Vitamin and supplement talk

As of Jan. 10th 2014 I am officially 9 months out (YAY!!!)

Now that I'm far enough out that I can swallow bigger pills without chocking I got rid of the chewables. 

I know most of us with bariatric surgery have our nutritionist on speed dial so that when ever we have a question or concern we have them to fall back on. I however like to research things myself as well. 

In reading many of the posts in the support groups I am a member of I noticed that many of us are told completely different dosages to take when it comes to Vitamins and supplements so I decided that was one area I really wanted to check out and know for sure what the majority rule was on doses and such. So I'm going to share wit you what I found.

MULTI-VITAMIN

Multi-vitamin/mineral supplements ensure that you are getting enough of all of the micronutrients you need.

 I take 1 twice a day

Start taking one chewable multivitamin/mineral supplement twice a day (bypass) or once a day (band) while on liquids (Phase 1 liquid diet).

When you progress to Phase 2 (soft foods), take your supplement with meals.

 one of the following is recommended:

Bariatric Advantage® Chewable Multi Formula (available in the office or online at www.bariatricadvantage.com)

Celebrate Vitamins® chewable (available at www.celebratevitamins.com)

OpurityTM chewable (available at www.opurity.com)

Centrum® Chewable

( My surgeon had me take flintstones chewables multi vitamin with Iron twice a day)

About 3 months after surgery (or when you are able to swallow pills and  tolerate solid foods, in Phase 3), you can switch to a non-chewable if desired. However, it's recommended to use a bariatric-specific chewable multivitamin long-term over any other product. If you choose to take an over-the-counter vitamin,  any of the following is recommended, to be taken twice a day with food (generic, store-brand equivalents are fine):

Celebrate Vitamins® multivitamin capsule (available at www.celebratevitamins.com)

One-A-Day® Men’s/Women’s Formula

Centrum Performance®  (what I use)

Centrum Silver® based on your age

Take one multivitamin, twice a day (for example one at breakfast, one at lunch), rather than both at the same time to maximize your absorption of each vitamin.

CALCIUM:

Calcium is important for bone health. After weight loss surgery, you may be at risk for the brittle bone disease osteoporosis and related fractures. This is a direct result of the nature of the surgeries.

 I take 1 twice a day

Since there is typically only a small amount of calcium in multivitamins. , it's recommended that you take an additional 1000mg-1500mg of calcium everyday when you progress to soft foods.

At the soft foods stage you will need to take a chewable form because most non-chewable supplements are too big and difficult to swallow. There are different forms of calcium such as calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Calcium citrate is the most efficiently absorbed form of calcium following gastric bypass. However, citrate can be difficult to find in a chewable form, so it's recommended to use a bariatric-specific calcium which provides citrate in a chewable form.

Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate Chewy Bites (2 chews 2 times per day)

Bariatric Advantage® Calcium Citrate Lozenges (one lozenge 2 times per day)

Celebrate Vitamins® Chewable Calcium Citrate (one chewable 2 times per day)

OpurityTM Calcium Citrate (2 chewables 2 times per day)

Taking a liquid vs. chewable form of calcium citrate is acceptable.

Wellesse Calcium and Vitamin D3 liquid can be found at

Kroger

Rite Aid

Walgreens

Walmart

Order directly at 800.232.4005 

Switch to a pill form of calcium citrate when able to tolerate them, if desired. Take one dose (500mg-600mg) twice a day with meals for a total of 1000-1200mg of additional calcium per day. Be sure to check the dose on each individual brand to be certain you are getting the correct amount.

Citracal-any version

Again, take your calcium supplements twice a day in two smaller doses rather than taking one large dose all at once because you will absorb the smaller doses better. Also, calcium is best absorbed with taken with food.  

