First, let me apologize if this post is too graphic, I just think its a fabulous way to educate you on a sleeve surgery. When I was at OCC the first week of December I had the amazing opportunity to observe several surgeries. One of them was a gastric sleeve surgery. We know that the sleeve surgery has fabulous results. Our OCC Sleeve patients get results similar to a gastric bypass surgery without all the risks and complications. And this is why...look at what is removed during this surger
Four... no matter what language you say it in... I just fit into a pair of size FOUR jeans... yes, me! I love thrift store, bargain hunting. Its a huge thrill to me to find something that i love for less then $10. From my amazing, full length wool coat for $8.88, to my wool peacoat for $6.88 to my Ralph Lauren cords for $3.33 or my Stuart Weitzman pumps for $4.50... I love a bargin, but I have to admit, pulling those 4's off the endless jean rack and looking at them and thinking "no way" - t
Yes my lovies, I finally did it. I had that arm lift I have been waiting for... I've always had large arms, I am of mostly Norwegian, German, and Irish descent... and we are known for thicker arms, and I for sure got that from my Norwegian Grandma. It had come to the point that when i was working out (or waving to someone) that my upper arms kept up the motion long after I had stopped... It was also causing some pain and friction during my workouts. I was going in to have a fix to a breast l
If you were to meet me, not having known me in my past... you would probably never guess that I used to be a fat girl. People are always surprised when I tell them, or when they see a picture of me pre 2006. People who have known me a long time do forget how much space I used to take up in a room! I showed my mom my "before" picture from the OCC Facebook page... and she said "that's not you!" she couldn't believe it because her mind has made that switch... this is Lori... this is the space s
Its been a long time since I posted. We are so active over on Facebook these days where interaction occurs immediately, that blogs just aren't what they used to be... But I intend to start posting here more, because the information is easy to find and more permanent, so I want to start updating here more.
I get a lot of private messages from people asking how i've done with my sleeve, how i've REALLY done long term... i think so many things have failed for us over the years, that we are af
Head hunger... we all deal with it but why.... what is this beast and why is he constantly knocking at my door...errr stomach.... head - whatever - it feels the same! I battle this beast too often. Why is that?
We all know this beast too well... or maybe that's the problem, maybe we don't know him. What is really causing this "hunger"... are we bored? Do we feel we "deserve" to eat more food... are we hiding from something... trying to soothe something... trying to fill a void. Are we fo
My whole life, my goal has been to lose weight, never been satisified with where I was, always had my eye on where I was wanting to be. Today my scale sits at 135. ME!?!?!? 135. Can't be! never! I see myself as I was... when I look in the mirror, most of the time I still see "fat Lori" - I think someone that hasn't had a life long battle with the scale could never understand this! I was walking this weekend and saw a shadow on the ground. Of a slim/trim woman. I was thinking wow I'd lik
I thought I would share this post about hair lost after surgery from the OCC Nutritional Team.
Many patients experience early postoperative hair loss, which is mainly due to telogen effluvium, an alteration in the normal hair cycle, a dormant or resting stage, that results from emotional or physical stress (i.e. surgery). This event is unrelated to protein malnutrition or vitamin and mineral deficiencies which is a common misconception.
Hair loss experienced 3-5 months after surgery,
So... my daughter got married last month. It was a beautiful, intimate, very romantic and meaningful wedding. We had it at church in our smaller sanctuary - about 75 guests, we all sat at the reception tables for the wedding. My dad said a prayer. We had dancing (I got to dance with my 85 year old daddy... a treasured moment... no that's not my dad in the pictures, that's my husband!! - OK i switched up pics - that is my husband beside me and my daddy behind me) and a dessert bar and a love
CELEBRATE Good Times C'mon.... let's celebrate! woohoooooooo
3 years ago I had by Sleeve surgery - my band to sleeve revision surgery. I can tell you I haven't regretted it for a single solitary second! I still love my sleeve. I love what is has allowed me to do... I'm at a healthy weight, my cholesterol is 115... 9 years ago it was over 240. I feel great and... ok ok... i get to buy clothes off the really cute rack... usually in a small or medium.
If you've read my blog you know I had
I think we all reach this stage in the pre-op diet where we start to think maybe I don't need to do this surgery, I'm losing weight OK - can't I just keep going and FINALLY keep this weight off all by myself? Well if 35 years of history tell me anything (yes, dieting in some shape or form since age 12) the answer to that question is NO! For some people, keeping off the weight hasn't been a problem. For 95% of us, that is the biggest problem. It has never been about losing the weight for me, its
So, I had another very successful shopping trip to Goodwill this weekend. I got a pair of capri's, a pair of shorts, and 3 summer blouses for under $20. I also delivered another huge bag of clothes for donation. Its strange to be picking through through the clothes on the rack and see things you recognize from your closet, but in a good way! Sometimes you think, why did I hold onto this so long? Did that ACTUALLY fit me at one point? or the most common - what was I thinking? lol But anywa
As is fairly typical after a sleeve gastrectomy, I was having some reflux issues occassionally, even while using my acid blocker medication.
