cuteascanbelizzie

My first VSG blog and it's going to be a vent session. I am truly frustrated! Admittedly the frustration is with me. I am struggling with getting in the protein in and I don't know what to do. I am in the pureed stage and I Yesterday I almost reached the goal (60 grams) and had one cup of refried beans to go. They were tasty but at my 2nd spoonful they got stuck. Guess I was eating too fast or not chewing them up enough but they were very stuck. Fortunately, I haven't vomited since coming home but last night I was very close. After about 30 minutes of pacing the floor I drank some hot water, which helped to get the beans down but not with the wave of nausea. Today I'm back on the liquid train just so I can try to manage this well. Also, I'm wondering why some people volunteer to help during this time and they don't do anything but cause frustration. I asked a co-worker to take the lead on a project during my recovery but nothing has gotten done. I consider the co-worker a friend and this situation really made me angry. Now my students won’t get something I really wanted to give them before the break. Lastly, is the basis of all of my frustration. I really want to be the old me because it was so much easier than actually having to take care of myself. I have never really been so concerned about eating to live. Eating is a part of life so I just did it. Now what I consume is even more important than ever and I'm frustrated with feeling so restricted by my own needs. I want to be able to cook a chicken breast, chew it, swallow and be done. No puree, no liquid protein, nothing! I want to be able to make sure I get to see my students before Christmas and be able to orchestrate everything I need to for them without having to worry about adult issues. I simply want to put my needs behind me and take care of everything else first. It's what I've always done and how I've never managed to lose enough weight to become healthy. I keep praying and asking God to help me deal with me. I know I have to take this one day at a time but I need a breakthrough! If you read this cazy vent please say a prayer for me. I know that prayer works and I have faith that I’ll pull through this rut of frustration.

Today was my first day back to work since my surgery on November 21, 2011. I didn't pass out or throw up which were my two worst fears about going back to work. I had enough energy to deal with the body slamming hugs of my middle school students and even an impromtu after-school meeting. I find myself watching the clock to time my students, my meals, drinks, and make sure I'm not off schedule for vitamins. I guess its kind of like riding a bike, you feel uneasy at first but you never really forget how. I had tons of energy until I sat down on my couch and now I'm ready to hibernate. I cheated and ate a small bag of chips (my last tempatation). I think I did well enough today that I can cheat a little. I'll probably pay for it later though since my new tummy doesn't really like greasy foods. Now I'm working on lunch and dinner for tomorrow and the next day. Things I used to cook and make into 2 portions I can now make into 4. Hopefully, I won't be so picky that I can't eat the leftovers. (I haven't liked leftovers too much since surgery.) I figure if I can plan at least one day ahead I can survive. I hope I don't get too caught up with regular life and lose focus. On a different note, I got a quite a few compliments from my co-workers and a church friend yesterday. Apparently they can tell I've lost weight. I'm stalled at my initial 31 pound loss. I've attempted to resume my Wii workouts with Michael Jackson and now the Black Eyed Peas. I've also signed up for a couple of bootcamps via Living Social, Travel Zoo, and soon Groupon. I like the idea of working out with people and busting my ass at the same time. My goal is to keep a schedule of classes on my calendar so that I make time for me. So there it is I'm back on the real life wagon post-sleevery. I'm nervous but, think I can do it. I'm calling myself the Little Lizzie that Can. I think I can, I think can..

You all are inspiring!

The Michael Jackson Experience and The Black Eyed Peas Experience. I love to dance! Six or seven songs and you've done at least 30 minutes.

Thank you SO much for the food porn. My family thinks I am torturing myself by watching the Cooking channel and Food Network but I love food. I just can't eat the way I used and I'm definitely ok with that. I'm one month out and know that my sleeve is still sensitive so I will take it easy before tasting my favorite food again. Happy eating with your sleeves!

I just read all of your comments today. You guys rock! I really appreciate the encouragement. I hope and pray the best for each of you on your journeys! XOXO

I love it!

Mullet head that website is great! I needed to get some fresh ideas in the midst of this. I think I've forgotten that I know how to cook and just needed to be reminded that I had surgery on my belly and not a labotomy. Indymom thanks for the suggestions. I have developed 2 major issues since surgery: 1) I find it hard to eat the same thing over and over again and 2) my new sense of smell often dictates what I eat. That being said chicken broth has become my food enemy after being my go to during my liquid stage. I am willing to try anything just to get through this stage though, so thanks again.

