applebrown
7 Months Out
Jan 20, 2010
Well, I have lost a total (before surgery) of 117 pounds. I have 110 pounds more to go. I hope to be 150 pounds by December 16, 2010.
These last 6 weeks have not been good. I only lost 9 pounds. My TSH level was 18 (my endocrinologist upped my Armour thyroid to 180 mg) I just started the new dosage so hopefully will start feeling better soon. I should have known something was off as I was exhausted all of the time and could never get warm. I attributed it to not using my c-pap machine and it being winter... Oh well, hopefully this will jumpstart my weightloss again.
My vitamin D was at 56 and my endocrinologist would like it at 85 so I am taking 3000 IU of vitamin D daily. My vitamin A is still low so I am still on vitamin A supplements. My protein is also low, so am focusing on eating better.
It was interesting that over the holidays I was able to eat some sugar (i.e. candy and pastries), but now, I have a HORRIBLE reaction to sugar (even fruit). I get a horrible stomach pain and get gassy. So I am avoiding all sugar now (which is not a bad thing, just sad).
I had been getting my heart rate up to 155 for a minute or two during exercise and it usually is at 135 to 140, but my surgeon said that I should shoot for 155 for the majority of exercising. I have been doing the elliptical for 40 minutes at a level 7 and burining around 430 calories. I think I am going to switch it up and start walking/jogging on a treadmill. My heart rate goes up quicker when I am running and I don't get much joint pain. I have a philosophy that the more you jiggle while you exercise, the more inches you lose, so I'm hoping to jiggle away the inches while jogging.
My waist is at it's smallest ever at 39". For years I could never get below 40 inches. My calfs are still large at 22", but significantly smaller than the 27" they were before surgery. I'm hoping to finally buy some boots next winter. My hips before surgery were barely 60" (probably more like 62", but the tape measure didn't go past 60") and they are now 54". My bra size before surgery was a 44B, it is now a 40C and I am using the middle row of hooks. I'm in a size 20 pant and XL shirt from Old Navy (straight sizes NOT plus sizes) which I have NEVER been in straight sizes...always "husky" or "plus" while growing up.
I feel good besides the fatigue from the underactive thyroid, but it is par for course. I really need to keep on top of my thyroid function and check it every 6 weeks. For some reason I thought it would stabailize after surgery, but it has not been stable for over 3 years (since the birth of my son), so I really need to pay more attention.
0 comments
These last 6 weeks have not been good. I only lost 9 pounds. My TSH level was 18 (my endocrinologist upped my Armour thyroid to 180 mg) I just started the new dosage so hopefully will start feeling better soon. I should have known something was off as I was exhausted all of the time and could never get warm. I attributed it to not using my c-pap machine and it being winter... Oh well, hopefully this will jumpstart my weightloss again.
My vitamin D was at 56 and my endocrinologist would like it at 85 so I am taking 3000 IU of vitamin D daily. My vitamin A is still low so I am still on vitamin A supplements. My protein is also low, so am focusing on eating better.
It was interesting that over the holidays I was able to eat some sugar (i.e. candy and pastries), but now, I have a HORRIBLE reaction to sugar (even fruit). I get a horrible stomach pain and get gassy. So I am avoiding all sugar now (which is not a bad thing, just sad).
I had been getting my heart rate up to 155 for a minute or two during exercise and it usually is at 135 to 140, but my surgeon said that I should shoot for 155 for the majority of exercising. I have been doing the elliptical for 40 minutes at a level 7 and burining around 430 calories. I think I am going to switch it up and start walking/jogging on a treadmill. My heart rate goes up quicker when I am running and I don't get much joint pain. I have a philosophy that the more you jiggle while you exercise, the more inches you lose, so I'm hoping to jiggle away the inches while jogging.
My waist is at it's smallest ever at 39". For years I could never get below 40 inches. My calfs are still large at 22", but significantly smaller than the 27" they were before surgery. I'm hoping to finally buy some boots next winter. My hips before surgery were barely 60" (probably more like 62", but the tape measure didn't go past 60") and they are now 54". My bra size before surgery was a 44B, it is now a 40C and I am using the middle row of hooks. I'm in a size 20 pant and XL shirt from Old Navy (straight sizes NOT plus sizes) which I have NEVER been in straight sizes...always "husky" or "plus" while growing up.
I feel good besides the fatigue from the underactive thyroid, but it is par for course. I really need to keep on top of my thyroid function and check it every 6 weeks. For some reason I thought it would stabailize after surgery, but it has not been stable for over 3 years (since the birth of my son), so I really need to pay more attention.
History
Apr 17, 2009
I starte my WLS journey in 2007 in Utah. Because of the insurance I had, approval was denied. Shortly afterward, I moved to CT. I decided to go with the UMass weight center because I worked at UMass Memorial. I went to their mandatory orientation meeting in May 2008. I saw the psychologist in September. The nutritionist in October. Went to their behavioral and nutritional classes to the tune of $350 out-of-pocket in January 2009 (it had been scheduled in December, but because of work obligations, had to post-pone to January). In the meantime I got a new job at UConn, so therefore had to travel an hour from home to my appoinments in Worcester. I gained 14 pounds from my first intake in October to January 6th, my first class meeting. My thyroid had been off and my endocrinologist had to increase my synthroid dosage and he said my weight gain was attributed to my sluggish thyroid. UMass's policy is that you MUST weigh less than your starting weight BEFORE you can see a surgeon. Well, I didn't so I had to go back to an incompetent nutritionist. From January 6th until February 26th, I was on SlimFast replacement for 2 meals in order to try to lose the 14 pounds I had gained. In those 6 weeks, I lost 9 pounds. I went to the nutritionist frustrated that my surgery date would be pushed back even further. I asked her if she could advocate for me (I had my endo call Dr. Gitkind and Dr. Gitkind refused to budge on the "rule"). She said no. She told me she would schedule a psych appointment for me and that I should keep drinking SlimFast until I saw the psych (another 6 week wait). I lost it at that point and started balling in her office. She showed no compassion. This was after the first nutritionist had told me that I was not eating enough and that I had to eat 3 meals a day with 2 snacks (which I had been doing prior to the SlimFast). Very mixed information.
At that point I decided that I did not want to be treated like cattle and researched other WLS doctors. I met with Dr. Valin's office. They were kind enought, but the drive was over an hour away from my house. I never considered Hartford, because I thought there was only one WLS there and I had heard horrible things about him. With further research I found Dr. Raftopolous! (sigh of relief) What a WONDERFUL surgeon.
I went to his mandatory orientation meeting at the end of March 2009. Saw the actual surgeon (unheard of at UMass), on APRIL 15th--less than a month to wait for an appointment!!! Spoke with him and he said since my insurance has no diet restrictions, I could have surgery next month!!! What a sound for sore ears!!!
I start my liquid diet in preparation for surgery on Monday, April 20, 2009. I will be on it for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
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At that point I decided that I did not want to be treated like cattle and researched other WLS doctors. I met with Dr. Valin's office. They were kind enought, but the drive was over an hour away from my house. I never considered Hartford, because I thought there was only one WLS there and I had heard horrible things about him. With further research I found Dr. Raftopolous! (sigh of relief) What a WONDERFUL surgeon.
I went to his mandatory orientation meeting at the end of March 2009. Saw the actual surgeon (unheard of at UMass), on APRIL 15th--less than a month to wait for an appointment!!! Spoke with him and he said since my insurance has no diet restrictions, I could have surgery next month!!! What a sound for sore ears!!!
I start my liquid diet in preparation for surgery on Monday, April 20, 2009. I will be on it for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery.
