Back to the Present

So that's my journey. Now I stay around 165, up and down about 5 pounds. A little higher than I'd like, but I like the fill I have (which I've had for several years now) and I like my food, and I'm VERY lazy about exercise. I guess you can change the fat girl on the outside, but not on the inside. I admit I am still obsessed with food every bit as much as I ever was. The difference now is that I am forced to eat less. That's what I need, and I'm SO grateful for the band. My fear is that I'll have complications sometime down the road and lose the band, let's hope that never happens.

Please feel free to contact me if you'd like more information or help regarding the Lap Band. I'm always happen to help!

Here's a couple of current pics:

Well...

Well...

Date Created: Sep 06, 2006, 07:25 PM

Not much to update. Got through all the complications, not a good experience. Now I have a pretty flat tummy for the first time in my life. I am happy with my body, can't believe I can say that. I would like to lose 7 more pounds so I can say I lost an even 100, but I'm in no real rush. Thank you Dr. Hansen and I am truly grateful for my band!

March 2005, 255

April 11, 2005, 253

May 2005, 230

July 2005, 210

Oct. 2005, 195

March 2006, 175

June 2006, 160

May 2008, 156

A Trial

A Trial

Date Created: Jun 17, 2006, 11:17 AM

It's been a while. I got a tummy tuck and hernia repair on May 16. I wanted to get rid of the ugly flap of skin hanging down there, and it does look SO much better. The bad part was that I got a drug-resistant infection about 2 weeks after the surgery. It settled in the site where a surgical drain had been. Very nasty and I ended up at the hospital 2x daily for infusions of Vancomiacin, considered "last line of defense" for MRSA. Anyway, fortunately it was affective and the infection is now gone. I will post some pics soon. I weigh 161.

Skating

Skating

Date Created: Feb 25, 2006, 06:23 AM

I took my daughter roller skating, and she didn't want to skate alone. And after humming and hahing, I thought, what's wrong with me, I don't weigh 250 pounds, I can roller skate. So I strapped on those skates, and we had a great time. I remembered I was pretty good at skating in my day, and it felt so free and easy. I also decided I should try doing flips on the tramp again (hopefully I won't be writing my next message from the hospital). I weigh 174. I love my band! It was one of the best decisions I've ever made!!!

More Pics

More Pics

More progress pics

Date Created: Dec 10, 2005, 02:15 PM April 2005, 253 Oct. 2005, 200 December 2005, 183

Sick

Sick

Date Created: Dec 02, 2005, 04:48 AM

OK, the Phentermine was a good idea, but it only worked for about three days. So I stopped taking it, I'll save it for a difficult time, like Christmas, and maybe it'll work again for 3 days or so. I've been sick with a pretty hearty cold so I haven't been very hungry, and for some reason my band is tighter now too. I'm lucky if I get 800 calories a day in, and therefore am losing about a pound a day for the last few days. I'm down almost 69 pounds down at 185. Pushing the big 70 mark, 70 pounds down and nearing the 170's. Not fun being sick, but fun watching the numbers change so dramatically!

Ups & DOWNS

Ups and DOWNS

Date Created: Nov 20, 2005, 02:24 PM

So this last fill hasn't given me dramatic results, so I've sworn off sugary treats. I've gone 2 weeks and it's really helped. I'm really motivated right now, because my 40th birthday is coming up, and I want to be below 170 by Jan. 22. Kind of abitious. So last week, I was at yet another standstill, after having lost 2.5 pounds the previous week from staying away from sugar. I was digging through the cupboard for something, and I found an old bottle of Phentermine that I had taken unsuccessfully a few years ago. Just for fun (yes, probably shouldn't try this at home) I took one. Wow, what a difference. Maybe because I'm already going to the gym daily and cutting out sweets, and not eating much, but I'm now down to 188. I'm really liking the Phentermine. It's just the little boost I needed. I think I'll try to get another perscription of it and take it to help me reach my birthday goal. In addition, I think this 2.7 fill is getting tight again, it's about the right time for that to happen, the pattern is around 3 weeks, luckily it's not too tight, I think I'll be fine.

