tall_latte

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Ok...guilty!  It's been 5 months since I have been on the site and I swore I would not be one of those people that just drop off after losing weight.  I've had a lot happen in such a short amount of time.  I got engaged, getting married in November and my dad passed on 05/04/09.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in November 08 and he is now at peach..no longer in pain and with God!  So now I'm wedding planning...the big day is 11/21/09.  My 1 year anniversary for surgery is coming up on 07/01/09.  Wow!  I cannot believe how time files.  I think back to when I was so anxious to have my surgery date and here I am almost a year letter and down 108.  I will have to post some pics soon....

I hope everyone is doing well and when time permits I will be back to blogging and providing the support to the newbies like I had a little less than a year ago. :-)

Geez, where does the time go?  I cannot believe that it's been 6 months since I had my surgery.  I can remember my first day at the doc's office for the consultion when he told me it would be 6 months-1 year before I woud be scheduled for surgery.  It seems like those days are so long ago now.  Funny how frustrated I was back then....wanting so badly to have surgery and start losing weight.  And now, here I am 6 months post op.  I've lost 60% of what I want to lose...50 more pounds to goal; already down 81.   

My weight loss has slowed a bit, but I know why....my exercise decreased and so did my protein intake.  My stepdad was diagnosed with stage iv stomach cancer the week before Thanksgiving so I spent a lot of time at the hospital over the past few months, not working out and eating very little.  In additon the holiday sesaon is generally chaos for me anyway.  All the shopping and holiday gatherings with friends, etc.  What was great about this year, was that it was the first year in my life that I did not gain any weight.  Who loses weight during the holiday season?  We do!  

I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season and are set to accomplish all of your goals in 2009!

It's been a while since I've posted...sorry!  I've been out there living life and loving every minute of it.  I'm down 55 since surgery, 65 total and I feel great.  I'm guilty of not working out as much as I should...I have one of those really demanding jobs and the time just flies.  I do however, make sure to park far, take the stairs and walk around the parking lot 20 minutes a day.  I only find time to make it to the gym on the weekends.  If I wasn't losing, I'd beat myself up.  But the weight is still coming off, so the little bit of exercise I do get in is obviously worth something.  

Last month I started losing my hair.  Having long hair makes it seem even worse.  It looks like there is so much coming out every time I put the brush through.  Oh well....my stylist said to take Biotin and Zinc, we'll see what happens.  I just hope it eventually stops before I have to get a wig or a weave.  

I had 2 wow moments yesterday.  I had a favorite pair of jeans that I used to wear 10 years ago...yes I saved them cause that's how much I loved them.  I tried them on 1 month after surgery and couldn't get them past my knees.  I thought I'd try them on yesterday to see if I could get them past my thighs and you know how this story ends.....they fit!    I couldn't believe it.  Not only did they fit my butt perfectly like they did years back, but they are even too big in the waist.  I'll be saying farewell forever to my favorite jeans on Monday.    They'll be donated with the rest of my clothes that no longer fit. 

My second wow moment is that I no longer have to shop exclusively at Lane Bryant.  I still buy their jeans since I am hippy and they do fit well, but I cannot wait until I don't have to wear them any longer.  I hate these "right fit" jeans.  Every big behind that walks around has the same fat girl Lane Bryant logo on the pockets and I just want out of the "right fit" fat club forever!

Now my weight loss since surgery is 40 pounds...add on the 10 I lost prior and that's 50 total.  Whoo hooo Me and mom are going to Vegas today for a couple of days.  Going to do a little gambling, see a show, get a massage and layout by the pool.  A few of you have asked how she's doing, so I will make sure to post some photos.  I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend. 

Time for me to pack.  My flight leaves in 3 hours.   

I feel like I'm finally getting my life back.  For the past 5 years, my world revolved around food.  All social events were centered around food.  Every weekend I was dining in some exquisite restuarant and Los Angeles has plenty of them to choose from.  I loved wine and pairing it with food.  Oh and let's not forget martini's.  I would throw martini parties for my girlfriends. 

Do I miss the old life?  Not at all.  Now I spend more time outdoors enjoying nature and not focusing on what my next meal will be.  Last night I attended the CalPhil on the green.  It was so nice to be outdoors listening to a symphony....very relaxing. 

Last weekend I went to see Evita at a local theater.  I've been attending Angel games again...and now I fit comfortably in the seat. 

You may wonder if a baseball game can be enjoyed without downing hot dogs, nachos and beer?  Oh yes it can!  It's called people watching.  I watch how others consume food without any thought...all of them on auto pilot.  Even my date inhaled his food.  It's just what most of us do and what I use to do. 

