X-Ray Live Recording

Monday I checked into the hospital to get my fill done under the X-ray. Before I had it done where they insert the needle into your side to do the fill right after you drink contrast fluid. They watch it live on a monitor so they know they have the right amount and flow of the fluid versus the amount in the new fill. It was really cool last time since it was live feed and I could watch. Granted I didn't look at the larger needle they stuck in my side. As long as I am numbed I am fine with all of this.

This time I didn't have the fill done as I thought I was going to have done that day. I was taken to the X-ray room where they took one still image of my mid-section. Then angled the table so I am basically standing up with the video machine in front of me. I drank the fluid - let gravity do it's thing while they recorded the fluid moving thru my throat into stomach. I had to angle myself a few different ways and drink more contrast fluids. This time it was a thick white creamy paste like drink since I am allergic to contrast dye. I guess less people have a reaction to this kind. Tastes pretty damn gross and doesn't come out very nicely either... sorry TMI.

The second half of the recording they had the machine tilt me back to be laying down on my back. I had to drink two big gulps of the fluid and roll 180 degrees around. They wanted the fluid to coat my stomach. Kind of funny but it makes sense. After that I then laid on my stomach, drinking more fluid while they recorded the fluid go down this way.

I kept asking them when they were going to do the fill. They looked confused as much as I was. I honestly was expecting a fill under he X-ray again. But this time they just wanted to record the data and then send it to my surgeon. At that time he will check to see if I need a fill based upon the footage. The still shot X-ray was to compare the present location to the implant date. They told me right away that it hadn't moved or developed any irregularities.

So here I wait, till I hear back from my doctor to see what I should do next. Mean while I am still juicing, still having big salads for lunch and making an effort when we eat out not to eat fried or bread/pastas. I really would like to be down to 180 for the wedding. Most of all I would like to be 180 to start trying to get pregnant shortly after the wedding. That is only 20 pounds... and some change. I know I can do it!


Goal for this week: Sweat it out - "Sweat is fat crying!"

Weight for today: 205

Wedding Boot Camp - Start Button

I have been looking forward to this day where I can actually say I AM GETTING MARRIED! Oh my god... ecstatic really! We just got engaged over this past weekend. Totally perfect day; sunny and warm walk on the beach. Couldn't image a better proposal. 

I am so happy!

The one thing this means is that even before setting a date or any planning has begun... the first thing on my mind is loosing some weight. How sad it that! Now I have to get into Wedding Boot Camp mode to focus on what I am eating and how much calories I am burning at the gym. 

Fresh juices, Protein Shakes, Lean meats and no carbs are in my near future.

This past week I spoke with my surgeon about how frustrated I am that even though I am eating better than I have in a long time, the scale isn't moving. So instead of having a fill in his office I am going to have it done under the X-Ray on Monday. I have had this done before right when I was first banded and it went great. It is expensive but since I met my deductible for the year I have to have it done before the end of the calendar year. 

I am concerned that even when he gives me a decent fill it doesn't last and why doesn't it last? Sure, it looses it's luster but how can I eat 2 cups of dense meat in one sitting and 1. Be able to eat that amount and 2. Where is my restriction? Then at times I take one bite of something and poof 'I am stuck'. There just isn't any consistency. And when I do have restriction it is only maybe 30% of the time. I just don't get it.

Wish me luck on Monday! A fill and starting my Wedding Boot Camp. Eak! A BIG day. 

Goal for the week: Water (yes still I suck at it and have to remind myself daily)

Weight for today: 205

Mean Greens and Energy

Last week I blogged about how better I am feeling and how ODD it was I woke up at 6:30am to do chores around the house with such joy. Well later on that day I even started my juicer up. I have been wanting to juice since I saw the Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead movie. Luckily I already had a juicer so it didn't really cost me much to start it. When I first was banded I thought that I would constantly make my own juices while on my liquid diet. So I bought a juicer. I had only made fresh juice twice then stored my juicer away. Two years later here I am using it again....

I have a Brevelle Juicer. They can be pretty expensive but I have the lower cost version that is a compact style. I found it on amazon for under $90.

I didn't have a set recipe I wanted to follow so I just got a bunch of items and threw it in. The first time I made this version of juice I didn't put that many apples in it. I think the apples are a must if you have a lot of greens. I used.... kale, chard, celery, carrots, cucumbers, ginger, green and red apples, a but of lime. I also defrosted some strawberries and berry medley mix I had in the freezer just to see what it could add to the flavor. Next time I will add fresh strawberries since it didn't do much for sweetness. There is a lot of produce here since I made enough to yield 2 portions.

I drank some for dinner and couldn't even finish the one glass. When you first make it, the juice is kinda frothy but really filling. The remaining I drank the next day wasn't as good tasting but still very filling. I have never had kale or chard in my life and now I am interested in making them in a meal for a side.

Last week I juiced for 4-5 meals. And I even got up early a second day. I got up to run the hill by my house. I felt great that I got up and ran at 7am. I made some coffee before I left the house so I can have a cup of hot coffee when I got back from the cold morning air. I felt so energetic thru my whole day. It is such a great feeling. I have a lot more energy!

Over the weekend we also did the "bootie buster hill" that I would always have to stop half way when I weighted 230. I didn't even stop or breathe heavy. Even managed to run part of the dirt trail at the top of the hill. The area is called Torrey Pines State Beach. At the top of this hill that most tourist drive up, is an outlook of the coastline, a state park and a bunch of walking trails. I think it is one of San Diego's hidden gems. My boyfriend kept saying how proud of me he was that I just kept going and then how surprised he was that all of a sudden I started to run on the trail. It made me feel great that I did it and also he was shocked.

Goals This Week: So this week I will get up early two more days and run the hill near my house, I will juice thru the week. I think my blood pressure is down as well! Whoo hoo

Weight For Today: 203 lbs.