Hope4Change
4 months after surgery...
Apr 11, 2011
The weight loss is slowing down already... I lost 19 pounds the first month, 14 pounds the second month, 11 pounds the third month, and now 9 pounds during my fourth month. On April 9th, I weighed in at 176.2. At my highest, I was 236.something. I've lost a total of 60 lbs from my highest weight in November. I've lost about 53 pounds since my surgery on December 9, 2010. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. When I went for my 4 month appointment on 4/6/11, I weighed 179.4 at the doc's office (clothes on of course, so a couple pounds more than what I weighed at my house). My surgeon (Dr. Acosta), said he was very happy with my progress so far. I've lost (as of the appointment anyway) 48% of my excess weight. So, I asked him, where should I be at this point in the process? He said, well, they like to see patients losing at least 60% of their excess body weight by their one year check-up. He said that I had about 15-18 more pounds to lose to get to that 60% point. It's hard not to compare your weight loss with others, however, I am guilty of feeling like I'm not losing as well as others. However, after the appointment, I feel like I'm right on track where I need to be.As for exercise, I'm going to the gym 5 days a week. I do cardio (elliptical or treadmill for me) for 45 minutes, then strength training. I alternate different muscle groups on different days, so as to get the rest and recuperation time in for my muscles. I can't afford a trainer, unfortunately, so I've been researching online what the best combination is for strength training and cardio. Every site has different opinions...also, depending on what your goals are, it's going to differ too. It's kind of confusing to me, so I'm going to continue to do what I am doing and if I don't continue to see results, then I guess I'll have to figure something else out.
As for diet, a typical day goes like this. Breakfast, I will usually have a banana or yogurt, because I need something before I go to the gym. After the gym, I have a protein shake. Lunch is usually a salad with chicken breast chunks or other protein. Dinner is whatever everyone else is having, but I try to make it "gastric bypass friendly" so I'm not having to make different meals. I was told that I could actually up my calories because of how long/how much I exercise. So, if I'm hungry between meals, I can either have another protein shake (just easier for me) or I can have some other small snack...yogurt...nuts...usually something protein rich...not always, though. I will eat grapes or something like that. I know crackers are kind of forbidden, BUT, I do eat Wheatables with a laughing cow cheese...good stuff :). I'm finally getting all my liquids in, so that's good.
I am not perfect, obviously...nobody is. With that being said, I have eaten things that I shouldn't have...then I pay the price. This is still a learning process for me, so I'm trying to make the best decisions, but ya know, like I said, nobody is perfect. I just have to keep remembering why I did this...
Til next time...
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About Me
Surgery
12/09/2010
Surgery Date
Nov 14, 2010
Member Since
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
Before: summer 2005
236lbs
After: November 2015
124lbs
