I'm Back

I just got back from my business trip earlier this week. Lost a little over a pound during my trip so I'm fairly happy. The trip included a daiquiri, a margarita and more chips and salsa than I care to remember. :) It was good to get away with friends, have fun, eat in moderation and still be able to lose. Another group split this GIANT burrito for dinner! I had them hold their hands out so you could see how HUGE it was! It could easily feed six! I finally reached the 25+ lbs. lost. According to my dr. who started weighing earlier, I have almost lost 30 lbs.

My computer is a little under the weather, so I have some "checking" to do. I noticed my blog art is gone and my computer freezes every time I go to update layout. This weekend will be devoted to my husband figuring out the problems.

Got my second spray on tan Monday. They are kind of addicting at $10 a pop and five minutes of your time. My favorite part is to have a tan stomach. It has not seen the sun for several decades. A couple of you posted questions on my last post re: spray on tan. It is not sticky at all. It is a very fine mist, almost powdery. You just towel dry when you are done. I got the lightest color possible the first time and a darker color the second time. They only last about a week, so it is good for a special occasion. Grace I could hug you across the screen for saying you could see a hint of collar bone in my last post picture. I went back to look and think it is a shadow, because in real life there is no sign of collar bone yet. I loved that you commented on it though. :)

Went for my second fill today at 9 weeks. I lost close to 6 lbs. since my last fill three weeks ago (according to my dr.'s scale). He added another 1.5 cc in my 14 cc Realize band for a total of 6.5. He said each time after the fills get smaller and smaller, but the results are larger. I have a standing appt for Aug. 11th and I will keep that in the event I feel I could use more of a fill. After that it will be hard for me to get time off once school starts. I have been able to eat whatever I want. I have yet to have anything like a PB incident yet (knock on wood) and I'm hungry after meals, so I felt it was time to get a second fill. My surgeon does all of the fills himself. I like that I get to see him every visit. This time the fill had a bit of a bite (like a hard pinch). On a pain scale of 1 - 10, it was about a 3 -4. Last time I hardly felt a thing; then again I brought my camera; maybe that is the secret. It is still a tad sore, not impossible, just not as easy breezy as last time.

I have posted pix of my stomach a couple of days after surgery and nine weeks out. I can barely see the incisions. I put Bio Oil on them twice a day. I'm sure the spray tanning helps as well.

It feels so good to be back. Lots to catch up on, especially before school starts, I'm a teacher :) Plus, tomorrow we are doing our first college visit with my 17 yr. old. (*Augustana*) She will be a sr. in high school next year, but they do not waste any time these days. I will catch up on some blogs tonight. Can't wait to see how everyone is doing. I missed you guys!

Tan and Out the Door

I'm leaving in less than 30 minutes for a business trip for the week and I wanted to get a good-bye blog in. :)

Went to *L*A*Tan yesterday for their Monday special spray-on tan $10 (regularly $30). This was my first time ever in a tanning salon. I don't know how much you can tell from the picture, but I did get some color. I don't think I'm too orangey. :) You step into a private room and you can lock the door. They give you a paper shower cap for your hair and a lotion to rub on your palms, etc. so you don't pick up the mist there. After you get into your bday suit you step into a unit which looks like a shower. I pushed a green button and after 5 seconds a fine mist sprays my front for 15 seconds. Then I have 5 seconds to turn around before I have another 15 seconds on my backside. It takes about four hours for the full color to appear. All in all it was okay. I think it is nice for a special trip, etc. The whole process took less than 5 min.

My weight was down to my lowest this morning at 187.8. It has pretty much plateaued the past week or so. The good news is I'm not gaining, just not losing. I'm going to try and move my next fill appt up, because I'm hungry pretty much non-stop and can eat anything.

I look forward to catching up on everyone's blogs when I get back. It really means the world to have this group to connect with. Have a wonderful week filled with lots of weight loss!

