LifeStarts WLS
Recent Posts
Topic: Claiming MY Right to Life
For the past few days I have been staying with friends and getting some awesome and sound nutritional advice.
My friend is a mom to an almost 10 month old and makes her own baby food. She has been an incredible resource and a powerful friend during all of this. I've been making my own baby food and am discovering that I actually like food that I never enjoyed before - brussel sprouts, asparagus, cottage cheese.
I also found a really interesting book titled, "When Food is Love" by Geneen Roth. She has several books, however this one seemed to resonate with my friend and I. For such a small book, it packs quite the pearls of wisdom. Two quotes that struck me today are, "Eating is a metaphor for the way we live; it is also a metaphor for the way we love." and "At every moment, we are choosing either to reveal ourselves or to protect ourselves, to value ourselves or to diminish ourselves, to tell the truth or to hide. To dive into life or to avoid it. Initimacy is making the choice to be connected to, rather than isolated from, our deepest truth at that moment."
I find these comments to be extraordinary and quite profound given my current situation. Last week I was admitted to the hospital because I was in an extreme amount of pain. I faced medical staff who did not want to take my case on because my surgery occurred at another hospital and they did not want the responsibility of my care. Background note: The Bariatric Program is run out of Toronto Western hospital. All of my appointments have been at Toronto Western Hospital. My surgery occurred at Toronto East. My surgeon and her team have been on vacation since my surgery and I was referred by the surgeons office to go to Toronto Western where the program is run from.
At first the doctors could only say "the good thing is that you're not dead yet". Ummm - well duh! Of couse that's a good thing! This caused an incredible amount of stress and needless frustration. In the end I have an infection and inflammation in my incision, not at the incision site, but underneath where the camera was apparently inserted. One doctors lovely suggestion to cure my pain was to lose more weight - lol =)~ I am on antibiotics right now to deal with the infection. The meds will be taken over 10 days and if they do not work, I have to go back and will likely need surgery to remove the infecttion (or so that is what I have been told). I am still in quite a bit of pain. It hurts to do anything for periods of time - sitting, standing, walking, being LOL. I am 3 weeks post op and I am now down 52 lbs. I am following the program to the letter and am now keeping a daily food and exercise journal. I'm monitoring my water intake and trying my best to be as compliant as possible. =)~
The red-tape is a very aggravating and frustrating experience. It is not something that I am unfamiliar with, however it has prompted me to truly evaluate my situation and what lessons are to be learned from this experience. Specifically around my value and self-worth. I have an incredible opportunity to be connected to my deepest truth - to reveal myself, value myself, to tell the truth and dive into life. I am claiming my freedom. I am claiming my right to life - a healthy life. What this means is that the partnerships that I entered into with my medical team will need to be honoured on all sides. Only those who are willing to participate and be fully engaged will be allowed the opportunity to impact and enhance my healthy life and freedom. Opportunities will be given to me, I'm certain, that will honour this declaration of mine. LOL! I need to surround myself with people who are committed to assisting me achieve my goals. That is the bottom line. So while I am still in pain, I'm working at getting stronger emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I'm taking things one step at a time.
My friend is a mom to an almost 10 month old and makes her own baby food. She has been an incredible resource and a powerful friend during all of this. I've been making my own baby food and am discovering that I actually like food that I never enjoyed before - brussel sprouts, asparagus, cottage cheese.
I also found a really interesting book titled, "When Food is Love" by Geneen Roth. She has several books, however this one seemed to resonate with my friend and I. For such a small book, it packs quite the pearls of wisdom. Two quotes that struck me today are, "Eating is a metaphor for the way we live; it is also a metaphor for the way we love." and "At every moment, we are choosing either to reveal ourselves or to protect ourselves, to value ourselves or to diminish ourselves, to tell the truth or to hide. To dive into life or to avoid it. Initimacy is making the choice to be connected to, rather than isolated from, our deepest truth at that moment."
I find these comments to be extraordinary and quite profound given my current situation. Last week I was admitted to the hospital because I was in an extreme amount of pain. I faced medical staff who did not want to take my case on because my surgery occurred at another hospital and they did not want the responsibility of my care. Background note: The Bariatric Program is run out of Toronto Western hospital. All of my appointments have been at Toronto Western Hospital. My surgery occurred at Toronto East. My surgeon and her team have been on vacation since my surgery and I was referred by the surgeons office to go to Toronto Western where the program is run from.
At first the doctors could only say "the good thing is that you're not dead yet". Ummm - well duh! Of couse that's a good thing! This caused an incredible amount of stress and needless frustration. In the end I have an infection and inflammation in my incision, not at the incision site, but underneath where the camera was apparently inserted. One doctors lovely suggestion to cure my pain was to lose more weight - lol =)~ I am on antibiotics right now to deal with the infection. The meds will be taken over 10 days and if they do not work, I have to go back and will likely need surgery to remove the infecttion (or so that is what I have been told). I am still in quite a bit of pain. It hurts to do anything for periods of time - sitting, standing, walking, being LOL. I am 3 weeks post op and I am now down 52 lbs. I am following the program to the letter and am now keeping a daily food and exercise journal. I'm monitoring my water intake and trying my best to be as compliant as possible. =)~
The red-tape is a very aggravating and frustrating experience. It is not something that I am unfamiliar with, however it has prompted me to truly evaluate my situation and what lessons are to be learned from this experience. Specifically around my value and self-worth. I have an incredible opportunity to be connected to my deepest truth - to reveal myself, value myself, to tell the truth and dive into life. I am claiming my freedom. I am claiming my right to life - a healthy life. What this means is that the partnerships that I entered into with my medical team will need to be honoured on all sides. Only those who are willing to participate and be fully engaged will be allowed the opportunity to impact and enhance my healthy life and freedom. Opportunities will be given to me, I'm certain, that will honour this declaration of mine. LOL! I need to surround myself with people who are committed to assisting me achieve my goals. That is the bottom line. So while I am still in pain, I'm working at getting stronger emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. I'm taking things one step at a time.
