Dondie Olivia

Today was GAWD awful. It was all good up until around 4pm. A friend told me that another friend was murdered. I was shocked!!! I'm torn up. All of us were in Law Enforcement. She had to retire due to health reasons. She was sprayed by a crop duster and lost use of over 40% of her lungs. Her estranged husband, who is also law enforcement, shot her several times. They were due in court for divorce the next day. Her children were in the house. My poor friend and her children. He ruined 5 lives and the children lost both parents. This has really upset me. She was strong, strong willed, funny and quick. I teased her by calling her Tackleberry. Being in Law Enforcement is difficult. Especially for women. Before being sleeved, I would have hit the food. I didn't feel the need for that. I did have one martini in her honor. I did not binge, I did not over eat. I ate healthy. Granted, I did have a martini, however, my perspective has altered. Instead of seeking comfort from food and pounding down the hurt and pain under food and fat, I am experiencing the grief. Facing it head on and not hiding. That is new for me. What a major test! As for my friend........where ever you are....you are missed.

I was sleeved 3-25. I am one of the few in this world who had never had surgery, broken bone or children. So it was new to me. Upon waking from surgery, I felt a lot of pain. I was moaning it hurt so much. Then I threw up. That didn't help. My shoulders hurt at that time. The pain killer they gave me knocked me out again. I woke up a few hours later. No pain in shoulders, the stomach pain was tolerable. The pain never got too bad. I never had gas pain. Some say when they pull out the drains it hurts. Mine didn't. The nurse said that it WOULD hurt. He pulled it out and it felt odd and I felt my stomach move. There was no pain. The other drain I didn't even feel. I don't do well with pain and have a low tolerance. Too much pain, I pass out. I did well. Realize, everybody feels pain differently. We could all tell it exactly and yours could be different. Don't fear. Fear is useless and causes delays in reactions and wasted emotions. Just do it. I have found all I listed above as minor to the improvements to my health.

ACK Grammar error. It is have come up or came up with. I apologize it slipped my grammar radar.

One of the guys I worked with talked about a new "muffin" recipe using instant oatmeal. Beat 1 egg add 1 package oatmeal to the egg and stir. Add any fruit you like. Nuke 1 minute 15 seconds. I don't buy instant oatmeal. I do have some organic quick cooking oatmeal and played with this recipe and come up with something I think works well and is rather tasty, low sugar and few carbs. 2 Tablespoons dry oatmeal 2 ounces milk 1 egg, beaten (because it's a bad egg and deserves the beating) Spices Any sweetener you choose (2 Tablespoons Xylitol) Any fruit (If you want fruit) I chose dried blueberries....because I had them and they are unsweetened. Beat the egg, add spices and sweetener. Mix well. Add the oatmeal and fruit. Yes, mix again. You can do this in a cup or bowl. I then nuke about 2 minutes. The length of time is up to you, yet I suggest at least a minute. Total calories, not counting the fruit..........208 total carbs, not counting the fruit 9.75 9 grams of fat total Protein 9 It filled a void and was quite tasty. You could use almond or soy milk and I imagine you could add Protein powder to it for more protein. I am still experimenting.........perhaps I will play with apple sauce. Just so many choices. Hmmmmmmmm perhaps a bacon with maple flavoring. That would definitely taste like Breakfast of old.

I realized today that my sleeve deserves a whole new name. I was going with "she who must be obeyed". As of today it it "The heartless, ruthless, soul sucking, b%tch from h3ll." For over a week, I have been having problems. Oh no, "she' that vile creature from h3ll, couldn't let me know right away that something didn't agree with me. "she" had to wait over 30 minutes to let me know. First time, new to me Protein shake. Vega one. All was well and good and then BAM!! The torture began. Hot flashes, cramps, stomach pain, the urge to throw up and that ever relentless pain. After about 3 hours, it eased off. I did feel like hammered poop the rest of the day, but I got through it. Today, I went to the grocery store. I had my why bother, decaf, sugar free, fat free coffee. I get coconut crusted talapia and chicken breasts. Come home and decide to eat part of a chicken breast ( I was hungry), then go to the consignment shops and find some clothes that fit. I get there and start trying on clothes. I get 18s, too big. I grab some 16s, a little tight but I know I will fit them soon. (at this point I'm grinning like a loon and looking in the mirror and say you got to a 16). Then like a cat deciding to pounce, a little pain. Ok, thinking I'm a little excited, I can deal. Grab more clothes to try on, the pain get worse. Look at my watch, 45 minutes since I ate. Ok, I'll buy the dress I like and leave. Then it really hits. It feels like someone has grabbed my chest and started squeezing. Ok, play time over, time to go. I give the clothes back and leave, hunched over and gasping like a smoker trying to yell bingo. While driving home, the pain moves. To my back and lower stomach. I unzip my pants, eases the pain. The upper chest is really bothering me and I pull at my bra. At this point I'm thinking is this a heart attack? Chest hurts, back hurts....the neck doesn't hurt, no tingling in the left arm. Besides, had the old ticker checked in March. All normal. Pulling on the bra seemed to ease some pain so I think, I could slip the bra off, not pretty, but I'd feel better. I didn't do it. Don't want anybody to look over and go blind while screaming UNSEE!!! I finally make it home and as the garage door is closing I'm ripping off clothes. It eases the pain but what the h3ll?! Not my typical allergic reaction. It feels like an allergic reaction. I get two tylenol. It kicks in and I begin to feel better. Then the diarrhea hits. I'm thinking good thing I didn't fart. We all know not to trust a fart. So my sleeve is acting like a cat. It ignores me for the longest time, then goes berserk. Why? Who knows why cats do things? Because they are cats. Sleeves belong in the same category. You give cats catnip to make them happy. What do you give sleeves? Maalox? These new developments are frustrating. That heartless b&tch called a sleeve is constantly changing the game. That reminds me again....sleeves are like cats.

