SillyAuntDi

Meant to check in on Wednesday! 291...on track!

Awesome!!!!!!

I use GNC Egg protein powder in chocolate. I have a dairy allergy that includes whey protein. If I take in too much I break out in hives. I like this protein powder quite a bit.

I've always been a little shy about joining a challenge. But, here goes my first attempt Happy December!!! Name, real or screen~ SillyAuntDi (Diane) Goal weight for December 31st~ 285 Weight on December 1st~ 294 Age~ 45 City/State~ Raleigh, NC Dietary goal for December~ Stay on track despite the holiday baking frenzy Exercise goal for December~ 2-3 visits per week to gym for pool workout Personal goal for December~ to not live by the scale Date banded~ September 11, 2013 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 60lbs Favorite Holiday Activity~ baking goodies for my friends and family

I had surgery on a Wednesday. I stayed out of work through the next full week. I sit at a desk all day, but I was glad I took those days off. It does vary from person to person based on their tolerance for pain, energy level, and job.

Gowalking...I missed your reply until now. I'm glad you are doing so well after hip replacement. Pain is no joke! I wish I could get feet replacements I have nasty arthritis in those as well. But alas...I'm hoping the weight loss and the coming knee replacement will help with my feet. The Doc says they are the slowest to respond to any changes in the body. So, I'll just have to be patient on that front.

No stuck episode for me! I enjoyed a taste of everything I'm allowed on the plan my Doc has given me. I just had to endure the loving scrutiny of my 18 yr old niece who liked to pick on me for eating small bites and chewing a lot. Family....gotta love em.

Thanks! I see it more in my clothes than in the mirror. But looking at these pictures, it really starts to show. I am getting my neck and chin back. And my boobs don't blend into my stomach anymore...LOL

So the picture with the dark hair is from about a year ago. It's the photo on my badge at work. The second picture ( the profile picture above) is from Halloween this year. I think I see it in my face.

Good luck, lovebug! I hope you have an easy recovery and a successful banded life. Let us know how you progress! Best wishes

I'm so happy things are going so well for you! I also scheduled a hair appointment about a week after surgery. It was one of my first outtings that I drove myself for. And since I get my hair cut on the same campus where I work, it was a test to see if I could handle the longer drive and the time sitting in a chair (2 hours) before going back to a full day. I'm so glad I did that. I have experimented with new foods quite often. If I found that the first time I tried something (wendy's chili and anything with ground beef) and couldn't tolerate it I just waited a couple of weeks and tried again. I LOVE turkey chili now and can eat ground beef (prepared in ways that make it moist) now. As for going out to eat...I've discovered I don't have to give up Mexican food. I just order a soft taco and a side of refried Beans. I still can't eat the taco shell, but I can eat all the good stuff on the inside! And my fav neighborhood restaurant (mainly Italian dishes) will customize anything to help me stay on plan. They are so supportive of my new lifestyle! I'm still on a soft food diet (no raw veggies, no bread, no pasta) and will be until the new year. But, there are a lot of variations and recipes to try. I'm loving it. I hope you continue with your good success. I'm so happy I have my band. I'm thinking of creative names to call it. It's my buddy, my pal. It should have a name Keep up the good work!

So the list just grows longer and longer. the benefits of my current 50lb loss include: --Dropping my b/p meds and having normal b/p for the first time in years. --Smaller clothes...this is so much fun and so encouraging. I don't always see the difference in the mirror, but I see it in my clothes. Nice incentive to keep on keeping on. --I feel better. I move better. I sleep better. I am smiling so much more. --And now one very big one that will keep me on track for a long time. I visited my knee doctor yesterday. My right knee is a mess. I've known I'll need replacement for sometime now. But, I've been too young and too overweight. But...because I've had my surgery, it's going to be closer. He's not going to make me wait until I turn 50. I can have it when I lose another 50-75 lbs. I'm so excited! No more pain. I have no cartilage in my right knee. I'm bone on bone. I also have bone spurs and lots of nasty arthritis. I got a shot of cortisone yesterday that will help with the pain. I'm limited to doing cardio ONLY in the pool. No treadmills, no elipticals, no stairs (except at home to get to my bedroom). So, I'm working on getting new workout plans for the pool to keep me engaged. So the list just keeps growing. I'm so happy with my decision. Have a great day, friends!

