Blogs

Approval and surgery date

I got my approval letter yesterday and a call this morning telling me my surgery is on Monday! I'm so happy! The fight was worth it. Thankfully I never got off my pre-op diet and was ready.

September 27, 2017

Approval and surgery date

I got my approval letter yesterday and a call this morning telling me my surgery is on Monday! I'm so happy! The fight was worth it. Thankfully I never got off my pre-op diet and was ready.

September 27, 2017

8 WEEKS OUT TODAY - FIRST SICKNESS

Morning Morning Bariatric World, Well I am 8 Weeks out today from my VSG on 07/17/2017. I'm down to 258.2 from my high of 315. Don't have a clue what my day of surgery weight was since I missed that somehow, but was around 286 I think. I'm feeling very good physical wise. Starting to notice some skin on my upper arms and definitely on my tummy. Needing to up my exercise with some weights now. Other than that I'm doing very good. Eating well. No more than 1/2 cup 4 - 5 times a day. But Oh man - did I mess up Yesterday. I had waited a bit too long to eat since i was running around so much. We stopped and got a rotisserie chicken since it was getting so late. I was shaking so I knew I was needing to eat something. I ate too fast and too much since I didn't take the time to weight or measure my food. first up - i do note throw up - just never could well. Usually had to be pretty bad for me too. Last time I did was in 2003 when I got the stomach flu while pregnant - not cool. But I was able to last night. It took some work but I finally did. (I had to make myself) It felt like food was stuck up into my chest. Like it was all back up. Hurt to move, to talk, to even breath. I will so never do that again. I'm feeling good today and started off with just a simple shake this morning. Doing well Lesson learned - -I keep handies in my purse now like the fantatic "Think turkey" on this site. Thanksgiving flavor is the bomb. But other than that just going day to day, week to week. About all there is after you get to this point. I'll probably get on here every few weeks or if something different happens. Hope everyone is doing wonderful pre or post-op. Many blessing to you all on your Weight Loss Journeys. LaTeR gAtErS

I'm ready to start living........

September 11, 2017

UpDate on where I'm.....

Hello all I thought I would come on and give everyone an up date on where I am in my weight loss journey. I have had some up and downs happen in my life there for I was not able to eat like I need to. But I am back on track and I just see my doctor and dietitian and I'm HAPPY to say I'm down 4LBS!!! I'm happy about that but they had to add somethings to my check list that I understand why but still bums me out. I have to get my heart check and oked for surgery. So know I have three things let on my check list 1- loss the weight they want me to loss 2- Get my heart checked and cleaned from a Cardiologist 3-Get cleaned from my sleep doctor because of my sleepapna. I'm hoping I can do this all by Nov 2017-Jan 2018. so I can have my surgery by the beginning of Next year 2018 and start the year fresh. well that's all for now..... Take care and remember everything happens in GODS time and all things are possible through god! (See Philippians 4:13 my late Grandpa lived my that....)

barb87

September 9, 2017

All thing happen for a reason

I did it!!! I'm sleeved my surgery.

I had my surgery Wednesday I was scheduled for 1:00 pm but patient issues pushed me to 6:00 pm when they finally wheeled me away. I had 5 extra hours of am I really doing this to think about. Sitting outside my operating room listening to my anesthesiologist promise hes my guardian angel. (I really think he was.) It hit me, I am doing this for me 11 months of work no way I'm backing out now so I put on my brave face and with a little liquid brave from my angel I was drifting asleep. I woke up groggy at 9:00 pm the rest of the night I just wanted sleep. I felt feeling pretty good, my nurses were dolls and my pain was totally bearable. I had asked my surgeon if I could leave by Thursday at 1:00 pm to make it to my daughters surgery. He was willing to let me go if all the tests fell into place....Then I with my per-counted chickens had an issue Thursday my drain tube completely filled up with blood, they would empty it and an hour later it would be full again. So I got an extra day in the hospital I would get sharp pains when I would get up to use the bathroom my doctor was very reassuring just making sure I'm fine and no reason to panic. Were going to watch it ''he said'' so we did witch brings us to today. Everything I thought I would need in the hospital I didn't need at all. I needed rest and sleep and water. My daughter watched the six blood draws in 24 hours and the countless bags of fluid be emptied, and asked me if I would do it again answer: Hell yes the pain the blood work was minor. I have been home now for 5 hours in bed and I couldn't resist the scale with my all liquid diet. Day of surgery 214 now 208

Nycole 81

September 9, 2017

Change is Good

Pleasantly Surprised - Warning...Positive Blog Entry !!

