Nsg4Him
January 2011 Meeting
Jan 19, 2011
We had a good meeting on Monday evening. We had about 14 in attendance. Not as many as some of our meetings, but still a lively group. We had a good mix of preop, new postop and oldtimers. Our subject this month was the difference between goals and resolutions. Remember, a resolution just means you "are thinking about doing", not actually doing. A goal is measurable. Make small goals, short term, and long term goals. The most important thing you can do to start fulfilling your goals? WRITE THEM DOWN!
So, lets make some goals, not resolutions, and start working toward them!
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So, lets make some goals, not resolutions, and start working toward them!
My Birthday
Aug 24, 2010
This Saturday I will celebrate (?) my 53rd birthday. Celebrate is definitely the wrong word for it. I dread it. Not for getting a year older, but for having an important day without my husband here. It has been 9 months since he died. 15 months since he got sick. Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago. What I do know is that I have not handled it well. All my old behaviors have resurfaced. I am an emotional eater, and I have used my grief, sadness, and anger as reasons to eat, eat, eat. My post op course has been fraught with problems without losing my husband- torn rotator cuff, spinal fusion, heel spurs, now torn achilles tendon, and more shoulder surgery, and another possible torn rotator cuff. But, before Ron's death, I didn't let those things hold me back, and I lost 150 pounds. After Ron's death, or at least during his illness and after his death, I couldn't get motivated for more than a few days, and I have gained a total of 39 pounds. I am currently drinking protein shakes all day, eating a lean cuisine for dinner, and riding my recumbent bike 5 days a weeks for 30-45 minutes each time. Hopefully that will jumpstart something for me. I plan to continue that for this week, then continue a low carb lifestyle and see what happens. As soon as approved by MD, I will start walking again. And, as soon as I can get my arms above my head, I will try swimming again. Maybe I can get my metabolism to working again.
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Life Changes
Feb 26, 2010
My husband, the love of my life, my best friend, my biggest supporter, passed away November 19, 2009. I did all this for him. So we would have a long life together. So we could be healthy...together. Now I am having a difficult time caring. I suspended my support group for several months and even thought about abandoning it completely. I probably would have if I hadn't gotten about a gazillion telephone calls from preops looking for a support group. So I had one a couple of weeks ago. Part of me felt like a fraud since I have gained 30 pounds back and have little desire to get back on the bandwagon at this time. I am apathetic at best. Possibly, motivation will come back to me, but grief can be pretty overwhleming. If anyone thinks, "Well, she just needs to pick herself up by her bootstraps and get straightened out",They have never lost someone they REALLY loved. This loss is devastating me. It has been 3 months and I still can barely function. Last night was the first full night's sleep I have gotten in over 8 months. Anyway, I am trying to make a few baby steps back, but I know better than try to do too much or I will be overwhelmed and not try at all. I have too many decisions as it is. So I am taking it slow.
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Stress, stress, and bad times or confessions of a stress eater
Jun 25, 2009
Things have been going from bad to worse for my family since April. At first, things looked like they were really looking up. I started to work in pediatric oncology nursing at a pediatric hospital in mid April. I have been out of pediatric nursing for several years and one of my goals of WLS was to be able to get back into it. So-goal met!
But, within days of starting my new job, my husband who is a type II diabetic developed a wound on his foot which soon became cellulitis requiring a hospitalization and IV antibiotics. On June 1, while still at UT, it was found that his colon had perforated in 3 places and he had to have emergency surgery removing his colon. He was in ICU for 12 days and on a ventilator (breathing machine for 8 days) and was not expected to live. As of today, he is very slowly recovering, still in the hospital, and about to go to a rehab hosptital for strengthening.
Needless to say, this has caused stress with a capital S for me. The moment I heard the results of his tests, I knew he might die, and I knew at best, he was in for the struggle of his life. When I got to see him after hours of surgery and stabilization that night, his ICU nurse made this statement "Marilyn, it is good for me that you are a nurse because you will understand what I am telling you, but it is NOT good for you right now". He was exactly right. There were a thousand times over the next week that I wished for ignorance, but I didn't have that blessing and it made everything that much more stressful.
