Feeling good inside

So, this is actually my second post of the day.  Some issue Blogger.com is experiencing caused my last blog to disappear.  I'm going to go in a different direction in case my "lost" post magically reappears at some point.  Ugh, that's maddening.

Three weeks ago I was struck down with the flu.  The flu symptoms ebbed, but I was left feeling not myself.  I went to my Surgical Center and they took FIFTEEN vials of blood; I had missed my 6 month checkup since I was also post hernia surgery, so feeling badly also incorporated their need to ensure my nutritional levels were being met at this 9 month juncture.  Also, current symptoms were in line with GB levels out of whack.  Thrilled to see all of my nutritional work paying off with perfect vitamin blood values and cholesterol is stellar!  There is something to be said when you look at yourself in the mirror and know you look good; then find that your insides are just as good.  I finally feel I can with all conviction say, I am a Gastric Bypass success and you can listen to me lol!

That being said, let's discuss how You Can Do It!  First, and foremost:  I take two Centrum Chewables every single day.  I chose to stay on chewables even after my doc said I could change to tablets; they are too large for my stomach and make me feel like I swallowed a brick.  Also, if your stomach can't break it down properly, you won't get good absorption in the intestine.  My only iffy test result was Vitamin D...slightly low.  On the flip side my calcium was perfect.  So I added a daily calcium citrate chewable with Vitamin D added (I chose chocolate to get a little hit of choco and none of the guilt).  GP says this should bring up D values just fine.  Also, I'm a sun goddess, so au natural in moderation is great for Vitamin D as well.  Take your calcium with the multi-vitamin as they've seen better absorption with Vitamin C.  I was pleasantly surprised to see my perfect iron levels since I'm not a big red meat eater.  But as I've read, iron levels are more of an issue for menstrating women; I am not after a total hysterectomy in 2004 so that might have something to do with it.  If you're anemic even after taking your multi-vitamin (like I said I take 2, and 1 has 100% of my daily requirement), do liquid iron.  I'm a big proponent on making things as simple on your stomach pouch as possible.  This follows through for anyone, not just GBers.  There are many people on acid reflux meds nowadays, which of course reduce your stomach acid.  My belief is if you reduce the acid, you reduce the ability to get the full effect intestinally.  So you're wasting time, money and belief you are helping yourself. 

Another huge component to this factor is food.  The old adage "you get out what you put in" is totally spot on.  I'm not an organic shopper or eater.  I'm not knocking anyone who does, I just don't.  But I do abstain from fast food and overly processed foods.  I cook most of what I eat, which gives me a lot of control over knowing exactly what I'm eating.  I encourage everyone to do the same; you don't have to be a gourmet cook to take a package of meat out of the fridge, season it and grill or bake it until no longer raw.  As I've said before, the internet is an awesome tool to find recipes that range from braindead easy to incredibly sofisticated.  Also, it only takes a little extra time to shop bi-weekly so try to buy fresh when possible.  Figure out what you are capable of doing time management wise and just do it.  This is the only body you will EVER have, be kind to it.  And I find a lot of personal satisfaction in cooking well for my family, knowing I'm not just helping myself be healthy, but them as well.

Fluids are crucial.  Get your water, period.  But I also drink two servings of soy milk every day.  I either get it from a decaf latte or just straight up.  I choose soy because of my milk allergy, and because it's so rich in protein.  I must say, I indulge in light vanilla flavored...I've tried plain and it's just not for me.  Also, having the hysterectomy put me in line for hormone replacement therapy.  I didn't like the way the meds made me feel and found the soy gives me enough estrogen to be able to get through the lack of ovaries medication free.  Understandably, not every woman may be able to get what they need from a few glasses of Silk so I'm thankful I do.  For those with a soy allergy, rice and almond milk are great alternatives.

Exercise!  I was at the gym the other day trying to not watch the timer on the elliptical machine.  My way of doing this is putting a magazine over the display lol.  Well, they had a good article about moving your feet during the day.  Everyone puts so much stock in getting to the gym and doing some monster hour/hour and half long session to fulfill the guilt of the "Exercise Demon."  That just sets you up for NOT going.  But the article noted several things to do throughout your day that overall are incredibly beneficial: 
1.  Take the stairs instead of the elevator
2.  Use the restroom on a different floor
3.  Don't park near the entrance, further away and walk it out (I need to do this I am a Princess Parker)
4.  While on a call, don't sit and talk.  Walk around while talking
5.  Download a program on your computer to pop up a timer to remind you to get out of your chair every 2 hours minimum...more often if you can allow with your work schedule.

