6 Month Follow-Up with Surgeon, and Thoughts

Oct 14, 2008

plus a few days.

Okay, first the stats:

Starting weight: 256
Surgery weight: 240 something
Today's weight: 170
Total loss: 86 lbs.

I just got home from my six month follow up with the surgeon. He says that I have far exceeded his expectations, as he was only looking for me to lose a total of 60% EWL. Well, at 6 months, I am at 67%; and I am still going strong. Ten more pounds, and I'll no longer be obese, just overweight. Lookinig forward to that with great expectation. It was funny, he came into the room reading the chart, looked at me, and went back out into the hallway. He came in a few minutes later to say that he had the right file, but didn't recognize me so wanted to make sure I was the right person before talking medical record stuff with me. That was great!

Blood work all came back, and not a single problem to speak of. I take a yucky nasty tasting liquid vitamin named "Miracle 2000" once per day. Once per day, I take 600 milligrams of Calcium Citrate, once per week, I take a B-12 / B complex sublingual tab, and on days where I don't have red meat, I take a "gentle low-dose iron" tab that also has the B vitamins (last one because everyone in my family is "borderline" anemic). It basically works out that I take the liquid vitamin in the morning, and one supplement in the evening. Oh, and I still make sure I get one protein shake with 2 tsp added benefiber in per day. Outside of that, I do not feel as if I'm "on a diet". It is such a part of my routine, that it feels like normal eating. I don't desire sugar and carbs the way I once did. Every now and then I will have some, but they seem too sweet now for me.

I went from a size 26 in clothing to a size 14 / 12. I have lost ring sizes, but I am waiting until I am done losing weight before having them resized permenantly.

I am so much happier with myself, and much more content with the directions it looks as if my life is headed. I too, am not just about weight now, but life is calling. Don't panic, checking in everyday is a part of my routine, and my adult time. What I'm trying to say is there does come a time that food and weight will not be the main focus of the life, but rather will start becoming a side thing. In many ways, I believe this is what "feeling normal" is like. I never knew this before because food and weight were the focus of my life, not leaving me much room for other things.

Another place I find myself at 6 months out, and 86 lbs lighter, is this thing called "identity crisis". Not really a crises for me, but more like a self-discovery. Finding out who I am, what I like, etc. apart from food. This is an amazing journey for me. But also, finding out how many of my relationships are now changing because I no longer fit the "largest one" category. I don't feel I've changed in how I love others, but because I love me more, the way I express, and speak, and act has changed. I guess it makes sense then, that relationships also will change accordingly. Some for the good, and some not so good. Interestingly, how people view themselves is now in place because of me losing weight. Sick to think of, but it's true. For example, my grandma started back to WW because she is having trouble with the knowledge that I am smaller than her now. I am 3 inches shorter, and a smaller bone frame, but I have been larger than her since I was in the 8th grade. My sister and brother are also going through something similar. At first it bothered me because I love them no matter what--I always have. Then I realized that this is their problem, not mine---nothing I can do about it but live my life to the fullest. So, if their sense of competition, etc, causes them to lose weight and be healthier too, then it will be worth it!

Okay, enough of my yappin'!

Next follow up with surgeon is in 3 months---January. I am setting a personal goal of 25 lbs. by then. We'll see

Close to 6 Month Update--Monthly Weight Loss and Daily Averages

Sep 29, 2008

I am one of those "awful" ones who steps on the dreaded scale everyday. Before I encourage anyone else to do the same, I am not the type of person who gets discouraged by a few pounds up, one down, a pound up and two pounds down type of person. I am a very curious person, and was more interested in how a daily weight loss would look. Therefore, I have weighed everyday, minues our vacation week, and wrote it on a calendar. I have tried my best to keep this updated on my profile--and it does prove the ups and downs are part of the journey. However, as you can tell by my total weight loss, those same ups and downs don't define the weight loss itself.

If you would like to see this, please ask to be added as a friend to see my profile.

Next, my same spirit of curiosity has caused me to look at monthly totals versus daily averages to see any corralation. Here goes:

Starting weight: 256
Not sure of Surgery Weight (approx 243)
Surgery April 10, 2008
Total April weight loss: -17 lbs
April Daily Avg: -.5666


May weight loss: -11.6
May Daily Avg: -.3741


June weight loss: -14.5
June Daily Avg: -.4833


July weight loss: -9
July Daily Avg: -.2903


August weight loss: -6
August Daily Avg: -.1935


September weight loss: -10.6
September weight loss: -.3533


6 month weight loss: -81.4
6 month Daiily Avg: -.3821


Now, what is interesting to me is July and August. Boy would I love to say, see I "stalled" or "slowed" down a bit. True, true---but also those were the months that I was canning jams and jellies with the summer fruit stuffs, and you have to taste them. Sicko Carbo fiend here.

