Long overdue update

Dec 04, 2008

It's been a little over 3 years since my surgery.  Physically, I am feeling fine.  I am staying within 10 lbs or so of my maintenance weight of 150 lbs.  I blame the nagging 10 lbs on being back in school and not being nearly as active as I should be.  It's totally my own fault.  I also don't eat as healthy as I used to.  Not enough calories and crappy snack foods at the desk, while studying is a fat-butt builder for sure!!!    Thie has been a pretty recent revelation, so I need to light a fire under my butt before the mental demons creep in.  I've also strayed too far from my support system here and on myspace....I'm pretty much a dummy for letting that happen.  UGH!!!

I'm a slacker!

Dec 18, 2006

Okay, I am a total slacker!! I haven't updated this thing in forever. Here's what's happened since my last post. Got my surgery referral in May 2005. I weighed 256 lbs. UGH! Got approved for surgery and had Gastric Bypass on August 18, 2005. So...it's been 5 months today.

I did the pre-op liquid diet...weighed 232 the day of surgery. Surgery itself was cake. I went through everything totally alone. Typically, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. My husband was out of state for the whole month of August, and my mom couldn't make it out. I wanted this surgery SO badly, that I made the choice to handle everything myself. It could have potentially been a big mistake because I could have had complications. Luckily, I didn't.

The first 3 weeks after surgery were hard, both physically and emotionally. Granted, my pain was hardly measurable. I didn't even need the post-op pain meds after my first day home. However, the post-op diet regimen kicked my tail. I pretty much just drank water and Crystal Light for 3 weeks, because the smell of broth or jello would make me start gagging. I paced the floor for 3 weeks and cried. I swore I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I slept A LOT. Maybe just post surgical rest was needed, but maybe I was depressed...who knows. I was miserable. Then, one day...hubby asked me if I could have just ONE thing to try to eat in the whole world, what would it be. I said, "cream of potato soup". He bought some for me...I ate it...it stayed down...viola! My appetite was reborn. I intoduced other cream soups and pureed foods gradually, until I began eating "normally" at about week 6.

So, this morning, I weighed in at 160 lbs. My energy levels are increasing, I don't need naps anymore to get through the day. Physically, I am doing super. Honestly. I haven't felt like this in YEARS. I am off all precription meds. I take my vitamin supplements regularly. I realize I am the exception, and not the rule for post-op Gastric Bypass. I hear the horror stories. I am truly blessed.

I do have an appointment next week with a therapist. Mostly for my family who swears I am now Anorexic. I hate that they worry about me. But keep in mind, I belong to a family of obese people. A family who celebrates life by EATING. Naturally, they think I am wasting away. My personal concern is that my food demons still nag me on occasion. My first instinct is to reach for food when life gets a little tough, and I realize that isn't a healthy behavior NOW. I know I should have addressed these issues pre-op. Better late than never, though. My advice to ANYONE interested in Obesity Surgery is....tackle your issues with food FIRST. I have no doubt that I could have benefitted from some intensive therapy prior to going through all this. I have had wonderful results...and I still have to sort through my issues. Food issues are NOT a sign of weakness. It just happens to be my reality. I accept it. I will address it.

The quest

Apr 11, 2005

Well, I'm back at it again....the quest for WLS. I am a bit more scared this time, as opposed to last time. I know most of my fears are silly ones. But my primary concern is my health. Before, I just felt I needed the surgery because I couldn't fight the obesity anymore. Now, I have co-morbities: osteo-arthritis, tachycardia (racing heart), elevated blood pressure, vaginal prolapse, and hematuria. Lovely! I know I NEED this surgery now more than ever.

My husband is finally in support of my decision. At first, he kinda shrugged it off. He said it was "cosmetic surgery"! *gasp* The nerve of him! I smacked some sense into him. I made him watch a video of an open RNY, and he surfs this site with me regularly. He realizes, now, the seriousness of it all.

I met with my primary doctor on April 5th. He heard me out, and gave me my referral...THANK GOD! Unfortunately, I have to start the process all over again. It's a bit of a bummer. But at this stage, I would run naked through a shopping mall if it got me a surgery date. I have to attend a support meeting for pre-ops, that my surgeon requires. That appointment is May 14th. I'm seeing Dr. Steward again. It's a good thing, because I really like him as a person and trust his skill.

I think it would be cool to find somebody going through this too. Most of the people in my support group are post-op. Soooooo, if you're near the same spot in your journey as me...send me an email =o).

About Me
El Paso, TX
Location
26.0
BMI
Jun 11, 2002
Member Since

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Long overdue update
I'm a slacker!
The quest

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