Karen's WLS Journey
New year
Just posted some pics from our vacation in Tahoe in June 2007- better late than never! :-) Also put a more recent one from Dec 2007- it was a scanned pic so quality not as good.
I got a notice in the mail DVR is leaving GBMC and going to St. Agnes. I am glad to be in the maintenance phase as it wold be distressing for me to be a new post op or almost getting surgery to find out this news. If I need a revision in the future- hope never to need one though- I'd go to DVR.
I am in the planning phases of forming a regular presentation for the Bariatric program at FSHC focusing on "my story/my successes" and the psychosocial aspects of weight loss surgery. Its interesting hearing about the planning of their new program which currently has a 6 month educational process (weekly meetings) including a number of hypnotherapy or hypnosis sessions. While 6 months sounds like a long time to wait once one decides to have the surgery---it really sounds quite comprehensive- and being 2 years post op--- any extra surgery on the head/mind- via classes/hypnosis is a welcomed event in my opinion. Two years out- food cravings and head hunger are my main challenges. I give into them typically- except when it comes to sugary foods which I still dump on. I have not gained any weight and tend to fluctuate between 140-150 pounds. Still can't tolerate carbonated sodas but I am forcing them down little by little hoping to gain some tolerance of them.
I had my first buffet experience since the surgery about 2 weeks ago- at the Old Country Buffet for breakfast. Greg and I were there about 2 or 2 1/2 hours- chatting between plates of food. I had a small cheese and mushroom omlet- about 4 pieces of bacon, 3 fried chicken wings, one leg and one thigh, some honeydew melon and fresh pineapple and some hot tea in between plates. The chicken pieces there are quite small. I went back with my dad for dinner about a week later and did fine too with an extended dinner time. We actually had coupons for buy one get one free- so i felt we got our money's worth. Part of my refusal to go to a buffet is the fact i feel I will not get my money's worth like I did as a pre op. We do eat out regularly but typically go somewhere I can get a doggie bag. We went to Ruth Chris a few months back and I got the filet mignon- brought half of it home and reheated it in the convection oven- still delish and buttery tender !?!
I did dine at Friendly Farms about 2 months ago---ordered the fried chicken kids meal- gave Greg the chicken and he gave me one of his crabcakes (or I should say half a crab cake).
Yes- I am quite focused on food- it still is an addiction for me I guess although that is a strong word. I suppose I still have the self soothing seeking of food- but it really is not soothing for me to eat most of the time due to IBS and GI distress. I still feel uncomfortably full at times so I really do not get that pleasure from eating anymore although I still seek it (the pleasure effect that is).
Its interesting being employed at a new setting where coworkers did not know me as a MO person. I do not hide the fact- I have shown a few "before" pics. One part that folks don't quite understand is the loud volume of my upper digestive tract. They often say- boy you must be hungry- when in fact is usally after I have just eaten something. I seem to be explaining it less and less to folks unless they are genuinely interested or a pre-op themselves.
I am noticing a pattern with having the "jitters" or very mild trembling of my hands. Someone told me it may be hypoglycemia symptom- so I did a fingerstick a few times when having the symptoms and as suspected my sugar level was around 50 (when low is anything below 70). These episodes are typically about 2 hours after eating foods- not a fasting reaction. I have noticed these symptoms very rarely- maybe once every few weeks. I just eat something with carbs- even sugar- and it goes away.
Perimenopause and/or menopause itself is introducing itself to my life in the last few months. Hot flashes, cold sweats, irritability, irregular or non existent cycle, low or no libido, mild mental confusion, mood swings. Not sure if I should go on HRT or just try to treat the most annoying symptoms. I am trying some antidepressant meds to see how it affects the mood issues- but not sure it will be a long term solution. Trying some herbal and soy products too. Its stange thinking I have been on BC pills for at least a decade- they stopped working and I stopped taking them. Now I may need the hormones again given the new symptoms. The mood and libido issues are the most challenging for me but there is no guarantee that HRT will make those symptoms dissapear or get any better.
I need to exercise regularly- that I KNOW---but I have not done. I have no excuse - it boils down to laziness and procrastination.
On a positive note- if I had to do this all over again---my weight loss journey with bariatric surgery- I would do it all over again---despite the first 6 months being quite miserable. At this point the benefits outweigh the costs tenfold at least! I was blessed to have insurance that paid for the surgery too. I have yet to find an insurance plan which pays for the plastic surgery- not looking into very much really- but if I come upon a spare $30,000 - I will explore PS more seriously.
