Kim2Xtreme

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7 Months out now and down just about 75lbs, 35.5 Inches Gone! 10 lbs left to get under 200, I can't wait for that.  I already weigh less then I have in 16 years, which really still leaves me in disbelief.  I have nearly no clothes, I cleaned out my closets and dresser and now I have minimal clothing, which makes getting dressed difficult, because what I have is already getting big.  I don't want to buy too much, as my doctor seems to think 30 - 40 more pounds is likely, so I don't want to buy too many things if they won't fit eventually.  It is hard to go shopping for clothes, you have to take multiple of the same item, because you have no idea what size might fit.  That is not a bad thing, it is a good thing, but when you are used to looking for the biggest size they have, it is definately an adjustment to think a "regular" size might fit, and when it does, it is even more shocking. 

I have lost the weight of both my kids, PLUS 12 lbs, that really puts it into prospective, every day it was like carrying both of them, all day long, and a bag of sugar, I have no idea how I did it and was still able to walk for a mile and a half with all that weight every day.  Crazy.  Now I can physically jog the distance, though my knee is giving out, the weight isn't the problem anymore for exercise, the knee is.  Will have to look into an elliptical instead of the treadmill. 

Went to my primary care physician the other day, all my blood work is normal, cholesterol and into the excellent range, that is great.  I only took one medication before surgery, Prevacid, haven't taken that for 5 months.  I have never vomitted, never had dumping (but I don't eat more then 5 grams of sugar at a time), I never had a problem getting in the protein that I need or the water.  It is the first time in my life I have been able to lose weight without feeling hungry or deprived.  It is a wonderful thing, and the best part, you know, this is it, forever, for life, no worries that "I might fall of the wagon and the weight will creep back on", as long as you stay eating healthy, and keeping your portions under control, which is a breeze because you can only eat so much, this is a forever fix.  How freeing that is. 

My primary care doctor asked me "are you happy you had the surgery" - YES - I am happy that even if I never lost another pound, right now I can live a normal life, go someplace that requires LOTs of walking, sit in any chair without worrying "Is it sturdy enough" "Will I fit?", not be embarassed to be seen in public, sit at a booth in a restaruant - with ease, and so much more....  of course I am happy, and yes I would do it again.

Over 60 lbs lost, finally, at the half-way point to what I would like to lose.  I am a slow loser, but that is ok.  As long as the weight continues to come off, I am happy.  For the first time, I have lost more then I have left to lose. 

I feel great, and that is the most important thing.  I had been walking about 1.4 miles but now I started running/walking, I run for so many steps, then walk for the same amount and then run, etc.  I never thought I would ever be able to run, and actually enjoy it!  It seems to have kicked my weight loss into gear again, so I am happy for that. 

The only thing I would wish is for more pre-education as far as weight loss.  If you watch the TV shows about Gastric Bybass, or listen to the stories in group, 90% of what you hear is the fast losers, "I lost 40 lbs the first month".  It is what you expect, and it may be that your body is not going to react that way, and it would just be nice to hear about the ones that lose it slow, so you don't give up, you keep hope, you keep on track and on target. 

I had to go buy some clothes, luckily, I still had some clothes from when I was this weight 10 years ago, as I don't want to buy too many, I don't plan on staying at this weight.  The good news was I was able to fit into the smallest sizes at the "plus sizes" stores.  Next time I need to get clothes, I am guessing I will be at the "regular" section and that will be a big adjustment to go to shop in the regular sizes.  It is something I look forward to adjusting to. 

Finally, the scale is moving again, heading to 50 lbs.  I can't believe it.  I can see it the most in my face.  It is funny though, only two people I work with know I had the surgery and they comment about the changes, but other then them, and my family, only ONE person I work with has mentioned anything about weight loss.  Maybe people see it, aren't sure, and don't want to be embarrased to say, "have you lost weight?" and you might say "no".  I don't know, I just find it odd.  I am wearing clothes I haven't worn for years, you would think people would at least notice the new (old) clothes. 

I bought a pair of pants yesterday, didn't try them on, they are a smaller size and I thought, well, if they are too tight, I can wear them eventually.  I got home, tried them on, they are to BIG!  I never thought they would be too big, so that was a nice surprise. 

