Tuesday December 14, 2010

Dec 15, 2010

Two week post update. . . Well we've completed our Kaiser Options Class #9 today, and the discussion this week was on vitamins and minerals as it relates to WLS. The timing was perfect to go along with all of the research I’d been doing on potential hair loss that occurs with most after surgery. Last week Class #8 was on meal plan review and guidelines, for both before and after WLS. Another thing that was covered was food exchange lists (what is a serving), and a variety of sample meal plans. One of our home work items was to actually follow a post WLS meal plan for half of a day. We chose one where we had to drink 2 oz when we woke up, then not eat for 30 minutes, have a ¼ cup of cream of wheat, with a little nonfat milk in it, and of course nothing to drink with it. I’ll have to admit we were clearly still hungry afterwards, but told ourselves, after WLS, that would have filled us up. We then had to wait 30 minutes and resume 2 oz water every 15 minutes regime again. For lunch we repeated but with ¼ cup refried beans with a little cheese. We had the same feelings afterwards as with breakfast. The drinking 2 oz water every 15 minutes was the toughest part, so I feel for all of you that have gone through WLS. In the afternoon, I worked hard in the property clearing brush for about 4 hours, and didn’t have a snack or water with me. It was nearly 90 degrees out, and I was sweating pretty good.  When I came in later that afternoon, I felt dehydrated, and my blood sugar was very low (65mg). I think the post surgery diet will be easy at the office, but hard physical work at home will require more planning such as carrying a canteen and a belt pack with a protein bar or snack with me. I still say I can do it, but really appreciate what all of my OH friends are going through. On weight loss, I actually gained .4 lbs last week, but lost 2.4 lbs the week earlier, so I’m not going to beat myself up over it, as I’ve lost 25.6 lbs so far. My wife Gerry is doing pretty well, and has lost a total of 10 lbs since we started the classes. I have been under extreme pressure and stress at work, which has been causing my blood sugars to rise, but I’m exercising which is helping reduce my stress and blood sugar. Emotional eating was always one of my problems, but I’m using my newly learned “Skillpower” to not eat when I’m stressed or depressed about something, and exercise instead. Exercise is getting easier, my hips don’t hurt quite as bad when walking, but I know it will get even better. A couple weeks ago we went to Disneyland and walked around for 9 hours, we had a good time, but I was hurting by the end of the night and was ready to go home. This last weekend I had to stock up on bird seed, and was carrying 50 lb sacks over each shoulder from the truck to the aviaries. I tell myself that at 309 lbs, when I lose 100 lbs it will be like dropping two 50 lbs bags of bird food.  I can only imagine the increase in energy levels one would have after such a weight loss. We have 3 more weeks of classes to attend before being scheduled to speak with the surgeon, but I’m so looking forward to joining all my new OH friends on the loser bench, and get down to my goal of 185 lbs.   

One of my new OH friends Annessa_of_Flourish has a really neat website www.flourishyourlife.com   with lots of seasonal recipes and videos on healthy eating. We tried several this week, one was a video making Butternut Squash French Fries, where you peel and slice it into French fries, spray a little Pam, sprinkle with a little salt, and bake it at 400 for about 30 – 40 minutes to get it as crispy as you like. Ummmm, it was fantastic.  Check out the site to get some neat ideas for healthy meals for both you and your families.  

Thanks, Martin

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About Me
Riverside, CA
Location
31.6
BMI
RNY
Surgery
04/20/2011
Surgery Date
Sep 30, 2010
Member Since

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