No longer full of shit

Okay.    I admit to being a woman of simple pleasures.  Ever since coming down with a violent stomach bug on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning where I spent the entire night puking up every last bit of my stomach contents, I have not had a bowel movement for nearly a week.  I was starting to get concerned.  I wasn't feeling crampy or "plugged", and admittedly I ate pretty light on Wednesday and Thursday.  But I ate normally on Friday, Saturday and Sunday...and this morning...and...nothing???

I had nearly decided to purchase something on the way home to "encourage" movement in that area, and then shit happened!  Wooo Hooo!

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail - Summer 2015

Okay, so my cousin Sue suggested to our cousins Steve Gray and Lisa Urabe wouldn't it be great to hike the Pacific Crest Trail together.  I asked if I could invite myself along.  She said sure...but to start training now.

I can build up my cardio endurance...but as far as hiking...I'll have to start with walking and build up slowly.  To be honest, I haven't done much walking, mostly because I'm just too afraid of it hurting again (or still).

It sure would be awesome to hike with my cousins.  By then I should be approximately 6 months post-op and hopefully able to walk/hike great distances.

Yesterday was a success!

Given the fact that according to my BMI, I'm "morbidly obese" and I have diabetes...what I accomplished yesterday is something I really need to do every day.  I managed to go the entire day without any kind of ice cream (even low carb/low sugar/low fat ice cream).  I probably have done this several days over the summer, but more often than not, my sugar addiction either steers my car to get an ice cream cone or sundae, or it makes the ice cream jump into my shopping cart at the store.

As I've mentioned, there is a 99% chance that I will not be able to eat ice cream after my bariatric surgery, so I've been trying to curb my addiction now. Anyway, yesterday was day 1 without ice cream.  I'm trying for day 2 today.

I will try making homemade fruit ices (or whatever you call them) like Jessica suggested by putting frozen fruit in a food processor.

Uneasy

I'm not sure why I'm feeling uneasy.  I'm not nervous about the WLS.  I'm hoping to get down to my goal weight and have it done soon, but I know that if I can't get it done around the end of September, I might as well wait until early December to save the two weeks without pay.

I just have to develop some strength and use strategies to deal with my sugar addiction.  I can't keep giving in to ice cream...especially not sundaes at 400 calories each.  And I'm not sure I'll be able to have even low carb ice cream after surgery, so I might as well break the addiction now.

Goddess, please give me strength.

Great blog post on Obesity Help

I found a great blog post on Obesity Help:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/5263894/Tips-for-surviving-your-WLS-from-new-Sleever-whos-11-days/

Tips for surviving your WLS from new Sleever who's 11 days post op.

Emotional Tips;

Protect yourself emotionally: Only tell a few people about the surgery. Your inner circle, and be prepared that many of your closest family and friend will NOT understand. I chose to not disclose my surgery and am so glad I kept it to myself at work and w/ 99 percent of my friends and family.

Set boundaries: I have made it very clear to all, do NOT ask me how much weight I have lost. This is a long journey, there will be ups and downs and I do not need that pressure. I will share with my Sleever support group and Dr. for accountability purposes. You may ask how I am doing, how do I feel. People think they are being supportive and they do not know the pressure it puts on someone to perform.

Make your home a safe haven, especially at the beginning: preop and new post op (3-4 months) is a very fragile time. Physically yes, but the emotional journey is a huge part of the success. No need to make it harder. Make a list of your binge foods. The foods that you just know, if they are in the house I am going to obsess about them, they will call my name. And keep them out of your home. I keep hearing that "it's not fair that my family be deprived/suffer." YES, it is fair. They love you and you need their help. IF they are truly supportive they will eat those items out elsewhere. Maybe have a friend or spouse take the kids to a night out for pizza or whatever while you rest at home. Or have the spouse go out w/ a friend for their burger or Chinese fix. If the food is not in the house it is much more likely that you will not slip and eat it. Protect your sleeve. It is healing for up to a full year.

Make friends online: You need support. Information.  Find folks you click with, but ignore the negative dramatic sort. I like this site as well as FB: Gastric Sleeve support group. but I blocked a lot of folks who were just bringing negativity. I need healthy, positive support and good information. Networking has really helped.

Put away the scale; Weigh once a week. That's max. Post surgery, I'd even encourage you to wait to weigh after two weeks as your body is adjusting. Do not let the scale define your journey. It will mess with your head. it's only a tool for you to use; scientific feedback. Not the be all, end all. Put that scale in it's place.

Remind yourself of the big picture; Look 1-15 years down the road. If you stay on this path, where are you headed? WLS is not for the faint of heart. but what could a fresh start do for your health, for your life? Get that picture firmly placed in your mind. Focus on this being a journey of healing. Moving towards a healthier, more abundant, fulfilling life. Make a list of all the things you want to do that you could if you were not obese. Have a vision of your future. it will sustain you through the rough patches.

Physical tips:

PreOp; Follow your surgeons diet. Everyone has a different one. Do not binge or cheat. Ask your surgeon if you an add some protein (like an egg at breakfast and 3-4 oz of chicken or fish at lunch and dinner.)  I was allowed to do that and it saved me, but every Dr.is different, so do what they say to do. FYI; The day before surgery is clear liquids.

 And careful not to drink after the time they give you, pre-surgery, this is no joke. Had a gal online report she had her surgery cancelled because they found her chewing gum right before surgery. The anesthesiologist said the saliva she produced was enough to cancel it. WOW.

What to take to the hospital; A comfy outfit to change into day two. Your own pillow. An extension cord and charger for your iPhone. Something to read. Your current medications, but ask your surgeon when you are allowed to take oral meds. Chapstick and hand cream. A sleep mask and earplugs.

My worst days were day two and three, as I had a lot of pain from the gas they pump into your abdominal cavity to perform the surgery. Then day four and five, my incisions started to hurt, and I felt like my gut had been punched by a prize fighter. I did not sleep on my side until a week out. Putting pillows up under my knees as I slept on my back really helped. When you start to drink again, go SLOWLY, the ice chips; melt them in your mouth and warm them before you swallow. When you ge****er, drink from a cup and do not gulp. Small sips continuously. Dehydration is a big issue, stay on top of it. In the hospital and when you get home; walk walk walk away the gas pains. Gas x is controversial since it goes into your new stomach which is tender, I did not use it and believe that walking helps more. Rest as much as you can. The pain is tolerable. Remember, you WILL get through this. It is normal to have regrets on day two or three. Day four or five you turn the corner and you will feel better.

The liquid diet and then pureed diets are covered on other pages, but I will say this; GO SLOWLY! When you try anything new take one small bite and swallow. Wait. Wait some more. See how you are tolerating it prior to eating more. Stick CLOSELY and do not deviate at all to the food plan or timeline. Protect your tummy! it needs to heal. Get your protein in. Get your water in. Get your bariatric vitamins in. Take very good care of yourself, esp the first month.

I am eleven days out and I do not regret what I just went through. Rather I feel blessed and hopeful for a new future, an abundant life. All the best to you!- Michelle

Loving Exercise and 9 lbs down so far!

I'm having trouble sticking to a 1,200 calorie/day eating plan.  I'm up around 1,500 usually.  I'm hoping that all the exercise I'm doing (30-60 minutes per day, and sometimes 90 minutes), I'll be burning off the extra calories.

But the great news is I'm down 2 more lbs for a total of 9 since 6/26.  Only 11 more to go until I reach the goal weight set by my surgeon. And only 6 lbs before I can call in and get my psych eval and a date set.  :D  I'm mostly following a 1,200 calorie a day eating plan and working out between 30-60 minutes per day. I'm really enjoying exercising.  Even though I still have difficulty walking very far, I'm focusing on what my body will do for me without pain (exercise bike, water aerobics and yoga) and burning calories that way.

Support Groups - Learning So Much - Serendipity

On Tuesday, July 8, I went to my first Support Group meeting.  This one was at Good Sam.  Kaiser insurance (and doctor) require attendance at support groups prior to having surgery. It was a very welcoming group. Approximately 20 people were there, 5 "pre-ops" and the rest were anywhere from 2 weeks to 10 years post-op. It was very inspiring and educational to hear from the people who have had surgery, the tremendous amount of weight they lost in their first year (typically 80-150lbs for the women), and the regain (which was anywhere from 0-20lbs). People shared their challenges as well as what they're doing successfully, all really good information.

It is helpful to hear from people who have been through it. And I'm so grateful to my friends Annie and Kit for being willing to answer my questions. It seems that the "head stuff" (emotional eating, eating out of boredom, craving for carbs, justifying that one little piece won't hurt)...all that stuff, happens to most patients. As my niece who is a bariatric dietitian says, Weight Loss Surgery is not a cure-all. It's just a tool. It won't keep you from emotional eating. My surgeon explained that all he does is shrink your stomach...nothing changes with the "head stuff" until the patient deals with that.

Some patients rely on "dumping" to keep them from eating high sugar or high fat foods (which honestly is what I'm hoping for), but then again not everyone "dumps". Also different foods agree (or disagree) with different people. Everyone is different so there are no set rules, just guidelines on what to eat, how to eat and beyond that, it's trial and error what each patient can tolerate. At last night's meeting, the members were discussing protein drinks. And most of them commented how some things that were delicious prior to surgery were just disgusting (either in smell or taste) after surgery). No one knows why that changes. It just does in some people.

Also, from all I've read and heard from people, the key "weight loss period" after surgery is the first 12-24 months when the surgery actually inhibits the release of the hormone that makes you hungry. All the post-op patients I've talked to say take advantage of this timeframe to lose the most weight possible, because those hunger hormones come back. And patients who are not careful with their portions do occasionally stretch their stomach pouches.

So that's it. Weight loss surgery is a tool that can help a person eat less and lose weight, but patients that don't commit to a lifestyle of portion-controlled healthy eating and exercise aren't going to have as much success as those that do make the commitment to themselves. My surgeon said that if I didn't try very hard (meaning if I try and "get away" with eating the wrong things or eating too much), I'd probably lose about 50 lbs after surgery, but if I did make the commitment and stick to it, I could lose roughly 100 lbs.

I'm going to another support group tonight.  This one's at El Camino Hospital.   I learned about it last night at the water aerobics class.  Just before class as I was getting in the pool, I got to talking with a woman. She mentioned she'd had surgery 5 weeks ago, but I didn't press for information. Then she mentioned it was gastric bypass surgery. She seemed to want to tell me all about it, and I was eager to listen. We chatted during the entire class, so I got a great workout and lots of good information. It was amazing serendipity that I happened to meet and start up a conversation with a woman who just happened to have had recent bypass surgery.

One thing the woman from water aerobics told me is that during surgery, they fill your insides up with air so it's easier for the surgeon to move around in there.  She said that after surgery, there is pain due to the air, and that if you can burp or pass gas, it will help expel some of the air.  She was unable to for a couple days.  She also said that when she gets full, she feels slight discomfort on her left side, and when she has a bowel movement, she feels discomfort there too rather than in her belly.

So much to learn, but I want to educate myself so I'm as prepared as possible.