September 2nd, 2010 / 2 Comments » / by Greis
Before I proclaimed my love for a certain ex boy band member gone solo artist…
My heart belonged to Dylan McKay!!!
Beverly Hills 90210 was my favorite show. For 10 years (1990 – 2000) I looked forward to the weekly distraction of my fictional friends in Beverly Hills. The drama made me forget my “real” life for an hour. Back then I dreamt* of attending West Beverly, getting a summer job at the Beverly Hills Beach Club and marrying Dylan.
So today I pay homage to my favorite show and wish you all a Happy 90210 Day!!!
I hope it’s filled with less drugs, more love triangles and a never ending supply of Peach Pit burgers, fries and milk shakes!
*Today I dream of marrying Justin Timberlake. Dreams, I have’em!
Posted in: Random
Tags: 90210, Beverly Hills 90210, television
August 31st, 2010 / 15 Comments » / by Greis
Part 1
I was discharged from the hospital around 10:30 in the morning. My daddy was there to pick me up. I was just so glad to finally be leaving. 2 nights in the hospital felt like FOREVER. I got no real sleep or rest. There are way too many nurses coming in at all hours of the day/night to check on different vitals and such. I was ready to be in a real bed, my bed my parents very comfy guest room bed.
I went straight to bed upon arriving at my parents house. The rest, though not very long, was great. The first few days post-op at home were uncomfortable. It was a little painful going from a laying down to sitting up position. It wasn’t so much my outer incisions that were bothering me, it was more of an internal pain. It was a very tolerable pain, but pain none the less. My prescribed pain meds definitely came in handy for those first few days.
I slept a LOT in the 2 weeks that I was out of work on disability. The surgery took so much out of me and since I’m not eating as many calories daily my energy has been low. From what I hear I should start to gain back my energy as the weeks go by. I have slowly started to feel more energized, but O.M.G. I’m still so tired ALL.THE.TIME.
Today is exactly 8 weeks since I began the pre-surgery process (and 6 weeks since surgery). I’m down 44 pounds and I feel great. I’m still getting used to my smaller stomach and to what I can and can not eat. It’s definitely different feeling FULL so quickly, sometimes after only a few bites of a meal. It’s also really weird to never feel hungry. Forcing myself to eat goes against everything I’ve ever known, but I have to eat, so I push myself to get in about 5 small meals a day. I try to eat some source of protein with every meal, though I’m still having a hard time getting my entire recommended amounts of protein in daily. 80 grams is a LOT of protein, yo!!! I really need to find a protein shake that tastes good, any suggestions?
Thank you all for your support the past 8 weeks. I appreciate you all more than you will ever possibly know. I will continue to update you all on my journey, my plan is once a month, and will hopefully post before and after pictures soon (ish).
XOXO
Posted in: Gastric Bypass, Real Life
Tags: Gastric Bypass Surgery, surgery
August 27th, 2010 / 5 Comments » / by Greis
Part 2 of my surgery story is half written.
I plan on finishing it EVERY day.
But then I don’t.
I’m just plain lazy lately.
And unmotivated.
For that I’m sorry.
I’m hoping to get my groove back soon.
Until then I leave you with this:
Since surgery one of the most popular questions that I get is about food. Everyone wants to know what I eat now and how much. It’s really hard to explain. This picture illustrates a typical dinner for me, all served on a small plate. The fish is lightly breaded, baked and a good source of protein.
7 weeks ago a portion of food like this would have left me starving for more.
Now I struggle to finish it all.
I’m still getting used to everything.
And still so very tired.
Posted in: Gastric Bypass, Real Life
Tags: Food, Gastric Bypass Surgery
August 17th, 2010 / 9 Comments » / by Greis
Do you have what it takes to pick WINNERS? Or in my case LOSERS!
Do you want to have a little friendly fun with other football lovin’ (and some non-loving’) bloggers?
If so, you have what the BFL is lookin’ for.
We’re changing things up around here for the 2010 season, thanks to @CountessMo for the most awesome suggestion! Rather than clog our blogs with weekly football picks, I’m sure it gets annoying after while, I have created a league over at the HGTVPro’s Builders Football League site.
All you have to do is create a profile over at HGTV’s site. Once you’re logged in click on the “Leagues” tab and search for “Blogger Football League”. The password to join our league is “GoTeamGo”. That’s it, you’re set and ready to go.
