I'm going to be published...

Not really, but that sounds nice, huh?

I ended up doing the article for the magazine. I really felt compelled to discuss what my experience has been like and they told me they could give me anonymity, which was nice.

Basically, the magazine is only for NJ doctors and the article is geared toward encouraging doctors who have patients who were banded elsewhere to use the place I go to in NJ. Me being one of those people who was banded elsewhere, they felt I would be a good resource for the article.

The interviewer asked me if I would be willing to speak to her daughter. She's one month out of surgery and is around my age and is having a hard time finding bandsters around her age. This surprised me. Many of you are within 5 years of me! However, I have noticed that support groups are generally older people. And that's no fun when you really want to get a younger person's perspective on how to deal with this life-changing decision.

On the personal band front, it's amazing what .6ccs will do to you. When I had .6cc more in my band the day before Thanksgiving, eating was very difficult and I ate many slider foods. Now having .6 cc taken out, I can eat just about anything (not that I should). When I go home to ATL, I'm going to have .1 or .2 put back in just to give me a bit of restriction. I mean, geez, I even ate sticky rice last night and that's no good!

One Year Post Follow Up

I realize that last post was a little discouraging regarding the band. However, I feel like it is important to document my journey. My story goes to show you that it's not all rainbows & flowers. This is not a smooth road for every patient.

I went to my first support group last night. There weren't any in Atlanta and since I've been in NJ, I've been out of town for each meeting. Well, I made it last night. The actual group was a little pathetic. There were three of us there: a 60 year old man one month out, a bypass patient 6 months out, me, a dietician, and the guy who runs the floro. I told my story and mentioned the pain I experience when eating. The obvious follow up question is why don't I get it checked out? Well, in order to get it checked out up here in NJ (remember, I'm self pay), I have to pay the surgeon $400 and go across the hall to the adjustment center and pay them $200 for the floro and the surgeon tell me what he thinks. I don't have $600 lying around just asking to be spent.

So, the floro guy came to me and offered to do a free floro that night just to get an idea of what was going on. How cool is that? Obviously it was very hush hush. I couldn't tell anyone we did it. So, after the meeting, we went down and he did it. It wasn't good. Now, I understand he's not a bariatric surgeon, but he does run the floro several times a day and knows what the images should look like. I was tight. Super tight. You know how you can see your underwire from your bra when you get a floro? Well, the barium stream going through my band was about 1/3 of the width of my underwire. He was also concerned about the placement and thought there might be a possibility of slippage. He pretty much said I needed to get an emergency unfill asap and that an unfill could not wait until I went home to ATL for Christmas.

It concerned me. I didn't lose sleep over it because I knew I couldn't do anything about it until this morning, but I was def. worried. I don't really have the money to get this done. So, this morning the floro guy called me and said he spoke to one of the surgeons and he'd see me at 12:30 if I wanted. The floro guy also said he would work with me on the money situation and we could set up a payment plan. How awesome is that?!?!

So, I went in and this is probably the top bariatric surgeon in NJ. We did the floro and he said I def. was over restricted but that the band had perfect placement. In terms of restriction, I just get so frustrated because I feel like I'm either over or under restricted. I have no idea what a sweet spot is!! He said I may never get to a sweet spot, but should strive for a spot I can live with. This made me feel better. Anyway, fluid came out and I'm feeling better.

I'm also going to start tracking my weight via spreadsheet. I think this might be a useful tool. I'm treating today as a new start. I should be at optimum restriction and will strive to stop eating my slider foods and eat those that will satisfy me and will continue to help me drop the weight...but at a healthy pace :)

Is this what progress is??

Sorry I haven't posted since going to ATL, but I really hate blogging from work and lately, that's all I've been doing!

I went to my surgeon back home to get a fill...my second since having almost everything removed. A new NP was in and once I told her the whole history of my band, she decided to see how much was actually in there. If every fill / unfill was done correctly in the past, she would have pulled out 4.9cc. She pulled out around 6! I ended up leaving the office with 6.25...I think.

I'm curious how I ended up with an extra cc! I think it was in there prior to my big unfill and that's one of the reasons I was so tight back in May / June and had to suck on ice chips just to stay hydrated!

Anyway, I'm liking this fill. I'm eating less and eating less often. Here's an example of my lunch yesterday:

Before I started eating (2 grapes are missing, I ate those before taking the picture):


And here is the after picture taken after I was full:


I ended up eating the raspberries about 3 hours later as a snack and drank 1/4 of a protein drink on my 2 hour drive home.

