Lapband LaLa

Dr. Metz is opening a practice in Parker. Allison left to go with him.

(April 10, 2010) Back from Italy. What a horrible, horrible trip it was. 17 Days of pure hell! I am sure some will beg to differ but I did not enjoy the food at all. Pasta, bread, pizza EVERY DAY!!!! It's all so bland and so blah! Every shop is stuff we all should really avoid. I pretty much given up all that stuff and then I get there and it's all there was to offer. Every other shop is a restaurant, but they all have the same menu with the same stuff. UGH!!! There were a couple of nights we found other types of places and believe me...I was never so happy to see Mexican and Irish Pubs!!!! If I see another piece of bread or pasta I am going to scream. My husband felt the same way so I know I am not over reacting! Also they charge for water and you better let them know if you just want plain water because sparkling water is HUGE!!!!! Even over there they trip when you tell them you do not wish to have a drink with your meal. Then we were robbed in France!!!! They took everything! Watched us close then in just 20 short little minutes, broke into the car, yanked the whole set of luggage, computers, ipods, dirty clothes and all!!!! So a full afternoon was spent at the French police station! Try making a police report in different languages! We were reduced to drawing photos! Thank GOD they did not get our passports or money, but I was left with the clothes on my back. For some reason my husband had put his dirty clothes in a different bag and put it behind the driver’s seat. Mine were in a different compartment in my luggage. So he had three outfits and me....NOTHING BUT WHAT I HAD ON!!!! So, you would think since I have lost 125lbs and now a size 10, I would not have trouble finding clothes! WRONG AGAIN my American friends! We are considered big!!!! So after about 40 stores I gave up. I had to wash my underwear in the sink every night and blow dry them with a dryer! After a few more days I was able to at least get more underwear. Every other day my husband had to leave me in the hotel room wrapped in a towel while he went to wash my clothes! I am going to burn them now; I never want to see that outfit again! What's so bad is....all the clothes they took were NEW!!!!! Most less than a month old. I had two outfits that still had tags on them. At this stage in my life...I have come to understand I AM AN AMERICAN GIRL and I can take or leave Europe. It's going to be a while before I want to ever go back over and explore. Italy and France do not have 24 hour stores, no fast food, no variety, and no Wal-Mart!!!!!!!!!! (ha) I never thought I would miss any of those things until they were taken away. You do not appreciate what we have here in America until you start visiting the world. You would not believe how unimportant the Internet is to them....AGGGHHHHH! Enough of that horrible story....onto the next thing. So now we are back but within a day I caught the worse flu I have ever had. Fever, aches, nausea, you name it...I had it. And because of the nausea, I had to get totally unfilled. I have nothing in my band right now. I have lost more weight! I am down to 150. Today is the first day I have been well enough to even get out of bed. The last month has been....well....is there really a good word other than HELLIASHOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we were blessed to not be harmed. For that I am grateful, and if anything it made hubby and me grow so much stronger. We really only had each other! Hey...ain't nothing like keeping a 6 year old from picking your husbands pocket on the metro! (Yes, that happened and I caught him!) So now the journey begins to replace our stuff. We did have travel insurance and my advice to you if you travel is to do the same! It's worth it. I know, I know...some will say...look forward to shopping...but you know what...it's something about having someone take all your stuff. It was yours, it was not theirs and the hassle of replacing it takes a lot of energy and time. Yes...I am still a bit bitter and it is going to take a while to get over it! So...I guess I better end now or else I will just keep on and on and on. Hope my next post will be a better one. Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:thumbup: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475

