Wednesday, July 4, 2012
My Independence Day !!
Monday, March 26, 2012
FAQ's and Updates
Ever since I have had surgery, I have had a lot of people ask be questions about the surgery. So I have decided to do a little FAQ from my point of view.
1.) Do you ever regret having the Lap-Band done? Absolutely not! I think it is one of the BEST things I have ever done! I could not be happier with my decision to have it done.
2.) What was the recovery like? For me the first few days really sucked. I had a gas bubble floating around and it was very painful until it passed, and thank God when it did! I don't think I have ever been so uncomfortable in my life. There was a point during those first few days where I was so miserable I was second guessing why I ever had it done ( mind you that is the ONLY time I have ever questioned having the procedure, and looking back, that pain and discomfort was totally worth it). It was hard to breath, hard to sleep, hard to walk, hard to couch, pretty much any movement was uncomfortable and a bit painful! But the recovery process is going to be different for every one. Considering other surgeries, I'm sure this is a walk in the park!
3.) How much dose it cost? This is always a tough question to answer because it is based on each individual insurance plan and benefits. My benefits for the Lap-Band was as followed: 90% coverage once I met my $350 deductible. On my plan I also had a $2,000 maximum out of pocket. So the most I would have to pay would of been $2,000. Since I already had met my deductible for the year my total came out to around $1,700 and I owed only $300 something up front. Well worth the money if you ask me! So really you would have to check with your physician and insurance company for an appropriate answer to that question.
4.) What does the incision look like and how big?
Not very big at all. Now granted it is right in the middle of my stomach which bothered me at first, however now I just look at it and think " I would rather shower this scar off in the middle of my stomach rather than have a giant ol' tummy I never wanted to shower off"
5.) What can you eat? That once again will vary from person to person. I can pretty much eat everything I could be before, just not nearly as much. Now I do have a hard time with ground beef, and some days I really miss a greasy cheeseburger, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to deal with. Breads are hard to deal with unless they are toasted or really thin, and even then I am limited on how much I can eat. Figuring out what I can and can not eat has been an adventure to say the least. Sucks finding out the hard way that something doesn't agree or that I ate too fast. Live and learn!
6.) Do you really have to work out? DUH! The Lap-Band is not a miracle procedure nor is it a cure all to your weight issue. It is simply another tool given to you to help you achieve your ultimate goal! I still have to watch every little thing that enters my body. Now I don't count calories or anything like that, however I try to stay away from empty liquid calories. Especially after surgery you want to hit the gym hard, with the weight loss from the Lap-Band you want to make sure that you are toning up your body so you do not have loose, unattractive loose skin all over the place. To me, I think I would rather be fat than have all this loose skin just hanging out.
So those are the top 6 questions I get asked often, and if I forgot any or you have any thing else you would like to know, just ask me! and on to the picture updates:
Weight 225 lbs as of 3/21/12
Still not perfect but well on my way!
I have tried to flip this picture around a hundred and one times and I just can't figure it out. So anyways the first picture was taken 01/12/2012. The second picture was taken 03/25/2012!
1.) Do you ever regret having the Lap-Band done? Absolutely not! I think it is one of the BEST things I have ever done! I could not be happier with my decision to have it done.
2.) What was the recovery like? For me the first few days really sucked. I had a gas bubble floating around and it was very painful until it passed, and thank God when it did! I don't think I have ever been so uncomfortable in my life. There was a point during those first few days where I was so miserable I was second guessing why I ever had it done ( mind you that is the ONLY time I have ever questioned having the procedure, and looking back, that pain and discomfort was totally worth it). It was hard to breath, hard to sleep, hard to walk, hard to couch, pretty much any movement was uncomfortable and a bit painful! But the recovery process is going to be different for every one. Considering other surgeries, I'm sure this is a walk in the park!
3.) How much dose it cost? This is always a tough question to answer because it is based on each individual insurance plan and benefits. My benefits for the Lap-Band was as followed: 90% coverage once I met my $350 deductible. On my plan I also had a $2,000 maximum out of pocket. So the most I would have to pay would of been $2,000. Since I already had met my deductible for the year my total came out to around $1,700 and I owed only $300 something up front. Well worth the money if you ask me! So really you would have to check with your physician and insurance company for an appropriate answer to that question.
4.) What does the incision look like and how big?
5.) What can you eat? That once again will vary from person to person. I can pretty much eat everything I could be before, just not nearly as much. Now I do have a hard time with ground beef, and some days I really miss a greasy cheeseburger, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to deal with. Breads are hard to deal with unless they are toasted or really thin, and even then I am limited on how much I can eat. Figuring out what I can and can not eat has been an adventure to say the least. Sucks finding out the hard way that something doesn't agree or that I ate too fast. Live and learn!
6.) Do you really have to work out? DUH! The Lap-Band is not a miracle procedure nor is it a cure all to your weight issue. It is simply another tool given to you to help you achieve your ultimate goal! I still have to watch every little thing that enters my body. Now I don't count calories or anything like that, however I try to stay away from empty liquid calories. Especially after surgery you want to hit the gym hard, with the weight loss from the Lap-Band you want to make sure that you are toning up your body so you do not have loose, unattractive loose skin all over the place. To me, I think I would rather be fat than have all this loose skin just hanging out.
So those are the top 6 questions I get asked often, and if I forgot any or you have any thing else you would like to know, just ask me! and on to the picture updates:
Weight 225 lbs as of 3/21/12
I have tried to flip this picture around a hundred and one times and I just can't figure it out. So anyways the first picture was taken 01/12/2012. The second picture was taken 03/25/2012!
Beast Mode!
So that is what I have been up to lately and I have honestly got to say I don't think that I would be doing so well if it wasn't for the awesome support system I have and an awesome gym buddy (the boyfriend). I'm sure he doesn't know it, and if he does he hides it well, he is a big motivator for me to get my butt up and off to the gym, and to actually push myself past limits I thought I had! Never would I of imagined myself going an hour on the treadmill, let alone doing and incline of 15! And then venturing over to "the boys side" of the gym and doing weights and what now, yep wouldn't be doing it! So a big thanks goes out to boo!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
All because of a dress!
I know I probably should have, but I did not buy the dress. I just couldn't talk myself into spending $45.00 on a dress that I don't have a place to wear it to, and I didn't want to risk it being too big by time the event came up that would call for a dress.
And speaking of loosing weight, I realize it has been A LONG TIME since I have last posted about my weight loss. As of this past Wednesday I am down to 225.4!!! So that would make 41.1 pounds lost since December 2nd!!!
Life is good!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
There will ALWAYS be a bump in the road.
I have learned that there will always be a bump in the road when it comes to your weight loss journey, there is no getting around that. You just have to put your big girl panties on and make the best of the situation and keep your eye on the end result.
Since I have had my first fill, I have only been to the gym a handful of times. I have let life get in the way of going to the gym. Going out to eat with friends, doing this, that, and the other. Everything but what I should be doing. I did manage to make it to Zumba with my neighbor. Talk about fun! I forgot how much I truly enjoy doing Zumba, and just how much you actually sweat while doing it! I am going to have to find a cheap Zumba game for the Wii and making it a point to do that at least once a week, on top of going to the gym like I am supposed to.
Tried to go to the gym today. That was a bomb. My darn key tag would not let me in. Now normally, I would of just shrugged my shoulders and went on about my day. Not any more! I went straight home and out in my Biggest Loser DVD for the Wii and did a work out routine on there ! You can not let those little bumps in the road get you down and detour you away from your ultimate goal. Just have to find a way around them! And that is exactly what I did!
