First Goal achieved!!!!!

OMG doing the very happy dance!!!!
I reached my first goal this morning....99.9kg under the 100 wooohooooooo.14.1 horrible kilos gone and I'm feeling bloody fantastic.
I am so excited and motivated.
Changes in me so far...
*Having my darling hubby and kids tell me how proud they are of me...means the world!!!
* Confidence...has gone up and up
* Don't care attitude...as in I don't care if people are looking at me/watching me, I am beginning to like ME so don't gaf what other people think
*Wearing smaller clothes, back into 16's again
*Wearing jeans again and feeling comfortable
*Having a go at study...enrolled in a single unit at OUA it's from B Ed...will see how that goes lol

Next goal is for my birthday/Christmas which is to get to 20kg gone :)
Did I ever mention the lap band is just an amazing tool???
I love my band :):)

An extra 1.0 ml

Back to drs rooms today, saw Dr Charlie Elliot instead of Dr Martin.
Charlie had trouble finding my port, tried 3 times. I could feel him kind of flicking the port with the needle.
Turns out that my port is stitched to my stomach wall with 4 *grips* as he put it and it appears one has let go, thus putting my port on an angle. When he did eventually find the port he showed me the angle of the needle. So now not only do we need a long needle, I have to ensure he aims for the small of my back. Oh delightful.
I had 1 ml put in, liked the way he did that, got me to drink after putting some in and then withdrew some until I could feel the water trickle through.
Let's hope this gets the weight moving on down, still needing to get under 100kg lol

feeling blah....

Not sure what the heck is wrong but I'm feeling very average.
I have been forgetting my vits so thats a possible cause, I'm also sleeping alot and feel sleepy when I'm not lol.
Eating probably a little more than I should be, weight didn't move for over a week, I think another fill is definately in order. Roll on the 21st.
I need to up my water intake as well, it's been very sparse, actually any fluid intake has been sparse hmmmm could be solving my own problems here hehehe
As I have been introducing more foods back in to my diet, it's been interesting and kind of proved a point to myself.
I had suspected a long time ago that I may of had a problem with some intolerance to milk and bread, they were big staples in my diet, loved both alot.
Well milk it seems is ok in a very small amount ie 1/2 cup for cereal any more than that and I suffer terrible pains in my tummy, get bloated etc and although I haven't had any bread I have had crackers, 1-2 are ok any more and I get similar probs to the milk. I will try to remember to discuss this with the dietician.
I am really really into eating fish at the moment, loving tthe tinned salmon, haven't been game to try fresh salmon but maybe this week, someone on the yahoo septemeber bandits forum posted about a salmon quiche, sounds great:)
Well I hope my fellow bandits are all doing well.
Keep well and healthy:)

First Fill

I had my first fill yesterday.
Was an experience, Dr Martin couldn't find the port with the small needle so had to swap to a larger one, still had to dig around a bit but it wasn't at all painful so it didn't really bother me.
I now have 4.5 ml in my band.
I told him I wasn't hungry but he said I would be so he insisted it went in.
Noticed immediately the restriction with just drinking water, it kinda gurgled down. Great I now sound like a drain .PMSL.
I'm on fluids for 24 hours, but I think I will wait till tomorrow to start on mushies again:)
As I also went to the dietician yesterday, I am now able to start having solid food.
That will be interesting.
I had my first episode of not chewing/swallowing too much on tuesday. I had some salmon and decided a cracker would be good, well I completley forgot myself and ate it like I would of pre band.
OMG!!! the pain in my chest. I could feel it trying to go down and then I started salivating like never before. (OK so I'm a slimy drain;) I then coughed and up it all came just like it went down EWWWWWW but the pain relief was instant.
Lesson Learnt. Until next time :P
oooo I bought myself a dress today, from target in a regular 16. It's a black one (sorry Nat). I tried it on and could get it on but it will look much nicer with a few more kgs gone. So it is my Christmas goal dress:)
I am so excited about my band and how much better it has already made me feel in myself. Heck what am I going to feel like in another 10kgs...20kgs...I hope the rest of this journey will be as flowing as it has been so far.
Have a fab day :)

Time flies....

