Bariatric Surgery
So I wanted to talk about Bariatric surgery (Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass), and before I start, I want to say that BARIATRIC SURGERY IS NOT AN EASY WAY OUT. So many people who have not had the surgery look at the before and afters of someone's journey and think that the surgery alone made this transformation happen. WRONG!!
There are so many factors that go along with these surgeries. Learning discipline is the #1 factor. Losing weight is not easy for some of us. Food is a true addiction, and it doesn't help that a double cheeseburger, large fries, large soda, and a cookie is $2.99, but a protein salad is $87.92. America talks about obesity in one commercial, but the next commercial is McDonald's advertising a pack of 12 Big Mac meals for 20 bucks. Where is the sense in all this??
So many of us don't know where to start, and for some, it's easier to just pick up food on the go at a drive-thru and worry about the pounds later. That can only go on for so long before we are forced to look at ourselves in the mirror and pick ourselves apart. THAT WAS ME.
A little background about me: I had both of my kids back to back. My son was a preemie, I instantly found out what postpartum depression was, and my eating habits were so awful. I skipped breakfast because I was so tired, I ate really crappy food in the afternoon, my water intake was below average, and my biggest fault was eating at 2 a.m while feeding the baby. My son turned 6 months, and BAM, I am pregnant again. This pregnancy with my daughter was so stressful because I already have a 6-month-old and I am still battling PPD, so of course, here I am eating even worse, and by the time I was 8 months pregnant, I was 300lbs. 300!!! (i am 5'5 in height). I have her via c-section, and my weight stayed at 300lbs even after she was born. This caused terrible depression for me because I thought to myself, "how am I going to take care of both of my little ones and my body hurts, I'm tired all of the time, and I am so unhealthy internally." I kept looking in the mirror, and I hated what I saw because I knew that I could do better, if not for anybody else, for my kids. I started the process for the Gastric Sleeve surgery, and for me, that consisted of visits with the dietician once a month for 6 months, a psych evaluation, a visit with the surgeon, visit with the bariatric doctor, weigh ins, etc. It seems like a lot of work, and it was, but I was determined to change. I completed the entire program, got approved for my surgery, and that's when it got real.
Of course, I was afraid because it was another surgery, and with any surgery, you fear that you won't wake up, and I did have those thoughts. But believe me, you can't allow your thoughts to take over. I had to complete a 2-week liquid diet prior to surgery, and let me tell you, that liquid diet will humble you quickly lol. But to be honest, that is where my discipline started, and I am so grateful for it. My surgery date came, and I knew that my life had no choice but to change. The 1st two weeks are nothing but another round of liquids, and in those two weeks, I did all of my research on what will work for me during this journey. Fast Forward to 1-month post-op, I am now introducing foods back into my diet like lots of protein, low carb, no sugar foods only. I found so many amazing meals for bariatric patients and cooked only the ones I loved. I decided to eat my food in ounces and only switch up my meals once a week. Really quick, I want to address why I did that. So when you have an addiction to food, and you have all of these foods you love, you tend to eat them quickly, more often, and too much of it. That will cause weight gain and potentially have you go back to your old habits. So picking one favorite meal and eating it for a week in a few different ways is another part of discipline and patience.
Fast forward to 3 months post-op; I am more disciplined than I ever was, I do not consume any sugars, all low carbs, I still measure my food, I have no temptation when out socializing, and my head is in the game. I do cardio workouts, HIIT, booty band workouts, cycling etc, and I get joy from the burn it gives me, the sweat I'm producing, the inches I'm dropping, and what I see in the mirror now is someone that puts in the work to get desired results.
Bariatric surgery is only a tool. A tool will not work unless you work it. I took advantage of my new smaller stomach and made it work for me. I did not just get the sleeve for weight loss; I found benefits aside from weight loss, and here are just a few:
Relief of Depression
Joint pain relief
Improved Cardiovascular health
Lower BMI
Increased Metabolism
I have more energy now than I ever had in my adult life. As of now, I am at a 72lb weight loss, and I feel absolutely amazing. If you are considering this surgery, do not let anyone tell you what you should not or can't do. You have to do what is necessary for YOU. I needed a jumpstart in my weight loss as I failed on my own for years, and once I started to have children, they became my "why."
Do not be discouraged by the fact that your appetite will be decreased and that you have to use discipline at all times during this journey, as this helps you not just physically but mentally as well. Do yourself a favor and get into groups with people who are going through the same thing, go to group workout classes as that helps with encouragement, ping different meal ideas off of each other, and make eating healthy A THING.
Pat yourself on the back for making the decision to live a life that you deserve
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