Update on my Funk

I received a call this morning from the pharmacy with the automated message alerting me that my prescription is ready. What Rx?  I wasn't told one was being called in for me.

So I called them to find out what it was. Zithromax - aka - the Z-Pack.

I woke up this morning feeling a tiny bit better but still feeling that something is wrong.  However the weird white cornflake spots on my tonsils were gone?  What the?

I have no idea but I am NOT complaining.

I got off my conference call and rushed to the pharmacy with my bottle of water in hand. I paid for it and didn't even leave the store yet before I popped the initial dose of 2 pills.

Then I went home and had another Emergen-C and more organic chicken broth with my chemical shake.

I called the surgeons office and my PCP verifying it wouldn't screw anything up in surgery. They both gave me the go ahead to take it.  My surgeons office said I was a still "wait-and-see" mode. They will make the official thumbs up or down on Thursday at my appointment then.

Then the hospital called me and went over my Pre-Op instructions.

Do not eat or drink after Midnight
Be there at 7am
No Makeup (oh lawd)
Wear loose comfy clothes
Shower the night before

And then I asked the most important question of all..  Can I have nail polish on?  I was given a big yes. Phew!

So off I went and primped myself. I got a nice gel manicure, a pedicure and my eye brows waxed to feel like myself. Then promptly back home to rest and mend myself.

I am still mentally ready. I am still planning to go with it on Friday. I am making myself get better!!

Go Zithromax!!!

Worried , Sad , Deflated and Sick. Happy Monday.

I apologize in advance because I know the tone of my blog isn't perky and happy go lucky.

I woke up in the middle of last night with a sore throat and some dry coughs. Popped a few cough drops and woke up at 4am and downed some Emergen-C. I went back to bed and slept all the way thru noon. That never happens. I am SO happy I telecommute - that's all I can say.

Today has been a day of minor aches, sore throat and feeling under the weather. Nothing SUPER bad - YET - but my body is fighting something.

I had many cups of hot tea, organic chicken broth, more Emergen-C's, Echinacea, Zinc, and soup for dinner along with lots of other fluids.

I am keeping whatever is trying to pillage me at bay.

Then I went and took a looksee in the mirror this evening and saw big white thingamajigs on my tonsils and throat.   Motherf*&@^!

So let me back up....

I had a great weekend. Zack's sister was visiting us from San Francisco for a work conference. Her company is headquartered in Tampa. So she popped in last Sunday and stayed the day. Then she left for her hotel and came back on Thursday and stayed thru yesterday.  We went all over, Saturday morning market, a few bars, a nice restaurant. I was SO dedicated. I drank club soda and lime everywhere, I had salad with no dressing and cooked great healthy meals. I brought my shakes all over as well. 

Oh yah - and she was sick. Coughed the whole time. 

I lysoled all over and I did what I could but apparently it didn't flipping matter.  She said she had been sick for over a month so shouldn't have been contagious.  Yah? Well guess what?

Ugggg - for 3 months I have made sure NOT to get sick. I even slept in the other room and couch when Zack was sick for 2 weeks last month. Now I am 4 days out to surgery and it may be postponed.

I called my PCP and my surgeon today and told them my symptoms. Surgeons office said to see how I am by Thursday when I go in for my Pre-Op appointment. If I am sick, it will most likely be cancelled.

The worst thing I could hear.

I have poured a lot of tears today over this because I have worked so hard and am so mentally ready.

So I am going to call tomorrow and alert them to the white pockets in my throat and see if I can get antibiotic started. I have no idea if it's strep or whether I will have to wait weeks or a month.

Just a really crappy day... to say the least.

10 Things Thursday!

1)  This weather. Oh my lordy this weather. I live in St. Petersburg and it's springtime here in Florida. MILD winter so far and temps of high 70's and sunshine and breezes.  Sorry didn't mean to rub it in but it makes me SMILE a lot.

2)  I have my faux SIL visiting with us this week. She is here on business from San Fran. Her meetings ended today and she is staying with us until Sunday morning when she flies back home. I ended up telling her about the LB that I am having next week. She had never heard about it. She was concerned but supportive.  She is naturally small, extremely athletic and non judgemental. I adore her and want to be like her athletically one day.

