2 months out and Back to work tomorrow
Yesterday was my second month out from surgery. This has been an amazing two months. My first realization that I have really lost weight was the first Saturday support meeting this month at Barix, to those who told me how wonderful I look, THANK YOU. My second realization that this is actually happening was getting on the Harley. I had no problems getting on or off and I'm comfortable for the first time in a few years.
Tomorrow will be my first day back to work, I am very nervous about going back. I am 40 pounds lighter and look very different from that Friday in September when I left work. When I left there 8 weeks ago my boss and upper management knew I was going out for surgery. I did not tell them what kind of surgery only that is was invasive and necessary. None of my co-workers knew I was going out on medical leave. The reason I did not talk about my surgery to anyone at work was due to the many complications and set backs I had leading up to this surgery. When a surgeon tells you will die on the table it messes with your mind. I always keep things very close so after hearing the probability of death I kept this surgery and my dealings to have the surgery even more close to the vest. I did not need those horror stories I'd often hear my co-workers telling others that had decided to have the surgery. I already knew the horror stories of WLS, I've heard them, read about them, and didn't need that negativity around me as I was traveling this journey. I put all my faith in God and my new surgeon because I knew that this surgery was necessary for me to have a long life. I was dying by not having this surgery so by having it I was either going to die on that table or I was going reverse all my co-morbities and live a long healthy life.
In preparation for going back to work, yesterday Gene and I went through my clothes. Four bags came out of the closet and are already in the clothing donation bin. Then it was upstairs to try on my first bag of x-large and 14/16 petite clothes. At first I was reluctant to try on the smaller clothes, afraid they would not fit. They do fit and I have a pile from that bag that is too big.
The bag of smaller clothes depending on how I look at it is either defined currently as my "smaller" clothes, but a couple years ago they were defined as my "fat" clothes as I was gaining weight. So I am very happy to say that I am back into my fat clothes that were bought as I began to gain weight.
Another major change has been the health of my liver. Prior to surgery my liver enzymes were extremely high. I have fatty liver disease. At my appointment with my gastro doc last week, I was told that the liver biopsy that was taken during my surgery showed minor damage to the liver. I have some scarring on the liver, however, loosing weight is going help my liver to a healthy recovery. Doc told me if I had not had surgery when I did, in a few years I'd probably have been on the registry for a liver transplant.
I only set one goal for myself and that has been met. My fasting blood sugars are now 98 down from 298, 8 weeks ago (298 was my low,I was taking two medication for my diabetes). I am off all pre-op medications and feeling great! I didn't have any goals set for myself except for the medication. I want to enjoy this experience rather than put goals on myself. By doing it without goal setting I can relax and enjoy rather than stress because I did not meet a goal. In just these short 2 months I'm amazed, and you'd think nothing would amaze me having gone through this already with Gene, but now I know exactly what he meant every step of the way. I want to experience all the wonders that will be happening to me short term as well as long term because of this life saving/changing surgery!
By making the decision to have the surgery, putting my faith in God, trusting my surgeon completely, and taking the chance that I would survive the surgery and live, I have change the course my health was on for the better!
Tomorrow will be my first day back to work, I am very nervous about going back. I am 40 pounds lighter and look very different from that Friday in September when I left work. When I left there 8 weeks ago my boss and upper management knew I was going out for surgery. I did not tell them what kind of surgery only that is was invasive and necessary. None of my co-workers knew I was going out on medical leave. The reason I did not talk about my surgery to anyone at work was due to the many complications and set backs I had leading up to this surgery. When a surgeon tells you will die on the table it messes with your mind. I always keep things very close so after hearing the probability of death I kept this surgery and my dealings to have the surgery even more close to the vest. I did not need those horror stories I'd often hear my co-workers telling others that had decided to have the surgery. I already knew the horror stories of WLS, I've heard them, read about them, and didn't need that negativity around me as I was traveling this journey. I put all my faith in God and my new surgeon because I knew that this surgery was necessary for me to have a long life. I was dying by not having this surgery so by having it I was either going to die on that table or I was going reverse all my co-morbities and live a long healthy life.
In preparation for going back to work, yesterday Gene and I went through my clothes. Four bags came out of the closet and are already in the clothing donation bin. Then it was upstairs to try on my first bag of x-large and 14/16 petite clothes. At first I was reluctant to try on the smaller clothes, afraid they would not fit. They do fit and I have a pile from that bag that is too big.
The bag of smaller clothes depending on how I look at it is either defined currently as my "smaller" clothes, but a couple years ago they were defined as my "fat" clothes as I was gaining weight. So I am very happy to say that I am back into my fat clothes that were bought as I began to gain weight.
Another major change has been the health of my liver. Prior to surgery my liver enzymes were extremely high. I have fatty liver disease. At my appointment with my gastro doc last week, I was told that the liver biopsy that was taken during my surgery showed minor damage to the liver. I have some scarring on the liver, however, loosing weight is going help my liver to a healthy recovery. Doc told me if I had not had surgery when I did, in a few years I'd probably have been on the registry for a liver transplant.
I only set one goal for myself and that has been met. My fasting blood sugars are now 98 down from 298, 8 weeks ago (298 was my low,I was taking two medication for my diabetes). I am off all pre-op medications and feeling great! I didn't have any goals set for myself except for the medication. I want to enjoy this experience rather than put goals on myself. By doing it without goal setting I can relax and enjoy rather than stress because I did not meet a goal. In just these short 2 months I'm amazed, and you'd think nothing would amaze me having gone through this already with Gene, but now I know exactly what he meant every step of the way. I want to experience all the wonders that will be happening to me short term as well as long term because of this life saving/changing surgery!
