Tales of the Morbidly Obese

3.5 years out update

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls-

It has now been 43 months since I had DS surgery with Dr. Dennis Smith of Advanced Obesity Surgery.  He is a fantastic surgeon.  You could not be in better hands with him. 

This has been quite a journey and it just keeps going.  After a long respite (17 months),  I had another iron infusion recently.   My ferritin had dropped to 10.  I had the rest of my labs drawn last Friday about 6 weeks late. 

It will be interesting to see how I am fairing.   My weight has been very stable for about 2 years now.  I stay right around 140lbs.  My hair is grown back kind of long.   I no longer go onto Obesity Help.  There were some pretty nasty people there who were a touch rowdy for me.  I miss my peeps from there- Starr, Deluzy, Sharon, and many others I would love to catch up with. 

Life does get in the way.  I am currently looking to lose about 8 pounds to get ready for a cruise for spring break.  My favorite breakfast remains the same 2 scoops of Nectar Roadside Lemonade which has 46 grams of protein in only 180 calories.   I tried the Crystal Sky flavor this week.  It was pretty tasty even if it was a crazy blue color.   I also attend our support group.  I go at least every other month.  I feel great after going to those meetings.  It is awesome to talk to people about the DS.

I have connected with some old HS friends.  It is a little weird, but most of them I have not seen since then. 

Here is a pic of the hubby and I on our 15 year Anniversary in New Orleans.  We had a great time.   The dress is a size 6.  We walked all day and danced and partied most of the nights.  

The DS changed my life.

Happy, Happy New YearOi

Oi! How's everyone doing?  It was a great, quick set of holidays.  We surprised the boys with a trip to Disney right before Christmas.  It was lovely down there.  A little cold.  The castle is absolutely lovely in the lights.  It was some nice family bonding time as well.

Let me tell you about the coolest present we got for Christmas-ROCKBAND 2 for the Wii.  We are having a blast singing and playing together. 

Work is busy.  I like being on this side.  I would like to be even busier. 

Now for the DS update.  Not much to report.  Hanging in at 142-143 lbs and size 6-8.  Had a little episode of stomach issues one of our Disney days.  I actually thought I was headed to the hospital in Celebration.  It passed though after a good deal of pain.  However, when you are in WDW you keep on so don't miss things. 

I am planning an iron infusion most likely in February.  The cold hanging is hanging on me.  I am craving chocolate and ice crunching. 

So at 3.5 years out today (wow, just realized).  I am still down 114% weight loss.  I have a double Nectar Roadside Lemonade at least 5 mornings a week.  My natural inclination is towards seafood still.  I do eat my choice of foods.  Crabmeat is almost the perfect food.  Always need to get more liquids in. 

So much for the update.  Happy New Year!

If I eats me spinach, will it fix my iron?

Saw the hemo on Thursday.  Its good news and bad news.  Good news is that I don't need an infusion- yet.  That is the bad news.  I am still going to need one.  It has been 15 months or so since my last infusion.  I have managed to hold onto to my ferritin stores for 9 months longer than since surgery.  I was getting infused with dextran infusion every 6 months and symptomatic before that at times.  I turned this around with 2 cheawable iron tablets from www.bbvitamins.com every morning on an empty stomach.  It has been remarkable how it has helped me hold onto the iron.

Right now my hemo is 12.1 so it is trending down, but still hanging.  My ferritin has gone from 66 in July to 20 on Thursday.  Looks like I will be booking that infusion for January or February. In honor of my sinking iron stores, it has been terrifically cold here the last two days.  I am talking 20 degrees.  What's up with that? It also appears I working desperately to get some kind of cold. 

What's the plan for Thanksgiving?  We are doing the usual gauntlet.  Lunch at the in-laws and dinner at my moms- maybe stop off at others for visits.  I am making the turkey for my mom's and my pecan pies.  It is really good with cinnamon ice cream.  We plan to run a 5k that morning.  It makes it seem like then I can eat what I want.  The good thing about Thanksgiving is there are plenty of protein choices available. 

