Showing posts with label alpine tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alpine tea. Show all posts

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Post Op week 2 - I lost a Layla!



For those of you who don't know, Layla is our youngest dog (20 months).  My weight loss this week was 1.2 kilos - I was slightly gutted....why?  I thought I would lose more.  Too used to the 2 kilo a week, now back to reality and actually having some food of the pureed description.  On the more positive side, Layla weighs 28 kilos, so I lost her weight plus 500g (so a block of butter).  Yay!



16 days since surgery.  I'm doing alright.  In the last week I made it to work the whole working week!  That was my big goal after being slightly too ambitious the week before.  I have been made aware though just how much I do move around at school/teaching.  I tried to force myself to sit down and make students come to me - didn't work.  I like to be more interactive and talk to them.  Sitting up the front just made me feel isolated from the class.  And...you can keep a better eye on what is going on amongst the masses and that they are actually doing their work....it is high school after all.


A bit of a come down this week from the op.  Felt a bit bleh.  Got sick of the pureed foods after about three days.  Tired of being just plain exhausted.  Only managed a couple of walks and a PT session this week (more walking) - frustrating as I got fit before the op. 

For foods - hubby did make me lovely combos, having little cottage pies in a ramekin dish (minced up chicken/vege) and vege topping (not potato).  I advanced onto hummus and cruskits for lunch - 2-3 of them.  Sometimes having lite yoghurt and 1/2 banana too.  That was about it.  I was satisfied.  While I say that - I did start to get physically hungry at times this week (rumbles in the tum, and feeling hungry sick), so knew I had to eat.  Routine of school makes it hard - something I have to work at.

Consequences of the new regime - being blocked up - that so sucks - Benefiber and alpine tea to the rescue.  Apparently according to the dietitician - normal and should ease when back on real food.

Next week - soft foods.  This means food you can cut with the side of a fork.  Veges have to be cooked well.  Still nothing too high in carbs (Potatoes etc), no bread, and no fibrous veges (corn, asparagus, celery).  Chicken breast and steak are off the list as too dry. Also any fruit or vege with peel or a coat.  Avoid or remove peel.

But the big thing is - I get to chew something finally!!!!  Like a big girl :)

One other thing that has arisen.  Initially I had some pain where the port is (I think).  Is this to do with the muscle growing around it and recovery?  It has pretty much gone for now.  But in the last few days I have had pain to the left of the port and slightly down.  Hasn't gottten any better and I can't link it to anything.  Initially I thought I had pulled a muscle but it goes and comes back.  It hurts more when I am standing.  Today in the supermarket it felt like a stabbing pain and almost doubled over - however the pain went away.  I thought it was due to digesting but it had been hours since I had eaten.  Has anyone who is banded had this?  Is it normal?  HELP!  I have search internet sites and not much has come up.  I guess if it continues, I'll check in with the clinic.

Onto week 3.....

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Pre-op Diet Week 3

Week three saw the lowest point in this journey so far in terms of energy and general strength.  My will power was tested the most this week to stay on track.  Good news - I did!

My tiredness does show physically.  Ive started getting the comments of looking wiped out, bags under eyes and looking pale.  Can see why this preop diet and in general the optifast diet is not a long term thing.  Have had a little more red than white meat this week to keep my iron levels up (and hopefully reduce paleness!)

So anyway, had a day of on the Wednesday and slept most of it.  Felt a lot better for it to be honest, and now coping a lot better.  I think with school being hectic this week with the seniors leaving - energy levels were drained.

This week also saw the first signs of looking like I had lost some weight. I have now lost 10.5 kilos as at 7th November.   My jeans are a lot more comfortable, and have got a couple of comments saying Im looking a bit different.  A couple said they can see the 9 kilos from last week had gone.  It's nice to hear.  My efforts are working :) 

My dietitcian emailed and was pleased with the progress to date.  I was worried about the dramatic weight loss from the past two weeks, but she said it would have been a lot of fluid and it would slow down.  This week it had with 1.5 kilos lost.  While I do realise it is still a good weight loss, I couldn't help but hoping for more.  I know its silly.  I'm still losing and that's the main thing.  I did ask about cottage cheese (I love the stuff - light of course).  The dietician said as I was doing long term optifast, it would be ok but to restrict the meat more.  Sorry...I like the meat too much.  I look forward to it each day.  I will live without the cottage cheese for now.  Other thing - while gross have been 'blocked up'  - finally found alpine tea at the supermarket - wonderful stuff - now very regular :)

In the mail this week was a letter from my surgeon to my GP (I got a copy) stating the surgery was going ahead on November 26th and how I had chosen Lap Band surgery, and results of the consultation and his positive opinions about my commitment to the surgery and weight loss to date.  It was good to read it in print.

There were three main tests to my diet this week.  Two involved end of year treats with my two Year 13 classes. The first, taking one class to breakfast at McDonalds.  I passed with with having a trim mocha only :).  The second was a staff shout from the Teachers College at morning tea.  Chorizo sausage rolls, little salmon canopies, chcocolate brownies etc.   I did not move from my seat all interval nursing my coffee, surrounded by all the smells of this goodness but not taking a bite.  The last was fish and chips with my other Year 13 class, easy to miss this one.  The yellowness of the batter and fries put my off and since it cooled quickly - it gets gross.  Passed!




Highlight of week - winning $70 on the Melbourne Cup in the staff sweepstake - score!

Thoughtful note of the week - a student bought me Hershey Kisses as a thank you present.  She knows what is going on, but said "Miss, I checked the expiry date and it is Jan 2011.  By then you will be able to enjoy them, so don't give them to your husband!"  Cute :)

So how many pounds is 10.5 kilos? Well it is 22.1 lbs (1.65 stone for those old school folk) - Here are some other things that are 10.5 kilos
 This fish!
 This guy's hair
And this bag of flour plus a 500g block of butter!