Sleeve1stFitNext

I'm one week post op and still very tired.  I have had to go to the hospital daily to receive IV maintenance fluids because I have not been able to drink enough.  Anyone else dehydrated?

FREAKING OUT!

Surgery on April 24th.  All I heard was horror stories yesterday. 

Anyone??!

So my doctor asked if I had heart burn and I said no.  However, every time I eat it feels like it gets stuck going down- is that the food getting stuck or is it heart burn- how do I know?

1 week from surgery, lost 10lbs on my pre-op diet.  Found that I like powdered peanut butter in my chocolate shake.  Also found that I like frozen blueberries in my vanilla shake.  

Can't wait - want this done, so I can get on with the rest of my life.

4/22 - Just in 1 month, the following has changed: 

1) I get a FULL Nights SLEEP !!! (Omg, I have not had a full nights sleep since before college in 2009). 

2) I can walk further and my ankle not hurt or I need to sit down (today I took 17,248 steps). Amazing and YESSSSSSS!!!!

3) I have really started eating my food cold. When I get hungry, I like to make sure that I am, so I will wait an additional 10 - 15 minutes. I just want to make sure it is not head hunger. However, I when realize that I am and I sometimes do not even bother heating up my food lol. 

4) I finally broke down and purchased one of the Portion8 containers at the BariatricPal Store. They have some really interesting things there. 

5) My younger brother (I have two brothers on my moms side whom are younger than me.) We were shopping for "Baby's" (he is the one that steals food lol) 17th B-day and my brother High Five'd me and said, "We are going to have to find a new nickname because FINALLY, "Bigums" will no longer fit you lol". 

4/21 - When to the NUT today. She was soo proud of my progress. I told her I was concerned that I my loss was slowing down and she assured me that it would be normal. She said, "Slow and steady wins the race. She said my weight looked amazing and that I should be proud of even 4lbs because of how much 1lb of fat means to a healthier body. She gave me the go ahead to start adding in new foods with limitations: 

Stay away from red meat 

Stay away from pasta

Stay away from rice 

Stay away from from all kinds of ice cream and sugar free junk alternatives.

And the usual suspects (No cakes, cookies, ice cream and soda (any carbonated/sparkling drink)

She gave me the go ahead to start lightly at the gym. No more than a 30 minute light weight workout (walking on the treadmill and biking). She said no weight lifting just yet, or swimming , I will have to wait until my 6 week followup with my surgeon to see if it is okay. 

Since Pre-Op Diet (3/12/2017): 29lbs

Since Surgery (3/26/2017): 15lbs

Although 15lbs does not seem like a lot, it is when you break it down in weeks. That is 3.75lbs a week. That is more than I ever did without this tool. I am soo happy it's working. 

4/19 - Had a protein shot which was 15 grams of protein for breakfast. Had 1/2 grill chicken broken up into 4 small meals, with two pieces of steamed broccoli each. Premier Protein shake for dinner. Total 65g protein, 2g sugar, 9g of carbs, 6g of fat. I also have not stepped on a scale since my 2 week post op. I am starting to worry that I am either stalling or have gained weight. I am sure that I am just overreacting, however I weigh in Friday when I see my NUT. I am hoping that I have lost weight. 

4/20 - So my little punk brother ate my meal prep and even took two containers to school. I woke up this morning to an empty fridge lol. Last night, I have three small containers of chicken and broccoli and two small containers of beans. His reasoning? He is doing it to make me cook tonight lol. I said what? He said, "It is Taco Casserole Thursdays and this is tradition and you have failed to make it for almost 2 months. I cannot allow these atrocities against my stomach to go unpunished." He told me that this is food warfare and hung up lol.

I called my mom and told her and she started laughing. She said this is what I get for the whole Popeyes incident. She told me to just make the Casserole since I am off today and she wont be home until late. So I told her, I will make the Casserole. However, their is something that little punk does not like to eat and that is sour cream. I will make the Casserole and put sour cream in it. I will get the last laugh. 

