Fat Woman With A Band

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.

Cue 86-piece orchestra, with a large percussion section, and play the big music.

Started the pre-op deprivation diet today. I know. I know. It’s all in how you frame it. At this very moment, I’m feeling deprived, and the endpoint is so far away, that I can’t think of it clearly.

Grrrr.

O.K., I’ll stop. That’s it. No more feeling sorry for myself. Done and done.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading about dieting, finding the descriptions of experiences that will help me. Lots and lots to read about. Some written by people “just like me”, and some sponsored by medical organizations.

I’ve added a couple of more sites to my blogroll, to give you an idea of what’s available. Elastic Waist has some very funny videos. And Weight Matters is authored by an Ottawa doctor specializing in bariatric topics.

I’ve ordered a couple of books written by women after their successful weight loss. I’ll post reviews as soon as I’ve read them. Wonder why it seems as if it’s only women who talk about weight loss? Usually, if you see or read about a man’s weight loss, it’s associated with an athletic achievement. Gender roles appear even in weight loss stories.

On the bright side, tomorrow is two. Oh, and I can drink coffee or tea. See? It’s all in how your frame it.

And a big shout out to canadiangirl who had her surgery on Nov 20th. I’m happy to report she’s doing well. Go, canadiangirl!