bugwitch

I had my VSG surgery on 21 March with Dr. Alberto Aceves. Though it's been tough it has definitely been a journey worth taking. I know it's only been a month and a half, but I just had a moment of success this morning that I just had to share. Well, actually, I had two! I've lost and gained weight many times over the years; as have most of us here on the forums I imagine. But, it has been almost 8 years since I have been able to break the 250 barrier. It's been one of those things that I just couldn't get passed. I think I weighed around 250 in high school and, frankly, most of my life. In 2003/4 I did the Atkins diet and had some great success. But after I had to have my gall bladder taken out, it was really difficult to keep it up. All that protein just didn't sit well. I slowly crept back up over the next six months, but was able to keep it around 250 without going too much higher. But by the end of 2006, I was over 300. I reached my highest weight of almost 320lbs. After a moment of realization I affirmed I would lose that weight. Fighting over the next couple of years I was able to get to 252. I was stuck there. It just wouldn't go down! Until today. This morning I decided to hop on the scale and I saw a number I never thought I'd see...249.4. I couldn't believe it! OMG!!! I broke the 250 barrier!!! So I had to do it again. But this time, the number was different. So I got on it again to check...same number as the second time. Wait...try again...same number as the previous two goes. So, as of today, I now weigh 248.8lbs!!!!!! HUGE smile on my face. Next little moment came about 15 minutes later while getting dressed. I've been wearing my same clothes because I just don't want to be buying up clothes...I'm cheap. But, I still have some of my clothes from when I was thinner and then a few which I purchased as motivation to lose a little more. Well, those motivation pants were still too small, but the older thin jeans fit just perfect! I started to cry. IMMD Just had to share.

I had my VSG surgery on 21 March with Dr. Alberto Aceves. Though it's been tough it has definitely been a journey worth taking. I know it's only been a month and a half, but I just had a moment of success this morning that I just had to share. Well, actually, I had two! I've lost and gained weight many times over the years; as have most of us here on the forums I imagine. But, it has been almost 8 years since I have been able to break the 250 barrier. It's been one of those things that I just couldn't get passed. I think I weighed around 250 in high school and, frankly, most of my life. In 2003/4 I did the Atkins diet and had some great success. But after I had to have my gall bladder taken out, it was really difficult to keep it up. All that Protein just didn't sit well. I slowly crept back up over the next six months, but was able to keep it around 250 without going too much higher. But by the end of 2006, I was over 300. I reached my highest weight of almost 320lbs. After a moment of realization I affirmed I would lose that weight. Fighting over the next couple of years I was able to get to 252. I was stuck there. It just wouldn't go down! Until today. This morning I decided to hop on the scale and I saw a number I never thought I'd see...249.4. I couldn't believe it! OMG!!! I broke the 250 barrier!!! So I had to do it again. But this time, the number was different. So I got on it again to check...same number as the second time. Wait...try again...same number as the previous two goes. So, as of today, I now weigh 248.8lbs!!!!!! HUGE smile on my face. Next little moment came about 15 minutes later while getting dressed. I've been wearing my same clothes because I just don't want to be buying up clothes...I'm cheap. But, I still have some of my clothes from when I was thinner and then a few which I purchased as motivation to lose a little more. Well, those motivation pants were still too small, but the older thin jeans fit just perfect! I started to cry. IMMD Just had to share.

Wow...I am thankful I don't act like that. The only time I talk about weight loss or surgery is when my one friend who knows about it asks me how I am doing post-op or comments about me losing weight. I don't bring it up because, I really don't care. Of course, it's only been a little over a month. I hope I do not become like your bypass friend. That's irritating. My family, always ask and make comments about it when I talk on the phone with them. Not so much my mom, as she doesn't understand why I did it and I've given up trying to explain it to her. My dad and step mom seem to make a point of talking about their nieces, grand-children (not my kids...ick), or anyone else they know who is trying to lose weight the "traditional" way. Every phone call I hear about someone who has lost a few more pounds. It is irritating. Anyway...sorry...those things have been bugging me and that just flew out of my fingertips...onto you. Again...Sorry!!! You can pick your friends but you cannot pick your family...that's the old saying right? Well, I like to say, you can pick your family too. Irregardless of how we relate to them (family or friend, etc) it is our decision if we want to interact with them. If they are repeatedly acting in a way that is detrimental to your friendship, then say something about it, as, them what their problem is and deal with it. If they are unable or unwilling to do either, then do your best to be a friend when needed, but move on. We do not need people in our lives that bring us down through no fault of our own. It's one thing to be there for a friend who is in pain and needs some uplift. It's another thing completely to let someone's hang-ups cause us unnecessary anxiety. I'm sorry your friends are being rude. If they are good friends, they will be able to move past whatever it is that is bothering them. If they cannot do that for the sake of their friendship with you, then you deserve better. I may be coming off a bit harsh, but that's how I see it. It is no different than coming out to your friends as a different religion, gay, or insert whatever thing that is not like them. They'll come around if they are your true friends. And that's how you know who you should spend your emotional effort on. Okay...rambling-rant done. I wish you well.

If I can make it to my next week goal of 249....yikes, that would be so amazing. I have been trying to lose weight for so long and have not been able to get passed 250 since 2004. I weighed about 250 in high school I think...I know the year after I weighed that and I don't think I gained that much after graduating. I ballooned up to 300 while in a bad relationship and couldn't lose it. I got down to 235 using Atkins but that didn't stick. Once I had my gall bladder taken out, eating a high protein diet like I had (not so much on the high fat like most did) was no longer an option. I am a vegetarian now and have been for over five years. I love it, though I have been craving (in my head) some meat stuff...but I think that is more of a result of the 20 days of a liquid diet followed by mushy foods, etc. You all know what I mean. 249 would be so excellent to see on that scale. I think I'll have to buy that necklace I've been oogling on ebay if I get there. I will need something awesome.

So far so good. Just gotta keep plugging away... SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Bugwitch........293...............252..............225........27

Well, I ended up adding a bit of weight last week but not too much. Just a few tenths overall. I think I am going to try and be a bit overly ambitious with this next challenge. I really need to work on eating. It is a whole new ballgame now with this new tummy. SN..............Starting Wt........Current.......Goal.......Lbs to Goal Bugwitch........293...............255...............225........30 It is just over ten weeks until the end of this new challenge. So that should be a loss averaging 3lbs a week. Wish me luck!

I'll hold you to that!

Damn...I really was hoping everyone would be celebrating my birthday.

Well I don't celebrate/care about Easter but I signed on anyway. Any date works well. 19 June works fine as that happens to be my birthday which I am sure all of you will celebrate.

**Conjures up Soccer/Futball announcer voice** GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!! And then some. 254.6 this morning and a goal of 255 by the upcoming Sunday. I would be really excited if I could get to 249.9 but I don't think that will happen in one week. But...we'll see!!! SN.........................Starting Wt........Current........Goal.......Lbs to Goal bugwitch...............285...................254.6...........255...........-0.4

Going down again! I think I am starting to get the hang of this eating with a sleeve thing. It really is different. SN.........................Starting Wt........Current........Goal.......Lbs to Goal bugwitch...............285...................258.6...............255..............3.6

Yes. I fully intend on getting a pair of Vibrams (or another brand but same concept). It is still called "barefoot" running when you wear the vibrams.

I think the reason a lot of people complain that their tolerance isn't what it once was is really quite simple to explain. If you go a long time without drinking any alcohol, your body loses its built up abilities to process it. Therefore, your tolerance can go down. With practice, you should be able to get back to "normal". I have a family reunion this summer and you'd better believe that I'll be putting back a Blue Moon or two in order to not kill anyone.

SN.................Starting Wt.....Current........Goal.......Lbs to Goal bugwitch...............285..............264...........255...............9 After going to the doctor twice last week, I have a diagnosis. Pneumonia!!! Woo Hoo. But I am doing much better. Weight loss has slowed (stuck at 264 for two days) which feels better/safer. I am drinking some soups now which is better. Well, one soup. Potato leek...mmm...