***It is important to not take the calcium and iron supplements at the same time, as they interfere with the absorption of each other. Take your calcium and iron supplements at least two hours apart from one another. ***

IRON:

Vital to the formation of red blood cells that provide oxygen to the human body. Prevents anemia. Anemia is common in the months and years following weight loss surgery. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia after bariatric surgery. This risk is heightened after gastric bypass and other malabsorptive surgeries in women who are still menstruating, and in the super-obese (body mass index of 50 or above).

 I take once a day

It's recommended that you take an iron supplement daily when you progress to soft foods. 

Nausea and constipation are common side effects of iron supplements.  For this reason, it's recommended to take one of the most absorb able forms of iron: ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate. All three forms of iron can both be found in over-the-counter.

 Listed below are some specific products recommended. Take your iron supplement once a day with food.

Bariatric Advantage® Chewable Iron

Celebrate Vitamins® Chewable Iron

GNC Iron 18

Ferro-Sequels® (contains a stool softener as well)

Fergon

 if you have trouble with nausea and/or constipation, try taking your iron every other day instead of daily.

***Do not take iron supplements with tea, cola, coffee, calcium citrate or the thyroid medicine levothyroxine because they can interfere with absorption. Taking vitamin C with your iron supplements aids iron absorption. Either a Vitamin C pill or glass of orange juice can do the trick.***

B-12:

Helps with proper blood cell formation and nerve function. Deficiency may cause certain types of anemia.

I melt 1 under my tongue every other day

Vitamin B12 is digested and absorbed differently than most vitamins. After gastric bypass surgery, you will no longer be able to digest and absorb sufficient amounts of B12 to maintain health. You must take your B12 in a form that directly enters the bloodstream, not through the digestive tract. There are three ways to do this:

A monthly vitamin B12 injection can be obtained at your primary care physician’s office after gastric bypass surgery. Your doctor or physician assistant can write a prescription so you can give yourself the monthly B12 injection.

A weekly nasal spray (Nascobal®) is an option for your B12 needs. also your doctor or physician assistant can write a prescription for you.

Another option is to take sublingual B12 lozenges or drops that dissolve under your tongue. A 500 mcg supplement may be taken daily. A 1000-2000 mcg supplement may be taken every other day. If you purchase the 5000 mcg strength, 1 per week should be sufficient. Specific products to ask about include:

Sublingual B12 Microlozenges (all three doses are available at Vitamin World® stores or www.vitaminworld.com)

B12 drops 1000 mcg (at Vitamin World)

B12 5000 Zipmelts® (at GNC)

Bariatric Advantage Sublingual B12 with Folate®

VITAMIN D:

Vitamin D aids the absorption of calcium, which is needed to build strong bones after weight loss surgery. It is known as the sunshine vitamin because the human body produces it only when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D also is added to multivitamins and milk.

I take 1 a day

In addition to the amount of vitamin D found in your multivitamin and calcium supplement, begin taking 1000 IU of a supplemental vitamin D (cholecalciferol D3) a day. The pill is usually small enough to swallow without difficulty, but size varies among different brands. You may begin the vitamin D when able to tolerate the size pill you purchase. 

 the following are recommended:

Bariatric Advantage® Dry Vitamin D3 (take one dose per week)

Bariatric Advantage® Liquid Vitamin D3 (take one dose every two weeks)

GNC Vitamin D3 1000 IU (take daily)

**Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a host of chronic diseases, including certain cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke, diabetes, immune system problems and inflammatory diseases. What's more, obesity increases risk of Vitamin D deficiency.**

NOTE!!!

The amounts of Vitamins and supplements in this post are for bariatric patients only. None surgical patients taking these dosages can lead to overdose!!!

Example Medication schedules:

Breakfast

1  multivitamin/mineral supplement

1  calcium

Sublingual B12 lozenge or drops

Vitamin D

Note: If you are taking the Bariatric Advantage Vitamin D supplement, take it ONLY 1 TIME/ WEEK!

