5 months today, long with pics
I really can't believe it has been five months...depending on the day it feels like the surgery was yesterday or it was years ago! If that makes sense...
I feel great! I love life and I feel better than I ever remember feeling as an adult. I love walking (like I used to as a teen) and go to the track as often as I can. We have tons of snow (and ice), so not very comfortable walking outside right now, but spring is on the way.
I was at a conference a few weeks ago with many people that I see three or four times a year. I saw them all last in November (just over a month out). I definitely got lots of attention and praise, but that wasn't the surprising part of my encounters. When they asked me how I was feeling I didn't just give the stock answer, "great!" I actually took some time (where possible) to talk to them about what it is like to live as an obese person and how that is changing for me. I talked about everything from the pain of simple movement to those embarassing situations we all face (can't fit in the restaurant booth, for example). I am not sure why I decided to be so open and candid, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. However, I was astounded at the response I got. Some were genuinely amazed, having never thought of those challenges we face. Others have a friend/relative that are obese and they said my comments have opened their eyes to what they are going through. Not one single person said (or honestly even seemed to think...all responses were very genuine) that I became obese by my own actions and therefore deserve the consequences. Some were thrilled by my progress and offered encouragement, others asked questions to go back and tell their loved ones who might want to consider surgery.
I am not sure if I am just blessed with a bunch of open minded colleagues, or if my own insecurities have made me assume that people would be more judgemental than they are...either way, I know I taught many of them something they didn't know before about obesity and that makes me proud.
On to the numbers...
I have lost 71 pounds and 53.5 inches. My BMI has gone from 46.6 to 34.8. According to those numbers I wouldn't even qualify for surgery now!
I have really not struggled with post op life at all. I can eat a wide variety of food (except corn, which I haven't even tried...mental block, knowing how little it gets digested with my old stomach, afraid to try it with the new one!) I have to be a little careful with foods too high in fat. I haven't tried anything with sugar, so don't know my reaction. Plan to keep it that way!
Vitamins have become quite routine now and I rarely miss one.
I would really love to join a gym, but it isn't a financial option at this time. Going to ask for money for my birthday in April, so I might use that to start saving for a years membership. I stay in hotels a couple of times a month for business and I alway**** the gym there.
My pouch is still incredibly noisy when it comes to liquids, especially hot ones. Sounds like a symphony at times.
My ever shrinking body is not pretty under the clothes. I can acutally fold body parts that should not be able to fold!!! Someone told me the other day to make sure I had a really good bra when exercising or my breasts would sag...I wasn't sure whether to reply with "too late" or "what breasts?" The only good (or possibly bad) thing, is that I never sweat now. Which is good in the sense that sweating is uncomfortable. It's bad because now I no longer get any redness or rashes under my panni or breasts, so it isn't a good thing for possible plastic surgery qualification.
My hair loss has already started to slow down, but it is quite a bit thinner than it was. It hasn't really started to fill back in yet.
Sorry this is so long, I just know how much I love to read updates from everyone!
Here are a couple of pics. The first one is about a month post op and the second is about four and a half months.
Tracy
I feel great! I love life and I feel better than I ever remember feeling as an adult. I love walking (like I used to as a teen) and go to the track as often as I can. We have tons of snow (and ice), so not very comfortable walking outside right now, but spring is on the way.
I was at a conference a few weeks ago with many people that I see three or four times a year. I saw them all last in November (just over a month out). I definitely got lots of attention and praise, but that wasn't the surprising part of my encounters. When they asked me how I was feeling I didn't just give the stock answer, "great!" I actually took some time (where possible) to talk to them about what it is like to live as an obese person and how that is changing for me. I talked about everything from the pain of simple movement to those embarassing situations we all face (can't fit in the restaurant booth, for example). I am not sure why I decided to be so open and candid, it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. However, I was astounded at the response I got. Some were genuinely amazed, having never thought of those challenges we face. Others have a friend/relative that are obese and they said my comments have opened their eyes to what they are going through. Not one single person said (or honestly even seemed to think...all responses were very genuine) that I became obese by my own actions and therefore deserve the consequences. Some were thrilled by my progress and offered encouragement, others asked questions to go back and tell their loved ones who might want to consider surgery.
I am not sure if I am just blessed with a bunch of open minded colleagues, or if my own insecurities have made me assume that people would be more judgemental than they are...either way, I know I taught many of them something they didn't know before about obesity and that makes me proud.
On to the numbers...
I have lost 71 pounds and 53.5 inches. My BMI has gone from 46.6 to 34.8. According to those numbers I wouldn't even qualify for surgery now!
I have really not struggled with post op life at all. I can eat a wide variety of food (except corn, which I haven't even tried...mental block, knowing how little it gets digested with my old stomach, afraid to try it with the new one!) I have to be a little careful with foods too high in fat. I haven't tried anything with sugar, so don't know my reaction. Plan to keep it that way!
Vitamins have become quite routine now and I rarely miss one.
I would really love to join a gym, but it isn't a financial option at this time. Going to ask for money for my birthday in April, so I might use that to start saving for a years membership. I stay in hotels a couple of times a month for business and I alway**** the gym there.
My pouch is still incredibly noisy when it comes to liquids, especially hot ones. Sounds like a symphony at times.
My ever shrinking body is not pretty under the clothes. I can acutally fold body parts that should not be able to fold!!! Someone told me the other day to make sure I had a really good bra when exercising or my breasts would sag...I wasn't sure whether to reply with "too late" or "what breasts?" The only good (or possibly bad) thing, is that I never sweat now. Which is good in the sense that sweating is uncomfortable. It's bad because now I no longer get any redness or rashes under my panni or breasts, so it isn't a good thing for possible plastic surgery qualification.
My hair loss has already started to slow down, but it is quite a bit thinner than it was. It hasn't really started to fill back in yet.
Sorry this is so long, I just know how much I love to read updates from everyone!
Here are a couple of pics. The first one is about a month post op and the second is about four and a half months.
Tracy
Highest weight ~ 360, Surgery weight ~ 280, Current weight ~ 171
Referral to bariatric registry ~ April 29, 2011 SURGERY ~ September 27, 2011
My 
is Gailupnorth.
Thanks for this BEAUTIFUL post. I love reading the "long" ones; it really gives a glimpse into what I have to look forward to.
Thank you for taking the time to educate your colleagues about obesity. Perhaps if we all did this, there would be less discrimination.
You are doing so wonderfully and you look amazing.
Keep up the great work!!!
Thea
Thank you for taking the time to educate your colleagues about obesity. Perhaps if we all did this, there would be less discrimination.
You are doing so wonderfully and you look amazing.
Keep up the great work!!!
Thea
Want to join the CRAZY TransCanada Challenge?? Just message me. Here's a link to the rules: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/on/4570778/REPOST-The-CRAZY-TransCanada-Challenge-Rules/
Thanks for the wonderful post! I loved reading it. You look amazing too! Keep up the great work! 
Referal: March 2011 Orientation: TWH July 21,2011 Nurse Practitioner:Sept. 6,2011
Sleep Clinic Test: Sept. 11,2011 Sleep Clinic Result: Sept. 27, 2011 Social Worker: Oct.. 19, 2011
Nutrition Class: Nov.1,2011 Diabetis Assessment: Nov. 01, 2011 Dietitian: Dec. 02, 2011
Psychologist: Dec. 06, 2011 Surgeon Meeting: Jan. 21, 2012 RYN Surgery Date: Feb. 29, 2012
Most Active
Recent Topics
