October 2, 2009-- 4.5 month out update

Oct 02, 2009

Finally my new computer is up and running so I won't write then lose the whole post like I did last time.

My surgery date was May 20, so I'm about 4 1/2 months out from my DS.  My stomach, intestines and poo "issues" have calmed and stabilized very well.  Also I've finally learned about how much I can eat, so I catch my tummy's cue that I've eaten enough.  I get a little "twinge"  when I'm full.  Although, it was hard to learn NOT to go ahead and be a stupid damn member of the Clean Plate Club.  Dammit, old habits are hard to break.

I can eat a cup of food or more at a time.  I fill up on protein faster than anything, so I can't really eat a whole cup of meat or cheese.  I'll also get a "twinge" when I need to eat or drink something.  No more "stuck" feeling when I eat, no more awful sick feeling if I eat a bite too much, no vomiting (hardly ever did anyway), no nausea, no "stuffed" feeling if I pay attention and stop eating when I'm full.

I can eat a large variety of foods.  I tried popcorn--probably ate 2-3 cups-- with no ill side effects.  Also ate 1/2 an apple yesterday with no problem.  Fresh fruits and veggies have been the last things I've been able to eat. 

Sometimes a new food will clobber me.  I ate a Chic Fil A fried chicken sandwich the other day  (almost none of the bun) and tooted up a STORM.  I can eat one scoop of ice cream but two scoops gives me gas and the runs (serves me right).  I can finally eat peanut butter and nuts with no problem, they used to give me indigestion.

Yes, some of my hair is falling out.  Every day when I brush it the sink is full of little hairs... but I've got extraordinarily thick hair so it's not noticeable yet.

My skin is a little bit dry, so I'm being careful to get all my water in and moisturize it outside too.  The skin on the back of my hands is thinner, too, and I always wear sunscreen on both my face and hands to avoid sun damage.

I've lost about 75 lbs., down from a high of 295 to 220.  I fit in a size 20 W slacks and size 18 W  blouse.  I finally went to Goodwill and found some fantastic bargains!  When the weather turned colder this past week I knew I'd never find anything warm enough in my closet to wear.  I purposely washed a couple of my wool sweaters and they shrunk a lot so now they fit. 

People are really starting to notice my weight loss.  I went into the plus women's size clothing department and bought a new top, and the lady at the counter, who knows me from my years of shopping there, just stood staring at me.  I finally said, "What!!??" and she said, "Something is different about you.  Did you get your hair cut?  Or lose weight??"  And I admitted both, because I had indeed just got my hair cut, and I had just lost weight.  She herself is probably over 300 lbs and she immediately started asking all kinds of questions.  So I told her a lot and gave her several websites to read, and maybe I will finally get my first DS toaster....

My first labs came back and were pretty good, but I've decided to up a few of my vitamins, namely folic acid, A and K and iron.  None were below range but had dropped a little.

My recovery has been really easy and I can finally say I am starting to love love love my DS.  I am happy to look in the mirror these days and that is such a good feeling.  I have some cute cute cute outfits and am hoping to get plastic surgery when I am done losing.  I'd especially like a breast lift (and maybe reduction, I'm still a triple D!!!) 'cause once in my life before I die I'd like to have perky tits.  so there. you men, for a fee you can stand in line and I'll pull my shirt up for you to see my new ta-tas.  This will help pay for the surgery.

I think at one point or another every person, pre or post op, thinks to himself.. "This surgery will work for everyone but not for me."  I know I thought this.  But good god!  I have lost 75 lbs. in 4.5 months and I feel fabulous!  I am continuing to lose and am TRYING not to buy too many clothes but it's so hard to stop! 

I really do want to get down to 160 lbs.    For those of you who are pre op, this is an amazingly powerful surgery and will change your life forever.  New post ops:  time will pass and your journey will become easier.  The first month is especially hard, and the 2nd month isn't too much fun either. 

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me along the way.

0 Comments