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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Guess who I just met???

SURPRISE!!!

ALEXIS!
Ahhh I am still star struck I think! Meeting Alexis was beyond amazing! She was one of the first blogs I started to follow when I began mine and I've always admired her. She was even cooler in person then she is in her blogs- if you can imagine that. Most of you will get to experience this though in just a few weeks @ the BOOB reunion. Meeting her today, really helped me with not feeling so bad about not being able to attend. She is so beautiful and down to earth- it was just like catching up with an old friend. We met on Newbury St. at a thai restaurant and enjoyed some yummy dumplings and soup. DELISH! Of course the rain had to follow her from Seattle to Boston, so the weather wasn't ideal, but we made do and had a wonderful visit. I hope to be able to meet up with her again someday soon.


I haven't posted in a week or so- nothing else is really new. Last night Rick and I attended the mandatory surgical weight loss seminar at my clinic so he can get started on his own journey. He left feeling very confident and excited. He is scheduled for a half day appointment next week with the NP, dietitian and nutritionist to see if he qualifies and what pre-op testing they will require for him. This is all very exciting and happening really fast. I'm happy and scared for him- now I know how he felt when I was going through it all. Funny thing happened while at the seminar, the NP facilitating the seminar asked if anyone in the audience had, had bypass or lap-band and I jumped up and rose my hand. Everyone turned and looked at me, and I just waved. I let everyone there know that I just passed my year mark, and was down 75lbs and if they had any questions to feel free and ask me. It was such a proud moment for me :o)


My weight is at a standstill right now, holding steady around 176. I haven't really been to active lately so I understand why. I really just need to start focusing on getting to 158, so I can celebrate no longer being obese. That is my next goal and I'm ready to start moving towards it!
Hope everyone is doing well! xxoo

Saturday, August 14, 2010

ONE Year bandiversery post

*WOW* Can you guys believe its been a year?!? A few of you have followed me since the beginning of this journey, a lot of you from the middle, and some of you just recently. To everyone, THANK YOU! Without all of your support and helpful suggestions, there is no way I would where I am today.... which is down 72lbs, and down from a size 22 to a 14! I think I will follow trend and do this post in a bullet form of things I have overcame, and things that still need some work. So grab a drink and take a seat love bugs.

Achievements:

Since being banded I have gone from 248lbs to 176lbs which equals to be about 1.3lbs/week- I'll take it!

I am now 46bs from my goal (130lbs) 132lbs will put me into the 'normal' category on the BMI chart (I'm only 5ft 1)

I can now wear skirts/dresses comfortably without needing to wear spanx to prevent chub-rub! This was a big one for me- I ALWAYS got chub-rub and it was the most un-comfortable thing to deal with.

I can also now wear shorts- before banding I could never wear them because my legs were so much bigger then my waist so that whatever shorts fit my waist were skin tight on my thighs- not pretty!

After getting off the train in the morning I can comfortably walk up the stairs without feeling like I ran a marathon. Pre-banding I used to take the elevator with all the handicapped people.

I can now shop in just about any store I want, and don't have to worry if I will fit into their clothes. I range in pant sizes from 16-12 depending on whether their dress pants or jeans, and tops are all mostly larges.

I have completed my first 5k and 10k (walking) before banding there is no way I would have attempted these. I also have another 10k scheduled for October!

I can wrap a regular sized towel around my entire body and wrap it cute (and it stays!)

I tell anyone who asks about my band. I used to be shy and when people asked why I wasn't eating alot I would just say I had a tiny tummy and leave it at that. Now when people say wow! you've lost weight, how'd you do it? I proudly tell them I had lap-band surgery

In another 11 lbs my Dr told me I could safely become pregnant and carry a child! Although, we don't plan on having children for a few more years, it is an amazing feeling to know that my body will be healthy enough to carry a child soon.

Exercise- I do it, but I don't love it. I go through periods where I go to the gym 4 days a week, and then there are times I don't go at all. I know that exercising is the key to losing more quickly, but its still something I have to talk myself into doing.

