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ChaChaBurch's Blog

A blog by ChaChaBurch in General

  • Entries

    35

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About this blog

My Journey to Weight Loss

Entries in this blog

3 Months Post-Op

Yesterday was exactly 3 months since my surgery. The whole process seems so surreal! I can't believe that I'm down 55lbs now. I haven't been this size in over 15 years! I went from a size 24W to a size 16 so far. The changes in how I feel are amazing and seem like a miracle. I feel great, and everyone tells me that I look amazing. My diet has seen some really big changes. I now eat primarily fresh foods, and very rarely eat processed foods. When I do eat out, I'm am extremely cautious on what I

Catching Up

I haven't been on the forum as much lately. Having to play "catch up" with everything that I put off while recuperating from my surgery.   At almost 12 weeks out, I am now down 50lbs, and in a size 16. Unbelievable! I shopped last week for a few new clothes (don't want to spend too much since I plan on shrinking out of these soon!). I automatically headed to the "big girl" sizes and couldn't find hardly anything that fit! I had to go over to the "normal" sizes, and was able to wear almost ever

Salads!

Probably the food I have most dreaded trying was salads. I have put off eating one for fear of it causing an issue. Well, Saturday I tried a small salad, and . . . TA-DA!!! No issues! I've had one almost every day since! Still no issues. So thankful I have missed having salads and now that it seems they aren't an issue, it's such a relief.   I'm down 45lbs today, and am so happy!! This sleeve definitely rocks!   I watched a series of videos on YouTube last night about a 19 year old boy in

2 Months Post-Surgery

I haven't been able to get on this website for about 3 weeks due to computer issues, and then family illness. Thankfully, that's all taken care of now!   It's hard to believe that 2 months ago I had a life-changing, mind-blowing experience with the realization of getting my sleeve. After years of major struggles with the lap-band, and 2 years spent searching for a Doctor who would even consider seeing me, God opened the door for me at Dr. Kaler's office. Dr. Kaler had no hesitation in telling

7 Weeks Post Op

I had my 2nd follow-up with my surgeon on Wednesday 5/09. He was just thrilled with my weight loss so far. He said I was doing great and to just keep on doing what I'm doing. He told me I had no restrictions on my activities from here on out, so whatever I feel like doing, to go right ahead (Zumba, here I come)! He wants me to come back in 2 months to do some follow-up bloodwork.   Different foods I've tried this past week are: Artisan Pizza (from Dominoes) - 1 slice of Chicken & Bacon Ca

6 Weeks Post-Op

WOW! - Has it been 6 weeks already??? I remember when my surgery date was finally made, and I thought time would just D-R-A-G! I couldn't wait until my surgery, and that seemed to take forever, and then I blinked, and it was surgery day!! Then it seemed to take FOREVER until I could take in "full liquids", and then it seemed like the wait for "soft/mushees" would NEVER BE OVER!!   Now I'm at 6 weeks Post-Op, and I got the thumbs up from my NUT to eat "regular food". Even though I've been slowl

Family Doctor Visit

Today I went to see my family doctor - the first time since the surgery - and according to his scales I had lost 34lbs - the same as what mine said. They did all my blood work and it came back fine. My cholesterol was 125, my HDL and LDL were within normal ranges, B12/Iron/Folic Acid - again, all normal. The only thing I'm waiting on is my TSH - we'll get that back tomorrow. I figure with the weight loss, they will have to change my dosage. I had to have my thyroid, and one of my parathyroids re

5 Weeks Post-Op

Yesterday I was 5 weeks post-op. So far, the sleeve has been very good to me, and I have been good to it. I am following the plan the NUT gave me, and I have had no problems. I have lost 32lbs (including the pre-op diet). I count that because to me, that was a part of the sleeve journey that I had to go through. My current challenge is protein - sounds familiar huh? I cannot take another protein shake, shot, etc. I've tried numerous different "unflavored" protein powders, but can't stand the "fe

Today Is My 1 Month Surgerversary

Hard to believe that it's been 1 month today. I really can't believe the difference! This weekend has been absolutely awesome. Saturday, we worked at the Food Bank, then came home for lunch and a nap (I had tuna salad, hubby had tuna salad sandwich with fresh fruit and potato salad). Then we worked on the fence around our barn, as some of our hens have been sneaking out during the day to go foraging around. We live out in the country where we have foxes, racoons, possums, bobcats and even black

Just Didn't Pay Attention

Our church has a Food Bank that is open once a month. As the Director of the Food Bank, it's my responsibility to ensure there is enough food to provide several day's worth of meals for those who come in. Normally, we are able to receive food from a non-profit organization that provides about 50% of our food for free, however, this month, they were booked solid and were not able to assist. So i spent all day yesterday out shopping for food, and putting it in the Food Bank. Thankfully, I had a fr

Weekend 4/15/12

Saturday, my DH and I hooked up our trailer, loaded our zero-turn mower, and headed to the church. I mowed while he did the weed-eating, and picked up trash around the property. Afterwards, I couldn't stop talking! I had the most energy that I've had in a month, and I think because of being outside, and the physical activity, it got some endorphins bouncing around inside. He was laughing because he said he hadn't seen me this "pumped up" in a while, and he was glad to see it. - He always knows w

3 Weeks Post Op

Wow, yesterday was my 3 week post op "surgiversary". I was in town all day yesterday, visiting the 2 Health Food stores, along with doing a little bit of grocery shopping. Also found out that new Health Food store opened that is even closer to me, so I will have to go see what they carry, next week.   I tried a new recipe and it was really good. So good in fact that I ate too much and got extremely nauseous - I don't know if it was the amount I ate, or maybe the Hot Wing Sauce since my tummy i

Which Food Lifestyle Should I Choose?

