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So.... two years out and still doing well.  I've put on a bit of weight (up four pounds) but have resolved to get serious and get it off again.  I've gotten lazy and stopped working out every day, and it shows..... unfortunately.  Exercise has to be part of life going forward....

I had my two year follow up at Guelph General last week - Audrey said that some of their patients aren't doing the follow up for various reasons.  I'd encourage people to do the follow up - its the only way to track long term progress for the clinics.

I had a follow up with the sleep clinic to check on the sleep apnea diagnosis - it has also resolved itself which is wonderful.  My face had changed so much that the CPAP machine mask didn't fit anymore so I was glad to get rid of it all together.

Diabetes is still in remission, although my A1C has gone up - I'll admit that I've been eating stuff that I shouldn't......  a couple of vacations along with fruity drinks certainly don't help.  Still, I'm off all meds except for my athsma puffer which is incredible......I still don't have much tolerance for alcohol - one glass of wine hits me like four used to.

What else????   I'm considering a tummy tuck with some lipo to get rid of the loose skin.... had a couple of consultations, and am not eligible for OHIP to pay for the surgery.  At $9000 plus six weeks off work, it is a decision that I'll have to think long and hard about.  I met with Dr. Nadagopal (Scarborough) and Dr. Assad (Burlington) - they recommended different surgery techniques, so again a decision that I'll have to make - fleur de lis or one incision along the bottom of my stomach.  I also have very loose skin on my thighs but they can't do that surgery at the same time......  My stomach bothers me more so I think it would be first if I do it at all.....

I am still very glad that I had the bariatric surgery - I feel so much better now it is hard to describe.

Hi
Haven't posted in a while but had a follow up with my endocrinologist yesterday who doesn't want to see me anymore.  I reached the surgeon's goal weight a while ago, which means I'm down 80 lbs and am "normal" bmi.  My A1c is normal as was my fasting blood sugar, which was great news.  I still have a fear of the diabetes returning - the doctor said that there was a 5 to 10% chance of that happening if I'm not able to maintain my weight at this level so it gives me alot of incentive to do so.

I'm at a size 12 on bottom - size 14 on top - have gone through a whole pile of clothes during this journey which started at a size 20 - or 2X.  I seem to have settled in at this size, so am finally able to justify buying new, and not at value village or goodwill.  Sent another load of larger clothes off to charity this morning - its funny but it is getting easier to get rid of the stuff that doesn't fit instead of hanging on to it just in case.

My hair is coming back in little wisps - challenging to find a haircut so that it doesn't look too weird.  I'm sure that I'm the only one that sees them, mainly around my forehead.  Other than the hair loss I've been fortunate in that I haven't had many side effects.  I still have to be careful to eat slowly, or else it all comes back up and one real challenge is to not eat and drink at the same time - its easy at home, but more of a challenge if I"m away from home, as there is always water on the table, and I forget sometimes and drink while eating, which doesn't work all that well! 

The endocrinologist asked me if I"m glad I had the surgery.  Heck yes!  It has been a life changing experience in many ways but I"m so glad I did it.

Actually its a little more than six months, but I thought I should post.  I saw Dr. Reed for my six months check up and he seemed pleased with my progress.  The weight loss has slowed significantly but I'm still losing inches so I'm happy.  I am eating more - still not much, but I had my first steak in over six months yesterday - or at least a very small part of a filet mignon and it was delicious.  Hair loss has stopped and little teeny bits of hair are starting to grow back.

Dr. Reed said that it was time to add in more varied excercise - up till now I was only supposed to walk or swim.  Needless to say, there is lots of loose skin, so hopefully with more exercise it will tighten up.  If not, he said to wait for 18 months from my surgery date for plastic surgery.  We'll see.  At least it gives me lots of time to save up!

Loss to date is 72 lbs.  Although I would love to be in a size 10 - I'm happy with where I am right now..... still off all of the diabetes meds, my blood sugars are normal and I'm definitely thinner.  People who only knew me when I was overweight don't recognize me until I open my mouth.  All in all very good results

Merry Christmas!

Just got back from vacation - week long cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday with a few days post cruise in Orlando.  I didn't expect to lose weight while I was gone, and wasn't surprised to see the scale hadn't moved, although was happy that at least it hadn't gone up, as I ate more than I'm used to while we were away. 

However, the ship was huge so we walked alot to get around and we walked alot while ashore.  When we got back I put on my size 16 jeans that mostly fit before I left - and they are baggy.  While I was gone, I wore some size 14 clothes - and today, went to Old Navy as they had a 30% off sale thinking I'd get some new size 14 jeans.  The 14's were too big so ended up with a size 12.  I overheard the salesgirl tell someone else that their jeans are "generous", but seeing as I used to have a hard time squeezing the flubber into a size 18W - I'm thrilled! 

The hair loss has slowed considerably, so turning 50 doesn't suck all of a sudden.....!

Just got back from a week in London with my sister.  It was challenging to find stuff to eat so I pushed it - got away with it sometimes, sometimes made a mad rush to the bathroom to part with whatever I ate.  We walked lots so I didn't feel too bad about the choices, and was pleased to find that I'd still lost a pound despite all of the crap that I ate, and the bit of alcohol that i tried. 

Pleased to see the photos of our trip - I hadn't really seen the changes in the mirror but can in these pictures - I now have cheekbones again!  English clothing is sized very strangely, but was able to find a couple of things to buy, which was fun. 

