Carolyn Lacy

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I can't believe it's been nearly 5 years that I had RNY Gastric By-pass surgery!  I began my journey the spring of 2007 and then had surgery Oct. 31st, 2007.  I have been extremely blessed to have very little complications or issues.  My start weight was 324 lbs and today I've lost over 160 lbs.  It wasn't always easy, but I kept at it and am totally focused on my health.  The few health issues I have include anemia (which I take an iron supplement for), I have an ulcer which I take meds for, and I'm very lactose intolerant which cause bloating and discomfort.  I don't have as severe a reaction to sugar as I once had but I will every so often so I avoid sugary foods when possible.  I can eat practically anything but I follow the rule of volume so my pouch stays small.  My pouch has grown, but not excessively and I will immediately feel when I've over-done it.  I exercise regularly- 5 days a week for an hour or more.  I can walk 5 miles or more a day and have become known as the 'walker' in my little town...lol.  I also do yoga and pilates. Being nearly 50,  I'm not as young as I used to be so I try not to over-tax myself.  My check-ups are consistently good (fingers crossed)- no diabetes (never had it to begin with), or high blood pressure (which was a huge problem before surgery).  I have hanging skin on my upper arms, thighs and belly and will need lifts, tucks, and lipo to correct it.  I wish I could afford to have this done, but my insurance considers it cosmetic.  Anyone interested in funding this for this hardworking and dedicated girl, please call me...lol.  I'm just kidding ;)

I've had to not only make physical and behavioral changes, but I've had to make psychological changes as well.  No one tells you how you will feel afterwards on a day to day basis.  The first few years were focused on my body and the physical changes that were taking place. I had to have constant validation from my friends and family that I looked different because I could not see it!  When I looked in the mirror I saw 324lbs and was constantly amazed I could physcially do the things I could do, fit into a booth in a restaurant, sit on the floor, cross my legs, or just wear normal sized clothing again!  My shoe size even when down!  I took pictures of myself so I could 'see' the transformation.  I still continue this practice.  It's not that I have an inflated perception of myself, but that I need to see it.  I still ask my family and friends for validatin and support.  All the' issue's I had before surgery were still very real afterwards.  I still suffer from low self-esteem and I still have to deal with emotional eating...it's everyday non-stop.  I try and deal with it in healthy theraputic ways such as exercise, journaling, meditation, and tapping into my creative side.  I am much more sociable but still shy.  I am learning to be more confident and use my 'voice' to express myself even when it shakes.  I deserve respect and love, especially from myself.  I'm not used to being thought of as attractive.  My goal wasn't to be better looking but to be healthy and happy.  I wasted so many years being heavy and sick and I now appreciate this new lease on life.  I took this journey with the intention and committment to follow through- no turning back, and so far so good.  I realize not everyone is as lucky, and I'm not gloating, I'm just truly appreciative and blessed to have had such a positive experience.  I'm not perfect by a long shot.  I'm a work in progress and I fight the good fight everyday.

Man, I've been sick with the flu since last Friday.  I've missed 2 days of work and have to go in whether I'm up to it or not.  I didn't get the flu shot thinking it would cause me to get sick right before the surgery and now I'm regretting it.  Maybe I should still get it and will ask my doctor.  Other than that, I dropped another few pounds because of being so sick to have an appetite.  I tried to eat as often as possible, but with the mucus sliding into my pouchy causing me to feel a little nauseated, it was difficult at best.  I had to use Tylenol products and couldn't run to my favorite Nyquil this time.  I hope I feel better soon... I hate this!

I can't believe Christmas is over!  It came up on me so quick this year.  The biggest present I gave myself this year was my weight loss surgery and the loss of nearly 60 pounds!  I can wear most everything in my closet with a few exceptions.  In the very near future I'll be needing new clothes all together!  We had a great Christmas.  I sang a couple solos during church service on Christmas Eve and got to wear the red sweater outfit I'd hoped to be wearing by that time.  The kids were happy with their presents and I was happy with the ones I received.  I'm still on break and don't go back to work until Jan. 2nd so am enjoying this time off! 

My life seems to be improving and I even had a couple important job interviews that I wouldn't have even dreamed of applying for if I hadn't gotten this surgery.  I have more confidence now that I can't believe it.  I am praying I get a job offer but if not, then so be it; maybe I'll get something else.  At least I have a job now, so I'm not in dire straights. 

My son leaves for basic training in a week for 6 months.  I'm going to miss him soooo much.  The separation will be harder on me than it will be on him I think...lol. 

Looking forward to the new year being a skinnier me and am excited about the wonderful changes that will come my way.

Happy 2008!

Today, I got up for work and decided to try on my dress pants to see how much further I had before I could comfortably wear them... much to my surprise, I got into them with room to spare and they are comfortable!  Yea me!!