I'm in the Pictures

For a decade I have avoided being in front of the camera. I have no record that I ever existed in my family's life. Sad way to live. Now I volunteer to have my picture taken. I'm a camera hog! :) Today was my youngest daughter's award and presentation ceremony for the end of cheer camp. I noticed another mom getting her picture taken with her daughter and I decided what a good idea. I now have official proof that I exist! The other picture is of the two of my daughters together. This is a BIG NSV!

Looking forward to my spray on tan Monday; didn't realize how pale I am. :)

It all started with Micky D's

Today was my first really BAD Bandster day! I feel shame if that helps. I loved McDonald's just a little too much today and that was the undoing to the rest of my day.

It all started when I woke up and craved scrambled eggs. Did it occur to me to make them? Briefly, but then that would make a mess in the kitchen, which would require dishwashing.

So, it made sense to me since I was running out the door to take child #2 to camp, to just grab a quick bite to eat before going to the grocery store. And EVERYONE knows you should not go to the grocery store hungry. :) Yep, I'm justifying right and left. Too bad that doesn't count as exercise. My 17 year old comes with me and we order breakfast. I'm also craving meat so I order the BIG breakfast platter without hotcakes. I figure I would have the sausage and eggs (great protein that would hit the spot). I ask the 17 year old to eat the biscuit and hash brown since she normally likes those. She states she does not want my left overs and orders something else. I start out good here...eat the sausage, eggs and bring the oj with me for the road. I wrap up the hash brown and biscuit to go, because heaven forbid we throw that out. I figure my 13 year old will eat it later.

Grocery shopping aok

Early afternoon...the hash brown is calling me...I succumbed

Late afternoon ...the biscuit is calling me...I succumbed

Picking up child #2 from camp I got a kiddie size chocolate banana shake

Lettuce salad in between

Dinner tonight I ate one enchilada

I went online and totaled this all up and it is close to 1400 - 1500 calories. I know it is not the end of the world, but it made me realize how quickly I can spiral out of control.

I had my first fill a week ago and could only eat liquids for two days. The last day or two I'm starving. I have not had any stuck episodes and have yet to find anything I can't eat. I didn't want to get another fill until I come back from my business trip next week. I'm just going to have to kick my will power back into gear. Once I went a little crazy at breakfast, it all seemed to go downhill from there. Oh, if it helps to mention, I'm finally full now. :)

Moral of the story: Make scrambled eggs at home and deal with washing a pan.

Atkins Protein Bars

The dietitian recommended these protein bars.

Chocolate Chip Granola Bar
200 Calories
17 gm Protein
1 gm Sugar

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
240 Calories
18 gm Protein
1 gm Sugar

They are pretty good when I'm on the go or traveling.

Out of the mouth of babes or teens: Earlier this week, my 17 year old told me my boobs were too big for the rest of my body. She said I looked like an upside down triangle. :)

My weight was down to 188. The lowest I have probably been in the last ten years was about 192. I was taking Meridia at the time. That stuff was potent! I would be up doing laundry at 3 am. I could lose weight with Meridia, but generally would plateau at about 20 lbs.

Speaking of diets over the years:
Weight Watcher (can't count the times, probably 7 - 8)
Meridia (5 -6 times)
Phentermine (3 - 4 times)
Jenny Craig
Cabbage Soup diet
NutriSystem
Seattle Sutton
South Beach
Atkins
Probably more, those are just the first ones that come to my head :)

That is what is not healthy...the constant off and on again dieting only to fail.

A quick aside: I was trying on some shoes I had set aside and they seemed too big; not in length but it width. They flop around on my feet. At least some part of my body is shrinking. :)

Happy Tuesday!

I came across a new bandster, "J", who was banded June 15. Be sure to stop by her blog and check her out. http://thecurvycat.blogspot.com/

I'm having so much fun wearing clothes that I bought years ago (tad too small) and never got to wearing them. This gold jacket I bought at Coldwater Creek probably close to 4-5 years ago and never wore it. Too much fun!

My weight was down to 188.2 this morning. The fill seems to be doing its job. Plus, if you remember my last post, there still are cookies left in my house! Totally unreal!!! I do my sole hiccup/burp more often now since the fill. It could be an hour after I eat or an hour before. Totally random and loud. Just one...we call them my "hurps." Is it weird that I kind of like the feel of my stomach growling? I do feed it I swear.

