Carolyn L.
18 months - 1 year below goal
Dec 20, 2007
I hover between 125 and 132, looking and feeling best where I am right now at about 128. 125 is just too thin, though the 'ideal weight' for my height of 5'2.5" is 122. I'm muscular and large shouldered (though without hips) so at the lower weight I start to look a little scary.
I started back at work this week after being an at-home mom for 7 years - YIKES! - as a computer programmer. I'm still working out how I'm going to keep up with my exercising. At least work is close enough to home that in the warmer months I can bike the 6 miles to work. These long New England winters pose more of a challenge.
Well, that's where I am right now, just chugging along, trying to live life as a normal thin person. What a year and a half it has been!
Top 10 Mistakes WLS patients make...
Aug 16, 2007
I copied this from someone else's post. I certainly make some of these mistakes... especially drinking soda and alcohol. But it is a good list to keep in mind!
1st Mistake: Not Taking Vitamins, Supplements, or Minerals
Every WLS patient has specific nutritional needs depending on the type of surgery you have had. Not only is it a good idea to ask your surgeon for guidelines, but also consult with an experienced WLS nutritionist. Understand there is not a standard practice that all surgeons and nutritionists follow in guiding WLS patients. So, it is important to do your own research, get your lab tests done regularly, and learn how to read the results. Some conditions and symptoms that can occur when you are deficient in vitamins, supplements, or minerals include:
Osteoporosis; pernicious anemia; muscle spasms; high blood pressure; burning tongue; fatigue; loss of appetite; weakness; constipation and diarrhea; numbness and tingling in the hands and feet; being tired, lethargic, or dizzy; forgetfulness, and lowered immune functioning.
Keep in mind, too, that some conditions caused by not taking your vitamins, supplements, or minerals are irreversible.
2nd Mistake: Assuming You Have Been Cured of Your Obesity
A "pink cloud" or honeymoon experience is common following WLS. When you are feeling better than you have in years, and the weight is coming off easily, it's hard to imagine you will ever struggle again. But unfortunately, it is very common for WLS patients to not lose to their goal weight or to regain some of their weight back.
A small weight regain may be normal, but huge gains usually can be avoided with support, education, effort, and careful attention to living a healthy WLS lifestyle. For most WLSers, if you don't change what you've always done, you're going to keep getting what you've always gotten -- even after weight loss surgery.
3rd Mistake: Drinking with Meals
Yes, it's hard for some people to avoid drinking with meals, but the tool of not drinking with meals is a critical key to long-term success. If you drink while you eat, your food washes out of your stomach much more quickly, you can eat more, you get hungry sooner, and you are at more risk for snacking. Being too hungry is much more likely to lead to poor food choices and/or overeating.
4th Mistake: Not Eating Right
Of course everyone should eat right, but in this society eating right is a challenge. You have to make it as easy on yourself as possible. Eat all your meals--don't skip. Don't keep unhealthy food in sight where it will call to you all the time. Try to feed yourself at regular intervals so that you aren't as tempted to make a poor choice. And consider having a couple of absolutes: for example, avoid fried foods completely, avoid sugary foods, always use low-fat options, or only eat in a restaurant once a week. Choose your "absolutes" based on your trigger foods and your self knowledge about what foods and/or situations are problematic for you.
5th Mistake: Not Drinking Enough Water
Most WLS patients are at risk for dehydration. Drinking a minimum of 64 oz. of water per day will help you avoid this risk. Adequate water intake will also help you flush out your system as you lose weight and avoid kidney stones. Drinking enough water helps with your weight loss, too.
6th Mistake: Grazing
Many people who have had WLS regret that they ever started grazing, which is nibbling small amounts here and there over the course of the day. It's one thing to eat the three to five small meals you and your doctor agree you need. It's something else altogether when you start to graze, eating any number of unplanned snacks. Grazing can easily make your weight creep up. Eating enough at meal time, and eating planned snacks when necessary, will help you resist grazing. Make a plan for what you will do when you crave food, but are not truly hungry. For example, take up a hobby to keep your hands busy or call on someone in your support group for encouragement.
7th Mistake: Not Exercising Regularly
Exercise is one of the best weapons a WLS patient has to fight weight regain. Not only does exercise boost your spirits, it is a great way to keep your metabolism running strong. When you exercise, you build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn, even at rest!
