57...and counting:)

I found myself doing a Bing Search tonight on how many calories in a bottle of Red Wine. LOL. Actually it is only 500, which is less than one margarita! Awesome!
I have been doing well, I have still enjoyed the holidays with some treats here and there, and a glass of wine more often than not, and I have managed to still loose a little bit and end the year 57 pounds lower than the day I started my Pre Op Diet. I will totally take it!
I hope that 2011 brings all of you a wonderful year as well as the number on the scale that you have been waiting to see. For me that number is 178. I am about 33 pounds away from that. Amazing to think I am only 33 pounds away from goal. Kinda scary, but amazing in the same. My son took a picture of me tonight and i was shocked that I didn't have to delete it before someone else took a look at it. That is wasn't the first in line with to remove the picture from the camera. That may be the biggest victory of this year:)

Plateau....bastard

So I have been reading everyone elses posts about hitting a plateau, but in the past 4+ months I have not hit any nor have I really had any big issues with temptation. For some reason this week all of that is shot to hell.
I have been at the same weight all week, and have been so tempted. I ate a truffle today - not a big deal, but considering I have had no issues with tempation this is a huge deal. I want to eat. Everything. I want wine. Lots of it.
and I have 4 nights out next week, with friends and work parties so this is not a good time to be facing issues with temptaion.
I just got a fill 2 weeks ago, but I still can eat pizza and way to much food, so I think I may need another one.
Here is hoping I can make it through the week next, I can live with little to no loss, but I am praying for no gain!
I go home to my mom and dads (several states away) in about 6 weeks, I am hoping and praying to hit the 60 pound mark by the time I go. Here is hoping!!

50.....Hard to even believe it!

So, yesterday I hit 50 pounds! WHOOP! I have dreamed for 10 years about loosing 50 pounds and honestly up until a few months ago had believed that it would never happen. It has been harder than I thought (The band isn't magic, I still own what I put in my mouth) but I could not have done it without the band.
It has been 4 months and 3 days I have been banded and I believe it is the best decision I have ever made.
Hard to believe I am more than 1/2 way to goal! I wanted to loose 90 pounds in my first year, Hard to believe that I KNOW I will!

Half Marathon - Check!

Well, I did it! Yesterday I completed my first half marathon! I walked most of it, but ran some as well, and it was just such a high:) I am so proud of myself! It is one of those things where I could have done this 45 pounds ago, but I know that I would have really wrecked my body, where now, I did it, I felt a little sore, but not bad. I was sore today, but not unbearable and it is muscle sore- not hurt knees or any other body parts.
The bummer is I gain 2 pounds on the DAY of the marathon, the day where I burned 1800calories and only ate 1500 calories.....I do not understand my body some days. Oh well, I am not too worried about it, I am sure it will all fall back off this week!

What I Eat

Thanks to Lap Band Girl for suggesting this post, I have enjoyed seeing everyone's daily menu:)
For me:
7:00 - Coffee with Fat Free Creamer (vanilla)(60 calories - 2 cups)
8:30ish - Either Egg White Scramble with Ham and 2% Cheese for 200 calories or a protein shake (Chocolate) with a banana (250 Calories)
Noonish - When at the office a salad from the salad bar (300 calories) when working from home - Flatbread or Crackers/Fruit/Laughing Cow Cheese/Yogurt - Usually 250 calories
4:00 - I usually build in a 200 calorie snack - try for some protein (Beef Jerkey maybe) and something sweet (cookie or WW bar)
6:30 - Dinner. It varies - but I shoot for a 350 calorie dinner
Total Calories - 1,100 - 1,200
I know there are many people who stay at 800 to 1,000 but I can't seem to make that work for me. I am still loosing at 1,200 and feeling good.
Oh - I hit 45 pounds today:) Whoop! I can not wait until the big 5-0!

Amazing meatloaf and people starting to notice!

So,it is strange. Seriously I have had only a couple people say anything about my weight loss up until this point. My mom, my DH and my friend who knows. Then, in the past 2 days I have had about 10 people says something! People at work have said wodnerful things, I had a friend from the neighborhood tell me how great I looked and people at my kids school have all said something. Totally strange, the last pound must have made a huge difference:)
As of today - 43 pounds GONE! Whoop!
My half marathon that I have been training to walk is only 11 days away. I can't wait! I am a little nervous, but I am so happy that I am actually doing it and that I know I can finish it! I will just need another goal to go after once I finish this one so I can keep it up!
I made an amazing dinner tonight, for some reason it was so so good.

Ground Turkey Meatloaf and Mashed Potatos
For the meatloaf:
1 pound ground turkey (not the breats, just the regular turkey)
3/4 packet of meatloaf seasoning
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
little ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 onion finely chopped


Mix it all together and put is in greased(Pam) muffin tins. Should make 12, I only got 11 out of it.

Then boiled 2 potatoe and mashed them with light butter, skim milk and FF Sour Cream.

I must be craving comfort food becuase this meal just was wonderful to me.

I figured I had 2 of the mini loafs and a scoop of potatos for 300 calories. Not bad!

I think I need pictures

I think I need some pictures up. When I first started this, I guess I was so paranoid of someone I know stumbling upon this that I wanted nothing of who I was on here. But as time goes on, and I continue to loose, I am not as worried anymore. I think I will have to update with some pictures. Maybe when I hit 50 pounds:) I hope to hit 43 this week!
I was traveling for work this week and one of the strangest things I have noticed about traveling for work now is that it isn't as fun anymore, now thatI am not "free eating" my weight in chinese food or Starbucks. I used to love to travel, I could eat with reckless abandon. Work would pay for everything and I could start my day with a full fat latte, and not stop until I had dessert after dinner and snacks back at my hotel. Now, I have my skinny vanilla latte, light lunch and typical dinner. Today at the airport I even got an apple, beef jerky and protein bar and then got the fruit and cheese plate on the plane. Seriously - this is craziness for me.
I even worked out twice in the hotel gym and was bummed I didn't have time to go yesterday so planning a trip in today before I go get my kids.
I dare say this lifestyle is changing me. Yahoo!

Do you drink Soda?

I am interested in know who out there drinks soda/beer or other carbonated drinks. My Dr. was die hard, no soda, but I have heard that others do drink soda? Just curious:) Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks!
Melissa

3 month bandiversary

Well, this week was my 3 month bandiversary. I can not really believe that it has already been 3 months, but as this was something the months of thought went into and the lead up appointments, meetings, and all of that, it feels like this has been way more than 3 months:)
I hit 40 pounds on my 3 month date- it was such a wonderful feeling. I think the best feeling is that I actually feel like this is a lifestyle change - way more than anything I have ever done. It is amazing and scary at the time to think that this is actually happening and I will meet my goal.
As I am not the best blogger, I am going to use this to also capture my meals - mostly for me as I make these great low cal/low fat band friendly meals and then always forget them as I don't ever write down a recipe. So, now I can look back at my blog to come up with meal ideas:)
Tonight we had:
Salmon Spinach Salad
One large Salmon Fillet
1 teaspoon olive oil
juice from one lemon
2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
garlic salt
chili powder

Took Salmon Fillet- spread olive oil, lemon juice and teriyaki sauce
sprinkle garlic salt, salt and pepper and chili powder over top
Bake at 420 for around 20 minutes, until done

Salad:
Spinach
1/4 cup feta cheese
Red Onion Slices
Hard Boiled Egg (I put the yolk on my husbands salad)
Spinach Salad Dressing(I found one in the refridgerator section for 70 calories and 1/2 gram of fat per 2 Tbl.

Perpare salad with the above ingredients and then put warm salmon on top of salad.

I figure for my salad it was about 350 calories and 20 grams of protien.

Now so close to 40!

I am getting there- 40 pounds! Almost:) I can't wait to hit that mark. For some reason 40 seems like such a huge number. I am hoping to hit 40 next week and then let myself back off a bit by at the holidays (still loose, but not worry about hitting 2-3 pounds a week) and hit 50 pounds by the end of the year. Man, a few months ago this seemed like one of the dreams that would never actually come true.
Wednesday is my 3 month Bandiversary - I can not beleive it. What a blessing this has been, I am so much happier, my marriage is stronger, I don't want to cry/snap/lay down all the time. I am working out 3-4 times a week and I am walking a 1/2 marathon next week. Phew! All is good.
I read the book Designated Fat Girl - about a woman who had gastric bypass and all the years leading up to that decision and when she finally got it. It was an interesting read and amazing how much I could relate to.
I hope you all had a great Halloween and if you are like me you are looking to get as much of the candy OUT of your house as possible!

