Monday, March 4, 2013
Random 3 week babble
So right now as of today March 4th I have lost 13 pounds since surgery which was on 2/20/12 altogether I have lost 34 pounds very proud. At this time I have only been around a few people that have decided to follow my lead & get healthy. I'm pretty much back to normal. I'm just waiting until March 15th when I can eat food again well soft foods that is. This post-op diet is no joke! That's why it's important to start dieting BEFORE surgery. If you don't you won't make it through the pre-opt 2 week liquid diet. Anyway I am going to try not to blog until the 15th by that time I'll be able to give anyone who is reading my blog a review on these items that I found No calorie No carb PASTA & RICE.. If these items live up to their amazon reviews life will be great!
Friends & the new you
Ok so I was warned by the Psychiatrist that performed my evaluation & my friend that already had the sleeve that there is a 90% chance that I would lose friends in this process. I'm so naive I let their warning go in one ear & out of the other silly me. But really who would think that they would lose friends from making the decision to be healthy? Anyone who is smart that's who!
My brother asked a so called good friend to come to my house & help me with cleaning & stuff which she does & I am grateful however she also cooks a full course meal in my kitchen! Now my apartment is very small so the aroma of this meal filled all 4 rooms including the bathroom.
Now before she cooked this meal I told her that the doctor asked all family & friends to be supportive & not to eat & cook in front of me until I am comfortable with it ( like a week or so)
Then I snap & yell & she tells me I should have told her not to cook in my house. I'm thinking are you a complete idiot? I just told you not to eat In front of me so why would you cook a full course meal. I just had half my stomach removed knowing not to cook or eat in front of me should not be rocket science come on now.
Long story short she got pissed of at me ( the nerve) packed her stuff & disappeared into the night & I haven't heard from her since & guess what who cares! You don't need anyone around you that isn't going to be supportive. Dealing with all of these new changes are hard enough without shady spiteful friends in your circle.
So believe me you will lose friends but your going to lose weight too!! What's more important to you? I chose losing weight!! From 312 to my current weight 280 100 more til I reach my goal! But I can live with losing just 80 more lol
Let your haters be your motivators & Keep calm & lose weight 😁
My brother asked a so called good friend to come to my house & help me with cleaning & stuff which she does & I am grateful however she also cooks a full course meal in my kitchen! Now my apartment is very small so the aroma of this meal filled all 4 rooms including the bathroom.
Now before she cooked this meal I told her that the doctor asked all family & friends to be supportive & not to eat & cook in front of me until I am comfortable with it ( like a week or so)
Then I snap & yell & she tells me I should have told her not to cook in my house. I'm thinking are you a complete idiot? I just told you not to eat In front of me so why would you cook a full course meal. I just had half my stomach removed knowing not to cook or eat in front of me should not be rocket science come on now.
Long story short she got pissed of at me ( the nerve) packed her stuff & disappeared into the night & I haven't heard from her since & guess what who cares! You don't need anyone around you that isn't going to be supportive. Dealing with all of these new changes are hard enough without shady spiteful friends in your circle.
So believe me you will lose friends but your going to lose weight too!! What's more important to you? I chose losing weight!! From 312 to my current weight 280 100 more til I reach my goal! But I can live with losing just 80 more lol
Let your haters be your motivators & Keep calm & lose weight 😁
What time for surgery already?
So the day before surgery I was only able to have protein shakes & nothing after midnight.
I remember nothing from surgery except waking up lol. Know that 2 hours after recovery & every 2 hours for the remainder of your stay you will be expected to walk to prevent blood clots.
The day after I felt like crap! People pay attention you will be given nausea meds if you are still throwing up tell a Nurse if she says that's normal get another nurse! I kept vomiting & there was blood in my vomit I tell the nurse she told me it was normal the next morning my doctor came to visit saw the vomit and had a cow long story short it's not normal my new stomach was rejecting the morphine! How scary is that. On top of that I had no desire to eat or drink I just wanted to sleep. My neighbor could eat jello drink broth & everything. So you see everyone is different.
