October 27, 2006

I had a great weigh in at class this week.  I was really happy I lost more this week than last week.  I am learning so much.  It is really making class enjoyable.

I am having more trouble with my knee due to my weight and the osteoarthritis.  I am going to try a treatment that is new to me.  I am going to go for three consecutive weeks and have a gel solution injected into my knee.  I am really hoping it works.  The doctor said if it doesn’t work, it will not cause any harm.  This could be an effective way to relieve the pain until I drop my weight and get a new knee.

This has been a really stressful week.  There were some unexpected family issues that caused a great amount of stress and anxiety.  I am about to have some life changing events occur, and am worried about what they will do to my weight loss.  Due to the fact that stress is one of my food triggers, I have to be very careful not to reverse the progress I have made.

October 19, 2006

I am starting to understand why Mayo Clinic requires that each person take the LEARN class prior to gastric bypass surgery.  One of the major points that needs to be stressed to someone considering gastric bypass surgery is it is not a cure for obesity.  It is nothing more than a tool.

It is possible for someone who has surgery to gain all of their weight back if they do not change their eating habits and lifestyle.  This is the main focus of LEARN.  I just finished week 2 of 12 on Tuesday, and already am so impressed with the program.  My eyes have really been opened by having to log everything I eat and its calorie amount each day.  I am starting to look more at labels before making meal and snack choices. 

October 13, 2006

I think it is really interesting that we are having Friday the 13th in October.   I have always experienced good luck on Friday the 13th, and today is not any different.  There was not one thing that stands out from today as lucky, but this was a very good week.

I started my LEARN  class on Tuesday evening.  I think that I am really going to get so much out of this class.  It is going to force me to look at some ugly truths about my eating habits and food choices.  Even though I am nervous about some of the truths I will discover.  I am looking forward to facing those truths and learning how to change the habits that have led me to a lifetime of weight struggle. 

This was the first week of my new exercise plan.  I have to admit that there were a few times this week I wondered why I was excited for this to begin!  I was not able to do all of the exercise everyday this week.  It is much harder physically and mentally than I had expected.  I know that it will get easier each week. 

October 5, 2006

I have not been able to write for a while due to a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  For those of you who have not had the opportunity to see the Mayo Clinic, it is amazing.  I don’t wish for anyone to have to go there for medical reasons; however it is an amazing establishment.  They have some of the rarest pieces of art in the world, and  the entrance is all marble.  They utilize technology like no other business.  Their medical expertise is second to none.  

I received very disappointing news at Mayo this trip.  I am going to be unable to have my surgery in December.  My health is not good enough yet to have the surgery.  In July when I was at Mayo, it looked very good that I could have surgery mid December.  I had made all my plans around that date.

There are several things that have to change for the better before I can have my gastric bypass.  I must complete a special course  I am already signed up to start.  I have to lose some more weight, and my iron count must reach the normal level.  These are all goals I have been working very hard on for a long time.  The surgeon is afraid the my surgery can’t be done with a laser.  Due to a prior surgery, my bypass could be more difficult than normal.

I just need to set my new goals and continue to work hard.  I am excited to start my new class next Tues.  and starting my exercise.  Mayo has given me a new exercise plan, and some of my current medication has been changed.  My iron will be tested and a progress report from my class will be sent to Mayo in two months.