Apple1

I purchased a blouse last week at Nordstrom without trying it on, just looked at it on the rack and purchased. I went back to get it in another color yesterday because when I wore it yesterday I loved it. I automatically picked the large because I assumed that was the size I had on. I asked the sales person to double check the tag of the top I was wearing, It was a medium! I usually buy medium tops now but sometimes I forget and grab larges. The sales person said "You have to remember you are little now!" That made me feel so good. When she said that, she had no idea how large I was when I started. When people that didn't know me when I was huge comment that I am small, it really helps it sink in with me that I am actually a small person now.

I've been going to Planet Fitness 6 days a week for 3 months now.  I'm not sure if this place is amazing or if I'm just amazing in this place.

So thankful for VSG and getting in the proper mind set,   I'm 100lbs down and running for a consecutive hour.  I never thought this life was possible.

So I haven't been here for a while because of the in fighting and the first thing I read is the ' I regret this surgery' post'

Just about 4 months post-op and within 7 pounds of my goal. This morning I ran my fastest 2 miles at 12:20 average pace. I run faster when my dh runs with me. I haven't decided if this is a good thing or not..lol.. I do enjoy the company 

I've come a long way in these 4 short months and it has been better than I imagined it would be. I love that I enjoy running and I am eating healthier then I ever have in my life. I feel hope for an active long life now where before I imagined myself dealing with the complications of having type 2 diabetes as I aged. Life is such a blessing and I am enjoying each new day!!

As I reach my 6 month post op. I wanted to just update you guys on a meal prep day for me. 

Breakfast: Coconut oil (1/2 tbsp) green tea - 65 calories

Snack 1: 14 olives - 60 calories 

Lunch: 15 shrimps and 4 leafs of Romaine Lettuce (this is eaten over the course of 1 hour) - 248 calories

Snack 2: 1/2 Pickle - 5 calories

Drink: Coconut oil (1/2 tbsp) green tea - 65 Calories

Dinner: Tuna Fish (water), Light mayo and cucumbers (over the course of two sittings) - 240 calories

Drink: Karma Fitness Water Bottle Fuser (After Gym) - 20 calories

Slim Jim (Snack Size): 2 - 80 calories 

Calories: 778

carbs: 8g 

protein: 81g

You can also view the picture below. 

On average I eat anywhere between 700 - 800 calories of food a day. 

As I reach my 6 month post op. I wanted to just update you guys on a meal prep day for me. 

Breakfast: Coconut oil (1/2 tbsp) green tea - 65 calories

Snack 1: 14 olives - 60 calories 

Lunch: 15 shrimps and 4 leafs of Romaine Lettuce (this is eaten over the course of 1 hour) - 248 calories

Snack 2: 1/2 Pickle - 5 calories

Drink: Coconut oil (1/2 tbsp) green tea - 65 Calories

Dinner: Tuna Fish (water), Light mayo and cucumbers (over the course of two sittings) - 240 calories

Drink: Karma Fitness Water Bottle Fuser (After Gym) - 20 calories

Slim Jim (Snack Size): 2 - 80 calories 

Calories: 778

carbs: 8g 

protein: 81g

You can also view the picture below. 

On average I eat anywhere between 700 - 800 calories of food a day. 

School has started and my fitness class on M/W has proved to be very difficult so far. When working out by myself I used to back off if my heart rate got around 140 but this class gets it up to 160+ and it stays there. It's a whole different reality to push myself to do something that's extremely difficult. It's caused some low self-esteem and low confidence, so I talked to my therapist about it. I realized that I have never really done anything, ever, that I wasn't really good at. Singing, violin, school, learning languages, even work stuff, etc. are all things that come naturally to me and I was good at them right away. This fitness class is something I am not good at, at all, and will need to continue pushing and working in order to improve. So it's natural for me to feel uncertain and strange, and my confidence will grow as I continue working. I'm glad I have realized that and it's made me feel better and more excited about continuing. My husband and I have been walking more frequently and today we went to the gym to use the weights. So I'm making good strides with fitness! Food is pretty stable, I've eaten some "bad" choices here and there but I've been able to come right back to nutritious food without feeling like I failed, which is an improvement in my mental state. I have my 3rd diet visit on Tuesday and I think I will have a 5-lb loss for the month. I'm starting to feel eager about getting to surgery and it doesn't seem so far off as it used to. Just about 3-4 months now! 

