HOLY MOLY

Wow! It is amazing what .3cc in my band can do. Wednesday, when I had the fill, I didn't notice a big difference other than gurgling. I ate respectively given the new fill. I had a chocolate banana protein shake, sausage potato soup for lunch and dinner.

Thursday I ate just fine. I had 1 egg for breakfast with laughing cow cheese. I had gotten lunch ordered in. Chicken breast, chicken wing, salad, carrot souffle. I only ate the little meat off the wing, about 3 tiny bites of the breast and all of the carrot souffle. It took me 2 hours to finish that. I took the meat left off the chicken breast and shredded it on top of my salad and put that away in the fridge. I ended up eating that for dinner. I didn't get stuck but it was tight after a few bites which made it slow going.

Today has been a WHOLE different story. I tried to eat eggs this morning. Keyword, tried. It wasn't that is was really stuck as it was like my chest/throat tightened up. It was painful after about 4 bites so that was all I ate. A few hours later I tried to go to lunch with my husband and ended up getting "tight" after about 4 bites. I ended up eating 2 bites of refried beans and 2 bites of chimichanga, mostly the meat before I got tight. I brought home almost all of the chimi, refried beans, all of the rice, and the guacamole.  I spit up a little but I didn't throw up. My chest/throat still feels tight and that was 5 hours ago. Atleast I know what I am having for dinner. I am chalking up the tightness to some swelling from the fill. It has been 2 months since my last one so it is like new all over again.

Since having the fill two days ago, I have lost a half pound. It is truly a good feeling to see myself back on track. Once again, I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that without this surgery I would have continued to gain weight because when the band is loose, so are my lips. I go right back to shoveling the food in without a second thought. So much for learning new habits. The only new habit I have kept is no soft drinks. I ocassionally think about a soft drink, even seem to taste it in my mouth when thinking about it, but I have not had a single since my last intake visit March 25, 2010, almost a year now.

So, a random thought here, my surgeon's office said they did a lot of layoffs recently. I am a little concerned with that. This office is usually bustling with people both patients and office workers. It was very quiet and no one was in the waiting room which has never happened before. I sure hope they don't close this office. They have one in a nearby town but it isn't that nearby.

I am eating right now, my leftover lunch, and it is tight going down. It's not a stuck feeling so much as a tightness. It isn't really painful but it feels like to could be at any moment. I am just typing and eating slow, enjoying my meal.

I hope this finds everyone doing well! Check out my updated recipes.

Fill up

I went in today for a fill. I am officially down 95 lbs. I haven't had a fill since December but since this weekend I knew I must get a fill. I was talking to the nurse practioner about it and she said it was good that I came in right away rather than waiting and continue to eat all that food.

Because I haven't had a fill since December, Laura didn't want me to be too tight or uncomfortable with swelling so I got .3cc in my band today.

I had a chocolate banana protein shake for breakfast, sausage potato soup for lunch and dinner. I don't see much difference right now. I remember the last time I got a fill, I was fine for a week then all of a sudden I was tight big time. She told me to give it a few weeks to see how it does.

I simply couldn't be happier. This again was the best decision I ever made and would do again in a heartbeat. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have waited so long.

Fill 'er up

Well, I think now it is time for a fill. I have PIGGED out today. I had eggs for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch(I haven't eaten bread in 3 months, no problem at all today) and 2 chicken breast patties with marinara and fettucini//alfredo. My belly is very uncomfortable and rightly so. I have not been able to eat like that in forever. I will be calling Monday to make an appointment.

I don't know why all of a sudden I can eat everything. Just yesterday things were getting stuck. This makes no sense to me. I will be really confused if tomorrow I am back to being stuck.

This is a short post today. Nothing much going on lately so will be back soon...

The things I ponder...female issues

This has been a quiet week. I have had nothing major going on food or otherwise. I am now down 95 lbs. The weight loss has been slow going lately and I am okay with that. I am not gaining which is part of the goal.

I am eating three meals a day, mostly protein. I have upped my roughage intake lately because of constipation issues. It took a few days but finally it kicked in and I feel so much better. It was touch and go there for a while and though I would never have any relief. Such is the side effects of having mostly protein everyday.

