Especially the liquid portion of the diet. It is important to share what it is I am taking in, if I can stomach it and so that others might find comfort in foods that are good or bad. That they can try as alternative proteins.
First is Myoplex Lite, 20g of protein in 11oz of fluid, drinking 3 of theses is half of my fluid intake. It is okay but gets monotonous. It isn't gritty or too thick so goes down well. I try to drink this three times a day but that might not happen today. Need to switch it out.
Wonder Slim (Bariatricchoice.com) Strawberry shake, can also be made into pudding, I believe it is 15 grams of protein, so that is good. It takes like Nestle strawberry mix. A tiny bit gritty so maybe next time I need colder water and to let it sit a bit.
Bariwise HotCocoa with Marshmallows (Bariatricchoice.com) This doesn't taste exactly like hot cocoa, but it fills the sweet void and covers for something different to drink. I believe it is 10-15 grams of protein. Well with in the sugar and calorie allowance for drinks. YAH
I have more drinks to taste, I have also been cooking up chicken bullion or similar items, soup broth and eating that. 5 grams of protein and just a different flavor. Nice and easy to go down.
Right now I am craving salty things so trying to behave and not cheat. Last night I did suck on a piece of cheese from the Pizza my son got. I spit out the cheese and did not even put the crust in my mouth. Just for the flavor. I was satisfied with that.
I know the liquid diet is to heal the stomach but I know I can get some mushy foods in there. LOL
It has been tough, in a way I didn't expect. I never really cared much about food, I just didn't. I always ate because I had to. Sometimes I wouldn't have breakfast until noon, and dinner at 6 and a snack at 10pm. Since being told I can't eat, I find I am watching the clock more to be sure I get the proper supplements in. It is crazy, I am such a free spirit, being a clock watcher makes me nuts, and I get hungry fairly quickly but that is what happens when you are on liquids still.
So here is how I used to eat, I used to just pick. I would make my daughter a sandwich and wait for her to finish what she was going to eat and then eat the rest. That way I am not wasting food and having a smaller portion. I also tend to pick. So today while making my daughter her lunch I gave her chips and with out thinking popped a small piece in my mouth and chewed. NO NO NO I said, not good for you. I also made her green beans and masticated the crud out of them and swallowed. Then tonight, my MIL, she is so sweet, gave me some home made chicken soup. So I took the chicken and carrots, I purreed them into a liquid form, added them back to the stock and then heated it up. Best liquid protein I have had all week.
It is hard to cook for everyone else and not be able to partake in the meal. I have stuff for alfredo so I will make a chicken alfredo for the family on Wednesday. I can't do it tomorrow, tomorrow is my sons 10th Birthday and I am taking him out to Bertuccis. I of course will be drinking water with lemon and lime while he eats Pizza. I told my husband I want to order a meal for when I can eat.
I am still feeling gassy and took my daughter out today and was in so much pain I actually got the sweats. I think it was from all the bending in and out of the car. She is slightly over the limit I am supposed to lift. So I do the lift with the legs and there is very littel strain, most of the strain is bending in the car to buckle her and unbuckle her.
That being said, I feel pretty good, my hubby is going to get me sugar free ice cream. Is that on the list? I can't find my list. LOL I will have to look it all back up. Let's pretend it is on the list.... Also, off to the gym tomorrow to drop off the application and $20.00 and I can start going, as soon as I get better control of my bowels. Those are still off and sometimes to nearly disasterous results.
I looked in the mirror today and said, "I love you enough to realize you want to loose weight to be healthy. I know you well enough to know that part of you thinks it would be cook to be skinny. I have heard you say so many times that you will not back down from a challange and you never have, so put on those boxing gloves and tell those old habits of picking to take a hike." Yah didn't neccessarily work today but there is tomorrow.
I need to meditate and concentrate on my Reiki principles and refocus my energy. Speeking of Reiki, I did it on my son today, (it is an energy work for those that don't know. Yes I am a holistic, new age, hippy girl) and he was so happy. He said, "I don't know how when you place your hands on my head I hear humming energy." He is such a sweet boy.
