mysticblue
6 Month Update
Apr 24, 2011
As of tomorrow, I will be six months out from surgery. This has been quite an interesting journey – some things expected and some surprises along the way.First the bad:
- The surgery caused me to have severe acid reflux, which still remains a problem. My sleeping habits have been affected by the acid reflux, causing me to have less than stellar sleep patterns. I am still hopeful that this will resolve as it does in most other patients.
Now the Good:
- I have lost 72 pounds in six months, which is an average of 3 pounds per week. Of course, weight loss is coming off much slower now than it did in the first few months. I am now seeing about ½ to 1 pounds weight loss per week, but I will still take it!
- I have lost over 40 inches from around my body – 40 inches! My hips alone are 10 inches smaller, allowing me to fit in airplane seats comfortably without the worry about not being able to buckle the seatbelt.
- I am no longer taking my blood pressure medicine as my blood pressure has lowered significantly. My heart rate is also in the normal range now. My cholesterol labs are great and my doctor has cut my cholesterol medicine in half. I may never get off this medicine though due to genetics, but I will give it a try.
- I started at a size 24 and I am now fitting comfortably in a size 18, and as of yesterday, I fit into my first size 16 pants. My goal is a size 12 so I am halfway there.
- People notice me now and come up to talk to me, which didn’t happen much before. I was the invisible woman in the room before. But now I have the chance to come out of the shell I built around myself and meet new people. I have signed up for speed dating for the first time - eek!
Overall, this surgery has surpassed my goals. After Lap Band, and not losing weight, I really didn't expect much from this surgery. So the fact that I have continued to lose weight each week has (and continues to be) a complete surprise. Most importantly though, I really feel like my life is changing. My fears have decreased considerably and I am trying new things again. I also understand my triggers better and how to control them so that I do not derail my progress. I never would have recognized these triggers without surgery. I also think that without surgery, I would've given up on myself. Now I have a chance at the life I want and I am going to take it.
