Anne-Marie Z.

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I hit it... today at 141 pounds I am at 24.9 BMI = Normal.  That is such a big goal and accomplishment.  It is so weird to go shopping and realize that if it is larger than a size 8 it is tooo big!  What fun it has been to know that I can fit into tight spaces, not stress over getting into shorts and a bathing suit... what a joy.  I'm truly blessed to have come this far... only 6 more pounds to goal.  I hope to have a tummy tuck eventually and then I will probably be a size 4!  Woa! 

Just had to share this... if you are on the fence about having WLS, I say, DO IT!  But, be sure you are fully onboard for all of the work that comes with the surgery.  It is a lifetime comittment OR the weight loss will be short lived. 

And so the journey began.... it has been a year since I began a new life and do I feel great!  I couldnt imagine going a day much less a year without drinking a Diet Coke or drinking water to wash down my meals and now it is completely NORMAL to me... I really dont even miss the Diet Coke or drinking with meals.
That is just the beginning of what I DONT miss:
pigging out at a meal and feeling miserable after, or stressing over what I'm going to wear to a special event, or how I will look in the family photo, fearing the booth will be too tight, hating to look in a mirror, dreading going up stairs, aching feet, knees, joints, back....
What a gift this surgery - this journey - has been.  I'm beginning to feel more and reach out more, laugh more, and dream more!  I'm down 108 lbs. and I'm within 7-10 pounds of my goal.  I'm wearing size 8P or 9juniors and size Small or Medium tops....  I could hardly imagine that possibility for my life.  12 more days til I hit my ONE SURGIVERSARY!  The best is yet to come and I am NOT going to delude myself that the battle is over... it is a daily choice to use my tool to get the final pounds off and keep them off for LIFE.

I'm 10months post op and down 105 pounds.  Wow!  I'm loving how I look and feel.  I've enjoyed shopping for new clothes... size 8 ladies or 9 juniors.  I'm wearing Medium shirts and belts!  It is hard to believe that I'm still 20 pounds from my original goal but honestly I think 10 more pounds is my limit.  My legs, back, chest and arms are all very thin.  I've got some pudge in my tummy area and I would be happy to lose more of that but I wonder if a tummy tuck is the only solution for that?  Honestly, I thought my legs and arms would be worse but they are not too bad.  Mostly loose skin around upper thigh but not too bad on the upper arms. 
I've been able to eat a greater variety of foods without getting sick.  Eating small portions and slowly is a MUST.  I do not handle carbs very well- fats and potatoes make me feel horrible - not dumping- just yucky.  I can eat sugar to some degree but I'm not sure how much because I really dont want to know.  On Thanksgiving a had a bite or 3 or 4 different desserts and then I had horrible stomach pain - like horrible gas.  That seems to be my bodies response to off limit foods.  I still drink atleast one protein drink per day and take my supplements (of course) but not as faithfully as I should.  Occassionaly I will miss a day and I wonder "WTH???"  I don't want to be an idiot about my health.

I do NOT drink soda - NONE - and I plan to continue that cuz it doesnt seem to do anyone any good.  I do drink coffee... it is my new addiction of sorts.  I'm also into chai tea.  YUM.  I have had a few beers.   I went to a concert and had 4 beers over 5 hours.  I was buzzed and having a good time--- not crazy, not sick, not fall down, just buzzed... then, I wasn't!  It went away quickly and I was stone sober.  No hangover or headache of any sort the next day.  I do not drink often and dont intend to make this a regular occurance since it is empty calories and I certainly dont need any new replacement to food.  Especially since my father was an alcoholic!  One really cool part of the night was ALL of the attention I was getting from men... my hubby even commented on how he was gonna have to watch out for the other guys.  Hah, that is NOT a problem cuz I'm on alert to be sure that it is NOT a problem.  I feel good to look good and be appreciated by others but my heart belongs to Rich.  After 23 years of marriage- through the thin and thick and thin - I dont have any desire to ruin a wonderful life with him.

My exercise has been horrible since just before Thanksgiving.  I have let all of the other activities of the season... shopping, wrapping, party planning, finding a new wardrobe.... and workingl... have interrupted my schedule...  January New Years Resolution = back on track for a minimum of 3 workouts per week.