I have made some amazing friends throughout this process. My lovely Breanne- I met her on lapband talk and we got banded at the same clinic months apart. She has been an amazing friend to get to know, and to discuss all my fears and achievements with. She is kind of like my little guinea pig, she goes through everything I have to do testing and fill wise , just a few months before me. Nicole- I met halfway through this journey through blogger. She lives less then an hour away, so it is easy for us to meet up. She has given me countless bags of clothes, and I love her dearly. Angie- Angie is my sister from another mother. We are so much alike its scary. Often times we find ourselves seldom talking about our bands, but our personal lives- and I love her for this. I can always count on her honesty. Colleen- Is my twin, she is one of the only people I can send my petite pants to and know they will fit her. She is so sweet and is always leaving me cute comments on facebook. There are many more fantastic friends I have made through blogging, but not enough time or space to write about you all. Just know that I love you all!

Support- I have amazing support. My fiance Rick has been with me every step of the way. He loved me at my biggest and still loves me now. He actually proposed to me the night before my pre-op diet began. We went out for a wonderful last meal, and he asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. He is an amazing guy, and has given me more support then I could have ever asked for. He goes to the gym with me (when I go) he even forces me to get out of bed in the morning when I can't get my butt to the gym. He doesn't judge me when I eat things I shouldn't, he has made healthy changes when he cooks me dinner, by substituting lesser fat ingredients. He truly is my best friend.

Now on to my do's and don't post-banding:

I cannot eat bread products or pasta. This was probably one of the hardest things for me to learn. I love carbs, and sometimes when I have cravings I still eat them, and end up getting sick- Shhh! It's a learning process!

I can still eat all meats (in moderation)-usually with no problem, but can't do re-heated meats.

I have learned that its OK not to be hungry. Before banding I used to eat on a schedule even if I wasn't hungry, now I listen to my body more and if I'm not hungry I don't eat.

I don't deprive myself- this is one of the biggest reasons for my success/non-success depending how you look at it. If I want an ice cream- I eat it, If I want M&M's-I eat them. I do try to limit these indulgences, but I think that by not depriving myself I don't binge as often.

I currently have 7.1CC's in my 10cc band and I have had 1 unfill. Currently- I am very well restricted, to some it might be considered to tight, but for me it helps me to not eat things I shouldn't.

I do not measure or count my calories...I eyeball them for the most part. I know that my band won't allow me to eat more then I should, so this hasn't been as issue.

I still weigh myself every day, sometimes more then once a day. It helps to keep me in line. I don't let small gains get the best of me, I usually know when to expect them.

I have become a pro at pb'ing in public. I pb a lot (not something I'm proud of) and it usually occurs at the worst times and places. I take public transportation to work, so if some morning I am tighter then others and can't keep my protein bar down- there are no bathrooms on train....ziplock baggy it is! I usually just start rubbing my tummy and act pregnant and no one says anything...tricks of the trade!

I was an amazing pre-op patient...I strictly stuck to the plan and did not deviate from my shakes, I was to scared too! My biggest fear was that I would wake up in recovery and be told that they couldn't band me because of my fatty liver.

I try new foods. This doesnt' mean I like them all (jenn and nicole can attest to this one...they witnessed me trying shrimp for the first time a spitting it up) but the fact that I'm trying is a good thing. Foods that I like now that I never did before are: oranges, spaghetti squash, chili, hummus, I think thats it lol.

I remember reading on Amy's blog how your poopies will never be the same and questioning this...it's true! Your poops will never be the same. I used to be a twice a day type of girl, now i'm lucky if its every other day. (sorry for the TMI)

Now would I do it all over again? YES! I truly believe that I would have never lost the weight I have, had I not had this surgery. Yes, it is a lot of hard work, and you don't get results overnight- but you get what you put into it. This band of mine is a blessing, and quite possibly could have saved my life. Yes going into this process I didn't have any obese-related conditions, but who knows how long it would have taken before I developed them.

So that's it...did you make it through it? I'm sure I left out a few things but those can go on to next year's list. Here is to an amazing year, amazing new friends, and for a lifetime of heath and happiness! xxoo

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Oh Helloooo

Hey Ladies! How is everyone doing??

