I Think I'm Stuck

I think I'm stuck. And it really sucks. I didn't get stuck on food, but on a pill. And not just a pill, a half a pill. I don't know what being stuck is supposed to feel like. What I'm feeling is really bad heartburn. Or maybe I do have really bad heartburn. Who knows? I did gag a couple of times but have not thrown up or anything. Man, this is a crappy feeling. I don't want to have to crush all my pills from now on, but I guess I will if I have to. Let's hope this feeling goes away soon.

In other news - I have noticed a bit of room in my bra lately. That's unusual.  I got fitted for a new bra and found out that I had gone down one band size and TWO cup sizes! Maybe someday I will fit into a normal sized bra. At least I'm on my way!

2nd Fill Today

Today I had my second fill. I really hate when the doctor presses down on my port! That's not exactly comfortable. But, I know it has to be done. So, now I'm at 6 ccs in a 10 cc band. I hope this fill gives me a lot more restriction. I've been eating a little more than I know I should, but still nothing compared to how much I ate before surgery. I also haven't really cheated either. Most of the protein shakes are sweet and I've been eating a little cup of 60 calorie pudding for dessert after most meals, so I don't really really want cookies or cakes or anything like that. I even made a cake and two dozen cupcakes last weekend for my friend's kid's birthday and didn't have one bite. Yea for me!

Tomorrow is my monthly support group meeting. I believe a plastic surgeon is coming to talk about various procedures that can be done after weight loss surgery. They are also doing a clothing exchange. Maybe I'll come home with some nice new clothes. Well, at least new to me!

2 Month Bandiversary!

Today is my 2 month bandiversary! Wow! I can't believe it's already been two months! Here are my pictures from before, at 1 month, and now 2 months. It looks like I really like the purply pink color, huh?

Before (March 2010)

1 Month (April 2010)

2 Months (May 2010)

I can really tell a difference in my face from the before picture and the current picture. My doggy, Bruno stepped in the last picture, so I decided to take another with him.

Let's see... what has changed in the two months after surgery? Well, the biggest change is that I have lost a total of 47 pounds! Woo hoo!! I'm also eating a lot less and making better choices. I know that I need another fill because I'm still eating a bit more than I know I should. I'm working on exercising more too. I really hate exercising, so at least I'm trying. I've had to clean out my closet and sort my clothes into three categories - (1) fits now, (2) fits later, and (3) too big. I've bought a few new clothes but they were from WalMart or Avenue when they were having a super duper sale. I'm trying not to spend much money on clothes, especially since I already have some clothes for the next size or two down.

Well, I think that's about it for now. Until next time...

Deutschen Pfest 5K Pfun Run (and Walk)

Yesterday I did the Pflugerville Deutschen Pfest 5K Pfun Run and Walk with two of my friends, Lana and Brandy. Let's just say that was an interesting experience. There seemed to be more people running than walking and we quickly started out in the back because we were walking the race. There was one guy behind us who must have dropped out or cut through the course to finish quicker, so we ended up the last ones. After a while we had a policeman in his car following us very, very slowly. I'm kind of surprised we didn't hear his siren go whoop, whoop! to move us along quicker. We were being silly jumping over orange cones and throwing water at each other. We finally finished... dead last and in just under 60 minutes. There were people lined up along the sidelines cheering us on and the announcer even announced our names as we got near the finish line. As they called my name I kissed my hand and waved to the crowd.  It was thoroughly embarrassing, but I didn't know anyone besides my friends, so it didn't really matter.

Well, at least I did it. And it was my first 5K since my surgery. There will be more 5Ks in the future and I will definitely get better and faster. Perhaps I will start a tee shirt collection from all of the 5Ks that I do!

Here's a cute puppy that was standing in front of us at the starting line -

I just thought that was such a cute picture.

And here is Brandy, Lana, and I before the start of the race.

Thanks for walking with me Lana and Brandy! I love you guys!

Lookie what I got...

Lookie what I got... a new ice cream maker! I know what you're thinking... "You just had Lap Band surgery, you can't have ice cream!" But I can! I can have protein ice cream. I know! Who would've thunk? 

