WLS stats

12 weeks post surgery: 15 kgs weight loss.

Total weight loss (including pre op weight loss): 22kgs

Asthma review

Well I had my asthma review with the doctor today.

They wanted me to have it with the nurse but I told them that the respiratory specialist was horrified when i told them the nurse does asthma reviews, as someone with my severity of asthma needs to be seen by the doctor only.

Proof was in the pudding as the meds I had been kept on (by the nurse) weren't actually doing the job AT ALL, I needed stronger meds! Which the respiratory specialist put me on immediately when they first saw me last year (symbacourt).

My improved asthma has been my biggest change thus far... I am hitting singing notes I haven't hit for years! :) It's also the most natural (hence slower at losing weight) surgery, which I preferred.

My asthma has improved for 3 reasons...

(1) Weight loss. Without a shadow of a doubt, the laregr you get, the worse your asthma gets.

(2) Correct medication. My asthma improved and my lungs strengthened when I was put on Symbacourt by the respiratory specialist at Chelsea and Westminster hospital.

(3) Protein intake. The 3 most important things everyday for a wls patient is to drink loads of water, take multivitamins, and eat protein before any other food group. And this has made a huge difference for me, because I never used to eat that much meat... and asthmatics need protein! So my increased protein intake helps my weight loss and asthma :)

The doctor said I was a good advert for obesity surgery, and said I had an excellent attitude... for eg. some people would be rather upset at not being able to eat certain foods for the rest of their life, but for me, yes it isn't ideal and I will miss things like the odd pizza takeout, Indian spicy food, steak, ice cream, bread etc....

BUT

I am NOT on steroids with all the backpain and shakes etc. and I can breathe on my OWN and this, for me, is a godsend! The continual clamp seems to have been magically unclipped off of my chest, and I can get up the stairs with nary a wheeze.

It is ONLY a plus. And is something I am so grateful for... and whereas I will miss certain foods, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives.

Whirlwind start to the year

Well, this year has started off with a bang!

I have had two new little girls settling in and starting, I've been finalising my tax for my accountant, and we have been working on changing the playroom to a sleepy/guest room for a V.I.P guest who arrives on 17 Jan... MUM!!!

I am so excited to be seeing her again, so soon. She will stay with us for a month or so, then head off to North Carolina to stay with my brother, his wife and their brood of 3 littlies for 18 months-2 years.

What a wonderful opportunity for her, hey?

Back from a splendid holiday in South Africa!

SA was amazing... The sunshine and laughter and swimming all the best kind of medicine :)

The food?

Well, many foods I battle to digest, am on a continual learning curve.

Biltong proved my protein mainstay on a daily basis. As I eat such a few calories, I need to eat little amounts of protein frequently, to keep going... and biltong proved to be the perfect thing. Most of it I can digest, it differs day to day. If I cannot digest it, I at least enjoy chewing it and tasting it. Unfortunately I do have to spit it out often though. But at least I am getting some things down!

Peanuts are another easy source of protein I can carry about in my handbag too. Obviously, eating too many of them is not good for you (fatty!), but I eat only a little and they hit the spot, which is what I need. Edemene beans are something I keep at hand in England for this purpose.

Chicken is very hit and miss. Depends how it has been cooked and how soft and crumbly it is. Pork has proved quite good. Steak is a big no-no.

Dairy is not ideal. When I have a protein shake (when I feel I cannot eat food, but need protein), I SHOULD be having it with milk, not water, but I cannot have it with milk. I hurl every time. What was a tad worrying in South Africa was I kept hurling up my shakes even when they were mixed with water. I have never had that happen before, and can only put that down being in the heat. It was late 30 deg C the whole time we were there.

I battle to eat bread, sometimes I can eat a little bit of a roll. But generally, bread is too stodgy and a no-no for me now.

White, soft fish like hake and cod is fine. I tried a kabeljou in Johannesburg and it was much too heavy... a pity as it is a beautiful and tasty fish! The other occupants at the table enjoyed it though! ;)

Seafood is another no-no it seems. I have had little prawns which seemed to go down fine, then the next day I won't be able to eat them. I have to spit it out/I hurl/dry hurl. Sorry for sounding gross, but this is my way of keeping a food diary of my wls process, and I have to be quite blunt about it.

I tried some prawns at the Ocean Basket at Hartebeespoort Dam, and they came out practically immediately. I literally had to dash for the loo. And felt so nauseous. I really need to be careful.

Not being able to eat certain foods is worth the incredible health benefits I am experiencing though... like experiencing my first winter in England steroid-free :)

WLS stats

10 weeks post surgery: 12.5 kgs weight loss.

Total weight loss (including pre op weight loss): 19.5kgs

Merry Christmas!!!

Well the time has come for our long awaited holiday to South Africa!

Bags are being packed, camera and phone batteries and chargers and plugs are being sought, clothing is washed and ready to be ironed tomorrow morning (by the cleaner! Not me hehe), presents are wrapped and ready to be packed, fridge is being emptied of all that may go off whilst we are away, banks are being called to advise of us being away (having a card declined at the Empire State Building in new York a couple of years ago, due to the bank thinking our card was being used fraudulently there, was NOT fun!), dosing up on our vitamin c as usual, and most importantly, disprins... for the flight ahead (anti DVT).

Looking forward to being with family, the sunshine, friendly people, smiles, viewing game, South African food, laughing... :)

And most importantly... more than the fun in the sun, and the warmth of the hugs of dear ones... we look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ...and thanking Him for all He has done in our lives, the blessings He bestows on us who are so unworthy.

Celebrating His life and His goodness.

Christmas trees

We have a beautiful artificial tree we bought a couple of years ago. Lance always does the (white) lights, I do the decorations... we aim to buy an antiquey(?)-looking Christmas tree ornament whenever we travel to a new country/area in a country.

This year we have not put a tree up as we are heading to South Africa shortly.

I love a snowy cold Christmas, and equally love a hot summer Christmas... each are enjoyable in different ways, each have their own charm.

My florist is selling 3 ft real trees for £30... madness! My sister got a 5 ft real tree for £20 at Barnes Wetlands Centre. Far better price.

What type of tree do you put up?

Thanks Christina!

Christina sent me this delightful photo :) Love it!

Lil Chewy

In memory of our little furball, who went to Jesus on 3 September 2010, I had this little hamster made, in memory of her.

Still miss the lil blighter so much... even her hammy smell and tireless running in her squeaky wheel all night ;)

WLS stats

7 weeks post surgery: 10.5 kgs weight loss.

Total weight loss (including pre op weight loss): 17.5kgs