Alberta R.
8/22/02 I have been thinking and researching bariatric surgery for over a year and decided to take the plunge. I am so excited. I have a surgery date of 10/9/02. I can't wait!
8/24/02 I need to start walking in preparation for the surgery. I am still very excited and hope all will go well as I am not fond of needles nor hospitals. Will continue to keep in touch as the time gets nearer.
8/28/02 I heard from my surgeon's office today. My surgery date has to be moved. Seems Dr. Felix will be out of town on the 9th of October. So now I am scheduled for October 16th. I was wanting to have the surgery sooner as opposed to later, but there is nothing I can do but wait. I am bummed!
9/14/02 I have been walking for the past five days! YES! I measured the area near where I live and the street I live on is approximately .5 miles to and from my house. So I have been walking a half mile in the morning and in the evening. I am hoping to get up to two miles in a day prior to surgery. Can't believe surgery is only 4 weeks and 4 days away. I am excited and not too nervous.
I have been checking out vitamins and the folks at Vistavitamins have been so nice. Great customer service. Very pricey vitamins. They do give out samples and I will order a sample and see how it goes. My stomach has trouble with vitamins prior to surgery, so I don't need more trouble after surgery.
I also have been checking into protein drinks. I think I will see if I can find the Isopure and give that a try. Great protein. I believe the Trader Joe's in my area also has the Designer Whey protein. I will also give that one a try as well. I am trying not to invest too heavily in protein prior to surgery. Everyone states your taste buds change after surgery and what you like and can keep down now, you may not be able to after surgery.
9/28/02--Dr. Felix has a support group, which I am already attending pre-op. It was very nice to meet other folks who have gone through the surgery. I was the only pre-op at the meeting. I am hoping to attend next month, however it will be the night before my surgery. I may be in the bathroom all night after taking "The BOMB" to clean out my innerds. We shall see.
I attended my pre-op appointment yesterday. Took about three hours. First we met with Dr. Felix's wife. She weighed me and took my height. I lost 3 lbs. They use a special scale which measures body fat. My body fat is 54.9%. My BMI has dropped a point.
The rest of the pre-op is done in a group setting. I had two other women in with me. One has surgery on Monday morning and the other on Wednesday morning.
Dr. Felix's wife is the expert on exercise. During the meeting with her, they gave us a carry-on bag. The bag had a water bottle (my newest best friend according to the nurse) a tin of protein powder--peaches and cream--I tried it this morning with some blueberries--it was delicious!, packaged protein drinks, liquid protein, protein bars, a pedometer, Nexium, scripts for liquid pain relief, something to take so you don't get gallstones, and another script for Nexium. We also got our pre-op script for the blood work. We have to do that 5-7 days prior to surgery. The bag also contained chewable vitamins and vitamins (capsuals--Dr. Felix's own brand) for 6 weeks after surgery.
The coolest thing was a card, with Dr. Felix's signature. The card is to be kept with our ID. It will inform (if we are ever unconscious and the parametics show up) that we have had the surgery and we need to have an IV started right away (so as not to get dehydrated) and not to put a tube in our stomach. The reverse of the card is a statement for restaurants stating we have had a form of stomach surgery and requesting the restaurant to allow us to order child meals and to be able to share a meal with someone else. They want us to socialize and feel this is a way to do so after surgery. I will be a cheap date!
We then met with Jan the NP. She again talked about pre-surgery and post surgery. She answered all our questions. Seems I will be walking 4 or 5 times on the day of the surgery. WOW!
I then met individually with Dr. Felix. He asked if I had any questions. They inform you so well, I really didn't have any since they had already been answered. I asked when I could go back to work--in a couple of weeks, and when I could drive--not for a week. He asked who I was going to have stay with me after the surgery and I stated I have my folks coming up. There is a 95% chance the surgery will be lap. I am keeping my fingers crossed and have confidence in Dr. Felix's surgical abilities.
I also asked him about my lab work, since I have not been told of the results. Everything looked OK, except I was low on protein (I now have to drink 2 protein shakes a day to get it up before surgery) and he stated my iron was on the low--normal side. I have Thalisthemia--I am sure I am not spelling that correctly, and stated to him my iron is fine and I have this genetic condition. He informed me yesterday when I met with him, my spleen may be enlarged due to this. He wanted to know if I had had it checked. I stated he could do so when he operated. He stated he would. That was about it and I was free to go.
I am so excited! I do wish it was over with and I was home. I am not wild about hospitals and can't wait to be sleeping in my own bed. My first post-op appointment is two hours long. I see a nutritionist for an hour to go over what and how I can eat after surgery (which I won't be able to do for at least a week). Then they take my staples out.
I do have someone who has volunteered to be my angel on obesityhelp.com, however, I think I can use all the angels I can get! I know support is going to be so important for me after surgery to help me do well. All for now. Will update as surgery approaches.
10/5/02 Surgery is rapidly approaching. I am getting nervous and excited. Feels like I am coming down with a cold or flu. Not good! Everyone at work is sick and I am doing everything in my power not to catch it. I do NOT want to postpone my surgery date.
I have been eating more protein and taking the vitamins my surgeon gave me. I seem to feel better the more protein I eat. I am taking it easy this weekend in hopes I won't get sick. Too bad as there are still a lot of things to do prior to surgery.
I have been appreciating all of the support of everyone who posts here and who posts on the several boards I subscribe to. If you need some good support--Yahoo has several groups for WLS. One is a lap RNY, another is a WLS 12 step group and there are several OSSG groups as well.
I have been reading several of the journals on the WLS Web Rings. Can't seem to get enough of them. Many of them have had problems with the surgery, which is not what I want to hear at the moment, but it is good to know they made it through and would do it again in a heart beat.
I have been thinking tonight about how supportive people are on this web site, the Yahoo sites and the Web Rings. We all have something in common. We know what it is like to be obese, be discriminated against because of it, not be able to fit in the "real world" in airplane seats, restaurant booths, etc. It takes a special person to be able to go through life very obese and not give up. We are so supportive of each other and are willing to lend a hand to help the other person up because we have been there and there are precious few people who do this for the obese. We truly know what the other person is going through. "Normal" sized people rarely have a clue. If you are one of those "normal" sized folks who do, bless you! You are a rare and wonderful human being!
I hope I never forget what is it like to be the weight I am. I hope I will never be one of those people who are cold and cruel to others who are overweight, or who are different from the norm--whatever that is. In many ways, being this overweight is a gift. Hopefully it has helped me to be more compassionate towards others. That is the one thing I hope I won't lose after the surgery--weight yes! Compassion--NO!
