Lexington1020

Post OP- Day 12
So since my pre op meeting (June 5th) I am down 40 lbs. I have lost 14 lbs since my surgery June 28th. I saw my nutritionist this morning and she said I have to work to get in more protein. I have been getting better. They found during my surgery I had a hiatal hernia, which my doctor repaired. Sometimes I gasp for air as I have not been breathing for minutes. But I have been doing breathing treatments and it is much better. Yesterday I did over half a mile on the treadmill in under 14 min. That felt good, it felt good to sweat. I am so ready to get to the gym and hit the ground running. I know I have such a long road ahead of me but I am excited for the journey. For the first time I cooked dinner for my family last night and it felt soooo good. I had been removing myself from situations involving food.  My husband and son went to Mcdonalds and I just sat in the car and waited. I would get angry and I did not like that. Cooking for them gave me pleasure and I wasn't tempted at all surprisingly. I just tasted some sauce I made to make sure the flavors were on point and boom shacka lacka! Since my surgery I have lost a loved one and gained a niece, it has been such an emotional time for me but I know that God has a bigger plan for me. <3

Post OP- Day 12
So since my pre op meeting (June 5th) I am down 40 lbs. I have lost 14 lbs since my surgery June 28th. I saw my nutritionist this morning and she said I have to work to get in more protein. I have been getting better. They found during my surgery I had a hiatal hernia, which my doctor repaired. Sometimes I gasp for air as I have not been breathing for minutes. But I have been doing breathing treatments and it is much better. Yesterday I did over half a mile on the treadmill in under 14 min. That felt good, it felt good to sweat. I am so ready to get to the gym and hit the ground running. I know I have such a long road ahead of me but I am excited for the journey. For the first time I cooked dinner for my family last night and it felt soooo good. I had been removing myself from situations involving food.  My husband and son went to Mcdonalds and I just sat in the car and waited. I would get angry and I did not like that. Cooking for them gave me pleasure and I wasn't tempted at all surprisingly. I just tasted some sauce I made to make sure the flavors were on point and boom shacka lacka! Since my surgery I have lost a loved one and gained a niece, it has been such an emotional time for me but I know that God has a bigger plan for me. <3

I pushed myself a little this morning on my run. I ran longer and walked less. I can feel the difference. It took me longer to recover at the end, but I added a half mile to my 30 minutes of run time. I feel like running is becoming an addiction for me and I need to tread carefully. I find myself thinking about my next run throughout the day and I am already researching my next pair of shoes. I guess there are many more worse activities that I could be doing, but there is still this little uneasiness as I feel myself changing on the inside as well as the outside. 
I had several church members remark and compliment me on my weight loss yesterday at church. Nobody asked me how I was losing, probably because most of them know I have been following a  carb diet  since January. I still haven't gotten to a place where I feel comfortable talking about my surgery. Maybe someday in the future I will.
Tomorrow will be the 8th Monday since surgery. I am inching closer to a normal weight. I am simple overweight now and not obese. I can't remember how long it has been since I have been this weight (184.5), but it has been at least 9-10 years. I will be 49 in August and I am starting to believe I will reach my goal before I turn 50.
Have a great Sunday everyone!

Day 15 (pre op diet)
I was thinking I might be able to get down the road a bit with my work pants.....I haven't weight myself since that last time but my pants are def getting baggier. Today I feel really achy- in my leg muscles. Almost like burning. Not sure why but not feeling it. This Friday I am going to a shrimp boil and I am dreading it, mostly because I don't want to have to explain over and over why I am not eating. I also have to make a dish which stinks because I am making Jalapeno cheese cornbread and I cannot test it! Officially one week today until my surgery. The hospital called me and I have to be there at 6am on Wednesday! For awhile it seemed time was moving slow, but now with my being excited and anxious I feel like whoa it is around the corner! I told my husband this morning on the way to work I feel empty....but in a good way. My tummy is less bloated and I feel better. My sister is having her baby any day now! I hope before my surgery! <3 

Month 1 is in the books!! 17lbs lost since surgery, 32lbs down in total. I am so happy with my progress. I have a long way to go, but I am so psyched to see a loss this big on the scale. It's been years since I've seen any real loss at all. Goal for this month is to work on increasing my activity. Let's do this!!!

So I've been super proud of myself with the liquid diet. I started to cheat yesterday with a piece on smoked turkey (the office catered in BBQ and i could smell it for hours). I literally put it in my mouth and chewed it and when I was going to swallow it I told myself "what are you doing?!?! You've been doing so well don't cheat now. SPIT IT OUT" and that is the very thing I did. 

