40 Days Post Op

I played hookie from school today.  Well, not really.  My boss knew, and the queasies were taking its toll.  The last 2 days, after the queasies hit, I Have felt like I am ready to curl up and take a nap.  I know the last few days I have not taken in enough protein, and I am feeling it.  After Mark and Ian left this morning, I crawled back into the bed and slept until 10:30am.  I then called my surgeon.  He said many people have nausea for up to 3 months post op.  There is not much he can do since I am not actually vomiting my food (yes, I know TMI). I actually see him in his office next Thursday for a check-up.  If it is still going on then, we will have to do something.  Even if it is medication to stop the nausea.  So today I am sticking with foods I know will probably not make me feel sick like cream of chicken soup, pudding, creamed spinach, etc.  Bleh!  I added powdered protein into the soup today at lunch.  It was okay. 

In great news, I hit a major BSV - Big Scale Victory yesterday.  I am now under the 300 pound mark!  I haven't been under 300 pounds since I moved to Atlanta from Savannah in 2000.  I was trying to remember exactly when I weighed less than 300.  The only thing I can come up with is sitting in a Weight Watchers meeting on Eisenhower Drive and weighing in at 295.  Me and the roomies lived in Spanish Villa at the time. 

I have a few NSV - Non Scale Victories that I would like to take care of this year.

1.  Riding a Rollercoaster - When I first moved to Atlanta, my friend Maurice and I (yes, the bake off friend) would purchase season passes to Six Flags and hit the coasters at least 2 weekends a month during open days.  It was maybe about 7 years ago that I went one day with Maurice and couldn't lock the belt on the Batman Ride.  I was mortified.  Needless to say, I have not been back since.  However, I cannot wait to get back on those coasters! 

2.  Crossing my legs -  Not just lady like crossing (which I have NEVER been able to do) but I would like to be able to sit (and this is soooo first grade!) criss-cross applesauce again.  For those that are old school that would be Indian style. 

3.  Buy regular sized clothing - There is nothing worse than having to buy plus sized clothes and pay by the yard for it.  I can't wait to be able to buy regular sized clothes and buy them from a sale rack!

38 Days Post Op

57 pounds gone! I woke up this morning and had lost another 2 pounds! I am having trouble eating again this week. Everything is making me queasy. Hurray for medical starvation! Yes, that was sarcasm you smelled. However, I still do not regret my decision to have this surgery. Not one bit. I am just trying to relearn what is going on with my body.

In other news here is a shout out for my friend Maurice who is one of the finalists in the Pillsbury Bake Off in Orlando! Yayy! This is a link to an article and 3 interviews he did at WJCL in Savannah. The Bake Off will air on the Food Network sometime in April. 

Maurice's Interviews

5 Weeks Post Op

***This was suppose to be posted last night, but I fell asleep before I finished it.  And as of this morning I am down another pound making my total loss 54 lbs!

It has been 5 weeks since surgery.   I am down 53 pounds from my highest weight.  Woohoo!  53 pounds!  I am totally amazed!  However, there are so many feelings of uncertainty that still invade my mind.   Am I eating the right foods?  Am I eating too much?  Am I eating enough?   It is all a learning process.

I am feeling better about modifying meals to suit my needs (even though I cannot eat much at the moment).  My first meal modification was Shepherd's Pie.  Mark and I love it, and I usually cook it at least once a month (a whole dish will give us a week's worth of leftovers).   The motto for gastric bypass is protein first.  So in order to up the protein, I replaced some of the veggies in the pie with edamame.  Delicious!  I also do not use ground beef but ground turkey (NOT ground turkey breast-it can be way too dry).  Cauliflower was the replacement for the potatoes.  I cooked frozen cauliflower until soft and then put it in the food processor with some milk, fat free sour cream, and Hidden Valley Ranch mix.  It ended up fantastic!  The cauliflower holds the flavors so much better than the potatoes.  I know, I know.  Most people do not like cauliflower.  Neither do I, but this was great!  I topped it with some shredded cheese and baked in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes.  Yummy!  The picture is a desert plate with a 3/4 cup serving.  I can eat maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of that now. 