I ended up boiling two large eggs and just eating the egg whites with a little salt sprinkled on top. I am defrosting a turkey burger for lunch. I now have to go to Whole Foods and get the ingredients for the Casserole:

Turkey Ground Beef

Reduced Fat Cheese

Salsa

Brown Rice (rice substitute if I can find one)

Bean paste

Tortilla chips 

Sour Cream (Lots and Lots of Sour Cream )

I wasn't thinking. Went to the Vitamin shoppe for some items, non wls related. I see they have calcium chews for but one get one 50% off. They're regularly 9 dollars for 30. What a deal, right? Half way home (after I tried one) I realized hat they're carbonate and not citrate. Ugh....it's either back to the store to return one or convince my husband to eat them daily. The way I feel right now, both are a hassle to do. Haha! 

4/20 - So my little punk brother ate my meal prep and even took two containers to school. I woke up this morning to an empty fridge lol. Last night, I have three small containers of chicken and broccoli and two small containers of beans. His reasoning? He is doing it to make me cook tonight lol. I said what? He said, "It is Taco Casserole Thursdays and this is tradition and you have failed to make it for almost 2 months. I cannot allow these atrocities against my stomach to go unpunished." He told me that this is food warfare and hung up lol.

I called my mom and told her and she started laughing. She said this is what I get for the whole Popeyes incident. She told me to just make the Casserole since I am off today and she wont be home until late. So I told her, I will make the Casserole. However, their is something that little punk does not like to eat and that is sour cream. I will make the Casserole and put sour cream in it. I will get the last laugh. 

I ended up boiling two large eggs and just eating the egg whites with a little salt sprinkled on top. I am defrosting a turkey burger for lunch. I now have to go to Whole Foods and get the ingredients for the Casserole:

Turkey Ground Beef

Reduced Fat Cheese

Salsa

Brown Rice (rice substitute if I can find one)

Bean paste

Tortilla chips 

Sour Cream (Lots and Lots of Sour Cream )

4/20 - So my little punk brother ate my meal prep and even took two containers to school. I woke up this morning to an empty fridge lol. Last night, I have three small containers of chicken and broccoli and two small containers of beans. His reasoning? He is doing it to make me cook tonight lol. I said what? He said, "It is Taco Casserole Thursdays and this is tradition and you have failed to make it for almost 2 months. I cannot allow these atrocities against my stomach to go unpunished." He told me that this is food warfare and hung up lol.

I called my mom and told her and she started laughing. She said this is what I get for the whole Popeyes incident. She told me to just make the Casserole since I am off today and she wont be home until late. So I told her, I will make the Casserole. However, their is something that little punk does not like to eat and that is sour cream. I will make the Casserole and put sour cream in it. I will get the last laugh. 

I ended up boiling two large eggs and just eating the egg whites with a little salt sprinkled on top. I am defrosting a turkey burger for lunch. I now have to go to Whole Foods and get the ingredients for the Casserole:

Turkey Ground Beef

Reduced Fat Cheese

Salsa

Brown Rice (rice substitute if I can find one)

Bean paste

Tortilla chips 

Sour Cream (Lots and Lots of Sour Cream )

4/19 - Had a protein shot which was 15 grams of protein for breakfast. Had 1/2 grill chicken broken up into 4 small meals, with two pieces of steamed broccoli each. Premier Protein shake for dinner. Total 65g protein, 2g sugar, 9g of carbs, 6g of fat. I also have not stepped on a scale since my 2 week post op. I am starting to worry that I am either stalling or have gained weight. I am sure that I am just overreacting, however I weigh in Friday when I see my NUT. I am hoping that I have lost weight. 

So let's talk something personal. I have been literally shunned by two women that I thought were friends. 

