Inspiredsmile

I have been wearing my stretch jeans from pre surgery and getting away with it, until this week. I went to wear them to work on casual day and they looked so baggy that I just couldn't wear them out in public. So as much as I was trying to hold off buying new jeans until I loss more weight I decided the time had come. I first tried on a 16W in the womens department thinking they might be snug but that i will fit them soon enough. But to my surprise they were baggy in the butt! So I tried on a pair of 14W jeans and they fit perfect. It mentally made my day. I couldn't wait to tell my husband! I'm just saying after years of shopping and not even finding a pair of jeans to be able to try on, and now having options it's s good feeling.

So today I met with my surgeon for the first time since surgery. (Surgery date 9/11/13) He was very pleased with everything including the 15 pounds that I have loss since 8/30/13 one month ago when I had my pre surgery appointment. I have been cleared to start back up my work out/exercise program. I have been doing the Lesile Sansone walking DVDs since February when I started my 6 month pre surgery wait. I swear by them and give them the credit for my 64 pound pre-surgery weight loss. Also cleared me to be romanic with my husband again! yippee! And also I leave pureed behind and start introducing more textrued foods. Today for dinner we grilled Maui Maui and I ate 1.7 ounces just by chewing and chewing and did I mention chewing. I had a tiny bit of heart burn, but over all nothing bad. I feel great and overall am excited to begin a more normal routine.

Still feeling good as far as energy goes, but finding it harder to get my fluids in now that I am eating pureed foods. No bad feelings in my belly from eating my pureed foods, but I have been waking up each with bad cramps in my right foot/leg. Trying to drink more today. Went to the theatre tonight and took a bottle of water along and finished it by the time the show was over. Our church had a chicken BBQ. I took off the chicken from the ones and blenderized it with some chicken broth, it wasn't bad. What to try tomorrow...a whole new world of pureed food awaits me. I just hope it passes quickly unto the next stage!

I woke up happy it was over and happy to hear all went well. But I couldn't stay awake. My husband was talking to me and I would just fall asleep mid sentence. It was later that evening until I got up and walked for the first time. I ring the call bell a couple times for pain meds, but if you stay on top of it, it never really gets to the point that you are too uncomfortable. It's too early for me to say if I would do it again or not. Maybe when I see some weight drop I will feel like It was the right thing for sure. I had successfully lost 54 pounds pre surgery and was still losing every month, so in the back of my mind I wander if I kept eating my new healthy way would I reach the same goals without taking this step. But then I have to remind myself how many times in the past that I lost weight and then gained it back plus! So deep inside I know I did make the right decision. I am almost two weeks out and feeling great. I never had one of those days I was prepared for where I just wanted to lay on the sofa and cry. I have had energy and a good attitude so far on this journey. I wish you the best.

A while back I was the one crying my our office. (My boss isn't the easiest to work with) But I started listening to quiet music in my office space and it really keeps my mood up and helps me stay relaxed. Hope it's gotten better for you since you wrote this. Glad you only have one more day to work and then off for so long, sounds like it will be a much deserved break.

Today it is 12 days out from my surgery that was on the 11th of September. I had filled out paperwork to be off for two weeks, going back on Wednesday the 25th. But it was driving me crazy sitting at home, I can't go shopping, I can't bake or cook and I can't really work out so I decided to go back to work today two days early. I work in an office so it is easy for me to be at work. It was more of the mental challenge of staying on task that challenged me. Over all I am glad I went back. It was nice to be missed and welcomed back. I took a container of plain Greek yogurt, and a bottle of flavored water. It took me all work day to finish the drink and over an hour to get the yogurt finished. Little bites take forever!!! I used to eat too fast so this is very new for me to have to work at finishing something. Over all feeling great. Dealing occasionally with some mild heartburn. When I left the Hospital I had orders to make an appointment with my family doctor for two weeks. So Wednesday morning I have that family Doctor appointment. I feel like it is a waste of my $20 co-pay. Next Monday I see my surgeon so not sure why the family Dr. appointment is necessary. I haven't been to see her for a long time and didn't see her at all throughout the 6 month pre op stage. But I will go see what she has to say. (I would still rather have the $20 and not go)

I'm getting my 64 gm of Protein between a ready to drink atkins shake for breakfast, For lunch I have plain Greek Yogurt with a squirk of mio flavor stirred in it. and then Cream of Chicken protein soup for dinner and a protein shake in the evening. In between I sip a bottle of water and a sugar free ice pop sometime through out the day. I love the cream of chicken soup from http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/ goes down easy.

One Week ago today I had my sleeve surgery. This past week has been not what I was prepared for or expected. I have felt practically "normal", with no bad effects at all. I was prepared to be laying on the sofa wrapped in quilts and being waited on by my hubby. But reality was from the day I came home. I never needed a nap, never needed waited on and never had a moment of nausea. Thank you God! I weighed myself and one week out I am down 8 pounds for a total of 62 pounds lost! Hope it continues.

Spooky I will be thinking of you as your surgery date draws near. (two more days right?) Just do what the doctor tells you to and your make it through. Sounds like it will be a positive new start by being off some of your meds.

