Still Alive!

I am still alive folks.  Just trying to close on the house.  Hopefully, the 30th is the day.  I have been reading blogs and trying to keep up with everyone.  Hope everyone is doing well. 
Have a great weekend!
-Janet

right now I am cursing my band.

OK, I'm not really cursing my band, but right now I am really struggling.  If your easily offended then you better close this blog now 'cause I'm about to give TMI.  I need some guidance from some veteran bandsters.  How do you keep from getting constipated?  Good grief Charlie Brown!  I have never in my life had issues like this.  I have always been regular as a Timex but the past two weeks have been bowel hell.  You guys warned me about bandster hell but nothing about this.  I have been to the point of tears.  What do I do?  I have used a gentle woman's laxative and yes it does produce results in a little as 6 hours and that is fine and dandy.  The problem is, it works for that day but what about the next day or the next day?  I don't want to become dependent on laxatives to go poopie.  I am all ears for you suggestions.  Help me! Help my poor little hiney!  It can't handle this much longer!

-Stuck in Georgia

I made an offer and....

they have accepted it!  Yahoo!  I am almost a home owner!  Now I need to start packing and choosing paint colors! 

Cross my Heart it's the truth!

Yep!  Crossed my legs today and I didn't lose circulation.  I call that a NSV my friends.  I can't even remember the last time I was able to cross my legs with any comfort.  Progress my friends I am finally making progress!  I am so happy! 
On the new home front, I made my offer and now I am just waiting to see if they will accept it or give me a counter offer.  Wish me luck!
Well, I hope that everyone has a fabo weekend.  I am working so think of me while you guys are out having fun remember me slaving away at my desk.
Hugs to all!
-janet

What a difference!

8-2-10

10-15-10

Just had to post an updated photo, here is what 40 pounds down for me looks like! Yahoo, I think I see a neck there! Can you tell I wear uniforms to work? French blue shirts and khaki pants everyday. Oh well. Have a great day!

-janet

It's the big 4-0 for me!

You read it right baby!  40 pounds gone forever! Yahoo!  On another smiley face note, I am calling the realtor Thursday to make an offer.  I will keep you guys posted.  Wish me luck!  Here's some pics of the house.

The front.

The back.

The living room.

 

 

Master bedroom, don't you love the built-ins?

The dining room.

 

Those are some of the highlights.  I love that it has wood floors throughout.  I hate carpet, it is the enemy, especially with 2 dogs.  The house was built in 1946 and it oozes with character and charm. 

 

OK, I'll shut up about the house.  I LOST 40 POUNDS!!! They say turning 40 is hard, my b-day is in January and I will be 40.  I can't say that I agree.  39 has been AWESOME!  I am only looking for more good things to come!!! 

 

Sorry the pics the really huge and takeover the screen, I was having issues.

 

Anywho, have a great day!!

-Janet

I am pre-approved! pre-qualified for my mortgage!  Yahoo for me!  Well, I am going to sleep on it and if things still look good then on Thursday I will call the realtor and make an offer.  AGGGHHH!!!! Me a home owner! Can you believe it?  I am thinking that if all goes well I may have a Christmas open house.  What do you guys think?  I am not really holly homemaker but I think being a home owner may inspire me.  We shall see.   Wish me luck! 

38 Pounds!

Yep, 38 pounds gone forever!  I am kicking butt and taking names this week!  I got a fill last week and man has it made a difference!  I am down about 7 pounds in a week!  I know that this will not continue but boy does it come in handy for Team Lean this week!  I am almost to the 40# mark.  I need a 40# reward, I was thinking about at 50# getting an hour long massage for myself, but if things go according to plan...I might get a house for 50#!  Hmm...that really ups the bar for 75# and goal doesn't it? 

Well, on the housing front.  I called the mortgage lender at 8:30 this morning like we agreed on Sunday.  I got voicemail, blech.  I left my name, number and said remember me?  We met at church Sunday.  No response.  One hour passes, two hours pass, four hours pass.  I figure I'll call back to make sure she got the message.  I got voicemail again with a new message.  "Thanks for calling!  Today is Monday, October 11 and the office is closed for the holiday."  Closed for the holiday?  Are you serious?  This isn't a bank, this isn't the post office, heck she isn't even a government employee.  By the way, didn't we just discuss me calling you on Sunday?  Did you just discover that Monday was a federal holiday and decide to jump on the bandwagon?  Agghhh!!!!  Now I have to call again on Tuesday.  Wish me luck!

