Joy W.
Not the "be all and end all"
Nov 06, 2008
November 7, 2008
I think that I am able to write this as someone who can now look "back" at the surgery/weight-loss journey and offer some advice and opinions to those who are considering the same "voyage". I am two years out now, the "majic" time when the surgeons and dieticians tell us that we will stop losing weight and go back to fighting for every pound. Well, I've been the same weight for almost a year. But, here's what I did wrong:
The biggest mistake was not following up with the post-surgical counselling/meetings offered by the Cleveland Clinic. I can't take ALL the blame as when I had my surgery, the meeting were offered only in downtown Cleveland at night. This is not a good neighborhood. I would have had to park in a garage and walk back there alone after the meetings in the dark. DH said no way in hell. Now, the Clinic is offering meetings in Beechwood, which is a little closer and safer. It was MY suggestion that they do this, which makes me proud of myself, but by the time they began offering these meetings, I was already almost a year out and 'set in my ways'.
I am not careful about what I eat. I am at the point now where I am eating almost as much as I ate before the surgery. I go to fast food places and order just about as much as before. It may take me two or three hours to eat a Big Mac or a Subway meatball 12 incher, but I still do it, PLUS the fries. I also eat pizza and stuff like that. I haven't cut down on what I eat at night at all. I am still wearing a groove in the floor between my chair and the refrigerator at night. This is how important post-surgical support is to WLS patients. It was offered, but for various reasons, I didn't take advantage of it. Some were my fault, some were not.
Recently, I have been suffering from chronic gastro problems, starting with almost 2 weeks of diarrhea. Now, the diarrhea is over but I am still not "normal". I find myself tired all the time. My gut is not right. I have LOTS of gas and stomach rumbles and sometimes mild nausea and cramping. Something is wrong. OH friends have said it might be an infection called "C-diff". When it first started, I thought it was food poisoning. And, I'm wondering if something has gone wrong with the surgery. Did I pop a staple? Is there something wrong with the stoma? Whatever is wrong, I'm probably facing lots of uncomfortable tests to find out what it is. Not fun.
Would I do it again? Yes, but differently. After all, I am still a size 16, down from a fat and ugly 24. But, I'll probably never see 135 pounds. If I did it again, I'd go for the counselling,maybe asking for private sessions where I could go during the day. It's not ALL bad stuff. I weathered the vomiting the first few weeks. I've dumped but it hasn't been that bad. I know WHY I dump and avoid foods (like p'nut butter) that make me sick. If it's done right and with more dedication than I had, it works and works well. It's my fault that I'm not at my goal weight, not the surgery's, the Clinic's or Dr. Schauer's.
I think that I am able to write this as someone who can now look "back" at the surgery/weight-loss journey and offer some advice and opinions to those who are considering the same "voyage". I am two years out now, the "majic" time when the surgeons and dieticians tell us that we will stop losing weight and go back to fighting for every pound. Well, I've been the same weight for almost a year. But, here's what I did wrong:
The biggest mistake was not following up with the post-surgical counselling/meetings offered by the Cleveland Clinic. I can't take ALL the blame as when I had my surgery, the meeting were offered only in downtown Cleveland at night. This is not a good neighborhood. I would have had to park in a garage and walk back there alone after the meetings in the dark. DH said no way in hell. Now, the Clinic is offering meetings in Beechwood, which is a little closer and safer. It was MY suggestion that they do this, which makes me proud of myself, but by the time they began offering these meetings, I was already almost a year out and 'set in my ways'.
I am not careful about what I eat. I am at the point now where I am eating almost as much as I ate before the surgery. I go to fast food places and order just about as much as before. It may take me two or three hours to eat a Big Mac or a Subway meatball 12 incher, but I still do it, PLUS the fries. I also eat pizza and stuff like that. I haven't cut down on what I eat at night at all. I am still wearing a groove in the floor between my chair and the refrigerator at night. This is how important post-surgical support is to WLS patients. It was offered, but for various reasons, I didn't take advantage of it. Some were my fault, some were not.
Recently, I have been suffering from chronic gastro problems, starting with almost 2 weeks of diarrhea. Now, the diarrhea is over but I am still not "normal". I find myself tired all the time. My gut is not right. I have LOTS of gas and stomach rumbles and sometimes mild nausea and cramping. Something is wrong. OH friends have said it might be an infection called "C-diff". When it first started, I thought it was food poisoning. And, I'm wondering if something has gone wrong with the surgery. Did I pop a staple? Is there something wrong with the stoma? Whatever is wrong, I'm probably facing lots of uncomfortable tests to find out what it is. Not fun.
Would I do it again? Yes, but differently. After all, I am still a size 16, down from a fat and ugly 24. But, I'll probably never see 135 pounds. If I did it again, I'd go for the counselling,maybe asking for private sessions where I could go during the day. It's not ALL bad stuff. I weathered the vomiting the first few weeks. I've dumped but it hasn't been that bad. I know WHY I dump and avoid foods (like p'nut butter) that make me sick. If it's done right and with more dedication than I had, it works and works well. It's my fault that I'm not at my goal weight, not the surgery's, the Clinic's or Dr. Schauer's.
