Welcome Kristen

Just a shout out to Kristen, thanks for finding my blog and following along. In these early stages it is great to have support and all my followers are just wonderful.

I love you all. xx

Arrggghhh...I've put on

So I've had a huge weekend of partying and eating and drinking and the scales this morning has really showed it. I've had a gain of 1.1kg. Bummer. I'm hoping it is mostly fluid, guess we will see in a few days. Updated my ticker to make it real :(

On a brighter note I am feeling some restriction although I know I am not at the right spot yet. I have not had any trouble eating anything. Everything seems to be going down just fine, but I am still getting full faster. I still think I might be eating a little to much though. I'm still feeling like I'm running on will power and don't yet think the band is working at it's full capacity. I have another fill in a little over a week, so I hope this one gets me a lot closer to the sweet spot.

First Fill (or was it my second?)

So I had my first adjustment on Wednesday morning which was no were near as scary as I was expecting. I was with my surgeon for about 3 minutes. He put me up on his table and firstly took out the little stitch that was poking out (glad that's gone it was giving me the shits), then he asked me to lift my head then just a little pop as the needle was inserted through the skin and into my port. It was a strange feeling as he put in the saline, I could kinda feel my band tightening, which was simply fantastic.

Well as it turned out my Surgeon had put in 4ml (4cc) into my band on placement because it was a little loose around my stomach, then on Wednesday he put in 3ml (3cc) so now I have a total of 7 ml in my 14 ml band. Half full. I am booked back in on Wednesday 8th Sept (2 weeks) for my second adjustment. I have asked my surgeon to be rather aggressive with the fills as I would like to try and be in the green zone (sweet spot) quickly due to my DH getting a job back in Mount Isa, so we will be moving soon. He is quite happy to help me out there. Guess I am so lucky to have a Surgeon who is willing to change things up for each patient rather than just sticking to a schedule of 1 or 2 ml at a time every 4 weeks. He says I should reach the green zone at around 9 ml :)

I can really feel some restriction there now which I am loving. I'm not hungry all the time and I am feeling full after a small meal. I definitely feel as though I can't eat in the morning for a few hours. I haven't yet given it a try but I feel a little pressure in my chest first up so I am just assuming this to be the morning restriction that people talk about. I haven't had any stuck episodes yet or any pain when I eat, and it seems as though everything can go down with no problems. I ate sushi for dinner last night with no issues on the rice. I'm looking forward to my first steak. I think I might have one this weekend. Yummy.

Thanks for all the great comments everyone, they are so very encouraging. xx

Not much going on.

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days, there just hasn't been much going on.

We had some friends around for dinner on Saturday night and I got to eat my first steak in weeks. God it tasted like heaven. Figured I would have a small one before my fill on Wednesday as I might not get another opportunity. My friend made a wonderful mexican layer dip which was so fantastic and very yummy. I noticed Eggface has one up at the moment on her food website that I might try out.

Been walking everyday for the Go-Chica-Go challenge. I even got up early this morning to get my walk in before my DH went away for a couple of days.

Have my first fill in a couple of days. I'm looking forward to this but am a little apprehensive about the big needle. Also was taking a good look at my big scar last night and noticed I have a stitch poking out. I gave it a tug with some tweezers and got some of it out but think my Surgeon will have to take a look at the other one there. Was surprised to see it cause I didn't think I got stitches, just glue.

Got a very busy few weeks coming up, have visitors this weekend for my brother's 40th, then away next weekend up to Port Douglas for my SIL wedding. Not sure if I will get much posting in over that time but I will let you all know how my fill goes on Wednesday.

Take care x

Get me outta this HELL I'm in...PLEASE...

So I think I am officially in Bandster Hell. I knew it was coming but god this is crazy.

I'm hungry like all the time, but can still only fit in a small amount of food. I just want to eat all the time. Damn I hate this. This is when I would normally fall off the dieting wagon into a pit of deep fried shit and a bottle of bubbles.

Thank the gods above that I am getting my first fill in 6 days. I can't wait to get back to that feeling of satisfaction I had a week ago.

I also did not lose a single ounce this past week and although I'm not concerned about this at all I am a little disappointed. I'm not eating any were near as much food as I was before surgery and I upped my walking this week.

Oh well :( Move on Nikki.

Also welcome to Queen Bee - Miss Vickie. :)

Big Welcome to Drazil

I'm sure most of you know Draz by now. She is very inspiring and is hosting the Go-Chica-Go challenge with Joey. Welcome Draz to my blog :)

Draz & Joey's Fitness Challenge

So I've decided to put my hand up for this "Go-Chica-Go" challenge. I think it is a fantastic way to get my ass into gear and start doing some regular exercise. It starts on Friday and goes for 5 weeks. It will be good in helping me keep on track as I have 3 major events happening over those 5 weeks. A 40th birthday Party and 2 Weddings. Lots of opportunities to slack off and eat and drink way to much.

