New Layout

Do you like it?

I've even figured out Photoshop lately - so check out my new banner title at the top. I even added a "before" and a "current" picture. I firmly believe that there are no such thing as "after" photos. We are never done with this fight against obesity...there is no "done".

I went swimsuit shopping yesterday...in the regular misses sizes. I don't think I am ready for a tankini yet....I will never be ready for a bikini... I did find a cute one-piece in deep blue (size 14) with all kinds of minimizing features. yay! If I find some courage, I may actually post a pic of me wearing it.

See my new countdown up there? That's right, I'm headed to Vegas soon, can't wait!

That's all for now...hope you're all having a nice long weekend! :)

Weigh-in Day...and the results are...

a loss of .2

I was really expecting a gain after my crazy FAT weekend. I'll take that loss :)

Happy Friday Everyone!

A Usual Meal For Me....

Jen from Jen is Gonna Lose It inspired me with her post today about a usual lunch/meal that she eats. I gotta try that yummy avacado/tuna mix up!

Here's something that I have been eating pre-op, post-op, etc. Approximately once week... I love Ling Ling Potstickers! I usually make a thai peanut dipping sauce using the sauce packet that's included with the potstickers. I mix up some of the sauce packet with a teaspoon of PB, a splash of water, and a teaspoon of splenda. whisk it up. yum.

I also only boil them for 10 minutes, no frying here.

I eat four of them for a perfect bandster portion. Here's a pic from tonight's dinner (see my mini-cocktail fork?):

PS: Support Group tonight!

FAT Weekend...how do these old behaviors creep back in?

Yeah, so this weekend I didn't eat the best choice of foods. It's like I turned back into my old self with all the negative eating behaviors that come with it.

I really have an issue with boredom eating. When I am at work or busy with whatever, I have no problem sticking to the plan. I have come up with some replacement behaviors like reading, actually cleaning house, and excercise (gasp!). Does anyone knit?

I also really need a fill and am scheduled to go get one on June 4th. I ate an entire bagel on Saturday. Enough said.

On a positive note, I went for a follow up appt at my primary care doctor yesterday. He was pleased with my loss and 6 month lab results. By the way, they have a magic scale there that said I weighed 175 (with clothes one, at mid day, and after a crazy eating weekend). I didn't question it. :)

Off to Zumba tonight...gotta work off those skinny cow ice creams I ate on Sunday...

Thoughts on a Saturday...

Guess what? The little Wii fit guy said I was overweight this morning. No longer obese. What does he say when your BMI is less than 25? "Normal"?

On a sad note, my aunt passed away this week. Here's a photo of us in Las Vegas in 2002, being silly dressing up in a Disney Store. She will be missed.

Weigh in Day...and the results are...

a loss of 2 lbs....I think that plateau is finally busted.

I have to work a lot harder now for the pounds to come off. Early in my journey, if I ate correctly, I would lose. Now, I have learned that if I don't excercise, then I don't lose. Plain and simple as that.

So close to 80lbs down...AND a BMI in the 20's. Therefore that little guy inside the Wii Fit won't be able to say "That's OBESE!" after I stand on the board. I'm looking forward to just being "overweight".

Happy Friday Everyone!

7 Month Bandiversary!

Happy Friday Eve!

Today is my 7 month bandiversary. These past 7 months have blown by... whew!

I'm off to Zumba tonight and then....

tomorrow's weigh-in Day.

Why did YOU get the band?

If you haven't noticed already, I am really big on reminding myself why I chose the band. It sorta keeps me on track for good food choices and getting my butt to Zumba on a somewhat regular basis.

So I am borrowing an idea from Jack at JACK SH*T, GETTIN' FIT, it's a great blog about getting healthy and losing weight. Jack has been doing a series called "W.I.D.T.H." Why I do this here. His readers have been sending in photos of themselves holding an index card showing why they too are getting healthy.

Here are just some of the reasons why I chose the band:

So, what's your reason for getting the band...I encourage you to post index card photos on your blog too!

Things that I don't understand...

So, I had a cup of coffee today. This is the second cup of coffee that I have had in the last 7 months.

I used to love coffee. I am amazed how one cup of coffee and my restriction returns..big time. Is it the caffeine, the acidity, ??

So now my lunch salad (1 hard boiled egg and 3 oz of chicken breast, I didn't even make it to the greens part) is sitting in my chest...not really stuck, but just sitting there...feels like "Thanksgiving Day Stuffed". The same exact thing happened the last time I had coffee.

Does anyone else experience this increased restriction with coffee?

PS: this also happens with popcorn. go figure

Go Set Your Tivo or DVR!

On Tuesday night 5/18 10pm, CNBC will be featuring a show/documentary called "One Nation Overweight."

They will be focusing on the epidemic of obesity in America. They will be visiting the Biggest Loser Ranch, talking about childhood obesity, bariatric surgeries, weight-loss drugs, and affect of obesity on employers.

Should be interesting!

C.H.O.I.C.E. = Choosing Health over Obesity Inspiring Change through Empowerment

Remember the word that I chose as my word of 2010 back in early January? Yep, that word was CHOICE.

Coincidentally, the folks over at Allergan (the company that makes our lap bands), is jumping on the band wagon (pun intended!) and using the word "choice" for an educational campaign that began this week.