Lunch

Iron supplement (18-30 mg elemental iron if a man or post-menopausal woman; 50-65 mg elemental iron if a pre-menopausal woman)

Dinner

1  multivitamin/mineral supplement

1  calcium

*Remember to separate Iron and calcium by 2 hours to optimize effectiveness

2nd example (Bypass)

(Note: This is an example based on using an over-the-counter multivitamin.)

Breakfast: 

1  multivitamin/mineral supplement

1 Sublingual B12 lozenge or drops

Vitamin D (Note: if Bariatric Advantage® Vitamin D, take one time per week, not daily!)

Lunch: 

Iron (18-30 mg elemental iron if a pre-menopausal woman, not necessary as a man or post-menopausal woman)

Mid-Afternoon:

1 calcium

Dinner:

1  multivitamin/mineral supplement

Bedtime:

1 calcium

You can read more about the information I found at

Barker Bariatric Center

Bariatric Choice

Your Bariatric Surgery Guide

West Penn Allegheny Health System

Med.Navy /Patients/Documents/Bariatric

***WARNING*** Loose skin ahead!!!

Dec 30th 2013 

Jan. 1st 2014

FIRST OF ALL HAPPY 2014!!!!

Don't you just love how much clothing can cover/hide. I'm now down 139lbs and feel great. I'm going to be honest this post has got the be the hardest for me out of any post ever because this has to be the most personal post I have ever posted. We are going under the clothing (somewhat) and revealing the dirty truth of what it looks like to loose large amounts of weight in a short time. 

O.K. here we go

It's not easy to show others how you really look but I know it's only going to be temporary. It won't be this year (at least I don't think it will be) but I will be scheduling a full body lift so that I will be able to get rid of all my excess skin. I'm also planning on having my breast lift. I have been big all my life. Yes I have gone up and down like a roller coaster but have never been a healthy size. I still remember my 8th grade picture in the college park year book when I was on the yearbook staff. I was 220lbs then. I finally decided if I was going to do this I was going all the way. I don't just want to feel good in my skin I want to feel great about all of me (and I so totally do but still have more to go). So far I have gone from morbidly obese to finally being a healthy weight (I've lost 139lbs so far). I'm proud of myself regardless.

Thighs:

I kinda wish I had taken before pictures to compare with but when you feel huge and ugly you tend to hide from the camera. Even though I have gone from a size 26 jeans to now 9-10 I still have big thighs. I know once I have the lift a lot of  this will be gone and I will actually look like I have a butt..lol. I used to have a huge hunk of meat on the inside of both my knees, Which I still have a little but no where near as much as there used to be.

Belly:

My poor belly has been through the ringer quite a few times. About 16 years ago I had to have surgery which resulted in a long scar starting at the top of my stomach and ending at the very bottom. I've has my gallbladder removed, tubal ligation, and a hernia repair as well as my first gastric bypass done laparoscopicly and then finally I had my gastric bypass repair that resulted in my having to be opened up and leaving me with another huge scar. As of right now my belly is nothing but a scared of hanging mess of loose skin. I will be so happy to have this removed and tighten. Secretly I hope most of my scar can me removed when they do my belly.

Arms:

This is one area that isn't really easy to hide 

with clothing. I've been trying to tone this area but the more I lift weights the bigger the muscle gets but the skin keeps getting saggier underneath my arms.

Neck:

All I can say is gobble gobble gobble!!! lol. This lovely dangily skin actually runs in my family I didn't get this gobble till after I starting loosing weight. My Dr. did give me hope by telling me that it for the most part would be temerary. It looks this way because I lost so much weight so fast. She told me it may take six months but since I'm still young-ish  the collagen in my face/neck will tighten up on it's own. 

 (for the most part).

