Chelle this is JUST for you :)

Thought you'd enjoy this!!!

Happy Bandiversary To Me!!

Today's the big day!!

Today is my one year bandiversary!! It marks a major milestone for me. 

I was just re-reading last year's post where we had to get up and get going that day day. I had forgotten we got into an argument in the lobby of the hospital. Funny!!

For me it's been exciting. It's been challenging. It's been difficult. It's been amazing. It's been an eye opener. It's been a struggle. It's been the best thing I could have done for myself and yes I would do it again in a heart beat!!!

I will tell you some of the rough patches for me this year have been logging my foods when I don't feel like it. Pushing through plateaus when I normally would have given up. And learning my band. Taking the time to really listening to what my band is saying (like I don't want more food!!!) then life does become better. 

You also throw in a major surgery with an almost complete unfill for a month in this year and I just am still amazed at how great this year has been. 

I don't usually share my beginning weight because I am so very ashamed of it. But I will often tell people how much I've lost to date. Also, keep in mind I'm going from my highest weight at the clinic and I lost 25 lbs before surgery. 

This morning 115.8 :)  So since my surgery a year ago I've lost 90.8 lbs. 

I'm so grateful. So very, very grateful. I have an awesome support system. I have a God who loves me and I (and you too) can talk to at anytime. I have a great clinic. 

Now onto the next phase. Get these few last lbs off (they are going to be the most difficult) and start scheduling skin removal surgeries. 

Oh yes, this girl right here is having some work done!!!

Thanks to all my blogging friends!! I hope we get to meet in real life one day!!

Allony-s!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

This post is going to be about two things, my mom and why I'm a mom - my kids. 

My mom is one of the most caring individuals you could ever meet. She loves you with her everything and would do anything for you. I still love the story of how she was potty training my little brother and they were outside and he must have told her he had to go so she literally ran him into the house to go, the only problem is she fell on the way and broke her leg. That is motherly devotion. Or the time my best friend was having a baby and she wanted to do something special so she purchased the most beautiful baby carriage cake I've ever seen. And every baby I know has a hand crocheted blankey made by my mom's own two hands that I know personally they all love. My mom also works full time. She takes care of my 92 year old great-great aunt that lives with her. But no my mom doesn't wear a cape, she should. :) I love you mom. 

The reason I get to celebrate today is because God has blessed me. When I was 18 years old I was diagnosed with PCOS and the doctor basically told me it was gonna be an uphill battle. But, he was kind and said we'll get you there. Well, when it was time (or what I thought was time) he couldn't "get us there". So, off to the fertility specialist is where he sent us at the ages of 23 & 22!!! And well, after many tests and two rounds of Clomid and  prayer it just didn't feel like it was God's timing yet. He (yes God) told us later when it was time :) We found out two days before Christmas in 1999 that we were pregnant. We got to share the news first with P's grandmother, who's birthday it was and who passed away a week later. The following August we had a beautiful red headed 8 lb. 14 oz. baby girl!!!! A baby with red hair - SURPRISE!!!!  A couple of years later we thought it might be nice for M to have a sibling, but we lost that pregnancy. About a year after that I was a chaperone on a youth group trip for the teens at our church and feeling a bit off. Came home only to discover I was pregnant :). L came out in the MOST dramatic way possible (so appropriate for him and you can read how on any of my Nov 3 posts). 8 lbs. 9 oz. I hear he was screaming but I was knocked out at the time ;)

These babies are now growing up. M will be a teenager entering her last year of middle school this year. L will be 8 and going to second grade in the fall but to me like every mom I know, these children will always be my babies. 

Why I love my Lap Band

I love my Lap Band, because it is working for me.  And I for it!!

This is not a choice for everyone.  No!!  You have to know what you are getting into before you jump both feet into this world of WLS.  But for me, this is WORKING!!!

Do I have frustrating times??  ABSOLUTELY!!  Do I feel like giving up and eating whatever I want?  Uh, yeah, I have issues with food....plus it tastes good.  But, then I remember all the work it took to get here.  The months of waiting, the hours of appointments, the dollars spent, the pre-op diet (oh goodness the pre-op diet), the post-op diet....

IT IS WORTH IT!!!

