Inspired_loser
Just Stuck a Toe Into Onederland!
Jan 18, 2011
Well, it's been about 2 1/2 months since surgery, and I am almost half way to my goal. Moreover,I am happy to report that for the first time in at least six years I have made it (just barely--I'm at 199) into Onderland!
I must admit that this process is going much faster than I thought it would, but I am still having a very hard time with my food. My pouch seems to be very temperamental and I only hold down about 65 percent of what I eat. I am careful to take all my vitamins for the most part, and I exercise just about daily (hate not to now!), but in all honesty, I am struggling with meeting my protein intake guidelines. As for my water intake, it varies. I find myself going through stages where I drink a lot of water for awhile, then for some reason I will have a day or two where I don't. It is always difficult to get it back to where it should be once stop drinking enough. I suppose the same can be said of most good habits--they are easy to stop, but very difficult to pick back up once you do.One thing I can say, though, is that I don't crave anything but water when I am thirsty now--and I was a die-hard Coca-Colaholic! I have had a well planned sip or two since my surgery, but I found it no longer held the same appeal to me. That is a miracle in itself.
I have been meaning to post some pictures since before my surgery. I know these can be very inspiring when we are still facing surgery, or just had it done. They were for me, anyway, so I feel like I should pay it forward. Anyway, I am interested in seeing those side-to-side comparisons myself. I am making a note to do this soon. I hope somebody holds me to it if I don't.
Well, that is about all. I just wanted to post my progress real quick. I hope that everyone is healthy and blessed as we make our way through the first month of the new year, and I will be posting again soon.
Ciao
0 comments
I must admit that this process is going much faster than I thought it would, but I am still having a very hard time with my food. My pouch seems to be very temperamental and I only hold down about 65 percent of what I eat. I am careful to take all my vitamins for the most part, and I exercise just about daily (hate not to now!), but in all honesty, I am struggling with meeting my protein intake guidelines. As for my water intake, it varies. I find myself going through stages where I drink a lot of water for awhile, then for some reason I will have a day or two where I don't. It is always difficult to get it back to where it should be once stop drinking enough. I suppose the same can be said of most good habits--they are easy to stop, but very difficult to pick back up once you do.One thing I can say, though, is that I don't crave anything but water when I am thirsty now--and I was a die-hard Coca-Colaholic! I have had a well planned sip or two since my surgery, but I found it no longer held the same appeal to me. That is a miracle in itself.
I have been meaning to post some pictures since before my surgery. I know these can be very inspiring when we are still facing surgery, or just had it done. They were for me, anyway, so I feel like I should pay it forward. Anyway, I am interested in seeing those side-to-side comparisons myself. I am making a note to do this soon. I hope somebody holds me to it if I don't.
Well, that is about all. I just wanted to post my progress real quick. I hope that everyone is healthy and blessed as we make our way through the first month of the new year, and I will be posting again soon.
Ciao
Check-In at Six Weeks Out
Dec 07, 2010
First of all, I want to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all who might read this. For me it was good. I cooked for a small but intimate group of friends and loved ones, and this year I really got to focus on the true meaning of the holiday rather than on the food.. I was--and am--so grateful for my ever--improving health, friends and family, and so many other things.
Okay, having said that, I am going to now complain a little. I really am thankful for everything, the least of which not being that I am beyond the waiting for surgery and the pain of recovering, but since this is my safe place to vent and reach out, I am going to talk about what my experience so far is.
For one, this new stomach of mine is very fickle. One day something sits fine with me, and the next it comes up. It seemed as though I had turned a corner just after Thanksgiving when, for the first time, I was able to recognize that I was done BEFORE I felt that last bite sitting on top of my pouch rather than in it and it was about to come up. That was my biggest thing because the feeling of being full is so much different. It is in a different location too. Anyway, this one day I was finally able to eat more than two or three small bites, and I felt that old familiar feeling of fullness (in pretty much the right place). so I thought that finally my pouch was healing and I was getting used to it. About a week ago, however, I caught a cold or something and a doctor (not my regular primary or my WLS doc, but another doctor at my primary doctor's office) decided I had a bacterial lung infection and put me on antibiotics. This doctor is young and I should know that just because I tell a doctor about the surgery does not mean they understand all the implications involved, but I did not think to ask for liquid antibiotics and forgot how big those suckers usually are. Well, when I got them home and went to take one I remembered alright, but by then I had already been taking other capsules, just not so big, and I figured it would be okay. I could not have been more wrong. Once I started taking them nothing would stay down anymore, and it seems as if I am back to square one with my pouch even though I stopped taking them the day before yesterday.
