From Hysterectomy to Weight Loss: A Real Talk About My Health & Fitness Journey

It’s been almost six years since I wrote the last entry in the lifestyle journal section of this blog. The last post was about exercising more and staying away from Starbucks. Well, within those six years, so much has happen. Did I stay away from Starbucks? NO! Did I exercise more? YES, but not consistently.

As we are nearing the end of 2024, I wanted to provide an update on what’s been going on with my health and fitness.  

Whoo-Hoo! No More Periods For Me!

During the summer of 2019, I finally had a hysterectomy.  It was the best decision I could have made. Prior to the hysterectomy, in 2017, I tried the Uterine Fibroid Embolization procedure. This method didn’t work for me. One of the three fibroids was the size of a grapefruit, and all three didn’t shrink.

I was extremely tired of having heavy periods, dealing with the embarrassment of staining my clothes, chairs, mattresses, etc. I even blogged about traveling with fibroids. Let’s not talk about the amount of iron I had to take, which of course caused more constipation. I was already dealing with constipation because of the hypothyroidism.

Of course, with all the things happening to my body, this was definitely causing depression. Finally, after having the hysterectomy, I kept my ovaries to help avoid triggering menopause earlier than necessary. Also, I had so much scaring in my body from three c-sections, that I was under anesthesia much longer than I should have been.  Thankfully, I made it through the procedure and all the periods are gone – forever! No more wearing 3 super plus pads and a super plus tampon and changing every hour during a 9-day period!  👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

The World Shuts Down

It’s March 2020 and the world shuts down due to the rapid spreading of COVID-19. I’m home, but working remotely for a major nonprofit organization that are helping individuals in need of food and emergency assistance. It’s a very stressful time as my husband is also an essential worker for a Chicago-area hospital.  I’m eating much more fast food that’s delivered through the UberEats. I’m also trying out a few more cocktails at home. Not an extreme amount, but I’m having at least 1-2 drinks per month, when I normally would have 1-2 drinks per year. 

That summer, I notice that I’m getting more pain in my sides and back. The GERD that I’ve had since 2015 is getting extremely bad, to the point that the spells feels like I need to go to the hospital. However, if I can spit up this clear film that’s getting produced, I’ll feel much better. These occurrences happen so sporadically. In fact, I deal with this for about one year, which includes about five of these occurrences of extreme pain.  

During the fall of 2021, things got really bad. I started having an extreme amount of itching. My primary care physician did some lab work and I learned that I had a high count on the liver enzyme and function tests. Thankfully I was able to see my gastroenterologist quickly. After describing all of my symptoms, my gastroenterologist, completed more blood work and I got a fibroscan. I learned that I had NAFLD, which is the acronym for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.  Not only did I have NAFLD, but my level is at F2, which means that I can either get worse or get better depending on how I take care of myself.  The biggest thing that my gastroenterologist said that I needed to do was to lose at least 30% of my weight! Do you know how long I’ve been trying to lose weight? 

Lose Weight Or There Will Be Consequences

Well a few months later, I was able to see my primary care physician, and she informed me of a new weight-loss drug called WeGovy.  It seemed very promising. I only need to inject myself with the meds once a week. I’ll need to increase the dosage once a month.  This seems super easy. Like too easy!

After getting approved by my health insurance, I started taking WeGovy in July 2022. Why the hell in September, I wasn’t able to find my next dosage level of WeGovy! I’m super pissed because I’ve gone to multiple pharmacies. My doctor gave me her last samples, and now the 15 lbs I’ve lost so far are starting to come back! 

My PCP tells me about another drug called Saxenda. The only difference is, I’d have to take it daily instead of weekly. Whatever! I just want to lose weight, let’s do it.  I was on Saxenda from December 2022 through August 2023.  Guess what happened? Saxenda is so popular that I can no longer find it! I was extremely pissed because I had lost 60 pounds! Even today, the higher dosage levels of Saxenda is not available, only the starter options. 

I had been off of Saxenda for an entire year, and gained 30 pounds back! I’m super curious to learn if I still have NAFLD. My gastroenterologist told me that I needed to lose 30% of my weight and I’m no longer no where near that amount. But don’t fret! I’m happy to say that the liver disease is no longer present.  Even though I had gained 30 pounds, I was able to keep off the other 30 pounds. This apparently was enough to make a difference for my body. I know that the NAFLD can come back, and I still want to get rid of this GERD, plus lose more weight. 

In July 2024 my insurance approved and covered the cost of another weight loss drug that became available at the beginning of 2024. It’s called Zepbound.  With Zepbound, I only have to inject myself once a week. I get an injection pen for each week. Every month, the dosage is increased. I inform my PCP if I’m having any symptoms or issues. So far, it’s just been constipation and on the first day of injection, the GERD is triggered. I take two Pepcid pills to help as well as Dulcolax stool softener.

It’s November 2024, and so far, I’ve lost 20 lbs. I’m so happy that I’ve been able to lose weight. So far there isn’t a Zepbound shortage, knock on wood! I have more energy to do things like traveling and light exercises, and walking during lunch breaks. I’ve even gone to a few concerts this year, and the seats didn’t hurt my hips, like in one of my first blog posts. To follow how things are going, watch my weight loss video series on YouTube. 

Half-Century

So that’s what’s been happening with me.  In between all the health issues, my dad past away on December 6, 2022 from liver and kidney failure. It’s been extremely hard with him not being here.  My family is even closer as we’re dealing with the grief. Of course, with more time comes more healing.  

In May 2025, I’ll celebrate 50 years of life on this Earth.  I had planned on going to Washington D.C., and exploring a few states on the east coast. With Trump winning the presidential election, I don’t want to see no parts of the White House or be in the same vicinity as him on the east coast! 

I’ll need to make more plans.  Be sure to check out the travel section of my blog, as I’m sure I’ll have an update of what was decided for the birthday plans!