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Gamergirl's Blog
 

Post-Op Soft foods Homemade Chicken Bratwurst

OMG my husband just made the best chicken bratwurst from scratch! If you can't tolerate pork or can't eat it for religious reasons, here's one to try. Made from The Mixer Bible, mine is a simplified version with no casing, no second grinding etc.   Ingredient 2.5 lbs of boneless chicken thighs ground fine at home, or make it easy on yourself and ask the butcher to grind it very fine for you 1/2 c half n half or milk (see note)sp 2.5 tsp Salt 1 tsp ground caraway seeds 1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/2 tsp ground allspice Pinch ground nutmeg   Method   1. Grind chicken fine. Messy! get the butcher to do this for you or just buy ground chicken. If done at home, freeze the chicken so it grinds easily 2. Add everything else and let it sit in the fridge for half an hour to meld 3. Oil your hands well, and make 3 oz patties 4. Can freeze individually at this point, or cook in a nonstick pan with a little oil about 2 mins on each side. cut into the middle to see if cooked through 5. Refrigerate extra for up to 2 days in the fridge or 2 weeks in the freezer. We're going to cook them all, and then nuke slowly when we want one.   Note: the recipe called for 1/2 c of milk but we were out and I'm lactose intolerant and really, half n half makes it softer and smoother. Sorry for the cheesy paper plate but no one wants to do dishes right now!   Makes 12 servings of 3 oz each, about 21 gms of protein each.
gamergirl

gamergirl

0
Melissa's Thoughts
 

New Goals ahead of ME!

It's a good day today, I didn't get on the scale, I am done with the PMS, and my hormones seem to be balancing out, at least for today!!! I have some new goals in store for me, goals to help me, to challenge me and to just make me feel better in general. I have decided that this time around I'm going to take that bull by the horns and face everything, one thing at a time, head on. I've been frustrated with the scale not moving, so I saw someone on here posted this shake to get through the "stall" and this quote that was confirmation to me, because I said it yesterday...You didn't have your patience removed during surgery so why are you in such a hurry to lose what took you years to gain? - UH...DUH...I thought that yesterday, read it today and thought OMG...get with it, you are making good choices, you have been given this tool to help on the journey, so chill out and keep truckin' ahead! I already belong to a gym with the Hubs, but I decided to challenge my mind and body with CrossFit. I have a lot of friends, at all different weight and fitness levels that go, and I really feel this will get my body in gear to keep making those right choices. I am excited for the challenge and excited to see the results. I am signing a 3 month contract and then more if I still like it at 3 months. I told the Hubs that I NEED to do this for me and I need his support to know that I have to do this. I don't know what it is but I just feel the need to finally challenge ME. I'm cleaning out my closet next, while the scale isn't moving, I have noticed that things that were tight before surgery are just way too big, not even somewhat cute to get me through til I lose more weight, so they are OUTTA there!!!! Not EVER going back to that size again! I'm finding that instead of using my hands to eat, I'm organizing more(which I am pretty damn organized already), getting my surroundings in order...the new me is coming out to play and I think I really like this woman!!! I've continued taking pics...sent one to mom yesterday...I said LOOK...my sides aren't touching the side of my office chair!!! What a great feeling!!! I'm super excited at what lies ahead for ALL of us...and I have to say I'm thankful for all on here, this is a great place to come for a "pick me up"!!! Be Blessed, and know that you have GREAT days ahead of you.
MWilliams42

