Kayce J.

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So DH and I have only been out once since DS was born....so once in 7 months.  And we were both off work today so he had planned an overnight getaway.  I still haven't had a fill, so I don't have any restriction.  We went out to eat and we slit an appetizer, which we shouldn't have done, and we split a meal.  We went and checked into our hotel and then walked a block to a jazz club to go have a drink.  We're not big drinkers and DH has a fill so when he drinks anything, he gets buzzed pretty quickly.  We had one drink....and split a dessert.  We go back to the hotel and went swimming for a little while and then the hotel had complimentary milk and cookies before bed!  I think that's why he booked that hotel!  So even though I wasn't hungry I just wanted them....we wewnt and had cookies and milk.  I felt so sick after that!  I told DH that I should have been better and he told me that I've been doing so well, that I needed to reward myself.  He was right, but I don't need to reward myself with food.  I feel so guilty and ashamed of myself.  But the only think I can do now is walk and watch what I eat.  I'm ready for my fill!

Well, I am 3 weeks out.  I haven't lost much weight since surgery, but I did do my measurements the other night because I was getting discouraged and I've lost 2 more inches in my waist and a couple in my bust!  I need to do them again and write them down.  I've been trying to do really well with my food choices.  But the other day we went for mexican food.  I was so tired of chili and everything else I had made with ground turkey.  Dh and I both ordered a childs cheese enchilada.  He ate his, and I ate mine very slow.  I had maybe 10 chips and half of my enchilada.  I was content so we packed up the other half, the rice and beans and brought them home.  I have NEVER done that...packed up half a kids meal???  It went through with no problem, and that's what scares me.  Although I go for a fill in 2 more weeks, I don't want to make a habit of eating out like that.  But I think I deserved it.  We haven't eaten out in almost a month, and when we did it wasn't even $15!  I ate the other half of my enchilada today and it was so good. 

The other thing we did, and shouldn't have was DH wanted some peanut butter m&ms, and I wanted some york peppermint patties.  I had a few of his m&ms, and I felt guilty for eating them.  I've only had a couple of my peppermint patties too.  Used to I could sit down with 3 or 4, and I've been limiting myself at 1.  I've had about 4 out of the package so far.  I've been craving something sweet, and popsicles just don't do it for me!  The good thing is that DH and I have been doing Walk Away The Pounds Power Walk DVD.  We just started this week, and we weren't consistant but we both said we going to start doing it more.  I am so glad that he doesn't mind doing it with me!  I've got at least 10 more pounds, hopefully more, to loose before October 18...my 10 yr reunion!  WATP...here I come!!!

So I'm 1 1/2 weeks out and I am feeling so much better!  I am so glad last week is over.  I've lost 17.4 pounds!  Most of that was pre-op, but it's gone.  I'm supposed to be on liquids until friday, but I cheated.  Not too bad.  This last weekend we went to my nephews birthday party, and while my DH had a piece of cake and ice cream....I had a taste of the icing and a little ice cream.  Then earlier this week I made some fiesta cheese soup, and it wasn't that good on it's own.  It tasted like watered down cheese dip, but it needed something.  So, the next day I took the leftovers and mixed it with ground turkey, taco seasoning and pinto beans.  DH put his on a tortillia, and I blended mine up and put some shredded cheese on it.  It looked like refried beans, and tasted pretty good!  I felt bad because I'm still supposed to be on liquids, but I was tired of soup!  Then tonight DH and I both ate it blended up, and he thought it tasted better.  Of course he put his on a tostada shell (no fair!  I want one!!)  So other than those 3 times, I'm been sticking to liquids!

I had surgery on friday, and I've been really good with the liquids.  Eating soup, and drinking protein shakes.  And I'm starting to feel ALOT better than I did a few days ago.  But I'm finding myself craving bad stuff....pizza and hamburgers.  It's not like I even ate that stuff very often anyway, like only every once in a while. 

I feel like people characterize big people as eating that kind of stuff all the time, and I wasn't like that.  I hardly ever went through a drive thru, and when I did I felt guilty.  My weakness was always dessert.  We never ate dessert when we went out to eat, but I loved to bake.  I would bake stuff, and then take it to work and let everyone else enjoy it.  Anyway, I guess I'm realizing that my life has changed.  I'm no longer going to be able to eat rolls and bread.  I'm not going to be able to just order a pizza when I don't want to cook.  I know alot of people say you can still have those things, just watch your proportions.  But what's the point?  I mean, that kind of stuff is the reason I got the band.  I know I'll still try to eat something I'm not supposed to, but like my DH says, eating is not fun anymore.  You eat to live now, and the band is going to make sure I eat the right things.

