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:)