Weigh in

Last week - 97.6kg
This week - 96.4kg
Loss this week - 1.2kg (total 13.7kg)

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY this week.

Had another night of food not staying down - indian curry chicken drumstick.
We did the drumsticks in the crockpot so they were nice and tender and then added an indian sauce we have used for years (and love). It was high in fat but I made sure I didn't have any of the sauce, only what was on the drumstick but within a few minutes I was off to the loo.........bugger.

Did 4 days on the treadmill which is also suprising as well as walking the kids (and dog) to school which is only a 20 minutes walk both way but better than nothing.

I have tried a few more meals that HAVE stayed down, including last nights dinner which was a beef casserole with mashed spuds. I have also changed 'cruskit' to sakata crackers with different toppings as it seems I'm having more......hahaha.
I made pumpkin, celery and kumera soup yesterday for lunch and that was devine.

I must admit though, I am still having to remind myself to eat as I'm not getting hungry which is the weirdest feeling.

It was another wet days yesterday so the kids and I made the soup and then double chocolate chip muffins with chocolate icing and sprinklings.

So 4 weeks down (going into week 5) and I'm starting to feel more 'normal' as I'm starting to have more variety in my meals.

2 more weeks and I can have a drink.......hahaha, I'd love a glass of wine.

Right I've just got off the treadmill and now need to have breakfast (weetbix with yoghurt and protein powder).

Weigh in

Last week: 98.9kg
This week: 97.6kg
Loss: 1.3kg (total loss: 12.5kg)

Someone asked me how much this op cost.
$18,500.00 and I reckon it is worth every penny.
I had 2 other procedures done but this was just for the bypass.
I am with Southern Cross Health insurance so I get an ex-gratia payment of $5,000 which helps (my bank manager agreed).

Even though there are certain 'rules' to this operation, I no longer feel I'm on a diet. For the 1st time in about 25 years, I'm not on some sort of a diet and it feels liberating.

I had a lovely meal with my family last night and felt like a 'normal' person with what I was eating. I am really enjoying trying new foods and not feeling like I'm missing out with anything.
Example: Yesterday was a horrible cold, rainy day so the kids and I stayed indoors and baked. We made a chocolate cake and chocolate chip muffins and I didn't feel like I had to lick the bowl out.....LOL

LIBERATING................

1st reaction

SEAFOOD CHOWDER

I am so peeved that I had a reaction to the seafood chowder I made last night, I was SO looking forward to it.
I made it with the seafood, cooked it in the fish stock and then added the lite coconut milk and thickened with cornflour. Tasted fantastic (while eating it), everyone raved about how lite and tasty it was but unfortunately within 5 minutes of eating it I was in the loo. I then got very, very hot and had to get changed into a summer top (I had thermals and 3 other layers on before that as I was cold).
So I'm guessing that I won't try that for another couple of months and then maybe it may agree with me a bit more.

But I won't give up, tonight I'm thinking of making a nice hoki fillet steamed in foil with corriander, lime and chilli with either brocolli balls (potato and brocolli mash with mozzarella cheese in the middle, rolled into a ball and rolled in breadcrumbs then baked in the oven) or a vegetable bake of some sort.

Anyway I'm off to drink more water and then jump on my treadmill.

Food glorious food.........and exercise!

I am sitting here with my trusty cruskit with a big piece of ham on it and a slice of edam cheese.............yummo and no problems going down.
Everything I have tried I have been very careful with and so far there hasn't been one problem. I haven't had any bad effects from anything I've tried and am really enjoying now making myself special tasty meals.

Being 'week 3' I have I am only going the the loo (#2's) once a week now which Zola reckons is OK but it feels really weird to me as I have ALWAYS been a very regular once a day girl.

I have also been drinking my water which has gotten easier as I now have a 'mizone' bottle which has a brilliant spout on it.