I have my first fill next Wednesday so I would really like to take this opportunity to set some healthy habits in place.

YAY BRING IT ON LADIES!!!

My Wonderful Weekend.

Wow I feel so normal :)

On Friday my DH got some good news from work so we decided to go out to celebrate. I know I had way to many liquid calories but in regard to food I had no problem finding something appropriate on the menu. My hubby and I shared a small serve of pate and then I had some fish pie. OMG it was so delicious. It was like a seafood chowder topped with potato and truffle foam. It wasn't something I would normally order but due to being on mushies I decided to give it a go. So worth it. It was funny though cause I could only eat a very small amount of it and when the waiter took my plate away he asked me if anything was wrong with it. I told him it was simply amazing but I couldn't fit it in, he looked a little sceptical. Guess I better get used to that :)

Next morning we packed up the kids and went up the coast for the night. Could only find yogurt for breakfast in the servo but it was fine and filled me up for a good few hours. Had the filling from a small quiche for lunch, then for dinner I ate a small piece of grilled barra and 2 scollops. I would have just loved to have eaten the salad that came with the fish but that does not quantify as a soft food.

We had a great time, The boys got in 2 swims in the hotels huge spa, we took a long walk on the beach looking at crab holes, took the kids to the Aquarium where they had the cutest seal who kept kissing the kids through the glass, then this morning we all went to the Ginger Factory.

After we arrived home at around 11 am we got invited over the neighbours for a late lunch. I had one rissole and about 1 tablespoon of potato salad. Have had some more yoghurt for dinner.

All in all I have had a fantastic weekend. Think I'm gonna sleep well tonight :)

Welcome Epiphany & V

I would like to welcome 2 new followers to my blog, Epiphany , and V.

2 Weeks Post-op

So I'm now 2 weeks down. I weighed in this morning at exactly 86 kg / 189.5 pounds. That is a loss of 800 grams / 1.7 pounds. With a total loss of 6 kg / 13.2 pounds in 3 weeks. I'll take that any day :) I'm only one kilo away now from my first goal of 85 kg.

Lost another 3 cm around my waist. Bringing that to a total loss of 11 cm in 3 weeks.

I love my band :)

I'm feeling really normal now. No more pain at the port site. I'm now able to sleep back on my tummy. Now that I'm on mushies I feel like I'm able to eat normal again (kinda). Had half a cup of slow cooked lamb casserole and one tablespoon of mash for dinner last night and still feel kinda full this morning, gotta love that. Also had a glass of wine last night with hubby. Took me about 30 minutes to drink it which I am NOT used to. Think I'm going to become a cheap date now. Small meals and only a glass or two of wine. LOL. Might have to start ordering the expensive stuff haha.

Also a big welcome to Roo. I have enjoyed reading your blog :)

An Extra Big Welcome Today

So I'd first like to welcome 2 new followers to my blog, Maree and Sarah. It's still kinda weird to think that people from around the globe are reading about my experiences. I really like that people are interested. So a big thank you to all of my followers. Without you I think I might feel a little lost in my journey.

And the Extra big welcome is to my Family.

Hehe, my Mum found out about my surgery and has been following my blog. She found me through my scrapire nights blog. I suspected that she might have known when I got a text from her on the morning of my surgery wishing me luck :) but today was the first time I talked with her about it.

I also have just told my Dad (who in turn will tell my step Mum - I hope hehe). I was a little apprehensive about telling everyone because I didn't want to feel judged during the time of surgery and recovery. I basically just wanted to concentrate on my self. Anyway I was totally worrying about nothing and everyone has been so wonderful and supportive.

I love my family to bits and I feel a little embarrassed now for not letting everyone know that I was having surgery. I feel kinda relieved now that everyone knows.

Big kisses xxxxx

Onto Mushies...YAY!

Well I spoke with my Dietition this afternoon and she was very happy with my progress so has decided it is now okay to move onto mushies. I never thought I would be so happy to be allowed to eat tin tuna.

I'm pretty much allowed to eat most things as long as they are mashed up. I can have spaghetti bolognese, savoury mince, Cottage Pie, any kind of casserole, you get the drift. She said to make a few up and freeze them in half cup portions, then I will have variety and won't be tempted to overeat and possibly stretch my small stomach.

I'm only allowed to have half a cup of food at one sitting and to try and take 15 minutes to eat it. I am not allowed to have any fluids with my food or for 10 mins before or after eating. I am to try and only have 3 meals a day for the first 3 days then I can introduce two snacks, one a dairy (yoghurt, custard, cottage cheese) and one a fruit (mashed banana, stewed fruits) if I am getting hungry.

I am no longer allowed to have protein shakes, she wants me to get my protein from food. I am more than happy with that. She said to keep my shakes for the 12 hours after each fill. I still need to keep taking my Multivitamin. I'm taking Sypradyn at the moment and when that runs out I can switch to Centrum.

