The day after Thanksgiving
Nov 27, 2009
This is the first Thanksgiving that I did not even care about the food. The day was the same...our family is in charge of the community Thanksgiving dinner. We work very hard to prepare a traditional meal for over 500 people in our community. I knew that much or all of the foods I could not eat and I did not even crave anything. I ate some very small portions of turkey,mashed potatoes (tiny bites) and about 1/3 of a slice of pumpkin pie. It is so nice to have holidays be more than just the food!
I am down to 203. 53 pounds lost forever! I am almost under 200 and I cannot wait until the scale finally has a number beginning with a ONE. It has been so long. I have almost gotten into all of my clothes that I had saved back - all my size 16. The size 18 are getting too loose to wear (except in the waist..which does not go down as quickly as other areas...like tush and thighs).
I have so much more energy! I feel good! I had to buy smaller size bras! 38C from a 40D. No more extensions to make them fit!
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November 3rd
Nov 03, 2009
Got on the scale this morning and it showed 213 - up a few pounds from two days ago. I went to my 2 month post op visit last week. My labs were all in the correct range, I had officially lost 40 lbs! The rest of the appointment was uneventful - didnt see the surgeon, just the PA. Asked about how much I could expect to loose in the next 4 months until my sixth month followup visit - he said about 35-40lbs was the normal range. I thought to myself that I hope to show up at that appointment having lost at least another 40 to 60 lbs (it is 4 months, after all!) Discussed my recent problem with vomiting. Seems that some foods cause an excess of mucus after about an hour of eating and eventually I have to bend over the toilet and get rid of the excess stuff. It seems to be more frequent, but I also am trying to eat regular foods that I fix for the family. Things like mushrooms are already off the menu-seems my new pouch does not like to digest that particular food! The foods on the approved menue for the next 3 months are so bland! I just about cannot stand to eat another egg, cottage cheese or yogurt! Tuna and fish are usually tolerated well, chicken not so much! Beef is not on the menu, but I try occasionally to eat some... usually without much success. There is no joy in eating anymore! But certainly joy in losing! I am currently in a size 16W pants- I have loved cleaning out old clothes and fitting into tops and pants that I have not worn in years! It's like getting a whole new wardrobe without spending the $$!! Compliments make me uncomfortable - all I can say is "thank you".
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October 5th
Oct 05, 2009
The scale shows 220 this morning... loss of 36 pounds since surgery, approx 6 weeks ago. Not too shabby. Everyone says my face is the first thing they notice. I have put away my size 20 pants and the 18W are very loose. I am now fitting into clothes that I have not been able to wear for almost 2 years.
Eating is difficult, I have been trying foods that are not on my surgeons approved list and I usually pay for it! I have vomited twice now and I think it was due to how the food was prepered (too much fat/oil). Portions are so small! Only a few bites are allowed. I had to travel on business twice in the last 3 weeks and that meant eating out for most meals... very difficult to order anything in a popular restaraunt that can be easily tolerated. Some places had black bean soup or refried beans that were edible...but the chicken or fish are usally too dry to be very well tolerated. So much was wasted! I was still able to lose weight, but it gets depressing to view a full menu and find so little to actually eat. Amazing how eating is such a big part of life and now I must re-program my mind to make it the least important part. Satifaction has to come from other areas. I want so much to lose this next 20 lbs to get in ONEDERLAND! How awsome that will be! I just cannot wait.
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Sept 4, 2009
Sep 04, 2009
this week was my second week back at work. Eating is not easy, as I tend to eat too fast and I have been feeling very uncomfortable after eating only a small amount! Even the few tablespoons of soft food if eaten in too big of bites and not slowly enoungh tend to feel like they are wedged in my chest and this feeling is not pleasant! My difficulty is the bland foods and wanting to have the "real" stuff again. I need to work past this and see the value in this time period and restrictions that I must conform to. I also need to take the time to prepare the limited options with more care so that they will be appealing to eat. I also am not drinking as much H20 as needed. Again, need to focus on me and my needs. Let's talk about the chewable vitamins and calcium... Ugh! I am almost retching with them... oh, to get to the point to be able to swallow a pill agin. But carry on I will! Down 20 lbs and my jeans/pants are not so snug as they were. I can't wait to get into the smaller size... it should not be too long!
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8 days post op
Aug 25, 2009
I had my staples removed yesterday. I feel very good. I have started some solid foods. Some scrammbled egg yesterday, then some cottage cheese in the evening. Could only take in about 2 tablespoons with each sitting. I am told that is very normal. Today I was able to eat about the same of the eggs and I am trying a little more egg for lunch today. Not drinking before, during or 30 min after eating is HARD. I get so thirsty while eating and I have always been a large water drinker during mealtimes! I have discovered that I was truly addicted to FOOD! It was/is a love affair! I find that I am missing food like I would miss a loved one who has passed on. How pathetic that food should hold such importance to me that I feel like I am in mourning for what I am unable to enjoy at this time. Very enlightening to me.
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Day 2 post surgery
Aug 18, 2009
Day 2 - first day at home after leaving the hospital yesterday. I had to complete my "swallow study" at the hospital yesterday. This was an xray study to check for leaks in the new sleeve stomach. I passed! Then on to Broth! It tasted wonderful, but it hurt to swallow too much. Today is just sip, sip, sip all day. Water, protein drink, broth, jell-o or popsicles. That is my goal forthe week... just to stay hydrated. The small sip is a necessity! too big of a swallow and OUCH! it hurts! that sleeve is very small! I have to keep that in mind at all times! I have to give myself my first shot of Lovenox today (blood thinner-to prevent clots)-this ought to be sooo much fun... I don't care for needles, but to give myself a shot is very difficult to imagine.
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3 Days til Surgery Day
Aug 12, 2009
Surgery is scheduled for Monday and tomorrow is my last day at work (Friday) - I am supposed to liquid fast for two days prior to surgery, but I think I will do three (it makes the liver smaller and lighter and easier for the doctor to operate around) I fear the hunger, but I once did a Juice fast for 7 days and after day two it was very easy... and this is so worth it. I am a little fearful of the operation and being placed under anethesia, I have never had surgery before. Yet, I am so excited for my weight to start going down! If only Monday would come sooner!!
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