I'm about a month post op now, when I think of how far I've come just in this month I am happy. Before the surgery, I had thought of every negative thing that I'm sure everyone does...I had a ton of people telling me horror stories, mostly family members. I even had some of them telling me these things immediately post op after I had come through the worst of it. I shut it down and didn't let it get to me. I'm at the age where any kind of surgery is fairly scary. My main thought was, "Will I wake up?". I even said that to my surgeon who chuckled and reassured me everything would be just fine. I woke up after the surgery in horrible pain, I kept breathing through it and then I had to remind myself, "Girl you are not in labor, tell them you're hurting and get some of those pain meds!". They took care of my pain and wheeled me to my room after recovery. I got up and walked to the bathroom, walked to my bed and faced having to take that first sip of water. It felt weird, it tasted terrible but I did it. I did it because I knew it would make my recovery go smoother and I would be less likely to feel nauseous. The next morning I went home to face the dreaded clear liquid diet, and I got through that. To be honest, I wasn't hungry so it wasn't a problem. Then on to full liquid, yucky protein shakes tasted ok, but that lentil soup I whipped into a thin liquid tasted like heaven to me and I savored every sip. Then on to pureed and now soft foods and still I savor every single bite. Food tastes so good to me now, I don't really know why. I used to eat pizza, slather everything with butter. Now I eat healthy7 and nothing that I shouldn't and it tastes wonderful. So happy and counting my blessings on that. Pre-op I had worried so much about giving all that up and also the tiny portions I would have to eat. I had forgotten that my point of reference was my normal sized stomach, not thinking that my stomach would be tiny and those tiny portions would be just perfect for me. I'm finding out, my perceptions are just out of whack and have been most of my life. I am having very good luck with my surgery, I think part of that is following the program that I am supposed to be on. I feel blessed that I was able to have the opportunity to have the surgery, many of the health issues I had are already going away and for me that is the most important thing in my life. I look forward to my new life of health and well being.

TJnWA

September 6, 2017

this process is horrible

I don't know how to talk to anybody on here. most times I write anything it gets ignored. Other than being an voyeur I don't think this site is very good. My VSG was scheduled 9/8/2017, I got a call from the hospital telling me that my surgery hasn't been approved yet, haven't heard anything from my surgeons office telling me anything. SO I called my insurance and was told my surgery was denied. I'm devastated. I know I can appeal, but they said it can take 30 to 60 days to do that and I shouldn't plan on surgery next week. I'd told my co-workers, bought all my post-op food, scheduled the time off. scheduled my Mom to come stay with me, started my pre-op diet and have been working for months for this. I've had to openly admit and talk about the worst thing about myself for months now, thinking it's going to be worth it. everything is going to be fine. IT'S NOT OK AND I'M NOT OK.