8th Mistake: Eating the Wrong Carbs (or Eating Too Much)
Let's face it, refined carbohydrates are addictive. If you eat refined carbohydrates they will make you crave more refined carbohydrates. There are plenty of complex carbohydrates to choose from, which have beneficial vitamins. For example, if you can handle pastas, try whole grain Kamut pasta--in moderation, of course. (Kamut pasta doesn't have the flavor some people find unpleasant in the whole wheat pastas.) Try using your complex carbohydrates as "condiments," rather than as the center point of your meal. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of brown rice on your stir-fried meat and veggies.
9th Mistake: Going Back to Drinking Soda
Drinking soda is controversial in WLS circles. Some people claim soda stretches your stomach or pouch. What we know it does is keep you from getting the hydration your body requires after WLS--because when you're drinking soda, you're not drinking water! In addition, diet soda has been connected to weight gain in the general population. The best thing you can do is find other, healthier drinks to fall in love with. They are out there.
10th Mistake: Drinking Alcohol
If you drank alcohol before surgery, you are likely to want to resume drinking alcohol following surgery. Most surgeons recommend waiting one year after surgery. And it is in your best interest to understand the consequences of drinking alcohol before you do it.
Alcohol is connected with weight regain, because alcohol has 7 calories per gram, while protein and vegetables have 4 calories per gram. Also, some people develop an addiction to alcohol after WLS, so be very cautious. Depending on your type of WLS, you may get drunker, quicker after surgery, which can cause health problems and put you in dangerous situations.
If you think you have a drinking problem, get help right away. Putting off stopping drinking doesn't make it any easier, and could make you a lot sicker.
The REAL reason we have this surgery!!
Jul 05, 2007
Today the news was quite different. My physical was scheduled very close to my 1 year surgiversary, so I expected my numbers to be better, but I am blown away.
Total Cholesterol: 164 (desirable level is less than 200)
HDL: 66 (Desirable level is greater than 40)
LDL: 90 (Desirable level is less than 100)
Risk Factor Ratio: 2.5 (Lowest - less than 3.0)
Triglycerides: 41 (Desirable level is less than 140!)
I know I look better and feel better and now I know that I have added years to my heart!!!!
Almost a year
Jun 04, 2007
On June 26th, one year and one week from my RNY, I'll be having a tummy tuck. Due to my "light-weight" status and all of the core work I've done, the repair work I need is minor, especially considering I had my twins at over 245lbs! According to my plastic surgeon a simple tummy tuck without the anchor cut (the vertical incision often needed) is all I need. I think my butt needs some help but my ps talked me out of it. I thought plastic surgeons were supposed to convince you that you needed all sorts of work, but she talked me out of a butt lift and talked me into waiting a couple of years for a breast lift/augmentation because she's seen a lot worse in woman my age (didn't know how to take "my age" - I'm only 35!!) who haven't lost a significant amount of weight.
I've had only 2 minor problems associated with the surgery. The first was only a problem during the transition. I've had hypothyroidism - completely uncontrolled - since I was 17. I always needed more and more thyroid hormone. After the surgery, that trend reversed itself much faster than expected. The endocrinologists at the clinic have been fascinated - one is actually talking about doing a paper on me. The long time effect is good - my hypothyroidism is under control at a low dose; in the short term I've spent a great deal of time taking too much thyroid hormone - they've dropped it every 2 months but man I felt like CR@P at least a week or two out of every one of those cycles.
The other problem was a few months ago I had a lot of burning in my pouch. I had an upper GI to check for an ulcer - luckily it wasn't that. Basically, the structure of my pouch is an artistic, customized one. Because I told my surgeon that my tendency was to eat only once or twice a day, he created my pouch to be larger than average but the opening between the stomach and intestine is smaller which keeps the food in the stomach longer. Basically, I had been doing things I shouldn't - drinking diet coke and appletinis and not drinking enough water. As long as I'm more careful about these things I'm usually OK and if I get burning from acidic foods drinking a lot of water helps. At first the water makes it worse, but if I persevere the pain goes away.
All in all I wouldn't change a thing! Even the stomach pain is good - it reminds me to be good!
Upper GI - 9 months
Mar 30, 2007
Well, I had my Upper GI this morning... actually, they did it twice. The first time they found nothing wrong, until the last x-ray. Then they noticed that the barium pill they had given me earlier was still at the top of my pouch. The head of radiology joined the party and redid the Upper GI focusing on that spot. They found a bump on the top of my pouch that pills (and perhaps food) are getting caught in. In order to wash out the pills I need to lay on my stomach and drink water, then stand up so they won't go back in. Hopefully when I talk to my surgeon (he'll get the report later today) he'll have a better solution. Until then every time I take pills (or feel like something is stuck) I need to do my little laying down water trick... this could be interesting when I'm not at home!!
**Update: I talked to my surgeon. He doesn't think the 'bump' is a problem. According to him the pills wouldn't stay in the 'bump' with normal moving around. On the other hand, he noticed that the opening from my pouch to the intestine is rather small and that could be causing the problem. He's reluctant to fix it immediately because a small opening can be beneficial in keeping weight off in the long run. However, I need to cut out (or at least down) the 'bads' I had let slip back in like diet coke and appletinis!
6 month appt
Dec 20, 2006
First, he wasn't remotely interested in my body fat analysis. He asked why I did it. When I explained That I was trying to figure out a goal weight, his response was "You'll stop losing when you stop." OoooKaayy... I guess that answers my question on how to stop losing.
With the arthritis in the hands and feet he said I can take Celebrex, but my PCP doesn't want to prescribe it for me at this age. Alternatively he said to use Aspercreme, so I'll try that.
I mentioned my embarrassing personal problem of having trouble orgasming due to excess labia skin and apparently, he's never heard of that. Isn't it nice to be unique.
On good notes, he's taking me off of Ursodiol (gallbladder med) and Protonix, so that's 2 less meds and 3 less pills every day!
Oh well, in general I'm well though he doesn't seem to quite believe me that I'm able to eat and not throwing up. He doesn't really understand how I've lost so fast eating the way I do. He tested my thyroid levels, I'm assuming they're still off.
Body Fat Analysis
Dec 11, 2006
Female Male
Essential Fat | 10-12% | 2-4% |
---|---|---|
Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
Acceptable | 25-31% | 18-25% |
Obese | 32% plus | 25% plus |
The only time I've done it before was YEARS ago long before I hit my highest weight and I was in the 40s with my percentile. Also I weighed in at 137.6 on my home scale today which if I give myself full credit for my 5'2.5" (the BMI scale on this website and many others just won't give you that 1/2 inch!!!) puts me in a NORMAL BMI at 24.76!!! I can't believe it. I never thought I'd get here, especially not in less than 6 months. It's been a hell of a ride!
Hello to Diane, my trainer! I gave her the address of this website and she was going to try to find me! You're the best, even when you kick my ass!!!
Size 4 ?!?
Dec 02, 2006
5 Months
Nov 20, 2006
Speaking of stress, I've got to go because Keith and I are getting the house ready for the twins' 6th birthday party which will be here the Saturday after Thanksgiving! I just love having 20 kids and their parents run through my wreck of a house. The worst thing about becoming an interior designer this past year is that I haven't had the time or MONEY to do my own house and I feel like people are judging my ability by my house! And we still have some of the furniture that was passed down to us when we got married 8 years ago. My dining room set is old and nasty but we can't afford what I really want!! I just cover, cover, cover!!!
Profect Protein drink
Nov 07, 2006
My girlfriend who had the surgery 3 years ago (with a revision about 6 months ago) couldn't stand any protein drinks and she couldn't deal with the dry taste of the Isopures at all, so I/we were on the search for something easier. I found here on these boards Profect Protein. In a 3 oz tube you get 25gms of protein, 0 fat, 0 carbs. It's sweet, not at all dry and I can get it down in about 4 to 5 swallows. Best of all, it doesn't need to be cold to taste good. The Ruby Melon Twist kind of tastes like a jolly rancher. I just ordered a case each of Cool Melon Splash and Ruby Melon Twist.
It's also got some good vitamins. Here's the list on the Cool Melon Splash tube: Here's the link to buy them if anyone's interested: http://www.profect.com/
Calories 100
Protein 25gm
Sodium 64mg
Potassium 31mg
C 100%
B1 10%
B2 10%
B3 10%
B5 10%
B6 10%
B12 10%
Biotin 10%
Folic Acid 10%
*updated ---
Turns out there's a problem with the Profect drinks. We don't absorb some, maybe most of the protein in the drinks because it's the wrong type. This is according to my surgeon and nutritionist. Since I just bought 2 cases, I'm very bummed.