Bellaluna468

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I am almost 11 months out from my surgery, and 80 lbs. down.  The weight loss has slowed quite a bit in the last 5 months, but I am happy with how I look and feel.  I will lost the last 30 lbs. in time.  I feel so much better than I did a year ago at this time.  I get up in the morning without aches and pains in my legs.  I can get up and down all our stairs without huffing and puffing.

I am amazed at how good I feel now.  I am so happy I had the surgery! 

We are going on a cruise in December, and I can't wait.  The skin sag isn't bad, I have a bit of a sag in my arms, but not bad.  My stomach isn't as bad as I thought it would be.  The skin on my upper legs isn't as bad as it could be either.  Overall, I'm happy with how I look.  I'm sure if I exercised more, it would tone up.

As far as eating, I track what I eat every day on MyFitnessPal.  It keeps me in check with how much protein I am getting.  I need to be at a minimum of 80 g. protein.  I find myself most of the time about 700 calories - and that keeps me from losing.  When I get more protein and more calories, I lose more.  It is a daily requirement to track and know where I am.  

I have added some carbs to my diet -- but overall, I try to stay strictly on protein.  I feel better when I stay away from carbs.  

For anyone who is contemplating the surgery -- DO IT... you will not regret it!

Hard to believe it's been 3 months already.  I am officially 199!!

We went to an indoor water park over the weekend with the twins, and it was so different than before.  I didn't feel fat, granted, I didn't feel skinny yet, but I didn't worry about how I looked.  Mentally, I felt great that I lost 50lbs.  I didn't mind being in my bathing suit and it didn't feel as though I was packed into a suit that was too small.  I can't imagine walking up all those stairs as many times as I did and huffing and puffing along the way.  I probably would have done it once, not 4 times in a row.  

I will say, trying to find things to eat was a bit of a challenge.  I brought protein drinks along for the trip, but didn't want to drink them.  I found hard boiled eggs at the little store, but easily fell into the trap of eating junk because it was available.  As busy as we were, it was next to impossible to get all the liquids in as well.  We ate pizza twice, and snack foods, but clearly it was in moderation.  One night we went to the steakhouse and it was perfect for me.  

Blood work results are in and I am a little low on B1, so I will need to add B1 daily.  I've been taking 3 B12 pills a day, that was high.  So I will need to adjust my vitamins a bit.

I went shopping in my attic and was surprised to find so many clothes that I saved.  Some were new with tags in a variety of sizes... Jeans in size 8, 10, 12 and 14... shoes that I hadn't been able to wear since I had the twins... I was excited to see some of the clothes I had been keeping for years -- granted some of it will be donated as I should never wear mini skirts again.. but it was fun to see some size 7's in the bunch!

Looking back on the past 3 months since having the surgery... I wouldn't change a thing.  I am feeling great, and can't wait to see myself when I am at my goal of 125lbs.

 

I was so happy to be losing a pound a day for 2 weeks...then hit a stall for almost 3 weeks.  It was hard to experience as I was doing everything I was supposed to do.  I questioned myself daily...what was I doing wrong?  I had to adjust my protein...I was getting 60g. of protein, so I bumped it up to 80, then 100.  Increased my liquid intake as well.  I found myself having a hard time drinking plain water, so I started buying a large regular tea, no ice...from McD's...an easy way to get 4 cups in each day.  The calories are too low for me to lose.  It is a constant readjustment as some days are harder to get in any more than 60g. of protein.

Eggs did not taste the same as they did before the surgery.  I tried egg beaters, YUK!  I tried hard boiled...YUK!  Fried...I needed toast, which I couldn't have...baked tasted better...but who has time to bake eggs all the time.

I survived Thanksgiving...cooked the entire dinner; turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce...and ate a nice plate of turkey, mashed potatoes with a little gravy and a small taste of stuffing!  

I was cleared from soft foods, so I started to experiment...I also tried a few pretzel thins with laughing cow cheese..YUM!  But, I can easily see how bad it would be to have this regularly.  So I stick to 4 or 5 pretzel thins occasionally, it feels so good to enjoy this, but in moderation.

chili is a good easy food to make as well as enjoy from restaurants.  Even a plain baked potato with it is good.

I find it is much easier to drink my protein, than it is to eat it.  I will have to work on this more.  I never feel deprived though.

