So, I only lost 2 lbs this week :( Actually I'm fine with that; I think I lost so much last week that my body needed to play catch up a little bit. I'm almost into #s I haven't seen in 8+ years! Wow! That's a total of 24 lbs in 2wks & 2 days!!!
Pic to come later...
thelifeofbonbon.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Best healthy food blog EVER!!!
SO, I saw this blog mentioned on my surgeon's support group website, and thought I must share!
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
This is a woman who had gastric bypass several years ago. She has lost crazy weight and posts new healthy recipes everyday. They are all low carb and high protein. I can't wait to try them, because they seriously look fantastic!
http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/
This is a woman who had gastric bypass several years ago. She has lost crazy weight and posts new healthy recipes everyday. They are all low carb and high protein. I can't wait to try them, because they seriously look fantastic!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Happy Birthday to me!
I'm 30 today! Yikes!!!
I had a good day, lots of calls and messages from my friends and family. Love you all! I went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic with my sister Maryanne and Kristin, then we went to lunch [I was able to eat soup :) ] I loved the movie; they never live up to the book of course, but it was much better than I expected! Kristin got me a super cute dress that I love! My sweet roommates surprised me and took me to the ballet to see Madame Butterfly at the Capitol Theater; it was amazing!
Anyways....
This is an article from MSN.com (which I look at almost everyday - good overview of political, financial, sports, celebrity gossip and just general News. There are also fun and interesting features)
If you don't know me very well, this is shockingly accurate and will give you some insight. If you know me well, there are a few things that should make some of you Bon Bon Veterans laugh about pretty good. Let's see if you notice what I notice. I'll add an update later to see if we match answers.
--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--
PISCES FUN FACTS
"Understanding" is a most appropriate keyword for this gentle, affectionate sign. Easygoing and generally accepting of others around them, Pisceans are often found in the company of a variety of different personalities. Their willingness to give of themselves emotionally lends to an aura of quiet empathy. A Pisces is comforting to be around. Although not likely to be the leader, this sign's presence is strong and vibrant in any cause into which they put their hearts.
Friends and Family
Gentle Pisceans make some of the best friends there are. In fact, they often put the needs of their friends ahead of their own. Loyal, dedicated, supportive, and compassionate, Pisceans will take on any problem. Big or small, when a challenge arises for family or friends, they will be there in every capacity possible to make things better. Deeply intuitive, Pisceans can often sense when something is askew long before anything is said.
Pisceans are expressive by nature and don't hesitate to let those around them know how they feel. It's not surprising for a Pisces to write a song for someone or to buy a gift that is heartfelt and meaningful. They prefer others to be as open with them as they are. Communication with loved ones is considered most important.
Career and Money
Intuitive and often dreamy, Pisces natives are most comfortable in positions that bring their creative natures into humanitarian causes. Some good careers for this sign are lawyer, architect, veterinarian, musician, social worker, and game designer. The key phrase for this sign is "I believe." It's important for the Pisces to feel strongly about personal endeavors.
Inspired by the need to make a difference in the lives of those they touch, Pisceans are most charitable and will often go way above and beyond the call of duty. Sensitive, deeply compassionate, hardworking, dedicated, and reliable, this is one sign that really knows how to get to the heart of the matter. They can be excellent problem-solvers.
For the most part, Pisceans don't give money too much thought. They are more concerned with their dreams and goals than with money. Yet because this is oftentimes a component to reaching their aspirations, Pisces natives will ensure they have the money they need. They can be of two minds in this area. On one hand, the Pisces will spend, spend, spend with little thought, and on the other hand, they can become quite miserly. Yet in the end, there'll always seem to be enough to do what they want in life.
Love and Sex
Deep within the Piscean beats the heart of the diehard romantic. Loving, tender, and exceptionally giving, this sign cherishes intimacy deeply. They are passionate lovers that need to feel a real connection with their mates. Quick flings and superficial interludes do not do well with the Piscean whatsoever. In relationships, they are fiercely loyal and doting. They love to give gifts and to make the other person feel like a million bucks. Nothing is too good for the Piscean's love interest!
PISCES TIDBITS
Health
Each sign has a part of the anatomy attached to it, making this the area of the body that is most sensitive to stimulation. The anatomical area for Pisces is the feet.
Ruling Planet
The ruling planet for Pisces is Neptune. Considered the planet of intuition, Neptune rules dreams, illusion, music, spirituality, mystery, second sight, intangibles, and the love of poetry.
House
Pisces is the natural sign of the Twelfth House. This house focuses on limitations, hidden strength, frustrations, and the subconscious mind.
Opposite Sign
The opposite sign for Pisces is Virgo.
