Today was gloomy-grey and I kinda felt like that inside. I mean, I rode my bike and carried on through the day but it seemed I had no enthusiasm for anything. I ate what I was supposed to do. In fact I even tried using cottage cheese in a recipe that I read about in a forum. The person said that meatballs and sauce pureed and heated with cottage cheese on the bottom tasted like lasagne, only no noodles. It seems like a terrible combination but as Gene made spaghetti and meatballs today I decided to try it.
Do you know that person was right and I enjoyed my supper. I will make that again.
Tomorrow Lady goes to the vet for a thyroid work-up. She was 6lbs heavier a few months ago and I just put it down to her going out in the summertime and chasing things about at night when everybody else is in bed. Well she was way too heavy at 18 lbs and the last time I took her to the vets I was advised to put her on a diet. Easier said than done she begs everybody for food and it's hard to deny her.
Otherwise then her getting down to a decent size, she is fine in every other way, no distress or anything and plus I would feel it if she was sick so I am not expecting anything except what vet is looking for at the worst. I am hopeless that "pilling the cat" but that would be preferable to having to give her shots because she was obese and got diabetic. We shall see.
On Thursday I go to see the Weight Loss Surgeon for my first check up. I want to find out where my port is. This allows the doctor to add saline to my lap-band to tighten it, or take out saline should I need that. He just locates it and inserts the needle through my skin to the port underneath.
People may wonder if I feel strange having a medical device in my body and if it makes any difference to me. I can't feel it. Besides the restrictions I have at present I wouldn't even know it was there.
I hope I see some sun tomorrow. I am in dire need of sunlight and blue skies
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
3 more pounds gone and Bene-fibre
I was surprised to see this am when I got on the scale that I had lost another 3 lbs, bringing my total to 21 lbs gone. I am now 266. I have a long journey ahead, but a great start like this gives me hope that I might reach my goal some day. Meanwhile, like I always do when on a diet, I count the loss in the decades. I got past '80's, then '70's and now I am workinh through my '60's to my 50's.
I am riding my bike for 20 minutes/day, each day trying to get a little faster. On my belly I have only two strips left on my cuts, I imagine somewhere there will be a stitch or two for the doctor to remove on Thursday. My stomach still feels big and puffy but I have noticed already that I don't need my ankle brace on my left ankle any more, at least in the house. I don't go out much (that's a whole new problem!) but tomorrow I will attempt to to the clothes myself at the laundromat so we will see how my ankle holds up then. I will also wear a girdle for my back and to hold this big belly in. I wore one last week when I took Lady to the vet's so I know this works.
Now I know everybody wants to know how my bowels are holding up, hehehe. With such a little food going in, I have to do my best not to let it "back up". I am very anal (pun intended!) about going once a day and I have a bristly armament built up against The Awful Constipation Demon. I hate him with a passion and I know you do too.
Taking so much medication over the years I am prepared for any contingency. Just in case I need any help I have on hand...1 fleet enema, Ex-lax, Metamucil, suppositories and while I seldom need these now it's always a comfort to know I have them on hand. Oh yeah, I also have a bottle of that awful stuff they use to clean you out for colonoscopies. A few years ago I bought one extra by mistake. No harm in having it nearby, right?
Well so far I have had very good success with Bene-fibre. Unlike Metamucil it is very smooth and you can mix it in anything. The nurse at the hospital told me to get some and use it everyday. Listen this stuff is expensive but worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned. I have a spoonful stirred into a drink 3 times daily and can't complain at all.
OK I don't want to end on a "bottom note" so I will say, maybe tomorrow I will spend some time looking around for some shoes online. Maybe I can find a real good deal that would be worth the postage I would have to pay. After all it is Cyber Monday and while I never came out for Black Friday, there's nothing to stop me from window-shopping from here!
I am riding my bike for 20 minutes/day, each day trying to get a little faster. On my belly I have only two strips left on my cuts, I imagine somewhere there will be a stitch or two for the doctor to remove on Thursday. My stomach still feels big and puffy but I have noticed already that I don't need my ankle brace on my left ankle any more, at least in the house. I don't go out much (that's a whole new problem!) but tomorrow I will attempt to to the clothes myself at the laundromat so we will see how my ankle holds up then. I will also wear a girdle for my back and to hold this big belly in. I wore one last week when I took Lady to the vet's so I know this works.
Now I know everybody wants to know how my bowels are holding up, hehehe. With such a little food going in, I have to do my best not to let it "back up". I am very anal (pun intended!) about going once a day and I have a bristly armament built up against The Awful Constipation Demon. I hate him with a passion and I know you do too.
Taking so much medication over the years I am prepared for any contingency. Just in case I need any help I have on hand...1 fleet enema, Ex-lax, Metamucil, suppositories and while I seldom need these now it's always a comfort to know I have them on hand. Oh yeah, I also have a bottle of that awful stuff they use to clean you out for colonoscopies. A few years ago I bought one extra by mistake. No harm in having it nearby, right?
Well so far I have had very good success with Bene-fibre. Unlike Metamucil it is very smooth and you can mix it in anything. The nurse at the hospital told me to get some and use it everyday. Listen this stuff is expensive but worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned. I have a spoonful stirred into a drink 3 times daily and can't complain at all.
OK I don't want to end on a "bottom note" so I will say, maybe tomorrow I will spend some time looking around for some shoes online. Maybe I can find a real good deal that would be worth the postage I would have to pay. After all it is Cyber Monday and while I never came out for Black Friday, there's nothing to stop me from window-shopping from here!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Chopping pills in bitty pieces
As a person who takes a lot of medication and us used to downing pills by the handfuls I have been severely brought up short by having to haul out ye olde pill-splitter. Among many of the adjustments I have had to make for my new small stomach is cutting my big pills in half. I have quite a few that need to be cut in half and now I take my pills one small piece at a time.
It's soooo boring and I had to admit I put this off as long as I can (well within the time lines that I have to take them in) Before: everything in my mouth, big swallow of water and down the hatch. There is quite a skill in getting them all down at once without any of the nasty ones getting stuck inside your throat somewhere.
Well I sure did get my comeuppance. Now I am forced to take a small piece, large sip of water and repeat, and repeat until it is all gone.
Anyway getting by that I had a pretty good day today. I cycled slowly for 20 minutes and intend to do the same again later. My supper was what I had yesterday...blended thanksgiving leftovers. I was real tempted to blend up some green bean casserole but figured, maybe the onions would give me problems. I guess my best way would be to eat simple combinations and keep the fancy stuff for down the road.
The things I am supposed to add to my food list was scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and yoghurt and the last two I will get this weekend, they are no problem. I really don't think I get along with scrambled eggs that much. They give me the burps. I will be real happy when next week comes and I can have Cream of Wheat for breakfast. I love hot cereals and this would be great as it is so cold
It's soooo boring and I had to admit I put this off as long as I can (well within the time lines that I have to take them in) Before: everything in my mouth, big swallow of water and down the hatch. There is quite a skill in getting them all down at once without any of the nasty ones getting stuck inside your throat somewhere.
Well I sure did get my comeuppance. Now I am forced to take a small piece, large sip of water and repeat, and repeat until it is all gone.
Anyway getting by that I had a pretty good day today. I cycled slowly for 20 minutes and intend to do the same again later. My supper was what I had yesterday...blended thanksgiving leftovers. I was real tempted to blend up some green bean casserole but figured, maybe the onions would give me problems. I guess my best way would be to eat simple combinations and keep the fancy stuff for down the road.
The things I am supposed to add to my food list was scrambled eggs, cottage cheese and yoghurt and the last two I will get this weekend, they are no problem. I really don't think I get along with scrambled eggs that much. They give me the burps. I will be real happy when next week comes and I can have Cream of Wheat for breakfast. I love hot cereals and this would be great as it is so cold
Friday, November 26, 2010
Organised me????
I just did something picky and Martha-Stewart-like in my freezer. Having plenty of Thanksgiving leftovers I decided to try and put up a few frozen portions for myself for other meals. I blended some turkey and gravy really fine and divided it 4 ways, put it on a dessert plate and stuck it in the freezer, uncovered.
I just took this out, frozen solid. It looked like 4 "plops" of cookie dough. I dug them off the plate and put them in a zip-lock bag. Then I got out Amanda's sweet potato casserole and made 4 more "plops" and up in the freezer they went.
The Martha Stewart part is where I stuck them in a zip lock bag. So picky. And the casserole ones will go in their own zip-lock bag when they are frozen.
I think tomorrow I will make more "plops" and store them away,lol
.........................
OK this is because I am learning a new way to eat. My portions will always be small and while they will not always be blended, whatever the texture I will have to chew and chew before I swallow what I am eating. I am very proud that I was able to eat a couple of tablespoons of turkey and casserole, and even a small amount of jelled cranberry sauce.
I can't drink 1/2 hour before a solid meal, or 1/2 after I have eaten. This is so the little stomach will stay fuller longer and I won't be hungry as quick.
I often wondered about the nursing home residents who had pureed food to eat on their trays:
brown plop, white plop, green plop = meat, mashed potatoes and peas
I have a little more respect for their plight now
I just took this out, frozen solid. It looked like 4 "plops" of cookie dough. I dug them off the plate and put them in a zip-lock bag. Then I got out Amanda's sweet potato casserole and made 4 more "plops" and up in the freezer they went.
The Martha Stewart part is where I stuck them in a zip lock bag. So picky. And the casserole ones will go in their own zip-lock bag when they are frozen.
I think tomorrow I will make more "plops" and store them away,lol
.........................
OK this is because I am learning a new way to eat. My portions will always be small and while they will not always be blended, whatever the texture I will have to chew and chew before I swallow what I am eating. I am very proud that I was able to eat a couple of tablespoons of turkey and casserole, and even a small amount of jelled cranberry sauce.
