Post Op Visit

Hello all, it's been a few days. Let me catch you up.

Tuesday was one week since surgery. I got to move up from thin liquids to full liquids. Cream of wheat has never tasted so good! I can have yogurt and sugar free pudding and some soups. Tuesday evening I ate too much tomato soup and that was bad! I ended up feeling crummy all night. So, now I know what too much feels like.

Wednesday I did much better at eating every 2 hours or so. I tried a protein shake, the same ones I was drinking pre-op, and YUCK. I couldn't get past the taste. It was thick and heavy and horrible. I can't wait to get to the scrambled eggs stage.

Today I had my check up. I got there at 1:50 for a 2:00 appointment. The doctor was way late due to emergency surgery. I got yo sit and chat with 2 other ladies that started this process the same time as I did. It's nice to see them and ask questions that no one else really understands. I gave them my business card to email me. Anyway, saw the doc about 4. Even he was a bit shocked to see I had lost 23lbs since I was last there on the 3rd. His words were "You are doing awesome. Maybe one of the best so far". That sure made it feel like all my hard work was worth it!

Anyway, I stopped by Panera Bread and got a cup of broccoli cheddar for dinner and a potato soup for tomorrow. Yum.

The question of "Did you tell everyone, or just some people"?
The other ladies were surprised I have told everyone and even sharing it with the world. Here is my why.
1. I have an amazing family. They all love and support me and pray for me. They all accept me as the fat girl and love me anyway. I have no doubts they will love me as the thin girl too.
2. I have wonderful friends. I really couldn't have done this without all of you. I have had several meals provided so I didn't have to cook. That is a true blessing. My friends have checked in on me, given me hint on good protein shakes, sent over new healthy meal plans to try later, stopped by to keep me company, watched kids, and even helped clean my house. WOW. I am so blessed.
3. Last, I have always been an open book kinda person. I really hope at least one person learns from me. No matter how big or small, I pray that my story will inspire others to get healthy. I decided I couldn't do it alone and the band will be a life long tool for me. However you decide is up to you.

I Over Did It

Happy Monday! There's no school today so my kids are still sleeping!

I had a very busy weekend. Saturday I had a 31 show. It was the first time since the surgery that I got fully dressed with makeup and fixed my hair. It felt good. I started the get ready process about 1 and left for the show about 3. I had my my m drive me and help with the show. I did my show and it went well. It was the longest I had stood up since surgery. By the time me I got home I was exhausted.

Sunday was not as fun. I really wanted to go to church. Brian leaves early to help set up, so that meant no pain meds and I would drive. I woke to my alarm and a bit of cuddles with my baby girl. With in seconds I was running to the bathroom. This liquid diet is catching up and I think I need depends. But I made it to church and it was worth it. I was reminded that everything I do is for the glory of God and I know God will be pleased that I am letting go of my food addiction and taking care of my body.

By the time I got home I was feeling sick. I was extra bloated like all my gas from surgery came back. I couldn't keep my eyes open and was asleep before lunch. I started feeling better by bed time. I think that's my sign that I did too much!

Anyway, Tuesday I move to a full liquid diet. Bring on the pudding and tomato soup!

I Licked a French Fry

Today I left the house. I was running low on pain meds so I rode with Brian to Walgreens just to get a change of scenery. Brian wanted McDonald's for lunch. He ordered his regular and I ordered a small unsweet tea with NO ice. The girl taking the order repeated NO ICE, of course I got ice. Brian ask the dude to fix it, he was a bit ticked, but did it. So we were on our way home and for the first time since surgery something smelled good! And that's when it happened...I licked a French fry.

Now I'm home drinking my tea without ice and eating lemon jello.

Happy Friday to you all.

It's The New Me!

Well I'm home. Came home on Tuesday after surgery. I am blessed to have an amazing husband through this. My mom took the girls out to dinner.

The first night was rough. My core feels like it has been run over by an eighteen wheeler. I had to have help each time I got in and or our of bed. I was up and walking the halls often to keep the gas moving. By daylight I was getting out of bed alone.

Wednesday Brian took the day off and we stayed in our jammies and hung out on the couch and watched movies. I slept most of the day. For dinner a friend from church made the family chicken, mashed potatoes, salad and brownies. My family loved it and had seconds.

Today I'm doing even better. I slept well last night. I was only up twice, but didn't take pain meds. This morning I was I was in much pain. But after meds and a nap I took my first shower. It was lovely.

As far as my appetite, there is none. I even finish an ice pop or a jello cup in one sitting. I'm getting fluids. Peppermint tea and pink lemonade made with splenda are my best friends.

