess things are slowing down a bit for now because I am starting to build some muscle from exercising. At least that is what I was told anyway. Pre-surgery, my cholesterol was 181. Now it is 163. Heh. Blood pressure this morning was 110/63. Total of pounds lost since surgery: 42

I ate two tablespoons of natural peanut butter spread on two pieces of whole wheat toast earlier today and had no problems.

I try to exercise every day; if I can't, at least three times a week.

YAY, FOOD! Had some whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter. YUM! Good to be able to eat 'normal' (well mostly normal) stuff again! Tomorrow, I will try to weigh myself and see if I made any more progress. I can't believe it's been four weeks since surgery already!

And also remember....muscle weighs more than fat...if you are moving around, that can figure in as well

Since I had a history of Prinzmetal's (non-blockage) angina and idiopathic cardiomyopathy, I was required to have one done, as well as be cleared by my cardiologist, who gave me the good news that my ejection fraction rose from 50 percent from the test I had in 2004 to 65 percent I had on the recent test. I was cleared the same day the results came in!

Look at my ticker...that should say it all...lol. I was banded March 22, 2007. I get my first fill May 7.

I got through a whole workout without huffing and puffing..lol. And next week I go to solids.Three weeks from today I get my first fill!:clap2:

I was able to handle two small slices of thin crust with light cheese and light sauce, topped with green pepper, grilled chicken and tomato. It took about 20 minutes to finish them both, but I tolerated them well. And I lost an extra pound to boot!

I went in at 8:30AM on March 22 and came home after 7:00PM on March 23, not only because it was the standard procedure, but also I had a difficult time passing urine once the Foley was pulled for several hours. Once it finally passed, I could get discharged.

No, just to keep my then-present weight stable.

I did 1/4 c. of long grain and wild rice once and had no problems.