10/12/02--Well, I have today and tomorrow to eat my "last meals". There really isn't anything I have wanted other than my Grandmother's meatballs and cannoli. YUM!
It has been quite a week for me. I don't know if it because I have been under extreme pressure at work, or not taking my Gingko, or the stress of the upcoming surgery. On Tuesday, I accidentally dropped my keys in the garage, I forgot to pick them up. When I came home from work, I searched and searched everywhere and finally found them--good thing as I had to go potty very badly. Wednesday, I removed my briefcase from the car to put some other items in the back seat. Left the briefcase on the garage floor and didn't remember it until I got to work. Thursday, I had to leave the house before 7 am to be at work early, I got home and realized I had left the lights in the house all day! Friday, I had to rush and get my lab work done. I couldn't find the hospital turn off and was wondering around, totally lost. I had to call the hospital twice to have them give me directions on where to go. Also, I was in such a hurry, I still can't remember if I brushed my teeth or not in the morning. I am losing it!!!!
I am still not 100% well, but my PCP states everything looks OK. I am finally starting to feel better so I hope to improve in the next four days, 'cause I am HAVING this surgery! I hope I can get everything I need to get done, done!
I do have to say, I have received such wonderful support and love from all of my friends and family. I also have met the most wonderful person who will be undergoing this surgery herself in a few days. Thank you Clare for being my angel. My good thoughts and prayers go out to you for a speedy recovery. Don't know where I would be without all of them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
10/14/02--Well, I am still sick. I am also looking for a new primary care physician. I DO know my body after living in it for so long and ANY cold I get ALWAYS turns into a sinus infection, strep, etc. My PCP doesn't believe in antibiotics. I know when I need them. I don't ask for them unless I need them! I maybe take them once every year or two! It is not like I do this on a monthly basis!
I needed them and she wouldn't prescribe them. So, after being sick almost two weeks, my surgery is cancelled. The surgeon is so busy he may not get to me until the first part of December. I am so upset. This was so unnecessary if I had the antibiotics when I first got ill.
ALSO, IF FOLKS WHO ARE SICK WOULD STAY HOME AND TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, THEY WOULDN'T BE SPREADING GERMS TO THE REST OF US! I have had NOTHING but people coughing and sneezing all over me for the past month. And what is it with people sneezing and not having Kleenix or other tissues? AND NOT washing their hands afterwards!!! YUCK! We NEED BASIC Heath Education in this Country!
10/16/02--Well, if I hadn't gotten sick, my surgery would be over with and I would be on the "other side". However, on a brighter note--I HAVE A NEW SURGERY DATE!!! It is November 4th at 2:30 in the afternoon at Clovis Community Hospital! YES! I am so excited. I can work through Friday and then fast over the weekend for my next date. If I can ever get rid of this cold, I can start to exercise again and get ready! I can't wait!!! YIPPEE!!!!!
10/19/02--I was going to use State Disability Insurance (SDI) to help out with my time off. My surgeon was ready to sign the paperwork, etc. I called our Personnel at work to see how many hours a day SDI would pay. I had wanted to take 5-6 weeks off to heal, etc. My job is extremely stressful and I work over 60 hours per week and am on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I found out from our Personnel Dept., I don't pay into State Disability Insurance! They have their own plan and it only kicks in if you are out three months or more. So, my advice, if anyone reads this, check out the information with your Human Resources/Personnel Dept., prior to surgery. You may or may not be eligible for benefits to help with your time off. I had assumed everyone paid into the State fund. I was wrong. So, I will only be taking 4 weeks off. I am thankful for the holidays this next month as that will help me not use my annual leave during those days. If my surgery had not been postponed, I would not have those holiday days to help with my time off. This is one bright note or silver lining to not having surgery this week.
11/3/02 Friday was my last day of eating. I am on clear liquids until a week after the surgery. UGH! I found out, by accident, Dr. Felix's office never called nor told me, that my surgery has been moved back two hours. The only way I found out was the hospital called--by mistake--as Clovis Hospital lost my chart! They were making me go through the pre-op all over again. I asked if I had to do this as this would be the third time I had answered the same questions. Oh, they said, let me see if we can find your chart. Ta Da! About 5 minutes later they found it and I didn't have to answer any more questions. Or so I thought.
When I got home late last night--close to 9 PM, there was another call on my answering machine from Clovis hospital. When I finally got them to pick up the phone--after 20 rings or so--the nurse there said she had to check to make sure my surgery wasn't cancelled for Monday, since the time has been moved back to 4:30 PM. So far so good--not cancelled yet...and she was supposed to give me last minute instructions. She then said, if I was having this surgery, I probably had been waiting for a year and knew everything I was supposed to know and do prior to surgery! Goodbye! YIKES! I am glad I have read up on this and listened to Jan the NP in Dr. Felix's office!
I am concerned about not having any liquids after midnight. When my surgery was at 9:30 in the morning, it wasn't bad, however, I will be at least 16 and a half hours without any liquids. So, why is it some folks can get away with no liquids for eight hours prior to surgery and some of us have to wait 16.5 hours or longer to go without liquids prior to surgery. It is NOT logical! I thought medicine was based on science and logic!
I know I have a tendency to get dehydrated and I know how that feels--AWFUL. I also know it makes needle sticks harder for the nurses. Since I hate needles, I am really looking forward to this! Especially since when I had my pre-op lab work done there, the nurse had a hard time finding a vein to begin with. Then she went, oh, it dried up and started wiggling the needle around in my arm to get more blood! Can you say, "ouch!" Then she dropped everything on the floor and had to start all over again! I hope this is not a preview of things to come at the hospital!
Yesterday, the first day of liquids was hard. I have several more days of this. YIKES again! It is surprising how many times I kept thinking--oh, I have a headache because I haven't eaten anything, let's grab something from the kitchen. Then I would realize I couldn't do that. Gee, the surgar free strawberry Jello is absolutely delicious!!! I am not a fan of Jello! However, yesterday, it was a Godsend!
I know everyone says this is the worst part. Give myself three months after surgery. Things will be easier. Can't wait to get there. It will be spring, a new beginning for everything and I will be starting my new life. So, I hope I am not as headachy today, nor crabby from lack of sleep and worry over work and major repairs being done to my house. I can still smell the new paint on the outside of my house which is not helping my sinuses nor my headache, but I am on the downward part of all of this. We shall see how many times I post again prior to surgery! Lota love NERVES!
