Hello peoples!
Well it's that time again when I head off to places unknown... Germany! Flight is supposed to leave at 2:30pm today but there has been this most amazing dust storm in Sydney overnight and all flights are grounded, so not even sure if I'll be leaving today!!! Nightmare!!!
Appointment with specialist went well. Basically got to have more tests and a Glucose Tolerance Test in particular to see if I am insulin resistant. She also spoke about putting me on Clomid, which is a drug to help me ovulate. More about that when I get back!
Anyhoo, will try and blog from overseas, but that may not happen as I'm not taking my laptop with me. Will try to twitter and post some piccies from twitter, so follow me : LapBandGirl
And congratulations to TRACEY who gave birth to Kitty, a gorgeous healthy baby girl on 17th September... and she did it with a lap band!!!
LBG xx
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
WOW! THANK YOU!!
So many people have posted their support for me on my blog, I'm truely amazed. It gives me comfort knowing that I'm not alone with my PCOS. Thank you to everyone! your support means the world.
off to the specialist today to discuss my options for my fertility and treating my PCOS. I'm looking forward to it.
Will let you know how I go!
Meanwhile, I'm off to Germany tomorrow... YAY! Can't wait!
LBG xx
off to the specialist today to discuss my options for my fertility and treating my PCOS. I'm looking forward to it.
Will let you know how I go!
Meanwhile, I'm off to Germany tomorrow... YAY! Can't wait!
LBG xx
Saturday, September 19, 2009
I have PCOS
PCOS = Polycystic Ovarian Sydrome
Basically this means I have many (poly) cysts in my ovaries. The symptoms include irregular periods, inability to lose weight and wacky hormone levels. I have all three - but apparently I have a mild case, and the fact that I've lost 30kg has gone to help it not being all that severe, which I guess is a good thing. It also explains why I haven't been able to lose weight.
I feel relieved that I finally have a reason as to why I have been stuck on this god aweful plateau for the past year. I mean, all you regular followers would know that I exercise like a mad woman 5 days a week and eat within my restriction with a few (but not all that many) treats here and there... now I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't feel like I'm the one who has failed the band, that it's something that I truely can't control and that it's not my fault! Love it!
So what now? well, since PCOS can cause infertility, I'm going to see a specialist about it on Tuesday as hubby and I are trying to get pregnant. I want to know as much as possible about what I need to do and what needs to be done to give me the best chance at getting pregnant naturally.
So join me on this journey as I start it. I'm scared, but I feel armed and ready to face whatever comes my way.
LBG xx
Stories of hope would be greatly appreciated :)
Basically this means I have many (poly) cysts in my ovaries. The symptoms include irregular periods, inability to lose weight and wacky hormone levels. I have all three - but apparently I have a mild case, and the fact that I've lost 30kg has gone to help it not being all that severe, which I guess is a good thing. It also explains why I haven't been able to lose weight.
I feel relieved that I finally have a reason as to why I have been stuck on this god aweful plateau for the past year. I mean, all you regular followers would know that I exercise like a mad woman 5 days a week and eat within my restriction with a few (but not all that many) treats here and there... now I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't feel like I'm the one who has failed the band, that it's something that I truely can't control and that it's not my fault! Love it!
So what now? well, since PCOS can cause infertility, I'm going to see a specialist about it on Tuesday as hubby and I are trying to get pregnant. I want to know as much as possible about what I need to do and what needs to be done to give me the best chance at getting pregnant naturally.
So join me on this journey as I start it. I'm scared, but I feel armed and ready to face whatever comes my way.
LBG xx
Stories of hope would be greatly appreciated :)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Good Morning Sundays!
Just a quickie today... went to my favourite greek restaurant last night and the food as always was amazing. My band behaved itself.. perhaps a little too much and I was able to eat all of the food we ordered without any trouble.
