Thursday, November 8, 2007
Feed the Carb Monster Soup
New on the 5 Day Pouch Test - Feed the Carb Monster soup recipes. Learn why these recipes work to help break carb cravings and facilitate weight loss.Black Bean SoupBeans and Barley SoupLentil and Barley SoupSoups for the 5 Day Pouch Test: Days 1 & 2
The "You: Staying Young" Program
Six months ago Frank and Elaine looked and felt older than their years. Frank is 52 and Elaine is 45 years old.Frank was taking about 15 pills a day to ease his high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. They both spent a lot of time on the couch and ate fried and fatty foods. Frank weighed 270 pounds and Elaine weighed 223.
Dr. Oz (of the book; You, Staying Young) has transformed them in just six months. He showed Oprah how he did it.
He started them on a 10,000 steps a day (about five miles) walking program. He also got them to change their way of eating.
Now they look and feel a lot better. Frank got rid of his type 2 diabetes and his blood pressure has normalized. Frank has lost sixty pounds and Elaine lost thirty. See their You: Staying Young story at Oprah's site.
Tim Loses 87 Pounds
Tim has lost 87 pounds. This was a tremendous feat for him but it only took him eight months. He lost the weight via regular walking, then also swimming as well as adhering to the Weight Watchers program. Tim is 37 years old and at his heaviest he weighed 262 pounds. He is 5'10" tall and now weighs 174 pounds. See his weight loss story at CNN.
Hello From Bruges - or rather HELL from Bruges!
Well here I am everyone.
I am in the hotel business suite and I thought I should update everyone on the state of my band.
The road to Bruges was an easy one and the journey by car, just an hour from Calais.
We arrived at the Hotel Bistro Brugelhoff, parked up and went to the front. It was empty and closed up.
We called the number on the front of the door and a guy answered saying he would be right there in 5 minutes.
The Belgian equivalent of Norman Bates turned up and let us in through an underground passage and back door with the letters WC on it. WC summed the place up. It was disgusting.
However, it was cheap and TB and I had been on the road for 12 hours. He showed us around the 'room' or squat. It was only to sleep in and the sheets looked clean so I though OK what the hell, we will find something tomorrow.
So we paid for the night and then Norman left.
Left us alone...
All alone.
We were the only guests in Normans villa. Everything was locked up and we had to let ourselves out through the basement toilet. Lovely.
It was freezing in there, so I turned on the little electric heater, and the light above the sink in the room so that when we got back it would at least be light in our room and then we went out to explore Bruges again.
All was good, we bought some stuff, and had fun and saw the sights and had a wonderful meal and then made our way back to the hovel.
Picture the scene. Its 10:30, cold dark and windy. 2 foreign and beautiful (shut up!) ladies enter a deserted car park...
We walked down the driveway, the wind whistling in the electric wires.
The lights to the basement are out.
Bravely I pull my phone out and use the light of the screen to guide us down the steps into the cellar.
I fumble for the lock, open the door and flick the light switch... "Tack tack!" Nothing.
The electric is out.
I fumble around and drop my phone and scramble about for it in the dark whilst TB is yelling "Where are you?"
Ok... getting the picture? It was awful.
Anyway, we call the guy, he comes over and apparently, because we left a light on (!?!?!?!) it tripped the power.
I told him that that was F'ing pathetic, and to cut a long story short, we got our money and ran away fast!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got the Sat Nav out again and found the closest hotel to where we were, as it was now 11pm. We booked a room and stumped up £oodles for the 4 nights and checked into a swanky job on the 'Tsant.
Thank God. It is lush. It's also warm and you can have a coffee when you get up. Oh, and there is hot water, sweet mercy!
So.. with a long sigh, I settled into bed with a bottle of wine and slept.
This morning, we got up early and didn't have breakfast. TB ate some biscuits that we had bought yesterday, but I thought it would be wise not to eat just in case I was having surgery.
