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9 weeks post op today.  Gosh, observations are so many.....

I am finally back in the 70's (kilograms that is) which is my happy place - preferably the low 70's but I'm getting there.

My hair is dry, really dry.  Need more water and healthy oils.

I'm starting to feel thirst again, but gulping isn't a good feeling.  Sip sip sip all day.

My body transformation is astounding.  I can see contour in my shoulders, and my legs are back where they used to be when I was very active.  

I tan a LOT better than I used to.  Weird, I don't know why, but we are at the end of our summer here in Australia and I have the BEST tan!  🙂

I've been more out and about doing things, feeling more motivated.  

I become exhausted after a short amount of exercise.  This is incredibly frustrating.

Alcohol hits me, HARD.... 😞 

Poop is back!  Ha, I know, TMI.  But I am back pooping daily or every other day and they are normal woohoo.

I'm not scared to try all foods now, just in tiny amounts to begin with.

I was asked if I was ok the other day by a shop keeper at our local pet and pool store.  She thought I was ill.... 😞

My body self image is nothing like reality.  My imagination doesn't allow me to try on clothes that will actually fit me, I still feel fat.

Just my thoughts at 9 weeks.  NO REGRETS!!!!  

I feel like a sponge soaked with water this weekend. Noticed it yesterday already, also today. TMI I guess but this feeling of having peed and then this strange feeling in the bladder that lasts for a while - like you still have to pee.

One month today I went in for sleeve surgery. One month....really?  It feels like aaaages ago.  What are the key notes in the past month:

• being scared on the day was very real.  My surgeon and anesthetist were fabulous talking me through everything and listening to my concerns.  
• It was over before I knew it
• Recovery from the GA was awful...the only time I have ever experienced anything like it.  12 hours later I finally came out of it properly
• Gas pain is awful, but easily remedied by walking
• Walking isn't as scary and painful as I thought, and I didn't get light headed at all
• My water bottle has become my best friend.  I bought some new ones, one in particular with Llamas all over it 🙂
• My husband won't let me get a pair of Llamas....dammit
• Following my dietician and surgeons guidelines WORKS!  It really does
• Scars on my belly are minimal due to using specific scar gel, helps healing and reduces scarring
• If I have eaten too quickly, the best way to manage the discomfort is to stand up, or sit upright, and wait.....wait wait wait.  20 minutes later the discomfort has gone
• Don't be scared to move to the next phase, just tiny tiny bites and don't drink with your meal
• I have learned to really listen to my body.  Eat for satisfaction, not to be full.  The best advice I have been given
• Don't forget multivitamins, it really does have an impact on fatigue
• Try not to weigh daily, thought it's tempting
• Scales are not always an indication of body change - TAKE PHOTOS!
• My skin is quite dry, and it's loving the attention I am giving it.  Lots of moisturiser and my tan is the best it's ever been.  Not sure what the correlation is, but I haven't burned at all, just nicely browned
• I had an initial breakout of rosacea on my face, but that is likely to be from the shock of surgery and much less food than usual.  It cleared up after a week or two and now my skin on my face is just lovely!
• NEVER EVER trust a fart.  Not in the early days.  
• Constipation is real, coloxyl is the solution for me.  
• You don't poop anywhere near the volume you consume, I guess most of it is liquid and mushy anyway so no solids formed.   TMI I know, does anyone else miss a decent poop?  🙂

One month and I can say I feel 100% IF I STAY WITHIN MY LIMITS.  Last night we had Chinese takeaways/takeout for the first time, I had a small wonton soup (I know our local Chinese cook, they are very very healthy with their cooking methods).  I sipped away at the liquid and had a wonton.  It was so delicious that I had a second one...bad move.  Felt bloated, a little uncomfortable and had to stand up for a while.  If I had just had the one, all good.  

I hope this sort of information helps others.  The nearly 13kgs I have lost has had an enormous impact on my life.  I don't huff and puff putting on my undies, clothes I haven't worn for years now fit me - just.  I can cross my legs comfortably, my back pain has gone completely...and I mean 100% goneski!!  I can cross my arms and they sit under my boobs, not on top of my bloated liver and stomach.  I bought my first bikini online.  It arrived, looks great (to me and hubby) and I feel comfortable in it at home.  I have another 17kgs to go, but I'm ok with taking it slowly.

🙂

Yesterday was my post op check up with the surgeon and it went well.  He is happy with my progress and I don't need to see him for 6 months.  I'm at day 17 post op and the only real issue I have had is severe constipation.  Warning, TMI coming up.....

So I have been number twos three times since surgery.  Twice it was tiny, third time was just an absolute crisis.  Crying, sweating, it was right there....just so horribly hard and dry.  I had to get pessaries and take Coloxyl.  Holy crap (pardon the pun) when she finally made it through, she was a stubby whopper.  I drink 2 litres a day, I have stopped taking the protein powder and don't take huge amounts of multi vitamins.  I am on puree now so having weetbix (an Australian/NZ breakfast biscuit) and veges for lunch and dinner.  I am going to look for some tea that helps with the issue, I simply can't go through that again.  It was two days ago and I still feel bruised.   I am not exercising much so will need to increase that too, I just don't want to be taking laxatives as a habit.

Aside from that my only bug bear is the draw to the scales every day.  I'm going to get my hubby to remove them and hide them from me and only weigh once a week to ensure I'm staying on track.  I'm still seeing losses all the time, but I'm becoming so focused on that I forget that the scales are only one part of the journey, my wellbeing is the other. 

My son and his fiance are coming up from Melbourne this weekend and arrive tomorrow.  I haven't seen them both since Covid and I've missed them terribly.  I have some fun things organised, but I just can't wait to hug my first born and tell him how much I love him.

Happy Friday-eve from down under.