6 months out...my thoughts & a pic

[southernsoul 773]

This week will mark 6 months since I had VSG surgery. It’s been a strange and wonderful 6 months in a lot of ways. The biggest factor that finally got me on the WLS track was my mobility. I blew out my left knee many years ago (twice, actually) and have had several surgeries. My leg is permanently bent from arthritis, and at 320 lbs I limped very badly and my mobility was extremely limited. Eventually, my right knee began to break down & last year my orthopedic surgeon told me that we needed to plan on double knee replacement surgery for this year. I knew that the longer I could hold that off, the better it would be, so I started looking into WLS instead. My ortho surgeon told me that for every 10 lbs I lose, I’ll take 40 lbs of pressure off my knees. With that kind of ratio going on, I knew I needed to do everything I could to lose weight & keep it off. I have been active on this site since last March, and I have learned many valuable things here and made some great friends. My postop experience has been really good, and I’m very thankful that I didn’t have a lot of complications. I haven’t struggled to stick to a smart eating plan, and I haven’t had any major episodes of craving or binging on carb-heavy foods. I have occasionally indulged in sweets or crunchy salty Snacks, but the volume I take in now is very small. I feel like when I give in to those temptations now, it’s more like it should have been all along…have just a little, enjoy it tremendously, have no guilt afterward, and then pick right back up with smart food choices. I don’t feel the need to stuff my face and my portions are well within a reasonable amount. On average, I eat between 800-1000 cals per day, 80-100g of Protein, 60-80g carbs, and 30-50g of fat.

I feel like I have control over what I eat. There is no food that I define as something I “can’t” have, so maybe that’s part of why I don’t feel a longing for certain foods. I haven’t had soda yet, but I had pretty much stopped drinking soda more than a year before surgery. I've had a few sips of champagne twice, but that’s the only carbonated drink I've tried. I enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail 2-3 times a month. I used to eat refined carbs, especially potatoes and bread, at every meal….and I mean literally EVERY meal. I don’t know if I've just gotten used to not having those foods on a regular basis or if my body has gotten the sugar/carb imbalance back under control, but I don’t even really miss those things. When I have indulged, it’s been only with really excellent versions…like freshly baked bread or a few bites of Pasta made from scratch at a nice restaurant. So far, I haven’t even been tempted to have plain old sandwich bread or a hamburger bun or pasta from a box.

I try to keep in mind that things may change as I get farther out, so I need to remain open to changing my habits as needed. I exercise regularly, and I have been genuinely shocked to discover that I enjoy it. I focus on the positive things, and I don’t beat myself up for small stuff. I have way more good food days than bad food days. I have way more weeks where I get to the gym at least 3 times than weeks where I slack off. I am far more active in regular activities…I stroll around the mall, I walk around downtown, I walk more around my school campus, and I don’t avoid going places where I will have to walk. Six months ago, I could not stand or walk for more than a few minutes without pain. Today, my leg is still bent and I still limp a little, but it’s so much better than it was. At almost 90 lbs down, I have taken nearly 360 lbs of pressure off my knees. I can walk and stand for much longer, and I can enjoy activities for a lot longer before I start limping. Because I still need to be very careful of my knees, at the gym I focus on weight lifting and strength training instead of using the treadmill or elliptical. I love being able to see improvements every single week, either in the amount of weight I can lift or the number of reps I can do. My handicap hang tag expired about a week ago, and I felt good enough and confident enough to make the decision not to renew it. That was huge moment for me, and one I am so thankful to have achieved.

In general, I’m a person who doesn't feel a lot of anxiety or worry. I was a pretty happy person preop, and I’m still a pretty happy person. I never questioned or second-guessed my decision to have surgery once I was postop, because there’s really no going back. There’s only forward, and I knew it was completely up to me to make that be good and positive or filled with doubt and self-sabotage. There are a lot of places in this world where I could receive negative messages about myself…my own head does NOT need to be one of those places. I try to treat myself the same way I think I should treat others…with respect, kindness, and the benefit of the doubt. I don’t beat myself up over stumbles and I try not to measure myself against someone else. I deserve my own best efforts, and I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job of living that philosophy over the last 6 months. Each of us has a path to travel, and I know that my experience is just that…my own experience. For me, WLS was a great decision. My ability to participate in my own life has improved dramatically, and I'm so grateful for that. I’m excited to see what the next 6 months will bring!

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Beautifully put - and you look a-maz-ing!

Many many congratulations

[butterfly_gal 151]

Awesome! Fabulous job!

[Mama Spike 144]

Congratulations. You look awesome.

[bearman99 228]

This statement resonated with me. I found this insight and your state of mind to be brilliant. I am 9 days away from surgery and I know getting the head right is the long-term key to success. I will have to work to get where you are mentally.

Anyways, nice update. Very inspiring to me. Thank you.

I never questioned or second-guessed my decision to have surgery once I was postop, because there’s really no going back. There’s only forward, and I knew it was completely up to me to make that be good and positive or filled with doubt and self-sabotage. There are a lot of places in this world where I could receive negative messages about myself…my own head does NOT need to be one of those places. I try to treat myself the same way I think I should treat others…with respect, kindness, and the benefit of the doubt. I don’t beat myself up over stumbles and I try not to measure myself against someone else.

6moscomparison.jpg

[ribearty 544]

SouthernSoul,

You look marvelous, and are such an inspiration to me. I am glad I met you on this forum. Congratulation on your journey so far. I know you'll be crossing the finish line in the future. You have such a positive outlook on life which is wonderful and refreshing. Exciting news about not renewing your handicap tag.

Edited December 15, 2013 by ribearty

[southernsoul 773]

This statement resonated with me. I found this insight and your state of mind to be brilliant. I am 9 days away from surgery and I know getting the head right is the long-term key to success. I will have to work to get where you are mentally.

Anyways, nice update. Very inspiring to me. Thank you.

I never questioned or second-guessed my decision to have surgery once I was postop, because there’s really no going back. There’s only forward, and I knew it was completely up to me to make that be good and positive or filled with doubt and self-sabotage. There are a lot of places in this world where I could receive negative messages about myself…my own head does NOT need to be one of those places. I try to treat myself the same way I think I should treat others…with respect, kindness, and the benefit of the doubt. I don’t beat myself up over stumbles and I try not to measure myself against someone else.

6moscomparison.jpg

Thank you, bearman! I agree, getting the head right is absolutely crucial & this is a great place to find inspiration & assistance when we need it. I wish you great success with your surgery & postop process!

[NJVSTuser 32]

Congrats to you, great attitude towards the surgery. Have bad knees as well and trying to avoid the knee replacement as long as I can too.

[Molly3 495]

Congrats & I love your attitude!

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

This is lovely!

[nesa83 89]

Such inspiration!!! You look wonderful!!!

[Sleeve Siren 307]

Freaking A-ma-zing!!!! I love this post. Outstanding job.

[outwithbenjiboi 227]

Well done SouthernSoul!! Smart AND beautiful!!!

[E2013 31]

Beautifully written. You inspire me! I am 3 days away from surgery. I was 321 in sept and down to 283 now. (Required to lose 5% put me at 300, then pre-op diet) I feel we are a lot alike in our mindset, so thank you for your words. Congrats on not renewing your handicap tag!!!

[gamergirl 4,609]

I am so glad I met you through this forum. You inspire me and encourage me almost daily. You've done an amazing job!