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).