butterfly4me

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I have not posted on here in years.  Life has been a roller coaster to say the least.  The lowest weight I reached was 165 lbs, but that didn't last long.  For the last 2 years I have been between 175 - 185 lbs., with my weight a little higher today at 186.5.  At 175 I feel comfortable in my clothes and my body.  I am definitely not happy with my current weight.  A lot of bad habits have returned, and I am not happy with myself for allowing this to happen. 

I am not beating myself up about it, but I am going to do something about it.  I joined a Weight Loss Challenge at work that starts on Monday 1/7 and plan to be down to 175 at the end of the 10-week challenge.  It would be great to hit 175 by my surgeriversary on 2/4, but I can handle it as long as I am not where I am today on 2/4.   

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year.  2013 is going to be an amazing year! 

Thanks for reading!

Cheryl

I had my 6 month check-up today with Dr. Suh (I am actually almost 7 months out).  I was happy to find out that all my labs came back great.  He said to keep doing what I am doing.  I have now lost 94.5 pounds.  It feels great, although I was hoping to have lost 100 by this appointment.  The weight loss has definately slowed for me, but I have been eating a more and have skipped some workouts (bad).  I just need to get back on track and reach that 100 mark; my goal is now by 7 months on 9/4/09.  I believe I can lose 5.5 lbs. by then. 

Anyways, he said that I will probably keep losing slowly for the next 6-9 months, eventually losing about 20-30 more pounds.  I was happy with that because my goal weight is 145.  I am hoping to reach this by my 1 year anniversary on 2/4/10.

By the way my hair is still falling out, it has been almost 4 months now.  I have lost at least half of my hair.  I am doing everything that I was told for hair loss: taking my vitamins, taking biotin and zinc,  and getting in all my protein.  I am sure it will run its course, but I just hope it is soon.  On a good note, the biotin has given me beautiful long strong nails.

I need to get something out - I have been having bingeing issues for the last couple weeks.  I have been eating too many carbs, and too often.  Of course, thank God, I can't eat much at once but I find myself going to the fridge more often.  I need to see someone about these issues because this is why I got where I was in the first place.  I am not going back the 270 lb. person I was, so I need to get help with this now.  This is not every day, but is at least twice a week.  I know it is emotional, which is why I need help.

Well, this is it for now. 

Best wishes on your weight loss journies!!!!

Well, as of today I have lost 92 lbs; starting at 270 and now at 178.  I can't believe that 100 lbs. lost is just around the corner.  I was stuck between 182-183 for at least 3 weeks, so I am even more excited to finally be under 180.  I think that getting even more aggressive with my workouts helped me get over the long stall.  I still have cravings for carbs but only give into them once in a while. It is all a learning experience.  I need to think about what I eat, how much, and what emotions are involved when I am going to eat. I am in this for the long haul so mistakes are going to happen, but I now know that a small mistake doesn't mean the whole day is shot.  I just get back on track at the next meal. We can all do this, but we need to use our brains in the process.

This has been an awesome journey to say the least.  Thank you God for allowing me to have the surgery and supporting me along this journey. 

Best wishes to everyone!

Hi Everyone!

Well, I am feeling great and have been getting so many complements on how skinny I look. I am now weighing 191, which is a 79 pound weight loss in about 4 months and 3 weeks.  I only lost 6 pounds this month, but I think I am losing inches.  I guess I should have measured myself at the beginning, but I instead went for clothes size changes.  I was wearing a 22 and now my 14's are big on me, especially in the waist, butt, and hips.  I do find that I still have some saggy skin in the arms, thighs, and lower stomach, but all I can do is work on those areas as much as possible and hope for the best.  I guess that is the price we pay for having the surgery and losing weight quickly.  As long as I keep off the weight I can handle some loose skin. 

I am still losing hair and can't wait until my 6th month so it will hopefully stop.  It isn't too bad, but I am starting to notice a difference in how my hair is curling (really frizzy). 

As I posted last week, I had a hard time saying no to cravings during my vacation last week.  I felt really guilty eating so many carbs in a week's time, but am still trying to say no to some of those same carb cravings that I gave into last week.  I decided to let myself have a few more carbs so that I will not go on binges like I used to in the past.  I am finding that one higher carb snack a day is not a bad thing, as long as that is it.  Nothing is making me sick, so I have to be careful compared to most RNY patients.  I can eat more than expected and I don't get sick, not a good combination for a person that eats emotionally.  I went into this knowing that this is a life change, so I am still working on my emotional eating battle as well as controlling how much I am eating. 

This journey is not easy, but I am never going back to the person I was.  I see my goal weight of 145 in the near future, and plan to reach that goal and stay as close to it as humanly possible.  Skinny me, here I come. 

