For My Parents.....

I wanted to take a few minutes to tell everyone how great I think my parents are.  I know we seem to be on a dad theme this week, which I think is totally cool.  I think sometimes, especially with girls, dads don't really get the credit they deserve.  I come from a super tight family.  Even at almost 30 eek!!! 29 years old, I know that my folks would stop their lives, on a dime, if the crap really hit the fan in my life and I needed them. 

Let's start with mom.  MY MOM ROCKS!!  Anyone think we look alike?  lol  She's my band buddy.  As most of you know by now, cuz I've mentioned it quite a few times.  We were banded on the same day, same doc.  We would have went under the knife at the same time if we could have.  She's been one of the biggest support systems I've had.  Not only through banding, but through my whole life.  Sure, we've had our differences, but most like minded people go through some rough patches.  :)  My mom was a stay at home mom till I was literally in high school.  I was a sophmore when she got her first job away from home, and we both cried.  She volunteered when I was in elementary school, but it was at my school.  So we got to ride to and from school together every day.  It was actually quite an adjustment coming home from school everyday and not having mom be there asking me how my day went, don't even get me started on when I moved out and 45 miles away at the same time.  OY!!  My mom is the coolest mom EVAH!  Of course I'm a little biased.  We call and talk to eachother at least three times a day.  When I was in high school my mom hosted this killer halloween party for me.  She told everyone that she found a body and made all these body parts and innards out of regular stuff.  For example, peeled grapes for eyeballs, tomato juice for blood, you know the drill.  People at school came up to me the next day and asked if I'd heard about the party where the body was found and people had to feel the body parts to identify them.  I felt like a goddess to tell them that was my house, my party, and even cooler, my mom's idea.  :D  We were flying high that day. 

This is me and my dad at the Daytona 500 a few years ago.  He, my brother, and I went to the 50th running of the race.  AWESOME VACATION!  Best time I've ever had.  However, we REALLY missed mom when we discovered what kind of tailgate cooler my brother packed.  HOLY MOLEY!!  I'm a daddy's girl, my dad always says that he's put a lot of work into his tomboy.  Which I'm a total tomboy, I've been my dad's racing buddy all of my life.  He's not the one that called me the dirttrackdiva though, that was my father in law.  Fits me pretty good though.  My dad is a mountain of a man.  He's always been there for me.  He's an over the road truck driver so I don't get to spend as much time with him or talk to him as much as I'd like.  I do call him every night though.  Before I go to bed.  He's usually on the road, but I call anyway.  As I said earlier, I don't think dad's get enough credit when it comes to their daughters.  I remeber as a child, the sound of my dad's laugh has always been one of my favorite sounds, ever.  I don't really know why, it's just a memory that stands out.  And his hands.  My dad wasn't always a truck driver, he was actually a mechanic most of my life.  And he has working man's hands.  When he was a mechanic his hands had grease embedded in the callouses and fingernails.  That was all I knew untill he started driving a truck about 3 years ago.  Then all the grease went away.  Still working man's hands, just now they're clean.  lol  On my wedding day, my something borrowed was a silver dollar coin that my great grandfather used to carry in his pocket.  He gave it to my dad and he gave it to me on my wedding day.  Due to lack of place to put it, I stuffed it in my bra.  lol  When he were dancing he asked me if I still had it and I grabbed my boob to make sure.  Yeah, that's on tape.  lol 

My folks are my rocks.  I don't know what I will do without them.  I know that day will come, but I can only hope that it's a LONG way away. 

Mom and Dad~I would be nothing without you.  You have made me into the woman I am today and continue to help me grow and shape me into a person I respect every day.  I love you both, I respect you and I hope I've made you proud.  That's actually been all I've ever wanted in life, is to make you proud of me.  I can only hope that one day I can pay it forward. 

I love you mom and dad.  Always know and never forget that.  I'd be nothing without you.

Start of the Swimsuit Challenge......

Well, yesterday was the start of the swimsuit challenge......my starting weight was disappointing. I'm up 2 pounds from my last fill. Which could mean a lot of things. TOM is strolling into town this week, but it could also be spending the weekend at my moms. I don't usually make the best food choices while I'm there, she's such a good cook that it makes it easy to make bad choices. I know I need a fill.