EXERCISE!
This is a word that has ALWAYS scared me. I hate, hate, hate exercise but know it is essential and has to be done. A couple of years ago I bought a treadmill which I used regularly for about 2 or 3 months and it has been an oversized coat hanger ever since....BUT on Thursday I was watching THE BIGGEST LOSER on TV and the girl who won it last session (Michelle - I loved her) said something about having balance and you just HAVE to have time for exercise or you are just going to go back to the way you were. One of the contestants had a gastric bypass years ago and was huge again which also scared me so I instantly got off that bloody couch and dusted off the treadmill and jumped on. There is NO WAY I am ever going back to what I was and getting this op is a 'tool' only and if I don't change my ways (food & exercise) I will put weight back on and there ain't no way I am going back there SISTER!!!!! (stepping off soap box).
So I managed 15 minutes both Thursday and Friday and have yet to jump on today as we have just gotten back from rugby (my son scored 6 tries out of the 11 their team made - very proud mum) and have been cleaning the house as we have guests tonight - BUT I WILL GET ON IT TODAY. Plus I always feel better once I step off knowing I have done something for myself and it didn't kill me after all.

I am starting to get a 'too big' pile in my wardrobe now. 1 or 2 items that I put away basically as soon as I got home from hospital but now a few more after a couple of people at work told me that what I was wearing was baggy.....hehehe baggy, love it.

I haven't gotten around to making that seafood chowder yet BUT tonight is the night as we are having guests and they love seafood. It has been quite cold here the last week or so, so I reckon the fire blazing, a hot bowl of chowder while watching the rugby is going to be a perfect night.

Right I'd better get back to my cleaning............*sigh* a women's work is never done.

Week 2 - All going well

Last Week: 101.3kg
This week: 98.9kg
Loss: 2.4kg (week 2)

Still can't believe that. Its actually coming off!! I will NEVER be over 100kgs again..................NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have put on 400g in the last 5 days as I'm not 'going' to the loo again. I'll have to get that benefibre into me again.

I'm quite excited about this week as I'm allowed to start eating more 'normal' food. Its called the 'soft solids' week and basically its trial and error with overcooked vege's and soft meat.....mmmmmmm sounds yummy hahaha.

I made a fish pie last night which I'm going to try today and I also have a fabulous seafood chowder recipe (thanks Cara) which I am definately having in a few days.
I just intent to eat with my family this week (rather than my own seperate little meal) and just have the mashed potato, vege's and whatever meat they are having.
I have gotten lots of fish and chicken thighs as these seem to be the theme with new post op'ers.

My usual daily food so far has been:

Breakfast: 1 weetbix, 4 tsp plain yoghurt, 2 tsp strawberry protein powder.
I usually get through about 2/3 of it which is about 4 or 5 teaspoons.

Lunch: 1 Lite cruskit with different toppings, like, vegemite and cream cheese or tuna and cottage cheese or garlic roasted hummus and grated edam cheese....yum.

Dinner: 2 - 3 'ice cubes' of either lamb or chicken with vegetables (I made these up pre-op with a pot of vegetables with either chicken or lamb added, mixed up to mush and then frozen into ice cubes).
Last night I had 2 lamb ice cubes with 2 tsp of mashed potato and 1 tsp of mustard sauce (family had corned silverside with mustard sauce) and it went down beautifully but again I was only able to eat about 2/3 of it.

I don't snack at all (one of the rules - 3 meals a day only) and I have gone from about 8 cups of coffee a day with 1 sugar to 2 or 3 half cups of coffee with 2 sugar tablets and trim milk of course.

I am having a REALLY COOL dilema with my clothes this week as they are looking too big for me and a bit 'daggy' but my next size down are still a wee bit snug.
I have also realised that when I got down to my lowest a couple of years ago (84.3kg) it was summer which means I have HEAPS of smaller summer clothes but bugger all winter clothes.
I am currently FREEZING all of the time, even with the fire and everyother heater in the house going and have been out and got myself another pair of long casual pants and thermals but I'm still cold.
Not that I'm complaining (much) as I realise the layers are now (and forever) coming off and I LOVE THAT feeling, so I'll just live with it.
I keep imagining myself in a pretty summer dress which has always been a dream of mine, to wear a pretty summer dress. As I am so short (5f2") I have never been able to wear a dress especially with my weight as I looked ridiculous and shorter than I actually was. But BRING IT ON sister, I WILL be in a dress by Christmas.

Right I'm off to have my weetbix for breakfast (practically the only cereal I can have that falls within the sugar/fat guidelines). I have found a new variety "Wild Berry Bites" which I'm trying this morning. It have mixed berrys which will be a nice change from the plain weetbix.

