elvis isnt dead, he just went home!!!!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

So, today, day 3 of this diet, and it was the worst of the worst!!!!
I have had something I can only describe as heart palps, or maybe its just a fast heartbeat today, and its about drove me bonkers.
No pain or discomfort, my blood pressure is normal and no headaches.
I was watching an epidsode of Dr. Oz, and he was discussing the effects of sugar in the body, and the effects when we stop eating so much of it.
I wonder if this might be a part of what is going on?
Are the blood vessels beginning to open somewhat and allow blood to flow more quickly?
As Dr. Oz, described? or is this an effect of too much sodium from all the broth, or too much calcium from all the cottage cheese, yogurt, milk w/protein drinks, or the protein mix itself?
It has been most annoying and as some of you old timers to my blog might recall, a few months back, my Cardiologist wanted to send me for a heart cath, but I wouldnt go have it, as I felt he didnt give me enough reason to go on.
And he himself told me if it wasnt that I was trying to get approval for the band, he wouldnt even recommend me for the cath.
So, when I called his office to tell them I decided not to have it, I was very rudely reminded that I wouldnt get approval for my band without it.
So, I said that is a chance I was willing to take.
So now I am wondering with this irregular beat, which I was actually diagnosed with years ago, if maybe I was too hasty.
If it continues til Thursday, I will go see my doctor and ask her to do an EKG.
Just to ease my mind.
But I personally think its just a change in the food intake, the vitamin content, etc.

Today was the worst for hunger as well.
I have been hungry all day!!! ALL DAY! I followed the diet pretty well, I did veer slightly off course, when I broke down and had a bowl of instant oatmeal and also, one of those little cups of Bumble Bee tuna snack packs,, I only had the tuna, not the crackers.
My stomach has paid the price for those mistakes, as it has churned and rumbled all evening.
And I learned, I didnt really get much other satisfaction from it anyway, As I was still feeling hungry and now, I have a rumble tumble tummy!!!
Lesson learned.
But I was hungry and I still am a little and it has just been a constant gnawing reminder, all day.
I realize this is also a survival mechanism of the body...And I have fought hard to stick it out.
Other than that little mishap with the oatmeal/snack tuna, I have been on course for 3 days.
I got in a mini workout today.
And have tried to keep water out of arms reach while eating.
It is a work in progress.
Overall, I grade today a big fat C-
And its the anniversary of the death of Elvis, so, I send you all a video to listen to when you feel things are just way too hard, I have listened to it today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4wTwt_D9qM
And one just for me, well I will share it with you all as well-----Cause I am tired of talking...I am ready for PROOF!!!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDkvwbQwtyo&
feature=related
Have a HUNKA HUNKA BURNING LOVELY NIGHT!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MIDNITE_LADY 8/17/2011 10:27AM

Hi I also agree I have irregular heart beat it is call atrial Fib I take meds to slow my heart down . But I did and still do have regular check ups also I had lapband done I take coumain because when you have this your heart can in my case throw off blood clots which can cause a stroke. I seen what strokes can do so i faithfully take my meds . So if you don't already have a cardio doctor get one and do what he tells you and you wuill be fine.l feel free to ask any questions Have a great day Hugs Bobie Report Inappropriate Comment

XRAYLADY65 8/17/2011 7:56AM

I agree with case4grase.... get it checked out... iy may be nothing and if it is nothing great... but if its not you could be catching it early enough to stop something from happening,,, Report Inappropriate Comment

CASE4GRACE 8/16/2011 9:10PM

Hi there. We haven't met before - my name is Anita and I had the band 2 years ago. I've been a spark member for a long time, but haven't been around much the last year or so. I'm glad to meet you. You mention your irregular beat was diagnosed years ago - do you know if this is a benign condition or something that needs followup/treatment? What I am going to tell you is not to scare you, but I want to make sure you take this seriously. I had a sister with an irregular heartbeat - she was born with it, and the doctor told my mother at her birth that she could live out a long, full life and it may never affect her. They never pursued further diagnostic workup or treatment, just considered it her 'normal.' She died at the age of 18 with a fatal sudden cardiac arrest - her heart went into a rhythm that wasn't able to circulate the blood to her brain and other organs, and she was in a coma for 9 days and eventually we had to take her off of life support. That said, my son also has an abnormal heart rhythm, but we took him to a cardiologist and had a full workup, including echocardiography, and his rhythm is absolutely benign and nothing to worry about. Rhythm abnormalities are nothing to mess around with - I would definitely see the doctor and get whatever tests they recommend. Often they are benign, and if not, often they can be easily treated/corrected. The consequences of not doing it just aren't worth it. I'm not sure what the catheterization you mention is about - if that's for ablation (to correct the rhythm) or if that's for blockage (angiogram/angioplasty) but again...my dad was in the hospital with chest pain and they found a slight abnormality on his stress test. Doctor told him he could choose whether or not to have catheterization (angiogram), and he chose not to. I urged him to reconsider, and he finally agreed - he had 90% blockage of a major coronary artery and required angioplasty with two stents. If he wouldn't have had that, there was absolutely certainty that had a heart attack waiting for him in his near future. That was 7 years ago, and he has been fine since. So, I guess what I'm saying is, you are better off not taking any chances. Maybe it is just the changes in your eating like you are thinking - but you are far better to rule out other serious stuff than take a chance with your health...and possibly your life. Report Inappropriate Comment

what it looks like...

Monday, August 15, 2011

Day 2 of the pre-op diet....and another success! Well, considering, I still have one snack allowed for the day, and still havent had it.
But I do need to work on not drinking while eating.
Will start that tomorrow.
I had a little more hunger today than yesterday, it started around 730, so alittle earlier tonight than last night.
But, I had a sugar free pudding cup, and so far its been ok.
Hoping to add more exercise with each day and find just the right protein drink....I really would love to just eat a couple of boiled eggs for the protein....but, oh well.
So, on the grading scale today would probably get a B-.....only because I waited to long to eat breakfast, and because I didnt get in enough exercise.
But I didnt give in to the cravings----even today when I went into the local convience store to pay for my gas and had to walk by all the pizza rolls and chicken and candy bars!!!
I just kept on walking.
I have a few visuals that I keep handy....I wont go into them now, but someday soon, I will do a blog on the things I visualize....the short term and the long term....

Tonight when the hunger began, I turned the sound off on the tv, closed my eyes and lay my head back on the couch and sat and felt the hunger in my belly, I listened to it, I waited to see how loud it got, and it didnt get that loud.
I felt a light warm feeling in my belly....not a burning, but just a warm rising up and then ending. I wondered what the inside of my stomach looked like while this was happening...I imagined how hunger would feel if I already had the band...is it the same? or worse, or not as bad, and I told myself, this is happening, so decide....give in and say do better tomorrow, or do it now.
I felt it, and I said, you are no where near as bad ass as I am....!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CASE4GRACE 8/16/2011 9:17PM

"...I felt it, and I said, you are no where near as bad ass as I am....!!!!" I need me some of that! I love your moxy!!! Anita Report Inappropriate Comment

QUESTFORLULU 8/16/2011 1:04PM

Wow. I love the way you listen to your hunger. LuLu Report Inappropriate Comment

XRAYLADY65 8/16/2011 10:12AM

the deathwalk is so my downfall... especially potato chips aisle.... Congratulations on day 2... Report Inappropriate Comment

UNRAVELINGOLIVE 8/16/2011 12:20AM

it sounds like you are really working hard! good for you! and one thing I've noticed is that I get worse food cravings when watching tv because of all the food pushing the ads do. so I just don't watch it. at all. good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

CEKER9 8/15/2011 9:50PM

You are amazing making the "death walk" without purchasing *anything*! That in itself would be an A+! I think you are being too hard on yourself, you are doing GREAT!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATNOEL 8/15/2011 9:33PM

That was great how you described being with your hunger. I need to work on doing that. Love your background picture. Report Inappropriate Comment

the remains of this day

Sunday, August 14, 2011

If I were going to give today a grade, I guess it would be a B+.....Could have been an A, but, I really didnt do alot, didnt leave the house at all.
Washed dishes and laundry and pretty much nothing else.
But, I stuck to my pre-op diet plan, 100 percent to a T...!!!! NO CHEATING.
And, the only other reason the day didnt get a higher grade, was I didnt get in a work out.
But, tomorrow, I will for sure and hope now that cooler temps are around the corner, to get out for more evening walks.
My surgeon told me to begin this diet 7 days before surgery, but, I am giving it an early try....I have a full 16 days til surgery.
So, if I slip up, I have the time to see the mistake and correct it.
I got kinda hungry around 9, but drank a little water and didnt even notice it again until around 10:30, but with about 30 minutes til bedtime, I can say, this day was the first day in a very long time I have stuck out the diet plan.
Getting my body ready for the surgery is one thing, I need to get my house in order and catch up all my work so I dont have that to worry about and getting my mind ready is a little tougher.
Reading literature and talking to those who have had it, still doesnt ease my fears and concerns.
But I had a good day!!!
Hope each of you had one as well.
Thanks for reading.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CEKER9 8/15/2011 8:43PM

You have such a great attitude and the will to stick to your guidelines that you'll have one of the most successful surgeries ever!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIESENIOR 8/14/2011 11:57PM

