2 weeks of updates

My updates are supposed to be on Wednesday, but I forgot to post last week.  I, unfortunately, had to go the emergency room Sept 22nd.  My heart was racing and I was having chest pains, chills, dizziness, shortness of breath...I felt horrible.  I sent my husband an email at work and told him that I did not feel well.  He called me and told me he was coming home.  I hate going to the hospital but this time I knew I needed to go.  We get there and they do an EKG on me and determine that I had not had a heart attack.  Praise the Lord!  They do blood work and a chest x-ray.  It turns out I had pneumonia.  They put antibiotics in my IV and keep me there for a while then released me with a prescription for more antibiotics.  I talked to friend of mine on the phone who has also had WLS and she is prior military with medical experience and we discussed my whole pneumonia situation and came to the conclusion that my band was too tight.  I knew it was too tight but I had not gone for an unfill because I was losing weight so fast.  Unfortunately, I was suffering from reflux, constant PB episodes and frequently could not even keep down water.  But, I was losing weight and that was all that I could see...I wasn't concerned that I was doing harm to myself.  The reflux that I was having at night, I am sure, caused me to get fluid into my lungs...thus resulting in pneumonia.  When I had my follow-up appointment with my regular doctor, she agreed that that was likely the cause.  I called the WLS doc for an unfill and they got me in first thing the next morning.  I had 0.5 cc taken out putting me back to 6.5 cc.  I can eat and drink normally again.  So...the moral of the story is do not suffer with an overfill.  If your fill is giving you reflux, constant PBs, you cannot drink water without getting stuck...please, get an adjustment!!!  What I went through was not pleasant at all.

Well on to more happy news.

I went to the YMCA on Wednesday, Sept. 28th to take a tour.  I have been wanting to do something more than my elliptical.  I talked to my husband that night and he told me that he would get me a 6 month membership.  I officially joined Friday, Sept 30th and have done a 5k on the treadmill everyday since (except for Sunday cuz they are closed).  I gave myself a personal goal of 100 miles by December 2.  If I keep with my 5k a day pace, I will surely make it.  Now mind you...I am wogging (walking/jogging) as I have not worked up to running yet...but I am moving my butt which is what I needed to do.  Oh...and what about December 2nd.  That is the date of my husband's Christmas party with his job.  I haven't been to the Christmas party in a couple of years because I have just been too fat and did feel like being the fattest one at the party again and again.  Having lost weight, I feel so much better about myself and gladly accepted my husband's invite to go to the party.

Okay...and on to my weigh-in.  drum roll

238 pounds.  I am out of the 240s.  Downward I go and now I am off to the Y.  Have a great day!

Weekly update. I'm down 2 pounds!!!

Woke up this morning weighing 241 pounds.  YAY!!!  So close to the 230s.  What am I doing?  Lots of protein and using the elliptical.

Thank you Sarah

I want to thank my follower, Sarah, for sending me a message and checking up on me.

I have had quite a year.  I had open heart surgery November 26, 2010.  My last update on my blog here was December 8, 2010.  Well, the following Monday,December 13, 2010, I went to the doctor complaining about the stitches for the drain tube sites below my chest.  They checked me in and I did not realize that my heart was racing.  My mind was wrapped up in the irritation of the stitches, not knowing that my resting heart rate was something like 150-160 bpm.  Thats like someone running and I was just sitting there.  The doctor had to cardiovert me (he had to electrically shock my heart back into normal rhythm) and I ended up with an overnight stay for observation.

I took it easy over the next couple of months and then started cardiac rehabilitation at the end of February.  This was a supervised exercise program to get my heart back in shape and I ended up losing a few pounds and inches too.  It was 12 weeks long and I loved it.  I wish insurance would have paid for it forever.  It made me so much stronger.  That ended in May.  A couple weeks later school ended for the kids.  So...I tried to stay active and we spent a lot of time at the pool.  I didn't get loads of exercise though because my kids are 13, 5, and 3 so the pool was pretty much me splashing around in the shallow end with the younger two.

For the most part, the first half off the year I had Lap Band on the back burner.  I kept my band on the loose side and more concentrated on getting my heart healthy.  The kids started school last month and I have since had a nice fill and have started doing a variety of exercise DVDs.  My restriction is really good right now.