11/3/04 Hello, it's me again. I do not know how anyone can stand to fast. UGH! Trader Joe's has a soup section in the store. I have been drinking the chicken, vegetable and mushroom broth they sell. The brand names are Trader Joe's and Imagine. They carry a certified organic vegetable and chicken broth. It comes in those vacuume paper packages with a cap on the top. That way, you can pour out what you need, nuke it, and keep the rest in the fridge. There is also a mushroom broth and then there are some oriental style broths (different brand) as well--miso soup and the like. Personally, I have not liked the oriental broths. Probably the way I cooked them. I am sure if I did something different, they would taste great.
OK, I have to admit, when I tried the chicken, vegetable and mushroom broths before, it was always in combination with other foods. Alone, I have discovered over the past 24 hours, they are not the greatest in the world. I would highly recommend, if you drink the chicken broth, boil a chicken in it first (for an hour--use a Boston Market chicken or one of the roasted ones from the deli in the supermarket--the fire roasted one from Save-Mart is very nice) add a few vegetables and dumplings if you wish. Have whomever is with you, eat the chicken, vegetables and dumplings and you drink the broth! I know from personal experience it tastes a lot better that way! Oh, btw, Trader Joe's pancake mix makes a wonderful chive dumpling.
The vegetable one is tolerable but not great. My recommendation--cook the most wonderful pot of vegetable soup you can imagine. Have your significant other, family, the dog, etc., eat the vegetables and you drink the broth. Bound to taste much better that way. If you prefer, see the directions above for the chicken broth. I KNOW it tastes much better that way.
In regard to the mushroom broth, my recommendation is to have someone cook up some wonderful portabella mushrooms in butter and sherry, add those to the broth. Cook for 1/2 hour. Have the person who is with you eat the mushrooms and you drink the broth. Bound to taste MUCH better that way. Believe me, it wouldn't take much to make it taste better. Or, see the directions for the chicken broth above.
As far as sugar free Jell-O is concerned--the strawberry is out of sight. The lime is on the border of OK. The orange is on the border of bad to OK.
Your significant other, family, the dog, cat, bird, etc., will have wonderful meals while you are on clear liquids. They will thank you immensely for the homey, warm foods of which they are able to partake. However, I would suspect, if you are like me, will not be able to wait for one week post op when you can have a little more variety and something a little more solid in your diet.
11/6/02--I am officially post op! I will post more when I get a chance. Was at the hospital less than 48 hours. Am doing well so far. Thank you all for the wonderful support you have shown me.
11/7/02---here is a recount of my surgery day! I was up early and cleaning the house, etc., since I probably wouldn't be able to do that for a while after surgery. Laundry was done, etc. I was waiting for my folks to come up and had finally settled down and taken my shower, washed my hair, etc. It was VERY difficult NOT to go and get a drink of water. I cleaned up the kitchen first and put away all of my glasses, etc., as I didn't want to be tempted to drink. It was so bad, I even had a dream the night before. I dreamt I was at a banquet with ex-president Clinton. We were laughing and talking and I was drinking water. I got this look of horror on my face and screamed at him, why didn't you stop me from drinking this water! You know I am having surgery today and I can't drink anything. The pres., said it would be OK and to just fake it. I could lie to the MD. I told him I couldn't do that and it wasn't going to be OK. I was very upset stating I had ruined everything! Then I woke up. After that, all of the glasses got put away and I forced myself to stay out of the kitchen. It really was difficult and I had to make a conscious effort. I am a water person and drink 8-10 glasses a day. Not drinking water is very difficult for me.
I double checked with the hospital and they stated I was still on for surgery. OK. Had to be at the hospital at 2:30. My folks were on their way up--it is a five hour drive for them. After I got finished cleaning the house and myself, I got a phone call from the hospital. Surgery had been postponed again. My surgery was now going to be at 5:30 instead of 4:30. There had been complications with one of the patients and so I was an hour delayed. I stated I hoped the other patient was OK and then told my folks. The had just arrived and we went and grabbed some lunch--well they did anyway. After we cleaned up, it was time to go.
We arrived at the hospital and I got through registration. Then on to pre-op. They allowed my parents in pre-op. I got changed into my gown and the nurse showed up. Kept asking me my name and why I was there. I told them I was oriented to person and they laughed. Asked if I was in the medical field. After getting "tagged" they went to look for my EKG. The MD had it with him. The nurse showed me a shot and I told her I would be OK, as long as I didn't look at the needle. Otherwise she would be in trouble. She appreciated me telling her and asked if I knew what the shot was. I stated yes, and it was to go in my stomach. She laughed and stated I was very well informed and it was heparin. Yes, it did go in my stomach but it wouldn't hurt--just possible sting on the way out. It didn't hurt but did sting a little as she removed it. This shot is to keep you from getting blood clots and is very important. She then started my IV. I told her to put the IV in my right hand as my left arm is the one they can draw blood from the easiest. Once you have an IV in your arm, they do not like to draw blood from it. She however, stated since I was right hand dominant, she would rather put it in the left hand--they wouldn't be drawing blood anyway.
I was then wheeled upstairs to the pre-op area in front of the operating rooms. That part was kinda fun and I stated we should try to see if we could crash into a few folks along the way. Once in the pre-op room, I noticed how dusty the smoke detector was (the dust and dirt was caked on there) and commented that wouldn't pass JCAHO standards. The nurse stated I was correct and she was going to report it so it could be cleaned. At that point the same questions were asked again and I responded. I also met the "happy juice" guy, Dr. Fisher. I stated anesthesia makes me very sick to my stomach and I had a small throat with a great gag reflex. I then got to kiss my parents good-bye and was wheeled into the operating room. HERE WE GO!!!!!
That room was sooooo cool! Monitors (Sony) were everywhere. There was a Felix the Cat clock (my MD is Dr. Felix) up on the wall. They scootched me over to the operating table and started to strap me on. I commented to Dr. Fisher he had started to put some happy juice in my IV. He stated he had. He was upset they did not put my weight down in grams rather than pounds and kept mumbling about it. There was cool music playing in the room--great rock and roll and that is all I remember until I was in post op.
I woke up in post op in pain. I also had an oxygen mask on and I was trying to take it off my face. I really have a thing about things being on my face. They make me feel like I am choking. I asked if the operation was done laproscopically and they stated, "yes." I asked for pain medication and they said they wouldn't give me any until I left the oxygen mask on my face. I didn't listen to them and still tried to remove it. I couldn't help myself. They did give me some medication for the pain and I would start to fall asleep. However, I started snoring and I would wake myself up. They stated I was snoring. I told them I know. They had changed the mask to the little oxygen tubes up my nose. They told me I had to keep it on as my oxygen level was dropping too much. The next thing I knew, I was being wheeled down stairs again to my room. I saw my parents, they kissed me good night and they left. My roommate was already there next to me. She had surgery that evening as well. She was just the nicest person you could imagine and I couldn't have asked for a better roommate.
