Drank a pint of squash W A Y too quickly this morning. I was running late for picking J up for the meeting, so I necked it back quick before I could have my porridge and yogurt. However, it made me fill a bit hard in my chest. I am still full now though, and usually by this time I am starving!
So today so far I have had baby porridge mixed with a peach yogurt and mid morning 2 of them Ella's Kitchen smoothies and 2 cashew nuts on the way back from the meeting as I had to stop and get diesel from the garage, and DS wanted a snack so I got him some cashews. He loves nuts.
I got the wretched diesel all over my hands, and now they stink like I work in a shipyard.
So far today then, about 300.
I am not going to bother counting cals after today as I just wanted to know how many I consumed in a week, and to have a bench mark to measure against. Also to check I was not over doing it!
I feel like I have lost weight and I several people have said I look great. A couple of my pupils have said I look well and my M in Law's boyf ' said I looked really good yesterday too, which was lovely of him. A few people in the congregation have said too, so that's really great, and its only been 3 and a half weeks!! Woooo Hooo
I Love My Band!
I have also told a few people now.
I will list the people who know just out of my own interest:
DH
DS
Mum
Dad
My Brother
Mum in Law
Sis in Law
My Sister (you know who you are!)
Travelling Buddy
Mich, Paul and kids
Cindy
Malc
Joelle
Debs
Debs (another one!)
Tash
Rebs
Cheryl
3 of the mums
Loren
and another one that doesn't really count.
So 22 people. I told 1 of them today.
That's not bad. When I had the operation only half knew. It would have been less but the sheer logistics of it meant we had to involve some others.
I am much more open about talking about it now. I just didn't want to tell anyone before I had the op, as I didn't want to be put off. Just after the operation I didn't want to either because I wanted to see it work first. So now it has started to, I am not that bothered. The more people know about it, the better I think because it means others that might never have considered it will be seeing the results and choose it for themselves.
I will report back on what else I have to eat today later.
**update for today**
Had a really weird feeling all day.... Its sort of like indigestion... maybe a blockage of description...
I had a couple of grapes earlier today. This was my first try of fruit, and I have heard other people cannot tolerate them because of the skins. Maybe it is that. I must admit I didn't peel them (i mean - for goodness sake! like I am going to do that!) so they went down skins an' all. But it is a heavy pressure in the mid chest area... like indigestion but not heart burn...
I also haven't felt hungry since lunch.... mmm me thinks this could be the reason.
Anyway, Stomach acid is still able to enter my 'mini stomach' so it will eventually go I guess.
For lunch I simply had a bowl of prawns and cocktail sauce. I made a special journey to the shop because I really fancied it.
Now, I HATE fish. Or I used to anyway. I would eat the odd prawn, or cod or whatever, but FISH in general, or real fish that tastes like fish type stuff I could not bear!
Since banding I think I have eaten mostly fish as my protein. How amazingly odd is that? My body is obviously wanting the nutrients from fish.
I have had salmon a few times, all differently prepared too. Trout a couple of times, tuna and prawns and cod and hake. This is not like me.
So today my cals have also not gone haywire. I cant be bothered to work it out, but a bowl of prawns is not much. certainly not more than 300.
So there we go.
Guess what...
WEIGH IN TOMORROW!!! HURRAH
I have spent the evening looking for a kitten. what a nightmare. Does no one have free moggies anymore?? WHY?
Sunday, 11 March 2007
Day 24
Manic day.
Worked, came home, worked again, then came home with a bad headache.
Well tired.
Have not kept track of the calories today, but its pretty small...
I have had some baby porridge, a pot of baby food, a smoothie, a pot of tesco couscous and some more baby food and two tomato juices... Thats it. The couscous was about 200. the tomato's 21 each, and the baby food about 160. The porridge is about 100 too... so its roughly 500- ish. I do feel quite hungry, but its been such an odd day, that I havent been able to worry about it.
Roll on Fill Thursday!
Weigh in Monday... cant wait. Its so exciting to go every week now!
Worked, came home, worked again, then came home with a bad headache.
Well tired.
Have not kept track of the calories today, but its pretty small...
I have had some baby porridge, a pot of baby food, a smoothie, a pot of tesco couscous and some more baby food and two tomato juices... Thats it. The couscous was about 200. the tomato's 21 each, and the baby food about 160. The porridge is about 100 too... so its roughly 500- ish. I do feel quite hungry, but its been such an odd day, that I havent been able to worry about it.
Roll on Fill Thursday!
Weigh in Monday... cant wait. Its so exciting to go every week now!
Friday, 9 March 2007
Day 23
It's belch central here.
I have had the worst burps ever today! Real big MAN burps!! :o)
Its well funny, DS is extremely impressed.
Today has been particularly humdrum. Got up, did the housewife job, then did the school teacher job, then went to work and did my real job, then came home and did the wife and mum job and now I have time for myself (half ten at night) I am writing this.
Today's meals have been what I would call proper-ish. I didn't have breakfast as I wasn't hungry at all. As i wasn't hungry, I took the advice just to drink, so I have a couple of cups of coffee mid morning and then a pint of squash. There is no resistance at all to liquid now.
Just before lunch I had an:
Ella's smoothie = 52 cals
And then for lunch I made 50g pasta with half a can of tuna and 100g of arabiatta sauce.
Total lunch = 349 cals
I had 2 more smoothies, a red and a yellow, at work:
2 x smoothies 110 cals
For dinner I had:
2/3rds pack of Birds Eye roast beef in gravy = 153 cals
Heinz toddler meal 'sweet potato and beef casserole' = 169 cals
Total today = 833 cals
Not bad!
I have felt that today I ate quite a lot at my meals, but I made a conscious choice to eat the protein part first, and to make sure that I got 60g of protein in my diet today, as that is supposedly what we should all aim for before anything else.
I am going to try and do that each day, but its getting out of habits that's the hard bit. I am still used to going to the cupboard and grabbing some noodles or a can of beans, because I have been following a practically vegetarian diet for 2 years. I have to get used to thinking about protein first rather than bulking on carbs. Carbs fill you up, but I don't have that problem now!! So I can eat meat and fish to my hearts content. I am looking forward to having some prawns. I haven't had them for a while in a nice dressing! Mmmmm. Lots of pepper and they are yummy! Just like my Dad there I feel!
You might not believe this, but I am surprised to see how little calories I am eating. When I get the calculator out to count the days cals up I always think its going to be horrendous. Just shows how your mind controls a lot of our guilt and gets it soooooo wrong! I wonder how many times I have felt guilty when in fact I was ok, then ruined and sabotaged my weight loss because my mind thought it had been bad?? Interesting. Its so messed up. I am just over three weeks into band land and I feel like I have given up smoking, or drinking or some weird fetish or an anti social behaviour. I kind of feel like I should attend AA!! It funny how it feels to be banded. It is like giving up drugs, but still having them. Odd it really is.
Like going to AA and then going down the pub. Like going to NA and then having a spliff on the way home. Like fronting an anti smoking campaign, and then sneaking out the back for a ciggy.
I think us serial dieters deserve a lot more respect for our struggle with weight than we actually get.
How long would a heroin addict be able to stay of the smack if he HAD to have 1 hit a day?
How long would an alcoholic stay sober if he HAD to have just one drink a day?
We have to have 3 meals a day. We cant give up our drug. No one realises that when we slip of the wagon, it is usually every meal.
I think we deserve a bit more credit for how much effort we give to fighting this disease, because that is what it is. Its a killer.
I have had the worst burps ever today! Real big MAN burps!! :o)
Its well funny, DS is extremely impressed.
Today has been particularly humdrum. Got up, did the housewife job, then did the school teacher job, then went to work and did my real job, then came home and did the wife and mum job and now I have time for myself (half ten at night) I am writing this.
Today's meals have been what I would call proper-ish. I didn't have breakfast as I wasn't hungry at all. As i wasn't hungry, I took the advice just to drink, so I have a couple of cups of coffee mid morning and then a pint of squash. There is no resistance at all to liquid now.
Just before lunch I had an:
Ella's smoothie = 52 cals
And then for lunch I made 50g pasta with half a can of tuna and 100g of arabiatta sauce.
Total lunch = 349 cals
I had 2 more smoothies, a red and a yellow, at work:
2 x smoothies 110 cals
For dinner I had:
2/3rds pack of Birds Eye roast beef in gravy = 153 cals
Heinz toddler meal 'sweet potato and beef casserole' = 169 cals
Total today = 833 cals
Not bad!
I have felt that today I ate quite a lot at my meals, but I made a conscious choice to eat the protein part first, and to make sure that I got 60g of protein in my diet today, as that is supposedly what we should all aim for before anything else.
I am going to try and do that each day, but its getting out of habits that's the hard bit. I am still used to going to the cupboard and grabbing some noodles or a can of beans, because I have been following a practically vegetarian diet for 2 years. I have to get used to thinking about protein first rather than bulking on carbs. Carbs fill you up, but I don't have that problem now!! So I can eat meat and fish to my hearts content. I am looking forward to having some prawns. I haven't had them for a while in a nice dressing! Mmmmm. Lots of pepper and they are yummy! Just like my Dad there I feel!
You might not believe this, but I am surprised to see how little calories I am eating. When I get the calculator out to count the days cals up I always think its going to be horrendous. Just shows how your mind controls a lot of our guilt and gets it soooooo wrong! I wonder how many times I have felt guilty when in fact I was ok, then ruined and sabotaged my weight loss because my mind thought it had been bad?? Interesting. Its so messed up. I am just over three weeks into band land and I feel like I have given up smoking, or drinking or some weird fetish or an anti social behaviour. I kind of feel like I should attend AA!! It funny how it feels to be banded. It is like giving up drugs, but still having them. Odd it really is.
Like going to AA and then going down the pub. Like going to NA and then having a spliff on the way home. Like fronting an anti smoking campaign, and then sneaking out the back for a ciggy.
I think us serial dieters deserve a lot more respect for our struggle with weight than we actually get.
How long would a heroin addict be able to stay of the smack if he HAD to have 1 hit a day?
How long would an alcoholic stay sober if he HAD to have just one drink a day?
We have to have 3 meals a day. We cant give up our drug. No one realises that when we slip of the wagon, it is usually every meal.
I think we deserve a bit more credit for how much effort we give to fighting this disease, because that is what it is. Its a killer.
Thursday, 8 March 2007
Day 22
Couldn't resist a hop on the scales... looks like a couple more pounds off... but not totally sure because my scales are crummy - I'll have to wait until Monday to find out for definite.
Been out this morning for 1 and a half hours, and by the end I was dog tired. I really needed a sit down. So popped back to L's (my travelling Buddy) for a cup of coffee and to eat my lunch.
She brought me back some Theraflu from Latvia which is excellent for colds. You cant get it here. Probably some cancer inducing chemical in it or something, but the Russians aren't dropping like flies, so it cant be too bad. I cant find any info about it on the web that looks bad either. Its already made me feel better!
For breakfast I had peachy porridge by Heinz at 9:30. I was hungry by 11:00. Not good, so by the time i got to L's I swigged my Theraflu and coffee down really fast then tucked into my baby meal I brought along just in case. I was so glad I did!
So, so far today I have had:
peachy porridge = 173 cals (44 grams of the stuff)
baby dinner = 161 cals
Red Ella's Kitchen smoothie = 52 cals.
I am going to the hairdresser to get my hair washed at 2:30 because I am still struggling with my pain in my side. This morning it felt more like a stitch than a tugging, but I just cant keep my arms above my head long enough to shampoo my hair 2 or 3 times and then condition it. Shampooing this mop once is just not enough, and because I am hurrying, I think I am also leaving too much residue in the hair. I last washed it on Thursday (1st March) and my Friday morning it was grotty again. Its difficult to tell whether its greasy and looking rubbish because of the new diet, or because I cant wash it properly. To be honest I think it has to be the latter. My skin is clear and feels fresh, no greasy patches like usual, so I think if anything it would have dried my scalp out rather than make it more greasy. But there we go. Its getting a good wash today whatever the problem is. At least it will look nice for the meeting tonight and work tomorrow and Saturday.
Still haven't had any responses to my adds I put in the local shops to try and drum up more business. I have decided that I definitely want to work Wednesday too now. It will be really god for me. But isn't it always the case that when you want to work more, no one wants you!! How annoying. It will come eventually, it never ever takes very long to build up a client base. I will tell my pupils tomorrow that I am looking for pupils, and normally that does the trick!
Anyway, will post more later. I am planning to do a few miles on the treadmill, so I will let you know if I do or not! :o)
I have just been B A D.
No actually, I don't feel bad.
I just had a Cadbury's Rolo Egg = 185 cals
I knew how much cals it had, and I made a conscious decision to buy it, rather than just grabbing it and throwing it down my neck. I consciously enjoyed it too.
That is the first piece of chocolate I have had since banding. It was nice, but it was not that nice. I certainly didn't want anymore than I ate, which is great! I keep forgetting that I simply wont be able to gorge any more. Its nice to be able to eat something which a normal thin person might consume, without worrying that I wont be able to control myself.
Chocolate melts, granted, but its still makes me feel full... That was a good experience.
Dinner...
I had Young's Mediterranean fish bake. (Half of it. The cats had the rest) = 150
green beans = 22 cals
mushy peas 100g = 78 cals
So total today: 821 !
Well pleased. Even had a treat and its still under 1000! This band is THE BUSINESS!!!!
I wish I had done it AGES ago!