I hope to lose 10 lbs next month, but I would expect that those pounds will be harder to come off and slow down the weight loss now that I am surpassing the 6 month mark. Either way, all my other curious friends, I will be daily tracking just to see how it goes for me.



Five Months and 60% EWL

Sep 10, 2008

Today is September 11th, 2008.

(Pause for WTC remembrance, and prayer for nation's repentance and revival)

OK, 5 months and one day since my life was forever altered. I am so thankful that I decided to travel this path with the sleeve. It has brought sanity and health to my life, and I am grateful. I just updated / edited my previous blog where I recorded my daily weigh-in numbers. It is so interesting to see the fluctuations up and down along this journey. Also they are becoming much more frequent the closer to goal and the further away from the surgery date. Really, it stresses the importance of really rockin' that sleeve those first 6 to 9 months!!!!! I have recently discovered that journaling my food intake is as valuable a tool for me as the sleeve itself, as my August weight loss shows. Since April, I have lost 75 lbs, and only have 50 more to go until reaching goal. I have gone from a size 26 in pants to a size 16 or 14, depending on the cut. My ankles and knees no longer ache, and I am on my feet all of the time. I no longer have blood pressure issues either. My 3 month blood work came back good. I am on the low side in both protein and iron; however, they are both still in the normal range. I was showing my paperwork to my sister, who is an RN last night. She said that it looks very good especially since our mom was borderline anemic and always low on the protein side too---wonderful genetics!! Anyway, I am doing my best to up my iron intake and up the protein intake from 60 minimum to 70 minimum to see if it will alter the blood work that I'll have done in October. I am beginning to be able to eat a bit more now than a few months ago. Again, something to be wise about in my choices. I also am conscientiously (sorry about spelling) trying to get in more fruit and veggies in order to not have to take MOM for the back end issues. Well, I look better, feel better, and am living life better---for that I rejoice.

Until my next update,
Rhonda

What a Horrible Promise Keeper--two month update

May 28, 2008

Well, here I am shame faced at not keeping up with the updates. Life has been a little hectic with the kiddos. Whoo hooo, summer is right around the corner, and I am so ready to start with the "no school" time. Funny thing is I know I'll be ready for them to go back to the school at the end of summer break also---but that's three months away.

Today ends my 7th week from surgery. Yes I have eaten too fast and foamied, ate too fast and slimed, ate too much and was in pain, ate too much and foamied / slimed, tossed. Slowing it down and waiting betweeen bites has been the hardes thing for me. But all that aside, I FEEL GREAT. I have written my weight loss down daily, and it is so interesting to see the numbers go up and down. Yet at the same time, if I compare week to week, it has been down--so no stalls over a few days thus far. I'll post the #s at the end of this blog.

I have been exercising at least 30 minutes a day each day, and sometimes I do two 30 minutes per day. Dr. Rod was riding me pretty good for not doing 60 per day. Right now I feel pretty good about where I am. My BP is in tact, and I am losing weight at a pretty steady rate. Yes, I know that I need to up this, and I know that this will happen too; so there that is.

I still have pain if I eat chicken or eggs; but please let me qualify that. If I have sauce or liquid or something to "cut" it a bit, then it is fine--but just and egg or just chicken is still an "ouchie" for me. I have struggled a bit with constipation. Now there's a shock that we've only seen tons!!! I never had this issue pre-surgery; but now---WOW. A whole new level of compassion. I have been adding benefiber to one of my protein drinks, and trying to get in some veggies with my meat stuffs. It seems to be helping. Another thing that I notice is that water is not as palatable to me---but I am "forcing" a minimum of 8 - 8oz cups each day. It has to be really, really cold, or no way. Also, my taste buds pick up even the slightest "off taste" with water, so everything has to be bottled or filtered or I can taste all the metallic yucks. I still do energy crash--but not every day, about the 1/2 the time; and it doesn't last as long--only for about 1 or 2 hours or so, right around 3 or 4 o'clock.

I am down to a size 20, xl Tees. That is down from 3X Tees and size 26. Not too shabby for 7 weeks!!!!!

As promised here are my numbers--down close to 45 lbs since the beginning of pre-op diet. I will post my two month results to the polls sometime next week.

