Yup! You heard right! Weight loss surgery. Gastric Bypass to be exact! Am I excited? More than ever. Am I ashamed? Not in the least.
If there's anything you should know about me, you should know I can't keep a secret. I can't keep things to myself, especially exciting things. Everyone in my life knows not to tell me anything, because I always end up spilling the beans sooner or later. It always starts out this way. I'll tell one person one thing and then think to myself, well, I already told one person, so why not tell another? One person becomes two, two becomes three, and so on and so forth. This is how it happened over the weekend while traveling by bus to NYC for my first day of graduate classes with my long time classmates. These are girls I've been in the same intense undergrad program with for two years. We're also potential social workers, so they're used to hearing about life transitions and making big decisions, etc. so I kind of felt comfortable with them knowing my "secret". Plus, I figure they're going to be wondering why I'm absent from classes for a week, and wtf is going on with me when I start shedding the weight.
So, I told them! I told them all! It kind of just slipped out. I finally got to the NYC campus for my first day of grad classes, and noticed the desks were unbearably tiny (despite paying $30k a year, guys) and decided why panic? This will all be over soon!
I'm proud of my decision to get the surgery. I have nothing to hide. I *have* tried every diet, been successful, unsuccessful, gained, lost, gained, etc. I know myself well enough to know this is something I want and need. Plus, I think by telling people rather than keeping it a secret, it helps to reduce the stigma attached to weight loss surgery and being obese in general.
Typical bullshit responses I've gotten so far:
Oh, well, my father's friend's mother's aunt got the surgery, lost a TON of weight, but regained everything back after like...3 years!
Oh, gastric bypass? So you'll never eat again and be on a strict diet for the rest of your life? Oh, I see.
They do WHAT to your stomach??
I hear you're going to spend the rest of your life throwing up...you don't want that
One of my co-workers gained all the weight back and more. She eats McDonalds every day on her lunch break...and gained all the weight back...you don't want that, do you?
You'll never be able to eat pizza again and all that good stuff.
Maybe you should try another diet? I hear the FDA is approving a new weight loss pill this fall!
You know..maybe if you just try exercising you may be able to lose some of the weight
You're going to be needing iron infusions for the REST of your life
So I have a few answers for this people...
I'm NOT your father's friend's mother's aunt's sister's boyfriend's uncle...I'm ME
Yes, I know what I'm doing
No, you can't change my mind
Yes, I've researched
And YES, I'm ready to begin a new life!
Well, I'm more than 2 weeks out now. Soreness is all gone, incisions are nearly healed, itching has subsided, and I'm eating regular food now. I was also happy to see that after I got off the mushy food stage and onto "real" food (protien and leafy greens), the weight began coming off better. It was seeming slow to me while I was on the mushy foods, probably because of the carbs and heavier soups, etc. things that Iwas consuming. Now, though, focusing on lean protiens and leafy green veggies has allowed me to jump start the weight loss.
I came to a strange realization after my post-op visit. I always knew the RNY was going to be a "tool" for me to be successful in losing weight. But I guess it didn't really sink in how I would use that tool until after it was over with and I had the green light to eat again. I realized then that it's still up to me to lose the weight through my behaviors and getting more exercise, but the RNY removes the things that prevented me from being successful before (HUNGER! and a feeling of deprivation). I suppose I knew it intellectually beforehand, but the reality set in only afterward.
I tried the Bariatric Advantage multi-vitamins and calcium. The vitamins are fine; however, I couldn't stomach the nasty mint-flavored Calcium Citrate chewables. I found that I'd much rather take 2 caplets twice a day and found a great alternative right in my local GNC store. Each of us is different and we just have to find what works.
I'm starting to notice a difference in my clothing! Things are getting looser and I even had to take a link out of my watchband. It's the little things, right?!
Starting: 317#
Pre-Op: 296#
Today: 283.5#
Total Down: 33.5#
