thinkpink
Birthday Girl
Aug 13, 2008
My 25th birthday was 2 days ago. And I just realized that tomorrow will mark 6 months since I have had my surgery. Time is really flying by.
I've lost 40 lbs in that time. Everyone tells me that they can tell I'm losing, that I look good, etc. but I am still not very happy with my progress. I thought I would be down at least 50 lbs by now. If not more.
I've been struggling with getting good restriction. First, I wasn't getting enough. Then my last fill made me too tight. I could barely eat anything. I was living on broth, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. Even scrambled eggs made me sick. So after two weeks of hoping it would go away, I went back to Dr. McDowell and he took .5 cc's out of my band. I lost 6.5 lbs during that two weeks time, which made me happy. But now I feel like I can eat too much. And I have gained 3 lbs back!
I don't know. It's frustrating. I am beginning to think it might be better to be too tight than not tight enough. Maybe I shouldn't have had anything taken out of the band. I wanted to be able to go out and celebrate my birthday though. And I did. More than once! I went out to dinner (Italian) on Saturday night and then out with friends for drinks after. I only had 3 Miller Lites though. And then on Monday (my actual birthday), I went out with friends to Cabana. I was so happy that I was able to eat my dinner and not get sick. I had grilled lemon pepper trout and it was delicious. I was even able to eat birthday cake! And 2 mango martinis.
A week ago, I was down 43 lbs. Since the birthday splurge and having .5 cc's removed from my band, I've put 3 of those lbs back on. So I'm trying to be really good from here on out. I'm even thinking of going back to my pre-op diet for two weeks. I'm going on a cruise in a month and I'd be thrilled if I was at least 10 lbs lighter by then. So I might try the pre-op diet again. It really wasn't so terrible.
Today I was going through OH and looking at the people who had surgery around the time I did. I feel like they have all lost more weight than me. Granted, most of them had RNY... but still. I guess I wonder if I made the wrong decision by choosing Lap Band over RNY. I just felt like it was a lot safer. RNY scared me. The complications and recovery also scared me. I thought Lap Band was the way to go.
And you know, it probably was. I have always known that it is a slower process than RNY. It takes longer to lose the weight. But you get there eventually. I just wish I was getting there faster. And I know part of that is my own fault.
I think I am going to really try and not go out as often. I know that is part of the problem because I love going out. But going out to eat and drinking empty calories (alcohol) is not helping me reach my weight loss goals. And that really is the most important thing right now.
I need to be more dedicated about going to the gym, too. I was doing so great for a while. And then I started traveling a lot for work and I have completely slacked off. I need to get back on track.
Okay so my goal is to lose 10 lbs by the time I leave for my cruise. I have four weeks to do that. I think I can do it! I just have to be more dedicated about eating smaller portions and working out at least 5 times a week.
I've lost 40 lbs in that time. Everyone tells me that they can tell I'm losing, that I look good, etc. but I am still not very happy with my progress. I thought I would be down at least 50 lbs by now. If not more.
I've been struggling with getting good restriction. First, I wasn't getting enough. Then my last fill made me too tight. I could barely eat anything. I was living on broth, mashed potatoes, and mac and cheese. Even scrambled eggs made me sick. So after two weeks of hoping it would go away, I went back to Dr. McDowell and he took .5 cc's out of my band. I lost 6.5 lbs during that two weeks time, which made me happy. But now I feel like I can eat too much. And I have gained 3 lbs back!
I don't know. It's frustrating. I am beginning to think it might be better to be too tight than not tight enough. Maybe I shouldn't have had anything taken out of the band. I wanted to be able to go out and celebrate my birthday though. And I did. More than once! I went out to dinner (Italian) on Saturday night and then out with friends for drinks after. I only had 3 Miller Lites though. And then on Monday (my actual birthday), I went out with friends to Cabana. I was so happy that I was able to eat my dinner and not get sick. I had grilled lemon pepper trout and it was delicious. I was even able to eat birthday cake! And 2 mango martinis.
A week ago, I was down 43 lbs. Since the birthday splurge and having .5 cc's removed from my band, I've put 3 of those lbs back on. So I'm trying to be really good from here on out. I'm even thinking of going back to my pre-op diet for two weeks. I'm going on a cruise in a month and I'd be thrilled if I was at least 10 lbs lighter by then. So I might try the pre-op diet again. It really wasn't so terrible.