Back at work

Well it was my first night back at work last night and it was like I'd never been away (don't ya hate that!).

They had got me a beautiful plant (lilly) and a gorgeous scented candle on a class plate which was lovely.

Had a call from the surgeons office yesterday checking on my progress.
All is still well and I have been told the uncomfortable feeling I'm getting when I drink my water is likely from it being so cold (straight from the fridge), so I am now drinking it at room temperature and it seems fine.
One thing I didn't mention (which I didn't think of at the time) is that when I eat, I have no trouble getting the food down but usually when I've had enough, I get these sharp pains in my left shoulder blade..............weird eh? They go after a few minutes but I must remember to ask about them next time.

Weight is still declining which is fabulous, I'll only put a weekly amount in though on a Monday.

Queens Birthday weekend coming up which means Monday off......yay!
We aren't going away anywhere but have several visitors over the course of the weekend which is always great.

Right best I get organised for the day..............chow

1 week post op

100kgs exactly.................gobsmacked!!

Tomorrow I'll be back in double digits, AWESOME!

STILL feeling amazing, not tired, food going down beautifully, not feeling like I'm "missing out" at all.

Wounds are healing really well, clothes are getting smaller.

Short, Sweet, Positive...........I like it.

1st weigh in

It's officially 1 week since my op tomorrow (Tuesday) but I just love Monday morning weigh in's, so Monday it will be.

Start weight was 110.1kgs - today 101.3kgs which is a loss of 8.8kgs (which included my pre-op diet).

I will put a weekly weigh, over to the right of my page so you can see how I'm going (if your interested....LOL).

Again, feeling amazing today with no pain. Slept like a baby and got up, got the kids organised for school, took them to school, came home and had some breakfast and a cup of coffee and just love being back to my normal routine.

My little Lucy (Fox Terrier) has sliced her wee paw open on something so I have bandaged it and I will be taking her off to the vet very soon.

Home

Arrived home yesterday afternoon and I am feeling amazing. I'm not on any drugs, mind you they only give you panadol after the op which amazes me but I'm feeling so great, I don't even need these.

The op went 'nearly' perfect, while I was on the operating table Dr Shroeder found I had a large Hiatas Hernia which he fixed as well as doing the tubular ligation and gastric bypass that did go perfectly. Triple whammy!

My weight this morning was 101.7kg which is a total loss so far of 8.4kgs.

I have been having yoghurt with mashed banana for breakfast and 1/2 cruskit for lunch with either cottage cheese or vegemite and cream cheese....yummmmmm.
For dinner last night I had one of my 'ice cubes' I made up before I went away with consisted of lamb steaks, potatoes, kumera, celery, leek, mushrooms, silverbeat and anything else I could think of, all blended into baby food consistancy and frozen into ice cubes.

I am suppose to be drinking 1 - 2L water a day but am struggling with this a wee bit, only because it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable when I drink water. I'm sure this will get better over time.

I met the most amazing ladies in hospital, 3 in total but 2 that I really got to know well and we had a ball in hosptial. We all marched up and down the corridors together and we even got in trouble one night as they were both in my room watching the final of American Idol and we were laughing so much the nurse closed our door and reminded us we were in a hospital................hahahaha.

Well that's all I can think of at the moment. I've just made a mean beef casserole with baked greens for dinner (for the rest of the family) and I'm now going to sit down and read my book for a while............chow.

5.3kg gone

Not bad for 12 days eh?

I had stalled for about 5 days and was getting quite down about it but Zola from Hamilton reassured me it would start moving again which it has. Still only 1 (#2's) toilet visit is 6 days though. Plus I still have 2 days to go which I'm sure will see a bit more coming off.

Leaving tomorrow for Hamilton, have to be up there to get blood tests done.
Op Tuesday - admission 7.30am, operation approx 10.30am......nice and early.

REALLY REALLY excited, just want it done and dusted now.

Got all my 'lists' done for the family, wherther they use them or not is another thing but at least I know my bit is done.

I'll be back once I'm on the 'other side'. I'm not taking my PC with me while I'm up there, so won't be able to update until I'm home again.........Saturday 29th.

