8 Months

Here I am at 8 months post-surgery, feeling absolutely great with the exception of a head cold and am down 100 lbs! It was my goal to lose 100 lbs before Christmas and I made it with days to spare! The girls at work gave me a gift certicate for Victoria Secret as a congratulatory gift. What a great bunch of gals! I bought a black dress to wear to two parties in December and had to take it in yesterday for a party last night. I plan to hire a personal trainer for 2008 to get toned and shaped prior to plastic surgery late in 2009. I really need a tummy tuck with all the extra skin and I want my arms and neck done as well. May even try that thermophage procedure for my face. I had my first manicure yesterday and I am feeling really girly today. Pampering is a good thing once in a while and a small expense compared to a jewelry splurge. LOL Pedicure is next on my list or maybe even a full day of pampering at a spa with a massage and a facial.

7 Months Post-op - Survived Thankgiving!

I am down 96 lbs and 32+ inches overall. that was a 7 lb loss last month. I am hoping to reach 100 lbs lost by Christmas. I am feeling great! All my old fat clothes are gone from the closets and drawers. I had to buy a coat to get me thru the chilly winter and/or windy days. We are having an MGB reunion with lots of activities this weekend and I am attending everything! No more hiding for me. I bought a fancy black dress for the dinner on Saturday night, complete with pumps, black lace-top thigh high stockings and a black bra. I have never owned a black bra. Imagine that! We are having a social Friday night followed by a PJ party. On Saturday, we have a breakfast, trips to either Cypress Gardens or airboat ride (I'm taking the airboat ride), the dinner is in the evening with a fashion show. There are about 12 of us participating in the fashion show and we get to model our fat outfits. Should be a hoot as long as nobody loses their pants in the process! LOL Two friends are flying in for surgery later this week so I am taking a couple days off from work to be there for them. I am so excited for them and their new lives. I sincerely hope they experience the same success.

6 Months Post-op

Things slowed down this month. I only lost 6 lbs this month but I am down 86.5 lbs total as of this morning and have lost a total of 32 inches. I have gone from a size 26/28 to a 16/18. I am still trying to push myself down below the next 10 lb mark and bounce around between 188 and 192. Once I reach a lower weight I grab onto it and call it my own because I know I will eventually settle there and face a new challenge to reach a lower weight. I remain faithful to the rules although a few cookies were thrown into the mix. I am off Prilosec without any issues. Most days I feel full of energy and great. Somedays I am really tired but when I look back at a year ago, I never would have spent so much time outside and gardening, running errands, shopping or doing housework so I'll take a few tired days over every day. I also work 50 hours per week. My labs look great. My blood pressure has improved over the last month and I am no longer in danger of going back on the meds. My A1c was 5.8!!!! I am NORMAL. My PCP is very pleased and so am I.

Woohoo and ???

This morning I reached 90 lbs gone! Only 10 more lbs to reach the "Century Club". Woohoo!!! Now the ???. I am having my second episode of coldsores since my surgery. Prior to surgery, I had had maybe two episodes in my entire 53 years. Now two within a 6 month period? Is there something missingfrom my diet or maybe the stress of the weight loss has made them flair up? Anyone else had this happen to them?

Captive Audience

I work on the 8th floor of a building with different companies on different floors. I ride the elevator daily and see the same people over and over. Many of them have known me or about me for several years but nobody had either noticed or didn't care that I have been losing weight. Finally while riding the elevator yesterday with several people, the receptionist from the 7th floor turned to me and asked me how much weight I have lost. When I told her, the conversation began - how, when, where, how do you feel. When the elevator stopped, I know there were many questions left unanswered. People within my company encourage me on a daily basis and tell me I'm getting tiny (fat chance of TINY in my future) but to get noticed by someone outside of my daily circle and asked questions is a milestone for me. I enjoy sharing my story and letting people know about the MGB option. I hope the door has been opened to many more questions.