I was on the pump with morphine. The morphine made the room spin around. I can't stand that. I tend to be a real light weight (although you wouldn't know to look at me) when it comes to narcotics. The nursing staff was wonderful on the night shift. They were great. They told me they thought it was the morphine which was making me soooo woozy. I asked them if I could just have liquid Tylenol as I really didn't feel too much pain. They got me up and I shuffled around the bed a bit. They wouldn't let me walk as I was too woozy and they were afraid I would fall. They stated I was pushing it too much and to not try so hard to get up and walk. Hey, when the NP states you are to get up and walk, I take it to heart! There was no clock in the room--which drove me nuts but I think I ended the morphine about midnight. I had no other pain medication until later that morning after 7 am. They then started me on the liquid Lortab. They were also great about giving me anti-nausia medication.
At 5 am they came in to draw blood. Great! I told them it would be difficult to draw it out of the arm without the IV in it. However, they did great. They then came in with suppositories to help us get rid of the gas. We had to roll over on our sides--not fun after surgery. However, that was over with in 30 seconds or less. So not bad. They also kept coming in all night and taking our blood pressure and temps. My blood pressure kept getting lower and lower. Normally, I run on the border of high--150's over 80's or so. It was 114 over 60 and dropping. No wonder I felt woozy!
I had a catheter they didn't remove after surgery. UGH. Not fun but necessary I guess. I was up and walking the following morning. Was told we were to sip liquids, pass gas any way we could and walk, walk, walk. So, that is what my roommate and I did. I had a lot of buyer's remorse the next day. I was so sick of feeling so bad--I was still on O2 as my levels were still not high enough. I wanted Dr. Felix to put me back the way I was and to go HOME. However, to all those pre-ops reading this!!!! This too shall pass!!!! I stopped my pain medication about 3 PM that afternoon although they still gave me the anti-nausea medications. Great! Every time I tried to blow into the spirometer, I would gag. YUCK! Both my roommate and I didn't sleep well the second night and the next morning we saw Dr. Felix. He stated if we drank 500 cc's by 1 PM we could go home. We both said it was done and we were discharged by 1 PM. The next day we both felt sooo much better. The first 24 hours are the worst, after that it is all downhill! My O2 was still a little low and I was running a small fever, however, they still let me go. Both my roommate and I stated, if they didn't let us go, we would both riot! The moment I left the hospital, I felt so much better! I love to work in a hospital. I HATE being a patient in one! So for all of you pre-ops who read these journals prior to surgery, hang in there. The body does heal very quickly and you will feel better!
11/13/02--I am officially a week and two days post-op. I feel really good, but wish I could sleep in my own bed on my side. I am a side sleeper and it is just too soon after surgery for this. I can feel everything falling when I lay on my side. It hurts too much, so I am sleeping upright in one of my wing back chairs with my feet propped up. At least I am now getting an hour to two hours of sleep at a time.
Food has been great. So far, instant oatmeal, mashed potatoes, sugar free applesauce and eggs have stayed down. I am full after 1 to 2 tablespoons. I would suggest for those who are pre-op and reading this, get a baby spoon at the grocery store in the baby section. Use this spoon. It will help you take smaller bites. Works great. Also, I bought a rubbermaid 4 oz. container. You can nuke it in the mikey, put it in the fridge, etc. Fill it half way and that is what you can eat. Helps with portion control.
I am getting in 8-9 eight ounce glasses of water a day, 70 grams of protein, three chewable vitamins, two tums, one orso (urso?), one biotin, nexium, and another medication I take. Lots of pills for a while but I am tolerating them well. I am constantly sipping on my water bottle with two sips every ten minutes. No drinking half hour prior or post meals.
So, what is my official weight loss for this time period? I am down 17 lbs! Nine lbs since the surgery! Whooohooo! My mood is good and I am walking a mile a day. I will increase that by half a mile next week.
11/21/02--I am still doing well. So far, I have tolerated foods just fine, until tonight. Did my afternoon protein shake (vanilla--first time trying that flavor) with a tablespoon or so of peanut butter. Oh man oh man. Did I ever pay for that. I have trying to spit it up but have not suceeded. I think it is too long a time since I drank it and it has already gone through my system. Will not be doing that for a looooooong time. Thought it would be OK since I have been mixing my other protein drinks with marion berries and bananas and have been doing fine. Well, as they say nuts are very hard on you body. That is no lie.
On a more positive note, I am walking over two miles per day. I am still getting in three "meals" (if you want to call them that), my water and protein shakes. I am feeling really good. I am driving but I still get tired very easily. I usually fall asleep by 8 pm and am up after midnight most of the nites. I am still not sleeping well and have not been trying to sleep on my side. Last time I did that, I felt so sick to my stomach and everything felt like it was falling inside my stomach. I have not tried it since. Other than that, life is very good.
12/21/02---It has been six weeks and 4 days since surgery. I am officially down 44 lbs! I am so happy! I have only thrown up twice. I know the second time was due to drinking water too soon after eating. The first may have been due to that as well. However, both times what I ate did not agree with me and it really hurt my little pouch. I was "feeling the pain" for an hour or so after the experience. Generally, I am tolerating food well. I still can only eat about two tablespoons at a time.
I have a little stairstepper at home and have been using that with the "rubber bands" to develop upper body strength. In addition to that I am walking about 2.5 miles per day.
Getting in all of the water has been difficult. I used to be able to get in 8 eight ounce glasses a day with no problem prior to surgery. However, now I can only take little sips so it takes a lot longer. I am getting between 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water in a day.
My protein drink has been a problem. They tend to make me gag most of the time. I have tried various things, but the result is still the same. However, I do manage to choke down a 35 gram protein drink in the morning and then can eat the rest of what I need for protein--50-55 grams a day.
I am still very tired in the evening. I generally am in bed by 7:30 or so and sleep off and on all night. However, prior to surgery, I would sleep off and on all night so I guess that remains the same. I am up between 4:30 and 5 am so I can start my exercise. Two weeks ago, I was finally able to sleep on my side. Yippee!!
I am down two to three pant sizes and my tops are getting a little big. I think I can still wear the tops for another 25-40 lbs or so before they look absolutely silly on me. In another 20 lbs or so my pants will be too big. This, folks, is one of the best parts of this! The other is that I feel great! I have trouble sitting for more than 40 minutes or so and just have to move. Sitting for hours in a meeting has become unbearable. All I do is figet and can't wait to get up and walk around. Oh, I now only have one double chin instead of five! That is nice too.
All for now as I have to get up and move! I have less padding on my tailbone and it hurts if I sit for too long.
