I think I may have found my sweet spot. My last fill was on June 6th. The first 2 weeks, I didn't feel much, but now...I can only eat between 1/2- 1 cup at a time. Oh, and by the way, I know this because I am continuing to measure all my meals. I make sure my entire meal fits into two 1/2 cup containers. I have also lost a total of 8.5 pounds since June 6th.
Lost: 8.5 pounds and frustration
Found: MOTIVATION
Have a great weekend everyone...oh and please pardon the look of the blog...I am "redecorating"!
LilySlim Weight loss tickers
Friday, June 24, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
I'm Back...
So I took a bit of a breather there. Mostly because I was getting a bit frustrated and worried. I was stuck in this fluctuation of 3-4 pounds for about a month. I would gain a couple pounds then lose 3, gain 1 lose 1...then I got worried that my band wasn't working. Was my esophogus dialated? Did I stretch my pouch? I had days where I swear I could eat a horse and then 2 days later could only eat what a bandster "should" be able to eat. Then I had a fill 2 weeks ago...that got me worried again. I went to a Mexican restaurant for my birthday lunch with friends from work and I was able to eat 2 whole brisket tacos with absolutely no problem. Oy. So fast forward to this past weekend and some enlightenment provided by Lap Band Gal. She blogged that at any given time she could eat more than the regulated 1 cup of food, but she chooses to only eat 1 cup or less (paraphrasing of course). Cue light bulb. So with that info I have decided to start portioning out my food in 1 cup portions like this (tonights dinner: 2.5 oz chicken and 1/2 c of risotto. Chicken = 115 cals, risotto = 85 cals. Total protein = 17 grams):
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And guess what? This totally satisfied me. I WILL GET IT THROUGH MY HEAD THAT THE POINT IS TO EAT TO WHERE YOU ARE SATISFIED, NOT EAT UNTIL THE BAND "STOPS" YOU.
I would love to hear from my fellow bloggers or followers if they have experienced any of this and what they have done about it. Do you portion out all your meals? What are your tips?
Oh and I have also learned something about fills. The number of ccs you have in your band means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I currently have 5.7 ccs in my band after 5 fills. I don't feel completely in that I am in that green zone or sweet spot yet, but I hope I am close to getting there. I know some bandsters that only have 2 ccs in their bands and are in the green zone. I also know some bandsters that didn't reach the green zone until they had 9 ccs in their 10 cc band. If you are new and reading this, please do not get hung up on this number. Just focus on what is working for you. I personally like to know how many ccs are in my band because I am curious...not because it really means anything other than a number. I didn't always think this way...it is hard not to think that this whole process would be easier if they threw 7 ccs in the band at the beginning, but we need to trust the process and recognize that the band is a tool, not a complete solution.
Ok, so that is it for now. I vow to be more vigilant about blogging...it sure keeps me honest.
And guess what? This totally satisfied me. I WILL GET IT THROUGH MY HEAD THAT THE POINT IS TO EAT TO WHERE YOU ARE SATISFIED, NOT EAT UNTIL THE BAND "STOPS" YOU.
I would love to hear from my fellow bloggers or followers if they have experienced any of this and what they have done about it. Do you portion out all your meals? What are your tips?
Oh and I have also learned something about fills. The number of ccs you have in your band means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I currently have 5.7 ccs in my band after 5 fills. I don't feel completely in that I am in that green zone or sweet spot yet, but I hope I am close to getting there. I know some bandsters that only have 2 ccs in their bands and are in the green zone. I also know some bandsters that didn't reach the green zone until they had 9 ccs in their 10 cc band. If you are new and reading this, please do not get hung up on this number. Just focus on what is working for you. I personally like to know how many ccs are in my band because I am curious...not because it really means anything other than a number. I didn't always think this way...it is hard not to think that this whole process would be easier if they threw 7 ccs in the band at the beginning, but we need to trust the process and recognize that the band is a tool, not a complete solution.
Ok, so that is it for now. I vow to be more vigilant about blogging...it sure keeps me honest.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Yes, I'm Alive
I've been a bad blogger. I haven't blogged in FOREVER. Sorry about that - life has been so busy. Nothing too exciting, just BUSY.
I had another fill, but this time I only received .8 ccs. The PA and I had a talk about not worrying about how much saline is in my band but rather if what I have is working for me. I think I was getting too hung up on the number. I have pretty good restriction now (it's been a week), but the restriction didn't come until one week after the fill. Strange.
