Radgalut

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I am almost 3 months out from Lap RNY. I have spent the last 2 weeks living out of a hotel in Harrisburg PA. It has been a struggle to eat and I had some really bad experiences and some fairly good experiences. I have decided that I will not be eating any chicken other than canned for a while, but pulled pork and filet minon tips are really good. I have struggled to find good protein snacks that don’t require refrigeration. I also learned that I can not eat the premade small cans of tuna salad.!

One thing that everyone talked about way Hershey PA, I had decided that I was not going anywhere near there because I have been a huge chocolate person. I have to confess that I did eat some dark chocolate earlier in the week and it didn’t give me a lot of trouble. Well I got out of work early and decided to do some touring in the area. The countryside was very pretty and I ended up very close to Hershey, so I decided to stop and see if they had any special Christmas treats at Chocolate world. I told myself that I could have some Dark Choocolate but as It was after lunch time I needed to eat. I first stopped at the food court and had some Chili with cheese. I then proceeded to spend about $35 on Chocolate, mostly different kinds of kisses, to take home for coworkers and Neighbors for Christmas

I also went on the factory tour. I turned down the free sample of kisses at the end of the tour and actually the sweet smell of chocolate was almost nauseating. I had absolutely no interest in any of the chocolate or other candy (Twizzlers,or jolly ranchers, my favorite) I wasn’t even tempted by the sugar free candy.

I know it may sound strange but I know that before surgery I would have eaten an entire bag of candy on my way back to the hotel. I am very blessed to have had my RNY.

Amy

So I have spent the last week in a hotel in New Cumberland Pa.    I am in training classes during the day and it has tough to get enough water during the day.  I have been eatting out at resturants and somedays it works ok but I know I havent' gotten all of my protein.  The hotel provides breakfast and the only thing I can eat is hard boiled eggs.  I did go to the grocery store and bought some cheese and cottage cheese.   I have had some trouble with eating in resturants.  I have mostly been able to order stuff that I can eat but the quanities are huge!.   Tonight's dinner didn't sit so well.  It was a chicken platter with 2 huge chicken breasts but the chicken was too dry to eat. 

I know that I have eaten too many nuts but they are a safe food in that I can keep them in my hotel room, and they have protein.  I am really ready to be back home but that won't happen for another week. 

The one good thing is that I wore my old jeans on the plane and they pretty much are huge.  I also  didn't need a seat belt extension, and it was not complete extended. 

I did use the treadmill and bike at the hotel once but I have been fighting a sinus and cold for several days so I haven't been getting as mucb exercise as I probably should. 

I will update everyone when I get back to SLC and can weigh and measure. 

Amy

I am so happy today, I have been struggling because I was on a plateau and hadn’t seem much change in weight over the last month. That changed this morning, over the last week I am down 12 lbs! Which means I have lost 60lbs and am below 300 lbs!!!!!!!. Making things even better is that I am off of my blood pressure medication. I have been taking my blood pressure a couple times a day and it has been NORMAL with NO medication!

I am going to have to buy clothes most of mine are too big! What an exciting thing to have to do. I put a Bra and Belt set on Layaway this week for my dance costume this year. It is still a little small but I don’t think it will be a problem by the time we start performing in February. I have never been able to come close to fitting into a pre-made set, and it is gorgeous, dark green velvet with silver trim and big jewels.

 

I am thankful for meeting friends that have helped me to realize WLS was an option.

My family who has always been supportive of me and my decisions, and love me for who I am no matter what.

My dance sisters who taught me that I am a beautiful women and gave me the courage to want more for myself.

Dr Priest for pointing me in the direction of my surgeon.

The Surgeons office for helping me understand the implications of my decision.

Dr McKinlay, for his wonderful skill.

I know that this surgery has changed my life and will continue to change things as time progresses, but most of all I am thankful that I made this decision.

Amy (I can’t get rid of the stupid grin today)

I have my 8 week post surgery appt with my Dr on thursday.  Generally things are going well I am still having issues with being dizzy but it has been somewhat better the last week.  I have increased my calories to between 600-700 a day and I am getting about 60 grams of protein a day so I am on track. 

I am a little frustrated that my weight loss has been so slow the last month, since October 4th I have lost 6 lbs.  I am really hoping to be below 300 by Thanksgiving.

