Melanie's Lap band journey

An update

2011-09-12T12:48:00.002+10:00

Well I've got restriction +++ with this new band - a weight loss has restarted - great. However what has returned? Yep, the heartburn. Getting a tad taken out of the band on Wed - ah the search for the "sweetspot" continues.

Day 5

2011-06-10T08:08:00.000+10:00

It's going ok - yesterday was hard.

It went like this:

2 coffees - 200 ml milk = 130 cals
Optifast bar x 3 = 690 cals
Lots of vege soup chicken stock and green veges = negligible cals
Then picks of a few biscotti, a meatball, a slither of turkish bread with sour cream - I reckon about 200-300 cals of pickings!

I did a 5 km walk for my "sins".
SO overall not bashing myself up about it.

Back on the straight and narrow today. Weight down to 83.9kg this morning. Yippee.

Day 2

2011-06-07T15:23:00.000+10:00

It's hard already.

Just finished two bowls of the vege soup - it's already wearing thin! But I'm keeping the right attitude - it's all for a good cause.

Won't be exercising today as I'm coming down with a cold it seems and I'm trying to get my body not to succumb.

Food diary:
2 flat white coffees 130 cals
2 Opti bars 460 cals total
soup - neglible

On track to have more soup tonight, maybe some salad and one more Opti bar.

Commencement of two weeks of weight loss

2011-06-06T11:17:00.001+10:00

I've been struggling since the new lapband (Dec 2010) - my weight has been increasing each month. It's depressing of course but I'm wanting to ensure that nothing else is amiss.
I had the band tightened a few weeks ago and I'm happy with the level of restriction but still no weight loss. I'm eating too much and no doubt drinking too much alcohol (no lapband for wine!!).

So this morning I've started on Optifast for a week or two. I can't stomach the shakes so I've got the bars. The plan is to live on 3 bars a day plus lots of vegetable soup (allowable veg, not potato and pumpkin etc!).

I've also not been exercising as much since this last lapband so the plan is to go back to 4 minimum sessions a week. I've done the old 5 km Rothbury walk (the one I use to do all the time in the early days lapband mark 1) on Sat and Sun so it's either the walk or 45 mins flat out in the gym on most days of the week.

I'm going to Barcelona for a conference on 25th June so I've got three weeks to lose at least 4 kg. I've got to lose this as I can't afford to buy new clothes to take away!

Food diaries will be kept. So today so far:

2 x flat white coffees (200 ml of full cream milk) = 230 cals
2 x Optifast Berry bar = 430 cals
Lots of my Vege soup - broccoli, cauliflour, carrot, onion, shallott, tomato, celery in chicken stock made with stock cubes = neglible calories

Total for the day about 700 cals.
Exercise 5 km brisk walk with the dog! Maybe burnt 400 calories.
Good day!

Quick update on second band

2011-03-27T12:03:00.000+11:00

It's been three months since I was re-banded. It's going pretty well but I've had several adjustments and I'm only now getting some worthwhile restriction - last fill was 2 days ago. The weight goes on so quickly when I can eat more - was up to just over 85kg but sitting around 84ish at the moment. I what's called a Midband whereas before I had a Swedish band.

So, overall it has been good. No reflux or heartburn - phew. Incisions healed without any issues.

I am now Dr Melanie, having been awarded my PhD in media and communication earlier this month. This is the picture the uni took of me as I handed in my bound thesis for the library collection.

I get to do the formal graduation thing in early May this year - my family will come along and see my minute of glory on stage! I was pleased some collar bones showed on this picture - I'm wearing black a bit lately to cover the few extra kilos I'm carrying.

It's amazing how I can "feel fat" when I'm still at a weight I would never have dreamed possible 3 years ago when I was feeling desperate enough about my weight to seek out info on lapbanding. IT's all relative. I hope a drop a few kilos before May so I get great graduation photos. Some of you may remember when I blogged about my dream several years back when I say myself graduating and I was slim - I thought it was impossible. It wasn't!!

I don't regret the banding for a moment. I do however wish I could have had the gastric sleeve so I didn't have the band adjustments and slipping risk etc. I think if I was starting now I'd go for the sleeve.

Bye for now.

Check up this week

2011-01-31T22:47:00.000+11:00

I see Dr David Martin this Friday for my check up and hopefully my first fill in the new band. For the last two weeks I've been able to eat pretty normally - as in pre-band eating. Trying hard to be sensible but I'm unsure how much exercise to do until I've been given the all clear by Dr Martin. Weight around 83-84kg so ok. Wouldn't want it to go higher so glad the fill will be this week. This was taken last week - dressed to kill for a friend's 50th birthday in the dress I bought in Esprit in Helsinki, Finland last year.

Day 8 post op

2010-12-30T09:37:00.000+11:00

All good - surgical wounds look good. Love that the surgeon cut over the previous scars in the main so my stomach shouldn't look too much worse when all this is healed. Nausea abated and I'm getting hungry. I've been taking it easy - really soft foods etc and I'm feeling generally satisfied. I'm still getting some soreness, especially around the largest incision (about 5cm or 2" long) and also where I can feel the band's port under the skin. It's funny having it in a different place from last time as I'd become used to feeling it where it has been fro the last 2 and a half years and now it's moved.

I've got to remember I'm still healing and try not to overdo things - started cleaning the pool yesterday and did a bit too much. Everyone is still running around after me so that's good. I also had a glass of wine last night and although it did not induce heartburn - yippee - it didn't really agree with me and gave me a headache so off the wine for a bit longer. My poor liver won't know what's hit it!

Swelling continues to abate and the fluid load is dropping. My weight was down to 81.9kg this morning. Nice to see an 81 on the scales.

Overall I can't believe how quickly I, getting over this operation. Much better than last time although I was 25 kg (that's 60lb) heavier and that's much more bulk to heal isn't it? I know my overall health is in a better state than it was in 2008 too - it all makes such a difference.

Tuesday

2010-12-28T13:34:00.000+11:00

Day 6 and I'm feeling human again. Nausea has abated and I'm eating soft foods. The swelling has subsided a lot and the surgical incisions are healing well. I picked up a head cold but this is evern better today. People are telling me I'm looking pale but hey, that's to be expected I'd imagine.

Here's the progress of the swelling going down:

Day 1

Day 3

Today

I'm getting tired still but my family is rallying around not letting me do anything and chastising me whenever I try and lift a finger - wow, great support.

My diet is very much around what I feel like eating rather than what I should be eating. I found a traditional quiche Lorraine recipe in an old French cookbook. I didn't do pastry just lined a small dish with baking paper and did crustless quiche. I mixed three eggs, one cup of cream and a blob of butter and baked for 30 mins. Wow - the most sublime egg dish I've ever eaten.

I also made bread and butter pudding using a light rye Morpeth Sourdough bread last night - another triumph.

Doing fish tonight - baked in parmesan cheese. Yum.

Update Day 4 Post op

2010-12-26T09:01:00.000+11:00

Struggled a bit over the last two days - mainly with nausea. I think it's the antibiotics they've put me on and I'm balking at continuing them but I know I must. Just the thought of taking them turns my stomach. I've been taking Oxy-Contin syrup for pain relief but even the thought of that was intolerable yesterday no I'm making do with panadol mini-caps apart from bedtime relief.

Yes, I'm moaning. I feel like eating something and have had some milky bran cereal this morning. I'm supposed to be on free fluids but between a kind of hunger and the nausea I feel like moving to some real food. I'll be sensible of course - it's just the nausea that's the pits. I fee;l for people on chemotherapy. How on earth does one continue to to take the medication that makes them feel so desperately ill?

Anyway, I appear to be healing well and the pain isn't too bad at all. Still taking it easy.

Hope everyone's Christmas was/is lovely. Ours was quiet but really wonderful.

Post surgery update

2010-12-23T21:34:00.000+11:00

Well I'm home one day post op and feeling pretty good. I've had a Laparoscopic esophagogastric fundoplasty, a repair of a sort of hiatus hernia and a new lapband. I am not sick at all post op and have had brilliant first 30 hours since the op.

I've got shoulder pain (referred pain from diaphragm etc) and some localised wound pain, especially around the port site but it's to be expected. I've been given good pain relievers and so all is under control. I know when I need pain relief when I'm finding it hard to breath because of pain. But no vomiting or dramas like the first time (July 2008).

Strathfield Private Hospital staff were excellent and the nursing walaprs of a very high standard. This is a picture of my wounds - there's one not in shot at the bottom of my sternum. The oozing bloody one has stopped oozing and the dressing was changed before I was sent home. My belly looks like I'm 6 months pregnant with the gas from the laproscopy procedure but that will go down in coming days.

Diet-wise I'm on fluids for two weeks, mushy purees for the two weeks after that and then slow introduction of normal foods - more conservative than last time due to the more extensive surgery. That's it for now.

The bloated stomach with laproscopy cuts on the day of the surgery 22 Dec 2010.

Re banding to happen next week

2010-12-15T11:57:00.000+11:00

Well to cut a long story short I am being Rebanded next wednesday. My tests this week (barium swallow, nuclear reflux and gastroscopy) my ongoing reflux is caused by hiatus hernia, oesophageal dilatation and pseudo achalasia! Dr Crawford referred me to dr David Martin martinobesitysurgerg.com.au and dr Martin will be doing the surgery next week. Happy Xmas eh? At least it will be over and done with and I can get on with things in 2011.

Off to see the gastric sleeve surgeon

2010-11-24T07:49:00.002+11:00

Well, I've still be struyggling with reflux and heartburn and so my lapband doctor has said it's time to see the gastric sleeve surgeon. I'm seeing Dr David Martin in Strathfield next Monday http://www.martinsurgery.com.au/david_martin.html

I'll let you know how I go.

Reflections

2010-10-06T21:07:00.002+11:00

About two years ago I wrote this on this blog:

My aim is by the time I turn 50 (23-2-2012) that i will have a normal BMI and have completed the PhD thesis and thus be a Doctor of Philosophy. My dream is to have a fantastic graduation photo taken - not like the one I had taken when I received my masters degree in 1998 - I hid this for years and eventually just threw it in the bin it was so awful. The triple chin and eyes obscured by chubby cheeks as I smiled - never again!

