nightrose68

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Wow just did my BMI and cannot believe it, but my weight is now in the normal range. I began with a goal of 130 which I have not seen since I was 11 and felt I would be very happy at that weight. My doctor agreed this was a reasonable expectation, and now I have passed below it. 

The changes are amazing in my health I am off ALL medication except vitamins, no CPAP, can actually walk up two flights of stairs and still breath, and so much more. Even the hair loss has stopped, boy do I love my RNY!!!!  I wear a size 6 comfortably and have even picked up a few things in the juniors department (I could not shop in juniors even when I was one). I love the way I feel and look and I refuse to make a new weight goal. If I stopped today and never lost another pound that would be just fine with me.

Now I will be entering an even more difficult journey. To think and to keep everything I have learned since surgery in the forefront of my mind so that as I leave the honeymoon behind I can build walls and a roof that will set on the strong foundation I have begun. I know I am rambling but before I stop I just want to say thank you thank you, thank you to everyone here at OH. Even if we never spoke or answered one another’s posts I learned so much from everyone here and just being able to come hear and read about others who have had the same problems and fighting the same battles is and will continue to be such a source of strength and support to me. I truly do not know if I would have even continued this journey after my first insurance denial if it was not for the wonderful people here!!

I realize that there are little in the way of standards and every physician is different, but I find it shocking to me that a surgeon who routinely performs a procedure that is know to cause metabolic deficiencies does not follow his patient’s labs more closely. 

I did a tremendous amount of research prior to having my RNY. One thing I did was dicuss potential complications and deficincies with husbands cousin who is a hematologist/oncologist and asked him what should be followed for labs. I was surprised and pleased when I compared my surgeons lab orders to his recommendations and they matched exactly. My labs were done pre-op, 3 months post-op, 6 months post-op, and will be done again at 12 months post-op. After that I think it will be yearly. Here is a list of what I have done:

Vitamin D Hydoxy level (vitamin D25)
Vitamin B 12
Folic Acid Serum (folate level)
Thiamine (B 1)
TSH
Uric Acid
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Ferritin
Iron
Iron Binding Capacity
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
CBC without diff
Lipid Panel (done at pre-op, 3 months and 12 months only)

I did have a Hgb A1C pre-op but unless you are a diabetic does not have to be done again. Among other things the CMP include protein level, potassium, calcium, as well as BUN and creatinine (for kidney function). Other labs can be ordered depending upon specific preexisting medical conditions.

I heard a variation of this from multiple friends and family members, and you know they were not entirely wrong; however the question is not complete. Speaking for myself as someone who has struggled with her weight since early childhood I could and have lost weight on my own. In fact I once lost 50 lbs. The catch is how I felt and if I could keep it off. In my many years of dieting I felt miserable. I was ALWAYS hungry, portion control was non existent, and I never really learned healthy eating habits. The 50 lbs I lost took forever and then bam it was back plus more. Over the years it was the same cycle loose 5-gain 10, loose 10-gain 20. So they ask what is so different now with the WLS. What is different now is me and how I look at myself and my relationship with my best friend--food. The weight is flying off and I am not hungry or miserable. I am learning valuable lessons every day in portion control and healthy eating. I no longer live to eat, but eat to live. So to answer your question could I have lost without WLS the answer is yes, but not as much, not without being miserable (or shooting someone), and not in a way that is allowing me to develop healthier habits for life. As always it is a very personal decision to decide on WLS, it is not easy or simple, but I would do it again tomorrow and wish I had done it 20 years ago!

6 months since my RNY and with only 15 lbs to goal time for a me update.  I see my surgeon on June 16th and hope my iron level is back up, having no complications, and feeling wonderful!!!!! When I checked my BMI it was 28.3 and I no longer qualify for bariatric surgery. Clothes are a size 10/12 and M/L depending on the style.  Amazing since pre-op wore a size 2x or 22/24. Wish the hairloss would stop!! That is the only thing I hate about having had my RNY!! Keeping my fingers crossed that it will stop soon!!!!

