Raquel Garcia

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Well it's been two years now and I'm happy to report that I've stayed at size 8 - 145lbs.  I am THRILLED...I'm very happy at this weight and size and couldn't possibly feel better or want to weigh less or even be in a smaller size! I haven't had any issues, health problems, etc.  It's been pretty smooth.  I still have moments of eating too fast and it comes back up again...I did think at 2 years that would lessen but no...I still have to watch what, how fast, and how much I eat or it won't stay down.  Believe me that's a GOOD thing. I never plan to go back to where I was and two years later I believe with all that I am that I won't.  Good luck to you all! You all (whether you're waiting for surgery, just had surgery or years out) are FANTASTIC!!!

Well I am finally back to give an update.  I'm happy to report I am only 5lbs from goal and I am 14 months post op.  I am still losing, however, but very slowly.  I have not ever gained, thank goodness!  I just added a Before and After and I am very proud of what I accomplished!  I feel so good about myself and my weight loss.  I went to my work Christmas party and couldn't have been more confident in my skintight blue dress! :-)  So just to recap:

Surgery Date: 10/30/06
1 yr, 2mos:  1/1/08

Highest weight before surgery:  250 lbs.
Weight as of 1/1/08:                      145 lbs.
Total Weight loss:                           105 lbs.

Size before surgery: 3x - 22W
Size as of 1/1/08:    S/M - 8

Here I am and my weightloss is slowing down so much.  I've only lost another 10lbs BUT I am a size 12 now and I finally added a recent picture.  The difference shocked me! I feel great and I only have 30 more lbs to go to reach my goal weight.  So just to recap:

Surgery Date: 10/30/06
Six months:       4/30/07

Highest weight before surgery:  250 lbs.
Weight as of 4/30/07:                    165 lbs.
Total Weight loss:                            85 lbs.

Size before surgery: 3x - 22W
Size as of 4/30/07:    L - 12

Well I am now four months out and feeling FABULOUS!  I've lost a total of 75 lbs and I'm only 40 lbs away from my goal weight yet I have 8 months of losing to do...we'll see how that works out.  I've lost four sizes and when I put on my size 14 pants, I about had a heart attack.  I don't remember the last time I wore that size.  I can actually go online and order clothes without wondering if they'll fit when I get them.  I follow my diet still and take my vitamins everyday.  I exercise every other day and I'm okay with that.  I'm so very very happy!

Well I am now two months out and I feel so good it's unbelievable.  I felt like I spent the holidays eating and eating BUT I was eating protein and vegetables and was eating the little that I could.  I felt like I did so well.  I didn't even want to touch the sweets that littered all the tables I sat in front of.  I thought for sure I would be going through a "plateau" with all the food available but I did lose.  After two months I have lost a total of 50 lbs and 2-3 sizes depending on the clothes!  I'm very very happy and feel fabulous!

Yesterday was exactly 1 month from the date of my surgery.  I feel wonderful and have lost 30 lbs total. The first two weeks were really difficult I have to admit but it only got better from there.  I honestly thought I would be craving carbs and sugars and would be having a hard time not getting to eat those but that is just not the case.  As long as I can put homemade salsa on my small pieces of chicken, I'm good to go.  Since I love avacado, it has been a staple in my household.  I make a one egg omelete with a one piece of string cheese inside and a bit of salsa and avacado on top and it's so good.  I made a shrimp guacamole with small shrimp and that was delicious.  I feel completely statisfied with the Protein/Fruit/Vegetable diet I have.  For Thanksgiving I made my family the works: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn and gravy.  And honestly I was happy with my piece of Turkey and broccoli on the side.  You probably won't believe me when I tell you that I was happy and satisfied with my slice of mango for dessert instead of wanting the apple and pumpkin pies my family had.  I was great with that.  I have yet to have dumping syndrome because I just don't want to go there so I stick to my diet rigidly.  Again, I'm being honest when I say that I've been A-OK with it all so far!  I am very proud to say that I have started an exercise program which includes working out daily in the morning for 30 mins and the afternoon for 30 minutes.  The surgeon's office did confirm that I could do this after 4 weeks post op.  I find I have the energy to do this and feel terrific afterward.  I'm hoping this extra energy will be helpfull in me sticking to this!

