Week 1 on the new goals

I'm here.  I said I was going to be checking in more often, and I really am.  I lost this week!  -1.6 to 299.4

I'm back under the ugly 300 and I'm really planning on staying under it!

I go in this week for my next visit with my doc, and I'm not looking forward to the "talkin' to" that I'll probably get.  I definitely don't feel like I'm in any sort of "green zone"  Some breads give me a rough time, but if there isn't breads, I can eat way more than I need to.  I have been trying to stop anyway, but it just doesn't keep me full.  So, I'm looking for another fill this week.

I am keeping up with the rest of my goals though.  I've been at the gym, continuing my C25K prep.  I just finished week 3 today.  Next week comes the dreaded 5 minute jog.  Yikes!

On the life side - My sister is getting married next week and so I've got a TON of stuff to get done this week in prep.  I have people staying with me while they are in town and I hate that since I'm always worried they are judging me for my decor / organization etc.

Anyway, I'm here, I'm progressing (slow, but moving forward) and while I'm not posting a ton, I still read all of yours, so please keep putting it out there.  I get my inspiration from you guys!

Checking in

Its been just under a month since my last post.  This fits my typical scenerio in that I "obsess" over things at first, and then slowly fall off the path.

Here's what's been going on with me.

Eating - amount of food has definitely gone down, but I'm eating small quantities of bad foods.  I have horrible cravings for salty crunchies... I have always been one that could pass over all sorts of chocolate for some yummy chips and dip.  Any suggestions of other foods to satisfy the craving without the calories of the chips?

Drinking - I have been increasing my water, averaging about 40 oz a day.  Still not near what I should be, but let me say, that is a HUGE improvement over what I did in the past.

Exercise - Here's the part where I really feel like I've made some progress.  For the last 3 weeks I have been at the gym a minimum of 3 times a week, sweating hard!  I had been doing water aerobics, and while it was moving, I didn't really feel like I was working hard.  So, I've given into peer pressure from my real life friends and started a couch-to-5k program.  I'm in the middle of week 2 and so far, so good.  I have always been athletic, and enjoy movement, but would like to be able to jog a block without dying!  We've been doing Yoga after the treadmill 2 out of the 3 days, which I feel like is getting maybe, slightly, a tiny bit easier...

I think I've just been up and moving more in general lately.  Here's a couple of pics of my sister and I at a mud volleyball tournament to benefit the March of Dimes.  It was a lot of fun, and I had jelly legs for 3 solid days from trying to move in the mud!  The first one isn't actually our team, but I wanted you to see what the courts actually looked like.  They literally dug out some holes and filled with water!

So, I've given you a brief update, and now, I want to set some goals for myself.  

1. Continue C25k.  3x a week minimum exercise.

2. Increase general water consumption to a minimum of 50 oz a day.  Very doable I think.

3. STOP BUYING CHIPS!!!  As my WW leader would say, they are a RED light food.  There is no stopping me if they are in the house, so I just need to stop buying them.  Easier said then done lately, but this is the first step of kicking the habit. 

4. Check in and post at least 1x a week.  I'm not sure I can do more, though I still enjoy reading all of your posts, but I definitely need to check in one time each week.  

woo-woo! My band works!

Yep, it is Tuesday, official weigh-in day, and I'm kind of excited.  Do you see my ticker --->    Here's the stats:

Last week 302.8
 + 2.2 CC fill

This week 295.4!

Loss of 7.4 lbs!

Happy Dance - Happy Dance!!!

Now, I know that is not normal.  I know the band is slow and steady.  That's what I want.  I also know that this week includes 2 days of liquids after my fill.  I also know that on one of those liquid days, I counted a yummy blizz@rd treat as a "liquid."  Oops.  But my band works!  When I am sticking to those 3 meals of solid foods, I'm full at 1/2 - 2/3 cup of food.  Woo-HOO!

Just had to share.

P.S. - a friend of mine is currently in labor (10 wks early) with her twin boys.  Send out some good thoughts to whoever / wherever you send good thoughts so that both mom and babies are good!

Hello band.... it is nice to finally meet you!

Tuesday I got my 2nd fill.  Added 2.2 cc's to my 1.5 for the first, total 3.7.  Then liquids for 48 hours.  Real food today.  HOLY MOLY  is what I said both at lunch and dinner.  Apparently I have a band in there!  Most of the time I bring leftovers for lunch, but I spent the day in the car traveling for work, so I brought a homemade wrap (i.e. not a huge wrap.)  I made it about 1/2 to 2/3 and got pressure in the chest.  Well, that is new and different.

