tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70666213011583575652024-03-04T22:44:08.606-08:00My Quatto (gastric band)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-17199939704404670822012-06-20T10:05:00.002-07:002012-06-20T10:05:53.540-07:00Armpits..just starting to form. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigLzIHTJb6CuGOzucaxPS4ChzLJvNnT-5IbiXM-isatnuz77eheJM3UFCks-K3rwxKV48bbO250e6nxn-0nqsET9N4hqia-fXWd5sd5vjRf1T9zt9CdPFJpjHNRMMq5yVhIKlR8u99aE/s1600/Measurements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigLzIHTJb6CuGOzucaxPS4ChzLJvNnT-5IbiXM-isatnuz77eheJM3UFCks-K3rwxKV48bbO250e6nxn-0nqsET9N4hqia-fXWd5sd5vjRf1T9zt9CdPFJpjHNRMMq5yVhIKlR8u99aE/s640/Measurements.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-70524638324130648762012-05-02T10:17:00.001-07:002012-05-02T13:31:12.711-07:0070 Pounds Down..And A New Scale<div style="text-align: left;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myqua04-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0020MMCDE&ref=tf_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I just got this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0020MMCDE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00">fabulous scale!</a> Isn't it tech-y? It measures <i>everything</i>:</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Body fat % (37.1% Normal = 23-33%)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Visceral fat level (8 Normal = 9 or lower)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Skeletal muscle % (28.6% Normal = 24-30%)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Resting metabolism (1561)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Body age (50. Ugh!!!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Body weight (176.8)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">BMI (28.6 Normal = 18.5-24.9)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More data = more motivation for the next 40 pounds. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-46232445444621567442012-01-03T17:43:00.000-08:002012-01-03T17:59:31.197-08:00Holiday Weight Gain<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXs-wQ7Qky5nsKbTNFHf0sRRTK1xhz6r5PHt3QRejecxZnx34gIpWjpCEFvgdtAX0Hjn5qyGvbHn9DR-bNWut3x63aT-3TUyQTVttuLjpPCHyvnt2-NvKOy397svBt4dwCQBenRbaxdM/s1600/Holidayweightgain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXs-wQ7Qky5nsKbTNFHf0sRRTK1xhz6r5PHt3QRejecxZnx34gIpWjpCEFvgdtAX0Hjn5qyGvbHn9DR-bNWut3x63aT-3TUyQTVttuLjpPCHyvnt2-NvKOy397svBt4dwCQBenRbaxdM/s320/Holidayweightgain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Oh man! I gained a solid 3 pounds in the last week of December due to an unbridled love affair with chocolate truffles. Damn you, sweet treats and your bitter consequences!<br />
<br />
I went in for a nudge of a fill today. I'm oh-so-very conservative with my band and prefer the "satiety with smaller meals" philosophy achieved with tiny fills vs the "restriction" method of larger fills to prevent over-eating. I'm more willing to do the hard work of eating smaller, smarter meals in slow, small bites rather than go for broke and have my food choices restricted by what can fit through a too-small stoma. Not for me. <br />
<br />
Part of the strategy behind this latest fill is to combat the recent 3 pound gain and address the hunger I've been feeling 60-90 minutes after a small meal. I'd like to be back at my pre-holiday weight in three weeks. I'll create another ticker under the "Challenges" tab on the right. Let's check back on 1/24/11 to see the progress!<br />
<br />
And speaking of progress.. I'm staring down the barrel at my one-year "bandaversary" in six weeks. If I stay on target with a 1 pound loss per week, I think I can hit a 68 pound loss since having the band placed last February. Onwards...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-75038446947736780922011-12-16T08:49:00.000-08:002011-12-16T08:49:37.794-08:00NSV - An Emptier Closet<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfgEd35eAaO2mzOOijgjlCduXGqtIqp8ig1JlNBKwjPVZ8cCJoEYqznYTrt2oOcJIUw79LbysfOinJB4afvfi72dapdLIjEUQisRtr5RIqg1ku4lGYhb2wP-aqIdv3tBgwTH0I3opRZ0/s1600/empty-closet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMfgEd35eAaO2mzOOijgjlCduXGqtIqp8ig1JlNBKwjPVZ8cCJoEYqznYTrt2oOcJIUw79LbysfOinJB4afvfi72dapdLIjEUQisRtr5RIqg1ku4lGYhb2wP-aqIdv3tBgwTH0I3opRZ0/s320/empty-closet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Two weeks ago, I got rid of all my size 20s, 18s, XXLs and many XLs. </div><br />
That empty closet must contain a methaphor for other parts of life that now have more space. For what.. ?<br />
<br />
I've got one and half more weeks to lose one and half more pounds to leave the obese BMI category.<br />
<br />