Last night I was literally laying in bed thinking about how hungry I was. THAT SUCKED! That hasn't happened since before surgery. I was going to go to my local clinic here and get one last week (for the low low of 150 bux) but opted against it cuz I just got laid off from my job and that money could definently be put to better use somewhere else. I go in for my next fill the 28th of April. I'll just have to hope I don't gain too much before then. This will certainly be a test in my willpower and how well I can work with my band.

Last year when I was banded I made a goal for myself to be able to wear a swimsuit at my next family reunion which is the last Sunday of June every year. I haven't worn a swimsuit in about 12 years. Literally. Last year I had just been banded so I knew it wasn't going to happen then.

It's times like this I realize that I need to focus on the changes I've made:
~47 pounds is nothing to sneeze at
~what I've lost in the last 9 months I've kept off (this is HUGE)
~if I'm not careful my rings will come off when I wash my hands
~I have more energy
~people that I haven't seen in a while are starting to notice that I've lost weight
~I'm a better, happier, more content person than I was before banding
~I no longer look at pictures in magazines/online and wish I could be as fit/thin/pretty as that person; I KNOW I CAN BE THAT PERSON IF I MAKE MY BAND WORK FOR ME!

When I get down, what I usually do is whip out the before pictures. I know that a lot of us have said that really works for them when they hit a plateau/have a small gain/lose motivation. Insanity, really. You can see on my face and in my eyes that I'd given up. I have my life back now. It's amazing the things that I can do and I've realized what I'm truly capable of.

Even though I need a fill I kow that I'm still eating WAY less than I was pre band. Which isn't justifying making bad food choices. Lest I confuse any newbies, I know making bad choices will show up on the scale in a few days. I'm aware of that. However, I refuse to make this a lifelong diet. My unhealthy relationship with food is what got me to the position I was in pre band in the first place.

Food and I have an understanding now. I eat what I want when I want it. Owning the good and bad choices just the same. I don't count calories and I just started using a food/exercise log. I take my spells with that. I'll do it for a while and see if I'm having issues cuz I need a fill, or cuz of what I'm eating. We'll see. Time will tell I guess since I go see the doc in a month.

Well, that's all for now. Happy posting everyone.

BYOC Questions

Here's my answers for this week hurry and read/comment or Drazil's going to beat me with her pimp stick. *runs away arms flailing*

1. If you could change your first name - what would it be?
I would change it to Olivia, just cuz I love the name. If I ever have any kids and end up with a girl, that's what I'm going to name her. However, I'm pretty happy with Erika. With a K. :)


2. Why are man hole covers round? (this one came from a follower - thanks!)
Um...I think they'd look really stupid square right? <-----That and, most of the people going in and out of them are round. It's a shape conducive to the human body. Do I sound smart yet? lol

3. What's one of your biggest pet peeves? Morons, and people that don't close their mouth when they're done talking. You know, mouth breathers. lol

4. If you could be a car - what would it be? Post a pic if you can.
A 1969 Chevelle Super Sport. Hell yeah baby! Oozes sexiness!








5. What's the biggest thing you learned from a blog this week or which blog spoke to you the most this week off the top of your head? (try to link them so others can check them out)

I actually can't pick just one persons blog. But, if I had to it would be BG.....she's made me laugh, she's made me cry. I followed her blog back when it was on LBT. So, here's my shout out to you girlfriend.

I'm not at home right now, so no cool signature, sorry guys. :(

BOUGHT A PAIR OF SHORTS TODAY!!!

SWEET BABY JESUS I BOUGHT A PAIR OF SHORTS TODAY!!! IN A SIZE 16 REGULAR!!! GOOD BYE FAT GIRL SIZES!! HOT DAMN!!!

Whew, now I'm out of breath from all that jumping up and down and my throat hurts a little from screaming. :) I haven't owned a pair of shorts in literally about 12 years; too scary. *insert thinking of your parents having sex shutter here* :D That makes not getting a fill that much more spectacular. Right off the rack at Old Navy. And their stuff usually runs small. I tried on a 16, and a 14. Realistically I could have gotten away with the 14, but that kinda looked like I was trying too hard, if you get what I mean. But the 16 fit. Pulled right up. Over the thighs. Over the booty. Zipped. Right. Up. HOT DAMN! The outfit is a surprise I'm going to see my family tonight and tomorrow so I'm going to wear it tomorrow and have my mom take a pic with her digital and then I'll post it up here so you all can bask in my hotness also. :D Just kidding.

Sorry, had to toot my own horn for a moment.

This is the beginning of something great. Regular sizes. Off the rack clothes at a regular store where normal size people shop. What a great day.

Well, that's all for me today everyone. Happy posting and have a good weekend.

Didn't Get a Fill

Well y'all for all the ranting and raving I did yesterday, I didn't get a fill today. I called my doc and they said that I could go to the bariatric clinic here, but they just filled me last week, so they doubted I would be approved for one there either. Which they were right. I totally understand the reasoning, but it still sucks.

So I went and got my nails done instead and still came out ahead of the game than if I would have gotten a fill. :D

Today seemed t0 be a better day. For dinner I had about a half a cup of chicken salad and 6 jalapeno poppers from arby's. Not great, but not bad either. I've been grazing for two days so that's a serious improvement. That's also all I've eaten today. Which I know isn't a good thing. And, I'm two pounds down from where I was yesterday. Maybe I'll just wait it out and see how the next couple of weeks go. If I still think I'm doing well, or I stop losing/start gaining then I'll re-evaluate the situation at that point. Seems like the best thing to do right now.

Other than that there's nothing going on in my little corner of the world. Turning in early tonight......happy posting everyone.

NEED A FILL!!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!

Please excuse my language and I don't mean to offend anyone. But, DAMN!!! When I had the flu I had to have some fluid taken out of my band. Which was great at the time, cuz I'm almost positive I would still be unable to hold food down had I not done that. I had .5cc's taken out and when I got my fill again at my doctors office they gave me .25cc's. They wanted to put all of it back in and I told them no. What the hell was I thinking? I didn't know if it was the flu, the fact that my band was too tight, the swelling from throw up, or a combination of alll three. I told them to put .25cc's back in and if I needed the other put back in I would wait untill next month and have them do it then.

Well, now I'm kicking myself because I know I really needed that other .25cc's. I'm eating every freakin thing in sight. I'm so pissed off right now. And to make matters worse, my hubby is being a great big ass about it.

Disclaimer: my husband is not a great giant jerk off, he just comes off as one sometimes. He doesn't mince words (neither do I) and his empathy chip is missing. Unless he's been EXACTLY. WHERE. YOU. ARE, he doesn't get it. I knew this when I married him so therefore, I just take my medicine and know that's the way he is. Most of the time it's not that bad. Just when I'm overly sensitive to the things going on in my life and he doesn't get it, he pops off with stuff that makes me want to kill him. Also, he's not a bariatric patient.

With that being said. Tonight we had steak for dinner. My steak was 8oz. I ate the whole damn thing!!! WTF?!?! Then he got mad at me. Tellling me that I'm messing up my band. That this isn't going to "change my life".

I'm so ready to cry right now. DAMMIT DAMMIT DAMMIT!!!

Here's my options.......I could go back to my surgeons office (3 hours away) and spend the gas and pay a 45.00 co pay; I could wait till I'm scheduled to get a fill on April 28th (pretty much not an option at this point. if I keep eating like this I'll be two ton freakin Tessie by that time), or I can go to the bariatric surgery center here (where I got my unfill when I was sick) and pay the 150.00 for the fill.

I know that I'll have to call my office and find out if I can do that, which I'm sure I can. This is pure hell. I never really experienced bandster hell. Thank Christ, if this is what it's like I'm glad I didn't have it. I was always at pretty good restriction except for when it was TTOTM. However, since I was losing at a steady pace the doc kept giving me fills. I wasn't going to argue. Then I got the flu and the monkeywrench got thrown into the works. BIG TIME!

I think if I either go to my doc, or I go to the doc here, I'd end up paying about the same amount of money either way. By the time I pay for the gas up and back for the three hour, one way, drive. So I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and get the fill here in town. We're caught up on bills right now so I this won't hurt us. It won't put us ahead, but I can't afford to gain weight back. Flat out can't afford it. So not an option. Then just tell my hubby that the doc said I had to go and get a fill or else it would screw up the band, so I did. Like I said, I'll end up paying the same amount of money either way.

Well, I'll keep you all updated on what happens and let you know if I get a fill tomorrow. I'll be out running some errands so I think I'm just going to do it and be done with it. I can't go on like this. Just can't.

Well, I guess I'll put on my cone of shame and go to bed now. Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day. *hangs head in cone of shame*




PS~If you don't get the cone of shame reference, rent UP. Great movie, highly recommend it.

My Besties (inspired by Drazil)

I have two soul sisters. Tammy and Jenn. They've actually never met, and I don't know if they know what a substantial difference they've made in my life. Don't know if I'll ever be able to express into words what they mean to me. I can try though. They actually don't even know the other exists. I'm going to send them the link to this though, so incase you're reading ladies......Jenn, meet Tammy. Tammy, meet Jenn. *handshakes all around* Oh the times we could have as a trio. I'm thinking this my have to arranged sometime in the future.

Jenn and I met in college in a film analization course. I was taking it for an "easy A", (underwater basket weaving was full) she was taking it because film is her life. Which it suits her. She's very interesting, very smart and people listen to what she has to say. Perfect career for her. Someone started a pretty high octane debate about a film that I don't remember, but I do remember it was a love it or hate it type of film. There was no middle ground. As if you couldn't see this coming we were on opposing sides of the debate. The dialogue went something like this:
Unknown Classmate: Has anyone seen (insert name of movie I can't remember here)?
Me: Unfortunately, yes. Don't waste your time or hard earned money, it sucked.
Jenn: What?! You're out of your mind, that movie was great.
Me: Pfft. (it was all I had people. lol)
Such began our friendship. In the years since we talked of everything from the weather to sex. Most recently we've talked about how much the tools our hubby's work with drive us insane because they are complete morons!

We share many things. Including a love of Gerard Butler and Matthew McConaughy (holy hotness batman!). There were about three years that we lost touch with eachother due to moves, getting married, life in general. We've since gotten back in touch and picked up where we left off. Like the gap in time was never there. She lives in Oklahoma and I live in Missouri. As soon as we're sure all the snow storms have stopped, a reunion is being planned. Can't wait for that!

In the three years Jenn and I had lost touch I met Tammy. We met because her (now ex) boyfriend works with my hubby. I enjoy her company so much. We became so close so fast it was like I'd known her forever.

We also share many things. The most odd.....we share a penchant for buttered popcorn jelly beans. However, with Tammy tipping the scales at a whopping 100 pounds, on a "fat day" and soaking wet, she needs them much more than me. :) I try to keep her with a steady supply of them in hopes she'll gain a few ounces. It's not working. :)

Both of these strong and powerful women are my soul sisters because we are all very much alike in mind and spirit. None of us are afraid to and realize it's essential to laugh (sometimes at ourselves). We aren't afraid to tell people what they need/have to hear instead of what they want to hear. And I wouldn't hesitate to go to bat with/for either of these women.

All three of us together?! Whoa momma? I pity the fool on the losing end of that stick. lol

Jenn, Tammy you are my soul sisters, my confidants and my best friends. I love you both! Everyone wants friends that they can call who will drop everything in an instant and come running to their rescue if you needed them. I'm fortunate enough to have two! How lucky am I?!

Ladies, my life wouldn't be the same if you weren't a part of it. Thanx for all the laughs, and all the tears. Thanx for everything. I can only hope I'm as good a friend to you as you've been to me.

Hugs and kisses to you both. I love you.

Answers to Drazil's Questions

Drazil made a list of questions for all of us to answer. Of course I got to it as quickly as possible. I swear there is something happening on her blog, it's like being brainwashed by funny weirdness…and inappropriate topics. I love it!!


1. If you could be a weather forecast, what would you be and why?
I would be about 60 degrees with NO HUMIDITY!! That's the kicker there. I grew up in Wyoming (I live in Missouri now) where there's no humidity. Don't even need an air conditioner in the summer. Loved it!

2. If you could be a crayon, what color would you be and why?
Purple, it's my power color.

3. What is/was your biggest physical goal you want to do when you hit your goal weight?
There are a few actually. One is that I want to get a matching set from Victorias Secret. I've never in my life owned one. So I'm looking forward to that.

4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
A white tiger, it's my power animal.

5. Just because I'm new to some followers and I'm curious – let's do a put it out there in black and white stat question.

What was your highest weight? 247

What is your weight now? 200

What is your goal weight if you have one? 120

What is your goal size if you have one?
Don't really have one.

What diet/program/tool do you follow/have if any?
Usually an atkins style. High protein all the way for me.

How did you lose the weight current to today?
My band, drinking mostly water, and eating lots of high protein stuff.

6. What's your best advice for people in this weight loss journey?
I always tell people that the first three days of the liquid diet are the hardest. I also tell them to make sure they're doing this for them and for the right reasons. New bandsters also need to know that this not, I repeat NOT, a diet, this is their life.

7. Have you ever shaved your whootananny?
Yes, never again. I've waxed it too, NEVER AGAIN! Ouch.

A Few Updates.....

Well, I did end up getting my fill Monday, .25cc's. Which is good. Having that .5cc taken out when I was sick really threw me for a loop. Actually gained back three of the ten pounds I had lost last month. Which gives me a net loss of seven pounds for the month. Nothing to sneeze at by any means.

My mom is actually the one that brought it to my attention that I hadn't blogged since Sunday. lol At least I know she keeps up with my blog. :D Which is super cool, she usually knows about it before I blog it though.

My clinic has support groups after fills in the band clinic and sometimes we stay for it and sometimes we don't. This month we decided to stay and I'm really glad that we did. There were some really eye opening topics this month. One of them was accountability and the other was if eating is actually an addiction.

Both of these were kinda slaps in the face for me. First let me say that I think (no, I know) eating is an addiction. One of the nurses at the clinic that was conducting the support group said that she does a different support group and she applies an overeaters anonymous approach. I really agree with this approach. FINALLY, SOMEONE GETS IT! I don't know why it hasn't been thought about sooner. Other addicts have groups that meet every day if they need them (ie: AA, NA). Overeaters (pre, post or not even considering WLS) should have the same thing available to them. Is once a week or once a month really enough? Is that enough time to be with people that are like minded? Not in my opinion.

Regarding accountability, I actually try to remain very accountable when it comes to mindful eating. Do I fall off the wagon on occasion? Hell yeah, don't we all? Addicts actually fall off the wagon quite a lot.

Let me say at this point that I'm not discounting drug/alcohol addiction or talking down to or about anyone that has beat that type of addiction. However, I believe that addiction is addiction. It doesn't matter what it is. Food, sex, drugs, alcohol.......IT DOESN'T MATTER!

I actually brought up BG's philosophy about this not being a diet. EVER! Thank you, as always for your brilliance BG, we all love you and your ideas. And I did give you the credit where it was due. :D But I said that this isn't a diet for me and BG was the one that opened my eyes to that. This is our life.....this isn't a diet, this is how we live.

If you fall off the wagon, get back on! If you fall off and it runs you over, get your ass up and chase it down! Then get back on. Make falling down and getting back up one motion. YOUFALLDOWNYOUGETBACKUP! That's how it works for us. Accountability is also my word for the year.

Last night is a perfect example....weighed in yesterday morning at 198.....had mexican food for dinner (I love me some chips and salsa and good mexican food) this morning I was up to 200. I'm owning it and being accountable. At least this time I was still hanging on the the wagon with my fingernails. :D So, today, I got back on. Such is the life of a banster.

Whew! That felt better. Hope this helps any pre oppers that need help, advice, someone that understands......whatever. Happy posting everyone and have a great day.

Tomorrow is Fill Day

Going to the doc tomorrow to find out exactly how much I've lost and maybe get a micro fill. I'm kinda doubting they're going to give me any type of fill for a couple of reasons:
1. I've had great weight loss this month, even though it's due to being sick.
2. I had to have an emergency unfill, also due to being sick.

Oh my gosh how that unfill has made a difference though! Good and bad. It's been a good thing because I'm now able to eat and keep it down which is what I needed. So it's helped me get my body back to getting in the nutrients that I need. It's been bad because I'm hungry between meals now. At my fill last month they gave me .25cc's, at the unfill they took out .5cc. I'm hoping since they took double out what was put in last time, I can get half of that back. I feel like that was my sweet spot and now I'm fighting now to eat and not to notice my hunger.

We'll see I guess. I'm certainly ask for the micro fill. The worst they can do is tell me no. Well, that's all for me today. I'll post when I get home from the doc tomorrow and let you all know what the verdict is on the microfill. Happy posting everyone and have a great day.

Major NSV Today!!

I have to go out and buy a faux wedding ring today! I have to wear mine on my middle finger and hubby put the kai bosh on that. lol Which I know why he did. I don't believe in people who are married not wearing their rings. I didn't spend all that money on it for him not to wear it, right? :) With that being said he turned my own words against me yesterday. So told me that we didn't spend the money on it for me to not wear it, or put it on the wrong finger. Soooooo, today I have some errands to run so I'm going to pick up a cheap faux wedding ring. I'm not going to spend money to resize it right now since I'm still about 60 pounds from goal. It should be fun to shop for. I just have to remember that I can't go overboard. I'm taking my bestie with me so she can help me pick it out.

