So I've thought about what to name my band. At first I thought to name it "Felicia" but pronounced Fa-lish-a a sassy black woman with an obvious attitude problem. Who doesn't love sassy black women. But then I thought I'm sassy enough for the both of us. For inspiration I took a minute an listened to Lou Bega's Mambo #5 Song, *shame* on YouTube. Monica, Erica, Rita, Tina, Sandra, Mary, Jessica... Nope!
Right after that the Ting Tings' That's not my Name loaded. So I took it as a sign and I did some real soul searching... then I thought wouldn't it be funny if my band was male. Not just any male, but an ornery,cranky, old, no nonsense fella named Cornelius and it just seemed to fit.
Henceforth I will refer to my band by the name Cornelius.
So it's me, my muffin top and Cornelius against the world! The three Musketeers of Weightloss. * i know Im taking it a bit far but what the hell!
To all of subscribed my muffin top lovers and by ALL, I mean my only one, don't think I've started dating a a cranky octagenarian named Cornelius when you see future posts entitled "My fight with Corni "or " My weightloss love letters to Corni". It's just my band! Until next time..
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
On lockdown
Just wanted to drop a quick post to talk about the "lockdown".
I didn't quite fully understand when people said their bands were tight in the AM. Seeing how I hadn't experienced the constriction phenomena in the first 5 days,I figured I was an exception to the rule. Well let me tell you I woke up this morning with the exception in my chest. Ugh! My band was tighter than a nun's knees during spring break at co-ed Vatican camp. My band was on lockdown and I was a little freaked out. So my smoothie breakfast was a no go until I got to work and made myself a mug of Jasmine tea which coaxed Cornelius ( that's my band's name by the way) out of restriction. Then it was smooth sailing the rest of the day. On wards to my delicious Strawberry protein smoothie from Smoothie King ( I know... I have a problem). Some days I don't even notice Corni. He works with me and I work with him. But today he was being a tight lipped old fart. Hopefully tomorrow Cornelius and I will have a nice sit down in the AM over a nice hot cup of Hazelnut coffee.
I didn't quite fully understand when people said their bands were tight in the AM. Seeing how I hadn't experienced the constriction phenomena in the first 5 days,I figured I was an exception to the rule. Well let me tell you I woke up this morning with the exception in my chest. Ugh! My band was tighter than a nun's knees during spring break at co-ed Vatican camp. My band was on lockdown and I was a little freaked out. So my smoothie breakfast was a no go until I got to work and made myself a mug of Jasmine tea which coaxed Cornelius ( that's my band's name by the way) out of restriction. Then it was smooth sailing the rest of the day. On wards to my delicious Strawberry protein smoothie from Smoothie King ( I know... I have a problem). Some days I don't even notice Corni. He works with me and I work with him. But today he was being a tight lipped old fart. Hopefully tomorrow Cornelius and I will have a nice sit down in the AM over a nice hot cup of Hazelnut coffee.
This morning my band was as tight as her pants.
Until next time....
You are what you Eat!
Do you believe that saying " you are what you eat?"
If thats the case, I'm going to turn into a bowl of soup or a Smoothie King smoothie any minute now.
So, I'm 5 days post op. Whew! How did that happen? One minute I was biting my fingernails hoping for the best with my surgery and thinking the worst. Now I'm making protein shakes,counting calories like a champ, and getting back to my daily life.
The past 5 days haven't been so bad. Yeah of course there's the discomfort of the incisions and the port site but it isn't intolerable, for me. Every person is different, on how they heal, how they handle pain, lose weight, etc. I was SUPER worried because stories I heard about surgical gas pain, epic heartburn, and chest pain post op. Luckily, I'm here to report I've experience non of those things. However I was finally be able to burp post-op and it has been the most AMAZING thing EVER! I never knew a burp could feel sooo good. Yay for flatulence!
I'm starting to feel more like myself again. Yeah a little achy, a little gas, and its hard to bend over,but other than than I'm pretty mobile. Sitting for long periods of time is a tad bit uncomfy but manageable.
I have a new ADDICTION...SMOOTHIE KING! Their protein packed smoothies are a nice respite from soup. FYI I'm a total Ipad APP geek, so if you're a tech hoe like myself get yourself a MyFitnessPal calorie counter. It's great! You can update on your mobile device or on your computer. Check it out: www.myfitnesspal.com. Trust me. I never thought I'd be that girl. Me? Recording calories ? You crazy!
