8 Weeks

It's been 8 weeks since surgery, 42 pounds gone. One of my co-workers said "it's just melting off of you"... which she meant as a compliment I'm sure, but it felt a bit like her perception was that this is effortless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes the surgery gave me tools I didnt have before, but there are still daily challenges. Granted some of those are things I have never worried about in my LIFE, like will a certain food sit well on this day, or REMEMBERING to eat. Who knew THAT would ever be an issue?

The whole "easy way out" thing is the biggest myth out there - that having gastric bypass surgery means weight magically falls off of you with no effort. That is just not the case! While you may lose some weight without exercise, if you want to see real results you have to exercise! I'm up to three miles on my bike, while that's still not all that much, for a person who could not ride a bike for the last five years or so, it's a huge accomplishment. When I rode that three miles... I thought I would just croak as I rode the last little bit up the driveway... as a matter of fact, I slowed to a crawl and due to a lack of momentum, fell over. I probably looked like Artie Johnson on the old Rowan & Martin's Laugh In show... when he fell over sideways with his tricycle... LOL

You also can’t just eat whatever you feel like... as you used to. Eat the wrong thing, eat it too fast, or try to eat too much (even one teeny tiny bite too much) and you'll be miserable. Unhealthy foods can make you quite sick and they will stop weight loss just like they will for anyone else.

Bariatric surgery is a tool, that can help people dedicated to becoming heathier... do so, but it's NOT the easy way out! Okay, I'll step down from my soap box now...

Navigating the party waters...

Went to a grad party for a great friend who just got her Ph (freakin')D in nursing [HUGE congratulatory shout out to "Doctah D"... you rock!].  I successfully navigated the food table *yeah*... it's amazing how my thought processes regarding food are so different now.  I was formerly a junkie for the sweets, and seeing the decadent cake, and the cookies and all... I guess I liked the idea of those things, but there was absolutely no temptation to eat them, as I was unwilling to pay the price of eating it.  Seeing the heaped plates of other party goers was almost nauseating to me.  The thought that I would have had a similarly piled plate pre-surgery certainly does not escape me, but knowing that consuming even a fraction of what was on the average plate would have me "yowling in despair"... is just so unreal!  The notion that the "heaped plate" me and the "tiny portion" me... are the same person... amazes me just the same.  

My WL Journey

My name is Lynn. June 3, 2009 was my re-birthday. I had surgery, a laproscopic gastirc bypass Rue-N-Y. My provider is Team Bariatrics in Goshen Indiana and they are PHENOMENAL! They truly are a TEAM that holistically supports you and gives you the tools for success, while helping you discover within yourself, the strength and dedication that this journey takes. Shout outs to Kathy, Sue, Barb, Drs. Murphy and Hawkins, Kendra, Jen, Sandy, Cynthia and Jeff... you all are awesome! It is my hope that this blog will be a resource to people contemplating this journey, and/or already on the journey themselves.

I am 51 years old. I decided to have the surgery as a means to get healthier. My weight was out of control. I had tried so MANY things, for so many years. My goal was to live a long and ACTIVE life, enjoying my family and friends, my children and grandchildren. Health issues were creeping in, arthritis that was getting steadily worse, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I cannot tolerate statin drugs so my cholesterol was more or less un-managed. I tried with diet and some natural supplements, while I was leading up to surgery. I'll be interested in September when they check it again, to see how the weight loss has effected my lipid levels.

These first 2 pictures will serve as my "before" as I didnt take a picture the morning of surgery as I now wish I had. The picture was taken at an awards ceremony in March 2009. I received a teaching award, that the Indiana University system awards to outstanding educators. You are only eligible once in your IU career. That night was such a contradiction of feelings... this award was a once-in-a-lifetime honor. I was excited, honored and humbled, and so pleased to be surrounded by my family and friends. BUT As I walked up on that stage, I barely heard what the President of the University was saying... as I was SO conscious of my weight... when I stepped onto the portable stage they used, it boomed with my first step... I was so embarassed... I felt huge!

The image below was taken this week, 7 weeks post-op. I have lost about 38 pounds, and am now riding a bike a few miles, for the first time in a LONG time. I am off the blood pressure medication *yeah* . I am blessed to have an awesome circle of friends, and an incredibly supportive family. Heartfelt thank yous go out to my incredible partner, my wonderful kids, marvelously supportive siblings and family members and all of my fabulous friends. I have a long way to go, but with all of your support... I'm on my way!