An Update on My Happenings...

Sep 16, 2009

Well, Here I am. Monday the 14th was 8 weeks since my surgery. I'm down 27 pounds and I've lost 20.5 total inches. It feels great. The scale seems to be stuck though, because I'm not losing anything right now, and it's getting frustrating. They say that stress impedes weight loss--well then if that's the case, I guess I'm glad I've lost what I have so far.

I love my job. I love the company I work for. I hate my boss. He is a narcisistic bully who is never wrong and makes things he is wrong about someone else's fault. It's not fair. I've NEVER had a problem with a boss or supervisor ever. I've been here for 2 years, and it's been 2 years of hell. I'd finally had enough, and on September 3, I gave my 2 week notice. Since then, it's gotten worse. Our firm has a "No Retaliation" policy. Well, I guess my boss missed that training because he is retaliating like crazy. I was told to turn him in to HR. I wasn't going to, but now I've decided I am going to. He had me and another lady working for him. Most branches have one advisor and one administrator. Busy offices get 2 administrators. Me and the other administrator are both leaving. My last day is tomorrow and her's is next Friday. I have HR, the regional leader and the home office all involved, because the way my boss treats people, especially women, is wrong. I've never done anything like this before. Quit a job before having a new one (except for when I've had to move out of state), turned in a boss for bad conduct or yelled at any of my bosses. Well, now I've done them all. So, yes, I've been somewhat stressed.

I interviewed with 3 companies. I accepted a position with one of them, and they are here in town. Keeping the name hush hush until I actually start there, for fear that if it leaks out, and my current boss hears of it, he could try to mess it up for me--he is the type to do that. He tried to mess up the other administrator's transfer to another branch in another state, all because HE paid for her training, and now she's just leaving. This is how this jerk thinks! It's all about him. Anyway, my first day with them is on Monday, the 21st.

So, tomorrow is my last day, and I am going to confront him to tell him exactly what I think of him and his managerial style and how miserable he is and how miserable he makes others. Then I will walk out and never look back. As of tomorrow afternoon, I will only be looking forward. Looking forward to my new job, my health, my weight loss.

With the exception of Labor Day Weekend, I have been very good with my diet. Lots of high protein foods, lots of water, and not drinking while I eat. I've been exercising as much as I can and as much as my tired body will allow. Lately I've just crashed on the couch in the evening to watch TV and that's where I wake up in the morning too. So not sleeping that great either. I am ready to get back on track with everything. I respect myself and my band, and from now on, if others can't respect me, they don't need to be in my life.

I am so thankful to all of my friends here at OH. You are all wonderful and I appreciate each and every one of you. If it weren't for you, I'd be dodging a lot of my accountability and probably wouldn't be as successful as I have been with my weight loss.
4 comments

My First Fill

Aug 28, 2009

Well, I finally got it. I got my first fill today! My doctor gave me 4 cc's in my 10cc band! It went great! He felt my stomach for my port, had me raise my head so it would tighten my muscles and he found it. Then he prepped and draped my stomach, and he used a small needle to break the skin. Then he inserted the large needle through the hole he made, and he hit my port right away. I could feel it as he pushed the saline in, and I felt the band tighten. It was such a weird yet interesting feeling. It was as simple as that. It didn't hurt. They didn't numb it, which was fine. Dr. Lewis is so good at what he does. He was even joking around and making me laugh because he knew I was nervous. So I've had some water, a very small amount of protein drink, and 1/2 cup of beef broth. I've been full since I had my fill. My stomach is starting to growl now, so I might have some more broth or some hot tea. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my fill and I think this will work for awhile. I have another appointment scheduled in 6 weeks if I need a tweak. I'm so glad this first part is over with--I was so nervous, but now I know I was nervous for nothing!
10 comments

6 weeks...and Bandster Hell!

Aug 24, 2009

Well, today I am officially at 6 weeks since my band was placed. I love my band. I'm not eating near as much as I was eating, I am not eating all the crappy foods I was eating before, and I have lost 23 pounds in 6 weeks without gaining even though my food intake has increased. On the other hand, I'm so freakin' hungry all the time because I have no restriction! I was scheduled for tomorrow at 4pm to go in for my 6 week visit and have my first fill. The thought of that appointment has kept me going the last week and a half. Then, shortly after noon today, the doctor office calls. They want to reschedule me to Friday @ 2:45! I said ok, hung up the phone, and not just cried, but bawled. I was SO upset! I asked the nurse that runs the WLS center if I could at least start exercising and she said yes but to take it slow and easy. I was told last week to wait until I see the doctor before I start exercising. Now that it was pushed back, I know I couldn't wait longer to exercise. I'm going to start tomorrow with my Wii fit. I'm really tired today--didn't sleep well at all last night. Maybe a good night sleep tonight will allow me to wake up in a better mood with a better attitude. But, for right now, I am definitely in Bandster Hell!
7 comments

