I've Scheduled My Skin Removal Surgery! #weightloss #gastricbypass #skinremovalsurgery #Ozempic

Brianna & myself,  © 2024 thismomneedswine.com

I'm super excited to announce that I'm finally going to have skin removal surgery! I will be having it done by Dr. Chivers through the Canadian Plastic Surgery Centre and Canadian Dermatology Centre - through one of the Scarborough hospitals.

I've yoyo'd for many years but it's been a long journey, and I'm very close to my goal weight. I'm currently sitting at 160 lbs, with my next goal weight being 150 lbs. 

It's been about 12 years since I had gastric bypass, and I've also been on Ozempic for about 12 months to assist with the final weight. In the beginning Ozempic was covered by one of my insurance plans, but since I'm not a diabetic, they discontinued the coverage. I've been using it as maintenance for PCOS, and enjoyed the bonus side of weight loss. I was paying about $280/month through my regular pharmacy, but then found out it was cheaper at Costco for $240/month. I ate the cost for quite some time, but can no longer afford it.

I'm on my last thing of Ozempic, and will be going off of it after this month, and then going onto Metformin. I was on Metformin years ago and had a hard time stomaching it. I was on 500mg 3 times a day, but somehow always forgot my lunch pill. It's just so hard to schedule medication three times a day, and to actually take them all. I have my pills in a weekly/daily planner that is for the morning, lunch, and night... but where do I keep them to make sure I remember to take them? I guess the best place would be my work desk in my room, since I'm here from 8AM - 5 or 6PM Monday - Friday. I would have to try and bring my pill box down for Saturday and Sunday... don't want to accidentally forget those days. 

I figure the best thing would be to use the winter months to try and get used to the Metformin, since I wouldn't be going out as much as I would in the warmer months. Hopefully my body will get used to the medication, and I wont have diarrhea like the past. I'm hoping I just have it for the first few weeks or a couple months, and then get used to it and no longer have the Hershey squirts! Or maybe it's a combination of no longer having a gallbladder mixed with the medication, that I have the problem. All I know is that when I plan on going out to do something, I don't eat before going, nor do I have coffee... don't want to shit myself! Metformin and Ozempic do pretty much the same shit... it affects your body on how it breaks down the food, especially sugar, which helps with weight loss. 

Tips To Keep In Mind For Weight Loss Surgery

Looking at a bag of chips or a pack of cookies might lead to a perfect snack through the day, but if you're trying to lose weight, then this isn't the way to go, especially if you are adding other calories through the day as well. Weight loss surgery is an option for those who are obese and can't lose the weight in any other way. A Bay Surgical weight loss physician can give you all of the options that are available while giving you details about how to prepare for the surgery and what to expect once it's over.

Follow all of the advice that your doctor gives. There are limitations as to what you can do when you get home when it comes to lifting and moving until your body is healed, and there are certain things that you can eat. The doctor will likely give you a diet to follow that includes liquids or pureed items until the stomach is able to tolerate solid foods. However, there will be a limit as to the kind and amount of solid foods that you can enjoy.

Having A Hard Time Adjusting: Pregnancy Body

For as long as I can remember I've always struggled with my weight. Growing up as a kid, I was made aware of my weight issue and had been placed on almost every diet known to man. At one point in my life I had ballooned well over 300 Lbs, and  truly hated my life at that time. It took a lot of soul searching to get up the courage, to work at losing a huge portion of the weight. The last couple years I managed to get down below 200 Lbs, and I was fairly satisfied, and still had goals that I was working on when it came to weight loss. My next goal was 175 Lbs, and I haven't met that as of yet.

I have been blessed with finding out that I'm pregnant, whereas, I was always told that I would most likely never give birth to my own child - due to health issues. I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant, and having a hard time dealing with the issue of putting on weight. So far I'm at an even 200 Lbs, and terrified of putting more on. I had put on some weight, but then actually lost some. The early months of the pregnancy I had gone up over 210 Lbs, but somehow managed to drop 10 Lbs. Looking at myself in the mirror I'm supposed to see the pregnancy beauty - glow... I just see that I'm a huge hippo. My stomach looks huge, almost like when I was obese before. I hate my body... I feel so fat and ugly and uncomfortable. Nothing fits, and I can't exactly afford pregnancy clothes... which makes me wish I kept some of my old fat clothes from the past.

For those of you who have been following my blog for some time, you most likely read up on my weight loss journey... the gastric bypass surgery and other surgeries I've had. The doctors warn everyone who have the surgeries, of the hanging skin, possible health problems that can come after, etc.... nothing prepared me for this. Dropping weight does help, however, it's still something that is a daily struggle. No doctor can change the thoughts that are in your mind... they will always be there. If you're obese and trying to lose weight, no weight loss pill, diet plan, or surgery will fix your bad habits... it's got to come from within. Having an eating disorder, no matter what type, is a major struggle that will haunt you.

