Renee A.
It's Been Such A Long Time!!!!
Dec 27, 2008
...cause I really need it...I still walk 30 minutes a day most days, but I can honestly say that I eat really good Proteins 1st, and get most carbs from veggies & fruits...I loved baked sweet potato...but I still LOVE fried chicken & sweets...just in moderation & not everyday...I still have 2 protein shakes a day...take my multi vitamin & calcium citrate with D. I try to get my vits & nutrients thru my food. My levels are good...just need to EXCERCISE. (see nothing has not changed to much 
). I was finally blessed with employment with health insurance and other great benefits...so it was very vital for me to follow the rules to the letter nothing like having a life altering surgery and then lose healtcare benefits to make you adhere to all the rules...I still have not had any carbonated drinks or alcohal beverages...but I really like MUNCH BARS 
...well they do have peanuts in them that's good source of protein, RIGHT??? My angel Kim B.
, helped me out when I was going thru BAF withdrawl...THANKS KIM!!! 
I still do not not have internet access son is home from college using his laptop , so I do not know when I will be on but definitely going to take advantage of the opportunity to catch up or just to see how everyone else is doing.
I am going to try & post some pics of me lately... Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & Happy New Year...hope 2009 is all that & MORE!!!
Renee A.
The "FEELING"
Apr 08, 2008
My surgeon & nutritionist both told me to be aware of this once our stomache(sp?) starts heal...and by you being aware of the feeling you are becoming one with your pouch so to speak...LOL...but seriously I have this "Feeling" I won't necessarly call it hunger pains but it feels really weird like every 2-3 hours depending on how dense my last meal was (protein drink versus chicken, turkey etc.). However; if I start drinking my water 60-90 minutes after I eat and continually drink up to 15 minutes before I eat (follow the RULES) again I usually don't have that "Feeling" I hate how it feels (the water seems to over ride it in a sense
)...the time is always 3-3.5 hours, so it seems to keep my pouch satisfied/full longer (the water). I was also instructed by MY surgeon & nutritionist to eat 6 times a day, sometimes it is harder than others but I try to do what I got to do, plus we are eating to live not living to eat (I know I didn't have weightloss surgery not to ever eat, just learning how to make better decisions when I do put something my mouth now)...just make sure that you are drinking your water those 2-3 hours you are not eating. At night about 8 or 9 that's when my pouch relax & I don't get that "Feeling" until morning, but then the real work starts because that's when the head hunger is on & popping and NOT the "FEELING" pic taken @ 5.5 months post op
3/29/2008-weight is 205 lbs weight @ surgery 292 pounds goal weight per surgeon is 150 pounds height is 5'7"
Realization
Mar 13, 2008
or any white breads if any bread it has to be toasted (Golden Flax & Grain bread), No POP/SODAS & I guess I am kinda of weird because I LOVE 
my Protein drinks (1 scoop 100% Protein Whey unflavored with one package of Chocolate Carnation instant breakfast No sugar added & my 12 ounces of NO Fat Milk (It's so delish...to ME Loaded with Protein 32 grams and I usually have it for early morning breakfast or for a snack after working out (exercise DVD) & maybe a Protein bar Aktins Advantage peanut & granola (No Fat/0grms sugar)...I have never had anything with more than 6 grams of sugar) again 15 grams of protein. Every now & again it's a treat for me (my taste buds seem to think that it's sugar ...so that's a good thing).. :)....Thank God I am not letting my mind control this journey (head hunger)... :) but I am not stressing over the eating thing too much just doing what I have to do...Take my vitamins, Drink WATER (REAL...nothing added I don't like flavored water never have) like it's going out of style, Proteins (chicken, turkey, fish, crab legs, shrimp (I eat them all the time just not fried anymore) Rib eye steak...it is so tender...mmm GOOD...FIRST & if there is still room vegetables (mostly steamed broccolli, green beans, aparagus, squash) & complex carb--fruits next (usually don't have room for anything but a piece or two. I also eat when hungry and stop when I am satisfied (I listen to my pouchie, our relationship is really growing )...LOL...& always aware of my portion size because if I don't she let's me know...my DH calls her the "RESTRICT-HER...LOL 
) She does NOT like any kind of pork not that I have tried much (pork chops, a piece of small pork sausage (Bob Evans brand yall...LOL & one rib from the small end no doubt) but every time I eat any she makes sure she is heard 
. I treat "POUCHIE" nice & she makes sure I don't get 
all while trying 
it off...trust me when I say it ain't pretty 
...so it sounds like a plan to me...She's the tool but I follow the rules to make MY tool work. I don't eat & drink at the same time either. I have not really tried any raw veggies well I have not yet tried any we are taking baby steps. I Almost never have any simple carbs if room for the most part complex carbs but if I do I have the REAL thing because we all need a little FAT in our LIFE...this is what I think...But this is what seems normal to ME. Now am not saying that I follow the dietary guidelines to a "T" but I do for the most part ALMOST ALWAYS listen to my "POUCHIE B.K.A. The "RESTRICT-HER...LOL actually she kind of a bully & I just say F-it and go along with her...NO back talking or disobedience from me, If not I am the one to Suffer in the end or FAIL & that word is NOT 
in my vocabulary. I did not get rerouted to not do right. I really think the year that i had to fight the insurance company and going to my therapist really got me on to a good start...because during that time I discovered what my relationship with food was, & what kind of relationship I wanted with the food. The choice is totally up to RENEE. This was MY choice & This is MY journey I will get out of what I put in it. I have NO regrets thus far, and wouuld do it all over again in a heartbeat!!! I LOVE my RNY!!! Thank You JESUS & I pray for continued successes and continued health.AMEN!!!--Renee A. 5 Months Post Op
Mar 11, 2008
Hey Everybody--I am doing & feeling GOOD!!! My weight loss journey has been great so far...NO Complications, NO Constipation, & NO problem with getting my water, protein, or solid foods in. Well I do have a problem when it comes to pork...my pouchie just does NOT like it (I DUMP )...only Canadian Bacon. That's ok with me but sometimes I just want a piece of pork chop...maybe at a later time. I can honestly say that i have not tried any HIGH SUGAR foods because I really don't want to know if it actually will bother me or not...In my mind I will just keep saying it will make me DUMP & ...& that is a feeling that keeps me on track. My weight loss is going really good I am now weighing 205-209 lbs. it keeps flucuating but I am saying that I weigh 205 pounds which puts me at a total loss of 87 pounds gone 
Thank You JESUS!!!I also have been blessed with a walking buddy who had surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago...she sought me out & I obliged...it is so good she is very eager & I needed that push to get me to start exercisng. So I would like to thank you again KikI...you have been a Godsend
we have been walking at the local mall until the weatherbreaks & it is so good to get out of the house. It really trips me out how I can be an inspiration to someone already & I am not even that far post op myself. I was so overjoyed i called my angel
Kim B. who is such a sweet person and always encouraging to tell her & she even said that I encourage her. But that's her kind & always keeping REAL...that's why I love her & couldn't have asked for a better angel I can't wait to meet her in person to talk, have fun & just hang out. BAF is planning their 5th Annual Meet & Greet in June and I wish so bad that I could attend...there are so many people that i would love to meet, bnut who knows any & everything is possible. I am still job hunting employment is so BAD here in Detroit, MI I know in my heart that God did not bring me this far just to leave me...so with that said i will keep the Faith & Press on!!!That's all for now.
Renee
I Need To Start Moving To LOSE -- A.S.A.P
Feb 26, 2008
Hey Everybody--Still Cold & Snowy here in Michigan
I REALLY have to it in gear & FAST
I did get that pedometer that was suggested to me by Kathy another member here on OH, actually I had a few around the house already
but I did get my favorite one out and have been clicking it on trying to work my way to my ultimate goal of 15,000 steps (got make it worth wearing right?) however I do know that every step counts & I will be there soon. Walking is my Favorite exercise so I can not wait for some nice days so that I can get outside. I am off of work right now so I feel like I should be doing Much, Much, Much, MORE to take advantage of this time until I am employed again. (nothing but time I must be crazy not moving like there is NO tomorrow) I have been doing basic chores around the house but that's just not enough for me I need the motivation to come out of me like it is inside I know what I should be doing but just don't do it (
am I doomed to be Lazy forever) because that is what it really boils down to IMO (I wish that I could exercise & get a enough sleep like I drink my water, take my vitamins and get my protein in ) I have been doing my Cardioke dvd some not much but I have & actually really like it (I work up a sweat too) I will be doing 45 minutes tonight I pray
to get off my Lazy a
and sweat, now there is NO excuse for not putting the miles on my exercise bike w/ the moving arms that could possibly help with minimizing (sp) the bat wing effect. I will do better I just have to, no doubt about it!!! I really want to tone up as I am losing.Consistency--steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form, etc.: There is consistency in his pattern of behavior.
I will have CONSISTENCY at EXERCISE!!!!!
Thanks for listening ,
Renee
4 Months Post Op
Feb 16, 2008
Well HELLO, I cannot believe that 4 months has gone by already...this time last year I was still fighting with my insurance company to get an approval. I am so blessed that GOD saw fit for me to be given this gift. I have lost a total of 67 pounds so far and a lot of inches (I have not measured myself yet, but really need to so it will help when the stalls come), I am doing very good no complications or anything since surgery, I get at least 80 ounces of water in everyday (I have not had any other beverages besides my no fat milk & water), I get my protien in also if it's not from actually eating I supplement with a protein shake I use 100% Whey from GNC I mix it with No Fat milk to add even more protein. I take my vitamins EVERYDAY...these are things that I knew I would have to do for the REST OF MY LIFE once I was granted with this gift...so I comply. I have not really been exercisng like I should, but I will soon it all goes hand in hand especially if I want to help minimize the loose skin. I have had since surgery 4 reese's pieces, some white cheddar popcorn, chips, and it all gave me NO kind of problems whatsoever, but I did not eat whole bags either just a taste to help with the head hunger (cravings), I hardly ever eat rice, pasta, or potatoes. I am not saying that I am perfect by any means , however I am doing my very best to to reach my full potential with my tool. I go to my surgeon on 2/18/2008 for weigh in & labs i will post after that.
Take Care,
Renee
I broke "DOWN" Yall!!!
Jan 21, 2008
First of all...Can you believe that I am making another post for this month...LOL...Hopefully I keep it up...anyway to the matter at hand I broke down and went out this past weekend & bought me a scale...yep!!! I sure did...I wanted to know how much I havelost since 11/26/2007...I am at a grand total lost of 56 pounds
in 3 months...that is simply marvelous....I would not have or let me rephrase that I NEVER have lost 56 pounds in a year before with all the diets that i have been on...I know that I had WLS and all but I had a somewhat of a fear that I would be the one that the Lap RNY would just not work for...I guess that is due to all the times before...I also will not become a slave to my new scale & know in my heart of hearts that if the numbers on the scale are not moving that i am more than likely dropping hella inches.
I also have started riding my bike at home for about 30 minutes each time or at ;east 6 or 7 songs straight...& get this they are usually remixes which is longer than the regular version
My favorite songs to ride to are Snoops--sexual eruption & the the song called "Low", where they are talking about the girl with the Apple Bottom Jeans....I need to drop at least 2 more sizes before I get my own APPLE BOTTOM Jeans I heard that they make you look like you really have a butt...I can not wait...LOL
On another note...I did loose my job on 12/13/2007....DAMN...what a shame...I know that i would be absolutely CRAZY 
if this had happened before my surgery....Thank You Jesus that I got approved & had the surgery before all of this so this is proof positive why I am believing that everything happens for a reason...& have the FAITH that if GOD brought me to it he will bring me trough it...So with that said I am Pressing on.
Until next time.
Take Care.
Renee
3 Months Post Op
Jan 15, 2008
Until next time
Renee
It's Been Awhile
Nov 26, 2007
Well, I said that I would come back & update on everything...and it's only taken me 6 weeks...I guess late is better than nothing...LOL...
I will give a short version...
October 13, 2007--MY BAF Family threw me a Surgery Shower Thanks to Bre & Dex, Rochelle & Jerry...I LOVE you girls I would also like to thank Truleeblessed & Renzo, Sweet Potatoe & Stonewall, Dayja & Husband, Linda, Mz. Dean & Paula there is one other young lady I can not remeber her name...please charge to the brain & not the heart...I got all kinds of stuff ranging from protien supplements to picture frams...Thanks everybody that meant so much to me I will never forget it...even though I was on my pre-surgical liquid diet & we had it at Olive Garden...I did not mind taking one for the team...LOL
Oct. 15, 2007--Surgery went well--don't really remember anything...I at least wanted to see what the operating room looked like...but I guess I was out like a light right after I told my family that I loved them all
Oct. 15, 2007--Had a mild reaction to the numbing agent in the epidural pain medicine---nothing major they had to slowly take me off & replace it just with pain meds instead of the numbing agent...NO Biggie
Oct. 16, 2007--YEAH...I was able to have ice chips...what treat...started walking the halls of the hospital...I did really good too!!!
Oct. 17, 2007--Released from hospital...I know that I had surgery...but I got a reminder this evening to REALLY let me know that everything is working properly...LOL...(I can laugh now) anyway this is what happened...I had a NO SUGAR added popsicle instead of SUGAR FREE...& believe me there is a difference...oh did I say it also had aspartme in it as well...Needless to say it wasn't a good night...I had every Dumping symptom that there is...That when I had my "WHY DID I DO THIS" moment & hopefully the last one. Well I did survive & I have not had any problems since then...I never want to feel like that again.
Oct. 26, 2007--11 days post op--I have lost eleven pounds...Woo Hoo...11 whole pounds yall!!! My Dr. says that I am right on track...my incisions are looking good & I will be able to start my full liquid diet in a few days I can not wait...creamed soups here I come...LOL
Fast forward a little--Full liquids went well, & I could not wait to start eating solid foods again...but the funny thing about that is I am not even hungry...I am addicted to food, thus the need to have this surgery...it really keeps me in check...oh and another thing...I never want to see JELLO again unless it's a JELLO SHOT...LOL
Solid foods I have tried--chicken, chicken & more chicken...LOL Crab Legs...no butter...they were scrumptious...mmm mmm GOOD...Turkey, a piece of pork chop & a sausage which both made me sick...I don't think that I can tolerate pork that well...I will live...oh I have tried lean ground beef also.
November 26, 2006--6 week check up--I have lost a total of 31 pounds yall...I am 1 pound heavier than when I actually started my WLS process 1 year ago...I can't believe that I gained 31 pounds in 1 year...but I don't have to worry about that anymore...Thank GOD!!! my next Doctor's appointment is on February 18, 2008, I will be a little over 3 months post op.
Last but not least--I would like to THANK everyone that prayed, called, and checked up on me while I was recovering. Also, I will try to update more often...Who knows maybe I will b ean inspiration to someone.
Renee
3 1/2 Hours 2 Go
Oct 14, 2007
This is so surreal...I have been trying to get to this point for a whole year now...& it is finally here 
I know that I have a lot of updating to do & I promise that I will...I have been so busy getting ready but I am READY!!! I have to be at the hospital at 4:30am so I probally will not get any sleep until they put me under...my stomache is still a little bubbly from the bowel prep & it was not as bad as I thought it would be...just proved me right I am not Full Of Sh&*...LOL 
I am not nervous
at all, just ready to start the new chance that GOD has granted me I promise not to be a glutten 
this time around.I just want to say to everybody they may come across my page Thank You for all the encouragement & A Special Shout Out to My BAF Family
I couldn't ask for a better support system if I hand picked them all myself.Once I return home I will update about this last month leading up to this day including the approval, presurgical testing, shopping for everytging that I needed, MY SURGERY SHOWER (what a wondeful thing
), my 2 day liquid diet, post my day before surgery pictures (I really don't want to ) hospital stay & the future. (Whoo I will be busy 
)Thanks Everybody & see you on the loser's bench!
Renee
