Relaxation, Disney Style, PTR. ~*TRIP REPORT HAS STARTED! 9/18 Pg. 155*~

[Native NYer]

Hope you're having a good weekend!
And remember, it'll all be worth it in the end

 

[Megablocks]

Okay, I totally thought I responded. Maybe I just responded in my head. I so know what you are going through with going back to school -- I was the same way when I started classes again after four years. It is so hard but it gets easier, and it will be worth it in the end I hope you ended up having a good Saturday and get to relax tonight and tomorrow!

 

[Lady Lallie]

You managed to get more accomplished today than I did. After we got back from the farmers' market, I was a big slug the rest of the day. I am going to regret that come tomorrow. Oh well.

I really don't feel like I accomplished much of anything. Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

Hope you're having a good weekend!
And remember, it'll all be worth it in the end

I keep repeating that to myself quite often!

Okay, I totally thought I responded. Maybe I just responded in my head. I so know what you are going through with going back to school -- I was the same way when I started classes again after four years. It is so hard but it gets easier, and it will be worth it in the end I hope you ended up having a good Saturday and get to relax tonight and tomorrow!

It's okay, I've done that before. Makes you feel a little bit crazy. I have relaxed but not nearly enough!

 

[jenjolt]

I agree...you need more time to relax LOL!!!!! Glad you got your errands done and then you could just enjoy your Saturday!!! Hope you get to have a relaxing Sunday too!!!!

I'm exhausted right now but can't seem to fall asleep LOL!! Stupid thoughts going through my head LOL

 

[Lady Lallie]

I agree...you need more time to relax LOL!!!!! Glad you got your errands done and then you could just enjoy your Saturday!!! Hope you get to have a relaxing Sunday too!!!!

I'm exhausted right now but can't seem to fall asleep LOL!! Stupid thoughts going through my head LOL

It's because you have a big day tomorrow with Phillip!

 

[jenjolt]

It's because you have a big day tomorrow with Phillip!

WOOT!! Yes tomorrow night is his ordination service and reception!! Although can I be honest and tell you I can't wait to have my house back to being just me and Phillip and our cats LOL!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

WOOT!! Yes tomorrow night is his ordination service and reception!! Although can I be honest and tell you I can't wait to have my house back to being just me and Phillip and our cats LOL!!!

I don't blame you. I'm not a big fan of company.

 

[Lady Lallie]

A pretty important part of this upcoming trip is the gastric band that Marc & I both have. Commonly known as the Lap Band. We actually have the Realize Band but it's pretty much the same, just different companies that make the bands.

Most of you who have followed my PTRs/TRs in the past know that I made the decision to have this surgery last year right after my May Disney trip. I made this decision for several reasons but the tipping of the scales so to speak (pun intended) was the fact that Marc and I had been trying to have a baby and it just wasn't happening. My weight was the reason.

That is really hard to swallow, especially when it's something that you want more than anything in the entire world. I have battled my weight since I was a teenager and I have tried every single diet in the entire world and I could lose about 20 to 25 lbs and then I would get discouraged and gain 40 back. It's a vicious cycle.

Having band surgery has been the best thing I have ever done for MYSELF. It's given me more confidence, the power to change to myself and I'm just a happier person overall. It's been a wonderful journey with a few bumps in the road.

So more about the band for those of you who are interested.....

Basically, you have surgery to place the band around the upper portion of your stomach making a smaller stomach pouch. There is an access port, where your surgeon "fills" your band with a special saline specifically for the band. This tightens the band, making the food stay in your smaller stomach pouch longer, making you feel full longer and allowing you to eat very small portions. It's ridiculous how much less food we eat now.

Here's a picture.

Before surgery, we had extensive pre-op appointments. Everything from heart stress tests, sleep studies, upper GI, ultrasounds, EKG. You name it, we did it. We also had to start a pre-op diet to show that we were committed to a new lifestyle and meetings with nutritionists and therapists. I had my surgery on August 26, 2009 and Marc had his November 11, 2009.

Marc has had an easier time of it. Don't all guys? The biggest problem I've had are the fills that they do to tighten my band. For some reason, the location of my port was just not in a good area. My surgeon had trouble finding my port to tighten my band. The first time he tried, he couldn't find it at all. Then I had 4 more fills after that and each time I'd leave the office in tears because not only would it hurt that he had to poke me with the needle so much but I'd be bruised afterwards from him pressing on my stomach to find it. It was just a fluke of placement. Apparently the surgeon had thought about placing my port higher during surgery because he was worried but went with the hospital standard. Big mistake.