My day usually begins with 2 eggs, 2 wedges of laughing cow lite cheese at 8:30 am. I have an orange or clementine for snack. I eat lunch around 1 or 1:30pm. Yesterday I didn't eat lunch until 3pm. It's mainly when I am hungry. I had a bowl of white chili with cheese, lite sour cream and fritos. Dinner was around 8pm. I had about a cup of crockpot chicken and stuffing(I have updated my recipe). I also had a bowl of rice crispies cereal with milk for a snack. That was all I ate yesterday. I had 3 bottles of Vitamin Water Zero.

 My newest health issue so to speak is my periods. Not the best subject but one I am concerned about. In July 2009 I had the ablation surgery. My periods did not go away. BUMMER!! I have APS, antiphosophilid Antibody Syndrome. It is a blood clotting disorder that we feel is responsible for my miscarriage many many years ago, post-partum hemorrhage, and TIA to name a few. This may also be the reason why the ablation did not cause my periods to stop. Just a theory. Anyway, my periods became irregular after the surgery. The hot flashes were horrendous. They were so intense it felt like I had the flu where I was sweating profusely and shivering. They would last non stop for hours, then I would start my period and they would subside. After a few months of this bliss, my periods became even more erratic. The hot flashes eased up and the periods were slightly normal for about a month or two, then I started having more than one period a month. It was mostly spotting for a few days at a time a few times a month. This month 4 full fledged periods. I am thinking what the HECK!! Last night or should I say about 2 this morning I woke up in a pure sweat. I went the bathroom and there my period was full force. REALLY???? That would be number 4 since January 19th. I haven't had my annual exam since 2009. Yeah I know...not a good thing. So I had made my appointment last week for March to get my exam and the dreaded 1st mammogram.

My question to my doctor will be could my lapband be causing this or is it the weightloss? Either way....FIX IT!! I had tubal ligation in 2004 so having more children is not an issue just fix it. What are your issues since being banded? I know that weightloss itself can cause issues with periods but I wonder if the band plays any role?

Still not ready for a fill. I am eating a little more at each sitting but I still get stuck daily on something even soft foods so I feel a fill is not the best choice right now. If I start to gain then definitely will rethink that.

Vitamin Water Zero

Ok, so I feel the need to defend Vitamin Water Zero because a national morning news program did a piece on Vitamin Water and how bad it is for you. They told how Vitamin Water makes claims about who needs a flu shot when you can drink it? They compared it to regular soft drinks. While I agree, regular Vitamin Water is not a good choice and frankly just as bad as a regular sugar laden soft drink, they did not give any mention to Vitamin Water Zero. Fair? I think not. And the flu thing is just plain silly and dumb. Bad Vitamin Water, bad bad bad...

Now this is for those who don't use artificial sweeteners and are heavily addicted to soft drinks. That would have been me prior to March 25, 2010. A little background on me...I drank regular soft drinks always. I have a high sensitivity/allergy to artificial sweeteners. I was hospitalized for it once so yeah I don't touch the stuff if I can help it. I have to have a large dose (as in a diet soft drink) of it to have slight problems but long term use or using it while my immune system is compromised will cause major problems to develop.

So, I drank regular sugar laden soft drinks daily. I had 2-3 20 oz bottles of Big Red daily at work and then 2-3 12 oz cans of grape soda at home each day. Sometimes more. I had tried the Vitamin Water 10 and found it had a funny aftertaste and wasn't all that good. I tried it though and it didn't cause any reactions so I drank one a day, maybe. Then they came out with Vitamin Water Zero. On March 25, I had my last intake and scheduled my Lap Band surgery. That day I quit soft drinks for good, cold turkey. I picked up Vitamin Water Zero and never looked back.

Here's the skinny on it. It is made with Stevia taken from www.stevia.com.

Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia has many excellent properties. The body does not metabolize the sweet glycosides from the stevia leaf or any of its processed forms - so there is no caloric intake. Stevia doesn't adversely affect blood glucose levels and may be used freely by diabetics.

