I went back to the doctor's this past Wednesday. I've been extremely tired for the past few weeks and I wanted to be sure that it wasn't anything that was post surgically related. I was concerned about low iron and B12 levels and dehydration.
My blood work all came back normal. My blood cells are the normal size, my body is absorbing enough iron and B12 and I am not dehydrated. I was thrilled to say the least. So many people have deficiencies after surgery because our bodies now have a shorter digestive tract and less nutrition is absorbed. I was fortunate and I have been counting my blessings ever since.
My total weight loss since a month before the surgery is 130. Next week will mark my 6th month out of surgery. It has been a steady pound or two loss for a few weeks now. I've been roller skating once a week and moving more at home. I've started working on the weekends on my feet, which will also help.
I am interested in other people's stories who have had the surgery. I would love for you to share your successes and issues after the suregery. If you have a story to tell, please share it here so that others who are considering the surgery can make an informed decision.
Thank you for your time.
Missy Bell
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
5 1/2 Months after Gastric Bypass Surgery
Thanks for supporting my blog site! I'm glad you've decided to come back for a visit. It has been 5 1/2 months since the surgery. A lot has changed since that day.
As I look back on who I was then and who I am now, I can start to see definite changes. The most noticeable change of course is the way I look. I've been called "skinny," "Skinny Minnie," and I've been told I'm melting and disappearing. As much as I appreciate the compliments and I value those people's opinions, I know I have a long road ahead of me. I don't feel thin by any means. But I guess in comparison to what I was, it's drastic. I have lost 31% of myself. That's almost 1/3 of what I used to be! Looking at it that way is a bit exciting.
I want to lose another 120. The weight loss has slowed down considerably. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. I do get discouraged though. It's not easy to eat as little as I do and see the scale stay about the same day in and day out for weeks on end. I've hit another plateau.
I've gone back to roller skating at least once a week for a couple of hours. That seems to help with a pound here or there. I think my body gets into starvation mode and doesn't want to let go of the weight. Everyone says they still see changes in my shape weekly though.
I've noticed that I don't mind going out as much. I enjoy spending time with people now. I was always too self conscious and worried about what other people thought to actually enjoy myself. I can actually say that I enjoy myself now. I don't have as many inhibitions.
People treat me differently now. I feel like I am more visible. People seemed to look through me or past me before when I was much heavier, as though I didn't exist. I used to notice that a few of my friends would not even hear me when I talked sometimes, and I am NOT quiet. It was frustrating. Maybe it was my perception because I had a low self worth and that is how I thought others saw me. I have much more confidence now.
I'm grateful for the changes this surgery has brought and I look forward to the future more, now that I believe I have one.
In the same breath, I haven't been feeling very well the past 2 weeks. I've been exhausted daily. I'm sleeping well. I don't wake up like I used to in the middle of the night and I think my sleep apnea is gone. I don't know what is causing it. So I went to the doctor's after work yesterday to have some blood drawn. I go back to see my doctor next week. My only concerns would be slight anemia from not enough iron or mild dehydration from not enough water. I'm hoping it's neither. I'll just have to wait until next week to find out. If it's something serious I'm sure they will call.
I joined "The Biggest Loser Contest" at work. I'll keep you posted on my progress. The contest is by floor so I'm really rooting for us. We have a good group of people so I know we stand a chance.
Have you ever joined something like that? How did it go? Did it help you stay motivated? I would love people to start sharing their experiences here with weight issues or perceptions of weight in society.
If you're considering the surgery and you would like to know more than what you've read here, feel free to post and I will respond.
Missy
As I look back on who I was then and who I am now, I can start to see definite changes. The most noticeable change of course is the way I look. I've been called "skinny," "Skinny Minnie," and I've been told I'm melting and disappearing. As much as I appreciate the compliments and I value those people's opinions, I know I have a long road ahead of me. I don't feel thin by any means. But I guess in comparison to what I was, it's drastic. I have lost 31% of myself. That's almost 1/3 of what I used to be! Looking at it that way is a bit exciting.
I want to lose another 120. The weight loss has slowed down considerably. I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. I do get discouraged though. It's not easy to eat as little as I do and see the scale stay about the same day in and day out for weeks on end. I've hit another plateau.
I've gone back to roller skating at least once a week for a couple of hours. That seems to help with a pound here or there. I think my body gets into starvation mode and doesn't want to let go of the weight. Everyone says they still see changes in my shape weekly though.
I've noticed that I don't mind going out as much. I enjoy spending time with people now. I was always too self conscious and worried about what other people thought to actually enjoy myself. I can actually say that I enjoy myself now. I don't have as many inhibitions.
People treat me differently now. I feel like I am more visible. People seemed to look through me or past me before when I was much heavier, as though I didn't exist. I used to notice that a few of my friends would not even hear me when I talked sometimes, and I am NOT quiet. It was frustrating. Maybe it was my perception because I had a low self worth and that is how I thought others saw me. I have much more confidence now.
I'm grateful for the changes this surgery has brought and I look forward to the future more, now that I believe I have one.