Onwards...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-70025618987804348012011-10-31T09:07:00.000-07:002011-10-31T09:13:29.404-07:00Feeding Fat vs Feeding Muscle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JmRLyAA3GEy84Y9Bwfa6xkJb1cgOaL0M0P0BXJTyMC5ZxLlWPcCmK83Y6gN4cGBrQeX0Fzf9Jw3EOUHvR_hTdupyw1HnqcEtRPHi4dxdkxfI-IIDEe3WDJYM3-tvjHGxqhLgTAXQW7E/s1600/Lou_Ferrigno_212_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JmRLyAA3GEy84Y9Bwfa6xkJb1cgOaL0M0P0BXJTyMC5ZxLlWPcCmK83Y6gN4cGBrQeX0Fzf9Jw3EOUHvR_hTdupyw1HnqcEtRPHi4dxdkxfI-IIDEe3WDJYM3-tvjHGxqhLgTAXQW7E/s320/Lou_Ferrigno_212_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left">While listening to an interview with Lou Ferrigno today on the <a href="http://www.adamcarolla.com/ACPBlog/">Adam Carolla</a> podcast, Lou mentioned training intensely now as he did during his body-building days, both with the amount of weight he lifts and how he watches what he eats.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">He said something very simple that made a lot of sense: "Do you want to feed fat or do you want to feed muscle"?</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">When I make decisions about what to eat, I know I can stay within my energy limits by making nutritionally dense and and muscle-feeding choices, or I can feed fat by eating <a href="http://blog.moreoflife.com/Blog/bid/38523/Four-Lapband-Slider-Foods-and-How-to-Avoid-Them">sliders</a>. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">So, this week, I'll practice Lou's simple, mindful check-in before I eat and ask "Do I want to feed fat or do I want to feed muscle?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM7e9iwy29S9a_De1hmJTqafoIC7Tmh9zlkmR_VZRgD_o-B_MNShm19kzMxOHMPdMELsL10lJ5bKiN8xSkDW9PCLeox8Osle1Aee09VLWHFSc3L67g7yeLNzEeQMOR66m0WYBK6rruvg/s1600/loose-skin-after-weight-loss-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTM7e9iwy29S9a_De1hmJTqafoIC7Tmh9zlkmR_VZRgD_o-B_MNShm19kzMxOHMPdMELsL10lJ5bKiN8xSkDW9PCLeox8Osle1Aee09VLWHFSc3L67g7yeLNzEeQMOR66m0WYBK6rruvg/s320/loose-skin-after-weight-loss-man.jpg" width="276" /></a>9 months banded. 57 pounds lost.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMrThqbxoqb8vW_IsFZPxNKuEvHctVTDZc2GdIPIffXgT47qU6Jto57xRWi6aNBxG9881CtQyFwFBVsY43DqPaBqCmWfVrue1KF5PQECm8IrVxxiMg8-SpBUC7kHOgMFTtEq75sL1CnE/s1600/loose-skin-after-weight-loss-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMrThqbxoqb8vW_IsFZPxNKuEvHctVTDZc2GdIPIffXgT47qU6Jto57xRWi6aNBxG9881CtQyFwFBVsY43DqPaBqCmWfVrue1KF5PQECm8IrVxxiMg8-SpBUC7kHOgMFTtEq75sL1CnE/s1600/loose-skin-after-weight-loss-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<div align="left"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-52989391552152915982011-09-13T09:06:00.001-07:002011-09-13T09:11:34.393-07:00New Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>9/13/11</u></strong>: Lose 11 lbs in 14 weeks (by December 23rd) to achieve a BMI of 29.9 and no longer be obese. A Christmas present to myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tickerfactory.com/weight-loss/wDRHFUu/"><br />
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wDRHFUu/weight.png" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-83275557367819644602011-09-12T09:22:00.000-07:002011-09-12T09:22:35.656-07:00Happy Birthday to Me!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC-fWKSTgoVR6aXdtcZOSqholB1y7bnjyNi-88Bk1t_2cB5Te0X2p4XqYXnOfQGERhmDYpoUn1WgheRWdw81RVpUefjvLWZ7ZpTWihAFA46pOnIx64p1Emp4gSoyKu4Ffc1pqTjrzVf0/s1600/birthdaycake.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpC-fWKSTgoVR6aXdtcZOSqholB1y7bnjyNi-88Bk1t_2cB5Te0X2p4XqYXnOfQGERhmDYpoUn1WgheRWdw81RVpUefjvLWZ7ZpTWihAFA46pOnIx64p1Emp4gSoyKu4Ffc1pqTjrzVf0/s200/birthdaycake.gif" width="200" /></a></div>It's Monday; it's my birthday!<br />
<br />
As of this morning, I weigh 42 lbs less than my birthday last year.<br />
<br />
Also, I nailed my mini challenge of losing 11 lbs in 11 weeks. Accomplished three weeks early. Booyah.<br />
<br />
Happier and healthier. It's a good thing on your birthday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-80114031332363888372011-08-31T08:53:00.000-07:002011-08-31T08:53:49.519-07:00Lose It! I Love This Tool!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCURnzhiW6HNNuXDzcTMwQ9bBAFB52qepWL9WbAsr4_eaVkw_rtEoASenvl69V0pkMkh7sB9He4n1dVZ8nGMvEykQqhQFidlitteUe3ILBrT8yBxccdhAYORus6CjmnKJFVzVXclEdsIw/s1600/goal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCURnzhiW6HNNuXDzcTMwQ9bBAFB52qepWL9WbAsr4_eaVkw_rtEoASenvl69V0pkMkh7sB9He4n1dVZ8nGMvEykQqhQFidlitteUe3ILBrT8yBxccdhAYORus6CjmnKJFVzVXclEdsIw/s320/goal.jpg" width="292" xaa="true" /></a></div>I've been using a fantastic program to log calories and exercise called Lose It! <a href="http://www.loseit.com/">http://www.loseit.com/</a> Thank you Sharon for turning me on to this fantastic website! <br />
<br />
I noticed I often eat 2/3 - 3/4 of my daily calories after 4pm.<br />
<br />
I sometimes eat 1/3 - 1/2 my daily calories in snacky foods. <br />
<br />
So, going forward this week, I'm trying to:<br />
<br />