Now, for my personal opinion and remember this is personal so everyone is different. I am diabetic and have had no problems what so ever with my blood sugar while using Vitamin Water Zero. I also have not had one cold, knock on wood, or the flu or any problems. I have children and they have been sick with the flu, colds, strep throat, even my husband has "caught" all of it, but not me. I wake up feeling like something is coming on but then it goes away. Now is this due to Vitamin Water Zero? I don't know but I do know I caught EVERYTHING that was going around but since drinking the Vitamin Water Zero I have caught nothing. Coincidence? Maybe. I figure the vitamins can't hurt. I only drink Vitamin Water Zero Rise flavor. It is orange. You have to be careful because some of the other flavors have natural caffeine in them and I don't drink any caffeine. Now, some that drink diet drinks think the Vitamin Water Zero is too sweet tasting. I find it is just right considering I used to drink regular soft drinks.

Anyway, this is my personal opinion and in no way claims to be right for everyone but suggests this as an alternative and something that has worked for me.

Slimed...oh my!

Well, I had the MOST horrific experience yesterday. So traumatizing I am just now able to write about it. I will preface this by saying I have had a few sliming episodes. They happened, I dealt with it and moved on. Nothing spectacular. I must correct this. I did have one spectacular episode and that was when my esophogus was so stressed that it started having spasms and I continued to throw up every 15 minutes for hours and hours. That freaked me out. So other than that I handled them just fine. Yesterday was another story all together.
WARNING...TMI....long story...

OK, so yesterday was a day like any other. I got up, got ready for work, got my daughter ready for school. The difference was I took her to school instead of having her ride the bus. I chose to skip breakfast because I was going to order an early lunch.

After getting to work, I am in the break room getting some hot chocolate with my boss. She's getting a honey bun. Yum mm...honey bun. Dang, I haven't had one of those in years I thought to myself. So I decided I would get one and heat it up in the microwave. OMG...it smelled good and I was starving having skipped breakfast that morning. So I go back to my desk with hot chocolate in one hand and hot and melty honey bun in the other. I paced myself and ate half of the honey bun and I was done, full and satisfied. Or so I thought. About 5 minutes later I felt the tightening in my throat. I felt the increase in saliva. It was getting worse. The pain was really bad. I tried the hot chocolate since hot liquids tend to help things go down. In retrospect that was not a good idea seeing how I now suspect that caused the honey bun to swell. I felt it coming back up. Kind of prairie dogging it in my throat. Then I felt my tongue getting tingly and that is a sure sign of what was to come, or come up. I made my way to the bathroom and to my horror it was full and there was a line. There was no way I could make it to the far end of the building to the other bathroom. Finally a stall opened up and it was at the end, thank you GOD. We have motion-sensored toilets so as soon as I shut the door it started to flush, I took the opportunity and the honey bun came right up, along with the hot chocolate. So sorry to see you go my friend. Of course, I felt much much better. So I waited a few seconds and left to wash my hands. I went back to my desk.
I thought I was in the clear. I just needed to relax a little. Well, about 10 minutes later I felt the tightening again only this time not so bad or painful. I just figured a little walking around and gravity would help things along. So I walked around and then I had to go to the bathroom to pee. I went in and again it was full. Really?? I waited but this time I got a middle stall. Dang my bad luck!
What happened next will be burned into my very soul. I sat down to use the restroom and without warning, no signs at all, a HUGE HUGE glob of slime just came up. It was probably the equivalent of about 2 cups. No kidding. It was slipping through my hands and fingers right down into my underwear and jeans and eventually running onto the floor. A large puddle. I was grabbing for toilet paper trying to pull it out of my drawers. It was not working, it was too slimey and thick. I eventually got it out but not before my underwear and jeans were soaked down the back and a streak down my leg. I also had a slick of slime down my shirt.

What was I going to do? I was mortified. The bathroom was packed. I was sitting there with wet jeans and underwear and a wet shirt. I kept inspecting my jeans and it appeared the wetness was limited to my butt. i knew my shirt was long enough to cover my butt. There was still the matter of a streak of wetness down the leg. I couldn't hide that. And the wetness of my shirt I could say I spilled something. The problem is I couldn't go home. One because it wasn't my lunch hour and I was having lunch delivered and I just can't leave work.  People would know if I went home and changed provided I got out of there without anyone seeing my pants. I realized the slime doesn't smell at all, that was good. Now I know this is gross but I had no choice. When the bathroom was finally clear I got out pulled my shirt down in the back and inspected it in the mirror. Okay so unless someone was checking by rear out I should be okay except for this area around the back crotch area looked like I peed. Then there was the leg, oh and my shirt. I grabbed some paper towels and about that time someone came in. I pretended to dab at my shirt like I was cleaning it. Then I did clean it. Went back to my desk and sat down. My boss asked me what happened to my shirt. I said I spilled something on it. True dat.
I then turned on my fan to dry my shirt and then pointed it down and periodically sat so it blew on my backside. To make sure no smell I used some strong smelling hand sanitizer and when no one was looking would rub it on the wet areas. I sat there for 3 hours before my jeans no longer looked wet. I was self conscious all day but there was nothing I could do. I wasn't leaving able to leave.

