Webcam video from December 30, 2012 11:00 AM

12/24/12

12/23/12

Got on the scale this morning and saw 206.6, that is nearly 28 pounds lost since October 1st~~ woohooooo I am so happy.

We finished all of our Christmas shopping last night and I got everything wrapped (even gifts for all the family dogs and cats!) Even thou we didn't decorate our house this year I have been in the Christmas spirit.  I have watched a dozen lifetime Christmas movies (all with leading ladies named Holly of course lol)

Today Vic is making a ham and we are having Victor over to watch the Cowboy/Saints game at 1pm. I've got to make a publix run to pick up some brown and serve rolls (none for me please) .

I got the chance to skype with my dad yesterday while my sister was there, hopefully we'll do it again tomorrow when I'm at my other sisters house. It looks like they . are having a good time but poor Britt isn't used to the cold weather and has not taken off her coat since she got there haha.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Webcam video from December 21, 2012 9:21 AM

12/20/12

I am happy to report that I lost the extra few pounds that I put on with a few days of poor eating!! :) I don't think I'm going to meet my goal of 199 by Christmas but my dad predicts that it will happen by Jan 16. I've got 10 pounds to go.

Speaking of my dad..today is his birthday!! :) Happy Happy Dad!! My younger sister is driving up to see him tomorrow with her boyfriend and her son. We plan on skyping while they are up there.  I've got to run over to her house tonight to show her how to use the GPS and to load her up with Christmas gifts.

It's going to be a different kind of Christmas this year. We are still celebrating at my older sisters house but my younger sister and my nephew won't be there..and of course dad and his wife are not down here this year. We will have Vic's son Victor joining us thou! :) We don't have any little kids around anymore but hopefully my nieces and nephews will get busy on that soon enough! :)

We bought a ham so we'd have something to make over our long weekend away from work. I think we made hams the last two years during our Christmas break and really enjoyed it. I hope that I don't have any trouble with ham. So far I've been able to eat just about everything with no problems. It's more of a speed eating thing with me..I need to slow down.

I hope that you are all having a great day and if the Mayans were right and the world ends tomorrow I'll see you on the other side :)

12/18/12 Week Before Christmas Binge

Good Morning! Happy one week before Christmas :)

This past weekend has been a real challenge for my weight loss goals. We had pizza for the first time in three months ..I had THREE  pieces. Then I went and bought a ton of candy for a Christmas Gift thingy I"m making and of course there were left overs so Vic and I spent the weekend stuffing our faces with forbidden goodies. Luckily I did not gain back as much as Vic did (4 pounds) the scale was kinder to me and only showed a two pound gain.  Last week I also discovered all kind of wonderful at Paneras with their Big Kid grilled cheese sandwich with tomato basil soup. Way more bread than I should be eating. I've  been off bread cold turkey for months and now in one long weekend I've just been terrible in my eating choices.

Today is another day and I refuse to beat myself up for those decisions. I will get back on track and do what I need to do to go forward. I know I see the doctor in a few weeks and I will get a much needed fill in my band so this food insanity will be behind me.

It's funny...I follow a lapband support group on facebook and when people write about their poor eating choices and how bad they have been I've kind of judged them (to myself only...never would say it outloud to them) but now I realize how easy it is and how things happen and all of the justifications that you tell yourself as you are doing it. In the end it is a personal thing that only you can make it or break it on. I plan on making  it...I feel too good when the scale is going down and my clothes are fitting better to go in the wrong direction.

I hope that you all have a productive, positive week and don't let the holidays stress you out! xoxo

Webcam video from December 14, 2012 9:20 AM

I was feeling rushed and didn't really plan out what to talk about today..It's been a good week for weight loss, not a great week for news on my dad, and a hectic week at work. I have a feeling season is going to be crazy stressful this year.

12/12/12

This Friday will be two months since my lap band surgery and as of this morning I am 25 pounds down!!! YAY!!!!  Vic hit the same goal two days ago after a week with the flu..I'm so proud of US!

I finally found my address book this morning, in my desk! I had forgotten  what it looked like. In case I forget next year here is a picture of it! lol
I hope that you all have a wonderful day..this is the last time in our life time we will see repeating sequential calendar numbers 12/12/12

12/10/12

Good Morning!! We are feeling much better at our house this morning and Vic is even heading into work today! I am sooooooo thankful that my doctor made me get the flu shot a few months ago. I had maybe 24  hours of feeling crappy vs Vic's flu lasting a week.

I hit a new low weight this weekend (low after surgery) I am close to be two months out and I've lost 24 lbs. (started at 234, hit 210 yesterday) I was feeling pretty good about it until I saw my journal from 2010 and saw that I was at 199 in January ...I wanted to be there for Christmas but I'm not sure I'll lost these 10 pounds by then...I'm going to try thou.

