karen_marie
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Everything posted by karen_marie
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Doing a Thru-Hike of the Pacific Crest Trail?
karen_marie replied to jacon's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I second @Matt Z's advice and comments, especially waiting until you're a year+ out from surgery. I'd add maybe seeing a nutritionist before you plan to actually do the hike - even before any long training hikes prior to your trip. They may have some good tips on hiking-friendly foods that will work for us special folks Seeing them early enough will allow you to test out nutrition on your training hikes to see what works for you. And PS I'm suuuuper jealous! Would love to hike even part of the PCT someday. -
5 things I've learned 5 yrs out
karen_marie replied to sharonintx's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
I had gastric bypass, but all of your points translate to us as well. Can't agree with you more, and I'm only 10mos out from my surgery. Congrats on your success! And YES, everyone should spend some time really dissecting the what/when/why they go to food as a comfort or a compensator. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but will be the biggest reason why you have long term success. I also found a new passion in doing active things that I never thought my body could do - it's incredibly empowering to see your body accomplish things you never thought it could do. It definitely drives me to see just what I can get my body to do lol- 28 replies
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Been awhile since I've come and posted anything, but realized I should share that on July 21st I ran my very first half marathon! And did it even faster than I was hoping!! 2:53:50 for 13.1 miles
The following week, I had a follow up appointment with my surgeon and I got a pic of me and Dr. Wallace while wearing my finisher medal. He was super excited! Now I'm featured on their website and Facebook page, and I even raised my hand to come in and speak to prospective patients at his info sessions about my experience. Right now I'm at 173.2, down from a HW of 300. First goal is to hit 160lbs, then I think my final weight goal will be somewhere around 140lbs. Excited for my next running challenge at the Disney Princess Half Marathon this upcoming February. I'll be doing the Fairytale Challenge - run a 10k on day one, then run a half marathon on day 2. Who knows, maybe I'll plan to do my first full marathon in late 2019!
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Congrats! That is amazing!
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That is amazing! Being able to run races like 5Ks, 10Ks, and even one day half marathons is a MAJOR goal of mine. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I'm doing something I never thought I'd be physically able to do - I'm participating in a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser called High Ropes for Habitat. By hitting a fundraising goal, I'll be able to rappel down 21 stories from the roof of my office building! HOW COOL YET TERRIFYING! lol
My awesome company is going to be donating half of the minimum fundraising amount, but I wanted to spread the word and share this super cool charity activity. If you're feeling giving, feel free to support my rappel with any size donation you'd like - it's all tax deductible (for US residents), so you're helping a great charity and helping your tax refund at the same time
If nothing else, see if your local Habitat for Humanity is holding a similar event. I am challenging myself to do this because if I were still 100+lbs heavier, I would never even consider doing it.
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I'm down a total of 106.2 from my highest! Down from a size 24 to a 14, 3XL tops down to L/XL tops. Even my feet are smaller lol From a 10.5 wide to a 10 regular. A year ago, I was happy to finish a 5k in under an hour with interval running (run/walk method). Now, I'm training to run my first half marathon. Ran 4.5mi twice this week, and have an 8mi run on the schedule for Sunday morning. Never in a MILLION YEARS did I think I'd ever be able to accomplish something like this! Also scheduled my 100lb loss milestone reward for next Saturday - horesback trail ride! I love riding and haven't been able to do it in over a decade because I've been too heavy. Not anymore!! Make it a GREAT weekend everyone!!
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From the album: Progress Collages
Hit onederland on 4/20/18 at 199.2lbs, which also means 100lb lost so far! Pic from our housewarming party on 4/21/18. The difference is crazy! -
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As of last Friday, I dropped back into Onderland!!! Can't believe it! Last time my weight started with a one was at least 10-15yrs ago. Pic from this Saturday with my hubby and his mom at our house warming party. Other pic is me at my heaviest last summer. The transformation blows me away! As a reward for hitting this big milestone, I'll be signing up for a horseback trail ride - the first one I've been able to do in over a decade due to weight restrictions. I'm sooo excited!! I'm also training for my first half marathon - ran my first 10k on Sunday
It's incredible what I'm able to do now, and everyday I'm thankful for this amazing tool that is helping me realize some big dreams.
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Oh my gosh Karen Marie, you look amazing!! Way to go girl!!!
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Congrats on one-derland! You look fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
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Congratulations! Looks like you've got a lot to celebrate - between a new home, a new number in the hundreds place, and an exciting activity planned you must be over the moon. Can't wait to see the picture after your half marathon!
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Congratulations!!!!!! I'm inching my way to the 100lb loss mark and Onderland myself!
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Girl the struggle is REAL LOL
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yeah I've had to plan for more time to get ready in the morning to allow the extra minutes needed to corral as much hair as possible
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oh man do I feel you on that lol the amount of hair falling out is INSANE. I've been back in the habit of taking super high strength biotin (10,000 mg pill a day) to try and help lessen the blow, as well as help my splitting finger nails. I know my overall vitamin levels are good (labs were stellar), so it's just the usual 3mo+ hair loss issue. Ugh, hair EVERYWHERE lol
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So sorry to hear you have to deal with all this! Don't let the BS steal your resolve, just know that the surgery will happen but maybe not when you thought. Frustrating as all hell, but you'll get your surgery
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Can You Drink Too Much Post Surgery?
karen_marie replied to FluffyChix's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
I don't think you should worry too much about how much water/fluids you're drinking, but def work to not gulp. Start getting into the idea of 'smaller over longer time' - applies to drinking and eventually eating. Already being used to sipping liquids will make taking smaller bites of food a more normal idea. Congrats on being almost a week out! -
I can do hard boiled eggs, the occasional over easy egg and soft scrambled eggs, but if I cook the scrambled egg too much the texture is disgusting to me. So I generally avoid scrambled eggs. Also have not had sliced bread in forever. Seems to sit like a brick in my stomach and I usually end up spitting it up. I figured I'd try again a little later on. I'm about 3.5 mos out from surgery at this point.
