Three months ago this week I had gastric bypass surgery. I thought I would give you an update on my progress. Today was a nice surprise, I hit the 60 lb. weight loss mark.
I began gaining weight soon after I was married 11 years ago. The Parkinson’s as well as the weight gain had really begun to slow me down. Simply put… I felt miserable. I had zero energy and was having trouble walking even short distances. I felt totally frustrated and very scared. My liver enzymes became extremely elevated which eventually led to a liver biopsy. It was then I was diagnosed with first stage NASH, a liver disease caused by a fatty liver. The saying “You are what you eat” certainly rang true.
This led to one tough decision, whether or not to have weight loss surgery. I was told I was an ideal candidate by a team of physicians, and after giving it a great deal of thought, I decided to have gastric bypass surgery.
There are some big no-no’s after undergoing WLS (weight loss surgery). The following foods are off-limits: bread, rice, dairy (I’m lactose intolerant now), booze, sugar, and fats. Challenging?…. sometimes. The truth is, I’m not very hungry these days, which makes losing weight much easier. My stomach has been reduced to a 1 ounce pouch, whereas the normal adult stomach is 60+ ounces. Needless to say, it doesn’t take much to fill me up.
My food cravings have totally changed since the surgery. I have no desire to eat red meat, pork, and very little chicken. I prefer white fish, such as Mahi Mahi, sole, and trout. My favorite food right now is cottage cheese with ground walnuts and blueberries. Water goes down really good if there is a lemon slice in it. My current favorite foods include the following: berry smoothies, lentil soup, sweet potatoes with cinnamon, squash drizzled with olive oil and cracked pepper, tomatoes and mozzarella with EVO and balsamic vinegar, lamb lettuce salad (a Trader Joe’s find, nutty yummy flavor!) with strawberries, avocado, and steamed asparagus, sugar-free tropical flavored Popsicles, grated hard-boiled eggs, trail mix sans the choco chips and raisins, greek yogurt, and Irish oatmeal.
Things I’m not lovin’ lately include: steak…get the chills just thinking about it! Tuna fish…used to be crazy about it, not anymore, scrambled eggs, dairy and sugar-free ice cream…made a few batches, all super yucky.
So far, it’s been an amazing journey. A few “friends” aired concerns right up to the very end. I was warned I might experience a lifetime of non-stop vomiting, that my hubby and daughter might begin too “act-out” due to jealously, and that some friends may suddenly disappear. They only friends who have disappeared, are the ones who aired their concerns. go figure…
Post Surgery Summary: Terry and Emma have been 100% in my corner each and everyday…..I don’t know what I would do without both of them! The severity of my PD symptoms has decreased by 50%! I no longer have painful swollen ankles! My liver is not tender and enlarged! I’m happier than I have been in years! Long story short, WLS is giving me my life back, and I’m extremely grateful.
Hey gang…the artsy chick is ready for another giveaway…how bout you?! You guys have to play this one….it involves a super cool prize, a vintage pink and black glass bead bracelet. It’s also embellished with two fresh water pearls and three silver plated hearts. The bracelet would look perfect with a little black dress or a pair of faded blue jeans.
