I awoke this morning to some scale goodness - I am down 13 pounds from my surgery date! Two more pounds before I hit my "stable" weight, and seven to go before I'm no longer consider obese, but simply overweight, and ten to hit my lowest weight ever. As my mother used to say, "it's all water weight", but it still feels good to have it gone.
I am obsessive about tracking my food and exercise on MyFitnessPal.com. I'm getting plenty of protein but worry a little bit about not getting enough fiber. I look forward to the day when I can eat lots of fresh veggies again, but for now, it's "soft" foods only.
Here's my typical day:
Breakfast
Before breakfast, I have 2 cups of coffee, and take my morning Prilosec. For breakfast, I have 1 large egg, poached with 1 T. shredded cheese, garnished with fresh chives from my garden. And the first of 3 vitamins is taken.
Morning Snack
1 piece of string cheese (Frigo's Cheeseheads - yummy)
Lunch
Protein Shake, which I make with chocolate protein powder, PB2 (powdered peanut butter), skim milk, and a little instant coffee to bring out the chocolate flavor. When I remember, I add a tablespoon of Chia seeds, which has lots of fiber and protein. Second vitamin is chewed up and swallowed!
Afternoon Snack
1/2 cup of nonfat cottage cheese (luckily, I like cottage cheese)
Dinner
1/2 c. creamy soup (this week it was wild rice) with about 1 oz. chicken breast mixed in
1/2 c. green beans
Third and final vitamin of the day!
Evening Snack
Another piece of string cheese! I also generally have 1 or 2 cups of Sleepytime tea in the evenings when I'm winding down to go to bed. My second Prilosec dose is taken now too.
And slowly but surely I'm getting my exercise, although with the rain the last 3 days it hasn't been easy. My legs complain the most; guess I should do some stretches before I hit the pavement.
With all the rain, the Summer Palace grounds are looking green and lush. The trees are all leafing out (they have a way to go yet), and the rhubarb is growing liking gangbusters! I'm a little concerned that the asparagus hasn't come up yet, but it has been a weird Spring. I planted some sugar snap peas this weekend and now need to get in the greens. Another week and the tomatoes can go outside too!
So much work and so little time! I guess I better get at it!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Day 11
Today is day 11 since my surgery. Yesterday for the first time I made it the entire day without taking at least one nap! I was determined to get some exercise too, so I went out for a walk. Five minutes in I was huffing and puffing and felt like I had run a marathon. Geez, am I out of shape or what? Still, I managed 20 minutes around the park. I'll see if I can do it again today in the breaks between rain.
I've lost 9 pounds since surgery, which is excellent news. I had my original lap band surgery 7 years ago, and my intent then was to lose weight. I lost about 60 pounds, gained 10 back, then stabilized at about 53 pounds lost. Still in the 'obese' category, but much better than where I started. My surgeon has told me that I actually did very well with the band; better than most. I knew that if I wanted to lose the remainder of the weight I needed to get off my butt and start exercising, and pay better attention to what I ate.
So when I had complications from the band and was told I should remove it and revise to gastric sleeve, my intent was to try and simply maintain; not regain the weight; knowing that either surgery is simply a tool and the work is all me. The complications had gotten so severe from the band, however, that I had a complete unfill in February, meaning that I could eat anything I wanted again. So I went on a spree of eating everything I couldn't for the last 7 years. Pizza Hut deep dish pizza...4 days in a row. Cheeseburgers with the bun, french fries, you name it. And I promptly gained 15 pounds!
I'm still 6 pounds from my 'stable' weight. I'm kicking myself for the weeks of excess, but have settled into a day-to-day of between 600 and 900 calories and eating every 2 hours. I haven't had alcohol since surgery either, and don't intend to for awhile. It was one of my big weight triggers, especially in the summer when everyone parties on the weekends. I track every morsel that goes into my mouth. Obsessive, yes, but necessary at the beginning.
I am grateful for the second chance.
I've lost 9 pounds since surgery, which is excellent news. I had my original lap band surgery 7 years ago, and my intent then was to lose weight. I lost about 60 pounds, gained 10 back, then stabilized at about 53 pounds lost. Still in the 'obese' category, but much better than where I started. My surgeon has told me that I actually did very well with the band; better than most. I knew that if I wanted to lose the remainder of the weight I needed to get off my butt and start exercising, and pay better attention to what I ate.
So when I had complications from the band and was told I should remove it and revise to gastric sleeve, my intent was to try and simply maintain; not regain the weight; knowing that either surgery is simply a tool and the work is all me. The complications had gotten so severe from the band, however, that I had a complete unfill in February, meaning that I could eat anything I wanted again. So I went on a spree of eating everything I couldn't for the last 7 years. Pizza Hut deep dish pizza...4 days in a row. Cheeseburgers with the bun, french fries, you name it. And I promptly gained 15 pounds!