(April 10, 2010) Back from Italy. What a horrible, horrible trip it was. 17 Days of pure hell! I am sure some will beg to differ but I did not enjoy the food at all. Pasta, bread, pizza EVERY DAY!!!! It's all so bland and so blah! Every shop is stuff we all should really avoid. I pretty much given up all that stuff and then I get there and it's all there was to offer. Every other shop is a restaurant, but they all have the same menu with the same stuff. UGH!!! There were a couple of nights we found other types of places and believe me...I was never so happy to see Mexican and Irish Pubs!!!! If I see another piece of bread or pasta I am going to scream. My husband felt the same way so I know I am not over reacting! Also they charge for water and you better let them know if you just want plain water because sparkling water is HUGE!!!!! Even over there they trip when you tell them you do not wish to have a drink with your meal. Then we were robbed in France!!!! They took everything! Watched us close then in just 20 short little minutes, broke into the car, yanked the whole set of luggage, computers, ipods, dirty clothes and all!!!! So a full afternoon was spent at the French police station! Try making a police report in different languages! We were reduced to drawing photos! Thank GOD they did not get our passports or money, but I was left with the clothes on my back. For some reason my husband had put his dirty clothes in a different bag and put it behind the driver’s seat. Mine were in a different compartment in my luggage. So he had three outfits and me....NOTHING BUT WHAT I HAD ON!!!! So, you would think since I have lost 125lbs and now a size 10, I would not have trouble finding clothes! WRONG AGAIN my American friends! We are considered big!!!! So after about 40 stores I gave up. I had to wash my underwear in the sink every night and blow dry them with a dryer! After a few more days I was able to at least get more underwear. Every other day my husband had to leave me in the hotel room wrapped in a towel while he went to wash my clothes! I am going to burn them now; I never want to see that outfit again! What's so bad is....all the clothes they took were NEW!!!!! Most less than a month old. I had two outfits that still had tags on them. At this stage in my life...I have come to understand I AM AN AMERICAN GIRL and I can take or leave Europe. It's going to be a while before I want to ever go back over and explore. Italy and France do not have 24 hour stores, no fast food, no variety, and no Wal-Mart!!!!!!!!!! (ha) I never thought I would miss any of those things until they were taken away. You do not appreciate what we have here in America until you start visiting the world. You would not believe how unimportant the Internet is to them....AGGGHHHHH! Enough of that horrible story....onto the next thing. So now we are back but within a day I caught the worse flu I have ever had. Fever, aches, nausea, you name it...I had it. And because of the nausea, I had to get totally unfilled. I have nothing in my band right now. I have lost more weight! I am down to 150. Today is the first day I have been well enough to even get out of bed. The last month has been....well....is there really a good word other than HELLIASHOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, we were blessed to not be harmed. For that I am grateful, and if anything it made hubby and me grow so much stronger. We really only had each other! Hey...ain't nothing like keeping a 6 year old from picking your husbands pocket on the metro! (Yes, that happened and I caught him!) So now the journey begins to replace our stuff. We did have travel insurance and my advice to you if you travel is to do the same! It's worth it. I know, I know...some will say...look forward to shopping...but you know what...it's something about having someone take all your stuff. It was yours, it was not theirs and the hassle of replacing it takes a lot of energy and time. Yes...I am still a bit bitter and it is going to take a while to get over it! So...I guess I better end now or else I will just keep on and on and on. Hope my next post will be a better one. Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:thumbup: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475

