Deborah H.

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I did something I never thought I'd do - I got involved and volunteered for the Obama for Change campaign.  It was so important to me to have a new type of leader for our country.  My son is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan again (4th middle east tour) and he is hoping that this will be the last time he has to leave his family to fight.

I haven't had any problems and have healed nicely since my bad stuck/flying episodes in August/September so now I'm up to 5ccs.  My weight is at 177.8 - about the same for almost 2 months now but I'm okay with that.

I had to go shopping for sweatshirts and sweatpants for the winter and K-Mart was having a sale and I couldn't believe it - I am now wearing women's size small sweatpants!!!!   I never thought that would ever happen (of course the tops are still large thanks to the batwings and the bust; first to gain, last to lose).

Have a very happy Thanksgiving! 

Note to others who think their a little tight and are scheduled to fly - check with your doctor!  I was having stuck episodes frequently even after I saw Dr. Jan in August.

Things got a lot worse when I flew to my son's in Tennessee - I spent 6 miserable days not able to eat anything solid and even liquids were painful.  I called OWLS while I was there and they wanted me to go to the emergency room and have fluid removed but they wouldn't do it - even a local lap band surgeon wouldn't touch it because he hadn't performed the surgery.

When I returned home I went the next morning and they removed .5cc of fluid but it didn't really help.  After a week I went back to OWLS and Dr. Patterson removed 3/4 of the remaining fluid - bringing me down to about 1cc.  What a difference!  I can actually eat (although bread is still a problem).

The good news about the episode was the fact that I was never hungry and I lived on protein shakes (and the fact that I lost about 10 lbs) but I'd rather take things a lot more slowly.  Down to 178.5 now!!!!

The other interesting thing during the episode - no gas!!!  However, it started back up after the unfill.  Oh well!

I go back October 1 so we'll see how I'm doing and whether to adjust or not.

Wow - has it really been almost 8 months?  Time files.

Why didn't I do this sooner - I'm down another 10 lbs - 187.1.  So exciting.  The weight loss is slowing down but I don't mind.  I'm still losing! 

I didn't get an adjustment this time because I feel like I have good restriction.  In fact, if I eat too fast or take too big a bite (especially bread or dry meat) - soooo painful! 

This was Dr. Jan's last day in the clinic.  I'll miss him.  My next appointment is with Dr. Halpin in October.

Love the band!!!!

I saw Dr. Jan on Monday and my weight was 197.4 - I was so excited.

Got a small fill - only .5cc but it did make a little difference - I've been feeling hungry more often.

Phil & I bought ourselves bicycles  - I haven't had one since I was 12 (I'm pretty wobblyl on it - have the buises to show for it).  This should be interesting.

Leaving for vacation next week - will be gone about 10 days - we can't wait!!!

It's only Thursday but what a week it's been.  Had a major 'stuck' episode Monday - I've been trying to get more protein in my diet and I had made a roast on Saturday and had eaten some then and Sunday so I took a little bit to work with my for Monday.  About mid morning I started eating it and either took to big of a bite, did not chew enough, or ate too fast.  It stuck - took about 30 minutes to go down.  Then about 4 hours later I had some leftover Chicken Parmesan - took only a couple of bites to get completely stuck.  Couldn't even get water down for over 24 hours.  I tried just about everything I'd read about on the site.  WOW!  Talk about painful!!!!  Even after everything finally passed I was pretty sore from the PBs and slimes.  BIG lesson learned.

So on Wednesday, I had a follow up with Dr. Jan  - needless to say, no adjustment for me.  If I need a fill in a couple of weeks I can make an appointment.  Still lost 8 lbs so I'm about 50 lbs down - YEAH!  Only 3.5 lbs to get to 199.9 - onederland!

I love this band!!!!

Dr. Jan added another 1cc in my band - I hadn't really felt any difference after the last fill and I was noticing I was hungrier.  So what did I do - I had a milkshake after that!  What a stupid thing to do!  I was miserable the rest of the day.  Why do we do things like this?  Why is it so hard to remember that we can't eat like we did before.  The head is willing but the body says NNNNOOOOO.

Went to Costco afterward and bought more protein bars and other 100 calorie or less snacks (freeze dried fruit, natural fruit snacks, other).  These have been a lifesaver this month and my nutritionist suggested them.

I also bought a pair of size 14 pants - I have a habit of  never trying clothes on in the store (don't you just hate those stupid mirrors?).  Tried them on when I got home - could get them on but very tight - maybe another 20 lbs from now.