Highest 256
4/03 243
4/10 Not sure of weight (surgery date)
4/14 234
4/16 231.6
4/17 231.0
4/18 230.2
4/19 229.4
4/20 229.8
4/21 230.0
4/22 230.0
4/23 228.8
4/24 229.4
4/25 228.6
4/26 227.8
4/27 227.8
4/28 226.2
4/29 225.6
4/30 225.8
5/1 225.0
5/2 225.8
5/3 223.8
5/4 224.6
5/5 223.2
5/6 223.2
5/7 224.0
5/8 223.2
5/9 221.0
5/10 220.6
5/11 216.8
5/12 220.2
5/13 219.0
5/14 216.2
5/15 219.0
5/16 218.8
5/17 216.8
5/18 218.8
5/19 217.6
5/20 216.6
5/21 215.8
5/22 215.6
5/23 212.6
5/24 213.0
5/25 215.4
5/26 214.8
5/27 215.0
5/28 211.4
5/29 214.2
5/30 213.8
5/31 213.4
6/01 213.4
6/02 214.0
6/03 211.0
6/04 211.6
6/05 211.2
6/06 210.8
6/07 210.6
6/08 210.6
6/09 209.0
6/10 208.8
6/11 207.8
6/12 207.6
6/13 206.6
6/14 205.8
6/15 206.0
6/16 205.4
6/17 205.8
6/18 205.2
6/19 204.2
6/20 202.8
6/21 206.0
6/22 205.6
6/23 204.4
6/24 203.6
6/25 203.2
6/26 203.6
6/27 202.4
6/28 200.6
6/29 200.6
6/30 199.2
7/01 200.8
7/02 201.8
7/03 202.0
7/04 201.2
7/05 201.2
7/06 201.0
7/07 199.0
7/08 197.8
7/09 199.8
7/10 198.0
7/11 196.4
7/12 193.8
7/13 193.8
7/14 vacation until 7/20
7/20 195.2
7/21 197.0
7/22 195.0
7/23 193.0
7/24 192.8
7/25 193.0
7/26 193.2
7/27 193.2
7/28 193.2
7/29 192.2
7/30 189.2
7/31 191.0
8/01 191.2
8/02 190.2
8/03 191.0
8/04 191.6
8/05 190.0
8/06 189.6
8/07 189.8
8/08 188.8
8/09 189.6
8/10 190.0
8/11 187.6
8/12 186.4
8/13 188.0
8/14 186.2
8/15 186.0
8/16 186.8
8/17 187.5
8/18 188.4
8/19 188.0
8/20 187.4
8/21 186.2
8/22 183.4
8/23 184.2
8/24 185.4
8/25 184.4
8/26 186.4
8/27 186.0
8/28 185.4
8/29 185.8
8/30 185.5
8/31 185.2
9/01 185.2
9/02 185.2
9/03 187.0
9/04 185.6
9/05 184.2
9/06 183.4
9/07 182.0
9/08 181.6
9/09 180.6
9/10 180.2
9/11 181.0
9/12 180.2
9/13 179.6
9/14 180.6
9/15 180.4
9/16 179.2
9/17 178.8
9/18 178.2
9/19 178.8
9/20 180.6
9/21 179.4
9/22 177.6
9/23 177.2
9/24 175.8
9/25 175.0
9/26 175.0
9/27 174.8
9/28 176.0
9/29 175.8
9/30 174.6

Since I am the primary picture takerer in our family, I do not have photos to post. Maybe one day I'll remember to get someone to take one of me. I usually try to avoid getting in photos if I can help it.

Smiles to all, and peace!

RhondaRoo

Just a quick update, and a promise for one more detail in a few

Apr 20, 2008

I am doing incredibly well. Let's see, this morning I had my very first string cheese--light sargento. It went down okay. I took about 20 minutes to eat it. It tasted great!!!! I'm not having any trouble getting the protein in beause I am using the nectar and isopure drinks. Two scoops is between 46 - 50 grams of protein. I use 1/2 as my mid-morning "meal" and the remainder for my afternoon "meal". Alternatively, I have mixed one scoop of choc or vanilla protein in with my fat free yogurt. This ups the yogurt by 19 grams of protein. I am downing popscicles and s/f jello. I am staying away from sugar as much as possible. Light Ricotta cheese, bake then top meat spaghetti sauce that I ran through the blender. Top with little cheese, and bake until melted. It was good. Tonight I am making a roast for the family, and I am going to puree the meat with some jarred fat free gravy, and then stir that into some mashed taters. How about you. I am about get about 2/3 cup of food down. Last night we went to a Mexican restaurant and I ate about 1/2 refried beans and the filling from a tamal. That tasted good; but I think the salt got me today. And, I am back onto my exercise regime---two 30 minute sessions with Leslie Sansone 2 miles.

