Friday Weigh In

Well, I just realized I haven't blogged. My tummy tuck surgery is healing, ok. More on that later. But, I'm having some other medical issues and well, I'm a hurtin' people. 

So, let me give a little update on my weigh in. My last weigh in online was when I went in for my surgery, 3 weeks ago. I still do not have any fluid in my band currently. 

Last Weigh in: 188.6 lbs

This Week's Weight: 173 lbs

3 Week Loss of: 15.6 lbs

Total Loss: 143 lbs

Now, please keep in mind that 9 of those lbs were from the surgery. But, this girl I've been downing water in my handy dandy (yes, I know my clinic doesn't like straws but it's working for me right now) Doctor Who TARDIS cup. Wanna see it?

So, back to my tummy tuck. Am I skinny minnie? Well, no. I still weigh 173. But, all that excess skin is GONE. The stuff that was bothering me. This is TRULY a personal choice. And more power to anyone who chooses different. But because my original weight was so high, I imagine at some point in my life that skin would have become a health hazard. 

Onto my issues. So, two things that are kinda typical have happened. My belly button (ya know the new one) and a spot on my incision line aren't quite healing the way they are supposed too. So, I'll have a couple of revision surgeries in a few months. I'm not worried. I trust my doctor. 

My husband took me to get a few things so that when I feel up to church or when I can finally go back to work I have clothes. I can't even believe I'm saying this but I bought leggings!!! They were XL but they weren't in the plus size section. And I also got some boots that go to my knees. I've never had them before. I love them. 

Here's the best part of the story. I shopped at Target and well I changed my mind about two sweaters I bought. So my precious husband returned them, went to Old Navy with a text that I had written for the sales associate to read and he came home with two adorable sweaters. He's really never shopped for me. Good job babe. 

So parts of me still are XL. A couple of tshirts and a tank were XXL but I'm still really swollen and was told maybe 6-12 months before I see all results. 

So that's me. Email me if your bored. Send a comment. I'm just laying around!!!

Finally Feel Like Blogging

Well I did it!!! I had my tummy tuck on August 30th! And yes, you can tremendously tell a major difference. But, I have a lot of swelling still. So, I probably won't really see results until at least 6 months. Some say up to a year!!

How did it go?!?!  Well, I'm gonna give TMI info here so if you aren't ready to read then don't!!!!

I have bulging discs and the 23 hr stay beds they keep in you in over night are not conducive to those. So, I could NOT see any abdomen pain through my back pain. It was AWFUL. And it stayed that way until I spoke with our office's medical assistant on Sunday. She spoke with the doctor and a muscle relaxer has saved the day. 

Ok, TMI #2. I have some bowel issues. Specifically a fissure. Add in constipation from pain meds and we have some SERIOUS issues. SERIOUS issues. Please pray. 

TMI #3, belly button and fat necrosis. I have some issues that will need some minor procedures to correct and make look really good. 

So, with all that honesty. Would I do it again? Probably. I don't have fat hanging way down like I did. She even got some of my love handle stuff :)

My weigh in the other morning was 176. That is a total loss of 140 lbs. My previous goal was to weigh 140-145. I think I'd be happy at 155-158. 

Friday Weigh In

Last Week's Weight: 188.6

This Week's Weight: 187

Weekly Loss: -1.6 lbs

Total Loss: 129 lbs

Today's the day!! In about 20 mins we'll be hopping in my minivan and off to the hospital we shall go!! It's tummy tuck day!!  I took advice and had my hubby take two before shots. Please ignore my big giant forehead. I look like a bobble head. 

Let's do this (I'm scared!!!!)!

Quick Blog - NSV??

My blood pressure today with a small cuff, 112/74 :)

Weigh in

Last week I didn't post. I was just plain irritated. I was up from the week previous. So here we go. 

