Happily I am losing weight quicker than I gained it.................

Although, terrifyingly, I managed to gain 11lbs in a mere 4 weeks (up to 13th April).  I have, thankfully, managed to shed 10 of those gained lbs in 3 weeks.

A very good week...............

I've stayed away from rubbishy carbs, only eaten when I was actively hungry and stopped eating when I was no longer hungry.

The result has been (over 6 days) a very pleasing 5lb weight loss; ½" loss from waist; ¾" loss from tummy; ½" loss from hips; ¼" loss from both thigh and upper arm.

28th April 2014

4th May 2014

Here's me being chuffed after measuring myself, and then trying on holiday bikinis, this afternoon.

I'm a happy bunny

After my breast mastopexy (uplift) last July, and then small augmentation in January, my boobies are now fully healed and I'm very pleased with the results.  I have, round, pert breasts (they pass the 'pencil test with flying colours!) that sit up on my chest and remain there when I remove my bra :)

Before my breast surgery I was a size 34F.  I am now a size 34F/G.  Exactly what I had hoped (note: breast uplift usually results in a reduction of 1-2 cup sizes, the augmentation op was to replace the volume lost in the mastopexy).

My scars are healing/fading beautifully (I had a full anchor lift); they are much less obvious/red/visible than I had anticipated (yay!!).  Scars are already fine and pale and, I'm hopeful, will fade more and more over time.

Being able to chose bikinis with no support is a total joy!  I have bought a few triangle bikini halter tops in size 18 (no more extortionate cost for cup sized bikinis - yay) and they fit well over my boobs but each of the back straps will need shortening by a couple of inches.  I'm waiting until closer to my holiday before I get my sewing machine out to make the alterations (I might lose a bit more 'back fat' between now and then).  Size 12 bikini bottoms fit fine but I am hoping the slight bulges of flesh at the waist band will be long gone before we jet off!

I need to recommit to my vibration plate - and I will starting tomorrow.   May will be a month of focused exercise to firm up my muscles (June is a crazy work month but I will try to do as much as I can then too).

Hubby and I are going to Mexico for two weeks in an all inclusive, adults only, luxury resort.  We fly out on 28th June the day after my 40th birthday; hubby's birthday is 29th June :).

Who knows I might even post a holiday bikini shot (or two).

Making progress.......

............thank goodness!

I have managed to keep away from refined carbs and both weight and inches are reducing.  I am back in control of my eating and hunger is much lessened (phew!).

I am eating small portions, only when I am actively hungry and eating mindfully.  Most meals (one or two per day) I leave food on my plate.  If I feel hungry and am not able to sit down and have a small, mindful, meal I eat something like piece of cheese or spoonful of sugar free peanut butter.

5lbs and an inch from my waist shed in the last two weeks.

I feel thinner and less 'yukky' (when I was gorging on carbs I felt sluggish and headachy much of the time); and I am not obsessing about food all the time.  

13th April 2014

28th April 2014

I'll update next weekend.  x

Fell off 'the wagon' and got back on....................

............ Having committed to refocusing, quitting refined carbs and working with my band, I lost 5lbs and posted about it on here.   

I then went on a total carb bender!!  It lasted around a month and resulted in my regaining the 5lbs I had lost and a few more into the bargain :(.  I reached the highest weight (13st) I have been since I got to target (11st 6lb) almost two years ago.

My lowest weight was 10st 12lbs (last August/September); and although I know I was 'too thin' then I am appalled that I gained 2st 2lb (30lbs) in little more than 6 months!!!!

It was as if I were deliberately trying to sabotage myself.  Stuffing down as much high carb rubbish as I could.  Day after day thinking "I might as well eat as much sugar (basically what carb is) as I want - I've ruined the diet for today and I'll start properly tomorrow"; of course "tomorrow" did not come..............

I run my own business and, since Christmas, I have been working 7 days per week and the 70+ hour weeks were really taking their toll on me.  There was a point a month or so ago that I was close to burn-out and I guess I - subconsciously - reverted to an old coping mechanism: FOOD!!!!

