DeeD

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I'm almost 4 years out.
I'm well below my target weight at 115 but still feeling great.  I'm wearing sizes 2 - 6 and xs - to m depending on the cut/ style of clothing.
I've had PS - Tummy Tuck and Breast Augmentation (A to D). Still want a thigh lift but that will have to come later. I was self-pay so I'm still paying off my WLS surgery.

I'm now going through a severe case of anemia and the Dr's are talking possible transfusion or Iron Infusion. I'm sticking to Iron pills but have increased my dosage. I started having pains in my pouch a couple weeks ago that are radiating from under my sternum, around my right side and down to my kidneys.  Some research I've done says it could be a side effect of the anemia. I have an upper scope scheduled for next month and an abdominal ultrasound in the next week or so.

The pain started when I dumped on a French Dip sandwich a couple weeks ago. I originally thought I had bruised my pouch (done it before) and the pain would go away in a few days.  Well it didn't and one day last week I went home from work doubled over in pain.  It hasn't been that bad since but the pain comes and goes on a daily basis. I guess we'll see what happens.

I can pretty much eat anything I want now, just in smaller quantities and alot more chewing.  I have to remind myself all the time to chew, chew, chew but often forget and end up dumping on stuck food. Bread, chips, and flour tortilla's seem to be the worst for me. I can eat all the sugar I want but try to keep a handle on it.

Even with the health issues going on right now, I wouldn't change a thing. I love my WLS, my new self, my new future.

God Bless,
D

It's been almost a year since I last posted.  Alot has changed since then.

I began a new job.
I hit my goal weight.
I had my 1 year surgiversary.
I surpassed my goal weight.
I started a home based business.

I began a new job last August and am loving it.  The people I work with are fantastic and the job is keeping me on my toes.

I hit my goal weight of 140lbs a couple weeks prior to my surgiversary in March.  I was wearing size 10-12 at the time.

My 1 year surgiversary was March 27, 2008.  I was just below my goal at 138lbs and couldn't have been happier.

As of today, I am anywhere from 127 - 131lbs and wearing sizes 6-8.  I've been going to the gym 3 times a week and feeling wonderful!  I know things will continue to change and I may gain some back, but to have come as far as I have is amazing to me.  I never thought I would ever be like this again.

A friend at work turned me onto a home based business with an inventory of household, gift, personal items that is absoutely amazing.  I have my own website if you are interested in checking it out.  The prices and quality are great!   www.123easygiftideas.com  If you see anything you might like, email me and I can order it and have it dropped shipped to you or someone else.

Well, that is where I'm at right now.

We're going camping this weekend to the same place we went last year.  I'm hoping to post some new pics soon.

Best of everything to everyone!

It's strange,  it seems like it was just last month that I was preparing for this journey.  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to go back and start all over again!  It's just that time seems to be going by so fast these days.  Kinda like the pounds and inches I've lost.  I'm well over the half way mark to reaching my goal and couldn't be happier.  Just to give you an idea of what has happened (other then the pictures I've finally added)  here are my measurements from 3/26/07 and today.

	3/26/2007	7/27/2007
Neck	15	14		1
Arm	16.5	13.75		2.75 x 2
Breast	47.25	41		6.25
Waist	46	40		6
Hips	54.5	46.75		7.75
Thigh	33	29		4 x 2
Calf	19.75	17.25		2.5 x 2

for a total of 39.5 inches and 71.5lbs gone!

What an amazing trip huh?!!  I can't wait to see what's coming next.

I'm in shock!  I can't believe it!  I'm below 200lbs!  Can life get any better or what!?!  I know it CAN and WILL for me because I have a tool to control my weight for life.  

No more back, hip, knee, and foot pain.  No more having to catch my breath after 1 flight of stairs or walking up hill for 15 minutes.

I WILL prevail over my eating disorder
I WILL succeed at gaining my life back
I WILL live again

I AM eating to live instead of living to eat
I AM learning to live a better, healthier, more active life
I AM loving myself again

For anyone who has considered WLS- it is a very personal choice and one that can not be made lightly.  You have to be mentally and emotionally prepared for a life changing event.

For me, it was the best thing I could have done for myself and would do it again in a heartbeat.

52lbs in 2.5 months!  I was jumping around and dancing when I saw the scale this morning.  I feel so alive and full of energy!  It's been years since I felt like this.

I'm still dealing with food issues, foamies, and vomiting but I can deal with all that if I can continue to feel this fantastic.

I won tickets to see The Police in concert this coming Friday and just HAVE to buy a new outfit that fits for it.  I don't want to go to something that wonderful in baggy clothes!

We have tickets to see Def Leppard, Styxx, and Foreinger in September and I can't wait to fit into skinny jeans and concert T-shirt like the kids do!  I'll be almost 6 months out by then and hope to be near goal.

What a ride!

Last week and the weekend were full of sorrow and stress.  My husband's sister passed last Monday (5/21/07) at the age of 49, due to long term ill health.  We were at work when the call came in and immediately left to go pick up his mom so she wasn't left alone.  That was an all day drive and very stressful.  She stayed with us until Thursday, when we drove back to San Bernardino to spend the night and then drove more on Friday to get to the service in Los Angeles .

