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Well I was hoping to post that I reached the century club by now.  But I am down 98 pounds.  I know why I haven't lost more and I'm just not motivated to lose any weight on my own.  I lost 7 pounds for month 7.

I have been eating ice cream, chocolate etc on a daily basis.  Usually eating about 1400-2000 calories a day. No exercise either.  

I'm not stuggling with this anymore though.  I mean I am still losing weight and I am not doing anything at all to assist the process.  So it it comes off slower at this point that's ok by me.  My BMI is 28.  I can live with that for awhile.

I do feel better about my appearance which is a good thing.  I am trying to get a sales job for a hotel and appearance plays a factor in that role.  No way could I have landed this job 6 months ago.  Now I think it's an actual possibility. We'll see though!

I just got back from a 2 week trip to Florida.  We had a week at the ever-so-posh Turnberry Isle hotel in Miami and another week on the coast. 

I took 192 pictures this trip. AND the miracle is, I actually got in some of them. I am famous for going on vacation and taking pictures of everyone else and never getting in front of the lens myself. But not this time. I was as big a ham as the rest of them. I’ll post a few soon.

The best part? I lost weight! I ate and ate and ate and ate and was still down a few pounds by the end of the trip (because you know the first thing I did was weigh myself when I got home). Now I’m only about 40 lbs from goal. I can’t believe it. A year ago this was just a fantasy. Now, it’s a reality.

I can tell my stomach has stretched out. I was able to eat a WHOLE Big Mac today without any trouble. Who knew? It wasn’t my first choice for food however, I went with the flow. I wouldn’t classify that as a triumph but it means that I can eat with the rest of the crowd without feeling self-conscious. It must be the malabsorbsion component to the DS that is taking over.

I missed my puppies and am glad to be home. Glad to be back in my own bed. Glad to catch up with all my friends at OH. I know there are a few of you out there who have had your surgeries since I have been away. I hope you're all doing great. I will read back to see what I've missed. 

Today is my 6 month anniversary as well.  I have lost 10 pounds this month for a total of 91 pounds. AND, I am no longer obese...just overweight!  

I have no regrets and wished I'd done this surgery years ago!!!!

I only lost 8 pound this past month.  I've really been struggling with carbs big time!  I am eating chocolate almost every day!  What's with that?  So I weighed in at 201 today.

So I know the problem, but can't seem to break the cycle when they are being delivered to my desk almost on a daily basis.  My husband just sent this beautiful Christmas arrangement to me yesterday to cheer me up since I'm at this new job I'm not sure I like or not.  Of course, it came with a box of truffles as well.  Man I must have glared at them for an hour before I opened the box and crawled inside and devoured some of them.  They were sooooo good.  A sales rep also drop off truffles to me as well.  What am I?  Wonder Woman?  Do they think I have secret power to ward of the evil carbs?  No, unfortunatley, it's the same old me inside that cannot resist.  The only difference now is that I can stop at 5 truffles instead of the entire box.

Anyway, I was really hoping to be in Onderland by now but it appears that I will have to wait a little longer for that. 

My last post I said my job issues had finally been resolved.  Not really.  The position I accepted fell through and I ended up going to another location for my company.  The drive is killing me and it's the same ol same old job I was doing before.  I've been in training for the past few days and I'm already looking for something more challenging.  

The good news I haven't been eating all day anymore and the weight has started to slowly move.  I'm at 202 now.  I would like to get 3 pounds off by Dec. 6th which is my 5 month anniversary.  Ah the glorious 100's.  I think it was 1998 the last time I weight in at 100 anything.  Who remembers anymore?

I went to the OH gala last week for Ontario residents.  It was wonderful to meet all the people I have been chatting with for months.  Everyone looks great and it's so inspiring to see such phenomenal weightlosses.  I'm still not ready to flaunt my new extra hot body (please) yet.  But one day soon....

I'm very happy that my work situation has finally been resolved.  I've been in limbo for months.  I finally accepted a supervisors position at my head office and have started today, and not a moment too soon.  

I've been working at home for the past 3 weeks and that fridge is way too close to my home office.  I only lost 3 pounds in 3 weeks.  I'm sure its because of all the nibbling.  Now that I'm back at the office there will be more structure and less eating!

I weighed in at 209 this morning which give me a weight loss of 10 pounds for my 4th month.  

Not too bad considering the week long Halloween bonanza I had. Seems like I can't break my DS! 

I can smell Onederland...almost taste it if you will.  I am hoping to get that pesky 10 pounds off for month 5.  From there, I don't care. I really never thought I'd see the day when I would weigh less than 200 pounds again.  That is before I found out about the DS!

I thought that after DS I would have little or no desire for candy.  I guess this was true in the first couple of months.  

I had such a battle with the kids candy this year.  The same thing as every other year.  I was eating lots of chocolate.  And I was only eating it because it was there.  

The difference this year is the quanity has changed.  I could have easily eaten anywhere from 15-30 pieces in the past depending on the time of the month!  This year I was binging again but the most I could eat was 10.  And that was at the sacrifice of other meals.  Bad I know!  I asked the kids to get rid of the rest of the candy or at least remove it from my sight line.

The good news?  I still lost a pound!  I love my DS!

After a 2 week stall, I am happy to annouce that the scale has started  move again.  Seems I go through this every month.  I lose for a week straight and then stall out for a couple of weeks.  I am going to enjoy this losing streak while it lasts.

I have been paying more attention to what has been going in my mouth and I think that might be the reason for the loss again.  Maybe I just put too much faith in the DS and thought it would do all the work.  I guess I have to show some responsibility as well.

I still haven't gotten into the routine of exercising though.  I can say that since my surgery I have excercised less than 3 hours in total.  Can you imagine that I have lost 67 pounds without exercise...and in 3.5 months?  This surgery is the best decision I have ever made.  

Even though I am not "exercising"  I do find myself spending way less time glued to the couch.  I used to come home from work and throw myself on the couch (only getting up to eat) and staying there until it was time to go to bed. I literally had no energy to do more than that.  I can't say that I have a lot of energy but I can tell that I am not tired all the time. Now I barely spend any time on my couch at all.  Expecially the weekends.  Life is moving on.

Mu husband and I have been discussing whether or not he should have the surgery as well.  It was phyically hard on me and he is such a baby.  My biggest concern is what if something goes wrong.  I got off very easy.  I had no complications after surgery and was eating right away.  What if he isn't so lucky?  I could never forgive myself if I talked him into having this surgery and he had problems or worse-he died.  I'm not going to be the one to talk him into this.  He is going to have to take action himself if that is what HE really wants....

Oct 18, 2006

I'm still lurking on the boards.  There's not too much new with me so I haven't been posting unless I feel the need to add my two cents worth.   

I just got my first handful of hair out today.  I noticed over the past week that I had been shedding but this morning-WOW!  I couldn't believe how much came out when I washed my hair.  I'm going to be a bald eagle pretty soon!

I think I have to start that new job on Monday.  It's not confimed yet.  I'm not looking forward to my drive to Markham everyday.  I am glad I had this surgery though.  I'm way more confident meeting new people now.  I'm still "fat" but not "fat and ugly" any more (in my opinion anyway).  

I bought a new pair of jeans on the weekend (size 16) and I kept walking around the house telling my hubby and kids how hot I am now.  They were laughing their heads off at me!

I finally lost a pound after another 2 week stall.  I have been eating very poorly lately. I'm eating way too many carbs-and not the good ones either! I notice my weight is better with a protien shake for breakfast so I'll have to keep that up!


-------------------------Archived Posts-----------------------------------------------

April 21, 2006-See my GP about Surgery
I've just seen my GP and thanks to this site I had all my ducks in a row when I brought him the papers to sign for OHIP. My doctor is a fabulous man. So today I have a bit of a spring in my step. All hope is not lost.


April 29, 2006-Ohip wants more information
Went by the doc's to pick up OCC application that they faxed on Tuesday. OHIP had already started the application which was a little suprising. It has only been a few days! They want clinical notes and lab tests to support the comordidities.


May 5, 2006-Approved!

I called Dr. L's office today on the off chance they may have heard something from OHIP. And they did! I've been approved for a consult with him!!!!!! I've booked my consult date for May 22nd.


 

May 23, 2006-Consult with Surgeon

Well I had my consult yesterday with Dr. L. I really haven't been nervous until now. I guess it starting to sink in a little. He went through the procedure and answered all of my questions. He's asked me to lose 10-15 pounds.

June 12, 2006-Struggle to lose weight

I haven't been able to lose weight. Well more correctly, I've lost a little weight and put it right back on again. Only 24 days left. Why can't I do this? It's only 10 pounds for peat sakes. I'm going to have to do one of those fad diets I think. I'm so glad that this whole dieting routine is coming to an end. I need this medical intervention!

June 20, 2006-What the heck?????

I can't believe this. I still haven't heard anything back from Ohip regarding the final approval. Everyone told me to be patient. Well I'm not a patient person by nature, by any stretch of the imagination. So I called Ohip. I know they don't want to talk to me but at this point I don't care. Long story short-they never received the 2nd approval application from Dr. L's office. What????
Linda at Ohip told me I never should have booked the surgery date without getting final approval from Ohip and that if I had the surgery on July 6th then I wouldn't be covered. She told me to talk to Barb Holtz and Barb said don't cancel the surgery yet but get the forms in right away.

June 26-APPROVED FINALLY!

I asked Rosie to call Ohip on my behalf to see if she could get anywhere. I know Ohip didn't want to hear from me again. Rosie called me back and they basically gave her the same song and dance they gave me. BUT, she called me back within the hour and the signed papers were faxed over to her. Yippeeeeeeeeee!

So, all the paper work has been completed. The only thing left is to lose these 10 pounds. I have a week left. I can do this. I will do this. I cannot stall any longer....  

June 27th-Nag Nag Nag-This one is for you Auntie

So I told my dear Auntie Donna yesterday that all systems are go for the surgery. Well, except the 10 pound weight loss. She has called me for every meal since yesterday afternoon to make sure I am being a good girl. She knows me all too well.

I hate to say it but without that constant ringing in my ear, I'd be off to McDonalds for one last burger. So because of Auntie I have to be on my bestest behavior ever. She is watching me like a hawk. At least if I can't be accountable to myself, I can be accountable to her-whether I like it or not!

June 29, 2006

Well the big day is one week away.

Nervous? Yes. Scared? Yes. Excited? You bet.

My parents will be watching the kids and my dogs for me. They love the kids to death but I think they'll be happy to get rid of the dogs. My mom asked me to come up and stay a few days before we go to Michigan. I think she's worried now. My dad doesn't even really want to talk about it. He's having a hard time dealing with it. He keeps muttering something about that parents shouldn't have to bury their children. Overdramatic? My Dad? Never!

 

July 3, 2006

I'm packing up now for the beginning of the end of my life as a fat person. Although I'm anxious about the actual surgery, I am welcoming the thought of being a happy thin person. Ok I'll take content and averaged sized too.

Anyway, trying to keep my mind off the rib cracking, the reordering of my intestinal track, the pain and the 1 month recovery time. Trying only to look 6 months into the future when I'm on a beach in Florida with my kids and this a just a blurry memory.


July 5, 2006-the 11th hour

Well it turns out that the hotel has a computer for guest use. So here's a little update. I met with Dr. L today in the afternoon. I was down 9 pounds. Probably because I took a water pill and that drink that clears out the pipes.

He went over the list of all possible complications but somehow I feel more confident than ever about the surgery. Julie went over in detail about eating post-op. I feel that I'm ready now although I can't believe it's only hours away.

July 10,2006

Who knew? My first weigh in. I was up 12 pounds. Must have been the IV's I was hooked up to. The hospital treated me very well. But the bed-ugh the bed. It was awful! I didn't sleep a wink the whole time. I caught strep throat while I was there too. What a rough start.

They took the drains out at the hospital-not fun. I think I yelled even. I have to get the staples removed on Friday at 11:45. I'm sure that will be great too.

I was released yesterday and I can say that last night was a rough night. I was nauseated, gas ridden and the bowels finally kicked in. They were right. It smells like nothing else I have ever imagined. OHHHHHHHH! It's only supposed to last a few weeks thank goodness.