But it seriously, it gives you a visual of where your calories are coming from, and keeps you on track towards your weight loss goal! I look forward to my first post-op doctor's appointment with Dr. K.
In other news, I'm proud to announce I've lost 3.3lbs! Yay! A small victory but a victory none the less.
I used to be terrified to hop on a scale. So much, that prior to my Lap Band consult visit with Dr. K, I hadn't been on a scale in more than 2 yrs.
But now I look forward to my weekly weigh ins! It's funny how things can change with just a bit of perspective. So with a change in perspective, and a step in the right direction I leave you with Aqualung's Something to Believe In
Until next time...
If thats the case, I'm going to turn into a bowl of soup or a Smoothie King smoothie any minute now.
So, I'm 5 days post op. Whew! How did that happen? One minute I was biting my fingernails hoping for the best with my surgery and thinking the worst. Now I'm making protein shakes,counting calories like a champ, and getting back to my daily life.
The past 5 days haven't been so bad. Yeah of course there's the discomfort of the incisions and the port site but it isn't intolerable, for me. Every person is different, on how they heal, how they handle pain, lose weight, etc. I was SUPER worried because stories I heard about surgical gas pain, epic heartburn, and chest pain post op. Luckily, I'm here to report I've experience non of those things. However I was finally be able to burp post-op and it has been the most AMAZING thing EVER! I never knew a burp could feel sooo good. Yay for flatulence!
I'm starting to feel more like myself again. Yeah a little achy, a little gas, and its hard to bend over,but other than than I'm pretty mobile. Sitting for long periods of time is a tad bit uncomfy but manageable.
I have a new ADDICTION...SMOOTHIE KING! Their protein packed smoothies are a nice respite from soup. FYI I'm a total Ipad APP geek, so if you're a tech hoe like myself get yourself a MyFitnessPal calorie counter. It's great! You can update on your mobile device or on your computer. Check it out: www.myfitnesspal.com. Trust me. I never thought I'd be that girl. Me? Recording calories ? You crazy!
But it seriously, it gives you a visual of where your calories are coming from, and keeps you on track towards your weight loss goal! I look forward to my first post-op doctor's appointment with Dr. K.
In other news, I'm proud to announce I've lost 3.3lbs! Yay! A small victory but a victory none the less.
I used to be terrified to hop on a scale. So much, that prior to my Lap Band consult visit with Dr. K, I hadn't been on a scale in more than 2 yrs.
But now I look forward to my weekly weigh ins! It's funny how things can change with just a bit of perspective. So with a change in perspective, and a step in the right direction I leave you with Aqualung's Something to Believe In
Until next time...
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Banded for Life
So I'm one day post op. I'm here at the hospital. You've gotta love Korea for being one of the most "plugged in" countries in the world. Yay for Wifi in my room. They don't have ice chips but they have Wifi! Good to know they've got me post-op priorities in mind.
Yesterday afternoon I was given jazzy hospital issue two pieces capri set complete with surgery tights.* Don't worry I took a picture. My abdomen was shaved and I was ready for the big show.I was escorted down to the surgery suite which looked like a knock off of Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. I was asked to lie down on a table that looked like some kind of torture table. My arms were strapped to the table while my legs we fitted with weird massaging/warming devices. This is when I started to freak out a little. The anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask on my face, told me to take deep breaths, "WAIT" I said. For what I don't know, but before I knew it I, felt my eyes roll to the back of my head and thought "Oh F*&K, here we go!" I was out for what seemed 10 minutes. I groggily woke up to a number of Koreans saying "Tippani, Tippani, loll on the bed-uh. Loll ober". After what seemed like 5 minutes later, but what was probably more like an hour I opened my eyes to see familiar faces of my friends and two of my co-workers. Just like that it was all over.
All in all I'd have to say the process wasn't too bad. The first few hrs post-op were pretty uncomfortable. I had super cotton mouth and my stomach felt like I did 600 crunches at the gym and was subsequently roundhouse kicked in my navel. The pain meds were pretty spectacular so I got a good night's rest. After a few dixie cups of ice chips ( from Family Mart),a half cup of creamy chicken soup, and a pain killer, I've been able to walk up and down the hall and even make my way to the bathroom without help.
