Bullets... from the lost Blogger.

Well, I fell off the Earth.... or at least my blogging did.

1. I am still on the Blood Thinners... But so far, I haven't been at a therapeutic level since I left the hospital the last time. In order for the blood thinners to work, I have to be between 2-3 on my weekly blood tests, but I stay around 1.3
2. I still struggle with my breathing when I exert myself... and it is different from the normal Morbidly Obese I'm out of breath breathing, It feels like my lung is still not working right. 
3. I don't know how much weight I have lost recently... but I feel like my clothes fit better and I love my sleeve. 
4. I am going to DisneyWorld this month with my brother and his family.... My sweet angels first trip to Disney. I am over the moon excited! 
5. Since I am on the blood thinners, I am not allowed to eat most green vegetables and anything else high in Vitamin K. It truly sucks... no salad, no broccoli and no soybeans, which are several of my staples.
6. I love the Quest protein bars... They are amazing! 
7. I have been going to the movies... with my quest bar, and it has been great. I loved alot of the summer movies. Most of them even. 
8. I found white bean chips that I loved.... and now can't find them anywhere. I crave salty snacks these days. I also love the Dannon Oikos Dips. Delicious! I eat them with raw carrots and celery or snap pea crisps....I can't wait to try the Lentil crisps.
9. I am amazed at how little I eat before being satisfied, but I get hungry after 2-3 hours.
10. I am very excited about Disney!!! Seeing it through the eyes of my niece and nephews.

Frustration.... and acceptance.

Well, these unending complications are frustrating...I am still on the blood thinners(Warfarin) and should be for the next 6 months. I have to get blood tests done once a week and I just got a list from my PCP that should have come from the Surgeon's office when he prescribed the blood thinners.... The list is all types of food high in Vitamin K that I need to stay away from eating since they cause the blood thinners to not work as well.... Maybe this is why she can't get me therapeutic( INR between 2-3) and I am still so at risk for more blood clots. It is hard not to get FED UP. But I love the feeling that the sleeve gives me, I feel Normal, for lack of a better word. I feel like I am not a food addict, but I can eat what I want... just small amounts. I don't carve sugar anymore... which is way weird for me to get used to. I hope it continues... and I hope I keep losing weight and feeling healthier... each day. Fingers Crossed!

New Product... that I love.

Well, as I mentioned before I am not loving sweet anymore...so I don't really want my greek yogurts as much. I found and tried these Greek yogurt dips and I love them. I eat them with carrots or celery, or with Special K Cracker chips as a treat. The protein level is high and the calories are low. Most of the protein products are sweet, my shakes, my Greek yogurts, etc. It is nice to find something savory for a change. The dip is available in French Onion, Vegetable and Herb, Cucumber Dill, and Roasted Red Pepper. 

50 pound loss reward!

This is my 50 pound loss reward....it's a sterling silver charm bracelet with photos of my nieces and nephews to remind me of why I'm working to get healthy and active.

Yay! Almost 2 months post-op... and Almost 50 pounds gone!

I've lost 49.5 pounds so far(Surgery was April 1st)... with no exercise and very little "Dieting" I am thrilled with my sleeve... I am hoping to be able to exercise soon after my long recovery from my complications. but I will stick to the pool for a while. I felt so different from when I had my lapband...I don't like sweets as much for some amazing reason. It is easier to know when to stop eating. i can eat anything, only in small amounts. I think this really seems like a lifestyle change, not a diet!

Things I love still... after Sleeve.

I love....

• Pickles, especially Mt. Olive Bread and Butter No Sugar Added
• Fish, Thank God, I still love my Tilapia.... It's my favorite.
• Salad, I sort of crave it sometimes. I love the Olive Garden Lite dressing that I got at Walmart... Tastes just like the original with alot less calories. 
• Chicken, A staple in my diet... so I am glad I still love it. 
• Ground turkey, I am thrilled to still enjoy it, And it is way versatile. 

I have been craving only savory... which means I am not really wanting my greek yogurts or protein shakes... This is actually quite weird since I have always been a sweet tooth... I am a sugar addict. I am working on figuring out a new routine that will work for my new needs. 

Update....

Here I am.... still recovering but feeling much better. I spent another 8 days in the hospital since we last spoke.... with Bloodclots. I am still weak and sore but I feel better each day. 


As for weight loss.... I am down 37.5 pounds since pre-op. The doctor says it should be more but I am retaining alot of water in my right leg. I was happy with the weight loss, considering everything that has happened since my surgery.