Friday, March 29, 2013

A new favorite treat!

Tonight I was looking for a bite of something sweet for dessert.  My first thought was some greek yogurt with fruit, but I really wanted something a little more indulgent.  I was standing in front of the pantry, scanning the selections, which can be a little dangerous.  But I landed on a single serve packet of chocolate-flavored almond butter.  I fell a little short on my protein today so this seemed like a pretty good idea.  

Oh. My. God.

It was so delicious!  I'm sure I could have come up with something a little more creative than just, uh, squeezing it directly into my mouth.  But that's exactly what I did.  And I loved every little squeeze.  

I also want to say "squoze" as the past tense form of squeeze.  I know it's not correct, but it's way more fun than "squeezed."  ...And now that word no longer sounds like an actual word because I've said it so many times.  Does that ever happen to you?  Why am I allowed to have a blog?

Anyway, here is a picture of the goodness:


This is some tasty stuff, people.

Dinner tonight was a stir-fry packed with veggies and chicken with garlic, ginger and crushed red pepper.  It was my first time having chicken but I cut it into WLS-sized bites, then marinated it so it was juicy and easy to handle.  I had about a cup and ate slowly and carefully, chewing each bite to a paste...success!  I felt great afterwards--not too full, but very satisfied--and it was reeeeally good.  Today was a great food day...I met my protein goal (with the careful addition of the aforementioned chocolate almond butter) and stayed under on my calories, fat, sugar, carbs and sodium. I also managed to take in about 70 ounces of water and walked around the building at work for a total of a mile and a half.  

Dinner of champions!!!  (And me)

Oooooookay, I think it's time to hang it up.  Just one last thing--and yes, I'm asking for yet MORE advice from you guys--the BF and I are going to Chicago on Monday, and the friend we're staying with is planning for us to go out to a pub/grill for dinner.  Anything that jumps out to you as good idea for something I could order off a standard bar/grill-type menu?  Maybe chicken strips and pick off some of the breading?  Chili?  Club sandwich minus the bread?  Fish & chips minus the chips?  

I know, I know...I'm very demanding.


Good night, you crazy internet pals!
-Mon


BYOC

Yay--these are so much fun  :)  Both to read and to fill out!


1. What’s your first reaction when you get really angry?

My heart starts pounding.  I get so full of adrenaline!  I think it's because I spent a LOT of years internalizing all of my anger so that it actually turned to depression and self-hatred.  And now I have no clue how to manage anger!  Lately I've been doing breathing exercises, which helps a lot!


2. When is the last time you cried in sadness or in joy?

Ummmm, all the friggin time.  Every single one of my emotions is hard-wired to my tear ducts.  I cry at commercials, cute photos of kids/animals, reality cooking shows, money, love, friendship (okay, that list actually got WAY more realistic toward the end!!), you name it.


3. If the stars aligned and everything was perfect from your partner to your job and income and everything – how many kids would you choose to have?

I'm still trying to decide if we can even manage one.  For the longest time, I thought I for sure didn't want kids.  But since I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome a few years ago, I was told I likely wouldn't be able to conceive anyway.  So I think part of my "no kids" decision was my self-preservation response to the fact that I thought it wasn't even an option.  Does that make sense?  Now that I know that weight loss, coupled with the hormone therapy I've been doing, can increase my chances, I'm thinking...maybe.  And if so, at least two.  My brother is my bestie and I can't imagine growing up without a sibling!!!


4. If you won the lottery – what is the first purchase you’d make?

I'd fund my BF's film project.  He's been working on it for like a decade and has finally polished off the script and found someone local to help him find funding and people to help with things like cinematography, special effects, editing, etc.  It's his dream and I would love to help him get it made!!!


5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

Real life:  First week back at work.  Pretty uneventful.  Kinda makes me want to have another week off  :)  I've graduated to soft foods and my doc says I can move on to soft/solids today or tomorrow.  So my diet has really opened up, which is exciting!  And BF and I are going to Chicago for a concert on Monday (to see Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), so I'm excited for that too.


Blog life:  I've been relying on you all a lot to tell me I'm not doing everything wrong!  I'm so afraid that I'm going to mistreat this expensive device and just flat-out FAIL.  I don't really think I will  :)



Happy Friday!!!

-Mon

Thursday, March 28, 2013

JUST STOP IT!