Learning the Full Liquid Thing

Apr 12, 2008

It is Sunday morning. The pain is a little more intense, but that might be because I slept through the night, and the pain meds have all worn off. I was on full liquids yesterday, and will stay on full liquids until next week, after I see the nurse and NUT. What I did yesterday worked well for me, and I believe I will continue this throughout the week. The guidelines I was given prior to leaving the hospital were full liquid, minimum of 60 grams protein per day, and 60 oz. water / liquid. I am not having any trouble getting the water in. I am thankful for this, since I have always been a big water drinker. Granted, it takes me a little longer to drink than pre-surgery, but not as long as I had expected it would. Let me get back to where I was going with this thing. I took out my blender, and I mixed 1 can of Low-Carb Slim Fast with 2 scoops choc. whey protein powder, and 2 Tbls PB2. Blended that real good and placed it in the fridge until the air bubbles dissipated---don't need any more belching power in my aresenal :0). This concoction is worth 70 grams of protein. I divided these into 4 "meals" that were approximately 1/2 cup serving at a time. My other 2 meals for the day were s/f popscicles and lime jello. Today, I am using the Stacker2 Protein water Pink Lemonaid mixed with the Cherry Necter that I was so blessed with. This is about 50 grams of protein, and I will divide this into 3 meals. I also have just a necter mixed up that will be a meal of 24 protein. I think the pre-planning is a valuable tool for me. One thing, though, is that the nurse wanted me to only "eat" my drinks at the dining table. Right now, I don't like doing that. It takes me about one hour to finish, and my dining chairs are not overly comfy for a long time. I have a slight scoliosis in my back, and sitting that long in wooden straight back chairs isn't the most comfy thing. So, one step at a time. I enjoy my drinks in my recliner. I know, it's not the best. Maybe I have it my mind that my "meals" of drinks are not really "meals". I do commit that when I do go onto more food-like food, I will sit at the designated eating spot. I know that I cannot continue to eat in front of the TV, because it becomes mindless eating for me. One step at a time, and many small changes along the way. That's all for now, I hear my husband is awake, and I'm going to go spend some time with him.


Bananafied and home

Apr 11, 2008

Yuppers, it is a done deal. The surgery was without hitch. Well, unless you count being delayed by about one and a half hours. I Praise the Lord, I was so at peace this entire day. I know it is the prayers of the saints--and that in my own prayer time, the Lord showed me in His Word that I have His permission and blessing. I can't say anything but how incredible this was for me. The only two things from my take list that I did not use was the DVD player and the mints. Everything else, especially the peppermint oil, were needed. I only had the nausea med pre-anestia, and one boost right after I got to the room. I would begin to feel nauseus, and I would put a few drops of the oil directly onto the neck portion of the hospital gown--and viola--gone. Plus, it made me smell like a candy cane. :0) I did find out Dr. Rod uses a 40 bougie--that's all he uses. But the way he described it, it is not too much larger than the 36 or 38. Anyway, I am sip, sip, sipping water. I have had no problems yet getting the liquid in. But it goes like this: sip, belch, sip, belch, belch, sip, belch, sip, belch, belch, belch. Can't wait for the extra gas to make it's way out. I did not pass gas the other way until this morning. I was determined to leave the hospital in one day, so I "forced" a BM, that I'm pretty certain was just the residual suppository. But hey, that counted too. I am allowed to start on full liquid today. I will be going into the office in one week for an appointment with both the nurse and the NUT. I will meet with Dr. Rod in one month. Oh, and the questions. It was so cute. My husband pulled out the questions and handed it to Dr. Rod. Dr. Rod wrote the answers directly onto the page. The last 2 questions, he was oh so serious and said that was something we would have to agree upon. I asked Dr. Rod to come closer, and playfully pinched his shirt and told him "Oh, no, the answers to those to are "most definitely". That was good for a chuckle. I find that I am awake for two or three hours, and nap for one to three hours at a time. I went for several 10 minute walks. It felt so good to walk outside yesterday. I took advantage of the nice weather, since it is suppose to be cold and rainy here in West Chester today. I was told I could start back on my exercise regime as soon as I felt up to it; however, they wanted a minimum of 15 minutes walking each day for the first week. That is no problem. I will probably just walk several 10 minutes laps around my house, or maybe the mall, today. I told my friend Joy, that I would try our Leslie Sansone walk in your home--the one mile on Tuesday, so I'll let you know how that goes. Oh, at Deaconess, there were only two patients on the floor the first night of my surgery, myself and a lady who had LB. Her name was Sandy. We even walked a lap or two together. The hospital was so quiet, and we were attended to ASAP. It was such a blessing. The nurses and aids were very nice. And, my sleeping mask and earplugs did come in handy. When I had them on, they didn't wake me for vitals, they just came back in an hour. I'm certain that was because there were only two of us. Well, I'm going to sit and rock some more before laying back down for a nap.