MWilliams42

2
Gastric Sleeve Surgery - An Unexpected Journey
 

Girl! You Ain't Gonna Believe This! or How to Explain Your VSG Scars

How To explain away my scars?   OK, this is awful so don't read if you are easily offended and do not appreciate a sick sense of humor.         Warning! Don't read if you are easily offended!                 Last Warning! Sick Humor below!!!!!         Shanked in prison... Shuts them up every time! - VSGKirk   Some idiot: What happened? You: I had abdominal surgery. Idiot: What kind? You: The kind that involves the abdominal area. - newat52   Tijuana knife fight. - Kristina J.   I had some "woman issues " - chell1978   Texas mosquito bites   I was knifed by an exotic dancer in TJ.   Full contact scrapbooking injury... When you get the weird look, you can fill in that scrapbooking is getting really intense now that scrappers are trying to make the hobby "athletic enough" for the Olympics.   Bears. But never mind my scar, you should check out my awesome new rug!   My wife said somtimes I don't know my place.   Tell them you are trying to avenge your father and ask if they have six fingers on their right hand.   Two words, "Satin sheets"   I don't want to go into details, but suffice to say, I won't be allowed in that Benihana for a while.   The first rule of Fight Club is 'don't talk about Fight Club'   They say you can't get blood from a stone - well, the IRS tried!   Remember when your mom told you not to run with scissors?   I was watching the DIY network and they did a show on bodylifts...   A zombie tried to eat my brains and missed.   Tell them as much as you'd love to talk about it you just can't because your defense attorney and parole officer advised you to keep your mouth shut until after the trial.   I got this in a bar fight when I used to ride with Hells Angels.   That's where the aliens probed me   Don't worry about it. Because of me, they now have a to put on warning labels!   Well, let me just tell you this: You should NEVER EVER, under ANY circumstances, go out with a guy/girl that you met on the internet.   "I was oyster hunting." They give me a blank stare. Then I say, with a wink, "You've obviously never been oyster hunting before."   I was at this party with Marilyn Manson and everyone was giving out hugs.   I lost a fight with a can of tuna fish.   I slipped while making a salad.   I fell asleep, and the clown got me.   I'll just put it this way: when they tell you not to feed the bears, it's for a damned good reason.   I'm a blade sharpness tester   "I had an accident with a scalpel." [person asks why] "Well, you know that guy who woke up in an ice bath and his kidney was gone? Er... this had nothing to do with it. Honest."   You know how dogs chase their tails? Well it has nothing to do with that. Nor does it have anything to do with cat scratches. Or the faeries that visit me nightly *ramble on*... What was I talking about?   I thought those security tags on pants just sprayed ink, but apparently they spray shards of broken glass, too.   "Oh, these?" *embarrassed face* "I know they look horrible, but the sex was INCREDIBLE!"   "...Are you consipring aginast me? What's with all the questions? Who wants to know the answers?" *and upon interrupting "I'm doing the talking here" and then continue to ramble until they back away. "...They'll come and get you too. Run while you still can"   Knifed by an exotic dancer. Terrible. Yes, they're nasty that way.   I had unprotected sex with a porcupine.   I took my lizards for a walk and they held on for dear life.   The neighborhood cat and I had a disagreement about the paw prints on my truck.   The police didn't comply with the terrorists' demands fast enough, so they took it out on us hostages.   I keep falling off of cliffs trying to catch that damned roadrunner.   The voices told me to do it.   I did this as a sacramental offering to my dark lord, you prick. ::Smile::   In my past life I was a ninja.   It sucks having parents who are sadists.   My boyfriend and I accidentally went overboard during our last S & M session.   I moon light as a stunt-woman who dives through glass windows.   Look at your scars and frown You mean you don’t have any?   Well, last time it was an alien baby. I’m actually kind of relieved.   I had a narrow escape from a firing squad.   Now that is an interesting question; it all ties in with the eternal enigma: why are we here, for what purpose does life on earth exist? go on about the meaning of life until everyone gets bored and goes away   Carving a turkey is harder than it looks   You want me to show you? smile evily   Don’t EVER give blood abroad!   Well, I tend to get a little violent with the computer when it doesn’t cooperate.   Oh those? Bad juggling accident. I don’t like to talk about it. I’m much better now   Oh these? Hmm, I dunno, they’ve just always been there. Well, I mean, ever since I took over this body, anyway. Strange, don’t you think?   Ozzy Osborne is my uncle and we have some kick butt family reunions!   Those psychology experiments are soooo not worth the extra credit…   Oh my god! Never, EVER try taking candy from a baby!   A reminder of my Pirating days....   My trained attack dragon did before I got him trained...   I had a duel.   Did you know chickens aren't all soft and fluffy?   Playing Slug Bug with a cat is a reaaally bad idea.   Oh this? *point at scar* That's where my twin used to be attached.   Lightsaber battle   I kicked Chuck Norris' ass all I got was this lousy scar!   Tell them you had to help Jack Bauer escape from the Russians and that's the last time you'll cover his pansy ass.   Narrowly escaped a zombie attack   Fell on the runway-it's Fashion Week   Rachel Ray's dog attacked me.   I just tell people it's a "sex wound."   My husband is ... just ... a WILD MAN, what can I say?             That's all folks!                   Really, that's all there is.                   No hablo the english? There isn't anymore. Stop scrolling!                   Ok, okay, one last one.   It's where the alien burst out. What, you think they only come out of chests?         Satisfied!??????????
joatsaint

joatsaint

18
Gamergirl's Blog
 

Today I am....Depressed

Bad news. I've been depressed, lethargic and feeling blah, meh, blue, and blobby for the last three days. Good news: There is absolutely NOTHING wrong IRL, so I know this is just recovery/hormones.   I don't know what the heck is wrong with my body but really, everything is going well surgery-wise. No problem with intake, protein, fluids, etc. Blood tests came back looking great.   I'm just down.   I knew this would happen, but I didn't think it would last thing long. This whole week, I've struggled to do much of anything. I lack vim and vinegar and zip and zing. Over the last 3 days, it's been more pronounced. I'm sort of slug-like right now, and I'd like the old me back please. I suspect so would my employees who aren't used to me being quite so out of it. They all know I had surgery, only one of them knows what kind.   R of course is bouncing all over the place like nothing happened, but I notice that he gets angry easily and is very sensitive these days--which is his version of depression. So we're both having to be a bit gentle with each other and cut the other some slack. He's been great about giving me room to be depressed instead of trying to talk me out of it. I'm trying to do the same for him.   I lost a pitch yesterday. I HATE HATE HATE losing. I could not have made any profit at the price they finally paid another company, so it was okay to lose it.   But what surprised me was that my body reacted immediately and badly to it. As soon as I read the email, I broke out in a cold sweat and almost passed out. No exaggeration.   I think my new tummy handles emotion/adrenaline differently. I noticed this when we tried to watch a movie right after the surgery and the rather tame thriller upset my stomach and my nervous system so badly I had to stop watching it. I think with a smaller tummy, the same rush of adrenaline doesn't feel as it used to. It's a horrible, uncomfortable, tense feeling and you want it to go away. Don't know if all adrenaline junkies have to deal with this or not, but I now know that *I* have to deal with this.   I want to kick myself in the pants and "snap out of it". I'm keeping it from getting worse, but I haven't snapped out of it yet.   Welcome to recovery, emo-style
gamergirl