I am so thankful to be able to enjoy food again with my family.  I track every day using MyFitnessPal and that keeps me in check.

i had hoped to be at 199 early in 2013, and I just may make that goal.  I am 209 at 2 months post surgery...I can't wait until I reach 199!!

So I was out shopping, and I thought I should eat.  Well, a favorite go to is sushi.  I figured I should stay away from the seaweed wrap, so I just picked Ebi (cooked shrimp over a small bit of rice)

i had 2 pieces, chewed well....I couldn't get the check and pay fast enough before I hurled it up as I got by my car.  The poor parking lot!

it will be a long time before I try sushi again.

It's amazing how great things are 2 weeks post-op!!

Today we went to the museum with the kids, walked around for 3 hours, then went to a restaurant for the first time.  I ate a crab cake!!  It was nice to know I can go to a restaurant and enjoy with the family.  It's strange though...it would be nice to have a cup of soup and a meal...but I was good with just having a crab cake.  It was hard to sit down at the table and not have a cocktail, or drink the water.  

As we sat in the restaurant, I found myself thinking about all the foods I couldn't have anymore....raw oysters, can I enjoy them again?  Champagne will be difficult for me...I love champagne on the holidays!  I would drink mimosas on all holidays as I cook.  Social gatherings, always serve champagne...:-(

I look forward to enjoying more foods!

What a difference a week makes!

i had hoped to feel good like others, but you just never know.  It's amazing how I never felt any pain, only like I had done a million sit ups.  Today, I woke with itching, which normally means healing....so I hope it also means my incisions are healing.

I am now off full liquid and trying to learn how to eat.  I am nervous and worried as I begin.  I do think I need to slow down while eating. I seem to finish my few tablespoons fast.  I rely on the protein shakes to get me to my level.  I faithfully use MyFitnessPal so I can track.  I Love It!

I find myself worrying what I will look like after losing.  I have been thin before, but it's been 9-10 yars....I was much younger and didn't have saggy skin...it worries me.  Silly thinking..

i also find myself wondering if I will be able to eat more normally, and without worry of getting sick.

Hard to get past feeling a little down today...even though everything is going very well.  Must be hormonal.

Day of surgery arrives, I wasn't nervous about the surgery, only nervous about the IV.  I'm not an easy stick, so it's always a worry for me.  It starts out fine, pregnancy test -- good to know I'm not having another set of twins.. ha ha

Then get changed... and wait for the nurse to get the IV started.  I was poked once .. no luck.  Twice.. no luck, top of my left hand.. no luck.. inside of left wrist... The anestesiologist arrives, she thinks she can get it... poked by the ankle.. no luck.  Poked in right arm, no luck... on to get the ultrasound machine to assist..  Determination is ..  I'm dehydrated badly.  At this point, my only option is in my neck..  I started to freak out.  I was crying ... I didn't want an IV in my neck!  Then I find out I have to be entirely awake for this to happen!  I really start to freak out.

I was wheeled back into the OR and inverted a bit, my head covered and was cut.  I only wanted to hear that it worked... I did then it was lights out.

Next thing I know they were calling my name saying it was over and it went well.

Compared to the IV issues.. what I felt after waking up was nothing that I couldn't handle.  My mouth was so dry!  I could barely talk.  I was surprised when they agreed that I could have ice chips.  I had heard that most do not get any.  I loved my few ice chips.  No nausea.  My back was killing me!  I could not get comfortable it hurt so bad.  I was taking pain medicine for my back and not my stomach. 

I finally got assigned a room by 3pm.  I was placed on a brand new floor of the remodeled hospital ... was the room nice!  I immediately asked the nurse to walk.  The nurse asked me to wait til 5pm.   At 5 p.m.  I did my first lap around the floor slowly.  The nurse was thrilled that I was eager and asking to walk.  She told me that most patients do not want to go walking.

I felt pretty good that night, was using my pain pump occasionally, but felt pretty good.

I realized later that night I was due for my period -- of all the rotten timing!!  I was pretty confident the back pain was because my period was to begin.

I couldn't get comfortable in the bed, and building up pillows didn't work either.  I had a recliner that I built up the pillows behind me and it felt a little better.  I slept in the recliner.

