DeniseNCC1701

Hello everyone! I haven’t been on these forums for a long time, but I wanted to stop in, say hello, and give everyone an update. I’m 9months post op. My surgery was February 24th. So far, I’ve lost 122.5 lbs from my all-time high of 380, and I’m down 108.5 from my surgery date where I was 366. Here’s the breakdown my month: M1 30lbs M2 6.5lbs M3 23.5lbs M4 16.5lbs M5 10.5lbs M6 9lbs M7 0lbs M8 8lbs M9 4.50lbs The weight loss has slowed quite a bit in the past few months as a result of my consuming more carbs… something my nutritionist recommended. Plus, I haven’t always made the best choices, and I’ve been slacking on my exercise. It’s been quite the journey so far, with lots of ups and downs (no pun intended!). And while I had hoped to have lost more weight by this time, I’m happy with my results. I’m very blessed, so no complaints here. Here’s what I’ve learned in the past 9 months or so, as well as some random observations along the way: • It’s critical that you get your bariatric team together right up front. For me, this included my PCP, surgeon, fitness trainer(s), psychotherapist and a massage therapist. I added a nutritionist a few months in. • It’s also critical that you embrace the whole process. For me, I decided to throw out everything I thought I knew, and listen to the professionals. I also tried to have as much fun with the process. I purchased nice baby utensils, fun 4-5oz glass storage jars, and a stuffed stomach plush toy (which my dog almost chewed to shreds. LOL) • Two months on pureed foods were rough, but I basically stuck with soft scrambled eggs, white flakey fish and Soups. • I started boot camp two weeks post-op (with my doctors approval), and I’ve been going 2-4x/week ever since. • I get massages as often as I can afford. It’s great for circulation, and I personally believe it helps with skin elasticity. I’ve also been taking collagen supplements. I’m not really sure if it helps with the skin, but it’s certainly been making my nails grow. • I had diarrhea almost daily for the first three months. Ugh. That sucked. • Nobody noticed the first 50lb weight loss. That also sucked. • Now almost everyone notices. That most definitely does NOT suck. • The first two months or so were pretty much all about me just wrapping my head around everything. • The next 4 months started a wonderful journey of self-discovery, euphoria and renewed hope and self-confidence. • The next month or so after that, I started to get depressed. I mean REALLY depressed. My weight loss stalled, and I started making the wrong food choices. I thought to myself “Is this it? Is it over already?”. The euphoria I had been feeling was fading quickly, and again I thought to myself “Am I going back to the woman I was? Have I really changed at all?”. • When I discussed these things with my therapist, I asked her “Am I ever going to really change?” We both looked at each other, and I said “I already have, haven’t I?”. She nodded in agreement. • At that point, my PCP put me on Prozac. I took it for a few weeks, and that helped. • I also realized that part of my depression was caused by not being happy with the way my clothes were fitting: I had lost 100+ lbs at that point, and everything was really starting to hang on me. I wore the same baggy clothes over and over. • What helped with the depression the most was throwing out all my old clothes. Over the next couple of months, I built a whole new wardrobe. I also started wearing makeup and jewelry. • Getting new clothes made me see myself differently. And that’s when people really started to notice. • Currently I can eat pretty much anything, and I can fit about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food, depending on what it is. • Grazing is (and forever will be) an issue for me. I never used to be a grazer (I was always a binge eater). It’s something that I’m struggling with. • My stomach does not like pork chops, most popcorn and Corn Nuts (which I should really be eating anyway! heh.) • I had bloodwork done in October, and I am currently off all my diabetes meds. I have been since August. My fasting bloodsugar was 99. My A1C was 6.5, I’m off one of my blood pressure meds. My cholesterol is still really high, though my triglycerides went from 363 to 125. My blood pressure is reasonably stable, though I have work do in this area as well. • I started writing a book. • I’ve been inspired to be more creative, and have been pursuing (or plan to pursue) interests in drawing/painting, home decorating with repurposed materials, sewing, playing the guitar, photography and other things. • I’ve been more social, and feel I’m finally, after 50 years, coming out of my shell and really REALLY discovering who I am. I hope everyone finds these thoughts helpful. Be well… Denise

Awesome! Congratulations, you should be very proud! Be well…

Thanks for this post! I've been thinking of getting a tattoo on my inner wrist, but am concerned. I'm down 100lbs, with 100 to go. Do you all think inner wrist will be OK if I do it now? Or do you think I should wait? D

This is so exciting to see all these great before and after! Nice job everyone!

1/2 way there! Pic on the left was taken at a company event June 2013. I have no idea what I weighed back then, but probably around my pre-op all time high of 380 in early february. I had surgery Feb 2014 at 366. Now I'm 280.

I had diarrhea for the better part of the first 4 months. My surgery was February 24, and the worst of it was during full liquids right though the whole pureed stage. It improved somewhat after going to full solids on April 24. Now I'm coming up on 5 months post-op, and things have calmed down even more. I mentioned it all along the way to my PCP, surgeon and nutritionist and none were particularly concerned. My nutritionist did advise to try to incorporate (1) small amount of vegetables a day (I was doing all Protein, all the time), and a small amount of greek yogurt daily. That has helped, and hasn't been terribly detrimental to my weight loss efforts so far. I hope things improve for you! I know how frustrating it can be. For me, anything that had too much fat was my trigger. Mayo was a big no-no. But once you figure out what foods move through more quickly, you can adjust accordingly. Be well…

(deleted) Sorry, I said something that might be misinterpreted.

