Valarie L.

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I was doing so well until September.  I was running in a couple of 5K races a month. I wasn't really losing weight but I was gaining a lot of muscle.  I was happy.  Then one morning I woke up to discover that the right side of my body was numb.  I underwent several tests and was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in December.  I started treatment for depression and the MS that month.  

Since my attack, I haven't exercised very much.  I just don't have the stamina, balance, or coordination.  I have put on about 10 pounds.  I don't know if it is the medication (both say they can cause weight gain) or lack of exercise or what.  

I have decided that I am going to buckle down, pull up my big girl panties, and get off my ass.  I am not giving up. I will reach my weight loss goals.  I just have to face the facts that my body is not what it was even a few short months ago and I may have to do things differently.

So I am actually almost 7 months post op but I just had my 6 month check-up yesterday.  The doc. walks in and has a big smile on his face and says "These numbers look great!"  He thinks I am doing great and shouldn't have any trouble getting to his goal by my 1 year mark.  That would make me very happy.

I have broken my stall and started losing again, it isn't as fast but at least there is progress being made.

I am still exercising 6 days a week.  My primary doctor told me to take one day off a week to let my body rest and to prevent burn-out.  I have been using my Leslie Sansone videos, Couch to 5K on the treadmill, weight lifting, using a Total Gym, and doing a program called X-Factor:ST.  I enjoy working out, it soothes my mind as much as it changes my body.

 

I have been in a stall for almost two months.  I have lost 9 pounds since January 1st.  Only 1 pound this month and the next time I weigh (Tuesday) it may or may not still be gone.  

I am ticked off because I never got my honeymoon.  I have been feeling hunger since about day 4.  This "honeymoon" phase of extra easy weight loss with no hunger is supposed to last for the first six months.  Here I am not 4 months out and I am stalled big time.

I have increased my exercise to everyday alternating different routines, I lift weights and use resistance bands. I get my protein and water, I don't overload on carbs.

I feel like I was cheated.

Before surgery every thought of everyday was with regards to my weight.  After surgery I started to see the world differently and didn't stress as much about my weight.  Now all day long I think about how I am failing at this weight loss attempt too.

I feel like such a failure.

Yesterday marked my four months post op.  So far I have lost 81 pounds but I have gained so much.  My body doesn't ache, I don't get headaches all the time, I am more active, I have ridden in go-carts and amusement park rides with my kids.  My clothes are several sizes smaller already.  

I have been in a stall for 4 weeks now. Losing and gaining the same pound - I know it's a typical part of the process but it is frustrating.  I have upped my cardio, weight, and resistance training, so I know that I will break this stall its just a matter of when.

I feel really good.  I haven't gotten sick as much as I used to either.

I am so glad that I had this surgery.

 

My life has changed so much since surgery!  I have had a lot of NSV's since I last wrote.  I no longer shop in the plus sized section for clothing.

I am no longer considered "Morbidly Obese" Yay!

We celebrated my son's 12th birthday by going to a go-cart racing place, and I actually participated instead of sitting on the sidelines.

I have lost 60 pounds since my consultation appointment. Which means I am half way to my goal.

 

My family went on a weekend getaway a couple of weeks ago and I found a great product.  Microwavable pork rinds.  They are low on calories, sodium, are carb free, and high in protein.  They are my new fill in when I need a snack or am a little low on protein.  They give me the satisfaction of having something similar to chips and they are good for me.  Can't beat that!

I really need to start an exercise routine.  I know I have to, but I just can't seem to get motivated.

I am seven weeks post-op tomorrow.  Things are going very well.  I am seeing changes in both my body and mind.  Since my highest weight (August 2012)  I have lost 57 pounds, since surgery, I have lost 32 pounds.  My weight loss could be better.  I need to get off my ass and exercise, but 57 pounds in 15 weeks isn't too bad.  That's an average of 3.8 pounds a week.  So far my skin is holding firm and I appreciate that.

I have finally started to take care of myself in ways I haven't in 15 years.  I got a hair cut last week for the first time in 4 1/2 years.  I have also started wearing makeup.  I feel like I no longer look like a man and want to emphasize that.   

