Week 8 Post-OP---263lbs----Down 50lbs!!!!

Today I weighed myself and I am officially down 50 pounds!!!!  FIFTY POUNDS!!  I am so ecstatic!  I can't believe I have lost 50lbs in 8 weeks--it's mind boggling!  I have to confess that I haven't been exercising like I should be, but on the flip side I just got official "clearance" to work out on machines at a gym now so NO MORE STALLING! Now is the time to get into a solid routine--I am checking out a couple of gyms to see which one will suit my needs best! But truthfully, I can totally feel the difference in my body and how I feel!  My sleep is better and my energy is definitely better than what it used to be.  I have a plan and I am going to do my best to stick to it!  So anyway, I do have some other news--if there are squeamish readers out there, then read no further--However, it is was it is.  Some of you may or may not know that I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer 5 years ago.  Well after 5 years of being cancer-free I have been told I definitely need a hysterectomy. After my miracle baby was born last year ( I say miracle, because I was told I would never be able to have kids again) I started to experience very heavy periods and now it's out of control--It's like I am hemorrhaging every time. Totally disgusting.  So while before the surgery I was totally against having a hysterectomy, because at age 36 I wasn't ready to give up the idea of possibly having another child--I really wanted a girl--NOW I can't wait to have it!  I think having WLS changed my whole attitude.  I am ready to focus on me and get myself healthy for myself and for my family. I have neglected myself for too long.  I am ready to get on with life!  My surgery is on Dec. 9th and hopefully everything will be fine!  I go to see my Nutritionist tomorrow and I can't wait for the next "tier" of food that I am able to have--I believe I am allowed to have SALAD!!  I am so happy for that!  I will post with news from that appt. tomorrow!  Peace Out!!

Week 7 Post-OP---270lbs----Down 43lbs

I can't believe I have lost 43lbs in less than 2 months!  I am so amazed!  My clothes feel good and I feel lighter in my step.  I had to race up the stairs last night and, before if I did, it was a freakin' chore.  First of all, there would have been no "racing" involved.  I hated stairs before.  I would get so winded and my knees would crack and make all these sounds. Yes, even just one flight of house stairs.  It was pretty brutal and sad.  However, when I needed to get something from upstairs I just sent Michael or Noah and they would get it for me.  Sleeping has been great as well.  Even though before surgery I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and I had been sleeping with a CPAP machine, I have to admit that I haven't been using it now for about a month and I feel fine.  Michael said he really hasn't heard me snore so I guess thats a good thing!  I go to see my Doctor on Friday and we will see what their scale says-because I hear from other patients that the scale at the docs office always weighs you heavier--but whatever, I am going to stick with my scale!  I am still not on a good routine with my vitamins, but I am aware that I need to get into a better mindset about them.  I am doing good with my protein intake,  I get in an average of 65 to 80 grams a day, and sometimes exceeding my requirement of 89 grams. I have discovered that my unflavored protein powder is good in a few things other than chicken broth--which I haven't really had since the first 2 weeks after surgery.  I love Chai tea and I discovered a sugar free version of the Oregon Chai brand concentrate!  LOVE IT!!  I have an authentic Oprah Winfrey mug that my sister-in-law Susan gave to me after she had appeared on her show (Cool right!) (Sidenote* That was the only gift she received from the show and she gave it to me because she knows how much I love Oprah!!) Anyway, that is my favorite mug and it is 16 oz. So I fill it with Skim deluxe milk plus 1/4 cup of chai concentrate--heat it up and add 2 scoops of the unflavored Nectar brand protein powder--(which is 20grams of protein) (10g per scoop) I also add a couple sprinkles of pumpkin pie spice and it is absolutely heaven!!!  After reading all these reviews on the Nectar Fuzzy Navel protein powder, I broke down and bought the Grab-N-Go container and I tried it and I HATED IT!!! It was so disgusting!  I was so hoping that would have been a good thing for me!  A week later, I tried it again, this time (per reviews) mixing it with some crystal light--Still Terrible!!!!  Ugggghhh! Now I have this huge container of powder that I don't know what to do with---Any suggestions? Anybody want samples?? I will mail you a couple if you want to test them before you buy. Let me know! Well I am off to bed--will post later on. Peace Out!