Most importantly is to to "Eat Slowly & Chew Well".

Went to the Ekka :o)

For those that don't know, the Ekka is the Brisbane Royal show, held once a year. My DH and I took our little boys there today for a family day out. We all had heaps of fun, taking the kids for a ride on the bumper cars, buying show-bags (yes I got one too), and NOT eating, well I didn't any way. OMG it was so hard smelling all the wonderful Carnival foods and not being able to have any. They sure did smell a hell of a lot better than the cow sheds there. Peww....Got in heaps of exercise and I am so buggered now.

1 week Post-op

Well I'm one week down and holy WOW I've lost 3.2kg this week and 4.5cm around my waist. That's a total of 5.2 kg in two weeks and 8cm around my waist.

I LOVE MY BAND

I HATE PROTEIN SHAKES. LOL.

No hunger chest pains last night. Yay.

Also just want to welcome my new followers, Sara Beth Jones, Blossom, JCraft42003 (sorry don't have any blog details as yet).

Also want to shout out to Jocelyn, she has 3 months to go till surgery and is having some issues she is working through. Hop on over to her blog and give her the encouragement that I know really helps in this time. :)

6 Days in and a hic-up :(

So almost everything is going to plan. I'm sticking to liquids although I am hankering for a ham and cheese toasted sandwich.

My problem lies with hunger pains. They have been waking me up in the wee hours of the morning for the last 3 nights now. The past 2 nights I have gone to bed with a protein shake near the bed to sip on through the night. If I try to ignore it the pain in my chest is so intense that I want to cry out. Has any one else experienced this?

I had to go into my Surgeons office this morning to pay my final account. While I was there Dr Martin was chatting to his receptionist. He asked how I was doing and took a look at my incisions (which are healing well), I told him about the night hunger and he was a little concerned that it could be something a little more sinister than starving to death. He wanted me to go and get an ultrasound to make sure I am not developing Gall Stones. Oh bugger.... Anyways after waiting 2 hours in the x-ray department at the hospital I got in for my Ultrasound. The sonographer said she could not see anything so hopefully it is all okay.

Man I would kill for a sandwich right now.

Versatile Blogger Award

Woohoo, thanks so much Sam (http://banded4me.blogspot.com/) for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award.

This is my first ever blog award and I am stocked. I think it is wonderful that people can express their appreciation through something as simple as a blog award. It really makes my heart smile :)

Here are 7 things you don't know about me.

1. I'm totally addicted to reading blogs. I love hitting the "Next Blog" icon at the top of the page and just reading about some random persons blog. It really brings up some wonderful things and makes me think about the world in a different light.

2. As a kid my favourite movie was called Mannequin. I used to watch it over and over and over. I watched it for a laugh a few months back and could not get over how lame it was. I wonder what it was about that movie that kept on bringing me back.

3. I lived in a small place called Ghooli for a whole 16 years of my childhood. It was just a small place of 10 houses on the side of the highway where the water line used to run through from Perth to Kalgoorlie. We didn't have a store or anything. The closest place (Southern Cross) was 13km away and as kids we occasionally used to ride our bikes into town.

4. My poor mother accidentally poisoned our first puppy, Patch with rat bait when I was young. I still have dreams sometimes of him lying super still on the lawn near our grape vine. She cried for days.

5. I fantasise about getting a full back tattoo done of some burlesque pin up girls. LOL my husband would freak.

6. My favourite past-time is papercrafts. I have another blog where I post some of my stuff. I've only been doing it for 7 months and my craft room looks like I've been collecting stuff for years. Hmmm much money spent there!!!

7. I love my Dad more than words can ever say. He is my hero and without him I would never be the wonderful person that I am today.

Onto some nominations...um.

1. Michelle from http://bandsterjourney.blogspot.com/ - she is doing so well with the band and juggling this with raising 6 kids. Wow, what a wonder woman.

2. Sara Jones from http://julybandster.blogspot.com/ - my god she mad me laugh so hard with her comment about her pants. I almost wet mine. LOL.

3. Alyce from http://myrescueispossible.blogspot.com/ - This girl is simply stunning. She is going to go so well. She is currently battling her way through 4 weeks of optifast. Go girl**

I'm sure there is many more out there but just have to get around to them. Thanks again Sam.

Shoutout to Brie & Day 3

I just want to welcome Brie to my blog. Please let me know if you have a blog that I can follow.

So I am now 3 days out of surgery. I still have not had any gas/shoulder pain but I did get a fair bit of wind pain yesterday. It seems to have passed (mind the pun) now though. I'm not having any difficulty with the liquid diet and I've already lost 2kg since Thursday morning. WOW. My breath smells like a camel has been camping out in my mouth from the ketosis, so I've been brushing my teeth like 5 times a day.

I woke up this morning at 4am feeling starving hungry. I was actually getting tummy pains and my stomach was growling so loudly, so I got up and had a few sips of some protein shake I had in the fridge. It worked a treat.