Plateau

I've hit my first real plateau. I can't seem to bust through the 50 pound mark. But, it's really to be expected...I've had an unfill, travelled to Italy, and been through one Holiday with another one on the way. So, I'm not too bummed. About 3 weeks ago I saw Fuzz and had a partial refill, but I'm still not filled back to where I was before I went to Italy. Apparently, refills have to be done gradually or you risk being too tight. I won't see Fuzz again until January 4th.

So, I've decide that my goal is to make it through Christmas without gaining any weight. That will be a success. I'm going to have to start walking more regularly in order to do that. I'm really struggling to find the time, energy and motivation to get my rear-end in gear and exercise! Please join me in praying that I'll get my act together and get moving. I really don't want to gain any of this weight back. I've come too far to lose ground now.

On a positive note, I bought a pair of jeans at Goodwill the other day. I bought them a size smaller than I am wearing now, thinking I could wear them when I lost a little more weight. I tried them on when I got home and they FIT! I was so happy! When I started this journey 6 months ago I was wearing a size 26, the new jeans are a 20. How cool is that?

Port Revision Update

Yesterday's procedure to flip and re-attach my port went just fine. I am back at work today and, other than a little tired and sore, I am no worse for the wear. Fuzz emptied most of the fluid from my band so I'm ready to go to Italy now...Woo-Hoo! Now, I'm just praying that the port stays put this time!

My Flipping Port

I went to see Fuzz on Friday to have my band unfilled so I'd be ready to go to Italy. Apparently the altitude and cabin pressure affects the tightness of the band, so they like folks to be unfilled before air travel. Fuzz couldn't access my port. It's the little, roundish thingie located just under the skin on my abdomen that the Dr. injects the saline into in order to fill and unfill the band. You can see it on the picture. Turns out, my port has flipped completely over. This is a rare complication, but it does happen to band patients from time to time. I had no idea that it had flipped, I never even felt it. When he put the port in, Fuzz stitched it into my abdominal muscle, so it's hard to imagine how it came loose.

Fuzz tried and tried to manipulate it through my skin hoping he could get it to flip back over so he could do the unfill, but no luck. So, this Wednesday I have to go in for some out-patient surgery to have the port re-positioned and stitched back in. He'll unfill me then, too. He's going to access the port by opening the same incision he used during the 1st surgery, so no new scars. They don't have to put me completely under this time, it's done under IV sedation with a local anesthesia.

I'm trying to stay positive about the whole thing. So, here are the positives. First of all, my unfill appointment was originally scheduled for next Friday, 10/24-just 3 days before I leave for Italy. For some reason the hospital rescheduled that appointment for November 14. I called Fuzz's office and told them that I needed the appointment before I left for Italy because of my unfill. So, they squeezed me in for this past Friday. That's good because Fuzz discovered the problem and now has enough time to repair it before I leave. If the appointment had stayed where it was originally was, there'd be no way for him to fix it. I don't know what would have happened.

Secondly, I've already met my out of pocket maximum with my insurance for the year, so any costs connected with this procedure won't be my responsibility. So, if this was going to happen, I'm glad it happened now.

This doesn't change at all how I feel about the band. When I chose the band, I knew that some complications could arise. This one is pretty minor and easily corrected, just a little bump on my road to success!

5 Months and 50 lbs. Down

My 5-month "surgiversary" was a couple of days ago. I am still loving life with the lap band. I've lost 50 pounds and 2 pant sizes. I've only had to have 2 fills since my surgery and have had a wonderful level of restriction...not too tight, not too loose.

Next Friday, I see Fuzz for a complete unfill because I'm heading to Italy in a couple of weeks for a 10-day vacation. Apparently, the lap-band gets tighter for some reason when you fly, so he likes to loosen it up before a long flight. That's just FINE with me because I want to fuly enjoy the Italian food while I'm there. I'm not too worried about gaining weight, because we'll also be doing alot of walking on the trip. Plus, even with an unfilled band, I doubt I'll be able to eat as much as I could before surgery.

Here are some before and after shots. This is what 50 pounds less of me looks like.

Fast Food Fat Attack

A breakfast with 1,220 calories, a 900 calorie salad, and a burger packing over a days worth of fat grams and 1,200 calories are just a few of the menu items lurking at your neighborhood fast food restaurant.

Find out more about these drive-thru diet disasters here: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cholesterol/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100214450&gt1=31007

This Stinks!

A recent study shows that people with the so-called "Fat Gene" can combat their tendency to gain weight with physical activity...6 TO 7 HOURS PER DAY!! Chek out this article from msnbc.com.

Quick Update

Man! It's been a long time since an update. Sorry! Life has been crazy...but what else is new, really? My last fill on July 25th (see talky blog below) seems to be doing the trick. I am able to eat much less. That's good. I get stuck more often. Not so good. But, I am learning! I have to slow down, take small bites and chew very well. Now, I knew all of this good and well before I had surgery, but I have to learn things the hard way. Like this morning , I got stuck on a banana! I waited too long to eat, was really hungry and took two or 3 big bites and didn't chew well enough. This was the worst episode I've had...it lasted about 45 minutes. So, to give my tummy a break, I think I'll do liquids for the rest of the day. Mmmmm, chicken broth! If you want to know some of the more graphic details of what happens during a stuck epispode, send me an email (tami@wbfj.fm). It's not horrible, but it may involve TMI for some.

On a positive note, I've now lost around 40 pounds. I'm very happy with that. 28 of those pounds are since surgery (14 Weeks Ago) , which works out to 2 pounds per week, which is what I'm shooting for.

I'm down about 2 clothing sizes as well. I bought some new clothes the other day at Wal-Mart and was THRILLED with the way clothes were fitting. If Fuzz had been there, I am sure I would have kissed him! This is the first time in my whole life that I have ever had to buy new clothes in a smaller size. I cannot begin to explain how that feels.

I got a new hair cut. It's shorter, but not drastically different. Kudos to Mike Todd at Mike Todd Serenity Salon and Spa for another great cut! No lie, I brought in a picture of Jenny McCarthy with her new do to give Mike an idea about what I wanted. When Alton saw my hair cut later that day he said, "I like it...it reminds me of whatshername....you know, Jim Carey's girlfriend." If you don't know, Jim Carey's girlfriend is Jenny McCarthy. Of course, I can't style it as well as Mike, but here's a recent pic to give you an idea.

Talky Blog on a Fill Day

The Power of Writing it Down

Here's a link to a study that proves what dieters have known for years...keeping a food diary is important when you are trying to lose weight!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080708/hl_nm/diet_diary_dc

Weight Loss Tips...With or Without the Lap-band

On this lap band journey, and during the 20 years of trying to lose weight leading up to it, I have found that there are a number of factors that lead to success in weight loss. Certainly, the lap-band is a huge factor for me, but that is only part of the equation. The lap band is a tool that helps me with portion control, but the rest is really up to me. Band or no band...here is a list of things that anyone wanting to lose weight should do.

1. Calorie Restriction- Bottom line...it is all about the calories you consume compared to the calories you burn. A deficit of roughly 3500 calories = 1 pound of fat loss. A surplus of 3500 calories = 1 pound of weight gain.