gamergirl

11
Gamergirl's Blog
 

Post-Op Soft foods Best Crockpot Chicken Curry 21 gms protein

My dad arrives from India today so I have to make something his 90-year body (and teeth) can enjoy, AND tomorrow is soft foods day for us! yay! We were told to eat meats that were out of a crockpot or pressure cooker so they were soft. So here goes.   This is massively modified from Anupy Singla's Indian Crockpot book to a) not make enough to feed the entire state of Texas and not to blow the roof off your head with her version of spice.   I'm Indian. Believe me when I tell you, this is the BEST chicken curry I have ever had and the EASIEST.   Ingredients 1 onion peeled & quartered 5 garlic cloves peeled 2 inches ginger root sliced roughly 2 tomatoes, quartered I tsp salt 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 2 tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala, can buy ready mixed or use this recipe 1/2 cup greek yogurt 1.5 lbs of chicken, skinned 1 bag of baby spinach 1 2 inch piece cinnamon 4 green cardamom 2 whole cloves   Method 1. In a food processor, grind together everything except the chicken and the spinach and whole spices. Make a nice, smooth paste. This may take a few minutes, be patient. 2. Put the chicken pieces in a crockpot, and pour over the yummy-smelling sauce you just made. Put in whole spices 3. Chop up the spinach and add during the last hour of cooking. 4. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 until chicken is tender.   Us Sleevers may have to eat the chicken without the sauce and eat the sauce separately.   Makes 6 servings of chicken (3 oz each, 21 gms of protein each.
gamergirl

gamergirl

5
smjuroska's Blog
 

One Month already?!

I can't believe my surgery was a month ago! Everything is going super speed here! I am feeling pretty good and at a very good place mentally. I think being prepared for all the ups and downs and having wonderful support has kept me sane. So my offical stats are 33 pounds lost total. I started at 258(my offical start weight with my surgeon) had a down slide blew up to 265 (my weigh-in the day I started my pre-op). I think that is super awesome! I have also lost 18.75 inches (from the parts I measure). I know I will not lose another 26 pounds this coming month but hey as long as that scale is moving down I am happy. 33 pounds in 6 weeks is quite a bit of weight and a great starting point. Hopefully next month I can have another 10+ pounds off. Things that I am thankful for are:   My internal stitch popped last Sunday! I had lots of pain Saturday from that darn little thing and Sunday instant relief! My sleeve! It has really made this alot easier for me. I am human and still want to eat but my sleeve keeps me from over doing it. Still in shock by the amount I can eat. Before that would have a been a nibble before I actually sat down and ate. My family, and job. They won't allow me to whine and complain and they keep my life "normal". Both keep me moving and active. The world didn't stop because I had surgery. Although the first few days I felt it should have! That constant hunger and craving bad foods is gone for the most part. Yeah I will get a whiff of something and think that smells good but it ends there. I don't walk around the grocery store craving the fresh baked whatever and end up buying it and eating half on the way home. I simply don't really want it.   Some things that I need to to work on (I am not near a perfect human nor WLS patient but, who the heck is?)   I HAVE to start toning up my flabby butt! For real! I HAVE to find the time in my jam packed schedule to do some cardio I need to keeping trying "new" foods to see how I can handle them. I want my fuel to come from food not shakes and bars. I am so against living off protein shakes and bars! They are fake nasty tasting junk, to me anyway! But I am not able to meet my protein without them for now... So I still use them.   This surgery was a lifestyle change for me not a "diet". So far it is working but I know that I have to keep up with a healthy lifestyle to be healthy and keep the weight off. So cheers to Fridays! I am going to go and enjoy my hot TX summer weekend (the last weekend of summer for us, school starts Monday)!
smjuroska

smjuroska

0
Fibro Diva's Bariatric Blog
 

Extreme Exhaustion

I'm 3 weeks post op, I can sip almost anything and my nutritionist advised me to restart protein shakes. Now I had no problems with the protein shakes pre-op, but I cannot swallow them now. No matter how I make them, I gag at first sip.   Since I'm not getting any protein I am so exhausted all the time. I've dealt with exhaustion before since I have Fibromyalgia, fatigue is one of its symptoms. But this is extreme, I take a few steps and then I have to lay down for an hour.   Any suggestions?
FibroDiva

FibroDiva

4
SkinnySizeMe
 

I'm in ONEderland 2 week surgiversary!

