RHCD

I’d be lost with out cheese/dairy as part of my protein allotment. Granted I still have to be careful of the amount because I was lactose intolerant before and that didn’t change. I do have to watch that I’m not succumbing to head hungry because even at 4+ months out it’s still there. Less than the first few weeks but still a question I ask myself. Seriously I had a convo with my Nut how anything highly processed wrecks havoc in my digestion system so I still eat regular cheese just way less of it, avoid sugar and it’s alternatives, etc. Part of this journey is giving you the space to figure out what works for your body. And yes that means sometimes telling your mind to stuff it and stop playing games. You’re doing great!

I’d be lost with out cheese/dairy as part of my protein allotment. Granted I still have to be careful of the amount because I was lactose intolerant before and that didn’t change. I do have to watch that I’m not succumbing to head hungry because even at 4+ months out it’s still there. Less than the first few weeks but still a question I ask myself. Seriously I had a convo with my Nut how anything highly processed wrecks havoc in my digestion system so I still eat regular cheese just way less of it, avoid sugar and it’s alternatives, etc. Part of this journey is giving you the space to figure out what works for your body. And yes that means sometimes telling your mind to stuff it and stop playing games. You’re doing great!

For me once the decision was made and approved I was actually really calm and matter of fact about it. It wasn’t until I was checking in the morning of my surgery did my nerves finally kick in. Like big time

Small plates and small bowls are my friend now when eating at home. We also go out to eat a lot too and appetizers or happy hour are my friend for ordering. I’m also not shy of eating a bite of two off other plates if they have something I really only want one bite of (usually some decadent carb that one bite is plenty.) The whole tossing food has been hard. If can I’ll freeze some of it but I find even then I’m underwhelmed and reach my I’m done.

Realized I had another one today. I dropped off three black garbage bags of business clothing at the local shelter that offers business clothing for homeless women transitioning back to the workforce. It was amazing to drop off mostly 22/24 clothing that they very much needed. And yes this means I no longer have it to save just in case.

I went to our fancy grocery store and bought a few of their in house soups that I then puréed. I would add some protein powder to up the protein. That and cottage cheese, refried beans basically anything I could mush with a fork.

So at the beginning of the month I realized I needed to figure out some sort of fall/ winter jacket options. In the land of PNW I find a need a mix of rain jackets and omg why is is so cold jacket. I ordered a few options from Lands end (so much on sale) and ended up having to return several things because they were just too big. As an XL and even a Large. Blink blink. I just got my second order where I ordered medium talls or 12 Tall and while a little tight in the belly everything fit. I still have 30-40 to go and said to my Mr “I don’t recognize the person in the mirror”. This is after being stalled for 3 weeks due to my emergency gallbladder removal and having no energy to exercise and dealing with some appetite/food changes.

So I just hit my 4 month and other than my emergency gallbladder removal I am totally able to engage in “normal” activities. Yes I eat way less and don’t drink but being active is worlds better. At 12 weeks I went on a trip to Eastern Europe for 2 weeks and other than I was still very much trying to figure out how to eat to get my needs I had no problems. My energy levels were amazing and I could walk all day. Stairs still got me. Start saving for a new wardrobe as you’ll likely be down enough you won’t fit into your current clothes. (Unless you have a closet of different sizes).

Local close friends and very close coworkers I told leading up to the surgery. Then once it became noticeable my local friends checked if I was okay and that they could see a change I’d tell. Similar to at work. Family found out when they see me not by social media or even a call. Although now that at 4 months my mom knows the whole family will know in a few days. I’ve posted nothing on social media other than pics of me and plan to keep it that way.

First off good for you for saying what you need to your mom and brother. That is huge and really hard. Honestly I’m still figuring out how to deal with those time bombs that are lying in wait for me to to trip in them. Right now I make sure I don’t turn to food as that comfort. It’s a mental game. Sometimes it’s just taking a moment to concentrate on my breathing. Basically shutting my eyes and my brain off and hearing off to just listen to my breathing. I’ll then work towards asking myself gently why I was triggered and work from there. Sometimes I just need a hug so I’ll get that from my Mr or a snuggle from my kitties or pup. Sometimes I’ll just go for a quick walk even just around the block. Sometimes I’ll vent text my best girl friend. Sometimes I’ll just take a really long drink of water to let my brain catch up. Basically I have a list of things I try to do instead of turning to eating.

So I’m 4 months out (knocking on 90 down) and haven’t told my mother. Yet. She’s a mix of passive aggressive cutting remarks and narcissism that honestly I just didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with her issues & anxiety around my decision/ surgery. You do not have to tell anyone you don’t want too nor do you have to give anyone your reason either. I know way easier said than done. I’m fortunate that I have distance (200 mi) so I was able to not have to deal with her and just sidestepped/flat out didn’t talk and things. I’ll see her this weekend so that’s going to be fun. What I’ve told people is after 20+ years of trying and doing different things I recognized I needed more help. If this was just a will power thing I could do it. I’ve done plenty with just sheer will and determination so something else was needed. This was a decision I made for myself with medical guidance. Most of the time this shuts people up. I do plan on if needed saying “ mom I love you and my weight and the decisions around it are not up for discussion.” Rinse repeat as many times as needed. After the second time I will add “ if you continue bringing this up I am leaving/hanging up” and then will. Setting and sticking to my boundaries with her is so hard but I did some work with a therapist on this 10 plus years that I used and still use.