1/12/03---It has been three weeks since my last update. I have not weighed myself today, however, when I last did that a few days ago, I was down 52 lbs. Food has been OK for me. However, I have been extremely constipated. I am getting little to no fiber in my diet since I eat protein except for two tablespoons of oatmeal for breakfast. I can still only eat 2-3 tablespoons of something at a time. I will be trying a few things to see if it will help the constipation as I have been in agony the past few days.
Water has been OK. I am getting between 6-8 glasses per day. I am working hard to get to 8-9 glasses a day but there are just not enough hours!
I go to bed early each night--cannot keep my eyes open and am still waking up about midnight and cannot get to sleep until after 2 in the morning. I have done this for years so this is nothing new. However, I get up between 4--5 am and exercise. I am now up to a half hour on my stairstepper and am doing 10 reps (4 times each) of my various upper body exercises. Then I am walking about 2-3 miles per day.
My pants still fit me fine but my tops are getting rather big on me. I thought I could wear them until another 30 lbs or so were gone, but I will need to get new ones prior to that. The shoulders are just hanging on me now!
People at work are starting to notice that I am losing weight. When asked, I tell them I hadn't noticed I was losing and drop the subject. I probably will only get away with that for another month or two at the most.
My goal for this month is to increase my walking and upper body reps. I also hope to get close to 45 minutes on the stair stepper. I am exercising about 6 days per week. I would like to lose another 15 lbs this month. So far the scale is staying pretty much the same for the last week. I tend to lose weight very slowly and really need to work on it to make it come off.
I would like to be down 65 lbs at my three month MD visit. Hopefully, I will get there.
2/5/03--Happy Anniversary to meeeeee! Saw the MD yesterday for my three month post op. Down a total of 64 lbs. I am still exercising 5-7 times a week. I am doing 40 minutes on my stair stepper along with upper body exercises. I am also walking at least a mile at work--if I am lucky enough to get a break.
I am still eating 2-3 tablespoons during a meal. I have my Designer's Whey shake in the morning (35 grams of protein), my OSCAL calcium--liquid fizzy stuff--tastes like the human drano I had prior to surgery, my Urso for my gall bladder, my hormone pill, Co-Q-10, and Biotin. All of this happens after I exercise and while I am getting ready for work.
Then I am ready for breakfast! I can only get down a tablespoon of hot cereal because I have to take two of my surgeon's vitamins. My little pouch is stuffed!
For lunch I have a tablespoon or so of baby salad greens or some other veggie--about a teaspoon, and two tablespoons of a protein. Could be fish or chicken, turkey, etc. I am trying to eat more fish as I tend to lose weight quicker if I eat fish. I also have half of a Keto protein bar--the chocolate fudge are wonderful!!! That adds an additional 18 grams of protein. I also try to get my mile walk in too. In the meantime, I am sipping water to get my 8--10 glasses in.
Dinner consists of a teaspoon or so of a veggie or a fruit and two tablespoons of protein, so I get another 6 grams or so in my diet. All in all, I am getting between 55-60 grams of protein in a day. After dinner, when I can drink liquids, I have the calcium cocktail, urso and two to three of the "poopie" pills as the MD office calls them. They are called Slim Caps. They are supposed to help you "go" if you know what I mean.
I find some days are better than others in eating. Some days I cannot eat a tablespoon! Other days I can get down three with no problem.
I am getting up at 4 am so I can exercise. UGH! However, my next goal is to try to lose 40--45 lbs. by my six month anniversary. I do feel great and this is so worth it!
I am having trouble with constipation. WOW! I have never had this problem before in my life. I used to have the opposite problem. I thought I was giving birth for several days there. My poopie pills seem to help, along with being able to eat a little bit of fruits and veggies.
I still have not reintroduced breads into my diet. I am going to try to hold off on that for another month or so. I really don't miss them and I need to lose so much weight. I am focusing on lots of protein now.
I am trying new foods several days a week. I have been lucky and most go down with no problems. I did get sick last week and was in misery. I am unclear whether I get a bad scallop or the sun dried tomato pesto was bad. In either case, I was in misery. I was throwing up all the time (even though everything was out of my pouch) and I couldn't even keep water down. If it didn't improve by the morning, I was calling the surgeon's office. Water is so important. Not being able to keep it down can cause some very serious health problems for us post ops. Howver, by 6 am, I was able to keep my protein shake and water down, so I was off on my routine again, however, I stuck with soft foods all day to give my pouch a rest.
It is 9 pm and I am so tired. I have a long day at work tomorrow and only got about 4 hours of sleep last night. Niter's everyone!
3/13/03--It has been a little over a month since I last posted. I continue to do very well. The weight loss is slow (at least to an impatient me!) but the scale is at least going in the right direction--DOWN! At my four month anniversary, I was down 76 lbs. Hoped to make it to 80, however, February is a short month! A few more days, I would have made it there!
I have upped my exercising. I am now doing an hour on the stair stepper and 15 reps (4 times each) of upper body exercises. I am developing nice muscles and curves in my arms. I am hoping to get rid of some of the fat and skin that wave long after I am done physically waving!
I am losing my hair. Started right at the three month anniversary. I hate this part as I don't have a lot of hair to begin with.
I continue to take my vitamins, biotin, co-q-10, poopie pills, have now started on a sublingual B-12, continue with my protein shake (35 grams of protein) my calcium, boost my protein shake with extra calcium, have a Keto biscotti (13 grams of protien) or half a Keto bar (12 grams of protein), or a third of a Detour Bar (10 grams of protein). I have stopped the hot cereal in the morning and am eating a slice of cheese instead (6 grams of protein). I continue to have at least 6-12 grams of protein for lunch and another 6-12 grams of protein for dinner in addition to some veggies or fruit. I can now eat anywhere from one quarter to a third or half a cup of food at a time. A half a cup is really stretching it for me and I generally stick to a quarter to a third of a cup of food. I am hoping the extra protein will slow the loss of the hair. Hopefully this will stop before my nineth month out of surgery. I have ordered the protein cookies (Sport cookies) which have 15 grams of protein, low carb and no sugar. They should arrive this week and hope they taste good. I am trying the chocolate chip variety.
My clothes are hanging off of me. So I broke down and ordered some new ones. I should be able to wear those for at least the next 50 lbs or so.
Life continues to be good. I feel great although I am tired by 7:30 or so at night. However, I am up at quarter to 4 AM so I can exercise, so I guess that is not too bad!
Got to run and get ready for work and finish my protein drink. Have a great day everyone!