We came close to ordering pizza yesterday but stayed strong and made something here at home instead. (Whole wheat spaghetti with lots of meat in the sauce) it was delicious. It has really helped not having any junk food in the house. I tend to go eat cheese or sugar free jello when I'm craving something.

Anyway...it's Monday and I've gotta get to work..our busy season  is upon us.  Have a great day!!

Webcam video from December 8, 2012 8:48 AM

Flu

12/5/12

Today I am so thankful that the doctor made me have a flu shot before my surgery! Vic is home sick with the flu. We just got back from the doctor and I guess it is really going around our area.  Since I had the shot, I can't get it , right?

The scales are not moving for me...I need to drink more water for sure. And probably eat more...I do my protein shake in the morning and then nothing again until dinner time. After dinner I'm in snack mode but I am keeping it to cheese, sugar free Popsicles, etc...We had steak on the grill last night..I should have stopped after a few bites but tried to finish the whole thing and of course it was too much food and ended up giving me trouble.I'm still learning on how much is too much and I know it's a no no to eat dinner in front of the tv because I'm not focused on how much I'm eating or how fast I'm eating..ah today is another day.

I've mailed out some of my Christmas cards but not all. I'm still going crazy looking for my dang address book. Knowing me i packed it away with my Christmas stuff last year and it is over in our storage unit...buried! I've put out a few requests on facebook for people to send me their addresses but not many have answered me. I guess I'll wait and send cards after we get them first. lol

I'm off to watch some TV and play nurse to Vic for a while. I hope that you all have a great day...and if you have not done it yet...GO GET YOUR FLU SHOTS!

2012 AIDS WALK

Webcam video from November 30, 2012 7:23 PM

11/29/12 FIRST FILL

Hello! Today I have my first fill! I'll write more after the doctors appointment to confirm that but I'm pretty excited. I know if I want to meet my goal of 125 lbs I need more restriction than I currently have.

We are gearing up for our busy season at work. I know being super busy will help me too because I won't have time to "snack" or even think of food while I'm at work. My night time snacking has gotten better but it's still there...last night I had cheese and crackers, a sugar free fudgesicle and an Atkins candy bar thingy...more than I should be eating I'm sure!

This Saturday is the AIDS walk in Sarasota. It's 2 miles, that is more walking than I am doing right now but I'm not too worried about it, I'm sure I'll do fine. I met my fundraising goal this week and most of my team members are pretty close to meeting theirs too. If you'd like to donate to the team the link is http://www.trinitycharities.org/ and the name of my team is Keeping Fit For a Cure. I'll take pictures and write about it after the walk. It's the first thing I've ever done like this before. I am pretty proud of myself for forming a team and doing it...:)

We are running late, I'll write more after the doctors visit this morning. Have a beautiful day!

AFTER DOCTOR VISIT:
The doctor was pleased with my progress. I got a 2cc fill today. He said to stay on liquids the rest of the day and then tomorrow go back and try and eat protein (Chicken, Meat, Fish) and let him know if nothing changes in the next two weeks and he'll see me again. If I feel more restriction now then he won't see me for another six weeks.

Getting the fill did not hurt at all. He had me lay on the table and lift my legs off the table so my stomach muscles tightened and then he felt around with the needle and I didn't feel that part at all.
:)

Webcam video from November 27, 2012 2:18 PM

11/27/12

Before Hair Appointment

I am back from TN. My computer connection was spotty while I was there and I  was not able to do a video. I have a hair appointment this morning and will make one when I get back.

I was thrilled to come back home and get on the scale to a lower number than when I left! And then this morning even lower!! I am now 211.6 , down over 22 pounds! :) I was feeling stuck for a while with not losing much but I'm happy to see some movement on the scale.

I have a doctors appointment this week and think I'll be getting a fill in my band. I have not had much trouble eating anything until last night. We bought a roasted chicken from Publix , it was the first time I had chicken with skin on it and I could not get it down or keep it down. After that episode I am not sure I'll try that kind of chicken again..it was horrible!

I'll talk more about my trip in my video but here are a few pictures...I can't tell you how peaceful and beautiful it was there but maybe the pictures will show it. Something I'm super proud of is that I walked down the side of the hill next to the cabin and was able to make it back up!! It was super steep!

11/19/12

The scale continued to go down in my favor this morning! Yes, it was only a few ounces but that is enough to make me happy! :)

We are packing for our trip to TN today. I have skyped with my dad and he's not feeling very good :(  He won't have chemo tomorrow but he also isn't feeling well enough to make it to the cabin..it's about 25 minutes from his house so it's not that big of a deal...I will just go visit him at his house! :) I am holding out hope that the next 24 hours will hold some magic and he'll be feeling better and back to his old chipper self! :)

We are packing tons of food (so we don't have to shop once we are there) My dad's wife got the turkey and she's making pies . We are taking two coolers for the cold stuff.  I'm doing really good with my eating so I don't see it being a problem just because I'm away from home. We packed some sugar free hard candy for the trip but we also packed regular snacks for Vic and Victor.

