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Butterfly Wings
 

Ramblings and questions for the known universe

If you have the time, I'd love some of y'alls input on the bolded questions. See, I bolded it so you don't have to read my ramblings, you can just answer the questions.   So in an attempt to get on top of the whole insurance requirement list I decided to go ahead and schedule a doctor's appointment here in Wyoming so then I (should) only have 5 months of supervised diet in North Carolina. I decided to do this to 1)speed up the process and 2)if something happens and the insurance company denies me I will have that much more time to appeal. So my appointment is on the 28th, and I listed my reason for it as a physical and to lay out and talk about a diet since I was pursuing weight loss surgery. I have to go sign a release form before then so they can legally get my records from the last doctor. My dad said that since I had already tried the pills with no success to get a doctor sanctioned diet to attempt since those are more favorably looked upon than just me saying I've tried different diets-atkins, fasting, low calorie etc. So, what did you ask your doctor when you started your diet? Did you have them write down the specifics or just say “low calorie” or whatever plan you were on? In fact, what did you ask your doctor to document for you during this stage?   I do have some interesting thoughts about the emotions and ups and downs I've read about all of y'all going through and have a theory. I base it on what I've read about water fasting (no eating, just drinking water). All the good, non-pro ana sites tell you that if you are fasting for more than 3 days then to be supervised by a doctor. Especially when it comes to obese people, from what I understand (and this could be totally false, bear with me) is that fat cells join around the toxins we put into our bodies, sometimes that is why losing the last few pounds is hard, the body doesn't want to intentionally poison itself and if you water fast for longer than a few days you start to lose about a pound a day, this is rapid weight loss and the body can be over run with toxins it can't get rid of fast enough. While I have never detoxed for longer than a few days those that go a couple of weeks or so find they feel like they have the flu, they smell terrible as well as other things. So, if you have weight loss surgery you are losing at the same rate, maybe a little slower/faster than water fasting and all the toxins are being released into the blood stream, making the hormones all wonky and emotions all over the place. While I don't know if this is true, it does make sense to me. Thoughts?   Also, for those wondering, we moved. And it absolutely, without a doubt SUCKED BUTTHOLE. I HATE moving. My knees hurt, my back still hurts, my feet hurt and we aren't even done yet. This weekend was the only time we had the help of some friends so in a couple of horse trailer loads we got all the big stuff into the new house...in one day. Not fun. Okay? Not at all. But we are in our cozy log house, my room is just about the way I like it and while I am very excited about starting a journey towards weight loss surgery I am also very much looking forward to coming back and working the farm. That being said, have any of you had the gastric sleeve and do hard labor? When I come back in a couple of years or so we will have a garden to tend, horses/goats/pigs/possibly a cow to tend to and firewood to haul. I'm curious as to whether you had to up your protein amount, or if you were fine. But that's a long ways away, I'm getting ahead of myself.   Last thing, for those of you that are Christians out there and had the surgery, how was the decision? I am still a tad conflicted that I am telling God that He made a mistake when He made me, and as a result I have to fix His mistake. But I don't want to be a glutton anymore, and I want to have self-control! Sigh. I need answers or input or something.   'Till next time you guys!
ajb1029

ajb1029

1
Garcinia Cambogia Extract
 

Pure Garcinia Cambogia - The Weight to Lose Weight Immediately

In a late endeavor to get thinner, I chose to attempt Garcinia Cambogia, which is a weight reduction item that was as of late said on one of the significant daytime TV programs. This item has helped me lose more than 30 pounds as such, so I needed to impart to you what I think about how it functions and all the more imperatively, what's in store when you take it.   Where Can You Get It?   I will begin by saying that before I buy Garcinia Cambogia extract on the web; I did go to my nearby Walmart for Garcinia Cambogia. The fact of the matter is that they didn't have it in stock and they still don't demonstrate to it in stock on their site. I discovered the same to be valid for Walgreens. In this way, I made my buy on the web. Completing so ended up being a great thought since when you request on the web, you additionally recover a cash ensure which is something that I don't accept I might have had in the event that I had the capacity to purchase it generally   The extent to which Garcinia Cambogia Do You Need?   The primary thing that you ought to verify is that the item is totally unadulterated. You don't need a considerable measure of fillers or you may not be getting enough of the dynamic element to really work.   The studies that have been carried out on the concentrate from the tamarind soil grown foods were finished with 800mg of hydroxycitric corrosive (the animated part in Garcinia Cambogia), so on the off chance that you are purchasing an item that has short of what that, there is positively no certification that it will work. What you don't need is an item that holds any of the accompanying:   - Extra stimulant   - Guarana   - Niacin   - Fillers or additives   The sum of the above will really weaken the adequacy of this item at last and could abandon you with reactions.   In what manner should You Take This?   Most masters concur that you ought to attempt to take one "serving" or "measurement", which is 800mg, about a prior hour lunch and supper, alongside a full glass of water. Finishing so will help to guarantee that you are feeling full, and you will consume less. It additionally permits the item time to begin getting into your fat cells before you besiege it with more calories. In short,   1. Take a container about a prior hour you consume a real feast 2. Bring it with a whole glass (8 ounces) of water   3. Attempt to consume gradually, consume while taking a seat, and consume a more modest feast, if conceivable.   What Should You Expect?   One thing that you may discover when you purchase from a retailer that is not the authority maker is that there are some "best in class" marks that you might never have become aware of. While these may be impeccably fine to take, most individuals want to take a brand that has been around for in any event a while, to guarantee general wellbeing. That is one motivation behind why such a variety of individuals are selecting the greatly improved known brands that region sold on the web. When you pick a brilliant item as I did, this is the thing that you ought to anticipate:   1. You won't feel hungry.   2. You will have more vitality (not in a jittery manner).   3. You will perceive inches lost in your waist inside around a week.   4. You will see a contrast on the scale in 2 to 3 days.   It is safe to say that it is Safe to Buy a Weight Loss Product Online?   One of the accurate profits of not purchasing Pure Garcinia Cambogia at your neighborhood retailer and rather purchasing it online is that you can purchase it straightforwardly from the producer. Completing so will provide for you a full cash back assurance on your buy, with is something that your neighborhood drug store most likely won't provide for you. Likewise, since this item isn't generally sold in different nations, when you purchase it on the web, you can get Garcinia Cambogia in Canada and the UK, as well.   The other profit of purchasing this online is that you will generally get a full eating methodology and health improvement plan to help you with your eating regimen. Particularly in the event that you are attempting to lose a ton of weight, then this will help you to get the most out of the longing suppressant and fat blazing properties of this regular part.   Is This Right Diet Product for You?   It is dependably a great thought to converse with your specialist first. This is a characteristic item, yet obviously not all common items are a good fit for all individuals, particularly the individuals who are as of now taking pharmaceuticals. From an individual perspective, I could accomplish huge Garcinia Cambogia weight reduction.
Jennifer Schultz