As an aside, hubby told me that he wants me to get it so people know I'm married. That way I can't go on with my hotness all willy nilly and let anyone pick me up that I want. Hee hee. Happy posting everyone. I'll post pics of the faux ring when I get it.



PS~Is the new signature just the coolest thing! I noticed it on Tamara's blog and copied her idea. If you want one for yourself, just click on the signature and it'll take you to the website where I made it.

(Semi) Solid Food, Oh How I Missed Thee....

*sniff, sniff; wipes away a tear* OK, now that that's all taken care of.

Actually ate my first solid meal in two weeks for dinner. Really thick egg drop soup, 2 innards of a crab rangoon (gave the fried egg roll wrappers to the dog, she thought it was a great idea), 3 shrimp and a little pile of noodles about half the size of my fist.

Wowzers, that seems like a lot while typing it. I'm taking a few things into consideration however.
1. I haven't kept a meal down in TWO FREAKIN WEEKS!
2. Had a slight unfill yesterday (.5cc for those of you starting at the top and working your way down).
3. I'm satisfied. Not too full, just satisfied.

The greatest part is that it's staying down. The bummer is that I know this is more than I would have eaten even before the band got all out of whack.

This has been an intersting realization these last couple weeks. It's amazing the difference the band has made in my life. I was getting to the point that I was afraid to eat or drink anything cuz I know the consequences I would suffer. I wasn't even taking my pain meds for my back. Which is bad. It's been really difficult getting around these last few days.

Keeping food down is a good step to the right direction. So Monday I go back to the doc and they're going to look at my scans. I might try to convince them to give me a little micro fill, but I doubt they do. We'll have to see. Just have to ask, the worst they can do is tell me no.

This is a little like before being banded.....when I realized how much my life revolved around food. Just the opposite this time though, I realize how much my life doesn't revolve around food now. Thank God for my band. I will never in my life regret it. Even when I was sick this last week I didn't regret it. I would do it again. In a heartbeat.

Well, anyway guess that's all for now. Happy posting everybody.

Comment Issue

A few of my friends stated last night there were unable to leave comments on my blog. I'd done some renovations lately and must have goofed something up. As to what it was, I have no idea. Nor how to fix it. So I went back to my original template. Hopefully this helps.

I am Now the Proud Owner of........

a shiny brand new unfill. Kind of a bummer, but also a bit of a blessing. As you all know I was pretty sick while I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago. Resulting in the Upper GI scan that I had to have a few days ago. Upper GI turned out just fine. No slippage. Thank goodness.

However, things just kept getting worse. After a couple days of getting home I started having issues with keeping solid protein down again. Along with the SEVERE acid reflux at night. So bad that I was having to get up and throw it up. I literally don't think I've kept a solid meal down in two weeks.

I finally grew tired of this......even though I'm going to my doc on Monday I decided that I no longer wanted to be miserable. I called my doc and they said that I could go to the local bariatric clinic here in town and get an emergency adjustment. All they needed was for me to fax them a release that they could look at my records. No problem.

The doc then took out .5 cc. I feel so much better!

Here's the odd thing. It really didn't feel too tight till after I went on vacation. Band wise, life really started going downhill after that. I was so tight that I was having serious issues with everything. No matter what it was. Then the terrible acid reflux at night. Which I know is a tell tale sign of your band being too tight.

So, got the unfill and I'm on mushies for the next couple days. Silver lining.....I've lost 20 pounds this month. I really hope I don't gain them all back. I'm expected to gain 5 of them back (which will still give me a net lost of 15 pounds this month) and that's what the doc said that I'd likely gain 5 of them back.

So, all is well now. I'm eating pureed butternut squash soup (canned, I'm no where near that talented in the kitchen) with a dash of sugar for dinner. And it's so good! It's like when I was on the liquid diet and went to mushies post op.

Another silver lining......guess I'll look at this like a 2 week pouch reset.

Really cool thing.....the doc said that everything on the inside looks great. No signs of stretch or stress to my pouch at all. He actually thought I'd just been banded by looking at my xray and that my first fill had been too much for me. He said there was no sign of stretching, stress or erosion anywhere. That made me feel good. Well all, that's all for now. Happy posting everyone.

