2 year post-op and pregnancy update- Pics (VERY LONG)
I'm a couple of days late posting this, but it's been a busy weekend around here.
2 years ago on June 3, 2009 I revised from band to sleeve. As many of you know, or have read previously, I had horrific complications with my revision including a leak, a stent in ICU on a ventilator due to anesthesia complications during the leak repair, and an exhaustive recovery that lasted 3.5 months. To this very day, I can assure any one of you that I would endure every single, solitary struggle and hurdle to live the life I have today.
My highest recorded weight was 270lbs at 5'2". The day of my revision I weighed 263, and within 6.5 months I had hit goal of 150lbs. I continued to lose another 23-25lbs into maintenance over another 4 months and my body finally settled. I maintained my loss of 138lbs for a year before the pregnancy weight started creeping in. My maintenance weight would bounce around 125-130lbs, and I was wearing a size 2 in most pants, some 4s, and XS-S tops. From a size 22/24W, to a size 2.
To answer the common question of "how'd you do it?", the simple answer is; I set a meal plan/schedule and I followed my surgeon's prescribed post-op guideline. I didn't cheat, I didn't want to waver from his plan because I figured "hey, I trusted him to cut our my stomach, I should probably trust him on what he knows will work." I essentially low carbed it for 6 months until goal. I ate no more than 30-40gr of carbs per day, closer to 30gr and a minimum of 60gr of protein. Pushed clear fluids, and took my vitamins. Easy enough to follow. I will add that I beat most of my food issues with the band. That crazy thing kind of makes you not want to eat out of fear of puking, so my transition to solid foods was slow. My hair fell out between 3.5-6 months post-op, and I lost half of my hair by volume. It all grew back, and is just lovely today.
Losing weight was easy. Keeping it off was the challenge for me in the past, and with the sleeve I have the constant and permanent restriction needed to ensure success. I gained a few pounds over the holidays last year, and within a couple of weeks of going back to my normal eating, those pounds melted off. I worked on my relationship with food, I started to view food as fuel for my body. I eat what makes me feel good physically and mentally. I do not diet in maintenance, I refuse to deprive myself of certain foods. I do eat all carbs, I have drank soda for over 16 months without any change in my sleeve capacity, and I haven't exercised since being 8 months post-op. So, I'm one of the few that went into this with a loaded deck, and succeeded because I worked hard to replace bad habits with good habits, and really focused on my life with food. I never fell in love with working out, and yep, I have flabby, loose, wrinkly skin, but hey, it's what I'm left with. I'm not going to kill myself in the gym. So, there's some honesty for those that want to know my life post-op. I eat what I want, in smaller portions, and yep I eat junk food, and fun food, but I live a life a moderation. It might not work for everyone, but no one can deny my results and my pure love of life post-op.
Now, on to Sprout. . . We are both thriving. There is very little difference with being pregnant with VSG. My calorie intake is to stay between 1700-1800 calories, 100gr of protein and 100gr of carbs at a minimum. I have had zero issues eating enough to support my body and Sprout. I have not had any nausea or foods that just do not agree with me. Cravings are a TOTAL ***** and new thing because I really didn't deal with them post-op. The hormones are another ***** to deal with that I had forgotten about. Medically, we are both doing extremely well. I have gained a solid 8-10lbs in 18.5 weeks of pregnancy. It really depends on the time of that I weigh. I attribute a lot of it to the fact that I quit smoking, and have been snacking more. Yep, I went back to smoking after VSG, and I had stopped and started again 3 times. So, it's a hell of a habit to kick.