Exercise is still an issue. I did walk / run over 3 miles Monday night. It took me 45 minutes. I think that's pretty good for never running! I plan to do it again tonight. I motivate myself to do it because my poor dog is crated for 11 hours a day so I know she needs to get out and run or speed-walk in her case. I don't run fast enough to keep up with her so she trots while I try and run :)

I'm going to update my ticker this afternoon and show how much I've gained. It's not pretty. When I weighed in at my surgeon's I was up 31lb from end of June. Luckily, I've dropped about 4 of those in a week and a half.

Keep moving forward!

Executive Decision

I've made an executive decision. Even though I only have 3 hours of vacation left FOR THE YEAR I'm going to take a day off and fly back to ATL to get another fill. I know, it's only been 3 weeks since my last one, but I'm not planning to fly back until mid to late October.

I'm planning this because 1. I'm not staying full. I've done the 4oz / 4 hour protein test and failed miserably. 2. My free year of aftercare expires 11/20. I think late October is a great time and I'll just get a little fill and when I'm home for Christmas (if I need it), I'll get another fill and, hopefully, that will hold me for a while.

Last night I made scallops for dinner. Scallops are not only band friendly (I can eat them when I'm super tight), but are soooo good for you! I sauteed fresh scallops from the seafood counter and made a special asian inspired sauce and it turned out amazing. I felt all chef-like!

I also did pilates in my hotel room using online videos from sparkpeople.com. I can definitely feel my abs today!

Maintaining?

OK, so when I went back to get my fill on 8/9 it turned out that I had gained ~20lb in about 6 weeks. Bad, huh?

So, the NP told me that my goal needs to be to lose those 20lb by the time I come back in December for another fill.

Good news is, I've lost a few of the pounds. Bad news is that it's just not coming off all that easy and, to be honest, I understand why. I'm not working out like I should and my eating is not so great, still. Even though I'm at 4.9 cc, I really have very little restriction. I feel my band, but I don't get full when I should. Therefore, I continue to eat.

I totally know what I have to do, but the motivation is seriously lacking. Boo. And, since I live in a hotel 5 nights a week, eating healthy foods is a true chore. I have a microwave and a refrigerator, but no oven and I can't eat another Lean Cuisine even if you paid me $100.

ALSO, this really weird thing started about 3 weeks ago where I absolutely MUST have something sweet after a meal. It's like my body is craving it! So, I'm trying the SF FF pudding thing, but am getting pretty grossed out really quick. Any ideas?

Seacrest out!

Pee ess: I think I have a few new followers, but can't access your blog! If you are following me and I'm not following you, please comment and leave the address to your blog!

Finally, an update!

I’m now working on a project in the DC area. Good news is that its only for about 5 weeks. Bad news is that I have no idea what project I’ll get on after that. I really don’t want to commute to another city / state. I hate living out of a hotel! I’m also frustrated because I was transferred to NJ to work for a specific client. Now, that client is “on hold” and we have no other clients in that area. I did not sign up for this and do plan on voicing my concerns if this commuting becomes a regular thing.

Vacation was great. The cruise was wonderful; too short, but wonderful (except for me getting Montezuma’s Revenge on the last day. I’ll post a few pictures soon…not of Montezuma’s Revenge, though haha.

The day we got back in the country I found out that my dog had been at the emergency vet while I was gone and was now staying with a friend because the boarding place didn’t want to keep her there. All that happened was that her paws got irritated by the rocks in their outdoor area (seriously, what daycare / boarding place has ROCKS in the outside area?!?! What’s wrong with good old fashioned concrete?) so they took her to the vet. The vet wanted her paws to stay dry so they called my “emergency contact” which they should not have. They were supposed to call my mom first. Anyway, thank goodness for good (new) friends! Manolo had a ball with them and they now love her. Anyway, the boarding facility charged my card and forged my signature to I had to dispute the charge yesterday. I hope they suck it and get sued big time by my cc.

I had my long awaited fill done the day before I flew home. Before this appt. I had 2cc taken out and was at 3.9 cc…pretty much nothing in the band and I ate like a pig for the next 7 weeks. That day, she said she was wary of putting in too much since I was so irritated before at 5.9 cc so she just brought be up to 4.9 cc. I definitely don’t feel tight and can still eat things I shouldn’t, but I’m slowly dropping some pounds that I put on while being (mostly) empty. I do have restriction, not much, but it’s there. That’s a bonus. I’m also really trying hard to work out more…gotta drop these pounds!