I'm in a lot more pain than I thought I'd be in.  The gas pain has gone up to my shoulders and neck, and that's making it hard to get comfortable and sleep.  I tried laying propped up last night towards one side, but I just couldn't get comfortable.  The port site hurts the worst, which I knew it would.  It just makes it hard to move.  But, I'm trying to look at the big picture and look forward to the weeks ahead.  The soreness will slowly go away.  I've been taking my pain meds, liquid Lortab, or Hydrocodone.  And taking Gas X for the gas pain.  I'm slowly sipping on water just to keep me hydrated, my mouth gets so dry.  Anyway...one day at a time!  I wanted to post my starting stats, and my stats the day or surgery.  I wanted to do measurements to see how I did.

Starting weight: 234.5           Day of Surgery: 220
Neck - 15 3/4                             15 1/2
Arms - 16 1/2                             15 3/4
Wrist - 7                                       6 3/4
Bust -  49 1/2                              48
Chest - 43 1/2                             42 1/4
Waist - 47 1/2                             46 3/4
Hips - 49 1/2                               47 1/2
Thigh - 24                                     23

Not a huge difference, but I lost inches everywhere....in just 2 weeks!

Well it's finally here, the day I've been waiting for for almost a year.  Like I said before I wanted this last year this time, but I was pregnant.  I wouldn't trade my son for the world, but I'm glad the day is finally here.  There are a few things I'm worried about....I'm scared when I come home I'll be thinking 'what did I do to myself?'.  And then on the other hand I'll be wondering why I didn't do it sooner.  I've thought about it for a long time, but never checked to see if my insurance would pay for it.  I also don't think if I had it done several years ago I would have Dr. Davis.  I truly believe he is the best in the Houston area.  I've been trying to start chewing my food really slowly, but it hasn't worked.  I won't know how slow I have to chew, and how I have to take my time eating from now on until I try to eat.  I will finally know what my husband is talking about when he says he can feel his food or water going through the band.  I am excited about this new time, because I know I am changing my life for good.  I want to change my eating habits for my son, so he doesn't learn the bad ones.  I want to be skinnier so he can grow up with a mom that's active, not one that he remembers as being overweight.  I am nervous about this surgery, but I'm ready for change!

I have been feeling like crap the last few days.  Tomorrow makes a full week of the liquid diet, and I don't know if I can take another day.  The first few days I got used to the shakes, but now they just make me sick.  Yesterday I didn't get nearly the calories I needed....I had 2 shakes and 1/2 a chicken breast with broth.  I called the drs office and they haven't called me back yet.  I am so hungry and nauseated at the same time.  And just thinking about eating or drinking anything, I feel like throwing up.  I can't imagine going through another week like this and then 2 weeks after surgery.  The thing that sucks is that they changed the 'protocol' for pre and post op.  DH was on a liquid diet for 1 week and was on a soft diet immediately after.  I don't know if I can do it.

A well stockedbariatric kitchenhas the proper toolsat hand:

• Measuring spoons andcups
• Food scale
• Individual foodstorage containersof various smallsizes
• Ice cube trays forfreezing smallportions
• Snack size zipperlock bags
• Plastic eatingutensils fortravel/work

A well stockedpantry has:

• Canned tuna (orpouches) in water,canned lump crabmeat
• Canned chicken
• Seasoning blends(i.e. Mrs. Dash)
• Apple cider and/orbalsamic vinegar
• Artificial sweetener(i.e. Splenda,Equal, Stevia, Sweetn’ Low)
• Light or low-fatmayo, mustard
• Low calorie, low-fatsalad dressings forseasoning andmarinating
• Individual sizes ofpackaged fruitpacked in juice
• Canned vegetables
• Canned dicedtomatoes, jarredtomato sauce, salsa
• Canned beans/legumes(garbanzo, kidney,black, red, fat-freerefried)
• Low sodium brothsand soup bases(chicken, beef,vegetable, seafood)
• Whole grain, highfiber, high proteinpasta
• High fiber, proteinrich hot cerealpackets (i.e.oatmeal, multigrain,farina, oat bran,etc.)
• High fiber, highprotein cold cereal
• Whole grain crackers(such as WASA,Ry-Vita, Kashi,low-fat Triscuits)
• Crystal Light, DietSnapple and otherlow caloriebeverages or powdermixes
• Carnation InstantBreakfast, no sugaradded
• Pre-made dietgelatin cups, dietpudding cups