...to goodness knows where??
I can't believe ive been on mushies for almost 2 weeks already!!!
Everything has been going sooo well, just waiting for the bomb to drop lol
Mushies has been great, although a little in your face when having to vitamise food which I used to grimace at when feeding the oldies at the nursing home rofl, BUT it tastes surprisingly wonderful. Was allowed to begin some firmer foods 10 days in from mushies, have had some crackers and they have gone down fine.
It seems my body has not forgotten what to do when intake has reduced. It started to hold on to my weight, sooo I thought bugger you and made sure I am eating 6  x 1/2 cups of food a day and guess what, body out of starvation mode and in to losing mode YAY.
As of today I weigh 102.2 woohooo.
First goal is to get to 99.9 and sooo close I can smell it lmao!!
Dietician and Drs on wednesday. I guess Dr Martin will do the first fill. I have made the decison that I want very little fills, don't want to go in with big amounts, hope Dr agrees with me ;)
I'm not finding I am overly hungry so that must be good.
I am looking for some work, am finding some confidence is returning and I want to get out of the house. Plus I'd really love to go to Adelaide for a holiday after Christmas and then of course the big trip back to England Christmas 2010. So I really need to get some money saved, have just about paid a debt we had to the inlaws which is great.
OK need to finsih what I was doing before going to pick DD up from work.

I can start mushies :))))))

Who'd of thought such excitement could come from such a small thing LOL
Have to be on mushies for 10 days and then start adding some things like crackers.
I have to have 4 meals of 1/2 cup each which can be pretty much anything that can be mushed up. I am soooo looking forward to having some KFC mashed potato and gravy hehehe. For lunch I may try some egg, will have to mash it to death, maybe scrambled would be better for that:) I'm also allowed to have two snack 1/2 cup if I find I'm hungry, which could be stewed apple and a bit of custard if I wanted YUMMO!
Dietician very happy with what I've achieved so far and also my mind set, so thats all good.
Got a book too about food and the lapband thats wwritten by one of the dieticians at the Wesley, will have a read shortly. It will probably be my constant companion.
Ohhhh I'm not allowed any more optifast, will cope I think lol.
Cheers for now
Sam x

Two weeks tomorrow...

....since I became a bandit!!! woohoooo Did I already mention this is already the best thing I could of done???
I'm peeved at myself for not keeping up my blog, it would of been great to look back and see how each day I have improved.
Anyway 2 weeks tomorrow and I feel wonderful!
Wounds have healed, I took the bandages and steri strips off on saturday, they were really irritating me. True to form I had healed and well:)
3 of the wounds are barely noticeable, the other two are bigger and slightly raised but getting smoother every day.
I have basically been on optifast or up and go, had soup a couple of times. I am starting to crave some 'regular' food now ie avocado, philly cheese, chicken,tuna, salmon and egg lol
I have my dieticians appointment tomorrow morning so will ask if I can at least eat some very mushy egg mmmm.
I know this is going to sound very odd, but I am going to miss the optifast, I have quite gotten used to the taste but not only that, it is a safety thing too, I can't dislodge my band or choke with opti. Something psychologically I need to get over me thinks!
Anyhoo am now down 10.2kg, the weightloss has really slowed which is ok with me, I was getting concerned I was losing too fast.
I have been experiencing some dizziness/lightheadedness, I wonder if I do need more protein like my cravings are telling me?? I have my berocca every day without fail so I'm pretty sure I'm ok there. Will discuss with dietician anyhow.
I also need to upload my before shots here, OMG how disgusting are they pmsl. I think I need to get someone else to take further shots, a camera on my head ain't pretty either lol.
I finally remembered to do my measurements on monday DUH  should of done them pre op because people are noticing my loss already YAY!!!!
OK will go and see how I put pics up here,
Be well xx

