Friday, January 30, 2009
Changes in my appearance
The strangest thing for me has been the changes in my face. I have mentioned before that I hated the way I looked in pictures because the face I saw was not the me I recognized, in just a short span of time I no longer recognize my face, but I like the me that I see.
Hair loss
People who have this surgery usually experience hair loss between three and six months. I was hoping to dodge the bullet, but today right on cue I noticed that more hair than usual is falling out. I have taken some picture of my hair and will post them if the loss become noticeable. At this point even if I go bald I don't care, I will still be happy with the results.
Other updates...
A friend of mine complained that I don't update this blog often enough. I bet she's sorry now! Hi A.. when can I see the baby?
In other news, I can now drink from a straw. I was told to avoid it for a few months after surgery because the air in my stomach can cause problems. Some people are unable to burp after they have the surgery and drinking through a straw causes sheer misery. Fortunately, I don't have that problem!
In other news, I can now drink from a straw. I was told to avoid it for a few months after surgery because the air in my stomach can cause problems. Some people are unable to burp after they have the surgery and drinking through a straw causes sheer misery. Fortunately, I don't have that problem!
What surgery did I have?
Many of my friends know that I had gastric bypass, but most don't really know that that means other than I have a small stomach.
Here is a picture of what I had done:
How was your surgery done?
My surgery was done laproscopically.
Here is some more info from the Mayo clinic's website.
"In gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach and adds a bypass around a segment of your stomach and small intestine.
The surgeon staples your stomach across the top, sealing it off from the rest of your stomach. The resulting pouch is about the size of a walnut and can hold only about an ounce of food. The pouch is physically separated from the rest of the stomach. Then, the surgeon cuts the small intestine and sews part of it directly onto the pouch.
This connection redirects the food, bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine, the duodenum (doo-o-DEE-num). Food enters directly into the second section of your small intestine, the jejunum (jay-JOO-num), limiting your ability to absorb calories. Even though food never enters the lower part of your stomach, the stomach stays healthy and continues to secrete digestive juices to mix with food in your small intestine.
Some surgeons perform this operation by using a laparoscope — a small, tubular instrument with a camera attached — through short incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopic gastric bypass). The tiny camera on the tip of the scope allows the surgeon to see inside your abdomen.
Compared with traditional "open" gastric bypass, the laparoscopic technique usually shortens your hospital stay and leads to a quicker recovery. Fewer wound-related problems also occur. Not everyone is a candidate for laparoscopic gastric bypass, however. Talk to your doctor about whether this approach is appropriate for you. "
What do your scars look like?
I have five small scars on my belly. I have posted a pic of one my scars below. I am not brave enough to post a picture of my whole belly, but they all look fairly similar to this one, which is located directly above my belly button.
Here is a picture of what I had done:
How was your surgery done?
My surgery was done laproscopically.
Here is some more info from the Mayo clinic's website.
"In gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) the surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of your stomach and adds a bypass around a segment of your stomach and small intestine.
The surgeon staples your stomach across the top, sealing it off from the rest of your stomach. The resulting pouch is about the size of a walnut and can hold only about an ounce of food. The pouch is physically separated from the rest of the stomach. Then, the surgeon cuts the small intestine and sews part of it directly onto the pouch.
This connection redirects the food, bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine, the duodenum (doo-o-DEE-num). Food enters directly into the second section of your small intestine, the jejunum (jay-JOO-num), limiting your ability to absorb calories. Even though food never enters the lower part of your stomach, the stomach stays healthy and continues to secrete digestive juices to mix with food in your small intestine.
Some surgeons perform this operation by using a laparoscope — a small, tubular instrument with a camera attached — through short incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopic gastric bypass). The tiny camera on the tip of the scope allows the surgeon to see inside your abdomen.
Compared with traditional "open" gastric bypass, the laparoscopic technique usually shortens your hospital stay and leads to a quicker recovery. Fewer wound-related problems also occur. Not everyone is a candidate for laparoscopic gastric bypass, however. Talk to your doctor about whether this approach is appropriate for you. "
What do your scars look like?
I have five small scars on my belly. I have posted a pic of one my scars below. I am not brave enough to post a picture of my whole belly, but they all look fairly similar to this one, which is located directly above my belly button.