SN.........................Starting Wt........Current........Goal.......Lbs to Goal bugwitch...............285...................264.8...............255...............9.2 I am actually kind of worried. As of today I am twenty pounds down from the day of surgery. I know a lot of that has to do with me being sick since I got home from the hospital but I still don't like it. In one week and a half a loss of 20cannot be totally healthy. Today I move onto full liquids so I will be able to get in more calories and protein hopefully. I am so ready to not be sick anymore. Not fun!

I really like Jay Rob's products. They are reasonably priced, have good flavor and dissolve well when I whisk them up with my vitamin water. I got mine at Whole Foods but I imagine you can find it elsewhere, including his web site.

I have a few different types of Protein powders. The Jay Robb stuff is pretty good (vanilla, Pina Colada, strawberry, chocolate...though I have not tried that one yet). His stuff is also rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) free. I have also tried the TerasWhey products which is made from goat milk. The blueberry is good. I have Chocolate and Pomegranate-Cranberry left to try. I didn't care for the unjury "unflavored" because all the taste that was left was the whey. Yuck. I imagine, when it gets time for full liquids and I can have Soups and such, the unflavored might be okay added to something which can mask that taste. What I've been doing is buying up a bunch of Vitamin Water Zero. I test drive how much Protein Powder works well for the different flavors and carry that around with me for the day. The Blueberry goes well with the XXX (acai-blueberry-pomegranate) and the Pina Colada goes well in the orange flavored ones. I put a full pina colada in those. The blueberry one is going to take some more adjusting to get the flavor right. I think about 1/2 serving/package per drink is best. But that's me. Everyone is different. All of the above protein powders (except Unjury) were bought as samples and are available in bigger containers at Whole Foods. Possibly other places as well.

Ug...feeling a bit like crud. Sniffles, cough with phlem and a sore throat! Plus, a fever that comes and goes...typically showing up in the evening and going away at night. SN.........................Starting Wt........Current........Goal.......Lbs to Goal bugwitch...............285...................270.6...............255...............15.6

Hey! I had surgery there on the 21rst. As far as clear fluids, I like the Vitamin Water zero. Sometimes I add Protein powder to them. It helps. Just try and think of it as just one more of those uber strict stupid diets we have all done. Only you are SUPPOSED to go back to "normal" after a time. Good luck.

I was sleeved back on Monday and am on clear fluids for another something days and I've been adding in my Protein supplements. I opened my "unflavored" unjury yesterday and tried that...it's okay and all. So, here's my question: What makes a protein supplement okay to be used for clear fluids? I've scanned through older threads on similar topics and find that basically, "if I can still see through it, it is okay" as the consensus, but not "chocolate". Why? What about other protein supplements? I had stocked up on a variety of sample packs of powders and now I'm paranoid to open any of them in case I can't use them! I did open one and when I saw it looked just like the Unjury one, I decided to give it a go and it is yummy! (Jay Rob whey Protein Pina Colada). I do have two chocolate ones, but what makes them not okay to be used for clear fluids? What about my Pomegranate cranberry? Or the Blueberry? What about the two gluten free ones I thought I'd give a go? Anyway, I was just hoping someone here would actually "know".

I just tried to make some miso a little while ago and it tasted AWFUL!!! I used to love the stuff and I had pre-approval for it as a clear liquid. Maybe some of you will like it, but grrr....I guess I don't anymore. At least not for now.

Sleeved on Monday. Currently sitting in a coffee shop so I can get online. Have some yummy apple juice and hot tea, which is still too hot to drink. I'm not really tempted by the sweets around me, but I gotta say...that german chocolate "muffin" does sound hella good. I use the quotes around muffin because...really...when they are that big and frosted...it's not a muffin anymore, it's a cake. Oh...so much for not weighing myself for a while. I just couldn't resist it this afternoon. SN.........................Starting Wt........Current........Goal.......Lbs to Goal bugwitch...............285...................278...............255................23

Sleeved and gassy. Bleh. I thinkbi won't weigh myself for a week or so. Wait to check that later when I'm feeling better.

Agreed! It will be annoying going all this time eating only Soup, but not being able to make my Tom Kah.

Gotta get up early for the plane tomorrow. Eeeekkkkk I've never been thin before....I don't know what it will be like. Am I putting too much pressure on myself to get there? I know...just let it happen and see where this experience takes me...wakka wakka wakka