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Maddy

LAP-BAND Patients

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Blog Entries posted by Maddy

  1. Well it has been 6 months since my gastric sleeve surgery. Up to now the weight was flying off and I was having no trouble meeting my 10 pound goal per month. This wonderful weight loss stopped dead after entering my 6th month. It is so frustrating to get so close to my goal weight and then bam it stops. Of course this is different for every individual. Every person responds differently to weight loss surgery. With Gastric Bypass surgery the average weight loss is 60-77% Excess Body Weight Loss (EBWL) in the first two years. That means that if a person is carrying 100 extra pounds, they will lose 60-77 in about 2 years. The Sleeve is 60-65%. These numbers are averages for large populations of US patients. I called to Dr Michael Feiz and spoke to him about this. He said this was a normal reaction that my body has now lost more than 60% of my excess body weight. The weight loss per month will now go down from 10-15pds per month to 2 to 5 pounds per month.
    Having talked with the dietitian on staff with Dr. Feiz we came up with new meal plans to achieve each goal per month. Morning meals now consist of complete protein such as protein shakes or an egg white omelet. Lunch – 2oz of protein with fruit such as a ½ of apple or pear. Mid afternoon snacks, a small piece of cheese or a protein shake. Dinner – consisting of 2oz of protein and 3-4 oz vegetable. Not drinking with any meals all this does is fill the stomach with empty calories hence I was hungry shortly after. Drinking 60 to 70 oz of water a day is a must. What I do after each meal, I drink 6 to 8 ounces of zero calorie free flavored water or Snapples diet. Every hour I drink until I have satisfied my total intake of fluids.

    Its so easy to start slipping into the old habits of eating when you don’t see the weight flying off. I found myself snacking on empty carbs, not drinking the fluids and just having this nonchalant attitude with myself. I also stopped doing my daily routine of exercise. Staying on track is not an easy feat to do. It can be a complete disaster when you start giving up. The scale will tip in your favor if and ONLY you stick with your doctor’s advice.

     

    Having the gastric sleeve is not a “cure all” for your weight loss. It takes dedication and determination to follow completely through even when you are at stumbling blocks. My best advice for this – stay in touch with your doctor. Tell him/her what’s going on and what to do to fix this. Ask questions and most of all don’t give in to temptation even when the scale does not show to your favor. Stay true to yourself…you have come so far with your weight loss. Don’t sabotage yourself and fall into old habits.
     
    Given the right tools to beat these temporary obstacles thorough education process and ongoing support will give you every advantage you’ll need to over achieve. If you are serious about losing the weight and are willing to dedicate yourself to what needs to be done you will achieve your ultimate goals. Remember you are in control of you and its up to and only you to make this happen.
  3. TIP OF THE DAY: Who says you can't eat aspargus? Great tip.. Take fresh asparagus wash, cut ends off. Place in cooking dish season with salt, pepper, garlic and one teasponn of olive oil. Mix together and place 1/3 cup of water and bake for one hour at 350 degrees. They come out so delish...soft and sweet. Great way to get your veggie intake and ohhh so good!
  5. Low fat muffins can be light and tender. Just be sure you spoon the flour gently into the measuring cups and level with the back of a knife.. These delicious cranberry orange muffins have just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. So pour that coffe and enjoy your 1/2 of muffin.(102 calories)
     
    •2 cups all-purpose flour
    •1 tsp baking powder
    •1/2 tsp baking soda
    ... •1/2 tsp salt
    •1 cup sugar
    •1 large egg, lightly beaten
    •1/4 cup canola oil
    •2/3 cup orange juice
    •2 tsp grated orange zest
    •2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped
    Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin pan with paper muffin cups. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar. Combine with a whisk. In a small bowl, add beaten egg, oil, orange juice and zest. Stir well. Make a well in the flour mixture and add wet ingredients. Stir until just moist, being careful not to overmix. Fold in chopped cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until muffins are golden and spring back when touched.
    Calories 204, Calories from Fat 47, Total Fat 5.1g (sat 0.4g), Cholesterol 18mg, Sodium 196mg, Carbohydrate 36.4g, Fiber 1.4g, Protein 2.9g

  6. From: Reaching My Third Goal

    · Maddy · 01/25/12 02:59 AM

    Knowing that I had to do something about my weight which was completely out of control. I made an appointment with Dr. Misra, (Beverly Hills, California) to discuss what options are available for me. I went in with the notion that i was going to do the lapband. After advising Dr. Misra about the ups and downs of my weight issues and I wanted a more "permenent solution" she strongly suggested the Vertical Sleeve with the STARR treatment. Hearing this wonderful option I decided with the advise from my husband and daughter- this was the right choice for me.
     
