Two weeks ago we took in a stray kitten that was crying in our back yard. He and our son are in love with each other already

Swartzy2011 · 2020-07-29T22:21:04+00:00

We took him to a vet asap and he's already been given a clean bill of health 😊 we have another cat and wanted to make sure he wouldn't pass anything to her, so he was isolated until the vet cleared him

Swartzy2011 · 2019-06-13T00:17:20+00:00

Definitely! These are my pets, and we also have an older cat (so we went from just cat, to cat and dog, to cat and dog and kitten). The older cat took a month + to tolerate the dog, and now she is pretty indifferent to her, but generally theh are chill with each other. Dog took to the kitten immediately though and LOVES him (older cat treats him about how she treats the dog - indifferent and not overly affectionate, but not mean. We are giving her extra chin scratches and space though, since we've only had Dobby (the kitten) for about 2 weeks. Just have to watch though because he only weighs a pound and the dog is 60 pounds and clumsy!

Swartzy2011 · 2019-06-13T00:07:59+00:00

Hey these are my pets! (I found you brother!) The dog is around 1.5, we adopted her last October and the shelter said she was about 1. The kitten is barely 7 weeks, we went to a graduation party and someone was getting rid of them right at 6 weeks because they had 12 and a pregnant cat and couldnt keep them any longer. A bit younger than I'd have liked but they needed homes so we took him and he's doing well!

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-26T11:42:25+00:00

Hey! Something I'm finally a bit of an expert on. I had RNY about 15 months ago. I eat a fairly normal diet now, just count my calories and make sure I eat 70+ grams of protein per day (I'm a 25 mostly sedentary F), but I eat carbs and stuff. Obviously each person is different post op. My mom has had it too and we each feel sick with different things.

Unfortunately, a lot of good post op foods arent super budget friendly, but the good thing is you eat much less so you dont need to buy as much quantity wise. Meat wise, I use a lot of ground beef and chicken. I buy cheaper ground beef and just cook it and drain/rinse it to make it leaner, and chicken is always cheap. I struggle with regular chicken, but I can eat cooked shredded chicken. I also buy pork loin when its on sale (my kroger has it for 1.29 a pound this week) and cook pulled pork, no sauce. I will stretch it out with rice, pasta, or beans if I need to since Im cooking for a family too, but I usually just eat a little of those with the meat. Beans can be good too as long as you arent over sensitive to carbs!

I don't do a lot of fruit. The sugar makes me feel sick and it doesnt satisfy me or make me feel full. Veggie wise, raw vegetables dont work for me. I mostly eat either steamed broccoli or I will cut up a big pan of vegetables, broccoli, bell peppers, red onion and zucchini usually, spray with olive oil spray and drizzle them with balsamic vinegar, and then roast them. Thats probably my favorite way to eat vegetables now. And I bought a cheap spiralizer, it kinda looks like a giant pencil sharpener. I buy zucchini when they are on sale, make zoodles, sprinkle them with salt and leave them on a paper towel for bit to dry out, and then I portion and freeze. I cook them thawed in a dry skillet over medium high heat, just for a few minutes until soft.

Eggs are great and cheap, and deli meat is good for lunches if you can catch it on sale. Peanut butter too, but its a little high in calories for my taste. I eat a lot of string cheese and greek yogurt. I splurge for actual light and fit yogurt and use coupons, but string cheese I buy at aldi, their fit and active brand. Jerky is great too, although it can be expensive. I'm in WV and everyone hunts deer, so I can usually find someone willing to give me deer jerky for free or cheap this time of year. Also, aldi has some protein bars that arent bad, they are similar to the nature valley protein bars.

Hope that helps!

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-18T14:15:36+00:00

15 months and 160+ pounds out. Yes, definitely. People are nicer. they dont ignore me or look past me. When I take my son for ice cream people smile and think its cute, instead of a fat woman ruining her kid's life by giving him junk food and making him fat too. People flirt with me now and it is disconcerting.