3)  Tomorrow is my EKG, Chest Xray and Labs. It's real folks... one week away real!

4)  We are scheduled to head to New Orleans Jazz Fest in May. I haven't been in a few years but this used to be one of my annual jaunts with friends. I am over the moon excited about the music lineup. I have been researching it like crazy today while I should be working.

5) We built a new closet system and moved into our new master bedroom. I donated 4 trashbags of clothes away and am now organized and anal retentively color coordinated. This change in my life somehow makes me feel like I will be more successful in my band journey. Less Life Clutter!

6) I am trying to decide what my fitness preference will be post band. I am thinking of joining the gym and hiring a personal training to tighten some of this business up. I would love to try pilates but am intimidated.

7) My TOM came one week early which this time was a massive blessing. Why you ask? Ok you didn't but I will tell you anyway. I was scheduled NEXT Friday on my LAP BAND SURGERY date to start. Nothing like cramps and a mess during surgery.  So while I feel like ass, have cravings and am a bitch.. it could be worse.

8) I laughed yesterday when I read a blogger hating on Pinterest.  It has becomes something I totally dig. It has given me a lot of inspiration for home projects, organization ideas and good recipes.

9) I started a new FB page for my lapband journey and was amazed by how many people did the same. It's like a secret society.

10)  I still want to infiltrate Boobs and don't know how to really be "in"?  Like, I realllly want to go to the Chicago trip one day and meet these superstars!!!!  Help me!!  LOL

Gnawing off appendages

Today was day 6 of Pre Op diet.

The first couple days weren't bad but by yesterday I woke up spotting for my TOM and felt like I wanted to gnaw off my arm. Even my fat poodle was starting to look tasty for the bbq. 
I was starting to go into espresso withdraws and felt like the people from Intervention should bust down my door any moment. Worse than heroin. 
Ok maybe I am a drama queen. 
I do however drink about 6 shots of espresso daily so this is TOUGH.  Take away my strong beautiful Italian espresso, pasta, ice cream, a good medium rare steak and push chemical shakes at me and then throw a period in the mix. Oh - I KNOW I am fun to be around! 

So after my two shakes and nothing in between, I had the wonderful mindset to run to my amazing gourmet grocery shop. Mmm gorgeous flowers, fresh brewed coffee smells, a case of amazing desserts, fresh baked bread, a cheese department which makes me drool... wtf was I thinking.  Not a good place to be bitchy and starving.

I avoided the desserts like gang-green but did one brief over the shoulder look at them.

I headed to the seafood department and was a good girl. I bought big, beautiful plump scallops, some fresh crab claw meat and some Ahi tuna steaks for my lean protein for the next couple of days.

Chicken is boring me to pieces.

Last night I switched it up with a beautiful spinach salad, grilled salmon, and lots of grilled zucchini and squash in the salad. I added one tablespoon of goat cheese which was divine. For a dressing, I mixed a tiny bit of zero fat Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice and fresh dill. Was delish with the salmon and "wet" the greens.

It was so good, I made a similar salad tonight but added seared scallops instead and a few bits of fresh crab.

Some delish news about crab. It's soft. It's yummy. It's almost zero fat. It's zero carbs. It's MASSIVE protein. 

Yesssss - I know what my go-to lean protein post band will be often! 

A few hours later, I felt hungry again. My stomach should be SHRINKING but yet I feel like I could eat a Macktruck.   I discovered popping in a beef bouillon cube in hot water a few hours later was actually delish and held me for quite awhile. Not sure why I haven't done this the past few days.   - If only they had zero carb/fat chocolate bouillon cubes for the TOM cravings.

When I looked at my gorgeous and healthy salads, I almost had a second where I said to myself...  " why are you getting a band, you know how to eat and cook healthy".   And then my other internal voice said, "We didn't get fat on too much zucchini".  So no second guessing...   I should be FULL longer. I need this band. I KNOW how to cook beautiful meals filled with fresh and colorful veggies and lean proteins.

I need a fill now - and I am not even banded!! 

Add me!!

Hey ladies!

I started a new Facebook page to keep my journey private and seperate.

Please add me if you have a FB page or send me your info and I will search for you :) 

Link is:  saucybandster

I made an executive decision....

