Monday, February 27, 2012

Picture Time!

Although I haven't lost a lot of weight over the last week, I've been going down size wise.  I had to go down a size in jeans, and even they are big on me at the end of the day.  (YAY!)  I plateaued for about a week, but yesterday the scale went down a pound, and today it went down another pound!  I thought it was time for a few pictures!  (By the way, I could not wear this shirt last week.  Eeek!)



Today's Weight: 227
Total Loss: 22 lbs!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

So Frustrated!

I'm very Frustrated today.  The last time I posted was last Thursday.  Friday I lost 2 more lbs, for a weight of 231.  Where I've been stuck ever since.  I swear, if this is all the weight I'm gonna loose, I want my stomach put back the way it was so I can stop eating all the damn time and just have a freaking piece of cake!  I'm angry, and I still feel fat, and I just want to cry.  This sucks.  For the past 3 days I've been feeling like this is such a mistake.  Everyone who has had the surgery keeps telling me its not, but they've all lost over 100 lbs.  I've lost a measly 18.  And the only thing I can tell is my jeans aren't as tight.  I haven't even gone down a size.  And I really want a piece of toast or a grilled cheese sandwich, but no, I can't eat bread anymore.  Or anything dense really.  Ugh.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

2 Week Post-Op!

I had my post-op appointment today!  The Dr. said I'm healing really well, and that I can lift the kids again and begin exercising.  And, I can eat!  Although I learned quickly its not much!  I came home and made myself an egg with some low fat cheddar cheese.  I got about 3/4 of it down, and that's all I could hold.  Then I went to Wal-Mart and spent an insane amount of money on all new food.  Healthy food.  Like Greek Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Chickpeas, tuna, mahi mahi, chicken, and some veggies.  I still can't have fibrous foods like stringy veggies, veggie skins, and I can't have tough meats like steak or pork or even dry chicken.  If I do eat chicken, it should probably be cooked in the crock pot so its super moist.

After Grocery shopping, I made a mistake.  I went to Subway and got some Tuna on flatbread.  It was so good.  You know, the two bites I got down.  But apparently even the flatbread expanded too much in my tiny stomach, and 5 minutes after taking those two bites, they came right back up.  So I waited about 30 minutes, and had some greek yogurt.  I was full on less than 1/2 cup.  I think getting my protein in is going to be a challenge.  But, I like the yogurt, and If I can get at least 1 cup per day in I've gotten in 44 grams of protein, and my goal for the entire day is 60 or more.  So hopefully I can eat enough to get it all in.  If not, I'll check out those protein shots they have at GNC and Wal-Mart, because I can't possibly drink another protein drink.  EVER!








Today's Weight: 233
Total Loss: 16 lbs!



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

ONE MORE DAY!!!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

ONE MORE DAY UNTIL I CAN EAT AGAIN!!!!  Can you tell I'm excited?

This Valentine's Day is very different from Valentine's Days past.  In the past, Jon and I have always gotten a sitter and gone out to either a nice dinner, or to our Trusty Valentine's Day place where the service and food are always good--The Catfish Hole.  And Jon always has chocolates for me and I always have chocolate covered strawberries for him.  And we always get Dessert.  This year is different.  No food for me today, so while his grandparents are here to watch the kiddos, Jon and I are going to go to the mall and walk around, shop a little, and he'll grab a healthy dinner from the food court while I sip on some unsweet tea.

Its hard to find things to do that don't involve food.  What are some of your ideas for dates that don't involve eating?

Today's Weight: 233.5
Total Loss: 15.5 lbs

Monday, February 13, 2012

Hanging in There

The title of this post says it all.  I'm just hanging in there today.  I have a lot of energy, and I've done a lot of cleaning around the house today while Parker was at school and Elliot was napping.  I cleaned my oven, dusted the house, and vacuumed the living room, then swept the kitchen floor.  Then I ran out of steam so the rest remains un-done!

The protein shakes are so nasty at this point.  I seriously think I might gag every time I try to drink one.  Now really, they're probably not that bad.  But when you've had the same thing four times a day for almost 2 straight weeks, you can't help but gag at the thought of drinking another one.  I have learned that variety, is indeed, the spice of life.  And with only 3 flavors, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Chicken Soup-which can't be made hot because it curdles- coupled with the fact that I cannot stomach the Vanilla flavor, variety is at a bare minimum.

