Kristen's Journey From Pre-Op and Beyond

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

Before and after. Less than 50 pounds to my goal weight!

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

Hello! Another month went by and I felt like I was losing at a snail's pace. However, I still had a loss every week so I'm happy! My weight this morning was 200.6. That means I've lost 60 pounds since I started my pre-op diet 5 months ago. 60 pounds in 5 months. That's an average of 12 pounds per month. When I think of it that way I can't help but be thrilled with my progress. I will be in Onederland soon!!!

Here are my updated measurements:

Neck - 13

Liver - 36 1/2

Waist - 37

Hips - 43 1/2

Arm - 13 1/2

Thighs - 23 1/2

Total

Neck - 2

Liver - 8 1/2

Waist - 8

Hips - 9 1/2

Arm - 3 (each)

Thighs - 4 (each)

My hair loss started this month so I went and got it all chopped off and lightened. I'm still losing quite a bit, hoping it eases up soon. Here's a bathroom selfie I took earlier this month

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

You look amazing! I can only imagine how much better you must feel. I can't wait till I am where you are.

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

MONUMENTAL DAY!! I'm in Onederland. It was worth the wait. At first I was in disbelief. I weighed three times. Then I was ecstatic. Then I got very emotional because I met the goal I've been striving to meet for almost 15 years.

[sallyomalley67 77]

I love your updates!!! Keep up the work girlie! You are on a roll!!!

[loseitnow4ever 7]

That is fabulous!! I love your spirit!! Thanks for taking the time to post your updates. For those of us not sleeved yet, you are a great positive force!

Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm at the beginning phase of mine. The sit & wait for my appts. & insurance approval. If all goes as thought the surgeon says I could have my surgery in July. I'm so looking forward to get this ball rolling.

[amz85 18]

So surgery was Monday, November 3. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this journey. There were a few hiccups along the way but nothing that ever made me regret my decision.

When we first arrived at the airport I called Victor but he said he was going back to TJ and would send another driver. Samuel picked us up and took us on a tour of San Diego while waiting for two more people.

Once we got to the Marriott we were checked in and got to our room. We waited a bit but never met a patient advocate. This made me nervous since I had no idea what time to be ready in the morning. I couldn't call from my hotel room because I didn't have the local number. I ended up texting Victor who got in touch with Sandra. She showed up within 15 minutes and explained somehow I was put on the wrong list. This made me a little nervous but was happy at least they found me and I was still scheduled for the next day.

The Marriott was wonderful in every way. They are very attentive and helped with any request we had. Their broth hit the spot!

At the hospital the only issue I had was waiting over six hours for surgery. After waiting six hours I had a little nervous breakdown because I realized it was dark outside and I thought the doctor would be tired when he operated on me. I also thought maybe because I was on the wrong list at the hotel that he was overbooked and overworked and I didn't want to be the last one to be operated on. I'm sure the lack of food for 3 days contributed to that but they finally took me to the OR and gave me medicines to relax. They explained that they save the easiest for last and I was the only one that day who wasn't some type of revision and I had no other co-morbidities. After I met with Dr. Lopez and gauged his alertness I felt more confident.

I feel bad for the girls in the recovery room. I can only remember dry heaving, moaning and fighting with the oxygen mask constantly. I think they had to give me lots of drugs to calm me down.

My recovery went better than expected. I did have some gas pain in my chest but I worked on walking and breathing deeply each day and it has gotten better. I got what feels like a bubble stuck in my chest when I would drink despite taking small sips but this only lasted about five or six days.

I did have diarrhea for 7 days though. That was rough but it helped get a lot of gas out! My MIL got me some kind of herbal tea that helps relieve gas and it was magical.

I had a fever for a few days post op. I think two of my incisions were very slightly infected but I showered every day and my MIL would clean them with alcohol, put antibiotic ointment and new bandages. They look pretty good now.

Day 6 post op was the magical day I finally gained my independence and didn't have to rely on someone to help me out of bed or dry me after a shower.