By the way, Happy Freaking Columbus Day.

-janet

Should I, could I?

Well folks, it seems 2010 has been a banner year for me!  I got my lap band, I got a promotion and if all goes well I may...get a house!  Can you believe it?  A home of my own?  I found the cutestest little house just down the block from my best friend!  Could it get any better?  I have been oogling over the house for a while and Friday I finally got the nerve to call the realtor and have a little look see for myself.  My BFF went with me and ya'll (I'm from Georgia so it is perfectly acceptable to say ya'll) it is too cute!  It has pine floors throughout, I hate carpet-I believe it is from Satan.  It was built in 1946 and has the original doors, cute little cubbie hole cabinets and is in really great shape.  The only thing is this...the previous owner died there...and wasn't found for 3 days.  It doesn't bother me but I wonder what the neighbors will think.  OMG!  I have become my mother.  Anywho, I am calling a mortgage lender on Monday and hopefully we can work something out.  The realtor said that she doesn't have any other offers on it and she is going to be out with her grandkids til Thursday.  Maybe time is on my side!  Well, it has been on the market since April.  Maybe the old man dying there has something to do with why it hasn't sold.  Some folks down here in the deep south are kinda superstitious.  Yay me!  I'm not!  Pray for wisdom and that if it's meant to be then everything will work out.  If it isn't meant for me to have this adorable little house then pray that I will accept it like a grown up.  Meaning I won't run out to Dairy Queen and order 1/2 the menu while crying over the house that wasn't meant to be.  Gosh I'm nervous.  Have a great Monday!  It's Columbus Day!  Crap!  The bank won't be open, my mortgage lender works at realtor's office...I hope she's in tomorrow.  Now, I just need to find the love of my life and I'll be all set!

You guys are the best!!! I have been without an internet connection for almost a week!  My router went out and then...anywho.  I just got all the encouraging words!  I feel so Loved and encouraged!  It worked!  I have since gotten control over the carbs.  I just had to, in the infamous words of Barney Fife, "nip it in the bud." Thanks again for your help!

Janet 

Fell off the wagon

Well, I have officially fallen off the wagon.  I am eating everything in sight.  I go for a fill on Oct 7.  I hope that I can make it.  Somebody stop me! 

Look out world here she comes!

Oh Yes I Have!  I have decided to sign up for my first 5K!  I started training on Monday.  I am using the walk/run method of training.  I actually ran for a FULL minute folks!  I didn't collapse, I didn't have side stiches, I didn't throw up, I survived and I actually think I'm gonna do it again...today.  Miracles never cease.  I can do this!!

I am doing my best to drink my water, some days are better than others.  I do notice more weight loss on the weeks that I am consistent so I will persevere.  Anybody have any suggestions on getting it all down?  I go to the doctor on Thursday for a fill, praise the Lord!  I have been needing a fill for about 2 weeks but this was the first available.  Hmm...I wonder if I can go ahead and schedule my next fill while I am there on Thursday or if I will have to wait?   Not much is going on, just drinking my water and trying to hold out til Thursday.  I will try to update then.  Hope everyone is having a fabo day!

Yes, folks I am still alive.  I have decided that I am not a very good blogger.  I am reading your blogs everyday but to post something meaningful, encouraging on my own blog seems like such a daunting task.  I don't feel that I have an interesting enough life to post everyday.  You guys really don't want to hear about my sad, lonely life.  I am however making decent strides on the weight loss front.  I am down 38 pounds.  I go for a fill on Thursday and I can really see a difference in my clothes.  I have some that I need to pass along.  I will try to get some pics of them and post them so I can send them to a new foster home. Who knows when I will be motivated to do all that though.  I guess that's my problem lately. I've been in a funk.  I can't seem to get motivated to do anything.  I'll just go ahead and put this out there, I have suffered from depression for the past 10 years.  Right now I don't feel depressed I just don't feel like doing anything, with anybody.  Maybe I am depressed, who knows?  I haven't been too good about taking my meds lately so I will get back on the medication bandwagon and if something doesn't change then I guess I'll need to talk with my dr. Blech.  Well, that's it for now.  Hope everyone is doing well. 
Abrazos y Besos!

Hot Diggity!