Diary of a Shrinking Working Woman

September 1, 2017

Packing on the Pounds as a Working Professional

My weight has been the one thing I can't really control in life. I come from a long line of tall, big-boned giants in my family. (Seriously, my dad is a non-athlete and needed a knee replacement the size of a football player's.) I am 5'9 and have always had long legs and curves, even at my highest weight. I developed earlier than other girls when I was in my teens, and owned a size 12 (Between 165-185 lbs) until my sophomore year in college. I've always loved my body and felt that it was beautiful even if I was more voluptuous than other girls in school. During college I ate more. I discovered that beer and wine were good. (You know, before you realized they contained boat loads of empty calories?) My sleep patterns changed and the stress of tests, papers and social life added up-- and so did the pounds. By the time I graduated I was larger (Size 18-20, 240-260 lbs) but still had my curves. Dieting became more of a priority now, but the dieting almost made it worse. I would lose weight, regain. Cut carbs, try intuitive eating, then go to a doctor, go to the gym and try to get on a new plan, try the South Beach Diet, Eat Vegetarian... you get it? Right? I felt like my energy was sucked up with trying to lose the pounds and it was discouraging thinking about it. I worked hard at my career while still trying to work out and eat less carbs. I was supervised by a doctor, personal trainer and nutritionist-- but somehow I just couldn't stop the lose and regain cycle I had started. Every time I stepped on the scale, I was more than 20 lbs heavier than the last time. I wore nice clothes to the office, but as my weight creeped higher and higher-- my heels got lower and lower-- because my sitting and walking posture were losing strength. I felt my muscles weaken and it was weird for me. (By this time, I was about 300-320 lbs.) I added more time in the gym to help keep me active and to prevent myself from becoming completely glued to my office chair or in meetings. I gave up alcohol and only drank water.For a year and a half before my wedding, I worked out 4-5 days a week (cardio and strength). My diet was balanced, (whole grain, lean meats, vegetables, occasional treats) but between working out, going to work 40-55 hours a week-- I ate way more when I came home. Not out of stress, but because I felt HUNGRY. No fast foods, no crazy fried foods-- just balanced meals choices... but HUGE portions. I ended up losing 5 pounds in a year and a half for my wedding. Then gaining 15 while on my honeymoon-- my highest weight. (376 lbs.) So let's fast forward to today: I am a successful profession in marketing. I have some competitive skills and work well with others. I am able to look people in the eye with the same confidence I have always had. I love myself, and I love my life. I just want to be a winner of my own health, too. I am working out in the gym still, eating a balanced diet, now reducing my portions and I weighed in today at 358 lbs. I am currently at a size high 24 and low 26. I still wear heels to work, but low ones. I am at a point where I can walk up and down stairs, quickly through hallways and to my car with a bit of a heavy breath-- but still doable. My chair is snugger than I would like it to be, but it works. I pass on the endless parade of employee birthday cakes, but still participate in the celebrations. My struggle now is trying to control the urge to eat at night and keep my calories in check. It's hard. It's hard not to be tired after work. It's hard to be as focused on my duties, be a leader and ensure I take care of my body with the proper nutrients and exercise it needs. I have some aches that I didn't have before. My lower back gets tight and my joints crack more. This is a new development and one of the reasons I am moving forward with the VSG surgery. Working out IS HARDER at this weight, and it still feels like I am not getting anywhere. However, I am staying positive no matter what. I have decided that I am going to take control and apply this tool (the VSG, is a tool-- not a cure-all) to my gym routine and eat like my nutritionist instructs. Protein, small amounts, stay away from those starchy carbs. I only drink water and iced coffee with a little light cream in the morning. I am already learning to love my scale and thinking of it as a unit of measurement. (The same way I would measure success at work.) I can still be my big-boned, tall self at work-- I just need some help and taking these next steps will help me do that. Anyone else struggle with the weight and work? (In the office or at home?) I'd love to hear about it. I will continue to write more. The good, the bad and the UGLY It's here we can all share these experiences and learn from each other.

