Melting Mama | life after weight loss surgery, because it is for life.

Until next year!

Thank you ladies (I can say that 'cause they were all ladies, right?) for coming out and walking, in fact, thank you all for showing up, what? An hour before I got there?

Losing Libby.

A new blogger to watch!  Meet Libby from "Losing Libby,"  she cracked me up with this post.

Why we eat too much, and how to get control!

Whew.  Whaddya mean stress and sleep deprivation?!

Article from:  CNN

We tapped the nation's leading experts for the unexpected reasons why so many of us overdo it -- so you can break the cycle and prevent an unwanted pile-on of pounds.

• You're not getting enough sleep

Missing out on your zzz's not only puts you in a mental fog, it also triggers a constellation of actual metabolic changes that may lead to weight gain. A lack of shut-eye harms your waistline because it affects two important hormones that control appetite and satiety--leptin and ghrelin--says Kristen L. Knutson, Ph.D., a research associate specializing in sleep and health at the University of Chicago's Department of Medicine. Health.com: Potential side effects of sleeping pills

According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, people who slept only four hours a night for two nights had an 18 percent decrease in leptin (a hormone that signals the brain that the body has had enough to eat) and a 28 percent increase in ghrelin (a hormone that triggers hunger), compared with those who got more rest. The result: Sleep-deprived study volunteers reported a 24 percent boost in appetite. Short sleep can also impair glucose metabolism and over time set the stage for type 2 diabetes, Knutson notes.

• How to get control:

When we're exhausted, we hunger for just about everything in sight, especially if it's sugary or high in carbs. That may be because these foods give us both an energy boost and comfort (since lack of sleep is a stressor), Knutson says. To quell the urge for fattening foods and still get the energy kick you need, reach for a combination of complex carbs and protein.

"If you're feeling tired, you want carbs. But go for high-fiber carbs for long-lasting energy," says Keri Gans, R.D., a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association (ADA). "Fiber burns slower than simple sugars, and adding in some protein keeps you satisfied longer."

At breakfast, have whole-wheat toast with egg whites or a high-fiber cereal with fruit and a yogurt. And for a food-free way to perk up during the day, take a 10-minute walk outside. You also can prevent uncontrollable cravings in the first place by prioritizing a good night's sleep -- get seven to nine hours a night in a slumber-friendly bedroom (one that's as dark and quiet as possible and reserved for shut-eye and sex only).

A final tip: If you're plagued by sleep problems, ask your doctor for a referral to a sleep specialist. Health.com: Ways to eliminate bedroom distractions and get sleep

• You're sabotaged by stress

Constant stress causes your body to pump out high doses of hormones, like cortisol, that over time can boost your appetite and lead you to overeat. "Cortisol and insulin shift our preferences toward comfort foods--high-fat, high-sugar, or high-salt foods," says Elissa Epel, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Psychiatry and a leader of the UCSF Center on Obesity Assessment, Study, and Treatment. Health.com: Feeling stressed? Why you may feel it in your gut

Fat cells also produce cortisol, so if you're overweight and stressed, you're getting a double-whammy in terms of exposure. Overweight women gained weight when faced with common stressors such as job demands, having a tough time paying bills, and family-relationship strains, according to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Cortisol, together with insulin, also causes your body to store more visceral fat, which is a risk factor for heart attack and stroke, Epel notes. What's more, stress makes it harder to stick with a healthy eating plan. "It's a reason why people go off diets," notes Marci Gluck, Ph.D., a clinical research psychologist at the Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section of the National Institutes of Health in Phoenix, Arizona. Folks who normally restrict their eating, tend to overeat in response to stress.

• How to get control:

Sure, real-life pressures can put you in nonstop-nibble mode. But working stress-reduction techniques into your busy days can really help. Yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises are powerful tools that keep tension in check. And spending 20 minutes doing progressive muscle relaxation--alternately tensing and relaxing muscle groups--significantly lessens stress, anxiety, and cortisol, according to a study published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders. Health.com: How to grocery shop on a diet

Exercise will also do the trick. "Try dancing to your favorite tunes, running in place, playing a sport, or taking a simple walk," says Elisa Zied, R.D., an ADA spokeswoman and author of "Nutrition at Your Fingertips." When you're feeling edgy, make a habit of turning to these activities rather than diving into your candy stash. If you're feeling completely overwhelmed by stress, talk to a counselor who specializes in stress management.

You've got fatty foods (literally) on the brain

We're hardwired to hunger for fatty, sugary, salty foods because, back when our ancestors were foraging for every meal, palatable eats meant extra energy and a leg-up on survival, says Dr. David A. Kessler, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and author of "The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite."

