6 Month Post-op

An open letter to my team at WeightWise!

March 5, 2012

Dear Team,

I was in the Weight Wise offices today for my 6 month follow-up. I have a lot of time to think during my 3 hour drive from Fort Worth. I always think about the changes that have taken place from the beginning of this weight loss journey. The true beginning for me is from Dec 2010 when I was at my heaviest known weight of 285 pounds. I went through a couple of stages of the popular HCG diet and actually did really well the first time around but tapered off by my 3rd attempt and re-gained half the weight I had lost within months. 

November 2010 before I went on the HCG diet

I had my consult with Dr. Broussard on July 11, 2011. 274 pounds

the beginning...

He was my second consult and I knew coming in what I wanted. I had already decided on Gastric Sleeve Surgery and was ready for whatever it took to get me to surgery. I also was already prepared for all the pre-requisites there would be having heard about all of that at the info meeting prior to consultation. I didn’t care, my mind was made up and I was ready to do whatever I needed to do! It seems the process might be a little easier when you’re a self-pay patient as I’ve heard a lot of stories about those dealing through insurance! I’m so thankful we were blessed at the right time and able to do this and remain debt-free! 

September 13, 2011: Surgery Day. 253 pounds

Only pic I took of myself on surgery day

I was a bundle of nerves.  I can’t remember my pre-op nurses name, but she re-assured me that everything would be great! She told me she was Dr. B’s very first VSG Patient and a little about her story and success. She looked great and that was enough for me. The last thing I remember before going under was asking someone in the surgery room if they would be taking any pictures inside me?! I wanted to know b/c 1) I’m a Massage Therapist and the body is my business. and 2) I’m fascinated by the Body Worlds Expeditions and thought it’d be cool to see my own insides... probably better I didn’t though. Anyhoo, Surgery was great from what I could tell. I have a vague memory of coming out of anesthesia in my recovery room, seeing my hubby through blurred vision across the room. Waking up, sipping water, sleeping, waking up, sipping water, sleeping... and finally having to actually get up and move around. Over all the pain was very tolerable after the first day. My after care nurse was SUPER sweet! Wish I could remember her name too... Somebody find out and tell her thank you from me!

In the weeks and months following my surgery I have been through (I’m sure) the typical roller coaster ride that most bariatric patients go through. However, I will say that I truly have been blessed with a smooth ride! No complications, few mis-haps, and a lot of progress! 

Nov 2010 vs Nov 2011

I started training for a 1/2 marathon in November, only about 8 weeks post-op! I started out walking, but there was an urging inside that told me to run! So I began somewhere around an 18 minute mile walking and am currently averaging between 12/13 minute mile at a light run, walking as needed. Every Saturday the team does the longer runs, and every time I achieve a new distance I get emotional b/c I never was able to run 1 mile before, but here I am running 6...8...10... 12 MILES! the first time I ran 8 miles I was fighting the tears for the last two because I couldn’t believe I was actually running. It seems so simple now. Lots of people run. Young people run. Hell... even elderly people run! But I was never a runner... NOW I AM! I catch myself saying things like “it’s only 6 miles” or “I found my stride about mile 5...” I mean really, stuff that only runners would say. I have to give credit to Team in Training and my coaches and friends for helping and supporting me along the way! I WOULD NOT have done this alone!!! I could have, but I wouldn't have...

the runner!

   

After my first 10K! February 24, 2012

Some of the little things I think about from time to time or discover and either get emotional over or excited about... 


- Using a normal sized towel after my shower and it wraps all the way around me and closes at the ends! I used to use Bath sheets for that feeling... no more!

don't even have to hold it up!

-having people view me as a normal, healthy weight... I had a client comment on her own weight the other day in a way that made me feel like she didn't think I could relate to her being obese. She had never seen or met me before that day so how would she know that this time last year I was nearly 300 pounds?! This was an interesting pill to swallow for me!


-realizing at 185 that I was 100 pounds less than my heaviest known weight!

at 185 pounds holding 100 pounds of Brittney!

NYE 2011/2012

The dynamics of my marriage have also changed. We have had our moments in the 5 years we’ve been married. Moments where I would question if he was even attracted to me any more. The more I felt bad about my self, the worse it seemed that he felt about me too. My husband has been very supportive of my surgery from the get go. He doesn’t show emotion well, but I knew he was worried about me going into surgery and the healing process afterward. It may be hard for him to understand the mood swings or crying over food loss. But he is certainly enjoying all the rewards that come with this process! He tells me how pretty I am all the time, looks at me differently than before and likes to threaten me that he’s going to tell on me when I eat something I’m not supposed to.  I am actually 30 pounds smaller now than I was when he met me! So he is now getting to know a whole new version of me, as I transform! He has made it all about taking care of me for a while now and I’ll be glad to support him the same when he begins his journey to optimal health as well! 