I'm looking forward to going home and sleeping in my own bed. But I think I will be taking these jazzy hospital Pjs with me. *They have pockets!
So my band ( she will be named shortly) and I are about to pack up my over night bag and head home. Sending lots of love to my fellow September 29th Bandsters. I hope all went well.
I look forward to the coming weeks and my journey as a banded babe.
Until next time...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Over the Shame Game
What the's deal with the hush, hush, on WLS ( Weight Loss Surgery)! It's not like you're on METH or dressing up like a furry stuffed animal and engaging in sexual actiivites. (Which is fine by me whatever floats your boat)
I mean being FAT in today's society is already a stigma. Now we have shows like The Biggest Loser that captivate America.So what's wrong with giving your metabolism a kickstart?
At first I felt a little uneasy sharing with friends and fam what I was about to undergo. Worried about how they'd react, and what they'd say. But honestly after the knot in my throat and nail biting ceased. I shared my impeding journey with friends and loved ones and they were more than supportive.
So if you're thinking about this surgery and going thorough it ALONE. My advice is DONT. Having filled seats in your cheering section could mean all the difference in your weight loss journey.
It's easy for a person who has never been OVERWEIGHT to pass JUDGEMENT. They've never had to battle, buying fajas (girdle), getting a seat belt extender on the plane, cutting tags out of your clothes so no one knows what size you wear, Had to pay "Fat Tax" for clothing because " it takes more material" for Plus sized clothing, or had people stare at you when you're eating with that " Are you sure YOU should be eating that?" look on their faces. They don't know how it feels and yet want to give a million and five ways to lose weight.
On that note I'd like to take a moment to share a letter :
Dear Naturally Skinny People of the World,
I, Muffin Top Moxy being a woman of extra proportionate size says " I hope you F*&%ING choke on my muffin top!" I don't need or want your weight loss tips. If you've never stepped foot inside a gym, had terrible eating habits and know nothing of what it's like to be FAT. Keep your opinions to yourself. You slender stature doesn't give you the right to judge my size or look at me with that " Oh you could be skinny if you wanted to be"look.
Just because you watched a few episodes of the Biggest Loser and Losing it with Jillian does not make you a personal trainer nor does it qualify you to give me sound weight loss advice. So go some where and have a Coke Zero.
Love,
Moxy
Some believe having WLS is taking the 'easy way out' or that it's the 'magic answer' ... they couldn't be any more WRONG! Without dedication, proper planning and having the right tools & knowledge, the process of losing weight for a WLS post-op'er can be quite difficult.
It takes just as much determination if not more to undergo weight loss surgery. It's just like in other weight loss protocol. If you don't stick to it, if you don't work with it. It wont work for you.
So enough with the Shame Game.
Remember You are doing this for YOU!
I mean being FAT in today's society is already a stigma. Now we have shows like The Biggest Loser that captivate America.So what's wrong with giving your metabolism a kickstart?
At first I felt a little uneasy sharing with friends and fam what I was about to undergo. Worried about how they'd react, and what they'd say. But honestly after the knot in my throat and nail biting ceased. I shared my impeding journey with friends and loved ones and they were more than supportive.
So if you're thinking about this surgery and going thorough it ALONE. My advice is DONT. Having filled seats in your cheering section could mean all the difference in your weight loss journey.
It's easy for a person who has never been OVERWEIGHT to pass JUDGEMENT. They've never had to battle, buying fajas (girdle), getting a seat belt extender on the plane, cutting tags out of your clothes so no one knows what size you wear, Had to pay "Fat Tax" for clothing because " it takes more material" for Plus sized clothing, or had people stare at you when you're eating with that " Are you sure YOU should be eating that?" look on their faces. They don't know how it feels and yet want to give a million and five ways to lose weight.
On that note I'd like to take a moment to share a letter :
Dear Naturally Skinny People of the World,
I, Muffin Top Moxy being a woman of extra proportionate size says " I hope you F*&%ING choke on my muffin top!" I don't need or want your weight loss tips. If you've never stepped foot inside a gym, had terrible eating habits and know nothing of what it's like to be FAT. Keep your opinions to yourself. You slender stature doesn't give you the right to judge my size or look at me with that " Oh you could be skinny if you wanted to be"look.