It has been 2 weeks and one day since I had my surgery. I started at 230lbs before my pre-op diet. Surgery date I was 216. As of yesterday the scale hit 199. I was soooo excited to break out of the 200lbs. I was sooo hard for me to lose even 10 lbs pre surgery. It took me 6 months to do so. As of today I lose a total of 31lbs in 1 month. My goal is to get off the 9 more pounds that I had on me from my first child, and then I will put the scale away for a bit as I have been weighing myself every morning counting down till onederalnd! So I started Purees yesterday. My first meal was 1 hard boiled egg, 1 teaspoon miracle whip, 1/2 teaspoon of hummus. I was so ecited to eat "real" food, I scarfed it down a little too quickly. Dont know what was wrong with me, I guess after a month of liquids I was like "GIVE ME FOOD!" So I was only able to eat 1/2 an egg until I was burping and felt full. Although I am not too sure what FULL feels like post op...I burp and my tummy feels like theres stuff in there but that happens very quickly. For lunch I pureed cottage cheese (YUM) and mixed a baby spoonful in with the egg and it was MUCH easier to get down. I have also heard people say its harder to eat in the morning. For dinner I pureed refried beans with some salsa, topped with a pinch of cheddar cheese melted and topped with babyspoon full of sour cream. OMG sooo freakin yummy and slightly spicy from salsa. Sooo sad Iwas only able to eat 1ozif that. I think Im too scared to eat too much and since Im not sure what the warning signs are of being full its only a matter of time before I overdo it and learn for myself. Since I am never hungry, How can I feel satisfied. I would have been "Head" satisfied if I could finish my 1oz of refried beans. I have been doing 2 protein shakes in between each meal. WIth all this eating, waiting and drinking shakes I have nooo time for my water. I try to drink as much as I can at night an hour after dinner. I mean do I have to wake up at 3am just to get in all my calories protein and water. Im only getting about 300 calories, maybe slightly more now that Im on purees. My protein intake is around 50 2 weeks post op (working on it.) and my water intake counting 2 protein shakesmaybe 42oz per day max. Yesterday I felt lightheaded and dizzy and I knew it was because I am not getting enough of anything. As soon as I drink my protein shake it is like rocket fuel and I'm speedy gonzalez again. As far as my recovery, I was driving 6 days post-op, had a party for 30ppl at my house for my daugters bday, been walking and running around with kids to parks, playgrounds, pools(even though I cant go in) This week was the first time I fely very LOW energy. So I am really trying to get in more protein water and calories. HW: 233, Pre-pre.op 230, day of surgery 216, came home from surgery 227 (lol) fluid. Current weight 198. My goal by 3 weeks post op (Next thursday) is 190lbs. My goal after that is my wedding day weight of 170 by Christmas, And 150 by my February 23rd Birthday! That would be amazing!!!
supermom223

supermom223

3
Stephanie's Blog
 

And so it begins...

The end of July I decided to call the center just to see if my insurance would pay for any of the procedures. I had heard through the grapevine that my provider did but I just wasn't ready to take that leap yet. I work nights so before heading to bed I called and gave the info to the lady and went to sleep. A couple of days lady I got an email stating I had been approved and needed to call for an appointment. Now what? Did I really want to do this? This would mean a lot of changes. So I made the appointment for one morning that week after work. I still hadn't told anyone. I didn;t want anyone to know so there would be no pressure whatever I decided. I've been overweight my whole life and most of my family has too. I have had several family members have WLS and all of them have gained their weight back. Everyone I know that has WLS has gained their weight back. And I'm still considering this? I was very discouraged at my appointment when they told me I would have to wait four months for surgery! I would have to have two dietitian appointment and a psych eval. ( that might disqualify me right there!). But after doing some research I know why and I guess that's better than six months or a year. I brought home my information and started doing my research. I found LapBandTalk.com. I found The Big Book (I'm almost finished with it) and I feel very confident I can do this. I've been able to determine exactly why all my family members have gained their weight back and even a few of my friends. I know it will be hard, one of the hardest things I've ever done. But I don't just want it, I need it. I need it for my life, my kids and my husband. I need it to be able to continue the job I love.
sengelken

sengelken

1
lellow's Blog
 

"You're lying, that's not you!"

Today I was fiddling with my collage maker on my phone and made a collage of one of my 'before' pics from 2003 and one of me that I took today, in 2013. I wanted to use it as my profile pic on here, so this is it:     I sent it to myself at work, had it up on my screen and someone I didn't know very well walked up behind me and said 'who is the person on the left?'   So I said, 'oh that's me 10 years ago'.   Believe it or not, she puffed herself up in indignation and looked me in the eye and said quite rudely "you're lying, that's not you!" and then proceeded to tell me that the person in the photo on the left looked nothing like me, the woman was obviously older, the skin tone was all wrong and who was I trying to kid anyway???   I didn't have to say anything, my colleague next to me actually said 'actually that is her' and explained about the lapband (everyone who knows me knows about it). The women then did the huge dramatic act of pretending to be hugely shocked and then interested in how I did it, completely ignoring the fact that she'd basically just accused me of lying!   Lucky for her, I thought it was highly amusing, and took it as a compliment, and walked away thinking it would be a good anecdote for this blog. Hey, sometimes you gotta look for the silver lining in everything, right?
lellow

