~A new me in the making~

As most of you know, I have been on a weight loss journey since August 30, 2011, and have lost 60 lbs, and have been exercising. Yesterday 1/11/12, I went to the YMCA with a friend, and worked out. I started out on the stair climber machine, then went to the recumbent bike, walked, and then went back to the bike. By the time were finished, I had gone 10 MILES! Yes, I said 10 MILES! Oh, and BTW thanks to my new leg brace, I did this all with NO CANE! :)

If you would have asked me 6 months ago to do 1 mile, let alone 10, I would have laughed in your face, and then cried later, because I knew I couldn't do it. Not anymore! I know that a lot of my weight issues were from health issues, and medications, however I also know that some of it was from my own faults and issues, and to be frank, laziness. I was always active, but I never put forth the effort to make things better for myself, but NEVER AGAIN!!

I can say that I am FINALLY proud of myself! I don't know when or if I have ever said that about myself. I now know how it feels to feel like you have accomplished something that benefits me, instead of everyone else. I can now say, I AM PROUD OF ME!!!

A NEW ME IN THE MAKING....MY MAJOR DECISION TO CHANGE

by Amber Newmeinthemakin Holt on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 2:57pm

So, I have been debating as to whether or not I should tell anyone, because I was worried about what everyone would think, but I don't care anymore, so here goes. On August 30th, 2011 I had gastric bypass surgery. (For those of you that dont know, its weight loss surgery)

It took me a long time to come to the decision to do this, but when I was going to the doctor every month, and having him tell me that I had something else wrong with me every single time, I knew it was time to do something. I didn't want to let my husband and my children watch me slowly die.

I know some will ask, "Well why not just eat better and exercise?"

1. I didn't eat much, or eat unhealthy to begin with.

2. I was doing what I could, due to being left paralyzed from my neck down after having a tumor removed from my spinal cord in Dec 2009. I had PT twice a week for at least 1 hr per session, and nothing was helping. My blood pressure was at stroke levels even with being on 3 meds, and I had diabetes that wasn't being controlled even though I was on a VERY restricted diet, as well as 3 different meds for it.

Bariatric surgery was my ONLY option at this point. The day after surgery things were already improving. I have since been able to completely go off of my diabetes and blood pressure medications, my cholesterol has dropped 100 points, my arthritis has improved some, and I am getting more feeling back in my legs and feet. I feel better overall Oh, and not to mention that I have lost 56lbs in three and a half months.

For anyone who says that this is the easy way out, THINK AGAIN! I was paralyzed, and had to learn to walk again, among other things, and this Bariatric surgery is harder than that! Right now I can only eat about 2 ounces of food. Yes, 2OZ! All I can drink is water, and I have to have at least 64 oz per day, and it takes me a minimum of 30 minutes to eat the 2oz of food that I'm allowed. If I eat any faster, it gets stuck, or I have severe pain.

I have already been to the ER because I ate a bite of meat (that was on my okay to eat list) and it got stuck in the finger size hole that my food passes through. I felt like I was going to die. I could hardly breath, drink, swallow, or even move for that matter. If I eat ANYTHING at all that has even a trace of sugar in it, I dump. That means, that I get chest pain, heave for 30-40 minutes, with nothing coming up, except slime, feeling like my internal organs and my chest are being ripped to pieces, and the WORST headache and back pain I have ever felt in my life.

I am also required to have 75grams of protein daily, which is VERY difficult, due to not being able to eat or drink much. So since I am unable to get all required, even though my protein levels are fine, my hair is falling out. Good thing I have a lot! I also have to take 3 flintstones chewable vitamins daily (not all together), along with 1500mg of calcium citrate daily (2 hours before or after the vitamins) , 1000mcg 2-3 times a week, and 100mg Vitamin B1 weekly, on top of my other meds that I've been on since my tumor removal. And I have to either crush them, or cut them in two, and wait 10 minutes between each individual pill, or they will get stuck as well. When your stomach holds less than 2oz, that's not easy to do, and still be able to eat something. I knew all about all of this before I made the decision to do this, and even though its extremely hard, this is one of the best decisions I have EVER made!