I am just having a nice cup of coffee before going on the treadmill.... yep! I am going to do it!! ha ha. Bet you thought I wouldn't!
Its the first time I have used it in a long while.... well a really long while, but DS uses it a lot so at least its not been gathering dust. I have to tone up the old skin though, otherwise I am wasting my time losing it in the first place.
Work tomorrow.... :o) Looking forward to it. How very odd!!
Been out this morning for 1 and a half hours, and by the end I was dog tired. I really needed a sit down. So popped back to L's (my travelling Buddy) for a cup of coffee and to eat my lunch.
She brought me back some Theraflu from Latvia which is excellent for colds. You cant get it here. Probably some cancer inducing chemical in it or something, but the Russians aren't dropping like flies, so it cant be too bad. I cant find any info about it on the web that looks bad either. Its already made me feel better!
For breakfast I had peachy porridge by Heinz at 9:30. I was hungry by 11:00. Not good, so by the time i got to L's I swigged my Theraflu and coffee down really fast then tucked into my baby meal I brought along just in case. I was so glad I did!
So, so far today I have had:
peachy porridge = 173 cals (44 grams of the stuff)
baby dinner = 161 cals
Red Ella's Kitchen smoothie = 52 cals.
I am going to the hairdresser to get my hair washed at 2:30 because I am still struggling with my pain in my side. This morning it felt more like a stitch than a tugging, but I just cant keep my arms above my head long enough to shampoo my hair 2 or 3 times and then condition it. Shampooing this mop once is just not enough, and because I am hurrying, I think I am also leaving too much residue in the hair. I last washed it on Thursday (1st March) and my Friday morning it was grotty again. Its difficult to tell whether its greasy and looking rubbish because of the new diet, or because I cant wash it properly. To be honest I think it has to be the latter. My skin is clear and feels fresh, no greasy patches like usual, so I think if anything it would have dried my scalp out rather than make it more greasy. But there we go. Its getting a good wash today whatever the problem is. At least it will look nice for the meeting tonight and work tomorrow and Saturday.
Still haven't had any responses to my adds I put in the local shops to try and drum up more business. I have decided that I definitely want to work Wednesday too now. It will be really god for me. But isn't it always the case that when you want to work more, no one wants you!! How annoying. It will come eventually, it never ever takes very long to build up a client base. I will tell my pupils tomorrow that I am looking for pupils, and normally that does the trick!
Anyway, will post more later. I am planning to do a few miles on the treadmill, so I will let you know if I do or not! :o)
I have just been B A D.
No actually, I don't feel bad.
I just had a Cadbury's Rolo Egg = 185 cals
I knew how much cals it had, and I made a conscious decision to buy it, rather than just grabbing it and throwing it down my neck. I consciously enjoyed it too.
That is the first piece of chocolate I have had since banding. It was nice, but it was not that nice. I certainly didn't want anymore than I ate, which is great! I keep forgetting that I simply wont be able to gorge any more. Its nice to be able to eat something which a normal thin person might consume, without worrying that I wont be able to control myself.
Chocolate melts, granted, but its still makes me feel full... That was a good experience.
Dinner...
I had Young's Mediterranean fish bake. (Half of it. The cats had the rest) = 150
green beans = 22 cals
mushy peas 100g = 78 cals
So total today: 821 !
Well pleased. Even had a treat and its still under 1000! This band is THE BUSINESS!!!!
I wish I had done it AGES ago!
I am just having a nice cup of coffee before going on the treadmill.... yep! I am going to do it!! ha ha. Bet you thought I wouldn't!
Its the first time I have used it in a long while.... well a really long while, but DS uses it a lot so at least its not been gathering dust. I have to tone up the old skin though, otherwise I am wasting my time losing it in the first place.
Work tomorrow.... :o) Looking forward to it. How very odd!!
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
3 weeks post op!
I was rudely awoken by the cat jumping on my head to get my ear plugs. I have never known such a strange cat as Pauline. She will eat ANYTHING. She sits like a dog whilst we eat our dinner and particularly likes curry, garlic bread and sponge cake.
She has an ear plug fetish. Back in October I decided that I could no longer put up with DH's snoring, so got myself some tesco ear plugs. They are excellent. They are bullet shaped and bright orange and even come in their own little case. 6 pairs in a box - a bargain at £1.49.
However, my stash is rapidly depleting. Every morning Pauline jumps on me and tries to eat them out of my ears, or steal them out of my drawer. If I accidentally forget and leave them on my bedside table, they are gone in a flash. Apparently, when I was away she still used to jump up and have a look for them! I don't understand the excitement, but she get immense pleasure from chewing them to death. I find them all over the house. We just moved our piano and there must have been about 15 under there - all half chewed!
Normally I am awoken by her purring and prodding at my ears, but today she literally landed on my head. I was not impressed.
I felt hungry when I woke, ravenous in fact. I went down stairs and had my chewy bassets vitamins and my tablets, and a coffee and then I was full. I didn't get to eat my brekkie because I realised I had an eyebrow wax and facial at 10am. It was lovely. Its the new beauty place in my village. It only opened 2 weeks ago, and I am so pleased there is somewhere local for me to have my bits done. I hated having to drive all over the place just to get an eyebrow wax.
So got back and had lunch. I had 2 slices of weight watchers bread with 2 tablespoons of spaghetti and a bit of grated cheese. Now, this is the first bit of bread I have had in 3 weeks. It is laying rather heavy, but not any bad problems. We were told that bread would give us grief, so I am thinking that I really need that fill!!
I thought about it a little more, and I am starting to get hungry quite regularly. I am not staying full for 2 or 3 hours like I was last week... I am still not eating much, but I am not content like I have been. So I rang up one of the clinics where they do the fills. Apparently a fill is usually done at between 4 and 6 weeks. Some people don't get a fill for months because they are happy as they are, but others need it adjusted quicker. The woman on the phone said that the things to look out for are:
Hunger
non sustainable satiety
looking around for food
Well over the last few days that has been the case.
So I have been booked in for an earlier fill. I will be having my 1st fill on Thursday 15th March.
I am also going to a different center, because it is closer to me by 45 minutes, and £15 cheaper too!! The clinic where I was going originally on the 24th was also only on a Saturday so that would have meant missing work, so it would have worked out a lot more expensive all round.
Its a shame, because I wanted to see M. We had an appointment on the same day, but maybe we can get together another day that week or something. We will have to organise something or other.
So, today's food:
2 slices brown weight watchers bread = 88 cals
100g Heinz spaghetti = 60 cals
activia kiwi and fibre yogurt = 91 cals
Yellow Ella's Kitchen smoothie = 65 cals
This evening we had:
Chicken and Broccoli pie with assorted veg = 340 cals
Red Ella's Kitchen Smoothie = 52 cals
So today's total is: 696 cals
I had to go to bed again this afternoon. I just had to lie down. It seems to be that I need more sleep that I did before I had the band fitted.
I have changed my blog photo today. It shows me the day after surgery in the hotel in Brugge. I cant wait to take a comparison photo in a few months time.
I have added a few other peoples blogs to my site, one of them, Helen, had her surgery the same day as I did! So that's 3 of us who are at the same place that I know of.
Right, I am off to play Sims as DH has gone to the pub with J for a pint... or 6!
:o)
YAY SIMS!
She has an ear plug fetish. Back in October I decided that I could no longer put up with DH's snoring, so got myself some tesco ear plugs. They are excellent. They are bullet shaped and bright orange and even come in their own little case. 6 pairs in a box - a bargain at £1.49.
However, my stash is rapidly depleting. Every morning Pauline jumps on me and tries to eat them out of my ears, or steal them out of my drawer. If I accidentally forget and leave them on my bedside table, they are gone in a flash. Apparently, when I was away she still used to jump up and have a look for them! I don't understand the excitement, but she get immense pleasure from chewing them to death. I find them all over the house. We just moved our piano and there must have been about 15 under there - all half chewed!
Normally I am awoken by her purring and prodding at my ears, but today she literally landed on my head. I was not impressed.
I felt hungry when I woke, ravenous in fact. I went down stairs and had my chewy bassets vitamins and my tablets, and a coffee and then I was full. I didn't get to eat my brekkie because I realised I had an eyebrow wax and facial at 10am. It was lovely. Its the new beauty place in my village. It only opened 2 weeks ago, and I am so pleased there is somewhere local for me to have my bits done. I hated having to drive all over the place just to get an eyebrow wax.
So got back and had lunch. I had 2 slices of weight watchers bread with 2 tablespoons of spaghetti and a bit of grated cheese. Now, this is the first bit of bread I have had in 3 weeks. It is laying rather heavy, but not any bad problems. We were told that bread would give us grief, so I am thinking that I really need that fill!!
I thought about it a little more, and I am starting to get hungry quite regularly. I am not staying full for 2 or 3 hours like I was last week... I am still not eating much, but I am not content like I have been. So I rang up one of the clinics where they do the fills. Apparently a fill is usually done at between 4 and 6 weeks. Some people don't get a fill for months because they are happy as they are, but others need it adjusted quicker. The woman on the phone said that the things to look out for are:
Hunger
non sustainable satiety
looking around for food
Well over the last few days that has been the case.
So I have been booked in for an earlier fill. I will be having my 1st fill on Thursday 15th March.
I am also going to a different center, because it is closer to me by 45 minutes, and £15 cheaper too!! The clinic where I was going originally on the 24th was also only on a Saturday so that would have meant missing work, so it would have worked out a lot more expensive all round.
Its a shame, because I wanted to see M. We had an appointment on the same day, but maybe we can get together another day that week or something. We will have to organise something or other.
So, today's food:
2 slices brown weight watchers bread = 88 cals
100g Heinz spaghetti = 60 cals
activia kiwi and fibre yogurt = 91 cals
Yellow Ella's Kitchen smoothie = 65 cals
This evening we had:
Chicken and Broccoli pie with assorted veg = 340 cals
Red Ella's Kitchen Smoothie = 52 cals
So today's total is: 696 cals
I had to go to bed again this afternoon. I just had to lie down. It seems to be that I need more sleep that I did before I had the band fitted.
I have changed my blog photo today. It shows me the day after surgery in the hotel in Brugge. I cant wait to take a comparison photo in a few months time.
I have added a few other peoples blogs to my site, one of them, Helen, had her surgery the same day as I did! So that's 3 of us who are at the same place that I know of.
Right, I am off to play Sims as DH has gone to the pub with J for a pint... or 6!
:o)
YAY SIMS!
Tuesday, 6 March 2007
Day 20
Not much to report, other than that I have a stinking cough, cold and sore throat. Also a sore side from coughing too much. Great huh? Feel very sorry for myself.
Today Mum, DS and I were supposed to go to Rome this morning and come back tomorrow evening, but as Mum still has her poorly foot, and I still feel very raw, we decided against going. I am glad we did now, as I feel grotsville. What a bunch we would have made. Mum sitting with her foot up on the trivi fountain and me snotting all over the Sistine chapel. HA HA
We can go another time.
Anyway, spent the first half of the day in bed and have just had a coffee.
In the oven today are some roasted vegetables... from Tesco. I am going to give them a whirl with some pasta.
I have had one of those Ella's kitchen smoothies which are YUMMY but cost a fortune. Well... I guess they seem to. They work out about 50p each, so its not that bad. Its just that I didnt want to go to tesco again, it drives me INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE, so I ordered 4 boxes. 2 red and 2 yellow and it came to a ten spot! However, I used to buy 48 pepsi max and it was £12, so its swings and roundabouts. It just feels bad because I am not used to buying them. Or wasting money on those silly things as I usually say to DS. Now he is looking at me all permp thinking "Oh, its ok for her to have them is it...?" YES it IS, 'cos I get nothing else now!
I love my fruit, and its been really hard not grabbing an apple and biting into it. I just don't feel ready for it yet. I know I will one day, so until then, its Ella's organic smoothies.
So... I shall be adding to this post later as I want to keep a track of what I am eating, and to give you all an idea of quantities etc...
*Coffee with milk (a splash from 200mls = 96 cals)
*Ella's Smoothie (52 cals)
*Roast Vegetables (119 cals) and Pasta (50g = 172 cals)
*1 Lemsip (unknown cals... why don't they put stuff like that on the packet?)
*Coffee with splash milk.
*Organic Ambledown Roast (a rustic combination of lentils and vegetables with apples, cheese & roasted hazelnuts topped with cider soaked... wait for it.... GROATS!) and a selection of boiled veg. (282 cals - if I eat it all, that is)
So total for today is: 721 cals. That is not a lot, and that's also expecting me to eat all of the Roast, so a little less.
I keep thinking I am going to put on weight. But its just not possible is it.
I did my first long purposeful walk today. Not really long, but it was a strain on the old guts. The village and back. 1 mile. I really felt my tummy pulling when I got home, and I had to go to bed!!! HA HA! can you believe it. It wore me out totally! I slept for 4 hours. So there we go.
As of tomorrow, I am going back on regular meals with the family, even though it might be a struggle. The struggle is thinking what to give the family to eat because I can't seem to dream anything up any more. If I was a chef my job would be in crisis!!!
P.S. I didnt eat all the Ambledown roast. I ate 2/3rds of it...
So new calorie total for Roast is: 188 cals
Daily total cals = 627
Today Mum, DS and I were supposed to go to Rome this morning and come back tomorrow evening, but as Mum still has her poorly foot, and I still feel very raw, we decided against going. I am glad we did now, as I feel grotsville. What a bunch we would have made. Mum sitting with her foot up on the trivi fountain and me snotting all over the Sistine chapel. HA HA
We can go another time.
