I am sooo happy!

I saw the nutritionist this morning and she is very happy with my progress - yay me!

She also told me that I need some carbs, and forget about what some people say about no carbs - if they aren’t qualified nutritionists, don’t listen!

She wants me to have a varied diet, and a few carbs won’t hurt me - she says to stop counting them! I suppose she is the specialist.

Also, she mentioned that my goal weight was a bit low for my height, so she has asked me to add 14 pounds to it. I suppose 154 at 5 ft 8 wont be too bad.

She also wants me to make sure I get plenty of Selenium.

I have also been given the go ahead to have very small quantities of brown bread - toasted is best. 2 small pieces of the mini loaves at most.

I bought some sugar free jam today, so toast, here I come!

Just got in from my evening walk with Rob and I feel great!

Have you ever just known you were on the right path?

I couldn’t feel better (or more tired LOL).

43 pounds gone for good!

Dumping Syndrome.

It occurs when I eat something that for one reason or another, does not agree with my new stomach and intestines. I don’t know that this is occuring until about 15-30 minutes after a meal.

The rapid “dumping” of food triggers the pancreas to release excessive amounts of insulin into the bloodstream.

This is what I experience when I dump: shortly after eating a food I can’t tolerate I begin to feel a bit disoriented, maybe dizzy and then an overall sense of confusion or panic takes over my mind and body. My heart starts to palpitate and I feel as if it is going to jump out of my chest.

This is a mild state of delirium. Then I begin sweating. During this state of sweaty panic I feel like I’m out of my mind! Once during an extremely dramatic dumping episode I literally thought I was dying, the state of distress was that severe.

Sometimes this is occompanied by being violently ill.

I know the event is starting to pass when the sense of panic is replaced by exhaustion and cold chills instead of sweating.

The mild delirium associated with dumping is the result of an interruption of nerve impulses affecting cerebral metabolism. This mild delirium is characterized by a reduced ability to maintain attention to surroundings or disorganized thinking. The daily routine can become confusing. In extreme cases a person who is dumping may experience rambling, irrelevant or incoherent speech.

Through trial and error I can predict most things that make me dump and I avoid them contemptuously. it is still early days yet so some things I just don’t know about.

There is no way to stop this once it starts, but lying down helps. So you may see me with my head on my desk after lunch sometimes, as this is as close as I can get to laying on my right side.

If you want to read more about Dumping Syndrome, the Mayo clinic has an article at http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00715.html

My surgeon keeps asking me to try wholewheat bread - he says its for the fiber.

I went and got the lowest carb variety I could find. I know that gluten is also an issue.

So I had a quarter of a piece this morning with some tuna.

I have the worst gas ever! This is also my first week back in the office and I am slightly embarrased because I keep burping (luckily I work with all men who find this very amusing).

Does anyone else get bad gas from bread? I am not having any pain, just stupid gas.

Would toasting make it easier?

Prior to surgery, I was on Concerta - time released Ritalin. I have ADHD and although I am highly functioning and use it to my advantage (was great in med school), I need to focus more now and it has helped.

Because of the issues with absorption, I have switched to Ritalin and taken my first tablet this morning - its been awhile and I kind of missed the ability to focus to be honest. Its nice to feel some normality again.

Is anyone else on Ritalin (generic name methylphenidate) or someting else for ADD/ADHD?

If so, what has your experience been?

Had a few rough days, made the mistake of trying peanut butter which caused me to have a gastrointestinal dump, but I am recovered. I won’t be repeating that incident any time soon.

I am down 37 pounds now, and its really starting to show. Clothes are fitting better and I have much more energy. Oddly though, I have to stop and rest often cause my drain site hurts.

I see my surgeon on Tuesday and hopefully all of my blood results are fine.

I go back to work in just over a week, and to be honest, I am looking forward to it. I hate not having structure to my days.

This week I have had a few NSVs (non-scale victories)…

2 trouser suits actually fit - and I can button the jackets closed! I will have to try some others
1 top is actually baggy
1 bra has gone to next line of hooks
Some of my underwear slide down cause they are too big
Lingerie I haven’t worn in ages actually fit
an old bath robe actually closes
I don’t have to lie on the bed to get into my FAVOURITE jeans..

I am only 3 weeks out and although I don’t see the difference, my friends do, and until now, I didn’t believe them!

I have had a few days of illness, but getting better. I don’t know if its because of a tummy bug or trying to get used to new foods, time will tell. I have a new love for steamed salmon.

Lost 30 pounds so far, and going to walk more from next week.

The ketosis has some bad side effects - ie bad breath - but will hopefully clear before I go back to work.

Down three more pounds today.

Total pounds lost: 25

Woohoo!

This is the best soup ever - I added some boneless skinless chicken breasts to it for extra flavour and protein, and next time will add some frozen mixed veggies for a more pot-pie taste

Creamy Potato Chowder

3 T. olive oil
3 T. butter
1 sweet onion, diced
2 carrots, shredded
5 T. flour
1 t. salt (to taste)
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. black pepper
3 c. (FF) Half & Half OR milk
1 (15oz) can chicken broth OR 2 cups homemade
5-6 c. diced potatoes (more if you like it really thick with stuff!!)

In a large stockpot, heat oil and butter. Add onion and carrots and let simmer away on medium-low until onions are soft (15 minutes). Add flour and seasoning and stir well. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer over LOW heat for about 2-3 hours, stirring frequently. The long simmer makes it nice and thick and lets the flavors meld wonderfully!!! Don’t be impatient! 10 servings

With fat-free half & half:
Per Serving: 199 Cal; 4 g Protein; 9 g Tot Fat; 26 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 5 g Sugar; 249 mg Sodium

With regular half & half:
Per Serving: 250 Cal; 5 g Protein; 16 g Tot Fat; 23 g Carb; 1 g Fiber; 1 g Sugar; 175 mg Sodium

So far, the amount I have lost is 21 pounds or 9.54 kilos.

I am still very tired and uncomfortable where they put the drain into my abdomen (its out now) but I feel my strength is getting better. I am trying to walk around the house as much as possible, and I can stand long enough to enjoy my shower without worry in the mornings.

I still have 6 wounds on my chest and abdomen, which are still healing. These make wearing a bra hard, because the top entrance point is right smack dab in the middle of where my bra goes. Once the stitches have dissolved and the wound is healed this will be much easier.

I am struggling to find sugar free drinks, ice lollies, yoghurts and the like. People don’t realise that I can have ABSOLUTLY NO SUGAR. Even those slimfast drinks have tons of it in. Read the labels on the stuff you buy and you will quickly see

On the plus side, Tescos is now carrying the lactose free milk I need - a BIG bonus! I think I will stick with Tesco’s from now on, they tend to carry the healthy items I need more easily.

SOOOO, if you have any recommendations for sugar free items, I am particulary looking for ice cream and drinking chocolate, let me know.