1 year anniversary post....................

Aug 28, 2008

Aloha Family,

I got asked so many GREAT questions regarding surgery, maintenance, weight loss, stalls you name it….I got it!! I will post all the questions and my responses in no special order.

Thank you to all of you who asked questions, I appreciate you wanting to hear what I have to say, and I appreciate you taking the time to reach out for answers.

Happy Surgiversary to all of us!!!
Please feel free to PM me questions or post them on the board.
I wish you all............even better success than I have had on my journey. It is not over for me yet...........now it is about living!!
XOXOXOXOX
jeni

 

1.      How long until I reached goal?  I reached my surgeons goal at 8 months. My BMI was 22 at that point. I set a personal goal to get my BMI to 21 and I accomplished that yesterday. my highest weight was 249, I started at 223 day of surgery and yesterday was 135.

 

2.      How many stalls did I have? How long did they last?  I really did not have many stalls. I followed my surgeons guidelines very closely, and he has a statement in there that if you are stalling to re-evaluate your food immediately.  I did have 2 or 3 stalls that occurred after 6 months out when I started to eat a more regular diet. They lasted about 2 weeks.

 

3.      How is the transition from Weight Loss mode to Maintenance mode? Actually, it isn’t really any different. What I notice is that I am not as“tight” about what I eat anymore. When I was really focused on loosing I watched and counted just about everything that went in my mouth. Now, I watch……….but if I want a bite of the kids hotdog, then I have it.

 

4.      How did I stay motivated? My kids. I have Diabetes (Type 1) and I KNOW that if I didn’t get my health in check I would not be around to see the kids grow up. I WANT to see the kids grow up, so they and my husband are my motivation. When I would get frustrated I would mentally slap myself in the head and say, “get over it”.

 

5.      Do I enjoy working out? Heck no!! I am not actively working out now on my own. I do LOVE working out with my trainer. She is awesome, if I had enough money I would pay to work out with her every day. I get lots of exercise with the kids. I try to go to the park daily and run around with them. I try to get them to the beach once a week and swim with them. I count all those things as exercise.

 

6.      Is it easier once you reach goal? The whole journey has not been easy. One of my pet peeves is folks that really jump into this blindly. It is easier in the sense that I am not as obsessed with all the little things, like how many bites did I eat? Protein first, low low carb. Those little things are easier…..the harder part now is making sure that I have the reasons why I got fat in the first place under control. So, now it is fixing my head! That is not easy.

 

7.      Did I go through emotional changes? Absolutely!!! I highly recommend finding a therapist before surgery to start to work on the emotional side. The emotions are hard, you lose a friend in food, you lose a comfort in food, you lose a numbing device in food…..and you have to replace those things to stay healthy.

 

 

8.      Do I think that WLS changed who I am on the inside? Yes, I do think it changed how I feel about myself. I am the same Jeni that I was at 249, however I do not tolerate abusing myself anymore.

 

9.      Was I anxious that I would not reach goal? Yup, after years of dieting and regaining I was worried that I would be “the One” that surgery wouldn’t help. I think that is a pretty normal feeling/fear.

 

10.  How much can I eat? Meat? Cottage Cheese? Overall, I can eat about 2-5 oz at one sitting. If it is meat/chicken I can eat about 2-3 oz. but that leaves little room for anything else. Cottage Cheese is closer to 4-5 oz….The main thing is still protein first.

 

11.  Am I still reliant on full signals (like runny nose or hiccups)? I wouldn’t say reliant on the signals. I just eat. If I feel full in my throat, then I stop. If I hiccup, I stop. If I have a runny nose, then I lay down cause I know I pushed too hard. I don’t think that is reliant on them...like I am not eating and waiting for the hiccups.

 

12.  How much work is it to maintain? So far it has not been a lot of work. I am sure as I talk with other “old timers” it will require some checking in. My proactive plan is to check in with my eating once a month. Make sure I am not getting off track. I will also watch the scale if it goes out of my buffer zone of 5 lbs. then I will have tighter control. meaning I will go back to basics, protien/water/low carb.

 

13.  Do I think there will be a lot of revisions in the future from VSG? No I really don’t. I think the surgery is top notch. I think some will get the full DS if they have quite a bit of weight to lose.

 

14.  Is it easy to stretch the stomach? I don’t think so. My surgeon uses a 32 bougie. His research shows that the stomach does not stretch much at all.

 

15.  What coping mechanisms did I use to deal with cravings? I use distraction. It is much easier to get a craving for a food and then go for a walk, read a book, go sit down. It is a million times easier to distract myself after surgery than before. If I really have tried everything and still can’t fight it…then I have some. I didn’t get the surgery to live a life of denying foods. Use your best judgment on this one. One craving for a small piece of chocolate and eating it isn’t going to kill ya, but giving in to hourly cravings for chocolate will definitely affect your weight loss.