Carb Kitty

August 31, 2017

Diary of a Shrinking Working Woman

Packing on the Pounds as a Working Professional

My weight has been the one thing I can't really control in life. I come from a long line of tall, big-boned giants in my family. (Seriously, my dad is a non-athlete and needed a knee replacement the size of a football player's.) I am 5'9 and have always had long legs and curves, even at my highest weight. I developed earlier than other girls when I was in my teens, and owned a size 12 (Between 165-185 lbs) until my sophomore year in college. I've always loved my body and felt that it was beautiful even if I was more voluptuous than other girls in school. During college I ate more. I discovered that beer and wine were good. (You know, before you realized they contained boat loads of empty calories?) My sleep patterns changed and the stress of tests, papers and social life added up-- and so did the pounds. By the time I graduated I was larger (Size 18-20, 240-260 lbs) but still had my curves. Dieting became more of a priority now, but the dieting almost made it worse. I would lose weight, regain. Cut carbs, try intuitive eating, then go to a doctor, go to the gym and try to get on a new plan, try the South Beach Diet, Eat Vegetarian... you get it? Right? I felt like my energy was sucked up with trying to lose the pounds and it was discouraging thinking about it. I worked hard at my career while still trying to work out and eat less carbs. I was supervised by a doctor, personal trainer and nutritionist-- but somehow I just couldn't stop the lose and regain cycle I had started. Every time I stepped on the scale, I was more than 20 lbs heavier than the last time. I wore nice clothes to the office, but as my weight creeped higher and higher-- my heels got lower and lower-- because my sitting and walking posture were losing strength. I felt my muscles weaken and it was weird for me. (By this time, I was about 300-320 lbs.) I added more time in the gym to help keep me active and to prevent myself from becoming completely glued to my office chair or in meetings. I gave up alcohol and only drank water.For a year and a half before my wedding, I worked out 4-5 days a week (cardio and strength). My diet was balanced, (whole grain, lean meats, vegetables, occasional treats) but between working out, going to work 40-55 hours a week-- I ate way more when I came home. Not out of stress, but because I felt HUNGRY. No fast foods, no crazy fried foods-- just balanced meals choices... but HUGE portions. I ended up losing 5 pounds in a year and a half for my wedding. Then gaining 15 while on my honeymoon-- my highest weight. (376 lbs.) So let's fast forward to today: I am a successful professional in marketing. I have competitive skills and work well with others. I am able to look people in the eye with the same confidence I have always had. I love myself, and I love my life. I just want to be a winner of my own health, too. I am working out in the gym still, eating a balanced diet, now reducing my portions and I weighed in today at 358 lbs. I am currently at a size high 24 and low 26. I still wear heels to work, but low ones. I am at a point where I can walk up and down stairs, quickly through hallways and to my car with a bit of a heavy breath-- but still doable. My chair is snugger than I would like it to be, but it works. I pass on the endless parade of employee birthday cakes, but still participate in the celebrations. My struggle now is trying to control the urge to eat at night and keep my calories in check. It's hard. It's hard not to be tired after work. It's hard to be as focused on my duties, be a leader and ensure I take care of my body with the proper nutrients and exercise it needs. I have some aches that I didn't have before. My lower back gets tight and my joints crack more. This is a new development and one of the reasons I am moving forward with the VSG surgery. Working out IS HARDER at this weight, and it still feels like I am not getting anywhere. However, I am staying positive no matter what. I have decided that I am going to take control and apply this tool (the VSG, is a tool-- not a cure-all) to my gym routine and eat like my nutritionist instructs. Protein, small amounts, stay away from those starchy carbs. I only drink water and iced coffee with a little light cream in the morning. I am already learning to love my scale and thinking of it as a unit of measurement. (The same way I would measure success at work.) I can still be my big-boned, tall self at work-- I just need some help and taking these next steps will help me do that. Anyone else struggle with the weight and work? (In the office or at home?) I'd love to hear about it. I will continue to write more. The good, the bad and the UGLY It's here we can all share these experiences and learn from each other.

Carb Kitty

August 31, 2017

Me vs scale

Harvey

Surgery on Tuesday.22 Aug17. Weather looks stormy for the weekend. Thursday. Well now we have a hurricane and all my "support "has either evacuated or is too busy for me. Thank goodness my mates are in same home. They have tended to me like champs. Shots, G2, pop sickles, med reminders and anything else I have needed. Thank u C3 and Joe