Dinner time - my mom asks me to meet her out for dinner.  I warn her at the beginning that it is my first day of real food, so "we'll see" what happens.  Got a 2 for 20 type meal which comes with an appetizer.  1.5 mozerella sticks and pressure.... really? 10 minutes later I got my meal and ate 1 1/2 of my riblets (the bbq rib version of the chicken strip) and HOLY CRAP.  Any pressure I've felt before was cake compared to this.  I got dizzy, was burping all over the place, trying for like 10 minutes to wish and hope and pray it would go down, but nope.  1st day of real food and first PB :-(  Felt brilliant after the bathroom trip, but I'm done for the night.

I spoke with a friend afterwards (naturally skinny, but SOOO on my side for this whole process) and she put it like this.  "you just had to find the edge!  Now you know and will stay away from it."  Amen.  I'm staying away from the edge.

But, I'm super excited that I really have a band.  I was beginning to think it was all an elaborate prank!

I'm still here!!!

Hello, my name is Sara, and I'm a bad banded blogger.  It has been more than 2 weeks since my last blog (confession.)

What can I say?  I'm not really going to focus on what's been going on, only to say it is less chaotic now.  Work is finally settling down for the first time in months, and my burn is finally just about healed.  I can even wear pants again :-)

I went to the doc today for my 2nd fill.  I needed it - both the fill and the visit.  When I was researching my surgeon, I kept coming up on people who said he wasn't that "nice."  I'm not a person who needs nice for this, I need somebody to call my bullshit, which is exactly what he did.  Nothing overtly mean, just said "I'm hearing lots of little rationalizations, which is not going to help us, only add up to bigger problems."  I am just now getting to the point that I can say I am truly addicted to foods, and I need someone who is okay with telling me these kind of things straight out.

With regards to the fill, I got another 2.2 cc's.  1.5 the first time so a total of 3.7.  I think the first time I was so nervous that I thought it was tighter than it was (my doc does the drink this water until you feel it way of adjusting).  I'm on liquids for 48 hours.

I am going to follow the rules.  I have been doing great with the not drinking, but have been choosing horrible foods.  I am aware.  I understand that the band is only a tool and now that life is not as crazy, I'm taking the time to really learn how to take advantage of this tool.

Checking in

Trying to check in more often, as I realize when I'm talking about my issues, I tend to make slightly better choices.

Last December I got to go to Jamaica for my cousin's wedding. It was fabulous!  Her photographers were very sneaky, and it is so funny that every 3 months or so, about 200 more pictures get put up on facebook.  Most of the time I run to untag, because let's face it, they are usually pretty darn hideous.  I was very surprised to see one this week, that wasn't horrible.  Usually I have 1 profile pic (Its on blogger as well) that I use.  Its actually from 2006, but I like it, and it is my "universal profile pic."  After the recent bout of wedding picts, I switched my profile picture! I do enjoy the attempt to cover my "chins."  I still have no eyes, mostly because my cheeks are large and in-charge, but overall, I'm happy with it.

Here's one more: 

I will admit to cropping the large belly out of the 2nd picture.. so sue me.


On to other, more painful things.  I went to the clinic Thursday morning after the big burn on Tuesday night.  I stopped by the pharmacy first and asked if there was anything over the counter that I could get, or if I needed to go to the clinic to get a prescription.  I am an obsessive researcher, and by this time, I was pretty certain it was a solid superficial 2nd degree (partial thickness burn).  She said I needed to go to the clinic.  I went, paid my $20 copay, got a prescription, paid $10.99 for that and realized it was the same damn thing I could get on the shelf!  The same units of "active ingredients" and everything!  GRRRR.

My burn looks gross.  Apparently 2nd degree burns look worse after a couple of days.  I have no problem with "icky" pictures, but be aware if you are squeamish.  I posted a pic of my burn the day after on Wednesday.  Here is what it looked like on Thursday.








Are you sure you want to look?

ICKY!  And of course, the first kiddo I see for therapy on Friday - kicks me - and busts half of my blisters.  GRR.  I'm finding it difficult to keep covered.  Official measurements 6.5 x 4.4 --- Its a fairly large area.  I bought some large surgical dressings but can't seem to find tape that will stick to my fatty stomach.  The burn is below my belly button - on the "pooch."  Right in the way of all my pants.  A zipper is a no go.  14-21 days to heal.  ICKY!  So I've been wearing maxi dresses / skirts for the last couple of days, and had to go buy another the other day just for variety.  It doesn't really hurt unless rubbed against, so if I just hang out, no problems.  I did attempt to tape it up with some athletic tape (on the borders of the dressing last night) so that I could go to the gym.  About 35 minutes in (just walking on treadmill) I had to give up.  Icky sweat made things rub and chafe and it was getting rather painful.  I'm not really sure what I should do.  I'm out of my aqua classes until it heals, and can't yet find a way to do land stuff.  I really am ready to get back on track, and I don't know that its going to happen for at least a few more days.  :-(  

Pasta is Dangerous & weekly weigh-in

So, 1st things first.  Last week I maintained.  This week I'm up again (+1.2).   :-(  It really sucks.  I do realize however, that I am pretty much not following the rules.  I don't have to take small bites, I can eat pretty much anything I want.  No issues.  Once or twice I've noticed something had had to slow down a bit, but nothing painful.  I've been a slacker at the gym.  I find excuses.  It is no good.  I realize this.