Jennifer Schultz

0
Butterfly Wings
 

Facebook, apprehension, goals and other ramblings

To those who have commented on my other blog, HI! I am in the process of moving with my mom and it's kinda crazy. So for awhile I will just post new blogs, and once we're settled in some I will get to know more people on here.   SO I talked to my insurance company and have to do a 6 month diet, have 5 years of morbid obesity and the usual bmi that everyone has. I also forgot to mention that I am only on my dad's fantastic insurance until I'm 26, which isn't a huge thing if I have a decent job lined up but it's been hectic and I haven't seriously looked here although NC has significantly more job opportunities than Wyoming. So I have really small time frame to do my diet and be approved, it's kind of stressful. My stepmom took 16 months to be approved. So to help with my anxiety I am hoping to see a pcp here and get a diet plan together and then have only 5 months and whatever the surgeon requires when I get to NC, and hopefully that helps.   Back to my topic, facebook. I realized I have a TERRIBLE grip on time, and how it relates to doctor's visits. I argued with my mom long and hard that one of my visit's was waaay further back than it was. I was off by like 2 years. Based on what I can find on my timeline I have the weights for I believe 2010-2013, not 5 years, but two of the visits found me getting phentermine, which is wonderful btw-not hungry, loads of energy until of course your body adjusts to it... I do have a bachelor's in Criminal Justice and I am hoping that with surgery career options that were never open to me before are suddenly available.   I have tried so hard in my life to be a normal/healthy person and for the most part I am, probably because I am so freaking stubborn. In fact I have been playing the "I should get it".... "no, I can lose the weight by myself" game for years. I will decide that I can lose the 160ish pounds on my own and I stop thinking about surgery until something happens like; I can barely fit in the airplane seat and I have to put a jacket over my stomach so the stewardesses can't see I can't buckle my seatbelt and I pray REAAALLY hard that the plane won't have turbulents, or clothes that used to fit don't anymore, or they barely fit or whatever else super embarrassing and eye opening things that happen to my fat @ss....sigh. I ramble. I have goals fo myself. I want to do the fun 5ks, the hard mud warrior run thing, I want to go jogging for the sake of jogging with my dog, I want my knees to not hurt and crackle like they do, I want to fit in a plane seat comfortably without infringing on someone else's personal space (I feel terrible when I fly), I want to cross my legs like a lady not a man and I wanna go skydiving!   I am a little apprehensive when it comes to a slimmer body though since I have NEVER dated for the exception of a 10 year old thing and a high school thing that ended in what could be called sexual assault. I digress. If anyone is/was in my boat-never dating (in the more mature years) would you give me advice. I know it's kinda early to ask, but I'd love to hear any input you could give me about anything on here.   Thanks for all the kind words!   PS it looks like I will be pursuing the surgery at Duke Regional if anyone else is going/has gone through them I'd love to chat.
ajb1029

ajb1029

0
Mission Slimpossible
 

Found a new protein snack

Thought I would share this information in case anyone might find this helpful. I was at WalGreen's this afternoon & stumbled upon a potential new source of protein snacks. I only bought 2 items but there were 4 or 5 different snacks that seemed to have some good protein. Brand name is Kays Naturals Here's some nutritional on the 2 items I bought: Protein Chips Crispy Parmesan (just ate this after dinner & they were tasty) 1.2 oz bag Glutten free Protein: 12g Total Fat 2.5g Total Carb: 15g Dietary Fiber: 4g Sodium: 240g Protein Cereal Apple Cinnamon (I was thinking this might be great combined with some Greek Yogurt for breakfast) 1.2 oz Glutten free Protein: 12g Total Fat: 1.5g Total Carb: 19g Dietary Fiber: 4g Sodium: 150g
Domika03