@Apple1 You are my inspiration !!!! I'm 1-week post -op and I,m down 10 pounds and 17 lbs from pre-op for a total of 27 lbs.OMG . I will continue to visit your page for encouragement and positive example of perseverance. YOU ROCK  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

9/5 - Went to my for my 6 month Check up. I am good. My hair falling out has slowed down a lot. Thank goodness!!! I am doing well. He wants me to increase my exercise. My workout increase below: 

1) Weight lifting: 

From 3 days to 4 days. From 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

2) Bikes: 

From 4 days to 5 days. From 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

3) Walking: 

From 10,000 to 12,000 steps 7 days a week. 

9/6 - I went to the gym and worked out. I was feeling myself today. I have stayed at the Onederland and I am happy to post that picture. Finally sticking!!!!

Worked out with the trainer. I an really proud of this success. 

Had an NSV yesterday. I ran the best mile of my life. I was always very slow, still am, but much faster than I once was. I'm pretty proud of my 17 minute mile. Now to push to get down to 10 minutes. 

Well  I had my surgery August. 25,2017. I had the Duodenal Switch with Gastric Sleeve. Was wanting to know if there is anyone else out there that has had this procedure done. I'm on an all clear liquids and it's not going to well. not able to keep anything down. My 1st dr visit went wonderful. Had my staples removed, along with my drainage tube. Dr told me to stop my high blood pressure medicine,and i have yet to take any insulin.  I just need to stay on the all clear liquids and i guess i will be fine. need any tips or pointers. please..

They warned me that I may not lose any weight immediately after surgery and they were right.  I've stayed the same to the tenth of a pound.  I've got my protein in every day, done my exercise (actually more that recommended), and got most of my daily water in.  And I've eaten only those foods dictated.  So Frustrating!.  Any suggestions on how to break this plateau?

This weekend I purchased my first high fashion designer dress, that was not on clearance. Since I am kinda weight stable I decided to treat myself. I love clothing and I have always wanted to own a high end designer dress but I obviously I could never fit them before. It feels so good to go into a luxury store and have the sales people cater to your every whim. I am enjoying playing dress up with my new body so much!

<3

It's been a while.  It is a life changing process in many ways.  There are also things that are just being discovered (or just now sharing).  

Once having the Vertical Sleeve procedure, you are more likely to have issues with your gall bladder.  This is due to a lessened ability to process bile.  See https://houstonsleevesurgeon.com/bile-gastritis-following-gastric-sleeve-surgery/

This from https://www.gsbwc.com/what-to-expect-after-weight-loss-surgery/

• Gallstones commonly occur with rapid weight loss. Up to 50% of people will develop gallstones after gastric bypass surgery and these are usually harmless. However, gallstones can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, requiring surgery. About 15% to 25% people require gallbladder removal after gastric bypass surgery.

I went into the hospital the end of July 2017 with intense pain and ended up with my gall bladder being removed.  It took research on my own laptop in the hospital to "help" the "house doctors" to figure out what the heck was going on.  It is not that the doctors were not capable of doing so, it is that the system is broken.  I cannot even describe the days of hell of absolute inaction.  But, that's another story.

My weight has been up and down, within 37 pounds from the lowest weight I recorded after the procedure.   My procedure was done in February 2013.  I weigh more than I want to, but I feel pretty darn good.  I think I am finally in the learning process about how to accept me and where I am in the process every day.

From brunette to blonde to pink balayage hair to my first tattoo at 53 to multiple piercings cause I wanted to.  Freedom is bliss.

any pointers OR diet options to drop weight? my surgeons office wont submit to my insurance unless I drop the 15 pounds I've gained since April and I am really getting agg and overwhelmed nothing is working for me! HELP!!!

I bought some new clothes for some upcoming work and fun trips.  I am now in 32 waist slim-fit jeans and size small button-downs.  Who would have ever thought this could happen when I started at 400 pounds?!?

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)

Had a few sips of my friend's sweet iced tea last night and felt SO sick for all of last night and most of this morning. Symptoms were consistent with dumping syndrome, but I was under the impression sleevers didn't get dumping syndrome because our pyloric valves are intact?

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)

Hurricane is looking like it's coming to Texas and will come up through Houston, leaving a CRAP ton of rain. *ring. ring. Hello Allison, you little ******, why do you have to send your kid brother Harvey to visit?* le sigh. Anyone else in the path of the storm? Stay safe peeps!

Water (check)

Propane tanks full (check)

LC Dry food in the pantry (check)

LC Munchies available (check)

Decaff coffee and decaff tea ready (check-and *sob* for no booze being an option; hurricanes + sobriety=bs)

Flashlights, batteries, candles (check)

Cards and games set out (check)

Gas in the cars (check)

New batteries in my digital scale *snick* (check)

All work sent to the printers so it's off my desk/computer (working on)