Day 5 of pre-op diet. No trouble getting the liquids and proteins in. Day 3 was a dreaded constipation day so I will be calling to see what is best to do for that . Down 12 lbs.

Very happy to have found the right place for me to continue with this journey.  Staff have been amazing and extremely helpful so far and could not be happier.  

Day 8 (pre op diet)
This morning I weighed myself- and since my pre-op doc appt I have lost possibly over 15 lbs. I never trust scales....I have two.  I being somewhat a pessimist in my head say ( musta been a lot of water weight). I am excited today, last night my sister texted me and said she is dilated 1 cm. This is her first baby and she is my baby sister and I am very protective. I look forward to holding Kayleigh!  Not much else to say but we did have the best soup last night- it looked gross but it was delish and I actually am looking forward to eating it again. I had to freeze my vegetable soup because I was soooo over it. I will bring it out maybe next week before I move ONLY to clear liquids. I also might visit the butcher this weekend to see about making my own bone broth-if it is an epic fail the corgis get a treat on their kibble! LOL Happy hump day ya'll! 

Officially 1 week post-op....everyday is a climb towards success...yes the first week was rough, painful, and making myself doubt the decision I had made regarding this WLS journey...one week later, pain has subsided, days are now easier, and that dark cloud of doubt has turned into a beautiful rainbow of positive feelings, get up and go's and wishing I had done this before that stupid lap band I had implanted 4 years ago...so ask me again, do I regret and doubt what I have done to live a longer, healthier, positive lifestyle? Hell to the No! Food is now SECOND in my life, not first...It's about ME now, and I'm finally in first place and plan on staying there forever! Join me and make food your "sloppy seconds".  
For those of you who are pre and post op...here is some hints to help with protein intake & vitamin intake your first 2 weeks and beyond to avoid doubts and discouragement on your new digestive system...
Fairlife Milk - www.fairlife.com I drink the skim milk one & every 8 oz has 13 grams of protein which helps a lot if you're like me and cant drink the majority of protein powders out there since they are made with artificial sweeteners ProMod -  https://www.amazon.com/Abbott-Nutrition-Promod-Liquid-Protein/dp/B005XTYDH4 If you're like me and was given the little cup of "mystery syrup"  in the hospital that looks like honey, you can order that from Amazon...1 oz gives you 10 grams of protein, and I mix it in my chamomile tea and it's great...its slightly sweet but contains no sugars...keeps you motivated to go on and if the hospital recommends it, you know its good for you Smart Water - https://www.drinksmartwater.com/ Again, if you're like me and are allergic to artificial sweeteners, Smart water has electrolytes and will keep you hydrated like Powerade Zero and others...2 33.8 oz bottles a day keep me well hydrated Chicken stock tends to be made more from bony parts, whereas chicken broth is made more out of meat. Chicken stock tends to have a fuller mouth feel and richer flavor, due to the gelatin released by long-simmering bones. Stock also has 6 grams of protein for 8 oz vs chicken broth, which only has 1 gram of protein.  Vitamin Patches - For me, the first week was hard enough to get fluids down, much less thinking about incorporating vitamins to an already nauseous new digestive system. I purchased the Gastric Bypass Vitamin Patch Pack (30-Day Supply) by PatchMD, which is offered in the Bariatric Pal Store - https://store.bariatricpal.com/collections/patchmd/products/gastric-bypass-vitamin-patch-pack-30-day-supply I started using them today, and within an hour, I felt better and more energized...I thought it was just me so I had my daughter try them as well & she had the same results...now I cant swear by them but I will wait and see what my labs show in a few weeks of being on them...the reviews say they work so we shall see... Hope this helps...best wishes and a speedy recovery to all...don't give up, if life wasn't a struggle, we would be spoiled...

4 days post-op....feeling like I was ran over by a truck...trying to get my protein shakes in and water without being nauseous...only getting 1 shake in a day, and doing ok with keeping hydrated...bought smart water to keep electrolytes up and in check...speedy recovery to all post-op family members and best wishes to those pre-op...you can do it!
 

Happy Sabbath!!!
I must be in the zone right now with weight loss. I have been losing a pound to a pound and a half a day the past three days. I was at 192 yesterday morning and today 190.5! I guess my body likes what I am doing right now so I will keep at it. I decided I want to get a haircut and style before my dh gets back from his trirp. I want to surprise him with a new look. I am thinking about getting highlights and going a little shorter. I am excited and nervous at the same time..lol..

I'm so excited only 3 days till my surgery!!!!! Oh and this pre-op diet has been easy.

9/26/16 - Had RXY
6-11-17 - Now weigh 227lbs
I am feeling so much better physically and mentally.