In order to figure out how many calories you should consume in order to lose weight, you must first determine how many calories your body burns each day (this is called your basal metabolic rate or BMR). Here's a link to a BMR on the Mayo Clinic website http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598

Then, you must reduce your calorie intake and/or increase your activity level to create a calorie deficit. For example, lets say you want to lose 1 pound per week. You would need to create a 500 pound calorie deficit per day: 500 (calories) x 7 (days in a week) = 3500 (calories in a pound). If your body uses 2,000 calories each day with little or no activity, then you would have to eat no more than 1,500 calories per day or increase your activity level by 500 calories or do some combination of both diet and exercise to create that calorie deficit. Here is a list of activities and the calories burned doing each one based on your body weight...http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calorie-calculator/NU00598

Just a note...you should consume at least 1200 calories per day unless you are under a doctor's supervision. If you eat too few calories, your body will go into starvation mode and your metabolism will slow WAY down.

2. Protein and Fiber are Important- Consuming fewer calories will leave you hungry. Protein and fiber help to fill you up and keep you feeling satisfied longer. Think about the old joke about eating Chinese food and feeling hungry 30 minutes later. The typical Chinese restaurant meal consists mostly of noodles or white rice, then some veggies and meat. You fill up quickly because of the bulk of the noodles and rice, but they are easily digested and pass through your stomach quickly, leaving you hungry. There is also a connection between simple starches and increased insulin levels which add to hunger. For explanation about how this works visit: http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/riskfactors/a/lofatlocarb_2.htm

3. Keep a Food Journal Every Day- It is so easy to eat too many calories! The only way to keep stay on track is to write down everything that you put in your mouth. There are some awesome free websites where you can easily track your daily calories. http://www.sparkpeople.com/ and http://www.thedailyplate.com/ are two of the best. Personally, I use the daily plate, because it has a bigger database of foods to choose from. There are lots of other tools on the daily plate as well. It offers a calorie calculator and you can even tell it how much you want to lose and how quickly you want to lose it and it will calculate how many calories you should consume each day to reach your goal. You can also enter your daily exercise and it will adjust your calories for the day. It is awesome!

4. Stay Hydrated- Drinking plenty of fluid each day is helpful for lots of reasons, but mainly because it helps prevent hunger. I've heard lots of different theories about how much water one should consume each day. However, 64 ounces is a widely accepted rule. And, you are not limited to water...any sugar and caffeine free beverage is suitable. If you drink coffee or any other caffeinated beverages, you need to increase your daily fluid intake because of the diuretic effects of caffeine. I try to add one cup (8 oz) of water for each cup of coffee I drink.

5. Exercise (aka-"The E Word")- I HATE exercising. I am a low energy, non-athletic person and exercising comes about as naturally to me as eating nails. However, there is no denying how important daily activity is to weight loss.

First of all, exercise burns calories, which gives you some leeway in the calories you consume. As hard as you try, sticking to a restricted calorie diet is tough and there are days you'll exceed your allotted intake. However, if you took a 30 minute walk you could cancel out 200-300 (more or less depending on your weight) of those excess calories.

Secondly, exercise builds muscle. Strength training is best, but any exercise will add some muscle. Muscle tissue requires more calories to exist than fat tissue and increases your basal metabolic rate (BMR). In other words, the more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn each day. Here's an excellent explanation of how this works from the Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/metabolism/WT00006

6. Eat Slowly and Consciously- Lap Band patients have to take small bites and chew very thoroughly so that our food doesn't get stuck in the small opening created by the band. However, everyone should consider learning to eat this way. We live our lives at a frantic pace and the way we eat is no different. Watch the way people around you eat...it's like we are all in a race to see who can finish first. By the time our brain gets the signal from our stomach and intestines that we are full, which takes about 20 minutes, we've eaten way more than we need to. http://health.howstuffworks.com/eat-slower.htm

Here are a few tips: take smaller bites, chew very thoroughly, put your fork down between bites and every 3-5 minutes stop eating altogether for a minute or so. Also, avoid multi-tasking (i.e. driving, watching TV, reading, etc) while you are eating. This will help you focus on how and what you are eating and when your body tells you it's had enough.

7. Avoid "Portion Distortion"- A big part of limiting calories is portion control. Using a food scale and measuring cups at every meal is pretty impractical. It's better to learn to "eyeball" portion sizes. This website provides a guide using everyday items as a way to estimate portion sizes: http://education.wichita.edu/caduceus/examples/servings/visual_estimates.htm

Restaurants are notorious for serving excessive portions. We tend to eat what is put in front of us, so it is common to overeat at restaurants. One good way to combat this is to ask for a to-go box when your meal arrives. Put those extra servings in the box and you'll avoid overeating plus you'll have two or three more meals to enjoy later. You've saved calories and money!

8. Develop a Strategy for Eating Out- In addition to the to-go box tip mentioned above, it is important to be prepared when you eat out. Most restaurants have on-line nutrition information Consult the guide to decide what you'll order before you head to the restaurant . These guides are also often available at the restaurant if you did not have a chance to check beforehand. Check out this article from the Washington Post with links to some of the most common chain restaurants: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/06/AR2007030600589.html .

For example, I have narrowed down the menus at the fast food restaurants where I eat regularly to just a few choices that I know are the healthiest. By the time I get to the drive thru lane, I already know what I'm going to order...I don't even have to look at the menu. At Wendy's, its a small chili, a baked potato, a grilled snack wrap or a salad with low-fat dressing. At McDonald's it's a grilled chicken salad with light dressing, the fruit and walnut salad, a fruit and yogurt parfait, a grilled chicken snack wrap, or a Chicken McNugget Mighty Kids Meal with apple dippers and 1% white milk. Keep in mind, the last option still has 480 calories and 20 grams of fat...but it is still healthier than a lot of other options on the menu.

Here is an article that offers great advice about eating healthy when you're away from home: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/usda-diet-strategies-for-dining-out-ga.htm

9. Don't Skip Meals...Especially Breakfast- Eating throughout the day keeps your metabolism higher and prevents a hunger-driven binge that can sabotage a healthy diet. Breakfast is so important! A breakfast that is high in protein, fiber and even has a little fat will help you eat properly throughout the day.

Most people don't have time to prepare a meal every morning, so here are a few weekday breakfast ideas. Mix 1 cup of light yogurt or 1 cup of skimmed milk with 2/3 cup of high-fiber cereal (Kashi Go-Lean and Special K Protein Plus are great choices because they are high in fiber and protein). Quaker makes a Weight Control Oatmeal that is high in both fiber and protein. Or, eat a serving (1/2 c) of light Cottage Cheese and a serving of high fiber fruit, such as: Apples, Bananas, Berries, Dried Fruits (Figs, Raisins, Apricots, Dates, etc.) Kiwi, Oranges, Pears or Prunes.

Also, a good-quality meal replacement bar or protein shake made with skimmed milk are good breakfast choices. Choose a protein powder that has at least 20 grams of protein and is low in sugar. I'm a fan of Revival Soy protein shakes, although they are expensive. Slim Fast makes a lower carb, ready-to drink shake, great for those of us on-the-run in the morning.

10. Limit Sugar- This is a big weakness for me because I love sweets and I'm not a big fan of any of the artificial sweeteners on the market. But, sugar only adds empty calories to your diet. Here are a few tips to cut back on your sugar intake:

-Change the way you drink coffee. I used to put about a tablespoon (3 tsp) of sugar in each cup of coffee. Now, I use Fit and Active (Aldi) French Vanilla creamer. It has no fat and is very low in sugar.

