So I made it to my 2 week post op visit with my doctor. The scale said I am down an additional 6.5 pounds. I was thrilled because on the booklet they give to you pre-surgery it says that I should be losing 3 to 5 pounds.
Then came the protein shake discussion. I explained to the doctor that I just couldn't stomach them. Here's a plug for unjury. The chocolate unjury shakes taste really good. However, when you have been on chocolate optifast for a few weeks pre-surgery anything chocolate just doesn't tickle your fancy as it once did. We had a really in depth discussion on the importance of protein drinks and how they will be my life long friend. He said a year later, when I have lost all of the weight, proteins will help stabilize my weight again if I see that I start to gain a few unwanted pounds. He stressed how important it is to my weight loss. He offered different suggestions and highlighted some others for me to try.
In addition, I have moved on to Phase II. Now I get to add calcium, B12, and zinc to my daily life of vitamins and minerals. And after I drink all of my proteins, if and only if I am still hungry, hello 1/2 oz of cottage cheese, greek yogurt, or scrambled eggs.
Towards the end of my visit I had a mini breakdown and felt so embarrassed. I asked him if it was normal to salivate after a Red Lobster commercial. Not because you are hungry but because you know what something good tastes like. He smiled and said yes and that's why they make commercials. He stressed that because I am not eating all of my proteins I am feeling like this, but once I get the full amount of proteins I will feel differently. He also mentioned that not alot of patients will tell him this. I guess I am different, but if he's taking care of me then he really needs to know the truth about how I am feeling. I can't say how much I appreciate that he really does listen and want to help. Makes me feel like I am not simply his statistic.
Immediately after the visit, I dragged the hubby to the closest GNC and spent a good 20 minutes looking at various protein shakes and drinks. Close to $75.00 later I walked out with 4 different flavors of Isopure protein drinks, Amplified Wheybolic Extreme in Chocolate and Vanilla, Ultra Zinc Lozenges, Biotin Shampoo (I am not ready to go bald yet), and some Calcium Chews that I sampled at the checkout counter....caramel flavored - quite tasty!
As I sit and type this, I am happy to report that the Apple Melon if placed over ice tastes like Now and Later candy. My day is definitely looking up in the protein department and I am not feeling as sad as I have been feeling in the past few days.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Reasons for My Weight Loss Surgery
I probably should have started this blog since day one of my surgery, but my experience with this journey has been so different than my other friends who have had the surgery, that I figured I would start this mini diary in the event that it can help someone else out.
I am 34 years old and started this journey at 276 pounds. That was my starting weight two years ago. You see although I started this path two years ago, I took a year break due to a conversion at work. (Although the reality is that I think I really wasn't ready my first go around)
I finally decided that this year would be it and that I would stop tinkering with the idea and finally get it over and with so I could become a healthier me. As I ate my pre-surgery shakes of Optifast I remember the last week being miserable. Countless times I hugged my husband and would tell him I didn't care if I was fat and he would cheer me on that it was about health and that a year later I would be happy. You see the reality is that if it weren't for diabetes, sleep apnea, and really bad back problems that landed me in the hospital for a week last year, I really might have not decided to go this route. I have not always been morbidly obese although I never won a prize for being the skinniest chick in high school. All my life I have struggled with my weight. From the ages of 23-30, I maintained my weight anywhere from 200-225. However, in the past 4 years I blew up and after struggling with South Beach, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig you name it I just couldn't keep it off for longer than 3 months.
On 2/22/11 (which I now consider a lucky number), I had my surgery. I won't bore you with the details of how painful the days following the surgery were...I mean it's surgery right? What surgery isn't painful? Just shy of two weeks from having my surgery I feel a bit better each day that goes by.
My experience though has been alot different than others in which ways?
1.) Removing the drain did not hurt (either I have a high tolerance for pain or my surgeon has the utmost gentlest hands)
2.) I didn't have to take more than 2 days of nausea medication. I just didn't have that problem.
3.) Vitamins don't make me throw up...I like them.
It's now Day 13th since my surgery and I do find myself struggling with a few things. Stage 1 of the Gastric Bypass is no joke.
For one, I wish that I had realized that although you have the surgery, your desire for food is there when you smell something you love. My husband no longer eats in front of me. The other day he made the mistake of coming to the living room with a slice of pizza and I literally told him to get the hell out. I thought I was going to kill him! (Poor thing)
If I see a commercial of something I love, I start to salivate and think about how delicious it is and how I should have had that before surgery. So yes, my fatty girl mentality is still there.
Lastly, the thing that is paining me the most are the protein shakes. I HATE them. However, I know that proteins are very important for tissue repair and healing and vital so that I don't lose my hair. For two days I have fought drinking them and not getting anywhere near the 32 ounces my doctor wants me drinking. However, today I am making an effort to at least have 16 ounces.
I go see the doctor tomorrow and can't wait! By the way in the past two weeks I have lost 21 pounds. Hopefully the scale will show a little bit more weight loss. I have been pushing past the pain and walking as the doctor ordered. :)
I am 34 years old and started this journey at 276 pounds. That was my starting weight two years ago. You see although I started this path two years ago, I took a year break due to a conversion at work. (Although the reality is that I think I really wasn't ready my first go around)
I finally decided that this year would be it and that I would stop tinkering with the idea and finally get it over and with so I could become a healthier me. As I ate my pre-surgery shakes of Optifast I remember the last week being miserable. Countless times I hugged my husband and would tell him I didn't care if I was fat and he would cheer me on that it was about health and that a year later I would be happy. You see the reality is that if it weren't for diabetes, sleep apnea, and really bad back problems that landed me in the hospital for a week last year, I really might have not decided to go this route. I have not always been morbidly obese although I never won a prize for being the skinniest chick in high school. All my life I have struggled with my weight. From the ages of 23-30, I maintained my weight anywhere from 200-225. However, in the past 4 years I blew up and after struggling with South Beach, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig you name it I just couldn't keep it off for longer than 3 months.
On 2/22/11 (which I now consider a lucky number), I had my surgery. I won't bore you with the details of how painful the days following the surgery were...I mean it's surgery right? What surgery isn't painful? Just shy of two weeks from having my surgery I feel a bit better each day that goes by.
My experience though has been alot different than others in which ways?
1.) Removing the drain did not hurt (either I have a high tolerance for pain or my surgeon has the utmost gentlest hands)
2.) I didn't have to take more than 2 days of nausea medication. I just didn't have that problem.
3.) Vitamins don't make me throw up...I like them.
It's now Day 13th since my surgery and I do find myself struggling with a few things. Stage 1 of the Gastric Bypass is no joke.
For one, I wish that I had realized that although you have the surgery, your desire for food is there when you smell something you love. My husband no longer eats in front of me. The other day he made the mistake of coming to the living room with a slice of pizza and I literally told him to get the hell out. I thought I was going to kill him! (Poor thing)
If I see a commercial of something I love, I start to salivate and think about how delicious it is and how I should have had that before surgery. So yes, my fatty girl mentality is still there.
Lastly, the thing that is paining me the most are the protein shakes. I HATE them. However, I know that proteins are very important for tissue repair and healing and vital so that I don't lose my hair. For two days I have fought drinking them and not getting anywhere near the 32 ounces my doctor wants me drinking. However, today I am making an effort to at least have 16 ounces.
I go see the doctor tomorrow and can't wait! By the way in the past two weeks I have lost 21 pounds. Hopefully the scale will show a little bit more weight loss. I have been pushing past the pain and walking as the doctor ordered. :)
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