So, that's a good start.  Changing your entire life is a monumentous undertaking.  Don't get discouraged if it takes a while; find one thing you can change and embrace that one change.  Then find one thing and so on.  Soon, change will be natural and you'll think "why did I think that wasn't possible."  I forced changed by deciding to accept the tool of GB.  But I had to prioritize the pieces of the puzzle and not be discouraged over slips.  Inventory of daily small victories is a huge motivator.

Vitamins, vitamins...where for art thou Vitamins?

Today's entry is personal.  First, sorry it's composed so late in the day.  I was delayed at my surgical clinic having 15 vials of blood drawn.  Which brings me to our topic:  could you be doing everything right and still need more?

I showed up at the clinic and they handed me a few forms:  one to verify current medications, one to give an example of my daily food intake, and one asking symptoms that brought me to the clinic in the first place. 

1.  Since surgery and subsequent weight loss, I'm off all meds except the lowest dose possible of Xanax.  Am hoping to be off that very soon, but not quite there yet.  According to the shrink at the clinic, they recommend no patient change pysch meds for a year after surgery.  I didn't think I'd need an entire year to wean off this last jagged little pill, but alas.  I choose to be happy with all I've accomplished instead of what I have not.  I chew 2 Centrum each day.  They did say to add chewable calcium, so will do tomorrow. 

2.  Breakfast, container of greek yogurt.  AM snack, piece of oatmeal bread toasted with peanut butter.  Lunch, tuna salad with chopped hard boiled egg and a slice of tomato.  Afternoon snack, protein shake.  Dinner, 2 ounces of baked chicken and 1/4 cup of steamed green beans.  PM snack, 2 ounces of cheddar cheese and 2 Triscuit crackers.  Doc said "your diet is stellar!"  So A+ for me tee hee. 

3.  Symptoms:  extreme fatigue, dizziness, mental confusion, cold hands and feet, no appetite.  I had what I could best qualify as the flu (doc asked if I went to the clinic and verified it was indeed the flu I said no) about 2 weeks ago.  So last week when these symptoms popped, I chalked it up to coming off having the flu.  The fatigue was nearly debilitating yesterday afternoon.  By this morning, I forgot how to drive home from dropping my daughter off at school; a drive I do twice a day, 5 days a week.  I called the resident on call and he said get to the clinic...so I did.  Gave more blood than a vampire could drink, but it should give us a nice WIDE target to aim for!  They gave me a B12 shot; I had been doing B12 shots regularly before GB but since surgery, haven't had any symptoms.  I do think that's the underlying issue now and I have to face facts that my body cannot absorb B12 naturally, which sucks.  Then she asked how much water I drink each day.  I told her 100 fluid ounces, give or take, not including fluid from my protein shakes or cup of coffee.  She says "that's too much.  I want you to cut back to 64 ounces...you might have sodium deficiency."  Huh?  Too much water?  Not enough sodium?  Huh?

We're conditioned in this program to get in as much water as humanly possible to stave off dehyration.  Another key topic is salt because it's not good for you in general, but it dehydrates.  So I'm told I am drinking TOO much and have TOO little sodium.  Huh?  I guess we'll wait to see what the tests reveal. 

I'm not posting this to scare or confuse.  What I'm trying to say is, I'm told I'm the poster child for gastric bypass surgery and weight loss.  I've done everything I was told to do, I've had huge success with my weight loss and skin retention, and no hair loss.  I've had no metabolic issues whatsoever and have started a very good exercise regime.  And I woke up this morning feeling like I was losing my mind.  This is normal.  If you have symptoms that make you feel "just not right," call you doctor.  So you sacrifice a few pints of blood and spend a few hours in waiting and exam rooms...but that's what they are for.  This is a life long journey and they are your tour guides, so use them!  You aren't bothering them and no question is a stupid question.  If you are in a Center of Excellence, there is no question or symptom they haven't heard of or answered.  I'll let you know tomorrow what they've discovered and how I will adjust my "stellar" daily menu accordingly.  Just remember, you can only do what you can do...and no more.