Christmas Day was a struggle

My brother Phil, my mom Betty, my brother James and myself

My boyfriend Ron and I at moms for Chirstmas



My little toy poodle Pepi and I Christmas Day
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I don't think my struggles right now are because it was Christmas, I think its just because I need to get my first fill which is January 7th. I can't wait.... I am hungry all the time, some of it is mental, just used to eating all day long before surgery. I do get hunger pains that people can hear across a room so I know I'm hungry when that happens. I'm sticking to my protein and some veggies but I will confess that Christmas Day at my moms, I did have 1 little homemade shortbread cookie and a little bite of chicken/dressing casserole. Mom made a couple of beef roasts and it was really good. I did NOT eat any of the potatoes but I did have a few baby carrots and some little baby onions. I've talked to some other people that have had lapband surgery and they said its pretty normal to be hungry before you get your first fill. Sometimes Dr. Bass said it might take 3 or 4 fills to get me where I need to be. When I eat, I don't notice a full feeling much at all. Ron and I went out to eat the other day and I ordered a steak but brought about 2/3 of it home for a couple more meals. I haven't weighed lately, my scale is not with the one in Dr. Bass's office anyway and i really need to go by his. I dont' want to keep getting off and on the scale becuase it can be a bit depressing and get me down if I dont' lose anything. i have talked to so many people now that have had the surgery and some of them aren't losing much at all (due to eating the wrong stuff I'm sure) and some of them have lost alot of weight in a short period of time. I'm trying not to think about my "big goal" which is losing 180 pounds it seems like I'll never get there but I know in a couple of years if I keep doing what I'm supposed to be doing and listen to Dr. Bass and Tiffany that I will reach my goal. What a happy day that will be for sure. I told my niece Carrie the other day that she will have to take me shopping because I've been so big for so long, I don't even know how to shop for nice "in style" clothing. Of course, she is 24 and I'm 50 so I can't wear what she wears for sure. lol

I'm looking forward to the day I can walk in a store and buy whatever size I'm in (hopefully about a 12) and not have to try it on. That is a huge difference from the 4x I started at.

Making it through my family Christmas

Yesterday was my family Christmas. We do it the Saturday before Christmas every year so everyone that is married or has a significant other can visit on Christmas day. This year we had it at my niece Carries house in Sebring. It was her first time having the whole family, I think about 23 of us, at her new house and I think she has decided she will let mom do it again next year. She said she was stressed all week. lol.... It is a big job.

I had something I had never had before and YES, I was able to eat and enjoy my holiday with my family without being on broth and V8 juice. (woohoo)..... They cooked "trash can turkeys", I put a photo above of how they cook them. There is a stake with a little grate on it that goes in the ground and they put aluminim foil all around it on the ground, then the turkey is put down on the stake and rests on the grate. A brand new (not used, lol) metal trash can goes over the top of the turkey and sits on the alum. foil. Then they place charcoal around the entire trash can and on top of it. The turkey cooks in 90 minutes and its the best turkey I have ever had in my life. Juicy, tender and the flavor was out of this world. I can't believe how brown they came out too. There was alot of other food and when i made my plate my brothers said they have never seen my plate look so empty but I was satisfied with what I had to eat and it was nice getting to enjoy it with them.

My niece gave me a big bag of turkey to bring home too so I'll be enjoying it a little longer. I had a good day food wise, didnt' really crave the mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with marshmallows or Carries famous homemade mac and cheese. The cookies didnt' bother me either so all in all it was a great day.

I want to introduce you to my doctor, Thomas Bass

Taken from the website for Dr. Thomas Bass in Hollywood, FL.
Dr. Thomas Bass, MD, FACS is a board-certified general surgeon specializing in bariatric surgery. Dr. Bass received his MD from the Medical College of Virginia and completed his surgical residency training at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he completed fellowships in both Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and holds additional board certification in Surgical Critical Care. His interest in weight loss surgery began during his minimally invasive surgery fellowship, where he witnessed first-hand the life-changing effects that weight loss surgery can have. Dr. Bass is also a proctor for the Lap-Band System, and is responsible for training other surgeons in Florida that are interested in performing the procedure.