This is a picture taken today of myself and my 15 yr old son standing in the pants I myself weren't even able to fit back in Jan of 2013 because they were to small. These are the only pair of fat pants I kept as a reminder of where I used to be. I was actually in a 26 when I started but somehow ended up keeping a pair of my 24s. It's mind boggling to look back at the old pictures and compare them with pictures taken today. I hardly look like the same person. I of course see myself as bigger than I am until I see photos side by side but in the mirror I still struggle with grasping the fact that I am so much smaller than I think I am. I do feel healthier, more energetic, and whole lot happier but I guess in time I will be able to accept my lighter self and see myself as I truly am. Till then thank goodness for cameras :)

TRANSFORMATION TUESDAY!!! 11/26/13

I just have to start with saying "I feel amazing"

Today was a great scale reading I'm now 147 lbs when I started this journey in January of 2013 I was 275 at my doctors visit but my scale at home was a bit closer to 300. I hated living in my skin because even though no one said anything to me about it I knew I was huge. I felt huge and found myself just feeling crappy. I hated doing anything. I hated the way my clothes fit. I never wanted to go to my kids school functions because I just know I was being judged and stared out because of my weight. 

It's crazy how something like weight can have such an impact on a person. Since loosing my weight I have wanted to do things I have never done before. I'm not ashamed to go places. I finally feel great in my skin (even if it's a bit loose) and I really love the variety of clothing I look amazing in.

My stats

Heaviest weight- 275

BMI- 50.3

Pant size- 26

Shirt size- XXL

Post-op weight- 259

BMI- 47.4

Pant size- 24

shirt size- XXL

Current weight- 147

BMI- 26.0

Pant size- 12

Shirt size- M-L

It's a sc"HAIRY" situation

Talking about hair loss!

Before surgery

Being someone that has always been crazy about my hair it was a known fact that the thought of loosing my hair after surgery scared the bu-gee-sus out of me. Before surgery I had super thick hair that really made any cosmetologist earn their money whenever I had it cut. I had been told that some hair loss may occur but was never told to what extent because just like with the rate of weight you loose is different so is the hair loss. The thought of possibly loosing my hair was almost a reason for my to back out. But I went ahead with it :)

Reasons for hair loss:

The body is a well-tuned machine. However, as we get older and our lifestyle patterns change, that delicate balance can be thrown off. This can result in overeating, under exercising and other behaviors that are not optimal for good health in adulthood. Bariatric surgery aims to rebalance the body, at least with regard to caloric intake and weight. It does so by restricting the number of calories that can be consumed or absorbed into the body.

In the case of an obese bariatric patient, the body will be used to consuming far more than it needs. This means that after bariatric surgery patients will be “depriving” their bodies of half or more of their usual caloric intake. The result is a shock to the body as it struggles to regain its caloric equilibrium with the new healthier lifestyle. This shock may, in turn, cause temporary hair loss and nutrients and vitamins are routed to other parts of the body.

The trauma of surgical procedure itself can also contribute to hair loss. Surgery in and of itself causes a temporary disturbance to the body which may also cause hair loss. Every person’s body reacts to traumatic effects in different ways, making causes difficult to pinpoint and prevention virtually impossible.

It is also important to remember that there are other reasons for hair loss that should be considered along with typical post-surgical issues.

Stress can cause hair loss as it affects many of the body’s normal functions. This can be heightened by obesity. One of the lifestyle changes on which a patient needs to focus includes stress reduction. Lowering stress levels may prevent some hair loss or thinning.

Genetic baldness, known as pattern baldness, can also be a contributing factor at virtually any age in adulthood. Patients should learn more by speaking to their physician.

No matter what the cause of hair loss, it can be very stressful to see hair falling out. Patients should be mindful that up to 50% of those who undergo weight loss surgery may lose some hair. It is often a temporary issue.

Patients concerned about hair loss should speak to their physician or surgeon to learn about the possible causes.

Hair loss after gastric bypass

First of all, everyone loses hair every day as part of the natural cycle of hair growth.

