Protein Artist

Category: RNY Journal

  • Eucalyptus Oil on Zits and Post-WLS Acne

    Eucalyptus Oil on Zits and Post-WLS Acne

    eucalyptusoilAfter weight loss surgery, my hormones began to fly up and down without warning. Suddenly, I began to look like a teenager again, both in size, and with the pimples on my face! I tried face washes and zinc vitamins. ultimately, I wanted something that would dry up the zits before they got to the point where I would want to pop them.

    I read online about the virtues of eucalyptus oil, and it also happens to be my absolute favorite scent. I purchased a small $3 bottle, and was really surprised. The warning says that the oil is toxic and should not be swallowed. I carefully dabbed a tiny drop of oil on a soon-to-be zit spot on my chin. I applied it two more times that day. By the next morning, the inflamation vanished. This zit will never be born!

    Hey, it’s only a $3 bottle, and it’s worth a shot, right?

  • Underarm odor from ketosis and rapid weight loss

    Underarm odor from ketosis and rapid weight loss

    sb10066176-005After gastric bypass surgery, the high protein diet causes a chemical imbalance in the body. As your body tries to adjust, it enters the state of ketosis. This is not dangerous, but a sign that you are burning fat. Ketosis is a normal metabolic process, something your body does to keep working. When it doesn’t have enough carbohydrates from food for your cells to burn for energy, it burns fat instead. As part of this process, it makes ketones.

    With ketosis comes a few minor annoyances like bad breath and awful underarm odor.

    I have been using vinegar under my arms since the surgery. I filled a tiny hotel shampoo bottle with vinegar and kept it in my purse. If the smell got worse during the day, I applied some more with a tissue.  I even used the same tissue for a quick dab on my privates to boost-charge the pH-balance. After a while, it no longer worked.

    I just switched to lemon and it’s working much better. I don’t use lemon juice. Buy a fresh lemon and cut it in half. Every morning, use the halves to apply like a roll on. Keep slicing off a bit until you run out of lemon.

  • Thinking of chickening out? Don’t!

    hey-you-can-do-it-265x314You will ROCK this! Today, I wore a size 10 outfit! I started at 258 lbs six months ago. Forget the people who have problems. They are the people who have problems with everything else… because they are not having brain surgery. They are only having gastric bypass, or sleeve, or the lap-band.

    If you disrespect your pouch, you will not benefit. If you commit to building a ‘relationship’ with this new tool, you will do phenomenally. I’ve never dumped, or had any ‘issues’. Just like those ladies who just don’t breathe through contractions…they end up failing at labor and delivery.  All those problems and complications they speak of? That is just like saying that vaccines cause autism (NOT!) Three of my children have autism, one was not vaccinated before her diagnosis. There.

    Inspired?  Post a comment!

  • 8 ounce measuring cup – Chef’n SleekStor Pinch with Pour Measuring Beaker, 1-Cup Size

    8 ounce measuring cup – Chef’n SleekStor Pinch with Pour Measuring Beaker, 1-Cup Size

    So far, this is one of the best presents that I bought to treat myself for post-op meal prep.  I absolutely love it and use it several times a day.

  • Post-Op Weight Loss Surgery Success Timeline

    Post-Op Weight Loss Surgery Success Timeline

    After my RNY Bariatric weight loss surgery, the successes began to unfold exponentially. Here is my person timeline of weight loss, and #NSV (No-scale victories) in chronological order.

    6/25/2014 – Day before surgery, 240 lbs, 18 lbs lost since starting the lean green and medifast pre-op diet. Size 3x is loose.

    6/26/2014 – RNY bariatric weight loss surgery, started at 7:30 am, came to in recovery about 1:30 pm.

    6/27/2014 – Post-op day one, was able to sleep three straight hours at night, and also take two real walks in the hospital hallway.  Was able to begin drinking clear liquids. I had brought my own chicken broth from home, and it was a welcome diversion from the pain.

    6/28/2014 – Survived the car-ride home from the hospital by clutching a pillow to my abdomen.

    6/29/2014 – 3 days post-op, enjoying a giant cup of coffee. Tomorrow I start full liquids. I’m looking forward to the yogurt! Wearing size 2x.

    6/30/2014 – Oh Food, Glorious, Food! Day 4, and I got a 6 oz yogurt in over a span of nine hours.  Day # 4 comes to a close with a victorious BM!

    7/1/2014 – Day 5 and I can see past my tummy and see the numbers on the scale. I was able to sleep on my side this night.

    7/2/2014 – #NSV I was craving eclairs, but I noticed that my mind was craving it, and my mouth was not salivating!

    7/3/2014 – 1 week post-op follow-up with the surgeon.  I was cleared for driving, and cleared to start pureed food.

    7/4/2014 – Day 8, first day post-op with normal blood pressure. No doubt the protein intake from the purees are helping me organize my energy and manage the pain.