Vitamins
I get asked about this a lot so I figured I would put this post up for those that are curious. RNY Gastric Bypass modifies your stomach so you are left with a tiny pouch that will initially hold 2-4 ounces. It also modifies your intestines so that the food that you eat does not travel through your entire intestional tract, so your body does not absorb all the calories that you eat. The side effect of that is that not only can it not absorb all the calories, but it also does not absorb all the nutrients. To prevent vitamin deficiencies I will have to supplement using vitamins for the rest of my life. I current take:
Prilosec (I take this every day to prevent stomach ulcers. Many patients take this daily for 6 months to a year after surgery but some take it longer. Ulcers is one of the most common complications that RNY patients will have.
Calcium Citrate 1,500mg (8 LARGE pills) Citrate is the only type of calcium that can be asborbed by patients that have had RNY gastric bypass, all other forms of calcium require acid in the stomach to be absorbed and we do not have that.
Iron 50mg a day (the amount is so high because I am a female who has not gone through menopause, people who have not had surgery and supplement with this amount may be taking a toxic level of iron).
Vitamin D3 5000IU (dry)
Sublingual B-12 1000mcg (B12 deficiencies are very serious and can call irreversible nuerological problems)
B Complex Vitamin
Biotin (To try and prevent hair loss)
Multi-Vitamin ( I was on a chewable from Bariatric Advantage for the first three months and I am now switching to Centrum Silver. I am taking the Silver forumlation because it does not have Iron. If you take Iron and calcium together they will block the absorption of each other.)
Prilosec (I take this every day to prevent stomach ulcers. Many patients take this daily for 6 months to a year after surgery but some take it longer. Ulcers is one of the most common complications that RNY patients will have.
Calcium Citrate 1,500mg (8 LARGE pills) Citrate is the only type of calcium that can be asborbed by patients that have had RNY gastric bypass, all other forms of calcium require acid in the stomach to be absorbed and we do not have that.
Iron 50mg a day (the amount is so high because I am a female who has not gone through menopause, people who have not had surgery and supplement with this amount may be taking a toxic level of iron).
Vitamin D3 5000IU (dry)
Sublingual B-12 1000mcg (B12 deficiencies are very serious and can call irreversible nuerological problems)
B Complex Vitamin
Biotin (To try and prevent hair loss)
Multi-Vitamin ( I was on a chewable from Bariatric Advantage for the first three months and I am now switching to Centrum Silver. I am taking the Silver forumlation because it does not have Iron. If you take Iron and calcium together they will block the absorption of each other.)
Day of Surgery
One month Out
One month Out
Two Months Out
10 Weeks Out (Same Sweatshirt as day of surgery)
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that kind of fit)
3 Months Out
Day of Surgery
One month out
Two Months Out
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that Kind of Fit)
3 Months Out
Day of Surgery
One month Out
Two months Out
10 Weeks Out (Same Sweatshirt as Day of Surgery)
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that Kind of fit)
3 Months Out
3 Months Out
Tomorrow will be three months out from my surgery, I cannot believe how much my life has changed since that. My official stats are not much different than they were a week ago, my weight loss is still stalled at 84lbs. However, every day I see subtle signs that my body is changing.
Yesterday I was going out with a friend to engage in my new obsession, coupon shopping. I thought I had four pairs of pants that I could wear and they were all in the dryer with her arrival ten minutes away I got desperate and headed to the bin in the back of my closet. I pulled out a pair of pants that is six sizes smaller than I was the day I had the surgery, I pulled them on and sucked in hoping I could make do with them for one day. They fit! I let out my breath to see how tight they were and to my surprise they were loose. I put them on today and Jeff said, "those pants are baggy on you." I said I know and I smiled. It is nice that my clothes not fitting is now a good thing. I am excited to see what other treasures I can find in my closet.
My energy level is higher than it has ever been, I am no longer too tired to do anything. I used to go the mall and drive around until I found the closest spot, now I don't care, I wander the mall just for fun, I take the long way, I run up and down our stairs many times a day. I clean the house and have energy left over to do other things.