1) Make sure 2/3 of my calories are consumed before 5pm. That means less night snacking and figuring out what I need to do during the day to decompress instead of waiting until night to flop out with a bag of sunflower seeds and popcorn to unwind.<br />
<br />
2) Replace some of my typical snacky foods with other choices. Like what you ask? Aforementioned sunflower seeds and, get ready for it... chocolate-covered gummy bears. Or really, gummy anything. My kryptonite.<br />
<br />
And an update: I've lost 49 pounds since December 20, 2010 and am now under 200 pounds.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-87946992825587230712011-08-07T10:42:00.000-07:002011-08-07T10:42:02.204-07:00Vacationing With The Band<a href="http://www.intuitiveeating.org/">http://www.intuitiveeating.org/</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVNb4nL3yikiw8feksr64nDTRp2Y1lKiAE7JU8Y3FEleB75t6kZJOj0T14j-rprOQHR5SdYUd7JTDlIBlPGEaWD3pw1uo1e174RL3riK7dqRhFaozUdxaJxsZglhm0d2cxx5y5dlyAIk/s1600/IMG_20110807_094251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVNb4nL3yikiw8feksr64nDTRp2Y1lKiAE7JU8Y3FEleB75t6kZJOj0T14j-rprOQHR5SdYUd7JTDlIBlPGEaWD3pw1uo1e174RL3riK7dqRhFaozUdxaJxsZglhm0d2cxx5y5dlyAIk/s320/IMG_20110807_094251.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm vacationing in the beautiful San Juan Islands (Washington State) and flying completely blind with no scale in sight. Vacation strategies:</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Focus on <a href="http://www.intuitiveeating.org/">intuitive eating</a>.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watch for the <a href="http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html">soft signals</a>, those advance warnings of impending fullness. Lately, my soft signals have been nasal congestion and runny nose. Nice signal, huh? When you can't breathe, stop eating!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Have fun and relax. I have no pressing or immediately impending work activities and no projects that need immediate attention. I left my house in immaculate shape before leaving and all is well.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Read for pleasure.</div></li>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-91427555051006023892011-07-26T14:15:00.000-07:002011-07-26T14:22:30.873-07:00A Fill Appointment In Pictures! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdAiWUeQQG5WBX4y116Y3Pvtyd8CMhcCVyKFC3qg2XVHY_MMXGquXIP2n2TbP6wJDsFI7Dt9O8rc3wE53JBAEAu0o0mXFFt-z_oxHT_R0Cxh80pUTUU86KIlp34SPG28OWCQObkk4Hh0/s1600/IMG_20110726_092540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdAiWUeQQG5WBX4y116Y3Pvtyd8CMhcCVyKFC3qg2XVHY_MMXGquXIP2n2TbP6wJDsFI7Dt9O8rc3wE53JBAEAu0o0mXFFt-z_oxHT_R0Cxh80pUTUU86KIlp34SPG28OWCQObkk4Hh0/s320/IMG_20110726_092540.jpg" t$="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferry ride to Bremerton, WA.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56lChXuCquvG5DcXBNjfwzYeohSK2bRrUpVbN3DLjBmxKqmuG1z5ltYMo584ALigOe9tqJIMOwKfDOk286XzHLVzFgCCt_G82QFgWjxIU03C5nKYAjoaYlkavO-kmVq0N6eynu4UBmuM/s1600/IMG_20110726_094243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56lChXuCquvG5DcXBNjfwzYeohSK2bRrUpVbN3DLjBmxKqmuG1z5ltYMo584ALigOe9tqJIMOwKfDOk286XzHLVzFgCCt_G82QFgWjxIU03C5nKYAjoaYlkavO-kmVq0N6eynu4UBmuM/s320/IMG_20110726_094243.jpg" t$="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surgeon's office</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl4RssEg0Q92mTGfzyJd4NSioydmF1qJH0zrp5cGHjSgQOEyX9Ih71dvxsU56xolm39wTW_yJcYHYX5NdYEGMih9KLlbWpIXfjMzDkvkLQX1VZm5Z0c0s34xuschz9tfTMTYiHuyujSo/s1600/IMG_20110726_094736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl4RssEg0Q92mTGfzyJd4NSioydmF1qJH0zrp5cGHjSgQOEyX9Ih71dvxsU56xolm39wTW_yJcYHYX5NdYEGMih9KLlbWpIXfjMzDkvkLQX1VZm5Z0c0s34xuschz9tfTMTYiHuyujSo/s320/IMG_20110726_094736.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluroscope for precision guidance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSaq_Mv2MhBtt5EdHYkRmYxBQ2I0jl0vHxREUe48jFiWKe84T88N1IOyx4KGVK3_NZVrdApPzPViocKro816zXk5S-YpIqEYg111NPLa5Nk2RyiBo4pFmtBjiZ5oc0EFt1ShlWFXJnzw/s1600/IMG_20110726_094957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSaq_Mv2MhBtt5EdHYkRmYxBQ2I0jl0vHxREUe48jFiWKe84T88N1IOyx4KGVK3_NZVrdApPzPViocKro816zXk5S-YpIqEYg111NPLa5Nk2RyiBo4pFmtBjiZ5oc0EFt1ShlWFXJnzw/s320/IMG_20110726_094957.jpg" t$="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The RN who performs the fill procedure. A medical <br />