This weeks goals:
1. Exercise 5 times
2. Drink at least 1 x 1.25 L bottle of water at work each day
3. Protein Shakes for Breakky on work days.
4. Dinners will be protein veg combos and I WILL stop when I'm full.
Hope you're enjoying my tweets too... I'm getting the hang of this twitter thing!
LBG xx
This weeks goals:
1. Exercise 5 times
2. Drink at least 1 x 1.25 L bottle of water at work each day
3. Protein Shakes for Breakky on work days.
4. Dinners will be protein veg combos and I WILL stop when I'm full.
Hope you're enjoying my tweets too... I'm getting the hang of this twitter thing!
LBG xx
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Hormone Troubles
Since coming off the pill in June 09 I haven't had a period. No, not pregnant, but not sure what the hell is going on. Had a blood test a couple of weeks ago and the result is that I have low Oestrogen and Progesteron levels (the two female hormones that fluctuate throughout the month and are required for a health pregnancy). I'm booked in to have an ultrasound next Tuesday to see what's going on with my insides. Basically they're going to look to see if I have any follicles (or eggs in waiting) in my ovaries, and also to see if I am able to develop naturally a lining in my uterus that could potentially support a growing egg should that egg eventually become fertilised. Confused yet?
Now, since I'm a medical type person (I earnt myself a Masters of Medical Science a couple of years ago and am working in Clinical Trials now).. I've been reading up and analysing what a low hormone means to me. Basically I freaked myself out - as I read that there is a chance that this low hormone combo means I might be in early menopause. Then again, if I have eggs in my ovaries (which the ultrasound should pick up if I do) then I can still get pregnant with a little help from the medical community or I could fall preggers naturally. But I still freaked myself out and am now feeling a little down about the whole thing (well worried mostly and not knowing doesn't help!).
The upside (if you can have an upside) is that my low oestrogen levels are actually preventing me from losing weight. Low oestrogen levels have been associated with weight gain (as you know women going through menopause have the problem with weight gain!)... so there could be an explination as to why I've plateaued so severely over the past year...
Like I said, it's early days... and I'm hoping that everything goes ok next tuesday for my ultrasound. I will discuss my results with my doctor on 21st September, so will let you know how it all goes.
Have a lovely Thursday!
LBG xx
Now, since I'm a medical type person (I earnt myself a Masters of Medical Science a couple of years ago and am working in Clinical Trials now).. I've been reading up and analysing what a low hormone means to me. Basically I freaked myself out - as I read that there is a chance that this low hormone combo means I might be in early menopause. Then again, if I have eggs in my ovaries (which the ultrasound should pick up if I do) then I can still get pregnant with a little help from the medical community or I could fall preggers naturally. But I still freaked myself out and am now feeling a little down about the whole thing (well worried mostly and not knowing doesn't help!).
The upside (if you can have an upside) is that my low oestrogen levels are actually preventing me from losing weight. Low oestrogen levels have been associated with weight gain (as you know women going through menopause have the problem with weight gain!)... so there could be an explination as to why I've plateaued so severely over the past year...
Like I said, it's early days... and I'm hoping that everything goes ok next tuesday for my ultrasound. I will discuss my results with my doctor on 21st September, so will let you know how it all goes.
Have a lovely Thursday!
LBG xx
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Surprise! Fill time!
Yesterday I had an appointment with lovely Fill Doctor Tony and he gave me more fill. I was also there to review my barium swallow which was all fine. Apparently I'd had a mild pouch dialation earlier on and it's corrected itself - that's why I was having the horredous heartburn.. this I had no idea about - if I had known I probably would have freaked out.
Anyhoo, he put more fill in. 0.25mL in my pouch. Now I have no idea what my fill level is up to .. around 7.5mL or something? Felt it straight away and it felt good! But not too tight. Had a lovely entree salad for lunch yesterday (client lunch so very shi shi poo poo resteraunt down near the base of the harbour bridge in Sydney). Ate it slowly, chewed well, over 30 mins and it went down fine - yet felt the olives (well chewed of course!) sit in my pouch for a bit - so the band is still doings it's job.
