Julie G.

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Well, I promised I'd come back and share my story for the new people...I'm sorry if some of you have read it before...but this surgery has been so life changing for me..you can read the whole..."How I decided to have weight loss surgery and the cancer story on my profile...."

I decided to sum it up in a list of the great things about this surgery:

1- Not having to FAIL at losing weight has made other things that once seemed impossible-possible.  Taking away that repeated failure leaves room in my life for other things.

2- I wear a size 10!!  10!!! I still don't believe that and have to look at the tag when I put them on.  I truly thought that I'd get to a 16, and maybe a 14 at goal, this has been better than I ever thought.

3- My son and I are training for a marathon/half marathon (him/me) in January.   Not a huge deal for me, since I've done it before at a heavier weight than I am now, but being able to do it with my child (well, he's 20) is really cool, and I know that at my prior weight, I could not  have continued.

4-  I have these teeny, little wrists!!

5- My daughter and I share clothes!! (Not that she likes that--what 13 year old would!) 

6- As sad as it is, people do treat me differently.  They are nicer to thin people.

7- Halloween is here and I can go buy a costume if I want and I don't have to look for those special "Plus" costumes. 

8- I do not get tired and crash out in front of the TV every night, in fact, I barely watch tv anymore!

9- My confidence has improved dramatically- I used to worry about everything being wrong and making mistakes at my job.  Now, I allow myself to make mistakes and am much more sure of my decisions.

10- I wear skirts and dresses more...BECAUSE MY THIGHS DON'T RUB TOGETHER!!!!!

11- I can shop at any store in the mall.  This was a huge realization to me, I used to just pass up every store except Lane Bryant .  Did you now there are lots of other choices? 

12-  My skinny clothes fit- every time I put them on.  Don't we all remember those jeans, the ones that we bought a little tight...then they get washed and shrink some more..and we think..oooo I bet they don't fit anymore....now i HOPE they shrink a bit in the washer!!

Well, that's just a few of the things that are so awesome!!  And I have a few lbs to get to my goal, so I'm sure there will be more.

Ok...I think I'm getting a bit goofy here...but I am shocked that I have lost this much weight.  I thought I would be the one person that this surgery did not work for!!    Yesterday when the newest pictures were taken I was wearing size 16 jeans that are loose..(probably only a couple of weeks left) and a top that I had not been able to wear in SEVEN years!!!  

When I was pre-op, I loved looking at the progression of people's pictures...so I've tried to post them frequently!  

Such an awesome thing this sleeve!!

I had wanted to lose 50lbs by the end of the year.   I had kind of given up...because the scale had been moving slowly.   So I had a talk with my self.. I said.."Self....you need to eat more protein and drink more water.." and SUDDENLY the scale has been moving!!      This morning...it read 223!!! That is 50lbs since my surgery!   I feel so good.  People are really starting to notice.  Yesterday I went back to my old job  (that sucked- I was a retail manager) and several people were just shocked.    It's so good to feel good!

Before I had my surgery...I swore I was going to be one of those people who updated their blog every day!!   I guess that didn't happen!

I just posted 2 months pictures..I am am finally starting to see a difference.   I feel great, and I've been working out with the trainer again and I think that is helping my weight loss to continue.

Today is my one month "surgiversary"!  It has been a busy few weeks.  We moved into our new house on 10/27/07...needless to say, I didn't do much for the move, but I was still exhausted from the move.

I gave up on the Profect and I know I will pay for it at 4 months when my hair falls out, but I just couldn't do it.  I switched to the nectar proteins and am doing a lot better.

3 Weeks was probably the "turn-around" for me..I started feeling much better when I was able to drink protein shakes and eat soft foods.  The Before and After book from bariatric eating has tons of actual  recipes to make.  Right now I am nibbling on some shrimp salad at lunch.  It's almost pureed..but really good.  

I still struggle with drinking enough water, and I do miss being able to chug it.  

All in all, I am very happy I did this.  I've lost 30lbs since the day of my surgery, and I'm going to start walking more, and starting back with the personal trainer on December 1.

Ok...I'm starting to feel better, but that wasn't the case on Thursday the day after my surgery.   I cried to my surgeon and I had no idea what I had done!!!  I was throwing up pretty much everything that went into my mouth.  Passed the swallow test before they let me have anything.....the nausea seems to have gotten under control.     Friday was better, but not much...still some "Oh my god what have I done?"  But, I got to come home and that really helped, I was able to sleep on my tummy last night and for me sleeping in my own bed on my tummy makes things better.  I haven't had much gas trouble, but I have had diarrhea.    Today I have had almost 32 oz of water and 3 oz profect, not enough, but a start.  

I am amazed, pleased, anxious, scared...etc...!!! Today I had my pre-op appt with Dr. Chiasson.   I really like their office, the effort they put forth to get me approved for the sleeve was so incredible.

Tomorrow I am on clear liquids.   yum

Today...I ate....toast with cream cheese and an enormous glass of milk for breakfast, a crunch bar and 2 diet dr. peppers on my way to work...KFC for lunch...steak and potatoes for dinner...and an awesome Kit Kat Blizzard later.  It was good, but I am done with junk food and I'm ok with that.

I realized this morning, that my surgery is 4 weeks from the day after tomorrow!! WOW!!!  Kind of scary, kind of crazy, exciting...all at once!  

Also I'm a little stressed with our house and my surgery date getting to be so close together,  I would really like to close the day before, but we'll see.  So far it looks like we will be on track for the 11th or 12th of October, which would be somewhat inconvenient..but I guess we could move it to the Monday after the surgery.  

Anyway...I seem to be losing a few pounds.  I lost a 4 lbs in August..without doing anything but working out.  Must be stress.