Well I am now at my two week mark and am also able to get off of puree, yippee!  That was the hardest two weeks... living off of clear liquid for 7 days was really really hard.  I felt very weak, tired, achy and just yucky. I wasn't feeling hungry but my body was starving. Once I got on the puree, it took me awhile to adjust.  That week was better but I still wasn't quite myself.  One week after surgery I went in to the surgeon's office.  I was ready for them to tell me to start taking vitamins and getting some nutrients in my body.  I was weighed and I had lost 15 lbs in one week.  I was already just below 40 BMI which was great!  This week I'm finally feeling like myself again and am getting myself on a system with eating, drinking, protein shakes, and vitamins.  I'm glad I have this time off of work to get my meal planning on track.  My family says they can already see a difference in how I look.  Well 6 days before surgery I weighed 244.  On the day of surgery I weighed 239.  And then at my first week post op appointment I weighed 224.  I have to admit that during that first week I cried and questioned why I did it.  It was truly a trying week.  But I feel so great now and just thrilled with my decision.  The weight is falling off and overall I just feel so good now.  I'm starting to get my energy back and was told after the first month, I can start going to a gym which I plan on doing.  I'm excited to see what's still in store for me :-)

Well my surgery was on Monday... I went in at 5:30 am.  They got me right in and got me prepped.  They let my family wait with me until I was wheeled into surgery.  I was out before I hit the operating room.  I woke up and I'm not going to lie, I was in pain, but my morphine pump was awesome and I was soon comfortable.  I had ice chips that first day and it was exactly what I needed.   Then Tuesday I started my clear liquids which was all I could really handle anyway.  I felt fine and the doctor and nurses were wonderful, telling me I was doing so good.  Wednesday morning my doctor came in and said I was doing really great and I could go home! That was so great to hear!  So I came home yesterday and I've been feeling pretty good.  The gas pains are the worst...in fact they are worse than the actual incisions.  I have six small incisions and there is not really any pain.  I was off my morphine pump since Tuesday morning and haven't taken any pain medication since.  I feel fine.  I'm still getting used to drinking.  I feel like I take in so much air when I drink even though I know I'm just sipping.  I guess my little pouch has to get used to being so small.  I'm just happy to be home!

Well I finally had the last of my appointments and I'm finally ready for my surgery on Monday.  Wow, I can't believe it's already right around the corner!  Yesterday I went to my last appointment with the surgeon and, although it was the Physician Assistant who I met with, it was very informative.  The office staff was extremely nice as well as the PA.  We went over medical history and daily living again and she did a quick physical.  It went well.  Then in the afternoon I had a 4 hour pre-op class.  That was the most informative of all.  An RN was the speaker for the first half and then a Clinical Dietitian was the speaker for the second half.  They both did an excellent job explaining every detail of pre-op requirements & diet, what to expect during and after surgery in the hospital, and what is expected of you, what you do, and what you have to deal with once you finally get home.  It's a lot to take in but you feel like you're prepared.  Today I had my pre-admission appointment with labs.  It was quick and painless.  It seems, though, that every person who meets with me wants to know my medical history!!  I answered those questions dozens of times!  I've received so much encouragement from everyone around me and even here.  It makes me feel cared about and that's a wonderful feeling!  My surgery is at 7:30am and I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am.  I'm not sure when I'll get to write again but wish me luck!!!

Well one more week to go!  I have three appointments scheduled for my last week of waiting.  I have my 4 hour pre-op class, my surgical interview at the hospital and my visit with the surgeon.  I'm excited and nervous but very anxious for the day to finally be here.  I think about how I have to prepare for when I come home.  I think about how I'm going to start a walking routine everyday while I'm off, starting slowly of course.  I'm ready to start the new way of living.  I'm thrilled it's almost here.  I'll give an update of the appointments, I'm sure they'll be very informative!