Home Sweet Home....

Surgery date: June 2, 2012
8 weeks post-op
Current weight loss: 38 pounds

I am now on the second leg of my little mini-vacay away from home.  Today I left my friend's lakehouse and headed down to my hometown of Pensacola, FL.  I ran by my house this morning on the way down and grabbed something very important I needed for the remainder of my vacation......my scale!  I did weigh this morning too and I lost more weight!  I have now lost 38 pounds in 8 weeks.  I am exactly 5 pounds away from being in "one-derland".  I am determined to lose that while I am home for the next week or so. 

The beach is a PERFECT place to go walk.  The tension with the sand is killer on the legs.  I am going to see if any of my friends here can sneak me into their gym or recommend a good place to walk.  If not, swimming and walking at the beach will have to do.  Terrible option right??

The first outing today when I got down here was to go to the grocery store and stock up on all my smoothie goodies, some healthy snacks, yummies and lunch items for the beach and a quick little dinner.  I am really having a "proud of me" moment.  I came home this time last year too.  I never went to the grocery store.  I ate out for every meal.  I bought a biscuit at McDonalds on the way to the beach everyday, I would walk up to the Boardwalk where I lay out and eat something greasy for lunch and down it with a lot of soda or a tropical "adult" beverage, and dinner everynite was some sort of seafood.  Usually fried.  I did eat raw oysters almost everyday when I was here last time.  At least that is healthy.

Now, I am prepared to make my smoothies every morning full of protein, fruit and veggies.  I will pack my lunch (a roasted turkey sandwich with low fat swiss cheese on the super thin bread; low fat pringles and a fruit); I packed about 6 different Tervis cups for the beach so I have water and it stays cold.  I do plan to see friends for dinner almost nitely so will work that out as it comes.  I have already promised to meet a sweet friend to have our traditional Krispy Kreme doughnut too.  That will be the big yum yum of the trip!

Today I am just relaxing at my parent's house watching Olympic gymnastics.  Here is what I made for dinner tonight:

I steamed some shrimp, drizzled them with lemon and had a side of cocktail sauce; 1 boiled red potato and a half cup of green beans.  I mixed the veggies together.  I was only able to eat 6 of the shrimp and had about 2 bites of the potato/green bean mix leftover.  Not bad for Day 1 at the beach.  I have about 10 more shrimp I cooked and about 3 servings of the green bean/potato mix.  I sliced a lot of lemon too.  Lemon is my new favorite condiment.  I squeeze it in all my drinks too!

Like a Warrior......

Today is 8 weeks since surgery but I don't have an update on my weight....I am on a little mini vacay and there is not a scale here.  I am housesitting for a friend at their lakehouse while they are out of town.  Horrible horrible deal right??  Even worse, I leave the lake job and head to my old hometown to spend a week at the beach.  I'll take my scale down there with me! 

It is harder to focus on my meals, eating habits etc when I am away from home.  Especially way out where I am staying this weekend.  I am far from any grocery store.  I packed up everything I could to bring with me but still hard.....especially when it isn't what I am in the mood to eat.  I have been using up all my fruit and greek yogurt for smoothies instead and doing fine with that.  I'll go to the grocery store when I get to Pensacola.  Will be a lot easier to plan my meals there and soooooooo much fresh seafood.  No doubt I will bring a lot of that back to Birmingham!  Will post a weight update as soon as I can weigh.

Made a hamburger with diced green pepper and onion in it last nite.  Melted some cheese on top.  Cooked some green beans and red potatoes together.  Ate it....and threw it up.  I do believe I read somewhere that red meat really isn't a good place to go.  Well, it isn't.  Next......

I did sign up to do something crazy,crazy,wild, fun and unforgettable with some friends!!  The Warrior Dash on October 6th in Warrior, Alabama.  Click on "Warrior Dash" above to check it out. This is a world wide program.  I will also be a St Jude Warrior so will be hitting everyone up for donations so I can raise money for St. Jude AND....earn a free shower after the race. If you checked out the link, you'll see why I'll need a shower.   I don't care how far behind I get, how much someone has to help me or how beat up and sore I get.  I want to do this.  I want to finish this covered in mud, scrapes, bruises and with my friends.  This is one of those things I want to do because I am healthy enough to do it now. I am hoping I can get my cardiovascular and core strength up enough to be ready to do this by October 6th!  Will get a personal trainer to help me with this.  I am in the 1:00 group and will find some way to get lots of pics.  I'll need proof no doubt that I am a WARRIOR!!

Ohhhhhhhhh yes!

Surgery date: June 2, 2012
Time since surgery: 7 weeks, 2 days
Total weight lost: 37 pounds!!

