Support Sisters

I had my surgery four months and two days ago. I have lost 70 pounds, am training for a 5K and just fit into a size 16 for the first time in.... a long time. This is awesome! I am so glad that I made this lifestyle change.
However. HOWEVER.
My first real Hair loss (we're talking half a brush full just now) has really kicked in. And the stretch marks on my stomach look like they have gone Nuclear. Seriously, I think there is a radioactive tint to them in the dark.
I have so many amazing things to be grateful for, and my health is a huge one. Usually I want to focus on that, but had to rant a bit today.
P.S. Fear the unstable atoms radiating from my belly!

With two minor exceptions, I can eat anything I want. I.E., it will not make me throw up, feel queasy, break out in hives, etc. The truth is that unless I stick to a high Protein, low carb way of eating FOREVER I will gain back the weight that I lost. "Just choose to eat smaller quantities" or "eat what you want in moderation" is not a concept that works for me. Why it doesn't work is irrelevant and I try not to worry about it -- I just have to deal with the fact that it doesn't work (for me) period, full stop, end of sentence.

I have been taking a photo every three months since my Surgery on May 6th. I was sure the 9 and 6 month photos were not going to show a difference because I've only lost a few pounds a month in the last three months. Well, I was wrong! There IS a difference, and I can't wait to see what 1 Year looks like!

I can't begin to tell you guys how excited I am to finally be under 200 pounds. When I met my husband in 1996 I weighed 150 pounds. 19 years into the marriage I found myself at 267. (At one point I weighed a whopping 298 but was able to lose 30 of it on my own and keep it off). I suffer from PCOS and not only was it hard to deal with my weight issues, but the side effects made it nearly impossible for me to ever really feel like a woman. The androgynous side effects of PCOS were an absolute killer for me. I'm a Greek girl and my given name is Kleopatra, so to walk into a room and tell people my name was often hard for me to do, my self esteem has not been very high for most of my life. I worked on that for years and have been in therapy for at least the last 3. When I finally came to terms with myself for who I am and not what I look like, I thought it might be time for me to seriously think about having weight loss surgery. I needed to make sure that I didn't allow the surgery to dictate my worth or my value. My self esteem is not mandated by what the scale says. I'm a good person, daughter, mother, friend, employee, and that matters more than anything. Today, as I write this, I am 2 months post surgery and down a total of 68 pounds. I went from a size 20W to a 14. I am more active with my kids and not nearly in as much pain as I was before. The PCOS is still there, but the side effects aren't nearly as bad. I actually feel pretty great about myself. The biggest change I've noticed is that I've had an easier time making friends lately. Where I was always so shy before and just wanted to hang out at home, now, when I get invites to go out with friends after work, etc, I say yes. Life seems fuller, busier, and more robust. I wish I would've had the courage to be more outgoing when I was bigger, but you know what? It's never too late and I'm taking full advantage now. Here's not not putting life on hold. Here's to taking chances. And here's to finally, putting ourselves first, even if it's just for a moment.
I hope you guys are having a fantastic day and that you all take a moment to Celebrate the little things. I'm off to celebrate with a Protein Shake :-)

I wore this outfit to work today! A junior size 11 dress, sweater tights, and calf-high boots. Really?
  
I used to look like this!
 

I was sleeved on 12/14 and I was allowed puréed food the next day. Still have 1 Protein shake/day to help meet protein goal. I actually successfully went out to dinner tonight and had broiled sole. It was yum! You will like the next phase and should be less hungry. Good luck!

I was sleeved 12/14 too! My doctor allowed purée foods right away but need a Protein Shake every day to help me get to 60grams Protein goal. I feel great, just a little itchy. Liquids gets easier every day. Can sleep ok on my side. Overall it's been much easier than I expected. Happy. Holidays!