So, I'm trying this out, as BariatricPal was recommended to me by my new bariatric care provider. Ready?
So I had R-n-Y bypass back in 2006 in South San Francisco. Weighing in at 384 (ugh) at time of surgery, I originally lost 96 lbs, but then everything stopped and started to turn around as my weight began to creep slowly back. It's bad enough I stopped losing and started gaining, but I only lost that much, dammit?? Mostly, I own that this has been of my own doing, since I didn't adhere to all the rules of eating, drinking, supplements, and exercise, nor did I have support. However, my pouch has also been a complete tool -- in the BAD sense of the word! -- ever since I got it. It's been the literal thorn in my side. I've always been able to eat larger portions than a post-op should, since the very beginning, and I've always had a higher tolerance for fat and sugar than any post-op patient has a right to be. Isn't that special. Gah.
The only after-care I ever received -- yes, since 2006 -- was a one month follow up. I never was notified or contacted for any other follow ups, I did not go to support groups since I live in Sacramento and couldn't justify a weekly trip to SF just for that, and I didn't know of support groups available to me in the Sacramento area at the time (that weren't attached to private clinics/ allowed people from other clinics/ doctors to attend). So I've been muddling on my own for 10 years now, clearly doing a terrrrrrible job, and there have been other factors involved with some severe health problems (from fibromyalgia, arthritis, and a bad knee injury), as well as times I've been without health insurance due to being able to work from said health issues.
Are we having fun yet? Bear with me.
So. Besides the physical issues I've had, I've experienced a severe worsening of mental health in the past decade, as well as some dependence on alcohol. I've been cursing the day I ever decided to have this surgery, to be brutally honest. It's been nothing but heartache and illness. And then I FINALLY got my most recent GP to get me referred to a bariatric doctor again. Thank gawd. So I went to Central California Bariatric Surgery yesterday (Friday, August 12, 2016) and met the amazing Tonya Smith, PA. Or as I like to call her in my head, "my new BFF" (hint: she doesn't suspect she's my new BFF, but for real, here).
Now, 10 years out and currently back up to within 20 lbs of my surgery weight, I feel like I may have a chance to get back on track here. I've gone up and down with my weight in the last 9 years, but it's mostly fluctuated between 325 - 355, and here I am even above that, dammit. Tonya gave me CCBS's post-op guidelines and holy crow, are they different from what I received from KP a decade ago! Different, and way, waaaaay better. Simpler. And that's something I need, that's like the only language I can understand: super simple. New guidelines: No. Carbs. At. All. (i.e. bread, rice, pasta). I was previously told when I had surgery that I could do toasted bread, crackers, mashed potatoes, very soft rice (like in soups), and I truly believe that this contributed to me slipping in my diet and just falling back into old habits. Because I did, totally. I've been eating like I did pre-op for the past 9 years, the only difference being is that sure, I can definitely only eat a certain amount (but still more than I should). Revision has been mentioned/ is on the table, but I want to see how far I can get with just getting back on plan. I admit it: I'm afraid that I won't be able to lose enough for my liking, I mean, I never got anywhere close enough to begin with. But we're gonna try it and see, and then go from there.
The plan I have now is simple, and actually what I followed for awhile three years ago when I really started to lose some weight again (hint: I clearly stopped that plan). Three years ago, I got into doing the six small meals a day -- as opposed to three a day, as I was originally directed -- eating every couple hours so I didn't feel like I was starving, and I was going to school full time and walking around a lot more, which totally helped me. Now I'm not currently in school OR working, due to my health, so I do a lot of sitting around on my butt, staying too much "in my head" if you know what I mean, and not eating well. I don't sit around and eat all day or anything, but I don't eat on a regular schedule and generally don't eat the right things, so yeah. And drinking. Oh, man, the beer drinking. The amount of calories I've been taking in from beer, as well as the harm all that alcohol has been doing to my body, has been ridiculous. It's a wonder I'm not more messed up than I am. So, no carbs and no booze (I reserve the right to have a glass of white wine on my best friend's wedding next month; it's only beer that I get carried away with).
So here we are, dear reader. Getting my crap back together after a decade post-op. Timing my meals again, remembering to chew slowly. NOT drinking my water with meals (which is hard because I'm constantly thirsty). Taking all my supplements again (hello, there Bariatric Complete vitamins), and with a new simpler plan to eat. Protein and veg, that's me. Nothing packaged or processed. Pre-cooking things like hard boiled eggs, egg cups, "meatballs," so I have "grab and go" food. Trust me, things go better when I don't have to think about stuff, I just grab stuff that I know I'll eat. I love meat, and I love veggies, fruit I don't like, and sugar rarely tempts me. It's been the snack crap like chips and popcorn and fast food. No moooooore! And no more nights out at karaoke or the bar, drinking tons of beer. That's over. Sorry, beer: I gotta break up with you, man. And it's definitely you, not me.
Don't get me wrong, this IS all stuff I already knew, but actually having someone to be accountable to again -- OMG SEEING A BARIATRIC PROFESSIONAL AGAIN! :D --- and a simple meal plan in place as well as a very simple plan for some cardio exercise (until I get stronger again) is How I Work. Y'know? I have enough trouble with focus in my life, for the love of baby kitties, don't make it harder on me. Keep it simple, stupid.
Oh, yeah. Hi. I'm Loki, or at least that's how some people know me. I talk a lot.
Let's see what we get done.
PS: I have to admit how alarmed I get seeing so many "crunchy" and "snack-like" foods being promoted here on BP. Well, maybe not alarmed, but really really surprised. Doesn't that promote bad habits? YMMV.