Day 4 post op

Ugh I felt so shitty this morning :( I had a great sleep, probably because I
actually managed to sleep on my left side but when I got up at 8 I felt quite lightheaded and weak.
Thankfully the wind issue is easing up and I am managing to take more fluids in at one go.
Decided to split an optifast this morning, had the first half at 830 and then the second at 1030. That helped me feel so much better.
For those not in the know, I am an Angel person and regularly have a chat. Today was no exception.
I sat for about half an hour and talked and listened and healed and afterwards felt wonderful.
I have managed a whole optifast for lunch YAY!!! and of course had my berocca;)
Sipping water too.
DH came home for lunch and he had my very favorite sandwich, ham and mayo. It kinda tugged at me that I couldn't eat it, but I know why and accept it....for now;)
Weighed in again today, I know I shouldn't be weighing everyday but I am because that's me and it really helps me to focus. I'm now down 7 kgs since staring optifast and 2kgs since surgery. Dh when he came home looked at me and said what's different, he then said my face has slimmed down, I don't see it but I think it will be a while before I do.
I was thinking about Christmas earlier, I wonder what I will weigh by then?? I wonder if I will be at goal by this time next year?? I sure hope so:)
There is a shop locally that sells lovely dresses, my goal is to be able to wear a dress and heels, I have the exact dress in mind, it probably won't be top fashion but I have my mind set on it. If I find it I will buy it and then get it adjusted as necessary. My son tells me it's not allowed to be black, it has to be a colour. ooooo could be good lol
Back later xx
ps I have some before shots I want to put here but I can't find the camera cord from when we moved, hmmm if needs be I'll buy a new one.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there, including my wonderful DH!!
Well here I am day 3 post op.
Have felt ok since the surgery but this afternoon something changed and I feel great!
The windy tummy is getting under control, I found some degas which is great stuff. I've managed about half an optifast so far today, half a glass of milk and half a cup of peppermint tea. Haven't had much water which I should get on to really.
Had a better sleep last night, managed I think 5 hours, it's a pain  cause I still can't lie down so sleep sat up on heaps of pillows and cushions. At least I slept.
Weighed myself this am and have lost .5 since surgery so considering I gained a fair bit with all the fluids they pumped into me I'm pretty happy:)

Must try to remember to call and make the dietician appointment and also Dr Martins one for in a month.

The day after surgery

MrsB I just want to say thanks for your comments on my last post. I have been that butterfly waiting to emerge for so long. Thanks for your support xx
Yesterday I had to arrive at the Wesley by 7am, we were there by quarter too. I was a bit nervy but ok. Sat with mum, Sharni and Dave and then got told I had to go up to pre op. She told me Dave could come with me so that was good!
Got up there and had to wait till almost 9. Saw the pharmacist and then got called in to the pre op nurse. Dave just came with me and he didn't get told to go woohoo. So I then had bloods taken and an ECG done. Then I had to say bye to Dave:(
Got taken in the back room and had to get my sexy gear on lmao, the gown, the stockings oh didn't I look pretty LOL. I then sat in a recliner for a bit and then got put into a bed. Then I got sent down to surgery, got a matching hat for my head;) saw the anaesthetist and the anaesthetists nurse and then got rolled in to theatre at about 9.40.
Got the needle on the back of the hand, he was very good!!! and coming from an ex phlebotomist that says something ok!!! he then said I'l give you a sedative to help you relax, felt it work closed my eyes and next thing I was waking in recovery. I did remember after... that in theatre they put the oxygen mask over me and she said it will smell funny which they always do yucky black rubber things blurgh!
Anyway seemed to be in recovery for ages but wasn't really, it was then I heard I'd had a hernia repair.
Got put in my room at about 10.20 where mum and Sharni then found me after some chasing around.
Dosed on and off, got up a couple of times, then Dave came and saw me and then left to take mum and Sharni home. I then had a pain suppository at about 8.30pm and then dozed on and off most of the night.
Nursing staff were lovely and caring!
I decided last night that I would stay as I still felt yuk from the morphine and anaestetic, nurses were glad I finally made my mind up lol.
Home this morning YAY home is always so nice even after a really short hospy stay.
Have felt really well, just alot of gas in the tummy so lots of burping happening here. Trying to drink and not getting much in. Need to get some degas, not had much success getting any. I'm trying Frilly!!
OK Dave is home woohoo so I'm off to spend some time with him.
Take care xx

