For the most part things are good but my immune system is not the greatest lately and unfortunately, I’ve been battling a nasty cold and an inner ear infection for about 10 days.  I ended up in the ER one night last week and explained to the ER doc that I had weight loss surgery but he kept referring to a bypass.  He was not familiar with the Sleeve at all.  My primary complaint was related to an ear infection but I was feeling dehydrated as well. Unfortunately the ER doc was reluctant to give me fluids.  I asked my DH to talk to him and finally the doc consented to give me an IV.  He gave me a prescription for some 'horse pills' for the infection but they made me vomit so the next morning I called Dr. Aldridge's office.  Dr. Aldridge prescribed a different antibiotic and I was able to take those, no problem. That was several days ago and I am better but still a bit ill.  Hopefully I will be all better soon. Even though I am not feeling my best because of the cold and infection, my spirits are high and I am happy about my continued weight loss.

Still I am able to eat only small amounts of food such as ½ an egg or 1/3 cup of veggies at a time.   I cannot get the required amount of water either but I do try.  Weight loss seems steady for the most part.  I haven’t had any stalls or plateaus yet and, gratefully, I haven't lost any hair either.

On Wednesday I have an appointment with Dr. Langsdorf so I'll pop-in at Dr. Aldridge's office for an official weigh-in but I am pretty sure I have lost about 60 lbs. altogether.  That's a little more that half the weight I wanted to lose.

So far I've dropped two clothes sizes.  Often I feel that my 'old' clothes are too big and the new ones are too small.  I know that it's just that I'm not used to the change in my body yet.

Yesterday I had an appointment with Dr. Aldridge, during which we talked about my eating problem. I can only eat tiny amounts of anything so I have to eat about 6 to 8 times a day, it's such a chore. We also talked about nutrition.  He said that we should address the ‘amount of food’ issue at my February appointment after my stomach has healed a bit more, in case I have a small stricture or other medical issue. I am not so worried about the lack of food, but I am worried that I’m not getting enough nutrition. Again it was a pleasant meeting with Dr. Aldridge, he’s a really likeable guy. 

I was down another 5.4 lbs which really brightened my spirits as well. 

I also had an appointment with Dr. Langsdorf, the Psychologist.  I’m not going into any ‘issues’ here, that’s between us but I can say that I made a good choice in continuing the sessions with him, he is the right doc for me.  I am confident that with his counseling I will be successful. 

Both the counseling and the decision to have the Sleeve have been the best, most fulfilling life choices I’ve made in years. 

The VSG may be the best thing I've ever done for myself!

Eating is still a chore, that’s my only complaint.

I’m losing regularly and my next weigh-in is the Wednesday the 19^th.  I won’t be disappointed if the scale doesn’t show a loss, my clothes tell the truth.  I started working with weights again so I may have gained a few lbs.

It’s been a bit chilly lately so outdoor activities have been curbed but working out at the gym has filled the void.  I really do enjoy it but I still prefer outdoor activities.  I do a stretch routine, work out with weights, and then walk on the treadmill for 30+ minutes.

I still can’t eat the required amount of food and I think my potassium is low so I’ll talk to Dr. Aldridge about it on Wednesday. Other than that, I still feel great!

I started the “Stage 3” eating plan in my handbook nearly a week ago and my food desires are very much as they were before WLS, and yet modified.  What I mean is that I want to eat at the times when I wanted to eat before surgery but I am acutely aware that a very small portion will do.

I never had an appetite for breakfast before surgery and still don’t.  I have tried to eat an egg for breakfast everyday but I usually eat about 4 bites and can’t stomach any more. One day last week I had 4 bites of egg AND a half a glass of milk, WOW, was I stuffed!

For the mid-morning & noontime meals I tried to have a protein shake, soy milk or a yogurt but I have only been able to finish one once. It’s still too much.

The evening meal is where I do my best.  We like to have fish a lot and some days I can eat the required 1.5 oz of fish and 1 oz of veggie.

Later in the evening I get hungry just as I did before surgery but now I am fully satisfied with a cup of broth or a very small amount of soup.  I think this is the point where it matters most.  Generally in the past I ate very large meals in the evenings then ate leftovers later or a snack in the middle of the night.

I’ve been up a couple of times at night with seemingly insatiable hunger (a problem I’ve had for most of my life) but I have been able to chose what I am going to eat carefully and I am satisfied with very little. Fortunately it has only happened a couple of times.

My handbook says that I should be eating a little more but I don’t think I’ll force myself to eat anymore, I’ll just wait and see.  In another 10 days or so I move to “Stage 4” which requires even more food, I’m not looking forward to that.

My Doc did say that it is common for people to lose their appetite for a couple of months after surgery and then it comes back.  I don’t know if he specifically meant WLS or not.

Onwards and, um, downwards!