 I think I have a good game plan for vitamins and calcium now.  Since you shouldn't take calcium at the same time with multivitamins that contain iron (iron and calcium fight each other) I had to make a change.  For me the calcium sits better with my pouch if I eat with it.  So I have moved the vitamins to the bedroom, where I will take a vitamin when I wake and when I go to sleep.  This works out very well since I get up at 6am and eat about 8am.  That gives me the 2 hour minimum to put between the multivitamin with iron and the calcium. 

I worry I am not getting enough protein.  My surgeon says 40-60g is good, but the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery suggests 60-80g of protein a day.  There have been a few days that I did not get more than 50g.  Especially right now.  I am still having a hard time eating, period.  Foods that I have been able to tolerate for weeks are giving me a hard time.  I do not think it is the dreaded dumping syndrome.  It is just a queasy, tight feeling in my chest that lasts about 20 minutes.  It eventually goes away. Regardless, I am now adding back some of the powdered proteins to my diet.

I had a support group meeting this Wednesday.  It was pretty good, my first one since the surgery.  It was very strange and enlightening to sit and listen to everything and actually relate to the information.  One of the topics discussed was journaling.  So for anyone out there that may follow this blog, please keep this in mind.  I know that the information I put out may not be all that exciting, but this is my form of journaling.  I find typing my thoughts and concerns easier than writing it all down.  The only thing I actually write down is my food for the day.  I do that because I do not want to forget what I ate and how much.  It is very easy to forget minor details in a menu if you do not record the information. 

Here is what I have been eating and my blood glucose readings:

Day 33 Post Op

Breakfast - 2 oz egg beaters with 2 slices 2% cheese - 14g protein

Lunch - 3 oz Shepherd's Pie with cheese - 19g protein

PM snack - 1/2 banana, 5 wheat thins, and 1 wedge of laughing cow cheese - 4g protein

Dinner - 3 bites of Shepherd's Pie - 3g protein

             1oz sugar free jello pudding - 1g protein

Protein Total - 41g protein

BG - 119, 134, 132, 138

Day 34 Post Op 

Breakfast - 3oz egg beaters, 2 slices 2% cheese - 17g protein

                  EAS Edge (protein drink) - 17g protein

Lunch - 2 bites cream of potato soup with cheese - 1g protein

PM Snack - 1/2 banana, 1 slice 2% cheese and 5 crackers - 5g protein

Dinner - 3-4oz Shepherd's Pie - 11g protein

PM Snack - 16oz skim milk - 18g protein

Protein Total - 69g protein

BG - 122, 125, 138

Day 35 Post Op

Breakfast - 2oz egg beaters, 2 slices 2% cheese and 5 wheat thins - 15g protein

Lunch - 2oz Shepherd's Pie with cheese - 14g protein

PM Snack - 7 wheat thins, 1 wedge laughing cow cheese, 1/2 medium banana - 5g protein

Dinner - 3 steamed Chinese dumplings and 1.5oz sugar free Jello pudding - 10g protein

