A new uncharted territory
Jun 04, 2013
A new uncharted territory.
Welcome, Beth, to somewhere you've never been before - .3 point to a normal BMI. 145 lbs at 5 ft 3.5 = 25.3 BMI = something I have never seen as an adult.
Apathy, failure, goals and numbers.
May 05, 2013
Recently when I saw a fresh weight loss and posted it, I was confronted with a commenter who asked me why I posted my body-weight. It is a fair question and I do not challenge her asking it, because it's been asked of me many times when I have posted my actual weight-as-a-number.
I will say that number-sharing is the norm (...or was?) in the weight loss surgery/bariatric community as a whole for as long as I have been a part of it -- and that is at least 10-12 years that I have actively read and participated in emails, groups and chats. I posted the question as a poll this morning on Facebook as well. Go answer! Come back.
Back in the hey-day of message boards we would add a line of text to our signatures (..siggies!) to signify our -
- HW (Highest Weight)
- SW (Start Weight or Surgery Weight)
- CW (Current Weight)
- GW (Goal Weight)
They would look a lot like this!
Beth
HW - 320 SW - 298 CW - 151 - GW - 150
Don't judge the comic-sans.
I would go back to *my old posts circa 2003/2004 and show you, except I was banned from my message board back then, and my posts via BethLButterfly disappeared. She posted in Comic Sans at times. Herdemise is why MM exists.
Number or weight sharing is. Was. Always will be? I would say that in general -- most individuals that have bariatric surgery are often proud of every single pound lost, and want to wear their "pounds lost" as a badge of honor. Some post ops are extraordinarily proud and not only wear the pounds lost, current weight, but will add things like "LBS GONE FOREVER!"
Losing weight is no easy feat, and after bariatric surgery -- it feels like victory. Why wouldn't someone want to own it -- even just for a while? I suppose when you've been 500, 400, 300, 250 lbs -- wearing a newly slimmed down self is quite a change and being able to put that number out there to the universe -- even just for a while is worth it.
Now, for me. This commenter wondered if my posting about my actual number was an obsession - let me clear it up here. No. I've always weighed myself.
Bariatric surgery and the life afterwards is ALL ABOUT NUMBERS. Losing pounds, inches, and sometimes counting calories, measuring food, and exercise. If you're a pre-op that doesn't want to 'hear that' - I am sorry - but it really, truly, is.
I absolutely understand that some people take these numbers to an extreme - and extremes are unhealthy at any level -- and that is how we get into situations like: needing bariatric surgery. Extreme caloric intake is unhealthy, an extreme sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy. We require balance.
It takes a very long time for some people to learn this: example ----> ME.
While I have always "weighed-in," I am also The Queen Of Avoidance, and as soon as I see the scale move up - I remove the scale. (That's magic, if I can't see my regain, no one else can. That is, until I SEE THE PHOTO EVIDENCE MYSELF AND SCREAM. *See below.)
So what has changed? I removed myself from the effects of negative influences -- changed my views on some things and ... GASP ...
I added ACCOUNTABILITY to my daily life. I now weigh myself near-daily, or at LEAST weekly. I check-in my food nearly every single day on a journal.
Is that obsessive? No. Why? Because before -- not paying attention led to weight regain. Surrounding myself by people with negative and apathetic views on life - brought me down.
Apathy causes failure.
Yes, I am fully aware I am a Bariatric Bad Girl - but maybe now you understand - BAD DOES NOT EQUATE "BAD," or breaking rules, or doing things WRONG.
It's BAD-ASS. (Help us help, BTW.)
*June 2012 - April 2013
But, recently I started paying attention - and seeing results:
My brain likes to see results, black and white, literal, on paper, in lines, to show me that if I DO X - Y WILL HAPPEN.
Because it works. (Shut up Weight Watchers.) And my little brain likes proof.
If I can see tangible results I will keep going - I will keep doing a thing if I can see a result. I do not like to work for "free - " you see. Does that make sense? Here's an example, a very simple one. I started going to the gym and doing basic exercise (...long walks on the treadmill and seated elliptical) about a month ago (...I'll check back in my Facebook check ins) and I noticed a tangible result the night before last. My leg muscles are coming back. This is enough to create a positive reaction to keep me motivated.
