First Fill

Tomorrow is my first band fill.  I'm excited and kinda nervous.

My band is called a Realize band - it has a deflated cushion, similar to a inflatable pillow, around the inside of the band.  

The doctor will take saline solution and inject it into my band port which I think is located just under the skin on my right side just below my ribs.  This will fill in the cushion and restrict my pouch even more. 

After this procedure I should stay fuller longer and that's a very good thing. 

Up until this point I've been just healing from the surgery and waiting for the swelling to go down.  Now that the healing is all finished I basically just have a band that is not restricted, hanging out around the top part of my stomach.  My weight loss up to this point has been just portion control and exercise.  That's a good thing, but I can feel the munchies sneaking up on me.  Hopefully with the band fill, the munchies will go away and I'll be back on track to losing again. 

So far I've lost a total of 38 pounds (according to the doc's scales).  I can't believe I'm almost at 40!!  Whooo hooo!


Hope you will be seeing less of me soon!

Slowly but surely

It's been a few days since I've had any changes in my weight.  This morning I did see a little jump in the scales, but then again the batteries are dying so I'm not sure if it is accurate!  If it IS accurate, I've lost 38 pounds.  Only a few away from 40.  That's hard to believe. 

I'm feeling good, I'm exercising and I'm enjoying myself.  Now if only someone would cook and clean for me life would be great!

3 sizes smaller

I can't believe it already I'm (squeezing) fitting into jeans that are 3 sizes smaller than what I was wearing only 2 months ago!  Whooo hoooo!

Thanks Jen for the hand-me-downs!

Snack Time

Ugh, this past weekend was such a challenge.  I've had a snack-attack.

I munched much more than I should have.  In all reality it wasn't that much, but I felt like it was too much (ugh food guilt strikes again).  I ate nuts and good things, but my mind was wanting more, and more, and more.  At least I'm able to ride my exercise bike - helps me burn some of the calories from my transgressions. 

Guess that's one bad thing about the gastric banding vs. the gastric bypass I CAN actually digest sugar and fats.  I haven't pushed it mind you, but it's been a temptation.  It's not good for me, it's just as bad as it always has been, but my body doesn't reject it like someone that has had gastric bypass.  My mind still sees a chocolate bar and thinks.... mmmm.... chocolate.  But my conscience usually kicks in and says NO!

My tummy still growls and I still get hungry, but I've learned to ignore these signals that I normally would have ran to the fridge for.  But, this week it has been harder than the previous month and a half to say NO.  I've learned to make my protein shakes more enticing with nuts, 1% milk, and ice.  I can make a plain vanilla protein shake into something like a butter pecan ice cream shake. YUUUUM!  This helps with my cravings and fills my pouch in-between my meals.  

So, like one of my support divas reminded me "Get back up, dust yourself off and start all over again".  Time to start a fresh week. 

We did have a fantastic weekend with new friends.  We even went to the National Aquarium and I never once got tired, winded or needed to sit and rest.  In the past I would have been searching for the seats to rest my legs & or feet.  I was good to go and didn't even mind chasing our 2 year old daughter down the ramp when she decided to make a run for it!

Maya and I at the Nat. Aquarium Rain Forest.

That's all for now, hope you will see less of me next week!

I learn only to be contented

I can't believe this is true.  I, Shannon Housley Davis, have lost a total of 35 pounds in 44 days!  I'm in total shock.  I am so very happy.  I feel great, my clothes are falling off of me, and I can see the changes in my face, body and on the scale!

Now I look forward to walking and doing some form of exercise, although full out aerobics still are pretty hard for me.  Hopefully once I get a little more off and become more and more fit, aerobics will be easier.  I'm trying to do everything right.  I'm not perfect, but I'm doing pretty darn well.

While all these physical changes are taking place, I'm doing a lot of soul searching.  My mind is changing and evolving as well.  Like I said in my last post, I am realizing why I am addicted to food and how I was abusing it.  I'm not cured, I'm not reformed, but I'm on the path to recovery.  I've learned so much in the past 44 days.

For the first time in my life, I'm more concerned about what I'm going to feed my husband and children than I am myself.  I usually just throw together something for myself at the last moment.  As long as I have my protein and a little something veggie-ish I'm good.  I drink my protein shakes and I'm content.