Protein Total - 44g protein

BG - 138, 125, 132

Day 36 Post Op

Breakfast - 3oz Chicken Quesidilla  from Georgia Diner - 10g protein

AM Snack - 16 oz milk with 1 scopp Unjury - 36g protein

Lunch - 3 oz Chicken Quesidilla - 10g protein

Dinner - 10 Wheat Thins and 1 wedge of Laughing Cow cheese - 5g protein

Protein Total - 61g protein

BG - 138, 101, TBD

32 Days Post Op

Wow, it has been a rough two days.  I went to see my endocrinologist yesterday.  I sat in the waiting room for almost TWO HOURS before she saw me.  I love my endo, but the only reason I stayed was because it was a holiday so I didn't have to take off from work, and I needed a medicine changed.  My blood sugars have really fallen especially with me taking glimepiride (Amaryl).  It specifically works to lower your blood sugar.  I was wanting her to lower the dose.  I finally got back to see her, and yes, I told her this was unacceptable.  It was not the first time it happened.  I completely understand that with diabetes, it cannot be a cattle drive, get them in and out.  However, she should not be scheduling more than she can handle.  It is inconsiderate.  Regardless, I did see her.  She wants me off of the glimepiride and on a small dose of metformin.  I will need to run this by my surgeon.  All of my labs looked great, with the exception of my TSH (a thyroid test indicator).  It had risen from a 2.3 to a 4.7.  She doesn't want to jump the gun yet.  She wants to cautiously watch things considering my family history of hypothyroidism.  My mom, her sisters, and my sister all have thyroid disease.  She says it may be inevitable, but we will retest in April.  If the numbers are still elevated, she will consider medication then. If before then I feel fatigue and generally poor, I need to let her know so she can test sooner. 

I am still needing to get my groove at work.  I need to work out when to take my vitamins, eat, drink, test my blood sugar, teach, grade papers, write lesson plans, go to meetings, etc.  This is a challenge, but I will work it out eventually.

I am now looking for a car.  Yesterday, coming back from the endo, the check engine light came on.  Today, I noticed that the speedometer and the odometer are not working, which is really bad since my gas gauge is not working, and I was depending on the trip meter to tell me when to fill up.  I think I am done.  I will have to work out the logistics of a car payment.  It has been wonderful not having one since 2006. 

For some good news, I have now passed the 50 pound mark.  As of this morning, I have lost 51 pounds pre and post surgery.  It really is amazing to think about it.   I have NEVER lost this much weight before, EVER!  I am super excited! 

Day 32 Post Op - Sip through the day water with Crystal Light
*Breakfast - 1 slice of 2% cheese (4g) and 2oz of yogurt (2g) - 6g protein
*Lunch - 3 oz creamy potato soup (3g) and 2 oz SF pudding (2g) - 2g protein

*PM Snack - 3 Wheat Thins and 1 slice 2% cheese - 4g protein
*Dinner - 3 oz Shepherd's Pie - Pouch friendly - ground turkey, mixed veggies, edamame, and cauliflower instead of potatoes - 11g protein

*AM Snack -  16oz skim milk - 18g protein

Exercise - using the stairs at work, parking away from store entrances

Daily Protein Total - 46g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 64oz
BG - 8AM 101, PreLunch 122, PreDinner 122

4 Weeks Post Op!

Today, it has been 4 weeks since I had my surgery.  Yayyyy!  There are so many things I still need to get accustomed to like not drinking with meals, not being able to eat more than a few ounces at a time, the scale actually moving in the right direction, clothes hanging off of me, etc.  I know that these things will eventually feel like second nature, but for now it is still very new. 

If anyone ever asks me if I made the right choice I have a short story to tell now.  Ian has been having a hard time falling asleep this week.  It may have something to do with the sinus infection he has.  In any case, he and I were lying in my bed watching television Tuesday night.  I was watching the Biggest Loser.  It feels totally different watching it now.  It was only week 2 so the contestants are still rather large.  One segment showed a few of the ladies working out with Julian.  Ian points to the television and says "Just like you, Mama, just like you."  I was almost ready to cry when I remembered that I had made a choice to help myself that does not require Julian Michaels berating me on television.  Don't get me wrong, I think she kicks butt, but I don't want her kicking my butt!  It was such a powerful message to get from an almost 3 year old about things he actually notices.  He is still so young and innocent. I just want to be the best mom and healthiest mom I can be for him.

I left my notebook with my meals at school today.  I have a backup one here, but I truly could not accurately post anything I had in the last few days without looking.  Since being back at work, I have had some trouble tolerating foods that I have been eating for weeks so the journal reads a few bites here and a few bites there.  I can say that I am getting in all my fluids as long as I have tropical punch flavored Sugar Free Kool Aid or Tropical Punch Crystal Light.  They rock! 

