Photo by *iFatma
It’s been one year since I was banded.
I’m pleased with my weight loss and my health improvements.
I’m pleased with being able to by clothes in “regular” stores.
I’m pleased with my increased level of activity.
I’m confident I can continue and meet my goal.
Yeah me!
We were just talking about how some things appear to change slowly and some things appear to change fast. Say you’re away from your usual neighbourhood for a little while. When you return you may notice a new store, or a new sign but the neighbourhood is still there. Things may move quickly when it comes to electronics or computer-related stuff – it seems as if there’s a new device or new software daily.
And this is how weight loss seems. I feel like the weight is coming off so slowly. I know that it is dropping as medically recommended at a little over a pound a week, but it feels like it’s going to take FOREVER to get to my goal. And then I realize that it’s been 12 weeks since surgery, and it feels like the time flew by.
Two things I want to share in this post. The first is this: have you ever worked out how many calories you need per day? It’s a very interesting number to see, because from that you can figure out how much you have to “play” with to lose weight. The caloric needs number shows how many calories you use to just to be alive.
If you’re interested in losing weight, and again not taking into account any physical activity, one pound equals 3500 calories. So, this is how it works for me currently.
I use approximately 1800 calories to be alive. I’ve been trying to eat roughly 1400 calories per day. Each week then I’ve been losing about .8 lbs (3500/(7 x (1800-1400))) just by moderating my food intake. Then if I do any activities that will use up more calories I drop a bit more weight.
The more one weighs, the more calories are needed per day just to maintain that weight. As I lose weight, I need fewer and fewer calories per day to keep my body going – this also is one of the reasons weight loss becomes slower. The only way to boost the weight loss is to exercise more – and perhaps eat a bit less, maybe even drop to 1200 calories per day.
And, what is your happy weight? That’s right – not your correct weight, your happy weight. Self magazine has a handy little table. If you check this number against BMI charts or insurance charts you’ll find it’s within the range. I’m definitely trying to get to my happy weight.
I’m going down slowly to get happy fast.
It feels like a lifetime of diets. I can remember my first diet using doctor prescribed amphetamines when I was in Grade 8. I lost weight. My mother was happy.
The next big time was in Grade 13; I received doctor prescribed injections containing a substance too horrible to repeat. Actually a very famous current diet doctor was responsible for popularizing this treatment. I don’t think he does this anymore, he now prescribes a near starvation diet.
Next was a diet without medical aids, just with watching my food intake. That was in the second last year of university. That worked well, too.
And then from then on lots of tries, and lots of failures. Each time I was ‘effin’ good at losing the weight, and even better at regaining the lost pounds and finding even a few more pounds for extra measure.
There are a few things different this time. The most obvious is the lapband. I have a surgically implanted aid to help me control the volume of food. Weight loss surgery consists of at least one part surgery – at the clinic this part is described as 50% of the tools needed to lose weight.
The second difference is me – my physical self. I’m 51 and in menopause. I can feel that my body is reacting differently to weight loss than it has done in past attempts. The weight loss feels slower to me. And the physical activity needed to boost this weight loss is more difficult to do.
The third difference is me – my mental self. I think some of this difference is again related to menopause. Mood swings, hot flashes, sleeplessness, all of the usual symptoms rage around in my brain pan. Happily these symptoms are not as bad as they were even six months ago.
The final difference is the support I’m receiving from my tribe. In the past, I’ve received support from family and friends, and they were great, and helpful, and cheered me on. This time the same holds true, in spades, but I’ve also reached out more. You’re reading this blog, for example. I’m more vocal about what I need, and what I’ve done.
I’m different, and I’m planning on a different result. Lose the weight AND keep it off.
I had my first “fill” yesterday. It went o.k.
The band can hold up to 10 cc’s of saline solution. The nurse placed 4 cc’s in it yesterday via a needle into the port just under by skin. I could feel something immediately – a slight pressure on my right side. Not painful, and only a little bit uncomfortable for about an hour or so.
The rest of the day I could drink water, protein smoothies, and I had some home made tofu and vegetable pureed soup. I could definitely feel something then, and it was hard getting it down. But, this morning’s cup of coffee went down smoothly with no hiccups.