Compatibility
Pisces is most compatible with Cancer and Scorpio.
Color
The color of choice for Pisces is sea-green.
Gemstone
Pisces's star stone is the Moonstone.
Lucky Numbers
Pisces's lucky numbers are 1, 3, 4, and 9.
The Perfect Gift
Beautiful inspiring colors that make a home more beautiful, a day spent sailing, a romantic starlit dinner, a song or poem from a loved one
Likes
Spiritual themes, time alone, visual media, time to sleep, romance, music, swimming
Dislikes
Absorbing toxic people and situations, cruelty of any kind
Famous Pisceans
Drew Barrymore, Benicio Del Toro, Tommy Lee, Bruce Willis
Best travel destination
Scandinavia, Portugal, Jerusalem, Warsaw, Seville
Strength
Intuitive, compassionate, artistic, gentle, wise, musical
Weakness
Can be a victim or martyr, fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality
Charismatic marks
Soft, sometimes frail to medium build, face easily shows emotion.
Best environment
On or near water, especially the sea. The movie theater.
--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
I'm not crazy astrology girl, but that's pretty stinkin' close!
I had a good day, lots of calls and messages from my friends and family. Love you all! I went to see Confessions of a Shopaholic with my sister Maryanne and Kristin, then we went to lunch [I was able to eat soup :) ] I loved the movie; they never live up to the book of course, but it was much better than I expected! Kristin got me a super cute dress that I love! My sweet roommates surprised me and took me to the ballet to see Madame Butterfly at the Capitol Theater; it was amazing!
Anyways....
This is an article from MSN.com (which I look at almost everyday - good overview of political, financial, sports, celebrity gossip and just general News. There are also fun and interesting features)
If you don't know me very well, this is shockingly accurate and will give you some insight. If you know me well, there are a few things that should make some of you Bon Bon Veterans laugh about pretty good. Let's see if you notice what I notice. I'll add an update later to see if we match answers.
--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--o--
PISCES FUN FACTS
"Understanding" is a most appropriate keyword for this gentle, affectionate sign. Easygoing and generally accepting of others around them, Pisceans are often found in the company of a variety of different personalities. Their willingness to give of themselves emotionally lends to an aura of quiet empathy. A Pisces is comforting to be around. Although not likely to be the leader, this sign's presence is strong and vibrant in any cause into which they put their hearts.
Friends and Family
Gentle Pisceans make some of the best friends there are. In fact, they often put the needs of their friends ahead of their own. Loyal, dedicated, supportive, and compassionate, Pisceans will take on any problem. Big or small, when a challenge arises for family or friends, they will be there in every capacity possible to make things better. Deeply intuitive, Pisceans can often sense when something is askew long before anything is said.
Pisceans are expressive by nature and don't hesitate to let those around them know how they feel. It's not surprising for a Pisces to write a song for someone or to buy a gift that is heartfelt and meaningful. They prefer others to be as open with them as they are. Communication with loved ones is considered most important.
Career and Money
Intuitive and often dreamy, Pisces natives are most comfortable in positions that bring their creative natures into humanitarian causes. Some good careers for this sign are lawyer, architect, veterinarian, musician, social worker, and game designer. The key phrase for this sign is "I believe." It's important for the Pisces to feel strongly about personal endeavors.
Inspired by the need to make a difference in the lives of those they touch, Pisceans are most charitable and will often go way above and beyond the call of duty. Sensitive, deeply compassionate, hardworking, dedicated, and reliable, this is one sign that really knows how to get to the heart of the matter. They can be excellent problem-solvers.
For the most part, Pisceans don't give money too much thought. They are more concerned with their dreams and goals than with money. Yet because this is oftentimes a component to reaching their aspirations, Pisces natives will ensure they have the money they need. They can be of two minds in this area. On one hand, the Pisces will spend, spend, spend with little thought, and on the other hand, they can become quite miserly. Yet in the end, there'll always seem to be enough to do what they want in life.
Love and Sex
Deep within the Piscean beats the heart of the diehard romantic. Loving, tender, and exceptionally giving, this sign cherishes intimacy deeply. They are passionate lovers that need to feel a real connection with their mates. Quick flings and superficial interludes do not do well with the Piscean whatsoever. In relationships, they are fiercely loyal and doting. They love to give gifts and to make the other person feel like a million bucks. Nothing is too good for the Piscean's love interest!
PISCES TIDBITS
Health
Each sign has a part of the anatomy attached to it, making this the area of the body that is most sensitive to stimulation. The anatomical area for Pisces is the feet.
