Hit Another Goal

I have now lost 75 pounds.  Also had my six months check up with my doc and he thinks I am doing well.  Only problem that has come up is that I am now lactose intolerant but after some trial and error have managed to sort out what I can and cannot eat, as well as what I can eat if I take Lactase.

Halfway to Weight Loss Goal

In spite of some minor set backs during the Holiday day season I have now hit a point that is halfway to what I want to lose before I have plastic surgery to remove excess skin.  The only problem I have encountered is becoming lactose intolerant, which has caused some digestive distress.  I also discovered that I have diverticultis which prevents eating too much roughage meaning no salads for awhile at least and possibly totally.  Otherwise things go well and have only had three episodes of dumping all caused by eating too much and too fast.  Things go well and I continue to discover this new way of eating.

More weight gone

This week I am down to 266.8.  A total loss of 47--40 since surgery.  I am beginning to really see a difference in the way my clothes fit.  Will have to spend some time this weekend taking up some pants.  Bought myself some new junk jewelry in celebration.  I am once again caring more about my appearance.  I had gotten to the point where I really did not care that much. 
This has been my first week on truely whole food--although I do still puree some things just because they are easier to digest.  I have not had any difficulties however continue to have an issue with gas which everyone assures me is normal.  Sometimes I feel like I sound like a rumbling volcano about to explode. 
My only problem continues to leg cramps in spite of consuming a banana every day.  However, I do drink my breakfast shake shortly after I eat the banana so I may need to delay that a bit. 
The calorie intake is up a little also but still rarely up to 1200.  However, still not getting much exercise.  I manage to walk 15-30 minutes a day but really need to do more.

Little over a month post op

Little over a month post op and I have already lost 32 pounds.  I have had no real difficulties, except for gas which members of my two support groups assure me are quiet normal.  I have started using Lactaid and GasX on their recommendations and that has helped some.  Still trying to adjust to eating slower and sipping drinks.  Have had no trouble getting the necessary protein using both the powdered and liquid whey proteins.  Also had some problems with leg cramps very early in the morning which is for me an indication that potassium is getting low so am adding a banana a day to my diet and that has helped.  So far things are going good and I have absolutely no regrets.

Day Eight Yeah

Day eight and full liquids.  Also can drive and went and picked up my bariatric vitamins and calcium.  Then went to Kroger and picked up some more items for full liquids as well as to get ready for pureed foods.  Came home and made another 1/2 cup of my new potatoe soup.  Then later on had SF jello pudding with added protein powder and Walden Farms SF chocolate syrup (yummy).  Some pain today but in my back and not related to surgery.  Sure hope I can have a lumbar epidural soon.  Hope to find more Walden Farm items at Publixs later this weekend.  Am feeling really good and I had good energy when I was out today.  That extra walking will surely help too. 

Week One down

Today was day 7 and the end of the first week.  Tomorrow starts week 2 and full liquids.  I did add two items yesterday and today.  Yesterday added a little Cool Whip to my SF Jello.  Today added a little potatoe flakes to my chicken buillon.  I added sour cream/chives flavored flakes and it tasted just like potatoe soup, just a little watery.  So far have lost 13 pounds so am averaging 2 lbs a day.  That will hopefully increase when I start getting out and about more.  Tomorrow I am going to drive down and get my bariatric vitamins and supplements and then go by the grocery store.  That should give me a good walk, the longest since I got out of the hospital.  Then I just have to keep it up Friday and Saturday.  Sunday, I'll go to church and then Monday it is back to work. 

Surgery Over

Had my surgery on 8/11 (5 days ago) and am down to 292 from 300.  I am mostly pain free as far as surgery goes.  Am still having gas pains and minor abdominal pain as a sign that I need to go to the bathroom.  Have diahrrea for now which can present problems if I don't immediately heed the pain signals.  Good thing I am not working.  I did go to the grocery store with hubby on day three and did okay.  Mostly rode in the electric wheelchair and gave directions.  He did all the lifting.  Wish I could do grocery shopping like that all the time.  In two or three days need to go pick up my bariatric vitamins and mineral supplements.  Things appear to be going well and the only problem has been to get in the full amount of liquids.  Really have to stay conscious of how much I am taking in.

Yeah - Surgery Scheduled

Finally, my surgery has been scheduled.  August 11th.  Now to keep from gaining any weight.  In fact I would really like to lose a few more pounds.  All my friends and family who have had the surgery are being very encouraging and cheering me on.  Am really getting excited about the fact that I may actually get this weight off and feel better.  Or at least be able to do more things.

Only One Thing Left

I am down to waiting on the medical clearance from my PCP.  Once she has faxed that to the surgeon's office they will schedule the surgery.  I already have the insurance company's approval.  Almost there.  Am so ready to have this surgery and get on with a new life.

TOMORROW

Tomorrow should be my final weight loss visit with my PCP.  According to my scales I have lost the 15 pounds necessary for my surgery.  She will also need to give her medical clearance for the surgery and we will need to discuss my medications.  Since I will not be able to swallow pills after my surgery my medications will need to be in liquid form or crushable.  I am really getting excited about getting this surgery done.