Topic: RE: Beginning Again...
I was banded about 4 years ago. I also lost focus and have gained about 30-40 pounds that I had lost back. I had become truly depressed and realize that it was 100% my fault. I had complications with my band that lead to me having my band completely deflated. Instead of me using my knowledge to keep the weight off, I used the moment to convert back to old habits and eat everything that I should not have.
Now, that I have realized that I am better than that, I am ready to fight this evil battle with guns blazing. I want to be healthy, I want to live to see my children grow up, get married and have children; I want to walk around in public and not worry about what other people think about my weight.
Right now, my goals are to drink water daily ( a big problem for me) and to exercise 3-4 times a week for a minimum of 45 minutes.
I believe that if we all support and encourage each other, we can succeed!!!
Now, that I have realized that I am better than that, I am ready to fight this evil battle with guns blazing. I want to be healthy, I want to live to see my children grow up, get married and have children; I want to walk around in public and not worry about what other people think about my weight.
Right now, my goals are to drink water daily ( a big problem for me) and to exercise 3-4 times a week for a minimum of 45 minutes.
I believe that if we all support and encourage each other, we can succeed!!!
Topic: RE: Coffee
Hi Linda,
I'm not sure about the guidelines for the sleeve. I had RNY. I could drink caffeine after I'd drank 64 ounces of non-caloric fluid. It has taken awhile for coffee to taste good to me. I still have to drink it diluted. Everyone is different in what tastes good after surgery. My taste is still a little finicky. Have you asked your nutritionist?
All these details can seem overwhelming but it will all work out.
Hang in there~
Annie
I'm not sure about the guidelines for the sleeve. I had RNY. I could drink caffeine after I'd drank 64 ounces of non-caloric fluid. It has taken awhile for coffee to taste good to me. I still have to drink it diluted. Everyone is different in what tastes good after surgery. My taste is still a little finicky. Have you asked your nutritionist?
All these details can seem overwhelming but it will all work out.
Hang in there~
Annie
Topic: Coffee
I am getting things ready for my Sleeve surgery Saturday. What is the guideline toward coffee... will it make me sick. Is it OK?
thanks
Linda
Topic: RE: Introduction - New person in the Group
Dear Linda,
I'm so glad you found us. I hope you feel welcome & cared for.
I had RNY 12-21-09 It's been the best thing I've ever done for myself.
My diabetes is gone, sleep apnea better, arthritis better. I'm exercising
regularly (first time in a long long time)
You will soon be on the other side of this surgery and off on an amazing
journey. I can't wait to hear all about your journey.
Keep us posted as you are able.
You are in my prayers~
Hugs
Annie
I'm so glad you found us. I hope you feel welcome & cared for.
I had RNY 12-21-09 It's been the best thing I've ever done for myself.
My diabetes is gone, sleep apnea better, arthritis better. I'm exercising
regularly (first time in a long long time)
You will soon be on the other side of this surgery and off on an amazing
journey. I can't wait to hear all about your journey.
Keep us posted as you are able.
You are in my prayers~
Hugs
Annie
Topic: Introduction - New person in the Group
Hi everyone, I joined ObesityHelp as well as LifeStarts to gleam any insight prior to surgery and receive and give support following surgery.I live in Eastern Oklahoma and have been active all my life until about 20 years ago. (if your 20 years old that is a long time) but for someone who is 63 it's not.
Although I have fought weight loss all my life -- I have been obese for the last 20 of those 63 years. It has been getting worse every year - no every month and have invested money in everything from Treadmills, bikes (both stationary as well as real bike)… every diet to this part of the world.
I am tired.. tired of knowing that when I lose 5 pounds -- 10 comes back. I need a light and now the Sleeve I'm having July 17 in Dallas is it.I'm frighten to do something that drastic to my body, but as I look into the mirror I know it has to be done. I'm upset that I can't share this with my close family - my mom who is 84 and my sister who has a mental problem due to a pituitary tumor.I am happy that I can share and receive support from my loving husband - John. He and I were married 2 years ago - feb 14…. I was a widow for over 2 years prior to our meeting..I'm a Christian and hopefully some of you who are too will keep me in your prayers… as I will you. You who are not please send good vibes to me..Thank you for your time. I look forward to talking to each and every one of you.Linda
Topic: RE: Newbie here -- Pre - Op
Welcome Stephanie. I ditto what Annie said, I am three months post op today and I have lost 70 lbs., and especially over the past month I have noticed that I am feeling so much more comfortable going to movies and sitting in booths at restaurants, etc. My family likes to sit in the middle of the row at themovies, but I used to make them sit on the end of the movie row because I was embarrassed that if I have to get up in the middle of the movie to go to the bathroom I didn't want others to have to look at my behind when I passed them; now I don't worry about it anymore.
Good luck and keep us posted on your surgery date.
Pam
Good luck and keep us posted on your surgery date.
Pam
Topic: RE: Post-op dizziness
I too have been experiencing dizziness. I agree with Annie, talk to dr. For me my blood pressure was a little low but my pulse had dropped quite low. With medication changes, we are slowiy getting things under control and I now rarely experience the dizziness.
