makemyownluck

So it's been about 4 1/2 months since my surgery. I'm down 112 lbs since November 2012. I haven't seen my surgeon since my 2 week follow up appointment. I say it's because he's all the way in Chicago (a 45m - 1 1/2h drive depending on the time of day) but I sure didn't have a problem making those pre-op appointments!!... in the winter... with the snow... So, I'll fess up here and say I haven't gone because I know I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel like for everything I do right, I'm going something wrong.
I'm getting in my Protein, but I'm also skipping my Vitamins A LOT. I just forget to take them. I don't know why this has started happening, I took so much stuff pre-op like clockwork and never had this problem. Post-op absent mindedness, perhaps? Anyway, while I haven't seen my surgeon, I have been getting my blood work with my more conveniently located PCP. I just had blood drawn yesterday, I'll see him on Tuesday and find out if I'm seriously deficient anywhere due to my lack of consistent Vitamin use...
Also, I'm getting exercise in the form of walking, but haven't been to my gym in at least 2 months. It might be more like 3 months... why? I have no idea. I'll go walk a trail for a couple miles, but I have no motivation to go lift weights. I've been seriously slacking on my workouts for a while. I'm not sure I ever got back on track after surgery, although I was getting it in when I was testing my limits while recovering. It just dropped off when summer really kicked in.
A big part of that is because I've been dating. A LOT. I've had more male affection in the past 2-3 months than I've had in my life for the past 5-6 years. It's been amazing, enlightening, exhausting, a little painful and overall lots of fun. I feel like I need to slow down and shift the focus back to myself. I like something about each of the few guys I'm seeing, but none of them is the full package or giving me that 'spark' that I want to feel with the person I'm with.
I know there are a lot of people who will want to criticize or judge me for dating, for slacking on my diet and exercise, for being a bit promiscuous. I know this because I find myself thinking harshly of my own actions and wonder why I'm doing it... right now I need to build my ego a little bit. These men are helping me feel like a woman again. I've been single for so long, I've forgotten how to date. I still find myself not knowing what to say to guys on dates. I feel like I have no good stories to tell because I've wasted my life feeling too fat to participate in anything. So now that I'm down to a size that lots of men find attractive - tho I still have over 100lbs to lose, there are plenty of very attractive men who like a plus size figure - it's been a lot of fun receiving all of this attention! Considering how long I went without, this barely covers what I've missed out on. My recovery from this surgery reinforced my will to live and be happy living, which has meant less time in the gym and more time with a man... but it's all exercise, right? I mean, if I'm so tired I can't walk right the next day, doesn't that count for something? AM I REVEALING TOO MUCH?? lol...
I share all of this because I want pre-op people to know how quickly life changes... it's something I honestly didn't consider much and really couldn't imagine how different it would be. I have never been confident when it comes to men, I've been single most of my adult life, so this is all such a 360 from where I was even 3-4 months ago. It's wonderful, it's exciting, it's DISTRACTING. I let myself get off track with all this excitement. I'm glad only a few months have passed and now that I'm checking myself, I'm going to get back on track. But just know how fragile the lifestyle changes are.. you have to stay present. Don't take your eye off the prize.. I'm sorry for the time I've lost to work on myself, but I also know I had a lot of fun and don't regret having those experiences, either. I can't beat myself up about it. I'm human. Just gonna change course and carry on!
I'm going to write a memoir of this time in my life. And I promise to start taking my Vitamins.

That's your fear trying to talk you out of it. It's the worst enemy we all have within ourselves (I think big people beat themselves up more than any other!) trying to convince us to give up on our dreams.
Don't listen to that.
You would not be scheduled for surgery if you didn't know this was the best thing for you. You just WOULD NOT be this far in the process.
You better flush those nasty cigarettes down the toilet before they tempt you again. And don't ever pick any up again. They will NEVER make you feel better about anything. Not ever!!
Don't be afraid of your future. The future is uncertain no matter which path you chose. But when you start losing those pounds, you're gonna feel SO GOOD. Your friends may treat you differently. I'm going through it with a fat friend of mine. She's starting to get a little dry with me and I think it's because I'm shifting into "smaller than her" territory. It happens. If my best friend can't support me right now - then she's NOT MY BEST FRIEND.
Change is always good. Anything you lose along the way will be replaced with something better. KNOW IT!

