Mmezul

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Hello friends,

I wanted to give you a quick update because it is overdue, but I am running out the door so it'll be brief.  I had my doc's visit on 5/15 and came in at 240 lbs.  While it was good that I lost, that only left me at about a 4 lb loss in two months.  It was a number of things that contributed to this short loss.  First, while traveling quite a bit for work the last few weeks before my visit, I realize I allowed myself to enjoy wine during my dinner, which usually consisted of appetizers, high in calorie intake and easy to go down with the aid of wine, so in essence I was eating longer and more.  Also, did not keep up my walking.  I was upset at myself, but quickly realized this put me at a 56 lb loss since my pre-op diet.  Not too bad for a 5 month time frame, give or take a few days.
He gave me a 1.5 cc adjustment, carrying a total of 4.5 ccs in my 10 cc band.  This has done it.  I find I have to stay with band friendly foods at all meals, when before I could sneak in other foods that are on the no-no list.  I am striclty forced to only eat between a cup and cup and a half of food for a meal.  It took a couple of PBs for me to realize this restriction may be it.  According to my scale, I have already lost 5 lbs in two weeks, not to mention that I am officially a size 18!
I don't see Dr. F until about two months, so I have set myself goals for each week until then: 
1. Consistent daily walks
2. Increase my walks in intensity and time weekly
3. drink all my required water throughout the day and in between meals, strive for more
4. Limit my dinner intake if I am going to drink wine (can't take it out of my life completely)
5. Increase my protein intake until I reach the required daily
6. Only weigh myself once a week

Let's see how we do!  Talk to you soon...

Hello friends!

Tuesday I had my next weigh-in and visited with my doc.  Things went well for me this past month.  I managed to lose 9 lbs and have officially gone down a full size.  I came in at 243 lbs this time around - still a long ways to 135 lbs, but "only" 108 lbs to get there!  

My second fill has proven to be a good adjustment for me, so far.  I have not had another sliming experience since my first, but I have kept a close watch on my portion size to avoid that.  From our conversation and my weight loss, Dr. F concluded that I did not need another adjustment this time around.  He's a strong believer of, "Don't tamper with something that is working."  He suspects there will be another adjustment in the future, but for now he anticipates a steady weight loss if I maintain my portion control, continue to separate my liquids and increase my exercise.  

I did tell him that, although I am able to stick to my three meals without hunger in between, I have felt that my restriction has gone down a bit in the last week.  He said that he felt confident not to see me for another 2 months.  I expressed my fear to gain weight if I was not as restricted as before and consequently would eat more.  He insisted that I not eat more than a cup and a half of food each meal - and if I was struggling to keep my hunger down, then to call ahead to move up our appointment.  He reminded me again that if I ate more than what my pouch was designed to hold I would stretch it and I would surely have a slip.  THAT SCARES ME TO DEATH.  Again, he expressed confidence in my progress as long as I stuck to drinking lots of water in between meals, when I should, to keep my hunger controled.  I will go along with his recommendations because so far - what he has asked me to do has worked.

Since my last fill I do experience some tenderness in the left side of my stomach during and right after my meal.  Nurse tell me that's where my "stoma" is - which is where my band is positioned.  I find that if I chew longer and eat moist food - it gets better.  I guess this is what real restriction should feel like and the doctor says it's not something I should worry about if I stick with my portions.  I am glad I didn't get another fill because I just would not like to PB all the time.  So far I am able to eat everything I am allowed, except red meat because I am still scared of the texture... I've tried to eat some, but when I get ready to swallow it feels like it's not going to make it through my stoma... so I stop and I truly don't miss it at all.

OK, sorry again for my loooong update, but I just prefer to get it all in at once.  Talk to you next time and send me a message if you have questions or comments!

