LAPSF

Is Agave a Healthy Sweetener?

In a recent article by the Huffington Post, Dr. Joseph Mercola discusses the facts and dangers of using agave as a sweetener.  Current advertisements are marketing agave as a safe and natural sweetener when this is not the case.  Yes, agave is derived from a plant source, but it is manufactured much like High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).  To quickly refresh, high amounts of HFCS can increase insulin resistance, increase risk of liver damage, and increase triglycerides.  The point Dr. Mercola makes is that agave is actually converted into fructose-rich syrup; in fact it can have far more fructose than HFCS itself.  On average, HFCS is 55% fructose, whereas most agave syrups range from 55 to 97% fructose.  Though it may be labeled as a “natural” and “healthy” sweetener, agave is not an appropriate sugar substitute.  It is also important to note that fructose is found naturally in fruits and vegetables but is is not the type of fructose that has been manufactured in a lab.  Looking for something sweet? Avoid the processed foods and opt for a small piece of fruit!       

MD, Mercola, Joseph.  “This Sweetener Is Far Worse Than High Fructose Corn Syrup.”  Huffington Post 15 April. 2010.

Post Op Day 58

Hello everyone!  I had to wait until I could articulate my feelings of late without crying.  I was so happy and pleased with the surgical weight loss progress I had made when I last wrote.  The weight loss has continued and I was at 348.3 on Friday, April 23rd.  I saw the surgeon that day and my balloon did not last long at all.  He was not a happy camper and I was taken aback.  I was crushed, stunned actually.  Having said that, I must also say that I have never had an appointment with a doctor that lasted longer than the scheduled 15 minutes until that day.  I think he was with me for 45 minutes!!  He was concerned that I hit a stall so big for so long and that I lost valuable ground.  Apparently, every month out from vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery, the amount of weight you can lose decreases by 10%.  So, I essentially lost a month at a crucial high weight loss expectation point.  He did emphasize that I had done nothing wrong and had followed all directions.  He said that now I have to work that much harder to catch up and capitalize on the maximum rate of loss.

Well, needless to say, I am now only eating 2 ounces of protein at each meal.  Everything else is the same.  I have to also say that the scale continues a constant downward turn.  Today, I am 343.2 pounds.  My doctor wanted to see me lose about 10 pounds per week for the next 4 weeks.  I am half way there, but I only have 2 more days to get the last 4.9 pounds off.  Since I am not able to exercise like I should, the weight loss plan has been very slow.  It may be the only reason for the stall.  How I wish I could get my knee fixed and move on to being able to be more active and helping my diet with exercise.

This brings me to another thing the doctor was focused on.  It appears that the stress induced by my worrying about getting my knee surgery completed and through rehab ASAP so that I can get back to work before I lose my job, may also be hampering my weight loss.  My doctor is now trying to get my work on board with the plan and protect my job so that I can focus 100% on my weight loss.  The premise being that the more weight I can lose as quickly as possible, puts me in a better place for recovery after knee surgery as well as making me healthier for work when I do return.  While I see his point, I can’t help but wonder how much longer I can receive disability pay and still makes ends meet.

I have been waiting since April 7th for my knee surgeon to get insurance approval and schedule me for surgery.  So, I guess this is playing into the WLS surgeon’s idea of ideal.  I am using all delays to my benefit as best I can.  I pray that all works out and everyone, including me, is happy with the end results.

The pool, is another matter.  I am becoming an amateur architect, contractor, electrician and plumber.  I hope that the pool is up and running by mid May…now, almost a month longer than originally planned.  I have to find alarms for each door that leads out of my house into the back yard, put latches on same doors at a height of at least 5 feet, automatic closing hinges on same doors, change the fence gate to swing outward with automatic closing hinges and latches at 5 feet high.  These things alone, will run us about $500.00.  This small above ground pool was supposed to be a more affordable option that has turned out to be nothing less than unaffordable.  I have had to make concessions on the heater for the pool.  I will not be able to add it until after I return to work because I cannot afford to pay for the gas line and installation of the heater.  The only good thing is that the weather is on my side for the next 6 months, which will give me the time I need to save the money to have the heater installed when I will really need it.

I guess this brings you all up to date.  I hope this finds you all well and having a great day.  Later, my friends!  

