08/24/12- UPDATE FEELING GOOD!!!

Hi Everyone-

Well, so happy it is Friday!!!  I am feeling great, everyday I seem to notice something new about my body or am able to do something I have not done in a while.  For example, I had actually developed a fear or booths and chairs.  It is very uncomfortable and not mention embarrassing to not fit into a booth or chair.  I am glad to report that I am OVER IT!! I happily slide right into booths and fit into chairs without having to say a little prayer first.  Getting up from the couch or the floor was always a challenge.  Particularly the floor, sometimes I would lay on the floor regretting why the hell did I get on the floor in the first place.  I am now able to jump off the couch without any effort.  Getting up from the floor is much easier now, and I don't avoid floor activities. 

I also started riding bikes again and DANCING.  Both are great activities and both are things that I have added back into my life.  Trying to keep as active as I possibly can, and it is fun!! I always thought of work outs as boring.  Perhaps, it is because I am doing activities with girlfriend and that is super motivating, but I am enjoying working out more.

Shrinking out of clothes like crazy!!! Never thought the day would come where I would say that statement.  I started out wearing 5x shirts (I would stretch them out to make them fit too) I am not happy to say that I am wearing 2x shirts, and it feels AWESOME!!

I haven't weighed myself in a week (that is a big deal). I am trying to stop myself from weighing myself EVERYDAY!! 

Life is AMAZING, I am so happy I made this decision and not one day have I ever looked back.

85lbs down and counting!!!

PURA VIDA

8/6/12

Here is a before and after picture.  Wow, I can't even describe how much my life has changed.  It is as if, I was given a second chance at life.  This time around, I am going to LIVE my life and make the most of this opportunity.

3.5 MONTHS

Hey Everyone!!!

I am still ALIVE!!! Well, soooo much has happened, where do I begin.  First of all, I feel great and have lost a total of 67 lbs since operation day and 82 lbs since I began the entire weight loss process.  My blood pressure is back to normal and I feel AMAZING. 

It has been a rough couple of months, my beautiful mamita passed away on 4/25.  I miss her everyday and all of our lives have changed forever.  On 5/17, Tracy and I broke up.  It was the best decision of my life, letting go of the negativity in my life.

In all this chaos, I was able to meet an amazing woman.  I am overwhelmed with love from friends and family and feel complete support.

Here are a few pics that show my progress.

Almost at my 2 month anniversary

Hi, Sorry it has been so long since my last post.  Well, the eating has been going very well, I am learning how to eat with my sleeve.  I have had a few "incidents" but those are learning experiences that I have to go thru.

I have had a crazy month, my beautiful grandmother passed away on the 25th of March.  It is crazy usually during hard times, I tend to crave FATTY FOODS, but I continued and on and ate just as I should, I am actually proud of myself for sticking to my diet even during tough times.

Since my last post, I am now down 42lbs and I haven't measured yet.  I feel good and have been working out.  Yes, we went to get a membership at the Gym that is less than a block away.  I must say I am glad we made this choice.  There is not excuses it is just TOO close lol. I am very sore today, I worked out hard yesterday!!!

I will post some pics of this past month.  I would definitely say that I have become more active, and have more energy to do stuff.  I am not clubbing by no means, but I am visiting friends and just overall out of the house more!!!

Tonight I have my second Support Group meeting.  I actually look forward to talking to other people like me.  Interesting, because other than having a sleeve, I most likely would never meet these people but this brings us together.   I love that!!!

Hope everyone has an amazing day!!

Pura Vida- YO

My New Tattoo: Foo Dog represents Protection and Strength!!

My Beautiful Cousin and I!! I Love Lucas!!

 YO- at Seaport Village

1 MONTH POST OP APPOINTMENT

Hi Everyone!!!

Today I had my 1 month post op appointment.  Which entailed meeting with Surgeon briefly and then I spent most of my time with my nutritionist.  She says I am doing great with the food and vitamins etc.  At this point I have lost my appetite and she said this is normal at this stage since my body is still adjusting.  Also, she said this means that my metabolism is revved up and my weight loss is about to accelerate. :)

Since my surgery date I have lost 30lbs and 16".

I have felt good, a couple of days of eating too fast or not chewing well enough and I have had to throw up which SUCKS!!! But I am learning.

I found a pic of a really good friends wedding that I went to and I can really tell that I have lost weight since this date.

This pic was taken at my heaviest weight.  I know I am losing weight but it is still hard to talk about exactly how much I weigh  I will get there. Don't worry, the numbers will show!!

Here is a pic I just took at my desk.

