JulieTX

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When DH tell you that you need to go bra shopping...you know it is WAY past time. LOL  I also needed some basic black slacks for a business trip next week, so off I go.  With high hopes, but realistic expectation, into the shop I go.

Now remember, I was a 26 when I started and 24 were fitting me comfortably at the time of my surgery. I'm down 20 pound - less than most, more than some - but 4 pounds a week on average is good.  I picked up a size 20...and a 22 because again, I'm trying to be realistic.  I head to the bras.  Some of the last ones I purchased were 42's and 44's.  I grabed 40's and 38's.  Off to the fitting room I go....

THEY FIT!!! THE SIZE 20'S REALLY FIT.  I let out a little squeel of joy right there in the dressing room!  And I'll admit a little tear came to my eyes...IT IS REALLY HAPPENING!  And the icing on the cake was the 38 bra fit as well.

It feels so good to finally have weight loss success.  I've still got a long way to go, but I know I will get their because I finally have the right tool for the job.

Last week was an interesting and challenging week for me and my family.  My father in law (DH step father) passed away after fighting cancer since April.  At just over 3 week post op, I needed to make a 600 mile trek across the plains of TX and OK.  He is now at peace and no longer in pain.

But I knew before we left I had to think also about how I would be able to take care of my health during out trip.  I needed to keep up my protein and my fluids.  I made sure we had bottled water to quickly and easily mix with crystal light.  I packed my BA shakes mix and my shaker bottle.  I knew the kind of foods that lay ahead of me.  We went to the store and I found some pre packaged FF tuna salad and crackers - reading the label I knew that it had a little more sugar than I'd like, but It was worth a shot - the next day I went back for more.  I carried them around in my purse along with some string cheese.

There was not anything I could really eat all week.  I did have some green bean and a few bites of potato casserole.  But I made it.  I tasted the ham and some pork loin, but both seemed too fibrous or dry for me to risk.  Chicken was baked, but was leftover so I knew it would be dry.

I got home from the trip very tired, but knowing this was a little test and practice for trip ahead.  I have a trip to Indy next week which will be my first of many trips outside my comfort zone.  it is truly learning some things all over again and keeping to the basics and I will do just fine.

Seems like forever a go...how time flies.  Today is 3 weeks post op.  I look back and I've had it pretty good.

Nausia the first day when getting out of bed, but the nurse was quite with meds and I was better by Saturday.  And other than day 4, I have been good.

Energy is returning a little bit..in fact I'm working a 12 hour day today....month end financials!

Weight loss is pretty much stalled for the second week, but the quick weight loss is still much more than I could have done by diet and exercise alone.  I know I will wake up one morning and have lost 5 pounds...and I'm ready for that morning.

Still eating puree and drinking protein shakes.  I am pretty satisfied with that routine, so I will probably do it a little while longer before I try real foods.  I think that best left for a weekend..you know just in case.  I have some fish in the freezer that I may try over the weekend.

All is good and I am still very happy I am making this journey.  Need to get some pictures and measurements this weekend as well.

DH grilled pork loin tonight.  We had mashed potatoes, green beans and pork.

I made my potatoes separate so they had less fat.  I put a little pork in my magic bullet so it was mush and had two little green beans.  It took me 45 minutes to eat.  It was really yummy and nice to eat what I was smelling.  Still made sure I chewed and chewed the pork.  Measure measure because I have no real sense of fullness yet.

I have been really lucky because everything I've eaten agrees with me, but I am being really careful.

After dinner, we went for a walk.  All the way around the block and probably should have gone again.  I'm not winded or tired.

The other amazing thing is my BP.  It has been running about 100/60 with no meds!  GREAT!

I made some soft chicken salad today.  Canned Chicken, SF sweet relish, an egg and some light mayo in my magic bullet.  Measured 1/4 cup (estimated 10 g protein) and one melba toast.  Yummie.  Nice to continue to add variety to the menu.

I have also been enjoying a little PB in my shakes, but it has so many calories.  So just for fun I checked at Drug Emporium for an alternative and they had PB2.  It was great.  Powder PB.  Much lower in fat and calories.  Added it to my BA powder and Yum.

Scales went down another pound today so maybe JUST MAYBE the stall is broken and I can continue to see it move.

Been lathering up with lotion.  I've begin to notice my skin is dry...and getting lose.  But we all knew that was gonna happen!

Feeling pretty good, but not a lot of energy.  I think this is pretty typical at this point.  Our bodies are used to way more than 700 calories, so we have to get used to the new reality.

I've lost 10 pounds - which I really lost the first week and have been having my first stall.  Hopefully it ended this morning.

Having a new little pain where my gall bladder lived years ago - feels almost like a bruise but is very mild.  I've been doing more liquids than solids until it goes away.  I have also paid attention to the acidity of what I am drinking.

I still have no feeling in my pouch to know if I'm full, so measuring is very important.  I've been getting in 60+ ounces of liquids, but need to have more because this includes my shakes.  'Regularity' seems to have returned!

I am having trouble sleeping at night.  I wake up about 1:30 and seem to be wired.  I'm trying various things to see what works.  Last night I ate about half a piece of cheese and after about 45 minutes I got back to sleep.

Today marked 40 pounds gone forever!  I will admit the first 30 were must tougher than the last 10 have been.  

I have read and been told that every day gets a little better than the one before and I am finding that is true.  I know that I may have some bad days ahead as well, like those dreaded stalls I know will come, but right now I am enjoying the ride.

I am a slave to the scales.  Always have been.  2 pounds since yesterday - melting away like butter.  I no longer have the swelling or water retention I have always had.  I was drying my hair this morning and thinking "whose slim hands are those anyway?"  No fat little fingers!

I have been pushing the food limits just a bit.  Still sticking with very pureed stuff.  Had 2T of cottage cheese and some sweet potatoes...oh how yummy.  I am not going to add any meats to the menu for at least another week and even then they will be mutilated in the magic bullet.

Started taking my vitamins today and note to self...make sure your pouch is empty first so you have room!

Went to work for about 3 hours today.  Was great to get out of the house...just the right amount of time.  Going to do the same tomorrow, but will put some bandaids over my incisions because my cloths rubbed on them just a bit.

Lots more energy everyday.

Ready for Friday!

Day 4 was rough!  I was very weak and just didn't feel good at all.  I figured it was because of the lack of protein and calories in general.  That night I has a 4 oz shake. I could tell a difference.  Day 5 was full liquids and the added protein made a huge difference. I even put on some regular clothes and felt almost human.

I fixed runny mashed potatoes for dinner and I thought I was in heaven.  Mixed with unflavored BA protein and I was set.

As bad as you can feel one day, you can feel great the next.

I am getting cabin fever and may need to leave the house soon.  I think I'm up for a short trip!

Everything went well and I"m home as scheduled.  I have 5 small incitions and they are a bit tender, but not bad overall.  I have no external staples..they used glue.  And I didn't have a drain tube either....  I am bloated in a little gassy, but I know that will pass.

I have not sense of being full yet.  I'm still on clear liquids for a few more days and then I'll switch to full liquids.  Kinda bumbed that I and up 6 pounds since surgery day, but that was to be expected too.

rest sip rest sip is my plan for the next few days.  Walking too will be a part of the plan.

I am glad the pain is minimal.  It is one of those things that is so different from person to person.  I got up and walked a lot while in the hopital.  I sat in the chair when I could and used my breathing toy (I still don't think I have as much lung capasity as they think!) and I need to keep those things up now that I am home.