I left off in November at 4 months post op and right before the Holiday season. I wasn't really worried about facing the holidays so soon after surgery but the binging threat did cross my mind. But I am proud to say that I followed the rules of chewing slowly and until food is no longer chunky, did not drink within 30 min of eating (before and after), and small portions. No problems at all! I was able to enjoy a bite (literally) of several things, even the fave's such as sweet potato pie, collards, and mashed potatoes.
Through Thanksgiving and Christmas I continued to lose weight and inches, although it has drastically slowed down. I don't have exact measurements (other laptop), but I do know that when I had my 6mo post op appointment that I had lost 104 pounds! And I have also lost over 60 inches off of my body!! As of today, I have lost 110lbs and am officially down 8 clothing sizes. I continue to shop in the normal section of any store which still blows my mind. It's funny because I can wear a size that I don't EVER remember wearing. At all. Not even as a teenager. It seems like I jumped directly from being in the kids section to a size 14 "perfect plus" brand that JCPenney carried. Yeah, I was probably 10 years old at the time. So I am thoroughly enjoying my size 12 jeans.
People continue to ask me how much more I am going to lose. I'm not sure. The Doc said that the surgery has done all that it is going to do so now it is up to me to really watch what I eat and, of course, exercise. My 6mo post op appointment went really well, the Surgeon was very impressed and said that I may have broken a record for amount lost. I laughed and told him that I was an overachiever. :) My lab work was great except a low Vitamin D count, which will be remedied by a prescription for a few months and hopefully SUNSHINE, if we are lucky enough to ever experience that again! As far as weight goes, I am still 25/30 lbs away from my goal the doctor assigned. But honestly, the main reason for surgery was health benefits. And I have accomplished what I wanted to - blood pressure is in check without medication, no more obstructive sleep apnea, no more PCOS, back ache, feet ache, etc. I rarely even get a headache anymore which I used to experience almost daily. I feel fantastic and I am happy with the way that I look. Anything lost at this point will just be bonus. I don't want to be a stick, or sickly looking. I am so thankful for every ounce that I have lost so far.
I also have found myself categorizing periods of my life - before surgery and after surgery. My life before and my life after. That probably sounds silly, but I don't think I was fully living before I made this decision. I have been able to encourage several friends who have asked questions about the surgery and two of them have surgery dates scheduled. I'm so glad I can be a positive influence and encourage them to make the step to a healthier life. I think I have addressed before, but I'll say it again. Surgery is not for the faint of heart. It is not the easy way out. It is still a battle in some ways. You must follow the rules, you must be driven, you must be dedicated. And if there is a way for you to lose weight and get healthy without having your intestines rerouted, then do it. Today. But, if the natural way doesn't work or you are not dedicated enough for it to work, then speak to a surgeon. The end result is a healthier person all around. A happier person. A person who categorizes life before/after surgery. July 16th, 2013 was my chance to have the outside match the inside.
I've thought a lot recently about my son and how I had the surgery when he was just 18months old. He was a huge factor in my decision. I've thought about how I am able to play in the floor without my feet going to sleep or not being able to breathe when I chase him. How, the other day he lit up when I hopped on the swing set with him, or down the slide at the park. How, when he says "momma jump" i can climb onto the trampoline and see his precious smile. With any luck he will never have a single memory of me being fat and unhealthy. Only pictures of his first 18months. But he won't remember the way I struggled getting out of bed all hours of the night, how I struggled carrying all the baby stuff (car seat, bag, him), how I had to ask for a seatbelt extender when we made the flight to him. I am so thankful he won't remember those things. Hopefully, he will love that I can be active and involved with him. That if he asks me to bike ride or jump rope, or ride roller coasters, that I will be right there beside him.
Anyway, I have written enough for now. How about some pictures?
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and kind words. They mean the world to me.
XOXO
