Valerie G.

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Last night was the WOW of all WOW nights for me.  Bare with me, because this may appear to be selfish bragging to the untrained (and unwls) eye.  It really DID happen, and I have to share with someone who understands the wonder and amazement above such bragging.

We had plans on going out with another couple last night to celebrate birthdays.  I got a call from DH around 7pm telling me that there is a slight change.  One of our old friends that we used to see regularly at a favorite bar (that closed about 2 yrs ago-ending an era) was also celebrating a birthday and invited us to come and join him at a little impromtu party at another bar.  

DH asks me "so, what are you wearing?".  Whaaaaatt????? Okay, that never happened before.  I told him what I was dressed in and asked him why.  He says, "lets see when I get home".  This is WAY weird, but whatever.  Well, he gets home and tells me "Cameron hasn't seen the new you yet and its MY birthday, so I want to request that you wear something HOT tonight?  OMG - he said WHAT??  In my 6 years of dating this man and 18 years of marriage, I've never heard this.  "So" I say, "what do you have in mind?".  I'm totally amused now.  "I'd love to see that sparkly thing, but it's too cold, so little red skirt", says DH, thinking of a little red plaid flannel miniskirt that I pair up with black tights, turtleneck and boots.  I get the up and down eyes and his kiss of approval, feel totally joyful knowing that DH thinks I look hot tonight, and away we go.

We got there and surprisingly there were SO many familiar faces we weren't expecting from our old hangout -- people that haven't seen me since my DS.  I got double-takes all over the place.  I passed by people and they had no idea who I was.  A couple times I needed to be re-introduced because "I'm Val, Mark's wife" just wasn't registering.  Once they figured me out, apparently word spread like wildfire.  I was picked up into the air a few times, and then people are seeking me out.  I've never felt this exhilarated before.  

Near the end of the night a gal I'd just met last night tells me "I didn't know you before, but I have to tell you because I'd want to know is that you were the talk of the town tonight.  Everywhere I turned, people were exclaiming how beautiful and hot you looked."  Wow oh WOW oh WOW.  I've never felt so flattered in all of my life.  Going home, DH is sharing with me the compliments he heard, too.  

Another observation was hubby's behavior.  We used to go out, and he'd get us a drink, then we'd work the floor seperately, eventually catching up with each other at the pool table.  This time, he's got me at his side for a while.  He kept seeking me out after we broke away, just to give me a kiss and a squeeze.  He's keeping an eye on me as I cross the room, lol.  As we're walking down the sidewalk, he's got my hand and slipping on ice so I can have the shoveled part of the sidewalk.  I finally stop and insist that he go behind or ahead of me in the same bare patch and not risk his life, lol.  Once upon a time, he would have thought about that himself.  He was so cute!  Who would ever think that weight loss brought about shivelry?  This amuses and impresses the heck out of me.  I know he loved me big or small, but I wasn't prepared for these little things that I don't even think he's aware of.  

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a pin to pop this huge head of mine so my feet can touch the ground again.   

I LOVE MY DS !!!!!

These days it doesn't matter how good or bad I eat.  Honestly, bad still includes a lot of good things consumed in my day, but you know what I mean.  Meat here, a cookie there, veggies elsewhere.  I'm still holding steady at 144 lbs.  Now, I've pretty much been there for about a year, but get this!  My body is shifting still.  

A little lesson to the newbies about people who have been obese all their lives.  Their bones are denser and heavier.  Even though I weigh 144, people are telling me left and right that I must weigh about 120-125.  Okay, so if I can't live it -- why not look like it?  Not a bad trade off.  

Even though my weight has stayed steady, my body is still changing.  For instance, I went down another bra size.  What was once a buxom 50DD, is now a dangling 36C (but it's STILL a C darnit).  Balconette bras at Lane Bryantare a wonderful thing.  I'm in their smallest size and will be heartbroken if I shrink any more and can't buy therm.  Some of my clothes are looser than they used to be, and I've purchased a few more size 6 items.  A friend came to town from our Chicago office and swore that I'd lost more weight since Thanksgiving and I went to my scale to check and NOPE, it still reads 144.  

