For the M&M's...

OK ladies - here it is... :-)

Only difference is the actual tattoo does not have the "doo-dad's" that are around the tree. It's a representation of the tree of life.

Tattoo

I got my first tattoo about a year ago I think. I had been thinking about getting another one because I had a design in mind, but it just wasn't a priority item. So, the original is on my right hip - below the panty line. My NEW one (ha) is on my left hip. Yep, I didn't tell anyone and went and did it last night. Why not tell anyone? Well, a tattoo is with you forever - kinda like your band - so I wanted to make sure it was my decision and that I could 'puss out' if I wanted to and not feel pressure to go through with it.

I figured since I wasn't going shopping on Black Friday - I might as well do my part for the economy - HA! I did go in one store. Let me stress go in though. The line was down one aisle and up another (figure easily 50 people) to checkout. That was enough for me. I figured there wasn't anything there that was worth me standing in that line for! The sales pretty much go on all weekend - it's just the 'doorbuster' ones that are on Friday only. Not so sure I'll even make it out and fight the crowds though.

Other than that - there really isn't much to report. I might skip my workout today as my hip is a bit sore where I got the tattoo. I'll have to see how it goes though cause it really is just an excuse not to go. ;-)

Next weekend I will be turning 40. I was hesitant to mention that as people might think the tattoo was a reaction to this next milestone in my life. I'm not going to lie - I am freaking out a little bit about turning 40. Funny thing is this is the first birthday I have had a reaction too. Not sure why that is, but nothing I can do about it, right? If anything, I sure would like to be at 134. That would be a 100 pounds lost with my band. I'm close, but not sure it will happen. Again, a couple pounds is not life or death, but I sure would like it! :-)

Exercise...

• Mon - 111 mins
• Tues - 95 mins
• Wed - 90 mins
• Thurs - Thanksgiving (OFF)
• Fri - 90 mins
• Sat - ?

I love my new tattoo...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I didn't end up doing anything today. Good news - eating hasn't been bad. No 'gobble until you wobble' for me! (Although I sure wanted a piece of pumpkin pie and never got around to making the crustless one. Oh well, I'll make it for Christmas...maybe.) Bad news (well kinda) - I didn't end up going to the gym. I just wasn't in the mood. I'll just count it as a day off.

I did stand on the scale yesterday - um, which I'm not supposed to - Monday only! As I expected, the scale showed a gain. It's also TTOTM, so that could be contributing to the scale as well. Who knows! Nothing official until Monday.

Believe it or not, I could actually go shopping (Allen Outlet Mall) at MIDNIGHT! Seriously. I guess last year it was packed with people! Most other stores open at 4 or 5 am. Yes - Americans are crazy! I have to admit it, I might hit a few stores tomorrow as well. I do hope that a ton of people go and shop like crazy. The economy sure could use it.

Exercise so far this week...

• Mon - 111 mins
• Tues - 95 mins
• Wed - 90 mins
• Thurs - Thanksgiving (OFF)

Crustless Pumpkin Pie Recipe (1 ww pt)

I follow Weight Watchers by proxy of my friends that are doing it. I know how many points I'm allowed and it has honestly turned into a good tool to facilitate conscious eating. I just add the points to my journal along with food I eat and exercise I get in. This works for me and allows me to review it as needed to figure out what works and what doesn't. So, here's a recipe I plan to make for Thanksgiving. I actually don't like pie crust and leave it anyway, so I thought I'd try one that doesn't even start with a crust!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

• 3/4 c granular Splenda
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs worth of egg beaters
• 1 - 15 oz can of pumpkin puree (not the pie mix)
• 1 cup skim milk

Preheat oven to 425. Mix all the dry ingredients together. Mix sugar and eggs together. Add the dry ingredients, then the pumpkin, and finally the milk.

Spray a 9-inch pie plate with non-stick stuff of choice and pour in mixture.

Bake at 425 for 12 to 15 mins. Reduce heat to 350 and bake for an additional 30-35 mins. Voila! Cool and refrigerate.

8 servings at 1 pt each. (I'm adding fat-free topping to mine!)