Doctor  and nutritionist did scold me about working out.  I was not sure how much I could do etc etc.. so my homework for this week is to WORK OUT!!!  Doc says I am fortunate to be young, my skin should go back as it should be as long as I work out. That is one of my fears "SAGGY SKIN" isn't' it everyone's :)

UPDATE

Hi Everyone!!

So it has been 3.5 weeks since my surgery.  And I am happy to report that I have lost 25 lbs and over 10inches.  I can't believe it has already been that long, I guess that anticipation of the surgery really did get to me.  I am glad it is now behind me and I am feeling GREAT!!!

I am still eating mushy foods, for example yesterday I ate the following:

• Breakfast: 1/2 a packet of oatmeal (low fat no sugar)
• Snack: Protein Shake
• Lunch: 1/4 cup of refried beans (the veggie no fat version of course) with a sprinkle of cheese YUMMy and a sliver of avocado
• Snack: Protein shake
• Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken (about 1-2 oz) and a broccoli floret 

The protein shakes are necessary to make sure I am getting enough protein in.  Also this past Monday, I went to my first Support Group!!  I gotta admit I was a bit nervous at first, but if ya know me, you know that talking is not really a problem for me.  It was really GREAT and informative, there was people at all different stages and some "veterans" 7 years + that were there and I was able to ask a lot of questions.  I was hesitant but afterwards I felt like WOW these people get it!  Don't get me wrong I get a lot of support from family and friends, but as much support as I get, no one really understands exactly what I feel.  So it was great to talk to people and hear success stories and to know it will get better with time.

Right now, I am in a adjustment stage.  I am really trying to adjust to the eating.  OMG speaking of adjusting, this past week I at a pudding snack a little too fast and HOLY PAIN!!! I tried to walk, I was walking around our property like a crazy person rubbing my chest, the pain is INTENSE and would not go away until.. yes you guess it I had to VOMIT.. I hate throwing up, but lets face it who likes to throw up. I can say that I instantly felt better, but was traumatized because I hate to throw up lol.  I brought it up in Group and everyone said to get use to it, because if you do eat to fast or something that your body does not agree with it will come back up.   So, I say "I POPPED MY BARIATRIC CHERRY" It happens to everyone and let me tell you a LEARNING lesson for sure.  I have since slowed my roll as much as possible.

Some changes I have noticed. My clothes are fitting loser and I am able to sleep thru the entire night.  I use to get up at least 1-2 times thru the night to use the restroom.  Lately I sleep thru the night (AWESOME). I gotta say I feel lighter on my feet.  My blood pressure has already gone down and the doc said that I will most likely go off of my blood pressure meds by the end of this month. YAY!!

Today I started mushy food!!! OMG ground turkey and mashed cauliflower never tasted so good!!!!!

Stitches Out

Hi Everyone!!!

So yesterday I went to the doctor to get my stitches.  I am happy to report that since surgery day, I have lost 20lbs crazy!!! Removing the stitches was an odd experience since I can feel them pulling out from inside of my stomach.  I have been doing my best to keep my wounds cut.  By the way, I have 5 cuts across my tummy ranging from 1 inch long to 1/2 inch long.  Unfortunately, one of my cuts was a little infected, and they found puss.  They cleaned them very well and I need to closely monitor to avoid an infection.  Removing the stitches made my tummy sore, to like move around and sit up and sit down.

So, I am still on liquids.  At first I was on clear liquids and then graduated to cream soups (strained that is) and this Monday I moved up to adding 2 protein shakes a day in between my meals.  The protein shakes are actually yummy because it gives me something sweet.  Eating is weird, in that I am afraid to eat.  Afraid to eat too much, afraid to eat to little.  It is weird because I don't feel hungry in the traditional way, but my body definitely lets me know.  I get really shaky, light headed, and weak, so I eat something and I usually feel better immediately.  I am drinking water all day long, since I cant drink a lot at one time, it is important that I take sips all day long in order to avoid dehydrating. 

Making progress and feeling good!!

Love YO

Post Op Day 4

I am back!! Today is day 4 and I am feeling GREAT! I have some pics from the day of surgery, pre-op and post-op, trust me you will be able to tell the difference.

I am also posting a pic of my dinner tonight which was 1/4 of cream of mushroom soup :)

this is my Sister Carmen and I pre-op

HERE ARE SOME POST-OP PICS

My mama and I. I am just waking up from surgery and I kept on smiling lol :)

So, I have been on a clear liquid diet until today. I get to eat cream soups and cream of wheat YUMMY!!!

