From a size 26 to a size 20

Good feeling today. I grabbed the size 24 and it was 2 big so there was only a 20 left on the rack. It fitted perfectly. I am slowly getting there. People are starting to notice more and more (my dads mate) was a surprise its a great feeling. Im starting to feel like a normal person. Im only about 10kg off walking into a "normal" shops and not having to find the bigger chick stores and paying through the nose..... Im 108.7kg and to some that is really still huge and it is, but I was 132.5kg and have not been 108kg for a about 12 years.

I am waking up with a stabbing pain in my side and it lasts for about 30 min I may of already mentioned it earlier but it is a worry, i have no retriction still so ive booked it for Friday to get the second fill done... Fingers crossed. I just hope im not playing with fire because im off to QLD soon and I dont want to be 2 restricted but want to be satisfied..

Im hoping that this fill will stop me from wanting to snack all the time. i dont want to fight myself like i have been in the past with food. I want to just eat and then be full and not have to think about it.

Beena

My results so far.

No restriction

I'm down to 109.2kg but I'm finding it very hard to not want to eat. My doctor said that if i don't feel any restriction (which I don't) to go see him for a small top up before I go on my trip. Today when i woke I had a sharp stitch like pain on my side but it soon went away. I know it was something to do with the band cos Ive never had that before.

My parents are noticing the change in me and my husband is as well. Ive had remarks from people who i figured wouldn't really care and that was a nice change.

I really want a "little miss top" i don't know why but they are really very cute.... In the past they have never fitted me..... I decided to buy a size 20 tshirt and order a iron on Little miss cheeky. ( a size 20 is a big milestone because I'm slowly getting into an 18 to 20 and there are just more options. I have a wrap dress that is so clingy and I really don't know what i was thinking when I bought it at 132.5kg....(never worn it ever out in public)!!! I tried it on today and although Ive still got a long way it seems to look ok on me.

My trip to QLD is in 2 weeks and I know i will just feel so much better on the plane and as the summer months approach just more better about things. If anyone out there is overweight and really trying to get it off its just a matter of turning on that thing in your brain that doesn't respond when you grab the burger or takeaway food. Its weird I'm so glad i made this choice for myself, whether it was the lapband or another approach i m so glad I'm 22kg lighter.

So far it has not been a miricle cure and I never thought it would be, I'm glad i was not disillusioned from the start. I have had to really work with it, but it all adds up. Last night i had dinner and then we went out where there was free sausages. Now usually i would of had a few..... But have learnt that for me sausages and the band don't mix, so just had a low fat hot chocolate. Everything you put in your mouth adds up..... so that's just another lesson I have learnt so far from being banded.

Beena

FIRST FILL

Today I had my first fill. I learnt a few things.
! don't eat lunch before the fill
2 stick to fluids for the rest of the day.

My doctor gave me NO instructions and when I asked if i could eat he said yes. He added 2.5 and in a 10cc band that sounds like a lot but he is the expert.

I lay ed down on the bed with a pillow under my back he felt for the port and told me to lift my head then injected the saline. It really did not hurt at all.

Because I ate not long before my fill i think the food was still digesting and later on in the afternoon i had a "lapband episode" where the asophicas spasms (according to my surgeon) and the pain was really bad in my back and across my chest for a good hour. I'm OK now.

I just hate the fact that i have to work out once again what my band can and cant take food wise...

Ive lost 22kg according to his scale. (132.5kg) now 110kg.