I'm still doing well with my diet, though I have cheated a few times and eaten things that were not on my plan. I must confess to eating tostitos, a few bites of a cupcake and on new years eve whipped cream. The difference is I can have one bite and I am full. I can see every day that this surgery is working, but every day I have to wake up and recommit myself the follow the plan. I have heard a few people say that this surgery is the easy way out, it may seem that way but it is not. I had a surgery that changed my intestines and made it possible for my body to work with me instead of against me when it came to losing weight, it did not take away the desire to eat a potato chip, to have a dessert, to snack on chips and dip, to comfort myself with food when I am sad. Those are demons I must fight on my own. So while the surgery made it possible for me to feel full by eating less, it does not change the habits that I have created over a lifetime. Think about your life, even those of you that don't have weight problems, and try to think of any social activity that does not involve food. There are not many, this surgery changes your life in ways that are harder and more complicated than you could possibly imagine.
Many people use food to cope with stress. Have a bad day, eat a piece of cake, instantly you feel better. If someone is sad take them out to dinner, get a promotion, go out to celebrate, get disappointed or break up with a boy, feel better with pizza and beer. Overnight that coping mechanism for me went away, food is not my friend anymore, it is not my enemy either, but it no longer has the ability to affect my moods. If I am upset I must deal with the source of that emotion, so far I feel that it has made me more assertive when I am upset and better able to deal with the things that upset me and stress me out. There have been other major positive changes in my life, for the first time in many years I feel relaxed and stress free and the benefits on my health have been immeasurable.
I don't know if I am far enough out from the surgery yet to have an informed opinion about it, but I have not regretted it for a single minute. I wake up each morning refreshed and renewed and ready to continue charging towards the future.
Yesterday I was going out with a friend to engage in my new obsession, coupon shopping. I thought I had four pairs of pants that I could wear and they were all in the dryer with her arrival ten minutes away I got desperate and headed to the bin in the back of my closet. I pulled out a pair of pants that is six sizes smaller than I was the day I had the surgery, I pulled them on and sucked in hoping I could make do with them for one day. They fit! I let out my breath to see how tight they were and to my surprise they were loose. I put them on today and Jeff said, "those pants are baggy on you." I said I know and I smiled. It is nice that my clothes not fitting is now a good thing. I am excited to see what other treasures I can find in my closet.
My energy level is higher than it has ever been, I am no longer too tired to do anything. I used to go the mall and drive around until I found the closest spot, now I don't care, I wander the mall just for fun, I take the long way, I run up and down our stairs many times a day. I clean the house and have energy left over to do other things.
I'm still doing well with my diet, though I have cheated a few times and eaten things that were not on my plan. I must confess to eating tostitos, a few bites of a cupcake and on new years eve whipped cream. The difference is I can have one bite and I am full. I can see every day that this surgery is working, but every day I have to wake up and recommit myself the follow the plan. I have heard a few people say that this surgery is the easy way out, it may seem that way but it is not. I had a surgery that changed my intestines and made it possible for my body to work with me instead of against me when it came to losing weight, it did not take away the desire to eat a potato chip, to have a dessert, to snack on chips and dip, to comfort myself with food when I am sad. Those are demons I must fight on my own. So while the surgery made it possible for me to feel full by eating less, it does not change the habits that I have created over a lifetime. Think about your life, even those of you that don't have weight problems, and try to think of any social activity that does not involve food. There are not many, this surgery changes your life in ways that are harder and more complicated than you could possibly imagine.
Many people use food to cope with stress. Have a bad day, eat a piece of cake, instantly you feel better. If someone is sad take them out to dinner, get a promotion, go out to celebrate, get disappointed or break up with a boy, feel better with pizza and beer. Overnight that coping mechanism for me went away, food is not my friend anymore, it is not my enemy either, but it no longer has the ability to affect my moods. If I am upset I must deal with the source of that emotion, so far I feel that it has made me more assertive when I am upset and better able to deal with the things that upset me and stress me out. There have been other major positive changes in my life, for the first time in many years I feel relaxed and stress free and the benefits on my health have been immeasurable.
I don't know if I am far enough out from the surgery yet to have an informed opinion about it, but I have not regretted it for a single minute. I wake up each morning refreshed and renewed and ready to continue charging towards the future.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Turning the corner...