My problem is that I don't cook - I have about 50 cookbooks but very rarely cook anything.  Phil and I don't have "dinner" in the evening - he packs his main meal for lunch at work.  So I'm living on Lean Cuisine and an occassional cooked meal.

I'm not really complaining about any of this - I'm so estatic about my progress so far.

Oh - the other cool thing.  When I was on WW in 2001/2002 and lost 50 lbs Phil bought me an anniversary band - at the start of this I was wearing it on my little finger, then I moved it to my ring finger above my wedding band, and now it's on the right hand ring finger (where I want to wear it).  COOL!

I saw Dr. Jan Monday, 2/25.  I lost 12 lbs since the last time I saw him (1/23) so he was pleased.  He added 1.5cc to my band (4cc total now).  So I'm on the 2nd day of liquids/purees post fill.

I haven't found anything I can't eat yet - I hear that may change the more fills I have.  I hope not.

I've found a great protein bar at Costco - Premium Nutrition Protein - they come in a 2-pack of 12 per box - the flavors are Yogurt Peanut Crunch, Double Chocolate Crunch, and Chocolate Peanut Butter.  They're 2.5oz each and very filling.  Best of all they have 30g of protein per bar!  I'm eating these for breakfast.

So far 33 lbs gone.  Not too bad.  I also started using WW points to track my eating - something I was used to for so long (plus I have a program on my Palm to track and calculate).

I met with Dr. Jan today.  According to their scales I've lost about 20 lbs - not too bad.  I asked him a few questions I had about # of calories and whether or not to have work my way up to 3 meals and no snacks.

His response is that everyone is different.  He said he's seen calorie ranges from 800-1200 and some eat only 2 meals while others have 3 and healthy snacks.  The point is to learn to eat the good stuff and make sure your body is getting what it needs.

I have been feeling hungrier every day - especially since I'm still on "soft" foods for another few days.  Dr. Jan gave me an adjustment of 2.5cc into my band.  I could actually feel the hunger leave.  I've been on liquids all day and haven't feel hungry like I was for the last few days.  One more day of the liquids and then Dr. Jan said I can start introducing solid foods.

I've also been taking my medications in pill form easily.  Even after the fill yesterday the meds went down this morning with no problems - YEAH!  I wasn't looking foward to crushing them again.

What I haven't been great about is the exercising - before surgery I was "gazelling" 30 minutes at least 5 times a week.  Now it's about every other day - I need to get back on track.  Dr. Jan also said I can start doing resistance (bands) - will not hurt anything.

I've also switched from 2% milk to 1% and regular yogurt to lite.  I don't notice any difference but my husband does, but he says he'll get used to it - he has been my rock!

Heading to see my son and his family in Tennessee next week - I can't wait to see my granddaughter, Evelyn.  She sounds so grown up on the phone - I haven't see her since her birthday in August.  Sounds like they are having the same type of weather we are here so I'll be prepared.

Tomorrow is a brand-new year.  2008 promises a lot of changes - I'm anxious and nervous, as I'm sure a lot of us are.  I found out this week that my younger son may not have to go back to Afghanistan until 2009 - I thought it would be 2008.  Good news!

My older son has a new girlfriend for a few months now and I haven't met her - maybe this year!  I just want him to be happy - he's had his heart broken a few times and is cautious - can't blame him.

Stepdaughters are doing well - I wish them the happiest of new years!

My beautiful grandchildren are growing so fast.  Andrew is now 4 and Evelyn and Aidan are 3 - what a fun age for all of them (and for grammy/nana)!

My husband, Phil, is the love of my life - the best thing that ever happened to me and my rock.  He had a rough 2007 health-wise but is getting better every day.  I don't know where I'd be now without his love and support.

Again - I wish everyone a happy and healthy 2008!!!!  Let's all be losers this year!!!!

I was banded one week ago - I can hardly believe it!  I feel better and better everyday (and unfortunately, hungrier).  However, getting my liquids in really helps.  I found some wonderful soups - Safeway Select.  They have a Smoky Cheddar Ale that is to die for - I dilute it with milk.

I'm not really crazy about the protein powder I selected but my husband's nephews recommended some from GNC - I'll give it a try.  I also added a little almond extract this morning which made it more tollerable.

The gas is still a pain (literally)!  I'm walking around like everyone suggests - I hear it takes weeks to go away - I hope not.

Had a wonderful Christmas with our families.  Hope everyone else did also - even sitting down with my cup of soup while everyone ate all that wonderful food felt good - I did not have any desire to eat at all.  That's gotta be a good thing.

Here's looking ahead to a wonderful 2008.