tdbull

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

I am now at 6 months post op and couldn't be happier.  I never imagined how much better life and eating would be compared to the lap band.  I am so glad I revised.  I uploaded my 6 months post op pics to my album.

Today I weighed in at 129lbs - just 4 lbs away from my 2nd goal weight of 125lbs.  I'm not rushing it because I am completely fine staying at this weight if that's where my body wants me to be.  I have lost a total of 68lbs in 6 months!! 

I weigh on every monthly surgiversary - and this month I lost a total of 3 inches overall, bringing my total inches lost to 46.  I measure each arm, breasts, waist, hips, each thigh and each calf.  This is where the 46 inches have vanished.

I now wear a size 2 pant and a small top.  Surprisingly, my feet haven't shrunk so no change there.  It's so fun buying clothes and wearing nicer things.  I love going out just to have a reason to get dressed up.  I did cut my hair a couple of months ago, not because I was losing it, but because I love long hair, but finally came to the realization that I don't have good hair, so it is just easier for me to wear it short.  I do still see a little more hair on my brush than before surgery, but not enough to make me worry, and my stylist doesn't see much thinning.

I do take all of my vitamins religiously, and track all of my liquids, food, and exercise on myfitnesspal.  This really helps me stay focused on plan.  I travel a lot for business, so I put vitamins in separate baggies and mark the baggies.  Then I carry a round weekly pill carrier, which I have marked with vitamin instead of day of the week.  I need a lot of calcium pills, so I usually refill my pill carrier from the baggies daily to make sure I have what I need.

I never drink protein shakes - I had enough of them during the liquid phase, and other than the Premier Protein Shakes from Costco, I don't like the taste.  Also, when I was obese and always on a 'diet', I didn't like to 'drink' my calories so I guess this habit has stuck with me.  I do get anywhere from 80-100g protein daily from my food choices, though.

Before surgery, I used to like a glass of wine a few times a week, when my acid reflux wasn't flaring.  I haven't had a sip of wine post surgery, and don't intend to.  I am doing just fine without it, and I think I liked drinking from a wine glass more than the effect the wine had on me - so I'll do without post surgery.  I mostly drink water, and usually 1-2 Propels a day.  Juices tend to give me a tummy ache, so I stay away.

I get in some form of cardio about 5 days a week.  I need to up my cardio and strength training, but for now, I'm where I want to be.  I started the Couch 2 5k and doing light weight lifting about 2 months ago and can tell my strength and stamina are improving.

So overall, this surgery was definitely worth all the struggles I had in the beginning, and I hope you all find this encouraging as you embark on your own journeys.

Until next month -

My weight loss has slowed al little, but it is still steadily going in the right direction.  I hit my original weight loss goal of 135 lbs at around 4 1/2 months post op, and decided to reset my goal to 125lbs, just because I think I will look a little better at this weight, and to give me a buffer in case of the dreaded 'bounce back', which based on readers, can be around 8lbs.  I posted new pics on my Album, so that is what I look like now.  It has been fairly easy going, but lately I have been eating more than usual.  I think I am bored due to staying indoors because of weather, and am letting my head dictate my hunger.  I was eating around 500-700 calories during the 4 month phase, but now my fitness pal shows that I eat around 600-800 calories a day.  Maybe this is why the weight loss was only 8lbs this past month.

I took my measurements and can't believe the change:  Since surgery day, I have lost a total of 43 inches.  Overall, I feel good about how my body is shaping up - I started a Couch 2 5k program this week, and do some light weights - nothing too strenuous.  I am thinking of possible breast implants because my poor girls look so deflated - I just bought 32DD from Victoria's Secret - the DD is just to fit all the loose skin in.  I am going to start consults later this year - maybe do this Winter 2014-15.  In the meantime, a good bra is doing the trick, however not sure what to do for swimsuits this Summer.

When I started this journey, I wore an XL top and a size tight 12-14 pants.  Now I wear a S top and a size 2 pant.   I couldn't be happier.  However, I now find it difficult to find pants that fit nicely, but I found a nice alterations shop who just finished altering 3 of my business slacks and they fit perfect.  

I am getting all of my protein in, but I do see some hair loss - a little more than I usually lost pre surgery, but still nothing I can't live with.  I take all of my vitamins and a 5000mg Biotin every day.  I also drink tons of water/Propel.  I really don't need to use protein shakes, as I usually get 70-100g protein in with solid food.  I will have labs done next month, so will see what they show.  I do feel very good now, though.

This is all I have to say for now - I hope you all are just as happy with your WL journey as I have been.

Until next month - stay strong and carry on.

I am now 4 months post op and doing terrific.  I finally reached a point where I can say that this is the best thing that I have done for myself.  I no longer deal with the lap band issues like getting stuck, throwing up, emergency unfills and then fills again, never finding that sweet spot that would start my weight loss.  I especially don't miss the daily issues of severe acid reflux.  My throat and chest always felt like they were on fire, and limited the use of spices and other tasty foodsl.  In 4 months I have lost 56 lbs, just 6 lbs away from my original goal weight of 135 lbs.  I may revisit that goal weight, as I hear bounce back could put me up several lbs.  Anyway, in addition to the total weight loss, I have lost a total of 33 inches.  Prior to surgery I was wearing a tight size 14.  Now I wear a size 4 in dress slacks and a 6 in jeans.  I wear a S/M top and feel so excited about stocking my closet with stylish and fun clothes.  I also have moved away from wearing all black and white.  Loving the new colors I am buying.  I haven't had any issues with eating or drinking.  I drink liquids like I did prior to surgery - don't have to sip anymore.  I drink mainly water and Propel, which I love.  I don't drink any alcohol - I used to like a glass of wine every night, but now I just don't miss it.  I currently eat anywhere from 600-1000 calories a day, but when I get up to the 1000 calorie point, my body seems to tell me that this could be too much.  I do eat a protein bar a few times a week, especially when I am out and about for the day - it's easy to carry it with me.  I eat the Premier Bars from Costco or the Quest Bars.  I do get somewhat queasy when I eat them, which makes me think that if I ate too much fat or sugar, I could possibly dump.  I haven't tested this, and likely won't as I am a sugar addict, so don't need to get on that train wreck.  I just updated my album with a recent photo of me at 141 lbs.  Looking forward to what 2014 brings! 