I am home!!! I took a shower and went for a walk...

Day 2 feeling Great!!!

Wow!!! I am still waiting for the pain to come lol... I feel amazing a lil nausea here and there which SUCKS. I been walking like a crazy woman and doing all my breathing exercises. So far they have not given me any pain medication. They said that my surgeon is that good!! I been burping like I drank a six pack of beer lol. I feel blessed to be feeling so good and most importantly no pain. Don't get me wrong I do feel like I did a million sit ups. Today has been just ice chips, tomorrow I start on my diet yay!!!

The surgery went excellent!! My anesthesiologist was a beautiful woman!!! my grandma of course had to complain that she looked way to young ha ha. Oh grandma and she flirted with the nurse that wheeled me into surgery, of course a young strapping Latino.

My mama and grandma for always being there for me and of course for all of you out there supporting me with messages and comments. It really does mean the world to me!!!

Love you all

YO

All done!!! Just went on my first walk!!

Let's do this!!!!!

Trying to keep busy today!!! Tomorrow is the big day :)

2 MORE DAYS!!!!

3 more days!!!

3 MORE DAYS!!! I am getting very excited and I feel READY!!  I just pray I feel like this at 5am on Monday morning lol.  Weighed myself this morning and I have lost 8 lbs since my pre-op appointment.  Which is always exciting feels good to have a little weight off, excited to see the rest go soon!! Can't wait to start working out and see my body changing.

FYI- Please make sure to leave your name when you comment otherwise it says "anonymous" or "unknown".

LOVE YOU ALL!!! YO

5 days!!!

So, apparently a lot of you are unable to make comments.  I have made my blog public so you can all make comments!! I need the support!! Keep the comments coming!!!

Did I mention.. 5 MORE DAYS!!!! I am excited, for my new life and all the good that is going to come out of this.  I am going to be HEALTHY, and doc said I will be adding on 20 years to my life.

Love you all!!!

YO

1 week away

Hi Everyone!!

So 1 week from today or next Monday is my surgery date. I spent the weekend getting ready and preparing myself the best that I can.  When I say preparing I meant getting ready for my diet for this week and then I went to get my prescriptions filled.  Liquid Percacet YUMMY!!! Also, Tracy did all of our laundry.  We also are going to make some chicken stock this week since I am a snob and can't bare the thought of eating broth out of a can.  Last night I had all kind of crazy dreams, I just can't imagine what life is going to be like.  I don't even know what I will look like.  That is such a weird concept for me.

I am SUPER excited and SUPER scared.  I guess scared is normal, every morning when I wake up.. I tell myself.. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

03/01/12

Sorry about the video update, I just realized the audio syncing is off.  I will see what is going on, I am new at this blogging. 

Anyway.. I can say after yesterday's pre-op meeting/appointment I feel a little more ready.  Perhaps because it is becoming "REAL" March 12 is 12 days away... HOLY SHIT!! lol.... So I am on day 4 of my liver shrinking diet and what can I say.. I am HUNGRY but am pushing thru it.  They told us yesterday that is it not a test of will or to lose weight before surgery, they are doing this to actually shrink my liver.  Test shown that they can actually shrink your liver by up to 2cm in 2 weeks.  The surgeon needs to get under my liver to reach the stomach and if they shrink my liver it will give the surgeon more room to do his "MAGIC".  They told a story of a woman who confessed on the day of surgery that the night before she had a "last meal" of steak and potatoes and they had to reschedule her surgery.  I am learning a lot and they said by having this surgery I am adding 20 years back to my life.. 20 YEARS!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR SURGERY!!!

So today is 2/28/12. By way of update here we go!! On Tuesday February 7th I received a call from my Dr. George Mueller's office telling me the great news!! I have been approved for Gastric Sleeve Surgery on 03/12/12.

This is very exciting and scary at the same time!!

In order to get approved I had to do the following:

1. Medically supervised diet for 6 months- this entailed mostly powder drinks and 1 lean and green meal a day. I lost about 40 lbs on this diet.
   
2. Next I had to get a full physical from my primary physician for medical clearance for surgery.
3. Chest X-Ray, Psychological Evaluation, EKG, Blood work for days.

I am now 2 weeks away from surgery and so I have started a Liver Shrinking Diet YUMMY lol. I have to drink 3 Bariatric Advantage Shakes a day and 1 lean and green meal with 1/3 cup of brown rice. I am use to this diet so it doesn't seem as bad this time. Also, I have started not drinking while I eat. One of my life changes will be to not drink and eat at the same time. So after I eat, I have to wait about 30 minutes.