My band is playing games with my head. As far as I know, I have less fluid in my band right now than I've had in ages. I've even gained afew pounds, despite efforts to sidestep sliders and stick with lean protein. And exercise a lot.
Last night wasn't a great eating night: I met a friend for dinner and ended up having lobster risotto. Went down fine.
This morning, I had a cheese stick wrapped with a slice of turkey and could only eat two bites before I had to stop. Tonight, I made roasted shrimp over spinach and had to stop after two shrimp. I know shrimp can be tricky with a band, but guess what: MY BAND HAS LESS FLUID THAN IT'S HAD IN AGES.
It's just weird.
In other, happier, news, I'm kicking ass with the workouts. Went to an interval training class today and I'm feeling it. That's my fourth workout this week. Yay for that.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wherein Gilly & Catherine Push Me Along
I have things to discuss, but I'm having weird writer's block lately when it comes to blog posts. I'm sure there's some deep psychological reason for that.
So let's do bullet points:
* My Sunday weigh-in was so abysmal that dear, sweet Gilly told me we will be accountable to each other. I started logging using LoseIt and was perplexed about the weight gain until I hit today, when I have eaten everything in sight. Sigh.
* Catherine posted her secret to getting to goal and it made me sit up and pay attention. Consequently, it's been an awesome exercise week for me. Boot camp on Monday, lap swimming Tuesday and a kick-ass Powerstrike (it's as scary as it sounds) class yesterday. Today, I rest. My muscles can't take no more. Tomorrow I'm planning another class, rest on Saturday and then on Sunday I start my training program for a 5-mile race I'd like to do in October.
* Speaking of the October race, I'd really like to run a five-miler in Central Park on Oct. 30. My knees are hinky, though, so I'm going to start the training program and see how I feel. The program only calls for three days a week of running, so maybe it's do-able.
* Because I only have 5 cc's in my band - less than I've had at any other point since just after surgery - I'm having to relearn band rules. I had been relying on sliders like soup and chili way too often. For the most part, I really can eat solid protein now so I need to step up my efforts to back off the crackers and soup and stick to the protein and veggies. Last night I had red snapper and sauteed artichoke hearts for dinner. Fabulously delicious.
So let's do bullet points:
* My Sunday weigh-in was so abysmal that dear, sweet Gilly told me we will be accountable to each other. I started logging using LoseIt and was perplexed about the weight gain until I hit today, when I have eaten everything in sight. Sigh.
* Catherine posted her secret to getting to goal and it made me sit up and pay attention. Consequently, it's been an awesome exercise week for me. Boot camp on Monday, lap swimming Tuesday and a kick-ass Powerstrike (it's as scary as it sounds) class yesterday. Today, I rest. My muscles can't take no more. Tomorrow I'm planning another class, rest on Saturday and then on Sunday I start my training program for a 5-mile race I'd like to do in October.
* Speaking of the October race, I'd really like to run a five-miler in Central Park on Oct. 30. My knees are hinky, though, so I'm going to start the training program and see how I feel. The program only calls for three days a week of running, so maybe it's do-able.
* Because I only have 5 cc's in my band - less than I've had at any other point since just after surgery - I'm having to relearn band rules. I had been relying on sliders like soup and chili way too often. For the most part, I really can eat solid protein now so I need to step up my efforts to back off the crackers and soup and stick to the protein and veggies. Last night I had red snapper and sauteed artichoke hearts for dinner. Fabulously delicious.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
It's a BRAND NEW BLOG!
Well, a new blog design, courtesy of the fabulous Jen at Just Foolin' Blog Designs. The woman is brilliant. Hire her for a little tweak or a total overhaul. You won't regret it.
I have lots to say but have been too lazy to write. Back soon to talk about boot camp, a not-so-filled band, summer adventures and preparing for a fun fall.
I have lots to say but have been too lazy to write. Back soon to talk about boot camp, a not-so-filled band, summer adventures and preparing for a fun fall.
Friday, July 22, 2011
A Better Day
I'm rehydrated. Ahhhhhh.
My surgeon took out 0.5 cc's yesterday; he wanted to take a full 1.0 cc but I asked if he would do the half and he agreed. When I couldn't get much down for lunch yesterday, I was kicking myself. But I think the problem is exacerbated by hormones - I ovulated, so that always makes my band tighter. Oh, and it's 103 degrees today. That may have something to do with it.