I know this is something I really need to discuss with my bariatric doctor, and I will soon since I have an appoointment coming up later this week. I just wanted to talk about here though because it really is frustrating to think you are hungry, be very careful about your selection of food, and then throw it up anyway. I am feeling rather weak lately. I don't know if it is because I was sick (I suspect I just had a garden-variety flu, not the bacterial infection), or because I am not getting enough nutrients.
Oh, and then I get a flyer from Marie Calender's, and they have an ad for a red velvet dream pie! Now I am not that crazy about pie, but I like it. But red velvet cake is my favorite and this pie looks so heavenly that I wanted to eat the paper the ad was printed on! Honestly, this is the first time I have really felt deprived since my surgery. It's like a conspiracy or something. I mean why couldn't they come up with that before my surgery, right?
As for exercise, I am doing pretty good. I asked for, and received, a weight bench and dumbell set for X-Mas & Channukah this year from my ex-husband and dear friend. I am now learning the break-in routine from the Women's Body Sculpting Bible--great book! I also walk for 30 to 45 minutes with my dog just about every day, and I am doing a 20 minute (plus warm-up & cool-down 5 min. each) dance workout video. Oh yeah, and I finally started going to the YMCA again. I notice that if I don't exercise I lose about 0.60 of a lb. per day, but if I do exercise I lose 1-2 lbs-at least when I am not in a stall.
0 comments
Okay, having said that, I am going to now complain a little. I really am thankful for everything, the least of which not being that I am beyond the waiting for surgery and the pain of recovering, but since this is my safe place to vent and reach out, I am going to talk about what my experience so far is.
For one, this new stomach of mine is very fickle. One day something sits fine with me, and the next it comes up. It seemed as though I had turned a corner just after Thanksgiving when, for the first time, I was able to recognize that I was done BEFORE I felt that last bite sitting on top of my pouch rather than in it and it was about to come up. That was my biggest thing because the feeling of being full is so much different. It is in a different location too. Anyway, this one day I was finally able to eat more than two or three small bites, and I felt that old familiar feeling of fullness (in pretty much the right place). so I thought that finally my pouch was healing and I was getting used to it. About a week ago, however, I caught a cold or something and a doctor (not my regular primary or my WLS doc, but another doctor at my primary doctor's office) decided I had a bacterial lung infection and put me on antibiotics. This doctor is young and I should know that just because I tell a doctor about the surgery does not mean they understand all the implications involved, but I did not think to ask for liquid antibiotics and forgot how big those suckers usually are. Well, when I got them home and went to take one I remembered alright, but by then I had already been taking other capsules, just not so big, and I figured it would be okay. I could not have been more wrong. Once I started taking them nothing would stay down anymore, and it seems as if I am back to square one with my pouch even though I stopped taking them the day before yesterday.
I know this is something I really need to discuss with my bariatric doctor, and I will soon since I have an appoointment coming up later this week. I just wanted to talk about here though because it really is frustrating to think you are hungry, be very careful about your selection of food, and then throw it up anyway. I am feeling rather weak lately. I don't know if it is because I was sick (I suspect I just had a garden-variety flu, not the bacterial infection), or because I am not getting enough nutrients.
Oh, and then I get a flyer from Marie Calender's, and they have an ad for a red velvet dream pie! Now I am not that crazy about pie, but I like it. But red velvet cake is my favorite and this pie looks so heavenly that I wanted to eat the paper the ad was printed on! Honestly, this is the first time I have really felt deprived since my surgery. It's like a conspiracy or something. I mean why couldn't they come up with that before my surgery, right?
As for exercise, I am doing pretty good. I asked for, and received, a weight bench and dumbell set for X-Mas & Channukah this year from my ex-husband and dear friend. I am now learning the break-in routine from the Women's Body Sculpting Bible--great book! I also walk for 30 to 45 minutes with my dog just about every day, and I am doing a 20 minute (plus warm-up & cool-down 5 min. each) dance workout video. Oh yeah, and I finally started going to the YMCA again. I notice that if I don't exercise I lose about 0.60 of a lb. per day, but if I do exercise I lose 1-2 lbs-at least when I am not in a stall.