At the end of March I had decided enough was enough. I wasn't at my "sweet spot" yet. The sweet spot is a term for optimum restriction in your band. It's that point where you can eat about 1 cup of food at meals and not be hungry for 3-4 hours. I'm not near that still. It's frustrating because it's a lot of will power on my part but like my nutritionist says...the 75lbs I've lost has been me, not just my band. That makes me feel good. So I decided to have port relocation surgery on April 8th. It was a day surgery so I was able to go home a few hours after. I had a harder time with recovery and I think it was because I only took a week off of work, whereas the first time I had 4 weeks off. Plus I was sore in two places, where my port was and the new site. It's up higher now, which should be easier for the surgeon to find. I'll be honest, I haven't had a fill since surgery. I'm nervous. I've been experiencing muscle pain around the new port site and the doctors think it's because I've been too active. Something I have never been accused of before! So I've been taking it easy. I don't want anything to go wrong with my next fill, so I'm waiting a bit longer. Just a couple more weeks and I'll schedule one. Marc on the other hand, has no problems. He's in with the surgeon for about 4 minutes and he's done. Totally unfair.

So what does the band mean for us in Disney?

Eating S L O W L Y. I did pretty well with this in January. If you eat too fast or take too big of bites you can make yourself sick. It's not a traditional sick if you get my drift but enough of an inconvenience. I only made myself sick once in January and that was on my last day eating roast beef lunch meat from a sandwich! Something I had eaten many times before at home, I think I just ate too fast.

Eating smaller portions. I think the flexibility of ordering whatever we want is going to be awesome. Appetizers, desserts, whatever. We can share too which we do a lot now.

There are very few things we can't eat. We have trouble with leftover steak and such, just because it's too dry reheated and can get "stuck". Not a pleasant feeling at all. I compare it to swallowing a cannonball.

I want to be under a certain weight for Disney. I was talking to my nutritionist at my appointment on Wednesday and she thinks it is realistic. As of my last weigh in at home (Wednesday mornings) it's about another 35lbs to go. That is my goal. I can't let myself have little slips of treats either, because then I go all out and eat bad things all the time. That being said, I'm not worrying about that at Disney. Ghirardelli here I come!

This has turned into a way longer post then I had expected but for those new people or those who were interested I wanted to put out the details. It's funny too. I had this surgery primarily because I wanted to have a baby ASAP. Now, with the weight I've lost....I'm okay with waiting. It's weird. I'm still getting used to this new feeling. I want to finish school, move to Maine and then start our family. I feel like my band has given me a new lease on life. I would have never gone back to school without my increased confidence and energy. The amount of energy I had in January (when I had been around 50lbs lost) was amazing. I can't even fathom how much better I'll feel from that in September with more weight lost. I'm excited to see Marc enjoy our trip more too.

My new favorite thing to do with my weight loss pictures is put them side by side for comparision.

Here is my Disney themed one. It was pretty disgusting looking through my old TRs to find some pictures. I can't believe I posted half of them!

Here is the one from last May and then one from April, about a week after my port relocation surgery.

Then here is one I made, I call it my filmstrip. Looking at these pictures keep me focused. I never want to look or feel like that again.

If you look really closely at the second to last picture, you will see the Chandelier shirt I bought for my May 2009 trip that I could never fit in until March!

Last but not least, here is one of Marc. The first picture is from June of last year and the more recent one is in April. 95lbs lost as of then, I think he's hit 100lbs lost by now but he only goes by the scale at the doctor's office and he doesn't go back until May 28th.

This trip is going to be a celebration for Marc & I. We've worked really hard this year and I can't wait to celebrate at Disney. It's been a magical journey and it just seems fitting that we'll be celebrating our hard work at Disney.

 

[jenjolt]

WOW!! Simply WOW! What a journey for both you and Marc and what wonderful results that you have both seen! You both look fantastic and I have no doubt that you will reach your goal by September!

I really like your before and after pictures you can see such a huge difference! You are such an inspiration for me! I also struggle with my weight but knowing I'm not alone in this battle and seeing your success really keeps me encouraged...so THANK YOU!!!

I'm so excited about what the future holds for both you and Marc!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Such a transformation!
I do remember when you got the chandelier shirt in 2009!
Have you been wearing it?

I hope all goes smooth for you when you go for your fill.
Won't it be nice to have that crossed off your list of things to do?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for LL! You rock, girl, and have done such an awesome job with your weight loss!!! You make me want to get active, and that's saying a lot!

I think making your trip a celebration is a great idea! Make sure you get celebration buttons!

Your comparison pics are amazing! You really have been working so hard!

 

[MeMom]

Congratulations to you on everything - physical goals, school, everything!

You know where to find that magic Wilderness Lodge baby fountain when you're ready, right?