Speaking of boy, OH BOY am I rambling. Off to bed, tomorrow, school work, school work, and the day of Brandon.
After I hit Onederland, after a bout of the stomach virus, I gained some of it back. I am going to the Doctors again to see if I have lost anymore. None of the scales are consistant so I am over figuring out my weight. I know I am exercising and I am dropping sizes, so I am not going to worry about the number anymore. Everyone says I look so much more tone.
I did weights today, I do it twice a week because I really do hate weights, I should do it more often but I am there five days a week doing cardio/weight loss so I figure what I am doing is good enough. Still too afraid to take Zumba. All the girls at the YMCA around here are thin and I hate to be the only floppy fat girl in class. It just makes me feel like poop and I don't want to feel like poop. I KNOW it is ME not them. I will get over it, will take time.
Today I pumped up my work out and was never so glad to get home and shower, boy did I feel gross. A good kind of gross, not bad. Now I have gotten my shower in and food in my belly, 20oz of water and I am feeling pretty good. I have a doctors appointment in an hour and will see what their scale says, I am sure I will need another fill. I can still eat pretty good amounts, however, I don't want to go too low because I want to get all my protein.
Will talk to him about the hair loss also.
First of all the nurse that did my wound care was nice but wasn't following protocol. Oh well, will make sure the nurse does it right this weekend. Second of all I think I found another location that is becoming infected. I don't know what to do about it, well I do know, but I don't want to go to the Doctors and get put under, nor do I feel like having myself put through the local and a scalpel again. I keep thinking, maybe there is a way I can clear it before I have to suffer through more.
Though I am appreciating the way the lap band is helping me, I am also very frustrated because I am not dropping any sizes. The weight is coming off but the clothing size is staying the same. I am agitated because I can not actually go to the gym and start toning. UGH, I just need a break.
Today was a rough day, I was at church all day. So I grabbed a shake in the morning and 6oz of tea. Then I headed to church with a bottle of water. I went down stairs to the social hour and they ended up not having their normal fair, just snacks. They did have cheese so I took two pieces of cheese.
The trouble came when I went to my mothers and she had veggies and dip, then mozzerella sticks and junk. I took the breading off and ate just the cheese and I had some veggies. Probably not the best idea, as now I am gassy. I did stay away from all the breaded stuffy and potatoes. My hubby brought me a protein shake though, thanks to him for that.
I came home and had my Bison Chili all pureed. I was starving. It was so hard not to eat everything. With out restriction I am always hungry. So it is a battle.
Seeing as my scale is whacky and is never consistent, my lowest weight was 205.5 today, my highest was 208.5.
Feeling okay, just tired. Everyone said I looked nice today, that felt good.
SOOOOO My updates are not fantabulous but some new things have come about.
I now have a strange lump on my neck by my skull, hoping it is a cyst of some sort.
Every time I eat I get severe sharp pains on my left side under my ribs and I am concerned.
Besides that.... GUESS WHAT>>>
I am thinner than I was six months ago and hoping to keep going.
Celeste
Short and sweet, and no one thought I could do that!
I had my first fill, it was a little weird, but okay otherwise. Made me gassy. I am now trying to get down a protein shake.
SO anyone who is following knows how aggrevated I was with the infection and delay in going to the gym.
Well I took out my frustration on gym equipment for the last week. Last Thursday I was 207.8 and today I was 203.8. Four pounds in a week from living on the eliptical machine four days a week. I LOVE YOU ELIPTICAL EVEN IF MY MUSCLES hurt.
Monday I have training on the weights. So things are looking up for me, finally.
So my goal of being under 200lbs for my birthday looks much more attainable.
The doctor wants to do another fill today. I am debating because since the 3cc I am loosing weight. I do get hungry but it is usually my fault. I have lost appx 5lbs since my last visit. I just can't see getting a fill, I would like to give it two more weeks. What would you do?
