Three Ladies Three Bands

Chicas

2010-02-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Anyone out there? I need some help!!

I haven't lost weight, exercised or counted calories for a LONG time. I had been holding steady on my weight, but over the past couple of weeks I've crept up and I don't like what I'm seeing, or how I'm feeling.

I need motivation, bad. HELP!

Lunch Plans

2009-08-24T20:42:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 2:00 p.m. It's a late lunch but both Mandy and I are needing it to be a bit later...somewhere in Provo?

Gayleen, I hope you're out there and can come!!! Call me.

I hit the big 5-0

2009-08-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

I finally got to 50 pounds lost. Hard to believe it's almost been a year. I really thought I would lose more than that, but I'll tell you what, I'm pretty happy with the 50. I still bounce up a pound or two some days, but I'm holding steady for the most part. I really, really like that about the band, no gains, no matter what. I didn't get the band adjusted for vacation or anything, but I ate pretty much what I wanted, and no gain. YAY!

If I could only drop eating dessert, every.single.day. I have a problem. I either need to just dump desserts all together except once a week, or I need to find something else to take its place, like a sugar free pudding or something instead of full fat ice cream. Breyer's Rocky Road has become my latest obsession. Liquid fat and calories sliding down my throat every night....yummy, but delaying my weight loss.

What are y'all up to????

I'm alive, too!

2009-07-15T22:13:00.001-07:00

Hi girls,

I'm so glad to know you haven't disowned me for not being on the blog in forever....It has been so crazy. My sister's and their families have been in town the last couple of weeks so we have been running like crazy. Also, we just found out that my oldest sister (14 mos. older than me) has cancer. It has hit us all really hard and we have been in a whirlwind trying to cope with all that it intails. She has a very aggressive form of breast cancer and she found out less than 24 hours before boarding her plane to come here. Since then we have had floods of emotion and worry as we try to find out all about the kind of cancer she has and who is the best to help. It is hard because she doesn't have a lot of information right now. She has appts to see the docs once she gets home on Monday. Her OB/GYN called her and wants her to switch doctors that she she got into. He said he is very worried about the kind of cancer she is dealing with and told her she better do everything she can to get into shape because this was going to be the fight of her life. His wife just finished with breast cancer treatments and my sister will be using the doctors that she went to.

Anyway, that has been what has consumed my life for the last several weeks. Also, the bodybugg has not gone well for me. I have had a lot of computer issues and we ended up having to get a new computer, which should be good now. But I felt like I have really been set back. Big sigh....Tomorrow is a new day! I would like to get together with you guys. The end of July sounds good. I am at girls camp on on 29-31. But other than that I am good. Let me know.

2009-07-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all I am still alive! I'm just incredibly busy with all the fun summer stuff.

I had a really great time on my trip. Miranda and I flew into Atlanta. We stayed in a nice hotel in downtown Atlanta for two days. While we were there we visited the aquarium and the Coca-Cola factory.

On the third day I drove us to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was about a four hour drive from Atlanta. The drive was fun. My daughter and I got to do a lot of catching up. Tennessee is incredibly beautiful. We drove through the Smokey Mountains. The climate is so nice and everything is so green and lush. It was like dense trees covered in ivy for most of the drive.

While we were in Tennessee we went to Dollywood. That day was full of crazy roller coasters and I fit in all of them! I certainly got my fill of amusement parks for awhile. We stayed there for a few days and then I drove us back to Atlanta to catch our flight. I am so glad that I was able to do this with Miranda. I will always remember the fun we had.

Now onto the fun weight loss part. I had some fill taken out of my band for the trip. I enjoy eating like a normal person while I'm on vacation. The bad news is I was up like 15 pounds when I got home, most of which was water and was gone in a week or so. I'm still up 5 pounds, but I am not to worried about it. I decided at the beginning of the summer that if I could maintain for the summer I would be happy with that. Maintaining is something I have never been able to accomplish. I am either moving up or down, so if I am able to maintain for the summer it will be the first time for me.

I would like to get together for lunch. I have a ton going on at the end of this month so let me know which days will work for you, Jeanna, and I will see which one will fit into my schedule. I hope you had a fun vacation. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Here is a picture of Miranda and I on our trip at the Atlanta aquarium:

I'm Alive, what about you?

2009-06-30T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies!

I've been taking an unscheduled break from tracking calories in/out and have pretty much stayed the same weight for the past 3 weeks. I'm ok with that. On Friday we leave for vacation and if I stay the same weight through that, I'll be thrilled.

My workouts have suffered lately as well due to life events (nothing major, just stuff that came up at 6 a.m., ugh!) But, I'm getting that back on track, too. I've been moving more, just not on my usual morning routine.

How are you both doing? Can we get together sometime the last couple of weeks of July? Come on, fess up....are you struggling? I'm thinking we are all just taking a much needed break?

No Weigh In

2009-06-13T11:18:00.001-07:00

I'm at my parents house this weekend and my mom's scale weighs me higher than my own scale. I'm going to forego the official weigh in this week. I've been having tummy trouble and I wasn't great at tracking this week. Oh well....I'm excited for a new week. I've been exercising super faithfully and I don't eat a ton, but without being a good tracker its hard to tell.

How did ya'll do?

Hi y'all

2009-06-09T09:28:00.000-07:00

So, my computer is still down. I am in the office right now for a second so I thought I would post. I am also down...3 lbs!!! yeah!! Jeanna...totally awesome about your running skills! I am so impressed! 3 miles is a looooong distance. You go girl, keep it up! Mandy, how are you? I haven't noticed any postings from you lately. Are you doing okay? Are you traveling the world these days? Keep us updated!

This week I am really trying to kick it up with more workouts. Last week I did okay, but I know that I definately can do better. I went on a really long walk yesterday...It felt really good. I am heading to the gym tonight. Trying to work on the whole muscle building thing!

Have a great week gals!

Good Week

2009-06-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

I lost 2.4 pounds this week, putting me at 254.8. I'm pretty happy about that. Also, I ran an entire 3 miles on Monday, first time EVER. I'm feeling so good I cannot even tell you! I feel hopeful and happy. I hope you guys are doing well, too!

Truly bugged, and not by the bodybugg

2009-05-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have no idea what happened. I lost 1 pound again. I don't mean to complain, but last week was -1 also. Both last week and this week I averaged a 1500 calorie deficit every day except Sunday. I take Sunday off from exercising and wearing the band. But, I can guarantee that I do NOT have a surplus because I track a bit just to make sure I don't go crazy.

What do you think is happening? I wonder if its the heat or my allergies. Maybe both are causing me to retain water? I take Metamucil every day to keep those things regular.

Ugh. I feel like I complain a lot and I'm sorry, but I am kinda mad today.

So my weight today is 257.2. By the way, I was 255 on Monday. So, go figure. Also, I had to get on the scale like 10 times to get it to say 257.2, but I have to have at least a 1 pound loss or I'm gonna go crazy.

Hi Gals

2009-05-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

So, I didn't post on Saturday. My home computer crashed and we are waiting to see if we can fix it or if we have to get a new one. We still have a laptop, but the wi-fi only works for really brief periods of time. What a life!!!

Anyway, I finally got my bodybugg!!!! I have been using it since Monday. I input my food 1 time inbetween computer crashes, but I haven't been able to track it since.... I do keep track with my watch, though, and I have been keeping track of my calories. I have tried to keep it about 900-1200 calorie deficit everyday. I like how it keeps track of all my movement. I think I am really trying to move more. How many calories do you guys typically use in a day? I can't remember...I think we talked about it at lunch, but it has been too long. I am trying to burn about 2300-2900 calories a day and I am keeping the intake between 1100-1300 calories. I have had a weird and crazy week, though, so I haven't been able to get to the gym everyday. I do take walks around, but not as intense as when I get to the gym. According to the bodybugg program set up for me, I am supposed to burn 2900 cal/day. I have done that 1x this week, but it is hard to do when I can't get into the gym for a more intense workout. I pray this system works!!!!

I will try to post on Saturday, again. Hopefully, I can get my wi-fi to stay up long enough. Mandy, sounds like you keep plugging along!!! way to go...Your weight-loss is inspiring. Jeanna, keep it up. I wonder if your scale is off.....doesn't make sense, but I am sure you will have a big loss and be below where you were. Don't get too discouraged (I can say that, but I would be pretty ticked off, too!!!!)

Weight Gain

2009-05-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

I know you guys are going to kill me.....but I need to get this off my chest. My husband stopped taking the scale away and I have been weighing myself daily. But, honestly, not to any extreme. Just once. No big deal.

But today I weighed myself like I usually do in the morning and it was UP. A lot.

Here's the history: I lost 1 pound last week. On Monday when I did my morning weigh in the scale said 255 which was down, a lot. Then today it said 260.

Holy crud! What is going on? Can water weight really do that? If it is water weight, how do I get rid of it???? Help!!!

I've been averaging 1000 calories deficit every day with the bugg. I know I should be losing.

Saturday weigh in

2009-05-26T07:55:00.000-07:00

I lost another pound!

Date	Weight	From Last Week	Since Surgery	Total Weight Loss
4-11-09	250.6	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-18-09	No Weigh-in - Vacation	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-25-09	248.8	-1.8	74.0	142.2
5-2-09	244.4	-4.4	78.4	146.6
5-9-09	242.6	-1.8	80.2	148.4
5-16-09	240.6	-2.0	82.2	150.4
5-23-09	239.6	-1.0	83.2	151.4

Checking in

2009-05-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I lost 1 pound this week. According to my bodybugg I was on track for 2 pounds lost, so I'm probably retaining something....I'm not worried about it, the weight loss will probably show up next week.

My heel has felt tons better yesterday and today, so I'll hopefully be running again soon. I burn more calories while running, of course! Plus, we have a bike that we are going to get a new tube for and I'll be able to go biking around the neighborhood here and there to help me ramp up the calorie burn.

My latest fill has made a big difference. I went to Red Robin last night for date night and ordered the fish and chips. I ate 2 pieces of the fish and 1 chip. I was done. I was actually a bit stuck and it took 15 minutes or so for that icky feeling to go away. Right in the middle of that awful feeling I was thinking, wow, it's hard to believe I actually went through surgery for THIS. But, by the time things were settled down I was super grateful. That stuck feeling is what keeps me from going and going and going.

9-May 263 38
16-May 259.2 41.8
23-May 258.2 42.8

Can't wait to hear how you all did!

My Heel

2009-05-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

I'm struggling to get all my calories burned every day because of my heel. I am short by about 200 calories in the morning because my walks haven't been as intense. Then I struggle to get my evening walk in for the same reason. I keep trying to clean more, do a bit more neighborhood non-strenuous walking. Ugh! I'm not worried about it, but I am getting a bit frustrated by it.

Any news on the bodybugg Gayleen???

Sorry so late

2009-05-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well, still no bodybugg.....I know they said it would be 2-3 weeks, but I was really hoping for sooner than later. I hope it comes this week. I have been a single mom this weekend, trying to get my garden and flowers all planted before fall is here and I wonder why I don't have any fresh tomatoes! I weighed Saturday afternoon and I was down 3 lbs. I don't know if this was a super current weight because I had been working outside, but I will take it! I also started my cycle today, so I am really suprised I saw any loss this week at all.

Mandy, I totally relate to the body image question. Sometimes I feel like my body has really changed....then I pass a mirror. I have never come to grips with my fat body. You would think that I would get it since I have been carrying extra weight for almost 10 years now, but yet, I sometimes think I will look into the mirror and see my old self again. As for you, I can totally see a change in your body. You look remarkably different than when I saw you the first time! I can see a difference all over. Your upper body is smaller than the lower part, but both have shrunk dramatically. Keep it up! Our body images are going to lag way behind our physical changes.

Jeanna...you are rockin' it on the bodybugg! way to go. I am so jealous. I can't wait to get mine. I think it will really help keep me honest (like you said) and I hope to see the same great results you have! I think I am at 34 lb loss.....not exactly what I had hoped for at this point, but I guess I should be grateful it is not a gain. I know that I need to track everything I eat. My goal this week is to write down my food and calculate calories. This is a big challenge for me. I feel like my activity level is pretty good. I am working hard at being active, but I definately don't have the writing down thing under control at all.

Well, gals! good luck this week. I will let you know if I get my bodybugg. Wish me good luck in the "scripting" department! :)

Testimonial

2009-05-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

Brace yourselves, this is going to be a long post.

