Happy Bandaversary to me … one month ago yesterday I was banded! This also marks my entry into week 5, which allows more foods and textures.  We celebrated with baked salmon and some roasted, Tuscan veggies at Bertucci's.  Of course half of it came home with me, but that is one of the perks of healthy eating that I seemed to have deprived myself of all these years.  If you enjoy a meal so much that you're willing to dig in and devour your plate, why not separate it into half, ask the waitress for a container before lifting the first bite to your drooling mouth, and take it home so you can enjoy it again the next day!  Genius, right?  

The people there probably thought we were nuts.  Both TJ and I were looking at the menu and then plucking menu ideas into our phones decided what and how I could eat.  Needless to say, a simple portion of baked salmon is not on the menu, but the kitchen was more than accommodating!  To dress it up a bit, the chef topped it with a small handful of freshly diced tomatoes, which I didn't eat, but it was the thought and creativity that counted!  

So now the answer to the question most people ask on your one month anniversary of being banded … "How much have you lost?"  ((((drum roll, please))))  Thirty-four pounds!  

That would be 20 pounds before surgery and 14 after, which ain't too shabby! 

To further celebrate this awesomeness, the girls and I are going shopping today!  Mama needs some new pants!  Some how when I was gaining weight, my fat ass jumped from size 14 to 18!  I have no size 16 pants!  So my choices are to wear the 18s and keep pulling them up so they don't look like one of my homey-students, squeeze into my 14s and bring the phrase 'muffin top' a whole new and disturbing meaning, or the obvious … go SHOPPING!  See, easy choice!  

Today is officially my 2 week point, which means I am officially entering into week three, which means I have graduated from liquid to 'mushy' foods!  

Applesauce, oatmeal, and guacamole. Oh my!

Yes, this makes me happy, but in the back of my mind there are some red flags waving … shouting … jumping up and down making funny faces and flailing around.

Clearly, the lap band isn't a miracle product that transforms your fat into fit overnight.  In fact, of all the weight loss surgeries to have, this is the one that will make you work the most for what you want. I see on some of the forums for Lap Band that people have pre-scheduled fills.  When Dr. Wasser told me he'd see me in two weeks I assumed this would be my first fill, too.  

Wrong.

In fact, I am now in a catch 22.  

If I lose 4 or more pounds in a month, I will not get a fill. At my 2 week check-up, Dr. Wasser lightly pushed on my port, told me I looked good, asked how I was feeling, and was pleased with my weight loss thus far.  He said he'd see me in a month and then shook my hand to send me on my way.  

My first thought … I sure as hell better lose more than 4 pound between now and Feb. first!  Damn!   I cannot imagine losing less than a pound a week, but then again … I have been stuck here at 202 for the past week.  Crap!  My idea is to lose 8-10 per month, which would then mean I never get a fill.  

Hello, catch-22! 

In the end, I know it doesn't matter as long as I am losing, but I thought having the 'fill' will keep me feeling closer to full.  Dr. Wasser said I have little to no restriction right now, and yet I do feel as if I get fuller faster and have to eat slower or else a tightness gathers in my chest and I become a belchasaurous!  Raaahh!!!  

If you have a band you know what I'm talking about.  

A bubble seems to form somewhere between your ribs and pouch above the band.  As it dislodges, you can feel it move upward and then loudly make its obnoxious entrance into the world.  Not exactly sexy, but damn it sure feels good! 

Walking helps move it along, as does a mini back rub.  Kinda like burping a baby, except you are the baby!  My husband has proven to be quite good at this … thanks, babe! 

Ok … back to my point … 

Dr. Wasser has given the ok to move onto mushy foods and told me to follow my weeks 3-5 menu options from the packet.  This would also be on my menu map and includes:

I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but considering my last 5-6 weeks have been nothing but protein drinks and soup, I sure do like these additional options.  

Of course, I'll make 1-2 changes, but that's because I'm me and I like to test the limits a bit.  Rather than saltine crackers, I wondering how organic tortilla chips will do?  Not has crumbly as the saltine crackers or toast, yet I can easily chew them into tortilla pudding before hitting the 'swallow' button.  Besides, hummus and toast?  No thanks!  This was my snack at the movies today when Tom and I took the girls for their New Year's matinee.  I counted out 13 child and 3 Tablespoons of hummus.  At TJ Maxx yesterday I found the perfect, small, dividing containers with locking lids.  I figured today would be a good day to test one out.  Success!  I even snuck in a bottle of Bai 5 … yum! 

I am prepared for the hardest phase (so far) to begin.  This is where I need to take another look at my menu options, calorie caps, and water intake. 

I may not log every drop of water I drink in My Fitness Pal, but I will be more diligent with logging foods and exercise.  

Yes … I said exercise.  More on that later! 

Day one … 

Doctor Wasser described my surgery as 'uneventful' … a good word if you ask me! 

Mom and I arrived to the hospital at 7am and Dad met us there a few minutes later.  It was very comforting to have them both there with me.  Mom came back to see me in pre-op first, but left in tears … I knew she was nervous, yet proud of me.  Dad came back next (they had a 1 person at  time rule) and was there to see me off as they wheeled me to the OR.  We had some laughs, but I could see he was nervous, too … I hated putting my parents through this, but they both know it will be good for me.  