I must say- it was strange not getting everyones weigh-ins on Sunday. I miss the challenge already and can't wait for the next to start. As for the winners I thought I would share where everyone chose to get gift cards to. Heather chose Kohls, Kelly chose Target, and Joey chose Amazon.com- All very exciting stuff. I can't wait to see what they get!

Guess who I get to meet in 2 weeks!!!!! ALEXIS! Can you believe it? I am so freakin excited. She won a trip out to Boston to see a Red Sox vs. Mariners game, and is staying at a hotel that is only a 10 minute walk from my work! I must say I am very blessed- although I can't make it to BOOBS I have been fortunate enough to meet many bloggers in person and love you all. I must say as BOOBS is getting closer in date, I find myself becoming more upset that I can't make it. Life's tough, grab a helmet right?

So guess what else is going on in my life??? The other night Rick and I were driving home from a BBQ, and he asked me what I thought about him getting WLS! I am so happy for him. I have to admit my prerogative going into being banded was for it to go really smooth and easy and he would see and want to do it for himself. Having been through this for almost a year now though, I don't feel banding is the right choice for him. I'm not sure how all of you feel, but I just feel banding is better suited for a women. I know some of you who have husbands and male family members who are banded, god bless them! I just can't imagine Rick dealing with pb'ing or going in for adjustments- he gets sick at the sight of his own puke for gods sake. So that leaves bypass and the sleeve as viable options for him, I think I would prefer him get the sleeve but I haven't found anyone around here who performs it. Bypass just seems so scary to me, I'm not sure why. I remember about 10 years ago, I had a teacher die during his bypass surgery, but he was a big big man and that was 10 years ago....I don't know what to think, I guess we can leave it up to the dr's, it's sure to be a long process before anything happens. I'm just glad that he came up with this decision on his own, and is looking to improve his health.

On another note- my one year bandiversery is this weekend on Saturday! I have to go to Cape Cod for work fri-sun and was worried about not being able to do my one year post, so I wrote it up last week and will try and post it while I'm there!


I have to give a shout-out to little Mary who is getting banded very soon. I am so excited and proud of her. Let's all wish Mary the best and for a quick and easy recovery!

Love you all! xxoo

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

The results are in......




The winner's of the Hot Summer Meltdown Challenge are:


First Place: Heather- Am I actually doing this? With a total loss of 11.7% and 21.4lbs!

Second Place: Kelly-Kelly and the BANDit With a total loss of 11.6% and 32.2lbs!

Third Place: Joey- Volume Control With a total loss of 10.1% and 23.3lbs!

Way to go girls! Start thinking about where you would like your gift cards to, and I will email you soon for ideas!


As a Group:

We loss 549.7lbs!! We did it girls, we hit the 500lb loss mark and kicked its ass!


Thank you so much for all of your hard work girls, we did amazing! xxoo

Monday, August 2, 2010

Challenge Rant

Challengers- Please note I have not received many of your weights and need them ASAP. Along with your weight, since this is the last week of the challenge I need a picture of the scale.



Also, I want to let everyone know that I will not be hosting another challenge immediately following this one. I need a little bit of a break, and August/September are looking pretty packed for me. I am willing to start back up in October for a possible Halloween/Thanksgiving Challenge if there is interest. If anyone would like to take the reigns until then, please let me know if you need any help.



Also, in the future if you do not plan on participating in a challenge fully I recommend not signing up. It makes it very difficult for the host to have to email people constantly for weights. There are some challengers that I did not once receive weights from unless I emailed them on Monday to remind them. I understand everyone forgets once in awhile or goes on vacation, that's no big deal- but for 9 weeks to not once e-mail me is a bit ridiculous. Sorry if this comes of as harsh or bitchy- I've just been very frustrated lately with having to email 15-20 people every week begging for weights.



Alright- now that I'm done with that rant- I am so proud of everyone for all their hard work throughout this challenge. We did an amazing job, and the #'s that are coming in are record-breaking! I can't wait to see the final amount.



Don't forget- We decided we would award prizes to the top 3 percentage losers. That means gift certificates in the amounts of:



First Prize-$150
Second Prize- $75
Third Prize- $30

Hugs & Kisses- I plan to be able to post the chart later tonight if I get everyone's weights in. I will email the winners as soon as I know anything!