Week 34 - You CAN Vacation in a Food-Based Environment with the Sleeve

Sorry... been too busy living life to blog lately.  I swore this wasn't going to happen... yet it did!
BTW - Down 100+ lbs :)  Yeah... I'm getting shrinkles and a bit of saggy skin... but who cares when you compare the before and after photos!


I am so proud of the past 2 vacations I took in September.... I went on a week-long Caribbean cruise... came home for a week and then spent 5 days in Las Vegas. Now the cruise was new to me... but I have been a Vegas regular for a while. This was the difference 7 months post sleeve:

I could get around so much better (down 100 lbs)
Comps/Upgrades came much easier (dang superficial people)
Didn't do a single buffet. Only ate at restaurants off the appetizer menu. What I had left over - I gave away to homeless people I saw on the street.
Didn't do that much alcohol. My free gambling drinks - bottled water 

The cruise:
Only used one plate at the buffet. Took a scoop of everything I wanted.. and ate one or two bites of each. I made sure I only ate 12 fork/spoonfuls of food... since I couldn't measure my food. It worked... until the one meal where I lost count and ate 14ish bites. I got sick 

At the seated dinner in the evening - for the 3 course meal I did the same thing... just took a few bites of each of my meals. At first - the head waitress thought I didn't like my food... but I explained to her that I had WLS. She made sure to accommodate any request I had for the preparation of the food. I only had a handful of alcoholic beverages... stuck to mostly water.

Overall results:

Cruise - gained 4 lbs (I think from the fruit juice and having a few desserts during the week.)
Time to lose 4 lbs gained - 6 days

Vegas - gained 2 lbs
Time to lose 2 lbs gained - 3 days

Pre-sleeve trips to Vegas - gain 10lbs
Time to lose - what loss? It never went away!!

I hope this lets everyone know that traveling with the sleeve can still make for a good vacation - especially when you are surrounded by an excess of food!

February 2011

September 2011

Week 24 - Back from vacation in NYC

So I noticed a few things while I was on vacation in NYC....

Guys are flirting with me now.... people are nicer to me now that I have lost weight.... and all people want to socialize with eating and drinking.

SIGH....

So a few bad food choices happened... but that isn't going to get me down.  I happened upon the "Big Apple" during the hottest heat wave in 60+ years!  I walked tons... very proud of myself.  I didn't take one single taxi the whole time.  I even skimped on subways too!!

Get this!  I toured the Empire State Building.  The elevator takes you to the 80th floor where you wait in a cue to go onto the observation deck via elevator for the last 6 floors.  I didn't want to wait in line for an hour - so I asked if I could take the stairs.  You read it correctly... I ASKED to take the STAIRS - up 6 flights.  I did it... (panted a little bit for the last flight) but I was so proud of myself.  It was a beautiful view!

I even took the first 6 flights back down before catching the elevator again :)

I can't get over the changes I'm seeing.  My shoe size has changed, my ring size has changed... and I was finally able to shop at H & M for clothing for the first time in my life... buying a size 12.  I also went to another store and bought an XL in juniors clothing  :)

So yes - you can assume I shopped my way through NYC versus eating my way through NYC!

Here is a before and after update from NYC:

Week 21 - Where have all my updates gone??

OK... I will first apologize for my lack of updates.  I have been so busy living life... I forget about updating my blog.  But I will admit... I was good... I updated my weight (down 75 lbs) and I posted a 5 month post op photo.  I can't believe how far I have come!

I do realize I still have a few more goals to attain... but I am getting there one by one!

I had a great time celebrating my 36 birthday with family and friends.  I'm looking forward to a trip to NYC later this month to visit an old friend of mine.  This will be the smallest she has ever seen me... plus I am down a minimum of 2 dress sizes from when I first lived in NYC 11 years ago.

I am taking note that I do need to work on my protein more... and I have been slipping on the vitamins.  I need to get better about that to protect my health.  I just bought a Pilates machine from HSN.  I need to work on building lean muscle tissue... because I have lost too much of it so far!  Once I get the machine in next week... I will let you know how it works out for me.

Once again... many apologies for the delayed blog... I will try to do better again next week!

Week 14 - New Milestone!

So I just calculated my BMI...