Hard to believe that it has only been 72 hours ago that I had my surgery. I feel remarkably good, almost normal. I walked the dogs with my husband this morning and it felt good to be out and moving. The scale went back down to what it was the morning of my surgery. When I came home from the hospital I weighed 219 up three pounds. I am guessing it was from all the fluids that they pump into you. I was glad to see it go back down to 216. I have been doing well with getting my proteins in. I went into the office this morning to do a couple deposits while no one was around. I still haven't driven anywhere, but I am not taking any pain meds so I suppose I could drive if I wanted to. My husband usually drives me around anyway. For all those September sleevers that haven't gone yet, I wish you the best and pray that you have a good post op too.

I think it looks great!

Day two after my surgery which was on the 11th. I am feeling remarkably well. No belly pains at all, but it sure is rumbling and make a racket. I drank a protein shake and had a greek yorgurt. I know I need to drink more water in between, but I will work on it. I took a nice walk outside because the weather here in Lancaster PA is gorgeous today.

Today's my day! I took all my measurements this morning and recorded them, did my pre-surgery wash, now it's just waiting until time to head to the hospital. I was excited to weigh myself this morning and see 216.4 on the scale. That is a weight loss since I started 6 months ago of 54 pounds. But it is a total weight loss of 86 pounds from my highest weigh of 302 pounds. I am hoping this surgery is a tool that will end the up and down yo-yo I have experience on the scale all my adult life.

I received my phone call from the Dr. office today that I am to be at the Hospital at 11:30. Looks like I will get to sleep in on my first day off work. I have been suffering a headache all day, but other then that I am feeling pretty excited. That is even after watching two videos of the sleeve surgery on Youtube. I think it grossed my husband out, but I found it pretty interesting to see what exactly they are going to do. I do feel like I have researched and prepared these last 6 months about as much as possible.

So this pass Thursday was support group at the Barbaric's.Office. The place was packed! Between post Surgery and pre surgery patients and some support friends there had to be 200 people in that room. This month there was a panel of 6 people who had the surgery 8 months out or longer. We had about an hour of question and answer time. It was so helpful to hear their experiences and see how well they were doing. I am looking forward to one day sharing my success story. I was lucky enough to spend this weekend at the beach. It was a challenge to not want all the great food on the boardwalk, but I was strong. The 11th is fast approaching, I can hardly wait to start this next phase of the journey.

You look great! I can relate to turning 50. I turn 50 in January. My surgery is this Wednesday, the 11th of September. I am have loss 50 pounds pre surgery and am ready to see what the results will be post surgery. Any tips to get through the first stage of post surgery?

Today I met with my surgeon. This was the second time of every talking with him. The first time was 6 months ago. I was excited to go back in and show him how hard I have worked these past 6 months. The nurse was so nice and so positive. She complimented my dress and said too bad it won't fit you much longer. : ) Happy thought! I weighed in at 222 making it a total of 48 pounds loss since my first appointment last February! Dr. Ku came in and was so great to talk with. He said he could hardly recognize me from the photo that they had taken back on that first appointment. (New hair style, new hair color, and weight loss). The Dr. went over my test results from my EKG and Blood work. Everything was in the normal ranges. So it is full steam ahead. The next time I will see Dr. Ku will be Wednesday morning September 11th for SURGERY! After work today I went to savemart and stocked up on my vitamins, Calcium Citrate, B12 and protein mix. Everything came to $160. That was painful, but think of the grocery money that we won't be spending, not to mention eating out. I have been getting a lot of support from my co-workers at work. I am glad I shared about my surgery, because at first I wasn't so sure I wanted anyone to know. Now I tell everyone who will listen!

I had a lot of the same worries when I first started this process. But I know the good benefits will make it all worth it and the other things will work themselves out. I also didn't tell anyone about my decision for several months. I just didn't want to hear any negative comments. Now I am telling everyone and it just doesn't matter to me what people think because I know for me this is the right choice. I met with my surgeon today and have completed all pre-surgery testing. After work today I went and bought all my vitamins and protein and other supplies. I am excited and ready for September 11th. Keep posting!

I've been thinking of you. Glad you are doing well.

I am one week out from going on my pre-op diet. Be encouraged! we are all getting close to our surgery dates!

Well I thought my surgery date was set... until I received a phone call today asking if I could change my surgery date from Sept. 16th to Sept. 11th! That is not what I wanted to hear. I have plans to go to the shore with 6 friends on Sept, 6-8. I can still go, but it won't be nearly as fun going on a liquid diet! I have to start liquid diet Sept. 4th. Bummer! I know I should not be complaining, because I have been looking forward to this surgery, but the 16th was just the perfect date for me. Both with projects I have going at work, and with my husband having off to go with me. There is already someone on his team out the 11th so it is questionable if they will give him off. If I didn't change to the 11th my next choice was 9/30. On a more happy note, I got a letter today that my Insurance co gave approval for surgery!

Six months of waiting and today I was able to schedule my surgery. 28 days from now I will being heading to LGH for a procedure called the Sleeve Gasrectomy. I feel so excited! I have met with my nutritionist once a month for the last 6 months, and have really come a long way in the way that I think about food. I have attended cooking demos, support groups, met with a behavior Specialist and had one on one instruction on strength building. The results I have lost 45 pre surgery pounds. I am so ready for the next step.