Today I was going through OH and looking at the people who had surgery around the time I did. I feel like they have all lost more weight than me. Granted, most of them had RNY... but still. I guess I wonder if I made the wrong decision by choosing Lap Band over RNY. I just felt like it was a lot safer. RNY scared me. The complications and recovery also scared me. I thought Lap Band was the way to go.
And you know, it probably was. I have always known that it is a slower process than RNY. It takes longer to lose the weight. But you get there eventually. I just wish I was getting there faster. And I know part of that is my own fault.
I think I am going to really try and not go out as often. I know that is part of the problem because I love going out. But going out to eat and drinking empty calories (alcohol) is not helping me reach my weight loss goals. And that really is the most important thing right now.
I need to be more dedicated about going to the gym, too. I was doing so great for a while. And then I started traveling a lot for work and I have completely slacked off. I need to get back on track.
Okay so my goal is to lose 10 lbs by the time I leave for my cruise. I have four weeks to do that. I think I can do it! I just have to be more dedicated about eating smaller portions and working out at least 5 times a week.
Restriction & Changes
Jul 09, 2008
Well I am certainly getting A LOT more restriction than before. I keep discovering more foods that just don't work for me anymore. I have been bringing Lean Cuisine lunches to work with me for a long time. The one I brought today was chicken, rice and broccoli and I had a very hard time. The rice was definitely getting stuck in my band. I remember rice being a problem food (on the list I was given) for some patients, but until today, it never was for me. I couldn't eat it. I was feeling some pain and my stomach was making all kinds of noises, too. I could tell it was stuck. Luckily, it finally went down and it stopped hurting. Not a good feeling though. It makes me never want to eat rice again!!
So since I couldn't eat my lunch, the only thing left was my sugar-free pudding cup. Needless to say, I am very hungry now. Or maybe I just think I am? Sometimes I have a hard time figuring out if I am actually hungry or if it is just head hunger. Okay, my stomach is growling really loudly. I guess I AM hungry!
I started writing down everything I eat in a journal. I used to do this and it worked well for me. Yesterday I didn't do so well. Not only did I go out to dinner/drinks with friends, but I ordered chicken fingers (BAD!) and it came with fries (WORSE!). Then when I got home, I ate watermelon... and then some crackers!! After I wrote it all down, I was like, "Wow, this was a horrible day. I don't even know why I ate when I got home. It's late and I wasn't even very hungry."
That is the hardest thing for me. During the day while I am at work, I rarely have any cravings. But after dinner, I want to snack. I am trying to make a rule that I don't eat after 8:30 p.m. It's hard to stick to it though because I am young and I go out a lot. And people in their 20s don't generally eat dinner early. We eat late, go out late, and stay out late.
I have actually been thinking about toning down some of my socializing. I never thought I would say that, but it is getting harder and harder to stick to my workout regimen (I have SERIOUSLY been slacking) and I know that working out is soooo much more important than going out. Even if going out is more fun! In the long run, I will be happier that I have worked out and lost more weight. Going out a lot just makes my weight loss more of a struggle because without exercise, the pounds come off much slower. So I need to tone it down. Now I am not suggesting I become a hermit or a shut-in. However, I'm thinking of going out only 3 nights a week instead of the 4 or 5 nights I do now. Yes, I really am a social butterfly.
But this butterfly needs to get her butt to the gym. I need to start exercising EVERY DAY. No more excuses. Happy hour can no longer be an excuse! I want to start losing more weight and the only way I can do that is to become more dedicated to eating healthy foods and working out. So I have to do it. It's really that simple.
So since I couldn't eat my lunch, the only thing left was my sugar-free pudding cup. Needless to say, I am very hungry now. Or maybe I just think I am? Sometimes I have a hard time figuring out if I am actually hungry or if it is just head hunger. Okay, my stomach is growling really loudly. I guess I AM hungry!
I started writing down everything I eat in a journal. I used to do this and it worked well for me. Yesterday I didn't do so well. Not only did I go out to dinner/drinks with friends, but I ordered chicken fingers (BAD!) and it came with fries (WORSE!). Then when I got home, I ate watermelon... and then some crackers!! After I wrote it all down, I was like, "Wow, this was a horrible day. I don't even know why I ate when I got home. It's late and I wasn't even very hungry."
