In Weigh Over my Head: :)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

:)

I am under 300 lbs. 297 as of last night. I did have a break down last night. I am mourning food. I am resentful of people who get to eat. :) I hope this passes.

23 comments:

Lori said...: Congratulations on entering the 200's!! I'm happy for you.

Making a major life change like you did is hard. Go ahead and feel those feelings, cry, weep & wail. Then pick yourself up and move forward. There will still be times when you miss some of your favorites, but it won't hurt as bad. You can make it.
Lori
PS I'm glad you made your blog private. That way we don't have to worry about stalkers.; March 29, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Ashley said...: Wow! Soon, you'll be saying, "I'm under 200 lbs!" :)

It's definitely good to mourn the loss of food, something that was such a big part of your life. Feeling your feelings, working and crying them out, are really hard, but in the long run, it's so much better! I'm routing you on every day!; March 29, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Denise said...: Hey Lisa! Thank you so much for sharing an honest account of this surgery! I am 1 month into the 6 month wait to have it. So far, I am in for September. In the meantime, I have "promised" my mom that I would do Weight Watchers to try that one more time before I commit to the surgery. I have honestly commited after reading what you have to say, to REALLY do the WW program. I pray I am successful. I only see the "after" and people who have lost over 100 lbs. I guess at that point, they don't remember what you are going through right now. I am happy for you that you are now going to live! I just pray that I am strong enough to do WW and if not, that I am strong enough to do the sleeve. Pray for me as I pray for you!; March 29, 2011 at 10:57 AM
aimee_p said...: Lisa how awesome it that--you are out of the 300's. Try to think, "I will never go back there". I know it will be hard but you are amazing and your kids see you fighting and doing what is right for YOU and them. You will be up and running with them by the end of the summer=)
Keep it up and prayers coming your way for strength!; March 29, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Anonymous said...: You are doing an amazing thing, taking hold of your life like this. You are strong, and you can do this! You are also in touch with your feelings about not being able to eat what you used to, and that is a good thing.

HUGS!; March 29, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Katie J ♥ said...: Yay!!! I am with Aimee. I hope and pray you never ever see 300+ again!

It totally makes sense that you are mourning food - try to keep yourself occupied so you don't think about it too much.; March 29, 2011 at 1:56 PM
mckay said...: YAY! Congrats on being in the 200's! And don't feel badly for having the feelings you are having! you are completely validated and right to have them. I have to believe it will get better.; March 29, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Erika said...: Great job Lisa. You are on your way. I'm sorry that you are having to go through all of the emotional and physical pain simultaneously. Hang in there.; March 29, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Sarah said...: YAY for breaking into the 200's!!!!!! Congrats girl! You are doing amazing, keep that chin up and head held high. You will and can do this. As I have told you this will get easier. Next hurdle you will get to onederland! Keep up the amazing work!; March 29, 2011 at 3:21 PM
Dawn said...: Getting in the 200s is a major milestone and a brilliant one too. As things are hard going, it won't feel too much like a huge celebration just yet but you will. You're bound to be feeling emotional after big life changing surgery. You will settle into a new normal one day at a time
Dawn; March 29, 2011 at 3:22 PM
Christine said...: dude...it's going to be hard...you are mourning your crutch. I got to wean myself off mine...you got yours pulled out from under you.
It's going to be hard.
keep going.; March 29, 2011 at 5:49 PM
Jess said...: That is SO awesome! I'm so happy for you! You will get through this mourning period. It will never be easy and you'll probably always struggle a little but now you have a huge tool to fight your battle. You can and you WILL do this! :); March 29, 2011 at 6:12 PM
Sarah said...: Stay positive lady!! It will get easier. I bet as you keep losing weight you will become more positive and motivated.

Sarah
notaneffingdiet.blogspot.com; March 29, 2011 at 7:22 PM
Lyn said...: I mourned my crutches too. Yours is just so much more permanent... which is a good thing :) I am really happy for you getting into the 2's! Congrats!; March 29, 2011 at 8:33 PM
KathyA999 said...: Wow, great milestone, congratulations! It does get better, it really does, when you finally get to eat actual food. Even mushies seem like the holy grail at this point, and I did go to mushies one day early, I just couldn't stand liquids-only any longer! :-) Just don't grab something out of a kid's grasp, LOL!; March 29, 2011 at 9:05 PM
Laura P said...: Hooray for being in the 200's!

I think the mourning of food makes sense. As you heal physically, mentally, emotionally, the mourning and resentment should hopefully pass. Don't hold it in though (the thoughts), put it out there so those who support you can help however we can. :); March 29, 2011 at 9:07 PM
Marcy said...: Still praying for you and rooting you on. You can do this!

lots of love!
(my*joys); March 29, 2011 at 11:47 PM
MEG said...: Congratulations on breaking into the 200's! You continue to be in my thoughts.; March 30, 2011 at 12:02 AM
MEG said...: Just looked at your ticker...it looks like you're 1/3 of the way to your goal already! You're doing great.; March 30, 2011 at 12:03 AM
Amanda said...: Congrats on getting into the 200's! Everyone's said it so well -- you just had your crutch totally yanked out from under you. Yeah, you did it voluntarily and yeah, you knew it had to be done, but that doesn't change the fact that it's HARD! The benefits, though... once those show up more, I think some of the rough patches will seem less difficult.; March 30, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Grace said...: Congratulations on this milestone!