Another "Unfill"

Another "unfill"

Date Created: Nov 05, 2005, 07:02 AM

A little frustrating that I had to have another unfill a couple weeks ago. Too tight again after three weeks of losing well. Dunno what's going on with my body, but it's probably water retention or something else. Vivienne took out .3 ccs, then yesterday replaced .2. I'm at 2.7, we'll see how it goes. I'm at 195.

Finally Made It

Finally made it!

Date Created: Oct 08, 2005, 03:46 PM

Finally, my first major milestone, 199.5!! It's funny because I've been discouraged about trying to get there for so long, I finally kinda gave up yesterday. I decided not to try, and to eat whatever I wanted. Well, the band thought otherwise, and let me eat only a small dinner, then when I went for a carmel-cashew-chocolate shake last night, it said, "uh uh". After a few hasty bites, I ended up throwing it up. I guess I was eating too fast, or the band just knew better than me. : ) Anyway, I tried eating more of it today (from the freezer) and again, a few bites, then bye-bye. So there ya go. The band is my babysitter, and the scales are proof of that today.!

October

October

Date Created: Oct 02, 2005, 07:31 AM

I'm down to 202 now. Not as much progress in Sept. as I would've liked, but not bad either. I had another fill on the 21st, and it's feeling great. Back up to 2.8 ccs and it is the perfect fill. When I was at 2.8 before it was a little too tight (well really too tight when I went in for the unfill) but it feels different now. I don't have a problem with liquids, which I did before at 2.8. I'm liking this, and I'm seeing more progress now, so maybe it's my sweet spot. Have I said that before?

Life Is Good

Life is good!

Date Created: Sep 11, 2005, 08:32 PM

I got some new clothes, size 16 jeans that I feel very cute in, I cut my hair and got a new bra (sorry guys). 38C!!! I'm so happy with my weight loss so far. I kind of slowed down in August, only lost about 4 pounds the whole month, but I was enjoying the break. Now I've been in for a fill, I'm back up to 2.7 ccs, and it's feeling really good. I've lost 5 pounds since last friday (Sept. 2) and am down to 206. 6 more pounds to get out of the 2's!!! I can't tell you how excited I am to reach that big goal! One goal I made for myself was to have 50 pounds off before going to St. George for the Bluegrass festival with Sassafras. I am 3 pounds away from that goal, and have 2 weeks to do it, I think I'll make it. I just have to gush, I am SO HAPPY I went through with this surgery. It is changing my life, and maybe saving it too. I am so thrilled with the progress I've made, almost 50 pounds in 5 months (exactly 5 months today). This has exceeded my expectations and I am so grateful!

Checking In

Checking In

Date Created: Aug 17, 2005, 01:18 PM

I thought it was time to check in.  You may remember I had the unfill in the mall parking lot a couple weeks ago.  I was worried I would gain because he took out .3, then I went on vacation last week and ate a lot more than normal.  I was 215 when I got my unfill, and weighed 211 when I went in for another little fill yesterday.  So I was happy about that.  Got another .2 put in and today I weigh 210.5.  Only 10 more pounds to get outta the 2s forever!!!  I am really happy!  I am so convinced that it is the fills that make the difference between success and failure.  I've been back to the doctor 9 times to get where I am, kind of a pain, but so worth it.  The weight is coming off so easily now.  I'm still working out at the gym, so I'm sure that's helping, but I'm not perfect in my eating, just trying to make up for it in other ways. I went to lunch today with Lauren, since I got my new fill yesterday I was anxious to try it out. Wow, I was almost in tears. I ate half of my salad and about 5 bites of chicken and a few bites of pototo and I was done. Full and completely satisfied without a hint of anything getting stuck or hurting as it went down. I'm so grateful and happy and amazed. I can take pills and eat pretty normally, but I have the benefit of the dimmed appetite and I can't eat much at all. This is what I was after when I got the band, it's taken me 4 months to get here, but I've lost 43 pounds along the way, so I'm thrilled, more than thrilled!!

