Post Op - Week 11

Feb 10, 2007

Week 11 measurements




Week 11 Progress Pics

Measurement Update

Jan 01, 2007

My trainer took my measurements yesterday.  He said that despite seeing me in and out of the gym the last few weeks, it wasn't until we were talking face-to-face that he really saw a difference.  The stats don't lie!


Comparison Pix

Dec 28, 2006

6 Weeks Post op (-40 lbs.)

 

3 hours Pre-op (304 lbs.)


6 Weeks Post op

Dec 28, 2006

Today was my 6 week post-op visit. The great news is not just the fact that I've lost weight, but I no longer have any symptoms of Diabetes. Of course we'll follow-up again in 3 months to make sure everything stays as good as it seems right now, but it's a start. My total Cholesterol was 152 (previously it was 230-something), my fasting blood sugar was 90, and my triglycerides were well within normal range!


I'll get my before measurements on Saturday when my trainer measures me again, but for right now I've gone from wearing a comfy size 26 to slipping on a pair of size 20 slacks today! I can't believe it!! Not only that, but a pair of jeans I ordered right after I gave birth to my daughter which didn't fit then, finally fit today. I'm glad I never sent them back.

I didn't lose even 1 oz. this week. I know my metabolism has dropped to a crawl, wondering why the heck I'm starving my body. I know it's trying to save everything it can, but I'm really trying to show it who's boss! I've been to the gym everyday this week in an effort to keep it up, at least a little! I know it will pass and the losses will begin again.

To be frank, despite knowing full-well what is happening, it's still a mind-f*ck when you don't lose. I immediately wonder if I'll be one of the few the surgery won't work for! Like I said, I know better... it's just a momentary lapse of reason.

When I look at the pictures the only difference I see is in my face and neck. I know I've lost in the stomach and hips, otherwise the smaller clothes wouldn't fit! LOL

3 Weeks Post Op

Dec 05, 2006

3 Weeks post-op today and I'm down 29 lbs. :)

I've been attending off-site training all week, so there's really not much going on. I'm eating as I should, and haven't had any issues to speak of or write about. I'm a boring post-op.

Of course my clothes fit better, and that's always nice!

12 days until I'm cleared for full activity. I saw my trainer on Saturday and he stopped to chat. He said he was really proud of me because he's known other clients who have the surgery and they never see them again. He said I'm motivating him to get his "rear back in gear." :)


Post-op - Day 18

Dec 02, 2006

Well, peoople at work are starting to notice -- and I'm starting to notice my loss too. Its amazing just how much better I feel, losing what I have. I haven't used my CPAP since I've been home. My Husband says that I'm sleeping so quietly that he can't even hear me sometimes!

As for the eating, 25 days left of full liquids. It's really not as hard, as it is boring. I know my surgeon does this for 6 weeks to make the emotional disconnect from food -- and that's one of the things I know I needed, and one of the many reasons I chose this surgery.

In spite of a particularly stressful week back to work, I found I wasn't even thinking about eating in response to feel better. It just didn't even come to mind. I haven't had an official *mourning* for the loss of food yet, but I'm not really focusing on what I might missing out on, so much as I am focusing on the end result.

I really to try to visualize me at a healthy weight, and it's so hard to do. I can almost see it in my mind, but not quite -- how strange is that?

I had a meeting with our Managing Consultant Friday, and it was good. In general, I am a fairly confident person, but when I get to meeting with some of the top brass in our firm, I seem to lose the ability to articulate. Anyway, he is new to our office and I haven't had much interaction with him, so I was unsure how things would go. I was pleased we were able to connect and have a productive discussion.

One of the things I wanted to start focusing on after the surgery was behind me, was the idea of a career change. I am really interested in two totally different fields: communications and physical therapy. Both would mean returning to school.

I'm not so much worried about the long road of hard work for me, and I know my Husband will totally support me in this effort (he is amazing!). Knowing they will have to sacrifice sme, I don't want my family to sacrifice too much. I've been burned-out for a very long time and am pretty much just existing at work for my paycheck. My work is no longer exciting. I am stagnated in my position and really have no where to go unless my boss leaves.

Who knows, I might find that things change for me in the next year as I shed the weight. Despite that though, I don't want to sit around and let time pass without making any effort towards change.


Post-op - Day 11

Nov 26, 2006

I had a real good day yesterday. No particular reason. I just felt good. :)

I hit the gym in the morning and did 2.5 miles on the elliptical in 31 minutes. I started off with an 11 minute mile -- I haven't done that in forever! That being said it is easier to do a mile on the elliptical trainer, than in it is to run on the ground. After the 1st mile, I spent the next 10 minutes doing sprint intervals, then the last 10 doing resistance intervals. 22 days until I'm training again!

Darren I got the lights on the tree. We've yet to hang the ornaments -- hopefully we'll get that done today. I also trim my stairwell railing with Poinsettias, which also needs to get done -- hopefully today.

I can't believe I got back to work next Wednesday! The good thing is, my first week back is a short week and the following week I have a 3-day project management class, so that makes for a short week once again. Nice way to ease back into things.

I have to admit, if I'm uneasy about anything, it's going back to work. I'm in total control at home. I know that I can be at work too, its just easier at home.

