Kathy L.
SO SICK RIGHT NOW.
Apr 04, 2008
Right after I typed that post last night (as I was eating my tuna snack), I got sick sick sick. I don't know if I ate too many bites or what. That's what I thought it was because I got "the foamies" and the pain in my chest. It usually passes in 1 1/2 hours, but this time it was almost 2 hours and I was still hurting. I finally threw up 2 times and felt immediately better - for about 10 minutes. Then it started again, although not as bad. IT LASTED ALL NIGHT LONG. I slept in the recliner for a while and in the bed some - but I was very restless all night. I woke up today and tried a tablespoon of Pepto Bismol - don't really know if I can take that but I was desperate for relief. I took it and two very small sips of water. BAD MOVE. Got the really sick feeling - pain in my chest, etc again. I still feel sick. This.sucks.really.bad.
There is a throwing up bug at work and I wonder if I have it or if it's surgery related. I just want this feeling to go away.
There is a throwing up bug at work and I wonder if I have it or if it's surgery related. I just want this feeling to go away.
I LOVE POPCORN!
Apr 04, 2008
I'm having a HARD time right now!!!!! As I sit here eating tuna fish for a "snack", Ken and Jason are munching on popcorn and sodas. Not just any popcorn, but Orville Reddenbacker pour over butter movie theatre popcorn. My.absolute.favorite. God it smells good. I know they say that you aren't hungry after WLS but I'm here to tell you that YES I AM HUNGRY SOMETIMES. I'm actually thankful because I would rather be hungry than the opposite problem a lot of people have - nausea at the least whiff of food smell.
Oh well.
I had to laugh at my friend Christy today. We were at break and I was saying - oh I need to figure out what to do to lose weight more consistently and quickly. She looked at me and said - Kathy. You've lost 33.4 in a month. I'm going to slap you.
I thought for a second and said, yes, you are right. And then we changed the subject! I don't know what I'd do without my friends to keep things in perspective!
Oh well.
I had to laugh at my friend Christy today. We were at break and I was saying - oh I need to figure out what to do to lose weight more consistently and quickly. She looked at me and said - Kathy. You've lost 33.4 in a month. I'm going to slap you.
I thought for a second and said, yes, you are right. And then we changed the subject! I don't know what I'd do without my friends to keep things in perspective!
Water Aerobics!
Apr 03, 2008
I have a new love and it's called water aerobics! I never thought I would say that I loved anything about exercise but this is fun stuff! I went to my second class last night at the Wellness Center. Of course it helped that every person in the class was overweight too - LOL! 
And it helped that a friend, Debbie, goes to the same class. She met me in the lobby on Tuesday so show me the ropes - where everything is located, etc. Believe it or not, I am shy when it comes to new things (some of you that know me that are reading this are probably laughing right now). ANYWAY, I went again last night and added some more resistance to the workout. Ultimately I would like to be able to get there early enough to walk on the treadmill for a while and then take the class. It's just hard to juggle everything. I have to eat every 3-4 hours. Class is at 6:30 - meaning I have to leave my house no later than 6:10 to get there and change clothes. So if I wanted to walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes too, I'd have to be there at 6:00 (leave home at 5:40). I get home at 5:10, so I'd have to cook and eat and change clothes by 5:40. I don't see how I could do it. I'm going to give it some more thought and try to work something out. I might have to work out something so that I eat dinner (something easy like tuna) on my way home from work. I am going to go to class again tomorrow morning! If you've never tried water aerobics, I would recommend it!!
And it helped that a friend, Debbie, goes to the same class. She met me in the lobby on Tuesday so show me the ropes - where everything is located, etc. Believe it or not, I am shy when it comes to new things (some of you that know me that are reading this are probably laughing right now). ANYWAY, I went again last night and added some more resistance to the workout. Ultimately I would like to be able to get there early enough to walk on the treadmill for a while and then take the class. It's just hard to juggle everything. I have to eat every 3-4 hours. Class is at 6:30 - meaning I have to leave my house no later than 6:10 to get there and change clothes. So if I wanted to walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes too, I'd have to be there at 6:00 (leave home at 5:40). I get home at 5:10, so I'd have to cook and eat and change clothes by 5:40. I don't see how I could do it. I'm going to give it some more thought and try to work something out. I might have to work out something so that I eat dinner (something easy like tuna) on my way home from work. I am going to go to class again tomorrow morning! If you've never tried water aerobics, I would recommend it!!
"One more bite" did me in tonight!
