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Well, what can I say. After I lost my frist 20lbs my knees stopped hurting, trust me they still sound like poo but they don't hurt anymore. This alone has made working out a lot easier! I have been on that treadclimber 4 days a week for one solid week and I am starting my second week into it now. It has indeed become easier to be on it 30+ min. since my knees don't hurt, but I know I have a long way to go. 

I am getting what I need, protein wise. But, I am not getting very many calories, and I worry that it could potentially hold me back. I am eating about 60-65grams of protein a day, but that usually only amount to 425-625 calories, depending on where I am getting my protein. I went to one of our support groups, through the Bariatric Center that I had my surgery, and the Doctor who was giving the talk said, "usually after 2-4 months we want you off of the protein shakes, bars, and whatever else. We want you to be eating those 'real' proteins and not the synthetic kinds you find in shakes, bars, and everything else. Your body will digest and absorb the 'real' proteins from food better than the synthetic kinds." Well, good news is, I haven't had a protein drink in a while. 

This morning the scale said I was 215...I haven't been that low in over 8+ years...now for my body to realize that it can start shrinking now...Lol! 

Till next time, everyone keep your heads up, your chins held high, keep those beautiful smiles on your amazing faces, & remember...you are worth it in every way! God Bless!

-Jen-

Well, I am back! Good thing too...I don't have internet at home, so sometimes keeping up with this can be a challenge. But, now that I am back to work I should be able to keep up now. Which is completely exciting!

Alright, so surgery...everything went beautifully...or so I am told. No one came to talke to my family after surgery was done, which miffed my father and husband. Infact, they didn't even know surgery was done till they saw me wave at them as I was being wheeled down the hallway to my room. Oh well, that is the only complaint I have about it all. 

For the first several days after surgery I was having a hard time drinking any liquid. Each time I drank something, no matter what it was, it gave me chest pain. It didn't matter what temp or what amount as well. It felt like someone had stuck a weight on my chest and it hurt like crazy. But, after about 4 days it started to, finally, get better. 

I started a puree diet two days ago...an let me tell you, my tummy couldn't be more happy about it. It has been rumbling and grumbling when I put something on it, but after I am finished with my 3Tbsp meal it seems to be happy and content. Which is an amazing feeling all by itself. Now, the protein "shakes"...well whey protein causes my cystic acne, but for right now I am just bearing it since it is bariatric specific. Soon, I will be switching to a pure pea protein. I tried it this morning, but...ewwww...I must not have shaken it up enough because it was quite grose and nasty. 

How does a person drink the required liquids? I am having issues drinking enough. An then, when does a person start to go #2? I haven't had one in 10days...but I am releasing gas though.

Anyway, this is just a quick update. I have a mound of work to get through. I hope everyone will have a fantastic Saturday & God Bless to everyone!

-Jen-

Day 4 & 5 of Liquie Pre-Op Diet

Well, Day 4 was interesting. Here's what makes it funny...I have been doing this liquid diet all wrong.  While I have been drinking nothing but broth, water, G2 Gatorade, SF Jello, SF popsicles...appaently I can also have my protein powder with my almond milk. OMG...what the heck...here I have been "starving" myself because I thought all I could have was the other stuff. Wow, I feel sooooo foolish and dumb! My husband got a good laugh at it and my supervisor had a momentary chuckle with it (she had the Sleeve years ago, and is helping me get through this). So, after having a protein "shake" last night for dinner...I felt loads of energy return! In fact, it got bad enough that was talking non-stop, I realized it, and then told my husband, "you can tell me to shut-up if you want too. I wouldn't hold it against you." He just replied, "honey, this is the most energy you have had in a week. I am enjoying this lively side right now." So, I felt wonderful!

Day 5...today! Woke up, had a G2 gatorade with my meds, after finishing waited 30 min...actually ended up waiting an hour...but then I had my protein "shake". Rather quickly after drinking that I started to feel amazing...like I could take on the word. Or in this case, all of the drama and "crap" that comes with working where I do. But, I knew I can do it, and I was ready. 

