Woke up this morning and quickly remembered it's weigh day!
Stripped off, jumped on, looked down and said 'that can't be right'. Stepped off and back on again...'these scales must be broken'.
Weighed my daughter, 'hmm it's right for her!'
Tried one last time.... 125.0
125! I've lost 7.3 kg this week! Wow!
SO HAPPY!!
=)
Showing posts with label Pre op. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre op. Show all posts
Saturday, 8 March 2014
Friday, 7 March 2014
Optifast update
Okay so I have been on the Optifast program for my preop diet for 8 days now and I thought I would share what it has been like.
First day was hard. Very hard. I was not only having the drastic meal changes, I was also giving up my beloved Diet Coke (not required for Optifast program but I was recommended to wean off before surgery). The withdrawal headaches were constant the whole day. Foodwise, I was hungry, very hungry. I was at home with my daughter in a house that still had all the wrong foods around... that night I went to my parents' house for dinner and it was hard being the only person not eating everything. I had my 1 cup of steamed green beans and mushrooms and my shake.
The second day I went shopping for 3 hours with a relative. The caffeine withdrawal headaches continued and I started feeling just low in energy, weak and tired. I just drank water and powered through. I fell asleep extremely early that night.
On the third day the sleepiness and weak feeling continued. I kept busy and fought this constant craving for any kind of food I couldn't have (mostly for bread). By the end of the day I began literally passing out. I was also quickly woken up by sick tummy pains. I was ill the whole night.
Fourth day had a family brunch/lunch gathering and was drinking my water while everyone else had eggs, bacon, scones, sausages, biscuits, cupcakes, potatoes, fruit etc. I just sat and talked and sipped my water. The utter exhaustion and tummy sick was really getting to me.That night I passed out early and went to bed. Felt sick again.
Fifth day, I was home and called the Dietician to ask what I can do to get more energy. I told her that I had been sick, sleepy and weak.
She suggested the following:
● try more benefiber
● try low lactose Optifast products (original choc or vanilla shakes, chicken soup, choc dessert, bars)
● because of my weight I can add 100g lean skinfree chicken to my lunch
If these didn't work she gave me more of a meal diet decreasing Optifast products. She said it would be harder to clean the liver and stay energised with the meal diet as Optifast contains nutrients, minerals, protein, carbs and dairy in the shake, and the foods I was allowed wouldn't replace it all. Also she advised NOT to take multivitamins on Optifast as some contain certain ingredients that would hinder the liver shrinking process. If anyone wants to know what the meal plan is please ask.
I tried reducing Optifast products and added eggs, chicken and tuna to different meals over the next three days. I felt better because I was eating but also could tell the weight loss was slowing.
Day eight I went to work and had a shake breakfast, shake and salad lunch and chicken dinner. Not sure what's causing it but was tummy sick all night long. Its making it really hard to have enough water.
I jumped on the scale and had lost 5.5 kg this week. Besides my sick belly, I feel great. Im awake, my headaches have stopped and I'm caffeine free, my skin is looking and feeling better, my mind is clear not foggy, my body is in less pain, I am able to sit at a table with people eating all sorts of yummy things and has been getting easier and easier to only eat what's good for me.
The surgeon had told me most people feel sick during pre op Optifast because the bodies are shaken up with the change in food. That it gets better as your body adjusts.
Only 4 days left before surgery. I'm really excited and cant wait.
=)
First day was hard. Very hard. I was not only having the drastic meal changes, I was also giving up my beloved Diet Coke (not required for Optifast program but I was recommended to wean off before surgery). The withdrawal headaches were constant the whole day. Foodwise, I was hungry, very hungry. I was at home with my daughter in a house that still had all the wrong foods around... that night I went to my parents' house for dinner and it was hard being the only person not eating everything. I had my 1 cup of steamed green beans and mushrooms and my shake.
The second day I went shopping for 3 hours with a relative. The caffeine withdrawal headaches continued and I started feeling just low in energy, weak and tired. I just drank water and powered through. I fell asleep extremely early that night.
On the third day the sleepiness and weak feeling continued. I kept busy and fought this constant craving for any kind of food I couldn't have (mostly for bread). By the end of the day I began literally passing out. I was also quickly woken up by sick tummy pains. I was ill the whole night.
Fourth day had a family brunch/lunch gathering and was drinking my water while everyone else had eggs, bacon, scones, sausages, biscuits, cupcakes, potatoes, fruit etc. I just sat and talked and sipped my water. The utter exhaustion and tummy sick was really getting to me.That night I passed out early and went to bed. Felt sick again.
Fifth day, I was home and called the Dietician to ask what I can do to get more energy. I told her that I had been sick, sleepy and weak.