Here are the details:

MAKE A C.H.O.I.C.E. about obesity

Obesity is a disease, NOT a choice. But we have the choice to make a difference. Obesity is the key public health threat in the United States – approximately 70 million adults are obese, obesity is the second-leading cause of preventable death and costs our healthcare system $147 billion per year.¹ These startling facts highlight the health crisis we face, but also opens the dialogue for change we can create together by addressing the epidemic and accepting all solutions. To tackle the obesity epidemic requires a commitment to both prevention and treatment and it will only happen with the help of consumers, healthcare professionals and Congress.

Allergan is trying to gather 250,000 signatures on their petition to Congress. Check it out HERE

There is also a contest for us bandsters! Check it out HERE

Allergan is sponsoring the Voice My C.H.O.I.C.E. contest program to provide bandsters with the opportunity to have their voices heard! When we made the choice to have weight-loss surgery, we made the decision to choose health over obesity. Now is your chance to inspire others and to make a difference on Capitol Hill, by entering the Voice My C.H.O.I.C.E. contest program

Through a video or essay, you tell how the band has impacted your weight, your health and your life, and you'll be entered for a chance to win a 3-night/2-day trip for you and a guest to Washington, D.C. where you’ll have the opportunity to speak with members of Congress and the media about your weight-loss journey and be the voice for others.

Weigh-in Day...and the results are...

I lost 2.8 lbs with my total weight now at 178.4.

I think the last time I weighed that I was in Jr High..maybe 12 years old.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Big Brown Truck, Little Brown Shorts....UPS Delivery!

I shipped off all the clothes for the sisterhood today via UPS and they should arrive by mid next week at the latest. I am so happy that the clothes will get some continued wears and please pass them along to the sisterhood when you shrink out of them.

I forgot to tell you that my blood pressure was 118/70 at yesterday's fill appt...haven't been on my high BP meds since 4/30. So I guess that really confirms that I don't need those meds anymore. yay :)

The planets were aligned with the cosmic forces today!

Pretty hippy-skippy title, huh? LOL


My fill was scheduled for next week, but I called my surgeon's office this morning to see if anyone had cancelled and could they fit me in earlier. Lucky me, they had an last-minute opening during my lunch hour today. I got .5ccs, so that puts me at 5.3ccs in my 10cc band.

They weighed me too...I've lost about 5 lbs in 3.5+ weeks...my rate of weightloss is definitely slowing down.

Onwards to 24 hour liquids.

Monday Quote

"In the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat." Jamie Oliver delivered that powerful opening line at this years TED conference.

Isn't that a great reminder on why we are choosing to get healthy and be more active?

Clothes for the Sisterhood! *updated*

Happy Saturday!


I have been cleaning out the closet this morning and have all kinds of clothes to pass along to the sisterhood. I even got to "play Jared" from Subway trying on my size 24 shorts! They are falling off of me.


If interested, please comment on which item(s) you want and then also email me at lapbandgal@yahoo.com with your mailing address.


#1> LB Navy Suit: Pants size: 22 petite Jacket size:20
PS: this is an awesome interview suit
#2> Black Suit: Jacket Size: 22W Knee Length Skirt size: 22W TAKEN
#3> Classic Red 3/4 sleeve cardigan. It is real true fire engine red, this photo is off. Size: 18/20 TAKEN
#4> Black/White Twinset, size: 2x TAKEN
#5> Black/White Short-sleeve top. Size: 1x TAKEN
#6> Pink tank (sweater material) w/ sequins: size: 3x TAKEN
#7> Black/light pink pattern tanktop (layered look), size: 3x TAKEN
#8> Blue shiny button up/short sleeve, size: 1x TAKEN
#9> 2 LB Camis, size: 18/20 TAKEN
#10> LB Slacks, never worn, size: 18 TAKEN

#11> LB MAROON red (bad photo) top, size:22/24 TAKEN
#12> 3 v-neck T-shirts, size: 18/20 TAKEN

#13> LB White blouse, size: 18/20 TAKEN
#14> Light Blue Blouse, size: 2x TAKEN


#15> 6 A-line knee length skirts, sizes 20, 22 TAKEN
-pink/flowered
-khaki
-brown courderoy
-lilac purple
-black w/ blue pattern
-Maroon

Weigh-in Day...and the results are...

A .3 lb gain. Yeah, I saw it coming. Crazy water weight/result from going off the HCTZ...

Happy Friday!

Water weight....still

Umm, yeah, those extra pounds of water weight as a result of going off my high BP med HCTZ is STILL HERE.

I have been drinking lots of water (100 oz +) per day to try and counteract it.

So, when is it going to go away? This may be my first weigh in on Friday with a GAIN.

I keep reminding myself how very happy I am to be taking just 1, yes ONE pill a day (BCP) and nothing else (except vitamins, of course)!

With the good, sometimes comes the bad...

I have been off my high blood pressure meds since Friday. Since then I have gained 3 lbs. Yep, that water weight that the diuretic (HCTZ) used to get rid of, is now sticking around...

sigh...

PS: Here's another bandster that had surgery last week: CLICK HERE

The BEST non-scale victory (NSV)....ever!!!!

Guess what folks...that one NSV that I've been waiting for since pre-op has finally happened.

I am now officially off of all of my high blood pressure meds! Both the diuretic (HCTZ) and the Toprol.

This NSV is one of the main reasons I got the band and now it's finally happened.

Come on now...do the happy dance with me!