Exercise so far this week:

• Mon - 111 mins
• Tues - 95 mins

Rules for PB (Zena this is what I commented back to you)

Here's the rules I was provided with when you PB / vomit by my surgeon. As always, you should follow the guidance that your surgeon has provided to you, but I have found these very successful...

• Some degree of vomiting or regurgitation may occur after you eat
  
• This may indicate you are: eating too fast, trying to eat too much, not chewing your food adequately, or eating the wrong foods {addition by Fluffy: you are too tight. Being too tight is not good. You can read about it in my blog as well.}
  
• Every person is different and some foods may give you problems and not others. Avoid those foods that give you problems
  

So what to do when/if it happens...

• If you vomit solid food
  
  
  
  • Stay NPO (no food or liquid by mouth) for two hours
    
  • Do not force the issue and try to eat or drink again immediately {Addition by Fluffy - cause you will throw up again}
    
  • This may induce more vomiting. The more you vomit the more swelling that may occur across your band. This may lead to further obstruction. {Addition by Fluffy - and a whole lotta pain}
    
  • After two hours try solid food again {Addition by Fluffy - I actually try liquids first. If that goes OK, I try something soft. Then I progress to bandster food}
    
  
  
• If you vomit again
  
  
  
  • Stay NPO (no food or liquid by mouth) for four hours
    
  • After four hours try water only
    
  • If you can tolerate water stay on clear liquids for 12 hours before trying solid food again.
    
  
  
• If you can't tolerate clear liquids or water without vomiting notify the doctor immediately
  
• Prolonged vomiting (more than 12 hours) is not normal - Call the doctor immediately

Additions by Fluffy - freaking out is normal. From what you saw on my most recent post on my worst experience ever, I still freak out after 3 years. Try and remember it is normal and try and remain calm. I've found that getting stressed actually makes the situation worse. One other trick - Try lying on your left side. Strange, but for some reason there have been quite a few times that it has helped. It also kinda calms me down. :-)

Weekly Weigh In

First, I am feeling better! No pain whatsoever. I'm going to stick to liquids this morning and try some mushies later today. I don't like to eat non-bandster foods because it leads to hunger, but am sure this morning will be no problem. WHEW! Talk about relief! :-)

Today is my official weigh in day, but I am not really believing it. I think that it is a 'fake' weigh in and will be very surprised if the weight holds this week. A FOUR pound loss is just too hard to believe as a real loss, but I was not surprised to see a big drop with the stuck experience and being on liquids for a day.

Current weight: 135.5 - Like I said, my fingers will be crossed that this holds. Maybe it will ensure a good week at the gym? And, also help me not eat a bunch of bad stuff on Thanksgiving! - One can hope!

Exercise for the week:

• Mon - 120 mins
• Tues - 80 mins
• Wed - 90 mins
• Thurs - 80 mins
• Fri - OFF
• Sat - 65 mins
• Sun - OFF (Stuck)

Worst Stuck Experience EVER!

OK - please be warned that I am going to provide all the gory details. If you have a weak stomach, you might think twice before reading...

A couple friends and I went out to dinner on Saturday night. I had steak and steamed veggies. I eat this sort of stuff all the time, so did not expect any problems. We went to a club and I was there about 20 mins and BAM! The worse heart burn I have EVER had! I tried Pepcid - which I carry everywhere with me - nothing. Tried hot tea - nothing. Next thing I know I have to throw up. So, I go and do that. Come back - still miserable. I threw up a couple more times and then decided it was time for me to go home.

I get home and am still just as miserable. I tried everything. At this point my stomach is starting to hurt like it has never hurt before. I am wondering if I have hurt my band. Things are not getting better, but what to do? I decided to try and sleep.

I tossed and turned all night. The next morning (Sunday) my stomach was still killing me. After three years of having my band, I have never experienced anything like this. Since the night before, I had cut off all liquids. I was hoping this would help. In the afternoon, I decided to try some really hot tea. Again - BAM - I threw up. Guess what? From all the previous throwing up, I must have managed to block my opening and that was what was causing all the pain. I could tell because of what I threw up (told you it was graphic). My tummy was still sore, but as of the evening - I started feeling back to normal!

