6 Month Update

Feb 11, 2009

Yesterday made 6 months since surgery. I'll be uploading new pictures tonight. We took some yesterday then had camera issues.  for the major changes in 6 months let me start by saying I'm down from 300 lbs to 213 (87 lbs BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) And if that isn't proof enough I'm down from size 24/26's o 14/16 - I cannot believe I can wear these sizes. But the real proof is in the measurements - I've lost 72 overall inches in 6 months.

I feel wonderful. We were talking about the changes in me over dinner Saturday night and everybody has a different take on it. For me - it's how I feel not so much physically as emotionally - I feel ALIVE for the first time in years and years and years. My boys thaink the way I look and act has changed the most. They commented that they sometimes have to take a double take to make sure it's really me and not my Mom or my Aunt. (Apparently I look more like my Mom than I ever thought possible). My Mom told me that looking back she knew I was depressed but she didn't have any clue that it was as bad as it was. - Neither did I.

I had to go to a funeral Saturday of a very dear woman that my late husband & I used to work for. It was the first time I had seen most of my former co-workers in at least 4 years. I knew they'd be surprised but I really wasn't prepared for them not to recognize me at all. I had to "re-introduce" myself to them. We all agreed that if Kevin were still alive he would not be able to handle the "changes" that I was going through.

I posted a reply on Mare's motorcycle post that I'm pretty sure david is getting ready to buy a bike - and he's excited that I want to ride along too. I never imagined 6 months ago that I'd be dating !!!!!!!!!!!! Let alone excited about climbing on board my fellas motorcycle.

I love going to the gym - that's my ME time. This past month has been a little more difficult than past months. I'm going to blame the cold weather as why I haven't been super active. I've been more in sloth mode than anything else. But having reflected on all the changes - I cannot make anymore excuses. To get the very most out of this surgery and my life - it's full steam ahead.

Who's with me? Anything going on that you need to change? What good habits have you developed that surprise you the most? For you old-timers - any suggestions? 

For those just starting the process - my by-pass surgery was & is the very best thing I've ever done for myself. Having said that if I had to do it all over again - I'd do it in a heartbeat. Take the time leading up to your surgery to educate yourself. Be as fully informed as you can possibly be. This is a committment that you're making for a lifetime. It is not the same thing as any "Diet" that you've ever been on. It is not a quick fix and it is certainly not the easy way out. There will be people who try and talk you out of your decision - some mean well and some have absolutely no idea what they're talking about. Your relationships will change - some become much stronger and deeper and some will not be as lucky. The effects of your surgery are much more widespread than just on your stomach alone.


****2-11-09*** added: I had my 6 month follow up appointment w/ Dr. Mac on 2/10/09 and he was super happy with/for me. We discussed not setting a goal weight - just sorta letting my body decide what it wants to do. He reminded me that the next 6 months should slow down but that the weight loss should continue for the next year or maybe even year and a half (from this point). It felt amazing to have him and his staff compliment me on my success and even my choice of clothing. I really have turned into a girly girl. 
 

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