Rosa Valentin

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Well it's been 3 years!  I was on a wonderful journey, was doing great, then my brother passed away from the surgery.  It messed me up real bad.  Had to deal with quilt since I encouraged him to do the surgery and told him everything would be alright and it wasn't.  But, I've learned to let go of that guilt and to forgive myself.   Needless to say, between coping with trying to finish my BA, the loss of my brother and my very distressful work environment and other life issues, I've started gaining weight.  So, far this year since April 2010 I have gained 20 pounds!!  BOOHOO.  But I have made a promise to myself that for the new year I will get back on track for myself and for my brother since he would be upset to know that after what I went through for this surgery and after he died for it.... it would be a crime for me to regain.  So, I have brought the Protein shakes and will start a very high protein low carb diet for the new year.

I will restart my journey filled with hope and if for nothing else, then for my little brother who lost his life trying to find it.

Well, on December 27 I made a year and I'm at 170 pounds.  I'm actually at the point where I'm eating everything and nothing bothers me..... yicks..... this is very bad.......

On November 27th I lost my little brother after 11 days out of the surgery.....  I'm still in shock.... and depressed.....  I felt so much quilt since I encouraged him to have the survery.... and know this is not rational..... but my heart seems to think differently!

I really don't want to go into the details....yet... I know that we all go in knowing the possibilities.... he had many health issues... but none of it takes the pain away.  So, I've been eating out of depression... especially junk food.  At first I was down to 160 when it happened and gained back 10 pounds. 

I started going back to the gym and trying to watch myself but I'm having a hard time with the surgar cravings.. it's like I openned a can of worms, if you will!!!

That's all I can muster for now.

Good luck.

Rose

Wow, it still amazes me.  I'm losing ever so slowly but it's okay, as long as I lose.  At times I'll gain, but I'll start drinking more water and cutting my calories and that usually kicks up my metobolism again.  I'm at 168 pounds, so only lost 7 pounds  but I TAKE IT!!!

Some of the issues I currently have are hair loss.  Yes, 3 months to the day I started losing my hair, even taking 5,000 gms of Biotin.  But I know this too shall pass.

I also have a lot of gas issues and am looking for other solutions because gas-x is not working for me.

I could eat everything..... which might be the reason for the slow weight loss. 

Then there is the issue of a little sagging... not a lot, but my inner thighs, breasts, and buttock have sagged.

All things considered, I have no regrets.  My hair will grow back, what's a little gas, and the sagging can be fixed with a snip here and there!

Sometimes, I pass a window or mirror and don't recognize myself and am trying to get used to the male attention I'm getting.  It feels weird.  But, it makes me realize how bias this society is against fat people.  We literally become invisible to 80% of the population.

I wish I had done this earlier in my thirties, but better late than never!!!

My mom did the surgery in March and even though she had a lot of complications she is thrilled.  Yesterday she brought a size 14 pants and they fit her perfectly...... her expression and happiness....priceless!

Wow, how time moves so quickly!  My journey is going very slowly and I'm concerned because I could eat basically everything, but I'm still losing.  On July 4th I was at 175 pounds but have been in a rout and have gained back 5 pounds!  boo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But, I'm having menstrual issues that might be the problem.

I have been going to the gym but not as much as I would like.  Need to bring down my calories in order to be more successful.  This journey is not an easy one, it's still not the miracle cure for obesity, but it's the closest thing to it.  One still has to be mindful of what is eaten and to stay away from things that got one fat to begin with.  Some folkes are lucky because they get sick from eating anything sweet, me... I could eat everything.  Whether this is good or bad, remains to be seen........

I'll keep you posted!

God Bless and don't be afraid of the Journey!  Be afraid of not starting one!

I am now officially 3 months post-up and weighing 196!  I have had a series of unfortunate events, like I finally started exercising and I threw my hip out!!!  Now I have to take cartizone and walk with a cane!!!!  I swear I feel like an old 100 year old lady!!!  But, it's all good, this too shall pass.  As for me, I've been doing really well.  I have not been sick since that last episode, but again, it was due to gas.  I basically eat a lot of fish, tuna,, salmon and veggies and crackers.  My blood works indicated that my D levels are very low so must up the Vit D intake.  I still do have trouble with getting in all  this water.    it's insane.....  but, I'm very happy and regret not doing it sooner!

Hope your journey is as smooth and uneventual as mine!  God has surely blessed me!

Wow,  today I got my reminder that I am officially 2 months from WLS!!  Double wow!  Has it been easy?  Not really, some days are better then others, but overall no regrets.  Physically I have been blessed since I have only purged once and only a few times have had a horrible feeling in my tummy.  In my head, that's different.... I miss having my occasional drink with friends, so it's like, I don't even want to go anywhere..... Hey, I'm no alcoholic but I do enjoy an occassional spirit lift!   But I will wait to try.  

My normal menu looks something like this:

Breakfast:  Muscle Milk (absolutely love it) or Slimfast high protein or GNC  whey protein & Coffee in the a.m.  Once in a while I'll have eggs (scrampled w/cheese or fried with crackers, but mostly stick to protein drinks)
Lunch:         Protein (Chicken, Tuna, and salmon)
                      I still stick to a little potatoe, or yuca (casava) or crackers
Dinner:         Same as lunch
Evening:      Sugar Free Popiscles or Fudgcicles

No Pork, salads, alcohol (;-) or broccolli  yet.

Since I went back to work I've been walking as my only means of excercise but will start going back to Bally's soon!  

I started the journey at 247 post-op, by the time of surgery I was 236 and now I'm at 208 size 16, for a total lost of  39 pounds.  At first I was like that  all???  I am a slow loser and that's fine with me!!

Wow, 5 weeks!  I have done surprisely well.  I'm a slow loser, only 20 pounds in 5 weeks, but that's okay, as long as I'm on the losing side!!!

So far I've only experienced 2 painful moments - once when I swolled a piece to big and that was very painful and then I waited to long to eat and I didn't drink liquids and when I finally ate I took 2 spoons and that was it, dizzy painful and nauseas.  I also threw up once and that was a weird experience.  I'm learning that I need to keep drinking and eat at least every 4 hours or else my pouch can't handle food...if it happens that I wait to long then I'm better off with soups or protein shakes.  

I'm also still a little tired but everyday I get better and I walk everyday.  I go back to work next week, plus school started again this week, so I know I will be exhausted next week and the following.  But with God's blessing I will get stronger everyday!

Oh yea,  my menu - Stage 1 - I followed the liquid and smooth foods per doc suggestions - Oatmeal, cream of wheat, sugar free jello, suger free popsicles, mashed potatoes, Yogurt, lots of soups and broth.  Stage 2 - Lots of Fish - Tuna, salmon, fish, mashed potatoes, steam carrots and mixed vegetables plus the same as stage 1.  Now, I'm on regular foods, but must focus, per my doc, on WATER!  PROTEINS! & VITAMINS!

Well, until the next time!

Wow, today is January 1, 2008!  I have entered the new year as new me.  Okay, so a little banged up from the surgery, but this year is filled with possibilities.  A new place, School, WLS, and by next year a homeowner in my beautiful Puerto Rico.  This year I turn 45 and made the decision that things in my life needed changing.  If you walk around unhappy, you must find your happiness, it surely won't come knocking on the door on it's own.  God said, help yourself and I will help you!  So, my goals are:

1.  WLS - Done
2.  Move - Done
3.  Buy my house in Puerto Rico - with my Dad - Soon!
4.  Complete my degree - in progress
5.  Change jobs - waiting to be more markable with that degree!

So, it's not just about losing weight, this is about gaining a life!