 

16.  At some point does the journey get easy? Easy is a relative term. This whole journey has been fairly easy for me. I don’t mind tracking foods, being cautious, following rules and so on. But, then again yeah there was definitely a time about 6-8 months out when I wasn’t as obsessive about everything.

 

17.  How much exercise do I do? And What kids of exercise? I answered this one above, but I wanted to add that exercise is one part of the weight loss. I have really found that weight training with my trainer is key to my success. It is helping me not lose too much muscle and it is helping to keep the sagging skin to a smaller amount. I play with the kids as my exercise. When they get a bit bigger I am sure that I will add in some form of daily routine like walking or running.

 

18.  When does it become “normal” to eat low-carb/high protein, low sugar? For me this hasn’t been hard. Since I am the cook all the meals are a protein, veggie, and starch. So I just start with the protein. I usually will have a bite or two of the veggie and rarely do I have room for a bite of rice. If you start with your protein you tend to not miss the rest. I didn’t want to have my eating be different from my families. I have a young daughter and son and did not want them to see mommy doing things different. So, I eat what they eat.

 

19.  My top three differences in quality of life now. (I love this question!) 1. My diabetes is in control. My HA1C’s are 7% or below. 2. I have lots more energy. 3. I have more confidence in me.

 

20.  If I could only post one piece of advice to a new VSGer what would it be?  My advice is…….make sure you research/read everything! Make an informed choice. This is “not a quick cure” for obesity. It is hard. It is for life. Make sure you have a support network set up of doctor, surgeon, therapist, and family and so on. You will need all the help you can get along the way. Once you are ready………….DON’T LOOK BACK, look forward to your new life!!! J


10 month update

Jun 29, 2008

Aloha Family,

Yesterday was my 10 month surgiversary. 

What I am working on now is being as normal as I can. That doesn't mean eating junk (although that happens sometimes) and going back to old bad habits (although that happens too sometimes, takes a while to change years of bad habits).

What it means is not getting nervous everytime I step on the scale. I have been stable the last month between 138-140 (today 140). I am not loosing but i am not trying to either. 
I am just trying to live happily, play with the kids, cook for the DH, and have a new start. An expensive new start, but a new start that I will not squander.

When i first got to OH, the tone was very supportive and kind and safe. No flaming, No blaming, No arguements. That is still true and I am glad to see that our community is still supportive and informative. Post-opers come and go, and it is up to you newbies to keep up the forum in the manner in which it was started. 

It is my hope that all the newbies and people researching will get the best and most accurate information that they can about VSG. 
We know we have the best surgery (hee hee), so I hope that the support remains the best!!

As for me..........next month I complete my 1 year post-op blood work for my surgeon. We will see how all my levels are doing. Dr. C is VERY through when it comes to post-op bloodwork. (one of my VSG mentors, says about 10 vials full of blood) eek. 
But, it will be good to know what is going on in my blood! :-) I will keep you all posted, so you know what you can expect in the future.

I could not have made it on this journey without the support of those who came before me and the support of everyone after me as well. 
The support is the key!! :-)

much love to you all...............XO
jeni

9 month update................

May 30, 2008

Aloha Family,

The 28th of May was my 9 month surgiversary.
I am still loosing weight very slowly. Dr. C at my last appointment would like me to go down a few more pounds to have some wiggle room. I need to change my ticker so it doesn't look like I am under weight. (hm...guess I will today)

This journey has been great. Very enlightening. I didn't post on my anniversary cause I didn't have any new revelations to share.

My biggest hurdle will be my mental battles. It takes a while to "erase" the tapes that play in my head. It takes a while to believe/trust that I can handle stress and emotions without eating. Sometimes I find myself eating and think.....doh! What are you doing?? You can handle this --------(fill in the blank of whatever drama is going on)without icecream!!

I need to follow Ros-Mari's edict and place an Icecream-free zone in my house. 

Someone else said in their update that their tastes had changed. I have found that too. I enjoy some foods, but really I am eating to fuel my body. Food no long has that same pull and power anymore. (well.........except icecream) :-)

So here I am looking forward to life. Planning things in the future. Knowing that I will be in pictures with the kids and family (instead of taking them to hide the fat). 

I still need the OH forum daily. I need to check in and see everyone. It helps me stay focused on things that are not inside my head. It keeps me accountable.....keeps me humble.

I think you all are brilliant. If you are here lurking, surfing, pre-op, post-op you are in the right place. You are looking at the right surgery.

Love and big surf......................Jeni (J2O)

BIG DAY...........................

Apr 29, 2008

So where to start..........................................