Well, in two weeks time I'll submit my PhD thesis for examination so by February 2011 i should know whether I'll make my goal of graduating and being Dr Melanie by my 50th birthday. It looks like it's going to happen! I am on track to have a much better graduation photo in 2011/12 than I did back in 1998 when I had my Masters graduation - only one double chin these days.

Honestly it is great to look back and see goals set a few years ago coming to fruition.

I had .25ml fill this week and I can really feel some restriction. I'm hoping I can cope with this level of restriction without all of the heartburn and reflux like last time. I think the trick will be to avoid the alcohol and avoid overeating ie stop when I'm satisfied, not stuffed. I still enjoy eating way too much!

I had drifted up to 85 kg with less restriction but have come back down to around 83kg - with this fill I hope to get back to around 79-80kg for summer. I hope to start back at gym this week - my knee injury from skiing a while back was worse than first thought.

I'm in the Maitland Repertory's end of year musical play (along with my teenaged kids!) where i play an old music hall chorus girl. So I want to look trim and feel fit. http://maitlandrepertory.com/

That's it for now - pretty good overall. Interestingly my recent discussion with my lapband surgeon indicated that the gastric sleeve was fast coming online as a really viable alternative to the lapband - especially as its "set and forget" instead of the adjustments being needed and also less reflux issues. I'd consider this procedure if you're considering WLS - the reflux issue is the pits.

Off the rails a bit

2010-09-08T10:01:00.000+10:00

Lots has happened since early July - been to Slovenia, Italy and Finland and back again with my daughter - we had a great time. The conference, BledCom, was wonderful - http://www.bledcom.com/ if you're interested.

Weight was stable whilst travelling but on return to being deskbound and writing a thesis and working from home (graxing on unhealthy food throughout the day) and with less gym time and with less fluid in the band my weight crept up to nearly 85 kg! Ooh what a shock.

So went back Dr Crawford to get the .25 ml put back in that I had taken out before I went travelling in June. Back to gym a little and the weight has come back to 83.5 so it's on the right track.

Went skiiing two weeks a ago and although had a brilliant time I fell (whilst standing on skis in a t-bar queue!!!) and twisted my knee badly - so no gym for two weeks. Still it's a temporary set back.

It's still a hard road even with a band. But not as hard as without it. And there's the point. I see my daughter following the same track I started out on so many year ago. She lost 8kg in the first half of this year on Weight Watchers and has put on 9kg since June once she drifted back to the old habits. Doesn't that sound familiar to us all!

So I'm in the last month of writing my PHD thesis - so hopefully will graduate as I dreamed about over 2 years ago - in 2011 looking slim and rather gorgeous! Who'd have thought.

So here are some latest pics -

Melanie at the top of Eyre Intenrational Run on Mt Perisher - Australia's highest mountain Mt Koziuosko in the background there - yes, it's just a bump on a plateau and rather undramatic!

Update June

2010-06-30T07:53:00.001+10:00

All is good although had .25 ml removed from my band as I was having a little reflux and didn't want it to be a hassle during my travels. I've been to New York last week and fly out to Slovenia today for another conference. All is good - weight still stable at 81-82kg. This morning weighed in at 80.9kg.

Here I am at a rooftop cocktail party in New York hosted by Edelman PR - what a glorious experience it was.

June update

2010-06-04T22:57:00.000+10:00

Things continue on a reaosnably even keel. Weight very stable 81-82kg and I'd like it to be lower. Overall I'm pleased that I've been stable to 6 months. Weight stability has been a very rare state in my life. So that's good.
Not quite as much exercise in the last month but getting back on the straight and narrow.

Tried the new Zoomba-style Latino exercise class tonight - was quite good and my background long ago in bellydancing helped. My daughter thought it was too jazz ballet-like. I'd probably try it again. I was just good to have a bit of a dance. I'm going to try and get my husband into tango - we did a few lessons and we were quite good and liked it a lot. We'll see.

The only challenge remains reflux and heartburn sometimes and I've had to increase my medication. Still, it's better than being 25-30 kg heavier. If I can hit my 50th birthday 30 kg lighter than I was on my 40th birthday (my heaviest ever at 110kg!) I'll be a happy woman.

All quiet on the lapband front

2010-05-05T21:59:00.000+10:00

Just a quick update - nothing to report. Still on Somac and Tazac but no heartburn or reflux problems.
Still 80-81 kg - still doing gym 3 times a week - feeling fit.
Trialling slightly lighter hair colour so I'll post some pics if it works out!
We had a day at the beach in late April - the last of the summer I think. This is just after sunset - those two sole people in the water are my daughter and her new boyfriend. What a picture they made!

April update

2010-04-21T23:45:00.000+10:00

There's not much to blog about at present in terms of lapband stuff - weight is stable at around 80-81 kg. Ideally it would be trending down below 80 but it's not happening. I could knock off all alcohol, up the gym from 3 to 6 times a week but frankly I'm travelling ok. The restriction is about right in terms of amounts of food and heartburn issues.

I'm very proud of my daughter - she's been so motivated and has lost over 7kg on Weight Watchers online. Here we are pictured with my dad (hours before his major heart attack! - he's going ok now).

The only other news is my forthcoming trips - New York in June for the New Media Academic Summit (I'm taking Steve so it will be a second honeymoon!). Then Bledcom conference in July - I'm taking my daughter with me to Slovenia and Finland. Can't wait.

Update

2010-03-23T23:38:00.000+11:00

Not much to blog about on the band front. I'm happy with my current level of restriction. The heartburn is under control with medication and there's no reflux. The trend is a little downward weight-wise which is great. Getting a lapband is certainly the most positive thing I've done re health and weight. You've just got to persist and work with it.

New Year's Day

My daughter and I at Port Stephens Jan 2010.

This is my daughter way out in front of me on our sunset Rothbury walk.

I'm still exercising regularly - gym or walking a few times a week. Very proud of my daughter who is doing great on WWonline and has lost around 7kg since Xmas. She's jogging the long walk (5.3km) and blitzing it. This is a pic with her dad. Aren't I lucky to have these yummy people in my life?

I did get to see Tom Jones playing at Bimbadgen Winery up the road recently - that's him on stage!! Look at that full moon.

That's it for now. Stay sane. M.

2010-03-04T08:09:00.000+11:00

More fill on Tuesday so back up to around 8.5 ml in the 11 ml band.
Heartburn under control.
Weight stable at around 82 (plus or minus a kilo depending on the day etc).
Dr Crawford was very encouraging on Tuesday when we met - can't recommend him highly enough to anyone considering gastric banding in terms of the surgery and aftercare - he pointed out that I was no longer "fat" and this last 10 kilos was the icing on the cake so to speak. Even if I never lost another ounce my risk factors from dropping over 25 kg had decreased dramatically. This was reassuring.

I asked whether I should consider some more drastic surgery like the gastric sleeve or something to get down to the 70-ishmark. I wondered what his thoughts were regarding the risk of remaining in the low 80s versus the risks associated with more surgery. He thought for the time being we should persist with the band. He aslo pointed out that that reent research showed that people who were 10 kg overweight lived longer than people who were 10 kg underweight! I said I didn't think I'd ever have to worry about that problem.

So the band has been tightened in an attempt to get me under the 80kg mark again and track towards the 75kg goal. All good so far - I feel quite restricted which is great and have had none of the dreaded reflux. At the first sign of that the band has to be loosened. So there you have it. All good. Madly working on the thesis.

PS Where did the spellcheck go on blogger?

Have booked for a fill

2010-02-24T19:58:00.000+11:00

Still hovering at around 82kg. Have booked a fill/discussion of options with Dr Crawford for next Tuesday.
It's funny how I'm feeling like I'm fat at 82 kg - it's all relative I suppose.
Hard to believe that I could feel down about being 82 kg when it seems like an impossible dream 18 months ago.
I'm grateful for what I have.

Progess at last

2010-02-15T08:51:00.000+11:00

Well it seems with a little more restriction and a big week at the gym I have some downward progress - I'm sitting around 81. My aim is to get sub-80kg by my birthday on Feb 23rd - we'll see.

I could still use some more restriction but will sit on this for another fortnight or so.

Overall it's good. Love my lapband!!

No I'm still alive!

2010-02-10T21:00:00.000+11:00

I had another ml added to the band last week - better restriction but still not enough. My motivation is down a bit but the weight is stable at around 82kg.
Still doing quite regular gym, still taking heartburn meds and they're not quite controlling the problem.

Back to the doctor in a fortnight or so for a review.

Some restriction!

2010-01-21T09:32:00.002+11:00

I have some restriction after Dr Crawford inserted 2 ml of additional fluid in my band - total of 7ml in the 11ml band. Not enough restriction but I'll wait for a week or so and see how things go.

Gym today

2010-01-14T21:08:00.000+11:00

Didn't feel like it but the scales helped motivate me to get there and work out - up over 82kg again.
Bring on Tuesday.

Looking forward to a fill

2010-01-12T12:46:00.002+11:00

Next Tuesday afternoon is fill day - yeah!
Been trying to moderate intake. I have some restriction but not much with a half filled band. The biggest issue is that I'm not staying full for long and get hungry within two hours of eating the previous meal.
Gym still going so I think that is the secret to not gaining any more weight.

So 2010 begins....

2010-01-04T10:52:00.000+11:00

Happy 2010. According to my guide Mystic Medusa (astrology!) I'm in for the luckiest year in years with Jupiter in Pisces and it's also my Chinese year - Year of the Tiger - it all kicks in from February. Yippee.

Some restriction but not enough - can't wait for a fill on 19th.
Keeping up with the exercise but the weight is hovering between 81-82kg at present. I want my 78 back!! I know it's been quite a social and wine-fuelled festive season so the first thing is to cut that out for a while starting today.

I've very proud of my daughter at present - she's doing Weight Watchers online and going really well - focusing on healthy eating and exercise. We're trying to be gym junkies together.

Celebrated 23 years of married life yesterday with a dinner out with my husband. 23 years!

Ok day

2009-12-29T22:26:00.000+11:00

My daughter and I hit the gym and according to the machines I burnt off around 600 cals.

It was hard going but the second wind kicked in and the second half of the workout felt better than the first.

I have only slight restriction but I'm thankful for that - no heartburn at all for a few days.

Food diary: Milk for coffee (20 cals), lentils and toast (250 cals), cake (300 cals), chicken (200 cals), potato (100 cals), salad with oil (100 cals), wine (390 cals). Total 1440 cals.