So that's where I'm at right now... my daily struggle to make sure that I eat healthy so that my little angel can grow, but at the same time trying to love myself even when I feel pregnant and fat. Today is a slight downer, but hopefully tomorrow I will be smiling.

Having A Hard Time Adjusting: Pregnancy Body

For as long as I can remember I've always struggled with my weight. Growing up as a kid, I was made aware of my weight issue and had been placed on almost every diet known to man. At one point in my life I had ballooned well over 300 Lbs, and  truly hated my life at that time. It took a lot of soul searching to get up the courage, to work at losing a huge portion of the weight. The last couple years I managed to get down below 200 Lbs, and I was fairly satisfied, and still had goals that I was working on when it came to weight loss. My next goal was 175 Lbs, and I haven't met that as of yet.

I have been blessed with finding out that I'm pregnant, whereas, I was always told that I would most likely never give birth to my own child - due to health issues. I'm currently 28 weeks pregnant, and having a hard time dealing with the issue of putting on weight. So far I'm at an even 200 Lbs, and terrified of putting more on. I had put on some weight, but then actually lost some. The early months of the pregnancy I had gone up over 210 Lbs, but somehow managed to drop 10 Lbs. Looking at myself in the mirror I'm supposed to see the pregnancy beauty - glow... I just see that I'm a huge hippo. My stomach looks huge, almost like when I was obese before. I hate my body... I feel so fat and ugly and uncomfortable. Nothing fits, and I can't exactly afford pregnancy clothes... which makes me wish I kept some of my old fat clothes from the past.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

When you’re ready to lose weight, there are several avenues open to you. The doctors almost always recommend diet and exercise as a starting point, but what can you do when this isn’t working? If you need a little extra help shedding pounds, then bariatric surgery may be the right choice for you. Here’s what you should know about this process before you take the first step.

Dietary Improvements Still Required
While the lap band can help people lose weight, they key to success still lies with dietary changes. This may seem like an overwhelming process, but surgery centers work closely with dieticians and their patients to ensure that people understand what changes are necessary and have the proper support. Bariatric surgery calls for a special diet that will need to be followed for health and the greatest chance of success.

Benefits of Lap Bands
There are numerous surgical options, but the lap band requires the smallest incisions and carries the lowest risk of infection. The recovery time is faster, and patients experience a rapid rate of loss. Weight loss is associated with the improvement of numerous health conditions, including acid reflux, sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Click here to learn more about this weight loss option and discover if it’s the right choice for you. If you’re tired of carrying around the extra pounds and you’re ready to embrace a healthier life, then this type of surgery may be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Benefits of Bariatric Surgery

When you’re ready to lose weight, there are several avenues open to you. The doctors almost always recommend diet and exercise as a starting point, but what can you do when this isn’t working? If you need a little extra help shedding pounds, then bariatric surgery may be the right choice for you. Here’s what you should know about this process before you take the first step.

Diabetic Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome is a condition common after most types of stomach surgery, gastric bypass for example. However, dumping syndrome is also common in those suffering from diabetes. Find out how to prevent dumping syndrome and what treatments are available for this condition.

Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome occurs when undigested food passes into the small intestine too quickly. A valve located at the top and bottom of the stomach acts as a acid-filled storage tank. It takes food and breaks it down into small parts so that it can pass into the small intestine slowly. However, when dumping occurs, food goes into the small intestine too quickly and only mixes with saliva and not the acid needed to break food down at a slow pace.


When food passes into the small intestine at this fast rate, the small intestine dilutes the food by means of the water recruitment process. Water recruitment is the process of water flushing into the small intestine to dilute food. For diabetics, the higher the sugar content is in food, the more water will come into the small intestine to dilute the food. This begins early dumping syndrome and can lead to late dumping syndrome.

Early Dumping 

Early dumping takes place about 45 minutes after eating. These symptoms do not endanger life but can be frightening and very uncomfortable. Early signs of dumping include: weakness and fainting, sweating, irregular or rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, flushed skin, dizziness, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea or cramps. Late Dumping Late dumping takes place two to three hours after eating. Late dumping is the result too much insulin building up because of food and fluid going into the small intestine at such a fast rate. High amounts of insulin lower low blood glucose levels and late dumping results. The signs of late dumping syndrome are: perspiration, hunger, shakiness, anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, exhaustion, and faintness. 

Prevention/Solution

In dealing with dumping syndrome, prevention is the key. Prevent dumping syndrome by not eating foods that cause dumping. Fats high in sugar content, starches, and fried foods contribute to dumping syndrome. Eat small balanced meals throughout the day and include high-protein foods like lean meats, eggs, cheese, nuts, toast, potatoes, and whole grain items. Milk and other milk products can also promote dumping syndrome, so choose these products wisely.

