Larkin O'Donoghue

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Well, it's been ten months since surgery and I've lost 97 lbs so far.  For quite a while it bothered me that I was such a SLOOOOOOW loser, but I finally accepted that I have to stop comparing myself to others.  Some lose quickly, some slowly, but it all comes off in the end.   I make sure I drink my water, get at least 60 grams of protein, and walk as much as I am able (I've had to work up to the 30 minutes).  I also try to stay between 900 and 1000 calories each day - which allows me "wiggle room" to live my life and not feel deprived.   When I feel like I've barely lost any weight, I go to the grocery store, pick up a 20 lb box of kitty litter or bag of potatoes, and carry it five feet ... It helps me realize that  the weight I've lost is POUNDS I'M NOT CARRYING ANYMORE!!!

When I consider that  I used to carry around the equivalent of five boxes of litter, its a wonder I could even move.

I was looking over the Q&As for today and found one concerning losing a lot of weight before surgery, but not so much after.  Since I lost 30 lbs before (on a program of two protein shakes and one low carb meal per day), but only 10 lbs since I was really interested.  A little bit down in the thread, I found this reply ...

"I lost 40 lbs before surgery and after having the RNY my weight loss was slower then I had hoped for. I had the RNY on 7/22/09 and the first month I only lost 18 lbs. I started out at 364. So by me being so big I thought that I would shed about 30 lbs. But my surgeon said that I got rid of the "easy fat" before surgery. That is the fat that wants to come off because the shock to your body with the eating changes and moving.Because I did the same as you 800-900 cal per day. I wanted challenge myself and live like I would post-op. So my body got used to it. But it will change and start losing faster. I have lost a total of 117 lbs and I feel great. No complications, no dumping, my blood levels are perfect. I say it is because of the fact that I changed my life before surgery. Your body will kick in and the fat will start falling off. Just keep drinking water,taking vitamins,stay away from sugar,limit your carbs ,and keep moving. Good luck to you."   — Tia Blackwell, 10 Feb 2010 {Q&A TITLE = Did anyone loose a lot of weight before then have slow weight loss after surgery}

Oh...My...God 

This explains a lot, and changes my mood quite a bit.

They shoud REALLY let paitients know information like this (and how much weight you will gain post-surgery due to the fluids they give you).  It would make a huge difference in personal expections IMO.

I didn't want to write anything until my mood improved, but since that's not happening anytime soon ...
 
Over the last month, since surgery, I have lost a whopping 10 lbs.  People keep saying that the more weight you have the faster you will lose it, but so far that is a load of BS.  I weighted 382 lbs on the day of my pre-op and I would assume that would ensure a reasonable initial loss. It hasn’t.

I’m feeling both a little bitter and like this might have been a mistake. I know that “it will all be worth it in the end”, but it doesn’t feel that way right now.  IMO, it’s much easier to say “it’s a tool and a process” when you actually see the scale move.

I wish I knew what would work  ::sigh::

I guess I just have to be patient (but, it stinks).

I'm home from the hospital now  (as of yesterday)and am sooooooo happy.

My doctor (Dr. Paul Macik @ Northside Hospital in Atlanta) said that "everything came together real well", which I take to mean that the operation went well.  My 'angel'  said the whole thing took about ninety minutes (as opposed to the two+ hours we were originally quoted), before I was wheeled into recovery.

Since then, things have gone by like a blur, but it's all over now.

Thus starts my new life!    
Larkin
 

A month ago (Dec 14) my doctor told me that we were going to have to reschedule my surgery.  I still needed to lose 11 lbs to get back to my original weight (which I weighed when I first went to see him a year and a half ago).

To lose this weight, I started on a program of two protein shakes and one small, healthy meal per day.  I got weighed at my pre-op today and I've lost TWENTY pounds!

Which means my surgery is ON for Wednesday .

I'm soooooo happy, I feel like jumping up and down and doing a jig!!!

I spoke with my doctor's office today, and they've said I can probably be scheduled for Jan 13th (as opposed to the 20th).  This makes me happy because I don't have to ask my "angel" to change her plane ticket so she can stay longer.

It also means that I have 1 less week to lose the 11 lbs he wants me to lose before surgery.  I guess that means I stick with the liquid-diet exclusivly for the next month  ::sigh::

Well, we do what we've got to do ...

Well, I'm over my wallowing and whining (I think ).

Today is the first day of the protein shake regiment.  I don't know if I'm going to go full bore liquid, or just do it for two meals and then have a low-cal/low-carb dinner.  Since my surgery isn't for a month, my doctor gave my both options. 

So far it isn't bad.  The protein shake tastes like Instant Breakfast to me (I got the powder in vanilla, double chocolate, and cookies & cream).  My only problem is the vague after-taste it leaves behind  ::yuck::.  Oh well ...

Well, I was supposed to have my surgery on Wed, Dec 16, but not any more.  My doctor wanted me to lose 20 lbs before surgery, but today at pre-op the scale said I had only lost 9 lbs!

I don't understand it!!!   I've been doing a low carb diet for the last three weeks - I didn't even have anything  "bad" on my birthday (no cake for me).  They told me today that diet sodas can kill your weight loss, but I've only been having one diet-fanta a day so I don't understand how it could do that much harm .

Now, I'm just pissed off  ... at him a little (he didn't seem to beleive me when I said I've been sticking to the diet), at my own body (what more does it want from me), and generally at the whole damn process!!!

My surgery now is going to be on the 20th of January.  I'm supposed to go on a liquid only pre-op diet for the next MONTH to lose as much as weight possible and I'm ready to scream!!!

 PS - The only nice part about the whole thing is that my BFF Stef has agreed to go on the protein-shake diet with me (is she an AMAZING person or what?).  She is even changing when she flies home so she can be here to help out after surgery (which is partially why she came down in the first place).
 

My best friend came into town last night, all the way from Wisconsin!  She came to be my "angel"   before, during, and after my surgery.

I've always said that I am a great "foul-weather" friend ... basically, I may not be there when a friend wants me to be, but I will ALWAYS be there when they need me to be.  Stef has just proved herself to be the living example of that thought.

I wuv her .

My pre-op is on Monday (for my Wednesday surgery). 

Last night I had my first panic attack (of sorts).  I stayed up until 5:00 am watching you-tube videos about WLS and kind of scared myself.  I know the surgery is the right thing, in fact pretty much the ONLY thing, but it didn't help my jitters  .

For the last week or so, all I seem to be able to think about is my surgery (the good and the bad).  I can't help but wonder, is that normal?

I know that this will be a HUGE change in my life, and a significant change in the lives of those who love me (and have to live with me), but I almost think I'm obsessing a little.  In the end, it's gastric bypass surgery, not a heart transplant or removal of a brain tumor.  Should it be the major thing on my mind?