4/6/03--Well, it is now 5 months since surgery. I hit a dreaded plateau during the month, so the weight loss has slowed down quite a bit. I am now down 90 lbs. I was hoping it would be an even 100 or so. Only lost 11.5 lbs., last month. However, the inches really came off during the month. I think I lost 5 or 6 inches off of my waist! It really has been noticeable.
I did get the SportCookie, chocolate chip flavor with 15 grams of protein and no sugar, low carbs. They are delicious and VERY filling.
My hair continues to fall out at break neck speed. UGH! However, I did try a new skin product for my skin and nails. It is called Mane N Tail hoofmaker formula. It does wonders for the nails! Like it very much.
I think my stair stepper died. I have been doing the Walk Away the Pounds videos for the past month. I try to do them 5 times a week. I generally do the three mile walk, and if I am short on time in the morning, the two mile walk. They are GREAT!
I did have to break down and buy some new clothes and shoes. Everything is so big on me. Considering I was still wearing the same clothes as 90 lbs ago, it is no wonder they are big.
That is all to report on at the moment. Still not eating bread or pasta. Trying to have very few carbs and lots of protein and water. I am hoping the weight loss will be bigger this month and I will finally be over 100 lbs. gone forever.
4/15/03--Tax day! I went to have my physical with my PCP. This was the first time I had seen her since I am post op. I gladly stepped on the scale. Something I have refused to do in this office for years. To my delight and surprise, I was down 99 lbs. I just love her scale. My scale at home weighed me at 5 lbs. heavier and that was before my protein drink and water! When I saw the MD, she asked me how much weight I had lost. I asked if I could take off a pound for my clothes. She said yes, I stated 100 lbs as of today!!! I made it to the Century Club, five months and 10 days out of surgery! I was so happy I just could have hugged someone! I had my bone density scan done and blood work. My blood pressure went from borderline high to 132/72. I am a very happy woman! My pre-op blood work looked good. Everything else looks good too. I am awaiting the results of my six month blood work. We shall see. YIPEE! Just a quick note. My scale still says I am 5 lbs heavier. We shall see what Dr. Felix's scale says next month. Whooo Hooo!
5/10/03--Just a quick update. I was supposed to go and weigh in at my surgeon's office, but cancelled until next week. I have been extremely constipated for the past week and a half. I have been to my PCP and have been on prescription meds and have had things "dug out" so to speak. I am very torn up on the inside and it is going to be painful and take some time to heal. I can barely walk and sitting is painful. The only change to my diet has been in the form of a calcium supplement. I also found out at my physical that I am low in vitamin D and have been taking prescription strength capsules of that. So, I think it may have been the calcium. Needless to say, I have given birth several times over the last week. My neighbors must wonder what is going on with all the screaming coming from my house. It has been extremely painful. So, pre-ops and post-ops, watch out. I have been VERY careful and it still happened to me. Go to your PCP. Get something for it right away. You don't have to suffer!
OK, on a good note, I am now down 110 lbs as of this morning. Whooo Hoooo! I am hoping to post some pictures on here soon. I need to get one scanned (before) and should have the other developed next week. That one will show the 100 lbs loss. I am still only half way, but it is a great start for six months out!
My clothes are falling off of me. I have ordered some new ones which I love. I do need some new underwear as those are about to fall off! I will get them in the next week or two. I hate to spend the money, but the alternative is not acceptable to me! I can see me leaving a business meeting with my underwear on the floor--not funny!
I have not exercised for the past week--due to the problem mentioned above--I am in too much pain to do much of anything. So, I am hoping to restart that soon and I will measure myself this Tuesday. I see my surgeon this Tuesday for my six month check-up. I should get my free T-Shirt from him at that time. He gives out a free T-Shirt when you lose 100 lbs or are a year out. I am debating what size to ask for. One that fits now or will in the future--ahhh, such "weighty" decisions one has to make in their lives! Until then...I will update after I see the surgeon.
5/14/03--Saw the surgeon's partner yesterday and was too angry to post. Mom always said, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything. Well, I am down officially 109 lbs, with clothes on and after eating breakfast, lunch and drinking over six 8 oz glasses of water. I did get my T-shirt. Whoo hoo and hopefully will get another one soon which states I have lost over 200 lbs.
My surgeon's partner doesn't listen to me. He tells me not to walk anymore, and to join a gym. Says I should be doing weight training two days a week and areobics three days a week. Hello, isn't walking an areobic exercise? I use weights when I walk for upper body resistance. The partner tells me I should be jogging, not walking. Hellooooo???? I still have over 100 lbs to lose and have two bad knees. I am supposed to start jogging???
He states I am right where I should be as far as weight loss goes and up to now, it has been the surgery which has made me lose the weight. WHAT??? The surgery is the greatest tool on earth, but I am the one who gets up at 4 am to exercise for an hour--5 to 7 days a week. I am the one who walks after and during work. I am the one using weights and resistance to lose the weight. I am the one who has chosen to eat low carb, no sugar, etc. I know lots of folks who have had surgery and eat cake, cookies, bread, potato chips, etc. I know my body and how in the past it has hung onto weight with each and every diet. I am working very hard to lose this weight. It is not just the surgery!
He asks me about my contipation and interrupts me when I start to tell him what I am doing about it. States they created my constipation with the type of surgery I had. Then he starts to tell me what I should be doing. I state I am already doing that. He frowns and states basically I am not doing it correctly and should have called the office. I stated I did that last time and was told to take Ducolax, take the poopie pills and ask the support group what they did to not be constipated. (I did ask the support group and they stated the poopie pills don't work for everyone) He states it was probably not the calcium which made me constipated but the surgery. Yes, he is probably right on that account since I never had the problem prior to surgery.
Last time I was there he told me to have my blood pressure checked, since it was high before surgery. (I was very nervous the day of surgery). Didn't ask me about it. Didn't take it. Didn't ask me about my rashes. Didn't ask me about my heal spurs. I did tell him I had blood work done and my vitamin D was low. I stated I was now on prescription vitamin D. Didn't make a note of it as he had already closed my chart and was getting ready to leave.
Said I would see him in six months. That was it. Gone. Needless to say, I was very angry when I left. I am glad I don't have to see him for six months as I hopefully will be much calmer by then. I will also ask to see Dr. Felix only!
6/7/03--Well, here is my monthly update. As of my seventh month anniversary, I am down another 5 lbs. I have been plateauing for the past three weeks. UGH. I have increased my walking, my veggies and fruit (for the constipation) and increased my water intake. Nothing! However I did lose 6 inches. I lost more inches than pounds!
