mfeagan

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I know I don't get on this much, but I have been doing great! I have lost a total of 50 pounds and 56.5 inches so far. Of those pounds, I have lost 37.75 pounds of Body Fat! INCREDIBLE! I am so happy with my results, but I am still aiming toward my goal of between 120-140 pounds!

My nephew, just yesterday, told me "WOW! Mandy you're looking really thin!"...he's only 14, so it made me feel great about myself! I know if he notices it, other people do!

I am down from a size 22 to a size 12 and I wonder...how did I ever get that big? I don't know, but I am more motivated than ever to get into those size 10 pants I have hanging in my closet. Maybe another 3 months...I tend to shoot for a longer period of time before I change sizes again. The rate of weight loss is about 1-2 pounds a week. Perfect!

Those weeks when I think..."I know I have gained weight from eating JUNK!", I end up losing. I guess my view of eating too much junk food has completely changed. If I eat a candy bar or a cookie, I feel like I totally blew it. Then I remember, I used to eat 800 cookies and 12 million candy bars (exaggeration)! One cookie or a candy bar here or there is not going to ruin everything I have done good for myself! 

I have been able to become an encourager and motivator for those who are thinking about getting WLS. It's amazing what losing 50 pounds can do for your confidence! So glad I did what I did! I would totally do it over if I had to! 

So happy I got this surgery done! It is the best thing I could have done for myself! 25 pounds and 26 1/2 inches down! I have dropped from a size 20 to a 16 in 6 weeks! I cannot believe it! I am feeling so much more confident in myself and people are really starting to notice! I need to post another pic soon, but I will wait for another week or two...I will do it on my 2 month anniversary! :o) 

My husband is even saying great things about me! He really notices now! It was hard at first because we see each other every day, but now that I am down 2 sizes, he really sees it! I have such a great support system of people around me, encouraging me every step of the way!

Had my first fill last week. Piece of cake!

If anyone is out there reading this and just has questions, shoot me a message! I will be happy to answer any of your questions!

I will post more soon! 

So happy the surgery is over. The day of the surgery there was so much going on that I didn't have time to be nervous...I was surprised that I had no nervous feelings even when I walked into the operating room and laid down on the table! The only thing I remember is my anesthesiologist saying she was going to put an oxygen mask on me. Before I knew it I was trying to rip that mask off of my face while I heard someone telling me not to! 

Post-op was not as easy as some have said it was, but then everyone is different. I am not one who tolerates anesthesia very well. I also had major swelling because of the band operation and a hiatal hernia repair...which I didn't know I had! Nothing I drank would stay down so I just got my fluids from my IV.

I went home the next day and felt better to be somewhere I could relax. My sister took care of me and forced me to drink every hour and I am thankful for that. It soon got pretty easy to get it down and have it stay.

I stopped taking my pain meds just a couple days after surgery and only took it the other night because I couldn't sleep. I ended up rolling over on my stomach and it didn't feel too good. Still in some pain, but not enough to need anything for it. I'm just sore and tired. I'm sure because my body is repairing itself.

I have graduated to pureed foods and it's not as hard as you would think. I was actually really excited to finally have something with substance. Haven't tried the baby food turkey yet, but that's for dinner tonight. How thrilling (sarcastically). I have been enjoying my cottage cheese with baby food pears though! Delicious!

Since I have been following everything to the "T", I have already lost around 18 pounds. Incredible! I can't remember the last time I lost 18 pounds! And it's only been 9 days out from the surgery! I am so happy! Already need to go and get some new pants. The Goodwill and consignment shops will be my friend for a while.

I'll update soon! Hope this helps anyone who is getting ready to go in for surgery or has just gotten out! STAY POSITIVE!

Well it's been a while since I have posted anything here. I went through all requirements by the surgeon within 2 weeks and I am ready to go! Pre-op appointment is next week and then my new life begins! How exciting! With all the excitement I am still somewhat nervous...more about surgery than anything. I know it will all go well! Will update later!

Well...it's been a few days since I talked to someone to get set up for a seminar on bariatric surgeries and I am feeling more at peace with my decision. I had initially contacted one doctor's office who really left me hanging...unsure of what I was to do or what was coming. I had to call them back to clarify when I was to go to this seminar. I was told it wouldn't be until November and that was basically the best they could do at this point.

I looked around for another doctor and actually found they had a website all about bariatric surgery which was so informative! I called for information and also to see if I would be able to get into a seminar faster than November. The lady on the phone was so nice and made me feel so at ease. She was so understanding. I could have actually gotten into one in September, however, I will be at the beach....so it's set for October 7th.

I am actually getting a little excited. Hoping that all goes well and my insurance will pay for the surgery. I know they will as long as you meet the criteria. From what I have read so far and the quizzes I have taken, it looks like they most likely will pay. I do have to pay 20% out of pocket, but that is a small amount compared to the big picture. I also know I will save money in the long run on obesity related health conditions.

You know...the word obesity is something I have never liked. I never considered myself obese...my BMI tells me I am MORBIDLY obese. I tried to justify that it was just a label the medical community slapped on all those who were overweight. To me a morbidly obese person was someone you see on Oprah who is 500 + pounds. I have finally come to terms with the fact that I AM morbidly obese. I have so many obesity related medical issues and I am sick and tired of it! I want to be normal and healthy. I pray this is the right decision and the right thing for me in my life.

Until next time....

Mandy

I had been contemplating WLS for quite a while and thought of myself as a failure if I decided to have surgery instead of doing it on my own. I really felt like it was a cop-out, but the more diets I have tried and failed at have really begun to take a toll on me. I realized I cannot do it on my own!

That realization did not come easy, but I had a lot of encouragement...from my mother, sister and her friend who recently had the gastric band. I was able to talk to him and see the success he has already had. I talked to my husband about it and he is behind me 100%!

I contacted a doctor about it and am being set up for an educational seminar....just waiting on the date! I am getting excited to know that the possibility of being healthy, being able to have children and looking great is not an impossibility!

**Since writing this...I know the seminar is set for November...can't November come a little quicker! I want to get this over and done with!