Shopping is difficult now. I am trying to get  away from the baggy style of the past, but I have to re-learn what will look good on me and have new areas to hide (bat wings and tummy). Does not help that I really don't like the styles available in "affordable" (ie Goodwill) clothing and since I am still loosing cannot afford the "good" stuff. Eating well and very little in the way of food issues. The only thing s I have some trouble with are hanburgers and hotdogs. Hmm going to make the summer BBQ's a bit difficult. I have a few episodes of mild dumping, and a few vagal reactions, but overall am so happy and wish I had not let my fears rule and done this years ago!!!!

I  RNY..........I  RNY...........I  RNY..........I  RNY...........

Another month has flown by along with another nine ponds. The weight loss has slowed considerably in comparison to the first three months, but I am not exercising as I should and am trying to work on that. Summer is coming and I am almost naked. Have a few outfits for work, but no shorts, capris, or summer weight shirts, but I am wearing a size 12 bottoms and large tops (even some medium) and have never been this small. Then a friend called tonight and said she had a box of stuff for me that is all size 10 and 12. Boy I can't wait to see her next weekend.

Amazing new WOW this weekend when I looked in the mirror and noticed that I actually have collar bones:). BMI is now 30 when I loose one more pound  I will no longer be obese.

Wow my size 14 jeans are feeling loose. I cannot believe how fast the weight came off in the beginning. Now seems to be slowing a little, but that is OK. Hair is still falling out and hope it stops before it gets much thinner! Had to order my dress for my best friend's wedding July 4th and that was quite a dilemma. Trying to decide wat size and now I pray it won't need too much alteration.

From post by Jupiter6

I am not a fussy cook, and I love a good casserole--but living alone, making a big honkin' casserole usually means noodles, (which I don't eat) time, (which I don't have) and taking up my whole fridge-- so I am working on mini-casseroles. This one can be made in less than 5 minutes-- and serves one--- YOU!

You need:
3 Turkey Meatballs (I use Trader Joe's
1/3 cup pizza sauce
1 ounce 2% mozzerella cheese
3 oz. canned green beans
garlic powder
oregano
chopped onion
small oven safe baking dish (1 cup-1 1/2 cup size)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degeres-- a toaster oven will save you energy!

1) Take meatballs from the freezer and defrost for 1 minute in microwave
2) Use kitchen shears and cut meatballs and beans into tiny pieces
3) Stir in pizza sauce, and a pinch of oregano and garlic, a little onion
4) Sprinkle top with cheese

Cook at 350 for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Eat it right outta your vintage Pyrex!

NUTRITION FACTS:

Calories: 239 calories
Fat: 10 g
Carbs: 18g
Protein: 23g

An WW recipe I from a friend that I made with greek yogurt and a pecan crust instead of grahm cracker and it made a great dessert that even DH loved.

CRUST:
1 1/2 cups pecans
2 packets splenda
3 T butter

preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in pie plate. Meanwhile place pecans and splenda in food processor and grind to a fine powder. Add ground nuts to butter in pie plate, mix, and spread to form crust. Bake 10 minutes then cool completely

FILLING:
1 box SF Mixed Berry Jello
1/2 cup boiling water
2 containers Oiskos vanilla flavored yogurt (5.3 ounce each container)
1 container of FF cool whip

In bowl disolve jello in water. Mix in yogurt then fold in cool whip. Pour into cooled crust and chill for 2 hours before serving. 

Easy Cheesy Chili Chicken
2 T. olive oil

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1 T. chili powder

1 T. ground cumin

2 tsp kosher salt

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/8 tsp cayenne

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (apprx 2 lb)

1/4 cup julienned green pepper

2 T. diced red onion

1 medium plum tomato, cored and sliced

4 ounces shredded Colby-jack cheese

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Whisk together the oil chopped cilantro, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, chopped garlic, black pepper, and cayenne in a bowl, add chicken and toss to coat.
Place chicken in a foil lined baking sheet, Arrange green peppers, onion, and tomato over each. Roast until the largest piece is just cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Remove chicken from oven and immediately top with cheese and serve as cheese melts.

I had to remove an entire link from my watch this morning, and when measured it was 3/4 inch.  It was so loose it drove me crazy sliding up my arm when I tried to look at it.


Height - 5' 0"
Highest Wt - 236
Surgery Wt - 226
Today's Wt - 181.6

Goal Wt. 125-130