cybregrrl

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I've been losing slowly my first weeks. While it would have been nice to see a 20+ lb loss in my first month, I'm not that person. Now, that being said, I AM losing! Yay me!

If I can consistently lose ten pounds a month, as my nutritionist thinks is doable, I'll be very near goal at a year out. 

swtmelissa wrote the following and I liked it so much I'm putting it on my blog for posterity.

I see a lot of people posting about their stalls today.  I think we will all have pretty much the same advice when it comes to stalls so I though maybe we could just recap and combined some info!

1.) Stop looking at that scale! It is evil and will drive you NUTS!

2.) Get in all of your protien, water, and vitamins.

3.) Exercise. Even though we have had surgery, it is really important!

4.) Relax! Especially those of us recent post-ops (myself included).  I think it is extremely rare for our weigh tloss to miraculously stop after a month or two.  We need to give our bodies time to respond to all of these changes.

5.) It is only normal that we stall. Your body might be in starvation mode, trying to catch up, whatever. It's normal!

6.) Just like dieting there is no magic trick to this; it is pretty basic: eat right, exercise. Do what you are supposed to and the weight will come off. There is no magic trick that will break our stalls.

7.) We all lose weight at different rates; our bodies are all different - different heights, weights, ages, body structures. Don't let it get to you that some one else who had surgery the same time as you has lost more - your time will come, too!

8.) My favorite: Be consistant, with you vitamins, protein, work outs - all of it.

Ok, I saw the nutritionist on Tuesday. I've lost one pound since my last weigh-in and I'm a little bummed because I hoped it'd be more. However, anything on the minus side is good so I'm not going to stress about it. I'm doing everything I should and I will be seeing results. My nutritionist told me she wants to see a 10 lb loss each month. 

I don't have to puree anymore. Yay! *happy dance* I can have 1/2 of a lite whole wheat english muffin or 1/2 slice lite whole wheat bread, all toasted, with 1 Tbsp of creamy peanut butter or some cheese melted on top. Yum! That REALLY satisfies my carb cravings and fills me up. I try to do no more than one serving a day because it does eat into my protein opportunities. When I eat yogurt or my peanut butter toast, I will usually drink 12 oz of milk beforehand to supplement my protein. 

I have added a B-complex vitamin to my diet and an iron supplement, in addition to my chewable multivitamin and my Nexium. My PCP told me my labs show I'm slightly anemic - 11.2 when the result should be >12. The iron is definitely having an effect on my BMs but the milk helps. I have mild lactose intolerance that really helps keep things moving smoothly.

I'm doing ok emotionally. My therapist says I have a 'rational mind' that really helps me not buy into other people's shit.

I think Mom's resentful of the time I've taken off from work. Although I'm unsure of her motives, she's been needling me and trying to push my buttons. This makes me sad, because both my sister and I have explained to her that I don't have my usual coping mechanisms. I am actually looking forward to returning to work.

My whole life is consumed with eating right now. I wake up and immediately take my Nexium because I have to wait an hour to eat. From that point on, I'm preparing a meal, eating a meal or cleaning up from a meal. I swear it's a never-ending cycle! Arrrgh! 

I really didn't imagine how focused I'd have to be on eating. In all honesty, I wasn't eating enough preop and my postop diet is really demonstrating how poor my eating habits were. Wow!

My disability insurance is being a pain and dragging their feet with paying me. At this point, I've only been approved for one week of disability and have to provide additional information. I'm having to jump through more hoops to get disability coverage than I ever had to go through to get surgery. Sheesh!

My one month surgiversary was on Sunday, but my one month follow up with my surgeon was today. I officially weigh 254, down a total of 12 lbs from my surgery day weight of 266. 

I could be down about losing 'only' 12 lbs, but I had to lose 51 lbs of water weight before my body started losing fat. As that took two weeks to lose the water weight, I've only been in true "WLS Mode" for two weeks. Or, to look at things another way, I've lost 63 lbs since my surgery. Either way, I've lost weight and am happy.

I'm suffering some depression due to some family things. I won't go into details, but suffice to say my parents suck. Both of them, but for different reasons. I don't know why I thought I could count on them for my surgery when I have never been able to count on them for anything but a major letdown before.