I promised I would post: "Susie's 10 Band Commandments"
(written by one of the nurses in my drs. practice/she has had lapband)

I put my personal comment in "red."

Thou Shall:

1. Avoid slider foods: ice cream, shakes, chocolate, cookies, chips, fruit juice and candy.
(Hmm..I don't totally avoid them, but have them in very limited moderation)

2. Remember that your Band will not make good food choices for you...that comes from your head and heart. (Huh? What does my heart have to do with my choice??? I love me some chocolate?)

3. Chew well, eat slowly, and do not eat and drink at the same time: wait at least 30-60 minutes after a meal to drink. (so not good on this one; I usually take a few sips with every meal. I confessed to my nurse and she said a few sips was probably okay)

4. Remain on a liquid diet 24 hours after a fill. (I rock this one-Whoo, finally one I can nail!)

5. Maintain a liquid diet for 1-2 days if you have vomited. (Eeeh gads...not an issue and hope it does not become an issue)

6. No panic when you get hungry. Being hungry is NOT an emergency. Make good food choices and eat your protein first until your next appointment. (I'm pretty good at this one. Find a protein filled snack or distract myself and forget I'm hungry. If worse comes to worse, just go to bed and call it a day)

7. Remember: you've had stomach surgery, not brain surgery. All the reasons that you eat except for the physical hunger don't go away after having surgery. (So far I've been good about the head hunger...Bogart, my lovely band is a good partner)

8. Exercise daily. Almost everyone can walk, this is the best way to start. Three 10 minute walks a day are just as good as one 30 minute walk. (Now that my six weeks are up I guess I need to pick up the pace on this one. No more excuses. Does walking at the mall count???)

9. Make an appt. to see Dr. H if you have followed the above commandments are not losing 1-2 lbs. a week, are hungry between meals, and can eat larger portions. (So far so good, I'm averaging close to 3 lbs. a week. That includes the pre-op diet and rapid loss after surgery. It is slower now, closer to 2 a week. That is still faster than I gained it.)

10. Enjoy successful weight loss, resolved comorbidities and a healthier life if you are diligent in following thses simple Commandments. (Hallelujah!!! )

Happy rest of the weekend!

Hello 180's - A New Decade

Finally, the 180's! It feels so good just to be in a new decade! This fill (my first) has really hit the spot. Now I know what you guys were talking about. The dr. put 5 ccs in. I was supposed to have liquids the first 24 hrs., but I really was not hungry on day 2 and stuck to liquids for the most part. I take a few bites of something and I feel like I have just had a five course dinner.

The other picture I posted for fun. :) My 17 yr. old likes to bake and made cookies a few days ago. They are still there. In a different lifetime they would have been gone by now. I've always dreamed of a life where cookies lasted in our house for a week. Mind you, I did have a cookie or two and was stuffed! Remember my new motto, "Moderation not perfection." :)

The other containers on top of the cookies are ground beef cooked with 4 oz put in each container. These are my go-to lunches/dinners. I add a tbsp of lowfat sour cream, a couple of tbsps. cottage cheese and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. I try to have things like this and tuna made up ahead of time.

I went shopping the other day to buy a necklace and ended up trying on pants. I tried on 16s (all regulars/not womens) and they all fit perfectly! It felt so good! I also bought a sweater. I"m liking shopping again. I think it is a good thing (my wallet is unsure).

Happy Summer Weekend everyone!!!

First Fill

I had my first fill today. First pic is Dr. H. explaining the fill. Middle pic is finding the port. (Easy-peasy). When I first saw the needle he said not to panic, the whole needle is not inserted. Then two pics of actual fill. (Thank you to 17 year old who came with me and took pics. Next time she said she would do a video. :)

Whole procedure took less than 1 min and a half, tops. If I had to rate it on a pain scale of 1 - 10, I would say barely a 1.