When I started my Lap Band journey, I was wearing size 24 and some 26 or 4x.  I weighed 297 pounds.  Today, I wear a size 20 and some 18s.  I weighed in this morning at 243 pounds.  I would have hoped that a year after gastric banding surgery I would have lost more than 54 pounds, but considering all that I have gone through, I am not going to beat myself up over it at all.  I just took my measurements and I am very happy at the loss.  I will post those under my measurement tab.

Thank you again, Sarah.  It was a great prompt for me to get back on here.  And thank you to all my followers for not dumping me.  Look forward to more frequent updates.

week 16 long time, no see

I haven't even looked back to see what my last post says, but I wanted to just journal where I am now.  So much has been going on in the past few months.  I mentioned before that it was discovered that I had some heart issues.  The past couple of months have been filled with appointments of EKGs, echocardiograms, MRIs, various doctor appointments, etc.... well...On Wednesday November 24th (the day before Thanksgiving) I had open heart surgery.  It was only a matter of time that I would have had heart failure and I would not have known if I had not had the lapband surgery because I had no symptoms.  I am still recovering and active weight loss has not been a major priority but I am continuing to stick to my eating plan and am making progress.  I didn't weigh myself today but I did on Monday and I was 258.  All things considered, I am pleased with my progress.

Can I get a High 5....how about a High 4 for 4 pounds lost!!! Week 8 update vlog

week 7 weight 272
week 8 weight 268
starting weight 297
total lost 29 pounds

took my measurements

I went ahead and made a tab for my measurements.  I am pretty excited about the numbers.

Week 7 update vlog

Finally 25 pounds down!!!!

I am sorry if this takes a long time to upload.  I probably should be youtubing, but I am just not comfortable with being that public.  I feel more secure in the blog environment with the ease of the vlog.  Oh...and sorry it is a little late...AGAIN.  

Anywho...I am going to post an update of measurements down at the bottom of my blog.  I was playing around with the measuring tape and I was floored.  That will be a little later today, so be sure to check out the numbers.  Shocker to me.

Week 6 Vlog

Excuse my early morning hair.  I wanted to get a quick vlog out before I started my day.

This is week 6
Starting weight 297
Current weight 273.8
total loss 23.2

back on track...Thanks Fill

Seems like the fill is doing the job.  I am back on track.  Eating is under control.  Down 2 pounds since this past Friday...which means I am back down to my low of 275.  YAY!!!  Vlog on Wednesday.

Week 5 update vlog

no vlog this week

I really wanted to be consistent with the weekly vlog thing.  A lot of things have been going on with me.  Having Lap Band surgery may have very well saved my life on more than one level.  When I went in for surgery, the anesthesiologist listened to my heart murmur (which I have known that I have always had) and was apparently concerned enough about what he heard to go talk to the Chief of Cardiology of the (military) hospital where I got my lap band.  I was cleared for surgery, but the Chief of Cardiology ordered an echocardiogram to be done a couple of weeks after surgery.  I had the echo done and it turns that I am quite the specimen.  I went in yesterday to meet with the cardiologist for a follow up consultation and the findings are that I have some congenital issues that if not fixed may very well lead to heart failure.  As a matter of fact, he seemed almost surprised that I have not already had a stroke.

If I would not have had Lap Band surgery, I would have never known that I had these issues.  And of all doctors that have ever been involved with my health care throughout my life, it was an anesthesiologist that cared enough to look one step further.

They are going to send a scope down my throat to get some better views of my heart before they refer me to a "heart hospital" and the heart hospital will check me out before recommending course of action which apparently pretty much boils down to operating on my heart.

The cardiologist does not want me exercising, but I do intend to at least get out and walk as the weather is getting nicer.

I thought I was scared to get lap band...but I am absolutely terrified of having my heart worked on.

Well....on to lap band related stuff...I think I am just not going to do well until I get my first fill.  I am just not strong enough to diet on my own.  I've gained another 2 pounds.  Uggg...but I am relating this to stress eating.

My first blog award

I want to thank Nicole for my very first blog award.

The rules are as follows:

1. Answer the question: If you had one chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?

Yes...I would have to say that I would have finished college.  Seems like every time I would take classes I would get pregnant.  Well, 5 kids later and now being a grandmother I still hope to finish college.  My youngest just turned 2 and I KNOW she will be my last.  So, there is still time...I just wish it would be all over with already  =)

2. Pick 6 people and give them this award. You then have to inform the person that they have been selected for the award.