I'm still 6 pounds from my 'stable' weight. I'm kicking myself for the weeks of excess, but have settled into a day-to-day of between 600 and 900 calories and eating every 2 hours. I haven't had alcohol since surgery either, and don't intend to for awhile. It was one of my big weight triggers, especially in the summer when everyone parties on the weekends. I track every morsel that goes into my mouth. Obsessive, yes, but necessary at the beginning.
I am grateful for the second chance.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
What Happens When the Propane Runs Out
Early this morning (like 4:30 this morning early), my cats piled on top of me. I was cold, so I didn't mind so much. Then I got really cold, even with the blankets of fur. Why, oh why, does the propane decide to run out in the middle of the night of the coldest night of the summer? It happens this way every year!
I put my slippers on and my warmest robe and went outside to switch tanks. When I got back in the house it was 44 degrees inside - no wonder my furry friends were complaining!
The furnace and space heater back on, I decided to stay up and brew my first cup of coffee. The sun rises early here, and with the sunrise came the deer. The one that came closest had a broken back leg, poor thing. I guess nature will take care of her. Through the trees I could see other shapes moving, in search of their breakfast. It must be hard on them this year, with the late start to spring.
Today is day 5 after surgery. And I'm grateful.
I put my slippers on and my warmest robe and went outside to switch tanks. When I got back in the house it was 44 degrees inside - no wonder my furry friends were complaining!
The furnace and space heater back on, I decided to stay up and brew my first cup of coffee. The sun rises early here, and with the sunrise came the deer. The one that came closest had a broken back leg, poor thing. I guess nature will take care of her. Through the trees I could see other shapes moving, in search of their breakfast. It must be hard on them this year, with the late start to spring.
Today is day 5 after surgery. And I'm grateful.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Six New Holes I Didn't Have Before
I had my lap band removed and a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) done 2 days ago in the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. It was done laparoscopically, so I have 6 new incisions in my abdomen. Six new scars added to the previous ones from gall bladder removal and the original lap band placement.
Like my previous surgeries, my main complaint was nausea; so bad that would get the dry heaves at least once an hour. And like all hospitals, lack of sleep because a nurse would poke and prod me every hour.
I'm home now; very tired but not a lot of pain. It's a struggle to get enough nourishment in my body since I'm not hungry and can only do liquids or pureed food right now. But I'm not complaining - I had two surgeries done at one time so I don't have to go back into the hospital in a couple of months.
On the Summer Palace front, my rhubarb is leafing out fast! When I arrived here on May 5th it was just a red stub on the surface, but now it has leaves! Same for the chives - I can start harvesting them any time. No asparagus yet, but that'll be next.
Like my previous surgeries, my main complaint was nausea; so bad that would get the dry heaves at least once an hour. And like all hospitals, lack of sleep because a nurse would poke and prod me every hour.
I'm home now; very tired but not a lot of pain. It's a struggle to get enough nourishment in my body since I'm not hungry and can only do liquids or pureed food right now. But I'm not complaining - I had two surgeries done at one time so I don't have to go back into the hospital in a couple of months.
On the Summer Palace front, my rhubarb is leafing out fast! When I arrived here on May 5th it was just a red stub on the surface, but now it has leaves! Same for the chives - I can start harvesting them any time. No asparagus yet, but that'll be next.
Monday, April 29, 2013
How Do YOU Define Good Service?
Today on my lunch hour I went to the UPS store to ship several boxes to my Summer Palace. The young man working behind the counter was very professional, and VERY polite. He managed to work the word "ma'am" into every sentence, as in "are the boxes all going to the same place ma'am", or "have you shipped with us before ma'am" or "what's your phone number ma'am". Every sentence, although polite beyond words, was said with an unsmiling expression.
He finished weighing and measuring 4 of the 5 boxes, then started to give me a total price. I pointed out that he missed a box, and without a "sorry" or "oops", he started weighing and measuring that box too. I made a decidedly lame joke like "it must be 5 for the price of 4 today", which elicited no response, not even a glimmer of a smile. Just silence. I tilted my head and said "that was a joke - feel free to laugh!, and again, no response whatsoever. The other guy behind the counter snickered; even the customer in line behind me laughed. My guy - nada.
At first I was uncomfortable, then annoyed. Then I realized that the clerk also never made eye contact with me. Super efficient, but no sign of human emotion whatsoever. Robot? New bio-engineered human being tested by UPS to kill off Fedex? Those thoughts made me smile, and as I signed my receipt, I admired the pen I was given to sign.
