linda.traxler

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I have lost 60% of my excess body weight in 8 months!  I am now 191 pounds having started at a bit more than 320.  I have 16 pounds to lose to get to my goal weight.  I weight less than I ever have my adult life... ever!  Less than when I was 18 years old at my thinnest!  UNBELIEVABLE!

A woman at the grocery check out told me she didn't recognize me anymore unless I was with my children.  She said you have lost an unbelievable amount of weight.  When I told her how much she couldn't believe it.  Same story with a lady at church I've never seen before(rather don't remember seeing) and she told me how great I look.  It's so unbelievably nice to have completely honest compliments from complete strangers.  I am wearing a size 16 pants and size large top.  LARGE!!  a regular normal everyday large.  It's unfathomable!

I am also in my first real stall which is difficult.  I have to admit, I thought people on the forum made a bigger deal out of it than it needed to be.  But, they didn't  and my compassion is much higher than it previously was.  It is frustrating and really scary too.  I think, what if that's it???  If it is, I guess that's alright too.  I don't think it is considering the largest amount of this surgery takes place in the first 12 to 18 months and I'm only in month 8.  So, I'm not hanging it up yet.  I'm going to achieve this goal and then I'm getting this skin chopped off!!  I swear if I flap my arms fast enough I'd fly right away!

Two unbelievable and unexpected gifts I've received today.  First, I officially weight for the first time since I was 18 under 200 pounds and second, my BMI is less than 30!!!!!   UNBELIEVABLE

I have lost 25% of my body weight!!!!  1/4 of my former (hope never to be again) self.  That translates into 79 pounds gone in 16 weeks.  I can now very comfortably and loosely fit into my 22's.  I haven't mustered the courage to try my 20s, but I will soon.  I do have a new pair of size 50 pants (austrian size 50-U.S. size 20).  They fit!  and I did wear them the other day.  Everyone I work with is blown away 'Wahnsinn!' is the word for me.  I must say, that feels awfully nice.  Even the children I teach have noticed and told me 'I look thin' or 'pretty'  which is very sweet coming from 8 and 9 year olds!

I have found a wonderful therapist to work with on my food issues which are still a major concern.  I'm only eathing 3 meals on good days.  I'm so often nauseaus that I can't make myself eat.  I finally found a European site to order Syntax wey protein from and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.  That will help.  In the mean time, I'm pushing through.  I've completed 10 sessions with physical therapy and will continue with another 10.  I will, in the meantime, try to carry on with my home exercises and start each new day that I'll be able to eat better.

Hope any and all who read this are well!! 
God bless,
Linda

So, I'm already 11 weeks post op tomorrow and am still struggling a bit with food, but do have an occasional good day.  I've lost as of today 58.4 pounds since the day of surgery and am down from a size 28 to a 22 in pants, a 3x to 2x in shirts and a 46 ddd to a 44dd in my bra.  That really does make me feel like I've accomplished something!

I'm very lucky that my husband is so supportive.  Since I'm still not eating much over 5-600 cal. per day, my energy level is still rock bottom and he has been a tremendous help with the house.  Tomorrow I'm going to try to make an appointment with a physical therapist to work on restrengthening my body and with a therapist to work on my food issues.  What I'm finding now is that when I eat I so often feel bad, either pain, or slimies or vomiting (and yes, I take tiny, pencil size bites and chew the heck out of the food but am still experiencing these symptoms) it's easier for me not to eat, and I often dont.  I know this is terrible, and won't help me in the long run or in the short term with my energy issues.  I am taking my vitamins and calcium, although honestly, I don't remember each and every day.

I've still got lots to work on, but I'm trying to keep my chin up and take one day at a time.

Best to everyone,
Linda

Since last weekend, I am having such a hard time eating!  I have absolutely no appetite.  Half the time, taking a sip of water gives me unbelievable burps that are painful.  On Tuesday I threw up orange juice (which I drink in the form of a frozen O.J. pop nearly every morning).  The last 2 days I've eaten nearly nothing and taken in almost no protein because I feel nauseaus and afraid to eat.  I know I need to eat, but I can't make my brain make myself eat.  It's simply easier not to.  In addition, both kids have fevers and ear infections and only want to be held. 


SO, I need to refocus starting right now.  I'll start with sipping a protein shake this morning and force myself to eat, even if it's just a few bites.  I've also FINALLY gotten the names of some therapists who focus in eating issues so I'll call and get an appointment.  I think alot of this not eating is mental more than physical. 