Update to Tasty Concoctions

Aug 13, 2009

Ok, so I just got my new Bella Cucina Rocket Blender! I LOVE it. The only thing is, I've had to alter my recipes. I was using a regular big blender to make my smoothies, and then I'd share with my family. Now, this blender makes individual cups and it's great! So, to alter all the recipes, use 1 scoop of protein powder and 4 oz. of skim milk. Use as much fruit and syrup as you like just like before. I just wanted to let you all know that if you're using a Bella Cucina or Magic Bullet or other smaller blender, cut the protein powder and milk in half. I found out the hard way and had a huge mess in my kitchen on Monday night from overflowing the blender cup...lol. Hope you all are enjoying experimenting with smoothies and different flavors!
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Tasty Concoctions

Aug 11, 2009

Ok, so at the request of a friend, I am going to post the "recipes" for my smoothies I've been making. They are really tasty and I get all my protein and I'm getting fruit and fiber and also...FLAVOR!

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Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter

2 scoops of Chocolate GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
8 oz. Skim Milk
1 small frozen banana
1-2 tablespoons (depending on preference) of Bell Plantation PB2 powdered peanut butter
Ice (more or less depending on how thick you want it)

Put it all in a blender and it is soooo yummy.

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Chocolate Raspberry

2 scoops of ChocolateGNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
Sugar Free DaVinci Raspberry Syrup (I just pour a little in and I taste the smoothie when I'm done blending and add more if it needs it)
8 oz. skim milk
ice

Blend all ingredients!

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Vanilla Berry

2 scoops of Vanilla GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
1 cup frozen mixed berries (I got mine @ Sam's club--raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries)
8 oz. skim milk
ice

Blend it all together!

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Almond Joy

2 scoops of Chocolate GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
8 oz. skim milk
Da Vinci sugar free coconut syrup
Da Vinci sugar free almond syrup
ice

This one gives me a great chocolate fix and tastes just like the candy bar!

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Chocolate Khalua coffee

2 scoops of Chocolate GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
8 oz. skim milk
Da Vinci Sugar Free Khalua syrup
1/4 to 1/2 cup decaf coffee (depending on how strong you want it)
ice

This is like a Frappacino!

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Banana Cream

2 scoops of Banana Cream GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
1 small frozen banana
8 oz. skim milk
ice

Blend it all up!

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Banana Split Smoothie

1 scoop of Chocolate GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
1 scoops of Banana Cream GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
8 oz. skim milk
Frozen strawberries (use as many as you like)
DaVinci sugar free Vanilla Syrup
ice

This one tastes like ice cream!

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Peaches & Cream

2 scoops of Vanilla GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
8 oz. skim milk
Frozen peaches
ice

Blend it all together.

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Vanilla Mango


2 scoops of Vanilla GNC ProPerformance Wheybolic Extreme 60
1 cup frozen Mango
8 oz. skim milk
ice

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So basically, I use the protein powder as the base of the smoothie, always use skim milk, and I add whatever fruit and syrups I think might sound good. I've been using my family as my ginny pigs, and they love the different concoctions I come up with. It's a lot of fun actually. I'll be at work, and I'll think of something I want to try, so I write it down, and I make it when I get home. Sam's club sells frozen fruit in good size bags and it's delicious. I buy the protein powders @ GNC. They don't sell the banana one online, so you have to go to the store for that one. The sugar free syrups and powdered peanut butter I get @ netrition.com. I hope you enjoy these recipes! If you have any questions or more ideas, please let me know!
4 comments