I have decided to take part in "No Weigh November" because I would like to avoid the dreaded 3 week stall so I will not be weighing until December 1st.

Did u go through Mexico bariatrics? Victor is picking me and my husband up next thursday surgery on the 20th! This was rly helpful to read!

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

Did u go through Mexico bariatrics? Victor is picking me and my husband up next thursday surgery on the 20th! This was rly helpful to read!

I went through Specialized Bariatrics but they still used Mexico Bariatrics for some things like dietitian. I get emails from them too which is kinda weird. So I guess my answer is sort of.

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

It's been a while since I updated. Sorry!! I was out of town for training for a few weeks and had some personal issues to deal with that threw me for a loop so I didn't get to weigh or measure on the first of the month like usual so I'll wait to update my weight and measurements until May 1.

However, today I completed my first 5K. Yay!! Here is my "after" pic where I'm all nice and sweaty. ????

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

6 month update!

I'm no longer obese, now I'm only overweight. Less than 30 pounds until I'm a normal weight. Also, I've lost over 100 pounds since my highest recorded weight.

Updated measurements

5/1/15

Neck - 13

Liver - 36 1/2

Waist - 35

Hips - 42 1/2

Arm - 13 1/2

Thigh - 23 1/2

Total

Neck - 2

Liver - 8 1/2

Waist - 10

Hips - 10 1/2

Arm - 3

Thighs - 4

Skin is starting to sag a bit, especially on stomach and legs.

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

Whoops. I'm a few days late. Here are the latest stats:

Total Inches Lost:

Neck - 2 in

Under boobs - 7 in

Waist - 10 in

Hips - 11 in

Arms - 3 in each

Thighs - 4 1/2 in each

I can't believe I'm so close (yet so far away) from my goal of 160 pounds. I've never been successful beyond 20 pounds lost on my own so I'm still in denial that what the scale says is true. I have days where I look in the mirror and I see no difference. Then I'll see a picture someone took of me and I won't recognize myself because I look so much smaller. It really blows my mind.

Last month my energy level was a little better but I'm still struggling with joint pain and sleep issues. I'm going to see my primary doctor tomorrow for my 3 month blood work and I'll ask him for advice. I've never been more excited to weigh in at the doctor's office!

For those wondering, I'm 5'7 and at this weight I'm currently a very comfortable size 14. I could probably squeeze into a 12 but I don't like to feel like I'm going to pop out of my pants. My goal size is a 10. I may need a Tummy Tuck to get there though. The stomach is still shrinkled (lol that word makes me laugh every time) but not as bad as I thought it would look. Some day I'll get the courage to post those full body shots....

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

My coworker who has known me for 10 years (he's seen me at all my weights, especially my heaviest) saw me walking across the lobby to my office and he said, "I just saw you walking across the lobby and I didn't recognize you." ???? Nice NSV.

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

My coworker who has known me for 10 years (he's seen me at all my weights, especially my heaviest) saw me walking across the lobby to my office and he said, "I just saw you walking across the lobby and I didn't recognize you." ???? Nice NSV.

That is awesome!!! Congratulations. What all is that you are using for tracking? I like it.

[KristenVSG2014 1,872]

My coworker who has known me for 10 years (he's seen me at all my weights, especially my heaviest) saw me walking across the lobby to my office and he said, "I just saw you walking across the lobby and I didn't recognize you." ???? Nice NSV.

That is awesome!!! Congratulations. What all is that you are using for tracking? I like it.

The one above is an app called "Monitor Your Weight". I like that you can see where you started, where you are currently and how far from your goal.

I also have My Fitness Pal but I haven't been tracking my food as much since I'm doing Whole30 at the moment and you don't worry about calories.

Aside from electronics, I weigh weekly, measure and take a full body bra and panties pic monthly. It helps to compare pics month to month.

[SleeveandRNYchica 1,155]

Thank you! You are doing great. I do believe measurements are so important, sometimes the scale does not give us credit where due!