My Too-tight Saga

My too-tight saga

Date Created: Jul 31, 2005, 06:01 PM

Here's a crazy story for ya: My last fill, 2 weeks ago, was tight. Really tight. I liked it, I was seeing good progress and although it caused me a few scary moments I didn't mind because the weight was coming off. Last weekend I went with my family camping in Wyoming and while there got tighter to the point where I could only sip water and ate just a few bites at each meal. Everything I tried to eat, or drink, hurt going down, even water. I figured if I could still drink though I wouldn't die and could endure till I got home. Got home on tuesday and it didn't improve I was SOOOOOO tight! Kept thinking it would get better, and yesterday it was worse! I felt like an anorexic, just nibbling tiny amounts of food and sipping tiny sips of water. I tried a little creamed soup for lunch yesterday (saturday), got down about 1/4 cup, then threw it back up. Now I was worried, I called the Dr. on call, my doctor, and explained the situation, he said if I was throwing up I would probably just get tighter because of irritation, and would close off. That didn't sound too good to me, so he told me to come down to Salt Lake and he'd do an unfill. He said he was running errands but had a fill kit in his car and would meet me somewhere, like the mall. Ha ha, said I, picturing myself laying on a bench in the hallway with my shirt up. So I drove to Salt Lake City, 1 and a half hours away feeling like a hand was squeezing my esophagus. I called him when I got to town and he told me he was at the mall! He told me to meet him at Nordstroms! I really thought he was kidding and asked him where he would do this, and he said, "Oh, anywhere." I hesitated so he said if my car seat could recline he would meet me in the parking lot! Well, at this point I was up for anything, so we met at Nordstroms and he followed me out to the car (in his bermuda shorts) and I reclined in the front seat and he pulled out .3 from my band. Whew, what a relief! I drank some water and thought I was in heaven, it went down without a hitch. So there's my saga. What a crazy experience, but I'm feeling SO much better. It was fun losing .5 per day though, I'll miss that, but it wasn't worth it. I weigh 215.

Picture Progress

Picture progress

Just to show the progress, here's 3 pictures lined up. You can see a lot of the loss in my face.

Date Created: Jul 29, 2005, 09:38 AM 4/10/05 253 5/16/05 234 7/29/05 216

Weight Chart and New Pic

My weight chart and new pic

Here's a copy of the weight chart I've been keeping and a new pic Lotti took of me in size 16 jeans!

Date Created: Jul 29, 2005, 09:13 AM

In the Teens!

In the teens!

Date Created: Jul 29, 2005, 09:05 AM

We went to Wyoming for a "Pioneer Trek" at Martin's Cove last week. It was a really neat experience. It was interesting because my band got really tight there. I don't know if it was the stress, or the heat or what, but I could eat very little. Even since being home, I still feel very tight and have been losing about .5 per day. I like this, but eating has become a real chore, hardly anything goes through without hurting. I'm debating whether or not to go in for a slight unfill, because I am enjoying the losing and wonder if I should just hang in there for a while and see what happens. I now weigh 216 and am down 37 pounds.

Sweet Spot?

Sweet Spot?

Date Created: Jul 19, 2005, 10:27 AM

I'm cautiously optimistic, but after my 6th fill on friday (2.8 ccs) I think I just may have hit the fabled sweet spot.  I was very worried at first that I was too tight because liquids hurt going down, but since I started eating again, it's been like a miracle.  I hate to use that word, but it's true.  I've felt less tightness, fewer painful episodes and am eating less than a cup at a time.  It's interesting that I've noticed my band less, except with liquids which I have to sip very slowly.  Of course I'm much more cautious about eating small bites and chewing, but maybe because the food is actually staying in the pouch and not immediately pushing through the band, I've had an easier time than before this fill.  I am so happy to finally be making some dramatic progress, 4 pounds since friday!  I'm sure it's partially because of the liquids after the fill, but I think I can keep up at least 2 pounds a week with this fill for a while!