Also don't be afraid to ask about your meds & the maximum dosage & the times it can be administered. This is important info... Another horror story for you. Let's call her Nurse Ratchet so NR was so busy with this difficult patient that she ignored the rest of this (this is the excuse I was given by her supervisor) I never got my pain meds on time :( then come to find out that she was giving me the lowest dosage of both pain & nausea meds but forcing me to drink fluids. Thanks to every form of a higher power for a thing called SHIFT CHANGE. My new Nurse Michelle reported Nurse Ratchet to her supervisor ASAP & I never saw her the rest of my stay.
I stayed in the hospital for 3 days. On the 3rd day I was up walking around & ready to go home! Still not hungry. Yes there was pain but if you stay on top of taking your meds on time you can reduce your pain.
* Single parents (like myself) Plan for someone to keep your kid(s) for 7 days maybe more my brother kept my daughter for a week.
That first day home I slept as much as I could!! Then walked & drank water every time I woke up lol
I remember nothing from surgery except waking up lol. Know that 2 hours after recovery & every 2 hours for the remainder of your stay you will be expected to walk to prevent blood clots.
The day after I felt like crap! People pay attention you will be given nausea meds if you are still throwing up tell a Nurse if she says that's normal get another nurse! I kept vomiting & there was blood in my vomit I tell the nurse she told me it was normal the next morning my doctor came to visit saw the vomit and had a cow long story short it's not normal my new stomach was rejecting the morphine! How scary is that. On top of that I had no desire to eat or drink I just wanted to sleep. My neighbor could eat jello drink broth & everything. So you see everyone is different.
Also don't be afraid to ask about your meds & the maximum dosage & the times it can be administered. This is important info... Another horror story for you. Let's call her Nurse Ratchet so NR was so busy with this difficult patient that she ignored the rest of this (this is the excuse I was given by her supervisor) I never got my pain meds on time :( then come to find out that she was giving me the lowest dosage of both pain & nausea meds but forcing me to drink fluids. Thanks to every form of a higher power for a thing called SHIFT CHANGE. My new Nurse Michelle reported Nurse Ratchet to her supervisor ASAP & I never saw her the rest of my stay.
I stayed in the hospital for 3 days. On the 3rd day I was up walking around & ready to go home! Still not hungry. Yes there was pain but if you stay on top of taking your meds on time you can reduce your pain.
* Single parents (like myself) Plan for someone to keep your kid(s) for 7 days maybe more my brother kept my daughter for a week.
That first day home I slept as much as I could!! Then walked & drank water every time I woke up lol
Great for working parents
Mason Jar Salads via Pinterest
Whoever thought of this is a genius! I made 7 of these every Sunday & they stay fresh for 7 days! Ideal for taking your lunch to work! Eating healthy while saving money! Yes your co-workers will look at you crazy for eating out of a jar but who cares I didn't no actual recipe just create your own salad. Here are 2 important tips
1. Dressing on the bottom, lettuce on the top. If the two are touching the lettuce will turn to slime.
2. So, dressing goes in first. On top of your dressing, use a rather "hearty" vegetable such as shredded cabbage, pea pods, or julienne carrot matchsticks. They can withstand the acidity of the dressing, and actually get better!
Whoever thought of this is a genius! I made 7 of these every Sunday & they stay fresh for 7 days! Ideal for taking your lunch to work! Eating healthy while saving money! Yes your co-workers will look at you crazy for eating out of a jar but who cares I didn't no actual recipe just create your own salad. Here are 2 important tips
1. Dressing on the bottom, lettuce on the top. If the two are touching the lettuce will turn to slime.
2. So, dressing goes in first. On top of your dressing, use a rather "hearty" vegetable such as shredded cabbage, pea pods, or julienne carrot matchsticks. They can withstand the acidity of the dressing, and actually get better!
How I lived with out Tacos
Tacos in a Cup via what's Gaby Cooking
Ingredients
Homemade Taco Seasoning
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Tacos in a cup
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/4 lb ground turkey
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup shredded lettuce, shredded
1 cup salsa
1/3 cup sour cream
1 recipe guacamole
Instructions
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Combine everything in a jar and mix together. Store in an airtight container and use within 2-3 weeks.