Inspiring others: I never ever considered going into this that I would be an inspiration to others. Especially to those who are unable to go through this procedure. I’m starting to understand why, but it’s still hard to wrap my head around it. I want to encourage people to start somewhere, even if it’s just giving up soda’s it’s a step in the right direction. Sign up for a 5K and give yourself a reason to train! Having this influence on others give’s me extra pressure to succeed and stay on task. I’m much more of a goal setter now than I was before, and I have the motivation and confidence to achieve those goals now! I've never had so many people telling me that I'M inspiring THEM! This is very humbling!

6 Month post op, weighed in at 178!! 3/05/2012

So, as I sit here nearly 6 months post op and reflect on progress... I’m thankful for now having a life worth living! I’m thankful that what I’ve gained has been more than a tool for me but a tool to motivate others around me! I’m thankful that I can run! I’m thankful that I’m 25ish pounds from goal in such a short amount of time! I’m thankful that I can wake up every morning and like what I see in the mirror! 

       

6 week post op, weight around 225 (October 2011)

Dr. Broussard, I would like to say to you that I am forever grateful for the path in which you chose to pursue as a Bariatric Surgeon. You have been given a gift as talented surgeon and are using those skills to change peoples lives for the better. You have been kind and straight forward with me from the get go and I always look forward to making you smile when you open that door for follow-up! 

Chris, Always so energetic and uplifting! Even when I know you’re going to get on to me about the things I eat/drink or my lack of vitamins I still enjoy visiting with you! The program you have created along side Dr. Broussard has been amazing for me. Difficult at times, but it works! I hope to remain a long term success story that you all can brag about for years to come! 

Lauren, I’m so excited to have become a runner of these 6 months! I hated when I first started and you were telling me not to take it too fast! I’m content with my current pace and progress and look forward to running the relay with you in April!! Thank you for the motivation and encouragement!


This whole experience has been so great from the start with everyone at Weight Wise! I am right now at 175 pounds! Just 10 days from running my first 1/2 marathon. Running my 2nd 10k this weekend and I feel fantastic! I cannot believe the difference this has made on my life! ... and it feels like just the beginning!

Sincerely,

Susan Griffith

I'm not Josey Grossie anymore!!

This is how I feel today:






Okay, so I wasn't a super tortured geek in High school or anything like that, but I'm referring to the part where she screams out those words! Like she feels it and believes it! AND she LIKES it!


It's a day to celebrate! In a new way! But first, lets review:


FALL 2010 - just before I started the HCG diet. This hideous picture is what 285 pounds looks like on my 5'3" frame. I hate this picture but it's one of the best before pictures I have of me at my heaviest. I lost 25 or so pounds the first go round on HCG... followed by another 5 or so in the second round of HCG. I then made a weak attempt at another go round on HCG and gave up.  It was a hard month to be on a diet. Lots of celebrating of birthdays and other sorry excuses not to follow the plan.

Fast Forward to July: I had a consult with Dr. Kim in May 2011, and decided to shop around. Then a second Consult with my surgeon Dr.  Broussard. Here's what I looked like at 274 pounds which is what I weighed when I met Dr. B. This image is even worse than the one above. I refuse to ever look this way again!!

TODAY: We took the following pictures today after my shift at work. The first picture is me (obviously) weighing 185!! The second picture is Brittney. She weighs 102! The third picture is me holding the amount weight that I've lost! A whole Brittney!! it's UN-BELIEVABLE the changes that people see in me daily and the way I feel NOW compared to how I felt before! I know I know... I'm two pounds off on my calculations of what she weighs compared to what I've lost, but I couldn't wait any longer to post about losing ONE HUNDRED POUNDS!!

I am currently only 35 pounds from my goal of 150! 

I'm thrilled with the results of my Gastric Sleeve Surgery so far! 

Thanks to the staff of WeightWise Bariatrics

Also the support of my Friends, Family, Co-workers and Clients has been so encouraging!

I celebrate this 100lb loss with a 4 mile run with Rhonda and a relaxing night at home with TJ! 

I joined 24 hour fitness yesterday and will start some weight training to tone up these flabby arms and thighs! maybe I'll start working on my abs too... 

35 pounds to go, just over 7 weeks until the Dallas Rock n Roll, exactly 50 days until my 32nd Birthday... It's looking like a great couple of months ahead! 