      A friend from college (I barely speak with. We were cool but not really close) called me after one of my best friends told her about my surgery and how I inspired her to make a change in her life. Lets call her "M". Now "M" looks like me. 

     "M" called me while I was heading home. She began asking me about the surgery and how was my recovery. She then started talking about how I would eat nothing but junk in college and I would stuff my face and she could never imagine me giving up milkshakes. Ooookkkayyy whatever. She then starts listing foods and I would say, "No I cannot eat that. Yes, I can eat that. I will have to modify the recipe for a healthier version but I can eat it." She then asked how much had I lost so far. I told her 25lbs but I weigh in Friday so hopefully I lost more. At that point, she goes off on me, "What you think that I am supposed to change my eating habits to make you feel better. I am not getting the surgery because it is the easy way out. I refused to put myself through that." Again, oooookkkkayyy. She precedes to tell me how I have changed and I am stuck up wanna-be-healthy B-word and how I will be loose and saggy. At that point I told her jealousy does not suite you and hung up. 

       Another friend has gained weight over the years since having her daughter. Her husband has never had an issue with her weight until lately. She is now about to weigh 300lbs. For their daughters B-day this month, they took her to Disneyland. My friend was unable to keep up with her Husband and daughter, she was even told that she could not get a ride because of her size. Her Husband sat her down and had a heart to heart and express that it was time for her to start getting healthy. He said her not being able to get on a ride with their child hurt him as much as it hurt her. Now her Husband is big on fitness and when they met, they were both in great shape. He has kept his shape but he also understands that carrying a human being is not easy, which is why he does not care if she ever gets her pre-baby body back. He just wants her healthy and able ride the rides with their child. I expressed that I agreed with him citing when we went to Six Flags and the strap barely fit last year and how I nervous that the guy was going to tell me to get off. She then got upset and told me every since I have been losing weight, I have been trying to dictate people's lives. I asked her for an example and she could not give me one. She however kicked me out of her house and told me that if I continued to lose weight and act this way that I was no longer invited to her home. 

I had to call my boyfriend and ask him if I have changed? I called, all of my other friends and was like, hey have I changed? My boyfriend said that how I think about food has changed (he loves the whole kids meal thing). My other friends said, no I have not. They say that I am just way more health conscious and I view food differently but I do not make them feel uncomfortable when they eat junk in front of me. 

I wanted to post this so that you guys knew what was going on in my personal life and how this surgery and weight loss is effecting my life in other ways. 

4/19 - Had a protein shot which was 15 grams of protein for breakfast. Had 1/2 grill chicken broken up into 4 small meals, with two pieces of steamed broccoli each. Premier Protein shake for dinner. Total 65g protein, 2g sugar, 9g of carbs, 6g of fat. I also have not stepped on a scale since my 2 week post op. I am starting to worry that I am either stalling or have gained weight. I am sure that I am just overreacting, however I weigh in Friday when I see my NUT. I am hoping that I have lost weight. 

So, my last prerequisite appt went very well. The NUT answered a bunch of questions I had. I agreed with all. I lost 2 lbs. yay! Still have to work on my two bites of protein, one bite veggie deal. Of course, sipping water. The best part is that this office is so organized that all the paperwork will be submitted tomorrow. The lady in front went over all the prerequisites with me. All were finished and reports were attached. So, I expect to hear something from my insurance company next week (insurance says it won't take long for an answer as long as all papers are submitted). Then the office will call me and schedule my pre-op appt/start of my diet. I will have to do two protein shakes and one meal daily. No snacks. My one meal will be restricted to what they allow. Now, I just have to wait for the approval. Feels surreal to be at this point but I'm so glad it's almost here!

I arrived early. Sitting here in my truck waiting for my last prerequisite appointment to start! I'm finally getting a little bit more excited. It's getting real now.  Yay! 😁

4/17 - I had a pretty good day. I just forgot to take my vitamins. Nothing out of the ordinary happened on my end. 

