Post VSG - 2 month update

Dec 22, 2010

My 2 month surgiversary is rapidly approaching and it has been about a month since my last update, so here goes:

Physically:
Wow! I am down almost 62 lbs since my initial consult, and about 30 since surgery just 2 months ago.  I am still far from skinny, but there are some definite changes to my shape, and I am back in some sizes I haven't seen in a long while.

With the exception of this week I have been healthy and energetic the last 4-5 weeks. A stomach bug earlier this week was a real doozy, and I think I may have gotten dangerously dehydrated. I really should have forced more liquids that day but was feeling really awful and didn't realize how far behind I was on liquids until I was until I very nearly blacked out. Please - if you get sick - do not stop hydrating! It was very scary.

I have been off my exercise schedule for two weeks. I've had a lot going on - which shouldn't be an excuse - it's just a reflection that I still need to work on my priorities. I am an imperfect person.

I have been doing good with my protein and supplementation (except for early this week), although I do have a hard time remembering to get in my calcium supplements during the day. They don't taste bad, but do have an unpleasant aftertaste about 30 minutes afterward, so I have to kind of plan them before meals.

Mentally - here are a collection of thoughts and observations I have had over the last month or so:

It is really weird not being hungry - mostly I get the desire to taste things, but once I swallow, the urge for more goes away quickly.

I still have issues remembering to sit down and concentrate on thoroughly chewing the first bite. After the discomfort it causes, I remember quickly what I SHOULD have done.

I have been getting cravings for more carb type foods. Most of them don't sit too well, so I ignore it for the most part, or try to incorporate something similar that I can tolerate - crackers instead of bread for example. Seems to be working OK for now, but I still wouldn't trust myself with ice cream anytime soon.

Discovering I can eat thin-crust pizza (slowly) again was both exciting and a bit scary considering it's status as a trigger  food pre-op. As long as it is in the house, I will continue to eat a slice for a meal. So at least I am getting 3-4 meals, instead of 4 slices (or more) at one meal. Luckily one of my favorite pre-op binges, peanut butter, doesn't seem to have as much effect on me as it used to. I tolerate it fine, but have little problem with walking away after a taste, and crave it far less.

I am too impatient with my weight loss. "I want my Oompa Loompa NOW!" If anyone has noticed who didn't know about my surgery - they haven't said anything. I know this is ridiculous, but sometimes I feel like "How could it be that I was so fat, that when I lose 60 lbs people not even notice? How much more will it take?"

I get disgusted with portion sizes when I eat out. Sometimes just the sight of a huge plate of food can turn my stomach. I try to split a plate or make a special order whenever practical, but am constantly surprised at the portion sizes that before were totally acceptable to me.  Resealable storage containers of all sizes are constantly in use as we try to re-learn how to purchase and cook re-scaled meals for the family.

I am thankful for the opportunities this surgery has provided, and for my progress so far. I am not to the point where I can say "I love my sleeve!" yet -  we are still getting used to each other through this awkward arranged relationship. There is no doubt in my mind that it is necessary and helpful - but the same thing can be said about wearing eyeglasses - it just takes some getting used to.

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