6th Fill

6th Fill

Date Created: Jul 17, 2005, 07:40 AM

6th fill took me to 2.8 ccs, got home and got scared that I'd gone too far. I drank some orange juice and it hurt going down. I started getting all panicky, imagining I wouldn't be able to swallow my spit and I'd have to go to the emergency room because it was the weekend. Finally decided if all I could do was drink liquids it would be ok until Tues. when they got back in the office, that I wouldn't die or dehydrate. Then yesterday I went to lunch fully expecting to sip soup and not be able to eat anything, but guess what. I ate tiny bites and did just fine, got full quickly and was thrilled. I kept saying to my husband, "Look, I can eat!!" I think he got kinda sick of it, but was very gracious. So I did fine yesterday, don't know if this is my sweet spot or not, but I've lost a little and I'm very hopeful that I won't have to go in for a 7th fill (or unfill)! I weigh 222

July

July

Date Created: Jul 11, 2005, 02:39 PM

Another fill, my 5th, on July 6, I'm up to 2.6 ccs, and I know I'll have to go back for more. Sigh, this fill thing is a journey in itself. The nurse said I should keep coming back until I can eat no more than 1 cup at a time. I'm looking forward to that day. I'm still losing, just quite slowly. I'm at 224, down 29 pounds. I'm really wanting to be under 220, so I'll keep plugging away. I've been to the gym at least 5 days a week for the last couple of weeks, that feels good, and I know I'm more toned. Anyway, here's hoping the next fill is the charm!

Update

Update

Date Created: Jun 26, 2005, 08:24 AM

It's been a while, I've had 4 fills now, my last one being June 17, I went up to 2.4 ccs. I am finally feeling good restriction. I think I could have more, but I've been losing well, so I'll leave it for a while. I've lost 4 pounds since my fill and feel great about that! So now I'm down 27 pounds. I bought some size 18 pants yesterday and a 1x shirt, so officially I've gone from a 24 to 18 pant size. Not bad for just over 2 months! I'm still working out at the gym, but not as much as before. I've been going 3-4 days a week, and doing the eliptical instead of the treadmill which burns more calories in less time than the treadmill. I've been lifting weights too, which is making me feel strong! I'm so happy with this journey so far, I am very grateful for this band and for a supportive family that's encouraged me along. I'm looking forward to what the next few months will bring, but every step along the way has really been fun.

Progress

Progress

Date Created: May 22, 2005, 10:06 AM

I'm happy to report I've lost 2 pounds since my fill on friday. I'm sure most of it is due to the liquids on friday, but, hey, who cares! I'm finally seeing the scale move again. I know I'll need another fill because I can eat more than a cup at a time, but apparently I have SOME restriction, and I've officially lost 20 pounds now (I've been rounding up for some weeks)!!!!

Some New Pics

Some new pics.

New hair cut and size 20 jeans.

Date Created: May 20, 2005, 04:01 PM

A Milestone

A Milestone

Date Created: May 20, 2005, 03:57 PM

Yesterday just for fun I tried on a pair of size 20 jeans I had in the closet, and whattayaknow, they fit! I wore them very comfortably all day. I went to SLC with some friends and we did some shopping. We went to Coldwater Creek which had sizes up to 18, and just for fun, with no real hope of fitting, I tried some on. They fit me too! I was very surprised. I had to try 3 different pairs on to see if it was a fluke. So that was a good day. I got my first fill today. The little shot for numbing hurt more than the fill. She put in 1.5 ccs, now I'm on liquids for the rest of the day, so haven't been able to notice any restriction as of yet. I'm anxious to try solids so I'll know more. I mentioned to the fill nurse today that I was exercising 1 hour daily, she said, "Exercise is good". Then I tried again, "I tried on some size 18 pants yesterday" No response. Hmmm, not much encouragement there, but she did a good job on the fill, very proficient, and professional. I had actually gained a pound since my last visit 4 weeks ago, but I'm ok with it, I feel great! Here's a picture of me with my new hair cut, and another one in my size 20 jeans.