-Eliminate other Sugary Drinks. Soda, sweet tea, fruit juice and other sugary drinks have lots of calories, have little or no nutritional value and do nothing to help you feel full.

-Limit Sweets

-Read Food Labels- Avoid items that have sugar as one of the first 3 ingredients. Remember, sugar has lots of other names...corn syrup, fructose, glucose, lactose, dextrose and maltose are all forms of sugar.

Check out this article for other tips about how to cut the sugar: http://www.ehow.com/how_2043524_reduce-sugar-intake.html

11. Take a Daily Vitamin- In a perfect world, you'd get all of your daily nutrition from your food. However, it is next to impossible to get all of your required nutrients each day, even on a healthy diet. Also, make sure to get plenty of calcium and vitamin D every day, this is especially important for women.

12. Track Your Progress With a Scale, a Measuring Tape and a Camera-Keeping track of your weight provides accountability and motivation. However, weighing yourself too often can lead to frustration as your weight tends to fluctuate day to day for reasons including water retention and muscle development. There are different schools of thought on how often to weigh. I recommend weighing at least once a month, but no more often than once per week. Keep a record of each weigh-in so you can track your progress over time. http://www.thedailyplate.com/ also has a weight tracking tool.

Since the scale can be a bit fickle, it is also a good idea to keep track of your measurements. At a minimum keep track of your waist measurement. You may also want to track your hip, bust, forearms and thighs. It's not unusual to have periods when you haven't lost pounds, but you have lost inches. This is especially true when you are exercising. Muscle weighs more than fat...so you could lose fat while gaining muscle and have your body weight stay the same. Here's a link to a website that has additional tips about weighing yourself and will show you how to properly take your measurements:
http://www.weight-loss-program.com/art13-taking-measurements.html

Finally, it's not a bad idea to take a few full-length pictures of yourself (front, profile and back)when you first start a weight loss program. Periodically, retake the pictures and compare before and after. It's a good idea to stand in front of the same door in your home and wear the same or similar clothes each time. Hopefully, within a few months you'll begin to see a noticeable difference in yourself.

13. Don't Go It Alone-Studies show that people who are most successful at lifestyle change have a strong support system. This is one of the benefits of Weight Watchers...weekly support and accountability are very important. Overeaters Anonymous and First Place are other excellent weight loss support groups. If you can't attend a structured group, at least try to connect with friends, family members and co-workers who are trying to lose weight. There are also some really good on-line networking sites to try... http://www.obesityhelp.com/ , http://www.sparkpeople.com/ and http://www.thedailyplate.com/ are a few of the best.


14. Be Patient-There is no such thing as quick, easy weight loss. Lasting weight loss takes work and time. I have given up on so many diets because I wasn't losing quickly enough. However, I have come to accept that in order to achieve long-term weight loss I must commit myself to a lifetime of healthy lifestyle choices.

Make your changes gradually. We've probably all heard that it takes 21 days to break a bad habit or make a new, good one. So, instead of trying to change all of your diet and exercise habits at once...why not try changing one or two new things every 3-4 weeks? In a year you'd be well on your way to a healthier life and you'd be much more likely to stick with the changes.

Try this 9-month plan, adding each new activity to the already established activities from previous months:

Month 1- Track everything you eat and drink, plus your daily exercise in a journal or online. This is also a good time to join an on-line support group.

Month 2- Drink at least 8 ounces of water per day. Start a daily multi-vitamin.

Month 3- Begin exercising a minimum of 30 minutes per day, or add to the exercise you are already doing.

Month 4-If you aren't already eating a good breakfast, start this month. Make sure breakfast includes at least 15 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.

Month 5- Start eating slowly and consciously as described in number 6 above.

Month 6-Increase exercise again (this is a good time to start strength training 2-3 days per week if you haven't already).

Month 7-This month, work on cutting excess sugar and other simple or "white" carbohydrates from your diet. Instead eat whole grains and complex carbohydrates. Need more info about this? Check out this website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002469.htm

Month 8-Start a restricted calorie diet. See number 1 at the beginning of this blog for info.

Month 9-Increase exercise again. By this point, you should be doing at least 30 minutes of cardio 5 days per week and 30 minutes of strength training 3 times per week.

This plan may take you more or less than 9 months. If you feel you have not mastered a particular step, take longer than one month to work on it before you move on. If you are already doing one of the steps, skip ahead to the next month. However, give yourself at least 3 weeks to master one step before you move on to the next.

Getting "Stuck"

I have encountered one of the least pleasant side-effects of the band a few times now that I've been eating solid food for a while. Getting Stuck. Uck.

If I eat too fast and/or don't chew my food well enough, it can get stuck in my stoma-the small opening created by the band between the small pouch (upper part of the stomach) and the rest of my stomach. This results in a very uncomfortable sensation of extreme pressure in my chest which lasts for 10-15 minutes until the food works its way through, or comes back up...also known as a "PB" or productive burp (this has not happened to me yet). It is annoying, and painful, but it is a very powerful reminder to chew, chew, chew and slow down...which I should be doing anyway!

On another note...lots of folks are curious about how much weight I've lost..I think I am down around 25 pounds now, but I like to go by my doctor's scale for my official weight. The last time I saw him was on June 11 and I had lost a total of 20 pounds. My next appointment is on July 25th. I will definitely let you know the "official" new total then.

Free Yourself Portion Distortion

I'm always one to look for the easier way to do things. This holds true to trying to figure out serving sizes. Sorry, I'm just not too likely to pull out a food scale or measuring cups everytime I eat. Here is a "handy" guide to portion sizes put together by Witchita State University.

http://education.wichita.edu/caduceus/examples/servings/handy_reminders.htm
One of the easiest ways to visually estimate portion sizes is to use an everyday item that you carry around with you all the time, your hand.

-1 ounce of cheese is about the size of your thumb
-A teaspoon of margarine is about the size of your thumb tip
-1 cup of milk, yogurt or chopped fresh greens is about the size of a small hand holding a tennis ball
-1 oz nuts or small candies:About one handful
-2 oz chips or pretzels:About two handfuls
-1 cup: About the size of a man's fist
-A ½ cup of cut fruit, cooked vegetables, pasta, rice is about the size of a rounded handful
-3 ounces of meat, poultry, or fish are about the size of a women's palm
-1/2 cup of cut fruit, vegetables, or pasta is about the size of a small fist
-One ounce of snack foods--pretzels, etc. equals a large handful

Because hand sizes vary according to body, size, gender, and age, it may be easier to estimate portion sizes using some common household items.

-One piece fruit or potato: About the size of a regular (60 watt) light bulb
-One-half cup of vegetables is about the size of a light bulb
-1/2 cup: about the size of a racquet ball
-One cup of pasta is the size of a tennis ball
-3/4 cup: about the size of a tennis ball
-1 fruit serving = ½ cup canned or 1 medium fruit: is about the size of a tennis ball
-1 1/2 - 2 oz cheese: About the size of a 3.5" computer disk or a tube of lipstick or three dominos
-3 oz. meat/poultry/fish: About the size of a deck of cards or cassette tape
-2 TB peanut butter: About the size of a golf ball
-One bagel is the size of a hockey puck
-A medium potato should be the size of a computer mouse
-One teaspoon of peanut butter equals one dice.