I have been going to the gym faithfully five days a week. I take Saturday and Sunday off. I do weights on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I think that is enough, I do want to go Saturdays and Sundays too but I think at some point the gym becomes another unhealthy obsession so I am reminding myself that it is okay to rest my body.
Yesterday my daughter had friends over and we had all kinds of snacks out. I didn't eat one thing, I was soooo proud of myself. I am working hard at loosing this weight. No snacks right now for me.
I feel good and think I will be moving down to a size 18 soon. That means I am not too far off from a size 16 and that thrills me to no end. I haven't been a sixteen in probably 8-9 years.
I am working hard at this, this isn't, "band in, miracle cure" sort of thing, I am literally working my butt off. At the gym I work off between 270-450 in calories depending on how long I stay and going about two miles a day at the gym. I hope to keep myself in this mind set. I know sometimes it can be hard, there are days that the personality kicks in and I think, "One day off is okay." However, it is that exact thought that leads to the next day off and the next day off. I did one of my out loud moments that I am known for and I growled at the weights. The guy next to me laughed and I looked at him and was like, "was that out loud?" He nodded and I kind of shrugged. He looked at me and said, "I think that some days too." I looked at him and he was fit, tone and muscular and I said, "Does it get easier once you are fit?" He shook his head, "No, it's the same thing. You have to remind yourself that in order to maintain this, you have to keep at it." I growled again and he laughed.
Every day I step on the scale my son comes to see my results. Well today I am 210.5 and he is soooo excited for me. He is jumping around going woohoo. IT's OUR birthday he said. I laughed. He keeps me inspired I tell you.
So today I am going to have to go out again. My son is with me so he is going to help with Alexanderia. He gets his B-day off. Will let you all know how my day goes.
I think we all have different reasons for being here. Some people have eating issues. Some people, no matter what they do they gain weight or can't get it off. Some people have medical conditions that cause them to gain weight, or they are on certain meds that caused them to gain weight and they can't get it off.
I think that it is important to not assume that everyone has eating issues. It is important to not assume everyone has a medical condition.
For people who have eating issues, I have a friend going through this, the battle with food is constant and it's hard. It isn't anything that is easy and a surgery like this isn't going to solve the problem alone. Therapy and other follow up care is usually needed. My poor girlfriend who is struggling with eating issues is working hard to correct her relationship with food and decided that she is going to get surgery to help with the weight loss now. Her relationship is starting to turn around thanks to therapy and so she is planning on the surgery. I constantly offer her support and sometimes she lets me know what her food plans are for the day.
For me, one of my guiltiest things is eating out. I put on most of my weight when I was in my 20's. I had money to burn and instead of cooking I ate out a lot. I had a gym membership when I had a good job and I lost a great deal of weight that I put on. I got pregnant with my son and things went down hill. The company I worked for closed, money became tight, I was a single mother so we were living off of Hot Dogs, Macaroni and cheese, corn and green beans. I had to make do with what I had. I began to put on a pound a week. My 130 frame ballooned with in a year. While I was working I started falling asleep at the wheel driving. Finally found out my thyroid was a mess, and that I needed meds. I took meds for a six months when an Endocronologist said, "stop the meds, you are soo young and it isn't that bad." Hoshimotos took over my body for the next 7 years, putting on weight, more and more, no matter how I ate I gained. I became pregnant with my daughter and was rushed over to a new Endo and they were concerned. The put me on meds right away for the babies health. I started to regulate again and lost 15lbs during pregnancy. I gave birth to my daughter and became depressed. I probably ate some things I shouldn't have. I put back on the 15lbs and decided enough is enough. I went back to the gym and altered my diet again, to meat and veggies. I had a personal trainer and I kept a strict food diary. I counted calories, fat, carbs and sugars. I worked hard at the gym 5 days a week and on saturday and Sunday would walk. I went back to the gym and was measured after a week I gained half a pound and my trainer assured me that I am probably just gaining muscle faster than loosing fat. I worked my muscles and cardio for 5 weeks. I went from 220 to 230. In my frustration I decided it didn't matter anymore and for six months fetl sorry for myself. I ate brownies and cookies and only put on 4lbs. I went to my OBGYN sobbing, sobbing my eyes out and said, "I just can't live like this anymore, what are my options." He was very sympathetic and he believed me, seeing other women fight with weight loss. "Once you put it on you can't get it off and sometimes it isn't even anything specific you do to put it on. You don't have to do one thing wrong to create this weight issue, you could do everything right." He suggested the band and I followed up with my primary, who also suggested the band.