She suggested the following:
● try more benefiber
● try low lactose Optifast products (original choc or vanilla shakes, chicken soup, choc dessert, bars)
● because of my weight I can add 100g lean skinfree chicken to my lunch
If these didn't work she gave me more of a meal diet decreasing Optifast products. She said it would be harder to clean the liver and stay energised with the meal diet as Optifast contains nutrients, minerals, protein, carbs and dairy in the shake, and the foods I was allowed wouldn't replace it all. Also she advised NOT to take multivitamins on Optifast as some contain certain ingredients that would hinder the liver shrinking process. If anyone wants to know what the meal plan is please ask.
I tried reducing Optifast products and added eggs, chicken and tuna to different meals over the next three days. I felt better because I was eating but also could tell the weight loss was slowing.
Day eight I went to work and had a shake breakfast, shake and salad lunch and chicken dinner. Not sure what's causing it but was tummy sick all night long. Its making it really hard to have enough water.
I jumped on the scale and had lost 5.5 kg this week. Besides my sick belly, I feel great. Im awake, my headaches have stopped and I'm caffeine free, my skin is looking and feeling better, my mind is clear not foggy, my body is in less pain, I am able to sit at a table with people eating all sorts of yummy things and has been getting easier and easier to only eat what's good for me.
The surgeon had told me most people feel sick during pre op Optifast because the bodies are shaken up with the change in food. That it gets better as your body adjusts.
Only 4 days left before surgery. I'm really excited and cant wait.
=)
Saturday, 1 March 2014
Optifast
Before surgery, it is important to shrink the liver and reduce the fat that is inside it. This is because the surgeon will lift my liver during the operation and the smaller it is, the easier it will be for the surgeon to manouver and safely work around. If the liver is too large, there is a risk of it being cut or damaged during the procedure.
OClinic recommends at least 2 weeks of the Optifast diet program prior to surgery.
You replace three meals a day with an Optifast product (shake, soup, bar or dessert). You are also allowed no more than 2 cups of specific vegetables over two meals a day (eg 1 cup with lunch, 1 cup with dinner).
On top of the meal replacements and vegetables, you have to consume at least 2 litres of water every day.
Other beverages allowed are tea/coffee (no milk or sugar), sugar free soft drinks, sugar free cordial and unflavoured mineral water.
If you are still hungry you can have some diet jelly, clear broth, celery sticks or drink more water.
Allowed vegetables:
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Capsicum
Carrots (no more than 1 per day)
Cauliflower
Celery
Chinese Green Vegies
Cucumber
Green Beans
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onion
Spinach
Squash
Tomato
Watercress
Zucchini
Herbs and Spices
Also include 1 tsp of oil per day (helps gallbladder).
OClinic recommends at least 2 weeks of the Optifast diet program prior to surgery.
On top of the meal replacements and vegetables, you have to consume at least 2 litres of water every day.
Other beverages allowed are tea/coffee (no milk or sugar), sugar free soft drinks, sugar free cordial and unflavoured mineral water.
If you are still hungry you can have some diet jelly, clear broth, celery sticks or drink more water.
Allowed vegetables:
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Capsicum
Carrots (no more than 1 per day)
Cauliflower
Celery
Chinese Green Vegies
Cucumber
Green Beans
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Onion
Spinach
Squash
Tomato
Watercress
Zucchini
Herbs and Spices
Also include 1 tsp of oil per day (helps gallbladder).
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Slight change in plans
I had appointments with my dietician and psychologist today as part of the process. While there I found out that my surgery has been moved forward 3 weeks! Ahhh =)
Exciting stuff! Means my pre op diet starts tomorrow, blood work this week and will be on Optifast for only 11 days instead of my planned 3-4 weeks.
Very happy about it just quickly going through everything still to do.
Won't be long now!!
=)
Exciting stuff! Means my pre op diet starts tomorrow, blood work this week and will be on Optifast for only 11 days instead of my planned 3-4 weeks.
Very happy about it just quickly going through everything still to do.
Won't be long now!!
=)
Tuesday, 25 February 2014
What is it?
What is a sleeve gastrectomy?
A sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery where part of the stomach is surgically removed leaving a tube shaped stomach with a smaller holding capacity making the person feel full after consuming much less food.
The following explanation has been taken directly from the sleeve page on the OClinic website as it is describing the information from my doctor and for my experience:
To find out more, please visit the OClinic website for procedure information, risks, suggested aftercare, videos of previous operations and other resources.
Varied information
In my research I found that different surgeons describe the procedure in different ways. Social media and related forums have a lot of people sharing, questioning and comparing every little thing with each other. The information is great, however can be confusing or conflicting if your experience is a little different.
Some of the differences I have noticed:
There are many more but you can see how there are variations in instructions, procedures and requirements.