I have refused to weigh myself right now. I know what I weighed when I started this liquid diet, but on the morning of my surgery...which is a day in a half away...I will then weigh myself again. Part of me really wants to do it right now, but another half doesn't want to see disappointment if I haven't lost a single pound. 

So, here's to a wonderful day 5 of this silly Liquid Diet...have a wonderful day everyone and God Bless!

-Jen

Day 2 & 3 of Liquid Pre-Op Diet

Thus far as I sit here at work in this cold hallway watching over peoples visitation, because I work in a jail, this liquid diet thing seems to be getting easier and easier. SF Jell-o, SF Popsicles, Beef or Veggie Broth, water, my pepermint herbal tea, and G2 Gatorade have become my best friends. I have heard that, for some, that this liquid diet has you going to the bathroom more...well that part of my life hasn't changed. 

Day 2, was hard! I found myself stopping in the middle of whatever I was doing to watch a comercial on the T.V. that featured food. My husband broke out into sheer laughter when a Red Lobster comercial came on. He said "I wish you could have seen your face. It is the look when a 12 year old boy finds a dirty magazine for the first time. (as he continues to laugh) It was priceless!" I turned to him and gave him a glare and said, "Ghee honey, thanks." 

Does anyone else find that they not only miss food, but the flavor, the full feeling? I feel hungry all of the time! Sure I am dealing with it, and drink fluids all of the time, and occasionally eat jello or popsicles. But, none of that helps with the aches, grumbliness, and empty feeling of my stomach. I just want to cry! I have a few co-workers here that have also gone through this surgery before. They all look amazing! All have told me that this feeling of depression, scared, and just being plain hungry is normal and that they all went through it. Sorry, but sometimes knowing that this is normal doesn't help how I feel.

So far on day 3 I am feeling alright. Still sad, still wanting to cry, still wanting to go to our staff dining and stuff my face with the nastiness of whatever was cooked, which I think is "chicken patty day." They more or less look like elephant knees or scabs, but at this point I wouldn't care. I have even already drank more fluids today at this time than I did the last two days at this time...still don't have to pee yet. Odd, I know...I have been told I have the bladder of a camel. 

Anyway, tonight my husband, my daughter and myself will be going out to eat...since my daughter got all A's on her report card. I will just be drinking water and I will bring my own jello...then I will sit there and watch my family eat burgers, chicken tenders or whatever they decide to order. I may have that drooling look on my face. But, I know I can get through it...I know this because my husband keeps asking if it is alright and says that we can re-schedule it whenever. I keep telling him, "honey, we have made a promise to our daughter, we need to keep it. I appreciate you asking how I feel and looking after me. But this outting itsn't about me. It is about our daughter and the amazing work/job she is doing in school. My particular required diet isn't going to stop me from enjoying the joy she has when we take her out to celebrate her acomplishments."

Well, back to supervising visitations, drinking my water and listening to music...for right now. Good luck everyone with their goals today and God Bless.

-Jen-

By the way...Chicken Broth sucks! Unless you simmer a bunch of veggies in with it, then drain off the fluid and then just drink the fluid...then it isn't as bad. I think I will just stick with Veggie or Beef broth from now on. 

Day1 of Liquid Pre-Op Diet

Well, so far so good...but then again this is just day one of pre-op liquid diet. My stomach is making all sorts of noises and aches like none other. How do I cope with this? I knew this would be my hardest part, being fully capable of eating...but not being allowed to eat. Plain chicken broth is nasty, I smell it and gag. Then I think, "alrighty dumby, you can do this. You are wanting to be healthier for youself and your family...it is just 7 days. Stop being a baby, and just pull this off."

I am beyond happy that I found this website by chance. I was starting to feel low so I googled..."how to cope with a clear liquid diet." I know what you are thinking...yeah yeah, if you cant get help or cant find it just google it, they have all of the answeres. I now find myself giggling and laughing at myself for how dumb and simple minded that sounds...but I was at a low point. 

So, day one is most of the way over...we shall see how we progress! Wish me luck

-Jen-