What scale do you use?

I have seen these posts around quit a bit and NEVER paid any attention to the comments.  My scale worked great.  It was off only .2 from the Drs office so I was happy. 

This morning, I got on a scale and had an ALL TIME LOW!!!  A low I haven't since since January 2 or 3rd of 1999 after leaving my husband and losing weight.  How excited was I this morning?  Woohoo I couldn't believe it.  Well, I got off the scale and did a little happy dance, literally, I really did and I got back on the scale.  MISTAKE,  I had gained 3 pounds after my happy dance.  Got back on again, I weighed differently.  Either I am gaining and losing weight within seconds of each other or I need a new scale. 

I love my weight watchers scale that I currently have.  Now I don't like it so much since it took away my all time low.  :(

What do you use?
What have you used?
What should I stay away from?

Just an update on my band and life

It feels like forever and a day since I last blogged. 

I got a bit wrapped up in the holiday and got to spend four days with my girls.  My little runt is finally talking up a storm.  She had me in tears so many times over the last few days.  I couldn't be prouder of her accomplishments.  Granted she is almost 2 and is barely talking, but now she is making up for lost time.  Just a couple of weeks we had our first form of communication (she would put her finger in her mouth to let me know she wanted something to eat or drink) and now she is "talking".  I can't imagine what I am going to do when she puts more than two words together or forms a sentence. 

Here is the latest in life:

- Dad is in the hospital.  We almost lost him.  He is a paraplegic and is prone to bladder infections.  Well, this one went septic.  He has been in the hospital since last Tuesday.

- Baby Isabella came home from the hospital last Wednesday.  She is thriving. 

- My house is almost all decorated for Christmas.  I may not be unpacked but I definitely have a festive house. 

- My oldest daughter says that Christmas is "Jesus Birthday."  She makes mama proud too.

Band update:

- After my second fill I was super duper tight.  I lost almost 5 pounds during the 48 hours of liquids I was on too.  I was as tight as could be.  Or so I thought.  :(

- I was able to eat anything and everything I wanted over the weekend.  Bread, absolutely no problem.  That really sucks for me.

- I managed to lose a pound over the holiday. 

- I seem to be able to eat fast, not chew well, and eat often.  Other than portion size, I wouldn't know I had a band. 

- I think I need to work my band more than I am.  That is my plan anyways. 

- I am still drinking before, during, and after a meal.  I am not able to overcome this.  I do it subconsciously that I am I left thinking WTF after I have done it. 

- I didn't take one of my blood pressure medications which is a diuretic since last Wednesday, I am hoping to see a loss by tomorrow. 

- I should be grateful for the loss I have had and not dwell on the fact that it isn't coming off as fast as it once was.


NSV's:

- I meant to post this one sooner.  I moved into "my" bathroom at my house a couple of weeks ago.  My shower is just a stall.  When I went to shave my legs I didn't have a ledge to put my foot on so, I just bent over and shaved.  After the fact I realized WOW!, I don't need a ledge my stomach isn't in my way like before.

- I decorated the outside palm trees with Christmas lights and never got tired, winded, or took a break.  I am still amazed at this one. 

- My car seat has a memory button that I programmed back in 2009 sometime... I now need to adjust it.  My stomach isn't in the way like before. 

- I went all four days off without a nap and was almost constantly doing something.  Don't get me wrong, by the end of the day I am exhausted and feel like I could sleep standing up.  My point is:  I can make it through a day not as exhausted as I was months ago. 

- I have lost nearly 70 pounds since I first saw my surgeon. 

- I am finally feeling "lighter"

Have a good day all!

What I am Thankful for

My daughters:  I love you girls more than you will ever know or can possibly imagine.  The two of you have made my life complete.  You girls, will always be my love and joy.  You are also my greatest accomplishment in life. 

My sister:  In so many ways you are my best friend.  We fight a lot, (over nothing really) but we love each other to no end.  You are my rock sister.  You are ALWAYS there when I need you.  I know you won't read this, but I love you dearly.

