Temple

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  (NIV)
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 

This begs the question:  If our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit, why are so many Christians abusing their bodies???

There are MANY reasons…

There are certain topics that we deem “private,” even though we know sharing will be for our own good.  This assumes that you are in a safe relationship that allows for open, honest communication, where the goal is to help/pray for one another.

Finances is a good example of a private topic, but sharing your struggles with others may help you in the long run.  My church hosted a Bible study on money and what God says about how to handle our money.  Very few people signed up, because that is “private” and “none of your business.”  In that Bible study, we didn’t share individual money situations, but discussed what God says we should do.  It was our responsibility to apply those concepts to our life.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand…

There are millions of new reports that talk about how obese our nation has become.  We overeat constantly throughout the day, while many countries are struggling to meet their basic food/water needs.  Our portions are out of control, in our homes and in restaurants. The sheer number of carby, sugary food and drinks available is amazing.  In recent years, the variety of coffee combinations has exploded and these combinations often include creamers, flavorings and sweeteners.

Abuse comes in many forms – drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, physical, emotional, etc.  However, most often this list does not include food.  Why?  We need food to live.  We don’t need illegal drugs or alcohol to live.  All the more reason we should be discussing how to (and not to) use food.

I’ve grown up in a Christian home and attending Bible-preaching churches all of my life.  However, in my 35 years, I’ve never heard a sermon on the topic of gluttony or over eating… and I probably never will.  Most of the Christian preachers we see on TV are overweight as well.  But why not preach on a topic that they clearly struggle with as well?  It’s a topic that is seen as private and personal.  We don’t want to step on toes and hurt feelings.  But isn’t that what we need (at times) in order to repent and grow in Christ?

Matthew 11:19

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

It’s interesting that glutton and drunkard are side-by-side in this passage.  God views gluttony as a sin, just like drunkenness, murder, adultery, etc.  It’s humans that place a hierarchy on sin.

Here’s my opinion: While we are Christians, we still try to fill voids with “things” instead of Christ.  Those things may be drugs, alcohol and yes, food.  We stuff our face hoping the empty pit will fill up as well.  We eat to drown emotions and escape reality.  I’m just as guilty as anyone.

Having WLS doesn’t change or fill the void; it only limits what I can do physically to fill the void.  Daily, I have to let go and let Christ fill the void…

Choose Your Hard

Being overweight is hard.

Losing weight is hard.

Maintaining weight is hard.

Choose Your Hard.

I saw this on the internet.  I have no idea who came up with this, but it is SO true.  I’ve experience the first two… not entered the maintenance phase yet.

Even though I had WLS, losing weight is still hard.  You still have to make the right choices.  Post WLS, making the wrong choices can end very ugly…

Being overweight is hard.

I wasn’t always overweight.  Growing up I was an average weight.  I was thin in high school, but started gaining in college.  Then, I developed thyroid issues.  Then, I got depressed.  Then, I had a baby.  In each situation, I piled on the pounds.

The heavier I got, the more depressed I became and hated the way I looked.  I’m sure my unhappiness was seen by others.  My poor family has been the victims.  I’m not proud of that fact and I take responsibility for it.  My weight should not have effected how I treated others, but it did.

Overweight people are treated differently.  The general population believes that overweight people are lazy and lack motivation and self-control.  For some, this is true.  However, most overweight people are working hard to rearrange the numbers on the scale.  Overweight people are not seen as being “pretty” or “handsome.”  They’re called “big boned.”  Or “she has a pretty face.” 

Overweight people are picked on and made fun of.  Remember those “your mama’s so fat” jokes?  Enough said.

Losing weight is hard.

Losing weight means making and sticking to drastic changes.  You don’t always eat what you want or crave.  You eat less.  You have to endure hunger.  You have to try new foods and sometimes, eat something you don’t like.  You have to drink water!!  All of these go against our human desires.

Making the changes may seem easy.  Consistently following those changes is another story.

