4-Month Surgery Follow-up – LIFE IS GOOD

Sep 05, 2011

4-Month Surgery Follow-up – LIFE IS GOOD
Monday September 5^th
Everyone I’m so sorry for slacking on getting back on the computer, updating my blog and answering emails, I just realized that the last time I updated was a week after surgery, but life is good! The last two weeks of recovery we spent in Arizona at Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Phoenix, and lots of their state parks, getting in lots of walking. During the last few months we went to Knott’s Berry Farm 4 times, and have gone on nearly every roller coaster and fast ride, its great being able to fit into the seats, having fun, and enjoying life. We had our annual Mexico deep sea fishing trip vacation in June and had a wonderful time, and brought back 120 lbs of Tuna and Dorado (next year will be better yet). It was wonderful being able to sit comfortably on the airplane seat, and it was so nice being able to walk around without getting winded and experiencing back, hip and knee pain as I had in the past. We spent last week in Las Vegas celebrating our 27^th wedding anniversary, and again we had a wonderful time, lots of walking and working out at the exercise room in the resort.  I don’t know if I mentioned that we can both wear out wedding bands, which I haven’t been able to even put on my finger for 20 years.  We had our 4 month follow-up with Kaiser on Friday August 26th, and I weighed 241 lbs with a BMI of 33.2, and blood pressure was 95/56, and have lost a total of 94 lbs since getting my referral last September 30^th and 48 lbs since surgery on April 20th. Gerry’s weighed 175 lbs with a BMI of 30, and has lost a total of 62 lbs since getting her referral last November, and 37 lbs since surgery on April 20th. We also had labs done, and everything was fine, and I’m sure this is because we both take our vitamins daily. I’m off insulin, but do still take some oral diabetic medications, but much smaller dosages, my blood sugars are normal, and my A1C was 6.4.  Neither of us is really noticing any substantial hair loss, but Gerry says she does notice a little more than usual in her brush. We’re both taking 5,000 mcg Biotin capsules from GNC, so between that and the protein we take in, perhaps the little will be all we see.  We’re both really pleased with our overall success, but I’ve had a couple stalls, but am still dropping just at a slower rate. Gerry didn’t lose as fast at first, but has just been steadily losing. I joke with her and tell her that I just wanted to let her catch up.  I’ve dropped from a tight fitting size 48/49 pant size to a comfortable fitting 39/40 pant. We’ve learned not to go buy new clothes, and have started going to thrift stores for them. Eating and getting in all our liquids and protein was a real learning experience in the early months, but we’re both doing well. If we go out for example, we’ll order ice tea, and spend about 20 to 30 minutes drinking it, then go ahead and order our meal. We’ve learned that we can order for example 6 grilled shrimp, 1 dinner salad, and 1 baked potato and split everything. We normally can’t finish the potato though. We’ve learned that as soon as you feel full you stop eating, and don’t take another bite or you’ll be miserable. Normally I don’t feel like drinking anything for about 1 to 1.5 hours after eating. We’re both hoping to be at our goal weights of 200 lbs for me, and Gerry would like to be at 140 lbs by this Christmas. We’re both feeling healthier, feel great, have more energy, and have only one regret that wish we’re done this year’s earlier.  

 
































Again, both of us again want to thank you all for your support you’ve given us on this journey, and I’m so sorry that I haven’t been on Obesity Help for awhile, but will try and update at least once a month. I’ll also be uploading a bunch of photos from over the last several months as well. Martin and Gerry Bowman

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