Well I guess that I should not let this bench mark go away without mention. A year ago today I was recovering from my RNY and feeling every bit of it. I remember the G tube. That thing was getting painful about now to say the least. I had it removed and to this day that was one of the most painful experiences I ever had to do. Well I had a lot of time now to think about the entire affair and I will say that all in all this was the best move I ever made. Granted I have made some hair brained mistakes in my time and I was very afraid that this would be another one but in the end so far that is not the case. I am proud of the progress I have made and I look great in clothes. Yes I have massive shrinkles all over my body caused from the massive damage being morbidly obese did to my poor skin. I have an old man neck from the weight loss there. I even had to have my wedding ring resized and links removed from my watch. The best one is the fact that my shoes size changed. My fingers and feet were even fat. I listen to country music now. Nobody saw that one coming. I guess that at least to me it feels like the old me died a year ago. This new me is much better. Well look at it this way. Imagine having your deepest wish granted. My entire life has changed. In one years time I have gone from slowly waiting to die to learning to live and doing it well. On my first pre op appointment I was sitting in Dr. Snyder’s office at Rose Medical Center so nervous that I was just sitting there not talking at all. (Rare for me) Michael Snyder told me a lot of things in that appointment but there was a life changing moment in that meeting that I will remember for the rest of my life. He asked me what I expected out of the surgery as far as weight loss is concerned. I sheepish said I hoped that I could get down to 225 or so. It felt like I was asking Santa for a Corvette and a million dollars. He leaned back in his chair and smiled. He looked me directly in the eyes and said that if I didn't hit 180 pounds he would consider the procedure a failure. I could tell that he really meant it. People I was moved to tears. No really. I couldn't speak or respond. I could only sit there and sob like a girl. I expected to hear a lot of things that day but I can assure you that I never ever expected someone to say that. Well here I am. I weigh 185 pounds and it has been a year. I don't have a corvette or a million dollars but I would trade them both in a heartbeat for this anyway. Thank you very much Michael. Thank you to my wife Paula who loved me fat first even when I did not love myself. I cant tell you all how much I love the new me. Thank you for granting me the wish I wanted so badly that I was afraid to even whisper it out loud for fear that it may leave even my dreams.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
On the topic of protein powder
I have noticed as will most of the people that get a RNY that there are a couple of differing schools of thought about calorie and nutrient laden liquids post op. Now of course there is the liquid and soft diet phase when most Docs bless the use of protein powder. My surgeon’s people preach elimination of liquid protein after the solid food diet takes. That equates to around 90 days or so in my case. I do for the most part try to keep the use of liquid foods to a minimal. I do have some real challenges sometimes keeping my protein up at around 90 grams per day. I can easily manage 60 but past that I do need help sometimes. When that ugly situation arises I make a point of getting down a protein bar and maybe a protein shake. My favorite types are normally unflavored. I can make them into what I want to and that is helpful. There are a couple of flavored ones I keep around for quick fixes.
My primary use of protein powder is in my food. I mix in a scoop with my oatmeal. I mix it into sugar free pudding. You can use it to make your own protein bars. I do. The point is that even if you never drink the stuff as a RNY post op you need it around.
Keep in mind the reason that most surgeons eliminate the stuff is because you could use it to beat the surgery. I agree. No liquid meals and no liquids with meals. They can do more harm than good. That said don't hurt yourself by not getting your protein in. Use it as a fall back. A failsafe if you will. The 3 rules I live by. 1. Take the vitamins. 2. Hit the protein number. 3. Exercise every day.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Fish Quandary
There has been a lot of questions lately about omega3 and protein rich fish weighed against the possible risks involved in the consumption of mercury and the environmental impact for certain types of fish and harvesting techniques. I kicked this around for a while and finally found the scoop at least as of right this moment. This is the link that I found on my pocket guide I was given on a trip to The Denver Zoo. http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_regional.aspx
This is a pretty good list. I wish the list was a little more detailed as far as why good choices are in fact good. I realize that some of the bad list may be there purely from a environmental standpoint. I do care about that sort of thing but I understand that some people don't.
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx There is some good information here. There actually is a detailed breakdown found here. I recommend that everyone give it a glance.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Picture Journey
This is my night before picture. 328 pounds
This shot is from June at 90 days post op
These are from October 7 months post op 225 pounds
December 9 nine months post op 200 pounds
Right now I weigh 190 pounds.
Broiled Salmon with a citrus glaze
Let me preface with the fact that I am super carb sensitive. Almost every food blog I read seems that there are some mean carbs loaded into the recipe. You know what I mean there if you hunt around a bit. This worked with me just fine. I adapted this from a Good Eats dish by Alton Brown.
Ingredients:
1 filet of salmon (entire side) 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. Alton uses Sockeye
1/3 cup Splenda brown sugar blend. Alton uses dark brown sugar.
zest of one large lemon. Alton uses 2 tablespoons
1 teaspoon of salt. Alton uses 1 1/2t kosher salt
1 tablespoon of black pepper. Alton uses 1/2t. I like pepper.
On a cookie sheet covered with foil lay out your fish skin side down. Allow the salmon to sit on the counter while you prepare the rub.
In a food processor blend the dry ingredients with the lemon zest until well blended. About 30 seconds in mine.
Evenly coat the salmon with the rub and allow the fish to sit for 45 min. on the counter top. This will marinate the salmon and bring the fish up to room temp.
Move your oven rack up to about 6 inches from the top. Set the oven to broil and preheat for 3 to 4 min. Alton sets his 3 inches from the top but I noticed that it burns if I do that. Your oven may be like his. if the fish doesn't brown right move it up.
Place the salmon on the top rack and broil it for 6 to 8 min depending on your oven.
Remove your fish and let it rest for 8 to 10 min. Serve. My kids even liked this one.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Every Rose has it’s thorn.
Ok so about my absence. I am struggling with a creepy little post op thing. I have a hernia just on the other side of the stoma from my pouch. This causes a partial blockage and it hurts. Sometimes a lot. I am such a wimp about it too. My PC Doc says Dr. Snyder could fix it in a jiff but I am afraid to even hear him out.
Ok I know but …. well there you have it. I will keep some updates here so folks can find it if they choose. Not my proudest moment I admit. I hate fear. I really hate pain. I really really hate when fear keeps me in pain. It is a work in progress, just like me.
Co-Morbidity Factors
In the world of the morbidly obese (Man I hate that term) co morbidity factors are the things that can actually kill you. These can take a lot of forms and your Doctor will discuss these with you. I personally had diabetes, hyper-tension (high blood pressure) and a strange cholesterol issue common in type 2 diabetes where my bad cholesterol was not high but the good stuff was too low.
Although these factors are horrible there is a ray of hope. They are the second required issue needed by many insurance companies in order to gain coverage approval for weight loss surgery. The first being in many cases a body mass index above 35. Roughly translated this means being over 100 pounds over weight.
I know that a lot of people struggle with these every day and many people die from them every year. Don't let yourself be one of them. I don't currently suffer with any of those things anymore. WLS is not a magic pill. Not for me at least. I have to live with a few issues since my surgery but I thank God that I had it done. Discomfort I can live with. Co morbidities can kill. If you suffer from these potential killers maybe WLS is the help you need. Go see your Doctor and examine the facts.