Tacos in a cup
Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it apart using a wooden spoon. Add the taco seasoning and mix together and continue to saute until brown all over. Add 1/4 cup of water and reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer for a few minutes until all the water is evaporated.
Prepare 6 mason jars and spoon equal amounts of the ground turkey mixture into the bottom. Top with shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Serve immediately.
Ingredients
Homemade Taco Seasoning
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Tacos in a cup
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/4 lb ground turkey
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup shredded lettuce, shredded
1 cup salsa
1/3 cup sour cream
1 recipe guacamole
Instructions
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Combine everything in a jar and mix together. Store in an airtight container and use within 2-3 weeks.
Tacos in a cup
Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the ground turkey and break it apart using a wooden spoon. Add the taco seasoning and mix together and continue to saute until brown all over. Add 1/4 cup of water and reduce the heat to medium low and let simmer for a few minutes until all the water is evaporated.
Prepare 6 mason jars and spoon equal amounts of the ground turkey mixture into the bottom. Top with shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Serve immediately.
Crockpot Cabbage & Sausage lo-carb
Now if you are a fan of cabbage, sausage & crockpots this is for you
Kielbasa, cabbage and onions (low carb slow cooker) cooking spray 1 small head of cabbage , cored and cut into wedges (about 2 1/2 lbs) 1 medium onion , halved and thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup chicken broth 1 tablespoon brown mustard 1 lb kielbasa , cut into 3-inch pieces (Polish sausage)
Add it all to the crockpot cook for 3 hours on high 4-5 hours on medium or 6-7 hours on low
* I add bacon to mine
Follow my Healthy Eats board on Pintrest Dais76
Kielbasa, cabbage and onions (low carb slow cooker) cooking spray 1 small head of cabbage , cored and cut into wedges (about 2 1/2 lbs) 1 medium onion , halved and thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup chicken broth 1 tablespoon brown mustard 1 lb kielbasa , cut into 3-inch pieces (Polish sausage)
Add it all to the crockpot cook for 3 hours on high 4-5 hours on medium or 6-7 hours on low
* I add bacon to mine
Follow my Healthy Eats board on Pintrest Dais76
Cauliflower Rice via Disney Junior That's Fresh with Helen Cavallo
1 head of cauliflower Kosher salt
Take cauliflower and remove all leaves and cut off the stem until it is flush with the rest of the body, by doing so, the cauliflower will be stable on your counter to begin cutting it.
Begin shaving the cauliflower with a very sharp knife, making repetitive motions along the entire body of the cauliflower until little pellets start to fall from it.
These pellets begin to resemble rice.
Add a drizzle of olive oil to a sauté pan and place on medium heat on the stove.
Add your cauliflower rice to the pan and begin to cook until “rice” begins to soften. You can add a splash of warm tap water to the pan too if everything begins to stick. Mix around and everything should begin to soften.
Add salt to taste. You can add a little butter and parmesan cheese to the rice! Your kids will love it! VOILA! CAULIFLOWER RICE!
Take cauliflower and remove all leaves and cut off the stem until it is flush with the rest of the body, by doing so, the cauliflower will be stable on your counter to begin cutting it.
Begin shaving the cauliflower with a very sharp knife, making repetitive motions along the entire body of the cauliflower until little pellets start to fall from it.
These pellets begin to resemble rice.
Add a drizzle of olive oil to a sauté pan and place on medium heat on the stove.
Add your cauliflower rice to the pan and begin to cook until “rice” begins to soften. You can add a splash of warm tap water to the pan too if everything begins to stick. Mix around and everything should begin to soften.
Add salt to taste. You can add a little butter and parmesan cheese to the rice! Your kids will love it! VOILA! CAULIFLOWER RICE!
Mashed Cauliflower via Paula Deen
1 medium head cauliflower
1/3 cup chicken broth, warmed
2 tablespoons reduced fat sour cream
Salt and Pepper
Thinly sliced fresh chives for garnish
Directions
Place the cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, or until completely tender.
Place the cooked cauliflower in a food processor. Add chicken broth, sour cream, salt and pepper; puree until smooth. Serve garnished with sliced chives.
If you LOVE Mashed Potatoes like I do... Cauliflower Mashed is a life saver! Even my 3 year old loves it!