Christmas and its aftermath

2009-12-28T14:13:00.004+11:00

Christmas is over thank goodness and the gym re-opens today. I am heading there with my daughter shortly. I can feel the weight creeping up as I eat and drink more and more - it's hideous. I'm seriously considering Optifast if things don't turn around this week.

Overall Christmas has been good.

I received a beautiful 8-pointed star pendant specially commissioned from famous Australian jewellery artist Alice Whish - you can see her work at http://www.alicewhish.com/ The 8-pointed star has special meaning for me - it is all about hope and healing. The pendant is silver trimmed with 24 ct gold (pictured on my freckly chest!).

The other present that stood out was that my brother tracked down some AVON First Christmas candles from the late 1960s on Ebay for me. These have a lovely scent and were very special to me as a child. They are impossible to find but somehow he did it - he found two of them and one has never been lit. The candles' scent has faded somewhat but it is still there. When I close my eyes and inhale the scent I'm transported to when I was a little girl on Christmas Eve watching Little Drummer Boy on telly! Marvellous. I was so very touched that he made the effort to find something that was so special.

Here is our Christmas table set by my mum for us:

My kids both received new guitars for Christmas - here is my lovely daughter with hers:

Here's my son giving my mum a Chrissy cuddle:

Here are "the boys" - my dad, my son, my brother and my husband:

Here's dad and me:

Hope everyone out there had a great Christmas.

Later today:

Went to gym - calories burnt around 550.

Food diary: 2 beef sausages (400 cals), milk for coffee (150 cals), Xmas cake 300 cals, fish (180 cals), bread (80 cals), cheese (70 cals), wine (300 cals) = 1500 cals (thank heavens I went to gym!)

My daughter joined Weight Watchers online today - she's allowed 22 points a day. She calculated her intake today which she had thought was pretty good and it came to 38 points - hopefully she'll find it helpful. She is about 15-20 kg overweight but is still stunning. She feels uncomfortable in size 16-18 when friends are all 10-12. I recall that feeling!

Steady as she goes...

2009-12-21T10:53:00.000+11:00

Well I've managed to hover just below the 81kg mark for a little while and I'm aiming to keep it there. I still miss my "skinnier" self but figure until the restriction is re-added to the band this maybe as good as it's going to get.

The secret is I figure to limit alcohol intake and hit the gym. I've been managing a hard workout around 3 times a week and the alcohol hasn't been too bad.

The eating is still a tad outta control - I want more and more and the tiny bit of restriction is far from enough - still it is better than nothing (to which I can attest!).

Thanks to those readers who've left encouraging comments. It does lift my spirits.

I'm looking forward to the 19th January when I get some fill added to the band. However I'm not confident it will go well as if I forget one of my heartburn tablets it's back with a vengeance - and the band is only half full. We'll see.

Struggling

2009-12-18T07:12:00.000+11:00

It's a struggle to try and keep my eating under control. The apetite switch is one, the restriction is barely there and it's hard. My weight is slowly creeping up - now 81kg. this is depressing but I'm trying to keep positive.

It's funny how I "feel fat" at 81 kg.

What a difference a day makes

2009-12-09T21:35:00.000+11:00

Well I couldn't bear being non-restricted so I rand Dr Crawford and begged, in light of the all clear on my endoscopy test, for some fill. He agreed on the proviso I went down to Sydney yesterday to get the fill. Which I did. I wnet from nothing to 5 ml in my 11ml band. I certainly feel the difference and it's a great relied to have a little restriction back. I felt quite out of control and a little frantic without it to be honest. I could see the weight drifting up as my portion sizes rose - aghh!

So the only problem is that I have had slight heartburn on and off since the refill. Worse this morning so I hope it's going to settle.

That's it for now.

Weight is up again

2009-12-07T11:45:00.000+11:00

Heavens, this is awful - up to over 80kg.
Hitting the gym this afternoon.
Trying to stop grazing but hunger is getting worse and worse.

Given the all clear

2009-12-05T21:08:00.000+11:00

I had my gastroscopy yesterday and the results are all good - no damage, no reflux evident. So the plan is to scale back some medication and then start reinflation of the lap band on 19 January.

Man it can't come soon enough - I can eat, I am hungry, I am struggling with food issues - ahhhhhhhhggggg!

The lap band is my tool and I love using it - I want it back now.

Still, ain't going to happen for another 5-6 weeks. Hit the gym on Thursday and will do so again this week at least three or four times to try and ward off the inevitable weight gain.

2009-11-27T22:30:00.000+11:00

Yesterday Dr Crawford removed all fill from my lapband. I then went and had a brief consultation with Dr Sean Griffin who will do an endoscopy on my stomach and oesophagus next Friday. The plan of attack is firstly that my medication has been further increased to remove all signs of heartburn. The band will remain empty.

Then, if the endoscopy is all clear, which they expect it will be, the band will begin being restricted again on 19th January. Until then it's just me and my willpower between me and a major balloon up in weight.

To be honest it is scary. I ate only a small amount last night at dinner but it felt bizarre. I'm so used to feeling the restriction after I swallow my food, to not have it. Today I was able to eat pretty much like I would with a lapband but tonight I felt the hunger kick in.

I went to gym on the the way home - I figure gym is the only way I'm going to prevent a major disaster happening. By the time I arrived home I was really hungry. I served slightly more than I'd have with my band but it literally didn't touch the sides. I waited for a while but then had more chicken. Then I had a carton of yogurt, then I had a small cup of sultuna bran. It was only at this point I felt vaguely satisfied.

Man, this is going to be hard. I must admit I'd forgotten how hard it was to stay on the straight and narrow. I've thought of maybe going to Weight Watchers or following Optifast or something for the next 7 weeks or so - I so don't want to gain weight.

I realise now my head hasn't changed at all - the band is wonderful tool and helps my head keep it together.

I just hope all will be okay when the restriction starts again - if not the band will be removed. I'm not going to worry about that until it happens.

All the fill to come out plus more!

2009-11-25T09:16:00.000+11:00

The heartburn is out of control even with the band looser. Gaviscon is my best friend. After discussion with Dr Crawford it's been decided that all the fill is coming out on Thursday. Then, a week after that - Dec 4, there will be an endoscopy performed to ensure nothing untoward is going on. I suppose the future direction will all depend on those results. I imagine it will be giving the stomach a rest from the heartburn (assuming it goes away with no fill in the band) and then restart the fill process.

Watch this space for an eating blow-out. Already my appetite button has been turned on so it will be challenging to maintain this weight loss with no fill. Considering whether to do Optifast post band unfillbut I'll discuss that with the specialist on Thursday.

All good except I have the eats and a bit of heartburn

2009-11-17T20:47:00.002+11:00

The title about sums it up. I am eating and having trouble keeping it to healthy choices.
I've also been able to have a wine or three - lovely but not good for the waist line as we know.
Still I keep expecting to see the scales go up. However, this morning was the lowest ever 77.3kg.

I'm claiming it but if I keep going like this it won't last long. Gym starts tomorrow.

Much improved

2009-11-14T00:33:00.000+11:00

What a difference a day makes (as that song goes!).

I slept all night - on a pillow, lying down like a normal person. There was no reflux, no dramas. Phew!

Today I've eaten and drunk fluids - restriction is there but not tight. That's okay for now. The relief is sweeto.

Food diary (not quite the healthy choices but I was enjoying eating) - cheese on toast (3/4 slice), milk for coffee, 1/3 chocolate brownie slice and 1/3 of coconut slice (!), 3/4 slice of dry bread, handful of peanuts, small serve of lasagne, a few grapes, 11/2 glass of red wine, 2 chocolate wafers.

I'll have to watch the calorie intake from here - and as soon as I'm completely well I'm hitting the gym again. I miss it greatly.

Thought I'd put up some recent snaps - this is me in my Sophia Loren sunhat at Jazz in the Vines in late October:

This is me in my Melbourne Cup outfit - I went to lunch with my mum at her local club:

And here is my mum (72!! and look at those legs!) - she won best hat!

Here is Mr Mel at jazz in the vines:

That's it for now...
Oh except that Mr Mel aka Stephen James sold a painting today through Harris Courtin Gallery in Paddington, Sydney - this is it: http://www.harriscourtingallery.com.au/SJames_15.htm - Yippee we can almost afford Christmas now!

Big update

2009-11-12T17:22:00.000+11:00

I've been suffering increasingly from heartburn and reflux over the year and since my last fill, things have been varying from tolerable to awful. The awful bit has been at night - I haven't been able to sleep flat as I drown in my own fluids if I do. I think this is at the root cause of my developing pneumonia a fortnight ago. Since being sick my band has been getting tighter and tighter until yesterday for several hours it blocked completely - no water, not even my own saliva was passing through. The more it happened the more I vomited which of course just made the band tighter.

I thought I'd have to go to hospital until my husband suggested immersing myself in our pool. I was desperate at this stage so did so. The change in pressure and buoyancy immediately provided relief and within half an hour I could swallow sips of water.

This morning I knew I was dehydrated and frankly I've not been able to eat very much this week. I knew I shouldn't have jumped on the scales this morning but I did - 77.8kg. Amazing to see that on the scales. However I'm not "claiming it" as I know it was due to being dehydrated and sick.

I saw Dr Crawford at 1pm and we discussed options - all the fluid out or something less radical. He checked my medical notes and located when it was I first complained of any heartburn - it was almost 12 months ago. He suggested taking the band down to that amount - seeing how it went for a week and if things hadn't improved greatly I would need to have all the fluid out and book in for an endoscopy to check nothing was going on.

I agreed to this approach and I'm back down to around 8ml in an 11ml band. I was immediately able to down 300 ml of water and water has never tasted so good. I drank another 250 ml the following half hour. What a relief. Within the hour I felt hungry so I stopped at Olivers on the freeway and ordered the buttered wholemeal toast - I ate about 3/4 a slice and it was heaven. I felt really full but I expect that the band area is still swollen so restriction will probably all but vanish in coming days. We'll see.

All in all I feel 200% better. I can drink. I have no reflux or heartburn so far. I'm planning a small dinner with veges and salad and a little bit of sliced steak. Yum.

Update

2009-11-04T17:09:00.000+11:00

All is generally okay although strangely developed pain in left side last week whenever I breathed in. Finally had a chest xray and was told I had lower lobe pneumonia. I was shocked as I hadn't been sick - just sore. Anyway, IV antibiotics were started in the ER and then I was sent home on pain relief and strong antibiotic oral therapy. Things appear to be on the mend but I'm tired a bit queasy from the medication.

