Road Queen

Great!! I just found out my aunt and cousin both live in Henderson!!

DeLarla, Can I get your address? I have a cousin and aunt living in Vegas area and I wanted to ask them who was closer. If all goes well, I am still planning to ride motorcycle down there and thought it would be easier to cab to your house. (in case I have a drink!?!) Celeste

Congratulations!! It sounds like you are ready for the best time of your life.

Since I haven't been in bandland long, I'm not sure what I will eat as I progress. Right now, I am just having yogurt. I used to grow sprouts all the time (bean, radish, alfalfa, etc). One of my favorite lunches was putting some red cabbage, yellow squash, any other veggies I had handy, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, craisins, sea salt, rice vinegar and liquid braggs (soy sauce like product with lower sodium). I am thinking that when I progress, I will process the pumpkins seeds and sesame seeds and mix that will the rice vinegar (or balsamic vinegar), braggs, and mix that with the veggies. I haven't seen anyone comment on craisins. I am guessing they will be off limits for awhile but hopefully they will work later on. When I lift weights at noon (not lately), I usually come back and have a packet of the flavored tuna. I could eat part and save the rest for the next day. I also love to cook so lots of times I would plan my evening meal to provide something to start the next days lunch. I am missing the cooking right now. Part of it will depend on what you have available in the workplace -fridge, personal coolers, heated Water, microwave, etc. Are you going to work for a federal agency that you need security clearance? Keep us updated and good luck on finding fun lunches. Celeste

I am sure that Jake appreciated your love and attention and your time together was great for him. I am very sorry for your loss.

My plan still restrict my Protein shakes to greater than 20 grams of protein and less than 5 grams of carbs. I started out with GNC 100% whey that I mixed with 1/2 Water and 1/2 skim milk, or with yogurt. They are out locally so I bought a GNC soy protein - Cookies and cream flavor and a GNC PM Protein - vanilla caramel. I don't know if its the PM protein, but I have only been doing 1 scoop in the evening (the full dose is 2 scoops and 40 g protein) and I have had awesome weight loss in the last week. 6.8 pounds!! A record for me.

I'm starting solids on Thursday but I decided that I have been overly cautious up to now. So I did it!! I went out for lunch - Red Lobster. I had mashed potatoes and broiled walleye. I used tartar sauce on the walleye and ranch dressing to thin the potatoes so it wasn't the healthiest but I only ate 3/4 of the fish and about 3 tablespoons of potatoes. It was really hard to concentrate on chew,chew,chew with all of the conversation but it was doable. Now, if I can get through driving 250 miles Wednesday, meeting the girls for dinner, going to an early morning meeting on Thursday and driving home. Life is continuing.

Okay, I know I need to get to the solid stage soon (Thursday). I'm having a hard time filling the dogs dish with Alpo (canned stuff, bbq broiled or something) without wanting to taste it!!

Sally, I didn't even get pureed foods for 2 weeks. Of course, I am now finding that I don't like them anyway !!

Look at how much you have lost. It is working. You must be quitting sooner than you used to - maybe just not soon enough. I am also struggling with eating too much so I am really trying to stop when I feel satisfied. I have decided I"m like a goat or a horse and don't want to stop until its all gone. So I'm making/getting/planning less food. If I am still starving, I can have a few bites more. Generally, what I've been doing is going for a walk and then it I am still hungry afterwards I eat a little more. I know that's not what the plan says but its my method for controlling myself this week. Good luck and don't beat yourself up. You have obviously done something right to get this far.

Lindsey, I am only a little over 2 weeks post-op so probably not the best expert but I did get alot of chest pains about a week out. I just assumed it was either gas or overeating or reacting to something. I walked alot, used a heating pad, took my pain meds (something I didn't do the 1st week). I still get pain in my left shoulder late in the day at work. I think its either from being overly tired or drinking too much/fast. I am finally coming to realize that day by day I am having different experiences with my body - Tuesday and Wednesday I itched inside like mad, Thursday that was all gone. I would just take it easy today, rest, walk, etc. Be careful about what you eat. Sip (not gulp like I tend to!). Hope you are feeling better in the morning. Celeste

Okay, I hope I don't sound like a lush but how soon after surgery did you try alcohol? I was going to try in 2 weeks (4 weeks out from surgery) a little glass of wine. As I have posted before, I am going to work in Africa in July and will be socializing also. I will be working in the country's government offices and the embassy so it will be dress up /suits type stuff. From what I've seen other places, the after work drink is still popular in that type of an environment. Will I be able to tolerate a glass of wine at the 6 week mark?

