PurplePajamaMama

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My journey is still going strong.  It's been one year since I started a real honest effort to lose weight and gain back some vital health.  A year seems like a long time when you look ahead, but looking back it seems like only yesterday... I think back to a year ago and remember my thoughts and feelings about the issue of WLS.  A lot changed throughout the year and with God's guidance (which is of utmost importance to me) I made one good decision after another and the results have been overwhelmingly rewarding.  I have a plethura of emotions and feelings all the time.  New victories are won every day... Sitting in a booth!!  squeezing behind someones chair, walking further and further with less complications each time.  And something that is funny at times, people you haven't seen in a while double taking a look when they realize it's me... but smaller..  More important than ANYTHING else... I am most grateful for the improved health.  My whole outlook on life has constantly and IS constantly changing...  I can't help but wonder what life will be like in yet another year.. Looking forward to it!!! 

Last November when I walked out of the Dr. Office I was in tears... Not a good thing.  I was told that my diabetes was worsening and I'd soon have to be put on more medication, plus a med to protect my liver from the diabetes, plus my throid was beginning to show probs and my cholesterol was not getting any better either.  Worst appt. of my life...  One year later, I walked out of his office, again in tears.... Tears of Joy...  All my blood labs have improved greatly and that is with no longer being on any of those medications!!  WOOOOO WHOOOO!!!!  I am down about 70 pounds from a year ago, and about 88 from my highest.. I couldn't be more happy...  I now have to get back on the exercise train, and start doing aerobics again to get my heart rate up and speed up my metabolism some more and raise my HDL some more... 

I can't believe 2 months has already passed...  You know, I knew this wasn't going to be easy, I prepared myself to have some real struggles and trials... but I have to say I've been blessed... I know its only been 2 months, and I have the rest of my life ahead of me to experience a struggle with this, but I'm seriously doing well.  I hear a lot of people talking about their anger, depression and moodiness win the first few months.. I really haven't experienced that.  There have been a few things that I would like to eat, but mostly things that I just can't eat "yet".  So I look forward to the prize.. At 6 months I'll be able to start eating complex carbs a little bit, so I can wait 4 more months to make a protein rich whole wheat pizza or quesadilla... I am wondering though, without taking a cooler everywhere you go, everytime you leave your home, what kind of "on the go" snacks people are eating??  Any suggestions??  Oh before I finish.. I guess I should tellyou I've lost 65 pounds since I started the process at the beginning of the year...  and 34 of that since surgery....  Woo Whoo...  I must sell some of clothes so I can make a little bit of money to buy a couple pair of jeans and shirts that aren't sloppily hanging off of me...  :-)  Never thought I'd have that kind of problem!!! 

Well 4 weeks ago today was Surgery Day!  I am not weighing this week until my appt on WED..  I am so happy to report that as of last week I am down 64 pounds from my absolute highest weight.  Wow!!  That is such an accomplishent.  I still have  along way to go, but I'm really proud.  Thanking God for being by my side every step of the way, encouraging me to eat right and healthy, exercise and drink water!!  I can't wait to get the next 64 down... I am hoping and praying at this point that my arthritis symptoms/pain will improve greatly with each pound I lose.  I managed to walk 58 minutes the other day, but then was in so much pain on until the next afternoon. 

Some recent personal issues has caused me stress and I noticed a lot of discomfort in my gut when the stress was at its highest.  I even got food stuck that I had chewed properly.. Mindul eating practices come in handy always, but especially when you're stressed.  I thank my bariatric office for all the info and education that I can put into practice.. 

I am delighted today after a great visit with my PCP.  I'm already of the diabetes meds and now he said to stop taking the Thyroid meds and cholesterol meds and he'll do blood work in 2 months to check my progress.  I've only lost 1 pound since a week ago,so that was kind of bummer, but Ladies... we know that once a month that may happen right??  Not gonna sweat it.  I know I'm doing the right things so I'm sure it show up (or not show up) later.  So so happy to be getting off the meds... yippee kye yay!!! 