My blood test confirmed the presence of infection but also showed some mild anaemia so it's a bit more red meat in coming weeks. It explains my lack of get up and go in recent times.

Otherwise it's busy with work and life generally. I've been awarded a Research Fellowship that enables me to concentrate on completing my PhD next year so that's great news.

Band-wise I'm happy with restriction and only get heartburn with alcohol. Reflux through the night is better overall so it's steady as she goes.

Back from Brisbane

2009-10-26T23:55:00.000+11:00

All went well but oh so cold and wet - where did Spring go?
Hair cut again by the same great guy in Brisbane at Heaven on Adelaide - Gary. What a lovely salon - so groovy! Take a look at the webpage - is this the salon you dream of http://www.heavenonadelaide.com/ ?
Weight stable.
No alcohol = little or no heartburn and reflux. Lesson is a long time coming eh?
Swamped with work but otherwise ok.
Have a great week.

Not dead, just busy

2009-10-22T17:27:00.000+11:00

Things are fine in the main. Heartburn was back with a vengeance but knocking off all alcohol has helped a lot. Should also help some weight loss I imagine too! Gym twice this week but that will be it for a while as I'm off to Bris-vegas for the weekend.

Lowest ever

2009-10-15T21:13:00.003+11:00

Ok, it's 78.8 for two mornings running. this is good. Heartburn fine as long as I sleep with an extra pillow or two! Gym once this week. Eating good but today seem to have the hungers - bloody chocolate fundraiser box at work is proving too tempting - indulged two days running! Otherwise all good.

Interesting I noted on the tracker that I've dropped exactly 10 whatevers on the BMI scale 38.9 to 28.9 - I think that's good.

Fizzy drink/soda.soft drink poll results

2009-10-12T19:42:00.002+11:00

A while back, I posted a poll on this blog as I felt there was some confusion regarding the "rules" re this issues.

63 people answered the question "Do you drink fizzy drinks/soft drinks/soda since you were banded?" - Here are the results

No never - I was warned by medical staff not to 20 (31%)
No, I don't like them 2 (3%)
No, they give me gas 0 (0%)
Yes, I have no problems with this 22 (34%)
Yes, but I experience side effects (gas/pain/etc) 7 (11%)
Sometimes but I'm unsure what is the right thing to do 12 (19%)

I think our dieticians need to get some better guidelines together.

Click image to view other cartoons.

Still plateauing

2009-10-11T20:24:00.001+11:00

Not much movement in the weight area. Frustrating. Still having the old reflux issues and will be back to specialist in coming weeks. Need to get back to gym to get some weight moving.

Week so far

2009-10-01T00:04:00.000+10:00

Very challenging in some ways (non-band) and in other ways going ok. Overall things band-wise have settled. Hormonal this week so no weighing until the weekend.

Only gym once this week but planning for tomorrow.

Story on ABC's Lateline tonight critical of the way lapbands are being marketed ato vulnerable overweight people too slickly. I tend to agree - it's just a tool isn't it.

Went for a lovely lunch to Esca on Monday with a dear friend Leebee. It's year since we last went! Here's the pic from last year on this blog:

I have one from Monday - I can see there's quite a difference! (Like 18kg)

We didn't buy funny hats this year but did buy a new dress - in the end gave it to my daughter.

I'm living in the 70s! Whoa

2009-09-24T17:12:00.000+10:00

So firstly, an update on my fill. Things had settled down a lot earlier in the week and so I didn't go to the doctors and didn't go for the unfill. I was pleased this happened as the level of restriction since the last fill has felt perfect. And this morning, for the first time I dropped below 80kg (well for the first time since 1992!!). Here's the proof!

Look at those sexy feet!! Remind me to get a pedicure done before I take another shot like that one!

So for the moment I'm playing it by ear. But with heartburn under control and weight loss occurring I'm a happy woman.

Also I've joined the rest of Eastern Australia and posted online my best picture of yesterday morning's orange dust storm - this is taken driving to work - amazingly eerie.

Lowest ever

2009-09-20T18:49:00.001+10:00

80.0kg this morning - love the restriction and wish I didn't have to have it all removed on Tuesday.

Last night's online conference in the USA went well.

Going for the Un-Fill

2009-09-17T23:27:00.000+10:00

Two nights of sleeping (or not sleeping) upright. Gravity is my friend and anything less than close to 90 degrees results in reflux and heartburn big time. Last night was dreadful - I ate quite late as I worked late and at 11pm still felt like I'd swallowed a brick. To cut a long story short I ended up sleeping in the rumpus room in a recliner chair. I think I'll be there tonight as well.

I've booked for the total unfill on Tuesday next (thank heavens I have a doctor who I can get in to see within a week). Thanks Lacey and Diz for the supportive comments - I know I'll do okay too.

Feeling completely whacked from not having enough sleep night after night - lots on at present and disrupted sleep is the last thing I need. In the next three days I am conducting a wedding, making revisions to a journal article which has been accepted for publication and needs to be resubmitted on Monday, marking assignments, finalising lectures for Monday, preparing a presentation for a conference I've been invited to speak at @ the University of Georgia - I'm talking in the USA via Skype video link - love that technology. That's happening at 10.30pm Saturday night but it's 8.30am in Athens, Georgia. Busy busy but wouldn't have it any other way I suppose - just wish I could get a good night's sleep...bring on Tuesday.

Report from Doctor's visit and life in general

2009-09-15T20:47:00.003+10:00

The visit to Dr Crawford's went well and I had a tiny fill 0.3ml. The situation with my heartburn is this - the small fill might help but will probably make it worse. The medication is working but only just. So in two weeks if no improvement I am to return to the specialist and have most of the fill removed for a period of 3-6 weeks to let everything settle. Yeeks that's scary - life without restriction!! The specialist said to expect to go back up to 90kg in that time. No way I said. Anyway, we'll deal with it if it has to happen.

Dr Crawford did say that this approach has worked in the majority of cases. Take all the fill out and recommence the gradual filling process until the desired level of restriction is obtained. I really hope this doesn't have to happen but as the doctor said this is a long term journey and a minor set back won't overly concern me in the long run. But still, to put on all that weight etc and not have restriction is just a scary thought.

I'd certainly try and avoid weight gain to that extent if it has to happen but let's see what happens.

Life is busy at present - weddings and uni work both full on for a few weeks.

Turned right

2009-09-08T21:00:00.002+10:00

Yes, I didn't feel like like going to gym but I turned right instead of driving past and I did it. It's funny the games I play with my own head - I didn't feel like gym but knew I needed to go. So I told myself I could take it easy if I wanted to, I didn't have to work too hard etc etc. Of course once I was there I was into it and felt great.

Food diary: (not exemplary!) I slice of toast with small amount of cheese 150 cals; 2 chicken and salad ribbon sandwiches ?350 cals; 2 x portugese tarts 300 cals; spaghetti bolognese 300 cals; wine 250 cals; milk 100 cals - total 1450 cals!

Focusing in 79.9

2009-09-05T14:02:00.002+10:00

That's what I've been doing when I go to gym - keeping my focus on seeing 79.9 on the scales. Yesterday and today I was 80.5kg - that's the lowest so far so at least it is moving in the right direction.

I've been plateauing since June so I figured upping the gym was the way to go - it's working but very slowly. I've got an appointment with Dr Crawford, my lap band surgeon, on 15th Sept - I'll discuss options re maybe getting a tiny fill and also the heart burn medication.

Blah blah bah

2009-09-03T21:07:00.004+10:00

It's hormonal I know - at 47 i should be rejoicing at having regular cycles and no menopause etc I suppose. After decades of Polycystic ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and having only a couple of periods each year, having a regular monthly cycle is still a wonder to me. It started in March 2003 the month I started strict Atkins lo-carb. From that month onwards it's been regular and monthly. Even when I strayed from Atkins after a year or two I still ate more lo-carb than not and never got back up the 110 kg I was in March 2003.

So given I was supposed to have twelve cycles a year say, from age 30 and I'm now 47, and from 30 to age 41ish I only had a couple of periods a year, does that mean I've "saved up" lots of cycles in the bank? Does it mean I won't stop menstruating until I'm 65? I doubt it. Anyway, that explains the blahs and the no weight loss.

This Saturday's weigh in better show some progress! Gym was out of the question today but I went last night with my daughter and worked at about 80% of capacity - the blah was setting in but at least I did it. Didn't sleep well and felt like crap all day. About to hit the sack now. Hoping to hit the gym tomorrow.

Spring walk

2009-09-01T19:35:00.002+10:00

What a great walk - Spring afternoon and dog looking wistfully at me so off we went.

5.3km North Rothbury walk done - spectacular watermelon colour sunset, horses running across the paddocks, kangaroos bounding over fences and the smell of flowers in the air.

Undid most of the good work by having a few nice sherries but probably would have had those anyway.

Weighed in this morning - don't ask. Don't really care. Life is good.

1 Sept goal unlikely

2009-08-30T09:56:00.003+10:00

Mmm, it's not for lack of trying this week - did big work outs at gym for the last 4 days running - maybe it will magically have an effect when I jump on the scales on Tuesday morning (1 Sept - first day of Spring in Australia - even though we all know it really shouldn't start until equinox - 22 Sept - apparently the winter uniforms of the British soldiers were getting too hot in convict days so they shifted the Spring date forward so they could change into their summer clothes!)

I am feeling good and am back into the groove with gym - I know it will pay off eventually and I'm not getting hung up on dates.

Had a non-scale victory yesterday. At the uni open day yesterday I was one of the staff talking to prospective students. All staff from our area have to wear bright lime polo shirts. Last year it was only a few weeks post lapband and I was in 2 XL men's size (previous year had been 3xl so I remember thinking woo-hoo). However, this year I selected the ladies size 16. It fitted. It was a snug kind of fit but it was the right size - I'm just not used to wearing clothes that actually fit close to my body. I felt good but self conscious and my colleague has to reassure me that it looked ok. When I arrived home, Mr Mel declared I looked "hot"!

Yesterday I also looked at motorbikes and have planned to go and get my "L" plates for a motorbike - is this a mid-life crisis? It's kind of fun to have these kind of options - love my lapband.