I have a BAD habit of weighing myself everyday.  I wish I didn't, but I do.  That being said, 2 days ago I was down almost 112 lbs.  Yesterday back up 111 lbs.  FRUSTRATING!!  I follow the rules (mostly...I do pretty well with most of them, I'm not perfect, no one is, but I do pretty well) why, why, why?!?!?!?  Today get on the scale (oh several times just to make sure I'm seeing what I'm seeing) 113 lbs. down!!  Must of have some water weight yesterday!!

113 lbs.  I've lost 113 lbs.  25 in pre-op from Feb 1 - May 21st of last year and 88 since May 21st of last year!!  I have 2 weeks until my bandiversary! 

I love my Lap Band.

Hey if you are stopping by and you are a regular reader, become a follower of my blog, I'll follow you back!

I love reading comments, and replying too, except I can't figure out why my comment section doesn't allow for replies on other comments.  Any thoughts those of you who are regular bloggers?

Thanks everyone!!

Hey and just remember, I have had some tough battles through this year.  Some major plateaus and instead of giving up like I normally would, I pressed through.  SOOOOO thankful for my Lap Band.

YOU CAN DO IT!!

New Blogger/Bandster

Hey everyone!!! We have a new person in our community, Jules :)

She's newly banded (who sounds like she's doing amazing) and started a new blog!

Show her some love over at:

http://band4jules.blogspot.com/

Just realized its been a while since I've blogged...

Did I tell you I had to have a second fill? Yeah, 5 cc's wasn't enough. So, she put in another cc. I think for now it's working. Which still puts me 1 cc below where I was pre-surgery. I've had a recent PB episode. That wasn't pretty. Sigh.

Weight wise I'm doing well. I'm down just shy of 112 lbs. So close to my next goal!!!!

My hubby is doing well with his recent change. Nothing too major. He just has made a few adjustments since May 1st and has already lost 4 lbs. Doesn't seem fair, right?!?!! I'm happy for him!!!

All is well on our front. I have another post-op appt for my hysterectomy on the 13th. Still having a couple of issues.

Ok leaving you with my newest and favorite thing, Greek dip for veggies. Plain Greek yogurt, add 2 powdered envelopes of ranch!! One just isn't enough for me to get over that fat free yogurt taste!!! Love it!!! And it's high in protein.

Also, because we are peanut/tree nut free I have the hardest time finding protein bars. Balance has two. Cookie dough and chocolate craze. Manufactured on equipment but no nuts. The sugar is high, I wish it was 5 g of fat vs the 7 g it is, but it tastes good for the day when you are in a hurry and need something!!!!

Restriction Much

Forgot what good restriction felt like. And I'm REALLY hoping this restriction sticks around for a while!!!!!

So far today I've had a half a cup of egg substitute with a quarter cup of reduced fat shredded cheese, a cup of raspberry chocolate truffle coffee with a 1/3 cup skim milk and now I'm working a 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes with 1/4 cup of the same cheese with 1/4 cup of fat free plain Greek yogurt that had 2 packets of dry ranch seasoning mixed into it.

I'm restricted with these potatoes. Yeah :)

So I'm taking my dear ol' sweet time.

One thing I will say is man, my belly got really bruised from my fill yesterday. That I believe is the first time. Bummer :(

My husband told me as of May 1st he's going to stop drinking pop and start watching better what he's eating. Which I'm glad for him but I never wanted to pressure him. I know it never did me any good to have someone say to me you need to lose weight. It is also going to help me to not have his junk food in the house because quite frankly it tastes really good! But he told me not to bother him or to ask him about it because he doesn't want me to become "one of those people".

Happy Friday y'all!!!!

TTT

1. It was a fill day for me. I had my refill 2 weeks ago when she put 5 cc's back in from after my hysterectomy.

2. Today was only 1 cc but she said that was aggressive for her on a Thursday because she would not be able to unfill me over the weekend. I'm glad she realizes I know me and my band.

3. I like going to my clinic. They make me feel like a rock star bandster.

4. I laid out my big plan to my NP today thinking she'd shoot it down but I think it went well.

5. A couple of NSV's. First, my collar bones are starting to come out. Next, I was able to buy our baseball team's "girly" shirt and it fits. Lastly, I saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in a while and received a bunch of nice comments.

