I Tried Bread!

Yesterday, my diet was advanced for the final time. I am now allowed to try many new foods and the first one I decided to try was bread.

I had read wls program notebook that toasting the bread makes it a little easier on our pouches, so I heeded that. I cut in half a slice of multi-grain bread and toasted it. Then I put approx 1/4 of a cup of low fat chicken salad on top of it. I nibbled at this very slowly, waiting for my pouch to react. Nothing. Nothing is good. After about 20 minutes, I sensed that there was no way I would be able to eat all of this, so I started to eat just the chicken salad, since protein is more important. Ultimately, I got about 1/4 of a slice of toast into me with no ill affects. I am very pleased.

If anyone wants to know how I made my low fat chicken salad, in a food processor combine:

• 2 oz cooked chicken
• 1 tsp. mustard
• 1 tsp. low fat mayo
• 4-5 pickle slices (I used zesty dill)

I am sure that this recipe will change now that I have more food options to use. I can't wait to get some celery to put in it.

Not Quite 100

I was hoping that when I saw my surgeon and dietitian today, I would have hit the 100 pound lost mark, but it was not to be. I have lost a total of 95 pounds so far. Great news: it is all fat, I have actually gained 1/2 pound of muscle!

The doctor suspects that the pain I had in my pouch the other day was due to excess acid and just told me to take Maalox in the future. So no big problem there. What a relief.

The dietitian has advanced my food program to phase 5 which is the final frontier with food. I am now allowed to try most foods, as long as they are low sugar and low fat. If I choose to try high fat or high sugar foods, then I must face the consequences and I assure you, I am not willing to go there!

She increased my workout goals to 200 minutes per week. Yikes! She also added B12 to my supplement list. Other than those 2 things, plus a wider variety of foods to try, I will be continuing to just learn how to live the best life I can with my new pouch.

I will be seeing the dietitian again in 6 weeks and I will see my surgeon in 4 months.

Thank you all for your supportive comments and helpful tips. You really do help me keep my spirit up.

Later in the morning...

I am feeling a little better. I was able to get a couple more hours sleep and I have had a protein drink for for breakfast. I am going to stick with very safe foods for my pouch today so that it can rest.

I wonder if I have been a little too adventurous with the foods I have been trying and that is causing discomfort and pain or if there is a medical problem. I don't want to be a hypochondriac, but I don't want to ignore the signals that my body sends me either. How do I balance this? I am glad that I have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. Of course, I will let you know how it goes.

Awake at 4 am.

My pouch is giving me burning pain. It woke me up and won't let me get back to sleep. All day yesterday, it felt a bit uncomfortable, but this pain is intense. I have a follow up appointment with the surgeon on Tuesday, so I hope this doesn't get worse before then. I just wish I could go back to sleep.

Post Holidays

I love the holidays, because I get to share them with my family, but I am sooooo glad that the holiday season is finally over. I'm tired. The tree and all the other decorations have been taken down. Now, how do I get rid of all this snow?

Last Monday, I saw my PCP and got weighed for the first time since Dec. 1st. I have lost 89 pounds in 2009. 61 pounds were lost before surgery leaving 28 pounds lost since my surgery on Nov. 16th, 2009. It seems a bit slow for post surgery weight loss, but I am just happy that I am losing.

I have had a few problems eating, especially at my families Christmas party. My sister cooked a succulent prime rib dinner, and I could only borrow a little of it. It came back up after I consumed about an ounce of it. I seem to be having quite a bit of difficulty with beef, unless it is ground beef. I'm sorry Sis. It sure tasted good going down.

The other issue that has cropped up is that breakfast has become very difficult to get down. I don't feel like I can swallow food well in the morning. My solution has been to have the only protein drink that I can stand: Click. Since it is a mocha coffee flavored protein drink, it is a good morning option and it can be served either hot or cold. If you are caffeine sensitive, please be aware that this product has espresso powder in it. I purchased mine from Amazon as I got a better deal than from the company website. Also, if you don't have a blender to mix it up with, then I highly recommend getting their shaker to mix it up, because stirring just doesn't work. I think that I will try their new Vanilla Latte flavor next.

Another product that has become a regular item in my daily life is Special K2O Protein Water Mix. Prior to surgery I was someone who drank 2 to 3 quarts of water per day. Now, water doesn't taste right to me, so I am flavoring it. This mix provides 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving with only 30 calories. I drink 2 per day mixed in 20 ounces of water. I try to get at least 2 more glasses of water per day with this.

My next appointment is for my 6 week follow up with both the surgeon and the nutritionist. It is on Jan. 12th. I will be sure to let you know how that goes. If anyone has any questions, please post them in the comments field and I will be glad to answer them. Thank you all for your wonderful support!