If it wasn’t for my wife’s bariatric surgery
in August of 2014, and mine in February of 2020, I would have been among the
many that believed the above quote. Unfortunately, that opinion is a lie. I can
understand at the quick speed (months) the weight is coming off that it would
be more natural taking it off by working out in a gym. People (like me) had
serious health issues that needed immediate attention (and motivating results).
There are after surgery advantages and
disadvantages. On the plus side for both my wife and me, once the weight
started coming off the real personality came out. (Imagine a butterfly.) You
are shrinking in body size so it is time to go shopping. Both my diabetes and
sleep apnea have improved. I’m off many medications and CPAP pressure was
reduced from 15 to 8. My knee joint pain is practically non-existent (because
of the body weight I have taken off my knees). My equilibrium is much improved.
Falling and tripping are a thing of the past.
On the negative side, chances are you will
have some loose skin under your clothing. (I have a small chin waddle and the
apron area is flabby.) Your feet will shrink. (It’s shoe shopping time.) At
restaurants, you may need to explain why you don’t want a beverage. Your
stomach dictates your eating regimen. If you eat too fast, too much, or
something the stomach doesn’t like, you may experience bariatric vomiting. You
will wish to vomit normally, but instead you’ll bring up wads of stringy mucus.
(For me this goes on for hours.)
I do
my best to avoid the over full feeling, which is like a stomach cramp). When
you see a fat person and know how much the surgery helped you, you tend to want
to get them into bariatric surgery soon. ( I hate to admit this, but I can
become rather judgmental of fat people now.) I have gone from 320 to under 220.
With bariatric surgery your weight fluctuates daily so don’t be discouraged.
Laparoscopic surgery will leave four small “battle” scars.
I have had to make changes in my life because
I am determined not to go back to where I was. You need to limit (or remove)
junk food from your life. (Sugar is as addictive as nicotine.) Drink 64 ounces
of water daily. (I use water additives to make it go down easier. Fill a 32
ounce bottle up twice, and drink it and you are done for the day.) I crave
water now even after my requirement is met.) Exercise is a big thing so I walk
five times a week at an hour at a time on a set path. I listen to e-audiobooks
on OverDrive, which makes it go faster. I do it first thing in the morning so I
can’t make excuses for not doing it.
You will follow the thirty minute rule. Food
and liquids are never eaten again together, but within thirty minutes of each
other. (Medication is exempt from this rule.) The reason is that your body is
not getting as many nutrients as before with your new stomach. Drinking too
soon can wash the nutrients you are getting away. Consuming protein in food (or
using powdered protein will now become an important task for you. Almost any
protein can be made into yummy “sludge.” With a small amount of cold water,
protein can be turned into a thick brownie batter consistency.
If you are planning on doing this surgery,
exercising months before it will give quicker healing results after the
surgery. (At least that is what happened with me.) Several weeks before the
surgery, you’ll be asked to start the Liver Shrinkage Diet, which is rather
restrictive. It will help you lose weight plus shrink you liver so it can’t be
nicked during surgery. After surgery follow the various diets to eventually
eating normal. Your new stomach will tell you what is acceptable. Start the
thirty minute rule now.
I eat about a quarter of what I used to
consume. Sometimes I longingly wish I could eat a full plate of food, or drink
with my meal. At restaurants, I use the to-go boxes a lot, or order from the
children’s menu. I don’t desire sugar as much anymore. It doesn’t take a lot of
food to keep a human alive. Food is not a pleasurable focus anymore. I don’t
crave food all the time. I love to blog to deal with my stress instead of trying
to eat it away. (This never works.) I can now look at myself nude in the
bathroom mirror, and not be grossed out by what I see looking back at me, which
is the best feeling of all. I have absolutely no regrets that I chose bariatric
surgery.
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