I got the bodybugg on Tuesday after our lunch. I plugged it in immediately and charged it (3 hours). As soon as it was charged I had it on my arm and went for a walk with my husband, our usual evening walk which isn't a stroll but it isn't hard core either. As soon as I saw that I had burned like 400 calories, I was thrilled. I've been an addict ever since. I take the band off (funny how now we all have 2 bands!) for sleeping and for showering and that is it!

I feel like the bodybugg program online is making me super honest with my food intake and also helping me to avoid eating things I don't want to eat, knowing my calorie deficit will be lower.

I'm sure part of this love of the bugg is because its new and that I will eventually be "bugged" by it....but for now, I LOVE IT!

So my weight loss is terrific this week....I now weigh 259.2, which is 41.8 pounds down. My weight loss for this week was 3.8 pounds. I'm not planning on that much every week, but I am pretty happy. As you know, I've struggled the past few weeks with working hard and feeling like the weight wasn't moving. Now I feel like it is finally moving down and I feel so much hope for the future. I still cannot visualize myself thin, but I can visualize the scale saying I'm thin. Does that make sense?

Mandy: I'd like to address your question. I can see a major difference between how you look now and what you looked like the first time we met. The 80 pounds has made such a difference. I would say you don't yet look "average." Your upper body does, however, look pretty "normal" in size. You seem to carry your weight below the waist, in your legs, because above your waist you are looking super good.

Do you remember that story I told you about one of the nurses at the surgeon's office? Not Vivian, but the other thin, normal looking lady. I told her that I wondered if I would ever "feel" thin. She says she still goes to parties and immediately looks around the room for the "fat girls" and gravitates right to them. She feels like she is still one of those "fat girls."

I thought that was super interesting. I think it will take us a long, long time to overcome the mental challenge of having gone from a fat girl to a normal girl. Maybe after years of NOT shopping at Lane Bryant? Maybe when we fit into every seat at movie theater, airplanes, school desks? Maybe when our husbands can wrap their arms around is and there is still room?

I just want to tell you that we are here for you...not just through the calorie deficit goals, but through the mental hurdles as well.

Come on down to Payson sometime this week and let's take a walk! We can talk through some of this stuff.

Saturday Weigh-in

2009-05-16T08:50:00.001-07:00

Looks like I'm the first to post.

I did much better than expected this week. I am down 2 more pounds. I have to tell you I seriously worked hard for it this week. After all the junk food I consumed over Mother's Day weekend, I thought at best I may be able to maintain if I worked really really hard. So this is what I did this week: walked 6-7 miles 3 times with over 25000 steps, two days of walking 3 miles each, and yard work which consisted of digging up grass and weeding.

I was in a pretty bad mood all week. I felt like it was going to be a wasted week. I am feeling a lot of pressure to meet my June 4th goal, and to be completely honest I just want to take the rest of the summer off. I know that I will not allow myself to do this, but I have been consistently losing weight for two years I am very tired.

I would like to ask for your honest opinion. I am dealing with a lot of mental image problems. In a nutshell, I have no idea how I look to other people. I look at myself in the mirror and sometimes I think I look pretty skinny and then other times I will catch my reflection when I am walking into a building or in the freezer section of the grocery store and I am shocked that I look as big as I do. I would like to know how I look to the both of you. How far away am I from looking like everyone else (meaning average size people and not the super skinny girls). I am somewhat short so I am thinking that this probably makes me look bigger than I am. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. Do either of you have this problem?

Date	Weight	From Last Week	Since Surgery	Total Weight Loss
4-11-09	250.6	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-18-09	No Weigh-in - Vacation	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-25-09	248.8	-1.8	74.0	142.2
5-2-09	244.4	-4.4	78.4	146.6
5-9-09	242.6	-1.8	80.2	148.4
5-16-09	240.6	-2.0	82.2	150.4

Ouch

2009-05-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

I've got tendinitis of my Achilles heel. My bishop is a physical therapist, so I'm going to have to hit him up for advice on how to care for this. I've been walking on it all week, but this morning I had to walk slower and no running for sure. I burned about 200 calories less, bummer.

Can't take NSAIDs because of the band. Grrrr!!!

Quick Bodybugg Update

2009-05-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the bug so far. The bug has me at a 3150 calorie burned goal, with a 2150 intake. When I talked to Mandy yesterday she told me to keep the calories lower, and I wholeheartedly agree with that. My personal goal is more like 1500. I actually had a 1000 calorie deficit yesterday! This morning I've burned 1300+ so far. I have to work for 8 hours today which means VERY LITTLE calorie burning. However, we've been taking nighttime walks for pleasure and I'll make sure we get those in more often.

Trying to get the foods I eat most often plugged in is a bit of a pain, but I really do eat a lot of the same things so once I get that taken care of the system will be super easy to use. I already plugged in my slim fast concoction yesterday so this morning it was there already for me to click on as calories consumed.

I did adjust my weight loss goal, however. A month ago I wanted to lose 20-25 pounds. I am aiming for more like 18 pounds now. I'll be fine with that. My biggest concern is getting into those size 18 jeans by the time I go to Oregon. I can get them on, but they don't look good. Way too tight.

According to the bug I can also get down to 215 by my 40th bday (I'm hoping for a bit more, but I'll be WAY FINE with that). Also, I really, really want to be down 100 by the Band Christmas Party. Or at least pretty dang close. :)

Happy Mothers day

2009-05-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Hey guys. Sorry this is so late once again. I don't know about you all but Mother's Day was basically two days chuck full of food. I am down 1.8 this week which is not what I was shooting for. According to the Bugg I should be down 2 1/2 pounds. I just have to shrug my shoulders and say "oh well". I have been working so hard at this for so long that I am really getting burned out and I still have 8 more pounds to lose to make my June 5th goal. I have very low weight loss expectations this week due to all the crap I have consumed in the last 48 hours. I still plan on at least trying to drop something, even if it is only 1/5th of a pound.

You both did great this week. Gayleen, I can't believe you were out of town and only gained .8. That is amazing. When I come home from being away I am always up something like 15 pounds (no kidding).

Jeanna, all the running you are doing is also amazing. I bet you are getting some very toned and muscular legs. I admire you for being able to run so far. I really wish I were able to do some running. Someday I will be small enough that I won't jiggle like jello.

Lunch on Tuesday will be fun. How does Red Robin sound?

Date	Weight	From Last Week	Since Surgery	Total Weight Loss
4-11-09	250.6	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-18-09	No Weigh-in - Vacation	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-25-09	248.8	-1.8	74.0	142.2
5-2-09	244.4	-4.4	78.4	146.6
5-9-09	242.6	-1.8	80.2	148.4

Hmmmm

2009-05-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, I just wrote out a big-ole' posting and then hit a button and it all disappeared. It wasn't even the delete button, it was like the letter "m". Weird....and a bit buggy. So, here I am posting again. I am back from Texas and I gained about .8 pounds. A little buggy, but I guess it could be worse since I didn't work out while I was there. I did paint and pack a lot, but not the same intensity. Anyway, I am heading to the gym today and a day out in our yard....hopefully I will see that pound and a couple more come off this week!

Jeanna, I am ordering my bodybugg today. Where did you find yours? are you getting the new version or old version? Any good deals? I am looking on ebay and then 24 hour fitness. I will see who has the best price. I am excited to start using it. Are you getting a subscription with yours?

It looks like Tuesday at 12:00 works for everyone. I am not very familiar with the places to eat in south Provo. Just let me know where you want to go and I will be there!

Talk to y'all soon!

Here I Am

2009-05-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

My weight today is 263, which is down 2 from last week. Two weeks ago I was 264, so this is a bit discouraging. Maybe its muscle? I like to think so.

However, I feel so good lately that I just know the weight will come off when its going to come off.

I am finally going to get my body bugg this week. YAY! I'm thinking a more accurate number for calories burned as well as a source to track my intake (and keep me honest) will be a huge benefit. I'm two months away from the big trip and I wanted to be down 25 pounds. I am down 4 at this point. I could probably do 21 in 2 months if I was super accurate with my counting. But, I'm not going to worry about it right now. I'm doing all I can and feeling really good.

Running

2009-05-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

I ran again today and did 2.06 miles of my 3 mile route. I feel so good. I watched the biggest loser contestants run that marathon last night and I was so inspired! Dang, why haven't I watched that show before?

My running is so slow (I know I've said that before, but darn its super true!) and I kept having to pick small touchstones along the way, but I did it!

I'm feeling really good again this week and pretty much have the desire to keep this feeling forever. I am sick of the way the fat made/makes me feel sometimes. I am ready for my new life, the one where all my barriers are gone and all my self-imposed roadblocks.

How are my ladies doing? What about lunch next Tuesday, May 12?

New from Texas

2009-05-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

Hi gals. Sorry I didn't post on Saturday. I arrived in Dallas at midnight on Friday night. It has been a whirlwind and I haven't even had the time to weigh...I don't know that my sister even has a scale. Anyway, I will have to skip this weeks weigh-in, but I did have to comment on what you both wrote...I was so moved.

Jeanna, I think you need to celebrate this week. It may not have included weight-loss, but you witnessed some dramatic changes! Learning to believe in yourself and to overcome personal obstacles (like not believing in yourself) is amazing. I sometimes think that this weight-loss journey is MORE about the emotion than the actual weight. I think you must have lost a couple of emotional pounds last week, so way to go!!! I am totally impressed!

Mandy, I think it is so great how you have pushed yourself and re-discovered a love of self this week. Running and playing with your kids outside is great! Losing 4.4 pounds in a week is great! You seem to be making and keeping goals at a break-neck speed! That is awesome!! Keep up the great work....you are my inspiration! I hope to be getting my bodybugg for mother's day. I hope this will help me get past this slump I have been in.

As for myself, I keep working out and trying to push myself. I have to admit, I am still more than a little discouraged about the slowness in which this weight is coming off. I need get over a couple of emotional hurdles like you both have. That would probably help the situation a lot! Keep up the great work, both of you....Your successes make me want to work harder!

Calorie Deficit

2009-05-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

Mandy, I'm going to be getting the bodybugg!! Finally!! But in the mean time, I was wondering if you have ever found an online BMR calculator and activity calculator that you think is fairly consistent with what the body bugg says?

I've been to several sites and, based on what you said about there being no way I'm burning 3000 in a day, I'm thinking I need to find a more reliable site. Any ideas? I've hunted around myself but I'm just not sure which site to trust.

I need one that will:
1. Calculate my BMR correctly.
2. Calculate my calories burned correctly.

So that I can calculate my deficit correctly.

As you can probably tell, I've been thinking A LOT about this. Any help would be appreciated.

Great weight loss this week

2009-05-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

Good morning

I decided to really work hard this week and give this weight loss thing my all. I am down 4.4 pounds. I don't think I could drop this amount of weight every week. It seems like I was exercising all day.

Aside from the scale I am noticing some real differences in myself. I feel so much more self confident, I feel pretty again, I have so much more energy. The kids and I had races in the back yard. It was so fun and I just couldn't believe I was able to keep up with them. For the first time in a long time I actually like who I am.

Thanks for all your support.

Here are my numbers:

Date	Weight	From Last Week	Since Surgery	Total Weight Loss
4-11-09	250.6	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-18-09	No Weigh-in - Vacation	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-25-09	248.8	-1.8	74.0	142.2
5-2-09	244.4	-4.4	78.4	146.6

Check Up

2009-05-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

Pre-Weigh In

I decided that for my mental/emotional health I needed to blog/record my feelings before I weigh in and then again after. I'm sorry if this sounds a bit dramatic, but I am feeling pretty emotional. My husband and I went for our workout this morning, our usual 3-mile walk. The last 2/3 mile I decided to run. I don't run every day, sometimes I feel self conscious. But today I ran. By the time we arrived at my house I was crying. My husband was kind of shocked (why are men shocked when women cry?) and by the time I could say what I wanted I said, "I don't care what the scale says." He thought that I meant I was worried and upset that I might not lose weight. But that was not the case. I was feeling joyous and empowered. I did something today that I could not do 1 year ago and that I told myself my whole life that I couldn't do. I ran. It was short and it was slow, but I did it and I felt so good afterward. I just kept crying and crying because I just was so grateful and happy and relieved that I could prove myself wrong.

Do you think that sometimes the journey to lose all this weight includes emotional hurdles? I do. I had one today and I let myself just feel it.

My husband is now bringing in the scale, he hid it, as you know. I just wanted to record before I weigh in that I don't care what it says. For better or worse, I worked hard this week. I will not allow the scale to validate me.