 

[redsox721]

Being Leslie's co-worker, I've witnessed this whole process. Leslie should be very proud of herself and of Marc. She has had the strength and determination to overcome alot with the port problem and the entire process. I know I am very proud of her. She looks great in the the pictures but looks even better in person.
GO LESLIE!!!!!!

 

[kschafer]

You and Marc have so much to be proud of!! I think it's great that you have found a new confidence and outlook on life. Many great things are ahead!!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

WOW!! Simply WOW! What a journey for both you and Marc and what wonderful results that you have both seen! You both look fantastic and I have no doubt that you will reach your goal by September!

I really like your before and after pictures you can see such a huge difference! You are such an inspiration for me! I also struggle with my weight but knowing I'm not alone in this battle and seeing your success really keeps me encouraged...so THANK YOU!!!

I'm so excited about what the future holds for both you and Marc!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you! I'm so glad that I have you to vent/rant too when I'm feeling frustrated.

Such a transformation!
I do remember when you got the chandelier shirt in 2009!
Have you been wearing it?

I hope all goes smooth for you when you go for your fill.
Won't it be nice to have that crossed off your list of things to do?

I've only worn it out once. I feel like the length is still a little short so if I lose a little more, hopefully it will feel better on. I am hoping to bring it to Disney.

Yes, it will. I've been dragging my feet on it. I know it will happen soon.

Hurray for LL! You rock, girl, and have done such an awesome job with your weight loss!!! You make me want to get active, and that's saying a lot!

I think making your trip a celebration is a great idea! Make sure you get celebration buttons!

Your comparison pics are amazing! You really have been working so hard!

Trust me, I nearly died of laughter when the doctor told me I was being TOO ACTIVE after my surgery and could cause damage to my muscles. Way too funny. I have never been too active in my life.

We should get celebration buttons, I just don't want to have to explain what we are celebrating all the time.

Congratulations to you on everything - physical goals, school, everything!

You know where to find that magic Wilderness Lodge baby fountain when you're ready, right?

Oh yes, I know where that fountain is for sure.

Being Leslie's co-worker, I've witnessed this whole process. Leslie should be very proud of herself and of Marc. She has had the strength and determination to overcome alot with the port problem and the entire process. I know I am very proud of her. She looks great in the the pictures but looks even better in person.
GO LESLIE!!!!!!

Thanks! That is nice to hear.

 

[Lady Lallie]

You and Marc have so much to be proud of!! I think it's great that you have found a new confidence and outlook on life. Many great things are ahead!!!

Thanks Katie. It's truly remarkable how different I feel and my outlook on life in general is so different.

 

[Mickey_Mom]

This trip is going to be a celebration for Marc & I. We've worked really hard this year and I can't wait to celebrate at Disney. It's been a magical journey and it just seems fitting that we'll be celebrating our hard work at Disney.

Darn tootin' it's fitting for you two to celebrate at Disney! I love the side by side pictures, and that filmstrip - whew! I had to laugh at your reply about explaining what your celebrating with your buttons. I think you guys should just point to one another and say, "we're celebrating each other!" Let them pull from that what they will.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I just was away from the DIS for two days, but wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing that information, and pictures, with us!
and


CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to both of you!

 

[LuccaDrake]

That was such an inspirational post! It makes me want to work harder to lose the 40ish pounds I need to be where I want to be. You guys look great and it's nice that you are working as a team! It's always easier to lose weight when you have someone doing it with you. BTW, were you so scared about meeting me that you changed your dates?!? J/K. Just know when you move to Maine that I can stalk you at your house. lol. Actually, if you're around visiting family this summer you should stop over! Keep up the good work!

~Beka~

 

[Lady Lallie]

Darn tootin' it's fitting for you two to celebrate at Disney! I love the side by side pictures, and that filmstrip - whew! I had to laugh at your reply about explaining what your celebrating with your buttons. I think you guys should just point to one another and say, "we're celebrating each other!" Let them pull from that what they will.

Yeah, I don't want to be stuffing my face with yummy cheesecake from Brown Derby as I explain we're celebrating how much weight we have lost. Just seems wrong.

I just was away from the DIS for two days, but wanted to say THANK YOU for sharing that information, and pictures, with us!
and


CONGRATULATIONS!!!! to both of you!

Thank you!!

That was such an inspirational post! It makes me want to work harder to lose the 40ish pounds I need to be where I want to be. You guys look great and it's nice that you are working as a team! It's always easier to lose weight when you have someone doing it with you. BTW, were you so scared about meeting me that you changed your dates?!? J/K. Just know when you move to Maine that I can stalk you at your house. lol. Actually, if you're around visiting family this summer you should stop over! Keep up the good work!

~Beka~

Thank you. It's hard work that is for sure. We go to visit my parents pretty often. I really can't wait to move up there. I miss Maine so much.