"You can have it ma'am".
"Really? This is payment for not laughing at my joke, right?"
"No ma'am."
The other guy behind the counter was laughing hard now. I smiled, thanked the young man who was still showing no expression whatsoever, and walked out with a smile and bounce to my step. Even if he didn't laugh, he still made me smile.
As I was driving home, I thought more about the rather odd encounter. Maybe the kid has Asperger's or some other form of autism. I wonder how someone else might handle the same type of encounter - would they laugh, or would they get mad and complain about the service?
I got excellent service - everything was done quickly and accurately. But that tiny moment where I was uncomfortable could have led me down an entirely different thought path.
Best of luck to you young man.
He finished weighing and measuring 4 of the 5 boxes, then started to give me a total price. I pointed out that he missed a box, and without a "sorry" or "oops", he started weighing and measuring that box too. I made a decidedly lame joke like "it must be 5 for the price of 4 today", which elicited no response, not even a glimmer of a smile. Just silence. I tilted my head and said "that was a joke - feel free to laugh!, and again, no response whatsoever. The other guy behind the counter snickered; even the customer in line behind me laughed. My guy - nada.
At first I was uncomfortable, then annoyed. Then I realized that the clerk also never made eye contact with me. Super efficient, but no sign of human emotion whatsoever. Robot? New bio-engineered human being tested by UPS to kill off Fedex? Those thoughts made me smile, and as I signed my receipt, I admired the pen I was given to sign.
"You can have it ma'am".
"Really? This is payment for not laughing at my joke, right?"
"No ma'am."
The other guy behind the counter was laughing hard now. I smiled, thanked the young man who was still showing no expression whatsoever, and walked out with a smile and bounce to my step. Even if he didn't laugh, he still made me smile.
As I was driving home, I thought more about the rather odd encounter. Maybe the kid has Asperger's or some other form of autism. I wonder how someone else might handle the same type of encounter - would they laugh, or would they get mad and complain about the service?
I got excellent service - everything was done quickly and accurately. But that tiny moment where I was uncomfortable could have led me down an entirely different thought path.
Best of luck to you young man.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Nerves of Mush
Only 5 days before I leave for my Summer Palace, with Grace and Sam in tow. I've put both carriers in the house with comfy blankets and catnip in them to get them used to their temporary home, but so far only Sam has taken the bait. He's checked out both carriers but has definitely settled on one. Grace, on the other hand, won't go near them even with the enticement of catnip. For some reason I thought she'd be the easy one!
It'll be fine.
I'm nervous about a day and a half in the car with two howling cats and what that will do to their stress levels (not to mention mine).
It'll be fine.
My (first) surgery has been scheduled for right after I arrive, on May 8, so I'm nervous about that too. Who will take me to the hospital, who will take me home, how much pain will there be, can I go on my business trip at the end of the month, who will feed my cats while I'm gone?
It'll be fine.
What have I forgotten to do before my trip? I got my dentist and doctor exams out of the way, and I'll get my boxes shipped tomorrow and my oil changed sometime this week. Even though I have a list I've been using for 5 years, I always feel like I'm forgetting something. With two cat carriers in the car, will I have room for the stuff I can't ship?
It'll be fine.
Deep breath. Get some rest. Eat right. It'll be fine.
It'll be fine.
I'm nervous about a day and a half in the car with two howling cats and what that will do to their stress levels (not to mention mine).
It'll be fine.
My (first) surgery has been scheduled for right after I arrive, on May 8, so I'm nervous about that too. Who will take me to the hospital, who will take me home, how much pain will there be, can I go on my business trip at the end of the month, who will feed my cats while I'm gone?
It'll be fine.
What have I forgotten to do before my trip? I got my dentist and doctor exams out of the way, and I'll get my boxes shipped tomorrow and my oil changed sometime this week. Even though I have a list I've been using for 5 years, I always feel like I'm forgetting something. With two cat carriers in the car, will I have room for the stuff I can't ship?
It'll be fine.
Deep breath. Get some rest. Eat right. It'll be fine.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Emerging from Hibernation
Sometimes it feels like my life is the 5 months I spend at my Summer Palace, and the other 7 months are meant to just get through. I burrow down deep with my head under the covers hoping that I can stay in bed just a little while longer.
But pretty big things happen in those 7 months too. Since October I've traveled to Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and home to Casselton, ND.
Late in January, I discovered that my Lap Band had slipped and I had a hernia, the combination of which had caused my unbearable acid reflux for the past two or three years and the occasional bout of vomiting up everything I ate. I have a plan for fixing it, but the dang insurance company is dragging their feet. Hopefully soon I'll get the approval and I'll fly back up to North Dakota to have the surgery that will remove my band and fix my hernia. Yes, I am choosing to have it done in Fargo. I'll be in my Summer Palace before I know it, so I won't have to worry about flying back to Texas for follow-up care.
My friend from childhood, Melanie, has a very successful band in Minneapolis, and they traveled all the way to Casselton, a town of about 2000 people, to play for us, in the hotel another childhood friend owns. It was like a school reunion, but with only the people you really wanted to see! Both of my brothers were there, 1 sister-in-law, 3 nieces and a nephew-in-law. I kept my 24 year old niece out with me until 4 a.m. at the band's after party, much to her dismay and my delight.
Melanie and her husband stayed an extra day so we could catch up and experience all the small town atmosphere. Saturday we went to the Vet's Club and played Bingo. My sister-in-law won $7, but the rest of us weren't so lucky. Afterwards, lured by free Reuben sandwiches, Melanie, her husband, and I went to the Red Baron Bar, now in the old building where the Red Owl grocery store used to be. The tin ceiling is still there, and much of the bar looks like the old Baron, but we lamented the loss of the "skinny" mirror that used to hang in the ladies bathroom. The Reuben's were oh-my-gosh good, and I was told that the secret is to mix the sauerkraut with the Thousand Island dressing so it's not so messy.
Melanie and I then got a tour of the Maple River Distillery (it was after hours, but we happen to know the owners). After numerous samples of Rhubarb Vodka, Pear Brandy, and Chokecherry something or other, we purchased more bottles then we needed and headed back to the Red Baron. The original owner of the Red Baron, now in his 80's, hung out with us for awhile, and flattered us by telling us that the new owners really needed to card us since we obviously weren't old enough to be served.
And for St. Patrick's Day itself, my brother made us Corned Beef and Cabbage, with potatoes and carrots. So good! Even better with the blizzard (second one of my stay) that arrived and cancelled work for them the next day.
The trees and wisteria is blooming in Texas, and the Bluebonnets will be out soon. One more month before I go back to my Summer Palace, assuming that the mountains of snow will be gone by then! I am bringing my 2 cats with me this year, which will be an adventure in itself!
But pretty big things happen in those 7 months too. Since October I've traveled to Phoenix and Mesa, AZ, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and home to Casselton, ND.
Late in January, I discovered that my Lap Band had slipped and I had a hernia, the combination of which had caused my unbearable acid reflux for the past two or three years and the occasional bout of vomiting up everything I ate. I have a plan for fixing it, but the dang insurance company is dragging their feet. Hopefully soon I'll get the approval and I'll fly back up to North Dakota to have the surgery that will remove my band and fix my hernia. Yes, I am choosing to have it done in Fargo. I'll be in my Summer Palace before I know it, so I won't have to worry about flying back to Texas for follow-up care.
My friend from childhood, Melanie, has a very successful band in Minneapolis, and they traveled all the way to Casselton, a town of about 2000 people, to play for us, in the hotel another childhood friend owns. It was like a school reunion, but with only the people you really wanted to see! Both of my brothers were there, 1 sister-in-law, 3 nieces and a nephew-in-law. I kept my 24 year old niece out with me until 4 a.m. at the band's after party, much to her dismay and my delight.
Melanie and her husband stayed an extra day so we could catch up and experience all the small town atmosphere. Saturday we went to the Vet's Club and played Bingo. My sister-in-law won $7, but the rest of us weren't so lucky. Afterwards, lured by free Reuben sandwiches, Melanie, her husband, and I went to the Red Baron Bar, now in the old building where the Red Owl grocery store used to be. The tin ceiling is still there, and much of the bar looks like the old Baron, but we lamented the loss of the "skinny" mirror that used to hang in the ladies bathroom. The Reuben's were oh-my-gosh good, and I was told that the secret is to mix the sauerkraut with the Thousand Island dressing so it's not so messy.
Melanie and I then got a tour of the Maple River Distillery (it was after hours, but we happen to know the owners). After numerous samples of Rhubarb Vodka, Pear Brandy, and Chokecherry something or other, we purchased more bottles then we needed and headed back to the Red Baron. The original owner of the Red Baron, now in his 80's, hung out with us for awhile, and flattered us by telling us that the new owners really needed to card us since we obviously weren't old enough to be served.
And for St. Patrick's Day itself, my brother made us Corned Beef and Cabbage, with potatoes and carrots. So good! Even better with the blizzard (second one of my stay) that arrived and cancelled work for them the next day.
The trees and wisteria is blooming in Texas, and the Bluebonnets will be out soon. One more month before I go back to my Summer Palace, assuming that the mountains of snow will be gone by then! I am bringing my 2 cats with me this year, which will be an adventure in itself!
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