One week down one to go

woohooo one week of optifast done and 4.9kg gone forever!!!!
Had a cheat yesterday, ate a hungry jacks grilled chicken burger and fries, have to say the fries tasted like cardboard!! Back on to the opti this morning and straight back into the routine, berocca, opti, water, water etc lol
Mum and Dad (inlaws) came over yesterday, I had emailed the evening before and told them about the surgery.
Well yesterday when they came over I had a real good chat to them and despite being told that I'd let myself go badly over the last few years and that they hadn't supported me for years as they thought because I'd quit the nursing course in 1996!!!! that it was because I was LAZY (OMFG) it all turned out well. Anyway set them straight that my confidence has always been very low and the added weight made that worse over the years. It eneded with them both supporting me and it looks like mum will be the one to come to the hospital with me as Dave doesn't think he'll be able to get the time off work :(:( I would much rather my hubby be there, I am going to be so stressy, but will have to deal with it as it comes. Fyi I gave up the nursing degree because I failed the anatomy and physiology twice and it seriously knocked me down and took me back to hearing my mum say only the boys in this family go anywhere the girls just make do. Ugh!!Anyway on tuesday I did some looking at A & P courses and found one that I am going to do. I will study and study hard and pass the hurdle which has held me back on so many things!
THEN I will decide if I will go on to study reflexology (which requires A & P) or something else....I have so many ideas floating around of what I'd love to study or do, heck maybe I'll do them all LOL.
This band is so much more than just weightloss, it is confidence and an attitude of I CAN DO THIS!!!!!! And above all else, absolutley everything else, this will help me get my DH and myself back on track, instead of riding on the gravel.
So onward and downward I go:)
BTW Must say Hi to Sue (((((hugs)))) Thanks for stopping by  and following me on this journey xx
And hi to anyone else reading *wave*
Forgot to add money has been released from  the super but they don't know when it will be deposited, they say to call on monday and eiother it will have been deposited or it will be shortly! What the hell, will have to contact the surgeons rooms today I guess argh@

What the heck happened?? Day 5....

I want yesterday and the feel goods back;)
Probably a combination of disgusting heat and that I ate some meat yesterday?? I dunno :(
Had to go into Milton today, phoned up the super fund and they needed another licence certified because the first one didn't say it was a true copy of the original. I was going to post it but thought heck it'll be quicker to take it in. Other than this it's all approved and waiting to be sent YAY!!! So will call again tomorrow to check it was all ok and the HOPEFULLY the money will be in the account by thursday so I can pay the surgeon!!! POSITIVE POSITIVE.
I'm about to email the parents in law and tell them whats going on, wonder what the reaction will be?? I am hoping I will be pleasantly surprised ;) At the end of the day it doesn't really matter but some support would be good.
wooooo not many more sleeps lmao

Day 4 and feeling fine ;)