To put this in perspective, this happened around 10:30 am. I don't get off work until 8 pm. So you see I had a long day to sit and think about it while sitting in it. OMG...no more honey buns for me!!

Things are picking up

You know I go through this slump where I am not losing, but gain a little. Then I lose a bit and gain a bit. Clothes don't fit then they do. I am like, what's up with that??

I am on a downward spiral. It's a good thing though. Overall, I am still losing weight. That's the good part.

I was reading someone's blog, I can't remember who, and they mentioned their height, that they had grown. A light bulb went off because I had always been 5' 8" but a few years ago I was measured at 5' 6". I was like what the heck?? So I measured myself again. I am now 5' 7". I guess with the weight on it was literally "weighing me down".

I went clothes shopping yesterday. I actually enjoy it because I can go to regular stores and buy off the rack now. I had bought some pants a size smaller and they fit but after an hour or so they stretched out and were too big. So my boss said I should buy them another size smaller if there is stretch in them and then by the time they stretch out they will fit perfect. So I dd. I got "Flirt" skinny jeans in a size smaller than before. They are snug in the legs but fit in the waist. I am SOOOOOO excited. The pants usually are HUGE in the legs and hips. I can't wait to wear them out. I am saving so much money on clothes since I don't have to go to specialty stores for my clothes and I actually enjoy going shopping.

Here's a tip I highly recommend. I have always had big hips and legs. Thunder thighs is what I was called. I started wearing AVIA Toner Shoes. I LOVE THEM!!! I think they are the reason I have lost inches and inches from my legs, hips and calves. I know this because when the weather has been snowy I wore my snow boots for about 2 weeks and I noticed my legs and hips were flabbier and bigger. Before they were tight when I was wearing the shoes. Whether it's AVIA or some other, it sure couldn't hurt.

Now, about my new hair do. YIKES!! I am beginning to think I looked like a toad because people are coming out of the woodwork literally to compliment me on my hair cut, hair color and even my eyes. I have had them ask if I was wearing new make up or they said I was lining my eyes now because they just pop out. Nope I tell them same make up, always lined my eyes. I did have my eyebrows waxed.  They love the color and the cut. Lots of people I don't even talk to are coming up to me at work. Yes it had been 4 months since my last hair cut/color/eyebrow wax. I am thinking I shouldn't wait so long anymore. What gets me is some come to me more than once to tell me they love my hair and eyes. It's a really good feeling but at the same time, dang I must have let myself go really bad for it to be this much of a difference.

Here's to the "new" me...

Stylish Blogger Award

Well Thank You "Fitby40" for nominating me. I am so proud and happy to pay it forward.

Here is how it works:
Thank the person who gave you the award, reveal seven things about yourself, and nominate 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered or love. Then leave a comment on their blog letting them know they've been nominated.


1. I am considered the computer guru. I am all things computer. If it is on the Internet I will find it. I love technology and love new gadgets.

2. I have the patience of a saint. No really. It takes a whole whole lot to push me over the edge. I rarely raise my voice at people because I just don't think it gets me anywhere.

3. I am the best friend you will ever have. I am not judgemental and I don't hold grudges but I do expect the same in return. Don't make me choose you over someone else because I won't do it and for that reason I have lost many friends over the years.

4. I am a good listener. There is a difference between hearing someone and listening to what they have to say. I am a listener. I make a point to pay attention what is said to me. I really want to hear what you have to say.

5. I am embarrassed of my self. I don't hold myself in high esteem. I am starting to but I think a lifetime of hating myself and everything about me is hard to change overnight.

6. Secretly I have always wanted to be a cheerleader or a dancer. I know it's crazy but it's true. I think it would be awesome to perform but I know this is something I wouldn't or couldn't do.