If you are considering having this surgery or any other surgery, please choose your surgeon and before and after care professionals carefully. You will hear of horror stories and people with complications. People choosing the cheapest professional or choosing to ignore pre op diets and after surgery instructions. I know some complications are unexpected and sometimes unavoidable. Either way, you need to trust your surgeon and the people you are paying to take care of you. Please follow their instructions! They give them for a reason.
I hope this information is helpful. As always, any questions - please ask.
=)
A sleeve gastrectomy is a type of weight loss surgery where part of the stomach is surgically removed leaving a tube shaped stomach with a smaller holding capacity making the person feel full after consuming much less food.
The following explanation has been taken directly from the sleeve page on the OClinic website as it is describing the information from my doctor and for my experience:
The Sleeve Gastrectomy (also referred to as the Gastric Sleeve, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, Partial Gastrectomy, or Tube Gastrectomy) is a relatively new procedure for weight loss. It involves the permanent removal of 85-90% of the stomach, performed under a General Anaesthetic using advanced laparoscopic keyhole surgery.
Although the physical size of the stomach is reduced, the normal direction of the food stream through the stomach and the rest of the intestinal tract is not altered. This means that all nutrients including vitamins, minerals and protein will continue to be absorbed normally. It simply reduces the holding capacity from about 1.5 litres of food and liquid to approximately 200mL. This allows a person to feel comfortably satisfied and full with a meal size approximately equivalent to a cup of food.
Typically, Sleeve Gastrectomy patients will have between 4-6 small meals per day, which is actually the ideal way to eat. Dietitians recommend small frequent meals as a way of avoiding big swings in Insulin levels and achieving a more even intake of calories as part of a healthier eating pattern.
Despite being smaller, the stomach sleeve still functions normally- food and nutrients continue to enter and leave in the same way, acid continues to be made to assist in digestion, and essential vitamins and minerals such as B12, calcium, folate and iron can be absorbed normally.
To find out more, please visit the OClinic website for procedure information, risks, suggested aftercare, videos of previous operations and other resources.
Varied information
In my research I found that different surgeons describe the procedure in different ways. Social media and related forums have a lot of people sharing, questioning and comparing every little thing with each other. The information is great, however can be confusing or conflicting if your experience is a little different.
Some of the differences I have noticed:
- Amount of stomach removed (75%, 80%, 85% or even 90%).
- I have seen photos and heard stories of people with a varied number of incisions on the belly (3, 4, 5).
- I have watched numerous videos of the actual operation as many doctors upload their work on YouTube and have seen different surgical techniques, tools and stapling methods.
- People are given varied requirements in relation to pre op diet from surgeons, nutritionists and dieticians - almost everyone I have spoken to has needed to be on Optifast diet pre op but the time they are on it is varied (4 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week, 2 days, 1 day).
- Costs of surgery, anaesthesiologists, etc
There are many more but you can see how there are variations in instructions, procedures and requirements.
If you are considering having this surgery or any other surgery, please choose your surgeon and before and after care professionals carefully. You will hear of horror stories and people with complications. People choosing the cheapest professional or choosing to ignore pre op diets and after surgery instructions. I know some complications are unexpected and sometimes unavoidable. Either way, you need to trust your surgeon and the people you are paying to take care of you. Please follow their instructions! They give them for a reason.
I hope this information is helpful. As always, any questions - please ask.
=)
Friday, 14 February 2014
Preparing for pre op
In preparation for my lifelong journey, and getting mentally ready, I am doing a few things at home.
Saying goodbye to all the foods, drinks and habits that were once a comfort and friend. Breaking up because the relationship I have with these things is bad for me. At first I thought it would be so hard to cut the ties. Slowly but surely I am choosing what's best for me.
The one that will be the hardest is my Diet Coke addiction. I am getting my head around it but I am sure this is the thing I will miss most. Besides, as it was put to me a few months ago, I have had more than enough Diet Coke for a lifetime, so no need to have more. True...
I am also putting up charts and inspiration, motivation and goals all over the walls of my house. I want to be surrounded by reminders and things that make me smile.
Preparing the kitchen cupboards! Getting rid of all the junk! It's amazing how much stuff creeps into the house! Well they're all being chucked!
I have picked a 'skinny' outfit. A non scale goal of what I want to fit into. I am making small goals rewards for myself... every milestone will have a non food related present to myself!
Getting everything organised so I can raise money through my weight loss by having people sponsor me. I'll have more details on that soon.
There's lots to do in being ready. I want to be completely prepared, held accountable for and supported before pre op. Two weeks to go before I start. I have heard it's really hard and tastes gross so preparing for that too.
So totally excited! Not at all worried, just gonna do it!
=) happy days
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