I am so thankful that I no longer live to eat!   


   

 


It has been 7 weeks since my surgery.  At my last weigh in I was down about 31 pounds.  I only weigh myself once a week now on Saturday mornings.  I've been working out too.  I joined the gym.  It's just so difficult to fit it into my schedule so on the days I can't make it, I work out at home.  There are some great exercise videos on demand through my cable provider so I like to do those workouts. 

As for the eating....well, I am on solid foods now.  I haven't had any bad experiences and I don't eat items that may cause them.  I love to cook.  I always have so I get really creative in the kitchen.  The only issue is that I'm cooking for one and I hate leftovers.  I try my best to scale things down, but it's difficult when you can only consume 4 oz.  What's a girl to do?   Oh, but I am not complaining.  I love that I have my waistline back.  I already have a 36 inch waist.  At my smallest my waist was 24 inches.  I'd love to have a 24 inch waist again. 

Well, it's time to watch diving.  The photo is of me watching the olympics.  I only watch about an hour of it a night.  I just cannot stay up that late.

   

Some of you have asked...so here is a recent photo.  This was taken on Thursday evening, 07/31/08.  22 pounds post surgery weight loss.  I have dropped 2 sizes on top (always the first to go for me) and one size on the bottom.  It will be nice to no longer shop at Lane Bryant and the Avenue!  For now, I am shopping in my closet... size 22 - 14.  And the 14's are really cute too!  Can't wait to get there! 


                             

So my total weight loss is now 31 pounds...21 lbs. since surgery... not bad for less than a month.  Today I move to the next phase and I can have pureed foods.  I'm a bit anxious to try anything new during the work week, though.  I'd rather wait until the weekend just in case something doesn't agree with me, but what the hell!  Just a good reason to stay home if it does.     Going back to work was a breeze, however I was finding it difficult to get in all of my liquids and protein.  So now I drink 2 Worldwide Pure Protein Shakes a day while at the office.  At least I know I'm getting in 70 grams drinking those 2 shakes and I hope the rest of my meals supplement enough to get to me my minimum of 90.  

It's weird how your taste changes.  I have found that I just cannot stand sugar free ready made pudding and jello.  If I make them myself they are fine, but those little convenient packs are GROSS!  My favorite soup is Trader Joe's organic black bean...never thought I'd like that, but I just puree it, strain it and it's so yummy!  I don't miss any foods and I can sit at restaurants with my friends and sip on soup.  The only thing I really miss is chewing.  I find myself unconsiously chewing on the inside of my cheek...what the heck!  It's a good thing I can have cottage cheese today.  Something to chew before I chew a whole in my face.

Well, it's time for breakfast.  I'm going to try cottage cheese and applesauce.  So far I haven't had any issues introducing new things.
 Wish me well. Oh and if you are having trouble reading this posting because of spacing issues....it's not me.  Something is wrong with the site.  
          

Feeling great.  Going back to work today   Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but those few weeks off without checking that darn Blackberry or having someone calling at home was really nice.  I had my first pre-op visit Tuesday.  I lost 11.5 in 2 weeks.  My doc thought I was a nut job because I started to tear up.  I was like, what!  I only lost 11.5 pounds.  This isn't working for me.  He explained that since I was dieting before surgery and had lost 10 pounds, the first few weeks would be slower, but 11.5 is still great.  He also asked if I had been cheating....say what!  I could have kicked him.  Cheat on what?  Water and Sugar Free popsicles.  In my twisted mind I am so used to weight loss efforts failing that I figure I'll be the one person that doesn't lose weight after WLS.   I have to get these negative thoughts out of my head.    

As for the surgery, I was very blessed to have found an incredible surgeon.  My incisions are very small (only 5) and no stitches.  He used Dermabond. I didn't have drainage tubes either.  I didn't need to use the pain medicine he prescribed.  I didn't have any pain, just soreness... the kind you have after doing too many abdominal crunches (as if I can remember what that felt like).  I slept a lot the first few days and I still get tired and take a nap once a day.  He said my blood sugar might be a little low (likely since I'm not eating any!) I'm working from home the next 2 days and then I'll be back in the office Monday.  

The ex-boyfriend came by to see how I was doing.  He noticed I've dropped (we broke up pre 10 pound loss).  I've lost 22 lbs. since the last time he saw me.  He couldn't stop staring at me....I could see it in his eyes.  He's going to want me back.  Maybe I'll invite him to my wedding.

I've made it to the losers bench.  I had a great experience at Methodist Hospital.  The staff was excellent.  My nurses were fun and  everything went well.  I'm home resting now and I've posted some photos.  Enjoy!  Time for a nap.