Every night for the past 4 nights, I've overeaten at dinner and felt lousy afterwards.  Like right now.  Breakfast and lunch haven't been too bad because I've been eating at my desk and working between bites, but when dinner hits the table I just can't seem to control myself.  I've decided I NEED some itty bitty forks to control my bite sizes.  And it might not hurt to count the number of times I chew.  I don't know...any suggestions? 
I also keep forgetting not to drink before & after meals.  I kind of suck at being banded  :)
See, this was waaaay too much food for me!  But Fattie Mon insists that I load my plate up and eat it till it's gone.  I didn't actually finish all of this...BF was happy to help me out...but I did eat too much of it.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Meh

"Meh" is my way of saying I just don't have anything interesting to say. I guess I kinda blew my load on blogging last week. 

I had my first post-op follow up appt. with my surgeon this morning and he said everything looks great and I'm cleared to start eating soft/mushy foods, which is wonderful news.  I made myself an awesome lunch for tomorrow: sliced cucumber, tuna salad and cottage cheese.  I had planned on having it for dinner tonight but it didn't work out.  And for breakfast I made a vanilla protein shake with banana and peanut butter, and a small drizzle of SF Torani caramel syrup.  It was hard not to continue dipping my finger in the peanut butter, which one of my favorite snacks.

See, I told you I had nothing good to say!  Yet I think I'm still going to post this  :)  Just to let you know I'm still alive. 

Shout out to Cheri, who introduced me to the fitbit, which sounds like a nice reward for myself when the scale finally says I'm no longer in the 300s!  I hope to be there by May 1st. 

Good night, internet!
-Mon

Monday, March 25, 2013

Newly Banded Blogger

Sending out warm fuzzies for Luka Beth, who is getting her band TODAY!  Good luck!!!  :)

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Weigh In Sunday

Starting:  341.8
Last week:  324.8
This week:  314.0

-10.8 lbs since last week
-27.8 lbs overall


Not too shabby!!!



-Mon

Saturday, March 23, 2013

BYOC

I'm hoppin' on the bandwagon (or should that be Lap Bandwagon?  *GROAN*) and posting my BYOC answers for you all to...I don't know...enjoy, hate, feel nothing about...whatever you want.  Here goes!

1.  What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?  Is it still on today?

My brother's and my favorite cartoon growing up was Woody Woodpecker.  Every afternoon in the summer, we'd go swimming for as long as mom would let us, then we'd come inside, eat lunch and then make a pillow and blanket pile in the living room to watch WW (and Chilly Willy!) before our nap.

2.  Describe your favorite piece of clothing.

Currently, it's a long, stretchy black skirt.  It goes with absolutely everything, and especially now that my surgery incisions are still tender, it's the most comfortable thing I own.  I've washed it 3 times in the past week  :)

3.  In the hopes of convincing summer to arrive, I'm asking this question: Name a summer tradition you currently have or a tradition you want to start for every summer.

My favorite thing about summer has always been sitting on the porch at night with some good friends and enjoying a few (or many!) beers.  Now that I'm banded, I have promised to stay away from carbonated beverages permanently...a HUGE sacrifice, but worth it in the end.  I'll still enjoy sitting on porch and drinking wine or vodka & crystal light  :)

4.  For all of the newbie bloggers out there getting to know everyone - let's answer this one.  How long have you been blogging, what is your theme and how did you pick your name?  Why did you start blogging?  What kind of blogs are your favorite to read and follow?

Well, I myself AM still a newbie blogger (at least in this community), as I only started this particular blog at the end of December 2012.  It was after I'd made my decision to get my band and was starting on the preliminary steps.  I don't really have a theme...this was more intended to be an online journal, and I quickly realized that it would end up being so much more than that.  The people I have met here have been more accepting, welcoming, supportive and motivational than I ever could have imagined.  

How I picked my name...let me tell ya: absolutely no thought went into my blog's name.  Hate to say it, but it's true.  It was the simplest way to state the point of the blog...my name is Mon (Monica) and I'm getting a Lap Band and this is my journey.  There you have it!  That being said, I frequently wish I'd taken a little more time to come up with something funny or meaningful or...something.  But oh well.

My favorite blogs to read are the ones where the author lets you into their life (to a point...this IS the internet, and it can be a dangerous place).  I like to learn about what kind of person the blogger is...quirky, lazy, sarcastic, mischievous, whatever.  And I love PICTURES!  They really brighten up a post and make it interesting, especially when they're photos of the blogger.  Don't worry, I'm not creepy or anything, I just want to stalk you follow your progress.

