Lap-Band-Lori

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9/3/08 -   Paul's been working contractor jobs with Hewlett Packard on an as needed basis.  Sometimes he gets only a few jobs a week, only a few hours a day, but gets paid very well.  He's had 2 assignments @ Senator Gregg's office in Concord.  He went to Rhode Island for a week for training for CVS Pharmacy, as they're going to upgrade all the stores pharmacy computers in the US.  They put him in a 5-Star Marriott hotel, he was in heaven.  The house is still on the market, we dropped the price.  We have someone interested, and wants it, but she needs to sell her condo first.  I want to get out of NH before the snow flies, actually before we pay the huge propane bill!  I'm counting calories & protein to stay on track.  Before I would just eat until satisfied.  This way it keeps me "in line"  I do 1200 calories daily with 60+ protein.  I do 1 hour cardio @ 5:00 am Monday - Friday at Golds Gym.  I dropped 4 lbs in 6 days this week alone.   The protein really helps keep me satisfied longer.  Taking walks after work with the dog is an added bonus for both of us.
5/23/08 - I have some exciting news - I dropped 11 pounds since seeing Dr. Campbell on 5/19/08 (my last post)  I've become more addicted to healthy eating than I have in many months.  Enjoying a salad, cottage cheese, and yogert for lunch today.  OK - I'll confess, I gained 20 pounds in 2 months (see previous post) weighed 242 at Dr. Campbell's office and now, 4 days later, I'm weighing 231.  I almost cancelled my appt with her, because of my weight gain (ashamed) but figured I'd better just take my punishment like a grown-up and it wasn't bad at all in the office with her, and I'm glad I did, as I probably wouldn't have lost this weight in 4 days, nor have a new outlook on my healthy eating.
5/21/08 - I seen Dr. Campbell this past Monday (5/19/08) and exciting news -  I DO NOT have a leak in my band,  it's just tempermental with gravity and suction.  She added more fill and I'm on day 3 of liquids - fun fun fun . . .   I go back in 4 weeks for re-check, as I'm almost full to capacity and still hungry after 2 hours.  I told Allison (her assistant) that I need a 2nd lap-band added, and she laughed!  During my visit, Dr. Campbell is concerned my weight has gone up (depression) it's so much weight gain, I won't write it here, (embarrassing) and she gave me a nice "pep talk" got me back on track and back to loosing again - she's an awesome doctor!  I'm so into the health food again now - I can't thank her enough!  No work yet for Paul, but he's picking up more hours at his part time job.  He's had many interviews - but to no avail - too many people - too little jobs - fustrating!  But, I'm still very positive that something's got to give here soon!  No buyers yet for the house.  
3/16/08 - I was having trouble with my lap-band, they thought it was leaking, but after more tests, they don't think it is, and I have to now stand when I get that lovely needle pocked into me to withdraw the saline from the band to check how much is in there.  I guess it's a tempermental suction.  They FILLED me to the max and I had pain so bad for 2 days in stomach area, and after gaining some weight after my vacation, I've dropped back down since this fill - well, I couldn't eat!  liquidy foods for 1 week and go about 6+ hours of no hunger.  Down to 221 pounds, that's 63 lbs since surgery 8 months ago and a total of almost 130 pounds total.  Paul's still trying to find work - it's tough.  He may have an opportunity, but I'm praying it pans out for him.  We almost had a buyer for our home, but they backed out.  I'm ready to leave NH and move to Arizona so badly, I want summer all year round.  Going to the gym 5x week and doing 1+ hours cardio, which consist of 1 hour of elliptical (burning 650 calories) and 20 - 30 minutes treadmill.  Last Friday I even jogged on the treadmill.  Getting back into my weight loss, healthy eating and enjoying it again.  If I do end up having a leak, that means surgery (know more in 2 weeks) I'll have the lap band removed instead of fixing or adding a new one.  I don't want to go threw this again years down the line. 
1/20/08 - Paul & I are on vacation in Arizona currently.  My mom is basically treating us for a 2-week vacation, but looks more like we'll be selling the house when I return on the 29th of January and heading south.  Enjoying the fun & sunshine!  Ate outside today at a restaurant and we're loving this area!  I'm at the outside pool and jacuzzi all the time.  Went to Tombstone Arizona a few days ago, loved the OK Coral and Boothill Cemetary - really interesting.  Went on a train ride yesterday through the Grand Canyon.  Houses are cheap here and I could sell mine and pay CASH for a home out here and live very comfortably with no mortgage.  Going to Phoenix zoo on Tuesday and an Olive factory Friday and Swap meet on Saturday.  Don't miss New Hampshire at all!  I have the best mom every - she's so helpful!  My daughter's watching our dog, and sadly she broke her foot a few days ago.  I wish I were nearer to help.
12/26/07 - Glad Christmas is over!  I'm still depressed from Paul's job.  I got down to 223 from not eating (stress) then I ate everything, including one day of nothing but chocolate.  Weighing 227 this morning.  It was nice seeing my kids and grandson, and we had a nice Christmas, so that helped me emotionally!   
12/13/07 -