A well stockedbariatric freezerhas:

• Individually frozenshrimp in a bag
• Skinless chickenbreasts ortenderloins
• Lean chopped meatfrozen in smallsnack size zippertop bags
• Sugar-free ice pops,sugar-free fudgepops
• Bags of frozen fruitpieces (no sugaradded) for smoothiesand snacking, eitherbought alreadyfrozen, or freezeyour own slicedbanana, berries orgrapes to add toyogurt or cereal

A well stockedbariatricrefrigerator has:

• Pre-washed and cutfruits andvegetables (try thesupermarket saladbar for variety)
• Yogurt and yogurtsmoothies (smallcontainers, low-fat,artificiallysweetened)
• Part-skim ricottacheese
• Low-fat or fat-freecottage cheese(small containers)
• Low-fat cheesewedges/mozzarella“stringcheese” sticks(i.e. Laughing Cowbrand, Polly-Obrand)
• Pre-shredded low-fatcheese blends toboost flavor andprotein of foods
• Deli sliced turkey,ham or chickenbreast
• Fresh eggs, hardboiled eggs and eggsubstitutes
• Pre-cooked grilledchicken or turkeystrips
• Skim and 1% milk
• Assorted pre-washedand cut salad greenblends
• Low-calorie saladdressing/spraydressings
• Imitation Butter inspray form (such asI Can’tBelieve it’sNot Butter)

Be creative…

Need some creative,healthy easycombinations formeals or snacks? Thechallenge is to keepfood choicescreative andflavorful; inspiringyour taste buds iscrucial in order tokeep you interestedin healthier foodchoices.

• Romaine lettuce leafwrapped around 2slices deli turkeywith mustard orlow-fat saladdressing
• 4 oz. fat-freeyogurt with 2 oz.fresh berries and 1Tbsp. fiber richcereal
• Part skim mozzarellastick wrapped insun-dried tomatoslice or roasted redpepper (not packedin oil)
• 2 oz. seared tunasteak with low-fatdill sauce (fat-freeyogurt, capers, dilland lemon juice)
• Laughing Cow low-fatcheese wedge spreadon multigrain WASAcracker
• 2 oz. fat-free milk,2 oz. fat-freeyogurt, 2 oz. fruitof choice a few icecubes, sprinklesweetener to desiredtaste and pulse inblender.
• Freeze half of smallbanana or 10 frozengrapes
• Hot cereal (onepacket) mixed withwater or skim milk,artificial sweetenerand fresh fruit. Ortry hot cereal addvanilla extract,artificial sweetenerand cinnamon.
• 3 oz. grilledchicken over saladgreens and

#1 Do for 10 days to break plateau

#2 Drink 2 quarts of water a day

#3 You must have 45 grams of protein supplement and all your vitamin & mineral supplements each day.

#4 You may consume up to 3 oz. of the following high-protein foods, 5 times a day:
a.  beef,
b.  pork,
c.  chicken,
d.  turkey,
e.  lamb,
f.  fish,
g.  eggs,
h.  low-fat cheese,
i.  cottage cheese,
j.  plain yogurt (or artificially sweetened),
k.  peanut butter,
l.  beans/legumes.

#5 You may also have:
a.  sugar-free popsicles (avoid juice popsicles),
b.  tea or coffee,
c.  sugar-free sodas,
d.  sugar-free Jello,
e.  broths & bouillons,
f.  Crystal Lite drinks.

#6 IF IT IS NOT ON THE LIST YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT!

#7 Keep a food diary and try to get 30 minutes of exercise daily.

So this is day 4 of the 2 week liquid diet....and I'm hungry.  I did so well over the weekend but I guess since I was at work I kept busy.  My hubby asked me last night if he could make some cheese dip....REALLY???  I told him to make it when I went back to work so I don't have top smell it, because I definately would cave in and have some.  He had lap band too, but he hasn't been strict because I've been getting ready for my surgery.  So before I started my diet, I ate what I wanted to....within reason of course.  I started the diet on friday, and I was suprised that I wasn't hungry.....until now.  I haven't been following it exactly, but for the most part.  I was supposed to just have the slimfast low carb drinks.  But I got my samples of the syntha 6 and lean dessert protein shakes in, so I've tried one a day.  And I've also had a chicken breast in the evening.  DH had lap band done in October and he only had to do a week of the liquid diet, and he could have a chicken breast.  So I figured it was okay since it's the same dr.  This is really hard....but it will be over soon!