Today

Well, this morning has come and gone. The colonoscopy was a cinch. I even recovered from the twilight sedation with no problems. I was alert within five minutes and the dizziness of the anesthesia was gone in an hour. I was able to eat a lunch of clam chowder within an hour after the procedure and really feel fine. I had been a bit anxious about this because Don's recovery three months ago too so much longer and seemed a lot more uncomfortable. In reality, the worst part of the entire procedure was drinking that too sweet, tartish, lemony flavored gunk.

I'm focused now on proper eating - eliminating fried foods, most anything that is white, and carbonated drinks and sadly, Mexican and Chinese for the time being. Also continuing to increase the fruits and vegetables. Have lots of tomatos from the garden so am enjoying those on everything.

Between now and August 25th, I'll be posting my weight each week. After my next DMC weightloss meeting, I'll post the weight that shows on their scale. This morning, at home, I was 265. Last Tuesday on the DMC scale, I was 270.8, down from 273.4. Since I started a month ago, I've lost 5-6 pounds overall. Slow is good. My goal is to get it off and then keep it off. In August 2010, I would like to weight 198. That was my weight when I started this job in Jan. 1989. In August 2010 I retire. My weightloss goal after that is whatever I end up at that feels comfortable - 150ish would be nice.

Too Sweet Lemons

Oh man, the stuff I have to drink for the colonoscopy is nasty. Anyway, it doesn't taste too badly starting out but after about a cup (and that's the first of 4) it gets a little tough to take. My second round starts at 3 a.m. Who's idea was THAT?

I had a bowl of cereal this morning and that's it but I'm not a bit hungry. In fact, this stuff makes me feel bloated. Yuck. I think the procedure itself will be a piece of cake since I'll sleep through it. I'm not enjoying the before and don't expect to enjoy the after either. Maybe I can sleep through the after too. Whoa, that would be nice.

Yesterday

Last night after work I was at the DMC weight loss meeting again, my first since the 14th. I've lost 3 lbs. Since All Care expects me to loss 27 lbs, I have quite a ways to go. The next meeting is Aug. 25th.

Tomorrow I start my 24 hours purge of my system before having a colonoscopy Friday morning. Things won't be pretty for a while.

More about that afterwards.

This morning . . .

. . . I had quiche and fruit at HOJ. I'm always surprised at how filling and satisfying it is. I may be skipping lunch today. Feeling very full even as I approach 11 a.m.

I'm still re-thinking this entire lap band idea. I know that Toni will be very happy to hear this.

More later
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Reflections on Tuesday Evening

I have a lot to think about. I went to an information and orientation meeting regarding bariatric surgery and lap band surgery. I have no interest in the bariatric surgery but lap band has a big appeal. At least it DID. I left all my notes at home but here is what I remember, in no particular order.

no coffee after surgery for ten days and then only decaf.

liquid diet for ten days after surgery.

multivitamin supplements are critical. Flintstone Complete chewables and choco-calcium are easy to consume and the chewing predigests them.

As I go along, I will discover what works in my body now and what does not. I should not be surprised that there will be many things I cannot eat anymore because I just will not be able to tolerate the food.

Lots more and I will fill in from my notes later however - here is my initial reaction.

Lap band, used as a tool, forces me to do what I could do freewill if I just got my act together. Taking vitamins in good. I'll get the items mentioned about the next time I need to pick up calcium plus D. Modifying and constantly watch food is good. I'm expected to do it to lose weight whether I have the surgery or not. Exercise can't be overlooked just because lap band is in place. In essence, I'm doing all the things I would normally do without surgery and giving up the pleasure that food gives.

MORE Later

Tip from Tammy

Good information here from Tammy S., one of my readers -

It's VERY important to try & eat breakfast. That makes a BIG difference in your caloric intake for the day. People who eat breakfast tend not to overeat as much later in the day. Definitely work on getting more calories (at least 1/2 your daily calories) before 1 pm. It helps avoid being too hungry at night and overeating.

It's hard to change old habits, so just take baby steps and keep working on it. With the lap band surgery I'm sure you'll have to eat smaller, more frequent meals, so this is a good thing to start working on.

Keep up the good work :)
Tammy
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Thanks Tammy - every little tip helps.
Breakfast today was

Mixed fruit - 150 cals
4 saltine crackers 52
Total 202 calories
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Lunch today
2 slices whole grain bread 140
2 slices turkey bologne 50
1 slice cheddar cheese 114
greentea lemonade 110
Total - 414 calories

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Dinner today
5 oz lean slo-cooker beef 331
1 white potato w/skin 65
lettuce with 3T dressing 120
greentea lemonade 110
Total - 626
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TOTAL for the day is 1242 calories

I drank a lot of water, my greentea lemonade 110 calories (don't have countrytime yet. will get it tomorrow).
and ice tea at starbucks unsweetened.