What a relief. Normal lap band reactions occurred - OMG - I've slipped, my band is going to have to come out, I'm going to die from the pain, UGH - make it go away. I'm sure many bandsters can relate to some or all of these feelings.

I have only had liquids today and plan to do the same tomorrow. I want to give my tummy a chance to regroup and resolve any remaining irritation from what happened. Needless to say, I didn't make it to the gym regardless of the post from yesterday, but I think the reason was pretty good!

Exercise Post

This is not an exciting post. I just wanted to get my exercise out here for the week. It was hard to get to the gym today because I have a friend flying in from out of town and I'm excited! Some friends and I will be hitting the town tonight. Should be a good time. I'm hoping that by posting when I really have nothing to say (ha) that it will get me to the gym again tomorrow. Not sure what I'm doing for Thanksgiving, but if I do end up going somewhere, I want to be able to make some bad food choices with no guilt!

Melanie - Sorry to hear about your port. From what you described, it does sound like it may have flipped. Good to go get it checked out to ensure that the pipe (can't think of the right word) from the port to your band is not at risk. I'm hoping that if it is flipped, it's like mine. If it had to do it, mine is the way to go. Can still get fills, no risk to band, etc. So me getting it fixed is really just my call about the sticking out part (which personally is GROSS!).

I cruised around a bit, but will have to stop by everyone's blogs tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

• Mon - 120 mins
• Tues - 80 mins
• Wed - 90 mins
• Thurs - 80 mins
• Fri - OFF
• Sat - 65 mins

Being "Visible" Rather Than "Invisible"

I didn't realize how invisible I had become to men until recently. I think recognition of this took time as well. Here's my observations:

• Men talk to me at the gym now. To say hi or whatever.
• Men open doors for me. The other day one even went back and opened the door for me.
• Men that I don't know at work smile and say hi to me in the hall.

There are probably other things, but these are the ones that have for some reason stuck out to me. I know men are visual creatures and all that mumbo jumbo, but it makes me sad that I was previously so invisible when I am still the same person, just in a thinner package.

I can honestly say that while I might not be attracted to a heavy man, I still treat them with common courtesy (sorry, opening doors and saying hi in a hallway to me is nothing more than common courtesy). Being fat makes you no less of a person than a skinny one...

Made an Appt with Surgeon - Flipped Port

About day 2 or 3 after surgery and seriously following everything that I was supposed to, I KNEW that my port had come loose. I know exactly when it happened and could even kinda feel it rip away. I called the surgeon's office and was promptly told there was no way that could have happened. Um, wasn't that one of the risks? Anyway, I was still recovering and honestly just said screw it. In hindsight, I shouldn't have.

Then came my first fill and YEP my port had flipped. I was lucky that it had done it in such a way that it is on its side and can easily be manipulated. Again, I was told not to worry about it and I listened 'cause there was plenty o' padding on top of it. In hindsight, I shouldn't have.

I was a self-pay lap band person. My insurance doesn't cover weight loss surgery without appealing and jumping through a lot of hoops. I was severely depressed, taking a bunch of meds for the depression, and was getting desperate. So, I decided to just pay for it. (Keep in mind it was three years ago and it was even more expensive than it is now. Double what it costs today in DFW.) Since I was self-pay, I decided to pay the extra to get a low-profile port. I thought it would be the extra investment. (In hindsight, I still think that was a smart move.)

Well, now that I have nearly lost 100 lbs, my port sticks out. You can see it and it kinda looks like a tumor. But what is the worst is it feels disgusting and sometimes kinda gets 'stuck' - it's hard to describe - when I am lying down. So, I called the surgeon's office - guess what - $2400 bucks. Nope, that is not a typo. After all I have spent for this thing, the last thing I want to pay is $2400 more. Especially considering when this happened.

I only talked to someone in the office, so am going to pay the 65 bucks to go ahead and meet with the surgeon in person. It's not until mid-December. I'd like to get to 134 by then in the hopes that a 100 lbs lost might sway him to 'make me a deal'. Plus I am convinced I can maintain that weight where a year ago I didn't think I could. (Self-doubt and let me tell you - losing is hard, but I think maintaining is the hardest and has always been a struggle for me.)