Up to now, still no problems or complaints.  I'm fighting my D levels (that were low pre-op anyway) and I had a hernia repaired this summer.  I've found these megadoses of D from Vitalady, so when I get my blood drawn next month, I plan on humming the Rocky song, knowing I'm kicking some D butt!  I'm even used to seeing a thin Val now -- something I'd never seen in my adult life.  It's kind of cool.

 It has been so easy to "add" things to my life (my vitamins) than to take others away, like my favorite foods.  I also found that protein is easier to get in if you're not worried about fat.....stuff like that.

Talk is going around again about my favorite high protein recipes, so I'm moving these back to front and center where they belong... Enjoy!
Published
Sugar Slut, step back!  My fabulous recipes sank back to page 2 and people were having trouble finding them, so here they are, y'all!  RNY's reading this, you can make substitutions for lower fat varieties of some of these things.

I've been getting many requests for my trail mix recipe lately, so I thought I'd post it here for all to see:

Fabulous Ricotta Fluff Stuff
1 large container of ricotta cheese
1 box  SF jello instant cheesecake pudding
dollop or two of sour cream (to taste)
A little bit of milk to lighten it up (about a cup-add last and gradually)

Mix it all up and enjoy however you want it.  I love it with strawberries!  It's a great fruit dip or just eating straight out of the bowl. 

Fabulous Trail Mix
Base mix
1 jar peanuts
1 jar sunflower kernels
1/2 bag raisins or "berries and cherries"
1/2 small bag chocolate chips.
1 small bag macadamia pieces
1 small bag pecan halves

To this, I might add other nuts depending on what's on sale (walnuts, cashews, more pecans).  I've also varied the fruit, too, so play around.  Try to keep the proportions the same.  It's so easy to load up the sweet stuff, but it's the nuts that are so valuable here.  The balance makes the perfect sweet and salty snack and my daily breakfast.  If proportions are kept, it's about 32g of protein for 8 oz.

Fabulous Custard -- full of protein, easy on new post-ops ~delicious!
3 cups milk
3/4 cup splenda
4-5 eggs (depending on size)
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
handful of coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 375'.  Beat eggs, nutmeg and vanilla together in baking dish.  On the stove, bring the milk and splenda just to a boil, then stir together to the eggs.  Bake for 25 min
NOTE:  when the milk is coming near to a boil, you'll get a little foam on the top.  Remove this foam before stirring into the eggs, or it will get a weird texture on top.

God Bless Paula Deen for flourless peanut butter cookies!

1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup Splenda

Mix and roll into balls (about walnut sized) and flatten with fork dipped in Splenda.  Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.  

TIPS
-Do NOT overocok -- they will get crumbly since there's no gluten
-Peanut butter is naturally low sugar - the low sugar kind only reduces it by 1g per serving.
-If you're picky about artificial sweeteners, I've done a 3/1 with splenda and sugar to cut the after taste and it's good.  Presently, I do full-splenda in the cookies, and roll in regular sugar and that's good too.  I've also added semi-sweet chocolate chips to shake things up. 

Post Date: 10/31/07 5:21 am
BOO!!!!!!
Sorry, being it Halloween and all, I just had to do that

In fact, it was almost about NOW that I was arguing with the nurses about keeping on my Halloween socks through surgery, since it was the only piece of Halloween I was going to get for the day.    They appeased me for a few minutes and let me keep my black socks with skeletons and glowing red eyes.  They got me good and stoned with that IV and only THEN did they remove my  contraband socks.  First lesson -- never trust nurses to go against policy

