One year out

Dec 31, 2008

Wow, my one year anniversary of WLS was December 26th.  I only have vague memories of how things were immediately after surgery and wanting to go home.  The past year has been a challenge, but overall, has been incredibly successful.  I'm down 153 pounds from what I was last year, 8 sizes smaller and happier than I have been in years.  I struggled with hair loss, but guess that was the small price to pay.  It has come back though, thankfully.  I have more stamina, can fit into chairs with arms, no more seat belt extender on planes and people are so much nicer.  That sort of ticks me off, as I'm the same person inside I was before.  I recently started a new job as a front office Receptionist and I'm sure I'd never have been hired when I was 153 pounds heavier.  My family is very proud of me and my husband has been incredibly supportive through the entire process.  I have met some incredible people here on OH, most notably Kat from ABQ.  I'm so grateful for her support, love and friendship.  I have a lot of learning still in this process, especially getting in more exercise, now that I sit at a desk most of the day.  I am so thankful to God and Dr. Garth Davis for helping me get my life back.  I have about 25 more pounds to lose and will need plastics in the future as my old skin will never go back like before.  I will continue to work on eating more protein and keeping the new body I now have for the rest of my life.  Maintenance is the hardest part of losing weight, but with the tools I've learned and faith in God and in myself, I know I can continue the success's I've achieved. 

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Holy Crap

Dec 17, 2008

I can't believe it!  I actually had to weigh myself twice to believe what I was seeing.  I WEIGH 198!!!!!  I haven't been in the 100's in over 30 years.  I just got a job and started on Tuesday, life is great, praise God!!!  My goal was to hopefully be in the 100's by my surgiversary on December 26th and I made it.  Holy Crap!!!  I am so stinking happy - Praise God again!!!!!  I have so much to be thankful for:  good friends, a fantastic husband, great family, a job and God's love.  How funny that some number can define how I feel about myself.  I have been so nervous about going back to work, after being out of the workforce for over 3 years.  My self esteem has always been low, but it was lower than low recently.  I'm feeling better about me and what I CAN do now. 

I'm just so damned happy!!!!!
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Thanksgiving 2008

Nov 27, 2008

Well, here it is, my first Thanksgiving since WLS.  We had to stay home (alone) again this year due to the economy and airfare prices.  It's OK though, Dan and I had a really nice day and the turkey was probably the best one I've ever roasted. 

I'm down to 200 pounds per the scale this morning and can't wait to be in the 100's!  I had Dan take a few new photos of me, as Kat says I'm thinner than this avatar.  Wow, she's right, I never noticed, since I look at myself all the time in the mirror, I don't see the daily changes.  I think I look really old and wrinkly.  Talk about turkey necks....what a perfect day to have one though.  AND, this is the only day it's acceptable to "big thighs" (read that one). 

I am SO thankful to God for helping me find the way to meet Dr. Garth Davis, have the insurance to pay for WLS and my husband for all of his love and support.  What a blessing to be able to live in a healthier body.  I feel so much better and it hasn't even been a year yet since surgery.  I'm really hoping I get into the 100's by my anniversary which is Dec. 26th.  I do need plastics, but that's OK, as long as my body is more healthy, I can live with extra skin for a while. 

I do think I need to join a support group in town and hope to soon.  I am truly thankful and grateful for meeting a very special friend this year.  I met Kat here on line in the NM forum.  She has been such an ego booster for me and a support system when I didn't even know I needed one.  She's honest, hilarious, drop dead gorgeous and has the most wicked sense of humor - LOVE HER!!!  I have been blessed to meet her wonderful husband and her family as well.  Thank you Kat for being such an good friend. 

I hope that by the next time I blog, I'll be in the 100's, Onederland, right?  What an awesome year this has been.  Praise God.

Family wedding in CA

Aug 12, 2008

We went to the family wedding in CA this past weekend and it was so great to see family I haven't seen in years.  Sadly, we also went to my cousin Tom's (48) funeral.  He'd had cancer only a few short months.  The family was in shock over his death.  He was also the uncle of the bride (brother of the bride's father).  People were exceptionally nice to me and very supportive of my weight loss.  I don't think they realize how big I really was last year, since most of them hadn't seen me in a long time.

Sunday was my 50th birthday and we celebrated it with my mom, brothers, aunt, uncle, cousin and others.  I received some very nice gifts, but the biggest gift was the look on their faces, as they hadn't seen me either since surgery.  I'll have to send "before" pictures so they can appreciate my 130 pound loss. 

I do miss family and living in CA, but my husband and I have an awesome life here in ABQ.  Guess I'll just have to visit more often.

AND...I'm really excited that I didn't gain any weight from all the parties, just stayed the same as the day we left.  Yippee!!!


Rosie

Jul 25, 2008

Had a really tough week.  My sweet, beloved, little dog Rosie died on Monday.  She had been sick with kidney failure and was going downhill fast.  We had to make the decision to let her go and it was the hardest thing you ever have to do.  I don't have "real" children and she was my baby.  We'd had her for 11 years and I miss her terribly.  The house is so quiet now.  I had been self medicating with carbs this week, but got back on the wagon later today.  I keep thinking I see her or hear her dog tags tinkling.  We will never forget our baby and the love and joy she brought to our lives.  I love you Rosie - Mommy misses you.

