Fall is among us! Seasons change like clockwork.
That's what keeps life fresh and new.
Some people dislike change, but I feel change can be a good thing.
I have spent the majority of my adult life at an unhealthy weight. Morbidly obese, they say. That sounds horrible. It IS horrible. Horribly scary to know that being obese can contribute to many health problems including morbidity. Over the years, I tried many different diets. Lots of which I failed at. I had a tendency to try to eat properly (or so I thought) , but I would still each too much.
Much too much!
I admit that was my biggest problem. I would never know when to say enough was enough.
I mulled over a procedure I have heard about for a long time. I always said I would never get my "stomach stapled". That sounded like a crazy thing to do. Years ago, that is how they referred to Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. It sounded so barbaric. How could I do this to myself? Why couldn't I just eat smaller amounts? Make better decisions on what I choose to eat?
Why? Why? Why?
So many thoughts were going through my head for many years.
Finally, someone close to me followed through with this exact procedure. So, I had the opportunity of learning so much more about it up close and personal. I learned a lot about the procedure as well as about the lifestyle changes that MUST take effect in order to have success.
I decided that I would go to the seminars that were recommended and see a surgeon.
Fast Forward 9 months.....
Yes nine more months.
Nine months of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. and pain from hauling around all of this extra weight.
But that time flew by, it was nothing compared to the 30-something years before of being obese. Those nine months included, more dieting, more visits to my primary dr, insurance paperwork, crying, and exercise. I was finally going to start this new adventure.
I was ready to make the ultimate change.
Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure. It greatly reduces the
size of the stomach and limits the amount of food that can be eaten at
one time. It does not cause decreased absorption of nutrients or bypass
the intestines. After this surgery, patients feel full after eating very
small amounts of food. Sleeve gastrectomy may also cause a decrease in
appetite. In addition to reducing the size of the stomach, the procedure
reduces the amount of the “hunger hormone,” ghrelin, produced by the
stomach.
Prepping for surgery was difficult but it did result in a little weight loss mostly from the liquid diet in the 2 weeks before surgery.
I had my procedure May 15, 2018 at 370lbs which was about 40 lbs less than my highest weight.
I found out very quickly that I was scared for no reason.
I came home the next day and followed the rules. Sipping fluids and relaxing so I could heal.
That was the easy part.
The hard part was coming to grips with my first bites of food in the next few weeks.
Literally a few bites of food was ALL I could eat.
I felt full very quickly and I was grateful for that. Considering, that was my issue.
However, I didn't know just how strong the "head hunger" would be.
I wasn't HUNGRY. I just wanted to eat.
It was something I enjoyed doing and I missed doing it.
A few months have now passed and I have learned to handle that feeling. As of September 2018, I am currently 310 lbs. That is a loss of 60 lbs in 4 months.
Also, during that 4 months I also lost my high blood pressure and my diabetes.
Walking, water aerobics, and most recently bike riding have been my main exercises.
I have come a long way in a short amount of time.
I keep myself busy. I enjoy crafting and sewing mostly. I do still very much love cooking though.
I have learned to slow down when I eat; so when I cook these delicious and much healthier meals,
I can enjoy eating them!
It has been one heck of a journey and it is definitely not over.
Stay tuned for some new content coming soon. I will be sharing some recipes that I am loving right now. I hope you continue to follow my journey.
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