That is the hardest thing for me. During the day while I am at work, I rarely have any cravings. But after dinner, I want to snack. I am trying to make a rule that I don't eat after 8:30 p.m. It's hard to stick to it though because I am young and I go out a lot. And people in their 20s don't generally eat dinner early. We eat late, go out late, and stay out late.
I have actually been thinking about toning down some of my socializing. I never thought I would say that, but it is getting harder and harder to stick to my workout regimen (I have SERIOUSLY been slacking) and I know that working out is soooo much more important than going out. Even if going out is more fun! In the long run, I will be happier that I have worked out and lost more weight. Going out a lot just makes my weight loss more of a struggle because without exercise, the pounds come off much slower. So I need to tone it down. Now I am not suggesting I become a hermit or a shut-in. However, I'm thinking of going out only 3 nights a week instead of the 4 or 5 nights I do now. Yes, I really am a social butterfly.
But this butterfly needs to get her butt to the gym. I need to start exercising EVERY DAY. No more excuses. Happy hour can no longer be an excuse! I want to start losing more weight and the only way I can do that is to become more dedicated to eating healthy foods and working out. So I have to do it. It's really that simple.
4th Fill
Jun 30, 2008
I saw Dr. McDowell on Friday and had my 4th fill. When Laura weighed me, I saw I was down 6 lbs from the last time I was there. I was glad to see a loss and not a gain, like last time. I know it was only one pound, but that one pound was very discouraging.
I still feel like I should have lost more weight by now. I know that when my cousin and uncle had LapBand, they were on liquids for three weeks after surgery and then they moved into soft foods. They lost a lot of weight during that time. I'm sure it was miserable, but sometimes I wonder if I would be happier with my weight loss if I had done it that way.
I've listened to Dr. McDowell though. I really do listen to everything he says. He told me on Friday that he knows I am going to do so well with my band because I am a model patient. I thought that was sweet. He knows I am trying. He also knows I travel a lot with my job and that I have been trying very hard to make smart choices, especially when I eat out.
The fill went well. He originally wanted to put me up to 8 cc's, but that didn't go over so well. He always has me take big drinks of water right after the fill and it always goes down with no problems. Well, not this time. I guess 8 cc's was too much because it didn't feel right and the water wasn't going down. So he took out 1 cc and now I am a 7 cc's.
He told me that the 4th and 5th fill are usually the ones where patients really start getting good restriction. I think he's right. I can already tell. I am not able to eat as much and have found some foods are just not good choices anymore. I haven't had problems eating roast beef from the deli before... well I had some over the weekend and it took me FOREVER to eat one slice. I kept chewing and chewing... and even then it didn't feel right. So I think my roast beef days are over.
Tonight I am going to Hillsboro Village to meet up with friends for dinner and drinks. I am not sure what I am going to order. I'm thinking maybe fish or a burger, minus the bun. And only 2 Miller Lites. That's the max I am allowing myself these days.
I am going to Indianapolis for the 4th. I'll be visiting family and then driving to Ft. Wayne for my best friend's bridal shower -- part of my MOH duties. I'm excited because I will get to see my mom. I haven't seen her since February when she came to take care of me after my surgery. Hopefully she will notice a weight loss. I'm down 36 lbs.
I still feel like I should have lost more weight by now. I know that when my cousin and uncle had LapBand, they were on liquids for three weeks after surgery and then they moved into soft foods. They lost a lot of weight during that time. I'm sure it was miserable, but sometimes I wonder if I would be happier with my weight loss if I had done it that way.
I've listened to Dr. McDowell though. I really do listen to everything he says. He told me on Friday that he knows I am going to do so well with my band because I am a model patient. I thought that was sweet. He knows I am trying. He also knows I travel a lot with my job and that I have been trying very hard to make smart choices, especially when I eat out.
The fill went well. He originally wanted to put me up to 8 cc's, but that didn't go over so well. He always has me take big drinks of water right after the fill and it always goes down with no problems. Well, not this time. I guess 8 cc's was too much because it didn't feel right and the water wasn't going down. So he took out 1 cc and now I am a 7 cc's.
He told me that the 4th and 5th fill are usually the ones where patients really start getting good restriction. I think he's right. I can already tell. I am not able to eat as much and have found some foods are just not good choices anymore. I haven't had problems eating roast beef from the deli before... well I had some over the weekend and it took me FOREVER to eat one slice. I kept chewing and chewing... and even then it didn't feel right. So I think my roast beef days are over.
