thelifeofadiabetic

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Diabetes isnt the 'ate too many sweets disease'. It just fucking is not. It's your body slowly losing an integral function needed to nuture and energize it. Its your pancreas shutting down, its your blood cells rejecting your attempts to feed itself, its not enough insulin to go around. Its you slowly getting colder and weaker, gorging yourself with healthy food and getting next to no benefit, its being so exhausted you cant sleep. Diabetes used to kill, straight-up KILL. So no, I don't think I will be laughing at your diabetes joke.

[thelifeofadiabetic]

One day you will be content in a body you are proud of. Not because your body will change dramatically but because you will change to accept it.

[thelifeofadiabetic]

1 year RNY Gastric Bypass

1 year ago today, I took a leap of faith, and started my weight loss journey.

It has not been easy, dietary changes, restrictions of what my body will tolerate, and I’ve learned that many in the weight loss community are not as supportive as you’d expect.

Despite all these negatives, I have embraced my new lifestyle, and am constantly trying new things and my year has led me to the best positive of all: I am healthier!

I have lost a total of 50lbs. Now, I unfortunately am limited to my mobility when it comes to exercise due to a terrible accident I had a few years back.

I expect to reach my goal, or close to it, within the next year. Only another 40-50lbs to go!

I still have to remind myself I am diabetic, and every health professional looks at me as if I’m crazy for saying so. Maybe it’s because I am no longer on medication? (other than my daily regimen of vitamins). Or maybe because I don’t “look” like I should have diabetes? Whatever the case, I am happy to be in such good health.

All in all, I am thankful for how far I’ve come, for the support I have in my husband, family, and friends.

Here’s to continued success, to keeping up the journey, and all the positive things coming my way!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

[thelifeofadiabetic]

I’ve come a long way in my journey! I started at 242 pounds (left), and now am finally below 200 pounds for the first time since I graduated high school at 196 pounds! I know I have more to lose, but slow and steady wins the race! WLS 4/27/21 RNY

[thelifeofadiabetic]

My dog needs surgery! 😢 I’m so desperate to make his life better, but can’t afford to do so. Please donate, share; anything helps!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

I hate how many women will consistently miss cycles or have really painful or abnormal cycles and just shrug it off because “eh I don’t want to have kids anyway.” I hate that we’re taught to view our bodies as a baby factories to the point where we have obvious indicators of poor health and we ignore them because we can’t think of ourselves outside of this narrative.

So I don’t know what woman needs to hear this but if your cycle is irregular, you need to go see a doctor. It’s an indicator of your health and not something to be brushed off.

[thelifeofadiabetic]

6 weeks Post Op

I have struggled with this surgery…I miss food I used to eat…change is hard, even if it’s good for you. I’m trying, and apparently I am doing well. I’ve lost 28lbs total so far, not exactly where I want to be at, but if I keep making smart choices, work hard, and just be patient, things will fall into place.

On another note, I am still diabetes medicine free! My blood sugars have been in the normal range! I’m super proud of myself for that, and happy that the surgery has helped me get to better and healthier places in life.

Here’s to the gastric bypass journey!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

3 weeks post-op

So here’s the 3-week update on my gastric bypass surgery journey:

I went to the ER week 2 because I thought I had a blood clot or something since my left shoulder and arm and chest were hurting…it ended up being trapped gas…so that was a relief.

Then a week later, I was back in the ER because I had horrible stomach pains and cramps to the point that I was shaking and crying…no one knows why, but it happened, all they did know was it wasn’t anything life-threatening.

I saw my surgeon 8 hours after the ER visit, his best guess was intestinal cramping, but said he wouldn’t worry about it unless it was a continuous thing.

During this visit, he also gave me some pictures of my stomach from the surgery (interesting, gross, and cool all at the same time!), and informed me that my blood sugar levels have been normal and there was no need to get back on medication!

I also have lost 20lbs!

So lots of wins so far with this surgery, and some minor (not at the time) bumps.

Here’s to continuing the journey!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

An introduction I gave in a support group

I wanted to share a little bit about me and my experience thus far. I am 32 years old, have type 2 diabetes, PCOS, and am obese. I have a loving husband, who I’ve been married to almost 3 years! We haven’t been able to conceive, but want children. I always had problems with my weight since I was younger, and it wasn’t until December of 2020 that the bariatric journey was introduced to me as an option. I officially started my journey in January 2021, and was recommended by my surgeon to have the gastric bypass RNY done. April 27, 2021 I had a successful surgery and was able to go home 2 days later. I have ups and downs, and so many questions! But I am overall so happy and thankful that I was afforded this opportunity. My hopes and goals long-term are to be off of diabetes medicine for good (currently am), go back to my lowest adult weight of 160lbs, and have a baby after 2 years!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Supportive or Overly Supportive?

