Planning is important in any big event in people’s lives. When getting married or having a baby we spend months preparing for these life changing events. The same should be true for bariatric surgery.
In this video, I talk about the importance of preparation, both physically and psychologically, for surgery.
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by Pam Herman
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Bariatric Do’s & and Don’ts
Lori was the assistant on my surgery and she does my adjustments. I have total faith and confidence in her and her ability to manage band patients. Does this mean I am the perfect patient and do everything 100% right? No, as you can see from our conversation. Lori is also a Facebook friend and weekly kicks my rear in Bejeweled Blitz.
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by Pam Herman
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
Thursday, September 24, 2009
My first bariatric video blog
This is my first video entry. Brian had just given me the camera and as you can see I have a lot of learning to do, especially about sound interference. This is going to fun, but a little scary. Before surgery, I never would have considered myself as someone who would do a video blog.
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by Pam Herman
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
Monday, September 14, 2009
Emotional Eating
Community Health Network
Bariatric Services
I have to daily work on making good food choices. When I am stressed food has always been what I have turned to for comfort. I never realized how much until my band. I have had two adjustments and currently have about 4ml in my band. I feel the restriction when I am making good healthy food choices, but as you know, when emotionally eating, it is not the healthy food we crave.
There are so many thoughts and books about emotional eating. But usually about a third of the way through the book, I am even more emotional or stressed. I think the philosophy I am going to work with is alternative releases of emotions. Obviously crying is not the best one, which I find myself doing more of. I am going to focus on quilting which I love and may even try to throw in a little exercise. You know they say that these activities can release some of the good hormones that make you feel good. I am going to give it a try.
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
There are so many thoughts and books about emotional eating. But usually about a third of the way through the book, I am even more emotional or stressed. I think the philosophy I am going to work with is alternative releases of emotions. Obviously crying is not the best one, which I find myself doing more of. I am going to focus on quilting which I love and may even try to throw in a little exercise. You know they say that these activities can release some of the good hormones that make you feel good. I am going to give it a try.
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bariatric Eating
Community Health Network
Bariatric Services
I have been a wild woman out of control and my weight is up. Friday, Saturday and Sunday it felt as if I had no band in place. I could eat anything I wanted and I did. I also grazed on jelly beans and chocolate. It was hard this weekend. I really wasn’t hungry, but I wanted food.
This was the first time a lot of my family had seen me since my surgery so I was receiving all kinds of compliments. I am not sure what I was thinking. Part of me thinks I got overconfident and thought I wouldn’t have to work so hard and the band would do the work. Boy did I find out in a hurry that is not the case. I have been here before. This seems like the point where I always get stuck when I am trying to change my eating behavior.
I am so controlled for about 6-8 weeks then it all breaks loose. I totally lose all control. Not just in my eating, but in other areas of my life as well. I am frustrated and disappointed in myself for letting this happen.
Goals to help regain control:
1. pray
2. journal
3. exercise
4. drink the water
5. plan meals
6. eat solid food
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
This was the first time a lot of my family had seen me since my surgery so I was receiving all kinds of compliments. I am not sure what I was thinking. Part of me thinks I got overconfident and thought I wouldn’t have to work so hard and the band would do the work. Boy did I find out in a hurry that is not the case. I have been here before. This seems like the point where I always get stuck when I am trying to change my eating behavior.
I am so controlled for about 6-8 weeks then it all breaks loose. I totally lose all control. Not just in my eating, but in other areas of my life as well. I am frustrated and disappointed in myself for letting this happen.
Goals to help regain control:
1. pray
2. journal
3. exercise
4. drink the water
5. plan meals
6. eat solid food
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Meet Pam Herman
Community Health Network
Bariatric Services
Pam Herman, bariatric nurse coordinator for Community Health Network Bariatric Services, underwent gastric banding surgery on March 6, 2009. In this blog, Pam shares her feelings and experiences before the procedure, and as she continues to lose weight.Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
Thursday, July 23, 2009
My 48th birthday
Community Health Network
Bariatric Services
Today is my 48th birthday.
I am not concerned with the number because I feel I am starting this year off on the right track. This will be my healthiest since my early twenties. My sugars and blood pressure are both under control with diet; my body feels better. I am still working on wrapping my mind around all the stuff going on. I am very grateful for the preparation I placed into getting this surgery.
There have been many changes taking place in my life. My old habit would be to eat away the frustration. Usually with a very large burger and some fries. The weird thing is that I still want these things. I just know I can’t have them because they will make me miserable for hours. That is the advantage of the surgery. But it is still difficult.
I find myself being more emotional and displaying these feelings more. Is it because I can no longer stuff them with food? Is it grieving over the loss of food along with the other losses and changes that are taking place? I think it is all of the above.
The roller coaster of emotions is so much more then I thought it would be even though I was prepared for it and had some coping options in place. I cannot imagine going through this process without preparation and practicing the lifestyle changes that are necessary to be successful with this surgery.
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
I am not concerned with the number because I feel I am starting this year off on the right track. This will be my healthiest since my early twenties. My sugars and blood pressure are both under control with diet; my body feels better. I am still working on wrapping my mind around all the stuff going on. I am very grateful for the preparation I placed into getting this surgery.
There have been many changes taking place in my life. My old habit would be to eat away the frustration. Usually with a very large burger and some fries. The weird thing is that I still want these things. I just know I can’t have them because they will make me miserable for hours. That is the advantage of the surgery. But it is still difficult.
I find myself being more emotional and displaying these feelings more. Is it because I can no longer stuff them with food? Is it grieving over the loss of food along with the other losses and changes that are taking place? I think it is all of the above.
The roller coaster of emotions is so much more then I thought it would be even though I was prepared for it and had some coping options in place. I cannot imagine going through this process without preparation and practicing the lifestyle changes that are necessary to be successful with this surgery.
Leave your comments here or on our FaceBook page
by Pam Herman
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