justalexis

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I am officially down 17lbs in 6 weeks and now have 3cc's in my 10cc Lap-Band.  I am so happy!  It's seems a little scary to me because it really hasn't been too hard and I am not used to that.  In the past, I can remember what a struggle it was to get the scale to move, even for two lousy pounds!

OMG!  I just noticed that my BMI dropped 2.6 points!!!

I got a phone call from the surgeon's office at 3:45pm on Monday asking me if I ever went to see my family doctor or an Endocrinologist about my abnormal thyroid lab results from January.  I said no because I was told they were slightly out of range but that it wasn't a big deal.  Well, apparently it is to the anestheisiologists at Abington Hospital.  They were concerned that it could cause a cardiac episode during the operation!  I was totally freaking out!  I was told that they spoke with my family doctor and that he didn't seem to want to give me the clearence for surgery, which is what they needed.  I immediately called them and was told that he did give them clearence over the phone because he felt the slightly high results were not significant enough to cause concern.  I told them what the surgeon's office said and they told me to come right over.  I tried to call the surgeon's office back but they had already closed!!!  Then, about 10 minutes later, I got a cal from the surgeon himself.  He told me what the hospital was saying and that my family doc kind of "poo-pooed" over the whole thing and he wanted to be sure that I knew how serious this was.  I was so annoyed because they basically "poo-pooed" over the whole thing, too back in January when they had the results.  Otherwise ,we would not have been having this discussion.  He must have noticed that I was getting uoset from what he was saying about my family doctor because he quickly changed how he was talking and said that he just wanted to be sure that the doctor was not going to write the clearence letter just to write it and that I knew this could be serious.  I told him that my family doc would not ever do something like that, which would put me in danger.  He has been my doc for over 12 years and we are very close.  So, I went to see my family doctor and he gave me the clearence note and faxed one to the hospital.  I showed up the next morning at 8am, instead of 11am, so they could draw blood to retest the thyroid and do a stat consult with the Endocrinologist.  He was very nice.  He examined me and asked me a lot of questions.  He said that I showed no symptoms of having an overactive thyroid and that he would be willing to bet that it was my birth control that caused the high reading.  He cleared me for the surgery.  The anestheisiologist came in and read with he wrote and said that was good enough for him and that I was still on.  Unfortunately, the surgery before me ran long and I didn't go back until around 2:30pm instead of 1pm.  Dr. Kolff told me that since I wouldn't be out of recovery until 8 ot 9 pm and because of the thyroid scare, he would be keeping me overnight.  I wasn't happy about that at the time but after the surgery, I felt like I was run over by a Mac truck and was very nasous and threw up in recovery so I was happy I could just be wheeled to my room and go to sleep.  They took really good care of me and made me as comfortable as possible so it was worth staying over.  I was released around 3pm on Wednesday.  I am feeling okay.  The port site is killing me and makes it difficult to sit and stand without feeling like your side is ripping open but I have already noticed it getting a little less painful since yesterday.  I am so happy to be on the loser's bench!!  I have absolutely no desire to eat at all.  I hope that continues!!!

How to break a plateau 

 

1)  Do this for 10 days to break a plateau 
2)     Drink 2 quarts of water a day 
3)     You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamins/minerals supplements each day 
4)     You may consume up to 3 oz of the following high protein foods, 5x a day 
        a.     beef 
        b.     pork 
        c.      chicken 
        d.     turkey 
        e.     lamb  
        f.       fish 
        g.     eggs  
        h.     low fat cheese 
        i.       cottage cheese 
        j.       plain yogurt or artificially sweetened (?) 
        k.     peanut butter 
        l.       beans/legumes  
You may also have: 
      a.     sugar free popsicles 
         b.     tea or coffee 
         c.      sugar free soda 
         d.     sugar free Jello™ 
         e.     broths / bullion 
         f.       crystal light drinks 

5)      If it's not on the list, you can't have it for 10 days!!!! 
6)     Keep a food diary and try to get up to 30 minutes of exercise daily

 

 If you follow PB faithfully (not cheating) you can easily lose 10 lbs. in 10 days!

 

 STAGE I – FIRST 2 WEEKS POST-OP 

1. Liquids only from list below 3 times daily at set times. 
2. Liquid protein supplements  3 times daily between meals and   
    bedtime.
    NOTE: Most people can only drink 1 protein drink per day the first 
              2-3 days due to swelling.  