Hugs,
Me

It's been a while since I've updated you, my friends.  I'm happy to announce that after having a rough month (down only 5 lbs - job stress, no restriction, staff infection) I can now say I got a tighter fill.  My meals now consist of about 1 1/2 cups, give or take some depending on the food choice.  My full sesation comes very quickly now, especially in the mornings or when I'm having a busy day.  My weigh in and 2nd fill were on 2/27 and currently I have lost 7 lbs, according to my scale.  (Again, FYI... I don't update my ticker or profile unless it's from my doctor's scale, at least until I reach my "sweet spot" and stop going to him regularly.) 

My new restriction feels very similar to my second week after surgery.  This being new to me, and after having very minimal restriction the last two months, I had my first sliming experience three days after my fill.  Blame it on Cuban Tostones y Ropa Vieja!  Delish, but not bandster friendly for sure!  I had taken only three small bites, chewed carefully and only ate the plantain toston - with a few shreds of ropa vieja which is basically shredded beef.  I was being extra careful b/c I knew that it was going to be a tough swallow and that is why I was only having a small taste.  Well, that was enough to get Victoria (my band) all riled up!  By the time I swallowed two small bites of my soft cuban tamale, it just started creeping back up.  I immediately stopped and according to my friend, went slightly pale.  I insisted that she wait by her cell phone and at the table while I rushed to the restroom with napkin and cell phone in  hand.  All I had to do was bend over the toilet and out it came, just as I had swallowed it, except now accompanied by that weird clear slime... sorry to be so graphic, but this is a learnings blog, right?  

My episode was not violent at all, and I am told by veteran bandsters that I was very lucky.  I would say the moment lasted about 5 minutes from the time I felt it creeping back up to my throat to the time it all came out.  It felt like when, pre-surgery, you have a huge-can't-have-another-bite-meal and feel so bloated and full you want to burp but can't for fear of having reflux with product right then and there.  That's exactly what it felt like to me.

Lesson: don't underestimate the power of a good fill and follow your bandster rules - I don't want to sound like a geek, but it's true.  Had I wanted to remember to keep away from fried foods, I would not have gone for the Tostones and avoided the whole episode.  But, there's always a first time.  I was just terrified and praying to death that my episode was not violent enough to dislodge my band.  My doctor and other bandsters have told me that one can have a "slip" from a bad PB (product burp - sliming - throw up).  I was lucky and hope that I don't have another one again.  I had to go back on mushies and soft foods for the next three days because Victoria was a bit irritated and made my pouch crabby.

My goal this month is to keep up my walking!  AAAAGGGHHHH!  I am determined to walk every morning for 20 to 30 minutes until I can work in 2 or 3 evening kickboxing classes.  I am losing inches like crazy, but am not molding like I should for lack of increased activity and resistance training.  This is my number one priority this month now that my eating is under control.

Check out new pics...
Abrazos y besos!

Today is a beautiful day in Austin - sunny, cool and crisp.  I really MUST go take a walk, but I have been making excuses not to go.  So, I opened a package my mom brought me a few days ago and saw a picture she had framed of me and my BF in high school.  WOW!  Seventeen years old and approx 152 lbs!  That is the only time in my life that I have been a "normal" size, about 10/12.  I could have taken that picture and cried of depression, but instead I have taken it to be part of my journey.  I uploaded it.  I don't mean to look like I did back then, but rather to show myself that I can accomplish to be at a weight that I have been at one point in my life.  BTW, I only remained at that weight for about 5 months then I gradually started putting it back on and then some.  Notice the potato chips - I wonder how I got here?  It started that night!  LOL!  

My surgeon has set a medical goal weight of 135 lbs, which I love and have already set it in my mind to reach one day.  But looking at me in this pic at 152 lbs, makes me realize that I cannot imagine what I would look like at 135 lbs!  I keep reminding myself that the key thing here is to remember what I felt like during that slumber party - healthy, energetic, vibrant.  That is my ultimate goal!  I think that if I reach my medical goal one day, the weight on the scale will help keep me focused to be in control of my physical & mental well-being.  Because, unlike high school, at 32 yo I want to be healthy in order to lead a fulfilling life for me and my future family, which in turn will make me look good - not just aim to look good - period.  

