I re
ally CANNOT believe I am posting about vomit, but this is the lengths I will go to in order to enlighten you, dear reader, into the life of being a post-op WLSer. I have not had the “luck” of having a single episode of vomiting or nausea since surgery, but I learned tonight what happens if I push my sleeve too far. yeah, well, I learned definitively that I cannot push my sleeve, because it will push right back.
We went out to dinner to a Japanese restaurant, and chose a Hibachi table for hubs, me and our two littlest, knowing they would enjoy the “show” of the hibachi cooking and knowing that since its basically pure protein and veggies, its the perfect WLS choice. We split a dinner for two among the 4 of us, that included filet mignon, chicken, salmon, shrimp and scallops. Even with 4 of us, it was a huge amount and we took a very large box full home. I had 5 shrimp, 3 small cubes of filet mignon, and 3 scallops, and a few assorted pieces of veggies — zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms. Ate everything slow and chewed well. Then the kids and hubs wanted to have dessert, so we ordered a fried banana and japanese fried ice cream. It did me in. I ate a small portion and started to feel bad, crampy, like I needed to stand up or stretch out. I could feel stuff in my esophogus, I presume.
Paid for dinner, went out and got in the van, and was beyond thrilled that my overly puky/allergic 2 year old has caused me to store a supply of medical emesis ring/bag things in my glove box, because dessert came right back out. ugh, and double ugh. I now know why they call it “the slimes”. Anyway, won’t do that again. Shudder.
I am laying in bed, stretched out, typing this out while its still fresh. What was curious is that I didn’t get my usual “tell” after the meat, which is hiccuping. Usually as son as I am full, I get the hiccups, which is my clue to cut it out. This time, I didn’t get the hiccups until after dessert, as we were walking out.
So my question to you — do you have a “tell” when you are full? hiccups or sneezing? Loved this episode of Bariatric TV that explains the hiccups and sneezing.
Now, back to the regularly scheduled update (well, painfully late update). As time passes, everything settles into a new normal. I’m about 11 weeks post op now, and I’ve lost close to 70 lbs. I have about 60 lbs more to go. Its cool being on the “downhill” side, but there is still a loooong way to go.
In my accountability group via Tracy at mytinytank.net,(if you want to join the next accountability, group, which begins on 3/12, please contact Tracy via her website–I highly recommend it!) I spent six weeks with a couple of great WLSers focused on my goal of getting more consistently active. My goal was to be consistently averaging 6500 steps at least five days a week, tracking using my fitbit, by March 5th. And I did it! I have gradually moved into a place where exercise is now feeling more like part of my routine. I have been able to do this at least once before, so part of me is still scared I’ll fall off the wagon, so its likely in the next six week curcuit for accountability I’ll still be focusing on exercise consistency and increase in some fashion again. Actually, by the last couple of weeks, I’ve been closer to 7-8k steps, which is still less than the 10k a day gold standard, but for someone who used to walk less than 2k a day most days, this is pretty good!
What benefits have i seen? Definitely have more cardio endurance. I’ve gone to zumba a few times in the last month, and enjoyed it, and could actually make it an hour each time without dying. Sometimes I had to slow down and just march/move in place while sucking down water, but I always restarted again and got back to it. I’ve traveled and been able to cruise through the airport without getting all sweaty and gross, and even decide to walk extra to get more steps in. Crazy!
Overall I just feel better and like i have more pep in my step. Some days, its hard to get myself going, but I always (always) feel better after I’ve done it. I’ve made a habit of scheduling it into my day during weekdays, and planning for generally to be going to the YMCA and working out before i have to be there anyway to pick up my little ones who attend daycare at the Y, so its a good reason to combine the two. That behavior is called “anchoring” in the behavior change world, I’d say, basically attaching a new behavior you want to do to something you already do regularly and have to do, so that it is easier to make the new behavior a habit. i used to try to do things like try to get up early and exercise, and for me, that is complete and utter bullshit. I hate the morning with a passion, and that just makes it worse.
So I do the opposite of what most people do, I go at the end of the work day, and its working out pretty good. However, on the other hand, if I got in my exercise early in the day, I could get my step count even higher through the course of the day. (because i would shoot to get 6-7k in via planned exercise, and then my normal steps would add on….as it is, I arrive at the Y at end of day, and tend to quit when I get to 6-7k, rather than do a planned 6-7k.
Anyway, change is happening. You can see it in my face, which now sports a pointy chin with a cleft in it (who knew?). I still hate what has happened to my nose, which I swear I attribute to CPAP. my nose is way bigger than it used to be. So rude. I used to have a cute nose. Oh well. i’m excited to have bought a top that was simply an “XL” and I fit into the first pair of Levis I have worn since I was a freshman in college. So that is pretty crazy. Granted, i think they make levis in larger sizes than they did when i was in college 🙂 🙂 So its not like I’m down THAT small yet. Some day!!
Loser Mama 