So this next statement might not sound like a big thing to most people, but to people whom have been over weight a majority of their life will know the excitement in this! I got out of the shower the other day and wrapped my towel around me...... AND BOTH ENDS OF THE TOWEL MET!!!!!!! I could not tell you the last time that has happened. Well this a regular sized towel that is. I felt like a million bucks! It's the little things that really get me excited, and keep me motivated to keep on this journey!
WHOOO HOOO!!!
Also yesterday I put on my smallest pair of pants I own, too big! I looked like saggin' baggin' berry all day! Looks like I am going to have to give in and go buy a cheap pair of pants!
And I almost for got to mention, I have went from a 2xl to a xl in scrub tops!!!
<3
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Cadio helps you look good in clothes. Free Weights help you look good naked
LOTS! to catch up on!
Monday Jan 16
I know I went to the gym on Monday. I just can't remember all that I did that day. I know I did arms with Bob. He made me venture over onto the "boys" side of the gym. Everything over there is so BIG and intimidating! Oh well, have to get over that and utilize ALL that the gym has to offer.
Tuesday Jan 17
Legs day! Worked out with Cyndi and Bob! Did my 25 minute cardio warm up:
Then proceeded with the leg machines. Not sure what they are called. I pushed up on one and down on the other. I felt the burn and I broke a sweat! That's all I know and all I cared about lol. Also did some squats with a medicine ball.. Booty's by Carla! ha-ha
Wednesday Jan 18:
Went to the gym solo that day. Decided to take the day off from strength training and just did some lovely cardio! 41 minuets. 459 calories burned. Works for me!
This is also my day I do my weekly weigh in. 241.6!!!! 24.9 POUNDS LOST SINCE DEC 2ND!!!
Thursday Jan 19th:
Met with a personal trainer after work. Good Golly Miss Molly! She had me do a 4 min warm up on the eliptical, then rest of the hour was nothing but free weights. And boy did I sweat like a whore in church. Every muscle on my body was screaming for help, and I loved it! It felt so good! I learned that working larger muscle groups will help you burn more calories and tone all at the same time. Worth my time that's for sure! Lot's of new things I will continue to keep doing!!!!
Also went in for my first fill that morning! Everything went really well. The process for a fill in interesting to say the least but not as bad as I thought it would be. They inject your port with saline until its completly closed. Then you drink some water until your eye balls are the size of the moon, then the doctor slowly removes some of the saline until you can feel the water flow through the pouch.
Monday Jan 16
I know I went to the gym on Monday. I just can't remember all that I did that day. I know I did arms with Bob. He made me venture over onto the "boys" side of the gym. Everything over there is so BIG and intimidating! Oh well, have to get over that and utilize ALL that the gym has to offer.
Tuesday Jan 17
Legs day! Worked out with Cyndi and Bob! Did my 25 minute cardio warm up:
Wednesday Jan 18:
Went to the gym solo that day. Decided to take the day off from strength training and just did some lovely cardio! 41 minuets. 459 calories burned. Works for me!
This is also my day I do my weekly weigh in. 241.6!!!! 24.9 POUNDS LOST SINCE DEC 2ND!!!
Thursday Jan 19th:
Met with a personal trainer after work. Good Golly Miss Molly! She had me do a 4 min warm up on the eliptical, then rest of the hour was nothing but free weights. And boy did I sweat like a whore in church. Every muscle on my body was screaming for help, and I loved it! It felt so good! I learned that working larger muscle groups will help you burn more calories and tone all at the same time. Worth my time that's for sure! Lot's of new things I will continue to keep doing!!!!
Also went in for my first fill that morning! Everything went really well. The process for a fill in interesting to say the least but not as bad as I thought it would be. They inject your port with saline until its completly closed. Then you drink some water until your eye balls are the size of the moon, then the doctor slowly removes some of the saline until you can feel the water flow through the pouch.
Fun times!