I had a 3 month follow up appointment with my nutritionist this past Saturday. It was actually a "class" with another "student". The other lady in the class with me had Gastric Bypass 2 weeks after I had my lap band surgery. And guess what? We've both lost pretty much the same amount of weight. I still am curious as to why some people choose Gastric Bypass. It seems way more dangerous (the surgery, that is). Anyway, I thought that was interesting and worth noting. I know several people are reading this blog and trying to decide which route to take...So in this class, the nutritionist had us write a letter to ourselves, which she is going to mail to us in 5 weeks. We sealed the envelope so hopefully she won't be reading them. Mine said something like this "Dear Amanda - this is a stupid assignment. Oh yeah, and exercise more. Love, Me". This "in touch with your feelings" crap is so not me. We did learn some new exercise techniques, so at least I got something out of it.
The best news is I went shopping this weekend and bought sweater. Wanna know what size it was?? Size LARGE. That's right no Extra in front of that. You know how long it has been since I wore a size Large?? Try forever. Of course I had to document the occasion:
I had another fill, but this time I only received .8 ccs. The PA and I had a talk about not worrying about how much saline is in my band but rather if what I have is working for me. I think I was getting too hung up on the number. I have pretty good restriction now (it's been a week), but the restriction didn't come until one week after the fill. Strange.
I had a 3 month follow up appointment with my nutritionist this past Saturday. It was actually a "class" with another "student". The other lady in the class with me had Gastric Bypass 2 weeks after I had my lap band surgery. And guess what? We've both lost pretty much the same amount of weight. I still am curious as to why some people choose Gastric Bypass. It seems way more dangerous (the surgery, that is). Anyway, I thought that was interesting and worth noting. I know several people are reading this blog and trying to decide which route to take...So in this class, the nutritionist had us write a letter to ourselves, which she is going to mail to us in 5 weeks. We sealed the envelope so hopefully she won't be reading them. Mine said something like this "Dear Amanda - this is a stupid assignment. Oh yeah, and exercise more. Love, Me". This "in touch with your feelings" crap is so not me. We did learn some new exercise techniques, so at least I got something out of it.
The best news is I went shopping this weekend and bought sweater. Wanna know what size it was?? Size LARGE. That's right no Extra in front of that. You know how long it has been since I wore a size Large?? Try forever. Of course I had to document the occasion:
Monday, April 25, 2011
Updates
How's that for a witty blog title?
I'm struggling. I'm frustrated. My restriction is worse than the up and downs on a roller coaster. One day I can barely eat anything (meaning everything either has a hard time going down or as soon as it goes down, it gets stuck), the next, my restriction feels pretty normal. Things I was able to eat a week ago, I can no longer eat...Is this normal (it's been 4 weeks since my last fill)? I have an appointment for a fill on Thursday.
So here are some things on my "off-limit" list:
I am also struggling with bite sizes - I think for the most part, the reasons I get stuck are because my bites are too big. Any tips for this? I did pretty good at Easter dinner yesterday - cut my ham into tiny "toddler" size pieces and ate my salad one leaf/vegetable at a time. Definitely need to focus and get better at this.
On the up side, I've dropped 2 pants sizes and 3 shirt sizes. Still trying to only buy a few things here and there. I got this really cute cardigan from Banana Republic the other day:
Normally $54 - on clearance for $9.99! I love a good bargain!
I'm struggling. I'm frustrated. My restriction is worse than the up and downs on a roller coaster. One day I can barely eat anything (meaning everything either has a hard time going down or as soon as it goes down, it gets stuck), the next, my restriction feels pretty normal. Things I was able to eat a week ago, I can no longer eat...Is this normal (it's been 4 weeks since my last fill)? I have an appointment for a fill on Thursday.
So here are some things on my "off-limit" list:
- bread (any kind unless toasted)
- rice
- leftover chicken or chicken that is not moist (by the way, moist is perhaps the worst word in the English language, don't you think?)
- steak
- skin on potatoes
- asparagus
I am also struggling with bite sizes - I think for the most part, the reasons I get stuck are because my bites are too big. Any tips for this? I did pretty good at Easter dinner yesterday - cut my ham into tiny "toddler" size pieces and ate my salad one leaf/vegetable at a time. Definitely need to focus and get better at this.
On the up side, I've dropped 2 pants sizes and 3 shirt sizes. Still trying to only buy a few things here and there. I got this really cute cardigan from Banana Republic the other day:
Friday, April 15, 2011
You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You
I had chicken coming out my nose. Yes you read that right. I had MAJOR stuck episode today at Pei Wei. Was it the rice? Or the chicken? I don't know, but I had to make my way to the bathroom after just 3 bites and up it came via normal routes and then it took a detour through my nose. Never in my life have I had that happen. Nor do I wish to experience it ever again. Major YUCK.