I may get frowns, scowls and anger but hopefully you will see it by my perspective.


My last post was regarding the Optifast program I was about to start.  After I blogged that I day, I made a call to the surgeons office and spoke to the nurse with the same questions I had here.


To add more fuel to the fire, I was pretty grossed out when I opened the box of Optifast.  The ingredients list is deplorable.


The first ingredient is water. The second is SUGAR. The fifth ingredient is CORN SYRUP SOLIDS. The rest has several chemicals.


Pretty gross. I banned Corn Syrups 2 years ago from my diet and my house. I won't buy any product that has any in them. So it was pretty gross to find it in this tiny box of meal replacement.


Fat:  3 g
Carbs: 20g
Sugars: 17g
Protein: 14g
Fiber: 0g


So back to the phone call. I spoke to the nurse and asked her why the other surgeons allowed their pre-ops to substitute a lean meal and veggie and why I was subjected to this. I wasn't snarky or a complainer but I was honestly curious.


She explained to me, that while she couldn't technically tell me it was ok to add the lean meal and veggie instead of a shake at night, she verified if I chose the other surgeon I would be allowed. She also stated I was a big girl and do as I saw best. She also agreed that Optifast wasn't the choice she would advise. I was reading between the lines in her tonality and how she was explaining I was ok to do this.


So ahem, I made the executive decision. I am on day three.


I have a chemical shake in the AM.
I have a chemical shake in the Afternoon.
I have 3-4 oz of lean meat, no sodium and good green grilled veggies.


My body is happier. My body is regular. My body is content and feels better with green things.


I am down almost 7 pounds in 3 days so I think I am ok in my decision. This diet is to lose weight to shrink my liver and not "clean" me out I was told. So as long as I am losing weight, I think I am on the right track.


This also has eliminated the "need" for added sugar-free chemical foods of jello and popcicles full of artificial colors and flavors.


My dinner repertoire has been thus far:


Grilled grouper
Grilled chicken
Ahi Tuna rare
Roasted Broccoli
Fresh Green Beans
Grilled Zucchini


Less sugar and carbs. More protein. Same amount of fat.

Twas the night before Optifast...

Twas the night before fasting, when all thru the house

Not a crumb cake in sight, not even a tollhouse

The cupboards were cleaned with love and with care,

Eliminating carbs and sweets as the lap band would soon be here

Lisa was nestled all snug in her bed,
While visions of Protein shakes danced in her head

The table was lined with broth and with jello

Hoping a 2 week fast won't stray me from mellow

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The part I have been dreading the most is officially here tomorrow.  Two weeks of Optifast, SF jello and broth. I am going out with a bang this week and having cocktails and dinners with friends and the mister.  I am not going overboard in food choices but am definitely enjoying my week a bit.  Tonight, for the official "Last Supper" - we are heading to our favorite French Brasserie in downtown. Thursdays are always hopping so hopefully will be fun.

I picked up my 2 weeks supply of Optifast and realized when I was home, it's enough for 5 shakes a day. I am only allowed to have 3 a day however. So I had to pay $230.00 for 3 cases of this stuff which I think is a money making scam.  They said I can use it after. By then, I will be on different shakes if needed and not this tasty crap in a box.

Anyways - just venting. I think while my surgeon is fantastic and he is part of the center of excellence, I think he nickels and dimes you as often as they can. 

I am also curious as to why there are SO many variations of a 2 week PreOp diet. Some are allowed a healthy dinner at night, others no PreOp diet at all. Myself, I am not allowed any real food. 3 boxes of Optifast which are the size of a juice box and as much delightful low sodium broth and sugar free popsicles and jello one can handle. 

So many variations of this, I wish it was more streamlined.  Would make the process easier.


I will give you a for-instance.
3 surgeons who perform the info sessions, are all partners and are all part of the COE. 
2 surgeons offer Protein Shakes variations which are super cost effective and cheaper. They also allow a sensible dinner each evening of 3-4oz of grilled chicken and green veggies.
I already stated what mine does.
So why the difference?  I am just curious?  The point is to shrink the liver and lose weight. Optifast nutrients have a lot of sugars so that is strange. I think maybe if I knew all of the data upfront, I would have chose the other surgeon. I think they should give you all the details and all the costs up front.  I noticed a few posts on their message board for someone asking about other options if they couldn't afford Optifast.  Noone from the staff replied.  It's mandatory. Once I put my deposit down, I was then told that it was a necessary evil.