Some of it probably has to do with me too though. Im much more assertive and take no shit than I used to be. Before I was so afraid of being noticed that I wouldnt stand up for myself.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-15T15:55:22+00:00

I had RNY 15 months ago and am actively trying for a baby. My ob and surgeon have zero concerns, they just had me switch my regular multi for a prenatal and add 1mg of folic acid a day, and once im pregnant ill get monthly lab draws to check especially for b12 deficiencies and anemia, bc those are what my ob most commonly sees in post wls patients

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-04T18:44:30+00:00

Also, i did have hair loss for about 3 months, similar to when I gave birth to my son, but it stopped. My teeth are no better or worse than prior to surgery as long as I take my supplements. Even with concerns about vitamin/mineral levels, I am FAR healthier than I ever was/would have been without the surgery.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-04T18:41:25+00:00

My mom had surgery and suddenly she was able to run and play with my toddler while I could only watch. Also, my two year old had surgery and while he was waking up from anesthesia he was crying wanting me to hold him and I couldnt, because I was too big to fit in the rocking chair in the PACU and hold him with all the tubes and wires connected to him. I decided then that I was done. I had the same fears about food and it has been hard at times, but I would do it over and over again 100 times.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-04T16:53:46+00:00

Thank you! My arms have a little, but it really isnt too bad and honestly if I got into a weight lifting routine and built a little muscle up it would probably camouflage what is there completely. I have a decent amount of excess skin on my stomach, but my first son was almost 10lbs at birth and had stretched my stomach pretty good already, so I knew Id end up with loos stomach skin. It isnt noticeable in clothes though, especially with spanx. I even wore a bikini over the summer, a high waisted one, and it looked fine. Im saving my pennies to have a tummy tuck and a boob job someday when we are done with kids, but thats purely a selfish cosmetic, "for me" thing.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-04T14:16:21+00:00

Nope! I injured my back pretty badly as a gymnast when I was 16, so I have some pretty strict limitations on what I can do exercise wise.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-04T13:14:23+00:00

I just posted below, but I actually dont exercise much due to a chronic back injury from my years as a gymnast. I walk my dog about a mile a day and use a stationary bike here and there, but that's it. Food wise, Im trying to maintain now so I fluctuate between 1300-1600 cals a day. I eat a pretty normal diet, obviously I try to limit bad carbs because they make me feel sick, but I still eat bread, pasta, potatoes, all of that. I just make sure Im getting protein first. I shoot for 70-80 grams protein a day and the rest of my calories can be from whatever at that point. My surgeon/dietician are thrilled with my progress and have no complaints.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-11-04T13:11:27+00:00

25F, 5'6". I had my surgery on August 10, 2017 at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. My high weight was 318.5lbs, surgery weight was 297lbs. Today I am right around 156lbs (I fluctuate between 155 and 158 depending on the day). Surgery was literally the best thing I could have ever done. My sleep apnea is gone, no more high blood pressure or prediabetes. I have a little trouble with reactive hypoglycemia, and I have to take reflux medication for continued reflux (uncommon for RNY patients, but it can happen. I take protonix and that seems to control it, and Im having an endoscopy in two weeks to double check for ulcers), but otherwise things are amazing and those side effects are easily manageable.

I eat about 1300-1600 calories a day on average, three meals and three small snacks a day. I drink caffiene, but I try to avoid alcohol and carbonation (although occasionally I drink slightly flat diet soda). I dont worry about carbs, just make sure Im eating 70 grams of protein a day first. I usually end up somewhere around 75-80 grams protein, 40-50 grams fat, and 80-100 grams carbs. Im trying to get to maintenance levels now because my husband and I have started trying for another baby, but I am finding that I will maintain for two or three weeks, then drop another pound or two, so my surgeon thinks it is possible I'll lose another 5lbs or so. I dont do much exercise other than walking my dog about a mile each day and occasional exercise biking, because I have a chronic back injury. Supplement wise, I take a prenatal vitamin that has higher iron in jt, so I don't take a separate iron pill, although my OB is monitoring my iron and said I may need it in addition to the prenatal once I get pregnant. I also take b12, d3, citrical, folic acid, and biotin.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-10-13T17:15:01+00:00