By making the decision to have the surgery, putting my faith in God, trusting my surgeon completely, and taking the chance that I would survive the surgery and live, I have change the course my health was on for the better!
IdaMae
Ida,
Good luck going back to work tomorrow!!! I didn't tell my co-workers anything about my surgery, just told them I was going on vacation. Still haven't told them anything, although I think some suspect now. I just said I'm watching what I eat and exercising. It's the truth, right??? I'm sure you'll handle your co-workers fine, whether you choose to tell them or not.
Great that you're having WOWs!!! You'll have many more moments like that, I'm sure!
Keep on successing, Ida! You waited a long time and worked hard to get where you are today! Great job!!!
Good luck going back to work tomorrow!!! I didn't tell my co-workers anything about my surgery, just told them I was going on vacation. Still haven't told them anything, although I think some suspect now. I just said I'm watching what I eat and exercising. It's the truth, right??? I'm sure you'll handle your co-workers fine, whether you choose to tell them or not.
Great that you're having WOWs!!! You'll have many more moments like that, I'm sure!
Keep on successing, Ida! You waited a long time and worked hard to get where you are today! Great job!!!
Julia
Thank you. Yes, I am watching what I eat and exercising. Actually depending on how I feel getting back to work I will be out at lunchtime again for my 3 mile walks. Prior to gaining weight I was one of the first at my company to go out to the parking lot to walk at lunchtime. Now there is a huge dedicated crowd that walk, but I had to stop because of the pain in my lower extremities when I walked. Now as soon as I get aclamated to working again I will be back out there every day walking!
Ida
Ida
IdaMae
Good luck with work tomorrow. The first few days, in particular, will feel weird - you'll be establishing a new routine for yourself, need to do your planning for food and snacks and vitamins and such. You'll also be dealing with people complimenting you on how you look.... AND wondering why you were out. Don't be surprised by the ones who say (with concern) "are you OK?" Have a few "stock" answers that you can give that satisfy the need to provide SOME answer without invading your privacy.
One that I liked when people asked if I was losing weight for a "good" reason (as opposed to being ill) was "Yep, I've literally been working my butt off to make it happen" (which always got a good laugh). And it's true... the surgery is one tool, but your success comes from YOU changing your eating habits, exercising, and modifying your life in some fundamental ways.
I found getting back to work to be a challenge to my hard-won "new routine" of eating. The first 2 weeks were challenges to those in-grained work snacking habits and triggers, and even now after 7 months I still have to fight the occasional impulse trigger to snack. Luckily, that last day before I left for surgery I "detoxed" my office, got rid of all my unsafe stashes of snacks and stuff. If you haven't yet done it, I strongly suggest doing it FIRST thing tomorrow... the sooner that stuff is out of your reach, the less likely it is to tempt you at some stressful moment.
You're going to do just great. You've already made phenomenal progress and your progress on getting rid of your comorbidities is just excellent this quickly... Hang in there, keep successing!
Karen
One that I liked when people asked if I was losing weight for a "good" reason (as opposed to being ill) was "Yep, I've literally been working my butt off to make it happen" (which always got a good laugh). And it's true... the surgery is one tool, but your success comes from YOU changing your eating habits, exercising, and modifying your life in some fundamental ways.
I found getting back to work to be a challenge to my hard-won "new routine" of eating. The first 2 weeks were challenges to those in-grained work snacking habits and triggers, and even now after 7 months I still have to fight the occasional impulse trigger to snack. Luckily, that last day before I left for surgery I "detoxed" my office, got rid of all my unsafe stashes of snacks and stuff. If you haven't yet done it, I strongly suggest doing it FIRST thing tomorrow... the sooner that stuff is out of your reach, the less likely it is to tempt you at some stressful moment.
You're going to do just great. You've already made phenomenal progress and your progress on getting rid of your comorbidities is just excellent this quickly... Hang in there, keep successing!
Karen
Karen,
Thank you. Yes, I have most of my meals/protein shakes planned for the first week. No I have nothing at my desk in the line of snacks. Prior to surgery I only took what I was eating that day. I've never been a snacker on junk food. Having diabetes for so many years, I planned all my meals and snacks everyday.
Yes, Gene got that are you ill question quit a bit during his first year loosing weight.
My boss and I have talked about my return. She knows this was pretty major surgery just not what exactly. She told me when I get tired she has no problem with me leaving work, just let her know and I do not have to use any of my time, just leave.
Ida
Thank you. Yes, I have most of my meals/protein shakes planned for the first week. No I have nothing at my desk in the line of snacks. Prior to surgery I only took what I was eating that day. I've never been a snacker on junk food. Having diabetes for so many years, I planned all my meals and snacks everyday.
Yes, Gene got that are you ill question quit a bit during his first year loosing weight.
My boss and I have talked about my return. She knows this was pretty major surgery just not what exactly. She told me when I get tired she has no problem with me leaving work, just let her know and I do not have to use any of my time, just leave.
Ida
IdaMae
Congratulations Ida! I didn't tell a lot of people that I was having WLS, although all of my co workers did because I worked in a hospital and I wanted their support in case of complications or anything.
You've done a PHENOMENAL job already and have no doubt you will continue to do so!
Have fun at work today showing off your emerging new self!!! Stand proud, tall, and confident!
Pam
You've done a PHENOMENAL job already and have no doubt you will continue to do so!
Have fun at work today showing off your emerging new self!!! Stand proud, tall, and confident!
Pam
Instead of complaining that the rosebush has thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. 
Thank you Pam. It is fun seeing some of my co-workers reactions. There are some that have never walked past my desk let alone taken time to speak to me. I can't count how many have been walking past my desk the last two days welcoming me back to work. I find it amusing they are so blatant in their noseyness....
IdaMae
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