Now remember, I'm not a doctor, but in doing some research, and from my own experience adding a probiotic to your daily intake (or like me 2 or 3 during cold/flu season) seems to have really helped this situation. From some of the literature i've read, after having a sleeve surgery, the addition of a probitoic supplement can be helpful in many ways... a
I got back home late yesterday afternoon. So happy to be home with my kiddo's! While I was in Tijuana my husband and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary - I told him I was getting the PRP and Botox as a gift for him... not sure he bought it, but oh well
Before I forget, let me say that I have had botox quite a few times, in the US and with Dr. So at OCC/The Ariel Center - and Dr. So is the BEST! Never any bruising, never over "toxed" - I still look like myself, have great expression,
Today is the one year anniversary of having my band to sleeve revision. What a year! I am at the lowest weight I've been at since... well... jr. high maybe? I feel great, and I'm not braggin' but I think I look pretty great too. I've stayed at the same weight now since Christmas and I'm happy with it. I still need to work out more and build some muscle, but as far as weight loss goes and this is the FIRST TIME in my life I have ever said this, but I'm not looking to lose any more weight! I
I'm so sorry I haven't posted in awhile. We have been really busy at OCC and I've been really busy at home. Graduations, end of school, water polo season starting. Crazy train - woot woot!
I recently read this article about weight loss surgery and pregnancy and long term health of the child, and breaking the cycle of obesity in a family.
I had my weight loss surgery after I was done having kids, so I can't say I have first hand knowledge of this subject BUT... (and that's a big but) I will
Don't minimize the benefits of great support. Be it a good bra, compression socks, Spanx, family, friends, or the kind I'm going to talk about today... Sleeve sistas (and brotha's).
When we are going through weight loss surgery we NEED support - for the pre-op phase, for surgery, and especially for after surgery.
There are so many things we don't consider for post surgery... eating isn't just about nourishment for most of us - we know we should "eat to live not live to eat" but most people do
I was going through my closet today trying to figure out what to wear to an event and realized that nothing in my closet fits me right! I haven't been this weight since before kids (and since my oldest is 21 that gives you an idea!).
I have things that kind of fit me, but everything is too big.
I'm thinking of heading over to a thrift store or consignment store to pick up a few things since I hate spending $$ on clothes when I'm not sure where I'm going to end up!
I purchased a few things to
As my norweigan grandmother would have said "Uff da!".
I wasn't paying attention and drank my sugar free strawberry lemonade a little too fast. OUCH! Sometimes I forget how small my little "shrimp" stomach is. It didn't feel like I was drinking that fast, but wow... that hurt! Its been a little over 4 months since I had my band removed and converted to a sleeve surgery, but I am still getting used to a much smaller stomach. When I had my band, I could drink more, a bit more quickly because
I know this isn't a new subject for me, but I think some of our newbies need to hear this again. After weight loss surgery your size will be changing rapidly. Why spend all that money on clothes that you won't be wearing for very long?
C'mon people.... let's go pop some tags!
I bought almost all of my clothes at thrift stores or consignment stores as I was losing weight. And to be honest... these are still my "go to" stores. I love antiquing and I love browsing for that next great find a
So the last several days I've noticed that I've had a harder time eating. I know its doesn't help that my allergies are horrible and I feel like a slime manufacturer half the time - so much "gunk" - and since I have a very small stomach now, it fills up pretty easily, plus I'm sure I'm a bit swollen or irritated from the "gunk" - but I also realized, I've gotten very lazy in the chew chew chew department. My band forced me to slow down, chew my foot thoroughly, and wait between bites. The sle
I have a favorite salad, its chicken, walnuts, apples, cranberries, and light mayo. So tonight, I took some of the roasted chicken breast, some fat free mayo, walnuts, and cranberries (i'm out of apples) put it in the food processor and made a mushy, yummy, pulverized salad meal.
Tastes really good!
What mushy foods are getting you through the sleeve post op diet? I'd love some suggestions.
Woohooo.... i'm so relieved (literally!) the Soy Protein seems to be making me feel better (read my last post about Whey protein and it being a milk derivitive).
I started on the EAS Soy Protein (chocolate flavored) last night, mixed with some light chocolate soy milk, with a spinkle of the PB2 Chocolate Peanut Butter Powder (if you haven't heard of PB2 you really should look it up, you get the flavor of peanut butter without all that fat! - I get mine on Amazon, but I've heard some Wal-Marts
I did some shopping on my lunch break today, and I saw this really cute dress on clearance with an additional 30% off... I fell in love with the dress, but it was an 8 and I just knew there was no way it would fit, but I had to try it on to see if there was a way I could make it work (when a really cute $50 dress is on clearance for $14 you at least have to try, even though you know you'll be heartbroken) well... it FIT, it fit it fit it fit! I still can't believe it! I haven't been in a singl
There is about to be a love fest up in here... so if its too hot for you, best to leave the kitchen now
Really, this is all about you guys! I love it when someone has read my blog and contacts me all excited about my journey, or looking to start a new chapter in their own life. You guys are so great! I appreciate your support, enthusiasm, excitement so much! You keep me inspired to keep on keeping on, and I love being able to inspire and support you as well!
If you are ready to make a ch
