Ge-Anne

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 Hernia repair went well...I am back down to 245 and while I have more skin than I will EVER NEED, I am in good shape.

Body image issues still pop up with unpredictable regularity. I really recommend that everyone who is at any point in this journey keep a trusted therapist on standby.

I have great news. In my last post, I shared how hard it was to get the baby weight off. It seemed that no matter how far back I cut my calories, no weight loss occured. I went to Vanderbilt and met with the nutritionist who recommended that I "up my protein". I did, but only a bit.

In December, I joined "Travis Martin's Thrive! Weight Loss" and found a food plan that emphasises protein and a low-gycemic index. I can have bread and tortillas, so it's not no-carb. I lost my 30 pounds in only a few weeks. I find that if I do gain a few pounds (no more than 5), I just scale back to the Week 1-2 eating plan and it comes right off.

In other news, my hernia repair that was performed in 2003 used a Kugel mesh that has been recalled. I am having a re-do on May 27. I'll post as soon as I recover. :)

http://jottingsfromge-anne.blogspot.com/

Wow! At my last posting, though I didn't know it, I HAD conceived! Now in my 9th week of pregnancy, I am so excited to see that things are going along well. Because I was diabetic when I had gastric bypass, I have been carefully monitoring my blood sugars and they do seem to be creeping up, but knowing to watch for that will help the doctors treat it right away.

I am a bit scared of gaining weight. My weight at conception was 237 and I am hoping to gain little, if any weight until the end. It scares me to think that I might get really big, but I am thrilled to know that I am going to be a mom again and a birth mom for the first time.

Though my monthly cycles returned right away and I have been regular since the surgery, I recently began trying to conceive. After months of no luck, we found out in February that we had conceived--only to begin miscarrying that very day.

Months later, with the help of a local fertility clinic, I found that I have a progesterone deficiency. They immediately gave me a prescription for Prometrium and we're all hopeful.

I do have PCOS, so I expected to have difficulty, but I sure wish things would move along more quickly.

Seven years out from RNY gastric bypass...what a ride it's been! So many changes!

Briefly...I had my surgery in July 2000, with a panniculectomy to follow two years later. The physical healing for the 1st surgery took about 4-6 weeks, as it was an open incision.

The recovery from the panniculectomy was very short--I was driving in a week.

The emotional recovery from years spent as a social outcast--still ongoing and probably always will be.

From my perspective, this is the area where potential surgery candidates falter. It's also the area that can trigger unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle choices for years to come...Carnie Wilson's struggle with alcoholism, Rosanne Barr's bizarre behaviors, etc. Be forewarned, there IS work that must be done psychologically and spiritually in order to live a vibrant, healthy life.

I wish you the best on YOUR journey!

Ge-Anne