Hi!

 

First off I apologize to everyone who thought I'd fallen off the end of the earth or worse had some bizarre complication that prevented me from writing updates in month 4 and 5.  Truth is there just wasn't much new to tell.  This journey has been a relatively easy one for me.  I have had no complications, I have no complaints and wish I could stop every over weight person on the street and hand out cards for New England Medical Center and the Obesity Consult Center.  This has got to be THE best thing I have ever done for myself!!  As of today I weigh 105 pounds less than I did when I began this process (23 pounds before surgery, 82 since)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I had my 6 month check in at NEMC on Monday (5/21).  The nutritionist and the physician's assistant were very pleased with my overall progress and lack of complaints or problems.  As they said, "this is the way it is supposed to be!"  I am now allowed to eat anything I can tolerate which is just about anything, although some things I can only tolerate in moderation.  These things are high fat foods such as chips, nuts, fried foods or foods high in sugar.  The fact that I only tolerate a bite or two of these foods is a wonderful thing!!  I call it "surgically induced willpower"  The queezy feeling I get from too many bites is just not worth it!  The nutritionist also did my BMI (body mass index) which was a whooping 47 at the time I started the program.  You must have a BMI of 40 or more to qualify for surgery.  Well, on Monday my BMI was down to 34!!  I no longer even qualify for surgery!!!!!! THAT was a really good feeling!!!  I also now take only 1 pill each morning for my blood pressure.  The second BP med is gone as is the pill for diabetes and the anti-inflammatories I took for my hip and back.  I feel good!!!

 

The campground re-opened for the season on May 15 so I am a prisoner of my job for the next 5 months!!  But I am going to continue to work on excercising more and getting these next 75 pounds or so off before I get to my 1 year anniversary.  The return of all the regular campers has been fun.....a few people have even admitted they almost didn't recognize me!!  The biggest problem is clothes!!  At the moment I am wearing a pair of shorts I haven't been able to fit into in about 5 years and they are way too big!!  I do buy a few things now and then but try to shop Walmart or such as I just can't bring myself to spend alot of money on something I'll only wear for a month or two.  People keep telling me this is a good problem to have.  I may start checking out the thrift stores as well now that I am no longer wearing the big girls sizes!