SUCH AN IDIOTIC THING TO DO!

I've had a serious word with myself.  My work schedule has eased a little and I am now (two weeks and counting) eating well again.  I will weigh and measure this weekend and update the blog then.

Getting back on track........

In the past two weeks I have cut out the carbs and refocused myself on eating well and mindfully. Once sugar is out of my system I don't crave it and I only want to eat when I am physically hungry.  

THE RESULT: 5lb weight loss and 1.5" lost from my waist. 

I have re-read (actually listened to the audiobook) of 'Why we get fat and what to do about it' and that has been so helpful in reinforcing what I need to do.  If you haven't read that book I very much recommend you do.  Then, once you've read it, read it again. And again.  

The result of reading 'Why we get fat and what to do about it'

If only...........

Weight gain!!

I adore hippos but I do not want to resort to looking like one again..........

I have fallen back into some old and bad habits.  Namely eating food that is worthless (refined carbs, sweets and the likes) and eating for reasons other than physical hunger.

I have, this week, had a serious word with myself and refocused myself on my weight, the reasons I lost the weight in the first place, and the many benefits of being lighter and healthier.

I have weighed and measured myself (something I was avoiding doing) and - significantly - I have updated my tickers to reflect the gains and how far above my goal weight I now am.  

THE HORROR!!

The result of my having fallen into 'old' and 'bad' habits!

I am feeling very ashamed of myself.  Part of me didn't want to update my blog.  I think it's important that I do though.  For me and for anyone reading who might be considering a gastric band.

-------------------

My BMI was 23 in August, after my first breast op.  It is now 27!  I have gained 23lbs (almost 2st!!) in less than 7 months.

Because my size 10/12 clothes still fit I have duped myself into thinking that I no longer have weight issues.  

I need to fully recognise that I will always have a weight issue.  I'm a food/carb addict in recovery. Like other types of addiction that means I will always need to be vigilant and to abstain for the most part.

To refocus myself I will:

• weigh and measure myself weekly;

• only eat when I am physically hungry, "if the problem is not hunger the solution is not food!!";

• eat small portions of food, chew well, and STOP eating when I am no longer hungry;

• cut out refined carbs;

• regularly update my blog and ticker to keep me accountable;

• get a band fill* (the band is there I might as well use it);

• recommit to exercise;

* I have a band fill booked for Monday 24th March (due to my business commitments I couldn't attend any sooner).

I'm sure I'm not the only person to totally agree with this!!

laparoscopy scars - two years on...........

Scars two years post-op

Today is my two year bandiversary

Two years ago today I underwent surgery and I haven't looked back!

I lost my excess weight in 8 months and, since then, I have managed to maintain my loss (give or take a stone).

I am currently heavier than I would like and - post Christmas - I have cut the carbs (I had been eating them since September resulting in a 12lb gain).  I will get back to my preferred weight in a couple of weeks.

I cannot post most of my recent photos here - since my breast op photos of me tend to be topless ones (to chart the healing process).  Here are a couple of recent snaps.

August 2013 - being mock-cross with hubby

At my daughter's graduation in October 2013 - fishy faces in honour of the occasion

I will update with inscision scar photos tomorrow.  I meant to take some earlier but time ran on and natural light is needed to show the scars well on a photo.

Happy New Year everyone.  I hope 2014 is everything you hope it will be.  x

Boobie update :)

Over the past few days I am feeling much more like myself again.

Recovery from phase one of my breast surgery has been much more onerous than I had envisaged.  I had not really recognised (pre op) how major breast uplift with reduction is.  

The suture lines are now knitting together well and the bruising (which was SIGNIFICANT) has almost gone.  PAin / discomfort has lessened too :)

I am required to wear post op bras for a few months yet :(.  I will be relieved to be able to wear lovely lingerie again.  I am also desperate to be able to have a bath (showers only from two weeks post-op and for the foreseeable).

