GibbsGirl

My surgeon requested I write down my top 10 goals for losing weight and keep them handy for inspiration.
My number 1 was to be able to participate in every senior even my son had. Before weight loss surgery, I would sweat excessively, this would in turn make me sick. I have heart issues that cause exhaustion etc all roads would lead to living like a vampire in warm weather. Sometimes in cold weather.
Well Saturday was Junior Day at a local college. I rested Thursday and Friday in hopes I could make it through without any issues. I just want to be a normal parent for a change.
My friend and I teamed up and took our sons and I did it. There was a lot of walking and it was muggy but I only broke out in a slight sweat once and looked over and my skinny friend was also flushed so it was normal. I was able to just enjoy and not be stressed out about the what ifs, the whole time.
I was there to see my son's eyes light up when he finally connected with an idea of how to get where he wanted in life. He went from this is a waste of time to engaging professors and excited about seeing dorms and even paid attention to the how to pay for school presentation.
He was able to enjoy the experience without worrying if I was getting sick or could keep up.
I won't lie yesterday and today I have had to drag myself around but it was all worth it, it is all worth it.
I couldn't have made it this far without everyone on this support group, thank you from the bottom of my crappy heart for getting me to this day.

My surgeon requested I write down my top 10 goals for losing weight and keep them handy for inspiration.
My number 1 was to be able to participate in every senior even my son had. Before weight loss surgery, I would sweat excessively, this would in turn make me sick. I have heart issues that cause exhaustion etc all roads would lead to living like a vampire in warm weather. Sometimes in cold weather.
Well Saturday was Junior Day at a local college. I rested Thursday and Friday in hopes I could make it through without any issues. I just want to be a normal parent for a change.
My friend and I teamed up and took our sons and I did it. There was a lot of walking and it was muggy but I only broke out in a slight sweat once and looked over and my skinny friend was also flushed so it was normal. I was able to just enjoy and not be stressed out about the what ifs, the whole time.
I was there to see my son's eyes light up when he finally connected with an idea of how to get where he wanted in life. He went from this is a waste of time to engaging professors and excited about seeing dorms and even paid attention to the how to pay for school presentation.
He was able to enjoy the experience without worrying if I was getting sick or could keep up.
I won't lie yesterday and today I have had to drag myself around but it was all worth it, it is all worth it.
I couldn't have made it this far without everyone on this support group, thank you from the bottom of my crappy heart for getting me to this day.

My surgeon requested I write down my top 10 goals for losing weight and keep them handy for inspiration.
My number 1 was to be able to participate in every senior even my son had. Before weight loss surgery, I would sweat excessively, this would in turn make me sick. I have heart issues that cause exhaustion etc all roads would lead to living like a vampire in warm weather. Sometimes in cold weather.
Well Saturday was Junior Day at a local college. I rested Thursday and Friday in hopes I could make it through without any issues. I just want to be a normal parent for a change.
My friend and I teamed up and took our sons and I did it. There was a lot of walking and it was muggy but I only broke out in a slight sweat once and looked over and my skinny friend was also flushed so it was normal. I was able to just enjoy and not be stressed out about the what ifs, the whole time.
I was there to see my son's eyes light up when he finally connected with an idea of how to get where he wanted in life. He went from this is a waste of time to engaging professors and excited about seeing dorms and even paid attention to the how to pay for school presentation.
He was able to enjoy the experience without worrying if I was getting sick or could keep up.
I won't lie yesterday and today I have had to drag myself around but it was all worth it, it is all worth it.
I couldn't have made it this far without everyone on this support group, thank you from the bottom of my crappy heart for getting me to this day.