Domika03

1
lisacaron's Blog
 

Motivation, Ambition & Goals

I wrote this e-mail today and sent it out to a group of my co-workers who are in a Weigh to Win contest with me and on my team. 2 of us lost weight for this mid contest weigh in and 2 of us gained weight. Minimal amount of 2 pounds but still the goal is to lose and those of us that gained were feeling pretty down and beating themselves up.   In putting this together in the hope to inspire and motivate my teammates I learned much about myself and I hope to follow my own advice and recommit!!   Milestone #1   We have reached our first marker in this Weight to Win contest. Though it’s not about just the “contest” it’s about motivating ourselves to make some life style changes.   Over the last 6 weeks we have each rallied through our personal setbacks. Though we may not all be seeing the number we want to see on the scale we have all made some very real and inspiring changes in our lives over the last 6 weeks. We have changed some if not all of our eating habits. 6 weeks is not enough time to change all our habits! So don’t be unmotivated by what has NOT changed. Look at what HAS changed! Perhaps you have cut certain items that are sure weight sabotages’ out of your diet. Things like soda, salty pretzels, donuts or cookies. Perhaps you have started a new exercise routine, and kept it going day after day or even just went out and bought a new pair of sneakers or clothes with the plan to become more active.   Whatever it is, you have made changes and you should applaud yourself and each other for that! It is not easy to change things that we have spent half a life time learning, following and putting into practice so be kind and cut yourself a break, and then cut out your excuses and recommit!   Psych Basics Motivation Ambition, Goals How to Get Motivated Motivation is literally the desire to do things. It's the difference between waking up before dawn to pound the pavement and lazing around the house all day. It's the crucial element in setting and attaining goals—and research shows you can influence your own levels of motivation and self-control. So figure out what you want, power through the pain period, and start being who you want to be. ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY The goals of acceptance are to change your aim from getting rid of unpleasant emotions to fully experiencing them in service of achieving your desired goals. Anyone can follow the steps, which are as follows: Practice "defusing” your judgment from your emotions. Labeling your feelings as negative and your thoughts as truths tends to extend your desire to avoid them to the circumstances and/or actions that stir them up. You need to break this link to become more capable of taking the action you need to achieve your desired goals—or to stop maladaptive behaviors like relationship sabotage or drug abuse, overeating designed to prevent you from feeling or thinking unpleasant things.
Clarify your goals. You may not even be aware of some of them, so impossible might they seem because of the painful feelings that even contemplating them stirs up. I want to lose weight, but I am fat, I have always been/ will always be fat. I can’t make this goal I’m not worthy of it. WRONG! WE are worthy and we, YOU can make it happen!
Commit to behaviors that will enable you to achieve your goals. You must decide that you're going to achieve your goals no matter how much pain striving toward them may cause you. I’m tired and I don’t want to go to the gym! I am depressed and need to have this candy, cookie, Pizza to make me feel better. Exercises hurts I don’t want to do it and be in pain. I don’t have time. EXCUSES. YOU CAN OVERCOME these, and it might be hard.. exercise can hurt, and you might really want that pizza, but you can suck it up and make the choice to take care of and love your body and yourself even if it’s uncomfortable right now, you will get there!
Accept the impossibility of ceasing to feel unpleasant emotions. You will never, ever succeed in feeling only good. So stop trying. Seek to become strong enough to tolerate feeling bad. It might be hard today, and even harder tomorrow. You might do 1 mile today and 3 miles tomorrow, you may lift more and more, but you CAN do it! You can grow your muscles and shrink your waist! You got this!!
Here is an exercise recommended to get you started: I am going to answer these in relation to losing weight, and this contest though this exercise can work for you on any goals you might want accomplish. It is a great tool for self-examination and understanding. I would like to share my thoughts with you all if you don’t mind..I put in a few examples of excuses that I might come up with on first glance and then answered them truthfully and marked them as such. Write down a goal that you've either repeatedly failed to accomplish or have never even attempted because to contemplate trying has brought up intense, unpleasant emotions. Perhaps you want to reunite with your estranged father, or read a poem in front of an audience, or ask someone out on a date. You're looking for a goal that you've been unable to achieve not because of an external obstacle (though they certainly may exist) but because of an internal one.
Goal: To lose weight and keep it off Then write down underneath it all the steps you would need to take to accomplish it. You can do this in any level of detail you want.
Make changes to my choices of food
Stick to a stick caloric intake
Commit to tracking my food and exercise on a daily basis
Get up and start moving more during the day
Create and stick to an exercise plan of cardio and strength training daily
Get enough sleep
Drink enough water
Stay accountable to my goals
Then write down next to those steps the unpleasant emotions they stir up.
Make changes to my choices of food

