lindam116
51.5 pounds gone...
Jun 23, 2008
Ten weeks and 51.5 lbs gone since I began this journey in March. It seems so hard to believe. I'm feeling good and I know that this was the best decision that I've ever made for myself... as well as my family.
I wrote a few weeks ago about changes coming my way. They are coming faster than I really want them to but what's a girl to do? My husband is leaving the military. He'll be living in Florida with me by the end of the year. He first has to get his ankle healed and a medical clearance from the military. That will take several months to accomplish. I'm happy, excited, scared, reluctant, and so many more feelings that I can't even find words for. My married life (at least the living together part) will finally begin after two years. I know there are going to be growing pains. But we'll make it. I'm going back to my career as a diagnostic medical sonographer (ultrasound). I left for a few years ago due to burn out. However, with the changes, I realize that the extra money will be nice to have. So, I'll be out job hunting again soon. I'm a little sad because I love my job with the city government. No stress, great hours but with the price of food and gas going up every week, it is time for a change in my bank account.
So, a little bit of stress but it will be all worth it when my husband finally gets here. Until then, I'll keep on keeping on.
9 weeks out and a wonderful "wow" moment
Jun 17, 2008
I'm 9 weeks out from surgery and I've lost 36 lbs and 49 lbs down since I began this journey. I have more energy than I sometimes know what to do with. I feel like the energizer bunny. I keep going... and going... and going. It was hard to stay on my schedule being in NY but I did it. My wow moment came when I was cuddling in bed with my honey. His arms fit so well around me now. No straining to get his arms around me. Just one arm overlapping the other. It felt so great.
I'm doing better with my water intake. That definitely was a challenge in the beginning but it all seems to be falling into place. I still find that I'm not hungry. I'm thankful for that. I hope it stays that way for a long time.
So now that I'm home and hopefully getting back in to my routine, I hope to stop by and say hello to everyone soon. I hope everyone has a great day!!!
7+ weeks...
Jun 05, 2008
And I'm going to need that extra energy. I flew to NY last weekend to take care of my hubby. He did a fantastic job with breaking his ankle. If you are going to break it, he did it the best way possible. If you are reading this Erik, I'm just kidding. Anyway, I spent the weekend making sure that he had groceries, medicine, errands taken care of, etc. I cooked and froze meals for him. Got the laundry done and came home. I got back about midnight Sunday night and went to work on Monday. My son and I are flying back to NY tomorrow afternoon and staying for 10 days. My husband will be having surgery next week so I'm happy that we'll be there for him. Honestly, I don't think that 3 months ago I could have done everything that I did last weekend without being completely wiped out. Funny thing is, I got it all done and still had energy left. That has been my "wow" moment for the week.
As far as eating goes, I'm doing okay except my body doesn't seem to like chicken this week. I've tried it on three different occasions and I've gotten sick all three times. I'm going to stick with fish for a little bit then try again. Learning to eat after surgery has been challenging. However, I'll keep on trying.
I'll check in with everyone when I can throughout the next week. Have a great weekend.
6+ Weeks out
May 28, 2008
On with some more upbeat news. I have lost 30 lbs since my surgery 6 weeks ago. I am feeling so good lately. I have more energy than I've had in a long time. I can work all day, pick my son up from school and sit in traffic, then cook dinner and out the door for a 3 mile walk without even stopping to think about it. It's a great feeling. I'm doing better about getting my water in and I've had no problem at all with the protein during the past few weeks. All in all, my recovery is coming along wonderfully.
I'm off to get ready to head to the airport. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Take care and God bless.
Changes coming my way...
May 22, 2008
It's funny how quickly life changes and how fast we can adapt to those modifications. There are major changes coming in my life and at first I thought they were going to be negative. However, I'm starting to realize that things can only get better. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we may not know the reasons at the time but our job is to accept what may come our way and make the best of it. Everything else will work out just the way it should. I'll write more about all of this as things progress. Everything is still so new to me so I'm not even sure where to begin with my feelings.
Monday is Memorial Day. It is a day to remember and commemorate the U.S. men and women who have died serving our country in the military. Please take a moment to say a prayer for all who have given everything and to remember those that are serving all over the world to defend our country and freedom. And to my husband, Staff Sergeant Erik Mooneyhan, United States Air Force, I am so very proud of you. Thank you for all the sacrifices that you make.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend. Stay safe.
5 weeks out and finally tube free!!!
May 19, 2008
I had my 5 week check up yesterday. I am down 25 lbs since surgery. I've also lost 21.25 inches. That feels so good. I'm really starting to notice my clothes getting bigger and I'm putting things on that I outgrew months ago. I'm so happy that I made this decision to get healthier. I feel better than I have in a long time.