Thanks again for all the prayers. I feel so loved and supported.

Well tomorrow is the day. I'm starting to get nervous.

I got 2 nights of homework done with the girls, got them showered and packed to spend the night with the neighbors. I am blessed to have friends 2 houses down that I trust with my kids. They will put them on the bus tomorrow so we can leave about 5:15.

The last bit of my 48 hour liquid diet was hard. I'm feeling week and have a slight headache. I will be going to bed soon.

If you want an update feel free to text me. Brian will have my phone. If you need the number Facebook message me and I'll give it to you.

I will update as soon as I am able. Thank you all for the support and prayers.

3 Day Count Down!

I got my call this morning to confirm surgery for Tuesday and I need to be downtown at 6:30am. I can eat food today and tomorrow and then Sunday and Monday I am on a liquid diet with nothing to eat after midnight on Monday.

I realized I neveactuallyly gave details about what I am having done. I am having an IBand. It's a somewhat new procedure. I will get the Lap Band as well as having my stomach folded and then he will sew up the folds to make it smaller. Here is a link I found that describes it pretty well.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/austinbariatric/iband_plication/prweb8945950.htm

I will go on a 2 week liquid diet after surgery and then 3 weeks of mushed foods. As I was told even chicken and stars must be blended. After that I get to start trying real food again.

I am ready to go. I am finally getting to the point in my pre-op diet where I am STARVING! I want to eat all day. My go to right now for sweets is a spoonful of peanut butter. But all in all I am still doing well and have stayed away from the candy and ice cream. I am down a total of 12 pounds so I am pleased.

10.5 Pounds in 8 Days

So I am finding out that people like to read blogs. So, I will do my best to update often.

My grand news today is that I am down 10 1/2 pounds in 8 days. WOW. I love that I am already showing progress. I have done diets before, but they didn't show results this fast. I guess it's true it's a lifestyle change and not a diet.
I have been writing down my weight with a sharpie on the glass shower in our bathroom. My husband started doing it too!

I am really kinda liking things now that I am past the sugar detox. I had a MOPS meeting today and ate 2 kolaches from the kolache factory. My favorite thing about those is the bread, but I cut it open and ate the egg and bacon inside (I put aside the potato too). I also tried spinach egg stuff and it was good! Tonight we are having baked chicken with Italian seasoning and baked squash and zucchini. I made rice for the rest of the family. I'm hungry and really excited to eat it! My headaches are so much better. Still kinda get one toward the end of the day, but today I ate a banana at about 3:45 and no headache!

So, to end today I want to say a big thank you to all my amazing friends that have offered to bring food after my surgery. I will be on a 2 week liquid diet, but the rest of the family would love to eat! I am so blessed to have you all in my life!

Oh, and p.s. I think figured out how to do paragraphs! LOL

A Turn for the Better!

Today is day 4 of the pre-op. I feel SO MUCH BETTER! Today I woke up at 7:26 ready to go. Got my protein shake in me and a cup of coffee right away and the day was great! I took my 2 kids and the baby I watch on Fridays to Chuck E. Cheese to meet my good friend and to celebrate her daughter turning 5! I was worried about lunch, but the salad bar was good. I had egg and ham and veggies on my salad and I was full. I REALLY wanted pizza, so I pulled a small bit of toppings off and just had that one bite. Got my second shake in for snack and beef roast and broccoli for dinner. I just hope the low sugar days are behind me. The rest of the family had ice cream after dinner...I long for it. But I had the lick of the back of a spoon and it was all i needed. (I really needed to taste the Ben and Jerry's Red Velvet Cake). So, all in all I think I am over the hump and ready for the weekend to begin! Thanks for all the well wishes and support. I am so blessed to have so my friends and family cheering me on! Love you all!

What? Why? When? Where?

So I have let the cat out of the bag...I'm having weight loss surgery on January 15th. This will be my blog where I can keep track of my progress and share it with those who want to follow with me. My weight on January 1st was 291.5. Yes, I just posted my weight for the whole world to read. And it bothers me. It's the most I have EVER weighed. This is why I have to do this. I can't keep doing things like I have in the past. I need a hand holder, doctors orders, anmeasurablele success. I started my pre-op diet on January 1st. As of today, January 3, 2013 I am down to 284lbs. Starting my year off right. I am on a high protine diet with no carbs and sugars. Day one was easy! Day two, not so bad. But day 3...is it over yet? The full effects of the detox my body is going through has hit me full force. I am sick to my stomach have a bad headache and have weird cramps in odd places. But I am going to stick it out. Thank God for my amazing husband for taking care of me today. Stay tuned for more updates.