I have a post-op check-up with my surgeon on 7th September (I've seen nurse three time up to this point) and I am anticipating that at that meeting he will let me know when we can go ahead with phase two of my surgery (the augmentation).

BMI of 23!!

An empty band is clearly suiting me.  In the three weeks since I had my band fully aspirated I have lost 12lbs.

For the first time, since I became pregnant with my daughter aged 18, I have a BMI of 23!!

Whoop :D......................

quick 'selfie' taken in mirror earlier today

Scale victory!!!!

Although today is not 'official' weigh-in day I popped on the scale this morning curious to know if the 8lb loss in the week following my band aspiration was an anomaly.


The scales read 10st 13lbs!!!!!!!


I have not weighed 10st something since before I got pregnant with my daughter aged 18.  I am thrilled and stunned.

That means I have lost 10lbs in the 9 days following my full aspiration.  Even though today is not official weigh-in day (that is Sunday) I cannot resist updating my ticker :D........

Awesome weight loss following band aspiration :)!!

I had my band emptied on Monday, weighed myself before I went and I weighed 11st 9lbs.  3lbs heavier than my target weight :(

I weighed myself this morning and I am 11st 1lb :)  Yay-diddily-yay-yay!!!!!!

8lb loss in a week :D  -  WHOOP!!!!!

I have also lost inches (an inch from my hips and and inch and a half around my waist).  I've lost an inch around my bust too (that is more to do with my uplift/reduction surgery than my diet I am sure :)

Vital stats currently read 40 - 27.5 - 40   (giving me a waist-hip ratio of 0.68, the calculator I used rates this as  "excellent" :) )

Ive been eating high protein, low carb diet and am back in ketosis :)

Happy bunny today......

My new titties............

..........are awesome!

I am back from Dolan Park having had phase one (uplift) of my breast surgery yesterday.

Mr Russo - my surgeon - has done an excellent job.  Even this soon after surgery the results are remarkable.  My boob shape and position is unrecognisable to that which I was left with after weight loss.

Getting on with the business for recovery now :)

Empty band!

I am back at Dolan Park tomorrow for my breast uplift surgery - feeling a little anxious!

Yesterday I had my band fully aspirated (a requirement for me to undergo surgery).

I actually needed an aspiration - the hot weather had caused my band to become tight.  Good foods were more and more difficult to eat and I stopped 'fancying' them; I also regurgitated food on 4 occasions in the past month (more than in the rest of my banded life!).

As a result of my tight band I was eating a lot of slider foods - ice cream, sweets, cereal, deserts etc.  Mostly carb and not at all what I have eaten since my band journey began.  I was also hungry :(.  I have gained a few pounds too :(

I was feeling hungry when I went to my appointment yesterday morning and as soon as the aspiration happened my hunger went away!  I haven't really felt hungry since :) and I have not eaten - or wanted to eat - junk.  I had chicken and bacon salad for my dinner yesterday, a small amount of chicken salad for my lunch today and I've just enjoyed some pate with cucumber and tomato for my dinner.

After my surgery tomorrow I will be back on it - high protein, low carb diet and no more junk.

Going to have band fully aspirated!

A nurse from THG phoned me today to talk through pre-surgery "stuff".   All good as far as my health is concerned and no issues with my having the breast uplift surgery on 24th July :D. I will need my band to be emptied prior to the surgery however.

It is to do with the anaesthetic and possible complications resulting from acid getting stuck above the band in the oesophagus whilst unconscious etc.  Damage to oesophagus is not something I want nor is the possibility of acid making its way into my lungs and causing havoc for my post surgery recovery...

I am curious as to how I will feel with an empty band.  I guess I will learn just how much the band is dimming my hunger.

I am booked in to have the band fully aspirated on 22nd July (two days before my surgery).

I'll let you know how I get on :)



P.S. I paid off the balance for my surgery a couple of days ago - my new titties are definitely going to happen!!!