I've already planned my first meal.  I'm going to have Pizza!  Healthy pizza that is.  (But I'm still psyched about it!)  I'm planning on making it on whole wheat flatbread with roasted garlic, marinara, Mozzarella, Green Peppers, and Turkey Pepperoni.  Maybe even some mushrooms.  And I will be eating it piping hot because I miss hot food!  (These shakes are cold, and on a snowy day like today, they just aren't hitting the spot.)  And for dessert, I'm going to make Chocolate Covered Katie's sugar free, high protein, gluten free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.  And I'm gonna be stingy and not share any with my family.  I'm sure I won't have to!  After I tell them that its made out of Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas!)  Basically its sweetened hummus with Chocolate chips!

Other high protein foods I've got on my grocery list are Cottage Cheese, Greek Yogurt, Sugar Free Preserves, Mahi Mahi, Chicken, Tuna, Cucumbers, and lots of fresh herbs.  I can make Greek Yogurt into a dip for Whole Wheat Club crackers by adding Ranch Powder or a packet of Onion Soup Mix.  And I can make it into Tzatziki sauce to have with whole wheat pita bread too.  Who knew?  Protein in dip!  Pretty much you can substitute plain greek yogurt in any recipe that calls for sour cream.  Bam!  Instant protein boost with the same flavor and texture!

I know that most of my food cravings are "head hunger".  Pretty much I just want food, but I'm not really hungry.  Except for the last few days, after I've drank all my protein and water, I will feel hungry around 8 or 9 PM.  Real hunger.  Not starving, but I wish I could at least have a few crackers or something.  I'm still counting down the days until Thursday!  Post-op appointment is scheduled for 8 AM!

Down another 1.5 lbs this morning!

Today's weight: 234.5
Total Loss: 14.5 lbs!  (I can't wait for that number to be 30, then 40, then 75, then 100!)


P.S.  To my friend Bree~  I plan on taking pictures at my 2 week appointment, when I've actually done my hair and makeup and put on a decent outfit!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Getting There...

Hey everybody!  Not a lot to report really!  I'm feeling more energetic every day though.  And people keep telling me I look thinner, so who knows, maybe I do.

I discovered something awesome today!  Extra Sugar Free Apple Pie Gum.  It tastes just like a slice of cinnamon-y apple pie!  And no calories and sugar free!

Today I took Parker to his friend's 4th Birthday party.  He had a great time, and it felt nice to get out of the house independently again.  Yesterday my Mother In Law and I took the kids to the mall so I could walk, they could eat lunch at Chik-fil-A, and we could all do a little shopping.  I found some great deals on clothes that were too small for me, and I bought them anyway!  And I found an cute Green Handbag (Notice I didn't call it a purse Bry?).  I also found a cute new dress and a pair of white patent shoes for Elliot for spring to wear with her dresses.

I'm going to attempt to go to church tomorrow.  I really want to go out to eat afterwards.  I miss restaurants.  I miss mexican food a LOT.  And pizza.  Oh hell, I miss food.  And I called the Dr. on Thursday, and they informed me that although the last day of my 2 weeks of liquid diet is up on the 14th, and technically I should be able to eat on the 15th, they don't want me to eat until my post-op appointment on the 15th.  And no, they can't schedule my appointment on the 15th, because the Dr. is in surgery all day.  (Don't worry, it was the first thing I asked!)  That sucks.  Plain and simple.  I wanted to throw the phone.  I still want to throw the phone.  I want a freaking cookie!

The worst part is, I have actually felt hungry a few times over the past few days.  I feel kind of hungry now.  I've had all my protein for the day and my water, and I still feel a little hungry.  Not starving, but hungry enough to eat one slice of pizza or a section of a yummy quesadilla.  I guess the old saying stands true.  I'm up a creek without a paddle!

Today's Weight: 236 (loss of 2 more pounds for a total loss of 13 pounds!)