Speaking of contentment... Several years ago I was in Kyoto, Japan and we went to the Ryoanji Temple - it is a beautiful Zen Buddist temple with the most amazing Zen garden.  At most of the Japanese temples they have these beautiful stone basins with running water and bamboo cups for you to wash your hands and mouth before entering the temples.  Towards the back of the Ryoanji Temple there is a small basin in the shape of a Japanese coin that is inscribed with 吾, 唯, 足, 知.  In Japanese it is pronounced "ware tada taru (wo) shiru" and it means "I learn only to be contented".

When I read that, it changed my life.  I know it sounds horribly trite, but it's true.  I want to learn what is important in my life so that I may be content.   I'm learning now how to be content with my appetite, hunger and soon my body.

If we all could "learn to be contented" in so many facets of our lives I think the world would be a better place.

Here's to seeing less of me next time!

Food Guilt

I'm very proud today to say I'm 34 pounds down.  Hitting that 34th pound was quite a milestone.  I've never lost more than 33 pounds so that 34th one was a happy happy day!

I've had some time to do a little soul searching while I've been on this journey.  I've realized some things.  One of my biggest hangups and part of the reason I got as big as I did, is because I have an enormous amount of food guilt.  I had the feeling that I blew it already I might as well just blow it more.  It was a never ending cycle.  It lead to more and more weight gain and less and less self confidence. 

No matter what I eat, or when I eat it, I feel guilty.  Even now, I can play it by the rules, only have three tiny meals, protein with a veggie, drink my two protein shakes, no snacks, get all my water in and I STILL feel guilty.  I always think, I could have been even BETTER today with what I ate.
 
Just like this afternoon, my two toddlers and I were at Chick-fil-a and the THREE of us shared one bun-free grilled chicken club sandwich.  The kids ate the fries, and I had sugar free lemon aide well past 30 min later.  BUT I still feel guilty.  I had less chicken than my kids, and I only ate the lettuce with it, but I still feel guilt.  UGH! 

All my teen and adult life I suppose I've dealt with this. I've always kicked myself after and before every meal.  I've never been able to indulge without hating myself for it afterwords.  Where does this come from?  Where does a young girl start to have these kinds of feelings?  Is it peer pressure?  Is it from our parents?  Is it the reverse of "clean your plate, there are starving kids in Africa"?  Is it the fat kid's curse to always have anxiety after a meal? 

I'm slowly learning how to enjoy eating my healthy meals, and then move on.  I've got to be proud of what I'm doing and how I'm doing it.  I'm losing day by day.  I'm happier than I've been in years, and I'm in love with life.  I have nothing to be guilty about now.  I am getting healthier and that's all that matters in the end!

Here's to seeing less of me next time!

New favorite websites

For all of my WLS friends out there I have some new websites that I LOVE!  I thought I would share them along with some of my favorite protein supplements. 

First off my new best friend is http://bariatrictv.com/.  They have fantastically funny podcast that I love to watch.  I'm a member of their forum and have found such amazing support with this group.  Even in my short time as a "banster" I've learned so much from this group and already depend on them for ideas, recipes and inspiration. 

As for protein I can't stand the standard chocolate, vanilla or strawberry shakes, but I've found a few things I do like. Here's a list.

Check out http://bariatriceating.com/.  You can order a sample pack from them and try several flavors of protein drinks. I'm still stuck on my fruity ones, but you might find something you like better.

http://mydietshopz.com/grteaandcrbd.html
It's a liquid that you put in your bottled water. 15 grams of protien, but should not be your only source of protein supplements! And there are several flavors.

http://mydietshopz.com/wibespdrmixb.html
Yummy blended with frozen cherries.

http://mydietshopz.com/piordrmixbby.html
I blend this one with a few cubes of frozen pineapple and it taste like an Orange Julius (if anyone else knows what that is!)

http://mydietshopz.com/vapaclcoremo.html
SUPER Yummy hot cocoa - doesn't taste like a protein at all. This is a variety pack, but my favorite was the Amaretto and the regular. I add a little cinnamon to mine or maybe a little vanilla. Super good!

 I'm 31 pounds down now, and hoping the next 97 (oh did I type that?!?!) will come off easily and healthfully. 

Here's to seeing less of me next time!