Doreykn

I attended a memorial for a friend this past Wednesday. It was a sad occasion, but really good to see old friends. Everyone I talked to told me how good I looked. It felt good to hear. None of those that I saw this week knew I had the surgery and I left it that way. Although I told one of my oldest friends as she just kept complimenting me. She said I looked like I did back in high school, what a compliment. I really felt good knowing that all my hard work is paying off. Yay for all the nsv's to come.

Well its been 6 & 1/2 month since my surgery and sunday i got on the scale and weighed 311 lbs. i weighed 442 back on Oct 2011. By the time i had my surgery March 5th i weighed 417lbs, So now i have lost 106 lbs since my surgery and 131lbs since Oct. Many more to go

Today I went to lunch with co workers for the first time since being sleeved. Its the first time eating in front of anyone besides family and close friends. We went to this swanky, high end place in a very pricey and exclusive part of town. (Think mid-west Beverly Hills type scene). Lots of noses in the air and foods with no prices next to them. I would have been more comfortable at Chili's
 
*sidebar* Last week we had a meeting at work with a taco bar and I was able to eat my half taco unnoticed. There were like 20 people in the room. THIS lunch, however, was very intimate. There were 7 of us at a table in this mood-lit room. I was being very quiet (which is SO not me) because 1- I was freeezing cold and 2- I knew what was coming. There were 2 people there whom I am sure do not know about my sleeve. Anyone who knows me, though, knows that I don't mind sharing. The other people who knew (one was my boss and one my best work friend and one who is getting R N Y) had told the secretary (who was at the table as well). Keeping up? That's 4. One of the 2 who did not know...I don't really like her so I had no interest in speaking to her at all...and the other (who sat right across from me) I don't really mind so much. BUT he is a loud, gaudy guy so...make your own inferences.
 
So...We all sit and ponder what to order. I noticed that there were many foods on the menu that I am allergic to AND that I just can't have yet (raw fruits and veggies). What happens? I was forced to order the most expensive menu item AND ask for a substitution! Now, my co workers all look at each other like "Uhm hum...HERE goes Mrs. Prisses...BOUGIE!" But I really had to order the best thing for my sleeve. It doesn't help that I am the only...ethnic one...at the table (of maybe 4 in the whole establishment). Mind you, I am not so bothered by this...I am very secure in myself and can hang with any crowd. Here comes the part that bothers me...
 
Everyone orders dessert first (none for me, thanks)...Then orders the meals. They SCARFED down their food...FAST! I mean these people didn't conversate between bits or anything. They ate like some starving Ethiopians! So...here's me with my filet and roasted asparagus with wild mushrooms...looking around like "Uhm...stop watching me eat!" And here is the guy across from me like "Oh you don't like your food?" Then the waitress "Oh, is there a problem?" and me again "No, its wonderful thank you." And I have to tell the guy all about my sleeve just to keep him from going on and on. Now...I didn't HAVE to tell him but I felt so awkward and icky...
 
What I did learn; 1- no pressure or situation will MAKE me over eat again (YAY)
2- nothing can embarrass me more than having attention drawn to BAD eating habits, so its fine to get looks and comments on "eating like a bird" (but weird because I am STILL fat so it just ends up looking precocious.)
3- Always order off the appetizer menu
4- Thank GOD for giving me the visual of what it looks like to eat like a wild animal...and that I will never do it again!
5- There are going to be many awkward moments, and that's okay. I am doing this for me...not ANYONE ELSE!

