Gastric Bypass Surgery...yay or nay?

As most of you probably know by now, I'm in the hospital with yet another bout of cellulitis. Yes, another one. This one came on faster than the last. Kinda scary, really, how fast it happened. I've been here since Monday evening. I've been on IV antibiotics since then. Twice a day. I digress. Yesterday was a struggle for me. A real, honest struggle. In fact, I spent most of my afternoon upset and in tears. Why? Two of the doctors that I see when I'm here both re-suggested that I have the gastric bypass surgery. I was devastated. Why? Please, do not hear me wrong when I say this. When I was not cleared for the gastric bypass surgery last year and I made the decision this year to progress with losing the weight, I promised myself that I would do this the hard way - one pound at a time. Without surgical means, except for skin removal surgery. I was seriously crushed. In that moment, those doctors made me feel as though all the hard work I had done was for nothing...that there was no way I could lose all the rest of the weight I needed to lose. In fact, one of them even said as much. I cried about it. I texted my friend/trainer and also my accountability partner. I called my mom. I cried to my sister.  

I am not naive enough to think I am all the way there mentally and emotionally. I know I'm not there physically. But that really hurt my pride on how far I had come. After I thought about it for a long time, I came to the conclusion that I have to do what is right for me. Bottom line. For me, I don't believe gastric bypass is the best option. I am often one that needs to learn the hard way.  I ate every single extra pound I have on my body over the last 29 years. If I don't have to struggle to take it off, then I'm scared I won't have learned anything and I will go back to my old habits. I mean, let's be honest, there are times I've indulged for a couple days or a week while on this journey. What's to say that won't happen again? What's to say I won't fall back into that security of food? Yes, I have learned many things while on his journey. But this journey for me is just starting. I've only uncovered the surface. 

For me, I felt as though the gastric bypass would "cheapen" all the hard work I have done so far. Don't get me wrong...those who have the surgery don't have it easy. They can only eat 2-3 bites at a time. They can only drink water. They can't eat sugar...ever. I don't want to be limited. 

All in all, what's your opinion? Is gastric bypass the way to go when you still have a lot of weight to lose? Or is it nose to the ground hard work of counting calories and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle (which does include eating things not on your meal plan once in awhile)?

To be fair, all the doctors were impressed with the amount of weight loss and the length of time in which I had done it. But the only remarks resounding in my head all afternoon were, "it just wasn't good enough." They didn't suggest the surgery because they didn't think eventually I couldn't reach my goal...it was more for a way to try and limit these cellulitis outbreaks. I'm not sure how gastric bypass would help me lose more weight any quicker than I've already lost, but that's what they recommended. 

Your turn. Talk to me. 

Six Month Struggles

Wow. Six months. I just cannot even believe it has been six months. Crazy. I have done things I never thought I would do. I have climbed Jockey's Ridge, done the Wright Brothers Memorial, done Mount Trashmore, and just in general have improved my health. When I first started on this journey, it was hard for me to walk on the treadmill for more than 30 seconds. Now, I can walk 47 minutes. When I first started this journey, there was no getting on the elliptical. Now, I can do 30 to 40 minutes at a time. At the beginning of this journey, I was too scared to do the weightlifting. Now, it's my absolute favorite. I would spend all day every day over there if I could! But, Danny won't let me. He makes me do my cardio. I can't complain too badly, about the cardio, it works. Doesn't mean it's fun, but it does work.

I'm going to vent a little bit on this post too. For the past two months I have been dealing with cellulitis, yet again. Just after I hit my 100 pound mark I was hospitalized for a week with cellulitis. Then, this past Monday I was re-hospitalized, with another cellulitis infection. I don't know the level of infection yet, or what the treatment is going to be at this point. I am on IV antibiotics but I am so frustrated with being here. It is very frustrating to me, because I feel like I am working so hard and it means nothing. Since I have been working out, and trying to improve my health, I have been sicker, and I have been in the hospital three times. I realize, that I am making up for all the years that I mistreated my body. So when I say that I am frustrated, it is at the situation and it is at myself for letting it get that bad. It is not at any particular person or thing in general. I know that eventually this will be over, and I won't have to deal with this. Until then, I just have to deal with it and roll with it.

So, on Monday night, I had training with Danny. When I walked in, he wouldn't train me. I was sick as could be. We did my measurements only because it was my six-month anniversary, and then I went home. Later that night I was admitted to the hospital. The measurements for September are another 5 1/2 inches gone. I was so sick I wasn't even excited about that. After my Monday morning cardio workout, I weighed myself. The total lost so far is 131 pounds. The total loss since August when I lost my hundred pounds is 31 pounds. That is nothing to be ashamed of.

When I saw the doctor on Wednesday, he told me that I only needed to lose about another 70 pounds or so, before he would suggest making a consultation with the plastic surgeon for skin removal surgery. He told me that I probably have 50-60 pounds of extra skin and tissue. That seems so abnormally crazy to me. I can't even fathom it.  I will admit, after losing 131 pounds, 70 seems like no big deal.  Now, I am not naïve enough to think that this will not affect me, or that the weight-loss will happen as quickly as it has been happening. It would be nice, but highly unlikely.

Anyway, the point of this whole post is to say that you can do this. If you've been delaying, don't delay. The risks and that sicknesses and everything I've been through in the last six months have totally outweighed where I was six months ago.  Just six months ago I was a miserable person, who didn't do anything but eat out. Now, I find my enjoyment in the gym. In fact I'm rather upset that I haven't been in the last four days. It's kind of like my therapy.

So, what are you waiting for? Get up and move. Make a small change. Then, make another. And, another. And pretty soon, you will make a lifestyle change.