Rachelle Buck
First Day Back to Work
Jun 29, 2010
Gotta get back to work - had 2500+ emails when I first logged on so I've still got a long way to go to getting everything back to normal!
Happy Days Are Here!
Jun 23, 2010
I'm being very diligent with taking my proteins and supplements 3 times a day and have started eating "soft" foods once or twice a day. Tonight I actually have dinner plans with my girl friends and am so excited! I really feel like I eat for nourishment now instead of for comfort like before. I still struggle with the sweet craving in the evening after dinner, but have found that a sugar-free popsicle or a small carton of Fiber One/Yoplait yogurt does the trick.
I still have 100+ lbs to lose, so I haven't noticed any major body changes so far, although I have had to clean my closet out a couple of times and have bags of clothes to get rid of sitting in the garage. Really, I think the biggest change so far for me has to do with my attitude. After living so long with no hope, I finally feel like I have hope! I have a renewed outlook on life and am so excited to continue shrinking and have a chance to do all the things that I couldn't do for so long. We even have a trip to the Big Island booked for December and I plan to have a blast and be excited to get into shorts, tank tops, and maybe even a swimsuit for the first time in 10+ years!
I'm trying to do 2 WLS support group meetings each month; 1 at Vitalady in Puyallup (2nd Tuesday & Wednesday of each month) and 1 at the Summit Library in Tacoma (4th Monday of each month). I'm just trying really hard to do everything right so I don't lose out on this window of opportunity to maximize my initial weight loss. When you've tried and failed to lose & keep the weight off so many times, there's always that nagging fear that it will happen again. So this time I have made a committment to myself to remain diligent and perservere!
Best of luck to all of us!!!!!
1 Month Post-Op
Jun 20, 2010
From May 26th
Jun 20, 2010
May 26
I just had my 1 week follow-up today and they said everything's as it should be. I get to slowly add protein shakes back into my clear liquid diet and will be on that for the next 3 weeks when I can slowly introduce soft foods. The protein should help give me enough energy to start walking on the treadmill each day which will help with healing & weight loss. Since the start of this process I'm down a total of 53lbs which is exciting! Now that I'm healing and starting to feel better, the biggest challenge will be to make sure that i don't do too much too soon!
I should have some pictures to update my websites soon so that everyone can see my progress since everyone has said that the changes in the upcoming months will be significant!
From May 24th
Jun 20, 2010
I've got quite a few full body photos of me at my heaviest in 2009 and I didn't get my measurements at my heaviest but did take them pre-surgery. I also took photos post-op already, including ones of my hugely swollen belly which I don't want to look at now but I'm sure I'll appreciate later for the scrapbook! Everyone I've talked to emphasizes how important it is to track weight, measurements, body fat, BMI, & to take pictures at least each month. So i am going to be sure I do all of this for posterity appreciation.
I have my post-op appt with Dr Oh on Weds and am anxious to see him. I'm sure that everything is normal, but I still have so much pain, gas, and bloating swelling that it's hard to feel very "normal". I've been taking my pain meds regularly & found that I don't need an alarm reminder because I'm ready for them after 4 hours and can't sleep much more than 4 hours at a stretch because of the abdominal discomfort and lower back pain. Mine never travelled up into my chest/shoulder like they warned, but I've got extreme persistent pain in my lower back-especially focused on the left side which makes it impossible to ever get comfortable.
Anyway, I keep reminding myself that this is what I chose and that every day it will get a bit better. I've been walking around the house for 15-30 minutes every 1-3 hrs and it does help. I hope to be able to start out slowly on the treadmill this week but right now just don't have the energy for it.
It really helps to have the well wishes, wisdom and support of so many caring people. The support really makes all the difference and helps me to remember that I'm not going through this alone!
Post Op Post
May 20, 2010
I just wanted to thank you all again for your thoughts and prayers through my surgery. I came through everything and am now home and am slowly on the mend. The first night in the hospital was a little rough in terms of getting my pain and nausea under control, but at about 18 hours post surgery I was feeling much better. I was discharged 24 hours after my surgery was over and have been home now for a little over a day. I've had some help at home, but actually haven't really needed it since there's not much to do other than walk every couple of hours and keep hydrated and on top of my pain meds. The biggest thing I needed help with yesterday when I got home were my pets (my hubby & I have 3 pugs that are our "kids"), but now that they realize they have to be gentle around me, I'm even able to care for them again now. So there is some discomfort still, but I've set my alarm to go off every 4 hours so that I get my pain meds regularly and that's really helped. So far I've only had water and powerade zero to drink, but I actually feel a bit hungry so might try out some chicken broth for "dinner" tonight! Overall, it wasn't really that scary at all, more just a matter of managing pain and nausea and being an advocate for myself while in the hospital.
This has been such a long journey that it's strange to know that I've finally made it through the surgery! It's somewhat surreal and so exciting to be starting on this new chapter in my life and I have only a positive outlook and optimism for what the future holds. I feel more than ever that this was the right decision for me and I'm so excited to see the changes and move forward with a healthier me. Thanks and love to you all!
Rachelle
THANK YOU!!!
May 17, 2010
I can't believe it's tomorrow!
May 17, 2010
Final Countdown
May 15, 2010
Sooooo Excited!
May 13, 2010