Repost w/Pix This Time (I Hope) And I Say To Myself........What A Wonderful...

Call it a shameless repost from yesterday when OH went all wonky -- wanted to be sure those who didn't get to see it were able to so they know how precious they are to me AND even more daring, I spent the morning trying to get a few pix into this.  Since I don't know how to test to see if the pix show up, I'm winging it!

Buon Giorno OH Family,

Today, I celebrate my 5 months "Surgy" -- and to put a fine point on it, the skies provided for a penumbral eclipse just after midnight and this morning's sky was breath-taking. As the Frosty Moon in the western sky was beginning its descent to the horizon, it appeared as though Jupiter was chasing it downward! We are given wonders to see if only we will take the time to look. Yeah, I'm a bit of an Astronomy geek! LOL

So, 5 months ago, I was pretty much a physical wreck, but with high hopes that getting a sleeve was going to change my life. All the surgeries went very well, recovery was amazing, and I knew from the get-go that this was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Four months ago, I started back at my fitness center -- still under some restrictions due to the umbilical hernia repair, but I was allowed to do what I felt comfy with. Ten minutes on the recumbent bike was more than enough -- I got in just over a mile and thought I was doing well. I would spend another 15-20 minutes on the weight machines and free weights and thought that was a decent workout. Since then, my fitness has improved a lot. Today, which is representative of my normal workout, I rode for 30 minutes and covered almost 5.5 miles, and spent another 50 minutes on the weight machines and free weights. Sometimes I do more, but rarely less. I NEED the exercise now. Weird!

My labs are good, my doctors think I'm a poster child (old lady???? LOL) for VSG because I have yet to go off plan and have done everything they've told me to do. I'm certainly not a perfect person -- I readily admit I stay on plan out of fear of slippery slopes. Fear is a good motivator!!! Anyway, they are pleased with me and I think of that as an NSV. Being off ALL meds for my comorbs is a great NSV. My Type II Diabetes is in complete remission, the Chronic Kidney Disease is stabilized (some numbers even show improvement), my cholesterol levels are in the "ideal" ranges, and while I never had hypertension, my blood pressure is also in the ideal range.

Other NSVs -- nicked knees from shaving my legs -- YES, I count that because it means I've found BONES in my legs -- what a concept, right? LOL I can cross my legs (in most chairs) for the first time in 30+ years. I've been shopping my closets lately and found some cute things to wear that don't just hang on me. My sewing skills are improving as I've had to become creative in figuring out how to remake/take in some of my favorite larger size clothes. I don't get winded doing my regular chores and I can go up the stairs without gasping for air. There are so many things that make life so much nicer now -- hard to remember them at the moment.

My scale hasn't been as generous as I would like it to be, but this morning it did cough up 2 pounds bringing my total to 62 pounds lost since the day of surgery. I've measured each month and as of yesterday's numbers, I've lost 54 inches. It's going to take me longer than some of you, but I'm going to get there.............I WILL NOT FAIL. My calorie deficits show I should have lost more, but my body must love my fat -- it's hanging on to it for dear life!!! Even so, this is the least I've weighed since 1977 when my first son was born.

With one exception (total lack of support/encouragement here at home), this has been the most incredible 5 months of my life. I can't think of anything better that I could have done for myself I've learned so much about ME -- and a lot of that I learned because of so many of you here on OH and MFP. My surgeon's support group is also filled with a bunch of loving and incredible people. I'm blessed.

What a wonderful world -- filled with sky shows, and flowers to smell, and good, healthy things to eat, gentle rains, the laughter of babies, the daily miracles we don't always recognize but are definitely there...........and you wonderful, loving, generous, kind and beautiful people who have come into my life as a result of the decision to have a VSG. I love you all.........and Myrtle loves you too! Yes,..................IT IS A WONDERFUL WORLD!

Hugs,

Ree

I'm glad you reposted because I didn't see your post at all. What a FANTASTIC story. I am thrilled to hear your news, your progress, and your insights. Thanks for sharing with all of us, especially us scaredy-cat preops!