Inspiration

http://www.stvhs.com/east/services/weightloss_testimonial.asp

The above link is to a testimonial page from patients at St. Vincents Hospital's (Alabama) Weight Loss Surgery Program. Their stories are amazing and wait until you see how wonderful, healthy and happy they all look now!

Just a Quick Post

I am exhausted! It is 10:30 PM and for the 3rd night in a row I'll be getting to bed waaaay too late. I love my job, but early mornings are really hard for me. As the week goes on and the sleep deficit accumulates, it gets harder and harder to get going in the morning. All that to say...this will be a short post.

I know that many people are following my progress. I find this to be such a great honor and source of encouragement. And, I don't want to leave you hanging! So, here is the latest.

As I already mentioned, my first fill was last Thursday. I had to go back to full liquids for a couple of days to give my stomach a chance to adjust. Now that I've been back on regular food for a few days, I can definitely feel a difference in the amount of restriction. Before the fill I had gotten to where I could pretty much eat as much as I wanted and I was having to really work hard not to over eat. But now, the band is starting to do some of that work for me. If I eat too much, too fast or if I take too big of a bite or don't chew well enough, I get an uncomfortable sensation in my upper chest. The food just kind of hangs there until it can start working it's way through my stoma and into the bottom portion of my stomach.

My head has not really caught on to the idea of my smaller stomach, however, and I still try to eat more than I can. For example, today's crazy schedule had me hitting Wendy's for lunch. I ordered one of their new "Go Wraps" which is basically a chicken tender, cheese, lettuce and ranch dressing wrapped in a tortilla. It's pretty small and I thought I would still be hungry, so I also ordered a small chili. Needless to say, the snack wrap was all I needed to be completely satisfied. But, I didn't want to waste the chili (duh!) so I tried to eat it. I got a few spoonfulls down, but that was it. I let Andrew have part of it and then ate the rest a couple of hours later.

This is a learning process, so I am trying to be patient with myself. I still feel that I am making really good progress and I am very happy with the way things are going. I am also confident that when my head, my stomach and the band all start working together, it's gonna be great.

First Fill

Today I saw Fuzz and had my first "fill". This is when he injects saline to tighten my band. I was ready because my hunger had really kicked back in. I was able to eat more than a cup of food at a meal and was hungry just a couple of hours later. All signs that I needed more restriction.

The fill was quick and relatively painless. Fuzz located the port by pressing on my belly in the area where he placed it. Once he found it he used a needle to access the port and then injected about1.5 cc's of saline solution into the band. The port and the band are connected by a thin tube. He had already put in 3 cc's when he placed the band so now I have about 4.5 cc's of saline. I'm on full liquids again for 2 days until my stomach adjusts to the new level of restriction. Then I can start back on regular food and see what kind of restriction I have.

After my fill, Jeff the Psychologist met with me for a few minutes. He said I seem to be doing really well and was pleased with my progress and my outlook. He reminded me about the June Support group meeting. I am hoping to attend this one.

So far I have lost a total of 20 pounds. That didn't seem like a whole lot to me until I picked up a 20 pound bag of dog food the other night. WOW! That put into perspective how much weight that really is! No wonder I already feel so much better. I am hoping lose around 120 ponds total, I am now 1/6th of the way there. 1 bag of dog chow down, 5 more to go!

BEWARE THE SONIC SMOOTHIE!!

I took the kids to Sonic after school today for some frozen concoctions as a last day of school treat. I scanned the menu for something that looked good but healthy. I decided to have a one of their real fruit smoothies. According to the menu, it's made from real fruit, skim milk and fat free yogurt. So, I figured it was a smart choice.

NOT!

For starters, the consistency was more like a slush than a smoothie. It had big chunks of fruit in it. It wasn't well blended like a smoothie and it was less creamy. It was pretty good, but I had wished it was more smoothie-esque.

Anyhow, tonight when I logged in my calories on thedailyplate.com I was shocked to discover that the smoothie (regular size) has 500 calories and 98 grams of sugar!!! So, guess how many calories I went over by on my diet today? 500!! On a stupid smoothie! I could have had a large order of cheesecake bites, a large root beer float or a hot fudge sundae for less calories!

On the bright side, the smoothie does have a lot of vitamins A & C and calcium. But, so do my daily vitamins and they are calorie free!

So, after looking at their on-line nutritional guide (after the fact of course) I now realize that the best choice, if I should find my self at the Sonic Drive-In looking for something frozen again, would be the vanilla ice cream cone...180 cals, 6 grams fat and 20 grams of sugar. Certainly, it's not health food, but it's not too bad as a treat.

An Easy, Yummy, Filling Dinner --Bean Burrito

Tonight I wanted something heavy to eat...that would stay with me for a while. I also looked over my food diary at www.thedailyplate.com and realized that I haven't been getting much fiber at all. So I threw this together and it was SOOOO good. It would have been better if i had fat free refried beans and whole wheat tortillas. But I had to work with what I had on hand. The best part is that I bought everything at Aldi...making this a cheap dinner, too!

1 Flour Tortilla
1/4 cup refried beans
1/4 cup shredded Colby and Monterrey Jack Cheese
2 Tblsp. Sweet Onion Salsa

Place tortilla on plate. Spread beans on tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese. Microwave for 30 - 45 seconds, just until cheese mostly melted. Spoon salsa over cheese. Wrap up and enjoy!

390 Calories; 14 g Fat; 6g Sat. Fat, 39g Carbs, 3g Sugar; 9g Fiber; 15g Protien, 916 mg Sodium

Food Wars...The Return of the Appetite

WOW! I have been really hungry today! My appetite is definitely returning and I am going to have to be careful! I see Fuzz next Thursday for my first follow-up appointment and possible band adjustment and I think I am definitely ready for a fill. Each day, I have been able to eat a little bit more and today, eating is all I've wanted to do. Some of it has been "head hunger" (wanting to eat even though I'm not physically hungry) and some of it has been real, physical hunger.

My food choices today haven't been great either. Someone brought Krispy Kremes by the station and of course I had to indulge. So, I took a small piece of several different kinds...the total was probably slightly less than a whole donut. I also ate about 10 cheetos today.

But, I am not going to beat myself up. I need to focus on the positive, right? So, here is the good stuff. First of all, the old me would have eaten two or three donuts. Secondly, at my daughter's class picnic today, I steered clear of the chips and cookies and all of the goodies. I ate a hot dog with no bun, some hot dog chili and some fresh melon. Those were good choices. Then, for a snack I had some light string cheese and 2 slices of of low-fat turkey breast. I also had a small dinner. So, even with a few bad choices, I managed to eat just a little over 1400 calories. My daily goal is 1200. I'll walk a mile tonight and burn off those extra ones. Not the end of the world.

More than anything, I just worry that I will, once again, slip right back into old habits. Those cheetos tasted SO GOOD today! Even with the the band there is still that part of me that so easily loses control around food. Yes, I stopped at 10 today...but I worry about tomorrow and the next day. I just do not want to lose control and I really felt myself slipping today. I'll be praying about that! Hopefully, having a tighter band will help, too.

Another positive, I have been faithfully logging my food and exercise on a cool website called www.thedailyplate.com . It is so important to write down everything you eat when you are trying to lose weight and this website makes it easy to do so. Check it out!

What a Great Day!