It's not about obsessing about a number. I don't have a goal.
Good DOES GOOD - #YWM2013
Mar 28, 2013
Good DOES GOOD - #YWM2013 #BBGC Fundraiser
In 139 days the BBGC is descending upon Phoenix, Arizona for the #YWM2013 with the Obesity Action Coalition. This is the 2nd Annual Event -- and we want to be a bigger part of it. Last year several of us traveled to Dallas, Texas for the 1st Annual YWM Event and LOVED EVERY MINUTE of it. Note:
This year -- we decided we want to put a ring on it.
In addition to fundraising for the Walk From Obesity (Walks From Obesities? Plural... Remember last year - $7,300.) and doing good the Bariatric Bad Girls Club issponsoring a portion of the #YWM2013 event. I implore YOUR business or group to do the same, it is a worthwhile cause.
To help the BBGC do good -- we are fundraising -- as I am just one person but together WE ARE MANY --
“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn't as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.”
- To start we are selling #YWM2013 - BBGC - Support - Advocacy Bracelets for a limited time with 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Obesity Action Coalition.
- Our BBGC ink injected wristbands are black debossed silicone wristbands with HOT pink colored ink injected into the engraved letters. Pretend they are below, cause my photo is NOT here yet.
- The bracelets are IN PRODUCTION (I'm watching the tracking...) and will be SHIPPED AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE. You will receive a bracelet in a few weeks.
- Alternatively if you DO NOT WANT A BRACELET and want to SUPPORT THE BBGC CAUSE, you may also simply donate directly to [email protected] at www.paypal.com - below
- For more about the convention - http://www.ywmconvention.com/
- Thank you for your SUPPORT of the BBGC and the Obesity Action Coalition!
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutritional,
Mar 28, 2013
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutritional, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of the Bariatric Surgery Patient—2013 Update
Gastric Artery Chemical Embolization GACE Procedure Helps Shut
Mar 07, 2013
Gastric Artery Chemical Embolization GACE Procedure Helps Shut Off Ghrelin Production Without WLS
Ghrelin is a hormone that is secreted primarily by stomach cells with lesser amounts secreted by other cells (as of the hypothalamus), that is a growth hormone secretagogue, and that has been implicated in the stimulation of fat storage and food intake. If you block it with bariatric surgery or another weight loss procedure (below...) weight loss occurs. At least it does for a while!
(It worked in baby piggies!)
The first five patients to try a new, minimally invasive weight-loss procedure dropped an average of more than 45 pounds in six months, researchers report.
The procedure — called gastric artery chemical embolization (GACE) — works by blocking an artery in the stomach. This cuts off part of the blood supply to an area of the stomach that produces most of the hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite.
BBGC Tee Sale - Ends tonight!
Mar 06, 2013
BBGC Tees - 20% off! Ends today!
If you were waiting to order a BBGC tee-shirt for your WLS event this spring or summer, now is the time!
- Enter code: PATSHIRTSALE at checkout in the "Zazzle Coupons/Gift Certificates" box
- 20% of the shirt net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying shirts are purchased and the coupon code PATSHIRTSALE is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the price of the product (excluding shipping and taxes). This offer does not apply to screen printed apparel. Offer is valid through March 6, 2013 at 11:59pm PT. This promotional offer may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater.
- Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.
Share on Facebook • Email the author
Vibrate your obesity away.
Jan 29, 2013
Electricity travels through conductors - any material which allows electrical flow - as it tries to reach the ground. Because people make excellent conductors, minor electrocution is a common household hazard. Fortunately it is usually more surprising than dangerous and does not require medical attention. However, some basic precautions should be taken to insure that the shock does not interfere with the body's normal electrical impulses including the functions of the brain and the heart. Prolonged exposure to a direct source of electricity can also cause severe burns to the skin and the tissue.It would work faster than a $100.00 vibrating fork.