(March 13, 2010) It's been a couple of weeks since my last post but I have been one very busy woman! Since my last post I turned 40 on Feb. 23rd! I danced the night away with about 10 of my good girlfriends. We took a free Salsa class and then danced, danced, danced. It felt so good. I wore a gold, mini-dress and some high heels and carried a wand! Oh yes....I acted like the Goddess that I am and I was very proud of myself. I felt it was like my first birthday all over again. There was no shame in the way I felt. I looked good and I knew it. Vain....yes but hey, you only turn 40 once. I celebrated the whole week and enjoyed life to the fullest. I have also has some difficult experiences with Lilith (my band) in the last few weeks. I experienced first-hand how anger and stress can make your band tighen with a vengence. I don't get angry much but I was upset with a lender who was not giving my client the attention she needed. This lender started to yell at me and I was NOT going to take that so I made sure I put them back in their place. Well, by the end of that episode, I was shaking, my head was pounding and Lilith (my band) was in an uproar! For the next few days I tried to stay calm but I could not get water down and I had acid reflux to levels I have never EVER had before! So off to the doctor I went. I had a full 1cc taken out. That took me to 4.0cc's. Well, I still was throwing up and experiencing bad reflux so just a few days ago I went back in and let them take out another .5cc's. SO that put me at 3.5cc's right now. I can't say it was bad either. Finally that fire in my belly calmed down and Lilith loosened her grip. But during that time I lost an additional 10lbs. I was already at goal but now I am in the 155 weight range. I don't think it looks bad on me, hubby says I still look great so maybe I will stay between 155-165 and feel ok. I am not really going for the emaciated look so I am trying to be careful! I don't know.....but I do know I don't really want to lose it like that again! Can you say.....ANGER MANAGEMENT???:wink2: My size 12 jeans are too loose now, I was getting away with wearing them without looking too baggy but not now. Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it's off to shop I go.....(giggle):thumbup: Since I have reached goal, I have been trying to focus on the positive changes in my life. Things you take for granted but notice when you now blend into the "normal" world. Things like.... Using a regular sized towel to wrap around you while you are getting ready in the morning. People looking you in the eye when they talk to you. Men whistling at you. The way you feel in your clothes. Getting a good nights rest because your body does not always have body parts falling asleep to deadness. Liking the image that looks back at you in the mirror. Shopping in the regular sized stores. Feeling sexy for no reason Knowing you can fit into a airplane seat (I have a trip coming up, more later) Accepting compliments without shame. Feeling good in room full of women! Women can be so catty sometimes, but I can hold my own now! I no longer hide in the shadows! I could go on and on. This life of mine....of yes....this life of mine if finally happy and content. There are a few other things I am watching close. My periods are all out of whack. I had two, just two weeks apart! Gotta see if I can get more vitamins in. I am also just no longer intrested in food. Yes, I know that's weird. Sometimes I think I have cravings but when I get a bite it just does not taste the same or feel the same. Do you know what I am talking about? Sometimes eating was just totally emotional, it tasted good because it was a release. At this point of my progress I can really and truly say....I can take food or leave it. Well friends.....I am off to Italy! I will be gone until April 1st. A full 17 days to relax, unwind, enjoy my husband and see the world. It's my first time overseas! And....I will fit into the airplane seats! (HA):tt2: Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my photos! I truly felt beautiful for the first time in my life and now I have those photos to help me remember that feeling! I will tell you all about my wonderful adventures when I return! Love you all BUNCHES! And as always.....I AM BLESSED! Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:tongue2: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475

