sdb1147
Make-Over
Sep 01, 2012
Seeing as how the color grey seemed to be encroaching ever more upon my head, I decided to go for a make-over. After searching for a salon (I used to just go to a barber shop), I settled on Pro Cuts by Sophia (Renton, WA). What a great experience.
Sophia (the owner) and Trina offered hands-on first class service. They both pampered me, cutting and trimming, coloring, washing then trimming some more to end up with a finished product: ME!
Since I can't/won't award myelf any food (still on a liquid diet) as my reward for getting to this point in my weight loss journey (now weigh 257-lbs. vs 304-lbs. when starting), I decided on getting my hair colored (and cut). The coloring came out excellent, though a bit dark to me, but that's because I've been so used to seeing all the grey. The professional cut was far and above what I had experienced in a long time, having just visited the discount ($7.00) el-cheapo barber shops for most of my life. And by the way, this was the first time in my life I've ever had my hair colored.
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Sophia (the owner) and Trina offered hands-on first class service. They both pampered me, cutting and trimming, coloring, washing then trimming some more to end up with a finished product: ME!
Since I can't/won't award myelf any food (still on a liquid diet) as my reward for getting to this point in my weight loss journey (now weigh 257-lbs. vs 304-lbs. when starting), I decided on getting my hair colored (and cut). The coloring came out excellent, though a bit dark to me, but that's because I've been so used to seeing all the grey. The professional cut was far and above what I had experienced in a long time, having just visited the discount ($7.00) el-cheapo barber shops for most of my life. And by the way, this was the first time in my life I've ever had my hair colored.
I'm an Anomaly.
Aug 24, 2012
Surgery was on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at about 10:00 AM. Woke up in ICU with very little pain &/or discomfort. Went for a leak test a few days later and that's when the questions started.
The tests (Xray & CAT Scan) showed what appeard to be a leak however, after observing me for a couple of days, I showed no signs of what would be expected for a leak to cause. Another leak test (Xray) showed that the leak consisted of stomach material still connected between my old stomach and the new pouch. Think of two cans with a string connected between them. The original telephones
The medical team said I was an 'anomaly' in that I showed no symptoms of leaks and everything else pointed to a healthy recovery. What in essence was occuring was some liquid was flowing down the string from the new pouch & into the old stomach. Please don't ask me the medical terms. They're big words!
The short story is, in 3-6 months I'll go back for another operation (similar to the original) and the old stomach will be cut back further and re-stapled, the connective tissue will be removed and the new pouch will be sutured.
Started off this journey weighing in at 304-lbs. and today I weigh 267-lbs.
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The tests (Xray & CAT Scan) showed what appeard to be a leak however, after observing me for a couple of days, I showed no signs of what would be expected for a leak to cause. Another leak test (Xray) showed that the leak consisted of stomach material still connected between my old stomach and the new pouch. Think of two cans with a string connected between them. The original telephones
The medical team said I was an 'anomaly' in that I showed no symptoms of leaks and everything else pointed to a healthy recovery. What in essence was occuring was some liquid was flowing down the string from the new pouch & into the old stomach. Please don't ask me the medical terms. They're big words!
The short story is, in 3-6 months I'll go back for another operation (similar to the original) and the old stomach will be cut back further and re-stapled, the connective tissue will be removed and the new pouch will be sutured.
Started off this journey weighing in at 304-lbs. and today I weigh 267-lbs.
Sugar-free Flavoring
Aug 06, 2012
For those diabetics out there, and those that can tolerate Splenda, there are sugar-free flavoring agents out there offered by Torani Syrups. Yeah, the same products that many coffee businesses use.
Attended a weight loss seminar put on by Swedish Hospital and the Dietician (Brittany) mention using sugar-free flavors offered by Torani to mix in with whey powder and other protein-type drinks. It works!
Found the absolute cheapest place to purchase Torani Syrups is Cash 'n Carry. Only about $4.00 per bottle vs $9.00 at the local super markets.