Tonight I am going to Hillsboro Village to meet up with friends for dinner and drinks. I am not sure what I am going to order. I'm thinking maybe fish or a burger, minus the bun. And only 2 Miller Lites. That's the max I am allowing myself these days.
I am going to Indianapolis for the 4th. I'll be visiting family and then driving to Ft. Wayne for my best friend's bridal shower -- part of my MOH duties. I'm excited because I will get to see my mom. I haven't seen her since February when she came to take care of me after my surgery. Hopefully she will notice a weight loss. I'm down 36 lbs.
Disappointed
Jun 16, 2008
Well it's been 4 months since I had surgery. I feel like I should have lost more weight than I have. Last month, I didn't lose anything at all. I actually gained one pound. I blame it on traveling for work (I spent 2 1/2 weeks on the road), eating out too often, and not going to the gym as much as I should.
This month has been better. I feel like I am starting to get back on track. I have been trying to really count my calories and eat foods with more protein. Plus, I am finally starting to feel some restriction. I pretty much avoid eating bread now because it usually makes me feel sick. I have yet to throw up, but I get really bad pain... almost like a heartburn feeling... right after I have eaten something bad. It feels almost like it is stuck in my band. And eventually it passes through and I feel better, but it leaves me not wanting to eat that food ever again. I used to go to Subway like 2-3 times week and now I find myself not even wanting to go because the bread is too much for me. Or if I go, I'll get a salad instead.
I have been battling with the scale for the past 2 weeks. I weigh myself every day. Often twice a day. That's probably not good, but I am being honest. I know I am doing better as far as what I am eating, but I have been drinking a lot more than I normally do. See, I am on a kickball team and we have weekly happy hours. That combined with all of the summer BBQs I have been invited to -- I have been drinking much more than I am used to. And it isn't like I have been getting drunk. I try to limit myself to no more than 3 Miller Lites. Still, I know alchol is just empty calories. Unfortunately, I am young and very social so it is just a part of my life.
Three months from now, I will be on a cruise with my mom. I'm taking her on a 4-day cruise for her 50th birthday. I really want to lose 25 lbs before I go. I think that is very attainable, but I have to buckle down. I am actually considering doing liquids for a week because I know that help me quickly drop a lot of weight when I was on my pre-op diet. I've also been thinking of going on this 21-day fast that I read about. Apparently Oprah is doing it... haha. I don't know, I need to look into it more and probably talk it over with Laura, the nutritionist at Baptist.
I'm supposed to get my next fill on Friday, but I am moving my appointment back a week because my best friend is coming to visit this week and she'll be here. So I think I'll just go next week instead.
So far this year, I have lost 34 lbs. I know that seems like a fairly impressive amount, but I lost 15 lbs before my surgery. So I've really only lost 19 lbs since then. Over 4 months.
I'm not going to get discouraged though. This is the first month that I have really felt any restriction at all. Dr. McDowell said he thinks my next fill might put me at my "sweet spot" and once I get there, the weight is going to start coming off quicker because the restriction will be perfect.
I hope so. I feel like I have been trying a lot harder this month.
I can tell I am losing weight. I know a ton of my clothes are falling off me. Last night, I went through my closet and boxed up a bunch of things to sell on ebay. And last week, I bought a tank top at Old Navy and the XL was too big. I was really shocked, but happy.
I turn 25 on August 11th. I've already bought this really cute sundress that I plan on wearing on my birthday. It's a little bit snug now, but hopefully by then it will be more comfortable. It's green and white and really adorable. I have the perfect earrings to match, too.
This month has been better. I feel like I am starting to get back on track. I have been trying to really count my calories and eat foods with more protein. Plus, I am finally starting to feel some restriction. I pretty much avoid eating bread now because it usually makes me feel sick. I have yet to throw up, but I get really bad pain... almost like a heartburn feeling... right after I have eaten something bad. It feels almost like it is stuck in my band. And eventually it passes through and I feel better, but it leaves me not wanting to eat that food ever again. I used to go to Subway like 2-3 times week and now I find myself not even wanting to go because the bread is too much for me. Or if I go, I'll get a salad instead.
