Update

Wow I didn't realize it had been so long since I've posted. Ok, so I had the fill...super easy. I can't tell that it made a lot of difference, except that I do notice that I don't get as hungry as quickly, but but that still isn't very long. I am trying to be careful about how much I eat, but it's not always easy...I got Chinese take out last night, and even though I didn't eat the rice, I ate way too much of the other stuff. But man was it good!

I finally got the pictures out of my camera and on to my computer, so I'll be posting pictures as I go now. We're basically taking them at one month intervals.

I go for another fill next Friday, and I'm hoping that this one makes more of a difference. I've lost a total of 20 pounds so far, but that just doesn't seem like very much to me, after 6 weeks. I guess I should be patient, but you ALL know that is not my strong point!

February 12, 2008 March 13, 2008

one day pre-op one month post-op

First fill

I get my first fill tomorrow. I am going back and forth between excited and nervous...excited because, well, it's my first fill. Nervous because I don't know what to expect. I'm sure it'll be fine, but it's the first one so I'm a little nervous. Hopefully I get a little restriction this time, and the hunger is better. I've been bouncing the same 2 pounds back and forth all week, and haven't lost anything new. It's frustrating, but they all say this is normal. So, I'll just be grateful for the 17 pounds in the first month, and go on.

I went to my first support group meeting last night. It was really interesting. We talked about portion control...what is the correct portion size. It is suprisingly small. Man, the restaurant business has really worked a number on our sense of what is the appropriate amount of food to eat. But there were people there who are in all stages of banding, and some who have lost a LOT of weight, so the motivation is there to keep up with them. Before the meeting, Margaret and I went for dinner to a place we used to go for lunch, and ordered the same dish we used to eat....one each....and we shared it, and had food left on the plate. And we were both totally satisfied. I look at that and think how did I ever eat all that before.

It was too cold to go out and walk today, so we went to the fitness room ,and did a mile on the bike, and then I did a quarter mile on the treadmill. I really pushed on the treadmill, and it felt really good. I'm guessing I need to step up my exercise...you know, get out and walk at night instead of sitting here in front of the computer. Now that it's light longer in the evening, perhaps I can do that. But not right now while it's cold and rainy. Yuck!

I did it!!!

I got into those jeans! I wore them to work, and stayed in them all day long (well, ok I didn't really have a choice there) but it was awesome! I was getting kind of uncomfortable towards the end of the day, and they came off as soon as I got home, but I got in them and wore them!!! The size 22 jeans hanging in the closet are my next target!!

Wednesday

I am sitting here on the couch, 9pm, and all I can think about is a snack. I'm not hungry...not even close...but I want to eat something just to be eating. Is that food addiction? For so much of my life food has been my best friend...it's where I went when I was bored, or sad, or lonely, or angry or upset...pretty much any emotion would make me eat for comfort. And now, even though I'm totally excited about the new life I have chosen, and grateful for the chance at a new life, I find myself sad because I can't eat when ever I want to. How lame is that? So I'm thinking seriously of seeing a counselor or someone to see if I can learn some tricks to break that cycle. I just hope my insurance will pay for it!

I saw the doctor on Monday. The official number is 15 pounds. I don't have to go back until between my 2nd and 3rd fills. I'm so ready to get that first fill and get started on that, but they won't do it until 4 weeks. So 10 days and counting...

2nd Week Down

Well , I made it thru the 2nd week relatively unscathed. I wish I'd taken measurments before I started this , but I didn't even think about it. I see the doctor tomorrow for my first post-op, so I'll have the "official" pounds lost then, and I'll be able to balance my scale against his, and see how far off they are. My appointment is at the end of the day so I can go right home and weigh again on my scale. By my scale, as of this morning, I'm down 14 pounds. This 2nd week has been so hard...I don't have much restriction in my band, and I've been hungry a lot. I am also having trouble finding the point where I'm full, before I get too full. It's hard when you're just having soup...hopefully that'll be better when I get on solid food again.

On a positive note, I had to buy a belt!!! It's a 2x belt, and it will only go to the very first hole, but I have a belt!! I'm in that awkward spot between sizes...the size I've been wearing is really too big, and the next size down is not quite comfortable yet. So...I wear a belt. I got one with lots and lots of holes, so I can wear it forever. I'm so excited! I probably haven't worn a belt in about 15 years.

I've also found a ton of friends from high school, who have come out of the woodwork on Facebook, who have been through either bypass or banding. They have been so supportive, as have my AOL friends. I can't begin to say how much I appreciate that!

Ok, I think that's all for now...I really need to go clean the kitchen. Ugh!