Did it

2009-08-26T21:09:00.002+10:00

Gym tonight - yeah me!
600 cals burnt.

Food diary:
Toast and peanut butter - 150 cals
Toast and baked beans - 250 cals
Milk for coffee - 150 cals
Biscuit - 100 cals
Chicken and veg - 300 cals
Wine 200 cals

Total1150 cals

Hit the gym - 1 Sept goal

2009-08-25T08:37:00.002+10:00

Ok, it's 25th August so can I do it in a week? 79.9? Probably not but I'll give it a kick along. Last night did a big workout at the gym - not the biggest as the energy levels were a little low but according to the machines about 600 cals burnt in 55 mins.

Only one wine, only one cream biscuit, only one small slither of walnut cake - funny how when my weight was plummeting last year none of these things would have passed my lips!! Now what does that say, Mel?

Going to gym tonight.

Food diary yesterday:

Scrambled egg and toast (200 cals), pumpkin soup and crackers 350 (cals), biscuit (80cals), sausage (1) and veges (300 cals), wine 100 cals, milk for coffee 100 cals, cake 150 cals. Total 1280 cals - not bad.

Sydney on a spring morning

2009-08-23T07:11:00.002+10:00

Gee it might be global warming but it's a beautiful spring morning in Sydney even though it is only 23 August! I'm down for my dad's birthday - we had a nice evening last night and he seemed really happy which was great to see.

Today we're off to Parklea Markets - I'm after a pair of flat shoes that are stylish and comfy (always a challenge) that I can wear with jeans etc and also a new pair of jeans. I'm walking out of some of my shoes and it's becoming a bit dangerous, especially on stairs etc. Funny how feet lose weight too. Jeans-wise I bought some cheapies a little while back and while they fit, they are not the right cut and are not real comfy. I haven't been to Parklea for years and apparently it's even bigger now so I'm sure to find something.

Haven't weighed in the weekend so the update won't happen until Monday. Not expecting a loss as I only hit the gym once and I'm still eating the odd chocolate, biscuit and nibbly - funny how I don't think I'm really "cured" from unhealthy eating head-wise just restricted on how much crap I can eat. I haven't been too bad overall but compared to when I was on the straight and narrow last year, you could see why the weight loss has slowed (not to mention drinking wine!).

Oh well sub-81 is still okay but sub 80 by 1 September seems unlikely.

Wow

2009-08-16T15:35:00.005+10:00

Today was wonderful - I went for a motor bike ride with my husband (see above). We've not done this before as we've been kind of scared that if we both got skittled we'd leave the kids orphaned. I don't know what's changed with kids aged 13 and 16 but Steve has been gradually buying up an extra set of bike gear and a few weeks ago there was a sale and I bought a helmet to fit me.

Today was sunny and springtime, even though it's winter, and the countryside was calling. We did it. We rode to Gresford and it was wonderful. Can't wait until next time.

Hey, motorcycle mama or what??

Below 81kg for the first time

2009-08-15T10:09:00.002+10:00

Interesting development this morning - dropped below the 81kg mark for the first time. BMI 29.7 (whatever that actually means!!). I knew I was a little thinner from a) people's remarks and b) my watchband.

In Brisbane my watchband was too loose and I had a few more links taken out - the jeweller suggested 3-4 links and I opted for 4. He offered me the removed links but I told him to throw them away as I wasn't going to be needing them.

All good, except within about 10 mins I felt my hand was going to drop off from lack of circulation!! Too late to retrieve the missing links so for several weeks I've been only able to wear the watch for short periods - unti the week. This week I've been wearing it all day without a drama so this is how I knew I was a tad thinner. Good the scales have moved slightly in the downward direction - I feel ready for the sub-80s!! In time for September Springtime I hope.

Looking forward to lunch with fellow traveller Donna on Monday - can't wait to see her (just read she's below the 90kg mark - it's a very journey so far!!) and she's doing very well - http://donnasbypassjourney.blogspot.com/

Maybe shrinking?

2009-08-13T21:34:00.002+10:00

Several people have told me a look thinner this week - scales aren't moving still around 81-81kg. Perhaps I'm due for a drop on the scales. I haven't been going to gym very often as there are lots of demands on time of late however the alcohol intake is very modest. Eating reasonably.

Still having the odd issue with heartburn - if I don't have the Tazac and Somac right on the 24 hour mark it comes back. If I eat late at night it's hell to pay in bed. Overall, all is good and I wouldn't change a thing. I had a new photo taken for a work profile and for once I didn't cringe about too many chins (still fretting about crows feet!).

New glasses this week - my first multifocals - I'm coping pretty well with these new lenses and it takes a while to get used to. They're nice thick dark tortoiseshell Elvis Costello specs - not everyone's cup of tea but I love the style. Will post pic soon.

Chocolate

2009-08-07T20:51:00.002+10:00

It's been a busy week - heaps of teaching, the passing of a close friend's mother, a child sick and home with flu and me, all hormonal. I've craved chocolate all week and have been indulging a bit.

I figure it's a passing phase. Sometime I think you're better to indulge and then get it out of your system. No weight loss but at this time of the month who can tell what's going on!

Only got to gym once this week so hoping to get there at least once over the weekend. It's a busy one with a wedding, a wedding planning meeting, children taxi service duties and I'm helping my friend with her mum's funeral service booklets.

thanks for the fizzy drink survey results - interesting how we're all somewhere different on this topic!

Please take the fizzy drink poll

2009-08-02T10:46:00.001+10:00

Please let me know your answers - if it shows there is lots of confusion perhaps we can approach the dieticians' association and highlight the need for more guidance.
Cheers
Melanie

Question for lapbanders....fizzy drinks

2009-08-01T21:11:00.002+10:00

Okay, I've been off soft drink and fizzy stuffy for a year - I've had the odd champagne without too much drama but I do miss my diet cokes etc.

Who drinks soft drinks/soda/fizzy drinks whilst banded?

If so do you have problems?

Is there a medical reason why we are advised not to drink fizzy drinks/ soft drinks/ soda?

from memory I think there was the possibility of the gas causing a) pain and b) stretching the pouch - is this what others have been advised?

thanks all.
Mel

Okay, it' s the bandiversary

2009-07-31T21:16:00.002+10:00

It's the bandiversary. It's another day - it's all good.
It's the best decision for me that I've ever made.
It's not always easy but to me it has given me a chance of a life that I thought was lost - for that I am truly grateful.

Thanks Dr Michael Crawford - superb doctor.
Thanks family, especially mum who's been just wonderful.
Thanks friends and colleagues.
Thanks blogging community - what would I have done without you? Probably not had it done!
Thankyou linespeople, thank you ball girls and boys - you know who you are!
Game and set - match still underway...

Plateau

2009-07-28T14:58:00.002+10:00

I think this is what I do - certainly have done this year anyway - plateau. But then considering I haven't been exercising as much, as still having pretty well whatever I feel like eating (in lapband restricted amounts) and having a fine time flitting around the country for the last weeks a plateau is pretty good.

I was saying to my mother in law today, in response to her saying I was looking good, that the proof of the pudding of the lapband was whether I kept this 25kg off. That has always been the challenge. I was generally able to lose weight (and had done a zillion times)but it always went back on - I feel so different it seems achievable that I will keep the weight off long terms and that's where the real achievement lies.

Only two days until the bandiversary as was banded on 31 July 2008 and I could get upset about not being at that goal of 80kg but hey, I figure 81kg is pretty bloody wonderful!

I made blood red gothic cake

2009-07-25T22:24:00.004+10:00

Yes, a whole bottle of red food colouring plus a tinge of blue and cochineal to get a vanilla cake to go blood red - the theme was kind of goth/massacre but festive for my emo boy's 13th party at http://www.zone-empire.com.au/ - what do you think?

The cake did turn out to be bright blood red. Such a long way from the Star Wars cake he liked a few years ago.

Here is the picture from the CCTV they have going as the kids (and hubby) play laser wars.

Today was not what I'd call a balanced diet day - back on straight and narrow tomorrow.

Hormonal eats

2009-07-24T23:29:00.003+10:00

I still get the hormonal eats in the PMT period and I "feel fat" - gosh I hate that. Today I got a lot done but sat on my behind all day at the computer and the more I sat the less I felt like moving. Munched a few bickies and crap through the day but eventually forced myself out of the home office to take the dog for a walk - only did half an hour and the dog appreciated the outing. I still feel lardy.

Today it's my baby boy's birthday - 13!! We've had Chinese takeaway and a white chocolate birthday cake:

He's wonderful but well and truly a teen - He's 6 feet tall with size 13 feet - a bit of growing to go too I suspect. I find the time with my children is in some way warping - it seems like no time but forever since I had them ( my eldest is 16 ). We're off to Zone Empire Laser shooting for a party with his friends tomorrow - should be fun for them - Mum will wait outside the shooting zone and mind the jackets!!

Home again after fab week

2009-07-23T21:07:00.006+10:00

I took the opportunity to go to a beautiful spot called Crescent Head this week to get some thesis writing done before the teaching semester starts on Monday. I had a really productive week - I've had an academic journal article based on my thesis work accepted for publication in the Journal of PR Research no doubt due to the view from my window:

It was really fabulous. The family came too but they were busy walking on beaches etc. I got in a few great walks on the cliffs etc - check out this:

The beach was lovely, especially around the rocks (although the sands up this way are beautiful and pale yellow):

There a wonderful rockpools and I saw octopi and sea anenome and the best starfish I've seen in years (see how clear the water is!) - can you see the red and blue ones? This water is about 12 inches/30cm deep here:

It's magnificent country. We cooked up nice wholesome food and went to the tavern last night. I had a grilled fish of the day (sweetlip) - wasn't the best I'd eaten as it was a little overcooked and kind of tough. I managed half the main meal.

On the way home we stopped at a gorgeous spot called Seal Rocks - we took a break and walked up to the historical lighthouse - check this out for a view:

My level of restriction is good, heartburn generally under control with the new medication - nizitidine - and alcohol moderate. Haven't weighed myself in over a week - last weigh I was still sitting around 81kg.
Official anniversary of banding on 31 July - would be great o be 80kg on this day but I'm not counting on anything.

My one year reward

2009-07-16T20:03:00.004+10:00

I had two hours of skiing today - I walked into a ski hire store, found clothes that fit, a fab pair of skis and hit the mountain. The knees held out for the time and I didn't push beyond the kneecap arthritic burn. They're sore tonight but I'm high as a kite.