Those who have never had WLS or not done the research, thinks that WLS is the easy way out.  That could not be further from the truth.  WLS changes your physically, but doesn’t change your desires or cravings.  I still want cake and ice cream.  I could eat the whole cake.  BUT, there were would be severe consequences.  I’ve learned that I can have a couple of bites to satisfy the craving and walk away (or throw it away).  I’ve learned that it’s ok to eat a little of something that’s not healthy.  I’ve learned that it’s ok to throw away food, rather than get sick from over eating.

WLS is just a tool to help someone lose the weight.  It’s not always successful and many will regain their weight later.  You still have to make the right choices.

Maintaining weight is hard.

Now, I haven’t gotten to this point yet.  It will come soon.  Herein lays the delicate balance between eating enough, but not too much, satisfying a craving and sticking to the better choices.

You still have to make the right choices.

Choose your hard…

Pregnancy: Before & After Weight Loss Surgery

In this post, I reveal that I had a baby girl within the first year of having RNY surgery.

I did exactly what WLS patients are told not to do – get pregnant within the first year.  Having a baby post WLS is completely fine.  In fact, some women have the surgery to lose weight (of course) and (hopefully) increase their chances of getting pregnant.

A girl I work with, had to sign a paper at her doctor’s office, saying she wouldn’t get pregnant within the first 18 months.  Really?!?

Honestly, it wasn’t planned, but it happens.  There are thousands of teenage mothers that will tell you the same thing – it happens.

However, my situation was different.  I had major surgery that effects how I eat, what I eat, how much I eat and how it is absorbed during digestion.  I was scared to death!

After the shock started to settle, I called my nutritionist.  I knew I was not consuming enough calories for me, and certainly not enough to sustain a pregnancy.  She helped me determine the number of calories, protein, fat and carbs that I should consume each day.  At first, it was very difficult to reach those goals. 

So now, I have 2 children – one before WLS and one after WLS.  Each pregnancy is different, but WLS made a major difference.

Before WLS

·         I gained 35 pounds

·         Lost 20 pounds immediately after delivery, then gained it all back (plus some)

·         Retained LOTS of fluid – face, fingers, feet, toes, etc were very swollen

·         High blood pressure towards the end of pregnancy

·         Worked ½ days at the end of pregnancy because of bp and swelling

·         Spent a week in the hospital before delivery because of bp and swelling

·         Delivered a healthy boy at 37 weeks (6 lbs 10 oz / 20” long)

·         Continued to have high bp post delivery

After WLS

·         I gained 20 pounds

·         Lost 20 pounds immediately after delivery, then lost another 13 pounds

·         No swelling or bp issues… at all

·         Failed the glucose tolerance test (not surprising since WLS changes how sugar is digested)

·         Tracked sugar levels for 8 weeks, but never had high readings

·         Worked full days up to the day before delivery

·         Normal hospital stay for me and baby

·         Delivered a healthy baby girl at 39 weeks (6 lbs 12 oz / 19.5” long)

·         No issues post delivery

With my first pregnancy, I never felt bad (even though I had health issues), but I didn’t feel great.  My starting weight was considered “overweight” for my height.  I gained more that what was necessary.  The common misconception is that the mother is “eating for 2.”  Only a slight increase in calories is necessary in each trimester.  By the third trimester, her calorie intake is at its highest, but still not enough for 2 people.

With my second pregnancy, I felt great.  Aside from the typical tiredness and morning sickness for 18 weeks, I felt really good.  After losing 70 pounds, it was scary to watch the scale creep up.  I knew it was necessary, but still scary.  I did not want all of my hard work and sacrifice to go unnoticed on the scale.  In any case, my weight the day of delivery was still 20 pounds less than my starting weight with baby #1.  I also carried baby # 2, 2 weeks longer, she weighed 2 oz more and ½ shorter.  The irony of those numbers is not lost on me.

The last time the scale stopped on my current weight, I was a sophomore in college…

Having a baby post WLS is possible and completely healthy. 

Having a baby so soon after WLS not recommended (but it happens).