Just because you watched a few episodes of the Biggest Loser and Losing it with Jillian does not make you a personal trainer nor does it qualify you to give me sound weight loss advice. So go some where and have a Coke Zero.
Love,
Moxy
Some believe having WLS is taking the 'easy way out' or that it's the 'magic answer' ... they couldn't be any more WRONG! Without dedication, proper planning and having the right tools & knowledge, the process of losing weight for a WLS post-op'er can be quite difficult.
It takes just as much determination if not more to undergo weight loss surgery. It's just like in other weight loss protocol. If you don't stick to it, if you don't work with it. It wont work for you.
So enough with the Shame Game.
Remember You are doing this for YOU!
Until next time...
Fat Girl Walking
Here it is. Alert the media, someone sound the the icecream truck loud speakers, and roll out the bacon strip carpet! ( I make a lot of bacon references don't I?) It's the day before I get banded!
Fat girl walking, people.
So I woke up this morning with mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness.
I can't believe the BIG day is almost here. My cupboards are stocked with protein powder for shakes, and soup broth. My fridge is empty save, apple juice, a couple bottles of water, skim milk and ice chips! Woop, woop! Sounds delicious right?
All that's left to do is pack my overnight bag,upload a movie or two to my ipad,buy a blender and take those hideous yet necessary BEFORE pics. I havent decided what outfit will display my muffin top in all its moxy goodness.
Hmmm? Horizontal Stripes, spandex, a one piece swim suit, a thong? Or should I just go Biggest Loser style and take one in gym shorts and a sports bra? *Shuddering at the thought*. So many choices.
I heard someone say the Lap Band is a rollercoaster of emotions. I'd have to agree. However let me preface that by saying I'm a WHOLE moonpie. Seemingly hard on the outside but nothing but goo on the inside. So I tend to tear up fairly easily.
I think just like grief there are many stages to the Pre-Op LapBand process. No, Im not talking about bloodwork and BMIs, pre-op diets, or the insurance three ring circus. I'm talking about the emotional obstacle course you stumble through. It starts with Excited Uncertainty Monkey Bars: I started by feverishly swinging... researching, joining forums,watching YouTube videos being excited then terrified, next I made my way to the See-Saw of Doubt: Is this for me? Will the band work for me? Am I strong enough to follow through this process? Can I really do this? Trudging forward I
Stubbed my toe on the Swing of Shame: * Why didnt dieting work for me? Do I accept the stigma assigned to WLS? Do I tell people? Do I not? Will they judge or support me? Now you may dart in between the See-Saw of Doubt and the Swing of Shame, it's only normal, but once you realize that you are doing this for YOU and no one else. It doesn't matter. You are taking your life into your hands and deciding to make a change for the better, for YOU! (So if you're out there stranded on the See-Saw of Doubt, or the Swing of Shame. I'm here to tell you you, I've been there and you have made the decision to change your life. See it through!) and Finally I made my way to the Slide of Acceptance: There's an overwhelming feeling of positivity at this point. As I reached the end of the slide,my feet touched the ground, I stood up proudly, muffin top and all, feet planted firmly on the Platform of Yes and said "Yup, this is me. I'm doing this!"
The skinny girl inside me did a cart wheel and even my Muffin Top jumped for joy.
A song for your ride down the Slide of Acceptance:
Fat girl walking, people.
So I woke up this morning with mixed feelings of excitement and nervousness.
I can't believe the BIG day is almost here. My cupboards are stocked with protein powder for shakes, and soup broth. My fridge is empty save, apple juice, a couple bottles of water, skim milk and ice chips! Woop, woop! Sounds delicious right?
All that's left to do is pack my overnight bag,upload a movie or two to my ipad,buy a blender and take those hideous yet necessary BEFORE pics. I havent decided what outfit will display my muffin top in all its moxy goodness.
Hmmm? Horizontal Stripes, spandex, a one piece swim suit, a thong? Or should I just go Biggest Loser style and take one in gym shorts and a sports bra? *Shuddering at the thought*. So many choices.
I heard someone say the Lap Band is a rollercoaster of emotions. I'd have to agree. However let me preface that by saying I'm a WHOLE moonpie. Seemingly hard on the outside but nothing but goo on the inside. So I tend to tear up fairly easily.