My goal for 109kg is nearly achieved.
Beena

Weight loss slow

My first fill is on Thursday and im really not sure what to expect, its been a busy few days so i have not had time to think about it. My port is fairly wobbly so im hoping that it hasn't moved. I am eating a lot more and finding it hard to control myself so the fill couldn't of came at a better time. I feel better but really want some more progress soon. I plan to get to 109kg by my trip which is not that long away. Despite getting more hungry Im still not eating crap and so if anything my weight loss has stopped but hasn't shifted in the wrong direction. I had a 21st on the weekend and I wore a dress and felt really comfortable for once, i had a lot of comments even from my older sister finally!!!!! lets just say coming from her its a shock, so I must be doing something right.lol

Beena

HELLO TO MY NEW READERS

Hi I have spoken to a lot of you on line and would really love to help anyone who is thinking of being banded (the best I can). Life at the moment is so much different I'm now 20kg lighter and feeling so much better. I went to the gym this morning and cant imagine how I did the workout at the start of my journey. I cant stop shopping for clothes. I have a long way to go and I'm still in a size 20-22 but it beats squeezing into a size 26 and dresses just look a little better on me. A jacket i bought last winter just buttoned up now it is real loose. I cant wait until I get to under 100kg. My goal for September was to reach 114kg well Im way past my goal. NEW GOAL: to get to 108kg by OCT 11th ready for my trip....

THINGS I HAVE LEARN'T SO FAR BEING BANDED

Its NOT a quick fix, weight can be slow at times YOU DO need to workout and eat right.

Don't assume you are recovered and then eat something that you may think is OK to have. I did this and the food got stuck. The pain was unbearable I was crying and had to vomit. (lesson learn't forever).

I was in pain for a good 3 weeks there are some that recover fast I thought there was something wrong with me. If anything seems wrong call the doctor straight away. Don't wait. I did and I was reassured I was fine but the peace of mind was all worth it.

I'm happy with my decision, I haven't told many people and am happy that I have kept it to myself. People tend to watch every little thing you eat if they know. They don't get that everything in moderation is fine That is One thing i have learnt MODERATION...


I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU JUST WRITE A MESSAGE AND I WILL REPLY ID BE HAPPY TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE'S MORE

BEENA (MY first fill is on the 18th sept I will do a blog on that then)

My Stats so far

*Began Tue 8/7/08 (130.5kg) 1 day
*Lost 4.7kg Tue 15/7/08 (125.8kg) 7 days
*Lost 6.6kg Thus 17/7/08 (123.9kg) 9 days
*Lost 7.3kg Mon 21/7/08 (123.2kg) 13 days
*Lost 8.1kg Thur 24/7/08 (122.4kg) 15 days
*Lost 8.4kg Sat 26/7/08 (122.1kg) 17 days
*Lost 9.1kg Wed 29/7/08 (121.4kg) 20 days
*Lost 10.1 Thur 30/7/08 (120.1kg) 21 days
*Lost 12.7kg Thur 7/8/08 (118.8kg) 28 days (day of op)
*Lost 15.7kg Tue 11/8/08 (114.8kg) 32 days
*Lost 16.1kg Wed 13/8/08 (114.4kg) 33 days 40kg to go
*Lost 16.5kg Thur 14/08/08(114kg) 34 days
*Lost 17.9 kg Sat 30/08/08(112.6) 50 day
*Lost 18.6kg Mon 2/09/08(111.9kg)52day

(if you want to figure it out in lbs google webmath)

Down 6.7kg (14lbs) since the lapband

Things with the band are getting better. I will begin back at the gym tomorrow after having 4 weeks to recover. I can still feel a slight stitch but nothing that is making me worry. Since the op ive lost 6.7kg (14lbs) without even doing any extra activity, but now im recovered its on. I feel great im now 111.9kg(246lbs) which is still alot to carry around but much better then 130.5kg(287lbs) so in total with optifast pre op and the band Ive lost 18.6kg (41 lbs) so im getting there. I must say the head hunger is hard im so use to eating big sizes of everything. Here is a few tips for future bandsters only from what helped me, others may disagree (but who cares) this is my blog LOL....

1. Buy small bowls and plates (saucers and kids bowls)
2 Buy kids knife, folks and spoons until you work out how to chew chew chew.
3. Get european pillows for the first week after the op a hot water bottle or heat pk
(helps to ease the pain and the pillows are great for supporting the tummy.
4.keep a water bottle close at all times
5. Portions are great like tuna with crackers already packed so you know how much you are eating cheese and crackers, small cereal boxes things like that.
6.dinner ive been filling up my small bowl with portions size foods like healthy choices which ususally there is over half still left but the bowl is a great measure once again so i know where im at
7. If you want something sweet try 99% fat free white hot chocolate from Jarah or portion sized chocolate (1 stick kitkat) so you dont over do it.

