Brandilynn_Wonderland

Hey friends - story like everyone else, have done every diet under the sun, cabbage Soup, vegan, raw vegan, Atkins, ate clean and trained for a marathon, McDougal, Body for Life, MT 6 week body makeover, Quick Weight Loss Center...and ended up bigger each time than before. I researched the band and after hearing one of my girlfriends (who has horrible allergies like me) tell a story of having to get an unfill because she had a mucus plug and couldnt swallow her own spit, I realized that was NOT an option for me. Then I found the sleeve. No malabsorption - which works well for some folks, but I am leery of it, pure restriction which was great, because I was definitely a volume eater. Researched and wanted to go to Dr. Alvarez in Piedras Negras, Mexico. My husband balked at ALL of it (surgery, Mexico) and so we spent a few months going to every surgical group around here so he could educate himself and feel better about it. He realized that Dr. Alvarez had much more experience than the docs that live close to here (the most experienced had done 14 at the time) and so with much trepidation on his part - we headed on down to Piedras May 3rd, 2009. Its not been terribly long - just almost a month out, but from surgery, at this point I have lost 24 pounds, from my highest weight in April, I have lost 46 pounds. This is from last week, so its not a month out yet, but you can see the changes in my body. The other BETTER changes are, my back, hips, and ankles do not hurt so much anymore. I sleep better (while I am actually sleeping) because my back doesnt hurt me as much. I do not sleep as long as I used to - and I am not sure if that is going to change or not, but I might as well take advantage of it! I can remember being so thankful, when I took the first picture - that it was going to be my last "before" picture! I found a book of "befores" of me and was elated that I wouldnt have any more "Before, Again" pictures any more!! WHOOOT!! Know that with all surgery there is a percentage of risk, but there is a DEFINITE risk with staying obese and morbidly obese, and it only gets worse as time goes on. I am thankful to not feel so sludgey and am training for a half marathon in Atlanta in November. I finished walking my other marathon at 210ish pounds in 7 hours and 6 minutes - I am excited to see when I lean out what I can accomplish with my body - aside from power snacking and power napping! :}

I think at Wal-Mart! The little allspice pimentos are just the little peppercorns that they are before they get ground! (I think of something else when I think of pimento - olives or cheese) - but they are just unground allspice. Makes the broth SOOO rich!

I shredded 1.5 ounces of shrimp in my bullet, and then mixed it with 1/4 cup of ricotta. Put that in a bowl, covered with 1/4 cup marinara and 2 tsp of parm cheese. MMmmm, delicious shrimp faux lasagne!! Also, when I was on fulls - this next thing was my saving grace Take stew beef and put in a crock, add 1/2 head of celery (I leave in stalks), a whole huge onion, cut up in 4s, a whole garlic head and some allspice pimentos (this part is CRUCIAL to the deliciousness!). Fill the rest of the crock with Water. Cook all that in a crock overnight or all day long. Mmmmm!! You can use the broth alone (for clears) or for fulls, I took 2 ounces of the beef and shredded it (without liquid) in the bullet with the standy up blades. Then add a little water and whirr some more. This will puree it and make it without lumps, so it falls within the "full liquid" standards. I didnt blend the onions and celery, just put them in the freezer in baggies for delicious, preflavored add-ins for another day!

I have a marinade I make of low sodium soy sauce (or Bragg's Aminos is what I use) and balsamic vinegar. I add that with a touch of roasted sesame oil and spray it on my veggies to roast. Delicious!! Also, to the person who mentioned Protein - definitely getting your protein in is good, but you can also have a bite or two of good veggies with all your bites of protein. Especially as you get further out and have more room, save some room for veggies! Your BMs will thank you for it!

WhoOOOt!! You are an excellent MacPoster MacChild!! :}