All choked up--GERD & Globus Hystericus

Felix aka Fat Boy
So about a month before my surgery, I had a bad GERD episode, what is commonly referred to as globus hystericus (my accupuncturist said in Chinese medicine they call it plum pitt syndrome). Anyway, it feels like there is a lump in my throat or food stuck in my throat, or like someone is choking me like when my cat felix sits on my throat. It makes me tired and cranky. It was of course understandable that the anxiety of the upcoming surgery was the cause of my episode. But now, 12 weeks post surgery, the big bad lump is back. I suppose I got too lax about what I was eating. I had some friend fish last weekend when we drove up to Oxnard to visit some friends. Fish and chips just sounded good, although I had the mashed potatoes. And I also ate a burger and fries (not on the same day). And on New Year's day I had French toast at Kate Mantalini's. I guess that's what I get for getting a little excited about being able to eat more foods. So its back to mashed potatoes and bananas which seems to help with the GERD. Ughhhh!!! So frustrating.

Before & After

Here are before and after photos. Its kind of interesting looking at pre-surgery photos with an eye towards how I look different now. I don't think we ever like to see photos of ourselves and I can't really say that I feel any different about it now. But I definitely see a difference.

I also got these below before photos, which include my 5 mm overbite, and a diagram of my before measurements, from my orthodontist on my visit today. It turns out the gaps on either side of my front teeth were caused by my new bite. So he put some ties on the teeth to get rid of the spaces. I have to admit, I don't know much orthodontic jargon.


Another before & after set:

PS--A lot of people ask me about the grey streaks in my hair -- they are natural since I don't color my hair.