Four Hours and Counting

Apr 09, 2008

Well, as you guessed it by now, I am not sleeping. I am surprised that I was able to get the 4 that I did. I am going over my notes on last time to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. I am so much more at peace now than I was a few days ago. I know it is the prayers. My "mom" will be meeting us as the hospital as well. This is a great comfort to me. I said I would add whatever I hadn't placed on the "what to pack" list. I added feminine products. TOM is *scheduled* for two days. I have all the tell-tale signs, including water retention. (yuck). Therefore, I packed feminine hygiene products. Along with these, I also typed out a list of questions for my husband to ask the surgeon right after my surgery. I posted these in a separate blog. Well, off to finish responding to my OH posts on the forum, then (wishful thinking) off to bed for about another hour!

What to have hubby ask Dr. when surgery is completed

Apr 09, 2008

Here are the questions I have typed out for my husband to ask Dr. Rod when he meets with him right after surgery:

1.  What size bougie did you end up using?
2.   There were no nicks, complications, etc.?
3.  Did you or do you check for leaks?  If yes, how?  If no, May we request one be done?
4.  What can she take for pain after she is off perscriptions?  Liquid, capsule?
5.  When will the perscriptions be written?  Can they be telephoned into our pharmacy so I can have these filled before she gets home?
6.  Approximately, at what time could we expect her to be discharged?
7.   Did you use glue, stitches, or stapes?  When / how do they come out?
8.  What can I do to make the post-op period as easy and comfortable as I can for my wife?
9.  Do gentle massages of the temples and feet promote healing?  How about coming home to a house that is spotlessly clean that she didn't have to do herself?  Do you recommend this?
10.  I've heard thata giving her flowers and handing over the remote control will make her stomach heal faster.  Is that recommemded as well?

Packing for my Overnight Stay at 'ClubMed'

Apr 07, 2008

Well,I have done much better these past two days. I am hungry right at the moment, but it has steadily gotten better. The pre-op diet has not been easy, but I only have two more days until surgery. We have to be at the hospital by 7:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Tomorrow I watch my baby niece, Izzy. She is a good girl, and she is very busy and curious. This equates to not being able to do much but chase kids on Wednesday. So that means I'll be packing for my overnight stay at 'ClubMed' aka Deaconess Hospital today. My sweet hubby is going to stay overnight with me at the hospital, so I am packing some comfort items for him as well. So far, this is what I am taking: 2 of our fav blankets from home, 1 pillow for him (and for me to use on the car ride home), robe, warm comfy socks, slip on slippers, two changes of undies, change of clothes for him (I'll wear the same thing home I wore to the hospital), lounging clothes for him to sleep in, our cell phones, battery operated DVD/CD player with a few "good ones", one mag for me and one for him, decaf green tea bags, splenda, Propel and snacks for him, our toiletries, s/f after coffee strong mints, chap stick, photos of kiddos, sheet of paper with "important people's" phone numbers written down, binder from surgeon with notepad and pen, peppermint essential oil and cotton balls (for nausea), earplugs, my diva princess sleep blindfold, and most importantly, our Bibles. This is all I think that I will need. If I think of anything else to take, I'll post that too. I promise that after I am home and settled, I'll let you know what of these items I didn't use, and if I wished I had anything else with me.

About Me
OH
Location
25.5
BMI
VSG
Surgery
04/10/2008
Surgery Date
Feb 21, 2008
Member Since

Friends 96

Latest Blog 13
6 Month Follow-Up with Surgeon, and Thoughts
Close to 6 Month Update--Monthly Weight Loss and Daily Averages
Five Months and 60% EWL
What a Horrible Promise Keeper--two month update
Just a quick update, and a promise for one more detail in a few
Learning the Full Liquid Thing
Bananafied and home
Four Hours and Counting
What to have hubby ask Dr. when surgery is completed
Packing for my Overnight Stay at 'ClubMed'

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