8/26/2007 - I'm down to 261, so I'm down 4 lbs in 4 days.  A total of 23 lbs since surgery, and a grand total of 89 lbs all together.  The area where she stuck the needle in for my fill still hurts, putting on socks hurts even, strange that it's taking awhile to heal.  I was disappointed in Strawberry Bank yesterday, but we went to the shopping outlets in Kittery, Maine and that was fun!  it's just massive with stores, on 2 sides of a the street and a good walking distance in between each plaza.  I did really well with walking and shopping the 120 store outlets, it took 5 hours to complete.  I even bought an XL top at Liz Claiborne, a great price of $11.00!  We had dinner at Weathervane, and they strained the clam chowder soup for me, I ate half of a cup of the cream soup and was full.  I just watched everyone eat grease and unhealthy foods.  Sadly, about 1/3 of the people where overweight there. I really enjoyed not having all the grease that everyone else ate there, and I didn't have to roll out of the restaurant like I used to do.  I'm starting to see changes in my body.  I can feel a lot of bones on my lower arm, and getting creveces (pits) in my belly area, plus reaching places on my back and butt I've never been able to reach before, that's just amazing.  I'm on the final day of full liquids, and can have food tomorrow  that's exciting.
                                           
8/23/2007 - I had my first "fill" yesterday, and the doctor missed the port, OUCH! my skin was too tight.  So, she had to stick me again.  I was surprised that it hurt, and it's still soar this morning, mainly when I bend over.  She put 4CC's in and my band holds 10cc's.  So clear fluids for 2 days, then full liquids for another 2 days, then puree.  I feel the restriction, but nothing like after surgery.  I can definately live with this.  Should be fun at work for today & tomorrow, I may be weak with no nurishment.  But, the weight will start coming off, so I'm told anyways.  It's been stuck at the same weight,  flucuating .5 lbs for 2 1/2 weeks, finally, it moved today, weighing 265.5 (clear liquids will do that anyways).  Paul & I've been going to the gym almost daily and I do 40 minutes on the treadmill.  I tried the eliptical and bike, but that didn't do so well with the band.

Today's my 43rd birthday  going to Strawberry Bank in Portsmouth, NH this weekend.  Too bad I'm only on full liquids on that day, I could really have a piece of birthday cake right now.  I've been enjoying going out to restaurants for meals, I go to Wendy's and get a baked potatoe.  My son spoiled me with b-day gifts, all I wanted was just to see him, and I got that.  My daughter surprised me with a visit on Sunday with my cutie pie grandson, he's now walking and into everything! 

8/12/2007 - Today's my 1-month post op.  I had a Dr. appt with my PCP on Friday, and my blood pressure was the lowest it's been in years at 114/68.  My blood pressure runs high, usually 150/90 (+/-) I've been on 3 different blood pressure med's for about 7 years, but since the surgery, I'm on only 1 BP med.  He said that on my next appt, in 2 months, they're going to reduce it, or delete the last BP med all together.  I'm down to 266.5 lbs, so 18 lbs down since surgery, and 84 lbs total since I started dieting with last year.  That darn scale didn't move at all this past week.  Even after exercising more, following the program to a tee, I just don't get it.  After reading some of these posts from other member's, it seems I haven't lost as much pounds as most members, I'm happy for the members, but disappointing for me, but my Dr is very happy with it.  Just keep on track, everyone's different and it will come off.  He said at the rate I'm going, I'll be down another 40 pounds by Christmas.  I found a great deal at the mall, a Cuisinart 2 cup food chopper for $19, reg $50 (reconditioned) works great and I ground and puree everything and don't have any problems with getting foods stuck in the band.  I get my first "fill" next week, so back to liquids for 4 days.  Then on healthy foods again, I'm really enjoying 1 piece of wheat toast (plain) in the morning and 1 scrambled egg.  Neither of which I can finish the whole thing (the dog loves me lately),  This Tuesday, I can start the final phase of the program (basically healthy foods, but any type of food, protein foods eaten first of course) and not as restricted with a food list.  I want to eat at a Restaurant so badly, but so limited as they don't puree foods.  I thought of Wendy's for a baked potatoe (plain) or breakfast somewhere with 1 egg & toast.  And KFC for mashed potatoe (plain).  I haven't been to a restaurant in 5 weeks and it's killing me!  I've been to the mall, eat my yogert and baby food in the food court and watch everyone eat from Taco Bell, Burger King, and the chinese restaurants in the mall.  It doesn't bother me, but It's amazing how I pay more attention to those things and how unhealthy people eat, especially a lot of french fries!  I used to be there, and didn't think twice on ordering those foods.