Ruling Planet
The ruling planet for Pisces is Neptune. Considered the planet of intuition, Neptune rules dreams, illusion, music, spirituality, mystery, second sight, intangibles, and the love of poetry.
House
Pisces is the natural sign of the Twelfth House. This house focuses on limitations, hidden strength, frustrations, and the subconscious mind.
Opposite Sign
The opposite sign for Pisces is Virgo.
Compatibility
Pisces is most compatible with Cancer and Scorpio.
Color
The color of choice for Pisces is sea-green.
Gemstone
Pisces's star stone is the Moonstone.
Lucky Numbers
Pisces's lucky numbers are 1, 3, 4, and 9.
The Perfect Gift
Beautiful inspiring colors that make a home more beautiful, a day spent sailing, a romantic starlit dinner, a song or poem from a loved one
Likes
Spiritual themes, time alone, visual media, time to sleep, romance, music, swimming
Dislikes
Absorbing toxic people and situations, cruelty of any kind
Famous Pisceans
Drew Barrymore, Benicio Del Toro, Tommy Lee, Bruce Willis
Best travel destination
Scandinavia, Portugal, Jerusalem, Warsaw, Seville
Strength
Intuitive, compassionate, artistic, gentle, wise, musical
Weakness
Can be a victim or martyr, fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality
Charismatic marks
Soft, sometimes frail to medium build, face easily shows emotion.
Best environment
On or near water, especially the sea. The movie theater.
--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O--O
I'm not crazy astrology girl, but that's pretty stinkin' close!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Week 1 update
Long, long week!
I felt like utter crap until Monday. Started feeling somewhat better Tues and Wed, and yesterday and today I've felt great! I get tired way easier than normal though :(
I'm finally able eat some meat, but it can't be dry or it will get stuck (not fun! but I've been very very careful). I got a rotisserie chicken from costso the other day; I pulled all the meat off and put small portions into sandwich, them into one big freezer bag, then into the freezer. Works great and it's not the dry chicken (that I love) that you get from baking it at home and worrying you're going to undercook it and poison someone. So what I eat mostly right now is a mix of refried back beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream and salsa. Yum! Now, really if I could get away with not eating, I would. But I have to if I want to be able to walk further than the bathroom without getting dizzy :)
What? This isn't what you were reading my blog for? So sorry! Onto the informational portion of my blog...
It has been 9 days since surgery and I have lost 22 lbs! Crazy, right? My outside hope before surgery was to lose 20 lbs by my birthday (tomorrow). Already done! I can only really tell in my face some and in my feet and ankles. My tummy is still somewhat swollen from surgery, so no real size changes there.
I'll have to post a full-length pic later, when someone is home to take a pic (I'm not sure how to set the timer on my camera, although I'm sure there must be one!). But here's a little something something to hold you over ...
Sorry, this is right after I woke up and it's hard to smile at a camera when you're alone and not feel like a complete dork...
I've always loved my feet and ankles(many of you already know this) and now they look slightly slimmer. Can't wait for capri season!
I felt like utter crap until Monday. Started feeling somewhat better Tues and Wed, and yesterday and today I've felt great! I get tired way easier than normal though :(
I'm finally able eat some meat, but it can't be dry or it will get stuck (not fun! but I've been very very careful). I got a rotisserie chicken from costso the other day; I pulled all the meat off and put small portions into sandwich, them into one big freezer bag, then into the freezer. Works great and it's not the dry chicken (that I love) that you get from baking it at home and worrying you're going to undercook it and poison someone. So what I eat mostly right now is a mix of refried back beans, cheese, chicken, sour cream and salsa. Yum! Now, really if I could get away with not eating, I would. But I have to if I want to be able to walk further than the bathroom without getting dizzy :)
What? This isn't what you were reading my blog for? So sorry! Onto the informational portion of my blog...
It has been 9 days since surgery and I have lost 22 lbs! Crazy, right? My outside hope before surgery was to lose 20 lbs by my birthday (tomorrow). Already done! I can only really tell in my face some and in my feet and ankles. My tummy is still somewhat swollen from surgery, so no real size changes there.
I'll have to post a full-length pic later, when someone is home to take a pic (I'm not sure how to set the timer on my camera, although I'm sure there must be one!). But here's a little something something to hold you over ...
Sorry, this is right after I woke up and it's hard to smile at a camera when you're alone and not feel like a complete dork...
I've always loved my feet and ankles(many of you already know this) and now they look slightly slimmer. Can't wait for capri season!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Surgery is fun to do, to do, to do, to do...
Yes, Virginia, Bonnie is alive after surgery. And she feels oh so awesome (not!). Liquid Lortab is nothing compared to the stuff I was getting through my IV pain pump. I should have taken full advantage of that sucker, but no, I was only pushing the dumb button like 2x per hour when I could have been pushing it 6. What a waste of good drugs!