Saturday morning still feeling pretty good..  I lost my pain pump.  The IV in my neck was removed!  That's when I started to go down hill a little.  Although I tried to keep up with the pain medicine, if the nurses were late in delivering ..  Oh well... I had to wait.  I took an afternoon nap and was pretty wiped out.  I slept a lot that evening in between visitors.  I have a drain, it doesn't hurt.. just a nuisance.  My husband learned how to administer the Lovenox shots.  Hopefully his touch will improve.

Sunday... wake up to Aunt Flo!  what a joy!  That explained the back pain at least.

I just wanted to get out of the hospital.  I had not passed gas yet.  I was told I could shower, so I took a light shower to clean up my belly.  I was informed that the drain that will remain for a week.... ick! 

As soon as one of the Surgeon's from the practice came by... I was released!

Once at home, I fell asleep in the recliner.  It was good to be home.

I had not had any pain medicine ... that was a mistake!  We didn't fill it, because I was trying to be strong.  BIG MISTAKE.  Husband ran out to fill the prescription and an hour later I was feeling much better.

Monday morning...  I wake up feeling pretty good.  I slept in my own bed, propped up.  I finally started passing gas!! YEAH  The pressure in my tummy is going away.

 I have been doing good on liquids as well.  I made some Unjury Chicken Soup...  WOW that was soooo good!!!  It tasted just like Lipton Cup O Soup, without the noodles and has 21 grams of protein.   I ordered a whole container!

If tomorrow is even better ... I CAN DO THIS!!   YEAH!!

 

 

 

...... No one said how horrible drinking the Magnesium Citrate would be..  I was miserable and wondered at one point, how the hell am I going to make it through the surgery.  Of course I did make it through that -- but not without crying.

Now, I find myself waking up and unable to go back to sleep.  I have to get up at 4 a.m. and it's not yet 2 a.m.

I just pray I will wake up and can handle what I'm voluntarily going to do.

 

Wish me luck!

I met with the surgeon today... He is a comforting man.  I know I'm in good hands...now, I just have to get through it.

Tonight I was surprised to get a call from the hospital... surgery set for Friday morning.   I'm #1 in the lineup.  I have to be there by 5:30am.   My stomach has been in knots ever since.

I had to juggle plans so I can get the kids off to school, so my mom will come to the house at 5:00am to be sure to get the kids up by 6:30am and ready for school.   

I don't want to wake them so early in the morning, but I don't want to miss saying goodbye either.  Of course crazy things go through my head that I want to say I love them .. and hope it's not for the last time.  

Of course this afternoon, I started feeling a sore throat... nasal drip... signs I'm getting a sinus infection.  GREAT..  I started taking my antibiotic, but my throat is killing me.  Hopefully it will be better tomrrow.  I can't take when my throat is so sore.

I was determined for this weekend to be a 'normal' one for the family.  I have been cooking all day -- not that I could enjoy any of it, but it helped to keep me busy and it's what I usually do on the weekends for the family.  I cooked breakfast, baked cupcakes for the twins to frost, then started on Sunday Dinner... It certainly helped to keep me busy and my mind off food and the surgery.  It was nice that even though I'm on the liquid diet, I can still enjoy cooking and not be dying for what they were eating.  Sure it looked delicious, but I was OK with only having my protein drink and 3 cups of chicken broth.

I am so ready for this surgery to be over and on the road to recovery!

This afternoon, I received a call from my friend, whom I didn't want to tell I was having surgery this Friday.  She didn't seem thrilled with the idea I was considering surgery, even said that I will just gain the weight back again, so I was procrastinating on telling her.  I didn't want another lecture or my feelings to be hurt... Well, she called today and the first thing she said was, "when are you having surgery?",  I was surprised she cared, but I was honest that it was this friday... and even told her that I was worried about telling her as she didn't seem approving of my decision.  She said although she thought I could do it on my own, she would support my decision if that's what I wanted.  I thought that was nice and made me feel so much better.  

I have done really well on the liquid diet..  losing 12 lbs!  Both my husband and neighbor hoped I could continue doing this and not have the surgery.  I wish I could stay on this and not need the surgery too... but the lack of food is torture!  I know I could lose 20-30 lbs., howver, it's not enough to get me where I need to be .. and I probably wouldn't be able to keep it off.

I just pray that my surgery goes well, there are no complications and I can come home next Sunday...