What a difference a year makes..

I mentioned in a recent post that one year ago this week, I made a decision to figure out a way to be healthier. I went to a seminar about weight loss surgery.. I talked with my PCP and she was on board with me getting healthy.. or as I would say to become less fat..

I want to just say- I am thankful for the compliments and acknowledgements. A lot of days, I smile and say thanks. I don't expect people walk around and hand out compliments to me. While this journey is a physical one - I hope my friends know that I am not that vain and a lot of days it's hard to admit that I allowed myself to get where I was. So, thank you for reading my blog and asking for updates and most of all for loving me at my highest weight and my current weight. I truly appreciate it. 

My friend Brent warned me about the haters out there. You know those people. They talk to others about your weight loss "surgery" and the fact that you posted on facebook you wearing jeans 4 size smaller..  I really wish those folks would delete me as a friend or get a life. But, I know that there isn't much I can do but, keep plugging along. Those people are why most people keep surgery a secret. Their sweet lil secret.. Honestly, those people can kiss my..... There is a reason why people say "Haters gonna hate". 

I dated a guy many years ago and his parents warned him the great danger of dating someone fat. I think that is about the dumbest thing to say. But, yes it is dangerous to be overweight. (to clarify I think it was more of social fear than my general health.) Cleary, I remembered that statement and the impact of those words.

So, on the road to being healthy and less "dangerous"..  This photo on the right was adoption day for John and I. I remember seeing these pictures and thinking I will put these pics on my wall with my wedding and honeymoon pictures- Happy and joyful times while being fat and really unhealthy (and dangerous). This will motivate me and remind me that yes, I was happy but, not healthy. Time for a change. A radical change!

One year motivated..  That's how I feel today. We are a few days away from my 3 month surgery anniversary. So, where am I?? I lost 15.2 pounds this month. whoa. WHAT??

Highest weight 353 +

Current Weight 278.4 (I triple checked it!)

TOTAL weight loss 74.6 pounds
BMI points lost  (since highest weight) 11.6

Total Inches Lost since 6/21/13 (Measuring fat is not easy!!)

• Chest 10 inches (3 inches last month!!!!!!)
• Arms 5 inches (In the beginning my left was smaller by 2  inches now they are about an inch apart)
• Bust  7.5 inches
• Hips 8 inches 
• Belly button region 9.5 inches (2.5 inches this month)
• Thighs 4 inches

Where I feel the most difference?  All over but, with clothes my butt and certain shoes. 

Goals for last month

Well, I had to make adjustments. Drinking more water but, not really keeping track. Being more proactive about adding veggies and fruit in my diet.  Working out 3-4 days a week is all my schedule allows right now. I am doing better with running but, I have not ran as much.. For the first time ever-- I am doing the elliptical for warm up. I have improved so much in my working out routines. Makes me feel proud because lots of folks only use an elliptical for working out and it's my warm up!!   Remember what I call county fair days at D1? (click here to read more about my first experience)?? (County fair is where you do mini station work outs for 30 seconds then move on- you can do anything for 30 seconds, right? Sometime, the coach changes the music every 30 seconds.. Intense and good for you!) I am going to say I almost rocked it this past week. I completed most of the challenges or stations and felt good. A great piece of advice from D1 was to eat a banana on my way to work out. Wow, I felt so much better!!!!  

I also had a goal to motivate others when I was given the opportunity. I appreciate all my friends who have shared this blog with their friends who complemtating weight loss surgery. I hope this helps them. When skinny or in shape strangers come up to me and tell me they read my blog, I get embarrassed and think why is that skinny person reading my blog.. Then I remember one day I will be healthy (and hopefully skinnier) and some overweight person will motivate me on why going to the gym is important. For now, I have my photos on my wall to remind me daily. 

