Post Op Week 12 - Xmas Dinner = +1.8

Okay, I guess I over did it over the Christmas holiday. I had breakfast at my brothers on Christmas morning and I didn't do soooo bad. I got up the day after and went for the 5 mile walk around Stone Mountain and made it in 1 hr and 20 mins. I think I did great! I weighed in on Sunday morning and was down to 223.5 and boy was I happy about that. Then came my birthday dinner on Sunday afternoon and I guess I had too much good food. I didn't go above and beyond at the gym this week and so I gained almost 2 pounds. Of course, I am not very excited about that but I won't let myself get bummed out because I enjoyed every bite. Today's weigh in with the Wii showed me back at 225.1 - I will do better next week.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all that follow and comment and offer support. I wish you all a Happy, Safe, Prosperous and Healthy New Year!

Post Op Week 11 - Still...

Happy Holidays To All! I had a pretty good week with my weight. Today's Wii action was 225. Yes, down a few more pounds. So, let's do a little recap of my progress. I started my journey back on October 5, 2009 weighing in at 270 right before my 2 day pre op liquid diet. My surgery was Octobert 8, 2009 and all has been wonderful so far. I am down 45 pounds (wow) and I think my approach towards my goal of 165 is progressing at a good rate. Last week I picked the coldest day to go to Stone Mountain to walk the 5 mile trek around the mountain but I did it! Usually, there are many people out walking or running or biking but on Sunday it was cold and dreary and very quiet at the park. I hope to get that 5 mile walk in again this Saturday because I haven't done my best at the gym this week. I went on Monday and did pretty good. Tuesday was a stressful day for me and I didn't even make 30 minutes on the elliptical. Wednesday was an off day but it should not have been because the gym is closed on today and tomorrow. So, I gotta go hard on Saturday. I had my 2nd fill on Monday and now I should have a total of 10 cc's in my band per the doctor. I find it hard to believe but that is what he says I have. I think my restriction is pretty good because I don't feel hungry for a long time after I eat. So, tomorrow is the big day and I hope you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday with those you care about most. Talk to you next week.

Post Op Week 10 - Back on Track

Hello to All...This week was better than last and I am back on track! The trusty Wii showed my weight today at 229 with a 39.11 BMI (still obese...lol). I still don't know what happened last week but we will leave it alone. This week I felt good about my workouts. I think I made it to the gym about 6 times but I am not trying to make that a habit. Still not loving the gym...but I am loving the results and so I will continue. My clothes are getting too big and I don't want to waste money on buying new clothes that only fit for a couple of months. What to do? A predictament that feels great to be in but is a waste of money that I don't have to waste. So, Christmas is upon us and for me, it is the best time of the year. Not only is it Christmas but it is also my birthday. This year I may be a bit lonely with the "sweetie" visiting family in HTown but I have my family here in the ATL and I guess that is what's important. I hope you all have a great week and I will chat with you next week...

Post Op Week 9 - What! +1.8

It happened! I gained a pound within the last 4 days. Today's weigh in showed a gain of 1.8 pounds which brings me to 233.5 and I don't know how that happened. Honestly, I am okay with the 1 pound gain (almost 2) but I still don't get it. I have exercised and thought I was eating the correct foods. Maybe it's the dreaded STRESS! Anyway, it's okay, I will have to work harder to get that back off and more. I have an appt today with my surgeon and I wanted to be at 230 but I fell short. I do have a fill coming up in about a week so I am now looking forward to that. It has been a whirlwind of a week and one that I don't care to even think of anymore. I am looking and reaching forward for a better tomorrow. I hope you all have a great week of moving and losing...

Post Op Week 8 - Another Good Week

So, another Thanksgiving has come and gone and for me this year was quite different. This was probably the first year in over 30 years that I didn't have cornbread dressing ( my all time favorite) nor did I have German Chocolate Cake ( my all time favorite forever). I didn't really miss the food so much as I did the enjoyment of gathering around the table with family and just eating. I know that sound weird but that is what I missed most. I did have food but of course only a dab of a few things. Anyway, I survived it without gaining, all is well! Today's weigh in on the Wii was 235 lbs. and that is a total weight loss of 35 lbs since Oct. 05, 2009. I've yet to set any goals because I have been too busy concentrating on trying to eat right and get in my exercise. So far, I have maintained my exercise regimen of 5 or more days a week at 30 minutes or more each time. I am happy about that because as stated in a previous post "I hate exercising" so any time that I make it to the gym or do the "walk" I am proud of myself for getting it done. I hope everyone is doing well and keeping it moving...

Post Op Week 7 - Giving Thanks

I am posting 1 day early due to the holiday and I may be too busy to get to it before the week is out. My partners family is coming to town for the holiday and I haven't done a thing so I will be busy today when I get home. So, I did the weigh in early as well and today I am sitting pretty at 235.5...that is 34.5 pounds down since pre op back on October 5. Still getting my exercise in at least 5 times a week and watching the calorie intake. All in all, I am happy with my progress. It is going to be different this year at Thanksgiving because my Mother has always made a feast as most mothers do and wow what a difference a band will make. I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to use the band to my advantage and though it will be different and difficult to not consume all of the wonderful foods that will be available I am most thankful for the new outlook on life! I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is one filled with love, joy and happiness. Until next week...