EDUCATlON & TRAINING
M.D., Medical College of Virginia
Fellowship, Minimally Invasive Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Fellowship, Surgical Critical Care, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Residency, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Internship, Department of Surgery, Division of General Surgery, The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Cerifications and Licensure
Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Board Certified, American Board of Surgery, Surgical Critical Care
Medical License, State of Florida

Memberships
Member, American Society of Bariatric Surgeons
Member, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons
Fellow, American College of Surgeons

For more information about Dr. Bass, please click on his name above and it will take you to the Hollywood Bariatrics website.

Checking in for an update

Just checking in to say hi to my blog followers and post a picture my boyfriend Ron took of me last Wednesday night the 10th, before a Christmas party with my cardmaking group that meets every Wednesday at our local Bettys Stamp Pad. They all went to Olive Garden and then back to the store to open gifts and have dessert. I didn't go to dinner, ate at home and met them at the store and took a sugar free pudding cup to have while they were doing their treats. I was very satisfied with the pudding and it didn't bother me seeing them eat the "Norman Love" treats.

On a more current note, I'm doing great, feeling good except for my bad right knee which is keeping me from the gym right now until I can get it where I can work out some. Had an injection in it yesterday and they again reminded me that I need a total right knee replacement. I'm hoping as the weight comes off, the pain will decrease and I can put the surgery off for a long time. I'm eating well, a little more than the 2 oz becuase I'm hungry at meal time but Tiffany said that is normal with the swelling going down in my stomach. I'm becoming more aware of my mental vs. physical hunger. When it think I'm hungry, I have a large glass of water and its going away until meal time. I'm not snacking in between meals either which is great. Its a big change from eating every hour on the hour before the surgery.

Watch my posts, I'm going to be posting about Dr. Bass, he's a great doctor and he and Tiffany are wonderful to work with. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone no matter where you are located. I also have to say again that the stay at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, FL was an experience in itself. The staff was great and I felt like a princess in my room. Not the treatment I'm usually used to but a very wonderful experience.

First check up and first weigh in

Yesterday was my first check up appointment with Dr. Bass and my first weigh in since surgery. I am very happy to report that I lost 10 pounds. I'm down to 329 pounds and I dont' mind posting my weight since I'll be losing every month when I go back for check ups. In 4 weeks, i will go back and probably get my first fill. Dr. Bass said it might take 3 or 4 times to get the band right. I'm enjoying my little meals and feel satisfied but not full when I have them. Its just so nice to have some regular food and to be able to chew again. I asked about gum but they dont' want me chewing gum because it triggers the brain to think your eating and could make me more hungry when I'm really not. Now the part I really have to work hard at is determining whether I'm having physical or mental hunger and with an eating disorder and compulsive overeating and binging and also being a food addict, this will be the hardest part of my journey. The lapband is just a tool, i still have to do all the hard work and not try to cheat around the band in order to be a success and I'm going to be a success for sure. I'm going to be going to some support groups through the doctors office and also thinking of finding an overeaters anonymous group I can attend at least once a week too. I am a horrible food addict, I think of food every minute of everyday unless I'm asleep and I have to learn to control that in order to make the band work for me. I"m looking forward to the journey and I know its not going to be easy in any way, the hard work is still up to me like Dr. Bass said and I want to be a success for not only myself but to my family and friends and to Dr. Bass and Tiffany too.
Keep checking my blog for future updates and journaling.

Its been a great week so far

Just wanted to drop in and post a little today. I'm dealing with my mental part of this very well i think.... I am realizing after many years that food really isn't that big of a deal in massive proportaions. I think its been a habit and of course I'm an emotional eater. I have been so compulsive with my eating for many years I didn't even think anything about it. I did see a psychologist to get an evaluation before being approved for surgery and through talking to him I realized that my out of control eating started when I lost my grandmother in 1994. I was heavy before but no where near this heavy and I wasn't compulsively eating, just eating the wrong foods, fast food, pie, cakes, etc. My grandmother raised me and I was very close to her, as close as I have ever been to anyone and dont' think I'll ever feel that again. She was the big love in my life and my reason for being the person that I am today. She was a very caring and loving person and a crafty person and it all rubbed off on me. She got brain cancer in 1994 and chose to not do any chemo or radiation treatments. She lived 9 weeks from the time we found out but it was a good 9 weeks and I stayed with her from the time she woke up until she went to bed at night. When granny passed away we didn't have a funeral or a memorial service which was what she wanted so I really didn't get to say goodbye to her in the traditional way. I really believe that I have been trying to fill the void of her not being here with food to comfort me. Its an eye opener that has come 14 years after her death.
I truly believe I will be able to conquer this eating demon that I have, the lapband surely is going to help that since I can't eat the way I was eating before. Also with alot of prayer with my Lord and Savior and asking for patience and strength will get me through. I also have alot of support from my boyfriend Ron, my family and my friends.
Tomorrow is my first doctors appt. since the surgery and I can't wait to get weighed and see how I did. I will be posting when I get home with the good news!!

Todays a happy day

Since the swelling has gone down so much in my stomach and I'm actually getting hunger pains, I got to start my protein a little early. Last night I had a little ground turkey and cheese and this morning I had a scrambled egg with about a pinch of low fat shredded mozarella cheese. It felt good to finally be able to chew and has made my attitude a whole lot better. I got full with what I ate and didn't have any problems. I'm looking forward to trying different things and experimenting different cooking methods. It was so great to chew again, you have no idea. I feel great and I feel like I've lost a little bit of weight. i see the doctor on Thursday for a weigh in and check up so I'll post them and let you know how I did.

Check out my art blog too

I have another blog for my art work, cards, jewelry, altered art, etc. Please check it out at www.deannabray.blogspot.com DEANNA DUZ ART

Have a super day

Had a tough weekend after surgery

The weekend was tough, wanting to eat, missing food, but it will get better. I have been on liquids now for 15 days and have 6 more days to go. Tiffany at Dr. Bass's office said my hunger is more mental than physical right now. The swelling has went down quite a bit in my stomach and I'm alot more comfortable. I see the doctor on Thursday and can't wait to weigh in and see how I'm doing. I will post the end of the week and let you know how I did. thanks again to everyone for their posts, comments and emails on my decision to do the Lapband Surgery. It took me a while to decide to do it and after having a few regrets, I'm feeling better about the whole situation. I'm excited to lose the weight and feel good about myself and be able to wear some really cute clothes. Can't find many "cute" things in a 4X. lol

For those of you that are doing it the conventional way of exercising and watching what you eat, my brother Phil is a Personal Trailer and has a very informative and helpful site full of tips, stories, etc.

Check it out here: http://brayfitness.blogspot.com/

I'm home from the hospital and doing well

Just wanted to pop on and let everyone know that I'm back home and doing good. Still in alot of pain but the surgery went well. The swelling in my stomach is the most painful and the incision for the port on the upper left side of my stomach. When I got home on Tuesday evening, I was hurting so bad that I was wishing I hadn't done it and wanting a burger and fries. lol.... I know its just the pain and discomfort and when that goes away and I start losing weight, I'll be glad that I did it.
I'll be posting next week when i see the doctor on Thursday for my first weight in since going on liquids the end of November.

Thanks again for the love, support and inspiration i have received.

The story begins on my Weight Loss Journey

My weight loss journey has begun. Alot of my blog subscribers have asked me to document my progress so its starting now. My lapband surgery is Monday morning at 6 am in Hollywood, FL with Dr. Thomas Bass. I am very nervous, scared and excited all at the same time. I have been waiting for this for a long time and I'm looking forward to posting pics every few months of my progress. I have been on liquids since last Sunday morning and will be on liquids for 2 more weeks after sugery, then I can graduate to soft purreed foods and then regular foods. The Fort Myers News Press here in town is going to be doing an ongoing story with updates on my progress also and I will be posting those links here. Thank you to everyone that has helped me to get to this point and thanks for all the support, inspiration emails and phone calls, I appreciate them all more than you know. Watch for future updates. I have attached my "Before" photos so you can see where I'm starting.

To read about my story from the beginning click here;Chapter One: A rocky start in North Fort Myers