Arms

Arms

Date Created: May 19, 2005, 07:23 AM

OK, I thought this was funny. I lead the singing in church on Sundays in front of the whole congregation. I picture everyone watching the fat under my arm waggling back and forth as I lead so I try to minimalize it be wearing loose shirts and holding my arm close to my body. I know it sounds silly, but when I look around at all the people I know they're watching me, mesmerized with the repetitive motion of my flapping arm. So yesterday I was talking to a neighbor who knows I had surgery she said her husband asked her if I'd been losing weight (he didn't know about the surgery). She said yes I was, and he said, "I thought her arms looked thinner". LOL I thought that was very funny. Just the confirmation I needed. I guess the arm weights at the gym are paying off! Good incentive to keep going too. : )

More of the Same

More of the Same

Date Created: May 14, 2005, 11:54 AM

Let's see, it's been a week or so and I've lost another pound. I guess that means I'm within "normal" range, or 1-2 pounds per week. I'm 234, and still working out 5 days a week. Obviously I'm eating too much now, the regular food is tasting very yummy. One thing that encourages me about this is that I know I can get an "unfill" and eat like any normal person, or even almost like I used to. Why does that encourage me? I don't know, it shouldn't I guess. Why would I want to eat like that again? I guess it's just because I know I'm not completely letting go of my old relationship with food forever, and I know my body insides won't be changed and rearraged or something. Anyway, I'm looking forward to my fill for a jump start in my losing again. I do feel different, I feel tighter and healthier, I guess from all this exercise. I even cut my long hair. It's just above my shoulders now. I'm liking it a lot, I think it's fun and spunky. I'll post a picture soon.

I'm Back

I'm Back

Date Created: May 06, 2005, 08:32 AM

I haven't posted in a while. I went to the doctor on 4/26 and I weighed 237. Today I weigh 235, so I am still losing, just more slowly than at the beginning. I have been working out a LOT which I guess is making up for the fact that I can eat a lot more now. I'm really looking forward to my first fill on May 24. I'm actually really enjoying the exercise, I've been doing the treadmill at a pretty fast pace for around 40 minutes, then I do weights for about 20. I've never exercised like this before and it feels great! I do feel myself getting stronger and can see the results in how my clothes feel. I think the best thing this band has done for me is to change my whole outlook about "dieting" and exercise. I now feel I can do it, and don't feel so defeated and hopeless. It's such a blessing, I am truly grateful!

An Encouraging Post

An encouraging post

Date Created: Apr 24, 2005, 07:32 AM

This was posted on Smartbandsters, and really gave me hope and encouragement: "On year ago today I received my lap band. I started the process in the fall of 2003, had my first Dr. appt in Feb of 2004, insurance approval was received within 24 hours and my date was soon set. I was discharged from the hospital about 7 hours post surg. I was back in the hospital the next day diagnosed with pneumonia. One chest x ray and antibiotics later I was on my way to recovery. Over the next 4-6 weeks I was so very hungry. I did the best I could on liquids and soft food but still felt like another diet failure when I did not have 100% compliance. I was soon on regular food but still felt oh so very hungry. I couldn't believe what a mistake I had made getting the lap band rather than opting for the gastric bypass. With 3 young children and a husband I felt I couldn't risk the increased death rate. I didn't think this was working... My first fill came at 6 weeks. I was still hungry and found I could eat anything I desired. 2nd fill followed 4-6 weeks after that, still no restriction. I started gaining the post operation weight. I was about 30 lbs down initally but by August I had gained 20 back... The third fill. I now knew what restriction was all about. I could only sip water slowly, and I started eating like a bandster. Very restricted in the am and could eat light in the pm. Fast forward to April 23, 2005. 100 lbs down, size 22-24 to size 10. I just wanted to tell new bandsters to stick with it, do not get discouraged and fill until you get restriction... You will know. Julie 5'6" 259/159/140 highest weight around 268, obese for about 12 years."

