06/04/2007 20:30
Ok, I have no idea where the past month has gone!
I am so sorry about disappearing for the past month! So much has been going on that I just completely dropped this. I will work on being better - I promise!
Ok, so here is where I'm at weight-wise and health-wise: I weight 314.9 as of this morning which is less than I have weighed in 2 or 3 years. I am within shouting distance of getting down to Twoterville! (You know, Onederland or 1derland, Twoterville or 2terville....) I have finally broken the 40 pounds lost mark!
I had my 2 month follow-up appointment with my surgeon's office on Friday and here are the benefits I've gotten from the surgery in only 2 short months:
1. My blood sugar is down by something like 10 points.
2. My iron is only 2 points below normal.
3. My protein and protein indicators are superb.
4. My blood pressure is down to borderline instead of high.
5. My resting pulse rate (in spite of my usual doctor anxiety AND climbing two small flights of stairs) is down by 10 beats per minute.
6. I have not had an asthma attack since surgery (I didn't realize that until we were talking about the medications I take). I have not touched my albuterol and I used to have to use it both before and after exercise!
7. I have lost 17-18% of my excess weight.
8. My next appointment isn't until OCTOBER!!!!!
The only thing that was not so great is the weight loss part. According to the nutritionist, most people are at 20 - 40% of their excess weight by this point, so I am slow. when I told her about my exercise routine (30 - 35 mins on the treadmill 4 - 6 days/week and light weights 4 days/week) she said that all of my exercise could be contributing to my slower loss. Also, I am bad about getting in enough water - I drink 32oz per day and that's usually it. I need to double that! I think the water is a big part of my slower loss - my ankles have started swelling a little bit again for the first time since surgery so....
I had my first ever experience with dumping - it SUCKED! 
I had 1/2 of a piece of Boston Market cornbread. Within 10 minutes, I got really hot and then totally nauseous. I literally ran for the bathroom! When I was done throwing up (which is a totally different experience from before surgery), I went to the website and looked at the ingredient list. Sure enough - #2 ingredient = SUGAR! 
I had no freaking idea! I survived and am now EXTREMELY cautious about what I'll eat - even if I think it's ok, I'l ask! I'm getting very good at telling people that I am allergic to sugar.... 
I had 1/2 of a piece of Boston Market cornbread. Within 10 minutes, I got really hot and then totally nauseous. I literally ran for the bathroom! When I was done throwing up (which is a totally different experience from before surgery), I went to the website and looked at the ingredient list. Sure enough - #2 ingredient = SUGAR! I had no freaking idea! I survived and am now EXTREMELY cautious about what I'll eat - even if I think it's ok, I'l ask! I'm getting very good at telling people that I am allergic to sugar.... I started back to work on May 16, right on schedule. They are so glad to have me back and I am so glad to be here! I also started going back to school (I am working on my MBA), so things have been hectic!
My scars are so small, it's amazing. The biggest one is about an inch long. The other 4 are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch.
Learning to eat after surgery has been quite an adventure! Other than the cornbread, I have not had any problems with throwing up. I have eaten some things that don't sit quite right (like my lunch today) and the weird part is that something I ate yesterday may make me totally queasy today (again, my lunch today). Last night, DH cooked me some really yummy shrimp and steak skewers on the grill. Nice low-sugar marinade - YUM! They were great for dinner! I brought one of the leftover skewers in to work for lunch and have been feeling horrible ever since. I even threw half of it out! I seem to remember reading somewhere that leftovers don't agree with some people post-op - add me to that list!
Thank goodness for sugar-free candies. There are some really good ones out there! My favorites: SF York peppermint patties and SF LifeSavers (Wint-o-green and five flavor). Funny thing to note: I can only eat 1 or 2 and I don't want any more. It's not that I'm full or they're bad - I just flat out do not want them! Something I have learned about my pouch - if it doesn't want something, I'd better listen (even if that means spitting out a mouthful of food!). If I don't I pay for it!
My biggest 2 challenges with my new way of eating are the fact that I can't drink with my meals (I have to stop 30 mins before and wait 30 mins after) and if I eat too fast, I get the most horrible stuck feeling that lasts for a good hour or two. That is a really icky feeling lemmetellya! Of course, since it feels so horrible, you'd think it would be easy for me to slow down.....
Ok, this turned into a novel and I am at work so I'd better stop! If anybody reading this has any questions about anything - surgery, life after, whatever - just let me know! I'll answer them as best I can!
Have a great night!