Anyways, I had a bit of fun the night after surgery with my heart rate. It was only beating like 118x per minute while I was laying in bed. Yikes! A high heart rate means I could have had a leak or that I was dehydrated. I'm sure we can all guess that the problem was option 2, but I still had to get a ct scan. Has anyone else had one of these??? Weirdest feeling ever!!! I though I was gonna pee my pants.
Luckily the problem was just dehydration. They figured as much since I was actually feeling really really good a few hours after surgery. If you were one of the lucky few to talk to me, I know you were suprised by how awake and cognizant I was, but I tried to warn you all that I really am a trooper!
I had to get an upper GI test the day before surgery to see if I had reflux!? Yuck Yuck Yuck! Seriously, avoid this like the plague. Especially if you have to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate later that same day (If you don't know what this is, don't ask just Google :p ) Also, make sure that if you have this upper GI thing done, they give you a gown and pants that actually cover you up completely. Rolling around on a the weird x-ray machine while straining to stay inside your gown and drinking nasty barium stuff (they should just call it paint, I'm pretty sure that is barium's night job) is not an experience I ever want to repeat again.
On the plus side I did get to have a sonogram. I think I now know what all of you mothers and expecatant mothers have experienced. I got to look at my gallbladder and kidneys and saym "Oh, isn't that so cute and so special!" I thought the gel stuff was gonna be cold (isn't it always in the movies???), but the worst thing about it was the sticky residue and old-lady smell.
Now I get to look forward to a shrinking waistline, an increasingly healthy lifestyle (if you didn't know, exercise is really difficult when you're super fat), and teeny tiny meals. To give you an idea of my diet, yesterday and today I get jello and broth. Through the first week I get to add in yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese, tomato soup, or strained cream soups. I get to eat about 2 oz 3 times per day. At the end of the month my meal sizes should be up to about 4 oz. Yippee! By then I will be able to add lunchmeat, tuna, canned vegetables. I can have fruit in 6-12 months after surgery and corn and potatoes in a year. I'll be lucky if I'll be able to eat pasta, rice, bread, or tortillas ever again; maybe if in super small quantities. Anything that becomes sticky or gummy with chewing or digestion is VERY likely to get stuck in the dime sized opening between my new stomach and my small intestines. And if it can't go down, it will have to come back up. Fun!
Sounds like I should expect to lose 50 lbs in the first 3 months, 75 by 6 months, 100 by 1 year. CRAZY! The rest will come off a bit slower.
I hope this all doesn't sound whiney, but I thought you'd like to know what some of my experiences have been so far and what they will be. This will be hard, but I feel completely certain that this will be a very good thing for me. I appreciate all of your support and love and I hope you all enjoy the ride! I'm super thankful to my mother, who flew out last minute to be with me and to all of my other friends and family who offered/begged to have me stay with them through my recovery. I love you all!
PS - I am planning on friday to be my regular posting day. I'm planning on posting a picture and a weight update. My mom thinks I should let her take a pic in my underwear for a before (or slightly afer) shot. What do you think??? :)
Anyways, I had a bit of fun the night after surgery with my heart rate. It was only beating like 118x per minute while I was laying in bed. Yikes! A high heart rate means I could have had a leak or that I was dehydrated. I'm sure we can all guess that the problem was option 2, but I still had to get a ct scan. Has anyone else had one of these??? Weirdest feeling ever!!! I though I was gonna pee my pants.
Luckily the problem was just dehydration. They figured as much since I was actually feeling really really good a few hours after surgery. If you were one of the lucky few to talk to me, I know you were suprised by how awake and cognizant I was, but I tried to warn you all that I really am a trooper!
I had to get an upper GI test the day before surgery to see if I had reflux!? Yuck Yuck Yuck! Seriously, avoid this like the plague. Especially if you have to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate later that same day (If you don't know what this is, don't ask just Google :p ) Also, make sure that if you have this upper GI thing done, they give you a gown and pants that actually cover you up completely. Rolling around on a the weird x-ray machine while straining to stay inside your gown and drinking nasty barium stuff (they should just call it paint, I'm pretty sure that is barium's night job) is not an experience I ever want to repeat again.
On the plus side I did get to have a sonogram. I think I now know what all of you mothers and expecatant mothers have experienced. I got to look at my gallbladder and kidneys and saym "Oh, isn't that so cute and so special!" I thought the gel stuff was gonna be cold (isn't it always in the movies???), but the worst thing about it was the sticky residue and old-lady smell.