July 2, 2008

Jul 02, 2008

Had my 6 month check up in Houston, TX yesterday.  I'm exhausted from the one day trip to and from New Mexico.  Didn't get to even visit with Dr. Davis, just saw Jamie, but she's great and very helpful.  The President of Bariatric Advantage products, Tom, was there and I was able to meet him as well.  We talked about the calcium chews coming out, the ones that were like Citrical that people here rave about.  I never tried the originals, so don't know what to expect.  He says they should be available online sometime around August.  BUT, they will be reformulated to meet the criteria for bariatric patients.  

Anyway, I'm down 87 pounds since surgery and 120 pounds overall from pre-op dieting.  I'm counting every pound baby, as I like the bigger "minus" numbers.  I was very nervous about flying to Houston on SW airlines as I'm always afraid about whether I'll fit or not.  This was the best experience I've ever had.  The flight attendants were very nice and I had about 10 inches of seatbelt left over - NO EXTENDER!!!  I did squish out under the arm rests a bit, but not enough to bother my seatmate.  

I did find out per my labs that I am low in Vitamin D and I need to up the protein as well.  My NUT originally told me I only needed 70 grams of protein per day, and now I'm told I need 80 grams!  I'm going to try to supplement the requirements with a meal replacement instead of solid food, as I'm not hungry, but can drink fluids more easily.  I also am supposed to be taking more Vitamin D daily, and was told a lower number in the beginning.   

I have 6 weeks before seeing my entire family, (except my mother who was here last week for a visit), at the family wedding in CA.  I'm obsessing on what I'm going to wear, as I want to show my best assets and hide the bad stuff.  My husband has been so attentive and sweet, more than usual.  He suggested we drive up to Taos this weekend which is not his style.  

Things are going so great for me healthwise and I'm so grateful for my husband, good family and the friends that are sticking with me, as some sadly have not.  Praise God for my good health.


Family visit - 6/22/08

Jun 22, 2008

It happened sooner than I expected.  My mother and her three older sisters paid me a visit from California this week.  I had been very anxious about how my mother would react seeing me 115 pounds lighter.  They were just getting into their hotel room and I stood in the hallway, waiting to see her reaction.  She just looked at me and kept talking to her sisters.  Then, it was like a lightbulb going off.  She yelled, "OMG it's YOU!!".  She actually got a little quiver in her voice and said she was proud of me.  One Aunt cried, which was a total ego booster for me.  I wasn't supposed to see mom until August when I travel to CA for a wedding.  At least I'll have a few more weeks to lose more when I see the rest of the family.  Every event in this family is celebrated with food.  I was so proud of myself that I stayed on track and even lost weight while they were here.  I guess it was somewhat of a relief seeing her early, as now she sees I'm doing fine.  The best part is, I weigh less than she does now. 

June 5, 2008

Jun 04, 2008

Well, I'm just a bit over 5 months out post op.  I started dieting on my own pre op, exactly one year ago yesterday, at my highest known weight of 349.  This morning I was down to 236.  That's 113 pounds down in one year, and 79 pounds since surgery.  It's unbelievable to even imagine I've done this.  I've lost and gained so many times over the years, but this time it's real and I will do my best to never gain it back.  

I'm having issues with hair loss and flabby, loose skin, but at least I'm off all my old prescription meds, I fit in an airplane seat without an extender, I can fit in chairs with arms and I feel so much more ALIVE than I have in years.  I can actually walk and enjoy going places with my husband now.  

I'm ready to start looking for a job again and hopefully, will get the one I deserve and not be held back because of size prejudice. 

I have so much to live for - always have, just didn't appreciate it when I was fatter.  I love being in charge of my life, thanks to WLS, I'm living again.

April 26th, 4 months to the day post op - Somewhat discouraged!

Apr 26, 2008

Well, today is exactly 4 months since I had surgery.  I'm a bit discouraged today, as I've been on ANOTHER stall the past week or so.  Haven't lost anything in days,  but do feel smaller.  I'm down 100 pounds overall, and 66 pounds since surgery.  That's incredible!!  I have to STOP comparing myself to others that lose more quickly, but it's very hard to do, when you're a control freak like me.  

I know I'll start losing again and I am down 5 pant sizes and 3 blouse sizes now.  I should be ashamed of complaining.....

I see Dr. Davis again in July.  I have a family function to attend in CA in August and no one has seen me since surgery, actually, not since last July.  I know they will be very surprised at what I've accomplished so far.  I'm going to up the exercise and hopefully, that will kick start the losses again.  

Overall, I'm feeling great!  So much more energy, I actually like walking!!  No more high blood pressure, no more GERD, no more stress incontinence - now if my hair would just stop falling out.................

First follow up visit

Apr 11, 2008

I flew to Houston for the day yesterday to see Dr. Davis for my follow up appt.  He has a new nurse, Miss Jamie that is great.  She's worked with lots of bariatric patients in the past.  Dr. Davis says I'm doing great and not to worry about how others are losing.  I'm down 63 pounds since surgery and 97 pounds overall when I started Slim Fast to prepare for surgery last May.  He was so kind and asked if my family had seen me yet.  No, not until this August when I attend a family wedding.  He said, "You look like a different person", he's so kind.  Well I tell you, I FEEL like a different person too.  Still a ways to go, but am healthy, that's why I did this.  A special thanks to Patty R. that has become a good friend through this site, she's a special person and has been great support to me.  God bless her!!! 

About Me
Albuquerque, NM
Location
29.7
BMI
RNY
Surgery
12/26/2007
Surgery Date
Oct 29, 2007
Member Since

Friends 18

Latest Blog 12
Thanksgiving 2008
Family wedding in CA
Rosie
July 2, 2008
Family visit - 6/22/08
June 5, 2008
April 26th, 4 months to the day post op - Somewhat discouraged!
First follow up visit

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