I am home with the flu. So I am finally finding time to updating my blog. You know you are sick when you have 1068 steps for the entire day :(
Highest weight ever 351 lbs.
Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs)
Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs)
Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs)
07 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery)
14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery)
16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
22 days post-op 06/13/2017 285.9 lbs (-65.1 lbs total and -20.1 lbs since surgery)
33 days post-op 06/24/2017 280.5 lbs (-70.5 lbs total and -25.9 lbs since surgery)
101 days post-op 08/31/2017 252.5 lbs (-98.5 lbs total and -53.5 lbs since surgery)
Can't wait to be below 250! Nice when those old fashioned medical scales clunk down another 50!
Hope the last five lbs are not due to illness and will pop right back on.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Saturday, June 24, 2017
33 days Post-op
Weekly update
Back to work for 20 hours last week. I feel like I was productive most of the time, but I was completely wiped out after work. I am still struggling to get in enough calories and fluids.
Spoke to the bariatric nutritionist on Friday afternoon and she said that it is normal. She said many people are only able to eat a few bites and then they are full. I told her I was concerned that I was squandering away my magical weight loss time because I could not get in the 900 calories per day that is needed to stay out of starvation mode. She encouraged me to get in 40 oz of protein and 40 oz of water. She said to eat 6 meals daily and try to get in as much protein as I can. She told me at 6 weeks they want me to be down between 20-30 lbs, so I am actually on track for that, despite the stall last week.
Highest weight ever 351 lbs.
Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs)
Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs)
Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs)
07 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery)
14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery)
16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
22 days post-op 06/13/2017 285.9 lbs (-65.1 lbs total and -20.1 lbs since surgery)
33 days post-op 06/24/2017 280.5 lbs (-70.5 lbs total and -25.9 lbs since surgery)
Next follow-up with surgeon is July 6th. Hopefully I will be close to my 30 lbs lost by then.
Back to work for 20 hours last week. I feel like I was productive most of the time, but I was completely wiped out after work. I am still struggling to get in enough calories and fluids.
Spoke to the bariatric nutritionist on Friday afternoon and she said that it is normal. She said many people are only able to eat a few bites and then they are full. I told her I was concerned that I was squandering away my magical weight loss time because I could not get in the 900 calories per day that is needed to stay out of starvation mode. She encouraged me to get in 40 oz of protein and 40 oz of water. She said to eat 6 meals daily and try to get in as much protein as I can. She told me at 6 weeks they want me to be down between 20-30 lbs, so I am actually on track for that, despite the stall last week.
Highest weight ever 351 lbs.
Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs)
Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs)
Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs)
07 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery)
14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery)
16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
22 days post-op 06/13/2017 285.9 lbs (-65.1 lbs total and -20.1 lbs since surgery)
33 days post-op 06/24/2017 280.5 lbs (-70.5 lbs total and -25.9 lbs since surgery)
Next follow-up with surgeon is July 6th. Hopefully I will be close to my 30 lbs lost by then.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Tired.....and tired of being tired
Oh energy where art thou?
I wonder if this is from surgery recover or calorie deprivation or both?
Even a little trip to the grocery wore me out today.
I wonder if this is from surgery recover or calorie deprivation or both?
Even a little trip to the grocery wore me out today.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Regrets......
Yesterday was a hard day. My energy remains low. I have daily stomach discomfort/pain. I am struggling and failing to get my daily fluid and protein requirements. My weight loss has stalled. I am moody and struggling to sleep. I thought back to the months before my surgery when I was eating lots of fruits and veggies, and drinking yummy smoothies, and have a real dinner with my family. I was losing weight and feeling great. I looked at my husband and said, "I think I made a huge mistake" then burst out into tears.
Like a good and loving husband he consoled me and reminded me of all the reasons I am doing this.
Then put me to bed and when I woke up this morning it was a new day. I got weighed and was 285.9 lbs!
From highest ever recorded weight 351 lbs.
Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs)
Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs)
Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs)
07 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery)
14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery)
16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
22 days post-op 06/13/2017 285.9 lbs (-65.1 lbs total and -20.1 lbs since surgery)
Yesterday I ate:
1 protein bar
1/4 cup weight loss oatmeal with blueberries)
2 oz scrambled eggs with mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup refried beans with soft veggies
I had about 40 ounces of fluids which is good for me.
SO....I guess now I can say I have had some fleeting regrets, but I am still hanging in there.
Like a good and loving husband he consoled me and reminded me of all the reasons I am doing this.
Then put me to bed and when I woke up this morning it was a new day. I got weighed and was 285.9 lbs!