I’m scheduled for another two fills, two weeks apart. The clinic’s nutritionist recommended that after the third fill to “sit” with it a for a little while to determine if it’s o.k. That is not to ask for another fill, or possibly defill, until I’ve worked with that amount of fill I’ve received to that point. What I’m looking for is the “sweet spot.” That is, a restriction that will allow me to eat about a cup of food at one meal, and feel full for at least three to four hours. She went on to explain for some people that sweet spot can be the difference between having 7 cc’s of saline vs. 7.25 cc’s of saline.
I also got weighed. I’ve lost 24lbs since I began, and I have a l-o-o-n-g way to go. The nutritionist also counselled patience. She said that losing between one and two pounds a week is optimal. I know she’s right, but it’s very difficult to hear. I want to lose big numbers every week, and lose all the weight I want to lose quickly. And, at the same time, I know that it is physically impossible to do that unless I exercised eight hours a day with a trainer, and had my meals prepared for me in the most nutritionally balanced way. And this doesn’t happen for anyone in real life.
I’ve signed up for a six-week course at the clinic to learn about eating smart with the band, and I suppose even without the band. It’s about how to optimize the 1 cup of food I eat at each meal, and how to optimize my whole day’s nutrition. More on this in the coming weeks.
I’m off to begin my day with a bit of rowing, and then an aquafit session, before I get to work.
It’s very interesting how much time I have on my hands now that I’m not spending so much time eating, going to eat, preparing food, and shopping for food.
I’m in my last week of being able to eat volumes of food. I haven’t been, but at this point it’s sheer willpower that is stopping me. I’ve very much looking forward to getting my first fill so that I’ll feel a restriction. And, if it all goes according to plan, I’ll also feel full on minimal amounts of food, for a longer period of time.
My incisions have healed very well, I think. The knot I felt at the port site also seems to have decreased – it’s not sore or uncomfortable anymore.
I’m also down one size. Pants I haven’t been able to wear since sometime in the summer fit again.
I went over to the “Y” today to check it out and see the schedule for aquafit. I’m going to start soon, probably once or twice this week, and then try to go at three times per week.
As for what’s going on in my head. I’m pretty much focused on “not eating”, “not eating”, “not eating.” That’s a bit too simplistic. I’m trying to eat smartly, that is, sparingly but with food high in protein. I’ve been sticking to tofu, tuna, eggs, and cottage cheese primarily, with a bit of chicken. And “not eating” is way too tiring.
And that reminds me. I met with a woman last week who had this surgery a number of years ago. I wanted to hear her experiences with the band, and how and what she ate. I very much appreciated her comments and insight. I was happy to hear that one of the food products that she consumed in quantity was soy milk. I’ve been drinking soy milk for more than a year, so I’m happy to keep on with it in my diet.
See? All good.
I’ve been through the four days of clear liquid, and the seven days of full fluid (creamed soup, protein drink, yogurt). This morning I begin seven days of mushy food. That’s food basically the consistency of baby food. Actually, the guidelines even suggest organic baby food as a meal.
I started off with a bowl of organic oatmeal and flax. It was delightful, thank-you.
I just finished as you can see. I’m interested to determine if it helps me feel full or sated. I’ve felt very hungry the last few days.
The bandages have all gone, and the bruise is definitely not as angry. My stomach is a little bit bumpy near the port, and I hope that goes away. It makes it a bit uncomfortable sleeping. The incisions look pretty good, too.
I’ve also regained a lot of my energy and I feel like doing more things. Unfortunately, my dislike of winter weather mitigates that a bit. Anyway, I’ll deal with it.
I’ve been working on visualizing as a technique to keep me motivated. A bit more than visualizing actually; not just thinking of me doing something, but also about how I’ll feel in my body doing that activity. I do remember what it feels like to complete a challenging physical activity, and I’m trying to recapture that feeling in my thoughts. At this point what I find physically challenging maybe totally pedestrian to most. I know I have to start somewhere.
I also remember what it felt like in my body when I wore clothes in a much smaller size. I’m trying to focus on that feeling, also.
I’m not focussing on how much weight I’ve lost. I’m sure I get weighed at the clinic on January 12th, when I go for my first fill. And whatever it is, it is.
Off I go to do a food bank donation.
I’ll know I’ll go a bit crazy if I start celebrating or remarking on every little anniversary. Even though I’m a counter – how many steps to the top floor? how many liters of gas to fill the tank? how much money did I lose? – I know that counting everything will be a little much.