6. Unfortunately the reason I saw a bunch of people I haven't seen in a while is because two people from the church I grew up in passed away. They were both phenomenal examples of Christians, spouses and parents. Awesome people!!!!

7. My daughter made the honor roll again!!! Way to go M!!!

8. We are now officially the small group leaders of our group at church. We are also part of our kids church ministry team which is what we have always served in. So working with grown ups is brand new :)

9. I am looking forward to my next goal at about 7.5 lbs!!!!!

10. My biggest goal is about 37.5 lbs away!!! Here I come!!

Bonus - here are some pics of P and L putting out a blue light bulb for Autism Awareness and some other pics like mastery of chopsticks, us in our Doctor Who shirts and missing tooth :)

TTT

1. I am going back to work on Monday! With some restriction. I already work part time, so my doctor was comfortable with me working reduced hours Monday thru Wednesday and then playing Thursday by ear.

2. I had my band refilled today. My NP put 5 cc in my 11 cc band. Today I'm on full liquids and tomorrow I'm on softs.

3. I was surprised to see that I had a 3 lb loss today on their scale!! I have had no restriction whatsoever in my band (my nutritionist called it a bandcation). I basically told them I really just concentrated on healing, sleeping and not thinking about eating.

4. So what does this mean now? A total reboot for me and my best bud the lap band. We are going to back to the way things "use" to be like at the beginning. Making sure I keep track of my foods (haven't done this in quite some time), drinking my water and eating the right things!!

5. Below is a pic of the newest plan they are passing out at my clinic. They have me eating the 5-6 ounce plan for a couple of weeks and then I can move to the 7-8 ounce plan after my next visit.

6. I have one tiny hiccup with my hysterectomy which my doctor is keeping an eye on. I go back for follow up #3 in a month.

7. We got some awesome news regarding my son's school situation for next year which comes with pros and cons like everything. He will be in a room that is going to be awesome for him ASD wise!!!

8. Waiting for report cards to come out but I anticipate another honor roll for our girl. Do you know how well she's done his year?? Only grade not on the honor roll? A C+ in science because they did chemistry!!!

9. Today's fill kinda hurt. I'm not gonna lie. It had to go through a scar she said from another puncture. I'm thinking its the same spot she took the fluid from a month ago.

10. The rain has been hard and almost non stop here. Guess what that means? Yep, our roof is leaking. We have a bucket and garbage can in our kitchen to prove it. Two estimates in two days.

Ok peeps here's what's up!!

I'm in my I don't know, 4th week of medical leave. Man, a hysterectomy is no joke. Major surgery!! I guess so. I mean they are taking out some major organage!!! Like my made up word there? So, did I tell you what a nerd my hubby was right after my surgery? He took my daughter to her orthodontist appointment and had to drive past the hospital where I had my surgery at. He said, "I waved to your oven." Isn't he funny (please note the sarcasm in the text)?

So, what have I been up to? Nothing! Recovering. Trying to build my endurance back up and that's it.

Well, and trying to at least keep the scale in check to where it was before my surgery. So around 103.5 lbs lost. Right now as of today, I'm there. I kinda am ok with that. I'm a little bummed because I got down to like 107.5 during the beginning of my recovery but that was with the bowel prep and everything. So, I'm choosing to look at it like this, I have had absolutely no fill in my band for a month. Nothing, well a teeny bit to keep it inflated. Hit nothing to write home about. No restriction whatsoever. Not really. And I managed not to gain weight. My NP wanted me to follow the prep diet from before my surgery. Um yeah, that didn't happen. But, I managed to maintain. So, a win I think.

Now, onwards and upwards!! I have two doctors appointments tomorrow. One with my GYN to get my release and any other restrictions and one with my NP for my fill. I was at 7 cc in my 11 cc band. She said she thinks we will be lucky to get 5 cc in this time to start off with. I don't care as long as I can have good restriction. I'm ready to "reboot" and restart this weight loss.

So looking at the BMI calculator, instead of just the scale, I've lost almost 18 points on my BMI and I'm only 6.5 points away from moving away from obese to overweight!!!!! 38 more lbs!! Next goal!