Back to a Routine...well, maybe...and some EXCITING news!

I am finally back to a somewhat normal routine... for the next week or so... Then it will all change once again!

We've had a busy last couple of weeks...softball, going away parties, doctor appointments, geocaching trips, and my Mum and Ed came to visit for a week. During the week they were here, we all stayed at the lake. We spent the time jet skiing, swimming, and just hanging out. It was a fun time. So this somewhat normal routine will last a few days...we're headed to Iowa one last time before Jeff deploys, then Jacob starts school next week, I have commitments for my new job at K State and then the following week Jeff deploys and I start school and my new job! Whew...I guess that's not really back to a "normal" routine! Once school starts and Jeff deploys, then maybe things will settle down a little! (I doubt it!)

And now for the EXCITING news! I went shopping for some new clothes when Mum was here. I didn't want to buy much...just a few things to get me by. I need to dress a little more professionally with my new job, so after trying on practically all of my clothes (and discovering I had a huge amount of clothes that were too big!) I decided I needed a couple of shirts. Well, I found 2 shirts in Sears that fit the bill. And they fit me, too! :) I found the shirts in the normal sized clothes department! Not in the dreaded Women's Department, but in the regular sized clothing! YES! You heard me, I DID NOT have to cross that isle to the dreaded plus sized clothing!!! YIPPEE!

Here's even MORE exciting news...I went to the doctor for some med refills; I only had about a weeks worth of blood pressure medication left...and my blood pressure was 110/68. I no longer have to take blood pressure medication! :) Yippee!

My First Fill at 6 Weeks

This morning I went in to see Dr. Hachem and I got my first fill! This means I had 2.5 cc's of saline injected into the port of the lap band. This tightens the band around my stomach, making the food slower to leave my stomach, which in turn will leave me feeling full longer.

Having the fill was the weirdest sensation...and it's not for the faint of heart! The needle that he used to inject the saline was about 5 inches long! Once it was in the port, he filled and deflated the band several times to make sure it didn't leak. I could feel a little tightness, then bubbles in my stomach when he did it! It was similar to feeling a baby kick. Anyways...while the needle was still sticking out of my abdomen, I had to sit up and drink some water. Once I felt the water "climbing up my throat," (and yeah, it really feels like that!) then Dr. Hachem let out some of the saline. I could feel the water move slowly down, like it was draining out. Again, it was so strange being able to feel this happen. None of it really hurt...just some pressure. The most uncomfortable part was having to lie down with a pillow under my back and my arms over my head.

I have to return in 6 weeks if all goes well, or 4 weeks if I haven't lost 3-6 pounds during the next 3 weeks.

Officially, I've lost 35 pounds and my BMI is down 5.3 points. (http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/). My blood pressure was 110/68. So it was a great visit! :)