Mar 31, 2008
UGH!!! It was the flounder all over again! I'm calling tonight "Revenge of the flounder"! Except this time it wasn't flounder, it was mashed potatoes. Over and over I've heard and read - STOP when you feel full. One more bite can have consequences. I thought I knew that. I normally do practice that. But tonight I got careless and ate about 3 bites too many. I had 2 oz of chicken and that was fine but then I had some mashed potatoes and should have stopped at 1 maybe 2 bites instead of 5. I PAID THE PRICE. I got that "stuck" feeling again. The heartburn, please make it go away, feeling just like with the flounder. I burped and burped and burped. Foamy stuff kept coming up. I had pain in my chest. It lasted for about and hour and a half again and then went away. I tried to drink some water after that - BAD MOVE! It came back! This is all my fault. I have to learn to listen to my body. I've been doing really well with that until tonight. Trust me, learned my lesson!!!!
On another note, had my first protein bar today and it was so good, I was licking the wrapper! Seriously!! It was by EAS and of course right now I can't remember the name but I posted about it on the main board. Protein bars aren't something I would have every day, just occasionally to increase my protein intake. I was worried about that so I emailed Patrick, the NUT today. I sent my last 3 days of food diaries to him and he figured out the protein. Seems I AM getting enough. I am averaging 55 g a day. He said the bar would be ok if I wanted to try it (I wanted to ask him first because I'm trying to follow all guidelines given to me by my surgeon's office). Anyway, it was great and I couldn't find that same one at Target tonight (bought it at Walmart) but I did find some Atkins ones at Target. I'll keep those on hand for days when I want an extra boost.
We are now members of the Wellness Center (aka "gym"). I went by on my way home and signed my stuff (we have to sign separately). I have a meeting with the Personal Trainer next Monday the 7th at 7 pm. This was the first "after 5 pm" appt available. In the meantime we're going to use the treadmills and maybe the pool. I'm looking forward to it!
On another note, had my first protein bar today and it was so good, I was licking the wrapper! Seriously!! It was by EAS and of course right now I can't remember the name but I posted about it on the main board. Protein bars aren't something I would have every day, just occasionally to increase my protein intake. I was worried about that so I emailed Patrick, the NUT today. I sent my last 3 days of food diaries to him and he figured out the protein. Seems I AM getting enough. I am averaging 55 g a day. He said the bar would be ok if I wanted to try it (I wanted to ask him first because I'm trying to follow all guidelines given to me by my surgeon's office). Anyway, it was great and I couldn't find that same one at Target tonight (bought it at Walmart) but I did find some Atkins ones at Target. I'll keep those on hand for days when I want an extra boost.
We are now members of the Wellness Center (aka "gym"). I went by on my way home and signed my stuff (we have to sign separately). I have a meeting with the Personal Trainer next Monday the 7th at 7 pm. This was the first "after 5 pm" appt available. In the meantime we're going to use the treadmills and maybe the pool. I'm looking forward to it!
Visited Rex Wellness Center today
Mar 28, 2008
I got home early today, so Ken and I went to "Rex Wellness Center" to check out the facilities. We were very impressed. They have a pool where you can swim laps or they do water aerobics. They also have family fun time on Fridays which means from 6 until 7:45, all ages can play in the pool. They have a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and upstairs they have all of the exercise machines, aerobics rooms, treadmills, etc. The normal enrollment fee for a "family" is $200 but they are running a special for the first 100 people - it's ZERO $ to enroll! It's $87.50/month which I don't think is too bad considering now nice the facility is. They have childcare too. They are open from 5:30 am until 9:30 pm M-F and 8:30 to 5:30 on Sat & Sun. We were going to immediately sign up but we have to get our doctors to sign a permission form to show we are healthy. We filled out the forms in the parking lot and drove them to the doctor's office! They will get them signed Monday. The membership includes two free sessions with a personal trainer to get us set up on an exercise routine. So, looks like next week I'll be going to "the gym" (as I will probably call it!)
Had a good eating day. Had the leftovers from last night for lunch (egg for breakfast like always) and half of a hamburger patty for dinner. I was on the go alot today so I ate off schedule and didn't have snacks. Still only got about 48 oz of water, despite my SIP SIP SIP post I put on the message boards this morning. Oh well, tomorrow is another day!
Eating is going really well!
Mar 27, 2008
Hi there! It's been a few days since I blogged. My computer is finally fixed at home - thanks to my brother 
I joke with him that he is my 'personal tech support'!