Sooooo close to 30 pounds

I have been hoovering around 28 pounds for about a week and I am so close to 30 but just can't seem to hit it. I had my 2nd fill about 10 days ago, and then had to go to Denver for work, the next day (Only for one night). Well, I have read enough of your blogs to know they won't do it for you if you are going out of town, but I didn't think that one night would matter.
Well, I had my fill (they did 1cc) on Wed and then PB up soup that night. The next day I flew to Denver and I was so so tight, I could not get down anything. I had about 3 sips of a latte and a yogurt shake, and was miserable. Shakey from not eating and just feeling like shit. I met a friend for dinner that night, could not get down a sip of wine or any of my meal. I finally got down some soup on Friday, but had to call my Dr. and have her come in on Sat and do an unfill.
I had a barium swallow and blech - but she removed .75cc and I felt SO much better. So I was down about 6 pounds in 3 days, and she said I would gain almost all of it back, which I didn't, but have not lost anything since. That was a week go.
I went out with DH last night and had drinks, real drinks:) A chocolate martini and 2 glasses of wine - and steak. I have almost NO restriction which sucks, so I am relying on will power...not good. I was so so snacky today, I wanted to eat anythign that was not nailed down. I am going out of town for a week so I am not going to get a fill until I get back - and I know I am going to eat at least 6 meals out while i am out of town, so I am hoping I just stay the same while I am out of town.
Nothing else too exciting going on, looks like everyone had a wonderful time at BOOBS! I think it should be a yearly thing! Would love to come next time:)
XOXO
Me

Pain!! While I figure this thing out!

So, I am one week into my fill. I still feel like I do not have a ton of restriction, I am not getting full I am still just forcing myself to eat when I have had "enough". I am satisfied most of the time, but not full by any means:)
However, I feel like whenever I eat, the first few bites HURT like hell! I have never thrown up yet- but I feel them get stuck - and the pain right in my chest while they work their way down and the slming. I have always managed to get everything down, but the first 5 mins of any meals sucks. I am wondering if I am eating too fast? Am I taking too big of bites or not chewing wel enough?
Or is this just the way it is? Do others feel this too? I sure hope this isn't a forever thing.
My husband said perhaps I need some fluid let out? However as I am not getting super full, and once I get those first few painful bites down, I seem to do ok, I don't think and unfill is really what I need?
Anyone been through this before? Thoughts?

20 pounds GONE and my first fill

Well, today I finally hit the 20 pound mark. This is 5 weeks and 2 days after starting my Pre Op Diet and 4 weeks 2 days after getting banded. It feels good, it feels better than good, it feels great:) However,I have seen this number before. I think until I hit the point where I am seeing NEW numbers that I have not hit (As I have gained and lost the same 30 pounds a bazillion times in the past 7 years) it will not seem real. Things feel better and fit better, but I am just so anxious for the next 20 to come off, where I can really tell, that I have a hard time celebrating this success.
I had my first fill yesterday - I came in having 3.1 in the band (From surgery). They put me at 4.7, but I could not get water down. I went to drink it and started sliming and then they took out .3 to leave me at 4.4.
It seems ok, I will tell over the next couple days if that is enough.
They did say liquids last night (Soup) but she said today to just take it easy - didn't leave me with a strict food list like I thought (I thought it would have to be 1 day liquids, 1 day mushies) but they saidto use my best judgement.
Anyway, doing well, keeping on keeping on:)

3 1/2 weeks...

It is hard to believe it has been only 3 1/2 weeks since I had my LB put it- it seems like it has been a lot longer than that.
I am now down about 15 pounds which is great.
The hard thing is I have no restriction so it is so hard to make all good chioces, stay within my calories, without any "help".
I do have a fill on Wed of next week and I am so excited, I am really looking forwrd to it (well,all but the giant needle part) and looking forward to getting some help from the band the way I am supposed to:)
I do find that I am eating slower, not drinking liquids during the meals, trying to follow all the rules, but I do NOT get full, and I have yet to find a food that doesn't go down just fine! Oh well, that will all come in time I am sure.
I am doing well according to the goals I put in place before the surgery so hopefully that will continue to where I felel like you can actually see results.
It is amazing how 15 pounds at this point barely makes a difference. My pants, that were super tight, feel slighty better, my shirts are a little looser, but for the most part I feel as I look exactly the same. I can't wait to get to the point where 15 pounds makes a huge difference and a pant size:)
Soon....I am confident it will happen soon!

10 pounds! Holla!

Well, I am feeling better today. I still have some pain/tenderness in the area where my port is, but overall feeling better which is good becuase I have a huge freaking pile of laundry to tackle!
Today I am down 10 pounds, I lost about 4 pounds Pre Op and then another 6 since.
I am doing ok, but feeling like I am on a "diet". I don't have any restiction so all being good falls to me w/o the help of my band.
Tomorrow is one week and today I started my mushy food phase. I had oatmeal and cottage cheese for dinner. Yum. Who knew that could taste that good:) I think I will make talapia for dinner tonight with sweet potatoes as they are both on the mushy food list! Mmmmm......
I go in tomorrow for my one week follow up and to schedule my first fill. I am looking forward to feeling full and staying full longer, but the thought of PB'ing, Sliming and all of that makes me terrified:) I am sure I will handle it all as it comes, but now the fear of the unknown is huge!
10 down....90 to go:)

More pain than I thought...