"Back Home Again"
Aug 16, 2007
Wowee, I've been gone for a while! I didn't realize I hadn't added to this blog since January! Well, I've been playing with the same five pounds for months, but haven't really been behaving. I am able to eat almost everything and I do, doggone it. The surgery prevents me from stuffing my face like I used to and I don't eat candy, cookies, cakes or ice cream, but do eat just about everyting else. On the plus side, I have lost 83 pounds. People who haven't seen me are amazed and complimentary and I enjoy wearing tank tops and shorts in this hot Cleveland summer. In addition, after being in meno for three years I've just started gettting major hot flashes now! Boo!
In the cooler weather, I'm going to make use of that $75.00 a month
Life Center Plus fitness club membership and start working out. My friend Prayerie Dawn is doing great with HER working out and she's had lots of problems with the surgery, poor thing. I'm sliding on the ice and sitting my my as---uh, butt.
I'll continue this blog and promise not to disappear again!
In the cooler weather, I'm going to make use of that $75.00 a month
Life Center Plus fitness club membership and start working out. My friend Prayerie Dawn is doing great with HER working out and she's had lots of problems with the surgery, poor thing. I'm sliding on the ice and sitting my my as---uh, butt. I'll continue this blog and promise not to disappear again!
Coming to the end of the "honeymoon"??
Jan 02, 2007
As the New Year begins, I have realized that I will need to start watching what I eat. I am still heading into the kitchen in the evening, and even though what I eat is fat-free or things like dill pickles, it's still eating. One of these days I'll get on the scale and either I'll have gained or not lost anything. Each day I'm reminded of what Dr. Schauer said--this surgery is not a cure, it's a tool.
I am absolutely starting my work-outs. I've noticed the flappy is hanging lower (dunlap syndrome, as Stephany says) and I've got lots of jiggle where there shouldn't be any.
I am able to tolerate most foods now, and even had pork for New Year's Day. One of the most important things is to stop eating when you feel full.
I am having issues with my arthritis. My shoulders are getting worse and worse since I can't take Advil or Aleve and I think I'll have to go to Dr. Rosien (rheumatologist) to see what can be done. There has to be something out there I can take!
I am absolutely starting my work-outs. I've noticed the flappy is hanging lower (dunlap syndrome, as Stephany says) and I've got lots of jiggle where there shouldn't be any.
I am able to tolerate most foods now, and even had pork for New Year's Day. One of the most important things is to stop eating when you feel full.
I am having issues with my arthritis. My shoulders are getting worse and worse since I can't take Advil or Aleve and I think I'll have to go to Dr. Rosien (rheumatologist) to see what can be done. There has to be something out there I can take!
To the New Year and less of me!
Dec 26, 2006
Christmas went very well mostly because I ate a few bites of turkey and stopped eating when I felt it getting stuck. No one makes any comment which is a good thing. It makes it easier to do what I have to do!
I am looking forward to the New Year and what it will bring for the first time in years. I am losing about a pound every day or two and have lost about 42 pounds. When I think of how hard I had to fight to lose weight on Weight Watchers and even exercising at Curves and the fitness center, I'm just overwhelmed. And, in a few months it all came back!
Here's to 2007!!
I am looking forward to the New Year and what it will bring for the first time in years. I am losing about a pound every day or two and have lost about 42 pounds. When I think of how hard I had to fight to lose weight on Weight Watchers and even exercising at Curves and the fitness center, I'm just overwhelmed. And, in a few months it all came back!
Here's to 2007!!
Is it worth it?
Dec 15, 2006
Well, I'm down almost 40 lbs. since November 3rd (today is the 15th of December- six weeks out). Today I'm not sure it's worth it. I can't eat more than a few spoonsful of food and there's a lot of stuff (like protein bars) that make me dump. I waste a LOT of food! I'm not at the point yet where I can say the surgery was worth it. I spend a lot of time tired and mildly nauseated. I don't think there's anything wrong. I think that's just the way it is. Getting protein in and all my liquids is a joke. If I eat too fast, don't chew well or eat the wrong thing, i wind up throwing up five minutes later and the pain is pretty bad.
It's certainly a process!
It's certainly a process!
Food...ugh...
Nov 27, 2006
I am almost three weeks out and beginning to understand what those who've "gone before me" were saying about not being able to stand the thought of eating. I'm so behind on my protein, I know I'll be bald for Valentine's Day. The thought of food makes me want to vomit. I was so hungry after the surgery, it's incredible that now I almost have to force myself to eat. Nothing is appealing to me except maybe for shredded cheese, and I have about 1/2 cup of that in the evening. Isn't that incredible? I used to pack it away at night from 7PM until 11PM, non-stop! Cookies, candy, whatever was in the house that wasn't nailed down! Sheesh!
I'm down a size in pants, but still have the poochie belly. I really need to get to the fitness center!!
I'm down a size in pants, but still have the poochie belly. I really need to get to the fitness center!!
Turkey Day Success!