Week 6 Post-OP---272lbs----Down 41bs

It is hard to believe it has already been a little over 6 weeks since my surgery!  I am feeling good, not 100%, but I am starting to get into a routine.  I feel so great about myself!  I took Noah to a birthday party last weekend and I threw on my jeans that were a size 26, and they were SWIMMING  on me! It looked terrible! I had been wearing a size 24 and even those are getting loose, so I went to good ole' Lane Bryant to find a new pair of jeans and a top or two.  I tried on a size 22 and was shocked when I could button and zip them up!!!  My shirt size also went down I was a 26/28 and I tried on a 22/24 and that fit, but I also tried on an 18/20 and it fit great-could have been the cut as well, but hey I will take it!  I felt really sexy, and I was so happy at the change that was coming in the future!  Just walking in the Mall I felt lighter on my feet and I wasn't "lumbering" along, getting out of breath, with my back hurting like I used to!  I was really happy!

Week 5 Post-OP---279.5lbs----Down 33.5lbs!!

Its been 5 weeks since my surgery and things are going well!  For the most part I can eat pretty much what I want, within reason that is!  I am still having some issues getting in my protein and liquids, but I am always trying to get them down nonetheless.  I see the differences in my face and tummy and in my upper arms.  So that is cool.  Not changed that much in size, but starting to feel like my size 24 jeans are loosening up.  Exercise is my biggest hurdle right now, so I am working on that as well.  Not much else to say, I will write more later. Peace out.

Week 4 Post-OP---282.5lbs----Down 30.5lbs!

I am a month out this week and I am feeling pretty good! I am starting to get used to a whole new way of living. While I am not perfect in my meal planning or vitamin taking I do accept what it is that needs to be done in order for me to succeed.  So I need to get myself into a different frame of mind where all that is concerned.  For the most part I feel like I am doing well--not perfect--but it will get there.  I have started a new "tier" this week in which my nutritionist added different foods to my diet and has allowed me to swallow my pills instead of chewing or crushing them.  Which is so great because I hate my chewables.  I am allowed to eat more solid foods--although truthfully I had started some of them a week ago.  Which is no big deal--just chew, chew, chew! Speaking of chewing--a couple days ago I tried a slice of 99% fat-free deli turkey rolled with a slice of colby deli cheese and I was talking to my son Noah and I wasn't paying attention and took a big "pre-op" bite and swallowed way too prematurely---It got stuck.  So this is what I keep hearing about.  I had this overwhelming hot feeling, kinda like I was suffocating, and I tried to beat on my chest to make it "go down" and it obviously didn't work. Noah was like "Mommy what's wrong?"  I sat there quietly waiting for it to pass and tried to drink something but it made a gurgling sound on the way down and really felt weird as I felt it pass the blockage. I was miserable so I did what I thought might help and I went to the bathroom and made myself vomit.  It all came out, thick little blobs of turkey and cheese. I felt so much better after that! I came back to the table and had a spoon of applesauce and decided I was done.  For some reason I had this attitude that I was lucky, I have had no complications and I wasn't going to. For a quick moment I had reverted back to how I used to eat; fast and mindless.  Well it bit me in the ass.  The "rules" are  eat dime-size bites, chew to an applesauce consistency, and wait a minute in between bites.  You should consume your meal within 20 minutes and no drinking during your meal.  Pretty easy right?  I missed a few steps and it got me.  So basically, I have to be conscious about everything I put in my mouth from now on or else I am going to get into trouble!!!!  So I lost 6.5lbs in a week for a total of 30.5lbs---GONE FOREVER!!!  YAY ME!  haha  My clothes are feeling looser and I am a size 24 jeans and like a 3x top.  That's down from a 26 jean and 4x top. My body doesn't feel as heavy either. I would get really winded just climbing my stairs but now I feel better!!  I am still a little tired but it could be because I am not doing enough walking and getting out.  I always feel better after I walk and happy that I had done it.  But getting motivated is the toughie for me.  There is no surgery option for that.  However, I am not worried a bit.  I know I can do it.  I am excited to go out and get moving in this awesome Fall weather!!  Till next time, Peace out.

Week 3 Post-OP 289lbs! down 24lbs

This is the 3rd week and I am doing great!  I feel a little lighter and can see it in my face and in my stomach.  I had 2 appointments this week. One with the nutritionist, Sally and the other with Tiffany, the PA at Dr. Anez' office. I brought my food journal to Sally and while my intake hasn't been perfect--in the sense that I sometimes skip a meal, or I am not getting enough protein or fluids, overall I am doing well!  She doesn't expect me to have this all perfectly down-pat yet--its a learning process.  Its a struggle to get down 90 grams of protein in a day!  Not to mention 64oz of fluids.  Because I can't "chug" I have to constantly sip all day.  I get in between 40 and 55 ounces on a good day--otherwise I sometimes get in 24 to 32 ounces. I have discovered a great alternative to a protein shake, which I got really tired of and it never went down well (because it was cold). I used to have a cup of coffee every morning before I had surgery, so I experimented with protein powder and making it into a hot drink.  I heat up Lactaid (yes I am lactose intolerant, even if I wasn't before, apparently its not uncommon for people to develop a sensitivity after WLS) so anyway--I use 10oz of skim lactaid then I stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder then add a teaspoon of instant decaf coffee.  Delish!!  So that in itself is 32 grams of protein!  I have one in the morning and one at night.  its a little sweeter than I would like but really soothing!  I have the Syntrax Nectar Vanilla Bean Torte protein powder and also the Chocolate Truffle flavor. Those are both 23 grams of protein per serving and they taste better than anything else I have tried so far!  I also bought the Nectar "Medical" unflavored powder which is 10 grams of protein per serving and  I add that to other stuff just so I can get the protein in. I also went to The Vitamin Shoppe and got a few bottles of protein drink.  They were kind of like the Isopure drinks but in gatorade-like bottles and had 30g of protein per bottle. So I cracked one open and tried it in the car. Lets just say YUCK. There was such a heavy aftertaste.  I tried to force it down but I just couldn't do it. I am going to return them. Michael usually gets my rejected items but even he wasn't crazy about it!  So I will just have to experiment and find something that I can tolerate!  I am starting to feel lighter and now I really have to get serious about an exercise regimen.  Walking with Nadav in the stroller is easiest for me right now, so until I get a little stronger, that will suffice!  Peace Out!

Week 2 Post-Op

I am in my second week of post-op and I have definitely had my highs and lows. I am able to get around more and my incision is healed but I still have soreness.  Mentally, I have been completely fucked.  I suffer from extreme WANT-TO-EAT-THAT syndrome. I had been watching Food Network, Man vs. Food and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and all those other shows that shows the American obsession with gluttony.  I am amazed at how much we Americans actually eat. I never thought about it before, because I WAS the gourmand. I was that person who would pig out at restaurants completing my very over-sized meal often only after I had an appetizer and a cocktail. I LOVED going out to eat, food was my preferred social outing. Anything I did whether it be with family or friends usually included choosing where to go to eat.  My favorite places to go where, The Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Coastal Flats and anywhere that had a fantastic, juicy steak!!!  Now, I am not saying I will never be able to go to those places ever again, I HOPE I will be able to, but I know that it will be a whole different experience.  Other than that--I have been feeling okay, I am sick of protein shakes and I hate all my vitamins, specifically my chewables.  I have a chewable multi-vitamin that is orange and at first it was good, but my tastes are definitely changing and sometimes I want to hurl.  I also had this chewable iron pill that was lemon-lime flavor...DISGUSTING.  Think about sucking on a lemon-lime candy and adding a penny into your mouth.  I quickly stopped taking those and was given the clearance to swallow a small iron tablet.  I also have these calcium chews that are chocolate flavored and lemon flavored. They are the size of a starburst candy and at first taste okay but then you keep chewing and then the grit hits.  UUUGGGHHHH!  So since I have to take in 1500mg of calcium a day I am looking for food and drinks that are fortified with it.  So, I go to my 3 week checkup next week and I will get weighed again.  I don't have a scale at home so I really have no idea how much I have lost so far, but I will say my clothes feel a little looser!!  My stomach has gotten a little smaller and my face seems a little thinner. Oh and my wedding ring is a little looser as well!  So thanks to everyone who is following my blog!!!  I will keep you posted as exciting things pop up!!! Peace out.