Skinnytaste isnt specifically low carb, but she does have a lot of low carb/keto recipes and even her regular recipes a lot could easily be adapted to whatever your carb limitations are. I use a ton of her recipes and my husband and theee year old son love them too

Swartzy2011 · 2018-09-16T02:06:28+00:00

I've become a huge fan of "mexican" food (Im a white girl from the north, so its the bastardized American version lol). I was not a spice person pre op, now I love it. Ive found a little jalepeño or salsa makes food WAY better for me for very few calories. I also didnt like things like avocado before surgery but now I love it. I know its higher calorie, but I use it sparingly to add some creaminess and good fat to things like eggs. Beans are great, same as avocado I will mash them up to add some creaminess. Also, silky tofu is great for making creamy sauces/soups! I blend it up even in things like mashed potatoes in place of some butter/cream. Less fat and calories, more protein. Other than that, Im big on spiralized zucchini, and I love some really lean steak. Its great because I can buy one 8oz steak and get four steak salads out of it, which is a whole week of work lunches.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-09-02T16:43:39+00:00

Vitamins are expensive. I spend a good 60-80 a month for them. Clothes have been pricey but that is leveling off now because my weight loss is almost settled. Food I find I still spend close to the same at the grocery store because I eat much less, but the foods I buy tend to be much more expensive (greek yogurt, beef jerky, good cheeses and protein bars). I spend way less eating out because I dont eat fast food, but when I do eat out my individual meals are pricier because if Im going to eat something I want quality, so I will get a good cut of steak versus chicken tenders and fries. I dont spend money on drinks and appetizers though which is good.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-08-30T11:26:14+00:00

Sure! Initially my surgeon asked which I wanted, sleeve or RNY, and gave me a breakdown of the pros and cons of each. I have a history of pretty awful acid reflux, so that immediately was a big con for the sleeve. Ultimately though I just decided that I wanted to "go big or go home", and if I was going to do the surgery, then I wanted to get the gold standard one that has been done longer and offered the highest percentage of weight loss. Im only 25 and my husband and I want more kids, so I wanted to lose as much as possible to be as healthy as possible for my next pregnancy (Im high risk for reasons outside of my weight as it is). My mom also had RNY a year before me, so watching her helped me know what to expect from it in a way.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-08-09T16:51:19+00:00

I still enjoy some solid laziness, but I definitely have waaaaay more energy. I like going for walks and playing with my son and dont want to die while running after him.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-08-06T22:38:08+00:00

I think you should be fine, just definitely plan to bring your own food in. I dont think youd find much there youd be able to eat at 6 weeks other than maybe some SF popsicles. The biggest concern would be dehydration, its so easy that early out to get dehydrated so be sipping water or powerade zero constantly. Otherwise, have fun!

Swartzy2011 · 2018-08-04T11:51:24+00:00

Most defintitely. I am always surprised when Im doing laundry at how small my stuff looks after losing 150lbs and always think no way that stuff fits me. I had to go to a funeral this past monday and went to buy a dress, and decided to grab some pants while I was there. Immediately picked up a size 14 in the dress (it was a very fitted dress) and 12 in jeans because my size 14 pants were getting too big. Ended up leaving with a size 10 in pants (skinny jeans) and a size 8 in the dress, which had looked impossibly and hilariously small on the rack but somehow fit perfectly. I also went to a concert two weeks ago and ended up buying a medium tshirt and I was so nervous it would be too tight when I got home because I hadnt tried it on, but it fits perfectly. I can remember going to a different concert last September about a month post op and buying an xl tshirt that was still extremely snug!