Tomorrow was when I started my lapband journey - two weeks of Optifast in which I lost the first 4kg of the 25 that I've lost this past year. The ski was my reward - the first in six years. Six hours travel for a 2 hour ski but it was worth it. Yeah me.

All good

2009-07-09T22:32:00.002+10:00

Still in Brisbane and looking forward very much to going home to the family. Work has been going well up here but it seems a long time away this time.

Eating wise has been fine and alcohol intake moderate.

New medication is still holding the heartburn at bay.

Not much else to report at present.

More new hair

2009-07-07T20:01:00.004+10:00

My dad's home from hospital today and all is okay.

In the approach to my one year bandiversary I've done even more radical things to my hair:

I think I like it! I also like that there aren't too many chins. I had the hair done today by Heaven on Adelaide in Brisbane -between research interviews. Big presentation is tomorrow morning so at least it's over early in the conference. The last time these people saw me I was 25kg heavier (in New Zealand). I wanted to look smart and intelligent - did it work? I had that awful feeling I've just done a Posh Spice bob five years too late...oh well.

I was featured on Page 3 of the Sydney Morning Herald yesterday http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/lifematters/couples-cut-down-on-weddings--for-richer-not-poorer-20090705-d98o.html - at least I didn't cringe with embarrassment when I saw the photo - what a relief. It was huge in the actual paper - about 1 full quarter page! (Also page 17 of the Newcastle Herald - was a slow news day!)

Otherwise all well. Setting up interviews for my Canberra trip next week. Hoping to hit the ski fields for a one day ski extravaganza while I'm down there - will the knees hold up? It's been 6 years since I skied but at least I'm 15kg lighter than last time.

I did a before and after shot - this is the closest I can find to a profile shot - it's from June 2007 and it's not good - I was worriedly looking at the rising Hunter River which eventually inundated our home but it gives a good indication of the weight I was lugging around...

Dad's in hospital and reflecting on restriction

2009-07-03T22:04:00.005+10:00

Dad's had another heart attack but he's stable and in hospital - love new technology. This is a photo of my dad's monitor that my brother sent me to assure me he was stable.

Don't you love technology!!! I won't rush down tonight but will get down after the wedding I'm doing tomorrow afternoon.

I am so happy with my level of restriction right now - it feels so right. Now that the heartburn is pretty much under control, the band is working just how I imagined it would. It was a pretty stressful day overall and succumbed to a few wines! Food diary today:

Milk coffee 150 cals / small piece of banana bread 150 cals / 3 triangles of pastrami and salad sandwiches 350 cals/ one ice coffee 250 cals / 1/2 a large hamburger 300 cals / wine 300 cals

Total 1500

Busy times

2009-07-02T21:06:00.002+10:00

Flat out at present - all okay but the family members all have various stage of fluey virus things - no curly tails in sight. I'm very PMTish - eating chocolate and biscuits today and fighting the urge for a wine or two - but I'm trying to be alcohol free for a while - nothing since the weekend so that's pretty good for me (being a Hunter Valley gal and all!)

I'm off to Brisbane on Sunday for a week of research work and an academic conference so it's madness trying to get all in order before then. The kids start holidays in a week's time and I'm trying to organise a trip to Canberra - I'll be taking the kids and we'll catch up with friends and of course, I'll be making the most of the time to do some research interviews.

The new medication has made an enormous difference to the heartburn with only slight episodes usually just before the day's dose is due.

Exercise wise, I've been getting some fast walks in and I think the hotel in Brisbane has a gym so that'll be good. I'd really love to be 80kg by end of July - my bandiversary. Although technically this journey started on 17th July when Optifast resulted in a 4kg loss in two week (wow wouldn't it be good if we could do that again!! Except for the Optiyuk of course!).

Oh well 25kg down since then so I'm happy - If I can drop another 10kg or so over the next year I'd be happy (and no doubt healthy).

Long time, no blog and....just overweight!

2009-06-26T21:08:00.003+10:00

Well I went to the surgeon and he said that acidity is a sometime side effect of the band for some patients. As I'm happy with the level of restriction overall, he decided it was best not to remove any fill. He has instead added Nizatidine (Tazac) to to Somac to control the symptoms - and since yesterday things have been good. He thinks with a few more kilos loss the band will loosen and the acidity should settle.

The doctor thought I'd lost weight just by looking at me which was nice. My weight has dropped a little more and the weigh in today showed me a BMI of slightly less than 30 therefore - no longer obese - yippee. I don't usually claim the weight loss until Saturday but this was exciting so today, I'm claiming 81kg.

Total loss 25 kg (55lb).

All okay but busy busy busy - procrastinating

2009-06-16T19:33:00.004+10:00

Wine-free yesterday and acidity was better overnight. So wine free tonight and we'll see what happens - just had a glass of milk with lo-cal choc flavouring - wow, live it up.

No gym but doing the 5km+ walk every other day. Weight hovering around the 82kg - so I suppose the overall trend is still downwards but it's sooooooooooo slow.

Today has been procrastination central - now pulling the finger our and getting on with my work - yes, it's taken me twelve hours to really get going, well, you know, after finishing this blogs, reading the other blogs and then doing some twitter.... No wonder PhDs take years!

Friday wine o'clock

2009-06-12T18:47:00.002+10:00

All is okay except for the heartburny feeling that persists whether I drink wine or not so I choose to have a few wines! Husband is cooking a dinner which he said would be quick but has now been an hour plus - shepherd's pie on the way - can't wait.

Gym Wednesday night for the first time for a while - felt good but the knees played up. This afternoon did the long Rothbury 5.5km walk. Knocked it over in about 5o mins which is ten minutes faster than I used to do it.

Have added the music of Architecture in Helsinki to my gym workout music - great rowing music.

Lots of thesis work happening - transcribing interviews with top PR practitioners in Australia for analysis. I attended via live webcast an academic summit on new media last night (early morning Washington DC time but 10pm onwards here. I was up to 2am until I couldn't keep my eyes open.

81.9 kg this morning but weight in day is tomorrow (unless I don't like what the scales say!!)

Thanks for the nice comments about my new skirt - I felt self conscious but terrific at the same time!

A bit later - I started this blog entry about 6pm and it's now 8.30pm - got interrupted by life etc! Have stopped after the second glass of wine due to heart burn - it again proves it be the culprit.

Tuesday - feels like Monday

2009-06-09T18:57:00.002+10:00

It so feels like Monday - that long weekend phenomena when it's a surprise to find the planner saying tomorrow's Wednesday. Aghh there are not enough days in the week at present.

Food-wise things are certainly better since the 5 day pouch test - eating the right amounts and not getting hungry. Acidity has calmed but not completely so maybe need a little fill out.

Walked a short walk today - put the car into the panel beater for some minor and walked home about 2km.

Food today: coffee x 4 (200 cals), lite choc milk 200 cals, pasta with tomato and cheese 200 cals, crumbed fish and a few chips 400 cals, pasta with meat and vege sauce small serve 200 cals, biscuits 200 cals, wine 400 cals - disaster now that I've written it all down!! Around 1800 cals - no wonder I'm not losing weight!

The band doesn't stop the liquid cals - milk coffees, milk and wine - the joys of the food diary are to highlight the hidden calories of the day and there they are.

By "popular" demand

2009-06-09T11:34:00.002+10:00

I'm wearing a mini skirt

2009-06-07T16:45:00.002+10:00

Yes, it's true I'm wearing a mini skirt, black opaque tights and boots and I feel a mix of great and half naked. I almost didn't buy it but it was a black and white houndstooth skirt for $15 on special. I thought to myself I may not be able to do this once I turn 50 and so make hay while the sun in shining and wear it!

So I wore it out of the shop. It doesn't look bad. It's size 16 from a "normal" shop that only goes to size 16 - you know one of those shops that I haven't stepped into since 1979.

I started eating again with small amounts of Friday evening and it's been okay although still with a little heartburn from time to time but no dreadful nights so it's definitely better and I feel my band working correctly. I do however think I need atiny unfill and will go to the specialist on 23 June when my my next appointment is booked. I had one glass on wine last night and that's been the limit since last Monday - always reassuring to see that I don't develop DTs when I stop drinking.

I think the last time I wore something this short was 20 years ago plus. Wow.

Fluids Day 3

2009-06-04T20:36:00.002+10:00

Well it's going okay on the fluids - I've been really, really strict and eaten nothing - just soup, shakes, drinks. No alcohol.

I've been feeling very fluidy but started the period today thank heavens - my weight was up to 84.7kg this morning but obviously all fluid.

Day one, as I wrote, was awfully hard but yesterday and today have been fine - not feeling like much else. I've still been having some heartburn/reflux but I figure this is the best way, as Fluffy said, to test what's happening.

I've made an appointment with my specialist but can't get a routine appointment until 23rd June. He's away next week but the receptionist said if things are still not right next week they'll squeeze me in asap.

I feel once I've over this next day or two the fluid will shift, the pouch will have been rested and I'll reintroduce mushies on Saturday. The kids are i are visiting Sydney and staying with my parents this long weekend so I don't want to worry them by being on fluids if I can avoid it.

So today I've had b'fast - milk coffee and an Up and Go liquid b'fast drink (300 cals); mid morning a mocha coffee (yum) 200 cals?; lunch vege soup 100 cals; late arvo another Up and Gp (200 cals); tonight vege soup 100 cals; juice 100 cals - Total about 900 cals. Yesterday was similar.

Did the shorter 3.5km with the dog yesterday but didn't get to the gym or exercise today. I did scoot up the big hill at work today - it's funny I don't even think about walking up and down it now whereas I used to put off going to the library etc because I knew how awful the hill would be on the way back to my office. That feels good. Overall life is good and just want this band to settle down.

Day One - fluids

2009-06-02T18:43:00.003+10:00

Man, this is hard. Have made some vege soups and had a shake and lots of non-alcoholic fluids like water, lo-cal cordial, some coffee and tea - it's like being an empty vessel that needs constant refilling. Quite a weird feeling after feeling full a lot of the time for the last year. I forgot at one stage and ate a bit of cracker - I immediately got heartburn. I'll give the fluid thing a go for a few days and see what happens.

