The Dream Team

Nothing can beat experience.

And I just spent an amazing two days with THE team.

This team has buckets of Lap-Band experience.

This team has oodles of "been there, done that" types of experience with their Lap-Bands.

They.

Know.

The band.

Superstars of the band.

But now I think I've gotten ahead of myself, so let me start at the very beginning.

The very beginning of my two-day adventure...

I jumped on a plane.

Where to?

Austin, Texas.

To meet the peeps at the new company that now owns the Lap-Band: Apollo Endosurgery

Here's how it all went down:

First off, we got to ride in a cool shuttle van. Don't deny it. I know that you're jealous.

Then we toured their office and laboratory.  Yep, that's me cuddling up with a Lap-Band in the lab:

We also met cool lab peeps who were surprisingly not wearing sexy white lab coats:

That's Banded Wendy from YouTube

The lab tour continued. 

Don't worry, I followed the warning label and did not put any lube in my ears:

And then we ate.

And drank.

We lived it up and threw 'em back like champs.

'Cuz that's how us Lap-Banders roll.

Veteran Lap-Banders:
Alex who created BariatricPal & Amy (check out her blog here)

But you know what we really did for the most of the time we were in Austin?

We chilled in a conference room and talked about some serious issues: patient advocacy, weight loss surgery, and of course the Lap-Band:

Quick! Trivia question for you! How do you know that you're in a room full of WLS peeps? 

COUNT THE BOTTLES OF WATER in the pic above.

Yeah, it's a dead giveaway. 

We love our water. It's us in our natural habitat fo' sho'.

Then it was time for an up close and personal video interview with yours truly:

So now you know.

What really went down in less than 48 hours.

In that capital city of Texas.

The Dream Team.
One Team. One Dream.

But wait.

One last thing.

I forgot to tell you.

That plane ride.

Those tiny seats.

And that evil plane seat belt.

Guess what?  

That seat belt fit!

All the way around me with plenty of extra seat belt to spare.

It. 

Fits.

 

100% Chance of Rad

We had a fantabulous time this past weekend at the Color Me Rad 5k.

My third color run that I've done.

But you may be wondering...what exactly goes down at a color run?

Here's the 411:

You run, walk, or prance your way around a 5k course (usually all flat) - no hills! 

I totally walk it. 

No running for this girl.

First on the schedule? Tattoos and tutus!

My RAD bicep!

Next on the list? Throw color on each other!

The BF sure looks handsome in pink!

Then we started the 5k!

We walked through a bunch of different color stations where they threw colored powder (cornstarch) on the runners/walkers:

The ORANGE color station!

I never miss a chance to pose for pics with my peeps!

And of course, there's always time for kissing!

Before & After!

How Long Has My Obesity Been In Remission?

It's Friday weigh-in day again.

140.8 lbs.

Same weight as last week.


Thanks to a lot of hard work by Me AND with a little help from my Lap-Band, I can officially say:

My obesity has been in remission for almost FOUR years now!

Look How Much Weight That I Lost This Past Week!

Drumroll please...

Ta - Da!

A Two For One Special!

I've been a busy bunny lately.

I've still been doing my Friday weigh-ins.

I just haven't had time to post them here.

So this is a special twofer post just for you!

Two weigh-ins from the last two Fridays.

Let's get caught up, shall we?

Are You Looking For Soup Recipes?

One of my most fave things about our blog community is how we can share ideas and RECIPES with each other!

Check out this love nugget email that I just received from Ms. Chowder**  

She's a Lap-Bander that has a few fabulous recipes and ideas.  She gave me permission to share these with you.  Check 'em out below:

-------------------
Hi there,

I always enjoy your recipes, especially the soup one.  I LOVE soup!!  I have been making the one with a Progresso Light Chicken Dumpling soup can, chicken, milk, goat cheese, etc.  - you know which one I am talking about?  

Well, today I made a version of that and I think I hit gold with this one.  Wanted to share it with you and return the favor.  Here it is:

1 can of Progresso Light Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese

2 oz. chopped turkey ham (I use my zyliss hand chopper)

1 scoop Unjury protein powder chicken soup flavor (I dissolve it first in a little water before adding to soup)

2-4 T sliced almonds

Flat leave parsley (optional)

2-4 T Frenches Fried onion (optional)

45 g of Protein and about 14 WW Plus points for the whole thing.  I ate half for lunch and half for dinner.

I also tried another combination:

1 can of Progresso Light New England Clam Chowder

8 oz. Bay Scallops

1 scoop Unjury protein powder chicken soup flavor

Flat leave parsley (optional)

This one also has a ton of protein.  I didn't keep the can, but I guess it to be around 60 g of Protein for the whole thing.

Anyway, I hope you'll have a chance to try these.  They are so quick and easy to make, which is a MUST for me. 

See you on facebook,

Ms. Chowder

Surgery (self pay) April 2011

Lost 75 lbs  - at goal at 163 lbs and maintaining - yeah!!!! 

-------------------

Do you have a any recipes that you would like to share? Post your link and recipes below!  I can't wait to read them and give 'em a try.

**Not her real name -- I keep all emails that I receive from you all confidential. 

Did Ya See It?

Did you see my weigh-in numbers on Facebook?

I even included a Friday Flashback photo from my surgery day.

Go check it out here.

Would You Like a Tasty Donut?

Yep.

Me too.

I would like three donuts actually.

To be specific:

One with chocolate glaze.

One with sprinkles.

One with creme filling.

Thank.

You.

Very.

Much.

On Friday at work, I heard the announcement from the break room: "Krispy Kreme donuts you guys!"

My first thought: "Sweet!"

My second thought: "Wait! Look it up first"

Before I could jump up from my chair and run/walk to the breakroom, I went onto Krispy Kreme's website to look up the plain glazed donut that I knew I would eat.

Just to double check real quick.

Just to be super sure of what I was about to do.

Phew! I was relieved to see that a glazed donut is: 190 cals, 2 proteins.

I can do that.

That calorie count is totally in my "Weight Maintenance" lifestyle for a special once-a-week type of treat.

But then I scrolled down to read a few nutrition facts of the other items on the menu at Krispy Kreme.

And I came across this:

Mocha Dream Chiller. A 20 oz drink.

Yum! Right?!?


Guess how many calories and proteins are in this drink?

1050 calories, 5 proteins.


That drink would go.  right.  past.  my.  Lap-Band.  No problemo.

So, I ate that donut on Friday morning.

And I knew EXACTLY what I was getting into.

Weigh-in Day...

My scale is tired.

Or maybe my scale is broken.

Or perhaps it's time for new batteries.

How do I know?

What was today's weigh-in when I stood on the scale?

It was all over the place.

I saw everything from 141.4 lbs to 143.6 lbs.

WTF.

But I consider it a "win" because I'm still below my weight of 145 lbs.

I will put in new batteries in my scale and let ya know.
 

Weigh-in Day!

I've been doing these weekly Friday weigh-ins now for OVER 4 1/2 YEARS.

Go.

Me.

Goal weight: 145 lbs

Today's weight: 142.2 lbs.

Still below goal.

Onwards!