It has been a quiet and unchallenging day today. Started out with
a bowl of cereal again (230 cals) and
had an apple around noon (80 calories).

I have not eaten out at all this week. This is saving me calories and our bank account balance isn't suffering. Good all the way around. I still have not gotten enough food today. It's 2:45 and I'm getting hungry. I've been drinking my GTL but that is not food and nutrition; it's flavored water.

Subtotal - 310 cals. as of 2:45 since waking. Not good.
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dinner was 6 oz white meat chicken grilled - 280
3 services of mixed fruit - 150

310
280
150
Total for the day - 740

Green Tea Lemonade, MY WAY

After discovering the hard truth of Starbucks' Green Tea Lemonade, I determined that there HAD to be an easier way to have my tea and drink it too. So - I went looking for Plan B.

Take Countrytime lemonade - sugar free. Make as directions indicate.
Brew two - four Green Tea bags in 2-4 Cups of water. Brew to taste.
Combine.
Chill
Taste
If it is not sweet enough, add Splenda, one packet at a time.

Now instead of consuming Starbucks' calorie-laden version, I have a calorie free version that is very refreshing and pretty much cost free.

I vow to do better today and take in more balanced food. Off for cereal now. The good stuff, not the frosted stuff. Updating coming up.
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cereal from wellness center with 1/2 C low fat milk - 280

I have brought yogurt, orange and apple with me for daytime food. No eating out.

It's 11:15 and I just returned from Dr. Canale, gastroenterologist. What a nice, nice man. Very reassuring and calming. I will be having a colonoscopy AND a gastroscopy. One is rectal, the other is scoped through the mouth to examine the stomach. Prep time is not as unpleasant as other preps. More about that as the time approaches. So, July 31st is the date. It also happens to be Dr. C's birthday. I'm going to bring him a card to give him when I go to the surgery center.

More uppdates for today to come.

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It's 3:45. Finally got around to eating again. Having some yogurt

Greek Pomegranate 230 cals.

Subtotal 510 cals
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I also had a Starbucks green tea lemonade. A grande has 453 cals. I substitute one packet of Splenda and save myself a wopping 116 cals. so, the grande w/splenda is 337 cals. If I get a tall green tea lemonade that's 350 cals. less 88 cals replaced by splenda. Grand total for that would be 262 cals.

I really like the Green Tea Lemonade so I think from now one I will get a Tall with Splenda.

So, new subtotal - 510 cals + 337 cals = 847. I will cheerfully cut that down to a Tall and save more calories and still have the pleasure of the GRL.
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Dinner was 3 oz burger sandwich. Lettuce on with mustard and ketchup.

Subtotal -847
Burger - 440
TOTAL 1287 calories for the day

Tuesday is day 2. I'm filled with strength and hope. I looked into the pantry this morning and all I found for cereal was Don's sugar coated stuff. I decided on a serving of frosted mini-wheat and 1/2 cup of milk (estimate - 235 calories) Also had coffee with cream (estimate 50 calories)

BREAKFAST
Cereal and milk - 235
Coffee w/creme - 50 TOTAL 285

updates to come
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I did not get out for lunch today. This isn't good. I need regular meals or by this weekend I'm going to be overeating like mad.

Dinner was a grilled cheese and eggs sandwich and pomegranate yogurt.
2 slices whole grain bread - 140
2 eggs - 140
2 oz cheddar cheese - 220

That sandwich was 500 cal.

Oops - a margerine would be another 100. Jeeze this adds up.

Sandwich - 600 cals.
Yogurt - 230 cals.

Total for the day - 1115 calories.

I am NOT getting enough food.

Oh! p.s. - went to Border's last night and before leaving, Elaine and I walked to Safeway and back. Not a long walk but I got winded. That will improve.

Big changes

I've been vacationing for a couple of weeks and am now back for the summer. I learned before we went to Placerville this past week that I tested positive for blood in the stool smears I sent off. This means a colonoscopy. No surprise about the colonoscopy but was surprised about the presence of blood.

I also talked to the RN contact for the lapband plan and have learned this:

Clinic in Fresno is my destination
Will be working with Weightloss for Life through Doctor Medical Center in Modesto
My first requirement is to lose 27 lbs (10% of my body weight)
Labs etc to follow.

Today is ground zero for the 27 lbs. Will keep you updated on that. Will be starting with Weightloss for Life as soon as I hear from them.

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FOOD
Had lots of water and two coffees W/cream today. (70 cals.)
Finished the posole at lunch (250 cals) and
had one slice of whole wheat bread (100 cals) and o
ne slice of swiss cheese (95 cals)

SUBTOTAL through lunch - 515 calories

Dinner tonight was one serving of sloppy joes and a serving of coleslaw with pineapple chunks added. Calories estimates are:

Sloppy Joe - 340 (estimate)
coleslaw w/pineapple - 210

TOTAL through dinner - estimate
1,065