Post-Seminar Update

Sep 15, 2017

Hello, hello!

Well, Wednesday was the day of the seminar. I was really hoping to make it back on that night to give an update, but I had to go to classes for 5 hours, then drive 2 hours away, attend the seminar, and come back home so I could go to classes again first thing in the morning. We didn't get home until late... so, heres the update.

The seminar went very well. It was very informative! I am so happy my boyfriend went with me. He is now very interested in bariatric surgery as well. For those who don't know (I think that may be all of you?), I live in Wyoming. I was astounded by the number of people at the seminar. I think there were 4 chairs left open in the room. I was expecting there to be just a couple other people. I was wrong!

At the seminar I decided to ask the surgeon how much of the process could be handled on a local level, and how much I would need to travel there for. I was very pleasantly surprised when he informed me that he has a satellite office here! That took a huge amount of stress away. Anyone who knows Wyoming winters knows they are unpredictable (at best), and travelling can be quite hazardous. I will only have to travel to see him for my endoscopy and for the surgery itself.

So... I did it! I got out of class early today and I called his office to schedule my consultation!! I was little bummed to find out that he was in town today, and won't be back until the end of next month. Then I remembered what a long process this is. I have no reason to be disappointed. I'm just excited that step one is done, and I'm well on my way to step two! 

Dietary changes I'm still struggling with. I'm doing great at not drinking my calories (unless I have a protein shake). I have cut out sodas, juices, etc. I never really would drink a lot of them anyway, so that wasn't a big deal. I am still struggling with having breakfast every day, especially the days that I have class early. Those are the worst days! I'm doing well with my time limits as well. I'm mostly focusing on my 5 minute limits at dinner time, because that tends to be when I over-do it. I have found that with drinking my water, then only eating for five minutes, then stepping away from my food for a few minutes... I actually do begin to feel full! It takes at least two minutes before the full/satisfied sensation kicks in, but it does happen. 

Also, a huge thank you for the link to the questions to ask my surgeon. I haven't had much of a chance to look at them, but I will be doing that as soon as I finish this blog. Thank you!!

I would like some thoughts on this last bit. I am a part of the Science Association in my school  and our faculty representative has requested we all do a presentation on something that is important to us or interests us. It doesn't have to be scientific in nature, but it is preferred. I am thinking of doing mine on bariatric surgery. Not only is it health related (I'm going to school for nursing), but it's scientific. Beyond that, I think there is a huge stigma around weight-loss surgery. I don't want to act like what I'm doing is a secret, because I'm not ashamed of it. It's important to me right now. It's where I'm at in my life at the moment. Frankly, I don't feel like I have any reason to be ashamed, but I do want to break the shell of silence that seems to surround bariatric surgery. Thoughts? Opinions? It only needs to be roughly a 5 minutes presentation, so it doesn't need to be huge. 

Anyhow, I hope everyone is doing well!

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