Thanks for reading.

Cheryl

I haven't been on in a while, so I thought I would check in. 

My 3 month blood work that I spoke about in my last blog turned out a little abnormal.  I had some abnormalities with my urinalysis which I didn't understand, but was told to wait until my 6 month check to see if they are still the same.  My B-12 was pretty high, so I now take B-12 only every other day.  All my other levels were fairly normal.  The crazy part was that my total cholesterol was 139, a number that I don't ever remember having in my adult life.  My thyroid was 3.5 which I am not happy with but told could happen.  This means my endocrinologist may want to up my meds, but I will wait until my 6 month appt for that.  Otherwise, I think I am doing fairly well, seeing as I take a ton of vitamins every day.

My 3 month appt with my surgeon came and went fairly quickly.  The dizzy spells I was having he wasn't too concerned about.  I took my PCP's advice and am trying to eat more carbs, including a banana for breakfast every morning.

The best news I got at the end of May was that I finally fell under the 200 mark, where I haven't been in 12 years.  I was so happy that I started crying and smiling at the same time.  I went from a size 22 to now wearing a size 14.  When I went shopping last week and was able to fit in size 14 jeans, I thought I was going to pass out.  I now wear a large size shirt, which feels great except for the fact that my boobs have shrunk from a D cup to a almost B cup - sucks!  I have a little sag in the lower portion of my stomach, on my arms, and the front of my thighs.  I am trying to work out 2-3 times a week including 1 hour of cardio and 1 hour of weight training, but I wish I could fit more workouts in to my schedule.  My only other issue is that I did start losing hair at exactly 3 months just like most other RNY patients.  It comes out during my shower and when I brush my hair after my shower.  It is not falling out in clumps but some days it feels like it.  I have curly hair, so I think it will be less obvious that I am losing so much.

I have been feeling great and have been full of energy.  I am swamped with school and life, so I don't have time to sleep or even relax most days.  All in all I am very happy with the surgery thus far, and can't wait to reach my goal weight in the near future.

I hope everyone is doing great on their own journies. 

Take care,
Chery

I have been feeling great since I had surgery.  I have lost 62.5 lbs. in 3 months, and my Dr. couldn't stop telling me how good I look.  It felt great to hear that from her, because I never thought an HMO Dr. would even remember who I am.

I had a physical done, and was given a form to have tons of lab work done for all my vitamin levels, thyroid levels (I am hypothyroid), and my cholesterol.  I am hoping all tests come back normal, and will keep you all informed if not. 

I had my blood pressure taken and was shocked that it was 140/100, which is high.  In fact, this is the highest it has ever been.  I asked her how it was possible, and she said that I should watch my salt intake.  Too weird, especially since I don't eat half the salt that I used to.  I guess I will watch my salt, and go back in a week to re-check it. 

I also asked her about some dizzy spells I get.  She that I am probably not getting enough sugar/carbs.  I think she is right, because I do mostly eat protein and very little carbs each day.  She said this is really bad when I working out for 2 hours 3-4 days a week.  She said to eat a small carb stack half way through my workout to keep my sugar levels normal.

Well, thanks for reading my update.  I guess I should just post this to my blog.

I hope everyone is doing great on their own journies.  I truly enjoy reading all of your blogs and questions/answers.  Thank you!

            Today I am feeling great.  I am pain and complication free (knock on wood - LOL).  My only problem is with fatigue.  I literally have to take a nap every day or I can't function.  I need this side effect to go away because I start back to school at the end of the month, where I take 5 classes in a 10 week session.  I won't have time for naps.  On a brighter side, I have now lost 40 lbs. and have been complimented on how good I look.  The weight loss has slowed down a lot, especially this week as I have been at the same weight all week.  I know this is normal and will keep trucking along.  I do need to work out more than three days a week, and plan that as my goal for next week.  

           My husband can't keep his hands off of me, although he was touching me a lot before I lost the weight, but I am sure that seeing me shrinking has to be more of a turn on for him.  I do find myself telling more people I had the surgery now, because I feel bad for lying about how I lost the weight.  I figure it is already done, so what can people truly say that could bother me now.  I am feeling good about my body and health, but can't wait to see what the next few months bring. 

          I wish everyone on OH good luck in their journies!  The support on this site has been amazing.  I feel like I have to read the message board daily or I will miss something.

03/06/09

I wrote on the message board the following day and people said it was probably the broccoli.  I would be surprised especially since it was such a small bite.  I decided to get some chicken today and eat it alone.  Low and behold the chicken went down and settled fine in my stomach.  Thank God!  Now I was a happy woman again.