Now, emotionally and mentally with the pregnancy. Let me just tell y'all ladies that are looking to getting pregnant post-op. If you have never experienced skinny ***** syndrome, prepare yourself NOW. I wanted pregnancy more than anything else post-op. I wanted to give my husband a child more than I wanted to breathe myself. We struggled through TTC for over 12 months and was told that we'd medical intervention for success because something was wrong with me. Well, here we are today, nearly half way through a healthy pregnancy, and we did it without any assistance. I am considered high risk, but NOT because of VSG. If you wait until you're in maintenance, and your body is able to support you and baby, you aren't considered high risk as long as your labs are good. My labs have always been stellar and they have remained. However, regardless of how fabulous I am medically, emotionally I am a hot mess. My body has changed tremendously. I can not wear my adorably, cute, fashionable clothes. They have been packed away to make room for my "baby" clothes. AND, before you say it or think it, I am NOT resentful or regretful that I've gained weight or am dealing with body issues due to the pregnancy. DO NOT make this about me not accepting it. I'm fine with it, but it is a HUGE mindfuck to not be able to wear your clothes. TO have your cute, little sleek body expand exponentially what seems like overnight. To have strangers think it's okay to touch me, this is all foreign to me, and it's very overwhelming. I was fat when I had my 1st son so being skinny pregnant is very different. I thought I was prepared, I thought "oh I'll just be so happy being pregnant" WELL I'm here to tell you that it's all bull**** I hate feeling fat again. I'm so uncomfortable that sleeping is so difficult. My hips constantly ache, and I can't take any NSAIDS, not because of VSG, but because of the pregnancy. Tylenol isn't touching it, but they've increased my dose this week to see if it will help. All I'm saying is that if you think being pregnant is going to be all sunshine and roses, please know that's not always the case. I do love being pregnant, but I'm still struggling with the body changes.
We had our gender determination and measurement/growth ultrasound on Friday. The gender is still questionable, but it's more a 60/40 split. I'm not convinced and won't be revealing gender until after my 20 week appointment on June 15th. Sprout is measuring perfect for length, the spina bifida screening was NEGATIVE, and my quad screening (risk for Downs and Trisomy 18 and 19) is 1 in 6250, and the NT Scan was normal. Sprout is growing and thriving, and actually weighs 2 more ounces than most 18 week old babies. SO, no one can question if I'm eating enough, or taking in enough calories/nutrients to support a baby.
My clotting disorder is still being diagnosed and they think it's a platelet function that is messed up to put it in lay man's terms. I had more labs today. I was diagnosed with a genetic disorder and the acronym is MTHFR (I swear I'm the only person that could get some funky ass disorder with MOTHER F*CKER as an abbreviated acronym), and there is no treatment. BUT, I have been prescribed an 81mg Aspirin per day for the rest of my life to help with the clotting disorder in hopes that it will help. However, it can be counterproductive since I have a slow clotting time, but it's due to my platelets sticking to themselves instead of being free floating.
THANK GOODNESS for VSG, if I would have chosen RNY, guess what, I would NOT be able to do it safely due to risk of ulceration.
Okay, enough of all the blabbering, PICTURE WHORING TIME ! ! !
Before with my fabulous husband:
15 weeks pregnant:
18 weeks SO do NOT look pregnant from the front
BUT WHOLLY **** BATMAN Hello BELLY ! ! !
Sprout at 18 weeks
Sprout has a major thing with waving at the u/s wand ! ! ! It's been a wonderful 2 years, and I continue to look forward to what life brings us ! ! !
2 years ago on June 3, 2009 I revised from band to sleeve. As many of you know, or have read previously, I had horrific complications with my revision including a leak, a stent in ICU on a ventilator due to anesthesia complications during the leak repair, and an exhaustive recovery that lasted 3.5 months. To this very day, I can assure any one of you that I would endure every single, solitary struggle and hurdle to live the life I have today.
My highest recorded weight was 270lbs at 5'2". The day of my revision I weighed 263, and within 6.5 months I had hit goal of 150lbs. I continued to lose another 23-25lbs into maintenance over another 4 months and my body finally settled. I maintained my loss of 138lbs for a year before the pregnancy weight started creeping in. My maintenance weight would bounce around 125-130lbs, and I was wearing a size 2 in most pants, some 4s, and XS-S tops. From a size 22/24W, to a size 2.
To answer the common question of "how'd you do it?", the simple answer is; I set a meal plan/schedule and I followed my surgeon's prescribed post-op guideline. I didn't cheat, I didn't want to waver from his plan because I figured "hey, I trusted him to cut our my stomach, I should probably trust him on what he knows will work." I essentially low carbed it for 6 months until goal. I ate no more than 30-40gr of carbs per day, closer to 30gr and a minimum of 60gr of protein. Pushed clear fluids, and took my vitamins. Easy enough to follow. I will add that I beat most of my food issues with the band. That crazy thing kind of makes you not want to eat out of fear of puking, so my transition to solid foods was slow. My hair fell out between 3.5-6 months post-op, and I lost half of my hair by volume. It all grew back, and is just lovely today.