BYE *waves*

The scales are going down

CHEATED on Saturday night. The family had pizza and I had 3 pieces, which is much better than my usual 8 but still, I beat myself up a bit for caving.

Drank a heap of water afterwards hoping this would wash it all away.....hahaha.

The scales are down again this morning to 105.8kg, which is a loss of 4.3kg in a week (awesome). I was asked to lose 2 - 4kgs before the op so that's one target I have hit. Another week to go, so lets see how much more I can lose.

Went through something weird last night - felt all down and depressed which ISN'T like me at all but have perked up again this morning. Don't know what it was but hope it doesn't come back.

This time next week I will be taking my life into my own hands by letting my Mother drive me to Hamilton (she's 70years old and thinks she is the only person on the road...LOL).

Right off I go..........talk later.

Saturday morrning

106kg - 4.1kg loss in 4 days (gotta love that!).

The optifast isn't bad at all, I couldn't do it long term though (2 weeks will be enough). I haven't been hungry once and haven't craved anything.

I remember when a friend of mine (Jo - Just4Jo) was having her op and her Mum (Jenny)did the pre-op with her. I also wanted to support her in some way and I had some of my protein shakes, so suggested I also do the pre-op with her (my version).
Gotta say now I'm actually doing the Optifast version - what I did was NOTHING like what I'm doing now.
From memory I think I lost 3 or 4kgs in the 2 weeks but my head space wasn't in the right place.............I realise that now. I had absolutely NO idea what Jo was going through.

When I did it, I knew that I could have a burger the day after I finished (which I proberly did) and it was only 2 weeks out of my life but now I realise that this IS the LAST diet I will ever do and I am NEVER going to be physically able to eat as I have all of my life (which isn't a bad thing). So it is easier in some ways but much harder in others. I am so excited I am finally able to sort this bloody weight issue out that has dominated most of my life but at the same time I have this feeling of great loss because this is the only way I have known (eating habits etc) and that is all going to change DRAMATICALLY.

Weird.................

Right - glad I got that off my mind, feel much better now.

It's 7.50am Saturday morning and I have my little 'All Black' playing rugby at 9am but we have to be there at 8.40am and it is cold and miserable today (very unusual for Napier let me tell you!). It has been raining and looks like it might just start up again as I get in the middle of the field to watch my little fella play.

Hubby is golfing after work (he's working in this weather poor thing) and if you have a golf mad person you know (Jo - you know my pain eh?) it can be hailing with thunder and lightning and he will still go and play - MAD! So at least I'll have a nice quite afternoon, we recorded 'GREASE' on Sky during the week and Hubby and the boys sat down and watched it (VERY LOUD WITH POPCORN) and they are hooked. I'm guessing this will be them this afternoon and I will undoubtedly re-read my information pack and hospital pack about my op (I'm an information junkie).

PRE-OP DIET - LAST DIET I'LL EVERY GO ON!

107.8kg which is 200g heavier than last week but today's weight was done fully clothed..........LOL (which I figured will be done this way with my surgeon in 2 weeks). I'm positive that if I'd weighed myself first thing this morning - naked - I would have easily lost more weight compared to last week, but now we will never know. I am also going to measure myself as soon as I can find that blinkin measuring tape.

I'm feeling fabulous and positive and excited.

Hubby is really nervous and keeps telling mes so, which isn't helping me much but I know it makes him feel better to tell me.
I had a mishap when I broke my leg many years ago and asperated in the operating theatre and ended up in intensive care for a couple of days......this is why he is so nervous.........I of course didn't feel a thing so woke up quite happy and didn't know what all the fuss was about.
Mind you, I was about 10kg heavier at least, which didn't help.

I had my first Optifast chocolate shake this morning for breakfast and it was OK, I've had better....hahaha.

My Mum has decided to do the optifast diet with me (for support) bless her but I'm guessing it will be much harder for her as there is no 'prize' at the end of the fortnight like there is for me.
I hope she does really well.

Right I'm off to hang some curtains that I bought about 6 weeks ago. I finally got them out and ironed them last week and they have been sitting on my couch ever since.
I HATE hanging curtains, hate, hate, hate. Oh well, its gotta be done.

Love Fridays

109.5kg flashed up at me this morning, which means a 2.2kg loss since Monday (5 days) which is brilliant.