But after weight loss surgery, our bodies are forced to live on drastically lower amounts of calories. To compensate for the reduction, all the remaining nutrients are channeled to the organs that need them most. And our hair isn't one of them.

So suddenly, our hair must do without the nutrients it needs to grow. And it also has to compensate for that loss. It sends more strands into “resting” phases and temporarily suspends production of new strands.

Not to mention the fact that hormones go haywire after surgery and while all that fat is being metabolized. That just doesn't help matters.

The upshot: hair starts falling out.

Be Aware!!

Shedding hair 3 to 5 months after weight-loss surgery is a relatively common occurrence that happens from losing weight rapidly, not getting enough protein, and the general stress your body goes through from surgery. Other less common reasons for post-surgery hair loss might be a lack of important dietary nutrients such as zinc, biotin, potassium, vitamin B6, or phosphorus. 

A deficiency of these nutrients can damage the hair root, thus making follicles unsalvageable. Lack of protein in your diet, will cause the hair to break off as it grows through the scalp. 

Ensuring your post-surgery diet is rich in protein and the appropriate vitamins and minerals can help lessen the severity of hair loss, or even prevent it. Here are some tips to make sure you’re consuming the right nutrients to protect your hair.

http://penn-bariatric-weight-loss-surgery.blogspot.com/2013/03/hair-loss-after-weight-loss-surgery.html

My experience with Hair loss:

While in the hospital I didn't notice any hair loss but the nurses kept reassuring me that since my hair was so thick it wouldn't be noticeable. After I got home and as I got more mobile I chose to keep my hair in a ponytail so that it would be out of my way. It didn't take long before I noticed that my hair was coming out by the handfuls when I brushed it.

It was even worse after getting out of the shower

I honestly got to where I didn't even want to brush my hair. One day my husband noticed a bald spot on my head

This is not the actual picture of my head but it's somewhat what it looked like. I thought I was going to have a panic attack when he took a picture of it and showed it to me. I know I cried. I started looking up hair loss after weight loss surgery and started following others personal experiences and read that wearing a pony tail can put tension on you hair and can actually pull it out. So from that day on needless to say I never put another hair tie in my hair. I bought hair berets.

These things were a life saver. Not only did they cover up the bald spot but it also kept my hair out of my face and it didn't pull tension.

My thinned out hair

How to minimize hair loss

Nothing will keep you from losing any hair at all. Even without weight loss surgery, you lose a certain number of hairs every day. Afterwards, you’re going to lose more. It cannot be prevented.

But there are things you can do that seem to help. First off, be sure you’re getting all of your protein. My doctor recommended 60 grams or more a day. I’ve found 80 to be a better number, both for weight loss and for my hair. (Many other doctors recommend 80 as a minimum.)

Hair is built with protein. That’s what it’s made of. So making sure you’re taking in enough protein will help keep your hair healthy. At least, healthier.

http://gastricbypasstruth.com/life-after-gastric-bypass/hair-loss-after-gastric-bypass-tips-for-losing-less-and-regrowing-more-faster/

1). Make sure you get in the necessary dietary protein every day. That is 60 grams daily for women and 80 grams for men.

2). Take at least 3 mg (3000 mcg) of Biotin each day and start it long before your operation. In fact I recommend you start it as soon as you start thinking you want to have bariatric surgery. This was recommended to our patients by a dermatologist that is a friend of mine. Biotin is an over the counter vitamin that strengthens your nails and hair. You may know people that take biotin just to make their hair thicker.

3). Finally, if your hair loss is bothersome to you consider a naloxone scalp treatment at your hair dressers or a local spa. This is supposed to rejuvenate the scalp.

http://bariatricsurgeryblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/dr-myers-how-can-i-minimize-my-hair.html

The two most effective supplements for hair regrowth (at least according to the buzz on WLS forums and message boards) are Silica by Puritans Pride and Biotin.

The two most effective supplements for hair regrowth (at least according to the buzz on WLS forums and message boards) are Silica by Puritans Pride and Biotin.

