Well, we knew it had to happen at some point. I mean you can only play it safe for so long right? Up til now, I've only had things at work that I knew were ok, and haven't eaten anything out or questionable.
I'll just set the scene. Gorgeous spring day, 76 degrees, all set to have some seafood outside at Joes on the water. We get there and the lure of crab nachos calls to us, so we order that to share. Then I order a fish/shrimp combo. I know I won't be able to eat a tenth of it, but figure great...I'll just take it home..won't have to cook dinner! The crab is amazing. I probably eat about 5 chips with the dip on them total. By the time my meal comes I only have enough room left for a couple of the shrimp and I feel absolutely like explodesville...so I stop. I'm sitting there talking away...and I just start to feel bad. I can't describe it in terms of my old body, because it's something absolutely new. My heart starts beating faster and faster, and my friend says I'm looking flushed. I feel like maybe you'd feel before an abdominal attack...so I decide..best place to be no matter what is the bathroom. Head there, and I just feel dizzy and nothing happens from well...either end...no puke...nothing. So I head back to the table...and I just feel so bad...like I need to lie down. We amble slowly back to the office...but by the time I get to my desk, I realize there's no way in Hell I'm going to make it through the rest of the day. So I head home.
I get home, and I still dont feel like doing anything but lyign down. I'm still dizzy and nauseous. So I lay down...and finally in about two hours...I begin to feel normal. So, I'm thinking I ate too much fat...that's all I can imagine. Because I have had both crab and shrimp before...but not fried...gotta weed out the common denominators. Now my friend Michelle is permanently scared off eating out with me...haha...a minor drawback to these experiments.
Other than that...my weight loss is back on track. I dropped about 4 lbs last week, and am getting ready to pass a critical mark. I feel really good, and if I can just eat better and not screw up too much I think this whole thing will be worth it...haha. I went for my month check up with the surgeon, and he was thrilled with my progress, stating I'm already at 20% of my goal. Sometimes it takes a trip to the surgeon to make you see the bigger picture....not on the diabetes drugs, peeing, doing all that normal, and I've lost a ton of weight...so gotta count those blessings!
Showing posts with label gastric bypass diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gastric bypass diet. Show all posts
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
One Month
Well, this is a bit depressing...because at first glace...you probably can't tell much difference...but if you look closely....i've got less tummy, less chin...haha and sadly less boobs! This is me after about 30lbs of loss. My scale decided to "adjust" itself the other day, so I'm in a bit of a plateau this week. Hormones and other things are affecting my weight too...so today is a good day to focus on those wonderful things called NSV's, or Non-Scale Victories. So far the biggest NSV's for me are:
1. No longer have to take diabetes meds..yippee!
2. My knees don't hurt as much when climbing stairs.
3. I was able to walk outside for 30 minutes in flat dress shoes and not feel like my feet were going to fall off when i got home.
4. Making a meal last for 3 days...can we say saving $!
I wouldnt be me though if I didn't list some of the down sides...to balance things out...
1. Getting sick and throwing up after I eat a favorite meal. This sucks big time. It has to do with eating too fast...and i should be able to control it, but so far, it's a struggle.
2. Scabs...sutures...itchy scars...yuck.
3. It's just not possible for me to drink 64 oz of anything in a day.
4. People asking you "what's the number", especially on a week where you've only lost a pound or two.
Okay, but I have to end things on a positive note...I have to say it really made me feel good when one of my friends said I was "disappearing in front of his eyes"...even though an exaggeration...it made me feel better in a week where my scale decided to adjust upwards, making it harder for me to lose..haha...and it was an added boost. Also, my clothes are getting very baggy, and that's kind of cool too. I still have about 120 lbs to go, but at the end of the day...it's a good start!!