When I saw the pix, I was kind of surprised. Who would know you look fatter in a horizontal position with your shirt up? I have this uni-chin going on and my belly just looks bloated and white. Sort of like a beached whale. That explains why I had lapband. Too bad we can't pick and choose where we want the weight to leave (5 lbs. for chin, 30 lbs. for stomach, 10 lbs. thighs...). Also, I was dressed in my exercise attire; less than attractive.

According to the dr's scales I had lost 24 lbs since the fall when I first looked into lapband surgery. He was pleased with the weight loss in 6 weeks. Dr. H. says that he likes to be aggressive with fills and he leaves that up to me. We started out with 5.0 ccs in my Realize band. After that we will do .5 - 1.0 cc increments. He said if I wanted another fill in a few weeks, just to call the office. My fills are covered 100% the first 90 days, and then after that they are just an office visit copay ($35 for specialists). I have a couple of trips planned this month, so I will probably hold off on another fill until I get back. Later this week I will post some "Band Commandments" one of the nurses put together for lapband patients.

I also met with the nurse (blood pressure, questions, etc....) Then followed it up with the dietitian. All in all, the visit took a little over an hour and was very easy. I'm going to go back for a follow up mid-August and maybe get a smidge of a fill then.

Also, got the release to exercise and made an appt. to sign up with the health facility (free 2 month membership) and 8 free visits with a personal trainer. Plus, I get to have a support person join me free as well. My 17 year old is very happy. :)

Happy Hump Day!

Snail's Pace

Some fun family pix from the Fourth weekend. My two daughters (ages 13 & 17). The 13 year old was in the parade (cheerleading). They were stunting in the rain which I thought was a bit scary! Then there is a pic of my oldest daughter and husband soggy by the end of the parade.

The scale is moving down, but at a snail's pace. I was at 190.2 this morning. My goal was at least 189.8 for my first fill and drs. appt. tomorrow.

I had the first comments yesterday from friends in regards to losing weight. It is funny how it happens all at once. Sometimes I think it makes a difference what you wear. I still have a tendency to wear baggy tops. When I get to 185 I will go thru my clothes and start sharing with the "Sisterhood."

I will post tomorrow after my fill. :) I'm a bit scared. I have enjoyed being able to pretty much eat anything I want without any problems. Most people seem to think the first fill makes little difference, so I'm hoping that is the case. I have a couple trips coming up and I want to keep any PB incidents at bay.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Happy Fourth

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I'm not dressed very patriotically, but I couldn't resist wearing these cargo pants that I have not worn in FOREVER! (Size 16). So far I've lost just a little over 20 lbs. I'm just 2 lbs. away from the 180's...hoping to get there before Weds. when I have my six week check up with my dr. and my first fill. Most of my weight is in my upper body & stomach. Where am I losing the most???... my legs and butt. Hopefully the rest of the body catches up. I'm like an upside down triangle.

So far in the Summer Melt Down Challenge I have lost 8 lbs. It seemed so slow, but when I look at the big picture that is 2 lbs. a week which is great. I can see why I had trouble before; it takes a lot of patience to lose weight. :)

I think the hardest part of the journey for me so far was the liquid phase; I just wanted to crunch on anything. Bandster Inferno has not been bad at all. If I'm hungry I eat a small something, so I have never really felt deprived.

Breakfast Options: Protein Drink or Cream of Wheat

Snack: Yogurt or Protein Drink

Lunch: Tuna with cottage cheese or Soup

Snack: Cheese stick

Dinner: Ground Beef (3-4 oz) crumbled, with cottage cheese

Snack: Sugar Free pudding with Lite Cool Whip

Weak spots so far...I need to drink a few sips with a meal. I can't go without liquids 100%.

Exercise starts next week and I'm looking forward to that (I think :)

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday to everyone!

Humor for the day: Fifty-one years ago, Herman James, a North Carolina mountain man, was drafted by the Army. On his first day in basic training, the Army issued him a comb. That afternoon the Army barber sheared off all his hair. On his second day, the Army issued Herman a toothbrush. That afternoon the Army dentist yanked seven of his teeth. On the third day,the Army issued him a jock strap. The Army has been looking for Herman for 51 years.