Anyway, spent the first half of the day in bed and have just had a coffee.
In the oven today are some roasted vegetables... from Tesco. I am going to give them a whirl with some pasta.
I have had one of those Ella's kitchen smoothies which are YUMMY but cost a fortune. Well... I guess they seem to. They work out about 50p each, so its not that bad. Its just that I didnt want to go to tesco again, it drives me INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE, so I ordered 4 boxes. 2 red and 2 yellow and it came to a ten spot! However, I used to buy 48 pepsi max and it was £12, so its swings and roundabouts. It just feels bad because I am not used to buying them. Or wasting money on those silly things as I usually say to DS. Now he is looking at me all permp thinking "Oh, its ok for her to have them is it...?" YES it IS, 'cos I get nothing else now!
I love my fruit, and its been really hard not grabbing an apple and biting into it. I just don't feel ready for it yet. I know I will one day, so until then, its Ella's organic smoothies.
So... I shall be adding to this post later as I want to keep a track of what I am eating, and to give you all an idea of quantities etc...
*Coffee with milk (a splash from 200mls = 96 cals)
*Ella's Smoothie (52 cals)
*Roast Vegetables (119 cals) and Pasta (50g = 172 cals)
*1 Lemsip (unknown cals... why don't they put stuff like that on the packet?)
*Coffee with splash milk.
*Organic Ambledown Roast (a rustic combination of lentils and vegetables with apples, cheese & roasted hazelnuts topped with cider soaked... wait for it.... GROATS!) and a selection of boiled veg. (282 cals - if I eat it all, that is)
So total for today is: 721 cals. That is not a lot, and that's also expecting me to eat all of the Roast, so a little less.
I keep thinking I am going to put on weight. But its just not possible is it.
I did my first long purposeful walk today. Not really long, but it was a strain on the old guts. The village and back. 1 mile. I really felt my tummy pulling when I got home, and I had to go to bed!!! HA HA! can you believe it. It wore me out totally! I slept for 4 hours. So there we go.
As of tomorrow, I am going back on regular meals with the family, even though it might be a struggle. The struggle is thinking what to give the family to eat because I can't seem to dream anything up any more. If I was a chef my job would be in crisis!!!
P.S. I didnt eat all the Ambledown roast. I ate 2/3rds of it...
So new calorie total for Roast is: 188 cals
Daily total cals = 627
Monday, 5 March 2007
Day 19 - Another one bites the dust!
Hello again,
Been to slimming world and I have lost 1lb this week!!! Yippee. So now I have lost 15 pounds in total.
I am glad I only lost 1 pound, as that meant that I could stay to the class today and not feel like a cheat!!
Anyway, I have also joined a yahoo group for people who are banded. Its for people who are living with the band, or considering it. Its great for me as it means that I can share my worries and concerns with others like me.
If you want to join btw you can do so at
Click to join ukbandsters
Been to slimming world and I have lost 1lb this week!!! Yippee. So now I have lost 15 pounds in total.
I am glad I only lost 1 pound, as that meant that I could stay to the class today and not feel like a cheat!!
Anyway, I have also joined a yahoo group for people who are banded. Its for people who are living with the band, or considering it. Its great for me as it means that I can share my worries and concerns with others like me.
If you want to join btw you can do so at
Click to join ukbandsters
Saturday, 3 March 2007
Day 17
Hello again.... Work went great. DS's fish arrived. The Siamese fighting fish looks a little out of fight to be honest, but we shall monitor the situation.
Today have had Heinz peachy porridge, and a jar of REALLY MANKY turkey and spinach. OMG it was foul!!!! I mean seriously bad. EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH.
I still ate it though. Half a ton of salt and pepper didn't do much to disguise it, but seeing as I was shattered after work, and starving hungry, I couldn't be bothered to make anything else, so I had anyway. Now that is a VERY strange thing.
The pre-band me would have ditched anything that was munging and chosen something like a nutrigrain bar, pot noodle or other quick snack. But I have found that even though its really really disgustingly UN-tasty I still eat these things.... AND I don't seem to want anything else either. Very strange. I really think that my mind is eating to live, rather than living to eat. This may change, but I hope not.
I was not conscious of this massive shift in thinking until today. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat, as long as its easy to eat and fills me up (i.e. anything then!). This is a major shock to me, as I thought, REALLY thought, that I loved food. But I think I loved the way food feels as it goes down my throat rather than the actual taste.
I never savoured my food. 2 chews - gone! So I cant have loved the taste could I. So I think it was the feeling the food gave me... the dopamine high of having a full stomach. So now, because I am full (and I mean 3 course meal kind of full to you unbanded people out there) after drinking a cup of coffee, my brain seems to be getting what it needs.... its drug if you like... which is the FULL feeling. I think I am addicted to feeling full.... That's maybe why I always associate guilt with feeling full NOW. I still feel in my head that I am going to put on weight... I don't have the confidence as for SOOOoooo many years the full feeling means I am loading on lbs.. But I CANT possibly put on weight with this band at the moment, as I am eating practically nothing at all!.
I have figured my problem out. Yep. Its making sense. The band gives me what I need, so now it doesn't matter what I eat... gross out food or nice food. Its just food. I feel full, and THAT is why I have never been able to lose weight before, because I constantly have to feel warm and snugly inside and FULL.
BINGO. This is a serious revelation to me. It is totally the opposite of why I thought I couldn't lose it... hormones, will power... etc etc. Even though I was doing slimmingworld, I could eat as much as I want, and when ever I want. that was the 'beauty' of the diet they said. Well for me that was a nail in my fat coffin obviously. I am one of those people who eats too much, so an all you can eat diet was NEVER going to work in the long run for me.
I always thought my portions were normal, but now looking back, I can see they were way off.
Portion Control.
Pre Band I could not control the size of my portions because I needed to feel not just comfortable, but FULL. Go to sleep full. It made me feel good. I had to feel like that at least once a day. So without this band, I know that I would not have been ever able to control that desire. I know that for sure. I am glad I have worked this through in my mind as it has really been bugging me why I can sit and eat a jar of FOUL baby food and not throw it in the bin, or even want something else that's nice... like a treat. It does not bother me in the slightest any more.
Without this band I wouldnt have even worked out what the problem was.
Yep, I have found out what my problem was exactly. I am addicted to feeling full. Well now I have no problem getting my high!!!!
Sorted.
No doubt everyone is different, but I know this is honestly where my diet flaw was.
HOORAY FOR BANDLAND!
Today have had Heinz peachy porridge, and a jar of REALLY MANKY turkey and spinach. OMG it was foul!!!! I mean seriously bad. EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH.
I still ate it though. Half a ton of salt and pepper didn't do much to disguise it, but seeing as I was shattered after work, and starving hungry, I couldn't be bothered to make anything else, so I had anyway. Now that is a VERY strange thing.
The pre-band me would have ditched anything that was munging and chosen something like a nutrigrain bar, pot noodle or other quick snack. But I have found that even though its really really disgustingly UN-tasty I still eat these things.... AND I don't seem to want anything else either. Very strange. I really think that my mind is eating to live, rather than living to eat. This may change, but I hope not.
I was not conscious of this massive shift in thinking until today. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat, as long as its easy to eat and fills me up (i.e. anything then!). This is a major shock to me, as I thought, REALLY thought, that I loved food. But I think I loved the way food feels as it goes down my throat rather than the actual taste.
I never savoured my food. 2 chews - gone! So I cant have loved the taste could I. So I think it was the feeling the food gave me... the dopamine high of having a full stomach. So now, because I am full (and I mean 3 course meal kind of full to you unbanded people out there) after drinking a cup of coffee, my brain seems to be getting what it needs.... its drug if you like... which is the FULL feeling. I think I am addicted to feeling full.... That's maybe why I always associate guilt with feeling full NOW. I still feel in my head that I am going to put on weight... I don't have the confidence as for SOOOoooo many years the full feeling means I am loading on lbs.. But I CANT possibly put on weight with this band at the moment, as I am eating practically nothing at all!.
I have figured my problem out. Yep. Its making sense. The band gives me what I need, so now it doesn't matter what I eat... gross out food or nice food. Its just food. I feel full, and THAT is why I have never been able to lose weight before, because I constantly have to feel warm and snugly inside and FULL.
BINGO. This is a serious revelation to me. It is totally the opposite of why I thought I couldn't lose it... hormones, will power... etc etc. Even though I was doing slimmingworld, I could eat as much as I want, and when ever I want. that was the 'beauty' of the diet they said. Well for me that was a nail in my fat coffin obviously. I am one of those people who eats too much, so an all you can eat diet was NEVER going to work in the long run for me.
I always thought my portions were normal, but now looking back, I can see they were way off.
Portion Control.
Pre Band I could not control the size of my portions because I needed to feel not just comfortable, but FULL. Go to sleep full. It made me feel good. I had to feel like that at least once a day. So without this band, I know that I would not have been ever able to control that desire. I know that for sure. I am glad I have worked this through in my mind as it has really been bugging me why I can sit and eat a jar of FOUL baby food and not throw it in the bin, or even want something else that's nice... like a treat. It does not bother me in the slightest any more.
Without this band I wouldnt have even worked out what the problem was.
Yep, I have found out what my problem was exactly. I am addicted to feeling full. Well now I have no problem getting my high!!!!
Sorted.
No doubt everyone is different, but I know this is honestly where my diet flaw was.
HOORAY FOR BANDLAND!
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Day 15 post op
Yesterday was an average day.
Had a coffee and then some Heinz Peachy Porridge for 10 month olds for breakfast. It had little bits in to encourage chewing!! :o) I seriously never thought I would ever buy this stuff again!! So funny to think that 30 years after being weaned, I am having it again!!
After brekkie, DS and I went to a pottery shop and made a memorial tile for our dog who died. We have planted a tree on top of him, and DS wanted to make a tile to lay in the ground. So we did that. It will be ready on Saturday.
I had a couple of cartons of orange juice during the morning, and then for lunch I had
Cow and Gate's Tasty Tuna Penne for 10 month olds.
Yes... well.... Tasty is not a word I would use. Tuna, I guess, could be loosely used, and penne? No. It was triangular pasta blobs.
Honestly, this was pretty grim. No wonder DS refused these jars when he was that age. I ate it, dont get me wrong, but it was so mindlessly samey all the way through. No wonder kids screw there noses up at yet another mouthful of mashed muck. I wont be having any more kids, but if I did, I would go down a whole new approach. Kids like tasty things too, and mixing 7 different flavours together is maybe nice for 1 or 2 mouthfuls, but 25 mouthfuls? I would definitely make each flavour individual on the plate... spoon of mashed veg, spoon of gravy, spoon of mashed meat or whatever so that they can at least eat different things during the same meal. In fact I think that IS what I used to do for DS.
Yeah, now I think about it, I used to give him individual mashed bits of what we had. I guess theres no right or wrong way to wean children, but how many people actually eat a jar of baby food as an adult? Try it. You will see what I mean. There has to be something nicer than that. Maybe that is why DS has never had a problem eating. I thought it was luck... We dont get another chance, so we will never know I guess...
Its like buying a really good face cream and only ever creaming half of your face. By the time you are 80 you will find out if it was worth using face cream every day.... but who is going to risk having half their face look ropey. At 80 you haven't got time to fix it!
Anyway, off of soap box....
The Cow and Gate mank did fill me up, and then me and DS went fr a lie down, as he was feeling really down after doing the tile for our doggy. He was missing him terribly and was cradling his 'Pot of Cliff ' - This is a little screw top pot which, after Cliff died, he used to collect Cliff's moulted fur in so that he will still sort of be there with him. Its basically a pot of fluff. Before you ask, no I dont give him these ideas. He is a very sensitive chap. When we put Cliff in kennels for the first time, DS put his old dog collar around his neck and wore it for the 2 weeks we were in America. He was 4 years old then. He looked real hard core.
So we were talking, as you do, about another dog. This is a bit of a dodgy subject:
our views: Darling Husband = No more dogs
ME= No more dogs.....
Darling Son - 25 dogs please!
.....until I see DS's little face and then I melt and say we will think about it after we get back from Sri Lanka in May. HELLOOOOO!!!???!!! I must be mad!
So DS was discussing what we were going to call our new dog... which we have absolutely no intention of getting.... and then he mentioned that he would like some FISH....
I JUMPED at this idea, and said I LOVED fish, RAVED about them and ENTHUSED and all things positive about fish!!!!!!
Then he said "But if we get fish, we wont be able to get a dog too will we...?"
"No, I doubt it. The fish will be so lovely we might not make enough time for a dog. But hey! At least the fish wont bother my allergies!"
"That's true."
"But I reckon Daddy would let us get away with fish AND another cat though..."
"Would he???? Yeah! That would be great! And that wouldn't upset your allergies mum would it. If we got another cat, could we call it Timothy?"
"Yeah, that's a cool name for a cat. If we got fish, we also wouldn't have to wait until after Sri Lanka, and you might start feeling better about Cliff then."
"When could we get some?"
"Right now if that's what you decide. Remember though, it means you wont get another dog..? But you will have something to love today...?"
"YEAH! LETS GO!"