Exercise so far this week:

• Mon - 120 mins
• Tues - 80 mins

And good grief, I was so hungry today. Seriously. I think it was a lack of food yesterday. Couldn't eat much. Had one of those dang tight days.

I *heart* Lap Band Blogs

Yep - I'm addicted. I'll search, I'll look at the list that I see on other blogs, and stumble across other lap band blogs. I think they are helpful to remind me where I was, struggles I had, and how far I've come. I thought I'd become a follower of all the blogs that I could find today. So, you may recently have seen me pop up on your blog as one. I have also added all the blogs to my read list. I'm going to see if I can find more to add. I'd like to have a decent list more so for others that stumble across my blog.

The only requirements of being added are there must have been a post in the past 30 days and my preference is that it is not within some site like lapbandtalk or similar. Honestly, I just find them hard to read.

I'm hoping that others that I start to follow will then check out my blog and the long list of reads leading to more interaction among fellow bandsters. Feel free to comment with other blogs, questions, etc.

Cheers!

Weekly Weigh In

I'm working on my next goal to lose 5 lbs by the beginning of December (138 lbs). So the technical starting point was 143 lbs.

• Week 12 - 11/4 - 143 lbs - GOAL!!!
• Week 1 - 11/10 - 142 lbs - 1 lb lost
• Week 2 - 11/17 - 139.5 lbs - 2.5 lbs lost (wow)

I did get weak and weighed in last week, I actually saw 138 on the scale, but figured that was too good to be true and looks like that was the case. I am planning on doing well the next two weeks on exercise and food wise to get me to 138 by Dec 1 weigh in. Since I don't have plans for Thanksgiving, this should be realistic. Only potential problem I see is that I will be heading toward TTOTM.

Exercise - I am cutting back on the number of days I exercise, but the overall time spent is still good---this week it was nearly 6 hours. Even though these are work days, because I always get a good night's sleep on Sunday it is really easy to get a long one in on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday aren't too difficult, but by the time I reach Friday I'm kinda out of the mood. : ) On the weekends, I have just had a lot going on and have decided that I won't stress out about whether or not I am working out. It is going well based on the weight loss, so I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it! ;-P

• Mon - 80 mins
• Tues - 90 mins
• Wed - 80 mins
• Thurs - 100 mins
• Fri - OFF
• Sat - OFF
• Sun - OFF

lap band bandster fill resstriction

Bandiversary!

Yep, it's today. Three years since I got my lapband. I think that I have been extremely successful. Even if I do say so myself. :D I did a non-official weigh in (Monday is my official weigh in.) and assuming it is close or accurate I have lost a total of 96lbs! I had previously posted about common questions, so please look at older posts for that information, but please place a comment if you have any questions at all.

What else? I am still recovering and have been taking it easy. Exercise:

• Mon - 80 mins
• Tues - 90 mins
• Wed - 80 mins
• Thurs - 100 mins
• Fri - OFF
• Sat - OFF

I'm thinking I'll hit the gym tomorrow, but I'll see how it goes. While I would like to take the last 4 lbs off (again, based on an unofficial weigh in), I have to start working on how to switch my mind set from one of losing to one of maintaining. Definitely exercise is one area, but the weight paranoia is another area.

Today I thought that I might try weighing in more often. My paranoia is one that I am constantly putting on weight. I am thinking that if I weigh more often that it will help manage this by showing that I am not gaining weight. I think I would either land on a 1lb shift or a 2lb shift. Weight Watchers uses the 2lbs. I'll have to see about it some more...

Still Sick

Well, unfortunately I am still sick. I am starting to feel better, but have had no appetite at all and am very tired. I have been forcing myself to eat and have continued to do workouts (doctor said I could if I was up to it!). I am hoping that I'll be able to shake it for good by the end of the weekend when I will have taken all of my antibiotics. I do think I'll be bumping back the number of days that I workout and refuse to feel bad about it. I have to work on that a bit. Here's my exercise so far this week -

• Mon - 80 mins
• Tues - 90 mins
• Wed - 80 mins

I was talking to a friend that goes to Weight Watchers. She was telling me about how one of the discussions was that it is very difficult to switch from losing to maintaining. I can't stress how much I agree with that. In some weird way, I guess that losing gives you something to target and achieve and for me obsess on :-). Switching to maintaining is just weird. I think it is part of the reason that I thought what the hell - I'll take a bit more off. I am going to have to think about how I am going to make this shift. It is going to take more thought though than I have energy today, so look for more on that another time.