    7/5/2014 – Day 9, the moods have hit.  Today I am feeling euphoric about the surgery.  I am worrying about all this energy.  Managed to get in 13 grams of protein for lunch.

    7/6/2014 – Day Ten, 226.8 lbs, 14 lbs lost in ten days post-op.

    7/7/2014 – Day 11, 225 lbs. 15 lbs lost post-op. I was able to wash my hair with help. Still unable to lift my arms up without pain.

    7/8/2012 -Day 12, 223 lbs. , when I move my toes, I can see some bones or ‘things’ on the top of my feet. I don’t think I ever had those in my life?

    7/9/2014 – Day 13, 223, 18 lbs lost since RNY weight loss surgery 13 days ago.

    7/10/2014 –  Day 14, two weeks, 221 lbs. Was able to dress up and hang out with friends all night long.  Moods are down.

    7/11/2014 – Week 3, feeling miserable and sad, gas pains, and recovering from too much exertion the day before.

    7/12/2014 – Stalled at 223 lbs

    7/13/2014 – Week 3 post RNY weight loss surgery, and GERD and Crohn’s seem to have vanished!

    7/14/2014 – Day 18, 223 stall, moods are better, and my cognition is returning.

    7/15/2014 – annoyed with the stall and the slow progress, but grateful for the network of friends that I found on a closed facebook group for June surgery buddies.

    7/16/2014 – increased pain and swelling, high BP, ER visit.  Rehydrated and shipped home.

    7/17/2014 –  Week Three  221.6 lbs, one week stall continues.

    7/18/2014 – 9 day stall, but the numbers 222 tickled my OCD funnybone this morning.

    7/19/2014 –Day 23, 219.4, 9 day stall over?   I lost two pounds overnight. I’m afraid to hope!!

    7/20/2014 – 220 lbs.  Today, I launched ProteinArtist.com

    7/21/2014 – First time throwing up.  Eating too ambitiously. Lesson learned.

    7/22/2014 – I disclosed my RNY surgery to my sister.

    7/23/14 – 218 lbs, major relief, first period since the surgery.

    7/24/14 – Four Weeks, 218 lbs, pain is pretty much gone.

    7/25/14 – 29 days, 216.8 lbs, By-bye plus sizes!  Fit into L/XL at Old Navy.

    7/28/2014 – 32 days, left-side abdominal pain is gone.

    7/29/14 – 33 days, #NSV had a dream this night about eating, and very carefully chewing.  This lifestyle has now crossed over into my subconscious.

    7/30/2014 – 218 lbs, week four, decreasing caffeine intake and confident about kicking my coffee addiction.

    7/31/14 – 3 weeks since my stall, five weeks from surgery.

    8/1/2014 – #NSV By-bye blood pressure medication! Former coca-cola addict here sitting and craving a spicy Parmesan chip.

    8/3/14 – getting compliments on my new 16/XL clothes

    8/4/14 – 215 lbs, stall has cracked, size 16’s hanging on me. 14’s are fitting now. Walked 1.6 miles to the mall and back, counted on the pedometer app.

    8/5/14 – 214 lbs, the bulge above my bra under my arms is gone, and I am able rest my batwings against my body for the first time in my life.

    8/6/14 – I lost my padding. I now have to sit on a pillow or my tailbone cries.

    8/7/14 – 215 lbs, weight is fluctuating/stalling again.  It’s okay, I’m looking forward to being a solid size 14 for a few more days or so.

    8/8/14 – Six week, flew from New York to Los Angeles, and had a great day getting by merely from buying yogurts in the airports.  I took my baby spoons along in my handbag

    8/9/14 – 209 lbs, Lost 5 pounds this night.  I’m learning to push my food away when feeling full.

    8/29/2014 –  Two months, I now weigh 203 lbs, and 55 lb total weight loss.

    9/1 – Back to work, and feeling healthy!

    9/5 – 9 weeks, size 14’s are hanging on me. Can’t wait to try on my mediums again in a week.

    9/7 – #NSV First choir rehearsal of the Fall season tonight, and everyone commented, “wow, you look excellent”.

    9/10/14 – 10 weeks, signed up for the gym and a personal trainer.  measured at 43% body fat.

    9/14/14 – 11 weeks, celebrating a drug-free morning.   I am no longer taking any medications anymore.

    9/18/14 – 57 lbs lost, 3 month surgiversary today

    9/21/14 – On the bright side, who gets to eat takeout for $1.61?

    9/24/14 – #NSV when you have a dream where you are chewing carefully….

    9/26/14  toilet paper is able to hang on the roll. It doesn’t stab me anymore in the side, and I can flex and reach without spazzing. IMG_2384[2]

    9/27/14 – 201 lbs, 3 months, The joys of eating half a freezer meal (meatloaf with mashed potatoes) and saving half for the next day, while still taking in 10 grams protein and 120 calories!!

    IMG_2392
    10/1/14     – Onederland has arrived!!!!  And fitting into size Mediums. Dare I say that I am just another ‘normal’ person in the world?

    batwings
    10/3/14     – Three weeks with the personal trainer, and my batwings are firming up!

