As I enter my "Maintaining Phase" of my journey, I must still be aware and make wise decisions. I still and probably always will watch my carb intake the most and base my decisions on how many carbs each food has. Here is an interesting chart I found that I keep posted on my refrigerator as well to help me keep this balance until it becomes a more natural/automatic decision-making process:
    

Cucumber Slices (1/2 cup)	6.8	0.1	1.4	0.4
Carrot Sticks (1/2 cup)	27.5	0.1	6.5	0.7
Tangerine Slices (1 large)	43.1	0.2	11	0.6
Applesauce (1/2 cup)	52.5	0.1	13.8	0.2
Celery Sticks w/ Cream Cheese (1 Tbsp)	54.4	5.1	1.3	1.3
Grapes (1/2 cup)	56.8	0.5	14.2	0.5
Dried Apricots (1/4 cup)	77.4	0.1	20.1	1.2
Apple Slices (1 med)	81.4	0.5	21	0.3
Pretzels (1 oz.)	108	1	22.5	2.6
Oil-Popped Popcorn (2 cups)	110	6.2	12.6	2
Graham Crackers (2 large)	118.5	2.9	21	1.9
Jelly Beans (30)	121.1	0.2	30.7	0
Raisins (1/4 cup)	123.8	0.2	32.6	1.3
Trail Mix (1 oz.)	131	8.3	12.7	3.9
BBQ Chips (1 oz.)	139.2	9.2	15	2.2
Tortilla Chips (1 oz.)	142	7.4	17.8	2
Cheese n Crackers (1 oz.)	142.6	7.2	16.5	2.9
Chocolate Pudding (1/2 cup)	150.3	4.5	25.8	3.1
Cheese Puffs (1 oz.)	157.1	9.8	15.3	2.2
Cashews (1 oz.)	162.7	13.1	9.3	4.3
Sunflower Seeds (1 oz.)	165	14.1	6.8	5.5
Peanuts (1 oz.)	165.8	14.1	6.1	6.7
Colby Cheese Cubes (1.5 oz.)	167.5	13.7	1.1	10.1
Beef Jerky (1.5 oz.)	174.4	10.9	4.7	14.1
Apple Slices w/Peanut Butter (1 Tbsp)	176.3	8.7	24.1	4.3
Chocolate Bar (1.55 oz.)	225.7	13.5	26	3
Chocolate Chip Cookies (4 med)	236.2	10.8	32.7	2.4
Doughnut (1)	250.2	11.9	34.4	2.7
Chocolate Ice Cream (1 cup)	285.1	14.5	37.2	5
Fig Bars (6)	334.1	7	68.1	3.6
French Fries (med order)	458.3	24.7	53.3	5.8

The Emotional First Aid Kit: A Practical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery - by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD

Exodus from Obesity - by Paula F. Peck, RN

Before and After: Living and Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery - by Susan Maria Leach

Eating Well After Weight Reduction Surgery - by Patt Levine

Recipes for Life After Weight-Loss Surgery: Delicious Dishes for Nourishing the New You - by Margaret Furtado, MS, RD, LD/N, and Lynette Schultz, Chef, LRCP

I am not sure how things in life work, but whatever it was that brought me together with a stranger who introduced me to WLS and Dr. Cirangle, I will be eternally grateful.

I believe in my heart that Dr. C is the finest and most experience VSG surgeon. I had originally thought I would either go with a DS or RnY, but after learning more about each of the surgeries and speaking with Dr. C, I realized that the VSG was best for me. Knowing I was in the hands of probably the most skilled surgeon was so comforting. I was never afraid or nervous as so many others I read about tend to be. Having met him and felt his confidence in what he does made me feel just as confident and oh-so-ready!

Mahalo nui loa, Dr. Cirangle, for giving me back my life.