Erika - great reading all the time.
Joia - I so feel like I can relate with a lot of her posts.
Pamela - such a sweetie...you can just tell.
Jenny - I love her vlogs in the bathroom...she makes me chuckle.
Bonnie - Great blogger and great poster.  She gives off such a positive vibe to me.
Jennifer - From one southern California girl to another who also played a mean flute (5th grade to 11th grade for me).  (unfortunately, I'm no longer in California...But...I'm in Florida!  Thank you, Air Force).
Jocelyn - another beautiful woman...and she is awaiting her band debut.  


geez...just 6.  are you serious.  Well I followed the rules and stopped at 6, I cheated and picked 7, and  I didn't want to stop there.  I secretly nominate everyone else  =)) 

3. You have to thank the person (people) who gave you the award.


Nicole...thank you again.

week 3 update, first vlog

This is my first vlog.  This is my back up to pictures, which I don't seem to get into a lot of.  So...with a weekly update, I will be able to watch my progression as I work on getting this weight off.  And... it is something to look back on once I do reach goal or have lost a significant amount of weight.

I just watched my preview and it looks like the audio and video are a bit off.  Oh well..That was take 10 and I'm not doing it over.

My first followup since surgery

I was going to wait until tomorrow to post because it would be my 2 weeks...but I had my first post-op appointment today.  I weighed in at 275 pounds.  My starting weight was 297 pounds.  OMG!!! I am 22 pounds down and I have my TOM right now....so I could be retaining a little too!!!  I am wearing pants that I have not been able to put on in 3 or 4 years.

I look in the mirror and I guess it is way too soon for me to see anything...but the proof is in the smaller clothing.  I have this really cute pair of capris that I bought a few years ago on clearance and I figured one day I would be able to wear them.  Less than 4 weeks ago I could not even bring both halves of the zipper together to zip them up.  This past Saturday, I tried them on and they zipped right up.  I really need to stay up on my measurements.  I think that is where it is really going to be real for me until I get more weight off because like I said, I am just not seeing it in the mirror.

I have been cleared for my "forever" diet aka solids.  YAY!

From here on I am going to make weekly posts only because I think I am so darn boring.  But, if anything exciting or notable happens, then I will be sure to make posts in between.  Thanks for being a part of my journey.

8 days post-op

I mean to post yesterday for my 1 week, but I just got so busy.  I wanted to say that I am pretty much over the gas...finally.  I was not able to walk much the first few days because of heat or rain.  On Monday, my husband went with me and we went on an evening stroll for about 1-1/2 miles.  The next morning I went to WalMart and walked around for about an hour.   It is really, really, really important to walk in the beginning to help get that gas out.  I am so serious...one day, the pain in my shoulder was so bad that it was near paralyzing.  I was stuck straight in pain.  I am glad to be pretty much over that.

I have lost 5 pounds since surgery.  I am now a total of 15 pounds down which I am really pleased about.

I was surfing the net the other day.  I came across the This is why you're fat website.  Sadly, I would eat these foods if I was not banded.  I know I would.  And it wouldn't be just a taste.  I would be going for broke, sopping the plate dry.  I did not always have a problem with portion control.  It started with my first pregnancy.  I took the whole "eating for 2" too literally.  I know I can't eat like this now.  I longed for many years to not to be so hungry and now I'm not.  Before, I could not watch the food network or look through a Schwans catalog without going to the pantry for an accompanying snack.  I haven't had that problem.  Of course, I am still in the early stages of healing.  But, I know my life is different now.  I am so happy I did this.  I am happy to be banded.

named my band

I didn't think I was going to but I see so many people have.  I have decided to call my band PITA.  PITA is a true Patriot In These Abs...marching me on to fat-free freedom, singing that cadence and keeping me in step, and together we will whip this body into shape, into the GI Jane I was when I was in the Air Force twenty something years ago.  PITA is a true supporter of the mission.

I do expect that along the way that PITA will be a true Pain In The A$$ from time to time but we will work through it together.

