5 for Friday 1-27-06

1. What's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a preop? 2. How many of your protein grams come from a protein drink? What kind? 3. What are you currently doing for exercise? 4. How many clothing sizes have you dropped? 5. What's your plans for this weekend? Here's my answers: 1. Preops, keep your chin up. Insurance approval can be a long hard road, but keep going and don't let the insurance co. win. Fight for what you need!! HONESTLY, it does go by quicker then you think!!! I can't believe I'm 8 months out already. 2. I drink 3 protein drinks a day for 78 grams of protein, the rest of the protein comes from my food. I'm into Designer Whey Vanilla put in sf hot chocolate. 3. Exercise is very limited because of my hernia and the fact that I got so incredibly week laying in the hospital for all that time - BUT, I'm back up and forcing my self to walk every day. I go to our local Rec center and walk the inside track. Yesterday I did the most so far, walking 2.5 miles. 4. I've gone from a size 24W down to a size 4 - 6 petite in only 8 months!! I LOVE the new me!!! 5. WooooHoooo, I'm going to Frankenmuth tomorrow to hang with my wls yahoo group!!!! We're gonna have a ton of fun (although the "Winter Fest" is going to be changed to "Melt Fest" if it really gets to 45 degrees today) Most of the ladies are spending the night and then going shopping in Birch Run Sunday, but I'll be going home Sat. night. Sunday, we have church and then no plans for the afternoon.

OK, my turn!! 1. Preops.....Read EVERYTHING you can about the surgery and what you need to do to keep your pouch working to its potential!!! I cannot believe how many people who are post op and don't know what to eat!! They should have researched until they were blue in the face, and then research more!!! 2. I am not drinking any protein drinks at the moment - go in waves. Right now I am eating protein bars: either Strive by Biochem (not too much chocolate in them - I like the banana split and toffee), or Power Crunch by Proto Whey - these are great if you don't want bulk; they are wafers with a creme filling. 3. Exercise.....wow, I'm not doing much of anything. I've been working a lot and when I finally get home I am exhausted. I am looking forward to having the weather break so I can begin biking again. 4. Sizes - I started out at a 28/30W and am now in a large pant and top. I used to be top-heavy (size larger on top than the pants), but I am now evening out on both the top and bottom - which is great because I can now buy sets and not have one too big or too small!! 5. I plan on going to some yarn places and stock up - I've got some purses I need to make to sell. Laurie, go visit the Frankenmuth Wool Mill for me!!! Darla

1. Research. And once you have found your surgeon, listen & do what he says. 2. I have been trying to do 3 protein drinks a day for a total of 66 grams of protein from the drinks. I do like a frappaccino drink & mix it in. The only protein mix that I have been able to tolerate is GNC's 100% Whey in the carmel chocolate flavor. For some reason all the others have made me want to . 3. Have you seen the new Snapple comercial? That is about how much exercise that I am getting. I am restricted right now, but hope to get back to walking in a couple of weeks. 4. I went from a size 32 (5X) to a 10/12. My jeans are 14 but I can wear a m-l in most. Just bought a sweater that was a 6/8 and it fit perfect. It was made really big, but it was just a mind game that it fit at all. 5. This week-end I get to prepare for my knee surgery. I have so much to get done before hand. Stuff for the church & stuff for the house, laundry, vaccum, all the fun stuff. Then Sunday evening, my hubby is singing in a trio in Echo Bay Canada. They are really good, & have really close harmony. I am hoping that this is the start of something for them.

1. What's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a preop? Get yourself into a good support group. I like the camraderie and chatting with people who've "been there, done that". 2. How many of your protein grams come from a protein drink? What kind? I get my protein from my food and I usually manage to get between 70 and 80 grams a day doing that. If I fall short, I will have a protein drink, but I haven't had one in months. When I do drink one, I use vanilla soy powder. I mix it with 1/2 a cup of skim milk, 1/2 a banana, 5 frozen strawberries. Put it all in the blender. Makes a great smoothie. 3. What are you currently doing for exercise? I go to the gym 3x a week. I walk 2 miles or so, lift weights and sometimes swim, too. And then I top it off with a soak in the whirlpool. 4. How many clothing sizes have you dropped? I've gone from a 26/28 to a loose 20, right now. I can fit into 18's but they still seem a bit too tight to me. I've lost 107 pounds in 5 months. 5. What's your plans for this weekend? Not sure yet. Going out for dinner with my hubby tonight. Possibly my brother and his family are coming to my house for the weekend because my brother is doing a custom tile job in the remodel of our downstairs bathroom. But that has not been confirmed, so we shall see!

