Weight Watchers...Start the recovery process with us!

Desdemona..as far as what is offered in my town,we only have the Momentum option..it is just points but different ways to utilize them...I am happy w/ it though I am partial to Core..as far as what is offered online I am not sure...call up and ask...........

Shery 35, hi.

Just thought I'd say "I did the same thing" ..not wanting to loose weight so I'd have enough for my bilat diep. If we both thought it, bet lots of others do too!

I am 41 now, had a double mast with imediate diep recon 1 year ago.

Actually, it ended up being a double SIAE flaps, don't know if your recon surgeons have told you about that. The SIAE is when they go in to do a Diep (deep ipigastral artery...) and they find good artery material superficially when they go in, so they can then perform a Superficial Ipigastral artery...thingy! It is a great deal easier on you, recovery wise if they get lucky and they can do that (there is no way of knowing before they are "in there". It's easier as they don't have to cut through any muscle. Anyhooooo, probably wayyy tooo much info, for this thread! Sorry to all, but I could so relate!

BTW I have to loose about the same amount of weight and have found it very difficult, especially since my bones and joints are pretty bad since chemo (FEC-T).

Take care all.

Might well have to visit this thread a lot for inspiration.

Shiny 

Hi Cruise, et al.  This is the program that I'm going to do - - starting... tomorrow (hopefully).  From the other posts it looks like it includes a lot of the WW "core" foods.

Fast Track Detox Diet (the book by Gittleman): http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Track-Detox-Diet-metabolism/dp/0767920465  (can get used online or at the public library)

Here's my "Cliff Notes" version. 

The 11-day diet has three parts: 7-day "prequel" - 1-day fast - 3 day "sequel."  The "prequel" and "sequel" parts of the diet are very similar, except she adds one daily serving of probiotics (yogurt or raw sauerkraut) and an added focus on the colon cleansing foods for the 3-day sequel; however, as far as I could tell, these were allowed in the prequel period too if you wanted them. She (Gittleman) also makes supplement recommendations, but I'm not into that particularly.

Here's my notes (adapted from her book) on the foods that you need to eat (and avoid) on the first seven days of the diet (prequel) and on the 3 days after the one-day fast (sequel).You'll need her book for more details and the fasting day descriptions and directions.

Detox diet food log:

I.    Liver-loving foods eaten today:

From Group1: At least one serving of the crucifers (1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw) cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, broccoli sprouts.

1.___________________________________________

Others:_______________________________________

From Group 2: Green leafy vegetables and herbs, at least one serving (1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw) escarole, dandelion greens, parsley, kale, watercress, chard, cilantro, beet greens, collards, or mustard greens

1.    ___________________________________________

Others:________________________________________

From Group 3: Citrus (1 orange or ½ juice of fresh lemon or lime) orange, lemon, or lime

1.______________________________________________

Others:__________________________________________

From Group 4: Sulfur-rich foods, one serving: Garlic (at least one clove, minced), onions (1/2 cup cooked), eggs (2), daikon radish (1/2 cup sliced, either raw or cooked)

1.______________________________________________

Others:__________________________________________

From Group 5: Liver Healers, at least one serving: Artichoke (1 small or 4 cooked hearts), asparagus (1/2 cup cooked), beets (1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw), celery (2 medium stalks), dandelion root tea (1 to 2 cups), whey (1-2 scoops), nutritional yeast flakes (1-2 teaspoons)

1.______________________________________________

Others:__________________________________________

II.    The Colon-Caring Foods Eaten Today

At least two servings: Powdered psyllium husks (1-2 teaspoons in 8 ounces of water), milled or ground flaxseeds (1-3 tablespoons), carrot (1 small raw), apple (1 small raw with skin), pear (1 small raw with skin), or berries (1 cup)

1.______________________________________________

2.______________________________________________

Others:__________________________________________

 
III.    The water I drank today: ½ body wt. (lbs) in ounces = _____ounces/day
 
today I drank ____ounces of water.  Also, it's recommended to start day with 1/2 lemon juice in a cup of hot water and to drink, 8 x 8 oz of water with a bit of pure organic unsweetened cranberry juice as part of this hydration component.