Post Op Week 6 - 30 Pounds Down

So, it is week 6 of my lapband surgery and I am down 30 pounds! I am feeling great and looking forward to continuing this wonderful journey. This week has been challenging with getting a workout in 5 days because my partner had the surgery today and I have been trying to get everything all prepared so I have only exercised twice this week so far but hopefully I can get to the gym tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. Just another weekly update...30 pounds down and more to go...

Post Op Week 5 - Still Going Good

I have made it to post op week 5 and everything is everything. I am still on the soft food stage and I think this is my last week and I can proceed to solid maybe. I don't know if I am looking forward to that now that I have become accustomed to the soft easy foods. I think I will take it slow and add in different food textures at a very slow pace. I do not want anything to get stuck! I am still going to the gym or walking my block at least 5 times a week and I think I am doing pretty good with that. The scale is still moving on the downward end and that is also a welcomed sight. Yesterday was my weigh in and the WII clocked me at 242. I think that is about 1 or 2 pounds down from last Thursday. Anyway, that is my story for this week...

My FIrst Fill

Hello to All - I just wanted to pop in and give a quick update on my first fill. It was quite uneventful and that is just the way I like it. I was amazed when he scheduled me so soon for a fill but glad at the same time I guess. Anyways, I have an 11 cc band and yesterday he put in 6 cc's. I am currently on liquids but I do believe I can tell the difference. I won't be sure until I start back on soft foods tomorrow or Thursday. Anyway, that's my fill story and I will give my weekly update on Thursday.

Post Op Week 4

Happy Friday to all! It is post op week 4 and all is the same and everything is going pretty good. I think I miscalculated my weight loss on my last post. It should have been 24 pounds total lost instead of 26. Yesterday when I got on the WII it should 1.5 pounds lost but that put me at 27 pounds total so miscalculation last week. It all good though, I will take any weight loss. I am still trying to make the gym or I will do the 2 mile trek around my neighborhood. My adventure will be tomorrow when I go back to "The Mountain". I used to walk the 5 miles around Stone Mountain back when I was doing the weight watchers thing but I kinda got out of my rhythm in many ways and I haven't been in awhile. This will be my test on how well I can get back at it. I feel like I am not giving my all when I exercise but I also feel like I am super tired when I am done. I am satisfied with my workout but I have got to get better. I hope all is well with everyone and I will be back soon...

Post-Op Week 3 - All is well

Today is October 29, 2009 and I have made it through to post op week 3. All is well...it has been 3 weeks of liquid and I am so excited about moving on to the soft/mushy stage of the food list. I have continued my exercises and its getting better. I am still not a fan of the gym but I am going. I am trying to make sure that I exercise at least 5 times a week for 30 minutes or more and I have done that so far. Today I weighed in at home on the WII and I am now at 244.5 and that is a total weight loss of 26 lbs since my pre op appt Oct. 05, 2009 and I am happy about that. I guess that is it for now. I hope to post pictures soon. Until then...

20 Pounds Down - 2nd Week Post Op

This is my 2 week post op update and I am a little late. After my follow up appt with the surgeon he told me to get to exercising. Well, I have been going to the gym and once I get started, it's not so bad. Oh, did I say I hate exercising. I don't hate it so much that I won't do it but I don't push myself to go beyond whatever minutes I input on the treadmill. If I put 30 minutes that's what it is and I don't go any further. I hope to get better. I am still on liquids! My doctor requires 3 weeks of liquids after surgery and then 3 weeks of mushies/soft foods before moving on to solids. This liquid stage has been a task at times because you just get tired of the same old drinks. I am so over protein shakes but I endure and try to press on. Today I tried butternut squash soup for the first time in my life and it was quite enjoyable. It is a soup that I had not seen before in a box. I think it is by Campbell's not sure though. But it was pretty tasty. I saw online where people that eat butternut squash soup sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and I tried that as well. Tasty. So, I think that is it for now. I go back to work on Monday and I must say that I am very ready. I am not a person that enjoys sitting home all day. Have a great week.

1 Week Post Op

Today I had my follow up with the surgeon and all went well. I have lost a total of 13 pounds since October 6th which is when I started the pre op liquid diet. I am happy about that and the doctor told me I could start to do some exercise. I am still sore at the port site and I am now having some gas pains but not too bad. The walking should really help with the gas that I am having. All in all, I am feeling pretty good. I am still on full liquids for another week or so and then on to food phase 2. Also, can you believe that he has scheduled me for my first fill. I have appt on 11/09 to have a fill and wow, I did not expect that to happen today. Can you say aggressive!

