When dealing with something like weight loss surgery, it is pretty normal to have people freely ask many questions. And I welcome those questions; especially if you are considering weight loss surgery yourself. Here I will answer questions that are most commonly asked of me or in general of weight loss surgery patients. However if you have a question that you do not see answered here, feel free to contact me.
Pre-Op
Q: How long did it take for you to have surgery?
A: From the time that I started the process with my surgeon in Las Vegas to my surgery date was 1 year. My insurance required that I completed a 6 month “diet” prior to having surgery. Once that so-called “diet” was complete, I then had to schedule many different tests and had a hiccup along the way when I was hospitalized the entire month of November 2009.
Q: What was your pre-op diet like?
A: I did not have a pre-op diet. I was told to eat normally the day before surgery, have a light dinner, and no eating or drinking after 10 PM. I consider myself lucky that I did not have to have a pre-op liquid diet.
Surgery
Q: Why did you choose gastric banding instead of gastric bypass?
A: There were several reasons why I chose the band instead of bypass. My first concern was malabsorption. While this is one of the reasons bypass is so successful, I’m quite young and was concerned about needing medications at some point and my body not having the ability to absorb medication that is needed that could save my life. One never knows what the future would hold and I was scared of that possibility. The final straw was “dumping syndrome.” While I realize that not every bypass patient will “dump” it was not even something I wanted to consider with a small child home. The fewer times I feel ill, the better.
Q: How long did it take you to recover after surgery?
A: By day four I was feeling great. I even spent time walking on the Las Vegas strip! However, after a couple of hours I was quite tired. If I worked outside of the home, I would have taken at least one week off from work. Luckily my primary job is being Mom and since my kid is older, I was able to function as Mom again by day four.
Life After Weight Loss Surgery
Q: How do you get all of your protein in?
A: FOOD! I’m not a huge fan of protein mixes. Most of them I just plain cannot stomach. My meals always include a healthy portion of protein and I choose food that will give me my required amount of protein per day while still fitting into my portion sizes.
Q: Are there any protein powders you do like?
A: Yes, there are a few that I use from time to time when I need the added protein in my diet or if I have gone on a “detox” liquid diet. They are: Isopure, Syntrax Nector, MyoFusion, and Sytha-6.
Q: What vitamins do you take?
A: I love EcoDrink! I found it from a fellow YouTube vlogger and purchase a 30-day supply at Costco. It’s quick, easy, and tastes yummy!
Q: How many fills have you had and how many cc’s are in your band?
A: Check my fills and appointments by clicking here.
Q: How did you pick your goal weight?
A: This is a tough one. I wasn’t sure where I should be. And I have avoided scales for so long in my life that I cannot look back at a particular time and say “I liked the way I looked then and this is how much I weighed.”
My goal weight was 160 lbs because it is the middle weight for my height in the “normal” BMI range. But I really believed that this may not be the correct weight for me and will need to play the wait and see game. Recently, after a conversation with my surgeon and my Wii Fit, I decided to change my goal weight to 173 lbs. This puts me 1 lb inside the normal BMI range for my height.
More than weight, I care about inches, health, size, how I look, and how I feel. I want to FINALLY look in the mirror and see someone I like staring back at me. I want to grab a pair of jeans from somewhere other than Lane Bryant or Avenue. I want to be my daughter’s playmate at the park and I do not want to be the fat Mom at school. Whatever weight allows me to achieve all of this is the weight I’ll be when I’ve hit my goal.
Q: When are your official weigh-in days?
A: I record my weight each Tuesday. Because my surgery was on a Tuesday, this is the start of my weight loss week. At the end of each month I also take measurements and share those measurements on my weekly update post.
Q: What is your post-op diet like?
A: I eat only 4 oz of food three times per day. I go for protein first and enjoy chicken, turkey, ham, and tuna as my primary sources of protein. There is no snacking. I also consume between 100 and 154 oz of water per day. I get my water in by drinking Propel and Crystal Light. Occasionally I’ll take my water straight up but I’m the kind of girl that needs flavor!
About Me
Q: Who knows about your weight loss surgery?
A: EVERYONE! I have spent so many years considering weight loss surgery that I consulted all my friends and family about it. I do not have a single person in my life that does not feel that this wasn’t a good decision for me. I don’t have a single person that doesn’t support my attempts to get healthy. Besides, wouldn’t it be a little hard to have this here blog and not have everyone in my life know what’s going on?
Q: Who are your primary support people?
A: My wife, Joanne. We have been together for 9 years and she’s my rock with or without weight loss surgery. However, since having surgery she has also become my cheerleader, my inspiration, and everything I need.
My daughter. Though she is just 5 years old she loves what we’re doing to “get healthy.” She enjoys my workout and she loves that I have become more vibrant and playful. And it’s her sweet innocent compliments that keep me going!
My Mom. She spent a lot of my childhood trying to help. She did what every Mother does to help her child get healthy. But my weight was about more than just food and the mental game. Now that I have found an answer to this problem, she is cheering me all the way to the finish line.
Q: How tall are you?
A: 6’ even. Thanks, Dad.
This Blog
Q: What do you use to shoot your videos?
A: My Flip! I’ve had it for a few years and this is the most use it’s ever gotten. My Dad also gave me a Kodak tripod so I use it as well.
Q: May I ask you something privately?
A: Of course. However if your question is one that has been asked many times I will write about it or mention it in a video. But because weight loss surgery is such a personal journey, I will never share any information about you when answering something on the blog, making a video, or writing a post. Rest assured that what you say to me will remain confidential.