nourishing heather

I experienced this for two days straight. I get nauseous from the pain meds and the anesthesia. I finally convinced my care team to stop all pain meds and then the nausea went away. I also could only consume 1 oz via small sips/licks over the course of 15 mins. I just went super slow. I also felt less nauseous if all lights were off, curtains drawn, and no visitors. Just needed to relax and breathe. No reading, tv, phone, thinking. Took it real easy. My Blog: www.nourishingheather.com HW: 325 CW: 299 Surgery Date: 8/1/18 GW: 160

My surgery is on Wednesday, so I haven't experience this myself yet. But the other day at our bariatric support group there were a number of folks who were post-op who were describing how the weight is coming off somewhat unevenly. They were saying that they felt like melting snowmen, lol! As though the sun was only hitting the one side of them or something! There were many other folks who were post op who said that it usually evens out and is only noticeable to yourself probably. Best wishes to you! I am so excited for my surgery and will accept even lopsided weight loss.

Bad News First “Do you you want the good news first or the bad news first?” My weight loss surgery journey is full of good news! With every appointment, support group meeting, and pre-surgery milestone met, I am filled with hope, encouragement, and potential. I’m spurred on by small successes and know that there is much more good news coming my way. I am so excited to share with you guys all the things I’m looking forward to following a successful weight loss surgery experience! But I feel like it’s only fair that we also take a look at the not-so-good stuff. The Bad News I carry experiences as a result of obesity that are/were, at times, absolutely devastating. I’ve spent years yo-yo dieting, emotional eating, and sometimes feeling badly for even existing! We live in a body-shaming culture and it can be absolutely maddening to try to meet societies ideals or to exist having not met them. I don’t know how to fix our culture but I do know how to stop letting what that culture says about my body have any bearing on my choices! Below is a list of 15 ways that being obese has negatively impacted my life. Some of these realities may continue even after significant weight loss, but I trust that some can be put behind me for good! Daily pain in my feet, joints, and back Periods of exhaustion or low energy Fear of having children due to high risk of weight-related pregnancy complications Fear of increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, strokes, etc Very poor self image at times Increased depression Increased anxiety Skin rashes from overlapping skin Having a less and less responsive immune system Experiencing repeated bullying as a child and adult Humiliation and pain from squeezing into seats and booths Trouble finding clothing that I like (non-cotton, roomy, affordable quick dry clothing anyone?) Embarrassment when publicly receiving unsolicited weight loss advice Overhearing rude comments about my body I want to make something clear: I love my body today. I’m not having weight loss surgery because I hate my body. My mental health care team and I spent more than a year training my brain to love my body just as it is. It was HARD work. Through that process I realized I feel badly for my body. I would NEVER talk to someone else the way I talked to my body. I have been SO mean to my body for SO long. I have learned so much about self-care in the last two years. I practice being patient with my body and listening to it so I can give it what it needs. I don’t always succeed, but it’s an effort I’m committed to. Yes, I’m having an elective surgery to anatomically change the size of my stomach only because I love my body. I’m get to choose what I do with, to, and for my body because I’m the person who was put in charge of caring for it. If you find yourself hating your body, I encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional today—and keep reaching out until you find one who is patient and gentle with you! Nourishing Heather