While I am grateful for the love and support I have received during this journey, I am getting tired and annoyed of everyone asking “how are you?” or “how are you feeling?” or “are you feeling any better?” Etc.

My day to day hasn’t been drastically different since my surgery to warrant such questions.

Since I got home from my surgery, I have experienced soreness, lethargy, cold spells, and have been tolerating my protein shakes. I walk whenever possible, but I get tired easily.

I get people want the best for me, I get they’re just trying to be nice, I get that they care... I get all of that. But what I think people don’t get is this journey is ongoing. It doesn’t stop. I will eventually hit a weight plateau, and that’s fine, but my new healthy lifestyle doesn’t stop. I don’t think they get that I won’t bounce back in a few days. It may take weeks, or even months before I feel up to anything like my old self or better. Everyone is different.

For today, at least, just please leave me the fuck alone!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Home sweet home

I got discharged from the hospital today. I am able to move around independently, tolerate most liquids, and am learning what my body doesn’t like.

I have the best caregivers and doctor, and I am so incredibly grateful for them. They have made this journey easy to navigate and were supportive the whole way through! I know I still have a ways to go still on this journey, but I unfortunately will have to switch providers when I move; hopefully they will take as good of care of me as my current team.

Support systems are in place. I have my plan for the upcoming weeks. Life is good post-op!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Gastric Bypass Surgery

I had my gastric bypass surgery yesterday morning. By lunch time I was sitting up and feeling okay for the most part.

The doctor said the procedure went well, and I did a great job with the liver shrinking diet! (I was so worried that I hadn’t done the 2 week diet correctly.)

The nurses have been great and are taking excellent care of me!

Today, I was able to pass my swallow test, and the doctor deemed I no longer needed medicine for my blood sugar, but wants me to continue checking at home at least twice a day. So all of this was a win for me!

Overall I am in good spirits, and am excited what I will look like in a few months.

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Slipped

Today I was feeling off, so to speak, and sometimes when this happens I tend to let everything go to the wayside.

Well, today that wayside was my diet that I’m supposed to be on in preparation for my gastric bypass surgery. I ate a few extra carbs at lunch, and dinner was nothing but carbs... I don’t think I met my protein goal for today at all, and to top all of this... I feel even worse than I did at the start of it all.

So tomorrow will be back to the grind. I have a few more days of this, surgery, then super strict diet regimen.

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Low, low, low, low,

low, low, low,

low.

So I forgot what being low felt like, and my body woke me up to remind me this morning. That was a scary feeling... but I am better now.

Time for medication adjustments! Hello pharmacist!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Liver-Shrinking Diet: Midway of Week 1

Okay, so I originally thought I would track my thoughts and feelings daily with this diet, but that hasn’t happened, so...here’s the midway of week 1 update!

Breakfast: protein shake. I am happy with this because I’m not a huge breakfast eater anyway, so really this is perfect for me to feel happy and full. I do miss coffee, but I am refraining from it until 6 weeks after surgery so I don’t go through caffeine withdrawals while I am recovering.

Lunch: protein shake (usually). Here is where I start to feel pangs of hunger, unsatisfied with just a shake, so I usually have a snack that consists of a baby bell or maybe a piece of fruit.

Dinner: some deli meat, a few crackers, and cheese OR salad and grilled chicken OR something that’s within my diet allowances. I’ve been struggling because I used to consume so many carbs at dinner, and now it’s cut in half or more; low to no carbs is not fun. I end up wrapping it up with fruit or another piece of cheese to feel content.

Daily: I have been diligent with my medicine and vitamins, but I will admit that I lack in the water department. I am working on that, but I just don’t feel thirsty, so I don’t feel the need to drink water. I suppose I should consult someone on this, see what they recommend.

On another note, my headaches seemed to have subsided, so I think my body is getting used to the diet finally. I do feel really tired though at times. Hopefully I’ll gain some energy back when my body is adjusted!

Here’s another step towards bariatric gastric bypass surgery!

[thelifeofadiabetic]

Liver-Shrinking Diet: Day 1

I started the liver-shrinking diet today in preparation for my gastric bypass surgery.

The morning and afternoon started well enough, but by dinner time I felt like I was starving.

I am trying my best, and have recorded everything; blood sugar included.

However, I am currently experiencing headaches and dizziness that comes and goes. I hope this isn’t because of the diet, but maybe it’s related to stress instead? I will keep track of this, and if it continues or gets worse I will call the doctor.

This journey is not an easy one, but I am now 2 weeks away from surgery!