Well......I cannot complain about the past week or so, I have lost 6 pounds since June 12th.  Mainly 6 pounds since last week. Not sure what has contributed to the big jump in weight loss this past week.  I think it just happens sometimes.  I have been making some fabulous high protein smoothies, eating fruits and salads etc. and started more walking. Whatever it is....I hope it stays like this.

This has put me soooooooo close to being in "Onederland".  Only 6 more pounds to go!!

I've been working in my classroom the past week too.  Even though I said I wouldn't, I have been and it really does get my heart back into the love of the job.  My co-workers who have not seen me since school got out have really made a big deal about how much weight I have lost.  That is really fun! I am noticing A LOT in my clothes. 

I am learning to not get so discouraged all the time about the acutal "weight".  I read something from someone in my Sleeve support group who is much further out from surgery than I am.  She told a pre-op sleever that one of the most important things you can do is to take measurements BEFORE surgery.  Something I didn't do.  I didn't know who or where to get my meausrements taken.  Regardless,  she said if you depend on the scale to be your source of success then you will get really discouraged.  Heellloooooooo....lighbulb!  That is me.  I am hung up on the weight.  So, I will get measurements taken soon.  Then start tracking from there.  Very frustrated I didn't do it before but believe me when I say, I am NOT going back to that weight again.

I finally found a gym to join.  My assistant prinicipal told me about it today. It is less than 5 miles from my house (BIG plus) and has tons of classes.  It is a little privately owned gym, not a chain.  I will join when I get back from my big trip home to Pensacola.

Breakfast of Champions

The BIGGEST contribution to my lifelong success will be to learn how to COOK fresh, healthy, unprocessed foods full of lean proteins and vitamins.  No more fast food, on the fun, frozen, microwaved, processed foods.  That will be a challenge when I start back teaching.  I plan to find things I can cook ahead of time, freeze, etc.  I am realistic!  Between teaching small children with severe needs all day, finishing  the very last leg of my PhD (the reseach.....uuugghhhhh), and trying to still have the energy to exercise and socialize. I am NOT going to want to cook everyday.  I am not going to even want to think about it. 

Thank goodness for the Internet.  Especially thankful for recipe sites and my fav fav fav.....Pinterest!!  I have been saving recipes suitable for my walnut (sleeve) for months.  I have the most organized, categorized, and detailed Pinterest page ever!  I am planning.  I just hope I can stick to it when the heat is on with work and school. 

Today I was inspired to make this for breakfast:

Slammin' Sunrise "Green" Smoothie

 Ingredients:

 2-3 cups organic spinach

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

1-2 cups frozen strawberries

1 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 frozen banana

I added: (need the protein)

 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt

 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder

 1 tablespoon of Torani Sugar-Free Vanilla flavor

It is super YUMMY!  The pic in the blender is much prettier than what it looks like all mixed up.  Basically the color of baby poo.  For real.....not a pretty drink.  But is very delish.  I do better if I "drink" my breakfast than if I "eat" my breakfast so I think smoothies will be my staple each morning.  My walnut doesn't like actual food in it in the moring most days.  Not sure why but fine with me.  Smoothies are an easy way to get everything I need to start my day and soooooooo many options I'll never get bored

Slow but steady wins the race....but I want to fly!

Surgery date: June 2, 2012
Total time since surgery: 7 weeks
Current weight loss: 33 pounds

Lost 2 more pounds!  I am averaging about 2-3 a week.  It bores me.  Yes, I do think I am going to be that girl that is never satisfied with her weight.  I really want to see something major but I have not starting working out hardcore yet.  I can now!!  Finally!  I just need to make it happen.  Not always my strong point.  Don't get me wrong.  I love to work out.  LOVE cardio.  I just don't make time for it......just like everything else in my life that is important like family and friends right!

The surgeon....and all research for that matter say losing weight slowing is the best way to do it.  I am going a little slower than I'd like but I am losing it the most healthiest way so I really shouldn't complain.  I am losing and I feel great so that is all that matters.  But damn......can I see a 5-7 pound loss in one week please! 

Busy day....will write more later.

Don't worry....be happy!

Surgery date: June 2, 2012
Current weight loss: 31 pounds

Regardless of all the trials and issues I have posted lately regarding the postop, healing, learning to live a new lifestyle process; I really do feel absolutely fabulous. 

Most of my clothes are getting really big on me or just look much better on me to wear.  I can really tell in my pants around my waist and stomach area.  My pants are falling off of me after I have worn them for the day.  Before they were so tight and stayed tight all day. My shirts fit so much better without a big belly sticking out.  I am physically getting smaller.  I needed shorts and was able to buy an 18 regular at TARGET!!  NOT a plus size. Target misses runs small so I am thrilled!!  Able to wear size XL shirts too.....not plus size, not XXL, and not wanting to wear big over sized tops to hide in.  All my dresses are way too big. I already have 2 racks of clothes ready to sell. 