Well, yesterday was my 8 mo. surgiversary.  8 months of getting healthy, 8 months of being happier, 8 months of me reamerging, 8 months of finding what i want...............it has been a great 8 months.

Then today..............GOAL!!! yup, it is my goal. I wanted my BMI at 22, right in the middle of normal so i have some wiggle room but am not too skinny. A gal gotta have some curves!! :-)

So, I am pleased to announce that I am done. I am going to figure out how to maintain. I see Dr. C this weekend to tell him I am done and that this has been worth every penny....worth even more! I get many, many, more years added to my life to spend with my family and kids.

I will post new pictures when the hubby gets home. :-)

For those of you that don't know my story..........or are new.
I am a Type 1 diabetic. I was on an insulin pump using about 100+ units of insulin a day. I was morbidly obese at 225 lbs.

Today.................down 83 lbs at 140. Still Type 1 diabetic.....but not needed the insulin pump anymore and only using maybe 10-15 units of insulin a day. I am normal at a 22 BMI.

Hang in there, stay strong. Work the tool and it will be good to you.

Thank you to the boards..........the old timers, the newbies....can't do this journey without support!!
XO


7+ mos......the good, the bad, and the ugly...............

Apr 08, 2008

Aloha Family...........................time for some reflections,

A quick disclaimer....not everyones surgery journey is the same....

I am in week 31 post-op.....that is 7 months and one week.

The good..........
I am down 76 lbs (from 223 to 147), have a normal BMI at 23, only need to control my type 1 diabetes with insulin shots no longer need to be on my insulin pump, have more energy. (thank goodness the GOOD is GOOD!!)

The bad...........
I have been in the same weight bracket for over a month (145-148) (messes with your mind, when you are used to the scale going down almost on a daily basis to see it stop, go up, go down, not move!!)

The ugly................
my mental state is really having problems. See having weight issues all my life (I know I am preaching to the chior here
staying the same weight and even gaining a pound or two, really hits into the "old way of thinking".....freaking out that I am doing something wrong......
For the last few weeks, I have been staying calm. Reminding myself that my BMI is normal (that has never happened). Not weighing everyday.

But the truth of it all is, i have let myself have a bit of slack in the food part. A few bites of birthday cake, a few pieces of chocolate, a bit of pizza. (Now for you newbies or pre-ops please don't worry...i literally mean a few bites of cake. Pre-op that would have meant a few pieces of cake.) 

I am no where near a sabotaging mind set and eating myself into a coma, but I definately have not been so compulsive about my eating like I was in the first 6 months. Which is good, I was really tight about what I would not allow pass my lips. But, I think this is what happens when you do let "regular" food pass those lips. Like Carbs, sugar, flour....the stuff we KNOW is a no, no.

Anyway..........thanks for letting me ramble. I feel much more accountable and relieved since I told you all about it.
I know I am not alone, because others have posted similar posts over the time.

Can't do this trip/journey/new life without you all!!! here's to loosing the last of it and make it to goal, and maintain. :-)


only measurements I have...............

Mar 18, 2008

Luckily my trainer is awesome!! She started with measurements and weight when I started training with her in December. Here are the results:
            12/6/07         1/7/08          3/17            total
scale:    176.6           164.4          147.8           28.8
chest:    40 in             40 in           37.5 in         -2.5
rt. arm:   11.75 in        11 in          10.25 in       -1.5
waist:     35 in            33 in         30.75in        -4.25
hips:       44 in           43 in           39.75 in      -4.25
rt. thigh   19.75 in         18 in           17 in        -2.75
           
total inches lost from December----15.25

February update.......5+ months

Feb 11, 2008

My five month check up was great.
I am a normal BMI now, down 66 lbs. at the check up time. Dr. C was happy and so was I. He said we could work on maintenance....i said we wanted a BMI of 22. So a few more pounds too loose, maybe 10 or so.
BIGGEST NEWS........I am off my insulin pump!! I will always have to have insulin of some kind, but I don't need that pump anymore! Can't tell you how great it is to sleep and not wake up to turn over.
I tried to explain to Dr. C that I am still drinking most of my protien. When I eat, it hurts after a little bit so I am never getting the full serving of protien. (for example.....3 oz. chicken breast has 21 grams of protien....well I eat maybe 1/2 of that so I am not even getting 21 grams.) 
Anyway, he said to make high protien choices in food. 
I am happy, healthy and that was the goal!!
Goal accomplished!

jeni

Day after Christmas realizations................

Dec 26, 2007

Well, I was gonna say I did bad...............but I am not going there. This is a tool and we use it when we can and to the best of our ability. :-)

I did fine on food....protien first and plenty of it. I did add a few bites of dessert inside of a slice of apple pie, bite of fruit cake, small piece of pinapple upside down cake. They were all tasty and really pre-op I would have eaten all the cake, all the apple pie and then went back for another plate of food.

