Hello there. My name is Jenn (you may know me from my personal blog, 
I have a 1:30pm appointment tomorrow for an endoscopy, to check and see if I have a partial small bowel obstruction. I’m not too nervous, since I have done it before, but I will no doubt be a little anxious until I’m in the room for the dude (or lady) in the lab coat. All I can say is, bring on the sedation baby!
(This blog entry inspired by a compliment I was recently paid via email, from a man who came to the house earlier today to pick up a computer monitor and a mouse & keyboard set I had listed on FreeCycle yesterday night)
If I were a stranger and you were to notice me, you’d see nothing more than a curvy, overweight woman who carries herself well and tries to make the most of her rather generous attributes. What you wouldn’t know is that it’s a pair of snug jeans and the miracle of Spanx (and various store-brand imitations) that make that “smooth” look possible. Without clothing, I definitely do NOT resemble most other 180 pound women (those who haven’t lost over a hundred pounds, anyway). And it’s precisely for that reason I feel like a big fat liar, like I’m being “deceptive”. That’s ridiculous thinking, of course, since I’m not on the market for a man (or woman, for that matter), and I shouldn’t care that I’m not blatantly advertising the fact that I had weight loss surgery so that people don’t get the wrong impression of my looks based, well, ON my looks…
Ah, the way my mind works at times!
Based on my own experience after gastric bypass surgery, the following is a list of things I would advise anyone considering or about to have gastric bypass to expect to experience, or at least not be surprised by:
- Depression, irritation and general mood swings from carbohydrate & sugar withdrawal
- Hair loss (due to the sudden drastic reduction of protein and overall diet overhaul)
- Increased tooth sensitivity (due to having to chew foods more thoroughly)
- Random, unexplained vomiting (due to adjusting to a new diet; stomach muscles healing and “re-learning” to work)
- Bowel issues, including change in bowel habits and constipation
- Hormonal changes (due to the release of hormones from dissipating fat cells) that affect skin and sex drive
- Loss of sex drive
- Difficulty orgasming
- Changes in menstrual cycle: heavier/longer/shorter/more painful periods*
- Breast changes, including larger/darker/more prominent nipples
- Loose skin on arms, thighs, stomach and breasts
- Dehydration, due to decreased fluid intake (be very careful with this!)
- Anemia (*can affect menstrual cycle)
- Body dysmorphia
While this is a lot to take in, gastric bypass is still something I would recommend, and if I had to, do all over again.
Now that I’m in regular sizes, I’m definitely able to find more fashionable clothing to wear. But one thing hasn’t changed: I prefer winter fashions to summer ones. I love “hoodie weather” (temperatures in the 50s and 60s) and the clothing that is worn for it: long-sleeved tops, hoodies, sweaters, and for colder days, turtlenecks and thicker hoodies and sweaters.
My fav outfit: thermal top, insulated vest, flared jeans, Skechers
Right now I’m checking out www.very.co.uk, and what I wouldn’t give for the body and the confidence to wear some of the gorgeous clothing they have on their website. A wintery maxi dress paired with a shawl would be a great ensemble for a night out on the town. But in general I’m more inclined to dress down, and fortunately for me Very.co.uk carries all sorts of fashions. Besides dresses and other formal wear, they also have tops, bottoms, outfits, and plenty of accessories including purses, boots and jewelry.
For more info, check out Very.co.uk.
My 2011 resolution is to take all of my vitamins (anyone who wears lab coats for their profession is probably nodding their head in approval!). I slacked off and on in 2010, and didn’t always take the best kind of vitamins, and I’m sure I paid for that in the way of fatigue, difficulty focusing at times, etc. So two weeks ago I spent $150 (plus tax) on a three month supply of bariatric-specific multivitamins, calcium, vitamin b12 and vitamin d (I already have several bottles of iron, thanks to my friend Danielle). They arrived today, and I laid everything out in a spiffy little pill box. It only hold’s a week’s worth, and since there are so many vitamins to take at different times of the day, I’m very tempted to buy three more pill boxes so I can make up a month’s worth of vitamins to take at a time.
What is your 2011 resolution?
One of the little side effects of dropping large amounts of weight — anything over fifty pounds, from what I’ve heard — is experiencing hormonal issues, due to the leeching of stored hormones from dissipating fat cells into your body. In my case, between last June and now, I’ve dealt with orgasm issues, menstrual cycle issues (never a delay, unfortunately; just longer and more painful periods), odd nipple issues, and now… hormonal issues affecting the girly parts. Let’s just say that once I finish up the work I’m doing here at Panera Bread, I’m heading over to Target to pick up a tube of Vagisil. Sigh.
For those interested: yes, going from 331 lbs to 185 lbs by losing almost 150 lbs in a year and a half’s time has resulted in loose skin, particularly around my midsection and lower abdomen (the dreaded “stomach apron”). I compensate by wearing snug fitting camis in the spring and summer, and now that the weather has turned cooler (cold, in fact), LYCRA-infused shapewear. To be specific, I alternate between two no-brands that I picked up from Target, and the LYRCA Strapless ShaperN-fini. I’d definitely recommend N-fini Shapewear to any woman who is looking to smooth, minimize and support.
The shapewear is comfy, super supportive, and it doesn’t budge or allow anything to budge! It definitely gets five stars in my book.
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