Holiday Insurance

I had quite a pleasant surprise today when I booked our holiday insurance.

I work for a major insurance company so applied via the staff intranet. I put all the details in and got the quote which included a 10% staff discount. Once I had the quote, I rang the helpline to disclose that I have a medical condition - they ask questions online like do you have a condition for which you have received treatment in the last five years, well I don't have ongoing treatment as such but I don't want them to turn around and decline my claim if I haven't declared it. While I was on the phone, I thought I should also mention the band not necessarily to get it covered but, again, I didn't want this to be a reason to decline any potential claim if I hadn't declared it. The upshot is, for a premium of £6.45 they are covering my band for any problems while I am on holiday. I wasn't really expecting this but I think it is a small price to pay for the peace of mind whilst I am away. I may have been able to get the cover due to the fact that I said the band was not done for cosmetic reasons but to help ease the symptoms of my underlying condition - but if you have a band and are planning a holiday it is worth asking!

I've decided to try to be a bit healthier in my food options this week, particularly in eating more fruit as I have not been eating so much since my band. This is because you have to avoid eating the skin and peeling things is a bit of a faff at your desk. I've been avoiding bananas as they can be a bit of a problem as they are quite gunky. Anyway, I took a small banana and two satsumas in my lunch today. The banana went down fine, but I did take it slowly! I only managed one satsuma. I'm not sure if it was the skin on the segments or what but it didn't go down too well - normally, I would eat two without a second thought, it's all new experiences!

I'm excited!!!

After lots of discussions (some of them heated!!) we have finally booked a week's holiday in the sun - whohoo!!! We are off to Kefalonia next Tuesday and I can't wait - it has been too cold and dreary this summer and I need a fix of sun. We're really pleased as we have got the hotel we wanted and decent flight times from a local airport and it hasn't broken the bank.

I'm interested how the band reacts on its holidays and whether I can manage a week without putting on weight.

The band has been a bit of a cow today - I've only managed half a small pasta salad from M&S, half a packed of quavers, half a chicken breast and some savory rice and some apple pie and ice-cream. It seems to have been a day of lots of halfs!!!

Mini victory!!

I had a mini victory yesterday in my battle with the bulge!

We went out for dinner with my cousin and his family. While we were deciding where to eat, I sat down on a chair outside a bar - this chair was one of those ones which have arms on them. Normally, I avoid these types of chairs as my thighs are so big they dig in which is not only painful but looks hideous! I'm sure you've guessed my victory ... I had no problem, I fitted in the chair without it digging in. I thought it was a fluke but we ended up eating al fresco (it got bloomin' cold as it got later!), the chairs were different but they also had arms and again I fitted in it without it digging in. So, whilst I might not be losing weight at a phenomenal rate, my body shape must be changing and to me that is more important.

I'm starting to wonder whether I need another fill, as I managed a full dish of lasagne and best part of a pudding last night. My boyfriend was amazed at what I managed to eat (and so was I!). I think it may have been partly due to me not eating much else all day and both courses were fairly soft so would go down quite easily. I've been panicking all day thinking I've pigged out - how times change! I'll see how things go, I haven't been terribly hungry today so have just had some crackers and philly. I'm doing roast chicken for dinner so I'll see how that goes. I'll keep you posted - as ever!

Feeling good!

I'm feeling good with my band - it is still vicious at times but I am getting used to what I can and can't eat.

My main problem food is bread - I haven't risked it since my issue last Friday and to be honest, I'm not missing it. When I talk to friends they all say they love bread but it bloats them out so they tend to avoid it.

A friend came over tonight and brought a pizza with her. I was a bit apprehensive as I wasn't sure whether it would go down or not. It was fine - in fact it was gorgeous, it was an M&S one in their two dine for £10 offer. It was just like a homemade one with marscapone, pesto and tomato - yumm!! It wasn't very big but we shared it and had some salad and it was plenty for my new tum!

Today I had two completely separate people comment that they could see I'd lost weight - in fairness, they both know about the band but it is still nice that people are starting to notice. That is three in as many days - whohoo, it must be working!!

Slowly does it!

Only a pound off this week but I am delighted!!

I know that the way the band is working now means it is inevitable that the weight will come off. It is still giving good restriction and I am not able to eat huge amounts - whohoo!!!

One of my colleagues at work yesterday commented that she could see a difference in my face (she's just returned from two weeks holiday). I was chuffed as I think my face has changed a little bit too. She knows about the band so I am looking forward to someone who doesn't know about it noticing the difference but I don't think that will happen just yet!!

That which must be obeyed!!!!

Well, the band continues to exert it's control over me - I think it is going for world domination!!!!

I had a relatively quiet weekend. I struggled with food that normally goes down quite easily like jacket potato and grated cheese - although I did manage some chocolate so all was not lost!!!

Today I haven't really eaten much and to be honest haven't really felt hungry. I had a Weight Watchers cottage pie for my tea and the dog had the last few mouthfuls as I was stuffed and they are not exactly large! I do try to make sure I drink plenty to keep myself hydrated, I also drink yoghurt drinks and smoothies so I know I am getting at least some nutrition - mind you my fat store could keep me going for months!

