The beginning of 2009.....

Jan 04, 2009

   Well, I am not a good blogger as you can see.  I thought I would keep up but I haven't.  Someone asked me recently if I would post some thoughts on my journey.  So, here are my thoughts....I feel the same about surgery today as I did the day I had it done.  For me, it was medically necessary.  I think it is medically necessary for a lot of people.  It's not something to be looked upon lightly.  Like with all things in this life, there will be hills and valleys. 
   I am four months in....which mean according to my plan I get 4 oz./ 0.5 cup.  Some days I think that still looks like bird food and other days I think....there is no way I can eat all that!  I usually eat it.  I know that my body needs nourishment.  So, I make certain to eat my 3 meals and I TRY very hard to get my snacks in.  I would say 85% of the time I get 64 oz. of fluid.  The fluid intake was a real struggle for me.  Before surgery it was not uncommon for me to consume ONLY 20-30 oz of fluid a day.  My friends call me the camel.  I really push the fluids now.  I find that I feel so much better when I get my water for the day. 
   The last month I have suffered from low iron.  I have been put on a MEGA dose of Iron.  Which wouldn't be such a big deal if it didn't cause such severe constipation.  That's right, this would not be a WLS blog without mention of my FECES.  I am currently taking 3 stool softners and 2 doses of Miralax a day to combat the iron pills.  I learned a valuable lesson this week....Benefiber DOES NOT work like Miralax (@ least not for me). I seriously thought I was going to have to go to the ER.  I'm not ashamed to tell you that I begged God not to make me have to go to the hospital b/c I couldn't go potty. 
   I have been very lucky with my pouch.  I can eat most things with little trouble.  In the begining I had some lactose intolerance but even that seems to have corrected itself.  I do not dump.  I know some people hope to dump to help keep them in line.  I was NOT one of those people.  Frankly, I did not want to spend the rest of my life AFRAID of foods.  But I know for some people they feel that is what works for them. 
  I was off all my diabetic meds but when I bumped up to 3 oz/ 2 months or so I had to add 250mg of Metformin/Glucophage back to my day.  I had hoped I would be one of the people that would be off all my meds.  But, I think that 250 mg is a lot better than what I was taking before surgery (2000mg meformin, 2 mgs amaryl).  I hope that with more weight loss I will find I no longer need any meds.
   Most days I feel good.  I have had some fatigue b/c of the low iron but that seems to be getting better.  I can wear all my shoes b/c my feet aren't swollen.  I can walk a LOT more.  I did all my Christmas shopping this year without the help of my motorized scooter chair.  I have gone from wearing a 30/32 pant to a 22.  My shirts have gone from a 5x to a 3x. 
   And what most of you are waiting for.....I have lost 95lbs.  I was hoping for 100 by the new year, but I will take 95! 

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