Checking in at Twelve Days Out
Nov 06, 2010
Well, I am twelve days post-op and I have already lost 26 lbs! This is in addition to the ten pounds of fluid I gained in the hospital, which follwed me home and stayed for about four days. Then one morning I woke up and it was gone--along with ten more pounds. Then by this past Wed (10 days out and my first post-op visit) Ten more pounds were gone. Today, another six!
This, to me, is amazing. It took me three months in WW a year or two ago to lose that amount of weight. I know I will hit a stall soon, but that is okay. I am perfectly okay with my body doing it's thing, and I know it needs time to catch up.
Wednesday, I graduated to soft foods, YAY! I really struggled with getting all my protein from those shakes. In fact, I never did manage to get all of my protein in when I was on liquids only. Now I can eat egg (my first required solid food), which didn't really stay down scrambled the two times I tried, but probably would soft boiled or poached. I can also eat beans of any kind (they have to be LF or FF), LF cottage cheese, tofu, and some soups, like split pea (I have eaten Progresso's. It's yummy), lentil, tomato (yuk) or bean soup. Next week I get to add meat and soft cooked veggies.
All in all, I am doing well. I got behind in my classes since I had to miss the week of my surgery, so most of my time is spent making up work. I am also behind schedule on getting my business plan done, but oh well. I refuse to let myself get stressed out about that.
I have been procrastinating about taking a before picture. My doctor did take one, though, and I am sure I can get a copy of that, but I still think I should take one myself before I lose any more weight. I have a food and excercise log that has a place to put your monthly picture, and I would like to keep up with that. Also, being an artist, I do a lot of visual journals. I have been planning on doing one based on my journey with this.
Well, that's about it. I am planning on making my posts more topic focused in the future, and not so much of a personal diary since I already keep one of those in hard copy. But for anyone who has been kind enough to read my ramblings so far, I appreciate it and encourage comments of any kind (just be civil).
Smiles to all,
Amie
1 comment
This, to me, is amazing. It took me three months in WW a year or two ago to lose that amount of weight. I know I will hit a stall soon, but that is okay. I am perfectly okay with my body doing it's thing, and I know it needs time to catch up.
Wednesday, I graduated to soft foods, YAY! I really struggled with getting all my protein from those shakes. In fact, I never did manage to get all of my protein in when I was on liquids only. Now I can eat egg (my first required solid food), which didn't really stay down scrambled the two times I tried, but probably would soft boiled or poached. I can also eat beans of any kind (they have to be LF or FF), LF cottage cheese, tofu, and some soups, like split pea (I have eaten Progresso's. It's yummy), lentil, tomato (yuk) or bean soup. Next week I get to add meat and soft cooked veggies.
All in all, I am doing well. I got behind in my classes since I had to miss the week of my surgery, so most of my time is spent making up work. I am also behind schedule on getting my business plan done, but oh well. I refuse to let myself get stressed out about that.
I have been procrastinating about taking a before picture. My doctor did take one, though, and I am sure I can get a copy of that, but I still think I should take one myself before I lose any more weight. I have a food and excercise log that has a place to put your monthly picture, and I would like to keep up with that. Also, being an artist, I do a lot of visual journals. I have been planning on doing one based on my journey with this.
Well, that's about it. I am planning on making my posts more topic focused in the future, and not so much of a personal diary since I already keep one of those in hard copy. But for anyone who has been kind enough to read my ramblings so far, I appreciate it and encourage comments of any kind (just be civil).
Smiles to all,
Amie
The Other Side of Surgery
Oct 31, 2010
Well, I made it! I have survived surgery and am now outfitted with a brand new super-economy stomach! I went in for my RnY on Monday the 25th, and came home on Wednesday afternoon. (Haven't been ready to get online until today).
It is quite amazing, actually, but I can see it will take me some time to fiure out how to use this new "part". Since I am, of course, only allowed liquids (which for me is broth, sugar free jello, skim milk, and protein drinks) my main problem has been deciphering the various pains and pressures. I'm getting the hang of it, though. When I drink too much, too fast, or in too big a swallow I feel pain. It feels a lot like the pain I felt right out of surgery, however, so it took me a day or two to figure out that I was actually feeling fullness. I am finding myself worrying now that I have stretched my pouch out already. I realize, however, that this is probably not the case. It is just my mind messing with me.