Food-wise...I think I need to eat more. My body has become used to the daily 2 protein supplements then dinner. It probably would be better if I ate my big meal at lunch...but that is at work...and I hate surprises or puking at work. I think next month I will go to the support group meeting and talk about it. In the mean time, I think I'm going to try to have real food for breakfast and dinner and see how things shake out:-)
So all in all, it's been a great month...a fast recovery without complications, thank God.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Fun..and not so fun with real food
Well it's been a few days since my last update, so I'll begin with my first experience with real food. I have to say...the best starter real food that surprisingly did not give me any trouble was chili. It's filling and great on protein...so chalk that one up to success. Other foods I've tried with success are chicken salad made with fat free miracle whip, and fat free refried beans with lowfat cheese and salsa. Now mind you, each of these things takes about an hour to eat 1/2 cup. I also have to say I break one of the cardinal rules...I do drink a little when I eat. I think if I didn't I'd choke to death. So if it means it takes me a little longer to eat...I do it anyway.
My first horrible experience/stupid experience with food. Saturday night, we ordered pizza...and I was going to be good and just have a protein shot. Well...I looked at the pizza and it looked back at me and I lost my ever loveing mind. I'm like...cheese and sausage are technically soft foods...I can probably eat those. So I ate some....and what a mistake it was. At first it went down fine...then I felt this feeling like I'd swallowed a small boulder. Then air....then some kind of foamy stuff...and then it all came back up. So take note...pizza...no good first month out. HAHA!
The other thing I found is if I"m eating something I really like like spaghetti sauce...which is fine for protein, but because I love it too much..I tend to eat too fast. When you eat too fast...you get same response as above...burp..out comes the air...then the weird foam (where does it come from?), and out comes the food. So I decided when I eat a food I love like that I'm going to eat with one of Cole's old baby spoons and slowwwww down.
I've been getting in about 32 45 oz of liquid a day..it's very hard to do, especially if you are busy.
Taking the Optisource vitamins is hard to do too...4 times a freakin day. As soon as they are gone, i'm going to normal chewables, and regular B12, Calcium citrates that i can take once a day. I have been swallowing all my pills fine since last week no problem. I don't crush them anymore.
Recovery. I thought I could recover in 2 weeks...big mistake. The actual surgery and wound recovery is about 2 weeks...no problem if you don't have complications. But the hardest part I'm finding is returning to normal activity. I had to go to my son's double-header basketball game the other day, and had to sit on a bench for 2 hours. Other than noticing I don't have as much padding on my butt as I used to have....I can actually feel my bones hitting the seat...amazing and uncomfortable...but also I could hardly hold myself upright. We take for granted what our stomach muscles do for us until they have been cut. I think healing those muscles and strengthening is the hardest...especially if you will be required to sit at a desk like I will 8 hours. So this week, each day I'm sitting up at the computer for a few hours, and building up so I'll be ready to go back to work next Monday. I'm also up to 30 minutes a day on the treadmill at an easy walking pace.
As far as weight loss goes, from my original surgeon's visit weight, I'm down 27 lbs total, and 22 since Feb 11 surgery. Not too bad so far I think. I think it does slow down however, once you start eating regular foods. I noticed this week it's not as fast. I think I will probably lose faster once I'm totally back in my regular activity schedule at work, and at home.
I also bravely faced my first public outing dealing with food. My son had his basketball awards dinner on Saturday. At first I wasnt' going to eat anything...it was a potluck...so who knew if there would be anything I could eat. I attempted some soft foods I knew were ok, and I looked freakin hilarious with like a tablespoon of each thing on my plate...when everyone else was heaping away. I had a bit each of potato salad, baked beans, green beans, a coctail weenie, and water. I was very strategic how I handled it too...I let Cole dance and play first, then we ate at the end...just in case i had to make an emergency getaway. I didn't do too badly...nothing made me sick...but I did feel a little bad by the time I came home. I think maybe variety is not the spice of life the first month post op;-)
My basic strategy on a daily basis for living with this new stomach is the following...protein bullet for breakfast, protein shake for lunch, and for dinner, a real food. Tonight I'm trying shrimp...fingers crossed!!!
