3 months and a world of difference - Thank you all! (includes pics)
WARNING: Long post!!!
In the past few months, I have come to really rely on OH for advice, support, and even the occasional drama (remind me never again to post about a first date lol). It’s a place I can come everyday that keeps me informed, knowledgeable, and on track. I really can’t thank you all enough.
If you are pre-op, please know that I was pre-op not that long ago. With three months of living with RNY under my belt, I am far from being a veteran. I can’t claim to know about maintenance. But I can share my journey with you so far, and hopefully even just one of you will take the plunge and decide to move ahead with surgery.
On December 16th, 2013, I went into the hospital for RNY. I was nervous (because who wants to be cut open, really?) but I just knew it was going to go well. I was home the following day with almost no pain, on work calls the day after, walked to the grocery store on day 4 and went out with friends on day 5. I was back at my office (desk job) exactly one week later. Initially, I accused my doctor of putting me in a “placebo” group. I had little or no restriction. I felt fine. Hungry, even! But as the days went by, and the weight came off, I realized that I can do this. I can’t even say that I “failed” at dieting – I never really tried! I was hungry, I ate. I gave into my carb cravings. It wasn’t abnormal to have Thai food at lunch and then pizza for dinner. I somehow got myself up to 351 lbs (day of surgery) and I felt it everyday. My knees ached. My back ached. I sweat when I walked five blocks to lunch with coworkers. I dreaded flying (something I do often) because I knew the person in the middle seat next to me would HATE me. The list goes on and on.
Now, on my three month surgiversary, I don’t even recognize myself. The most obvious change is that I am down 70 lbs. 70 lbs in three months. That is not a typo. However, there is SO much more. I work out. Four or five times a week. And I like it. And it’s getting easier. Before surgery I would struggle to do 30 minutes at 2.7 mph. Now I do 30-60 minutes at 3.2 on random (with hills!) and then I work out with a personal trainer for 25 minutes after. I do Zumba classes! With other people! Like, in front of a mirror and in a room with strangers, I do aerobic latin dancing. Who is this person? I flew to Mexico two weeks ago. There was SPACE between my stomach and the seat belt. I went to my annual “lady” exam last week. When the nurse came in to take blood, I said “Um, it’s hard to find veins on me, so they usually call in the blood whisperer, and generally take it from my hand”. She looked at me weird and easily found the vein in the crook of my arm. It occurred to me – a layer of fat is gone, and I am ridiculously well-hydrated. I have veins!
For all of you who doubt your ability to do this, every person is different, but it’s not easy for me. I only feel restriction when I eat something very dense like chicken. I have to meticulously measure, prepare, and cook my meals. I have a kitchen scale that is a GODSEND (or whatever the atheist version of godsend is). I eat protein, protein, protein. (I post my meals every day in a post called “What’s on your menu today, RNY-ers" if you are curious what I am eating). I have no idea if I dump because I have not tested my pouch. I have had no sweets. I try to keep my daily totals at about 700 calories, 70+ g of protein, and 20 g of carbs per day. For a carb-o-holic, this is tough. I am talking no pasta, no bread, no crackers. I have gotten creative - I have cheese crisps or pickles for crunch, and shirataki soy/chickpea noodles to pretend I am having pasta. I have sat at countless meals with friends and family and coworkers since surgery while they eat chips and dip, succulent sandwiches, delicious desserts. Bottles of wine and ****tails. And I abstain from it all. Because right now my head is in the game. I am not saying it always will be, but I am seeing my hard work and my difficult decisions pay off.
I am establishing habits (smaller meals, a work-out routine, etc.) that I hope to continue to use in maintenance. Notice how I talk about maintenance as a state I WILL be in. Prior to surgery, I wasn’t sure if I could do it. Three months out, I know I can.
If you are going to have RNY, just know that it takes a lot of effort on your part. Head hunger is no joke! You have to make a concerted effort and make good decisions. But you know what? I lost 70 lbs in three months. So every single ounce of effort and every single drop of sweat at the gym is WORTH IT!
I wouldn’t be as successful without y’all, so this is not just a post about my effort, but a heartfelt thank you to the pre-ops, the post-ops and especially the vets on here who tirelessly answer the same question a million times and are cheerleaders to us newbies. I don’t want the rainbows and unicorn farts – I want the straight truth, and you all have come through for me a million times.
So thank you, a million times over. I feel great, and you all are such a big part of that. Cheers to our continued success!!! For those curious peeps, here is my loss by month:
Weight Day of surgery: 351 lbs (BMI 60)
Month 1: 28 lbs
Month 2: 21.6 lbs
Month 3: 20.4 lbs
Weight today: 281 lbs (BMI 48)
My BMI has gone from 60 to 48.2!
P.S. One final word of advice. Don’t compare your loss to me. Impossible, I know, since I compare myself to others (and there are others who have less to lose and are losing faster than me and I can’t help but compare!). But try not to. Because I have a lot to lose. As you can see from my pics, I am not a small chick yet :) In fact, many people have not said a word about my loss and I feel like I have lost a freaking half of a person!!!
Pic 1 - day of surgery, Pic 2 - about 1.5 months after, Pic 3 - 3 months after!
