I am NOT moving to Facebook. Way too many restrictions as far as what I can post. So I deleted that page...don't go looking for it because it ain't gonna be there!
So anyway...I just had my 6th fill. I am at just under 6 ccs. AND I AM IN THE GREEN ZONE BABY! I am consistently eating 1/2 to 1 cup per meal and feeling satisfied. And that satiety lasts for at least 4 hours. And the best news?? I am down a total of 60 pounds. I haven't weighed this "little" in over 8 years. I am also going to take this opportunity to give myself a pat on the back...I have not had a drop of a carbonated beverage since January 8, 2011. And let me tell you...It is HARD. That is what I crave the most. Just a Diet Coke...maybe with a little lime...but I fear I'm a bit like a crack addict and one sip will lead to another, will lead to another...you get the picture. So what is your craving? Do you ever give into it? How do you avoid temptation? Also - I am curious - does anyone still use a straw to drink? I was told this was big no-no. Strange how everything varies between surgeons!
Amanda
LilySlim Weight loss tickers
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Please "LIKE" my Facebook Page
All - I am transitioning out of this blog and over to a Facebook "page". I think I will have more sucess keeping up with Facebook than this blog...I have really, REALLY, (did I say really??) appreciated all your support and would LOVE it if you all would wander over to FB and do a simple search for "Band On The Run Amanda" and "like" my page!
Thanks and I will hopefully see all of you over there!!
Amanda
Thanks and I will hopefully see all of you over there!!
Amanda
Monday, June 27, 2011
Ode To Dunkin' Donuts Coffee
"There's no point to any of this. It's just a... a random lottery of meaningless tragedy and a series of near escapes. So I take pleasure in the details. You know... a quarter-pounder with cheese, those are good, the sky about ten minutes before it starts to rain, the moments where your laughter becomes a cackle... and I, I sit back and smoke my Camel Straights and I ride my own melt."
This quote from the movie "Reality Bites" is one of my favorites. Only I would substitute the quarter pounder with a Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Oh, and 86 the Camel Straights...yuck.
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For the last 2 weeks, everyday on my way to work I've stopped at Dunkin' Donuts to get the same thing: a medium coffee, 2 Sweet n' Lows and extra cream. All this yumminess for 90 calories. And the absolute best part? It totally curbs my appetite. No wonder models exist on coffee and cigarettes. Of course this is not all I have for breakfast (what kind of a bander do you take me for??). I start the day with a protein bar around 8am.
And one day, the guy in front of me even paid for my coffee! Love random acts of kindness! And as soon as I pay off my medical bills, I might be able to return the favor!
This quote from the movie "Reality Bites" is one of my favorites. Only I would substitute the quarter pounder with a Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Oh, and 86 the Camel Straights...yuck.
For the last 2 weeks, everyday on my way to work I've stopped at Dunkin' Donuts to get the same thing: a medium coffee, 2 Sweet n' Lows and extra cream. All this yumminess for 90 calories. And the absolute best part? It totally curbs my appetite. No wonder models exist on coffee and cigarettes. Of course this is not all I have for breakfast (what kind of a bander do you take me for??). I start the day with a protein bar around 8am.
And one day, the guy in front of me even paid for my coffee! Love random acts of kindness! And as soon as I pay off my medical bills, I might be able to return the favor!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sooo...This Is What It Is Like To Have The Lap-Band
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"!
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"!
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:
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