lellow

9
M Squared Blog
 

Image Perception

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I look good"? ....then.....you see a picture of yourself in that outfit and words just can't express how unflattering it really is.   Image perception is what you see in the mirror. Your brain tricks you into seeing what you perceive yourself to look like instead of reality. Some people have a true disorder involving distorted image perception – body dysmorphia.   When I was in high school, I thought I was fat. When I looked in the mirror I saw a thick chunky girl. I look back at pictures of myself at 15 or 16 and I was not fat. Truth is I looked like a healthy teenager, not like the "anorexic" ideal. This is an issue that you often hear talked about in regards to anorexics and bulimics seeing a distorted image of themselves. In movies they compare it to looking in a funhouse mirror.   Recently I have noticed that I have the opposite issue. When I look in the mirror, I don’t see size 22 Kristina. I see size 16 Kristina. For some reason my brain is in denial about all the weight I have gained. My distorted image doesn’t really look that bad. I see a picture and it is shocking. That isn’t what I look like, that outfit looked good on me. My clothes are shrinking in the wash, no I have gained weight.   See a picture here: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/gallery/image/22606-image-perception/   Is image perception what causes all the funny Walmart pictures? We all wonder how people can think they look good when they look a hot mess.   In all seriousness, I am worried about image perception after the surgery. Am I going to see myself the same? Will I still think I look fat after I lose weight?
lisacaron's Blog
 

Attitude Adjustment

These long dreary days are not doing much for my get up and go. I find myself bored to tears. Yawning my head off to the point that my eyes are watering. I'd love to be able to have the time to take off and just recuperate from the level of stress my life always seems to be under.   The problem I encounter is when I have a down moment, and things are not moving at the speed of light and sound I don't know what to do with myself! I am so used to the high impact crash that usually happens when my battery stalls from all the overwhelming stress. The ones that take me down to the ground, and keep me there only until all the wounds scab over.   I'm not used to pulling over and letting things pass me and avoiding those high speed crashes, but I am learning and I have been making different life choices these days and it's not just about food.   Last year was a very rough year. It started at its usual break neck speed of things, and the intensity only increased throughout the year. I could write down all the grisly details, but sometimes sharing it all makes me tired and a bit sad. The events were extreme and it's a story that leaves most people staring at us with their mouths hanging open in disbelief. From January to April of last year our lives were zooming along on a roller coaster ride out of control.   New Year's Eve this year we looked at each other, and vowed that this would be the year we worry about us. The year we focus on our health and wellbeing.   A few weeks into the new year, my husband found out he would need a total hip replacement. The pain in his leg and his hip was getting worse by the second so we contacted the Hospital for Special surgery and met with the doctor, and the doctor didn't sugar coat it he told him flat out you need the surgery and that he would not touch him at his weight. He told him point blank go for some kind of weight loss surgery because you can't undergo this operation without it.   He was devastated as I was to hear that. NO one wants to hear they are fat or that they are going to continue to suffer because of it if they don't do something about it, but I had a plan and I had the perfect place for us to go! I called the surgeon I had met 2 years prior that very same day and he accommodated us, so we drove there that very same day and started our Lapband journey!   We jumped over the hurdles and through the testing hoops. We swam in the sea of the liquid diet, and we had our surgery, and in me…something was changing.   I was learning so much more about myself. Not only about the foods I was eating, but why I was eating, and when and how and as I started to look at those things…I had to look at myself. I mean REALLY look at myself deep down inside in those dark and scary corners that no one wants to venture not even me! Yes my body had changed I had all these new little lines all around my tummy. I had lost some weight and I could see that in the mirror. My clothes were fitting better, but more importantly my attitude was changing.   For me the stress never stops coming, not everything is as exceptional as the last year and Thank God for that! Something's are positive stressors like my youngest son's High School Graduation, College registrations 70th Birthday parties and 50 year anniversaries, but being part of the sandwich generation can really take its toll. My husband and I are caught between our sick and ailing parents who end up in the hospital every other week with life and death issues, from life support to blood clots to life saving surgeries decisions to be made on a dime, and our Peter Pan children who are pushing into their late 20's that seem to not want to grow up and take on the mantel of adulthood responsibility.   We are always under one stress or another, working full time long hours far from home is sometimes a good thing, but most days it just adds to the level of stress.   As I am learning what powers my body, and what it needs and doesn't need what it can and will tolerate or not, I am also learning about myself. The undue stress I endure when I run and jump and speed race for others, when I take on too many projects and take on other peoples responsibilities it adds to my already heavy burden. I have learned that just because I am capable, and can carry it doesn't mean that I have to.   I am learning to pick and choose the things I engage in, as much as I pick and choose how, what and when I eat. I love to be able to help people it makes me feel good to share the knowledge and understanding I have, or to give physical aid where it's needed, but it can no longer be at the expense of my health.   It hasn't been so easy for me to understand that I have to come first. I have to put my health and my wellbeing above the rest.   I'm learning to take deep breaths and to try and keep the stress at bay. It's not always possible and it's never easy but I'm learning to cope to work with and around things that I should not be stressing over.   In three almost four months the band has really helped me to make some major changes in my life and my lifestyle in positive ways. I don't think any weight loss would have been possible for me to keep off if I did not make some of these alterations, and I hope that I am able to continue to learn and implement new coping skills and see even more weight loss as I move forward toward my goals.   Taking the time to think about and write all this today, as boring and dreary a day as it is here, has been an awesome non scale victory for me!
lisacaron

