melting mama

Audio + Transcripts - Strategies for Deconstructing Jealousy

   
I'm not a Buddhist, but this is very interesting to me.  Everyone is equal.
 

The surprising truth about what motivates us.

This is GREAT.

Where can I find bariatric foods and supplements in Massachusetts?

  

I get a lot of "where can I find ____ in _______, MA?" queries here.  Thing is, it can be difficult to find specific WLS-friendly products out there in the stores, impossible at big-box stores, and don't get me started about getting help at a G N C.

Someone today wanted "chewable calcium for WLS in Wareham, MA."  Well, there's Wal Mart, Target and GNC.  Whoop dee doo.

Wouldn't you love a local bariatric-themed shop?  (Yes. Please.)  But, if that doesn't exist, and you cannot find what you need in your area -- my suggestion is to shop online.  There are a billionty places to do so. Many of which are linked Right Here.  I know, there are folks out there who plain refuse to do so.  

Or -- you need to get personal with the product before you purchase?  Well, as much as you can with a bottle of vitamins. 

There are a few locations that I am aware of that have some WLS-friendly goods.

First, you know about GastricBypassSupplements.com, right?  They are a super-cool sponsor of MM.net, but they are also sortakindabutnotreally local to me.  You can visit their actual store, Faunce Corner Nutrition in North Dartmouth, MA.

Marc, the store's owner, and his staff are very helpful and personable, and totally worth the visit.

Find them at:

Faunce Corner Nutrition 
350 Faunce Corner Road 
North Dartmouth, MA 02747 
(508) 998-2155

Next, Cape Cod Nutrition, in Hyannis and Plymouth, MA.  I haven't been in to the Hyannis location, but they do carry a host of things we can use.  The Plymouth store has a limited selection of protein items, and some vites and supplements, but they do not carry bariatric-specific items.  (Though I have asked.) I've met two of the employees, one seemed awfully new and didn't know what I was talking about when I asked for a certain protein product, but they were both pleasant.

Find them at:

Cape Cod Nutrition Corner 
75 Iyannough Rd. Hyannis, MA 02601
221 Colony Place Plymouth, MA 02360
1-888-666-3058

Up north?  You can visit Nashua Nutrition -- which may be the only bariatric-only shop that I am aware of in our area.  I've been there, they've got a nice spread of WLS foods and supplements, I left with a big bag of goodies when we visited.

Find them at:

Nashua Nutrition 522 Amherst Street Suite 1 Nashua, NH 03063

Seeking contributors for WLS YouTube Channel

I started a YouTube channel and I am seeking YouTubers to join and contribute to it.  

If you're brand new to video-blogging, or actually know how to make videos and edit, I would love to have you join me. 

At this time, I am looking particularly for:

• Pre--op RNY Gastric Bypass Vlogger
• Pre-op DS Vlogger
• Pre-op Gastric Bander/VSG/VBG
• Post op RNY, DS, and Banders, just after surgery
  
• Post op RNY, DS, Bander in long-term maintenance, 5++ years
  
• Post op REVISONS
• Post op RNY Complications
• Post op DS Complications
• Post op Bander Complications
• Product RANTS, RAVES + REVIEWS
• Etc, and so on...
  

No, I don't expect a single person to embody a whole category, but I am looking more to create play lists of each category.  You may have a pre-op journey video to share, and then a post, and maybe a complicating issue, or products you really want to promote later on.  I get that.

I would love for regular contributing members, one for each day of the week.  If you'd be willing/able/happy to contribute a video every week, this is for you.  Email me directly at meltingmamamelted at gmail dot com to discuss what you might want to tackle, share and post.  :)

• Sunday ___________ ?
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday

The pay?  It's in love and admiration.  This should be something you want to do for your peers, and you won't be held to a damn thing, except what you want to share.  :)  If I have the opportunity to share a product or something of value with the community, I may pass them along, it happens.

If you are interested in being a contributor, send me an email and link me to your current YT content if you have it, or if you don't currently make video blogs, let me know what you might want to share.  I will give you a password to log in and create your content.

Overall, I'd like it to be your channel.  What do you want to see your peers discuss, and in one place? 

Join us now.

Susan Powter on her radio show. :)

Support a worthwhile cause: "Inspired By Diabetes."

As obese people, many of us have been touched by diabetes, or have tried to avoid potentially getting it by losing our excess weight.  Lilly has created a contest, for those with diabetes and those touched by it to share, creatively - what it means to them.  It's a great cause!

