9 months post-op: my story so far.

[DeniseNCC1701 306]

Hello everyone!

I haven’t been on these forums for a long time, but I wanted to stop in, say hello, and give everyone an update.

I’m 9months post op. My surgery was February 24th. So far, I’ve lost 122.5 lbs from my all-time high of 380, and I’m down 108.5 from my surgery date where I was 366.

Here’s the breakdown my month:

M1 30lbs

M2 6.5lbs

M3 23.5lbs

M4 16.5lbs

M5 10.5lbs

M6 9lbs

M7 0lbs

M8 8lbs

M9 4.50lbs

The weight loss has slowed quite a bit in the past few months as a result of my consuming more carbs… something my nutritionist recommended. Plus, I haven’t always made the best choices, and I’ve been slacking on my exercise.

It’s been quite the journey so far, with lots of ups and downs (no pun intended!). And while I had hoped to have lost more weight by this time, I’m happy with my results. I’m very blessed, so no complaints here.

Here’s what I’ve learned in the past 9 months or so, as well as some random observations along the way:

• It’s critical that you get your bariatric team together right up front. For me, this included my PCP, surgeon, fitness trainer(s), psychotherapist and a massage therapist. I added a nutritionist a few months in.

• It’s also critical that you embrace the whole process. For me, I decided to throw out everything I thought I knew, and listen to the professionals. I also tried to have as much fun with the process. I purchased nice baby utensils, fun 4-5oz glass storage jars, and a stuffed stomach plush toy (which my dog almost chewed to shreds. LOL)

• Two months on pureed foods were rough, but I basically stuck with soft scrambled eggs, white flakey fish and Soups.

• I started boot camp two weeks post-op (with my doctors approval), and I’ve been going 2-4x/week ever since.

• I get massages as often as I can afford. It’s great for circulation, and I personally believe it helps with skin elasticity. I’ve also been taking collagen supplements. I’m not really sure if it helps with the skin, but it’s certainly been making my nails grow.

• I had diarrhea almost daily for the first three months. Ugh. That sucked.

• Nobody noticed the first 50lb weight loss. That also sucked.

• Now almost everyone notices. That most definitely does NOT suck.

• The first two months or so were pretty much all about me just wrapping my head around everything.

• The next 4 months started a wonderful journey of self-discovery, euphoria and renewed hope and self-confidence.

• The next month or so after that, I started to get depressed. I mean REALLY depressed. My weight loss stalled, and I started making the wrong food choices. I thought to myself “Is this it? Is it over already?”. The euphoria I had been feeling was fading quickly, and again I thought to myself “Am I going back to the woman I was? Have I really changed at all?”.

• When I discussed these things with my therapist, I asked her “Am I ever going to really change?” We both looked at each other, and I said “I already have, haven’t I?”. She nodded in agreement.

• At that point, my PCP put me on Prozac. I took it for a few weeks, and that helped.

• I also realized that part of my depression was caused by not being happy with the way my clothes were fitting: I had lost 100+ lbs at that point, and everything was really starting to hang on me. I wore the same baggy clothes over and over.

• What helped with the depression the most was throwing out all my old clothes. Over the next couple of months, I built a whole new wardrobe. I also started wearing makeup and jewelry.

• Getting new clothes made me see myself differently. And that’s when people really started to notice.

• Currently I can eat pretty much anything, and I can fit about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food, depending on what it is.

• Grazing is (and forever will be) an issue for me. I never used to be a grazer (I was always a binge eater). It’s something that I’m struggling with.

• My stomach does not like pork chops, most popcorn and Corn Nuts (which I should really be eating anyway! heh.)

• I had bloodwork done in October, and I am currently off all my diabetes meds. I have been since August. My fasting bloodsugar was 99. My A1C was 6.5, I’m off one of my blood pressure meds. My cholesterol is still really high, though my triglycerides went from 363 to 125. My blood pressure is reasonably stable, though I have work do in this area as well.

• I started writing a book.

• I’ve been inspired to be more creative, and have been pursuing (or plan to pursue) interests in drawing/painting, home decorating with repurposed materials, sewing, playing the guitar, photography and other things.

• I’ve been more social, and feel I’m finally, after 50 years, coming out of my shell and really REALLY discovering who I am.

I hope everyone finds these thoughts helpful.

Be well…

Denise

[JenWith 96]

Thanks for sharing your story thus far. Sounds like quite a journey. I will officially be 1 month post op on Wednesday this week. Just a novice but still excited for my own journey.

[*Lexie* 1,486]

I was really having a down day today but your post made me feel better. What great progress!

And you are right, I have lost around 35lbs and no one has really noticed.

[Comeflywithme 402]

Thanks for sharing and CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep looking at your before and after pic for inspiration and keep up the good work and NEVER give up, you've come a loooooong way! BEST OF LUCK to all of us!!

[KMLG135 27]

WOW - you look fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your journey! You are doing awesome. Keep up the good work!

[sophie'sChoice 269]

Thanks for sharing your story! My surgery was March 10th and I'm a bit discouraged that my loss has slowed tremendously. I have a long way to go so I was hoping I could continue to drop 2-3 lbs a week average but I don't think thats in the cards for me anymore. However, like you, I'm thrilled with how far I have come and I will continue to fight the good fight. I will get there eventually.

Your pics look great! Thanks again for sharing!

[jessiquoi 623]

Congratulations on your journey so far, and thanks for sharing!

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

down 108.5 lbs from 366 lbs

@@DeniseNCC1701

what a great story

you write so well

"gooder " than me LOL

book/blog will be helpful to others

great keeping such good records

I never did

explaining your voyage to others is very helpful

newbies especially

appreciate your comments/advice for what they are going to deal with

you have done amazing

what a transformation

weight loss does slow down after awhile (ie 9 months)

not exercising enough, making some bad choices, grazing

knowing the problems are 1/2 the battle

i'm sure you will work on fixing/helping some of these issues

with continued hard work, i'm sure you will loose more weight

i see the determination in your pretty eyes

please "visit" more often

its nice to hear advice from other sleevers

keep up the good work

good luck

kathy

congrats

Edited December 1, 2014 by proudgrammy