I get emotionally tied to certain foods. I think of holiday foods or celebrations and think that it’s OK to indulge in these things for this one time. The problem is that it’s not just that one time or that one event. Once I open the door to the food I have a harder time saying NO to it.
Sometimes I will go out of my way to purchase and eat things that I know are bad for me or will sabotage me and keep me from reaching my goals. I’ll go out and buy that ice cream bar, or that bag of chocolate truffles and eat the whole dam thing! (Truth)
I will have unresolved guilt about indulging and binging on that food, but then “excuse” myself from that by telling myself I had a hard day, or I deserve to “celebrate” this one time which is never just one time..and I will secretly feel badly about it.
[*]Stick to a stick caloric intake I feel limited and put in a box. I don’t want to be “restricted” in what I am eating!
I hate looking up every single food item and reading the labels!
If I didn’t let myself get so fat I would not have to do this! (Truth)
[*]Commit to tracking my food and exercise on a daily basis I don’t have the time for this!
I am so busy cause I am super important that I don’t have the time to do this for myself!
OK so I’m lazy and I really don’t want to know what I am putting in my mouth!
I can’t face that I might possibly eat more then Shamu the whale on any given day!(Truth)
[*]Get up and start moving more during the day I can’t do this because my body hurts
I have a headache and I’m sick!
I have to be at my desk this is my job!
OK I’m lazy. I get complacent and don’t want to move
Yes I even hold it longer then I should instead of getting up to use the rest room
If I walk out to the hallway people might see me and judge me and think what a fat ass she has in those pants. (Truth)
[*]Create and stick to an exercise plan of cardio and strength training daily I’m great at making plans!
Lists, spreadsheets, trackers I can make them all up but follow them and fill them in? Ha! Nope.
If I do that I’ll have to face myself. I’ll know when I miss a day and that will just prove to me again how lazy and unmotivated I am. (Truth)
If I miss a day it’s over, I’ll have to start over I can’t have gaps so why bother with it at all?
If I don’t create a program then I can just blame that and not myself.
[*]Get enough sleep There are just so many hours in the day and I am just too busy doing important things to carve out 8 hours of sleep!
People rely on me all day and I’m on the go all day I can’t unwind and find the time to get the sleep in.
My mind is so wound up that I need a few hours to unwind and watch TV so I can’t get enough hours of sleep
If people don’t need me to do everything for them I don’t think they love me or value me so I can’t say no to them or myself when asked to do something and that robs me of sleep. (Truth)
[*]Drink enough water I don’t like water
I am not always thirsty
If I drink too much water I’ll have to use the restroom more often and it’s that many more times I’ll have to see people in the hall way that might judge me for how I look. (Truth)
[*]Stay accountable to my goals It just so hard to stay accountable to myself.
If I share then I can blame others when I don’t succeed.
If I am truly accountable to myself I will have to admit that I make mistakes, and I don’t always follow through on things, and if I admit that to myself I might have to admit that to others and they will think as little of me and I think of myself. (Truth)
If you want to share your thoughts…I’m here for you! They say the first step is acceptance…
lisacaron

lisacaron

0
Butterfly Wings
 

The beginning

Hi everyone! I figured I would start a blog here, specifically about my journey. So let me introduce myself, my name is Amanda, I'm 24 and I have a bmi of right around 50. BUT no co-morbidities as of yet, thank goodness but I do have diabetes in my family so I may be playing with fire.) I have been overweight, or morbidly obese since I was in like....4th grade. I wasn't fat growing up-I played sports, but then my parents got divorced when I was in the 4th grade and there was an ugly custody battle and I started eating and stopped moving and I got fatter. I'm pretty sure (not 100%) that by 6th grade I could have been classified as morbidly obese or close to it, I was a whale! I didn't have a lot of friends, not until I joined JROTC in high school and learned I liked to run and sweat and have friends but my love affair with food was overwhelming for me. So I got fatter. Went to colelge, got into Zumba and ate a little better. Lost a few pounds but it came back. Transferred colleges, moved home.Got Phentermine the first time, lost quite a few pounds, got off meds gained it all back. Became a commuter student so I knew/know very few people from my several years there. Went to my pcp again to talk specifically about weight loss all I got was "try weight watchers and eat better and oh yea, here's another prescription for Phentermine (woohoo drugs that make me not hungry! ) Gained it all back when the meds were gone). I love to go hiking/swimming/adventuring and have no issues doing so by myself. Well, I take my dog(s) but food is still so freaking great. I've most recently tried Atkins (lost close to 20 pounds-gained it back after I started carbs again), ate the "broke college student"diet- this consisted of lots of water and cheap food, think-spaghettios, hot dogs, or nothing. I lost like 35 pounds and then I graduated and moved in with my mom and I gained it all back plus probably an extra 5-10 pounds. I've tried water fasting(super great for you, flushes it out toxins and fat) for a few days but all the weight I gained back I of course regained it all plus 5-10 because my body was like "YOU DIDN'T FEED ME FOR 3 DAYS, EAT EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!" Yea. Baaaad idea. Sadly, except a few pictures of a super young me all of the pictures ever taken of me I'm fat in. So, stay with me kids, here's when it gets a bit...convoluted. I went to a lap-band seminar when I was 17-they didn't do the surgery for people under 18 so I didn't really think about the possibility of weight loss surgery again until my step mom got the RnY and lost a crap ton of weight. I don't live with her so I only saw the after product, she's done a wonderful job at maintaining the loss. My dad brought it up a few years ago and I thought about it and did more research but I'm already anemic (it runs in the family, on the female side and it blows hard) and didn't want to deal with the malabsorption. When I moved in with my mom and did more soul searching and found the gastric sleeve and realized that it would probably be a good idea to into it more. I scheduled my surgical consult (I lived in Houston at the time), my insurance has a 6 month supervised diet so I was in the process of finding a new pcp to supervise me. And then we moved...to Wyoming. In the middle of nowhere Wyoming (this was in December). I did some more reading and found this forum, after lurking for a while I decided to join. Bear with me it's gonna get messy. My mom (who I moved with) found a new house to buy and so after we close (on Friday woohoo!) and move and do a few repairs I have decided to move to the Raleigh NC area to live with my dad and stepmom in order to go through the weight loss surgery process. I decided I wanted to go through the process with someone in the house that had 'been there, done that' and could help me especially post-op.   So there's my story. I hope in the coming months (I should be headed to NC in 2-3 weeks) I will be able to document the process of jumping through the hoops of the insurance company and finally starting my life for real...being able to go on the same 4 mile hike much easier and much longer, participating in the couch to 5k program, going backpacking, fitting in the plane seat embarrassment free etc...   PS the picture is me, hiking in one of Texas' state parks...fat. I could be so much more NOT fat!
ajb1029

