Batman

Hi everyone. I'm scheduled for October 3rd in Colorado.
I've been cutting my portions and trying to make wiser decisions. I've replaced one meal a day with a Protein Shake too which seems to help prepare me and give me the opportunity to try out all the shakes before hand. I'm exercising at the gym at work on my breaks so I get 30 mins a day 5 days a week and then any activity I can get in on the weekends. I know I need to up my activity but for now that is what I'm able to do.
I'm excited and terrified at the same time. I was going to have to wait for December due to work time off restrictions but when I finally broke down and told my boss yesterday she lifted a time off block for me and allowed me to book my surgery in October. I set my date yesterday and as soon as I did that I got sick to my stomach and could have puked. I didn't think I'd get that nervous since I've been nothing but excited so far but having that date made it so real. I can't wait!!

So we go to the grocery store yesterday. My husband and I split up to divide and conquer the pesky grocery shopping. After a bit, he starts to look for me. I was standing in front of him, just down the aisle.
He didn't recognize me right away
I think he likes my new body. I suspect it makes him feel like he's with a brand new woman. hahahahaha!

So I graciously smile and nod through most of the goofy compliments because I know people mean well. The "you are wasting away to nothing" (I'm not), the "I need to go on whatever diet you are on" (no, you don't, you weigh like 80 pounds MAX), the "you were pretty before but you look SO MUCH BETTER now" (I do), etc.
I chuckle on the inside when people ask me how much I've lost and how much I weigh now because I know they want to do the math and see what a manatee I was. I know that if they are ignorant enough to ask that, they are incapable of doing the math without pencil and paper.
I smile along when they ask me if my husband likes the new me, cuz GOD KNOWS how he could have ever liked me before.
I can even take it when I pass on a goodie while out in public and someone says, "OH YEAHHHHHH!!!! You are dieting!!!!!!", and look knowingly at whomever we are with.
But the one thing that happens almost every freaking day that grates my last nerve is the salad bar at my local grocery. Yes, I do realize this is petty and that it's really nothing to be upset about. I'm NOT upset, it just irritates the FOOK out of me for some reason I can't name other than the fact that I am a grown adult.
I work out of my car most days. Our local grocery chain has a great salad bar with fresh fruit, veggies, Soups, meats, prepared mayo-based salads, etc. I can go in and get a few pieces of fruit, a tablespoon of my favorite seafood salad with a little extra crab leg mixed in, a bit of teriyaki beef with a stir fried onion, maybe some light tuna salad or a hardboiled egg, whatever I am in the mood for and just the right amount for less than $2. It's a bargain and I rarely ever need to throw anything away. It's great! The only drawback is the cashier, and it's a different cashier EVERY.FREAKING.TIME because I go to different stores and through different lines almost every time.
The comments on my pathetic little plate make me want to jam a pencil through my eye!!
"Oh DEAR!! That's not enough!!!" (Uhmm...thanks for letting me know!! I'll run right back and get more!)
"Goodness! Are you trying to starve yourself?" (No, if I was trying to starve myself, I wouldn't be eating at all.)
"Honey, I am sure your husband wants you to eat more than that!!" (My husband doesn't feed me nor does he tell me what to eat.)
"Is that all you are having? That's not enough to feed a baby!!!" (Thankfully, I am not a baby.)
"You do know it's OK to eat in public, don't you dear?" (Have you seen the size of my ass? Yes, I know.)
"Now you know that you are just going to go home and eat if that's all you are having for lunch, right?" (Well, yes, I do plan on eating again some time today.)
I could go on and on.
I know they mean well/are just trying to make conversation/insert whatever excuse you want to make for them here, but it drives me up a wall. I try and hold back my smart ass rebuttal, but I am so afraid that dam is going to break one day on some poor unsuspecting cashier. Sigh... Lord help me.

Dear JCassel,
Congratulations - - you made it to the parking lot! Good for you. I can totally relate to the sounds of people making fun of me, talking and joking about my weight. I still struggle and have just started the process of having a sleeve done because it is now all about health for me. All I can say is that you are giving the small-minded, mean, hateful people who say and do those cruel things, way too much power. Don't let them prevent you from achieving your goals. I have found from past experience, that the staff at the health club's are very helpful and encouraging. The people who are at the health clubs fall in three categories, those who are so pre-occupied with their own routine that they won't notice you are there, people like you and me that struggle with our weight (maybe there are some people there who just lost some weight and then there are a few people there who will be so small minded that they may say think something but those people don't matter. I don't know that you will ever forget the "bullies" in our present and past, but if we stay in the "parking lot" they win and we lose!
Sitting next to you in the car - in the parking lot - Your cheerleader DLW622.