The bottom line is that you’re going to lose some hair after gastric bypass surgery. But you really can minimize that loss, and help regrowth happen faster by taking good care of your hair.

http://pesurgicalweightloss.blogspot.com/2012/07/hair-loss-after-gastric-bypass-tips-for.html

Personally I started taking Biotin about 2 months before my surgery and still continue to take it today. I have read in some blogs that some women have experienced unwanted hair growth (facial hair) from taking biotin but in my experience I have not. I also started using OrganiX Biotin and Collagen shampoo and conditioner ( I buy mine at Walgreens). I did have my hair cut but refuse to have it cut short. At the beginning when my hair loss was worse than it is now I only washed my hair once a week. My hair loss has finally started to slow so I wash it more. The shampoo and biotin supplement DOES NOT STOP HAIR LOSS it helps with regrowth. 

It's growing back!!! :)

Now that my hair is growing back I can see little patches that are shorter than my hair ( right over my left ear). I don't mind it I'm just happy it is growing back.

Summer in ONEDERLAND
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Transformation Tuesday 11/12/13

Transformation Tuesday

On the 18th of this month I will be 7 mos post-op. If you have read my earlier posts you will agree it has not been an easy journey what so ever. But I have been a tough ol' broad and I have and still continue to stick with reaching my goal.

The picture on the left I weighted just about 300lbs and the picture on the right was last night at 153lbs. I am continuing to loose weight but thankfully it has started to slow a little. It stated to scare me at the rate I was loosing. To this day I have lost a total of  125lbs. On the left I wore a size 26 in pants, 2-3XL in shirts, and was a 44F in bra Now I sport size 12 pants, M-Lg shirt and wear a 34DD bra.

Healing as I go - June 2013

June started out pretty well. I was happy to be moving around a little more taking my pain meds a little less and finally being able it eat a little as I had been on the liquid stage till the end of March and then started some purees and then was told about mid June I could finally try some solid foods. Since I still had to be on my feeding and G tubes 16 hours a day I mostly only moved from the couch to the bathroom or to the kitchen. I tried to make my family meals but with the tubes I usually ended up with the dry heaves or as many call it foamies. Used my hand weights to get my exercise in while sitting and my husband would drag my pole up and down the street almost daily so that I could walk as much as I could handle. I felt very weak even though my feeding were mostly protein. I still was unable to drink a full protein shake a day but I did my best to at least get half.

Since I spent a lot of time sitting I decided to make use of it by doing as much research as possible to learn as much as I could about my new life change. I had read a lot about the surgery and what was involved before going under the knife but now I wanted to know it all. I started sharing links on my page so that I could go back and study what I had read and to share with others information that they themselves may not know.

 One of my first questions was,  Why do we have to wait between eating and drinking ? Well I found a link that explained it perfectly at friends don't let friends drink and eat

Facebook post:

June 4th 2013: "I never imagined being able to walk around Wal-mart would ever be considered an achievement till I lost that ability. Well today I can say I DID IT!!!! To most that means nothing but to me it's another sign that I'm getting stronger. Feeling blessed"

June 5th: "It's so hard to make the big yummy dinner I promised my family last night when I'm so nauseated but a promise is a promise. Making some beef brisket, loaded mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies...."

*In the condition I was in it was so hard not being able to do the things that had come so easily before. It was even harder not to fall into a deep depression many nights when my family was sound asleep in their beds I would cry because I felt so useless. I had been a mother for 14 years and had always been the one taking care of everybody and at this point I couldn't even take care of myself. My children and or husband had to prepare my bag for my feeding tube, they got my food/ broth or cream of something soup for me and sometimes even prepared dinner for the family. Even my husband had to unclog my tubes when they got stuck because my strength was gone. It seemed like I always got sick in the middle of the night and my husband would coming running out of the bedroom making sure I was going to be o.k. on nights he didn't have to work he would even sleep beside me on the couch in case I needed him for anything.