5.  Summarize your week in blogland and in real life for us.

Blogland:  I've been posting a lot because I've been house-bound recovering from my surgery.  I've gotten a couple new followers and found a few new blogs myself.  

Real life:  This week, real life and blog life are overlapping quite a bit, since I've been posting about pretty much everything that's going on...aka my surgery and post-op diet.  I had to stop taking a hormone-regulating prescription for almost a week because the pill was too big, and that had a more disastrous effect than I would have thought.  There were many times in the middle of the week where I was crying nonstop, at everything.  I'm in pain...I can't eat any real food...I'm stuck in the house...I just dropped the remote...my hair is all stringy...UGH.  But I started taking it again on Thursday and I also got to start full liquids, which is enough of a change to help me out of my slump.  I go back to work on Monday, and I just know that I'll have close to 1000 emails waiting for me.  Blah.  But yeah...that's about it! 


That was fun...now someone else do it so I can read yours!!!

-Mon

Comparing

Okay, so there are like a million and a half different pre and post-op diets for lap bands, as we've discovered.  My surgeon recommended 3 days of clear liquids pre-op, then this phase-back schedule for post-op

Week 1:  Clear liquids
Week 2:  Full liquids (blended soup, smoothies, applesauce)
Week 3:  Soft foods (mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soft baked fish)
Week 4:  Soft-Solids (baked potato, tuna salad, whole grain pancakes)
Week 5:  Solids, Phase 1 (whole wheat pasta, deli meat, beans)
Week 6:  Solids, Phase 2 (lettuce, ground beef/turkey, English muffin)

I'm curious to see how all yours compare!


As a thank you in advance, here's a picture of Buzz sun bathing like a god :)




-Mon


Friday, March 22, 2013

The Green Monster


I mentioned this smoothie to someone in a comment earlier and it made me want one!


The Green Monster Smoothie

  • 1 small banana (if you use frozen banana, you'll need less ice)
  • 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup fat-free vanilla greek yogurt
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • As much spinach and you can/want to pack in there (I used about 3 cups)
  • Ice as needed






Extreme Soup Disasters

Let me start from the beginning...at the grocery store.  A couple of the soups I'd planned on making this weekend called for half & half or milk.  So I headed for the skim milk, and my mom paused by the almond milk.  There was an unsweetened vanilla variety whose nutritional facts kinda blew skim out of the water, so we decided, what the hell.  I bought half a gallon of each (skim & almond).  

Later when we got home, I made a protein shake for lunch (mixed with water, as yesterday was my last day of clear liquids).  Mom decided to test out the almond milk with her shake, and took a sip of it plain before mixing.  She said it tasted like nothing, although her taste buds might have been affected by the mineral-y after-taste from the multivitamin chew she'd just had.  Eh...I don't know.  I said that if it didn't taste like anything and was healthier, I'd just use it in the soups instead of skim, which I do like for drinking.  

Fast forward to last night, when I decided to make tomato basil parmesan soup.  It's reeeeally delicious and smooth, and sort of tastes like a lovely pasta in a WLS-friendly format.  

See?  Everything was going just fine!


When it got to the milk portion, I measured out the almond milk and stuck my finger in to taste it...mostly tasted like nothing.  Maybe a hint of...I don't know, I didn't really taste anything.  I added it to the soup and finished everything up...time to taste.

OH SWEET JESUS!!! WHAT THE F**K IS THIS EVIL CREATION?????  It was sooooo disgusting.  I guess, while you can't really taste the vanilla when you just sip it, it sure as hell comes out when you add a bunch of it to a soup.  UGH.  *shudder*

Yes.........I have a tendency to be dramatic.  

So anyway, lesson learned, I guess.  A complete and total waste of food, money and time, all of which really bum me out.  Nevertheless, I got up this morning determined to make an EDIBLE soup today.  And that soup is roasted cauliflower and sharp cheddar.  I made it for lunch and it was amazing!  Thank god.  

Sautee onion, garlic and fresh thyme...



Simmer covered for 20 minutes with some chicken or veggie broth and cauliflower that I roasted in the oven...



Blend everything until it's super smooth and creamy, then add some reduced fat cheddar and some skim milk...enough to get it to the desired consistency.  



Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.