I have been in onederland for awhile now-well a few weeks-and my weight loss has slacked off, but I am still stoked about being under 200 pounds. I only weigh 10 pounds more than my hubby-WOW. I have only lost 10 pounds over the last month, but really that is more than I thought. I have reached the point where I can accept that stalls will happen and when they do, I quit weighing so I don't go berserk. I am in a size 12 snuggly and 14 loosely now and I am THRILLED about that. Still having issues accepting my body in the buff and am really challenging myself with strength training to rectify this. I still don't feel like I have reached my baseline strength level as far as gaining muscle mass back, and I drink protein drinks almost daily still. But I will get there. I didn't get this way in overnight! My hair has begun to really thin. I had a massive amount of hair to begin with so now it is just to the point where it is actually manageable, but i sure hope it slows down soon. I have doubled my protein powders and have added Biotin,and brush it more to stimulate the follicles, but it is still falling out. I think it is beginning to slow down, but we will see.
For the most part, overall, I am very satisfied and gratified with my surgery and I can't believe I have lost 68% of my desired weight loss already and it isn't even 4 whole months yet. WOW. I have learned I cannot eat flour tortillas or chicken strips or hot peppers or chewy bread...lol. I am sure there will be more things but these cause vomiting and pain. I am so glad I have taken this drastic step to getting my life back in control.

Found this site today while looking for the Good Morning America story on Weight Loss Surgery. There aren't many people in my area that I know that have had the sleeve done. Most at our support group have had the by-pass and a few have had the lap band. I am hoping to chronicle my journey here.
 
My surgery was 9/13/11 at 7:30 in the am. Sure was an early wake up that day. Once I received the Versed I don't remember anything until around 1 pm when my wonderful was sitting next to my bed. I drifted in and out for a number of hours but was able to get up in the early evening and start walking. The hardest part was getting in and out of bed. Having had surgery in the past I knew how important it was to get up and moving asap. I knew how to get out of bed with the least amount of pain so I was up and moving. The next morning I had the video fluoroscopic swallow study and was found to be leak free. Started drinking an ounce an hour of fluid. No nausea or vomiting - yeah! I must have been quite tuned into the hour restriction because I woke up all night on the hour to drink my fluids. The next day I was sent home.
 
I was out of work full time for 2 weeks and then returned to work part time for 2 weeks. I actually worked 69/80 hrs. I found I was exhausted each day but during the week my endurance improved. The 5th week I returned to work full time. Once again I found I was exhausted but improved as time went on. I am now almost 8 weeks out and still require more sleep. That may be that my CPAP isn't working as well with the weight loss. I am awakening with a dry mouth, the pressure is to high for my weight and I "puff" out air due to the pressure. I am not awakening refreshed as I was. The pulmonologist did send an order to reduce the pressure so I expect to sleep better next week.
 
My insurance required I participate in a weight loss program for 12 months prior to getting approval for surgery. I am 5' 4.5", I was 255.8 lbs. Over the course of a yr I was able to lose 25.8 lbs to a weight of 233.0 lbs. I had a 4 month plateau regardless of exercise and continuing to follow my diet. This was an effect I had experienced in the past with all the other options for weight loss I had attempted in 25 yrs. I started the liquid diet 3 weeks before my actual surgery even though it was only required for 2 weeks. My insurance didn't get the approval done in time so I continued on the liquids for the 3rd week. I dropped another 6.4 lbs over those 3 weeks. I really did expect more. 3 days after surgery, my 1st day home I weighed in at 223.6. What was this? I had surgery, basically had not eaten anything for 4 days and I was still almost as heavy? Figured it might be the IV fluids, swelling and inflammation from the surgery. The weight did start to come off, quickly at 1st then right into a plateau again. at 209 - 210 for a week. Since Oct 4th I have been dropping again. Today I was 197.6 after a 2 day stay away from home at a conference. I finally broke the 200 lb barrier on Oct 28th 6.5 weeks past surgery and 6 weeks after I restarted weighing after surgery, 24.8 lbs lost.
 
Now losing about 2 lbs a week. I have dropped from a size 24 pant to a size 18. Some of the 18s are still too tight but the 20s are to big. Will have to look to see if I have any clothing in smaller sizes. I have several bags that never got to the Goodwill. If I don't have any smaller clothes I will be shopping at Goodwill soon.