Now I get to look forward to a shrinking waistline, an increasingly healthy lifestyle (if you didn't know, exercise is really difficult when you're super fat), and teeny tiny meals. To give you an idea of my diet, yesterday and today I get jello and broth. Through the first week I get to add in yogurt, cottage cheese, string cheese, tomato soup, or strained cream soups. I get to eat about 2 oz 3 times per day. At the end of the month my meal sizes should be up to about 4 oz. Yippee! By then I will be able to add lunchmeat, tuna, canned vegetables. I can have fruit in 6-12 months after surgery and corn and potatoes in a year. I'll be lucky if I'll be able to eat pasta, rice, bread, or tortillas ever again; maybe if in super small quantities. Anything that becomes sticky or gummy with chewing or digestion is VERY likely to get stuck in the dime sized opening between my new stomach and my small intestines. And if it can't go down, it will have to come back up. Fun!
Sounds like I should expect to lose 50 lbs in the first 3 months, 75 by 6 months, 100 by 1 year. CRAZY! The rest will come off a bit slower.
I hope this all doesn't sound whiney, but I thought you'd like to know what some of my experiences have been so far and what they will be. This will be hard, but I feel completely certain that this will be a very good thing for me. I appreciate all of your support and love and I hope you all enjoy the ride! I'm super thankful to my mother, who flew out last minute to be with me and to all of my other friends and family who offered/begged to have me stay with them through my recovery. I love you all!
PS - I am planning on friday to be my regular posting day. I'm planning on posting a picture and a weight update. My mom thinks I should let her take a pic in my underwear for a before (or slightly afer) shot. What do you think??? :)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Fat girl no more...
Depending on how long you've known me, you've probably only ever known me fat. I was never a skinny kid, but I started really gaining weight around the age of 10 [this age happens to correlate with my parents' separation and eventual divorce, so I think I'll blame them :) ] At the age of 13 I was at my full height of 5'8" and weighed in at a whopping 250 pounds. So, yeah, you've probably only ever seen me very fat unless you've known me my whole life.
No, I do NOT think fat is a bad word. I've always made the most of my size and appearance, and I think I've done a good job of being a pretty hot fat chick. Unfortunately, the big 3-0 is quickly approaching and if I want to lose weight, get married, have children, age healthily (is that the right word???) I need to lose weight soon. I have family history of diabetes, joint pain, and other problems that being fat very definitely exacerbates.
As my other attempts to lose weight have been feeble, I am now announcing that my gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for Wednesday February 11th, 2009. I've done my research, I've wanted to do this for many years, and I am ready. No negative feedback allowed here folks!
I happen to have great insurance, so the process has been fairly simple. My employer offers 2 insurances, and I just switched in January to make this possible. The only insurance requirement was a diagnosis of morbid obesity (BMI of 40+). I had a consult with the surgeon 1/12, my insurance received the request for pre-authorization on 1/19, surgery was authorized on 1/22, yesterday 2/4 I was able to schedule for next week. How's that for speedy processing? This going so fast makes me feel like this is the right time and is really meant to be.
I'm really happy to have the surgery take place before my birthday and am looking forward to this new journey in life. It should be interesting to see the changes this brings and I feel very blessed to have this opportunity at this point in my life. I look forward to seeing a version of me I've never met :) This blog should be much more interesting and regular from now on.
No, I do NOT think fat is a bad word. I've always made the most of my size and appearance, and I think I've done a good job of being a pretty hot fat chick. Unfortunately, the big 3-0 is quickly approaching and if I want to lose weight, get married, have children, age healthily (is that the right word???) I need to lose weight soon. I have family history of diabetes, joint pain, and other problems that being fat very definitely exacerbates.
As my other attempts to lose weight have been feeble, I am now announcing that my gastric bypass surgery is scheduled for Wednesday February 11th, 2009. I've done my research, I've wanted to do this for many years, and I am ready. No negative feedback allowed here folks!
I happen to have great insurance, so the process has been fairly simple. My employer offers 2 insurances, and I just switched in January to make this possible. The only insurance requirement was a diagnosis of morbid obesity (BMI of 40+). I had a consult with the surgeon 1/12, my insurance received the request for pre-authorization on 1/19, surgery was authorized on 1/22, yesterday 2/4 I was able to schedule for next week. How's that for speedy processing? This going so fast makes me feel like this is the right time and is really meant to be.
I'm really happy to have the surgery take place before my birthday and am looking forward to this new journey in life. It should be interesting to see the changes this brings and I feel very blessed to have this opportunity at this point in my life. I look forward to seeing a version of me I've never met :) This blog should be much more interesting and regular from now on.
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