So yesterday, I had a revelation.  I was ready to go.  I texted my work out friend (who has been crazy stressed at work and not as able to meet me at the gym) that I was going at 7:15.  Going to hit the elipitcal / treadmill for 30 minute or so, and then meet her at yoga at 8.  I was ready.  I figured I would eat some dinner before hand (it was about 5:30).  So this is where the "pasta is dangerous" title comes in.  Obviously I know pasta isn't the greatest.  But it is easy to make and easy to measure, so I decided to have some for dinner.  Somewhere in my crazy mind, I had a klutzy / stupid / crazy mishap, and in trying to drain the pasta, poured half a pan of boiling water down the front of me.  On my stomach.  HOLY SHIT!  WTF! (I know I don't usually like cussing on here, but it was definitely a "colorful" set of words I used.  I threw down the pan, stripped the shirt off and ran to the bath / shower to try and get it cooled off.  It has blistered.  **At this point, if you are squeamish DO NOT SCROLL DOWN!**

While it looks much worse in person, I will point out that it is not as pink and somewhat brown in real life --- and has large blisters.  This is a pic taken this morning (sorry for my HIDEOUS Stomach!) over 12 hours later.  I am wearing a cotton maxi skirt kind of thing, because the idea of putting a zipper over this... NOT GOOD!  So in closing.  Not only is carby pasta bad for your diet, but it is also dangerous.  STAY AWAY!  This has been your PSA for today.  

Who fell off the face of the planet?!? Me!

It has been another long week(s).  I used to have a pretty slow moving life.  It seems like things have just been stressful and icky lately.  It is no good!  Work is still crazy.  I would like, just for a bit, to only have to do my job.  Right now, I'm juggling like 3 different jobs, and it is driving me crazy!  The other big thing is that for the last week-and-a-half I've been dog sitting for a friend of mine.  Now, normally, one would think that would not add a whole lot of stress.  However my counter top currently looks like this.

None of these meds are for me.  They are all for one of the two dog's I'm watching.  I've never had to deal with the loss of a pet (we didn't have pets growing up, and my dog is in excellent health), so I can't judge others.  All of these meds are for a 7 lb chihuahua.  She was a rescue, and has always been fragile.  She's been on meds for at least the last 4 years.   It has really gotten bad the last 2 years or so.  She has a doggie version of COPD, an enlarged heart, bad knees, and is now deaf.  However, she's not really in pain, eats her food, enjoys company with the other dogs, etc. Because of her health conditions she gets meds 3x daily.  Here's the list of instructions that came with the meds.

Needless to say, it is a lot of work! She did really good for the first week and a half I had her (my friend is in Ireland for 2 weeks) but on Tuesday night, she developed a nasty cough.  So I've had to up the meds, take her heart rate regularly, and sit on hold a lot with the vet to "report in."  My whole goal is to keep her healthy and living while my friend is gone.  It has been more difficult these last few days!


With regards to me and my band, things here are chugging along.  I actually maintained this week.  Which I'm good with since it was my icky TOM and I still really don't feel like I have any restriction.

Anyway, that is this week's story.  Really hoping things start calming down so I can blog a bit more often!

P.S.  IT is EFFIN' HOT here!  Going to be 106 tomorrow - and that is without the heat index (closer to 112-114)

TTT --- from a bad, bad, banded, blogger

It's been a while since I've posted... A lot of things have been happening, so I figured that a good TTT post was the best way to get all caught up!

1. I've been a bad blogger --- I'm sorry.  It seems as though I've dropped off the blogger bandwagon this week.  Haven't read most of the posts (until last night, when trying to catch up) and haven't blogged at all. :-(

2.  This means I didn't post my weight for this week.  I did weigh in, on Tuesday, at WW, but didn't post / change the ticker - It's not good -- new weight 297.4 (+ 2lbs) :-(  BOOO hsssssss  I'm going to change the ticker after I finish this long post.

3. I might try to make excuses for the weight gain, (salt, holding water, etc) but I'm pretty sure it was the cookie dough and mcdonald's that did it.  Yep, I ate McDonalds.  A full 10 pc nugget meal, with fries.  I was full at the end, but not really overly so.  I also went to Shogun yesterday with my officemate - I love hibatchi food, especially the rice, with all the yummy ginger dressing / sauces.  I know, rice = bad, and large portions of rice = even badder!  (I warned you in the title I've been a bad banded blogger!)