 

Item	Serving	Fat	Fiber	Prot.	Carb.	Sod.
Asparagus	3 med. spears	O	1g	1g	2g	1mg
Beans, Kidney	1 cup	1.5	45g	43g	110g	44mg
Beans, Lima	1 cup	1g	33g	38g	113g	32mg
Beans, Snap	1 cup	O	3.5g	2g	8g	6.5mg
Beans, Soy	1 cup	17g	11g	33g	28g	38mg
Broccoli	1 bunch	2g	18g	18g	32g	164mg
Brussels Sprouts	1 sprout	O	O.5g	0.5g	1.5g	4.5mg
Cabbage	1 med	2.5g	21g	13g	49g	163mg
Carrot	1 med.	O	2g	0.5g	6g	21mg
Cauliflower	1 med.	1g	14g	11g	30g	172.5mg
Cucumber	1 med.	O	2g	2g	8g	6mg
Garlic	1 clove	O	0	0	1g	0.5mg
Mushrooms	1 cup sliced	O	1g	1.5g	3.2g	2.8mg
Onion	1 med.	O	2g	1g	9.5g	3mg
Peas	1 cup	O.5	7g	8g	21g	7mg
Potato	1 med.	O	2g	2.5g	22g	7mg
Radish	1 med.	O	0	0	0	1mg
Spinach	1 bunch	1	9g	9.5g	12g	268.5mg
Tomato	1 med.	O.5g	1.5g	1g	5.5g	11mg

 

 

Carbohydrates Digestion

Here are some facts about carbohydrates digestion:

• There are two types of carbohydrates: natural and manmade. It is preferable to consume slow digesting carbs, owing to the fact that they are not really processed but are a gift bestowed on us by nature. Being natural, they definitely serve as a better choice for deriving energy. Natural carbs are a reservoir of fiber and nutrients. Good sources of natural carbs are wild rice, beans, fruits and red potatoes.

• Man made carbs get digested quickly, thus they hit the bloodstream faster than the natural carbs. The reason that can be attributed to this fact is that the more the number of processing steps a carb food has to go through, the more easily it gets digested in the body. Examples of man made fast digesting carbs are white bread, white rice, mashed potatoes, cold cereals, fruit juices etc.

• Taking into consideration the mechanism of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, it is advisable for bodybuilders with excess body fat, to go in for natural slow digesting carbs, because man made carbs tend to trigger insulin release and the result is that excess carbs get converted and then eventually get accumulated on the body in the form of fats.

• People who find it real tough to put on weight, for them it is a good idea to consume refined carbs, as they help in enhancing their appetite.

• When you carry out physical exercises, your body uses up the carbs stored in your muscles for generating energy. Thus, it is preferable to consume slow digesting or may be medium digesting carbs before your workout training, because fast digesting carbs can shoot up your blood sugar level, leading to short circuit of energy.

When I first decided that I was going to finally take command of my life and body by having WLS, I was on the phone for nearly an hour with a dear friend telling her all about it. We giggled together, we cried together. We're that kind of friends.

After I was through and she told me how happy and proud she was, she said that she needed to tell me something straight... DROP THE NEGATIVITY!!! I was almost shocked! Whatever did she mean?! I was nothing BUT positive! This is when my dear friend started pointing out the negative phrases I was using that would work against me!

"I am dieing to get this over with!" - Dieing?!!! Oh my... let's not use THAT word!

"I'm so nervous!" Nervousness is not a positive energy flow. You must believe in what you are doing and know it is the right decision. There is absolutely nothing to be nervous about if you have all your information and understand what you are doing. Don't sabotage your healing with nervousness. It will work against you.

"I can't wait!" Sure you can! And you will!!!! It might seem like a common expression, but get rid of the "not's!" Again... it isn't positive!

"It's killing me to be like I am." Again... that death associated word. Get rid of it!

My phrases went on and on (I believe she had to have been taking notes while I was talking....)

So, it didn't surprise me when she went on and on about the phrases I was using to describe my feelings and excitement and she was right! I was using negative phrases that we use every day for positive expression. She was also right that they were working against the positive feelings I was having!