I can't drink 1/2 hour before a solid meal, or 1/2 after I have eaten. This is so the little stomach will stay fuller longer and I won't be hungry as quick.
I often wondered about the nursing home residents who had pureed food to eat on their trays:
brown plop, white plop, green plop = meat, mashed potatoes and peas
I have a little more respect for their plight now
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Emotional Eating...first time for facing
Tonight I had my first situation since surgery that the door to emotional eating was closed for me. My grandson really tried my patience and my one nerve and usually I solve this problem by eating. There is plenty of food around but I knew I couldn't get around feeling old, ineffective and a "bad gramma who needs to be in jail" and just feeling plain old used up by eating any.
I faced it without the food but I never realised that I had done so until the problem worked itself out and Max apologised to me all on his own. This is big for him, he has autism and while brilliant in school, can throw very bad tantrums and be very abusive when the mood takes him. But the very fact that he said "I am sorry" was a step forward. However, the emotional cost to me is enough to drive me into the kitchen to find whatever I can find sweet to shove the feelings down. This is how I dealt with all problems, Max is just a good example.
I didn't eat because I didn't want to feel sick. I had eaten my first "solid" food earlier (some very soft scrambled eggs) for a week. Later on I had gas, both ends, for a good hour or so. Guess my guts were mad at me for not feeding them properly and they were getting their own back. I guess I will have to introduce the foods very slowly as the Doctor told me to do.
This is gonna be a long road folks with problems and lessons all along the way when it comes to food. Maybe I should eat my small portion of turkey and sweet potato casserole separately instead of both together tomorrow
I faced it without the food but I never realised that I had done so until the problem worked itself out and Max apologised to me all on his own. This is big for him, he has autism and while brilliant in school, can throw very bad tantrums and be very abusive when the mood takes him. But the very fact that he said "I am sorry" was a step forward. However, the emotional cost to me is enough to drive me into the kitchen to find whatever I can find sweet to shove the feelings down. This is how I dealt with all problems, Max is just a good example.
I didn't eat because I didn't want to feel sick. I had eaten my first "solid" food earlier (some very soft scrambled eggs) for a week. Later on I had gas, both ends, for a good hour or so. Guess my guts were mad at me for not feeding them properly and they were getting their own back. I guess I will have to introduce the foods very slowly as the Doctor told me to do.
This is gonna be a long road folks with problems and lessons all along the way when it comes to food. Maybe I should eat my small portion of turkey and sweet potato casserole separately instead of both together tomorrow
Happy Thanksgiving!!! My first "solid" food in a week
I just ate "Thanksgiving dinner" and while it was only a humble egg very softly scrambled, it was real good to use my fork again. It took me a while to eat that little bit of food as I had to chew, chew, chew before I swallowed it down. So far I feel OK, no immediate reactions but I won't consider myself out of the woods until about 3:30pm.
That's when I make my lunch shake. I can't drink anything 1/2 hour before or 1/2 hour after I eat anything solid *Burp* I stole a fragment of Gene's baked potato (the inner, buttery, salty part) and you would have thought I ate the greatest meal on earth. That little bit of potato tasted SOOO GOOD. But I didn't eat any more of it. Until you have spent time not chewing anything, it's hard to describe how good solid food tastes, even if it was just such as I had above.
Tomorrow I am looking forward to blended turkey with a little gravy to moisten, and some of Amanda's amazing sweet potato casserole. Sad to say, the marshmallows will have to be scraped off but that's a small price to pay for eating just a little of something solid.
The thing is, my little stomach only holds about 1/4 cup at a time. This means getting used to protein first, then starch or veg or whatever. One oz. of meat (and that ain't much folks!) the rest that casserole I have been looking forward to. I may have to thin the mixture a little to make it the correct consistency.
Oh well enough of my new fussy food habits...hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving day, that you ate all you wanted, and the Patriots win!!!!
That's when I make my lunch shake. I can't drink anything 1/2 hour before or 1/2 hour after I eat anything solid *Burp* I stole a fragment of Gene's baked potato (the inner, buttery, salty part) and you would have thought I ate the greatest meal on earth. That little bit of potato tasted SOOO GOOD. But I didn't eat any more of it. Until you have spent time not chewing anything, it's hard to describe how good solid food tastes, even if it was just such as I had above.
Tomorrow I am looking forward to blended turkey with a little gravy to moisten, and some of Amanda's amazing sweet potato casserole. Sad to say, the marshmallows will have to be scraped off but that's a small price to pay for eating just a little of something solid.
The thing is, my little stomach only holds about 1/4 cup at a time. This means getting used to protein first, then starch or veg or whatever. One oz. of meat (and that ain't much folks!) the rest that casserole I have been looking forward to. I may have to thin the mixture a little to make it the correct consistency.
Oh well enough of my new fussy food habits...hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving day, that you ate all you wanted, and the Patriots win!!!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
I've lost 18 lbs in 3 weeks
My daughter is cooking tomorrow before she goes to another family dinner later in the day. Today she made some sweet potato casserole to take with her, as well as some for us here. She will put marshmallows for the one going but leave a little without for me when she finishes up the candied one for here.
I have to say I have lost almost 20lbs in the past 3 weeks. Before I went on the shakes diet I weighed 287lbs. Before surgery I weighed 274 lbs. Now on my scale today I weigh 269 lbs. Been a while since I was in the 260's!
I said before that tomorrow I will be introducing yoghurt, cottage cheese and soft scrambled eggs. With that in mind, I've worked out a kind of Thanksgiving dinner that will suit me fine. I have one of those small food processors and I will blend some turkey with a little broth. And I will have a little of Amanda's casserole (no marshmallows) thinned out a little with milk if it is a little thick.
Our family is scattered all over the place, no hope of ever having any kind of holiday dinner together unless somebody comes to stay. So we have had just us here. In the past I had a friend who would do Christmas dinner and I would do Thanksgiving, but it was too stressful for me after my nerves went downhill.
So Gene and I will be rattling around the house when Amanda, Mike and Max go to his people's as they do every year.
I am just as happy. I don't leave home unless I have to. Even with the pills I get too nervous to drive (having had two fender-benders this year) And at such a gathering with my limited food, I wouldn't be very happy,especially when the desserts came out :D
I have to say I have lost almost 20lbs in the past 3 weeks. Before I went on the shakes diet I weighed 287lbs. Before surgery I weighed 274 lbs. Now on my scale today I weigh 269 lbs. Been a while since I was in the 260's!
I said before that tomorrow I will be introducing yoghurt, cottage cheese and soft scrambled eggs. With that in mind, I've worked out a kind of Thanksgiving dinner that will suit me fine. I have one of those small food processors and I will blend some turkey with a little broth. And I will have a little of Amanda's casserole (no marshmallows) thinned out a little with milk if it is a little thick.
Our family is scattered all over the place, no hope of ever having any kind of holiday dinner together unless somebody comes to stay. So we have had just us here. In the past I had a friend who would do Christmas dinner and I would do Thanksgiving, but it was too stressful for me after my nerves went downhill.
So Gene and I will be rattling around the house when Amanda, Mike and Max go to his people's as they do every year.
I am just as happy. I don't leave home unless I have to. Even with the pills I get too nervous to drive (having had two fender-benders this year) And at such a gathering with my limited food, I wouldn't be very happy,especially when the desserts came out :D
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thanksgiving Wrap!!!
In a little diner up my way they have daily specials, and among the offerings this afternoon was a Thanksgiving Wrap. Gene had me call the diner to see what they had on special. Seeing as I am not eating, it's cheaper for him to get something out when he hasn't made a pot of stew or American chop suey etc.
It didn't matter to me that there was a seafood casserole, Yankee pot roast, shephard's pie, fish and chips and the like on the menu. For one small moment I wish I had my whole stomach back to be able to eat this wrap.
Then I had to remember that, good as it would be to have a wrap with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on it, it would be better to let it go by. I tried to reason it out. Of course there is the delicious smell, and the generous helping, and of course the taste...I've eaten many of these sandwiches before on the holidays.
But then I thought, there comes a time when the food is gone and I am left feeling over stuffed and feeling guilty that I should have had the salad plate instead. At least where I am now, I never ate it so it can't add any more weight to me. It's the stuffing that draws me, bread yet again!!!
On a more weight-loss subject, I made a good protein shake this am for breakfast. I did the usual, 4ox skim milk, Equal and powder. Then I took one of those small diet jello portions and threw that in. The jello was cherry-flavoured. Then the 3 ice cubes and blend. The result was a rosy-pink. very thick and tasty shake which was very filling and kept my tum happy for a few hours.
I know I will have those moments of "wish I could eat that" and "why did I have my stomach done, I can't eat anything" and "just give me The Bread!!!" I just have to think it through and pull it all to pieces and see exactly what it is I want from the desired food and how I would feel afterwards.
Gene just bought in the fish and chips. But I am over it now. The smell is very tantalising but it's not for me today.
Maybe a very small amount when I can eat solid food
It didn't matter to me that there was a seafood casserole, Yankee pot roast, shephard's pie, fish and chips and the like on the menu. For one small moment I wish I had my whole stomach back to be able to eat this wrap.
Then I had to remember that, good as it would be to have a wrap with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on it, it would be better to let it go by. I tried to reason it out. Of course there is the delicious smell, and the generous helping, and of course the taste...I've eaten many of these sandwiches before on the holidays.
But then I thought, there comes a time when the food is gone and I am left feeling over stuffed and feeling guilty that I should have had the salad plate instead. At least where I am now, I never ate it so it can't add any more weight to me. It's the stuffing that draws me, bread yet again!!!