About "Inspired by Diabetes" from the website:

"Inspired by Diabetes is a global campaign asking people with diabetes, as well as their family, friends and healthcare professionals, to express how diabetes has impacted their lives — and share those stories with others around the world.
 
Inspired by Diabetes is a collaboration between global champions Eli Lilly and Company and the International Diabetes Federation's Unite for Diabetes initiative. Inspired by Diabetes builds on the goals established by the IDF campaign: bringing diabetes to the public's attention, inspiring action to improve diabetes care and uniting individuals, families and communities affected by diabetes around the world.

At the heart of Inspired by Diabetes is the Creative Expression Competition, which seeks expressions of the challenges and triumphs of the diabetes journey through art, essay, poetry, photography and music.  By telling your story in a creative way, you will help bring life to children in need."

Want to enter?  Read more...
           

What shape?

From Igigi.com, this plus-size clothing website has a neat body-shape calculator:

Beth is a triangle.

The shape which most closely approximates your body dimensions is:

Triangle

Shop By Shape: Triangle

If this seems to be in error, try going back and adjusting your responses on the shape calculator page.
Go Back

             

Description        You have very full and fleshy hips and thighs. Sometimes, your buttocks can also be very full and round (although, sometimes, your derriere can be quite flat).            Your face, shoulders, arms, bust, and ribcage appear to be overall much smaller relative to your bottom; you have a defined waist.        Characteristics   The Triangle Figure type has the following characteristics:        Shoulders are proportionately narrow or average Face tends to be smaller relative to the rest of the body Neck is proportionally slimmer Back is smaller or average in size and is not so full relative to the bottom Bust is relatively smaller than the lower torso Waist is well defined due to a much more pronounced hips and thighs Full, round, and fleshy buttocks (in some cases, buttocks are flat) Hips are usually much wider comparing to the rest of your body and do get fuller at the lower hip line that frequently bulges outward Thighs are full and very voluptuous Lower legs are often proportionately heavier        Figure's assets   The greatest Triangle Figure’s assets are:        Proportionately slender face and shoulders Curved in waist Shapely neck and bust Relatively slim arms   Enhance and Balance   To enhance and balance the Triangle silhouette, the objective is to:   Emphasize the middle section and waist area Visually elongate and slenderize bottom torso Broaden upper torso with soft shoulder pads, lighter colors. and wider necklines Draw attention to the shoulders, face, neck and arms De-emphasize thighs and hips Create an overall balanced silhouette

Ooh, a reader question!

"MM, may I ask you why you decided to have WLS? Did you try losing weight through diet and exercise? If so, if you could go back and do it all again, would you have tried harder with diet and exercise?"

Short answer:  It seemed like a good idea at the time?  Don't you hate it when people answer questions with answers that sound like questions?

Here comes the longer answer, but not nearly thorough enough. 

I had weight loss surgery in 2004, after having children, repeatedly and often, and getting quite fat.  I have always been overweight, obese and then after babies, became morbidly obese.  Weight was always an issue.  I went in junior high at about 200-220 lbs, lost a few pounds while taking Ritalin for "ADD", and graduated at about 200 solid pounds.   I got pregnant Way Younger Than Ever Necessary If Ever the following year, and ballooned up to about 250 lbs or more, I never paid much attention.  I remember vividly, though, that I was working at Lane Bryant as an assistant store manager, and all my clothes were in the 22/24 and eventually 26/28.  I had another baby 19 months later - and was bigger, probably closer to 300?  When baby number three came along, I topped out at 320ish, in 2002.  I hovered around that size for a long time. 

At that time, I tried diet after diet, each one working really well for 20, 30, 40 lbs., and then a regain.  Atkins + Weight Watchers were the most effective for me, but I'd always rebound back immediately.  Of course having been overweight my entire life, it's not like the first time I wanted to lose weight was THEN, after having gained the most to my highest point, but nothing ever worked previously, so, why beat a rotten decayed horse? 

To be perfectly honest, I never once thought about weight loss surgery before my husband asked me about it.  It was sometime in 2003.  I didn't think I'd EVER do "that!"  My gawd, I'd have to be the size of an elephant before I'll STAPLE MY STOMACH!?  He did some research, told me that the risks of dying were purdy slim compared to dying from obesity, so, let's apply, they're going to deny us anyways!