I also know people who have had successful surgery. They continued to follow the guidelines and suggestions after surgery. No cheating. I think there is a team in Spark that is dedicated to people with stomach surgery. I just looked. There are LOTS of teams for people with lap band or gastric bypass surgery. Bet there's great Spark support there!!!!! Comment edited on: 8/15/2011 12:00:22 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

BRAVEONE92 8/14/2011 11:42PM

Val! Stick with all that your surgeon has instructed you to do, and you will do great. I know five people really well, who have had this surgery, and they are doing well, lost lots of weight. Everyone, followed the guidelines, before and after the surgery. Best wishes! Report Inappropriate Comment

night fall down fall

Friday, August 12, 2011

why do i eat at night?
i have been asking this question of myself and others for so long.
yet, i havent gotten the answer.
i unloaded one concert ticket today.
so, that leaves me with one and who cares at this point. so, i am out 27 bucks, no big deal, hmmm....lesson learned, always get the money up front and if that isnt good enough then the ppl can stay home.....and maybe eat!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LOSINGLINNDY 8/13/2011 6:51PM

I KEEP ASKING MYSELF THE SAME QUESTION. WHEN ONE OF US FINDS THE ANSWER, PLEASE SHARE. Report Inappropriate Comment

ABBEMINE 8/12/2011 10:27PM

Don't be to hard on yourself. Eating on the BINGE happens all the time. I do it. However, that's my downfall because I can't STOP with just one bite. I'm up til 12:30 to 1am and that's my time to eat. I feel for you, If you have the answer let me know. Report Inappropriate Comment

choices and not so much

Thursday, August 11, 2011

So, a few days ago, I had 3 extra concert tickets, I had purchased them for my son, my sister and her daughter.
Now my sister cant go due to work. My neice wants to go, but on the freebie plan.
My son might go, but, only if he can get someone to switch nights with him, or something.
I have already told him, hes not intentionally missing work for this concert. I didnt pay that much for the ticket, its not even worth it.
So, now, my neice wants me to sell one ticket to her friend, my friend wants me to sell 2 tickets to her brother and his wife, my son said hang on to one ticket for him, just in case.
My sister in law said she wishes she could get a night out, even though, she cant pay me til "later".....
I might just end up throwing the three remaining tickets into the air, like a wedding bouquet.
This is my last concert, unless The Rolling Stones make a trip thru little ol Pikeville, Ky.
HAHA....
I did ok today, considering I spent 4, count them, 4 hours in the beauty shop.
And while I like my hair, it wasnt 4 hours worth of beauty.
But because I was a last minute call in, the girl had a few others to do, while I processed and waited and processed some more.
So, she was a good egg and gave me 10 bucks off.
So, I didnt overeat, but I did have a mocha frappe from McDonalds, I couldnt help myself.
Well, ok, I could.
I got in a little walk, that was about it.
Came home, cleaned house, sat around, phones and facebook calling and messaging, what about those other tickets, you still got an extra one, wait, ok, let me know.
Thanks to a few friends who responded to my blog last night.
I AM HAVING LAP BAND SURGERY AUGUST 30.....I wasnt asking anyone to change my mind or not to.
Just wondering peoples thoughts on it, but my choice has been made.
And for me, it really wasnt a choice afterall.
It was do it, or never reach the one true goal, of getting my BMI down low enough to be approved for breast reduction. And spend the rest of my life in pain and right now, in pain.
So, thanks for reading, Do I, TMI....?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LESLIESENIOR 8/11/2011 11:02PM

I'll keep you in my prayers as you head into your surgery on Aug. 30th. These are very personal decisions. Hopefully, this will be the open door you need to progress towards better health. I have several friends getting breast reduction. They are so excited. I have to say with "Barely A" boobs I won't be reducing anything. But I know how important it is to those who have been physically impaired by the weight. God Bless. Keep us appraised. Leslie Report Inappropriate Comment

CIVPRO1 8/11/2011 10:37PM

You go for it! Report Inappropriate Comment

CEKER9 8/11/2011 9:42PM

congrats on your "final" choice. I wish you well and trust it will be the "best thing in the world" for you!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MICHELLE_SUE 8/11/2011 9:34PM

Hey Val! Good for you! On the lap band surgery decision and sticking to your decision, not about the tickets...I'm not a concert person, don't understand wanting to be in a crowd, but... I have been thinking about lap band for several years, just too chicken or maybe too cheap. Whatever, just stick to your guns, and good luck! Michelle Report Inappropriate Comment

NATNOEL 8/11/2011 9:20PM

Now breast reduction is something I know about, I had it. You will be thrilled. Report Inappropriate Comment