dirks34

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Well its been almost 2 years since my surgery...23 months to be exact. Still maintaining and doing well. Went for my annual check up. All my labs were except for my hemoglobin. Other factors may play into this as I'm experiencing pre menopausal symptons as well. Lots of life changes at work and at home. New staff at work and my husband is has been gone for almost 3 months for training 12 hours away but all is good. He will be home in a week and it has brought us closer together so change can be good too. I did have some more cramping but narrowed it down to the type of coffee I was drinking so that was a relief knowing it wasen't something serious. I'm trying to be proactive and do what I can to correct an issues before they come up. Everyone has been pleased with my progress and I am loving my stomach since my panni. Hopefully long term health complications won't be a factor as they always plays on my mind.

I take my calcium citrate and prenatal everyday as well as B12, vitamin D and vitamin C. I'm strick about not drinking after I eat for at least 30 minutes. I'm always striving for healthy choices and getting enough protein. I'm comfortable in a size 11/12 although I've been known to fit a 9/10 depending on the brand of clothing. It feels wonderful to be able to hike and be active in many activities I could not before. I strive to be active for 60 minutes a day but more often than not I do more. Overall I'm very glad I had the surgery but I always worried about future complications. I need to remember that I am way better health than if I had done nothing. Not much I can do now anyways...it's done and I can only move forward.

Well my weight has stabilized around the 170lb mark. I'd like to lose another 15 lbs but not sure when that will happen. I'm happy so far with the results but still find it a challenge with my after work and dinner snacking. Overall my food choices are healthy but I tend to over indulge a bit too much. I find my pouch can handle a lot more in the last half a year.  Since I exercise the weight has not crept back on thankfully. I keep a close watch on it and adjust accordingly. Its great having the skin gone from my stomach.  

My husband is on the no sugar kick and we are trying to tone by building up to run a 5 km.  I've started sit ups again since my surgery. It sure is nice to go into any store and be able to buy clothes. I'm either a large or a size 12. I can get into a 10 but it is tight. I will continue to strive towards that size comfortably.

I have had some anxiety. It comes over me totally out of the blue. If I have a physical symptom, I tend to panic. I keep telling myself everything is fine and can talk myself through it. I tend to worry too much and the fear that complications may set in grip me with fear sometimes.  I have lots of great support but am thinking of going to a therapist if I feel the need down the road.

I still have little things moments as I like to call them. I'll see my self in the mirror or my shadow and do a double look. My brain hasn't quite adjusted to my new look and its such a joy to see myself sometimes. I used to dread it.

Just got my second drain tube taken out today. Everything is healing nicely and I am very happy with the results. I posted a after/before pic 5 days after surgery. Its one of my pics. It is so nice to have the extra skin gone. Looking forward to getting back into my routine of walking and exercising.

Well I got home yesterday from my panni surgery. Everything went awesome and I am feeling great. Only stayed one day in hospital. So far the pain is really minimal and I am moving around very easy. I have a binder on which is kinda like a girdle. It gives it support. I have 2 drains which will stay in for 2 weeks. I am very pleased with the results so far but  there is some swelling. Home care is following up with me in regards to care.

I have to keep pinching myself that its done and everything looks great. I will post before and after pics after things heal up a bit.

Well my panni surgery date is sooner than I thought. It will be March 17th. So excited to get the skin removed. Expect to be in hospital for 2 days and off work for a month.

Well I am 16 months post op now. Been very busy with appts and our anniversary getaway. My before and after picture was featured on HLN a couple weeks ago....I posted a photo. It was kinda exciting to see it on national TV.

I have my panni consult last wednesday with Dr. DeGara. He seemed knowledgable and nice. It will just be one incision and 2 drains put it. I should be in the hospital for 2 days and off work for a month. He's booking sugery for 3 to 6 months down the road. Hopefully I can be feeling good by summer. I am so looking forward to getting the extra skin taken off. My arms are not bad at all....just a little hanging skin on half of the arm. I can live with that.

I'm still excersing daily...usually 3, 30 minutes intervals works for me. Half hour before work....half hour at lunch and half hour after work or in the evening. It works for me. Will post after my panni surgery.

I've been negligent in posting anything. Not much has happened with my weight loss. We were away for a week to Punta Cana the first week of December so we were busy

with that and upcoming Christmas planning. My weight has stabilized around the 170 lb mark although I've gotten as low as 168 lbs. Its hard to eat well while on vacation.

I did gain 2 lbs while away but lost it quickly when I got home. I've been eating extra chocolate and small treats with all the Christmas food. I still exercise daily  and have 

started interval straining. I use the elliptical for this every morning and do one minute normally and one minute fast. I try to change it a bit to challenge myself.

I can honesty say I enjoy working out every day and it has helped toned my body nicely. I may not have dropped too many pounds lately but definitely dropped inches.  

I will still continue to work towards being 154 lbs. I know one day I will get there. This has been a great tool and I work hard to being healthy. My final goal is to get rid of the excess skin.

Hopefully after my consult, I won't have to wait long for the actual surgery.  Will update after that appt.

Merry Christmas and Have a great New Year everyone.

Well I made it to 1 year post op...woo hoo. Didn't quite make my goal of 164.5 lbs but almost. My check up last Thursday in Edmonton went great and I think everyone including Dr. Karmali was very pleased. The dietitian said I have lost 89% of my excess body fat. My goal still is to get to 154 lbs so I have a normal BMI.  I will get there but I'm not too concerned when.

 I have a panni consult with Dr. DeGara in February 2014. I am so looking forward to getting that done.

After my appt we drove down to Calgary to see family. Was able to do some shopping. Its so nice to be able to buy 11/12 pants and large shirts. I did have some cramping a couple of weeks ago but I think it was constipation. The doctor ordered a ct scan just to rule out Diverticulitis.

My husband and family have been a big support so I am very fortunate. Off to the Dominican for a wedding in a month and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the new me and all my hard work.

Well I made it through thanksgiving and didn't gain anything....lost a couple of ozs. Whewww. I can get into my size 11/12 pants too.

My waist is 34.5 inches. Still looking forward to having the skin removed asap. I know my goal is 165 pounds but now I'm thinking

I would like to have a normal BMI which means I would need to get to 150 lbs. It may not happen till after my skin removal but it

gives me something to work towards and I'm a goal oriented person. I can't wait to go skiing this winter. The last few times I skied my knees hurt so bad it was not fun. That was about 5 years ago. My goal treat is to have a ski weekend.