swtxgal66
Month 1
Mar 14, 2007
Well it has been a month since I was banded. The surgery went well and I was very suprised at how fast my recovery time was. I had surgery on a Thursday and by Monday I was ready to hit the gym! I had very little pain physically. My incisions are healing but every one of them except the port incision has prickly little stitches hanging out. I was real excited the first week after surgery (no pre-op diet for me) so everyday I weighed in I lost at least one pound but I was also on a clear liquid diet! After the 3rd day on clear liquids I was absolutly STARVING...no post op swelling for me. The 2nd week full liquids (never knew soup could taste so good!) The third & fourth weeks have been much better since I started eating solid foods. I stopped weighing myself after the second week because the scale started moving in the wrong direction and it was so depressing. They call this period "Bandsters Hell" because my band hasn't been filled yet and I am trying to eat the bandster way. I felt like I have been on the diet from hell and it has been frustrating because the whole reason I had the surgery was to not have to be on a diet but feel FULLER. I suppose that will come in time (I have NEVER been known for my patience) My Bandster twin and new friend Jeanine and I made a deal to weigh in once a month on the 15th our anniversary. So here is my first of my monthly results:
Pre-op: 209.2, 50.3% Body Fat, 39% water ,BMI 35
Post-op:199.4 45.1% Body Fat, 40% water, BMI 33.6
Total Monthly Loss: 9.8 pounds
I guess I am a bit disappointed because 2 weeks of liquid diet, 2 weeks of eating about 1/2 the amount of food I used to eat at each meal and 45 minutes of cardio nearly everyday. I was hoping for about 15-20 pounds considering the diet restrictions. I suppose my % of body fat is a GOOD indication I have gained some muscle weight. Now for my Non Scale Victories:
1. Down from 5 shots of Insulin and 2 shots of Byetta daily to 1 shot of Insulin.
2. Reduced from two Blood pressure medications to one.
3. My clothes fit better and I have a lot more energy.
Although this journey seems like it is going to take much longer than I expected....I think I am off to a good start! My first fill is scheduled for April 2.
Monthly Confession: I did advance my diet slightly about a week ahead after the 2nd week, I did consider some blue bell ice cream a "full liquid" my second week and yes..I did give into several deserts (small portions) over the last month but hey..it was my birthday, then company,then my brothers birthday, then spring break vacation....
Monthly Goal: My goal until the next time I check in is to really work hard on taking pea size bites, eating slower and drinking more water. Once I get the docs ok I plan on adding some strtching,swimming and weight training to my routine. I would say cut back on the sweets but EASTER is around the corner so that is unrealistic!
Diet: I have had to change my way of thinking here..originally I thought eat less, exercise more and the weight will come off but now I have been doing some research I discovered eat more (1500 calories) and exercise to increase my metabolism so as I lose weight I can cut back and continue to lose rather than start off at the low end and have nothing left to cut back.
Pre-op: 209.2, 50.3% Body Fat, 39% water ,BMI 35
Post-op:199.4 45.1% Body Fat, 40% water, BMI 33.6
Total Monthly Loss: 9.8 pounds
I guess I am a bit disappointed because 2 weeks of liquid diet, 2 weeks of eating about 1/2 the amount of food I used to eat at each meal and 45 minutes of cardio nearly everyday. I was hoping for about 15-20 pounds considering the diet restrictions. I suppose my % of body fat is a GOOD indication I have gained some muscle weight. Now for my Non Scale Victories:
1. Down from 5 shots of Insulin and 2 shots of Byetta daily to 1 shot of Insulin.
2. Reduced from two Blood pressure medications to one.
3. My clothes fit better and I have a lot more energy.
Although this journey seems like it is going to take much longer than I expected....I think I am off to a good start! My first fill is scheduled for April 2.
Monthly Confession: I did advance my diet slightly about a week ahead after the 2nd week, I did consider some blue bell ice cream a "full liquid" my second week and yes..I did give into several deserts (small portions) over the last month but hey..it was my birthday, then company,then my brothers birthday, then spring break vacation....
Monthly Goal: My goal until the next time I check in is to really work hard on taking pea size bites, eating slower and drinking more water. Once I get the docs ok I plan on adding some strtching,swimming and weight training to my routine. I would say cut back on the sweets but EASTER is around the corner so that is unrealistic!
Diet: I have had to change my way of thinking here..originally I thought eat less, exercise more and the weight will come off but now I have been doing some research I discovered eat more (1500 calories) and exercise to increase my metabolism so as I lose weight I can cut back and continue to lose rather than start off at the low end and have nothing left to cut back.
