The Transformation Journals

This will more than likely be the last entry in the bariatric section unless I get some comments or questions that need to be addressed here.  Perhaps one more after this one if I see that I have left something vital out. 

As with any major life change there is an adjustment period. That will vary with each person.  There are still things I am getting used to 16 months post procedure.  In the beginning changes are happening so fast it is hard to keep up sometimes.  The weight, in my case, came off very quickly.  There were times I was wondering if it was happening too fast, but my surgeon was not alalrmed bu it and all the blood work was normal so I just went with it.  It took a while to get used to seeing myself in the mirror.  To me, I looked sick.  I knew I wasn’t but losing 20-30 pounds a month for the first few months can do that to you.  Add to it that it was winter and I was not outside very much and looking mighty pale.  You may feel or get cold a lot easier than you used to.  You are not as well "insulated" as you once were and more than likely will be a little anemic.  The anemia can be fixed with diet for the most part and if it is severe your doctor will treat you for it so no worries there.  You will get used to the new you.  For me that was about the one year mark.  The weight lose slowed down and I began to get some strength and energy back.  My diet had progressed to a point where it was easier to get in fluids enough so I didn’t feel dry all the time.  I always had a dry mouth and throat and my voice never sounded the way it used to, but that is back to normal now too. 

Reflecting.  There are a few things I miss.  Food wise I mean.  My diet is to the point that I can eat anything I want, not quantity mind you, but type.  Meat of any type, fruits, veggies, breads, etc.  For the most part I stay away from breads.  They are very filling and have no protien, or very little, so I rarely eat them.  Same for cereals, excluding the oatmeal I am trying to eat every morning.  I need to get more fiber in so I am using the oatmeal and adding wheatgerm to it.  There are times that one serving of instant oatmeal is too much when I have it with my morning shake.  It takes about two or three hours to get the oatmeal and a 16 ounce shake in.  Okay, back from that sidetrack and on to the foods I miss.  Number 1 on the list and will I am sure remain there.  A good hamburger.  I am not talking about a fast food one here.  I mean a quality burger.  One with red meat.  Beef, bison, venison, kangaroo or wallaby (yes I have had it and yes it is very good, very dark red meat and very lean).  All the trimmings, just sing the Jimmy Buffet song here and you know what I mean.  I don’t have to have the fries, just the burger.  Number 2 is a big fresh salad.  Cobb or chef or just start pilling the greens and veggies on the plate.  A good dressing, it can be low/no fat and I don’t drown the salad either.  Number 3 is a "country" or "grandma" breakfast.   I was always a big breakfast eater.  It can be a healthy one and still have all good breakfast type foods.  Number 4, a plate of vegetables.  So much of my diet centers around protien that I miss my veggies.  I do still eat them, as well as fruits, but there is something to be said about a nice plate of fresh cooked vegetables, or raw in a salad. aside from number 1 these are in no particular order.

 I am sure I will have more to say on my diet now but I will post that in the training and supplement sections as they will be more relivant to those areas.

 I hope this section has been informative and of some help to any that are, or know someone that is, considering some type of bariatric procedure.  Questions and comments are welcomed.

Be Well