onemeanmom

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With RNY I lost a total of 110 pounds and did not reach goal weight. Several life events happened, and in 2011 began gaining weight. Hard to see my previous post about that since my crazy mind is saying it's been over the last three years and I guess that would be 2011 but for some reason the two didn't match up for me. Anyway, I developed an auto-immune disease and started on major doses of prednisone and am still taking it! Darn stuff is notorious for causing weight gain BUT I will take equal blame for making bad food choices and getting hooked on Pepsi! The bain of my existence! Unfortunately at some point I realized that I could eat/drink things that I couldn't before with little or no adverse reactions other than weight gain! HELLOOOOOOO!!!

My auto-immune disease caused my muscles to be affected as well as causing great fatigue. So along with improper eating, the obsession to chew (from the prednisone, that's what I'm going with) and being unable to do anything other than sleep - I'm still working but some days it was barely working and some days it was calling in sick because I could not move. I have a rare condition that much is unknown about and even trying to find doctors who are familiar is difficult. It took a year to diagnose me and now two more years of playing with poisons (otherwise known as medications) to find a good combination that works for me. I am finally feeling mostly normal! It's a wonderful thing! But now being 60 years old this year, having a body full of arthritis and muscles that I am concerned with losing, I am ready and willing and able to get back on track. I need to loose this weight to protect my joints and to have a smaller body to move around. I need to feel better, I need to feel healthy again. I've been suffering with depression as well due again to all the meds and to being able to find a doctor and or treatment that would and could help me.  You can imagine living alone, having a rare disease that we didn't even know what it was for a year. Then I can barely stay awake, I'm gaining weight, on so many meds it's crazy so depression reared it's ugly head. But that is much better now too. So I'M READY! TIME TO GET THIS LIFE AND BODY UNDER CONTROL! I've had my first consult with surgeon. I have my psych appt on Tuesday. Then just need insurance approval and I'll be off to the races.

Apparently after an RNY a person must have an DS as a revision. It worries me just because it's different and new. The known is better. Also I've been reading posts about DS'ers having to eat so many calories each day! 3-4000?? Yikes! That seems like constant eating. And it's scary.  Well, that's it for now. More later!

Gained 25 pounds! Crap! IT's my own fault! Not exercising and not eating right...... duh!! Had to have my gallbladder taken out a year ago, been having low blood sugars drops the past 2 years and this last year have had low iron and now low zinc! Taking iron supplements but that has caused depletion of zinc which has caused bad skin problems! GRRRR. So much work to go through this. And with all the classes they made us go through there was no mention of zinc and skin probs. Oh well, guess they can't list everything and maybe I'm unusual....... I don't know.  But I have not been compliant in taking vitamins and not eating right. ALL MY FAULT!  So need to start taking care of  myself and do the right thing!! UGH! Lots of stresses at work, I hate it and at home - living alone and lonely - daughter going through lots of drama but it seems to be on the right track now. so that's a great thing!  One day at a time!

GOTTA LOVE IT HUH? I am now in size 16! So freakin' amazing!! Three more pounds to go to be in ONEderland!! Cannot remember at all the last time I was 1xx something. AND the other good news is that I actually weigh LESS than what's on my driver's liscense! That is truly amazing!! I weighted about 40 more than what's on my driver's liscense when I renewed that one and since then have renewed on line several times and who would add weight to the description?? Not me! And now, after all this time I actually weigh less than I admitted to so many years ago.
The only bad part is that I can eat and drink anything now. Sugar, fats, and it doesn't bother me at all. That could be a problem and I should have never even checked it out in the first place so not to have the temptation.  Too late now. I have slowed down the last month since eating the wrong things but at least not overeating yet. Oh, actually the last two months........ hmmmm. I need to do some heavy thinking on that one.
My sister left today for Afganistan (sp) and I am sad and scared but I'm sure she will be fine. she has a good job and actually won't be out in the field but will be on the base in an office working so I will pray that she's safe and returns home healthy and happy.