(March 13, 2010) It's been a couple of weeks since my last post but I have been one very busy woman! Since my last post I turned 40 on Feb. 23rd! I danced the night away with about 10 of my good girlfriends. We took a free Salsa class and then danced, danced, danced. It felt so good. I wore a gold, mini-dress and some high heels and carried a wand! Oh yes....I acted like the Goddess that I am and I was very proud of myself. I felt it was like my first birthday all over again. There was no shame in the way I felt. I looked good and I knew it. Vain....yes but hey, you only turn 40 once. I celebrated the whole week and enjoyed life to the fullest.:glare: I have also has some difficult experiences with Lilith (my band) in the last few weeks. I experienced first-hand how anger and stress can make your band tighen with a vengence. I don't get angry much but I was upset with a lender who was not giving my client the attention she needed. This lender started to yell at me and I was NOT going to take that so I made sure I put them back in their place. Well, by the end of that episode, I was shaking, my head was pounding and Lilith (my band) was in an uproar! For the next few days I tried to stay calm but I could not get water down and I had acid reflux to levels I have never EVER had before! So off to the doctor I went. I had a full 1cc taken out. That took me to 4.0cc's. Well, I still was throwing up and experiencing bad reflux so just a few days ago I went back in and let them take out another .5cc's. SO that put me at 3.5cc's right now. I can't say it was bad either. Finally that fire in my belly calmed down and Lilith loosened her grip. But during that time I lost an additional 10lbs. I was already at goal but now I am in the 155 weight range. I don't think it looks bad on me, hubby says I still look great so maybe I will stay between 155-165 and feel ok. I am not really going for the emaciated look so I am trying to be careful! I don't know.....but I do know I don't really want to lose it like that again! Can you say.....ANGER MANAGEMENT??? My size 12 jeans are too loose now, I was getting away with wearing them without looking too baggy but not now. Hi-Ho Hi-Ho it's off to shop I go.....(giggle) Since I have reached goal, I have been trying to focus on the positive changes in my life. Things you take for granted but notice when you now blend into the "normal" world. Things like.... Using a regular sized towel to wrap around you while you are getting ready in the morning. People looking you in the eye when they talk to you. Men whistling at you. The way you feel in your clothes. Getting a good nights rest because your body does not always have body parts falling asleep to deadness. Liking the image that looks back at you in the mirror. Shopping in the regular sized stores. Feeling sexy for no reason Knowing you can fit into a airplane seat (I have a trip coming up, more later) Accepting compliments without shame. Feeling good in room full of women! Women can be so catty sometimes, but I can hold my own now! I no longer hide in the shadows! I could go on and on. This life of mine....of yes....this life of mine if finally happy and content. There are a few other things I am watching close. My periods are all out of whack. I had two, just two weeks apart! Gotta see if I can get more vitamins in. I am also just no longer intrested in food. Yes, I know that's weird. Sometimes I think I have cravings but when I get a bite it just does not taste the same or feel the same. Do you know what I am talking about? Sometimes eating was just totally emotional, it tasted good because it was a release. At this point of my progress I can really and truly say....I can take food or leave it. Well friends.....I am off to Italy! I will be gone until April 1st. A full 17 days to relax, unwind, enjoy my husband and see the world. It's my first time overseas! And....I will fit into the airplane seats! (HA):wink2: Thanks for all the wonderful comments on my photos! I truly felt beautiful for the first time in my life and now I have those photos to help me remember that feeling! I will tell you all about my wonderful adventures when I return! Love you all BUNCHES! And as always.....I AM BLESSED! Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:smile2: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475

What a wonderful ride this week has been! On Tuesday we had a great performance and I got a few new pics of me singing! Then I had a whole new photo shoot! I have never felt so beautiful in all my damn life. For once I felt like the person I always wanted to emerge. She is here....oh yes she is! I had a wonderful photographer and she made me so comfortable in front of the camera. What a wonderful new life this is. I turn 40 this week! I feel better than I did when I was 20! I am going to have a party on Friday with all my girlfriends. We are going to take a Salsa class and then dance the night away and I am going to make a poster of all my new photos so share with everyone! Happy Birthday To Me! Come share in my joy! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/57955-albums5264.html Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:redface: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

What a wonderful ride this week has been! On Tuesday we had a great performance and I got a few new pics of me singing! Then I had a whole new photo shoot! I have never felt so beautiful in all my damn life. For once I felt like the person I always wanted to emerge. She is here....oh yes she is! I had a wonderful photographer and she made me so comfortable in front of the camera. What a wonderful new life this is. I turn 40 this week! I feel better than I did when I was 20! I am going to have a party on Friday with all my girlfriends. We are going to take a Salsa class and then dance the night away and I am going to make a poster of all my new photos so share with everyone! Happy Birthday To Me! Come share in my joy! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/57955-albums5264.html Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is? Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

I have it in my belly button but I never had tenderness or soreness from it. I love having it there. what's funny is..now that I am at goal weight, I can feel it with my fingers! Weird but makes it easy for fills!

The band makes you face some things you did not know about yourself. I remember getting angry just one time because I could not eat. On Sunday nights hubby and I would just PIG out and watch football and movies. I remember the first time I could not do that with him and I got MAD! REALLY MAD! It was one of the things I did not realize I looked forward to. I have faced a few things I did not really know about my eating habits but they were all overcome and I no longer have those issues. Now that I am at goal, I face new challenges but I welcome them.

