Kara W.

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Has it really been 9 months since I've been on OH!??

I guess I should give a quick update. I have been maintaining my weight at 142lbs for the past 6 months. That has been 100lbs lost from my highest. Ideally, I would still like to lose another 15-20 to get well into "normal" range (for my height, I'm still technically "overweight"), but I'm so comfortable with where I am right now, if I never get there I'll be happy. My husband, my surgeon, and myself all think that this weight looks good on me. So, it's all good. 

Right now, my biggest issue, is that I'm finding the things I can get away with and getting away with it. I feel like I need someone to keep me accountable. Most days I'm a good girl, but more and more often I'm finding myself grabbing for a dessert list (very few things make me dump anymore), or dishing out a portion that's WAY too big for me. Hopefully, coming back on to OH and reading and posting will help me with this. As I get further out, I'm realizing how incredibly important having a support group is. I think I'm going to start spending more time on this site again and hopefully be able to help someone else in the process. 

I haven't posted in a really long time. I feel bad because I wish I was more active on here, but I've just been so caught up in my life. There have been a LOT of changes.

So, here's a brief run down of what's been going on in my life over the last couple months.
As of today, I've officially lost 82lbs since surgery in July. I feel AMAZING! I'm wearing a sz 10 jeans and it is the smallest I've been since elementary school.  There are days that I don't feel as small as I am. I look in the mirror and see the same girl I was months ago. It truly does take some time for your mind to catch up with your body.

Earlier this year I decided that I was going back to school not matter what. At the same time, I started looking for a new job that had tuition reimbursement (since the one I had was lacking in that department). I am pleased to say that I was very successful in the search and found a job working for UPMC that not only provides tuition reimbursement but also allows me to work nights and weekends so that I can take classes whenever I need. I went and enrolled at the local community college to get some of my pre-reqs out of the way on the cheap, and I plan on transferring to PITT next year to finish my bachelors and get my masters in Speech-Language Pathology. Hell, they'll even pay for me through my doctorate... so I may not stop...

AND here's the BEST news! Jason and I are getting married... on TUESDAY! We decided a couple weeks ago that we wanted to get married but neither of us wanted to plan a big event... so why not elope! We are having a family only ceremony at our mayor's office in the afternoon and then we're planning a BBQ reception for the spring. We've been keeping this whole thing on the DL. We just told our families a few days ago and we're not telling our friends until after we do it. We just want to shock everyone.  (Jena, Kike and whoever else is on my FB... PLEASE don't say anything on there.) I just need to tell someone, somewhere... and this is the safest place! I'm so excited to be his wife. It's the greatest gift. I feel so blessed.

Well... that's about it for now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So this weekend was great!

I spent all day Saturday with my mom and we had a lovely time. I went through all of my clothes that don't fit anymore and gave her a huge bag. (She's getting ready to have her RNY in November, so she's gonna need them!) Anyway... we're in my room and I pick up my first "goal" dress. I attempted to try it on last week but couldn't maneuver myself to zip it... well, since she was there I got her to help me and it FIT perfectly! I bought this dress over a year ago hoping I would get into it someday. (Great sale!) I was so happy that I can finally wear it. 

And the great things didn't end there. I took her out for a light dinner and we went walking around the shops on Pittsburgh's South Side. There is a White House/Black Market there and every time I walk by that store I stare in the window wanting to buy a LBD. While we were walking by mom picked up a dress from the clearance rack outside. She kept insisting that it would fit me... well that one did... and the 8 other dresses I tried on also fit! I bought my first LBD and it looks GOOD!!! And to top it all off... it WASN'T the largest size in the store! The XL was too big... I bought this great dress in a large... one L, no X... large!


Now... if I can just get BF to take me out on the town for an evening... :)

(I'm at work right now... but I'll post pictures soon)

I can't believe it's been 2 months already.
I'm down 47 lbs... and LOTS of inches. Couldn't be happier!!!


Hopefully I'll take more pics tonight.

Go Steelers!

AFTER A 14 DAY STALL MY SCALE HAS FINALLY MOVED!

197.8

FINALLY IN ONEDERLAND!

I guess I should finally update this thing.

I can't believe it's been a month since my surgery. Everything is going so well for me. I am down 36 lbs and feel AMAZING! When I posted the pics tonight and finally looked at them I'm starting to see what my friends and family have been telling me about how much I've changed. It's so neat.

Not to act like I haven't had any issues. I'm still having a hard time getting all my protein in. The lactose in the shakes are giving me icky pouch issues... and I just can't get enough food in. That... and NOTHING actually tastes good to me right now. Eating has become such a chore. As of today I am on "soft foods" which makes things a little easier. Clear liquids and purees were pretty much the 9th circle of hell, but I'm through it.

What's more fun is that I've been spending a nice bit of time in the gym. I know it's helped a lot with my weight and inch loss so far. And it just feels really damn good. I have a feeling I'm going to turn into quite the gym rat. The other day I was there with Jason and he was ready to go like a half an hour before I was... that NEVER happens.

Well I guess it's time for bed now...

'night yenz...

So... I was getting frustrated that no one had called from my surgeon's office to schedule me. I didn't want to be "that person" that calls all the time, so I waited patiently... for 2 weeks.

Today, work asked me again if I had a date. I figured it's been long enough... I need to call them.

The girl who answer the phone said "We were waiting for you call back! We left you a message on the 4th"   WTF?!?

I almost cried. They didn't give the scheduler my new number so she left a message for someone else... and I've been waiting for 2 weeks for NOTHING!

Anyway... all is well... and I have a date... July 9th!

Just over 3 weeks away!!

Now the nerves are starting to kick in....

Today was my LAST appointment with my PCP. It feels so good to have accomplished this first part of my journey. All of my other pre-op testing is done so now I just have to wait for my PCP's office to fix their fax machine and send my last 2 months of trackings to my surgeons office. Norma, the best nurse ever, said that the fax machine is supposed to be fixed today, so she'll send it over ASAP. Once they receive it, my surgeon's office will be able to submit to the insurance THIS WEEK!

Now the nerves have started kicking in. What if they need more info... or, GOD FORBID, deny me!? I have had my heart set on this for years... this last 6 months have been TOUGH.

Gotta keep thinking positively. This will work... everything will come back quickly!

Just keep me in your prayers... I have a feeling this is all going to happen a lot quicker than I expect.

I'm so excited!!

Today I had my Psych Eval (and passed!) and my 5th pre-op diet appointment. The Psych Eval was really weird... but it felt good to talk about all that stuff. He dug into a lot of things with my family and my past (haha... all my mommy issues...) but said I was really well adjusted and ready to have this surgery.  WOO -HOO!

I called my surgeon's office in between appointments to make sure they had everything up to date in my file. THANK GOD, they do. All I have is 1 more pre-op diet appointment on June 1st and I can submit to my insurance.

It's coming so quick... In a little over 3 weeks I'll know if I'm approved and have date. These last 5 months have gone by so quickly.

I can't wait to get the show on the road...

I guess blogging really helps me focus.

After my rant yesterday, I got my butt to the gym and did 2 miles on the elliptical and some light weighs on my arms and back. It felt so good.

After, boyfriend and I went to Market District and  got some lean meat, tuna, eggs, and some other things and I cooked and made healthy lunches for the rest of the week. 

And we set a goal.  25lbs before I submit to the insurance in June. And I'm not going to submit until I hit that goal... DEEP BREATH ....Exhale....

Easter is the only thing standing in my way... because we're going to my family and we eat very well... Good thing Arabic food is generally healthy. I just have to make sure I practice moderation on the grape leaves. YUM!