Pouch Reset - Days 4-6

A sampling of my food for the next three days.

I officially hate this diet. Yesterday I had 326 calories in exercise and consumed 740 calories. The day before I had 752 calories in exercise and only consumed 500. And all I have to show for it is a one pound gain. I am ready to throw my scales through the wall. My body is probably in starvation mode so maybe when I add more to the diet, it will make a difference. Who knows? I am looking forward to today because I finally get more variety in my diet.

Day 4

206 lbs.

Here is my diet for the next three days.

Day 4 to 6 - Pureed Foods

Almond milk or coconut milk makes a great protein shake

Hummus

Cottage cheese (low fat)

Soft cereals – Let your cereal sit in the non-fat milk until it’s soft

Soups – no chunks

Scrambled eggs – these are a great source of protein

If you can puree the food, it’s acceptable as long as it’s healthy and easy to digest.

It’s best to stay away from meat at this point.

Again, you are trying to reduce the size of your stomach so no solid foods at this point.

Yesterday I got the results from my latest labs. Everything continues in great shape. I'm a little confused because I thought the main thing we were looking for was an update on my thyroid, but there weren't any thyroid results. There were a lot of numbers, most of which I don't understand, but bottom line is that everything is A-OK. Here are some highlights.

Stats 

• Blood Pressure: 121/78 (last visit 130/80)
• Pulse: 75 
• Cholesterol - 174 mg, normal
• Potassium Level: 3.6 (normal)
• Estimated Average Glucose: 108 (normal, last time 111)
• Glucose: 89 (normal, last time 86)
• AST (liver): 19 (normal, last time 26)
• ALT (liver): 26 (normal, last labs 41)
• eGFR (kidneys): 108 (normal, same as last time)
• Protein: 7.1 (normal)
• Calcium: 8.7 (normal)
• Red Blood Cells: 4.9 (normal - this was high last time)
• Sodium Level: 143 (normal)

I took my last bronchitis pill today, so on Monday I'm going off my blood pressure medicine. (I had to wait because the bronchitis medication can increase blood pressure.) Hopefully all goes well and I won't have to take it anymore.

And on the diet front, I GAINED A FREAKING POUND!! Unbelievable. I'm sure it's just liquid and will come right back off, but even so. I just want to eat a cheeseburger!

Pouch Reset - Day 2

My diet for today and tomorrow.

Well, I guess the agony of yesterday was worth it because I lost 5.4 pounds. That's exactly the kick start I was looking for. Today and tomorrow I am on full liquids, which means they can be a little bit thicker than yesterday.

Day 2

205.2 lbs.

Diet - Full Liquids

Protein powder mixed with a sugar free non-carbonated clear liquid

Sugar free pudding

Soup with soft noodles

Non-fat yogurt

Carnation instant breakfast (sugar free option)

Very thin creamed soups (no chunks)

Sugar free sorbet

Very watery hot oatmeal (check the sugar content)

Diluted, no-sugar added juice

Sugar free, nonfat ice cream

Thinned applesauce

Note: Remember the goal is to not eat or drink anything that is going to stretch the stomach. Eat these in very small amounts and limit intake to very thin/liquid consistency foods.

Pouch Reset - Day 1

My diet for today.

I've been a total rut with my weight loss so I've decided I need to do something to kick start things. I'm going to do what is called a "pouch reset." It is a very strict diet that will help remind me how I should be eating post surgery. Essentially, I will be eating like I did right after surgery. The hardest part is that right after surgery, I could barely handle these foods, so eating them didn't make me hungry or cause me to feel like I was missing anything. Now my body craves other things so it will take more discipline. Today will definitely be the hardest day as it is clear liquids only. 

Day 1

210.8 lbs.

Diet - Clear liquids only

Water

Broth

Jell-O (sugar free)

Decaf tea

Decaf coffee

Sugar free Popsicles

Sugar free drinks that are not carbonated

Latest Follow-up

I forgot to write about my last doctor's appointment. I didn't get any labs done. My blood pressure was good, so they let me cut my medication in half again. I go back in four weeks to see if my numbers are still good. If so, I may be able to go off the blood pressure medication entirely. I'm supposed to take my blood pressure 10 times in the next four weeks.

Appointment

12/2 - 106/64, 55 bpm 

Follow-up Blood Pressure

12/8 - 108/69, 60 bpm
12/10 - 113/72, 56 bpm
12/12 - 116/58, 50 bpm
12/14 - 128/83, 60 bpm
12/15 - 114/75, 58 bpm
12/17 - 118/72, 51 bpm
12/18 - 144/86, 54 bpm
12/18 - 138/76, 60 bpm
12/24 - 123/80, 50 bpm
12/30 - 133/78, 55 bpm
1/5 - 128/79, 57 bpm
1/7 - 121/78, 75 bpm

Our new insurance won't cover bariatric visits, so once Medicaid cuts us off, I won't be seeing the bariatric doctor's office anymore. I think that will be fine, but I will miss the follow-up.

UPDATE: I have been given permission to go off my blood pressure medication. WAHOO! I have to wait until I'm finished taking a series of antibiotics for bronchitis because that medication causes an increase in blood pressure. After that, I can go off it, but I have to keep track of my blood pressure for a couple of weeks to make sure it's still okay. Once that happens, the only prescription medication I will have to take is medication for my hypothyroidism and magnesium for my heart due to absorption issues that result from the surgery. This is so exciting for me!

A Loss is a Loss!

I haven't lost weight since July 28. I've fluctuated between 205.2 lbs. and 207.something. It's been a little frustrating. Today I weighed 205! It's only a .2 loss, but a loss is a loss! So as of today I've lost 91.5 and have 55 to go to goal. Honestly, I don't care if I ever reach goal. I want to get under 200 lbs. and if I could get in the 170's, I would be content. I would also like to have my BMI be out of the obese range.

I took my measurements for the first time since March 15. I have lost two additional inches off my waist and two off my hips.

Here are my total stats:

Heaviest Weight - 296.5

Today's Weight - 205

Starting BMI - 49

Today's BMI - 34.1

And here are my inches lost:

Waist - 12

Hips - 11.5

Bust - 3.5

Thigh - 3.5

Bicep - 2

TOTAL - 32.5 inches

I did another closet purge because some of my clothes were just too big to wear anymore. I got a couple of things at Old Navy and a few more things at Goodwill. Most of what I buy is size 16, but I was even able to fit into a size 14 pair of pants. I think I was in my early 20's the last time I wore a size 14.

Size 24 and size 14

Another NSV is that today for the first time in a VERY long time, I tucked in my shirt.

NSV - Disney World

We are currently at Disney World. The last time we were here was about 12 years ago. I was shocked when I looked at the pictures from the last visit. I knew that my energy level this trip was so much higher. My feet don't hurt, I can do any ride I want to. I am able to walk all day without getting tired. It's a completely different experience. There was one point today where I was holding Jalen on my shoulders and my feet started killing me. I realized that I used to carry twice that amount around on my poor feet.

I have noticed so many obese people at Disneyland. Many of them are on motarized scooters. I wonder if they are disabled or just unable to move themselves around the park all day. I'm so grateful that I am not one of them because I know that without this surgery, I would have become one of them eventually.

I am able to be the mother that I always wanted to be. I am able to keep up with my children. I am able to share their joys. I am so grateful!