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Just posted some pics from our vacation in Tahoe in June 2007- better late than never! :-) Also put a more recent one from Dec 2007- it was a scanned pic so quality not as good.
I got a notice in the mail DVR is leaving GBMC and going to St. Agnes. I am glad to be in the maintenance phase as it wold be distressing for me to be a new post op or almost getting surgery to find out this news. If I need a revision in the future- hope never to need one though- I'd go to DVR.
I am in the planning phases of forming a regular presentation for the Bariatric program at FSHC focusing on "my story/my successes" and the psychosocial aspects of weight loss surgery. Its interesting hearing about the planning of their new program which currently has a 6 month educational process (weekly meetings) including a number of hypnotherapy or hypnosis sessions. While 6 months sounds like a long time to wait once one decides to have the surgery---it really sounds quite comprehensive- and being 2 years post op--- any extra surgery on the head/mind- via classes/hypnosis is a welcomed event in my opinion. Two years out- food cravings and head hunger are my main challenges. I give into them typically- except when it comes to sugary foods which I still dump on. I have not gained any weight and tend to fluctuate between 140-150 pounds. Still can't tolerate carbonated sodas but I am forcing them down little by little hoping to gain some tolerance of them.
I had my first buffet experience since the surgery about 2 weeks ago- at the Old Country Buffet for breakfast. Greg and I were there about 2 or 2 1/2 hours- chatting between plates of food. I had a small cheese and mushroom omlet- about 4 pieces of bacon, 3 fried chicken wings, one leg and one thigh, some honeydew melon and fresh pineapple and some hot tea in between plates. The chicken pieces there are quite small. I went back with my dad for dinner about a week later and did fine too with an extended dinner time. We actually had coupons for buy one get one free- so i felt we got our money's worth. Part of my refusal to go to a buffet is the fact i feel I will not get my money's worth like I did as a pre op. We do eat out regularly but typically go somewhere I can get a doggie bag. We went to Ruth Chris a few months back and I got the filet mignon- brought half of it home and reheated it in the convection oven- still delish and buttery tender !?!
I did dine at Friendly Farms about 2 months ago---ordered the fried chicken kids meal- gave Greg the chicken and he gave me one of his crabcakes (or I should say half a crab cake).
Yes- I am quite focused on food- it still is an addiction for me I guess although that is a strong word. I suppose I still have the self soothing seeking of food- but it really is not soothing for me to eat most of the time due to IBS and GI distress. I still feel uncomfortably full at times so I really do not get that pleasure from eating anymore although I still seek it (the pleasure effect that is).
Its interesting being employed at a new setting where coworkers did not know me as a MO person. I do not hide the fact- I have shown a few "before" pics. One part that folks don't quite understand is the loud volume of my upper digestive tract. They often say- boy you must be hungry- when in fact is usally after I have just eaten something. I seem to be explaining it less and less to folks unless they are genuinely interested or a pre-op themselves.
I am noticing a pattern with having the "jitters" or very mild trembling of my hands. Someone told me it may be hypoglycemia symptom- so I did a fingerstick a few times when having the symptoms and as suspected my sugar level was around 50 (when low is anything below 70). These episodes are typically about 2 hours after eating foods- not a fasting reaction. I have noticed these symptoms very rarely- maybe once every few weeks. I just eat something with carbs- even sugar- and it goes away.
Perimenopause and/or menopause itself is introducing itself to my life in the last few months. Hot flashes, cold sweats, irritability, irregular or non existent cycle, low or no libido, mild mental confusion, mood swings. Not sure if I should go on HRT or just try to treat the most annoying symptoms. I am trying some antidepressant meds to see how it affects the mood issues- but not sure it will be a long term solution. Trying some herbal and soy products too. Its stange thinking I have been on BC pills for at least a decade- they stopped working and I stopped taking them. Now I may need the hormones again given the new symptoms. The mood and libido issues are the most challenging for me but there is no guarantee that HRT will make those symptoms dissapear or get any better.
I need to exercise regularly- that I KNOW---but I have not done. I have no excuse - it boils down to laziness and procrastination.
On a positive note- if I had to do this all over again---my weight loss journey with bariatric surgery- I would do it all over again---despite the first 6 months being quite miserable. At this point the benefits outweigh the costs tenfold at least! I was blessed to have insurance that paid for the surgery too. I have yet to find an insurance plan which pays for the plastic surgery- not looking into very much really- but if I come upon a spare $30,000 - I will explore PS more seriously.
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