Life 2 months post surgery..

Friends are always interested in my life through food.. It's actually- quite boring. Here is the deal.. I am not usually hungry.. I get full really fast! I chew my food probably 20-30 times for each bite.. I do not drink with my meals.. If I eat too much I start sneezing.. Strange, eh? 

I am technically off restrictions. This is a typical day..

Breakfast - super important especially for working out! I usually eat a couple egg quiche mini muffins or protein bar..(Recipe below)

Lunch- 1/2 sandwich or soup or quiche or smoothie. I also stop by Fresh Market pick up a few items like
(spinach, tuna salad, edamame  et el) and eat them for a few days.. 

Snack or meal items I like include string cheese, beef jerky, deli meat wrapped in slice cheese, GoLean Crisp by Kashi (a favorite)  and peanut butter is one of my favorite! 

I eat for nutrition value not for personal satisfaction. I have had a grilled cheese at Sonic, Breakfast burrito from McDonalds (My last one ever), Taco Bueno yesterday and tropical smoothie several times..  I used to love pizza. I have had a few slices from a local place in Cabot that I tolerated. It was a Ranch, Bacon, Chicken on a thin crust pizza.  I do like chili from Wendy's! I have 2  flavors of smoothies and a sandwich I like from Tropical Smoothie.. Fast food is challenging.. No protein, too much food.. Honestly not worth it. 

Drinks.. Some times I crave a Dr. Pepper. But, I have a glass of decaf diet tea each day. I can tolerate 4-6 ounces of lemonade (splenda or real) once a week. A cup of coffee with creamer and 1/2 tsp of sugar. (I used to use 2+ tsp of sugar). Lemon water from sonic is a favorite.I also enjoy starbucks occasionally. Most of the time it's just plain ol water.  

I did enjoy a whole grain sugar cookie last night. I usually will take 1-2 bites of sweet item and then trash it. I like eating off John's plate too when we go out! I also take a box home.  

Here is my recipe to my mini-quiches. I thought I found them on The World According to Eggface. But, I can't find them now! 

Mini Crustless Quiche Lorraines

Ingredients
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 tablespoon butter
8 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
Black pepper
a couple dahses of louisiana hot sauce
1/2 cup swiss cheese, shredded
4-6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray two mini muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.

In a small pan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 7-10 minutes, until tender and golden.

In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, pepper, and parsley. Set aside.

Place a pinch of the cheese, onions, and bacon in the bottom of each muffin tin. Then, carefully pour the egg mixture into each tin, just to the top.

Place the trays on the middle oven rack and bake for about 15 minutes. They will look puffed and golden when done.

Makes 24 mini quiches

*Quiches can be served immediately or refrigerated or frozen for later use. A few seconds in the microwave will do the trick for reheating.

Online "Support" Groups and the weekend update

So, there are lots of online groups for people who have had weight loss surgery. And some days I feel really connected to people and their experiences.. But, lately I am annoyed. When a friend or family member suggests an idea that isn't really good advice it's in one ear and out the other.  When other weight loss surgery freinds suggest ideas- I listen and apply as needed. People in these facebook groups are wearing me out!!!!

I should tell you that this surgery is not a miracle. It's a tool to help me lose weight. A lady said today- how the surgery failed her. I reached out to her.. I was concerned about what happen.. She said well I drink mountain dews and eat cupcakes at work.. Seriously!!!?? People are crazy!

26 days post surgery

When I reach my goal weight I will probably call this whole thing my miracle. Granny Duckett- always remembers the good times with her kiddos.. Never remembers them misbehaving.. It's like she has blocked it from memory.. That will be me. I will block the rough times out of WLS. :) Check out my scars they are healing nicely. Time to start Mederma so I can wear that 2 pc swimsuit.. (I am kidding).. 

Anyways, ADD moment.. My husband didn't ask me to have this surgery. My fat life wasn't terrible.  The fact is.. It was time to take action. I was tired a lot. I found myself not able to do the things I used to do. I also knew that staying at 350 pounds was not going to allow me to live a long life. So, the decision to make a change in my life wasn't difficult. It was actually quite easy. I am so blessed that I have GAINED friends from this surgery. Definitely, brought me closer to God. My energy is much better... I am a cheap date. I am surprised how restaurants are accommodating. Today, a local small business gave me grief about ordering of the kids menu. I will visit once more before I whip out my medical card... Eating out has become easier. I am learning more about what I can tolerate and my stomach's swelling has went down considerably... Tropical smoothie actually has a smoothie option with protein and not bad on calories.. Red Lobster is my favorite chain at the moment.. With Panera coming in second.. Soup is still my go to food. Fast food seems impossible but, I do love Wendy's Chili. Of course, the container of chili last for many many meals. Cheerios and String cheese have also become a great on the go option. Cooking and eating at home is much easier and preferred. I used to LOVE breakfast and now I tolerate it. My first meal of the day is very unsatisfying. I used to never want Ice Cream- now I do! I have somewhat craved a Dr. Pepper this week but, there is no way in hell I will drink a soda. I had major pain after taking a sip of Sparkling Water (accidentally). If I am behind on water intake (usually I am) then I get hungry at night. Trying new foods is scary. This next part is TMI.. New foods can cause you vomit.. And when you vomit- it's not normal vomit.. It's like mass amount of thick mucus.. Pepperoni not chewed was the culprit. And while dumping is rare- I can not have peanut butter in a shake. I am not sure I can even have PB2.. Such a bummer. I can eat plain peanut butter but, in a shake and I have a long date in the bathroom. Not one bit pleasant. As you can imagine protein is a challenge to get everyday.. As the doctor suggested- chicken is very challenging to eat. I love fruit but I wish it had protein.. 

Weekly update.. We are within days of the scales blasting 299. It's okay because I might as well enjoy the 300's cause I have no plans on returning back here. However, my clothes can tell a major change.

 Shirts fit so much better and I am losing some of my bat wings (arm fat). Praise the Lord! I also can tell my chest and hips are down at least a size. John says he can tell just hugging me (such a supportive hubby).. I will not be attached to the scale. Spoke with my PCP's nurse.. Can't change the dosage to my adderall xr till August 12th because my PCP is out. (Not sure if I blogged about the fact that the XR isn't working because these formulations are intended to be absorbed over 2-12 hours, the pill passes through the gastrointestinal tract before absorption is complete. It's going to be okay though! At least-- I know why I am emotionally and mentally off! My motivation/planning is out of sorts.. So, perhaps my blogging improve next week along with my returning emails and messages.  

Today, my sweet free friend who I can call on for lunch anytime sent me this inspiration today. And I thought how appropriate for my season of life. 

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."