14 Weeks ago - I was Morbidly Obese.... I passed up Severely Obese....now I am just Obese.  Strange... I never thought I would be excited to say that I was Obese.  LOL!

20 more pounds to go... and I will only be OVERWEIGHT!

:)

Have a great week everyone!

Week 13 - Revising Goals

OK... just a quick post about revision of goals.  Like some sort of circus freak - I though I could keep losing about 5 lbs a week... so I would hit my goal in about 6-7 months.  I was nuts!  I was getting down on myself because I couldn't keep up with that goal plan.

Now I know how my body loses weight.  It is like a system - 1-2 lbs at best one week, then 6 lbs the next week.... excluding the week when I have the monthly visit - because I add 1-2 lbs that week.  I'm going to revise my goal to about 5 lbs every other week.

If I keep on that trend... this is what should happen:

Starting Weight 285
By my birthday 215-210
Lake Trip 205
6 month follow up visit with doc 190 (but I really want 185 :)
First cruise ever - 185 -180 (planned to celebrate 100 lbs gone!)
Halloween - 164 (Initial goal weight)
Christmas Eve - 145 (Surgeon's Goal Weight)

Wouldn't that be a GREAT Christmas Present to myself?

Week 12 - Realizations about stress eating and how WORK had nearly everything to do with it!

So... I really didn't drop that much weight in the past week.  I had a stark realization.  I am a food addict with a penchant for stress eating.  Before surgery... and actually up until last week... I would have told you that I got fat because I chose the wrong foods... and that I ate too much of them.

What I didn't realize is that when I get stressed out.... I eat like there is no tomorrow.  Maybe in the past - I didn't realize when I was stressed... that's because I thrived on it!  Let me explain....

My college degree is in Broadcast Journalism.  So I spent the better part of my first 10 years out of college slaving away in TV Station newsrooms as a producer.  Mostly working the overnight shift to write the morning news that you see while you are drinking your first cup of coffee.  That shift was BRUTAL!  Dissecting the news from the evening before, answering phone calls from crazy & drunk people, listening to the police scanner.... all while shoving fast food down my throat (since they were the only ones open for business at midnight when I was driving to work) and typing away to make an interesting newscast that is 2.5 hours long... but writing it in only 3.5 hours since the director has to mark the scripts for camera crews.

Stress was an everyday occurrence!  I switched to a different position in the newsroom shortly after arriving in Houston - Executive Producer of Special Projects.  Much less stressful.... and the weight started coming off.  I got laid off nearly 2 years later... weight came back on.

I recently had a position with a company for years that involved a ton of travel.  I was miserable at work, worked about 70 hours a week - but it still wasn't enough.  I climbed to probably 290 lbs or more.  None of my clothes fit - and I was afraid to get on the scale.  That company letting me go saved my life!

I found a job with a great company just 3 weeks later.  (I hadn't even gotten my first unemployment check yet.)  I have the most supportive boss anyone could ever hope for!  It was stressful starting during holiday but I got it done... and learned from it. (I am a retail store manager...)  The insurance package I selected covered my surgery in full except for my deductible (woo hoo!)  And the job wasn't stressful.... so weight loss was easy.... or so I thought.

Now - sorry for the digression - but I thought you needed a little bit of history on me first.  Fast forward to the week of Mom's Day.  HUGE gifting season for my retailer - but my store is falling behind plan and behind the district trend.  I have to keep an eagle eye on payroll, find out what is happening, why aren't people buying as much:  do we have the right selection of product, do I have the right people working, is our sales floor staffed appropriately...

SIGH... when I realized that we were going to miss Mom's Day - I found myself  stress eating all over again.  Now this was 2 weeks in a row!  I've got to get a handle on this if I am ever going to drop any weight....

OK - enough thinking for now.....  I gotta get back on track.  Have a great week!

Danielle

Week 11- Stress Eating and Shopping in the Misses Dept. FINALLY!

Weight 229.2

Yes!  Finally in the 220's!  I had a revelation over the weekend... I found an old pair of  NY and Company jeans I purchased in 2004 and only got to wear once.  I dried them - and they shrunk!  Guess what - they fit now  (and look really good I might add!)  I also found a bag of shorts I purchased from NY and Company as well.  They never did fit.... I can zip them now... but there is a bit of a muffin top.... I'll just need to give it a few weeks and they should be fine.