Recovery was easier than I expected it to be (I was basically expecting to wish I was dead).  I was amazed as I was able to get up and walk only hours from being hacked on.  It was surreal, sore and darned uncomfortable, but that morphine pump worked its magic indeed!  I went home three days later, once again surprised at how mobile I really could be so soon.  Yeah, I could move, but did I want to?  That was way too much trouble.  I was very listless for about 4-5 weeks.  I didn't want to concentrate on anything, not even television, however I didn't nap much either.  I also just wanted to be left alone.  My family was there like minutemen waiting to dote on me, but I assigned them chores instead so they could feel helpful and I could feel peace, LOL.  Funny how on that 5th week, though, my energy returned, and just in time for Christmas shopping!  I would go in 3-4 hour spurts through the mall or stores, then come home and sack out.  It was working for me.  I went back to work after new years and hit the ground running.  My manager told me not to schedule myself for anything just in case I wanted to cut out early and go home my first couple weeks back.  Much to his and everyone else's surprise, I never needed to take him up on that offer, and they all think I'm tough as nails now.  Second lesson -- Never let them see you weak if you can help it.

Eating was a chore at first.  My first week home, I was choking down my vitamins, all the water and almost all 100g of protein.  I never knew consumption could be so unsatisfying.  Nothing tasted good at all, not even drinks.  I discovered regressing to modified versions of my childhood favorites was key for me.  I started making decaf sweet tea and green koolaid with spenda and that got me able to get in all my water.  I never did like any of the protein supplements.  SF CIB was the only thing I tolerated without making a yuck face, and even that got old.  I then found ProStat64, which packed in 15g in one little bitty ounce, so that was my salvation until I was able to eat enough protein.  It was about 5 months before I started finding any enjoyment from food.  I would set reminders in my Outlook calendar at work reminding me to take vitamins and to eat.  Imagine that -- needing to be reminded to eat!  I learned to listen to my body.  It wold me when it was digesting.  It told me (only once) when it was hungry - then if not fed, wouldn't want to eat anything for the rest of the day.  It also told me when it was done eating (a couple hiccups or nose runs).  Lesson three -- Learn and listen to your body's signals

During the rest of year one, I was dropping a clothing size every 6-8 weeks.  As I've preached out here many times, I worked the consignment shops and thrift stores to replace my wardrobe, and am now VERY GOOD at it.  From what I kept on account at my favorite consignment shops, I was able to replace my wardrobe (work and weekend) for about $100.  The only thing I paid full price for was undergarments.  As the boobies deflate, I highly recommend Lane Bryant's Balconette bras.  They are molded and padded.  I'm still a D cup, but the padding helps keep the shape and nobody knows when I'm cold.  Lesson 4 -- Don't hold too tight to your old clothes, either.  Your confidence level soars when you're wearing your true size and you KNOW you look good.  The compliments that come when you're wearing clothes that fit help with the mental boost too.   I remember at my 1 year Surgiversary, I was right around a size 12 or Large in shirts.  During year two, I didn't lose much more weight, but my body kept readjusting.  Today, I'm hovering between 140 and 150, and wearing sizes 6, 8, and a couple small running 10's.  I still marvel over my size small flannel jammies, or anything I own that's a size small.  Sometimes, I still hold my clothes up and stare at them in awe, amazed that they fit ME.  You have to understand, I NEVER wore sizes this small.  I NEVER lost any significant amount of weight.  I just kept gaining and gaining, hitting a plateau whenever I would diet/exercise (but not lose).  This idea of dropping weight still fascinates me.  I'm pretty sure I'm leveled off, because I've been between 140 and 150 for around 8 or 9 months now.  I see some of my Switch Siblings losing even more weight, and part of me wishes I would keep losing, but I have internal conflict that I know I won't look healthy if I do.  I see the drive, but fortunately, common sense is keeping me steady.  I also promised my mom that if I hit 135, that I would seek the pancreatic enzymes to aid absorption.  So far, the closest I've come was 140.2.  