Today was my first day back in the world of REAL FOOD. To celebrate, my sweet hubby got up extra early (which means about 4:30 AM at our house) and made me scrambled eggs with cheese and toast. He brought me breakfast in bed. What a guy! I ate the eggs like a champ. I nibbled the toast a little, but I'm supposed to be eating mostly soft things, so I left most of the toast on the plate. I did scrape the butter and jelly off the top with a spoon and eat that. What?!?! It was my first meal...gimme a break!

I have truly enjoyed eating again, but it takes a loooooong time. I have to chew everything to a pulp and eat very small bites. I didn't have dinner tonight because I simply did not have time to eat. I went grocery shopping at Aldi and then had about 15 minutes to get to my friend Jane's house for a walk. So, I made a protein shake and had that on the way to Janes. Believe it or not, it hit the spot.

Jane and I walked 3 miles in her neighborhood. I felt great the whole time. I love walking with her. We talk and laugh the whole time and I forget that I'm exercising. It's a great way to catch up with a friend and burn calories.

Jane is the first person who is close to me that I've seen since the surgery but that I don't see every day. The last time she saw me was the day I came home from the hospital. Tonight, she said couldn't believe the difference in me already. She made her husband come in and look at me. He also seemed amazed by how much weight it looks like I've lost. According to my scale I've lost about 20 pounds, so I was really surprised by their reaction. She said my face looked a lot thinner. In fact, her exact words were, "Oh my gosh Tami, you've lost a whole chin!" (to get the full effect you have to imagine her saying that in her beautiful British accent). I loved it! She and Dave made me feel SO GOOD!

It is so great to have friends who are happy when you succeed. I thank God for people like Jane, my husband, my mom, my kids, my co-workers, my good friend Terrie and everyone else who continues to be my cheerleaders through this. Because of them I feel so special and so loved.

I Mowed the Lawn!

Tonight Alton and I did a bit of a trade-off. He needed to mow the lawns (ours and my Mom's) and I needed to cook dinner. He had been outside working all day, so he wasn't looking forward to mowing. And, I certainly wasn't looking forward to cooking another dinner that I could not eat. So, we swapped. I cannot tell you the last time I mowed a yard...it's been at least 15 years. But I did it...with a push mower I might add. It took me about an hour and a half and it was not easy, but I did it!

I cannot believe how much better my body feels. I already have more energy. And, I'm only 2 and a half weeks out of surgery and down by a little less than 20 pounds. I cannot imagine how wonderful I will feel a year from now. And, in just a few days (Monday) I can start adding regular food back into my diet. I am so excited!

On another note...the 5 small incisions from the surgery are completely closed up. I never had any external stitches, Fuzz closed everything with dermabond (glue). That stuff is amazing. No stitches, no wound care. And, the incisions look great. I'll bet in a years time they will barely be visible.

Whine, Cheese and Manna

Yesterday, I had a meltdown. I am smack dab in the middle of my post-op "full-liquid" diet. I hit a wall with it yesterday. The thought of another week and a half of nothing but protein shakes, yogurt, pudding and chicken broth became too much to bear. So, what did I do? I complained. Loudly. I griped to my husband, my kids and I even sent an email to my nutritionist asking her if there was something, anything, else that I could eat.

In the midst of my meltdown, I was gently reminded by a still, small voice that my grumbling was out of line. I was reminded of the Israelites in the desert who constantly murmered complaints even though God had rescued and sustained them in miraculous ways.

I believe that this surgery has rescued me from the slavery of obesity. And, there I was complaining about the manna! So, I prayed that God would forgive my lack of appreciation and that he would strengthen me so that I would gladly stick to this diet for the next 10 days. Then, I wrote this poem:

You let me go. You set me free.
You cleared the way and parted my sea.
Now I wonder in the desert,
"How much longer will it be
before I'm living in the land You promised me?"

Heavenly bread falls like rain
But milk and honey fill my brain.
Excuse me, Lord. I don't mean to complain
But, I'm gettin' kinda tired of this manna.

Egypt is getting further behind.
Memories fade as time goes by.
I've got food and drink and a place to lie
But, nothing seems to satisfy.
Why'd you bring me out here to die?

Rocks spew water, clouds drop bread.
But, milk and honey fill my head.
Not what I have, but what I want instead.
And I want something besides this manna.

Just as I start to melt the gold
and pour it in the idol's mold
Your love begins to take it's hold.
Distant memories, the story unfolds.
You freed this slave whose heart's grown cold.

So, I thank you for this bread today.
Please forgive my heart that strayed.
Milk and honey will have their day.
Right now, I'm quite satisfied with manna.

Walking

So, I've started my walking. Susan (Fuzz's Nurse) gave me a walking plan before I left the hospital. They really stress that excercise is essential to getting the most from your Lap-Band. I've read about lots of people's lap-band journeys on http://www.obesityhelp.com/, and it is true...the most successful people are the ones who regularly exercise. Eventaully, I will be exercising for 60 minutes a day, 6 days a week. But, I am starting out with 20 minutes per day of walking, which, at my slow pace is about a mile a day. So far this week I've done 3 miles. Not bad for someone a week out of surgery! I already feel healthier and stronger. Please pray that I'll have the discipline to stick with it.

I love having my mp3 player to listen to while I exercise. What are your favorite songs to work out to? You can leave a comment at the bottom of this post with your thoughts. Thanks!

Swimsuit Season Begins

Article on FoxNews.com

Healthy Foods That Might Make You Fat
Thursday , May 22, 2008

By Paula Rizzo

Sometimes the foods we think are the healthiest can be deceiving. Jackie Warner, star of the Bravo reality series Work Out, suggested really looking at the foods you are eating.

"I love fruits and you should be eating a lot of fruits, but for someone who is really trying to lose weight, you want to eat fruits that are low in sugar,” Warner said. “And a banana has a lot of sugar calories.”

A medium sized banana has about 12 grams of sugar. Some alternatives include apples, berries and citrus fruits.

Click here to watch Jackie Warner discuss this on video.

Yogurt is another snack that can help sabotage your diet, Warner said.

"It’s got calcium, vitamin D and guess what else it has - 22 grams of sugar,” Warner said. (That's roughly the amount of sugar that is in a candy bar).

"Fat does not make you fat,” Warner said. “It's sugar and calories that make you fat. Period."

Warner also said to never eat any food that contains eight grams of sugar or more.

To really see results Warner warns that you must be a smart shopper and watch out for deceptive packaging. With a package of cookies in hand, Warner pointed out that you should look at how many servings are in there. The packaging says "only 100 calories" but that's for just one cookie — there are three in the pouch.

Alcohol could also be making you fat, she said. But Warner said you don't have to give it up all together.

"If you're drinking two glasses of wine per night, go down to one,” she said. “I'm not about deprivation.”

Back at Work!

Yesterday was my first day back at work. It went very well! I'm feeling good and starting to get some of my strength back. My appetite is weird and I think my body & stomach are still trying to figure out what is going on. I go from being really hungry to feeling very full. I'm having to relearn what full feeels like. I am also really starting to want some real food. For the next 2 weeks I'm on "full liquids" like yogurt, pudding, protein shakes, etc. I am really craving some meat. I want something I can actually CHEW and SWALLOW!! Oh well, this too shall pass. I'm just praying it will pass quickly!

