One Month Bandiversary + Fiona got a Fill

Happy Friday Everyone!

I now have 45 followers!  WooHoo!!!!  Thanks for following.  I really appreciate it.

Yesterday was my one month bandiversary.  For those of you who were just banded within the last couple of weeks I can promise you this - it does get better.  My  incisions are healing well.  I no longer wake  up in the middle of the night with this odd feeling in my chest like I am going to strangle to death (just me??? OK).  I can sleep on my side and/or stomach if I want.  And I finally feel like I have energy again.

I also got my first fill this Wedneday.  My favorite PA in the whole world, Dawn, did it. The new PA in the office who is still training told me they call Dawn the "port whisperer".  I believe it!  I swear, I didn't feel a thing.  Even when she gave me the numbing solution she said, "little sting here" and I didn't feel it at all.  I am hoping I always get her.  Apparently, I already had 1CC in my band from surgery (she pulled it out to show me) and then she topped me off with 3 more for a total of 4CCs in my 10CC band.  I have to say, I am not feeling much different.  Of course, I was on liquids the day of the fill and the day after.  I am now on soft food today and tomorrow.  So, maybe when I am eating more solid food I will feel a difference.  Maybe not.  I've read some bloggers who have said that it took them 3 or 4 fills to feel and restriction.  I hope that won't be my case but you never know.  I have my next fill scheduled for Dec. 1 and then I will get another one probably the last week of December - if I am in town.

I've been thinking a lot lately about my attitude about food and dieting.  I've also been keeping up with everyone's blogs every day (yes really.  And, if you aren't on my follow list, please send me your blog link and I'll add you too) and many of you say that what you love about the band is that you are no longer "dieting".  The band just helps you live your life and eat in moderation.  And, even though some of you seem to be struggling right now (with Halloween candy temptations, poor food choices, etc.) everyone seems to have the attitude that they can and will get back on track.  And it finally occured to me the other day - I am no longer obsessing about food, about dieting, about how fat I am.  I am no longer telling myself what a failure I am every morning that I wake up for not having stayed "on plan" the day before, but that today will be different.  I swear, for the last 5 years almost every single morning I would wake up and the first thing I would think about was how I needed to lose weight and how I was going to do it.  I was obsessed and felt like a complete loser for not being able to stick with any plan for more than a few weeks.  Even when I did get on a roll and stick with something for more than a few weeks, my weight loss would stall and eventually I would give up only to go back to the negative self-talk all over again.

However, since the day I made my appt. for surgery I have not woken up once and thought those thoughts.  It is as if I found some peace.  I made a decision.  I have faith that if I follow my doctor's orders, the weight will come off eventually.  I am no longer obsessing.  I am learning to live with  my nifty new tool; how to eat in a "band appropriate" way; and I've decided that this is what will work for me. 

No huge plans for the weekend.  I have to go to a birthday party Saturday night for my sister-in-law's 6 year old boy.  Sunday I am getting my hair done and thinking about seeing MegaMind at the theater.  This will be my second or third movie since being banded and I am still getting used to seeing a movie without popcorn.  The nice thing is that I am not craving it too badly.  Maybe that is the band at work or maybe I have just psyched myself into thinking that.

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend.

Ciao

First NSV!

So, yesterday I was having problems all day with my sz. 14 slacks sliding down at work.  This morning, I found out that I can once again fit into my size 12 slacks.  Yay!!!!!  First fill tomorrow then onward and downward we go.

Weigh In Day & Quiz

Another week, another 0.7lbs. which means I am now down 12.1 lbs. since I started the pre-surgery diet on Oct. 1 and 18.7 from my highest weight this summer. Not exactly what I was hoping for but not bad for not having had a fill yet.  My first fill is scheduled for this Wednesday.  WooHoo!  I am really looking forward to getting some restriction because the longer I get away from surgery, the less restriction I have felt.  I get the feeling I could eat pizza if I wanted to but I am not going to tempt the fates.  It just feels like I am on another diet at this point and not really getting much benefit from having the band.  I know from reading all your blogs that this is called Bandster Hell and I am definitely in it!

I haven't been blogging very much lately.  It has become much harder to write since I started my new job but I have been keeping up with everyone's blogs and I am constantly mining them for ideas and support.  I am so glad that I found this community to follow as I continue on my journey.

Lapband and Beyond posted this quiz and I thought I would take it:

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
     My mother's grandmother was "Libby" and my mom always wanted a Libby.  The name on my birth certificate is Elisabeth but I have always been called Libby.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

     Yesterday.  My bother's 18 year old cat died.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
     Pretty much.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
     Turkey Breast
DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

     Nope.  Just 3 dogs and a cat.

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
     Absolutely
DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?
     Not much.  I used to be much more sarcastic.  Maybe I have mellowed with age?

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
     Nope.  They got yanked, along with my adenoids (sp?), when I was 6 or 7.
WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
     Nope, never, ever, ever, ever!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
     Honestly?  Captain Crunch.  But I also really like Cinnamon Puffins.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
     No.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

     Butter Brickle and Ben & Jerrys Festivus (Which they no longer make even though I petition them regularly to bring it back)

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

      Their attitude

RED OR PINK?
      Red

WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

      I can get impatient when I feel like I am not being heard or understood.

WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
     I'm barefoot right now (which I usually am when I am at home)

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
     2 Weight Watchers cheese sticks

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

     sage green
FAVORITE SMELLS?

    Indian Food and the smell of my mother's Yule Kage (Swedish Christmas bread)

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

     My best friend, Cathy

MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
     Beach house all the way baby!

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
     Not a huge sport watcher but I like to watch swimming and track during the summer olympic games

HAIR COLOR?

     Blonde with streaks of silver
EYE COLOR?

     Hazel

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
     No 
FAVORITE FOOD?
     Vietnamese chicken curry and Chicken Tikka Masala

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
     Happy endings 

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
     Hereafter

WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
     Magenta

SUMMER OR WINTER?
     Summer
FAVORITE DESSERT?

     Key Lime Pie or see ice cream above
STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
     Strength training
Now you know a little more about me ;-)

Have a great and successful week everyone!