Weigh In Day

I weighed in today and was pleased to see that I dropped another 2lbs. I had snuck on the scale a couple times earlier this week and it just wasn't budging. I am now down 18lb and am looking forward to getting to that 20lb mark.

In other news, I am not sure that everyone knows what I do for a living. I am a Teen Services Librarian. I pretty much have one of the best jobs in the world. I do teen friendly programs, work at the teen reference desk, and purchase all the teen materials. Well, today and tomorrow we are celebrating International Talk Like A Pirate Day... so I am dressed a pirate. Most of the librarians are dressed as pirates today which adds a whole new twist to a work day. The best part about it is that we have a department dinner after work tonight so we will all be eating out dressed as pirates.

We are going to Carrabas and I have already looked at the menu and am planning on having minestrone. This will be an interesting experience as everyone will be eating bread and pasta. I plan on enjoying the conversation and my soup!

2 weeks and 1 day down

My new Lapband lifestyle seems to be going well. I am not especially hungry, not really having any cravings (except when I see other people eating fast food), and over all feeling pretty great. I am eating mushies and I am enjoying the change from full liquids. My favorite food is fat free refried beans with low fat cheese and sour cream. I love Mexican food so that really seems like indulging to me. I have only been eating 3 times a day and I have a feeling that I should probably be eating less at one time and more often. I have little restriction since my band is empty so I don't fill up very fast but I do stay full for quite a while. I have been religious about waiting an hour to drink before and after eating. I think this is making an impact.

I feel like I am really dedicated to this and that my surgeon and nutritionist have set me up for success. So all in all... life is delightful. And since life is so delightful, I am adding this picture of me enjoying my day at work.

13 days post-op

Today I am 13 days post-op and feeling pretty great. I am healed up for the most part and pretty much back to normal. Tomorrow I start on pureed food and I can't wait to have some cheesy refried beans. I haven't lost any weight for the last week but I am okay with that. I understand I am healing and in the always popular "bandster hell".

I made an appointment with the therapist today. I really need to get back to dealing with all my food issues. Some days I have more issues than usual and I realize how deeply this is all rooted. I need to sort this all out to really excel at my new life.

I am dealing with some minor hunger issues, but nothing too serious yet. I stay full for 4+ hours and am eating somewhere between 1-1 1/2 cups of food. All and all... pretty happen with my situation.

A whole country ham

So, I have successfully made it through 10 days with my Lap Band. I am down 16lbs, which apparently is the weight of that whole country ham. I am feeling really good and am back to work today. I am yet to have any real eating issues and I get relatively full fast.

I did have some post surgery pain on my left said under my ribs but really not much else. From day 2 I was able to sleep on my stomach. I am just not a back or side sleeper so I quickly tested my limits.

I had my first post-op visit with Dr. Katz yesterday and all was great. He said I am doing fantastic. Speaking of Dr. Katz, I have to say, I love him. He is kind of quiet but is very sweet and caring. He really wants his patients to succeed.

I really don't have too much to add, other then, I am hanging tough. Today I will be eating my normal which is a slim fast low carb shake for breakfast, another slim fast for lunch with a half a cup of mashed potatoes, a half a cup of cottage cheese for dinner, and maybe a light yogurt if I am still hungry. I am trying to get in all my water, but that is tough.

Getting closer...

So, the pre-op diet is no longer liberating nor entirely miserable. I am not enjoying it but it just "is" now. I don't feel hungry, but feel left out that I can't eat what others are. This proccess has made it incredibly obvious how much of a mental problem this really is. I have been going through a period of morning, as well as some questioning. I know this is the right decision, the only decision, but wow... letting go of this life is tough. I am down about 8 pounds, and that makes me very happy. My husband has been extremely wonderful. He doesn't eat anything in front of me and plans on following my meal plan right a long side of me.

One more day of waiting, tomorrow is strictly liquids, no cream of wheat or pudding, not that I really mind. I can't eat much of that stuff anymore.... too gross! I am also including a before photo (sort of) I had my husband take this photo before my last round of dieting. I think I was about 5 lbs lighter... so close enough. I don't generally look that miserable!

Dare I say liberating?!

So, today is day two of my pre-op diet. I woke up this morning feeling really good and dare I say.... liberated. It is not that I enjoy this diet, but I feel that I am finally doing something positive. It has also reminded me that there are other things in the world besides food. Obviously, this is only day two and tomorrow I could feel miserable... but today I am going to ride these good feelings as far as they will take me. I also lost 3 lbs... that helps the good feelings along. I have been walking regularly, and I am impressed with my self for finally getting my ass in gear. Six days til surgery... I think I can do this.

First day of pre-op diet and so much more

So.. on Monday I went in for my nutrion and post-op care class. It was very interesting but scary all at the same time. There are so many rules and things you can't eat for the first six months. For the first time I started to freak out and think I might not be able to do this. I had a second appointment that to have all my pre-op admissions testing done. That was a nightmare. I ended up waiting for quite some time for the anaesthesiologist to come in and talk to me. All in all, it was a LONG day.

So currently, I am on the pre-op diet which is liquids with some mushy food. I can have as much as I want of broth, tea, crystal light, water, and sugar free jello. I can have 3-4 slim fast low carb drinks a day, and I can also select from a list of items 6 things. Oatmeal and cream of wheat are included as well as raw veg, light yogurt, sugar free pudding, skim milk, unsweetened apple sauce, and V-8. So far it isn't really enjoyable, but it is tolerable. We'll see what I am saying by day 5. I will be on a clear liquid diet the day before, and a limited liquid diet 2 days before.

This weekend is also my 6th year wedding anniversary and my husbands birthday. I am not so sure how much celebrating we will be doing. This whole eating thing really messes things up. :) Guess I better get used to it!

I have to see my cyst surgeon today for a pilonidal cyst I had removed nearly 6 months ago. The wound was left open and still has not completely closed. This may be my biggest concern with the Lap Band surgery. I am not sure how I am going to deal with all the healing. Maybe all the protein will help!