So now, the big challenge is how to get my 60 to 80 gms of protein AND 64 ounces of water in every day. I have been averaging only about half to three-quarters of those goals. I was told in the first week to just do my best and work up to it, but next week (after post-op visit on Wed.) I will be adding all those vitamins and soft foods too. I wonder if telling when I am full BEFORE it hurts will be easier with solid foods. Hmm.
The surgery itself went well and I have so far, as of my 5th day, experienced no complications. I will say, however, that just as I have read from many others, it hurt quite a bit more than I expected. Much of this is due to the air they pump into you in order to see and move there scopes and instruments, and as I have also read, the best (maybe only) way to get it out of you is to walk, walk, walk.This really does work.
And for anyone reading this who has not yet had their surgery, I would suggest that you write yourself a letter about all the reasons you are doing this--you know, all those things that you know for sure that will be better afterward, and take this letter with you to the hospital. Pack it in a place where you will be able to easily access it because you WILL forget why you put yourself through it.. You WiLL be sitting there overwhelmed and in pain wondering what the heck you have done. And when you are there like that, that letter WILL help you get through it. This is what I did, and it helped me. I don't say this to scare anyone. I am just being real. And those feelings don't last for long, but if you have a way to get trhough them and stay positive it helps a great deal.
Thank you to those who have taken the time to read my post. I will be updating more in the days to come.
Happy Fall-O-Ween
Keep the kids safe!
PS: I am already down 7lbs (in five days) from my pre-weight!
0 comments
It is quite amazing, actually, but I can see it will take me some time to fiure out how to use this new "part". Since I am, of course, only allowed liquids (which for me is broth, sugar free jello, skim milk, and protein drinks) my main problem has been deciphering the various pains and pressures. I'm getting the hang of it, though. When I drink too much, too fast, or in too big a swallow I feel pain. It feels a lot like the pain I felt right out of surgery, however, so it took me a day or two to figure out that I was actually feeling fullness. I am finding myself worrying now that I have stretched my pouch out already. I realize, however, that this is probably not the case. It is just my mind messing with me.
So now, the big challenge is how to get my 60 to 80 gms of protein AND 64 ounces of water in every day. I have been averaging only about half to three-quarters of those goals. I was told in the first week to just do my best and work up to it, but next week (after post-op visit on Wed.) I will be adding all those vitamins and soft foods too. I wonder if telling when I am full BEFORE it hurts will be easier with solid foods. Hmm.
The surgery itself went well and I have so far, as of my 5th day, experienced no complications. I will say, however, that just as I have read from many others, it hurt quite a bit more than I expected. Much of this is due to the air they pump into you in order to see and move there scopes and instruments, and as I have also read, the best (maybe only) way to get it out of you is to walk, walk, walk.This really does work.
And for anyone reading this who has not yet had their surgery, I would suggest that you write yourself a letter about all the reasons you are doing this--you know, all those things that you know for sure that will be better afterward, and take this letter with you to the hospital. Pack it in a place where you will be able to easily access it because you WILL forget why you put yourself through it.. You WiLL be sitting there overwhelmed and in pain wondering what the heck you have done. And when you are there like that, that letter WILL help you get through it. This is what I did, and it helped me. I don't say this to scare anyone. I am just being real. And those feelings don't last for long, but if you have a way to get trhough them and stay positive it helps a great deal.
Thank you to those who have taken the time to read my post. I will be updating more in the days to come.
Happy Fall-O-Ween
Keep the kids safe!PS: I am already down 7lbs (in five days) from my pre-weight!
Surgery Eve...Finally!
Oct 24, 2010
Well, I am finally only hours away from surgery, and I am packed, bowel prepped, prayed-up, and ready to begin anew. The next time I post I will be on the other side--the losing side.
I feel good about this decision and I am confident that I am doing the right thing in order to gain control of my health and learn new habits. I once was very fitness and health oriented. I know with a little help back in the right direction, I will be again.
Still, as good as I feel about this, prayers are always valued and they work. So if anyone is reading this, please don't forget me tomorrow when you meet with your higher power
.
Thanks and G'Night,
Amie
2 comments
I feel good about this decision and I am confident that I am doing the right thing in order to gain control of my health and learn new habits. I once was very fitness and health oriented. I know with a little help back in the right direction, I will be again.
Still, as good as I feel about this, prayers are always valued and they work. So if anyone is reading this, please don't forget me tomorrow when you meet with your higher power
.Thanks and G'Night,
Amie
Coutdown On--Four Days to Go to Surgery!
Oct 21, 2010
I am not sure why I have waited until this point to start posting. After all I am a posting type of girl. For some reason, however, I have just been hanging around since even before I got my date meaning to write but never getting to it. I did update my profile a little bit and choose my tracker, but getting myself to start this blog has been difficult. I think it is because none of this felt real to me until I walked out of the (all-day) multidisciplinary class and pre-op testing this past Monday. At that point, it all started to sink in. So now, whatever the reasons I took so long here I am ready to share my journey with anyone who is interested or who can benefit from my experiences.
Anyway, as I said in the title of this post, I am four days away from ground zero. I guess it is normal, but I have to say I am experiencing a bit more anxiety at the thought of both the surgery itself and what comes after than I thought I would. It is not necessarily negative anxiety, but my emotions are running high right now as I continue to prepare for my new life.
Speaking of preparation, I got some cute little dishes, a small spoon, cocktail forks, and tiny storage containers. I also got a good shaker cup with a separate container to keep the powder in and an ice stick, a couple types of protein mixes (I have to get more, but I am going to order those with my vitamins later today), some comfy new sweats to wear for the first few days when I get home, an immersion blender (already have a bullet), some cute little Popsicle makers, a lunch lunch bag and some insulated containers to carry so I always have appropriate food with me, and a few other things that I cannot remember at the moment. I also dug out all of my old workout stuff for when I am able to start more intensive exercising, and I renewed my membership to the YMCA. I have been extremely busy with other things, as well, but preparing for surgery has been cathartic for me. It helps me to stay positive and keep in mind what my doctor has requested I do in the week before surgery.
I am supposed to practice breathing, walk for thirty minutes every day, make sure I am eating only three meals a day, take a multivitamin daily, fill the prescription for pain meds for after surgery, get the Hibicleanse for showering the morning of surgery, and buy the bowel prep stuff (not looking forward to that part). I have done everything required of me. . .almost. I do have to admit that I did not walk yesterday and I had a snack after dinner last night (just keeping it real). As for the walk, it was raining like crazy, but I realize this is no excuse because I have the means to do the equivalent indoors; as for the snack, well, I just decided to give my self one last small hoorah (it was a Rice Crispies Treat). Overall however, I am doing well and I will soon be on the losing side of this adventure. Yay!
1 comment
Anyway, as I said in the title of this post, I am four days away from ground zero. I guess it is normal, but I have to say I am experiencing a bit more anxiety at the thought of both the surgery itself and what comes after than I thought I would. It is not necessarily negative anxiety, but my emotions are running high right now as I continue to prepare for my new life.
Speaking of preparation, I got some cute little dishes, a small spoon, cocktail forks, and tiny storage containers. I also got a good shaker cup with a separate container to keep the powder in and an ice stick, a couple types of protein mixes (I have to get more, but I am going to order those with my vitamins later today), some comfy new sweats to wear for the first few days when I get home, an immersion blender (already have a bullet), some cute little Popsicle makers, a lunch lunch bag and some insulated containers to carry so I always have appropriate food with me, and a few other things that I cannot remember at the moment. I also dug out all of my old workout stuff for when I am able to start more intensive exercising, and I renewed my membership to the YMCA. I have been extremely busy with other things, as well, but preparing for surgery has been cathartic for me. It helps me to stay positive and keep in mind what my doctor has requested I do in the week before surgery.
I am supposed to practice breathing, walk for thirty minutes every day, make sure I am eating only three meals a day, take a multivitamin daily, fill the prescription for pain meds for after surgery, get the Hibicleanse for showering the morning of surgery, and buy the bowel prep stuff (not looking forward to that part). I have done everything required of me. . .almost. I do have to admit that I did not walk yesterday and I had a snack after dinner last night (just keeping it real). As for the walk, it was raining like crazy, but I realize this is no excuse because I have the means to do the equivalent indoors; as for the snack, well, I just decided to give my self one last small hoorah (it was a Rice Crispies Treat). Overall however, I am doing well and I will soon be on the losing side of this adventure. Yay!