I also have a barium x-ray scheduled for Monday. (Is that the same as a fluoro? No idea.) Dr. M said he thinks the band placement is fine, based on the symptoms I am describing to him, but was happy to check and make sure. I go back Wednesday to have a little bit of fluid put back in once the stomach swelling goes down. Thanks for your comments and concern, it really means a lot to me. Your suggestions are really helpful.
In other news, I am plugging away here, 205.2 today. We have a couple social events this weekend - dinner tonight with friends who are going bicoastal. They are some of my favorite people, and they have the most absolutely awesome New York City apartment I've ever been in. I could go on vacation there - every single thing is in its place (no kids, obvs) and is beautiful and meaningful. They're selling the apartment, and I'm mourning that I'll never get to see it again.
It's funny, when I moved to New York at 26 I figured most people lived in modest apartments, but I really didn't have any idea just how modest. When I met Hubs, he lived in a one-bedroom box with his grandmother's old furniture and packed IKEA bookshelves, and that was pretty impressive since he was able to live by himself in a decent neighborhood. (I rented the living room of a one-bedroom apartment from another girl, who lived in the bedroom and we shared the kitchen and bathroom in a semi-remote part of Manhattan.) Anyway, I'm sad to see our friends go, although it sounds like a great adventure for them.
Tomorrow night we are venturing into the sweltering city for dinner and to see The Book of Mormon with some other friends. I'm looking forward to seeing this show, I've heard great things about it. Was planning to wear a dress but I'm concerned I may rub my thighs raw walking from the restaurant to the theater in zillion-degree heat. I guess it's going to be a black linen pants kind of evening.
My surgeon took out 0.5 cc's yesterday; he wanted to take a full 1.0 cc but I asked if he would do the half and he agreed. When I couldn't get much down for lunch yesterday, I was kicking myself. But I think the problem is exacerbated by hormones - I ovulated, so that always makes my band tighter. Oh, and it's 103 degrees today. That may have something to do with it.
I also have a barium x-ray scheduled for Monday. (Is that the same as a fluoro? No idea.) Dr. M said he thinks the band placement is fine, based on the symptoms I am describing to him, but was happy to check and make sure. I go back Wednesday to have a little bit of fluid put back in once the stomach swelling goes down. Thanks for your comments and concern, it really means a lot to me. Your suggestions are really helpful.
In other news, I am plugging away here, 205.2 today. We have a couple social events this weekend - dinner tonight with friends who are going bicoastal. They are some of my favorite people, and they have the most absolutely awesome New York City apartment I've ever been in. I could go on vacation there - every single thing is in its place (no kids, obvs) and is beautiful and meaningful. They're selling the apartment, and I'm mourning that I'll never get to see it again.
It's funny, when I moved to New York at 26 I figured most people lived in modest apartments, but I really didn't have any idea just how modest. When I met Hubs, he lived in a one-bedroom box with his grandmother's old furniture and packed IKEA bookshelves, and that was pretty impressive since he was able to live by himself in a decent neighborhood. (I rented the living room of a one-bedroom apartment from another girl, who lived in the bedroom and we shared the kitchen and bathroom in a semi-remote part of Manhattan.) Anyway, I'm sad to see our friends go, although it sounds like a great adventure for them.
Tomorrow night we are venturing into the sweltering city for dinner and to see The Book of Mormon with some other friends. I'm looking forward to seeing this show, I've heard great things about it. Was planning to wear a dress but I'm concerned I may rub my thighs raw walking from the restaurant to the theater in zillion-degree heat. I guess it's going to be a black linen pants kind of evening.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Dehydrated, And Lighter
We survived the flight, but the sipping I did on the plane came back to haunt me and I slimed my way through baggage claim, running back and forth from the claim belt to the bathroom, trudging through an under-airconditioned JFK outside to find my husband, who was waiting in a different terminal because Delta switched us at the last minute but neglected to tell anyone.
I slimed into garbage cans, sweating and trying to keep the kids on the sidewalk and the luggage cart from rolling into traffic. When we finally found Hubs, I sat miserably in the car for 45 minutes until I finally threw up into an airsick bag I nipped from JetBlue a few months ago (Delta didn't have any). It was awful.
Last night I sipped a couple - literally, a couple - ounces of tea before bed. This morning I've had a few sips of tea again, but it's not going down easily. Thank God I have an appointment today.
