RMO1972

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     I am pleased with the 71 pounds I have lost so far; 4-5 of which I lost during the past month.  My weight loss has been steadily slowing down, but at least I am not at the stall I was at two months ago.  I have 29 pounds to go.  I hope that being able to be more active this summer will help me meet this goal by August 27th (1 year surgiversary).  
     Sadly, I have opted to cancel my 9 month appointment because I really can't afford the lab and appointment co-pays.  These economic times are terrible!  I will attend my 1 year appointment though, I promise!!  It's already scheduled for August 26th at 10:00 a.m.
     

Well, I was starting to eat too many carbs and I was at a stall for about three weeks.  While lurking on the Obesity Help message board someone was talking about the 5 day pouch test.  I had heard of it before, but never looked into it.  I found a link (http://www.5daypouchtest.com/), read all about it, and have lost five pounds so far.  I also found an excellent recipe for a Vanilla Protein Chai Tea Shake that is delicious and filling.  Yeah!  Renee

 

Vanilla Chai Smoothie by Andie Jamari
LivingAfterWLS - Neighborhood Cookbook

Ingredients:
1 cup skim milk
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup Splenda
1/3 cup unflavored or vanilla protein powder
3 teaspoons instant tea mix, unsweetened
3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoons cinnamon
8 ice cubes

Directions:
Place all ingredients into blender container; cover and mix until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Serve 2. Per serving: 110 calories, 16 grams protein, 11 grams carbohydrate and no fat.

Well, here I am, it is 6 months after my RNY Weight Loss Surgery, and I am very fortunate to report that I am doing well.  I survived the post-op appointment that I was so worried about.  I am very excited to say that my lab work results were excellent...Yeah Me!  I am pleased to say that I have improved my protein intake during the past month and I have now lost a little over 60 pounds. 

I am please to announce that I am 59 pounds lighter @ 177 pounds.  I am lighter than I was for my college Master's degree graduation, my wedding and of course, the birth of my twins.  I am feeling frustrated tonight.  I was going to actually join my friend at the gym two days ago, finally, and I woke up with the flu.  Aargh! 

Lord, please help me get well, manage my work and home schedule and GET TO THE GYM!  Also, Lord, guide me in the direction of some healthy proteins again.  I am off track and not liking it.  I am fearful of my 6 month post-op appointment next month because of my negligence when it comes to taking care of my self.  That is how I got fat to begin with...I can't afford to go back there...  I want to get back to being an inspiration and role-model for all.   

     Even though I am only 11 weeks post-op, I had my 3 month appointment on 11/11/08 (Veteran's Day) because they could not get me in around Thanksgiving.  I had my first set of labs taken at 10 weeks so we could review the results at my appointment.  Everything looked good (Blood Glucose, Calcium, Ferritin, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Protein, Vitamin B-12 ); except my Vitamin D was a little low, which is easy enough to correct.  I will have it checked again at 6 months (Feb. 24, 2009 is my next follow-up appointment).
     For the first time in ten years, since before our wedding, I have been below 200 lb. for FIVE DAYS!  My 38 pound loss is okay, but my surgeon's office is concerned that my metabolism is slowing down.  That is because I need to get back on track!   I have not been good at getting in all my protein, water and exercise...I need to schedule a formal exercise routine...I am falling into my old habits of work, work, work and falling out of self-care mode.  I can not afford to do that!  My body needs muscle building and aerobic activity NOW! 
So, if you happen to see me...ask me what I am doing for exercise!  
     Next week I will try to update photos at 12 weeks post-op...

Today I am 8 weeks post-op and celebrate a 30.4 lb. loss.  I fit into a size 18 pants today for the first time in ages.  I know for sure it has been 8 years since I was under 207 lb. and I am there.  I believe I should be under 200 by Thanksgiving!  I hope to post my 8 week post-op photos tomorrow... 

I did post a summary on 10/9 but I see it is not here...hmm...sometimes technology bites! 

My 6 week check-up will not likely be forgotten due to circumstances around the appointment...My daughter was sick and my back-up childcare was not available, so she came with me on the 2 hour treck to Marquette.  On the way there, we ended up getting a flat tire.  Yeah...Not!

The appointment went fine though...I had lost 26 pounds according to their scale (which includes the weight of my clothing).  They were able to further explain the results of my endoscopic procedure, which I had on 10/3.  The doctors report revealed that I had a ball of undigested food causing the blockage, not an actual stricture.  Our stoma (opening between the stomach pouch and the intestine) is supposed to be 9 mm.  Mine was at 7 mm so it wasn't strictured but they did dialate it to 9 mm while they were down there.    

I must say, I have been feeling much better and have been able to eat more easily since I recoved from the sedatives given to me in order to perform the endoscopic procedure. 

As of this morning, I have lost 29 pounds since the morning of surgery! 

Today it felt good to share a box of clothes that are too big for me with another OH member, fellow RNYer, and Dr. English patient!  

 

      Sunday and Monday I was feeling unmotivated and nothing sounded good to eat.  I was hesitant to try new things cause of that stuck feeling I would often get after I ate.  I knew I had to be more careful about portion sizes, chewing enough and eating slowly. 
      Thus, I gave myself a pep-talk and tried a couple of new things.  Unfortunately the stuck feeling continued and by the end of the week I was throwing up everything I would consume, including water.  
      So today, Friday, I went to Marquette General for an EGD (esophogealduodenoscopy) to scope out my pouch and check for stricture or ulceration.  It was not bad at all, though I went into it feeling nervous because I did not know what to expect.  Dr. Stahl, Gastroenterologist,  informed me that I had a bit of a closure which he stretched a bit.  He said everything else looked good.  I am under the impression that he did not feel it was a full stricture.   He asked that I stop taking Prilosec twice per day and start Protonix  instead.  
      Next week I go to Dr. English's office for my 6 week follow-up appointment.  I hope to get in more discussion with them to help me understand what happened this week.  Meanwhile, I am glad to be a bit over 25 pounds lighter and able to keep liquids down this evening.

Yesterday was the 4 week mark since RNY.  This morning my scale showed a 20 lb. loss.  Wow!  I have not weighed less than 220 in about 5 years, but I am there now.  Look out onederland...here I come!  Yeah! 

I posted 2 wk and 4 wk post-op photos but you have to click on them to see the difference; the photos are stretched on my profile.   Feel free to take a look.     

My cold is mostly gone and I no longer believe I have a stricture.  I am learning about intake procedures and amounts.  I can not take all my medications/supplements at once; so instead of two times per day, I will take them over four time periods.  I was eating too fast, so I am trying to slow it down a bit.  Plus, my portions were a bit too big, so I am measuring more carefully.  Old habits die hard!

Last night I was able to eat tiny portions of parts of my extended family's big meal.  Yum!  Tonight I made a decent dinner/supper for my immediate family and was able to tolerate a bit of it.  Yeah!