So, here it is 286 was my highest recorded weight, 272 was my surgery weight, and my current weight hovers around 145, give or take.  Not too shabby for a gal of 5'4.5".  I still come out here on OH about every day.  The legacy peeps helped me out so much that I only feel it my duty to stick around and help people along the same way.  I still learn a thing or two myself sometimes.  

For all of you newbies out there, if you have ANY questions, private or public -- as some  people have learned, nothing is overasked, too personal, TMI or too gross with me.  I'll give it to you straight if you can handle it.  

Other FAQ's and discoveries from my own experience:
Gas and poo are directly related to what I consume, and quite controllable.
Once you break free from the plus sizes, you change sizes every 10 lbs
Christmas cookies are gas makers
Prime Rib is one of the easiest meats to eat
Any meat is easier to eat if there is a sauce or gravy to accompany it
If you feel overfull, try popping a couple grapes or pineapple chunks.  It lightens the load for some bizarre reason.  Some well cooked soft veggies do the same thing
Pizza is best eaten with a thin and crispy crust (yes, I still love pizza)
Desserts are best shared and will keep you out of trouble

Well, I haven't lost any more weight, although I've been told I need to stop, so I guess my body is still readjusting.  My low weight so far has been 140.5, but I'm usually bouncing between 142 and 148, which suits me just fine.  I promised my mom that if I got down to 135, that I'd seek help from my surgeon to gain weight.  Here's the weird thing, though.  I have a couple of DS friends who are taller than I am (3-4 inches taller) and weight less than me, but I'm wearing the smaller size.  How strange is that?  The only thing I can muster is the difference in muscle tone.  I always had a good amount of muscle, but I feel so much weaker now compared to my 286 lbs of my high weight, so it really surprised me to put this into consideration.  I feel like I can be overcome by a door sometimes.  My shoe size has gone from a size 9 to a new 8.5.  I've heard of that happening, but thought I was done with changes.  Oh well.  I also noticed some new skin changes.  My inner thighs look looser, I think.  I noticed the slightest bit of drooping on my back, too.  I swear my stomach isn't as flat as it was before my hernia repair (aside from when the hernia bloated me).  Is it possible that after a couple months that it might still be a little swollen?  Oh well, I have little to complain about, really.  So many good things have happened for me over the last two years.  I really love what my DS has done for me.

Well, it's been a week and 2 days since my hernia repair.  It wasn't as bad as I was all nerved out about.  I spent the night for pain control and to my surprise, they put me back in the bariatric ward, which is the nicest, swankiest ward in the hospital.  I've spent the last week being antsy yet uncomfortable, but today I'm noticing a considerable improvement.  Maybe it's the fact that I actually left the house, got dressed, makeup, hair and everything.  My pants aren't even all that uncomfortable, so I just might make it in the office next week afterall.

Sugar Slut, step back!  My fabulous recipes sank back to page 2 and people were having trouble finding them, so here they are, y'all!  RNY's reading this, you can make substitutions for lower fat varieties of some of these things.

I've been getting many requests for my trail mix recipe lately, so I thought I'd post it here for all to see:

Fabulous Ricotta Fluff Stuff
1 large container of ricotta cheese
1 box  SF jello instant cheesecake pudding
dollop or two of sour cream (to taste)

Mix it all up and enjoy however you want it.  I love it with strawberries!  It's a great fruit dip or just eating straight out of the bowl. 

Fabulous Trail Mix
Base mix
1 jar peanuts
1 jar sunflower kernels
1/2 bag raisins or "berries and cherries"
1/2 small bag chocolate chips.
1 small bag macadamia pieces
1 small bag pecan halves

To this, I might add other nuts depending on what's on sale (walnuts, cashews, more pecans).  I've also varied the fruit, too, so play around.  Try to keep the proportions the same.  It's so easy to load up the sweet stuff, but it's the nuts that are so valuable here.  The balance makes the perfect sweet and salty snack and my daily breakfast.  If proportions are kept, it's about 32g of protein for 8 oz.

