MsBea
I began this journey years ago by researching bariatric surgery. I was moved to consider this option when my physician told me that at nearly 300 pounds, I might not be around for much longer. My blood pressure was high, I was always out of breath, I hated to go anywhere because I was so ashamed of my appearance and that even the largest clothes were too tight, I was so hot all the time, that I sweat constantly and a room that was comfortable for me, was freezing to anyone else. I was such a misfit, and felt like an alien to my own world.
I have lost and gained and lost and gained weight much of my life, having first been told I was fat at about age ten. I tried so hard, but always fell back into old ways because of learned behaviors to cope, and because the feeling of being hungry was almost painful to me, and I would overeat before I knew what was happening, and --on goes the cycle.
I have a wonderful supportive husband who was concerned about the prospect of surgery, but was in there for me for the duration! He promised to support me in my decision and he has followed through.
I had the actual surgery on 2/9/06, my birthday, by choice, and that is symbolic of my new life as a healthy eater.
I began using weights and a tread mill every day --1 mile, then 1 1/2, one month prior to the surgery. I picked up on that again the day I got home, first 1/2 mile and now am up to 2 miles a day. I believe the weights and walking has been a key to my staying firm at 55 years of age, and of getting more stamina and having energy.
My hopsital stay was unpleasant at best. Ther nurses I had were mostly pediatric floats who knew very little about gastric bypass, and seemed scared of me. I was sick, and in pain and had some problems that I will share if anyone wants to email me. I was in the hospital for 5 days and have never been so glad to see my own bed,--I used the recliner--for about a week.
I am very strict with what I eat, drink the water,-with flavorings in it, plain water does not taste good to me anymore...I get lots of protein, whey powder in yogurt and in skim milk, I don't eat the wrong foods, I eat lots of low fat meats and cottage cheese, refried beans with melted string cheese and salsa. I
figure I had this surgery for a reason, and I will live up to my end of the bargain! I can eat everything I did before, but as with many of you, chicken doesn't go well, unless I eat really slowly.
I have had no problems with my health, all blood tests show normal results. I have stopped taking lipitor-via doc's orders, have good blood pressure, and a lot of energy. I take all the supplements and weigh weekly, using Spark People to monitor my food intake and exercise. I go to a 2 times per month support for gastric bypass patients, this is quite supportive, but I don't like to hear about people not following their plan, it scares me a little. With my history, I want to make sure I stay on track.....
I weighed 297 on 2/9/ 06 and weighed 195 today, June 19th of 2006. I have worked very hard to get here,--it is no easy way out, but wow, does it ever help! The journey ahead is up to me, and I plan to make the most of it!
Update: Today, July 1, I weighed 189! I feel great and look pretty good too! I am experiencing some hair loss, not a surprise, but not fun either! I hope it doesn't get too severe...
July 13--weight is 186--so it is slowing down, but I feel great, get lots of compliments, and am in better health than I have been for many years. Still some hair loss, I see it in the hairbrush, some in the shower, but I haven't noticed my hair actually looking thinner yet....I will keep my fingers crossed for that.
I find that I have to talk to myself about using the tool of the pouch ...I promised myself when I had surgery that I would be very careful and not screw this up. The surgery is a tool, not a miracle, so sometimes the old Bea wants to come out and play! I remind myself that others have gone back to their old habits and I don't want that to happen to me. I went through too much pain, anguish, financial outlay, and just want to stay happy, healthy and not mess this up!
July 19th---I weigh 183--this is nothing short of miraculous! I sometimes struggle with the exercise, but I force myself. I don't want to go down that old negative path where I take the easy way out. I try to eat for fuel, not for comfort...It is difficult sometimes, but I am so happy and feel so healthy!
July 30th--I am excited to be 179 today! Weight loss is slowing down a bit, I feel wonderful and continue the exercise on a daily basis...2 miles per day on the tread mill and weights. I spent part of the weekend with a friend, had fun, but it was hard to eat within my choices of food. It all worked out and that helps me build confidence. I am coming up on my 6 month anniversary of the surgery.
August 15th-- I weigh 171 today!! I went on a vacation for a week with a friend, some struggles over restaurant foods and portion sizes, but I stuck to my plan, had fun and managed to eat well, --got my 2 mile walk in almost every day. Consistency is so important!
August 28th--I am at 169 today---what a milestone for me...My weight loss has slowed down, but it is real and will last. My treadmill broke, so I am trying to do some walking without it,--I really miss the treadmill. People are starting to tell me I have lost enough....I knew this would happen eventaully. It is discouraging and feeds into my tendency to think, that "I am fine where I am at....why keep trying??" Then the inevitable regain occurs... I want it to be different this time. I am struggling with arm flab and a little turkey neck, but all in all, I have gotten back into shape pretty well....
September 17th--I am at 164 today--now I am starting to look towards weighing in the 150's. I can hardly believe it...a year ago, I was hoping for winter, so I wouldn't be drenched in sweat, heaving and panting to get up a flight of stairs. Now I can run up stairs, and feel great! The transformation is amazing to everyone, and especially me. I am so grateful that I had the surgery and that I follow the healthy eating rules of amounts, timing of food and drink, and take my supplements. I get support from select friends, and a bariatric support group. My husband is amazing and supportive. I am blessed!
September 29th--159--broke into the 150's --it is amazing!Sometimes it is hard to stay with the new habits I have formed and not fall back into the old me who used to hibernate at the first sign of fall...sometimes it is hard to eat what I am supposed to, and not join in on the food fests that are all around. I focus on the new, healthy me who doesn't stand puffing and exhausted at the top of one stairway, willing my body to climb up the next....this is so much a better, happier way to live!
October 19th--156--this is going pretty slowly right now, I have added a few foods I hadn't had for a while that are not so protein rich and have a bit more fat and starch. My calories are about 1000 per day. I was visiting family out of state and away from my treadmill for about a week and didn't feel like jumping right back on....but I did! Some of the food I added are peanuts, almonds and cashews,--rich in nutrients, the good fats,--but also high in calories, hard to control portions....I need to measure these out carefully....note to self..."Do not resume bad habits of eating unconsciously!" Learned that I didn't dump on a small bag of M & M's....this is potential trouble as I had vowed to not test myself...and just assume I would dump. But I was alone, lonely, a little upset, and they were there. That is all it took. So now I know.
November 6--152--It is much harder dealing with the reality of eating carefully after the magical 100 lbs is gone...I love that my clothes fit! I love being able to walk, run, keep up with younger people. I added apples to my foods, I love apples, and I got a little sick and think I ate too much....I forgot that I can't eat a whole apple!! Life is good though and I had magnificent lab work in my 8 month check up, the endocronologist says I am his new star pupil! I have come a long way, the only down side is flab and wings and turkey neck....saggy face. I am doing what I can to exercise and take care of it, but you can only ask so much of skin!
November 17--151--I still get a lot of support from going to the OH forums...reading about people who are living and have lived through the same challenges that I struggle with. I am thinking about Thanksgiving and the challenges it will bring, a combination of pain from loss of my family and opportunity to live well in my new, different life.
November 22--149--This is amazing....I wiehg 149. Last year at this time I weighed twice that! I am so glad I trusted myself and went ahead with the surgery! I feel so healthy, so good about myself. I can't remember when I weighed this little. I need to keep up the good habits I have learned and do a lot of self-talk to keep things moving in the right direction. Funny thing...I am now truly content with my weight....I am not thinking about losing more, just happy to be healthy and able to wear clothes! Thanksgiving will have special meaning for me this year!
January 2 , 2007--148--Happy New Year!! I got through the Holidays without blowing out my stomach or any other turmoil. I cooked for my husband, and he was considerate as always to not demand a lot of foods....we got through it and I am trying to settle into eating some formerly forbidden foods without guilt or overeating....what a challenge. People continue to not recognize me. I have different clothes, have a new hairstyle and look pretty cute, if I do say so myself. I will celebrate my 56th birthday on my one year surgery anniversary next month. I feel like I have come a long way and have a lot to be grateful for.
January 23, 2007--147--I have settled into the new year without a lot of difficulty. Food will probably always present some form of challenge to me. I may always miss the activity and release of eating-fests. Hardly a celebratory nature to them, why call them fests? Sometimes I eat too fast, forgetting I have had bypass, then I feel sick and nauseous for a little bit. I have to work on that. I love the clothes I have been able to get back into...some of them very expensive from about 10 years ago when I was thin for a minute....well almost a year, but never quite got comfortable. Next month is my one year surgery anniversary. Lots to reflect on!
February 12, 2007--146--I passed the anniversary of my surgery on 2-9, it was uneventful, filled with gratitude, and part of my birthday celebration. I am 56 and "one year old " in my new life.....I feel so healthy.
March 14, 2007--144--This is really going well. I am happy, I am healthy, I am not struggling...life is good!! Sure, I miss my old ways of eating sometimes, but I can overcome that knowing I am feeling so well, and that I have been given a chance to reverse the debilitating, fatal disease of obesity!
March 30, 2007--143--Wow, I am still gradually losing weight. I fell off the exercise when my treadmill broke...and I need to get back on that. It is so hard to begin again. So if anyone reads my words, I just hope you keep exercising...don't ever give up, don't take anything for granted,--we are still not exempt from weight gain, and even from blowing the whole thing...life is a journey, I need to keep trudging along.
May 28th, 2007--142--I am back to my 2 miles per day on the treadmill. I have dealt with some personal pain lately--reconnecting with my birth family who caused me much pain over the years, the death of my beloved mother in law, changes at work...things that might have sent me over the edge if I had been relying as heavily on food as before.
June 25th, 2007--139--I am very happy to have reached a new weight loss milestone...I called my husband into the bathroom to see the 139 on the scale...I like to keep things in perspective though...so I am focusing on not getting high off this weight! Focus on health, wellness, fitness, exercise....hang in there and do what makes me healthy!
February 10, 2008-- I am now 2 years out, and weigh 139. I haven't written for a while, my mother died, I have had some problems with depression and just dealing...As far as the surgery...It was the best thing I have ever done for myself! Exercise, eating right, keeping in mind the extreme measures I took have all helped. I am thrilled at all the pretty new clothes I have, and older clothes that are vintage look very cool too. I regret not doing this sooner, and would urge others to search their souls and move forward with determination. Don't put too much trust in the medical staff for TLC or bedside manner. It is up to you from here on out. Today is my husband and my 29th anniversary. We are very happy and he is so proud of me!
