Back to Work!

8th Day Post Op

I went back to work today...and had a follow up appt with the surgeon.

I'm still struggling with getting enough calories and grams of protein....I can only tolerate about 1 or 2 protein shakes a day, 2 or 3 yogurts, and 1 soup. I am also sometimes queezzy/nauseous.

When I told my surgeon about this he said that during surgery he primed the band a bit more than usual and made it more "plushy" (his word, not mine) so that could explain my queezziness/nauseousness and not being able to eat as much. So I must be a bit overfull in my band. Either way, I have my first fill scheduled for 11/17. We will see if I even need it.

PS: I officially have lost 22 lbs!!!

Medical ID Bracelet Debate

6 day post op and feeling better....

I have seen quite a lot of debate over at lapbandtalk.com about whether gastric banders should have a medical ID bracelet or other jewelry that identifies a medical concern to professional medical personnel such as EMTs, ER DRs, etc.

Hmmm...what do you think?

Here's my bracelet (sterling silver):

Recipe Time!

Hey everyone,

I have an awesome recipe for you that counts towards my surgeon's full liquid diet (pre-op and post-op)...It's Vanilla Egg Custard!

I found it in one of my fave WLS books: Before and After, Living and Eating Well After Weight-Loss Surgery Book. The book is more geared towards the RNY'ers, but still lots of great info!

These custards taste just like creme brulee, except with out the sugary crunchy topping....yum!

110 calories; 9 grams protein per 1/2 cup serving

~Vanilla Egg Custard~

4 eggs, beaten
pinch of salt
1 can evaporated low fat milk
1 cup skim milk
½ cup Splenda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 6 custard cups or ramekins in a large roasting pan and set aside. Whisk together the eggs, milk, evaporated milk, Splenda, vanilla, and salt. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a large measuring cup. Divide evenly among the custard cups and grate a generous amount of nutmeg over each one. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come about halfway up the sides of the custard cups. Bake 25 to 35 minutes, until the custard are just set in the center. Carefully remove the custards from the water bath, and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve chilled.

Click here (scroll down a bit on that page) for more details on the book and website!

Struggling on a Saturday...

Day 4 post op....

The symptoms/feelings have changed since day of surgery...the Queezies/Nausea came back today (from day post op day 1)...I notice that if I lay down, the nausea is stronger...and therefore have tried remained upright most of the day...anyone else have this nausea issue too?

The post op full liquid diet indicates that I must have 1200 calories and 50-70 grams of protein... That's a joke. I can barely get in 500 calories and about 45 grams protein....ugh...I will keep trying...

Here's a photo of my kitty Pemberley helping me rest yesterday. I hope to be in a better mood tomorrow...

Day 3 Post Op...

Feeling a bit better today...still on the liquid Loratab. I had one of the Alpine Punch Isopures 8oz for breakfast. That after taste is crazy wicked!! I had to brush my teeth after...ick.

The hospital gave me a "Bari Buddy" stuffed bear for coughing. It helps a lot. He has a very very hard body so when I need to cough, I place him against my tummy which makes things feel better.

Thanks for all your kind comments of encouragement and positive thoughts! You guys are great!

Post Op Day 2!

Got back from the hospital yesterday afternoon....stayed one night in the hospital. Wow, you guys who do the outpatient thing, you rock...I was lovin the morphine too much to leave LOL.

Here's a pic of my surgery scars...(Girls Gone Wild Plus Sized Edition!)

I'm doing lots of sippin, walkin, sleepin, medicatin, and repeatin'.

I will add my surgery story soon.

Surgery in the morning!

Excited, nervous, happy, etc! I will post soon as I can when I get back from the hospital!

What I've been eating this past week

Hello to all my new Followers!

Today is officially day 6 of the pre-op full liquid diet. Here's what I've been eating this week:

From left to right: Torani Sugar Free Syrup, The Magic Bullet blender (luv it! Key item for making those protein shakes!!), Yoplait Sugar Free Fat free Yogurts, Unjury Protein Powders (chocolate, vanilla, unflavored), and soups.

2 more sleeps until surgery!

PS: Thanks to all who have given me tips on their inspirations/motivations in their weightloss journeys!

Where do you get inspiration and motivation from?

Hello to all my new followers!

I have been checking out your blogs -- your tips and info are great for a newbie like me. I also get a lot of motivation and am inspired by your losses on the scale.

Today I saw this commercial on TV....Very inspirational!

Where do you get your inspiration and motivation from to keep yourself on track for exercise and eating correctly??

Wobbly Jello Legs...!

I had my second fitness appointment with Mike from my surgeon's office. Mike provides the exercise education and working out part of the weight loss journey.

Today was a rough workout for my poor flabby body. I am sooooooo out of shape! I will hurt tomorrow...but it will a good hurt. One day I will be super fit and do push ups like this (except with better hair) LOL :

Day 1 of Full Liquid Pre-op Diet

Today was rough...I started the pre-op liquid diet. I have had 3 protein shakes, 2 yogurts, 2 soups for abut 1150 calories. The headache I got about noon today was crazy wicked. But I'm going to stick with it as I know the diet will help get my body ready for surgery. Sigh...

Moving on...you should all know that I am a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady!!! Here's a funny for you...be sure to check out my cat's blog (link is on the right of this page):

First Post!

Hello Everyone!

I'm so excited that this is my first post and there will be many, many more posts to follow in my journey to a healthier me.

Some background on me: I can't remember a time that I wasn't overweight. I've been chubby since I was about 10yrs old....by the time I graduated from high school I was a size 24! That was my highest :(

So now I'm looking forward to my healthy future, I will have lap band surgery (Allergan Band) on October 20th. Just 8 days away. It's exciting and a bit scary all at the same time. I can't wait!

I started looking into this surgery in late August and since i am 'self-pay' (AKA: my insurance doesn't cover the surgery), my progress has been fast.

I start the pre-op full liquid diet tomorrow. I have already lost 8 lbs in the last 4 weeks on my surgeon's recommended low-calorie diet. I will keep the weight loss tracker/ticker updated at the top of this page.