You can count me in the slow weight loss. I just hit 51 lbs in 6 days short of five months. I suppose I have had many stalls. I did stress it, then I took a step back and looked at the whole picture. It could be several factors. Thyroid problem, age and I think you need to get to a point where you don't care about food anymore. It's not an all consuming factor anymore. I don't want to cook, when I do, I want it over quickly. It feels like an obligation to cook and I dread it. LOL Besides, you cannot compare yourself to others. This is YOUR journey. Your path will differ from others. This whole experience is about learning about yourself and moving beyond where you were. Seeing what you hid from yourself. Enjoy the journey.

I've made an appointment with my doc and I started a natural remedy which eases the pain and eliminates gall stones.

I had my first one and I feel horrible. My stomach hurts and I just feel bad with hot flashes. I will never have another one. I have a lot of allergies, I wonder if there is something in this that could be added to the list. Something I have never had before, sacha inchi, is included in the powder.

Finally, ty. My body attempted to throw up. The stomach cramps are fading. The same kind of cramps I get from another allergy. No clue what caused it. I will never use this again. My body rejects it.

I am aware this is frustration. In July I lost 3 lbs. I'm working out harder than ever. I've lost inches, not pounds. Yes, that's good. I'm asking you guys what you do to kick it up a notch or what you do when you hit a stall? Yes it happens and yes it is frustrating. I have a wedding at the end of October and I'm aiming for a size 12. That is the goal I have been focusing on. Not the amount of weight, the clothing size. I'm looking for advice to reach that goal. Please, chime in.

I had some cooked meat with bbq sauce yesterday. It did not agree with me. Stomach rumbles, lots of gas and the bathroom was a good friend today. For me, when I have problems, those are the problems I develop. Rarely do I get stomach cramps or pain. When I do, I stop. I've tried some things with sugar, but it seems to be too sweet. I now LOVE my stevia.

Haven't touched cereal at all. If I did, it would be buckwheat or oatmeal. Then I would load it with some Protein and probably add salt, no sugar or butter. I too am watching the carbs. Gotta keep it low.

I did all kinds of research on sweeteners before my surgery. No splenda, aspartame or sucralose were worth it, plus all the research found pointed to the fact that they were basically poison. Splenda is far too similar to DDT. There is xylitol, made from trees. You can also work with monk fruit. There is a sweetener made from that. Then there is erythritol. This one is made from corn. Oh, I almost forgot. There is fructose. Made from fruit. Which stevia did you use? Was it organic or the kind bought in a regular grocery store? There is a version of stevia sold with a combination of artificial sweetener and stevia. As for the plain Protein powder, you could still make your own drinks. Not just warmed up. Add some fruit or flavoring. Like vanilla, maple, lemon or almond. The fruit could add some sweetness. You would have to stick with simple fruits right now. You could use watermelon juice or apple juice with some vanilla for flavor. I would make Protein Drinks with apple juice and avoid the milk. Very tasty. If you care to, message me and I can come up with more suggestions for sweeteners or do more research. I was determined that after the surgery I would do mostly organic. In my opinion, most artificial sweeteners are poison and should be avoided at all costs.

I realize that sometimes people are rude. I also realize many people will be mean to you after the surgery, due to jealousy, envy or plain old spite. I work with a particular female who may quite possibly be off her rocker. Lets refer to her has L. I will walk by her office and say hey, things are fine. Later in the day I may say something about the fax machine and she will flip me off. Yes, very odd. Today, another woman I work with (call her M) and I were talking about the rowing class we take together and how sore we were. L interjects herself into our conversation and said "Oh you have to drag Dondie to the rowing class." M said "No. She is highly motivated. She makes sure I go to class." L has a stupid smile on her face. Two weeks ago, L walked up to me and said "You need to buy new clothes." She grabs my shirt and tugs, "these are too big." I looked her in the eye and said "I am losing weight and don't care to buy clothes until absolutely necessary." Her response? "Oh. Good point." She walked away. I do my best to avoid L. Hard to do in a small office. I will purposely not speak to her. She will follow me. I try to avoid her, doesn't work. It isn't like this person is young. Mid 40s. At her age, she should know better. Before anyone asks, yes, she is overweight. She could stand to lose 50 or so pounds. How do you guys deal with such behavior? I would love a snarky, pithy comeback.

I am taking rowing classes at a fitness center. Part of last Saturday's class was planking. I did it as instructed. It works!! Sun-tues I was very sore. LOL I'm ready for class tomorrow. Nothing like a really good work out. )

Yep, I agree with RJ. You are detoxifying. Now that what is eaten has changed, all the additives, nitrates and preservatives are being eliminated. This is a good sign and short lived. Soon your skin will be clear and you will feel much better.

I've read reports that people with thyroid problems do better after the surgery. Also, taking synthroid, you are more likely to develop diabetes and heart problems. That is why I take armour. I've been tested after surgery and I'm on the same dosage. If it changes, so be it. For me, the benefits out weighed the disadvantages. Remember, problems from surgery can arise for anybody and from any time of surgery. Not just for people with thyroid problems. Albeit, the chances are small. And please remember, there are many in this world who have no scruples about using scare tactics. Take reports and anything you find online with a big dose of salt. For me, within the first week after surgery, my BP dropped to normal levels. I consider that a biggie. I was taking a BP drug and something to control the symptoms from the drug. Now I only take armour. I feel better, have more energy and see that I will not be a fat, old lady. Which was my goal. To get healthy and avoid problems while getting older. It was Einstein who stated" Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over and expecting different results." I am paraphrasing. May I suggest that you consider what you truly want? What are you willing to give to get what you truly want? What are your goals? Which ever path you choose, it is a commitment and we are behind you 100%.

Ran across something in the grocery store and it turned out to be a great find. Frollicks. All cheese crisps. Low fat cheese that is baked. 8 grams of Protein, 90 calories in one bag. Gotta love crispy cheese.

I was sleeved 3/25/14. Before surgery, I absolutely loved cooking. Couldn't get enough of it. Couldn't wait to eat what I cooked. Now I am ambivalent. I don't really care to cook anymore. I will do it, however there doesn't seem to be a joy in it as before. I have also noticed a change in my attitude toward food. I look at it as a necessity instead of a craving. Cooking is the same way and I now consider it a hassle. lol I don't mind frozen dinners now, as long as I don't have to cook. Atkins dinners are great and are more than one meal, low carb and full of Protein. Talk about a 180! It seems to be a get in and get out as quickly as possible. It's take care of the food issue, it doesn't matter what it is. No lingering in the kitchen. I still care about taste, not like I used to. I find myself having to eat to get the protein. What a difference this all makes. Anybody else noticed a similar change?

In the old days, before penicillin, vinegar was used. When I was younger I had sore throats, strep throat and tonsillitis quite often. My doc told me one more incident and I would have the tonsils removed. My grandmother told me to start using vinegar. 1 teaspoon in a glass of Water, at least 3 times per day. I would even take a teaspoon straight. Since then and in over 35+ years, I still have my tonsils. I have had strep throat twice since that time. I rarely get a sore throat and when I do, I grab the vinegar. It's natural and can be used in conjunction with any meds. Hope you feel better.

I have some organic chia seeds at home. I'll start adding them. Thanks!

I agree with Ginger Snaps. Waaaaay too many carbs. That's more than half of what I allow per day. The lower the carbs, the better. For me, I have found I lose weight with fewer carbs.

Since we all basically follow a low carb diet, I also picked up pork rinds. Crunchy, salty and high Protein for a 1/2 ounce. 8 or 9 grams per serving. I like them with chicken or tuna salad. I found the rollicks in a King Soopers. That is a Kroger store. I would say, check with Kroger. If they don't have it, you could request they order it. I found it in the snack aisle. Near the peanuts and Jerky.

I say take your time, stick to 30 minutes. I found Protein drinks went so very easily and didn't have a problem drinking 8 oz within 30 minutes. Experiment and see what works for you.