Desdemona, I think what they have done is to label what used to be Core foods as "filling foods" and encourage people to eat more of those so that they do not feel hungry. I have the newer Momentum materials and I believe there is a version similar to Core, where you can eat as much as you want of certain foods.  I always did the Flex plan so I never paid much attention, but I'll take another look at the materials and let you know.  I did WW at work but I've decided I'd rather just do the program on my own.  The group leader has a big family and her own health issues, and the group kept getting cancelled on the days that I was really psyched up to weigh in. And I was always too busy to bother looking for a group someplace else.

As for the DIEP, I just had a unilateral done 4 weeks ago.  Several months before, I asked my ps if it was ok to try to lose some weight, and she told me that it would be fine.  As it turned out, I didn't have quite enough fat/tissue for a full C cup to match the other side, but I don't think that was due to any significant weight loss on my part. It'll get corrected in Stage 2 so I'm not really upset about the fact that the flap side is a little bit smaller.

It's so hard for me to stay disciplined. It was super hot today and I ended up getting a small ice cream cone when I stopped to get one for my son.  I only had a chicken sausage and some steamed greens for dinner, but still, I was doing great today until I had to have that soft serve!

Okay, I'm not sure which plan I used a little over a year ago.  All I know is that a friend/co-worker and I counted points.  We got, I believe, 21 points a day.  We could accumulate unused points for the week and splurge if we wanted.  We opted out of the meeings since we had each other.  I lost 12-14 pounds.

I'm now having problems getting my rings on which hopefully  is water weight gain.  I've gained 10-12 pounds.  At my last chemo, I wouldn't let them weigh me.  The poor nurse, who insists I WILL be weighed tomorrow, put down "refused" on my weight.  I just didn't want to feel bad about yet another thing.

I'm figuring I'll get the port out (5-7 pounds) and then the water weight gain will go soon after my last chemo (5-7 pounds).

 Dx 12/5/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage II, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes

Had a wicked coffee withdrawal headache and succumbed to having a cup.  Still, I did 25 minutes on an eliptical machine with the arm movement thingys and have been keeping to the healthy food otherwise.  Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs and steamed broccoli,cup of Bengal Spice tea and cup of coffee with milk.

Lunch: Tuna and carrot salad with 1/2 avocado plus a Kale/apple/carrot juice and two handfulls of almonds.     

I'm happy to find this thread. I finished chemo two weeks ago. I am done, done, done!
I didn't really gain weight, but my middle area sure is puffy, UGH!

I needed to lose weight before all this so now I feel freshly committed. Look, I just spent the last four months walking on hot coals, I think I can say no to chocolate! I was able to continue to exercise, aerobics and yoga, during chemo but not at the level I was used to. I have cut potatoes out of my life, although I'm pretty sure they carried me though the chemo. Concentrating on fruit, veg and protein in small portions.

If I don't have hair I'd at least like to have a waist! Yesterday I went to my first strength class in six months, it hurts to get up from a chair, but I did make it to aerobic this morning aches and all. I only wish I looked as good on the outside as I feel on the inside.

I have a big event to go to this weekend. I hope I can find something in my closet that fits. It's hard enough with no hair, and three eyelashes to pull myself together but the thought of being in a room full of overly thin women with glam hair, sipping cocktails might not be that fun. My favorite party comment with non friends " you are so brave to go out with you scarf" Gee, thanks you look nice too.

I did not have chemo...just radiation...but...I gained weight over the winter....When my treatments were over...the first of September....I became depressed...and my medication ...Lexapro....caused weight gain...Also, I Didn't keep up with my exercise and ate what I wanted...but I DID watch the fat grams, because I have had a heart attack.. Now I take a generic of Welbutrin, and a side affect of that is weight loss...