If it seems like all I think about is food...it's not really...one of the crazy parts of this situation with gastric bypass surgery is you have to remind yourself to eat and drink all the time. I while away hours and hours doing stuff and forget about food. It's such a blessing. So make sure you have little cups to serve your food in...makes it look like a lot, and even a smaller spoon is helpful. It makes it seem not only like you're getting a lot in the dish, but also that you can get through it;-)
My first horrible experience/stupid experience with food. Saturday night, we ordered pizza...and I was going to be good and just have a protein shot. Well...I looked at the pizza and it looked back at me and I lost my ever loveing mind. I'm like...cheese and sausage are technically soft foods...I can probably eat those. So I ate some....and what a mistake it was. At first it went down fine...then I felt this feeling like I'd swallowed a small boulder. Then air....then some kind of foamy stuff...and then it all came back up. So take note...pizza...no good first month out. HAHA!
The other thing I found is if I"m eating something I really like like spaghetti sauce...which is fine for protein, but because I love it too much..I tend to eat too fast. When you eat too fast...you get same response as above...burp..out comes the air...then the weird foam (where does it come from?), and out comes the food. So I decided when I eat a food I love like that I'm going to eat with one of Cole's old baby spoons and slowwwww down.
I've been getting in about 32 45 oz of liquid a day..it's very hard to do, especially if you are busy.
Taking the Optisource vitamins is hard to do too...4 times a freakin day. As soon as they are gone, i'm going to normal chewables, and regular B12, Calcium citrates that i can take once a day. I have been swallowing all my pills fine since last week no problem. I don't crush them anymore.
Recovery. I thought I could recover in 2 weeks...big mistake. The actual surgery and wound recovery is about 2 weeks...no problem if you don't have complications. But the hardest part I'm finding is returning to normal activity. I had to go to my son's double-header basketball game the other day, and had to sit on a bench for 2 hours. Other than noticing I don't have as much padding on my butt as I used to have....I can actually feel my bones hitting the seat...amazing and uncomfortable...but also I could hardly hold myself upright. We take for granted what our stomach muscles do for us until they have been cut. I think healing those muscles and strengthening is the hardest...especially if you will be required to sit at a desk like I will 8 hours. So this week, each day I'm sitting up at the computer for a few hours, and building up so I'll be ready to go back to work next Monday. I'm also up to 30 minutes a day on the treadmill at an easy walking pace.
As far as weight loss goes, from my original surgeon's visit weight, I'm down 27 lbs total, and 22 since Feb 11 surgery. Not too bad so far I think. I think it does slow down however, once you start eating regular foods. I noticed this week it's not as fast. I think I will probably lose faster once I'm totally back in my regular activity schedule at work, and at home.
I also bravely faced my first public outing dealing with food. My son had his basketball awards dinner on Saturday. At first I wasnt' going to eat anything...it was a potluck...so who knew if there would be anything I could eat. I attempted some soft foods I knew were ok, and I looked freakin hilarious with like a tablespoon of each thing on my plate...when everyone else was heaping away. I had a bit each of potato salad, baked beans, green beans, a coctail weenie, and water. I was very strategic how I handled it too...I let Cole dance and play first, then we ate at the end...just in case i had to make an emergency getaway. I didn't do too badly...nothing made me sick...but I did feel a little bad by the time I came home. I think maybe variety is not the spice of life the first month post op;-)
My basic strategy on a daily basis for living with this new stomach is the following...protein bullet for breakfast, protein shake for lunch, and for dinner, a real food. Tonight I'm trying shrimp...fingers crossed!!!
If it seems like all I think about is food...it's not really...one of the crazy parts of this situation with gastric bypass surgery is you have to remind yourself to eat and drink all the time. I while away hours and hours doing stuff and forget about food. It's such a blessing. So make sure you have little cups to serve your food in...makes it look like a lot, and even a smaller spoon is helpful. It makes it seem not only like you're getting a lot in the dish, but also that you can get through it;-)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sugeon Check Up One Week Post Op
Today I went back to my wonderful surgeon Dr. Wohlgemuth, and had my one week follow up exam. The exam lasted a total of five minutes where he said,
"Are you drinkin? Are you peein'? " and I of course said yes to all. Oh and by the way I've lost 10 lbs in 8 days....ROCK ON!