On a more weight-loss subject, I made a good protein shake this am for breakfast. I did the usual, 4ox skim milk, Equal and powder. Then I took one of those small diet jello portions and threw that in. The jello was cherry-flavoured. Then the 3 ice cubes and blend. The result was a rosy-pink. very thick and tasty shake which was very filling and kept my tum happy for a few hours.
I know I will have those moments of "wish I could eat that" and "why did I have my stomach done, I can't eat anything" and "just give me The Bread!!!" I just have to think it through and pull it all to pieces and see exactly what it is I want from the desired food and how I would feel afterwards.
Gene just bought in the fish and chips. But I am over it now. The smell is very tantalising but it's not for me today.
Maybe a very small amount when I can eat solid food
Monday, November 22, 2010
Bread and Toast
There is a food that bothers me in a mild way, since it will be a long time before I will be able to eat any.
It's bread. I love any kind of bread, any flavour. Along with their spaghetti last Saturday Amanda had some French bread, the nice hard crusty kind. It smelled so good. None for me.
Just now the family was eating the end of the stew which didn't bother me. But someone made some toast and all I could smell is the wonderful aroma of toasting bread. Certainly none for me.
Last night I made Gene's sandwiches for today and when I opened the bread bag there was a wonderful yeasty smell just tickling my nose. None for me of course, I made those sandwhiches in a hurry and stuck them in the fridge.
Even when I can introduce bread down the road, it must always be toasted, not soft. It's so strange I thought the sweet things would be the ones to haunt me, but it's that most humble of foods, a slice of bread
It's bread. I love any kind of bread, any flavour. Along with their spaghetti last Saturday Amanda had some French bread, the nice hard crusty kind. It smelled so good. None for me.
Just now the family was eating the end of the stew which didn't bother me. But someone made some toast and all I could smell is the wonderful aroma of toasting bread. Certainly none for me.
Last night I made Gene's sandwiches for today and when I opened the bread bag there was a wonderful yeasty smell just tickling my nose. None for me of course, I made those sandwhiches in a hurry and stuck them in the fridge.
Even when I can introduce bread down the road, it must always be toasted, not soft. It's so strange I thought the sweet things would be the ones to haunt me, but it's that most humble of foods, a slice of bread
Some Monday Thoughts
Well I made it through the weekend.
There were swirls of food around me all the time and I know the family felt bad about eating in front of me but to be quite honest I didn't have any problems with it and I hope this carries on. On the Saturday night Amanda and Mike made spaghetti and on Sunday Gene made a big pot of stew and later I found out he felt bad because I couldn't eat any. There was Chinese food around as well, and I know where there is an open package of Raisinettes and some Nerds but the thoughts came and went.
Just like the Thanksgiving goodies. I have resigned myself to the fact that there will be no great big meal for me this Thursday. Rather I am looking forward to Christmas, when I will be able to eat, well-chewed and small amounts of food, but at least I can.
I will say this. It gave me a running start to have the shakes diet two weeks before. I was able to lose 14 lbs, and best of all I got in the habit of having mainly liquids for meals. So I was real used to my blender, powders, vitamins etc by the time I came home.
At present I am not depressed and I know this because I am able to look down the road and see each week getting better and better for what I can eat. I have 4 more days on clear liquids then I can step up to full liquids.
On full liquids I can have yoghurt,soft scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, pureed soup and sugar-free pudding which will be like an elegant feast compared to this week!!!
Of course then I will have to eat slowly so this solid food slips through the band easily. I had a little scare on Saturday night when a round pill I have to take felt like it stuck in my throat. I began to drink water to flush it down. Finally it went and now this pill gets split along with the rest
There were swirls of food around me all the time and I know the family felt bad about eating in front of me but to be quite honest I didn't have any problems with it and I hope this carries on. On the Saturday night Amanda and Mike made spaghetti and on Sunday Gene made a big pot of stew and later I found out he felt bad because I couldn't eat any. There was Chinese food around as well, and I know where there is an open package of Raisinettes and some Nerds but the thoughts came and went.
Just like the Thanksgiving goodies. I have resigned myself to the fact that there will be no great big meal for me this Thursday. Rather I am looking forward to Christmas, when I will be able to eat, well-chewed and small amounts of food, but at least I can.
I will say this. It gave me a running start to have the shakes diet two weeks before. I was able to lose 14 lbs, and best of all I got in the habit of having mainly liquids for meals. So I was real used to my blender, powders, vitamins etc by the time I came home.
At present I am not depressed and I know this because I am able to look down the road and see each week getting better and better for what I can eat. I have 4 more days on clear liquids then I can step up to full liquids.
On full liquids I can have yoghurt,soft scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, pureed soup and sugar-free pudding which will be like an elegant feast compared to this week!!!
Of course then I will have to eat slowly so this solid food slips through the band easily. I had a little scare on Saturday night when a round pill I have to take felt like it stuck in my throat. I began to drink water to flush it down. Finally it went and now this pill gets split along with the rest
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Surgical Experience, Nov 19
I arrived at the hospital with Gene in plenty of time and after 6am we went into the room where they prepare you for surgery. There were many people there and you were allowed to have somebody with you to keep your company. They asked me to take off everything (yes, even under pants!!!) and put on a large johnny and gave me a nice warm blanket over my shoulders. They gave my clothes and shoes to Gene to bring back when I left the hospital.
After that I got on the gurney and they started the intravenous. I have nice veins, nobody has ever complained about having to insert a needle before. Then they gave me a Heperan shot in the stomach (sounds worse than it was,they use a fine needle and there's only a slight stinging sensation.
The surgical nurses who would be working with me came in and introduced themselves, and also the anesthesia doctor, and finally my doctor came by to say hello and ask how I was feeling. He was very pleased that I had lost those 14 lbs and he said I would have a successful weight loss experience when my band was in place.
Just before they took me down they gave me some sedation through the tubing and I was on my way. Gene (who hates hospitals) then went to eat btreakfast at the cafeteria and hang around until he knew I had made it through ok.
The operating room seemed small to me and it wasn't as cold as some I have been in. I saw the doctor and a couple of nurses. There was a lot of green around in the room and the big operation light overhead. They had me lay down on the table and then came the mask and "think pleasant thoughts" and my lights were put out
When I came to I was in a large room with lots of hustle and bustle, and people talking over and around me. I was aware of others on other gurneys around and the whole place was bright. This is where I overheard about a hernia they had found during my operation.
Next thing I knew they were whisking me down the hallway on the way upstairs. I passed my doctor who took my hand and said I did fine and then the elevator doors opened and I was in the ward.
HOSPITALS....uncomfortable beds which you keep sliding around in. My food wasn't food, it was clear liquids.. salt-free broth, tea, jello and the one thing I liked, some Italian ice. Also some apple juice. Supper and breakfast was the same, except I had a protein shake on my tray. Lunch was a repeat, only the jello was a different flavour.
Needless to say I was raring to get out of there, no decent food, etc, being woken up all night and my pills all screwed up. Everybody was very kind to me and the lady in the next bed was very nice, we talked some.
I was only kept overnight because I have sleep apnea and they wanted to see if I was OK. I did my shuffle up and down the hallway as I was told, and waited forever to be released as it was on a Saturday (and nothing is ever on time on the weekends, less staff)
As everybody knows, hospitals are only tolerable when you are too sick to care and need to be looked after...once you are better, it's past time to move on!!!
After that I got on the gurney and they started the intravenous. I have nice veins, nobody has ever complained about having to insert a needle before. Then they gave me a Heperan shot in the stomach (sounds worse than it was,they use a fine needle and there's only a slight stinging sensation.
The surgical nurses who would be working with me came in and introduced themselves, and also the anesthesia doctor, and finally my doctor came by to say hello and ask how I was feeling. He was very pleased that I had lost those 14 lbs and he said I would have a successful weight loss experience when my band was in place.
Just before they took me down they gave me some sedation through the tubing and I was on my way. Gene (who hates hospitals) then went to eat btreakfast at the cafeteria and hang around until he knew I had made it through ok.
The operating room seemed small to me and it wasn't as cold as some I have been in. I saw the doctor and a couple of nurses. There was a lot of green around in the room and the big operation light overhead. They had me lay down on the table and then came the mask and "think pleasant thoughts" and my lights were put out
When I came to I was in a large room with lots of hustle and bustle, and people talking over and around me. I was aware of others on other gurneys around and the whole place was bright. This is where I overheard about a hernia they had found during my operation.
Next thing I knew they were whisking me down the hallway on the way upstairs. I passed my doctor who took my hand and said I did fine and then the elevator doors opened and I was in the ward.
HOSPITALS....uncomfortable beds which you keep sliding around in. My food wasn't food, it was clear liquids.. salt-free broth, tea, jello and the one thing I liked, some Italian ice. Also some apple juice. Supper and breakfast was the same, except I had a protein shake on my tray. Lunch was a repeat, only the jello was a different flavour.
Needless to say I was raring to get out of there, no decent food, etc, being woken up all night and my pills all screwed up. Everybody was very kind to me and the lady in the next bed was very nice, we talked some.
I was only kept overnight because I have sleep apnea and they wanted to see if I was OK. I did my shuffle up and down the hallway as I was told, and waited forever to be released as it was on a Saturday (and nothing is ever on time on the weekends, less staff)
As everybody knows, hospitals are only tolerable when you are too sick to care and need to be looked after...once you are better, it's past time to move on!!!
Two Days Later after my Surgery...a few thoughts
This morning I am "two days out" from my lapband surgery and this morning I started with a few sips of water, a cup of coffee, a protein shake and just now choked down my pills. These pills present some problems. Rather than the old "throw 'em down by the handfuls" as I did before, I have to break them in half (and the big ones in quarters) to make sure they don't get stuck.
I kind of visualise my stomach now as the shape of an uneven hour-glass, little part up top, big part at the bottom, with a tiny place for the food (sand) to trickle through. Too much at once, food (or pill) chunks too big, and I will get sick. I am not used to throwing up as I am very fortunate to have what I call a "cast-iron" stomach and am rarely sick unless a bug goes around.
