bunsenBeak
Fri, Nov-02-07, 10:52
Hi everyone! :wave:
I've been reading my sister's journal here for many months and am finally taking the plunge to post. I know that my sister has found a lot of support here and it is wonderful to see such an active group that shares the challenges of needing to drop a significant amount of weight (i.e., the TDC group).
I tried LC last year and was able to drop ~60 lbs, but with moving, changing jobs, and some health issues, I stumbled a lot and gained it back over the last year. Right now, I am two weeks post-op for a hernia re-repair (try #3), and I know that I cannot afford to go through that experience again, so I am back on the LC wagon and doing well.
Before going in to the hospital, I had talked to my doctors about wanting to avoid the dextrose IV solutions and my need for LC food. In the past, they have given me the "normal" IV, which typically contains 5% dextrose, and for post-op food, they have ordered all carb stuff except for the occasional meat broth or egg. ARGGHHHH! Add in the salt in normal IVs, and I bloat up by 10+ pounds in a matter of days. Even with those discussions, and high blood sugar counts (250+), it took several days to get them to change me to the non-dextrose IV, but they did eventually listen. Long story short, if you have to go in for any surgical procedure and are diabetic or have bad reactions to sugars, beware of the IV solutions and ASK if it has dextrose.
For the good news, though, I have dropped most of the fluid I gained while I was in there and am down 8 lbs from my pre-op weight. It is a real relief to have the 'fridge stocked with food I can eat, to not feel the hunger, and to be making progress in the right direction again.
Many years ago, I got down to 230 on a liquid protein diet, and was in very good health. I know what it means to make this journey emotionally, so at least I am somewhat forewarned about a lot of those issues. On the other hand, I had some very big goals in mind back then that helped motivate me, whereas this time it is just that I cannot handle the thought of a life that grows ever more laden with minor (and major) health complications.
I think it was easier when it felt like I was driving toward some big "thing" (e.g., grad school, career success, etc.). This time, it is just for me to be able to live longer and better, plain and simple. That's not nearly as cool and seems far harder to value in some ways. I expect that will be my biggest challenge.
Thanks for listening!
Heather
I've been reading my sister's journal here for many months and am finally taking the plunge to post. I know that my sister has found a lot of support here and it is wonderful to see such an active group that shares the challenges of needing to drop a significant amount of weight (i.e., the TDC group).
I tried LC last year and was able to drop ~60 lbs, but with moving, changing jobs, and some health issues, I stumbled a lot and gained it back over the last year. Right now, I am two weeks post-op for a hernia re-repair (try #3), and I know that I cannot afford to go through that experience again, so I am back on the LC wagon and doing well.
Before going in to the hospital, I had talked to my doctors about wanting to avoid the dextrose IV solutions and my need for LC food. In the past, they have given me the "normal" IV, which typically contains 5% dextrose, and for post-op food, they have ordered all carb stuff except for the occasional meat broth or egg. ARGGHHHH! Add in the salt in normal IVs, and I bloat up by 10+ pounds in a matter of days. Even with those discussions, and high blood sugar counts (250+), it took several days to get them to change me to the non-dextrose IV, but they did eventually listen. Long story short, if you have to go in for any surgical procedure and are diabetic or have bad reactions to sugars, beware of the IV solutions and ASK if it has dextrose.
For the good news, though, I have dropped most of the fluid I gained while I was in there and am down 8 lbs from my pre-op weight. It is a real relief to have the 'fridge stocked with food I can eat, to not feel the hunger, and to be making progress in the right direction again.
Many years ago, I got down to 230 on a liquid protein diet, and was in very good health. I know what it means to make this journey emotionally, so at least I am somewhat forewarned about a lot of those issues. On the other hand, I had some very big goals in mind back then that helped motivate me, whereas this time it is just that I cannot handle the thought of a life that grows ever more laden with minor (and major) health complications.
I think it was easier when it felt like I was driving toward some big "thing" (e.g., grad school, career success, etc.). This time, it is just for me to be able to live longer and better, plain and simple. That's not nearly as cool and seems far harder to value in some ways. I expect that will be my biggest challenge.
Thanks for listening!
Heather