Some Help From Jane

Some help from Jane

Date Created: Apr 23, 2005, 10:53 AM

Jane, my sister, is so wonderful. I was feeling frustrated about the slowing of my weight loss and sent her an email to that effect. "So Thursday I had 1118 calories and gained a pound, yesterday I had 1171 calories and gained a pound, and I exercised 30 minutes Wednesday and Friday each keeping my heart rate up and everything. Granted I lost 13 pounds in one week, but this is discouraging. It's kind of scary, my head says my body is adjusting and this is probably a truer weight loss now than it was that first week, but there's that little nagging doubt that says I won't be able to lose!" So Jane replied with this, and I feel much better: "O.K. Scientific Fact!!! Every pound you lose is equal to 3800 calories. There is no way to get around this. Scientific Fact Two: Your body probably has about 10 pounds of fluid that fluctuates up and down. Just for argument lets say that you can maintain your weight on 3000 calories a day (it's probably less, but let's give you then benefit of the doubt). Now let's say that you averaged 400 calories a day last week. That means that you ate 2600 calories less than you burn each day! Now multiply 2600 by 7 and you've got 18,200. Now divide this amount by 3800 and you've got 4.8. Marianne, 5 pounds really is the absolute most that you could possibly lose in one week (probably less). The rest is water, which is good and some will probably stay off, but it's not fat. You should be feeling FANTASTIC that 11 pounds is off, but don't be surprised if it creeps up a little more to reflect a truer weight. When you finally are at your true weight you will know that each pound is true (with a little fluctuation here and there) and that will feel good! When I started I lost 2 pounds in the first 2 days and then nothing for three weeks. I figure it was probably water at first, but then in the next three weeks it became real. Still, kind of hard to go three weeks with careful eating and see nothing. I was so excited to jump down to 146.5 a few days ago, but, I shouldn't be surprised that I'm back up to 149 today, right? I know in 2 or 3 weeks it will get back down there for real. Unfortunately there is no way to work around these scientific facts. You can play around with the amount your body burns each day and the amount less that you eat, but that is the only thing you have any control over. Marianne, you absolutely WILL be able to lose, and in this process you are going to be changing in a lot of other cool ways too. You'll be developing patience (not real common among Edward's women), control, and a lot of other emotional factors I couldn't even hope to list. I used to think that weight lose was just superficial and you're still your own fat self underneath. That may be true for weight that comes off by itself or in an illness. But when you make the comittment to change yourself, you'll change a lot more than your weight. You're changing your whole life style and that crosses over into many other areas. You'll be all the best of the old, getting rid of some hangups, and adding a whole host of new virtues. I bet you're going to love who you'll become!"

Be Patient!

Be patient!!

Date Created: Apr 22, 2005, 07:45 AM

OK Marianne, don't freak out and make snap assumptions, you're still recovering, you shouldn't expect to lose weight during this time. I've gained a pound and a half, which is crazy because I've been eating less than 1000 calories a day. Of course I lost a LOT the first week, so I'm sure my body is readjusting, but I went from eating well over 3000 calories a day pre-band, and you'd think I'd keep losing. I know what everyone says about this stage, and I believe them, it's just scary when you think what I've invested in all of this so far (not just money) and you have to wonder if it'll really work!! I'm sure everyone goes through this, and they'll all preach patience. I'd be preaching that myself to someone else in my situation. I just need to relax and do the best I can, but I'm going to the gym today, that's for sure!

