Danni-doinit4me

Doing good, current weight 221!! I go for my 6 month check up next week. Hopefully doc is happy with my progress!!

Ahhh,
here we are ready for the last stage, before the procedure. All the medical appointments, check. Lost weight to show commitment, check. All the psychologists appointments to show I'm really ready for this, check. Six months of the Weigh Ahead Programme, check. AND, successfully completed said programme, reaching targets, check. Taking regular exercise, check. Bags packed, check........
Am I ready for this? Too right I am.
So, tomorrow is the day for the commencement of the milk diet.

Congratulations, you are almost to the finish line

I can't wait now. Almost a year in preparation. Yippeeeeee..... I'm sure I'll be anxious as it gets closer, but I'm ok at the moment. Thank you beelee37.

Breakfast on the first day of the milk diet.
Yummy, a glass of milk, no surprises there, but enjoyed getting my teeth in to my chewable (crunchy) multi Vitamins, then treated myself to my Vitamin D spray, Mmmmmm
Already told husband to SHUT UP!!!!!! Poor man, and only the morning of the first day........
Wonder what's for lunch???????

Cup of Bovril for lunch, followed by more milk in the afternoon, treated myself to some sugar free crushem... For tea I had more milk, in the evening a diet coke and my sugar free jelly, mmmmmm
This morning, milk, and packing my bag for Aqua Aerobics, second time this week, really enjoying it too.

Well.... I enjoyed my exercise yesterday, apart from a rude man shouting at the instructor. It was obviously aimed at me, but I smiled as if I didn't know. Other people were upset for me. In aqua aerobics, because you are exercising in Water, you move a bit from your spot, as anyone who goes would know.... Apart from this chap. After some time, he tried to engage in conversation with me, by saying "I hope you didn't think that was aimed at you?" REALLY, I just smiled sweetly. But, why I mention it is it really didn't bother me. A few weeks ago I would have been so embarrassed, and not gone back. But now, it's my future and a small minded, rude man is not going to change that. I would like to add that I probably worked harder at my undercuts, imagining that I was walloping him!!!
So, to Celebrate the change in me, I came home and had a glass of milk. I must admit I'm struggling a little, this is a real addiction here, no matter what any of the 'experts' tell us. I am also trying my best to drink enough milk, it's not easy and I'm about three pints behind. So, the target for today is, drink more milk.......

Cold and forgetting words!
Well, by 'lunch' time today I'll be one quarter of the way through. Hurray!!!!
The children are being great, they're pretending they're not enjoying their treats and meals, bless them.... My husband has now taken to eating in secret. We take turns in cooking the evening meals, and as soon as it's on the plates, I take myself off for my shower, and then a yummy glass of milk.
I've stopped opening the fridge and looking now, that was just silly. What is horrible is that I'm so COLD, also I find myself half way through a conversation, and then struggling for words. I don't know if anyone else has had these experiences?
Getting ready for my aqua aerobics again, looking forward to it, then a treat of hot Bovril for lunch

Day five, and counting
Really enjoyed my aqua aerobics, she worked us hard.....
Not sooo cold today, and I seem to be getting used to the diet (touch wood), and getting a bit of a routine going on. This is easier on the days I have formal exercise, but getting there on the other days too.
Ohhh, how lovely toast smells!!!!!! I think my sense of smell is increasing, I'm so sure that food never smelled this good before.

Had 'no added sugar' milkshake Syrup to make the milk go down, I can taste the sweeteners in it though, but does make it a bit easier to drink when I'm getting fed up with it. Still look forward to Bovril at lunch time, seems that the savoury taste makes it feel like a meal!
Roll on tomorrow, nearly half way then........

At one point in my life I used to have a headache every single day and Migraines once or twice a month, sometimes more frequently. Not eating has always been a trigger for me, and I was worried about that too. Honestly it didn't bother me after the first few days. I took Tylenol the first week I was on my preop liquid diet and that helped.
I've had 3 surgeries in an effort to end my frequent headache and migraines. Two rounds of Lasik/PRK to fix my screwed up vision and now my RNY. I'm at 2 months now and I've only had one Migraine and almost no regular headaches.