From highest ever recorded weight 351 lbs.
Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs)
Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs)
Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs)
07 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery)
14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery)
16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
22 days post-op 06/13/2017 285.9 lbs (-65.1 lbs total and -20.1 lbs since surgery)
Yesterday I ate:
1 protein bar
1/4 cup weight loss oatmeal with blueberries)
2 oz scrambled eggs with mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup refried beans with soft veggies
I had about 40 ounces of fluids which is good for me.
SO....I guess now I can say I have had some fleeting regrets, but I am still hanging in there.
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Saturday June 10, Day 19 post-op
Today is Day 19 post-op and I am entering what is known as the dreaded 3 week stall.
I have not lost any weight for 2 days despite the fact that I get only 600-900 calories a day.
I also went shopping today and walked around 3 different stores trying to increase my total number of daily steps.
Note to self if you push a shopping cart then the Fit-bit on your wrist will not track properly.
So I have no idea how many step I had today. My Fit-bit logged 3500 but I know it was far more than that.
Mark was with me and his Fit-bit logged over 7K so I think I am somewhere between the 2 numbers.
I do know I am exhausted and have insomnia at the same time.
Food today was decent:
Breakfast 2 oz scrambled eggs and 1 oz shredded cheese
Lunch 2 oz diced ham and cheese
Dinner Atkins choc chip protein bar
Snacks 10 ounces blueberry/banana/triple zero yogurt smoothie
1 cheeses stick
17 ounces of water
Calories 730
Protein 60 grams
Need to increase the protein, increase the calories, increase the hydration, and increase the steps.
What causes a stall:
https://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php
A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.
Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.
However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.
I have not lost any weight for 2 days despite the fact that I get only 600-900 calories a day.
I also went shopping today and walked around 3 different stores trying to increase my total number of daily steps.
Note to self if you push a shopping cart then the Fit-bit on your wrist will not track properly.
So I have no idea how many step I had today. My Fit-bit logged 3500 but I know it was far more than that.
Mark was with me and his Fit-bit logged over 7K so I think I am somewhere between the 2 numbers.
I do know I am exhausted and have insomnia at the same time.
Food today was decent:
Breakfast 2 oz scrambled eggs and 1 oz shredded cheese
Lunch 2 oz diced ham and cheese
Dinner Atkins choc chip protein bar
Snacks 10 ounces blueberry/banana/triple zero yogurt smoothie
1 cheeses stick
17 ounces of water
Calories 730
Protein 60 grams
Need to increase the protein, increase the calories, increase the hydration, and increase the steps.
What causes a stall:
https://www.dsfacts.com/weight-loss-stall-or-plateau.php
A "stall" a few weeks after surgery is not uncommon, and here's why.
Our bodies use glycogen for short term energy storage. Glycogen is not very soluble, but it is stored in our muscles for quick energy -- one pound of glycogen requires 4 lbs. of water to keep it soluble, and the average glycogen storage capacity is about 2 lbs. So, when a patient is not getting in enough food, the body turns first to stored glycogen, which is easy to break down for energy. Then when 2 lbs. of glycogen is used a patient will also lose 8 lbs. of water that was used to store it -- voila -- the "easy" 10 lbs. that most people lose in the first week of a diet.
However, when the body stays in a caloric deficit state the body starts to realize that this is not a short-term problem. Then the body starts mobilizing fat from adipose tissue and burning fat for energy. But the body also realizes that fat can't be used for short bursts of energy. So, it starts converting some of the fat into glycogen, and rebuilding the glycogen stores. As it puts back the 2 lbs. of glycogen into the muscle, 8 lbs. of water has to be stored with it to keep it soluble. So, even though the patient might still be losing energy content to their body, the weight will not go down or it might even gain for a while as the retention of water dissolves the glycogen that is being reformed and stored.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Why did you pick the sleeve vs bypass surgery?
My surgeon actually recommended the bypass due to the large amount of weight I need to lose, but said if I had a strong preference he could go either way. If I had been diabetic or suffered with heartburn, I would have chosen the bypass surgery. I chose the sleeve because I was not excited about completely bypassing the stomach and beginning of the small intestine and the important role they play in absorption. Also, though dumping syndrome is possible, it is much less likely with the sleeve. (see dumping syndrome description below courtesy of Mayo Clinic)
Here are a couple of good links that talk about the sleeve surgery. I know many people have not even heard of it or know it is an option.
http://www.bariatric-surgery- source.com/gastric-sleeve- surgery.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/ tests-procedures/bariatric- surgery/multimedia/sleeve- gastrectomy/vid-20084652
"Dumping syndrome is a condition that can develop after surgery to remove all or part of your stomach or after surgery to bypass your stomach to help you lose weight. Also called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from your stomach into your small bowel too quickly.