Life Update

Just a little post to let you all know that I'm still kicking. I've been reading up on everyone's blogs and it looks like everyone is doing great! So glad to hear it! Not much really going on here. I started my new job on Monday, it's a sales job which is something I know that I'm good at. The only thing I don't like about it is that the employees that smoke (which is EV-ER-Y-ONE but me) are allowed to smoke in the building. This is because we're a small business though, about 12 of us and the owner owns the building and he smokes. He signs my paycheck so he can smoke in the building. lol That's what I told him. Other than that, not much going on. Just wanted to let everyone, pre and post op alike, that I've been keeping caught up on your guys and you're doing great!

If you want to find me on facebook, just type dirttrackdiva in the search bar. I'm the only one. My facebook friends do know that I'm banded, so don't hesitate to ask me any questions or post things on my wall. Hope to talk to you all soon. Happy posting my friends.

Upper GI Scan

This is just an update to let everyone know that everything was fine with my upper GI scan. The doc said that my band was in the right place still. So, thankfully it hasn't slipped and my stomach hasn't popped over it. Which is a huge relief. Total load off my mind that everything is going to be ok now. The doctor said he could still see that there was some inflammation and irritation there still. Which is totally common when you've had the flu, regardless of being a lap band patient. I was pretty much expecting that. Just a quick update to let you all know that I'm doing well and am able to keep food down as long as I don't eat it too fast; chew, chew, and chew some more; and eat small bites. I use a baby spoon. It helps me eat slower and I get fuller faster. Well, that's all for now my friends. I have been slacking on catching up on blogs so I have some reading to do. Then it's back to reading my book of choice for the moment.....Cujo. Seriously. Never read it, thought I'd give it a shot. Happy posting everyone.

Officially 50 Pounds Down!

So I'm officially down 54 pounds as of today. I'm sure some of it has to do with being sick, but I'll take it. At least I'm getting some reward from becoming very familiar with the inside of my brothers bathroom, specifically the toilet, for a week and half. lol

Here's a few pictures I've compiled that weigh 50 pounds.....

A case of paper from Office Depot. Hubby picked this one out. Since he works there I thought I'd pay an homage.


An albino snake.....ew, but it weighs 50 pounds.


I would have actually guessed a bale of hay being over 50 pounds. Oh well.


This is also a sort of homage to my family. Since I'm from a wrenching/truck driving/racing family I thought I'd add this too.


Holy shit, a 50 pound hamburger. Where's Adam Richman when you need him?


Last, but certainly not least, a military backpack. I've added this last because I'm an avid supporter of our troops and believe they fight for our right to live and breathe every single day. A 50 pound backpack is the least of the things they carry on their back every day. If you are a member of our armed forces, know a member, or love a soldier......my hats off to you, and thank you! From the bottom of my heart.

Sorry about the PSA everyone, but freedom isn't free. Thank a soldier next time you see them. If it's at the grocery store, the airport, whatever. I do it and they appreciate it. Happy posting.

Home From Vacation and Doing MUCH Better

Let me first say to all of you that were concerned about my issues last week.....thank you very, very much and your friendships and concerns are very appreciated. I am doing so much better. I went on straight liquids for a couple of days and today I was able to eat some solid food (a few bites of pork chop, and an egg) for breakfast and it stayed down. I got full very fast. Maybe it was a combination of flying again, my stomach shrinking for pretty much nothing for a week, or being at my sweet spot. Who knows. However, things stayed down. Halleujah!

I called my bariatric surgeon and my primary care physician while I was gone and they told me that I needed to get in to see my primary ASAP when I got home. Went to see her today and she ordered an upper GI. My bariatric surgeon is totally cool with this and wants the results before he gives me another fill. Which is totally understandable. I did call them and tell them that I was able to keep solid food down today, but they still want me to do the upper GI anyway, which I'm totally cool with. I did tell them on the phone that I was scared to death that I'd slipped my band. At least now I'll be able to rest easy and I'll know. However, the fact that I can get some solid protein down is a good sign that I'll be OK. Just got a bug I suppose.

Well, just letting you all know that I'm back at home (I will be so happy to sleep in my own bed tonight) and that I'm OK. I get the upper GI Friday morning, so I'll let you all know how that goes. I will know that day what the results are so I'll post then.

Happy posting everyone.