What did I do with that stress? I ate it. Since WLS, I have been fairly careful about my eating. Moderate is what I would call it. I don't believe in rigidity because I think that leads to worse problems later on. I believe in being sensible about what I eat. I make sure I get in my protein everyday, I take my vitamins, I watch my calories, I exercise. I eat protein first, then veggies. I eat fruit because I like it. I don't eat after 8 pm. I drink my water. I am not good about journaling my food. I try not to snack. I avoid bread unless it is "special" and then I make allowances for it. I eat sugar free desserts occasionally. Well, with Ron's illness, all that went out the window. I did take my vitamins. I got in some of my protein but not as much as usual because a lot of my protein comes from my daily protein coffee which I couldn't get in the ICU waiting room. I ate things with sugar and no, they did not make me dump. (Which is too bad) I drank way too much caffiene. I did not exercise unless you call pacing the waiting room and halls exercise.
Today I went to see my PCP. I had a sinus infection, exhaustion, and low BP. I was sure that I had gained at least 10 pounds. For whatever reason, I had only gained 2, or maybe it was 4. I can't remember. What I do know is, I have to get a handle on this before I am looking 316 pounds right in the face once again! so, starting July 1, I am BACK ON TRACK!
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But, within days of starting my new job, my husband who is a type II diabetic developed a wound on his foot which soon became cellulitis requiring a hospitalization and IV antibiotics. On June 1, while still at UT, it was found that his colon had perforated in 3 places and he had to have emergency surgery removing his colon. He was in ICU for 12 days and on a ventilator (breathing machine for 8 days) and was not expected to live. As of today, he is very slowly recovering, still in the hospital, and about to go to a rehab hosptital for strengthening.
Needless to say, this has caused stress with a capital S for me. The moment I heard the results of his tests, I knew he might die, and I knew at best, he was in for the struggle of his life. When I got to see him after hours of surgery and stabilization that night, his ICU nurse made this statement "Marilyn, it is good for me that you are a nurse because you will understand what I am telling you, but it is NOT good for you right now". He was exactly right. There were a thousand times over the next week that I wished for ignorance, but I didn't have that blessing and it made everything that much more stressful.
What did I do with that stress? I ate it. Since WLS, I have been fairly careful about my eating. Moderate is what I would call it. I don't believe in rigidity because I think that leads to worse problems later on. I believe in being sensible about what I eat. I make sure I get in my protein everyday, I take my vitamins, I watch my calories, I exercise. I eat protein first, then veggies. I eat fruit because I like it. I don't eat after 8 pm. I drink my water. I am not good about journaling my food. I try not to snack. I avoid bread unless it is "special" and then I make allowances for it. I eat sugar free desserts occasionally. Well, with Ron's illness, all that went out the window. I did take my vitamins. I got in some of my protein but not as much as usual because a lot of my protein comes from my daily protein coffee which I couldn't get in the ICU waiting room. I ate things with sugar and no, they did not make me dump. (Which is too bad) I drank way too much caffiene. I did not exercise unless you call pacing the waiting room and halls exercise.
Today I went to see my PCP. I had a sinus infection, exhaustion, and low BP. I was sure that I had gained at least 10 pounds. For whatever reason, I had only gained 2, or maybe it was 4. I can't remember. What I do know is, I have to get a handle on this before I am looking 316 pounds right in the face once again! so, starting July 1, I am BACK ON TRACK!
First Meeting April 6, 2009
Apr 07, 2009
We had our first support group meeting last night at Fort Sanders Sevier. I think for a first effort, it went very well! We had a total of 10 people there. 5 postops, 2 preops and 3 support people. We had a nice discussion, although I thought I talked a little too much! Next time I hope everyone else talks more. We discussed research from the University of TN that proves that attending support groups after weight loss surgery DOES increase weight loss. In the group they studied, it decreased their average BMI by 10%! That's huge! That was published in Obes Surg in Feb 2008. We handed out samples from Bariatric Choice, and gave out recipes for Protein Coffee and Chicken Fajita soup. I hope everyone enjoyed the meeting as much as I did. I look forward to next month's meeting! If anyone is interested, a few of us are going to beginner's yoga at the Pigeon Forge Community Center on Mondays at 6:45 every Monday that we are not at support group, join us if you like!