Vic just looked up the forcast for the next five days..it's suppose to be in the highs around 60-64 and the  lows 31-33...the only thing that could be better is if we saw some SNOW! :) It's been a little cooler here but we still have our AC on so I'm sure it will be a welcome change! I love  wearing sweatshirts and jeans.

Now that all of our packing is nearly done, the dogs have been bathed, the laundry done we are sitting around looking for day trips from the cabin (Cades Cove, Forbidden Cavern, etc.) and sooooo excited to take off in the morning!

Here is a picture of the cabin we've rented.

http://www.serenityhillcabin.com/

11/17/12 1 month 2 days post op

I am happy to report a new low weight today! I am at 213.6 , on Nov.5 I had gotten down to 213.8 but then never hit the 213 mark again until today! :)

This makes my weight loss so far 20.4 pounds and 88.6 more to go to reach my goal.


Today we are going in to work because we have so many loose ends before we leave for TN. We picked  up a new listing yesterday and Vic needs to get it on our website. I need to cut checks to the property owners for guests checking in today so they don't have to wait until we are back in town. I don't mind going in, if I didn't go today I was going to have to go Monday and I'd really like Monday to be a day of shopping and packing for any last minute things for the trip.

My sister came over to go over instructions for watching our dogs yesterday. I wish I could feel more comfortable about people watching them but the fact is no one loves your babies the way you do. I have NO idea how parents ever go on vacation without their kids. Actually I have no idea how parents do anything...as a dog mom I'm crazy with worry about them 24/7 I think if it were real kids you'd just have to institutionalize me because too much would be out of my control (school,play dates, etc.)

Food from yesterday...I had at least 40 oz of water (should be in the 60s but I didn't drink much last night) I had a soup to go for lunch...see my instagram pictures on the right for the flavor...for dinner we went to Burgandy Square Cafe. I had my regular Quiche and Caesar salad. I ordered a diet coke for the first time in months. I didn't even drink half of it because I have to stop drinking on the food arrives. I had almost half of my Quiche and some of the salad...if you would look at my plate when I was finished you wouldn't think I had eaten much but I was full. For snacks after we got home I had a sugar free pudding with low fat cool whip on top and a few pieces of sugar free candy. Still craving sweets while we are watching TV.

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to get it done

1 month update from Lap Band Surgery (VIDEO FRIDAY)

11/14/12

I'd like to thank my dad for his wonderful email this morning reminding me that my weight will come off on it's own schedule and not necessarily any time limit I have put on myself :)

We are leaving next week for TN and I just realized this morning I will need to pack my scale! I'm somewhat obsessed with checking my weight several times a day. Today I weighed 214.6 , not bad considering I went out to eat with old friends from Moberly last night and had not so good for me food (cheese quesadillas)...at least I skipped the pie!

I'm going to share my email from my dad because sometimes we all need to hear these words :)
Again...I LOVE YOU DAD

Email from my dad:
I read in your last post, sort of between the lines, that you were a little disappointed in the weight loss lately,.  You knew it wouldn;t be easy, and I'm sure others have told you the weight does not come off evenly over time,,, It does come off, just not on your schedule...  You have to remember fat has a mind of its own.,,.  Keep on doing what you are supposto do and long term you will succeed..... Drink lots of yucky water... It works great in keeping the system flushed, and you can have almost unlimited amounts..,.. So everytime you and I skype you have to go pee,  well that is good, its working, so we need to skype more.  An especially tough time will be the next couple of months with all the temptations in the foods that are around hit you right in the face....  Well I am going to try a little reverse psychology on you... when you were little do you remember when you had to sit at the table till you cleaned up your plate, well starting now you have to sit at the table and ignore your food.  Every bite you don't take is a win.  AND YOU ARE A WINNER,,,
 
 Lastly, non't change your goals, just extend your time line.  
 
Ok, you have had your preacher dad comments for the day.
 
Love ya,  XOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXO

11/13/12 29 days since surgery

Good Morning! Today is 29 days since I had my lap band surgery. I started eating real food last week and have noticed I'm not moving on the scales anymore...Last Monday (Nov 5th) was my  low weight in at 213, ever since then it's been going between 214 and 215.

I've noticed that I can eat pretty much however much food is on my plate. I try and do smaller portions and eat protein first, not many carbs, drink my water, two protein shakes a day but I know I'm not getting enough water on most days. I don't like the taste of my vitamins so I'm skipping those from time to time. I'm drinking a bit thru my meals ...I know which rules I'm breaking and everyday I strive to do better.