Most people with dumping syndrome develop signs and symptoms, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea, 10 to 30 minutes after eating. Other people have symptoms one to three hours after eating, and still others have both early and late symptoms." http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dumping-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20028034
Here are a couple of good links that talk about the sleeve surgery. I know many people have not even heard of it or know it is an option.
http://www.bariatric-surgery- source.com/gastric-sleeve- surgery.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/ tests-procedures/bariatric- surgery/multimedia/sleeve- gastrectomy/vid-20084652
"Dumping syndrome is a condition that can develop after surgery to remove all or part of your stomach or after surgery to bypass your stomach to help you lose weight. Also called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves from your stomach into your small bowel too quickly.
Most people with dumping syndrome develop signs and symptoms, such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea, 10 to 30 minutes after eating. Other people have symptoms one to three hours after eating, and still others have both early and late symptoms." http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dumping-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20028034
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Everything you want to know about my weight loss surgery but are afraid to ask. Q&A
1) What kind of surgery did you have? When? Who was your surgeon? Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on May 22. 2017 with Dr. Sanjoy Dutta at Kaiser Fremont. The surgeon essentially removed 80% of my stomach leaving a tube of a stomach-think the size and shape of a gogurt.
2) Why did you decide to have surgery now? My weight was not going anywhere but up, and I wanted to walk into a room and meet a new person without them first judging me for my weight. I am turning 50 on September 21, 2018 and I want to be fit and 50.
3) How much weight have you lost? From highest ever recorded weight 351 lbs. Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs) Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs) Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs) 7 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery) 14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery) 16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
4) How much do you eat? 2-3 ounces of food per meal
5) How much can you drink? Not enough-currently only 30-40 ounces daily. This is very hard and requires frequent sips as I can only take sips as more than 2-3 ounces hurts my stomach.
6) Did you have a lot of pain? incision pain was mild to moderate for 2 weeks managed with Hycet, Tylenol, ice pack, and abdominal binder. I also experienced stomach spasms every sip of fluid and bite of food. It is getting better with time, but still frequently painful to eat.
7) Are you exercising? Currently just walking 3-4 K steps daily. Will be stepping that up shortly.
8) What is your goal weight? 175 lbs
9) Are you tired? I am definitely not on my A-game, but getting better daily.
10) How long are you off from work? 4 weeks total-I return on June 19, 2017
11) Do you regret having the surgery? Not yet, and I doubt I will
12) Are you afraid of hair loss? Yes, but I am more afraid of dying.
13) Are you afraid of saggy skin? Yes, but I am more afraid of dying.
Anything else you want to know? Feel free to ask!
2) Why did you decide to have surgery now? My weight was not going anywhere but up, and I wanted to walk into a room and meet a new person without them first judging me for my weight. I am turning 50 on September 21, 2018 and I want to be fit and 50.
3) How much weight have you lost? From highest ever recorded weight 351 lbs. Weight on 3/1/2017 when I started Weight Watchers 346 lbs. (-5 lbs) Weight at pre-op appointment 313 lbs. (-38 lbs) Day of surgery 306 lbs (-45 lbs) 7 days post-op 5/29/2017 298 lbs (-53 lbs total -8 since surgery) 14 days post-op 06/05/2017 290.3 lbs (-60.2 lbs total -15.7 since surgery) 16 days post-op 06/07/2017 289 lbs (-63 lbs total -17 lbs since surgery)
4) How much do you eat? 2-3 ounces of food per meal
5) How much can you drink? Not enough-currently only 30-40 ounces daily. This is very hard and requires frequent sips as I can only take sips as more than 2-3 ounces hurts my stomach.
6) Did you have a lot of pain? incision pain was mild to moderate for 2 weeks managed with Hycet, Tylenol, ice pack, and abdominal binder. I also experienced stomach spasms every sip of fluid and bite of food. It is getting better with time, but still frequently painful to eat.
7) Are you exercising? Currently just walking 3-4 K steps daily. Will be stepping that up shortly.
8) What is your goal weight? 175 lbs
9) Are you tired? I am definitely not on my A-game, but getting better daily.
10) How long are you off from work? 4 weeks total-I return on June 19, 2017
11) Do you regret having the surgery? Not yet, and I doubt I will
12) Are you afraid of hair loss? Yes, but I am more afraid of dying.
13) Are you afraid of saggy skin? Yes, but I am more afraid of dying.
Anything else you want to know? Feel free to ask!
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