paucod

August 27, 2017

My 5 year journey

5 years ago I got a lap band and I failed. I kept the weight off, but stopped losing after about 3 months. I would still diet here and there, usually a halfhearted new years resolution and took a few pounds off and then after a few months stopped and put them right back on. 2 years ago I was admitted to the hospital with severe abdominal pain, like debilitating abdominal pain. After 24 hours of constant testing and 3 pelvic exams I was diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst. The pain was intense and it stopped me from doing anything I enjoyed because inevitably it would rupture and I'd end up back in the ER. So I stopped being active and the cyst stopped rupturing, win, win, right? Wrong... it was growing, growing to the size of an orange. I went in for my annual exam in May of last year and my Dr. was shocked at how big it was. She sent me to get a CT scan and ultrasound we did that every 4 weeks watching it keep growing. At this point, September she did an OVA1 test, to check for ovarian cancer markers. It was positive and I got sent off to an Oncologist. There I continued to get CT scans and ultrasounds, CA125 tests.. The cyst was still growing, the screens were positive. In the middle of this my band slipped and that sent me once again to the ER, my esophagus was in spasms, I had GERD and couldn't keep anything down. I had to get all the fluid removed from my band. I was depressed and had to accept the real possibility that my life as I knew it was over. My Oncologist scheduled me for a full hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, partial colectomy and an abdomen scraping. I was miserable, depressed , really just ready to give up. On February 1, 2017 I went in for surgery not knowing what I would wake up to. I woke up in the recovery room, unable to feel my hands with a nurse scraping blood off of my face. I reached down to see if I was still all there, to see my oncologist standing at my feet with a beaming smile on her face. She told me that my biopsy was negative and she only removed the right ovary and fallopian tube. I didn't have cancer, I was not in instant menopause! I was going to live!! I physically healed within a month and then I realized that I needed to mentally heal as well. I found a therapist and started seeing her once a week. I faced my reality and decided that not only did I want to live again, I wanted to be the best me I could be. I made an appointment with the surgeon that did my band to see what my options were. He said that for my age and weight he thought I should do the sleeve. I said no, I made that mistake before, I'm going in all or none this time. He talked to me for over an hour about the sleeve and told me to go home and think about it. I went home and started to research and came to the conclusion that he was right. I went back in and we made a plan, I would get the Lap band removed and he would preform the sleeve operation at the same time. I had to go through all the insurance requirements again and I'm glad I did. I'm still seeing my therapist, have left my husband (not getting into that here, but it was a very good thing) and have a new self awareness that I never had before. I'm scheduled for surgery on 9/8/2017. I haven't gotten insurance approval yet, I'm still concerned about that. But I have started my pre-op diet and gotten everything lined up for my post-op. I have been much more open about what's going on, I have told, friends, family and co-workers. I'm excited! I'm ready to live my best life.

August 22, 2017

FIVE WEEKS POST- OP - IT'S MOVING AGAIN

Well the scaled moved some today. yay I'm five weeks post op today and I did my Monday weigh in and it's on 267.0 finally away from the 270. But like I had mentioned before, I was still shrinking because I could tell by my belt. I could tell by my belt. I never got to measure last week. seems my tape measure did a hoodie and can't locate it. But I'm good. Not letting stalls or anything get to me. I feel much better and that is all that matters. My goals are to up my working out. I walk a mile 5 times a day, but would like to see about doing more cardio. I see doc tomorrow for follow up and see what he says. I do still have incision pain on my largest incision. So not sure what I'm allowed to do. I am still trying to get the eating down too. I know I'm not suppose to snack, but to do just three meals a day doesn't get my protein in. I do like five mini meals. All good stuff like diced chicken, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese stick, protein soups from this site ( so yummy), etc. It works for me. My big excitement beside the eclipse everyone is going bonkers over today here at work is, my husband and I are going to Gatlinburg here in TN in Oct. for my 45th birthday/ 23rd Anniversary. So excited. This will be a different trip since we usually focused a lot of our trips on FOOD and places to eat. I'm not a big shopper so trying to figure out the best way to enjoy a NON - FOOD focused trip. Well hope everyone is doing well in Bariatric Land. Blessing to you all, Later Gaters

Welcome to my journey toward being able to walk again!