Several people I have run into this summer say they can tell.  Especially in my face (ggrrrrrrrr) but that is how it is.  People notice your face and honestly, a fat face is not good to have.  So I am thankful people just notice.  My bras are getting too big too.  I'm drowning in the cup size and that is fine with me.  Boobies are overrated and made of fat anyway. 

Since I am off for the summer, my days are laid back.  I can go to bed late, sleep in or take naps.  But I am not tired at all during the day.  I have so much more energy.  I feel happier, calmer, less anxious, and more positive.  Again, I am off work so will be interesting to see how work stress affects me now.   I am actually really worried about the stress of my job this year.  Have a very stressful job and finally have approval to do my research for my PhD.  Bad timing but will do my best to balance. Secretly.....I am really worried. 

I am not doing actual "exercise" and I really need to start doing something more consistently.  I need to check and see if I am off physical restriction yet.  I know I can walk.  I walk everyday, even if it is just walking out and about.  I really need to start doing more cardio if I want to start making more progress.  The weather has been beautiful this week, not too hot so no more excuses. 

I do need to go to my primary doc to have some blood work done.  The only physical issue I notice right now is that I am bruising easily.  I had a massage Monday and there are some bad bruises on my back.  No, the massage wasn't that bad.  I am just braising.  Most likely an Iron deficiency but not wise to take iron pills without blood work indicating I need them.  Will have it all checked next week to see how I am doing.  My hair isn't falling out (thank goodness) but it is very dry.  The lady that cuts my hair said anesthesia makes your hair funky for a little while. 

I really feel happy and fabulous.  So much better.  I think a lot of this is attitude.  I was determined to have this surgery to be HEALTHIER!  So healthy makes me happy!

Got Milk??

Surgery Date: June 2, 2012
Current weight loss: 31 pounds


I am slowly becoming a vegetarian!  Mainly because my list of things I "cannot" eat post-op gets longer and longer if it lives on a farm.  Some of the issues are partly my fault.  I am currently about 6 weeks post op.  So I am in the stage of "trial and error" of what I can and cannot eat.  Basically, I try it and wait to see what happens.  Per my post the other day, we all know that eggs and chicken make me SICK.  Like sick sick.  Well.....I can now add whole milk to the list but cannot blame this on trial and error. This was a straight up ERROR!!

I have NEVER liked milk to start with.  NEVER!! Based on allergy testing I had done years ago I am severely allergic to eggs and milk but I really have no idea what the allergy side effect is.  Whole milk has bothered my tummy since the Gall Bladder came out in 2009 (it died....due to being overweight I am sure).  I am not lactose intolerant though.  I can have fat free milk, low fat cottage cheese,lite  cheese, lite yogurt etc.  But things like ice cream, pudding, etc makes me sick.  Well......I clearly ignored this little life experience today.

I had to go ahead and have my root canal today.  Cracked tooth was beginning ache and I could not chew on that side at all.  I am a root canal pro at this point but the one today was ROUGH.  I was very sore, not allowed to chew on that side and really couldn't open my mouth after anyway. I had A LOT of shots in there today and once the numbness wore off......  I felt horrible and all I wanted was a milkshake......clearly a major memory lapse from my past as well as major defiance of the Gastric Sleeve rules.

I thought for sure I could get one, mix some protein powder in it, and only have a few sips.  So I did! Literally no more than 5-6 sips.  And........I was sooooooooooooooo sick.  Like just wanted to curl up and pass out, nauseated, so so sick.  Will spare the details but it was NOT good.  I knew this was a major risk to try but had major regrets within 20 minutes.  I am sure between the whole milk, fat and sugar my body was in SHOCK!! Milkshake was basically denied access today.  Went straight to jail, did not pass go, and went bankrupt.  Lesson learned.  Pretty sure any of my Belite friends are shaking their head at me as we speak.  I know.....was dumb.  I have never made good "eating" choices when I don't feel good.  I bet I will next time.

The moral of this story is:  If it isn't on the list of approved foods do NOT do it.  Don't even try it. Not this early in the process.

My personal moral of this story is:  If Old McDonald has it on his farm and it says "Moo moo here" or "Cluck cluck there" it is not going in my body. 

The good, the bad, and the UGLY!!

I know, I know.....it has been days since I have posted.  I had to get through TOM week which SUCKED!!!  I felt horrible so I wasn't even going to weigh.  Finally weighed this morning and........awesome news.  I have lost a total of 31 pounds.  I am 12 pounds away from "onederland" (weighing in the 100's).  This was fabulous news for today.