My friends:   

Blondie, my bond to you is no different than the bond to my sister.  I love you girl. Almost 30 years later and I still turn to you. 

D,  even though it seems we have reached the end of our friendship, I will love you dearly and cherish all the fun times we had.  I pray for time to put us back to where we were. 
                   
Rose, we are living our child dreams we just aren't together.  I am so proud of you and all your accomplishments.  You are the successful one out of all of us.  You go girl!

Maggie, my dearest friend on the earth.  I wish we lived closer.

Ron, thank you for being you.

Sandi, for what you tried to do for our family.  I still wish things were different.  

My family:  Mom, Dad, Brother, I love you!

My employer: I am fortunate to have a job that provides a roof over our head and food on our table.  Just fortunate to be employed. 

Our new home:  It is just what the girls and I needed.  We were fortunate to find the right home at the right price and at the right time.  God works wonders.

Thank you God for taking care of my daughters during their surgeries and keeping them healthy the rest of the time. 

Thank you God for taking care of Baby Isabella. 

Thank you God for Baby Kelsee. 

Thank you God for blessing me with my wonderful life.

Edited to include my Lap Band thanks.

I am thankful for my Lap Band and the opportunity it is giving me to be healthy once again. 

Thank you LOLA, my Lap Band for the weight loss tool I needed for the 27 pound loss since surgery on August 19th. 

What are you thankful for?

What I forgot to say about my fill yesterday.

I really hate to post from my phone and that was the case last night.  Lately I had noticed a little bump on my port scar.  Its been there for a couple of weeks or so possibly longer.  I didn't mention it to the Dr because it never even entered my mind.  My Dr said it looks like I have a stitch trying to come out.  I then remembered the bump that is kind of like a pimple bump.  So I asked if that was the bump, she said yes and that I must have popped a stitch.  She did have a harder time accessing my port yesterday.  She actually had to switch sides on the table to get to it.  It hurt a lot more  because of her manipulating it too.  Now I have to wonder what I did to pop a stitch and make the port loose.  At my next fill on Jan 10th she will let me know if we need to do anything about it at that time. 

In my mind I know what I did, I picked up my girls during recovery.  There is no way to be a mother without picking up your children.  They were both in cribs during that time.  I guess that can explain why it hurts and why I had that period of time when it hurt so much before.

Also, there was a gal after me that came in for her fill when she went back she came back out and I commented on how fast she was done.  She said they didn't do a fill for her and that she was tight enough since she had lost 9 pounds in six weeks.  I was thinking WTF again.  How does my Dr think that only half a pound a week is acceptable.  I was hoping to lose at least ten by my next fill.  I know slow and steady is the key to success, but heck, I could have lost half a pound a week on my own without the band.  YEAH RIGHT!!!  I know the truth, I NEED MY BAND.

THANK YOU SANTA AMEY!

WOW!  Nothing else can be said. Amey sent me two of the biggest boxes of clothes. You can literally fit my but in the box that's how big they are. 

I feel like it is Christmas already.

When I wear something she sent I will post a pic so long as I have someone that can take one.  My 3 year old isn't capable yet. lol

Amey sent me a jacket too, yup I'm wearing that tomorrow.  :)  I am so blessed to have "met" her. All of you bloggers actually. Thank you for your love & support.

Good night all!

2nd fill

Today was my 2nd fill. It was pretty uneventful which I am grateful for. I got 2ccs for a total of 6 ccs in my 14cc band. I lost five pounds these last six weeks. I will take it. Especially since I did have a gain in there and my weekend full of buffets. So I will take my loss and smile about it. I am now at a total loss of exactly 66 pounds since my journey started. That loss does includes lowering my BMI & getting my liver healthier/unfat(ter). From May 18th to today I lost 66 pounds. I still can't freaking believe it.  
When I weighed in for my fill I was disappointed with only a five pound loss.  My Dr said she would like to see a half pound loss per week. WTF!  Talk about confusion as to what would be a good amount. I want at least a 1.5 pound loss per week.  Well, at least I hope for a 1.5 pound loss a week. 