26 Days Post Op

I have no idea what has happened other than going to work.  I sat down at my desk Monday to have my breakfast.  After 2 bites I thought I would be sick.  It was just my omelet left over from Sunday.  I was so disappointed.  I also thought being at school would magically help me drink water.  I went in Monday, filled my mug with ice and water and tried to drink it.  Nope, wasn't going to happen either.  I guess I was just aiming too high.  I also need to get into a routine once again with eating, drinking, and taking vitamins while at work. 

I have found something else to soften water.  Sugar-free Kool Aid!  It is wonderful!  I have no problems getting in my fluids as long as I am drinking it.  

I forgot to go to CVS and refill my Amaryl prescription.  My blood sugars are starting to climb back up.  I am going tonight to pick them up.  I will see my endocrinologist Monday for a checkup.  I am hoping my blood work has improved since the last draw.  I will update as I find out. 

Here are my menus since being back at work.  According to my surgeon I can add cooked veggies and soft fruits without skins this week.  I am soooo excited to have a banana!

Day 24 Post Op - Sip through the day SF Kool Aid
*Breakfast - 2 bites of chicken and cheese omelet- maybe 7g protein
*Lunch - Tried omelet again (yuck!) 4 steamed dumplings (12g) and 2 wheat thin crackers - 12 g protein

*PM Snack - 10 Wheat Thins and 2 slices 2% cheese - 8g protein
*Dinner - 1/2 Flat Out Fold It (4.5g),  2 oz tuna with lite mayo (13g),  1 slice of 2% cheese (4g) - 21.5g protein

Yoplait Smoothie with skim milk (9g) and unjury(10g) - 19g protein
Sip through the morning 16oz skim milk - 18g protein

Exercise - 25 minutes on elliptical and using the stairs at work

Daily Protein Total - 85g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 64oz
BG - 8AM 112, PreLunch 189, PreDinner 126

Day 25 Post Op - Sip through the day decaf tea with Splenda and Kool Ad
*Breakfast - 3 Wheat Thin crackers with tuna and lite mayo - 13g protein
*AM Snack - 2 slices 2% cheese- 8g protein
*Lunch - 4 steamed Chinese dumplings - 12g protein

*PM Snack - 8 Wheat Thins crackers
*Dinner - 1/2 Flat Out Fold It with Mexican Dip (ground turkey, refried beans, lite cream cheese and shredded cheese - baked) - 15g protein - a guess
Sip through the evening 16oz skim milk - 18g protein

Exercise - 30 minutes on elliptical and using the stairs at work

Daily Protein Total - 63g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 68oz
BG - 8AM 137, PreLunch ??, PreDinner 144

Day 26 Post Op - Sip through the day decaf tea with Splenda and Kool Aid
*Breakfast - 2oz yogurt and 1 slice of 2% cheese - 7g protein

*AM Snack - 16 oz skim milk - 18g protein
*Lunch - 9 Wheat Thins and 2oz tuna and mayo - 12g protein
*Dinner - 1/2 Flat out Fold It with tuna and mayo - 21.5g protein

Exercise - running (yes, literally!) around outside with Ian

Daily Protein Total - 58.5g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 68oz
BG - 8AM 158, PreLunch 171, PreDinner 140

23 Days Post Op

Like my new do?  I do!  My hair was starting to look REALLY bad.  It was time. 

I am so excited!  Tomorrow I return to work.  This means I will return to a normal daily schedule.  I know it is normal to be all consumed with weight loss and food and vitamins, etc. after surgery, but getting back to work will allow me to not think about it for a while.  A brain vacation is what I will call it. 

