Weight loss surgery: 'not everyone lives happily ever after' - Medical News Today

Weight loss surgery: 'not everyone lives happily ever after' - Medical News Today.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272432.php

I realize this is a very small sample study, but I can't say I don't disagree with most of it after living this WLS-life for ten years and observing hundreds of people in it.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272432.php

All women had undergone gastric bypass surgery - one of the most common bariatric surgery procedures. It involves rerouting a part of the small intestine past the stomach in order to reduce food intake, promote satiety and suppress hunger.

The majority of the women were interviewed twice. The first time was 1 year after surgery, while the second interview took place 2.5-4 years following surgery.

Groven says although most previous research suggests that weight loss surgery leads to an increase in quality of life for the majority of patients, her findings suggest that not everyone lives happily ever after following bariatric procedures.

Positive outcomes after surgery 'can feel like grief'

There is no doubt that weight loss surgery puts the body through a series of radical changes.

Groven says that although the procedure leads to a slimmer body - which others perceive as a "sign of success" - the surgery can cause many smaller problems that other people are unable to see.

Groven explains:

"Becoming slimmer and lighter is mostly perceived of as positive. At the same time it is ambivalent, since people start to behave differently towards the women after they've had surgery.

People are friendlier than before, and this may feel extremely provoking. And people often ask very invasive questions concerning the woman's radical weight loss."

The interviews revealed that some of the women experienced a boost in self-esteem after surgery, were more outspoken, and found other people were more likely to listen to what they were saying - particularly in the workplace.

Groven notes that although these factors are clearly positive outcomes, this could also be seen as a "grief" because the women realize they had to undergo weight loss surgery before seeing these outcomes.

Many of the women also felt embarrassment after the surgery, particularly when it came to speaking about their weight loss. Some women told others they had been on a diet to lose the weight because they were ashamed to say they had undergone bariatric surgery.

Excess skin promotes a negative self-image

Groven found that many of the women had mixed feelings about their naked body after surgery, and many of these feelings come from the occurrence of loose skin - a common consequence of rapid weight loss.

"It is given little focus before the operation. Patients are often told that this is something that can be fixed afterwards. But it is not so easily fixed, and the women are not prepared for the challenge of having to live with the loose skin," explains Groven.

Although women can undergo surgery to remove excess skin, Groven notes that many women are not prepared to take the risks associated with this procedure, which include hematoma or seroma formation, infection and risks associated with future pregnancies.

Groven found that some of the women interviewed even spoke about their excess skin in third person, which she believes is a way of distancing themselves from it.

Health problems and bad food relationships after weight loss surgery

According to Groven, five of the women interviewed reported a lower quality of life after they underwent weight loss surgery, compared with their quality of life before.

She notes that this was down to the development of chronic stomach and intestine problems, and one woman became so ill that she had to endure another operation because of problems with her scar tissue after the gastric bypass procedure.

The five women also said they felt as if they had complete lack of energy following weight loss surgery.

Furthermore, Groven found that many of the women reported having a negative relationship with food after the procedure.

Some women were worried about eating too much or too little, or eating the wrong food at the wrong time. Because of these concerns, some women experienced tiredness, nausea, dizziness and even intense shaking.

Some of the women who had problems with overeating before weight loss surgery continued to overeat after surgery, even though this made them ill. Groven says some women commented that "the eating disorder is not gone."

Groven says that while previous research suggests that patients can avoid testing their eating limits after surgery by following dietary advice, the reality is much more complicated.

She adds:

"It is reasonable to ask, I think, whether the eating disorders that some of the women develop after surgery are diseases, or if they may be understood as normal changes as a result of the operation."

No regrets

Although many women reported negative thoughts and health issues after weight loss surgery, none of them said they regret undergoing the procedure.

"They say they would have done the same today and that they had no choice considering their life before surgery. Some said that the pains were a small price to pay," says Groven.

She adds that this suggests women are influenced by society's perception of the ideal female body, and that being obese is not within this scope.

"They are living with a body which is not accepted by society, and they are constantly judged from their size," she says.

"The message from the media and medical science is that they are likely to get cancer or diabetes unless they lose weight and the surrounding world regards their obesity as self-inflicted. Some have children and are afraid to die and leave them alone."

Groven concludes that although it is true that obesity can lead to health complications, such as diabetes and heart attack, little is known about the long-term effects of weight loss surgery and what complications may arise from this procedure.

With this in mind, Groven plans to conduct further research that will look at the effects of bariatric surgery 3-10 years after patients have undergone the procedure.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272432.php

 

Apathy and failure

Recently when I saw a fresh weight loss and posted it, I was confronted with a commenter who asked me why I posted my body-weight.  It is a fair question and I do not challenge her asking it, because it's been asked of me many times when I have posted my actual weight-as-a-number.