Two days ago I took a big swig of water and then another and I've realized that I can finally consume more than a sip at a time. This may not seem significant, but it means that I am no longer chained to my water bottle and when I feel like I'm dying of thirst I can do more than just continuously sip for hours. I was prepared for the changes in eating, but the limitations on the drinking was the one thing that bothered me after surgery. One small victory for me...
Monday, January 19, 2009
What I'm drinking..
Drinking is less of a challenge than it was before, it may be because I have limited my choices or because my pouch is becoming more tolerant.
I drink a lot of Special K protein water tea flavor, V8 Fusion Light Peach Mango flavor, decaf coffee, hot cocoa and hot herbal tea. Between these four drinks I am able to get in all the liquids I need in a day. I have not been able to drink a whole glass of water, but I can now take sips without a problem.
I'm eating all the same foods that I've mentioned in the previous posts, but I have now started eating Special K protein bars. They make a quick and easy snack and something I can easily leave in my car or carry it with me when I'm out and about.
I found myself getting bored with my choices, I've started making up batches of chicken and freezing them in serving sizes. My most recent obsession is with curried chicken.
Now that I have more time I have rediscovered my love of cooking. I think Jeff may be enjoying it as well.
I drink a lot of Special K protein water tea flavor, V8 Fusion Light Peach Mango flavor, decaf coffee, hot cocoa and hot herbal tea. Between these four drinks I am able to get in all the liquids I need in a day. I have not been able to drink a whole glass of water, but I can now take sips without a problem.
I'm eating all the same foods that I've mentioned in the previous posts, but I have now started eating Special K protein bars. They make a quick and easy snack and something I can easily leave in my car or carry it with me when I'm out and about.
I found myself getting bored with my choices, I've started making up batches of chicken and freezing them in serving sizes. My most recent obsession is with curried chicken.
Now that I have more time I have rediscovered my love of cooking. I think Jeff may be enjoying it as well.
General Update
Since the surgery I have been sick twice. This latest bought led to my first ever ear infection and a week of sheer misery. I am finally starting to feel better. I am not sure if I have just been unlucky with antibiotics since surgery, or happened to catch two bad bugs. I will update with more info when I get to the bottom of this situation.
Eating continues to go well. I have tried beef twice and it really hasn't agreed with me and I am going to hold off again before I try that. I can have ground beef in chili and I enjoy it any time I can convince Jeff to make it for me. Hamburgers and other forms of beef don't seem to go down so well. I hope that I will be able to eat it in the future, but I can live with it if I can't.
Here are some recent pictures I have taken in addition to my monthly tracking pictures. Sometimes it is hard for me to see the changes in myself, but other people keep pointing things out. It has gotten to the point that people who know me only casually are noticing that something about me has changed.
This is Scoops. Since she has made a guest appearance in so many of my photos, I decided it was time she officially be introduced.
Eating continues to go well. I have tried beef twice and it really hasn't agreed with me and I am going to hold off again before I try that. I can have ground beef in chili and I enjoy it any time I can convince Jeff to make it for me. Hamburgers and other forms of beef don't seem to go down so well. I hope that I will be able to eat it in the future, but I can live with it if I can't.
Here are some recent pictures I have taken in addition to my monthly tracking pictures. Sometimes it is hard for me to see the changes in myself, but other people keep pointing things out. It has gotten to the point that people who know me only casually are noticing that something about me has changed.
This is Scoops. Since she has made a guest appearance in so many of my photos, I decided it was time she officially be introduced.
Updated Pictures...
It is not quite three months, but here are some updated pictures, I've posted a few different versions of what I look like at 10 weeks out. I am down 80lbs. Someday's I have to pinch myself to believe that is possible.
Two Months Out
10 Weeks Out (Same Sweatshirt as day of surgery)
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that kind of fit)
Day of Surgery
One month out
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that Kind of Fit)
Day of Surgery
One month Out
Two months Out
10 Weeks Out (Same Sweatshirt as Day of Surgery)
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that Kind of fit)
Day of Surgery
One month Out
One month Out
Two Months Out
10 Weeks Out (Same Sweatshirt as day of surgery)
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that kind of fit)
Day of Surgery
One month out
Two Months Out
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that Kind of Fit)
Day of Surgery
One month Out
Two months Out
10 Weeks Out (Same Sweatshirt as Day of Surgery)
10 Weeks Out (Clothes that Kind of fit)
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