In the wake of surgery, I am trying to get my vitamins and supplements right.  I am taking a multivitamin with iron, calcium citrate with vitamin D, and a B12 sublingual.  I noticed the other day that my multivitamin is lacking in Biotin.  It is said that Biotin helps metabolize carbs and fats.  It is also said that Biotin will help in reducing the amount of hair loss that typically occurs with weight loss surgery.  I looked today at Publix for Biotin.  It comes in a capsule which is not pouch friendly.  I will need to find one in a tablet form without any coating. 

I am having the hardest time staying motivated to exercise.  I know it is this cold weather.  Tomorrow I am going to try and get up early and get the exercise out of the way before going to work.  I will let you know how that goes! 

My one and only pair of jeans left are just hanging on my hips.  I am not sure if they are appropriate for work.  I might find myself with pants down around my ankles. 

Here are my menus from yesterday and today.  Yesterday, I tried some multigrain Cheerios (added from my surgeon's list).  In the past, eating cereal would do nothing but cause me to crave more food.  That has not changed with surgery.  About an hour later I was craving more cereal.  I fought it for another hour and finally had enough.  I warmed 2 turkey deli slices and a slice of cheese, thinking the protein will help alleviate the craving.  I then had my first "stuck" experience.  I chewed the turkey and cheese very well, but I think I swallowed too much at one time.  It was the most uncomfortable I have been since surgery.  It was an odd pressure behind my breastbone.  I just walked around the house massaging the breastbone until the food passed.  I do not want to experience that again. 

We went out for breakfast this morning.  I ordered an omelet with chicken and cheese since that is what I am accustomed to at home.  I tried to get a low fat milk, but the restaurant only had whole milk.  No, I did not drink it with my meal.  I had it put in a to-go cup to sip on while we ran an errand before going home. 

Day 22 Post Op - Sip through the day decaf tea with Splenda
*Breakfast - 3 oz multigrain Cheerios (1g) 1oz skim milk (1g) - 2g protein
*AM Snack - 2 slices deli turkey  (10g) and 1 slice 2% cheese (4g) - 14g protein
*Lunch - 1 scrambled egg (7g) 2 slices 2% cheese (8g) and chicken (10g) - 25g protein
*Dinner - 4 Chinese dumplings steamed - 12g protein
Sip through the evening 16oz skim milk - 18g protein

Exercise - ::bows head in shame::

Daily Protein Total - 71g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 48oz
BG - 8AM 122, PreLunch 134, PreDinner 117


Day 23 Post Op - Sip through the day decaf tea with Splenda or water with Crystal Light
*Breakfast - 3oz Chicken and Cheese omelet - 25oz protein
                       16 oz whole milk - 16g protein
*Lunch -  3oz Chicken and Cheese omelet - 25oz protein
*Dinner - 4 steamed Chinese dumplings - 12g protein

Exercise - Walking around Home Depot and Publix

Daily Protein Total - 78g
Daily Liquid Total - 56oz
BG - 8AM 122, PreDinner 101

3 Weeks Post Op!!

Completely off topic, it is incredibly cold!  This is the deep south.  What is going on??  Anyway...

Well things are getting a little easier each day.  I am feeling great physically and mentally.  However, I still fight the head hunger demon.  Everytime it happens I picture that green fuzzy monster on the Weight Watchers commercials and laugh.  In thinking about it, no one ever seems to deal with him.  No matter what diet you are on, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Atkins, South Beach, what causes him to hop out and haunt you is never dealt with.  Yes, these programs can be good for some, and yes, they deal with how to handle the hunger, but they never get to the root cause of the hunger. 

I went to see a registered dietician yesterday. It was a very helpful session. Usually, patients see her before surgery, but I was seeing my diabetes dietician pre surgery. The dietician was VERY helpful and provided me with a plethera of information. She gave me a schedule of when to add foods and sample daily schedules for when to eat. That in particular will be helpful beginning Monday when I go back to work. Some of the information is contradictory to my surgeons information, but as I am learning, no one person is alike. I have to learn my new anatomy, and do what I need to do for me. It is with this that I am taking the basic information from my surgeon and incorporating some of my new information as needed.