My stomach has 5 cuts across it, like gall-bladder cuts if you have had laproscopic gall bladder surgery. The one right in the middle hurts the worst, the others are OK. I heard in Recovery that I also had a hernia repaired, I have no other details but I will call the doctor's office tomorrow to see what it is all about. Of course the nurses tell you nothing and another doctor discharged me so I don't know.
Yesterday when I came home I felt very distracted and wondered what on earth I had done to myself. Here was Thanksgiving coming, nothing for me but clear liquid diet. Next week will be full liquids and I am looking forward to Cream of Wheat for breakfast.
So on my grocery list for this week is: Protein shakes powder, diet jello, chicken broth, sugar-free pop sickles, Crystal lite and the powdered vitamins I have to take.
Today I feel better about my decision, after all it is all said and done and I waited 5 years, so had plenty of time to think about the pros and cons.
The long and short of it is, that I couldn't continue to go on as I was. I was 287 lbs at my highest, and 274 lbs at time of surgery. I have a bad back, bad knee and bad ankle and all my other health problems. So it was time to get on with it. So here I am
I kind of visualise my stomach now as the shape of an uneven hour-glass, little part up top, big part at the bottom, with a tiny place for the food (sand) to trickle through. Too much at once, food (or pill) chunks too big, and I will get sick. I am not used to throwing up as I am very fortunate to have what I call a "cast-iron" stomach and am rarely sick unless a bug goes around.
My stomach has 5 cuts across it, like gall-bladder cuts if you have had laproscopic gall bladder surgery. The one right in the middle hurts the worst, the others are OK. I heard in Recovery that I also had a hernia repaired, I have no other details but I will call the doctor's office tomorrow to see what it is all about. Of course the nurses tell you nothing and another doctor discharged me so I don't know.
Yesterday when I came home I felt very distracted and wondered what on earth I had done to myself. Here was Thanksgiving coming, nothing for me but clear liquid diet. Next week will be full liquids and I am looking forward to Cream of Wheat for breakfast.
So on my grocery list for this week is: Protein shakes powder, diet jello, chicken broth, sugar-free pop sickles, Crystal lite and the powdered vitamins I have to take.
Today I feel better about my decision, after all it is all said and done and I waited 5 years, so had plenty of time to think about the pros and cons.
The long and short of it is, that I couldn't continue to go on as I was. I was 287 lbs at my highest, and 274 lbs at time of surgery. I have a bad back, bad knee and bad ankle and all my other health problems. So it was time to get on with it. So here I am
Friday, November 19, 2010
4:25 in the morning
I didn't expect to be sitting here writing this at 4:25 am. But here I am all showered and ready to go, but no sense to leave until after 5, seeing as I have to be there at 6am. Last night I was in bed by 10:30pm or so which was very strange to me. But I wanted to take my pm meds early enough to get them out of my system.
I woke up a couple of times through the night. One time was about 1. So strange to be getting up to pee at 1, when that would have been an ordinary time for me to be sitting here! But I did get back to sleep and Gene woke me at 4.
They had given me a package of some stuff to bathe with after I showered with my own soap. It was red and had no particular smile. I thought to myself "well might as well, they must have their own reasons", and carried on.
It seemed strange to me just to put deodorant and not my usual cloud of Gold Bond powder but they didn't want me to use powder or lotion. So I got my clothes on and saw it was early, and sat here.
Gene was watching Cassius Clay on TV, the old black and white grainy fights from the early 60's. This was a normal time of the day for him.
I took my thyroid medication and one blood pressure pill the way they said. Lady is clearly perturbed at all this action so early for me. Cats know everything. She knows my C-pap machine is by the door where I won't forget it and she probably thinks I'll be taking a plane trip again, hehehe.
She has her own chair next to mine here and I told her, "don't worry, I will be back, just one night I'll be gone". I wish there was a way to tell a beloved pet that you won't be disappearing never to return!
Having eaten nothing the day before, only my shakes, I strangely wasn't hungry and Gene drinking coffee didn't bother me. Why am I sitting here at 4:40am blogging like a nut.
I woke up a couple of times through the night. One time was about 1. So strange to be getting up to pee at 1, when that would have been an ordinary time for me to be sitting here! But I did get back to sleep and Gene woke me at 4.
They had given me a package of some stuff to bathe with after I showered with my own soap. It was red and had no particular smile. I thought to myself "well might as well, they must have their own reasons", and carried on.
It seemed strange to me just to put deodorant and not my usual cloud of Gold Bond powder but they didn't want me to use powder or lotion. So I got my clothes on and saw it was early, and sat here.
Gene was watching Cassius Clay on TV, the old black and white grainy fights from the early 60's. This was a normal time of the day for him.
I took my thyroid medication and one blood pressure pill the way they said. Lady is clearly perturbed at all this action so early for me. Cats know everything. She knows my C-pap machine is by the door where I won't forget it and she probably thinks I'll be taking a plane trip again, hehehe.
She has her own chair next to mine here and I told her, "don't worry, I will be back, just one night I'll be gone". I wish there was a way to tell a beloved pet that you won't be disappearing never to return!
Having eaten nothing the day before, only my shakes, I strangely wasn't hungry and Gene drinking coffee didn't bother me. Why am I sitting here at 4:40am blogging like a nut.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sitting here after my supper shake
The best I could do for lunch and supper shakes was add a little brandy extract. I like milkshakes so they haven't bothered me today. I get one more tonight and will do something very weird and strange for me:
I will try and be in bed by 11pm at the latest and DH will get me up around 4am. More than anything else this is to give my night time pills to be taken and get through my system. In the morning all they want me to take is one of my BP medicines and my thyroid pill.
One thing I don't have to worry about is getting up on time because DH is up before the roosters every day. He is a genuine early-morning person (while I do best at night with the owls).
I will miss my C-pap machine but it is all clean and in it's bag for me to take. Also my asthma inhalers (and sneaking in those underpants and slippers and some lip-balm) My hair is washed and dry which is a major thing because it is thick and waist-length and I only wash it once a week in the cold weather.
I have done all I can except present myself on the steps of the hospital. Gene can stay with me until I go down to get my smaller stomach. On that same note, please allow me to sit on the pity-pot a moment or so for the type of "food" I will be able to eat later in the day:
DAY 1
Breakfast... protein shake (no suprise there)
Snack...1 cup Crystal light (they better have the ice tea flavour)
Lunch...1 cup broth
Snack...sugar free popsicle
Snack... protein shake
snack... cup of broth
Supper... protein shake
Snack...cup of water
Thanksgiving is next Thursday. Wonder if there is such a thing as a turkey, stuffing and cranberry shake
I will try and be in bed by 11pm at the latest and DH will get me up around 4am. More than anything else this is to give my night time pills to be taken and get through my system. In the morning all they want me to take is one of my BP medicines and my thyroid pill.
One thing I don't have to worry about is getting up on time because DH is up before the roosters every day. He is a genuine early-morning person (while I do best at night with the owls).
I will miss my C-pap machine but it is all clean and in it's bag for me to take. Also my asthma inhalers (and sneaking in those underpants and slippers and some lip-balm) My hair is washed and dry which is a major thing because it is thick and waist-length and I only wash it once a week in the cold weather.
I have done all I can except present myself on the steps of the hospital. Gene can stay with me until I go down to get my smaller stomach. On that same note, please allow me to sit on the pity-pot a moment or so for the type of "food" I will be able to eat later in the day:
DAY 1
Breakfast... protein shake (no suprise there)
Snack...1 cup Crystal light (they better have the ice tea flavour)
Lunch...1 cup broth
Snack...sugar free popsicle
Snack... protein shake
snack... cup of broth
Supper... protein shake
Snack...cup of water
Thanksgiving is next Thursday. Wonder if there is such a thing as a turkey, stuffing and cranberry shake
Slippers and Underpants
I have a lot to do today but I thought I'd take time to write a few lines. Today is All-Shakes Day. That is All-Plain-Shakes, no fruit, no yoghurt, no peanut butter added. I am not hungry. The last thing I ate before midnight was some miniature powdered donuts I found in the cupboard above the stove.
There are dishes in the sink, these must be done. I have put off doing laundry because there isn't enough to do a decent load. The large machines was the best and I'd be wasting my money...perhaps my daughter will throw a few things of mine with her stuff when she goes.
I have to clean out my C-pap machine. I am very lazy about this and it needs a good cleaning anyway. the hose needs to dry as much as possible and then I will pack it all up in it's carrier along with my asthma medicine to go to the hospital.
I read somewhere where you need to take some lip balm because your lips will be very dry after the op. and you will have to keep applying it so in my carrier goes some of that. The hospital doesn't want you to bring anything but having to bring a machine in a carrier means perhaps I can sneak in my comfortable slippers for walking????
I have this sneaking suspicion that they have your relative take away your clothes and shoes because they don't want you sneaking out of hospital before paying the bill, hehehe
Oh yeah with my slippers I will sneak in some underpants. They will not make me lay in bed without my underpants. Leave me a little dignity after all!
There are some who will say, Linda you won't care about anything once you wake up in Recovery. You won't even want to MOVE, much less worry about slippers and underpants
There are dishes in the sink, these must be done. I have put off doing laundry because there isn't enough to do a decent load. The large machines was the best and I'd be wasting my money...perhaps my daughter will throw a few things of mine with her stuff when she goes.
I have to clean out my C-pap machine. I am very lazy about this and it needs a good cleaning anyway. the hose needs to dry as much as possible and then I will pack it all up in it's carrier along with my asthma medicine to go to the hospital.