I almost got rid of the largest pair of jeans that I was wearing pre-surgery. I snatched them out of the donation bag at the last minute. They are neatly tucked away in the top of my closet. I'm going to have one of those pictures...the one where a small child and me are both standing in those pants. I'm 50lbs closer to that picture

My 10-year-old Goddaughter said the funniest thing over the weekend. She knows about my surgery and she's been the best little cheerleader...except when she holds the Peanut Butter cups under my nose for me to smell and then reminds me "oh, you can't have that..." and laughs her evil little laugh. This weekend she looked at me and sheepishly said "Aunt Di, your butt used to stick way out in the back...no offense. But, now it doesn't. You look good!" I hugged her so tight! And danced around in my new jeans that are 2 or 3 sizes smaller than the ones I was wearing before my surgery in September. Gotta love her

I almost ran screaming out of the hospital on the day of my surgery. I was up all night the night before questioning every decision I made. I'm so glad that I didn't cancel it. So, remind yourself of all the reasons why it will be great and try not to dwell on any negativity. You'll be great

I've been taking my regular meds in pill form since the day after my surgery. I get chewable vitamins when possible. But, I've not had any real problems swallowing the pills.

My visit was a combination of questions about my expectations and understandings of the procedure and standardized tests. It took about 1.5 hours. It wasn't too bad. I didn't have to talk about my childhood horrors...lol.

I may regret my reversal on telling people, but so far, even the strangers have had nothing but positive things to say. One of my very opinionated "friends" just hugged me and started jumping in delight when I finally told her what I did. I've had one or two less than positive responses, but I just brush them off. I'm too happy with me and my decision right now to let those few naysayers bring me down. Thanks for the smile. I've yet to show off my scars...lol.

So, I don't hide it. I flaunt it, actually. I was banded 9/11/13. I've now lost 44lbs. I FEEL so much BETTER!!!!! I no longer take blood pressure meds...big victory. My arthritis pain is creeping back in, but I am finding creative ways to manage it since I've not been cleared to start my meds for that again. I just had two cortisone shots this week in my right foot...not fun, but necessary. I move easier. I breath easier. I sleep more soundly. I smile more frequently. I have to wear a belt now. I have to check for saggy butt before I leave the house (my pants are getting way too big). I need new underwear (sorry, but I do...it's creeping in places it shouldn't). I'm finding creative ways to stay on the meal plan my doctor and nutritionist have for me. I'm venturing out to restaurants and special ordering without shame. My favorite neighborhood place, where they know me by name, helps me figure out what to order so I can continue coming in. They love the challenge, too! They have yummy meatballs, marinara and steamed veggies, by the way. I went from telling NO ONE about my surgery to telling anyone who looks at me for more than 2 seconds. Strangers now know my secret...lol. I love this site. You guys rock. This is not to say that my journey has been easy or bump-free. Figuring out that the b/p meds needed to go was rough. My "system" went haywire and I'm still figuring out my new "normal" when it comes to the way my bowels work now. It's a "fun" journey of self discovery. But the best discovery I've found so far is the fighter in me. I want this to be successful so it will be. So, I hope you each find your happiness like I've found mine.

Welcome to the group! I went back and forth with the decision to be banded as well. I kept thinking "I can do this." then I wouldn't do it. I was banded 9/11/13 and I am down 44lbs so far. My clothes hang on me...it's funny. And it's been so much easier than I had expected. I'm even off my blood pressure meds now! So, ask questions. I've learned so much from this group. I get nervous if I don't check in at least once each day

I'm burping while I read this

Right now I'm jumping on the scale once a week. I think as I progress that may get spaced out to every two weeks. In the past, I've always been discouraged by the numbers on the scale and given up when I get frustrated. I want to avoid that this time around So, my focus is good food choices, a better exercise routine and how my clothes fit on me!

Officially off the blood pressure meds!!!!!! Major goal achieved!

My boss is very tight-lipped when it comes to my co-workers issues. So, I told her when my surgery date was set and explained that I didn't want to make it very public. She totally understood and encouraged me to take as much time as needed to recover. She didn't want me to rush back. She's been very supportive and excited with me since the surgery.

So, I've been on a low dose of b/p meds for several years. Last year, I change some of the other meds I was taking and my pressure was coming under control. Just before my surgery in September, my primary care provider (Jan) and I discussed my b/p meds. She said "come see me after your surgery." Well...about two weeks ago I started feeling more tired and weak than usual. I was on a strong uptick from the surgery and really having a great time recovering. Then...BAM...my world was spinning, my hands were shaking and I was COLD all the time. Something clicked in my brain and I went to the healthcare center here at work. My b/p was 88/60. I've never seen it that low. NEVER. It was a bit scary. But, Jan was on vacation and no other provider in the place wanted to take me off of the meds w/o consulting her first. So, they told me to cut my pills in half and monitor. I've been doing that. And, I've seen my b/p reach 107/60 at it's best. I'm seeing Jan tomorrow. I'm really hoping she finally pulls the plug on the meds. It's a victory of course, but man....it's been a tough battle. I'm not used to being so helpless, dizzy or tired. So...if the b/p meds go away, I'm only left with one that I take on a daily basis! I see improvements daily...but coming off the b/p meds is a BIG goal for me. Have a great day!