Hi guys! Let me first say thanks to all of you who post your experiences because I am learning a lot. I need a little help though with this puree stage. I'm in the last few days of this stage (I hope) and it's driving me nuts. I was sleeved 11/21 and followed my 2 weeks of liquids (mostly) and now I'm in purees. I was SO excited to be able to eat hummus and refried Beans and then the mush hit my throat and took forever to go down. I went back to liquids for a day just to get myself together. I know this was cheating but I made tuna salad (without blending it, but mashed it and chewed it well) and enjoyed it and it stayed down. I've also had some (very well chewed) tortilla chips with my hummus. This actually helped to get the hummus to stay down. I felt guilty so I went back to Soup, my chili puree, greek yogurt, and Protein drinks. I can eat 1/4-1/2 cup portions in about 60-90 minutes but the beans give me somewhat painful gas and take forever to digest. I am so eager to chew that I am avoiding meals just so I can get through this phase. Anybody have any advice/foods to help me pull through the long stretch?

My GYN explained the chin hair was a result of the PCOS. Although I've never had children she inserted an IUD instead of birth control pills due to my previous high blood pressure. The estrogen boost has slowed the growth a teeny bit. We'll see how things pan out since I'm just barely a month post-op. Heredity does play a role too. Many women in my family either tweeze or get waxed. I will be seeking laser treatments too. Groupon in my city has great deals almost every month. Happy hair removal ladies!

Thanks for posting this Coffee! I'm SO glad you posted this. Thank you to those of you who gave your experienced feedback. I thought I was never gonna get out of this. I have one more week of purees and then I can get some balanced meals to get rid of the dragon breath. Yay!

Hey folks! Just a brief update. So I am halfway to the two week mark but I am beginning to struggle right now. My surgeon requires a 2 week liquid diet preop and 2 weeks post op. I had planned on trudging through while catching up on work and my favorite tv shows, however I had a death in my family. I'm not sure if this happens for you, but when someone dies in my family people bring food, lots of food. In the case of my family, people have brought something different delicious, delectable and devilishly bad for anyone. The funeral for my family member is Friday and there is a repast after the services. Arrrgggh! I'm ready to pick up a chicken drumstick and go for what I know. :banghead: In my most recent post many of you asked about advice and I will say this to anybody what I am telling myself. THIS WILL SOON BE OVER! You will be able to eat later. Give yourself time to heal and your body time to rest. The chicken, ham, fish, green beans, and mash potatoes will be there. You made a choice in order to make yourself healthy and going back to the hospital or making yourself sick is simply NOT an option. This journey is about loving yourself without using food rather learning healthy habits. I will say this though, black people have a habit of socializing around the table and right now I feel like I am separating myself because I am venting while everybody is partaking in the fresh fried fish and hush puppies. :confused5: Thank you all for being my outlet! Lastly, you can do this if I can. Honestly you can! :cornut:

Hey! I am one week post op and doing well as can be expected. No issues or pain really. The dent where my stomach was feels a little heavy and sometimes gives a dull pain. I do greatly miss eating. I will be a foodie for life so not being able to have anything at Thanksgiving was hard. The sleeve makes it easy though since I am struggling to drink 4 oz of liquid in an hour. The pain of fullness and gas are the results of overdoing so I am learning my limits early. Thursday we got a call saying my mother's youngest brother was taken to the hospital from the nursing home he was in with seizures. Turns out he had a massive stroke and died yesterday. I am concerned about traveling so early from my surgery. The trip to the funeral is 3 hours and my doc said an hour travel is about all he wants me to have right now. Any thoughts on this? I will call my doc tomorrow but I just wanted some “expert” advice.

Thank you Sandy! I made it safely and my ride had to make a stop so I was able to walk. Thanks again!

JBr, I am a week out tomorrow and understand your cravings. Are you eating filling things like diluted cream soups or protein drinks mixed with milk? Imagine is a brand of smooth creamed soups that has low fat, sodium, sugar or carbs and I dilute it with chicken broth and a little no salt seasoning. I can eat about 2-4 oz and I'm full. Once that feeling of fullness hits craving disappear. Sugar free popsicles are my friend too.

Hey folks! Just to update you I was sleeved last Monday, 11/21. I am home and doing well as can be expected. No issues or pain really. The dent where my stomach was feels a little heavy and sometimes gives a dull pain. My mother somehow managed to look after me and clean my house. In the midst of everything my birthday was great. I was at home with my family and all of our dogs so all was well. I do greatly miss eating. I will be a foodie for life so not being able to have anything was hard. The sleeve makes it easy though since I am struggling to drink 4 oz of liquid in an hour. Fullness and gas are the results of overdoing so I am learning my limits early. Keeping up with multiple medications and Vitamins is difficult since I have to space them out throughout the day, but even that's getting better. I set my phone so it can give me an alarm for each thing. I see the doctor next Monday and hopefully can move on to pureed foods. Chewing food is a treat that I will not experience until close to Christmas. I hope all is well with everyone and that your journies are blessed.