Anyway, things are going well for me. I'm starting to branch out with my eating - still staying within the guidelines set by the NUT but I am very happy to say that I have eaten a hamburger (no bun of course and only 2 oz) and some baked beans (one tablespoon), some "cheesy taco filling" (we made it at home with a McCormick mix). I've also been snacking on cheese cubes and Captain's Wafer crackers. I think that's about all that is different. Everything went down fine - no problems. The only problem I 'almost' had was gulping too much water. It felt like it was stuck - it HURT and I thought I was going to hurl. But I didn't. I stayed calm and waited and it went down. I won't make that mistake again.
I'm still having a hard time getting all of my protein in. I bought that darn unflavored protein powder but every time I eat, I forget it!!! I need to put it on the counter. I bought some cottage cheese too but I haven't tried it. I'm still sticking with a scrambled egg with 2% cheese slice scrambled with it every morning.
I'm having a hard time getting all of the water in too. I get about 40 oz every day. I just can't figure out HOW to get it all in with the restrictions on drinking around eating. It makes it difficult when you are supposed to eat every 3-4 hours and then can't drink 30 minutes before, during or 30 minutes after. I just have to figure out a balance.
We ate out tonight. It's only the 2nd time I've done that since surgery. We went to Cracker Barrel. I got the grilled chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and green beans. I ate two of the four tenders, about 8 beans and two bites of potatoes. I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
I had to travel out of town today. I have to do audits of our offices occasionally and this was one of them. I normally go out to eat with friends in the different offices or with the manager. Well today I brought my lunch. It was very different. Not everyone knows about my surgery. I was heating up my lunch in the breakroom and one of the adjusters was in there. He gave me some odd looks but didn't say anything about my lunch. I have to go back tomorrow and I'm taking my Cracker Barrel leftovers. I do have one good friend that works in this office and she knows about the surgery so she'll probably eat with me in the conference room tomorrow (that's what she did today). It was just odd for a little while today but it will get better.
I'm still frustrated that the scales haven't budged anymore but I keep TRYING to be positive. I've been reading postings on the oh message board and see this is a common thing. I've also posted a few things and have received such great support from it. It does make me feel better. I try to focus on those things when I get discouraged. I know it will get better!!!
I joke with him that he is my 'personal tech support'!Anyway, things are going well for me. I'm starting to branch out with my eating - still staying within the guidelines set by the NUT but I am very happy to say that I have eaten a hamburger (no bun of course and only 2 oz) and some baked beans (one tablespoon), some "cheesy taco filling" (we made it at home with a McCormick mix). I've also been snacking on cheese cubes and Captain's Wafer crackers. I think that's about all that is different. Everything went down fine - no problems. The only problem I 'almost' had was gulping too much water. It felt like it was stuck - it HURT and I thought I was going to hurl. But I didn't. I stayed calm and waited and it went down. I won't make that mistake again.
I'm still having a hard time getting all of my protein in. I bought that darn unflavored protein powder but every time I eat, I forget it!!! I need to put it on the counter. I bought some cottage cheese too but I haven't tried it. I'm still sticking with a scrambled egg with 2% cheese slice scrambled with it every morning.
I'm having a hard time getting all of the water in too. I get about 40 oz every day. I just can't figure out HOW to get it all in with the restrictions on drinking around eating. It makes it difficult when you are supposed to eat every 3-4 hours and then can't drink 30 minutes before, during or 30 minutes after. I just have to figure out a balance.
We ate out tonight. It's only the 2nd time I've done that since surgery. We went to Cracker Barrel. I got the grilled chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and green beans. I ate two of the four tenders, about 8 beans and two bites of potatoes. I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
I had to travel out of town today. I have to do audits of our offices occasionally and this was one of them. I normally go out to eat with friends in the different offices or with the manager. Well today I brought my lunch. It was very different. Not everyone knows about my surgery. I was heating up my lunch in the breakroom and one of the adjusters was in there. He gave me some odd looks but didn't say anything about my lunch. I have to go back tomorrow and I'm taking my Cracker Barrel leftovers. I do have one good friend that works in this office and she knows about the surgery so she'll probably eat with me in the conference room tomorrow (that's what she did today). It was just odd for a little while today but it will get better.
I'm still frustrated that the scales haven't budged anymore but I keep TRYING to be positive. I've been reading postings on the oh message board and see this is a common thing. I've also posted a few things and have received such great support from it. It does make me feel better. I try to focus on those things when I get discouraged. I know it will get better!!!