I am very pleased as I am sure I will see some results on Wednesday - fingers crossed!

OMG - revenge of the band!!!

Where do I start ............!!!!

I've had an interesting few days!! On Thursday I met up with a group of friends, we get together at each other's houses every few months, we all bring something to eat and sit and chat. My friend decided to do a chilli, which was lovely! When we got there she had crisps and dip which went down rather nicely, I then sat down to my chilli - I avoided the salad in case it got stuck. I got about 2/3 of the way through my relatively small portion of chilli when I had what must have almost been a productive burp (known as a PB). I suddenly felt the food come up to the back of my throat. I've never had one before and it really panicked me - some of the people at the table don't know about the band, and in any case you really don't want your food in your lap whether people know about it or not!!! I stopped eating immediately!! After a little while I was able to manage a little bit of cheesecake but I didn't have any of the other pudding that was there (normally I would) and I couldn't touch the bowl of heros chocs she put out.

Then yesterday, I had my first experience of something getting stuck in the band. It was entirely my own fault and I have certainly learned a very valuable lesson. I was at my parents house and they had some very close family friends over from Ireland who we don't get to see very often. We sat down for a meal and I was really hungry. There was a plate of bread next to me and without thinking about it I ate half a slice with some butter - big mistake, HUGE!!!! After about 30 seconds I started to feel really ill. I had an awful pain in my chest and my mouth started to fill with saliva. I left the room and went to the toilet and brought some slime up but the pain in my chest was awful. I felt really embarrassed because they didn't know about the band and it just looked strange so I went back to the table but I couldn't eat anything and I had to go back out again and brought some more slime up. I was lucky and it passed after about 10 minutes but my chest still felt a bit sore and I didn't dare eat anything else (I did manage a little bit of ice cream much later but not a lot!). I ended up explaining to my mum's friend what had happened and she was incredibly supportive but I really do not want to experience that again.

I still feel a bit fragile today. So far, I've managed 1 weetabix (with some difficulty!) one large choc chip cookie from M&S which didn't go down too well and a jacket potato with cheese which normally goes down really well but I struggled a bit with that too.

I realise now my band can be a right b*tch if it wants to so I'd better stay in it's good books!!!!

Weigh in Wednesday!

I'm a happy bunny!! I weighed in today and I have now lost 12lbs in total. This represents a 4lb loss since my fill last week - I'd put two pounds on immediately before the fill but didn't adjust the ticker as I was so upset!

I am happy with the way things have gone since the last fill, it seems to have made a big difference and the restriction has not reduced at all so far. I'm hoping that this will continue for some weeks to enable me to get a good run at the weight loss. I'm starting to notice a difference in my clothes and don't feel quite so bloated - I'm not sure that the weight I've lost will make that much difference yet so I think it is more a case of me looking for the changes but whatever it is, I'm feeling good!!!!

Feeling good!

It's been a good day today - apart from having to drag my sorry a*s out of bed against my better judgement! It wouldn't have been so bad if I'd been on the early and so dragging it out at an ungodly hour, but no I was on the late so was trying to drag myself out at 8am which is practically lunchtime!!!

I am really enjoying the restriction (is that a bit sadistic?!!). I had a cereal bar for breakfast, normally I wolf them down but I had to take it slowly and felt quite full afterwards. I had some crackers and philly for lunch and then a fromage frais during the afternoon. Tonight I've had a Sainsbury's Be Good to Yourself macaroni cheese and had to throw some away. I do find that I enjoy a nice cup of tea throughout the day - I was always a tea drinker before but now I find a hot drink eases the band if it feels a bit tight.

My mum said today that she could see a difference - she is my stauchest supporter and my fiercest critic (in a good way!) so I appreciate her input as I know it is genuine - not what she thinks I want to hear. I'm not sure if I was imagining it but when I looked in the mirror this evening I thought my face looked a bit thinner - whohoo!!!

All going well!

Well, I've had a busy few days!! I haven't posted for a while because I haven't had a chance to get the computer to myself!

My boyfriend came over as a surprise on Thursday evening, which was lovely! I then went to his on Friday and we came back to mine yesterday. He has only just left to go home so I came straight on line to update the blog!

Things are very different following my last adjustment. I managed to eat a Sainsbury's cottage pie on Thursday without any problems. I kept my lunch fairly soft in work on Friday to avoid any reappearances!! On Friday night, we went out with some friends for a curry. I normally have a chicken curry but I knew I would struggle with the meat so I decided to have a Chana Masala which is made with chickpeas - it was divine and easy to digest, although I only managed a few spoonfuls with some rice. On Saturday, I made my boyfriend crusty ham rolls but knew I wouldn't be able to eat any so I laid out 6 crackers, a slice of ham, a small slice of cheese and two mini chicken tikka fillets. I was really hungry as I hadn't had any breakfast. I manage three crackers, half the slice of ham, half the cheese and one chicken fillet and I was stuffed! Later on (after several glasses of red wine - which always goes down well!!) I managed just over a quarter of a pizza with some coleslaw.