For the most part, the first week went amazingly well. Yesterday I had a lot more gas pain than in the first five day, but other than that, I’m really good.
I’ve been reading a lot of comments from other “bandsters” on the talk website. I realize my visits there will probably diminish as time goes on, also. It’s a helpful site if you’ve got a problem to resolve, e.g., what to do with gas pain, or what to order in a Chinese restaurant. The general talk though gets a bit repetitive.
I’m in the full fluid phase: protein drinks, creamed soup, and yogurt for seven days. Even though I’m hungry, I don’t want to rush things and upset my tummy. Obviously, I’ll get to chewing food soon enough and then the hard part begins.
By hard part, I mean ensuring that I get enough protein in me in the limited volume of food I can consume. It’ll be a matter of training, and I have two sources to get that training. One is the support available through the nutrionist at TLBC, and the other is from a couple of cookbooks I purchased. These books have recipes that are geared towards people who have had bariatric surgery. I’m looking forward to cooking from them.
I have to remember: it took me a while to get to this weight, and it’ll take me a while to get to an average weight. And, I will.
First, I had my surgery two days ago. And, I’m pleased to report it went very well. Today I have a bit of cramping from the gas that is still rolling around in my innards, but I feel good.
Second, to help me reach my goal I need to do these things:
My goal is to lose 100lbs by December 13, 2009.
To reach my goal, I will eat less and move more. The lapband will help me with the eat loss goal, as it will help me monitor my intake.
As for moving more, I’m going back to the “Y” in January, beginning with aqua-fit. As the weather warms and I become more fit, I’ll start incorporating more walking into my routine.
And, overarching these items is working on my brain. Getting my brain rewired so that the eat less/move more (ELMM) is just as natural to me as breathing.
I think the rewiring part will be as difficult as ELMM. And perhaps more exciting.
That’s the song that plays when my phone rings.
It’s also what I’m doing as I think about what my life is going to be like in the next little while.
First, a pre-op diet to help lose the fat around my liver.
Then, surgery.
Followed by recovery, and diet restrictions to help ensure the band gets settled on my stomach.
And then, THEN the serious part begins. The band will allow for about 250ml of food per meal. The average person’s stomach can hold 1 to 1 1/2 litres of food – not that you’d necessarily eat that volume. Unless, of course you don’t have a “turn off” switch and you just keep consuming. Come to think of it, I might resemble that remark.
I recognize there’s a few yucky things that go along with weight-loss surgery, like surgery for example. And, maybe the productive burping (I’ll tell you about that when it happens). But, I’m focusing on the bright side.
For example, I love the titles of these books: Passing for Thin: Losing Half My Weight and Finding My Self, by Frances Kuffel, The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl, by Shauna Reid, and Halfassed: A Weight-loss Memoir, by Jennette Fulda.
There’s also great blogs and websites to read about how other people are losing weight, and maintaining it. I’ll add some of them to my blogroll soon.
I’m just creating my bag of tricks, putting together all the tools that will help me reach my goal. Writing this, reading the books and the blogs.
This is what Oprah said to a guest on one of her shows celebrating big weight loss. The guest was talking about how they had tried everything to lose weight. Oprah said, and I’m paraphrasing, “You didn’t try everything.” Her belief is that there is a way to lose weight for every single person who wants to lose weight. You have to just keep trying.
I’m trying.
I hope for a lot of things. Just like the quintessential beauty pageant contestant, I hope for world peace. I hope hungry children throughout the world don’t spend another minute hungry. I hope the cooling world economy warms up soon.
So, you get it, right? Hoping for something won’t make it happen. With these big picture issues, I can do something in my own way. Like donate to Unicef, or Save the Children. I can keep up on business news, and determine how it affects me and my own resources. I can support government policies that advance world peace, and disagree publicly with those that don’t.
I hope surgery will go well. I hope my recovery is uneventful. I hope I can follow the diet guidelines. I hope I’ll lose weight
Great. Big deal.
I plan to do my due diligence regarding the effectiveness of the program, and the surgeon’s ability.
I plan to follow the post-op guidelines, including liquid and semi-liquid guidelines.
If I work the plan, I’ll have set myself up perfectly to get maximum use from my lapband.
And, then I’m planning on making use of any services that will help me reach my weight loss goal.
So, I’m not hoping for success. I’m working a plan for success.