lisacaron

2
adargie's Blog
 

Day 17, first post op appt

Haven't posted in awhile, things are going really well, I am a little over 2 weeks out and down 17 pounds, haven't moved from that in 4 days so I figure the dreaded 3 week stall is hitting. Oh well, I have learned its very common.   Went to see my surgeon today and dietician. My surgeon was amazed at my recovery,(I must say he is a cutie too!) I have not had any issues, besides nausea with the celebrate vitamins. I am transitioning according to plan. He said "you are what we like to see with this surg" that made me feel good. I have been following rules, although I snuck a peanut butter cracker in the other day. Chewed it till it was mush. I must say it was delightful! But I was satisfied with that amount, unlike before where I would have eaten 15 of them. I asked the surgeon how he closed the stomach after he cut it, (I like gory details) He said he uses titanium staples which are permanent, also sutures a type of goretex material that dissolves along the incision, and he takes some of the omentum(tissue throughout the abdomen) and sutures it around the stomach to keep it in place.(this helps with nausea) These are techniques that are fairly new and that he and his partners created and are being used around the country.   The dietician has given me the ok for soft foods and purees, what I don't get is they do not allow eggs, like egg salad or scrambled. But I can have tuna or chick salad. That was weird. I will stay on this for 4 more weeks before real food happens. I have tried mashed potatoes, refried beans and creme of wheat already no issues. I am slowly understanding the feeling of restriction now with this new food. I like to know its there. That is what keeps me on track. I do not have problems with sugar(kinda wish I did) I had a 70 calorie orange creme cicle, and no problems with it.   What I am really struggling with is the no drinking during meals, I find myself with dry mouth post op so I always have a glass of water/crystal light around. It is so hard not to reach for the glass during the meal or right after. But I am working on it.   I have noticed a change in appearance, nothing substantial, but heck I'm only out 17 days. I do tend to be a bit impatient........   This weekend could be a challenge, sat we may be going to a pig roast for a birthday, no one there knows and I don't feel like telling the story 80 times, but if I do not have a beer in my hand they will all think I am pregnant. Ugh so I may just have to pretend I am drinking. Then sunday we are going to see my husbands grandparents and take them out for their birthdays. Also, folks I don't feel like telling, number one because well people from that generation do not understand weight loss surg, and I don't feel like trying to explain myself 20 times because of hearing aids. But I also know his grandma will be pushing food on my like crazy so I may have to give in on that.   Anywho, just though I would update things. I have found a routine, I am making my own protein shakes in the morning and saving the packaged ones for at work or on the go so I don't get too tired of them. I use half a banana, one scoop unflavored unjry, one container of 100cal greek yogurt(berry) and 1/3 cup skim milk and ice. Tastes great and good consistency. Plus its like 36grams of protien. Great start to the day.   Till next time.....
adargie

adargie

1
Kristi Twisti's Reverie
 

A Happy Memory

When I got married in May, 2009 I had to be at about my highest weight. I had stopped checking my weight long before so I imagine I was somewhere around 400 pounds. Hubby and I got married at Disney and were having our photos done in one of the hotel lobbies. A woman came up to us and apologized for the interuption but said she had to tell me something. She said her small daughter had asked her if they would get to see any Disney princesses and she told her that they wouldn't until they got to the parks. Her daughter had then pointed to me and said "but mom, there's a princess!".   I know I had likely gushed my thanks at the time. I wish I could let her know what an incredibly sweet and touching gesture this was. Considering at 400 pounds, even in my wedding dress I truly looked nothing like Cinderella or any of the other princesses, but it really goes to show what beautiful souls children and even adults can have, This memory has remained with me and fluttered into my mind while sitting at work today. I've never blogged before but such a happy memory is certainly a good place for me to start. -K T
Kristi Twisti