July 16, 2006

Dr. L removed the staples on Friday and sent me home. It was better than I thought it would be considering I had 50 staples. It just pinched in a few places.

I met Jamie and Carol in the waiting rooms. They are both warm and fuzzy people. It was nice to see them. I had to leave the office abruptly though because I was so dizzy I thought I was going to pass out! I offered to be Jamie's Angel to help her get through this mess. She is so sweet.

The drive was pretty good. We turned a 5-hour drive into a 7.5 hour drive due to all the stops.

I have had no energy for the past week. What would normally be a quick thing to do such as shower is now an event that takes forever. I almost hyperventilate climbing a flight of stairs.

On the plus side I'm down another 5 pounds which puts me at -25 in 10 days.

July 20, 2006

2 weeks out. I am down 30 pounds as of this morning. The food is starting to go in better. I had 2 chicken strips yesterday. It was heaven!

The fluids have to be ICE cold but they are now going down nicely as well.

No pain really. I've been off painkillers for a week now. Just lots of gas!

July 29th 2006

I just spent the past week at my parents home on the lake. Why I didn't go earlier I don't know. It was exactly what I needed. There was no stress in a relaxing and a peaceful setting.

I spent the afternoons sitting in a chair on the shoreline of the beach just getting my feet cooled by the lake water. I enjoyed eating alot of the potato chips that were on the nearby picnic table. I was sure that I had gained weight because I am supposed to stay away from carbs and I ate A LOT of them this week. Turns out I lost 2 pounds. So it appears that this surgery will work despite my inability to stick to the rules. he he

 

Aug 1, 2006

Well that blasted 1/2 pound finally came off. I have been sitting at -34.5 pounds for days. The reason? Junk food. I wish I didn't figure out I could eat it. It really makes a difference. So yesterday I behaved and the scale rewarded me. I'll call it a learning curve. No more chips! Glad to be back on track. I'm sure my tummy will be happier too. It's Melissa's 12th birthday today. We are taking her out to her favorite place-The Mongolian Grill. It should be interesting. Why I'm going to a buffet I don't know! I'll be able to eat 2 tsp of chicken then I'll be done!

Aug 5th, 2006

Well even though I went down one pound today. It took a week to do so. One of the ladies on the board posted this and it fits me to a tee. So I'll post it here to remind me that this is all normal.

Hibernation syndrome

Two or three weeks after Gastric Bypass, the patient’s body” figures out” that it is not going to be receiving its accustomed calories for a long time. In about half of our patients this results in what we call the hibernation syndrome, where one’s body falls back on its built-in evolutionary response to a low food supply – the person just wants to rest and be as still as possible until the food returns. Energy level drops through the floor and the individual can become emotionally labile (tearful or irritable). There can also be a component of depression caused by the loss of the previous relationship with food. This syndrome can be unnerving for patients because it comes at a time when they are just beginning to get over the pain and other effects of surgery – they believe they should be feeling better but they just want to curl up and go to sleep. The good news is that this is not dangerous or unusual and will resolve in about 2 weeks when the body figures out how to use the fat as its main energy source.

August 8th,2006

Ugh. It had to happen. I finally went back to work today. I really don't think I was ready until now. It was a quiet day thank goodness. I called Julie at Dr. L's office to see if I was on track with protien and she thought I was low and wants me to be at least about 40 grams a day. I will REALLY have to start on the shakes.

I've lost 37 pounds to date. The funny thing is the people at work were saying "wow, you look so rested" ,"you have a great tan", "I love your hair" but nothing about the weight loss. I guess people notice something different but don't know what it is yet. Whatever it was at least they were positive comments.

Aug 14th, 2006-The big 40! (Weight, not age-For you Jamie)

It's been a good day so far. I got on the scale and finally hit the 40 pound mark. Man has the scale been slow lately.

And finally, someone at work noticed the weight loss. She asked me what I was doing and I told her protien, protien, protien and that seemed to be enough answer for her.

I had dinner at my parents place last night and my aunt was visiting. My aunt keep remarking on how little I was eating and dad told her I was on a diet. She asked a bunch of questions about what I was doing. I can't lie. If I land into ememy hands one day I'll spill my guts within seconds.