You need to say the following in a sing song voice, I'm down 34 pounds,  I'm down 34 pounds, I'm down 34 pounds!  Yes, that's right!  I'm down 34 pounds! Let me say it again I'm down 34 pounds!  Hot Diggity!  That's all I've got to post today.  I'm down 34 pounds, I'm down 34 pounds.  Smile.

Nothing new...

Nothing new.  Weight is stable.  I think I need another fill.  I can eat about 1cup of food at a time and I feel full.  I am however hungry in about 3 hours.  I feel no restiction.  Any thoughts???

WhOoT wHoOT!!

The Night Owls, that's the name of our team for Team Lean.  I am on a team with 2 other ladies, and 1 guy.  It should be good.  I am excited.  I didn't think that I could participate since I had a band but they gave me the A-Ok today.  So, I'm on a team and ready to get started.  On the weight loss front I am down 6 pounds, pretty good stuff.  I'm proud, I know that I just got a fill last week but I swear I think I'm ready for another.  I honestly can't tell a difference.  Well, that's not completely true.  I can only eat so much but then I'm hungry again in 2-3 hours.  Like yesterday, I had 1 egg and 1 piece of sauage and I was full.  Next thing you know I'm hungry again.  That means I need a fill right?  Please advise me, I need your feed back folks.
-Janet

It's Friday!  'nough said.

Have a great weekend!

-Janet

Fill and Vitamins

Well, I got my first fill and some vitamins.  Everyting went as expected.  I can't complain, the needle was kinda scary looking but it really didn't hurt at all.  My appointment was at 9:30 and I didn't get out of the office until 11:00.  I don't know what took so long.  I was so tired I almost fell alseep on the table...I think I might have dozed off for a minute. Anywho, I drank water and am on liquids until tomorrow.  So far everything is going good.  I can drink fluids and eat yogurt.  So, all is well.  Now to really start rockin that band! I got the Bariatric Advantage Chewable Vitamins in Watermelon, they are ok, does anyone else out there in blogger world take them?  I also got the Calicum Chews in Raspberry, they taste ok.  Well, keep on keeping on!

Janet

Bandster Hell

That's right!  I am in bandster hell.  I have been eating like a pig!  I am afraid to get on the scale.  I have been too ashamed to post anything.  What was I gonna say?  Hello fellow bandsters I am up 3 pounds because I have been eating everything in sight.  Not just everything in sight but I have even gone out looking for food!  Let's just say that the Haagen Daz Chocolate Peanut Butter is really good.  I have had no restriction, none.  Bandster hell is real.  I believe, I believe.  Tomorrow I will have my first fill, PTL!  I am so excited!  Hopefully the scale will start moving back down. 

Janet

You have been warned.

6 days again. I am so tired.  We have been working 6 days and I am pooped.  Speaking of poop, (like how I transitioned into a new topic?) I thought I was going to come unglued yesterday on the potty.  I didn't realize but it seems that I haven't pooped in about a week.  OM, it was terrible.  I did not realize that I was not eating enough veggies or drinking enough water or taking in enough fiber.  Whatever I was doing wrong was painful!  I have learned the error of my ways.   I have added Benefiber to my daily diet and I have added spinach and apple juice to my grocery list.  I do not wish this to repeat this again. 

Well, have a great day!  I will press on.

Janet

Only 3 Wings?

Yes girlies I could only eat 3 hot wings at lunch today!  In my mind I wanted to eat more but Shasta said no way!  Shasta is my band's name remember?  I was physically satisfied by emotionally I wanted more.  I put them in a baggie and took them home, in case there were hard times to come.  I am doing really well on my eating, but sometimes I just want to put more food in my mouth.  Why is that?  I am full.  I have had enough to eat.  I am no longer hungry.  Why do I want to eat?  I think I need to explore more about the reasons that I eat.  It is obvious not because I am hungry, what am I lacking or looking for in food?  What kind of need am I trying to meet by eating?   Hmm...I might need some help on this one.  Any ideas?  I guess I could dump my whole life out here and you guys could sort it out and give me your thoughts.  Ok, let's start with the beginning.  I am an only adopted child, I'm divorced, I live alone, wait scratch that last one I live with my two adorable dogs.  I have friends but I keep the list small, I prefer to have a small group of really close friends.  I desperately need my time alone each day to regroup and gather my thoughts.  Ok, I need your input psychology students.  Why do I eat when I'm not hungry?  This is your assignment.  Good Luck! 

Gone Like Yesterday!