On the lap band front, I have found that being sick has made me very tight. Even though I am not eating much at a time, I am feeling tight and have even had a couple bouts of heartburn (reflux). As someone that NEVER had heartburn before my lap band, I do attribute it to the band. I am in no way too tight as there is so little in my band, it's just being sick. I don't recall being sick sick in the past 3 years of having my band, so this is a new experience.

Weekly Weigh In...

I was scared when I weighed in. Between not feeling well and not getting in as much exercise, I wasn't sure what to expect. I weighed in at 142 lbs. Yippeee~

I'm working on my next goal to lose 5 lbs by the beginning of December. I'm starting over with the numbering of the weeks - but not sure the number of goal this is or if that even matters. At the end of the day, it is just my next goal.

The other thing I know is that blogging makes me accountable and seriously makes me think more about things than I think I would if I wasn't blogging. Between this and my journal, it really keeps me on track. So, you're stuck with me! Goal is 138 lbs. Only 4 to go, but I'm guessing they are going to be tough ones!

• Week 12 - 11/4 - 143 lbs - GOAL!!!
• Week 1 - 11/10 - 142 lbs - 1 lb lost

Exercise - More days off than normal because of being sick. That being said, still over 5 hours in the gym, so nothing to sneeze at. (Get it? Yep, I'm hilarious.)

• Mon - 90 mins
• Tues - 80 mins
• Wed - 75 mins
• Thurs - 60 mins
• Fri - OFF / Sick
• Sat - OFF / Sick
• Sun - OFF / Sick

Almost 3 years since banding...

I'm 7 days from being banded for THREE years. I thought I would answer questions that I had posed to myself previously around a bandiversary since I'm under the weather and have time to dedicate to writing it. If anyone has any questions, please let me know in the comments.

Official weigh in stats:
Height: 5'8"
Starting weight: 234 lbs
Current weight: 143 lbs
Overall loss: 91 lbs
Lbs to goal: 0 lbs - But considering going for the last 9 to hit 100 lbs.

BMI: 21.7 - (Normal weight = 18.5-24.9)
Clothing size: 6. Sometimes even a bit loose, but I'm a freak and won't try on a smaller size. Shirt: S/M

How many fills have you had?

• 1st fill – 1.2cc – 12/21
• 2nd fill – 1.8cc – 1/25
• 3rd unfill - was just too tight - went to 1.4cc
• 4th unfill - dilated pouch - complete unfill
• 5th fill - .6cc
• I think I went up some from here to about .8cc; then unfill to about .4 cc; then another to .2 cc - that's where I remain.
  

Are you going to stay at your current fill level?
Yes for now. I am going to wait through a couple more cycles and see how it goes. Also, reduce my exercise. If reduction in exercise and the fact that I do get hungry does not result in weight gain, I'm staying. If I do go get a fill, it will be a very conservative one. I rely on my band as a tool and I don't want it so tight that I can't eat the good foods I want to.

What are you going to do next?
Try to lose 5 more lbs before my birthday in early December. With me getting sick, this might not be realistic. Therefore, I am not going to stress about it and just see how it goes. Like I said, as long as I don't get too thin (what a hoot to type that!) I might target 134 for 100 lbs. lost.

What size clothes are you wearing?
6 pants/dress. Shirt - S/M (boobs still remain, so that sometime causes some issues - not that I'm complaining!)

What do you eat in a typical day?
I always start with weight control quaker instant oatmeal with 1/2 oz of dried blueberries or cherries for breakfast. (Good source of fiber. Keeps me full without being too substantial to feel uncomfortable.) For lunch, pretty much whatever. If I'm tight - which you can tell over time - I'll have something soft. For dinner, I'm loosest then and eat pretty much anything. I pretty much stay away from pasta and bread entirely. When I do eat some, it might be a bit of pasta or crackers---pasta always has a lot of sauce. Dry meat has to have sauce. Chicken breast is tricky some days. Dry meat of any kind is a problem, but as long as what I eat is chewed well and within the amount I am supposed to have - I don't have any issues.