I weighed myself this morning and I was down 5 lbs.  I keep hoping for a bigger loss, but it's just not happening.  I've been stalled for quite a few weeks.  Any progress is better than none so I shouldn't complain.

It's disheartening, but the scale is still not moving.  My pouch seems extra sensitive, especially during the day time so I just nibble on whatever I bring to work... usually soup.  I try to drink my fluids but it's a struggle sometimes.  Everyone is putting pressure on me... how much have you lost this week?  Nothing!  I haven't been exercising because I get home so late and it's dark by then but I can still do it since the high school track is right behind my house.  I just need to motivate myself.  I haven't had a bowel movement in awhile too so I really need to increase my water!  I need to write down everything I eat so I can see it all on paper.

It's the weirdest thing... though the scales are not moving much, I've begun noticing some differences!  I can wear some of the nicer clothes in my closet now and need to lose only a few more pounds before I can comfortably wear my dress pants!  I tried them on last night and they fit, but the legs are still a bit tight.  Hopefully, by Christmas they will be a perfect fit!  I've been able to wear this career dress jacket and can button all the buttons!  I will soon be at the size that I was at when I lived in VA and worked in DC!  I wish I was making the same money...grr.  When I look in the bathroom mirror I see less of my upper thigh flab than there was before.  My shoulders are smaller and even my arms are getting smaller!  I doubt I'll lose the bat wings, but oh, well... 3/4 sleeves are fine by me!  Other changes are that after surgery I was able to eat nearly anything as long as I chewed it thoroughly but now my pouch is very sensitive and so am back on liquids and softer foods.  I know I was rushing things but kept pushing anyway.  I got totally sick on tuna fish yesterday at work.  I ate just a couple tablespoons and it went down like a rock and I sat at my desk with my garbage can between my knees.  It took me an hour before I felt better!  Today am eating cottage cheese and jello with my Diet Green Tea.  I ate an egg for breakfast for the protein, but I stopped as soon as I felt the familiar rock feeling.  This is a learning process!  I have my first post-surgery appointment Dec. 1st and am hoping their scales will reflect the correct weightloss.

So far so good.  I just have to be extra careful what I eat right now.  I'm pretty good about taking my vitamins and such but need to work on getting more liquids down.

I'm back at work and it feels great.  I was pretty winded going up those stairs but hopefully it will get easier and easier as the week goes... those stairs are the most exercise I've had since I had surgery!  Everyone is very happy to have me back and I'm glad to be out of the house.  Since Thanksgiving I've been baking (though not eating any of it), or watching the Food Channel which isn't helpful.  Going to work helps me concentrate on other things non-food related.  Scale stays pretty much the same so far... between 280 and 270.  I can't wait until it's lower than 250 or less!  Exercise will help.  I have my doctor's appointment with Dr. P on Dec. 1st.  So far I've tolerated everything I've been able to eat just in much smaller portions.  I really feel it when I've over-done it.

I'm at a stall and haven't lost anything for awhile now.  After you get the surgery you just expect all the weight to magically fall off, but it's not the case.  Hopefully after I start back to work and start going up and down those stairs everyday I'll shake off the stall and continue  losing again.  I'm eating fine... no complications.  I pay close attention to what and how I eat, though today I ate a full cup of vegetable soup (unstrained) chewed everything thoroughly but about 15 min later felt sick.  I guess too much at one time.  Lesson learned.  By Thanksgiving I should be able to add a few more items to my diet.  Tired of purred foods...lol.  My kids and I decided I won't cook Thanksgiving dinner because I won't be able to eat much off the menu and they're going to eat at their dad's mother's house.  Later on we're going to a friends for "dessert".   I'm making a sugar free pumpkin pie and should be able to enjoy eating some of that.

My daughter is so excited about the holidays this year and has even put up our tree!  It's a spectacular white 7 ft Noble artificial Christmas tress she decorated in red and cold.  Breathtaking!  I feel so blessed this year.

I stepped on the scale this morning and weighed 270!  From April to present I've lost 45 pounds!  I still don't look like I've lost 45 pounds but my face looks smaller.  I tried on an old pair of capris and they fit but were a bit snug still.  I have another week or so on the liquid diet and then by Thanksgiving will eat pur-red foods.  I'm a little nervous about that as I hate throwing up, but I guess it's just something I have to deal with.  No problems getting liquids down and have even gotten applesauce down!  I need to start drinking protein supplements.  I've been drinking Silk milk and can't stand the taste but am doing it anyway.  Overall, I feel a little bit sore around the wound sites but moving around is no problem.  If I feel too much pulling than I just lie down for a bit and it goes away.  I'm still anemic but am taking medication for it.  I feel weak and pale still but overall I'm doing well.  My kids are helping out quite a bit.  I've really needed this time off from work but worry if I'll have the strength built up to make it through the day.  I'm looking forward to the holidays even though I won't be eating the foods I once did, but I don't care!  I'm looking forward to being with my family and focusing on other things rather than food for once!