1 Year Later

Oh My!!! How Time Flies!!! It's one year already! One year since I had weight loss surgery. I've been missing in action for a while, but I couldn't just not come back and fill you in...so the following videos tell you about My Life After Bariatric Surgery...One Year Later! ENJOY!







FACEBOOK VIDEO INCLUDES MUSIC



ALL MUSIC REMOVED FOR THIS VERSION DUE TO COPYRIGHTS

Week 16 - Sassy, Classy and Oh So GASSY!

Four (4) months later and I am 55lbs lighter, 4 dress sizes smaller, and much healthier & happier.

I am grateful for so many reasons. I am grateful that I am creating a life that I love to live. Of course there are those mornings that I have to drag myself out of bed to go to work, but I am grateful that I have a job to go to.

There are those days that my teenage daughter has tapped danced on my last nerve but I am grateful that I have matured and can find calmness in God.

My love for food is still there, I just can't eat food the way I want to. My taste buds have changed. My ability to digest certain foods is still developing. I haven't been able to keep much meat down. I do okay with salads with a little tuna, shrimp and crab meat. My desire to have and eat good old soul food is a thing of the past. I don't crave it, and really when I begin to think about how it was prepared in many cases it's not worth me taking the chance to eat it...'cause I know what will happen...I'll be on Bathroom Patrol.

I have become one of "THEM", the protein bar eating, water bottle carring, protein drinking, going to the gym people. I am up at the crack of dawn (although that has always been the case) rushing off to the gym to go swimming; not because I really want to and like to, but because I am working on not developing excess skin.

Not eating enough protein causes me to be sluggish. Getting my nutrients is daily focus, but it seems everything that I manage to consume; the drinks and bar leave me soooooooo GASSY.

Article: STARR JONES WEIGHT LOSS
http://www.glamour.com/health-fitness/2007/08/star-jones-weight?currentPage=2

Article: MANAGEMENT NUTRITION COMPLICATIONS AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS

http://ehow.com/way_5368728_management-nutrition-complications-gastric-bypass.html

Article: WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY - RISKY BUSINESS

http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/health/July-August-08/Weight-Loss-Surgery-a-Risky-Business.html

week 13 - Oh My Goodness…Why did I have weight loss surgery?

Yes I did...I said it...

Oh My Goodness…Why did I have weight loss surgery?

Week 13, 3 months later and I have lost 50 pounds. But was it worth it???? I look great, but my insides don’t feel so great. It’s not that I am in pain, but whenever I eat anything of substance I experience discomfort and weird pangs. Meat right now is definitely a NO NO!

Most of the time I am a little afraid to sit down and eat without testing the waters first; always wondering if the food will stay down, or come back up. (((SIGH)))

As for eating out, grabbing a bite on the go or driving thru to pick up something to eat…right now it’s not happening. I am eating dividing my meals into smaller portions eating 1 half at a time.

Let’s see…My diet consist of:

Oatmeal with peaches
Soup; not eating the rice, meat and noodles
Grapes
Yogurt
Mashed and sweet potatoes
Baked fish
Tuna without/ or very little mayo
Soft cooked vegetables
Peanut butter and crackers
Protein bars
Popcorn…go figure???
Juice from the whole food blender
Canned peaches
Apple sauce

Sometimes coffee
Sometimes cocoa
Sometimes watered down juice
Sometimes salad w/ vinegar no salad dressings because of the oil
Sometimes salad w/tuna or crab meat

Unable to eat oranges
Unable to eat eggs
Unable to eat chicken
Unable to eat beef
Unable to eat deli meat
Unable to eat bread
Unable to rice
Unable to eat noodles

This is pretty much what I am consuming now, and I am a firm believer of go with what works…

Week 12 - The Woman in the Mirror

DAY 1 to NOW...

Four (4) weeks away; was just too long!!! So let's play catch up for a minute.

Week 9 - I weighed 188lbs, giving me a total weight lost of 44lbs.

Week 10- I was 185lbs, losing 47lbs.

Week 11 - I went up to 195lbs giving me a weight lost of 37lbs. During Week 11, unfortunately I went to the hospital and ended up having emergency surgery (see this weeks video.)

Week 12 - I currently weight 186lbs; so to date I have lost 46lbs.

With all my weight lost a new woman is emerging. I see the woman in the mirror, smiling at me, but she looks the same as the woman who has always smiled at me. I have shed close to 50lbs, but honestly I don't see it when I look in the mirror. I can tell that I have lost weight, but it really doesn't look like that much weight to me. However, when I see my pictures; the me in the pictures looks so much larger than the me I always saw in those same pictures. I didn't view past pictures of myself with the mindset that I have presently. Now I look huge; I never thought that before...What is that all about?

Well a great deal happen in my absence, so I hope that you will listen to the video to find out how I ended up having emergency surgery.

Thank you again.

Live, Love and Laugh!!

Julay

Week 7 & 8 - Keep On, Keeping On

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

It's Week 8 - and I weight 197lbs. That means I've loss a total of 35lbs.

I'm excited to be back infront of you, excited to tell you about my experience, and even more excited to share information that I've gathered with you.

I'm melting and shrinking as the days pass. I'm full of energy. My sugar levels are low and my feet don't hurt.

I was able to donate some of my eveningwear and suits to a church, with the hope that they will come in contact with someone who really needs them and will be blessed by them.

Going into week 9 - I will keep on, keeping on and will be back with my results.

I hope you enjoy this weeks video.

Live, Love & Laugh.

Julay

Week 6 - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Week 6 and I am feeling GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

I've lost 33 lbs, I have so much energy and my health is improving wonderfully. No dumping, no feeling sick this week, but good old gas stayed true to being a part of my daily life.

I discoverd that relaxing while eating and chewing food slowly is the essence of successful food intake and disgestion, which = Less / No Dumping.

I also attended my first Bariatric Surgery Support Group this week. I met and spoke with women who offered a wealth of knowledge and information.

In the weeks to come, hopefully you will find my blog more informative and enjoyable.

I appreciate you...

Week 5 - I Am So Excited!

Week 5 and I am so excited, I have lost 31 pounds. I experienced many highs and lows this week. I have come to realize that regardless to how much effort I put into trying to avoid dumping, this is a package deal and dumping is a part of it.

My diet has grown to included whatever I can tolerate, as long as it's low in fat, consist of protein and is not high in sugar.

I find myself playing it safe by sticking to foods on the recommended list. I'm becoming conditioned. I try to avoid eating out as much as possible when necessary, (but you will hear about the Rib-Attack I experienced this week.)

Dr. Daly gave me clearance to stop drinking protein drinks, as long as I am managing to eat at least 50 grams of protein a day. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He also recommended that I increase my exercise, so I will be going back to the gym this coming week, and last week I went dancing a couple of nights (Chicago Sytle Stepping). I just love stepping!

My sugaar levels have been up and down...but this is partly due to stress and a family crisis. I am still taking my meds, but at a fraction of what I've been taking in the past.

Each day, I am getting more and more excited about becoming to small for some of my clothing. I am taking more clothes of the hangers in my closet, and putting them in bins and bags that will be leaving my house soon. (((SMILING)))...as I realize I will never wear them again...and will have to buy new ones soon!