Made up an "Elvis Presley Special": 8-oz. Almond milk (unsweetened), 1-scoop Protocol whey protein isolate, hand-full of mini-ice cubes, and four squirts each of Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate (syrups). Turned on the Ninja blender and whipped up one delicious shake.
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Attended a weight loss seminar put on by Swedish Hospital and the Dietician (Brittany) mention using sugar-free flavors offered by Torani to mix in with whey powder and other protein-type drinks. It works!
Found the absolute cheapest place to purchase Torani Syrups is Cash 'n Carry. Only about $4.00 per bottle vs $9.00 at the local super markets.
Made up an "Elvis Presley Special": 8-oz. Almond milk (unsweetened), 1-scoop Protocol whey protein isolate, hand-full of mini-ice cubes, and four squirts each of Banana, Peanut Butter & Chocolate (syrups). Turned on the Ninja blender and whipped up one delicious shake.
Liquid Diet Plan
Aug 04, 2012
Anyone have any ideas/recipes for completing the 2-week pre-op diet plan? I'm on an "Atkins-style" plan where carbs are bad. Limited to 20-carbs per day.
Been eating steamed cod, lots of salads (didn't know tomatoes had so many carbs). Using un-sweetended almond milk (from Trader Joe's) for my smoothies. Bought a few un-sweetended Torani flavored syrups for variety. Taking all my suggested vitamins/minerals.
Energy levels have been high.
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Been eating steamed cod, lots of salads (didn't know tomatoes had so many carbs). Using un-sweetended almond milk (from Trader Joe's) for my smoothies. Bought a few un-sweetended Torani flavored syrups for variety. Taking all my suggested vitamins/minerals.
Energy levels have been high.
Green Light!
Aug 02, 2012
On August 1st., 2012 I met with the Weight Loss Team of Swedish Hospital, to include Dr. McMahon (surgeon), operating PA, signed surgery orders, completed another EKG & had blood samples taken, met with the nutritionist/dietician, filled out 'tons' of paper work and everything is a "GO"!
I'll be having my surgery (RNY) on Tuesday, August 14th., 2012. YEAH! Been so looking forward to this since I started my journey around January. I asked one of the nurses if Medicare had approved the surgery as I has not received any final word. She said since I've made it this far in the process, the surgery was approved. She also said if Medicare had not approved the weight loss surgery, I would have heard immediately. Apparently Medicare's rejections are much faster than acceptions.
Started my "Atkins-type" diet plan yesterday: NO/LOW CARBS. Suggested total for each day: 20-carbs. Made a protein shake (with 1% milk) and added a banana, powdered peanut butter w/chocolate (it's called PB2), and it all added up to: 50-carbs. Yikes! Carbs are so easy and quick to add up. I'll have to re-think my menus.
Went shopping to pick up a few more 'healthy' food items and spent the better part of two hours at the store just reading labels. Wish those labels were printed larger. Easy to see how all those carbs/sugars can sneak in.
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I'll be having my surgery (RNY) on Tuesday, August 14th., 2012. YEAH! Been so looking forward to this since I started my journey around January. I asked one of the nurses if Medicare had approved the surgery as I has not received any final word. She said since I've made it this far in the process, the surgery was approved. She also said if Medicare had not approved the weight loss surgery, I would have heard immediately. Apparently Medicare's rejections are much faster than acceptions.
Started my "Atkins-type" diet plan yesterday: NO/LOW CARBS. Suggested total for each day: 20-carbs. Made a protein shake (with 1% milk) and added a banana, powdered peanut butter w/chocolate (it's called PB2), and it all added up to: 50-carbs. Yikes! Carbs are so easy and quick to add up. I'll have to re-think my menus.
Went shopping to pick up a few more 'healthy' food items and spent the better part of two hours at the store just reading labels. Wish those labels were printed larger. Easy to see how all those carbs/sugars can sneak in.
