DreaNC

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So much has changed and happened in my life since my post months ago.  I can truely say that when major life changes happen, as weightloss surgery folks, we need to be extra aware of how we deal with things. 

I was loosing weight, enjoying life!  Went to the Capital Jazz Fest in early June-had a ball!!!! Met lots of men!  Loved it!!
Mid June, June 17 my father passed suddenly.  This has been devestating to me and my family.  My father came down to take care of me for my surgery.  He stayed with me, took care of me, helped me with my bandages, g-tube, all my emotional ups and downs while recovering. He was my rock and he saw me through major life changing event.  He saw the changes and was so proud of me! I love and miss him so much.

So I went back to eating things that I should not have and in August I maintained my weight, but on Nov. 4, 2010 I had gained 9 pounds.  I'm not happy about it, but I know what I need to do to get myself back on track.  My father, Dr. Mitchell and myself- we worked hard to get me where I am and I will make the changes to get back on track to my goals.

Keep on your plan, no matter what comes up on our journey/path of life.

Andrea

Anemia
Well-I've been dealing with being anemic since mid December.  Went to an Hemotologist/Oncologist here in the Triangle area.  He told me to up my iron from 30 mg to 60 and to get blood work done again.  Did that, no changes, but my hemogloben (sp) went up a point!  wow!  so they told me to just keep doing the iron and get another blood work up in April.  Well all this time, I am tired and drained.  No energy, sleep but never feel rested at all.  I can't take it anymore, so when I go to my Bariatric doctor I tell them everything and say I want to see the Blood dr there that is familiar with bariatric patients.  That was Friday, 4/30/2010 and I saw the Hemotologist on Monday at 12:30/1pm. and by 2pm I was getting ready for my first Iron Transfusion!!!!   Dr,. Moore was great and explained everything.  I have not iron stored in my bone marrow, so by doing the transfusion we are looking at building those stores up.  I go back on Tuesday for my second dose!  I can actually say that I don't feel as tired.  I am getting more rest.  When I wake up I do feel rested.

Weight Loss
Well folks I am 4 lbs shy of 100 lbs!!! I'm at 96 lbs lost from my highest weight of 325!!!!!  Can't wait to get that 100lb lossed card!!!  My doctor and nut said I need to eat more- I usually stop before I feel full, because I don't like that feeleing.  So eat more, drink more water and get all my protein in-so I do a protein shake that I use as cream in my decafe earl gray tea.   Got to get it in some how!

Attention
This is interesting.  In the last few weeks, I have gotten so much attention from men that it was a bit too much.  I have gone on a blind date (set up through mutual friends) that has really worked out and a few other dates!!!  This is so unlike the old me, but the NEW Andrea is all about trying the dating life!!!

Clothes & Heals
I'm enjoying how I look in my clothes now.  I'm between a 16 and 18 in some stores.  I still wear my flexees cami to smooth me out, but go with out it on lots of times also-it's getting too hot and I need to be ok with my rolls!!

I love to wear heals now and can wear them for an entire day and evening!!!!!!!  Love it!!!  And I look good in them!!!

Travel
Even more room in my airline seat and with the seat belt.  I'm lovin that!!!

Performances
I attend a lot of Performing Arts Performances for my job so lots of theatres with small seats!  Well, I have not had any problems and love the fact that I can cross my legs also!!!!

Training
Well I went all out and messed my knee up running, so I'm back to walking.  I've got to put some weight training , pilates and water aerobic in the mix also.


That's my update.  I am on this journey and so glad that I decided to have RNY-it has been the best investment in me!!!
Keep up the good work everyone and enjoy your journey-remember the lows are just a momment and the highs are to be enjoyed!

Andrea

4/30/2010
Weight:  229
BMI: 35.9
Fat% 43.4
Fat Mass: 99.5 lb
FFM: 129.5 lb
TBW : 95 lb

Hey Folks,
Never thought I would do this, but I wanted to challenge myself and up the work out. I've invested in some good New Balance Running shoes, running pants, shirts & socks.  Even have the Nike+ receiver for my iphone!  I have started my second week of walk/run training (intermediate group)!  I'm training for the Susan G. Komen 5K -June 12, 2010. I'm run/walking this race in honor of my friend Helen Davis, who lost her fight to breast cancer many years ago.  I'm at the back of the pack, but as my running coach says it's not about your pace, but that you keep moving forward.  I have moved forward and up to running 1-1.5 minutes with a 2 min. break in between.  I have completed 3 days of training now and everytime and I so happy-because I couldn't have done that 7-8 months ago!  Thank You God and thank you for Dr. Mitchell!!!  Yesterday, I did 2.25 miles!!!   Another cool thing is that there is a woman in my running group that had gastric bypass and last year was her first time doing this training program.  So seeing her is an inspiration for me also.

I'm excited and want to keep on working on my pace and time!  I recommend challenging yourself by trying something new with something you have always wanted to do.  Give yourself a goal and work towards it!! Keep up the good work everyone!