Kristi Twisti

3
lentz1bj's Blog
 

12 Days

I'm sure it's super common to be anxious the few weeks before surgery, but I'm terrified. I'm so afraid of the anesthesia. Not afraid at all of the surgery, just afraid of the sedation.   I joined a group for September 2013 Sleevers so I hope to connect with more people who are doing the liquid diet and going into surgery around the same time as me.   Don't have much to say today other than I'm getting really nervous. Maybe it's because I've never had surgery before. Not sure.   (Don't get me wrong, I'm happy and excited for this awesome change that's taking place and I'm so grateful for the opportunity, just scared) Sigh.
lentz1bj

lentz1bj

4
Gamergirl's Blog
 

Post-Op Full Liquids Hot and Sour Soup with Egg

Modified from Bee Yinn Low's Easy Chinese Recipes.   Ingredients 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 Tbsp soy sauce 1 Tbsp Chinese black vinegar 1.5 Tbsp Chinese Rice Vinegar 1/4 tsp salt 2 Tbsp corn starch 3 Tbsp Water 1/2 Tbs Chili Oil 4 Large eggs, beaten lightly   Method 1. Mix and heat broth, sauces and vinegars. 2. In a small bowl, mix the corn starch and vinegars 3. When broth is boiling, slowly incorporate the cornstarch mix. Keep stirring and let it boil for a while to thicken the broth 4. Slowly pour in the eggs. Mix three times around with chopsticks. Turn off the flame, cover the pot and let the eggs cook slowly in the broth.   Note: to increase the protein content, I really think you could put in some extra-silken soft tofu in there. It's a lot more "liquid" than yogurt, or jello, and should go down easy. If you want, put about 2-3 oz of soft tofu before adding the eggs.   Makes 5-6 cups.
gamergirl

gamergirl

3
Roo101769's Blog
 

New day

I am in a pretty good mood right now. Have to admit I am one of those emotional rollercoaster types. Not that I am into drama or anything, I just feel things strongly. ( and often wear my emotions on my "sleeve"...LOL) You know it is bad when you shed tears watching really crazy things on tv and your four year old scolds you.."Mommy, you need to do something about all the crying". Hey, mommy is hormonal and emotional and changing her entire relationship with food after 43 years. I am entitled to a little random crying now and then. But I am getting away from the reason I am blogging today. As I have said several times I decided to start eating a diet similar to post surgery. Very high in protein, low in fat, calories and carbs. My thought process was I needed to make eating like this habit now, to make it easier on me later. I will be dealing with enough at that time, why compound it with trying to change everything I have ever done at the same time? So, as of August 1st I took on the challenge of changing my brain and how I relate to food. It has been hard at times, but not as bad as I had imagined. I guess the fact I am very focused on where I need to go makes it a little easier. IDK. Anyway, I work in a manufacturing plant and we have industrial scales used to weigh rolls of paper before shipping. They are calibrated often so I feel they are fairly accurate. I was unable to get on them August 1st because there were just too many guys around in the plant to do so. ( I am NOT ready to weigh in with an audience) So on August 2nd I was able to sneak on them with no one looking. I weighed 316lbs., which is my all time (non-pregnant) high weight. It is also the weight I had been when weighing at my doctor's, so again I feel it accurate. Well today was the first time I have been able to get on them again with no one around. I hopped on and it said 303lbs! I did a double take.. I have lost 13 lbs in 20 days!!! Whoop whoop. I am excited because I know it is getting my body to where it needs to be for an easier surgery and recovery. Of course I have already heard from a few people "well at that rate you won't need surgery". I just shake my head at their ignorance...LOL We all who have come to WLS know that is such a misconception. All this weight loss shows is just how fat I have become and how badly I have been eating. This 13lbs is a drop in the proverbial bucket. Yet I am excited that I can see I am doing the right thing. I see I can do this. I see a light at the end of my tunnel. I have hope.
Roo101769

Roo101769

0
What do you mean I'm fat?!?
 

Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

Ok, so I set my goals, got back on track, finally broke my stall.....now what?   Now....you keep doing what you've been doing, that's what! I need to remind myself that this is a change in my lifestyle - there's no end, there are stages (or levels, as Kramer would say). This is my 'stick to the plan & lose dat ass' stage. Once I get to goal, it's the 'don't mess this up' stage. But I don't ever get to go back to my old habits. Maybe I'll get to have some of the old foods I ate; a taste occasionally, but never at the amounts I used to consume. And is that really a bad thing? I'm starting to think it's not....   I decided to update my goals a bit:   Lose 20 lbs - complete!
Get under 200 lbs - complete!
Lose 45 lbs - complete!
Get to 190
Lose 50 lbs
Get to 186
Get to 180
Get to 169
Get to 160
Get to 155
Get to 150
Get to 145
Get to 140
Get to 135
Get to 125
Get to 120
Not totally inspired, but at least it gives me something to work towards! Next task - work on some NSV goals to add into this list. Because as I lose more weight the losses are going to slow down. And I know I'll get discouraged and reach for something comforting. Like a jar of marshmallow fluff.
zenandnow