It's funny how my head is so hard-wired with destructive eating behaviour - it was like the naughty girl bit came out to play as soon as she heard I was on fluids and started planning a binge-out on milkshakes and creamy soups and the like. I've kept her under control in the main but I've had the need to be drinking something/eating soup all day - I'll do some meditation tonight and try and centre the energies.

Diary: several flat white coffees (300 cals) , mid morning - cream of chicken cup of soup (100 cals), lunch - can of tomato soup (250 cals), afternoon snack - broccoli and carrot home made soup (added a dash of cream as it was pretty sad) 150 cals; dinner more of the soup 100 cals ; evening snack (yes it's only 7.15pm) an "Up and Go" breakfast drink (200cals) - 1100 cals so far - i can see more soup coming later tonight! No alcohol happening this week.

thanks for your comments

2009-06-02T08:29:00.002+10:00

Isn't this a great community!!

Thanks Fluffy and team for the comments. I had a suspicion that this could be the problem as I noticed when I went out to lunch on Sunday that I seemed to be eating more than a lap band gal should be eating.

So this morning I've started the five day pouch test - the thought of fluids for just five days would have once freaked me out but now I know I can do it. I remember in the pre-band phase being more scared of the two weeks on Optifast than I was of the actual surgery. But I was really strict for that fortnight and felt great going into surgery knowing I'd done the right thing.

I'll keep the blog posted on how I'm going. It's easy to be strong on the morning of day one but if the going gets tough I'll blog til it passes!!!

Bobbed Mel

2009-06-01T22:01:00.003+10:00

Okay, back at work and people responded well to the new hair cut. It feels good. This is how it looks tonight:

I straightened it this morning but the wave has started to reassert itself! It's funny when I look at this photo I see strong resemblance to my mum at around the same age.

Been feeling quite tight today - presume it's the lead up to menstrual mayhem. For the first time I actually threw up today - involuntarily. It's only been a handful of times in the last ten months since banding when I've made myself throw up if something's been badly stuck and painful but today I had pain, felt nauseous all of a sudden and before I knew it threw up! I'm glad I was in the privacy of my office - imagine if this happened when I was with people or out somewhere.

I don't know what brought it on as it was left over chicken and rice from last night's dinner - perhaps eating too quickly and not chewing sufficiently - I was reading some work while eating and may have moved to autopilot. Anyway, apart from that all 's well for the rest of the day.

Home safe

2009-05-30T22:21:00.002+10:00

Great to be home. Busy already with a lovely wedding this morning and lots of catching up to do. The Haigh's chocolate pressies for the family went down well - big choc frog for son, choc marshmallow slices for daughter and dark ginger choc for Steve. Dangerfield earrings from Melbourne for daughter were well received as were the punk fingerless gloves by son.

Always bring home pressies when I've been away for a while - guilt I suppose. Oh well it's all fun and I love shopping for them.

All love my new haircut - I'll get a photo up soon.

Got on the scales this morning and I've dropped a little bit thank heavens. Almost not obese BMI 30.1!

thanks for your comments

2009-05-27T20:26:00.003+10:00

It's true I need to discuss this ongoing night issues with my specialist. I'll be making an appointment for the coming weeks. Thanks for grounding me in reality!

I took advantage of the Melbourne groovy scene and got a funky haircut today - well it seemed that way this morning but tonight it looks a little non-descript. Oh well.

On a plus, I finally convinced Optus to upgrade my phone 6 months early to an iphone 16 gig so I'll be online more often I suppose once I get the hang of it all.

All good in Melbourne except for the OD at Haighs chocolate shop!! Always a danger with that drak choc in Melbourne.

eating lots

2009-05-26T18:59:00.002+10:00

Ok it's a quandary - I can eat lots but I'm still getting some of that heartburn/reflux at night. part of me, the day time me, thinks I need a fill and the nighttime me thinks I need an unfill.

On the road for a week and the eating's been pretty good and just a drink or two a day of wine. Lots of walking happening. I'll see what the weight's doing on my return home in 5 days and make a decision as to how to proceed then - probably a trip to see the specialist to discuss options if it hasn't decreased from 83kg.

Otherwise well and happy and research going well.

Avoiding thesis writing....

2009-05-23T09:39:00.003+10:00

Warped Survey...
I stole this from Diz who stole this from Achieving Me.

1. First thing you wash in the shower?My arms

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?Black

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Yes

.4. Do you plan outfits? Sometimes, I'm flying into Melbourne tonight wearing above the knee skirt, groovy patterned tights, funky boots, black cross over top.

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Restless and overwhelmed by the amount of work I've got to do.

6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red?My MP3 player

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? Honestly don't remember

8. Did you meet anybody new today? Yes, I've been doing research interviews so met several cool and talented communication pros

9. What are you craving right now? To be held

10. Do you floss? Yes I use Superfloss to get through my lingual wire!

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Stir fry

12. Are you emotional? I'm a Pisces of course I am

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? Yes, as a kid

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Both - it's more of a suck

15. Do you like your hair? when it goes right

16. Do you like yourself? Yeah

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? I suppose so if he was paying!

18. What are you listening to right now? ABC radio news and weather - there is a sheep graziers warning for South Western Australia!

19. Are your parents strict? I thought so at the time but it was inconsistent - that was sometimes challenging!

20. Would you go sky diving? Whenthe kids are grown up - don't want to leave them motherless yet!

21. Do you like cottage cheese? Honestly if I never had to eat it again I wouldn't fret!

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? Yes. I'm generally surprised when they are shorter than I expected!

23. Do you rent movies often? No.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? Nothing....

25. How many countries have you visited? Most Western European countries and UK, USA, South Pacific Islands - Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Vanautu, New Zealand; Singapore, India, - do airport touchdowns count?? If so add KL, Dubai, Damascus, Bahrain, Adb Dahbi etc.

26. Have you made a prank phone call? No but I've been freaked out by several.

27. Ever been on a train? Heaps of times - not a fan overall.

28. Brown or white eggs? Whatever's in the carton

29.Do you have a cell phone? Yes but in Australia we call is a "mobile"

30. Do you use chapstick? Sometimes

31. Do you own a gun? No but I shot a pistol once at a gun club

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Me and my dreams

34. Are you too forgiving? Not anymore (thanks Diz)

5. Ever been in love? Yep and still am

37. Ever have cream puffs? Yes, the best were from Tumut cake shop

38. Last time you cried? In the last month

39. What was the last question you asked? Should I phone or SMS you

40. Favorite time of the year? Autumn

41. Do you have any tattoos? No, my skin wouldn't suit them

42. Are you sarcastic? Can be

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Yes, it's an excellent sex move!!

44. Have you ever walked into a wall? Yes and everything else - I'm a klutz

45. Favorite color? Deep green

46. Have you ever slapped someone? Yep

47. Is your hair curly? Yep

48. What was the last CD you bought? Dance Hits - exercise music

49. Do looks matter? yes, I hate seeing myself aging but and determined to to it gracefully or disgracefully!

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? Yes, we all make mistakes I suppose - depends on circumstances

51. Is your phone bill sky high? Not too bad

52. Do you like your life right now? Yes I do

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? Never I hate any light.

54. Can you handle the truth? Yes. It is usually what I need to hear.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Yes.

57. How often do you talk on the phone? Too much

58. The last person you held hands with? Husband - he's a hand holder!

59. What are you wearing? Black denim skirt, tshirt, slippers

60. What are your favorite top 3 animals? Tilly, Tilly and Tilly

61. Where was your default picture taken?Work

62. Can you hula hoop? Not any more

63. Do you have a job?Yes.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Hotel internet access

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Several times but not for anything illegal!

No I'm not dead!

2009-05-22T10:22:00.002+10:00

Just busy busy busy. I'm in Perth at present doing research stuff and then it's off to Melbourne and Sydney to do some more. All is good - lap band issues are the same - still troubled somewhat with reflux at night but restriction during the day seems good. No weight loss apparent - back at the gym when I can. Must run.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T22:01:00.002+10:00

Happy mother's day to mums of the world and here's saluting the mums and nannas who've passed on but have left so much of their love with us.

We celebrated at the Golf Club with my mother in law and my husband's siblings. We had a lovely meal - I had salt and pepper seafood - squid, whiting and prawns served with a fab salad. My mum and I chatted on the phone for a while - we'll catch up soon.

I'm still coldy but not too bad.

I was buoyed by weighing in this morning at 82.8kg- lowest yet. Almost not "obese" (ie just overweight) on the BMI - 30.6 down from 39 when I started this journey.

Here's hoping it's the start of a new reduction trend. I'll be back at gym tomorrow night if the cold is better. It's three months until my "bandiversary" and I'd really like to be sub-80 by the end of July. Surely that's do-able.

Thanks for the comments - it's always great to get that interaction.

Under the weather

2009-05-09T19:56:00.005+10:00

I've a heavy cold and Mr Mel has the full blown flu - no curly tails so assuming it's just plain old human flu. I'm presuming that I haven't got it as bad due to having had a flu shot a month ago.

It is really cool here this evening - the gas heating is going to be installed on Tuesday so it's the radiant bar heater until then. It's quite hopeless unless you sit on top of it. At least the laptop on the knees keeps me a little warmer.

My daughter is out at Grooving the Moo - an annual music festival down the road. It was 22 degrees and sunny at lunch time when she went and it will be about 2 degrees when I pick her up in a few hours time.

I recovered from the other night's late night fiasco but earlier this evening had an episode where some roast lamb would not go anywhere but up. Maybe the band's tighter with the menstrual cycle - I still feel quite fluidy and what with the cold and all, I feel quite under the weather. This is all quite new for me - generally have only rarely had food getting stuck etc. Hopefully just a passing phase.

I'm waiting until Monday to officially record this week's weight - it's up to 84kg but I think a bit of it is fluid.

On a brighter note I'm fitting into size 14s regularly now - tried on a lovely $220 black skirt in Liza's at Lorn today which was almost what I'd been looking for but it had a really deep front pleat which looked odd when I tried it on. I ended up buying a tartan skirt at Big W for $29! It looks great - I'll take a pic for the blog when I'm tarted up with my new boots on!

Do not snack before bedtime REPEAT Do not snack before bedtime

2009-05-08T09:31:00.002+10:00

Do not snack before bedtime. Well it's obvious isn't it but I couldn't help (sounds pathetic) having a small bowl of pesto linguine late last night. I felt peckish and it was really yummy so without thinking through the consequences I ate it all up!