I've gone to WW, and it did not work for me...In fact, I gained weight the first time...However, I am now walking on a more consistent basis, plan to join our local YMCA (Countryside, the largest one in the country), and am trying hard not to eat those things that I know will add pounds to my very short body...I'm only four-ten....I need to lose about 25 to 30 pounds....I'd love to participate in an online support group/thread.....This is hard!  

Sandy from Cincinnati

Being 65 doesn't help.  

If there is a zumba class near any of you, it can really burn up those calories.  I'm still too weak from chemo to do it yet, but I plan to go, hopefully soon.  I have been on the treadmill the last two days for a very stroll for 15 min.  It's a start.

mom-of-boys, I recommend keeping hydrated too.  Drinking water with juice of 1/2 lemon first thing in am and in evening is good.  Also, considering eating diuretic foods like parsley and watercress.  The diuretic that my Onc gave me was hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg and I only took one tablet.  It was my ankles and 5lb in a week wt gain that finally got to me. 

C4L  Thanks for the welcome! I was simed an meckled* during my chemo and my Radiolgist Oncologist didn't say anything about diet or weight at all. Maybe because I was still having chemo at the time? (* for some reason after all I've done well with the idea of getting a tattoo really upsset me and made me break down in tears in the doctors office. She was saying it's really small, it's like a freckle and my DH said "Think of it like a man made freckle, a "meckle". It made me laugh and feel so much better")

 My low carb week has given me a 3.5lbs loss! 

I have been a WW fan since I joined 22 years ago when I had my "70" pound baby boy. It was a great program that really taught me portion control, although sadly nearly all those pounds started creeping back on in the past few years. I'm really not in the mood to be told what to do on a diet, too much of that the past four months. I don't want to feel hungry, but I want to lose the weight.Hopefully smaller portions, and low calorie snack choices will work. Fingers crossed. PrincessKauai59 Have you tried buyihg just egg whites?  I've been making egg white omelets and they are very filling and low cal, plus less cholesterol.  

I'm off to exercise! Keep moving and keep your mouth closed is my new motto!

Since the weather broke here in Ontario, I've found that my new doggie and I are out walking more.

I'd like to do more exercise but it's hard to find the time with a full time job, recovery and a house and a husband blah blah blah.

I know excuses excuses

 Sherry

Firini, I heard Zumba is very fun because of the music! 

BarbiDahl, I haven't tried just egg whites, but that sounds good.  The program I'm doing actually advocates for eating two whole (organic) eggs daily plus 2 Tbl of "good oil" (Olive Oil, I use extra virgin (EVO), or flaxseed oil) daily.  The flaxseed oil can only be used cold, not for cooking.  I only use the EVO.    This morning I had my water with lemon and I'm drinking my "cran-water" (= water with a big splash of unsweetened pure organic cranberry juice, Lakelwood brand) and my 2 eggs scrambled in EVO with parsley.  I (guiltily) still had my coffee with some milk, both "no nos" but I figure that the other diet improvements are still enough to keep me going and jump start my wt. loss.    

I won a five day pass to a fancy athletic club in our town and took my son swimming there last night.  I put one of those silicone swim caps on my mostly bald head and an athletic swim suit.  I think it's still obvious that I'm way lopsided on top (will need a "mastoplexy/reduction" on my remaining real breast after recovery from Rads), but that's what I am right now.  It felt good to be silly and run through the pool fountain with my son.  I'm going to head back over for a workout today and take him swimming after t-ball practice tonight.  Best to everyone!

Princess... Aw. T-ball practice?  Those were the days!  One of my "boys" is still playing baseball.  We absolutely love the game.

Barbie... Are you from NYC?  Some girlfriends and I are planning a trip there for my end of treatments party.  Been there before and loved it.  A couple of my friends haven't been to NYC.