Okie dokie artichokie!
So when you're in hospital you have to stomach as much protean as you can take (small 250 mill bottles and usually 3 a day), to fit them in between meals and keeping up fluids, yeah good luck. I managed one a day then two by the time I was almost discharged.
I might explain the operation before I go into the diet for those still a little unsure about what exactly happens. 9/10ths of your stomach is cut away this is the lower part and only the top most part still attached to your esophagus is left behind, the part cut away is stitched up so it won't leak and it continues to seep stomach acids into your bowel to assist with food digestion.
Ok now your intestines (Alignment or roux limb {see pic below}) are cut in two and directly attached to the new (1/10th) stomach (bypass), the remaining intestine is stitched into the side of the intestine for the stomach acids to flow as normal.
Confused? Good so was I, it's hard without a diagram so look at this instead.
http://bestfitbariatrics.com/images/Gastric-Bypass.jpg
Protean is essential for the first few months, protean (as many gym junkies know) is one of the best healing agents available on the market, and considering what it does it's pretty cheap.
You are given a diet timetable of when you can start trying more solid foods and how often per day, so the first 2 weeks was liquids only, broth, soups ect... by the third week I was introducing crackers into my diet, then by the fourth week you can start eating soft solids, so fish or anything that's been sitting in a broth for hours. Then as the weeks go on you start going back to solids, by week 6 your pretty much back on solids eating whatever you can stomach and loving the fact you don't have to have liquid meals anymore but keep up that protean, Up and Go's were it for me 2 a day between water and food it made it really hard to keep this up every day. There you go though, that's what you can expect post operation.
So 4 weeks after the operation (3 weeks at home) I decided that I was feeling really good and wanted to go back to work, well we all make mistakes, it's just too bad that when you do it this soon post op that it can actually throw you back in your healing which does more harm than good (obviously).
I catch the bus to work, a 1 hour long bus ride of heavy stops and starts and shaking seats, by the time I got to work that morning I was in excruciating pain, so I popped a lot of pain killers to ease it, this did the trick for a few hours but by lunch I had to leave as the scar tissue flared up again.
Another hour long bus ride back home brought me to tears, no amount of pain killers helped this time, I went home eventually fell asleep and the next two weeks are a blur, I honestly don't remember it, perhaps I slept through most of it? Who knows. Don't rush healing after an operation you can set things back weeks/months all you need to do is sit on your arse for another fortnight and see how things turn out.
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So that's all I have to say about that for now, I really wouldn't mind some questions from anybody reading these blogs, anything scratching at your thought process that you would like to know more about?
Now the time you've all been weighting (see what I did there! =)) for, the secret to weight loss.
There are four things you need to do when trying to lose weight.
Note: These are in no order of importance, they are all equally important.
1) You -have- to admit to having a problem, this makes you more compatible in accepting change and allowing your willpower to control your actions. If your mind isn't ready do not even try to change your lifestyle! This can be said for anything, smoking, drinking, gambling, whatever.
Perfect example, I know somebody who was forced into one of the (three) operations available, what do I mean by forced? If they didn't lose weight they would die within a few months, pretty bad.
Now because they were forced into this decision and did not openly accept it, after almost a year post op, things aren't looking good for them, they aren't gaining weight but old habits are causing issues like high cholesterol and blood pressure from eating the wrong foods and eating incorrectly as per operation rules.
Rules post operation for eating: Simple, chew your food really well so it doesn't get stuck. Also while your at it, don't throw up your food so you can continue eating the mass amounts you used to because you miss it.
That last one is what's happening... it's upsetting however this and other things can and will happen if you are forced into something you do not want. I think they call it rejection, one of our most simplest emotions but one of the most powerful. We did it all the time as kids, your parents would tell you to do something you do the opposite, why would this be different? Your forced into a situation you didn't want of course your not going to accept it.
2) You must put yourself first! Before family, before children, before friends, before your video games or band or work, whatever.. You must be the first person in your life.
It's a simple concept really and I like to think of it this way (apologies if i sound arrogant in this next part) "Who the hell are you to take care of anybody else when you can't even take care of yourself!"
I tell you, being on this side of the fence now I can see this statement for it's true meaning and it hits home to those who are truly ready for change. Those of you who are annoyed you are not ready for change yet when the day comes that you will accept it, you will reflect on this statement and read between it's lines for it's true meaning.
3) Do yourself a favor and learn to calorie count, there are apps on iphones now that can do it for you.
Look you don't need to become a Michelle Bridges and count every single unit of intake as long as you have a good idea on how much you are eating you can compare that to how many calories you burn during your exercise routines.
4) Shock your system (no don't go electrocuting yourself now), before your body get's a chance to become comfortable with the change you made, throw it into overdrive by making a distinctive change.
The below example is not one you should do, but take as reference.
Cutting out carbs and go for brisk walks every second night.
Cut out oils and fats from your diet and eat some carbs, now go on a rowing machine or cross trainer.
Eat mass amounts of protean and go weight training
Go vegan with high intensity cardio
See the above example is all about shocking your system so you -shouldn't- plateau as quickly as you might when losing weight. But hey at the end of the day we are all different, because I haven't plateaued yet after 90kgs doesn't mean everybody else can do that. Oh and quick note with the gastric bypass the expected plateau range is after 50% weight loss, I'm currently at 80%.
That in all honesty is the secret to weight loss, your GP and personal trainer and a nutritionist should all be informed on any lifestyle change before going out and performing rigorous exercise or changing foods that may actually be keeping you regular and happy inside.
Thanks for reading,
Big Age.
Remember any questions or comments you can email me directly evileldrin@gmail.com or add me on facebook if you haven't already you can find me under Adrian Cuvello
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