So anyway, those are my soup adventures of the last 2 days.  The only other noteworthy item is my new panda slippers.  So cute!  I wanted to get in the car and drive last night, so I went to Walgreen's, where most of my stupid, impulsive purchases are made.  Last night was no exception.  I got new nail clippers, 2 shades of nail polish (even though BF's mom just gifted me like 9 new bottles!) 2 candles (Glade's new "Garden Sunshine" = heavenly) and THESE:

"We'll hug your feet while you work in the kitchen!!"

Okay, I believe that's all for now.  If I get bored later and post yet again...sorry.

-Mon

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Name That Sound!!!!

My stomach has been making so many weird new gurgling noises lately that I've decided to make a list of the things it might be trying to tell me


  1. I'm hungry
  2. I'm full
  3. Why did you eat all that jell-o?
  4. I need to poo
  5. Don't you dare feed me any more protein shakes, bitch
  6. I want PIZZA
  7. That guy's looking at us funny
  8. Why do you hate me so much?
  9. Were you ever attracted to Bugs Bunny when he would put on a dress and play a girl bunny?
  10. I think Michael Keaton should be in more things
  11. You need to stop buying kitchen gadgets from Amazon.  You no longer have any room in your kitchen for them
  12. Remember that time you ate a whole tube of Tootsie Roll chapstick?  That was dumb

I guess we'll never know what my stomach is truly trying to say...




-Mon

Ready for Week 2

My wonderful mama came over today and took me to the store to stock up on all the stuff I'll need for Week 2: Full Liquids (sounds like a movie). 

I got ingredients for three delicious soups (roasted cauliflower with cheddar, vegan black bean and tomato-basil-parmesan...all of which I can put in the blender), lots of yummy smoothie fixins (orange juice, mango, banana, vanilla greek yogurt, etc.), applesauce, pudding and almond & skim milk.  SO excited for something other than protein shakes and broth.

I also noticed I'm down another pound and a half from yesterday, which makes about 23 pounds total since March 6.  We'll see what Sunday's number says, though...that will be the official weigh-in.  I feel like if I were to step on the scale right now I'd weigh a couple more pounds than I did an hour ago...I just took all my vitamins & pills and I feel so full from all the pills and the sips I had to take to get them down.  It does NOT feel good.  I think my body hates me right now.

My kitty Leo is begging me to get off the computer right now so I can give him pets and snuggles (I have no clue how they're going to cope when I go back to work next week).  I think I shall oblige--this is, after all, such a sad scene:



-Mon


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Confession

I am having some major issues in the form of FOOD CRAVINGS.  This is my eighth full day on liquids...nothing but protein shakes, broth and friggin sugar-free popsicles.  I'm starting to get depressed about it...which, DUH, makes me want to eat.  And honestly, I know that if I ate real food it probably wouldn't sit well and I'd just end up regretting it.  But I can't use that logic to shake my craving for PIZZA.  That's the thing that keeps popping up over and over...Sunday it was a grilled cheese sandwich, but now it's pepperoni pizza with a shitload (that's the technical unit of measurement) of mozzarella cheese.  Just some honest-to-goodness, unfancy, greasy, pepperoni pizza.  

One of my very favorites...Deweys' X-Pepperoni


I may have to go to bed early just to put myself out of my misery.  This is bad.


-Mon

First Weigh-In!

I've been meaning to get my official starting and pre-surgery weights on the books...here's where I stand so far, but from now on Sunday is weigh-in day--


Starting (3/6/13):  341.4

Day of surgery (3/15/13):  329

Today (3/19/13):  324.8

Total loss:  16.6 pounds


Not too shabby...of course most of that is water weight but it's movement on the scale that motivates me more than anything, so bring it on!



My BF's mom came to visit with me this morning and keep me company for a while and brought me the cutest care package!  A bunch of nail polish, a bottle of remover, cotton balls & pads, nail files & buffer and a pack of blank note cards.  And she packed it all in this adorable decorative box that I should probably use for something cute, like saving greeting cards from people, but will probably wind up storing markers or something.


She is the sweetest...love you, Paty!!!


-Mon



Monday, March 18, 2013

Surgery Day

Today is the first day I actually feel like starting on my surgery story.  Lots and lots of sleeping, being woken up to take my liquid vicodin, drifting off again, having weird dreams and snuggling with my feline nurses.  I need to be more patient with my body...I keep thinking I'll wake up one morning and just feel better.  It drives me nuts to be out of commission.  The worst part is that now I'm feeling a little better, I am having all these cravings for REAL FOOD.  It's been a week since I've had anything other than clear liquids and I feel like I would punch someone in the face for a grilled cheese sandwich...or meatball sub...or pizza...or even something completely good for me, like stir fry veggies with chicken.  AGHHH foooooooooooood.  Not like I'd be able to eat it anyway...I barely got down 6 ounces of protein shake today.