4/18 - Was having a conversation and eating with a co-worker. I was not paying attention to how much I ate and ended up taking a bite too much. I have been sitting here for the last 45 minutes with this bubbling/foaming filling in my chest and throat. I am not sure if my sleeve is creating a lot of acid to digest it or if I need to dump. I do not have my normal symptoms so I think I am good there. I have tried walking around but that feeling will not go away. It fills like I drank soap and my stomach is making bubbles and my saliva is really thick and foamy. 

4/17 - I had a pretty good day. I just forgot to take my vitamins. Nothing out of the ordinary happened on my end. 

4/18 - Was having a conversation and eating with a co-worker. I was not paying attention to how much I ate and ended up taking a bite too much. I have been sitting here for the last 45 minutes with this bubbling/foaming filling in my chest and throat. I am not sure if my sleeve is creating a lot of acid to digest it or if I need to dump. I do not have my normal symptoms so I think I am good there. I have tried walking around but that feeling will not go away. It fills like I drank soap and my stomach is making bubbles and my saliva is really thick and foamy. 

I arrived early. Sitting here in my truck waiting for my last prerequisite appointment to start! I'm finally getting a little bit more excited. It's getting real now.  Yay! 😁

Called Cigna, they said as long as my surgeon/team submits ALL the required paperwork, then the approval turnaround is very quick (a couple of days or so).  Says all it takes is a reviewer to review it and make sure it's all legit.  Sounds great! I'll be top of the center then.

4/13 - Was not able to really eat anything. All I wanted was water. I was no hungry and had to force myself to drink some protein shakes. I was not stomaching my pureed chicken and beans. Eggs was not staying down neither. Overall, it was not a good day. My vitamins were making me sick, just chewing them. I would spit them out. I ended up only being able to drink 1 protein shake (30G) and drinking almost 70 oz of water. It was like all my body wanted was water. I started drinking it at 8am and did not stop until 11:30pm. 

4/14 - It got better. Was not able to stomach soft or pureed foods. However, I was able to drink 3 protein shakes (90g). I got in 64 oz of water on the mark. 

4/15 - Tried to eat some grilled chicken from Chipotle, just the chicken and black beans that I smashed up (It was my Granny's B-Day and she always wanted to go). I chewed just a little and ran to the bathroom and dumped. It was immediate. I was really confused because I thought grilled chicken was okay to eat. 

4/16 - I had some some egg whites with low fat cheese, just tuna and a protein shake. I was able to get in 56 oz of protein. I was really nervous, trying to eat. I still feel the restriction and when I reach my limit, I start burping which is my sign to stop eating. I have not tried any other foods yet. I am waiting until my NUT Appt to see what foods I can add. 

Sorry for the delay. So many updates: 

4/8 - I had a nervous break down. Got into it with my little brother over Popeyes lol. I know I can't have any but it did not stop me from grabbing him up and saying, "give me some damn chicken, give me some beans, give me some mash potatoes and give me a biscuit" lol my mom had to break it up lol.

Then I gave her the ASPCA sad look and start singing, "In the eyes of an angel, give me Popeyes". I then went into the kitchen and started pulling snacks from the cabinets, screaming and crying "If I cant have this, no one can have it."  My mom endedup calling her friend (she had gotten the sleeve last year) and asked her what was going on. She told my mom that I was having moment and just needed to get the frustration out. Once I was done, my mom told me I was grounded lol. I told her I was grown and she said, "With that behavior, I do not think so." Needless to say, I have not been able to hang out with my friends lol 

4/9 - Started eating more protein was able to get in 30 oz of chicken and 55 oz of water. Still cannot go outside to play.

4/10 - Still cannot go outside to play. Drank 64 oz of water, only able to get down 28 oz of protein

4/11 - Went to Applebees and accidentally took a sip out of a straw. No issues except I could not eat. I ended up getting a kids turkey burger with nothing. The waitress had the cook chopped the burger into small pieces. I ended eating less than 1/4 a turkey burger. Damn I was sad. 