So here I am, finally loosing weight and feeling great. I have no desire to eat brownies anymore. My biggest love is chocolate and I only give myself two days that I can treat myself, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I haven't had a fill up to this point so the hunger was making me crazy. We have chips, chocolate, cookies, etc in the house. The kids get cookies every couple of days as a snack so I thought, "what if I allow myself that same kind of limit." My kids are tall and thin, my son is ten and weighs 91 lbs and is all muscle, my daughter, tall, thin muscular girl. They are beautiful and people never think they are my kids.
People assume if you are fat it is what you eat, that kills me. If it was just our dining habits I would have round kids too. My husband is heavy and admits his problem is with food. He loves food, loves the taste of food, I on the other hand could careless about food. I eat because I have to. I watch his family fill there plates to the brim, two or three times. It is crazy and it makes me sick to think about eating that much food.
Anyway, that is all. I guess I am just tired of the assumptions of how people gain their weight. I am so tired of people judging us based on our weight. "Oh that person is over weight so they must be binging, or that person is over weight so they must be trying to heal themselves with food, that person is over weight so they must eat out all the time." It is funny, if you go out to eat when you are overweight people assume you must do this a lot. One of the things I do when I go out to eat is get a take out container right away and cut out just a small portion of the meal to eat. I have done this forever, a lady looked at me weird when I said, "it helps to reduce the calories I take in, out of site out of mind." Then she looked at me like I must eat it all on the way home or something. I then cut that 2/3s of the meal in half again and eat that at home as seperate meals, or my hubby eats it.
I am not fat because I don't know how to eat or how to count calories. I don't use dressings, I have always used low fat mayo and less then the "amount" of the serving listed on the label. I could not do anything more than I had already done to loose this weight. I thought, fought and cried myself to sleep because I did not want to die in a few years because I am fat. I wanted to be able to chase my kids around on the beach or play in the yard. I did not want surgery, I wanted surgery even less than I wanted to be fat. I was sure I should be able to do this on my own and when I couldn't I was crushed. Before my thyroid and PCOS was really bad, Weight watchers worked. Now it didn't, before the gym and diet worked, now it didn't. Now it was time to find a solution that did and this is working.
I just wish the world would stop judging, even those who suffer from obesity. We need to not only stop judging others and their journey, but we need to stop being so harsh on ourselves. So what if we only loose half a pound one week, it means we get back on track the next week, don't let guilt take you over. We all have off days, off weeks, but it doesn't mean we can't bring ourselves back around.
I have studied addiction, I study psychology, I understand the process when the mind becomes our worst enemy, be it chemical or circumstantial.
We must remember to love ourselves in order to heal our souls and forgive ourselves.
Even if medical conditions got us here, at some point we gave up on ourselves and just started living life and not worrying about it. Like the problem would resolve itself. I am glad I waited this long, as I wasn't obese enough for surgery until about four years ago and then I ended up pregnant and back on hypothyroid meds. I thought that, coupled with excercise I would start loosing. When I didn't, this time, I didnt hit ground zero depression, I went to my doctors and asked what there was to help me. I am being proactive, and to me that is the best gift I can give myself and my family.