I purchased new clothing! Whooo Hoooo! I love them. They are so much fun to wear. I am still waiting for new undies and hope they get here soon! I don't want mine falling around my ankles! I did reach two milestones this month. I ordered bras from Victoria's Secret. They FIT! Finally a "normal" store! I was able to sit in a chair at work and my thighs didn't hit the sides of the chair. Major Whoooo Hooooo! I couldn't even fit in the chair (without much squishing and pain and bruising) prior to surgery!
I purchased hand and ankle weights for exercising. Just got them so I will let you know how it goes. I also purchased the Walk Away the Pounds video--the four mile challenge. I LOVE it. It is a great workout and makes me sweat. It is an hour long and I am trying to do it three days a week and either the two or three mile video the other two days of the week. I was walking at night another mile, but it has been over 100 degrees at night and dangerous air pollution. So, that has been put on the backside until things improve a little.
I tried the U-Turn protein bars during the month. They are OK. My favorite is still the Detour bars. I only eat a third of a bar as they are so high in carbs. I am able to eat 5 cherries or 5 black berries, or a small slice of canteloupe, or a couple bites of watermelon, or a slice of peach, etc. So fruit is going down well and no dumping. However, as you can tell by reading this, I am VERY careful. It tastes delicious! I am also eating a quarter of a cup of chedder cheese popcorn (about 10 pieces)--they one in the bag--Organic from Whole Foods. Delicious (although my surgeon said NO POPCORN). I chew it up very well and pray it helps with the constipation. Many surgeons recommend a little popcorn to keep things regular.
I am going to try on my former clothes today. They say when you plateau, to try one one pre-op outfit you saved. It will show how much weight you have lost when you are feeling discouraged. The last time I did that when I plateaued, I cracked up. The clothes practically fell off of me. I shall see how it goes today.
So, all of you pre and post ops. Hang in there. Life is soooo much better now. I am so blessed, I can't complain about anything!
6/22/03---Well, here it is! A mid month update! I am now down 123 lbs. since surgery. Whoo Hooo! I am still having bouts off and on with constipation--about once a week. I know I tend to focus on this a lot, however my PCP states I now have internal damage from the first time in January when I was blocked up. I am trying desperately not to let that happen again as my other bouts with this have been so painful and I hate taking time off of work for this. The moment I don't "go" for two days, I start to take my Ducalax immediately. Usually one to three pills spread out over a 24 hour period had done the trick. I have also found eating a quarter of a cup of dry roasted soy nuts--great protein and few carbs or a mixture of dry roasted soy nuts and dry roasted pumpkin seeds seems to help move things along, if you know what I mean. I am also taking acidolophus (or however you spell it) capsules twice a day as well.
I also have been eating a lot more. I have really been trying to get in more fruits and veggies for my constipation problem. I am now probably eating about a 1/2 cup or a little more at a time. I am still getting in my two tablespoons of protein per meal--I eat that first--and a protein shake (35 grams) and half a protein bar or a Keto biscotti to boost up the protein daily. I am still taking my vitamins, calcium citrate (1000 mg), Co-Q-10, gingko, grape seed extract, biotin (which I recently doubled to help with the hair loss), my perscription vitamin D, my hormone pill, Leutin, poopie pills (Slim Caps), acidopholus (2x daily), and sublingual B12. Whew! However, I feel GREAT! Lots of energy. Still no bread, pasta, or crackers.
I still wake up in the middle of the night and have to go to the bathroom. I am sure it is from all the water I am drinking--9 eight oz glasses per day. Sleeping is still a problem for me but it was prior to surgery. It is so wierd to lay in bed and feel my hip bones, ribs, etc. Don't get me wrong, I still have 96 lbs to lose, but I can feel them nonetheless!
I am doing the Walk Away the Pounds videos and try to do the 4 mile one three days a week. The other two days, I do the 3 mile tape with 5 lbs weights. I walked an additional mile in the evening--it was cool, only around 90 degrees or so--and used the 5 lbs hand weights then too. I find they aren't doing much so I may up them to 7 lbs weights.
I did try on my pre-surgery clothes the other day (someone emailed me and asked). This is the second time I have done this since my surgery. I do it when I get frustrated and plateau for a while. It shows me how far I have come.
I can now fit my body into one pant leg! I never thought that day would happen! Anyhow, my presurgery clothes are huge and I look at myself in them and laugh. I finally got some new undies, so I don't have to worry about my old ones falling off anymore. I basically have a new wardrobe. Lots of dollars being spent, but I need to wear something nice for work everyday and none of my "summer" "knocking around" clothing fits me anymore. So I needed new things there as well. I envision I will have to do the same thing all over again in about 50 lbs or so. It is SOOOOO worth it! This is MUCH better than the alternative and buying larger sizes--especially when they don't make them!
I do find, like others on this site, I have having difficulty giving away my clothes which are too big. Lord knows I have kept my big clothing for years, "just in case." I think I want to keep them around me like a security blanket. I am not sure as to why I want this, and when they are gone, I don't miss them, but I find it strange. I think there is that little part of me which wonders if I will ever need to wear them again. I pray that day will never come.
Well, I need to go and get my clothes out of the dryer. Time to get ready for another fast and furious week at work--UGH! Take care everyone. This surgery has been such a blessing!
7/6/03--Here I am on my monthly update. It now has been 8 months since surgery! I can't believe it has been that long. I am down between 125-128 lbs. That is minus 10--13 lbs since last month. Scale can't make up its mind! I am still doing cross training. Been using the Walk Away the Pounds videos--the three and four mile ones and using weights throughout the entire video. I just love those things! I have not been walking at night due to very unhealthy air quality and heat--it generally has been over a 100 degrees every night when I get home.
I am still doing low carbs. I still have not had any pasta nor bread since prior to surgery. I rarely eat potatoes or cereal. Breakfast is a long, drawn out ordeal. I start with my Citrucel, one scoop in an 8 oz. glass of water. I follow that immediately with another 8 oz. glass of water. Then I have to wait a half hour before I drink my next thing which is a one cup glass of water with two packets of Osteo-Max--my calcium, mag., supplement for the day. Those are followed by my protein drink--8 oz. of Designer's Whey chocolate along with my two Dr. Felix vitamin capsules, 100 mg of Co Q10, a Leutin capsule, a gingko tablet, two capsules of biotin, two capsules of grape seed extract, my prescription gell cap of vitamin D, my hormone pill, a sublingual vit B12, an acidolophus capsule, and I think that is it. Then after 15 minutes to a half hour, I have three slices of a plum, or a peach, etc., or 5 berries, or so and a slice of yogurt cheese with active cultures. By that time I am running out the door to work or errands.