Gotta go, I'm putting my tennis shoes on for a 30 minute walk! 

So I just returned from my first fill.  It went very well.  It was interesting to learn that I have the largest band in me with a 10 centimeters cubic capacity (cc) and that he filled me today with 3 cc's.  He didn't have to do a lot of digging, thank God, but my tummy did manage to bend the first needle - LOL!  He asked me lift my feet off the table about an inch several times (ab workout 4 me) in order to make my stomach wall rigid so that it would be easier to locate the port.  Once he found it he poked around a bit and after changing needles, he quickly filled without any pain.  The only pain I felt was the first prick from the numbing solution.  Unlike some doctor's, he didn't have to fill me under an X-Ray screen.  I think he's done so many of these that he finds ports without any issues. 

I lost another 13 lbs since 12/19, so right at a month!  That's 26 lbs since surgery 12/4, 35 lbs total with my pre-op loss (which I undeniably count in my tracker above!)

My doc is very happy with my loss and that's why he went easy on my first fill with only 3 cc's.  He explained that from my WL, it seemed I had some restriction from my band just sitting there, but that the 3 cc's would definitely help with my increased appetite and slight portion increase.  Goodbye full size chicken breast!  I hope he's right, because lately it was getting tough keeping my little pouch full for longer than 3 hours.  I'm back on soft foods for a few days in order to pace my new pouch.  I just finished having about 3/4 of a cup of split-pea soup and one teaspoon of hummus.  I'm full and had to stop because I felt that last spoonful sitting too close to my esophagus - at least that's what it felt like.

Let's hope and pray that this first fill works for me, at least for the next month.  I'll keep you posted and thanks for all your encouragement, friends!

Due to an unusual Texas winter storm, my doc canceled all appointments on 1/16.  I was soooo looking forward to my fill.  I wanted to scream because I am so worried I am eating a little more than I should.  I know I'm not overdoing it, but feel my portions keep growing and growing ever so slightly.  I am forcing myself to stick to my three square meals and only one snack a day of ff yogurt w/shaved almonds or low fat cottage cheese with 6 grapes.  I am also striving to walk more and more, but am not doing as much as I should.  Thanks to the encouragement of my OH buddy, Marcia - I am determined to get up 30 minutes earlier tomorrow morning to get on my treadmil.  Who knows - I may end up loving it.  Let's all get in a prayer circle for this one!  I'll keep you posted on my fill when it gets here.

Ciao, un beso
-Me

Yesterday was my one month anniversary with my band!  It has been quite a journey so far.  According to my home scale I am down to 260 lbs, but I don't count that weight because I like to go by my doc's scale, so it won't be until my next visit that I will truly know how much I've lost.  

I feel lucky that I have not had any bad episodes and generally have had it quite easy.  This week I started noticing that I am able to eat a little larger portions.  A week ago I was barely eating a five year-old's child plate, I am now eating about an average 7 year old's plate.  To put it in simple terms, I am able to eat a full Amy's frozen entree without any problems and that scares me a bit.  I feel very satisfied with that portion, but I do start looking for a snack about 3 hours after my meal.  I have really been good and only snacked on maybe a ff yogurt with a pinch of shaved almonds (for the protein) or about a small hand-full of almonds (about 10).  This only tells me that I will be ready for an adjustment in two weeks during my next docs visit.  

I am beginning to notice my clothes are bigger on me and my face is looking smaller.  It wasn't until my co-worker took a picture of me today that I really noticed the difference.  Take a look and tell me what you think.

Until next time... hopefully will have a good story to tell about my first fill.

