Month 9 post Gastric Sleeve Surgery

My birthday in 2013 and 2014. Year of personal change!!

I haven’t been blogging very much.  I cannot pinpoint exactly why but, I am back… I hope to be more consistent.  So where are we in the journey of Rhonda’s weight loss and what’s happen the past six weeks?

I turned 35 and while it’s officially middle age I am not stressed or sad because I am "smaller" than I was when I graduated high school and I feel great. So, this age thing is not going to get me down.. (and repeat)..

We went to the beach for Spring Break and had a great time just resting and getting away. We loved Dauphin Island. If you like low key and the beach it's a great place. I need to blog on our great experiences. Anyways,  I had some “awe-inspiring” moments that seemed surreal during my clothing shopping adventures.  We had saved some money for us to shop with at the outlet stores. First up was some undergarments. I went from a 46/48 bra band size to a size 40. Wowzer. Then I went to buy some under armor compression heat gear.  Let’s face it- the big down side to weight loss surgery is this sagging skin and dang it, I will wear whatever to be comfortable in

Honeymoon 2012 and Vacation 2014

my skin. Compression and spanx feels good to wear because it’s supportive and keeps the loose skin in one place. Anyways, I was consulting the sales lady about sizing and how tight it should feel and she said I could do large in women’s or medium in men’s. I looked at the lady like she had lost her mind. She showed me who was boss.  I am wearing a large in compression clothing?!!  I have also purchased size 16 shirts. That seems unreal.  I am wearing XL shirts and not self-conscious as I was in my previous post. . Most pants are XXL/18/16. It depends on brands, size and material. One of my girlfriend’s says she varies from a size 4 to size 8 or 10. Holy smokes that’s crazy.  My friend Sarah is a consultant with CAbi and hosted a party at her home recently.  The clothing is flattering, chic and feels amazing. I bought 2 pieces- I can’t wait to share it with you. Again, the XL was too big.  :)

People often say, "I had no idea you were so fat". Umm yeah, I was fat and unhealthy. Very thankful I am getting less fat and trying to be more healthy. 

Size 18 dress bought at Macy's

My husband said our vacation was very different because I was full of energy and ready to go and he was tired and wanting to lay around. It felt good to “feel good”. I was able to enjoy thing my time with my family.

Measurements and weight.. I haven’t weighed in one month. Weighing after our Spring Break trip was out of the question. Then, I took my scales to work for a project and brought them  home on Friday. So, tomorrow will tell us the story.

Stress has defiantly caused me to eat candy and make poor food choices this past month. I still eat

 considerably less than I did pre surgery.  Most meals I eat 40% compared to a year ago. My “stomach” is not expanding. When I feel “pms-y” I eat what feels like a lot but, hey it happens and it's nothing like before. Here is photo of the dress I wore for a few special events. It is moving on to my friend Tracee's home. Happy to retire the dress that felt great for events. 

So, I have been busy with the last few months of school and with my college classes.. But, I still have goals:

1.  I have a wedding in 3 weeks. I am hoping to lose enough weight to wear a size LARGE dress I bought at the beach. 

2.  I am planning on starting back with my trainer for the months of June and July. 

3.  Drink more water. (the neverending goal)

4. I only buy clothes that actually fit and I like to wear at the moment- too many items purchased and not worn because they didn't fit or I suddenly didn't like it. Ha

I am not done!  The journey of having Gastric Sleeve Surgery in July 2013 was one of the best decisions I ever made. And they say "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step"... My journey is far from over. 

8 months post op

So, I started several posts and never actually completed them. I am not doing a very good job at blogging. Motherhood, Full time school, a "part time" job that is really full time and life is my excuse.

In my post that I never posted I said this:

Okay, top right was Oct. 2012,
Bottom left was July 2013,
the other photo was Feb 2014.
This shirt no longer fits!!!!

I feel that I am doing okay. I am 7+ months post op from the Gastric Sleeve Surgery at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. And I am celebrating 105 pound GONE.  I was barely fitting in a 26/28 and now I am in a 18/20.

 I feel like I spent 2 months trying to clear the 100 pound hurdle. But, I woke up one day I was actually out of the 250's and was down 105 pounds. One year ago, I was 353 pounds. I was in a bad shape. I wasn't honest with my life or myself a year ago.. I was merrily surviving.  I have 3 friends who are going through pre op preparing for surgery. I have to keep myself in check because I want to jump up and down and scream "You are making the BEST decision of your life"!! And for me, it has been the right decision for me.

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So, we are 8 months post op today and I still wanna scream "best decision ever!!" How do I feel? Great. I am so thankful to be where I am at today. My PCP and my ob/gyn also feel that I am doing good. We are all in agreement that I am in a much better place health wise.  I am very close to being at the size I was in high school. I have no idea what I really was weight wise. I am also going to bypass my husband and my brother's weight and I have a feeling there will there will start some healthy competition begin.

My wedding weekend in May 2012 (size 3x shirt) and Feb 2014.

