Kim T.

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Wow!  Its been 2 years since my surgery.  Everything is going very well.  No medical issues, I physically feel great, I love my life and all that goes with my "new" body.

So many things have changed in my life.  All to the good.  I really cannot think of anything bad or negative that has happened since the surgery.  Okay... the first month or so after the surgery wasn't that great but that's in the past.

I always thought my self confidence was good before I lost the weight but now I know it wasn't.  I didn't like doing things or going to places where people might look at me and make comments about my weight.  Now that's not an issue at all... I've been para sailing, zip lining, mountain climbing, hanging out at the beach in a bikini, I wear dresses that show my curves, I shop where ever I want.  I hold my head up and no longer walk around looking at the ground.  It is sad, though, that people treat you differently when you are morbidly obese.

One thing I am concerned about it that I can eat almost anything I want.  This includes sugar at a much high amount than what most can.  I try not to eat much but I know my limit and I often push the outer bounds.  I still weigh and measure everything I eat and I practice portion control.   My weight did start to creep up... around 5 pounds.. but I've got it under control as I don't want gain back all that weight that I worked to take off.

Exercise has become part of my life and will say that way.  I walk at least 4 miles 5 days a week in the morning.  And when its not so blistering hot outside, the boyfriend and I walk together in the afternoon.  We also ride our bicycles on the weekend.

And about the boyfriend... he's now the fiance!    He proposed this June when we were vacationing in the Smoky Mountains.  We have been together for over 5 years.  He's wanted to propose for a while now and we both love the Smoky Mountains so he thought that would be the perfect place to ask.  We plan on being married next fall in Hawaii!

Looking back would I go through the surgery again... Yes.  It has changed by life for the positive.

Still doing great.  My weight has stayed steady and I've not experienced any complications.  Unless you consider getting food stuck twice a complication... other than it is real painful.  I am able to eat most food exept pasta and rice.  

I've been enjoying life and looking foward to warmer weather.  We're going back to the Smoky Mountains this summer and I'm going to try zip lining.  Something I never would have done when I was overweight.  Lossing the weight has made me want to experience life more.  We'll be hiking a lot more and maybe tubing down one of the rivers.  And shopping!  A new favorite pasttime of me     I also want to bicycle the length of the Illinoic and Michigan Canal path in on day.  Round trip is 150 miles.  Its been a goal and I'm thinking this year it is doable.

I have not 1, not 2 but 3 bikinis to wear.  Mainly in my backyard but I'm going to wear them.  It feels so good to feel comfortable in my own skin again. 

Exercise is a real key thing for me.  I still walk, walk, walk.  Every day for a minimum of 1 hour; a second hour in the afternoon if the weather is good.  If I don't, I feel I've let myself down.

I'm still with the boyfriend.  We've been together 5 years and are very happy.  He also lost weight as I went through my transformation.  He was never really over weight but he had been putting on a little weight the last few years.  He's now down to 160 and feels great.  We've been remodeling our house and have a fun time picking the material, paint, furniture, etc.

I have to get some more current pictures out here as I've cut my hair short and look very different from the before shots.

My BMI is now in the normal range!  I still have 5 pounds to go to make my goal weight but I'm not overly concerned.  I've gone from a size 22/24 to wearing 6s, 8s and smalls.

Looking back on the last year....

The highs, the goods and the wows

1.  Finally having a normal BMI.
2.  I can eat almost anything within the rules.
3.  I don't miss any of my favorite foods.
4.  I feel great... no pain in hips, ankles or feet.
5.  Fitting into a size 6/small.
6.  Being able to shop in any store I want.
7.  Having to ask the sales associate what size underwear I should get.
8.  I can wear a bikini.
9.  No bat wings!

The lows

1.  Saggy breasts.
2.  Ugly scar... I did not heal nicely.
3.  Getting food stuck... once was enough.
4.  Bony butt and back.
5.  I will never eat jell-o again.

My first bikini ever!   I was shocked that it fit and looked good.  Mind you the girls are a little droopy but they hoisted up nicely.  When I go in for my 1 year appointment I'm going to see if the surgeon can recommend a pastic surgeon to gets the girls back up where they belong and pointing in the right direction.

I'm still stuck at 145 but if I stay here and don't lose another pound I'll still be happy.  Cause I feel good... my knees no longer hurt, my hips no longer pop out of place and my ankles don't collapse when I stand up.  My blood pressure is perfect and my blood work is great. 

