4ALongerLife

brittcherry i've had aspiration pneumonia and a leak/abscess. as of last week, my dr's nurse said i might be experiencing a stricture (narrowing of the opening into my stomach's pouch) which might be due to the 29 days i was on Clear liquids, trying to let the leak/abscess heal up as i had another leak after my second surgery. lol. i am not acting as a spokesperson for anything am i? just know, i don't regret it. i DID for a minute. i wallow in my issues sometimes with all of it, but i'm a work in progress/under construction....

My dr. said I could have sherbert. It's not exactly like ice cream, but it cures that craving. Ask your dr. ok? And for the crunch, try reduced fat nabisco ritz crackers. Per my dr's info (yes, check with yours) there are 3g of fat in 5 crackers, so I can have 5 (my limit on crackers is a 3g fat threshhold). Ok it isn't the cure all, but hope it helps. It DOES pass. And eggface's website rocks! The hard part of WLS is we didn't fully realize how food was used in our lives. You are grieving the death of a comfort in your life. I sound freak'n nuts, find the shock paddles for my ECT therapy... but seriously, this is a HUGE change in your life. Be easier on yourself ok? My hubby doesn't eat a bunch of carbs thankfully so I can only empathize. Noooooo instead he's a size 30" waist... yeah he got there whenever I went on weight watchers, years ago. Hang in there mama! Good luck, from another crazy witch out here is WLS land. xoxo

OMG lol.. and hey btw, I had my South Park shirt on in the gym. Sidenote: I don't think that the christian bookstore really cared for it tho... c'est la vie! Take some shaking pix! It might just turn your hubby on... "hey babyyyy" lol picking... you are too much!

Lapband is not as effective as the other two surgeries. Lapbanders generally don't keep the weight off. To that effect, sleeve and bypass keep it off if you use the tool as it's intended. But there is nothing foreign stuck inside my body (as is the case with lapband), there is no open port (as is lapband) and there is not upkeep at a dr's office x amount of time to get a fill (yes we have general health follow ups, but IDK that seems better to me). Lapband you are sticking a foreign object into your body and it can slip, erode, scar the tummy, have issues. Just wasn't for me. I will say for sleeve, it's scary as your tummy is split in half (or less rather) and then shut up and can come undone. But I liked that idea better than having my guts rearranged and I don't have to worry on malabsorption (as RNY, aka bypass). Dumping syndrome scares me to be honest, which is more likely to occur with RNY as you have less area to travel through your body if you eat that sugar filled snack. I understand that you can still encounter it with sleeve, but sleeve just seemed less hard on the body in my opinion. (then there is my experience but..... I did this to accompany my workouts, I did those daily previously so I view the sleeve as a tool to help me overcome my issues with food - it MAKES me eat less and so far, it's working - too well - I'm still going through the food progressions to solids but I'm not eating enough which is stalling my weight loss) I had crappy insurance too btw, so any of the procedures was an out of pocket expense for me. I've had complications, possibly having another one now, but you know what? I'm 50+ lbs down and I don't regret it. I'm excited to go to the gym and now I have to make myself DO LESS in there. Who knew? Now if I can get my head hunger/emotional eating and triggers figured out, this lil mama will be more and more of a loser. Yeah! I love being a loser! Good luck on your decision!

I am a big advocate of Cytomax's Pure Performance Protein RTD drinks. They are now called CytoSport's whey Isolate drinks and have a black wrap around the bottle with white writing. I like the tropical flavored and tangerine. They are 160 cals of clear RTD protein, 40 g of whey isolate protein without much more in the drink. They are 3.79 for an individual bottle (Isopuke's are 4.19 at the same place). I buy them at Vitamin Shoppe normally. I also like the power pak puddings in chocolate. Those have 30 g protein.

