Hello All!

Just wanted to drop in and give an update.  There's really not much to tell right now except that I'm still pretty much maintaining my weight loss.  I fluctuate between 144, 152 and 154.  I'm currently at 154.  I'm still banking on losing this last 20 lbs and I guess I'm going to have to bite the proverbial bullet and do liquids for a week or the 5 day plan to boost my metabolism again.  It would also help if I exercised.  I don't have a current exercise schedule.  I pretty much do it when I feel like it which is not very often.  I thank God everyday for this surgery and I should stop being lazy and do some daily exercise.  I'm just so worn out after I come home often times at 6:45 pm, help my son's with homework and such, fix lunches and prepare for the next day.  By the time I'm finished it's 10:00 pm and where has all the time gone to exercise?

For a while, I got very low on my iron.  It should be a 14 and it was at a 9.  I started back to taking my iron tablets and vitamins and got back on track.  I can really tell the difference in how I feel and I no longer have the craving to chew ice (which is something people with anemia or a low iron count do...it's a form of PICA.)  Thank Goodness because my teeth were taking a beating!  LOL!  Now, my teeth no longer ache!  Isn't it strange how you know exactly what to do to fix what's wrong with you but just don't have the will power or strength to do it?  It's true, Knowledge is Power!!! 

I've been having a little trouble lately digesting meats (chicken, beef, pork, any meat..) I've also been having troubles with eggs.  They don't agree with my stomach.  I can still eat things that are dry and crunchy without getting sick and I do best with these items.  The downside is that the dry crunchy items are what's probably holding me back from losing this final twenty pounds. Well, this week I've cut waaaaaay back on the crunchy stuff and already seen a difference.  I've droped about two lbs in a matter of three days and hopefully I can continue to steer away from the carb filled crunchy stuff!  I've also increased my water intake and that is helping tremendously.  Now if I could only get a handle on the exercise!  ARRRRGH!

Til' next time folks, Stay Strong, Stay Focused and Stay Blessed and Highly Favored!

Smooches!
Cali

January 14, 2008

Actually, 159 but that's a good deal for me!  LOL!!!  It seems like it took me a long time to get to 159 and I'm loving every minute of it!  I can't wait to lose this last 24 lbs!  I just really can't believe that I've actually made is this far!  If I've said this once, I've said it a thousand times, "I would have WLS all over again in a heartbeat!"  Thank God for blessing me with this surgery.  I believe that it really saved my life and made it a better one!  Thank you God!

I thought I would post about this.  I had my first alcoholic drink since WLS.  Actually I had two utltimate martinis and they were delicious!  I was tipsy real fast but I was ok.  I was so scared to take a drink!  I know you're supposed to wait 6 months before introducing alcohol back into your diet, but I couldn't wait.  After a couple of hours I was sober enough to drive home.  I wasn't even tipsy anymore!  It felt good to be able to have a cocktail and not be knocked off my feet!  I did go home early from the party and limited my drink to only 2.  I'm a lightweight anyway when it comes to drinking.  I just hope that this does not become habit because I really enjoyed those cocktails!  I've read where WLS patients start to pick up habits/addictions in place of the food they used to eat such as shopping, alcohol or smoking cigarettes.  That's another thing, I've never been a smoker but I eye the cigarettes with every trip to Walgreens.  I am not giving into that temptation though!  I'm staying away from the cigarettes!

September 8, 2007

Hey everyone!  I just had to post today that my stall has FINALLY been broken!  As of this morning, the scale finally moved down four pounds!  That may not seem like a lot, but at least it's something!  I'm now down 35 pounds since having surgery on 7/26/07 and I'm feeling good!  I can wear clothes that I haven't been able to put on in years and I've just been hanging onto them hoping I would be able to fit soon!  That day has come and I am really excited again about this weight loss jouney!!!





August 17 2007

Hey All!  I am three weeks post-op now.  I have lost a total of 26lbs.  I was originally 217lbs & As of today I am now 191lbs. I'm still trying to heal from the surgery.  I run out of steam fast and My stomach muscles are still sore, especially on the left side.  I'm able to now get in pretty much all of my meds and I'm working on the protein and water.  Although, I'm getting pretty good on the water as long as I'm using crystal light.  For some reason, plain water gives me a stomach ache.  I'll just be happy when the pain goes away and I can get back to being myself again.  Well, I take that back....I will never be my old self again, I'll be new and improved!  I will also be glad when I can finally hve the energy to exercise without being in pain.  I'm feeling good about the decision I've made to have wls. I can't wait for the days ahead!





August 6, 2007

Just an update...  I'm finally 11 days post-op.  I am starting to feel a bit better.  Still a little queasy and sore though.  I'm having a little trouble getting in all of the meds, water and protein.  Some days, I just can't do it and I don't even want to try.  Maybe it's cause I don't have much energy.  Well maybe if I did what I was supposed to do, I would have energy.  I'm making my way there, but it's  a long hard road.  I'll get there though.  I have discovered that I really like Isopure.  The bottled Isopure.  Apple Melon is my favorite.  BTW, that protein pudding....GROSS!  I think I wasted my money on that.  Good news is that I've made it from 210lbs to 195lbs as of this morning!!!!  Yeay Me!

          



July 21, 2007

Hey!  Just wanted to post about my liquid diet.  The first week was straight up hell.  I did liquids all day while at work and then when I would get home, I just had to eat at least one thing.  Usually protein, some type of meat every time.  This second week, it's going pretty good.  I've been alternating from Atkins Shakes, Crystal Light, Iced Tea, Chicken and Beef Broth, and other pureed soups.  Also, sugar free popscicles, sugar free jello and gum.  It's hard, but I gotta do it.  I'm ready for this surgery and ready to feel better.






July 19 2007

Hey Ya'll!  Today I'm in a better place mentally.   After going to my pre-ops, I got nervous and anxious.    I actually got a headache.  I think my blood pressure went up.   But, fortunately I have positive people in my life who calmed me down and assured me that everything was going to be alright.  I really felt that everything was going to be ok, I think I just needed reassuring.
It worked.  Today, I'm feeling good about my decision and I'm actually excited again to start my new life...... all over again.





July 16 2007

Pre-op Testing

 Today I went in for my Pre-ops.  It was very interesting to say the least.  The hospital is the smallest hospital I think I've ever seen and it was like an icebox in there.  It didn't really take all that long to get all the tests completed.  The only thing that slowed me down was the Anesthesiologist (sp?)  He took a long time to come down and talk to me and they had to call him twice to find out if he was still coming or not.  Well, maybe he was busy with a patient.  Perhaps I shouldn't be so impatient.  I was very pleased to find out that I had pretty much met my out of pocket expenses.  It was waaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I expected to have to pay.  That was a blessing!!!!  There have been a lot things that have happened on this journey that have assured me that this is the right thing to do.  God is on my side and he has made this a smooth journey for me.  Put your faith in God and you can never go wrong!