Did have a strange week last week.  What went in came out really fast.  I had good warning so I could make it to the bathroom but it was not a lot of fun.  Think I know what caused it and hope it doesn't happen again for a long, long time. 

Ten pounds left to make it to 135 lbs!    I got off track earlier this year and was not writing down what I was eating.  May 1st I started using fitday.com and the DietMinder journal by Memory Minder Journals.  Both have done the trick.  I really see how what I eat affects me.  I also kicked up the exercise and am leaving the boyfriend in the dust when we do our walks/run/rides.  He's not upset as he has lost weight and gained muscle also and is really happy that he is also getting healthy.

I still have a difficult time knowing what size I am and I'm suffering from some body dismorphia.  I look at myself in the mirror and don't see a small person.  I know I'm a lot smaller than when I started out but I cannot believe it when I go to buy pants and a size 8 fits.  Or I put on a medium top and its huge.  I don't see myself as a small person.  I still have the dunlop (what I call my gut).  Don't get me wrong, I got really excited when I was able to start wearing size 8s and small tops.  I was practically beaming in the store and grabbed the boyfriend to show him the tag.  Its just that I don't know what I look like.  I keep looking for people to compare myself to and I know that's a bad thing to do.

We are heading to Florida next week.  A few days in Daytona on the beach and then a couple at Disney.  I was able to buy a junior size tankini and am looking forward to being comfortable walking on the beach and not thinking people are staring at me cause I'm huge.  I also know Disney will be fun (my first trip) cause I'll be able to walk without my feet hurting and I will fit into every ride they have.
 

Things have been going great!  I can eat anything I want from steak to chicken, pork and fish to eggs with no problems at all.  All fruits, veggie and most carbs go down easily.  I've never dumped and have a high tollerance to sugar which I'm not to happy with and have learned not to take advantage of.  I following my nutitionist guidelines and am enjoying life.

The weight loss has slowed.  Since January I've not lost much but have gone done 3 whole sizes.  That tells me that I am building muscle and losing fat.  I'm happy with this and am not upset as I knew the last 15 pounds would be the toughest. 

I workout almost everyday and am looking foward to the warm weather finally getting here as I want to ride my bicycle!  We have plans to significantly increase the distance we usually ride in one trip from a normal 15-20 miles to over 50.  We are also looking at taking up kayaking.  I've also started running which really feels great.

I always hoped that I would keep this blog up to date to document my progress.  But like many others it became less of a priority.

I have been doing very well.  I hit a plateau in December and only lost a pound or two for the whole month.  But it looks like the plateau is over as I've lost 2.5 pounds just this week... with out changing anything.  I have only 22.5 pounds left to go!

I'm able to eat whatever I want within the limits and rules.  I am B12 deficient and will start the 8 week shot regiment today.  My hair did start to fall out (it has since stopped) but my  nut does not think it was due to lack of protein as my levels are perfect.  She feels at my be due to my low B12 numbers. 

The dress size keeps dropping and I was able to pick up a couple of pairs of pants and jeans over the Christmas holiday at a great price but, guess what, they are already to big.

 

I have found out that I can eat a lot of different food now.  I saw the nut mid month and she wanted me to up my fat and fiber intact.  I was eating 0 fat which is not really good for anyone.

I've tried a variety of nuts, cheeses and have also been able to tolerate some different carbs like crackers.  I even have tried some small amounts of food that have sugar.  Mind you its very, very small amount... a taste is all and I don't go back for more. 

The weight is still coming off but I still don't know from where.  My wrists are now super small.  But my belly dosen't want to lose weight as fast as my waist.  If it would I would be wearing even smaller size clothes. 

I read a lot of posts that your taste buds change after the surgery.  I have been very lucky as everything I have tried tastes the same as it did before surgery.  Except hot liquids... coffee tastes likes it was burnt and hot tea was just nasty.  I would try again every few weeks but with the same results... YUCK!  But this week they tasted good.  I can only drink a cup as my new pouch get a little gurgly when the hot water hits it.  But its nice to know I can now have a cup of coffee when I read the Sunday paper.

Neck - 13"                      -1.5"
Bust - 42.5"                     -7"
Waist - 34.5"                   -7.5"
Hips - 45"                         -7.5"
L Arm - 13"                       -3"
R Arm - 13"                       -2.5"
L Thigh - 22 1/4"              -4.25"
R Thigh -  22 1/4"             -5.25"
L Calf - 15 3/4"                 -1.75"
R Calf - 16"                       -1.5"

Pant size 14 or 16
Top size 14 or 16

Weight 174.5