I have been battling with the scale for the past 2 weeks. I weigh myself every day. Often twice a day. That's probably not good, but I am being honest. I know I am doing better as far as what I am eating, but I have been drinking a lot more than I normally do. See, I am on a kickball team and we have weekly happy hours. That combined with all of the summer BBQs I have been invited to -- I have been drinking much more than I am used to. And it isn't like I have been getting drunk. I try to limit myself to no more than 3 Miller Lites. Still, I know alchol is just empty calories. Unfortunately, I am young and very social so it is just a part of my life.
Three months from now, I will be on a cruise with my mom. I'm taking her on a 4-day cruise for her 50th birthday. I really want to lose 25 lbs before I go. I think that is very attainable, but I have to buckle down. I am actually considering doing liquids for a week because I know that help me quickly drop a lot of weight when I was on my pre-op diet. I've also been thinking of going on this 21-day fast that I read about. Apparently Oprah is doing it... haha. I don't know, I need to look into it more and probably talk it over with Laura, the nutritionist at Baptist.
I'm supposed to get my next fill on Friday, but I am moving my appointment back a week because my best friend is coming to visit this week and she'll be here. So I think I'll just go next week instead.
So far this year, I have lost 34 lbs. I know that seems like a fairly impressive amount, but I lost 15 lbs before my surgery. So I've really only lost 19 lbs since then. Over 4 months.
I'm not going to get discouraged though. This is the first month that I have really felt any restriction at all. Dr. McDowell said he thinks my next fill might put me at my "sweet spot" and once I get there, the weight is going to start coming off quicker because the restriction will be perfect.
I hope so. I feel like I have been trying a lot harder this month.
I can tell I am losing weight. I know a ton of my clothes are falling off me. Last night, I went through my closet and boxed up a bunch of things to sell on ebay. And last week, I bought a tank top at Old Navy and the XL was too big. I was really shocked, but happy.
I turn 25 on August 11th. I've already bought this really cute sundress that I plan on wearing on my birthday. It's a little bit snug now, but hopefully by then it will be more comfortable. It's green and white and really adorable. I have the perfect earrings to match, too.
Moving Along
Apr 09, 2008
Well I had my second fill last week. I lost 8 lbs since my previous visit four weeks earlier. I wasn't exactly thrilled with that, but it is what it is. I still didn't have much restriction. I think the next four weeks will be better because I have started working out 4 times a week now. I wound up canceling my YMCA membership and joining Curves because it was about $10 a month less expensive. So far, I really do like it. I am going there 3 times a week and then doing cardio once or twice a week at my apartment complex gym. I also joined a kickball team so now I have games once a week. And that is actually really fun exercise!
I got out my spring/summer wardrobe and I am happy to see that some of the dresses that were too snug last year are fitting perfectly now. And some of my skirts and capris are falling off me!
I have been getting asked out a lot lately. I don't necessarily attribute this to the weight loss, but perhaps it has me feeling more confident and that likely has something to do with it. I guess it is all tied in together. Anyways, I have a lunch date today and then another date on Saturday. I wore a really cute dress today. Maybe I'll get a coworker to take a picture of me so I can post it. Too bad it's raining... but hey, at least my PINK umbrella coordinates with my dress! :)
I got out my spring/summer wardrobe and I am happy to see that some of the dresses that were too snug last year are fitting perfectly now. And some of my skirts and capris are falling off me!
I have been getting asked out a lot lately. I don't necessarily attribute this to the weight loss, but perhaps it has me feeling more confident and that likely has something to do with it. I guess it is all tied in together. Anyways, I have a lunch date today and then another date on Saturday. I wore a really cute dress today. Maybe I'll get a coworker to take a picture of me so I can post it. Too bad it's raining... but hey, at least my PINK umbrella coordinates with my dress! :)
Moving Weekend
Mar 24, 2008
This past weekend was extremely busy. I moved into a new apartment and for the first time since I moved to Nashville, I am living on my own. No more roommates. In fact, I think I am going to live alone until I get married! I just prefer it. And though my new place is very expensive, it is very nice. And it will be even nicer once I get everything unpacked and organized.