Food

Food

Date Created: Apr 20, 2005, 05:49 PM

Some of my new friends on Aprilbandsters requested I talk more about food. Ah, the subject I think about constantly. : ) I'm still officially on liquids but am transitioning into mushies which I'll be on officially on day 14 (I'm day 9 today). I've been enjoying creamed soups a lot, never can eat more than 1/2 cup at a time. Last night I went to dinner with the Utahbandster group and had about 1/2 a cup of potatoe-cheese soup, it was yummy, then I had about a scoop of ice cream with a little chocolate on it. This is of course while my bandster buddies ate shrimp and chicken-pot-pie and chicken fingers, and salad and pie for dessert. They have no shame! Actually, I was fine, I enjoyed my soup and felt very full when I was finished. Funny how the feeling of fullness still makes me feel guilty, even if I only eat 200-300 calories at a time. Silly, but a hard habit to break.

So I have been trying a few soft foods, like mashed potatoes (mmm) and cream o wheat, I even had about 1/2 a scrambled egg today for lunch. I went to the gym today too, and walked for 30 minutes, that felt good, although by the end my incisions were stinging a bit. Not too bad though. I took the tape off my incisions, and I think that was a bit early, it kinda ripped the scabs off, ew. I think I was supposed to leave them on till they fell off, but I was impatient. Word to the wise, don't do as I do. : )

I'm In the 230's

I'm in the 230's!

Date Created: Apr 19, 2005, 08:12 AM

I weighed 239.5 this morning. I know, I know, I've gotta stop weighing every day, but as long as I'm losing this fast I might as well enjoy it, eh? I feel so much better, and have energy and am not light-headed and weak like I thought I'd be on liquids. The first week was miserable on liquids, but I think I'm adjusting now and don't feel so deprived. I think this stage is really good for my body and my mind to lessen it's dependency on food. I'm going to take advantage of every stage in this journey and make it work for me!

A Rant

A Rant

Date Created: Apr 17, 2005, 09:25 AM

OK, I'm tired of people saying, "Aren't you excited, you're going to be so skinny and pretty!" That just makes me cringe. I am not going through all of this to be "pretty". I don't think I'm so bad looking right now. Looking better is a nice side benefit, but more than anything, I am doing this to avoid disease, to live longer, to have more energy, to ride a bike and go hiking and have fun physically with my family. It'd be fun to get back on the stage and do more performing. Wearing cute clothes and looking "good" seems like a very superficial reason to spend $13,000 and go through surgery. Certainly I will enjoy that, but that is NOT my primary focus. There, I said it. I've lost 12.5 pounds. Last night I had a "slushie" drink and drank it through a straw. Big mistake. I guess they tell you not to drink through a straw for a reason. I had so much air in my stomach I was really in pain for a while. It was good to remind me there are rules for a reason. This morning I'm eating cream o wheat. Mmmmm. It's interesting though, I must be used to eating this way because I don't feel that same panic about eating. I'm really ok with it now. Maybe I'm getting over the withdrawal phase or something.

I Joined a Gym

I Joined a Gym

Date Created: Apr 16, 2005, 09:56 AM

I can't believe today I joined a gym, a 2 year membership. I'm feeling kinda reckless, but determined. I am sort of obsessing I think, I have a tendancy to do that with some things, and I guess weight is a good thing to obsess about. I want to get to goal in one year, I think that's reasonable. I've lost 11 pounds now, so only 90 to go. : ) It's kind of fun to have less than 100 pounds to lose now.

April 15, 2005

Day 5

Date Created: Apr 15, 2005, 07:16 AM

I friend who was banded by my surgeon told me she didn't go past 3 days on clear liquids. I took this as permission to start added full-liquids. I feel SO much better, I have more engergy and don't feel as deprived. Last night I slept a lot better too, I didn't wake up every time I rolled over. I guess the incision sites are healing well. Ah, a good night's sleep makes such a difference! I'm feeling good about my prospects today. I think I really can do this!! I've lost around 10 pounds!

April 13, 2005

Day 3 (sort of)

Date Created: Apr 13, 2005, 02:39 AM

I weighed myself for fun last night, and I've lost 6 pounds! That's what a clear liquid diet'll do for ya. But kinda fun to see anyway. I'm up early (2:40) to walk a bit and keep that air moving through. ; ) Feeling better all the time.