So I was watching one of my latest silly indulgences on t.v. last night, The Client List. The long and short of it is that due to my job I am on conf calls during the day and during my time in recovering and working from home, in between calls I got 'into' Ghost Whisperer. Hey it was either that or the food network and I get rather tired of watching all of the bad foods that Guy Fieri eats. Jeesh I wonder if that man works out. I wonder what his cholesterol is... woops so I digress.... Actually I watched a few episodes of the Ghost Whisperer before - at my mom in law's whenever we visit Louisiana, but the point is, whenever I have time on my hands... the t.v. usually gets turned on whenever I get bored and don't have alot of time to run here or there. So in watching the Client List last night, in between commercials I would type on a blog entry and finally I posted. Now where that thing went? No idea. LOL How weird. Anywho, my husband moved the scale. Someone told me that it was a 'successful tip' in the WLS journey that she heard in a support group to put the scale in the kitchen. Whenever mine is in my kitchen, I use it wayyyy too much. Hubby got it last night for me from upstairs (bless that man, he does spoil me, I know) as we've agreed that once a week I can 'weigh in.' So after my silly indulgence went off, I did weigh in. Grrr. I'm still at 202.5. I go up a lb., down a lb, up a 1/2 a lb, down a 1/2 a lb. I'm trying to keep up myfitnesspal and figure out where I'm going wrong, as I believe I'm in stall 1 pattern, but it's frustrating. This morning, we forgot to move the scale back upstairs (woops) so immediately, instead of my moving it, I thought ok let's see what I weigh first thing this morning. Well, woo hooo, it said 199.5. Now as much variation as that was from last night, I usually don't count it but dag nab it I'm making an exception this go around! lol.... I have so wanted to be below 200 since I was so close. I know it's foolish... I SHOULD be thankful for each lb that I no longer carry, instead I look to what else I have to lose, what sag my skin might be starting to do, etc etc. Isn't that part of what got us all into this issue? Trying to be perfect, then we can't and get disappointed and use food for solace? IDK but I'm trying to figure out what my "issues" (or rather, triggers) were to get me here so that I can get rid of the little buggers so once I get to 140 or 150 as I plan NOT to be coming back to the 200's. (Or so I pray.) I honestly am scared. Scared of failure, scared of success and then failing a year or two later, scared of possible stricture more than anything, scared that my triggers will overcome me and I will lose control - especially after all of the complications and money I've spent on this for that to happen, that I will be judged as foolish. But more than anything, I'm scared of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. I just want to be successful in this WLS journey, or so I pray. As for the possible stricture that my dr's nurse and I have been discussing - I honestly think I was eating too fast. I have since eaten ritz crackers and that laughing cow light cheese, slowwwwwly eaten them and no issues. I have a follow up with my dr. on the 7th of June, so I'm monitoring it until then. If you pray, pls include me in yours. My son's already said "mama, will you have to go back to the hospital?" and he sounded scared too, but his wasn't the trigger monster.... and I don't want him scared for certain. Since I feel like I can't write (I used to be able to put words together better where I expressed myself well and now I'm rambling and not sure how much sense all of these things come into my head at once), I'm going to turn to an entry in "Small Bites" from Katie Jay again... I just opened the book to this one and I think it relates to what I was saying previously....... Respect your triggers Once on the road to recovery, you may feel that you can handle more temptations. Maybe let your son buy chips at the store, maybe you eat out more at restaurants lately, maybe you offered to bake something to bring to a party - something you know will trigger food cravings in you? Sometimes you can handle more temptations. And sometimes allowing your food triggers to creep back into your life is a recipe for disaster. Your triggers are a part of you and must be acknowledged and respected. Obesity is a deadly disease, and you have it, whether you are thin or heavy. It's time to gently tell yourself, "No." There are some foods you just can't be around safely. Staying away from a trigger food is a one-day-at-a-time challenge. YOU CAN DO IT! Make a list of your trigger foods. Are any of them in your house? Get rid of them and keep them out of the house.... before you realize you gained 10 lbs. You know I got so caught up in all of the diagnostic tests, getting those done and then scheduling surgery and the excitement for all of that, now the process of going back through the food phases... what are my trigger foods and my other triggers beyond foods? I challenge us all to do what this entry says... make a list of your triggers. Not only foods, but what triggers you (or triggered you prior to surgery) to eat and self medicate with food? What foods bring that out in you? What situatons? What issues? IDK why this is so hard for me to sit down and document.... so here's what I ramble and know so far: Whenever I get anxious or nervous, I get hungry. I have felt like a dork most of my life. I have years of instances where my family told me I was worthless. Somewhere, food helped me deal with that. And it's sweets and bread and pasta mostly that I turned to (oh my Grannie's spaghetti rocked ok? lol). Yes, everything carbs! But aren't carbs the food encouragers of the serotonin levels increasing after you eat? (serotonin - the 'feel good' high I mean) It's time to identify what those triggers are - the foods AND the situations. I never thought of this (or took the time to really stop and deal with it) prior to surgery. This part isn't easy. But I want to do this ... I WANT to be successful in keeping this weight off - and being healthy. I don't want my son to be scared that his mother's health might take her away, I saw it in his eyes the other day. And I know how that loss can't ever been filled whenever you lose your parents (especially my mother). I want to be around long after my parents were - after my 50's and 60's (esply since I had my son at age 30). I don't want a trigger (just like on a gun) taking me out prematurely. No food is worth that, no (maladaptive) coping mechanism. At least that's how I feel... how about you? Good luck to you all and thank you for your time in reading my ramblings! Beware the trigger monster!!!!! xoxo

Yeppers, it's on the pureed phase. And like Mrs. Riene suggested, add cheese (mozzerella or parmesan is my preference) - it also adds protein to the eggs, which are already full of the stuff!

Part of this journey is overcoming some of our fears. You will have to learn to ask for help many times in this WL journey.... I have issues with it too, but believe me, let others in and let them help you. It's ok to need help. And it's ok to vocalize it. Honestly, I think this issue goes hand in hand with how we used food previously although I'm not great about how to word it... we found solace and used food as a tool to help us deal with our secrets, our disappointments, etc. Did you use food previously as a way to overcome your being disappointed in other ppl? I probably did. I'm still trying to figure that out myself. But I do believe that overcoming such issues play parts in us making this journey successful in the long run, or at least that's what I'm wondering as this might be part of your challenge, as it is mine. I hope you decide to open up and take a chance and that you find there are people in your life that will support you, if you only give them the chance. Good luck and hugs.