Was it worth it?
Yes, it was. I stress though that I would only recommend it as a last resort. I felt I was there. I could get the weight off, but just couldn't keep it out without exercising and watching what I ate ALL the time. Now, I live a life of moderation on everything and the weight stays off. Other than the gain of 15lbs that was totally MY FAULT and choice (via bad choices and not working out) I have remained the same weight or lost a bit. It was worth every penny and I was self-pay.

Have you had any problems?
Yes. You'll see in the beginning of my blog that shortly after my surgery I swore my stitches in my port popped. Everybody told me no way and not to worry about it. When I went in for my fill, it had. So it is on it's side. I still have not had it fixed, but you can now see a lump from it when my shirt is off and FEEL it. Feeling it is the grossest. I am considering getting it fixed. I have also had some problems with pouch dilation. People being too tight is BAD. The other thing is that your portion size is also very important. It can also lead to stretching of your pouch. Signs? Eating more than you used to and getting heartburn (aka - reflux).

Have you pb'd?
Yep. When I was too tight, a lot. Now, I pretty much know how and what to eat depending on the tightness of my band. When/if I have problems, it is around my period. I have learned sometimes it is best not to fight it and let it happen. This seems to work for me and then does not lead to repeated pb's or irritation. Be sure to follow your surgeon's instructions for when this occurs. I find that I get very tight (swollen and irritated) and need to follow the instructions. I'll stay on fluids for a number of hours and then depending on how bad it is (believe me you get to where you know) I'll put myself on self-imposed soft foods for a day or two. Usually within a day I am totally back to normal.

What rules do you follow?
Eat slowly. Take small bites. Don't eat first thing in the morning. When I feel full - stop. Don't drink with meals. No soda. That pretty much sums it up. There aren't a lot of them. These are pretty much the standard bandster rules. The latest addition is the first bite rule. I am sure to chew well and make sure it is small. There is some suspicion that not doing this may have contributed to the dilation. Again, no one knows for sure. (See the side.)

Do you have lose skin?
Surprisingly, I'd have to say no. I wear a bikini and look pretty damn good for my age. Over time since I hit goal and continued to workout, I'd say that I even look better. Now, that being said, I'd like to have a boob lift. I don't think that has anything to do with the band though. Just age and gravity. Believe it or not, my boobs are THE SAME size they were before banding.

Do you 'diet'?
I guess most people would say yes. I'd say no. The bottom line whether you have a lapband or not is you have to make good food choices. I roughly follow Weight Watchers that my friend gave me all the scoop on. The daily points with the flex keeps everything in check. I have journaled my food and exercise since I was banded - except for the time that I put on the 15lbs. This is very successful for me. Conscious eating is critical.

So what is all this about this 15lbs you gained?
Well, for about 5 or 6 months, I didn't work out, log my food, or make good choices. The good news is that I only gained 15 lbs. In the past, this would have been much worse. I also avoided the scale, so it was my clothes screaming at me that they were tight that woke me up. There were a whole lot of factors that contributed to my not caring - work stress, break up, just not caring - in fact, I think I was in a bit of a depression. Well, I kicked myself in the ass and got things under control. That is what you see referenced in the past 12 weeks or so. In those 12 weeks, with dedication and effort - and following all the rules - I lost 15.5 lbs.

Any questions? Please let me know. Nothing is off limits.

lap band bandster fill

My Band and Cough Drops

As I've been harping on, I've been sick. My throat has been really sore as part of the loveliness. That sore throat with the tickle, know what I mean? So, logical thing is to suck on some throat lozenges. The ones I started out with weren't very strong. I switched to some others (Halls) and man those worked on the throat great! BUT not with my band. Good grief - the heartburn! I think the 'juice' gets in the pouch and then kinda burbled back up a bit and BAM! Even though everyone's experience is different, I thought this might be worth a mention.