Unfortunately, that un-fill I had 8 weeks ago saw me gain 4kg :(.
Devastated? Yep, absolutely. I did not think I'd put on that much weight. I'd also been continually exercising and didn't have any fatty fried foods at all (no maccas, hot chips etc even though I could have eaten all of that shit) yep, my portion levels were definitely higher (1.5-2 cups per serve) and I was hungry inbetween meals - but I did try to stick to high fibre, good carb, good quality snacks - fruits, eggs etc... I really didn't think I went on an 8 week binge and put on 4kg... the scales say otherwise - so lets suck it up and work out a plan for getting the weight off!
So Tony said that I have to stick to 1200cals per day PLUS the exercise that I am doing. So, essentially, when you take away the exercise calories I burn, I will have 700-800 cals a day. Do people survive on that little energy? I'm freaking out cos I don't think I can do it! I get so hungry when I exercise!
The Great Opti Challenge was a complete flop for me. Well, not a totally complete flop - I had a shake for breakky every morning without fail, but that was it. I still ate lunch and dinner and snacks inbetween. So big fail there. Opti isn't for me though... I'm not disiplined enough.
So where to from here peeps? It's all about portion control and timing of the food eating for me. What I did realise when I saw tony yesterday was that when I eat, I get the full feeling - then wait - the food goes down and I don't feel as full so I eat some more. What I should be doing is eat, feel full and then STOP!!! Don't put as much on my plate and as soon as I get that full feeling, don't wait for the food to slip through to make more room - get up and throw the rest away.
I'm also going to start tweeting (www.twitter.com) my food intake. So if you're on Twitter - follow me! User name is: LapBandGirl. The good thing about twitter is that I can upload the tweets straight from my iPhone so I can update from whereever I am, I don't need to be near a computer. I've added a new box on the left of my blog so you can see my daily intake of food. I want you to kick my butt or give me some good positive feedback/criticism on what I am eating. I will be accountable!!!
I really would love to lose 10kg by Christmas. I have 4 months to do this. 2.5kg a month, around 500g a week is DOABLE.
Oh yeah, my blood results didn't come back in time for my appointment with Tony yesterday, so I'm going back to my local GP on Tuesday to chat. Since coming off the contraceptive pill in June I haven't had a period, so I'm not sure what's going on there. I do strongly believe that my hormones are having alot to do with my inability to lose weight, perhaps my thyroid is on the fritz, or I've got PCOS and have insulin resistance? I'll find out on Tuesday and let you know!!
Hope you're having a fab weekend!
LBG xx
Anyhoo, he put more fill in. 0.25mL in my pouch. Now I have no idea what my fill level is up to .. around 7.5mL or something? Felt it straight away and it felt good! But not too tight. Had a lovely entree salad for lunch yesterday (client lunch so very shi shi poo poo resteraunt down near the base of the harbour bridge in Sydney). Ate it slowly, chewed well, over 30 mins and it went down fine - yet felt the olives (well chewed of course!) sit in my pouch for a bit - so the band is still doings it's job.
Unfortunately, that un-fill I had 8 weeks ago saw me gain 4kg :(.
Devastated? Yep, absolutely. I did not think I'd put on that much weight. I'd also been continually exercising and didn't have any fatty fried foods at all (no maccas, hot chips etc even though I could have eaten all of that shit) yep, my portion levels were definitely higher (1.5-2 cups per serve) and I was hungry inbetween meals - but I did try to stick to high fibre, good carb, good quality snacks - fruits, eggs etc... I really didn't think I went on an 8 week binge and put on 4kg... the scales say otherwise - so lets suck it up and work out a plan for getting the weight off!
So Tony said that I have to stick to 1200cals per day PLUS the exercise that I am doing. So, essentially, when you take away the exercise calories I burn, I will have 700-800 cals a day. Do people survive on that little energy? I'm freaking out cos I don't think I can do it! I get so hungry when I exercise!