technician is also present to run the fluoroscope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1OZ5H9szwWjQL0fdIQbYOMtbPAaOSHH0h4CQ9tAMQ3FEL2le6NlrWttVhZpia_KQVKjqGWjSwsK3ZwRCb0Ro4e6LuNv4Y1JQLoXlfyB5MSu6A07wxxSfxuLEPKFyT8QRmuAIKKiELCI/s1600/IMG_20110726_095053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1OZ5H9szwWjQL0fdIQbYOMtbPAaOSHH0h4CQ9tAMQ3FEL2le6NlrWttVhZpia_KQVKjqGWjSwsK3ZwRCb0Ro4e6LuNv4Y1JQLoXlfyB5MSu6A07wxxSfxuLEPKFyT8QRmuAIKKiELCI/s320/IMG_20110726_095053.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locating the port.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-U6M5pMbT1swW8rG7cvT_l_Vdegozqe5Cx0zUIfyJG111llpp0kdC4RV3OSpO_g92OybFJzg9xbsotDL3PYkPEdZpGNxerpsInbWc3hFzz9aUmwA__IFEhNecyZMSDzPD-gNf9FNxMQ/s1600/IMG_20110726_095348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-U6M5pMbT1swW8rG7cvT_l_Vdegozqe5Cx0zUIfyJG111llpp0kdC4RV3OSpO_g92OybFJzg9xbsotDL3PYkPEdZpGNxerpsInbWc3hFzz9aUmwA__IFEhNecyZMSDzPD-gNf9FNxMQ/s320/IMG_20110726_095348.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inserting the fill needle. </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSbwzvgLB93kUVV3doPNX_bc3kohyphenhyphennyhCpZYE9qNeeHrkF4NmgwrnLbnsn9dhXNGbbf2RXuo9NVsKO8omdmE0VYFd44vnU38W81tQKBzOAePM3FWM2sFsBqviVNVepBUBNom7tTNUWIw/s1600/IMG_20110726_095600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSbwzvgLB93kUVV3doPNX_bc3kohyphenhyphennyhCpZYE9qNeeHrkF4NmgwrnLbnsn9dhXNGbbf2RXuo9NVsKO8omdmE0VYFd44vnU38W81tQKBzOAePM3FWM2sFsBqviVNVepBUBNom7tTNUWIw/s320/IMG_20110726_095600.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, the fluid is removed..</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div> <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4WGx8Kh2KdGcpMgTklz1uv6wERehNjmSsJXDOgd0SjbYiKlpV6u0OEE7zhQ_9dBf30fpK5qMgdqOoFPp92wSkmewXkdE7gZ_Aj1gaxqUz0r2-nwuKhHNU0XfXIpXi6ITU6uVzIc7ojM/s1600/IMG_20110726_095829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4WGx8Kh2KdGcpMgTklz1uv6wERehNjmSsJXDOgd0SjbYiKlpV6u0OEE7zhQ_9dBf30fpK5qMgdqOoFPp92wSkmewXkdE7gZ_Aj1gaxqUz0r2-nwuKhHNU0XfXIpXi6ITU6uVzIc7ojM/s320/IMG_20110726_095829.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallowing barium to check flow-though rate<br />
between upper pouch and lower stomach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bOIC01tuiJLAFAG_FZz3yVO1oj64inFvDbAk-svFyqcb_d3RXqhdUebTn1-edmtHIkdrVDVd3ecXbmjiUeFWU6pNHiTJqIXBZzLjIQmbEwtdfk5XYFLqzB2YqFVGVfVOzYWcSyxg9Yo/s1600/IMG_20110726_120350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bOIC01tuiJLAFAG_FZz3yVO1oj64inFvDbAk-svFyqcb_d3RXqhdUebTn1-edmtHIkdrVDVd3ecXbmjiUeFWU6pNHiTJqIXBZzLjIQmbEwtdfk5XYFLqzB2YqFVGVfVOzYWcSyxg9Yo/s320/IMG_20110726_120350.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view on the way back to Seattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-29547340426072612512011-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:002011-07-26T14:22:52.970-07:00A Fifth Fill?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuRe9PAAAZf-PjcvlHpQLXJysJ-GpMqP1AxUmXyRIVywV779mFw1u4Y_c-KSpB-i8wC7hyphenhyphenIHKxcL-ny8IF78jnNNaOIW8c86ppIOCJPEtDn8Rzkmp8P09kpDpsf9UX-8QpurW3zmOh2g/s1600/IMG_20110726_092533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuRe9PAAAZf-PjcvlHpQLXJysJ-GpMqP1AxUmXyRIVywV779mFw1u4Y_c-KSpB-i8wC7hyphenhyphenIHKxcL-ny8IF78jnNNaOIW8c86ppIOCJPEtDn8Rzkmp8P09kpDpsf9UX-8QpurW3zmOh2g/s320/IMG_20110726_092533.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view arriving in Bremerton, WA via state ferry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm on route to Bremerton now for a fifth fill appointment. My satiety seems to have decreased in the last 2-3 weeks and I'm far hungrier about 1.5 hours after meals. I have absolutely enjoyed the ability to enjoy any type of food, breads, pastas and rice in the last month with no untoward affects. However, I'm willing to give that up to remain satisfied 3-4 hours after meals. So, off to Bremerton I go.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My bariatric surgeon has two offices, one in Olympia, WA and one in Bremerton,WA. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-71187403054749881812011-07-16T07:48:00.000-07:002011-07-16T07:54:47.879-07:00First Challenge Goal Down!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGQOfo6mjdyVWqlhVlVArYsJYvcBLUjPDUldrx_03q1hgD5w7Rs6sArDmTGgJTU4MhQ84aq9TTX5_oYAlH_w5sTZhYk24ExANxwJnFQx7TB9qzk7Lyhl03kSsQ7IEj_NhvEYX0D5d2t0/s1600/goal_puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGQOfo6mjdyVWqlhVlVArYsJYvcBLUjPDUldrx_03q1hgD5w7Rs6sArDmTGgJTU4MhQ84aq9TTX5_oYAlH_w5sTZhYk24ExANxwJnFQx7TB9qzk7Lyhl03kSsQ7IEj_NhvEYX0D5d2t0/s320/goal_puzzle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left">I made my first challenge goal today that I set six weeks ago: Lose 1 pound per week for six weeks. Done. <a href="http://myquatto.blogspot.com/p/challenges.html">http://myquatto.blogspot.com/p/challenges.html</a></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">Since my last post in late May, that's about 12 lbs down. <br />
<br />