7. I have a bucket list of places I want to visit. Las Vegas, Hawaii, Spain, and Rome.

Here are my blog choices:

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ by Michelle. She has great recipes and is so down to earth. She is also on facebook.
http://lifeasiknowitsc.blogspot.com/ A Southern Girl by Jennifer. I can relate to a lot of what she is going through so it is nice to read her blog and not feel so alone in my journey
http://sisterhoodofthetravelingbandits.blogspot.com/ "B.O.O.B.S. otherwise known as Band of outrageous Babes! Enough said!!
http://bellanean.blogspot.com/ by Jeanine. She keeps it real. Whether she is up or down on the scale.
http://lapbandgalsjourney.blogspot.com/ She is an inspiration!! She has lost 115 lbs within 14 months of surgery!! I know I can make just by seeing her success. You go GIRL!
http://jttlbd.blogspot.com/ It's about her journey to her goal. Her little black dress. Sometimes the prize is all the motivation you need to keep you going.
http://bandmeimready.blogspot.com/ by Mary. She finally was banded and seems really motivated. She is going fabulous in her weight loss!
http://onceuponaband.blogspot.com/ by Paige. She struggles at times but keeps trucking along. Been there done that!
http://ldswims-journeytoembrace.blogspot.com/ Fashionista. Always full of great topics and ideas.
http://alisonsbandedadventures.blogspot.com/ by Alison. Reminds me that everyone around the world has the same issues and struggles yet we are all in this together.
http://babblesofabandster.blogspot.com/ by Amy. Has lost over 126 lbs. WOW~~~
http://www.bandfriendlyrecipes.com/ by Megan. Who isn't looking for recipes and tips??
http://joslapbandweightlossjourney.blogspot.com/ by Jo. It's reassuring that I am not the only one that weighs myself every morning.LOL!
http://ladylapband.blogspot.com/ by Breanne. She's lost over 70 lbs. I like to keep these successes around me. Awesome!!
http://melissaslapbandjourney.blogspot.com/ Proof that all goals can be achieved a little at a time.

I am always looking for more bander blogs to follow so shoot me an email.

2010 Review and Reflect

I thought I would sit down and contemplate the year that has passed. Wow, it has been a whirlwind of events. This time last year I was getting ready for my first meeting with the surgeon's office to get information. Here I sit a year later with a whole new life. Amazing how life changes in such a short period of time.

I have gone from flab to fab. Well, okay that is a little overboard but I am getting there. The point is I feel fab, more fab about myself than I have in more than 20 years. It is an amazing feat to say the least. I am really proud of what I have accomplished.

So many things have changed about myself. My size of course. I am down 91 lbs. WOO HOO!!
My BP is so so much better. Being able to reduce my meds gives me a whole new freedom.
Since my size is down, so are my clothes sizes. I am able to buy off the rack at a regular store, of course in their plus or Women's department but the fact is I don't HAVE to go to Lane Bryant anymore. I had to go there because that is the only place I could find plus size clothes that were actually plus sized. Not long before my surgery I didn't even go there. I had to buy online because I was bigger than the biggest size in the LB. I could find pants but never any tops.

My mobility is way better. I am able to get around better. I can CROSS MY LEGS!! That to me is a major accomplishment. I can once again be lady-like.

I am posting pics of myself on facebook. That is almost impossible to believe. The pic I posted here today I also posted on facebook. I'm okay with that because I am proud of how I look right now. I see the difference and yes I know I am still fat I am just not as fat. The last time I got my hair done was in September. That was 4 months ago! I haven't colored or cut my hair. I was letting myself go. I can't do that. I have to keep my hair up because it makes me look more presentable and it makes me feel better about myself. From now on I need to make this time for myself because I am so worth it now.
2010 is gone and 2011 is just creeping in. I can't wait to see what this year brings. It is exciting to think of all that I will accomplish with my weight this year.

I started working out this week. I am taking it really slow. If I jump in too fast, knowing myself, I will just drop it like a hot potato. I finished my exercise room. It has an elliptical, treadmill, recumbent bike, weights, and TV/DVD. I have everything I could possibly need, except motivation. I am working on it.

Welcome 2011. Let's see what you've got...

This is my new pic, January 21, 2011