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on May 28, 2007 6:46 am
Today is my six month sleeversary and so I thought I would do my first real review of life since last November. First things first: I just checked my BMI...it is 27.6. I believe it is considered normal (read: healthy) when it drops below 25 and hopefully that will not be much longer. I won't go over the pre-op and surgery stuff as my story is listed on my homepage but I started out weighing 239 with a BMI of 39. My weight now is 167. It has been at least three years since I have been that low and people are always asking me how it feels to get down there. It feels DAMN good actually!!
WHAT I know now for sure: I would NEVER have gotten back down here on my own.....thanks to sleeve and God! My self-confidence has returned and is dramatically better. I was becoming quite reclusive and hesitated about most social occasions...looking for excuses why I couldn't go wherever it was, and justifying my actions to myself with whatever reason came to mind.
I have SO much more energy it isn't even funny. I sleep less and better, and find myself measuring success in the small things. I clean the house without being winded, bend down to visit the cats willingly and often, agree to any physical activity suggested, and get dressed in a snap! (that last is really so wonderful, the closets are almost completely sorted out...I have lots of clothes to give away and sell, and I am wearing what I call my "Ann Taylor" wardrobe that had been hiding in the back of the closet for years. Good thing their clothes are classic! Another wonderful thing....short-sleeved tops....these arms have not seen the light of day in YEARS!!! I want to buy new jeans but am wearing a 12 and kind of hope that I can hold out till I (or if I?) get to an 8 or at least at 10....:) I am lucky that, IMHO, I will not need plastic surgery and I find myself appreciating what I see when I see me! My thighs almost look small in my black capri exercise pants, my wedding ring and watch turn easily around and my shoes are, (yes really) a size smaller, down from 8 to 7.
I am so happy that I was told to take my measurements the night before surgery.....those numbers continue to amaze. I have lost 24 and a half inches from my bust, waist, and hips. Darn, I wish I had kept track of my thighs and arms too! Pre-ops, please do write your measurements down cuz when those plateaus hit (and sadly, they do--all too often), your diminishing inches will be just the NSV that you need to see you through the stall!
and of course, food.....my most powerful all-time acquaintance, well......we continue to reassess our relationship daily. DH and I did an early dinner at Sweet Tomatos last night. I had about 3 oz. of chicken (culled from their chicken noodle soup!--a well-known trick there), followed by about three bites of salad with feta cheese, and the top off a mini blueberry muffin. Sadly, I lost most of my dinner in the parking lot minutes after eating it. Now that was a first....not just the foamies but actually tossed most of my cookies. I am telling you this cuz it was actually a very different experience for me. I really haven't been nauseous much of late. (I think Kris has her own parking lot story as well!) DH and I kind of talked about it afterward....not sure I understand what I did differently....it was just too much food for dinner today....tomorrow I may be able to eat four or five ounces of chili or fish and it won't be a problem---'cuz with WLS....every day is different! Please let that comfort you newly post-op folks....just because something didn't work one day doesn't mean it won't work tomorrow or the day after.....it's all a good education for us right?
Important note: The weight loss has slowed down dramatically! I don't think it is really a stall but more that I have lost 73% of my excess weight and just think that the last 27% (or 27 lbs. in my case) is going to be on me....I think the sleeve magic is just about done. I would like to say that I will redouble efforts to exercise in the next while....I need to rebuild muscle mass and get back to walking!!
Important note: The weight loss has slowed down dramatically! I don't think it is really a stall but more that I have lost 73% of my excess weight and just think that the last 27% (or 27 lbs. in my case) is going to be on me....I think the sleeve magic is just about done. I would like to say that I will redouble efforts to exercise in the next while....I need to rebuild muscle mass and get back to walking!!
Lastly, I have said this before but must say it again. I could not have been this successful without the support, guidance, and nurturing of all of you!! You continue to surprise and amaze me with your level of caring and commitment. It is just so wonderful to know that I have a place to turn to whether I have a question, a solution, or just a comment.....so thank God for you....consider yourselves hugged please.....with much love and thanks....we continue the journey.....together.....:) Gail