Met with the NUT and Psychologist today
Mar 24, 2008
Had my 3 week follow up appt with with the NUT and the psychologist. Ken went with me. Personally I think the psych part is a waste of time. Ken agreed with me. We went around the table and told about our surgical experience. I don't really see any benefit to me, especially since I have this board as an "outlet" for me as well as the support group that I have been attending. Whatever. I'll do what they want - for now. LOL. I felt like I got more out of the second part - the meeting with the nutritionist. We went over the eating plan (which of course I had already started), how much to eat, when to eat, how much protein I should be getting a day (40 to 60 grams), etc. All of these things I knew already from reading the literature, but it was still nice to actually go over them with someone. It was also nice to hear that the list of "foods to avoid" would be added to our foods we CAN eat at the 3 month check up. Slowly all foods will be added into what we can eat. THEN I will feel more normal!
Went to my mom's for Easter dinner yesterday. She had eye round roast and I had some of it - didn't have any problems whatsoever eating it! 
I was happy about that! I had a few mashed potatoes and a few string beans with it.
My weight loss has stalled right now. I'm not sure why. I need to start exercising. I'm thinking that maybe it has stalled because I am starting to eat more foods (variety not volume). I guess my body has to adjust to this phase before it moves on. I know there is no way I will stop losing - it just can't be possible. After all, I am only eating 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time. I am following all of the guidelines so I have to believe the losses will pick up again! 
Tried tuna!
Mar 22, 2008
Well I decided to try something new to eat today. I'm not wanting a large volume of food but I'm starting to want more of a variety. So, I decided to try canned tuna. I had a 3 oz can and mixed it with Lite Mayo (I just can't do the fat free - YUCK). Of course Jason, as most 3 year olds, wants what someone else has, so he ate about 1 oz of it and I ate the rest. It went down without any problems! I even ate one Captain's Wafer cracker with it too! I was very satisfied and happy to have something else to add to my foods list!
Last night we went over to my in laws for an early Easter celebration. My MIL had alot of appetizers as the meal. Oh they looked good. Meatballs, shrimp, chicken nuggets, crab dip, cheese, quiche......I really wanted to partake - for the social aspect more than anything. I brought some refried beans and ate those. I also had one very tiny bite of chicken (no breading), about 1/3 of a cracker, and a bite of crab dip. It all went down fine. Everyone was great about what I ate - no one made any comments and I felt very comfortable with everything. My MIL made creme broule (sp?) for dessert but I wasn't even tempted. I ate some SF caramel pudding (YUM) when I got home and all was good.
I'm trying to figure out some other things I can slowly add to eat. I think I might try some steamed shrimp next!
Last night we went over to my in laws for an early Easter celebration. My MIL had alot of appetizers as the meal. Oh they looked good. Meatballs, shrimp, chicken nuggets, crab dip, cheese, quiche......I really wanted to partake - for the social aspect more than anything. I brought some refried beans and ate those. I also had one very tiny bite of chicken (no breading), about 1/3 of a cracker, and a bite of crab dip. It all went down fine. Everyone was great about what I ate - no one made any comments and I felt very comfortable with everything. My MIL made creme broule (sp?) for dessert but I wasn't even tempted. I ate some SF caramel pudding (YUM) when I got home and all was good.
I'm trying to figure out some other things I can slowly add to eat. I think I might try some steamed shrimp next!
First Follow-up with Surgeon today
Mar 20, 2008
Had my first follow up with the surgeon today. Normally they try to make this appt the same day as the meeting with the NUT and the psych but the surgeon is on vacation next week so they got me in early. It was a good appt. He is Italian and has a heavy accent so you have to listen closely to him when he talks! He is very nice and very encouraging though. He told me that 29 lbs is GREAT and I am doing a good job. (By the way, haven't lost or gained any weight in the last 3 days). He wants me to start walking and to join a gym. With a 3 year old and working full time, it's hard to imagine having time for a gym. I asked about Curves and he said that would be a good thing to join. I don't know alot about Curves except they have 30 minute workouts so I'm sure I can fit that in. Other things we discussed - my hernias - there were 2 (we had confusion in my family about how many). He thinks they are fine. The knot I felt above my belly button after surgery is from where they had to insert instruments to stitch the hernias (the knot is gone now). The incisions look very good, I have no more lifting restrictions (Jason will be very happy that I can 'throw him in the bed' tonight). He also asked me about eating and I thanked him again for letting me start eating earlier than the normal 3 weeks. He said that at Vanderbilt (where he's from), they start people on the semi-soft foods at 8 or 9 days. He said that Duke is in the process of redoing some of their procedures too (making it sound like they might do something like this in the future). The one little blip in everything was my liver biopsy. As suspected, I have a "fatty liver". He went over the test results, which might as well have been written in a foreign language because I didn't understand them. Bottom line was the levels were elevated, indicating some problems but all "problems" are reversable now that I've had surgery and will be losing weight. He does want me to go to a liver specialist at Duke University Hospital for her to monitor me for a year. Basically he said this would mean her taking my blood about 2-4 times in a year to make sure the levels are coming down. After that, she should release me. She's some "world renowned" doctor so he said it would probably take a while to get an appt but that would be ok. So all in all, it went very well and he was pleased. I go back at the end of June to see him. I still have the appt Monday with the NUT and psych.