When you have to raise the seat in your car because your backside isn't as thick.

Thank you ladies!!!! You have made me feel soooo much better!!!! So good to know!

I don't know why! But this topic is stuck in my head today and no matter where I am on the forum someone brings it up:
Does it really matter how big you were when you started to take this journey? Should I be more ashamed of myself then someone who weighed 330 lbs. Instead of my 380 when I started? Should I feel like I have committed some kind of crime against myself or mankind because I was at a higher weight when I started then a 250 lb member that goes on about how ashamed they are about who they were..
Isn't it the most important thing that we have all in fact started to take an interest in our personal health and well being without making others feel like they should hang their heads in shame because they started higher then you did....Maybe not intentionally saying it but it comes across that way!
I thought that as a family we would be there for each other and support each other even if you have 50 lbs. to lose. To you it is a huge amount. I understand that we all have our own mindset about how we look and how we feel about ourselves.
Then on the other hand does that make me special because I have almost lost 200 lbs. Should I have been on some show for extreme obesity...i just don't get it.
I don't get that people are afraid to show who they are becoming with pride. Keep the past where it is. In the past and Celebrate what you are becoming or have become.
When do we celebrate the good that we have all done..When do we stop feeling like we don't deserve it or that I am a failure even before I start because I weighed this much....
This is real life not a script to be followed. This is you and me. Real people..Real health issues and have had the courage and grit to work hard to fix ourselves and stand out.
We are all different as I said but I am not going to feel bad because I was more obese then you when I started this trek. And I don't like it when others without realizing it make me feel bad because I was.....

I'm lucky, Krispy Kreme donuts mean nothing to me. Now put a white wedding cake with white icing in front of me and it'll be a little harder to pass up!

Let it all be your motivation. I love it when I see people for the first time since having surgery and they are like WTF happened to you?
Enjoying every pound lost!!

I prefer West, great nursing staff

Time for the next challenge...
Memorial Day Challenge!

Here we go with the rules and instructions:
1. Be sure and log in here on Monday, April 21, 2014 to post your start weight and your goal weight for the challenge.
2. When setting your goal, keep in mind that this challenge is only 4 weeks long (5 weigh-ins).
3. Weigh in every Monday and post your updates here.
4. Watch the data at Memorial Day Challenge (click to be taken to an online spreadsheet) to see our progress as individuals and as a team.

GOOD LUCK!

Shortly before my surgery I asked my surgeon if the pouch could be stretched by liquids as well as solids. Her response - "Absolutely". In the case of gastric bypass, the pouch is often equated to a funnel. Wider opening at the top with a narrower opening at the bottom. Since the pylorus (the valve at the bottom of the former stomach) is no longer in the path that food and liquids take, it is true that liquids pass through more quickly. But as is the case with any funnel, it is possible to put liquids in faster than they are going out. In the case of a funnel, it overflows. In the case of a pouch, it stretches. That does not automatically mean that it stretches beyond its ability to return to its original size. It is highly unlikely that one instance of "overdrinking" will result in any significant detrimental effect. But it does mean that the possibility of over stretching exists if someone were to make a habit of drinking too much too fast.
In the case of the sleeve, the pylorus is still present. The pylorus opens and closes periodically to allow food or liquids to pass through to the small intestine. So again, the possibility of drinking too much too fast could result in the sleeve stretching. And again, it is highly unlikely that one instance of "overdrinking" will result in any significant detrimental effect. And once again, it does mean that the possibility of over stretching exists if someone were to make a habit of drinking too much too fast.
I am not aware of any analytical studies that have been done to determine the statistical incidence of stretching of a pouch or sleeve. I suspect that it may be less common than some folks believe. That said, why take the chance? Whether eating or drinking, Portion Control along with slowing down are always good habits to develop.

Per my surgeon, a sleeve will not stretch very much. It will relax as the swelling goes down and your ability to consume more will increase as your stomach heals, but it will only stretch a little, even with abuse. Most of the stretchy part was cut away with surgery, leaving the muscle part which is much less giving.

Liquids (even carbonated) will not stretch a sleeve according to my doctor. Constantly over stuffing yourself with food may stretch it a bit, but nothing significant. It's the all day grazing and bad choices that usually causes regain.

