A little update...

Here's a little update on me:

Weight: 252.5lbs

I have started to eat soft foods basically I drink a bunch of water and for lunch and dinner I try to eat 3oz of tuna with light string cheese and 2 pieces of Melba toast, and I never finish it! For breakfast I try to drink a protein shake with a cup of skim milk. I try to get about 60 grams of protein a day, and it's really hard!! I also have to remember to take my vitamins and calcium chewables everyday (I have to take 3 calcium citrate lozenges a day and can't take them together or with my multivitamins so it's hard to remember!) Oh, and I hace started walking for 30 minutes everyday, and since I've lost a little over 30lbs I'll post a couple of pics:

 Before: Orange Shirt After: Blue Shirt

Some pictures, you may not like these...

Here are some pictures of my incesion sites, they are kinda yuck but I have 5 of them and I thought I would show ya what they are like:

 

 

Oh, I had some Jello with sugar free cool whip today for breakfast, I ate about half of it, got really nautious and slept for about three hours, hmmm, yuck! :(

Feelin good?

I think I feel good. I kinda feel like a pulled something in the left side of my tummy, but I dunno if I'm supposed to feel like this or not, I'm kinda confused! I have a doctor appointment to get my drain out of me (finally!) It's so weird to have a tube coming out of you and it really concerns me that I am going to accidentally pull it out myself by accident so I am glad to get it out tomorrow!! Other than that, I feel great! No pain like I thought I would be in. I get tired very easily, but what do you expect? I'll update my weight tomorrow, and tell ya what I hear at the doc's office :) Oh, and if u are wondering, currently I am on a clear liquids diet. I consume @ 80grams of protein (thank goodness for good-tasting protein shakes) and about 550 cals a day. I drink about 100 fluid oz a day. Way above my goal!! More tomorrow...

"All of us are stars and deserve the right to twinkle."
— Marilyn Monroe

Just Some Interesting Stuff...

Living with gastric bypass

Gastric bypass surgery has an emotional, as well as a physiological, impact on the individual. Many who have undergone the surgery suffer from depression in the following months.This is a result of a change in the role food plays in their emotional well-being. Strict limitations on the diet can place great emotional strain on the patient. Energy levels in the period following the surgery will be low. This is due again to the restriction of food intake, but the negative change in emotional state will also have an impact here. It may take as long as three months for emotional levels to rebound. Muscular weakness in the months following surgery is common. This is caused by a number of factors, including a restriction on protein intake, a resulting loss in muscle mass and decline in energy levels. The weakness may result in balance problems, difficulty climbing stairs or lifting heavy objects, and increased fatigue following simple physical tasks. Many of these issues will pass over time as food intake gradually increases. However, the first months following the surgery can be very difficult, an issue not often mentioned by physicians suggesting the surgery. The benefits and risks of this surgery are well established; however, the psychological effects are not well understood, and potential patients should ensure a strong support system before agreeing to the procedure.

Home from the hospital

Alright, So I had my surgery on Tuesday 10/27/09 and was let out of the hospital on Thursday 10/ 29/09. I don't really remember the first day at all! I was told the surgery went well, so that's good! :) On Wednesday I was supposed to go home, but I was being uncooperative and sleeping too much and not sipping on my liquids like I was supposed to, so they kept me one more night. I had the best nurses, Dr.'s and techs EVER!!! I love this hospital, not one bad egg in the whole place!! So, I will blog in a the next few days, I'm still really tired! Oh, right now my weight is at 266lbs. ~Val

Nervous/Excited

Tomorrow at 7:30am is check in! I'm ready! :)

Here is a cute picture of my nephews, it might be a couple of days before I can blog again...

Wow! Scale says 270!

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Quick Update

Here's a quick update:

I am on my 2 week diet (basically it's a 1,200 cal slim fast diet .5 high protein slim fast shakes and/or meal bars a day with one "real meal" consisting of 5 oz of lean meat and 2 cups of certain veggies a day). It's REALLY hard and I'm not gonna lie, I have kinda cheated (and by cheated I don't mean I had fast food or had a binge eating session, I mean I had an extra bar or shake or a string cheese), but all in all I am so proud of myself, and I can't believe I have made it this far! Also, no carbonated beverages, just water. Well, water with  sugar free crystal light! (and let me just tell you, I LIVED on Sprite!)

Well, I just stepped on the scale and guess what?!?! It says 273lbs!! OMG! YAY!! My goal was to lose 14lbs before my surgery date and I have done it (something to do with losing fat on my liver to make the surgery safer). Oh, and I have quit smoking (quit date was 10/13/09) and have not cheated once. I have wanted to, but I haven't. I did buy nicotine gum, but only use it on rare occasions. Things are looking up :) I am feeling HAPPY right now!!

Pre-Surgery Pics (Before)

Hello, my name is Valerie. I am 25 and I am a new talent hairstylist at Jonas Aveda in Dallas, TX. (more on that later) This is my brand new blog! I am on a new journey in my life. I am about to have gastric bypass surgery on 10/27/09. I am going to track my progress, my frustrations, my celebrations, my hell, and my happiness on this blog. 

My Stats:

Height- 5'9

Weight- 287 (this is my highest weight, and this is embarrassing for me to post)

Measurements:
Neck- 56 1/2"

Wrist- 7"

Bicep- 13"

Bust- 56 1/2"

Waist- 51"

Hips- 56"


Thigh- 26"

Calf- 16 1/2"

Ankle- 9"

 

Here are my "Before" pictures:

(they were hard for me to look at, let alone post on the internet!)

First I'll post my face (forward, and then both sides):

and now for the body shots (UGGHHH!!!!):