"Don't confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them"
Jackson Browne
I can not believe I am going to write again. I spent 3 or 4 years somewhat journaling my previous weightloss effort. That came to a screeching halt around 19 months ago. And now I am headed into the land of VSG. I am scheduled for surgery this friday, June 28th. I am having my surgery done at the University of Wisconsin Hospital. I made my first phone call about the surgery in August 2012. I had been diagnosed with some arthritis in my knee and my activity level came to a dramatic halt. I had found 70-80 of my old friends and knew I really needed to do this for me. I had no idea I would be waiting 9-10months to get it done.
6 months with the nutritionist. My first meeting with the Surgeon in late January. A new nutritionist. 3 group classes. You need to lose 25 lbs before we do surgery. That sleep study has a two month waiting list. Approval May 6th. Schedule surgery for June 28th and meet with the doctor forJune 6th. Oh yeah you better have lost that 25 lbs by then. Start trying to lose the 25 lbs...again. Spend June 3,4,5 fasting and come in under the number. One last class and an EKG, chest xray, and labs. Start the two week liquid diet.
Six to seven slim fasts carnation breakfasts a day??? ick. Substitute some isopure and maybe some chicken and nuts every once in awhile. Hey it's now June 24 and this is really happening.
Oh yeah I guess I better tell my mom That can wait until tomorrow. I have really only told a couple close friends and my volleyball teammates. everyone has been supportive. A few have asked questions. But no complaints from me about who I have told. My family, we shall see. None of them live within a 1,000 miles of me, and to their credit they have always been real supportive. I think I hesitated in telling them mostly because I don't want them to worry.
So that's the condensed version of my story. Excited and grateful that I have learned so much from following and reading about your journeys. You guys will never know the help you have been. Best of luck to all of you Peace, Jim
Today is one month out since surgery. I am down exactly 30 lbs since the start of the pre-op diet, and 20 lbs since surgery. I was telling my mom that this morning, and feeling a wee bit bummed about “only 20 lbs since surgery” but she pointed out that it is a 5 lb average per week. I thanked her for setting me straight and making me look at it like that. I get so impatient sometimes, but this process will take some time of course. And time is going to pass anyway – I’m awfully glad to be losing as time passes! This morning I shopped in my closet and am wearing a dress I haven’t worn in months. That feels good, and I’ve already gotten a compliment on it.
You know, I have lost weight before as an adult-- at one point I even lost like 75 lbs years ago. And I’ve noticed something…. it’s so funny how when people you work with, for example, who don’t know you’re losing weight, they begin to notice something is different but they can’t quite figure out what it is. So funny. I had a moment like that yesterday. I bought a dress two days after surgery; it’s a nice maxi dress that I can wear for a while as I shrink. I have already worn that dress 3 times to work since surgery! But it was yesterday that a male coworker of mine said “Well you’re all dressed up today! You look nice, is it a special occasion?” LOL! I’m changing but they can’t quite put their finger on what exactly is changing….in my experience ,soon I will get the “did you do something different with you hair? Did you get your hair cut?” questions. LOL
As far as food goes, I am still technically supposed to be on soft foods. To be honest, I would be scared to eat anything not soft right now. I have no pain of course, but my Morningstar sausage experience a little while back is not something I’d like to repeat. So it is not difficult to stick to the soft things—I gravitate toward them out of fear! LOL. I am eating 2 to 3 protein meals per day – I try for 3 oz but it’s usually just under 2 oz. In between, I’m doing my “green smoothies” with protein powder. It blows my mind that I haven’t had bread in 6 weeks. Or chips or crackers or any of that crap. I’m pretty much carb-free! I can prepare those things for my husband’s meals and it doesn’t even entice me. I do have occasional cravings. If it’s something that’s on my current plan to have (like cheese), I eat it, and I find that literally after 2 bites I’m more than done. The sugar fiend in me is still alive, but when those cravings hit I 1) remind myself that I would probably feel horrible if I ate sugar and 2) when I am at goal, I will allow myself such indulgences occasionally. I KNOW that I could totally eat ice cream right now. But I am just not gonna do it!!!!
I am finally getting a reasonable amount of energy back. I am walking 30 minutes almost every day. I need to start strength training. I am beginning to develop a fear of loose skin. Somehow I’m not sure I could bring myself to do plastic surgery – although never say never. Just depends on how bad it is when I’m there I guess. I need to worry about that bridge when I get to it. I bought bio oil and am trying to be really good to my skin. Hope it will return the favor!
I totally have ketosis breath. It’s pretty funny. Love the altoids sugar free mini’s. They also are awesome right after a meal when I still need to wait 30 minutes to drink something.
Monday I see my surgeon for my one month follow up. My incisions are great. I’m certain he will give the all-clear to hit the beach
Onward!
Have my sleeve, praise the Lord, I had my op on 30th may and am so happy.
I am 15lb down sjnce the start of the liver shrinking diet and am jn size 24-26 pjs.
Tender and tired but doing good, im on free fluids until i see my dietcian and nurse next tuesday, i did so well i was allowed home a day early, all answers to prayers, xx:)