Celebuitician

Ok.  Here is my new word.  We elected the celebrity politician.  Unfortunately, my main issues with him are his simularities to W.  President-elect Obama insulates himself with only a few advisors.  He has little to no governing experience.  People voted for him because he looks like a good guy just like W.  Many people seemed to be snowed by his media blitz, and he out spent his opponent 6-1 and only squeaked out the win.  He has no foreign policy experience- just like W. I think the economy and its surrounding issues will dominate his 4 years in office. Do I hate all his stated policies- no.  Do I think he can do all he has promised- no. 

Will I be thrilled if it all works out- yes.  Odds- not so hot.  I guess you could say that hope didn't win me over.  I do hope that all our new registered voters stay jazzed.  I think that is awesome.  People voted for change.  I wish they could have voted for someone that could produce it.

Election Day tomorrow

Any one excited?  I am, but I doubt it will live up to the 2000 election which was a nail biter for weeks.  I expect will get our winner by Wednesday morning.  My 11 year old son is thrilled.  He wants to go to the polls with me tomorrow so that he can be part of the political process. 

Did I also tell you he wants to be a politician someday?  God Help Us All! 

The State of Georgia has had early voting for 45 days.  An amazing amount of people have voted.  I think the total is 1.5 million already.  I hope most them have researched their candidate, but that is asking a lot isn't it.  It is going to be quite a contest tomorrow.  I hope you all go vote or at least have voted.

Here is my prediction.  No matter who wins, the next 4 years will be marked by huge economic difficulties.  The winner will only serve 4 years, and they will be vilified much the way Jimmy Carter has been since his presidency. 

Be careful what you ask vote for.

42,000

Above is exactly how many calories I need to burn/not eat to get back to my fighting weight after a quick anniversary trip to New Orleans over the Columbus day weekend.  It was a gastronomic tour of the quarter and beyond.  My hubby and I had never been to New Orleans before.  It is truly a fabulous city.  Certainly, it has some unsavory elements, but it also has a tremendous amount of heart and charm.  It is well worth saving as a better stronger city.   We stayed at the Hotel Monteleone which has a great location right off Royal Street. 

The first night we ate at the Acme Oyster House early and finished the night after much imbibing at the Krystal.  Those little burgers can really help with an empty stomach and alcohol.  The second night was our actual anniversary (15 years for those counting).  We dressed to the nines and went to the power broker establishment on Bourbon called Gallatoires.  It was lovely, but parts of the meal were hit and part were miss.  I had crabmeat sardou.  The bread there is fabulous and our server was a gem. 

The third night was by far our best meal at NOLA an Emeril Lagasse location near our hotel.  We did not have a reservation and it was early on a Friday night, so we heartily agreed to a kitchen view perch near the wood burning stove.  What a totally delightful experience.  The oysters roasted by our new friend Marcus were absolutely divine.  Our server did his absolute best to make us feel at home and new his menu.  This is the real deal people.  They truly want to serve their customers with great food and and a fantastic experience.  I wished we had gone there the first night because we most definitely would have returned another night.

The last night was the Orleans Grapevine.  It is known for its wines.  The entrees were fine, but the wine paired cheese board was so memorable that I am still thinking about the cheese and the fantastic caper berry that I had.  Did I mention all the bread down there just rocks! 

Other notable meals-  Beignets at Cafe Du Monde- a perfection of fried dough and powdered sugar. The waitresses are a wee surly though.  Do not miss the muffaletta at the Central Grocery near the French Market.  It was triumphant. 

We also took a 3 hour Greyline Katrina tour.  It covered 50 miles and was very informative.  I got a much greater impression of how much went terribly wrong after the hurricane.  It seems as if this was the worst and best thing to ever happen to New Orleans.  There are areas still completely devastated, but it seems like the city is going to recover and been stronger for what they have endured.  Could that disaster repeat?  Yes, the city has for generations made some poor building decisions on the North end by Lake Ponchetrain.  Many of the homes are being revised and soem things are being done to prevent the catastrophic effect of the levies breaking.  I fear it could reoccur, because of the way some parts of the city are built. 