Other realizations - I had a stressful weekend at work trying to make sales plan for the quarter.  I realized that I was in denial before about being an emotional eater.  I had a protein shake for breakfast, tilapia with broccoli and quinoa for lunch... then when we stopped making sales plan.... I found myself with cheetos and M&M's in my hand.  I felt sick (from eating too much) and mentally sick - that I let this get to me.  The major difference is that I only backslid that afternoon.  In the past - the entire week would have been shot to hell.

I gathered with my friends last night in memory of a dear friend of mine that was killed 2 years ago.  It's important to recognize the fact that I made it through the night with no tears, no alcohol and only 5 grilled shrimp.  That is quite the contrast from 2 years ago - I was on my way losing weight (had lost 30 lbs at that point) when I learned of his death.  I ended up in the hospital the next day due to dehydration... lost about 10 lbs in 2 days due to that..... then the comfort eating started.  I gained 45 lbs in just a matter of months.

It's interesting - the friend who passed was really into helping me lose weight... he would be so proud of me now.  :)

Thanks for everyone for reading... feel free to comment.

Next week is picture week for Week 12 :)

Danielle

Weeks 9 & 10 Post Op Update - Lab results and realizations

I really have to get better about blogging.  It's weird... If I hit a stall - I feel like a failure and I don't actually want to write it down.

I've dropped only about 2 pounds or so.  Now that I have rolled into week 11 - I have dropped a few more - but I will wait to report that in a blog later this week.

I've been going out and trying to be more social.  I love sports - especially hockey.  I've been going to several games this season - even more so since the Houston Aeros have made it into the playoffs.  I say this - because it brings up an issue with distracted eating....

I was at the game - cheering my team on... eating grilled chicken.  And then it happened.  One.bite.too.much....

OOF... the pain in my chest was killing me.... I could barely think straight.  I stood up and slowly started my walk of shame to the restroom... knowing what was going to happen next.  I was so ashamed... I was on a date at the game to make matters worse.

I have got to get it together and start being more conscious when I eat.  I'm always thinking in the back of my mind - what damage I could be doing... am I stretching my pouch.  And then I get sad... but I don't eat for fear of getting sick again.

I also finally received my 8 week labs back from my surgeon.  Vitamin D levels are low... need to double up on those now.  Protein levels are low too... got to get those higher.  Need to take in 90 grams of protein a day versus just 60.

It's weird... sometimes I just feel guilty when I eat...even though what I am eating is good for me.  I hope I'm not developing some weird issue.  I guess I will need to talk with someone about that.

That.s all for now.... I have a hard 2 weeks ahead of me.  It's the 2 year anniversary of the death of a close friend of mine.  He was instrumental in me wanting to get healthy... I was on the right track  but I lost focus when I lost him.  I know he would be proud of me now.... but I just need to make it through that time.

Here's wishing all of you a Happy Easter and good luck on any challenges that come your way this week!

Week 8 Post Op - Signing Up for New Challenges!

So I'm down a bit more 239.6.  Yep - You read it right!  I'm finally in the 230's!!!  I also posted another progress pic.

This past week was pretty good.  I've been expireminting with food.  I'm still not a great cook.  I went to my WLS Hospital support group yesterday.  They had a chef there to teach us how to cook better for ourselves.  I'm feeling a bit motivated - so Turkey Meatloaf and Asian Lettuce Wraps - Here I come!  LOL.

Mini-victory:  I discovered I can put on my smallest pair of jeans that I have worn in my adult life :)  I have a bit of a muffin top in them - but.... they still button and I can breathe in them!

Also - I felt like I needed another challenge... a goal of sorts.  So I signed up for my first 5k that I intend on RUNNING.  I've walked a 5K - but never RUN one before.  So I figured I had better make it an awesome one.  So I signed up for Beachpalooza in Galveston, TX on September 23rd.  If you aren't familiar with this - it is a crazy 5K race on the beach with a 10 stop obstacle course built into it. You can find out more about it here:  http://beachpalooza.com/.

I've been walking a few miles a day to slowly get started in training.  I've been posting to facebook to hold myself accountable.  I am finding that this helps - because if I miss a day - I have friends asking me where was my workout :)

OK - thanks for reading this week.  I hope all finds you well on your weight loss journey.