ajb1029

3
My journey
 

size 12

I went clothes shopping on my lunch break today. All of my pants are (finally) getting too big to wear. I decided since the weather is getting nicer that I would treat myself to a pair of capris jeans. The cute kind.   My highest size was a size 20. I hated being a 20 because most stores don't carry that size, and since I was too embarrassed to shop in the plus size section, or heaven forbid, a plus size store, I bought everything online. Which meant I often wore clothes that I hated (clothing rarely looks the same in real life as it does online on the model!) and clothes that didn't fit (because I couldn't try it on).   I still don't like clothing shopping. I actually hate it. But I needed some new clothes desperately. So as I was grabbing jeans I started picking up size 14s, because all of my size 16 clothes are too big. Just for fun, I grabbed one pair of size 12 jeans, thinking if they looked okay I could maybe get them for motivation.   But guess what?!?! They fit! Granted, they look more like sausage casings than they do jeans ... but I didn't have to lay down to get them on or do a funny jumping dance! The size 14s would have fit (and probably look) better ... but holy smokes! I can fit in a size 12! Me!   I can't even believe this. But seriously, that's what happened today! If I get brave, maybe I'll post a picture of me wearing them.
colorado_chick

colorado_chick

3
The Lardy Duchess
 

a gps instead?

Hello everyone   I'm a fit bit user and I've just signed up for my first 5k walk happening near the end of this month. yesterday I decided that it would be good if I tried to walk further. I've gone just over 10,000 steps only one time.   I had to drop my car at the shop and I thought that rather than taking the shuttle, that I'd walk home. I mapped things out using something called "google pedometer". I have zero idea if it's accurate. But after fiddling with this I decided on a route that I thought I knew.   Turns out I didn't know, and I got lost, and I ended up walking for an hour and 44 minutes before I finally found my way home.   Later yesterday I found a 4 week course upcoming on Power Walking (different from Race Walking) that started last night. It was pouring here with rain, and I figured I go as it being the first course was likely just going to be examples or videos or diagrams...noooooooooooo   Out we went into the driving rain. An hour and 1/2 later all totaled, I'd walked over 22,000 steps. And I lived which inspires me because it tells me that I can do much more than I think I can, that I work against rather than with my brain at times.   Now today I'm taking it easy. Despite an epsom salt soak, I'm still sore. I did take the doggie out for her walk, but we didn't hurry.   Power Walking is about walking quickly but with precision so that you are efficient. Race walking requires a gait that I'm not comfy with at all. I'm excited for this class as I want to improve my form, my distance, and my time.   Push yourself. What can you do that you think you can't?   Nancy  
NancyintheNorth

NancyintheNorth

0
Mission Slimpossible
 

Favorite go-to foods

As time goes by, I find myself clinging to a few favorite foods over & over again. Some have more protein than others, but still remain my "go-to" foods. Does anyone else feel the same way? Here are 2 of mine: Cabbage Pork Vegetable Soup - pork maple ground sausage, onions, cabbage, canned & drained navy beans, mixed veggies, low sodium vegetable & beef broth. Cook onions, add pork sausage. Drain, put back in pot. Add broth, veggies & navy beans. Cook for 30 minutes. Add cabbage & cook an additional 15-20 minutes. The longer it cooks, the better the flavor (in my opinion). The pork sausage & combination broths give this soup a very flavorful taste. I measure out 1 cup & freeze it for lunch or dinner. Stouffer's Spinach Souffle - I split the package into 2 servings & it's more than enough as I add some type of a protein to this (chicken or even turkey meatballs) Any others out there?
Domika03

