Pounds vs Kilos

When it comes to weight loss I love seeing how much I've lost in pounds. 

Nearly 30lbs. Now that is magnificent. 

It's 13.4kg.

I never would have lost that on my own. Without this surgery I would have remained at 116.4kg. And without this surgery I would have probably put more on and I never would have had this bright healthy future ahead of me.

It's great having so much energy and the WANT to get out there and exercise.

I couldn't ask for more.

Goal #2

BMI under 40!

When I started this journey my BMI was 44.9

Today when I weighed in I'm officially BMI 39.9

I cried!!!!!!

I never thought I would ever see that. 

And another bonus today my favorite check pants that I haven't been able to wear in the last 3 years fit with room to

Move!

St.... St..... Stall...

Well I had hit my first official little stall. My weight has not shifted over a week and I was quite convinced that perhaps here ally didn't do the surgery.

But then I measured myself!

And that's where the changes had occurred.

My measurements so far from when I started my pre-op diet to one month out.

Chest - 127.5 down to 119.5

Waist - 109 down to 108

Hips - 138.5 cm down to 132.5

Arms - 43.5 down to 41

Thighs- 75.5 down to 72.5

I'm excited about that movement in a month.

I've started on soft foods and have been enjoying dhal for lunch and snapper in lemon for dinner. It's been beautiful. But the first few bites I always do too fast and it doesn't go down too well. But I just need to remember to eat slowly and small. 

I'm giving oats a go for breakfast this morning, but I'm not to sure about them. I added the necessary benefiber and a touch of protein powder and I think they will need some honey. But let's taste first. 

I'm so pleased even with my little stall because this is more than I've ever lost in my life. And what even better people are starting to notice! 

Xxx Luisa 

Review Appointment

Yesterday I had my review appointment with my surgeon. He was so pleased with my progress. I just wanted to hug and kiss him. 

I wanted to thank him for giving me my life back. 

I've not felt better in my life than I have these past few weeks.   

I had my first big family dinner at Mum and Dads last night. I brought along my lentil soup, I helped prepare pizza for everyone. It was fine. No craving. No moods. I would eat a bit then help in the kitchen. Eat a bit more help put some more. My Dad was quite surprised at how little I did eat. But I though I did pretty well by eating a few spoonfuls of ricotta cheese along with it. It felt good to tolerate it too. 

I also had my first bit of red wine too. I think I drank 1/8 of a glass. It tasted good. But yet again I didn't "NEED" that glass of wine. It's been almost a month since having any type of drink. 

But all is traveling well. Each day gets better and better. 

I love my sleeve

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Goal #1

10 kg lost today in 3 weeks

I've not been at this weight since, I think it was 2010 when I lost a bit of weight to start IVF - (and then put it all back on and more during IVF)

I can't believe 10 kg or 22lb. 

Let's hope the next 10 are as easy as that one. 

I never thought in my life I would ever get down again. I always thought I was destined to be a big girl. 

Sadly I was ok with that. 

But I'm glad common sense took over and with the help of friends who had the surgery and doctors I trusted, I knew that I didn't need to live like that any more. 

Goal #1: to loose 10kg. Achieved August 13th 2013

Goal #2: to loose 20kg

Snore no more!!!!

It's a great thing when the one you love tells you that you no longer snore or breath heavily at night any more.

That is the best thing I've heard all day.

What does 8.6kg look like

What's better than using food in the pantry. This is my loss so far!

8.6 kg or 18.93lbs (sounds so much better in pounds) 

I'm liking this a lot 

Post Op Foodie

Well being 4 days out, I think I'm doing pretty well.

I've not had any more nausea.

I've not needed any pain medication. 

And I'm trying to get as much protein and fibre into me as possible.

I'm having broth for lunch an dinner (beautiful homemade Italian broth made by my mum) 

And for breakfast I made a banana, honey, blueberry yoghurt smoothly. That was delicious. I made enough to last at least 5 days. 

For lunch I had a traditional Italian style broth. Which was made using beef and chicken with a variety of vegetables in the pressure cooker.

The vegetables were then passed through a sieve. 

Once the broth was boiling I added one egg that had been mixed with a little salt and parmigiano. I tuned off the heat and the egg slowly and softly cooks and comes together. The parmigiano cheese adds so much flavour while still retaining the "thin enough to go through a straw" consistency. 

I'm managing anywhere between 1/8 to 1/4 cup of food at a time. Slowly slowly eating 3 times a day.

I'm not feeling hungry. It gets to lunch time and I remember that I should probably eat something.

Darling husband is having some great dinners and I love with every mouthful he had he insists its "terrible" and "you wouldn't like it" (yeah because that fantastic hash and eggs on your plate looks disgusting. If I could throw you out the way and shovel that meal down my throat then I would- but I don't and can't)

So far so god.

And the best part of it all.......

The weight is coming off!!!!!!!!! 

Finally Home

Four days in hospital and I'm finally home. 

It's nice to be back in your own home. On your own couch with your own pillows and blankets. 

I know someone is very happy I'm home! He snuggled right up next to me the second I was on the couch. 

I think he missed me

(Me and Winston)

It's good to be home.

Little to no pain. I have worked out that I can't lay down for about 30 mins after eating or it will come right back up.  Other than that. I'm feeling great. 

Just now need to make sure I get enough liquid in me. 

Xxxx

Lu

Day 2 with my new sleeve

Today I'm finally feeling good. 

But I'm not going to mince my words. Coming out of surgery and that first night I was in excruciating pain. They were unable to give me pain medication through the PCA pump because my oxygen levels were very low. And according to my family I threw in a few F bombs to anyone and everyone in the room. 

But two days out that is a fading distant memory. My tubes and drains were taken outs d I got to eat jelly and soup. It's going down very slowly but I dont feel much like eating. 

I've taken a few walks around and that makes me feel good. 

The shoulder pain that they talk about is annoying but the nurses have me a heat pack and that relieved it. 

It's all going well. The surgeon was happy with my surgery. So i couldn't  ask for more. 

My first lunch. 

Surgery Eve!

My Darling husband cooking up my last meal! 

I'm sitting on the couch!

Not a bad way to spend my last night with a whole stomach!

Now if only I could have a Gin. Then it would be truly perfect!!

Pre-op Deliciousness!

Cooking is a huge part of my life. I love everything about it. During the pre-op phase of minimal eating and only being able to eat veg was difficult. I needed to find dishes that were not only delicious but satisfying. 

Last night meal took the cake!

Stuffed Zucchini with Chipotle Tomatillo Sauce! 

 3 large mushroom minced

1 small onion minced

1/2 of a very large (crazy large) zucchini 

Minced 

Mix together with salt and pepper. Add some roughly chopped flat leaf parsley. 

Drain and cook. High heat no oil until fairly dry 

Scoop out a zucchini and place cooked mushroom mix inside. 

For the chipotle sauce. Bake tomatillos until brown with garlic and an onion. 

Place in a blender with 4 chipotle chills and blend until beautiful combined to s rich red sauce. 

Now put it all together and bake at 180c for 30 minutes and you have the most perfectly satisfying delicious stuffed zucchini ever!

Perfection. 

You could even add protein powder to the sauce if you wanted some extra nutrients. 

Enjoy xx

To.. Too.. Two.. 2 Days to go!

I am really surprised how get I have been feeling in the last 7 days. 

It's really amazing what your body can adapt to. 

Yesterday I was feeling all out of sorts. I just couldn't keep still. 

I cleaned out the laundry and mud room.

I baked.

I shopped.

I googled.

I cleaned some more.

I researched.

I just don't know what to do with myself. I think I was feeling a little anxious and nervous.

It's the anxiety associated with the unknown. 

I brought myself to tears yesterday looking at people before and after photos. 

I just kept looking at page after page of people looking magnificent on their weight loss journey and I just can't believe that, that will be me too.

It's hard to image a life not being overweight. I've had to live with it for as long as I can remember. I never really saw myself - my future self thin. 

I knew my subconscious was a 6ft tall super model with legs to her neck, but....... I just had to find a way together her out. I just can't believe this will be my answer.

Everyone I have spoken to who have had the surgery all wish they had done it earlier and none had regrets. 

No regrets..... So here's to August 6th 2013... My beginning