I NEED FOCUS

Well, It's been a long time since I've reported back and I think it's because I've been happy with my total weight loss of 26.5 pounds that I haven't pressured myself to lose more weight. I've been wearing a size 14 jeans and my shirts are now large or XL...which is much better than the XXL I use to wear. Everyone at work has noticed and so have my friends...so I just feel good all the time. But, now I am ready to continue my weight loss journey! I've decided not to pressure myself...it'll come off as long as I watch what I eat. It seems that lately I've realized that I've learned to maintain my weight...which I still think is good. I told my husband to buy a box of the protein drinks because I'm going to jump start my weight loss by doing what I did before the surgery! I'm going to have 3-4 protein drinks a day for 4-5 days....I'm sure that I will lose around 4-5 pounds, which will put my under 190. Then, I'll keep going. We're getting close to May so I'm still going to try to reach my original goal of 40 pounds by May...that means 13.5 pounds in April...since there are only 3 weeks left in April, I'd have to lose 4-5 pounds a week. I may not make it...but anything close will make me happy! I'll keep updating...and let's see how it goes!

Dinner Out

We went to Olive garden tonight and my huband was just amazed at how little I was able to eat. I had two bites of the Spinach and Artichoke dip. Then I had three bites of the Pasta Fagioli Soup and last, I had about five bites of the pasta I ordered! I had to bring everything home...except for the dip...because my husband ate it. With the leftovers, I'll have food for three more meals. The interesting part is that I don't feel hungry!!!

First Fill AND What A Difference!

I had my first fill on Thursday, Feb 12. I think my situation ended up being a little different. I went to the Doctor's office and he gave me a fill of 4 CCs. He gave me some water to drink and when I drank it, it felt a little funny...almost like I was drinking soda water (with gas). It was an unusual bubbling feeling but I didn't think anything of it. Later, after arriving home, I was constantly feeling like I needed to throw up. I decided to have some soup to see if it would make me feel better....but I didn't. I threw up. Now I was wondering if I had the stomach flu because my husband just got over it a few days ago. I was wondering if it was a coincidence that I had just received the fill. But then, I wasn't feeling better...but worse and I was starting to have some pain. I called the Doctor's office and told them what had happened. They told me to come back in. Of course, it's now 3:30pm and I live an hour away from the Doctor's Office (with no traffic). So I picked up my kids so that I could go in the carpool lane and get there as fast as I could. The pain kept getting worse and I just prayed that I could make it to the Doctor's Office. I got there in one hour ten minutes...I was lucky because the traffic was starting to build. The Doctor seemed surprised that I was having pain. He said that he normally gave between 4 and 5 CCs for the first fills. Well, it wasn't working in my case. He removed 1 1/3 CC and I immediately felt better!!!! I drove home and it took me an hour and a half to get home. So, I was on the road for many hours on Thursday! Anyway, I stayed on liquids and realized I could only eat very, very little. It's been great! I tried to eat a Fiber One Breakfast bar this morning and I could not eat the entire bar. I can't even finish one protein drink. I'm really happy, afterall, this is waht I paid for!

In the last few days before the fill, I had actually gained 3 pounds. In the last 3 days, I've lost the 3 pounds plus one more pound. The weight is starting to come off again!!!!! I'll update next week and we'll see how much more I'll have lost. To start the week off right, I went to the store and bought lots of healthy things to eat!

No Change!

Well, it's now February 1st and I haven't lost anymore weight...it can really be dissapointing. So, really I don't have much to write. I'm going to try and stay positive, watch what I eat and start working out. Last Monday marked the 3 weeks after the surgery and I was too nervous to start going to the gym...but now it's time. Tomorrow I'll go see how much the membership is and start going after work. I've lost a total of 23 pounds...but it fluctuates...23 pounds today and then only 22 pounds tomorrow...then back to 23 again! I have dropped a size in pants...and that was nice...but yesterday my husband took some pics of me and boy did I realize I still have lots of weight to lose....I don't think I'm ready to post a pic of myself yet. I'll keep updating as changes happen!

Two Weeks Post Surgery

Well, two weeks have gone by and I now have my follow-up appt with Dr Owens on the 29th of this month. I feel as though I have fully recovered from the surgery. I'm starting to eat yogurts and soft foods. Sometimes I feel full quickly and other times, not so quickly. I know that my band has not been tightened yet...so I'm sure that once it is tightened I will always feel full quickly. I am determined to lose the weight so I try to watch what I eat. I still have some of my old cravings...but I just take it one day at a time. I have avoided mashed potatoes and other soft foods because of the amount of carbs. I continue to drink a protein shake for breakfast...for lunch, I'll have a protein shake or some soup. For dinner I generally eat soup. This week I lost 2 pounds...I notice that the weight isn't dropping as fast. I'm OK with two pounds a week because if I keep it consistant, I will still drop another 40 pounds by the end of May. So, for now, i have lost 22 pounds. We'll see what this new week brings!

One Week After Surgery

Well, tomorrow will mark one week after surgery. Sticking to an all liquid diet is not easy. For two weeks before the surgery, the Doctor told me to go on a pre-op diet. I was allowed to drink three protein shakes a day. I asked him if I could have any solids. He told me that every once in a while I could exchange one protein shake for a small protein meal. He wanted me to stay under 800 calories a day. I guess the idea is that you lose some weight before surgery so that your liver isn't so fatty. He said that when you lose weight, the first place to actually lose fat is the liver. They want the liver to have less fat because they have to move part of your liver so that they can reach the part of the stomach that will be banded. Anyway, before the surgery I lost 14 pounds. That has really motivated me after the surgery.

I'm now on 7 days of protein shakes since the surgery and I have lost another six pounds...which makes a total of 20 pounds! Everyday I have one Premier Protein shake (can be found at Costco) for breakfast, one for lunch and then for dinner I'll have some broth (sometimes accompanied with a protein shake). Last Friday night we all went out to Olive Garden. I ordered one bowl of soup and I just ate the broth....I had the Pasta Fagioli. It made me feel like I was eating again! Last night I had some of the broth from a Chicken Noodle Soup....and I gave the noodles to my kids as part of their dinner. It's all going well.

For now, I want to continue losing weight so I try to keep my calories low and I take my protein shakes as meal replacements. I hope to lose 50 pounds by summer. Kevin and I have been talking about going to the river during the summer. We went all the time when we were thinner. I've avoided going for the last four years. If I lose the weight, I'll be the one packing the trailer! The kids are older and they would have a blast. We'll wait and see what the future holds.

Brenda

A New Blog...A New Life

Well, I've never blogged before....but I guess I'm ready to learn and try. I had my band in on Jan 5, 2009. I'll be 40 this year, in May, so I'm considering it to be my 40th birthday present. I've lost 14 pounds on the pre-op diet and I hope to keep losing! My husband is being very supportive and wonderful about the whole thing. My kids, who are about to turn four, just think I have an ouwee (not sure of spelling). I'll keep updating as I see results!