4.  I have still gone to the gym - Regularly.  At least 3 times a week. I think that is a positive.  I am starting to like the slightly sore "awareness" I have after my classes, and it is easier to swim the lap portions of my deep water class.

5. I just got an email notification that Lap Band Gal posted on last week's post asking about my MD appt today.  It makes me happy that I do have people that remember / care etc about how the process is going for me.  So THANK YOU!

6.  I did go to the MD this morning.  :-)  I have to give them my weekly weight card but then (probably because they don't trust us!) they weigh us there anyway.  When weighing at the doc's, I have to weigh with shoes on and fully clothed and everything --- It was sad because with everything on I saw that dreaded 3 in the first digit spot again!

7. At the doc (after the icky weigh in) I got my first fill!  After reading all of your experiences, I kind of had an idea of what it might be like, but had no idea how conservative / protocol based my doc was with regards to fill.  Happy to say that he is very individualized.  After the nurse put me in the room and got things set up, she left, and I took pictures :-)

Here is the whole setup - Cotton balls already soaking with "cleaning" fluid as my doc said and syringe "pre-loaded"

Up close and personal with the pre-loaded syringe - up to 6CC's (NOT how much I got!

So the doc came in and asked me how things were going - Then I laid down on the table while he felt for the port.  He asked me to do a little crunch and to hold it while he got the needle in the center of the port.  I didn't even feel the stick.  Once the needle was solidly in the port, I swung my legs around and sat up (yes, while the needle was hanging out).  Doc gave me a big glass of water and told me to drink a sip first to make sure all is well.  Then just start drinking and tell him when I feel it up in my chest.  I drink, and then tell him when.  While I'm drinking, he's adding fluid.  Once we get to the neighborhood, as he calls it (first neighborhood, then street, then house), he took a little out and asked me to tell him when everything went through again.  Back and forth with this a couple of times to make sure we were at the right spot.  Then he took out the needle, gave me a bandaid and told me I had to finish the cup of water before I could leave.  Also warned me to make sure everything goes down smoothly as "it will not get better after you leave the office."  I've read enough to know that is true!

After he left (while I was drinking water --- did I mention how I HATE plain water) I snapped another pic of the now slightly used needle. (Hopefully the nurse came in later to put it in the sharps container!)

Afterwards - looks like 4.0 left to me :-)

So, from 6CC's to 4CC's, that means 2CC's in my band to me, but on the checkout form, he wrote 1.5CC's.... Hmmm... No worries.

8. So now I'm back on liquids for 48 hours... mmmm (or not). 

9.  I have a date with 2 friends (my closest friend at work, and her closest not-at-work-friend) for a ladies night on Saturday night.  Guess what we are seeing :-)  We are doing dinner at the Melting pot (after my 48 hour liquids) and then going to see Magic Mike.  I don't know if any of you all have a melting pot in your town, but it is fantastic!  It is a fondue place, so I think it is actually really band friendly (though expensive).  You cook everything one bite at a time.  LOTS of time in between bites.  And since you are sharing the meats / breads (okay steak and bread are not usually band friendly, but we'll just see how it goes) with the others at your table, it doesn't look like you haven't eaten anything!  

10. My first TTT thing in a LOOONNNNGGG time.  I think my attention span prohibits me from sitting and writing long posts all at once.  Plus I usually end up blogging at home, at night, where I fall asleep.  Right now it is "break week" on campus --- so no students :-)  It is like a week of planning time which is a nice break after the heck that I've put up with for the 3 weeks before - so I figure taking some time out to blog - not a horrible thing ;-)

Weekly Weigh in and other tidbits

Last week weight - 296.6
This week weight - 295.4
Loss of 1.2 lbs!

Woo-hoo! Yes, I know it is only a little tiny 1.2 lbs, but I was starting to get really nervous. I lost a ton the week of pre-op and the week of surgery, and then its been up, up, up since then. Only 2 weeks of gains, but I really wanted to get back on track before I gained back what I'd lost! So I was back to tracking this week, and managed to get to the gym at least 3 times.
I meet up with a friend of mine. She is a petite woman, but has joint issues (has had back / shoulder surgery). I'm pretty healthy, but the opposite of petite, so we work well together. We were doing Aqua Zumba, but realized that we weren't really getting as much as we needed out of the class any more so, we've started some Yoga classes. It is at the YMCA, so not crazy, but definitely harder than the aqua class! I have dreams of looking like this ---

Instead --- the class ends up going something like this -

I think it is going to be good for me though.  I get the nice sore feeling for the 2 days afterwards, just in time to go back again, and I know how important building muscle is... so I'm in for a while at least!

I go back to the band doc next Thursday, I cannot wait!