Pastor Pete came by the house last night to check on me, and that was really nice. It is great having a pastor who has also had weight loss surgery. He is able to realate to a lot of what I'm going through. He said the 2 week post-op diet was the hardest part for him, too. I am so thankful for the way my church family has supported me and prayed me through this. At church this Sunday, the message was about recovering from addictions and making changes in your life. It was such an affirming message for me and for this decision that I have made. It was a reminder that God does not want me bound by this weight and addiction to food...he wants me to be free to serve and glorify him!

Pretty Flowers

Look at the pretty flowers that my WBFJ family sent on Friday! I am so blessed to work with such caring, loving folks!

Praise the Lord!

Just as he said he would, Fuzz called at 8:30 this morning. Good news, I tested negative for the c. Diff bacteria. He's not sure why my bowels have gone into overdrive, but we've ruled out c. diff, which can get really serious in some cases. I'm still having some issues, but feeling better today than I have all week. I even took Andrew and his friend to a party this morning and then went and got the oil changed in the van. I'm slowly but surely returning to life.

5 days out

Just a quick update. As I mentioned in the last post, I've had some problems with "The Big D" (some of the folks reading my blog apparently thought I was referring to some sort of football term. No, that's my nice way of saying diarrhea). Dr. Fuzz was a bit concerned so he had me come in so he could run some tests. Apparently, there is a bacteria called "C. Diff." (this is an abbreviation for a long, latin sounding name)that can cause some nasty bowel issues. It's caused either by antibiotics or by picking it up in the hospital, and since I've had exposure to both recently, he wanted to play it safe to make sure this isn't the cause of my issues. He is going to call me tomorrow morning with the results (mind you, he is calling me at home on a Saturday Morning, before he goes to his kids t-ball game...I am so impressed!). He's written me a prescription for an antibiotic that gets rid of c. diff, so if I do have it, I'll take that and hopefully it will clear up. So, please pray that I don't have C. Diff and if I do, that the antibiotics will work quickly. THANK YOU!

Other than those niceties, I'm doing pretty well. I'm feeling lots better today than I was yestarday. Now that I've started the "full-liquids" phase of my diet, I can finally have some things that contain protein. Plus, I'm now on my daily Multi-Vitamin. So, the extra nutrition should help me get some of my strength back. The really good news is that I've lost 17 pounds! Yippee!

A Rough Day

Yesterday was rough. I ran a low fever most of the day and had problems with "The Big D", so I was either in bed or in the bathroom all day. Today is a little better, my fever is gone and I've started Immodium. Hopefully that will help. If not, I have to go back to the doctor this afternoon. Thay don't want me getting dehydrated. I'll keep ya posted!

Liquid Vicodin, Sleep and Chicken Broth, These are a Few of My Favorite Things!

Day two post-op has been quiet and good. I slept really well last night which was great and even managed to get a few more hours in this morning. The pain meds are great to help me get comfortable and sleepy. I'm feeling pretty good and enjoying a quiet house. I'm starting to get a little hungry but chicken broth and other clear fluids are keeping me full. I am really looking forward to Friday when I can start having my protein shakes and some other full liquids, even pudding and yogurt! I think my body is craving the nutrition...especially protein.

Some thank you's before I sign off for the day:

-My absolutely wonderful family who have supported me through this. My very devoted husband, Alton, who has been right here by my side (even on a really uncomfortable chair overnight in the hospital) through this whole process, even though he wasn't crazy about the idea of surgery. My mom, who took care of the kids while I was gone and made dinner for the family and who has been, as always, very helpful. My kids, who keep me smiling.
-Thanks to everyone who came to pray with me at the hospital, including: Pastor Pete, Tim Bussey, Dean Tsiolkas, John Bussard (and his friend whose name I cannot remember)and Wayne Branch from First Christian Church, and also my sweet long-time friend Terrie and her husband Brett (The Minister at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church in W-S).
-My boss and co-workers at WBFJ who have also been so supportive.
-Thanks to my friend Jane for her visit and the beautiful roses.
-Thanks Dawn Creason for last night's dinner.
-Thanks to everyone who has emailed me or commented on my blog with your words of encouragement and support. They've meant more than you'll ever know.
-Again, to so many of the staff at Baptist Hospital who were so kind to me during my surgery and hospital stay. I didn't get everyones names, but here are some of the folks I want to thank:
-The nurse who held my hand in the OR as I waited for anesthesia
-The anesthesiologist who was so kind and warm
-Elizabeth Krings, who was also so caring as I was waiting for surgery
-Fuzz, of course, for doing such a wonmderful job, and for letting us call him Fuzz!
-Linda Waters, the director of the unit I stayed on and her wonderful staff.
-All the nurses from pre-op to recovery who took such good care of me, including: Sharon, Becky, Tammy, Margaret.
-Susan Butler, the Nurse from Dr. Fuzz's team who is such a sweet and helpful person with a real desire to help her patients make the most of their weight loss experience!

Home Again

Today at 11:30 AM I was released from the hospital and now I am home. Feels good to be here. The kids are home from school and it is good to see them. They feel better to see me too. I got to gross them out by showing them my incisions! Not too often does a mom get to gross out her 11 year old son, so that was nice. I told Carley that I was like Laura's caterpillar "Callie", now I am in my coccoon, but will slowly reveal the beautiful butterfly that is within. Carley, ever so sweetly, said, "Yes Mommy, but Callie was a skinny little worm and you are fat." Ya gotta love the honesty of a child!

Anyway, I am feeling a lot better now that I can drink liquids. I had some chicken broth today and that was wonderful.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and encouragement. It has made this journey so much easier and God has definitely been with me through it all. I think every nurse I had at the hospital was a WBFJ listener! How wonderful it was to have nurses not only taking care of me, but who were praying for me as well. It was like being surrounded by angels. Baptist Hospital RULES!

Alive and Well (Mostly)

It's Tuesday Morning and I am doing well. Surgery went well and only took about 45 minutes. Fuzz said everything looked good, although he did have to repair a small hiatal hernia...explains why I've had so much heartburn lately. Today, I am tired and a little weak. The gas pains are pretty bad. My throat is sore and my mouth is dry...I still haven't been given the green light to drink liquids. I did have an upper GI and everyhthing looks good, so shouldn't be too long now.

Alton's been great and I've had lots of wonderful prayer support. Keep those prayers coming!! Pray for a speedy recovery and for freedom from the anxiety that keeps creeping in!

Thank you!

This is GOOD News??

Here's an article I recently found.

Good News For Weight Watchers
PRAGUE, Czech Republic, May 28, 2004

(AP) Half of all dieters who reached their goal weight through Weight Watchers were still at least 5 percent lighter after five years, according to a study released Friday.

It may not sound like much, but obesity experts meeting in Prague were impressed. Nearly all dieters eventually return to their old weight, and maintaining a 5 percent loss is considered a health benefit.

The study is the most rigorous investigation yet of a commercial weight loss program. Experts say that although dieters would probably hope for better results, a 5 percent reduction is enough to reduce the risks of developing such diseases as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Experts said the study indicated the value of programs that are well-rounded, promote gradual weight loss and include a strong support system.

Studies conducted on obese people enrolled in hospital-based experiments have indicated that within a year, dieters regain one-third to one-half of the weight they lost. Within five years, most of them gain almost all of it back.

Studies on commercial programs are rare. The latest study, paid for by Weight Watchers, involved a random sample of 870 lifetime members of Weight Watchers in the United States — those who reached their goal weight and maintained it for six weeks.