And for the people who don't know how the Lap-Band is set up on the inside, here is a pic of what it looks like:
And when I weighed in at the doctors on Thursday.... 240.3!!!! So that has me down 26.2 pounds!!! Hell yea!!
Updated photos: Not beautiful, but I am getting there:
So there it is. I know the pics are a little different and not of good quality, but I had no one here to help take pics so this is as good as it gets!!!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Thursday Jan. 12, 2012
Completely forgot to blog about Thursday. And yes that is that last time I went to the gym. Slacker, I know. I am however going tonight after work!
Thursday was Cardio and Legs night. All I am going to say is, Bob doesn't play when it comes to the machines. It hurt. ALOT ! But I guess no pain no gain!
No to shabby I guess. I am going to try and go for 45 minutes tonight. I always just do 30 minutes. Now it's time to push myself! Wish me luck!
I am not a fan of this contraption at all!!! It hurts. And it’s not a very attractive position for me. I hate to look at this photo and see all of those lumps and bulges below my boobs. I just have to keep telling myself, it's not going to be like that forever and that's why I am at the gym so I can get rid of those!
So there is my Thursday night in a nut shell.
Thursday was Cardio and Legs night. All I am going to say is, Bob doesn't play when it comes to the machines. It hurt. A
No to shabby I guess. I am going to try and go for 45 minutes tonight. I always just do 30 minutes. Now it's time to push myself! Wish me luck!
I am not a fan of this contraption at all!!! It hurts. And it’s not a very attractive position for me. I hate to look at this photo and see all of those lumps and bulges below my boobs. I just have to keep telling myself, it's not going to be like that forever and that's why I am at the gym so I can get rid of those!
So there is my Thursday night in a nut shell.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
2 pounds
That's how much I have gained! I did my weekly weigh in yesterday ( January 11,2012) and I was up to 245.4! I was so pissed! Everyone kept saying oh it's just muscle, blah blah blah. Well whatever that 2 pounds was, I was not happy to see my number go up. Just didn't settle well with me mentally. So off to the gym I went last night with Cyndi and Bob.
Did the whole treadmill thing last night like I always do, however, last night I actually RAN on the treadmill a couple times. I NEVER run when I do the treadmill, just kind of walk really fast. I'm not sure what made me run. Could of been the 2 pound gain, could of been the awesome new music I put on my iPod. Not sure. But whatever it was, I liked it. Looks like I will be trying this running thing a little more often, well when the gym isn't packed that is. Don't really want everyone witnessing that possible disaster ha-ha. And when I wasn't running I had a serious incline going on. At one point I was at an 15 incline ( the highest incline that treadmill would go...OUCHIE)
After the treadmill, went and visited the hip adductor and abductor like I always do. I am determined to get rid of these thunder thighs!! Did some crunches with a medicine ball and some planks. Going back tonight and doing it all over again.
Friday should be an interesting time. I meet with a personal trainer @ 3pm. Of course I have it set up on Friday the 13th.... just my luck! Hopefully she doesn't try and kill me!
Did the whole treadmill thing last night like I always do, however, last night I actually RAN on the treadmill a couple times. I NEVER run when I do the treadmill, just kind of walk really fast. I'm not sure what made me run. Could of been the 2 pound gain, could of been the awesome new music I put on my iPod. Not sure. But whatever it was, I liked it. Looks like I will be trying this running thing a little more often, well when the gym isn't packed that is. Don't really want everyone witnessing that possible disaster ha-ha. And when I wasn't running I had a serious incline going on. At one point I was at an 15 incline ( the highest incline that treadmill would go...OUCHIE)
After the treadmill, went and visited the hip adductor and abductor like I always do. I am determined to get rid of these thunder thighs!! Did some crunches with a medicine ball and some planks. Going back tonight and doing it all over again.
Friday should be an interesting time. I meet with a personal trainer @ 3pm. Of course I have it set up on Friday the 13th.... just my luck! Hopefully she doesn't try and kill me!
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