My son said to me the other day, "Mom, pretty soon I will be able to wrap my arms tight around you, you are loosing weight and looking great." I looked at him and smiled he then said, "and even better you are feeling better, you are doing more and you smile a lot more. I am so happy you are my Mom." He is ten and he is one of the blessings I am fighting this fight for. My two and a half year old needs a Mommy for the next 16 years and I want to do my best to be here.
Dear Blog, (and anyone that reads)
Today I woke up and took my levothyroxine with 6oz of water per the usual. I waited my hour and took my protein shake. I nearly threw up. I just am starting to have a hard time with the shakes and think it is more psychosamatic then anything wrong with the shakes.
So blog, if you could please have a talk with my mind and body, explain the rules, I would be appreciative because they are not listening to me.
Dear Mind and Body,
It has become evident that there have been some big changes. Stomach lets start with you. You have officially been married to the entire body. You see that ring around you? That is to remind you how important you are. How important it is for you to feel full, stay full and digest food so that the rest of the body and mind can stay healthy. We apologize as the ring will get tighter until you get to a point that you understand this job completely, once reached we will stop squeezing, promise. Enjoy the liquids and not having to work too hard on digesting, you almost get a little mini vacation. Imagine the warm liquids like the warm sun on you, with the waves rushing by. Relax stomach, things will be better.
On to you mind. Poor stomach is trying to accept the new roll that was placed on them and you have to go make it difficult. The protein shakes and meals that stomach needs to help body are neccessary and will help stomach be more helpful to you and body. If you do not allow stomach to take in and digest these elements you will become nothing but a pile of mush and body won't have the energy to even pick up that book and read. Celeste won't be able to let you complete your school work, so stop and enjoy the protein, imagine it's a piece of filet mignion. Thanks.
Oh and Body, a few more weeks and you will start feeling and seeing the difference. Put faith in stomach and tell the mind to shut up and all should be good. Now I know you have always had a pretty light gag reflex but you need to get that under control for just a few more weeks. You are doing great. Oh and Body, yes it was normal to get so tired after grocery shopping in a wholesale club, those places are huge. So rest easy you are doing well.
Much love,
The Blog that has to listen to all the complaints about you guys not listening!
Dear Blog,
Thank you for the letter, I can not be sure that the notes will help this system to work together, but I can hope.
Love,
C
:cursing:
So I switch to mushy foods, and I am eating only mushy foods like protein, which I either blend or masticate until it's nothing. I am not drinking with my food. So why is it that I put weight back on? I think it is time to go for a long walk with the kids today. The problem is the muscles in my stomach still get sore.
I am a little sad, most people loose like 20-30lbs at this time but it appears my body is going into starvation mode and just storing my food to fat. Is that even possible? Dropping my $20 and application off at the gym and tonight, it is eliptical time.
Does anyone know if it is safe to take Senna laxative, I have had loose bowels and now constipated. I was expecting this because of my IBS history, any suggestions?
Yesterday was a horrible day food wise, read the blog. I didn't spread out my proteins at all. I put on a half a pound. I am really still exhausted today and trying to get my protein down.
Seeing as I can have mushy foods I think I am going to make eggs today. These protein shakes are taking a lot out of me.
I am having horrible fatique episodes and feel kind of dizzy most of the day. I am trying to put proteins in every 2 to 3 hours, in fact I watch the clock. I am sad that I put on that half a pound. I think it was just lack of fluids yesterday. I hardly peed, so back to the drawing board.
Pump my fluids up and keep with my protein shakes and some little mushy things. Thinking of you all going through this with me. I am just HATING this dizzy feeling for the last two days.:scared2:
Day 6: It is starting off slowly....
First day home alone with the two and a half year old princess of a daughter.
Last night I didn't sleep well and went to bed way to late. I tried to elevate myself a lot more to prevent the pain in my chest from gas when I wake up. This morning was much better, just minus the waking up due to lack of comfort. What made me very upset is waking up to the sound of ice and snow pelting the window. Why? You may ask.