So it's not just a lack of willpower that's tripping you up, but rather your outdated survival mode. In fact, when you eat fat-rich foods, your brain not only gets a signal that your body is satisfied but also forms long-term memories of the experience, according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. What once helped early humans survive is now giving us ever-expanding waistlines.

Adding to the challenge to control overeating, the mere sight of food can cue up a craving. "[Cravings] are based on past learning and memories as well as the sight or smell of food, time of day, or location," Kessler says. "You'll walk down the street and start thinking about chocolate-covered pretzels because you've had them before on the same street."

• How to get control:

Avoid eating your favorite treat if you're in a particular mood, if it's a certain time of day, or if you're in a specific place; this will prevent you from creating a triggering link between those feelings or locations and that treat, Kessler says. And since the smell and sight of fatty, sugary foods is pure temptation, try to keep yourself from passing the bakery or ice cream shop you can't resist.

Also, pay attention to what you're thinking when temptation strikes. "Once the brain is activated [by a craving], having that inner dialogue of, 'No, I shouldn't have that,' only increases the wanting," Kessler notes. Instead, focus on something you want more than that slice of cheesecake--from being healthier for your kids to feeling less winded when you walk to work--to help override the urge. Health.com: Surprising myths about excess weight

If logic is out the window, indulge in healthier versions of your favorites such as low-fat frozen yogurt with almonds when you crave a sundae or a calcium-rich glass of nonfat chocolate milk when you need a chocolate fix.

• You Pigged Out -- Now What?

• Forgive yourself. "Having one overindulgent meal should not derail you from your healthful eating habits, while being too negative will make you more likely to throw up your hands in despair and overindulge at the next meal or several meals for days to come," Elisa Zied, R.D., says.

• Give yourself a do-over. Immediately start with lean protein, veggies, whole grains, and fruit, and drink plenty of water, Zied suggests.

• Learn from it. Think about what triggered your overindulgence--not to punish yourself, but to choose smarter next time. "If you keep a food journal, you might see you ended up pigging out because you waited too long to eat," Keri Gans, R.D., says.

• Add on exercise. To feel in control again, simply tack on a few extra minutes to your regular walk, gym routine, etc. At the same time, "try not to think of exercise as a punishment for overindulging," Zied says. If you do, you'll grow to dread the gym

Article from:  CNN

First plus-size-only consignment store in Massachusetts opens!

Plus-size consignment stores - sorely needed!   I've been in many consignment shops, and the first size that's gone?  The one I need!  LOL.  I gave up trying. I would have loved to have a place to consign all of my old clothing, and to find new-to-me threads!  I would love to know the the clothes were going to someone who really needed them, especially for our rapidly shrinking community!  Kudos to these ladies for starting up this business.

From:  The Patriot Ledger, 8/2009

The Shrinking Closet in  Avon, which opened  Saturday, Aug. 1,  is the first  consignment store in  Massachusetts to sell  exclusively plus-size women’s  fashions, size 12 to 34. The  business is owned by Diane  Lobel of Randolph and Donna  Lucier of Weymouth.

“Before opening the store, I  Googled ‘plus size consignment’  and found six or seven stores in  the United States and Canada,”  Lucier said. “Some of them have  grown into 10,000-square-foot  warehouse-size stores. But none  of them are on the East coast.”

Two thirds of the U.S. population is overweight or  obese, so there’s definitely a need  for plus-size consignment. And  when you consider the needs of  people who are losing weight rapidly after gastric bypass or lap- band surgery, the demand is even  greater, said Lobel, speaking  from personal experience.

Lobel has lost 50 pounds since  her lap-band surgery in January.  That’s the good news.

The bad news is that she had  to replace her wardrobe several  times as she dropped three sizes,  spending more than $1,000 in  six months. Most department  stores and consignment shops  don’t carry the largest plus  sizes, 28  to 34, she said, so she had to pay  top dollar at specialty shops or  order from plus-size catalogs.

“There was nothing for me to  buy in consignment shops,”  Lobel said. “Either the sizes  were too small or the clothing  was too fancy. I didn’t want to  buy a party dress. I wanted  office attire and T-shirts,  sweaters and nightgowns.”

Deep Thoughts About My Job.

I am still thinking about it.  I think the Claritin is effecting my brain, which is currently falling out of my nostrils.

Getting to goal and weight maintenance as a job.

I slept on it.  Figuratively. 

I guess I could think about it this way:  If I had re-gained all my excess weight by now, at five and a half years post surgery, would I be blogging about my journey or about any other facet of weight loss surgery?

Probably not, probably not at ALL. 

Perhaps I would feel compelled to be completely anonymous and maybe if I DID blog about my situation, it would be entirely negative.  I am a pretty cynical person as is, but add to that a complete weight regain, this blog would be The! ANTI! WLS! page.