From that time on, I decided to be very careful how I would say or word things. I focused on managing my speech and try to speak only in positive phrases and more important... believe in what I was saying.

Here on Maui, there is a very spiritual sense of well-being if you open yourself up to it. These islands are known for either embracing you or spitting you out. You have to respect the land and its people. Part of that respect is how you also must learn to respect yourself and practice respect of others. Positive influences in our daily lives guide us in the right directions and help us to love ourselves and others.

So.... embracing my feelings in a positive way has given me strength and the energy I have had through the beginning of this new chapter in my life. I have not suffered pain, regrets, fear, anxiety, or depression. I have healed well and quickly. I know it will continue through the rest of my journey if I control it and use the power of my words to help me.

Mahalo nui loa, Shari! I owe it all to you...

Ok... I have been reading post after post and feel I want to state something for the record... well, at least MY record. This isn't to be directed at anyone, either. This is why I am stating it here rather than in a thread.

I just want to say that I see so many people say, "EVERYONE cheats... tests the waters.... makes bad decisions in eating post-VSG, etc., etc., etc." I BEG TO DIFFER!!!

I am NOT EVERYONE!!! I don't!!!! I won't!!! I was given directions, advise, and orders from my doctor and nutritionist and I follow them. They are the experts. That's why I paid them the big bucks!!!!!!! They are the professionals. They know what is best for me at this point in my life and I am LISTENING!!!!!!!!!! They are teaching and I am LEARNING!!!!!!!!

Why?!!! Well, darn it!!! I made a commitment to myself when I decided I was having this surgery. I didn't do it to find ways to get around it! I know I needed to change my lifestyle or die from obesity.... plain and simple! Is it easy?! It's all how you approach it mentally. If you want to make yourself miserable, add drama to your life moaning about how you miss this and that or wish you could have this or that... I am really sorry, but you're making your own negativity and negativity is self-defeating. I won't be a part of it. Instead, I look for positive alternatives and options. I have control of my life now and see a bright and healthy future if I stick to the plan. There is so much good in this life... look around you.... how can I even spend a single moment trying to find bad things to bring me down?! Why would I WANT to do that?! Sure, there is a lot of bad and evil out there... I am not some Pollyanna all the time... I have a VERY cynical side to me, but when it comes to successes, it's the positive side that gets me through every time.

I am mentally prepared for changes. I was told I would have to make changes and I accept that! It's my life now and I want to live it. It isn't about cheating, it's about honesty! Why even think of making a bad decision?! I have been educated now to know enough what I need to do to correct the mistakes I made in the past! I have a second chance at life.

So please... when speaking... use caution with your wording... don't say EVERYONE has depression.... EVERYONE cheats with food.... EVERYONE, EVERYONE, EVERYONE... just to make someone else feel better about a bad decision they made! Speak for yourself! I won't coddle someone like that! NOT EVERYONE does !!!!!!! People have to be accountable for their actions. It isn't a good feeling when you do something bad. So, don't do it!!! Avoid the guilt! The word is consequences and people seem to think they can avoid it! Since when?! I won't tell you it is ok when you do something you shouldn't. I cannot lie like that. I won't support bad actions. I take this life changing event in my life very seriously. But then, it IS my life and I think that's pretty darn serious! :)

Blah... I vented... got rid of the negativity that's been haunting me. Writing is cathartic! I feel so much better... the truth always makes me feel better which is why I try to live my life truthfully. Makes for happy endings! :)

It's Saturday... seven days until my journey begins! We leave for San Francisco on Thursday night (May 29th) and arrive in LA, hop over to San Francisco, check into the hotel and wait until Saturday morning! They have to figure out which entrance I will be using to the California Pacific Medical Center. Evidently they don't usually do surgeries on Saturdays, so they'll have to make other arrangements. My surgery (Lap VSG) will be performed for a telecast and I am SO excited!