1/3 cup chicken broth, warmed
2 tablespoons reduced fat sour cream
Salt and Pepper
Thinly sliced fresh chives for garnish
Directions
Place the cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water, cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 to 5 minutes, or until completely tender.
Place the cooked cauliflower in a food processor. Add chicken broth, sour cream, salt and pepper; puree until smooth. Serve garnished with sliced chives.
If you LOVE Mashed Potatoes like I do... Cauliflower Mashed is a life saver! Even my 3 year old loves it!
6 Months are done
So 6 months have passed 1/21/12 my last appointment with Jodi my dietitian. I have had a sleep study , endoscopy, & heart test & psych evaluation (more pre- surgery requirements) and I'm 15 pounds lighter! You say 15 pounds over 6 months but hey with having a passionate love affair with vodka & Bud light lime -a-ritas, NO exercise & having oh 1-2 cheat days a week & remember I started August 3rd so I had every holiday from Halloween to Valentine's Day until I was scheduled for surgery Saying all of that I did damn good!
Tips: Stay away from flour! And here's what I mean Bread, tortillas and breaded & fried foods. Oh yeah rice & potatoes too :( So hard for me. Here was my rule replace all bread & tortilla with lettuce! Lettuce wraps saved my life! they have them at Walmart & HEB for any Texans. I replaced rice & mashed potatoes with cauliflower. Don't look like that cauliflower is foods best kept secret! I post recipes for these in my next post.
Drinkers: Replace all chasers Crystal Light has a wonderful line that mimics actual popular alcoholic beverages like Appletini, Peach Bellini, Margarita I love all 3 & Mojito I hate mint so of course I didn't like it anyway I mixed these with a clear liquor of my choice
Going clubbing with friends: Carry some Arnold Palmer Lemonade Tea single packets with you & some splendas & order your liquor & water get it or make this a cheat day. Yeah PLAIN alcohol has a lot of calories but zero carbs. So there! SN: flavored alcohol may contain calories. My dietitian & I both searched for the answer & couldn't find it. So you've been warned.
Now after your last appointment with your dietitian they will submit your info to your insurance company. Mine took less than two weeks to get approved & my surgery was set for the following month. February 20, 2013!! On that note...
Nicotine Smokers/users stop smoking the first day of your last month. I used Clean Cigs you can order refills that do not contain nicotine but your still smoking ... Well kinda But you will be tested for niccotine twice before surgery QUIT!!!
So weed smokers this includes the use of Blend nicotine leaves (popular in the Virgin Islands) & any type of cigars, blunts, cigarillos, blunt wraps all of that has nicotine cut it out & use zig zags pipe bongs or quit. But you can continue to smoke...
Now here is the big one... The last 2 weeks there is a chance that you will be placed on a very strict diet. I had to have 2 protein shakes a day & only one meal which consists of 3-4 ounces of a meat & A veggie. Try not to cheat. Why you ask... You need to loose weight to shrink your liver so surgery is easier for the surgeons to perform.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Ok so what's next?
So choosing my surgeons was simple I was going with the same people who worked their magic on my co-workers BMI of Texas Dr. Seger & Dr. Duperier both awesome surgeons. If your close to San Antonio look them up! Check out their reviews on google if you don't believe me.
Depending on your insurance companies regulations you may have a waiting period. So since this info is based on YOUR insurance & employer I am sharing mine with you. I have BCBS of MN with them it was a 6 month waiting period before you could have surgery covered and during that time you have to work with a dietician. ( Mine was fabulous Jodi w/ BMI) I had to see her every 30 days. She taught me a lot & I am forever greatful.
My pre-surgery advice: your dietician will want you to start changing your eating habits ASAP! I agree this is a lifestyle change not a quick fix. Does that mean I changed right away of course not I ate all my favorite foods for the next two weeks after my appointment. Now I will say if your 6 months falls during the holidays October thru December you will gain weight don't be hard on yourself it happens. I gained 4 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. It happens!
Oh yes I forgot niccotine smokers please be prepared you will have to stop smoking at least 30 days before surgery. Weed smokers congrats.. You don't yep I smoked both all day before surgery don't judge me it's only looked down on because it's illegal in 90% of the US.
Depending on your insurance companies regulations you may have a waiting period. So since this info is based on YOUR insurance & employer I am sharing mine with you. I have BCBS of MN with them it was a 6 month waiting period before you could have surgery covered and during that time you have to work with a dietician. ( Mine was fabulous Jodi w/ BMI) I had to see her every 30 days. She taught me a lot & I am forever greatful.
My pre-surgery advice: your dietician will want you to start changing your eating habits ASAP! I agree this is a lifestyle change not a quick fix. Does that mean I changed right away of course not I ate all my favorite foods for the next two weeks after my appointment. Now I will say if your 6 months falls during the holidays October thru December you will gain weight don't be hard on yourself it happens. I gained 4 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. It happens!
Oh yes I forgot niccotine smokers please be prepared you will have to stop smoking at least 30 days before surgery. Weed smokers congrats.. You don't yep I smoked both all day before surgery don't judge me it's only looked down on because it's illegal in 90% of the US.
The big decision!
So what made me get the gastric sleeve? Well let me be honest, I have never been skinny & was never really worried about my weight until 2009. You see in 2009 I was happy & in love with life & my daughter's father. Then here comes March 4th the second worst day of my life. I received a call that my mother was pretty much dead & I need to hurry back to Texas to tell her goodbye, 24 hours after I arrived she passed away with me holding her hand. It still feels like yesterday. So of course I was eating everything in site duh! I'm BEYOND depressed! SHE was my best friend :(
Then to make matters crazier... 3 months later I found out I was pregnant & my due date..... March 5th the day my mother died. Even better my daughter's father wants nothing to do with my pregnancy or my beautiful daughter :( Did I mention that I was fired from my job too? Valium please prozac something!!
So yeah with all of that .... (recap) dead mom, pregnant & dumped & umemployed all within 3 months!! You can only imagine how the weight added on. Funny thing I gained all my "additional" weight AFTER I gave birth. Depression is a muthafucker. Next thing I know it's 2012 I'm alone in this world with my now 2 year old & I am a whopping 312 yes 312 pounds.
So one day I was talking to a co-worker was telling me that she was having a gastric bypass & another one was having a gastric sleeve & our work insurance pays for it @ 100% no deductable or out of pocket. What!!! Awesome but I'm still scared but seeing those 2 losing 90+ pounds in 7 months sealed the deal!! I'm going to do it!!
Then to make matters crazier... 3 months later I found out I was pregnant & my due date..... March 5th the day my mother died. Even better my daughter's father wants nothing to do with my pregnancy or my beautiful daughter :( Did I mention that I was fired from my job too? Valium please prozac something!!
So yeah with all of that .... (recap) dead mom, pregnant & dumped & umemployed all within 3 months!! You can only imagine how the weight added on. Funny thing I gained all my "additional" weight AFTER I gave birth. Depression is a muthafucker. Next thing I know it's 2012 I'm alone in this world with my now 2 year old & I am a whopping 312 yes 312 pounds.
So one day I was talking to a co-worker was telling me that she was having a gastric bypass & another one was having a gastric sleeve & our work insurance pays for it @ 100% no deductable or out of pocket. What!!! Awesome but I'm still scared but seeing those 2 losing 90+ pounds in 7 months sealed the deal!! I'm going to do it!!
The Introduction
Hi, my name is D, I am a 36 yr old Pinterest addicted Single Mother of a 3 year old & this is my blog about me & my gastric sleeve. Why did I start this blog because I had a lot of questions that I never found the answer too. Some many people past judgement on others for the questions they had & that is on 80% of the Baritric discussion boards I came across and if it wasn't judgement then the most popular ask was ask your doctor.
Now what this blog will consist of .... My journey to my new lifestyle! Things that I found that were successful ie.. Healthy recipes & excersices and challenges that I have faced along the way. I just ask that you do not place judgement on me, I am here to help someone who is like me. So let's get started
Now what this blog will consist of .... My journey to my new lifestyle! Things that I found that were successful ie.. Healthy recipes & excersices and challenges that I have faced along the way. I just ask that you do not place judgement on me, I am here to help someone who is like me. So let's get started
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