Week 7 Post Op - Lessons in Staying Hydrated

Good news... down to 242.8!  Woo hoo!!
BTW - more progress pics are posted.  I'm noticing a difference in the waist this time :)

Now... the big lesson in the past week.  YOU MUST STAY HYDRATED!!  Learn from my major mistake.  I was touring stores with my boss and a few other counterparts.  I did well by taking my vitamins and eating breakfast before we got started.  I brought a few snacks with me and water... but it was in my bag - out of reach  (since we all put our bags down to take notes.)

It had only been 2 hours since I ate something... but I was already behind on liquids.

I was standing in the middle of the mall - in front of a store with my group I was touring with.  My legs started feeling funny... kinda tingly.  I chalked it up to standing still in high heels.  Next... I started to get hot. (Note - I never get hot since surgery... so this should have been a red flag.)  Then my hearing started to fade... at this point I knew I was in trouble.  I knew I was getting ready to pass out (or faint.).

Next thing I knew... I woke up on the marble floor in the middle of the mall - laying on my back!  My boss and everyone else was looking at me.  Mall security was there - EMS was called...  SIGH!

Long story short - PLEASE stay hydrated!  I had recently gotten bloodwork back and knew that my potassium (a key electrolyte) was on the low side of the scale.  This coupled with not drinking for a few hours, anxiety of the store tours and standing up (with possibly locked knees) contributed to a low blood pressure which caused me to faint.

My head hurt for hours with no end.  Called my surgeon's office to tell them what happened.  (I called them at 10 minutes to closing)  They had me come in the next day for testing.  They sent me to the hospital for a CT scan as well.

All is clear... I knew I had a hard head! ;)

All joking aside.... I keep a bottle of water near me at all times now.... maybe you should do the same.

Have a great week!

Weeks 5 & 6 Post Op Update

Sorry - I've become bad... I've missed a post.

That could be because I was depressed... I barely lost a pound in week 5.  I'm not sure what happened.... I know my external exercise was down - but I walk a lot at work.... averaging 9,000 to 10,000 steps a day.  On work days... I just don't feel like walking when I get home.

Then I started looking at my diet.... still not enough calories!  So I started making a serious effort in week 6 to make sure I get in a minimum of 700-800 calories a day.

Can you say BINGO!!  That worked!  I am now 246.6 lbs :)

I have been dropping at least a half pound a day!  I dropped a whole pound the other day.  And today (yes I was bad and weighed myself twice.... I dropped a pound by mid-morning - 4 hours AFTER breakfast... but I used my first morning weigh in weight for the posting.)

I am fitting very comfortably in XL t-shirts.  I can even wear some large t-shirts.  Track pants/yoga pants that used to be very tight on me... are now fitting pretty loose.

I took the tags off 2 pair of jeans I bought in 2009 thinking I would fit into them soon.... (last weight loss attempt) and I never did.  I have been rocking those jeans every weekend now!!  I am starting to feel more confident about myself.  It really feels good :)

I'm still struggling with remembering all of my vitamins.... SIGH.  I will eventually get it down.

Shopping for food has become an interesting challenge/more fun. I'm reading labels, learning what is good for me, and saving a chunk of change by not going through the drive through at least two times a day.

I booked my first cruise for Labor Day Weekend.  It's going to be a 7 day cruise.  My first real vacation in a nearly 2 decades.  (Real meaning over 4 days - and excluding sharing a hotel room with my Parents.)  All of my friends comment on all of the food on the cruise... I'm not worried... I'm not controlled by food anymore.  It's just fuel to get me going for the next few hours.  Sure - I may treat myself to a little "bad treat" like 1 fun-bite chocolate bar - but I'm not eating 2 or 3 whole candy bars in one sitting anymore.

I can honestly say - I'm looking forward to being in a swimsuit in public :)  I NEVER thought I would say that!!

Until next time...

Week 4 Post-Op

Weight update - 250.8  :)

Non Scale Victory (NSV) - had a few spare inches on the belt buckle on the plane - rather than me breaking out in a sweat to fasten it!  Yahoo!!!!

Went for a visit with my PCP (Primary Care Physician) and the last time she saw me was 3 months ago - when she wrote my referral for the surgery.... She saw me and was very pleased.  Blood pressure was 110/59, weight down almost 40 lbs since I saw her.  She is drawing labs... hopefully A1C will be lower too.  