Starting the week of September 9th, you’ll login, weekly, to the HGTV site and pick the teams that you think will win that week. The site will keep track of everyone playing and of accumulated points for the week/season. We’ll compete against each other for bragging rights. The weekly winner will receive a most awesome winner’s badge, it’s highly coveted around here, and the person with the most points at the end of the season will be crowned BFL 2010 Champion.
So, you wanna play, right?
Grab a badge, tell your friends (ANYONE can play, the more the merrier!), go sign up and link up below!
Good luck to you all!
Posted in: BFL, Sports
Tags: BFL, Blogger Football League
August 16th, 2010 / 5 Comments » / by Greis
I haven’t forgotten about you all, I promise!
I’m working on Part 2 of my Surgery Update…I should have it up in a day or 2. Work has been crazy, I’ve been tired and well SLACKER should be my middle name.
While you’re waiting you should head on over to Room704. The August issue was released last week. We’re talking about GROWTH this month and you can TOTES read all about my newest obsession!
Also, do you have any questions for me about my surgery, my recovery or life after surgery? Leave any questions you have in the comments, I’m hoping to do a FAQ post soon, and I’ll be sure to answer them.
Thanks for hanging around and checking in. I promise to get better at posting and checking in once my energy levels feel normal again.
Have a great week!
Posted in: Random
Tags: Room 704, slacker
August 4th, 2010 / 19 Comments » / by Greis
It’s that time of year again.
The time of year that most bloggers have been counting down to for months.
It’s Blogher time!
Thousands of women (and some men) are traveling, will be traveling or have already arrived in New York City for the main event, one of the largest blogging conferences of the year. They will all be gathering at the New York Hilton for a weekend full of friends, drinks, laughs, learning, pictures, fun and did I mention drinks?!?
The Interwebz have been a buzz with excitement all week. From what to wear, what parties to go to and what sessions to attend everyone is talking about Blogher. And I’m starting to feel left out.
I attended my first Blogher last year in Chicago. I made new friends, sat in on some really amazing sessions, attended fun parties, had dinner with strangers and laughed until my sides hurt. I was supposed to leave this morning for NYC to partake in my 2nd Blogher. When I booked my trip I was beyond excited to see friends, meet new ones and have a great weekend in a great city. But, as we all know, sometimes life gets in the way.
When I decided to have surgery I had to make a big decision; you see a good friend will be getting married, in San Diego, in September. I really wanted to attend the wedding, but I really wanted to attend Blogher too. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do both, you know, since I still haven’t found that money tree. I would either have surgery early in the summer and attend the wedding or attend Blogher and have surgery later in the year. I decided that there would always be another Blogher, but there would only be ONE wedding, so I scheduled my surgery and canceled my trip to NYC. I never in a million years thought it would be so hard to miss out on such a fun weekend.
So, here I sit reading about all the fun that is already being had in my most favorite city. The excursions out on the town, the Broadway Shows, the sure to be an all-nighter in the lobby bar, taxi fun, wi-fi issues, pizza, hot dogs, waffle carts, frozen hot chocolate, party planes and the excitement of those ladies that will be traveling in the morning.
I know that the decision I made was for the best. Attending the wedding in September will be something I’ll look back at years from now and be so glad that I was there, but I’m still so bummed that so much fun is being had and I’m not there to partake in it all.
If you are heading to New York I wish you safe travels and LOTS of fun times. Please hug EVERYONE on my behalf, be careful, always use protection and have a drink, or 12, for me! I will miss you all, but you better believe that it’s totally on in 2011!!
P.S. – Cindy @poobou you promised drunken texts and I’m totally expecting them at some point, please don’t disappoint!
P.P.S – Stacey @anymommy I will definitely be texting or calling you during one of your “OMG Baby Nater is sleeping” hall parties!!!
Posted in: BlogHer
Tags: Blogher10, Conferences, Woe is Me
August 3rd, 2010 / 7 Comments » / by Greis
It’s been exactly 2 weeks since my surgery and I’m doing amazing! Sorry it has taken so long for me to update, but surgery, exhaustion, life and my all around SLACKERness totally kept me from writing.
My starting weight 2 weeks prior to surgery, when I began the LIQUID diet, was 306 pounds. It was my highest weight ever. The day of surgery I weighed in at 289 pounds (17 pounds lost in 2 weeks). I went in for surgery ready for the procedure to be completed. I’d done my research, talked to lots of people that had also had the surgery done and was really confident with my decision. Everyone kept asking if I was nervous and I wasn’t. I felt more calm than I could have ever imagined. I knew I was doing what was right for me and I was ready!
