About VSG

Sleeve Gastrectomy is a surgical weight loss tool in which the stomach is reduced to about 25% of its original size, by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach, following the major curve. The open edges are then attached together (often with surgical staples, glue and possibly cauterization) to form a sleeve or tube with a banana shape. The procedure permanently reduces the size of the stomach and is performed laparoscopically and is not reversible.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/about_vertical_sleeve_gastrectomy.html

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Showing posts with label random. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random. Show all posts

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Why no liquids within an hr of eating?


Think of your stomach like the drain in your sink.
If you drink water, it goes through fast and quick.
If you eat food it sits (which is what makes you feel full) until it digests... slowly.
If you drink WHILE (or while there is/or shortly thereafter WILL be) you eat, it flushes the food that is making you feel full through your system quickly so you don't feel satiety as long.
This does 2 things... it empties your stomach making that feeling of fullness not last as long AND it pushes the food through your entire system too fast which means you don't get the nutrients you need from the food you just ate.



And, if you don't believe ME... watch it with him!




I think everyone. I mean EVERYONE... pre/non/post sleeve should really adopt this practise of not eating while/before/during eating.  It helps us not eat as much... which of course is what food establishments WANT us to do!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

A dark truth about diet soda


I found this online yesterday ... It's specifically about diet sodas but we all know full sugar is terrible for us so...

Taken from Lumosity.com

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Diet Sodas: Changing Your Brain And Your Waistline- from a study out of the University of California San Diego

Diet sodas may not be helping you lose weight—in fact, these and other artificially sweetened foods may sabotage your diet by confusing and rewiring your brain’s reward centers. This study from the journal Physiology & Behavior is yet another example of how lifestyle choices can alter your brain—negatively or positively.

Scanning diet soda drinkers' brains
The University of San Diego study followed 24 young adults: half the group drank at least one serving of diet soda every day, while the other half avoided the artificially sweetened drinks. These adults were then hooked up to brain scanning equipment while scientists fed them water alternately flavored by natural and artificial sweeteners—then the researchers sat back and watched what unfolded in the brain.

The results, according to University of California San Diego researchers Green and Murphy, were pronounced: [Diet soda drinkers] who consumed a greater number of diet sodas had reduced caudate head activation. These findings may provide some insight into the link between diet soda consumption and obesity.”

Artificial sweeteners confuse reward
A little bit of background: the caudate head is a part of the brain involved in signaling reward and controlling food intake—and its decreased activity in the brains of diet soda drinkers has substantial implications.
Researchers posit that consumption of diet soda had confused the reward loops normally processed by the caudate head: because sweetness was no longer a reliable indicator of incoming calories, the brain had trained itself to respond less in the face of sweet flavors. Unreliable sweet tastes threw off normal predictions about calories and energy in the changed brains of diet soda drinkers—making it more likely that these people would consume additional calories later in the day.

Small choices can affect your brain
This newest study is pretty preliminary; it’s difficult to say how drastically diet sodas can affect bigger questions of lifestyle and health based on such short-term brain activation patterns. Still, this recent investigation provides an interesting reflection on how choices and actions made in everyday life can powerfully influence the way your brain is wired—in other words, the concept of neuroplasticity.
We can’t always foresee the unintended negative responses our brain makes—who would have thought diet coke might do quite the opposite of what its name suggests?—but there are positive ways to harness your brain’s ability to change.
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Interesting!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Something that someone I know said in one of her posts has been resonating with me and I realized that over the last month-ish... I too no longer FEEL skinny.   

I feel average.  I'm still the same size, no change in my weight.  But I think its my perception. 

In Edmonton, people tended to be on the heavier side so I found myself (erroneously or not) comparing my body size in relation to theirs.  Here in Vancouver, the population is largely Asian and as a rule, they tend to be rail thin.  So now, I find myself comparing to their body size and I don't feel "fat" but I certainly don't feel like I'm among the slimmest.

Such a head game.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

New bloodwork results!


 

GREAT NEWS!! For those that didn't see my FB... I just had new blood work done last week.