Remember: small amounts (4-6 ounces)
                  GO SLOWLY (30 minutes to drink 6 ounces) 
                  When you feel full STOP!
                  NO carbonated drinks  

LIQUID DIET: 
           Coffee, tea, fruit juice (NO orange or grapefruit) 
           Crystal light, Nutrasweet, Sugar free Kool-Aid 
           Diet drinks 
           Protein drinks as advised by the doctor 
           Broth
           Skim milk or Lactaid milk 
           Sugar free Jell-O or Sugar free popsicles 
           Low fat yogurt
           Sugar free pudding 
           Applesauce or baby food fruit

STAGE II FULL LIQUIDS FOR 2 WEEKS 
       Full liquids from the list below can now gradually be added to 
       your diet.  

1. 3 meals per day with a liquid protein supplement twice 
    daily between meals. 
2. NO liquids with meals if soft food is included. You must wait 30-45   
    minutes for the pouch to empty before drinking. 
3. CHEW WELL- the food must be almost liquefied before swallowing.  

FULL LIQUID DIET(anything you had to eat with a spoon or could 
                            drink): 

         Mashed potatoes 
         Blenderized soup 
         Soup with noodles 
         Cottage cheese 
         Oatmeal
         Grits 
         Cream of wheat 

STAGE III – SOFT DIET 

         Soft fruit (banana, melon, strawberries) 
         Cooked vegetables and fresh green vegetables 
         Soft pasta (well chewed) 
         Eggs
         Toast or crackers 
    
 Gradually add regular foods and remember:  

Eat only at set meal times 
                  NO LIQUIDS with meals or for 30-45 minutes afterwards. 
                  Avoid cheap calories 
                           Fats 
                           High Calorie Liquids 
                           Sweets, ice cream, junk food, cookies 
                   Protein supplement drinks 1 time a day for 1 month 

Five Day Carb Smash

Days One & Two:
For the first two days consume only liquids. You can have as many protein shakes as you like to satisfy hunger or cravings. In addition drink at least six 8-ounce glasses of water each day. Also enjoy clear soups and broths, coffee and tea, sugar-free jello and popsicles, Crystal light and other non-carbonated sugar-free beverages. 

Days Three, Four, and Five:
During the next three days eat solid protein and low-carb veggies and fruits as often as you want, but no more than 1-1/2 c. per serving, and only what you can consume within 15-20 minutes. Wait at least an hour before drinking anything after eating, and drink at least 8 oz. of water before eating again.  

Protein sources should be lean, unbreaded, with all visible fat and skin removed.  Choices include:  cottage cheese, tuna in the pouch, eggs, fish, ground beef, shellfish, scallops, lobster, shrimp, chicken, steak, pork chops, edamame.  

Veggies:  Green leafy veggies such as lettuce and spinach, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, cucumber, avocado, peppers, snow peas, green beans, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, carrots, and other low-starch vegetables.

Lower-carb fruits may be eaten in moderation: Berries, grapefruit, plums, apricots, peaches, pears, cherries, apples and papaya.  

Low-carb condiments may be used sparingly:  olive oil, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, picante, cocktail sauce, steak sauce, salad dressing, mustard, vinegar, hot sauce, pesto.  Low-fat cheeses permitted as condiments only.  Coffee may be lightened with low-fat milk. 

The purpose of the Carb Smash is to break the cycle of carb cravings, and reduce the capacity of the pouch so that you're satisfied with a smaller quantity of food.  After the five-day Carb Smash is over, add back whole grains, brown and wild rice, sweet potatoes, beans, all fruits and veggies, nuts, and low-fat dairy products as desired.  Continue to avoid sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white rice, white potatoes, products made with processed white flour, and liquid calories.  Portion sizes should be limited to what can fit on a salad plate.

 

 

www.myfooddiary.com www.sparkpeople.com www.my-calorie-counter.com www.myfitnesspal.com www.fitday.com www.thedailyplate.com www.calorieking.com www.calorie-count.com

A well stocked bariatric kitchen has the proper tools at hand:

• Measuring spoons and cups
• Food scale
• Individual food storage containers of various small sizes
• Ice cube trays for freezing small portions
• Snack size zipper lock bags
• Plastic eating utensils for travel/work

A well stocked pantry has:

• Canned tuna (or pouches) in water, canned lump crabmeat
• Canned chicken
• Seasoning blends (i.e. Mrs. Dash)
• Apple cider and/or balsamic vinegar
• Artificial sweetener (i.e. Splenda, Equal, Stevia, Sweet n’ Low)
• Light or low-fat mayo, mustard
• Low calorie, low-fat salad dressings for seasoning and marinating
• Individual sizes of packaged fruit packed in juice
• Canned vegetables
• Canned diced tomatoes, jarred tomato sauce, salsa
• Canned beans/legumes (garbanzo, kidney, black, red, fat-free refried)
• Low sodium broths and soup bases (chicken, beef, vegetable, seafood)
• Whole grain, high fiber, high protein pasta
• High fiber, protein rich hot cereal packets (i.e. oatmeal, multigrain, farina, oat bran, etc.)
• High fiber, high protein cold cereal
• Whole grain crackers (such as WASA, Ry-Vita, Kashi, low-fat Triscuits)
• Crystal Light, Diet Snapple and other low calorie beverages or powder mixes
• Carnation Instant Breakfast, no sugar added
• Pre-made diet gelatin cups, diet pudding cups

A well stocked bariatric freezer has:

• Individually frozen shrimp in a bag
• Skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins
• Lean chopped meat frozen in small snack size zipper top bags
• Sugar-free ice pops, sugar-free fudge pops
• Bags of frozen fruit pieces (no sugar added) for smoothies and snacking, either bought already frozen, or freeze your own sliced banana, berries or grapes to add to yogurt or cereal

A well stocked bariatric refrigerator has:

• Pre-washed and cut fruits and vegetables (try the supermarket salad bar for variety)
• Yogurt and yogurt smoothies (small containers, low-fat, artificially sweetened)
• Part-skim ricotta cheese
• Low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese (small containers)
• Low-fat cheese wedges/mozzarella “string cheese” sticks (i.e. Laughing Cow brand, Polly-O brand)
• Pre-shredded low-fat cheese blends to boost flavor and protein of foods
• Deli sliced turkey, ham or chicken breast
• Fresh eggs, hard boiled eggs and egg substitutes
• Pre-cooked grilled chicken or turkey strips
• Skim and 1% milk
• Assorted pre-washed and cut salad green blends
• Low-calorie salad dressing/spray dressings
• Imitation Butter in spray form (such as I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter)

Be creative…

Need some creative, healthy easy combinations for meals or snacks? The challenge is to keep food choices creative and flavorful; inspiring your taste buds is crucial in order to keep you interested in healthier food choices.

• Romaine lettuce leaf wrapped around 2 slices deli turkey with mustard or low-fat salad dressing
• 4 oz. fat-free yogurt with 2 oz. fresh berries and 1 Tbsp. fiber rich cereal
• Part skim mozzarella stick wrapped in sun-dried tomato slice or roasted red pepper (not packed in oil)
• 2 oz. seared tuna steak with low-fat dill sauce (fat-free yogurt, capers, dill and lemon juice)
• Laughing Cow low-fat cheese wedge spread on multigrain WASA cracker
• 2 oz. fat-free milk, 2 oz. fat-free yogurt, 2 oz. fruit of choice a few ice cubes, sprinkle sweetener to desired taste and pulse in blender.
• Freeze half of small banana or 10 frozen grapes
• Hot cereal (one packet) mixed with water or skim milk, artificial sweetener and fresh fruit. Or try hot cereal add vanilla extract, artificial sweetener and cinnamon.
• 3 oz. grilled chicken over salad greens and low-calorie dressing of choice, lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20th!  Less than 6 weeks away!  I am so excited!!!

I just found out (by calling the insurance company myself) that I have been approved for the Lap Band surgery.  I called the doctor's office to let them know.  They said they would have the person who handles the insurance call me back to set up a date!  I am so excited and nervous!!!

I got a call from the cardiologist personally on 3/14 to tell me that my stress test was normal and that he was sending a revised letter to the surgeon, releasing me for surgery.  I called Dr. Kolff's office today to ask what to do next and was told that everything was submitted to the insurance and they would call me with a date once they received approval.  Anxiously, I then called the insurance company to see how long they expected to take and was told they didn't have anything for me!!??  I don't want to be a pest so I didn't call back the doctors office but what the heck??  I guess I will wait a few days and call them back...