Oh yes baby! 24 pounds gone forever! I even got my first compliment!  Oooo girl, you gonna be lookin like a beanpole soon!  Ok, while that is a gross overstatement I do appreciate the thought behind it.  I also discovered today that two of the already thin parts of my body are losing weight.  Yes, my hands and my feet.  My leather sandles seem much larger today than they were a few weeks ago when I wore then and my watch definately need some links taken out or it is going to fall off my wrist.  Why am I losing weight in these places Lord?  I already have thin wrists and feet!  Why can't I lose a chin or two?  I have more chins than China Town and yet they are still here, mocking me!  Anywho, I am thrilled to be 24 pounds down.  I am wearing an outfit tonight that I can tell I have lost weight in, the last time I wore it, it would cling to my pooch.  Tonight...not so much.  On a side note, I have several African American co-workers that I absolutely love!  We were talking about my surgery and about losing weight and I told them that I was going to be the Skinny White Bitch in HR.  It is now a running joke in the office.  I have to say, so far I LOVE my band,  I think I will name her Shasta.  One, I love Shasta Daisies, two, my nurse after surgery was named Shasta what a cool name, and three what a refreshing drink!  So everyone, Welcome Shasta, my 10cc Lapband. 

Have a great day! Janet & Shasta!

Stuck

Yes, that is right Stuck.  I got stuck on a piece on chicken.  I slimed and everything.  It was terrible.  I feel like a real bandster.  Now all I need is a fill and I'll be set.  August 3 is my first fill.  Yeah!

Janet

Is it a full moon?

I believe that there is a full moon in Georgia.  I work night shift in HR and some nights especially if there is a full moon the folks in the plant act crazy.  I believe that tonight there is a full moon.  Lots of crazy stuff going on and it makes me crazy. 

On the weight loss page, so far I think I am doing pretty good.  On Friday, at my 1 week post-op I ws down 3 lbs.  I am pleased with my progress so far.  The weight didn't come on in 3 or 4 months so I don't expect to lose it that quickly either.   I am doing pretty good.  I am eating my protein first and then having my veggie.  I haven't been seduced by any sweets...yet.  I am however having a hard time getting my water down.  I think about drinking my water at meal time.  I have done really well not drinking with my meals and it isn't impossible but it does take some getting used to doing.  I am working on my grocery list for next week and I am a horrible meal planner.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm thinking easy, quick and if it lasts all week even better! 

Well, that's about it for now.  Weight loss-good, new job-good, life-good.  What more could a girl ask for?

I hope you guys have a great day!

PTL It is Friday

This has been the longest week ever!  I am so thankful that it is almost over!  I feel like I have been hit by a Mac truck and left on the side of the road.  I am bruised from my banding, I am sore from the hernia repair, I have bruises all over my stomach from the Lovenox injections and today I fell.  Yes, folks I walked out into the yard and slipped in the wet grass and went splat all over the property.  I know that the neighbors were on their screened in front porch secretly watching the fat lady writhe in pain on the lawn.  All I could think was that I had landed in a fire ant bed and I had to get up and out of the way before they starting biting!  So now,  I have a swollen ankle and walk with a limp.  I can't laugh because my side hurts.  I was 6 days without a poop so I took some Milk of Magnesia and now I can't stay out of the bathroom.  I am truly a sight.  I hobble like mad with a limp to bathroom.  I am glad it's Friday. 

Just call me Oscar

Have you ever just woke up cranky?  Well, I did today.  I don't know why but I am so grouchy.  My dogs are getting on my nerves and if you know me that takes a lot.  I am dog sitting for my best friend so in addition to my 2 adorable pooches I have a guest.  The dogs get along great, until I decide to sit on the sofa.  Everybody wants to sit next to me.  While I have plenty of lap space available, I just got my band last week and a hernia repair so I am still quite a bit sore.  Sadly, the puppies do not understand that hurts when they want to walk all over me in order to "get comfortable".  They also don't realize that I need two hands in order to type more effeciently.  Oh well, they love me unconditionally and I love them too. 
I am also ticked off because for some reason the letter v on my laptop wants to stick.  I have to really press in order for it to work.  Any thoughts? 
On a positive note, my new job is going fabo.  I am training my replacement right now and thankfully she is picking everything up really quickly.  I got my first checkstub yesterday under my new pay rate.  Unfortunately, the check was wrong.  They paid me 40 hours at salary and 40 hours at my old rate.  I wish I made that kind of money for one week.  Oh well, it will be corrected. 