OK, so I am almost a month post-op, but I wanted to plug in my post-op appt. update to track my progress.  I have lost 22 lbs since my pre-op diet Nov. 21 to my post-op appt. Dec. 19.  A total of 13 lbs since my surgery date Dec. 4 to my post op appt!  I realize things may start slowing down a bit since I am now eating almost everything, except most red meats (I'm too scared it won't go down!).  I'm a bit nervous that I am now eating more than my initial 1 1/2 cups of food I was eating when I started on soft foods.  I am sticking to the child portions my nut instructed I eat, but I find that I have to force myself to push the plate aside when I finish because I feel like I can still keep eating.  I am scared of testing my band and pushing my limits, but so far I am being very good.  I know that even without a fill, my band still works because once I get up from the table and go on to doing something else I realize I am completely full and satisfied.  Although I am sticking to my three meals a day, I do find myself looking for a snack in between meals and I know my doctor advised that I should not be looking for food.  I am documenting all of this really good so that I communicate it to my doc on my upcoming appt. on Jan. 13.

My doc has scheduled me for a fill then, but he said that if I am still losing steadily and he feels that I can manage my hunger he will not mess with my band.  I pray that we both make the right decision because I feel that a slight weight gain right now will be a tad unmotivating.

So far, I am thrilled to report that my clothes are draping like they should instead of popping out of them like I was the last few months before getting my band.  My boobs no longer meld into my stomach roll, they are now two separate sections in my transforming body... Hah!  My energy level has sky rocketed and I am now enjoying 20 to 30 minute walks around my neighborhood.

My incisions are healing like they should, except my ugly port scab sometimes gets caught in my blouse and aches a bit.  Ugh!  Sorry for the graphic description.  I am still slightly sore when I oversleep on one side for too long, but other than that - no major pains to report!

I'll keep you posted of what happens next.  Thanks for all your encouragement, friends!
~Mayra

Hello all!  First of all, thank you to everyone that sent me a support message and good wishes.  Your encouragement is motivating.  I am happy to report that I am doing great.  My surgery went well, although my surgeon did tell my fiance and mother that my liver was huge and very fatty which told him that I did not follow my pre-op diet the way I should have.  Because of this, he had to make a sixth incision.  Had he not done this, he would have canceled the lap surgery.  Other than that, my recovery is moving along.  The worst of my pain subsided after three to four days, but I still take my pain medication like clockwork to avoid major discomfort.  I returned to the office yesterday and feel much better.  At home I experienced a few grieving episodes - for food.  It was very weird, sort of like I was dealing with the notion that I would never be able to eat real food again.  I now realize that this is somewhat of a normal feeling after surgery.  

Work is helping me stay focused on my post-op diets.  Yesterday I was approved by my nutritionist to cut my liquid diet short one week and move on to purees.  I had to call him because I was starving and hurting with hunger pangs about two hours after drinking a full serving of protein shake.  He explained that my internal swelling is going down and that I should be fine to move on to purees as long as I separate my liquid intake during meals and watch my liquid calories in between.  Life is good again.

I am beginning to enjoy the small changes my body has made after surgery.  I have been blessed with receiving an early present from my Christmas wish list.  My feet are no longer swollen!  I was thrilled when I was able to slip on a pair of shoes I had not worn in nearly a year due to my swollen feet.  These are the changes I look for and will continue to celebrate as I move along this new road - God willing!

I realize I will only be a few pounds thinner by the time Christmas is here, so I'm keeping my list quite modest:

1. Non-tingling, non-swollen ankles - Done, 1 week post-op
2. Non-tingling, non-swollen feet - Got this gift!
3. Non-aching lower back - much better
4. Flexible, pain-free knees - better, but still limp occasionally when I get up from sitting too long
5. Non-digging, comfortable bras - finally got re-fitted and my girls are happy
6. A new ring to fit around any of my shrinking fingers 8-) - Ivan keeps using the excuse that my fingers will only get smaller... we're putting this gift on the back burner for now