I have made a huge salad with everything I can think of in it and then have just been having some protein (prawns, ham or eggs) with it and it is so simple. I am always brilliant when starting out a diet so am doing really well ..... its long term that kicks my butt. Won't have to worry about that soon eh?

I received my Hospital/Administration pack from my surgeon today with all the do's and don't before surgery as well as blood tests I need and bills I need to pay etc.
I am so stoked to think it is under a month now..........I seems to be taking FOREVER.

Back to my title...............I love Friday's because I get a whole 2 days off.
Admittedly I also work part time (4 hours per day) but I still look forward to it.
Mind you, in saying that the kids sports have now started up so I am usually on a rugby field somewhere in my area arounnd 8 - 8.30am on a Saturday morning.

Hi ho Hi ho, its off to work I go. Have a lovely weekend.

Going great guns

All's well with me replacing 1 meal with my protein shakes (which I love).

I'm replacing dinner with my shake which is fantastic as I don't finish work unit 9pm and usually eat when I get home which is WAY too late to eat and I usually end up staying up half the night until it goes down or I get wicked reflux.

I have been having either toast or a muffin with eggs for breakfast and some sort of protein (ham Monday, prawns Tuesday and today) with a fresh crisp salad........yum!.

When I weighed myself on Monday morning I was 111.7kg and this morning I was sitting at 110.1kgs which is exactly what I weighed a month ago at the surgeon's office (-1.6kg). So anything I lose from now will count towards the 4kg's I am required to lose beforfe surgery.

Had my girlfriend over this morning for a coffee who had the bypass done 4 years ago and it still amazes me how little she can eat (we had eggs benedict for breakfast).
I had 2 and she only wanted 1 and then only ate half of that and was full.....I still find that hard to believe....LOL

Righto I'm off to The Warehouse to finally buy some bar stools I have been waiting for.

Might get around to putting my ticker back up at some stage as well.

Feeling a little guilty

I had a call from the nutritionist in Hamilton yesterday just checking in on what I'm up to and if I'm putting any of the things explained to me into practic (ie. checking supermarket labels, monitoring my food intake etc) to which I told her I am.

She also asked me if I was going to start the optifast diet on Monday (this is the pre-op diet I have to do 2 weeks prior to my op to reduce the size of my liver which will make the operation easier for the surgeon - I'm all for that!) and I said to her that I'm not due to start the optifast until the 11th May, at least another 2 weeks away. She then said that I am able to start it at an earier date and the longer I'm on it the better and she could send me the extra supplies I would need (as I only purchased enough for my 2 weeks).

This threw me for a 6. WHY would I want to do that???? Well, I actually know why after she explained it to me but it came out of the blue, I wasn't expecting it and now I'm in a bit of a fluster about whether I should or not. The surgeon only suggested 2 weeks prior and I have siked myself up for starting it on the 11th May.
Grrrrrrr I'm a bit confused now.

I do have another protein shake (which is too high in sugar for after the op) which is called Naturally Slim (by Healtheries) which is the only protein shake I really loved when dieting, so I suggested I start suplementing a meal or 2 with this leading up to the 'offical' optifast diet. She said that would be fine but now I have this feeling that this is all happening now when I thought I still had a couple of weeks up my sleeve - does that make sense???

So anyway, I have my sister and brother-in-law, my parents and an ex brother-in-law and niece coming for a BBQ tonight. My plan is that I am going to drink the rest of my RTD's (premix alcohol) left in the fridge as well as treat myself to a huge steak (won't be eating that for a while) and some other wee treats, namely garlic bread and nibbles and then that's it!

Tomorrow will be a very quiet day and then Monday I'm going to cut out the alcohol, bread and sugar plus start supplementing my dinner with a protein shake and only having cereal for breaky (protein and salad/veges) for lunch.
THAT should get the ball rolling.
I will weigh myself Monday morning and take photo's and start weekly tracking.

That's the plan..............

All approved

Heard back from Southern Cross that I get a $5,000 one off payment towards my op (yeah!) plus I'm also having a tubular ligation at the same time and all of this cost is covered (double yeah!)..............might as well do as much as he can while he's in there eh......LOL

I've also applied and got approved my leave for May. I am only taking 8 days (with a weekend inbetween) as I only work part time (sitting at a desk) and with David's (surgeon) input he though this would be fine.