I was cleared last week to start eating a regular diet including raw fruits and veggies.  That has really helped me to get things moving internally which up to this point has been my biggest challenge.  Eating isn't really too big a deal anymore.  I always eat protein first, then have some veggies.  We eat out almost as much as we used to and I don't have any problems finding something to eat.  On the other hand I feel like I am cooking more too, I guess because I am cooking whole foods rather than ripping open packages of frozen convenience foods.

I had a couple of days a few weeks ago where I was really nauseated.  Since then I haven't experienced the hunger I had been feeling up until that point.  Now, I am only eating 3 meals and 1 protein shake.  Sometimes I don't think about eating at all and am thankful for my children needing to eat as it gives me a reminder that I too need to eat.

As long as I have a shake I have no problem reaching my protein goal.  My water intake is something I need to concentrate on, because it is so easy for me to come to the evening and realize I have only had 20 oz of water.  I am trying to fit it at least 20 oz between meals, so far so good.

My closet is dwindling.  I have already gone from a size 24 pants to a size 18.  Shirts I have gone from 24/26 to 20/22 but can fit into some smaller.  I have a difficult time wearing anything that is a little form fitting, mental rather than physical.

Mentally, I am doing really good.  There are days I wish I could eat the way I always have, I miss the sweets, I miss the salty, I miss warm bread, rolls, and tortillas.  Last night I really wanted to snack, so I had an extra protein shake.  Sure it was extra calories, but at least I benefited from the protein.  

I am taking each day as it comes.  It seems this journey has a constantly changing path, as soon as I get used to something, it changes.  

So it's been a little over 3 weeks now.  All is well.  I have finally gotten off my lazy ass and started exercising.  I even started doing C25K training.

I have been having no problems whatsoever with eating and meeting my protein goals.  Water has been more of a struggle but I am still making goal.  I finally realized yesterday that if I want to make goal I need to try to get in 16 oz. between meals.  I did that today and it was easy.

 

 Today I had my 2 week post-op appointment.  The doc said everything looks good.  I have one incision that became somewhat separated, but he said just put some antibiotic ointment and a gauze pad on it and it will heal just fine.

He said my 6 week goal is 30 pounds.  Honestly I'm not sure if that is total or if I should try to lose 30 pounds between now and then.  I guess it doesn't matter, as long as I do what I am supposed to do I will either make that goal or I won't... Only time will tell.

I am eating regular food now, technically soft, but as long as it is moist and tender I can eat it.  I have had ham, roast, eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, turkey.  Not having any issues.  I am only able to eat about an ounce of meat.  

Doc said my capacity should be around 2/3 cup.  I am nowhere near that if it is the dense meat, and I haven't felt comfortable eating that much of anything else.  I'm an early post-op so there is no need to push things.

I am finding planning meals while planning for protein quite daunting.  Each night, I plan for the next day and it is harder than I expected since I was already a meal planner.

According to the docs scale I am down 13 pounds since surgery.  According to my scale (no clothes) I have lost 15.  I am happy with my start.
 

 I am now 9 days post-op and have been stalled for 3 or 4 days already.  I have read and read that there is a stall at around 3 weeks but not 1 week.  It is heartbreaking.  I have been measuring myself and not seeing much difference there either.  I know it will come off, it has to, but I am ready to curl up and cry.  

I have been getting my fluids and protein since day 3.  I've been following the plan.  I have been exercising.

I can hear everyones response - put the scale away - it's normal - blah blah blah, and I know that.  But reading it and feeling it are way different and I really do feel like I might be the one that it won't for.  Maybe I was only fooled into thinking that most of my stomach was taken.  Maybe this is just one more thing that I will fail at.

If you comment on this post, please don't be too harsh, I don't think I could handle it right now.

 I am finishing my 6th day post op and I gotta say I feel great.  

I have very little pain.  Only a little with one my incisions and a little muscular pulling when I twist the wrong way.  I was even able to sleep on my stomach last night which was wonderful.  I have been shopping a couple of times and seem to have my normal stamina.

I plan on doing a little work this week.  My business is surviving fine without me, but I don't feel right being away for too long.

My best fitting pre-op jeans were practically falling off of me today but when I pulled out a couple of pairs that are a size smaller they don't quite fit.  I have to do the whole lay flat on the bed thing to get them zipped.  I am still a little swollen from surgery, but honestly - not much.

Ok onto my scale victory - as of this morning, I am down 13 pounds since surgery morning.  34 pounds since my consultation weight.