MEDICATIONS After Bariatric Surgery

MEDICATIONS After Bariatric Surgery.

I had to hunt and hunt for more information about medications post gastric surgery. Since I am on too many meds (for my desire) I needed to have this squared away ahead of time. I thought I would share this here.

I will be posting more and more as I discover it as well as my own personal experiences with it. (hopefully all good)

I don’t know one person undergoing this type of surgery that doesn’t take at least one medication.

The 20 things I can instead thinking of food or eating too much. (or perhaps thinking OMG I am too hungry!) Joining the human race….

1. Walk (always the best thing)!
2. Write here..
3. Plan meals – healthy meals
4. Shop for these healthy nutritious meals and snacks – especially in fresh food markets!
5. Write long and meaningful letters to loved ones (real handwritten ones would be cool or of course e-mails) or send cards to those I care about
6. Do volunteer work, rewarding, changes the world a little bit to a better place, meaningful and helpful (and is good for the heart and soul)
7. Listen to music, write music, be someone’s muse, orchestrate music, learn and instrument, organize long IPod (or other mp3) uploads for when I do #1.
8. Paint, draw, (I am an artist), use collage to (cut out magazine images/words and glue to poster board) show my journal of my journey kind of list a visual diary. Color in color books, anything creative, you don’t have to be an artist (I am one).
9. Journal (here, in writing on my patio, at a park or in my backyard)
10. Commune with nature
11. Go the pool and swim (easy on the joints, great for weight loss – wonderful on the muscles and good for the heart).
12. Go fishing if you like that or camping if that is your thing or hiking anywhere (see #1)
13. Go to the park and just hang out.
14. Read (anything) – like this blog maybe? Read a good good book, get involved in reading and/or listen to audiobooks. do it outside if you can. I have and E-reader and love it! Download books
15. Movies (I LOVE them but do avoid the sitting in front of the TV all day trap)
16. Be involved in a support group in person or online – again being supportive gets my nose out of my navel (and helps me in the process).
17. Be involved in an interest group. Hunt through your area’s “Meetup” groups (see http://www.meetup.com to find some). If you like gaming, it’s there, if you like discussing books, movies, culture, board games, playing cards, it’s probably there and go! IF there are none where you are, start one! Weight loss support groups are super cool.
18. Sewing, crafts, woodworking, leather work or any other hobbies that truly interest you.
19. Clean, anything, spring clean, wash laundry, make beds but make sure you open the windows and get fresh air all preferably while listening to music you love.
20. Organize your world. A cluttered home is a cluttered mind/body and soul. Get rid of things you haven’t used for a year and donate it. (Again good for the heart and soul those less fortunate than you!)
21. LEARN something/anything new! Take a class, join a discussion group where you learn things, go to lectures (they are usually free) at a University or a library,  read Wikipedia, subscribe to education RSS feeds/blogs or newsletters. Helps the mind grow, it’s interesting and learning is a wonderful thing!
22. Watch the news, keep up with current events and be part of the world and your community. Reconnect, it’s so important to be connected with others. Stop the isolation!

22 Things Happy People Do Differently – Positive Way | Positive Way

22 Things Happy People Do Differently – Positive Way | Positive Way.

I though this was pretty awesome, not to mention inspired. I try to live my life exactly like this and can’t believe I ran into the reminder on my path today.

Great source for protein drinks

and ALL things (just about) weight loss/bariatric surgery!! I wanted to share! THEY ship free for much of the protein this is a great deal! (Especially since I like RTD, ready to drink) stuff…. … http://www6.netrition.com/

why “The Reclaimed Life”…. a journey

Why “The Reclaimed Life” as a blog name?……..reclaiming my life

I have made this my first post but it is a new thing for me to “blog” (strange word, blog) and it didn’t get posted. I lost the original post as I just didn’t know for sure how to post it. Perhaps this is good, it lets me know my sentiments ARE somehow from my heart, soul and mind and it is the content that may actually improve as I write……

I don’t expect to share this blog though I may.

I am writing this because I need to express myself and my journey which seems so very human, to record a journey.

My weight loss surgery is on April 12, 2013. I am having the gastric sleeve done. I have no/zero problems losing weight but continuing and to lose is a different matter as is changing all the behaviors that led me here.

I am not fat for any other reason that I love to eat. The foods I chose however, are not the best for my nourishment, for  my life or my health – fats, sweets and junk (even if disguised as “baked chips”).

I am now reclaiming my life. I have almost lost it many times through natural disasters such a Katrina, serious health issues, car accidents (many) and even cancer but I have survived. Now I truly wish to live!

 

I am reclaiming my life!

What have I lost by this weight I carry? My bucket list is long and detailed and I physically can’t do it.

I can’t walk through Rome, through Paris, through Europe in general. I can climb stairs to just about anywhere.

I had long longed to walk the Appalachian Trail from Canada to Georgia as a lifelong goal and though I suspect my goals now are more realistic I can’t help but with I could. For now I am setting my sights on the park nearby with the 2 miles walking/running track. It is gorgeous and a huge reason why I moved here this January (it has been a big year) to be able to walk. So far I can do only about 350 steps. I bring a scooter to walk/ride/walk/ride. I will change this. It is just a matter of time and discipline and the will to do so. I want not to walk that long arduous trail but this little one with beautiful paths, walkways, bridges, birds, lagoons and so much nature ….and walk one mile. It is now my goal.

 

 

I had a poignant moment not even a year ago when I was on my honeymoon (yes, I am a newlywed and am over 50!) when I could not join my husband to jet ski as I was too overweight and under conditioned to pull myself up on the jet ski. It was a pivotal point for me. I had had one other one a few years earlier and it was during Hurricane Katrina when I stayed with a couple in the city of New Orleans and was trapped by the flood waters and the heat. It was no fun (an understatement)but what truly bothered me is I couldn’t even attempt to save myself as I wasn’t strong enough or conditioned enough to walk through even ankle deep waters. Where I was stuck it was up to the chest in some places. It hit me strong that the one mile or less it would have taken me to walk to get to higher ground was not possible for me.

 

I should be able to save myself shouldn’t I?

I know my answer.

I am about to reclaim my life and this is my journey now. I thought for several hours about the title of this blog and here it is.

My journey…….

“a journey of three thousand miles is begun with a single step..”

My gastric sleeve surgery is on April 12th, ……

one week from today… to be fearless or to be hungry

I start the two week liquid diet countdown. Liquids for two weeks? I am hungry now on a basic low carb, low fat, reduced calorie healthy eating plan. It’s going to be a challenge for sure!

I feel fearless AND terrified, like a walking oxymoron..

Fearless seems to breed power and empowerment, terror seems to feed hunger.

I today I am going to do what I can to thrive in my fearless self. I am pretty sure it involves housework, gardening, walking and general distractions.

 

I am sure I am going to hunt down some online support groups like one I know, http://www.obesityhelp.com and hang out there a bit…read some posts. Take out my Nook and read a couple of the books I downloaded to get into this head thing I am doing.

I have lost (and gained) weight hundreds of times but now I am addressing how I think and where I wish to go in life. This surgery is just a tool on this road I am going on.