August is a big vacation month. I'm planning to continue a 1 pound per week loss throughout the next six weeks, but without the assist of a regular schedule with regular, planned gym workouts and regular, planned meals. Onwards.. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-19265808602723228152011-05-28T16:10:00.000-07:002011-05-28T16:15:46.386-07:00Gaines Burgers AKA Brown Rice Power Patties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A_smySnIu_zVyU0qTNBUBvyeYzrNbgvbzTCTz21w-GwGT_lsU4sKHQtg1Lgi8biatODzMIlyEZ0ZRdbwK1nwYtdbAq2_iXIV83pNR_7lkEaoTV7ai7f1CtqRPg_rojEYLHeZhTKMRvw/s1600/gainesburger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A_smySnIu_zVyU0qTNBUBvyeYzrNbgvbzTCTz21w-GwGT_lsU4sKHQtg1Lgi8biatODzMIlyEZ0ZRdbwK1nwYtdbAq2_iXIV83pNR_7lkEaoTV7ai7f1CtqRPg_rojEYLHeZhTKMRvw/s640/gainesburger.jpg" t8="true" width="491" /></a></div>Remember Gaines Burgers? That's the name I'm giving to Brown Rice Power Patties, a fantastic recipe my mother sent me to combat the afternoon sugar cravings. They are delicious. Heres' the recipe so you can make your own <strike>Gaines Burgers</strike> Brown Rice Power Patties:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Brown Rice Power Patties</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">231 Kcals, 10 grams protein each.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 cups cooked brown rice</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese -----grated</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 1/2 cups finely-grated carrots</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/2 cup raw sunflower seed</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/2 cup raw or toasted sesame seeds</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3 eggs</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 teaspoon dried basil</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 teaspoon salt</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 1/2 cups toasted slivered almonds or dry roasted peanuts</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mist a baking sheet with non-stick spray. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, grated cheese, carrots and seeds. Combine the eggs and seasonings in the food processor and blend for about 5 seconds. Add nuts and process another 5 seconds. if using dry roasted peanuts you may need to process them an extra 5 seconds. Don't over-process the nuts; their texture is important. Add to rice mixture and mix thoroughly. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop mixture onto baking sheet, and form into plump patties about 3/4 inch thick. I pack the measuring cup firmly and rinse it between scoops so that the mixture drops out more or less cleanly formed, ready to be patted our a bit more and shaped the rest of the way. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, then turn patties over and bake 10 minutes more. Transfer patties to rack, flipping them so their toastier side show.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">If you're not eating them the same day, keep in the refrigerator. They will easily last at least a week if kept cold and stored in an airtight container.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-50574123751362270342011-05-27T09:41:00.000-07:002011-05-27T09:42:06.593-07:00Monitor Measure Manage<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qw5EvfNRPoDcjVO5AEDUwarG0WKbY6dLigJOXcr8WFv_Ac3zlN9DxepqhKq6zk78SyITUJ1yyKZW_CvR_R0mwmirFgNDzCGYfAC30vTkQiptr5Lthrp8-TCdRvDTnvFuDxn-jZ42N0k/s1600/Greenlake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Qw5EvfNRPoDcjVO5AEDUwarG0WKbY6dLigJOXcr8WFv_Ac3zlN9DxepqhKq6zk78SyITUJ1yyKZW_CvR_R0mwmirFgNDzCGYfAC30vTkQiptr5Lthrp8-TCdRvDTnvFuDxn-jZ42N0k/s320/Greenlake.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a>Today: I will <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">* Monitor my hunger signals</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">* Measure my Kcals & protein</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">* Manage my stress.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Off for a walk around Greenlake (2.8 miles) ...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-73509414276851478772011-05-25T11:54:00.000-07:002011-05-25T11:54:47.071-07:004th Fill, NSVs and Compulsive Eating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwcqsnPMyDBS-zwtSREz-WHJdmqm4gN9lo1b9bNtO3J0h_oTW4PzcdgzhtNVpYVJ9Q64yif6ZU2LFYwDD6EXniSCp3HUFSeP76j1iXAHU_AUwRVcBRWCMXbmBqJzhO5UXEK5CwJKycac/s1600/brain2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwcqsnPMyDBS-zwtSREz-WHJdmqm4gN9lo1b9bNtO3J0h_oTW4PzcdgzhtNVpYVJ9Q64yif6ZU2LFYwDD6EXniSCp3HUFSeP76j1iXAHU_AUwRVcBRWCMXbmBqJzhO5UXEK5CwJKycac/s200/brain2.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div>I'm riding the ferry back from my 4th fill appointment and have some time to reflect on what's been going on this last two weeks. <br />
<br />
First, a couple of NSVs (non-scale victories). <br />
<ul><li>I'm getting the hang of smaller bites, slower eating and stopping eating without needing that "full feeling". I found it I don't wait until I'm ravenously hungry, I can manage these new eating techniques, which, with continued practice will become my usual eating habits.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>I have a couple of tops and dresses that are getting big. Or, am I getting smaller? </li>