1. What's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a preop? Research, research, research and get the best surgeon possible. 2. How many of your protein grams come from a protein drink? What kind? At this time I am getting 58 grams of protein from protein drinks, I do two a day because I am trying to lose these last thirty pounds. They are No sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast, skim milk and 1 scoop of Any Whey Protein powder. Once I mix this together I put it in the freezer and freeze until slushy and I love these. I have one for breakfast and one for lunch. 3. What are you currently doing for exercise? I work for a school and they have a track above the gym area and I go after work and walk for 60 minutes 4 or 5 times a week. This week it will be 5 times. 4. How many clothing sizes have you dropped? 24/26 to 16/18 5. What's your plans for this weekend? I am having brunch for my sister's birthday tomorrow and there will be about 20 family members for that. After that I am not sure other than Church on Sunday.

1. reasearch... read everything you can get your hands on and KNOW your surgeon. 2.I drink genisoy protien 15 grams per serving and I usually drink 3 mixed with hot chocolate or with yogurt and a banana 3.I work out 3 times a week and try to walk every day 4.I have gone from a 20-22 to a size 12. I am really starting to like the new and improved me !! 5.work, we are saving for a trip to the Netherlands next year so I try to get some overtime in. Katie

1. What's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a preop? DON'T TEST THE WATERS ON SUGAR AND CARBS! Follow your regimen...you don't need anything else. 2. How many of your protein grams come from a protein drink? What kind? 20 grams...Atkins Chocolate Delight Shake every morning! 3. What are you currently doing for exercise? I usually go to Curves (but not much lately, I'll have to admit) I love to walk outside, so I think I'm gonna bundle up and get out there! 4. How many clothing sizes have you dropped? I started out in a "stretched-as-far-as-it-would-go" 26/28, and now in a 14 comfortably. (I do have a size 10 skirt and a few size 12 pants that fit fine, so yes, clothing sizes do run different). Would like to get to a size 8 or 10 and STAY THERE! 5. What's your plans for this weekend? I work hosting karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights, so here in Houghton Lake during Tip-Up-Town weekend, I will be bombarded with drunk tourists! Always entertaining!

1. What's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a preop? DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!! Listen to your Surgeon and do exactly what he tells you to do!!! 2. How many of your protein grams come from a protein drink? What kind? I just recently added a 2nd protein drink to my daily "menu" because I was stalling out with the weight loss and needed to up my calories!! I drink the Adkins Advantage Chocolate!! And for the life of me can not remember the protein at this point...it's either 18 or 20 per can!!! 3. What are you currently doing for exercise? I work out at Curves at least 3 times per week...made it there 5 times this week!!! Woohoo!!! I'll add walking when warmer weather comes our way!! And I do my 5lb hoola hoop several times a week and do several repetitions with my 5lb weights several times a week!! 4. How many clothing sizes have you dropped? I have gone down from a tight 24 to a comfortable 14 in pants and from a 2 or 3X top to a medium or large (mostly large)!! It feels SO awesome to be able to shop in NORMAL size clothing stores/departments!!! 5. What's your plans for this weekend? We are headed to Muskegon tomorrow morning for my youngest daughter's first gymnastics meet!!! Should be lot's of fun!!! We are staying over night and heading back home on Sunday!!! I'll get a chance to wear my new bathing suit that my girls and neice talked me into buying!! I'm actually going to have someone take my picture so I can compare to the pictures from last February when we went on our cruise!!!

1. See a therapist. This surgery changes your stomach but not your head. 2. 31 grams. I use Whey Advantage Chocolate (20) and mix it with eight ounces of Hershey's Sugar Free Chocolate Milk (11). It's great! 3. Right now while I'm recovering from surgery I can only ride the stationary bike but usually I take a Pilates class on Monday, work out with a Trainer on Tuesday, Wednesday the bike, Thursday weight training, Friday the bike and rest on Saturday and Sunday. 4. I started at a 6x and now wear medium and large tops and 18 bottom (till all this swelling goes down. 5. I will be with you in Frankenmuth. I can't wait.

1. What's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a preop? I still sware the reason I've done so well is my ATTITUDE. I went into surgery with a GREAT outlook and I try my darndest every day to keep that outlook. I accepted EARLY on the my WHOLE life would change on 9/12 and that yes I was human and would have ups and downs that in teh BIG picture this was the BEST thing I could do for myself and my family. My advise CHIN UP! 2. How many of your protein grams come from a protein drink? What kind? AchivOne Mocha Java every AM .. 20gm protein. I might go to 2 as I an a bad BAD BAD bariatric and am stalled 3. What are you currently doing for exercise? Typing. No I play tennis 1-2 times a week and I hit the gym 2-3 times a week (ON A GOOD WEEK!) 4. How many clothing sizes have you dropped? Ok I NEVER bought ANYTHING over a size 18 pre-op I refused.. so the year and 1/2 before surgery I LIVED in sweats.. If I had to be HONEST with myself I would guess in reality I was a 22. Today Im a 16/14 more 14 tehn 16 and a large top, but I might look at Mediums for summer.. maybe. I did buy 14s for spring break and 10s fopr summer last year.. Here's hoping! 5. What's your plans for this weekend? RECOPERATE!