Fall down 7 times. Stand up 8!

[Kookichu 113]

I lost 3lbs some where today and I am not about to look for it.

That is 60lbs since surgery in January and 84lbs since July.

These numbers blow my mind, but what really blows me away is the general malaise is mostly gone. There are still days where I just am not "in it" but I have always embraced some melancholy. It's been a moody couple of weeks but seeing 250lbs on the scale is a nice pick-me-up against the battle with myself, life, and all the"what if" and "what now"

[Kookichu 113]

245! I had my 3 month post-op appointment with my surgeon and all was well. My blood pressure was 110/72 which is down from the 140s/90s range. Non fasting glucose was 89 down from 180s and A1C at 5.2 down from the 7-8 range when I made this decision in July. 65lbs gone in 3 months and 89lbs since July. I am nutritionally sound although my Iron was just slightly under range. Next appointment in July.

I had my first "I didn't recognize you at first" yesterday. I have been working some overtime which allows me to see specimen couriers that I haven't seen in a couple years. Last night, one came in and looked at me for a few seconds (I had seen him a few days ago) and he said he didn't recognize me until he figured it out once he was back in the car and on the road. That was a proud moment. I do feel different (phenomenal) but haven't made the turn in my mind that I could and do look THAT different.

So far, minimal hair loss and I say minimal because it's hard to say ...I have always lost enough hair that I wondered how my body replenished it. My TSH was right where it needs to be so I am to continue .300 mcg of synthroid.

The weather is beginning to perk up here in the mountains which is having a positive effect on my mind and mood. I predict this Spring and Summer will be ones to remember!

As for appetite- hit and miss/hot and cold. I don't crave the crap foods much, but yesterday I wanted a hot dog or cream chicken, biscuits and mashed potatoes. lol. Instead I had a 1/4 C. of unsweetened applesauce and ice Water. Today, I want nothing. Yet.

and a quote I found this week

"we know so perfectly how to give birth to the monsters inside us but, for reasons I will never figure out, we have not the slightest clue of what to do with all the love"

I am figuring it out!

[loving.life 110]

Loving life,

I hope you are doing well and adjust to everything.

I have had a hard week guess it is a fall down time. Since September I have been doing so good with my eating habits.. I have been eating like I was post operation and my NUT said she never met someone so determined to live this new life style. Well something happen last Thurs and I feel like I can't get back to where I was....

Made a horrible choice and ate a whole pizza.. To be honest I had never did that before!!! Then it just kept happening... All weekend... Bad choice after another!!!

I know I am only pre-op but this is so not good... Got to get back up... But... Just can't find how!

Teacherlady, hope your doing good. I'm exceptionally happy.. down to 150! And yes loving life!!

[Kookichu 113]

Finally getting the hang of eating.

small desert plate. slice of garden Tomato and hungarian wax pepper (farmer's market), several cubes of pepper jack, 2 heaping tablespoons of chicken salad and 1/4 whole grain english muffin....and there are leftovers for a snack at work tonight.

down to 242lbs.

Life is good.

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[Kookichu 113]

Before my update, I have to chuckle at the advertisement I just saw here 'Cannabis Pocket Guide $2.99' ...rock on!

It's been a very rough week. For one, I am working through a painful kidney stone that is being stubborn. Secondly, I thought it was time to ween myself off of my anti-depressant...perhaps I was wrong OR having this kidney stone and missing work because of it is getting me a down.

I weighed in today at 238 which was a welcome sight for alleviating duldrums. Last week was a great food, Protein, and activity week. This week not so much. I am trying to drink as much Water and diet cranberry juice as I can and my appetite is non existent. My activity has been schmoozing with the heating pat, laying on my right side and watching Roseanne on dvd...who wouldn't be down over that, right?

That used to be the norm pre surgery but, these days, it's hard to keep me still. I am winning but the kidney stone is in the lead this week.

If only I had some cannabis!

...I don't need the pocket guide.

[Kookichu 113]

The beautiful life is back on track! I am down to 232lbs which is 102lbs since my first WLS consult in July 2013. I have mentioned that I am often cold but have noticed that when I am REALLY cold, I am losing weight. I lost at least 2lbs yesterday alone...some weeks, nothing.

It appears I am over the antidepressant hump. The only prescribed medicine I take now is synthroid and prilosec. This pleases me. Gone is metformin, gabapentin, celexa!! As a long time sufferer of depression and anxiety, I must be cautious when depression rears its ugly head. But hopefully, when it does I am in a place where I can deal with life's punches without big pharma. I trudged through last week.

Size 22 jeans are becoming very roomy. This weekend I plan to invest in a couple pair of size 20s.

Today I just am full of gratitude and feeling stalwart. Ain't life so sweet!?!

[Tgarden 76]

It is always so nice to hear the positive things you have to reflect on! I am about to do a jeans downsize myself and am super excited about it! Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week.

[Kookichu 113]

Tgarden, may you have an amazing week as well.