I'm drinking ok, still can't drink plain or flavored cold and room-temperature water. Hot drinks do better, but I really enjoy the SF Hot Apple Cider. My store is out of it, so I'm going to have to call around to find more. I'm having issues with trying to find substitutes.

Doc was surprised to hear that I'm getting all of my protein from my foods and that I'm not supplementing at all. His target range for protein, at this time, is 60-80 g a day. I'm getting somewhere between 60-70 on a regular basis. My nut wanted me to supplement with protein shakes only at the end of the day to make up for any shortfalls. I've not had to supplement yet. Yay me!

I'm getting my vitamins in on a regular basis. Occasionally (twice) I've forgotten to take my multi, thinking I've already taken it for the day. For the most part, I'm uber compliant about all of my rules.

I meet with the nutritionist on 12/4 to progress to the next food stage. Until then, it's continue with the pureeds. In all honesty, for the last week I've not pureed anything, I'm just chewing very, very, VERY well and eating slowly, but within a 30 minute period. I'm not adding anything to my diet that isn't on my approved list, but I couldn't stand the pureeds any more. Mayonnaise and salad dressings have an icky, chemical taste to me now and there's only so many times you can use broth to puree your food. I've not had anything stuck or had any puking or dumping, so I'm just taking it slow and easy.

I've not gotten on the scales and have no plans to weigh myself outside of my doctor's office. On Tuesday, 11/20, I'll be seeing Dr. Pirrello and getting weighed, so I'll post my official weight at that time.

I'm getting in all of my protein without needing to supplement with shakes, but drinking water is still an issue. Every time I take a sip of plain water (ice cold or room temp) it feels like I just ate Thanksgiving dinner and am stuffed. This feeling takes a while to pass, too. Hot drinks and milk go down just fine, it's only water that I'm having an issue with.

At this point, I've not thrown up or had more than a passing bout with nausea, thank goodness! I did have some chest pains and went to the ER but the ER docs think it was muscle spasms and my surgeon just told me to double up on my Nexium for a week. Since I doubled the Nexium for a week, I've not had any more pains.

So far, everything I've eaten has stayed down. I've enjoyed eggs, steak, chicken, tuna, turkey bacon. Turkey sausage did NOT sit in my tummy easy and I've decided to take a pass on that for the foreseeable future. My tummy has enjoyed both boiled eggs and scrambled eggs with cheese. I was afraid to try them because of the issues other post-ops have with eggs; perhaps my trepidation helped.

With very few exceptions, I have taken my vitamins like clockwork. Only once or twice have I forgotten to take my vitamins. Usually, I'll be sitting doing something and then realize I need to take them. Yes, I know I need to be on a better schedule, but with one multivitamin to take a day right now, it's not like I'm going to screw something up.

I went to work on Wednesday, 11/14, for the office Thanksgiving thing. I went kinda last minute and brought a sweet potato pie and a pecan pie. Everyone was excited to see me and saying they could see a difference. I swear it was like no one had seen me in YEARS instead of days and weeks. I enjoyed it greatly. I took home two slices of ham and two slices of turkey and munched on them the rest of the day. Yum!

I've hit the 'depression' stage of the newly post-op life. I guess I should be glad that my family is the source of my issues instead of food and my surgery.

I was wrong to accept my family's assertions that they were here to support me when they've never supported a damn thing I've ever done except with lip service. My family is good in a crisis, but they're horrid at anything that requires long-term sustenance. Just goes to show that I'm still a bit naive in that area. I guess I choose to be so as the other option is to be cynical and pessimistic, and I can't do that - just not in my nature.

Anyway, I'm trying to not cry all the time because I'm struggling to get in all my water and can't afford to dehydrate myself. I may call the surgeon on Monday and ask for something to help me over this.

On the plus side, I've not had the least desire to turn to my old emotional comforts, Food and Cigarettes. 

Alpine SF Spiced Cider mix is SO totally awesome!

http://www.continentalmills.com/brands/alpine/spiced_cider_mixes/sugar_free_spiced_cider_mix/

Calories - 15
Total Fat - 0g
Sodium - 30mg
Total Carbohydrate - 4g
Sugars - 0gProtein - 0g
Vitamin C - 100%
Calcium - 2%

I've been having a hard time getting in all of my water and crystal lite hasn't been helpful. CL, along with water, just sit like lead weights in my tummy. The Spiced Cider is nice and warm and goes down easily. I was able to get ALL of my water in yesterday - Yay me!