5 months post-op

I'm down 84 lbs. I am not back on any prescriptionmeds although they are watching my BP closely. It isnot as high as it was before surgery but it isborderline. I have lost 28 inches so far. I'm notsure what size I am but can wear a 14/16 pant and 1Xtop - down from 28 pants and 28/30 top (3X or 4Xdepending on the style). I had a few days of acidreflux but determined I was eating too much too late. I remedied that and have had no further episodes buthave medication just in case it comes back. I amdedicated to the program but do allow myself a fewtreats. I have 6-month labs next month and am anxiousto see the results.

WooHoo Moment 9/1/07

As has been my habit for many many years, I weighmyself each day just before I get into the shower. That has always been my "write down" weight and I have kept a journal of my daily weight for over 10 years. Today may be the best WOOHOO moment ever since I have finally broken 200 and was able to write 199 in my journal today. That is not to say it will not bounce around as it seems to do for a few days then finally settles never to see the upper number again but just aglimpse of what is to come is enough for me. WOOHOO!!!!

4 months post-op

will be 4 months out tomorrow. This morning Iweighed 203.5 and have lost 18.75 inches overall. Myweight loss has slowed down and frequently bouncesaround but eventually takes a dive. I am walking onthe treadmill 20 minutes 3 days a week and do toningexercises 3 days a week. I swim when lightning is nota threat in the area. I have just about gone throughall my old clothes and have purchased a few down-sizeditems just to fluff my wardrobe. My energy level ismuch better than it has been in years and I am able tospend hours in the garden or doing housework (yuk! Too bad we didn't have a surgery to cure that!) I caneat anything I like when I like. However, I alwaysget my protein first and make sure I have veggies andfruit every day. Snacks might include yogurt,jello/fruit cups, carrots and dip, Dove miniatures -feels like a cheat but they are small and give me anice cream fix - Edys Dibbs are good also. I alsoinclude nuts like almonds or peanuts. I start everyday with a 4 oz. glass of OJ, a DanActive drink and aprotein drink. I take all the recommended vitaminsand supplements 3 times a day along with a fibertherapy pill once a day. I tried going off thePrilosec but my tummy started talking back so I amback on it for another month. I am off the Pepto though. My diabetes is at bay and my BP is borderline but I am still off all prescription meds and have beensince my surgery. I feel great and people notice howmuch thinner I am (esp. from behind LOL). Peopleoften bring sweets to work to share with the wholeoffice and I no longer deny myself. However, theportion is about two bites and it's enough to satisfyand lets me feel like a part of the group. I ammissing soda just a little but I remain faithful tothe program and drink green tea when I get tired ofplain water (with Elete drops, of course).

Back spasms 7/7/07

am having blinding back spasms. I must have liftedsomething too heavy yesterday and when I got up from anap today, I could not get up. It took my husband'sassistance and about 30 minutes to get up and startwalking so the spasms would slow down. I have appliedsome liniment to the muscles but I am afraid it will flare up again later. Should I apply a heating pad? I also have some Darvocet on hand and I know I'm notsupposed to take it but I am really tempted because itis the worst pain I've had in my life - defintely inthe 10 range. I also have Tylenol elixer on hand. I went to a chiropractor which gave me some relief for 24 hours then went to see my PCP who gave me a couple prescriptions - Baclofen for the spasms and Tramadol for the pain. They work great!

Milestone 7/3/07

50 lbs gone as of this morning! Woo hoo!!!! Another100 lbs to go. I'm eating pretty much anything I want including cheese pizza with no problems. I wentshopping yesterday and kept hitching my capris up soit may be time for a new pair. LOL

Five weeks post-op

My first week experimenting with solid foods! I hadsmoked chicken ground up with a tsp. of Miracle WhipLight (MWL) on crackers - enough for several days -but still a wonderful change. I've had boiled eggs,chopped and mixed with a little mustard and MWL oncrackers with salt added. Also a yummy addition. Yesterday, I had fresh cantelope, pineapple and orangeslices. I never thought anything would taste so good!I am working on a southwestern chicken salad fromMcDonalds. It comes with a wedge of lime so Isqueezed the lime juice on it instead of the dressing.It is really good but will last me for two or moremeals. I have had raisins for snacks. I have beentrying protein shakes with yogurt for breakfast butthey have been too heavy and sweet so I'm looking fora good protein alternative. I'm also trying to set upa good exercise routine along with my noon jauntsaround the long halls at work. Good thoughts outthere to everyone!