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You're doing awesome! Yeah I've noticed this thread has gotten quiet, too. I think now that we're all a few months out, the focus has shifted to just living our new lives now haha Not as much to talk about I guess unless someone has a specific post-op question or concern. I've got my 3mo appointment with surgeon on 1/31 so I hope my vitamin levels in my updated lab work are up to snuff.
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Did a face to face Friday comparison and HOLY SH*T! hahaha the difference from my 300lb face and my 235.4lb face is truly astonishing. It's like a completely different person! Good motivation to keep moving onwards and DOWNwards!
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From the album: Progress Collages
Can't believe the difference in my face from the day before my wedding to today! -64.6lbs between the pictures, and it's like a totally different person. Almost halfway to goal! -
Welcome welcome! And just keep pushing forward - when that little seed of doubt pops up, confront it and really think about what the 'real' reason it's whispering in your ear. Usually, it's the fear of the changes that you'll have to make - no more mindless snacking, no more 'I had a sh*t day so I'm gonna binge on pizza,' no more of the stuff we shouldn't have been doing in the first place. When I would think about the doubt in that way, it just made the doubt smaller each time, and my resolve stronger. PS I think I'll be out in Berlin at the end of May for a business trip (with some added vacation days, of course!). I may poke you for some ideas on things to see - maybe we could even meet up for an international Bariatric Pal social!
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I'm still buying the chewable Bariatric Advantage calcium. I may change to something less expensive or not bariatric-specific at some point, but I figured for the first few months at least I would stick to bariatric-specific vitamins.
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From the album: Progress Collages
Comparison of morning of surgery and 2mo post-op. 35lbs loss shown in photos, total loss of 55.6lbs so far -
2 month post-op check in
Highest weight: 300 (this summer)
Surgery weight: 279.4
Current weight: 244.4
Lost since surgery: 35 lbs
Total lost overall: 55.6 lbs
Those numbers are so hard to believe...that's an average of -17.5 a month, or -4.375 a week. Overall I'm doing AWESOME with the losses after surgery. My biggest hurdle right now is that there are some foods I can eat again without issue (i.e. taco dip and tostito chips). And I think my loss this week shows that (only -2.2, which is the least I've lost in a week so far). So I will need to be vigilant about what I'm eating and really do my best to track what I'm having. It's also possible that I may be edging into my first stall, so I'll just have to stick to the plan and wait it out. I've also started up my birth control pills yesterday, so that may affect my weight loss a little bit while my body adjusts to the hormones again. So eating right is DOUBLY important this upcoming month!
I've been drinking the premier protein shakes more lately, just because it's fast and easy for breakfast. But I think it's a good thing, because it has half of my suggested minimum daily protein in that one shake. I'm finally making a dent in the two boxes I bought at Costco before surgery, so I think once I'm low I'll go pick up another box or 2. Chocolate again for sure, then maybe try something other than bananas & cream.
Last weekend, my sister Nikki and I went to some thrift stores and I got some new clothes
I mostly got cardigans, since those will be easy to wear for a long time as I keep losing. But I also got a few other random things, including this super cute spring green jacket that will be awesome to wear in early spring for work! Nikki was more than happy to help look for stuff for me, since she knows that they'll all be handed down to her once they're too big for me and she starts losing weight after her surgery lol. She actually got her PPO card in the mail yesterday, so she finished her info packet and is mailing it to Kane Center today. Looking back, the one thing I didn't try on and buy were smaller pants....bit of an oversight, as I keep having to pull my pants up lol but I got a little caught up in being able to fit into smaller sizes in the tops, and I never made it to the pants section haha. I'll have to go again after Christmas to pick up some pants.
Excited to take more progress pics tonight when I get home from work! I've decided to take them every month out from surgery so I can watch the progression
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Joining the “slow food” movement - your stories
karen_marie replied to Biddy zz 🏳️🌈's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
Try cutting that in half - I think I did up to 4oz at a time for awhile after surgery. My timeline was basically something like this during my full liquid phase immediately after surgery once I was home from the hospital: 8am-8:30am Drink 4oz protein shake/other protein rich liquid as a meal 8:30am-9am Wait 30min before drinking again 9am-10am Drink water/liquids Repeat 6x/day -
Joining the “slow food” movement - your stories
karen_marie replied to Biddy zz 🏳️🌈's topic in Gastric Bypass Surgery Forums
After a time or two throwing up from eating too fast (usually was chatting with people and just wasn't paying attention), I actually used the stopwatch on my phone while I ate for awhile. I would press start when I took my first bite, and would keep an eye on time, with a goal to hit between 20-30min to eat my meal. If I still had food left over after 30min, I usually didn't feel like eating it so I would save or throw out. Also made me chew things to mush, just for the fact that I was working to lengthen the time I was taking to eat, so it worked to help focus on the chewing too.
looks like I may want to learn how to contour after all haha