Christmas dinner was fabulous...........I finally got my turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce. (for those of you that know I have been wanting this meal since before thanksgiving) I didn't eat much but had some of everything and it filled an emotional whole that had been missing for a while. Reminded me of home. 
So all in all............not bad. And I will not beat myself up about it, we (me) have done that our whole lives. NO MORE, I say!! :-)


4 month check-up with Dr. Cirangle

Dec 13, 2007

I really can not believe that this journey is really happening. First, 4 months flew by. Second, I can not believe that every week I loose wieght. It may be only a pound or 1/2 pound but it is something.

When I went for my check up I am down 52 lbs. It has made a huge difference in my appearance. I tend to loose weight in my face, neck, and shoulders pretty quickly. It takes the lower half a little while to catch up......but it is coming.

I started at a size 24, I am down to a size 14 (tight still but not for long since the 16's are falling off)

My mom got me 10 personal training sessions for a combined christmas and birthday present. I will start January. I am hoping to tone up the loose skin some. It doesn't bother me too much, yet. :-)

Dr. C says I should be proud that this is all me and I am doing a great job. I am going off my insulin pump in February......that is the best christmas present ever!!

The other day at the playground, I usually sit and watch the kids...cheer them on. But, i was swinging...............WHAT??? It just happened, Victoria said, "WOW, cool mom." I started to cry. :-)

XO
jeni
 

Weight Loss by Weeks

Oct 18, 2007

I thought I would track my weight loss journey. Those of you looking to get surgery here is an idea of the kind of weight you can loose. Remember everyone is different. I will keep updating as we go along!

Surgery Date: 223
Week 1:  210 (-11 lbs)
Week 2: 207 (-3 lbs)
Week 3: 203 (-4 lbs)
Week 4: 198 (-5 lbs)
Week 5: 195 (-3 lbs)
Week 6: 192 (-3 lbs)
Week 7: 189 (-3 lbs)
Week 8: 188 (-1 lb.)
Week 9: 186 (-2 lbs)
Week 10: 182 (-4 lbs)
Week 11: 179 (-3 lbs)
Week 12: 177 (-2 lbs)
Week 13: 176 (-1 lbs)
Week 14: 174 (-2 lbs)
Week 15: 171 (-3 lbs)
Week 16: 168 (-3 lbs)
Week 17: 164 (-4 lbs)
Week 18: 164 (-0 lbs)
Week 19: 161 (-3 lbs)
Week 20: 161 (-0 lbs)
Week 21: 158 (-3 lbs)
Week 22: 157 (-1 lb)
Week 23: 155 (-2 lbs)
Week 24: 152 (-3 lbs)
Week 25: 152 (-0 lbs)
Week 26: 149 (-3 lbs)
Week 27: 148 (-1 lbs)
Week 28: 145 (-3 lbs)
Week 29: 145 (-0 lbs)
Week 30: 145 (-0 lbs)
Week 31: 147 (+2 lbs)
Week 32: 145 (-2 lbs)
Week 33: 143 (-2 lbs)
Week 34: 144 (+1 lb)
Week 35: 140 (-4 lbs) GOAL!!!!!
Week 36: 141 (+1 lb)
Week 37: 140 (-1 lb)
Week 38: 138 (-2 lbs)
Week 39: 139 (+1 lb)
Week 40: 140 (+1 lb)
Week 41: 138 (-2 lbs)
Week 42: 139 (+1 lb)
Week 43: 140 (+1 lb)
Week 44: 139 (-1 lb)
Week 45: 138 (-1 lb)
Week 46: 139 (+1 lb)
Week 47: 137 (-2 lbs)
Week 48: 137 (-0 lbs)
Week 49: 138 (+1)
Week 50: 136 (-2)
Week 51: 136
Week 52: 135 (-1)
Week 53: 137 (+2)
Week 54: 137
Week 55: 135 (-2)
Week 56: 136 (+1)
Week 57: 135 (-1)
Week 58: 134 (-1)
Week 59: 135 (+1)
Week 60: 135
Week 61: 135
Week 62: 136 (+1)
Week 63: 138 (+2)
Week 64: 137 (-1)
Week 65: 137
Week 66: 137
Week 67: 138 (+1)

About Me
St. Louis, MO
Location
VSG
Surgery
08/28/2007
Surgery Date
Jul 25, 2007
Member Since

Friends 195

Latest Blog 18
1 year anniversary post....................
10 month update
9 month update................
BIG DAY...........................
7+ mos......the good, the bad, and the ugly...............
only measurements I have...............
February update.......5+ months
Day after Christmas realizations................
4 month check-up with Dr. Cirangle
Weight Loss by Weeks

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