OMG!!!!! I WANT TO GO DO SOME CARTWHEELS ON THE FRONT YARD!!  Never could do them before and probably can't now but the thought of it seems appropriate. Today, I, put on a pair of pants in the "normal" sizes--- OMG! I haven't worn "regular" sizes for 30 years??? Holy smokes, i am jumping for joy and just don't know what to do with myself! This is the mostly exciting event ....... 30 years ago I was a size 1X, pre-surgery I was creeping up on 4X, today I put on a size 18 and it was comfy, not tight, zipped up easily and absolutely made my day and week!! And the thing is I know it's only going to get better. What a miracle this is. Thanks to my awesome surgeon who is such a pro that I had ZERO pain and wondered if they really did the surgery even after seeing the 6 little bandaids on my tummy. And thanks to all of you for your experience, strength and hope. Most of all, thank you to my God without whom none of this would have been possible.

Post Date: 6/12/08 10:59 pm 
I had rny on April fool's day and am loving it. I just bought some shorts today in the "regular" ladies sizes!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!! What a feeling that was!! I haven't been in a regular size for 30 years! Sure it's an XL and a 16-18 but there is no X next to the size or plus or ....  At a seminar I attended we were told that morbid obesity was a disease. Once we become obese, we cannot lose on our own. Our bodies won't allow it.  Would you be weak if you had some other disease and went to a doctor to take care of yourself? Or would you be smart for taking care of your health? I've lost 58 pounds so far and feel sooooooo much better. I am sleeping better, I wake up feeling rested- which is maybe the best part. I have more energy, I can concentrate on tasks easier, (I didn't know my weight would affect me that way but it did, not just my body was sluggish, but my mind too). I still have 80 pounds to lose and just can't imagine how wonderful I'll feel then!! I am a whole person now, a whole new person. I smile more. I would do the surgery again in a second!! Without one bit of hesitation. I believe that God gave the surgeons these awesome gifts so they can pass it on to us. The surgeons are the best and would not do surgery on people if it didn't go well for them either. So our best interest is their best interest. Think about it. And you have the gift of insurance, which alot of people who want the surgery don't have. That is a huge gift.  My acid went away in the hospital! No more zantac for me!! Sure I have some gas now but that is easy to fix with gas x and it sure beats the acid, let me tell you.  I'm selling my "fat" clothes on ebay and making a pretty penny. And I'm swimming with my granddaughter and loving it! You see there are many, many positives. Too many to mention with your health and your being around for a long time to see your kids grow up.  Listen to your heart, not you head. Make a decision and then stick with it, trust that you made the right decision for you and know that God is right there with you. Have faith!!

YAY!!! I couldn't wait any longer, last weighed on Wed. and had to weigh today just to see..... ya know?  And to my wonder and amazement...... down 5 more lbs! How awesome is that???????? OMG! I have no idea why I didn't do this sooner! And its so amazing that I already feel "lighter" well I am but I feel it. I feel more energy already. I am wearing some things that I couldn't before........ what a gift! What a wonderful gift I have been given and a gift that I gave to myself. 
 Just call me the incredible shrinking woman! 
Gotta love life today, even without ice cream!!    And pepsi! And cookies and candy and cake and pasta and bread and.......... don't even want it! The results are soooooooo much more than eating that stuff.  So much more satisfying........... amazing grace!!! 