Nope.  Both of us.  Hook, line, sinker.  Immediately we're in it to get it - and we trudge through what seemed like ENDLESS meetings with a behavioral psychologist. (Little Did I Know?!)  One or two meets with a surgeon, and, approvals + surgery dates.  The deed had been done.  It seemed like a huge process, but it really wasn't. 

The both of us had nearly been kicked out of the program to begin with. 

WHO ME?!  Yeah.   Wipe the shock off your face.

I had the audacity to be honest about eating habits.  The nutritionist and behavioral psychologist were "concerned" that Bob (in particular) might be a risk, due to his tendency to BINGE EAT.  (WELL DUH!  HE WAS NEARLY 400 pounds?  We do not get that big without EATING to the level of a binge. Jaysus!)  It's my fault, for mentioning in a group setting, that my husband may have partook in a stack of Oreos dipped in milk at one sitting.  THE HORRAH!  (Who, as a morbidly obese person hasn't?!)

I wasn't told that we were SUPPOSED to lie about our true eating habits to get the approval of the shrinks for surgery.  Yes, of course, I figured out pretty damn quickly that I had to.  Those FOOD logs, bullpoop, pure and simple.  They KNOW you're not following the plan pre-operatively.  They're supposed to clear you for this surgery, and being honest about your eating issues might not allow you to get approved, even if it is the truth, and the reason you are Having WLS.  (Whole 'nother issue.)

Anyway - after getting the approvals and dates, it happened, five weeks apart, in the spring of '04.  I was approved, paid, 100% by my health insurer, with No Physical Co-Morbidities of Obesity.  (That, I know of.)  Bob, paid, 100%, with a few co-morbids and "Binge Eating Disorder, NOS"

Everything was sunshine and butterflies and rainbows in the honeymoon period after surgery.  He went from 370 to 165.  (Yeah, that's a lot.) I went from 320 to 147.  There is no way, other than the "Getting On The Biggest Loser" with trainers and nutritionists 24/7 that I'd have lost weight like this.  I don't think I'd have EVER gotten so close to goal without it.  I think I will see goal again, BECAUSE of the surgery having given me a tool of a stomach pouch.  It's the only reason I am successful in weight loss.

But.

What if all this crap is what kills me in the end?  Was it worth it?  Would I say I'd do it all over again?  That remains to be seen.

If I could do it all over again - would I diet and exercise and do it the regular way?  I'd like to say YES, but deep down I know that my 320 lb. self would say NO.  My 320 lb. self would say that it's worth the risks to have WLS.  The 164 lb. version of myself doesn't think so.

Most of us are nuts, it turns out.

Psychiatric Disorders Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to document psychiatric disorders among candidates for weight loss surgery and to examine the relationship of psychopathology to degree of obesity and functional health status.

CONCLUSIONS: Current and past DSM-IV psychiatric disorders are prevalent among bariatric surgery candidates and are associated with greater obesity and lower functional health status, highlighting the need to understand potential implications for surgery preparation and outcome. Future work also will focus on the course of psychiatric disorder during the post-surgery period and its relationship to weight loss and maintenance.

                Am J Psychiatry 164:328-334, February 2007
                doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.164.2.328
                © 2007 American Psychiatric association

 

We so cwayzee.

Got it together? No, but does anybody?

I got an email today from a reader, who comments that she's surprised in a way that I seem to have it all together for the amount of life changes that have gone on.  (Aside: What life changes?!)  I laughed, out loud. 

Certainly I don't mean to come across as having anything together, because I don't.  It couldn't be further from the truth.  I don't want you to read this thinking that there is anything to be learned from ME except a lot of What Not To Do situations, not just about weight issues, but everything.  I guess it's hard to tell the reality of a situation without actually being there, you know?  I hate to think that someone would read this blog thinking that I've really got it together, when, truthfully, it's all I can do to wake up and make it through each day. 

This is something you realize, after/during weight loss (Go up and read the quote at the top of the page) it's entirely true.  I don't necessarily like Dr. Phil - but - that little tidbit is golden.  Losing weight is not a cure for life. 

The issues that were there that caused you to get fat in the first place do not magically disappear, and certainly the weight issue never resolves itself, it's lifelong.  This is why I have a blog.  I'd love to be able to share more - many times I write things and delete them - but that's my fault for putting a face to the blog.  Sometimes I wish I started this anonymously in order to be much more blunt and in your face about issues.  I promised I would delve into deeper issues this year with the blog, because I believe we should be able to share all the negatives about weight issues (and anything else) and not just the stupid "yay, I lost a pound" crap.  Have I rambled enough?