The Return to Lapband Doctor

Well, yesterday was the day I finally sucked it up...after two years...and went and met Dr. Friedman's replacement.  Clearly, Dr. Friedman cannot be replaced. And clearly this doctor would not be able to even remotely touch my expectations...so I was prepared going in. (Dr. Friedman retired while battling his cancer, and is now back in the game but in TEXAS!?!? Whyyyyy?  I still have hope one day he will return to me and once again we shall frolic in the waves of life together be reunited).

So, first thing is first.  When Jennifer checked me in, I hoped on the "fancy" Tanita scale that gives you a body composition analysis.

And yes.  I saw what I weighed, but I don't think this counts as ME weighing myself.  I would have preferred not to know, but it's okay.

So, I weigh 189.  I was thinking I was maybe in the low 180's.  But that's okay.  I am not focusing on THAT number.  But one of the wonderful things that the Tanita measures is your muscle mass.  Well, since my last visit, I have gained 26 pounds of lean muscle!  26 pounds. I can't tell you how proud this makes me.  It is easy for me to joke about "I've put on weight but it's a lot of muscle", but it's another to know that my hardwork and dedication to actually building mass is paying off.  I am 140 pounds of muscle, 49 pounds of fat. My body fat % is 26.2%, and according to the scale, someone my age should be between 21-33%.  I will take that.

So, just to make simple.  The last time I weighed in at the clinic I was 170.  This time I was 189.  And So 19 pounds difference.  And I added 26 pounds of muscle.  Smack my glutes and call me Sally.

With that said, it would be pleasant if I could lose SOME of that fat so we could see that muscle with a little more ease.  So, as this workweek comes to a close, I must say I have stuck to my healthy eating (and drinking plan).  See evidence below.

Back to my doctors visit.

So when the new doc comes in, he looks at my stats, and says "Wow, you have maintained 72% of your excess weight loss.  Those are the results of a gastric bypass patient.  (Well, at least he started with a little ego stroking before he began to ask me the standard questions:

1.  Him:  "You drink soda?" Me:  "Yes"

2.  Him:  "Cookies?"  Me: "Yes"

3.  Him:  "Chips?"  Me: "Yes" 

Him staring at me

4.  Him:  "Alcohol?"  Me:  "Um.  Yes."  

     Him:  "How much?"

     Me:  "Do we have bracket ranges to pick from?"

     Him:  Not getting my sense of humor.

     Me: "3-5 "

Him:  Looking shocked.  Like not in the "Wow, is that ALL you drink", but in the "WOW, you drink that much" way.  I didn't have the heart to tell him that I mean 3-5 drinks 3-5 days of the week. I let him think that OF COURSE I just meant weekly.  Lord....I don't think we was ready for the truth.

5.  Him:  "What do your workouts look like?"  Me: "I workout 6 days a week, with at least 5 of those lifting, and cardio mixed in."

Him: "Well, that's why you have been so successful.  But think how much MORE successful you could be if you ate healthy and worked out the way you do".

Me: "Yes.  My girlfriend tells me that all the time."

So, after that, we talk about how he doesn't like to do fills without getting an upper GI (barium swallow first).  Which, I am glad to hear that he does barium swallows, because while I have never had one, I wanted one to check in on my little band.  But, I do find it agitating that I have had this appointment scheduled for 3 weeks and they should have had me do the barium swallow this visit because now my upper GI isn't scheduled for 2 more weeks and I don't see him again until JUNE 3RD!  So I have to pay ANOTHER copay and take more time off of work.  Seems silly and seems like a way to get more money.

But whatevs.  

So that was really it.  

No fill.  No check-up of the band.

But I will keep you posted on such things as time passes.

I hope everyone is having a great Friday!  

kisses and hugs butterbeans!