I didn't end up at the gym yesterday and haven't made it there yet today either. It's possible that I don't need to work out as much (I better not!) to maintain my weight, but was still hoping to drop 5 more lbs. before my birthday. Oh well, not the end of the world. Getting better is the priority, but the damn allergies are also complicating things. Texas is horrible right now for some reason. People that say they don't / never have had allergies are even complaining. We need a few good freezes, but weather continues to be unseasonably warm.

lapband bandster fill

Feeling better!

Yep, just like I knew people. It just takes time when you irritate your band. I had some soft food and no issues. Feeling pretty good. Going to stay on liquids/soft foods for the rest of the day, but believe I was doing the 'normal' lap band freakout and everything is fine. So, my UGH has now turned to a *sigh* of relief. :-)

...Even considering going to the gym, but might just take the day off.
lapband bandster fill

Stuck? Irritated? Swollen?

OK - Yesterday I ate something that I think I didn't chew well enough. I'm not sure, but something happened. I didn't really feel like there was anything stuck in my band, but when I tried to eat, I thought that I was just really tight. That might have been it too. Honestly it's hard to know. Regardless, it led to a whole bunch of barfing (what is referred to as 'PB' or 'productive burping', but at the end of the day is really just barfing). It went on for quite some time. I did what I was supposed to and did not eat or drink. After a number of hours, I did have something to drink and it went down fine. Then I went to bed.

This morning everything seemed fine. I was able to drink some hot tea and just felt a little tight. Figured this was just irritation. I recently had some oatmeal, which from a lap band perspective is a soft food. I had a couple bites and while I am not barfing, I feel VERY tight and full. Again, I am hoping it is residual from the episode last night, but most bandsters will tell you that it does a number on your mind and you start thinking bad thoughts. Has my band slipped? What the hell? etc. It's not nice.

I am doing my best to focus on the fact that after all this time, it is highly unlikely that it is anything other than a result of the episode last night and me being sick. (I thought if I wrote about it out here, it might also help!) So, I am going to put myself on liquids today and soft foods tomorrow. I'll see how it goes and post out updates now and then. Man there have been a lot of 'ughs' lately, but this is another one. So, UGH!

lapband bandster fill

SICK!

I thought it was allergies. Very well might have started there, but yesterday after going to the gym in the morning (60 mins slow pace on treadmill - thought I was going to die!), fever hit. That afternoon I went to the doc and got an antibiotic shot and have been mainlining over-the-counter medicines to deal with the rest of the symptoms. UGH!

Not sure what I'll end up doing today. It might be couch. Right now no fever - which is good news - will check again around noon. Might go ahead and walk on the treadmill later today. Doc said that if I was up to it, no issue.

lap band bandster fill

Weight Gain Paranoia

Seriously, what the hell is the deal with weight-gain paranoia now that I am back where I want to be? I'm eating right and exercising, so as long as I continue my good habits and make good choices I should be fine and even get to my next stretch goal of 138. Grrrr - It's frustrating, but then good that I recognize it. I find that self-talk is a great tool. Or maybe it is just all the people in my head. :-)

Allergies suck for some reason right now in Texas. People that say they have never had allergies are complaining. I have the worst sore throat! I'm hoping with gargling hot salt water and hot tea that I can get it back in shape tomorrow. It made it very hard to workout this morning, but I did get in 75 mins.

Tonight I made cauliflower poppers. Man they are yummy and very easy to make. I am wondering if I my band is a bit too loose. I am eating more quantity wise, but going to leave my band as it is until I either start gaining weight or after my birthday in early December. I like being able to eat things (healthy) that I wasn't able to tolerate before, but honestly am not sure that me keeping up the level of exercise I am is realistic in the long term. I'd like to get to a spot where I workout 4-5 days a week (1 hour max), can eat reasonably, and maintain my weight.

(FYI - My band only has a fill of .2 in it. That's right .2. So that is practically empty. As I posted some time ago, they wanted to take it all out, but I have a mental dependency to having some fluid in it even if it is hardly anything.)

lapband bandster fill

I hit my goal! Um, again :-)

Yep, even though I was scared after the weekend, I got on the scale this morning on EVIL Tuesday and the scale read 143 lbs! And that was after multiple weigh ins. Yep, I know there are plenty of you that do it too. Off / On; Off / On...still read the same. So I'm back to where I was and now shooting for my second goal which is an additional 5 lbs. When I get there I might consider the last 4lbs to hit the 100 lbs lost mark since getting the lap band.