<li>Significantly less knee pain and stiffness. </li>
</ul>Second, the 4th fill: The fill technician predicted I'm likely getting close to the "sweet spot" that might hold me for the next 6-8 months. I'll still need to check in monthly, but I may not need as many fills in the next several months as these first three months. In the last two weeks, I certainly did feel hungrier sooner (1.5-2 hours instead of 3-4 hours) after eating. I found myself ruminating and over-planning meals last week as well..a near-certain precursor to compulsive eating. And, a little sugar craving has popped up between meals, especially towards the end of the day. Game plan: After these next two days of liquids (always mandatory after a fill to allow the stomach to heal and settle), I'm going to increase protein in the afternoons with some really great fiber (almonds, apples) to see if I can kick the sugar cravings in the evenings. <br />
<br />
Third, and speaking of compulsive eating, I was trading stories with the fill technician about our greatest feats of compulsive eating. We both agreed that sometimes, for whatever reason, one's brain is wired to just EAT. Whatever and whenever, with no signals or guidance from other parts of the body. Silly brain. So competent in some areas and so defective in others. It will likely always be this way. Just like managing a disease or a birth defect. There are work-arounds and scripts and practices that can help make up for the deficit. It reminds me of advice adult Aspergian <a href="http://johnrobison.com/">John Robison</a> gives to parents of young children diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome: "Give them the social scripts they need to be successful in the world. It doesn't matter if you don't understand why you need to look someone in the eye and say hello when you enter a room. You just do it and it makes life easier for you." So I suppose the script for us compulsive eaters is: "Slow down, taste your food, stop when you feel just barely full but in no way stuffed. Take little bites. Eat small meals and make sure they are nutritionally dense so you'll stay satisfied for 3-4 hours. Deal with stress and feel emotions instead of smothering them with anesthetizing food. It doesn't matter if you don't understand why. Just do it. Your life will be easier".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-83236445534976475882011-05-11T17:31:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:34:38.258-07:00"You Cannot Manage What You Do Not Measure"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzStPlj68NwuhqDGvdolg7GmDCZfmVp3ivtUvsfk3FwuHsW3CestTQND_ELlBdAo0PokNqwBlDwJuU9SlPSL9g3SHjGa9D7NyyDgipS6NeBsYMSVd0X0J8yy9Ey-ZAkgI36TXyXxMnk9g/s1600/Losing-the-Last-30-lbs-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzStPlj68NwuhqDGvdolg7GmDCZfmVp3ivtUvsfk3FwuHsW3CestTQND_ELlBdAo0PokNqwBlDwJuU9SlPSL9g3SHjGa9D7NyyDgipS6NeBsYMSVd0X0J8yy9Ey-ZAkgI36TXyXxMnk9g/s200/Losing-the-Last-30-lbs-book.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This is a quote from Dr. Simpson's Book <a href="http://drsimpson.net/02_books/Losing-Last-30-book/Last30_book_print2.pdf">"Lose the Last 30 lbs"</a> . This is the same bariatric surgeon who wrote the <a href="http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html">excellent article on appetite suppression vs restriction</a>. <br />
<br />
The most successful gastric band patients learn how to be satisfied with a cup of food. They learn to walk away, regardless of being able to "eat more". The let their bands "fool their brains" into thinking they had more food and thus, get appetite suppressant for several hours on just a cup of food.<br />
<br />
"The band goes around your stomach, not your lips and not your brain".<br />
<br />
Dr. Simpson's recommendation is to track volume and <em>measure what you want to manage</em>. I've been measuring calories and protein, but not necessarily volume. I'll make that my next 4-day win beginning tomorrow and track when my hunger returns after eating a cup of volume.<br />
<br />
(I wonder: If one is used to large volumes of food, likes large volumes of food and thoroughly enjoys that "stuffed feeling", I wonder what the process was like getting used to 1 cup of food at meal times? Is there grieving at that big lifestyle change? I've heard some WLS patients will take up other addictions (drinking, gambling, shopping, etc..) to fill up what is now missing.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-30050535432305052062011-05-05T10:40:00.000-07:002011-05-05T10:40:29.474-07:00Excellent Article on Using the Band SuccessfullyIt's not about fullness and restriction, it's about appetite supression. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html">http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html</a><br />
<br />
