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!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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.
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 :)
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 :)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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!
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)