Update: 4 Months Post Op

It's been a crazy month.  My stress levels have been through the roof for various reasons.  I've stuck to my plan but I hit the dreaded 3 month stall and didn't lose ANYTHING for nearly 4 weeks.  Talk about going stark raving MAD!!!!  It was beyond frustrating when I was doing everything RIGHT and then to add on the outside stressors like family member health, party planning, work, etc.  It made for a miserable me - just ask hubby!  But alas, these stalls are normal and it won't be my last so I just sucked it up and kept on program.  Eventually, the weight began to budge- thank you baby jesus!

I'm at a little stall again - at least hopefully it's little.  I think the Universe knows how BADLY I want to reach 100lbs lost and so it's messing with me!  C'mon Century Club!!!!

CW: 219
Loss: 95 lbs since surgery

Here are my comparison pics from this month.

As you can tell, things are really starting to sag and droop.  lol.  But that will have to wait.  I've still got 70lbs to go.  Here's hoping I hit my 100 lb loss before this month is over :)

3 Months Post-Op and Scale victory!

April 2nd marked the 3 month anniversary of my surgery (or surgiversary as we post-ops call it)!  Originally, my goal was to hit 75lbs by that day.  As if by magic, I blew past that over the weekend and ended up at 79lbs lost as of yesterday!  And today I actually hit 80 :)

My surgeon wanted me to be at this point by my 6 month post-op appointment.  50% of my excess weight lost!  WOW.  I can tell you that it's exciting but in a jittery nervous sort of way.  My brain still cannot comprehend my new size well. But I feel wonderful and happy!

I don't know where I will be in 3 more months, 6 more months or even a year from now but I am so glad I made the choice that I did because my life has changed for the better.  I've heard the term "glowing" repeatedly. LOL.  In fact, if I had to have this surgery every 5 years to maintain - I would.  It's that worth it.

    

And now for my current thoughts:

Weight loss is hard.  Regardless if you have 10 lbs or over 100 lbs to lose.  Everyone does it their own way but it really irks me when people think surgery is the easy way out.  My surgery is just a tool.  Like I've said before, it doesn't control what I put in my mouth or how I exercise.  I may only be able to eat 3 oz of food, but if I want to, I can eat 3 oz of donuts or cheese fries.  But I don't.  Plus, the decision to have elective bariatric surgery is not something you come upon lightly.  It took me months of deliberation and research before I decided to even sign up for an info session with IMBS.  Even up until the day of your surgery, you second guess yourself and panic that you are making the right decision.  Not to mention you are having a major portion of your stomach removed.  Easy?  No.  

The first week after surgery most patients are asking themselves "why the "f" did I do this?!"  But then, you get into routine and you feel better and then boom you are back to normal and you couldn't be happier.  Then the results start to show which then encourages  you to continue following the plan because - this time it is working.  This time you aren't failing.  Then confidence starts creeping in and soon there is no turning back - you are doing this!

So regardless of your particular weightloss journey - please take the time to encourage those who are struggling and congratulate those succeeding because we are all in this together!  Let's change the way that our children and spouses think about food too so that we can fight the disease of obesity!

I'll try and update with new pics tonight.

Update on my journey

I have been REALLY out of touch people! lol.

So January 2nd is the day I went in for my sleeve.  I was VERY nervous about the pee test. For obvious reasons.  Made it through that part and was wheeled into the OR at the same time as about 6 other patients were being wheeled in.  It was like a caravan of patients.  We all turned into our ORs at the exact same time. Surreal experience!

In my OR, my anesthiologist was making me feel super comfortable.  He was a really nice guy.  One of the nurses remembered me from my last attempt at WLS.  They chatted me up and before I knew it, I was out.

When I woke up in recovery, I was very groggy.  They were waiting for a room for me so I was in recovery for several hours longer than expected.  I was feeling fine and awake.  A very nice male nurse kept me entertained as we joked about the other whiny patients.  I swear if I heard one more dramatic moan of pain - I was going to scream! LOL.