And then he spent the whole journey, bless his heart, justifying how good it would be to have fish rather than a dog. He is such a lovely boy. We chose our tank, which is now installed in his room, and a large broken submarine for the ornament and we have filled it with water. Its all up and running and ready for our fish, which will be here on Saturday. I got them from the Internet as they were better quality and price. We will have a Red Male Siamese Fighting Fish (no it wont fight the other fish), 10 tetra's, 10 Rasbora's and 2 Sliver Dollars.
So far we have had no tears at all which is a significant improvement!
Told DH about the new arrangement and he was VERY relieved. He was also pleased about the cat. One more wont make much difference! He loves cats too, so we are all happy now.
Then after all the excitement I was a bit peckish, so I had a pot of custard. Then at about 8pm we had tea. DH wasnt in till late yesterday as he had a late start, so I made him and DS corned beef and mash potato and I had one of those steamed fish jobs from tesco... Salmon in Watercress with a small dollop of mash. I managed most of it. I have definitely noticed I am having to eat more before I am full now. No wonder you need a fill, otherwise the weight loss would steady out or stop eventually. Its such a clever thing.
So not much on the food front...
Peachy porridge, jar of baby food, 2 orange juices, salmon and mash. I dont think I am going to get very fat on that!
P.S... This was a cool thng I discovered... find out what your REAL pirate name is!!
part of the fidius.org network
Had a coffee and then some Heinz Peachy Porridge for 10 month olds for breakfast. It had little bits in to encourage chewing!! :o) I seriously never thought I would ever buy this stuff again!! So funny to think that 30 years after being weaned, I am having it again!!
After brekkie, DS and I went to a pottery shop and made a memorial tile for our dog who died. We have planted a tree on top of him, and DS wanted to make a tile to lay in the ground. So we did that. It will be ready on Saturday.
I had a couple of cartons of orange juice during the morning, and then for lunch I had
Cow and Gate's Tasty Tuna Penne for 10 month olds.
Yes... well.... Tasty is not a word I would use. Tuna, I guess, could be loosely used, and penne? No. It was triangular pasta blobs.
Honestly, this was pretty grim. No wonder DS refused these jars when he was that age. I ate it, dont get me wrong, but it was so mindlessly samey all the way through. No wonder kids screw there noses up at yet another mouthful of mashed muck. I wont be having any more kids, but if I did, I would go down a whole new approach. Kids like tasty things too, and mixing 7 different flavours together is maybe nice for 1 or 2 mouthfuls, but 25 mouthfuls? I would definitely make each flavour individual on the plate... spoon of mashed veg, spoon of gravy, spoon of mashed meat or whatever so that they can at least eat different things during the same meal. In fact I think that IS what I used to do for DS.
Yeah, now I think about it, I used to give him individual mashed bits of what we had. I guess theres no right or wrong way to wean children, but how many people actually eat a jar of baby food as an adult? Try it. You will see what I mean. There has to be something nicer than that. Maybe that is why DS has never had a problem eating. I thought it was luck... We dont get another chance, so we will never know I guess...
Its like buying a really good face cream and only ever creaming half of your face. By the time you are 80 you will find out if it was worth using face cream every day.... but who is going to risk having half their face look ropey. At 80 you haven't got time to fix it!
Anyway, off of soap box....
The Cow and Gate mank did fill me up, and then me and DS went fr a lie down, as he was feeling really down after doing the tile for our doggy. He was missing him terribly and was cradling his 'Pot of Cliff ' - This is a little screw top pot which, after Cliff died, he used to collect Cliff's moulted fur in so that he will still sort of be there with him. Its basically a pot of fluff. Before you ask, no I dont give him these ideas. He is a very sensitive chap. When we put Cliff in kennels for the first time, DS put his old dog collar around his neck and wore it for the 2 weeks we were in America. He was 4 years old then. He looked real hard core.
So we were talking, as you do, about another dog. This is a bit of a dodgy subject:
our views: Darling Husband = No more dogs
ME= No more dogs.....
Darling Son - 25 dogs please!
.....until I see DS's little face and then I melt and say we will think about it after we get back from Sri Lanka in May. HELLOOOOO!!!???!!! I must be mad!
So DS was discussing what we were going to call our new dog... which we have absolutely no intention of getting.... and then he mentioned that he would like some FISH....
I JUMPED at this idea, and said I LOVED fish, RAVED about them and ENTHUSED and all things positive about fish!!!!!!
Then he said "But if we get fish, we wont be able to get a dog too will we...?"
"No, I doubt it. The fish will be so lovely we might not make enough time for a dog. But hey! At least the fish wont bother my allergies!"
"That's true."
"But I reckon Daddy would let us get away with fish AND another cat though..."
"Would he???? Yeah! That would be great! And that wouldn't upset your allergies mum would it. If we got another cat, could we call it Timothy?"
"Yeah, that's a cool name for a cat. If we got fish, we also wouldn't have to wait until after Sri Lanka, and you might start feeling better about Cliff then."
"When could we get some?"
"Right now if that's what you decide. Remember though, it means you wont get another dog..? But you will have something to love today...?"
"YEAH! LETS GO!"
And then he spent the whole journey, bless his heart, justifying how good it would be to have fish rather than a dog. He is such a lovely boy. We chose our tank, which is now installed in his room, and a large broken submarine for the ornament and we have filled it with water. Its all up and running and ready for our fish, which will be here on Saturday. I got them from the Internet as they were better quality and price. We will have a Red Male Siamese Fighting Fish (no it wont fight the other fish), 10 tetra's, 10 Rasbora's and 2 Sliver Dollars.
So far we have had no tears at all which is a significant improvement!
Told DH about the new arrangement and he was VERY relieved. He was also pleased about the cat. One more wont make much difference! He loves cats too, so we are all happy now.
Then after all the excitement I was a bit peckish, so I had a pot of custard. Then at about 8pm we had tea. DH wasnt in till late yesterday as he had a late start, so I made him and DS corned beef and mash potato and I had one of those steamed fish jobs from tesco... Salmon in Watercress with a small dollop of mash. I managed most of it. I have definitely noticed I am having to eat more before I am full now. No wonder you need a fill, otherwise the weight loss would steady out or stop eventually. Its such a clever thing.
So not much on the food front...
Peachy porridge, jar of baby food, 2 orange juices, salmon and mash. I dont think I am going to get very fat on that!
P.S... This was a cool thng I discovered... find out what your REAL pirate name is!!
My pirate name is:
Mad Charity Cash
Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.part of the fidius.org network
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
13 Days post op - Off to the Doctor
Well, I plucked up the courage to go to my GP today and hand in the letter from Dr. Dillemans. I handed it over and he was actually very positive. I wondered if he would be off hand, or enthusiastic, so I am glad he was the latter.
He then told me that he had actually been in the theatre during the first procedure of this time at a big teaching hospital where I live. That was nice to know, so he was fully behind the operation and knew that it worked. e also said that if I need anything else, just pop back and let them know.
The nurse chopped away at some of the cat gut that was sticking out of my scars, and even though I can still feel a little bit of it, she said that it will actually dissolve on the inside and then just come away, which is good.
They are all healing well except for the port site, and that is a bit weepy and sore. I have covered it up again so that it can heal a little more.
So there you go. He told me well done, and that I had made a good investment for my future and that I was brave to have done it.
Today I have had another new food.... scrambled egg.
I had some baby rice called Heinz fruit and yoghurt first, which I made quite sloppy, and then had 1 scrambled egg. It was good. Filled me up and thats what I want.
I had a jar of something revolting for my lunch, and am now enjoying a glass of orange juice.
I am enjoying the experimentation.
My teeth are all furry again, havent been chewing anything today really, so must go and brush them. That is the only thing that is a bit grim when you dont chew... the all over furry teeth. Ewwww.
He then told me that he had actually been in the theatre during the first procedure of this time at a big teaching hospital where I live. That was nice to know, so he was fully behind the operation and knew that it worked. e also said that if I need anything else, just pop back and let them know.
The nurse chopped away at some of the cat gut that was sticking out of my scars, and even though I can still feel a little bit of it, she said that it will actually dissolve on the inside and then just come away, which is good.
They are all healing well except for the port site, and that is a bit weepy and sore. I have covered it up again so that it can heal a little more.
So there you go. He told me well done, and that I had made a good investment for my future and that I was brave to have done it.
Today I have had another new food.... scrambled egg.
I had some baby rice called Heinz fruit and yoghurt first, which I made quite sloppy, and then had 1 scrambled egg. It was good. Filled me up and thats what I want.
I had a jar of something revolting for my lunch, and am now enjoying a glass of orange juice.
I am enjoying the experimentation.
My teeth are all furry again, havent been chewing anything today really, so must go and brush them. That is the only thing that is a bit grim when you dont chew... the all over furry teeth. Ewwww.
Monday, 26 February 2007
12 days post op - 1 stone lighter!!
I am so amazingly thrilled that I could cry. I lost 5 and a half pounds this week, taking my total weight loss since surgery to 1 stone (12 lbs).
That's more than 1 pound a day!
Obviously I wont keep losing such a great deal, but its nice to know that its working. I feel fabulous.
The lowest weight I have been since starting slimming world is 16 stone 8 and a half pounds. I am now 17 stone exactly. I could feasibly be lighter that 16 stone 8 and a half by next Monday. I know I would be over the moon if I was, but I am not bothered if I am not because I simply know that I will definitely be below it very soon because I can now control what I eat.
I am looking forward to the new me.
That's more than 1 pound a day!
Obviously I wont keep losing such a great deal, but its nice to know that its working. I feel fabulous.
The lowest weight I have been since starting slimming world is 16 stone 8 and a half pounds. I am now 17 stone exactly. I could feasibly be lighter that 16 stone 8 and a half by next Monday. I know I would be over the moon if I was, but I am not bothered if I am not because I simply know that I will definitely be below it very soon because I can now control what I eat.
I am looking forward to the new me.
Sunday, 25 February 2007
10 days post op
Seeing as its 10 days since the operation, I thought I would be a little more adventurous with my food.
This evening I made pasta with pesto, red peppers, tomato and Parmesan. Wooooooo!
The pasta was from Hungary. I bought it when I was there last month as it looked perfect for my post-op diet. Its basically tiny 2mm blobs of pasta that swell a little when cooked. I guess they use it in soup or for baby food. It boiled really quickly in 5 minutes, so its nice to know its a quick meal if I need it. I had no idea how much to use, so I put in about 50 grams of it. When it was done I put a teaspoon of pesto with it and a quarter of a soft boiled red pepper and the flesh of the tomato and sprinkled it with Parmesan. There was quite a lot there, and I was right to think that I wouldn't finish it. I managed about half. so next time, I will be sure just to use 25 grams of the pasta!!
Anyway, it was delicious.
Before the operation I was worried that I would be looking longingly at other peoples meals, or that I would still want the rest of the meal I had left on my plate but not able to eat it.
I realise the BEAUTY of this gastric band is that I feel neither of those things.
I eat my food slowly, enjoying it with everyone else. I fill up quickly and the fullness really does mean that i don't WANT any more food. Not mine, or anyone else's either!
Gastric Banding is like magic. They say its no magic cure, and I am sure it is not, but it is a magic tool. Its like no other tool around. It is impossible for me to over eat. That was my problem, and now its not. I couldn't care less for cakes, sweets or milkshakes. Cream and sweet things were never my fall downs. I like savory things. And lots of them.
I think that if you like the sweet stuff, the Gastric Band is not for you. You could cheat too easily and temptation would be hard to resist. You would be better of with the RNY Gastric Bypass as then you get the malabsorbtion of calories.
The band works best if you are a volume eater. If you love your food and are always hungry, then this is the baby for you.
I could cry at the result. I cannot express my delight at having this operation. I weighed up the other options very carefully, and did my research. I chose the right option for me. I am glad. No doubt the RNY would have been great too, but the Lap Band is just fine. If I had been a sweet lover, then I would have chosen the bypass, but I searched myself and I am a double starter girl rather than a double pudding girl!
The feeling of satiety is the absolute key to this. You just don't WANT the food if you are hungry. I have no cravings for Chinese, or Indian or any of my favorites. DH had a kebab after badminton the other day and because I was full, the thought made me feel ill. However, lets not forget that in the future if I want a kebab, I can have one. I weigh it up against the weight I want to lose and the calories. I will only be able to manage a few bites anyway, and frankly I cant see the point of wasting my capacity for nutrition on something like that. That said, I am not perfect and I expect that at some point I will nibble something naughty. I doubt there is a person alive that doesn't - skinny or fat.
I know that this band will work for me. It makes me quite emotional to think of being slimmer. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this was the best thing I ever did in my life.
I weigh in at slimming world tomorrow, and yes, I told the consultant about it. She was very supportive and had actually had a couple of people who had had surgery to aid their obesity. So she is all behind me coming to class, and its just between us. She is right when she says its a tool to help me, because I could sit there and melt mars bars and drink syrup. I still have to make informed choices about the foods which I eat. They also have to be healthy. I would hate my hair and nails to stop growing or my skin to be rubbish.... so I am glad that I can still attend. I didn't think it was fair to just carry on going without telling her.
So I will let you know how much I have lost this week.
This evening I made pasta with pesto, red peppers, tomato and Parmesan. Wooooooo!
The pasta was from Hungary. I bought it when I was there last month as it looked perfect for my post-op diet. Its basically tiny 2mm blobs of pasta that swell a little when cooked. I guess they use it in soup or for baby food. It boiled really quickly in 5 minutes, so its nice to know its a quick meal if I need it. I had no idea how much to use, so I put in about 50 grams of it. When it was done I put a teaspoon of pesto with it and a quarter of a soft boiled red pepper and the flesh of the tomato and sprinkled it with Parmesan. There was quite a lot there, and I was right to think that I wouldn't finish it. I managed about half. so next time, I will be sure just to use 25 grams of the pasta!!