Domika03

1
fit2Bme2014's Blog
 

My VSG experience

My surgery was Wednesday, April 2nd. I'm amazed at how well I am doing. I'm sitting here, on my bed, just chilling cause you know, I just had major abdominal surgery and probably shouldn't be up doing my normal things. Lol!   All silliness aside, my heart goes out to those of you who haven't had such an easy time. Please be kind to yourselves and get well soon.   Several of you have asked if I would talk about my experience having the VSG surgery. Here it goes:   The ninth day before surgery, I started a modified liquid diet (2 shakes & 1 low-calorie frozen entrée) for five days.   The two days before surgery I was on a clear liquid diet (with a magnesium citrate chaser to 'clean me out').   4/2 Wednesday - Surgery Day. I couldn't have anything by mouth, not even ice chips.   Before surgery a nurse put a Transderm Scōp® patch (Scopolamine) behind my ear to help prevent nausea. During surgery my doctor found a small hiatal hernia which she fixed. When the surgery was completed she did a 'leak' test. Everything went well, and I was transferred to recovery and then to my room where my family was waiting for me.   Once I was back in my room, I was told that they would have me up and walking within four hours. I couldn't have anything by mouth until the next day when I would have another leak test.   My mouth and throat were so dry; I honestly think that might've been the worst part.   About four hours later the nurse and aid came in to get me up for a walk. Though I was uncomfortable, mostly because of the JP drain, I didn't require any assistance getting up and ended up walking to the end of the hall causing my nurse and several others to remark, "wow! What a good job! We never see "these" patients do that."   Yeah, "these" patients. Smh   Through the night they would poke and prod me with needles. One of the test was a blood sugar. Though I have never had an issue with blood sugar, my numbers were above 120 two times. Interestingly, this is quite normal for patients who just gone through surgery.   Their protocol for bariatric patients is, if the blood sugar is over hundred, they are given insulin. So when the second test came in high, I was given insulin. Their reasoning is, you heal better and have less chance of infection when your numbers are below 100.   4/3 Thursday - The next morning I was taken to radiology for another leak test. I had to drink yellow colored contrast so that they could watch where liquid went after I swallowed it. I asked the tech if my doctor was there and how soon she be reading report, because I was so thirsty. The radiologist, behind the partition, called out to me and said everything looked great. About an hour later I was started on clear liquids.   My first meal consisted of: chamomile tea, broth, and cherry Jell-O. Along with my meal came a measured medicine cup. And, I was told to drink 15 mL every 15 minutes and track it on the form provided. I could tolerate everything except the Jell-O.   I had a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia infusion pump) which was removed once the IV in my hand infiltrated the next day. At that point I started receiving Roxicet which is a liquid Percocet.   I continued to get up either on my own or when it was suggested and each time, walked a little further. One of my nurse remarked she was very impressed because again, "'these' patients need continual prodding to get up."   I ran a low-grade fever of about 100.4 throughout my stay. It was normal the day was released.   4/4 Friday - that morning I was instructed to drink 30 mL every 15 minutes and track it. My release was dependent on whether or not I could self-hydrate enough. I was able to take a shower on my own and dress in pajamas that I had brought from home. I continued to take walks every few hours.   I was released that afternoon. Yay!!   The entire time in the hospital, I had very minimal nausea, no vomiting and the pain was easily controlled with medication; I should mention the pain specifically related to the JP drain was pretty startling at times.   4/5 First full day home. I started phase 2 diet which consists of smooth foods, purées and 60-80g of protein in a liquid supplement. My surgeon requires her patients to walk 30 minutes each day, even if it's in increments. So, I went to Walmart to pick up my prescriptions and walked the store for 30 minutes. By the end I was pretty wiped out.   I've had very minimal nausea, no vomiting and the pain has been easily controlled with the Roxicet. I feel weak, especially when I forget that I've had surgery and overdo it. Several times I've felt shaky and/or dizzy. My muscles feel a bit noodily. I've been able to handle all of my self-care and meals without help, i'm just slower than normal.   I was also sent home with a prescription for the Scōp® patch and a sublingual anti-nausea medication; if you have a tendency toward nausea, I suggest you talk to Dr. about these meds.   I'm still a bit swollen but not as much as my first day home.   Oh! The gas pains. They're pretty sporadic and only last 10 to 60 seconds, but boy oh boy do they smart!!   I know this is pretty long; I hope that it's helped somebody out there. If you have any questions, feel free to post them below or send me a private message.
fit2Bme2014

fit2Bme2014

3
Mission Slimpossible
 

Weight loss, an emotional roller-coaster ride

As most of us know, this weight loss journey takes us on quite the psychological roller coaster ride, starting from how we felt as overweight people (pre-surgery) and straight through to wherever we are now. I'm no exception.   I made my original WLS decision back in 2012 because I was extremely depressed, and, quite frankly, felt disgusted (oh yes, disgusted), with the way I looked. My weight affected "every" aspect of my life (work, social, family & marriage). With that said, I was approved by my insurance to have lap band surgery in August 2012.   I lost about 90 pounds with the band before I ran into complications mid to end last year, wound up having my band completed un-filled, and was left with the fear (a huge fear, I might add) of possibly gaining the weight back. So, I made the decision of doing a revision to the sleeve, not knowing if I would wind up being self-pay or insurance approved. Thankfully, some how, some way, my insurance covered my surgery even though I only weighed 156 pre-sleeve surgery (not considered obese but still somewhat over-weight).   Fast forward to the present: I had my revision surgery Jan 2014 and have since lost about 18 pounds since. I weigh 138 pounds, am considered to be on maintenance, and am a size 8. Amazing, coming from a size 22+.   Mind you, I love, love, LOVE clothes shopping now & wearing all these nice outfits. They feel great & fit soooo much better than they did before. So, what's my issue? Is there an issue?   The last few days, I've actually been feeling 'fat." Yea, I said 'fat.' I understand I am not fat as defined in the dictionary "(of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh." Nonetheless, I can't explain it. Don't get me wrong, I'd been feeling great about my recent weight loss & finally hitting (and passing) my weight loss goal weight. I can't put my finger on it, but I can't shake this feeling. Hopefully, this is just a temporary feeling. Heck, I'm sure it's temporary. I just don't understand where this is coming from all of a sudden.   Anyone else feel this way?
Domika03

Domika03

0
fit2Bme2014's Blog
 

Phase 2 foods... why am I know more excited.

Three days postop, first full day home and I got to start phase 2 foods. Yay, right? Not so much. According to my program, phase 2 foods are: Jell-O, applesauce, supplements, creamed soups, cream of wheat, cream of rice, pudding and purées etc.   I was able to get down an ounce of applesauce and only because I had to empty my Prilosec capsule into it so I could take the medicine. I've been drinking my iso-pure zero which has 40 g of protein; beyond that, I have no idea how I'm going to get in 60 to 80 g of protein today. I was hoping to try some soup but I have no appetite. My instructions say that I should eat even if I'm not hungry. I think there's a small part of me, an irrational part, that is afraid that if I start eating I won't stop, like I have in the past.   Thankfully I'm not much pain or very nauseous. I'm just very tired.   What are some other phase 2 foods I can try?
fit2Bme2014

fit2Bme2014

0
fit2Bme2014's Blog
 

Being released!