Anyway, I'm back and ready to update this joker on a regular basis!

Decisions About the Future of My Band

I had my follow up with the NP at my new doctor's office. We got through all the formalities and she asked "How are you doing?" My answer? "Not so great." I went through the laundry list of issues from last post plus some (having difficulty drinking water, GERD, barely eating mushy food, constantly feeling my band, losing hair etc.) and I'm only at 5.9cc after having up to 6.2cc. I asked her "is it supposed to be this hard? should i be suffering with my band so much?" She said no, absolutely not.

I'll skip giving you the play by play of our conversation, but basically I told her what I was planning and she agreed. I'm leaving to go to our beach house in Panama City Beach on Friday (helloooo 19 hour drive) and after spending a week there, I'm staying in Atlanta for a week. The Monday of the week I'll be home I have an appt. scheduled at my original doctor's office. I'm getting at least 1cc taken out...maybe even 2cc. I just need my band / stomach / esophagus to get better. I'll be back in August and will possibly get some of the fluid added back, but prob. not all.

I'm preparing for a more difficult weight loss. I know it will be harder with a looser band, but I can't take eating like this anymore. I want vegetables, I want rotisserie chicken, I want lean ground hamburger. And, actually, the weight loss might be easier with a looser band. I'll have more energy, feel like working out, and feel like eating healthier / better quality foods than the slider foods I've been eating. I'm tired of being dehydrated. I'm tired of constantly thinking if a certain food will go down. I'm tired of being constantly worried of throwing up.

Ready to get this healing process show on the road.

I spoke too soon.

Getting an unfill tomorrow. SO FRUSTRATING!!!! But it has to be done.

I had the fill last Tuesday and he put in the .2 cc that he removed 2 months before (that puts me at 6.2 cc in a 10 cc band). The thing is, I think he should have only put in .1 cc because when he did it under floroscopy, only a little trickle of barium was going through. It looked too tight on the film, but he's the doctor / surgeon and I would hope he'd know what to look for. Obviously not.

I felt okay Tuesday - Thursday (was tight, but thought it was like how I am with every other adjustment...sensitive), but on Friday I was in Hell. I started having reflux in the night. I would sleep for 15 min then would wake up hacking and coughing with a mouth full of acid. Horrible. I can barely get any liquids down. The only way I get any liquid in is by sucking on ice chips. Hello, it's been SIX DAYS since my adjustment!!! I'm miserable, pure miserable.

So now I have to pay an additional $400 to fix this doctor's mistake. I am SO not made of money and this cannot become a habit.

I hate my employer for not electing bariatric coverage, I hate being self pay, I hate not being in ATL where MY DOCTOR is and where my adjustments are free.

I'm so frustrated. Really trying not to flip out on someone.

Fills: A Catch 22

Fills are wonderful things, yet nightmares for me.

I'm one of those people who is extra sensitive to fills. Instead of being on 24 or 48 hrs of liquids post-fill, I'm on liquids for about a full week. Then, I sloooowly start adding in mushies. It's like going through the surgery all over again. It stinks because around day 3 I just want something solid in my tummy, but it's wonderful b/c this is the stage where I lose a ton of weight.

For example: it's been around 48 hours since my fill and I have already dropped 4.5 lb. I'm now no longer considered obese! I'm just 2.5 lb away from Onederland, as well! One might think that I'll gain some of this weight back when I start eating mushies & solids, but that's not so, my friends! It hasn't happened yet and I'm not about to start.

Tonight I'm going out with some girls and we're going to learn how to do the Hustle (Queue the music...). Fun times!

Biting the Bullet

Hello lovelies!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's and Future Mom's!

I hope you all have had a nice weekend! My butt has been planted on my couch and in my bed, except for a haircut and a shopping trip to Old Navy yesterday :) This is just the kind of weekend I like! Although, I do miss being with my Mom on Mother's Day, a little sad about that.

It has come to my attention (well, I've known it for weeks) that I need a fill. Remember, that since I moved from ATL (where I had surgery 5.5 mo. ago) I now have to pay RIDICULOUS amounts to get fills (as in $600 for each one). I have several options: 1. wait until I go back to ATL in mid June and get a free fill or 2. pay $600 and get one in NJ and schedule a free one when I go back to ATL in early August. When I say free, I mean that it's included in my one year of aftercare. So, that will be over on 11/20/10.

I have chosen option #2 and let me tell you why. Up here, fills are done under fluoroscopy so I feel like it will be a little more accurate. Also, if you look to the right, I have a goal of hitting 200 by Memorial Day. I am 6lb. away and cannot break this plateau! I've been here for about 6 weeks! And finally, if I get this fill now, it will be about 3 mo. when I go back to ATL and, in my head, I'm thinking I'll need a fill now.

I'm just ready to get back on the losing train again. I'm enjoying losing weight and seeing my body change, but this is not where I want to stay. I still have 41 lb. until goal so this journey is not over by a long shot.

So, I scheduled for a fill on Tuesday! Let's hope this jump starts me!

Sweet Spot = Achieved!

I'm at my sweet spot. Fo' sho'. I can eat, but not a lot...very small amounts. My struggle is eating the right foods. I don't eat a lot of vegetables and I really don't eat much meat. Meat is really difficult for me. I get my protein in mostly through protein drinks and dairy.

I joined a gym this week. It costs $90/mo (RIDICULOUS), but is pretty much worth it. They have over 100 treadmills along with hundreds of other cardio machines, every weight machine you can imagine, 2 indoor pools, an outdoor pool, 3 studios for classes, a gymnasium, rock climbing wall, cafe, spa, and salon! It's amazing.

NJ is not so bad so far. I do miss home, but I'm not as homesick as I thought I would be. My parents are coming up in 2 weeks and I'm really excited about that. I'll be so happy to see them.

Goals for this week are to eat more solid protein, eat vegetables, and work out at least 4x.

Not doing well...Violent Vomiting & ER Visit

I arrived in NJ for good yesterday. It took me two days to drive it, but I'm up here! The movers won't get here until Wednesday; at least that's the plan right now. So, for now, Manolo & I are shacked up in a Residence Inn.

This morning, I decided to get some eggs from the buffet and take them in a container to work and eat them when I got hungry. So, around 9 I ate some...maybe 2 or 3 bites?...and I was immediately stuck. This was no normal stuck...I was PBing over and over. It got to the point where I couldn't even swallow my saliva.

Now, you might be saying to yourself, "Cody, why didn't you just go to your surgeon and get fluid taken out??" Well, my friends, my surgeon is in ATL and I'm now in NJ. A few weeks ago, I found a Lap-Band Office up here who would do my fills and unfills and I called them today when this issue was happening. They said the NP couldn't see me until I had seen a surgeon and Mondays are surgery days for surgeons. GRRRR! This was not a good situation. I was running to the bathroom every 5 min (I'm sure everyone at my client now thinks I'm pregnant, thank you). So, I made the executive decision to go to the ER.

The ER sucks here. I've never seen a room full of so many sickly people. I got to the point where they took my bp and temp and all that and had to go out in the waiting room before being admitted. Well, before I could even get admitted, I started puking SO HARD and so repetitively that food that was in my stomach (had already passed through the band) was coming up along with the burning, nasty bile. However, after that, I felt like a million bucks compared to before! So, I got out of the ER and came back to the hotel.

I was finally able to speak to the NP at the new surgeon's office and the earliest they can get me in is on Friday. I am fo' sho' getting fluid taken out. Until then, pure liquids.

I'm affraid I may have slipped my band, though. Can one violent episode like this flip it? I sure hope not. I've never had a fill done under floro, but I'm actually hoping they do the unfill under floro on Friday just to calm my fears!

Anyone else ever puked over and over so violently??? I'm slightly scared...

4th Fill

Today I had my fourth fill. Prior to today, I was at 6cc in a 10cc band. I wasn't sure I should even get a fill. I've lost 10lb since my fill about 2.5 weeks ago. I really didn't even think they'd give me one, but wanted to go in, anyway, to get my weight recorded and just see if they would be so kind.

So, the NP did give me a fill. She gave me .4cc. As I was drinking my water afterward, it was not going down. So I hopped back up on the table and she took out half (.2cc) and it went down okay! I was even able to drink a protein drink about an hour later and have some mashed potatoes around 1.

However, I did PB last night. Since I'm moving, I'm trying to see all my friends as many times as possible. So, Richard is in town and we went to Roaster's (think: really nice Boston Market). I ordered the veggie (ha!) plate and got broccoli & cauliflower, mashed potatoes, and green beans. It was going okaaaaay until I took too big of a bite of broccoli. I immediately knew I was in trouble and ran to the bathroom. Up it came! After that, I just asked for a to-go box and socialized :)

Today will probably be my last post before I get to NJ. The movers are coming tomorrow to load the truck! The packers were there today. Saturday I'll be on the road to NJ, but won't arrive until Sunday. Hopefully my stuff gets there around the 9th or else it will have no place to go! I don't sign the lease until then!

Update!

I've been so busy! The move to NJ is happening next week. Last weekend I went up and found a place to live. I'm going to be paying more for my apartment up there, which is barely over 700 sq. feet than I pay for my townhouse in ATL which is close to 1500 sq ft! Insane.

So I'm pretty stressed about all this. Just trying to get all my stuff ready for the movers to pack is enough to make me want to vomit.

On the weight loss front, I'm down to 222! I haven't been this low in, I'd say, 2.5 years! However, there isn't really a drastic change in my clothes. I've gone down a size, solidly, but I would think that losing over 40lb would be 2 sizes! Not so, my friends. I'm in 16W right now. 16s are a little snug (muffin top!). So, now I just have to wash my jeans each time after I wear them b/c they stretch out and I'm constantly pulling them up by the end of the day.

I'm scheduled for another fill on Thursday (the day the movers load the truck). I don't think they are going to give me a fill, though, because I've lost 8lb in a week and a half.

Ugggggh.

Ugh. As Amy W. would say...they only gave me "a sparrow's fart" for a fill. I got .6cc so I'm at 6cc now. I can already tell it's not going to have the effect of the last fill, but I'm going to stay positive! I was able to lose 9lb between my last fill and today so I know I can keep it up, just gotta work my band.

They scheduled me for another fill on 3/4, but I don't think I'll be here anymore for that one. I'd really like to try to be, though!!!

Weight Loss & Fill

I returned from helping my family w/ my Gramma's death on Thursday. My cousin drove me back and my parents stayed until Saturday. It's sooooo hard to be on a road trip with someone who doesn't know about your Lap Band. Normally, the drive is about 8 hours, but my cousin has a 3 year old, so it was closer to 10 for us. Therefore, we had to get fast food. I've noticed the most band-friendly fast food for me is either Taco Bell or Chickfila. I don't eat it often, but when I have to, those are the places I go. So, I was really hoping for Chickfila, but no dice. Not even a Taco Bell where we pulled off. So I ate Sonic and when I say ate, I mean I grazed. It wasn't going down well, but I was okay with that. It worked.

So, I was really afraid that I would gain weight over the week because a. my Gramma ate HORRIBLY (one of the reasons she passed) and b. what was in the house was rotten so we had to rely on what people brought over (which wasn't much, btw). So, we ate out or ate what people brought over and I was dreading getting on the scale when I got back.

However, I was pleasantly surprised! Not only did I NOT gain weight, but I LOST. I lost 3lb. I've now met another goal and have now lost a total of 34lb in under 3 mo. I'm at 230!

I'm getting a fill this morning and I'm a little concerned they will be conservative with this one since I've lost so much. My argument is going to be that I'm moving and won't have a surgeon there so I need a good fill. I'm hoping for 1.6cc (that will put me at 7 cc total in my 10cc band).

Loosening Up?

I think the inflammation from my last fill is finally about to subside! Today I was able to eat mushies...kind of. At least I was able to eat teeny amounts, which I'm okay with! As long as it's fairly solid and satisfies me.

So far, I've lost 5lb since the fill. That's just b/c I've been on liquids, but I'm determined to maintain this loss until my next fill!

So, now my grand total loss since 11/13 (when I started pre-op) is 28lbs. Not too shabby.

Super Tight, Questions about Restriction, & a Quizzie! Yaaaaay!

First of all, I just want to congratulate SO MANY of you that I follow on how your weight loss has progressed over the last week! I was catching up on the last few days of blogs and SO MANY of you have posted great successes! Congratulations to you all!

As you know, I had my fill on Thursday (like I mentioned in my previous post) and I am still tight as Hell. Nothing but pure liquids for me. Not even mushies! It's misery...well, kind of. I am enjoying the weight loss, but to be honest, I just want something satisfying in my stomach! Not even to feel full, per se, but just to have something solid in there.

So, my question is, is this what restriction feels like? Not being able to eat normal food at all? Or is this still just the inflammation from my fill? Do any of you get inflammation like this after a fill? Is (true) restriction maybe just a bit better than this?

For example, my diet the last few days has consisted of nothing but watery protein drinks, creamy chicken soup in hand, more protein drinks, and today I had french onion soup broth (french onion soup w/ no cheese or bread). I'm not overly concerned that I need to get an unfill b/c I am still getting my nutrition in, but just not the calories, so I'm dropping weight pretty dang fast. Right now, I'm considering giving it another full day and if it's still like this on Tuesday, I'll call my dr.

Now it's QUIZZIE TIME!!!!!!

This seems to be viral...I love quizzes, but don't want to divulge too much about myself.
1. What time did you wake up today? about 9
2. How do you like your steak? Well, I haven't had steak since before 11/20, but I like filet mignon med-med well. I don't like my meat mooing across my plate.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Up in the Air
4. What is your favorite TV show? I have several, but most of all "Intervention." I'm obsessed with it.
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? I'm in the process of moving to NJ, but ideally I would live my life in London. I love that city.
6. What did you have for breakfast? Uhhh, considering I can't have anything thicker than creamy thin soup, I had a protein shake.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? MEXICAN!!!!!
8. What foods do you dislike? Most veggies, pork, tofu.
9. Favorite place to eat? My favorite restaurant cheap restaurant in the world is this place here called Taqueria del Sol. My favorite FANCY restaurant is either Atlanta Fish Market or Bones.
10. Favorite dressing? HOMEMADE Buttermilk Ranch...none of that stuff in a bottle.
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Acura TSX
12. What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and a cute shirt.
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Portugal. Hawaii (I've been all over the world, but never to Hawaii!
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? It depends on the day. Over the last few years a lot of 1/2 empty days.
15. Where would you want to retire? No clue! I'm too young to think of that stuff.
16. Favorite time of day? Evening, but not night.
17. Where were you born? The great state of Missouri
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? College football. Specifically, Auburn football.
19. Bird watcher? Nope
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm an early riser
21. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Nope. You know all big news if you follow my blog.
22. What did you want to be when you were little? A financial analyst. HILARIOUS! Can you tell I was raised by to corporate big-wigs?
23. What is your best childhood memory? any time I spent with my dad and all my swim meets
24. Are you a cat or dog person? doggies, pls.
25. Are you married? Nope
26. Always wear your seat belt? Yes, or my car gets angry
27. Been in a car accident? Yes
28. Any pet peeves? Too many to mention. You'd think I was a world class bit*h
29. Favorite Pizza Toppings? cheese, pepperoni, and mushrooms.
30. Favorite Flower? hibiscus
31. Favorite ice cream? Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Shortcake
32. Favorite fast food restaurant? Anything BUT McDonald's. I do like Krystal, though!
33. How many times did you fail your driver's test? None
34. From whom did you get your last email? I think a moving company
35. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target.
36. Do anything spontaneous lately? Nope!
37. Broccoli? Cooked properly, yum! (agreed!) and with sour cream!
38. What was your favorite vacation? Soooo many. Backpacking through Europe by myself after college graduation, Mom's 60th birthday cruise, any week I get to spend at my parents' beach house...so many more!
39. Last person you went out to dinner with? one of my BFFs while I was in NYC...We went to Zarela!
40. What are you listening to right now? My dog snoring. So precious.
41. What is your favorite color? Green
42. How many tattoos do you have? Two.
43. Coffee drinker? More like Chai drinker.

2nd Fill

Today was my 2nd fill...HOLLA!!!! I needed it desperately. I was eating lots of junk and it would all just slide through my band. Not a good thing, my friends. Although, I have lost 3lb since my last fill. So at least it's moving in the correct direction.

So, my first fill was 3cc. Today I got 2.4cc. This equals a total of 5.4cc in my band. My next appointment is in 3 weeks. They are rushing it just a bit b/c I'm moving and they want to get me in for another fill before I get the heck out of Dodge. What good peeps.

But, seriously, I'm so sad about missing out on my free year of aftercare. I looked in to some places up there and IT IS RIDICULOUS! $300 just to get in and then another $300 for each fill. No ma'am. No ma'am. My company is going to fly me home once a quarter so I'll just have to come home a day early and get a fill at my current surgeon's office.

Anyway, I was able to drink a delicious and thin protein shake this morning.

I Posted This Little Gem Last Night...

It's about my fill, my weight loss, some awesome new foods I've found, and my dog Manolo!!!! Check it out...