4/12 - Took all my vitamins on time. Yayy me!!! I am able to eat 2 (7oz) chickens over the course of 6 meals. I also added 2 steamed small pieces of broccoli. Now I am focusing on getting in my water. So far I have gotten in 30 oz. 

4/13 - Was not able to really eat anything. All I wanted was water. I was no hungry and had to force myself to drink some protein shakes. I was not stomaching my pureed chicken and beans. Eggs was not staying down neither. Overall, it was not a good day. My vitamins were making me sick, just chewing them. I would spit them out. I ended up only being able to drink 1 protein shake (30G) and drinking almost 70 oz of water. It was like all my body wanted was water. I started drinking it at 8am and did not stop until 11:30pm. 

4/14 - It got better. Was not able to stomach soft or pureed foods. However, I was able to drink 3 protein shakes (90g). I got in 64 oz of water on the mark. 

4/15 - Tried to eat some grilled chicken from Chipotle, just the chicken and black beans that I smashed up (It was my Granny's B-Day and she always wanted to go). I chewed just a little and ran to the bathroom and dumped. It was immediate. I was really confused because I thought grilled chicken was okay to eat. 

4/16 - I had some some egg whites with low fat cheese, just tuna and a protein shake. I was able to get in 56 oz of protein. I was really nervous, trying to eat. I still feel the restriction and when I reach my limit, I start burping which is my sign to stop eating. I have not tried any other foods yet. I am waiting until my NUT Appt to see what foods I can add. 

Sorry for the delay. So many updates: 

4/8 - I had a nervous break down. Got into it with my little brother over Popeyes lol. I know I can't have any but it did not stop me from grabbing him up and saying, "give me some damn chicken, give me some beans, give me some mash potatoes and give me a biscuit" lol my mom had to break it up lol.

Then I gave her the ASPCA sad look and start singing, "In the eyes of an angel, give me Popeyes". I then went into the kitchen and started pulling snacks from the cabinets, screaming and crying "If I cant have this, no one can have it."  My mom endedup calling her friend (she had gotten the sleeve last year) and asked her what was going on. She told my mom that I was having moment and just needed to get the frustration out. Once I was done, my mom told me I was grounded lol. I told her I was grown and she said, "With that behavior, I do not think so." Needless to say, I have not been able to hang out with my friends lol 

4/9 - Started eating more protein was able to get in 30 oz of chicken and 55 oz of water. Still cannot go outside to play.

4/10 - Still cannot go outside to play. Drank 64 oz of water, only able to get down 28 oz of protein

4/11 - Went to Applebees and accidentally took a sip out of a straw. No issues except I could not eat. I ended up getting a kids turkey burger with nothing. The waitress had the cook chopped the burger into small pieces. I ended eating less than 1/4 a turkey burger. Damn I was sad. 

4/12 - Took all my vitamins on time. Yayy me!!! I am able to eat 2 (7oz) chickens over the course of 6 meals. I also added 2 steamed small pieces of broccoli. Now I am focusing on getting in my water. So far I have gotten in 30 oz. 

4/6 - Well this was a bad day. I thought hey why not try something. My mom made spaghetti and meat sauce. So I took a small amount of meat sauce and pureed it. It was DELICIOUS. 5 minutes later, I was nauseous, light headed and hot with the chills. I ended up puking the meat sauce. I put it on my not ready to eat list lol. Was unable to stomach any thing other than water for the remainder of the day. 

4/7 - So the food I made for work, actually was turned into 6 meals because I could not eat more than 10 small bites. Had 10 bites of the egg whites and cheese for breakfast. Had 10 bikes of the tuna and cheese. I am going to finish the day off with a Premier Caramel Protein Shake for dinner. This will help me to get my protein up. I have been drinking zero calorie sugar free Vitamin Water (this is helping me with the B12 and electrolytes).