kimbers18

I’m almost 3 years post op and 17 weeks pregnant (it was an oops, did not plan to get pregnant but losing weight and getting healthy can apparently make someone who was never going to get pregnant, get pregnant). Doctors are all much more concerned about my age (39) than my history of gastric bypass (way healthier now than I was 15 years ago), but I am seeing my bariatric surgeon regularly to ensure nutrient levels are good and adjust vitamins. So far age and WLS history just means a bigger team of doctors involved and more appointments. The only differences I’ve found between my experience and friends who haven’t had WLS is the insistence of seeing a Fetal Medicine doctor in conjunction with the OB (due to age and WLS) which has really just meant way more ultrasounds than normal, and I won’t be able to do the typical gestational diabetes testing (sugary drink and blood test) and will have to do two weeks of blood sugar monitoring (finger pricks, ick).

Hit two years earlier this month! Definitely out of the honeymoon phase and working daily to keep the scale between 135 and 140. HW: 320 SW: 285 GW: 160 CW: 138

I can’t do the spray up my nose thing and the multi vitamins taste awful, but since my insurance covers it I keep it going for the free iron and calcium!

Everyone looks amazing!!! 19 months out and meet and greet photos at concerts/comedy shows are so much easier to love...

I’m 15 months out and it does get better. I’ve found I can eat most things with no issue if I do it slowly. My three encounters with a small piece of cake or cupcake have gone well. But, I got drunk on a shot of vodka and then ate a pack of 6 donut holes quickly (despite my husband trying to tell me no) and I thought I was going to die. I have friends who are over a year out and can eat anything, but I can’t tolerate any rice, pasta, and cereal with milk (all learned the hard way) so I plan to avoid. Even 15 months out I test all foods I haven’t eaten since before surgery at home just in case and then I know what I can splurge on slowly when out and about later. Also, eating too much of anything still makes me super sick — I haven’t hit a point where I don’t have to be super aware of my body telling me I’m full.

Almost 15 months out and officially one pound to goal! Maybe I’ll make a new “stretch goal” and try another 5-10 lbs...

Hit the 13 month mark and celebrated at my surgeon’s annual red carpet event. The before picture on the massive screen shocked both me and my surgeon...

13 months post op and celebrated my 165-lb weight loss at our program’s annual red carpet event...had so much fun seeing everyone’s success! My before picture terrifies me, my surgeon didn’t even remember me being that big!

Thanks! Lol. I literally have zero before pics because I hid from the camera 🙂 My sister had this one, I remember deleting it from existence!

9.5 month checkin...size 28 to size 10. Down 152 lbs. Loving life!

I felt exactly like you for the first two months. I had zero energy. I was off work for six weeks bc I couldn’t stay awake for more than 3 hours at a time. I threw up everything. I told my husband repeatedly it was the biggest mistake ever. Fast forward and I’m nine months post op and it was the best thing I ever did. Those first two months were a bear for me to figure out. I felt sick all the time and was sad all the time. But I followed my doctor’s plan to the best of my ability, I found a rhythm, I figured out what worked for me. And today I have more energy than I ever imagined possible. It seems impossible when you’re in the middle of those first months, but it gets so much better as your body and brain adjusts to the change.

I’m a little late to this post, but I had the exact same issues early on and ended up with impacted bowel and endured the worst week of my life about 4 weeks post surgery. Turns out too much fiber can actually do the opposite of what it’s supposed to do. For the last 5ish months I’ve been doing 1/2 cap of Miralax three times a week and I’m making sure to eat foods with natural fiber but not go crazy. I monitor the bathroom situation just as much as my water and diet. If I don’t “go” for two days I increase to a full cap of Miralax. If you do end up having impacted bowel issues and need to know the TMI of how to fix an impaction when every over the counter option doesn’t work, shoot me a message. Also, early on I had zero energy. Once I got the protein/water/food/sleep thing balanced I was able to walk forever. It took about two months for me to feel real energy.

Officially six months post surgery, down 126 lbs and feeling like a million bucks...44lbs away from my goal! And I can no longer shop at Lane Bryant...which is sad because I’ve been shopping there for 20 years. I get anxiety going into “regular” stores. But it’s a good problem to have! I flew Southwest this weekend and fit so comfortably in the seats. No more spending big bucks to fly first class!

My sister told me my before/after does not adequately detail my “before”. She had a photo I conveniently forgot existed...so here’s my “real” before and current (within a week) after...

I’ll be five months post RNY in 11 days. Was 320 January 1st, 285for surgery, currently 210...