Anyway, I logged on determined to share my surgery story with you, so here goes...

We checked into the hospital at 7:30am Friday morning.  They took me back to the same-day surgery holding tank and got me into my hospital gown and gripper slippers, and then I had to wait for about 20 minutes while people occasionally stopped by to get a urine sample, tried (unsuccessfully) to start an IV and asked me repeatedly for my name, doctor and the procedure I was having.  Then I just sat back and waited for them to bring my BF and mom back to say goodbye before I was taken to pre-op.


At 9:30 I was taken to the pre-op waiting area, where someone from anesthesia placed my IV and they gave me a shower cap thingy to keep my hair in place.  It was freezing, but nurses kept layering warm blankets on me.  I just did my best to think calm, happy thoughts, because at this point I was getting a little panicky.  They took me to the OR at 10:30 and had me transfer to a narrow operating table.  The last thing I remember was someone putting a plastic mask over my nose and mouth, and I was gone.

According to my family, my surgeon came out to talk to them when I first came out of surgery at noon.  They didn't wake me up until closer to 1 or 1:30, and I was CONFUSED. AS HELL.  I remember thinking that it must be over though, because that was the only explanation for all the pain I was in.  They kept barking orders at me to cough and take deep breaths in order to expel the anesthesia and the air they had pumped into my abdominal cavity.  In addition to getting my band, I also had a hiatal hernia repair, so my pain might have been a little more intense than if I'd just gotten the band.  As it was, all I could do was wish that they would knock me out again.  

Before I knew it, they were asking me to stand up and move to a wheelchair so they could take me back to the same-day surgery holding area, where I could see my family.  The thought of actually standing up sounded crazy to me!  I think I just looked at them like, "you bitches clearly have no idea what you're doing."  But by some miracle, and with a lot of assistance, I made it into the wheelchair.  Standing up for the first time is REALLY WEIRD.  I felt like all of my incisions (seven, as I later counted) were going to rip open, but the logical part of my brain told me that probably wouldn't happen.  

As soon as I got settled in the recliner with some fresh warm blankets, they said they could give me some pain meds but that I would have to get something in my stomach first.  Fine.  Whatever.  I want those pain meds and I'll do anything to get them.  They put a cup of apple juice, a cup of water and 2 saltines in front of me.  I started drinking the apple juice and one of the nurses told me I'd need to eat the crackers before she could give me anything.  Having been on a clear liquid diet for the past 4 days, with a full week still ahead of me, I was a little skeptical, but not really in any place to question the nurse, since I was totally disoriented and in a lot of pain.  As I started eating the first cracker (oh my god, the hardest thing to choke down EVER.  No liquid in my mouth and it was like eating drywall), my boyfriend, mom and dad came in to see me.  I think they were expecting me to be drugged out and feeling little to no pain, so it was hard for them to watch me writhing around and wrestling with this cracker.  After a few minutes, I'd managed to eat both of them (the crackers...not my family), and my mom flagged down a nurse and told her that I'd eaten both crackers and I was ready for pain meds.  She looked at me like I was crazy and said "You're not supposed to be eating solid foods!  You're on clear liquids!"  I said yeah, I know, but a nurse told me I had to if I wanted the pain killers.  She was like "That was me.  And I never would have told you to eat anything solid."  Okay...part of me is really pissed off and scared that I've maybe eaten something that my stomach can't handle, and part of me has just stopped caring because JUST GIVE ME THE DAMN PAIN KILLERS ALREADY.  Which she thankfully did.  They didn't make me feel totally better but they did take the edge off.

By 3:30, I was being helped into the car...luckily home is only 3 miles from the hospital.  Mom and BF helped me up the stairs to the bedroom and got me settled in bed by 4:00, at which point I slept for like 24 hours straight.

One piece of advice that someone gave me (unnecessary, because there was no way I WASN'T going to do this) that is so so so so super important = be sure to take your pain meds every 4 hours (or whatever your instructions are) no matter what.  Stay ahead of the pain.  It sucks way worse to have to wait for them to kick in once you're already hurting.