Oh well...  What were your PreOp diets 2 weeks prior to surgery? 

Va-Va-Va-Vooooom!

I saw a picture today and fell in love with it.  It had me thinking about beauty in general.  I think the screen sirens of the 40's and 50's were absolute stunners. Women with class, beauty and feminine qualities I admire.

Last night while watching the Golden Globes, I was looking at some of today's stars and was thinking how gaunt, thin, unhappy and starving they all look.  There are a few exceptions to the rule of course. Some are tiny and gorgeous naturally while others look like they eat lemons for their 3 meals. Kate Winslet is definitely a real stunner with a real body.

Now while I am trying to get thinner and beautiful, I definitely don't have any interest in being SKINNY.  I love curves and I like looking like a woman.

While my current shape fits more into the following pillowy rubenesque category which I am not happy with:

But check this out and look at the beauty of the yester years:

Fun in the Kitchen!

This isn't an official blog entry but it is a shout out to my ladies who read this and love to cook.  I discovered one of the BEST blogs ever with amazing recipes, step by step instructions and pictures. The best part about it, the recipes are almost sinful  but they are super healthy and lower in calories/fat, etc.

Some of the recipes may not be band friendly for some and others will be fine. There are tabs on the side however that you can search by certain tastes, low carb, high protein, desserts to appetizers to soups, etc...    

Anyways, check it out if you have any interest but I have made SO many of her items and I have never found that wasn't incredible.

Her main intention was working along with Weight Watchers followers but she breaks up the calories, protein and fats on each one that it works for anyone who wants great taste and not a ton of calories.

I present you with some YUMNESS:  Skinnytaste

Friday Friday Friday! BYOC!

BYOC - Bring Your Own Crazy!

It’s Friiiiidddaayyy! That means it’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy! A little ditty you can participate in on Fridays to get to know your fellow blogger better and to give your blogging brain a break. Copy and paste to your own blog and ENJOY!!

1. Do you have a favorite traditional “birthday meal”? If yes – what is it and what is the meaning behind it?

While I don't have a traditional meal, I celebrate the hell out of my existence during the month of September. My mom and I also share the same birthday so I get in family time, friend time, girls night out and usually a great weekend from my boyfriend thrown in for more fun.  Typically many cocktails and good food are involved but never a traditional meal that I have to have. 2. If you’ve lost weight, has your style changed since you lost weight? Or what's your dream purchase when you do lose weight/hit goal?

I am still pre-band. My dream purchase is a fantastic bathing suit finally feeling saucy and sassy in it!! I am tired of living in Florida and having a boat and feeling like someone needs to "Free Lisa".

3. Pick one question of the following two to answer: Who is your favorite Muppet and why? Or who is your favorite Smurf and why?
I am going to run with the Muppets.  My dog sorta looks like a Muppet to me actually.  My favorite was always "The Swedish Chef". Do-Do-Do-Do-Do I always enjoyed cooking and as a kid I really loved watching him throw things all around the kitchen. I was also a major Miss Piggy fan. I had the most amazing puppet doll of her with long blonde hair, purple formalwear dress and long satin gloves. She was quite lovely.

4. When you buy a lotion or after bath spray or body spray or candle (not perfume) – what’s the “flavor” you always find yourself loving the most?Hmm -  all different actually.

Bath and Home Sprays - Always tropical something or other. Or I also like a clean cotton smell.

Body Spray - I love Moonlit Path. I don't wear a lot of body sprays as I am definitely a parfum snob.

Candles - I love love love Archipelago candles. My fave is a very masculine scent called Havana. It includes a blend of Bergamot, Tobacco Leaf and Ylang Ylang

5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blogland.

Wow - what a fantastic first week to have my first BYOC!  Well let's see...  it started with my final weigh in. Then I received my approval for my band in less than 2 flipping hours.  Then I had an amazing girls night out with my mom and nana (dinner, wine and a movie night).
Then it ended with me picking up my 2 week supply of Opti-Fast, paying off my surgery, shopping for my Pre & Post Op items and walking around on CLOUD 9 that it's now officially REAL!!!  I would say this is a pretty monumental week :) 


Oh - and here is a pic of my muppets hehe

Big Freaking News!