When I am too tight or have reflux a lot I don't like Lilith (my band) at all. But a quick adjustment and we are best of friends again! At one point I was so tight I was throwing up in my sleep and that was scary!

It's totally normal. It's the same way we thought when we planned for a diet...."Oh I will start Monday" mentality. Be kind with yourself. Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:frown: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

Congrats! It's an amazing feeling isn't it. For me it was when I was walking downtown and caught a reflection of myself in the buildings! I stopped in my tracks and said...that's ME! I am sure the people around me thought I was nuts, but I was amazed and so very happy!

Oh man, I tried this and it's de-lish! I never thought I'd like black bean Soup but this sounded so good I had to try and I am glad I did1 Creamy Black Bean Soup 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup) 1 tsp minced garlic 1 tbsp olive oil 3 (15-ounce) cans black Beans, rinsed and drained 1 (32-ounce) container chicken broth (I used veggie broth) 1 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, undrained 1 (14.5-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained 2 tbsp chili powder 1 tsp ground cumin toppings: sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, chopped fresh cilantro 1. Saute onion and garlic in 1 tbsp hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat 6 minutes or until tender. Stir in black beans and next 7 ingredients, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of Dutch oven; cover and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. 2. Process 2 cups of soup in blender or food processor 30 seconds or until smooth. Return to dutch oven, and stir until blended. Serve with desired toppings.

You guys are good. Shoot, I am 8 1/2 months out. I don't fool with bread. I've hit goal and so my nutritionist asked to start adding some things back. This week I had one slice of wheat bread and it sent me through the roof. NO THANKS. (giggle)

Make sure you add a different workout item. It shakes your body up! Belly Dance, Water Aerobics, Zumba! You can do it! And remember, always aim for the moon, if you don't make it you are still among the stars!

Thanks guys! So glad you like the music. Here's where you can get the CD: Wil Key | Satisfy My Soul | CD Baby You can even get it on iTunes! I will be working on my solo project at some point this year. We are going to Italy in March. The CD is selling like crazy overseas, so we are going to play at a few clubs over there. Our very first time overseas!

I had to share this with you all. After all you all have been a huge part of my journey. My husband and I performed at the Orion Music Festival in Utah in January 2010. We were featured on the TV show in Park City. For the first time in my life, I was happy with the way I looked. Look! I have a waist! :thumbup: You have to remember just the year before I refused to take photos with the band because of my weight! I hope you enjoy! Ain't no stopping me now! It's a YouTube video. Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:confused: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

I had to share this with you all. After all you all have been a huge part of my journey. My husband and I performed at the Orion Music Festival in Utah in January 2010. We were featured on the TV show in Park City. For the first time in my life, I was happy with the way I looked. Look! I have a waist! You have to remember just the year before I refused to take photos with the band because of my weight! I hope you enjoy! Ain't no stopping me now! It's a YouTube video. Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?:frown: Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Starting Weight: 280lbs Dr. Michael Metz - St. Luke's Hospital Denver, CO:thumbup: Follow my progress thru photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/5...lbums3475.html

Don't give up. You've done great but really don't give up on the band. It's worth the journey.

I am not sorry I voted for President Obama. Not one little single bit sorry!

I had a closet full of different sizes. Somethings even still had tags. What was so funny is....I dropped so fast I never got to wear them! So I took them to a consignment store. Great way to finance my new "skinny" wardrobe!

My nutritionist gave me this great list. Thought I'd share it with everyone! Frozen Meals List.pdf

I had a good laugh at this. I recently hit my goal as well with in eight months. I am thrilled. But I find myself wanting to bite my tongue when I see other overweight people. I just want to go up to them and say hey, look at this and show them my before and after photo. I want to help them so much but have to remember they are on their own time frame. My original goal was 170. Now I think as long as I stay between 160-170 I will be fine. Congrats on your goal....how's your maintaining going?