I transition to a regular diet next week.  I'm looking forward to it... but a bit frightened at the same time.  I think it will be easier for me to recognize when I am full - versus the soft "slider" foods.  I really need to get better about exercising though.

TMI warning:

I had always read that you needed to use 2 forms of birth control after surgery.  This is due to the high release of estrogen with weight loss.  I decided to use the Mirena IUD.  It lasts 5 years and also releases a hormone like the pill does.  I didn't want to have to rely on the pill... because - right now I have issues remembering to take all my vitamins, and secondly - a close friend of mine just became pregnant on the pill.

So - with that being said - I had my Mirena appointment.  A few notes - it is easier to insert if you have already have had a child. (I have not.) Secondly - you may want to take a Valium for anxiety and/or Vicodin for pain.  Hell yes it hurt... I yelled cuss words and apologized to my doc.  She said "it happens..."  LOL

I also almost passed out and then vomited.... she also said it was a normal pain response.  I took tylenol every 6 hours.  I'm still taking it today...  still having mild cramping.  But - the good news - the procedure only takes 3 minutes.

If anyone has any questions about anything I've posted... please let me know.

Week 3 Post-Op Update - Setting Mini-Goals

So.... I have a few new musings:

First - Weight is now 253.2 - down nearly 32 lbs :)  (Be sure to check out my progress photos above if you haven't already.)

Second - Medical scare - just fibroid cysts (YEAH!)  Soooo relieved!

Third - I'm still finding it hard to get motivated to exercise.  I'm really not sure what the deal is here... but I really have to get a move on!  I bought a big calendar to put in my exercise room to get me motivated.  Hopefully that will help!

Fourth - Mini-Goals:  Back in 2009 - I dieted my way down to 254 lbs... that took 4 months.  I did it in 1 month this time.  In 2007 - I got down to 251 lbs on weight watchers (round 3)  and that took me 8 months.  If I get on the ball - I should hit that by this weekend!.  Next mini-goal:  224 lbs - my weight in 2004 when I worked out with a trainer 5 days a week and dieted.  It took me 4 months to hit that target.  I'm hoping I can do it in two.  I will need to start working out to make that happen.

Finally Fifth - Clothes are starting to get looser.  In a smaller pants size already.... I love shopping in my closet for things that I haven't worn in a great while.

Thanks to everyone who is reading my blog.  It's really motivating knowing that there are people out there who will help hold me accountable.  Please feel free to comment... I love reading your thoughts.

Have a great day!

More Progress & learning what I don't like

Hi everyone!

It's an exciting day for me... it's almost 30 days since I started my liquid diet.  My neighbors & friends tell me they see a difference in me.  (I'm not back at work yet... so the co-workers haven't seen me yet.)  I didn't see the difference - so I decided to take an update photo.

Oh my!  I can see a difference!  The photos are posted on  my progress page :)

It's very exciting!  I encourage anyone who is going through this weight loss process - document yourself each month... it's really a great boost!

Next victory - the scale....

I'm at my lowest weight since June 2009.  It's very exciting.  Especially since it took me 4 months to lose the weight the last time - and this time it happened in 30 days.

In 5 more pounds - I will be my lowest weight watchers weight since August 2007.... and that time it took me 8 months to reach that weight.  I'm loving all of these small victories.

Food progress:  I'm starting to transition to soft foods about 2 days early.  The pureed foods just don't keep me satisfied for long.  I went out to the hockey game last night... In the past that would have been a supreme nacho, hot dog and margarita night.

This time - it was a bottle of water on the drive over and a grilled chicken pita by the second intermission.  Now don't get all excited... the grilled chicken was about mush... and I ate only the chicken and a bite of the cheese with a fork..(ok... only 4 bites of chicken).  But it tasted really good and filled me up.  I took the rest of it home.

A few hours later - I was prepping my meals for the next day... and I saw the pita still in there.... so I did it.... I took a piece of the whole wheat pita... and chewed it... and chewed it... and savored it.... and swallowed.  After all - I LOVED carbs before the sleeve.

But then it happened.... it hit my stomach... and it felt like a rock.  It was very uncomfortable... my mouth started watering and I high-tailed it to the bathroom and promptly vomited.  That sucked!