Post-Weigh In
Well, I gained a pound. I'm at 265. I don't really have an explanation for the gain because I KNOW I ate less than I burned. I walked 20 miles this week. I kept my calories around 1500. Even if I only burn 2000 a day (which is probably a pretty accurate number for me) I should have lost a pound. Hmmm, well, I'm glad I checked in before I weighed in. I had a breakthrough today and I feel good about it. I may have found a way to afford the body bugg, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for being such a great support system ladies!

Worried

2009-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm super worried about the weigh in tomorrow. Last Sat. the scale said 264, then by Sunday/Monday it was 267, though I had given the scale NO REASON to go up. I hadn't eaten crazy or anything. Yes, it was probably water weight or something, who knows?

But I'm worried that the scale won't be less than 264 and what if it's more? Though, again, I've given NO REASON for the scale to go up. I've exercised every single day and have been good with my food.

The suspense is probably going to kill me...

I guess I'm worried that all this work will be for nothing. Or that I'll be so disappointed by the scale that I'll want to throw in the towel.

I need to get psyched up for the scale because gain or lose, I feel better when I eat better and when I exercise every single day. I need to find a way NOT to be affected by the damn scale.

the Loser Blogger

2009-04-29T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys, I feel bad that I don't log on more often. I have comments for both of you, though, so I thought I would just post again instead of commenting on each posting.

First, Jeanna....HOORAY FOR LOSING THE DAMN SCALE!!!!! Excuse my french, but seriously, that thing was weighing you down (no pun intended!) I have had to do the same thing. Gil has not taken it away, but I do not allow myself to weigh on it everyday. It can seriously ruin an otherwise descent day. Especially when you are working out and feeling good about that. To get on the scale and have fluctuations can make a sober girl turn to hard liquor! I actually had a bit of that experience last week. My work-outs continue to be consistent. I have been going at night to the gym this week and I have really tried to kick it up a notch. I have done a variety of cardio and then I hit the weights hard, too. It feels good to sweat really hard. I still am trying to work on the whole calorie counting thing. I have been calculating in my head, using the labels and stuff. I have tried to keep it around 1200. I do feel hungry, though....I thought that wasn't supposed to happen. Maybe I need a bit more tightening. Keep up the running! Good job!

Now, Mandy....you are awesome! you totally have this weight thing under control! I can't believe you have lost over 70 lbs since surgery...you are rockin' it girl! I am ordering a body bug for Mother's Day. I think this will really help. Where did you get yours. I can't remember. I am going to look on e-bay. I have heard this is a good place to find a good price. I think it is great that you are going on so many trips, but have still been able to move-on down the scale. Way to go! You are truly an inspiration in this whole thing. I am definately going slower than I ever thought I would, but I guess I have to be glad that I am down 32+ lbs. ... sure beats a kick in the butt :)

Well, I had better sign off for now. I am going to the gym where, like Jeanna, I will run....even if it is slow :)..... Keep up the great work, gals! You are both awesome and I know that we can reach our goals!

Super Woman

2009-04-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling sooooo good today. I cannot tell you what a difference having the scale GONE has made in my overall happiness. I know that sounds insane, and I know I am a scale addict, but I just feel good!

Of my 3 mile walking route I ran 0.67 miles today. I found an online tracker so I can map out my route exactly so when I decide to run I can also find out exactly how far I ran. I felt good all the way through the running portion and I recovered pretty quickly when I stopped.

My husband had stopped at a point along our route to use the porta-potty. I told him I didn't want to wait and that he'd have to catch up, and as soon as he was inside the little outhouse I took off running. He never caught up! :) When he finally got to me he said, "Dang woman, you were going fast!" I was beaming!

I do love eating better and exercising. What a difference!

Pity Party

2009-04-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

I know this is going to sound super pathetic, but here goes:

I am feeling super, super sorry for myself. I lost 1 pound and before my husband could take the scale away (which he finally did this morning) I kept getting on the scale and it was going up. This morning I was at 267 which is what I was 3 weeks ago.

I know it is physically impossible for me to gain 3 pounds in a couple of days, even if I was maxing out my calorie intake, which I was not.

Plus, with all my exercise last week I am just feeling super depressed about the slowness of the loss.

I got up this morning, saw the 267 on the scale and now I am feeling super depressed.

I ate 1200-1300 calories by 1:30 this afternoon. Now I have nothing left for dinner.

What is going on? Why can't I get out of this funk? It is so difficult to feel like I have worked so hard and then see the scale do that. I hate that thing, I really do. I feel like the scale is not my friend, but my mortal enemy.

Help!!!!

Late weigh in

2009-04-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, sorry I'm late with my weigh in. I have been so unbelievably busy. My new weight this week is 248.8 I am down 1.8. I am very happy with this weight loss.

When we got home from Moab last Sunday I was up 5 pounds. I couldn't ask for anything more than to lose those 5 pounds plus another 1.8 in a week. I'm sure most of that weight must have been water, although I did nearly eat that whole bag of Oreos.

I have been trying to remember the last time I weighed less than 250 lbs. I believe it was 12 years ago when I was 21. I am so excited to be in the 230's and the 220's I simply cannot wait.

My immediate goal is to lose 14 pounds by June 4th. Miranda (my oldest daughter) and I are going to take a trip to Dollywood in Tennessee. Summer is going to be tough for me with all the traveling. Do either of you plan to get an un-fill before your vacations?

I went into Wal-Mart the other night and saw a cute XL top in the regular size section. I tried it on and it fit!!

I am so excited for us. We are awesome!

Jeanna has inspired me to start doing a little jogging. The problem is that I can hear my stomach flapping. It makes me very self conscious. I wonder what they do about that on the biggest loser? There has to be some kind of a garment those people wear to prevent it from happening. I really wish I had a tummy tuck. I wish I was at my goal weight and I had all these worry some areas fixed. I wonder why I ever let myself get so heavy.

Here are my numbers:

Date	Weight	From Last Week	Since Surgery	Total Weight Loss
4-11-09	250.6	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-18-09	No Weigh-in - Vacation	-0.6	72.2	140.4
4-25-09	248.8	-1.8	74.0	142.2

My report...

2009-04-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

So, I have had a really good week for working out. I have really tried to ramp up my work-outs by doing interval training and weights, along with cardio. I thought I would be down a few pounds for sure, but the scale says...-1.5 lbs. I am currently at 238. It is very frustrating. I have totally noticed that I am limited in how much and what I can eat. I feel like I am eating a lot less. I am really trying to eat only when I feel hunger pangs. I thought this would be enough. I am finding it hard to calculate my calories, specifically, as I am not on a computer much. I have been making good choices, though, and I thought this would be enough to see a bigger jump in weight...I guess not.

My goal this week is to continue in being consistent with my workouts and really watching the calories. I guess I need to write everything down and calculate it at the end of the day. I just hate that. I don't know why I get so bugged about writing and calculating. It is not that it is hard. It just seems very tedious to me. I know I have to get over that, but I really resist it for some reason.

Well, gals....best of luck. Keep up the good work and we will reach our goals!!!

A Tad Disappointed

2009-04-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here I am, doing my Saturday morning check in. I weigh in at 264, which is only 1 pound down from last week. I'm disappointed because I walked 21.5 miles this week and kept my calories around 1500. What the heck? I take measurements every 2 weeks or so and from 2 weeks ago I have lost 2 inches total in 10 different areas of measurement. Some of the measurements never change, like my wrist and my calf (although I would imagine that my calf will eventually start losing inches, too).

My husband never did take away the scale but I've been trying really hard not to let what the scale says affect me. The funny thing is, last week after I checked in I did a bunch of housework and I weighed in at 263. Strange how I couldn't even hold on to that all week long.

Ok, I'm not going to get down about it, but my husband can now see that the scale is affecting me negatively and so he has promised to take it away all week long and only let me have it on Saturday morning.

So, that's me. My goal this week is to drink more water. I've had constipation issues and I know that water will help with that as well as aid in ramping up my metabolism. Next week I'll let you know how I've done. I can't wait to read about your successes......

Asics

2009-04-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

I finally went and got myself some new walking shoes from the running store in Orem. I'm really liking them. I felt all inspired to walk faster and take a bit of a jog.

Is this bad? I hesitate to run because my husband is with me and I don't want the pressure to keep running once I start. Does that make sense?

Otherwise, happy that another weekend is gone without too much indulgence. Although the darn Easter candy seems to be hanging around for a super long time this year.

Me next

2009-04-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Good news, I lost! Yay, finally some movement in the scale. I am now 265, which is 2 pounds down from last week. I actually saw 264 a couple of times, so I know that is on the horizon. I credit my losing this week to tracking my calories. I try to stay between 1200 and 1500, and let's be honest a lot of times it is definitely more 1500 than 1200.

Gayleen, I just did a Google search for calorie calculators and I started hunting around until I found a site (I cannot remember which one) that calculates how many calories I burn every day, based on my weight and my activity level. It seems that I burn around 3000 a day, so keeping my intake less than 1500 guarantees a 2-2.5 pound weight loss a week.

I assume that since I cannot buy a body bugg any time soon that I will just have to keep going back to that site, entering my current weight and activity level, to get my current calories burned per day calculation. Make sense?

I walk 3 miles a day and that is it for my workout. My husband says I should start doing things like push ups and lunges and stuff ~while I'm on my walk~ I told him there was NO WAY I was going to get on the ground and do push ups where others have walked. I will do them at home, but not on the ground, ick! I asked him to give me some pointers, but he is hesitant to get involved with me and my workout, and I can't blame him. I sure wish I had a gym in Payson that I like. I would love to go there 3x a week to get the weight lifting stuff in. I know building muscles will help me burn weight.

I admit, I hate tracking my calories and really didn't want to. A friend of mine said, "You would think that with that surgery you wouldn't have to track your calories," and I agree. But, I've seen Mandy's success and she tracks, and therefore, I WILL TRACK IF IT KILLS ME!

On to another week.......

It's Saturday!

2009-04-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, here I am....Saturday morning and I am actually blogging! Go me!!! Anyway, I weighed in this morning and was very sad to see that I had not dropped any weight. Grrrrr.....I am about to start my period and I hope that is the reason because I have been really good about working out this week. I was at the gym everyday, but one and on that day I walked all over SLC and Ogden with my kids. I even did a double work-out on one day.

I went and got a fill on Wednesday. I was sad that they couldn't fit me in a little earlier in the week, but what can you do? She only put in 1/4 ml...I haven't noticed a big difference. I guess that I am not quite as hungry. I might go back in this week for a smidgen more. I feel like I'm walking a fine line of being just under and really close to being too much. I think I need to just start calculating calories more. I have been watching size (1 cup) and have been trying to make better choices (except for the few pieces of chocolate from the Easter Bunny!).

This week my goals are the same. Workout each day and keep it to 1 cup. What site do you guys use for calculating calories? I guess I just need to bite the bullet and make myself get on-line at night...sigh!

Hope you guys are doing well. Jeanna, I hope you are getting over your cold. That really makes it hard to keep going. My husband had a really bad cold for about 10 days....I told him no way would I kiss him! (you are nicer than I am!) I blew him kisses, but I cannot be sick!

Keep up the great work gals! We can be lean, mean, fighting machines!!!!!

Eating ok, exercise....not so much.

2009-04-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today is day two that I didn't get up to exercise. I have a full fledged cold and I feel lousy. I find it SUPER difficult to exercise with a cold. My head is all stuffy, etc. etc.

My eating is doing just fine, yay! Darn my husband for spreading his nasty germs around! I didn't want to kiss him, but he made me! :)

I'm praying for a quick recovery, I feel so much better when I get my 3 miles in every day.

Sorry I'm late!

2009-04-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry I didn't post on Saturday. Our internet was not working and Gil was taking care of his dad in SLC. I came into work today so I could post. So, I am at 239...and holding. I had a great Easter...lots of good food, which I just nibbled at. I am actually starting to not miss the rolls and some of the higher carb foods, as much. I never thought I would be able to say that. We had a great fruit and green salad. I mostly ate that, with a little bit of ham and baked potato with spray butter and FF sour cream. I really could only eat a couple of bites of the potato, though. I am going up this week to get another fill...I think that will make it easier for eating.

Jeanna: I totally want the body bug, too. I have to see how I can figure it in to the budget....maybe with part of our tax returns. I think it would be totally helpful.

So my big goal is to be down 35 pounds by the first week in August for girls camp and I want to be down 25-30 by the 2nd week in July because we are having family pictures!! I am so going to do this. My goal this week is to work out each day M-S (off on Sunday) I really feel the best when I am in a good workout routine.

Thanks guys for your support and for this blog! I will make sure this Saturday to have the internet fixed so I can get right on!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

I Hope everyone is having a happy Easter. We have had a great morning so far. The only problem is I cannot stay out of the darn candy. You know what: I am going to give myself a break and not worry to much about the candy. I cant even remember the last time I had a piece of chocolate.

