Eileenw
September 29, 2005:
Confession time!
This is my first update and I am 11 months out. I think I need accountability and so does my surgeon. I have lost a total of 30 pounds. I have not been aggressive about my fills and I believe that is the reason for my low weight loss. I can't believe how emotionally attached to my fat I am! That has been the real struggle and I have just realized this truth in about the last two months. I am considering counseling but haven't made that move yet. I am just now on the edge of restriction. Only sometimes do I have to slow down with my eating and there are very few foods I can not tolerate (soft bread being the one that comes to mind right now). I have an apt. for a fill next week and believe after that I will have true restriction. I can't figure out what to do with myself if I can't eat as a reaction to emotion. I eat whenever I feel any emotion: happiness, sadness, anger, boredom, whatever. I need to break that habit! Right now I can't eat as much as before banding and that sometimes causes more emotional upheaval (are you beginning to see the cycle?) So, I am breaking out the old sewing machine I haven't used in years, buying a bicycle, going back to the gym and getting out my scrapbooking materials. I also have a new puppy that takes up a lot of time. I have cleared my house of all things junk and I think if I fill my time up I will do much better.
October 5, 2005: Went to see my surgeon for another fill. He measured again and could only pull out 1.2 cc's when I should have been filled to 1.7cc. He put in .3cc's and I return in a month for him to check my fill level again. The good news: I doubled my usual weight loss (from 1/2 lb a week to 1lb a week). So still not setting any records but getting better.
June 7, 2006: Still a slow loser. Part of me feels like a winner because I have dropped almost 50 pounds. But it has taken me 20 months. I feel like I am trying to swim upstream and am running out of steam! I lose about 1/2 pound a week no matter what the adjustment is. Why is that? I do try to follow the "bandster rules" but admit that I am not vigilant about it. For me, this was not a "diet" but a new way of life. I do not want to diet ever again. However, it looks like to push the weight off, I have no choice. I see Dr. G on Monday and am afraid that I have gained weight (I think about 2-4 pounds) in the last 5 weeks. See, it goes on faster than it comes off. NOT FAIR! I believe my band is filled to 2.4 and is a 4 cc band. I have trouble with chicken breasts and have not had a shrimp in months. But those are the only foods that give me trouble. I can still eat a whole pb&j sandwich on wonder bread with no problem. I just need to make sure I chew well. I have had episodes of PB and slimming when I eat too fast. So, I am trying to be the eternal optomist........but it is getting harder and harder. I WANT THE WEIGHT OFF and like months ago would have been fine with me. So, I am going to be especially good between now and Monday's appointment and hope for the best.
June 25, 2007
Still a slow loser but very happy with where I am. This has taken, oh, about 2 years more than I thought but at least I am losing not gaining! I did have a bad few months at the beginning of this year. I was injured, my FIL passed and my cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I gained about 6 pounds and when it takes about 12 weeks to get it back off, that was a big step backwards! (Stupid emotional eating) But it is off and I am marching forward. I have been below 200 TWICE! I am now planning on getting below 190 by the end of July. The sooner the better. Not a lofty goal but one that I think is obtainable. I have a niece that is getting married in Sept. and I am not only having a bridal shower for her but also hosting the wedding! They plan on about 190 people. I am so excited. I have a garden that is named "the wedding garden." My son and his wife created it for their wedding 6 years ago. It is mostly a spring garden so I have been busy planting flowers that will be in bloom for this fall. After this, the garden will be for all seasons (well, no one in Michigan wants to get married outside in the winter). So, I am trying to focus on the wedding and all the planning to take my mind off of eating. Hopefully this will work. I would really like to reach goal or close to goal by my bandaversery (sp?) and that is Oct 22. Lets see, if my math is correct that is at least 3 lbs per week. It feels like jumping off a cliff and not knowing what is at the bottom. Weird.
Novenber 27, 2007
People are starting to call me skinny! Now, mind you, a 5'3" woman that weighs 182 is not by any stretch of the imagination skinny but I am about 1/2 the size I was when I started this. I am so pleased that the band has worked for me. The weight is still coming off and I am considering plastics but the closer I get to my goal the more afraid of plastics I get. I will have to find the courage somewhere 'cause I don't want to carry this belly around for ever. A few things have happened the past few months, first my cousin lost her battle with breast cancer and that was rough. Then, my surgeon told me he is writing a book about the lap band and asked me to write a testimonial. I have prepared a couple of drafts but haven't finished it yet. It is a tougher task than I first thought it to be! Also my baby ( she's 27) got engaged and is planning a Aug '08 Vegas wedding. It sounds like so much fun. I can't wait! I still read the lap band posts almost daily but rarely post (I know, bad me :( Oh yeah, and I now can wear a size 14 pant! My band is pretty tight and I really have no interest in eating until the evening and even then a few bites and I am full. For the first time in my life I am eating to live and not living to eat and it is a good feeling. I still have trouble with my social life as so many people arrange their social life around eating. I did go to an annual conference with members of my firm (held in Washington, D.C.) and managed to have a good time and avoid a lot of the eating. TTFN
Surgeon Info:
Surgeon: M. Mounir Gazayerli M.D.
Insurer Info:
Blue Cross