Goals this month..  I want to continue making progress. When you look at the numbers and progress this month was incredible month. A dream come true. I saw my pcp the other day and I could tell by her response she was proud of my success. I am too- I have worked hard.  But, I also know there is a lot of people less fortunate than me and I know that I am blessed beyond measure... A second chance on life. 

Things you learn as you go along...

So, as you go through the journey of weight loss surgery - you are told a lot of things about food.. Most sleeve patients say "with time, I can eat any foods I choose"...

But, I was told these examples by lots of non sleeve patients..

- Chicken is too dry and hard to eat.
(All in moderation for me- I can eat 1 oz/hour)
-Steak is too tough to eat..
(I will take 1-2 bites.. But, I don't enjoy it like before.. Also, people tend to overcook steak. I am with Alton Brown - Check out this video on you tube by clicking here..
-Bread will get stuck.. 3-4 bites and I am done. I feel full!
-Pasta and rice is a no-no  (I am not a rice fan- but if I eat rice it will be brown rice. Pasta- I eat whole wheat only.)
-Soda is a big no (Not a fan of carbonation- I dream of drinking Dr. Pepper one day- but, not anytime soon! I have no desire to diet drink soda again!)
-no drinking alcohol (alcohol is rarity for me - because there is no enjoyment.)
-Salad and raw veggies can be difficult to digest.. (I am eating salad but, since there is no protein - I skip it)
No drinking while eating  (This is true for me and most patients! Causes much pain! Plus it is not healthy for you.)
Chew your food 30 times! (This is pretty important for proper digestion since my stomach is smaller.)

I think folks get the different surgeries confused. There are definitely more restrictions with lap-band and gastric bypass. I had the sleeve surgery. All that means is they took out 85% of my stomach. 

I have not had a "reaction" since the beginning of August. A reaction is when I food disagrees with me. It's a lot like "dumping" with bypass patients (Sweating,  Fatigue,  Dizziness,  lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal cramps, Diarrhea)  My food triggers continue to be pork (not deli meat or bacon) and sugar alcohols (Splenda and Estevia not a problem). 

From my research the sleeve does not "stop working."  People stop being diligent.  People start making poor food choices. At this point- I feel like I now use food as nutrition - there is no enjoyment- the moment I eat for enjoyment- my brain signals.. I get up and walk away.

Yes, I have made major improvements- still have a lot to learn.. Always, learning!

Mama said there'll be days like this...

Today was rough... Not sure if I can say why but, it was.. 

7:30 am..  Knocking on the door.. Is the babysitter early? Another solicitor? I put on my robe and a young

mans says "A man drove by and his tire came off and went through your fence." I look at him and I am like "what?" So, I go out in the back yard and find this. Call the police for a report...  Thank the Lord there was no in the way of the tire!!!

Then it was time.. Time to the doctor for follow up from you know that weight loss surgery I had three weeks ago.. He said "You are making great progress... 22 pounds since surgery is awesome..." We also discussed my problems with my adderall. Apparently, we need to adjust it because my body is not "processing" the XR component. So, I am not crazy.  I was diagnosed with ADHD a while back. You can read that blog here. My life is so much better with meds. I also can start working out for real in a few weeks!

Then lunch with my sister was a delight.  She is all grown up and studying Nuclear Medicine Technology.

And it's Wednesday. Therapy day. I enjoy therapy time.. Several things are going on with our family.. Please pray for us that timing of things will work out...  As for now- I will be thankful for the 22 lbs gone! 

Today is the last day of July... Tomorrow means game on for me... Summer break is almost over... 

Gratefulness

One step. One thing. Have you ever wrote out a list of goals and immediately freaked out. Sometimes in life we need to simplify and slow down. Summer should be a time where we take time to just slow down.. Lauren has been at Camp Barnabas this week (cick the link to a pic of her). It's been the perfect time get so much done but, my mind and spirit said to slow down. Relax. Take time to just be. No guilt. 