I am really struggling with what I can/can't eat...Previously I was able to eat the same thing at Pei Wei with no problems. Now, not so much. At first I thought it may be because of the size of bites I am taking, but even when I pay close attention, there are just some foods I was able to eat a couple of weeks ago that are no longer on the safe list.
That's all for now...just a quick update!
I am really struggling with what I can/can't eat...Previously I was able to eat the same thing at Pei Wei with no problems. Now, not so much. At first I thought it may be because of the size of bites I am taking, but even when I pay close attention, there are just some foods I was able to eat a couple of weeks ago that are no longer on the safe list.
That's all for now...just a quick update!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
This Week in Band Land...
I have never been this busy in my life! This new job is crazy (good crazy, but still crazy)! By the time I get home from work, I am exhausted. But I have been walking approximately 3 miles everyday and it is definitely showing on the scale. I am down 43 pounds overall. My restriction has been pretty good the last 2 weeks. It has been a bit weird, though. Like this past Sunday, I definitely had to pay attention to portions because I felt pretty hungry. But on Monday? Forget about it. I could hardly get down a few bites of chicken at lunch and then for dinner I made a small frozen pizza (180 calories for the whole thing - I found them at Trader Joe's) and I could only manage to eat half the piece. I only got in about 500 calories for the day - which I know is not good, but hey, what can you do?
On an unrelated note, I thought I would just throw it out there that opinions are like bellybuttons (or other parts of the anatomy - trying to keep it family friendly here folks) - everyone has one. But you know, they don't always need to be shared. This comment is just a byproduct of the week I have had. Totally not related to anyone who comments on my blog!
On an unrelated note, I thought I would just throw it out there that opinions are like bellybuttons (or other parts of the anatomy - trying to keep it family friendly here folks) - everyone has one. But you know, they don't always need to be shared. This comment is just a byproduct of the week I have had. Totally not related to anyone who comments on my blog!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
So...Here's Where I Am
MY FILL THAT I HAD A WEEK AGO? DEFINITELY WORKING...EVEN TOO MUCH ON SOME DAYS. LAST THURSDAY I EXPERIENCED A TWO AND A HALF HOUR STUCK EPISODE, PART OF WHICH WENT ON THROUGH A MEETING A WORK. LUCKILY THE LADY I HAD THE MEETING WITH WAS WELL AWARE OF MY SITUATION AND I COULD BE HONEST WITH HER. THE CONVO KINDA WENT LIKE THIS - "I'M SORRY, I NEED TO EXCUSE MYSELF AND RUN TO THE BATHROOM. AGAIN." NEEDLESS TO SAY I WON'T BE EATING LEFTOVER FAJITAS FOR BREAKFAST ANY LONGER. THAT WAS JUST PAINFUL. THEN THERE WAS THE EPISODE AT IHOP ON SATURDAY. NICE. ALTHOUGH MY CLASSINESS PROBABLY FIT IN PRETTY WELL WITH THE REST OF THE CLIENTELE. OTHER THAN THAT, MY RESTRICTION HAS BEEN ADEQUATE.
STILL TRYING TO GET IN MY EXERCISE EVERY DAY...DOING BETTER LATELY, JUST NEED TO KEEP IT UP.
BEEN TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYONE'S BLOGS - I STILL READ ALL OF THEM! I NEED TO MAKE TIME TO COMMENT TOO!
I HAVE TO DO SEVERAL INTERVIEWS THIS WEEK - THIS IS PART OF MY NEW POSITION AT WORK. I'VE NEVER INTERVIEWED ANYONE BEFORE SO THIS SHOULD BE INTERESTING...CAN I ASK IF THEY ARE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?? NO, I GUESS THAT WOULD BE SLIGHTLY INAPPROPRIATE (EVEN THOUGH I COULD PICK THE "WINNER" BASED ON THAT QUESTION ALONE). WISH ME LUCK!
STILL TRYING TO GET IN MY EXERCISE EVERY DAY...DOING BETTER LATELY, JUST NEED TO KEEP IT UP.
BEEN TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH EVERYONE'S BLOGS - I STILL READ ALL OF THEM! I NEED TO MAKE TIME TO COMMENT TOO!
I HAVE TO DO SEVERAL INTERVIEWS THIS WEEK - THIS IS PART OF MY NEW POSITION AT WORK. I'VE NEVER INTERVIEWED ANYONE BEFORE SO THIS SHOULD BE INTERESTING...CAN I ASK IF THEY ARE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN?? NO, I GUESS THAT WOULD BE SLIGHTLY INAPPROPRIATE (EVEN THOUGH I COULD PICK THE "WINNER" BASED ON THAT QUESTION ALONE). WISH ME LUCK!
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