Thursday, February 9, 2012

5 More Days!

So I was looking at the calendar this afternoon and noticed that I only have 5 more days of liquid diet after today.  I'm so excited to get to eat again.  Not because I need food, but because I want to chew, and I want to spend time at the table with my family again.  That's our main source of family time.  We always sit down as a family for dinner, every night, at the kitchen table.  We don't eat in the living room, or as we come and go, we make the time to spend with each other.

Because of me missing family time, I'm missing time with Jon.  That's typically when we talk about how our days went and get in our quality time.  I miss him, even though he's here every night.  I wish it was warmer out.  We would totally take advantage of his mom being here and go for a walk.  Tomorrow night we have a hot date at H&R Block!  Maybe we can get some good couple time in then!  I guess we could possibly try to go to a movie sometime soon.  That doesn't involve food.

Which brings me to my next subject.  Now I'm not much for hiking or camping, or any of that stuff, but what are some of your ideas for dates that don't involve food.  All we ever do is go to dinner or go out to dinner with other couples.  We live in a city with a small town feel, which means there's not a ton to do besides eat.  No real museums that would really interest us, and no zoo or aquarium.  Any ideas?

Today's Weight:  238--still no loss.  How frustrating!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tuesday

Hey everybody!  I took a day off yesterday because I was a little discouraged.  After seeing the scale go down every day, yesterday it just stayed the same.  And today it only went down 1/2 a pound.  Not sure what's going on there, but I'm sure it will go down again.  I don't see how it can't.

I called my Dr. yesterday and they said I can eat V8 juice, beef and chicken broth, and tomato soup, so that's good.  I still have to drink the protein shakes though, and they just taste horrible.  The taste wasn't so bad at first, but now that its all I have I'm starting to hate them.  You know how it is.  I love tacos, but if I ate them for every meal, for 2 weeks straight, I might never want to see a taco again!  That's where I am now.  Just the thought of drinking 16 ounces of it a day makes me want to vomit.  Ugh.

In other news, my pants are fitting much better.  I put my jeans on for the first time yesterday, and they were almost loose on me!  I'll try to take a picture later today after I actually fix my hair and makeup.  I'll show you guys fat pictures, but this Southern woman will not let anyone take a picture of her without makeup or her hair fixed unless she just gave birth!  (Although I might go to Wal-Mart without makeup or my hair perfect because, lets face it, its Wal-Mart.)

Today I'm going to venture out of the house and try to go get some Valentines for Parker's Valentine's day Party at School.  He has one on Thursday and one on Monday.  And we need to get a gift for a special friend of his who is turning 4 tomorrow!  (He can't wait for her party on Saturday!)

I guess I better get going while Elliot is down for her nap and get my face on and this mop of hair dried and fixed!

Today's weight: 237.5

Sunday, February 5, 2012

360 Calories

Hey Everybody!  Although the liquid diet is not getting any easier, I'm in pretty good spirits today.  I got a visit from my AMAZING friend Lisa!  We had a great time just talking and watching TV for a while while her daughter and Parker played.  She's awesome!

Lisa's visit encouraged me to actually get a shower and fix my hair and makeup.  I'm not sure why, I know she wouldn't have cared, but it felt important to at least take the shower!  Before my shower I stepped on the scale and was shocked.  6 lbs lost overnight.  Holy Cow!  It took me 3 months to loose 6 lbs pre surgery.  So it got me thinking, how is that possible?  I started researching.

I am supposed to be drinking at least 16 ounces of protein drink per day, plus 48 ounces of water, or sugar free clear liquid such as Crystal Light, Decaf Tea, Sugar Free Gatorade, etc.  That doesn't sound like much, but trust me, its really all I can hold right now.  Yesterday I drank 52 ounces, but I was so full.  Anyway, I started looking at the nutrition info on the protein shakes.  An 8 ounce serving, with skim milk has 180 Calories.  Multiply that times two, and there you have it.  360 Calories per Day.  That's what I'm living off of until February 15th.

10 more Days to go until I can have cheese!  Or 7 layer dip, made with Fat Free Refried Beans, Fat Free Sour Cream (Or maybe Greek Yogurt to add some protein!) and reduced fat cheese.  I'm gonna have it with some Reduced Fat Ritz Crackers.  And then I'm gonna go to Subway and get one of those $5 foot longs and make it last all week.  (I've been craving Tuna salad so bad!  I want it on Flatbread with Green Bell Peppers and Banana Peppers!  I know, it sounds gross, but I assure you, its good.  I discovered this combo while pregnant with Parker.)