Wow woke up today with so much energy and sparkle!
I put this down to two things, the fact I'm on opti and that we have moved from a house full of mould!
I also have noticed today that my breathing seems much better, I can take a deep breath without a struggle. I have also noticed my cankles didn't hurt when I got out of bed, that could be all the additional fluids I'm drinking!
Have had 2 opti so far today and have been cooking a beef roast in the slow cooker. I may even have a little of it with my salad for dinner, it is a protein and whist not really allowed it is a better option than most things.
My darling son Natty bought me an ice coffee home today and I was really good and gave it back and said he could have it! Told him he can buy me one after surgery as a treat ;)
It's been a beautiful day here in Qld! Same ole same ole though with housework. Had Robbi W blaring most of the day, oh YEAH! lol
Need to get on to recovering my dining chairs. Bought the replacement vinyl before we moved, will have to get Dave to find the staple gun! Also got a bargain on eBay and found 4 old bar stools that need a sand down and recovering, won them for $5.50. Nat is going to sand and paint them for me and I will recover them. They'll look great in my new house ;)
OK gonna get myself moving from here...Take care!

Day 3

Feeling more normal today. I went to have a nap at about 8.30 last night and woke up at 5 this morning lol. Must of needed it I guess!
I did however miss last nights opti, didn't want it after my veggies and so it got skipped.
Woke up with a rumbling tummy but not hungry hmmm such a odd thing.
Have had 2 optis so far and a stick of celery, a glass of water and 2 cups green tea.
I need to go and buy some sugar free jelly and some more of my allowed veggies and some strawberries which is my allowed fruit.
I am supposed to have a max of 2 cups of my allowed veggies a day which so far doesn't seem to be a problem.
I'm still cooking everyones meals and am quite surprised at how well I am managing at not picking!! Not like me at all to not pick, I guess if someone wants something bad enough....if only I'd been able to do that on the many prior attempts at weightloss!!

Day 2

Holy Cow!!!
The headache started late last night. Then add to that a night of dreaming and no less dreaming of THE confrontation with my mum, I was glad to get up this morning. Still feel a bit of a headache but not too bad. Also have a yucky taste in my mouth. And yes I got on the scales (of course!!!) and saw a little drop.
Dh says I will lose 8kg on opti, I would like to make 10kg hehe, actually as long as my liver shrinks enough for surgery.....
I don't really feel hungry as such, very thirsty though.
I remembered to add the benefiber AND to take the vits this morning.
I can't wait to not have sore/painful joints, to even be able to do all the vaccing in one go, to be able to shop longer than an hour, hey to actually shop and buy something for myself that I actually like and that actually fits!
DH home soon so need to make him some lunch.
BBL

Optifast begins

First day of optifast today. This is going to be harder than I thought. Just need to keep in mind that this is all for good reason and will be worth it.
Had three optifast today as per plan. Also had a veggie stir fry using garlic and a little bit of soy sauce. Quite yummy actually after the opti lol
I am using the vanilla and strawberry shakes. Haved heard bad things about the soups and bars and so don't want to risk the waste of food or $!
Forgot to add the benefiber today and forgot my vits too! Ah well ;)

Off it goes

Got all the paperwork together to send off to the super fund.
A phone call to them tells me that it can take up to two weeks to process. I am supposed to make full payment to the surgeon the week before the surgery 27th Aug...I'm hoping if the fund doesn't move along quick eneough that the surgeon will let me keep my date, I don't want to change it now lol.
I'm keeping positive, everything else has worked out so well, this will too :)

APPROVAL!!!!!!!

YAYYYYYYYYYYY
I finally have approval from APRA for my surgery OMG!!!!
I am so excited, so thankful that I cacn do this.
Bring it on!!!!!

All done & Happy Birthday Madison

Keys handed over today, spent yesterday cleaning the old house up and this morning went to let in the carpet cleaners and pest control.
Keys handed over, so glad that is all done!
Today was also a very special day for a friend, she gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Madison. such a pretty name for what I'm sure will be a wonderful addition to their little family.
Many Blesings to you all, Kylie, Mike, Sammii, Owen and Emilia xxx

Moving day

Well after being released from our lease, we are about to move into a fantastic house 2 minutes down the road.
I picked up the keys today YAY!
So tomorrow is the day, Dh has the day off work for show day anyway and both kids are home so it will all get done easily enough. As usual we have a loan of a friends truck, makes things so much simpler!
See you on the other side

Letter from APRA

ugh! Received a letter from APRA today, requesting more information from me.
1. Another letter from the GP stating I need the suregery for a life threatening condition, ie remove from 1st Dr's letter the word ''potential''.
2. A stat dec explainging our financial capacity :why we can't save and why we can't seek a loan....so off to do al that sigh

No Dr

hehehe no didn't go. Bloody damn well should of though eh!
Knee felt better in the am and then smart me thought I'd have a soak in the bath last night and what'd I do?? Popped my knee and back to worse than it was the day before!
Course then when I tried to get an appt.....nothing till monday!!!!!

APRA Ist Letter

woohooo got my first letter from APRA to say they have received my application and to assign me a reference number.
Wonder how long it's going to take.
I'm still so excited about the surgery and the new me thats going to emerge.

Ouch!!

Ugh! Can't believe this happened, well actually I can but was hoping my eventual weight loss would help!
I have had a 'bad' left knee since I was about 8. I had to do some strengthening exercises at the time. Since then every now and again I would have a niggling issue for a week or two. Then ten years ago I had a fall while playing footy with the kids, the kind where you step on the ball and fall. Was very sore for about 6 weeks that time. No haven;'t spoken to the Dr about my knee since I was a kid. tut tut.
Anyway last few weeks the niggling has been back and then it just got worse until today it's completely gone to the point I can't straigten my knee out at all. Have got a GP appt tomorrow...if I go!
ow ow ow!!!!

APRA

Well the Apra application is in! Faxed it all off today. Fingers crossed I get a good result. I am a little worried cause my GP wrote in his letter ''possible life threatening illness''. I don't like the word possible lol
Guess we shall see!

Thoughts....

Was thinking this morning about the lap band and how I haven't yet told any people close/related to me.
I wonder what I'm afraid of? Perhaps that they might try to change my mind or tell me what a failure I am because why can't I just diet and excercise? I know I don't HAVE to tell anyone but I want to.
I have to go and pick the kids up from their grandparents later, maybe that will be a good time to just give them some info on the surgery and then leave lol. I am such a wuss. Truth is I actually have a lot of trouble verbalising whats in my mind. Communication particularly face to face is not a strong point of mine, I have a thing where I think people aren't interested in what I have to say (probably a distorted view but nevertheless a view I hold) hence talking about me or anything related to me scares the hell outta me lol
Blogging however, well I can't see or read peoples faces this way sooooo, it's a relatively comfortable zone for me to be in;)

I have a date...OMG!!!!!

I have a date for the lapbanding YIKES!!!!
I went to see the lovely Dr Ian Martin today. He went over everything again and said he was happy for me to go ahead with the surgery. Dave came with me so he could be assured about who would be taking care of me.
Anyway the date is set.....I have a thing with numbers and this works for the surgery date too...03/09/09 ;)
So things left to do now are
Get to GP to get letter for APRA application, Dr Martins will be sent to me early next week. Then to get the APRA application in and approved!!!
woot I am so very excited, this will change but for now I'm lapping up the excitement;)

Consultant Nurse Appt

I had a one hour appointment today with Dr Martin's nurse Jenny.
Jenny is a fantastic lady with a wealth of knowledge about the lap band procedure.
We went through my history of weight issues, what diets I'd done etc. She took my weight/height and gave me my BMI (OMG!!!!!) and told me I would qualify for the procedure even though I don't have full on obesity related health issues, there are some minor ones that could become full blown in the furture if I don't act now.
I also got my costings today.
As I will be a private patient with a health fund, the out of pocket will be approximately $6000. So I will be accessing some of my super fund through APRA. I am hoping for an easy run there. I was told to allow 6 weeks for the process so the sooner I can get on to that the better.
A little less nervous now:)