If you want to comment on this, then please do so, but if you have negative thoughts, PLEASE think about them, and ask me questions before you judge. I do care what other people think, and I respect your opinions, or it wouldn't have taken me this long to let people know about it, however I didn't post this to be bashed.

· · · Share · Delete

Kaycia Myers and Jason N Molly Freeman like this.
1 share
- Cara Alden Way to go! Glad your health is improving and best wishes in the many years of a healthy life to come! :o)
  December 19, 2011 at 3:05pm · · 1
- Erica Giffin-Collins WOW! Good luck with everything! Im sorry it's so difficult right now :( But Im sure it will all be worth it in the end! Glad to see it is helping so far!! You are very strong for being able to do this.... great job!!! Congrats :)
  December 19, 2011 at 3:06pm · · 1
- Kimberly Grubb glad u r able to walk again sorry to hear that u cant enjoy ur meals people who judge havent had to go through it they have no right
  December 19, 2011 at 3:07pm ·
- Kimberly Grubb just be u thats who wee like : )
  December 19, 2011 at 3:08pm · · 2
- Nikki Albright Iknow alot of people who have done it and have had good things to say about it get ready for a new u it will work but just know you are a good person and very cute no matter what
  December 19, 2011 at 3:15pm · · 1
- Shannon Schloesser You go girl! Who cares what other people think you are working your way to a new you (what you want) and that is what matters! Anyone who has a problem with it can deal with it! I hope that eventually you get to eat more than 2oz though. Have you tried a protein shake or something like that? Are you able to have anything like that? You will have to take pictures and show us all your progress! :) Love ya!
  December 19, 2011 at 3:51pm · · 2
- Amber Newmeinthemakin Holt
  Thank you everyone! It means a lot! Its already worth it to me. Eventually I will be able to eat more, that's just what they start you out at, but they dont exactly measure it, so sometimes it starts out a little smaller. I actually start...See More
  December 19, 2011 at 3:59pm ·
- Holly Grubbs Hanson I commend you on ur decision Amber. If people were able to take a walk in the shoes you described before surgery, they would be a lot less likely to judge you. What others think is not as important as how u feel. You have done what you feel you needed to for you and your family.
  December 19, 2011 at 6:55pm · · 3
- Christy Settle I have talked to you about this, but you know my position! I am so proud of you. Those who have not been faced with this decision have no idea the research and hard work that goes into it. I have lost 108 pounds since 2009 and I don't regret it one bit! You keep your head up and if anyone gives you grief tell them to shut their mouth! lol Keep up the good work!
  December 19, 2011 at 8:56pm · · 3
- Kylie McClung Waggoner Congratulations!!! I would dearly love to have this surgery myself. However, I can't find a doctor who thinks that I have enough wrong with me to agree that it would be beneficial for me! I have several friends who have had this done and they have had amazing results!! You should post some pics so we can see how amazing you look! Again congrats!!!
  December 19, 2011 at 9:28pm · · 2
- Kimberly Grubb i support your choice to be healthier
  December 19, 2011 at 11:30pm · · 1
- Aaron 'Buddah' Beach
  My sister had it done, It was a life changing event. Made a world of difference in her personality, personal life and career, she is now very successful in the medical field in fact at this moment she is enjoying a 3 WEEK vacation walking a...See More
  December 19, 2011 at 11:37pm · · 1
- Amber Newmeinthemakin Holt
  Thanks guys! Christy you and April (among other people in the bariatric community) have been a HUGE help with everything leading up to my final decision. I am VERY proud of you too! I now really know how extremely hard this is. I have to ad...See More
  December 20, 2011 at 12:24pm ·
- Sommer Tolley Amber you have no idea how proud of you for making such a life altering decision. Its not an easy decision for anyone to make let alone someone that has no other decision. I know how hard headed you are and what a great mother/wife that you are so you will do good! I have nothing but complete faith that you will do this with Flying colors!
  December 27, 2011 at 2:44pm ·