Fabulous Custard -- full of protein, easy on new post-ops ~delicious!
3 cups milk
3/4 cup splenda
4-5 eggs (depending on size)
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
handful of coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 375'.  Beat eggs, nutmeg and vanilla together in baking dish.  On the stove, bring the milk and splenda just to a boil, then stir together to the eggs.  Bake for 25 min
NOTE:  when the milk is coming near to a boil, you'll get a little foam on the top.  Remove this foam before stirring into the eggs, or it will get a weird texture on top.

God Bless Paula Deen for flourless peanut butter cookies!

1 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 tbsp vanilla
1 cup Splenda

Mix and roll into balls (about walnut sized) and flatten with fork dipped in Splenda.  Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.  

TIPS
-Do NOT overocok -- they will get crumbly since there's no gluten
-Peanut butter is naturally low sugar - the low sugar kind only reduces it by 1g per serving.
-If you're picky about artificial sweeteners, I've done a 3/1 with splenda and sugar to cut the after taste and it's good.  Presently, I do full-splenda in the cookies, and roll in regular sugar and that's good too.  I've also added semi-sweet chocolate chips to shake things up. 

Okay, so  it's confirmed now that I do indeed have a hernia.  I saw the doc yesterday and I have one now about the size of a large egg, and she suspects several others.  

DH and I had a talk last night about this tummy tuck vs. hernia repair thing.  It would be a big stretch to pay for the TT even with the "hernia discount", and with the 'reasonable' condition my tummy is in, I seriously doubt I stand a snowball's chance in getting a TT covered any time soon.  So, with that and the fact that nobody but DH and I would really notice the difference, I've decided that it's irresponsible of me to go into debt for plastics that nobody would see.  I totally hate the thought of going into debt too.

Next step is timing.  I really want to enjoy the summer a little.  I want to complete a part of my Six Sigma project before taking off of work, which would be perfect because the next step of the project needs to wait a month to collect data.

Just when I thought I had it all together and in maintenance mode -- scott free of any complications, I think I have a hernia now.  Now, I know this isn't a big deal, really, and quite common, but I've been thanking my lucky stars about not getting one, and even decided not to pursue plastic surgery, instead being happy with the blessings I already have.   Well, now that's changed.  If someone's going to cut into my abdomen, you'll bet I want it nipped and tucked, too.  What the heck, right?  I've got an appt to see my surgeon on the 21st to see if I do indeed have a hernia and what we're going to do about it.  

Ya know, it's one thing to get one on the way down, but to get one when I'm at goal and start to notice that my clothes aren't fitting the same way really sucks....especially when I haven't gained anything, either.  It's not even sticking out enough to give it a name yet, but I just notice that things dont feel right anymore.  Ugh!

I did it!  I made it to a normal weight, and like a switch, my body seems to have stopped losing.  I'm resting comfortably between 144 and 148, since January.  I'm in a size 6-8 and I feel fabulous.  I dreamed of this day for so long, never thinking I'd be here, and here I am! 

I've added more carbs now, healthy, and not-so-healthy, continuing to get my protein in and my vitamins.  The Repliva got my iron back to normal stages and I have a theory that springtime will bring my vitamin D back up being in the sun more.  Just in case, I'm upping my supplement of dry D.  It doesn't hurt.

NOw!!  What about plastic surgery?  Well, my body isn't really that bad....well, not as bad as I was expecting.  I think there are parts that just look older than I really am.  My tummy is jiggly, but not hanging out or anything.  My upper thighs are loose, and if I pull them up, I can see how fabulous my legs could look.  I still have plenty of butt and boobies, and would love to see both of them lifted.  Is all of this worth the pain if I don't even have so much as a hernia?  I'm still chewing on that one.  I've got the number to a plastic surgeon taped to my white board for weeks now, still finding things to do so I don't have the time to call him.