What was the best part?  It wasn't even the food.  It was the music.  New Orleans is home to some of the very best musicians in the world.  Most nights you can walk from club to club and get your hears fill of some no so fantastic, but some truly wonderful music of all kinds.  We finished each night late as a place called Frietzel's.  It is a jazz/blues club out at the end of the Bourbon Street strip.  We sat on hard benches and swayed to some fantastic dixie land blues and jazz.  Wow, if I had that hear would I go every night?  I wish I could.  I wish I had taken more video, so I could return there time and again.  By the end of our stay, I had made friends with the house band members.  They are so incredibly talented.  They need no rehersals.  They just sit and play together. 

Would I go to New Orleans again?  Damn skippy.  Sign me up.  It was a fantastic city.  Now, about those 12 pounds.  I came home weighing 147.  I am down to 143, but I would really like to see the south side of 140 again.  So, I am again back to trying to lose weight.  It is not so easy these days, but it surely can be done. 

Is it Time?

Is it time for this blog to go away?  I don't have much new information to offer the world regarding the DS. My labs are good, my weight is stable, I am stable, so what else can I add.  I enjoy inspiring other people to find the right answer for them through research, but I am not updating often.  There are others who have taken up the banner who are much more in the fray.  Once you lose the weight, the laser focus turns to something else.  Life gets in the way because you are out there living it. 

Do I need the former pictures of myself to stay up?  I am not so sure.  It may be time for me to fade away to other pursuits.  I cannot imagine not being able to hear from some of you.  So, I need to think about this decision for a bit.

Here is my update.  My practice is open.  I have a paying client and more on the way.  I got some court appointed criminal work which is very interesting.  It is great to be back in the felony mix again.  So, life is about to get busy again.  The little one had his first football game yesterday.  Very fun-very hot.  The oldest is starting the play the string bass in his orchestra class. His choice.  I said what about the piccolo?  No dice. 

Is it time to morph?  Let me know. 

Is this a Mid-life Crisis?

Well, it has been a most eventful week at our household.  Drumroll please>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>  I am no longer employed as a prosecutor.  I gave my notice back in July and stayed until last Friday.  As of September 2nd, I am a solo lawyer with my own law firm.  Still working on the website- not a gift of mine by the way.  Also, I turned the big 4-0 yesterday.  Lots of changes for me.

Why do it?  I have 2 reasons.  Boy 1 and Boy 2.  You know I stopped practing law 11 years ago when my first son was born.  I was a gifted trial attorney, but I knew I could not leave him.  I did not go back for 8.5 years and another son later.   I have enjoyed my latest position very much.  I have tried 16 or so cases.  I have gotten lock a few folks up who needed it.  However, that oldest boy started middle school.   The crazy schedule here is that school starts at 9:15am.  I couldn't leave him alone for that long and expect him to get himself and his stuff to school on time in my job.   It was also a bit much to ask of our primary wage earner- my husband. So, I made a change.   I have a great office in spitting distance of the courthouse, a new computer, a great guy to split the space with me and some time to kill right now.  I am currently desk shopping on the cheap.

So, how about the 4-0.  It was great.  Hubby, much to my chagrin, pulled off a way cool surprise party for me.  I would have never expected him to pull that off.  He did an Evite people!~ 

So, current weight is 143.  Well below Dr. Smith's goal of 159 for me.  Below my original goal of 150.  I would love to hover at 135, but it is going to take more effort from me.  PERFECT labs finally and no more iron issues.  One of my other hopes by changing my employment is that I will be able to run more.  I want to get my mileage up. 

Lots of changes and lots of stress, but I am okay with it.  I like new challenges, so stay tuned more new ahead.  I may get someone to take some pics too.

Don't PISS on the Gift

    "When you know better, you do better." -Maya Angelou

You know that we all are blessed with certain gifts.  Our family, spouse, children, job, friends, talents, time, health and achievements are examples of the gifts we have in our everyday lives.  We often take these gifts for granted.  It is the nature of our free will that we do not exercise our gifts- that we do not live up to our fullest potention.  In the animal world lazy is dead.  The cheetah does not run half as fast to catch his food because he is tired that day.  He uses his gift to the fullest extent to fulfill his purpose in life which is to complete his role in the food chain.  Some would say that we only do what is necessary in order to fulfill our roles.  The truly great humans of all time have never done just enough to get by.