The dieters, most of whom were married, middle-aged, affluent women, were followed for five years. A total of 649 were interviewed by telephone about their starting weight when they entered Weight Watchers, their goal weight and their current weight. Another 226 were brought in to be weighed, as a way of seeing how accurate the weights reported over the telephone were. The average weights reported over the telephone were 3 percent lower than the weights confirmed by scales, so all the self-reported weights were adjusted upward by 3 percent.

The average starting weight was 75 kilograms (165 pounds) — overweight, but not obese. The dieters lost about 10 kilograms (22 pounds), or 13.3 percent, on the program.

Weight Watchers is a method that restricts calories using a point system so that dieters lose a maximum of 1 kilogram (2 pounds) a week. Daily points are spent by eating and earned through exercise. Dieters are weighed during regular support group meetings, where tips and experiences are shared.

Five years later, most of the dieters had regained 5 kilograms (11 pounds), or half their original weight loss. Half of them still weighed 5 percent less than they had when they had entered Weight Watchers. Only a small fraction of dieters in studies based at universities or hospitals achieve that.

"This is impressive," said Dr. Pierre Lefebvre, emeritus professor of medicine at Liege University in Belgium, who was not connected to the study nor to Weight Watchers. "Treating overweight and obesity is a very difficult task and every means to achieve the goal is good," he said. "Drugs do not work regularly; drugs have side effects. Exercise is not easy." "Motivation is very important. Weight Watchers is part of behavioral management of a serious condition and they do it very very well," said Lefebvre, president of the International Diabetes Federation. "It has a place."

Andrew Prentice, an obesity expert from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, agreed that the results shown in the study are enough to seriously improve health. "Most of these patients would have gained weight in those five years," said Prentice, who was not connected with the research. "Even if we just stop them gaining weight, that would be success."

Though the success rate seemed better in the Weight Watchers study than in studies run by hospitals or universities, the results cannot be directly compared. Only successful dieters were included in the Weight Watchers study. Hospital-based studies also usually involve people who are much fatter and who have more severe eating and emotional problems, said lead investigator Dr. Michael Lowe, a clinical psychologist at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Lowe suggested his findings indicate it may be harder for obese people to maintain weight loss than it is for people who are merely overweight.

Ready...Set...

Yesterday (Friday) was a full day of appointments at Baptist. First stop...pre-op evaluation. Lots of questions about health history, medications, etc. I was given my surgery time: 12:30 PM, Monday (although my Doc said it will probably happen later than that).

God Moment #1: The Anesthesia Nurse who did my evaluation and I got into a discussion about adoption. She has one biological child and one adopted child. She and her husband are now preparing to adopt their second child. They adopted the first domestically as an infant and would like to do the same thing this time. Here's the really cool thing...I told her about Caroline's Promise and the mission trip I took to Guatemala last year. Come to find out she lived in San Pedro, Guatemala for a year, just a few miles from where I was!!!

Then I was off to the lab to have about a gallon of blood collected for testing. OK...maybe an exaggeration...more like 5 vials. The lady who took my blood was a trip. She was late 40's/early 50's...a heavy-set African American woman who had no problem speaking her mind. I love that! As she was drawing my blood she said, "Girl...you ain't that big." She thought I wasn't overweight enough to have surgery. I thanked her! Then I told her that I met the qualifications for surgery and that I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. She said, "Did you ever try going on a diet, or exercising or something?" I told her that I had lost a lot of weight on diets, but gained it all back and then some. She said, "I just eat whatever I want, I don't worry about it. I'm bigger now than I've ever been!" Then we got to talking about the tornadoes that came through the area the night before. She said her husband tried to get her to go down in the basement when the storms neared their home. She told him, "I'm not getting out of bed and going down there. If it's my time to go, He'll take me!" I told her I was envious of her care-free spirit.

Then I got on the elevator to go to the next appointment...God Moment # 2...
A faithful WBFJ listener was on the elevator with me. She recognized me and told me that she heard me talking about the surgery and had been meaning to call me to talk about it. She said that she had requested the info packet about Weight Loss Surgery several times before but had never been able to follow through. I told her to email me...I hope I can be an encouragement for her. But, seriously, that hospital is MASSIVE and tens of thousands of people are there each day. What are the odds that we would have ended up on the elevator together??

The next stop was my final visit with Dr. Fuzz before surgery. First I saw Elizabeth the PA, and then met w/ Fuzz. He was unable to adjust his schedule to come in and be on the Morning Show last week, but he really wanted to make good on his offer to do so. So, he is going to be on the show with us Monday morning at 6:30AM before he goes into surgery for the day. What a guy! We'll record it and re-air it later in the morning so more folks can hear it. He said, "You know, going public about this puts a lot more pressure on you." He meant that since so many people will be following me, I'll be under alot more pressure to work with my Lap-band the right way so that I can maximize my results. I agreed and told him I was ready for it and that I welcome the extra accountability. I told him that my going public puts him under a lot more pressure too! He agreed that he is putting his reputation on the line by going public with me. He said (jokingly) that I may have to take a few extra beatings to keep me in line . :)

I asked him if I could have one "last supper" since Mother's day was this Sunday. He graciously agreed. I cannot wait!

The final stop was for my class with Amber the Nutritionist (i.e. The Food Nazi). She explained the post-surgery diet:

Days 1-4 (Thru Thursday):
Clear Liquids Only: Broth, Water, Low-Sugar Juice

Days 5-21 (Friday, May 16 thru Monday June 2):
Full Liquids: (This is also the 2 day post-fill diet)
Protein Shakes (2-3 per day)
Water, Crystal Light, Decaf Coffee/Tea, Broth.
No Sugar Added Yogurt (6 oz per day),
Sugar Free Pudding (6 oz per day)
V-8 juice or tomato soup (8 oz per day)
Sugar Free Popsicles
Sugar Free Jello
Start Vitamins

Week 3 until 1 Month Follow Up Appt (June 3 on):
Pureed/Soft Foods:
1 cup of food TOTAL at each meal, 3 meals per day:

Skinless Chicken or Fish (Must be Moist and Mushy)
Lean Ground Beef or Ground Turkey Breast (Moist and Mushy)
Light/No Sugar Added Yogurt
Scrambled Eggs
Low Fat Cottage Cheese
1oz 2% Cheese
Soft Cooked Veggies
Mashed Potatoes
Fat Free refried beans
Unsweetened Apple Sauce or Canned Fruit
Fresh Fruit (seedless)
Sugar Free Popsicles
1 Protein Shake (if needed)


Amber also talked to me about the diet/eating habits I will have to follow with the Lap-band. Eat slow, chew well, small bites. She gave me a baby spoon to eat with until I am used to small bites. That ought to be cute when I'm eating out! From now on, I am restricted to 3 small (saucer sized) meals per day. I am to eat the protein on my plate first, then the veggies, then the starch. I cannot drink 10 minutes before or until at least 30 minutes after my meal, because fluids will wash the food right through the the opening and into the larger part of the stomach, defeating the purpose of the band. I will also be unable to drink carbonated beverages, because the carbonation could cause the band to slip or my stomach pouch to enlarge.

So, as I write this, I am T-minus 51 hours until surgery. I have to say that God has been so faithful in answering my prayers for peace. I have had very little anxiety. Thank you for your prayers and please keep them coming! God is anserwing them!