I will say that number-sharing is the norm (...or was?) in the weight loss surgery/bariatric community as a whole for as long as I have been a part of it -- and that is at least 10-12 years that I have actively read and participated in emails, groups and chats.  I posted the question as a poll this morning on Facebook as well.  Go answer!  Come back.

Back in the hey-day of message boards we would add a line of text to our signatures (..siggies!) to signify our -

• HW (Highest Weight)
• SW (Start Weight or Surgery Weight)
• CW (Current Weight)
• GW (Goal Weight)

They would look alot like this!

Beth 

HW - 320  SW - 298  CW - 151 - GW - 150

Don't judge the comic-sans.  

I would go back to *my old posts circa 2003/2004 and show you, except I was banned from my message board back then, and my posts via BethLButterfly disappeared.  She posted in Comic Sans at times. Her demise is why MM exists.

Number or weight sharing is.  Was.  Always will be?  I would say that in general -- most individuals that have bariatric surgery are often proud of every single pound lost, and want to wear their "pounds lost" as a badge of honor.  Some post ops are extraordinarily proud and not only wear the pounds lost, current weight, but will add things like "LBS GONE FOREVER!"  

Losing weight is no easy feat, and after bariatric surgery -- it feels like victory. Why wouldn't someone want to own it -- even just for a while?  I suppose when you've been 500, 400, 300, 250 lbs -- wearing a newly slimmed down self is quite a change and being able to put that number out there to the universe -- even just for a while is worth it.

Now, for me.  This commenter wondered if my posting about my actual number was an obsession - let me clear it up here.  No.  I've always weighed myself.  

Bariatric surgery and the life afterwards is ALL ABOUT NUMBERS.  Losing pounds, inches, and sometimes counting calories, measuring food, and exercise.  If you're a pre-op that doesn't want to 'hear that' - I am sorry - but it really, truly, is.

I absolutely understand that some people take these numbers to an extreme - and extremes are unhealthy at any level -- and that is how we get into situations like: needing bariatric surgery.  Extreme caloric intake is unhealthy, an extreme sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy.  We require balance.  

It takes a very long time for some people to learn this:  example ---->  ME.

While I have always "weighed-in,"  I am also The Queen Of Avoidance, and as soon as I see the scale move up - I remove the scale.  (That's magic, if I can't see my regain, no one else can.  That is, until I SEE THE PHOTO EVIDENCE MYSELF AND SCREAM.  *See below.)  

So what has changed?  I removed myself from the effects of negative influences -- changed my views on some things and ... GASP ...

I added ACCOUNTABILITY to my daily life.  I now weigh myself near-daily, or at LEAST weekly.  I check-in my food nearly every single day on a journal.  

Is that obsessive?  No.  Why?  Because before -- not paying attention led to weight regain.  Surrounding myself by people with negative and apathetic views on life - brought me down.

Apathy causes failure.  

Yes, I am fully aware I am a Bariatric Bad Girl - but maybe now you understand - BAD DOES NOT EQUATE "BAD," or breaking rules, or doing things WRONG.  

It's BAD-ASS.  (Help us help, BTW.)

*June 2012 - April 2013

 

But, recently I started paying attention - and seeing results:

My brain likes to see results, black and white, literal, on paper, in lines, to show me that if I DO X - Y WILL HAPPEN.

Because it works.  (Shut up Weight Watchers.)  And my little brain likes proof.   

If I can see tangible results I will keep going - I will keep doing a thing if I can see a result.  I do not like to work for "free - " you see.  Does that make sense?  Here's an example, a very simple one.  I started going to the gym and doing basic exercise (...long walks on the treadmill and seated elliptical) about a month ago (...I'll check back in my Facebook check ins) and I noticed a tangible result the night before last.  My leg muscles are coming back.  This is enough to create a positive reaction to keep me motivated.  

It's not about obsessing about a number.  I don't have a goal.  

•  Help the BBGC Help.  

Related articles

Recommended Carbohydrate Levels After Gastric Bypass

Medication malabsorption?

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutritional, Metabolic, and Nonsurgical Support of the Bariatric Surgery Patient - 2013 Update

Regain After Weight Loss Surgery.

Patient's Migraines Disappear after Remarkable Gastric Sleeve Procedure Performed by Dr. Nilesh Patel of Texas Bariatric Specialists

Study - 47% Weight Stays Off Long Term After Gastric Band Bariatric Surgery - But...

Medpage -  Weight Stays Off Long Term After Bariatric Surgery - 

O'Brien PE, et al. "Long-term outcomes after bariatric surgery. Fifteen-year follow-up of adjustable gastric banding and a systematic review of the bariatric surgical literature" Ann Surg 2013;257:87-94.

Obese patients maintained about 50% excess weight loss for as long as 15 years after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, (LAGB), Australian investigators reported.

Experience at a single center showed an average of 47% excess weight loss in 714 patients followed for more than 10 years after LAGB, including 47% among patients followed for 15 years and 62% in a small group followed for 16 years, according to Paul O'Brien, MD, and colleagues, of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.