My iron went from 17 to 47 with the injections! WOOT... Doc still wants it over 50 but this is awesome  I can definitely tell the injections were working, my energy has increased tenfold and WAY less dizzy issues

My Vit D is still lower than she wants but everyone in Canada is low in Vit D so I just have to double my Vit D dose and I should get that up easy.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I'm feeling a little melancholy tonight


I'm planning our going away/goodbye party.  I'm watching people around me here experience exciting new challenges, my best friend's daughter growing up, my brothers, my sisters.... I think about all of them and how much I'm going to miss in their lives.  I know that we don't see each other here as much as we should/I'd like to... but now that I'm leaving this province it just feels so very final.    I know that this move is what's best for us (Hubby and I) and our lives and we're going to have a great life but every now and then nostalgia hits me and I'm drawn into a feeling of loss and sadness for what I will miss not living in the city I was born in.  That I grew up in. That everyone I know and love is in. And that I KNOW inside and out.

I'm nervous and scared and excited and sad and worried all at once.  What a range of emotions I'm experiencing as the date grows near.  A month... a mere month until we are literally on our own.  Just the 2 of us (and Bailie) .... in a city we have only visited a few times, in an office I've never been in, with people I don't know, in a position I'm scared the shit out of.

Tell me I can do this.  Even if I don't believe you.  Tell me I can because tonight, I'm FREAKING THE HECK OUT.

Much of it likely is because hubby is really being an ass tonight and its making me lonely for the life I'll be missing.  *sigh*

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Latest.... April 2012

I know I haven't been around in the last couple of weeks.  Sorry :((((((   (my version of a HUGE sad face)

Things that are new... lets see....

I've really been working out the last few weeks and I'm feeling really good and strong these days.  My iron issues may be working themselves out... I still have another set of bloodwork to get through but its looking better.  I feel more energetic in the last few weeks since I've finished my iron injections and been taking Cyklokapron during my cycle to reduce the bleeding during my cycle.  I'm hoping they're doing the trick as I really feel that this isn't something that is going to get better with high iron foods.

Time is ticking by with our move to BC.  We're about a month away now.  Thankfully we've managed to unload one of our homes by doing rent to own and we're hoping for an offer to purchase on the other this week coming up.  I'm a little stressed as I've accepted the Manager position in the branch in Vancouver and I'm nervous about the changes.  A new home, new province, new branch.. and new job.  It's a lot!

I've lost another pound in the last few weeks.  I'm ok with it as it's only a pound and its happened in the same amount of time that I've been working out so its not that bad.  I'm still hoping I don't reach the 120's though.  I'm currently at 132 lbs.



Lastly....




I seriously love www.bariatrictv.com

They are hilarious and informative!! Check it out!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

This site makes me sad

http://www.whyeat.net/forum/threads/7432-How-long-do-you-have-to-throw-up-after-a-meal


I found it because hubby has mentioned that 's been feeling the need to vomit after meals and its been happening daily.  It's not that he wants to, he just suddenly gets nausea and goes running.  So I googled "throwing up after eating" and found myself on this site...

I just want to hug all these girls (mostly females I'm willing to bet) and tell them that they're beautiful and not to fear food.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Had a pretty good day all things considered.  I slept late, lazed around a little bit and then went out and got some flowers and went to the cemetery. It was good, I feel very peaceful after spending some time there.  Afterwards I went and got a lottery ticket ... fingers crossed!!

Came home and spent some time doing computer stuff with my bro, tried on some new threads I picked up yesterday and then had a good workout with Bob and Biggest Loser on the Kinect.  Feeling good

Only minus to the day... I ate too fast and ended up worshipping the porcelain god.  Haven't done that in awhile.... my bad.

Mini fashion show below :)







Sunday, February 19, 2012

A teensy scare, a new low, a great day and a fun site

For the first time in YEARS, I took a pregnancy test.  I was scared and completely in denial that I could be pregnant.  Hubby had the snip a year ago but hasn't been tested so there's always a little niggle at the back of my brain that says "oh please, don't let it be this time".  This month I was 8 days late.  I haven't been this late in a long time and so I began to worry.  Bestie tried to talk some sense into me but I alternated between panic and outright denial.  I didn't want to test because I was afraid... what if it was positive?  I've never ever wanted to be a mother.  As a step-mom I'm happy but I never wanted to bear children myself.  I couldn't imagine going through that at 35.

I bought my first First Response test in a very long time and thankfully I tested negative on Friday. I was still worried since Aunt Flo hadn't made an appearance and I wasn't feeling any of the usual signs she was on her way.... well other than extreme annoyance at hubby for minor things but I don't need Aunt Flo to help me with that ;)  She showed up this morning with a vengence and as usual I went through the hating her but silently (or not so silently) cheering that she'd made an appearance at all.  After a day of cramps, I loathe her again and lament loudly at being female.