I had a pretty good day today, ate well, went out to window shop - getting out of the house and doing some walking and looking. Ran into a new friend who had surgery the same day as I did at the same hosp. It was great to see her and she was so enthusiastic. It was great. Oh, imagine this... here we are in the middle of a department store ... pulling up our shirts and showing each other our tummies!!! Can you imagine what the person watching the security camera might have been thinking??? OMG! How funny is that! Comparing our mulit-colored bellies....... 
So then I went home and messed up...... went out to meet friends at a pub and decided that since fish is a good thing on our list to eat, I made the bad decision that I could eat a small amt of fish and chips!! Stinking thinking!! Fried food?????????? What IS wrong with me??????????  I will now make my excuses, I ate only one piece of fish, and ate only the inside not the outside and then ate several fries, they were the thicker type, like steak fries. So I smushed them around in my mouth and they were GOOD darn it. But soon they set heavy in my pouch, yikes. But it all stayed down. I went home and walked one mile around the block hoping it would help get things moving in there so it wouldn't be stuck all night. The walk helped alot. BUT..... I feel so darn guilty! Only 10 days out and I am cheating?????????? What the heck?????????? I am so mad at myself for all the good that does. What I need to do is to get over it, concentrate on starting fresh tomorrow and doing the right thing. I sooooooo want this to work and am so happy with my lose, AAARRGGG!!!!!!!!!!  I also was just reminded that I did not take my vitamins today!!! I must have been brain dead today or something since I didn't do anything right!!  Okay, begin new tomorrow.  Guess I'll go make a nice cuppa tea and take my vits and other meds and go to bed. Tomorrow will be a better day. I will get back on track because I LOVE the results!

 just had RNY on April 1. So am new to this but will share with you my experience so far. 

I never had pain. Weird I know but in the recovery room and for the first 2 days in my room I had pain killers that worked really well apparently. I ended up staying 3 nights rather than the usual 2 due to nausea. I think it came from the morphine.  On the third day they stopped the morphine and offered me liquid loratab but the first taste was too bad so I skipped it.  I did fill the prescription they gave me for more of the same but have not used it. It's unbelieveable to me that I went through such major surgery and really experienced no pain. Sure it's tender and I moved around gingerly but that's nothing, ya know.  

Coming home I over ate sugar free jello and it caused some more nausea and like a dummy the next day I mixed some broth with mashed potatoes that I thought would be a harmless and good thing to do, WRONG. I had completely forgotten the rule of not having food and liquid at the same time. So once again became nauseated. That was the last time for me so far, thank goodness. You do learn quickly.    Sugar free Popcycles have been awesome! Satisfies the sweet tooth, adds a bit of liquid and is pretty harmless. Get yourself some nice flavors of decaf /herbal teas, for me they have been very good on my tummy. I had my first scrambled egg with cheese on it today and talk about yummy! Holy smokes it was the best ever! After 7 days of broth and water and tea, I craved to chew and taste something, anything! The urge was strong, I was tempted to chew and spit it out just to be able to chew and taste. Several others on here have said they did just that, so it's wasn't so unusual. Now that I am on pureed/soft very chewed food and have been able to re-start the protein shakes I am feeling alot better, in every way. Yesterday I walked a mile, the first time in a very long time and was slow and steady but it felt great.  Really great. And I had my first post op dr. visit and found that since the start of this journey I have lost 19 pounds! That makes it all worth while!! I had actually lost the first 12 prior to surgery, gained back 9 in the hospital and lost that plus 7 more for the grand total of 19.   While in the hosp. all that IV fluid tends to hang around for a while plus I felt bloated from the gas they pump you with and all the extra oxygen I got to breath. The first few days outta there I was kinda fuzzy (drugs) and bloated but it went away and the drinking lots of fluids and the walking really helped clear that away quickly. I just feel better and better each day that passes and am really happy about that. I did have a few moments that first week of what did I do to myself????? But today I am very pleased and just anxious for even more progress.  One of the benefits I am having this second week is that I am actually taking care of myself. A strange concept for me. But it feels good. I am not worried about work or the house (I did clean it before going in so that it would not be a concern) but I am waking up when I want to, going to bed when I want to, planning a healthy meal for myself, deciding to go for wonderful walks, and it is awesome. What a concept! Putting myself and my needs and my care first. It's really wonderful! I am beginning to dread going back to work next week. I planned to go back pretty early because I have a mostly desk job and have the luxury of being able to work half days if needed and set my own hours so as far as that goes I have it made but still the idea of going back to work, meetings, calls, dealing with people, I can do without right now because I am soooooooooo enjoying just me.  Having been a wife and mom for what seems my whole life I tended to look after everyone else, always putting them first. My kids are grown and I am happily single so this is a great, great time for me. Very interesting to say the least. 

I have read many posts where people have problems with lots of pain, certain foods, or drinks that no longer set right with their new tummies and people who are tired of their protein shakes and lots of ups and downs. Like one of the previous posts said, this is truly a personal experience. Everyone is so different. I have to consider myself lucky so far in this new life of mine. No pain and no problems yet tolerating certain foods, only when I over do it which is normal and I was warned about......... oh, I don't like the chewable vitamins much but I'd better get used to that -- since we have no choice in that matter.  
Walking in the weeks before surgery will really help with your muscle tone as well as loading up on vitamins and protein according to Dr's directions.  And the walking afterwards, even in the hospital feels great. It is so nice to get outta bed and move! It gets the body back to a more normal state, clears out the drug induced fuzzies, as well as all the normal medical reasons to do it. 
Well, I guess that's enough from me tonight. I didn't plan to go on and on but it just came pouring out.

  Its working!!!!  YAY!!! Hope is here and it within my grasp!
 I have just come from my first post-op dr. visit/follow up appt and so far since my first dr visit have lost 19 lbs!!! I feel great! What a blessing! I am now 9 days post op and it is only getting better each day. I walked one mile yesterday and plan to do it again today, it felt sooooooooooo good! Nothing hurt! I took my time and was slow and steady but it worked! This first 7 days were tuff, I know it could have been worse as well but for me it was tuff. And I questioned my decision but not now. Not one time bit do I doubt or question this decision. Once you see the results starting and start feeling better, inside, about yourself, it is very motiviating. 
 Can't wait to wear a pretty bra! Oh my goodness, won't that be awesome? I can't wait.  It's the small things we really appreciate and miss and hope for. I need to be able to work another 15 years or so and to be healthy and fit and comfortable.  I need to be able to play on the floor with my beautiful granddaughter and any more that may come along. I need to feel good about me and I know that I am now heading in that positive direction. I know that this whole journey for me was God directed. I changed insurance the first of the year and them came across a friend who had the surgery and the chips began to fall into place. My new insurance approved the surgery in 2 DAYS! And then there was a cancellation in surgery so I was able to move up my time from two months away to 3 weeks away. The hospital experience was totally wonderful, I had so many awesome RN's and CNA's and food service workers and housekeepers, it was like being in a spa! They were so kind and really cared about ME as a person. 
I know you will have the same positive experience. Don't doubt yourself, HAVE FAITH! Your faith will remove all doubt and it will only get better. 
I need to continually have faith in this process and know that it is exactly like it should be. 
I really feel good today. Happy, joyous, and on my way to freedom from all this weight..... and from being weighed down, in more than one way.  All is good.

 I am doing better today! YAY! I have had one protein shake for breakfast and for lunch I smushed up an oz of turkey with a dab of ff mayo, omg! It was like real food. I know it should have been pureed but........ I chewed it well and it has stayed down and there are no problems!! I also had an oz of some awesome garlic mashed potatoes! Another no no, potatoes are not on the list yet but it went down so very smoothly and tasted outta this world!! I told myself it would help the turkey to stay down....  I just had a sugar free popcycle which was tasty and hit the sweet tooth I was having. I need to down some water and go for my walk. I have postponed that today as well. I did a bit of cleaning in the kitchen which made me feel human so it was nice. I am also feeling in good spirits today which helps alot.  I am not feeling like this was a mistake like I have thought a couple of times in the last few days.... I go to my first post op dr visit tomorrow and am ready to weigh in and see some progress ---- I hope!! It will be a great incentive for me. I know its only Tues. and I plan to go back to work on Monday but it seems the time for taking care of only me is going too fast........ I am today enjoying the quiet and the time alone and just working on me. Very nice. I don't want reality to set back in just yet.  It will come soon enough but I am dreading it. Maybe I can take half of the following week off as well. I so need this time for me. I was so stressed at work for the last several months if not the last year! Two years! Am soooooooooo enjoying this time....... it is healing in many ways. I need to really think about this.... hmmm, it sounds good right now. Time will tell.