Well I received a call from the bariatric specialist this morning. She said she received the paperwork from my PCP and was writing up the chart to send to my insurance. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield Independence if anyone is interested.  She said I would hopefully hear within 30 days.

So then off I went. I went and had lunch with someone I had not met previously. During Christmas I told my brothers girlfriend about my efforts to get the band. She mentioned her sister in law had it a year ago and had lost a ton of weight.  We called her on Christmas morning and she was so helpful and encouraging and said she would like to meet me eventually. 

Today was the day! I met her in front on the YMCA where she works out with a trainer on Tuesdays.  I pulled up and there were 3 thin ladies sitting out there so I had no idea who she was. Yep - she was one of the thin ones!  She looks fabulous. 

Off we went. We walked around a farmers market in a neat city called Gulfport. Once a month they also have a clothing swap. You bring 5 pieces of clothes and you pick out 5 pieces. This has nothing to do with bariatric surgery, it actually helps out the CASA shelter (abused women).

She said this has been a great tool for her while she flies thru sizes.

Then off we went to lunch. I was able to sit with a bandster and watch how they eat, see the portion and bite sizes, see if anything was off or different or screamed, "I HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY".  Nope...  normal. 

I felt like I have known her for years and we instantly clicked.  Talk about inspiration. She showed me her before picture at approx 329 and it wasn't the same person in front of me. She lost over 140 pounds but she also looks like she lost 20 yrs.

So after we departed, I was driving and saw my surgeons office calling again. This time it was another person on the line. I figured she was calling to tell me I missed some paperwork or I need something else.

Nope.

I had to pull the car over.

She said I was submitted at 1:00 pm EST and she was calling with an APPROVAL at 3:30 PM EST.  No way - is this real??  An approval that quick?? 

I started crying in my car because all of a sudden it was real and it was happening!!! I then called my mom, Zack and some friends. I am still in shock as I write this.

I have a surgery date of February 3rd, a Friday.  I will come into the office and pick up my Optifast this Monday and start it next Friday.

This is it people... This is it.

*BIG SMILES*

Mmm Mmm Good!

Move over Campbell's, this girl is the new soup nazi in town.

I have a confession. I have always been a major foodie. I have no qualms buying rediculous kitchen items or ingredients. I love to cook and love being creative in the kitchen except in one area.. soups.

I have been cooking since I was 10 years old. I mean full on cooking. My dad left us when I was young and my mom owned a hair salon. She worked a lot and I learned how to cook and clean and run a household by the time I was 10.  Except up until 2 weeks ago, I had never cooked a pot of soup. I was rediculously intimidated by them and frankly wasn't a major soup person.

My first soup two weeks ago was a homemade Split Pea soup with ham and a drizzle of black truffle oil. It was amazing. I put several mini servings in the freezer in my new BPA-free freezerware hoping they would come in handy soon for post surgery.

Today, I went in and made an incredible Italian wedding soup with tons of spinach, escarole and carrots. Oh my... it was lovely and healthy. I made tiny turkey meatballs and also cooked the best chicken spinach sausage to give it a bit more flavor and protein.  It turned out to be a MASSIVE pot of soup. Enough that I have two massive freezer containers. One I'm keeping for myself and one I am giving to my mom to share with the family. I want her to be proud lol.

All this soup and the weather was back up to 80 degrees today. I had to turn the AC on to cook and eat it.

So anyway - no longer am I intimidated by cooking soups and I am prepping some really tasty post band mushy phase foods. (if my surgery date will hurry up and get here!)

The next soups on the agenda are: 

Poblano Chili Corn Chowder
Shrimp and Scallop Posole with fresh Cilantro

My bowl of goodness from tonight:

Last but not least - Hopefully my surgeons bariatric specialist will call me tomorrow. I left her a vm today. She is the hardest freaking person to get ahold of. Guaranteed if you call her, you will get vm and it will take at least a day to get a call back.  I have the patience of a gnat when it comes to this journey.   I am REALLY hoping she will tell me I am on my way to BCBS Independence.  Crossing my fingers, toes, legs and eyes.