    10/4/14 – Onderland is certainly here to stay.

    10/15/14 – Weight is not moving, muscles are building. The personal trainer is helping me shift my posture to eliminate stress on my tailbone and knees. Pain is gone.

    10/20/14  – My body change has changed completely. The fat that melted has made my skin land in different places. I don’t recognize this new curvy shape.

    10/28/14 – 197 lbs, Starting my fifth month after surgery.  Was treated to the best gift ever: My sister had the Gastric Sleeve Surgery today !

    10/30/14 – Was rear-ended by another vehicle as I was entering a highway. When an arrived to take a police report, I shook the officer’s hand. For the first time in my life, felt like a well-dressed serious professional.

    11/2/14 – 193 lbs, had new headshots taken this morning to celebrate 65 lbs lost. Halfway to my goal.

    11/4/14 – I am losing my size 14 clothes.  I’d rather just squeeze into 10’s than spend money on 12’s which will last me a week.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Day 3 Post-Op, First morning home

    3 days post-op, just sat down to a cup of coffee, aaaaaaaah.  I still can’t believe I’m a “post-op girl”.  I’m looking into pharmacies here to see if I can get an abdominal binder, my guts are all over the place and really hurting.

    Can’t wait for the skinny woman that lives inside my imagination to come out and play!

    1:29 pm working through the pain today with obscene strengths.  Josie called to check in.  Phyllis came buy with yogurt and prescriptions. She also purchased an abdominal binder and velcroed it onto me.  I took the lortab painkiller, worked on 4 oz of broth, and look forward to trying to sleep soon.

    I just woke up at 5:00  in shock that I slept for so long!  I really needed the rest.

    OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I thought it was Monday 5:00 am! I thought I slept for ten hours!)  I had my ‘morning coffee’ and took my blood pressure medications again!

    Just hung up with poison control – the blood pressure pll is most concerning. Another reason to ‘don’t do drugs’! My pupils are dilated like a true druggie.  I feel like an incompetent imbecile not to be trusted alone. just going to be watchful now of my blood pressure symptoms.

    Tomorrow, I want to have a shower, and prepare the jello and pudding for full-liquids day, and call the doctor to make sure the binder is okay to wear.

    I finally went to sleep feeling weak and woozy.

    When life gives me obstacles, I saw right through them with a chainsaw while screaming, “Look at me, life!”

  • Day Two, Leaving Hospital

    I made history of being discharged four times in one day.  Nurse Maria drugged me against my will at 8:00 am.  She coerced me by saying, “we cannot discharge you without a pain mmanagementplan, you have to take this” and then shoved a double dose of narcotics into my mouth. I was pretty much kaput for 6 hours as I struggled to fight off the effects. I was in a dark bubble chained to the bed, unable to communicate, and unable to open my eyes – but could not sleep! So I was aware but not present. It was the most horrifying experience ever.

    The worst was the dizziness, and I had to hold on to the bed railing because every breath felt like I would be thrown off a cliff. When I came to, nurse Maria said that I didn’t drink anything all morning, so she cancelled the discharge! I finally got home at 7:00 pm.  What a horrific day.  The car-ride home from the hospital was quite the trip, as we had to navigate at ten mph around potholes. Ouch!  Advice: Clutch a pillow to your abdomen for the drive home.

  • Day 1 after surgery

    RNY was yesterday 6/27/14. I’m elated. Got in three hours of sleep twice in a row. Took a walk at 5:00 pm yesterday and 3:00 am this night. Looking forward to having some attachments removed when the doctor does his rounds soon.

    9:45  am – Had my own broth, and they changed my room  and gave me a new bed. Finally, I’ll be able to releive my aching back.

    10:45 am – dietitian was impressed with my organization. Had some more broth

     

  • Day of surgery

    5:09 am- did not sleep a wink.  Pushed through the night, while running to the bathroom every now and then.   I suppose my colon is ready now, given all the drama this night. I had my surgical showers (twice) and am pushing time to head out for the cab to the hospital.

     

  • Day before surgery

    Today’s horoscope:  “It’s a good day to trim the fat — in a budget, from your diet or anywhere else that seems like it could use cutting. Excess is not a good thing for you, at least not now. Go for moderation!”

    Surgery tomorrow!  Clear liquids today. It’s hot and humid, with rain showers.  I’ll push myself to start on some chicken broth because I’m feeling the hunger pangs now at 2:00 pm.

    4:30 pm – colon prep is starting to work, JUST before my last student’s piano lesson. Groan.

    5:40 – I am really grateful that my bowels held out until the end of the lesson. I am also grateful that the cleanse did not involve much cramping or tummy pain.  Small miracles.

    I spent the rest of the evening double-checking my rolling bag to make sure that my list of what to take to the hospital was complete. Then, I took some pre-op photos in my underwear until I grossed myself out and took my surgical prep sterile shower, and went to bed.