Anyway, it was delicious.
Before the operation I was worried that I would be looking longingly at other peoples meals, or that I would still want the rest of the meal I had left on my plate but not able to eat it.
I realise the BEAUTY of this gastric band is that I feel neither of those things.
I eat my food slowly, enjoying it with everyone else. I fill up quickly and the fullness really does mean that i don't WANT any more food. Not mine, or anyone else's either!
Gastric Banding is like magic. They say its no magic cure, and I am sure it is not, but it is a magic tool. Its like no other tool around. It is impossible for me to over eat. That was my problem, and now its not. I couldn't care less for cakes, sweets or milkshakes. Cream and sweet things were never my fall downs. I like savory things. And lots of them.
I think that if you like the sweet stuff, the Gastric Band is not for you. You could cheat too easily and temptation would be hard to resist. You would be better of with the RNY Gastric Bypass as then you get the malabsorbtion of calories.
The band works best if you are a volume eater. If you love your food and are always hungry, then this is the baby for you.
I could cry at the result. I cannot express my delight at having this operation. I weighed up the other options very carefully, and did my research. I chose the right option for me. I am glad. No doubt the RNY would have been great too, but the Lap Band is just fine. If I had been a sweet lover, then I would have chosen the bypass, but I searched myself and I am a double starter girl rather than a double pudding girl!
The feeling of satiety is the absolute key to this. You just don't WANT the food if you are hungry. I have no cravings for Chinese, or Indian or any of my favorites. DH had a kebab after badminton the other day and because I was full, the thought made me feel ill. However, lets not forget that in the future if I want a kebab, I can have one. I weigh it up against the weight I want to lose and the calories. I will only be able to manage a few bites anyway, and frankly I cant see the point of wasting my capacity for nutrition on something like that. That said, I am not perfect and I expect that at some point I will nibble something naughty. I doubt there is a person alive that doesn't - skinny or fat.
I know that this band will work for me. It makes me quite emotional to think of being slimmer. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that this was the best thing I ever did in my life.
I weigh in at slimming world tomorrow, and yes, I told the consultant about it. She was very supportive and had actually had a couple of people who had had surgery to aid their obesity. So she is all behind me coming to class, and its just between us. She is right when she says its a tool to help me, because I could sit there and melt mars bars and drink syrup. I still have to make informed choices about the foods which I eat. They also have to be healthy. I would hate my hair and nails to stop growing or my skin to be rubbish.... so I am glad that I can still attend. I didn't think it was fair to just carry on going without telling her.
So I will let you know how much I have lost this week.
Saturday, 24 February 2007
Shattered
Well, I got back from Estonia yesterday eventually. We were delayed at Tallinn airport for 7 hours. Easy Jet gave us vouchers worth £10 each to get some food, so I had soup and my travelling buddy and DS had loads of stuff. £30 for 3 people is quite a lot in Estonia!! I had packed my Estonian style milupa porridge stuff, and i mixed it cold with a yogurt and that filed me up. I also managed to eat half a jar of MINGING beef, potato and cauliflower baby food. It smelled like cat poo and tasted not far off either. Filled a whole though. I was supposed to go to work last night too, but I had to cancel because we didnt get back until 7:30pm. I am sort of at work now. I went this morning and did 2 lessons and now I have a break until 12:30 and then I have a new pupil and two regulars. Finish at 4:30 so hope to be able to be back by 5pm for a nice bath and early night. Its shattering me this lack of food. I have worked out that I am ingesting about 300 - 450- calories a day. Thats all. I simply cannot eat any more. I have noticed that I am able to drink a whole lot more now. I dont have the 'drip, drip gurgle gurgle' feeling now when I drink. I can drink a good mouthful of water and swallow it with no feeling at all. I found that out by accident when I forgot to sip slowly, and spent the next few seconds waiting for the pain... no problem. So i guess that my stomach swelling is starting to go down. I can eat at least 15 grams of dry milupa baby rice now, so thats good. I have that for breakfast and make it up with hot water and then a spoonful of jam to make it taste palatable. Its quite pleasant. Very filling too. I had it this morning at 8:30 and I am still fill now at 11:30. Not bad really.
I drink BEFORE I eat. I find that the liquids dont fill me up like they did in the first few days, so I drink my coffee before my breakfast and do it all back to front. I eat the stodgy stuff last. This is seeming to work for me.
While in Estonia I had my first taste of real food again. I had mashed potato and salmon. I masked it to nothing and ate slowly, and I was really surprised at the early satiety. Glad too! I manage about the same amount as you would give to a toddler, maybe 1 small potato and about 30 grams of fish.
I experimented a little more after that. I have had cheese soup with prawns in which I chewed to death without a problem. I managed about 3/4 of a small bowl of that before I felt full.
I am basically going by the rule that if I dont feel hungry I dont eat, just drink. If I am hungry, and its a meal time, then I have a meal. If I am hungry and its not a meal time, then I have a yogurt or something.
I am making sure that I get god habits... 3 meals a day and healthy snacks.
I am weighing in on Monday, and havent a clue about the result. DH and the DH of travelling buddy thought that I had lost weight after being away for 4 days in Estonia. Apparently my face looks thinner.... we shall see.
I hope my Surgery Chums are ok too. If they read this, then comment on how you are doing!!
see ya!
I drink BEFORE I eat. I find that the liquids dont fill me up like they did in the first few days, so I drink my coffee before my breakfast and do it all back to front. I eat the stodgy stuff last. This is seeming to work for me.
While in Estonia I had my first taste of real food again. I had mashed potato and salmon. I masked it to nothing and ate slowly, and I was really surprised at the early satiety. Glad too! I manage about the same amount as you would give to a toddler, maybe 1 small potato and about 30 grams of fish.
I experimented a little more after that. I have had cheese soup with prawns in which I chewed to death without a problem. I managed about 3/4 of a small bowl of that before I felt full.
I am basically going by the rule that if I dont feel hungry I dont eat, just drink. If I am hungry, and its a meal time, then I have a meal. If I am hungry and its not a meal time, then I have a yogurt or something.
I am making sure that I get god habits... 3 meals a day and healthy snacks.
I am weighing in on Monday, and havent a clue about the result. DH and the DH of travelling buddy thought that I had lost weight after being away for 4 days in Estonia. Apparently my face looks thinner.... we shall see.
I hope my Surgery Chums are ok too. If they read this, then comment on how you are doing!!
see ya!
Monday, 19 February 2007
RESULTS ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I cannot believe it.
I went to slimming world today to get weighed. Last time I was weighed was the 5th February. I was 17st 11 and a half pounds.
I was weighed on Wednesday morning in the hospital and I weighed exactly 18 stone.
Today - just 5 days after surgery I weigh 17 Stone 5 and a half pounds!!
That is 8 and a half pounds gone already. Good grief. I am nearly sick with pleasure.
I am going to have a yogurt to celebrate! tee hee.
I went to slimming world today to get weighed. Last time I was weighed was the 5th February. I was 17st 11 and a half pounds.
I was weighed on Wednesday morning in the hospital and I weighed exactly 18 stone.
Today - just 5 days after surgery I weigh 17 Stone 5 and a half pounds!!
That is 8 and a half pounds gone already. Good grief. I am nearly sick with pleasure.
I am going to have a yogurt to celebrate! tee hee.
Sunday, 18 February 2007
First day back
Well today i feel ok, but not 100% I haven't taken any pain killers today, which is good i guess. I will take some tonight just in case. I have munched through nearly the whole pack of instant strawberry paracetamol tablets that I bought in Belgium.
I didnt go to the meeting today as I felt rotten. I woke up at 8am, and then went back to sleep again and woke again at 12! I felt weak and tired and could hardly lift my spoon to my lips as i ate my .... wait for it... yogurt! However, after I had finished it I felt a little better.
I caught up on my weeks worth of missed Home and Away's (I LOVE IT) and then some brothers and sisters from the congregation came around. First J and her husband popped around and later J and his daughters. Then K and C popped in too. Its was really lovely. I had C on the phone for an hour checking I was ok and had lots of emails to reply to, as some people didn't know I was having an op. Only R, C, J and M know from the hall that I have had the band. I don't think its anyone else's business, and I feel embarrassed that I have had to go to these lengths to get my weight under control. So thats that. Its all over and done with and I am on the mend. YAY! I cannot BELIEVE that I have done this. 4 weeks ago I wasnt even thinking about it. Now it done. Hopefully it will be the best £4K i have ever spent.
I didnt go to the meeting today as I felt rotten. I woke up at 8am, and then went back to sleep again and woke again at 12! I felt weak and tired and could hardly lift my spoon to my lips as i ate my .... wait for it... yogurt! However, after I had finished it I felt a little better.
I caught up on my weeks worth of missed Home and Away's (I LOVE IT) and then some brothers and sisters from the congregation came around. First J and her husband popped around and later J and his daughters. Then K and C popped in too. Its was really lovely. I had C on the phone for an hour checking I was ok and had lots of emails to reply to, as some people didn't know I was having an op. Only R, C, J and M know from the hall that I have had the band. I don't think its anyone else's business, and I feel embarrassed that I have had to go to these lengths to get my weight under control. So thats that. Its all over and done with and I am on the mend. YAY! I cannot BELIEVE that I have done this. 4 weeks ago I wasnt even thinking about it. Now it done. Hopefully it will be the best £4K i have ever spent.
Saturday, 17 February 2007
Day 6 - Brugge -> Heathrow
Travelling Buddy and I went down to breakfast and I had a sachet of honey, a cream cheese, a yogurt and half a cup of coffee. Bloated. Linda had muesli, yogurt, banana, kiwi, 3 cups coffee, scrambled eggs and something else I cant remember! She also got herself a cheese roll for the flight home.
Our taxi picked us up at 9:30. It cost 180 Euros which was just dreadful, but there we go. I had factored it in. It was then that I realised that I hadnt paid for the first taxi to the hotel on day 1. that should have been 130 euros, so maybe i got a bargain; Marc never asked me for the money. I am pretty sure it wasnt included, but maybe it was. I dunno.
The drive took about an hour and then we were at Brussels airport. and uneventful wait of 3 hours and then 45 minute flight back. I was worried about my band being affected by the pressure in the aircraft, but it didnt seem to feel any different at all thank goodness. I had a tomato juice on the plane for my lunch (goodness I cant get over this). Linda had her roll. They gave us free wraps, but of course I couldnt eat it because, well i cant; and Travelling Buddy couldnt because she is vegetarian, and also on a diet, so we took them back for DH and DS.
My 2 boys met us at the airport with hugs and kisses. A bouquet of flowers for me and a lovely watch and a thank you to Travelling Buddy for coming with me.
We drove home and I was hungry by the time I got home. I had half a pot of jelly, and then a yogurt and that was me done.
DH had arranged for some neighbours to come around for the evening, which I couldn't believe!! However we had a nice time and I felt fine. Went to bed and for the first time since the op I was able to sleep on my right hand side. My left side was still too painful, but I hate sleeping on my back so much, that I felt really at home and comfortable in my own bed. I put pillows down the middle so DH wouldn't hug me in the middle of the night by accident and give me agony. He didnt, but says its awful not being able to cuddle up like we usually do, so we held hands all night and linked legs. All together now..." Ahhhhhhhh".
Our taxi picked us up at 9:30. It cost 180 Euros which was just dreadful, but there we go. I had factored it in. It was then that I realised that I hadnt paid for the first taxi to the hotel on day 1. that should have been 130 euros, so maybe i got a bargain; Marc never asked me for the money. I am pretty sure it wasnt included, but maybe it was. I dunno.
The drive took about an hour and then we were at Brussels airport. and uneventful wait of 3 hours and then 45 minute flight back. I was worried about my band being affected by the pressure in the aircraft, but it didnt seem to feel any different at all thank goodness. I had a tomato juice on the plane for my lunch (goodness I cant get over this). Linda had her roll. They gave us free wraps, but of course I couldnt eat it because, well i cant; and Travelling Buddy couldnt because she is vegetarian, and also on a diet, so we took them back for DH and DS.
My 2 boys met us at the airport with hugs and kisses. A bouquet of flowers for me and a lovely watch and a thank you to Travelling Buddy for coming with me.
We drove home and I was hungry by the time I got home. I had half a pot of jelly, and then a yogurt and that was me done.
DH had arranged for some neighbours to come around for the evening, which I couldn't believe!! However we had a nice time and I felt fine. Went to bed and for the first time since the op I was able to sleep on my right hand side. My left side was still too painful, but I hate sleeping on my back so much, that I felt really at home and comfortable in my own bed. I put pillows down the middle so DH wouldn't hug me in the middle of the night by accident and give me agony. He didnt, but says its awful not being able to cuddle up like we usually do, so we held hands all night and linked legs. All together now..." Ahhhhhhhh".
Friday, 16 February 2007
Day 5 - Brugge
Well I was feeling a lot better today. Pain all day, mostly in my shoulder actually, but not too horrific.
For breakfast I had a yogurt. I was full immediately. I could not believe the small amounts of food we were now eating. Full liquid and milk product diet is very odd. Then Travelling Buddy and I waited in the lobby with D and M for the private nurse to come. We sat drinking (sipping) coffee until she came at about 1pm. M and I went back to her room and the nurse changed our dressings for us and that was it.