That's your fear trying to talk you out of it. It's the worst enemy we all have within ourselves (I think big people beat themselves up more than any other!) trying to convince us to give up on our dreams.
Don't listen to that.
You would not be scheduled for surgery if you didn't know this was the best thing for you. You just WOULD NOT be this far in the process.
You better flush those nasty cigarettes down the toilet before they tempt you again. And don't ever pick any up again. They will NEVER make you feel better about anything. Not ever!!
Don't be afraid of your future. The future is uncertain no matter which path you chose. But when you start losing those pounds, you're gonna feel SO GOOD. Your friends may treat you differently. I'm going through it with a fat friend of mine. She's starting to get a little dry with me and I think it's because I'm shifting into "smaller than her" territory. It happens. If my best friend can't support me right now - then she's NOT MY BEST FRIEND.
Change is always good. Anything you lose along the way will be replaced with something better. KNOW IT!

I'm being careful - getting in my Protein, but strugging with the Water (I try). I've been eating okay but I do have some junk here and there, obviously only a bite or two, but literally only once or twice a month. I really have no appetite, I have to remind myself to eat to get my protein in. I've been steadily losing - had a couple stalls here and there, but haven't regained.
Overall, I think I'm doing okay.
Could do better. I'm gonna work on it!

So it's been about 4 1/2 months since my surgery. I'm down 112 lbs since November 2012. I haven't seen my surgeon since my 2 week follow up appointment. I say it's because he's all the way in Chicago (a 45m - 1 1/2h drive depending on the time of day) but I sure didn't have a problem making those pre-op appointments!!... in the winter... with the snow... So, I'll fess up here and say I haven't gone because I know I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel like for everything I do right, I'm going something wrong.
I'm getting in my Protein, but I'm also skipping my Vitamins A LOT. I just forget to take them. I don't know why this has started happening, I took so much stuff pre-op like clockwork and never had this problem. Post-op absent mindedness, perhaps? Anyway, while I haven't seen my surgeon, I have been getting my blood work with my more conveniently located PCP. I just had blood drawn yesterday, I'll see him on Tuesday and find out if I'm seriously deficient anywhere due to my lack of consistent Vitamin use...
Also, I'm getting exercise in the form of walking, but haven't been to my gym in at least 2 months. It might be more like 3 months... why? I have no idea. I'll go walk a trail for a couple miles, but I have no motivation to go lift weights. I've been seriously slacking on my workouts for a while. I'm not sure I ever got back on track after surgery, although I was getting it in when I was testing my limits while recovering. It just dropped off when summer really kicked in.
A big part of that is because I've been dating. A LOT. I've had more male affection in the past 2-3 months than I've had in my life for the past 5-6 years. It's been amazing, enlightening, exhausting, a little painful and overall lots of fun. I feel like I need to slow down and shift the focus back to myself. I like something about each of the few guys I'm seeing, but none of them is the full package or giving me that 'spark' that I want to feel with the person I'm with.
I know there are a lot of people who will want to criticize or judge me for dating, for slacking on my diet and exercise, for being a bit promiscuous. I know this because I find myself thinking harshly of my own actions and wonder why I'm doing it... right now I need to build my ego a little bit. These men are helping me feel like a woman again. I've been single for so long, I've forgotten how to date. I still find myself not knowing what to say to guys on dates. I feel like I have no good stories to tell because I've wasted my life feeling too fat to participate in anything. So now that I'm down to a size that lots of men find attractive - tho I still have over 100lbs to lose, there are plenty of very attractive men who like a plus size figure - it's been a lot of fun receiving all of this attention! Considering how long I went without, this barely covers what I've missed out on. My recovery from this surgery reinforced my will to live and be happy living, which has meant less time in the gym and more time with a man... but it's all exercise, right? I mean, if I'm so tired I can't walk right the next day, doesn't that count for something? AM I REVEALING TOO MUCH?? lol...
I share all of this because I want pre-op people to know how quickly life changes... it's something I honestly didn't consider much and really couldn't imagine how different it would be. I have never been confident when it comes to men, I've been single most of my adult life, so this is all such a 360 from where I was even 3-4 months ago. It's wonderful, it's exciting, it's DISTRACTING. I let myself get off track with all this excitement. I'm glad only a few months have passed and now that I'm checking myself, I'm going to get back on track. But just know how fragile the lifestyle changes are.. you have to stay present. Don't take your eye off the prize.. I'm sorry for the time I've lost to work on myself, but I also know I had a lot of fun and don't regret having those experiences, either. I can't beat myself up about it. I'm human. Just gonna change course and carry on!
I'm going to write a memoir of this time in my life. And I promise to start taking my Vitamins.