It'll be interesting to see how long it takes to get back on track.  Today is Thanksgiving, so not the day to deprive myself.  Had a bit of turkey and a bit of stuffing and a bit of gravy.  Surprised that it went down and stayed down!   Very thankful that this journey has gone so well, so far.

So, according to the BMI I'm only overweight, not obese.  Wow!  I've lost around 58 lbs though I seem to be on a bit of a stall this week.  I'm doing okay with the eating and getting in the water and the vitamines - although I'm starting to cheat a bit so will have to get back on track. Of course it is nothing like prior to the surgery when I'd eat a whole bag of cookies versus just one or two.  Still, I can see that it is a slippery slope!    I'm getting pretty sick of chicken and fish and cheese - can't wait to be able to eat salad again and red meats.  I'm feeling pretty good other wise.  I discovered gummy vitamins which are definitely easier to get down than the large pills that stick in my pouch.  Every now and again, if I eat too fast up it comes again.  I've been lucky and haven't had too much problems with dumping.

Its thrilling to be able to buy "normal" size clothing again - I'm a size 16 again which I used to be ashamed of...... however after the 18s and 20W's etc this is great.  I've given away tons of my plus size clothes because I just don't want them around. I've spent alot on new clothes that probably won't fit for long......Value Village has been great, so I've donated some to them, others to people who can use them.   I still have winter jackets to go, but it seems too early to do something till the snow flies.

The hair loss is still driving me crazy.  I'm thinking of cutting it really short but am concerned that I will then have bald or thinning spots as it really seems to have thinned around my face.  The hair comes out every time I shower, or comb or brush it, so I'm trying not to do any of that and unfortunately it looks like it.  I'm frustrated because I finally had grown it out to chin length - and will probably end up short again - need to look for a new look I guess.  At least my face is definitely thinner so I won't have so much of a moon face.....

A great milestone today.  I'm happy to get here - about halfway to my goal.  Dr. Reed and the clinic want me to get to 160 lbs but I'd like to get to 145 - they are "suggesting" that it is an unrealistic goal and that I likely won't get there..... we'll see. 

I hit Value Village in Timmins yesterday as I was there for business.  Left with some jeans, a skirt and three tops all for $32 - can't beat that, and I really don't want to spend alot on clothes that won't fit for long.  Still, I do need to get some winter/fall clothes as the ones I have don't fit anymore....

Still feeling great - no real side effects other than the hair loss.... which is still scary.

Well it happened this weekend.  My hair began falling out by the handfuls.    Even though I thought I was prepared, it was pretty alarming to find all of this loose hair in my hands in the shower, and in the sink and all over the counter after I dried it.  My hair is only chin length - but there still seems to be lots coming out!  Its taken a long time to get it this length so I'm going to try not to cut it shorter.  I only hope that there are no rogue bald spots that appear over time....... 

Even though I know that nothing is going to make it better but time, I bought the expensive "thinning hair" shampoo and conditioner from my hairdresser - it must have tea tree oil in it as it makes my scalp tingle.  No difference from my regular shampoo that I can see.  I can only hope that this phase doesn't last forever......... 

On the plus side I had my two month check up at Guelph and they seemed happy with my progress.  I'm down 47 lbs - I want to lose 100 overall and the nurse and nutritionist both warned that it may not be a realistic goal.  I thought getting down to a BMI of 25 was realistic...... I guess they'd be happy with me just being "overweight".  I guess time will tell.

I'm having intermittent problems with various foods - pasta doesn't sit very well, or bread.  It seems easier to just bring them up rather than fight the discomfort of waiting to see if it will go down.  Gross.  I need to learn to only eat, as its when I'm trying to do two things at once that i have problems......

So excited.  I was on a business trip this week - my first since my surgery which was a challenge.  Finding stuff to eat in Timmins when red meat is a no - no was interesting.  I finally went to a grocery store and bought some laughing cow cheese and some ryvitas and ate that for several days.  Nobody said that this would be easy!  Had problems with the foamies a couple of times - just have to slow down with eating so that it stays down. 

Being away for several days meant that i couldn't do my daily weigh in - so it was a nice surprise to come back and find out that I had passed the 200 lb mark by a couple of pounds.

The other WOW came when I was shopping with my sister and tried on some regular sized clothing.  The size 18 fit - as well as the XL shirt, so I'm thrilled to be able to be out of plus sized clothes!!!  That's one goal down, several more to go.....

Six weeks out.... eating solid food has certainly slowed the rate of weight loss down.  I'm down a bit, then up a bit..... seem to be obsessed by the scale these days.  Learning what I can and can't eat is interesting.  When I can't eat something it feels like it gets stuch - like someone is pushing on my breastbone - and about the only thing that gets it "unstuck" is to vomit. 

I wondered what the foamies were - and found out, unfortunately.  Oh well.  Seems like it is goodbye to pasta, and bread unless it is melba toast or rye krisps.  Sign!  I really miss bread!

The great news is that I'm down 40 lbs - over two months.  Very very close to wonderland, which will be a great milestone.  Down a couple of sizes from 18/20 to a 16 - and even the new clothes are getting loose.  Yay!

I'm using my treadmill as it is too hot to walk outdoors.  Trying to stick with the diet given to me by the Guelph clinic - when I deviate, thats when I have trouble!  Appetite is starting to reappear.....

that's it for now.