Travelling buddy and I then decided to have a wander around Brugge. We went slowly and took in the sights. Its such a lovely place. I got a few nice things for my boys... a T shirt for DH and a pair of willow clogs for DS and also some chocolates. I bought some pressies for my Mum and Dad and also for my Brother too.
We stopped off at about 3 in a little cafe place and I had some tomato soup. I ate only half of it. Travelling buddy wasnt hungry and she had had her lunch so she just had a coffee. It was really nice to sit down. I did feel exhausted to be honest. My hips ached. It felt like they were wearing out. My shoulder pain, by the end of the day, was almost unnoticeable thank goodness. I got a twinge of arm ripping now and again, but not too bad.
We went back to the hotel and I had a lie down, phoned DH and DS and my MUM. Travelling Buddy went off to get a few bits on her own and when she got back we made a start on the packing. At about 7pm D and M came round to say goodbye as they were going off home. They didnt see the point in staying another night, so they hopped in the car, the lucky things, and were back at home in Blighty by 11pm.
TravBud and I were sad to see them go and we had really kept each other company and they were such a lovely couple. We promised to get together at some point and we know now that we are both having our band fills on the same day (24th March) at the same centre, so thats good.
After a little supper.... yogurt (HEE HEE) Travelling buddy and I went out on the town again. We wandered all around and stopped in the square to see the film 'In Brugge' being filmed with Colin Farrel and some actress with a French sounding name... maybe Catherine someone or other. I didnt recognise the name. That was quite thrilling. A fire engine had wet all the cobble stones outside the bell tower and the couple were kissing as the camera panned around them. They were doing the scene over and over again and we got bored and walked on.
We walked about a load and were back at the hotel at about 8:30. I had a coffee and TB had a diet coke and then we retired. We sat in the room watching Eastenders and then another programme called Lillies which was really good and then some other tripe and went to sleep.
For breakfast I had a yogurt. I was full immediately. I could not believe the small amounts of food we were now eating. Full liquid and milk product diet is very odd. Then Travelling Buddy and I waited in the lobby with D and M for the private nurse to come. We sat drinking (sipping) coffee until she came at about 1pm. M and I went back to her room and the nurse changed our dressings for us and that was it.
Travelling buddy and I then decided to have a wander around Brugge. We went slowly and took in the sights. Its such a lovely place. I got a few nice things for my boys... a T shirt for DH and a pair of willow clogs for DS and also some chocolates. I bought some pressies for my Mum and Dad and also for my Brother too.
We stopped off at about 3 in a little cafe place and I had some tomato soup. I ate only half of it. Travelling buddy wasnt hungry and she had had her lunch so she just had a coffee. It was really nice to sit down. I did feel exhausted to be honest. My hips ached. It felt like they were wearing out. My shoulder pain, by the end of the day, was almost unnoticeable thank goodness. I got a twinge of arm ripping now and again, but not too bad.
We went back to the hotel and I had a lie down, phoned DH and DS and my MUM. Travelling Buddy went off to get a few bits on her own and when she got back we made a start on the packing. At about 7pm D and M came round to say goodbye as they were going off home. They didnt see the point in staying another night, so they hopped in the car, the lucky things, and were back at home in Blighty by 11pm.
TravBud and I were sad to see them go and we had really kept each other company and they were such a lovely couple. We promised to get together at some point and we know now that we are both having our band fills on the same day (24th March) at the same centre, so thats good.
After a little supper.... yogurt (HEE HEE) Travelling buddy and I went out on the town again. We wandered all around and stopped in the square to see the film 'In Brugge' being filmed with Colin Farrel and some actress with a French sounding name... maybe Catherine someone or other. I didnt recognise the name. That was quite thrilling. A fire engine had wet all the cobble stones outside the bell tower and the couple were kissing as the camera panned around them. They were doing the scene over and over again and we got bored and walked on.
We walked about a load and were back at the hotel at about 8:30. I had a coffee and TB had a diet coke and then we retired. We sat in the room watching Eastenders and then another programme called Lillies which was really good and then some other tripe and went to sleep.
Thursday, 15 February 2007
Day 4 - Brugge - ->Hotel
The following morning M and I were feeling like we had gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson to be honest. The lovely nurse came in and gave us a bottle of water (thats right, bottle of mineral water.. not a jug of tap!!) for us to try to drink a little. If we could drink then she would remove the intravenous drip that was KILLING my arm. I drank. Cheers. She removed it. YAHOO!!!
Until that point it had been totally nill by mouth except for one of those Evian spray canister things which M correctly summed up as 'tasting like Poison'. If I could have laughed and not hurt myself I would have done. It was actually fine according to our companions, but with nothing to eat or drink my breath munged so bad that even toothpaste tasted like death.
A little while later they brought us some breakfast. Custardy vanilla pudding stuff, milk, coffee and a yogurt. God grief. There was no way we could eat it. I felt totally off my food. I ate a little custard type stuff and had a mouthful of coffee but I was just really scared, and to be honest not feeling hungry one little bit.
Dr. Dillemans came to our ward a few minutes into our meal and looked at our dressings. There was a bit of blood on all of them. 4 holes and a slice, so they changed the dressings to waterproof ones and that meant we could have a shower. A shower was urgently needed considering I was pasted from breast to knee with red iodine.
Revelation: Dr Dillemans also told us of how LJ was not allowed to have surgery in the end. He had complained so much, about the meeting on Tuesday, the hotel, the food, the language barrier (what language barrier????)and the hospital procedure and so much questioning that Dr Dillemans decided that he would not want to perform the surgery on him! We were flabbergasted. I don't blame him one little bit. I mean, one little thing wrong and you dont know what LJ would have done. So he sent him packing. I don't think LJ was ready for it anyway. He was a brute of a man. Very sexist and arrogant. He didn't even look nice, he looked venomous and menacing... even when he was smiling. He also looked worried and scared although he swore blue he wasn't and that he was a big hard man and he was this and that and owned this and that. All that bravado showed to me that basically he was scared stiff. The more he protested that he wasn't the more I thought he was. Stupid bloke. He really had not thought through the procedure.
The another Revelation... D had vanished!!! Apparently D, who checked in with us and was wanting to be first on the slab -"Get that band on me no matter what" - had done a runner. They came to get him for surgery and he wasn't there. He never said goodbye to any of us, and vanished without a trace. We heard from Dr. Dillemans that the bloke's wife had written a stinking email to Cisca at the office saying it was the most traumatic experience of his life and no one spoke English and he had no confidence etc etc. What an utter load of crap. The Dutch speak fluent English! I mean everyone even the shop keepers spoke beautiful English. at the end of the day, we are English people in a foreign country. If he didnt want to have it done in Belgium.... then he should not have come. Come on man!!! Basically he was chicken too. didnt want to lose face and made some b****cks up about it being terrible. He didnt even get the surgery! If that was the most traumatic experience of his life, then he has had a very pleasurable life!! Both M and I were both very very shocked that they had both not had the surgery. so at the end of it, M, N and Me - the three girls - went through with it, and the boys chickened out. There is no shame in that, i mean I was questioning my decision all the time, but for goodness sake, just admit to it. Dont make up some rubbish about it being a terrible service, because it wasnt.
So after they changed our dressings we were allowed to go home. I dressed gingerly and we went back to the hotel armed with 10 hypodermic syringes of blood thinners.
If you are considering this operation, be aware that apart from the initial consultation that Marc picked us up for, all the other journeys to and from the hospital you had to make by yourself. D and M drove from the UK and very kindly took us to the hospital and back, and D also took my travelling buddy back from the hospital the night that me and M had to stay in, an brought her back the following morning. If it wasnt for that, because we flew, we would have had to get taxi's costing around 10 Euros a throw or a bus. Their kindness meant that I rested easy knowing my travelling buddy was able to get home and wasnt wandering around Brugge on her own in the dark.
We walked to the car and I developed a very bad pain in my shoulder. If felt like someone was ripping my arm off in between stabbing it with a dagger. It was the most excruciating pain ever. It was more painful than the wounds themselves. The gas they use to separate your organs during surgery finds its way out usually through your shoulders, and this was what it was.
As soon as I got back to the hotel, I laid down and it was better.
We spent the day in the room, watching tv a bit, and chatting with D and M in our room, and then in their room and walking up and down the room as we were told to mobilise as soon as possible. However, I finally got into bed at about 6pm and stayed there until the morning. My back killed me all night and I had crud on my lungs which I couldnt cough up because of the pain in my stomach when i coughed.
It was a pretty bad night to be honest. I was awake a lot and feeling very sorry for myself.
Until that point it had been totally nill by mouth except for one of those Evian spray canister things which M correctly summed up as 'tasting like Poison'. If I could have laughed and not hurt myself I would have done. It was actually fine according to our companions, but with nothing to eat or drink my breath munged so bad that even toothpaste tasted like death.
A little while later they brought us some breakfast. Custardy vanilla pudding stuff, milk, coffee and a yogurt. God grief. There was no way we could eat it. I felt totally off my food. I ate a little custard type stuff and had a mouthful of coffee but I was just really scared, and to be honest not feeling hungry one little bit.
Dr. Dillemans came to our ward a few minutes into our meal and looked at our dressings. There was a bit of blood on all of them. 4 holes and a slice, so they changed the dressings to waterproof ones and that meant we could have a shower. A shower was urgently needed considering I was pasted from breast to knee with red iodine.
Revelation: Dr Dillemans also told us of how LJ was not allowed to have surgery in the end. He had complained so much, about the meeting on Tuesday, the hotel, the food, the language barrier (what language barrier????)and the hospital procedure and so much questioning that Dr Dillemans decided that he would not want to perform the surgery on him! We were flabbergasted. I don't blame him one little bit. I mean, one little thing wrong and you dont know what LJ would have done. So he sent him packing. I don't think LJ was ready for it anyway. He was a brute of a man. Very sexist and arrogant. He didn't even look nice, he looked venomous and menacing... even when he was smiling. He also looked worried and scared although he swore blue he wasn't and that he was a big hard man and he was this and that and owned this and that. All that bravado showed to me that basically he was scared stiff. The more he protested that he wasn't the more I thought he was. Stupid bloke. He really had not thought through the procedure.
The another Revelation... D had vanished!!! Apparently D, who checked in with us and was wanting to be first on the slab -"Get that band on me no matter what" - had done a runner. They came to get him for surgery and he wasn't there. He never said goodbye to any of us, and vanished without a trace. We heard from Dr. Dillemans that the bloke's wife had written a stinking email to Cisca at the office saying it was the most traumatic experience of his life and no one spoke English and he had no confidence etc etc. What an utter load of crap. The Dutch speak fluent English! I mean everyone even the shop keepers spoke beautiful English. at the end of the day, we are English people in a foreign country. If he didnt want to have it done in Belgium.... then he should not have come. Come on man!!! Basically he was chicken too. didnt want to lose face and made some b****cks up about it being terrible. He didnt even get the surgery! If that was the most traumatic experience of his life, then he has had a very pleasurable life!! Both M and I were both very very shocked that they had both not had the surgery. so at the end of it, M, N and Me - the three girls - went through with it, and the boys chickened out. There is no shame in that, i mean I was questioning my decision all the time, but for goodness sake, just admit to it. Dont make up some rubbish about it being a terrible service, because it wasnt.
So after they changed our dressings we were allowed to go home. I dressed gingerly and we went back to the hotel armed with 10 hypodermic syringes of blood thinners.
If you are considering this operation, be aware that apart from the initial consultation that Marc picked us up for, all the other journeys to and from the hospital you had to make by yourself. D and M drove from the UK and very kindly took us to the hospital and back, and D also took my travelling buddy back from the hospital the night that me and M had to stay in, an brought her back the following morning. If it wasnt for that, because we flew, we would have had to get taxi's costing around 10 Euros a throw or a bus. Their kindness meant that I rested easy knowing my travelling buddy was able to get home and wasnt wandering around Brugge on her own in the dark.
We walked to the car and I developed a very bad pain in my shoulder. If felt like someone was ripping my arm off in between stabbing it with a dagger. It was the most excruciating pain ever. It was more painful than the wounds themselves. The gas they use to separate your organs during surgery finds its way out usually through your shoulders, and this was what it was.
As soon as I got back to the hotel, I laid down and it was better.
We spent the day in the room, watching tv a bit, and chatting with D and M in our room, and then in their room and walking up and down the room as we were told to mobilise as soon as possible. However, I finally got into bed at about 6pm and stayed there until the morning. My back killed me all night and I had crud on my lungs which I couldnt cough up because of the pain in my stomach when i coughed.
It was a pretty bad night to be honest. I was awake a lot and feeling very sorry for myself.
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
Day 3 - Brugge - Surgery
Well I just spent about an hour writing what happened on the day of surgery in minute details and then my PC crashed!
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Poxy thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I just cannot be bothered to re write it all out again so carefully. If anyone wants to know exactly, then just ask ok?
8:30 arrived hospital
checked in with M, D, LJ and N. N went up to floor 13. I went to floor 11, same room as M, D was sent to same floor as M and me. LJ apparently didnt have a bed yet. Very strange. I figured that he was still a bi nervous of the surgery. He looked hunted!
9:45 enrobed in a crispy white backless mini dress and sexy white stockings. Modesty completely surrendered.
10:00 taken down for surgery. very clean, airlock doors and great staff etc etc. Amazing clean and different to English surgery.