Losing weight was easy. Keeping it off was the challenge for me in the past, and with the sleeve I have the constant and permanent restriction needed to ensure success. I gained a few pounds over the holidays last year, and within a couple of weeks of going back to my normal eating, those pounds melted off. I worked on my relationship with food, I started to view food as fuel for my body. I eat what makes me feel good physically and mentally. I do not diet in maintenance, I refuse to deprive myself of certain foods. I do eat all carbs, I have drank soda for over 16 months without any change in my sleeve capacity, and I haven't exercised since being 8 months post-op. So, I'm one of the few that went into this with a loaded deck, and succeeded because I worked hard to replace bad habits with good habits, and really focused on my life with food. I never fell in love with working out, and yep, I have flabby, loose, wrinkly skin, but hey, it's what I'm left with. I'm not going to kill myself in the gym. So, there's some honesty for those that want to know my life post-op. I eat what I want, in smaller portions, and yep I eat junk food, and fun food, but I live a life a moderation. It might not work for everyone, but no one can deny my results and my pure love of life post-op.
Now, on to Sprout. . . We are both thriving. There is very little difference with being pregnant with VSG. My calorie intake is to stay between 1700-1800 calories, 100gr of protein and 100gr of carbs at a minimum. I have had zero issues eating enough to support my body and Sprout. I have not had any nausea or foods that just do not agree with me. Cravings are a TOTAL ***** and new thing because I really didn't deal with them post-op. The hormones are another ***** to deal with that I had forgotten about. Medically, we are both doing extremely well. I have gained a solid 8-10lbs in 18.5 weeks of pregnancy. It really depends on the time of that I weigh. I attribute a lot of it to the fact that I quit smoking, and have been snacking more. Yep, I went back to smoking after VSG, and I had stopped and started again 3 times. So, it's a hell of a habit to kick.
Now, emotionally and mentally with the pregnancy. Let me just tell y'all ladies that are looking to getting pregnant post-op. If you have never experienced skinny ***** syndrome, prepare yourself NOW. I wanted pregnancy more than anything else post-op. I wanted to give my husband a child more than I wanted to breathe myself. We struggled through TTC for over 12 months and was told that we'd medical intervention for success because something was wrong with me. Well, here we are today, nearly half way through a healthy pregnancy, and we did it without any assistance. I am considered high risk, but NOT because of VSG. If you wait until you're in maintenance, and your body is able to support you and baby, you aren't considered high risk as long as your labs are good. My labs have always been stellar and they have remained. However, regardless of how fabulous I am medically, emotionally I am a hot mess. My body has changed tremendously. I can not wear my adorably, cute, fashionable clothes. They have been packed away to make room for my "baby" clothes. AND, before you say it or think it, I am NOT resentful or regretful that I've gained weight or am dealing with body issues due to the pregnancy. DO NOT make this about me not accepting it. I'm fine with it, but it is a HUGE mindfuck to not be able to wear your clothes. TO have your cute, little sleek body expand exponentially what seems like overnight. To have strangers think it's okay to touch me, this is all foreign to me, and it's very overwhelming. I was fat when I had my 1st son so being skinny pregnant is very different. I thought I was prepared, I thought "oh I'll just be so happy being pregnant" WELL I'm here to tell you that it's all bull**** I hate feeling fat again. I'm so uncomfortable that sleeping is so difficult. My hips constantly ache, and I can't take any NSAIDS, not because of VSG, but because of the pregnancy. Tylenol isn't touching it, but they've increased my dose this week to see if it will help. All I'm saying is that if you think being pregnant is going to be all sunshine and roses, please know that's not always the case. I do love being pregnant, but I'm still struggling with the body changes.