I know I need to start getting some exercise. I have my nice new bike and the tread mill greeting me every morning ...now to just get my butt on them !

The night before last I noticed a large round bruise on my lower stomach...not sure what that is all about but I'll be calling the doctor today. I asked on the lap band facebook group and  most of the answers were that it was the shots they gave me before surgery. Since I'm almost a month out I kind of doubt that is what it is.  Maybe just blood left over from surgery pooling down there?

20 pounds down is a good but not good enough, I did not do this just to lose 20 pounds! I know it will be different after I get my first fill after Thanksgiving but I need to start doing more now.  I'm not beating myself up I'm just setting some new challenges for myself. If this was easy, everyone would be skinny, right?

Crock Pot Ranch Chicken

I found this on Fatsecret...super easy

8 tbsps garlic and herb marinade
2 tbsps dry ranch dressing mix
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup water

1. pour water in crock pot
2. add frozen chicken breasts
3. combine marinade,ranch dressing mix and pour over top of chicken.
4. cook on low for 8 hours. Serve.
(I cooked on high for 4 hours)

Calories per serving 318
Protein 55.28g
Carbs 5.36g

11/10/12

Happy Saturday!

We had a fantastic time out last night with friends. We met at Mattisons City Grill downtown Sarasota. I drank water with lemon all night and it was so easy..I don't even miss tea or soda anymore. I was a little worried looking at the menu for a safe choice. I picked Chicken Cesear Salad after I heard Kim order it. Pretty good but the chicken was really dry so I didn't eat much of that part.

I think there were pictures taken, if I see them posted I'll add one here. There is nothing better than a night of good friends, good conversation, good food! :)

Today there is a doxie meet up in Sarasota but I just asked Vic if we were going still...and since someone (looking at Vic) just woke up the answer is no...coffee is required..lol  It would have put us running around a lot today since we are going back out to Sarasota for dinner with friends at 5.

With my experimenting with different foods I've learned that I can eat almost anything without much of a problem (except mashed potatoes and a peanut butter wrap) with no fill in my lap band. I can't eat a lot but I can manage most foods. I am not scheduled for a fill until after Thanksgiving.

My mom asked me what I meant by a fill last week, so a bit of education on the lap band.

The photo on the left is unfilled , you can see bigger pieces of food could go thru that band. On the right hand side is the band filled...it makes the area smaller for food to go thru, allowing you to not eat as much. 

Happy Saturday still in PJ's with uncombed hair!

WEEKLY UPDATE DAY 25 SINCE LAP BAND SURGERY (VIDEO)

11/8/12

Happy Thursday! Today is my moms birthday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM too!!! 

Today is 24 days since I had the lap band surgery..I am down approx. 20 lbs...

Gotta run for now but will add more once I'm at work. xoox

10/9/12

11/8/12

Whenever I wear something I've taken my photo in before I try and do a quick comparison ...sorry the quality of the pics is so dark!

11/7/12

Happy Wednesday! I'm dragging a bit today..stayed up way too late watching the election results.
I am looking forward to a few things this weekend ...getting together with friends for happy hour Friday and then dinner with friends on Saturday...we have not done anything with anyone in so long ! Eating in a restaurant still makes me a little nervous but I will just remember to eat super slow and little pieces. I have not really gotten "stuck" yet except with mashed potatos and it just felt like they backed up in the back of my throat..but I've heard/read horror stories of getting sick, choking, gagging, etc. Let's hope that doesn't happen! :)

I'm loving the way my shirts are not as tight anymore...I was wearing a 1x and they were tight around my tummy before..now there is so room. Todays shirt is more of a form fitting shirt that my sister gave me and I could not wear it before, it would ride up and show my tummy. It's probably still a little too tight but I love the color and wanted to wear it today.

11/6/12 Election Day

Happy Election Day! I voted early so I won't have to wait in long lines today. I'll still be a nervous wreck until the results come out and I have a bad feeling that we won't know even at the end of the day today who our next president will be with the mess that Sandy left.

Yesterday I tried steak for the first time since my surgery. We stopped by Ruby Tuesdays on our way home from work after picking up my new glasses at Costco. I ordered steak, spaghetti squash (which I did not eat) and zucchini (I only tried two). I drank water before my meal but did not touch it during even thou my steak was peppery.  I had about half of my steak and brought the rest home. I didn't have any troubles eating...I know from the amount that I was able to eat that I'll need a fill when I go to my first doctors visit. He said I might so I'm  not shocked or disappointed.  The scale wavered back up a tiny bit this morning which was annoying but I probably shouldn't weigh myself so many times a day anyway.

New Glasses

Two weeks from today we will be heading to TN to have Thanksgiving with my dad! We have done most of our food shopping already and planned how we will pack the car. Vic has mapquested the route and now we are just waiting. Dad starts Chemo again today and will most likey have chemo the day we arrive (it's back to once a week for a while). I hope that it won't wear him down ...have I mentioned lately how much cancer sucks?