The good news is I am down 46 pounds since this started, and it isn't quite 2 months yet!!  That definitely makes me happy.  I think it would even be more if I could eat something!

OK, I am jealous of all the food options (post WLS) available to people in the states.  Also, I am really frustrated by the nutrition 'guidance' I have received here.  So, I think it's time to buckle down and come up with a plan of my own.

I was feeling exhausted last week and knew I hadn't been eating enough.  Well, this week I finally did some analysis, and it's worse than I thought.  Yesterday, I had a grand total of 526 calories and 26 grams of protein.  Miserably low!  No wonder I'm so tired all the time!  So, I tried this soy based unflavored protein powder drink that we found at long last here, and it was the most disgusting stuff I have ever tasted.  Rather reminded me of wallpaper paste.  So, my husband and I went to a specialty store today and they had about 10 different protein powders, none that were low carb!  I made a post and got some ideas about different ways to use the protein powder, and I'll try them.  We did find a protein bar that was low carb and I managed to eat it, so I'll go back and get more.  It's just so frustrating that there is a plethera of bariatric food sites and I can't get any of them to ship to Europe.  I could ask mom, but she is so busy, I hate to bother her.  Might have no choice though.

I did manage 2 days of walks so far this week which is a significant improvement, and I've lost 28 pounds in total so, that's alright with me.  Although, it seems on the slow side compared to some I've seen.  I'll take it though.

Best wishes to all!
Linda

So, tomorrow I'm 3 weeks post op.  1st week I lost 14 pounds, 2nd 4 pounds, 3rd 2 pounds.  Seems I'm in a stall since Wednesday and I don't like it.  Of course, my period is due next week so I'm hoping that has something to do with it.  Also, am not eathing or drinking all I should.  It's harder than you would think!  I'm doing alright with tolerating most of what I eat.  I got food 'stuck' twice last week and gagged it up.  Very unpleasant.  No doubt in my mind it was because I was eating too fast and too big of bites.  I had some noodle soup, and in looking back was taking regular spoon fulls!  I think I shall go back to a baby spoon.

I worked one day last week ( 3hours teaching) though I would die from exhaustion by the end of the day.  Then the food got caught on wednesday and after that I didn't eat well for fear it would happen again!  I'm doing a little better this weekend.  I think this afternoon I'm going to try a protein drink and see if I can stomache it. 

Goal for the week is to start exercising.  I'm going to try to do a walking DVD 3 times this week. 

Wish me luck!

So, I made it through surgery and the week long hospitalization which is the standard here.  Praise God, it was all complication free.  I have been off pain medicine for 4 days and am doing alright with it.  Once in awhile a little discomfort, but nothing major.

I am on a 2 week post surgery 'soft foods' diet.  Thankfully, everything has gone down and stayed down and been tolerated without difficulty.  I am very careful with what I put in my mouth and chew like crazy even when there isn't much to it.  (e.g. I chew my cottage cheese).  I'm getting all my water in alright.  I can drink more normally all the time.  I only worry about protein, I am getting in protein, but not too much, and I feel my body is exhausted.  My muscles feel like I've been on an hour hike after just walking around a little and I hate it, although I know that is to be expected.

I've lost18 pounds since I was on the scale 2 weeks ago today and that is unfathomable to me and very exciting.  Maybe this will work after all!!

The hardest thing are the food cravings and emotional stuff.  There is NO DOUBT I have to find someone to talk to about this, but haven't made much headway in finding someone.  I have desires and urges to stuff something into my mouth.  WHy?? I don't know!  My will power is stronger than I thought (along with my fear of messing something up)  so that is helping.  But, it is hard!

O.K., surgery is 3 weeks tomorrow and I've spent essentially the entire weekend researching post-op diets and care.  The diet and recommendations that I'Ve been give vary sooooo much from those in the states I'm just not sure what to follow. 