One good thing about moving is that I was so extremely busy that I didn't really eat a whole lot. And when I did eat, I found myself getting fuller faster. I even had friends in town from Birmingham, AL and we went to two of my favorite restaurants -- Loveless Cafe and Cabana. At Loveless, I only ate 1/3 of my meal and brought the rest home. At Cabana, I only ate half. And when we went to Sam's to watch some NCAA hoops, I only drank one Miller Lite. So I was very good. :)
I dug through some boxes this morning and found my scale. I wanted to weigh myself because it had been a few days since I stepped on the scale. I am down 28 lbs now, which is awesome. I was really happy to see that. I lost 4 lbs last week.
In other news, I am thinking about canceling my YMCA membership and joining either Curves or Delta Fitness. If you work out at either, let me know what you think of it.
One good thing about moving is that I was so extremely busy that I didn't really eat a whole lot. And when I did eat, I found myself getting fuller faster. I even had friends in town from Birmingham, AL and we went to two of my favorite restaurants -- Loveless Cafe and Cabana. At Loveless, I only ate 1/3 of my meal and brought the rest home. At Cabana, I only ate half. And when we went to Sam's to watch some NCAA hoops, I only drank one Miller Lite. So I was very good. :)
I dug through some boxes this morning and found my scale. I wanted to weigh myself because it had been a few days since I stepped on the scale. I am down 28 lbs now, which is awesome. I was really happy to see that. I lost 4 lbs last week.
In other news, I am thinking about canceling my YMCA membership and joining either Curves or Delta Fitness. If you work out at either, let me know what you think of it.
One Month Post-Op
Mar 14, 2008
Well it's 6:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, It seems Pinky (my dog) doesn't understand the difference between work days and weekends. She woke me up asking to go outside and now I am awake. So I figured I would go ahead and write.
Yesterday marked one month since I had my surgery. It is hard to believe how quickly time has passed.
I am not 100% happy with my weight loss, but I am sure a lot of that is my fault. I have not been working out as much as I should be, but I am changing that. I am going to try my best to work out at least 5 days a week. I also have to really try and avoid foods I know I have a hard time passing up. Like last night, for example. I met several of my sorority sisters out for Happy Hour. I had 2 Miller Lites (which as far as alcohol goes is a pretty low-calorie choice), but then they brought chips and salsa to the table for us to share. And I just couldn't resist! And the worst thing was that I was eating and drinking at the same time -- and I know better than that!
Right now, I am down 23 lbs since I started my pre-op diet. I lost 15 before surgery and 8 since. So I guess 8 lbs in a month is actually within the target range. Still, I wanted to lose more. (But who doesn't, I guess??) So I know it just means I will have to buckle down and get to the gym more often. And try my hardest to avoid that damn chips and salsa again. (Seriously, I felt very guilty afterward...)
I should definitely be burning quite a bit of calories this week because I am moving next weekend and I have so much stuff to pack, load onto the moving truck, take off the moving truck, etc. Ugh, I hate moving!! I am moving into a one-bedroom now. I have been in Nashville for a year and a half and I have had a roommate the whole time, but now I am going back to living alone. I think I am ready. I'm looking for it. It will be nice not to have to clean up someone else's messes... and nice not to have to watch her eat fast food and order pizza every day! You have no idea how much I want to order a thin crust pizza with mushrooms and extra cheese...
But every time I start having those thoughts, I try and think of other things. Like how I want to be much thinner when I stand up next to my best friend in her wedding this October. I try and ask myself before I eat something, "Is this going to make my dress fit better? Is this going to make me lose weight?" And if the answer is no, I really do try to avoid eating it.
But sometimes.... ahem... chips and salsa... I mess up. I guess it is expected once in a while since I am human and still relatively new at this.
I'm really looking forward to my next fill. I still don't feel like this one is tight enough or giving me the restriction I want. So hopefully next time we'll be closer to finding the sweet spot.
Still, I feel incredibly blessed to have had my surgery already and to be recovering so well. And I am so thankful that Dr. McDowell is my doctor. I really like him a lot and think I made a great choice.
Goals for the next month:
1) Go to a Lap Band Support Group meeting at Baptist
2) Lose 10 more lbs by 4/14/08
Yesterday marked one month since I had my surgery. It is hard to believe how quickly time has passed.
I am not 100% happy with my weight loss, but I am sure a lot of that is my fault. I have not been working out as much as I should be, but I am changing that. I am going to try my best to work out at least 5 days a week. I also have to really try and avoid foods I know I have a hard time passing up. Like last night, for example. I met several of my sorority sisters out for Happy Hour. I had 2 Miller Lites (which as far as alcohol goes is a pretty low-calorie choice), but then they brought chips and salsa to the table for us to share. And I just couldn't resist! And the worst thing was that I was eating and drinking at the same time -- and I know better than that!