These pictures are about a year apart from each other

My first post op visit with my cardiologist was a success. She was more than thrilled with my progress and the whole clinic dropped in to cheer me on. My labs look great, and she didn't want to adjust my meds. She did utter a statement that was the first time in the history of the Heart Failure clinic and that was "to increase my sodium". After being on a sodium restriction for over 10 years that was quite a shocker.
My next appt was with my surgeon, everyone there was also excited. I met his expectations and he was really happy that I am not having to live like a vampire. He teased me about the increase in my sun screen bill.
I also met with my NUT or nutritionist, she was impressed I was still logging my food. I really didn't know I had a choice, it works to keep me accountable. She also let me know at this point I should not exceed 20 grams of Carbs a day. Realistically that is not a problem when Protein is first and a smaller stomach but inside I panicked a little. Just a bizarre reaction considering all I have accomplished at this point.

I wish I would have not stocked up on too much broth, yogurt, etc before surgery. Get enough for a week, but realize your taste buds change.

I love it!!!! Good for you, I took control last Oct and had surgery in Dec. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I wish I would have not stocked up on too much broth, yogurt, etc before surgery. Get enough for a week, but realize your taste buds change.

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

In the beginning I got comments but it seems this last two weeks they have been coming out of the wood work. I was mobbed last week at church but people coming over, but I also wore some new clothes. My thoughts were, I was here last week. lol Feels good.

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

my wedding rings came back!! Size 11 to an 8!!!

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

I signed up on Delightful.com on a whim just to see what it was like. Your invisible until you post a picture so I just looked around. I don't want to date till after my son graduates but was feeling particularly brave. I have so much respect for people that can put themselves out there, I am just so shy. Talking on the computer is easy, meeting someone and being able to speak, I'm just not there yet.

187 down 2
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using the BariatricPal App

I guess we can agree to disagree. There are 3 women in that story, one older, two shaped differently than what is normally shown in a swim suit magazine. Fat or body shaming goes along with what some people think about age. If the media is showing more real people as beautiful I think that should be celebrated. Thing is whether someone is overweight or underweight their health is their business. My business is to treat everyone with kindness and as beautiful regardless of what they look like.

I love it!!!! Good for you, I took control last Oct and had surgery in Dec. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I deserve happiness.

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

Still going to keep going strong!!!
Craig Martinez
Austin, Texas

Thinking I got this....in reference to sweets. Just because I can't eat large amounts they are still a trigger food that I do not make good choices about.

My first post op visit with my cardiologist was a success. She was more than thrilled with my progress and the whole clinic dropped in to cheer me on. My labs look great, and she didn't want to adjust my meds. She did utter a statement that was the first time in the history of the Heart Failure clinic and that was "to increase my sodium". After being on a sodium restriction for over 10 years that was quite a shocker.
My next appt was with my surgeon, everyone there was also excited. I met his expectations and he was really happy that I am not having to live like a vampire. He teased me about the increase in my sun screen bill.
I also met with my NUT or nutritionist, she was impressed I was still logging my food. I really didn't know I had a choice, it works to keep me accountable. She also let me know at this point I should not exceed 20 grams of Carbs a day. Realistically that is not a problem when Protein is first and a smaller stomach but inside I panicked a little. Just a bizarre reaction considering all I have accomplished at this point.

I had my sleeve done one month ago today, and stepped on the scale to a very specific scale victory. I have lost > 30 lbs since I started all this back near the end of October.
In all my professional dieting career (which extends back to the 1960's), I have never, ever, lost as much as 30 lbs. This dawned on me when I sat down and did a list for my PCP and surgeon of my weight loss history. Like many of us, I'd tried just about everything. And I knew, roughly, how much I'd lost on each attempt and how long it had stayed off. When I looked at the list, I saw that I had never lost more than 27 lbs. at a time. Earlier in my life, that's because I had less to lose, but as time passed, 27 lbs. was a drop in the bucket, so to speak.
Back at the end of October, I started out just tracking in Sparkpeople. My goal was accountability, not weight loss. I knew that for me, accountability was a weak link. I also started weighing daily, again for accountability reasons. When I've been more successful at keeping on track, weighing daily has been part of my practice. I ended up losing seven lbs. just from doing those two things.
There are many, many more miles in this journey for me, but I've turned a personal corner. I can't say how it feels yet, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it.
Posted in the hope this helps someone else!