The thing is, I'm at 5.5 cc's, which historically has never been a problem for me. I'm sure the combination of elevation, flying and ridiculous humidity at home is exacerbating the situation. I wonder, though, if I should ask for a fluoro just to make sure everything is OK. I haven't had one since my first fill.
I weighed in a 205.4 today, which is a recent (but not all-time) low. On one hand, it's nice to be back in shouting distance of Onederland. On the other hand, I am exhausted, starving and irritable. All I can think about is being able to eat again.
I slimed into garbage cans, sweating and trying to keep the kids on the sidewalk and the luggage cart from rolling into traffic. When we finally found Hubs, I sat miserably in the car for 45 minutes until I finally threw up into an airsick bag I nipped from JetBlue a few months ago (Delta didn't have any). It was awful.
Last night I sipped a couple - literally, a couple - ounces of tea before bed. This morning I've had a few sips of tea again, but it's not going down easily. Thank God I have an appointment today.
The thing is, I'm at 5.5 cc's, which historically has never been a problem for me. I'm sure the combination of elevation, flying and ridiculous humidity at home is exacerbating the situation. I wonder, though, if I should ask for a fluoro just to make sure everything is OK. I haven't had one since my first fill.
I weighed in a 205.4 today, which is a recent (but not all-time) low. On one hand, it's nice to be back in shouting distance of Onederland. On the other hand, I am exhausted, starving and irritable. All I can think about is being able to eat again.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
I Threw Up in an Airport Garbage Can Today...
... while my three children and a stunned redcap looked on.
It's been a rough trip with my band. The first four or five days in Park City, my band was really tight. Liquids-only tight. I managed, had a few sliming episodes, but generally was able to keep it in check. The last couple of days have been awful. This morning I had three sips of a Slim-Fast, which I've had every morning since we arrived, and spent three hours throwing it up in the aforementioned garbage can plus three bathrooms on the way to our gate.
I'm worried I'll get dehydrated - I didn't have much yesterday and this morning just the Slim-Fast. I did manage a very small cup of hot tea on the plane so far. Two-Year-Old threw a royal conniption at takeoff, which was delightful for everyone involved. She's now watching Curious George on my phone and I'm praying the battery survives the next few hours.
The good news is, we're on our way home after an otherwise fantastic vacation. We land in New York a little before 6 pm, and I'm seeing my band doc tomorrow morning. We'll see what he has to say then.
It's been a rough trip with my band. The first four or five days in Park City, my band was really tight. Liquids-only tight. I managed, had a few sliming episodes, but generally was able to keep it in check. The last couple of days have been awful. This morning I had three sips of a Slim-Fast, which I've had every morning since we arrived, and spent three hours throwing it up in the aforementioned garbage can plus three bathrooms on the way to our gate.
I'm worried I'll get dehydrated - I didn't have much yesterday and this morning just the Slim-Fast. I did manage a very small cup of hot tea on the plane so far. Two-Year-Old threw a royal conniption at takeoff, which was delightful for everyone involved. She's now watching Curious George on my phone and I'm praying the battery survives the next few hours.
The good news is, we're on our way home after an otherwise fantastic vacation. We land in New York a little before 6 pm, and I'm seeing my band doc tomorrow morning. We'll see what he has to say then.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Who Doesn't Love Soup in July?
Thank goodness I'm visiting a ski town, and most of the restaurants here still have some kind of soup on the menu. Because, friends, it's been a mostly liquids kind of vacation so far. I really wasn't too tight before but I think the combination of flying and now staying at a higher altitude (about 7500 feet) has my band clamped shut. Last week my start weight for the challenge was 210.8; this morning it's 209.
I actually drank a SlimFast for breakfast, and I haven't had a SlimFast in ages. But I got sick after dinner last night and I just needed some quick protein this morning that I knew wouldn't give me any trouble. The smoothie I got yesterday from Starbucks was a little too thick, but the SlimFast was fine. So I sucked it up and took in my 10 grams of protein. Which went a long way in keeping me from feeling pouty and cranky.
We're having beautiful weather here, and we went to a street festival this morning. The kids loved it - face painting, bounce house, lunch at a diner on Main Street, wandering and exploring. My little one had a tantrum royale, but that's the prerogative of a two-year-old, I suppose. Better at a street fair than at the symphony (as if...).