I feel FANTASTIC. I haven't felt hungry, I have no nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.. I did get constipated a couple of times, but I have Colace now and I've been fine. I don't have any issues with gas or how I eat. I make sure I chew more than I did before, but the size of my bites and size of my sips feels pretty close to pre-op. I know some people have gas issues and have to sip/eat in much smaller portions, but since about day 3, I've been pretty close to normal.
The only things that bug me is that I still get some soreness from the incisions if I try to do to much. It's not so bad that I can't keep doing what I'm doing, but it's there. Also, I'm a side sleeper and it's still not comfortable for me to roll to my side yet. I've been sleeping upright because laying flat on my back all night makes my back ache. Other than that, I'm feeling really good.
I'm down 25lbs in 3 1/2 wks... maybe a lil more, haven't weight myself in a few days.
I'm still amazed at lunch when a little 4 oz container of cottage cheese fills me up! I think this has really gone as good as can be expected, and I'm so grateful for it!

As a woman, I can say that I can't want to see penises growing bigger and longer after I start losing weight too!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

Wow you are beautiful!

it's true for me. I joke with my closest girlfriends that it's HO SEASON.

I'm 100 lbs down from my highest weight as of TODAY. Highest weight recorded was November 2012 - so I've lost 100lbs in 9 months.
Had surgery May 2nd and I'm down 58lbs since surgery day. 58 lbs in 3 months -- NOT. BAD. AT ALL.
Went from 5x tops, size 34 pants to 2x tops and size 26 pants (which are already getting loose!).
Still got a waayyyy to go, but I am already thrilled with the difference I see in myself. Life is good! I'll try to get a pic up soon to show the progress.

I'm 100 lbs down from my highest weight as of TODAY. Highest weight recorded was November 2012 - so I've lost 100lbs in 9 months.
Had surgery May 2nd and I'm down 58lbs since surgery day. 58 lbs in 3 months -- NOT. BAD. AT ALL.
Went from 5x tops, size 34 pants to 2x tops and size 26 pants (which are already getting loose!).
Still got a waayyyy to go, but I am already thrilled with the difference I see in myself. Life is good! I'll try to get a pic up soon to show the progress.

Wow, congrats on your success - you look amazing and will be an inspiration for many here!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

you GUYSSSSS... THANK YOU for all the lovely compliments. As a fat girl, I always heard "but you have such a pretty face" and thought it was a backhanded compliment. But as i've gotten older, I realized I DO have a pretty face.. and now I'm glad the rest of my body is starting to match.
THANK YOU all soso much - I'll post more pics as I go along.
and Laura - YOU'RE MAKING ME BLUSH!

you GUYSSSSS... THANK YOU for all the lovely compliments. As a fat girl, I always heard "but you have such a pretty face" and thought it was a backhanded compliment. But as i've gotten older, I realized I DO have a pretty face.. and now I'm glad the rest of my body is starting to match.
THANK YOU all soso much - I'll post more pics as I go along.
and Laura - YOU'RE MAKING ME BLUSH!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

Isn't seeing 100 lbs lost SUCH a rush!! So awesome!! As a 3 year veteran I would love to give you some hindsight advice, such as, keep those carbs downdowndown until you hit surgeon's goal, get a trainer and have them kick your a$$ with high interval training so as to train your metabolism so that you can keep losing after the honeymoon, keep an online food tracker (I'm sure you are doing this already), and get a therapist or support group that meets in person, not only online. Also Vitamins and green superfoods!! Congratulations!!!!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

you GUYSSSSS... THANK YOU for all the lovely compliments. As a fat girl, I always heard "but you have such a pretty face" and thought it was a backhanded compliment. But as i've gotten older, I realized I DO have a pretty face.. and now I'm glad the rest of my body is starting to match.
THANK YOU all soso much - I'll post more pics as I go along.
and Laura - YOU'RE MAKING ME BLUSH!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!

OK. Here's mah stats:
November 2012: weight 459
Surgery 5/2/13: weight 417
8/3/13 - 3 mo post op: weight 359.
That's a total of 100 lbs down from my highest weight!! I lost 42lbs in 6 mo pre-op and have lost 58lbs in 3 months post op. LIFE IS GOOD!
Here are some pics. I don't have a lot of "before" shots to choose from, because I didn't like to take pics when I was that heavy.
 
I see a major difference and look so forward to seeing all the changes in store for me!