First and Goal!

I'm officially 6 months out from surgery, and I'm down to 221! I haven't been under 220 in a good 6 years. A full 30 pound weight loss plus change (as in that extra pound)! I feel like I'm right at the 1 yard line about to score a touchdown! If you can believe it, I actually ASKED my husband to take a picture of me with the girls this morning. This is the first picture in maybe forever - at least since having the girls - that I've requested a picture be taken of me. Others have been taken against my will of course.

Went shopping yesterday for the first time since surgery and bought a few new outfits that FIT! Also, I got measured for and bought a supportive bra from Lane Bryant....only 1 though b/c I'm seeing a surgeon on Thursday about a breast reduction and lift. I hear it is a painful surgery, but after toting around DD's for as long as I can remember, I can handle the pain. Plus, insurance pays for it...and I still have the filter in that helps to block blood clots. That has to come out soon, and once it is out, there is no way in hell I'm going to have it put back in for elective surgery. So, figure I'll reduce the ta-tas while I have the benefit of the filter.

When I look at the before pictures on the right of my blog, and the after picture I'm posing here, I'm so proud of the progress. I've got so far to go, but I'm proud of what I've done so far...with lots of help from the lapband and support of fellow lapbanders, friends, family and followers. I couldn't have lost 30 pounds in 6 months if not for all of the support. More updates to follow of course, but now I'm off to get the children and begin the nightly routine.

Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Today's Weight: 221 lbs
Surgery Date: March 17

26 and Counting

I've had several followers email recently asking for an update. When I saw the date of my last post, I could not believe it had been so long! I started this blog as a means of accountability. I promised the good, bad and ugly of my journey, and it appears as though I bailed amidst frustration. Overall, I feel like I've done well. So, my absence has been more about a busy life lately than anything else.

I am happy to report that I'm down to 226. So, that's 26 pounds lost in 5 months. I'll have my 6 month check up on September 24th. That's about 4 weeks away, and my goal is to be below 220! I want that more than just about anything right now. The doc has been pleased enough with my progress, saying 1 to 1.5 pounds per week is typical. If I average my loss over the 5 months, I'm on target. But, I haven't actually lost 1-1.5 pounds each week. Some weeks are better than others, but it's shaken out in the wash I guess.

I had my 3rd fill last week. At this point, I have 3 cc's of saline in my band. That sounds like alot, but a tiny medicine cup holds like 30 something cc's. Anyhow, I've FINALLY got enough restriction that I can really tell a difference. With the 2 other fills, I could eat just about anything without a bit of trouble as long as I chewed well. With this last fill, I'm staying fuller longer, I can't eat nearly as much, and I was sick for the first time over something I ate. I've read all about lapband patients vomiting after eating certain foods. This past weekend, I quickly ate a few bites of tuna and chased it with sugar free purple kool-aid. Not a good idea, and this sounds crazy, but I was relieved. Finally, I've got enough restriction to make a difference. I'll spare you the details but will say I've never experienced such pain.

Below are pictures of things that weigh 26 pounds. I've gone from a size 24 to an 18/20 in pants and a 3x to a 1-2x in shirts. It hasn't been easy, and it's not a fast loss, but it's working. I'm taking it a day at a time, would do it again, and would recommend it to anyone.

Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Today's Weight: 226 lbs
Surgery Date: March 17

In my last update, I was all pumped up over a 20 pound weight loss since surgery in March. Most recently, I feel like this lady, only about weight loss and not my job which I happen to love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W3hzJNSkqs

For months, I've been teetering between 230-234 pounds, up and down one day to the next. The lowest I've been is 230, and I think today I was 233.5. Granted, I'm coming off a week long vacation during which I didn't make the best food choices. When eating poorly, I've choosen, for example, a kids meal instead of an adult sized meal, but the food was still unhealthy. I'd justify it by thinking a child sized McDonald's burger and small fry is a fraction of the calories of what "the old me" would have consumed at one meal. But, in reality, I don't need to be eating 500 calories and 20+ fat grams from a kids meal, even if 4 months ago I would have eaten over 1200 calories and 70 fat grams at one meal!

I mentioned to my best friend in an email that this is a day to day battle. On some days, I fight the food demons and have trouble with portion control. I'm not eating what a normal person would think is alot, b/c the lapband really does make me feel full pretty fast, but preparing a plate or ordering a meal according to the size that I should be consuming has been difficult. And, I usually eat whatever I put on my plate, and I need to have more self control over that. As I read her response, I was disgusted with myself b/c I looked down and what was in my hand but a cheese stick. I mean, really, I don't need to be eating freaking cheese sticks. My own actions are preventing me from losing this weight more quickly. I wish I could fix whatever it is within myself that results in bad choices.

Starting Weight: 252 lbs
Today's Weight: 233.5 lbs
Surgery Date: March 17