Eleven Months and Counting...

Oct 27, 2011

From time to time I do take a little mental vacation from my usual blogginess - ha ha, for lack of a better word!  I am coming up on my one year surgiversary, so all sorts of emotions come into play.  I keep trying to remind myself to get a hold of my surgeon's office, so I can get blood work BEFORE my follow up, but "life" keeps making me bump things from my list of priorities.

For those of you researching surgery or about to get surgery, there are a lot of emotions you will go through after surgery.  Before you worry, they aren't bad, most are quite pleasant, but surgery doesn't make life perfect.  People ask the questions, "Do you regret surgery?" "How do you enjoy life knowing you cannot eat what you used to?"  "Will I lose my hair?"  "What about all that loose skin???"  Trust me, these questions are just easy to answer - but you will have to remember that we all are different, so you will get different answers from different people.

The skin is an inconvenience, one I can totally live with.  It weighs a lot, isn't attractive, but I already knew before surgery that my belly would deflate.  So, which would you rather have, a huge belly that is firm or a deflated one that weighs significantly less?  I choose the later!  If you are like me with a large pannus (the fat apron that hangs over your pubic area) you will learn to dress with the darn thing in mind.  I spent a few bucks on eBay, bought lots of spandex under garments - Slimpressions is a great product if you want a brand to look at - and I use them most days.  I actually have found that non stretch jeans are GREAT for keeping me on task with my portion control!  When you are all compacted, you cannot fit much more into your belly.  I swim five days a week, so my pannus makes me wear a second swimsuit -- as my belly leaks out the legs - it is one of the things I have adapted to.

Hair.  Yes, you will lose some hair, but it also depends on your diet!  I lost some hair around months 6 - 8 I think, but it all came back, and is quite healthy. Daily, I drink one or two meal replacement shakes because my protein goals are higher than many out there - I LOVE Chike if you want a brand to consider.  I get LOTS of protein, took vitamins & supplements before & after surgery, so I have lots of hair.  Oh, and I use non-sulfate shampoo -- Pureology is my favorite - but there are more and more shampoos without sulfates, just have to read the labels.  When your hair starts coming out, try not to wash it too frequently - I swim so I had to.  Also, be gentle when combing & brushing.  It will grow back, so try not to be too worried.

What did I give up after surgery, food wise?  Not too many things, I already had a healthy diet, so quantity is the only thing I would say.  Head hunger is still something I battle daily - especially in bed at night.  Obviously the emotional need to eat does not get cut out when you have surgery -- otherwise we would NOT need support ;)  My cravings for sweets aren't any worse than before surgery, and contrary to my original wishes, I do not dump (insert a firm angry word here).  I am always on top of what I put in my mouth - whether it is water, food, or even caffeine.  Shhhh, I have to tell you a secret... I never was effected by caffeine before surgery, but now, just a small cup of coffee makes me squirrely!  I talked to my general practitioner about it, she told me she was jealous, she no longer got the "rush" from caffeine that I now experience.  Coffee is a vice, so I only have it sparingly.  I am not a soda drinker - so carbonation and artificial sweeteners are a non issue for me.  Water is my drink of choice, always has been.

Going out with friends is not as uncomfortable as some may think it will be.  Many of my friends do NOT know I had surgery.  Yup, I just said it, and it is none of their business just as I do not tell my buddies when I go to my gynecologist!  I eat smaller portions, have been asking for take out boxes for over a year before surgery -- I started to walk the walk a year before surgery, so surgery wasn't a shock to my body.  I will say though, that I think because I was already eating a healthy, low calorie diet, it probably is why I haven't lost as crazy fast as other "heavyweights" who had surgery at BMI's over 50.  It took me YEARS to get that fat, I will have to work for YEARS to get the weight off.  Rome wasn't built in a day, and Brenda is still quite young enough to build her improved body!  Bread is something I miss every once in a while, so I will have a little.  Yup, if you are good at eating slow, you probably can have bread, too.  Oh, another thing that was hard to give up - drinking while I eat!!!  This is something I initially "poo pooed," but truly, the fluid will push the food through and you aren't feeling as full if you just let the food be.  I usually wait 20 minutes or more to have water, so just use your best judgment.

Okay, here is where I tell you that having a positive attitude is paramount to your success!  Yup, I try very hard to look at things in a positive light -- ain't always easy, but it is necessary to me.  When the weight starts coming off you will have NSV - Non Scale Victories - I had one on Monday - I FIT in my bathtub!!!  I still need to mark it off my goal list, so look forward to setting & attaining YOUR goals!  I am able to climb behind the wheel of my truck & have the seat straight up (I believe in good posture) and still be able to see the floor between me & the steering wheel.  Climbing stairs used to make me wince, now I forget things daily & laugh when I happily climb one or two flights of stairs!  The few things I have given up to lose weight are just non issues.  Being able to carry my weight more easily has been the best thing in this last almost year out from surgery.  Would I change anything?  Yup.  Am I regretting anything?  Some.  The main thing is that I am happier now than I have been in years - mostly because getting around is a lot easier for me.  Don't have surgery just to become someone you are not -- do it to improve the someone you already are!

Ask questions before you get surgery.  Get support before and after surgery.  If you think surgery will "cure" fat, it won't, it is just a tool.  Will you be able to play the piano after surgery?  I don't know, did you play it before?  There are NO "last meals," so don't think that way, you are setting yourself up for failure.  Food is fuel - try to remember that - I have to remind MYSELF this, daily!  Will losing weight get you Mr Right or Ms Right?  NO!  But if your attitude is good & your eyes are open, you probably will find that special someone.  Will losing weight make your spouse or significant other leave you?  Maybe.  But, I doubt it is because WE change as we lose weight, not just our body size.  Always be honest with yourself & others, and you will be fine.

Brenda : )~

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