August 21, 2017

7 week PS followup

Had my 7 week PS followup on Monday! Dr is very pleased the boobies are healing nicely. No incisions opened up which is great! However my left nipple still has not popped out yet. Was told to keep massaging it, which I will do. Told I could finally wear a regular bra. However we did discussed the fact that I bought the B cup bra in the style I use to wear and am smaller than that B cup bra. Yet, my friend gave me her padded B cup bra and the cup part fits over my boobies nicely. The padding comes out. The Dr and I discussed sewing those paddings into my B cup bra as I need the back and sides higher which is my bra style. I do sew so I was pleased to hear to go ahead and do that for now. Good News! The Dr wants me back on Sept 11th for the next consultation for PS which will be my arms. I was hoping for my tummy but I still have about 27 pounds before I get to goal. The Dr felt that the arms were ready to be worked on and the extra 27 I have to lose wouldn't really affect the arms as much as the tummy. Plus I have a hernia so he needs to coordinate with another surgeon for the hernia repair and tummy surgery at the same time This will be done next year. I am able to go back to swimming and can go to the gym if I wish to do so. I have been walking with my walker and also my cane and have been riding my bike. I am feeling great and have so much more confidence and am becoming more involved in life. I am looking forward to finding out about the arm lift and how long of a recovery period I will need. I don't know if getting the arm lift will help with my ability to walk better but I do know it will help with the types of blouses I will be able to wear. No more long sleeves!

ssflbelle

August 16, 2017

FOUR WEEKS POST-OP TODAY - STILL STALLING

Four weeks today I did something that was to change me for the rest of my life. I had the Gastric Sleeve done at Centennial Hospital with Dr. Dyer on 07/17/2017. My highest weight was 315. I as of today weight 270.0. i never got my Day of Surgery weight, but I think it was 286. I have been on a roller coaster stall for a couple weeks now. I've read this is common but it can still be frustrating, especially since I'm only four weeks out and already hitting one. It seemed to happen when I changed stages and the problems with Constipation started. I was worried also about changing stages a little early may of caused the stall. I did stage one, good. But I did stage two like a week and then moved to pureed stage 3 early. I was getting so nausea's on the shakes. So I added the pureed stuff a little early. I'll admit I'm not good at pureeing the foods. I just chew chew chew till it's pureed in my mouth or eat already soft stuff like eggs, cottage cheese and yogurt. No problems with anything yet, well still no jello and anything strong mint, like toothpaste.... it makes me nausea. Not sure why. But doing good with everything else. I'm still under 500 cal a day. I'm going to start my food journal this week as well as measurements. I was told this can help see any bad trends I might need to nip in the butt and make sure it truly is under 500. Its so hard when labels state 1 cup 200 cal, but you only eat 3 T. Hard to calculate. Still have trouble with the Anal Fissure. Fibers and stool Softener help, but like I had mentioned. Normal stool even for me is not fun. Going to have to go to a specialist and have this looked into more. Really don't want to go through another surgery right now. Not cool - nope nope. Any others who stalled early on? Love to hear your advice. Hope everyone is doing well in Bariatric Land. I'll let y'all know how the week goes. I have my follow up next week so can't wait for that. Lots of questions. Later Gaters

VSG 032717: The Search for my Waist

August 14, 2017

Waist sighted! Boobs remain! Booty bringing the pirates to the dock!