I finally got to my room and Shawn arrived.  It was so good to see his smiling face!  I wasn't allowed to drink for the first 12 hours so my mouth was desert dry.  YUK.  Eventually I could drink (a tiny tiny bit) and the catheter came out (ahhhh).  Surprisingly, the pain was pretty mild and I was up and walking pretty soon after.

The first few weeks of liquid and pureed foods were hard but not terrible.  The worst thing is seeing other people eat the things you want but can't have.  Pizza, chocolate chip cookies, etc.  I cried it out a few times but got through it and it's not as hard to deal with now.

I'm on all foods now but maximizing my weight loss by staying around 600 calories per day, between 60-70g of protein and 64+oz of water daily.  I try to keep my carbs below 40.  I am not eating breads or starchy foods like potatoes and pasta as I'm prioritizing my protein and veggies.  Once I've achieved the results I want, I will adjust accordingly.

Some people don't think that weight loss surgery counts as "losing on your own" or it's the "easy way out" but TRUST ME.  This is the hardest thing I've ever done.  I can still eat whatever I want. I could choose to not follow my doctor's plans.  This is still about willpower and drive.  If I don't exercise, I won't see the results I want.  The surgery doesn't make me exercise - that's all me.  That's what I like about the surgery I chose - the sleeve is still about the patient making the right decisions.  And here I am doing it - and I'm so proud of myself. 

I still have a long way to go, but I feel happier, more energetic and more determined than ever to get healthy - and if I didn't lose another pound after today - I'd still be happy with my decision.

So here are my stats as of my 2 months out at 3/2/13:

PreOp Diet Weight: 314
Surgery Date Weight: 304
1 Month PostOp: 278.6
2 Month PostOp: 258

Here are my 1 month and 2 month comparison photos (same shirt):




This pic is good because you can see the difference big time:


I think I'm going to wear a tighter shirt next time and drop this one.

Anyway - I hope to keep you up to date!

Love,
Danielle

Liquid Diet Day 5 of 5

Oops!  I missed a day!  Anyway, this diet has been easier than I thought.  I'm not saying it was always a cakewalk since handling Oreos and Doritos for my 2 year old caused a lot of mental anguish, BUT I did it.   Not to mention I am down 10 lbs already - granted I'm sure it's water weight but who cares!!!!  And tomorrow the real journey begins.

I'm excited but nervous.  After the surprise of a lifetime the last time I tried to do this, I'm hesitant to get too excited.  Well, here goes nothing.....AND everything.


~Danielle~

Liquid Diet Day 3 of 5

It's more than halfway over and yet it still feels like time is standing still.  I am so proud of myself right now.  I cut a piece of pizza for S at lunch which was TERRIBLY HARD to do.  You never realize how much you munch until you can't.

C'mon Sleeve-day!

Liquid Diet Day 2 of 5

Ughhhh - why must food rule my brain?  It's everywhere.  I have to cook it for my family and see it on TV.  My tummy was so sad today thinking about everything I cannot have.  I'm trying to redirect my mind when that happens and only think about each meal as it comes otherwise I will probably lose it!

Sleeping is a good escape so I'm going to bed early tonight!

Liquid Diet - Day 1 of 5 

Okay - today was surprisingly easy.  There were a few moments were my brain screamed for real food, but I survived it.  I think the novelty will wear off soon enough and I'm going to be one very cranky lady for the next four days! But this is just a precursor for what's to come and I am damned well going to be ready!

Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.  I want to be excited but I am keeping myself from being to hopeful because of what happened LAST TIME. I am trying to keep myself busy with planning.  I'm great at planning! lol.  Follow-through is a whole other story however.

Some items on my agenda:

1. Pack items for hospital.
2. Prep pantry cabinet just for me.
3. Re-read my surgery workbook.
4. Straighten up the house.
5. Game plan for post-op.