Everything in the states seems much more strict and to the point insofar as the amount of caloric intake and different nutrient sources.  Here it's kind of like, well, eat whatever you tolerate with the exception of high sugar sweets and deserts and high fat foods and alcohol.  The vitamin supplementation is even different.  Granted, our food and agriculture is not the industry that it is in the U.S., things are almost all BIO, non pesticides and no genetic engineering, so the amt. of vitamins is MUCH higher.   Nevertheless, all I've been told to take is 1 multi vitamin, a Caclium Vit D and B-12.  I have yet to buy them so I don't know the quantities of each.  (I'll get them and analyze them this week).  Rationale for this is said to be because of the quality of food and the fact the Dr. Miller does not remove as much of the small intestine as his U.S. colleagues and the malabsorption is not AS severe.  That being said, Dr. M. told me that he removes ca. 1/3 of the intestine, which falls right in line with what I've read about the average U.S. procedure.  I'm not panicking about it, I just want to be sure my supplementation is right on.  The vit. deficiencies are fairly easily prevented, they are not, however easily cured and some not at all!!!

Here's the breakdown of my recommended post op diet plan as given me by the dietician.

Stage I.  first 2 weeks
  should consist mainly of fruit and vegetable juices, gatorade and different types of light soups.  Well chewed Saltine crackers.  Orange, grapefruit, tomato V8, grape and apple are all good choices.  Occasionally the sweet juices can be too sweet and cause dumping and may need to be diluted with water.  Yogurt, chicken noodle soupsö  avoid cream soups which may cause dumping

 They say 'eating 6 or meals per day leads to better retention of lean body mass and the same studies have shown that eating the same diet at a lower frequency leads to greater muscle loss.' There is NO recommendation for protein supplementation.

Here's the most concerning part 'The Myth of 8 glasses of water a day_ Many people have heard that drinking lots of water helps with weight loss.  This wrong and is dangerous right after GBS.  You can have a little water to drink after surgery but juices and chicken soup are much better choices because they contain some sodium and potassium.  It is important to emphasize that you should take only small amounts of liquids at each feeding in this stage (nor more than 2-3 tablespoons at a time) then wait for 10-14 minutes before taking more.  This is done to avoid distending the new small stomach pouch and potentially disrupt the staple line.

Stage II
from day 10-24. This is the time to return to modified regular diet.  Can stay at this stage from a few days to 2 months.  Juices and liquids should continue to be a mainstay of your diet.  It has been our experience that patients who stay mostly on liquids for up to 2 months have the greatest weight loss.  Soups are very useful in providing variety to your diet.  Other foods to introduce are soft foods that would fit through a strainer.  E.g. aplesauce, mashed potatoes and 'runny' cereals especially outmeal.

Stage III
The period when you return to essentially a normal diet.  Most anything is OK if you tolerate it.  Most patients report that red meat is difficult to eat.  Bread can be a problem as well. 

Some of the general suggestions are primarily the same, chew slowly, pencil eraser sized bites, do drinking with or 30 min. after, no carbonation, sweets, or hight fat foods ect. 

So, I'm going to email the dietician directly.  On another handout she suggests after 2 weeks of liquids and soft foods to go to 4-5 small meals: 

Bkfst:  coffee or tea with fat free milk, whole wheat bread with cheese
Lunch: turkey preast, potato and veg.
snack_ yogurt, or fruit
dinner: 1/2 hardboiled egg, whole wheat bread

SO, since my last posting.  I've completed my psych eval., nut. eval, EGD (little gastritis which was asymptomatic, no H pylori).  Everything is approved by the insurance and I have a surgical date of 20 October!   

Something that has surprised me a bit are the variances I'm finding between standard post-op diet recs here compared to the U.S.  Particularly protein intake recommendations!!  The recommendation I was given was to have a minimum of 40 grams of protein daily.  Most folks on the OH site are taking between 80 and 100.  I discussed it with the nutritionist and her rationale is this.  They are basing this 40 grams based on my lean muscle mass NOT on my overall weight, and that in order to maintain my current lean muscle mass (I'm something like 57% fat, how is that for depressing!) i need only consume 40 grams of protein daily.  SO, they don't really supplement in the form of powders ect.  Except possibly in the first couple of weeks when you're on clear liquids.  I'll post more details later after I look over all the recommendations again.  So, now I'm a bit perplexed.  The question is, are they not basing protein consumption in the U.S. based on lean body mass and only on overall weight??  I don't know.... I'll post this soon, but I just posted a couple of other quarries.  Dr. Miller requires no pre-op liquids or weight loss!  I'm trying to decide if I should do one anyway, and I'm compiling a list for myself of ways to ensure and improve my level of success.

So, this is all for now.... 
Take care everyone!