I am adding a few new things to my food list.  From the surgeon's list I am now adding cottage cheese and multigrain cereal.  From the dietician's list I am now eating beans, legumes, and ground turkey. 

Day 19 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or decaf tea with splenda 40 oz
*Sip through morning - 16 oz of skim milk  - 18g protein
*Breakfast - I slept in really late.  Didn't get up until close to 11AM!
*Lunch - 1 scrambled egg (7g) with 2 slices of 2% cheese (8g) and canned finely chopped chicken (10g)- 21g protein
*Snack - 2 slices 2% cheese - 8g protein
*Dinner- 3oz Cream of potato soup with a slice of provolone cheese (7g) and 1 TBS FF Sour Cream - 7g protein
*Snack - Smoothie recipe from Dr.Macik - 9g protein

*Exercise - 25 minutes on elliptical

Daily Protein Total - 63g protein
Daily Liquid  Total - 64oz
BG - 8am 101, Noon 125, PostDinner 73

Day 20 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or decaf tea with splenda 32 oz

*Breakfast - 1/4 c. Smoothie - not so good the 2nd day - 2g protein
*Lunch - 1 scrambled egg (7g) with 2 slices of 2% cheese (8g) and canned finely chopped chicken (10g)- 21g protein

*Dinner- 3oz Weight Watchers Taco Soup with ground turkey- (7g protein-guessing here) 1 TBS Fat Free sour cream, 2 TBS shredded cheese (3.5g) - 10.5g protein

*Exercise -25 minutes on the elliptical (hopefully)

Daily Protein Total - 33.5g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 40 oz
BG - 8am 102, Pre Lunch 130, Post Dinner134

Day 21 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or decaf tea with splenda 40 oz

*Sip through morning - 16 oz of skim milk  (18g ) and one EAS Edge protein drink (17g) - 35g protein
*Breakfast - Scrambled egg (7g) 2 slices 2% cheese (8g) 2 oz canned chicken (10g) - 25g protein
*Lunch - 3 turkey slices (10g) 2 slices 2% cheese (8g) - 18g protein
*Snack - 1 slice 2% cheese (4g) and 2oz canned chicken (10g) - 14g protein
*Dinner- 3oz Weight Watchers Bean Soup (6g) 2 oz shredded cheese (6g) 1 oz fat free sour cream (2g) - 14g protein
*Snack - Sugar free pudding

*Exercise - None today

Daily Protein Total - 106g protein
Daily Liquid Total - 66 oz
BG - 8am 131, PreDinner 80, PostDinner 146

18 Days Post Op

This weather is ridiculous!  I really just want to get out and walk, but the cold makes my face tingle and burn.  So I have been hitting the elliptical trainer in the basement.  Twenty minutes a day.  I am trying to work up to 30 and then 45 minutes each day. 

I have joined (for free) the greatest website (well, depends on what you are looking for) for tracking my daily protein, calories, blood glucose, etc.  It is called Livestrong.  I go to the "My Plate" section, where you can track the foods you eat.  The list of foods include grocery store brands (I saw Kroger, Publix, and Walgreens in the list), name brands, and generics.  You can also add any foods that you do not find on the list.  It is shocking to see the amount of calories I am consuming.  I do know that I am taking in wayyyy too many carbs.  So starting tomorrow I am going to try to stay away from the carbs as much as possible.

I am also interested in have a "cooking" party for weight loss surgery patients and their support members.  It would be like a recipe exchange, cooking, sampling, and good company for anyone wanting to share and receive information. 

Here are the menus for days 17 and 18.  Dr. Macik and the nutritionist may have a flip when they see I added shredded chicken to the mix.  But my body is telling me I need protein.  It is the only thing not on schedule at this point. 

I would like to say one last thing at this point.  Benefiber. 