Tomorrow I will be 3 weeks post-op. I've been sleeping better, and my stamina is a little bit better than last week. Easter weekend wasn't as bad as I expected. I was able to eat mashed potatoes with gravy, super soft squash casserole, and refried beans (from Taco Bueno). I even ate a single green bean that was super soft.   So what have I noticed over the past couple of days? My taste buds are really weird. Nothing really tastes the way I remember it. Everything seems to taste "stronger", or

Easter Weekend

For this weekend, I have been super tired. Not sleeping well at night. Every time I try to lie on my left side, I get a pain (feels like a pulled muscle) in my largest incision sight.   Enjoyed Easter service, and went to Mom's with my DH. Mom had made some things that I could eat (mashed potatoes, squash casserole, super soft green beans). It was really nice to sit down to a meal with others and visit. One of my cousins that I grew up with was visiting. He looked incredible, and I asked him h

2 Weeks Post-Op

What a difference 2 weeks make! I've seen others posting that, and just didn't really understand it until now.   Last night, DH brought me a small refried bean from Taco Bueno, and I could only hold half of it, but my oh my! It was just about the most delicious thing I've eaten in well . . . . about 3 1/2 weeks! No problems with it going down, just took it nice and slow, and savored EVERY bite! He then showed me that he had put 2 other small orders in the fridge for me. He said he knew that I

Moving Along

Haven't been on the website much the past 2 days, but been busy running errands, and working up at the Fire Dept. Boy, my stamina is pretty much zilch. Don't know if that's due to the surgery, the lack of calories, or what -- maybe a combination of both. At least I'm back to sleeping better at night.   So I'm starting to get a little bit bored with my food choices, and "regular" food is starting to invade my thoughts. I haven't been cooking because I'm concerned that I might "cheat". I've got

Oh My!

Yesterday afternoon, I suddenly became ravenously hungry! It was like I hadn't eaten in 3 weeks -- which I really hadn't. It was such a surprise. I also noticed that I could drink without any issues. I guess maybe the swelling in my stomach has gone down . . . I just don't know.   I ate some tuna fish salad, and avocado AND some cottage cheese with pureed peaches.It seemed to take forever to begin to feel any sense of fullness. I ate slowly, and it took me about 45 minutes, but I finally felt

Day 11 - Post Op

Had a really great weekend! Did some walking, and visiting with friends. On Sunday, our church had a cook-out (hamburgers, hot-dogs, all the trimmings) to celebrate everyone who had a birthday the 1st quarter of the year -- and a HUGE cake. My name was on the cake too, so I felt like I kinda needed to attend. I took my food (tuna salad - just tuna and LF mayo; mashed potatoes w/ gravy; and avocado mixed with LF mayo), and I wasn't even the least bit tempted. Even by the cake!   I have lost 19l

Beautiful Day - Feeling Great

After spending some time this morning reading around on the site, I have to say that I feel especially blessed today. It breaks my heart hearing about those who have had some really serious issues with their sleeve. Either from the surgery, or adjusting. Needless to say, my prayer list is getting longer.   So far, my experience has sheer joy -- I know, can you say "Honeymoon Phase"? I'm gonna enjoy as long as it lasts.   Also, those who have had some very serious issues with their sleeve in

1St Day On Pureed/blended Soft Diet

I felt like a kid on their first day at school today! Excited AND nervous. I started my Pureed/Blended Soft Diet. This morning I had 1 super soft scrambled egg, and for lunch I blended tuna (in water) with low-fat Mayo. Both went down easily, since I was eating teeny weeny bites, and chewing, chewing, chewing. Both tasted wonderful! But the most interesting thing to me, is that I am not the least bit hungry. After I got up this morning, it was still about 3 hours before I cooked the egg. Either

First Week Sleeved

It's hard to believe that a week ago I was in the hospital getting my lap band removed and my sleeve done. This past week has been really amazing, and in some ways really surreal.   I'm feeling really good, not having any issues with anything that I've eaten so far, and I get to start my "blended/puree" phase tomorrow (1st thing on the list is soft scrambled egg).   If it weren't for this website, and the friends that I've made, I don't think I could have been nearly as successful.   Reall

1St Post-Op Follow Up

Didn't sleep but 3 hours last night, so after DH went to work, I took myself right back to bed! Slept about another 2 then just got up.   When I weighed this morning, it showed I had lose 15lbs since my pre-op liquid diet! I will start the "mushy/pureed" diet on Friday, and then from that point I will only weigh on Fridays. Don't want to become too obsessed with the scale just now. The Surgeon hasn't set a weight goal for me, but the NUT did ask me, when I went to see her, how much weight did

Post Op - Day 4

So far, so good. I got in a 17oz protein shake with 42g of protein, 2 bottles of water, a small coffee, 1 packet of cream of wheat, and a SF pudding yesterday, all with no issues. Just have to take my time and do baby sips.   Slept for 4.5 hours straight last night! That's a record since the surgery. Woke this morning feeling pretty good. I still have brief moments of feeling a teeny weeny faint, but then it passes and I'm good for a while. Don't know if that's lack of food, lack of sleep, or

First Blog Since Surgery

My surgery was on 3/22, and I have to admit that I wasn't even a little bit nervous, until we were actually in the OR. The Head Nurse gave me my "happy juice", I immediately apologized for anything that I might say, then pure oblivion. I had a flash of someone calling my name, and I remember asking, "Laproscopic?". I was concerned that they wouldn't be able to remove my band and do the sleeve laproscopically, even though the Surgeon felt confident he could, he did warn that it might require him

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