Nov 23, 2006
I'm very proud of myself for being careful today and when I was full or felt like I was going to dump, I stopped eating. Managed about two tablespoons of stuffing, two sweet potato chunks and a little turkey. Also had a small bowl of mashed potatoes during Grey's Anatomy. (Probably shouldn't have.) I did dump again last night on chicken I was cutting up for the cat. It's a real learning experience.
And now, for the GOOD news. I got on the scale on Wednesday and I'd lost 25 pounds!!!! WOW!!! I'm putting my starting weight at 272 because that's what I weighed at my pre-op consult/testing. The scale registerd 245.6 today. It doesn't really show except for the fact that I can zip my PAWS jacket, but at least that's better than THREE pounds!!!
And now, for the GOOD news. I got on the scale on Wednesday and I'd lost 25 pounds!!!! WOW!!! I'm putting my starting weight at 272 because that's what I weighed at my pre-op consult/testing. The scale registerd 245.6 today. It doesn't really show except for the fact that I can zip my PAWS jacket, but at least that's better than THREE pounds!!!
Yuck
Nov 21, 2006
Yuck. I dumped for the first time last night--on egg salad of all things. I had to be a pig and shove it in and within five minutes was leaning over the kitchen sink. Today my stomach hurts and I'm really down in the dumps. Dumping is painful!!! I felt like I ate a bag of rocks with very sharp edges.
I have to go up to CVS and get those chewable multi-vitamins because I can't stomach the GNC liquid and I can't just stop taking it.
Ugh. Bad day.
I have to go up to CVS and get those chewable multi-vitamins because I can't stomach the GNC liquid and I can't just stop taking it.
Ugh. Bad day.
THREE POUNDS???? ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
Nov 12, 2006
When I went to the doctor on Friday, I'd only lost three pounds!!! After three weeks of starvation, that awful bowel cleanse and surgery!!!! The technician said not to worry. She's seen people come in who have actually GAINED as much as 10 pounds after sugery! Wow! She says it's all the fluids and gas they give you in the hospital. She says it takes one-two weeks to dissapate. I actually think I can see my top stomach shrinking and my bottom flappy is getting a lot more flappy. I think I need to start on the treds. I'm hoping I won't have to have plastic surgery, but I'm not going through all this and then have my big flappy poochie on the front porch hanging down to my knees!
The hunger is not so bad, but today the kids came over and we got lots of lunchmeat, bread and cheese and I don't blame them, but they were sitting there eating it in front of me and I could feel my blood pressure rising. It's so hard! Hubby expects me to cook for Thanksgiving all the foods I can't eat or can only have a few mushed up tablespoons of. And, I'm not sure if I want to go to the company Holiday party either. I can't drink and won't be able to eat much as it's all ethnic food smothered in sour cream and such. It's so good, I would be miserable. I think I might beg off. Maybe I'll call my old friend to see if there's a coffee date in the offing? Nah. Not worth it.
In any case, like I said, I'm doing a little better with the hunger, but feeling very jiggly so I think I'll hit the rec center tomorrow. They have a scale there, anyway. I'll probably have gained ten pounds.
The hunger is not so bad, but today the kids came over and we got lots of lunchmeat, bread and cheese and I don't blame them, but they were sitting there eating it in front of me and I could feel my blood pressure rising. It's so hard! Hubby expects me to cook for Thanksgiving all the foods I can't eat or can only have a few mushed up tablespoons of. And, I'm not sure if I want to go to the company Holiday party either. I can't drink and won't be able to eat much as it's all ethnic food smothered in sour cream and such. It's so good, I would be miserable. I think I might beg off. Maybe I'll call my old friend to see if there's a coffee date in the offing? Nah. Not worth it.
In any case, like I said, I'm doing a little better with the hunger, but feeling very jiggly so I think I'll hit the rec center tomorrow. They have a scale there, anyway. I'll probably have gained ten pounds.
Six days out!
Nov 08, 2006
Tomorrow it will be a week that I had my procedure! Today is the first day I've felt really "human" and like I want to do something like work on the scrapbook from my daughter's wedding or maybe....ummmm....clean house a little....wait a minute....ok, THAT idea passed pretty quickly.
I can take a deep breath now without pain. Belching still hurts but the other end is working pretty good as I found out when my husband took me to the grocery store yesterday. Ooops. Just look around like someone else did it. The gas is unbelieveable and was cause for a lot of my pain earlier this week. I felt like if someone approached me with a pin and poked me with it, I'd take off into the stratosphere like a balloon. Hopefully on my post-op visit tomorrow they will pull this @#$%^!!! drain out.
My biggest problem right now is that I am hungry!!! I think part of it is head hunger, but my new gut is hungry too and saying "give me cheddar cheese and salsa! give me potatoes!!!" That is definitely something I'm going to discuss with Dr. Schauer or his fellowe tomorrow.
My "old friend" called me again today to see how I was doing. Wow. There is a Santa Claus.
About Me
Twinsburg, OH
Location
47.2
BMI
Surgery
11/03/2006
Surgery Date
Jan 03, 2006
Member Since