In the same breath, I haven't been feeling very well the past 2 weeks. I've been exhausted daily. I'm sleeping well. I don't wake up like I used to in the middle of the night and I think my sleep apnea is gone. I don't know what is causing it. So I went to the doctor's after work yesterday to have some blood drawn. I go back to see my doctor next week. My only concerns would be slight anemia from not enough iron or mild dehydration from not enough water. I'm hoping it's neither. I'll just have to wait until next week to find out. If it's something serious I'm sure they will call.
I joined "The Biggest Loser Contest" at work. I'll keep you posted on my progress. The contest is by floor so I'm really rooting for us. We have a good group of people so I know we stand a chance.
Have you ever joined something like that? How did it go? Did it help you stay motivated? I would love people to start sharing their experiences here with weight issues or perceptions of weight in society.
If you're considering the surgery and you would like to know more than what you've read here, feel free to post and I will respond.
Missy
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Old Habits Die Hard
I can relate to this saying. When I think things are going very well, along comes the major stress and I completely fall apart.
I have done well so far since the Gastric Bypass surgery, with a total weight loss of about 120 pounds since June. My clothes fit better, I have more energy and the mere thought of walking somewhere, even from my car into a store, does not consume my every emotion. This holiday season I found that I was walking everywhere and for long periods of time and would not even realize I was doing it until I returned to the car.
The holidays arrived and I was feeling very good about the way I was able to handle the stress to food ratio. Then the major stress hit. I lost an old friend in a tragic event and when one of my relatives came home for Christmas, he made plans for his life that did not include his family. These events took over my thoughts and I found myself heading for the closest comfort foods I could find. My hand was dipping into the bag of chocolates left over from a New Year's celebration. What was I doing? This went on for a full 48 hours. I feel like my stomach has expanded, my mood is taking a ride in the back, whipping car of a roller coaster and my self esteem has plummeted. This is all, no doubt due mostly to the high amount of carbohydrates I've loaded into my system in search of comfort and to the thoughts that so negatively affected my weight in the past.
Fortunately, I have recognized my old behaviors quickly and resolved to change them. I cannot let stress and the actions of others affect my goals. The food I am "using" is not comforting me. It is hindering my progress and sending me into a downward spiral. This is the same unconscious eating that brought me to my pre-surgical weight.
I still want to lose another 115 pounds. I am well aware that this is not the way to achieve that goal. Nor do I want to become a statistic-the girl people refer to when they discuss failed Gastric Bypass Surgeries. I am determined to do this for ME.
I am back to the positive thinking and I will be taking action from here forward to get back on track. I bought a blender today and will be getting back to basics by making the Whey Protein shakes that I started on. I also bought yogurt to add to the protein balance.
I will be installing my exercise equipment I received as a gift for Christmas and I will start with that as well.
I will continue to watch for these habits and in the future, all trigger food will be removed from the home when stress begins.
Old habits die hard, but I must be stronger than they are if I wish to banish them for good.
Do you have struggles you want to discuss? Please post below and I will respond. Also, please become a "follower" of my blog to receive updates.
I have done well so far since the Gastric Bypass surgery, with a total weight loss of about 120 pounds since June. My clothes fit better, I have more energy and the mere thought of walking somewhere, even from my car into a store, does not consume my every emotion. This holiday season I found that I was walking everywhere and for long periods of time and would not even realize I was doing it until I returned to the car.
The holidays arrived and I was feeling very good about the way I was able to handle the stress to food ratio. Then the major stress hit. I lost an old friend in a tragic event and when one of my relatives came home for Christmas, he made plans for his life that did not include his family. These events took over my thoughts and I found myself heading for the closest comfort foods I could find. My hand was dipping into the bag of chocolates left over from a New Year's celebration. What was I doing? This went on for a full 48 hours. I feel like my stomach has expanded, my mood is taking a ride in the back, whipping car of a roller coaster and my self esteem has plummeted. This is all, no doubt due mostly to the high amount of carbohydrates I've loaded into my system in search of comfort and to the thoughts that so negatively affected my weight in the past.
Fortunately, I have recognized my old behaviors quickly and resolved to change them. I cannot let stress and the actions of others affect my goals. The food I am "using" is not comforting me. It is hindering my progress and sending me into a downward spiral. This is the same unconscious eating that brought me to my pre-surgical weight.
I still want to lose another 115 pounds. I am well aware that this is not the way to achieve that goal. Nor do I want to become a statistic-the girl people refer to when they discuss failed Gastric Bypass Surgeries. I am determined to do this for ME.
I am back to the positive thinking and I will be taking action from here forward to get back on track. I bought a blender today and will be getting back to basics by making the Whey Protein shakes that I started on. I also bought yogurt to add to the protein balance.
I will be installing my exercise equipment I received as a gift for Christmas and I will start with that as well.
I will continue to watch for these habits and in the future, all trigger food will be removed from the home when stress begins.
Old habits die hard, but I must be stronger than they are if I wish to banish them for good.
Do you have struggles you want to discuss? Please post below and I will respond. Also, please become a "follower" of my blog to receive updates.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