Tag, You're It!

The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legiti­mately have to tag 11 peeps!

11 Random things about myself. 

1)  I can't answer anything with a single explanation I just figured out from below.  Either I am super interesting, sybil or super indecisive.  Yes - definitely super interesting.

2) I have been to over 250 concerts. I am a music fiend.

3) A few months ago I entered two recipes into a contest. Both won and will be featured in a Heritage cookbook woo hoo.

4) I have a massive, and I mean massive shoe addiction. I almost can't go shopping without bringing home a pair. I think since I hated my dress size, shoes were always there for me.

5) I grew up in a hair salon. My mom was a single mom for many yrs and owned a few salons. I was the shampoo girl, nail tech, check out clerk, accountant and supply orderer for MANY yrs. Apparently child labor laws didn't exist back then haha.

6) I looked 21 when I was only 12 yrs old. I could order drinks at 12 yrs old almost at ANY restaurant and was never carded.  It was a very strange.

7) When I was 17, my mom and I were in a horrific accident. An oil tanker ran a red light and slammed into my side and almost killed us. They had to use the jaws of life to get me out. I didn't break one bone but the only reason I am alive is from NOT wearing a seat belt.

8) I have never missed any episode of Real Housewives - All cities.  It's a very secret and guilty pleasure. I will only watch them late at night when Zack goes to bed because I am embarrassed.

9) I am obsessed with poodles.  I am the fur-mom to two pups (one poodle and one pekingese)

10) I saw the Grateful Dead 64 times.

11) I have 3 girlfriends since elementary school still in my life and 3 from junior high/high school. I feel very thankful for these long relationships.

jennxaz-talesfromanarizonalapbander tagged me and below are my answers to her questions.

1. Paperback, nook, kindle or other?

• I love a great paperback but I am also a nerd and love gadgets. I have a Nook. I also have an Ipad with a full library on there.

2. Favorite place to vacation?

• Isla Roatan, Honduras for the Islands & Sicily, Italy for a big one.

3. Mommy or daddy's girl?

• Definitely Mom. She is my best friend & my biggest cheerleader.

4. Tomboy or girlie girl?

• Definitely a girly girl but envious of tomboys who are super athletic.

5. Did you play sports in school? explain -

• Not a lot but I did play soccer and was on a the golf team. Golf team was a joke.

6. PC or MAC?

• PC for work laptop but definitely a MAC fan and big Apple product girl.

7. Favorite band or singer of all time? oh gawd. This is tough. I am a massive audiophile. I could list out so many from each genre.   Since I can't name one.. I will list some of my faves:  Coldplay, Grateful Dead, The Clash, Bob Marley & The Wailers (old stuff), Esperanza Spalding, Radiohead, Miles Davis... 

8. Favorite movie of all time?

• The Godfather

9. When you go to Vegas...slots or tables?

• Both. Blackjack and Wheel of Fortune slots

10. Beer or wine or none?

• Wine (cocktails actually but wine between those)

11. Favorite reason to blog?

• Meeting new people with similar stories around the world.

My 11 questions for those tagged:

1) Do you have any pets?
2) If you could have dinner with any person dead or alive, who would it be?
3) Do you prefer the country, city or beach if you had to choose a place to live?
4) What is your #1 vice?
5) Do you love your career? If you don't have one, are you satisfied?
6) Do you have any artistic abilities?
7) If you were cooking to wow someone, what would you cook? What is your best dish?
8) What is your favorite sport to watch and to play?
9) Are you a morning person or a night owl?
10) Do you have a doppledanger? (Is there a celebrity/famous person you resemble the most)?
11) When you get to mini goals, how do you reward yourself or how will you?

I now need to tag others. I don't have that many people following me so I will tag the ones who I don't think have been tagged yet.

http://happilyafterlapband.blogspot.com/

http://purplepetticoat.blogspot.com/

http://robinwinegirl.blogspot.com/

http://diaryofafatwhitewoman.blogspot.com/

http://whatyoulookinatskinny.blogspot.com/

My Fitness Enemy er Pal

Egad. What an eye opener. Talk about lackadaisical. I decided to join MFP today after reading about it on bandsuperstars - Lapbandgirl bio on her successes.  Talk about inspiration.  I figured it would get me into good habits now. I used to write down ever BLT (Bite, Lick & Taste) on Weight Watchers but then it fell to the waste(waist)side.