I am finally feeling human again. Yesterday (the day after) was much more painful than I thought. It is sore at the incision site, and this morning I am doing ok, but the site where my port it hurts more than I thought it would. I am going through an emotional roller coaster as well.... I am happy, sad, exctied and nervous about what the next year will bring. Right now I just need to focus on the immediate, making it through the next few days of the liquid diet and then the mushy phase. It is strange when I drink, it is like the air bubbles have to come up to make room for the liquid to squeeze through. It feels interseting.
It is hard to imagine being beyond this phase, where I can eat normally and what everyone else Is eating.
All in all, so far so good for day 3:)

I did it:) Let the fun begin:)

So I did it! I have joined you all on your band journey. I am feeling pretty good, the surgery went great and was really smooth. I am home now and in bed snuggling with my daughter watching Sprout:)
So, I have a question for you vetren bandsters....how long does it take for your HEAD to catch up with your BODY? My body isn't hungry, but my head is starving. I think about food and then feel this strange void as I know I can't have it, I can't cheat, it is not an option. I Just can't do it. I have a feeling this next month is going to be an emotional roller coaster as much as it is a physcial one.
Thanks for the support;) I am so happy to be here and can't wait to start posting some good stats!
XOXO
Mel

No body said no....

So, I am at the count down. 11 hours. I am so excited and nervous I can hardly handle it. I am mentally exhausted with all the thinking I have done about this. I am actually trying to get over the depression that I have let myself get to this point.
I find it funny, how no one said no during this process. I almost expected people(the staff, Dr.'s, nurses, any of them) to look at me as I walked into the place say "No way, what are you doing here?" "you don't weigh enough to get this done!" but alas....no body sent me away, no one even gave me a sideways glance, they just all smiled and were excited to work with me through this process.
Next time I post I will be on the other side!

Such a Pretty Face....

I found this book at Costco yesterday (Seriously, my trifecta of happiness lies in Costco, Trader Joe's and Target) called Such a Pretty Face. I am only about 100 pages into it, but it is about a woman who has had weight loss surgery (doesn't say what type) and has lost 170 pounds. One of the things that she talks about is how her relationships have changed. She has one friend who she has been BFF's with since middle school, and their relationship has always based around food. Making cookie, pies, pasta, whatever...and eating it. Now that she has lost weight, their friendship is strained, the friend is horrible to her and seems beyond repair.
Now, this makes me think of one of my own best friends, love her, have been best frieneds for 14 years and we have always weighed about the same, we lost weight together once, about 10 years ago, and have been steadily gaining togehter since. We travel together and tackle a new city based on where/what we are going to eat:) When I go visit her we go to all our favorite dining spots. I had not told her until this week about getting the lapband, and I wasn't sure if I was even going to, but I felt dishonest not telling her. She was supportive and kind and encouraging, but I wonder if when I loose this weight (100 pounds would be my goal) will things change? Will our friendship change once our visits are not spents moving from one food vendor to another?
Has anyone been in this situation? Have your pre-band relationships changed?
Aside from that, I am at 2 days until Surgery - YAY! I am down about 5 pounds, they wanted 10, but I am hoping for 7 or 8 by Tuesday and that it will be fine.
I am loading up on clear broths, popsicles and yogurt, thinking this will be my meal choices for the next couple of weeks.
Can't wait, already planning my trip to Tahiti in 14 months where I can walk the beaches with confidence and not have to apply baby powder 17 times a day.....
XOXO

T minus 4 days....

It is hard to believe but in less than 4 days I get banded! I am so excited, nervous, happy, sad...all at the same time if that is possible.
I have been looking at this as an option for months now, and it always sounded like the perfect option, but now that it is here, I am getting nervous.
Not as much nervous for the surgery, but more for the change for the rest of my life. Changing my relationship with food, changing how I see myself as a person.
I also am not telling many people...at all. One friend, my DH and my parents. So I feel like I am keeping this huge secret and spend so much time wondering if people are going to be able to figure it out:)
I have loved to follow everyone blogs and honestly they have been the #1 reason why I have decided to do this. I feel like you have this great community that I can't wait to be a part of:)
I got the call this Monday that insurance approved, and from there, they scheduled for 8 days later. I am struggling with my 900 calorie a day diet, but getting through it. I am then wondering - what If I don't loose enough weight before the surgery- would they turn me away when I go in? Has anyone cheated on the Pre-Op Diet? Am I failing already as I am having thoughts of cheating at only 3 days in? Oye..... I need to get out of my own head some days:)
Thanks for reading and for following my journal and helping keep me accountable!
XOXO Mel