Right now, I am down 23 lbs since I started my pre-op diet. I lost 15 before surgery and 8 since. So I guess 8 lbs in a month is actually within the target range. Still, I wanted to lose more. (But who doesn't, I guess??) So I know it just means I will have to buckle down and get to the gym more often. And try my hardest to avoid that damn chips and salsa again. (Seriously, I felt very guilty afterward...)
I should definitely be burning quite a bit of calories this week because I am moving next weekend and I have so much stuff to pack, load onto the moving truck, take off the moving truck, etc. Ugh, I hate moving!! I am moving into a one-bedroom now. I have been in Nashville for a year and a half and I have had a roommate the whole time, but now I am going back to living alone. I think I am ready. I'm looking for it. It will be nice not to have to clean up someone else's messes... and nice not to have to watch her eat fast food and order pizza every day! You have no idea how much I want to order a thin crust pizza with mushrooms and extra cheese...
But every time I start having those thoughts, I try and think of other things. Like how I want to be much thinner when I stand up next to my best friend in her wedding this October. I try and ask myself before I eat something, "Is this going to make my dress fit better? Is this going to make me lose weight?" And if the answer is no, I really do try to avoid eating it.
But sometimes.... ahem... chips and salsa... I mess up. I guess it is expected once in a while since I am human and still relatively new at this.
I'm really looking forward to my next fill. I still don't feel like this one is tight enough or giving me the restriction I want. So hopefully next time we'll be closer to finding the sweet spot.
Still, I feel incredibly blessed to have had my surgery already and to be recovering so well. And I am so thankful that Dr. McDowell is my doctor. I really like him a lot and think I made a great choice.
Goals for the next month:
1) Go to a Lap Band Support Group meeting at Baptist
2) Lose 10 more lbs by 4/14/08
Long Overdue Update!
Mar 08, 2008
Well it has been a while since I have updated so I figured I better, especially since my disappearing act left a few people worried about me. No worries, I am alive and well!
I have seen Dr. McDowell twice since my last post.
I went two weeks ago because I was worried about the swelling and bruising. He said it was a hematoma and that is what caused the bruising, but that he didn't think it was bleeding anymore. It's still a little more swollen than the other side, but is no longer bruised. They weighed me at that appointment and I had lost 20 lbs since I began my pre-op diet. He told me he wanted me to try eating more food, especially foods that would keep me full longer because since I hadn't yet had my first fill, I really wasn't experiencing any restriction and was doing it all on my own.
I think it was the first time in my life that someone told me they were concerned I wasn't eating enough! haha It was an easy fix. He wanted me to try eating more meet and also to try some bread, too. That was definitely easy to do. I was concerned though because my weight loss pretty much stopped once I began eating more food.
I saw Dr. McDowell yesterday. When Laura weighed me, I had gained 1 lb. since my visit 2 weeks earlier. She said that she wasn't concerned about that at all because since I didn't have a fill yet, that I was basically doing it all on my own. She told me that she has seen some patients gain back ALL the weight they lost during their pre-op diet. I was still down 19 lbs so I wasn't too worried. Dr. McDowell didn't think it was a big deal either.
The fill wasn't as bad as I expected. I was worried it would hurt. It really didn't though. First, they gave me a shot that numbed me. I couldn't really feel the fill at all... well, at least not the needle. I could feel fluid going in, which was a weird feeling. He had me sit up (while the need was still in the port) and drink some water. He told me to take big gulps. Since I didn't feel the water coming back up, he thought it was okay. He was checking to make sure the band wasn't too tight. He said as long as I am not having any problems (either vomiting from too much restriction or not experiencing enough restriction), then he'll see me for my next fill in four weeks,
I didn't weigh myself this morning, but I'm going to tomorrow. Hopefully by then that pound will have come back off.
I'm excited about having some restriction now because last week, I was hungry and trying really hard not to eat what I normally would. I'm used to chewing everything 27 times now, but not drinking with my meal is still hard. I swear, I sit there counting down the minutes until I can drink something. I normally drink 3 glasses of water with a meal so that has been the biggest adjustment for me.