In my pre-surgery researching days I came across one of the best weight loss surgery blogs EVER! You must check it out -

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Shelly (the blogger) has some of the best post surgery recipes out there. She is such a creative chef. She has tons of recipes for protein ice cream. The recipe is exactly the same as a protein shake. All you do is prepare your protein shake as usual and then dump it in the (previously frozen bowl of the) ice cream maker and turn it on. Right after I had surgery I used my sister's ice cream maker and made some. It was yummy.

Now I have a problem. Which flavor should I make first? Butter Pecan? Chocolate Peanut Butter? Mochachino Almond? Mexican Chocolate? Oh, the choices are endless! Check out Shelly's Protein Ice Cream page and let me know which one you think I should try first. The bowl is already in the freezer getting ready for protein ice cream tomorrow!

Click

If you guys haven't heard of or tried Click protein powder yet, I implore you - go out and get some now! It is amazingly good! This is by far the best protein I have tried.  If you love coffee, you will love Click! It tastes exactly like a Starbuck's frappuccino.  There are two flavors - mocha and vanilla latte. I love both equally. The canisters aren't huge, but they are totally worth it. I ordered some a few weeks or maybe even a month ago, and I am running dangerously low. So, I had to order some more. I have a Click protein shake nearly every morning. Mmmm....yummy!

Friends Don't Let Friends Drink and Eat

Life after weight loss surgery is different.  There are many things that I will do differently from now on. For instance, I am not supposed to drink 30 minutes before I eat or 30 minutes after I eat. And I definitely can't drink while I eat. I found a fabulous video that explains the reason why. Please check it out.

The video and blog title are borrowed from http://formerfatdudes.com. Please check out Rob's website. He's got  a lot of great stuff on there.

Whey Crisps

I bought the coolest product the other day. It's called Whey Crisps.

They are tiny (hamster pellet-like) things that have loads of protein in just one scoop. They come in chocolate flavor (which I bought) and regular flavor. They are the exact same thing as protein powder, but crispy and in the shape of tiny pellets.

What do I plan on doing with them you ask? Well, I am planning on making my own protein bars, amongst other things. I see Whey Crispies Treats (rice krispies treats but with Whey Crisps) in my future as well. Mmmmm.

The Whey Crisps website also has some great recipe ideas for things like brownies, cake and cookies using the Whey Crisps.  I think I'm going to have to get the regular flavor too and put them on my yogurt and use them for "breading" chicken breasts. (Obviously the chocolate flavored crisps are sweet, but I don't think the regular flavor is).

Some of the recipes on their website may need a little tweaking to make them better suited for weight loss surgery patients, but at least they give you a good idea of the possibilities. I haven't made anything with them yet, but will share recipes and photos when I do get around to using them. Check them out.... Whey Protein Crisps - Chocolate, Ready to Eat

Support Group

I went to my support group on Thursday and it was very interesting. We had a representative from Bariatric Advantage there to talk about vitamins and give away free samples. What was really cool was that after the meeting a woman came up to me (God, help me I can't remember her name) and asked me some questions. She was planning on having Lap Band surgery in mid-May and wanted to know if I had any tips for her. I told her about some of the protein drinks that I liked and also recommended a loofah on a stick for bathing (y'all remember that post, right?). I think I talked my face off to her and was very excited because someone was asking me for advice and information - like I was a veteran! That's a different feeling. I also met a lady named Darlene who won the contest put on by Dr. Ganta in December for a free Lap Band surgery. I remember seeing her picture on the website as the winner. I was so excited for her and kept telling her that I couldn't believe she was the one who won. Another guy mentioned that he went swimming for the first time since having surgery and experienced something new. He had lost about 90 pounds and was now a pretty thin guy. He said when he was fat he would always float to the top and that now that he is thin he nearly sunk to the bottom of the pool! I have always been a floater too. I have never been able to dive to the bottom of the pool. I always thought that my boobs were built in flotation devices. So, I'm sure that will be an interesting experience when I get to that point!