Just after Easter, I posted this photo of my morning ‘snack’ of carrots, celery jelly Beans and chocolate eggs with a caption, “Does this make sense to anyone?” The responses were funny, truthful, and understanding. Some quickly identified the beans and eggs as Protein and together with the carrots and celery some said that made a very healthy snack! Others noted that there were so few, it didn’t matter. One commented,


Just after Easter, I posted this photo of my morning ‘snack’ of carrots, celery jelly beans and chocolate eggs with a caption, “Does this make sense to anyone?” The responses were funny, truthful, and understanding. Some quickly identified the beans and eggs as protein and together with the carrots and celery some said that made a very healthy snack! Others noted that there were so few, it didn’t matter. One commented, “Living on the edge – just don’t overdo it!” Yes, I laughed out loud.
And don’t we all have times when we live on the edge, test fate, and throw caution to the wind? I suppose we do. I just always wonder why. Why do we do what we do, when we know what we know? For myself, sugar is a real challenge for me and something I need to avoid (see Sugar Free Me! article) Yet, still I ate the jelly beans and chocolate eggs on a plate with vegetables, as if that would make it ok, or that the vegetables would counter act the sugar. Yeah, right. Knowing that so many can relate, I thought I would give a shot at perhaps a few reasons why I think we do what we do when we know what we know.
We Want To Feel Normal – Sometimes we simply don’t’ want to have to worry about it! We are under the impression that eating whatever one wants is ‘normal.’ It might appear that our thin friends and relatives can, but it always comes down to calories in- calories out; for everyone! We are normal and like most people will always need to be careful and mindful about our choices, but sometimes, we just want our actions to have no consequences. (But they do)
Others Do It. In support groups, sometimes patients share how they are able to get away with eating “forbidden foods” and how they are still doing great with their weight loss. Well, more often than not I have found that these people are either ‘honeymooners’ or their metabolism is different than mine or they are great exercisers. Eating what others eat hasn’t worked well for most of us. We each need to know for ourselves EXACTLY what our own bodies need – and what works and what doesn’t work for us to maintain our weight loss goals.
Reckless Abandon – My favorite definition of reckless abandon is: “to abandon all sense of responsibility or consequence.” Sometimes we do because we are either too busy to pay attention, or too stressed to care. It is unfortunate that all too often our lives are out of control and when we are too busy, we put ourselves last! The commitment we have made to ourselves must be strong enough to endure ‘come what may’ we must stay focused on our Success Habits. No matter what! It is too easy to get out of control and off track and find ourselves somewhere we swore we would never be again.
A Little Won’t Hurt – That may be true for some but honestly, this is one of my greatest challenges. Some people can do just a little, but for others like me, have trouble stopping at just a little. It’s not that I binge eat or eat too much at once, it’s just that once I have a little, my body starts to crave more, and more and soon I am a slave to my food choices day after day. For me, a little does hurt.
Will I make the choice to eat jelly beans & chocolate again? Absolutely! Will I enjoy it? Yes! Will I stop, and get back to my routine habits as soon as possible? Yes! Why? Because I know what I know.

Reminder FOLKS. Youve been given a tool.. Thats it.. You can mess it up.. I have 2 cousins that have. PLEASE keep your support group TIGHT!! Im here for all... Email me anytime. Im not on board to much anymroe..
Zacconechris@yahoo.com
Best of Luck
Chris

Checking in.. todays weight is 216.1!!

I got approved for revision surgery from lap-band to sleeve. Paperwork submitted this past Friday, and dr.'s office called today! I'm approved!!!!! That was an instant approval!!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Yum yum!
Microwave some sliced zucchini, top with a little parmesan cheese
Cauliflower mashed with a little milk and butter is a great mashed potato substitute, as are rutabagas and celeriac.
Roasted carrots, toss in a bit of olive oil and sea salt and roast at 400 degrees for 20 min or until soft and caramelized.
Broccoli steamed or microwaved and topped with a bit of butter and grated Mizrithra or Coteja cheese.< /p>

Oops like 20 years ago-- aging myself-