Post Op Day 46

First of all, let me apologize for not writing sooner.  I have been in a very deep depression-like funk.  I have been suffering through a very strong overwhelming sense of buyer’s remorse.  I didn’t feel that it was right to pour that out on to everyone.  This was brought on by this horrifically long stall with my weight loss surgery results!

I thought the stall had left me behind a few weeks ago, but was sadly mistaken.  Even though I have been following program with no lapses, I had weight gain!!  I was terrified and crest fallen.  I could not bring myself to write about this then as I felt so guilty…even though I didn’t do anything wrong.  I am told that these feelings are normal.  I am having a hard time accepting the normalcy of my feelings.

The bad thing about having the buyer’s remorse was that I couldn’t throw in the towel and eat what ever I wanted (not that I wanted to eat).  My new vertical gastrectomy stomach would not have allowed it.  I guess that is the double edge sword here.  I couldn’t make myself feel better in my old ways because of the actions I took that brought me to this pit of despair.  Is that poetic justice?

Well, I am happy to say that I have left the funk behind and am no longer having buyer’s remorse.  As everyone has told me, the stall will pass, you will see.  There are changes going on in your body that you can not measure with a scale.  Knowing this and accepting this are two very different things!  I made one very big mistake when I started this journey.  I did not take measurements!!  How could I not do that?  I could really kick myself for that one!!  All this time, I could have been taking measurements and seen the changes through them when the scale was not giving up any secrets.  My funk may have been avoided had I done this.  Needless to say, I have getting measurements as soon as possible down on my list of must do’s.

I guess I better make this understandable as best I can.  A few weeks ago I posted that I thought the stall had broken and I had a reading of 353.0 on the scale.  That lasted for a few days only…3 to be exact.  The 4th day, I stepped on the scale and I was back to 355.9…I was mortified.  Well, to make matters worse, the next day, I was 358.0!!!!  I had no words for this…just immense discouragement.  That really kicked me into that horrible funk that got worse before it got better.

Today, I stepped on the scale…drum roll please…funk ending results….351.9!!!!!  To say I’m ecstatic is an understatement.  This is the lowest it has been.  I still do not understand what was going on and why I had to suffer so (I know much of it was self imposed), but I am truly glad that it has passed. 

I am sure that stalls will come and go as I make way through this long, and at times very lonely journey, but, I know now that they do pass and I will live through them.  I thank you all for your support and encouragement.  If not for this support and encouragement, I would have caved under the pressure of this big first stall.  This why I have not been successful in the past with doing this on my own.  The tool of surgery has helped me, actually, made me stay the course during this trial.  Because it is permanent, I will never have to doubt that I will have it always to get me through.

I hope this finds you all well and happy.  Enjoy your day, my friends.

Health Law Will Make Calorie Counts Hard to Ignore

The U.S. health care bill will now require vending machines, fast food chains or restaurants with 20 or more locations to list their calorie counts on the menus.  It’s true that some restaurants and fast food chains are already listing this information in pamphlets, bulletins or online, but the information will now be placed next to the item on the menu.  Though we might not see this take effect for another year, bringing the calorie counts and nutrition facts out from hiding is a step in the fight against obesity.     

Dining out often results in an increased caloric intake.  Portions are larger and the food generally includes more fat and sugars than if you were to prepare a similar meal from home.  In fact, a recent survey from the American Dietetic Association found the calories in 10 chain restaurants to be inaccurate.  The actual calorie content was 18% higher than the calories listed in the facilities. 

Weight loss surgery patients should take extra care in these situtations. Use the nutrition facts listed to help guide you in making a healthy choice, but keep in mind that preparing meals from home is always the healthiest way to go.  When you do chose to dine out, go to a sit-down restaurant and take a close look at the menu items.  A shrimp cocktail appetizer might just fill you up.  Otherwise, steamed fish, baked chicken or lean meat with a side of vegetables are good choices.  Japanese restaurants offer fresh fish; the small portions are filling and an excellent source of protein. 

Amy Ingols, RD

Post-op day 35

The lobster was good and I tolerated it without difficulty. The lobsters were very small so I was able to eat one tail and have a piece of roast beef as well. I was satisfied from all the protein when we were done. Everyone else was stuffed to the gills, but I was comfortably full. It was kind of funny to see them miserable and almost sick and me feeling so good. Not too long ago, that would have been me. Those days are forever gone. And, it feels so good!

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Post-op day 30

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Post op day 23

Today is 23 days since surgery.  No change in the numbers on the scale yet.  I saw the Dr. yesterday and he is pleased with my status.  Healing well and progressing as I should be after the vertical sleeve gastrectomy.  He says the numbers on the scale may not be moving because of the lack of my ability to exercise at this time and that my sodium intake may be making me hold fluid.  All of this makes sense, but I thought I was doing good with my sodium!  Everything I buy is the lowest sodium possible and I am not adding any additional salt to anything!!  What’s a girl to do?

The V8 juice that has been keeping my foot and leg cramps at bay is now out!!  At least my doctor has given me a potassium supplement.  That should take care of the cramps.  I can’t wait to get the pool.  I will have the money tomorrow and then the pool will be on it’s way!!  YEA!!  I am anxious to get moving and get these pounds off.

Got the go ahead to move up my diet to soft foods…now can have things like cottage cheese, yogurt and scrambled eggs.  So, being the good weight loss surgery patient that I am, I made my first soft meal a scrambled egg.  It was made with love by my husband who has been super supportive of my decision to get healthy.  I was only able to eat about 1/3 of the egg and that took 30 minutes to do.  I have to use a baby spoon and chew forever before I can swallow.  Have you ever chewed a bite of eggs for a 20 count?  I challenge you to do it…chew every bite of anything you eat at least 20 times before swallowing.  You will get full so fast and you will eat less.  Funny how something so simple can make such a difference.

Well, I guess that is enough rambling for now.  Have a great day!

Post op day 14

I have reached the 2 week out mark and have lost a total of 13.6 pounds since weight loss surgery and a total of 39.6 pounds since consult day, 1/11/10.  I am happy with my results and am looking forward to the day that I can really start exercising and maximize my efforts.  I am still on liquids as I am just 2 weeks out, but I am meeting my protein goals of 70-80 gr/day, 64 plus ounces of fluid per day, have never broke 500 cal/day, and have never had more than 15 carbs per day.  My nutritionist tells me I am right on track with my surgical weight loss.  I can’t wait to see the doctor next week and see what he has to say at my first post op appointment.I have a significant knee injury that keeps me pretty sedentary and have been researching exercise options.  So, I have decided a pool is it.  After researching pool availability, I have found that my only option is to by my own.  I found an outfit online that can get me what I want and they are having a sale right now…Yeah!!  But, I don’t have the money…at least, not until I get my tax refund!  I hope they will hold this deal for me because I really need to do this, but will not be able to do it if I can’t get it at the sales price (saving over $1000).  Say a prayer that they will wait for my money to come in which should be the middle of next month at the latest.

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Post-op day 11

I am still trucking along.  Tolerating my fluids, meeting protein and fluid goals.  Pain at the incision sites is almost non-existent.  I still will have an occasional esophageal spasm when I take in too much, but happens only once to twice a day. 

I broke the “I will not weigh more than once a week” rule today…couldn’t stand it!!  It has been a few days since I last weighed and my ankle and foot swelling has decreased dramatically.  So, the scale read 364.1!!  I am down a total of 36.4 pounds since my consult and 10.4 pounds down from vertical gastrectomy surgery day.

While I am not proud of what got me to the 400.5 pound weight or of the number itself, I find that I am increasingly proud of the numbers as they decline.  Not that long ago, I would hide that number from everyone and was so embarrassed by it that I never put myself in a position where weight mattered.  Now, just a few shorts months later, I can openly tell anyone what I weigh and am proud of my accomplishments thus far. 

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Post-Op day 9

I stepped on the scale this morning and weighed 367.1 pounds.  I weighed 374.6 on morning of surgery.  I spent 2 nights in the hospital as I was having esophageal spasms and difficulty making me liquid intake requirements.  I went home on the evening 3/3/10 feeling great.  I have been home a week now and all is well.  I have been able to get all my protein, vitamin, mineral and fluid requirements in since day 5.  The only downside thus far, has been the bloating from the CO2 gas used in during surgery and the edema (swelling) in my lower extremities.  I am told that this resolves over the first few weeks after weight loss surgery.  I am anxious for this to settle out so that I can see my true weight loss total.  Being a nurse, I know these things, but being human, I do not want to wait for the reward!  Am I normal?  LOL!