11/05/12 20 pounds down!

Happy Monday! This weekend I ate solid food! I know my 30 days are not up yet (I'm on day 21 since lap band surgery today) But I tried scrambled eggs and small pieces of bacon and then yesterday a few bites of country fried steak with gravy. I ate slowly and took little bites but did well on both of those! And better yet woke up both days with a loss! I was starting to go a few days between losing any weight and  wondered how that could be since I was eating so few calories (450-600 a day) so i upped my water, upped my protein and upped my calories and that seemed to do the trick for me!

I am now 20 pounds down and 88 to go to meet my goal of 125.

This weekend we rode our bikes and then went to the chalk festival in Sarasota. It was fun but way too crowded for me. It's nice getting out and about thou and showing Victor around more. Next weekend is the sand sculpting thing on Siesta Key so hopefully we'll get out for that too. I'm trying to get more active and get out of the rut  of going home and watching TV all the time.

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and remembered to set the clocks back...we remembered but are running super duper late today...It's 9:35 and we are still showering and getting ready for work...will have to work on that time change thing lol.

Don't forget to vote tomorrow!

Love Ya!

                                                                         8/2/12

11/5/12 

15 things you don't know about me VIDEO

I couldn't think for a minute there...YES my tattoo says Daddy's Girl, I was thinking it said Daddy's Little Girl and got thrown off for a min. :)

11/3/12

I'm so happy that these jeans fit again!

Will blog more later, headed out for our dreaded shopping. Happy Saturday!!!

18 days post lap band surgery update VIDEO

Nov, 1,2012

Good Morning!  We made it thru Halloween! I'm in a better mood today..sorry for the Debby Downer post yesterday.

The scale has not moved...still at 216.6 but I'm not complaining!  That is still 17.4 pounds down , 17 days post lap band surgery..:)

Nothing exciting going on ...we finally were able to turn the AC off the last few days and it feels GREAT! I love this cooler weather.

Quick Body Shot Video!  I'll be doing my weight in regular video tomorrow for the youtube channel.

I hope that you all have a fantastic Thursday ...can't even believe it's November all ready...won't be long and I'll be in TN visiting my dad and Cyndi!

Happy Halloween!

I hope that you all have a Happy Halloween! We are going to stay inside with the lights off...lol No candy in our house this year. It doesn't even feel like halloween. I have not decorated in a few years. We decorated the office a few years ago and it was fun doing it..not sure why we stopped.

I'm getting super tired of the all liquid diet. These next few weeks can't go by fast enough for me. I'm proud of myself for doing it but it's sooooo boring. The people that see me everyday (Vic and Victor) can tell a difference in my body but those that don't see me all the often can't tell. That is freaking sad when I've lost 17  pounds and people can't look at me and tell....just shows you how fat I had become!! :(

Not the best day today...but I think it's good to blog on both good days and bad days. Shows I'm human, right?

10/30/2012

Sometiimes it's just quicker and easier to make a quick video than to type...

Enjoy your Tuesday!!
xoxo

Happy 4th Birthday Dexter!

10/29/12

Happy Monday! I took a break from blogging over the weekend. We went and picked up new bikes and went on many small rides around the neighborhood. I'm so glad that we both got bikes and that Vic seems so gung ho to get out there and ride with me! :) We even found a cute little cart that we can pull that would fit the littles in!  I joked on facebook that maybe the bigs could pull the littles and then we'd  have all of us out there on the road.

I'm 14 days post op...and soooooo ready to be off this liquid diet. At least it's nearly half way done now. The food commercials are making me crazy. I've tried some foods on my approved liquid diet list to shake it up a bit...malt o meal was good, mashed potatos gave me a very full almost too full still stuck in my throat feeling. I probably didn't eat them slow enough. I  know I'll really have to work on that part. The doctor told me last week  to time myself and leave a minute to a minute and half between each bite.

Some figures: I'm 16.8 pounds down , I changed my BMI from 44 to 40 (anything over 30 is obese). I have 92.2 pounds left to go to meet my goal weight of 125.  I am 5'1" tall . I am not really setting a time limit but the doctor told me to expect to lose the majority of the weight the first year and then the second year  to  lose like the last 25 lbs.

I started working on my new vision board last night. Vic made one a few years ago and it hangs above her desk. We have accomplished so many things on it. It feels so good to take out our sharpie and X thru stuff.

Vic's

My board:

I'm not not with my board but wanted to show you the start :) Do any of you make vision boards? We hang them above our computers at home so we see them everyday.