So, why am I on this today.  Well, it comes back to WLS.  The duodenal switch surgery is a gift.  It is a gift a select few of us have been given through our efforts, our finances, or our insurance.  The DS is a new way to live your life.  It is a 2nd, 3rd, or 800th chance to live our lives better with better health.  Many of us fought long and hard or sacrificed a tremendous amount just to get the surgery.  A few lost their lives trying to obtain the surgery.  Why then, do so many post-ops piss on the gift?  Why do they choose to do the minimum requirements or worse not follow the post-op life? 

Why?  Because they choose to do it with that blasted free will.  So many post-ops start out with good intentions.  "I am going to do this perfect because it is my last chance", they say.  Some say doing "this little bit won't hurt me."  Many think the urge to exercise will just come upon them late after they have lost all their weight.   Because I have been given this tremendous gift which I sometimes do not respect fully as well, I feel that I have an obligation to call out the others who are not making the effort that they should.

Here's the deal.  Yes, you can have the DS and eat what you want and not follow the rules and you will [GASP] still lose weight.  Will you get to 100% EWL?- no.   Will you get to the made up goal that you set for yourself after you see that you are a slacker?-maybe.  Will you keep the weight off?-no.  You may even have a vast improvement in your health while other parts of your physical being are falling apart.  Why on earth did you fight for approval, pay vast sums, undergo rigorous testing, risk your life, have major surgery and change your very anatomy to PISS it away eating junk?

Many times in this blog I have discussed the way that helped me make it to goal?  For the losing phase of my weightloss, I  was extremely compliant.  I exercised and hit my minimums- 80oz of water and 80g of protein.  I did not eat sugar or white flour anything.  No flavored drinks after my initial immediate post-op period other than protein shakes.  I ate meat.  All kinds of meat and I drank my shakes.  I still drink shakes at least 6 days per week.  I feel crappy when I don't.  Protein is needed for the rest of my life.  I researched other successful losers to see what they had in common to get these goals.  I did not wait for someone to tell me what to do.  The nutritionist from my doctor still thinks I advocate too much protein.  I can only tell you what worked for me, and that I have seen many, many other successful DSers follow a high protein regime.  I usually aim for 100-125g of protein a day.  I still get almost half of that in my morning shake on the way to work. 

To do less is to dishonor yourself and the others who have come before you.  For those who lost their lives vying for the 2nd chance you have been given, you owe them your compliance.  You owe it to yourself to plan and work to make this a success.  Many will tell you that you took the easy way out having surgery.  Baby, it is not easy.  It is work everyday for the rest of your life. Get busy living or get busy dying.  You only have so many gifts in this life.  Appreciate, acknowledge and honor this one.

3 Years Ago Today

You thought I would forget didn't cha?  Well, how could I?  Three years ago today I was taking a walk down the hospital hall after having a 4 hour laproscopic duodenal switch operation.  It was the final last ditch effort to lose the weight I had been obese for almost 15 years when I had surgery. 

Here's how the day went.  Got up and had a 2 scoop Nectar Roadside Lemonade Protein shake- 46g of protein.  I played 2 long sets of doubles tennis in broiling sun.  Went sat in the swimming pool with my family.  Shower.  Looked at office furniture for my office.  Went to dinner with my mom and family at Ted's Montana Grill.  Had shrimp skewer and iceberg wedge plus those cute pickles on the table.  We went to costco for just a couple of things.  Whole family went to see Journey to the Center of the Earth in 3D. Stopped by grocery on way home for milk and oj (I don't drink either).  Now home blogging.  Very GOOD Day.

I could not have done most of this 3 years ago.  I would be miserable and tired and the whole day would have revolved around where we ate dinner.  My life was very good before, but it is so much better.  I keep expecting more and more all the time.  The sky is the limit. 

I am about 144lbs today.  A touch heavier than I want to be, but fine.  I have lots of Dr. appts. lined up for this week.  I got my 3 year labs in the mail today.  They forgot to order D-25, but all the others look fantastic.  Can I give a big shout out to www.bbvitamins.com  chewable iron.  IT is a wonder iron.  2 chewables a day (about $20 a month) are keeping my ferritin and hemo in great shape.  Whoo Hoo.  PTH is normal after being high.  Everything looks good, real good.  

I have big changes in the works.  I will reveal more in the coming weeks.  Life is bumpy, but such a fun ride.