Dickens22

had surgery last Sept 6th 2012. cant believe its been a year, got more to go but hey I feel so good ~~

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

I'm a teacher and for the past 2 years I couldn't cross my legs under the lunch table. I did it the other day without even realizing it for a minute...but when I did realize it I wanted to stand up and shout it to my class!'

Realizing that knee high boots do/will fit me this fall and receiving multiple compliments on my size M dress. My dad pointed out when I kept getting them that no one ever commented on my clothes pre op.

I got a notification from paperback swap that one of the diet books on my wish list was available. Guess I don't need that now!!

Today: going to the gym after a week away!

Buying size 8 skinny jeans and knee high boots.

My latest NSV was when I realized that I have gone into the fabulous little bakery that is at my office complex to get my daily non-fat latte and breathed in the great-smelling (and tasting!) pastries and not purchased one over the last 4 months since surgery. Have been some days where I was tempted, but wasn't (too) difficult to tell myself "no". Nice to be making mindful choices that support a healthy lifestyle

I got on a ride at the fair with my new son last week and I fit! Haven't been on a ride in 15 yrs...? I also went fishing this weekend and fit comfortable in one of those pop out fabric chairs

My most recent:
- Fitting into one of those wire mesh patio chairs at a restaurant w/out looking like my rear end was trying to fight its way out of a giant strainer
- Wearing a size large workout pants!
- Watching the amount of weight I can lift or press steadily go up over the past few weeks at the gym
- buying the next size down in pants cuz I know I'll be able to wear them soon!
- Seeing my collarbones again!
- Feeling confident that I'll physically be able to do a crossfit workout when I work up the nerve to finally try it
- Being able to wear high heels without my feet hurting because there's 240 lbs compressing my toes into sausage
- FINALLY FEELING IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE!!

I did the same thing today, I walked into the big men's section in jcpennys and I realized I needed to go to the regular sizes.

I cleaned out my closet of all the clothes that are too big now to make room for my new smaller sizes!!

I was very fortunate that I started with liquids for 3 weeks, then pureeds for 3 weeks, soft foods for 3 weeks, then semi soft for 3 weeks, then whatever I could manage. You are only 4 weeks out so perhaps this is the time to be patient with your tummy and keep all foods in the pureed stage. Your tummy is swollen and in the healing process and it does get better. Perhaps focus on Protein Shakes if you drink them without getting nauseated. Also increase your Water intake as much as possible so your not dehydrated. You have got this far so now it's the time to baby your tummy.

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

I bought a dress that was not from plus dept and sleeveless to go to a wedding. It has been 30 years since that has happened! Yay!

Congrats! You look fabulous!

The duodenal switch ( the sleeve + a intestinal bypass) does make smelly gas and bathroom problems if the person eats a lot of fat. I have know a few people with that surgery. The sleeve itself does not cause the same issues. I have had mine since 6/26 and no problems. I asked my doc before I had my surgery because I did not want those problems. He said it was the bypass part not the sleeve that was the cause.

Eating a low carb diet does help reduce belly fat as does cutting down on general inflammation in the body. High levels of inflammation is linked to high levels of cortisol. Cortisol tends to cause storage of fat around around the organs known as visceral fat. Visceral fat around the belly was one of my major issues pre surgery. No longer though.
There are a few simple dietary changes you can try.
First, make sure you are eating healthy dietary fat every day. You know, the omegas from fish or perhaps from olives, avocados and nuts. These sources of good fat will help you feel full faster by triggering the satiety hormone. Omega 3 is also easy to source from supplementation. The molecularly distilled variety is the best. Look for high sources of the active ingredients. Around 1000 mg is a good target to start out with. I take about 1 tbsp daily now to combat inflammation from exercise. Eating foods high in Omega 3 also makes you smarter as a majority of the membrane connective tissue in the brain is Omega. Omegas are an essential nutrient for a healthy body, yet the body cannot manufacture it. You must source it from food or supplementation.
Next, look into good complex carbs that are low on the glycemic index. Foods high on the glycemic index tend to trigger a spike in the insulin response. When the glucose levels fall again, the body releases cortisol which leads to storage of fat around the organs. Such good complex carbs that are low on the glycemic index are steel cut oats. Apples are ok, but tend to be mid point on the index at around 55. Bananas are high on the index so be careful about those as with other sugary fruit. And always stay away from the obvious carbs like bread, ice cream, etc.
Third, consider green tea because it is a super antioxidant for fighting the inflammatory response. Both hot green tea and cold green tea you can buy in the bottle will help.green tea is also an excellent source of theanine, a nootropic which helps you to relax and is said to improve focus and memory (there is a whole field on nootropics, for another discussion). Relaxation is key to keeping the cortisol levels lower. Theanine can also be purchased in supplementation form from most health food stores like Vitamin shoppe, GNC or even regular grocery stores.
You can do core fitness work, but there is no way to target fat with exercise. Once you do eliminate the visceral fat around the belly, then core work is essential for strengthening and toning that region. There are so many interesting body exercises you can do to strengthen the core. Do not feel you need to do crunches.

I hope that writing down your life experiences has been cathartic for you. By saying yes to the sleeve you have chosen a path to a new you (physically), you also need to take care of the emotional you too. Both together is a road to happiness.
I think your guardian angel has been looking after you well and I wish you much happiness from this point forward. I also want to give you a big ((hug)).

It's my birthday and when I was sleeved at end of April, I never thought I would be here with my life so dramatically different - I am healthy, happy and looking and feeling great!
I may have to adopt a second birthday from next year on my sleeve date because it really has given me a rebirth which, at this age, is an unexpected and fantastic opportunity.So I intend to make the most of it.... watch out world!!!! x