Hope this helps!

I had some chest pains last night - roughly mid chest and slightly off center to the right. It started around 9:30 pm and after two hours of constant, throbbing pain every few seconds, I called the on-call surgeon who requested I go to the ER and rule out a blood clot in the lungs.

I got mom awake and had her drive me to the ER and called sis and made her come, too. The ER was responsive and took me back immediately. They drew a lot of blood and gave me some sort of pain killer that didn't make me loopy. Did the usual things with temp and blood pressure, asked all kinds of questions and did some pressing about on my chest, which hurt but not the same kind of pain.

Had my first CAT scan, too. That dye is really something else! I was asked if I was allergic to shellfish or eggs, if I had asthma or hayfever, if I had any kidney problems - no allergies, no asthma, yes to hayfever, and the bloodwork showed I was slightly dehydrated. (Personal vow to work on getting in more water. ) I was told the dye would make me feel hot all over and that some people said it felt like they'd wet themselves - although no one had in the technician's 18 years of experience. When they injected the dye, I did go hot all over in a matter of seconds and my female places got VERY hot, I could understand why some people reported the sensation of wetting themselves.

After all the poking, prodding, questioning, scanning and waiting, they THINK it was muscle spasms. Oh, what a wonderful way to spend over three hours and a $75 co-pay. 

Melissa F. thinks I had pouchie issues, which sounds more probable than generic muscle spasms. I'd not eaten anything solid to cause the issue. (I'd been lazy and eaten yogurt most of the day.)

So, I slept in today and am finally awake and testing the waters. A nice glass of milk went down well and I'm doing plain ol' vanilla yogurt. If that sits well, I'll do some pureed tuna or chicken in a few hours.

Wish me luck.

... And I officially weigh 264! That's two pounds less than my surgery date and also means ALL of the water weight is gone!  *happy dance*

The visit with the nut was very good. She said I was doing great getting in my protein and water and she suggested I start taking some biotin. I'd pretty much ruled out biotin, but I guess it won't hurt to add it to my regimen.

For those of you who like to hear what other folks nutrition plans look like, here's my food plan for the next four weeks (posting verbatim the instructions):

Weeks 3-6 will be a pureed high protein eating plan.
Excercise each day - 25 minutes of walking, twice daily.
Fluids (water and sugar free, non-carbonated fluids) - work towards 64 ounces daily.
Eat every 2 1/2 - 3 hours. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, supper, evening snack.
2 ounces each meal - stop before 2 ounces is consumed, if you feel full. Eat 2 ounce pureed for snacks - if unable to get protein in for the day, have high protein shake in the evening.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PUREE FOODS TO A BABY FOOD CONSISTENCY - NO LUMPS, AS THIS COULD CAUSE BLOCKAGE!

How to puree foods: chop solid food (such as chicken) into small pieces. Place the food in a blender or food processor. Add a liquid, such as low-fat milk or low sodium broth. Puree the mixture. You will have to experiment to see how much liquid works well for you to blend properly.

Foods recommended: 
Pureed lean meats (chicken, turkey, London broil, filet, lean pork tenderloin, lean ham, fish) with liquid to puree. 2 ounces equals 16g protein.
Cottage cheese and Ricotta cheese, 2 oz
Low fat milk and protein shakes
Yogurt without nuts, seeds or pieces of fruit, 2 oz (13g or less of sugar)
Eggdrop soup, tomato soup made with milk, pureed high protein soups (lentil, black bean, peak, navy bean), 2 oz
Can puree pinto beans or have fat-free, refried beans
Hard-boiled egg, pureed, 8g protein

Starting 11/8 I can add:
Oatmeal, cream of wheat, grits - made with milk, 2 oz
Baby food meats - stage 1 (not junior or lumps), 2 oz (do I really want to eat baby food meats?)
1 scrambled egg made with milk, can add low-fat cheese, 11g protein
Sugar-free puddings made with milk, 2 oz

Low-fat milk with Nesquik sugar free chocolate powder is a good drink for in between meals. Carb Countdown 2% reduced fat chocolate milk is higher in protein and an ok choice. 
Do not go anywhere without a bottle of water or crystal lite, etc.
You may add protein powder to sugar-free pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, grits, soup, etc, to get more protein in.

