6 months post-op on 8/25/13 and I just turned 32, 3 days ago. What a WILD ride this is!!!

I haven't been on OH in a few weeks. I've been hanging out on MyFitnessPal quiet a bit. When I first started this journey I read through these boards day in and day out, late at night and very early in the morning. I quickly realized what I needed to do and how I was going to be successful. All of the answers to any questions that anyone could possibly have are here on these forums somewhere, you just have to be willing to look for it and do your research. You have to be willing to change your WHOLE life around, if you're not ready to do that than IN MY OPINION- you are not ready for surgery. This takes hard work, dedication, accountability and so, so, so much more. I'm still learning new things everyday and I'm still learning to be accountable for every little thing that I do. Some days are better than others, I'm not perfect, I am a work in progress and always will be.

I started my journey at 360 pounds. I look at old pictures and am disgusted by the woman I see in those photos. How did I let myself get so enormous? I've done a lot of soul searching over the last few months and I've talked to a lot of people, getting advice, hearing suggestions but the truth is, is that this journey is SO different for each and every one of us that you really can't compare stories. Each war story is going to be a little bit different. The war on weight, it is one hell of a tough battle..

I don't want to type a novel so I'll try to keep this as short and sweet as possible. I had my surgery on 2/25/13, for the first 3 months everything was going excellent and then suddenly at 3 months 1 day post-op I began to start vomiting up stomach bile in the morning. I'd wake up from a good nights sleep, get out of bed, have a sip of water and instantly I'd get nausea and vomit. This happened for a few weeks until my doctor prescribed me 8mg Zofran. I've had every damn test ran and as far as my surgeon can tell my sleeve is perfect. So for the last 3+ months I wake up every morning, take my zofran and pray that it kicks in before I get nausea. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Just yesterday I went in to meet with a GI specialist and he gave me some medication that will help coat the inside of my stomach from all of that gross bile. I have to take it in the morning and at night. I took my first dose last night and surprisingly this morning I felt great, I didn't even need to take a Zofran. I won't have to take this medication forever, just for a bit and the problem should resolve itself. Even with the throwing up every day, I DO NOT REGRET having this surgery. I would do it again and again and again. My life has improved drastically...

I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis but since I've lost the weight my R.A has improved and the lymphedema in my feet has gotten so much better. I'm not 100% yet but I'm getting there.

I was down 100.6lbs at 20 weeks post-op and I just reached 125lbs. lost at 5 months & 3 weeks post-op. I now weigh 235lbs. I went from a size 24-26 pant into a size 16 and from a 3X or 4X shirt to an X-Large. Some days I'm still in disbelief about all of this. It's all happened so fast but I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING..

I celebrated my 6 month post-op anniversary on 8/25/13 and I also just celebrated my 32nd birthday 3 days ago on 8/28/13. There was no better gift I could've given myself than to lose this weight and live a healthier lifestyle. I am so grateful for those of you that have shared your trials & tribulations so openly on these forums and on MyFitnessPal. I appreciate the support that you all give me and the swift kicks in the ass when I'm ******g up. I need those sometimes. I think we all do.

Good Luck to all of you future Losers and I wish nothing but continued success for everyone that is on their journey to a much healthier life.

XOXO,

Hilary

 

Wow, you are doing an amazing job! That's awesome that your health is improving. I hope you get relief from the nausea.

Thank You! I did have some relief from the nausea today which was a very nice change of pace. The medicine the doctor gave me is helping. I am so relieved.

Have a great night,

Hilary

You are doing awesome.

You are doing a fantastic job!

Hilary - I loved reading your post, you are doing an AWESOME job with your sleeve!  And I'm also glad to hear that you chose to do this at a relatively young age rather than waiting another 20 years (like I did) to take care of this.   So glad you're medical condition is improving too. :-) 

Great job Hilary! Hope the issue gets resolved.

So great, Hilary!! Love having you on my team for this wild ride. Keep up the good fight!!

Thanks PG!!! I'm blessed to have you on my team as well. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for all of your support.

I also added 2 new pictures to my profile. It's insane what a difference 125lbs makes.