Well this is just what Ive learned so far from my journey with the band.


Take care.

BEENA

So far this is what ive learnt hope this helps.

CHEERS

Beena

Eating more food

Well as the weeks go past i am finding that im eating a little more food then the week before Im waiting on my first fill which should sort me out, today i had

B 1 wheat bix/ milk

S 1 99%fat free white hot chocolate

L 80g baked beans/ 4 kfc chips

S 1 glass low fat milk

D very tiny bowl of latina pasta with cheese


Ive got no idea if Im eating 2 much or not enough but im
fairly satisfied and not hungry but i need to get that water in as well
and i did not get much today so i will have some while watching tv tonight. Lacked in the fruit and veggie department today I will need to make up for it tomorrow. Lapband life has been ok so far besides the cramp in my side that wont go away. I had a Christening and they served pizza and quiches i just had th filling from 2 baby quiches which was enough. Most Desert would go down well that is the floor of
the band but Life without the occasional sweet would suck soim really glad i can have the odd treat.

Beena

OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes ive titled this blog appropriately for the absolute pain i was in yesterday and Im surprised i lived to tell the story. First i must say im an idiot and I say that because i swayed from the rules. I have nearly started mushies and so I thought 2 days before i was meant to start i would have a go at a very mushie sausage roll. Not a good thing. I havnt chewed for over 1 month now so I guess I forgot the process or
something so i took a few bites... About 2 hours later i had a pain across my chest across my back (It felt like labour pains all over again) I made myself vomit and was better.... Im worried because ot vomit at this early stage post op may of caused some damage, I have no reflux and am feeling ok so im assuming all is well and will be seeing my doctor in a few weeks. I guess I was finally feeling great after feeling crap for so long and I figured i have no restriction.... Im stupid and i will put it down to a huge learning curve that i will need to adjust to. All I can say you Live and learn and i have done that this week. My weight loss has came to a stand still this week I lost 4kg last week (approx 7lbs) but ive Incorporated more into my diet this week so I guess Its to be expected. I cant wait till i go back to the gym next month so i can start to see hopefully some weight loss progress. If I can get down to 105kg by my QLD trip i will be happy.. T hat will be an extra 9kg loss. My mother in law was in total shock when she saw me so she noticed the 15+kg loss (30lbs about) so it was a good feeling.


Beena

Day 6 days post op

Hi all,

Ive finally came out from under my pillow feeling much
more like a person again. I still have some pain and am going t see the
doctor soon but I am slowly getting my appetite back and I must say i missed it for a while. I get hunger pains but Im not hungry so its a really strange feeling Im having. Ive been a good girl drinking only fluids Ive lost another 400g so Im 114.4kg. Cant wait until im under 110kg then under 100 and then of course my goal is around
69-70kg. The real test will be my mother in law on Friday. She will
even notice the 16kg loss or not! I mean my parents never really notice
anything. I can tell in my face and my clothes are looser and to my
husbands regret Ive shrunk my bra size a heap. So I can say ive lost it
in the breasts and my wedding finger cos my ring slides off!!!
Great.... The tummy and the arms would of been nice but i guess thats coming.

I guess the reason for eating these days is for energy really. I find that if i dont eat Im in a heap with no energy. Im eating very little because i have been on Otifast
anyway for the past month so have got myself in a pattern on just doing
breakfast lunch and tea. (with the fluids) My advice to all who is going to do the LAPBAND is to do OPTIFAST for 4 weeks
( and I never ever thought i would ever hear myself say that) I hated
it I still do, but.... It has helped me to just eat 3 time a day. and
that is it. I eat cos im boared. My old habits came out today when I had a very tiny bowl of soup and thought about getting more. I waited 20min and didnt even think about it after that.

Anyway I hope this time next year im at my goal 69-70kg.


Beena

Feeling yuck

So far I have spent the past 3 days laying on the couch feeling sorry
for myself trying to figure out how i got from deciding to do this to
here.... Have i made the right choice.. i guess only time will tell.Im
not hungry have no energy and am feeling really uncomfortable. I feel
like someone has punched me a good one in the ribs.. I am a little annoyed
at the doctor for not sending me home with pain killers or anything at
all even a suggestion on what to eat would of been helpful. I have lost
about 3 kg since Thursday, and when I hear people say they cant wait
for their band I think.... "oh yes you can".

I think its just early days thats all and Im having a whinge cos im in a little pain and never really felt this way before. I remember waking up and was in and out of consciousness and heard the nurse say she is still in a lot of pain SHES NOT LITTLE she will cope with somemore pain killers......

HMMMMM its people like that which is the reason why I did this. Im still in a lot of pain and according to the receptionist its not a normal pain so Im waiting for the surgeon to call me back. Each day Im feeling better but the pain isnt going away. I had a good cry today I think Im just menstral and sore... Cant wait to feel like normal.. Now 114.7kg from 130.5 Not bad i guess..

Anyway I will keep this blog posted.


Beena

My first Day home

OMG I feel really bad Im in more pain then i antispated. I just want to say that although i cheated on optifast a few time the surgeon said that my organs had shrunk to the point where he only needed to put in a small band.

The nurses and staff at Freemasons Epworth were so lovely. After the op I woke up feeling really uncomfortable and its a pain i have never experienced before.

I wont write much because Im pretty sore and tired but all I can say is I pray that this pain goes away so I can get on with my life.

Getting banded tomorrow

Well the day has come to get this year long decision finalised. Im off to get the gastric band put in tomorrow. I have had a month of what i can only describe as hell on optifast but Im
pretty proud of myself that I have got through it 12.7kg (24lbs i
think) lighter. I have cheated throughout the month but for the most
part have stayed focused.

I really am more scared about the outcome of the band. The operation itself i have managed to block out of my brain but im sure it will rekindle itself in the morning.

I stocked up on soups and juices to get me through the liquid stage and Im hoping im only in for the night. Anyway there is little more to say.

Wish me luck.

Beena

Thyroid scare

Got a call at 8.30pm the other night the message went something like this

"hi its Lee Im the admissions nurse at the hospital you need to call me back ASAP I need to speak to you in person its about your bloodtests....." and then hung up...

I was left thinking I was dieing or that they might cancel my op.

I finally got a hold of her and she basically siad that my thyroid reading was off. (which is due to the rapid weight loss) I have an under active
thyroid and am on medication for it I just had to modify my dose no
drama But boy it was a scary few days waiting for the doctor to get
back to me.

I have 1 week left and I am finding the last week on Optifast even harder then before I stuffed up big time tonight, Ive been so good for so long AHHHHHHHHHH. I find it amazing how some doctors have no pre op diet. Anyway I think my husbands eating habits are going to make this a really hard journey for me. I dont know if its because Im not eating but
i notice all the bad stuff he eats and through him I can now see how i
got this big. We would order 1 family pizza and eat it between us. I look
back now and think how wrong that is and it would take me 3 slices
before i could get a little full. I just hope the band stops my
interest in food that i have all the time.

Beena

Op paid for

Well I was worried i wouldnt have the money in time for my op but all is well and paid for.

It just seems to make it all real now.

Ive been feeling fairly down and out lately, i really dont know if it is because no one really understands where my head is at or if its just cos im worried about the op, or mainly about the rest of my life with the band. I think im down because Im struggling to cope on optifast and hate not being able to eat..... I just hope im doing the right thing for myself and my family.

Today i took my boys to a playcentre and climbed the slide and jumped on the jumping castle with them. Something I have not done for a long time. I dont know if it was the 8.5kg lost that gave me some sort of silly confidence but it was pretty funny.

I guess when Im banded and Ive lost a stack more i will be actually go down the slide which is something i didnt do.