I'm sorry I haven't been commenting, but for some reason I wasn't getting blogger updates, and the link you originally send didn't work. I figured you had changed your mind about allowing me into your blog and just decided to block me for some reason.

But today...all of a sudden I've gotten a whole boatload of updates from you. Yay!

So glad you did get the surgery, and even though you feel like crap right now, I know you will be glad as your weight loss continues.; March 30, 2011 at 10:40 PM
H. R. Duby said...: Welcome to Twoterville! I'm on my way to Onederland and milestones are awesome! You are doing fantastic! Keep it up! It does get easier over time.; March 31, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Anonymous said...: I can see that happening, Lisa, but you'll get over those feelings.; April 1, 2011 at 1:09 PM

My Weight Loss Surgery - NOT THE BAND OR BYPASS!

Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) - Also known as Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy procedure (also called Sleeve Gastrectomy, Vertical Gastrectomy, Greater Curvature Gastrectomy, Parietal Gastrectomy, Gastric Reduction, Logitudinal Gastrectomy and even Vertical Gastroplasty) is performed by approximately 20 surgeons worldwide. This forum is titled “VSG forum” to include the two most common terms for the procedure (vertical and sleeve). The earliest forms of this procedure were conceived of by Dr. Jamieson in Australia (Long Vertical Gastroplasty, Obesity Surgery 1993)- and by Dr. Johnston in England in 1996 (Magenstrasse and Mill operation- Obesity Surgery 2003). Dr Gagner in New York, refined the operation to include gastrectomy(removal of stomach) and offered it to high risk patients in 2001. Several surgeons worldwide have adopted the procedure and have offered it to low BMI and low risk patients as an alternative to laparoscopic banding of the stomach.

It generates weight loss by restricting the amount of food (and therefore calories) that can be eaten by removing 85% or more of the stomach without bypassing the intestines or causing any gastrointestinal malabsorption. It is a purely restrictive operation. It is currently indicated as an alternative to the Lap-Band® procedure for low weight individuals and as a safe option for higher weight individuals.

Anatomy

This procedure generates weight loss solely through gastric restriction (reduced stomach volume). The stomach is restricted by stapling and dividing it vertically and removing more than 85% of it. This part of the procedure is not reversible. The stomach that remains is shaped like a very slim banana and measures from 1-5 ounces (30-150cc), depending on the surgeon performing the procedure. The nerves to the stomach and the outlet valve (pylorus) remain intact with the idea of preserving the functions of the stomach while drastically reducing the volume. By comparison, in a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is divided, not removed, and the pylorus is excluded. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stomach can be reconnected (reversed) if necessary. Note that there is no intestinal bypass with this procedure, only stomach reduction. The lack of an intestinal bypass avoids potentially costly, long term complications such as marginal ulcers, vitamin deficiencies and intestinal obstructions.

Comparison to prior Gastroplasties (stomach stapling of the 70-80s)

The Vertical Gastrectomy is a significant improvement over prior gastroplasty procedures for a number of reasons:

1) Rather than creating a pouch with silastic rings or polypropylene mesh, the VG actually resects or removes the majority of the stomach. The portion of the stomach which is removed is responsible for secreting Ghrelin, which is a hormone that is responsible for appetite and hunger. By removing this portion of the stomach rather than leaving it in-place, the level of Ghrelin is reduced to near zero, actually causing loss of or a reduction in appetite (Obesity Surgery, 15, 1024-1029, 2005). Currently, it is not known if Ghrelin levels increase again after one to two years. Patients do report that some hunger and cravings do slowly return. An excellent study by Dr. Himpens in Belgium(Obesity Surgery 2006) demonstrated that the cravings in a VSG patient 3 years after surgery are much less than in LapBand patients and this probably accounts for the superior weight loss.

2) The removed section of the stomach is actually the portion that “stretches” the most. The long vertical tube shaped stomach that remains is the portion least likely to expand over time and it creates significant resistance to volumes of food. Remember, resistance is greatest the smaller the diameter and the longer the channel. Not only is appetite reduced, but very small amounts of food generate early and lasting satiety(fullness).

3) Finally, by not having silastic rings or mesh wrapped around the stomach, the problems which are associated with these items are eliminated (infection, obstruction, erosion, and the need for synthetic materials). An additional discussion based on choice of procedures is below.

Alternative to a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The Vertical Gastrectomy is a reasonable alternative to a Roux en Y Gastric Bypass for a number of reasons

Because there is no intestinal bypass, the risk of malabsorptive complications such as vitamin deficiency and protein deficiency is minimal.

There is no risk of marginal ulcer which occurs in over 2% of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass patients.

The pylorus is preserved so dumping syndrome does not occur or is minimal.

There is no intestinal obstruction since there is no intestinal bypass.

It is relatively easy to modify to an alternative procedure should weight loss be inadequate or weight regain occur.

The limited two year and 6 year weight loss data available to date is superior to current Banding and comparable to Gastric Bypass weight loss data(see Lee, Jossart, Cirangle Surgical Endoscopy 2007).

Let's Shrink!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

:)

23 comments: