one year ago...

It was just about a year ago that I took the first step and went to Seminar and then a week later my first appointment with my surgeon.  As per my insurance, I embarked on the infamous six month wait.  One year later, I am down 102.2 pounds, and 75 since surgery on March 8th.  Here are some reflections that I hope can help someone out there...

1.  I left the Seminar with energy and excitement.  I lost about 10 pounds in the first month.  But then, the momentum faded.  Ugh...  5 more months?  Why bother?  By the time I had my appointment to set the surgery date, etc. I remained only dfown those 10 pounds.  My surgeon was okay with that - their only criteria was I pass my pre-testing and not gain in that period. 
2.  After I got my date, I began a required one week liquid diet.  It was horrid and probably one of the worst parts of the process.  I was so hungry, so irritable and my emotions were off the chart.
3.  My post surgery time was unremarkable and remains such.  I only took liquid Tylenol once released from my 2 night stay at hospital.  I walked in patient as directed and it really helped.
4.  I slept in a recliner for the first week to ten days,  I can't imagine not having one in that period.  At about the one month mark I definitely had buyers remorse.
5.  One day I can eat something and thent he next it might make me sick.
6.  I tend to eat too fast and I pay the price sometimes.
7.  I could tolerate sweet stuff at first but at about  the 4 month mark I have found if something is 15 or more grams of sugar I get sick. 
8.  Hair loss started at 3 months and continues... ugh - hate that part.
9.  My protein boost is 2-3 8oz. glasses of skim milk mixed with Carnation NSA Instant breakfast as well as mixing fat free dry milk in tea and coffee.
10.I eat carbs, just not a lot of sugar carbs.

Would I do it again?  ehhh - maybe not knowing all I know now - I miss food and lots of it!  :-)  Am I sorry I did it now that it is done???? - NO!   I am so very happy with my RNY.  I feel like a slow loser, but that's okay with me.

I am 51 and post menopausal - I knew I would not lose like a 25 year old, and that is okay. I am not a big exerciser and would probably lose faster if I was.

Message me anytime for support.  And come to this board when you feel lost, afraid or alone.  Chances are there is someone else who know just how you feel.  Ultimately, remember this is your journey, not someone elses.  Take the time to discover what works for you, as well as what doesn't.  What one person likes, another will not.  You have to try things for yourself.  

Thanks for all the support!
 

 you are doing AMAZING girl! Great post I am sure it will help a lot of people and give a little insight =)

How weird. I was think of you either yesterday or today. Congrats.

Hi Tessie!!!  im also 51yrs old AND Post Menopausal... LOL!!!  and i guess im in that same SLOW Boat with You! i lose MAYBE 1 or 1 and a Half pounds a week SOMETIMES and im not a Big Exerciser either- even tho we both know it WILL help us if we do!  Me AND my Hubby are waiting for MY 1 yr mark so i can see How Much I will be down... and i hope to be at my 100 lb mark like YOU!!! Good Goin Girlie!!!  you look GREAT!!!  +

WOW!!! i just noticed you just barely had your RNY in March!!! Sheeesh!!!  and your ALREADY at the 100 lb lost mark!!! LOL!!!  REALLY Great Job!!!

I am 54, post menopausal and 7 1/2 months out.  Total loss from the start of my journey last October is 113# with maybe 26 more to go - still not sure what my goal is.  I, too, am a slow loser and not in love with exercise, though I do make sure I walk fast, always use stairs and park as far away from the door as safely possible.  This life altering surgery has forced me to reevaluate my priorities, for which I am thankful.  Do I get frustrated, yep.  Are there days I want to say to !#@$ with it and go back to the old ways - sort of, then I look at how much I've invested and decide I want to be healthy for myself, my husband and my kids - even my dog is appreciative of my new found energy.  Hang in there!

On August 18, 2011 at 9:01 AM Pacific Time, slim2bsoon wrote:I am 54, post menopausal and 7 1/2 months out.  Total loss from the start of my journey last October is 113# with maybe 26 more to go - still not sure what my goal is.  I, too, am a slow loser and not in love with exercise, though I do make sure I walk fast, always use stairs and park as far away from the door as safely possible.  This life altering surgery has forced me to reevaluate my priorities, for which I am thankful.  Do I get frustrated, yep.  Are there days I want to say to !#@$ with it and go back to the old ways - sort of, then I look at how much I've invested and decide I want to be healthy for myself, my husband and my kids - even my dog is appreciative of my new found energy.  Hang in there!

i just will NEVER understand HOW you guys LOSE 100 lbs so FAST?!?!?!? i was Stalled from Month 4 all the way thru Month 6...  and im sure that alot of my Could Have Been Lost Pounds were in there somewhere - BUT - HOW DO YOU GUYS DO IT????? 

Lilee:
Pre-op I lost about 35+# by recording EVERY morsel that went into my mouth, cutting out all diet sodas, and chewing food till it was mush.  On my day of surgery I was @ 251.5#, which gives me a 75# loss.  It is often hard not to compare myself to others (thank you, Nik for that email a few days ago about this topic), but I'm human and I do.  That said, I stick to my eating plan, which is similar to most of those expressed on this forum.  I do not drin****il 45-60 mins after a meal, as I do enjoy the feeling of fullness.  I avoid all whites like the plague - refined sugars, flour, potatoes, rice - they are trigger foods for me.  And I know in my heart that, while I feel that I am losing slowly, each pound lost puts me closer to my goal and improves my health. I did not reach my all time high of 288# overnight, so it will take me some time to lose all the excess.
As others have said, plan your meals and stick to your plan.  Best of success, you are still losing!