Describe your PITA.

please pass the gas

I am so ready to be through with the gas pain.  Day 1 and 2, I was able to get some little burps out and it gave minor relief.  Day 3, I had a nice long toot.  It was like the cap of my bicycle tire was unscrewed and I had a nice slow leak for nearly 30 seconds.  Awwww.  It was great.  Unfortunately, the gas didn't stop there.  (I thought I was done).

I am a discreet farter.  It's just the way I was brought up.  The whole girls don't fart or they don't let anyone hear them fart.  My husband has never heard me pass gas and I have known him since the end of 1996.  As a matter of fact, I think up until around 2005, he thought I never had gas at all.  I think it's kinda funny that he really thought that I never get gassy or at least that's his story.

SOOOOO....this gas thing is really giving me double problems because I am in such pain plus I have this whole mental thing of I can't release it around anyone.  My husband says it's okay....but I just can't do it.  I don't know if it has now become stage fright or what.  I just find that I am getting a better release when I go into the other room with some privacy.

I will be so happy when the gas is all over with.  I expect maybe a few more days.

Banded. YES!

Thank you all for the kind thoughts and well wishes.  I was banded yesterday, but due to some minor difficulties in recovery, they opted to keep me over night for observation.

I knew there would be discomfort afterwards, but for me, it is more than I expected. (and I have had 5 kids and generally tolerate pain rather well)

I'm glad to finally be on the other side.


Edited to add that I was discharged this morning and my husband has taken time off to care for me.

Dear Diary, I've been really kinda scared

I haven't posted in several days.  I have been back and forth about this whole banding thing.  Am I doing the right thing?  Did I really try as hard as I could?  Pre-op diet has gone so well, can't I just be a pre-opper for life?  And I've been feeling scared about the actual procedure.  Could I really die if I do this?  Do I trust the hands involved in this procedure?

Of course I thought about this all before I even made my decision to get banded but as the days have been getting closer these thoughts have been coming back and putting a real fear into me.  I have cried tears over the past several days struggling with this and I can't believe I even almost made the call to cancel my surgery.  I've really had to do some soul searching and finally just turned this all over to Jesus.  I am at a calm about this now.

I am doing the right thing.
I did really try.
Sure, I could do a pre-opper diet, maybe even for life, but where is the rehabilitation in that?
Yes, I can die...but I can die if I don't do this.
Do I trust the hands of my surgeon?  I trust Jesus to touch the hands of those that will be performing this procedure.  I know I will be okay.

Am I really scared because I have been stuck with this addiction for so long?  It is an addiction.  This whole food thing.  Everything about it.  The compulsive pattern of eating.  Because of my addiction, I spent the ages of 20-41 as an overweight to severely obese adult.  I have never really enjoyed these years.  I have been miserably fat.  I am ready to not be stuck in this cycle of fat and diets that have not worked for me.  I am ready to make a life style change....A LIFE STYLE CHANGE.

So, I am going into this tomorrow finally ready.  I'm not afraid.  NOT AFRAID.  And I adopt this song "Not Afraid" by Eminem as my anthem.  It's about addiction and rehabilitation.  I have found it uplifting to me as I think about this awesome change that is about to happen.

To everyone else that is about to make this change, I am happy to be amongst them.  We are really doing a positive thing for ourselves.  For those that are already on the road ahead of me...kudos to them.  I can't wait to get to where they are.

Thank you Diary....

butt kicking work out

Okay...my husband does P90X.  He's in the Air Force, so he's already physically fit.  He was looking for something to give him tone and definition.  He has told me on several occasions that I could feel free to use the DVDs anytime I wanted.  Well...this morning, he walked into my office (I work from home) and he said to me that he was going to get ready to work out and asked if I would like to join him.  This is the first time that he has ever offered.  Now, I know I just said a couple of days ago that I was not strong enough to do this, but I figured what the heck...I'll just do my best.

His workout today was shoulders, chest, and triceps followed by an ab workout.  I the first workout is 55 min and I did 30 minutes to my best ability and I gave my best attempt to the whole 20 minutes of ab workout.  He was really proud of me and I was proud of myself too.  Mind you...I did very modified versions, but I did them with my best effort.  It was a good morning.

Oh...my scale told me this morning that I was another pound down.  I love my scale.  She's been kind lately.  With this 1 pound down, I am now 289.  I think I already need to re-assess my goals.  That was way too easy and came way too quickly.  I mean...it was really a given that I was going to get out of the 290s.  August 18th!!! get here already.