I know I am frequently glass is half-empty about surgical intervention, particularly roux en y gastric bypass, but that because from where I sit?  It feels that way.  It is difficult to be positive and promote something when it isn't working for you in every way.  I do find it funny when I am accused of Selling Surgery, or The Post Surgery Lifestyle.  o-O

So, yeah, the weight loss part?  THAT WORKED.  I have proved that I can maintain a certain level of success with obstacles being thrown at me.  All things considered, I should have failed. 

But, if I did not succeed or maintain any success, I don't think I would be blogging about any of this, it would be a lot harder.  I can't lie.  I am not a good liar, and I am not anonymous.  Yes, some days, I wish I had remained anonymous, and written from the anon standpoint, because it would be so much easier to spill the beans on many situations and such that make Such! Good! Content!  But, I can't go back now, and I have always written as if I knew my grandmother might read it - she's not offended.  ;)

The continual trial and error of maintaining some success has been directly impacted by this blog.  I wonder what my current state would be had I never started writing.  It would be much easier to give up and blend back into fat anonymity.  You betcha!   I keep a certain reign on myself knowing that I "have to" report back and be accountable to this blog.

I guess that means I have made it a "job" and the blog (aka the reader) is my "boss."  

My pay came first in the form of perseverance even when I could just give up.  I started blabbering here and there in 2004 about this experience.  That's a long time.

Much, much later, I earned actual income from partnerships with companies to promote their products because, I carried on.  Even when I don't want to, even when I have the urge to run for the penuche fudge, I stick with it, and even when I get duped, I come back, because, it's my job.

Please, stick around, I need to know it's my job, so I will continue to plug away every day and stay accountable to YOU.

Some basic pre-op concern questions.

An old pal from my AOL days is looking into weight loss surgery, and sent these questions over. I know they look like things I've answered a hundred times before, but you know what?  Answers change over time as I grow with this body.  I know she wants the truth, and I am not in the business of selling surgery.

How long ago did you have your surgery….

• April 5th, 2004.

How long did it take you to recover from it….

• I felt like sheer death for a few days, I have fond memories of the ride home from Boston.  NOT ANOTHER BUMP, YOU ASSHOLE!  O-o  But not SO awful that I couldn't waddle through the store within those same days.

Have you achieved your goal, or at least most of it….

• No, never.  My goal is disgustingly low, considering my height, so, no.  I've never touched it.  I "should" be between 115-130 something pounds, and I've never gotten beyond 149.  149 lbs is a good weight for me, and when/if I ever have plastic surgery, it's damn small and good enough.  I hit that weight and rebounded to 170 and got pregnant.  During pregnancy I hit 210 lbs.  I have been playing in the range of 155-170 lbs since then and it's the most difficult NOW to change.

Would you do it again, knowing what you do now...

• Simply stated, no.  I did not know enough of the "could happens."  If I could "go back and do it all over again," I would, but likely pick a different path.  I can't give you advice.  I can't tell you what to do.  But if you were my sister?  I'd probably say, gastric banding.  Yeah, it's slower loss, and yeah it's got higher regain rates, but it is a teaching method that can WORK, and won't cause mal-absorption and the issues that come from rerouted innards.

Positives from surgery over the years…..

• Nearly 100% success in the weight loss department, actually, my surgeon's goal for me was 175.  So, there, I did it.  320 - 149 - 210 - 155 - 170.  Overall, being smaller works for me.  Sad, but true, you get treated better as a normal-sized person, doors are held for you, drinks are bought for you -- and so on.

Negatives from surgery over the years…..

• For ME: Dehydration, kidney stones, weight loss stalls, gas of DEATH, food issues, food intolerances, dumping, late dumping, diarrhea, severe constipation, severe reactive hypoglycemia, neurological symptoms, vitamin deficiency, severe anemia, vertigo, seizures.
• For Mr. MM:  Dehydration, severe pain in blind stomach requiring re-admit and scoping, constipation, food intolerances, dumping, late dumping, diarrhea, reactive hypoglycemia, sometimes severe, the worst powerful gas on EARTH and bowel distress often





• For Grandma Mr MM:  Strictures, bradycardia, low protein levels, anemia, very severe constipation, severe vertigo requiring meds and therapy, dumping, and lots of complications with post-WLS plastic surgeries.
• For Mr. MM's Sister:  Problems with slow weight loss, and assorted similar complaints.
  

How hard is it to stick to the diet/exercise plan……

• The diet is easy as pie in the beginning.  You are FORCED into it.  There is NO way to cheat.  Starvation works. It's not until 9+ months or closer to 24 months that the real problems start regarding food demons.  By the time you can eat normal small meals, you have had better dealt with the food issues and emotional eating, or you're on the road to regain without a doubt.