Time to get myself in check.  

I listed myself as wanting to lose two pounds a week with little exercise as I am not doing a lot yet.  I am almost halfway thru my calories if I want to actually be accountable so healthy(ier) eating at dinner.

Do any of you use MFP?  Any tips or tricks?  Or do you recommend something else? 

On another note, my boyfriend went to his Dr on Friday. He said his Dr went from a size 58 waist to a size 36. He is having two high protein replacement shakes with a lot of vitamins and a sensible dinner.  Zack decided to try it. He freaked out when he weighed himself and was at almost 250. When I met him, he was at 190, a hardcore mountain biker and had a very sexy six pack. Now he is carrying a pony keg. I blame myself for a lot of it. He adores my cooking and I have spoiled him for 6 and a half years.  He also moved to Florida which isn't the best mountain biking scene (go figure?!) and bought a boat. Lifestyle for Lifestyle I guess.  Except boat and drinking beer isn't the best form exercise.

He decided to get the shakes and try it. He is on day 2 so it will be interesting to see how he does. He also mentioned to his Dr that I am in the process of getting the band. Apparently Mr. Dr doesn't like the band and tried to have him dis persuade me from it. He said he prefers people to do everything possible before having the band.  So to me, he now sounds like a kook.

Don't you think I have???? 

Boobs

The reason I started blogging was after discovering this secret world of blogging banding sisters. I discovered this amazing group of women in a group called Boobs.  Talk about inspiring me and really helping me solidifying that I am READY to take on this journey.

So I secretly cyber-stalked many of their blogs for MONTHS. One after another and I still keep discovering more each day.  It's like a secret society of acronyms of boobs, byoc and more.

One day I hope to infiltrate this group and be invited into their secret banding world.  In the meantime, I am trying so hard to get my insurance requirements met.

Tomorrow is the LAST supervised weigh in and I am excited that my paperwork will be submitted. I am not leaving the office until my letter of surgery necessity and recommendation are faxed to my surgeon. I was told ahead of time they would do it while I was there.

Oh ladies, please oh please oh please send me your good vibes for a quick and easy-peasy approval!!

And if anyone needs another boob, I am so your girl. ;)

Baby its cold outside...

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful time like I did. We had a great time. We planned an "End of the world - Mayan theme" complete with multiple fire pits, tiki god heads, Spanish inspired cuisine, and palm trees and foliage everywhere. It is always great motivation for us when we have a party to get our house in spic and span shape and our yard super pretty.


Everyone seemed to have had a really great time. We went to sleep about 4am and had a friend stay over. On NY day, the weather was stunning. A warm and sunny 77 degrees. We started our day with mimosas (we had/have a ton of leftover champers), breakfast casserole, blueberry crepes and fresh berry fruit salad outside on the dock and decided to take a boat ride. It was a perfect way to start the new year.


Fast forward to today: The weather has turned and for Florida, it's extreme tonight. We are in the 30's tonight and having a hard freeze. Today we went out and covered all of our smaller palms, mango tree, papaya tree and ginger plants with sheets so they won't freeze and die. Two years ago we took a major hit and our backyard went from beautiful and lush to dry, brittle and burnt from the frost. We have worked hard on our little oasis back there so didn't want to deal with that again.


In lapband news, I'm one day away from heading to my PCP for my LAST weigh in. I can then get submitted to my insurance. I am so hoping they approve it quickly!!! I need some positive vibes sent my way!! :)


I'm trying to get rid of the high caloric foods in my pantry and fridge and am starting the purge. In years past, I would eat them before dieting versus throwing them away. I mean god forbid I throw food away! Bye bye holiday cookies and candy.


Not that I'm ready for a liquid diet but mentally I am wrapping my brain around change in advance.


I will report back after my last Dr visit.


Until next time - Stay warm out there! I can't complain - it will be back in the 70's by the weekend. I have only a couple days to get my new vintage leopard faux fur 40's inspired jacket worn! I need to use this weather wisely!!!