My son had to bring his project to school today. So this meant I knew I had to drive him. This also meant I had to wake up the 2 and a half year old princess. Which I did, to her dismay. I had to carry her 28lb body down to the car and get her into the car seat that was in the middle of the back seat. Oh so not easy, but I feel okay and not like I pulled anything. Mind you I had to carry her back into the house. She doesn't have snow boots yet and would not have been able to walk.
That being said, I made my own spreadsheet for tracking purpose. I like the one that the doctor gave me but I wanted to make my own that was more all inclusive, this way I can be sure to not only track fluid and protein, but have a place to check off my vitamin supplements so that I remember.
I am feeling okay, down 5lbs since surgery. So one week, 5lbs, that is what my doctor said I should be doing. AND I cheated, I sucked out the center of a chocolate covered cherry. Ouuu, and I have been eating mushy carrots with mushed chicken. IN fact to day I am going to buy some chicken and make my own chicken soup for the mushy phase fast approacing.
Much love to all.
Tues 7:30am, Wed 7:30am 1st 24 hours
Wed 7:30am, Thurs 7:30am 2nd 24 hours
Thurs 7:30am, Fri 7:30am 3rd 24 hours
Fri 7:30am, Sat 7:30am 4th 24 hours
Why am I posting this? To keep myself in line. It feels like forever and I am only 4 days out post op. Of course I am still going to have pain and discomfort. Of course I probably haven't lost weight yet as the swelling isn't completely down.
My sister-in-law sent me a get well card in instead of saying, get well she said "get skinny." It made me chuckle.
Yesterday I was laughing as my daughter was going to sleep she said, "Daddy got a stinky butt, mommy got boo boo belly, dogs no shu up! Baby needs to lay down go ni ni. Lay down baby lay down." I was in a barrel laugh and let me tell you that hurt.
I took no pain meds yesterday at all and don't plan on taking any today. I should be good. I am in a lot of burning pain but I think that is muscle healing. Trying to follow directions to the best of my ability.
Planning Thanksgiving dinner is giving me something to look forward to. I am making dinner with my mother and I am excited. It is our old family dinner. Only thing I am going to miss is Pop Overs because I am going to only be on a mush diet. I am going to bring my little blender for the Turkey. I will take one little bite of the stuffing. I will freeze a portion of the meal for later.
I am feeling really good right now. Feeling aggrevated that I can't eat yet. I know it is for healing purposes though. One day at a time. One day at a time.
Celeste
I only had pain meds three times yesterday. Once when I woke up at like 3 am and slept on the wrong side. Once in the afternoon and just before bed. I feel pretty good today and am not taking any pain meds. I am going to try to get up, shower and go get myself some new sneakers for the gym, and maybe get my hubby to buy me some new work out clothes. he he
Other then that, I am a little sore today, nothing more then when my trainer one time pushed me to the point of nearly tears. I had to take advil for three days just to go to work. LOL So it isn't any worse than that. I am feeling, overall, really good. Just hungry. I am getting my protein in and sharing the wealth by making my hubby try everything I am drinking. My doctor said if I want to start mushy foods seven days out that I could start that, I will of course call him first.
Looking forward to the last of the gas to be gone soon. Don't think I have lost any weight yet, but I am not in a rush. I just want to get through the post op gas crap and then move forward to the eating better foods and exercising part!
I came across some challenges today. It was an interesting I wasn't expecting some of the challenges. One was in the afternoon I kept falling asleep. I took an nap and was fine, woke up at 5 and then fell asleep again at midnight.
I first laid down on my left side, then woke up to pee and thought I would try to sleep on my right side. HUGE mistake! My port site was so sore I couldn't move at 5am this morning. My husband helped me get up and walk it out. I then propped myself up with pillows and slept on my back until 8:30.
I was making my son Popcorn with butter last night and I wanted to take a bite. I always eat a few pieces and give him the rest. I was thinking how good it smells and then thought of eating it and how awful it would be.