I've officially been down to 150 pounds for over a week now... that makes a total loss of exactly 100 LBS --.    I've also lost 83.35 inches overall... WOW!  I have passed on or sold all of my fat clothes and I'm slowly buying items to wear but not too many since I'm NOT DONE losing.  I am comfortably wearing size 10's and even some size 9 juniors.  I have not been in a junior size 9 ever... that I can remember.  I'm happy overall with my upper arms even though they are a little loose right at the top.  My legs are ok except the very top of my inner thighs. Any extra weight I'm carrying right now is in my stomach.  I will definately want to have a tummy tuck to fully enjoy the overall effect of weight loss but IN CLOTHES I look fine.

I've started documenting my journey on youtube.com so I can give back to those that are trying to make a decision about WLS or encourage others along the way and ALSO as a form of therapy... I certainly don't have this all figured out.  I've been "compliant" on most accounts to the program for success... I don't drink for 30 minutes after meals, or drink soda,or  eat sugary foods, almost 0 bread, I stop when I'm full, I do get my vitamins, food and protein (mostly), and no alcohol... But, I'm not 100% where I wanted to be on my lifestyle changes.  I am much more active everyday but I'm only working out 2 times per week.  I need to increase this to 4 or 5.  I do not measure food or count calories and I still find myself eating a handful of chips or crackers along with good foods.  I use full fat dressings and other higher calorie choices on a regular basis.  For the most part my portion sizes are small but some days I can and do eat more than other days.  I AM A WORK IN PROGRESS!

It is so fun to have people say "I thought you were Chelsea".  that would be my beautiful 16 year old daughter.  I'm also hearing"you look so young", "skinny-mini", "you are soooo tiny" and "you look amazing".  And, for the first time in a long, long time I actually believe it when i hear these compliments.  I actually feel good about myself - better than I have in years, possibly ever.  Even though I was thinner when I was a teenager than I am now I didn't know i looked great.  I weighed 130 when my friends weighed 110... so I still felt like the fat one.

I'm 7 months post-op and I'm down 90 pounds.  I started at 250 pounds the day I started my pre-op diet, lost 10 pounds on the 10 day liquid pre-op diet and weighed 240 the day of surgery.  I've been stuck at 160 for over 2 weeks and I'm feeling a little nervous about that fact.  I still want to lose another 20-25 pounds.  I'm wearing size 12's in jeans and actually closer to a 10 but I don't like the muffin-top I have in them so I need to lose more before I will feel comfortable in them.

WOW-  my first six months already.  there were times when time stood still but from where I sit right now it has just flown by.  What a difference losing 86 pounds makes.  I started this journey at 250 and currently weigh 164.  I feel like a new person...and look like one too...  Yesterday I was at Target with my kids and hubby and I was down a different aisle from them.  Then I see my husband keeps walking past the aisle looking for some"thing".  Actually he was looking for me and didn't recognize ME.  After 25 years ... he is still adjusting to my new SMALLER size.  I love it!

I hope to post photos but cant seem to figure out how... that is my new goal.

I don't regret my decision for one seconds... even during those difficult days... and I'm still on my journey to a healthier and happier me.

First, my #'s:   Start weight 250, Current Weight 170, Goal 130.  I have 40 pounds to go. 

It is hard to believe it has already been 5 months and at the same time I can't believe it has ONLY been 5 months.  I feel satisfied with my progress to - date.  i feel likethis is my life and I l can live it.  I mean that I am getting comfortable with my new "normal" and accepting the changes.  I'm still unsure what foods are going to agree with my new stomach and often find myself running for the toilet. 

my body is looking decent.  My shoulders, back, legs are all looking thin.  My face is thin but not too sharp.  My boobs are shrinking A LOT!  I wonder if that will stop?  My tummy and hip area is where I still have the most fat... no surprise there!  I can see plastic surgery in my future... tummy tuck, breast lift, augmentation, thigh lift and butt augmentation.  I don't know if or when this would happen but I can see that it would finish the work I've started here.

I'm feeling stronger and more focused in many areas of my life.  I'm very please with my decision to have RNY! 