I hear you all, as this is something I'm struggling with myself. 20 minutes to eat a couple of hard boiled eggs? Please. I acknowledge that it's important to eat slowly, though. I will have to go download that app! I know smaller plates and utensils helps. And if there are dining companions, engaging in light conversation between bites helps too. But I live alone so that makes it even more difficult. Though I suppose I could talk to the dog. Be well, everyone.

You're getting in your own head too much, my friend. This a critical point, and you have to keep calm or you'll derail, so listen up: No, you're not done yet. It's all good. Trust the process. Look at how far you've come. Smile in the mirror. Put on your favorite song and dance. Breathe …and let it all go. And for heaven's sake Celebrate the new life you're creating, because at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. Be well…

Congratulations! I'm happy that this part of the journey is behind you. It must be so rewarding to have the outside match how you feel on the inside. Be well…

Wow sexy lady! Lovin' those pink tights, and your engaging smile. Congratulations!

I've been flirting. Me! I never used to do that. I suck at it, but I'm having fun.

Don't beat yourself up too much. That will cause continued feelings of guilt which could cause even more undesirable behaviors. You did what you had to do in the moment. The moment is over. Be well…

BWHAHAHAHAH!!!!! Congratulations, handsome. And the blood sugar numbers are amazing. THAT's what I'm talkin' about! Be well…

Nice! Congratulations!

It's always so gratifying to be able to pay things forward, yes? Congratulations! Be well…

First, welcome to these message boards! You'll find a wealth of information here to support you through the process. And I too agree with previous posts that perhaps this is all too quick for you. Take your time with this decision. It's a major life change, and you need to commit 100%. Having said that, I will answer your questions as honestly as I can. I am 4 months post op. I started at 366 (with an all-time high of 380). I'm 5'6" and 49 years old. My weight is now 290, and I'm in the middle of a stall. 1. Anyone out there with hypothyroidism? Yes I have hypothyroidism too. Pre-op I was close to maximum dosage, and at 3 months post op I had full blood work done and my numbers are normal, but still at the higher dosage of synthroid. 2. ...The thought of having to center my eating around a piece of meat or fish...is making me cringe.... I'm lucky where I like meat, so it isn't an issue for me. But this should be a concern for you, as Protein will be the staple of you diet. It doesn't have to be animal-based: greek yogurt, soy protein (though with hypothyroid, you might check with your physician/nutritionist on that), and Protein shakes would work too. You could also consider pureed Soups, stews, and chili as well, once you are cleared for those items. 3. Heartburn - does everyone have to take acid medication after surgery or only some people? I never needed the heartburn medicine. 4. I am already battling anemia...will this surgery make that battle even harder? I would imagine no here, but again, check with your physicians. 5. Vitamins...the whole Vitamin taking sounds a little daunting. Does this get easier? I never had to crush up the vitamins myself past the first week, and taking one a day is no big deal to me. If you are taking synthroid, just add it to your daily medications. 6. Recovery- how long did it take most of you? I was lucky. I had surgery on a Monday. The first few days at home were rough. But by Fri/Sat, I was feeling better, and I was back to work that Monday: one week post-op. I started boot camp for exercise the following Monday (with my surgeon's blessing, of course). For me, this has been the best decision I have made (so far). I acknowledged right from the start that I needed to change some very fundamental things about myself in order for this to work, and I am working hard to build a strong foundation of support now, in the early stages, to help me through. And while the sleeve is a tool that make some things easier, the process is, by no means, easy. So take your time. Breathe. Process. And when you're ready, you'll know. Either way. Please be well, and keep us all posted!

All I wanted was pizza for at least the first 6 weeks. But it does get easier. It did for me. I'm four months out now, and don't have cravings nearly as badly as I did back then. Be well…

Nice! Good for you, and congratulations! Be well…

The one thing that strikes me about this post is the title. 'When can we start eating normally?" Normally. That's the key word for me. And it's up to all us to re-define what normal is for us. If the new normal closely resembles pre-op, but in smaller portions, then I think that's cause for concern. I'm in @@LipstickLady 's camp where I don't justify my choices. But I don't rationalize it either. I've wasted way too many years rationalizing myself up to almost 400lbs. Simply put, we need to change more than just the size of our tummys. Please be well…

@@ualaw08 Thank you for a lovely post! It makes me smile, matching your wonderful smile, which says it all. You should be very proud! Be well…

My surgeon's office is located in a strip mall next to a Wing Zone and a Chinese buffet! Two of my favorite things pre-op.

@@GriffinSabine You get it. You're going to be amazing, because you already are. And you GET IT. Be well…

@@InfiniteButterfly I don't think it's strange at all that you've missed yoga the most. It's a personal and intimate connection with your own body through breathing and movement! And I'm glad you're able to practice again. I too have recently reconnected with that side of me. I had forgotten how much I missed it myself. And my body is very grateful! Be well…

Garden for Life is probably your best bet. I used NitroPro (sweetened with Stevia, but not organic) and mixed that with Garden for Life to cut the chalkiness. Organic yogurts and creams Soups will probably be your best friend when you can start having them. As for Vitamins, I've always been a Rainbow Light kinda gal. Be well…