I can for the first time say I'm very happy I got this done.  I still have some pain in the port area though, and can actually feel that sucker there - ooof, that's a weird feeling.  I want to go out and buy clothes, clothes & more clothes.  I already have a pile of too big clothes for Goodwill and since my kids moved out, I occupy their closets.  I have clothes that are too small in my daughter's closet and clothes almost fitting in my son's closet, and the clothes that fit in my closet.  Buying clothes now would be really stupid.  I had to buy something though, as I haven't bought something smaller in years, so I went to the Goodwill store and bought a pair of jeans size 18 (too small) and a misses XL top (too small) for $5.00, but will be in those clothes soon!  I started at a high size of 26/28, (almost into a 30) and now I'm 20, 22, 24 (depends on the item).  I'm wearing some 20 size pants and 24 size jeans and a 1x womens tops, where it used to be a high 3x.  I'm so mind set on always going to Lane Bryant, so I automatically go there.  I can't wait to go into the mall and shop at one of those "slim" places with no plus size clothes!  

But the big prize is I'm feeling good, my self esteem has improved, my health has greatly improved.  I can walk with my head up high, even though I'm still very heavy and have 125 lbs to loose.  I couldn't walk in the mall Feb 2006 at 350 lbs, now, I just run back & forth, it's just amazing, as I figured I'd never get healthy it's just too late, but it wasn't.  What I'm going through now is coming out of my shell, I'm not so embarrassed anymore, and all I want to do is go, go and go!  Paul and I went to Canterberry Village yesterday, "The Shaker's" dated back to the 1700's housing village.  It was so much fun, and I did a lot of walking and up & down the stairs in the individual homes, and had no problem nor out of breath!  Of course, they had nothing for me to eat at the restaurant, so I ate my applesauce & pudding that I brought.  The people back in colonial times ate a lot of apple pie for breakfast, which I found really interesting, a lot of breads also.  The medical building was there and the surgical room on the 2nd floor, boy has that changed from 1700's to today.  I told Paul no lap band surgery could be performed then for sure, and he just laughed!  It's amazing their methods of anesthesia back then, just liquor!  For my birthday in 2 weeks were going to Strawberry Bank, very similar to the Canterberry Village, but in Portsmouth, NH and much bigger.  Thanks to whom ever invented this wonderful type of surgery! My life has changed forever!           

7/24/2007 - OK, this is getting better.  The commercials don't bother me anymore.  Something hit me on the head (reality) that those foods got me into this trouble in the first place, so now I'm better with that.  My stomach has now gone back to normal, so the pressure with drinking water  and eating isn't there anymore.  I'm weighing 271.5 pounds.  I tried on 4 pairs of jeans yesterday that I've never been able to fit into, 2 of them with the price tags still on them, and 3 of them fit.  I was so shocked and excited!  The last time I tried them on, the button snaps were 4 inches apart.  Unbelievable! this is really working, and I'm not hungry.  A few bites of yogert or sugar free jello, pudding, cream of wheat (about 4 tablespoons) does the job.  I have my 2 week appt scheduled tomorrow with Dr. Campbell, and going to request another week off work, it's been a slower recovery than I anticipated, but better every day.

10/8/2007 - My 2nd fill has brought me so much restriction.  I'm down to 243! That's 8 lbs in 4 days!  Total of 41 post-surgery and 107 total.  I actually got sick Friday (10/5/07) day 2 of my clear liquids, I bought a 12 oz Tropicana Apple Juice and it did not do well, I had to run to the toilet again and again.  Still not doing the best, I just finished oatmeal for breakfast, and that's it.
                                               
9/30/2007 - I went to a party for my sister-in-law yesterday (Sunday).  She's my age (43) and had her 4th child, a girl (after 3 boys).  I went to her baby shower in June this year and the same folks were at this party, no one said one word about my weight loss it was very upsetting.  I'm down about 50 pounds since I'd seen them.  
                   
9/14/2007 - I had 3 more cc's put into the band yesterday, totalling 7 cc's, and it's a 10 cc band.  Dr. Campbell got the port right on the nose, and it didn't hurt at all .  I'm down to 251 pounds - 33 lbs since surgery and 99 lbs total.  We went to the Big E Fair in Mass this past weekend, and I lost a pound.  Amazing, who can say they lost a pound at a fair, but us Lap Band Folks   My husband ate enough for me as well.  I baked for my kids the last 2 nights and filled halloween candy trick-or-treat bags.  My son and his fiance' are coming over tonight so I'm giving him his gifts, it's her birthday as well.  I'll visit my daughter in a few weeks closer towards halloween and make up a new batch of cookies/brownies/rice crispie bars & store bought candy/granola bars and bring it to her.  Both kids will be surprised.  My clothes are just rediculous on me, I look like a clown.  My mom is so wonderful, she's sent me a couple of outfits, and now is sending me $200 towards a few new dresses for work, then after I reach my goal, she's buying me a new wardrobe