I happened to catch my reflection this morning and I had a thought “holy crap I’m stylish and don’t look fat and lumpy”. Serious double take. Considering I’ve been feeling crappy post gallbladder removal (wohoo 2 weeks since that fun) it was a welcome feeling. I’m wearing a shirt I got from stitch fix that is pushing my comfort zone but it’s growing on me. (I’m not a “fat” is a bad word person. Even at my heaviest I knew I was beautiful and accepted this is where I am and it is what it is).

So you know when you follow the sizing measurements and the size you think you are turns out to be too big. Yeah I had to exchange an Xl and a L (wth???) for a medium? I have no idea how to dress at this size and knowing I’m still loosing and will for a while. I’m now in a Medium to a 16 depending on cut. I mean yes a victory but a confusing one for sure.

Love it! I think any who shaves their head is brave badass !

While I haven’t had food rejection out right some foods just don’t sound good anymore. Which is freaking weird. I’d never thought I’d say that about bread, pasta or sweets but here I am 5 months out and those foods just don’t sound good to me. I’ve tried them and I didn’t get the same “omg tasty want more” feeling which I’d never thought I’d ever say.

Well done! Seriously awesome.

I’m heading back to the land of low blood pressure too. Go you!!

No worries. I’m not surprised you had to put your foot too. I’m pretty sure the first ER doc saw my blood work was normal and I went in with pain under 5 unless poked at he wrote me off. Being just obese and a women I hope didn’t influence his decision making but I’m second guessing that train of thought. Being persistent helps and by night #2 even my MR who usually follows my lead was about to go all upset husband on them.

So coming up on my 4 month post sleeve I needed going back in to have my gallbladder removed. Yep I’m that lucky 25% ish of WLS patients who need it removed. I had asymptotic stones prior to surgery but the loss of almost 80lbs in 4-5 months likely is what tipped it to angry and needing the gallbladder out. Surgery and recovery are less painful than the sleeve so far. However the pain leading up to needing it removed was no joke. Leading up to needing it out had me at urgent care who sent me to ER who ended up passing me off with a if it pain gets worse or additional symptoms to come back. The Mr and I weren’t happy. Went to my sleeve’s surgeons office the next day who took one look at me and my lab work up then said if she had the surgery slot that day would have done it. She didn’t have a slot so back to the ER I go but she called ahead. This time they gave me pain meds pretty much once I got back to an ER room (2-3 hours after I walked in). Got my 2nd ultrasound (same tech from night before and was floored they didn’t take it out the night before). 2nd ultrasound showed my gallbladder was even more angry. Got scheduled for surgery the next am and was checked in to the hospital overnight. My sleeve surgeon was doing rounds that morning and came in and checked in on me. She wasn’t the one doing my surgery but it was totally surprising to see her check in on me. So now I have 9 scars on my belly from laparoscopic surgery. 5 from the sleeve and 4 from the gallbladder. At some point I’m going to connect all the dots to see what fun shapes they form;) Surgeon’s comment once I was back in my room was oh it was super angry and needing to come out. Moral of the story: pain in upper right quadrant is something not to mess with. I’m hoping to getting back to my walking and eating schedule in the next few days. Hard part is I can’t lift anything over a gallon of milk for at least 2-4 weeks. So that means the dog can’t got with me nor can I start back up with yoga or some of the other cardio type classes I was looking at. Nor can I really work in my yard which I love doing. Does mean my Mr gets to pick up most of the chores until I can again.

Holy hell lady! Amazing!

Yep - I had the dreaded 3 week stall. Stayed on plan and it worked itself out. That’s seems to be a pattern, I stall, stay in plan and evaluate am I really on plan and continue on / tweak as needed. Still in a stall/slight gain but was starting to see movement but now between the weather impacting my main exercise of walking (stupid unhealthy smoke from NW fires) and now an emergency gallbladder removal surgery it may last a little longer. You’ve got this!!!

Honestly if you want to try these back in your diet do it very slowly and one at a time. Listen to how your body responds. For me I was so happy to be able to have the crunch of a potato chip at like month 3 only to realize I will still just keep eating absentmindedly. Potatoes are something I know for me are going to be one of those things I’m going to have to be very careful about. Does it mean I’ll never have any ever again? Nope but I really need to be intentional about it. Like any food. Pasta/ flour tortillas and bread are turning into the same thing for me. I just mentally want more. Corn chips/tortillas and crackers I’m able for some reason to limit myself and be okay mentally (and physically) with it. At four months post op I’m figuring what works for me. You will too.

Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. A plan is something to deviate from.

I bought one shirt prior to surgery that I now fit in (just posted about it in NSV). I bought a second shirt while traveling a European women’s 12 (stunning white silk) that I have hanging up where I can seen it daily. I might not be able to fit into it until after I deal with my bat wings (the slowest lace I’m loosing).

41. Sleeved on 4/25/18. Knocking on 80lbs loss total but in a brutal 2 week stall/ small gain. I’d been thinking of going down this path for at least 3-5 years. Wish I’d done it earlier but know I wasn’t ready mentally for the changes. So very glad I did it. Even if I stop here I’d be happy.