Ten Things Thursday aka Coming Out of My Slump

1. I'm NOT crazy (and neither are you Dawnya!).  I spoke to the doc and nutritionist and both agree that I have been experiencing Dumping Syndrome on occasion.  This is usually due to poor food/beverage choices.  Funny thing is, I don't make them often, but when I make em, they're pretty bad and the symptoms SUCK ASS.  At least now I know what the heck is going on.  I had thought this only happens with bypass patients, but they assured me that it is now becoming evident that VSG patients also experience this too.
2.  Took a quiz in my Spanish class Monday.  Had no idea about it since I took off class on 9/11, so I quickly learned all new material 10 min before class and still rocked an 88%!
3. Saw my doc/nutritionist for my 6 week follow up as I mentioned before.  I've lost 16 pounds since my surgery date.  I was concerned with a recent stall but I am encouraged by my visit.  I think all will be ok. 
4. Exercise needs priority.  I need to get on this!  Feel free to hold me accountable!
5. I'm still waiting to hear the "official" news on the job I interviewed for.  Seems like it's a Jewish holiday every other day this month.  I'm on hold again. lol.  Keep your fingers crossed.  It's pretty official that I got the job, just all the kinks need to get worked out.
6. I still really want to get a bike.  Just a beach cruiser or something not too crazy difficult to manage.  Anyone got an old one they want to donate to a fat girl, feel free to speak up! ;)
7. The weekend is only 24 short hours away.  I'm stoked.
8. I got volunteered by my fiance to cook dinner for his family for Thanksgiving.  This NYer is going to be cooking a big southern family a Thanksgiving dinner...  IN ALABAMA.  No pressure there!  Not to mention, I'll probably not even have dinner, as we all know that just taking bites to test for seasoning etc will likely be enough to fill me up!  Is it weird that I'm already planning and it's 2 months away?
9. I miss my mama and want her to come visit, but I know it's expensive to fly and that she's saving to come to the wedding in Alabama next summer, so I feel bad even considering asking her to come.  But I miss her.
10. I'm excited to see the Harvest Moon tonight!  The man and I are driving to a nice lookout point tonight at the very south end of Brooklyn to get a nice view.

And there you have it!  Whew... didn't know if I would get through that one!  I'm def in a good mood today.  Hoping nothing knocks it down.

MASSIVE UNFILL... On the holidays??

I made it into the green zone!!!  Yayyyy!!!... scrrrrrrrrrrrt... Let's not celebrate too quickly.  I was sooo in the green zone.  I was happy, restricted, losing and all was right with the world.  Then I had a bite of steak.  Motherlovin steak.  The minute I swallowed it, I knew it was a problem.  I felt it moving down my gullet and thinking, please don't get stuck... please... please...  And of course.  Stuck.  I felt all sorts of stuck, so I just didn't eat.  At all.  Fluids for 2 days thinking that the steak had passed and that maybe I was just a bit inflammed.  NOPE.  After being stuck for about 4-5 days and getting inflammed to the point that water wouldn't go down, I relented.  I went to the doctor.  We decided to take out a large amount of fluid.  December 22.  I was so disappointed that I had effed up my newfound green zone over a dagnamit piece of steak that I didn't really want in the first place.  So I had a massive unfill.  They took me way down and had me drinking mass amounts of fluid to dislodge any and everything stuck up in my belly.  Unfortunately, it took about 7 or 8 sticks to get into my port.  I have a massive bruise about 3 inches in diameter in the middle of my belly.  Hematoma central.  Ugly as all get out.

I spent the holiday with a band that is wide open.  Surprisingly, I ate pretty darn well.  I must say that my habits are definitely changing.  Even though I knew that I could eat any and everything I wanted, I did keep it pretty tame.  I did take the opportunity to get a couple cravings out of the way that have been driving me a little batty since getting banded.  I had some pizza.  I almost served myself 2 slices and thought better of it.  I began to eat and found that I could only even get down about 1/2 of a piece.  After that I was satiated and didn't even want anymore.  Craving complete.  The other thing I wanted was a sandwich.  Good old regular sandwich.  And I had one.  Well, 1/2 of one.  I'm learning the massive difference between what my brain tells me I want and what my body shows me that I actually need.  It's a big difference too.  Tomorrow I go to get refilled.  I hope we can find my green zone again with this fill.  I pray that I don't have to get stuck 80 times to find my port again.  I might have a breakdown if I do.  And tonight...  in anticipation of restriction, I will have some sushi.  Kill that last little craving and get back on the wagon.  Even though I've been wide open for the span of the holiday, I have managed to only gain a whopping 1 pound.  I anticipated more, but it's looking like I was able to keep it together.  How was everyone else's holiday??