Today is my third full day after surgery, and I think I'm doing pretty well.  Definitely not going back to work earlier than planned, as I originally thought might be an option, but I can see myself making progress every day.  By Sunday (yesterday) I was able to take a shower and I felt like a whole new person after that.  I had a little setback last night, when I got the bright idea to try and make dinner for BF.  I filled a pot with water and when I went to pick it up, it felt like something ruptured inside.  All I could do was crawl back to the couch and collapse.  I barely made it up to bed later that night...I just had to move REALLY slowly with a pillow clasped tightly across my belly.  It feels a lot better now but I definitely learned my lesson.  

I am in need of my bed and some sleep, so I'll end here.  Just one thing first...Luka Beth over at Bariatric Bellyaching is getting her band next Monday, and she needs some support!  Be sure to visit her blog this week  :)  

Good night, all!!!

-Mon


Saturday, March 16, 2013

My Recovery Buddy

Hopefully tomorrow or Monday I'll feel up to posting my whole surgery story...for now I'm just sore and sleepy.  But I made it through okay :)

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Before

Okay, no more hiding from the camera...this is my official pre-surgery pic :)

Day 3, Part Deux: OMG You Guys!!!

When I got back from my lunch break today, there was an envelope on my desk with my name on it.  In it was a card from all of my work friends with a $75 Visa gift card tucked inside, and messages from all of them wishing me luck and expressing their support and excitement for me.  It was the sweetest thing ever, I totally cried. 

One of the best parts:  Apparently there are no LapBand cards at the Hallmark store, so they got me a Bat Mitzvah card--



Day 3: Everything Zen

Surgery tomorrow!!!!!

Okay, I feel great today!  I think my body has finally adjusted to not having any real food.  Not to say that I'm not getting sick of those damn shakes, but whaddaya gonna do...  I doctored up my chicken broth last night with a bay leaf, some paprika, Italian seasoning and a little garlic powder and it was like delicious chicken soup without the chicken & veggies.  I was calling it stuff-less soup.


My therapist taught me a breathing exercise to use in case I get nervous tomorrow (shyeah...I'm nervous NOW).  I tried it while trying to get to sleep last night and it's pretty great!  You breathe in for 7 seconds, then out for 8 seconds.  Repeat that process 8 times, and that's a total of 2 minutes.  After breathing like that for 2 full minutes, your body's relaxation response automatically kicks in, and it's much harder for your brain to make you panic when your body is physically relaxed.  For any of you with anxiety issues (don't we all, sometimes?), this is a keeper!  It's a dose of zen whenever you need it.


Wish me luck...I'll try to update this weekend and tell you how it went!

-Mon






Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Day 2: Revenge of the Head Hunger!

Day 2 of clear liquids is at least going better than Day 1 so far.  I'm much more prepared today than I was yesterday...in addition to my protein shakes, I brought some fat free broth for lunch, crystal light, apple-cranberry juice and some fruit slices to flavor my water.  I also went to GNC yesterday and got some much-needed new protein powder.  Walking in, I was afraid that the only one there to assist me would be this muscled-out bro, but to my delight it was a super helpful and friendly woman.  I told her what I needed and she totally knew her stuff, and directed me to exactly the right thing.  It was on sale, too...buy 1, get 1 half off, and came with a free blender bottle.  WIN.





Soooo anyway, I definitely can't wait for post-op Week 2, when I can have pudding, yogurt, milk and blended soups.  Those things have never sounded more delicious.  Especially right now, when my brain is telling me how hungry it is, even though I'm taking in enough to keep me nourished and not *actually* hungry.  Head hunger is the worst!  I made some sugar-free jello jigglers yesterday just so I could have something to chew, and that does help.  

For all of you that have already gone through the clear liquids phase, what was your favorite thing to eat/drink???  Inquiring minds (specifically, mine) want to know!


Have a lovely day!
-Mon



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Day 1: Yes, it's THAT bad

I'm trying to type but I'm still having violent flashbacks from this morning when I drank my first protein shake (Bariatric Advantage-Vanilla).  It was traumatizingly, gag-inducing terrible.  Imagine what it might taste like if you were to mix a bottle of water with all of the collected chalk dust from that little metal tray at the bottom of the chalkboard that holds the erasers, plus a few drops of vanilla extract and two tablespoons of bulldog semen.  Come on, how hungry are you right now?



Dramatically grotesque descriptions aside, I'm happy to be in pre-op mode.  Now if you'll excuse me, I need to sift through my satchel of vitamins and try to figure out what I'm supposed to be taking.


-Mon

Monday, March 11, 2013

Countdown



Today is my last day of eating normally before the pre-surgery clear liquids.  I’m not going crazy or anything, but I AM having a steak for dinner tonight since I think it’ll be a while before I have that again.  I’m stocked up on protein shakes, and I have a shopping list in my purse that includes sugar-free jello and juice and fat-free broth.  Oddly, tomorrow night my dad and step-mom are coming over to visit and bringing enchiladas.  We already have plans tonight, otherwise I’d try to reschedule.  But I guess I’ll just grit my teeth and drink my shake while everyone else scarfs some chicken & green chili enchiladas.  GRRRR.



I’m nervous and very excited about my surgery on Friday.  I just want to get it over with so I can start healing and be on my way.  It’s amazing the things I’ve learned about my body over the past few months.  I’m finally starting to battle the issues that have been giving me so much trouble.  My Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome makes it more difficult for me to lose weight, and I’ve started treating that.  And my efforts will be aided by any weight I lose, since (ironically) that’s the #1 thing you can do for PCOS.  I also never knew that poor sleep had such a connection with weight gain.  And now that I’m sleeping with my CPAP, there’s a noticeable difference in how well-rested I feel and the amount of energy I have. 

I know the Lap-Band won’t be a magic fix…I’ll need to work hard to keep myself motivated and stay honest about the stuff I’m putting in my body.  I need to commit to the promise I made to move more.  Parking further away from the grocery store, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, taking the long way to get to Point B instead of the straight line, etc.  The way I see it, my band is going to help level the playing field for me.  As long as I put the work in on my end, my band will be there to support me…along with all of my wonderful family members and friends who have been so compassionate and encouraging so far.  And all of YOU, my online cheerleaders, who will continue to be an awesome source of motivation, advice and commiseration.  :)

More than anything else, I want to take a second to say thank you to my mom, who is the reason I’m able to get my band.  This isn’t covered by my insurance and so my mom stood up (well, jumped up is more like it) and insisted on helping me financially, saying that there was no price in the universe you can put on your health.  And I must agree.  But I think that will be the biggest motivator for me, honestly.  Knowing that my mom invested SO MUCH in me, I’ll want to do everything I can to make it worth it. 
Thank you, mama…you’re saving my life!!




-Mon


Saturday, March 9, 2013

Yet another...

I can never find any pics to show that aren't just from the shoulders up...I can't wait until I don't fear the camera anymore. No more strategically plotting a way to be in the back row of group shots even though I'm shorter than most people.  You really have to get creative to pull that off.



Aaaaand I tried to get creative with my nails.  This doesn't mean that I still won't let the polish slowly chip away over a period of weeks the same way I always do.  I suck at being a girl.


Lazy Saturday

It's rainy outside so today I'm staying in with the fuzz balls and doing some organizing.  I made myself a food calendar for the first 6 weeks after surgery



-Mon


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Need help!

Okay, I really have to call on your expertise here!  I'm talking to whoever may be reading this and has a suggestion for me.

I went in to the hospital yesterday for my dietary class and pre-op testing, and while I was there I picked up some protein shakes and all of my supplements.  I spent quite a bit and was thinking there had to be a cheaper way, so my mom and I scoured the internet when we got home and found some great calcium citrate pills for a small fraction of what I paid for the Bariatric Advantage brand.  

My question to you is...what kind of complete multivitamin do you take?  The kind I bought is $38 for I forgot how many days' worth...1 month maybe?  I'm wondering if anyone has found a cheaper multivitamin with iron that compares to the BA version.  Everything involving this surgery is already rather pricey (self-pay!) and I need to try to find some areas where I can save.

Thank you!!!!!!

-Mon



Forced cuddle time with Buzz, who didn't want to look at the camera

Friday, March 1, 2013

YOWZA---I have a date!

I am officially getting my Lap Band on March 15!!!  A whole 3-4 weeks sooner than they had originally planned.  I'm definitely excited about it but it's coming up so FAST...just 2 weeks from today.  I feel like there's so much I need to do to prepare myself mentally.  

Any advice for me?  Things you wish you would have known about post-op, things that would be helpful for me to have at home, or anything else that strikes you?  I would be sooo grateful.

Happy Friday ya'll!


-Mon