Sunday at 5

Verne Hill was nice enough to choose me as a guest for Sunday at 5 this weekend! He interviewed me about my choice to have weight loss surgery. To hear our conversation, tune in to WBFJ (89.3-Winston-Salem/103.5-Greensboro) this Sunday, May 11, at 5:00 PM.

Pre-Op Life

I'm having surgery on Monday, May 12. Two weeks before surgery, I was required to go on a very strict diet. Here is my daily allotment:

2 Protein Shakes made with Skim Milk
2-3 Servings Raw or Cooked Vegetables
1 small piece of fruit or 3 oz. apple sauce
Sugar Free Jello
1 Serving of Low Fat Light Yogurt
1 Serving of Sugar Free Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
(1) 4 oz. serving of very lean meat

I'm not gonna lie, it's been tough. It gets very boring eating the same 7 things every single day. The hardest time was last week during "Sharathon" at the radio station. There was delicious food everywhere, all day long! But, thank GOD, I did not cheat even ONCE! I really am addicted to food. I've even had dreams of eating a McDonalds Cheeseburger and French Fries!

I got lucky, though. I was supposed to be on the pre-surgery diet for 3 weeks, but due to a scheduling issue my Doctor had to move the surgery up a week. What an answered prayer that was! The good news is that I've already lost about 8 pounds after being on the diet for 10 days, that's 8 pounds closer to my goal. Yipee!

FAQ's

For my first post, I thought it would be helpful to answer some FAQ's about my decision to have weight loss surgery. So, here goes. If you have any other questions, leave them in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer as soon as possible.

Q: Why on earth would you even consider having Weight Loss Surgery?

A: For over a year I have been extensively researching and intensively praying about the possibility of having Weight Loss Surgery. Several factors have led me to this decision. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to control my weight for over 25 years. Despite many efforts at weight loss, my weight has climbed steadily throughout my life. I am now at my highest weight, with a BMI of over 40 which places me in the “Morbidly Obese” category. While I have not developed any weight related health issues (co-morbidities) yet, the odds that I will are very high. Here are a few of the possible health risks associated with obesity according to the Surgeon General.

• PREMATURE DEATH: An estimated 300,000 deaths per year may be attributable to obesity. The risk of death rises with increasing weight. Individuals who are obese (BMI > 30)* have a 50 to 100% increased risk of premature death from all causes, compared to individuals with a healthy weight.
  
• HEART DISEASE: The incidence of heart disease (heart attack, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death, angina or chest pain, and abnormal heart rhythm) is increased in persons who are overweight or obese (BMI > 25).* High blood pressure is twice as common in adults who are obese than in those who are at a healthy weight.
  
• DIABETES: A weight gain of 11 to 18 pounds increases a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes to twice that of individuals who have not gained weight.
  Over 80% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese.
  
• CANCER: Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk for some types of cancer including endometrial (cancer of the lining of the uterus), colon, gall bladder, prostate, kidney, and postmenopausal breast cancer. Women gaining more than 20 pounds from age 18 to midlife double their risk of postmenopausal breast cancer, compared to women whose weight remains stable.

So, to sum it up…since I have been unable to maintain weight loss using traditional methods and since I realize that my weight puts me at risk for serious health problems, I have made the decision to have surgery so I can make a positive, permanent change to my health.

Q: But what about the risks of surgery?

A: Of course, this is something that I have very carefully considered. I have 3 young kids, a husband and a widowed mother, all to whom I feel a great sense of responsibility. I want to be here for them as long as possible. Which, when I consider the risks of obesity, is the main reason that I’m having surgery.

The surgery I have chosen, laparoscopic gastric banding (A.K.A. Lap-Band) , is by far the safest of all weight loss surgery options. In fact, there is less operative risk with this surgery than with gall bladder removal. The risk of death as a complication from LAP-Band surgery is less than 1 in 2000 (the actual mortality rate is likely much lower than that…those numbers are out-dated and don’t consider the advancements that have been made). My risk is even lower because I am relatively young and relatively healthy and I’m having the procedure done by Dr. Fernandez at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center which has been certified by The American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS) as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.

The most common complications with the Lap Band include: nausea/vomiting, reflux and food getting temporarily stuck. Less common problems include band erosion, band slippage, trouble swallowing, constipation, diarrhea, poor esophageal function and problems with the access port (the part of the band where the doctor injects the saline). Again, by having the procedure done at WFUBMC by a skilled an experienced doctor, my risks of complications are greatly reduced.
When considering any medical treatment, one has to do a risk/benefit analysis. After looking at all the statistics related to the Lap-band and comparing them to the statistics for obesity, I believe (along with my Surgeon, Psychologist and insurance company) that the risks of having this procedure are far outweighed (no pun intended)by the benefits.

Q: What's a LAP-band?

A: The LAP-Band is a device that is placed around the upper part of the stomach, and is designed to create a small stomach pouch and restriction so that the patient feels full after less food. The surgery is minimally invasive because it is done laparoscopically , so only 4-5 small incisions are made when placing the band. The band is made of a silicone tube that can be "inflated" by the addition of saline solution. These "fills" adjust the size of the band and the amount of restriction. Fills are done at the doctors office using a port that is placed under the skin. Saline is injected into the port which is connected to the band by a thin tube. Fills are usually relatively quick and painless. Here is a diagram:

I chose the LAP-Band because the surgery is quicker, less complicated and safer than other forms of Weight Loss Surgery. It is also reversible and does not alter the anatomy like gastric bypass does.

For more information about the LAP band, visit http://www.lapband.com/ .

Q: All you have to do is eat sensibly and get more exercise and you'll lose weight...why don't you just go on a diet?

A: True...if one consumes less calories than one burns, one will lose weight. That is a simple fact. However, very, very few people ( less than 5%) are actually able to do this successfully long term. I have tried just about every diet there is with some short term success. But, the weight never stays off. I always end up putting the pounds back on and then some.

Q: Isn't the real problem just a lack of self-control, will-power?

A: Maybe. But, with a lot of help from the good Lord, I've climbed some pretty big mountains in other areas of my life and overcome other obstacles (like quitting a 10-year addiction to smoking) that would have stopped a weak willed person dead in thier tracks. So, I think there's probably a lot more to it than self control. And, the latest research on weight loss confirms that there's a whole lot more involved in long term weight loss than simply eating less and moving more.

Q: Maybe you should go on "The Biggest Loser".

A: Trust me, I seriously considered submitting an audition tape to try to be on the show. But, then I did a little research on the winners from the first two season's shows...and guess what? Sadly, they've gained most/all of the ir weight back.

Q: You're a Christian. If you had enough faith God would heal you of your obesity, right?

A: I cannot tell you how often I have prayed that God would take this burden from me. I believe that this surgery is His way of doing just that. He has opened every door that had been previously closed in order for me to have this done, incuding my husband's workplace switching insurance companies to one that covers weight loss surgery. Everything has just fallen into place in order for this surgery to happen. I belive that God wants me to be healthy and joyful and better equipped to serve and glorify Him with my life. I see this surgery is a gift from my Father so that He can better accomplish His purpose in my life.

Q: How much will this cost?

A: It ain't cheap, that's for sure! The total bill comes to a bit over $20,000. Thankfully, my insurance will cover most of the procedure. Even so, my total out of pocket costs will be close to $4,000. However, to me that seems like a small price to pay compared to the costs associated with life-long obesity.