2:00 back in ward feeling cruddy. given intravenous drip and paracetamol (!)
Drifted through day between sleep and semi awake. Waved a couple of times at M across from me in the bed.
Didnt get much sleep. Very painful.
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Poxy thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I just cannot be bothered to re write it all out again so carefully. If anyone wants to know exactly, then just ask ok?
8:30 arrived hospital
checked in with M, D, LJ and N. N went up to floor 13. I went to floor 11, same room as M, D was sent to same floor as M and me. LJ apparently didnt have a bed yet. Very strange. I figured that he was still a bi nervous of the surgery. He looked hunted!
9:45 enrobed in a crispy white backless mini dress and sexy white stockings. Modesty completely surrendered.
10:00 taken down for surgery. very clean, airlock doors and great staff etc etc. Amazing clean and different to English surgery.
2:00 back in ward feeling cruddy. given intravenous drip and paracetamol (!)
Drifted through day between sleep and semi awake. Waved a couple of times at M across from me in the bed.
Didnt get much sleep. Very painful.
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
Day 2 - Brugge - Pre op tests
Had breakfast and then we were waiting to be picked up by 'Marc' to take us to the hospital for pre op tests. We noticed another couple and a chap on his own, also hanging about the lobby and realised that they must be there for the surgery too. My travelling buddy went up and asked them and they confirmed it. I had thought that I would be on my own to be honest and felt a little bit weird... like it was a bit of a conveyor belt system, but my fears were soon allayed because it was nice to have the others there to talk too.
We were taken to the hospital where we met another couple of people also there to have the surgery. M was there with D having a gastric band like me, LJ was having a r/y bypass and so was N who was there with dad J. Another chap D was having the gastric band too, and he was there on his own.
It was nice to be all sitting together and discussing things. It made me feel like I wasnt being stupid, and that I was not alone and there must be a LOT of people having this surgery in the UK. I mean... there were 5 of us there, and they operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so thats around 15 a week. Thats a lot of operations a year.
The Dietitian Martine Harsfinger came and talked to us as a group and then individually and gave us forms to fill in and then sent us off for the blood tests. The best blood test I have ever had! Didnt feel the needle at all, and had NO bruise. I think thats amazing!! I was very impressed with the facilities too as we went to another part of the hospital to have the tests.
Then we came back and spent I think quite a long time talking with Marc and other things and we were waiting for Dr Dillemans to come to talk with us about it all. It was a long day and I was really starving by the time we left the hospital. Dillemans came to the room and sat down and explained the procedure and it was a bit 'technical' and I still had a lot of questions, so I asked him at the end. He was a very good chap and had no problem with the fact I didnt want to have blood either. His reaction when I told him that made me feel very safe and confident in his abilities. After all he is supposedly one of the best bariatric surgeons in Europe. I felt good about the op.
So a VERY long day - picked up at 10am, back at hotel (by bus) by 3:30pm!
We went out after that around the town and Brugge is beautiful. It is the most beautiful city I think I have ever been to. Outstanding architecture and lovely people. Everyone spoke such wonderful English and it was a joy to be there.
We went out, my travelling buddy and I, to a lovely bistro in the evening where I had a £50 bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape and the most thrilling 'last supper' ever. It was lovely. I can still see it behind my eyes! A feast of rare smoked duck, fois gras, steak and different salads and topped off with a chocolate pudding. gorgeous.
We went back to the hotel and sat in the bar to have a few drinks before I was nil by mouth at midnight, and were soon joined by D & M, LJ and his mate K, and D. We had a rip roaring night and a great laugh and all of us, or so we thought, were looking forward to our surgery in the morning.
We retired to our teeny beds for a good (!) nights sleep.
We were taken to the hospital where we met another couple of people also there to have the surgery. M was there with D having a gastric band like me, LJ was having a r/y bypass and so was N who was there with dad J. Another chap D was having the gastric band too, and he was there on his own.
It was nice to be all sitting together and discussing things. It made me feel like I wasnt being stupid, and that I was not alone and there must be a LOT of people having this surgery in the UK. I mean... there were 5 of us there, and they operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so thats around 15 a week. Thats a lot of operations a year.
The Dietitian Martine Harsfinger came and talked to us as a group and then individually and gave us forms to fill in and then sent us off for the blood tests. The best blood test I have ever had! Didnt feel the needle at all, and had NO bruise. I think thats amazing!! I was very impressed with the facilities too as we went to another part of the hospital to have the tests.
Then we came back and spent I think quite a long time talking with Marc and other things and we were waiting for Dr Dillemans to come to talk with us about it all. It was a long day and I was really starving by the time we left the hospital. Dillemans came to the room and sat down and explained the procedure and it was a bit 'technical' and I still had a lot of questions, so I asked him at the end. He was a very good chap and had no problem with the fact I didnt want to have blood either. His reaction when I told him that made me feel very safe and confident in his abilities. After all he is supposedly one of the best bariatric surgeons in Europe. I felt good about the op.
So a VERY long day - picked up at 10am, back at hotel (by bus) by 3:30pm!
We went out after that around the town and Brugge is beautiful. It is the most beautiful city I think I have ever been to. Outstanding architecture and lovely people. Everyone spoke such wonderful English and it was a joy to be there.
We went out, my travelling buddy and I, to a lovely bistro in the evening where I had a £50 bottle of Chateauneuf Du Pape and the most thrilling 'last supper' ever. It was lovely. I can still see it behind my eyes! A feast of rare smoked duck, fois gras, steak and different salads and topped off with a chocolate pudding. gorgeous.
We went back to the hotel and sat in the bar to have a few drinks before I was nil by mouth at midnight, and were soon joined by D & M, LJ and his mate K, and D. We had a rip roaring night and a great laugh and all of us, or so we thought, were looking forward to our surgery in the morning.
We retired to our teeny beds for a good (!) nights sleep.
Monday, 12 February 2007
Day 1 - Heathrow -> Brugge
DH dropped Travelling buddy and I at the Bus Station, where we caught the Heathrow Shuttle. I booked the coach on the internet the day before. The coach was an hour late arriving at Terminal 4 although it didnt matter, because I had thankfully booked a bus earlier than needed just incase.
We had checked in for our flight online the night before, so literally dumped our luggage at the drop off and then went through security.
An uneventful flight and landing where we were picked up in Brussels by a driver, which was included in the package surgery deal.
Taxi took just over an hour to take us to Brugge, where we stayed at the Best Western Acacia. This Hotel was described as being 4 star, and the other hotel we could have used, the campanile, was described as 3 star. In reality, the Campanile was way out of town, and also 2 star. The Acacia was not what I thought it was going to be. Very nice lounges, bar, breakfast room and lobby with lovely reception... but the room you are actually sleeping in, and eventually eating, recuperating and relaxing in, is not what I would class as 4 star. Ok it was clean, they came and cleaned up every day and made the beds, but the beds were a bit lumpy and also TINY considering the people in them were there for weight loss surgery as well made it even more obvious! They were low to the floor and that made it difficult to get in and out of after the surgery too. There was a big wardrobe in the room which contained a kitchen... hot plate and kettle, sink and fridge which i thought was great. But the net curtains were grey with filth and the whole room needed a bit of a re paint. It just was not a 4 star hotel at the end of the day, but it was comfortable. Unfortunately you could only stay at the Acacia, or at the Campanile as the private nurse had to visit us after we were back at our hotel, so we had no choice.
So, installed in our hotel, we unpacked and then went out for a slap up meal and look around Brugge at night. The Christmas decs were still all up, and when we asked why, they said there was a film being made there. Indeed there was and it is called In Brugge starring Colin Farrel. I am guessing it will be out next November/December due to the Christmas theme. Watched a bit of the filming on our last night there which made for an interesting tale to tell when we got back.
We had checked in for our flight online the night before, so literally dumped our luggage at the drop off and then went through security.
An uneventful flight and landing where we were picked up in Brussels by a driver, which was included in the package surgery deal.
Taxi took just over an hour to take us to Brugge, where we stayed at the Best Western Acacia. This Hotel was described as being 4 star, and the other hotel we could have used, the campanile, was described as 3 star. In reality, the Campanile was way out of town, and also 2 star. The Acacia was not what I thought it was going to be. Very nice lounges, bar, breakfast room and lobby with lovely reception... but the room you are actually sleeping in, and eventually eating, recuperating and relaxing in, is not what I would class as 4 star. Ok it was clean, they came and cleaned up every day and made the beds, but the beds were a bit lumpy and also TINY considering the people in them were there for weight loss surgery as well made it even more obvious! They were low to the floor and that made it difficult to get in and out of after the surgery too. There was a big wardrobe in the room which contained a kitchen... hot plate and kettle, sink and fridge which i thought was great. But the net curtains were grey with filth and the whole room needed a bit of a re paint. It just was not a 4 star hotel at the end of the day, but it was comfortable. Unfortunately you could only stay at the Acacia, or at the Campanile as the private nurse had to visit us after we were back at our hotel, so we had no choice.
So, installed in our hotel, we unpacked and then went out for a slap up meal and look around Brugge at night. The Christmas decs were still all up, and when we asked why, they said there was a film being made there. Indeed there was and it is called In Brugge starring Colin Farrel. I am guessing it will be out next November/December due to the Christmas theme. Watched a bit of the filming on our last night there which made for an interesting tale to tell when we got back.
Sunday, 11 February 2007
Off to Brugge Tomorrow.... Gastric Banding is here!
Well, here I am. 3 weeks wait went very quickly. I have been using the weeks to have several 'last suppers'. Nothing massive... not an all out blow out, but just a last filling enjoyment of everything I loved.
This week has been hellish though. I have had a very stressful week, and I cannot believe that I am off to Belgium tomorrow!
Monday we had Thai, Tuesday we had Chinese, Wednesday we had Indian, Thursday we had English (Fish and Chips!!!), Friday was chocolate cake and crumpets - like a 'tea time', saturday we had Italian, and today, I have had a full 3 course Traditional Sunday Roast. Prawn Cocktail (Mmmmm!)Roast beef, Yorkshire pud, horseradish sauce and all the trimmings followed by Banoffee pie made WELL!! ginger biscuit base with an inch thick layer of toffee and sliced banana and cream on top. Adorable. Then coffee and mints. Y U M ! ! ! ! ! !
So I am having a lovely Shiraz now to wash me out and then tomorrow morning I go.
I have not gone totally mad. I could have lost the plot and totally gone crazy for eating, but All I did was have one of my favorite meals each night. I still kept to low fat butter and sauces and salads etc during the day. I think I would have felt disgusting inside if I eat full fat everything after not having it for 2 years. Also kind of defeats the object of weightloss surgery, as it just means I have to lose a load more weight before I REALLY start shifting it. I dont want to make the job any harder than it is.
Anyway, I think life after surgery will be very different. I have been told to use a tea spoon eating and a shot glass for drinking at first. :o( But I am 100% committed to this and I will go with it. I will not fight the band and I will stick to the dietary advice I am given. I have a juicer now so I will be able to make relly vitamin rich liquids for myself for the forst couple of months when I cant eat solid foods. It will also be a good supplement to my eating in future.
I am nervous and excited. I could be sick actually. I am all packed and have everything I need, so all I have to do now is go. I wont be able to write this blog for a bit because I will be in Belgium until Saturday so. I will let you all know how it went when I get back.
This week has been hellish though. I have had a very stressful week, and I cannot believe that I am off to Belgium tomorrow!
Monday we had Thai, Tuesday we had Chinese, Wednesday we had Indian, Thursday we had English (Fish and Chips!!!), Friday was chocolate cake and crumpets - like a 'tea time', saturday we had Italian, and today, I have had a full 3 course Traditional Sunday Roast. Prawn Cocktail (Mmmmm!)Roast beef, Yorkshire pud, horseradish sauce and all the trimmings followed by Banoffee pie made WELL!! ginger biscuit base with an inch thick layer of toffee and sliced banana and cream on top. Adorable. Then coffee and mints. Y U M ! ! ! ! ! !
So I am having a lovely Shiraz now to wash me out and then tomorrow morning I go.
I have not gone totally mad. I could have lost the plot and totally gone crazy for eating, but All I did was have one of my favorite meals each night. I still kept to low fat butter and sauces and salads etc during the day. I think I would have felt disgusting inside if I eat full fat everything after not having it for 2 years. Also kind of defeats the object of weightloss surgery, as it just means I have to lose a load more weight before I REALLY start shifting it. I dont want to make the job any harder than it is.
Anyway, I think life after surgery will be very different. I have been told to use a tea spoon eating and a shot glass for drinking at first. :o( But I am 100% committed to this and I will go with it. I will not fight the band and I will stick to the dietary advice I am given. I have a juicer now so I will be able to make relly vitamin rich liquids for myself for the forst couple of months when I cant eat solid foods. It will also be a good supplement to my eating in future.
I am nervous and excited. I could be sick actually. I am all packed and have everything I need, so all I have to do now is go. I wont be able to write this blog for a bit because I will be in Belgium until Saturday so. I will let you all know how it went when I get back.
Sunday, 4 February 2007
take away blow out heaven
Well DH is now away till wednesday, so we are having a take out fest. Think it will be Thai Cuisine tonight, good film with a bottle of wine and then a long read in bed of one of my new books.