11 days post op Lap Band Surgery VIDEO

10/25/12

Good Morning! Today is the big day (my first doctor visit since surgery) ! I am down 16 lbs! (7 on the pre op diet and 9 since surgery) I thank Vic for suggesting the laxative yesterday when I feeling "stuck" after many days of no bathroom activity...TMI , I know , I know.

I ordered new glasses yesterday. I went to the eye doctor at Costco and was so impressed! She was fantastic. My eyes have gotten worse since my last visit a year or so ago and I could tell it! You'll see the new glasses in about a week or 10 days..they are cute.

I picked up the yarn for my knitting project last night but I'm not picking it up as quickly as I had hoped. I've watched a dozen youtube videos on how to but I'm just not soaking it  in yet...I'll try again tonight. Do any of you knit??

Gotta get going and head to work...Enjoy your Thursday!!! I'll check in after the doctors visit.

Ok I'm just back from the Doctor. His scale and my scale are not in sync..his shows me at a loss of 20 lbs , mine only shows 16. either way, yay me!   My next appointment is the Monday after Thanksgiving and by then I'll be on solids!

10/24/12

Tomorrow I go in to the doctor or my first appointment post op. And then tomorrow night is my support group meeting. Not sure I'll get a blog fit in there but I'll try and update on Friday for sure. Friday is also the day I've given myself to do the youtube video updates (im only going to do those once a week..every Friday)

grrr.my F key is sticking today for some reason.

Short term goals:

get knitting supplies and start on a blanket
get pumpkins for front porch and or front office
get back on walking routine
clean/organize desk at home

10/22/2012

I love waking up and looking at the scale! I started this journey a few months ago at 234 lbs, when I went in for surgery last week I had lost 7 pounds pre surgery, now today a week and a day after surgery I am seeing the number 219.6 on the scale..that is 14.4 pounds lost! I don't know how long this pace of about a pound a day will last but I hope it keeps going at least as long as my month on a liquid diet...I'd love to be in onederland again!

DJ Getting His Morning "Rocking" time in mamas lap

I have not started walking again since the surgery. I have set a goal for myself for next Monday to pick it back up and walk everyday again...plus Vic and I are looking at bikes this week. I love that we will be exercising together. Lance Armstrong move over! lol

One Week Post Lap Band Surgery 10/22/12

One week ago today was my surgery! Today I am going back to work!!! I am 13 lbs thinner and I can tell a difference in my outfit today, my shirt hangs straight down instead of being pushed out by my fat tummy! Small steps but I am soooo  happy!
 Here is my full profile, Vic walked in and didn't know I was recording..lol! I gotta love US!

Questions Answered: What exactly is a Lap Band?

Good Morning!
 A good friend of mine was asking me about my surgery this morning and I realized that I had not really explained much on this blog. Here is a link to a webpage I found that explains the surgery part  pretty well ..
http://www.obesitylapbandsurgery.com/tecmain.html

What many of you don't know is that in order to get the lap band I had to go thru a long process including two visits to a psychiatrist, two classes on food and nutrition, three months of visits to my regular doctor mapping out ways I've tried to lose weight , a few meetings with the surgeon, and a long pre surgery diet starting back  a few months earlier when I  took the classes on food and nutrition.

Before I had the surgery my BMI (Body Mass Index) was 44 (Over 30 is considered obese). I have asthma, high blood pressure and had gotten so bad with my snoring that I often had to sleep in another room so Vic could get some sleep (how embarrassing is that?!) Being obese will kill you. I know this. I tried various diets (weight watchers, Atkins, eating less) but nothing really "stuck" for me. Over the last 6 years I had both my hips replaced (not due to the weight gain,but for another problem that developed) after that I was not able to get the same amount of exercise in. I also sold my furniture store and took a desk job so my activity during the day decreased.

Two things helped make my decision to look into the lap band. One I got a bike from my mom and could not even ride down my drive way without being out of breath. And two (the reason Vic says is the thing that really made up my mind) Loren Manzo on REAL HOUSEWIVES OF NEW JERSEY got one and was looking fantastic! :)

After I made the commitment to do this I started walking everyday with my dogs, started eating more like the program suggested and had the surgery (oct. 15). I am now down 13 pounds and still in the liquid diet part of the healing process. I'll go to regular foods after this first 30 days but I will only be able to eat small amounts of food (protein first!) and I'm sure I'll learn a lot along the way. I watch many women on youtube that have had this done and they are so inspirational.

This is really "work" for me and I'm giving it everything I've got. I know I can't change some peoples opinions but it really hurts when I tell someone and they come back with "Cheater!" and laugh....what exactly am I cheating at?

Web definitions

• A laparoscopic adjustable gastric band, commonly referred to as a lap band, is an inflatable silicone device that is placed around the top portion of the stomach, via laparoscopic surgery, in order to treat obesity. ...

10/20/2012

I woke up not feeling all that great today. It improved a bit when I got on the scale and saw that I had lost more weight! (12.6 lbs so far!)