Tried some no sugar added Carnation Instant Breakfast yesterday. I'm not sure if I drank it too fast, or if it just upset my tummy. It was the Malt flavored one -- maybe that wasn't a good choice? Yesterday's menu also included a homemade yogurt (Kefir) smoothie, butternut squash soup and some grits for dinner.

Guess that's it. I'm off to take my vitamins and have my smoothie. Gotta get my day started


Post-op - Day 9

Nov 23, 2006

Today I woke and my stomach felt practically normal!  Either I'm getting used to how it feels, or everything is starting to feel the way it used to. 
 
Eating-wise I've been doing fine.  Haven't really been hungry, but I did eat 4 times yesterday between 5:00 am and 9:30 pm.  Homemade yogurt smoothie, homemade split pea soup and some cream of wheat. 
 
It was a quiet Thanksgiving. We introduced Cassie to the Macy's Parade and Charlie Brown.  :)
 
I'm off to the gym.  I've been cleared for the elliptical and can return to Jimmy (my personal trainer) on December 18th! 
 
Most importantly though, I'll be able to pick up my Cass-a-frass again!   

Post-op - Day 7

Nov 22, 2006

The drain is gone!  And so is 16 lbs.! 

Everything is great. I'm cleared for full liquids and and can use the elliptical instead of walking. In 3 weeks I'll be released to return to the trainer.

Now, becasue I don't be all *faux* about it. I think they used my initial consultation weight... I was like 303 - 304 ish, I think. I weighed right after lunch, in full clothes, with boots, so the weight is definitely skewed.

The problem is, when he said 16 lbs, I was so stunned, I didn't catch my weight for today. I think it was 288.

On the day of the surgery, I weight 299 at the hospital and 298 at home. So really while the gross loss is 16, the surgery netted an 11 lb. loss so far.

That's the scoop!

Post-op - Day 6

Nov 22, 2006

I'm having a decent day. I feel pretty good -- just wish my allergies would subside! I get my drain out tomorrow -- I'm so happy!

I went to the gym this morning and did my treadmill, a moderate 3.0 mph, with a 3.0 incline for 30 minutes.

The Bariatric Program Coordinator for the hospital asked the online support group what was their "ah-ha" moment was, when they made the decision to have the surgery, so I thought I would answer the question, because it wasn't just one moment. It was a sequence of events that led me here.

I grew up in a family of professional dancers. Mom danced with Radio City and the Metropolitan Ballet, my step dad was on Broadway and is currently a professor of dance. Even my sister is now a reputable dance teacher as an adult. You might see where weight was a constant issue in our home while I was growing up, and I always had challenges with weight.

I spent my life doing things that overweight people wouldn't ordinarily do. I excelled at any of the sports I tried in high school. I also danced for 13 years. I was actually good, which used to upset my Mom to no end; she used to say I had the "natural ability, but not the body." As an adult I did a triathlon at 242 lbs and was taking tap dance lessons at 30 years old and over 300 lbs.

Beginning in 2002 I went through several different life-changing events: Relocation, new job, new home, engagement, marriage and high-risk pregnancy. I had my Daughter in 2003, and while I did awesome with little weight gain during the pregnancy, I didn't do so good after. I totally forgot about taking care of me, and began eating out of stress and emotion. I was a Gestational Diabetic during my pregnancy, and the Diabetes didn't go away, so my eating was not helping my disease.

I saw my endocrinologist who followed me through my pregnancy and we talked about approaches to weight loss; medications surgical procedures. I was really against them all. I knew I had done it before, but why couldn't I do it again? Then my former PCP made mention of the surgery again. A friend of mine (Melissa Deaver) had had lots of success with surgery, but I still couldn't embrace the idea I needed that kind of help. It was fine for others, and I would support them, just not for me.

Despite trying to ignore them, there were signs all over the place.

It seemed like in the snap of a finger, I found myself becoming physically limited. My knees started to hurt and I found myself saying, when I lose 20 lbs. I'll get back on my bike or when I lose 30 lbs. I take my Rollerblades out of the closet. The summer came, and I wouldn't take my Daughter to the pool -- In short, I was no longer living life, I was avoiding it. To top it all off, I was began treatment for for Diabetes.

The more the scale rose, the more I felt my self-esteem drop, and it was affecting the people I love around me. And of course, the main focus of my life, my Daughter. How on Earth could I keep her from having my issues with food and weight, if I could not learn to be a good role model for her?

Food was a constant source of strife. I don't care if I was counting, points, calories, fat, protein, or deciding what to eat, not to eat, where to eat, or when to eat. It was all just more overwhelming than I knew it was supposed to be. I knew I wanted a healthy relationship with food -- one where food was fuel for my body, and nothing more.

Since no one has time to waste when it comes to living their life to the fullest, I finally woke up and acknowledged the signs and explored WLS as an option. I knew I needed the restriction, the disconnect from food, and the re-training of my thoughts about food. I took my time making my decision, but when I did, that was it. I knew it was the right thing without question.


About Me
League City, TX
Location
34.2
BMI
RNY
Surgery
11/15/2006
Surgery Date
May 09, 2005
Member Since

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