The Hubs leaves tomorrow to go back to work, and then we won't see him till we go home on the 20th. So we hired a babysitter and we have a romantic dinner planned for tonight. I'm looking forward to it. (There's soup on the menu. I checked.)
My parents arrive Tuesday with my nephew, and we have some hiking and biking adventures in the works. Mostly we're just enjoying the change of pace and scenery. Maybe I'll come home having lost a few more pounds.
I actually drank a SlimFast for breakfast, and I haven't had a SlimFast in ages. But I got sick after dinner last night and I just needed some quick protein this morning that I knew wouldn't give me any trouble. The smoothie I got yesterday from Starbucks was a little too thick, but the SlimFast was fine. So I sucked it up and took in my 10 grams of protein. Which went a long way in keeping me from feeling pouty and cranky.
We're having beautiful weather here, and we went to a street festival this morning. The kids loved it - face painting, bounce house, lunch at a diner on Main Street, wandering and exploring. My little one had a tantrum royale, but that's the prerogative of a two-year-old, I suppose. Better at a street fair than at the symphony (as if...).
The Hubs leaves tomorrow to go back to work, and then we won't see him till we go home on the 20th. So we hired a babysitter and we have a romantic dinner planned for tonight. I'm looking forward to it. (There's soup on the menu. I checked.)
My parents arrive Tuesday with my nephew, and we have some hiking and biking adventures in the works. Mostly we're just enjoying the change of pace and scenery. Maybe I'll come home having lost a few more pounds.
Friday, July 8, 2011
The Wild West
We arrived today in Park City alive, after boarding the plane and discovering that despite Delta's promises (ON MY BOARDING PASS) we had no seatback televisions. Which is a bummer on a five and a half hour flight with three children.
I have Steve Jobs to thank for the ensuing... calm. I distributed a variety of Apple products loaded with games and Scooby Doo episodes and between that and the snacks, we all survived (as did our seatmates).
I love it here. Hot, sunny days followed by cool nights is my idea of heaven. Mountain air, hiking with the kids, exploring the town, begging the locals for Hollywood gossip from Sundance, staying in a house with a beautiful view... it's dreamy. I am making a point of appreciating every bit of it.
No surprise, my band was tight during the flight. We got in late enough that I tried to just have a couple bagel chips for dinner. Didn't go down all that easily, so I had a cheese stick and will see how things seem tomorrow. I see soup in my future.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I Have Reflux
I've noticed for a couple weeks now some heartburn in the late afternoons and evening but I was hoping it was a one-off thing.
It's happened often enough now that I don't think it is just episodic. I think I have reflux, and I think my band is causing it. I've only ever had heartburn while I'm pregnant, and I know *for sure* that's not the case now. I have been dreading this, as so many other bandsters have run into reflux about 15-18 months after surgery. My surgery was 19 months ago.
The heartburn isn't terrible, at least not yet, and I'm not waking up coughing at night. But I'm concerned about where this is heading. I took a Zantac half an hour ago and I'm hoping it'll keep the heartburn under control.
We're heading out of town again on Friday. I can't wait to enjoy the mountain air and do some fun hikes with the kids! I have an appointment with my surgeon when I get home, and I'll see what he has to say about all this.
It's happened often enough now that I don't think it is just episodic. I think I have reflux, and I think my band is causing it. I've only ever had heartburn while I'm pregnant, and I know *for sure* that's not the case now. I have been dreading this, as so many other bandsters have run into reflux about 15-18 months after surgery. My surgery was 19 months ago.
The heartburn isn't terrible, at least not yet, and I'm not waking up coughing at night. But I'm concerned about where this is heading. I took a Zantac half an hour ago and I'm hoping it'll keep the heartburn under control.
We're heading out of town again on Friday. I can't wait to enjoy the mountain air and do some fun hikes with the kids! I have an appointment with my surgeon when I get home, and I'll see what he has to say about all this.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Home!
We're back, after a whirlwind vacation to Atlantis in the Bahamas. My parents took all 15 members of our immediate family to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. It was chaotic, and so much fun. I'm exhausted.
I'm looking forward to catching up on everyone's blogs. Special thanks to Jessica at Island Bandit, who provided totally fantastic guidance on our trip. People, she even got me the cellphone number of someone in her surgeon's office in case I had a band emergency while I was away. That is true band sisterhood. I'm only sorry we didn't get to meet up. Did I mention it was chaotic? (My middle child got lost twice. I am a bad mother.)
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