Three Months (Pics but long!)

At my son’s preschool Thanksgiving party today, and older man that I have never met before came up to me and said, “How does a person get to be that happy?”    It took me a minute to realize he meant me, and that I was standing there with a huge grin, apparently putting out a very happy vibe.  Now, I was surrounded by incredibly cute 2-3 year olds all dressed up in their Thanksgiving craft finest, but that wasn’t the only reason for the smile.  The fact is, for the last few months I’ve been a much happier person and people are noticing the difference.  The changes in my life (and lifestyle) post VSG are making life better in so many ways.

I am roughly three months out.  I had my three-month follow up with my surgeon today, and it went very well.  He is proud of my progress, and happy with the way I’m eating and exercising.  I need to up my Vitamin D, but everything else looks great.  I’ve lost 54 pounds in three months, from 290 to 236.  That puts me in his top 10% weight loss for sleevers.  Not that I’m keeping track or comparing most of the time (I’m firmly in the camp of Theodore Roosevelt, who said that “Comparison is the thief of joy”) but the obsessive, type A nerd that I am thought that felt pretty great. Other happiness-inducing events over the last three months: I’m no longer on blood pressure meds, my cholesterol has dropped from 246 to 177, my triglycerides have dropped from 186 to 66, and my blood sugar is lower now than it was even on Metformin.  My vitamin and mineral levels look good, with Vit D being the only one I need to watch (and even it is “normal” at 33, my doc just prefers it to be over 50.)  I can run for 20+ minutes at a time.  I can run up stairs, and play on the floor with my son.  I can walk for miles and not be exhausted.  These are reasons to smile, no doubt.

Some photos:

Left to right, shortly after surgery, about a month ago, last week in my new size 20 pants.

Family photo taken Monday.  First time we've ever had them done.

In my favorite pajama pants a few days ago.  I fit in one leg now!  You can see the tee shirt is enormous on me, too.

Hubby and I goofing off waiting to have our pictures done Monday:

That isn’t to say that there aren’t hard times.  I won’t blow sunshine up your butt and say it’s all easy all the time. But it is worth it.  Doing the headwork and homework is worth it.  Eating right and moving your ass is worth it.  Finding support and being supportive to others is worth it.  This whole journey, it’s worth it. 

I don’t reply to as many posts as I used to, but still lurk and check up on everyone, usually in the evenings after my son goes to bed and before we watch our “grown up” shows before bed.  I’m finding that I spend less time on my phone/laptop playing with the Interwebs than I used to.  We are out doing more, and with the holidays coming up, my crafty but broke self is making a lot of the gifts we are giving.  I do keep up with MFP folks daily, and have been so grateful for my friends here and there that provide support and laughs along the way.  We are all on this crazy, amazing journey together!  You are all so awesome, and I’m so proud and grateful to have met you along the way.

Good luck and continued success to you all!

Congratulations on your success, you’re looking great! 

Thank you!

Thanks Jenn! I'm going to get into that skinny ***** club come hell or high water!

you are doing so so great! I'm very happy for you!!! you'll be there in no time!

Thanks Kristen! You are so sweet!

Congrats!  You look fabulous.  And you are right, it is hard to wipe the smile off our faces.  We should shine, especially when we count our blessings.  Not that we didn't have blessings before, but now, they are concrete ones.  Blessings that replace the former curses, or so they seemed at the time.  Life does get just a bit easier in so many ways.  Not an easy road, but one that is doable, one that has it ups and downs, but as you get lighter, the climbing up the hill just seems so much easier.  Still takes effort, still takes energy and determination, but once you crest your first hill, it makes you want to climb the next one to see those beautiful views.  Views of enjoying life with our loved ones, views of being an active participant, rather than just a spectator.

Enjoy the ride and may there be so many blessings you will not be able to count them!

Thank you! You are right about the blessings!

you also look a lot younger.  love when that happens!  congrats!