The rate in which clothes fit then don't fit is quick. That is not necessarily a bad thing but definitely is one of those wow things. Yesterday I wore a cute hand-me-down shirt that was still tight last month. When I tried it on last month, I made the mental note "this summer, hopefully"...

I am seeing the Alabama shakes tomorrow so today I washed the two pair of jeans that fit. Saturday this girl is going thrifting.

Here is a picture from yesterday at work. First full body pic since post surgery pic. I have a lot of work left to do but am prepared to do it. Whatever it takes!!

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[msshellg 63]

Kookichu,

You are an excellent writer!!! Reading your post was like reading a good book! I think you are doing awesome an I want to thank you for your continued updates... Many times we follow someone's post and then they stop posting and we are left wondering... Keep up the good work and you are doing awesome!

[Kookichu 113]

msshellg, thank you.

My lifelong passion has been writing and reading. I have never considered myself a "good enough" writer to do anything other than to purge my thoughts down. But doing that has always been therapeutic. Too bad I never finished my English/Library Science degree when I was younger.

I intend to see my thread well into the future not only for myself (as a diary of sorts) but also for those who want to know the process.

"I've got a flamin' heart...can't get my fill"

Thanks again. I truly appreciate your support!

[Kookichu 113]

I come here today to stress the importance of hydration which I THOUGHT I was accomplishing.

Yesterday morning, I had 12oz of 1%milk with one scoop of Protein and a 20oz bottle of Water on the hour drive to the concert.

Once at the concert, we went outside to the smoking area...still feeling fine. Then, I started feeling like I needed to sit down and within seconds was OUT. I woke up on the concrete patio with my two friends and a paramedic hovering. The medic checked my vitals which were good aside from my pulse being 100 (the old norm), glucose was 105, blood pressure was 128/72. SO, flirty medic whips out a cigarette and starts talking to me once I was on my feet. He's like "at any time tonight if you need me, I am in the back through the curtain"..."tell me about this band"..."how was recovery from surgery?"...

then it happened a second time and it came on as quickly as the first time. I woke up to him being a professional again. This time my blood pressure had dropped to 87/??...he said I had two options

1. transport to UPMC

2. bag of fluids in his medic room

Well, obviously, I chose the fluids. He hooked me up, squeezed the fluids in as he said "to salvage as much of the Alabama shakes as possible"...

Post IV, my blood pressure was fine sitting and standing and pulse was 72 so after contact with a physician, I was released while the opening band was still playing. He thanked me for being a sweetheart and I thanked him for the big intravaneous drink. I was so disappointed to see a wedding band, but such is life. The chemistry was undeniable.

But my real point is, stay hydrated! I always have Water in hand but you need to diligently drink. Consider drinking water your other full-time job.

He told me I would be peeing all night but never had that urge until 5hours later! After the bag of IV fluids, I was fine aside from my soul being shook by the shakes (thank God because had it happened a third time, hospital was the only option). Today, my body is well aware that it fell to concrete twice.

So I will caption this photo with an Alabama Shakes lyric:

"pass me the whiskey, pass me the gin, pass me whatever there's drink left in"

Edited May 9, 2014 by Kookichu

[Kookichu 113]

There have been no incidents lately. Staying hydrated these days getting well over 64ozs. and eating well, finally. I am a little over 4 months post op and I can say my appetite is returning. I can also testify that my hair is thinning and I do have the beginnings of loose skin, but I weighed these realities prior to surgery and being healthy and active were on the winning side.

I am down to 225lbs and bought 2 pair of size 20 jeans this week. I can cross my legs and do so many things I couldn't do this time last year.

The weight loss may be slowing down just a bit but 85lbs in 4 months still just leaves me speechless, but joyous, about it.

Milk has become an important part of my Protein intake plus I can use the extra Calcium. Finally I am able to eat small amounts of meat. I've been successful with chicken, steak, and cajun salmon. This week I have been able to toast 1 piece of bread (italian bakery 4carbs and 5g Protein per slice), cut it in half and add Peanut Butter or egg salad.

....anyway, steady as she goes.

[MrsGloMartin 198]

Congratulations!!! You have given me something to look forward to over the next three months. I only one month post op but each day gives me something new to look forward to. Good luck as you continue to lose weight and feel better and better about yourself!!!

[Kookichu 113]

Congratulations!!! You have given me something to look forward to over the next three months. I only one month post op but each day gives me something new to look forward to. Good luck as you continue to lose weight and feel better and better about yourself!!!

Thank you, MrsGloMartin! Every day does bring something to look forward to. Congratulations to you as well. I have followed and enjoyed many of your posts. Best of luck to you, sweet lady.

[MrsGloMartin 198]

Thank you, MrsGloMartin! Every day does bring something to look forward to. Congratulations to you as well. I have followed and enjoyed many of your posts. Best of luck to you, sweet lady.

You're Welcome Kookichu!!! Reading your posts have inspired me as well have a great day!!! We are all in this together and when we share our experiences with others we all get stronger and come out as winners ; )