Fight-Conquer-Thrive

Survive-Prosper-Rise

I came to WIN!

HONEY BBQ BACON ELK LOAF with GARLIC PARMESAN FAUX-TATOES

HONEY BBQ BACON ELK LOAF with GARLIC PARMESAN FAUX-TATOES

I highly recommend this easy dinner as a great alternative to the normal Meatloaf and Mash Potato regime. I did not grow up eating Meatloaf. In fact I don't even remember my mom EVER making meatloaf. The first time I tried it was a time that I had made it for my hubby who was only my boyfriend at the time. He also could not believe I had never had meatloaf. Anyway, fast-forward to today and I have had many a meatloaf... various meats, mixes of veggies and sauces... however, the flavor of tonight's meatloaf was far superior! I will say though, using a VERY lean meat such as Elk may require a little more binder than what the recipe had called for. I might try it with and egg next time just to see if it holds together better. My addition of Bacon may have been the only thing keeping my loaves in true form! Whether it crumbles for you or not, it was still very delicious! 

Note for Bariatrics: (since that's what this blog is supposed to be about anyway) the pic above is the portion I served myself. I finished off the meat, but only ate about a third of the faux-tatoes. I have gotten into the habit of serving my portions on a side plate or dessert plate. The portions above are about 4oz of each item. I ate small bites and paced myself and was very satisfied with the portion I consumed! 

Recipe Adapted from the one found HERE

Honey Barbecue Meatloaf

serves 4

1 lb 90% lean ground beef
1 slice white bread, ground to crumbs in food processor -or- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
3/4 cup smoky barbecue sauce, divided
2 tablespoons honey, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Toss one slice of soft white bread in your food processor and grind it into crumbs.
In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together the ground beef, fresh bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce, the spicy brown mustard, 1/2 cup of the barbecue sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, salt, and black pepper.
Shape the mixture into a long, thick log and place in an oiled baking dish. Be careful not to pack the meat too tightly or you’ll end up with a very dense, tough loaf.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, and 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce. Spread half of this mixture evenly all over the meatloaf. Reserve the other half for serving.
Bake for 45 minutes. Slice and drizzle with reserved honey barbecue sauce.

Nutrition info for 1 serving: Calories: 310, Fat: 14.9g, Cholesterol: 58.7mg, Carb: 25.8g, Fiber: 0.7g, Sugars: 20g, Protein: 16.8g

My Ingredients List:

3 pounds ground Elk (enough for 2 loaves)

Sweet Baby Rays Original Sauce

Heavenly Honey 

(local Honey found in Colleyville at the Roman Orthodox Parish on Glade)

AND BACON!

all other ingredients the same as original recipe I just multiplied it for the amount of meat I had thawed out... We had small hamburger buns leftover from burgers a couple nights ago. I used one and a half instead of 3 slices of bread. My changes will obviously alter the Nutrition info as well. 

Directions for my additions: 

Follow all directions as listed in the original recipe. Then baste the loaves with the sauce. Apply the bacon. Baste with sauce again and place in oven for baking! I basted it once again half way through the cooking time.

Baste one more time before turning the oven to broil for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. 3 mins gave this perfect crispy caramelization to the bacon slathered in sauce!! Look how beautiful it is!

I served it with Garlic Parmesan Mashed Faux-tatoes! 

I have an unusual love affair for my Grandma's Mashed Potatoes. NOTHING will ever compare to how whipped and fluffy and buttery her mashed potatoes are. I look forward to them at every family holiday gathering! 


Since I am supposed to be cutting out the carbs I am seeking out alternatives to mashed potatoes. In the past I have tried on several occasions to make the Mashed Cauliflower alternatives and have never really liked any of the so-called fool proof recipes. Then there was Pinterest... which led me to the meatloaf recipe and then to this mashed cauliflower recipe! I loved the sound of this recipe as it is but I wanted to add Garlic and a little bit of Cream Cheese for a little extra something special. I need all the help I can get to mask that Cauliflower taste and smell! I just sprinkled about a teaspoon or so of garlic powder over the mix and diced up about 2oz of low fat cream cheese before mashing. I also suggest using an immersion blender after mashing to get a really smooth texture. I'm big about texture! They came out very tasty! I can still taste the cauliflower a little bit but I think it's mostly b/c I know that's what it is. I will definitely be making them this way again! Hope you Enjoy!

Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower

serves 4

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets, trimmed of as much of the stems as possible

1 large russet potato, peeled and cut into 1″ cubes

1/4 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon each, salt and pepper

Fill a large pot with about an inch and a half of water. Fit with a steamer basket and place the cauliflower and potatoes inside. Cover and steam until very tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Drain well and return the cooked vegetables to the empty pot on the stove top with the heat turned off. Allow them to stand for about 3 minutes to dry. Add sour cream, parmesan, salt, and pepper, and mash until smooth and well-combined. Serve with freshly minced chives.

Nutrition info for 1 serving: Calories: 127.2, Fat: 4.5g, Cholesterol: 9.3mg, Carb: 18.2g, Fiber: 4.3g, Sugar: 0.6g, Protein: 5.8g

 (Again - My addition of Cream Cheese -about 2 oz- would alter the nutrition info listed in the original recipe!)

Yes... there are carbs. Yess, this means I already failed my sticking to the program proclamation from the last post... whatever, there's always tomorrow. nobody's perfect. :-/

Confessions of a Carb Monster!

Confession time:

Since I've been running this has become increasing more of an issue for me: THE CARB MONSTER!!
we had a nutrition clinic after training yesterday and I was made known of this thing they call the carb monster... wow. I did not realize what I was doing had a name! and mine is a real BEAST too... Now, since I'm so not supposed to be eating carbs, most of what the nutrition expert spoke to us about was not applicable to me. However, I'm still in the process of learning what works best for me and I AM still losing weight at this point in my weight loss journey... My Dietitians words are lingering around in my mind about what is allowed as I do my training so this week I'm going to re-focus my efforts and stick to the plan!

I also really really need to concentrate on my water intake and taking my iron. I have been great about getting in my multi vitamins and calcium lately - probably because my hair is thinning like crazy right now and I'm scared of losing too much!! on the bright side it IS growing pretty long and I think I'm ready for a cut!

I talked to a friend earlier this week. A friend I met through this whole surgical process and I was sad to hear she was losing motivation and that her weight loss had stalled. It made me realize that I NEED to post about the bad days and maybe even more so than the good days... So what did my carb monster make me eat this week?

-oyster crackers - probably the most obvious of the problem b/c I start to feel an urge to munch - not hunger just the need to munch... these little bastards are tiny little bites of crack and what does crack do to people? it makes them crazy and crave more crack... so... no more crack-er's!
-bread - yes, bread. I've convinced myself that it's okay if its less than half a piece. well right now it's not okay. back to basics. no bread, rice, pasta, or potatoes. nuff said.
-chips & salsa/queso. On Thursday this guy from Cantina Laredo popped in at work and dropped of some  chips and queso and salsa. I think I had like 10 total. problem is I said one more and that's it, but had 2 more after that... and btw, it did NOT settle well in the tum tum. Dori does not like Cantina Laredo any more! <-- this may have contributed to my awful run on thursday night! ijs
-rice. I had rice - very little, but still rice, in my chinese food yesterday and today.

Anyway, it seems un-realistic to think I'll never eat these kind of carbs again, but for right now they are out of the question b/c they truly are addictive and lack the nutrition qualities that I need to be focusing on! Even though my weight loss is going well, slower now than the beginning (as expected) but going well, I still need to remind myself to make the right decisions for long term success!

One of the things that stuck out to me yesterday with the nutrition expert was about eating a larger breakfast than dinner. Well, this doesn't work for me. It seems like it takes all day for Dori (the little voice of my tummy) to build up the tolerance for food. I can definitely eat more at dinner than I can at Breakfast. Most days I'm good if I get in half of a protein bar for breakfast but dinner usually ends up being around 4 oz of meat and about 5 bites of veggies.

...and I lost my train of thought... I got side tracked watching one of Kellawanda's video updates where ironically, she talks about the carb monster...

I guess that's all for this update. I want to get some more pics up here and I will once I learn a little more about this new laptop!

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Ham, Provolone & Jalapeño Hot Pockets

I adapted an idea I saw on Pinterest to make these yummy little hot pockets!

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of Provolone

1 pkg of Hormel chopped ham

Two cans of crescent rolls

1-2 Jalapeño peppers

Garlic powder

Kitchen Aids: 

Cutting board

Sharp knife

Mini-Muffin Pan

Preheated Oven!

 

Start by cutting the cheese (cut the cheese, lol) into small cubes. Finely chop the jalapeño with or without seeds. Wear gloves if you are sensitive to the heat of the pepper. 

Next you will need to cut each section of crescent in half making two triangles out of each roll. Form a little bowl shape out of the crescent as you gently place it into a mini-muffin pan. 