April 12, 2005

Day 2

Date Created: Apr 12, 2005, 04:51 PM

OK, yesterday went well. I got in around 8:00 AM and I was home (1 and half hour drive) by 2:00. I didn't like coming out of the anesthetic, icky, and I don't like liquid pain reliever so I took my last dose around 8:00 last night and I've done fine without it. I'm very surprised that there is minimal pain, and only when I get up and down. I've been up and around a lot today and have been drinking small amounts of juice and broth. I'm worried about my energy level with that few calories, but hopefully I'll feel good enough to take in more tomorrow. All of the Drs instructions like sipping slowly over a long period of time are for a reason, I'm finding. You can't do otherwise. I'm feeling air bubbles moving through my band so I know it's pretty tight right now with the swelling, so the last thing I want to do is jeopardize that.

So far so good. For a minute there I was feeling some "buyers remorse". Wondering what in the world would posess me to do this to myself. But as I'm feeling better I'm more and more positive about it. I know I made the right decision.

April 10, 2005 "before"

April 10, 2005

It's April 10, 2005, tomorrow I will begin a journey to a new life and a new me. I will have sugery to have a Lap-Band put on my stomach to help me lose weight. Here's a link to lap-band information on my surgeon's website: http://www.svsurgical.com/lapband.html My weight history: I’ve been overweight most of my life. I went on my first diet in the 5th grade, an 800 calorie diet. I was trying to lose 10 pounds. That was first in my weight loss quest, diet after diet failed and I regained all my weight plus some. In college I finally decided to “Stop the Insanity” and simply swore off diets completely. I weighed 180 pounds and was afraid of gaining more. I married in 1990 and got pregnant with our first child in 1991, at that time I weighed 190. With each of my 4 pregnancies I gained 20-30 pounds, lost a little then rapidly gained back to my delivery weight. I had a reprieve between my 2nd and 3rd child when I went on Fen-Phen and lost 45 pounds, back down to 180. Of course I got pregnant again soon after and delivered at 225. I delivered my last child 6 years ago and weighed 253, which is exactly what I weigh today. I researched by-pass surgery 4 years ago when my friend lost over 100 pounds. Another friend lost a lot of weight too, but the reports I got from them made it sound MISERABLE. I didn’t want to be that drastic, didn’t want to permanently alter my insides. I saw a few scattered reports about lap-banding but at the time it wasn’t approved for use in the US. So I put the idea of weight loss surgery out of my mind for a time, however the idea of lap-banding simmered in my mind all of this time and I felt it was a possibility for the future, and maybe my only hope. About a year ago I started up the research again, saw that banding was approved for use in the US and started reading everything I could get my hands on. I got serious about it when I turned 39 and realized in a year I would be “Fat and Forty”. That did NOT sound appealing to me so I started my band-journey in earnest at that time. After researching many different doctors including several in Mexico, I finally learned about Dr. Hansen through an on-line support group, Utahbandsters (thanks Allison) and here I am staring weight loss surgery in the face. Tomorrow begins the real journey. I have been very sobered by the idea in the past week or so, and a little depressed. Maybe it’s because I know that my current relationship with food is about to change. Food has been my friend, my comfort, and my entertainment. I eat when I’m happy, when I’m sad, when I’m bored, when I’m depressed. I like food, and I like eating. That’s what it comes down to for me and I know I’ll have to change that relationship and it’ll be a real loss for me. Not that my life won’t be so much better for the change, I know it will, I look forward to being healthy and looking better. I am determined to be successful, I know the band isn’t a magic bullet, I’ve got some major changes to make, and I think I’m ready. Please join me on this journey, I hope my experience will be helpful to others considering the same thing.

Here is information about the Lap-Band from my surgeon's website: http://www.svsurgical.com/lapband.html

The Journey Begins...

After at 157 lbs

Before at 253

I got my Lap Band on April 11, 2005. I blogged about it then, but the site I blogged on has expired so I am transferring the entries here. I hope with this blog I can help other potential "Bandsters" with their own journey.