Ive got a really bad cold and not being able to eat is making me feel shit. I went on yahoo chat and spoke to some people who didnt need to do pre op optifast, and i t made me feel better. i was worried that they wouldnt do the op if id had the od cheat. Ive got 2 weeks to go and have been sticking to it like crazy.. i hate it but i gotta do it.


Beena

Sick to death of OPTIFAST

I have had it im so bloody sick of this vile shit....

The sweet taste is making me sick the soup has a yucky after taste, the bars taste like cheap shitty chocolate. My tummy is making noises not because Im hungry but because its upset....

Im not hungry just sick and tired of this stuff. I have been on every diet known to man but never a "shake diet" for good reason!!!!! This is not human this is not right....

Only 2 more weeks of this crap to go and counting AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...

Sorry just venting, just having a bad day Im sure tomorrow will be better.... I hope

Feeling sick on Optifast

Im at 2 weeks now on Optifast and I must say I havnt been hungry but I
have been feeling fairly unwell. i guess the best way to describe it is
the feeling you get when you see something that makes you sick, except
I feel like that all day long. Like when you are pregnant and certain
smells make you feel ill, kind of like that.

I was shopping at the supermarket yesterday and had a dizzy spell, my husband suggested i eat something other then Opti.
I hate walking through the supermarket looking at things
to eat and not being able to eat them, its a strange feeling, I spent
the most part grabbing tinned soup reading the back of them and hoping
to find something i could eat other then veggies and Opti... but no go...

I had the usual Sunday dinner with my parents and family, and I couldnt eat anything (well the good stuff anyway). Dad made me the veggies that I was able to have but i ended up stirfrying a frozen packet that had some sauce with it.

Only 2 weeks to go and Im really hoping im doing the right thing. My weight has stayed put on 7.2kg over the last few days which is frustrating,but better then nothing..


Beena

Food and the way I was raised

I look back now and see that I can honestly say that my parents food choice's for me growing up has played a huge factor in the way i am now and am trying my very best to change that for my kids.

I remember my mum coming to my primary school with fish n chips every
Wednesday and after school having 2 rolls with thick cheese lots of
butter and ham every day only to have a big plate of pasta steak chips
what ever she was cooking with lots of salt and going for seconds.

I was always praised for eating and there was no restrictions on food in
the house. Easter I would sit and eat all my chocolate and I still
do....and Christmas eat every meat there was.

I was put on all sorts of diets and never told i was pretty, or even told i was loosing the weight when I was on them, just "your getting there". Even now my dad tries to pass over the leftovers at our Sunday dinner even when we have all had huge amounts of food. "I'm full" he says, "but look the res plenty there finish it off".

It has never been out of spite though all its food, but given to me out of love.. Always wanting your kids to be fed and looked after and satisfied. We spent nearly every Wednesday night eating Chinese and Mcdonalds after mum and dad would finish their weekly game of ten pin bowling.

Its
only now that Ive had my own kids that i have stopped to think what I
wish they could of done differently. I know I was a reallystubborn kid, but i think it starts from birth. I really dont know how my kids will end up I can only do my best. Its hard to break the cycle of how we have been taught to eat along with the gene factor.

I remember eating until i felt so sick. I was always bigger then all the other kids and now always bigger then everyone else.

Im
an adult now and have made some stupid choices as well. Ive managed to
put on the last 30kg all by myself no one to blame but me. My husband
comes from a family of larger frames as well and we are bad influences
oneach other at times.
Im hoping the band will break the cycle
not only for me but my kids to see what mums eating and the portion
size will hopefully help.

I am at no means trying to completely blame anyone for who i have became but I do think my parents played a role in my weight gain over the years.


I think we are all now informed enough to know how to correct the
problem and I for one know that i never want to put my children through
the ridicule i had growing up fat... So i will do anything and
everything in my power toprotect them from the addictions of food and
hope that when they are my age they have bet the obese gene pool born
and can make the right choices to prevent what seemsinevitable.