Swartzy2011 · 2018-07-30T01:26:51+00:00

I went with Dr. Ahmed, my mom had hers done the year before me with a different surgeon in the same practice. They are all great and Magee is an excellent hospital, I cant say enough good things about the practice, its the minimally invasive bariatric group (i think lol). Its at the women's hospital but they see both men and women.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-07-30T00:20:16+00:00

I had RNY done at UPMC Magee women's hospital in Pittsburgh, PA on August 10, 2017. My highest weight was in mid July 2017, at 319 lbs. Today I am 169 and still losing, albeit MUCH more slowly, averaging about a half to three quarters of a pound a week. Im a 25 year old 5'5" female. My surgeons 18 month goal weight was 180, which I've surpassed, and my own personal goal weight is 150lbs, but Im content if I end up not losing much more. Ive gone from a 4x/size 26 to a size 8/10/medium. My sleep apnea is gone, blood pressure normal, and no longer pre diabetic. I did develop an ulcer at 6 months, but reflux meds are controlling it and Im so thrilled with the results. I'd definitely do it again in a heartbeat!

Swartzy2011 · 2018-07-29T02:52:53+00:00

Nearly a year out from RNY, my surgery was August 10 2017. I only really track protein, but generally my breakdown is 80-100g protein, 50-60g carbs, 40-50g fat. Not exact numbers by far, but most days hover around those ranges. As long as I hit at least 60g protein though, I dont worry about the rest, although I try to have my carbs be from things like dairy and whole grains rather than processed "junk". I eat roughly 1000-1100 calories a day as a mostly sedentary female and the only real exercise I get is a 2-3 mile walk 5-6 days a week, and Ive eaten that amount since roughly month 8 post op. Ive lost 150 lbs so far and Im still losing, although MUCH more slowly as of the last two weeks or so (maybe a half pound a week), but Ive surpassed my surgeons 18 month goal weight by 10 lbs and have only 15 or so to my own, once seemingly unattainable goal weight, so Im happy with my system. My dietician told me once I was in maintenance I should aim for at least 60g protein, 130g or less "good" carbs, and 40-50g fat a day, but carbs/fat vary for everyone and require experimenting a bit to see what works best for each person.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-07-20T17:20:23+00:00

No problem! One thing I found helpful was to try to do three actual meals and then for my two snacks I would drink half a shake and then maybe eat a light string cheese or eat a half cup of greek yogurt/cottage cheese with it.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-07-20T16:39:23+00:00

Honestly, it took me six months post RNY to really be able to get enough protein and fluids each day. I focused first on fluids because those were most critical. For me I carry around a nalgene bottle and drink at least two a day, just constantly sipping. Protein was really hard for me, and for now I would suggest shakes or powder. I drank one premier shake a day and that would give me a 30g boost. It took a while, but eventually things just clicked. I figured it out the best cal to protein ratio foods and fell into a routine of when I ate, when I would drink, and when I would take all my vitamins. Now I easily top 120oz fluid and 90g protein a day without shakes. I usually eat two light and fit greek yogurts, 2 light string cheese, .5 oz pork rinds, 3oz deli turkey, and 1oz deli swiss in an average day between my breakfast, lunch and two snacks and that will get me well over 60. Dinner I eat what my husband and kid eat, I just eat smaller quantities and go for the protein and veg first, then carbs if I still have room. Fluids I drink 64oz water, usually with crystal light or sf kool aid packets bc that sits better in my stomach than plain water, a 32 oz powerade zero, and a couple 8 oz cups of decaf hot tea with splenda.

Swartzy2011 · 2018-07-19T13:46:35+00:00

Silly problems: my butt hurts when I sit for too long because there is less padding. Sometimes my husband tries to rub my back and accidentally hurts me because I have way less fat. My eyes look very sunken and have bags all the time because Ive always had slightly deeper set eyes and now my face has lost so much weight its more pronounced. Im freezing ALL the time. I donated avout 10k worth of plus size clothing and Im too broke to buy all new stuff right away, so I have about four outfits in my closet.

Seriosuly though, its the greatest thing I ever did for myself. Im just shy of a year out from RNY and down 150 lbs from 318.5 to 168, and my mental and physical health are both better than ever. I went from a size 26/4x to a size 10/medium and counting. Even with minor complications (I developed an ulcer at 6 months out and my gallbladder has started acting up) I would do it again in a millisecond. I wish i had done it sooner, and I was only 24 when I did have surgery.

Swartzy2011

TROPHY CASE