My doctor discourages snacking. I usually have my 1st meal at 7, 2nd at 12 and 3rd at 5. If I don't have anything else, sometimes I feel nauseous in the morning so I have been having a SF popsicle. But I know snacking got me in the weight problem so I'm really trying hard not to.

Crystal, I am so sorry about your dog. I have always said that when Schnapps (my spoiled dalmation) passes away I'm leaving the country. She is 11 plus (I got her 2nd hand and she had been abused). But last year when my dad was dying I promised him that when she starts going downhill I will put her to sleep. He said it was pure hell even when he knew what was going on and letting a dog suffer like that wasn't fair. Just do what is right for you and your dog. And I will pray for you and your dog (as I sit here crying for the two of you). Celeste

I am a budget analyst in ND and prepare the Governor's recommendations for higher education, transportation, agricultural research, human services and medicaid. In Liberia, I will be writing narrative in support of the budget request for specific divisions of the country's budget.

I hope she has a speedy recovery.

I sent out a message a while back on a potential job in the Congo. Well, that fell through. Funding was not approved. Now, I am going to do a 10 day volunteer job in Liberia in July. They will pay expenses but I need to take vacation at work. I have decided that if it comes to it, I can live on my Protein shakes for 10 days. Since today is my 2 week bandiversary, I haven't really had much else anyway. Gotta go get VISA pictures, dr letter of health, innoculations, etc

I am 2 weeks banded today and yesterday I had one of those days too. My stomach hurts when I sit at my desk for 9 hours. I was exhausted although I am getting in 2 Protein shakes (20 grams protein each) and mixing them each with .5 cup of Water and .5 cup of milk and adding my powdered Vitamins (7 grams protein) for a minimum of 54 grams of protein before I add in my food. When I was talking with my sister who had ryn surgery 2 years ago, she said my body is still adjusting to a reduced level of intake and that may be the cause for exhaustion. She also told me to watch for a big weight loss soon. Okay - I weighed this morning and I am down 3.8 pounds from 2 days ago. (After a 5 day stand still). I am using the flavored whey protein and mixing it with different things. I might add yogurt, milk, soy milk, or coffee to it. Getting water is critical for me. Hope some of this helps. Good luck and I hope you start feeling better.

I had my surgery on Thursday and returned to work Tuesday for 9 hours. But after that I ended up putting in 7 - 7.5 hour days. I just got tired. I am actually having a tougher time this week - week 2. It is uncomfortable to sit this long. I hope nothing is wrong. I left a message with my surgeon's office yesterday and they haven't returned my call yet. I am sure it is just healing pains but it is irritating. I think I'm just getting nervous because I'm going to Africa next month on a volunteer job and am worried because I won't have any access to medical help.

Robyn, I had clear liquids and Protein shakes for 4 days, then I got to add some other things, like creamed Soups (strained), pudding, Jello, yogurt. For my clear liquids, I went to the chinese restaraunt and got won ton Soup. The dog got the won tons. I diluted the broth (it was strong) with some chicken broth and that was great. Later I had some cream of potato soup (with Water and strained) and some cream of mushroom soup (made with beef broth and strained). Those helped. After that, I got some cheese soup packages (beer cheese and 5 cheese with italian herb). Since they were kind of rich, I added broth and potato and leek soup. They were yummy. I also added my protein shake powders to yogurt, soy milk, a mixture of skim milk and water, anything for variety. Hope this helps.

Last night I went to hear a plastic surgeon talk who does surgery on patients with significant weight loss. I can't remember the specifics but I'm guessing that what your surgeon removes will get you to goal. Since this is your opportunity to take time off work and everything, I say go for it!!! And let us know that you are doing okay. Celeste

Good job. You are doing great. Celeste

Thanks for posting. I was beginning to think I'm the fussiest person in the world but I am surviving. I found the cheese Soup packets - they are dried and include a little bottle of tabasco (which I don't use) to be great. The ones that I've tried were the 5 cheese with herb and beer cheese. To make them less rich, I have added some broth and/or potato leek soup (this makes it much more filling). The brand of potato leek soup I used was in the health food section - I think its called image or imagine or something like that. I have also been adding my Protein powder to soy yogurt but sometimes that just makes me hungrier. Thursday I get to add mushies and pureed foods. I can't wait!! Celeste

I am 12 days out of surgery and it is itching inside of my stomach. Is that a normal part of the healing process?

Esmerelda, Sorry you have to go through this but these type of changes usually make life better in the long run. Just hang in there. I will remember you in my prayers. Celeste