We got a taxi to the Hospital and the appointment was a bit of a farce. I was told that I would have an X-ray and then go see Dr. Dillemans. I went to get the X-ray, but they sent me back to to see Dr. Dillemans first. He saw me, and as I described what had happened to me and the pain etc, he immediately suggested that my port had become disconnected from the catheter.
He didn't muck about. He told me if this was the case that the company who make the band will pay all expenses and they will sort it out. Apparently they developed a new port and connection and started using it in March... so I was unlucky by one month.
So I went for the x-ray which was bizarre as I had never had a fluro fill. So I stood on a platform and there was a big round x-ray machine in front of my tummy. One the screen I then saw my insides. I could see my spine, my pelvis, my hips and all other bony stuff and also my port. Then further up I could see the band around my stomach on an angle (perfectly positioned). The catheter was hanging from the band straight down, past the port and down into my pelvic area.
I knew this was what happened to INFORMER and she had had the exact same thing happen to her, but nothing prepared me for this shock. Up until that time I TURLY thought that they would x-ray me and there would be nothing wrong with me, that I am just a greedy fat pig and I am yet again a complete failure destined to be a fat git for the rest of my life.
I now know that since May, my band has been screwed. The excruciating debilitating pain I have experienced when it burst, and at each subsequent fill has been because of this fault. I am so angry and ecstatic at the same time. It was nothing to do with my fall down the stairs afterall.
I am not a failure. I was losing weight so well and I was having such success, and then it was all ripped away from me literally.
It is totally weird to see that catheter hanging loosely inside your body cavity. No WONDER I was in agony. And I mean agony.
So I was in tears walking back to see Dr. Dillemans after having the x-ray and sobbing and I just couldn't help it. I wasn't worried, it was sort of like humiliation, and fear, and anger and everything all together - also a lot of 'poor me' in there too.
So we went back in to see Dr. D and he was totally cool. He is so angry about it and emailed the company too. I mean - he has to squeeze my surgery in to his day tomorrow, its the last thing he wants to happen. So he reassured me and put me at ease and I was laughing by the time I left his office.
I am now quite happy, but a totally ticked off that I have lost 8 months and re gained all my weight. I feel pretty crap about that, but at least I was not wrong. At least I wasn't going mad.
I am more angry with Dr. Dovey. I cannot believe after seeing me he didn't do the simple sum 2=2+4 and refer me back to see Dr. Dillemans. Even after he aspirated my band that time and found no fluid, you would think that might spur him into action, but no. What an idiot. I will be having serious words. He even saw INFORMER before he saw me on the morning of my last fill. Maybe thats why I saw him scuttying off after my appointment so quickly...
I have seen him 3 times, each time I weighed more, and each time he says I am making progress. YEAH RIGHT!! I bloody knew there was something wrong and now I am having surgery again because of it. I could have sorted this out back in May had Dovey said that those were the symptoms of a port break out.
So when I was bending down to feed the cats, or put the washing in, no wonder I was crippled... the metal prong that comes out of the port which should be sheathed in silicone is sicking directly up and jabs into my stomach muscle every time I bend over! I had to employ Mina!!!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So I am Nil by mouth from midnight, and tomorrow I will be going in for my surgery first thing. I hope I will be anyway!! I have to be there 8am and apparently I will be able to come home in the afternoon (or back to the hotel anyway). I am glad I am getting it sorted out, but now a bit nervous of the pain as I was in pain after the last one... Hopefully it wont be so bad.
So peeps, say a little prayer for me and keep me in your thoughts. Hopefully I will be on the road to success very very soon!
I will update this when I get a chance.
I am in the hotel business suite and I thought I should update everyone on the state of my band.
The road to Bruges was an easy one and the journey by car, just an hour from Calais.
We arrived at the Hotel Bistro Brugelhoff, parked up and went to the front. It was empty and closed up.
We called the number on the front of the door and a guy answered saying he would be right there in 5 minutes.
The Belgian equivalent of Norman Bates turned up and let us in through an underground passage and back door with the letters WC on it. WC summed the place up. It was disgusting.
However, it was cheap and TB and I had been on the road for 12 hours. He showed us around the 'room' or squat. It was only to sleep in and the sheets looked clean so I though OK what the hell, we will find something tomorrow.