I set up a youtube channel yesterday just for this lap band ,weight loss journey. I have another channel but just didn't want to put it out there on that one.  Feel free to follow the new channel, I'll be doing weekly updates there. (youtube.com/bandedinflorida)

Today is a lazy day of watching movies with Vic and resting. We are missing the Sarasota Pride, and the Obama walk across the Bridge thing in Sarasota :( I had wanted to get out and was looking forward to it but after waking up feeling so under the weather we thought it was best to just stay home and rest. It worked! I'm better! :)

I'm going to get back to Homeland (TV SHOW) we are watching all the episodes from the beginning..Pretty impressed so far!

Happy Friday 10/19/2012

Happy Friday!  I was happy to get on the scale this morning and see a big jump (down) to 223.6 (I started at 234) Maybe all this stomach growling will be worth it!
Know what pisses me off thou...a while ago we ordered cookie dough from a neighbor's little girl that was selling it for school. Wouldn't you know it came in this week?! Do you know how hard it is to know that just a few steps away in my freezer is totally yummy cookie dough while I am sitting here drinking boring water or eating fat free yogurt...ugh!

Vic tried to give it away to Victor but he wasn't interested. I'll try and pass it off to my sister today when she comes to pick up some paperwork. Its not like she ever has to worry about her weight ...miss skinny thang!

I think I took my last pain pill last night. (not the last one I have, but the last one that I plan on taking) I was getting ready for bed and thought I'd better just have one to help me sleep. I guess right after that I fell asleep in my chair because around 2:45 am we were awoken by the dogs barking their heads off at something outside and I was still sitting there with the lights and tv on. So anyway..I got up and took myself to bed and slept very well the rest of the night.

I'm not hurting anymore, is the real reason I'm done with the pain pills. There is a little soreness but no real pain. I'm going back to work Monday. This weekend is Sarasota Pride and the Obama walk across the Ringling Bridge and Sun Fest here in Venice. Not sure what we are doing yet. I don't want to "over" do it with anything. It will be nice to get out of the house thou.

Today is Dakota's 7th b'day. :) She is the only girl pet in the house...poor thing!

3 Days Post Op VLOG

While I'm up , dressed and have make up on I figured I'd better take a minute and do a video blog! :)

Can't even tell you how much better I feel today! Thank goodness

10-18-12

Yay I am back to life! It's day three after my lap band surgery. Some people on the lap band group I follow say the third day was their worst. From the way I feel already this morning I'd say my day 2 was the worst and now it's all downhill. My pain level is down, I've never been so happy to drink my protein shake after having nothing but water, broth and sugar free Popsicles/jello for two days! 

I slept in a bed last night instead of my recliner. It still hurt but I was tired enough or drugged enough that I did it anyway . I can't lift anything over 10 pounds so my little dogs are not really understanding why all of a sudden i can't lift them or hold them. Dexter still jumps to be in my  chair but D.J. never learned that he can jump up so he just sits there and gives me those sad eyes and rests his head on my lap. Thankfully Vic has picked up the chore of feeding everyone every morning and picking up any messes so I don't have to bend down..bending down hurts..bad! 

I was getting discouraged because I have not eaten anything since last Sunday and the darn scale was staying right at 227 ...how could that be on a water diet?? Well today it moved! It moved down to 225 and more important than that the swelling has gone down ! I don't look like a pumpkin anymore! (my tummy was covered with betadine and it was very swollen)

I go back in to see the doctor next Thursday (Oct 25) I plan on returning to work Monday unless for some reason there is still a lot of pain but from what I can tell today that won't be an issue.  I've been able to do some work from home and having Vic and Victor keeping me up to date on everything going on I don't even feel like I've missed a beat :) 

10-16-2012

Holy Cow was that painful! I am home now, I spent one night in the hospital after my surgery. These were taken BEFORE surgery when I was still excited and in no pain..

I had my surgery at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Comparing it to the hospital I had my hips replaced at (Doctors Hospital) I wasn't as impressed. The people that were nice were SUPER nice but the nurses were so busy that I could have passed away and it would have been hours before they noticed. Last night at 2 am I told the nurse I was in the worst pain so far, she gave me some morphine and then I did not see her again until today when she was doing shift change with another nurse!

I went down to have some scans and I actually got to see the band in place..I wish I could have gotten a picture of that! Pretty cool.  Here is a  picture I found on the internet what my lapband looks like:

One of the women that I've seen at our pre education classes was in the room next to me. She had the surgery a few hours before me but we got released

 at the same time. 

I'm on some pain killers now and not totally with it yet so I'll try and write more later. Thanks for all the emails, texts, comments...I appreciate all the support!!!