I'm the turtle. . .   I hear the biggest weight loss is supposed to be in the first few months following surgery.  I can certainly hope that the pace of the weight loss depends on your activity level prior to surgery and eating habits prior to surgery, that is all I can attribute my SLOW weight loss in the first few months to.  I was already very active prior to surgery and was on a high protein, mostly liquid diet, due to gallbladder problems.  My metabolism is probably so bad, that at this point, my body thinks "I'm Starving".  It probably is, but the fat has to go, so onward and upward, slowly but surely, I march on.

I have lost 38 lbs since surgery (10/28).  I am happy with that, but I know it doesn't compare to those that have lost that much in a month or two months.  I guess I am just a slow loser.  Basically, I go for 10 or more days with little to no weight loss, then I have a week were I will lose 5 - 7 lbs, doing nothing different.  It is odd.  The other odd thing, the more I exercise, the more my weight remains unchanged.  But, for example, this past week, I have been working long hours and not had time to get my exercise in, I lost 5 lbs this week with no exercise.  It is odd. 

I get in all the water, all the protein, and am following the eating program exactly.  I guess everyone is different, and I can only hope that I will continue to lose 10 lbs a month for the next 10 months, since I didn't have a big loss, maybe I will just have a long slow loss, and that is really ok with me, maybe it will mean less skin issues.

On a positive note, no dumping, but I haven't eaten anything that would cause it.  No vomitting - I really make a big effort to listen to when my body says "full". 

I am wearing clothes I haven't worn for years, I have more energy, I feel so much better, my walking is getting faster, farther and easier.  It really is "all good".  I am happy when I look in the mirror and see the changes.  I no longer take medication for GERD and am so thankful it is so easy to follow the eating plan, because so little food is now so satisfying, it is no longer in control of my life, I am in control of it. 

If you are reading this and you are a "turtle" too, contact me, we can share ideas, what is working, what isn't, etc, and most important, we can encourage each other to stay strong, and to know this extra weight will come off, it has no choice now, it is just fighting it to the end!

Happy 2009!  It is going to be a good year!

Finally, 22 November, nearly four weeks out, and my body must be adjusted now, because the weight loss is kicking in.  Thank goodness.  I was afraid I would be a failure at weight loss surgery too!  I have lost 3.3 lbs in the past week, most being in the last few days, and I couldn't be happier.  I feel great, Things are looking up! 

Well, it has been a slow time since week one.  I came home from the hospital with a weight gain, lost that the next day, then for the next four days lost 7 lbs, then it was downhill after that.  This past week, I lost 1.2 lbs the entire week.  I have been strictly following my eating plan, getting in all the protein and all the water, and walking 1 mile per day.  It is hard when you expect with eating so little (or should I say "drinking"), you would lose, and you don't, and after years and years of trying and failing, you can't help but wonder, "Am I the 1 that this doesn't work for?"  I know the body is adjusting and it has been through a great change, and you have to stick with your goal and your course of action, I am not hungry, and I don't want to "cheat", so that is a good thing.  On a positive note, I think I may be moving in the right direction, because the weight I have lost this week is all in the past three days, so my body is hopefully getting used to things now and the weight is starting to come off.    Let's hope it keeps up.

Things are still going good and I feel good, that is half the battle!  No pain, no issues with eating or drinking.  More importantly, no hunger!

I'm home from Surgery!  I had RNY 28 October, with gallbladder removed.  Returned home on 30 October.  Today is my first full day at home.  It feels good to be home, showered and in my own place.  It is hard to get the required amount of liquid, really have to watch and monitor it, to ensure I keep on top of it.  Have managed two 4 ounce servings of skim milk with a scoop of protein powder and two teaspons of diet instant breakfast mixed in.  That gave me a boost.  I have seven incisions, all have 2 - 3 staples.  I am sore, but no pain, haven't taken any pain medication since leaving the hospital.  I feel better today then yesterday and expect to feel better still tomorrow.  It is a new journey, and this journey has only just begun. 

I have a surgery date, 28 October 2008.  I can't believe it, it seems surreal.  Less then a week away, wow.  I feel like I have so much preparation to do.  I really thought the whole process would take much longer from tests, to insurance approval, etc., and here I am approved, scheduled and ready to go.  Whoo Whoo!!  I am nervous and excited.  The butterflies are going crazy in my soon to be smaller stomach!