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10 more pounds and I'll be in Onederland! That's pretty exciting...

From my highest weight (just prior to my 2 week pre-op liquid diet) I've lost 100 pounds. I think that's incredible for 5 months. Words cannot express how grateful I am for being given this opportunity to have this life changing surgery. My life has truely been changed for the better in every way. And I am very thankful for all of my friends for being such an awesome support group.

I fit into a size 14 pant the other day. All I could do was stand in the mirror and and smile. I am just so happy, I can't get over it. :) 

I haven't weighed myself in about 3 weeks, and I'm ok with that. I had hit a little stall so I figured it would be best if I just didn't weigh myself. But I think things may be back on track now. I went shopping this morning and I am down another pant size, into a 16 now. I was about a 24/26W in pants pre-op, but I was able to wear much smaller tops and dresses (1X, 18/20). I was big all over, don't get me wrong, but I had and still have a lot of junk in the trunk. My hips/butt is my biggest issue. I tried on a juniors 18 jean and they were too big, to my surprise. So I bought the 16's. And at a different store too, I fit into 16's. So it wasn't a fluke  :) 
Oh, and back to the booty...I always do leg presses or squats as part of my workout. I want to be sure I have a nice ass after all this! I do like my curves, and as the skinnier version of me is being unveiled I'm starting to see my true shape. And it appears to be chock full of curves, which I'm happy about. I really want to have some sort of shape, rather than be stick straight. I seem to have a natural hourglass thing going on. : )
I have my support group meeting on Thursday and I'm looking forward to it, as always. I'm going to bring my camera this time and have someone take a full body shot of me so I can post it on here.

Well I just uploaded a few photos. Nothing too spectacular, but I can notice a difference in my face. I can notice a major difference in my body too, but just not in the photos since there are no full body shots...yet. I will get them eventually. I just need to suck it up and ask a friend to take some for me. I would take them in the mirror but my camera thinks it's smarter than me and I can't figure out how to turn the flash off.

I don't  weigh myself very often, and Iike it that way. Everyday someone asks me how much I've lost. ("How much this week? Another 10?") I usually just make an estiamate based on how I'm feeling in my clothes that day. That being said, I don't think I've lost any weight in the past few weeks. I've lost hair, but that's another issue. I'm not worried about the stall right now. I've started the NuvaRing and I need to let my hormones get back into check. And having just completed that wonderful time of the month doesn't help either. Now, I say that I don't think I've lost any weight, but my clothes have gotten bigger in the past few weeks. I bought a pair of 18 NY&Co trousers 2 weeks ago, and today they were getting baggy. It was a bittersweet moment: I love those pants and I want to wear them forever and ever...But I'm glad they are big because that means that I am still on my way to getting small.

The past 3 weeks or so has been tough for me when it comes to protein intake. I just don't want to eat. Things seem to be looking more positive though, as I have rediscovered shrimp and the endless culinary possibilities that they possess. Yum. I'm going to search Barnes and Noble for a WLS cookbook this week, so then maybe I can possibly start eating good food everyday. I'm just not that creative in the kitchen, and I think that is where my protein intake problems begin.

Oh, and I think I mentioned that I'm losing my hair. Well I am. It started about a month ago. It's not noticable after my hair is styled, but it sure is noticable to my brush! When my hair first started to shed I got it cut just a little shorter (just a little past my jawline) with some layers and whatnot. My cousin has her own salon in Virginia so I made a special trip just to have her cut my hair, because she does an amazing job.

Well I think that about does it for me. It's 5am and I'm rocking out to some Brian Setzer and Electric Light Orchestra...but I really need to go to sleep so I don't end up sleeping the entire day away tomorrow.

Rock on!

I have a new primary care doctor now that my previous one has moved on and she is amazing! Very personable and easy to talk to. I was sad to hear that my doctor was leaving, and nervous about seeing a new one but I am very pleased!
Ladies, I started the NuvaRing yesterday. It's only been 24 hours but I love it so far. I can't even tell it's there, and I love not having to remember another pill everyday. I'm dedicated to taking my vitamins and all but sometimes my schedule gets thrown off a bit when I work nightshift. So I'm glad I don't have to remember to take a scheduled medication like a BCP. I will be sure to let the ladies know if my opinion about it changes about the NuvaRing.