Update

April 11, 2013 was my one-year anniversary of having RNY, gastric bypass surgery.  It passed without any fanfare.

In the 15 months since surgery, here’s what has happened:

·         Lost almost 90 pounds (that’s the first thing people want to know)

·         Learned A LOT about what I can & cannot eat (second thing people want to know)

·         Gone from a size 18/20 (tight) to a size 8/10

·         Delivered a healthy baby girl

What?!?  Yep, you read the last one correctly.  I have a 2-month old baby girl.  I did exactly what WLS patients are told not to do – get pregnant within the first year.  Having a baby post WLS is completely fine.  In fact, some women have the surgery to lose weight (of course) and (hopefully) increase their chances of getting pregnant.

A girl I work with, had to sign a paper at her doctor’s office, saying she wouldn’t get pregnant within the first 18 months.  Really?!?  I plan to do another post just on pregnancy before/after WLS, etc.

Here's a before and after...

I have to say, that aside from sleep deprivation, I feel the best I have in many, many years.  I have energy.  I don’t feel sluggish and gross. 

And yes, I am happier.  Not everyone is happier after losing weight.  Many people struggle with their relationships and end in divorce or lose close friends.  However, my weight affects how I feel and how I feel about myself.  Weight loss does not equal happiness, but is a contributing factor.

Would you agree?

One Year Post RNY

My one year anniversary came and went without much fanfare.  I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon, who said I was doing great.  I had to get blood work done to see if I'm lacking in some vitamins.  I haven't heard back from that.

The biggest thing is my belly - I'm less than a month away from delivering a little girl.  I did exactly what bariatric patients are told not to... get pregnant in less than a year.  Oh well.  It happens.

Surprise!

My last post said I had "other things" going on, but couldn't reveal at the time.  Well, I'm almost 14 weeks pregnant!  What a surprise!

You know, the dr's warn you about this.  After losing lots of weight, it makes women more fertile.  In fact, some women have weight loss surgery to correct or restore their fertility.  I'm proof that you can't be too careful.

Anyway, it is unexpected but we're still excited.  Jonathan is very excited to have a little brother or sister on the way.

When I found out, I was less than 6 months out from surgery.  Needless to say, I panicked!  I immediately made an appointment with my nutritionist.  I knew I was not eating enough for me and a baby - boy, was I right.  I'm still struggling to add the calories and protein that I need.  I've added 400 more calories to my diet and lost an additonal 8 pounds.  Just goes to show you, that my body was not getting enough.

I researched ob/gyn offices to find the right one.  I had switched dr's in January, but realized after my initial visit that he would not be the one I go to for my next pregnancy.  I had a c-section with Jonathan because he was Frank Breech - butt down, head up and a foot on either side of his head.  He was literally folded in half :-)  Poor little guy!  Anyway, I wanted the option of trying a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesearean).  When I asked the dr in January, he gave me a smarta$$ answer.  That was NOT what I was looking for.

So, I found a new dr in a practice of 4.  All of the dr's specialize in high risk pregnancies.  My surgery doesn't make me high risk, but the lack of nutrition could.  I'm also not his first RNY patient :-)  I was very glad to hear that.

The only problem now is that all of my maternity clothes are too big!  Ha ha!!

It's been a while...

Hello.  My name is Julie.  I had RNY surgery almost 6 months ago and have lost a total of 72 pounds.

I know, it's been a while since my last confession post.  Life has been busy.  My little guy started school and my husband's job has kicked into high gear, leaving me with a lot to handle on my own.  Here he is getting ready to go inside school on the first day :-)

The first 6 months post surgery is usually considered the "rapid weightloss time."  Meaning, you loss A LOT of weight VERY FAST.  I guess that has been true for me.  Now, I'm at a point that if I stay at, or around this weight, I would be ok.  To be "normal" would require me to lose another 25 pounds.  But who is "normal"???  I'm down to a size 12 and I feel great!  I don't plan on or want to be stick thin...

There's more going on, but I can't reveal any of it... yet :-)