A systematic review of published studies revealed a mean excess weight loss of 54% at 10 years and beyond for patients treated with LAGB or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), they reported in the January issue of Annals of Surgery.

The results also showed a marked reduction in late-occurring adverse events after LAGB, the authors added.

"Gastric banding is a safe and effective treatment option for obesity in the long term," they said. "The systematic review shows that all current procedures achieve substantial long-term weight loss. It supports the existing data that LAGB is safer than RYGB and finds that the long-term weight loss outcomes and needs for revisional surgery for these two procedures are not different."

Despite a history dating back more than 50 years, bariatric surgery has a paucity of long-term data to demonstrate durable weight loss. Most published studies have follow-up of less than 3 years. Systematic reviews have added relatively little in terms of long-term follow-up data, according to the authors.

O'Brien and colleagues introduced LAGB at their center in 1994, and have followed all patients by means of a dedicated bariatric surgery database. As of December 2011, O'Brien and co-author Wendy Brown, MBBS, PhD, also of Monash University, had treated 3,227 patients with LAGB.

The authors performed a prospective longitudinal cohort study of the patients. For comparison, they performed a systematic review of published literature on bariatric surgery. The focus was on long-term follow-up, 15 years for the cohort and 10 years for the systematic review.

The cohort had mean age of 47 and a mean presurgical body mass index of 43.8 kg/m². The authors identified 714 patients followed for at least 10 years, including 54 patients followed for 15 years and 14 followed for 16 years.

• The 10-year excess weight loss was 47%.
• The authors reported that 26% of patients required revisions for proximal enlargement,
• 21% for port and tubing problems, and 3.4% for erosion.
• Band removal was performed in 5.6% of patients.

During the first 10 years of clinical experience, the revision rate for proximal enlargement was 40%, declining to 6.4% during the last 5 years of the study period. Patients with and without revisions had similar excess weight loss.

The systematic review consisted of 19 published articles, 24 data sets, and approximately 14,000 patients. The data included six sets involving patients with LAGB, nine sets for RYGB, five sets for gastroplasty, three for biliopancreatic diversion or duodenal switch (BPD/DS), and one involving fixed open gastric banding.

According to the authors, every study had deficiencies related to data reporting. None of the studies was a randomized controlled trial. One investigation was a prospective, nonrandomized, matched interventional study, and the rest were observational studies.

With respect to safety, one perioperative death occurred in 6,177 LAGB procedures, compared with 21 in 2,684 RYGB procedures (P<0.001).

Excess weight loss at 10 years averaged 54% with LAGB and RYGB, 53% with gastroplasty, and 73.3% with BPD/DS. The mean revision rate was 26% with LAGB and 22% with RYGB. Revision rates from individual data sets ranged as high as 60% with LAGB and 38% with RYGB.

"The longitudinal cohort study of the LAGB patients shows that they have achieved and maintained a loss of nearly half of their excess weight to 15 years," the authors wrote. "The validity of the 15-year figure of 47% of excess weight loss is reinforced by the pooling of all long-term data (≥10 years) and finding the same weight loss of 47% excess weight loss for the much larger group."

Related articles

Should A Christian Have Weight Loss Surgery?

2013 - Day One - Community - Caring - Pay It Forward #BBGC

People Magazine - Half Their Size - No Surgery! No Gimmicks - A Rant from a Bariatric Patient.

Living on borrowed time - Health Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery Persist for Six Years

Gastric bypass surgery: Follow up as directed to lose more - double!

Gastric bypass patients who follow through with their post op appointments in the first two years lose nearly twice as much weight as those who do not, suggests a study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Imagine what could happen with even more follow up.

Gastric bypass surgery: Follow up as directed to lose more

Article - Have Surgery, Lose Weight, and Start Drinking

No, really?  When will you start listening and not just suggesting it's .... someone else's problem? Put down the glass for a minute and read.

Bariatric Surgery maintains --- and slows.

The rates of weight loss surgery procedures have slowed.  

While it doesn't feel that way in the patient community -- I suppose it's because we don't track the numbers.  It seems surprising because we are surrounded by peers, but apparently the economy has made potential bariatric patients put off the decision to have surgery for ... now, at least.

Stupid Survey.

Never did party like it was 1999, though.

Then: August 1999

1. Age: 20

2. Romantic Status: Engaged, Married August 28th.

3. Occupation: Full time parent to one toddler and one infant.

4. Fun night out:  Any night out.  We didn't get many nights out.  They were usually nights out to grocery shop without two crying babies.

5. My BFFs:  Ha.  Probably Amy at this point, she would walk up to my house and we'd go for walks up to the playground with the kids.