My band has really loosened up I was even able to enjoy my food last night when we went on our Saturday night date. It was so nice to be able to eat instead of just watching Scott eat.

Gayleen how was your week? Don't forget about Saturday post!

Well girls have a great weekend and spring break!

I'll Go First

2009-04-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies! It's Saturday morning, time to post my weigh-in and my goals.

My weigh in today is 267. I was pretty much this same weight on Tuesday, but I was fluctuating up a bit here and there, now I'm not fluctuating up anymore, which is good.

I feel like the past few days went really well. I'm tracking calories. I have picked at things here and there and probably don't calculate the calorie intake correctly so I've decided that before I eat anything I ask myself, do you want to track down how many calories that entire thing is and divide it by the percentage you ate? The answer to that will mostly be no, because I consider it a huge pain to have to research calories for a couple of bites of this or that.

I'm wearing my husband down so that eventually he will give in and let me buy a bodybugg. I found a new one at 24 Hour Fitness for 199 with the 6-month subscription to the website.

I've been wearing a size 20 pants for a while now. I was at Costco last night and found some size 18 Gloria Vanderbuilt jeans. I put them on when I got home and there are about 3 inches of waist fat I'll have to conquer before I can get into them, but I'm excited for the challenge.

My goal is to lose 25 pounds by July 4. I have 3 months and I think that is really reasonable. I walked 18 miles this week, so I feel like I'm on track with exercise.

Now that I have been counting calories more I feel the band more and sense that I need it tightened. I mean, I do get full when I eat, but I'll admit I want to feel like there is no way I can take another bite. Do you know what I mean? I don't want any room for fudging. I want to have 3/4 to 1 cup and know that I an D-O-N-E!

Make sure you post your own weigh in on a different post and not just in the comments of this one. Then, let's make sure we comment on each others posts. I am feeling stronger and more encouraged and I really feel like I got that strength and encouragement from meeting with you both! Thanks!

Saturday weigh in

2009-04-11T07:54:00.001-07:00

I didn't lose as much weight this week as I had hoped to. I am a little bummed.

I worked out hard several times this week and my calories were on track most days. There were two days I believe that I was only able to get in about 600 calories due to my band being to tight in the evening. I don't know if this is what messed me up or if I am holding on to some water. I did lose great the week before: 7 pounds, maybe. My body didn't want to drop a significant amount again this week. Well whatever the reason, I had a loss and I will gladly take it.

Here are my numbers:

Weight 4-11-09	From Last Week	Since Surgery	Total Weight Loss
250.6	-0.6	72.2	140.4

I am so grateful that we all have each others support. I know that we will all be successful in losing this weight. I wonder what our combined weight is that we need to lose? I think I would like to lose 100.6 more.

I'm going to skip next weeks weigh in because we are going to Moab for spring break. I will weigh in on Saturday the 25th.

Calorie intake

2009-04-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Mandy, what is the calorie intake you shoot for every day? I am seriously considering buying a body bugg, but will have to wait for the finances to free up, but in the meantime I'd like to know what a good calorie intake is.

Thanks

2009-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to both of you for lunch yesterday. I am feeling very motivated again and very inspired.

My goal is to lose 25 pounds in 3 months (around July 4). I will do this by: Tracking calories in and burning more calories than I take in, exercising 5x week, and having my husband take the scale away.

I watched the latest episode of The Biggest Loser online yesterday. Do you watch that? Tara hasn't been able to hit the -100 pound mark for 3 weeks. Last night they asked her if the third time was the charm and she said, "I am worth it." And she is....and SO AM I!

No more mental games. Calories in, calories out. Deficit spending. Pounds lost. Simple as that.

Lunch Tomorrow, April 7, 12:30

2009-04-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies,

Zupa's in AF tomorrow, April 7, 12:30. See you there! Mandy, let me know if you can make it!!! I'm crossing my fingers!!

Lunch?

2009-04-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Anyone for lunch this week? I can do any day. Shocker! My training schedule freed up, so is there any day we can all work something out?

Hi guys

2009-03-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Mandy, I am glad that you had such a great vacation! I want to hear more details when we go to lunch. I have still been hanging out at the 30-32 lb range....sigh....I just joined Anytime Fitness tonight. I hope this helps. I was working out with my friend in her basement, but we have not been very consistent. I hope with the extra equipment I will be on the road to a healthier, thinner and happier life!!!

I would love to go to lunch at the end of the month. The only time I could really do is on Friday the 26th...Does this work for either of you? I could also do some times in April.

Jeanna, sorry I didn't look at the blog last week. I think I missed the time that you were going to be in AF....next time you are up there, call me and we can meet up for a quick lunch! That would be great....

I definately need to meet with you guys and get a "shot in the arm" to get motivated to make better changes. I need some inspiration! This is taking so much longer than I thought it would. My mom had a gastric by-pass a few weeks ago and she has already surpassed my weight-loss and I have been working at it for 5+ months! Arghhhh!!!!!! Okay, I need to get your phone numbers again....I think I am better at the phone system, texting, etc.... Sometimes I don't get a chance to check my e-mail for a few days...my phone is 602-3645. Let me know about when you guys can meet for lunch.

2009-03-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hey you guys I'm back from vacation. We had a great time. I fit on all the rides that I had previously been worried about.

How are the both of you doing? I am good.

It was so nice being able to eat while on vacation without thinking about chewing the food or worrying that something would get stuck. I went in to get my band filled up again on Friday. I think I am ready to get on the wagon again and set up another goal.

Lets set up a day for lunch the last week of March. Will the 24, 26 or the 31st work for you? I figured that if we don't set a solid date we will probably never get together.

Hi guys!

2009-02-28T19:25:00.001-08:00

Hey, I haven't been on-line in a while. Work is crazy..... Wow!!! Mandy....I don't know what to say...you are doing GREAT!!! I am nowhere near the weightloss you have had. I have had a couple of more fills and I think that I am finally at the right tightness....at least for now. I have started to lose a little more. I am down about 30 lbs. I am definately on the slow boat with this. I think the hardest thing for me is the working out sessions. I am working out with my neighbor (she has a gym in her basement), but either I have been sick or she has been sick. It is really hard to get a consistent schedule with that. I have been walking on my treadmill, but that never seems to be enough for me to lose weight. I hope that this next week will be more consistent as my neighbor is feeling better now. I am tempted to join a gym, but I am trying to do it the cheap way for right now.

Well, when Mandy gets back from vacation and our schedules free up I would love to get together with you guys! Really, I can make just about any time work if I have a little notice. Just let me know!

2009-02-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hey you guys I'm still in town. I won't be leaving for vacation until Sunday. I am glad you are feeling better, Gayleen.

Just a quick update: I am doing well. My second goal was to be 250 LBS for our vacation. I am close. As of last Saturday (Valentines day) I was 258 LBS. I think I may be able to lose a pound or two this week. My total so far is 64.8 POUNDS GONE. I am very excited and feel confident that I will be able to fit into all the rides.

Jeanna the 30-day Shred workout sounds great. I should give it a try. I have been getting up at 5AM. Yes, you read that right, 5AM to go to the gym everyday, six days a week. When I am there I walk on the treadmill for 70 minutes.

I am going in for another unfill on Friday, and then I will be able to eat everything in sight. Actually I don't think it will be very different; I already can eat everything. I am looking forward to being filled up tight again after vacation.

Are either of you going to the meeting on Saturday?

Let me know when you would like to go to lunch. It sounds like fun. I can possibly go before I leave for vacation if there is a day that works for you guys. Let me know.

Time for a Fill

2009-02-16T18:09:00.001-08:00

I've had a weekend where I KNOW that I am eating more than I should be able to. I am still pretty tight, but not tight enough. We had dinner out on Saturday and I was able to eat practically the entire dinner. One chicken taco and a chicken enchilada, all rice, no beans. Lots of cheese. But, if I was to measure how much food was there, I would guesstimate about 2 cups. Oops. So, time to get a fill.

I'm below 270, which is amazing to me. When I delivered my son I was 270, that was 10 years ago, and I haven't been below 270 since then. Yeeha!! But, I'm still only 33 pounds down in FIVE MONTHS!

This means that I am going way too slow. I think I've been afraid to get too tight because I know how careful I'll have to be, and that I won't be able to eat as much food as I want.

I have been enjoying my 30-day Shred workout DVD by Gillian Michaels. It really works me out. I've been ultra busy with work so I've only been doing the workout 3 days a week. Plus, last week I had a raging sinus infection that really knocked me out.

I need to figure out a way to get the workout in 5 days a week, 3 just isn't cutting it.

2009-02-11T15:02:00.001-08:00

So, I had another fill....finally. When I told them I could still eat bread and a 6" subway sandwich she about freaked out. She said I was definately too loose if I could still eat that. I forgot to ask her how much she put in, but I'm sure it was close to 1 cc. I hope it helps. I have been feeling hungry more lately, so I hope this helps. I have started to slowly eek down the scale again...very slowly! but, it is better than going up!

I have started working out more. The first time I did this (before I got pheumonia) I did not loose any weight that week....I know, I know, muscle weighs more than fat...but sheesh...when I have this much fat to loose you would think that I could still loose at a good pace!!! Well, I hope you are both doing well. I would love to get together soon and chat with you both.....

let me know!

The 30-Day Shred

2009-02-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

I just got done working out with Jillian Michaels. Just a little note, it does not take 30 days to feel like she has shredded you to pieces. Who knew jumping jacks would be so difficult? Even as I type this my fingers are shaking. If I had to pinpoint the worst part of the workout it would be the jumping jacks. No lie. I did those dumb jacks back in grade school no problem. But back in grade school I did not have a chest. I need help finding a super great support bra. Yikes. She promises up to 20 pounds in 30 days. I'd be happy with 10 and I'd pretty much kiss her little hiney if she delivers.

In an effort to blog more....

2009-01-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

I finally hit the 30# mark today. Finally, finally, finally. The last fill is certainly doing its job. But, like I told Mandy yesterday, I think I need it to be ramped up just a little bit more. I am also living with major regret that the two months around the holidays I let slip by without focusing on the weight loss. Weight loss certainly needs A LOT of focus, even with the band. Or especially with the band?

Mandy, I had a great time at lunch yesterday. It sure is nice to meet up and swap war stories.

Gayleen, We missed you! What is going on with you?

Are We On?

2009-01-27T17:36:00.000-08:00

Hi ladies....let me know via this blog if we are still on for lunch tomorrow, Jan 28, at 12:30.

Thx!

Hi....I'm still here

2009-01-17T20:41:00.001-08:00

Okay, sorry guys...I have been the biggest loser about writing on the blog lately. It just seems like the holidays got the better of me and it has taken a while to get back into the swing of things. Work has been crazy and I just feel swamped! Anyway, I have been reading the blog posts and it sounds like Mandy is still rockin' it hard! (awesome!) Jeanna, I have to say, I feel so much the same way you do. I even joined weight watchers last week with my son. Every other time I have done that I have lost 6+ lbs the first week. Well, last week (the first week) I lost ONE FREAKIN' POUND!!!!! Honestly, what the heck is going on? I have gotten more fills and I am up to about 4.5 ml's. I have noticed that some breads are tougher to eat now. I even had my first "throwing up" event, but, I still get hungry after I eat in about 2-3 hours (depending what I eat). Also, I can still eat up to 2 cups of food.

It is really hard not to be discouraged! I have been working out, too! I have been using an eliptical and working on free weights. Man, I hope this thing is worth it. I feel bad for spending money that my family could have really used and then have to end up doing the weight watchers thing again. I just don't really see a difference.

Well, how is this entry for an "upper"? Sorry gals! I just am BUGGED! and I am venting a bit. I think that Jan 28th should work. I will check my schedule and re-arrange some appointments if I need to. I hope you guys are doing great. I will try to be better about blogging more. Talk to you soon!!

Protein/Fiber

2009-01-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

I can't find my paperwork, can either of you tell me what the target number is for our daily intake of protein and fiber?

I've had a terrible stomach ache for a couple of days now, and I wonder if it is the Benefiber?

Today's Fill

2009-01-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

So, to add insult to injury, I actually gained weight at my official weigh in today. Not to get too graphic, but let's just say I haven't been able to go to the bathroom lately. The nurse thought I gained weight because of that. But, I should have lost something in the past 6 weeks. I feel super pathetic and kinda ticked.

But, finally.....I got a nurse who looked at my fill log and wanted to know why they were being so conservative with my fills. What? I knew they were being somewhat conservative but I had no idea a nurse would think that. I was amazed. Anyway, she got me up to 3 cc, apparently I had only been at 2.2. Wow. Kinda figures that I'm not losing weight with the band when the band isn't even restricting my eating AT ALL!

I joined the gym on Saturday and I know that will help also. And, I know I need to STOP eating in between meals, that is my big downfall right now. The holidays really were rough on me...all that eating in between meals was awful.

The nurse was super great with me and I really want to go back to see only her...but my schedule won't allow it. But, if I get a dinky fill again next time...I'm scheduling an appt with Colleen. She was great!

I feel super, super, super pathetic in my weight loss. And way behind the curve because I know Mandy is rocking the weight loss right now! (Way to go Mandy!) I just want to start losing, too!

No Progress

2008-12-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Six weeks now. Nothing. I have a fill next week and I'm gonna have them FILL ME UP! I eat 1 1/2 to 2 cups at a meal so I need more restriction. I'm starting to get kinda down about it...

Any ideas?

2008-12-13T09:44:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling a bit down, not terribly down, but discouraged. I haven't lost anything for about a month. I haven't really exercised much either, and that is probably the explanation.

My brother posted a video on his facebook page with me and my niece. She is super cute and I LOVE her. Anyway, I look at myself in that video and I am shocked. I've lost 26 pounds and am feeling good about that. I feel thinner, like the way my clothes fit, etc. However, that video pretty much spells out the fact that I still need to lose 100 pounds. I need to be more diligent with my food choices...and only eating 3x a day, no more.

How do I jump start the weight loss again?

2008-12-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hi Jeanna and Gayleen,

I wanted to do a quick update. I am doing well, and I am down a total of 43.2 pounds since surgery! I have reached my first goal which was to be 280 by Scott's company Christmas party. I think my fills are right on. I can still eat most everything but have to be careful. I have had a couple of days recently that I have really wanted to have a binge. Well it is so hard to eat fast that I gave up on the whole idea after a few minutes. I love my band and feel like it is totally doing what I really wanted and needed it to do for me.

Gayleen, how are you and your family doing? Are the kids starting to do a little better? I am thinking about y'all and I'm just so sorry for your loss.

Jeanna, the throwing up experience sounded scary and very unpleasant. I wonder if I will eventually get something caught so bad that I will throw up. I can't imagine getting something caught that bad. I'm not sure my band is tight enough; most caught things pass through after a minute or so.

Jeanna, how is your husband doing?

You guys didn't miss much at the meeting. It was our last one. I think they said they will send email invitations to future meetings.

Here is a picture of us before the work party:

I'm Official

2008-12-07T20:20:00.000-08:00

I'm a lapbander now...Not because I HAVE the band, not because I have had FILL, but because I finally threw up. It was the most disgusting/scary thing ever.

The story: I ate a roll at about 2:30 p.m. today. I had nothing else in my stomach. I ate it fairly quickly and without too much thought into bite size or chewing. Next thing you know I'm in pain, scared, and breathing funny. This lasted for about 20 minutes. I actually hyperventilated too. I know this because both my arms went all tingly. I was FREAKED out!

I kept banging on my chest and finally, finally, I was able to throw up. I will never, ever do that again. The white bread thing is so freaky! I can do it in combination with other foods, but never, ever alone, ever again.

Also, I PBed. I burped after the throwing up and up came some more food.

Wow, sick. So glad I didn't get that fill on Thursday.

Not Going to the Meeting

2008-12-05T22:19:00.000-08:00

Hi Mandy and Gayleen,

I'm not going to the meeting tomorrow, 12/6. We've had a rough go with my husband's recovery from surgery and I need to take the day off from driving all the way up there. I'm sorry!

It's so late I didn't want to call.

Also, I went in for a fill on Thursday and I was so stressed out about my husband that my BP was high and I could hardly concentrate on the questions Vivienne was asking me about the amount of food I am able to eat. She decided not to give me a fill. I think I need one...but I didn't schedule another appt until January 8. Yikes. I'm a bit worried about going all the way through the holidays without a fill. Plus, I only lost 1 pound since the visit 2 weeks previous. My official weigh in with them has me at 25 pounds lost, which is a little disappointing since I have lost another two pounds via my scale, but then gained them back (I'm thinking because I have been stress eating, nibbling, nibbling and more nibbling.)

Let me know how the meeting goes!

Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

First, I have to say....way to go Mandy!!!!! 37 lbs....I could only dream about that kind of weight-loss right now. Jeanna...it seems like you are plugging away, too. I think it is good that you are feeling full and eating 2 cups at Thanksgiving is not too bad. Think about how many people you are around and how long the eating fest lasts on a day like that. I think it is great that you stopped at 2 cups!

Well, my mother-in-law passed away on Thanksgiving...well, actually she spent the entire day trying to pass on, but actually stopped breathing at 1:45 Friday morning. It has been a very emotional few days. We were set to have Thanksgiving at out house, but got a call that morning from his sister who said we needed to come quickly. We raced up there and then ended up deciding to have Thanksgiving at her house so that all of her family could spend the day saying good-bye. It was quite nice...as those things go, but very hard, too. Gil (my husband) is really struggling and that is hard to watch. My 10 yr old, Tanner, has also had a hard time. They had a really close relationship. I never realized what a process the whole dying and letting-go thing can be. She really struggled to relax enough to let it happen. It was a blessing to have so much family near her and that she was surrounded by people who love her. We are now in the rush phase of planning the funeral, making arrangements, buying suits, etc.... She knows 3/4 of the people who live north of the point-of-the-mountain and so I am sure her funeral will be amazing. She really was an amazing lady and we are truly mourning her loss.

As for the weight-loss thing.....huh.....that is about all I can say. I had another fill and I am up to a whomping 1.75 ml's.....Still not feeling any restriction. I am at the place where you guys were at a month, or so ago. I didn't eat a lot for Thanksgiving Day dinner, but with everyone stopping by the house and bringing plates of food for the family I am definately doing my share of nibbling throughout the day...not exactly good lap-band strategy! As for the Dec 6 party....I really want to go, but realized I am going to be out of town that weekend for a conference....great timing, eh? I cannot believe that I have to go, but it was arranged so long ago, I can't even remember. You two will have to go and let me know how it was. You both are doing so well with this lap-band thing.....I feel so far away from where I thought I would be at this point. I guess I just need to get through these next several days and then get refocused. I have started working out, though. I guess that is one good thing. Well, let me know how it's all going. I probably won't blog again until after the funeral (Tuesday). Best of luck you two!

How was Thanksgiving?

2008-11-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

This may sound a bit whiney, but I was able to eat too much yesterday. I know the band is a tool and that I have to put effort into the weight loss.....but I am pretty sure I need more restriction. I ate WAY less than I normally would have at Thanksgiving, WAY, WAY less. However, I know I was still able to eat too much. I must have had around 2 cups of food. No lie. I know I was full before that, but I kept going and was able to pack it in. I need this band to be working more than it is currently.

When I weigh in, the nurses think everything is fine because my weight loss seems to be on track, but I can't help feeling like it should be coming off a bit faster. I go in for another fill on Thursday, and I'm thinking I'll be lucky to stay the same as the last fill/weigh in. We shall see.

I am going to put my money where my mouth is and really stick to 3 meals a day until then. Exercise is spotty because we are out of town and I just forgot to prepare for it by bringing the right shoes/exercise clothes/exercise bra, etc.

How did my other 2 ladies do??

2008-11-25T20:03:00.000-08:00

Ladies I just wanted to do a quick update. I weighed on Saturday and I am down six more pounds. That makes 37 gone since surgery and 106 since Sadie was born 19 months ago. I am so excited and feeling super motivated at the moment.

I am scheduled for another fill on Tuesday, but I'm not sure I want to get the fill. I can still eat everything if I eat very slow and chew extremely well. I am just worried that if I get even 1/2 cc it may be to tight and I would feel deprived and unhappy and be getting stuck all of the time. I am staying satisfied for 4 to 5 hours usually. Isn't that what is supposed to happen when you are at the sweet spot? Really the only reason I am even considering getting the next fill is because maybe it would make me feel satisfied sooner. What do you think I should do?

Jeanna I think the party may be kinda fun. It will probably be motivating and very neat to see a bunch of successful lap band people in person. Do you have any idea what you are going to wear? Are you going to dress up? In a dress?

Hey guys...

2008-11-22T13:22:00.000-08:00

Jeanna...I am right with you. I have lost 25 and not a pound more in like 2 weeks. I can still eat a descent sized amount of food (like a 6" sub at subway!) I can eat bread and any other texture I want. I did have a fill 2 weeks ago. I am at a whopping 1 cc now!!!! They put .75 in, but figured as much as .25 was already in there. I go again on Monday. I am bummed.

This has been a really hard 2 weeks for our whole family. I think I told you that my mother-in-law was not doing too well. We found out last friday that she is full of cancer. She is not expected to live more than 3 months. She has had a bad week. She fell and injured her hand, then fell again and wiped out her knee. She is in the hospital right now and is not doing well. I just haven't had the mental or physical energy to focus very much on my weight-loss right now. We have had many emotional nights trying to figure out what we are going to do with her....like how to make her comfortable until she goes, and then what to do with my father-in-law (who has dementia) when she goes.

I wish the weight would just take care of itself, but I can see that isn't going to happen. I feel like I am making pretty good choices, but I am sure the volume size is still way too big (hi, a 6" sub when we aren't even supposed to eat bread!) Well, I will keep you guys updated. I hope to go to that party, it sounds kinda fun...I guess I will have to see what is happening here at the home front when that time comes.

Thanks guys! Talk to you soon.

2008-11-18T20:09:00.000-08:00

Hey gals,

I'm doing pretty good. I had a fill today; my fifth I believe. I'm at 7cc's, I think. This fill has definitely made the biggest difference for me. I could still eat a whole soft taco for dinner tonight, but I had to chew it super good to avoid the stuck feeling.

I weighed on Saturday. I am down 31 pounds, but still up one pound from Halloween. I am just dying to be in the 280's. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it will happen soon (like Saturday).

I feel the same way as you do, Jeanna, about the weight being so slow coming off, although I don't feel like I have worked very hard for the 31 pounds that I have lost.

I am trying to get back into the whole exercise thing. I know that will help to speed things up for me.

Have y'all worried that maybe this is it and maybe you just wont lose any more? I'm constantly thinking and worrying about that. I guess I really on some level just thought the weight would fall off with little effort.

I'm still struggling with eating out all the time. It is so hard to change the mental hunger and the feeling of being entitled to eat junk food.

Gayleen, you need to update us on your first fill.

I'm planning on going to the party. I thought it was on a Saturday but I think it is on Wednesday the 3rd. I hope you both can still come.

Keep in touch guys,

Mandy

The Jeanna Update

2008-11-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, so I thought I would check in.

I am down a whopping 23 pounds. Which, as you know, is not that much and is feeling super slow. I can really tell a difference with my restriction since my last fill. I can't eat as much bread and if I eat regular food (non-mushy) I get full pretty fast. I have tried a lot harder not to drink with meals because I am at a point where either the fluid flushes the food down and makes more room, or it sits on top and I start feeling like I am stuck. Dang, not drinking with meals is hard!

Since I won't be down by much on my next weigh-in/fill (on Thursday) I am hoping I get a little bit more in my band. I am thinking this next fill will get me to my "sweet spot." That spot where I know the band is doing all it can for me.

I am still exercising, about 4x a week for about 45 minutes each time. I love walking and feel so good when I am out there getting it done.

My biggest thing right now is that I do not choose the best things to eat. I eat what I want, just smaller amounts. If I were to choose better, less fatty foods I would be losing quicker. My average went down from 2.2 a week to 2.09. I still really can't complain, but I need it to stay around 2 at least!

What about the both of you, what is up???

Hey out there!

2008-11-05T20:23:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
So, now I have no restrictions....man I get what you guys are saying....it stinks! I can eat anything and everything I want...not exactly what I want. Yes, it is good to be able to swallow without major pain, but I would like to feel full at some point. The only thing that stops me is willpower...and I don't have much of that lately. I go back on Monday and I will start getting fills for the first time. I hope that I can get to a point where I really can feel the band working for me.

Have you two ever considered doing Weight Watchers along with this? At first, when they mentioned it as an option at one of the meetings I thought, "That's dumb...pay for an expensive surgery and then go do a diet program!", but now I am wondering if it would be a bit helpful. I have started having one of my sons do the program at home, but I am thinking he would be more successful if we signed up and did the whole thing together. I think if he had to report to someone else, it would be better for both of us. What do you guys think?

I am starting to workout on weights in the mornings. It is still hard to walk on my foot for any length of time. It gets really swollen and painful afterwards. I am hoping that the weight lifting and ball work will help speed the weight loss and then make it easier on my foot.

So, is everyone still going to the meeting on Saturday? Are we still meeting afterward? Let me know how you are both doing. Jeanna: Did you have a good b-day? Hope so! Talk to you guys soon.

Suggestions?

2008-10-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

I'm down 20 pounds now. Finally. I "made friends" with a guy on facebook who had the lapband put in back in May and has lost 90 pounds. What the heck? I know some of that loss is because he is a guy, but 90 POUNDS?! Holy cow.

I got superstuck last night. Chicken. It eventually went down after a couple of minutes but it freaked me out. I was just eating away, big bites, not paying attention to chewing and BAM! But I often do not pay attention and/or take small bites. In fact I rarely do either.

I'm a little bugged that I come to these HUGE stand stills and don't lose weight.

I have been exercising M-F 3 miles a day, and this makes me feel pretty good.

I've had 2 fills, 1 cc and 0.7 cc. I wonder what they will do next.

Any ideas on how to lose more? Do you think my drinking with meals is part of my problem? I never thought I ate more as a result of drinking with my meals because I eat so much less than I used to, but maybe I do eat more than I would normally with the band if I stopped drinking. Hmmmm...

Glory Hallelujah!

2008-10-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am being a blog-hog...I just went and got my un-fill and GLORY HALLELUJAH!!! I can swallow! I came home and was so hungry that I thought I would try some chicken/rice and green beans and I got to eat it all without pain! I am so happy!

The nurse today took out all that she could. I think she said there might be up to .5 cc left in. I guess that due to the internal pressure of the band it is really hard to pull everything out. It ends up causing a lot of swelling. Okay, now I have to watch myself. I was able to eat at least 1 cup and was not really full. I could see me going crazy....I will try to be good.

Well, anyway....There may be light at the end of my tunnel!

2008-10-27T09:09:00.000-07:00

Wow! Jeanna...a Halloween baby, huh? That sounds like a fun birthday to have. Do you guys have a big Halloween party every year? My really good friend throws her husband a big Halloween party every year (his is on Halloween, too). They totally dec-out their house for the Holiday. They have more Halloween decorations than I have Christmas decor. It is pretty cool. Anyway, have an awesome day.

I will let you guys know what happens today. I hope I have the same nurse that I had last week. She was cool. I think I am down 23-24 lbs., it keeps fluctuating. I think my weight is slowing down because the only thing that keeps me full for any length of time is cream soups...yeah, they are yummy, but full of fat and calories. Nothing like sucking down 500 cal of soup everyday. I have tried some of the leaner soups, but they have too much texture and I can't swallow them very well. I will be glad when I can get to a point that I can have a tuna on whole wheat without gasping for air! What a goal, huh?

Well, good luck this week gals. I will let you know how the un-fill goes. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

2008-10-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies,

If I don't get to post again before Friday, Jeanna, I wanted to wish you a happy B-day!

I went in last Tuesday for my third fill. I had a different nurse this time. I felt like she kind of gave me a hard time about getting the fill. She acted like she didn't believe that I didn't have enough restriction. She told me that my band was almost half full. I was so shocked. I had no idea. She said that 5cc is half full and that I was at 4cc. She said most people are satisfied and are where they need to be with 5cc.

I didn't know that the band was ONE SIZE FITS ALL. Why is it adjustable then? Jeanna do you know what you are at? She told me that I was down 5 pounds from last week and that a lot of people think that if they get the band filled tighter they will lose weight faster. I tried to explain that on Sunday night I had dropped a ton of water. I got up 10 times to pee; it was crazy. And if you remember there were like two weeks that the scale said I didn't lose anything. I knew that I had lost weight but was holding onto water. Well, to make a long story short, she didn't believe me and thought the five pounds was all from one week.

She went on to tell me that some people think it is fine to throw up a couple of times a day. I stopped her right there. I was seriously getting pissed off. I said, "You know, I have not thrown up even once." I said that I can eat waffles for breakfast, big huge Crown Burgers, white bread, and anything else I want without any problem. Really, I don't even have to chew it all that well and it still goes down fine. Does that sound like I have too much restriction to you??

Finally she said she would fill it up to 5cc and that I would have to wait two weeks to get any more. When I got out to the car I was so mad that I called Scott to tell him everything she said. I told him I was going to make a video of myself eating a waffle in the morning to show her next time. He laughed and said why don't you just take a waffle with you and eat it in front of her?

It is just ridiculous that I have to basically beg for a fill. From what I understand there is not supposed to be any way that you can eat a waffle or anything solid at breakfast time if you have the right amount of restriction. Is that what y'all remember hearing? The good news is that I have lost 30 pounds now and this last fill did a little more than the one before. I have noticed that I can't eat as much at one time. I think I may finally be starting to love my band.

Take care.

Still can't eat!

2008-10-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

So, I am 3 days past my un-fill and I still can't eat solids! I am going in on Monday again and I am going to have them completely drain the entire band. I don't want anything in there. What if that doesn't work, though.....I am a little freaked out at this point. I can't imagine having to go back into surgery. What would they do? I really would just like to be able to eat a salad without going into esophageal convulsions!

I am so bugged!!!!

My second "Un-fill"

2008-10-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

So, I am not sure what is worse....too much restriction or not enough. These last few days have been rough in the "eating real food" department. I have had a lot of pain whenever I swallow. It has gotten so bad that yesterday and today it is even hard to swallow liquid, at times.

I went to my "fill" appointment and talked to the nurse. She was really nice. I haven't seen her before....can't remember her name. Anyway, I explained that I was still having a hard time eating and that I have had a lot of stomach pain the last few days. I even woke up with deep aching pains in my stomach on Sunday night. I think it is that I am so hungry and I can't really ever get full because it is so hard to eat. Anyway, she thought that maybe she should try to take more out. I told her that the Doctor had tried and tried and couldn't really pull much out. She said that they aren't as good at it because they never do it. So, she inserted the needle and was able to get 1.7 cc's out. I was suprised! She decided to take out only .5 cc's and leave the rest in to see if that helped. She told me that Dr. Alderedge does not leave any in the band when he places his, but Dr. Hansen does. They can have 2-3 cc's in when they come. I guess Dr. Alderedge (sp?) felt like he had several patients who couldn't tolerate the fluid in there so he makes a point to take it all out when he puts them on. Anyway, the nurse said that she thinks that they put the small band on me and with the added fluid in there...it is just too much.

So, I left there and was STARVING! I had only had two Kirkland weight loss shakes all day and it was about 4:15. I had an applesauce in my car and I took a couple of bites and thought I was going to die! What the Heck?!!! It is a puree! It took me about 20 min. to eat 2 oz. of it. I was so depressed that I went to Zupas and bought 2 kinds of soup to help me get through the next couple of days. I feel like I am back to just after surgery....it is very upsetting. Like I said, I don't know if it is better to have too little or too much restriction. I know it is a lot more painful! I just can't even think about eating...I am so bugged.

Any ideas?

What the heck?

2008-10-18T08:42:00.001-07:00

Ok. I really haven't eaten much, maybe more this week than ever before since surgery, but I have been walking 3 miles a day. So imagine my surprise when I got on the scale this morning to find the scale up 5 pounds. You read that right, 5 pounds.

I am sure that isn't right. How can it be? But it is still frustrating nonetheless.

My new resolve today is to stick to the 3 meals, nothing in between. I haven't been keeping track as well as I should, but I am SO SICK of keeping track. I have been out to eat, but I order a salad or whatever and eat only 1/3 to 1/2 of what I am served.

I am getting a bit frustrated and am thinking about telling them on Thursday (my fill day) to LOAD ME UP!

I have a "friend" on facebook who had the surgery, I can't remember when, and she hasn't lost any weight at all. Her doc gave her a 4 cc fill the first time, then a 2 cc and she is now super restricted.

I am thinking that I need some restriction here. I have no other explanation. What do you guys think?

I'm Baaaaack!!!

2008-10-15T18:43:00.000-07:00

Hi!
I am back from Denver. I am such a freaky flyer that I am just happy to be back on solid ground. I can't wait to meet tomorrow for lunch. I look forward to catching up and finding out how everyone is doing. I have comments to say about your last entry Jeanna, but I will wait for tomorrow. See you guys there.....12:30 at Cafe Rio...till then....

Problem

2008-10-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

Since my fill I have had a serious appetite. I don't know if it is all in my mind, but I have been able to eat more since the fill!!! I have no idea what is going on. I wonder if part of the restriction before was all in my mind and now that I am expecting a physical restriction and it isn't there, I am eating more. Does this make sense?

I know we have all had very different experiences up until now, but maybe one of you will have some insight. Help!

Gone for a few days

2008-10-08T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I wanted to touch base with you all before I head out to Denver. Sounds like you both are doing great! I look forward to the day when I can get my first fill. I hope it will help with the whole hunger thing.

What is everyone's current weight loss? I am at 20lbs. lost when I weigh bare naked (and I am counting that!) It seems like the last few days I have stayed the same. I need to step away from the scale and not obsess over it so much. I guess I think that I can somehow magically will the numbers to go down if I stare at them long enough......not really working! I need to start exercising. I have to go get some new walking/running shoes that hopefully will give enough support to my foot that my plantar faciatis (sp?) won't kill me when I work out. I have decided to start weights when I get back from my trip, even if I can't do the power walking thing right now. I'm sure that will help.

Let me know how the meeting goes on Saturday. Hope you guys have a great weekend....see you soon!

2008-10-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Hey there,

Alright, so getting a fill is no big deal. It only takes about five minutes from start to finish. I followed a nurse into a room and she told me to lay down on a table and unbutton my pants. She asked if I were allergic to two different medicines. I don't recall what they were called.

The first medicine is something to numb and the second is the fill (I guess). I can't really think of what else it would have been. So I'm laying on the table she had a pillow under my back. She told me to lift my head like I was going to do a set up. When I lifted my head she was feeling for the port. She found it and asked if I had ever felt it. I said no and she let me feel, then she stuck the first needle in. It wasn't bad at all. I didn't even really feel anything.

She told me to do the set up again and stuck a different needle in that filled up the band. She put on a band aid and basically told me to get up so she could fix the paper on the table. I was like, "oh ok." I buttoned up my pants and got down. I think the nurses at that office are just like the doctor, not very personable. Do you guys have the same nurses?

She handed me a small cup of water and told me to drink it. I did. She told me for the rest of the day to drink liquids (not just clear liquids, thank goodness), then today to eat mushy food and start my regular foods on Thursday. She made me another fill appointment for two weeks from yesterday. That was it ladies... pretty fun huh? I don't feel any different at all.

I'm so glad that the weight is starting to come off again, Jeanna. I knew it would!

I am famous for buying clothes that are to small but to cute to pass up. So I buy them and they just hang in my closet for years. Well, today I tried a bunch of them on and I can't believe how many of them now fit! I'm so excited about all of this.

I'm just paranoid that something is going to go wrong, like a slippage, erosion, or that the weight will just stop coming off. I'm also worried about my skin. I'm afraid I'm going to have a huge problem with extra skin. Scott told me not to worry about it that we will just get it fixed, but I can't help worrying. I'm planning on a tummy tuck for sure. I also think I'm going to need a breast lift and a thigh lift. I may need a full body lift minus the arms (I don't want those huge scars on my arms). SCARY stuff.

So are we on for the 16th?

Keep up the good work ladies.

Mandy

I Need INFO

2008-10-07T17:30:00.000-07:00

Mandy, where are you? I'm dying for an update on how your fill went today... :)

I'm doing fine, I think my weight might be nudging down, finally. I've decided (at least for now) to use the weigh in at the doc's office as my official weight. I've got my first fill on Friday.

2008-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

Hey Girls! I can make Monday work. Scott will be working from home, so I can ask him to babysit for me. Where should we meet?

Well Jeanna, we are technically allowed to eat solid food now! How has that been going? I'm doing alright with the solids, although it seems like I kinda prefer to eat soup all the time. I think it's because my jaw gets tired from all the chewing.

I said that I was not going to weigh for two weeks. Well today was weigh day and I'm down another 7.2 pounds. That brings my total to 25.2 pounds (I think). My current weight is 297.6. Finally under 300!

Let me know about Monday
Have a great weekend ladies.

Let's get together!

2008-10-03T18:12:00.001-07:00

Hi! It has been another crazy week....not as bad as last week, though! We need to schedule a time to get together. Jeanna, I think you said you have your fill on the 10th? I go out of town on the 9th and I don't get back until the 12th. I could meet earlier in the week or when I get back. We could meet in Orem or Provo so you don't have to travel so far north......Let me know.

How are you two doing? Jeanna, any luck? Mandy, how are you? I feel like I have been out of touch. You guys will have to take notes for me during the meeting...Let me know if there is anything earth shattering!

Well, let me know what you think about meeting this week or next....

Talk to you soon

My Two week visit

2008-09-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I met with Dr. Hansen today. Pretty uneventful, really. He took my steri-strips off, since none of them fell off on their own. I told him I was hungry a lot. He smiled and said that I would have to wait 3 more weeks for my first fill. I thought he could at least put back in what he took out the day after surgery, but I guess that is a big NO! I asked him if I could eat really soft chicken if I chewed really well....he basically said no. He said that if I threw up I could really set myself back...maybe since I did that the day after surgery. Whatever! I have lost a total of 16 lbs....this includes the pre-op diet. I am currently at 254, even. Boy, the scale just can't go down fast enough. I really have only lost 10 lbs since surgery. That doesn't seem very good to me. I am hoping that once my "Aunt Flo" leaves I will drop some more. We'll see.

I have been trying to keep to the 3 meals now that I am mostly on soft foods. I find it hard to find the time to eat the meal during the day when I am working. If I eat too fast (even if its "pre-chewed" texture) I have a really hard time. So, I end up eating a pudding (something I can eat in the car while driving) inbetween appointments. On the days that I have a few minutes, I can really tell the difference. I actually stay full for 3-4 hours. When I do the pudding thing, I am hungry within the hour. I guess that is why I feel hungry all the time. Then I feel like I am eating every 1-2 hours. Just enough to take the edge off the hunger, but not enough to really keep me full. UGGHHHHH!

Mandy: I was listening to some voicemails today on my cell. I got your message....I think you left it on Friday. Thanks for thinking about me. I am definately doing better this week. Sometimes my voicemail goes right to archive and it doesn't alert me that anyone called...crazy phone! Anyway, thanks for the call!

Jeanna: That is so frustrating! I wish they had some answers for why weight doesn't come off in equal increments. That has always been my frustration. That is why I ended up getting a lapband. It didn't matter what I did, how much I worked out, or how little I ate....my body just does not want to let go. It seems like the only fair thing would be that when you put forth the effort, eat a way reduced diet and exercise that YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOSE WEIGHT!!! It should be some kind of law. Boy, that is the first thing I am going to change when I make my own world! (ha, ha). I have to say, though, that I have run the full spectrum of digestive issues....from the runs to constipation. I have had it all. Now that I am back to "eating" (can we really call purees and mushed up food eating?!) I have noticed that I am way more constipated. This is pretty unusual for me and I am wondering if it is due to the high amount of protein we are eating in comparison to everything else. I guess making sure we have fruit and lots of liquid will be our best alli. But seriously, how are we supposed to drink so much when we have to wait for 2-3 hours after we eat, but before we eat again. This is all very tricky!

Okay, I say we all get together and pow-wow. We should meet and talk face-to-face about ideas or recipes that seem to be good. I am going to be out of town for our first big meeting. I have a (of all ironic things!) a feeding conference to go to. Apparently, there are many people (kiddos are the ones I'm interested in) that really don't like food and would rather starve than eat. Well, I get to go and find some new strategies for getting kids like that to eat and stay alive. Anyway, I will be gone that weekend, but I don't want to miss meeting with you guys. I think that will be more helpful to me than the actual meeting. Anyone up for that....maybe sometime this week or next? Let me know.

Sorry this entry is so long. I hope I didn't lose ya'll along the way!

Another week....

2008-09-29T15:49:00.000-07:00

and still no weight loss. I'm getting more and more frustrated. I'm hoping the fill will help me, which is scheduled for next Friday.

I exercised on Friday and that was great. Then today I just couldn't drag myself outta bed. I was awakened during the night by 1.) My 12 year old daughter who was sick and needed medication. 2.) My 9 year old son who had a nightmare (about the Dark Knight, which no one in our family has even seen) and 3.) The cat who was outside and wanted in. By the time 6 o'clock rolled around I just couldn't do it. Now I'm regretting it and wishing I had just dragged my behind off the mattress.

I'm eating a bunch of different foods, still watching calories and sticking around 1200 or so. I do not eat many veggies still because of being afraid of getting stuck. I had a waffle last night, and that was bad. I could feel this mass of something kinda stuck and I did a no-no and drank some milk with my meal. After that I could feel the mass shifting down into my stomach. What a strange feeling. I won't be eating any more white bread for a while, too scary.

I have been getting odd pains in my intestinal area. I wonder if its because of the constipation. Is that too much info? Are the two of you having any trouble with having regular bowel movements? (Dang I hate even typing those words out...:)

Hi Girls!!

2008-09-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! I feel like I have been gone for a long time. I had the CRAZIEST work week this week. I worked 40 hrs Mon-Thurs, then I had to work about 9 hrs on Friday and 12 hours today (Saturday)....all because I had surgery last week. It was really hard to start back on Monday. I felt a bit shaky all day. Then I felt like I was doing better by Wednesday and then I think I did too much, so Thursday I felt horrible (still had to work, though!). I had an easier day on Friday and then a hard day again today. I hope I haven't wrecked my insides!

Okay, First, Jeanna....Don't get discouraged! I feel your frustration. I lost all this weight the first week and now...nothing! I think it is like you said....just stay focused on what we need to do...3 meals/day, careful when you drink, exercise.....I am sure our bodies are freaking out right now wondering what the heck we just did to them. Once our bodies see that we are serious and we are in it for the long haul, I think they will relax and the weight will come off! This is my story and I am sticking to it!

Mandy: It sounds like you are doing well. I like the goals you've set....I especially like your reward system! I would love to do a big cruise! I haven't started exercising yet. This week I was just trying to survive work. I guess playing on the floor with kids and hauling a bag in and out of visits could be considered a little bit of a work out. So, you started taking baths on day 5? When did your bandages come off? Mine are still on...pretty tight, too. Is that weird? I read that they don't want you to peel them off...that we are supposed to wait until they come off???...Maybe mine will stay on forever?....I have my 2 week visit on Tuesday and I am sure they will still be on for that....I guess I will let him deal with that.

Okay, so you know that I had fluid pulled out of my band the day after surgery? Now I wish I had it back. I spend most of my days hungry. I am trying to still do the puree thing, but it is hard to do when you are on the go the whole day. I try to take things with me, but it doesn't hold up well in the car. I have resorted to some soft foods, like cottage cheese, mashed up eggs with light mayo and ravioli blended semi-smooth. I just can't puree it all the way...the idea is revolting! I drink a lot of weight-loss shakes and water. I have been really scared to try much solid food because I had such a hard time swallowing, at first. I have had a couple of crackers one day and some shredded/blended beef with bbq sauce one time. I think I ate about a tsp, then got too scared and stopped. I sometimes get a tightness at the base of my esophagus if I try to eat or drink too fast, but I am pretty much a wimp when it comes to trying new things. I eat a lot of soups. Most of the time I am between 800-1000 calories/day.....you think the weight would be jumping off my body!

So, our first big meeting is October 11? I need to look on my schedule again. That would be fun to go to lunch after. I wish we all lived closer and we could have exercise partners, too. That would be awesome! My husband is allergic to mornings and I am too tired by the end of the day to work out at night. I just have to kick my butt in gear and get going. My goal is to be 170 by May. My brother gets married then and you know how many pictures will be taken! I am 255 right now, so I hope that is a realistic goal....even if I was 180, I wouldn't cry too hard. I know we will all meet our goals!!!!

Keep up the good work Ladies! I will let you know what the doctor says on Tuesday. I hope he is willing to give me a fill soon....especially since he took some from me already! I WANT IT BACK!!! To us! may we all feel full this week!

Talk to you soon!

Gayleen

Group Meetings

2008-09-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

Mandy, you asked about the group meetings. There was a small yellow paper that was included in the paperwork that we got at that first meeting where we met. It detailed the first three group meetings we are supposed to attend. I am pretty sure the first one is on October 11.

I am getting ultra frustrated. I still haven't lost any weight, in the past 2 1/2 weeks!!! What is up?

I have been trying super hard to stay at 3 meals a day and to count my calories. I have around 1200 every day. Is that too much, not enough? Argh!!!

Any thoughts?

2008-09-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hi ladies,

It has been a crazy week. Gayleen, I can't believe you have lost 14 pounds already. Way to go girl! Are you feeling pretty good then Gayleen? Do you feel restriction or full after you eat?

Jeanna, I think our doctors are complete opposites, which is strange since they are in the same office. Did you schedule a fill? Do you feel like you need one? I am scheduled to get a fill on October 7th. I really hope it helps with the hunger. I have heard that the first fill usually doesn't do much.

You are doing awesome Jeanna. Keep up the good work!

Jeanna, I don't know if you got your bath question answered. I have been taking a bath since day five and all seems well. So if you haven't yet then go for it!

I'm doing great. I'm eating a lot of soup. We have been out to eat a few times and everything goes down fine. Occasionally after I eat I get a pain right between my shoulder blades. It is somewhat uncomfortable. It only happens when we eat out. I'm sure it has something to do with the solid food.

Gayleen, it is fine to start exercising as soon as you feel good enough. Work up to what you did before surgery. I started exercising again about a week and a half after surgery. Last week I was able to go my three miles again!

I have decided to weigh every two weeks. The scale and I have a bad relationship. It never says what I want it to. Ill let y'all know what it says when I weigh on October 4th. Oh BTW I have set three goals for myself. I'm at 304.8 right now.

1. 250 LBS on Febuary 22 for our Florida vacation.

2. 190 LBS the first part of august. We want to take a cruise around Mexico to celebrate being under 200.

3. 160 LBS I think I want this to be My goal weight. I haven't set a date yet.

I know I am aggressive with setting my goals, we will see how close I come to meeting them.

Do either of you worry about extra skin?

Take Care,

Mandy

Gayleen (and Mandy)

2008-09-22T21:01:00.001-07:00

Here's the number: 465-3058

My Follow-up Appointment

2008-09-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies!

I went to see Doc Hansen on Friday. All was well. The incisions are fine. Do either of you know when we can take a bath or go into a hot tub? I have a friend with a hot tub and I was craving some relaxation last night and wasn't sure if I could use the tub or not.

He asked me how the pureed foods were and I told him I haven't been eating pureed stuff. I only eat soft stuff though. I don't eat lettuce or a lot of veggies because I am worried about not chewing them enough. He said that was fine, I just needed to make sure that before I swallow that the food is completely chewed up. I really only eat soups for the most part anyway. I am still getting pretty full after eating about 3/4 to 1 cup of food. It is hard not to drink w/ meals and to wait the 2 hours, but I have been concentrating and making sure I follow that rule. The funny thing is when I have had drinks with meals it hasn't caused me to eat more. But I am sure in the future when we are getting fills it will make a big difference so I am trying to get out of the habit now.

The doc's scale confirmed I had lost 15 pounds, finally. But I have been sitting at this weight for almost 2 weeks. I think exercise is going to make a difference here. If I get out and start getting my metabolism moving again with exercise maybe I'll start to drop more weight. I only exercised once last week due to being so tired in the morning. Morning seems to be the only time I can find the time to exercise. Plus, it is getting kinda cold out there in the a.m. so that is hard too. I am going to try again this week, but my husband (my current walking partner) has a nasty cold so I doubt he will be willing to walk with me any time soon--at least in the next few days.

How are the both of you doing? Gayleen-it's been almost a week! Yay! Are you feeling better? Mandy--what about you? What have you been eating? (I'm sure glad it is soup season, that is super helpful for me. Plus eggs. I eat a lot of eggs. Scrambled or boiled with a little light mayo. Or a Slim Fast in the a.m. Lunch is sometimes beans w/ a bit of cheese. Then soup for dinner. Kinda boring, but I am still feeling fine with it, for now! :)

Hey Gals!

2008-09-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

So, this is weird. I read both of your last posts and then posted a response, but it put my new post under your previous ones....so scroll down a little and read my newest post. I have a couple of questions for ya'all!
Thanks,
Gayleen

Happy 2-week-a-versary

2008-09-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been two weeks Mandy...can you believe it? In my own defense, I only ate the 100-calorie pack of Cheetos so there weren't that many and I made sure to count the calories [smiles]. I have been trying very hard to keep track of calories. Also, since I complained about not losing anything for a whole week I started making sure I was ONLY having the 3 meals a day. That seemed to have helped because I think I am down by 15 pounds now. Yeeha! I think I was having such a hard time eating anything that first little while that I wasn't paying attention to how often I was eating. So, I'm back on track.

