3 month sleever status-- long but good for newbies

My surgery was 15 Feb, so I am almost exactly 3 months. I thought i'd share my stats to help the folks behind me who wonder what they might expect. I have no idea if I'm average or not.

I am 5 ft tall, I weighed 211 1 week pre-surgery, and 200 the night before. I am big boned, and have always had a large muscle mass, verified by my personal trainer, who was an olympic coach, so she would know.  

I average around:
        800 calories a day.  Occassionally less, occassionally more (OLOM). 
        80 grams of carbs a day.  OLOM. 
        90 grams of protein a day.  OLOM
        8,000 steps a day. OLOM.  Always more on the weekends.  Doesn't count exercise.
        75 minutes a day/4x a week exercise, normally Wii based and heavy on the aerobics.
        3 meals a day, 1-2 snacks, and 2 sf popsicles every night.

I lost 5 lbs in the month before surgery, another 11 lbs the week before.  Since then, I've lost 27 more lbs. I don't count the first 5, cause I was always losing and gaining that "cantalope." For those who are adding, that's 38 lbs, and 46% of my excess weight of 211, and my personal goal weight of 124.

I weigh once a week, Sunday mornings, naked, after emptying all the body containers. 

I have lost 26 inches total, (counting each arm and leg)

neck	-1.00
upper chest	-2.00
bust line	-3.50
upper arm	-1.75
lower arm	-1.25
wrist	0.00
waist	-3.75
hips	-3.75
thighs	-2.25
calf	-0.50
ankle	-0.25
	-26.00

I wore a vanity sized Liz Claiborne 20 dress pant; today I had on vanity sized 14s, they almost look like harem pants on me they're that loose.   I was in a 1x or 2x shirt; today I usually wear a medium, probably a 10.  

My blood pressure is normal and I stopped both hypertension meds. I have no appreciable hair loss, my fingernails are still so stong they require a HD toenail clipper for cutting. Everyone marvels at how well I look.  I do not take miralax, colace, or other stool softening products. I haven't had any constipation since I started eating greens about 4 weeks out. I DO eat at least one serving of greens or rough veggies a day.  For me a serving is about 1/2 cup. Often that is my dinner. I crave vegetables, but that isn't anything new.  I don't get hungry, but I do get shaky and feel empty, especially the day after intense exercise. 

I can cross my legs again after 16 years. I only have 1 roll of fat around my middle in the bathtub, not 3. I can play wii tennis for an hour, totally soak my clothes in sweat, and still have fun. Speaking of fun, my husband and I are having more of it in places we haven't been for awhile. He's verrrrry happy.

I regularly climb 3 flight of stairs at least 2x a day, and to get around the office, I do 2 flights of stairs several times a day. I do get a bit winded almost at the top of the 3rd flight, but it's getting better, cause at first I coudn't do it at all.

I do not see my weight loss when I look in the mirror.  I don't like what I see when I'm naked: very cottage cheesy and wobbly in the thighs and arms.  When I feel bad about those things, I bring to mind my many NSVs and thank God for the gift of life.

I have an IDS vanilla cinnamon or chocolate/vanilla protein coffee (36 g) religiously every morning with a side of vitamins. Then I drink 16 oz of water and poof it's time for lunch.  Normally I eat cottage cheese with bits of veggies and some sunflower seeds. Dinner varies.   I can eat about 2 oz of dense protein if I'm totally empty and I mix it with a few bites of veggies. Any more than 2 oz and I am in pain.  My favorite snack is edamame: pure protein and nice and crunchy.  Sometimes I eat a grapefruit with a bit of sugar or a lemon with salt.  I got so sick of yogurt I may never eat it again. The evening almost lways ends with 2 SF popsicles. 

If I am having difficulty with my sleeve and can't figure out what to eat, I go to Starbucks and order a 20 oz skinny caramel latte with 4 scoops of protein powder. That's 36 g of protein and 240 calories and gives me more umph than just a protein coffee does. I have eaten a 1/2 slice of pie (took me 45 minutes and it was our anniversary), and about once a week I have a bite or two of whatever dessert my husband is eating.  Sweet stuff actually makes my eyes roll into the back of my head, but being a sleevie, I don't dump. 

I have wondered if I would have gone through with the surgery if it hadn't been for the tumor they found during the endoscopy.  I am grateful to God for giving me this chance. It is changing my life.

You're doing fantastic, Tracey! :) Keep up the excellent work.

Whoa!  Good job Tracey!   Good explanation for newbies too...  I'll count me as a newbie as well.  :-)  It's always good to hear how others are workin' their tool.  I'm proud of ya!

Tracey, all that is really wonderful.  You are getting really close to a life as a skinny person.  For those of us who were active before, the change in our activity now is really amazing.  I know I can do so much more and feel so much better. 
3 months is such a short time.  You have done so well.  

Congratulations!  I'm about 5 weeks behind you and I am finding much of what you say holding true for me also.  I'll get my next round of measurements in about a week.  I'm looking forward to seeing how much I've lost in inches! 

Great write up Tracey!  You've done a fabulous job and I've enjoyed watching your journey.

This is exactly what others need to know and thanks for sharing your experiences.

Great job Tracey!!  I think the best part of this all is that most of us are so much more healthier than we ever were.
Congratulations on your success so far.
Linda

Great writeup, Tracey.

You're doing great.

Liz