I really need to update my photos. I am 14 months out and last week bought a pair of size 12 pants! FINALLY! Not all 12s fit, but most do. It depends on the designer. I weighed 172 yesterday so that's 91 lbs down. I have a PS consultation next month. My surgeon suggests I get down to around 160 before surgery. I doubt I will be able to get the surgery anytime soon because I need to schedule the time off far in advance and also need to work on financing it. I am hoping I can get away with a TT but something tells me this surgeon is going to suggest a LBL which is not only more recovery time but also more pricey. To be continued...

Otherwise, I find that a busy life (FT work and PT school) makes it tough to exercise a whole lot so I usually do 10-20 minutes at a time when I can fit it in. I find I can eat more too which can be alarming but I make much better choices. I am 100% vegan as of last month so my diet consists of lots of tofu, beans, seitan and veggies. I also start every day with a protein shake because it's really the easiest breakfast for my busy life, gets in lots of protein (~40g) and also some fruit.

I have been so bad about updates but my 1 year anniversary is in a few weeks so I will take and post photos.

I went to get bloodwork this week for my 1 year and I broke the 180s! I am 179 as of Tuesday. That' 84 lbs. lost! I had thought I would have lost about 100 but I am happy and feeling good and complication free! 

Since last month, I now fit comfortably in a size 14 pant. My tops are M or L depending on the cut. I bought a size 10 top at H&M recently. A new milestone! I am still sick of my rolls! I just want a flat stomach!

June 12
Ankle - 10
Calf - 15.5
Knee - 16.0
Upper Thigh - 23.5 (another 1/2 inch down!)
Hip - 45
Waist - 36.5
Bust - 40 (another 3/4 inch down!)
Upper Arm - 13.5 (down 3.5)
Neck - 13 (down 2)
Wrist - 6.5 (down 2)
Ring Size - 8
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 14
Tops - M/L

Things are moving slowly and to be honest, so am I! This month my goal is to kick it back into gear in terms of exercise. I really need some shaping up on my arms (batwings!!). 

Overall, I am doing well and still no probelms related to the surgery. Couldn't be happier with my decision!

It's been a slow few months so I took my almost-10-month measurements for inspiration. I had my 9 month appointment last week and am down 80 lbs which was my goal for the visit. I am very excited but also a little frustrated that it's not coming off as quickly as before.

No problems with food but exercise and water continue to be problematic. 

The loose skin is really starting to get on my nerves...I am feeling very unattractive! I will definitely need plastic surgery am hope I can afford it when the time comes. Dr. P said I need to wait until 16-18 months out to consider it so I have a ways to go. I am also about 40-50 lbs from goal so it will be a while until I get the whole picture.


Day before surgery (July 16, 2007)
Ankle - 12.5
Calf - 19.75
Knee - 19.25
Upper Thigh - 31.75
Hip - 56.25
Waist - 47
Bust - 47
Upper Arm - 17
Neck - 15
Wrist - 8.5
Ring Size - 10
Shoe Size - 10 (though some 10's were tight)
Pants - 26/28
Tops - 22/24

9 (almost 10) Months Out (May 7, 2008)
Ankle - 10 (down 2.5)
Calf - 15.5 (down 4.25)
Knee - 16.75 (down 2.5)
Upper Thigh - 24 (down 7.75)
Hip - 45 (down 11.25)
Waist - 36.5 (down 10.5)
Bust - 40.75 (down 6.25)
Upper Arm - 13.5 (down 3.5)
Neck - 13 (down 2)
Wrist - 6.5 (down 2)
Ring Size - 8
Shoe Size - 9.5 or 10
Pants - 16 (but these are big; I am almost into a 14)
Tops - M/L

Total inches lost in almost 10 months: 52.5 inches

I was on the scale on Saturday and it read 188!!!! That a 3 lb GAIN. I actually felt like I had gained...not a lot...but just bloated and uncomfortable. Yes, perhaps it's water, PMS etc. But the fact it, I should still be losing, albeit slowly, at this stage. Some things I am not doing:

 - getting all my protein
 - getting all my liquids
 - exercising

So, I know I am to blame. It wasn't some weight gain fairy. The lesson is that at 9 months out, it's easy to get caught up in life and forget the rules we need to live by as WLS patients. Lately, life is very busy and I have not been creating adequate space and time for me.

I have my 9 months with Dr P on the 30th so I will report back then and also post new measurements.

In the meantime, I recreated a tofu scramble I had out in LA.

1 pkg extra firm tofu, pressed for 30 minutes
1 sweet potato, peeled, diced and blanched until tender
1 bunch fresh spinach
1 container baby portobellos
1 tbs chopped fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, chopped
tamari to taste

Start with the garlic and ginger, saute in olive oil
Add potato, mushrooms, spinach and cubed tofu and saute
add tamari to taste

Some mornings I serve with a slice or 2 of tempeh bacon. 

Tofu is a great subsitite for scrambled eggs. You can make it with anything you would add to eggs. Add a little turmeric and it will be yellow...yup, just like eggs. It's a great substitute for people who don't eat, like or can't tolerate eggs and is loaded with protein. Make sure you buy only organic as non-organic soy products may be genetically modified.