Interesting that the doc said your burrito days were over. I guess the tortilla is probably a bad thing. Vivienne (the nurse at the office) told me that when she eats out she only gets the yogurt parfait at McD's or the pintos and cheese at Taco Bell (the innards of a burrito basically). She says this is partly because she is cheap and wants to order off the dollar menu but also because that is all she can eat. Holy Crap! I haven't had that kind of restriction... I do feel full though. I make sure I have the right portion sizes before I sit down and then I can usually eat it all off my plate but then I am pretty satisfied for a while.

When I went out to eat at Mimi's with my husband last Friday they brought this HUGE plate full of food, plus the bread bowl, plus the muffin that came with my order. I had ordered a quiche with mashed potatoes. So I ate like 1/4 of the quiche, a few bites of potato and a small slice off my muffin. I also drank with my meal (milk). But I have stopped drinking with meals since then too. My point is that when they bring you all that food and you only basically PICK at the food, I don't like the way it makes me feel. I feel like I am not really eating and that I want to devour the entire plate of food (like I used to).

So being at home and giving myself only the portion I am supposed to have has really helped me. I get a small plate, it looks fuller than a large one, and I feel like I get to eat ALL my food. This is such a psychological GAME.

The doc set my goal at 225 which is 66% of my excess weight. I'll be honest, that is my FIRST long-term goal. I didn't go through this surgery to NOT go all the way. I want to get to 175 or so. Even 175 is a BMI of 25. But lets be honest, I would KILL for a BMI of 25. Even 225 is SOOOO much better. My first weight with the doc was 301. Harsh...But those days are gone for good baby!!!

2008-09-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hi gurlies,

CHEETOS, oh what a bad girl! I'm totally kidding you Jeanna. If you can get them down then more power to ya.

Gayleen, I'm so glad to hear you are doing better today. I don't blame you for giving up on the Lortab. I took it for a couple of days and then decided I only needed it to help me sleep at night. I took it as a sleeping aid for a couple of nights and broke out into a lovely itchy rash all over my belly. I got smart and decided to quit the Lortab and go to Advil. I have not had any problems with the Advil Liquigels. They go down easy and are supposed to dissolve really fast, so we shouldn't have to worry about them setting around in our pouches.

Lets see... I started drinking the Costco weight loss shakes on day three or four even though it was to soon. I had to because I was starving. Its probably alright if you start them just drink slow. I would hold off on the other full liquids for awhile.

I was totally excited to get onto the mushy foods. I thought I would do fine with them and I can't for the life of me think of anything to eat that sounds half good. I thought the cornbread and butter sounded really good, Jeanna. Now if I only knew how to make it. Can you buy it in a mix? Jeanna, do you actually feel full after you eat? I haven't felt any kind of restriction yet. I just stick to half a cup of whatever I'm eating and if I'm still hungry I just say to bad.

The doctor told me today basically to stop being a baby and just eat pureed foods for two more weeks. I said, "You don't know how hard it is. I would kill for a burrito right now." He said something like, "Your burrito days are over." Hah. Can you believe that? I like him, but he is not the most personable guy I've ever met. I guess I will do what he told me because I am such a good girl, Jeanna! The doctor looked at my incisions and said they looked fine. He said to come back in three weeks for a fill. That was pretty much it. The whole visit was like twenty minutes long.

I have lost 18.8 pounds since the pre-op weigh in. I only lost 3 pounds on the pre-op diet so I have lost 15.8 just since the surgery two weeks ago.

Jeanna, I bet you are holding onto water. You might be a little dehydrated. I wouldn't worry about it to much. Twelve pounds is awesome. Remember what they said: that a lot of people don't lose anything during this first part. Gayleen, you've lost four pounds since the surgery?

By the way, what is everyone's goal to be hot and sassy? What do your husbands think about all of this?

I think when Gayleen gets onto her five week solid food we should all meet for lunch.

I'm going to post a before picture on Friday.

Take care girls,

Mandy

2008-09-17T17:30:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I am jealous of you two! You are both doing great and able to eat a little, too! I know.....just give it time! Okay, so here is a question (hopefully not too graphic) but when you were on the clear liquids only did either of you have the "runs"? I am worried about dehydrating and I am not sure how to help it. I drink all that I can, but I still have to wait several seconds between sips of water. I still feel like I feel the liquid going past my band with almost every swallow. Is this normal for you guys? If I drink/sip too quickly it feels really tight like it is stuck. I wait for a minute and then it goes down. I hope this is normal....I can't take anymore abnormal stuff from this.

So, Jeanna, did the doctor say it was okay to advance your diet? I think you said you were going to talk to him about the difference of being on a pureed diet and just chewing your food really well. It doesn't sound like you have had any problems with keeping the food down, though. That is GREAT!

Mandy, do you feel like you will hold out on the purees or adventure into a more diverse range of foods? I don't know how you can do it for 2 more weeks....Are you eating soft foods like in the Healing Diet or just the more liquified purees? Keep it up girl, you are doing great!

When do you guys get your first fill? Did the doctor say? I wonder how they decide how much to put in?

I need to get a before picture on the blog....me and my great internet abilities. I have to say, however, that according to my scale this morning I am down 10 lbs from before the pre-op diet. I hope I don't put on a bunch when I start adding purees back in. It seems like it has come off really fast, so I am a little skeptical. Optimistic, but skeptical!

Well, guys let me know about the dehydration thing or if you guys find it hard to swallow (or did in the beginning, anyway.)

WAY TO GO GALS!!!!

2008-09-17T17:30:00.000-07:00

Hey gals:

Today I am feeling a lot better. When I went to the Dr. Hansen's office he said that what I experienced was pretty unusual. I guess that all of the bands have about 3cc's of saline in them when they are placed. This normally does not impact the stomach, but because I had more swelling or something, it was making it hard for anything to go down. It is hard to know what caused what....the vomitting caused swelling or the swelling prevented liquid from going down and thus caused vomitting....either way, it has not been a fun way to start the recovery process. He also said that when I go to get fills it will not hurt as bad as it did on Tuesday. He had a hard time finding the port, or the back of the port, or something....he had to try several needles, each one getting longer in length to try to find the port. He first pulled out a vial of blood, but then was able to find some fluid. I was just trying to cope with the procedure at the time and didn't ask him about the blood until I got home. I called him and he said that some bleeding around the site is normal and will disipate and be re-absorbed. I haven't had a fever or anything, so I guess I will live through this!

My hardest thing right now is looking at anything liquid. I bought a lot of flavored water, popsicles, Italian Ice, etc... but everything is tasting too sweet. I have liked the broth, but I prefer making chicken noodle soup and then draining off the noodles and chicken. The other kind of broth isn't very flavorful. I have been hungry, a little, but not really wanting to eat. I have the fear of throwing up again and that prevents me from getting too excited about food. When did you guys move to a full liquid diet? I would really love a yogurt smoothie or slimfast about now.

I am having most of my pain at the site of the port. When I get up from lying down or change positions on the couch or bed I feel it. I have stopped the medications because I cannot stand to take liquid Loritab for one more minute. I don't know if it is because I threw it up for the first 24 hours or not, but I really cannot stomach it any more. I feel like the pain is pretty manageable without any meds. I did get Advil liquidgels but I am nervous about trying to swallow them. Plus, I feel like there is never anything in my stomach so I don't want to aggrevate it by adding Advil. What have you guys done?

I am totally jealous of you both being at the mushy stage. I know you are both sick of it, but I am excited to be able to eat eggs, soup (yummy tomato bisque!), yogurt, pudding, etc.... I am sure I will get sick of that, too, but it sounds so much better than sweet liquid.

It sounds like both of you are doing well with your weight loss! Jeanna: you are at 12 lbs? Mandy: what is your current loss? I have weighed and I think I am about 4 lbs down so far. I am sure it is a lot of water weight in the beginning, but I know if we are consistent we will get to our goals!

I am definately going to have to change the way I think. I eat out a lot. I am on the road with my job a lot and so I tend to eat most of my lunches out. It will definately be a new way of thinking.

Well, let me know how your first Dr. appointments went. Talk to you soon!

Gayleen

Howdy!

2008-09-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

Gayleen, I commented on your post. I sure hope you are doing better today.

I had the chest pain pretty bad. I was worried about it quite a bit, but it is gone now. I only really have the incision pain where my port is and only if I laugh, cough or sneeze. When I sneeze really hard it feels like the port is ripping from the muscles, ouch! (wow, I started sneezing after I typed that, funny.)

As for the mushy food: I have been eating soft foods but I haven't stuck only to blended stuff. I have had taco soup which I just chewed up the beans, corn and meat before I swallowed. I have had quiche, chewing it pretty good before I swallowed, I eat a lot of scrambled eggs for breakfast or a boiled egg with mayo. I'll be honest...I even had a 100 calorie pack of cheetos. I just keep them in my mouth until I'm sure they are soft. I was told that they basically just don't want you throwing up the first month so to be super careful....which I have been. No problems so far. I've had small slices of cake, a peach, mashed potatoes, hot cereal, even a few chips at my mom's house (I was super careful on those and my mom was watching me like a hawk!) and cornbread with butter. Of course I have nowhere near the amount I used to have. I just take it easy on the portion, really small portions actually.

I don't feel too deprived yet but maybe that is because I have been stretching my definition of mushy food.

Also, I had gone down 14 pounds but about a week ago I went up 2 and have stayed at 12 pounds lost for an entire week. I started keeping track of my caloric intake and I get anywhere from 1000-1200 calories a day. So why haven't I lost any more?

My appt with the doc is on Friday. Mandy-Let us know what you talk about and what he says!

2008-09-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

Gayleen,

Oh man you have had it rough girl. I don't know about Jeanna, but I feel like my surgery was a piece of cake compared to your experience.

Do you have help at home this week Gayleen? I just feel awful. I was really keeping my fingers crossed that we would all make it past the surgery part without any complications. Is the doctor worried about all the throwing up?

I didn't know that there was fluid in the band yet. I wonder if my band has fluid as well, or if that is something that Dr. Hansen does differently. What was going on with all the needles?

What is the pain? Is it incision pain? Jeanna, did you have a lot of incision pain? I didn't have much. I just had the dreaded chest pain. Have you had that Gayleen?

I cant really think of anything helpful to say other than maybe it would be easier to sleep in a recliner if you have one. When I came home I tried to get in bed, but the mattress was so high that I couldn't lay flat on my back.

Tomorrow morning is my two week appointment. When is yours, Jeanna? I am really struggling with the pureed food. I am so sick of pureed food that I'm to the point where I would rather not eat. My first question to Dr. Allderedge is going to be, "How important is the pureed food after two weeks? Can't I just chew my food to a pureed consistency?" And I'm not sure I understand what the difference is between the pureed stage and the healing diet other than the fifty grams of protein.

To be honest I feel like my world is completely upside down. I used to eat out all the time. That was fun because when you are fat going out to eat is an outing. I hate pureed foods; they make me feel like I don't have any teeth and they don't look very good. Pretty much food was my life to some degree and now I cant eat. It is hard to look at the pounds melting away when I know that it is happening because I am starving. I want a coke zero.

How are you doing Jeanna? Are you feeling good? What are you eating? Pureed?
What about the surgical tape over the incisions? Has it fallen off?
The tape over my port fell off today and I have one more piece left. I must say that the incisions look pretty good; they're hardly noticeable.

Gayleen hang in there it will get better. Jeanna and myself are proof of that.

Mandy.

2008-09-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I made it through surgery. The doctor said it went really well. My liver was very small and not even covering my stomach. After surgery was pretty tough, though. I had a really hard time getting my oxygen levels up and so I didn't even get home from surgery until almost 1:00. I threw up on the way home and continued to do so all day. I couldn't even take down 5ml's without a lot of pain. I finally called the doctor that night and he made an appointment to meet me at his office this am. Not much sleep happened last night. I tried to pace to deal with the pain, but continued to throw up anyway. I went into the office this morning and he took out about 1.5-1.75 ml's of fluid that was in the band to see if that would help with swallowing. It took 3 needles that were 4-5 inches long. That was pretty painful. When it was all said and done, however, it seemed to help a lot. I have been able to drink today and that feels a lot better. I am now just feeling the typical pains of recovery. I am looking forward to heeling and getting back to daily life.

How are you gals doing? Are you both on purees now? How do you feel you are in the recovery process? Do you guys have any helpful hints to get through these next couple of days? Let me know how you guys are doing.

Gayleen