Aug 17, 2006

Nothing new to report really. I thought the weight would be coming off faster than this based on my first few weeks. But man, it's really ground to a halt! I haven't lost a pound in days. I just figured that I would continue at a moderate pace but I didn't expect to stop. I wonder why that is.

I hope this doesn't mean that I have, ugh, have to ..I can't say it...that I have to EXERCISE! There I said it. I really hate to exercise. I get no enjoyment out of it at all. It doesn't matter what it is either, walking, swimming, pilates-it all sucks.

Well no point jumping into any crazy exercise regime. (hehe) I'll just see how it goes for the next while. I am fine having the weight come off slowly. Just as long as it keeps coming off. I think it will be better for the skin sagging situation if it does come off a little at a time.

Here is a link to the lab rat data for the DS members:

http://www.studiostarr.com/WLSdatawebpage.htm

 

Sept 6, 06-2nd month Weigh In

Well I tried (not too hard) to make it an even 50 pound loss but no luck. I lost 12 pounds in month 2 for a total of -49 pounds. Not too bad considering the 2 week plateau!

Sept 10,06-50 ugly pounds gone forever!

Well the scale teased me for a few days. It wouldn't let me get to that 1/2 century mark without a fight. But I finally made it. Yeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!

Sept 20, 06-Not as Camera Shy

I went to lunch today with some work associates at the Magna Golf Club north of Toronto. I'm not a golfer but I know it's a pretty posh place with exclusive membership. Hey, how did I get in ? Anyway, no one there knows about my surgery and these people are people that I haven't seen in about 6 months. No one said anything about my weight loss either but that's besides the point. I had chicken parmesan (my fav.) and some salad and some crème brule and a cappuccino. (didn't finish any of it). It was sooooo good. Again...that's beside the point. When we were leaving, guess who pulled up? Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker from the Leafs. I am a HUGE Sundin fan...and damn Darcy is cute! Boy, I just keep rambling don't I? Anyway, I asked Mats if I could take a picture (aren't cell phones great?) and he said yes! So I did. My son is a bigger fan than me and I knew he'd get a kick out of it. So what's my point? 53 pounds ago I would not have jumped in the picture with him. I don't care who it was! This surgery has increased my confidence. I can't say I'm happy with how the picture turned out (I still look fat) however, I'm glad that at least I was able to enjoy the experience like any other fan(actic) and not hide in the background.

Mats Sundin and I

Oct 3, 2006

I had my 3 month check up with Dr. L. last week. It was a long drive for a short appointment. All went ok. He would like to see me start to exercise. (hell, I'd like to see that too! lol)

No hernias! I was worried. I have tried to be good but you never know what will do it. He was please with my weight loss and stressed eating protein first at every meal. So no surprizes there.

I have had a cold for the past for days and that's really wiped me out. So the exercing will have to wait.

I had some expected bad news on Friday as well. My company lost the contract I work on. I have to leave my position by years end. I have expected this for months now so I have been job shopping and there's nothing in my field in my area. So I will have to commute. That sucks. I hate driving.

My boss has offered me two positions elsewhere. I will have to chose one this week. I am so VERY happy to have had this surgery. All the little "blips" I experienced in the beginning have worked themselves out now. I feel great. Down 62 pounds so far. I feel so much more confident going into one of these 2 new positions. People are already treating me differently. It's subtle, but I notice it. People treat me as a person now and not a FAT person. There is a difference.

I feel really good. Although I am growing out of my fat clothes faster than I thought. I have 2 huge bags just waiting to give away. Seems like I am wearing them and then they are too big already. It's ok though!

I will update in a few days with my official 3 month weigh in.

Oct 8, 2006

I forgot Friday was my 3 month anniversary! Just goes to show that life moves on very quickly after surgery and that my life is no longer all rapped up in obessing about my weight! Now that in itself is a miracle!

Anyway, I weighed in at 219 this morning. Onederland actually seems like a not so distant goal right now. Who knew?

That means I lost 14 pounds this month, for a total of 63 pounds in 3 months. Did I mention I LOVE my DS?

My family is celebrating the Canadian Thanksgiving today. Lots of turkey and gravy in the forcast. I can hardly wait!