Last week's weight: 189.6 (gained a lb from the week previous)

Today's weight: 188.6

Weekly Loss: -1 lb

TTT

1.  First and foremost, I officially have a teenager in my home. My daughter turns 13 today. 

2. Last week she took 9 of her girlfriends to a spa/salon and they all had either manis or pedis (she had both).  We had a treat/candy table set up

3. Then we went for Chicago pizza complete with TARDIS and bow tie cupcakes for my little Whovian. 

4. Weight loss. Last Friday I was up. My weight was 189.6. 

5. I had a surgical consultation this week.

6. I'm having surgery next week. More to follow in that.

7. We had VBS (vacation Bible school) this week. It was a success. My ASD son had his moments but all in all successful. 

8. I have to also go have my fluid removed (again) for this surgery. 

9. It's time for my abdominoplasty! Can you believe it?!?!!  Ugh. So needed. 

10. Here are some pics from my girl's day last week:

Edited to add: probably destroying this week's hard work with popcorn at the movies and froyo tonight for my girl's bday. Sigh. 

Still Learning Lessons

I had my surgery in May of 2012.  That means this month my band is 15 months old.  I am STILL learning. 

The biggest thing I am learning.....QUIT WEIGHING MYSELF!!!  I'll only get disappointed!!!  YIKES! 

Ok, so what did I tell you all, Fridays are my weigh in day, right?  So, what did I do?  That's right, weighed myself today.  Bad idea.  Some how I managed to gain some weight.  Back to 190.2....sigh.  Could be water...could be that s'more I had with the kids last night (even though I counted every last calorie and fat gram I ate!!). 

So, what am I learning?  Only weigh myself once a week.  It will be my weight for the week.  It is the lowest you are going to be.  Your weight ebbs and flows like the ocean.  It will go up and down all week.  You are being counterproductive to yourself by weighing yourself EVERY day and only hurting yourself (especially at this stage of my weight loss) by looking at the scale.

So, my new challenge.....only Fridays.  Unless I am at the doctors and well, then it's just plain unavoidable.

So, what are you still learning post-op?

Friday Weigh In

Last week's weight: 189.6 (on Thursday)

Today's weight: 188.6

Weekly Loss: -1 lb

Loss before surgery: -25 lbs

Loss since surgery: -102.4 lbs

Total loss: -127.4 lbs

I'll take it :)

TTT

Good morning everyone!!

1.  Well, I think I need to officially change my weigh in day from Thursday to Friday because my weigh in time is 9 am (I know random but it feels like my lowest time of the morning before I can't stand not having anything to eat anymore). And I'm going back to work the day after Labor Day and my only day off during the week will be Fridays. So, the change. 

2.  Today's weigh in. Well, a 0.2 lb gain. Considering my weekend and yesterday, this is not bad. I weighed myself earlier in the week and let's just say I really worked my butt off this week and its a shame because had this been a normal week I would have seen a great loss. But since tomorrow is now my official weigh in day, there's still hope?!?!!

3.  New coffee fave, butter toffee with a half of a chocolate protein shake (skim milk and half of a scoop of chocolate protein powder already mixed together and used as creamer). Oh, I also use Splenda (or whatever Kroger or Walmart brand I bought). It took me awhile to get used to using Splenda vs sugar but its worth the no calories. 

4. Band still a little tight until early evening but I'm not overly concerned. The evening I'm not tight at all. So, I definitely don't think I'm in an overfill situation. I just told my husband as these last 19 lbs or so (really 20 I guess :-/) come off I will likely need an adjustment because I'm guessing the band will loosen up much like a belt would. 

5. I mentioned I'm going back to work the day after Labor Day. This comes with a challenge for me besides the obvious mom back to work, kids back to school, etc. I've lost 10 lbs so far this summer, hoping it'll be at least 15 by summer's end. So, my dress clothes don't fit. And well, when you don't work, you don't make money. You see where I'm going. 