As they opened the doors to OR #5 I could hear the Jackson Five grooving in the background and everyone was buzzing around in good spirits.  I remember moving myself onto the OR table and making some small talk with the doctors and nurses.  Everyone was nice and acted as if it were just another day at the office for them … they put me at ease and the music was a nice touch!  

I remember them placing a mask over my face and telling me it was O2 … the next thing I knew I was in recovery.  Uneventfully. 

I was told in pre-op that I was anemic and had to sign a waiver allowing them to give me blood if needed.  Dr. Wasser said my count was at a 9, but should be at least 12.  There is no doubt in my mind what caused this.

On October 27th I had gotten my period.  For me this is a rare occasion, but I didn't think too much about it at the time. As the days turned into weeks and those weeks grew to be over a month I grew worried.  I saw Dr. Chao and she put me on hormone treatments to stop the bleeding and 'reset' my system. We had to adjust the dose 3x before it worked … the bleeding was heavy and nearly debilitating. Finally, ten days ago, the bleeding stopped!  Whew!  I needed to be off the hormones prior to surgery and feared another D/C if round three of the meds had not worked. 

In any case, I guess 10 days is not enough time to rebuild my blood levels. One would think that the insane amount of protein I have had would help, but without eating 'normal' it wasn't enough.  They ran a quick CBC and the levels were still at 9 … but in post-op they never said I needed anything so I can safely assume there was minimal bleeding.  

What I did learn in post-op is that I had a Hiatal Hernia.  

"A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. Your diaphragm normally has a small opening (hiatus) through which your food tube (esophagus) passes on its way to connect to your stomach. The stomach can push up through this opening and cause a hiatal hernia.


In most cases, a small hiatal hernia doesn't cause problems, and you may never know you have a hiatal hernia unless your doctor discovers it when checking for another condition. But a large hiatal hernia can allow food and acid to back up into your esophagus, leading to heartburn. Self-care measures or medications can usually relieve these symptoms, although a very large hiatal hernia sometimes requires surgery." - Mayo Clinic

I can't think back to having any symptoms, so i guess it was a small hernia.  In any case, it is now fixed.

Around 2pm I was moved into a post-op holding area and my parents were allowed to come back and hang out with me.  I was in and out of consciousness, but I could see that the nurses were pleased with my recovery thus far.  About 3:00 my mom left and Angie came up.  It was so awesome being surround by such love and support.

----- meds are taking over now ----- will continue this post after a few more Zzzzzz!

So it seems I have swapped that full, glutinous, swollen feeling for a migraine and absolutely no freakin' energy.  Grr.

TJ gave me some Ibuprofen about ten minutes ago and a steamy mug of lemon tea.

He's the best.

Admittedly, I have thought about Robin's Nest two times … now three …and then I laugh at myself with utmost disappointment.

Am I really pouting about food?

Yes.

Ok, I know Robin's Nest isn't just about the 'food' … after all, it is the restaurant that people swoon over when you mention going there … it's the ambiance, the victorian charm, eclectic decor … and then the deliciously, creative, and eruptive culinary experience.

Plus, the gift card has no expiration date.  Perhaps this will be a nice way to celebrate a date night once I reach week 6 post-op.

No, I'm not 'doing it again' by rewarding myself with food … I don't know if I ever really did that. Realistically speaking, my husband and I enjoy fine dining … my old 'normal' may be gone, but that is what this is all about … out with the old, in with the new … a new normal.

Protein first, followed by veggies, then the grains.

Nothing to drink while I enjoy my meal.

See … I'm getting the hang of this … perhaps tonight I should make that chart.  My very own play by play, week by week, summary of what I can and cannot do or have.


The 'planner' in me is itching to do something productive!

Stay tuned!

Two days post-Turkey Day … leftovers calling my name … little did I know it would be my 'last supper'.

TJ and I piled our plates high with green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and corn at about 9:30 last night.  Within 20 minutes I felt like a stuffed tick.

    Disgusting.

         Painful.

              Swollen.

                   Guilty.

"That's it", I told him.

For whatever reason, in that moment I decided I was done.  No more waiting until Monday. No more procrastination and rationalizations.

This morning I held to my word, and as I sit here now I am accompanied by a protein drink, a cup of broth, and a large glass of water.

Brief battles ensue within my thoughts …

"Today was your last day of eating whatever you want … don't you want those pancakes!?!"

"You don't have to start this today … you said Monday … don't make this harder on yourself!"

"Dr. Wasser said to start this on 12/4 … that's more than a week from now!"

"You and TJ had plans of going to Robin's Nest tonight for dinner … you're going to break your date night for this!?!"

Faaahhhhhhh!!!!

Will-power prevails … I've put this off long enough.

Anything else I do right now would be hypocritical.

Besides … I know I have a couple days coming up that will not be following pre-op guidelines 100% … 2 days in AC for a conference and the night of the 11th when I have a dinner to attend.  I won't be going overboard, but I will be realistic. Keeping with non-chunky soups and high protein/low-fat options like fish … chewing them into mush.  I'll bring some protein shakes with me to the hotel in AC, too … that will take some of the guess work out, but for the most part TJ and I have a good handle on what to do and where to go for dinner.

Sounds great in theory … this time next week we'll see how well I pass the first test.