On the bright side, My budget is going up and my weight is going down!  Now that's how I roll! 

Muchas gracias!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!  Thanks for all the well wishes and advise!  I am walking, keeping up with my pain medications and in general doing well.  The gas is passing...so to speak and the pain is subsiding.  I am eating mushy foods and doing good.  I haven't been sick, knock on wood.  So far so good.  Again, thanks for all your help! 

Janet

I'm Finally A Bandster!

I am proud to announce that I was banded Friday, July 2, 2010.  I receied a LapBand AP Standard 10cc band.  I also receied a hiatial hernia repair that landed me a night in the hospital.  Imagine my surprise when I woke up in a room trying to figure out why.  No problems, my doctor just felt that because I had the hernia repair and lived 2 hours away it would be best to stay the night.  No biggie.  I have been doing really well so far.  My pain is manageable with meds of course.  My biggest complaint is gas in the shoulder/back.  You guys weren't kidding, that stuff is ruff!  I belive that I am through the worst right now and only have good things coming.  I'll keep you posted.  It is med time.  Have a great 4th of July! 

Janet

Yahoo!!

AGGHHH!! Today is the day!! I am soo excited!  I leave for the hospital at 6:00am.  I have a 2 hour drive and 1 hour time difference and I am suppose to be there at 7:30am.  The folks are here, my best friend is pumped and I can't wait!  I have my camera and I will post pics as soon as possible.  Thanks for supporting me on this leg of my journey, I'm gonna need all your support in the coming days, weeks and months ahead so hang in there with me. 

I'll keep you posted on my progress!  Yahoo!!

Promotion!

Yes, I got a promotion!  Effective Monday I will be the Night Shift HR Manager at our facility.  I am so excited!  This has been a fabo week!  I have my surgery Friday and I got the news about my promotion on Wednesday.  It has been a banner week guys, a banner week!  You may send balloon or flowers to me at Flowers hospital in Dothan, AL on Friday to congratulate me on my surgery and my promotion.  Yahoo for me!!!  God has truly blesed my life and I am truly greatful! 

Tuesday, Tuesday

Well, Tuesday is my last day of solid food.  Hmmm...when you look at it like that it sounds kinda bad.  Wednesday and Thursday I am on a liquid diet. Protein shakes, chicken broth....and water.  I am so excited! Only because that means I am that much closer!  Yahoo!  Any pointers from veteran bandsters?  I am open to suggestions, tips, pointers any kind of help at all! 

I can hardly believe that Friday I will be an official bandster!  This has been such a long journey.  It started way back in August 2009 with my first informational session.  It has been almost a year and I know that all my hard work thus far will be worth it.  I am looking forward to sharing the next leg of my journey with you guys and learning all you have to share.  I know I need to take some pre-op pics but gosh I really hate having my picture taken.  It will be a great comparison down the road but blech, right now it stinks. 

Well, my jello is calling my name and my lunch is almost over.  One more day of solid food.  Any ideas for my "last meal"?

Friday!

Four days Ladies!  That's right! I get banded on Friday, which is Four days! Quatro dias! Whoo Hoo!! I have lost 11 pounds in my pre-op yahoo for me!  Whoop Whoop!!  I am having a great week!  I'll keep you posted!!

Janet

I have a date!

I have a surgery date that is, July 2!  I am soo excited!  I got the phone call today letting me know my surgery date!  I will keep everyone updated!  Whoo Hoo!  I am almost there! 
Toodles!
Janet

It's Friday!!

Thank the Lord it's Friday!  I never thought that today would arrive.  This has been the longest week ever!  VBS was fabo but man what a long week it has been!  I am going home to bed and I'll get up Saturday.  I hope all you bandsters have a great weekend! 

 Janet

Meeting with my surgeon!

Well ladies, I meet with my surgeon next Tuesday!  Whoo Hoo!! That puts me just one step closer to getting banded! I am so excited!  This has been such a journey and to almost see the light at end of the tunnel is exciting. Once, I'm banded I will have an entirely different journey and I am ready for that one to begin as well. 

I have been doing really well on my low carb diet.  Hamburger patties, greek yogurt, sugar free jello, cheese and of course my Atkins mocha latte shakes.  They really are the bomb! 

Hope everyone has a fabo day!

- Janet

VBS is going to kill me.

I love Vacation Bible School.  I really do, but today was our 3rd day and I'm not sure if I'll make it to day 5.  It is from 6-9pm and I have to be at work at 10pm til 7am (yep, I work night shift) I try to get to VBS early so I have been getting up around 4pm.  It's killing me.  Now, those of you who work days may be thinking what's the problem?  I'll explain, imagine getting up at 4:00 in the morning and heading off to VBS with 10, (very active) first graders for 3 hours and then going to work for 9 hours.  It is exhausting.  I was so out of it last night at VBS I had gathered up my kids and were headed out of the sanctuary with the 3 & 4 year olds.  The director was like, First Graders, where are you going?  All I could do was shrug my shoulders and say I have no idea.  We all returned to our seats.  How embarassing!  Praise the Lord I didn't lose any kids! 

Anyway, my low carb diet is in its 2nd week and going rather well I have to admit.  I have eggs and sausage for breakfast, hamburger patty, yogurt, sf jello and cheese for lunch and for dinner an Atkins shake and maybe some cheese.  My liver should be the size of a 4 year olds by the time I get to surgery.  I am also happy to report that I am down about 6 lbs!  Whoo Hoo!  Of course I am so tired and sluggish from lack of sleep this week that I can't really appreciate it.  It is getting closer every day and I am so excited!  The doctors office emailed me on Tuesday and wanted to know if I could come in on Wednesday at 8am to meet with the doctor.  I hope she means next Wednesday, the 23rd.  That would be doable, this week...it ain't gonna happen.  The fact that live 2 hours from the doctors office, I work til 7am and with VBS this week that would be a negative.  I thought about saying yes for about 2 minutes and then I was like are you crazy?  You are already tired, do I really want to drive 4 hours round trip and wait God knows how long on the doctor.  I will pass out riding down the road!  Nope, not gonna happen this week.  I really hope it's next week. 

Well, that's about all I got.  I can't wait to be a bandster. 

Janet

The Pre-op Diet is on!

Well, my pre-op diet is now in process.  I have 4 weeks of low carbs with each week the carb count dropping.  This week my carb count is 45 carbs per meal.  So, far I'm doing really well.  It is amazing how many carbs are hidden in our everyday foods.  It is no wonder I am obese!  Well, I shall press on.  By-by bread!  So long soda!  Hello new way of living!
Janet

It's HERE!

Oh Praise the Lord!  The day has finally arrived!  We are in Tampa and are waiting for the bus to take us to the port to board the Inspiration from Carnival.  I am so excited!  My mother is a nervous wreck, my dad is nervous but refuses to admit it.  I can't wait!  I am soo ready for some fun and sun away from work, cell phones, computers, internet and communication in general.  I would like you guys to say a prayer that we have good weather and no problem with the oil spill in the gulf.  I have faith that we will have a wonderful time and nothing can change that.  I wish all you guys were going with me!  It is going to be a blast!  I'll let you know how it goes when I return. 
Have a great week!  Happy Memorial Day!

Janet

One Day Left!

That's right everyone, I've got one more night of work and then I am on VACATION!!  Oh, I am soo ready!  I am gonna eat, read, and sit my fat butt in a chair and do nothing but watch the waves roll by.  I wish all you guys were going with me, it is gonna be a blast.  I'm gonna stick my Mp3 player in my ears and just chill.  Oh I am ready for only 3 letter words, fun & sun.  Ahhh....

Janet

All I ever want to...

Yes ladies and gentlemen (if there are any out there) it is almost time for vacation! Whoo Hoo! I am going on my first cruise ever and it can't get here fast enough.  I am on the count down.  When I get back from my cruise I meet with the surgeon and then bada boom bada bing I'll be hopping on the table for my band!  I haven't decided on a name yet.  I am taking suggestions.  I have my upcoming cruise, start my low carb diet (blech) and then I am on my way! I'm thinking July for my surgery date.  So, good luck everyone!  Soon, I'll be able to say good luck fellow bandsters!!


Janet

APPROVED

Yes Folks that's right! I got word today from my doctor that I have been Approved for the Lap Band!  I am sooo excited.  I haven't even called my parents!  I had to let you guys know first.  You guys have been a wealth of knowledge, info, and support and I wanted you to be the first to know!  Thanks so much for listening to me moan and groan about having to wait for mine.  I have learned so much during these past 7 months but now...I am ready.  Now, tomorrow I start harassing the staff about my surgery date, hee hee!  Just kidding.  I am going on a cruise the week of Memorial Day and who am I kidding?  I am not going to be low carbing or shaking it that week.  I'll start harassing them when I get back.  Whoopie!  I'm almost a bandster!!!