We had our gender determination and measurement/growth ultrasound on Friday. The gender is still questionable, but it's more a 60/40 split. I'm not convinced and won't be revealing gender until after my 20 week appointment on June 15th. Sprout is measuring perfect for length, the spina bifida screening was NEGATIVE, and my quad screening (risk for Downs and Trisomy 18 and 19) is 1 in 6250, and the NT Scan was normal. Sprout is growing and thriving, and actually weighs 2 more ounces than most 18 week old babies. SO, no one can question if I'm eating enough, or taking in enough calories/nutrients to support a baby.
My clotting disorder is still being diagnosed and they think it's a platelet function that is messed up to put it in lay man's terms. I had more labs today. I was diagnosed with a genetic disorder and the acronym is MTHFR (I swear I'm the only person that could get some funky ass disorder with MOTHER F*CKER as an abbreviated acronym), and there is no treatment. BUT, I have been prescribed an 81mg Aspirin per day for the rest of my life to help with the clotting disorder in hopes that it will help. However, it can be counterproductive since I have a slow clotting time, but it's due to my platelets sticking to themselves instead of being free floating.
THANK GOODNESS for VSG, if I would have chosen RNY, guess what, I would NOT be able to do it safely due to risk of ulceration.
Okay, enough of all the blabbering, PICTURE WHORING TIME ! ! !
Before with my fabulous husband:
15 weeks pregnant:
18 weeks SO do NOT look pregnant from the front
BUT WHOLLY **** BATMAN Hello BELLY ! ! !
Sprout at 18 weeks
Sprout has a major thing with waving at the u/s wand ! ! ! It's been a wonderful 2 years, and I continue to look forward to what life brings us ! ! !
Band to VSG revision: June 3, 2009
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs
I've been MIA from the board for a while but was so happy to finally log on and find this! You and sprout are doing wonderfully. And you do raise a good point in the different pregnancies. I never really thought how different it'd feel being skinny vs. larger. Bet it's mind blowing! All the best to you and sprout! You're a beautiful, tiny preggers mommy!
you look great and I am sure with your will power you will be back to your small self again after you have the baby, if you breastfeed you will need to keep your calories up but they say you lose lots if you breastfeed. I still in awwwee about your weight lose in 6.5 months. I just wish the wait list wasn't so long here because I really don't know if I can pull the cash together to get to Mexico without going in debt big time with a finance company and knowing the payments will be too high for me to really be able to afford to live with supporting my children. Very tough decision for me arrghh.
WOW! What a great post! Your old YOU, does NOT look like the NEW you! Completely different and so much younger!! Congratulations on your little Sprout - excellent news that he / SHE is thriving and floating around in bliss! Your post gives me hope about my upcoming surgery and future. Thank you for updating and posting those side by side photos, great work!
Thanks so much for sharing! I always thought it was weird how my skinny friends complained about gaining 20 lbs being pregnant and how tired they were and how big they felt...as someone who used to weigh 360 lbs I could never really sympathize with them. But your explanation of it really helps! I don't have pregnancy plans in my immediate future (looking for a date, first!), it's hopefully on the horizon in the next 10 years and it's great to see someone thriving in pregnancy post-VSG.
You have a great story to share for so many reasons, and thank you for your continued presence on these boards - it is so appreciated!
You have a great story to share for so many reasons, and thank you for your continued presence on these boards - it is so appreciated!
Highest Weight (2008): 360 Surgery Consult Weight: 340 Day of Surgery: 318
Height: 5'10"
FYI - you are a major inspiration to me! I am also 5'2" (but much bigger then you ever were). Reading your journey - and your ability to overcome the MAJOR complication hurdles that you had, always inspires me!
You were Beautiful when you were heavy, gorgeous when you lost all your weight - but the pictures of you pregnant are AMAZING! Your baby will be so blessed to have 1. a mom who took the time and effort to be the best possible you that you can be! and 2. a dad who sees beauty at any size and who will love an support his family through the tough times!
Best wishes to all of you - and I love following the baby growth!
Lucy 
(Imma Loser!)
HW 335 SW 311 CW 181.2 -- Goals: Twoderville - 6/7/11, 280 - 7/1/11, 260 - 8/1/11, 240 - 10/30/11 Centry Club - 11/22/11, 220 - 12/27/11 Onederland - 5/25/12, 180 - , 170 (surgeons goal) -
We shall see where this leads...
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