Here's the wrap up from when I kicked myself in the ass after eating around my band, not working out, just generally being a bad bandster. Cause that's right people. The band is NOT a magic solution. You still have to make good choices and for most people you also have to work out. Are there exceptions? I'm sure there are, but I'm not one of them.

• Week 1 - 8/19 - 155.5 lbs - DOWN 3 lbs (My body was in shock. Let's be real. First week, I always see something)
  
• Week 2 - 8/26 - 156 lbs - UP .5 lb
  
• Week 3 - 9/2 - 155.5 lbs - DOWN .5 lb (notice same .5)
• Week 4 - 9/9 - 155.5 lbs - SAME (drastic measures called for. switch weigh in day.)
  
• Week 5 (Switch to Mondays) - 9/15 - 153 lbs - DOWN 2.5 lbs
  
• Week 6 - 9/22 - 151. 5 lbs - DOWN 2 lbs
• Week 7 - 9/29 - 147.5 lbs - DOWN 4 lbs
• Week 8 - 10/6 - 150.5 lbs - UP 3 lbs
• Week 9 - 10/13 - 146 lbs - DOWN 4.5 lbs
• Week 10 - 10/20 - 145.5 lbs - DOWN .5 lbs
• Week 11 - 10/27 - 145.5 lbs - SAME
• Week 12 - 11/4 - 143 lbs - GOAL!!!

12 weeks and 15.5 lbs lost. Average of 1.3 lbs lost per week. I'll take it as for anyone - including bandsters - it does get harder the closer you get to your goal weight. (BTW - my goal weight for the band was 149 - I went down further when I hit that point.)

Exercise is back on track after my little vacation.

• Monday - 90 mins
• Tuesday - 80 mins

Self Sabatoge?

So, Friday was Halloween as you know. I was planning to go out (dressed up) with a group of friends. I had not slept well the night before and was an idiot and did not go to the gym first thing in the morning (I wanted to get work rolling). Once I finished with work though, I had to get some running around in to finish up my costume. By the time everything was done it was late afternoon. I decided to take a nap instead of getting in a workout. It was a holiday after all, right?

That night I had some drinks, but managed to stay away from food and only had 3 pieces of candy. (Yeah me! Candy is my personal weakness and has no effect on the band.) But on Saturday, I was tired --- we stayed up until about 4am. So, you guessed it - I didn't work out. Then I didn't work out on Sunday either!!! And I had a couple drinks on Saturday AND on Sunday. Sunday I also had 4 buffalo wings and a few nachos. See where this is going????

I seriously had to wonder just a bit if I am self-sabatoging? I am 2.5lbs from my goal weight of 143 where I was previously and for some reason I get whacky when I get close. THEN, as if that isn't enough, I seriously forgot it was Monday today and didn't weigh in! This is no lie. I was on vacation today and just didn't think about it (or didn't want to). When I did remember I had already taken a shower and my hair was wet. No way (pardon the pun!) was I weighing at that point. I have to weigh first thing. I don't care that by the end of the day I probably weigh more. All that matters is that first weigh in.

I have a litany of excuses - I had been working out like a fiend for months with 1 day a week off. My body could use a break. Plus I didn't eat the 29 lbs of candy that I really wanted to. AND I had brought some of the candy home and I GAVE it to my friend the next day. (That's another yeah me!)

Here's the week's exercise...Thinking I'll weigh in tomorrow, but it is the dreaded Tuesday and as I previously posted, I personally decided that Tuesday weigh-ins are evil and changed my official day to Monday. Maybe I'll just wait until next Monday...

• Mon - 112 mins
• Tues - 70 mins
• Wed - 92 mins
• Thurs - 92 mins
• Fri - REST - Holiday, Right?
• Sat - Off - Day After Holiday
• Sun - Off - Day After After Holiday

lapband bandster fill