Thank you, Heather for posting this link!! Visit Heather here: <a href="http://heatherslapband.blogspot.com/">http://heatherslapband.blogspot.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-87101948375304756752011-05-05T10:28:00.000-07:002011-05-05T10:30:26.233-07:00Open Door<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4P1JXT9kdV7mBAp4q76BPh_590xOZuEQ6_mIjEHUZH1Iz05Chkf-Lr6paEDbVO6yKqQKSBXmD5xXacBx2FzyIFDhcq41t9hF74MddXch-iQa3xt1vMiIVlQQvZP1sj0dzVuhnLndW1s/s1600/open-door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4P1JXT9kdV7mBAp4q76BPh_590xOZuEQ6_mIjEHUZH1Iz05Chkf-Lr6paEDbVO6yKqQKSBXmD5xXacBx2FzyIFDhcq41t9hF74MddXch-iQa3xt1vMiIVlQQvZP1sj0dzVuhnLndW1s/s200/open-door.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Something has changed in the last two days. The tightness of my band from the fill last week seems to have loosened significantly. The first thing I noticed was a return of hunger about an 60 - 90 minutes earlier than I'd expect and the ability to eat a greater quantity at once. Secondarily, food seems to "slide through" more easily instead of remaining in the upper stomach, creating stretch, fullness and satiety.<br />
<br />
So. What to do? When the door is open, should you step through? When the band is feeling quite restrictive, it's impossible. The door is locked. Now that the door is open (about 1/4 way), it obvious that it's time to engage the brain. Those that have gone before me talk about the band being a tool but not the solution. The solution is me. I get to choose what, when and how much to eat. The band gets to be the band. The bumpers in the bowling lane gutter. It can't throw the ball for me. <br />
<br />
<u><strong>Strategies for the next 4 days:</strong></u><br />
(Why 4 days? <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Four-Day-Win-Achieve-Thinner/dp/1594866074">Check out the 4 day win</a> )<br />
<br />
1. Watch and hunger and fullness cues carefully. Be careful of getting too hungry and then over-nourishing as a result.<br />
<br />
2. Focus on primary rather than secondary foods (this is based on integrative, holistic nutrition. Check out <a href="http://www.integrativenutrition.com/primaryfood">http://www.integrativenutrition.com/primaryfood</a> or <a href="http://primarynourishment.com/my-approach">http://primarynourishment.com/my-approach</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-82347289152749965772011-05-04T14:37:00.001-07:002011-05-04T14:37:11.155-07:00The Bus<p><a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p5NjyxqI6ZU/TcHHBDVEqVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/BZtaicUjo1s/IMG_20110504_143125.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_p5NjyxqI6ZU/TcHHBDVEqVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/BZtaicUjo1s/s400/IMG_20110504_143125.jpg' /></a></p><p>You ticket to incidental exercise!  Getting an extra 2 mile walk in today since I'm bussing from Phinney to Capital Hill. That's good. Ever notice how can smell what the person sitting next to you last ate? That's bad. What is that smell? KFC?</p> <br/> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-36930847664910431122011-05-03T18:06:00.000-07:002011-05-03T18:09:02.313-07:00Analogies & Experiences<u><strong>Having too loose of a band, or, how I know I need a fill right away</strong></u>:<br />
<ul><li>This feels much like driving with a very loose parking break on: You feel something kinda dragging on you, but you can pretty much drive as fast as you want.</li>
<li>You over-plan eating and ruminate about the next meal. Thoughts of food dominate your consciousness.</li>
<li>You feel like you need to satisfy your hunger as soon as you feel it.</li>
<li>Letting your hunger build also makes your anxiety build.</li>
<li>Easy to eat over 2000 Kcals a day.</li>
</ul><strong><u>The green zone, sweet spot, or perfect fill level</u></strong><br />
<ul><li>Weirdly satisfied with about 1/4 or 1/2 of what you'd normally eat. (This is still novel and on occasion, I still over-fill my plate.</li>
<li>Little rumination about food between meal times.</li>
<li>No physical need and less emotional need to graze and snack.</li>
<li>1200 - 1500 Kcals feel about right. It might be difficult to eat too much over 2000 Kcals.</li>
<li>Feel like bowling with bumpers: You still have to throw the ball straight to get a strike, but the bumpers will prevent you from rolling a gutter ball (or totally blowing it by over-eating).</li>
</ul><u><strong>Band too-tight</strong></u><br />
<ul><li>Hurts to drink water.</li>
<li>Takes an hour or more to finish 20 ounces of protein drink</li>
<li>Hard to get 900 - 1000 Kcals</li>
<li>Feel like there's a parking boot on your car. You're not going anywhere and if you try to drive, you're going to damage your car.</li>
</ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-38171531014069463112011-04-29T07:00:00.000-07:002011-04-29T07:00:20.765-07:00Awesome Shoes and Excellent Clothes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rgDZbxuUXNmF-QbFL_bSIGh1TXTCzZYljGiM2m56uBB646qYsBL4quDj6ROQl2OKJuzQNel0aylg8y1_mkrPBYqru6Yv1DuD9Man9MweRELCbzxhn4bUNYS2Qn1Qkk-IInDnnNqb-Ps/s1600/tunic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rgDZbxuUXNmF-QbFL_bSIGh1TXTCzZYljGiM2m56uBB646qYsBL4quDj6ROQl2OKJuzQNel0aylg8y1_mkrPBYqru6Yv1DuD9Man9MweRELCbzxhn4bUNYS2Qn1Qkk-IInDnnNqb-Ps/s1600/tunic.jpg" /></a></div>How cute is this dress? Have you tried bamboo clothes? So light and soft, it's like wearing nothing. If your skin felt like super-soft, stretchy bamboo viscose. But it doesn't . Go, now and get yourself a cute dress from <a href="http://www.organicbambooclothing.com/product-info.php?dreamsacks-athena-tunic-pid65.html">Organic Bamboo Clothing.</a> Great for morphing shapes. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymPo-EfnlXXJM_hYM_rMWr9TUTBBbOX4IsWvK93ETn-n0hOlbqBtaepqb_Q9xRykb2LByR7QO2lVN6EKp_KE3L_skPQtuSjraQg_lVlvl-9gN5hszEBdjfmByFjFCVVe6BQBE_cx0imk/s1600/merrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymPo-EfnlXXJM_hYM_rMWr9TUTBBbOX4IsWvK93ETn-n0hOlbqBtaepqb_Q9xRykb2LByR7QO2lVN6EKp_KE3L_skPQtuSjraQg_lVlvl-9gN5hszEBdjfmByFjFCVVe6BQBE_cx0imk/s200/merrell.jpg" width="191" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Gah! Look at these shoes! So comfortable; so light. If you're a fan of flexible shoes, you need to know about <a href="http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/22877W/0/Womens/Barefoot-Pace-Glove">Merrell's Barefoot collection.</a> And, you need to go get a pair right now. Very little cushion between you and the ground but with surprisingly ample arch support. Odddly, my feet aren't nearly as fatigued as when I wear my 5 Fingers. Unlike the 5 Fingers, you can wear socks with these. Unlike the 5 Fingers, you don't look like a dork. Love these shoes!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-8892295965894480342011-04-28T21:32:00.000-07:002011-04-29T06:43:03.004-07:00Got My Corset Tightened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2mEE5YtL9HJLiP203v7gxmH2yJFuY3dnioKyEoFLhJ4FfK0_iTujQVJwLv5sUFCbZDhb-kLDQVlHGPWVWn1JpPQYvH3B35Sh2BrOVnKbapDX9XwatIdjcgLoGrzI1QL5GVCJLeZRntA/s1600/corset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2mEE5YtL9HJLiP203v7gxmH2yJFuY3dnioKyEoFLhJ4FfK0_iTujQVJwLv5sUFCbZDhb-kLDQVlHGPWVWn1JpPQYvH3B35Sh2BrOVnKbapDX9XwatIdjcgLoGrzI1QL5GVCJLeZRntA/s320/corset.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Goodness. I got my 3rd fill on Tuesday. Big difference. Immediately after the procedure, I had a 20 ounce protein shake that took 20 minutes to drink. <br />
<br />
<div> </div>Today, that same drink took over an hour. I might be a bit swollen and need to take it easy (liquid diet) for a couple of days to see if this more extreme restriction eases up. Most solids (and some liquids) resulted in productive burping after 2 tablespooons of food.<br />
<br />
<div>Fingers crossed that things get more comfortable (but not too comfortable) in the next couple of days.</div><br />
I'll use this experience to practice the golden rules of successfully banded:<br />
<ul><li>Small bites, no bigger than a dime. Put fork down. Chew.</li>
<li>Stop eating when you sense the first whisper of fullness. No need to continue eating past the point of discomfort.</li>
</ul>Such foreign concepts, right? The guzzling and gobbling habits I perfected over the last 43 years will take time to unlearn. I remain amazed at this tool that's helping me unlearn those habits.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-60168539900893572912011-04-25T06:32:00.001-07:002011-04-25T06:32:01.531-07:00Monday Cycling<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/_p5NjyxqI6ZU/TbV3zumA2hI/AAAAAAAAAEw/UAI5pM4wx04/IMG_20110425_062939.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/_p5NjyxqI6ZU/TbV3zumA2hI/AAAAAAAAAEw/UAI5pM4wx04/s400/IMG_20110425_062939.jpg' /></a></p><p>Coach says we're taking a tour of the heart rate zones.</p> <br/> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-14422114281086884062011-04-20T10:39:00.000-07:002011-04-20T10:48:26.184-07:00Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvQLHSbSo9Rhy4L4H2vFAwdmzf6MEiFGbXLPyxpxBsa67EPqBvHKraVAfqqOY3p-aaJQhAMTWCC8neLMCyi9rZWFN4XpvnFQ_X92_pFd2QU5g_kKr90a44fcrxXotSieZBqzNcwUt2Bs/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvQLHSbSo9Rhy4L4H2vFAwdmzf6MEiFGbXLPyxpxBsa67EPqBvHKraVAfqqOY3p-aaJQhAMTWCC8neLMCyi9rZWFN4XpvnFQ_X92_pFd2QU5g_kKr90a44fcrxXotSieZBqzNcwUt2Bs/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7066621301158357565.post-77691331807274335832011-04-20T09:33:00.000-07:002011-04-20T09:33:40.495-07:00Have You Seen My Body Gallery?Cool site. I've been trying to find out what the ideal BMI (24.9 - 18.5) looks like on a 5'6" woman and found this site: <a href="http://www.mybodygallery.com/"> My Body Gallery</a>. <br />
<br />
Fascinating! 140 pounds can look amazingly varied depending on body shape and muscle mass. Enjoy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0