Also yesterday, I reached a new low on the scale.  138lbs!  Even with menstrual bloat I'm at this weight!  I feel amazing and can't believe that I'm 85 lbs down and will see my goal before my 1 year surgiversary at the end of April.  Heck, I will likely surpass it although I'm really determined now to put some muscle back on and get strong so maybe I'll be able to stave off any further losses on the scale.

Today, Aunt Flo and all, I met with a great lady that helped me become this healthier version of Cheryl that I get to see every day since April 2011.  I met up with Colleen from Weight Loss and Beyond Consulting and spent the afternoon with her and a friend that I referred for her sleeve surgery coming up March 15!  I'm super excited for her to start her sleeve journey and feel this excitement that I enjoy every day!  She has a cautious and reserved attitude to this process and I know that once the pounds start to come off and she starts feeling as great as we do, she will be just as thrilled to share this journey with others. This process is about sharing your journey with others, I think its an important part of the whole thing to be able to pass on your experiences, share in the highs and lows with those that have been there and those that are considering this path.  I don't regret my sleeve for a moment and I wish that I'd had the courage to share it with more people sooner than I have.

Lastly, I HIGHLY recommend you all check out this site.  These gals are HILARIOUS and give so much great information for post op patient of bariatric procedures.  I wish I had the time to spend watching ALL of their great videos!     http://bariatrictv.com/

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Weighty thoughts

I bought a bunch of clothes today... Incredulous to be wearing small and mediums yet the thing that stopped me more than my slim figure in the mirror was how I shied away from certain styles of clothing. Even 84 lbs down I still think that certain styles make me look "wide" or "fat" ... Weird how that even a small teenager worth of weight off my body will still make me worry that this shirt flares too much or those slacks give me muffin top

Monday, January 30, 2012

musings

Reached 140 today :)
I'm actually starting to get excited now about seeing the 130's on the scale.  I'm still occasionally nervous that I won't be able to stop the weight loss but I'm just trying to focus on eating right and hopefully I can maintain in the 130's.

I've been reading alot of accounts lately of other sleevers and how much they can eat.  It used to baffle me that post-op someone could eat 2 eggs.  Now I see that it appears to be more the norm than the exception.  I truly believe that my sleeve is small.  My surgeon uses a 32f bougie to do the surgery but I think perhaps my anatomy is such that my stomach itself is just short.  I can barely get a single egg down in a serving even still at 9 months out.  When we go out for breakfast I will order 1 egg over medium and a side of bacon.  I eat 1 slice of bacon and hubby gets the rest.  I can usually get about 1/2-3/4 of the egg down.  Any more than that and I'm feeling nausea and very burpy.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Finally got new bras for the first time since my surgery. The girls have definitely shrunk just not as much as I expected.

When the girl measured me, I heard music to my ears when she measured my ribcage... " 30"! you're so tiny! "


I went from a 38E to a 34DD. Not too shabby :)

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy 2012!

2012... here we are!

Last year was a year of physical changes... this year is one of geographic! This year will mark not only our 2 year wedding anniversary but also a 1 year WLS anniversary and a complete move to another province, new job and new lifestyle.

Here's to another year of growth and finding where and who I am ready to be in my new body and new life. Adding muscle to my frame for strength and adding a sense of well being to my emotional side for balance.

My new mantra for this year... we only have 1 life, enjoy every single moment of it. Don't wait for "later, tomorrow or when I retire..." do it NOW!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Some fun for today

A little bit of light entertainment to fill your day creatively.
Take a minute and do this. It is the cutest thing ever and how on earth it works - I can't imagine.

                               Draw A Stickman
                                Try this, it is cool and fun.
                               You won't believe what happens after you draw a stick man!!  I wish I knew how this works!!!
Click on site below                                 http://www.drawastickman.com/
.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Wahoooooo!

We got the phone call this morning! We have a year extension from the military for our final move!!! That takes a HUGE load of stress and time constraint off of us. We felt very pressured to make a decision and get the move going regardless of the issues with selling our houses, now we have some leeway. A whole years worth!!