Has it surprised you in any way where the weight comes off of you first? I'm not completely sure what I was expecting, but having no children, and being able to feel that most of my stomach fat was on top of the muscle, I had a reasonable hope that my relatively small waist was still under there somewhere. What I wasn't expecting is for all the weight to start literally falling off my stomach and upper thighs quite like it did without touching my booty (hurrah!) So this rambling post is all leading up to one thing: a celebratory jump for joy that my waist is now 35" and heading down, putting me in the healthy waist range again for the first time in years. I went from 52-49-56, which blew my mind and made me want to cry when I saw it two and a half years ago to 45-35-46 now. 7 inches off my chest, most of them from my back I and under arms, and an acceptable amount from my boobs, which still look boob-shaped and lifted* My back isn't as "melty/bulgey" as it was before, and my ribs visibly go "in" under the bra, rather than my breasts sitting on top of my stomach. I do have more issues with slipping out of the bottom of my bra a little if the band isn't tight enough. 10 inches off my hips, whichever came mostly off the lower stomach area and saddlebags. My booty has always been muscular, and only lost a thin layer of fat, which my wife says just defined the muscles already there more. Losing fat along my back also re-revealed the top curve of my butt, which is nice. I feel cute in dresses again, but I've gone back to looking a little weird in floaty clothes, which is boo because I do like floaty Stevie Nicks Witchy Hippie Goth looks. I don't measure my thighs, but they have definitely gone down. My legs are more symmetrical, and the wife swears she can see muscle in the back through the cellulite. Which is never going away, i know, but I'm okay with that. I've made my peace. Then the big hurrah. I lost fourteen inches off of my waist. Some of it is from the stomach, some from the back, some from the flanks, so everyone chipped in, but I did not in my wildest dreams expect to recover my waist so quickly. I got married in a custom Victorian corset two years ago when my waist was almost at maximum size, and my corset maker, bless her, made the corset for tight lacing, getting me down somewhere around forty twoish at the wedding with more room to pull tight. I thought I'd never be able to wear the corset again, but I tried it on yesterday, and it just barely fits. The laces close all the way, and it just gently shapes my hips a bit and holds my waist in that particular corset shape, but it still fit, it was soooo comfortable, and it looked even better than it did on my wedding day. I should get a picture of that. Maybe the whole outfit, which was steampunk and had the corset on top, so that should hold it together. On the down side, when I was rushing to get dressed, I grabbed an old favorite retro dress that my wife wore to our ring ceremony (hers was a size smaller than mine, and mine was very tight at the time), pulled it over my head without unzipping, and looked down at what should have been a cute skull and roses dress, but was only shapeless skull and roses fabric gaping over my bra. I'm still debating whether to have it tailored in or make pillows. What changes and discoveries about your weight loss patterns and changing shape have taken you most by surprise or lit you up with celebratory joy? * This was a huge worry for me, as I'd had breast reduction in 2013, and while I'd be happy with smaller boobs, I really didn't want to go back to flat, shapeless boobs, which run in the family. Just not enough strong connective tissue in our lineage, plus that weird stretchy Celtic skin. Whew. I suspect I dodged it, because the surgeon removed as much non-glandular tissue as he could while trying to preserve nerves and glands, so that's may have left me with relatively de-fatted boobs, in case anyone was considering a breast reduction BEFORE gastric surgery. I was 42J+ at my most extreme, 38E at surgery, and now 36DD or DDD, possibly 34.. I haven't gone bra shopping in a while.

HeatherS.

August 13, 2017

Welcome to my journey toward being able to walk again!

6 weeks after PS went back to work

Went back to work this past Tuesday and Thursday 6, weeks after PS. The staff was so happy to see me and stated I looked good. This was the first of four excess skin removal surgeries, so it will be a long process. My breasts were made smaller for the ME I will become, so right now they are not in proportion to the rest of my body. I didn't even fit into the B cup bra that the Dr told me I would be wearing. I spent the weekend looking for bra enchancers to put fill out the B cups. Even though they adhere to the inside bra side I do not feel comfortable with them in. However I do look better. I only work 2 days per week so during the other days I will not be wearing them. A few weeks before I returned to work I was out walking with my walker each day. I only used the electric mobility device to shop. Last week I walked into the WLS office with just my cane. He was so impressed. He figured it out that I have lost 89% of my excess weight. I am only about 27 pounds from goal and I told him I would have 100% gone by Jan 26 2018, 2 years after my 3 procedure surgery. When I went back to work on Tuesday I was able to use my cane several times while in the building to take short walks. Still used my electric mobility device for the longer walks as we have a huge building. The staff was surprised to see me using my cane. After work on Tuesday used the walker to go to Bingo and again on Wednesday to go to Michigan Rummy. Had to use the scooter on Thursday as I was all over the building. Come Friday I was extremely tired and rested most of the day. However for the PS I had being back to work a week earlier than expected, I think I did pretty good. I go back tot he PS this Monday for my 7 week followup. We will be discussing a few things I am seeing that I am not real happy with, but I am sure he will tell me things will get even better when the next PS is done. I just have to keep it in my mind that my body is still in the transition stage and the final outcome of what my body shape may not take place until late 2018. I am not a 497 pounder on a 500 pound limit electric scooter anymore. In fact the Vocational Rehab Department is in the process of trying to get me a smaller scooter as I the one I currently have is very old, and difficult to load into the van because it is too big and I don't need that big of one now. I shall continue to use my walker but will try walking more with just my cane, so by the time my next PS is over with I may not need the scooter any more. Some day soon I can say I am walking without any aids and I DID IT! Please continue to read my blog and celebrate that day with me when it happens.

