Health
First Vacation with Rheumatoid Arthritis
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in January. We had our vacation scheduled for the first week of June. In January, I never imagined that I would still be trying to find a medicine that worked in June and still have so much pain. However, I pushed on and drove...
Side Effects of Weight Loss Surgery – Part 1
There are many side effects of weight loss surgery. Some of these side effects are physical: eating less, food intolerance, bathroom issues, hair falling out, just to name a few. You can find a lot of information on these side effects in your research and I'll discuss...
Weight Loss Story
Before Surgery My problem with my weight started after I had a severe case of Mono when I was in the third grade. I was in bed for 6 weeks and not allowed to exercise. All I could do was watch TV and eat. I was always an active kid after that time, playing basketball,...
My RA Diagnosis – How it affects my family
My RA diagnosis is relatively new in comparison with a lot of people that I have encountered. For me, it has been a whirlwind of learning about the diagnosis, the medicines, and experiencing the pain and side effects of both the RA and the medicines. However, the...
Carbs
When you have had weight loss surgery, your primary goal is to ensure you eat “low carb”. There is a huge difference between low carb and no carb. Some people are so paranoid of carbs that they try to avoid them at all cost. However, your body needs some carbs in...
The Battle with Vitamin D
Since my surgery, one of the vitamins that I have struggled with is Vitamin D. Many of us are deficient in Vitamin D and don't know it unless you have a blood test. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and is responsible for aiding in calcium absorption and absorption...
Post Op Diet and Starting to Eat Again
Depending on your surgery type and your surgeon, you will be on liquids only for two to four weeks after surgery. Prior to surgery you might think that it will be impossible since you won’t be able to eat. I will say it does mess with your mind just a little but it is...
Weight Loss Surgery Options
Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) The BPD/DS is the type of surgery that I had. I researched all the surgeries available and I had known people that had a gastric bypass and had gained all their weight back. I didn’t want to go through this...
Pre-op Diet
When I got my surgery date finally, I then began working towards the pre-op diet. My particular surgeon wanted us on protein shakes and protein bars for the month leading up to surgery. I admit, I really had a hard time with this one. I couldn’t tolerate the protein...
Type A Personality and RA
I have always been a Type A person. I’m overscheduled, always moving, and always stressed. With my career I burned the candle at both ends and was a complete work a holic. My career was in call centers and technology and typing for 8+ hours a day. I was proud of my...