Just wanted to show off a little. Bought a new suit this month and then ran across a vacation pic from July 2012. If you look closely at the July pic, you might notice a cruise ship hiding behind me. :-P

My recovery hasn't been perfect and I still have my moments of sliming, vomiting, inability to swallow food or liquid and guess what!?!?!
IT'S STILL TOO FREAKING GOOD TO BE TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I noticed a number of people where asking about others dates so I made a list. Just let me know if I have missed anyone or anything changes
1st beachgirlaz52, montero163, Birdie007, potpieiii, Theresa61314, livelyterry, SuNMooNStaRS816, obnurse21, Nervia, lisalatrice, Tammy Monette, rockssea
2nd fallingwhisper, Jerzygurl, wannabesleeved, cutebynature30, bnape29, gizmoboy, missypooh, Natalieb115, red31,
3rd Melissa1234, Batman, beauty29, RebecaSparkles, gmalinda, Newlife13, krz4ua, sdrussell22, colyquin, kdsleeved, KajunKutie,
4th BookWorm, chrisncarl, ktgrace, minniexoxo, bpbandedgirl78, RudeSylvynn,
5th marywithoutsound, leslie1958, HalloweenBaby,
6th
7th back2barb78, Davalrie, raven123, LisaDM, plumptofrump, time2006, mommy of 3, Kelsnikol, LisaAA193, miclev, akusah,
8th Fierce, Tamiz1067, longtimecoming7, Teenee Me, lindenlillian,
9th MsBadu504, rensterness85, kayjunqueen, aggi, hollywould, NicElisec,
10th PearNoMore, Juciilyps:), RockyRitz, ChristineV, brownsista,
11th rocknrollmama1980, Trophy wife, sasechick, RCN,
12th
13th
14th ktodd, Hollisterfan27, Fit2btied, kharold, Mrs.FullerRN,
15th imnotgonnalie, CKR111, LBD, clefofcividale, slimsoon, maximum336, littlegothicgirl,
16th slimway34, Tekeilla, newme0614, cathycnyrs,
17th Matildarose, amberlynnwin, leawhite, petenric,
18th Athinnerme, shorobin, Poulougirl6, rensterness85,
19th
20th
21st missy moo, Kiki75, Kay York, mommydaniel71, _oct21, corcor85, tiredofbeingheavy, marieelaine, cannie1, corcor85, Kiki75,
22nd akusah, Marcy Houghton, cpeycke, lifeisgreat, lei78, Therese Bell,
23rd fallingwhisper, zumbafan69, kamkam, PinkBubble, Gytn,
24th txskibum,
25th
26th
27th seney901,
28th angied, greekgirl54, inarakatra,
29th momoftw0, Lemondrop33,
30th cawestb,
31st

Fantastic! Thank you

Just found out today, surgery October 9!! Lancaster, PA

8/26/13 never forget.

Total BS! My doc said to have your cheat days twice a month and thats it....Getting real tired of people telling me "well its ok to have this once in a while". Then you start thinking to yourself "hmm, you know thats right, I can have it once in a while". Next thing you kno, every thing ur eating becomes a "once in a while type food" lmao.
This whole summer I messed up badly, BBQ's everywhere, hangouts, drinking etc. I was trying to focus on clean eating but everyones like chill out u deserve to have sum type of fun. So thats what I did, chilled out. My mistake bc ofcourse, I had to pay the price of weight gain! (Like 5-10 pounds) Which was a set back for me bc I was only 20 pounds away from my goal and just ended up prolonging it as we all know the last 20 pounds r the HARDEST to lose.
A small stomache is a TOOL! You cannot exspect to be eating junk in small portions and believe that you will have your dream body in no time. I'm so glad I was able to get my ass back in check and get back to work! I now meet with my strength training coach 3x a week and then go to lucille roberts to take a few classes when I can. I focus on Protein Protein protein and very little carbs. Two weeks so far and Im feeling FAB! Yesterday at work we had a pizza party. Everyone had pizza and I watched them while I drank my Premier Protein shake! Someone told me "You can have a slice, one slice wont kill you" I said "It wont kill me and it wont HELP me either. Today isnt cheat day, It can wait"
I'm just feeling unstopabble and Im not tryna hear no one's peer pressure. Just thought I'd warn some of you. Dont ever get too comfortable and dont listen to others. Always do YOUR BODY good! Have a nice day

You know, guys, I'll be honest here. I am a HUGE DRINKER! (not booze, yall!!!!) I can remember as a very young child drinking at least two glasses of Water BEFORE our food arrived if we ate out. That has always been the case. Now, I have also ALWAYS HATED water! LOL. As an adult, I always drank gallons of Diet Coke. Once I was sleeved, I actually cold turkeyed from DC a few months before not even realizing I was going to be sleeved so I had broken the habit prior. I did have the occasional diet drink or carbonated diet something but nothing like before.
Once sleeved, and having the need to get the water/fluids in I found that the Water made me nauseous and discovered Crystal Light (I know - I know - don't give me any guff about the aspartame) I now drink at least 12-15 cups of water a day always with my favorite citrus Energy CL. And I drink during, before and after meals. It doesn't phase me. I have played around with it and I don't get any hungrier if I wait or don't drink prior.
Now, in the early stages of recovery I did adhere to the policy simply because I could NOT eat/drink and needed to get my Protein in. At 3+ years out, I don't see myself not drinking with my meals. I don't actually drink much at all. Maybe a few sips because I don't eat much food either!!!!! STILL. Here is a good explanation of the Pyloric Valve and how it works with fluid:
The function of your Pyloric valve is the single most not talked about important part of understanding how and when you should eat and drink.
The Pyloric Valve is just that....It is a valve that is located at the bottom of your stomach/sleeve. This valve is in between your sleeve and the lower intestine. The basic definition of a valve is an apparatus that opens and closes.
When open this valve it is about the diameter of a dime. When closed it’s opening is closed down to the diameter of the head of a ballpoint pen.
Dense Proteins and harder to digest foods will cause the Pyloric valve to close to hold the food in your stomach for pre-digestion...... stomach acids breaking down this “Rough” food.
That’s why we are told to eat dense Proteins first.....To close the Pyloric Valve so food stays in your stomach/sleeve longer so we have a sense of satisfaction.
It takes about 30-60 minutes for the food to clear the Pyloric Valve...... Than it’s OK to drink.
That is also where the term slider food comes into play. A slider food does not close the Pyloric Valve and as the term is intended.....food slides right past an open Pyloric Valve.
There is a video that gets posted every so often that is supposed to explain food going past the Pyloric Valve. The guy uses a funnel and has apple sauce or something in it....and it shows the apple sauce dripping out the end of the funnel very slow. Than he pours water on top of the apple sauce to dilute it, illustrating drinking after eating.....and the diluted apple sauce runs through the funnel end faster. Than he concludes that this is how your pyloric valve works.
Well, it is a great video that only tells half the story.....remember it’s a valve...and he is only showing it in the open position....
So now the other half of the Pyloric Valve function..... You eat a dense Protein like chicken that causes your Pyloric Valve to close. Say for example your sleeve has a 4oz. capacity.....and you eat 4oz. of chicken.....your sleeve is full and holding all 4 oz. of chicken for pre-digestion because your Pyloric Valve is closed.
So now try and drink something....where is it gonna go? Up.....Up until it hits another valve of sorts..... the Esophageal Sphincter (valve) and above that is a flapper valve. The function of these two valves is to hold food, bile and stomach acids in your stomach and not backing up into your air way. This is a very high pressure system. Thats why when you eat to much or drink after eating a hard to digest food and your Pyloric is closed.....It hurts cause you pressurized your intake track. Vomiting would be a natural pressure release.
So you can see how learning and understanding how the Pyloric Valve works is important as it pertains to eating and drinking with a Gastric Sleeve.
So that was kinda like VSG and the Pyloric Valve 101
As you get further a long you will want to use the Pyloric Valve in other ways to keep food in your sleeve longer to stay satisfied longer.
A sleeve empties faster than a stock un altered full size stomach so sometimes it’s beneficial for you to learn what foods stay in your sleeve longer to extend satisfaction.
Dense proteins are #1 in closing the Pyloric Valve. Chicken, steak, pork, fish.....in that order seems to be the way it goes for me.
Other foods that are hard to digest and help close the Pyloric Valve are foods like:

Broccoli Stalk
Asparagus
Celery
Cucumber with Skin
Radish
Cabbage (I’m testing this right now)
Bell Pepper

So I hope you understand my 5 cent tour of the Pyloric Valve and how it effects the way we eat with a VSG and how important it is to work the Pyloric Valve to your benefit.

How did I know that I would not be able to embed a video on vst lol. Youtube link is here:

The Panera hidden menu is cool .... I like being part of a secret club ... I hope they send me a decoder ring

I'm in the springs but not sleeved yet. I'm scheduled October 3rd but by the time I recover we'll be in the blizzard of the century lol

Just checking in on all my Colorado peeps...how are you all faring with the floods? We have had some basement flooding but I am hoping it is under control. The weather has been just plain CRAZY!
Anyway I hope you all are well, please check in when you can!
Here are some funnies for you all...

I've requested 2 weeks and 2 days. My surgery if on a Thursday so I just added the 2 days. I figured I'd need the time to get used to eating that way more than the recovery but I guess I won't know till I get there.

Another one for me: I won't miss being the first one to crack a "fat joke" about myself to clear the air. I always would do that to try and save myself from embarrassment. Be nice to not have moments like that anymore.

I echo all of the above, and would add:
* going to any doctor's office and the nurse takes one look and says, "hang on, I'll have to get the large cuff for you."

So today I was feeling pretty motivated. I called up Lane Bryant, cancelled my credit card and paid off my balance. When they asked me why, I responded with "I never intend to let one store define my personal style again." Good bye Lane Bryant! Can't wait for surgery!

Wow! 27 pounds in less then a month! Do you realize how incredible that is? You should be thrilled! Keep up the great work!

I've requested 2 weeks and 2 days. My surgery if on a Thursday so I just added the 2 days. I figured I'd need the time to get used to eating that way more than the recovery but I guess I won't know till I get there.

I have a friend that tells me I'd rather be looked at as the fat girl in the gym than the fat girl sitting at home not doing anything to fix it. Puts things into a different perspective a little bit. Keep it up, one day at a time! :-)