I attended our monthly support group meeting last night. What an inspiration to see people at so many different stages. There were people there hoping for and learning about surgery. Many that are still in their "honeymoon" stage. Some that are years out. I gain strength and knowledge from everyone there. I also got to meet a few people that I have connected with through Obesity Help. It's great to finally meet someone that you've been corresponding with via email. Sometimes, I wish that we had more meetings but I'm happy that I've joined this great group of "losers".
Life keeps getting better. Every day is better than the one before. So that's about all.... keep on keeping on everyone!!!
One month post-op
May 14, 2008
I've lost 24 lbs since surgery day. That amazes me. I have 5 days until the g-tube comes out. That will be a happy day. I started on soft foods on Monday. That has been an experience. I have found that my pouch was not happy with a scrambled egg. It went down... it came back up. I'll try again a little later. I'm completely in awe at how much restriction I have. I was only able to eat 2 oz. of fish the other day for dinner. At this rate, I'll be munching on my take out dinner for a week. I love it. It feels good to be able to say... "I'm full" after only a few bites. It does however bring on the challenge to get my protein in. So, I'm still doing the protein shakes until I get this all figured out.
My husband was down for a long weekend. It was great to have him here with me. He went with me on walks. We cooked together. Spent time with both of our families for Mother's day. Had a quiet evening for just the two of us. It was wonderful. As always, it was sad to see him go but I'm keeping my head up.
That's about all that is going on in my world. I hope everyone is doing well. I'll be checking on you over the weekend. Until then... peace, love, and happiness.
3 Weeks Post op
May 04, 2008
I've lost 18 lbs in three weeks and 10.5 inches. I'm excited about that. It seems that my body is trying to hold on to every pound of fat that it has but that's okay. When in the past have I lost 18 lbs in 3 weeks knowing that I was going to keep it off? Never. So, needless to say I'm excited.
I'm also happy because my hubby is coming into to town this weekend. We'll have 3 days together before he has to go back to New York. I'm looking forward to just cuddling and having some alone time. Even though he was here for my surgery, I can't say that there was a lot of cuddling because of the operation. So I'm ready for some good lovin' !!!
All in all I'm doing good. I wish I had more to write and something more to ponder but I just don't. Take care everyone.
2 weeks post op
Apr 28, 2008
I was two weeks post op yesterday and down 15 lbs. I haven't done my measurements but I feel like I've lost lots of inches. I'm feeling good but I can definitely tell when I've overdone things. So I just take it easy the next day and get to feeling better.
I am finding it hard to get all my water in. It seems like all I do is sip, sip, sip. I've finally decided that doing a protein shake with added protein powder is the best way for me to get my 60 grams of protein in a day. I usually do that in the morning and then it is done. I really have no appetite so I do try to get something else in for lunch and dinner but if I can't get it down, I don't really worry about it because of got the important stuff in. I've gotten on routine with the vitamins and supplements. I never thought I would be one of those people that had a pill box full of tablets but guess what?... I am. I'm okay with it. It means that I'm keeping myself healthy and that, after all, is why I started on this journey.
I hope to make it by to catch up with everyone and say hello over the weekend. Until then... keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart!!!
Finally feeling good....
Apr 22, 2008
Well, I'm officially 9 days post op and I'm feeling so much better. It's been an adventure so far but I'm looking forward to all that comes my way.
I went to see Kevin at Dr. Jawad's office on Monday to have my staples taken out. I was all worried about that but it was nothing. Just little pinches on a few of them. He talked the entire time he was doing it and *poof* it was done. They were starting to itch which I guess is a sign of healing so honestly, I was glad to get them out. I had lost 10 lbs in a week. I was happy with that. I know that as I heal and get up and moving more that the weight will come off.
I went back to work yesterday. I have a desk job so I thought I could handle it. It was a little rough. I had a hard time sitting because of the g-tube. But I made it though the day. I went for a walk in the evening so all in all I was pretty proud of myself. However, with my routine change yesterday, I seemed to have a hard time getting my protein and water in. It wasn't a good day for that but I've vowed to make today better.
One trick that I found that worked for me last night with my g-tube is that if I put a heating pad on the area of the tube it helps to take away some of the pain. I did this last night before I went to bed and I don't feel as sore this morning. It was easier to take a shower, get in the car, sit here at work. So hopefully, it's only going to get better from here on out.
It's interesting that as I talk to others here on OH.com, I find that so many Doctors do things in many different ways. For example, my physician puts a g-tube in that stays in until about 5-6 weeks post op. It is to avoid rupturing the staple line as well as helping get additional nutrition and water if I can't get enough by mouth. Most physicians don't do this. My Doctor requires a leak test before you can leave the hospital but others don't require one at all. I'll be on a liquid diet until 4 weeks post op while others start soft foods at 2 weeks post op. I find it intriguing to see the different ways but hopefully the best part is we all come out with the same results... a healthier life.
I'd better get back to work. I'll be playing catch up for at least a week. Have a great day everyone!!