I was the first fill appointment today and I got in & out pretty fast or at least I think so anyways. I had to stay and drink 24 ounces of water afterwards. OMGee it felt so weird to drink. 

Oh yeah, while I was having the fill done I was gurgling. It was strange. I almost had her stop but she was finished at that point. I had a smoothie after my fill and some soup about two hours later. I can definitely tell the difference. This sensation of getting full so fast seems very "strange" to me.  I am saying that is retrosspect and that is because I had soft serve ice cream for dinner and I got full of of about 3 ounces and it felt like I had over eaten and had a rock in my stomach.  Its been about two hours since I ate it and I still feel uncomfortable.

I am hoping I am not going to need an unfill. Share your thoughts with me.

Have a good night all!

2nd fill coming up and I want a miracle!

Read the following article and tell me what you think.  

Its Not About Restriction by Dr. Terry Simpson on Losing the Fluff Blog

This post has stayed with me since I first saw it.  I even have it bookmarked on my phone. I am not sure how I found it and I haven't done any research on the author, but something completely stood out for me.  I did have an appointment to see Dr. Simpson, but decided to have surgery in my hometown instead of traveling 170 miles each way for after care. 

"Some describe a "soft stop." Where before a sense of fullness occurs, there is a signal from your body -- this can be a runny nose, a sigh, or a subtle ache in the left shoulder. Patients who find this "soft stop," do very well with the band."

I know what my "soft stop" is.  I first sigh, a big sigh and it is noticeable.  I have tried to deny it is there, but it is.  I think I have another one too.  I think my nose starts to run when I am full too.  I am a bit iffy on this one for a couple of reasons.
1.  I  probably don't want to acknowledge it is there.
2.  It could be the salsa / hot sauce.
3.  I had sinus surgery in June and I suffer from allergies.
Okay, I am more than likely in denial that either one exists and is obvious to me.  :(

That article made me open my eyes.  Made me realize the wrong I have done to my band. I have shared that blog info with only two people.  My sister and Ron.  I know I have all the signs but in retrospect, I knowingly deny the fact that they are there.

Here is what I am hoping for on my second fill.  In no particular order either just writing off of the top of my head.

1.  I am hoping I WILL have trouble eating ANYTHING I want.  I hope I will not be able to eat bread anymore.  I can eat shrimp, I can eat anything I choose to put into my mouth.

2.  I am hoping to learn the difference between restriction and appetite suppression and find out which one is the one that works best for me.

3.  I am going to start measuring my food more often AND not eat off of the BIG plate if I am out to eat.  Somethings I can eyeball very well others I have no concept.  

4. I absolutely need to stop drinking while I eat.  This WILL BE my hardest to overcome.  I need to have something to "wash" the food down with.

5.  I need to start exercising.  Yes, I can come up with excuses not to during the work week.  However, there is Thursday night,  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday day.

6.  I need to count my calories more since I have learned that less calories work better for me.

7.  I need to up my protein,  My hair loss is still outrageous. I even cut my hair and layered it with short layers.

8.  I need to plan healthier dinners for myself which includes my girls.  Dinner seems to get me every single time.

9.  I will try to listen to my body when it tells me I am done and I get that "sigh" or "runny nose" even if I have only had one bite of something.

10.  I am going to rock this next fill and have some accountable weight loss.

When I check in I anticipate a 1 lb per week weight loss. I would love to see more.  I just hope I don't see less.  The scale tells me its about a 6 lb loss.  I could say to myself that slow and steady is better.  What I am not saying to myself is, oh yeah girl, you gained weight and had to lose it too.  I can't tear myself up over that anymore.  I am taking it as a lesson learned am I am looking forward to the next 6 week learning experience.

Will you share with me your thoughts on appetite suppression versus restriction?

Which works for you?
Which do you use?
Do you consider both to be just as important as the other?

Share your stories with me.


What are your comments on the article by Dr. Terry Simpson?  

Have a great day all!