Yesterday, my friend "A" called to check on me. Perfect timing.. She was full of hints and ideas on surviving this phase -- If you remember "A" has weight loss surgery a few years back.. I appreciate "A" because she is real with me. She paid for her surgery out of pocket. She wanted it bad. :) 


Today, I pulled out my summer shorts. All my dresses and capris are hanging on me. It's a good sign. I tried on a couple pair of shorts and thought I am going to try on my capri's that I bought to wear the first week of school... I bought them on sale in March hoping to wear them the first day of school. I am wearing those pants today. No laying on the bed- sucking in my gut just put them on. It's time - time to get over my pity party and the grateful for the progress.. Down a complete size. 

 Being like the Proverbs 31 woman my mind  is nearly impossible to achieve. But, I think really she was faithful in small and everyday things. I bet she was grateful too.  

Inspiration from this blog came from the book called The "Do What You Can" Plan.

Question and Answer from the patient!

My brother and his wife stopped by last night and stayed over. My family is heading to the beach.  They played with Lauren this morning on the trampoline. I probably won't do that for a

while.. 

Lots of folks have been asking questions about the procedure. Here is my point of view. This is not from my doctor and it's not medical approved. It's my opinion. Every patient is very different and ALL the doctors have a different methods.

Are you hungry? No. Not one bit. They say during the first seven days after surgery your goal is to consume 64 ounces of fluids per day. Hahaha. That is not happening. You are also suppose to have 75(+/-) grams of protein. Not happening either. I hope to make improvement over the weekend. Monday I move to a pureed soft diet (that includes eggs and soft fruits!!!!) Stoked about that!

What can you eat?
Once I finish the 8 week recovery process I can eat whatever my heart desires; just not in big proportions. Unlike the Lap Band the stomach isn't restricted so there’s nothing for food to get caught on. But, right now I can't eat anything solid- I will spend six weeks developing new habits.  They say I will make changes to the food I want- There is a chance I will not enjoy what I used too. 

Do you get sick?Not yet. However, I am getting about 2-3 ounces per meal. I also feel like Thanksgiving over and over. You know where you eat too much and lay around moaning...  Dumping/vomiting doesn't always happen with the sleeve. My stomach muscles would cry if I vomited. 

How fast have you lost the weight? 
From my highest weight I have lost 33 pounds. I am averaging about a pound a day. This will slow down.. 


What do you find most different since the surgery?
My bloated belly.. I dread to eat. I want to eat ice chips and be done. 

I have been overweight all my life and am seriously considering having a gastric sleeve. Any advice?
Today: Contact your insurance and see what they can pay. (this could change as time goes on)
This weekend: Look online at the doctors who do the surgery. If they are local- go to every doctor's seminar and learn their method. They are not the same!!!  I only went to one seminar- a big regret of mine. I like my doctor but, each doctor has a very different method. Several folks I know used doctors in Mexico or Canada.. There are several in the state. My insurance led me to my doctor.  

What is your biggest fear? 
Other than it not working??  My skin being in bad shape. Though that fear has left. I have Rodan and Field products that will help me out. I will share more soon. 

How did you feel immediately after surgery?
Dry mouth, regretful, groggy, tired, excited

How long did you stay in the hospital? 
Surgery was Monday. Recovery took almost 8 hours (very rough). Tuesday= Ice chips were my new love. Wednesday jello and chicken broth  was the most delish thing ever!

How long until you feel fine? (everyone has a different answer). I hope soon! 

Does it feel tight or like anything is left in your stomach??
I feel like I had major tummy surgery. No desire to eat.  I also think gas is making me feel bloated/full. 

Cheers to each day improving! 

Day 3 of Post op and first day "home"

Type of surgery I had..

First off, I should never doubt my friends support for our family. You guys made the hospital stay bearable.

Overall, I feel good for just having major surgery. Slow, very sore and still groggy. 

I am still on my liquid diet till Monday. We have that covered. It's very challenging for me to drink what I have. I have no hunger and no desire to eat. I just have cottonmouth and some gas.