Protein Latte Cinnamon Dolce 1 ounce fat free half and half 2 ounces light plain soy milk 1 scoop vanilla whey isolate protein of your choice 1 scoop Lean Dessert cinnamon bun whey protein 2 tablespoons DaVinchi sugar free caramel syrup decaf coffee Into blender of your choice (I use a Magic Bullet) pour the ½ and ½, soy milk, protein powders, and syrup. Shake by had a little bit, then mix until well blended. I also add my benefiber to this, but that is certainly up to you. Once blended, I pour 1/3 of this mixture into a coffee cup. Pour about 2-3 Tablespoons of coffee into the cup and stir, stir, stir until all mixed up. Then slowly add the rest of the coffee until all blended. You have a latte! If you don’t have Lean Dessert, you can use an extra scoop of vanilla and add 2-3 Tablespoons of Cinnamon DaVinchi Sugar free Syrup. Now that you have the technique, let’s try a few more: Vanilla Latte Same as Above making both scoops of protein vanilla 2T DaVinchi Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup Mocha Latte Same as Above but make one scoop of protein chocolate 2 T DaVinchi Sugar Free chocolate syrup Milky Way Latte Same as Above Decrease Chocolate syrup to 1 T Add 1 T DaVinchi Suugar Free Caramel Syrup
Chicken Fajita Soup (Shelia B. from ObesityHelpTN Forum)
Ingredients:
2 pounds of chicken tenderloins (diced into ½ inch pieces)
6 14.5 oz cans of tomatoes with jalapenos (Kroger Brand)
1 lb bag of Kroger’s frozen three peppers and onion blend
1 lb bag of frozen carrots (sliced)
1 lb bag of frozen corn
½ of a 1 lb bag of diced frozen onion
3 packages of Fajita seasoning (found in the Mexican Section, Kroger Brand)
4 cans of black beans, rinsed
Add chicken broth or water to fill crock pot
I place all ingredients in the crock pot and turn on with liquid until it is capable of being stirred well. Cook on low for 10 hours until chicken is done. You may need to add water as it cooks.
Enjoy!! However, those that is early out from surgery, watch the corn, everything else should be okay, but eat around or omit the corn. This can also be pureed for a good meal. You can add a salad and rolls or crackers to this for the family and it is a whole meal.
0 comments
Protein Latte Cinnamon Dolce 1 ounce fat free half and half 2 ounces light plain soy milk 1 scoop vanilla whey isolate protein of your choice 1 scoop Lean Dessert cinnamon bun whey protein 2 tablespoons DaVinchi sugar free caramel syrup decaf coffee Into blender of your choice (I use a Magic Bullet) pour the ½ and ½, soy milk, protein powders, and syrup. Shake by had a little bit, then mix until well blended. I also add my benefiber to this, but that is certainly up to you. Once blended, I pour 1/3 of this mixture into a coffee cup. Pour about 2-3 Tablespoons of coffee into the cup and stir, stir, stir until all mixed up. Then slowly add the rest of the coffee until all blended. You have a latte! If you don’t have Lean Dessert, you can use an extra scoop of vanilla and add 2-3 Tablespoons of Cinnamon DaVinchi Sugar free Syrup. Now that you have the technique, let’s try a few more: Vanilla Latte Same as Above making both scoops of protein vanilla 2T DaVinchi Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup Mocha Latte Same as Above but make one scoop of protein chocolate 2 T DaVinchi Sugar Free chocolate syrup Milky Way Latte Same as Above Decrease Chocolate syrup to 1 T Add 1 T DaVinchi Suugar Free Caramel Syrup
Chicken Fajita Soup (Shelia B. from ObesityHelpTN Forum)
Ingredients:
2 pounds of chicken tenderloins (diced into ½ inch pieces)
6 14.5 oz cans of tomatoes with jalapenos (Kroger Brand)
1 lb bag of Kroger’s frozen three peppers and onion blend
1 lb bag of frozen carrots (sliced)
1 lb bag of frozen corn
½ of a 1 lb bag of diced frozen onion
3 packages of Fajita seasoning (found in the Mexican Section, Kroger Brand)
4 cans of black beans, rinsed
Add chicken broth or water to fill crock pot
I place all ingredients in the crock pot and turn on with liquid until it is capable of being stirred well. Cook on low for 10 hours until chicken is done. You may need to add water as it cooks.