Surgery Day

Wow..I made it to the big day! Since I started this journey up until today I have lost 7 pounds and gained them back a few times..showing me exactly why I need this  in the first place! My starting weight today is 227. When I went to the first class to learn more about the lap band my weight was 234.

I woke up my normal time (7:30 ish) and let the dogs out, fed everyone and choked down my meds with a sip of water as instructed. It's now 3 hours later and I feel them still stuck in my throat. How literal is the "sip of water"?  I brushed my teeth thinking it would help, it didn't.

GRRRR I just hit a button and lost a small novel I had written about what foods I can eat and when. Sometimes I hate using my laptop...this never happens on my other computer!

Anyway..my guidelines from my doctor:

Day 1: start with water advancing to clear liquids No less than 48 oz, if tolerated 64 oz.

Day 2 water, broth, sugar=free gelatin or popsicles, 100% fruit juice popsicles, Crystal Light, Diet Snapple, decaff coffee or tea,100% Clear juice such as apple or grape.

Day 3-30 Full Fluids-includes skim milk or 1% milk, low sugar/low fat yogurt (without pieces of fruit) refined cooked cereal (Cream of Wheat, Malt O meal, grits) veg juices, small amounts of margarine or butter,broth, strained or blended vegetable/low fat cream soups, sugar free custard, sugar free pudding, no sugar added frozen yogurt, mashed potatoes,blendarized low fat cottage cheese, protein drinks, protein smoothies, sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast.

Day 31-on Regular foods, start with soft foods then transition to regular foods adding fresh fruits, veggies, salad and nuts as tolerated.

I'll check in after surgery. today if I get to come home, tomorrow if I have to spend the night. See you on the skinny side!

10-13-12 (Weekend before Surgery)

I have my surgery on Monday and I am sooooooo excited!! We are getting ready to go to the grocery store to make sure I have everything I need for the next 30 days of my liquid diet. I have plenty of protein shakes, but I also can have strained  low fat cream soup, Greek yogurt as long as it doesn't have chunks of fruit, sugar free Carnation Instant Breakfast,sugar free Popsicles...don't be jealous now!

We are planning a steak and shrimp dinner tonight on the grill..maybe some veggies but probably not many for me.

Vic set up the treadmill again and has been using it the last few days. I have stayed to my walking the dogs plan but didn't go yesterday..maybe I'll go twice today! I don't do as well on the treadmill because I get bored...I tried to face it to the TV so I could watch a show while I walk but even then I didn't last very long. that was then, this is now..I will get back on track!!

I plan on staying home all next week, I think it's required by my doctor too. It's tough on me with what to tell clients. We have some property owners in town that wanted to have us over for a BBQ. And a friends sister from high school in town that wanted to do lunch. I've told them I'm having surgery but not what kind. For the most part I think I can get away with that but if someone asks me what kind I'm going to have to tell them I guess. They both said "nothing serious I hope" and I just said..oh  no it's elective surgery. Vic thinks that sounds like I'm getting a face lift or new boobs or something..oh HELL NO I'd tell everyone if I were getting new boobs! lol   J/K I think down the road after the weight loss I'd like a tummy tuck and a lift for these old saggy things thou. Nice visual , I know.

Ok time to hit the road and do our weekend shopping and chores. Have a blessed day!

10-12-12

When I was born 45 years ago this month I weighed 7 pounds and 1 and a half pounds.
So far I have LOST 7.4 pounds! So I've lost one of me...lol a much younger me but still me.

Here I was back then:

Here I am today:

10-11-12 PRE OP DAY

Woke up early, planned outfit the night before (comfortable shirt and pants since I don't know what they'll be doing during the pre op) Got up on time, made my chocolate protein shake..as I was shaking it the lid wasn't shut and ended up wearing my protein shake on the outfit I was planning...ugh!

New clothes on now and heading out to the appointment. Will write more later. Happy Thursday!

Later: The pre op went well. I ran into two other girls that I met in the last meeting. It's nice having people I somewhat know going thru it together.

The most annoying thing is that I have to have (and pay for) a pregnancy test or they won't do the surgery. HELLO it's been YEARS since I've been with a man but being gay doesnt stop them from banging your insurance company for one more test.

I'm getting excited! I'm at work today trying to make lists of things here that I'll need to take home so I can work from home next week. Won't be long now!

Laughter is the best medicine

Sometimes you've just got to laugh!  This is my gift to you for today :)

I'm down 7 lbs, hope to lose a few more before surgery on Monday. I'm taking the day off today to clean house and do laundry. I know I'll be off next week but since I don't know what my discomfort level will be I want to get a head start on chores.

I'm looking forward to:

•  smaller clothes
• not worrying if the seat belt will fit on an airplane
• shopping in regular stores..not the women's section or large women stores
• getting noticed again
• being healthy!
• walking without getting so winded
• looking in a mirror and smiling
• LIFE