One Month

Aug 10, 2009

Well, today is my one month "Surgiversary" and I can honestly say I am feeling pretty darn good. I still have some occassional soreness around my largest incision, but they tell me that is to be expected so I just take my tylenol and try to ignore it. I've been taking my vitamins regularly and I know that is contributing to me feeling so well. I haven't been released to exercise or do strenuous activity or lift more than 10 pounds yet, but I am trying to help my family where I can. We're in the middle of home improvements and before my surgery I was lifting and helping my husband every weekend and almost every night after work. Now I've become his gopher because I want to help so bad because I feel lazy if I don't, and I still can't do strenuous activity and he won't let me. He's being very overprotective as far as what he'll ask me to do and if he sees me trying to do something he's there in a heartbeat stopping me. I know, I'm bad...but I hate not being able to lift things myself. Like on Saturday when we went to help my friend move. My husband, my friend and her mom would not let me do anything. They would give me small things to carry up the stairs...but I didn't mind, because those stairs gave me a great workout! I also was able to unpack things for her. My hubby would bring boxes to where I was and I would empty them. So at least I didn't feel so worthless...lol. I ate out for the first time yesterday and it was really nice. My friend called around to restaurants to see what they offered so I would be able to find something on the menu--she is too sweet! We settled on a casual steakhouse and I ordered a baked potato. It was so good, but I could only eat a very small portion. That was nice too! Before my surgery, I would have devoured the whole thing and would have had a bunch of extras (bacon, cheese, chives, etc.). Instead I had a small amount of butter and sourcream and used salt and pepper and it was delicious.  Things are getting back to normal somewhat. My husband went back to work. The oil and gas fields are getting busy again thank goodness. I'm back at work and been very busy what with the stock market going up the way it has, and it feels so good to have a routine again.

I've had several NSV's and SV's over the last month. I've lost a total of 20 pounds since the day of my surgery. I can now cross my legs, I got into a size 18 jeans, I walked up and down 3 flights of stairs all day on Saturday when we helped my friend move and I didn't get winded like I used to, and we went to a concert last night and I danced and sang and cheered and I didn't hurt at all--it felt great!

I was measured last week at the WLS center and I was shocked by my measurements:

Pants: dropped 1 size
Shirts: dropped 1 size
Hips: lost 1.5 inches
Neck: lost 1 inch
Calf: stayed the same
Ankle: lost .25 inch
Wrist: stayed the same
Arm: lost 1.5 inches
Thigh: lost 1 inch
Chest: lost 1 inch
Waist: Lost 4 Inches!!!!

Overall, things are going well. I've been progressing with my diet slowly but surely and adding things one at a time. I had a quarter of a turkey sandwich for lunch on Sara Lee 45 calorie wheat bread, with light mayo and mustard and fat free cheese. It was so good and it really filled me up. I've been getting creative with my smoothies since our support group meeting last week. Our nutritionist ran the meeting and she had premade a bunch of smoothies using different protein powders and they were really yummy. So I've been to GNC and ordered on netrition.com and I've come up with some yummy concoctions!

Well, that's about it for me for now. I just want to say what wonderful, interesting people I've met on OH and I am looking forward to meeting many more. The support we all give each other is priceless and the friendships that are formed are amazing.

3 comments

Getting Back to Normal

Aug 03, 2009

Well, I'm back at work today, and I'm doing okay...not great, but okay. The 19 pounds I've lost feels great and I don't miss them at all...lol. I'm progressing through the diet the Weight Loss Surgery Center gave me and it feels so good to be able to chew something finally! I got into my 1X gaucho pants the other day, and this morning, I got into a 1X blouse! It feels so nice to be able to wear some of the clothes I haven't worn in ages. I've been reading the forums on this site and getting some great ideas from everyone. I know being on a normal schedule will get easier, but right now, I miss my nap and my soap opera is on in 10 minutes and I miss that too! Seriously though, I am so grateful for this tool and for all of the wonderful people here on OH. It's amazing to me how supportive everyone is. Between this site, my family, and my support group here in town, I don't see me failing, and that's a great feeling also. I've never been successful on diets, and this one I am--so far--and I know I will continue to be. I have to be positive and look to the future...my healthy future!
1 comment

Two Weeks Post Surgery

Jul 28, 2009

Well, here I am, and thanks to my friend who had surgery the same day as me, I've found this amazing website. As of yesterday, I'm two weeks post surgery. Today is the first day I've woke up with very little pain. I think we're going to try more of an outing today and head to the county fair and then go to the rodeo tonight. To date, I've lost 14 pounds and it feels great. I've had quite a bit of pain, and I think I've been overdoing it a bit being that we have family visiting right now. I actually went on a 4-wheeler ride on Saturday, and since then, I've felt awful. I did ok on Saturday after the ride, but that night and everyday since I've felt awful. Like I said, today so far is good. Eating is getting better, and trust me, I love sweets, but all the sweet food is starting to wear on me. I can't wait until next week to have mashed potatoes! I'm loving my tomato soup though, and I ate a banana today. Wow was that yummy! Thank you, wyoctry, for telling me about this website and giving me such a warm welcome. I truly appreciate it and I appreciate being able to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through on the same timeline as me.
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About Me
Riverton, WY
Location
21.5
BMI
Surgery
07/13/2009
Surgery Date
Jul 27, 2009
Member Since

Friends 64

Latest Blog 8

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