I'm being released!! Other than feeling a bit weak and wonky, I feel good! Pain is controllable and nausea is very, very minimal. Gas pains, when they shift, are awful, though. Oh, and my whole body is swollen, especially my face, from all the IV fluids I received. Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts! Hope you are all doing well. ❤️????
fit2Bme2014

fit2Bme2014

1
Blog 85448
 

Checking In Four Months Post Band Removal

Definitely over-enjoyed my band freedom and regained 17 pounds eating without abandon. Some problems persist: Pills are still tough to get down. I can eat raw carrots and radishes, but they do get a bit stuck if I'm not careful. Had to give up tomato juice - acid reflux. Have to take an antacid before eating something with tomato sauce or anything remotely greasy - surprise! turkey bacon is a bit too fatty for me. Still feel banded when I eat with a bra on   The weight gain gave me that out-of-control feeling and I started considering the gastric sleeve or the full bypass until it dawned on me that neither restricts your eating persay. It might take you longer to get it down and you might end up vomiting or dumping, but if you're an emotional and/or binge eater, you're likely to press on. Actually started missing my band with the thought that at least it kept me from blossoming back to 283. Then I started listening to myself and it sounded like I wasn't taking any responsibility for any of my weight issues, but I still decided I couldn't trust myself.   I mentioned to my husband that I was thinking of going to an informational seminar at a new bariatrics practice which just opened locally with a highly respected surgeon. He said he thought I was, "nuts" but he'd go with me if I really wanted to go down this road again.   Still on the fence when I got a call from an old friend who was aware I'd had the procedure, but not the complications. We got to talking. He begged me not to go through another surgery - he and his wife just lost a good friend who'd gone in for the sleeve and died several days later from a blood clot. Yes, I know, all surgery has risks but it sat in the back of my mind...   About a week later, I had lunch with a new friend who didn't know I'd had the procedure, but was aware of my apparent inability to eat much of anything. When I ordred something besides my usual soup, she mentioned it was good to see me actually eating something. This opened the door and I told her about my band experience. Her response surprised me - she commented that I was "lucky" to have made it!? Apparently, she has a friend who'd used the same surgeon as I. Her friend also was banded, and ended up in the hospital for over a month with complications. She survived but continues to have troubles. Again, Yes - I know, all surgery has risks but it sat in the back of my mind...   Yesterday sealed the deal. One of my business associates had sleeve surgery about six weeks ago. He seemed to be doing fine. We were schedule to meet yesterday afternoon to discuss a proposal. When he didn't show, I called his office. His assistant told me he'd collapsed at work in severe pain and they had to call 911. I'm still waiting to hear what happened - all I know is he's, "stable". Maybe it has nothing to do with his sleeve surgery - but is that likely?   That old saying about things happening in threes got me thinking that maybe this is a sign and I should pay attention.   I've decided it's time to parent myself. If I won't feed my nieces and nephews crap, why am I feeding it to myself?   I've begun working through various self-help books on disordered eating. One amusingly but perhaps accurately pointed out that a binge is an adult form of a temper tantrum. I'm scared, angry, not getting my own way. I'm too old to throw myself on the floor kicking and screaming, so what can I do? I'll stuff myself with the kind of food that sooths the child in me - Candy! Ice Cream! Junk Food! until I stuff down the fear, anger or disappointment. Interesting idea.   I've gone back to Weight Watchers and am embracing a more vegan diet. Not a bad idea as a cancer survivor with a family history of heart disease. I'm finding that by focusing on whole grains, limiting processed food and added sugar plus nixing coffee after 3pm, I'm not feeling bloated and sluggish. With meals in the 300-400 calorie range, I'm able to go about four hours without needing to snack. If I do need a little something, I've got string cheese, carrots, celery, fruit on hand. I don't feel guilty when I eat and I'm not skipping meals so that I get to the point that I'm ravenous and looking for candy and fast food.   Am I a saint? No. Will I slip? Of course. But when I lay the cards out on the table, I realize it's up to me to save my health.   So far, I've lost seven of the gained pounds. I'm taking it one day at a time.
RavenClaw779

RavenClaw779

0
The Lardy Duchess
 

the first fill

Well, my train zipped right off the tracks for a bit there, but I'm back now. Life you know!   Yesterday was my first fill. Today I'm just slightly aware of it. Truly it was a piece of cake. A discussion, a weigh in, withdrawal of the fluid inside already and a re-add of the original fluid plus a HUUGGGEEEE .5 cc's of fluid.   I needed the fill. I was beyond ready and I felt like I could eat a side of beef. I needed the contact too to slap me back into eating as opposed to eating slider foods.   Since I've been eating regular foods, I've discovered there are foods out there I cannot eat, and that's okay. Beef is hard. Fish and chicken are easier. Vegetables need to be cooked until they are well done. I can't eat raw veggies as of yet. Bread - no, crackers - yes. Tomorrow will be measurements day - the 5th of every month for me. Some clothes just finally fit properly, others are a bit loose, so I'm hoping for a NSV or two.   I have gained two pounds and I refuse to adjust my ticker until it's moving south. I am still walking, but admittedly less - no worries though peeps, I'll kick my own ass thanks!   I've experienced all of the following - stomach cramps from not paying attention, feeling suddenly bloated by drinking too much too fast. Serious pain like an elephant on the chest and most days when I feel great. I'm enjoying that my body is talking to me, I just have to be aware and listen. When you've never paid attention, it's strange at first trying to 'hear'.   The ice and snow are melting - temperatures are slooowwwlly rising and robins have been gracing my backyard. Spring is here at last.   Happy Friday all   PS - when I win lotto, the handsome one and I are moving here!  
NancyintheNorth

