GB Update - 4 1/2 weeks since surgery

Why am I so delinquent in doing my posts? It is about 4 ½ weeks since my GB surgery (Realize Band) and I am doing great. The scars are healing up nice with the special essential oil potion my esthetician made for me. I am not missing the rice, bread, and pasta as much as I thought I would. After the first week without, it got easier as I was making new food choices. I am eating some of my favorites again like green beans. Who knew that green beans actually have lots of protein and are way good for you? I think it is really a bit of an addition to rice, bread, pasta, and even potatoes that keeps one eating them.

I admit, I still have potatoes every once in a while. The doctor told me to watch it as they are almost as bad as eating straight sugar. Sheesh, they take all the fun out of eating sometimes. Sometimes I go thru the McDonalds drive thru and order a side of eggs with a sausage patty on my way to work, for breakfast when I hit the office. They actually will sell you sides of things without the bread or potatoes! This is excellent for me and cheaper than the meals! I have been having things like chicken salad or egg salad, totally legit and good for me especially when I make them myself at home. I have to watch some of the low-fat spreads as they have sugar in them. I often chose to use “regular” mayo and have less. The regular tends to have more flavor than the low-fat.

Weight loss has stalled out and I even gained a couple back this past week. Bummed about that little episode but I go for my first fill appointment tomorrow and expect that to help me get back on the losing train. Current weight is 213 – and I should not be disappointed but somehow I am a wee bit. That is still down 13.5 pounds from start in 4 ½ weeks. Not a bad start but I did hit 210.5 for a brief bright moment on Friday morning. Weight gain usually happens with more food and less water/liquid than I should be drinking. I do love the fact my jeans/pants are getting looser and my t-shirts are “skimming” my tummy not stretched around it.

Week 3 since Gastric Band Surgery

No, it can’t be a week since my last blog?!? Maybe it is the continued conversations I have inside my head that keeps me thinking I have actually posted an update. Oh well, things happen and life goes on. This is officially week 3 after gastric band surgery and I still love it. Next week is my first fill appointment, should be an interesting experience as I am not overly fond of needles. LOL. I continue to lose weight and of course I have a spreadsheet (I am the spreadsheet queen) that tracks my weight loss. This is in addition to the Realize Band Website which is flippin’ awesome. In my spreadsheet I have the weekly average calculated; it is a little above the 2-pound per week mark. Woo!

Last night at my Mistress Meghan session (personal trainer at Health Happenings in Monroe) I did my first abdominal exercises since the surgery. Almost all of them, but couldn’t do the lower abs as the port scar/area was not happy. Oh well, the happy experience of seeing beyond my tummy as I did crunches on the exercise ball was soooooo wonderful. I may make it through this with my skin keeping up with the weight loss.

Starting weight when this all started 226.5, weighed in this morning at 211 for a 15.5 pound overall loss. Surgery day weight was 220.5, so 9.5 pounds from surgery which is a fantastic weekly average. All my clothes are loose and I am on a strict no-purchase clothing regime. I have the next size jeans waiting in my closet (from the last time I lost weight) so will tough it out for a while with loose clothing. Wow, loose clothing… YES!

Day 14 Post Gastric Band Surgery - 2 weeks

Day 14 after gastric banding: I am still amazed that I continue to lose weight. Yes, mentally I get it that I am not eating as much as I use to but still... wow. I had a new experience last night eating a pork chop w/mashed potatoes. I ended up giving 1/2 my chop to the BF and only had 1/4 cup mashed potatoes. OH MY GOD what just happened there?!? He gave me that quizzical funny look that says "who are you" and ate it. Told me I could have the rest of the mashed potatoes and my response, "I'd love to but I can't, too full." We laughed at the moment. I think I also had the pressure/pain right where the ribcage meets indicating that I might have ate too much. Today I am on liquid protein just to make sure I didn't stress my new Realize Band area.

The surgery scars are healing nicely. Only have a couple steri-strips left in place (the one over the port scar for sure is going to be the last to come off). That adhesive is a bear to get off the skin. My facialist created a special essential oil blend for my tummy and scars. Sayra is the absolute best person for skin products. It is a base oil of sesame with lavender, frankincense, and carrot seed oils. It smells clean and natural and I am already using it. A little goes a long way with these oil blends. Sayra also makes her own special blends of cleanser and facial lotions which I use. My face is awesome thanks to her. This is a critical time for the skin to be replenished as the weight loss continues. Lots of hydration by drinking water and sugar-free liquids but also caring directly for the skin with wonderful products.

I am a firm believer in being friends with your belly and bottom. Don't neglect the bits that need the most care with lotion and oils. I have said this on many an occasion with my kickboxing clients. Lotion up and get to know and love your body as it is changing.

Day 9 after gastric band surgery

Day 9 after gastric banding surgery. I had my first post-op personal training session Wednesday night only a week after surgery. No abdominal work was done but there were a couple times the stitches twinged on me (push-ups and getting situated on the exercise ball). Worked hard in hot, humid space for about an hour, felt awesome! And as per usual, I ended up gaining ½ pound the next day even with consuming a paltry 737 calories for the day. However, today I was down 1 ½ pounds! Who would have thought it would actually be hard to consume my full 1200 calories?!?

I am working on soft foods right now and loving my scrambled egg breakfasts. Still getting use to the no water for an hour after eating. Breakfast is easy because I hop in the car and drive 45-mintues to work. By the time I get my coffee, it has been an hour. Tonight I am planning on doing something other than watching TV during the initial evening hours. Probably spend time in my art/craft room making cards that are due for birthdays and anniversaries. Peace out. Live Long and Prosper.

Day 6 Post Lap Band Surgery

Day 6 after surgery and I have been approved for soft foods! Yeah! I just ate ½ cup of hummus. Don’t mock me; I love the stuff and no celery to chew with it (although I miss the crunch). Down only ½ pound over night and can’t believe I am disappointed with ½ pound overnight. Dr. Chock also gave me the thumbs up to do personal training session tomorrow, woo! No abdominal work or heavy weights but I get to work out with my trainer again.

I am healing well with little bruising. The port incision still hurts a bit as expected and one other tiny incision spot. My clothes are fitting nice right now, nothing is tight anymore. I am fixin’ to try my black jeans tomorrow which use to be a mite bit snug in recent times. Have to finish this up as I shut down the air conditioner (blows right at my laptop on the kitchen table) to write. Still hungry so going to try a scrambled egg w/cottage cheese for dinner. The doctor says this month isn’t necessary for losing weight but for healing, yeah right I wanna lose weight too.