On top of all this I hurt my knee- very minor scrape but, using my knees to position myself make it very painful. I also stub my pinky toe in the hospital on my IV cart. Bruised and bleed a lot.  So, if I could quit

My minor knee injury

injuring myself maybe I could start focusing on my stomach healing!!   Above in the picture in the incisions. (See I am keeping this real!). 

If you want to bring food for us- just bring enough for John and Lauren (2 servings max). Next week while I will be eating soft/mushy foods- I will be limited and I need to make good food choices..  Each meal I get 1/8 of a cup of two different things. So my portion sizes are way small. My first goal over the week is to work on getting plenty of protein and drinking plenty of water.. 

I am hoping I can quit pain meds tomorrow and once I am off of them then I can drive. I know that will not be today or tomorrow. So, perhaps driving Monday will be more realistic.  I am walking like an elderly person still yet.

NO REGRETS! Thankful to be on the flip side!

My favorite simple Coffee Protein Shake

For those who missed it... Here it is again..

4 ounces of decaf coffee

4 ounces of skim milk or water

2 sugar substitute packets

1-2 scoops of vanilla protein powder (lots of people say chocolate is delish too)

5 ice cubes (more if you like a thicker consistency) 

Blend and drink!

And we are finally ready for the next phase.

I totally forgot to publish this yesterday (Sunday)!  

I had a great day with my family. We started off with breakfast at The Diner in Cabot. Then we went to church. 

Then Lauren picked lunch- her favorite Old Chicago Pizza in North Little Rock. Then we took Lauren to Camp Aldersgate. John and I got some stuff done before my mom came down for a visit and we took her to our favorite Asian restaurant Haru in Cabot. I came home cleaned out the freezer and the fridge of crap we didn't need. Let's begin this new way of life.. Ready to leave this fat behind!

You are taking the easy way out..

According to the CDC  did you know that 70% of america's adults are considered overweight?

I don't go around telling people I am weeks maybe days away from my first surgery. I am not telling everyone that I am preparing to say good bye to my fat. But, I want to. I have not shared my blog with Facebook  I feel like I am keeping a secret. But, I am not. It comes down to this. I like to have a solid plan. When I don't have a plan and it's not set in stone- I over think it. I BELIEVE this is going to happen.  Am I really going to post a blog about this? If I am going to post on Facebook  I need to address something before I tell Facebook  (My friends and supporters- I love you and thank you for your continued support). 

Believe it or not- this is my LEAST favorite thing to hear:  "You are taking the easy way out by having surgery." (I have heard it 3 times). And this is when I say this "I have been considered overweight since 1992. That is 21 years. Way over half of my life. I have tried dieting- I have exercised- I have taken supplements- I have taken pills- My last 50 pounds was gained while on birth control. 

Choosing to change my life is not most people's business and I assure you that nothing about being unhealthy is easy. This decision is right for me and my family. We welcome your support and prayers. While your approval is nice- it's not necessary. 

My therapist says if the disapproving folks mean something to me then you have to educate them. Tell them your journey- Share with them how they have improved complication rates and mortality rates when bariatric surgery is performed at a Center of Excellence. 

Pam Davis says this: We have to remember there are many environmental, societal, hormonal, physiological and genetic factors that come together to impact our weight. We as a society cannot be so naïve as to think behavior change alone will be a successful treatment. We have to be ready, willing and able to educate the naysayers regarding obesity prevention and treatment. We have to be willing to stand-up for ourselves and others. We have to be willing to educate those who think any treatment for obesity, including surgery, is an easy way out.

After being a “fat” kid, teen and adult, my physician and I determined that bariatric surgery is the best course of treatment for me. I am having bariatric surgery to treat a chronic, lifelong disease and I am not taking the easy way out. I assure you. Thanks Pam Davis for reminding me of this.