Not good. At all.

Went to bed and lying down wasn't working. This is gross so don't read unless you really want to know some of the downsides of the lap band....

When I was anything but upright I felt the pasta sliding back up. I don't usually PB and it didn't feel like I should induce a vomit - it was just sitting in my above-band stomach - not going down and not coming up (apart from sliding up when I was lying down). It was almost a drowning sensation.

I decided to pack up the pillows and sleep upright. This worked okay until I fell asleep and started to slip down or turn over - I kept waking up coughing with food at the back of my throat choking me. Hideous. It wasn't coming up enough to spit out. Just gross.

So I figured I needed to "soup it up" a bit so it would go through the band. I drank some water - a few sips was all I could manage. This seemed to help but then it started happening again and this time with the acidic tinge added. Pain and grossness. I hit several shots of Mylanta and a bit more water but it all didn't settle until after 3am - lesson learned? You bet.

Do I regret having a lapband - no way. Do I regret not recalling how to correctly use this amazing tool - oh yeah.

USING ONLY ONE WORD

2009-05-07T20:09:00.000+10:00

Not as easy as you might think! It's really hard to only use one word answers.

Where is your mobile phone?
handbag
Your significant other?
teaching
Your hair?
frizzy
Your mother?
pokies
Your father?
pokies
Your favourite thing?
lapband
Your dream last night?
forgotten
Your favourite drink?
wine
Your dream/goal?
doctorate
What room are you in?
loungeroom
Your hobby?
blogging
Your fear?
toothlessness
Where do you want to be in 6 years?
holidays
Where were you last night?
gym
Something that you aren't?
obese
Muffins?
okay
Wish list item?
bed
Last thing you did?
drank
What are you wearing?
clothes
TV?
on
Your pets?
Tilly
Friends?
cool
Your life?
cool
Your mood?
sweet
Drinking?
wine
Your car?
sick
Something you're not wearing?
boots
Your favourite store?
www.petersofkensington.com.au
Your favourite colour?
green
When is the last time you cried?
forgotten
Where do you go to over and over?
Rothbury
My favourite place to eat?
Singapore
Favourite place I'd like to be at right now?
Cruising

Overcame the blahs

2009-05-06T20:59:00.002+10:00

Felt very cheered by those positive comments - thanks team!! I am a happier woman than I was 9 months ago preband and I know it shows! However, today was blah - head was unclear, felt hormonal, felt fat - you know the drill... the monthly menstral malaise.

I really just wanted to crawl back into bed all day but there was so much to do work-wise. So by 4-ish I really wanted a nap but instead dragged myself to gym. I thought it would be super-hard work but I thought I'd just do what felt comfortable and not push myself too much. It was hard but I kept telling myself that I could stop whenever I wanted and a few times I dialled back the machines until I felt more energy and then dialled them up again.

So in the end did 20 mins on Elliptical at easier than usual setting, 20 mega minutes on split treadmill - full incline 6.4km/hr for most of it, then 3km row on the rowing machine - powered through it in 15 mins. A few hover planks - held for 3o secs twice on my feet so I'm getting better.

Eating... 2 sausages 300 cals; custard lite 100 cals; toast with cheese 200 cals; milk for coffee 150 cals; veges and salad with one slice roast lamb 400 cals; wine 200 cals. Total = 1450.

Better.

Big Cal Day

2009-05-05T19:48:00.006+10:00

Made some headway on the thesis today which is good. It's a hard slog but I'm learning lots. I took a break about 5pm and took Tilly-dog (or chilli-blog as my husband calls her) for a very fast half hour walk - we both pelted along the Rothbury path to my very fast walking playlist.

Very PMT so as usual get the "head eats" - not too bad overall but recognising it for what it is.

Food diary: 2 lamb loin chops 300 cals; one bread 100 cals; 2 biscuits 100 cals; milk for coffee, 200 cals; beef and vege soup 300 cals; cheese 100 cals; fish 100 cals; chicken 15o cals; mash 100 cals; vege 50 cals; wine 2oocals. Whoa - a 1700 cals day!!!

Some recent pics:

Steve and I at Morpeth on Sunday:

compared with Steve and I just over a year ago:

Sweaty and hot out of the Rothbury walk a few weeks back before it turned cold!

About a month ago after the hairdresser - the "straightened" look:

Thought it was interesting to compare a July 2008 "straight" hair pre-band pic:

And with the official work portrait of me (2007)- they won't take it down!!! Apparently the web maintenance person doesn't see it as a priority!

Good to see how far we've come from time to time, even though it was a high cal day!!

Finally - the closest the men in my life come to guns - target shooting at Maitland Show in Feb 09.

Yummy lamb chop and loose shoes

2009-05-04T21:21:00.002+10:00

Yummy lamb loin chop, mashed potato, delicious green beans and gravy for dinner. Yum Yum. And cooked by hubby which is even better! Glass and a half of white wine so not too bad - no alcohol yesterday.

Family night at the gym tonight - except for my son whose new braces are still hurting - they seem to be calming down a little but it's been a hellish couple of days.

I did a huge workout - 20 minutes on the elliptical, 20 minutes on treadmill average 6.4km/hr on 12% incline, 10 mins on max incline split treadmill, 10 mins on the rowing machine 1.9km and 5 mins of abs - managed to do the "hover" on my toes for the first time - held for about 3o secs twice. If you don't know what the hover is - check it out here - it's hard. Usually I do it on my elbows and knees so this was a milestone for me.

I'm trying to drop below the 83 kg mark - it's been quite a hover in itself! Alcohol intake is down and exercise is up so surely it's just a matter of time as my eating is quite good at present.

A few people have commented that I look thinner so perhaps I'm gearing up for another drop on the scales. Here's hoping.

Yesterday at Morpeth was lovely - okay lunch at Savanah's (3/5 on my rating scale - not much style, only average coffee, tempura battered fish was too heavy but pleasant service) and the meandering around shops - great clothes shopping - who would have thought? I could have spent a recession-busting fortune but didn't. I've recently purchased some mid-range and cheap winter clothes to see me through the next period of time.

Is anyone else finding the winter shoes from last year are too big for them this year? I've invested in several pairs of inner soles to try and stay in my court shoes! Oh the joy of skinnier feet!

Going well until last night!

2009-05-03T10:06:00.002+10:00

Oh well blew the no alcohol period last night with the best part of a bottle of red with dinner at the Golf Club - yum. But that's it for the week.

Did the short Rothbury walk yesterday (3 km) and a huge workout at gym on Friday night. So funny to go to the gym with one's husband - always strikes me as Kath and Kell -ish. My daughter sais she's going to start really worrying if we step out in matching clothes!

Weight still plateau but 83.2kg yesterday morning is the lowest yet.

Off to birthday lunch for the sister in law - hitting historical Morpeth.

All okay but busy busy busy

2009-04-30T19:38:00.002+10:00

Not too much to report but the acid stomach has calmed down with the lessening of the alcohol intake. 83.3 kg this morning so the plateau is still happening - that's okay I suppose. I'm planning to hit the gym tomorrow and have been a bit active this week with some walks and one gym visit. I'm not going to get an unfill yet as my eating seems fine - bread, tender red meat etc are all okay.

Flat out with work etc today but had time to pick up a small birthday cake to celebrate the Sweet 16 of my lovely daughter. It's funny she seems so young and I actually left school on my 16th birthday and started my first full time job a few days later.

I can't imagine my daughter doing that - have times changed? Some say our kids grow up too quickly and I think they do between 5 and 12 but then perhaps we tend to keep them as kids for too long at the other end. My daughter will be 18 and a half when she finishes high school. I left home when I was 17 and started my nursing training (the old hospital system).

Anyway, enough musing. We had KFC and cake for dinner tonight - it's health all the way chez nous! I had a piece of toast and peannut butter for breakfast, a date scone and pumpkin soup for lunch. A few coffees, an OJ and a wine tonight. Overall I know I'm not eating enough fresh fruit and veg but they are hard work with the band - especially fruit. I can eat a tender lamb roast but not a grape skin, a scone but not not the white parts of an orange - I have to suck quarters to enjoy one. Rockmelon is almost impossible. Apple is hit and miss and banana, which one would think would be mashy and eat, tend to pass through the band in mushy chunks and hurt. go figure!

I've a brekky meeting in the morning so a very early start and it's been getting down to around 8 degrees C of a morning - we are still trying to figure out what to do with heating the house. We don't have heating since the flood destroyed our system. Insurance has covered it but we can't decide what to get - reverse cycle air con? Gas powered etc etc? Last winter we survived with cheap room heaters that are cheap to buy but cost a bomb to run.

That's it.

Oh, except I had lunch today with a friend who is studying in Australia but originates from overseas - she was telling me that her husband raised the possibility that Swine Flu virus was released deliberately by the USA through the US pig farm in Mexico in the town that they are saying the virus originated in on purpose - with the intention of creating huge demand for the flu medicines that are manufactured in the USA and bolstering the US economy! Surely this couldn't be true....

Today Tonight program

2009-04-28T14:49:00.002+10:00

For Aussie readers you may or may not have heard that tonight there is a story on Andrew Spalding's Band Camp on Seven/Prime's Today Tonight show - I believe some band sisters in our wider network may have been to one of the camps. Apparently there is going to be one in Sydney later this year - could be interesting.

Do I need an un-fill?

2009-04-26T19:17:00.002+10:00

Although I haven't blogged about it previously, I've been suffering nightly regurg/reflux in bed. Interestingly, it doesn't happen early in my in-bedtime but often from 4-5am. The reflux is not acidic generally, no doubt in response to the ongoing Somac tablets I take (20mg twice a day) but is enough to wake me as it makes me cough as if water has gone down the wrong way. Not good.

I'm often more restricted in the morning than at night and I wonder am I swelling stomach-wise in bed each night which results in a really tight band - perhaps preventing saliva or normal secretions from draining through the band? I'm pre-menstrual so I'm waiting to see if I get some relief in a week or so. If not I'm back to the specialist for a slight un-fill.

This would be a shame as overall I'm really happy with my level of restriction. Weight is hovering 83.5 - 84.5kg so no loss since my last fill. Still drinking too much wine I think but have tapered it back.

Back in the gym today for the first time for a while. All good. I did the short Rothbury walk a few times this week so overall, not too sloth-like. I think that's it for today.