Day 17 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or decaf tea with splenda 40 oz
*Sip through morning - 16 oz of skim milk  - 18g protein
*Breakfast - 1 scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) and canned finely choped chicken (10g)- 21g protein 
*Lunch - 1 scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) and canned finely chopped chicken (10g)- 21g protein
*Snack - 2 slices 2% cheese - 8g protein
*Dinner- Cream of potato soup with a slice of provolone cheese (7g) and 1 TBS FF Sour Cream - 7g protein
*Snack - Sugar-free Fudgsicle and Sugar-free pudding

*Exercise - 20 minutes on elliptical

Daily Protein Total - 57g protein
Daily Water Total - 40oz
Daily Milk Total -  16oz
BG - 8am 137, Noon 89

Day 18 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or decaf tea with splenda 32 oz

*Sip through morning - 16 oz of skim milk  - 18g protein
*Breakfast - 3 oz no sugar added yogurt (3g), a sprinkle of sf, ff cheesecake pudding mix - 3g protein 
*AM Snack - 2 slices of provolone cheese slighted melted - 14g protein
*Lunch - Cream of potato soup with a slice of provolone cheese (7g) and 1 TBS FF Sour Cream - 7g protein

*Snack - 2 slices 2% cheese - 8g protein
*Dinner- 1 scrambled egg (7g) with 2 slices of 2% cheese (8g) and canned finely chopped chicken (10g)- 25g protein

*Exercise -20 minutes on the elliptical

Daily Protein Total - 75g protein
Daily Water Total - 32oz
Daily Milk Total - 16oz
BG - 8am 150, Pre Lunch 129, Post Dinner 140

16 Days Post Op

It is the end of our regular vacation for the holidays.  Tomorrow Ian goes back to daycare, and Mark goes back to work.  I took the next week off from work in anticipation of needing more recovery time.  Not so.  Tomorrow I am going to start on cleaning the house, including my closets and dressers.  There are so many things I need to take to the Goodwill it is crazy.  I may even go on a short shopping spree to see what size I am wearing now.  I know my size 28 yoga pants and jeans are falling off of me at the moment.  Luckily, the yoga pants have tie fronts.  :)  I also want to clean up the basement.  Since I will be spending more time down there exercising, I want to enjoy it and not think about the things going on around me.

Over the last few weeks, I have really been watching other people eat.  My family, my friends at Christmas dinner, the people around me at restaurants.  It is amazing the amount of food people can eat.  And all I can say to myself is that is how I became super morbidly obese. Even eating the right foods do not help when you eat too many of them.  That is what I am going to be working on with Ian and Mark.  We have already discussed it.  

I am so afraid I am not doing this correctly, the eating that is.  I am not suppose to start eggs until the end of the week, but they are soo good and help with getting in my protein.

I am also suppose to be giving myself  B12 shots.  The nurse said, if I was injecting insulin, then I can do B12.  NOT!!!  B12 is to be injected into the muscle.  Insulin is subcutaneous, meaning it is injected into fat.  You can imagine my surprise when I get home and the syringes for the B12 are almost 2 inches long!  Either Mark will learn to give the injections or I will start the sublinguals that melt under the tongue.  The pros of the shots are they are only 2 times a month for 3 months and once a month there after.  Sublinguals are taken every other day. Ugh!

Day 15 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or decaf tea with splenda 32 oz
*Sip through morning - 8 oz of skim milk (9g) with CIB NSA(5g) - 14g protein
*Breakfast - 1 scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) - 11g protein 
*Lunch - 1 scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) - 11g protein
*Dinner- Cream of potato soup with a slice of cheese (4g) and 1 TBS FF Sour Cream - 4g protein

*Exercise - 20 minutes on elliptical

Daily Protein Total - 40g protein
Daily Water Total - 32oz
Daily Milk Total -  8oz
BG - 8am 130, Noon 188, Post Dinner 124