Last night was officially my first time out by myself, and I did overdo it a little bit, but was happy to get out alone.  Today however, I still had a friend drive me the 35 minutes to my bariatric office for my one week post op appt.  I have lost 12 pounds already.  I am the same weight I was in 1999.  I have shed 12 years of fat off my body since the beginning of this year!!  I am overwhelmed with amazement.  The steri strips came off my incisions, everything looks well.  They were happy with my diet, food choices, and all that.  The soreness and tenderness remains there in the left side.  Said some of the pain is normal to bypass patients, but I may also be experiencing extra pain from having the very large hiatal hernia repaired.  Either way, time will heal it.  Hopefully I'll feel good as new in no time.  I'm excited for next Monday when I can add a few things to my diet and begin stage 3.  slowly but surely things will fall into place.  I can't believe I am 90 pounds from my goal.  WHAT???  I know right.  I do need to check with DR. to make sure my goal weight is appropriate.  I'm pretty sure it is, but it's my personal goal, not something I've talked about with the doc.   After the long morning, I was exhausted and in a littl emore pain, so I napped and have been resting the rest of the day.  I applaud all of those people I've read about that are Great and back to work one week after surgery.  I don't know how they did it, but I'm happy for them.  Looking forward to the next week.  I will try not to weigh again until next WED when I see my PCP... he's gonna be happy for me!!  He's been working with me for years to change my lifestyle and eating/exercising habits.  He knew I was on this journey, but haven't seen him since spring time.  I hope I'm a patient that makes him proud. 

Well not feeling the best...not feeling the worst.  the waiting while recovering from surgery is boring me, but at the same time, my body has indeed let me know that it is very necessary.  It's hard to remember everything and keep it up.  I hope to get on a roll with it soon.  Pills, supplements, water, water, water, protein, no water after meals, walk, more pills, more supplements, more water....  it sounds easy on paper, but a 12-16 hour day passes by quickly when you are trying to maintain this and find at the end you've come up short.  I remember the pre op education said week one water is the most important thing.. so I'm trying to concentrate on that.  I know I have a road of different emotions and physical changes ahead of me.  I thank my bariatric center for properly educating me and informing me of all this.  It is hard, but it would be harder to die and leave my loved ones at this stage in my life because of malnutrition of the morbidly obese kind.. Y'all get what I'm sayin!!  Pray for my new journey to improve day by day... Thank you all for being there for me. 

Well, here I go... to brave it out.  The day before surgery.  On my way to church.  My other family.  Today while everyone is celebrating the anniversary of our church with potluck yummies.. I will sit and watch and sip my broth and eat my jello.  It's ok though, cause I know what is coming.  I know that I can get through such an event cause Christ strengten's me to do so.  I do hope to enjoy as always, the fellowship and the laughter.  To REALLY enjoy the occasion and not the food. 

2 Weeks of Chocolate and Banana Shakes from Bariatric Advantage... while they were pretty good, 3-5 times a day, everyday was exhausting to say the least... I just drank my last one... for now... tomorrow is day before the BIG DAY so it's all clear liquid.. I've already prepared by making 2 boxes of sugar free gelatin in about  7 different serving containers.. I have 11 cans of chicken broth, so yeah.. I'm prepared.  At least it'll be something different than what I've been doing.  Tomorrow night I will stay with my sister who lives closer to the hospital... AND she works there, so it is a plus.  Sorry I am making her get there 2 hours before her shift starts, but it's great to have the support.  So wish me well people.. and pray for me.. for it is not in my own strength that I can go forward, it is in the strength that God provides me through his son Jesus Christ.  Love and hugs... Alyssa

I bought 2 sippy cups today made for cute little toddlers...  I have been practicing sipping and I'm not so good at it unless I use a spoon and a bowl.  I don' t think that will work well for ALL the water I have to drink.  So, I took it back to the basics. It may appear funny but for a while I just be at home or with people who know the deal so its shouldn't look like I have some baby fettish... Hopefully.  I am finding it helpful to sip.  I'm a gulper when it comes to water and I want to be the best prepared I can be.  So...  Sippy Cups...  YAY!!!