4-week Post-Op Results

[Guest guest]

Ok-I had my surgery on May 02 with Dr Aceves in Mexicali and lost 27 lbs in

about 22 days, then went into a stall pattern.

Over the month I had a few highs/lows. Dr Aceves repaired a hiatal hernia that

I had besides doing the VSG. I must have been running on adrenaline when I got

home because I know I did too much in that first few days [plus I left my 2 dogs

with a doggie-sitter at my house and he let them pee pee all over my living room

carpet].

So when I went to use the carpet shampooer when I got home, I picked it up and

dropped it [too heavy], broke the sucker, and then had to go get a new one just

to get rid of the stain and the smell. I am single, so WHO was going to take

care of this for me besides me?

That really was too much in the first few days home and maybe because of the way

I was protecting my body or how I was using my body, I ended up pulling 7-ribs

out. [three in my breast plate and 4 on the right side of my back] OUCH. I

went to my body worker, he got them popped back in and we did some TAPPING

[google it] for my healing process. He is so good!

Once I did the tapping, got my ribs back in place and I calmed down to remember

that I just had major surgery, things improved. Because I have 2 dogs and they

have to be walked daily, I got some Sketchers and out we go two times per day.

Dr. Aceves nutritional support GABBY has been coaching to keep track of

calories, water intake, protein intake, no sugar or at least very low sugar +

carbs. What really worked for me in the first 21 days was to do GNC's Zero Carb

drinks [40 gr of protein / drink] and then when I moved to shakes, their shakes

have 50 grms of protein. combined that is 90 grms of protein / day.

The bloodwork that was done PRE-OP for me showed that I was very low in PROTEIN

even though I ate protein everyday. It was just a LOW quality protein with high

fat [hamburger] so shifting to getting enough water and eliminating the

dehydration problem in my body; getting enough, more than enough for many people

of protein into my body and completely staying away from sugar allowed me to

lose 27 lbs in about 22 days.

Then I started into week three where I could do some very soft foods. 2-3 bites

of cottage cheese works. In week 4 over the holiday weekend, I tried a few

other things. My body did not gain but I have not lost anything more, so I am

going back to what works, what feels good for my body which is LOTS of high

quality protein and LOTS of fluids. I was in pain in even testing some white

fish, some hummus, and some arugula.

Yesterday I had a migraine. Sure enough I noticed that I had dropped off below

my 64 oz of liquids / day. Yes it is hard for me to get my fluids in, but I

would rather get them IN than be in bed with a migraine.

I purchased 3 months worth of Nexium while in Mexicali [doctors recommendation]

and have been taking about 5/week. I am using a Vit A + D ointment on my

incisions now that they are closed and have also used some wheatgerm oil. They

are super teeny weeny + looking good.

I also had read a post from someone who used a compression garment, so I did

that as well.

I measured my waist this morning. Before surgery, I was 44 inches, today I am

37 inches and I know I am losing up/down my body, so I think the compression

garment is helping me alot.

As a reminder to myself, I want to repost a few things Dr. Aceves said to me

PRE-OP.

RESULTS will be directly related to my commitment with myself [with ME:

Mental-Emotional = ME] The surgery is about 50% of the process of getting the

weight off, so he has done half of the lifting -- the rest us up to ME if it is

to BE.

* The quality of my food must improve -- this past month the zero-carb Iso-pure

is a big improvement from the burgers + buns I used to eat.

* Your caloric intake needs to be reduce to 1/4 to maximum 1/3 of what you used

to take in

* Exercise Daily -- with 2 doggies and my new Sketchers, I have been walking.

Dr. Campos said no swimming, weight lifting, eclipse, etc for 6-weeks and no

Yoga or Pilates for 8-weeks. So in about 2 more weeks I will join a Ladies

outdoor water aerobics class--fun for the summer.

* Focus on building Muscle first -- then the fat will fall away.

* You need at least 60 grams of protein per day to build muscle

This will be a change that I need to make for the rest of my LIFE

This is a lifestyle change for my body--and my blood work told me that I need

this change.

* Once I arrive at my magic weight loss number, it is my responsibility to

maintain that number.

* Eat with your HEAD and mentally PLAN on eating very small bites; slow down the

eating process; chew-chew-chew; let food and drink slide down and stop gulping

down.

* ME = Mental + Emotional this is a mental-emotional + physical lifestyle change

if I want a transformation in my LIFE [Dr A did not say this to me--this is my

note to myself]

* Get into relationship with your new stomach: feel the food in your stomach;

test it all; don't compare yourself to others--let this be your own process--so

find out what does and does not work for you

* Get into relationship with a new plate: make it smaller and you may need a

sippy cup to learn how to sip your liquids instead of gulping. Go for small

protions and learn when it it time for YOU to stop.

* What is your signal to stop eating? Hiccups? A runny nose? a burp? Pay

attention to your new body signals and honor them.

* Eliminate the old eating Myths: clean your plate; eat because you are told to,

eat because it is when you have always eaten. Now it is time to eat to fuel

your body, to build lean muscle and that means Protein and lots of Water.

* Learn to take the time to savor your foods when you do start eating

solids--take your time with each bite.

* Learn to listen to your BODY about WHEN to eat? WHAT? HOW MUCH? HOW

OFTEN?

A food journal is the best thing you can do when relearning HOW to EAT.

* Discern between a sense of hunger and a compulsion to eat

* The ideal day is 4-5 small meals / day with a high quality protein as the

first thing to hit your mouth. Small portions. small portions. small

portions.