9 Month Post-Op Appointment

Aug 24, 2010

On August 24th, I saw my surgeon for my 9 month post op visit.  I now weigh 143.5 pounds.  I have consistently lost 20+ pounds per 3 months.  I am now within 8 pounds reaching my goal. My labs were good.  My potassium was a little elevated and iron absorption a little low, but my ferritin levels and hemoglobin were good.  Everything else was fine too.

I have learned a lot from ObesityHelp these past months.  My newest revelation came a month or so ago when I read a poster who said the longer he waits to drink before eating the more restriction he has.  It is because the pouch is dry.  I have found that to be true for me as well.  If I do not drink for a couple hours prior to eating, I have greater restriction.  If I stop drinking  the standard 30 minutes before eating, I can tell it is much easier to eat.  Extending my no drinking to a couple hours before eating has been helpful.

I know I will be reaching maintenance soon, and that will bring a new mindset.  I continue to enjoy my success and continue to be grateful for this life changing surgery.  My surgeon's associate once again reminded me long term success depends on my choices.  It depends on me consistently choosing the right food to eat and maintaining exercise levels.  There is no magic bullet.  He said we have to choose to do the correct things because surgery only gets us so far.  That is why they remind us of this truth each and every time we come to the clinic.  I appreciate this reality check.

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