Today, I managed 1 weetabix for breakfast and then had chicken with potatoes and veg for dinner with a chocolate pudding and ice cream (I even chucked half the pudding away!!).

I stood on the scales this morning and my total weight loss is now 12.5lbs - I haven't adjusted my ticker yet as I always count my weight loss on a Wednesday but that means I have lost 4.5lbs since the adjustment last Tuesday (I'd put 2lbs on the week before but couldn't bring myself to adjust the ticker!).

I do feel that this latest fill has made a big difference and I am quite excited to see how things pan out over the next few weeks.

Feeling better about things!

I'm taking things very slowly following my fill.

I took soup to work for lunch and a variety of smoothies and yoghurt drinks to keep me going. I've found that although I am not struggling to get fluids down I am drinking them more slowly - two cups of tea went practically cold before I finished them!

When I got home I had some custard (weird I know but I just fancied it and it was mush!!) and then a bit later I had some instant porridge which has left me feeling more satisfied. So far, no pain or difficulty, I am going to try to stay on mush tomorrow and then more normal textured food on Friday.

It's weird and I'm not sure it isn't my imagination, but I feel slimmer/lighter today! I wore a top with short sleeves and they definitely feel looser. Let's hope this is the start of the action!!!

Be careful what you wish for ...

Well, I had my fill today and I was worrying over nothing!

The nurse wasn't at all surprised to see me and when I explained that I was still not losing weight she commented 'well you've only got 2.5mls in there'. She was very understanding and has given me a further 2mls so I now have 4.5mls. She said I will definitely see a difference with this. I believe her as well because she also told me that if I have any problems tonight or tomorrow I'm to ring her straight away and she'll take some back out!!

It was just as well I took the appointment today as she is off for a few days from Friday so it probably woud have been over a week before I could have seen her and she is dashing off all over the place to conferences in the next few weeks - I tried to persuade her to let me come too!!!

So far, I've had a cup of tea and a tin of soup and I feel fine. I couldn't quite manage the whole bowl and I had to take it quite slowly so that's a good sign.

I mentioned to her my concern about having more than half of the band full and she told me that I won't get to full and, even if I did, they can go over if necessary (although that is a secret so don't tell anyone!!).

I'm feeling quite excited now, really hoping to see some results.

Taken decisive action ...

Well, I have another fill booked and it is tomorrow at 4pm!!!!!! Have I done the right thing???????

The extra four pounds have disappeared but I don't really feel that I have sufficient restriction. I can eat practically normal portions of food and whilst I can't eat three big meals in a day I can still pack away quite a bit of food. I know that when I have restriction not only am I unable to eat too much, I don't really feel like food at all. Whereas, at the moment I am hungry and, as I say, I can pack quite a bit away.

I didn't intend to get the second fill so quickly!!! I phoned the hospital thinking I would get an appointment on Saturday which would be four weeks since my first fill but there was a slot tomorrow at four so I took it without thinking and now I'm panicking a bit! I really need to start shifting some weight so I know it's the right thing to do.

My boyfriend and I are looking at trying to get a quick week away in October so it would be nice to get some weight off before that.

We can't agree on where to go though - I fancy a Greece or Cyprus but he wants Morocco or Egypt (and I really don't fancy either of those, I'm sure that is a ploy on his part to avoid going altogether!!). He refuses to go to the Canaries and we have been to Portugal and Majorca in the last year. Anyone able to suggest a nice place to go that is cheap and cheerful, not long haul and will be warm in mid-Oct? I know, I'm not asking for much, am I?!!!!

Still a bit glum!

Well, the scales dutifully backed down a bit and two of the hideous four pounds have disappeared but I am still not happy.

I am trying to keep things in perspective as, reading on the ukgastricband forum which has lots of input from people at varying stages of the band process, it can sometimes take several fills to get the right restriction. I'm going to see how it goes and if nothing is happening in a week or so I will arrange for another fill. What worries me is that my band is only 7ml and I already have 2.5ml in there so I'm limited in the number of fills I can have - I'm sure it doesn't work like that (in so much as another 1 or 1.5ml could give me massive restriction on top of the 2.5ml) but I can't help but worry! Then again I am one of life's worriers so that's nothing new!

I'm off to my boyfriend's for the weekend so may not get to post again until Monday - have a good weekend!

The wanderer returns!

I'm back from my trip away, I was on a training course for two days and actually quite enjoyed it. I liked what I saw of Ipswich (unfortunately, it wasn't much!).

I'm feeling very down about the band at the moment. I think I need another fill already. My weight seemed to be going down at the weekend but I came back from Ipswich and it appears that I have put on four pounds!!! Now, I know from the information in 'How the scales lie to us' (see previous post) that this is not possible but it is really annoying when the scales jump like that! Especially since the colleagues I was away with kept commenting on how little I was eating - I am so glad they know about the band otherwise that could have been quite awkward!

I will see how things go over the next few days but I think I will need to get another fill quite soon - from what I understand it is quite common to need a few adjustments before you really start to see some results but it is very frustrating and I can't quite ignore the little voice in my head saying 'you've spent all that money on a useless piece of latex'.