Day 16 Post Op - Sip through day - decaf tea with splenda and water with propel 32 oz
*Sip through morning - 16 oz of skim milk (18g protein) - 18g protein
*Breakfast - 1 softly scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) - 11g protein
*Lunch  - 1 softly scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) - 11g protein
*Dinner- 3 oz cream of potato soup with TBS of fat free sour cream and pinch of soft shredded cheese -4g protein
*Sip through the evening 8 oz skim milk - 9g protein

*Exercise -cleaned out garage in 28 degree weather and 30 minutes on the elliptical

Daily Protein Total - 53g protein
Daily Water Total - 32oz
Daily Milk Total - 24oz
BG - 8am 130, Pre Lunch 122, Post Dinner 191- ouch!

Happy New Year! 2 Weeks Post Op

Happy New Year!  It is going to be a great one, or at least I hope it will be.  For New Year's we have been totally lazy and unmotivated, even with a to-do list the length of my arm. 

 I seem to have an aversion to the protein shakes now.  I became quite nauseous yesterday while drinking one.  I am unsure what happened, but it did.  So, yesterday at the grocery store I picked up some Carnation Instant Breakfast with no sugar added.  I will need to be extremely careful with it because it does have some added carbs, but it is lower in calories.  It has only 5 grams of protein per serving, but that is better than none.
I am having the hardest time with drinking and eating at the same time!  I know why it is important for me not to drink at the same time as eating, but it is hard.  I knew this was going to be my toughest challenge.    Tonight while having my cream of potato soup I was dying for a swallow of my tea. 

You would think with a 2 year old, I would be getting tons of exercise.  That is not so.  It has been either wet or cold outside the last week limiting what we can do.  So tonight Mark and I will be heading downstairs to workout in the basement.  We have a weight machine and an elliptical.  I have been cleared for the elliptical, but not the weight machine.  At this point, there are no excuses.  I just need to get up and move more. 

I am glad to see my blood sugars getting better.  I was hoping to be one of the lucky ones to get off of diabetes medications before leaving the hospital.  Not so.  I was removed from Lantus and Metformin, but I still take Glimipiride.   Regardless, the blood sugars are coming down.  That is what I want to see over the long haul. 

I was also hoping to be a big loser by now.  It looks as if I will be a slow loser.  I can handle that as long as it remains steady and consistent.  It looks like I am losing about a 1/2 pound every 1-2 days.  At this point, including my pre-op weight loss, I am down 43 pounds.  As I told someone earlier tonight, I have NEVER lost that much weight and kept it off. 

Here is the menu for the last 2 days. 

Day 13 Post Op - Sip through day -water with propel or Fruit Falls by Minute Maid 32 oz
*Sip through morning - 8 oz of skim milk (9g) with 1 scoop Unjury (20g) - 29g protein
*Breakfast - 3oz cream of chicken soup
*Lunch - 2 slices of 2% American cheese - 8g protein
*Dinner- 4 oz cream of potato soup with skim milk - 3g protein

*Exercise - Learned to play poker and had some sugar free pudding while doing it  :)

Daily Protein Total - 40g protein
Daily Water Total - 32oz
Daily Milk Total - maybe 16oz
BG - 8am 137, Noon 119, Post Dinner 131

Day 14 Post Op - Sip through day - decaf tea with splenda and water with propel 32 oz
*Sip through morning - 16 oz of skim milk (18g protein) - 18g protein
*Breakfast - 1 softly scrambled egg (7g) with a slice of 2% cheese (4g) - 11g protein
*Lunch  -3oz cream of potato soup 
*Dinner- 3 oz cream of potato soup with TBS of fat free sour cream and pinch of soft shredded cheese -4g protein
*Sip through the evening 8 oz skim milk 9(g) with Carnation Instant Breakfast no sugar added (5g) - 14g protein

*Exercise -clicking the mouse on facebook!

Daily Protein Total - 47g protein
Daily Water Total - 32oz
Daily Milk Total - 24oz
BG - 8am 134, PreDinner 122