I Am Still Loving This Ride!

Happy Friday OH Family!

Six months ago, I changed my life by getting my sleeve. I can’t think of anything better that I could have done for myself. I’m grateful for Myrtle -- she’s just the best sleeve I could have asked for. She’s made of steel, I think. She doesn’t give me any grief about hot, spicy food……I mean “rip your face off” hot! She hasn’t given me foamies or urpies or any of those things. The most she does is causes a hiccup when she’s done. She has never been full, but she has been satiated with what I’ve given her. We get along great.

Long ago, I was pretty much a pessimist……….glass half empty, when’s the other shoe going to drop, things like that. Then life changed and I became something of an optimist, a Pollyanna-esque woman. The glass was not only half full, but I expected it to stay that way, the other shoe wasn’t ever going to drop because I knew I could handle whatever came my way. Maybe there was a switch turned on to give me more than my share of seratonin! I don’t know what caused it, but I liked life a lot more. Sure, along came some really crappy comorbs and I did go into a funk when the doctors were giving me only a few years to live……but I pushed through that and found peace with it. Then I decided to have the surgery that gave me my life back.

I still fall into the dumpers now and then seeing the slow losses, but I don’t stay there long. I’m better than that. And my 6 months check-up yesterday made me look at what I’ve accomplished -- and it‘s a lot. Certainly not as impressive as so many here have done, but for a 65 years old gal, not too shabby!

My surgeon (who tends to be rather reserved) laughed out loud and gave me a wonderful hug when he saw my chart! I adore this man! Another cutie who is young enough to be my kid..........GADS. Anyway, he said he is totally pleased with me, that I'm ahead of where he thought I'd be and that for "someone my age" (I'm getting to HATE that phrase LOL), I'm a poster geezer-ette for VSG. Obviously, he didn't say "geezer-ette" but I got the point LOL LOL LOL I told him I failed at the 25 pounds goal he gave me at 3 months out for my 6 months check-up (I lost 22 of them, though) -- he said I shouldn't worry about artificial numbers and just be happy the scale is heading in the right direction no matter how slowly

Stats: 69 pounds lost and 58 inches gone! All since the day of surgery. I no longer wear 3X tops, blouses, sweaters…….1X fits loosely, but I don’t mind that. I’ve had a great time playing seamstress remodeling and taking in some of my favorite clothes. I don’t know what size pants I wear now -- I just keep taking them in LOL What I do know is that once I lose another 3.5 inches, I will have lost my height in inches!!! Another milestone reached recently is that I am no longer super morbidly obese or extremely obese or morbidly obese -- I’m just plain old unmodified obese! I can actually see overweight down the tracks -- a ways away, but I can see it now!!! My labs have been GREAT -- even the special ones ordered by my Endocrinologist. I’m one extremely fortunate person!

I still have a ways to go and I know it’s going to be a slow process. Most of the time I can live with that -- but sometimes I get to be grumpy about it. However, with the amazing support here and on MFP, I get through the rough times and come back ready to do battle again! I’m striving to continue to stay on plan with no divergence……….not to be “perfect” but to achieve the goals I have set for myself. If I stray, I FEAR the slippery slopes that I could so easily slide down.

How do I thank those of you who have helped me so much? Words aren’t enough……..I wish I could give you each the full warmth of my heart for all your love and support and guidance and encouragement. You filled a serious void and did so with a generosity one could only dream of. Thank you so much.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Ree xoxoxox

You are such an amazing inspiration! Thank you for posting this, and congratulations on your success so far!

Hi Shoot!

Thanks for the kind words.  We all inspire each other!  You are doing so well already!  Keep up the great progress!

Ree- you have helped me so much along the way - cheering me on. So glad to hear that you are happy and hopeful. I know it isn't easy for us older gals but you stay so positive - always good to hear. Keep it up.

Paula

Hi Paula,

Thank you -- your lovely words mean so much.  I know you had a rough start -- I'm so happy to see the great progress you've made already! 

You know, we just have to stay positive.  What a great gift we've given ourselves.  Let's keep rockin' these sleeves!

Ree

 

Ree, that is so awesome. You're doing beautifully and you have exactly the right attitude. Go you! 

Thank you Summer!  Our minds can help us so much -- can get us into trouble, too LOL  But I like happy better!  And look at YOU!  Almost at goal!  GREAT JOB!!!

You are amazing.  No question about it.  I'm so glad that I'm on this journey with you. 

I wish you an amazing 2013!!!

Hi Paris,

Thanks so much.  We are all in this together and I think t makes our journeys easier to give and get support on a steady basis.  I'm so proud of you..........you're losing weight, you're logging daily, and have already made some great habits that will stand you in good stead when you get your sleeve!  Should be soon, right?

Keep up the great work!

Ree

You are just the sweetest!

So much love to you, can't wait to be a witness to your continued success.

Rock on lady!