Enjoy!! However, those that is early out from surgery, watch the corn, everything else should be okay, but eat around or omit the corn. This can also be pureed for a good meal. You can add a salad and rolls or crackers to this for the family and it is a whole meal.
Getting Started...
Mar 17, 2009
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
Have you been on diet after diet with limited success? Have you had weight loss surgery (WLS) but are missing that key ingredient... support? The University of Rochester Medical Center in New York states that ongoing support can lead to a higher rate of success with weight loss. Why not give this new support group a try?
Open to anyone with obesity
Open to pre op and post op WLS patients
Open to those who want to support the above
Moderated by a volunteer RN who struggled with obesity all her adult life and is post op WLS
Each meeting will have a short educational session related to obesity, WLS, and life after WLS
Each meeting will have a time for introductions and to share successes
Each meeting will have a time for “old-timers” to share with “newbies”
Occasional clothing exchanges
Occasional social outings
Product reviews
Recipes and Menu planning for the family
Guest Speakers
An open, safe, caring, inviting, nonjudgmental environment
The Importance of Live Support Groups (Posted on TN board)
Jan 15, 2009
Post Date: 1/15/09 9:24 pm
I have just come from a great support group meeting in north Knoxville. We had about 40 people there. It is a group that was set up by the local Bariatric Center of Excellence but they allow anyone to attend, that's how I got there (and Betsy invited me!). Anyway, this same center also has a group set up in the little town that I live in. I went to it twice-it was terrible, a waste of time. So, since surgery, I have settled for online support, the occasional lunch bunch, or dinner club when I could travel the 3 1/2 hours to Nashville, and the support group at Gateway Hospital the night before my doctor's appts. Well, now that I am only seeing the doc twice a year, that really cut down on my live support.
Now to my topic. I have tried to keep a diary of sorts through this year, I was looking at it a few days ago, and realized I lost more weight and was "in a better place" emotionally when I was getting some type of face to face support. Hence, the visit today...and I will continue to go. So, OH is wonderful, fabulous, and has probably saved my life this year...but it is not enough. I don't think it really is for anyone. I have talked about eating addiction before. People in AA may get online support, but they still go to meetings. They know they need face to face acccountability to stay sober. I think we do too. I also think we really need to investigate several support groups, just like surgeons. There isn't a right "fit" at every one. For me, I want a support group that has a good deal of professional involvement. Ideally it would be moderated by a nurse or nutritionist, but if not, they would be there often to teach, challenge, and assess. The reason that I say this is because the support group I went to here in my little town was more a hindrance than a help. She was a lady who had had the surgery. She couldn't answer any questions. She could only read from her pre- pared sheet from the doctor's office. Also, when the postops started talking among themselves, they mostly talked about how to "cheat" the diet. Congratulating themselves on being able to. Not something a new postop or a preop needs to hear.
Once again, I may have opened a sticky wicket (what is that anyway?), but I want pre ops to give this some thought and preparation. I also want postops to know that they need real, live support. Lunch bunch and dinner club are fun-I LOVE going to them...but that is mostly what they are-camaraderie. Do them, but find a great support group as well. It is one of the big keys to success.
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I have just come from a great support group meeting in north Knoxville. We had about 40 people there. It is a group that was set up by the local Bariatric Center of Excellence but they allow anyone to attend, that's how I got there (and Betsy invited me!). Anyway, this same center also has a group set up in the little town that I live in. I went to it twice-it was terrible, a waste of time. So, since surgery, I have settled for online support, the occasional lunch bunch, or dinner club when I could travel the 3 1/2 hours to Nashville, and the support group at Gateway Hospital the night before my doctor's appts. Well, now that I am only seeing the doc twice a year, that really cut down on my live support.
Now to my topic. I have tried to keep a diary of sorts through this year, I was looking at it a few days ago, and realized I lost more weight and was "in a better place" emotionally when I was getting some type of face to face support. Hence, the visit today...and I will continue to go. So, OH is wonderful, fabulous, and has probably saved my life this year...but it is not enough. I don't think it really is for anyone. I have talked about eating addiction before. People in AA may get online support, but they still go to meetings. They know they need face to face acccountability to stay sober. I think we do too. I also think we really need to investigate several support groups, just like surgeons. There isn't a right "fit" at every one. For me, I want a support group that has a good deal of professional involvement. Ideally it would be moderated by a nurse or nutritionist, but if not, they would be there often to teach, challenge, and assess. The reason that I say this is because the support group I went to here in my little town was more a hindrance than a help. She was a lady who had had the surgery. She couldn't answer any questions. She could only read from her pre- pared sheet from the doctor's office. Also, when the postops started talking among themselves, they mostly talked about how to "cheat" the diet. Congratulating themselves on being able to. Not something a new postop or a preop needs to hear.
Once again, I may have opened a sticky wicket (what is that anyway?), but I want pre ops to give this some thought and preparation. I also want postops to know that they need real, live support. Lunch bunch and dinner club are fun-I LOVE going to them...but that is mostly what they are-camaraderie. Do them, but find a great support group as well. It is one of the big keys to success.
One Year
Jan 13, 2009
Well, it has been a year. I went for my annual check up last week. The surgeon was very pleased with my weightloss. He did say that he wasn't sure that I would lose anymore. I am certainly planning to prove him wrong. He said that almost 100% of his patients never get to "normal" weight. I want to do just that. I am a little discouraged that I haven't made it to goal yet, and it gets harder everyday. The weight doesn't just fall off anymore. With the unexpected neck and shoulder surgeries and recovery this past year, I have not been able to exercise like I would have liked to. I am now back to riding my recumbent bike and hopefully soon I can REALLY exercise. I will probably hate it when I get to start, but for now, I am looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to going back to work in about 6-8 weeks. This year has not been what I expected. I guess I expected a whole new body. What I got was an abused 51 year old body that is much thinner and is now paying the price for my old ways. I wish I had done this surgery 20 years ago!
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10 Months Today
Oct 21, 2008
My RNY was 10 months ago today. I have lost a total of 132 pounds and have 39 pounds to go. Yesterday, I bought a size 12 petite pants for the first time and last week I bought shoes that were medium width instead of wide or double wide for the first time.
The Tennessee OH Forum has been my only support group throughout my journey. They have encouraged, instructed and kicked butt when needed. I don't know what I would do without them. On October 11, my husband and I hosted a low country boil as an East TN support group kickoff. We had over 30 people there, many from Nashville to help support us. It was wonderful! We are planning to try to get together monthly for a lunch bunch type affair in east TN much as the Nashville group does.
I have continued to have some health issues, mainly musculoskeletal. I had my herniated disc repaired only to find out that my rotator cuff is torn as well. I am having it repaired tomorrow. I will be off work for at least 3 more months as I do the rehab for my shoulder and neck. I have accepted a new job that I am very excited about at a nearby children's hospital on the oncology floor. They were more than gracious when I told them I couldn't start until late January or early February. I am really looking forward to getting back into pediatrics and being able to use my Hospice skills at the same time. I am also planning to go back to school full time in January in preparation for getting a Master's degree in nursing.
Once again, this surgery has not been an "easy" fix, but it is the best thing I could have ever done and worth every penny that I have and am paying for it!
Still in Onederland, but it isn't Oz
Sep 09, 2008
It has been almost 2 months since I hit 199.8 pounds. I gained a couple, lost a few, gained one, lost a couple and now I am 193.6. In that time though, I had a discectomy with donor bone graft and spinal fusion. I was on IV steroids for a while and am still on muscle relaxers. As you are probably aware, steroids REALLY increase your appetite! Plus, I have not been able to do any sort of exercise for over 2 months. Actually, I am bored to tears most of the time right now waiting for all this to heal. I thank God every day that I didn't have to have this major a surgery prior to losing over 120 pounds. This recovery is difficult, but I know how I have done in the past and I imagine I would have had a horrible time of it with all that weight, the lung problems and the diabetes. My FMLA ran out, so I have lost my job in Hospice. I will have to start the search over again as soon as the neurosurgeon clears me to work again. But, I firmly believe that when God closes a door He opens a window!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
About Me
Sevierville, TN
Location
30.1
BMI
Surgery
12/21/2007
Surgery Date
Jun 16, 2002
Member Since
