March 20th- New to group and New to sharing

[deedeedubbs 5]

I've been very inspired by reading posts on this site. I may not ever write again but i am grateful that so many are so willing to share and be open. I may just continue to be a viewer and learn from you all after this entry. Who knows? Perhaps after sharing this one time it'll become easier to share in the future.

I was sleeved on my birthday, March 20th. I chose the date. I had choices but I felt like it was the best gift i could ever give myself and it would be a second birthday, a re-birth, if you will. I started my weight loss in October 2016 when I ate huge bags of Halloween candy by myself and reached 275lbs.

I weighed 244 or 246 the morning of my surgery. Once I was cleared for soft foods I stalled for 3 1/2 weeks with zero weight loss. As of Today, I weigh 207 lbs. It hasn't been clear sailing but I believe it has been much easier than many.

I had severe nausea the first week that caused concern for doc office but it righted itself just in time for the pain from drinking and eating to become an issue. After a week that also righted itself. I cried 2x that first two weeks. Never felt regret but just felt overwhelmed I guess.

I'm continuing to have pain when I eat/drink but it is a different type of pain. The early pain was like i was having waves of spasms in my stomach and chest. My pain today feels like extreme pressure, hard to breathe, sweat a little from the pain and get blotchy all in addition to the pain...almost like heart attack symptoms. I've also been having awful heartburn. I'm almost 6-12 hours a day with it. OT Medicines I tried worked only for a short time. Now on prescription for it. Finding some relief. I'm going to be seeing a gastroenterologist. They suspect I'm experiencing constriction they will need to expand. Fingers crossed it's as easy to fix as it sounds.

I was a person who was very inactive. I'm working on it. Started with trying to get between 2000-3000 steps a day in the beginning pre-op and just after op with doctor ok. Then my daily step goal was 5000. This last month I've been able to move to 7000 steps a day every day. I've made my decision now it's time to work towards 10,000 steps as my daily. That will require a very big lifestyle change, for the better. I'm also hoping to begin some dvd workouts. Had to wait on the workouts due to bad tendonitis in both legs and ankles. The inflammation seems to have significantly reduced, yay! I'm guessing the weight loss and slow increase of activity helped along with all of the therapy, medicines, creams and boots.

I'm enjoying the feeling of being lighter on my feet. I enjoyed flying last week without the worry of whether or not the seatbelt will fit. I enjoyed feeling like I can walk between people without the fear of not fitting between them or their chairs. I enjoy being able to cross my legs again. I enjoy hearing my husband and 18 and 15 year old children saying they are proud of me (I have happy tears welling up in my eyes writing this one!).

I will enjoy when the doctor tells me I no longer have type 2 diabetes. I will enjoy being able to hike again. I will enjoy trying and doings things i haven't or wouldn't because of my weight. I will enjoy not hiding behind people and things when a photo is being taken.

"I am going to enjoy me!"

Thank you again to everyone for your bravery to share!

Sent from my LGLS992 using BariatricPal mobile app

[tfalk69 8]

I am so happy for you!! I was sleeved on the same day with similar stats. I was flying last week too and also thought about fitting in the seat much easier Sorry to hear about your pain while eating, I have pain but only when I eat too much/too fast or all dense Protein like chicken breast. I am also trying to increase my activity, I have a bone on bone arthritic left knee and had tendonitis in my right ankle that has eased up considerably. I envy your step count, I just can't seem to get that many in but I have been bicycling with my family more and walking is much easier. I wish you luck with the gastro and hope they can ease your pain soon!!

[deedeedubbs 5]

Tfalk69, Thank you for your reply and Good wishes. Very Sorry to hear your struggles with arthritis and tendonitis. I hope as your weight comes off you find more relief with it!

I'm going to try cycling next week. Going camping with family and friends and I'm concerned that pattern 51st works for me with eating and exercising is going to be Very disrupted so I'm hoping to ride my bike to try something New. Do you find that riding the bike hurts less? If so, terrific!

How did you feel emotionally when you didn't have to worry about the airplane seatbelt? Pretty awesome, right? Woot woot for you!

Concerning my step count...i earn about 2000-4000 casually walking. I make store runs for window shopping or real shopping. Park far away of course. My husband is super supportive so he and i try to walk a few times a week at about 3000. Then through out the day at home (mostly at night when my family is asleep i walk to fill in the balance to reach my goal. Either i walk during commercials within my house or play a cleaning game (my way of cleaning at night to increase my steps). I walk the inside perimeter of my house for 15-50 min depending on my steps during the day. I'm going to add taking steps into my walk. My heart and lungs are healthy, thank God, but not strong. I need to make my muscles and heart strong. I still get too winded.

I'd love for you to share any tips. I get my Protein in but not easily. I'd love biking ideas. Etc...

Best of luck! Continued success! So glad you have what sounds like a terrific family biking and walking with you! Praying for your arthritis and tendonitis healing!

[tfalk69 8]

The bike riding only bothers my knee when I try to go up one of the many hills near my house. Not pain as much as I hear it "clicking" and I get off and walk it up I felt really good on the plane, was flying alone with my 8 year-old and just felt happy and capable of keeping up with her.

I'm doing pretty well with my protein; I like Think Thin 20 g bars or Premier Protein 30 g shakes for my Breakfast then have yogurt for a snack with grilled chicken breast or shrimp for lunch. Some more chicken (deli meat) usually for a snack and cheese or an egg in the afternoon then some other Protein for dinner. I usually only have a snack later if I'm low on protein. My daughter recently became a vegetarian so I'm experimenting with meatless options. If you're on Facebook I'm in the group My Bariatric Kitchen - they have recipe ideas and other advice for getting in protein. I use MyFitnessPal to track my protein and have the same username if you want to friend me to see my diary.

I've struggled with my Water intake but am doing good today - 40 ounces so far. I have a desk job so the steps are harder to come by but hopefully I'll bike tonight. I'm going to try going back to the gym at work and use one of the trainers, just need to start off slow since I'm only at about 1000 calories too.

Have fun camping!! Our family doesn't camp (yet) but I'm a Girl Scout leader and took our troop for an overnight in June that involved some hiking and was so happy I could keep up!! Looking forward to more adventures as I become more healthy!!

[deedeedubbs 5]

Tfalk69, i tried the Protein Bars you wrote about. Pretty good! I am going to add them to my Protein arsenal. Thank you for the tip!
I'll look into friending. Not sure how it's done.thank you for the offer to allow me to view your diary. Very kind.
Enjoy the adventures to come!

Sent from my LGLS992 using BariatricPal mobile app

[tfalk69 8]

Glad you like the bars, just had one today too [emoji3]

[Berry78 4,261]

On 7/9/2017 at 11:51 AM, deedeedubbs said:

I'm going to be seeing a gastroenterologist. They suspect I'm experiencing constriction they will need to expand. Fingers crossed it's as easy to fix as it sounds.

Have you seen the GI specialist yet? How did it go?

[deedeedubbs 5]

Hello. I did go. It was an easy procedure but it didn't work. I need to have it done again. My surgeon told my husband when I was in recovery that he stretched in small increments because he didn't want to create another issue if he over stretched. So... I'm returning this week to meet with surgeon's assistant physician to discuss doing it again.

Thank you for checking in!!!!