 I will go to visit my family in Grand Junction for the Holiday and I am really looking forward to seeing my neices and nephews.    I will also be traveling for work for the 2 weeks after thanskgiving and that has me somewhat concerned because I know it will be more challenging to figure out what I can and cannot eat. 

 

Well I am six weeks out and the scale has been stuck for the last two. Everyone says they can see me loosing but I don't see it and right now the scale and I have not been friends. I have noticed that my clothes fit better so that at least helps. I also noticed last night when I was getting ready for a Halloween party that most of my rings are too big. I couldn't wear them on any finger. I bought some shoes the other day for work and they are about a size smaller.

I have also had a few days where I have been dizzy. It looks like it is probably caused either because of dehydration or not enough calories. I have been averaging about 400 calories a day for the last couple of weeks so I am trying to get it up more in the 600-800 range. I never thought I would have trouble from not eating enough. My new tummy is so small and I am not hungry so it is hard to get calories in, what a new radical concept for me. I haven't had any more trouble with food getting caught.

The Halloween party tonight was also a new experience. It was a belly dance party with a buffet and then a show. The show was amazing and several of my dance sisters did performances. The buffet was salad, 3 bean salad, spaghetti with meatballs, bread, and chicken, and a huge variety of desserts from cakes, pies, cream puffs and such. I had two meatballs and a couple of beans but was not even interested in the desserts. It was easy to go out in a social setting and not really have to struggle with eating. I have noticed that a couple of times lately when I have gone out for social occasions. Now granted the people I have been out with know about my surgery but it has been easy to go out get something I can eat and feel like a normal person.

I did get myself a space heater and it was a great idea. Since winter is definitely here I have started changing out my summer wardrobe for the winter one. About half way through the process I realized that I probably wouldn't be able to wear my summer stuff next summer, as most if it is getting a little big right now. So I have been boxing it up to a local thrift store/community center.

 

Well today is 4 weeks since my surgery, things are going well and I think I am getting some of my energy back. I did have a bad experience tonight, I ate some chili (1/4 cup) and I got one of the bean stuck. It was very painful and eventually I was able to get rid of the offending bean. I have to say I never realized that a single cooked pinto bean could create such a lot of pain.

I have joined a local Gym and have been once, and I think it will be a great addition to my dancing. They have a pool and I am looking forward to getting back into the water to swim. The weather here has started to turn cold and I have discovered that one of the side effects of this surgery is I am very cold. I have always been cold at work but the last week has been really bad, I have resorted to wearing my work clothes, my extra sweater, and usually my coat while working at my desk. A space heater is in my future.

Most of my incisions are completely healed except for the slightly larger hole on my left side. I will weight Sunday but as of last Sunday I was down 40 lbs. I don't see much difference but my clothes are definitely getting big and I will either have to buy new pants or get some belts very soon.

I have noticed that when I went to the grocery store, I really wasn't tempted by the stuff in the store. I did think wistfully about the new apple crop but the bread, cookies, chips, and other stuff didn't even look good. And today they had someone in from Sam's Club trying to sell memberships and she brought cookies, muffins ect and I had no interest or desire in them. That is a huge advantage.

I went to my first support group meeting. They meet monthly and usually have a guest speaker, who talks about lots of different issues. Tonight's speaker was one of the surgeons and he answered lot of people's questions. I was amazed to hear people who were diabetics talking about being 3 weeks out of surgery and off of insulin. One woman mentioned that she is saving a huge amount on her medical bills because she has eliminated about 6 medications that she used to take daily. I have an appointment with my regular Dr next week to see about reducing or eliminating my hypertension medication.

So the short story is after 4 weeks I have no regrets (ok maybe that damn bean,) I know that I am working my way forward to being a much healthier person.

Amy

2 weeks post surgery
Current mood: happy

 

I went to the Dr today for my 2 week check up. The Dr was happy I am doing very well and according to their scale I have lost a total of 30 lbs since my initial consultation in July. I am pretty happy about that.

The Dr also reviewed the pathology report on my gallbladder and I had stones and cronic inflamination but no sign of anything else.

Generally I feel pretty good but have limited energy, the Dr said that was normal and it probably would be somewhere between 2-3 months before I felt like my energy level was back to normal.

I have to say the diet is a little boring right now but I can start to add a few more foods in another couple of weeks.

On another positive note, I am still eating on the can of split pea soup, refried beans, and package of cottage cheese that I opened last week. I will definately be saving money on the food bill.   Of course that mean more money for clothes and costumes, :)