6. I spent way too much time:  Changing diapers, potty-training my oldest daughter.

7. I spent not enough time: Doing much of anything else.

8. I wanted to be when I grew up: I had NO idea then, I have a little more motivation now.

9. Biggest concern:  Living on one small Wal*Mart Manager's income, dealing with a serious asshole neighbor, we eventually moved because of him. I wonder what became of that man.  *twitch*

10. What my biggest concern should have been: Getting some schooling accomplished - we probably qualified for aid then.

11. Where did I live:  A condo that we should have kept and sold for serious $$$ if we waited a little bit longer.

12. Dumbest thing I did that year:  Gave birth?  Got married?  LOL.  I don't know.  It's a bluuuur.

13. If I could go back now and talk to myself I would say:  Stop gaining weight now, stupid!

14. Picture of me then:

Now: August 2009

1. Age: 30

2. Romantic Status: Married 9.11 years.

3. Occupation: Mom or four

4. Fun night out:  Again, ANY NIGHT OUT, there's fewer even NOW!

5. My BFFs: Ha ha, that's funny right?

6. I spend way too much time: Doing household shit and not being productive.

7. I spend not enough time: Being productive.

8. I want to be when I grow up: Many things, mainly retired from whatever it is I DO.

9. Biggest concern: Financial ruin, not being able to provide for six humans.

10. What my biggest concern should be: The same, and getting my ass prepared to work.

11. Where do I live: In the same area - four houses later.

12. Dumbest thing I have done this year:  Just one thing?

13. What I think I would say to myself in 10 years:  "Grandma?"  SCREAM.

14. Picture of me now:

Summary:

1. What do I miss most from 1999: Not a damn thing, oh, wait, we weren't plugged in to the 'net then!  Technology was not part of my life.

2. What do I miss least from 1999:  Being broker than broke.  Not that we're still not up to our eyes in bills, but we don't have to borrow toilet paper!

3. What have I accomplished in 10 years that I am most proud of:  I made two more healthy humans, I lost 170 pounds (initially, not right now) and made it to 2009!  We are all alive and well.  That's enough.

4. What have I NOT accomplished in 10 years that I wish I had:  A million things, but, I have time.

Stolen from dooce.

A couples survey, I lifted from www.dooce.com 

What are your middle names?
Lynn + Joel.

How long have you been together?
Longer than humanly possible.  We started dating in freshman year of high school - 1993.

^{(A newspaper photo from Sophomore year.  We were in DECA together.)}

How long did you know each other before you started dating?
He was in my Algebra class, I knew him vaguely since September, and he asked me out in April.

Who asked whom out?
Oh.  Just answered that.

How old are each of you?
I am 30, he is going on 32.  He stayed back in elementary school once (he says it was because he had a hearing problem and couldn't hear the teacher, he still has a hearing issue, it's pretty bad) and I started school young, at age 4.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
His, they babysit for us, and he's got three sibs.  I only have one, a brother, who would implode if we asked him to sit. 

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
It's always been money.  We've been on our own since age 18, and had babies early, so money has always been elusive, overwhelming and stressful.  It doesn't change even even if you make more.  We're still trying to make it.

Did you go to the same school?
Yep.

Are you from the same home town?
Nope.  We had a regional high school.

Who is smarter?

We both have had IQ testing.  I won.  However, I ask him for help ALL THE TIME.  I have serious troubles with basic things sometimes.  It's cahhh-razy. 

Who is the most sensitive?
I wouldn't call it sensitive.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
What is this thing you call eating out?  We don't get out much -- if and when we do -- it ends up being quick-serve something or other because we don't EAT much.  I always ask for Chinese, Thai, etc...

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Together?  Orlando.  Mickey Mecca.  He's been to Scotland/England.

Who has the craziest exes?
Um.  We don't really have many exes -- since dating so young.  But, I would say I do.

Who has the worst temper?

I would say he does, he would say I do.  He is easily irritated, and I am moody.

Who does the cooking?
Me, mostly.  He will cook when he craves something - aka FUDGE, etc.  because I refuse to make it.

Who is the neat-freak?
Me.  But, when he's on a mission - he will clean things obsessively - like the walls.  We have a toddler who colors on the walls in hiding when she finds a writing implement.  He freaks out.

Who is more stubborn?
He, like an ox.  But I am super-stubborn also.

Who hogs the bed?
Me.  I sleep like a starfish, but we also have a kid in the bed most nights.

Who wakes up earlier?
Meh.  We are equal - since three kids have to be up and to school - and he goes to work.

Where was your first date?
To the movies and out for DONUTS.  LOL.  His aunt drove us, and we went out after for donuts.  I should have seen it coming.

Who is more jealous?
Eh.  No real reason to be.  If he is, he can hide it well.  LOL.

How long did it take to get serious?
We were engaged in December just after high school.

Who eats more?
We're both RNY Gastric Bypass'ed -- it's pretty even.  I can eat more in quantity than he can -- but he eats more overall.  He can take in more calories.

Who does the laundry?
I do.  He does not separate well - and things get icky.  While I was in the hospital last week he took over -- and now my white towels aren't really white.  But he will do it if asked or if I'm unavailable.