One more month of weight management left.

Next, and last appointment is 5/12/10.  Have not lost the full 15-20 pounds yet.  However, this morning did notice a turn around of the recent increase.  Have been eating less and walking more.  Now if I can just keep the up the walking. 

March 6, 2010

Have not been doing as well on my diet.  Doubt that I will have a good visit with Dr. Thomas on the 12th.  Can't seem to stay within points and certain can't find the motivation to get up and exercise.  Work is chaotic, and there are many things I want to do at home which eventually leads to me not getting in bed early enough to get us and go workout or even walk.  It is almost impossible for me to walk far without some sort of support, so just walking around the building, parking lot, or down the street is difficult.  At the gym can hold on to the supports on the treadmill and sit at the recumbent bike and that other piece of equipment which is sort of like an elliptical trainer.  Am going to have to start forcing myself to walk further inspite of the pain, which means stop using the handicap parking spaces.

One more month down

Last week (Feb. 11) had my month visit with my PCP.  I only lost one pound and she is concerned about my blood sugar levels from the lab work she had me do last month.  Therefore, I need to get a glucose tolerance test.  Not looking forward to that.  I would have done it today but then inclement weather moved in so am staying home today and will attempt to do it tomorrow morning.  It means getting up early and spending three hours at the lab.  Hopefully between blood draws can walk around some and get in some extra exercise.  I also have an appointment on Feb. 25th with my pain doctor to see if there is more we can do for my back.  The injections at the very tip of my tailbone are working great but the injections for the arthritis around the area of my waist are not helping a lot.  The TENS unit helps some but even that is not totally getting it.  I am wondering if maybe some chiropractic visits or physical therapy wouldn't help out some.  I really need to get to the point were I feel like going to the gym.  It may ultimately come down to just forcing myself to go but if there are things we can do that will help make it less painful that will be great.

Have it a plateau

Well have hit a two week plateau. Have not lost any weight for two weeks and in fact possibly gained a couple back. I am really going to have to work on staying within points. Therefore, I did not buy any candy for work so I won't be tempted. I also purchased the ingredients for zero-point soup. Then when I get hungry at night instead of getting into something I don't need to be eating will have a cup of the soup. I may even go ahead and puree it to get used to eating it that way. Still am not using many of the protein shakes but am doing better with the clear protein drinks. The Isopure one that have 40 grams of protein are some of my favorite so far. The Special K that are 14 grams are also okay. Need to find a way to make the shakes more convenient and tastier.

Another Good Visit with Doctor

Had a good visit with PCP this past week and she shows a loss of 10 lbs. I am showing a total loss of 15 lbs. since starting this process. Things going well as far as sticking to points goes but still not getting in enough walking really need to work on this. Will work on adding another day this week.

Another 3 pounds

Don't know if it is really that I am doing all that well on Weight Watchers or if is the fact that Dr. Cowart increase my dose of Levoxyl (thyroid medication) but I have lost another 3 pounds this week and according to my brand new digital scales am now sitting right at 300 lbs. If I can keep it up should quickly be under 300 again. I have been remaining within points much better and walking a little bit more. Still have not made it back to Wellness Center but am really going to have to commit to doing that this next week.

Office Christmas Party

Well I did not do as bad as I thought I might. I made some very wise choices and ate mostly what the WW Momentum program calls filling foods that have a no point value. I still went a little over my daily limit but not to much. Next year will be the challenging one. By that time I will be on solid food but will definately not able to eat as much as I did yesterday and a number of the things I ate will no longer be a part of my diet. I will most likely end up doing what a co-worker who has had the surgery did yesterday. Eat some chopped ham and a deviled egg.

First Week's Weigh-In

First week's weigh-in at Weight-Watchers and I lost 3.2 lbs. Don't know how since I was over daily limit almost every day. Guess just getting a little more active helped. Made me feel good that inspite of myself I must have done something right in order to lose. That gave me the incentive to stay within points today even though it was the office Christmas party which is pot luck.

Another Milestone

This week marks another milestone in the journey towards WLS. I joined weight watchers. This program along with my PCP and the Dietician who works with my surgeon will be the ones who monitor my progress in documentation for final insurance approval. I will also use the group for my post surgery support group. I have been a member of weight watchers in the past and think highly of the group. Thankfully they are recognized by insurance companies as a good support group, also the membership can be paid for with my FSA. I am still struggling with staying within limits. I also have not really increased my exercise. Am planning on going tomorrow. This is difficult because my stenosis in my back has flared up really bad. Makes it really painful but with my MP3 player loaded with good tunes maybe I can get through 30 min. I also need to remind myself that exercise increases the points I'm allowed. Being in the red already after only three days is another incentive. I also have not been writing much this week. Need to just get motivated and do it.

2nd visit with PCP

Today was the second visit with my primary care physican who has to monitor me for six months to satisify the insurance company. Today's results no weight loss and it would appear 3/4 of an inch in height. Not certain just what that is about.