Hi OH buddies,

I have had some new things happen for me lately.  One of my goals was to ride a roller coaster and fit in the seat, comfortably.  I got on the smallest seat with the tightest restraints with no problem, Yay!  Only to discover the years have made me a chicken and I can't take the beating those things give you, Boo!  I walked Disneyland and California Adventure for 3 days, excellent exercise, the only cloud on this bright story is my knee.  Although I have lost 40+lbs, it is not getting any better, in fact, I spent a lot of time icing it and treating it with Salonpas patches while I walked.  I will wait to see what the future brings, but I do see another knee replacement in my near future.  

Lets see, what else, oh! I am running out of clothes that fit, in fact, I am going to go to sweats while I am in between sizes. 

Hey, have any of you gotten blood work back only to find your LDL cholesterol is incredibly high, and your thyroid numbers are high too?  I was incredibly depressed to learn this, but I spoke with my nutritionist and she said it was very common for WLS patients to have this occur.  All that fat, toxins and yucky has to pass through your liver and thyroid, they get tired and overloaded, so this causes weird stuff to show up in your blood.  She told me to take 3 drops of Iodine w/kelp twice a day in a drink, take 4000mg to 6000mg of MCT Oil in soft gels, it jump starts your weight loss too.  And lastly, a liver cleanse.  I will have my bloodwork redone in a couple of months to see if there is any improvement.  I will keep you posted.

Otherwise, all is well here.  My baby girl is starting her senior year of high school, and I am trying to control the panic I get when I think that this time next year we will be sending her off to college. 

Hope this finds you all healthy and happy!

Lisa

I had my first super food shake yesterday, and it was absolutely yummy.  I added protein and Omega-3 to it to make it really good for me.  Coconut water, spinach, kiwi, strawberry, blueberry, apple, yum!  This is a reminder to myself, YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO COCONUT WATER!!  So, yea, I had a much more severe reaction to it this time around, sores in mouth, itching all over, throat itching and swelling, though not too bad, thank god , took my benedryl and survived to write this today.  

Trying again today, with regular water, and some different ingredients, I have kale, but I want to get used to spinach first, for my tummies sake.  You cannot taste it, it is awesome fiber, so many vitamins and minerals.  For those who have chewable multivitamins that suck, throw it in with a little of this concoction and you will never know its there.  I have my trusty vitamix that can pulverize anything, without breaking a sweat.  Here is to day two with my blender, a hopefully uneventful day.  Down 20lbs since start weight.  Feeling fine. 

I am 8 days post op, been following all the rules.  I haven't gone #2 since two days before surgery, I'm on magnesium, going for a laxative today.  I keep thinking that is what is holding up my weigh loss.  

I have lost NO weight, in fact i weigh 2 lbs more than surgery day.  WTH!  I just wanna cry, this time last surgery i was dropping weight like crazy.  I am moving, maybe more than I should, drinking all the time, never miss a protein shake, taking probiotics, I am not cleared to exercise, What Am I Doing Wrong?  I am so intensely focused on going poop and no weight loss, i think the rest of the world is just fading away.  

Feeling sad and frustrated today.  I admit it, I am not always feeling rainbows and sunshine.  

I am very old school when it comes to milk, but I had to try something new as a mixer for my protein shake.  Unsweetened almond milk is the answer.  So delicious without adding a bunch of sweetness, which gets old after a while.  I added a little Truvia for just a dash of sweet, and it is perfect.  I don't get tired of it halfway through.  I don't have to "choke" it down and actually look forward to it.  

Just curious, does anyone make smoothies with vitamix?  I am thinking it will be a good way to get fiber as well as needed nutrients in liquid form.  If so, how soon after surgery can you start them.  I have a call in to my nutritionist about it, but wanted a wide range of opinions.  Any really good combinations?

Feeling good, but my mind is much more industrious than my body will allow.  Gotta keep watching the size of my sips, bad habits die hard.   Walking feels great, stretches the muscles.  So far so good.

for the record, this procedure has left me with a very different feeling tummy.  The restriction is like a cement road block, reminding me to slow down.  I can't wait to incorporate some eggs and cottage cheese into my diet.  Liquid is good, but not a forever thing.  I have high hopes for the outcome of this journey, ready to discover new things.  I already joined planet fitness, in anticipation of working out a little next week.  

I am having a great honeymoon, however, not lost any weight, in fact still 5 lbs above surgery weight.  I'm not worried though, it'll go when it goes.  Happy Friday to all!

I got through it!  He did a wonderful job.  I am sore, and a little bewildered about my diet, although I know I need protein, so I had some isopure.  I forgot how yucky it tastes.  I added some coconut water to it for a few extra nutrients.  I'll have some chicken broth in a little while.

The pain is manageable, mostly just gas pain, although my pouch is sore too. I am walking to help with that.  I am so tired though.  

The hospital folks were so awesome, they gave me a stuffed moose called a cough buddy, it is very firm and I hug it to cough.  My dogs keep trying to get him, lol.

i hope my GERD is better, I guess I'll find out soon.  Tonight I will try one capsule instead of two of Nexium.  

My pouch doesn't seem to be all that picky, but my taste buds are!  

Thats it for now.  

OMG! I'm having surgery in less than a day!  I admit it, I'm nervous.  My whole life is going to change overnight 

Freaking out a little, lost sleep last night, couldn't stop thinking.  If I get thru the day without needing a Xanax, it will be a miracle.  I'm gonna breathe now...

Not as nervous as I expected to be, just getting the house ready and pantry.  The liver shrinking diet is working nicely, and I'm to the point where the shakes are satisfying.  Weakness is setting in a bit from the really low cal diet, and my body is in carb withdrawal, but 10 lbs lost, so that's nice.  I am taking my iPad, loaded with movies and audiobooks, lip balm and toiletries.  My most important item will be my pillow, not only is it more comfy than hospital pillows, but it will help to hug it real tight on the bumpy ride home.  I don't expect to be able to concentrate on much but walking and getting the heck out of there.  No sleep in the hospital, so maybe a movie?  Who knows. Wish me luck 

I have been drinking Premier Protein shakes and they were getting a little boring.  My nutritionist suggested adding cinnamon and, wow what a difference!  I actually look forward to and savor the meal now :). I like vanilla better than chocolate but the cinnamon is good in both.  5 days to go, 11 lbs down with liver shrinking diet.   Getting excited!

I am so glad Obesity Help is still here.  I had a check up with a local surgeon and after an endoscopy, found out my stomach was normal sized!  God bless Tricare for approving a revision to an RNY.  God bless Dr Umbach for taking me so soon.  

I am about 6 years post op, I originally lost around 60 lbs with VS but slowly, so slowly, regained all but 20 lbs.  I was at 273 at my last appointment, after 6 days of preop liver shrinking diet, I'm at 267.

I am so lucky to be able to eat solids up until 12 hours before surgery.  Two meals replaced with protein shakes, lean meat and veggies for dinner. Of course lots and lots of water.  

I'm in Las Vegas now with a new lease on life.  Since my original procedure I had a right knee replacement, now my left is almost ready too.  This is going to buy me time, and relieve constant pain.  I also have severe GERD, I can get rid of the massive amount of Nexium I take every day!  I am starting to get excited 😃!