Fill each crescent with the ingredients, then close the corners over the top.

Here is a picture of each step of stuffing the crescent roll:

Sprinkle the tops of each pocket with Garlic powder.

Bake according to the time on the crescent can, or until the tops are brown and slightly crunchy

Viola! Ham, Provolone and Jalapeño hot pockets! A delicious mini appetizer that's quick AND easy to make! The varieties are unlimited!

...and we're blogging, we're blogging..... I hate when I'm ready to write I can't decide where to start but when I'm working on a client and I can't stop to take a note or type something out I have all kinds of interesting things to point out about this journey I'm going through!!!

So this post is going to be completely random and may not have any kind of flow whatsoever. Bear with me here. The holidays were crazy busy... Christmas Eve at Grandma's, Christmas day at our house with TJ's family, and Christmas night sleepover with 3 of my nieces!

TJ's dad Married Dawn the day after Christmas and I made their wedding cake Christmas night.

Pretty good for a quick cake!

Made cupcakes for our friends' wedding on NYE:

Recent little victories that mean big things:

1) December, the week before Christmas, I broke the 200 barrier! Went out for a Bachelorette party and wore the sequin dress mentioned in a previous post... I don't have any great pics of me in that dress though! just a couple of poorly taken pics in the garage before I headed out for the night... 

2) December 28, 2011: Victoria shared her secret with me and it's awesome!! This means a couple of things to me. A: I can wear a normal size bra from a trendy store! B: I'm wearing VS size large undies... bypassed the XL's all together! C: somehow wearing VS really does make me feel a little sexy. 

Sorry if that's TMI.

3) Also in December: Wearing heels. I've always been super uncomfortable in heels. Well, my weight loss has resulted in shoes that I own that no longer fit. Yes, you lose weight in your feet too! So I went out on the mission to get some new ones and not just any kind of shoes. I wanted some heels. I found two great pair of black 3" heels (one pair, classic patent leather look, the other soft faux suede wedges) that are super comfy and look awesome on my skinnier feet! 

4) NYE, 2011: I'm Sexy & I know it!

Look out world! Inner Diva coming out! We attended our friends wedding and I took full advantage of the chance to dress to impress... my hubby! Here I am getting my hair done following my tanning and nail appointment! I stare at this pic of my face b/c I look so thin and feel so pretty, even without makeup! 

And here is the final product! I love this dress, my hair, the boots... dressing up is so much fun when you feel good about yourself!

5) January 14, 2012: I RAN 2 MILES! Saturday's training was an 8 mile run. I started with the intent of pushing the limits. and I did just that... not only was it two miles, but it was the last two miles of the eight! I can't recall a time that I've EVER run one mile so when I ran for 2, I knew I had arrived. it. was. awesome. The last 1/2 mile of mile 8 I was trying so hard not to cry like a bumbling idiot all over the treadmill!  

I recently saw a quote that states if you run, you're a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or slow, if you're running, you're a runner... I keep that in mind as I feel I have had to explain to people that while I am training for the 1/2 in March that I'm not actually running the whole time... it's irrelevant. If I'm running, I'm a runner! Wait, me? I'm a runner? Let me say that one more time... I'm a runner!!

or try this link to My Fundraising Page

Segway to weight loss progression... it's been slower this last month. although I had an interesting little spurt last week where I lost about 5 lbs in 6 days. While I'm still in the "rapid Weight loss" stage of this thing it has certainly tapered off drastically. Now, I say that and add to it that the inches continue to drop as well! I'm now wearing size large compression pants and large tops... even bought a medium the other day b/c it looked like it would fit now! Jeans are currently a 14. My clothing choices are very limited right now! I've unloaded another two huge bundles of clothes that are too big!

An interesting thing happened when I was having our internet installed on Monday. The AT&T guy mentioned that it looked as though I had lost a lot of weight. Now, he didn't really approach it carefully, but I wasn't offended. I realized he must have observed the photo's around the house and could see the difference. I told him I had surgery in September and how much I had lost... He told me his wife had been thinking about it herself and continued to ask me about it. I ended up giving him my card and wrote my blog site on the back so she could read about my progress... I enjoy telling people about what I'm going through, all aspects of it (if you hadn't noticed).

I guess I'll close here! I have lots of cupcakes to bake tomorrow!

Current Weight: 191
Started at 273
Surgery day: 253
13 months ago: 285

New pic...

Updates coming soon I promise! Count down to Internet for the new MacBook... 5 days!

Stay tuned!

~Susan
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ntx/rnrdall12/sgriffith