JOURNEY...  not a destination!  That sums it up.  I've lost  ONE pound in the past 2 weeks!  Such a change from the early rapid weight loss.  I'm down to 175 lbs. and have lost 75 - which is awesome without a doubt.  I am still struggling with eating many foods - especially meats!  I throw up randomly but don't believe it is from a stricture like I had at the beginning of this journey.  Probably too big of bites, sometimes one bite too many, sometimes it is consistency.

I've been exercising more regularly with a minimum of 2 strength training "Body Pump" classes per week and then cardio - mostly treadmil, eliptical or walks outside.  I'm able to eat more foods - fruits and veggies, too.  I've found that I enjoy many protein supplements - vanilla whey in my coffee, NECTAR Roadside Lemonade, Lemon ice Tea, ACHEIVEONE RTD - I really like the coffee flavored ones which is funny since I've never been a big coffeee fan.  Tastes change!

My appetite has not returned at all and I find myself eating very little all day and then in the evenings I know I need to eat and then I graze too much .  Ive set a new guideline of NO FOOD after 9pm during the summer when we do everything llater.  Back to school time will make that time frame earlier.

I have haad some struggles with constipation and think that getting enough water and cardio everyday is the key to making this more regular.  Enough of the physical stuff...

My relationships have been mixed... my husband has been amazing, awesome, supportive, loving.  He constantly comments on how "skinny" I am and how beautiful.  I feel so much better about myself and so i have been more open to his attentions.  Yes, lots more SEX.    My daughter that is 16 has been difficult... giving me lots of attitude and saying I;m always in a bad mood.  We've been processing thru this.  I do admit that I have been more "self focused" than in the past.  I've been dealing with the post surgery challenges, eating a whole new way and losing my mother to cancer in the past 4.5 months.  I don't want it to be excuses but it is my reality.  i'm trying to be more aware of how I react to and with her.  I also think the attention coming my way could be making her irritated??

This week was my 3 month marker and I've lost 60 pounds.  I have been feeling better but still not 100%.  I had blood work done and found my protien levels, ferritin and b12 are all lower that they were... I'm waiting on my hemotologist to determine if I will need to have an iron infusion.  this is an ongoing problem that began long before my wls but it is especially critical for me to stay on top of my numbers because of the current nutrition levels I'm getting in. 

I've been struggling to get in enough protein and water each day.  Some days I do so much better thanothers.  I've also recognized that I must stick with eating JUST 3 times per day.  I've been allowing myself to "try" things in between meals and I'm not hungry, just curious if I can have it.  I've been taking supplements for protein and have been getting in my vitamins lately.  Woo Hoo.

i'm so thankful I had  the surgery.  It has not been easy and sometimes I mourn that I can' t just pig out or have what everyone else is eating but mmostof the time it is a non-issue.  My body is shrinking and I like how I feel.  i can cross my legs easily, wear high heels comfortably, buy size 14 jeans, get rid of most of my fat clothes, get approving compliments from my hubby and friends. 

I'm going to Chicago for the OH event soon and I really need it.  I need to stay focussed on the rules for success and to be inspired to step up my game.  I really want to be down 100 lbs. by my six month date....8-13-09!  I need to get moving with daily, intense exercise- I CAN DO IT!

I'm 2 1/2 months postop and have lost 55 pounds.  This week, Tuesday, I got on the scale and officially welcomed ONEDERLAND!!!  I was hovering at 203 the week before that and knew it was coming but to actually see it happen was so much relief... like it really is happening.

My body is shrinking everywhere.  My face is thin, my collarbones are showing, I put on a dress that both Chelsea & I fit into.  She is my 16 yr old, 5'9" beautiful girl.  I'm experiencing loss on many levels:  Loss of weight = good, loss of desire for food = ok, loss of my mother = saddness!  My dear, sweet 67 year old mother lost her battle to cancer last week.  I was with her and watched her draw her last breath and watched her leave this world and enter into the arms of her Heavenly Father.  I have had many emotions regarding my decision to have surgery just 2 months before her passing.  Relief that I am not getting fatter through my grief!  Joy that my mom saw me at the beginning of my journey and she saw me 45 lbs. lighter.  Thankful that I was not just post op or still in Mexico while her health completely gave out.  Overwhelmed with saddness that mom wont see me finish this journey to my goal weight.   Concern about how I will cope with her death knowing that food is not a comfort or an option???