Looking forward to it. Might even go for broke and hire a DVD!
woooo
Looking forward to it. Might even go for broke and hire a DVD!
woooo
Saturday, 3 February 2007
All systems are GO for surgery
Had an email from my Surgeon. He is advising hyperheparinisation. Thats cool. I had to inject heparin when I was pregnant too, so I will have no probs doing it again. I so totally go over my fear of injections during that 9 months. Phew.
Anyway, apart from that, everything is all checked in. I am booked for Pre op Tests on Tuesday 13th and The Surgery on 14th. My travelling buddy is coming with me, I have already bought 5 books for the duration for the stay, got lots of cup soup to drink, and I must remember to bring a strainer to get the bits out of it. I am only goign to be allowed clear soups, broths and liquids for a while. I am not looking forward to that bit, but I am prepared. I have bought chicken noodle soup which I love without the noodles, and Also some clear veg soup too.
I am feeling more positive about EVRYTHING! How can it be? Already I feel better in tuen with myself and this week, even though I have not been sticking to the diet, I weighed in exactly the same. No gain or loss. Strange. I also have taken on another 5 pupils over the last few weeks, and have been much more positive about teaching again. I am feeling great to be honest. I know everythign will be slotting into place really soon. Just over a week to go.
I am going to keep a diary of the surgery and photos and will post them when I get back. I want to make a really good blog about this surgery, because I havent been able to find many stories from people who have done this in the UK, so hopefully I can be of use to someone too.
Anyway, apart from that, everything is all checked in. I am booked for Pre op Tests on Tuesday 13th and The Surgery on 14th. My travelling buddy is coming with me, I have already bought 5 books for the duration for the stay, got lots of cup soup to drink, and I must remember to bring a strainer to get the bits out of it. I am only goign to be allowed clear soups, broths and liquids for a while. I am not looking forward to that bit, but I am prepared. I have bought chicken noodle soup which I love without the noodles, and Also some clear veg soup too.
I am feeling more positive about EVRYTHING! How can it be? Already I feel better in tuen with myself and this week, even though I have not been sticking to the diet, I weighed in exactly the same. No gain or loss. Strange. I also have taken on another 5 pupils over the last few weeks, and have been much more positive about teaching again. I am feeling great to be honest. I know everythign will be slotting into place really soon. Just over a week to go.
I am going to keep a diary of the surgery and photos and will post them when I get back. I want to make a really good blog about this surgery, because I havent been able to find many stories from people who have done this in the UK, so hopefully I can be of use to someone too.
Friday, 26 January 2007
Extreme measures are needed. Gastric banding here we come!
Well, its now January 2007. The 26th January to be precise. I have not lost a bean. I am nearly back to where I was in May 2005. I weigh 17 stone, 10lbs. This is terrible. I just cannot keep to plan. I hate everything about myself, and the way I eat, and I simply love food. I have come to the understanding that Slimmingworld is NEVER going to do it for me, because my own personal make up makes me go wrong all the time. I am sabotaging myself and I know it.
I am an overeater. I cant help it.
I get really excited that I lose a few pounds, and then congratulate myself with a takeaway - YES ITS CRAZY.... I KNOW!!!. My mind kids me that I can have a calorie rich diet the next day as its still a week till weigh in, and the next day I can probably get away with too. I forget about the diet totally on thursday and friday I think... "well i am going to put on weight, so who cares, might as well have this week off." Sunday evening comes and I am trying to be good 12 hours before weigh in.
I am pathetic. I KNOW I am!
I dont know WHY I do this. There should be some scientific research into WHY people like me cannot diet. 2 years I have been attending weekly meetings, and every week I come away with good intentions. I spend £5 (or nearly) a week doing this, which I can ill afford, but because I think it will work I do it. I might as well just jump on my own scales once a week for FREE!! I support other people, I tell them good recipes, but I cant do it myself. Its like the old me is saying "NO DONT EAT WELL, YOU LIKE IT LIKE THIS".
However, I am no psychologist, so I cannot ask myself the right questions to understand my own split personality, let alone solve my own problems. I certainly cannot control myself.
I overeat. I also comfort eat - when I am happy AND when I am sad!
I also eat late at night. I often skip breakfast. I try just one chocolate and end up eating the box.
I like a glass of wine in the evening.
I like baileys.
I like puddings.
I like creamy sauces with meals.
I like bread with butter not margarine.
I like oil on my pasta.
I like sauce with my chips.
I like ice cream.
I like to eat.
There you are. No excuses.
I think that there is no point from now on trying to give an excuse to why i skip brekkie, or eat late. What is the point. Its me. Its a habit. I cant change it or I would have done. Its the way my life runs.
Since I have been on this diet, I have thought of NOTHING but food. It doesnt matter what they say, all diets mean you obsess about food.
So thats it.
I have tried having all my meals delivered to my door prepared. (£100 per week for me and hubbie)
I have tried Atkins (for a long time too!)
I have done slimming world for 2 YEARS - every week... not missing a meeting!!!!!!!!
I have had hypnotherapy
I have had accupuncture
I have had lymphatic drainage massages
I have tried 5HTP pills and L-Carnitine supplements for increasing metabolism
I have tried crushed shells and seaweed exctract bought from holland. didnt work.
I have given up sugar in ALL drinks for 2 years
I have limited my wine to a bottle a week MAX. more that often less, and always inline with my diet
I have done the GI diet
The south beach diet - check!
The e-diets diet - check
cabbage soup - check
1000 cals a day - check
full fat normal living like the 1940's (full cream milk, chees and butter etc)- check!... (Actually I didnt put on as much as I thought I would! weird!)
Wierd wood vinegar pads for the feet at night- done it! - load of crap!
Xenical (Orlistat) - done. DONT DO IT - ITS TERRIBLE. I ruined my sofa, dining chairs and also car seats etc in only a month!! Lost nothing
Zotrim - done. Rubbish.
Reductil - Done. Was ok, but simply lost the will to live. Felt awful on them.
Infact I have probably already paid out more than this op will cost!
So people.... These are the ones I can actually remember over the last 10 years. I started this blog 2 years ago!!!
I AM FED UP.
I am booked in to have my GASTRIC BAND surgery on Feburary 14th 2007. I am having it done abroad saving me £4000 and am staying in a posh hotel with a private nurse and my friend is coming with me for moral support. My husband and son are staying here and are fully behind me 100%. My mum and Dad and mother inlaw are all there to help me.
When I first mentioned it to my mum last week she said "I have been waiting for you to tell me this".
So there we go. I physically wont be able to overindulge. I wont be hungry on some crappy diet. I wont feel the need to ruin my body when I am investing £6000 in it.
Watch this space.
I will give you a weight reading the week before surgery as I am still goig to attend slimmingworld before and after surgery, so that I can still have a balanced diet and support.
I will post pics of before and after too, so watch this space. I need all the support I can get.
I am an overeater. I cant help it.
I get really excited that I lose a few pounds, and then congratulate myself with a takeaway - YES ITS CRAZY.... I KNOW!!!. My mind kids me that I can have a calorie rich diet the next day as its still a week till weigh in, and the next day I can probably get away with too. I forget about the diet totally on thursday and friday I think... "well i am going to put on weight, so who cares, might as well have this week off." Sunday evening comes and I am trying to be good 12 hours before weigh in.
I am pathetic. I KNOW I am!
I dont know WHY I do this. There should be some scientific research into WHY people like me cannot diet. 2 years I have been attending weekly meetings, and every week I come away with good intentions. I spend £5 (or nearly) a week doing this, which I can ill afford, but because I think it will work I do it. I might as well just jump on my own scales once a week for FREE!! I support other people, I tell them good recipes, but I cant do it myself. Its like the old me is saying "NO DONT EAT WELL, YOU LIKE IT LIKE THIS".
However, I am no psychologist, so I cannot ask myself the right questions to understand my own split personality, let alone solve my own problems. I certainly cannot control myself.
I overeat. I also comfort eat - when I am happy AND when I am sad!
I also eat late at night. I often skip breakfast. I try just one chocolate and end up eating the box.
I like a glass of wine in the evening.
I like baileys.
I like puddings.
I like creamy sauces with meals.
I like bread with butter not margarine.
I like oil on my pasta.
I like sauce with my chips.
I like ice cream.
I like to eat.
There you are. No excuses.
I think that there is no point from now on trying to give an excuse to why i skip brekkie, or eat late. What is the point. Its me. Its a habit. I cant change it or I would have done. Its the way my life runs.
Since I have been on this diet, I have thought of NOTHING but food. It doesnt matter what they say, all diets mean you obsess about food.
So thats it.
I have tried having all my meals delivered to my door prepared. (£100 per week for me and hubbie)
I have tried Atkins (for a long time too!)
I have done slimming world for 2 YEARS - every week... not missing a meeting!!!!!!!!
I have had hypnotherapy
I have had accupuncture
I have had lymphatic drainage massages
I have tried 5HTP pills and L-Carnitine supplements for increasing metabolism
I have tried crushed shells and seaweed exctract bought from holland. didnt work.
I have given up sugar in ALL drinks for 2 years
I have limited my wine to a bottle a week MAX. more that often less, and always inline with my diet
I have done the GI diet
The south beach diet - check!
The e-diets diet - check
cabbage soup - check
1000 cals a day - check
full fat normal living like the 1940's (full cream milk, chees and butter etc)- check!... (Actually I didnt put on as much as I thought I would! weird!)
Wierd wood vinegar pads for the feet at night- done it! - load of crap!
Xenical (Orlistat) - done. DONT DO IT - ITS TERRIBLE. I ruined my sofa, dining chairs and also car seats etc in only a month!! Lost nothing
Zotrim - done. Rubbish.
Reductil - Done. Was ok, but simply lost the will to live. Felt awful on them.
Infact I have probably already paid out more than this op will cost!
So people.... These are the ones I can actually remember over the last 10 years. I started this blog 2 years ago!!!
I AM FED UP.
I am booked in to have my GASTRIC BAND surgery on Feburary 14th 2007. I am having it done abroad saving me £4000 and am staying in a posh hotel with a private nurse and my friend is coming with me for moral support. My husband and son are staying here and are fully behind me 100%. My mum and Dad and mother inlaw are all there to help me.
When I first mentioned it to my mum last week she said "I have been waiting for you to tell me this".
So there we go. I physically wont be able to overindulge. I wont be hungry on some crappy diet. I wont feel the need to ruin my body when I am investing £6000 in it.
Watch this space.
I will give you a weight reading the week before surgery as I am still goig to attend slimmingworld before and after surgery, so that I can still have a balanced diet and support.
I will post pics of before and after too, so watch this space. I need all the support I can get.
Wednesday, 12 July 2006
I am SO in the zone!
Well, i have lost another 2 pounds this week. WOW! I am sooooooooooo pleased!
It means that I have lost 6 lb since getting back from holiday 3 weeks ago. I got rid of my 5 and a half pounds of holiday fat PLUS another half a pound!!! Wicked. I am pleased with myself. I have really been able to get positive about the diet at the new class. I am looking forward to next week, even though I have the District Assembly to go to where we are Camping and I might find it difficult to eat "on plan". I am just gonna try my best. I have been good up to it, so hopefully as I know its comign up, I have done enough to still lose this week.
They have this saying at fat club
"We dont plan to fail, we simply fail to plan"
So a plan will be made tomorrow and I will stick to it. I really am on the fast track to bint-ness now!
Ha ha!
It means that I have lost 6 lb since getting back from holiday 3 weeks ago. I got rid of my 5 and a half pounds of holiday fat PLUS another half a pound!!! Wicked. I am pleased with myself. I have really been able to get positive about the diet at the new class. I am looking forward to next week, even though I have the District Assembly to go to where we are Camping and I might find it difficult to eat "on plan". I am just gonna try my best. I have been good up to it, so hopefully as I know its comign up, I have done enough to still lose this week.
They have this saying at fat club
"We dont plan to fail, we simply fail to plan"
So a plan will be made tomorrow and I will stick to it. I really am on the fast track to bint-ness now!
Ha ha!
Thursday, 6 July 2006
Another Pound off.... and Slimmer of the week!
Well everyone. I was a bit dissapointed, but I have lost another pound! This makes me 17 stone and half a pound. I really hoped that it would be more, but there we go. Strangely enough, I was slimmer of the week too this week. Unbelievable. Lots of people had really high weight losses, but had not lost the week before. To be slimmer of the week you must have lost last week or stayed the same. So it was me.
I went to the new class. It was great. The consultant is really nice and very relaxed and honest. I dont feel like she is just after my money like the other one. She really got on my goat.
Anyway, I have stayed focused and positive this week so that I will hopefully have more of a show on the scales next week.
Its been unbearably hot this week. I am sweating whilst writing this post. Its not the temperature per se, but the HUMIDITY! Its just awful. My glasses are slipping down my nose, its so gross! I washed my hair and dried it all nice... what for I dont know as its all sticky again. Yuk.
Hopefully Walking and working in this heat will help shift the pounds, and i will see a nice result next week.
I went to the new class. It was great. The consultant is really nice and very relaxed and honest. I dont feel like she is just after my money like the other one. She really got on my goat.
Anyway, I have stayed focused and positive this week so that I will hopefully have more of a show on the scales next week.
Its been unbearably hot this week. I am sweating whilst writing this post. Its not the temperature per se, but the HUMIDITY! Its just awful. My glasses are slipping down my nose, its so gross! I washed my hair and dried it all nice... what for I dont know as its all sticky again. Yuk.
Hopefully Walking and working in this heat will help shift the pounds, and i will see a nice result next week.
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