10 Weeks Post Op.

For those wondering how the Bariatric Bypass Journey is going, here's an update.

My weight:

I'm down nearly 40lbs.  My BMI has gone from 38 to 30.  That part feels good but I am still side tracked by tiredness and discomfort.

My energy level: 

I have very little energy.  I had a GREAT day yesterday and of course over did it and exhausted myself.  I am not sure how this part would go for someone that did not have the trauma I had to start my journey.  I had started going for walks and am now slacking because of the weather.  It's hard work just to walk and it's a little frustrating.  But I will just have to make some goals and realize I need to go through the baby steps first before I start to run.

My pain level: 

My pain has decreased significantly.  I still get a little hunched over when I am really tired.  My stomach just gets tense. 

I packed my bags and went to the hospital last Thursday with tremendous pain.  I thought for sure they would keep me.  But they gave me a prescription for T3's and told me that it's just my body still trying to heal.  After another doctors appointment on Tuesday with my family doctor, I was informed that I had a blocked bowel.  Perhaps still related to the internal bleeding that happened in September.  WHO KNEW that could cause that much pain!!  I was given medication for that, and in 2 days I am feeling much better.

My food intake: 

Eating is going well.  I am writing down everything I eat.  I am making sure to get 65 grams of protein per day (my biggest challenge).  My dietician says "fill up with protein and fruits and vegies first, and then whatever else you can fit in". 

I am eating several small meals/day totalling and average of 1000 calories/day.  The dieticians goal for me is 600-800 calories/day so I am doing well. 

Yesterday I made the mistake of eating too fast.  That's the first time that happened.  I came VERY close to throwing up but I was able to keep it down.  I was WARNED that could happen.  :) 

I stay away from all white flour, sugar, and high fat.  I tried to eat a mini Oh Henry at Halloween.  That resulted in huge pain.  Flu like cramps.  No thanks.  I also at one point had 2 deep fried chicken fingers from DQ.  That resulted in stomach pain for the entire day following.  Again, no thanks. 

So I am getting creative and sticking to healthy food.  I am learning to bake with protein powder.  It is surprisingly delicious.  I had a blueberry protein pancake for supper last night.  It sounds yucky but it's actually REALLY good!  And super healthy!

My vitamins and minerals: 

I am faithfully taking all of my vitamins and minerals as subscribed by my dietician.  Massive amounts of multi-vitamins (prenatal), and extra amounts of calcium, B12, D, iron, and biotin.

I have had several people approach me with different supplement shakes.  I know these people have good intentions, but I don't think they know about the program I am on.  Most shakes, like Body By Vi and Zeal, only have a fraction of the supplements that I need in a day.  For a person that does not normally take vitamins I am sure these shakes RULE!!  But, I'm on HUGE amounts of vitamins and minerals right now.  And I can definitely see it on my body.  I get compliments on my hair and nails all the time.  In fact, my normally weak nails, have not broken (not once!!) since before surgery.  Pretty awesome stuff!!

My work: 

The doctor is going to ease me back into work starting on December 2.  Yay!  I will be working part time for the month of December.  I miss my job and the people I work with like crazy!  I feel like I have missed out and things have changed since I was there in early September.  But I will get back and things will be fine.  I've been by the station a few times and it's a weird switch.  Being away though has given me new perspective and I am so ready to give my all when I get back!!  I'm excited that I get to be there for Christmas!  My work is just my other family!  :)

Would I recommend this surgery to others?

Honestly, right now I would say "no".  My intention was to get the Bariatric Sleeve.  If I could do this all over again, that would be my first choice and I would have taken the risk.  But, what happened, happened.  So now I will live with it.  The way I feel right now, I would not recommend this surgery to anyone.  I have a lot of friends that have had this surgery with a lot of success and feel GREAT about it, but I just feel (and have always felt) it's way too invasive.  If you are opting for surgery, I would recommend the Sleeve.  The results are great, and it's WAY easier on your body. 

If you are reading this and you are overweight, I would also recommend that you try and lose weight without surgery first.  I am in my 40's, struggled to lose weight for 20 years and never kept it off.  This was my last resort.  And it is a life changing decision.  This has not been an easy journey for me OR for my family. 