Now, here's the fun part....he goes to check my incisions. Now I was told by the nurses, don't take off the steri strips, just let them fall off gradually in the shower over time. So I had these nightmares last night that my doc just pulled them off. Guess what happened....I pull up my shirt to proudly show him my healing self...where the drain was is closed up nicely, but all the rest still have their steri strips on them. He goes to one in the middle and YANK without warning just rips the mother off me...and I give a little yelp. It really only hurt a little, but I was totally surprised. I was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? He's like, these can come off anytime now...just pull them off in the shower. I was like...yeah...and why didn't you let me do that funny man! Anyways, at least the wound is pretty healed under the one he pulled. I guess next time I shower I'll attempt the others.
One thing I did get and need is another week off work. My surgeon recommends 3 at a mininum. I was determined to go back after 2, but I have to say, just my little journey to the doctor's office was an eye opener. I was thoroughly exhausted just getting ready, going to the car, walking in the office, going back to the car and back home. I realize even with my 15 minutes on the treadmill, it's not enough to really start earning back my stamina. So I'm going to try sitting up in the dining room and working on my sick desktop computer today for an hour or so. Just get the old body back used to doing things upright. I've been sitting up in my bed a lot this past week, but other than that not really doing much else. Time to start I guess.
The best news of all is that I'm cleared officially for soft foods...the means all kinds of soups, chili, refried beans, meat sauces, eggs, hmmm real food. Not just broth and protein shakes...yippee.
I'll let you know how it all goes.
"Are you drinkin? Are you peein'? " and I of course said yes to all. Oh and by the way I've lost 10 lbs in 8 days....ROCK ON!
Now, here's the fun part....he goes to check my incisions. Now I was told by the nurses, don't take off the steri strips, just let them fall off gradually in the shower over time. So I had these nightmares last night that my doc just pulled them off. Guess what happened....I pull up my shirt to proudly show him my healing self...where the drain was is closed up nicely, but all the rest still have their steri strips on them. He goes to one in the middle and YANK without warning just rips the mother off me...and I give a little yelp. It really only hurt a little, but I was totally surprised. I was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? He's like, these can come off anytime now...just pull them off in the shower. I was like...yeah...and why didn't you let me do that funny man! Anyways, at least the wound is pretty healed under the one he pulled. I guess next time I shower I'll attempt the others.
One thing I did get and need is another week off work. My surgeon recommends 3 at a mininum. I was determined to go back after 2, but I have to say, just my little journey to the doctor's office was an eye opener. I was thoroughly exhausted just getting ready, going to the car, walking in the office, going back to the car and back home. I realize even with my 15 minutes on the treadmill, it's not enough to really start earning back my stamina. So I'm going to try sitting up in the dining room and working on my sick desktop computer today for an hour or so. Just get the old body back used to doing things upright. I've been sitting up in my bed a lot this past week, but other than that not really doing much else. Time to start I guess.
The best news of all is that I'm cleared officially for soft foods...the means all kinds of soups, chili, refried beans, meat sauces, eggs, hmmm real food. Not just broth and protein shakes...yippee.
I'll let you know how it all goes.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Ups and Downs
The past few days have been somewhat of an experiment in what exactly constitutes full liquids. The other day I tried an egg custard, and I think...not liquid enough probably. I also found that drinking the ready made Instant Breakfast drinks are with a higher milk fat percentage...because they instantly made me feel ill. Luckily I haven't thrown up since I've come home. However, I've learned there's an important price to be paid if you eat wrong. If you eat something that makes you nauseous...you can't even drink water for a little while after...which makes it very hard to get in the required drinking to keep hydrated. One thing that has saved me I think the past few days are those protein bullet things. At least I know if I can get one of those down first thing in the morning...I've got 42 grams of protein in me. That's a great start.