So we paid for the night and then Norman left.
Left us alone...
All alone.
We were the only guests in Normans villa. Everything was locked up and we had to let ourselves out through the basement toilet. Lovely.
It was freezing in there, so I turned on the little electric heater, and the light above the sink in the room so that when we got back it would at least be light in our room and then we went out to explore Bruges again.
All was good, we bought some stuff, and had fun and saw the sights and had a wonderful meal and then made our way back to the hovel.
Picture the scene. Its 10:30, cold dark and windy. 2 foreign and beautiful (shut up!) ladies enter a deserted car park...
We walked down the driveway, the wind whistling in the electric wires.
The lights to the basement are out.
Bravely I pull my phone out and use the light of the screen to guide us down the steps into the cellar.
I fumble for the lock, open the door and flick the light switch... "Tack tack!" Nothing.
The electric is out.
I fumble around and drop my phone and scramble about for it in the dark whilst TB is yelling "Where are you?"
Ok... getting the picture? It was awful.
Anyway, we call the guy, he comes over and apparently, because we left a light on (!?!?!?!) it tripped the power.
I told him that that was F'ing pathetic, and to cut a long story short, we got our money and ran away fast!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got the Sat Nav out again and found the closest hotel to where we were, as it was now 11pm. We booked a room and stumped up £oodles for the 4 nights and checked into a swanky job on the 'Tsant.
Thank God. It is lush. It's also warm and you can have a coffee when you get up. Oh, and there is hot water, sweet mercy!
So.. with a long sigh, I settled into bed with a bottle of wine and slept.
This morning, we got up early and didn't have breakfast. TB ate some biscuits that we had bought yesterday, but I thought it would be wise not to eat just in case I was having surgery.
We got a taxi to the Hospital and the appointment was a bit of a farce. I was told that I would have an X-ray and then go see Dr. Dillemans. I went to get the X-ray, but they sent me back to to see Dr. Dillemans first. He saw me, and as I described what had happened to me and the pain etc, he immediately suggested that my port had become disconnected from the catheter.
He didn't muck about. He told me if this was the case that the company who make the band will pay all expenses and they will sort it out. Apparently they developed a new port and connection and started using it in March... so I was unlucky by one month.
So I went for the x-ray which was bizarre as I had never had a fluro fill. So I stood on a platform and there was a big round x-ray machine in front of my tummy. One the screen I then saw my insides. I could see my spine, my pelvis, my hips and all other bony stuff and also my port. Then further up I could see the band around my stomach on an angle (perfectly positioned). The catheter was hanging from the band straight down, past the port and down into my pelvic area.
I knew this was what happened to INFORMER and she had had the exact same thing happen to her, but nothing prepared me for this shock. Up until that time I TURLY thought that they would x-ray me and there would be nothing wrong with me, that I am just a greedy fat pig and I am yet again a complete failure destined to be a fat git for the rest of my life.
I now know that since May, my band has been screwed. The excruciating debilitating pain I have experienced when it burst, and at each subsequent fill has been because of this fault. I am so angry and ecstatic at the same time. It was nothing to do with my fall down the stairs afterall.
I am not a failure. I was losing weight so well and I was having such success, and then it was all ripped away from me literally.
It is totally weird to see that catheter hanging loosely inside your body cavity. No WONDER I was in agony. And I mean agony.
So I was in tears walking back to see Dr. Dillemans after having the x-ray and sobbing and I just couldn't help it. I wasn't worried, it was sort of like humiliation, and fear, and anger and everything all together - also a lot of 'poor me' in there too.
So we went back in to see Dr. D and he was totally cool. He is so angry about it and emailed the company too. I mean - he has to squeeze my surgery in to his day tomorrow, its the last thing he wants to happen. So he reassured me and put me at ease and I was laughing by the time I left his office.
I am now quite happy, but a totally ticked off that I have lost 8 months and re gained all my weight. I feel pretty crap about that, but at least I was not wrong. At least I wasn't going mad.
I am more angry with Dr. Dovey. I cannot believe after seeing me he didn't do the simple sum 2=2+4 and refer me back to see Dr. Dillemans. Even after he aspirated my band that time and found no fluid, you would think that might spur him into action, but no. What an idiot. I will be having serious words. He even saw INFORMER before he saw me on the morning of my last fill. Maybe thats why I saw him scuttying off after my appointment so quickly...
I have seen him 3 times, each time I weighed more, and each time he says I am making progress. YEAH RIGHT!! I bloody knew there was something wrong and now I am having surgery again because of it. I could have sorted this out back in May had Dovey said that those were the symptoms of a port break out.
So when I was bending down to feed the cats, or put the washing in, no wonder I was crippled... the metal prong that comes out of the port which should be sheathed in silicone is sicking directly up and jabs into my stomach muscle every time I bend over! I had to employ Mina!!!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So I am Nil by mouth from midnight, and tomorrow I will be going in for my surgery first thing. I hope I will be anyway!! I have to be there 8am and apparently I will be able to come home in the afternoon (or back to the hotel anyway). I am glad I am getting it sorted out, but now a bit nervous of the pain as I was in pain after the last one... Hopefully it wont be so bad.
So peeps, say a little prayer for me and keep me in your thoughts. Hopefully I will be on the road to success very very soon!
I will update this when I get a chance.
Thanksgiving Desserts for Surgical Weight Loss
Have you started planning your Thanksgiving menu? In just two short weeks we'll be carving the great American turkey and giving thanks for life's bounty.Desserts always present a special challenge as we try to follow our weight loss surgery dietary guidelines, but also desire to participate in family rituals and traditions of Thanksgiving. Today I opened my treasured Neighborhood Cookbook and
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Farewell amigo's
I am off to Belgium again
Most likely I will have another surgery.
I am bricking it to be frank. After talking to 'INFORMER' last night, and again today, there is no doubt that the same thing that happened to her has happened to me. Its not just similar its exactly the same. Everything that she went through I went through.
I am horrified that I am having to stump up £68 on the ferry, £? in petrol, £800 for hotel and all kinds of other stuff. I am having to put it on my credit card because I simply don't have it.
God knows what it will be like to drive home if I have to have surgery.... :o(
Most likely I will have another surgery.
I am bricking it to be frank. After talking to 'INFORMER' last night, and again today, there is no doubt that the same thing that happened to her has happened to me. Its not just similar its exactly the same. Everything that she went through I went through.
I am horrified that I am having to stump up £68 on the ferry, £? in petrol, £800 for hotel and all kinds of other stuff. I am having to put it on my credit card because I simply don't have it.
God knows what it will be like to drive home if I have to have surgery.... :o(
So I am driving to Bruges tomorrow. We leave here at 8am and then catch the 12 o'clock ferry from Dover, should arrive in France about 2:30 and hopefully be in Bruges at about 5:00ish. Looks like a dead simple run to be honest. I have one of those satellite navigation jobbys, but it looks straight up the A16 in France, then across the boarder the A18 right the way to Bruges.
I just hope I am gonna be able to drive home. I have booked to come home on Sunday. I am probably being over cautious, but its either going to be recuperation time, or its going to be a nice rest after all the stress and hassle of this day. I wish today never happened. I have been rushing around like the proverbial blue bottomed fly.
I am praying that this is going to be able to be fixed with a local anaesthetic... but I just know I ain't that lucky. What a nightmare.
My bunk mate M can't come with me. I feel sick leaving her here knowing that we both have the same problem, but on the other hand pleased that at least she will be armed with my info when she does go.
Right, talk to you peeps laterz.
When Surgery Does Not Work
Published in the October 2, 2007 You Have Arrived NewsletterThoughts From KayeWhen the surgery doesn't workWhen someone is frustrated with their surgical weight loss, perhaps by a plateau, complications or even weight gain, I often hear the words of despair, "I guess I'm just one of those who the surgery is not going to work for." Early in my weight loss surgery work I thought this was a false
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