July 2013 sleeve 8 month updates

[rphp 5]

Just wondering how everyone is doing 8 months post-op. I had a good 6 month follow up with doc who said I am on track. I got a FitBit for my bday and it is pretty awesome at tracking my fitness, sleep patterns, hydration and caloric intake/burn. I highly recommend it just because it really gives a great visual of what you are doing! Doc says to aim for 25 more lbs by 1st anniversary. I was plateauing every 10 lbs, lose the 10 fast then plateau again. It seems the plateaus are longer now, but my clothes are getting too big for me still, so although the scale doesn't show it, I know my body is still changing and maybe it's turning fat into muscle. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Highest was 261, pre surgery 241, current 173. I was walking 3 miles twice a week and last week walked at least 2 miles each day for 7 days! I was on vacation though. Now that it's back to reality and work, I am going to aim for 3-4 times a week, adding hills for the cardio portion.I have found many nodules, pea sized to marble sized on my outer thighs, neck, and calves which I assume are lipomas, but have an appt with regular MD to look into this. Anyone else have these? The are a little painful with pressure. I still can only eat a few bites...of anything. My doc wants me to just eat 3 meals a day, but I think I'd die. I wouldn't get enough nutrients with as little as I eat. I personally think eating 5 times a day is fine, especially because I am eating healthy. I still have trouble with meat of any kind. I used to love Water, it's all I drank, but post surgery it has a funny taste to me and is not as satisfying as it used to be...weird huh? Anyone else? I know tastes and preferences change post surgery, but Water? ! I feel like my stomach will never be the same again and I have just gotten used to the new feelings/limits. I love fruits, nuts, vegetables, yogurt. I take Vitamin B12 daily and should take multi-vites daily but I often forget that one. I have a really bad case of reflux...worse since surgery and oh my is it painful sometimes. I would like to hear how everyone is doing, if you are having the same issues, or any info you want to share about how you are managing your activity, diet, etc. Have any of you looked into the skin removal step? I am on the fence as to whether I will do that or not. Any thoughts? Hope all of you July sleevers are doing well.

-PZ

[Vixynne 695]

Hi there, rphp!

I love hearing from "sleeve alumni" from July '13, it's good to catch up and hear how everyone's doing. My doctor's office just called to reschedule my April appointment, so I guess it will be a little longer before I get the next official update. In the meanwhile, though, my post-op life is going pretty wonderfully.
I'm sorry to hear you have reflux; I had a mild case right after surgery that lasted for about two or three weeks, but it resolved and hasn't returned--is your surgeon concerned about your symptoms? Do you take a PPI to help your acid levels? Reflux is no fun; hope yours improves soon!
All my info is in my ticker down at the bottom of my signature, but for the record--my heaviest weight was 238 lbs., almost exactly a year ago (which is morbid obesity on a 5-foot, 2-inch frame). My BMI was 43.5 at that time. Surgery day--July 1st--weight was 220. Now, at 9 months out, I'm at 148 and fighting for every ounce that I can pry off! My clothing size went from 22 to 10, and I would like to hit about 135-130ish by the 1 year mark; but if I don't get there exactly on July 1st, I'll be okay. My present BMI is 27.1, which makes me "overweight" but no longer obese, woohoo!
I definitely had a hard time with the taste of plain Water for a while post-op, but it seems to be better now. I miss being able to chug down a whole bottle of Water at one try, but like you, I think I've adjusted pretty well to what my sleeve can and can't hold. My new normal is okay with me--and so is my new body. I'd love to have skin reduction surgery on my belly pouch and batwing arms, but insurance won't cover it, so I just shrug and Celebrate never having to shop at Lane Bryant or ANY plus-sized section ever again! For that, I'm willing to live with some extra skin.