Always measure 2 oz at each meal and do not eat more.


Ok, that's the current rules. I had corned beef hash, pureed, and a hard-boiled egg pureed with lite mayo and mustard. Everything has settled nicely in my tummy, so far.

I really thought eating would be harder than it's been, to this point. Have had no problems getting in my shakes and water. Walking is still an issue. Every time I stand up, I feel like I'm on a boat - that rocking, googly feeling. I'm doing what I can, that's what matters.

Ok, I've been home from the hospital exactly one week. I'm having no issues drinking all of my liquids and getting in all of my shakes. I did have to change my multivitamin. The Isotonix is a bit effervescent and has a salty taste NOW that it didn't have preop. I can't gag it down. As there is NO way I'm going to skip my vitamins, I bought Centrum-knockoff chewables. They're a little chalky, but I can get them down. 

My diet consists of three 12 oz Sugar Free Carnation Instant Breakfast shakes mixed in 2% milk. That brings me right to 60 g of protein. I have occasionally added soup/broth, sugar free popcicles, sugar free jello and pudding, but for the most part it's water and shakes.

I haven't had any issues with purging, knock on wood. I think I had an instance of the foamies while in the hospital, just after I took that third potassium pill that did me in. Lots of bubbly ickiness coming up from my tummy; I told my surgeon that it felt like foamies.

Sunday was not a good day for me. I had a bad sinus headache and my allergy medicine made me nauseous. I had to put on an anti-nausea patch for the first time since I left the hospital because I was so icky. I was able to get most of my protein in, 9g shy of 60, and all of my water, barely.

I was a bad Leslie today. A good friend took me out to eat. We went to a Chinese restaurant, where I ordered Wonton Soup without the wontons. It was quite delish, but I ate some of those crispy fried noodles with it - maybe 1/4 cup. I was SO dying for something crunchy and it SO satisfied my craving! I ate small bites and chewed them into a powder before chasing it with a spoonful or two of soup. I progress to pureed foods on Thursday, so I definitely won't cheat or push my limits again - I know that I did wrong and could have hurt myself.

I am looking forward to meeting the nutritionist. I'm going to take my cookbooks and my food journal for her to review. We'll see how it goes.

Posted 10/26/07

Hey guys. I really thought I was prepared for the mental rollercoaster after surgery, but with the complications and family issues, I'm pretty much a wreck right now.

Ok, for those pre-ops, my complications aren't the run-of-the-mill kind. Nothing in my research or my discussions with my surgeon prepared me for this stuff. Oh, I knew about water retention, but who would have predicted 51 lbs gained in five days or that it would take over a week for my kidneys to 'wake up'? How could I have predicted that oral potassium would be highly irritating to my new pouch, preventing me from keeping anything down?

When I saw my surgeon for my one-week checkup and to get my staples removed, I'd lost ten pounds of water - Yay! But, my doctor told me that I need to get with my PCP and get tested for bleeding disorders. Per my surgeon, I am one of two patients he's had that were 'bleeders' and the other patient was taking Coumadin; I've never taken any blood thinners, but I can bruise easily and find unexplained bruises all the time. I've never had any of my other surgeons mention bleeding issues, so I am concerned and have made an appointment with my PCP to do the testing.

On top of all this, I explained to my family that I'd be pretty moody for the first few weeks and to please cut me some slack. Well, mom isn't cutting me slack and is purposefully needling me all the time. If she doesn't back off, she's gonna be homeless - if I don't kill her first. She had me so upset with her needling yesterday that I got a nosebleed and hyperventilated.

I miss chewing things, but I am not cheating or going off of my liquid diet - no matter how much I may want to stray. Mom suggested chewing gum, but I have always swallowed my gum and do not want to take the chance of swallowing it now. Of course, I'm freaking STUPID because I can't remember not to swallow gum (per mom).

I really want to smoke a cigarette, but I haven't and I won't. The last thing I need is to start that nasty habit again.

Anyway, wanted to give an update and vent a little. I hope y'all are having good weekends.