NancyintheNorth

0
The Incredible Shrinking Woman
 

Why it will be worth it

I'm not too sure if anyone reads these blogs, so I'm mostly writing this for my future self. I want something to look back on so that I can see progress and feel like I made the best decision for myself.   Life at almost 200 pounds overweight is not so hot. Everything hurts, all the time, especially my back and my legs. Climbing stairs is a minor torture, and picking things up off the floor is almost beyond me. It's hard to put on my socks. It's hard to clip my toenails. I can't rush out to the store and buy a last-minute outfit for some unexpected event, because even the "fat lady stores" don't stock my size. I have to order things off the internet. Putting on seat belts is hard. Clipping my toenails is hard. I have high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, severe sleep apnea, and borderline diabetes. Walking anywhere is so painful that I've thought about zipping around stores in one of those electric carts, but I'm not yet ready to be "the fat lady on the cart" that people snap pictures of on their cell phones and send to their friends. I've only been this heavy for maybe 7-8 years, and it's already wreaking havoc on my body. God only knows how I'd feel in 10 or 20 years if I didn't do something drastic now. If I'd even be alive in 10-20 years.   I realize surgery is going to hurt. It might hurt a lot, and there's a chance that it'll hurt for a long time. I've read some pretty hair-raising stories on these forums. But being really, really fat hurts too.   If I start to regret the surgery in the future, I hope I look back on this entry and remember.
G33kg1rl

G33kg1rl

2
The Incredible Shrinking Woman
 

8 Days Until Surgery

I have just over a week to go and I am totally freaking out. Too nauseated to eat much, too jittery to sleep. I don't know how I'm going to put up with another week of this. I don't know what my problem is--I don't even have a strict pre-op diet to follow. The surgeon's office told me to just stick to clear liquids for 24 hours before surgery. Other than that, I can still eat what I want. Well, okay, I could eat what I wanted if I weren't sick from nerves.   I'm an avowed coward, and I keep worrying that I'm going to be in terrible pain. For complicated reasons, I can't take Tylenol, and NSAIDs will be off-limits post-surgery. My hepatologist's office seems to think I'm just going to "tough it out." AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ::deep, rattling wheeeeze:: . . . ha. I get my whole mouth numbed up just to have my teeth cleaned. If they're going to kick me out of the hospital without pain meds, I'll just insist on staying in the hospital an extra day or two, nursing my drip. From what I hear, I should be okay after the first few days. I just don't want to be lying there feeling like someone stuck a knife into my belly 5 times. (They will actually have stuck a knife in my belly 5 times--I just don't want to feel like it.)   I also have a collection of rampant What-Ifs running around my brain. What if I feel so sick afterward that I can't eat or drink? What if I make a wrong move and pop my stitches? What if I have a leak? What if my currently-supportive family gets annoyed with taking care of me before I'm able to do things on my own? After all, I'm not supposed to lift more than 5 pounds for 6 weeks. That's a lot of fetching and schlepping to delegate to the relatives. What if I have disastrous complications and just keel over and die?   I know that some of these things are not terribly likely, and that in my case the risks of the surgery are less than the risks of doing nothing. But damn, I am a nervous, twitching wreck.
G33kg1rl

G33kg1rl

0
fit2Bme2014's Blog
 

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I'm gonna be sleeved tomorrow!! I'm excited. Excited to get it over with. Excited about this new chapter in my life. Excited about what my life is going to look like once I lose the weight and hopefully the compulsion it's driven me to eat.
fit2Bme2014

fit2Bme2014

2
A New Beginning
 

Two months down!

It's been two months since I got my lap band. Tomorrow I'm getting my second fill. So far I've lost 37 pounds, 15 during the pre-op diet, and 22 since my lap band surgery. I've been to parties, and dined out at restaurants and I'm still losing. When I went out with friends last week, I brought my own take home container with me, and packed up half my dinner before I started eating it! I've changed the foods that I eat, but generally I don't feel like I'm on a diet. That's why I'm so surprised that I'm still losing weight. In the past, when I tried to eat like a normal person and not diet, I would always end up bingeing and gaining weight. Maybe it's because I've cut out my trigger foods from my diet. I don't feel deprived, though. I eat a lot of protein, and no junk food. I am hungry a lot, but I know that it's going to take a while before my band is in the green zone. I also know that I have long way to go, and a lot of weight to lose. I'm trying to focus on small goals not the the big picture.
Cat225

Cat225

1
Mission Slimpossible
 

Blood work Results In

I'm happy to say, that as far as I can tell, all my blood work levels show within the 'normal' range!!! I had some concerns, but am happy to say it all looks good. My 3 month follow-up is on April 7th.
Domika03

Domika03

1
3/26/14 Journey Begins
 

scale drama

im down to 234 from 245 march 5th....got banded march 26...im loving the scale but i need to stopppp weighing myself lol anybody else experiencing obsession with scale...
karina33

karina33

3
3/26/14 Journey Begins
 

3 days post op

well im 3 days post op i weighed myself today im at 236, march 5th i was at 245 & i had my surgery march 26th....so im down 9 lbs, slow and steady wins the race.....im on liquids until tuesday and im starving!!!! ughh but im trying hard to remain focused lol I'm so ready for the weight to come off....really trying to be comfortable in my skin this summer and just over all get healthy...my goal is to be 50 lbs down by june, not sure how thats gonna work out but im gonna try my hardest! hope everyone is doing well!
karina33

karina33

1

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