VSG Maintenance Group

03/20/2020, Friday

VSGAnn2014
on 3/20/20 12:25 am
VSG on 08/14/14

Weight: 135.0
Veggies/Fruits: 3
Macronutrients: Cals - 1,223, Carbs - 102, Fats - 54, Proteins - 81, Fiber - 19
WW Green SmartPoints: 30
Water: 2
Fitbit Recorded Sleep: 4'37" (plus a lot of oxycodone napping yesterday)
Exercise: 4,003 steps

Good morning, all!

Shirl, how are you doing today?

DianeO, how's your patient faring? And how's his caregiver?

Liz, did your daughter make it safely to Florida yesterday?

I can't recall when others kids are arriving, but know that some are coming home.

David, how's your family doing down there?

On the neck lift front, today is my third day post-op, and my face is more swollen and bruised than yesterday. The interwebz confirms that after a lower face lift "Bruising and swelling will be at their worst after two days and can persist for a few days." Liz, is that how it was for you?

Yesterday I was glad to be able to eat more. I'm wanting NOT to lose weight right now, but also know that oxycodone is an appetite suppressant. I thought I wouldn't want/need much or even any of it, based on my VSG and gall bladder experiences, but I'm finding it more helpful than I'd expected. FYI, I'm taking one pill every 6-8 hours, not every 4 hours, which is the max frequencyallowed.

Today's fitness goals are to hydrate more and eat 1,500 calories, including more veggies and fruits than yesterday. I'll also bake some cornbread to go with the chili, and do 6,000 steps. BTW, my husband's very nice walker (it's practically a wheelchair) keeps me moving safely, plus the seat lets me carry things around the house safely.

My socializing is now exclusively online and via phone. So far, being "hunkered down" is fine. In a few weeks I'll probably meet up with friends to walk "together" six feet apart. My sister's family (with her husband, two daughters, son-in-law, and twin grandkids) will be spending a lot of time together, but I won't be with them. They all still have way too much contact with the outside world for my comfort. I expect that will change very soon.

I'm doing well, and hope each of you is doing well, too.

ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22

POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 3/20/20 4:31 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16

Weight 125.2, WW Bluepoints 29 (or so). Last day of drinking wine for a while (birthday excuse is done).

Ann, I was extremely swollen for days 2-4 as I recall, which is why there are no pictures. That picture I put in the other place was day 5 when it was subsiding.

DD arrived mid-afternoon yesterday. There were only 20 people on the plane so there was only 1 person per row at most. So lots of distancing on the flight. It is good to have her here.

My walking group has continued though we stay apart from one another. We are going to do coffee in a driveway today with our own chairs and our own coffee sitting 6 feet from one another. Which reminds me that I was at a store the other day and was respecting the couple in front of me in line wanting 6 feet of distance. But when he got to the counter, the husband must have touched every possible place on the counter where his hands could go. Somehow I don't think that 6 feet of distancing in lines is going to really work for him.

Stay healthy and keep healing!

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

DiamondD
on 3/20/20 5:59 am
VSG on 06/13/12

Bff is probably not coming to stay, since her son had to tell her they wouldn't be able to have visitors for an indeterminate time. She is planning on going back home. Now I'm worried that Mexico City will turn into something even worse than Italy, and she will be trapped there if she goes back, with no one to help her. The President of Mexico is pretty much a virus denier. Not good for my friend, not good for Mexico, not good for us, their neighbor. So many unknowns.

I ordered new bedding for us. Since we were supposed to be in a hotel next week, I decided to upgrade our own bedroom, and give it more of a luxury hotel room feel. Well as much as one can without being able to actually touch the products one is buying. The true upgrade will be a deep cleaning while DH works this weekend.

I haven't weighed for a few days, so back to reality this morning.

Liz, glad your daughter made it safely, ours arrives Sunday. Is your sister in law there too?

Ann sounds like your pain killer regime is correctly calibrated. May the healing continue to go well.

Good morning everyone!