The day after surgery I was X-Rayed to be sure that everything internally was connected and working correctly. The doctor said everything looked great and that I was doing very well. At this point I had a Morphine button and the pain was minimal, everyone should have a morphine button at some point in their life. 
Upon returning to my room the nurse disconnected me from everything except the IV and told me that if I peed the required amount that I would be discharged that afternoon. I really wanted to go home, but my bladder had different plans. I was finally drinking liquids again, I was walking the hospital halls for some exercise and I tried really hard to make the pee come. It wasn’t. I’d have the urge and then nothing. My bladder was on strike and I was very disappointed.
The nurse informed me, around 7 p.m., that my dreams of leaving the hospital were not going to come true. They needed to keep me overnight, you know, to pee. That second night in the hospital was miserable. I was started on a second IV, one that was fast moving and would hopefully help me use the potty, and the nurses were getting me up every hour or two so that I could try. Our efforts were victorious and I finally peed the required amount. I was discharged the next morning.
To be continued…
Posted in: Gastric Bypass, Real Life
Tags: Gastric Bypass Surgery, surgery
July 19th, 2010 / 14 Comments » / by Greis
As I sit in bed trying to write down my most current thoughts on the BIG surgery that will be taking place tomorrow, I keep being interrupted by a rumbly tummy. You see, that’s what happens when you guzzle an entire, 10 ounce, bottle of Magnesium Citrate. Apparently the doctors like it when their work spaces are clean, work spaces being my insides. So, not only have I been on a liquid diet for 2 weeks, now I can’t stop pooping.
Tomorrow’s the day. I’ll be checking into the hospital at 8 a.m. for a scheduled 10 a.m. surgery.
Everyone keeps asking me if I’m nervous or scared and I’m really not. I’m really confident in my decision and know that my doctor really knows what he’s doing. I’m ready to get the procedure done and be on my way to a healthier life. There is no doubt in my mind that everything will be fine and run smoothly!
I’m not sure how in or out of things I’ll be after surgery, so I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to update Twitter or Facebook, I will do my best to update as soon as possible. If you follow @poobou on Twitter she will be getting a text of my status and has my full permission to update everyone, so you can always check in with her. (update: Cindy totally made me cry with this post.)
Thank you all for your love, support and happy surgery juju. I appreciate you all so very much!!
XOXO
Posted in: Gastric Bypass
Tags: Gastric Bypass Surgery, surgery
July 13th, 2010 / 23 Comments » / by Greis
In ONE week:
There will be hospital gowns…
IV’s…
Anesthesia…
Oxygen…
Wires…
Tubes…
And so much more.
The time has flown by and surgery is getting closer and closer. By this time next week I should be recovering in my private hospital room, likely high on something. I’m not sure if I’m more nervous about the actual surgery or the fact that a catheter will be involved. It’s a major surgery and I’m more worried about a catheter, really?!? It’s the little things that worry me most.
I’ll update more soon, promise!
Posted in: Gastric Bypass
Tags: Gastric Bypass Surgery, surgery
July 6th, 2010 / 31 Comments » / by Greis
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
The comments and support that I received on this post were overwhelming and AWESOME. When I wrote that post I wasn’t sure of the reaction that I would get. I was a little skeptical about writing it. I’m glad I did and I’m so grateful that I have so many friends that will be there to support me on my journey.
So, it’s official…my surgery has been scheduled.
In exactly 2 weeks, July 20, I will be undergoing Gastric Bypass surgery. I underwent my pre-op appointments today…blood was drawn, EKG’s were given and I signed my life away to the hospital and the doctor’s office.
For the next 2 weeks I will be on a mandatory liquid only, pre-surgery, diet. I’ll be consuming protein shakes, lots of water, sugar-free gelatin, pudding, sports drinks, yogurt, broth, cream soup (strained), vegetable juice, natural fruit juice and skim milk. I’m not supposed to consume more than 900 calories a day. Not only will this get my body/stomach ready for surgery & post-surgery it will also help me drop some pre-surgery pounds. One day in and I’m already craving “real” food. Food issues…I have them.
My starting weight, today, July 6 was 306 pounds.
I’ve got a long way to go to getting healthy, but I’m on the right track. Step by step and one day at a time I will get there. If you’re the praying type (or not)…thoughts, prayers and happy surgery vibes will be greatly appreciated on July 20.
Now, to set some goals…
Posted in: My Journey
Tags: Gastric Bypass Surgery, Weight Loss