I've managed to put on another kilo since going to Hamilton which is a real bummer because I have been trying not to do the 'last supper' thing where I'm eating everything in sight because after May 25th, I'm going to be very limited for quite a while but it is really hard. Bread is my downfall and I know I'm not going to be able to eat much (if not any) of this for at least 6 months and I'm having one of those "losing an old friend" type of thing going on and eat bread more regularly now than in the past.

I have been trying some of the 'therepist' tips which are working quite well.

I'm obviously a HUGE eater and ALWAYS have a second plate of dinner or whatever, so one of the things she said to me was - "after your first plate of food, go and brush your teeth as you won't feel like anything to eat after that" and it works.
Another one was "while making food (dinner or whatever) alway have either a mint or a piece of gum in your mouth and then you won't pick" another brilliant idea.
Amazing how something so simple makes sense but you don't think of it until someone mentions it.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it earlier but my Mum came to the appointments with me and asked David which is the best diet to do (rather than the op) and he said instantly THE SOUTH BEACH DIET. Apparently it combines the Atkins diet with another one (can't think of it right now) and it is the best. He said Weight Watchers is very good but mainly focusses on low fat rather than sugar intake. Sugar intake is as harmful if not more that a fatty diet and he reckons people just don't understand this and are not being told. He reckons if you eliminate sugar from your diet (natural sugars as well - ie sugary fruits) the weight would melt off you (wouldn't that be nice!).
So my Mum has checked the local libraries and bookstores and can't find it, so we are going to either order one or get one off trademe (seems to be a few on there) and she's going to give it a go.


Well the rest of my day consists of taking the lovely hair off from above my lip and dying my rapidly greying hair....hoo hum.

Oh yeah weight stuff

Forgot to say that they reckon after 12 months I should be down to about 71kg.....nice! I of course have a figure in my head which is 65kgs as this is the top of my healthy BMI range...........time will tell.

I'm easy on this one and will wait and see how I go. I'll hopefully get everything right and not make myself too sick along the way.

Tuesday 25th May 2010.......

The last day I ever go on a diet..................Major sigh, that sounds good to me!

Went and met the team in Hamilton and they are all lovely. The surgeon even offered to tie my tubes for free while he was in there.........sounds good to me, thank you very much!

I start the pre-op diet on the 11th May so I am now starting the countdown, only 61 days until pre-op diet and 75 day until MAJOR LIFE CHANGING operation.

Doctors scales = 108.2kg
My home scales = 110.1kg (much prefer his obviously)
1.9kg difference.

Expected to lose a minimum of 2 - 4kgs on the 2 week optifast diet before surgery......no sweat.

Nearly a year has gone by...........

WOW I haven't updated since last April................can anyone say 'slack arse'.

Well I have made some major decisions since last April (by the way, I am 500g heavier at 107.7kgs now) and the biggest one is that I have decided to have a gastric bypass. With a BMI of 44, I am a perfect candidat (spelling?)and am hoping for big things.

I know of 5 other people who have had it now and all those people are 100% happy with their decision and look and feel 100% better............I want that too.

I have been thinking about it (seriously) for about 4 months but the final push for me was when my mother (who turned 70 years old 4 days ago) returned from Australia and on her second day back I had to take her to weight watchers to re-join (for the 100th plus time) so she could lose the weight she had put back on (for th 100th plus time). I sat there in the car while she went up to re-join and thought to myself "I don't want to be in this same situation when I'm 70!". I turn 40 this year and instead of a big party etc, I'm going to do something for myself and I have researched and put alot of effort into getting to this decision, so bugger it.......I deserve it and I'm going to do it.

Luckily for me I have a very supportive husband and family so there has been no negative's so far. I have my first appointment with the surgeon and his team on the 10th March and can't wait.
I am also working part time now (about 4 months now) and spoke to my boss and he is also very supportive and has no problem giving me time off which is awesome as I haven't accummulated enough yet.

So that's my big news....................never a dull moment in this household.

I'm still loving the Hawkes Bay and everyone (kids, hubby, father) are all settled and really happy. We have been here 2 years now (time fly's ha?) and have made some lovely friends.

Hoping to update more frequently in the future.