OMG... Has it really been over a year since I last posted???

Mar 04, 2009

OMG: Has it really been over a year since I last posted???? Unbelievable !  Well, hello and stop for stopping by.  I have been busy over the past year.  First, let me start by saying that I have lost and kept off about 140lbs... yeah for me.  I feel great... my high blood pressure is gone, along with my diabetes & snoring (husband's grateful for that) along with all of the associated medications that went with those conditions.  I have had iron deficient anemia (which I had prior to surgery) thanks to heavier than normal periods... thanks Mother Nature .  I haven't been able to go to the gym due to this as my heart rate would go into outer space  within a few minutes due to the lack of oxygen and my resting heart rate was in the low 100s.  After working out for a meer 3 minutes, it would be 160 !  Ouch !  I finally got my primary doc to give me a referral to a hematologist.  This was after much discussion and having her talk with my surgeon.  It is so frustrating trying to educate my primary doc on the special needs of the post bariatric surgical patient.  I will be looking for a new one soon... I am tired of being the guinea pig.  Anyways, after finally going to the hematologist, she scheduled me 3 days later for an iron transfusion.  Man, talk about energy.  The next day my resting heart rate was in the 50s... amazing what a little thing called oxygen can do for you.  I put together 2 5-shelf bookcases, a 4-shelf one.. etc.. my husband said that I am like a woman possessed.  No, it is a woman who finally is not extremely exhausted due to the lack of circulating oxygen.  The people at work have actually asked me if I have been going to a tanning booth... no, I just finally have some color to my face.  The hematologist said that she has quite a few bariatric patients that get iron transfusions.  Treated it like no big deal.. you would have thought that I was asking my primary doc for her first born child.  She said that she needed my surgeon to write it in his office note from my yearly post op appt... don't understand that.  She is the gatekeeper for my HMO.  If she is in over her head in managing me, then she should be able to send me to someone who is an expert.  Weird.. I am sure that it is driven by the almighty dollar, though.  Anyway, I will start at the gym again on Friday.  I have changed from 12 hour shifts in the busy ER/trauma center where I work, to 8 hour shifts.  While it is easier on the old body only working 8 hours at a time, I am there 5 days/wk vs 3days/wk as before.  I have had some struggles in trying to keep old habits from returning and have stood in front of the cupboard looking for something to eat when I wasn't hungry... just upset.  I am so thankful for my tool that I was given.  I am still very conscious about what I eat and try to have everything be nutritious.  I will not lie and say everything has been, because I have slipped.  But, when I weigh myself and I notice that I have gone up a couple of lbs 2 wks in a row, then I start re-measuring and re-visiting my diet and see where I am messing up and correct it.  It is so funny that 2-3lbs can make a difference in how clothes fit now.  Before the surgery, i wouln't have noticed that little bit of a weight gain.  Geez, it seemed like I would have that much weight shift with just my fluid retention... LOL.  I can now do so many things that I was unable to do before.  I can play with my son, who is now 6.  I can go places confidently and know that if I am being stared at - it is a good thing (most times anyway)  And, it is amazing how differently people treat you once you lose the weight... suddenly you are visible to sales clerks, waitresses, etc.  People seem to be interested in what you have to say.  Seem to take you more seriously.  Maybe some of it is solely my perception, but I believe much of it is dead-on accurate.
     Well I hope to be more consistent in my blogging.  I have been away too long... I need this for my sanity and self assurance.  There are good days and bad, but is never centered around my weight as much of the pre - surgery seemed to be centered around or driven by my need to stay home and not having anything to wear.  Thanks for coming and visiting and be well.... K

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