A Better Day

Well today I feel a little better than yesterday. I had a horrible bout with diarrhea and stomach cramps. I don't think the protein agrees with me. I have tried several different types and none seem to stay in long. I have Isopure, GNC Brand with Vitamins (awful), Biggest Loser Chocolate, Lean Dessert Chocolate Coconut (something like that) and I tried the Unjury. Anyway, none of it is so tasty and all of it hurts me. I have 2 days before I see the doctor and hopefully he will send me on my merry way to mushies. So, until then I will keep sipping and walking.

Monday, Monday

Well today is my 4th day post op and I feel pretty good. I have not had all of the shoulder pain from gas that most talk about. It has been relatively smooth sailing. But don't let the smooth taste fool you, it is hard! The first couple of days I didn't want too much of anything and I have yet to get all the protein in that is required. I can't seem to find anything that taste good enough to continue on a daily basis. I can stomach a sip or two but that is about it. I don't want to throw up so I just drink only the amount that I feel will stay down. I have not been able to drink all of the water but I am sipping away. I am getting the hunger pains these last 2 days and am wanting something more. I have my follow up appt on Friday and I am so hoping that I can go on to the mushie stage because I need to chew something! All in all it is not real bad but not the easiest thing I've had to do. Just wanted to pop in and update...Still a little soreness around the port incision but doing pretty good.

Banded!

I made it! I had my surgery on yesterday. I went into the OR around 1:45pm and was in my room after recovery around 4:30pm. I was feeling great. I had some chicken broth, jello and crystal light about 6pm and it tasted great. I was hungry. I didn't have a lot of pain, just sore. I didn't have to punch on my morphine pump at all after I got into my room. I was up walking about 8pm and still feeling fine. Since the doctor likes to monitor you overnight, I had to stay and man, the nurses and techs were in and out all night long. I didn't get any sleep so when I was discharged and got home, I was out. All in all, the surgery went well, I feel good and so far, everything is good. I don't have any updates on weight yet, no one weighed me. I did step on my home scale on the morning of my surgery day and it showd 258. I have to consider my scale a little suspect because sometimes it tells me things I don't believe. Anyway, I have my follow up appt on Friday and I guess I will get weighed then and see what the doctors scale says. Until then....

It is the second day of my two day clear liquids only diet and it hasn't been sooo bad. I have moments of being hungry and wanting something to chew but the thought of messing up my chance at this surgery overtakes all of the food that runs through my mind. Tomorrow is the big day and I am nervous about what will be but excited about what will become...

I survived pre op! I wasn't really nervous because I think I am now over the whole needle thing. But, I still get a little anxious when I don't know exactly what is going to take place at any doctors appt. So, all went well with the exception of my veins and getting blood. Man, the lady was so patient with me and the trickles of blood that flowed. I had to have 11 tubes of blood drawn but the fun part for her was finding a vein. It took over 30 minutes just to get a vein that would pull enough blood. Anyway, thanks to Sabrina at Dekalb Medical for her patience and humor to get through a "hard stick". Surgery in 3 days...

I was just sitting here and thought I would add a post on how I am feeling today. I am about 4 days out before my surgery and I guess I am feeling a little anxious, somewhat nervous but wanting it to come and go so that I can begin anew. I have my pre-op labs on tomorrow and then 2 days of clear liquids for Tuesday and Wednesday. The time is near...

Well today is officially 1 week away from surgery and I can't wait. I know it sounds crazy to want to have a surgery that will probably cause discomfort but this morning was proof that I need this surgery. I could not find a thing to wear! I feel so uncomfortable in everything I put on because it is either too tight or too big. This happened because when I lost weight back in 2007, I bought new clothes and got rid of all the bigger clothes. Mistake...who knew I would gain the weight back. Now it is a daily struggle to find something to wear to work! So over it! Anyway, I am going to post pictures soon of me now and some from the past couple of years and hopefully as I progress the pictures will show a smaller version of me.

Hello to All,

I am starting this blog because I think that it will keep me focused and hold me accountable for my actions as I take on this weight loss journey.

I, like most, have been overweight all of my life and it had become the "norm". I knew that I was overweight but it didn't really bother me so much that it would make me change my eating habits or do any exercises. I've tried many diets and did exercises and saw results but they just didn't last long. I would lose a few pounds here and there but they would quickly come back to haunt me. My best results came in 2006 when I was about to turn 40. I vowed in January '06 that in December I would be a new me. Well, I did have a drastic weight loss accomplishment and went from 294 pounds to 225 pounds by my birthday in December. I was ecstatic and felt good about myself. I maintained that 225 pounds for about 6 months and slowly it started to come back. Now here I am in 2009 and my current weight is 267 pounds.

I started looking into wls back in 2007 but really made a move and started the process in May '09. I have completed the process of testings, appointments and seminars and my insurance company has approved the surgery. I have a surgery date of October 08, 2009 to have LapBand surgery and I am excited. I hope this bring new meaning to the word "life" and the start of anew.

As stated earlier, this blog is being started to hold me accountable for my actions and I will keep you all posted on what is going on with me and my progress. Thanks for your interest and I hope that I can be inspirational for someone.