03/05/09  

I had my one month appointment with Dr. Suh.  I have lost 23 lbs. since my surgery day of 2/4/09, but 35 since my approval date of 01/28/09.  I was happy with the results so far, as I know I won't lose as fast as some because I have less weight to lose.  I was excited that Dr. Suh said I could eat chicken, fruits, and veggies now.  He said no red meat or pork yet.  I was happy as I lived on chicken before my surgery; I couldn't imagine life without it.  I will be coming back to see the doc after 3 months, so I am in hopes that I can lose another 40 lbs. before then. 

The same night, I went to dinner for my mom and husband's birthday celebration at Elephant Bar.  I decided to try grilled chicken and broccoli.  Well, the chicken was going down fine but I was feeling full very quick.  I barely took a tiny bite of broccoli, and I had enough.  I felt like I had just eaten a brick and it was now sitting in my stomach.  All of sudden I started feeling gassy.  On the way home, and for an hour after, I had to fart constantly.  I couldn't believe that chicken did this to me.   I was not a happy woman. 

02/06/09  Home From Hospital 

         I was more than excited to go home.  I decided to stay at my mom's house for the weekend so that she could help me out.  My husband and firends were moving our furniture into our new house, so being in between homes was not helpful after surgery.  While at my mom's I stayed on my liquid diet and walked around her house throughout the day.  It was pouring rain outside and had been raining for two days prior.  The only liquid I couldn't handle was SF jello.  My stomach was not happy with that at all.  I still couldn't get in 64 oz of liquid, but tried my best.  I still had no pain and even the gas pain was subsiding.  I was very tired and fatigued so I took naps a couple times throughout the day.  I just prayed that I would remain pain and complication free.  Thank you God!

02/04/09  Day of Surgery

 I was scheduled for surgery at 11:30 a.m.  During the hour drive to the hospital I was nervous but also excited to finally start my new life.  My husband had to calm my nerves at times, as of course I cried a few times.  To tell you the truth I was more nervous and anxious about the IV pain than anything else - weird huh?  When we arrived at the hospital at 9:30, I was taken in to prepare within a few minutes.  Thank God I had a great nurse that put in my I.V.  There was still pain, but it was bearable.  I found out that Dr. Suh was running early and that I would be taken in for surgery at 10:20.  I was worried because my mom and kids were not at the hospital yet, but likely they got there and the nurse let them come in to see me before surgery.  Next thing I know I was wheeled into the OR and given to mask to put me out. 

           I woke up in the recovery room to my best friend Anna calling my name.  She was saying "I thought you were having surgery at 2:00 p.m.  I wanted to see you before you went in."  I remember looking over at the clock and seeing that it was barely 11:30 a.m.  I felt so bad for telling my friend that my surgery time had changed to 11:30, thank God nothing happened to me.  She stayed for a few minutes and then was asked to leave so I could recover.  When I finally was able to pay attention to my body, I realized that I was not in any pain from my incisions.  I only felt weird pain in my stomach and lower back.  The nurse said it was gas pain and that I needed to burp as much as possible to get it out.  I tried and was able to, but felt embarrassed that all the other patients were probably wondering what the hell was wrong with me - LOL.  

         I ended up being in the recovery room until 3:30 p.m. because they couldn't find me a single room.  Dr. Suh's patients are given single rooms which was great, but the wait was killing me.  At about 2:30, after complaining that I wanted to see my family enough times, I had a nurse finally let my husband and kids come in one at a time.  I was so appreciative to that nurse as I was feeling really lonely and worried about what my children thought might be happening to me.  Seeing my family's faces made my day.  Through God's glory I made it through the surgery.

         I was in the hospital from Wed the 4th until Fri. the 6th.  During my stay I felt comfortable with no pain except for
gas.  I take that back, after the first day I started having pain in my hand from the I.V. so I used the pain medicine they gave me at night in order to sleep.  I was able to get up and walk to first night with little pain, and I walked a couple times each day after.  I felt so blessed that I didn't have any complications.  It was hard to drink the liquids they gave me the second day; I think I only got 10 ozs. in before I left the hospital on Fri.  At times I said to myself, "what did I do to myself," but knew that  I tmade the right decision.  I wanted a drastic change, and that is exactly what I got. 

 02/03/09

Well, tomorrow is my big day.  I am very excited but of course a little nervous.  I am as prepared as I can get.  I will have my mom, husband, and kids at the hospital, so I feel better knowing I will wake up to their beautiful faces.  I can't say that I don't worry about not waking up, but I know that God is with me and will protect me.  My surgery and recovery are in his hands.

Thank you to the wonderful ladies that posted their support.  I truly appreciate all of the prayers.