I read somewhere where you need to take some lip balm because your lips will be very dry after the op. and you will have to keep applying it so in my carrier goes some of that. The hospital doesn't want you to bring anything but having to bring a machine in a carrier means perhaps I can sneak in my comfortable slippers for walking????
I have this sneaking suspicion that they have your relative take away your clothes and shoes because they don't want you sneaking out of hospital before paying the bill, hehehe
Oh yeah with my slippers I will sneak in some underpants. They will not make me lay in bed without my underpants. Leave me a little dignity after all!
There are some who will say, Linda you won't care about anything once you wake up in Recovery. You won't even want to MOVE, much less worry about slippers and underpants
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The day before all liquids
Today is the last call for me to eat any solid food before tomorrow comes, bringing shakes all day long. Not even bananas, fruit or yoghurt to liven them up either. But I am sure I can add an extract to liven them up a little.
So bearing that in mind, today I ate: 2 ice-cream sandwiches, a square of Amanda's dark chocolate (I have been sneaking pieces off here and there), crackers and I found a bag of snack-sized peanut M&M's and grabbed 3 bags. Then I put the large bag back in it's hiding place...
The calzone I was kinda disappointed in and it gave me heart-burn later. I ordered Portuguese La La (Portuguese sausage, onions and peppers) and figured all this would be fried together. Well it came like they had put the three fillings in ands baked them so the cheese didn't melt right and the veg. wasn't fried like I wanted. I guess I should have just stayed with my Greek style calzone but once I took my Tums I was over it. They sell monster sizes at this restaurant. The small size is more than enough.
Right now I am waiting for a pumpkin flavoured coffee from DD...nothing wrong with coffee of course but the pumpkin flavouring is all sugar...big no-no.
Just thinking...I know where some miniature white frosted donuts are, I might round out my eating spree with a few of those and a tea later on.
Then tomorrow it's the real straight-and-narrow but having done the shakes thing for 2 weeks it won't hurt for me to do without a solid-food supper.
I have things to do tomorrow. Go to the laundromat and wash clothes, and buy some more protein powder and skim milk.
How many people are afraid they will wake up late on their surgery day if they are first on the roster??? I have to be at the hospital in Providence for 6am. They have given me a special liquid soap-type stuff to clean myself with after I use my proper soap in the shower. Guess it's some germ-killing wash or whatever.
Also tomorrow I will wash my hair and intend to wear it in two braids on Friday. Less problems because I have long hair and I like it out of the way
So bearing that in mind, today I ate: 2 ice-cream sandwiches, a square of Amanda's dark chocolate (I have been sneaking pieces off here and there), crackers and I found a bag of snack-sized peanut M&M's and grabbed 3 bags. Then I put the large bag back in it's hiding place...
The calzone I was kinda disappointed in and it gave me heart-burn later. I ordered Portuguese La La (Portuguese sausage, onions and peppers) and figured all this would be fried together. Well it came like they had put the three fillings in ands baked them so the cheese didn't melt right and the veg. wasn't fried like I wanted. I guess I should have just stayed with my Greek style calzone but once I took my Tums I was over it. They sell monster sizes at this restaurant. The small size is more than enough.
Right now I am waiting for a pumpkin flavoured coffee from DD...nothing wrong with coffee of course but the pumpkin flavouring is all sugar...big no-no.
Just thinking...I know where some miniature white frosted donuts are, I might round out my eating spree with a few of those and a tea later on.
Then tomorrow it's the real straight-and-narrow but having done the shakes thing for 2 weeks it won't hurt for me to do without a solid-food supper.
I have things to do tomorrow. Go to the laundromat and wash clothes, and buy some more protein powder and skim milk.
How many people are afraid they will wake up late on their surgery day if they are first on the roster??? I have to be at the hospital in Providence for 6am. They have given me a special liquid soap-type stuff to clean myself with after I use my proper soap in the shower. Guess it's some germ-killing wash or whatever.
Also tomorrow I will wash my hair and intend to wear it in two braids on Friday. Less problems because I have long hair and I like it out of the way
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My friend the Protein Shake
I might be among the very few people in the world who actually like protein shakes. Anything tastes like a milkshake goes down good with me. Maybe if you are not a sweet-eater you won't like them. I have never seen a savoury shake but maybe there are some around I haven't heard of.
I have whey protein powder from GNC and powdered vitamins that mix well with the shakes, that I use with 2 out of the 3 shakes I have a day. Then I have a diet meal for supper. I have to admit I cheated a little this past weekend and a little this week, but I think I lost some weight anyway. If only because I stuffed myself everyday before!
This morning I put a little peanut butter in my vanilla shake and it came out tasting just like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup without the chocolate. If I had had some chocolate extract I would have been all set but it tasted so good anyway. The basic recipe is 4oz skim milk, and a scoopful of powder. They have all flavours but from past experience I got vanilla because you can "doctor it up" with flavours and fruits. Anyway to that basis I added 1 tbs peanut butter, packet Equal (optional) and two ice cubes. Whirl away and enjoy
For lunch I had frozen some banana slices and I used some of those with the basic recipe, a little vanilla extract and a packet of Equal. I could have put a little cinnamon in there too but I forgot. It came out so nice and thick and tasty I was sorry when it was all gone.
In the past I have made ice-cream out of a shake by freezing it, stirring a few times as it goes. As ice cream is one of my favourite things this makes a good substitute.
Tonight's shake will feature frozen wild Maine blueberries. They are smaller and process better. You just have to remember, of you want your shake to be thick and frosty, you have to put something frozen in, like ice cubes or frozen fruit.
The varieties are endless. I saw one shakes recipe site that had 200 of different ones to try.
Put your powder and milk in the blender and start throwing things in and see what you come up with :D
I have whey protein powder from GNC and powdered vitamins that mix well with the shakes, that I use with 2 out of the 3 shakes I have a day. Then I have a diet meal for supper. I have to admit I cheated a little this past weekend and a little this week, but I think I lost some weight anyway. If only because I stuffed myself everyday before!
This morning I put a little peanut butter in my vanilla shake and it came out tasting just like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup without the chocolate. If I had had some chocolate extract I would have been all set but it tasted so good anyway. The basic recipe is 4oz skim milk, and a scoopful of powder. They have all flavours but from past experience I got vanilla because you can "doctor it up" with flavours and fruits. Anyway to that basis I added 1 tbs peanut butter, packet Equal (optional) and two ice cubes. Whirl away and enjoy
For lunch I had frozen some banana slices and I used some of those with the basic recipe, a little vanilla extract and a packet of Equal. I could have put a little cinnamon in there too but I forgot. It came out so nice and thick and tasty I was sorry when it was all gone.
In the past I have made ice-cream out of a shake by freezing it, stirring a few times as it goes. As ice cream is one of my favourite things this makes a good substitute.
Tonight's shake will feature frozen wild Maine blueberries. They are smaller and process better. You just have to remember, of you want your shake to be thick and frosty, you have to put something frozen in, like ice cubes or frozen fruit.
The varieties are endless. I saw one shakes recipe site that had 200 of different ones to try.
Put your powder and milk in the blender and start throwing things in and see what you come up with :D
Monday, November 15, 2010
Saying farewell to my large stomach...
....and preparing to greet my new small one. I would be lying if I said I was confident and this operation would be smooth sailing. I would be lying if I said all's well that ends well. Some people say they count the day of their WLS as the start of a new life. I think that's what scares me the most.
Right now at least I know who I am, obese as I have become. Life is the same, same irritations and upsets, but at least I know this life. Who will I be 20, 40, 50 lbs from now? And what happens when I pass the 200lb mark?
I have the confidence to stick to the diet plan and do the best I can when I begin to introduce solids again a few weeks down the road. I belong to a great forum with resources that I can read and ask questions of. I have the best doctor and he has a great office full of helpful people and I have a dietition in place.
All systems go, right? Well I will admit now to a few planned slip-ups over the weekend. I got past the Christmas Bazaar 1/2 price baked goods on Sunday and never went anywhere near my favourite sweets tables on Saturday. I watched some guy at work eat 6 cup cakes for lunch on Saturday, and he ate another 6 (well, they were not real large) on Sunday. Not a problem. I just drank my lunch shake.
But there was a great big home made apple pie sitting in the fridge that wasn't being eaten and I had a couple of slices Saturday night as well as two devil dogs. Then I stopped. I didn't feel guilty because I planned to eat these. Sunday night I ate one more devil dog and today I finished off what was left of the apple pie. But I also have been riding my recumbent bike twice a day so that should offset it some and it's out of my system.
On Wednesday, the day before my all-liquid- day-before-surgery meal plan, I intend to eat a huge hamburger and fries. I figure it will have a day to get out of my system. I won't see any of this kind of food for a while.
After midnight Friday, there is nothing to eat or drink, just a sip of water to take my medication.
I have to be at the hospital for 6am and then I surrender my body to the experts who will fix it for me. Then my new life begins
Right now at least I know who I am, obese as I have become. Life is the same, same irritations and upsets, but at least I know this life. Who will I be 20, 40, 50 lbs from now? And what happens when I pass the 200lb mark?
I have the confidence to stick to the diet plan and do the best I can when I begin to introduce solids again a few weeks down the road. I belong to a great forum with resources that I can read and ask questions of. I have the best doctor and he has a great office full of helpful people and I have a dietition in place.
All systems go, right? Well I will admit now to a few planned slip-ups over the weekend. I got past the Christmas Bazaar 1/2 price baked goods on Sunday and never went anywhere near my favourite sweets tables on Saturday. I watched some guy at work eat 6 cup cakes for lunch on Saturday, and he ate another 6 (well, they were not real large) on Sunday. Not a problem. I just drank my lunch shake.
But there was a great big home made apple pie sitting in the fridge that wasn't being eaten and I had a couple of slices Saturday night as well as two devil dogs. Then I stopped. I didn't feel guilty because I planned to eat these. Sunday night I ate one more devil dog and today I finished off what was left of the apple pie. But I also have been riding my recumbent bike twice a day so that should offset it some and it's out of my system.
On Wednesday, the day before my all-liquid- day-before-surgery meal plan, I intend to eat a huge hamburger and fries. I figure it will have a day to get out of my system. I won't see any of this kind of food for a while.
After midnight Friday, there is nothing to eat or drink, just a sip of water to take my medication.
I have to be at the hospital for 6am and then I surrender my body to the experts who will fix it for me. Then my new life begins
Saturday, November 13, 2010
I feel nervous and I want to eat
I just took my pills so I hope I feel less anxious in a little while. Whenever there is too much going on at once around me or I don't feel well or the atmosphere just "doesn't feel right" I get like this and can't concentrate on anything. I've looked at all 3 of my games and don't feel like playing.
I came home early today because I just could not drag myself around for another 1/2 hrs. Not only did my usual left ankle, knee and back hurt, but there was also a pain in the back of my upper thigh. I think that is the sciatica nerve. So I got the Charge Nurse to write me out and I came home.
I drank my protein shake around mid-day and my supper around 3:30pm when Gene went out. He had KFC and I had some left over baked fish and ate KFC coleslaw. Then I had to eat the biscuit. I knew it was a no-no because they are high in calories. So far that's it but somebody brought a great big apple pie yesterday to the house and I did eat a few apple slices out of the middle but no crust.
Now I want the whole thing, apples plus the crust. It was home made and made on one of those old-fashioned deep pie dishes. So tempting
I usually have trouble over weekends because everybody is home and everything irritates me unless I take my Xanax and am able to feel less nervous. When I feel like this, too nervous to settle down, that's when I want to eat.
Just in case anybody thinks it is all clear sailing for me, it isn't. Just like in everybody else's life, there are things that get us down, get our backs up, get on our one last nerve. Also it makes me nervous that my eyes don't seem very focused, and I have to spend less time from here to relax them. Never had this problem before.
I think it's time to go to the eye dr's ...my years about up anyway. The insurance only wants to pay for office visits every other year (along with all the tests I have). Whatever
I came home early today because I just could not drag myself around for another 1/2 hrs. Not only did my usual left ankle, knee and back hurt, but there was also a pain in the back of my upper thigh. I think that is the sciatica nerve. So I got the Charge Nurse to write me out and I came home.
I drank my protein shake around mid-day and my supper around 3:30pm when Gene went out. He had KFC and I had some left over baked fish and ate KFC coleslaw. Then I had to eat the biscuit. I knew it was a no-no because they are high in calories. So far that's it but somebody brought a great big apple pie yesterday to the house and I did eat a few apple slices out of the middle but no crust.
Now I want the whole thing, apples plus the crust. It was home made and made on one of those old-fashioned deep pie dishes. So tempting
I usually have trouble over weekends because everybody is home and everything irritates me unless I take my Xanax and am able to feel less nervous. When I feel like this, too nervous to settle down, that's when I want to eat.
Just in case anybody thinks it is all clear sailing for me, it isn't. Just like in everybody else's life, there are things that get us down, get our backs up, get on our one last nerve. Also it makes me nervous that my eyes don't seem very focused, and I have to spend less time from here to relax them. Never had this problem before.
I think it's time to go to the eye dr's ...my years about up anyway. The insurance only wants to pay for office visits every other year (along with all the tests I have). Whatever
Friday, November 12, 2010
Name Change for my blog
I just changed my blog title because now that I was getting closer to my WLS, I will be writing more about what is happening to me and how I feel about it.
It always did make me feel better to record my feelings on paper...I was the one with the 5 year diary who never had enough lines to say my piece for the day. Then came journals. And now it's much easier just to sit here and type.
Today I have been on my shakes diet for exactly a week. I feel like I have lost a little weight but as my scale isn't working right I'm not sure now much but I guess they will weigh me again before I have the surgery done. I am used to making the shakes now and have learned how to vary the taste with different additions. I had better. Protein shakes will be my friend for a long time.
I feel kinda low tonight. My brain doesn't seem to want to work. I am having to really think about things that I should be doing automatically and I am not talking as well because I keep stuttering and forgetting what I want to say.
Tomorrow I have to work and I dread it as usual because of my aches and pains. I didn't ride my bike because I had my clothes to get done and some running about to do. I had to buy more protein powder ($25 for 21 servings, a week) and I also found out how much my powdered ultra woman's vitamins were...$40 for 2 week supply. The iron capsules will last a month.
So you can see it is costing me money to eat right. But I'd rather sacrifice and get decent vitamins because I haven't had one bad stomach reaction, like I would usually have. Also I haven't had any problems with constipation which is what I feared once I was eating much less solid food.
Well here I sit and there are many dishes and pots in the sink. The microwave died and you never miss the convience until it's gone.
Not doing the dishes. I'm putting my foot down..at least for tonight
It always did make me feel better to record my feelings on paper...I was the one with the 5 year diary who never had enough lines to say my piece for the day. Then came journals. And now it's much easier just to sit here and type.
Today I have been on my shakes diet for exactly a week. I feel like I have lost a little weight but as my scale isn't working right I'm not sure now much but I guess they will weigh me again before I have the surgery done. I am used to making the shakes now and have learned how to vary the taste with different additions. I had better. Protein shakes will be my friend for a long time.
I feel kinda low tonight. My brain doesn't seem to want to work. I am having to really think about things that I should be doing automatically and I am not talking as well because I keep stuttering and forgetting what I want to say.
Tomorrow I have to work and I dread it as usual because of my aches and pains. I didn't ride my bike because I had my clothes to get done and some running about to do. I had to buy more protein powder ($25 for 21 servings, a week) and I also found out how much my powdered ultra woman's vitamins were...$40 for 2 week supply. The iron capsules will last a month.
So you can see it is costing me money to eat right. But I'd rather sacrifice and get decent vitamins because I haven't had one bad stomach reaction, like I would usually have. Also I haven't had any problems with constipation which is what I feared once I was eating much less solid food.
Well here I sit and there are many dishes and pots in the sink. The microwave died and you never miss the convience until it's gone.
Not doing the dishes. I'm putting my foot down..at least for tonight
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Two little gummy circles
I am doing as well as I can on my pre-op diet and I may have even lost a little weight. The day I started (Saturday) Amanda came in with a box of jellied candy, similar to the fruit slices, only in small, fruity circles.
Amanda wouldn't give me two today. Yesterday and day before I managed to wheedle 2 of them out of her when she took the box out (I had told her to hide the box). You see, when I wasn't on a diet I would have had that whole box gone in no time. These here I can suck slowly and make the two last about 10 minutes.
Doesn't this sound so childish. Begging my daughter for a bit of candy. It should be the other way around. I can remember being upset to the point of tears because one day not long ago I asked her to get me a muffin (soon I won't be able to eat them) and offered her the money but she didn't do it.
You might ask, I have a license and a car, why didn't I go and get what I wanted. The reason: I don't want to leave the house. I only leave when I absolutely have to, such as my weekend job or dr. visit. I get everybody to pick things up that I need or want. My reasoning is, "Well Amanda and Gene are always going up and down the road, maybe they will pick it up"
And I am known to pay for the privilege. here's $5, get yourself a coffee (while you get my muffin) or to Gene, "if you cash my cheque I will give you $20." What a way to live.
Even when I wasn't on this diet I wouldn't buy myself any "good stuff" even if I passed the coffee shop or whatever. It seemed to me that if someone brought the food to me, it was better than if I got it myself and hid it away (like I used to before I stopped going out of the house). I used to sneak in boxes of Little Debbies and hide them all over, or chocolates that I would eat after everybody else went to bed.
So in a way, not getting out even for the junk that I craved, I saved a lot of calories. There's no more Dollar Store, Job Lot or Christmas Tree Shop to get all the lower-priced good stuff.
So here I sir
t at midnight, writing out this drivel. It seems like after all the begging and writing, the urge for my two little circle jellies has gone. Food is an emotional thing. It seems insane that a 55 year old grown woman would wheedle her 29 year old daughter for a little sweet stuff.
Those of you who naturally don't rely on nice tasting junk food to resolve your emotional problems will never understand what I just wrote.
But the ones struggling with weight like I am will get the picture. We have walked in each others moccasins in forums, weight loss groups, and just talking among ourselves.
I want to be thin and healthy....I want to be thin and healthy
Amanda wouldn't give me two today. Yesterday and day before I managed to wheedle 2 of them out of her when she took the box out (I had told her to hide the box). You see, when I wasn't on a diet I would have had that whole box gone in no time. These here I can suck slowly and make the two last about 10 minutes.
Doesn't this sound so childish. Begging my daughter for a bit of candy. It should be the other way around. I can remember being upset to the point of tears because one day not long ago I asked her to get me a muffin (soon I won't be able to eat them) and offered her the money but she didn't do it.
You might ask, I have a license and a car, why didn't I go and get what I wanted. The reason: I don't want to leave the house. I only leave when I absolutely have to, such as my weekend job or dr. visit. I get everybody to pick things up that I need or want. My reasoning is, "Well Amanda and Gene are always going up and down the road, maybe they will pick it up"
And I am known to pay for the privilege. here's $5, get yourself a coffee (while you get my muffin) or to Gene, "if you cash my cheque I will give you $20." What a way to live.
Even when I wasn't on this diet I wouldn't buy myself any "good stuff" even if I passed the coffee shop or whatever. It seemed to me that if someone brought the food to me, it was better than if I got it myself and hid it away (like I used to before I stopped going out of the house). I used to sneak in boxes of Little Debbies and hide them all over, or chocolates that I would eat after everybody else went to bed.
So in a way, not getting out even for the junk that I craved, I saved a lot of calories. There's no more Dollar Store, Job Lot or Christmas Tree Shop to get all the lower-priced good stuff.
So here I sir
t at midnight, writing out this drivel. It seems like after all the begging and writing, the urge for my two little circle jellies has gone. Food is an emotional thing. It seems insane that a 55 year old grown woman would wheedle her 29 year old daughter for a little sweet stuff.
Those of you who naturally don't rely on nice tasting junk food to resolve your emotional problems will never understand what I just wrote.
But the ones struggling with weight like I am will get the picture. We have walked in each others moccasins in forums, weight loss groups, and just talking among ourselves.
I want to be thin and healthy....I want to be thin and healthy
Monday, November 8, 2010
Only 20 calories but....
....It was a start. Just now I dug out the recumbent bike from all the clothes and other items I had stacked on and around it and knocked about 6 inches of dust off. I decided it was time to see if my knee, foot and back could stand some exercise. This is how I stayed on the bike for 10 minutes and only got 20 calories. It was very slow going but as I said it was a start.
Today is day 3 of the shakes-and-one-diet-meal regimen and thank God I don't have to work until the weekend. Those were two very painful days and I hobbled around like one of the poor old dears on the unit.
I think I lost a little water weight because my face doesn't look so puffy. I can't fool myself there is a great deal of work to be done before I can look 1/2 way decent again.
As for the drinks themselves, I will have to buy some more nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and other extracts to flavour them up so I don't get bored. So I went looking for shake recipes. There is a great one using pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice that the poster said tasted just like ...well, pumpkin pie. Gotta try that one
Now for a cake shake, pastry shake, cookie shake etc
Today is day 3 of the shakes-and-one-diet-meal regimen and thank God I don't have to work until the weekend. Those were two very painful days and I hobbled around like one of the poor old dears on the unit.
I think I lost a little water weight because my face doesn't look so puffy. I can't fool myself there is a great deal of work to be done before I can look 1/2 way decent again.
As for the drinks themselves, I will have to buy some more nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and other extracts to flavour them up so I don't get bored. So I went looking for shake recipes. There is a great one using pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice that the poster said tasted just like ...well, pumpkin pie. Gotta try that one
Now for a cake shake, pastry shake, cookie shake etc
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Day 2...more shakes. hehehe
Today at work I felt extra huge, extra pain and extra foot trouble. I move just like the old folks, only I don't have a walker with yellow tennis balls dragging the floor. I did a lot of leaning on my cart tho and I didn't do much at all besides my common areas and trash. If it looked clean I let it slide. Just waited until it came time to go home.
This would be a time that I would fill up on junk, trying to make myself feel better but as we all know, once it is in your stomach you feel guilty, extra fat and in my case I get heart-burn for a while. I did look at the junk food machine as I drank my lunchtime shake but it was just a passing thought and it didn't bother me. Not even the sugar wafers 10-to-a-package made me get up and go to my locker.
You see, I had locked up my change purse with all the quarters in it and I was too lazy to fetch it out (which was my idea all along). So I finished my shake and dragged my ass back upstairs for the next couple of hours.
The main steps up through the building (versus the elevators) are right outside the break room door. I saw somebody come in and RUN up the steps. In a flash they had reached the first floor and out of sight.
I used to move quickly too, I thought wearily, as I headed to the elevator. People moving quickly seem to amaze me here lately since I've had to slow right down due to the pain.
I thought, if I stick to the shakes and diet meals, and ignore the sweet junk that was slowly killing me, I might come back to myself, with the help of my lap band. So I have to press forward. I have 12 more days of this diet and then the operation, then I will not care to eat a single thing for a few weeks!!! It's liquids, creamy textured, then pureed and mushies and then introduce regular food very gradually. My feet are on the path so I must walk it
This would be a time that I would fill up on junk, trying to make myself feel better but as we all know, once it is in your stomach you feel guilty, extra fat and in my case I get heart-burn for a while. I did look at the junk food machine as I drank my lunchtime shake but it was just a passing thought and it didn't bother me. Not even the sugar wafers 10-to-a-package made me get up and go to my locker.
You see, I had locked up my change purse with all the quarters in it and I was too lazy to fetch it out (which was my idea all along). So I finished my shake and dragged my ass back upstairs for the next couple of hours.
The main steps up through the building (versus the elevators) are right outside the break room door. I saw somebody come in and RUN up the steps. In a flash they had reached the first floor and out of sight.
I used to move quickly too, I thought wearily, as I headed to the elevator. People moving quickly seem to amaze me here lately since I've had to slow right down due to the pain.
I thought, if I stick to the shakes and diet meals, and ignore the sweet junk that was slowly killing me, I might come back to myself, with the help of my lap band. So I have to press forward. I have 12 more days of this diet and then the operation, then I will not care to eat a single thing for a few weeks!!! It's liquids, creamy textured, then pureed and mushies and then introduce regular food very gradually. My feet are on the path so I must walk it
Saturday, November 6, 2010
First "Shakes" Day
Today I started drinking the shakes that are supposed to help me lose weight before the operation. I have powdered vitamins and an iron supplement besides. I just ate a Lean Cuisine meal which was some broccoli, meat and noodles in sauce for 280 cals. Because I knew why I was eating so small it didn't really bother me.
I will have another shake tonight using water instead of the skim milk and the beauty of these shakes is that you can add things to them to make them different. When I was on the Excell powder I used to make plenty of things out of it even a kind of ice cream. The trick is to get the vanilla flavour which goes well with frozen fruits, flavourings and what have you.
I have to admit there was something brought in the house that would make me eat and eat if I wasn't on the straight and narrow. Somebody bought in a box of devil dogs but at least I don't have them staring at me. Max for some strange reason wanted them in the freezer. Helps me out.
Most people can't handle a "shakes" diet but because I am lazy it works for me. Plus it doesn't bother me to eat the same thing day after day. At least I know what I will have for the day and for supper I can have a diet meal. Just nuke it, all done!
The main thing is that I shrink my liver as much as possible in the 2 weeks before my operation and lose a few lbs. Plus it is a good introduction to what my life will be like after I get my small stomach. 5 years ago I lost 60lbs this way so I am hoping I can do it again.
My body is in a terrible way. I can't walk far and when I do I feel like I can't catch my breath. Today at work was agony because of my back and ankle and I barely did anything. But far better I show up and do what little I can then call in and have the others be short. It's a real bear to have a whole floor to manage for 5 hours. Don't ask me to stay any longer because 5 hours is torment enough!
I will have another shake tonight using water instead of the skim milk and the beauty of these shakes is that you can add things to them to make them different. When I was on the Excell powder I used to make plenty of things out of it even a kind of ice cream. The trick is to get the vanilla flavour which goes well with frozen fruits, flavourings and what have you.
I have to admit there was something brought in the house that would make me eat and eat if I wasn't on the straight and narrow. Somebody bought in a box of devil dogs but at least I don't have them staring at me. Max for some strange reason wanted them in the freezer. Helps me out.
Most people can't handle a "shakes" diet but because I am lazy it works for me. Plus it doesn't bother me to eat the same thing day after day. At least I know what I will have for the day and for supper I can have a diet meal. Just nuke it, all done!
The main thing is that I shrink my liver as much as possible in the 2 weeks before my operation and lose a few lbs. Plus it is a good introduction to what my life will be like after I get my small stomach. 5 years ago I lost 60lbs this way so I am hoping I can do it again.
My body is in a terrible way. I can't walk far and when I do I feel like I can't catch my breath. Today at work was agony because of my back and ankle and I barely did anything. But far better I show up and do what little I can then call in and have the others be short. It's a real bear to have a whole floor to manage for 5 hours. Don't ask me to stay any longer because 5 hours is torment enough!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Will I be able to Cope?
I am sitting here going through the Obesity Help forums and following links for recipes for shakes and trying to figure it all out. Then it occurred to me that this will be a massive undertaking. If I don't eat right I will get sick. There will only be a small stomach and it can only hold so much. I need help with the meal planning. It seems the more I try to find out about the food part the more confused I get.
The shakes I feel good about because it's all done for me, all I have to do is stir them together. The Lean Cuisine, I just have to remember to get. And the Crystal Light. I love iced tea CL but not the fruit flavours to drink all day long.
I just feel like, remember when you were pregnant and the baby was inside and all you were responsible for was yourself while the baby was inside. Well I remember how I felt when Amanda was finally here and I realised with a shock that here was this helpless little baby and what was I gonna do about it?
That's how I feel about this WLS. Dr Pohl will make me a little stomach and now that it is here, what do I do for it. This might sound strange but that's how I am beginning to feel. While I have quite a few things wrong with me, I have always been proud of my iron-clad stomach. I understand if I don't chew right or try to eat the wrong thing I will throw up or have pain and things I am not used to my stomach doing.
This must be my crazy mind working overtime but it's only now beginning to creep up on me. I am not afraid of surgery or hospitals, I have been there before. I am able to understand what will happen in the operating room and I know I will wake up after and be in recovery. They will keep me in hospital overnight and send me toddling off home the next day with a new little stomach. All that I know and understand.
What makes me nervous is, how do I feed the thing so as not to upset it? Remember I have an iron-clad stomach and so am not used to throwing up or any of those things. I have to have protein and vitamins so they must stay down to do any good. Worry worry worry
The shakes I feel good about because it's all done for me, all I have to do is stir them together. The Lean Cuisine, I just have to remember to get. And the Crystal Light. I love iced tea CL but not the fruit flavours to drink all day long.
I just feel like, remember when you were pregnant and the baby was inside and all you were responsible for was yourself while the baby was inside. Well I remember how I felt when Amanda was finally here and I realised with a shock that here was this helpless little baby and what was I gonna do about it?