In the end, through all the challenges this has brought me, it WILL prolong my life.  When my insides are healed, and IF I stay on the program, this will be the best thing I could have done for myself and my family.  My life WILL be a better quality one!!!

Scientific Thankfulness.

I remember being in the hospital a few weeks ago, in pain, not knowing what was going on in my body or how long I would be there.  I remember the long nights.  Just me, my roomie, and nurses quietly buzzing around in the hallway.  I remember being tempted to be scared for the future.  And I remember thinking that I had to INTENTIONALLY be thankful!! 

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I could actually feel my pain going away when I was grateful and praised God out loud.  Some people may think I am a lunatic, but I did talk out loud, by myself, in the hospital, thanking and praising God.  It often ended in tears of thankfulness because I could feel God's love and I could FEEL the pain leaving my body. 

AND NOW... I found scientific proof!! 

Dr. Oz did a show today on the benefits of gratefulness.  Awesome findings in their studies!!  And he is not the only one that is teaching about the benefits of being thankful!  Check THIS out!

Scientists have proven that people who are thankful on a regular basis benefit in these ways:

1. Smoother and coherent heart rhythms.
2. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. Stronger immune system.
4. Higher sense of attentiveness, alertness and energy.
5. Less physical pain.
6. Longer more restful sleep.
7. Better able to handle stressful situations.
8. Healthier relationships with others.
9. Better physical fitness.
10. Fewer feelings of sadness and depression

How FUN is that??!!  To feel better, all you have to do is be thankful.  But NOT always easy.  When we are having super crappy days, it's a LOT of work to be thankful.  But it always makes us feel better.

 

And chronic thankfulness leads to super awesomeness!!

God's Grace = Freedom!

Anyone who has truly experienced the grace of God will understand why God's Grace deserves a post.

God's grace has healed me physically, mentally, and spiritually.  I want to learn more and more about the grace of God, because grace catapults us forward in our life's mission.  So many of us think we are useless or have nothing to offer because of the sin in our life.  We are waiting to fit that perfect Christian mold.  UGH!!  I hate that man-made, satan-inspired, pressure to fit that "Christian Mold". 

I am still renewing my mind as to not judge.  I will be honest.  I feel as though the community I live in is a judgemental one.  Perhaps all communities are in their own way.  Perhaps some more than others.  And I admit, I have often been a part of the problem in the past.  Isn't it easy to say "She did THAT and she claims to love Jesus"?  I'm sure people have had reason to say the same about me.

Lack of Grace hinders us two-fold. 

First, if we are so busy worrying about others and their sin, how will this help our lives in any way, really!  The only one that I will be accountable for at the judgement seat is one person: me.  And God made it very clear that His first commandment is to love.  Love!  This includes showing grace to everyone, everywhere, every time!  We as Christians are representing Jesus.  We are His face on earth.  Love should always be our goal.  Blessing people should always be our mandate!  (Easier said than done!)

Second, if we are constantly down on ourselves because of our own sin (or even something just as simple as our own uniqueness), we will never excel in God's plan for our lives. We need to brush it off and accept God's grace so that we can reach our full potential.  We also need to remember that our full potential may look different than what others in our lives think it's supposed to look like.  Yes, there WILL always be those that look at us and say "he doesn't fit the mold", "THAT'S not a very Christian thing to do", or "how could she do that and call herself a Christian".  We also need to brush off those words and rely only on what God says about us.

What freedom!  When I truly began to understand that God loves me JUST the way I am, what joy!  He not only loves me just the way I am, quirkiness and all, He MADE me the way I am.  For a purpose.  As He did YOU too!  He gave us the gift of GRACE out of His love for us and it is there to take freely when we mess up.  Now THAT'S good news!!

I love this verse:  2 Corinthians 12:9

It talks about the power of grace, but not only that, it also talks about boasting about our weaknesses.  That's where strength lies.  So why are we so hard on ourselves.  Let's just try our best, accept God's grace, and enjoy life!

7 Weeks Post Op.

Celebrating!!! 

Today Home Care told me they are not coming back.  I am FINALLY healed up enough!  Wooo!