I think just like grief there are many stages to the Pre-Op LapBand process. No, Im not talking about bloodwork and BMIs, pre-op diets, or the insurance three ring circus. I'm talking about the emotional obstacle course you stumble through. It starts with Excited Uncertainty Monkey Bars: I started by feverishly swinging... researching, joining forums,watching YouTube videos being excited then terrified, next I made my way to the See-Saw of Doubt: Is this for me? Will the band work for me? Am I strong enough to follow through this process? Can I really do this? Trudging forward I
Stubbed my toe on the Swing of Shame: * Why didnt dieting work for me? Do I accept the stigma assigned to WLS? Do I tell people? Do I not? Will they judge or support me? Now you may dart in between the See-Saw of Doubt and the Swing of Shame, it's only normal, but once you realize that you are doing this for YOU and no one else. It doesn't matter. You are taking your life into your hands and deciding to make a change for the better, for YOU! (So if you're out there stranded on the See-Saw of Doubt, or the Swing of Shame. I'm here to tell you you, I've been there and you have made the decision to change your life. See it through!) and Finally I made my way to the Slide of Acceptance: There's an overwhelming feeling of positivity at this point. As I reached the end of the slide,my feet touched the ground, I stood up proudly, muffin top and all, feet planted firmly on the Platform of Yes and said "Yup, this is me. I'm doing this!"
The skinny girl inside me did a cart wheel and even my Muffin Top jumped for joy.
A song for your ride down the Slide of Acceptance:
Until next time...
Thursday, September 22, 2011
The Waiting Line
Today I looked at the calender and I'm only 6 days away. I'm not as anxious as I was a few days ago.
I recently joined a Lap band Forum and met fellow Bandsters @ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/.
There you can create a profile, talk to others about band related issues, locate a surgeon, and find BandBuddies ( Yay! for my Septemeber 29th Banders: Chula2B, DivaD50, RhiannonM ,and KristininCo) So I happened to pop into a Lap Band chat room and I came across AlienBandit, a fellow waygook and bandster in Korea. It was actually through her blog that I found my surgeon. We chatted for a bit and she reassured me that all the questions I had and anxiety I was feeling was normal. We talked about some of my concerns post-op annd what was to be expected. It's one thing to hear from you Dr." Blah, blah, blah, you're fat, blah, blah, surgery, blah, blah mild discomrfort! blah blah blah sign here."
It's a whole nother thing to hear it from someone going through the same process as you. Someone who's been exactly where you are at this moment. Especially being banded in Korea,we laughed at the fact that Koreans are quick to call you "FAT!" but the minute you stop mowing down food,they're all up in arms. " You sick? You need to see a Dr. for your healt-suh" Oh Korea!
In the mean time, in between time my muffin top is demanding all kinds of ridiculous snacks. When I tell her NO! She talks back and puffs out proud a s peacock and thats no bueno for anyone.
As far as a pre-op diet,I wasn't prescribed one. I've cut back on my carb intake and increased my protein consumption, even though I wans't instructed to by Dr. K. Better safe than sorry.
Speaking of food, I've never been a calorie counter or one of those psycho daily weighers. Now I have become more concious of what I put in my body. I'm embracing the whole "my body is a temple " mantra. I've heard the saying " Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" . However,there are a few things this girl can't live without. I mean, I'm not going to mow down a pound of bacon fried bacon or anything, but I like a steak every now and then and I cant live without Cheez its ( They are my crack). Only if its just a small handful.
A balanced and nutirtious diet is key. I look forward to finding creative healthy substituations for high calorie foods that I love. The Lap Band is not a magic wand, *Poof you're thin!* It takes commitment and motivation. I'm not quitter so I look forward to the challenge.
A balanced and nutirtious diet is key. I look forward to finding creative healthy substituations for high calorie foods that I love. The Lap Band is not a magic wand, *Poof you're thin!* It takes commitment and motivation. I'm not quitter so I look forward to the challenge.
I've decided not only is this going to be a blog related to my muffin top. and my lapband journey but M.T. and I have also decided to share some daily tunes with you along this journey.
Since the theme of today is waiting, here's Waiting Line by Zero 7:
Until next time...
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