Hey Forum!
It's been a very long time since I've updated. On 12/19/2016 I had the Gastric Sleeve. Unfortunately there were serious complications that resulted in 2 revision surgeries and 4 procedures in attempt to correct the complication. I'm not here to bash the surgery or surgeon, mistakes happen. I made the choice to get the sleeve and it resulted in complications that led to the absolute worst year of my life. However, the clarity, the results, the peace of mind, and the journey was the most rewarding experience of my life. Weight loss surgery is NOT the easy way out. If you asked me to do it all over again I'd say to you "Let's start today!"
My complication was a "stricture" of the narrowing of my esophagus and stomach connection (This is not the technical term lol). Basically, I couldn't tolerate anything. No liquids, no foods without throwing up. I developed Los Angeles Grade C Esophagitis which could have led to cancer of the esophagus. I also developed a sliding hiatal hernia that had to be removed. To make matters just a tad worse, there was so much scarred tissue that my new surgeon had to remove because it was making matters worse.
Today, I am healed physically and I look GREAAAAAAT!!! OH MY GOD!!! I feel like a model lol, I make corduroys look amazing. However, my mental health struggles are pretty intense and that's what I wanted to talk to you about today. If you or someone you know that is a candidate for bariatric surgery and they suffer from depression, bipolar disorder...Wait, I sound like a damn commercial. Lol. Anyway, if you have a psychological disability, I'd like to encourage you to TAKE ACTION as early as possible as it relates to medications, any extended release medication you take is going to have an impact, if you take medication for bipolar disorder be sure to monitor your response. Everyone is different but the recovery from bariatric surgery does not follow the MIND BODY SPIRIT path, it is BODY, SPIRIT, and MIND path that becomes priority.
The mind, is the final and most challenging phase of recovery because you are readjusting your thoughts, feelings, and perception of who you are. The cool thing is everything improves, you just need to allow your mind to adjust to it. Regardless of what your religious beliefs are, know that you are connected to the earth, the energy, the resources, the direction of life is all at your fingertips. I know this sounds trippy but you are going to be given the life you always envisioned and that means you're going to have to do the work. Get into therapy, get into yoga, bike riding, walking, embrace the new you and burn that energy! You have to take on new hobbies and activities.
I always was into cycling but now I ride my bike like a nut, I am transitioning from animal sources of protein to plat based. I incorporated the use of essential oils in my everyday activity. Take advantage of what mother earth is offering you because what we couldn't see when we were overweight is going to be blindingly obvious and it will be intimidating. So, just remember to take it slow, be nice and courteous to your health care providers, and pay attention to your body. Hopefully you won't experience the pain and suffering that I did.
I am excited for you and your journey! Live baby Live!
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