Call the insurance coordinator back and ask him/her what the next steps are. I have a feeling they probably have done this before and you might be worrying for nothing. (so I hope!) Best of luck!

Well you are doing amazing! I'm glad to hear that. My experience was nothing like yours, but you keep on rocking it girl! Kudos!

ha if these were only mine! i couldn't think of anything else to put up... and not my real pix, not yet. but i might be "me" soon on the pic so don't be surprised! i added ya! (or sent a request)

Well in the pic I see for your profile pic, you are gorgeous. I can't figure out if we can see each other's diary's .... but if you use it, I think it'll help. Feel free to add me!

Protein pudding... the one that I get is from comments on here from other members and it's called Power Pak Pudding. I get it from GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. I buy them by the case and eat 1/2 a one at lunch and then for a snack later or after dinner. They have 30 g of protein a piece. I still have my cytomax's (sorry I post this everywhere) but I'm thinking get your protein in for sure ok? Do you know about this website called "the world according to eggface"? She rocks and has great tips and recipes. Good luck and hang in there! (yep I"m always saying that too lol but I mean it !!!!)

Are you tracking what is going into your mouth and how much exercise you are getting? If you don't eat enough, your body goes into starvation mode and your metabolism stops. Come join us on myfitnesspal.com and maybe that will help? Otherwise, all I know is make sure you get your liquids. Have you seen a nutritionist? Have you varied your workouts? Ok that's all I can think of. Keep up the great work (but I know, it's hard whenever you are stalled). Hang in there!

Welcome moonrisen! Best luck to you throughout your journey!

IKR! eggface rocks here is another link i found via the eggface site: http://www.dietfacts.com/fastfood.asp so whenever you go out to eat, you can plan.

here's a good resource for eating out: http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/01/strategies-for-eating-out.html (this is a really great website btw for reference!)

Sounds like your intestines? I've not had this one (yet) but pls call your doctor or his/her nurse, NOW. If you can't get anything done, call. It might be nothing, but they will know for sure.

I love being here and reading all of the great suggestions. Eggs, oatmeal, cream of wheat (you can go to IHOP, Waffle House or etc for this sort of stuff), soups, smoothie king/smoothie factory and specify your shakes, chicken salad (w/o grapes) or tuna salad - ask them if they can puree it for you, La Madeline has great soup (hey if you have unflavored protein powder? that'd be a great addition to a hearty soup)...miso soup is supposed to be high in protein as well..... just ditto what they all said

I'm game for a "taste test of various proteins" everyone bring their 1 oz cups and lol we'll pull it down and pass it around and pretend it's a beer on the wall! he he

Yes I had pneumonia after my first surgery, then a leak and an abscess. I think maybe I'm just eating too fast (so I am trying to convince myself today lol, I don't wanna stricture... and that scares me in honesty). Thank you guys for your support. I truly appreciate it... hugs (oh and no hernia but whenever i eat sometimes it doesn't feel like it 'passes' through and about b/w my breasts i feel it stuck, like in my chest..... and i drink just a little and it's fine, passes through; praying no strictures, ty all for your support)

I agree that less money is harder to be healthier on. However, even with less money, if you cook at home, you can still be healhier. Are you grabbing fast food or cooking at home? It's just a challenge in the change from watching every dime to whenever you have a job that pays much more you can spend and not worry. Hang in there, you will overcome this - and from the sounds of loving the new job, you'll be much happier as the end result.

I personally think they are going to try to make it as hard as possible because they consider sleeve or rny such a big risk. I've been looking for individually based insurance as my job's plans stink. Let me tell you how many companies will automatically deny your application with any gastric surgery on your application. BCBS is an automatic one that says we'll never cover you, at least not individually. It absolutely drives me nuts. I did this to be in better health in the long term, but yet I am going to be penalized because I'm a high risk to them, as is the procedure. I understand sleeve is 'new' but bypass too? What? Ok off the soapbox, sorry.

Ditto to you sassiesmiles....and cherrybomb......I think the same things that you guys noted. But it's lovely ppl (like swimmer) that do help.... just a note sometimes really helps

I'm sorry but... I'm gonna say it or write it.. I wish I had lost enough weight for someone to ask me if I had cancer. I've been big all of my life, I hope that I can be successful in this journey. I am worried I won't ever get there, I've had many complications and I pray that I'm done and can get to 'normal' but just way less of me. I would say ignore them and remember that you are healthier than you were before and that's number 1. It would be annoying, I am sure.... but you did it in such a short period of time. Be patient and make sure that some of the rude ones aren't giving you the perspective to do so to everyone that asks. That's such a short period of time that it's just a shock. Congratulations in your success! Dorrie, I used to want to do that. Kudos for you - I hope you do it!