    My surgery, scheduled July 13th 2o11 in Santa Clarita. Amen the surgery went off without any complications and I was realeased the day after. Coming home was a challenge due to the fact we have stairs in our home. Taking the three days to finally master the courage to walk the steps to go upstairs. I was able to rest more comfortably. The first couple days as you know were dealing with the gas issues and the lack of sleep. Only able to take a couple of sips at a time seemed so odd to me. How am I surviving on just a few sips of protein? But, I did, and the third week I went to see Dr. Misra and to my surprise I was down 20pds. I was in a state of shock... and since then, I have continued to lose consistly 20pds per month.
     
     
    I am proud to annouce that as of today I met my 3rd goal of 199. I am so happy that I made this final decesion to do something about my weight issues. Needing to thank all my friends and family for their most incredible support and kind words. And to my friends here on Vertical Sleeve for all their wonderful eamils, suggestions and great advice.
     
    Its now onto the 4th goal. I am hoping to reach my final weight goal of 150 by the end of June of this year. I will keep you all posted on the progress.
     
    Once again... thank you "ALL" for every sweet emails and kind words you have so graciously given me.
     
    Maddy
     
     
    Source: Reaching My Third Goal
  7. I had my sleeve surg done way back in july of this year. I had the two most awesome surgeons. Dr Misra and Dr Feiz from Beverly Hills, Ca. Both were amazing with me. My surgery last just about an hour and half with no complications. As of today I just 3pds shy of my 3rd goal weight.
     
    How did your doctor do for you?

  8. A Moment On Your Lips....

    · Maddy · 01/20/12 01:45 AM

    Tip of the day:
     
     
    When you want to binge and don't care what goes in your mouth. Just remember how far you have worked to get where you are. Feeling this way? Change your attitude... Do a positive thing for yourself. Take a walk, read a book, do some crafts. Get your mind off the food and back on track. Remember a moment on your lips is forever on your hips!
  10. Hi everyone good chatting with so many of you and thank you all for all your wonderful comments and suggestions to me. One topic that folks keep asking me is how im doing when it comes to eating out. True, not an easy task when you first get started. Here are a few good tips I have learned along the way.
     
    Tip One - Always chose your protein first. I prefer to stick with chicken or fish when I go out to eat for a few reasons. One, im able to digest fish and chicken a whole lot easier than meat and 2nd there is alot less carbs and cholestrol with fish and chicken.
     
    Tip Two - When chosing your side dish try to keep in mind that it usually comes with a potato or rice. For go the empty carbs and go with a side order of fresh veggies. Ask the waiter if they can steam or saute in very light oil to keep the extra calories from mounting up.
     
    Tip Three - You dont have to finish whats on your plate. Remember 2oz of protein is all you need and 2oz of veggies is more than enough to satisfy your hunger. Keep the extra 2 oz for fresh fruit for dessert.
     
    Tip Four - When you are full stop eating. Put your fork down. Over eating or pushing yourself to continue will only make you feel sick and the issue of stretching your stomach. When you are full, your done!
     
    Remember do not drink any fluids 30 mins to hr before eating and 2 hours after eating. You want to keep your stomach full from dinner.
     
    Tip Five - Try to walk after your dinner. This helps your digest your food and its a great way to get your daily exercise in.
     
    Eating out is an enjoyable experience and it doesnt have to change because you have the sleeve. Keeping these simple tips in mind when you are eating out... And most of all... enjoy your food.

  11. 4 Pounds To My Third Goal

    · Maddy · 12/04/11 10:26 AM

    Well I am one excited camper indeed. I have set certain goals for myself during my journey on the way down from the scale. Five months have passed and I am happy to report I have lost 72 pounds and my third goal is a mere 4 pounds away. I can't thank Dr Misra for all her support and guidance throughout my weight loss thus far. Not only is she an amazing gastric surgeon she is also a doctor who cares.
    As I reach 199 a goal I set for the end of Dec. I am thrilled to know I will obtain this goal 3 weeks early than expected. As Dr Misra explained to me reaching for obtainable goals are so important. It does indeed make your weight loss easy to handle and it gives you the drive to meet these goals.
    Have you obtained goals you set for yourself? Are they reasonable to achieve? How did you see your weight loss goals?
  12. Well this week we moved the family to the new house. The last three weeks have been so hectic with getting the house packed up. Being sleeved just 5 months it was not too difficult to pack but to stay on my diet was. Eating out almost every night was hard. I'm so close to my 3rd goal but I got on the scale today and freaked out. Up 4 pounds I was so upset. Now that we have moved into the new house I am finding it hard to get back on track. I just feel so unglued. Any suggestions?

  14. Exercise We All Dread It

    · Maddy · 11/28/11 11:31 PM

    As I flung on my gym clothes dreading the 45 min workout today. I remembered why I need to go daily and workout. I am one who weights herself daily. As I stepped on the scale and looked down I see I'm down another 2 pounds. With a smile on my face I get in my car and go merrily to the gym.
    It's so important to do our daily workouts. Even though we dread it, it does soooo much for our weight loss. Taking 30 to 45 mins a day out of our hectic schedules does wonders for the scale tipping down. Here are some great ideas for shedding those unwanted pounds.
    Swimming - doing laps for 30 mins burns over 400 calories.
    Walking - walking for 30 mins burns over 350 calories
    Bicycling - for 30 mins nonstop burns over 300 calories
     
    How do you burn off your unwanted pounds?
  15. Ok turkey day has come and gone. How well did you weather thru it? To my surprise I stayed focus and on track. I really thought I would feel deprived over all the foods I loved to eat during thanksgiving. But I wasn't... I felt good not binging and feeling stuffed. I ate alittle of everything and I was fine. I was worried I would over eat. How did you weather thru thanksgiving?
  17. Are we not emotional eaters? Do we not turn to food for comfort? Now, this time of year where stress and being overwhelmed goes hand in hand. We tend to go to our old ways and eat. I am learning to really stop and think before I want to eat something I shouldn't. I ask myself "is this worth it? Will it make me that much happier if I eat this"? Learning these tools has really helped me stop and think before I wear my heart out on my sleeve. What do you do to take the edge off of not binging?

  18. Coming out of the closet

    · Maddy · 11/18/11 05:50 PM

    It isn’t easy coming out of the closet “so to speak”. When I decided to do the gastric sleeve the only two people who knew were my husband and daughter. It was the shame I felt to tell anyone else. The guilt I felt inside that I wasn’t able to take the weight off on my own. Recently, I ran into an old friend. Looking at me she said “Maddy you have lost so much weight how you did it?” I have to admit; I actually hesitated for a moment...and said nothing. Later, I thought to myself why did I hesitate to tell her? The only thing that came to mind was the simple word “fear”.
    Why do we feel the need to hide our decision to have bariatric surgery? Is it because of low self esteem? The urgency of keep this big dark secret private or is it due to the way society sees fat people? We live with the constant advertising campaigns flashing thin stick models while we the “fat people” struggle to keep the scale from tipping. The dying “to be thin attitude”. The Taboo word “bariatric” does not fit into this world… until now. Today, we have the means to achieve weight goals we never had before. Folks like me who have battled the scale for years now have alternatives. So why hide this amazing news?
    This week I did just that. I told my folks about my gastric sleeve. To my amazement they were supportive and very happy I took this journey. I cannot express to you how important it is to have family and friends to support you during your life changing weight loss. And it is indeed both mentally and physically a change. I now talk openly and candidly about my surgery. What amazing changes that has occurred over the last 5 months. Today, I am no longer on any medications to help me control my sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure. A MAJOR milestone in my life.
    I blog and chat with other people who have gone through bariatric surgery. I did an online survey asking three questions… how many people have you told? Did you tell your friends? Have you told your family? To my amazement, 73% told less than 5 people, 76% did not tell their friends and more than 79% did not tell their family. Its sad that we feel the need to hide from this. Today, bariatric surgery is a useful necessity for those like me who just could not lose the weight. It’s time we stood up and made our voices heard that bariatric surgery is no longer a shameful procedure and see it as an amazing tool to good health.
     

  20. Goal? Is yours in sight?

    · Maddy · 10/21/11 12:17 AM

    My goal seems so far away at this point. My surgeon and I have set a goal for me but right now I am so down cos my weight loss has slowed down so much. I am doing what I am suppose to be doing but it feels like I am not getting anywhere fast. I go up a pound, come down a pound. Feels like this cycle that doesn't end. Anyone have suggestions getting past this?
  21. My goal seems so far away at this point. My surgeon and I have set a goal for me but right now I am so down cos my weight loss has slowed down so much. I am doing what I am suppose to be doing but it feels like I am not getting anywhere fast. I go up a pound, come down a pound. Feels like this cycle that doesn't end. Anyone have suggestions getting past this?
  23. Recently I ran into an old friend I haven't seen in a while. She recognized my weight loss Nf asked me how I lost the weight. I hesitated for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should tell her I had the gastric surgery 3 months ago. Why? I decided quickly to tell her that I had the surgery. Why should we hide our smart decision to finally attack our weight issue? Do you have a hard time telling people about your weight decision?
  24. Recently I ran into an old friend I haven't seen in a while. She recognized my weight loss Nf asked me how I lost the weight. I hesitated for a moment. I wasn't sure if I should tell her I had the gastric surgery 3 months ago. Why? I decided quickly to tell her that I had the surgery. Why should we hide our smart decision to finally attack our weight issue? Do you have a hard time telling people about your weight decision?

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