People are concerned my stomach will stretch back out. Well, here is what I know: Somedays I can eat a lot. I mean like a lot. Like breakfast, non fat latte, skinny cow bar, smoothie, half sandwich, chips, popcorn and a dr. pepper. Somedays 2 bites of any meal I choose and I am in misery. There are more meals that are a few bites than than the "eating a lot" days. I definitely make bad decisions some days. Snow days at home with my family are a guarantee bust. But, you know what my worst day now eating is probably better than my best day 1-2-3-4-10 years ago. So, I do not dwell on it. Plus it's all in moderation. My sleeve/stomach has attitude and sometimes I eat something and have no problems and a week later- I eat the same thing and feel miserable.

So, what is the progress like?  Remember they say you do the best in the first 6 months. So, I am on the "slower" period of weight loss. I am very happy with my progress thus far though. The truth is it's hard to tell when I lost 50 pounds but, now people can tell every 10 pounds I lose. That's good cause I need encouragement!  

I am in the 240's. (it's silly to post an exact number because it changes every day up and down) (110 +/-  pounds lost)
I am in a size 18 but, can wiggle my hips into a size 16. I am in a XL shirt but, still feel self conscious. My 2x shirts is too big. I have quite the chest and we do not expect I will lose as much there. That's ok I am not afraid of breast reduction surgery!! I also have some extra skin to pass along to anyone needing it.

The non scale victories are lots of fun!

February 28th and December 28th

Ring size was a size 8 and had to resize my ring to 6.5!!!!
My photos from 2 months ago show major progress. Check out the photo --->
I am down at least half size in shoes.  (was a 10 and now between 9 1/2 and 9). One foot is bigger than the other..
Unofficially (my husband isn't home to measure me) I have lost 56 inches in various parts of my body.
My chest, hips, belly 13+ inches gone.


It's becoming challenging to measure the inches with the loose skin and I could really wear spanx all day and be okay. That means I have a lot of firming up to do. aka I need to get back to working out on regular basis..

I still miss food. But, food doesn't comfort me or make me feel better. People have told me I make the journey look easy. I am glad to hear that. It's much easier than being fat but, I would not use the term easy. Nothing about weight loss is easy. It's hard work. It doesn't matter if you have 10 pounds to lose or 200 pounds it's hard work. I want to continue to encourage people to step up to the challenge and do something stop surrounding yourself around negative people/haters. I once read:  “Success is a journey, and the road to get there isn’t easy. There will be those who say you can’t make it, ‘it’s too tough’, or that you’re not strong enough, others will try to challenge your strength and try to knock you off and some will refuse to get out of your way. Success is a journey, and for me – it was worth the wait”

To my supporters who encourage me often- thank you. It's means a lot to me and as my dad always says keep on, keeping on. 

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Reflux and The Sleeve

I think everyone is warned about reflux problems can occur with gastric sleeve surgery. While my reflux didn't improve it changed. Since I was on dexilant and it was pricey I decided it was time to make sure there wasn't a bigger problem. My procedure was in January and according to the doctor my "sleeve" looks great. My problems should subside as I continue to lose weight. So, I plan to continue to take my medication and continue to lose weight. My doctor also reminded me to make sure I am chewing my food 30 times before I swallow. He also reminded me no drink 30 minutes before or after eating. The drinking thing-I have down. I need to remember to keep chewing food. Everyone always asks how do I do it? Because when I don't I hurt like severe pain. So, I have that lesson down. 

Near Death By Fish Oil

So, fish oil. What is it? Well it’s Omega 3s Essential Fatty Acid. Hundreds of studies suggest that omega-3s may provide some benefits to a wide range of diseases: cancer, asthma, depression, cardiovascular disease, ADHD, and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. According to lots of websites: Omega-3 fatty acids are important nutrients that are involved in many bodily processes. The body cannot make these fatty acids and must obtain them from food sources or from supplements. Three fatty acids compose the omega-3 family: alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in English walnuts, in some types of beans, and in canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed, and olive oils. The other 2, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish, including fish oil and supplements.

Well, I was told it would improve my itchy skin. For whatever reason my skin is way more drier than ever and I have tried all sorts of creams, lotions, oils to help out. (side affect of surgery) But, one week on fish oil and it improved.. So, these fish oil pills are huge and swallowing post weight loss surgery is hard. I haven’t struggled with swallowing pills as much as some but it is more complicated.

So, I am week 4 of taking these fish oils. Wednesday morning I swallowed a pill and it got stuck in my windpipe, larynx or or somewhere close. I could move it my massaging my neck but, it wouldn’t go down. So, I tried taking a drink. No help. I took a bite of food and it made it worse. I started gagging and then proceeded to throw up. Several minutes later and lots of vomiting later it went “down”.  It was scary. I defiantly am somewhat fearful or anxiety ridden about swallowing large pills especially when I am home alone.   I am now experiencing some slight pain in my throat (more like my neck) mid-way down. Maybe it’s a sinus infection. Maybe I hurt something in my near death by fish oil.. Maybe I am a hypochondriac.  I plan to give it till Monday before inquiring with my local doctor.  

It got me to thinking that would have been an interesting cause of death.  Till next time, beware of large pills!