Four weeks post-op

Four weeks ago today! I can hardly believe I had major surgery. I had high blood pressure, type II diabetes, cholesterol issues and apparantly had sleep apnea which was discovered in the hospital when I kept setting the alarm off. I have not gone back on any of the meds I was taking prior to surgery and my diabetes appears to be in control. My blood pressure is low but will reconfirm that at the doctor's today. I'm down almost 30 lbs! Can you believe it? I have been busy rotating clothes out of my closets. I think we can all understand the "fat clothes" syndrome where we have to keep several sizes available depending on the type of day we are having. My "fat clothes" are disappearing and I am scrambling to find pants to wear when the ones I have start falling off! They are getting baggy but so far the elastic waistband is holding them up. I carry safety pins just in case. : ) Stage 3 is beginning and I am ready with protein drinks and my beloved chicken. I have has some issues with diarrhea but I think the worst is over just in time for another diet change but I'm going to take it slow and introduce one thing at a time. I have a yogurt smoothie for breakfast to start my day and plan to continue to do so until I get sick of them.

Two weeks post-op

Two weeks since surgery and I have to keep pinching myself to remember that I had major surgery and that my tummy is now different than it was before. I have had great success with liquids this week and developed a routine to fit in my Benefiber, Prilosec, Pepto and Tums along with Elete drops in water, broth, V8, juice, saltines and yogurt. Yesterday, I watered down my yogurt with a little ice and my Benefiber, put it in the Magic Bullet and made a quasi-smoothie. I sipped it most of the evening. I started making some salt water to keep by my bed so when I wake up in the night I can take a couple sips and it helps keep me hydrated so I'm not so fuzzy in the morning. Now I am ready for Stage 2. I'm glad it will be the weekend so if anything I try bothers me, I will be home to deal with it instead of at work. Today is casual day at work and I usually have to stretch my shirt before putting it on so it will feel comfortable to wear. I did not have to do that this morning. I put my shirt on and it was already comfortable. I've already had to retire a couple of sweaters because they are too big. What a great feeling!!!!!!!

Day of Surgery

Here I sit in front of my computer at 4:00 am reading group emails and reaffirming my decision to go forward with my surgery in a few hours. I had trouble sleeping and finally got up around 3:00 am. Yes, I will be tired later but it will be a good tired. I am so ready to be rid of this cocoon I've been wearing for most of my adult life and become a healthier, more active middle-ager. Best wishes out there to all others having surgery today. Meet you on the other side!

Two days post-op

I'm doing better each day. I'm pretty sore in places. They had a hard time finding an IV site and the site they ended up with (inside my left wrist) is bothering my whole arm and my tummy is still swollen and tender but other than that, I' m feeling pretty good. I plan to get the laundry done today, take a nap then a shower. My husband will take me to my office to pick up work from the last few days so I can try to stay caught up. I found out that I can sleep in my bed and I can sleep on both sides (I'm a side sleeper). SLEEP - the great healer. My sinuses started up when I got home but have used some nasal spray for relief. Otherwise, I walked and walked at the hospital while I had the chance for open spaces so I'm probably not a stiff as my littermates who were having problems moving. I'm mixing my citrucel with orange yogurt - not too bad but I can't seem to get a full dose down at one time. I'll try again later then maybe some chicken broth. I found that sucking on the saltines is much better than chewing them. I suck a piece of the saltine then take a couple sips of Gatorade Rain. Some of the Gatorades are too strong tasting for me but Rain is pretty mild.

One week post-op

Feeling pretty good but get tired by noon and need a nap. Down 16 lbs. already. I will be really ready for stage 2 to boost my energy.

Two days before Surgery

I'm trying not to over-think the surgery so I won't get nervous. The nurse who did my testing today was singing Dr. P's praises. She says he is an excellent surgeon and a great person. Made me feel really comfortable with my decision.