The plan now is to move to Vancouver around the summer time or early fall. By then we will be able to LEISURELY sell both houses (although that's a WHOLE OTHER source of stress for me right now), have our house hunting trip and move at the nicest time of the year. It feels so much better knowing that we have that extension.
I'm looking forward to moving to Vancouver. Hubby thinks he's forcing me to move but honestly, I'm ready for the change. The adventure. The no snow. lol

Now we need to call Relocation Services to find out how early we should be looking for a summer/fall move there so we can use those dates to work backwards to selling the place we're in now, getting my transfer done at work... etc.

It's exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. I am going back to the doc on Wednesday to find a new anti-depressant/anti-anxiety med though I think. There's been so much stress and I'm not dealing with it well. I constantly worry, over prepare and think catastrophically about everything. It's not good for me or my marriage.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Things have been hectic

I'm seriously slacking lately on this blog and really all of the places with my online presence.  I didn't even do my 6 month weigh in and measure.  I haven't weighed in a couple of weeks.  I have really no desire to step on the scale at all.  I might be up, I might be down... I just don't give a crap frankly.  My clothing is all hanging off me so its a good thing I think. 

My mother in law has been in town a week now and she's going to be here another week yet.  It's not that I mind her staying with us but I feel out of place in my own home when we have guests.  I feel that I have to always check on them, entertain them, not just veg out in front of the tv... A couple of weeks is a long time to feel displaced in your own space.

As well, we own a rental property.  Our renters bailed on their lease and are exiting it early.  Now we are in a mad dash panic to get the minor cosmetic repairs done and get the place sold before the end of the year.  Not easy to do in the land of perpetual cold and winter.  Siding a shed in near freezing temperatures sucks the big one.

I feel stressed out at work lately.  Some days I think that I'm pretty damn good at my job.  Other days, I can't believe they pay me to do this when I clearly have no freaking idea what I'm doing.  It's a battle with my own insecurities of being good enough.  I'm the type of person always looking for approval.  I don't know why.  Maybe it was my lack of a real father figure growing up.  Maybe it was living in fear from an abusive step father that beat my mom all the time.  Maybe I'm just a needy person because I just AM and its not a product of my environment.

The deadline to move to Vancouver is ever quickly approaching.  I think I have resigned myself that we're definitely moving there but it stresses me out with all the things we need to do between now and March to make that happen.  We have 2 homes to sell, a new home to find, and then getting my transfer and actually MOVING to a new province, new city... I've never lived anywhere other than where I grew up.  It is stressful and exciting all at once.  This opportunity to have our move paid by the Canadian Military won't come up again so we need to capitalize on it while we can.  I just wish we had a little more time....

Lastly, I've been fighting this cold/flu that's running through my office for the last week or so.  I've been absolutely exhausted with a sore throat on and off the whole time.  I wish I didn't give a crap about my job and more about my own health so I would take a sick day.  There's just so much to do.

Anyway, there's more but I feel like I'm just whining now so I'll end with a ... HAPPY FRIDAY TO EVERYONE!!!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Apparently I've spent too much time at work on GastricSleeve.com 

It's now blocked and labelled as "suspicious"


lmao

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I'm in a funk.

I feel really run down lately and as though life's stressors are weighing on me more than they have in a long time.  I'm not sure how much is my surgery (although I doubt any of it really is) but more how I'm handling stress.  Stress at work, at home, with my renters, with my marriage, my dog, my brother, my friends.  I feel as though I'm not coping well like I was able to in the past.

I'm not really sure what this means exactly other than perhaps I need to give my anti-depressants another shot.  I hate that I might need to take them forever but I constantly live in fear that perhaps this is the one bad/sad mood that I can't pull myself out of on my own and I'll be back into a deep depression once again.
I feel like I'm on the verge of tears all the time and I shouldn't be.  I feel alone and I know that I'm not.  I think I'm having difficulty with seeing the glass being half full.  I have much to be thankful for, my weight is completely manageable and almost within the healthy range, my skin is better, my asthma is better, my knees don't click anymore....

But instead I am focusing on the things going wrong and that are hard right now and I'm waking up every day exhausted, irritable, and scattered.

Something needs to be done. I just don't know what it is.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I gotta say

I'm feeling pretty damn FIIIINEEEEE lately.  I am now in a size 8. 

For a true sense of how happy I am lately.  Watch the banana.  WATCH IT!!  YEAH BABY!