Can you tell I'm craving food?  I'm not hungry, I just miss eating.  So sad, but so true!

Anyway, that's all I've got for today!

Today's Weight: 238
Total Loss: 11 lbs!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Dear Debbie Downer

I'd like to preface this post by saying that this is not directed towards anyone in particular.  And I by no means mean to hurt anyone's feelings.  This was not spurred by events of today only, but by events over my last 6 months.  I know that all of you are trying to help me in my journey, and trying to encourage me along.  But I need to get this off my chest.   For my family and Friends to see, and keep in mind.  Because I just can't take it anymore.

Nothing about your horror story of bariatric surgery from your friend/ aunt/ great-uncle's cousin's brother-in-law's sister's wife helps me.  I've heard numerous horror stories over the last 6 months.  At times I wish I hadn't told anyone that I was going to have the surgery.  I am well aware of the risks and lifelong changes that accompany bariatric surgery.  I know I might never get to eat certain foods again.  I know some people have complications.  I know some people die.  (I'm not dead yet, so I'm guessing I jumped that hurdle! :) )

It really doesn't help me to know that so and so who had surgery last year can't eat ice cream.  Or that so and so went to Mexico to have surgery (I'm assuming because said person is an idiot and thinks Mexico actually has a Medical Board worth writing home about) and now has a horrible hernia and can only eat bean soup and water.  (I'm willing to bet that person is no longer overweight though!)

I appreciate the concern that I get from each and every one of my friends, but I really don't need another article telling me to eat with a baby spoon from a child's plate.  Right now I can't eat at all, so although I love you, your mention of food makes me want to eat you alive!

And Surgery is not something I'm considering anymore.  Its done.  Over.  End of story.  I can't go back and change it now.  And I'm glad.  Because even if I can't eat ice cream ever again, I'll probably be able to eat sugar free frozen yogurt (which I like better anyway) and at least I will be able to bend over and tie my shoes without losing my breath.

I understand that I am VERY irritable right now.  I've been told that that will pass as soon as I'm allowed to eat solid foods again.  Or maybe after I eat the next person who hasn't gone through surgery themselves, but calls to offer some advice. :)

Today I'm down another 2 lbs, for a total loss of 7 lbs!  Yay!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Rough Day

Today is rough.  I'm tired, and dizzy.  I fell ok other than that.  Not much pain at all.  But my kids are driving me up the wall.  I want to hide from them right now because if I hear one more whine I might snap.  Ugh.

Down 5 lbs total today for a weight of 244.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Start of My Journey!

A friend told me I should start a blog about my weight loss journey with Bariatric Surgery.  On January 31st, 2012, I underwent a full Roux En Y Gastric Bypass surgery.  This blog will sometimes be happy, sometimes sad, and sometimes a place for me to vent my frustrations.  But it's real, and I'm not holding back.

Here's the most recent photo of me at my heaviest weight ever.  This picture almost made me hyperventilate when I saw it.  I look huge.  My gut is hanging over my jeans, and I look bigger than my husband.  Which is never acceptable.  Never.

I started my journey 6 months ago at 255 lbs.  On the day of surgery, I weighed in at 249 lbs.  Today is February 2nd.  I am two days past surgery and feeling pretty good considering.  I had a bad episode last night with nausea and pain.  I have been on top of taking my pain medicine and anti-nausea meds today and have felt much better.

The most frustrating thing about today is that although I'm not hungry, I want to eat.  I want to taste food and chew.  But I'm stuck on this stupid Liquid Diet.  Uggh.  Not fun.  But the truth is that I put myself in this situation.  It was my chewing and tasting that got me to the point that I needed the surgery.  So I'm going to suck it up and deal.  For two weeks.  No food, just liquids and protein shakes.  Yum.  Even healthy foods look amazing to me right now.  I saw a recipe for roasted Brussels Sprouts on Pinterest and immediately started drooling.  How sad.