spazniche

I have struggled with my weight all my life but maintained from flabby in the "thick" zone since I was a child. I had onset to SLE Lupus in 2002. From there on with meds and lupus complications, the weight kept adding on and the less I could be active.  Last year I simply had enough. My heaviest weight in my 5' 3" frame was 287.7lbs. It was time to get healthy. Completely healthy from head to toe. Its been an amazing journey thus far. I was sleeved on May 31, 2016. I chose that date making my calendar count easier.  I don't remember a thing about my surgery once I was sedated. (yay)
 
I had a C section back in 1990, WLS is worst! I won't lie. The first day was hell and luckily I don't remember it. I found myself on a roller coaster of emotions as I laid there sore, thirsty and drugged.  I definitely thought,  what did i get myself into? What have I done? Every day was easier and the OMG thoughts have went away. Day by day its easier. I do not regret this at all. My body is going thru adjustments and shock. I get that. I think my wonderful surgeon installed a yuck food button in. I smell food or see the stuff I used to enjoy and it is not appealing except for Coke a cola. I admit I would slap a priest for one sip of icy cold Coke right now to relieve the pressure in my precious tummy. The smell of food turns me off along with the sight of it. Not a bad thing. I did not eat healthy before November of 2015. I am bloated, gassy and still sore. But my knees and ankles no longer hurt. I am sleeping better overall. I can walk now without struggle. I can do two flight of stairs without needing to sit down. Its awesome! 
 
My guilty pleasure week 1 is done is puree watered-down Progresso soups (4*oz) every other night. Chicken Noodle classic, strained off noodles and stock. keep the chicken and broth. Split pea. Creamy Tomato. Add water and whip. I love my Nutribullet! It has made mixing protein liquid diet easier. Yes I am bad with protein too. Gag, gag gag.  I don't like milk, rarely have it or a milkshake while I was heavy. So it is tough. However, I have found Nectar Fuzzy Navel proteins mix. It tastes like watered down Sunny D or tang to me. It mixes well with Low cal OJ, crystal light orange or lemonade mix. I can get my protein in now with a few ounces of that throughout the day. 
 
I have no one to share this journey with. Lupus turned my life upside down. I am home bound most of the time and friends have moved on. Yet, I am thankful not to have the silent judgement around me or having to explain anything to anyone.  I am to begin physical therapy next month to rebuild my muscle strength.. I hope to. This is my week 1 complete. 
 
Into week 2. Day 7/8 were good days. Walked plenty, lots of water, 3 oz peach bliss  (3 peach slices 1 oz of the no sugar added juice, 2 strawberries slices, 2 oz water and 1 cup of plain yogurt, power blended). IT was yummy. sipped that over ice for about 1 hr.  Woke up gurgling heavily. In minutes it was painful. Took my ppi ... no help. Belly bloated, pain up my left arm and neck. I wanted to cry. Today was going to be bad. Very bad. However I hit the web and found help. 
 
ACID RE-FLUX Natural Relief
 
 I bought the following today. Braggs ACV, aloe vera juice, powdered ginger, powder cinnamon, organic natural apple juice and lemon juice. As soon as I got in the car i added a capful of acv to my 4oz  water bottle a bit of the apple juice for taste. It went to work immediately soothing my acid re-flux. it made it manageable to function and gave relief. Hints: 3 wks acid re-flux/ heartburn is better to none existence.
 
The actual morning drink is called "happy belly".  4 oz of warm water ( or cold)  1 tbs of aloe vera juice  is the base mix.  You can flavor it to taste with a tea bag, lemon juice  2 oz of apple juice, tsps of honey, pinches of cinnamon and/or ginger powder. Slice of Golden delicious apple. You can add a 2 tbs of  ACV to apple sauce quick relief.  Sounds crazy but it works. The only thing it hasn't fixed is my arm and belly are sore from the stress of serious re-flux. I take several meds in the morning so this will also help break them down easier.  I have sipped it slowly today and it is bearable even with first tie use. Thank heavens for the WWW.