Strangely enough - after that happened.... just the thought of eating bread disgusted me....  AMAZING!

Anyways... there are my musings for the day.

Hope you have a great one!

Week 2 Post Op Update - Ups, Downs and Medical Scares

Wow!  So much has happened in the past week!

Lets start first with a weight update:  256.8 lbs.  That is 28.2 lbs gone so far! :)  I also started a photo journey to tell you a little bit about myself and my struggles with weight loss.

Food:  I never thought I would like pureed foods as much as I do.  I also never thought it would be this hard to get in the required protein and water.  It's honestly a struggle.  I have to remind myself to eat and drink.... and I still have to get one day perfect with all of the meds.  I hope it will happen soon.... I'm always missing at least a dose of something.  If I am in a rush - I just pick up baby food and eat half a jar.  At home, I've made tuna mousse (yummy!), and put grilled chicken and black beans in the food processor... DOUBLE YUMMY! I still need to master the bite sizes.  I got a bit overzealous and took too big of a bite... GOOD GRIEF that hurt!

Next - exercise:  I started by playing games on my Wii.  Then I ventured out to the track behind my house (no excuse not to use it) and walked a lap (.33 miles).  By Sunday - I walked 4 laps.  Last night (Monday), I walked 5 laps!!!  That's just shy of 2 miles!  I can't believe I am doing this... and it felt really good!  Props to Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Rihanna for getting me through it!.

So, I find myself starting to feel good about myself again.  I am wearing T-shirts that I stopped wearing because they were too tight.  I notice my pants/shorts size has gone down by a size already... so all is well. (Or so I thought.)  I went to the doctor for my annual well-woman exam.  I was happy to see a very normal 124/65 as my blood pressure reading.  Later during the exam portion - my doc found 3 lumps in my right breast.  She is concerned and so am I.  I am adopted - so I really don't have any medical history.... so the next week will consist of diagnostic tests to find out what these lumps are and what the hell they are doing in me.

I'm taking this as a learning moment.  Just one month ago if this would have happened - I would have drowned myself in the nearest cheeseburger or chicken nugget combo.... or hit the chinese food buffet.  Last night I walked nearly two miles instead.  It's amazing how far I've come in such a short time!

I'm beginning to love myself again!

1 Week Post Op Visit

So on Monday, Feb 14th I went for my one week post op visit with my surgeon.  (actually 6 days... but whatever!) Weight loss update - 8lbs down since surgery and 21 lbs down from liquid diet. :)

Blood pressure was 138/80 before surgery... sometimes soaring to 154/95.  One week post op (drumroll please) 124/70   Can you believe it!!

He said that everything went well and my incisions are healing just fine.  In one year they should be very faded... as long as I keep them out of the sun.

We discussed the possibility of loose skin in the future.... he said since I had a bmi over 40... I would probably have some loose skin.  But since I was young (35) it may not be that bad since my skin still had elasticity to it.

I plan on starting to incorporate weight training as soon as I am cleared for it.  I noticed that a lot of people with the skin issues mostly did cardio and some resistance training.  I'll let you know how that plan works out for me.

I've moved on to pureed foods.  I started finding a few frozen dinners I like and shoving them in the food processor.  They all look like refried beans when they are done... but taste pretty good. :)

Meanwhile - I overcame a huge hurdle.  I was hanging out with a guy I was dating all day... and he LOVES to eat... and is thin with a crazy high metabolism.  We had breakfast (I ate a soft scrambled egg... ok only 3/4 of it) while he ate a full breakfast.  It really didn't bother me.  For lunch - we went to a Mediterranean buffet (I'm starting to think he isn't the most supportive person here.) There I had a few tablespoons of hummus.  He was hungry about 6pm... so he wanted to stop at Subway.  He got a salad there.  I got a yogurt (ate about half of that too.)

Strangely enough - I wasn't craving anything.  At first - I was angry with him for not supporting me.  Now I'm glad that he challenged me...because I know I can make smart choices even at this early step in the game.

I'm Home....still not alone

Just a quick post... I've been home a few days now and I am going stir crazy.  I'm not cleared to drive until Monday when I have my 1 week post op with the surgeon.  In the mean time... I'm trying to keep my sanity with my parents here.  I'm just starting to notice how fixated they are with food all the time.