zenandnow

0
Johnny99's Blog
 

4-1/2 months of calorie counting. Let's look at the numbers

Welcome back all you fat ass fanatics!     The blog is picking up a little steam. We have over 7,000 visitors from points across the globe. Invite your family and friends to join in this fat ass fun fair! We have room for all. Also, if you know of anybody currently struggling with fat-ass-i-tit-is or considering weight loss surgery, have them stop by as well. I'm proud to say that my story so far, wacky as it may be, has actually motivated others to start their own flab fight. Hey, if I can help one person lose one pound, that will be far more than I ever expected to do with a corny weight loss blog. So "CHEERS" to all you new wobbly warriors!     On to this weeks observations. Let's start with wight loss vs. waist size. I have noticed that these two do not appear at the same time. During any given week, I may struggle to show a weight loss on the scale. This PO's me something fierce. Then I put on a pair of new pants and they are too big. I'm perplexed. I didn't lose any poundage yet my pants are looser. Hmmm. And the vice-versa is also true. I can't fit into a new pair of shorts I bought, but I'm losing weight this week. It just never happens on the same day. But I ain't bitchin! It will all work out in the end. The rear end. I've also been playing with numbers in my head. I wanted to share a few with you.     0- The number / amount of any of my everyday Level 1 wardrobe that fits. I can only wear my old ties.     1- The number that will be in front of my weight in a couple of weeks for the first time since the 80's.     3- The number of new pants I have that kind of fit.     5- The number of days I have had vodka since April 9. Personal record.     6- The number of inches I have removed from my waistline. Note: I didn't even know I had a waist. Or a neck for that matter. 40.63 - The number of miles I walked last week. A few rounds of golf and a couple airports trips really adds up.     50- The number of pounds lost I will be at in a matter of days.     97,011 - The number of my steps in 40.63 miles.     20,159 - The number of calories I burned last week     (7,173) - The differential of calories in vs, calories out. According to my friend Dr. S, this should have resulted in about 2-1/2 lb weight loss. Guess what? It did.     That's just a quick look at the friendly numbers of my journey so far. I think it's pretty good for only 4-1/2 months of calorie counting. I'm pleased. I know I can't get overconfident. I've already noticed every pound comes off slower than before. I guess my body is adjusting to the new lower fuel intake. That probably means I have to ramp up the calorie burning process. And I hate the "W" word. W as is workout. I know it's part of the process and I'm determined to accelerate my activity level and defeat my inner lazybug. Maybe I'll start tomorrow. Or maybe not.     Weigh-in day next Monday and a fill from Dr. X! I will certainly be irritated if I don't hit the 50 level by then. You'll have to come back and see.     Bye now! Johnny   Stop by my blog:   TheDeconstructionOfJohnny.blogspot.com
Johnny99

Johnny99

1
vsginkc's Blog
 

'Twas the night before surgery

I have to tell you guys -- this is bizarre, but I'm actually doing ok all things considered. I'm feeling a little squirrley, but for the most part, I'm just excited it is almost here!   For those of you who are behind me in terms of timing on this journey, here have been the most challenging parts of this process:   1. Making the decision. Until I literally put down money (I'm self pay), I was having a constant dialogue about "should I or shouldn't I." It was exhausting.   2. Mourning the food. I felt like a crazy woman for the 2 weeks leading up to my pre-op diet. I ate everything I could get my hands on. Seriously. I went to a different restaurant every night. I ate until I was sick. It was horrible. And it made me question EVERYTHING -- I kept saying to myself, "You are pathetic. If you cannot control yourself better than this, then surgery will never work for you." I now know that was just self-sabotage (as was the crazy behavior itself).   3. Giving up smoking and alcohol. These were a bit tough, but not nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. I just feel like if my entire life is changing, my entire life might as well change (if that makes any sense). No use holding on to other unhealthy coping behaviors. And what's the point of getting my health risks down with the surgery if I were going to continue to smoke?   4. Thinking too much about what my life will be life after this surgery. I know this is an important part of the decision making process because this surgery is irreversible and life-changing. That said, I think I over-scared myself. I keep forgetting that the person I am today does not have the same perspective as the person I will be after surgery. For example, right now, food is the center of my world. I can't imagine life without big plates of pasta, and ice cream, and steak, (etc). But once I get used to eating with the sleeve, I am confident that other things will fill in that void. I have faith that there is life on the other side of food addiction.   Okay -- off to eat my last popsickle before I make an effort at sleep.   See you all on the other side!!!!
vsginkc

vsginkc

0
CarryOn7's Blog
 

Since I got the Call.... Plus a bit of backstory.

What a Crazy past 24 hours..   I have looked through a few website & bookmarked them. I have watched a couple peoples stories & marked a few more to watch. Then as the Appointments came & went I didn't fully know if I was going to be able to do the surgery, or when. It took a lot of inner struggling to think is this the right choice for me. Then cold calling from the net to find No doctors even though the net said their were 5 around me. Finally found one 45min to an hour away, which I have come to find out is Nothing. Compared to lots of other people. I called & had to wait quite awhile to get in. honestly looking back I think it has been a good thing, its made me know what I want & how I will make this work. then going through the Doctor Appointments & Test. Then waiting.... Then Yesterday just before, their office closed I Got The Call! AND The Date! Sept 9, I just have to do my Blood Labs, but provided nothing major is found Full steam ahead. then reality hit.... They told me to start picking up things that I needed, Protein Shakes, Supplements & a few things that make the first couple months more manageable. I had not done it due to the fact if I couldn't do the surgery for whatever reason. Thank goodness I am old school & take notes as I watch peoples videos & read blogs & of course looking through the treads on this site. I have started ordering some things online & have a shopping list. I am nervous & excited at the prospect of a New future!
CarryOn7

CarryOn7

4

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