istytehcrawk

I wrote a thing for work this week.

10 weeks out from surgery, and I just ate popcorn (Smartfood white cheddar, 3/4 cup) for the first time since surgery. It was SO GOOD; now I just have to see if it sits well. So far, so good.

Have been gradually working on trying new things; so far, nothing has given me even semi-major issues, but taco seasoning still doesn't sit well in my stomach.

A little annoyed that I'm up about two pounds since yesterday (weighed yesterday because it was my one-month anniversary and today before an appointment with my PCP so I could compare the difference between my scale and theirs), but my doctor says it is likely water retention because I've been spotting the last few days (I don't get true periods anymore because of the Nexplanon implant). I just hope it passes soon.

As of this morning, I have officially hit 50 pounds down since surgery! That means I'm averaging 20 pounds per month. Even though it seems slow week to week, I can't argue with that!

As of this morning, officially down 75 pounds from my highest weight!

Check out some posts I've written on Medium related to bariatric surgery and life as a fat person:

How weight loss changed my hair

How much does bariatric surgery cost?

Adventures in making a bariatric surgery-friendly cheesecake

A message for restaurants with booths

Moments from a lifetime of fatness

Currently have Hungry Girl's cheeseburger mini meatloaves baking in the oven, and they smell AMAZING. http://www.hungry-girl.com/recipes/cheeseburger-mini-meatloaves

Finally made it below 350 pounds and am exactly 80 pounds down from my highest weight!

Fit back down into the (new) size 28 jeans I bought like six months ago!

Friday marked my first surgiversary, so I wrote 3,000 words about it on Medium: https://medium.com/@mistyfritz/life-after-having-my-intestines-rerouted-d7baf9c8c39f?source=friends_link&sk=e24f2259918ac091cdbbb8a8f24b1f63

Had my first meal out at a restaurant (Bob Evans) tonight. 

Ordered the grilled Wildfire chicken (one breast), with sides of baby carrots, green beans with ham (very minimal), and fresh fruit. Skipped the bread. Oh, and mom and I sat around chatting after the meal, and (after waiting a while) I drank a few ounces of peppermint tea with Splenda.

Ate some of each of the chicken/veggies/fruit, and brought the rest home. Separated it out, and it made enough for three more meals (the veggies could have made four or five, probably, but there was only enough chicken for three, and I don't mind wasting a little bit of the veggies), plus the fruit for a snack. Super delicious.

Had to do a makeshift repair on my capris today, using paperclips, because the hem of one leg came undone on my way to work. That's what I get for wearing these for the first time in two-ish years, I guess (they're a 30 but run small because they are the same size as a similar pair I own that are 26s).

Don't mind my super-pale leg. I'd blame it on this being the first time this year that I haven't worn long pants, but the truth is that I'm almost always that pale, except for the forearm that hangs out the window while I drive in the summer, which burns and then gets a brief, faint tan.  

I am having such an issue with clothing right now -- I have several pairs of capris that fit, and several shirts that fit, but very few of them match! I'm doing laundry far more often than usual simply because I refuse to buy more clothes until I'm down another size.

I am pleased to report the popcorn got along with my stomach perfectly well.

I ate a baked chicken tender with a tiny bit of cheese on top. We'll see how my stomach likes it.

I also have eggs boiling to make deviled eggs. That's an experiment; haven't tried them since before surgery. (It's the only way I like eggs.)

I finally had some crunchy veggies today (a cauliflower floret, a broccoli floret, a few thin cucumber slices, and some shoestring carrots) with a tiny bit of French onion dip, and it was GLORIOUS. 

I did some grocery shopping at HyVee yesterday and hit up their salad bar for fruit and veggies. It was kind of expensive, but worth it to be able to get just a few of each thing (aforementioned veggies, plus some cherry tomatoes, spinach, cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, and pineapple -- already had some watermelon at home), and definitely cheaper than buying a whole package of each and having some of it go to waste because I can't eat it fast enough.

I haaaaaaaate exercising. Hate it. I do it (not as often or as much as I should, probably, but still more than I ever have before), but I haaaaaaaaate it.

Why?

• asthma
• discomfort (not really pain, but not a good feeling)
• embarrassment (if done in public at all)
• lack of stamina (building up, but still low at this point)
• hate being sweaty, and I get sweaty quick
• hate being sore afterward
• IT'S SO FREAKING BORING and I'd rather be doing just about anything else

I have a massive air fryer at my disposal for the next week to see if I like it before buying one. Any recommendations?

I have been craving catfish for like a MONTH but hadn't been able to find any (fresh or frozen) in stores. Mom's boyfriend found some today and cooked it in the air fryer, and OH MY GOD it was perfect. Totally hit the spot. Crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, just as catfish should be.

I have reached a new level of ridiculous, even for me. This morning I downloaded an app to help me track my bowel movements to make sure I'm not at risk of constipation/an obstruction. It will alert me if I haven't gone #2 in 36 hours. 

I joined a gym last night for the first time in my life. Right now I'm only joining for the pool/water aerobics, but who knows what the future holds!

I started taking Benefiber this morning (mixed it in with my Premier Protein shake), and within 15 minutes my body was going "Fiber? What's THAT?!?" 

I knew it would work, but I didn't realize it would work THAT quickly.

I'm 0/2 with new foods (fish sticks and 100% whole wheat toast) agreeing with my stomach, so the last 24 hours have been FUN.

Not.

No more new foods until tomorrow (going to attempt some cubed ham).

It's my first day back at work, and my stomach/esophagus have been making such hilarious noises (because of air bubbles I think) ALL DAMN DAY. It's so ridiculous I have to laugh. 

It's taken two miserable days of Miralax, stool softeners, and reverting back to a liquid diet, but I am about 95% sure I've managed to stop a would-be bowel obstruction in its tracks.