Treatment for Dumping Syndrome

If early dumping occurs, lay down from 45 minutes until signs of early dumping subside. This will decrease the chance of fainting. Treat late dumping by eating a hard piece of sugar candy, drinking juice or a sugar sweetened soft drink. Allow these methods to stop low blood sugar. Also, eating the recommended amount of fiber in foods like fruits, vegetables and grains can reduce the chances of late dumping.

Acarbose and octreortide are medical remedies to dumping syndrome. Acarbose will slow down food absorption and keep blood glucose levels even. Octreotide, a man-made protein, stops insulin release because it slows down the process of food entering the small intestine.

 

Diabetic Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome is a condition common after most types of stomach surgery, gastric bypass for example. However, dumping syndrome is also common in those suffering from diabetes. Find out how to prevent dumping syndrome and what treatments are available for this condition.

Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome occurs when undigested food passes into the small intestine too quickly. A valve located at the top and bottom of the stomach acts as a acid-filled storage tank. It takes food and breaks it down into small parts so that it can pass into the small intestine slowly. However, when dumping occurs, food goes into the small intestine too quickly and only mixes with saliva and not the acid needed to break food down at a slow pace.

Friday Update

The last couple days I haven't been feeling the greatest. What's wrong now? God only knows. I've been having pain in my chest, or should I say just below my chest... in the center below the ribs. It's not as bad as before when I could barely move from pain, but the annoying ache is there. Hmmm... I'm afraid it could be my gallbladder, or a gallstone. Why? It's very common after gastric bypass surgery to have that problem. I realized after having the surgery, that I could have had my gallbladder removed at the same time, to help prevent this from happening. Grrr... the surgeon should have mentioned this. Maybe I'm just overreacting, as that's something I always seem to do. Hopefully the pain will just disappear, but until then, I will be very careful about what I eat.

Friday Update

The last couple days I haven't been feeling the greatest. What's wrong now? God only knows. I've been having pain in my chest, or should I say just below my chest... in the center below the ribs. It's not as bad as before when I could barely move from pain, but the annoying ache is there. Hmmm... I'm afraid it could be my gallbladder, or a gallstone. Why? It's very common after gastric bypass surgery to have that problem. I realized after having the surgery, that I could have had my gallbladder removed at the same time, to help prevent this from happening. Grrr... the surgeon should have mentioned this. Maybe I'm just overreacting, as that's something I always seem to do. Hopefully the pain will just disappear, but until then, I will be very careful about what I eat.

Mid Week Update!

Happy Wednesday everyone. For those of you who work during the week, it's almost over! Dammit, my cat is in front of the computer screen, and I'm trying to write. Grrr... silly cat!

The last few days I haven't been feeling so hot. Once again food seems to be going right through me. Damn dumping syndrome. Sometimes it happens no matter what I eat, and it can be embarrassing if I try to go out. Now I don't mean vomiting everything, I mean dumping syndrome as in the other end. In the beginning I used to get the dumping syndrome where I'd vomit what I ate, but now it's the other way around. Not fun if you're trying to work, or live a normal life. Sometimes I'm afraid to eat, but at the same time I have to because my sugar will drop too low. I traded one problem for new ones. I still don't regret having gastric bypass surgery, as I would do it a million times over.

So far I've lost 115Lbs, and I'm getting closer to my goal. My next goal is to get down to 175Lbs, as I'm 185Lbs currently. Then the following goal is to get down to 150Lbs. My overall goal is to be 130Lbs, as I'm 5'5. I am determined to get down to 150Lbs by the summer, the only thing is I will hate having to wear a girdle in the summer heat. I'm happy to have lost so much weight, but I hate the hanging skin that I'm stuck with. Obviously I'm going to have to surgically have it removed, but it's too soon to even think of that.

Mid Week Update!

Happy Wednesday everyone. For those of you who work during the week, it's almost over! Dammit, my cat is in front of the computer screen, and I'm trying to write. Grrr... silly cat!

The last few days I haven't been feeling so hot. Once again food seems to be going right through me. Damn dumping syndrome. Sometimes it happens no matter what I eat, and it can be embarrassing if I try to go out. Now I don't mean vomiting everything, I mean dumping syndrome as in the other end. In the beginning I used to get the dumping syndrome where I'd vomit what I ate, but now it's the other way around. Not fun if you're trying to work, or live a normal life. Sometimes I'm afraid to eat, but at the same time I have to because my sugar will drop too low. I traded one problem for new ones. I still don't regret having gastric bypass surgery, as I would do it a million times over.

So far I've lost 115Lbs, and I'm getting closer to my goal. My next goal is to get down to 175Lbs, as I'm 185Lbs currently. Then the following goal is to get down to 150Lbs. My overall goal is to be 130Lbs, as I'm 5'5. I am determined to get down to 150Lbs by the summer, the only thing is I will hate having to wear a girdle in the summer heat. I'm happy to have lost so much weight, but I hate the hanging skin that I'm stuck with. Obviously I'm going to have to surgically have it removed, but it's too soon to even think of that.

New Whey Liquid Protein: Like Liquid Gold!

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, you would already know that I had weight loss surgery earlier this year. You've probably read about my ups and downs post op, and already know that I've had a battle trying to get enough protein. Since my stomach can only hold about 6oz, it's important that I take a protein supplement at some point of the day. I've tried all kinds of protein supplements, and for some reason none of them I could handle. I guess since I was on the liquid diet for so long, any powdered protein shake makes me gag. I finally came across the BEST product when it comes to protein supplements: New Whey Liquid Protein. This product is by far the best tasting, best textured, super high protein I've tried to date.

My Health is Getting Better, but Still Have More to Lose!

The last year has been crazy when it comes to my health. I've been through so much... two major surgeries, depression, anxiety/panic attacks and hypoglycemia. The first surgery was to remove my right ovary and Fallopian tube... my PCOS was so out of control that my ovary was overtaken by a tumor. The tumor was huge, the surgeon compared the tumor to an orange... made up of many sections. It was the size of a full grown baby by the time it was removed, and thank God it wasn't cancerous. I'm terrified that if I have to have my left ovary removed... I'd join the Menopause community early. I'm not sure if I want to have children, but I still want to be able to have the choice. I don't want to go through menopause symptoms in my early 30's.

Some Tips for Weight Reduction With Liposuction Procedures

Are you considering liposuction surgery as a choice to drop that excess fat? Listed below are the vital facts, available methods, feasible considerations, cautious warnings along with maintenance and recovery related to the procedure.

Plastic cosmetic surgery is becoming more and more of a style nowadays. You have learned about the many benefits and also physical advancements that the newest liposuction procedure provides, but exactly how much weight would you eliminate with this specific procedure?

Punto FAPE: An Awesome Health/Fitness Site!

For those of you health freaks out there who follow and read my blog on a regular basis, I came across an awesome health and fitness website called Punto FAPE. It's originally written in Spanish, but you can easily translate to English or your language of preference. They have all kinds of categories of topics: Personal Care, Style, Fitness, Sports, Health, Nutrition, Leisure and feature daily articles.

Punto FAPE: An Awesome Health/Fitness Site!

For those of you health freaks out there who follow and read my blog on a regular basis, I came across an awesome health and fitness website called Punto FAPE. It's originally written in Spanish, but you can easily translate to English or your language of preference. They have all kinds of categories of topics: Personal Care, Style, Fitness, Sports, Health, Nutrition, Leisure and feature daily articles.

Sugar Substitues Explained

So far in my recipes that I have posted in the past, sugar was never an issue. Now I will be experimenting with some sweeteners for recipes when I have a sugar craving. It can be confusing coming into the low-carb, low or no sugar game and being faced with all the options.
The following explains why I use one here and another one there…

SPLENDA

I LOVE Splenda granular – it’s usually found in any grocery store – and several have their own “house” brand that is less expensive. It measures exactly like sugar and for drinks, sprinkling on foods, or moist desserts it works fabulously. Custards, puddings, mousses, sauces, cheesecakes, fruit pies, crisps, cobblers, custard pies such as pumpkin…for those types of things it is just perfect. BUT…it doesn’t work well in baked goods such as muffins, cakes, some cookies, quick breads, etc. Those types of dishes require the chemical properties of sugar for their raising, texture, crumbs, and general mouth-feel. Splenda doesn’t “cream till light and fluffy” and doesn’t help with the VOLUME of the recipe, so it doesn’t give the gorgeous end-product that I require my homemade goodies to have! So…Maltitol (Nature Sweet is a brand name…) and Whey Low are what I call for in those types of recipes.

6 Infertile Women Get Pregnant After Weight-Loss Surgery

Weight-loss surgery may treat infertility in some obese women, a new study says.
Six women in the study who were infertile due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition that can occur with weight gain and cause infertility, became pregnant following weight-loss surgery, the researchers say.

The study was small and more research is needed to confirm the findings. But for women with PCOS, weight-loss surgery may be a cure for infertility, said study researcher Dr. Mohammad Jamal, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Six Valuable Truths You Must Know Regarding Liposuction Procedures

If you’re thinking of getting liposuction surgery, you need to know that it requires suctioning out fat cells, it’s executed by a surgeon to remove excess body fat, it might contour different parts of your body, it has a unique set of dangers, people undergo it for different reasons, and it is not a remedy for general weight problems.

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures in the world. In fact, in the year 2004, lipo surgery was the most executed cosmetic surgery by associates of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. If you’re thinking of going through San Diego Liposuction, you must first consider these factors: