kristy1968

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 Today has been a better day in that I have lost another pound and am feeling great other than the fact that I am having a hard time with food choices. it is becomming difficult to eat and I am hoping I am not making it harder on myself than it has to be. I go to my doctor tomorrow and back to work on Monday! I want to ask him about lettuce and salads. I love the summer salads but am not sure about the lettuce/spinich. Hopefully at this stage it will be ok to eat. I guess I have to make dinners like before but with healthier choices. I will have to make a menu of dinners and lunches, then grocery shop. It is a learning process and will be for a while. 

 I am having a sad day. I shouldn't be because I went out with my three best friends for a birthday lunch. I have been friends with all three of them for 32 years. I am realizing that it is very difficult to go out to eat. I can't have a drink with the girls, I couldn't have dessert with them and today I am fully realizing the limits of this surgery.  It is hard and I knew that it would be but still it 
makes me sad.  Any advice from anyone? did you go through this with this surgery? 

 After spending the day in newport RI, I realized just how much my health has improved. I was able to go to the ocean drive and walk on the huge rocks and the sand. I had no trouble moving around and was not out of breath! I am overall feeling so much heathier and better!  I am so thankful that I made the decision to have this surgery! Aside from bringing my children into this world, it is the second best decision I have ever made! 

 Today was another great day! I went to my water aerobics class this am (and I really didn't feel like it..very tired but kept telling myself I would feel better after). Needless to say, it really kicked my butt today! My calfs, abd and arms are on fire..LOL  tomorrow is a rest day for the most part! I am taking a trip to newport RI for the day..can't wait! I am so tired though that I am sure I will sleep really good tonight.  anyways, have a good evening and be safe!  Hugs...Kris

 well today is my official one month anniversary! Four weeks ago today I embarked on a journey that was not only going to be the first day of the rest of my life but also the most exciting and trying time that has gotten easier but is still a day to day challege. It is a challenge that I embrace. I am down to 221 pounds!  

 I had my first water aerobics class this am. it went very well! I am finding that everyday I exercise is easier than the day before. My energy levels are also increasing everyday! The best advice I would give to anyone is to do a litte more everyday. If you're really tired, listen to your body and rest. Even if you can only tolerate 10 minutes a day or a walk to the mailbox, you are doing something that will get you to your goal! Never be hard on yourself! We ALL have our good days and bad days, so keep smiling and remember..it's all about you :)

 Hello again. Things are going well here. I actually dropped 2 pounds and am now 223. I joined a water aerobics class and begin this am. It will be interesting to see just what body parts hurt when I wake up tomorrow..LOL.  I know I said I was at a plateau for about a week and that is true. It was getting a little discouraging, however, after measuring my waist, bust, arms and legs I realized that even though my weight was the same I had actually continued to lose inches. The best advice I can give is to take or have another person take a weekly picture of you! you will be surprised at the difference not only weight but inches!  Luv and hugs.  Kris

 hello again! I have officially hit my first weight plateau. My weight has stayed at 225 (give or take a pound for water weight) for about the last week.  I did a little digging and found out a few things. First, Immediately after surgery and into your second or third week the weight comes off quickly. this is happening for several reasons. 1. you just had major surgery and did a pretty restrictive diet before the surgery.  2. Your body, due to the severe decrease in calories you are taking in (due to surgery and verly limited fluid/food intake) will use fat reserves to compensate for the lack of nutrition, therefore you will lose weight rapidly. 
The weight will slow down because your body starts to utilize your protien and amino acid stores which will burn less calories/fat to protect itself. This is where the plateau comes into play.  There are a few things you can do to get past this though. Amp up your excercise routine, just remember to "listen to your body". If you are getting winded or tired please slow down or stop. You dont want to over do it and pay the next day :)    The other thing that is very important is to make sure you are getting atleast 60 grams of protien every day.  This should help and remember that you are not even six weeks out from surgery (I have had to remind myself MANY times already).  You will get there, so keep smiling and keep a positive attitude! 

"We are only human, but we are extrodinary beings!"

 Hi, My name is Kristen. I had my surgery on March 8, 2011. I am a nurse and have done a lot of pre-op research. I would like to share my experiences and findings with you. 
One of the first things I did was make a list of why I wanted to have this surgery. This is not an easy surgery and has risks like any other major surgery so you want to make sure you know what you are getting your self into and most importantly why. 
The next thing I did was ask the surgeon who was going to perform the surgery "how many of these surgeries have you done" (and don't except "oh, a lot". Ask for a specific number. If he/she is a good surgeon they have a real good idea of the number of surgeries they have done.) Next ask "how many of these surgeries were successful and how many had complications/failed?"
Again, the surgeon will be up front with you and if not find another doctor. 
The next thing is to review all your medications you are currently on. make an appt with your primary care doctor. You and your doctor need to see what meds can be switched to liquid form or may be crushed safely. You will not be able to take pills after your surgery and you can never take time released or controlled relase medications as they do not break down properly and you don't absorb them the way you did before. (Don't let anyone including the surgeon tell you otherwise.)  
The next phase is your pre-op diet. I will admit this part does suck, however it also is tolerated well. You really want to lose atleast 10-20 pounds pre-op. This makes it so much easier for you surgeon to see what he/she is doing in there and shrinks your liver, making the surgery safer for you.
Finally, I will tell you that this surgery is not an "easy fix" as some people may say. Ignore them. You are the only person who wakes up and walks in your shoes day after day. It only matters what you think!!!  Don't feel ashamed about being over weight. 3/4 of this country is obese and YOU are taking control of your life, future and health. That says a hell of a lot about you!  In the meantime, I will keep posting changes good & bad that I go through and hopefully it will help you also. Till then, love and prayers..kris