A few muscle spasms this morning, took my Levothyroxine and now I am resting. My daughter keeps wanting me to pick her up. The doctor said no lifting 10lbs for two weeks. I am doing my best.
My incision is leaking a bit. NOt sure if this is normal. I am going to take a shower and then dry the incision site. Still gassy and hoping that goes away soon. Right now I am glad I live and take care of my disabled father because the handlebars around the toliet have been so helpful and I think that the shower chair will be nice.
Feeling okay, a little painful, trying to get one bottle of water down and I can't eat for an hour after my levothyroxine so then I will try to get some protein down.
My name is Celeste. I have been battling the bulge for ten years now. After a long time of diet and exercise only causing me to gain weight I thought I was hopeless. I went to my OBGYN for my yearly check up and mentioned the Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome and asked if there was a way to help control the weight. He looked down and frowned a bit, "the only thing I have seen help people loose weight in this situation is banding." The next day I went about looking at the surgery details. I think that was in May or June, everything has blurred together now.
I was suddenly at the end of a six month journey and was told, "you are approved, we can do surgery November 2, 2010." I quickly accepted and jumped on board. This is what I wanted after all, wasn't it?
With no second thoughts about what the procedure could help me with I agreed. As I got closer the fear of going under hit me. Like a ton of bricks, to the point I had a panic attack in the OR. Nothing a little bit of drugs couldn't help with I suppose. The Anesthesiologist said to me, "you have to be sure you want this procedure done or I won't put you out." I looked at him and said, "I have to be sure you are going to wake me up." He nodded and off I went.
My doctor, Doctor Gedeon of Bristol told me he was going to do the surgery a new way. With one incision in the belly button. It is less invasive and because I was skinny it would work. So when I woke up I was thrilled to see no wholes in me. YAH! I was feeling pretty good as a general rule. I was only suffering gas pains. I went from 11:30am (the time I finally woke up) until 8:30 that evening with out pain meds. I got up and walked twice at that point. From that point on I walked whenever I could.
Of course with all the IV fluids I had to pee a million times, thus not sleeping that well. I rested most of the day dozing on and off as it was. When it came around to the morning time I was needing pain meds every 5-6 hours and honestly, I was allowed them every two hours. The nurses said how strong I was to be so determined and self reliant. In the morning they carted me down to do my swallow test, ouuu that was disgusting tasting but not the worst. The x-ray technician that took an X-ray of my stomach said to me, "you had lap band, but your so skinny." I laughed, in the last ten plus years of my life I have never been called skinny.
My doctor is great, I love the staff. They are very good and gave me great guidelines to live by. Once on solids only eat 1/4 cup at a time. Eat all your proteins first and make sure they are solid proteins. One does not want to add the extra calories of liquid protein once on solid foods unless it is a case of needing a carry along meal. Vitamins will be my new best friend and my doctor expects my weight to drop pretty fast. He read the review from the Psychologist and the guy said, "motivated and determined to not just loose fat, but life a healthier life style. She doesn't appear to have food attachments and looks to be ready to stop letting her health control her life." He said he had never seen such a glowing review from the Psychologist, but here I am digressing.
I am now home, day one, my two and a half year old has already tried to jump on me. She knows something is wrong and doesn't know how to approach me, but is giving me lots of kisses. My ten year old is thrilled to see that I am "alive" and well. He is being gentle and loving and trying to help out with his sister as much as possible. My husband is taking on all the duties of a husband and helping out with everything. I am uncomfortable today and in a decent amount of pain. My last dose of pain meds was 11:30 and I took another dose at 5:30. I want to remember that there is pain so that I do not push myself too hard and get hurt. If I forget I have limitations I know I will hurt myself. Trying to force down some broth and protein shake. It's a slow go but I do not want to get sick from trying to drink this stuff.