ssflbelle

August 12, 2017

Heidi's Journey to Weight Loss

Heidi's Story

So, I have decided that before my 40th Birthday there are a few things I would like to do, one of which I have registered to complete on October 21, 2017 and that is a 5K walk. I am currently 10 weeks post-op and with my surgeon and PCP's blessing I was given the okay to start training for that event. I have turn over a completely new way of living and that is for the better. Do not get me wrong I still have some bumps in this journey but I will not allow for those bumps to define me. I will continue to keep you all posted on my journey and wish nothing but the best for each and everyone of you.

heidianderson

August 10, 2017

THREE WEEKS POST-OP TODAY- FIRST STALL

YEP only three weeks post - op and I had my first stall. I lost . pounds instead of pounds. With one day of gain. Not much but a little. I started last Monday at 271.8 and today I'm at 271.0. Now I've read enough on here that this is very common. I changed stages this week from clear liquids to full liquids. And that stalls are common with Stage Changes. I'm not freighting. I'm getting my two premier shakes in a day and plenty of water. I did - bad me - have a bite of scrambled eggs a couple times this last weekend. I have 13 Hens and well the eggs are really building up. I made the Family eggs both Morning this last weekend and just took a bite each day. It didn't hurt my tummy or anything. But was very nice. I've heard some people are on food food by the third week, so I feel I'm doing very well for three weeks out and still on liquid. Any hoo just wanted to say if you go through a stall, don't freak. It's common and will pass. I'll let you know how this next week goes. OH! And I had another issue with the stage change. I totally had a brain fart about the constipation. OMG - I started the first Protein shakes on Saturday 28th and forgot to start the fiber and stool softener with them. I did't go till Tuesday and it was HELL. I suffer from Anal Fissures. They seems so much better. No pain with the current bowel movements (since they were mostly water due to the clear diet) But that was NOT cool. I don't try to give TMI but we are all in this together and I wanted you to understand it happens. And Bad. After two enemas and very painful - not pushing but pushing... I cleared it some. It took another bout of issues the next day. Of course the fissure is PISSED and back to feeling like passing glass, but the fiber and stool softener is finally all kicking in and hoping I can get all back to control. Please please don't forget to start at least a stool softener when you change to denser liquids and foods. I do both fiber I put in my water and two stool softener at bed time (without stimulant). BUT DO SPEAK TO YOUR OWN DOCTOR.. THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING OR NOT WANT YOU ON A CERTAIN THING. ****I must share this recipe - I made it as a trial for my future Bariatric Recipes and my family was the guinea pigs. They are used it. LOL PIZZA FOR SLEEVIES I used two cans chicken breast- drain REALLY well - (keystone all natural is best) - you can even put in oven and dry out a bit before mixing the rest. I didn't but it suggest this if you want. 3 eggs 2 oz Parmesan cheese - REAL STUFF - NOT POWDERY STUFF Mix all this and press into desired shape on parchment paper placed on baking sheet. I shaped into a square since I had it on a square cookie sheet. Bake at 500 for 10 minutes. Remove and add Toppings. I added just a little spaghetti sauce, turkey pepperoni and shredded cheese since this is what my kids like. Return to oven for 10 more minutes. Remove and let cool a little. Cut and enjoy. Everyone said it was great. Of course I could try since on Full liquids still, but will definitely give it a go in a few weeks. LATER GATERS