Sorry if I worried anyone! I'm okay. I've just been really busy with work and some organizations I belong to. And now I am getting ready to move so I have lots going on. I'll make sure to update again soon though. :)
I have seen Dr. McDowell twice since my last post.
I went two weeks ago because I was worried about the swelling and bruising. He said it was a hematoma and that is what caused the bruising, but that he didn't think it was bleeding anymore. It's still a little more swollen than the other side, but is no longer bruised. They weighed me at that appointment and I had lost 20 lbs since I began my pre-op diet. He told me he wanted me to try eating more food, especially foods that would keep me full longer because since I hadn't yet had my first fill, I really wasn't experiencing any restriction and was doing it all on my own.
I think it was the first time in my life that someone told me they were concerned I wasn't eating enough! haha It was an easy fix. He wanted me to try eating more meet and also to try some bread, too. That was definitely easy to do. I was concerned though because my weight loss pretty much stopped once I began eating more food.
I saw Dr. McDowell yesterday. When Laura weighed me, I had gained 1 lb. since my visit 2 weeks earlier. She said that she wasn't concerned about that at all because since I didn't have a fill yet, that I was basically doing it all on my own. She told me that she has seen some patients gain back ALL the weight they lost during their pre-op diet. I was still down 19 lbs so I wasn't too worried. Dr. McDowell didn't think it was a big deal either.
The fill wasn't as bad as I expected. I was worried it would hurt. It really didn't though. First, they gave me a shot that numbed me. I couldn't really feel the fill at all... well, at least not the needle. I could feel fluid going in, which was a weird feeling. He had me sit up (while the need was still in the port) and drink some water. He told me to take big gulps. Since I didn't feel the water coming back up, he thought it was okay. He was checking to make sure the band wasn't too tight. He said as long as I am not having any problems (either vomiting from too much restriction or not experiencing enough restriction), then he'll see me for my next fill in four weeks,
I didn't weigh myself this morning, but I'm going to tomorrow. Hopefully by then that pound will have come back off.
I'm excited about having some restriction now because last week, I was hungry and trying really hard not to eat what I normally would. I'm used to chewing everything 27 times now, but not drinking with my meal is still hard. I swear, I sit there counting down the minutes until I can drink something. I normally drink 3 glasses of water with a meal so that has been the biggest adjustment for me.
Sorry if I worried anyone! I'm okay. I've just been really busy with work and some organizations I belong to. And now I am getting ready to move so I have lots going on. I'll make sure to update again soon though. :)
Worried
Feb 19, 2008
I am a little worried right now. Last night, I noticed that my left side was slightly swollen. Definitely noticeable, but not really bad. It also looks a little bruised, too.
I am supposed to go back to work tomorrow. The pain has been lessening more and more each day. Now it really only hurts when I get out of bed, laugh, or cough. I am no longer taking pain meds... just Tylenol.
My skin has become slightly irritated from the glue on the band-aids. It's a little bit red in some areas where the glue touches my skin.
And then there's the sleeping issue. I have been a stomach sleeper my entire life -- even as an infant! And now I am trying to sleep on my back and it's difficult. I keep waking up to find I have rolled over onto my stomach or side. Dr. McDowell told me to make sure I have pillows surrounding me to help cushion things in case I roll over. He wasn't too concerned about the stomach sleeping though. But now that I am slightly swollen, I worry that maybe the two are related.
I called his office first thing this morning when I woke up. He wasn't in today. They told me he is at his surgical clinic today. (I didn't even know he had his own surgical clinic...) Anyways, I told them what was going on and they said they would call him. A few minutes later, the receptionist called me back and told me that he said for me to take the bandages off, put Benadryl around the stitches and anywhere my skin was irritated, and to come in first thing Friday morning.
I was really hoping I could have seen him today. I just hate this worrying that something could be wrong. And I am sure nothing is because if he was concerned, he would have had me come in today. But still... I don't like it.
I hope everything is okay. :(
I posted my concerns on the Lap-Band board and someone already said something similar happened to her and that removing the bandages and using the Benadryl should help. Let's hope so.
My Loser's Bench
Feb 17, 2008
Well I've officially lost 21 lbs so since Scott made me a Loser's Bench, I figured it was time to post it. I plan on spending quite some time there.
Thanks again, Scott! It's perfect!
Thanks again, Scott! It's perfect!
