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32 months post op, and today I weighed 127.  My goal was 128. 

I've posted a link to an interview  I was priveledged to participate in with my surgeon, Dr. Vadim Sherman  at Houston's Methodist Weight Management Center.  I love this video because it sums up what this journey has meant to me. 

http://www.methodisthealth.com/wmc.cfm?id=35059

Tomorrow, November 17th, I will celebrate my one year anniversary.  I know it sounds like a cliche, but it really does seem like yesterday I was preparing to go to the hospital.  I have enjoyed an easy recovery and journey, and I am extremely grateful to Dr. Sherman and his staff for managing such a superior program.  I have learned a lot this past year, and I have ObesityHelp to thank for much of that.  So for those considering surgery, I wanted to share a few thoughts.

 - When I began considering surgery, I assumed everyone would celebrate my decision. Some did not, but those who mattered did.  Do not let anyone deter you when making this life changing decision - unless it is your surgeon or other health care professional who is responsible for your medical needs.

- I had a very difficult time finding a protein shake that I could tolerate.  Months prior to surgery, I was told to find a shake I liked.  I decided to wait, and as a result, it made the first few months very difficult as far as my emotions were concerned.  I was extremely concerned about my health.   Everything made me nauseous, and I barely got 30 grams of protein per day.  Make certain you are well prepared prior to your surgery date.

- I followed my Dr.'s plan.  There are a lot of good programs, but in the end I knew I needed to follow his protocol because, after all, he performed my surgery and provided the after care.  I have however learned much on the boards that I have incorporated into my plan.  These are things that enhanced rather than conflicted with the protocol I I received.  Get support as much as possible and remain active on ObesityHelp

- Exercise is non-negotiable, but I appreciated Dr. Sherman's practical approach.  We were admonished to move our bodies at least 30 minutes per day even if we only walked for that amount of time.  Those simple instructions gave me "permission" to not have to live in the gym like I did in the past.  But as the weight came off, I fell  in love with walking, often walking 6 miles per day in Texas' 100 degree heat.  It was during those months I had my best results.  I concentrated more on cardio and weight loss than anything.  Although I spent minimal time toning, I will now shift my focus and emphasis to gym related exercise.  If exercise has never been part of your lifestyle, know that walking 30 minutes per day is a great way to start.

- I chose a goal weight that I knew was realistic for me.  While my goal seemed low to some, it was right for my frame.  Don't let the number control you.  Yes, I have a goal and work towards it.  I decided prior to surgery to not weigh often.  I wanted to relax and enjoy my progress. Now that I am nearing maintenance I plan to weigh each day in order to remain accountable.  If it works for you, try not to weigh too often.  If you follow your Dr.'s orders, the weight will come off. 

- I have concentrated on "whole foods."  I was a volume eater with a carb and sugar addiction.  I can completely control any cravings when I stay away from processed simple carbs.  I do not eat "white" carbs, and it works well for me.  I have stayed with lean meat (I don't like meat too much any more), fresh vegetable (they are now my absolute favorite), beans, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt and nuts.  If you are carb sensitive, try eliminating processed carbs; it really does make a difference.

- Last, but certainly most importantly, I am in better health than I have been in years.  I am more active than I was in my thirties, forties or early fifties.  I no longer take co-morbid medications and all back and joint pain is gone.  I went to the hospital wearing a size 24; today I wear a size 4/6.  That has been my greatest surprise of all.  I hoped to wear a size 8, dreamed I would wear a size 6, but I ended up in a size 4.  That was never my goal.  I am only 15 pounds lighter than I weighed in 2004, yet I am easily 6 sizes smaller.  I can only surmise all the walking I have been doing for the past year   made the difference.

So I end with my most important thoughts.  We all go through life with our own dreams and methods for achieving them.  For me personally it is, and has always been, my relationship with Christ and knowing "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Though I have struggled with my weight for years and certainly wanted to embody that scripture, I also knew I was not made to be trapped in an obese body.  I know He wants the best for my life, all our lives, and He is always there with outstretched arms to help us and to equip us for achieving our goals.  He does not promise us a perfect life, one without trials or testing, but He does promise to be with us in our trials.  It was that knowledge that has comforted, sustained and guided me these past 12 months.  I take each day as a gift, one day at a time, and I know I am always one cupcake away from defeat if I do not rely on Him and follow my plan.  I do fall down but try to get up as quickly as possible. 

Thank you to ObesityHelp and to those who have impacted my life and supported me these last 12 months.

 It seems I have been on a prolonged stall and have noticed the weight loss has slowed considerably.  I decided I really needed to recommit to walking each and every day.  I walked 6 miles on Monday, 5 miles on Sunday and 2.5 to 3 miles on prior days.  I stopped by the Y yesterday to weigh.  The increase in miles seems to have worked.  As of September 27th, I officially reached my surgeon's goal - 140 pounds.  It was actually 139.75.  I will now push forward to my personal goal.  I want to lose at least 5 additional pounds by my one year post-op date of November 17th.