Have a Great day! Janet

I need a hobby

Ok, I know I'm getting a wee bit ahead of myself here but I like to plan ahead. Once I am no longer consumed with food, eating or my surgery I am going to need a hobby.  I am thinking about making soap.  Any thoughts? Oh, I can't sew, don't want to learn.  Let me know what you guys think!

Have a Great day! Janet

Say a Prayer for me!

 Well, I have completed all my steps for my lap band. Now it is up to BCBS of AL to approve my surgery.  The wait is on.  I wonder how long it will take? The weight loss center is gonna hate me, I know I'm gonna start calling on Monday to find out the status.  Maybe I'll wait at least a week and then start harassing them.  I'm not sure.  Well, hopefully very soon, I will have a surgery date and then I get on with it!  This has been such a long journey thus far and I am ready to get the train moving! I mean come on, 7 months with the PCP plus the time I put in researching before I even started with the insurance is well over a year I have been working on this procedure.  I am ready to get banded and start seeing some results!  Well, I guess I'll just have to hang in there a bit longer until the good folks at BCBS decide it will be more beneficial and cost effective for me to have this procedure than to keep going to the doctor and getting prescriptions for high blood pressure, and the other diseases that are sure to follow.  I hope they decide sooner rather than later.  I am too excited.  Say a prayer!

Have a Great day! Janet

The Clock Is Ticking!!

Well, folks the clock has started.  I have completed all the steps for my insurance company.  I still have to meet with the surgeon and do my 4 week pre-op diet.  I meet with the dietition Thursday to go over what my post-op diet will look like.  I am so excited.  I do have one minor snag.  The weight loss center has not received any of my documentation from my PCP.  It has been almost 3 weeks!  I have called and even went to the office.  I spoke with the "paperwork lady" as I call her and this Friday I will go to the office.  I will get my letter of medical clearance, my 7 month medically supervised diet and my weights for the last 3 years or I  will have to go ghetto on somebody and at this point I don't care who it is.  I hate to cause a scene but I am ready to get the ball rolling!  This is all I need besides my support group meeting and that is next week!  Paperwork!  AGGGGHHHH!!!! Ok, Wish me luck on Friday. I have never really gone ghetto so this will be a first.

Have a Great day! Janet

Pondering Produce...

I love me some strawberries!  Oh, ladies I just had the most wonderful salad. It was a spinach salad with blueberries, almonds, carrots, black grapes and of course strawberries.  I love fresh produce, I just wish I knew more things to do with it.  If I can't chop it up and throw it in a salad then I am lost.  I don't fry very well,which is good I suppose but what am I suppose to do veggies?  Any ideas? Did I mention I can't cook?  It's not that I don't want to cook, I just don't do it very well.  Hope everyone is having a great day! 

Have a Great day!
Janet

Well, ladies and gentlemen it is Tuesday.  I am going to my required monthly support group meeting on Thursday.  I am really excited!  I have my last visit with my regular doctor next week and at that point I have completed all my insurance hoop jumping.  Whoopie!  Don't get me wrong, I am very greatful that my insurance covers this procedure at 90% so I am not gonna complain.  It has however been a very long journey.  I am ready for the next leg of the trip to start.  I am ready to meet with the dietitian, the anesthesiologist and the wl doctor and schedule my surgery! whoop!  I am hoping for a June date to be banded.  May would be awesome but I think I need to be realistic.  Anywho, wish me luck on Thursday!  I am soo excited!

Have a Great day!

Janet

Don't forget Earth Hour!

Well, I am sitting here just waiting for Earth Hour 2010.  I am also watching Up In The Air with George Clooney.  He is just too cute.  It is a pretty good movie.  I just hope it is over by 8:30pm so I can just turn off all my electronics and not miss my movie.  This is my first Earth Hour, I guess I'll just sit outside with the girls and enjoy the quietness of small town life.  Sometimes I miss not having everything within a 10-15 minute drive but for the most part I love my life in this small, town.  Well, Earth Hour is in 30 minutes so I guess I'd better log off and finish my movie with George.  Talk to you later 'nite everyone!
Have a Great day!
Janet

I love tuna.

Alright, there I said it. I love tuna.  What of it? So what if I choose to eat tuna fish every single day of my life.  It's my life.  I mean I do eat the tuna in water, it's not like I choose the kind in oil. Blech. I do have to say that I have the greatest co-workers ever!  They tolerate my smelly tuna everyday and never complain.  What troopers they are.  I'm not really sure when I came to love tuna so much, I honestly believe it is the desk where I sit.  The girl before me ate tuna most days as well.  I wonder if the desk is wired to encourage tuna eating...something to think about.  Anyway, not much going on with the band.  Just waiting to get mine. Time is passing and I am trying to make better food choices but today a co-worker brought us chocolate.  When it comes to chocolate, I am the weakest link...goodbye!

Have a Great day!
Janet

Spring Fever has hit.

Welcome Spring!  My two favorite dogs and I have spent the entire morning outside.  They hid while I tried to seek them.  What really happened was this, we live in an apartment and we have an area behind the complex (there are only 8 apartments) that has a 6 foot privacy fence.  Well, Maggie and Sassy were having a grand old time running amuck while I played with my cell phone.  You know downloading ringtones and such.  Anyway, the last thing I saw was Maggie crawing under the fence in a place where the fence didn't quite meet the ground.  Did I mention that my dogs are doxie mixes?  That being said, they are low riders so crawling under things isn't a problem.  But I digress.  I let them play in the neighbors yard for a few minutes because I could see them running back and forth and I really didn't think it a problem.  After a bit I noticed they had become interested in something so, like a good mother I walked over to investigate the situtation.  Let me just say that I was not completely aware that my neighbor had a garden and that my dogs would actually try to dig vegetables out of the ground.  So I called my dogs, so much for obediance training.  They both looked at me with dirt on their noses and went back to digging.  I called them a bit more forcefully and they ignored me.  My problem at this point is how am I going to get into my neighbors back yard?  I run up to my apartment, thank God I live on the second floor so I can get an arial view of the situation.  By the time I reach my apartment they have moved on to the next house for more destruction.  From half a block away I can see my two little angels demon dogs rolling around in a pile...is that sand? manure? top soil?  I have no idea but they are rolling in it with gusto.  I yell at my dogs as quietly as possible, did I mention it is 7:30 on a Saturday morning?  Luckily one of them comes to her senses and speeds my way.  Unfortunately by the time I arrive downstairs on the scene she has already left.  I realize I must take drastic action, I'm going to have to drive the car around the block to gather my wayward children.  While I trot downstairs, wait a minute I'm 200 plus pounds I ain't trotting anywhere.  While I head downstairs to get the vehicle ready for wet muddy dogs who should appear in the parking lot?  Missing in action dog #2, she's the ringleader I suspect.  How in the heck did she get here and where is the other one?  I run to the end of the parking lot and find dog #1 munching away on only God knows what and a wrapper.  Luckily I had enough forethought to bring some treats with me.  They fall for it.  So, back upstairs we go.  I have renamed my little girls from Maggie and Sassy to Thelma and Louise.  I think it fits, they have murdered my socks, undies, blankets, their beds, stuffed toys, and various other items.  They have been on the run and avoided capture.  They just have a happier ending.  So we end our memorable morning sitting out on the deck, soaking up the sun, on the second floor...with the door closed of course.

Monday, Monday...

I am loving me some black grapes these days!  I came across them at Walmart this weekend and I am Loving them!  They are so much better than the green grapes.  I am telling you, if you haven't tried them give 'em a whirl.  They are fabo.  Well, I am one step closer to my surgery.  I made my last dr appointment.  My last visit with my regular dr will be...drumroll please...Thursday, April 15! Tax day!  Whoopie! I am sooo excited.  The week before I am going to my support group and hopefully I can set up an appointment with the nutritionalist and see what else I have to do before LB Day.  I can't wait!  I am reading everyone else's blog about restiction and pbing and I want make comments too.  I feel like the fat kid on the playground that wants to play but nobody will let me be on their team.  I'm having flashbacks!  Somebody pick me! Pick me!  I know I'm an easy target for dodgeball but please!  Don't leave me on the sideline with the dorks!  Wait does that make me a dork as well?  Oh no! Am I the fat dorky kid?  I think I'm gonna go eat some grapes.  That's all I can handle today.  I think I made progress dealing with my food/weight issues, don't ya think?  Have a great day!