Who's better with the computer?
Him, overall, but we have two iMacs and neither really has used them to capacity yet.  I have no clue about most of the programs.

Who drives when you are together?
Him.  I do not drive any more, due to my seizures.  I have six months (again) before I can consider getting behind the wheel.

Feel free to answer some or all of the same questions about your significant other in the comments, or leave a link to your website if you prefer answering there.

Twit me.

The Rules:

"Now, if you’ve been tagged with the meme game from Twitter, you must post 6 things no one knows about you on your blog. Then you have to tag 6 more people - don’t forget to let them know they’ve been tagged. Leave me a comment letting me know that you’ve accepted the tag. Let me know when you’ve posted your list and make sure there’s a link back to my blog."

I'm always stumped when it comes to these open ended meme things.  I don't know what to say.  Forgive me if I tell you shit that you already know.

1. Thanks to the economy, we are moving.  Yes, very soon.  The physical house move will probably happen in two weeks.  I won't discuss it much because it's going to be a bit insane.  It's a good thing wrapped in a scary thing.  Why?  Because we are shaving more than $1,000 off of our mortgage payment, and for a MM who can't GO TO work - it's a good thing - I will MAKE WORK for myself.  We didn't have to do this, it's a pre-emptive strike before the apocalypse.
2. Well, more economy:  We finally sold that camper, and my car, so .. we're free of those as well.  AND - NO MORE PUPPIES!  My Mama DOG?!  She's hyper again, she needs to be tranquilized, or fixed, both preferably.
3. I am leaving in ONE WEEK from today for Texas, y'all.  I wonder how fast someone like me will pick up the accent.  (INSTANT, I am a sponge.)   Keep yer eyes peeled for MM on camera, no, you know I will share it as soon as it's available.  That's too funny isn't it?  I mean, I know I have been on YouTube, but that's me, captured for a moment.  I have never even given those vlogs a moments planning, thought or direction.  I wonder what would happen if I did.
4. I freaking love PAMPERS CRUISERS diapers.  How random is that?  All this time I have been buying awful cheap generics?  These?  They hold 23 month old pee like nobody's bidness!  Rock on PAMPERS!  RUIN THE ENVIRONMENT!  LOVES IT!  Now, to potty train.  We are starting as soon as we move.  I keep asking Tristan if she wants to sit on the toilet, "NOOOOOOO!" So, we're not there yet.  She's scared.  But, she's all for stripping.  "Mama, I nakie!  My dipah off!"  She's going to be difficult.  I had the other girls trained by this age.
5. I can "drive" again next month.  Do I want to?  Uh.  No.  If you're new to the blog - go search "seizures."
6. Did I tell you my daughter has picked up the TRUMPET?!?

I am supposed to tag people.  I always forget to.  Do it if you want to.

Things you need not know.

Stolen from:  Meg.

What time did you get up this morning?  LATE!   8am.
Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds. I’ve never liked pearls. Diamonds, yes please.  Thank you.
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Stepbrothers.  Loved. It.
What is your favorite TV show? I don't watch anything on purpose, ever.  I like documentaries.
What do you usually have for breakfast? Cappuccino.  Though, today, I actually ate a mini-bagel and turkey sausage patty.
What is your middle name? Lynn.
What food do you dislike? Seafood.  It's the odor.  I am sure if I could get past that, I would love it.
What is your favorite CD at the moment? What? I lose those. Last I bought?  Madonna.  Cannot find it.
What kind of car do you drive? THAT'S FUNNY.  I'm paying the fucking car payment, too.  Shut up about the fucking car.  It's 2007 Jeep Commander.
Favorite sandwich? Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil, Sprouts, Lettuce, NO BREAD.
What characteristic do you despise? Herd mentality, either "Popular Clique-y" type or follower to a fault type.  Both piss me off.
Favorite item of clothing? Any boy style underwear that look girlish that don't go up my ass.
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Everywhere, but, the traveling part scares me.  I don't want to die in a freak plane/train/boat accident.
Where would you retire to? There will be no retirement when I am of age, I am 29, I have no money paid into any retirement plan, and if I do not "get a job" I will be a homeless elderly woman pacing in circles, because you know I won't qualify for assistance.
What was your most recent memorable birthday? Recent?  Uh.  I probably blogged it.  Go read the archives.  December 2007?
Furthest place you are sending this? The internetz.
When is your birthday?  December 1.
Morning person or a night person? Morning.
What is your shoe size? 8.5
Pets? Technically?  About 7 dogs and 1 cat.  :x   (She's very pregnant.)
Any exciting news you’d like to share with us? Maybe I just did.
What did you want to be when you were little? President.  Miss America.
What is your favorite flower?  Black Eyed Susans.
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to seeing?  None in particular. 
What are you listening to right now? http://www.pandora.com/  Keyword:  Ani DiFranco
What was the last thing you ate? Thomas' 100 Calorie Mini Bagel, 5o Calorie Turkey Sausage
Do you wish on stars? Sure
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
hot magenta
How is the weather right now?