Ken and I did some shopping and running around after that. We were gone about 5 hours and I plopped in the chair when we got home. Oh, when I said something to the doc about still being so tired he said well you DID have major surgery 3 weeks ago. LOL!
Well I guess I'd better check out Curves and get signed up!
This weekend will be interesting with the holiday. I plan on bringing food to each family celebration (hubby's family tomorrow and mine on Sunday). I'm sure it will all work out fine!
Ken and I did some shopping and running around after that. We were gone about 5 hours and I plopped in the chair when we got home. Oh, when I said something to the doc about still being so tired he said well you DID have major surgery 3 weeks ago. LOL!
Well I guess I'd better check out Curves and get signed up!
This weekend will be interesting with the holiday. I plan on bringing food to each family celebration (hubby's family tomorrow and mine on Sunday). I'm sure it will all work out fine!
Went Back to Work Today!
Mar 17, 2008
Well, today was my first day back to work. Well, my first 1/2 day back to work! I worked 9 until 1. I am very tired right now. I'm going to flop in the recliner after I finish this blog entry.
Everyone at work was so great today. Can't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I've worked at my job for almost 21 years. (I started when I was 18). It is one of those places where the people are like family. Everyone was complimenting me on how I looked and how they could tell, etc. It was nice.
Ok, next thing that happened. You know the doctor gave me the ok to eat last week? This was on Friday. Well Friday when I got back from the grocery store, there was a message from the nutritionist (aka NUT) saying that he was returning my call. HUH? I didn't call him. I figured maybe someone told him that the doc gave me the ok to start foods so he was calling me about that. I finally got up with him today and he was NOT aware the doc had given me the ok. In fact, he was pretty angry that he wasn't informed.
He told me that he was going to email me a "semi solid" diet that he wanted me to be on until my 3 week appt with him (on the 24th). I don't have a problem with that because after the fish episode (see my blog a few below this one), I have been eating all semi soft foods anyway (I have been surviving on eggs and refried beans and yogurt basically). So I said ok to all of that. The only thing I didn't like was his attitude. Basically it was WHY is he letting you do this? After I explained why, he backed off a little but was still upset. TOO FREAKIN BAD. The food has helped the bathroom issues tremendously and I know it was the right thing to do. In hindsight I probably should have called the NUT and told him about it, but I look at it this way - if my DOCTOR gives me the ok, then that is all I should have to worry about. The 24th should be interesting - lol!
Ok, I'm off to rest.
Everyone at work was so great today. Can't remember if I've mentioned this before, but I've worked at my job for almost 21 years. (I started when I was 18). It is one of those places where the people are like family. Everyone was complimenting me on how I looked and how they could tell, etc. It was nice.
Ok, next thing that happened. You know the doctor gave me the ok to eat last week? This was on Friday. Well Friday when I got back from the grocery store, there was a message from the nutritionist (aka NUT) saying that he was returning my call. HUH? I didn't call him. I figured maybe someone told him that the doc gave me the ok to start foods so he was calling me about that. I finally got up with him today and he was NOT aware the doc had given me the ok. In fact, he was pretty angry that he wasn't informed.
He told me that he was going to email me a "semi solid" diet that he wanted me to be on until my 3 week appt with him (on the 24th). I don't have a problem with that because after the fish episode (see my blog a few below this one), I have been eating all semi soft foods anyway (I have been surviving on eggs and refried beans and yogurt basically). So I said ok to all of that. The only thing I didn't like was his attitude. Basically it was WHY is he letting you do this? After I explained why, he backed off a little but was still upset. TOO FREAKIN BAD. The food has helped the bathroom issues tremendously and I know it was the right thing to do. In hindsight I probably should have called the NUT and told him about it, but I look at it this way - if my DOCTOR gives me the ok, then that is all I should have to worry about. The 24th should be interesting - lol! Ok, I'm off to rest.
About Me
Garner, NC
Location
Surgery
03/03/2008
Surgery Date
Jul 16, 2007
Member Since