The service was very well done.  Her kids (30 and 22) did a very nice job of putting everything together.  We spent the day with family and then left at around 7pm for the long drive home.

Saturday was supposed to be a lazy quiet day but ended up being nerve racking because my husband lost his wallet while running errands.  We searched everywhere- tearing the house and garage apart and retracing his steps.  It was no where to be found.  He received a call this morning from a gentleman who said he found it near a dumpster several miles away from where we think he lost it.  The cash was gone but his identification and personal items were still there.  His Military ID, SS card, and Drivers License were in it as well as 2 credit cards which we had already canceled.

We finally got a quiet day on Sunday and Monday but the lost wallet and our family's loss were always there in the back of our minds.

I weighed and measured on Monday and have lost a total of 15 inches (only 1 arm, leg, and calf) and another 5lbs.  I'm almost to 50lbs lost.  I can't believe it!

Food is still giving me some issues.  I even dumped on a protein bar last week!  Hopefully this week will be better.

Mother's Day weekend was nerve racking and a blast.  My MIL drove in from Cali for a visit on Thursday afternoon and stayed until Monday morning.  We hadn't seen her in awhile so she hasn't seen me after my WLS. 

Needless to say she bombarded me with questions and had to bring it up every time a meal was either fixed at home or we went out.  I kept telling her that it was no big deal; I knew what I could handle for the most part, and would deal with it if something changed. 

There were other issues and you would have to be around my MIL to know what I'm talking about, but rest assured we were all grateful to see her head home.  

I had a great weekend otherwise.  It appears some of my tolerance problems have gone away.  

I found a tea I can drink and actually like it very much.  It is from Indulgent Foods and it is called Pacific Chai- Spice Chai Latte.  There were 2 other flavors available but I like Chai the best.  The kicker is... it's NOT sugar free and in fact sugar is the first ingredient on the list (it does say it is gluten free)!  I may be tolerant to it because I add it to more water then the directions state and add 1pk of splenda.  It can be prepared hot, iced or even frozen.  I love to blend it up with ice.  

On Saturday I also had a nice dinner of 3oz pork steak, half an oz of mixed veggies and the rest was home made mashed potatoes and gravy. I then made one of the pie recipes (Strawberry Cheese Cake) I found on bariatriceating.com.  It was wonderful.

I was so energized on Sunday that I cooked for most of it.  I made breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, sliced fresh strawberries and bananas, and toast w/ sugar free strawberry jam.  We took a long drive up to Mt. Charleston to admire the views and then headed home for dinner preparations.  The menu was tossed salad w/ tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado, and grated cheddar cheese w/ LF Ranch dressing, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Garlic French Bread.  I then made a variation on the pie I made on Saturday- Banana Cream Pie.  It was even better then the Strawberry!  After we ate and cleaned up we played "Mexican Train".  It’s a Domino game and bunches of fun.  If you get the chance to pick it up, do so.  The kids love it! 

After all the eating I did over the weekend I was dreading getting on the scale for my weekly check...  I lost another 3lbs.  That seems to be my average which I'm loving.  I got the ok to begin working out on the elliptical and weights and started that yesterday.  I did some light weights and did several reps for just my arms (real problem area) and then 10 minutes on the elliptical.  I want to walk tonight and will hit them again tomorrow.  That way I won't get board.

I've been having trouble with food for about a week now.  It seems everything new I try and even the soft stuff I've been eating has resulted in nausea, pains, diaharea, and 2 instances of throwing up.

I dont know what to eat or drink anymore.  I can't drink my tea, protein drinks other than the watered down bullets hurt, flavored water is too sweet and causes my stomach to spasm.  Pudding and jell-o have caused pains too.

Thank goodness I go in for my 6 week check on Wednesday.  I dont know how much longer I can do this.  Its been dificult to get my vitamins and GB pills in too. I have no energy and I know I'm not doing myself any good by not eating or drinking.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't anything major or that I'm just doing something wrong.

Wow... what a month!  Lots of changes going on and getting used to.  I've dropped 29lbs and more than 10 inches.  I'm wearing clothes I haven't seen in 4 years and those are getting baggy now.  
I've been feeling great and learning all about the new me.  I became lactos intollerant, can't eat sugar and very little sugar subsitute or sugar alcohols. (I love it!)  I like carrots (hated them before) can eat fish without breading and lots of tartar sauce, no longer crave chocolate on a daily basis, and have been thinking more and more about starting a running program.  I can't wait until I can get back on my bicycle again too! 

I lost 3 lbs and I'm totally fine with it!  I'm following the plan so I know it's working.  I'm getting into clothes that I haven't worn in 4 years, my wedding rings are flipping around my finger, and I feel wonderful.  I was able to walk over a mile today- something I haven't done in 50lbs.  I want to work up to 2 miles by this coming week.  

I'm doing much better getting my protein in... especially with the 42g protein bullets.  Those are great!  I'm using them to mostly fill in where my regular food is lacking.  I'm getting about 25 - 30g protein from food and I'm not doing the protein shakes at this time.

I want to start getting more excercise- weight training, but feel I need to wait to get the ok from the Doctor.  I see him again May 9th but think I'll give them a call next week to see what I CAN do.