All complications are finally healed, and no additional surgery required.  This was great news for me.  My tummy swelling is gone and I'm feeling normal now.  Eating well, but it seems that I can eat as fast as I want, not chew till mush, and I still don't have any consequences.  I do keep my portions to 1/2 - 1 cup a sitting, and haven't even attempted any 'whites', like bread, pasta, potato, or any sweets at all.  I just don't need them, and am doing really well with adding spices and flavorings to my proteins.  Right now, I get around 700-900 calories a day, and walking most days about 2.5 miles.

I am at a total of 43 lb weight loss - I didn't have any pre op weight loss diet so this weight is all post op loss.  It may not be alot in the way of lbs, but it is almost 72% of my total excess weight that I wanted to lose, so this is great.  

I have also lost a total of 25 inches overall.  In 3 months time, I can't complain.  I have gone from a tight size 12 to a 6-8 now.  It feel so great.

I went to Starbucks yesterday and with a big smile placed our order and gave her a gift card.  I needed another $1.64 after using the card, and the server said, "It's on me, have a nice day!"  I was shocked and happy at the same time, remembering at some point to pay it forward.  Then when the 4 of us were shopping, 3 salesgirls stopped me, not at the same time to compliment me on my outfit and how great I looked.  Keep in mind that I am 7 years older than the next oldest girl I was shopping with, and the salesgirls were all in their twenties.  It literally made my day.  I know I dress much better, and I know that I project much more confidence now than before I started this journey.  It has been a tough road getting to this point, but even with my complications, I wouldn't change my decision for anything.

It's been 1 month since my surgery.  My infection is almost healed - I will see my local PCP tomorrow.  I think that this has slowed my progress.  I get very tired, and usually nap once a day.  I don't walk as much as most, but I do go out several times a day for short periods.  My head isn't as foggy, and I can actually concentrate on tasks now.  I'm not working full time, and had to cancel a business trip because I just couldn't handle the exertion.  

I am getting my protein and fluids in just fine, slowly introducing new foods.  I'm in Phase 4 so eating eggs, string cheese, deli turkey, cottage cheese, yogurt.  So far I have had no intolerances and haven't dumped.  I am very careful to only eat 2-3oz at a sitting.  To day I have lost 24lbs.which I think is good because I am considered a lightweight - only needing to lose 60lbs total.

As my energy level improves, my overall outlook improves.  So far this month, I have wished that I had not done this to my body.  It's been a very difficult recovery.  I'm not depressed, but frustrated.

I checked into the Hospital Angeles in TJ, MX at 7am on August 13, 2013.  Dr Juan Antonio Lopez Corvala, the same surgeon who had done my 2 lap band surgeries, was doing a lap band removal, RNY and gallbladder removal today.  Surgery went well, in some pain but the meds took care of that.  I was up walking but very sore.  Didn't have a BM for 5 days, and on day 5, they removed my drain, and that's when they saw I had an infection in the drain hole.  I had been running a temp, so they took a culture and got me on antibiotics and began flushing the incision.  Ended up staying in hospital for 7 days total.

The worst was the day after surgery - nothing to drink or eat.  Only sucking on ice chips.  My mouth was so dry and I craved apple juice, of all things.  Day 3 I got apple juice, which was SF and room temp.  Tasted terrible.  I didn't drink much and was very swollen - my calves, ankles and feet were practically twice their size and my tummy was swollen to where I looked like I was 7 months pregnant.  I was also very weak, so I would walk a little, but then just go back to bed.  

I did meet a very nice woman who had just had the gastric sleeve, and we are keeping in contact.  

I am 2 days away from my revision surgery from lapband to RNY.  I started this whole WL journey in 2009.  I had the 4cc lapband and lost 130lbs - from my highest weight of 260lbs.  I loved how I looked, but suffered so much trying to find a sweet spot and get good restriction without choking to death.  I lost count of all the emergency unfills I had to have.  By 2011, it was apparent that this band was not working for me, so same surgeon replaced this band with an 11cc band.  Since 2011 I have gained back 60 lbs as I have rarely experienced restriction, but I also began suffering from acid reflux.  I stopped eating all spicy foods, and no wine at all.  I used to love a glass of wine a couple of times a week.  Not to be - I was also taking 4 Omeprazole a day.  After discussing the problems with my surgeon, his recommendation if I wanted to continue with a weight loss tool, was to revise to gastric bypass, or RNY.  He said that this was the best chance for me to reduce or eliminate the reflux and give me some help getting my weight back under control.  SOO - here I go again.  On Tuesday, August 13, and weighing in at 197 lbs,  I will undergo revision surgery to remove my band, do RNY and remove my gallbladder.  I am scared, nervous, excited, but somewhat optimistic that I will succeed.  I can't wait to get back on the 'losers' bench' and start this journey to a healthier, thinner lifestyle.