June 10th: "Loving how all my kiddies are camped out in the living room with me. One month ago today I was discharged from the hospital. I've made quite a bit of progress but still have a long road ahead of me. Still have my feeding and g tubes in but pray they came out soon so I can finally take a long soak in the tub and FINALLY get to sleep in my own bed and not in the living room in a recliner. And go swimming!!!!!!!"

*It seemed like everybody took turns camping out beside me even my new little companion Brutus. Thought for sure since James had gotten his as a little pup just before I left for India there was no way he would remember me but he did. He stayed by my side like he understood something was wrong. And James was right puppies sure have a way of making you feel better.

*This was one post I remember re posting a lot. I tried not to keep asking Why me? I just tried to grin and bare it and kept looking towards the future.

June 12: Getting my first real takeout meal. Refried beans, drowned in cheese dip and topped with black olives.... my mouth is watering YUMMMMM!!! Headed home to eat and watch some Nurse Jackie while the lucky ones veg out in the pool.

June 13th: Went to my nutritionist and post op appts this afternoon and got great news at both places. I'm down another 5lbs, all my labs came back at good levels, he cut my feeding tube back to only 8hrs a day. On the other hand I still have both tubes (but he rescheduled me for the 27th to see about removing them both!!!!) And lastly I had to have 2 stitches to hold my feeding tube since Nick accidentally ripped them out the other day. Other than that things are pretty good still nauseated when I wake in the morning and I still have pain at night.

June 14th: It's hard not to feel like a horrible mom when this is the fist summer where we haven't done anything. No park, lake, adventure, nothing. And its all because of a selfish decision. When I finally do get well enough to get around we have got alot of time to make up. It's really hard trying not to feel depressed when I cant join in the fun.

June 17th: Vinny and Santana making dinner all by themselves can't wait till it's finished.

*Dinner is done. Cheesy hash brown casserole. Vinny even sauteed some onions for it. They did such a great job!! I'm so Proud of my children. I did try a tiny bit and had to chew, chew, chew it till it was bout liquefied but they do a great job.

June 21st: Vinny and I made baked crab cakes and tarter sauce from scratch. (I will start sharing recipes soon)

June 25th: "Super yummy!! My double stuffed mushroom Swiss burger. Mmmmmmmm. Nothing like grilling burgers on a nice day. Made the others bacon triple cheese stuffed burgers. All bellies are full."

*I made these with ground lean steak and was only able to eat about 1/4 of mine.

 June 27th: Early appointment with my nutritionist this morning. Really starting to enjoy stepping on the scale for weight ins. Praying that tomorrow's appointment with my surgeon goes well and I get these tubes out. Life will be so much better once they are gone.

*Great visit!!! Nutritionist says I'm at 48% loss to my goal weight of 125. She says it usually takes 6 mos to get 50% but due to my complications I got there faster but I'm doing amazingly well and healing faster than expected (her words exactly) So HAPPY!!!!!!!!

June 28th: Really excited this morning. Appointment with my surgeon in a couple hours. I REALLY want my tubes OUT!!! Wish me luck.

*With a heavy heart I have to say the tubes are still there. Next appt July 10th.

June 30th: My sweet daughter took it upon herself to research protein shakes to help me keep my levels up. She surprised me with a peanut butter banana shake and it was honestly REALLY GOOD!! Thank you baby girl I couldn't ask for a better more caring daughter.

What a month June was. I went from the pureed stage to finally getting to have some solid foods. My nutritionist told me it would more than likely be a year before I could handle steak but I ended up being one of the few that could. of course I could only handle about an ounce per setting but it was helping keep my protein up since I was having trouble drinking a whole protein shake. I entered July with high hopes of finally having those tubes out. Will they finally come out? Well that will be in my next post. Hope you continue to follow along.