Awww, thanks............and don't be afraid.  Easy to say, hard to do, I understand.  I've had so many surgeries in my 65 years that this was a walk in the park.  Rest assured that the worst case scenario is a week of the "ickies" and then you'll wake up on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th day and you'll feel GREAT -- better anyway    Takes a bit to get your energy back, but the more you move, the faster you'll recover.  And start now to drink like a fish................NO, not alcohol LOL  Water -- from the tap, flavored, bottled, mixed with some lemon slices.......any way at all.  If you stay hydrated post-op, it will be easier.  Dehydration is NOT GOOD. 

When is your surgery?  Post here on OH and ask questions if you don't find what you want by using the search tool at the top right of this page.  The people on this site are exceptionally kind and nice and helpful.  Another site you might want to join is MyFitnessPal -- a great tracking site for your food intake and exercise.  Plus all the amazing people there -- many from OH.  If you join and want to add me, I'm Justme72847 at MFP.

Good luck.............and keep us posted on your progress!

ARRRGGGGGG  NO flippin' pix   I spent about two hours trying to edit pix so I didn't scare y'all when I put them on here and now I don't know where they are?   Back soon -- going out to buy a computer literate brain!

I dont know what you did to try to get the pics but I have to upload them to my OH profile first then just copy and paste them into here..

Thanks for the idea -- tried that, too...........I'm obviously inept at this pix posting.  Will try again soon.

You are doing an incredible job Sleeve Sister Ree!  I love reading your posts. You are an inspiration on how to do this right.  I have lost 58 pounds since surgery, and 90 pounds overall.  I feel like a new woman!  I can no longer shop in the plus size section at all. It feels so good!  Now I want to start really doing the exercise I need to do. I am starting to be able to eat a little more (still good restriction though- a little more still fits in a tiny bowl) and feel more hunger, so I think I need to up the exercise to keep the weight coming off.

Big cyberhug to you! You're the best!

Hey There Sis!

Thank you so much

Whenever I see your name, it makes me smile...........something about Kabooboo just makes me happy!  Yep, we are both moving right along............you're out-pacing me by a lot!  I'm happy for you -- this is such a major life change that when we see others succeed the way you are, it give those of us slow pokes a lot of inspiration!

Exercise has been a blessing.  I'm not sure it's doing all it could for my weight loss, but I know I feel 20 years younger!  And I have hopes that it will make for nicer muscles that MIGHT help with some of my skin issues............which are getting to be a major PITA -- in some cases, literally LOL LOL LOL  Something you might want to track........see how exercise affects your hunger/appetite -- I know they are two different things, but when I exercise hard, I don't want to eat for quite a while after.  See how exercise works for you and maybe you can tailor your day's eating around that.   Just a thought..........

Hugs back at ya!

I had to come back and add something LOL -- took my feeble brain a bit of time to realize you are in ONEderland!  That's super ONEderful!!!  Yay for you Sis 

Gosh, I love reading ALL of this.  Wish the pics were there too, but oh well ....

Your success and dedication is truly something to be proud of.  You work this like nobody's business, girlie!!  And doesn't it all just feel great?  I totally get it about the clothes and crossing my legs.  Who knew that could be so much fun?  haha

Your attitude and overwhelming support of so many others, both here and on MFP, is phenomenal.  Keep on trucking, Ree.  You got this down!!!  I'm happy to be your friend!!

Nancy

Nancy, you're just the BEST!  Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me -- you've helped me so much!  I think that having places like this one and MFP help us because only those of us who are going through this life changing journey can grasp the idea of crossing legs or not having to moosh ourselves into "skinny" airline seats or any of a bazillion other seemingly simple daily events are getting easier for us.

We all work our plans the best way we can...........it's so fulfilling to see everyone being successful.  And you, my friend, are so close to ONEderland that even I can taste it LOL  Have you thought how you will celebrate? 

About the pix -- not only didn't they load here, I can't find them anywhere on my computer!  I've posted pix before, so it's not like I'm a complete dolt -- but I'm doing something wrong here.........maybe it's for the best -- the pix don't show much progress other then in my face and my newly acquired turkey neck!!!  Apparently, I'm still addicted to clothes that are too loose -- they hide "sins" like way too much fat, but they also hide weight loss LOL  I'll try another time.

Hugs Nancy -- you make every day nicer for so many people