I've also been feeling a little guilty about not moving enough. It's hard because it seems if I go out in the living room I'm being exposed to food. This is torture right now. Last night they got Chinese...I mean I went in the kitchen and felt like I was in a mine field in Nam. Luckily, I have discovered my post op favorite food from the Chinese foray. Egg Drop Soup. 8 oz of Egg Drop Soup contains 13 grams of protein. There is something about the consistency and taste that totally agree with my stomach...praise God. I had some yesterday and today, and I actually feel like I've eaten.
Now onto somewhat disgusting parts of this recovery process. You have to leave your steri strips on until they fall of...and you can only lightly wash your stomach with liquid dial soap. Luckily none of my wounds seems to be infected so far and my drain hole is closing up nicely. There are some righteously ugly bruises all colors of the rainbow around them though. Also...let's talk about bowel movements...let's just say they are explosive and strange....a combination of gas and flakes of who knows what...but thank goodness not with the usual accomanying cramps of diarrhea. So I can't say it's diarrhea...just weird. I will say when I ate that Egg Drop Soup...I did gain something more substantial. I now know why they want you to stay home the first 3-4 weeks...I cannot imagine having to have one of these mid-meeting....fun.
But all in all...I'm having an amazing recovery. I don't feel any different really. I just get full fast...and a little twinge if I take too big a drinks. I'm looking forward to my surgeon appointment tomorrow...yippeee...if he clears me...I move on to soft foods...we're talking CHILI...haha. But I now know...be prepared for a step forward and a step back if something doesn't agree with you. You can always fall back on a crystal light/broth day if things get too hairy.
And as far as movement...I started walking today. I walked 15 minutes on the treadmill at like 1.7 miles an hour...and this made me sweat and a little dizzy. You just have to be careful when you're only going on like 300 calories, and your body is still trying to heal. I'll try again tomorrow, just so I can say I'm trying;-)
I've also been feeling a little guilty about not moving enough. It's hard because it seems if I go out in the living room I'm being exposed to food. This is torture right now. Last night they got Chinese...I mean I went in the kitchen and felt like I was in a mine field in Nam. Luckily, I have discovered my post op favorite food from the Chinese foray. Egg Drop Soup. 8 oz of Egg Drop Soup contains 13 grams of protein. There is something about the consistency and taste that totally agree with my stomach...praise God. I had some yesterday and today, and I actually feel like I've eaten.
Now onto somewhat disgusting parts of this recovery process. You have to leave your steri strips on until they fall of...and you can only lightly wash your stomach with liquid dial soap. Luckily none of my wounds seems to be infected so far and my drain hole is closing up nicely. There are some righteously ugly bruises all colors of the rainbow around them though. Also...let's talk about bowel movements...let's just say they are explosive and strange....a combination of gas and flakes of who knows what...but thank goodness not with the usual accomanying cramps of diarrhea. So I can't say it's diarrhea...just weird. I will say when I ate that Egg Drop Soup...I did gain something more substantial. I now know why they want you to stay home the first 3-4 weeks...I cannot imagine having to have one of these mid-meeting....fun.
But all in all...I'm having an amazing recovery. I don't feel any different really. I just get full fast...and a little twinge if I take too big a drinks. I'm looking forward to my surgeon appointment tomorrow...yippeee...if he clears me...I move on to soft foods...we're talking CHILI...haha. But I now know...be prepared for a step forward and a step back if something doesn't agree with you. You can always fall back on a crystal light/broth day if things get too hairy.
And as far as movement...I started walking today. I walked 15 minutes on the treadmill at like 1.7 miles an hour...and this made me sweat and a little dizzy. You just have to be careful when you're only going on like 300 calories, and your body is still trying to heal. I'll try again tomorrow, just so I can say I'm trying;-)
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