I'm 3 months post-op now and down to 230lbs!
I don't really have a whole lot to say update-wise. A few weeks ago it was hard to get all my protein in, but recently I've been able to fight past that no-appetite feeling to get the protein in. And I also have discovered these protein 'shots' as I call them from GNC. They look like they are in large test tubes and they are a nectar-like consistancy. Each tube is 3.4oz and contains 42g of protein with only 2g carbs, 0 sugar, and a little over 100 calories. They don't taste like bliss or anything close, but it's only 3.4ozs so I can tolerate it for the amount of protein I'm getting from it.

I'm still going to the gym 5 days a week. I get about 45min of cardio in each day and I lift weights too. I'm actually starting to see a little bit of muscle definition! I'm always looking for new things to try at the gym (like different aerobic classes), and I think I'd like to learn how to play racketball. It looks intense!

I bought a few desperately needed outfits, mostly from the Gap. Now for the exciting news...I've lost 7 inches from my waist in 2 months! Before surgery I was wearing a size 20W dress, and a 24W pants (big hips!). Most days the 24w wouldn't button anyways. I tried on an 18 today at Old Navy and it was a little too big, so I bought a 16. I wasn't expecting to be in a 16 already. I bought a size Large top from the Gap, and an XL from Old Navy (I haven't lost my DD's yet and they were having a hard time fitting into a Large at Old Navy. I also got a size Large top from J.Crew along with a few cardigans from there too, in mediums and larges.

One of my friends saw me for the first time in probably 6 weeks the other day and one of the first things she said to me was "Jen, your boobs are getting bigger!" . My response: "No, my waist is just getting smaller."

I need to post some pictures. I just haven't been able to take a decent full body shot of myself. But hopefully sometime next week I can have someone take some for me.

I am 2 months post op now and I feel wonderful! I am down to 250lbs, from 290 on the day of surgery and a high of 312lb. None of my pre-op clothes fit anymore! Life's great! I don't think a day goes by where I don't receive a compliment of some sort. It's safe to say that my self esteem is through the roof.

I've been going to the gym 5 days a week and engaging in 45-60min of cardio each day. I am so full of life and energy, and I thank the vitamin B-12.  :)

I've also had no problem getting my fluids in each day. I drink at least 60oz of water each day along with 20oz of a Diet Snapple of some sort. And most days I also enjoy 16oz of hot tea (usually Chai) when I'm at work.

I've been eating around 500-600 calories each day. My only problem with food is that sometimes I just forget to eat it. I don't feel hunger so I can go a long while without eating. Right now would be teh perfect time to be lost in the wilderness somewhere for a few days, if it had to happen. My short term goal right now is to eat at more regular intervals.

I am very pleased with my progress thus far. I have been working very hard to achieve the results that I desire and now all of the lifestyle changes that I've made come so naturally now. I cannot express how excited I am for the future.

My birthday is this weekend and I'm going to do a little shopping this week. I need a lot of clothes, but I'm not going to waste my money. I'm just going to buy one outfit to go out in for my birthday. I'm curious to see what size I am! I do know that I've gone from a 3X scrub top to a XL (which is actually big on me right now! I have also gone from a 3X scrub pant to a XL. But as for jeans, I don't know. I'll find out soon!

Let's Go Penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God how I love hockey.

...is watermelon! I'd kill for some right now.

It's been 7 days since my surgery and I feel great. I feel (nor have I ever felt) anything I hear people talking about on here. Besides the day of surgery I have felt great. I have no excess gas, no pain, no nausea, no vomitting. I can tolorate my liquids just fine. Sometimes I wonder if I actually had surgery!  :)

I want to go swimming...and eat some real food. I'm crazing something taco-like. And ricotta cheese.