I read somewhere some people say they were dreaming of food after. I AM TOO!!! I dreamt of a nice crisp salad, then I dreamt of stuffed mushrooms and I watched a cooking show on television. Oddly though, I had no desire to eat. My mind is processing out why my body isn't asking for these things. I hope I dream about pot roast tonight. Getting in my head what to do for Thanksgiving. My Mom and I are cooking it together, with her in ICU last week and finally out, me out of surgery starting a new life, this is so going to be our blessed holiday this year. After two deaths in the family this year and a close call for my Mom, everything should go up hill from here.
I love to write about how I am doing. It just gives me pause first thing in the morning to think about what needs to be done. Then in the evening it gives me pause to reflect on what I did do and how I might improve my following day. Writing about it gives me something to look back at.
Good news, my scales battery is going, which means the readings are all over the place, first thing this morning it said 207.5 that would be down 2 lbs, I stepped on it twice and got the same reading, then 30 minutes later I wanted to show my hubby the good news and it came up to 211.5 and then the Lo batter light started flashing. So I am thinking the 207.5 is correct. Seeing as I was 209 two days ago.
I don't know why I enjoy stepping on the scale every moring. Just knowing that I am loosing something, because right now, the surgery is still sort of surreal. It's not like I feel anything around my gut, ya know. So it is just odd to me that this could even be working. I sort of just feel like I am on some weird diet. I know once the restrictions start to come in play it will be different.
Well I am off to get some Cream of Wheat and dthen bring my protein with me along on this crazy busy day. Wishing you all the best.
What is the best thing about the band for you? Besides the weight loss? I mean, after a while do you even realize it's there? Does it just become a habit change, little to no thought goes into it? I wonder and I am hoping so!
I have been away because I haven't had much to post. Still going to the gym, trying to stay healthy, eat right, though I have had a few bad things, but I call the treats. I really do go to the gym 5 days a week and if I only make it 3 I do not beat myself up. I think all in all I need another fill because I can still eat the same amount almost as before. Though food sometimes gets stuck. I just don't want the amounts to be so small that I can not keep up with my protein.
Oh and hair loss? Any tips to helping with that, my protein is on target so not sure why the loss of hair.
This morning when I woke up it isaid I was 199.8. I know there is no way I lost a pound in two days. But I appreciate it trying to cheer me on like that.
Today the gym was 45 minutes on the eliptical, next Monday is weights with the trainer. Ouuu I dislike weights soooo much. I hate my arms hurting, I admit it, I would rather stay on the elipitical all day then hit the weights but I know it is a second part of my loosing weight and becoming healthier.
1. How much weight do you want to loose?
2. Are you doing this to be skinny?
3. What is your favorite food you can't eat anymore?
4. Are you allowed to eat anything good?
(Seriously, of course, all in moderation.)
5. Why would you do this to your body? (Why would I stay fat? Which is more damaging you moron, both have risks, this option was actually considerably less.)
6. Won't you just gain the weight back? (Sure if I go back to old habits or carb load, but with the SUPPORT of friends I will be fine!)
7. Did you try diet and exercise first? (DUH? Of course, you have to.)
8. Are you ever going to be able to eat real food again? (Nope, just mushy cat food the rest of my life. Do you really think I would have done this if I could never eat REAL food again?)
Feel free to add your questions that have annoyed you! LOL:eek:
It is funny, going through this process I was totally okay with not loosing quickly. I understood that everyone looses at their own rate and that it is a journey, I need to make adjustments based on my body. Then you get here and you are like, "Why the heck is the scale jumping around all over the freaking place." I have resorted back to a protein shake during the day to increase my protein and to get myself back on track. I am starving and was eating a packet of Cream of Wheat and that is something my body does not like.
That is one thing I am learning very quickly, carbs do nothing for me but put on weight. So no more mashed potatoes and bread. I need the fiber though so will talk to the doctor today about fiber supplements. I am nervous about seeing the doctor today, what if there scales make it look even worse.
Sigh, it will get better and my doctor will be thrilled that I am honest and self aware enough to know what I am doing wrong.
I WANT TO GO TO THE GYM!
That is all.