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
79° F | 63° F 26° C | 17° C	83° F | 63° F 28° C | 17° C	79° F | 61° F 26° C | 16° C	76° F | 61° F 24° C | 16° C	77° F | 63° F 25° C | 17° C
Chance of T-storms 50% chance of precipitation

Last person you spoke to on the phone?  Bob at work yesterday, telling me about his vacation possibly being cut short, but I totally forgot that he was on vacation again anyway.
Favorite soft drink? I'm digging up aspartame-free caffeine free varieties to keep around, seeing if they keep my brain less broken.  But, without that condition, Diet Pepsi is my choice.
Favorite restaurant? None.  I really don't care.  I think this is a post-WLS thing, it doesn't matter where we go - I only need a few ounces of decent food and I am good, so anywhere will do.   I tend to ASK for places that serve GRILLED MEAT or BBQ meat on it's own, without a bunch of sides, or for fast food?  Vietnamese Noodle Soup - sans noodles - lots of veggies/tofu and I can eat it for three meals.
Favorite color? See crayon color.
What was your favorite toy as a child? My Little Ponies.
Summer or winter? Neither.
Chocolate or Vanilla? 70% Dark Chocolate.
Coffee or tea? Espresso.
When was the last time you cried? I woke up crying in a dream/nightmare recently.
What is under your bed?  A big hairy monster.  I feed him french manicure toenail clippings.
What did you do last night?  Went to the store after Bob got home from work for milk, batteries for my glucose meter, diapers, ate soup, went to bed.
Salty or sweet? One and then the other, and then repeat… therein lies the problem.
How many keys on your key ring? Don't ask.  It's a weird answer.
How many years at your current job? 11 years.
Favorite day of the week? They are all the same.
Do you make friends easily? Actually, no.  It's hard to make and keep friends and I don't like people very much. 

"Write a letter to your eighteen-year-old self." NaBloPoMo Post.

Dear Eighteen Year Old Me,

Wait, she's already pregnant.

Let's revise:

Dear Seventeen Year Old Me,

Don't.

eight obscurities.

The Rules:
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and that they should read your blog.
5. 8 is a magic number. Not three.

Eight Obscure Things About Me:

1.  (This is not easy.)  I cannot stand the smell of many foods while they are being prepared.  In fact, if I am in someone else's house while a meal is being cooked that has an intense odor, I will change my clothes when I get home.  I can smell your dinner a mile away.

2.  I hate camping.  Guess where I am right now?  Free wi-fi.  But, I hate camping.  Dirt, bugs, pee-pee pools, and... just, no.  I have to bring the boy home for football practice, but, I don't think I mind.  We've been "camping" for like, six hours, and we've already been to the camp store three times, and I already hit Target.  (The Target here - Has A Starbucks?!)

3.  I have the legs of an eighty year old.  My veins are horrifying.  I don't understand why they are so bad, considering I wasn't That Fat for That Long.  I was only quite obese for 1998-2004, six years.

4. (This is hard, I can't think of anything obscure?!) Every single person who looks at the baby tells me one of two things, "Oh my God, look at that baby!"  Or - "Look at those LEGS!"  At the plastic surgeon's office yesterday, I asked if she could have some lipo.  :x

5. I can estimate the cost of what is in the grocery cart by like, $5-10 dollars, every time without adding.  I spend EXACTLY what I have.  It's scary.  I can only do this with groceries, though - once I'm in a store like Target (today) my estimation is thrown off by higher cost purchases.

6.  I get lost easily.  I need specific directions with landmarks.  Street names mean NOTHING to me.  I got "lost" today in one town over because the GPS directed me to take a right and I did and it wasn't correct.  I was nearly ready to turn around.

7.  My major in college was going to be Advertising and PR. 

8.  I've had many jobs, but, I've only worked a small amount of time in the last ten years.  The longest stretch of time I worked was for the one job I was fired from.  My favorite job, like, ever?  Serving coffee at Marylou's Coffee T + A.  Really.  I started getting fatter in this time period, and had my hours cut down from full time to half time, and then I was let go.  Looking back, I think it had everything to do with my size.  They hire based on tits and ass.

I dislike tagging people, but I do love me a meme.  So, do I even know eight people that blawwwg? 

-Hawt Mama, Dagny, Erica Q., Jen O., Geneva, Mimi, Debbie, Scotty.  (And anyody else that dare do it.)

If you do it - link back.

Tagged: Ten randoms unknown factlets about me.

I was tagged by a childhood friend on MySpace to do a ten-random facts 'bout me.  This would be easier if I weren't already sharing nearly everything.  This is difficult.  Trying to think of one is hard enough.

