Saturday, June 1, 2024

And now it is June! The hurricane season has begun for those of us on the east coast.

We will be in Aruba around 4:00 pm if all goes smoothly. Up at 5 am and leaving at 6:30 am. I missed my Justice last night and this morning but at least I know he is having fun. He hadn't stayed there for a year but he remembered them right away. He likes it there. Nice yard to romp in. Only smaller, calm dogs and he likes to sit with the husband when he watches TV.

I am hoping my bag isn't overweight because I really stuffed it full so my personal bag wouldn't be too heavy. I am wearing a sling for the flight at the suggestion of my physical therapist.

I was thinking about the 8 pounds to get to my range. Of course those last pounds go the slowest so it may be a couple of months before I get there, but at least I should be comfortably in range by the time of the wedding in September. I wish my daughter would have such success.

I was hardly able to eat yesterday (and not a lot the day before). Maybe I shouldn't increase my dosage of tirzepatide on Thursday? I guess I'll see how I do this week in the new atmosphere.

Have a successful Saturday!

Safe travels Liz! I would think you could hold off on increasing your dose this week since you are still losing, and you're experiencing a lot of restriction. There were several times I wanted to stay on my current dose, but my insurance company required I advance. Each advance brought a few side effects (that subsided), and it was annoying, since, in my opinion, the current dose was doing it's thing.

My headache lingers. Unusual for me. Ill try a scone and tea to see if that sets me right. :)

We watched the documentary Pretty Baby, about Brooke Shields on Hulu. 2 one hour episodes. I am always interested in the idea of resiliency. How do some kids come through crazy cir****tances, and still live a functional life. I credit my extended family. The messages I received at home about my general lack of value, or being worthy, were buffered by their absolute unconditional love. Anyhow, I would recommend the documentary, especially if you remember the 80s.

Off to the coffee shop!

I agree, I wouldn't increase if the current dose is still working! You get used to each dosage and at some point, you have nowhere to go. Like any drug, the least amount that does the job is the right dose.

Slight scale rebound today. Oh well.

My real estate agent and friend is having a client appreciation lunch today. So many people couldn't go, I felt bad and RSVPd yes. I don't want to go, but I'm stuck now. I'm that person who cries when I read about a child's birthday party where no guests show up. I may hate parties, but I am excessively empathetic!

Kirby threw up in the middle of the night again. Is this all dogs or just my dogs?? Jus****ching him pick at his food and carry a few kibbles across the room to eat. Fergus was a wolfer. Fast and furious eater. Gone in 60 Seconds. Not Kirby!

Nothing else to report here. A little cooler today at 89 versus 94 yesterday. Very high 90s flirting with 100 next week! Did I tell you I tried to introduce Kirby to the pool and he was not a fan? I used treats and got in myself (I have a large ledge for in-pool chaises that is only about 5" deep, which I thought would be a good intro for him). It's going to take more than once to make him a water dog...

That is so very nice of you to attend the lunch especially because the event is especially being gifted to please the people who were invited.

Swann, also, is not a wolf it down eater. In fact, he checks out his bowl daily to see that it is full, then ignores it all day waiting to see if his servants will feed him from their plates. If he mooches enough protein and veggies, the dog food bowl remains full until the next morning....otherwise he will supplement with some of his kibble.

As to swimming- not so much, but if an opportunity to romp and roll in any shallow MUDDY creek? Yes, please every time.

Neither of my retrievers, Golden or Labrador, were natural swimmers. In fact, Bella was with us in my parent's lake, when I looked at her and thought, is she drowning??!! I had to put my hand under her tummy and right her. She did love splashing around though.

157.2 Tally for May -12.4 (totals so far: March thru April -19.4 ) Net -31.8, -37 from high regain weight .

12# to get to the sweet spot on the scale.

Liz, you're right. Those last pounds to goal range (to use Devon's definition of the word) are "cows". The only positive I can think of is that the extra time spent gives an opportunity to further normalize the healthy eating habits we've been practicing.

This is my second battle with a significant regain since WLS 12 years ago. Not cool, not fun, and resetting solid and sensible practices will be the only way to keep from facing a third. Regardless of what I weigh on the scale, going forward I must continue to do just as I am doing now.

No news, plentiful chores and amusing activities available. Hmmmmm, guess which of those two lists I will choose ?

One thing that I do like about using compounded semaglutide (vs. the "real" stuff) is the dosage flexibility. I went up to the recommended dosage very slowly with VERY slow weight loss, but it picked up a bit once I got there. I didn't go up to the optional larger dose because I was losing, fairly slowly but consistently, and it would have cost more. Now, I really appreciate that I can adjust the dosage by very small amounts to establish what I need for maintenance, which I don't think you can do with the preloaded pens (?). After all these years of dieting, VSG, losing, regain, losing, rinse and repeat, I do feel like I know my body pretty well and like having that control.

Going to make strawberry jam with a friend today. My husband, who is too skinny and needs to gain some weight, absolutely adores it! Perfect thing to do on an early summer day..

Lizanne

Interesting discussion about GLP-1/GIP dosages.

I wonder if body size plays a significant role in how the medicine is metabolized? I know there has been discussion on dog meds about giving a Great Dane and a Chihuahua the same size dose for vaccines. However, it turns out that the rabies vaccine as strong as it is, works the same in a 10 pound dog as in a 100 pound dog. The amount of killed virus used works the same in dogs of all sizes. Same with the human flu vaccines - children and adults get the same dosage.

I am of the mindset that since the studies showed a titrated approach to a therapeutic dose is best, why not follow that recommendation? I suppose I can see titrating up more slowly, if one really feels it is working at a current dosage. Perhaps it is because of my larger size that I am ready to go up to the next level after 4 weeks. I had reached the "top" dose for semaglutide as offered by Henry Meds at the $300 a month level. I would have had to pay an extra $99 a month for the next dose up from where I was. Because of that, it made a lot more sense to switch to the tirzepatide with Orderly Meds. I started at a 5mg dose of tirzepatide, which is the equivalent dose of semaglutide I was using. Next week, I will up to a 7.5 mg dose. That is still well under the highest dose of tirzepatide I can take.

Molly was a little less cow-ish today. Still not her normal self. I'm not sure what's going on. Something is bothering her. Perhaps it's the building. It is very noisy. I'm not sure what her problem is this weekend. I just have to support her through it, whatever it is. I'm hoping she'll do better in groups this afternoon.

It's going to be another hot one. The AC kicked on in the RV by 9:00 am! I was surprised, but so very appreciative to have the AC for Molly!

Wishing everyone a Satisfying Saturday!

I agree, it's prudent to stay within the bounds of how a medication has been tested and prescribed, but I do think there is some room for variation within those boundaries. If a consistent increase/dose was most effective then I don't see how some people have immediate effects, some need larger doses, and some get no relief. Even with my insurance companies insistence of moving through the doses, I had the option to stay at a particular dose for 2 months. DH increased monthly. Or my package instructions say I can inject two days earlier, or two days later. That's actually a big window. I think of it more like insulin, with a range of therapeutic doses, vs. a vaccine or antibiotic etc.

Greetings

late check in on iPad. Gallery duty today and it was busy. Sold lots. Snacks there due to an artsy event. I ate two cookies. Most of the food was consumed by gallery members and not customers. Hospitality member is a food pusher who whines about how hard it all is. Ok then just stop it!

more tomorrow.

diane s