6. Speaking of money, I get to spend some next week on my girl!! She turns 13 (GASP!!) on the 22nd but we are having her party on the 16th. Well, the first party (she's spoiled and will be having a few) with her friends. It's a nail salon party where the young ladies get to pick a mani or pedi and then they are getting a make up lesson from an esthetician. During this there will be a dessert and snack table set up with a pink and zebra theme available to them. Lunch of pizza will be followed complete with TARDIS and red bow tie cupcakes.  I bought goodie bags. Do 13 year olds still get goodie bags? It'll have a mani set in there (cuticle pusher thingy, nail clippers, nail file, etc), a pedi toe separator, a bottle of nail polish and a roll of zebra print duct tape. 

7. Tried running this week twice. Didn't get too far. I'm not very fast. I hate running. My hubby says I'll get better. I'll believe it when I see it. Did I mention I hate running? I just can't find a workout I like. Oh and by the way, last night just proves my point, tummy tuck. TOTALLY NECESSARY. Just gonna leave it at that. 

8. I've lost, as of today, 126.2. That's a ridiculous amount of weight. Yea I know you are probably doing the math, sigh, but I'm getting there. 

9. Does anyone besides Chelle and I care there is a new Doctor?????? I think he might be kinda cool. He's much older than Matt Smith, but I'm thinking he might have something up his sleeve. 

10. Got my hair trimmed this week and my eyebrows waxed. Ahhhh. 

Oh. Here's a couple of pics. One of my sweet boy on Sunday after church and one of me at our small group picnic. 

TTT

Welcome to my Ten Thing Thursday Post :)

1. Well, my weigh in day has been on Thursdays. I did weigh myself this morning and really liked what I saw. 189.6. :) I'm coming along!!!!!!

2.  I have an appointment in approximately 3 weeks to begin a discussion and have an initial consultation with a plastic surgeon regarding skin removal surgery. I do want these surgeries cosmetically but based on the excess amount of skin I have, I imagine it's medically necessary as well. I do not plan on having anything done until I reach 170, even if she's willing to do it earlier. 

3. I've been thinking lately about all my tricks that have helped bring me the success I've had on this journey thus far and thought maybe I'd include them as the rest of my list. I know they may seem like old hat for some of you seasoned bandsters but for the newbies I hope they help!!

4. I always try to drink a bottle of water first thing in the morning. Before I eat something or drink a cup if coffee. In fact, I don't let myself have anything, most of the time until I've had that bottle of water.  Same thing before lunch. 

5. I've been pretty strict with myself on the 30 min before and 30 min after rule and drinking. 

6. Convenience foods. This was always a big downfall for me when I would "diet". It was a lot easier to grab a bag of chips than to cut celery or watermelon for a snack. So, I try to cut things up as soon as I get home from the grocery store. That way I have no excuses. 

7. I love ranch and dill dips for veggies. But the calorie and fat content isn't worth it. I do not like Greek yogurt. BUT, I found if you buy the plain (make sure it's plain and not vanilla - made that mistake once - um, gross) and mix in a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch either their ranch or dill dip into it, you get a low calorie, low fat, high protein snack!!!

8. Snacking. I'm notorious for snacking so I had to find alternatives. Pretzel crisps. Again, lower fat (actually I think they may almost be fat free), lower calorie and they give you the crunch you need. 94% fat free popcorn with Kernel Seasons flavoring. Laughing Cow cheese spread. And my go to often, light string cheese. Oh and my kids favorite I've had in the house since full liquids, sugar free fudgesicles. 

9. Going out to eat. Look at menus before you go and figure out what you are going to eat. If you have a game plan in mind, it's a lot easier than trying to figure out what's the healthiest/tastiest option. 

10. Know that if you aren't perfect it's ok but not to go back to old habits. You did a lot of hard to have this surgery. You want to loose weight and be healthy. So, don't sell yourself short. I've hit MANY, MANY plateaus in this journey I never thought I'd get out of. Really was stuck in the 220's forever!! But, if you push yourself and remind yourself you can so this, you can!!!