1. I get claustrophobic if you're up in my personal space.  Even if you're my kid, that's me saying "don't hang on me."
2. I got into college on academic probation.  I was told that I would have to maintain a certain GPA to stay in - because my high school grades were so randomly terrible.  I had A's + F's.  I was going to Johnson + Wales in Rhode Island for Advertising and Public Relations.  It never materialized, because, well, that costs money.  I went to a more local community college instead, in an adult evening course program, and quit very quickly because I couldn't make a balance sheet work in my accounting class.
3. I have sensory issues - I cannot eat many foods because of the way they feel or smell.  This isn't related to weight loss surgery, it's always been this way.  Don't even think of coming near with with bananas, peanut butter, seafood, raisins, pudding, milk, eggs etc.. I will gag.
4. I forgot to change my name when I got married.  I didn't realize it until the first time I had to fill out paperwork for a "real job" - and I needed a new copy of my Social Security Card.  It was then, I realized, Beth _________ never existed!  We purchased several houses with my name not being correct!  So, I just hyphenated in '05 when I found my little mistake.
5. No one believes me when I say "I want it all cut off."  They never take enough off.  They don't think I am serious when I tell them, I want it cut like you would a boy, just messier.  Today, this girl nearly got it right!  So, when folks ask me about my hair-cut - and how to get it done the same - I have no clue what to tell them, because my hair is NEVER what I asked for it to be.
6. The surgeon who did my first consult for a tummy tuck told me to wink-wink "rub poison ivy" on my belly when it came time to take the photos for insurance approval.  Little did I know I'd be pregnant soon after and it wouldn't happen.
7. I bought a glucose-meter.  Bob stuck me three separate times before we figured out how to use the damn thing.  He checked his own level today while I was out - and he felt "sick" --- he was 37.  WTF?
8. Driving home on the highway - it smells like DEAD ROTTING CORPSES.  Two days in a row I have smelled this odor.  I almost feel like pulling over and finding the bodies.  Sick.
9. I yelled at the boy at McDonald's today.  I ordered an iced coffee.  He did not ask me what I wanted in it and handed me a obviously full of cream/sugar coffee.  I said, "What's in that?"  He said, "Cream and sugar, obviously."  I nearly lost it.
10. I wonder, many times... why people are reading my babble here... and reading the comments, but do not say anything.  Some people comment repeatedly - but most just peek and leave.

70 Confessions.

1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be?
Boarding school.  It's summer vacation.
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
If I am close enough to do it without running the risk of having someone steal the car with the children inside.
3. If you had to kiss the last person you kissed, would you?
Depends on my mood and what he's eaten.
4. Do you take compliments well?
Not really.  I shrug 'em off.
5. Do you play Sudoku?
I can't.  It makes me crazy.
6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Not a ****ing chance.
7. Do you like nipple rings?
Eh, no.  But, if you get some, I'mma pull 'em OFF.
8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Like Fat Camp?  No.  Girl Scouts and day-camp, sure.
10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married what would you do?
What, like, chasing me?!  Run Like Hell!  I'm scared of sexy people.
12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
Most everyone has different religious beliefs than me.
13. Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Depends on the scenario of the pursual.
14. Use three words to describe yourself at the moment.
Sleepy, agitated, ready.
15. Do any songs make you cry?
Depends on the context in which they are used, say, a funeral.
16. Are you continuing your education?
I learn me something new every day.  And, yes, I am re-enrolling in college very soon.  I need to pick my course of study.
17. Do you know how to shoot a gun firearm?
I won't say no, because I'd shoot your ass if I had to.  Be warned.
18. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
The Homeowner's Insurance Policy!  :D
19. Who was the last person you shared a bed with?
Any number of people.
20. Who do you call the most?
The voicemail.

The rest are coming.  These take a long time.

Classical Gas.

I've apparently had Way Too Many White Flour Carbohydrates, and for dessert, I had half a white hamburger bun (but, it's "organic?")  I was full of lovely "air," having digestive discontent that is ending in a mass exodus, with a headache and now I'm quickly headed to carb-coma land.  Let me mention though - that I've NEVER really made the connection between carbohydrates and THIS particular set of symptoms.  Never.  Not in three years.  Not until I started reading Other Peoples' Experiences with carbohydrates and equated them with mine.  Stupid ass!

So, here's a survey.

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
*Aren't all pregnancies that occur when you are 18 years 24 days old?  I mean, we were so totally stable, and ready, six months out of high school, right?

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
*Technically engaged, by about 12 hours.

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
*OH MAH ****ING GAWD.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
*Nah.  Though, tossing myself down a flight of stairs was a fleeting thought.

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
*18.

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
*When I gave birth.  I was all, "Uh, wut dat, it done hurt!"

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
*My Baby Daddy. 

8.DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
*Yep.  Did.

9. DUE DATE?
*09/16/1997

10. DID YOU DELIVER EARLY OR LATE?
*Coupla days.

11. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
*Every. Single. God Damned Day.  Night.  Middle of the night.  All The Time.  I puked EVERYWHERE.

12. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
*Fresh lemonade, soft pretzels and McDonald's breakfast sandwiches.  This, too, is why I got so FREAKING FAT.

13. WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
*Chafing thongs.

14. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILDS SEX?
*No penis.

15. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
*I could take this question so far.  But, I won't.  Maybe I will.  Hehehehe.

16. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
*Many, and often?  I've been pregnant like, a hundred times.

17. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
*Yes.

18. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
*I knew.  How could I NOT know?

19. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR DELIVERY?
*Yep.  I was big and fat and a mess, with high-blood pressure bordering on pre-eclamptic and things jus' waiting to go wrong. 

20. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
*In the field, whilst squatting, then back to work!

21.HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
*Eh, ten minutes, one push, and SWOOSH, there's the baby.  Then, back to picking weeds.

22.WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
*I was supposed to go to the hospital?

23.WHO WATCHED??
*The director of "Moms Gone Wild, Lactating Lovelies" and assorted crew.

24.WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
*However natural pushing a cantaloupe from your vahjayjay IS.

25.DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
*Crack.

26.HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
*Not 65 lbs.  I left the hospital weighing more than I started.

27.DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS?
*A slight case of "ImmaholdmahbreathandturnblueandyergonnaputmeintheNICU!"

28.WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
*I went for the usual:  "Get Back Here Now, Damnit!"

29. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
*Nearing double digits, pre-pubescent bitchdom has arrived.  I'm getting old.

Survey Says: You gotta think.

1. What is the stupidest mistake you have ever made with money? 
If I had been the one in charge of paying the bills, I'm sure I'd have made a mistake, but I've never done it.  If my husband drops dead tomorrow, I'm screwed, because Every Single Bill is paid automatically via online payments of which I know nothing about.  If I knew any more than I do about the bills, I'd hyperventilate, because I don't know how he gets them all paid each month.  The mortgage alone makes me want to run into traffic, it's more than I'd make working 60 hours a week a month.

2. Do you think taxes are unfair or do you think it’s your civic duty?
I. Can't. Write. What. I. Want. Here.  I hate that nearly one-half of every bonus check my husband gets goes to taxes, when he works so hard for them, and other people get paid to stay home and be poor.  I sit home, poor, ain't nobody payin' me!  We've NEVER needed assistance - as teenage parents, even.  I can't stand that people abuse the  welfare system.  I had a friend who scammed the state health care program - because her husband got paid a quite low-wage on paper, but received nearly triple under the table from the same employer.  She got years of free health care.  Probably still does.

3. Do you take risks and possibly turn your life upside down for new opportunity?
I totally WOULD.  Bring it on.  I need opportunity.  It's time.  As for already?  We've "tried" - nearly moved 1,500 miles away, until the reality that the same jobs paid half there, we couldn't go.

4. Are you the alpha in your household? (Include pets)
What Do You Think?  He likes to think he is - but that's just because I allow him to.

5. Do you compromise with your significant other or does someone always get their way?
Compromise, generally.  But, we also agree a lot of the time.

6. What curse word do you use most often?
Mother****er.  It's quaint and ladylike, no?

7. Do you easily change your mind or are you dead set on most issues?
Depends on the issue.  I pick my fights.  I am apathetic about MANY things, cynical about others, and I'll fight to the death for others.

8. What famous person would you like to trade places with for one week?
Nobody.  They all have downsides.

9. If you could go back in time and tell one person off, who would it be and what would you say?
Just one?!  The HR woman involved in the "pending issues."  She really ****ed up.

10. Were you a good student or did you do just enough to get by?
I was all or nothing girl.  In classes I enjoyed - A's.  In classes I didn't - D's or F's.  My parents brought me for "testing" because of this - ADD.  Wha?

11. If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out on their own, what would you tell them?
Save more money for the down payment.  Buy BIG.

12. Are people basically good and honest or are most people opportunistic and predatory?
I used to believe that most people were good and honest, and then I actually opened my eyes. Sad really.  (Keeping this answer.)

13. Is there somebody you wish you could go back and apologize to?
No.  Sorry.

I tag the Sassy Fatties.  You're it.  (Over in the sidebar - the Sassy Fatty Webring.)

Dag did it.

As the Stomach Turns: I have been tagged.

Wheah ah youse from?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Boston   You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't.  Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.
The West
The Midland
North Central
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Not bad for a Yankee.

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

And, what time of day in Texas?! (Um, it might be a little too warm.)

You Are Noon

You are upbeat, ambitious, and never at loss for energy. You have a lot that drives you in life. The desire to be the best, and a secret hope of fame and power. And while you definitely have a Type A personality, you are still fun to be around. You have a ton of charisma and a genuine interest in others. You are adored by many.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Visual DNA.

Read my VisualDNA™Â Â Â Â Â Get your own VisualDNA™