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 3/20/20 9:04 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16

Yes, my sister-in-law has been back here since 3/8.

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

ocean4dlm
on 3/20/20 6:03 am - Liverpool, NY
VSG on 05/27/15

My previous metrics seem so insignificant in light of our ever changing world and lives. I am now considering using these filters to frame my daily focus:

  • What did I do to nourish my mind, body and spirit, to invite balanced health ?
  • What am I grateful for today?
  • What did I do for the greater good?
  • New Normal Insights:

I'm sure they'll morph as each day passes. I found myself shifting into a rationing mentality, and lost five pounds this past week. (What if I have to make what I have last 2-3 months ?) Going to the store during old people's hour was somewhat reassuring (although all of those old people doing self-check out for the first time was stressful !) I realize I need to be in optimal health to prevent and/or survive Covid-19. I have made increasing water and protein a priority. My Fitbit sleep score raised from 51 (poor) to 71 (fair), and I have prioritized rest and restoration to enhance my immunity. I made a fabulous 15 bean soup in the Instant Pot, and totally cleaned and reorganized our bathroom health care closet, throwing away all expired products. Our community is being encouraged to put holiday lights back up, as a show of unity and perseverance to enjoy another Christmas. I'm putting mine back up today. My daughters, brother, sisters, mother and I have been in daily contact. It is supposed to be 70-75 degrees here today, and snow on Sunday, so the dogs and I will do some work in the back yard today.

Be gentle with yourselves and please continue to be present here. This beloved Tremendous Tribe comforts and sustains me. Love you all !!

Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!

DiamondD
on 3/20/20 7:22 am
VSG on 06/13/12

I love the idea of putting up lights again! I hope your neighbors get into it, and your street looks like Vegas!

brownblonde
on 3/20/20 7:25 am

Weight: 159

I too find myself to have somewhat of a rationing mentality as Diane O. does. I'm still eating pretty well and still hungry but really trying not to overdo it, make it last, etc.

Ann-glad your pain is well-managed. I don't seem to care about much of anything, least of all food, when on pain meds. But the effect on my digestive track makes me want to get off ASAP!

Liz-glad DD made it and sounds like they were trying to be as safe as possible with the plane.

DD-Yes I'm afraid some places, probably Mexico, will be especially ill-equipped to handle this virus. Hope your friend fares well.

Back into cold temps today. Only 50s for highs. I think I'll make chili today and freeze some to have on hand.

What do we think about getting take-out? I wouldn't mind supporting local business but with this virus lasting on surfaces, idk. But it'll feel much more date nighty.

        
CC C.
on 3/20/20 8:47 am

I've gotten a lot of takeout (stretching it into many meals). I use DoorDash (one of those companies that brings it to your door). They do a no contact drop off. I figure it supports local restaurants, the delivery companies are trying to hire the out of work waitstaff to be drivers so they get tips, I can get more fresh things without going to the store... The suggestion I've read is to take the food out of the containers they bring it in and then wash your hands before eating.

Liz WantsHealthForAll
on 3/20/20 9:08 am - Cape Cod, MA
VSG on 03/28/16

Good suggestion on handling takeout! I think we have enough food in the refrigerator and freezer now for 2-3 weeks, and paper goods as well. But we will use takeout periodically as well.

Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish

DiamondD
on 3/20/20 10:08 am, edited 3/20/20 3:08 am
VSG on 06/13/12

I also think take out is a likely safe option. I guess nothing is 100%. Restaurants closed not because of fear of food contamination: the food itself enters your body through your gastrointestinal system. Where you could get infected in a restaurant is the person at the next table who is not 6 feet away, contamination on surfaces that you touch and then touch your face (so many surfaces! Table, chairs, silverware, glasses, coffee cups), or if your server coughs or sneezes on you. So if you wash, unpack the food, then wash your hands again, your risk should be very minimal. It would probably be best if only one person dishes up food to everyone, only one set of well washed hands on the serving tools.

×