Later!!
Andrea

Hey folks!! Went to my doctors info session and got my weight on the Tanita Body Compositon Analyzer scale.  It's the best.
Here's the print out:
03/9/2010
Weight: 235 lb
BMI: 36.9
Fat%: 42.7
Fat Mass:  100.5 lb
FFM (muscle): 135 lb
TBW (water): 99 lb

I don't have the Fat Mass listed for the December and cant find the sheet, but from my 11/09/2009  weigh in my fat mass was :  114.5 lbs.  So that's great!!!!  Lossing fat is the thing to do!! yeah!!!!

12/17/09
Weight: 245 lb
BMI: 38.4
Fat%: 44.3
FFM (muscle): 136.5 lb
TBW (water): 100 lb

So I'm excited and happy about all that is going on in my life, which I'll write more about in the next blog entry later today.  Just wanted to give everyone my weight update. 

I know lots of my OH friends are on their way to begining this journey and many are on the path, please remember that each journey is your own personal one.  Own it and work it!!!!!!
Love ya,
Andrea

Hey Everyone!!  I was to excited about this today-Hundson Belk had a great sale-some racks were $2.98, 4.98 and 9.98!! So I got a sweet size L orange sweater, size 16 Nine West slacks (a bit tight, but I'll be ok in a couple of weeks), and 2 tops one L and one XL-but form fitting.   I think if I could have found a size 18 slacks-it would have been fine-not as tight!

Ok folks, I have to say that I looked great in them!!!  To bad it was raining and my hair was looking a mess!  LOL

When I went to the plus size which was all the way on the other side of the store, the clothes were just too big, so i said let me go back over to the other side.  Found some great bargins.  I like getting pieces that will last a couple of body sizes!

I'm going on Thursday down to Pinehurst for the Support Group meeting.  I really need to get re-connected.  And I need to get on that scale.  I feel like i am just standing still with my weight, so I want to know where I am and how I'm doing. 

Till next time...

I'm at a place where I am happy and excited about my changes, my health and what I can wear and how I look.  But I am also at a place where I know I can't stop with just that, I need to push myself over this and get to working out harder, push my self past 3 miles on Saturday and 1 mile 3-4 times during the week. 

I have to tell you that I had a nice wow momment, walking past the apple store at the mall and I saw my side image in the glass and I looked great!!!  Loved the way I look in my jeans with heals on!!!!  I just smiled and walked with my head higher, because I know my path-where I've been and how I got to where I am now, but I am so looking forward to where I am going.. My future is so bright, everyone will have to wear shades!!!!!  LOL 

Oh, my doctor's office decided to cancel the support group meetings here in Raleigh, so now I don't get to weigh in once a month.  So I'm not sure where I am and my PC doctor's scale is not digital total  body composition at all.  So I don't trust that scale.

Till Next Time.

Wow- I did it!  My first one hour Pilates class!  You really do work your core.  I did almost every move.  The ones that I could not do completely, I did try them a couple of times.  The seal move towards the end was something else! I'm so glad that I did it and I really do feel my core.  It feels good to work that part of my body more.  My workplace wellness group offered the class free, so now I've got to find more classes to take!!

Well, 12/29/2009 was my 6 months out date.  So these pics are actually from that Monday.    I'm excited and  happy with how my results are going.  The iron thing is just one little blip on my journey. 
Can't wait to get that 100 lb lost card!!!!
Take Care all,
Andrea

Started the New Year off GREAT!
My Christmas present to myself was thermal running pants and a long sleeve shirt with the moisture wicking.  Now I just need to find the gloves.  But that gear really does work  and you don't have to have a lot of layers on.  I got mine at TJ Maxx-Be sure you get the right gear if you are walking outside.  Also check at Dicks and other sporting goods stores-but you know that TJMaxx has great prices!

I thought my run/walk group from church was running Friday morning, so I got there at 8:20 am.  I had told the organizer that I would get there earlier than 9 am, because I needed to be in Durham by 11 am.  So I walked from Davis Drive & Morrisville Parkway to High House Rd.  Ok that is 1.5 miles each way-3 miles !!!!!    And let me tell you the best part of it,  There is a bit of a hill, so I decided to job a little.  So I jogged the space of 4 light polls each way and my knee didn't hurt.  So I wanted to kick it up again at the end and jogged the space of 3 light polls at the very end of the walk.  During the run I was all smiles.  I know people driving by were like what is the woman smiling about it's cold and she's running?!   So usually my knee hurts for the rest of the day  and it only did for about 30 mins.  I stretched before and after my walk/run!! 

I had not tried since i lost more weight, so being at 80lbs off it was a lot better.  I can't wait until 20 more lbs off!!!  Then I'll get the 100 lbs lost card!!  But much more to go and do,

Take Care all!

Well, went to the appointment on 12/29-which is my 6 month anniversary!!1

The quick of it all, I did not get the transfusions.  The doctor wanted me to continue with the 60 mg of iron and get retested at the end of the month to look at my Ferritin (sp?) levels.  After that I will probably get the transfusions.  He explained that is what they are really looking at as an indicator.  He did say that yes I am anemic, but it's the Ferritin levels that are more of an indicator.   So I remain sluggish, but I am determined to get out there and workout.

So for a $60 specialist co-pay- I asked that doctor all kinds of questions!  LOL  Once I get the transfusions, maybe I'll run a 5 k!!!! 

Happy New Year everyone!