Lunch consists of (usually) a couple pinches of salad (mixed baby greens) or a vegetable--about two to three tablespoons or so. I also have two tablespoons of a protein, usually chicken or tuna. Occasionally I will have beef or the fake crab meat is great. I make my own salad dressing with a little bit of olive oil, roasted garlic, salt and pepper. Sometimes I will mix it with a little lemon juice. Delicious! I also have 5 berries, or three slices of a stone fruit, or 5 grapes. I also have a Keto biscotti or a third of a Detour bar--love those things!
Dinner consists of two to three tablespoons of a protein, either chicken or fish usually. I will have beef from time to time or pork. I made myself a shrimp cocktail the other day and it was delicious! I will have about two tablespoons of a vegetable or salad greens. I will also have half to three quarters of a cup of air roasted popcorn and a quarter of a cup of roasted soy nuts or roasted pumpkin seeds or a combo of both. It helps to keep me regular folks! I also take my urso (for the gall bladder) and Dr. Felix's "poopie pills" usually two of them (Slim Caps) and another acidophulus capsule. Even with all of those, I still find I have to take a Ducolax or Milk of Mag at least once a week to stay "regular" or otherwise, I pay for it dearly.
I do NOT find myself hungry and I still cannot eat more than what I just described. Occasionally, I will find myself hungry around lunch or dinner time. I eat and after a couple of bites, I am full. I am still getting in an additional 6 or more 8 oz glasses of water, along with the protein drink, the calcium and the citrucel, brings the total to 9 eight ounce glasses a day or more. I also find I have days when I am "hungrier" than others. Those are usually the days when I don't exercise or I am bored with not lots to do. If I exercise, the "munchy demons" go away.
I find I am still losing inches and will lose lots of inches even if it is not showing up on the scale as lost pounds. Things really do slow down after the six month magical period. So exercise as much as you can and eat what the docs tell you to during that period of time. You will be thankful for it later on!
Hair is still falling out, however, upping the Biotin to two capsules a day, seems to be helping. Either that or I am getting so far out from surgery, it is stopping on its own. I have heard it goes between 3 months to 9 months after surgery. However, I had very thin hair prior to surgery. During the summer you could always see my scalp through my hair. I noticed the biotin has seemed to help with this. So ladies, (or men) if you have thinning hair, try it. It may work for you too!
I have got to run. Got to get to Lowe's to get the additional pieces I need to install my drip irrigation system in my back yard. Want to get there before the weekend crowds. Walking around Lowe's is great. Good exercise as it is huge! Take care everyone and have a great month!
8/5/03 Happy 9th month anniversary to me! Weight loss has really slowed down. Down 136 lbs. since surgery. Think I gave up 11 lbs. this month. Unfortunately! I still have about 70 lbs. to go! I have been plateauing for the past three weeks. UGH! I hate them. I get so frustrated and discouraged. I discovered when I get frustrated, that is when I want to eat. I can't do anything to control the situation, get frustrated and want to turn to food. At least I can put something in my mouth! Doesn't make much sense, but there it is. Things in my life at work and outside work have been VERY frustrating lately. Add to that the plateau, and I WANT TO EAT! I keep trying to turn it over to my higher power, but I have to deal with and recognize the feelings.
I am also finding I can eat a whole lot more now. I can actually drink about a third of a cup at a time. Since I still LOVE the taste of food, I want to eat more of it. I find I really have to watch the carbs. I have been eating popcorn in an effort to stay as "regular" as I can and I just want more and more of the stuff. I still measure it out and stick with a limit, but I want MORE!
Last week I didn't want to exercise at all. I only did four days a week rather than five. However, I am back doing the exercise this week and did 4 miles yesterday and three miles this morning using hand weights. I have upped the hand weights to six pounds per weight. Eventually I hope to get up to 10. I still need to use my ankle weights, however, I like to do the video tapes in my bare feet and they fall off when I am kicking, etc. So, when the weather cools off (has been 108 degrees here and raining!) I will be able to take my evening walks again and will strap them on at that time.
I went on vacation last month. It was the first time my parents had seen me since a week after my surgery. I was excited and nervous to see them. I arrived at the "family reunion" destination early and was the first one there. I walked around town and came back to wait for them outside the hotel where we were all going to meet. I saw them approaching and thought about staying where I was and seeing if they recognized me. Then I thought, no, I want a hug too badly! So I got up and started walking toward them. Nothing. Then I started saying "hello, hello." Nothing! Again, "HELLO! HELLO!" Finally, I had to say, "HELLO MOTHER AND FATHER!" They FINALLY recognized me. I told them, it is pretty bad when you don't recognize the fruit of your loins! I purposely haven't changed my hair or anything! Of course, my neice, who is 7 and sees me maybe twice a year, recognized me right away and came running up to me to give me a big hug.
While we were at the "reunion" my Mom said to me, "You have lost enough weight in your face, so don't lose anymore there." I just gave her an incredulous look! Mom, if I knew how to just lose weight where I want to, I would have started with my stomach and saved my face until last! I would write a book about it and make a million dollars! I can't control where it comes off--lord knows I try with my exercising, but it comes off where it wants to! We both started laughing! She realized what she said. It was hysterical!
I didn't have any problems with food while on vacation, except for the first night. I didn't follow the pouch rules. I ate some salad with everyone else and then when I tried to eat my salmon (which has been a little hard on my pouch lately for some reason), I was VERY uncomfortable and excused myself to go back to my room in case I lost it. For the other days, I ate my protein first and then veggies or fruit later. I had no problems.
I did bring with me, popcorn, macadamia nuts, Citrucel, soy nuts and pumpkin seeds to keep my daily fiber up so I wouldn't get clogged--no such luck, happened anyway. I also brought with me my protein bars and a can of protein powder so I made sure I got all my protein in for the day. I also brought all my vitamins, calcium, etc. to take. I had a great time and found myself walking about 6--7 miles a day. Great exercise. Great food. Great company. Can't wait to do it again next year. Hope the weather will be a little cooler next year.
All for now as I am running so late for work. Take care everyone!
8/16/03--Wow! An update during the mid month! Unusual for me! Just wanted to say, after 4 weeks I finally broke my awful plateau! That was a hard one to get through. I am now down 139 lbs. I am just starting to fit into some size 20 pants so as you can tell, I still have a very long way to go. I am hoping to lose another 50--55 lbs and then plastic surgery should take care of the rest. (If I can afford it!)
I tried the Odessey (I am not sure of the spelling) Bars the other day. Very good! I still like the peanut Detour one better, but I LOVED the coconut Odessey one. GREAT protein, low carb and very little sugar. I will be getting more of those at Trader Joe's tomorrow mor
About Me
Before & After
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