The Great Opti Challenge was a complete flop for me. Well, not a totally complete flop - I had a shake for breakky every morning without fail, but that was it. I still ate lunch and dinner and snacks inbetween. So big fail there. Opti isn't for me though... I'm not disiplined enough.
So where to from here peeps? It's all about portion control and timing of the food eating for me. What I did realise when I saw tony yesterday was that when I eat, I get the full feeling - then wait - the food goes down and I don't feel as full so I eat some more. What I should be doing is eat, feel full and then STOP!!! Don't put as much on my plate and as soon as I get that full feeling, don't wait for the food to slip through to make more room - get up and throw the rest away.
I'm also going to start tweeting (www.twitter.com) my food intake. So if you're on Twitter - follow me! User name is: LapBandGirl. The good thing about twitter is that I can upload the tweets straight from my iPhone so I can update from whereever I am, I don't need to be near a computer. I've added a new box on the left of my blog so you can see my daily intake of food. I want you to kick my butt or give me some good positive feedback/criticism on what I am eating. I will be accountable!!!
I really would love to lose 10kg by Christmas. I have 4 months to do this. 2.5kg a month, around 500g a week is DOABLE.
Oh yeah, my blood results didn't come back in time for my appointment with Tony yesterday, so I'm going back to my local GP on Tuesday to chat. Since coming off the contraceptive pill in June I haven't had a period, so I'm not sure what's going on there. I do strongly believe that my hormones are having alot to do with my inability to lose weight, perhaps my thyroid is on the fritz, or I've got PCOS and have insulin resistance? I'll find out on Tuesday and let you know!!
Hope you're having a fab weekend!
LBG xx
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Delish Frittata - Here's the recipe
Ingredients:
1 Zucchini, grated
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup spring onions, chopped (I used around 4 sprigs to get this amount)
1 handful baby spinach
1 tablespoon coriander, chopped
1 tablespoon continental parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon chives, chopped
6 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1 cup low fat tasty cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 160 degrees for fan forced oven.
Lightly spray baking dish with olive oil (optional).
Mix zucchini, mushrooms, onions, spinach, herbs and garlic in a bowl until well combined.
Mix/beat eggs, milk and garlic together. Season with salt/pepper as desired
Add vege mix to baking dish and pour add egg mixture over the top.
Top with cheese.
Bake for 40 minutes in oven or until egg mixture is solid and top is golden brown.
Enjoy!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
The Great Optifast Challenge
... well don't I just suck at it? I've tried so hard to stick to the shakes but I just can't do it! So I'm one shake a day and then protein salad or protein vege mix for lunch and dinner with fruit in between....
Still, I am feeling pretty awesome at the moment and since yesterday have already lost 200g! haha
Other than that, things are chugging along nicely. Wrist is coming good slowly and I'm exercising like a demon (but not as much as Em - 2 hour freak!)
I had a lovely vege frittata for dinner tonight - mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, onion, herbs, egg and some cream with cheese on top. I've got it for lunch tomorrow... Mmmmmmmmm so good and so filling! I only needed a cup and I was full full full. Just drinking some low joule cordial cos I've got some cravings for sugar..
Have a good week peoples!
LBG xx
P.S omg totally cool that I have 62 followers! Do people actually read my blog?!?!
Still, I am feeling pretty awesome at the moment and since yesterday have already lost 200g! haha
Other than that, things are chugging along nicely. Wrist is coming good slowly and I'm exercising like a demon (but not as much as Em - 2 hour freak!)
I had a lovely vege frittata for dinner tonight - mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, onion, herbs, egg and some cream with cheese on top. I've got it for lunch tomorrow... Mmmmmmmmm so good and so filling! I only needed a cup and I was full full full. Just drinking some low joule cordial cos I've got some cravings for sugar..
Have a good week peoples!
LBG xx
P.S omg totally cool that I have 62 followers! Do people actually read my blog?!?!
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