I can basically thank my best guy friend for this mega weight loss the past few days.  I helped him move here on Sunday (July 8th).  He moved in the middle of the summer, in Alabama, into an apartment on the 3rd floor.  It was crazy hot and a lot of exercise for sure.  I wasn't surprised at all I lost 2 pounds since last weigh in. 

This was a fabulous start to my Monday.  Then I ran to my dentist because I woke up with a tender tooth on Saturday.  I already knew before I walked in there what the issue was....I broke "another" tooth. I am a clincher.  BIG TIME clincher.  My dentist says my normal bite is deadly.  I clinch day and nite.  The most damage done at nite when I am sleeping of course.  I don't grind, I just clinch my teeth like a vice grip. At this point I do not have TMJ nor do I get headaches.  I just BREAK teeth.  I have broken 2 in the past few weeks.  I cracked a Crown so that just has to be fixed.  However, I cracked tooth #30.  Second to last tooth in the back on the right side.  It is cracked in half so the only way to fix it is....Root Canal.  Fortunatly, I have a fabulous endodontist who has done 2 other root canals for me in the past year so......I'll be fine. 

I then went to iHop with a fabulous free meal coupon I got for my birthday (July 15th).  I was determined to make this work with the new tummy.  I ordered eggs and fruit.  Protein and healthy side.  I have tired eggs 2 other times since surgery and no matter how I chew, they didn't feel good in my walnut.  My 3rd....and last attempt was today.  I threw it ALL up all over the iHop bathroom.  Didn't even have half the eggs or fruit.  Was sick and nauseated all day.  Finally better by dinner time so I ate some grilled chicken.  Again.....I puked it up about 6 times over an hour.  Sick sick sick!! WAS HORRIBLE!! I have eaten ground chicken just fine but the stringy grilled chicken isn't my friend either I guess. Yucky food day.

All part of the process. Some days are fab and other days are quite the learning experience.  Frustrating on the "learning" days because I am trying to be good all the time. My new tummy will let me know what is ok and what is not.  Today was A LOT of NOTs!!  Tiny sips of Sprite and saltine crackers were just fabulous later tonight even though those are both on the "no no" list.  My tummy kept those down and didn't hurt so I guess it was ok.

Good news from today is I had an hour long deep tissue massage that was FABULOUS!!   I love Groupon, LivingSocial, etc.  This is a new business and had a deal for three 60 minute massages for $99.  I had a $10 credit so I got a really fabulous deal.  He was quite the cutie too!

Regardless....I have lost 31 pounds in a month and one week!!  Yay!!

One Month......please hold!

My official "One Month" post op date was July 2nd (yesterday) but......I am not weighing for a couple of days this week.  Hormonal, bloated, and feeling yucky so will wait till that TOM passes.  This is my first TOM since surgery and it has been a rough 2 weeks with it all. HORRID! Constant cramps, SEVERE back pain, nausea, etc etc.  Oh and quite irritable!  Like CRAZY stressed feeling.  Kinda scary and I didn't like it.

I didn't take my "homone helper" (the pill) this month since I was trying to keep as much medicine out of my new tummy while I healed. I've been having major irregularity and hormone issues for a few years now.  I was put on the pill a while ago to try to help my hormones/cycle regulate.  Body is starting to not function quite correctly and the mere mention of early menopause by the doc FREAKED me out.  All my docs kept telling me it could be weight related.  Not sure it is but could be and there is plently of research out there to indicate the correlation between obesity and hormone issues.  So......another reason for the weight loss surgery.  Beside needing to get healthier this was the second main reason I wanted to have the surgery.  My OBGYN and I have discussed several times about me having a hysterectomy because the hormones and cycle have gotten so horrible.  YES!!!  Taking out the plumbing.  I was very close to doing it this summer. At age 40 without any children....that is a big decision.  So, I decided having weight loss surgery was a much better option with A LOT more benefits.  May not fix the female issues and I really don't know if I want to have children but won't matter because I will be healthier regardless!! However, I am soooooooo happy to get back on the "hormone helper" pill this month. 

Sorry but not weighing this week.  I haven't weighed since Saturday (June 30th).  That means as far as I know I am still hanging in at a 29 pound loss.  I am sooooooo hoping for good news when I do weigh later this week. 

I will take pics too.  I have GOT to find someone to do my measurements so I can keep up from now on.  My pants are literally falling off of me.  That means the inches are melting.  Hard to tell how I feel right now because I feel like female, hormonal crap!! 

I am going to see spend 4th on July on the lake tomorrow with one of dearest friends and her family.  Really trying to decide what I need to take to eat and what I want to attempt to eat.  This new lifestyle really really requires planning.  I will find something yummy, cute and fun to take!!