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.

I had my six month post-op appointment yesterday.  All my labs were fine, and I am very thankful for that.  I weighed 166 yesterday down from 244.  I told my surgeon my appetite is returning.  He told me that is why the first six months are so critical for establishing new attitudes and a new lifestyle.  He reminded me good food choices and exercise are essential.  He also told me that is why we have to learn to be satisfied with smaller portions.  He reminded me to eat 3 healthy meals  per day and no snacking.  I am so thankful for this tool and for having such a great surgeon.

Next Monday I will be 6 months post op.  I decided I wanted to weigh because I have not weighed in 3 weeks.  I was a little apprehensive because my husband's schedule has not allowed us to get to the gym or exercise like I know I should.  Even though the exercise was scant, I still remained committed to my plan.  So we stopped by the Y today just long enough for me to weigh, and to my amazement, I have lost 7 pounds in the last 3 weeks...all while not exercising nearly as much as usual.

This journey is amazing.  Just when I think I have it figured out...no way.  I am thrilled.  I am now 28 pounds away from my surgeon's goal.  My personal goal is 12 pounds beyond that.  Deciding not to weigh or buy a scale until I am at maintenance has truly been my peacemaker.  I just never really stress over the numbers.  It just goes to show our bodies will lose weight in their own way in their own time.

Saturday the 17th was my 5 month anniversary.  The weight loss has really slowed, but I still take it one day at a time.  Including my pre-op diet weight I have officially lost 69 pounds.  Since the day of surgery, I have lost 61 pounds.  Sixty-one pounds in 5 months.  I have done that several times before on my own in actually less time, but the difference this time is I am consciously making a lifestyle change.  I was never able to accomplish that before.

I am still very happy with my progress, and I reached another goal.  Although I did not list it among my goals, as of yesterday I weigh 1.5 pounds less than my husband.  For the first time in almost 6 years, I weigh less than he does.  For me that has always been a psychological roadblock because my husband has always been very weight and health conscious.

I continue to stay on this site in order to lean all I can from the veterans.  I am really beginning to understand maintenance is not an easy road, and it will take a lot of hard work and dedication to achieve and maintain that optimum health and weight.  I take nothing for granted.

I visited my surgeon yesterday for my 3 month post-op visit.  I have officially lost 54 pounds,  which includes my pre-op liquid diet and more if I consider my highest weight.  I told my surgeon's associate I have to tell myself every day not to compare myself w/others.  My loss is not as much as some, but I am pleased.  He told me I am very wise to do that because many patients come in complaining because they are not losing as much as so-and-so.  He reminded me we all start at different weights, metabolisms, and genders.  All of those and more contribute to our progression.

I feel tremendous.  I cannot believe the difference 3.5 months can make in one's life following this surgery.  I am so grateful for this opportunity to reclaim my life.  I pray if anyone is out there who is still struggling with making the decision whether or not to have this surgery, I recommend they continue reading all  our profiles and blogs and see this is truly life altering.  ...thanks  to all for your continuing support.

Sunday, January 17th, was my 2 month post-op anniversary.  It is hard to believe 2 months have passed.  I am pleased w/my progress thus far. 

I constantly remind myself not to compare myself with others who had their surgery when I had mine.  I have lost 42 pounds; that includes 8 pounds lost on my pre-surgery liquid diet.  I have gone from a size 24 to a size 18 - although I am not officially wearing size 18. 

My exercise program is coming along slowly.  The most difficult part of that process is remembering how extreme my workouts were in 2004, the last time I lost weight.  I actually wore a size 8.  I spent hours at the gym then.  I am slowly working my way back to a respectful workout.  I am still a little light on energy, but I attribute that to food intake.

Eating has been challenging.  I do not get sick; I simply have no appetite and dense protein is a problem.  When I eat, if something does not sit well on the first or second bite, I stop.  I do not have a very large list of foods that I can eat.  However yesterday my husband made a pot of split pea soup and it was probably the easiest and most pleasant meal I have had since surgery, and it is another good protein source.

Unfortunately the bowel issues totally caught me by surprise. We talked about it in class, but I did not realize how difficult or significant a change it could be.  So, that is my main issue at this time.  I wish I had been more proactive about that issue. 

Last but not least I once again am thankful for this site.  I learn something new each and every day, and it has helped me immensely.  My bariatric program was superb, but the posts, blogs, discussions, and comments on  this site illustrate what was discussed in class and puts a "human face" on each topic.  Once again, thanks to everyone for your support.