Cold and a Doctor Appt

It is so cold here in northern Illinois. I swear the last two days I have almost turned into a popsicle! Last night I had to hunt my electric blanket and put it on my bed. I woke up an hour after going to bed with teeth chattering. It really wasn't that cold in our home but I was freezing. The blanket helped but a couple hours later I woke up sweating and unable to cool off. Turned off the blanket and slept on top of the covers the rest of the night. So strange.

Wondered if it could have had anything to do with the tetnus/diptheria booster shot I got at the doctor's yesterday. I talked with my older sister, who works in a hospital and was going through nursing school, and she said it's not a side effect she's heard of. A fever is common, but the freezing is unexplainable. I also had my first GYN appt in ten years. Yeah, it's been too long given the history in my family (mom had cancerous tumor in her uterus and sister has had a partial mastectomy) but what can I say. At least it's behind me now.

We talked about how I seem to not be able to get any lower than 400 pounds and stay there. She asked if would consider bariatric surgery. I told her no way would I even remotely consider gastric bypass. Personally, I know too many who have had that surgery with many problems. They lost weight way too rapidly and looked sickly. Taking handfuls of nutritional supplements for the rest of my life isn't very appealing either. Also, I know many who have had that surgery and have since managed to gain back a good part or all of the weight lost in time.

I would, however, consider the lapband surgery. I went to a seminar on that once. It isn't all that invasive. It is totally reversible. You lose weight at a less rapid rate. You aren't bypassing anything in your digestive track so there isn't the need for the multitude of supplements. It just all around seems like a better fit for me. I so wanted to believe I could do this without surgery but it's beginning to look like maybe not. Ah but to be able to spend four months with the Biggest Loser trainers, dieticians, etc. No way I'd appear before America (and the world) in those weigh-in outfits, though. I think it's ridiculous! How much does a t-shirt weigh, anyways. Put some clothes on for goodness sakes. It's like they try to shame those people when they are already ashamed enough about being so large. I guess I just don't want it bad enough to humiliate myself in that way.

I have to schedule my mammo now. And I will go to a consultation with a bariatric surgeon and see what he says. Actually, it will be the same surgeon who removed the tumor from my leg. I loved that guy! I will listen to what he has to say and consider my options. My doctor also said this may be the way to at least get to meet with a bariatric dietician so I will go. I'm not telling my family nor will I be talking about it any other place but here. I'm not open to the criticism I know I will face from some. I know it's given in a loving manner because people care about me but I have to do what's best for me. Should I have the surgery, I may start a new blog, but if I do, it will be linked from this one so people can find me.

Stay warm, my friends. Here in IL that's next to impossible to do right now!