I was talking to my BFF last night and she asked me how I was doing with everything, seeing how this is such a life changing event. As I was answering her question there were a lot of things that I expressed to her that I thought maybe it would be a good idea to write about them. I am sure that those of you who are following my journey would be curious to know. Some topics might be a repeat of things I have already touched on in previous posts.
As I have talked about before, going into this I was aware of the changes that could happen to my body and most of the effects of WLS. Being aware that something could happen and actually going through it has proven to be quite a different and sometimes difficult experience.
A couple of months before I had WLS I started to freak out about the loose skin dilemma. I knew that it was bound to happen, I knew that insurance doesn't cover removal of it and I started to worry about what I was gonna look like. I texted a friend of mine who had WLS about three years ago, luckily she and I have a very open, blunt friendship! I asked her if when she was fat her belly looked like mine and hung down in what is referred to as an apron. I also asked if she had a lot of loose skin. This dear friend of mine went out of her comfort zone and texted me a picture of what her loose skin looks like because she said I needed to know what to expect. She included with the picture a message that said "It may not be pretty but it fits in a size 6 and I will take it!" When I looked at that picture coupled with my sweet friend's incredible perspective I felt like it wasn't a big deal and I could handle what was to come.
Having disposed of 62 lbs by now, my skin is starting to loosen up. Mainly I am noticing it in my arms. I am sure that I notice it more than others, we are our worst critics of course, but it is still unsettling. I am trying to keep perspective and have a good out look on this. Of course that part of this process will only get worse before it gets better.
Hair loss is another of those changes that I thought I was prepared for that became a different story when it started to happen. Everyone loses their hair on a daily basis. My hair has always been very, very thick even with the normal shedding. In fact my mom has always teased that I needed to marry a bald man if my kids were ever to have a chance at normal hair. I have gradually noticed an increase of the hair that I have been shedding since WLS, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago when it started to bother me. I was getting ready for bed and brushing through my hair as I always do when I noticed big chunks of hair coming out. I was taking my vitamins like I was supposed to and I was eating what I supposed to. What in the world was going on. I started to evaluate how much protein I was taking in daily and realized I wasn't taking in what I should be. So I made some changes. I also called my doctor's office for recommendations and texted my friend. I also did some research online. It was recommended that I double up on my B-12, take Biotin, and do a daily 10 minute scalp massage. So this is what I am doing....let's see if it helps!
Last week I had an appointment with my primary care physician. This was the first time I had seen him since I had WLS 3 months ago. He was extremely happy with my progress and ordered some blood work just see where all my numbers were and to make sure that I wasn't deficient in anything. After my appointment I went to the lab to let the vampires suck my blood and then I headed to NYC. When I returned home from my trip I was welcomed with an email from my doctor with my lab results. I was a bit nervous just because I wanted everything to be OK. As I looked over my results I could not have been happier. The one that I was most pleased with was my AC1. For those who don't know what this is I will explain.
AC1 is test they run on your blood that measures you blood sugar over a three month period. The normal range is 4.2-5.9. The American Diabetes Association recommends that it be under 7 for diabetics. When I was diagnosed with the disease in June of 2011 My AC1 was 13! Whoa! It was high! Once on meds I as able to control it and keep it at 7. Last week when I got the results of my blood work my AC1 is now at 5.8!!! That is being medication free since the day after WLS! This is INCREDIBLE!!!
Since WLS eating has become a chore. Before I never thought about what I was eating and when I was eating and how much I was eating etc. Now my life is consumed with constantly putting something in my mouth. If it isn't water it is food, if it isn't food it is vitamins. This might not sound like a big deal to most so allow me to elaborate.
With water I have to make sure that I am getting in at least 64 oz a day. I have started purchasing water bottles because it makes it easier to keep track of the amount I am drinking everyday. Food-wise it is important that I am only eating 3 meals a day and not snaking in between. The exception I have is on days that I work I eat a mid morning snack because it is so much time between when I eat breakfast and then when it's lunchtime. This is typically when I get my fruit in. with those three meals I have to make sure that I am getting in enough protein and a fruit and veggie. Vitamins are a little trickier. Daily I take a multi-vitamin and calcium. I can't take my calcium with my multi because the multi contains iron (which I need) and calcium and iron cancel each other out if taken together. I also have to take 1200mg of calcium daily which means that I have to take it twice a day because our bodies can only absorb 500-600mg at a time. On the days that I work it is much easier to keep track of it all because it is more scheduled.
There are other things that I am trying to get used to along this journey. The way I perceive and look at fat people now is different than it was. I also am so bothered at times with how other people eat. This is something that I would've never given a second thought to before, but now is mind boggling to me.
No matter who you are or what weight disposal journey you have chosen to take something that will always be hard, mostly because we are all human and again we are our worst critics, is taking compliments. Many of the people in my life have taken to calling me skinny, or slim, or things along that nature, I have a really hard time with this. I mean, I get that I am disposing of weight and it is bound to happen for people to make comments. That is OK. The change needs to happen with me not them. Of course I want people to tell me and I love hearing when they notice a difference, however it is almost second nature to brush them off and reply with a quick, "whatever" and move on. I guess that is where when they say that your body loses weight quicker than your mind kicks in. In my mind I am still that 376 lb girl and would never in a million years refer to myself as skinny or slim.
I am now three and half months post op and even with some of the challenges that have shown up, I am happier and most importantly HEALTHIER than I have ever been. Hell, I even have a collar bone that sticks out now! Thank you for taking this journey with me.
