Melanie C Benton
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Choices I’ve made to be healthier and live well

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Having To Take The Heifer By The Horns
Posted on 11/01/09 at 3:45 PM
 My latest concern has been my health and trying to get back into a healthy state of mind, so I can still get out there and do my photography as well as hunt,fish and camp. These hobbies I love with a passion have been harder to do over the years, I have had a steady increase of weight around my waistline and the extra pounds have made walking more painful for my knees. I remember my paternal grandmother died from congestive heart failure in 1985. So, last year I attended a weight loss seminar and made up my mind to do the most drastic thing.... get a gastric bypass.

I had ROUX-EN-Y (RNY) gastric bypass surgery the 17th of August, I am almost 2 weeks post- op and doing fair. This surgery is not to be taken lightly. It was after much thought and consideration, talking with my husband, my doctor and speaking with others who have had the surgery, that I made my decision. First of all, I had a strong family history for: Diabetes, High Blood pressure, Congestive Heart Failure, Low Thyroid, one of my parents has Emphysema from smoking years ago and other complications. I did not want to wind up a diabetic and a cripple before I reach 55. I am now 50 and somewhere inside me, the little voice came to me to say: "Do something now, before it's too late."

My surgery went fine, after wards I had complications with my kidneys, they tried to shut down and the problem corrected. Next I was so dehydrated, my IV sites wouldn't stay in and I had an IV ( Central Line) put in my neck. Next, my blood work got messed up and I required 4 units of blood. ( Thank you Mississippi Blood Donors.) I got out of the hospital on August 22nd, a week ago and have been on the mend. So far, I have dropped 18 pounds and actually feel "lighter." I have more energy and have to watch myself, or I'll over do it. I am actually looking forward to getting into some of my old camouflage hunting clothes that used not to fit me. I love my Mossy Oak outdoor wear.

Since I had the surgery, my whole way of eating and drinking have been a "lifestyle change" This is permanent, not temporary. The surgery is a tool only, how you manage your meals and eating will be this way the rest of my life. I don't absorb vitamins well, so now I have to take a complete chewable vitamin and chewable Calcium Citrate. No large pills, my stomach is the size of a medium egg now. I am getting used to: sugar-free gelatin, pudding, popsicles, protein drinks and broths. I had to change from regular coffee over to decaf (ugh) Regular coffee stimulates your appetite.

Before I had my surgery, I had to get my health insurance to pay for the surgery, I had to get all my medical records together, attend nutritional and counseling classes, just so I could learn to deal with my new "pouch." I am eating to live now, not living to eat. If you or someone you know is considering this surgery, make sure you get all the facts and speak with your Family Doctor. Today, I am just looking forward to the "healthier me."

Basically, this is an update. Today is November 1, 2009, I have lost lamot fifty pounds, I work out most evey day and .... yes, I do feel better.
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DALLAS, Feb. 22 - The American Heart Association says that for most people, shoveling snow may not lead to any health problems.  However, the association warns that the risk of a heart attack during snow shoveling may increase for some, stating that the combination of colder temperatures and physical exertion increases the workload on the heart.  Even walking through heavy, wet snow or snow drifts can strain a person’s heart.

 

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