I'm not really eating that much (no surprise there.) I eat about a half a can of cream of chicken soup and one protein shake a day with some water.  I'm still struggling to get in my minimum amount of water.  It's getting a bit better day by day.

By the way... today was the day I finally decided to start my blog... so that's why there are so many posts for today -all the way to the beginning of my journey.

I will try to blog on a weekly basis so I can keep myself honest and on track - and help anyone else out there who may be thinking of the same surgery that I had.

Surgery Day - Tuesday Feb. 8, 2011

In preparing for surgery - the last day is basically only clear liquids.  You might as well have called it a fast for me - since all I had that day was water... until the magnesium citrate flush :(
Strangely enough - I wasn't hungry.  It was really weird.  I guess the nerves were kicking in.  I got a call saying my surgery was going to be delayed by an hour.  I was trying to figure out how I was going to go 11 hours without drinking a thing and nearly 36 hours without food.

On Tuesday (surgery day) I got a phone call that my surgery was moved up by and hour and how soon could I get to the hospital.  I flew out of bed - got my parents (they came in on Monday) and we headed for the hospital.  I had already pre-registered so check-in was a breeze.  I waited about 30 minutes and was taken back.

They had me change into my surgical gown and started drawing blood, giving me blood thinners, running pregnancy tests (no surprises there) and making sure all my paperwork was in order.  They called my parents up to come hang out with me.

While waiting - I started talking to the patient in the bed next to me (through the curtain.)  She was there to have gall bladder surgery.  She said she had VSG back in September and had lost almost 100 lbs. She said her husband had had it last December and had lost 140.  She told me to stick to the diet plan - she had gotten herself sick eating the wrong things too soon.  (Noted!  I didn't want to have more surgery!)

I finally met with the Anesthesiologist, my Surgeon, the ER Nurse and the Nurse Anesthetist.
It seems like it was a lifetime - but I was finally wheeled back for surgery.  From what I was told - that part was really quick - under an hour... and all went well.

It took me a bit to wake up in recovery - and I immediately felt nauseated and vomited.  (sorry to be graphic)
To be honest... I did a lot of vomiting that first day... every time I got up and went for a walk - I got sick.

A lot of people wonder about the pain from the surgery.  I honestly didn't have that much pain.  I only used my morphine pump a few times a bit after surgery... and I really think it was because I had menstrual cramps (I started the morning of surgery... horrible timing I know!!!)

After the first few hours - I didn't need that morphine pump anymore.  I couldn't have anything (not even water) until the morning after surgery.

OK - so let me break it down.... last food was at 7pm on Sunday, last drink was 11:50pm on Monday and now I couldn't have a drink again until Wednesday!!!

They did my sleeve test - and it went well (no leaks - but more nausea/vomiting - yuk!)

at 10am they finally brought me ice water.  I learned 2 things very quickly.  I get full after 2 oz of fluid and that ice water HURTS!  I used to crave ice water before... now it left a stabbing pain.  That was very weird for me.

Speaking of pain- the only major pain I had from the surgery was the gas pain from them bloating up my abdomen to make room for the instruments.  That lasted for a couple of days... but walking did make it better.

I finally moved to chicken broth and Gatorade later that day on Wednesday.  A few slight complications arose with a low grade fever and my blood sugar started to spike the night of surgery to where they had to start giving me insulin injections.  I stayed a second night in the hospital until all of that stabilized.

By Thursday after lunch - they upgraded me to full liquids (cream of chicken soup and yogurt) and I was sent home.  I got some well deserved rest that night :)

Liquid Diet

OK...so everyone who has this surgery has to go on a 2 week liquid diet.  I started mine a day late and took a 3 day weekend since I work in retail and didn't want to kill anyone :)

It was actually a bit easier that what I thought it would be.  I guess because I knew I had an end date in sight - and because it would help me have a safer surgery (since the diet helps to shrink your liver.)

I dropped 13lbs really quickly.  I went for my meeting 1 week before surgery with Dr. Primomo (my surgeon at The Davis Clinic)  and they seemed pleased with my progress.  Sometime after the first week I called the nutritionist to make a few adjustments because the shakes were too sweet for me ( I never really craved sweet foods) so she started letting me have 2 shakes a day and one serving of chicken soup and one 3oz portion of chicken/turkey or white fish.

I really think that helped me keep my sanity! But - I will tell you - the weight loss really slowed down that second week.  It could have been a hormonal change that was coming ;)

I did manage to cheat only twice.  Once on day 3... and once on the second to last day... A Popeye's chicken breast was calling my name! (It could also be that I worked late that night and ran out of shake powder.)

Note to self:  Always be prepared!

Approved for Surgery ....So Now What?

Although this blog is delayed - I figured it was about time that I got it started.  So I will back date my posts a few weeks.

Unlike the struggle so many people have with trying to get approved for weight loss surgery - mine was a relatively simple process.  I lucked into joining a new company in September 2010 that allowed me to qualify for insurance in October 2010.  When I received my insurance materials in the mail - I realized the surgery was covered so I jumped on the internet and started researching surgeons.

In late October - my search took me to research Lap Band surgery and settle on The Davis Clinic in Houston, TX.  I went to the required group informational meeting.  I filled out an information sheet and was contacted within 2 days.  They did confirm that I was eligible for surgery - I just had to fill 2 more criteria:  First - prove I had previously been insured for at least a year - or I would have to wait until October 2011 (I was ... woo hoo!) and second - have a five year medical history proving that my BMI had been over 40 for the past 5 consecutive years.

After listening to the presentation and doing more research on my own - I decided the vertical sleeve gastrectomy would be a better choice for me.

Now the second one seems pretty easy for most people... but I was that patient that constantly changed physicians....  Know why?  Because I got tired of being hassled for my weight.  Each time I would see a new PCP - and he/she would tell me to lose weight.  I would get right on the ball as soon as I would leave their office... and that would last until I would lose 20-40 lbs.  Slowly the weight would creep back on... and before you know it - I was due for a 1 year checkup... all the weight would be back.  So, instead of looking like a failure (I have an INTENSE fear of failure), I would avoid the whole situation and just see a different doctor.  Sad... I know... but very true.

So due to this issue... it took several weeks to run down all of my medical history.  The holidays were quickly approaching... and my parents were about to come and visit.  Seems like I should be excited... but here is something I didn't tell you.... I also have a fear of not pleasing my parents.  (I guess I have a few issues...)  My parents are very loving, supportive, and healthy.  They enjoy working out and eating out.... alot!  So...their whole solution for as far back as I can remember (19 years old) was you just have to eat less and move more.  I can tell you - that really didn't work for me... and I spent the better part of my childhood watching my mother be miserable eating lettuce or drinking slim fast just so she could enjoy the brownies, margaritas and nachos she craved.  It just didn't seem like a way to live - not for me.

But how do I tell the people that I love that I have decided to have surgery.... in their eyes "the easy way out?"  Well... we had the conversation at the beginning of the visit.  Dad was all for it and Mom was totally against it and very distant (Merry freaking Christmas... right?)  Well - Christmas night I was watching my required Emmi videos on the surgical procedure for the Gastric Sleeve.  Right then and there my dad changed his mind.  He said I was crazy for thinking that I had to resort to surgery and that "I wasn't that big" and "didn't eat that much."  Needless to say... the rest of the evening I spent in my room of my house... while my parents were in the rest of the house.

Finally - a few days after Christmas I was told that all documents had finally been received and I should get final insurance approval very soon.  It came within the week and next thing I knew - I was being scheduled for pre-op appointments, meeting with the psychologist, and making appointments to see the surgeon.  I also had a date for surgery - Feb. 8th 2011.

I was so excited - I called my Dad to tell him... and the first thing he said before I could even tell him I had been approved - was that he was totally against the surgery.... and that I didn't need it.  I should really commit to a year of trying to lose weight before I decided on surgery.  I told him quietly that I had to go back to work (I was on my lunch break) and I quietly cried in my car.  I just wanted the two people who loved me most in the world to support me....

So instead - I turned to a few close friends who were very supportive.  They started talking and deciding if they could take off work to be with me for surgery - since I wasn't sure if I could count on my parents to come from out of state to be with me.  Next I found solace watching YouTube videos of others who had the same surgery before me and subscribing to their videos.  All of a sudden I started building this small network who was going to stand behind me thick or thin to help me through this change.

After a while... my parents did come around...but it wasn't until almost 3 weeks before surgery.  That's where my next blog will pick up.