That's how I feel about this WLS. Dr Pohl will make me a little stomach and now that it is here, what do I do for it. This might sound strange but that's how I am beginning to feel. While I have quite a few things wrong with me, I have always been proud of my iron-clad stomach. I understand if I don't chew right or try to eat the wrong thing I will throw up or have pain and things I am not used to my stomach doing.
This must be my crazy mind working overtime but it's only now beginning to creep up on me. I am not afraid of surgery or hospitals, I have been there before. I am able to understand what will happen in the operating room and I know I will wake up after and be in recovery. They will keep me in hospital overnight and send me toddling off home the next day with a new little stomach. All that I know and understand.
What makes me nervous is, how do I feed the thing so as not to upset it? Remember I have an iron-clad stomach and so am not used to throwing up or any of those things. I have to have protein and vitamins so they must stay down to do any good. Worry worry worry
Whey and Vitamins
Yesterday I went to GNC and got my whey powder (protein) and vitamins to start my pre-op on Saturday am bright and early. this is what I got:
...Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 (the protein shake powder)
...GNC Women's Ultra Mega powder, which provides all the vitamins but iron and is easily absorbed
...and Gentlesorb Iron one of these daily. This is in capsule form
...and a shake maker which looks like a small blender, to make real good smoothies with ice, fruits using the protein powder
I hope I explained all this right. I paid about $100 for everything but there's no "I can't afford it" when it comes to how you have to eat before and after WLS. Not if you want to stay healthy and keep your hair.I have waist-length hair that I have painfully and slowly grown over 3 years and if at all possible I want to hang on to it. There's nothing much more to commend me as I am so fat and sloppy looking. So please let me hang on to my hair at least,lol
I will make three shakes a day, using 1 scoop of powder and a cup of skim milk. It's vanilla powder so I can add things to it. I already tried the Women's vitamin powder. One scoop in 4 oz of water, and shake it up in a covered container. It tastes pretty good for what it is. I make this twice a day.
I also took a iron capsule this am, might as well try that too.
Tomorrow I will try out the miniature blender and see how that works because I will have to take one of those shakes to work with me for lunch on Saturday. I'm not worried about shakes because I've lost weight on them before. It's nice to know what you will eat and not have to worry about recipes and weighing, etc. The small meal will be a Lean Cuisine or something similar, just nuke it no problem.
OK now that I've made it sound so easy, I can admit that I don't know how it will all work out. So long as I lose weight for the surgery so that my liver can shrink as much as possible. Dr Pohl said the smaller the liver, the safer it is to get around it to put the band in.
All in all, I just want this to work. I am sick of being near 300lbs and it is time to move on and take care of my own health needs for a while. A person of normal weight has no idea what it is like to carry around so much weight, then feel lighter and lighter as the fat goes away. Then the good stuff like smaller sized clothes, improved mobility and knowing every lb you take off means better and better health
...Amplified Wheybolic Extreme 60 (the protein shake powder)
...GNC Women's Ultra Mega powder, which provides all the vitamins but iron and is easily absorbed
...and Gentlesorb Iron one of these daily. This is in capsule form
...and a shake maker which looks like a small blender, to make real good smoothies with ice, fruits using the protein powder
I hope I explained all this right. I paid about $100 for everything but there's no "I can't afford it" when it comes to how you have to eat before and after WLS. Not if you want to stay healthy and keep your hair.I have waist-length hair that I have painfully and slowly grown over 3 years and if at all possible I want to hang on to it. There's nothing much more to commend me as I am so fat and sloppy looking. So please let me hang on to my hair at least,lol
I will make three shakes a day, using 1 scoop of powder and a cup of skim milk. It's vanilla powder so I can add things to it. I already tried the Women's vitamin powder. One scoop in 4 oz of water, and shake it up in a covered container. It tastes pretty good for what it is. I make this twice a day.
I also took a iron capsule this am, might as well try that too.
Tomorrow I will try out the miniature blender and see how that works because I will have to take one of those shakes to work with me for lunch on Saturday. I'm not worried about shakes because I've lost weight on them before. It's nice to know what you will eat and not have to worry about recipes and weighing, etc. The small meal will be a Lean Cuisine or something similar, just nuke it no problem.
OK now that I've made it sound so easy, I can admit that I don't know how it will all work out. So long as I lose weight for the surgery so that my liver can shrink as much as possible. Dr Pohl said the smaller the liver, the safer it is to get around it to put the band in.
All in all, I just want this to work. I am sick of being near 300lbs and it is time to move on and take care of my own health needs for a while. A person of normal weight has no idea what it is like to carry around so much weight, then feel lighter and lighter as the fat goes away. Then the good stuff like smaller sized clothes, improved mobility and knowing every lb you take off means better and better health
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Of Vitamins and Protein Shakes
I have to try and understand what it is I have to eat Friday, the pre-op diet. The Dietition's slip says to have 2 protein shakes a day, two servings of fruit and one low fat meal plus 64 oz fluids/day. Then there's the vitamins. Some say 2 Flintstone's complete with extra calcium, and Calcium 1000mgs/day with vitamin D. Such as Viactive or Caltrate, 2-3/day.
I have already decided I will get my protein shake powder from GNC. They have some for $35. I forget how many meals, think it is 78. I love Crystal Lite esp. Iced Tea and don't like water that much, so this means I have to have CL in the house.
One sheet from the Dietition mentions B complex (which I just saw).Now over on Obesity Help the consensus is that Flintstones vitamins don't work as well as some they had mentioned.
If this sounds all confused that's exactly how it appears to me.
I do know what I want to drink. I also know what protein shakes I want. I know what a small cup of fruit looks like and I know what a diet meal is.
It's just the vitamins that have me confused. Of course at Dr. Pohl's office they are selling their own brand which has all the vitamins exactly the way they should be but their shakes and vitamins are expensive and I can't go trucking up to Johnston every week.
All this is important because I will be following much the same diet after the operation, moving from liquids to pureed and then adding regular foods as advised. But the shakes will always be there for a protein source as well as what else I eat.
My little stomach will only hold an ounce of food so I am limited as to what I can put down there at a time. This is why they say not to drink with my meals, you don't want to fill up on drink and not have room for the rest
I have already decided I will get my protein shake powder from GNC. They have some for $35. I forget how many meals, think it is 78. I love Crystal Lite esp. Iced Tea and don't like water that much, so this means I have to have CL in the house.
One sheet from the Dietition mentions B complex (which I just saw).Now over on Obesity Help the consensus is that Flintstones vitamins don't work as well as some they had mentioned.
If this sounds all confused that's exactly how it appears to me.
I do know what I want to drink. I also know what protein shakes I want. I know what a small cup of fruit looks like and I know what a diet meal is.
It's just the vitamins that have me confused. Of course at Dr. Pohl's office they are selling their own brand which has all the vitamins exactly the way they should be but their shakes and vitamins are expensive and I can't go trucking up to Johnston every week.
All this is important because I will be following much the same diet after the operation, moving from liquids to pureed and then adding regular foods as advised. But the shakes will always be there for a protein source as well as what else I eat.
My little stomach will only hold an ounce of food so I am limited as to what I can put down there at a time. This is why they say not to drink with my meals, you don't want to fill up on drink and not have room for the rest
Monday, November 1, 2010
It's Nov. 1, the month of my WLS
Now starts a month that will make a big, different, change in my life. Overfull with Halloween candy, it is easy for me wish I wasn't such a pig. It's like I am on an extended "Last Supper". Knowing everything that was good to eat (but slowly killing me) will be out of the picture after Nov 5, I am busily saying my goodbye's to everything. Like KFC, pie, candy, Little Debbies, cookies and such. I know after the operation I won't want to even face any kind of food but I have to shrink my liver as much as I can by Nov. 19.
It's not like I haven't fasted for a test, or done colonoscopy prep or anything in which solid food has to be done without. During the time last year that I was having so much success with losing my 40lbs, I had no sweets or junk at all, and no food after 6pm. So I know it can be done.
I know holidays will be difficult but I have to say no. Even if I ate a little I would feel sick anyway and my small stomach will have to have protein fed to it before anything else. No drinking while I eat. Drinking other times than meals will be mandatory. I love Chrystal Lite and Dr. Pohl is letting me have some caffeine which will be a great help.
It will just be different that's all and I will not sit here and lie to you that I am not afraid of what's coming. No so worried about the surgery, I've been under before and I will be under again if I have any more procedures in my life.
I have to think about next year and losing some steady pounds. I have to think about my Indian bag and bo-ho way of dress and next summer. I want to go to Bermuda and wear a decent regular one piece instead of that old people's skirted "fat" bathing suit. I want my feet to feel right with less weight to carry around and take some pressure off my knees.
Before losing weight for good looks was my priority but now I am losing weight for my health and mobility and if I look nice that is extra icing on the cake
It's not like I haven't fasted for a test, or done colonoscopy prep or anything in which solid food has to be done without. During the time last year that I was having so much success with losing my 40lbs, I had no sweets or junk at all, and no food after 6pm. So I know it can be done.
I know holidays will be difficult but I have to say no. Even if I ate a little I would feel sick anyway and my small stomach will have to have protein fed to it before anything else. No drinking while I eat. Drinking other times than meals will be mandatory. I love Chrystal Lite and Dr. Pohl is letting me have some caffeine which will be a great help.
It will just be different that's all and I will not sit here and lie to you that I am not afraid of what's coming. No so worried about the surgery, I've been under before and I will be under again if I have any more procedures in my life.
I have to think about next year and losing some steady pounds. I have to think about my Indian bag and bo-ho way of dress and next summer. I want to go to Bermuda and wear a decent regular one piece instead of that old people's skirted "fat" bathing suit. I want my feet to feel right with less weight to carry around and take some pressure off my knees.
Before losing weight for good looks was my priority but now I am losing weight for my health and mobility and if I look nice that is extra icing on the cake
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