Five months today

Hello fellow Marchers, I lurk here a lot and seldom post but thought I would check in with you all on my anniversay. Things are well. I am down 73 lbs from a starting weight of 285. My journey has been relatively complication free. I am iron deficient and on a prescription supplement but so far that seems to be my only physical issue. Mentally, I'm coping. I worry alot. Am I losing enough, quickly enough etc. Will my iron situation turn around...will I have some awful complication down the road, etc. I can tolerate anything and have never thrown up. I don't think I dump on sugar although I certainly have not tried much. I need to get on the exercise band wagon. I am starting to get some much needed confidence back. I am wearing clothes I have not worn in years. I am starting to feel attractive and womanly again. I can fly on a plane without dread. I can sit in lawn chairs without being afraid I'll break them. I can almost cross my legs. My hair is coming out in clumps but I am trying not to worry. It started right at 3 months and many posts I have read said it stops at 6 so I am crossing my fingers. I have had nothing but positive reactions from everyone I know when I tell them I have had WLS. I don't lie about how I am losing the weight and I feel very proud. My scar bothers me. It does not seem to have faded at all. Just a big red 10 inch gash down my tummy. My arms are saggy and I am a little worried about that but I guess I'll wait until I am closer to goal to decide. Anyway, this is long enough. I just wanted to fill every one in observations and feeling I have. Good luck in your journey. Terry

Hi Terry, Good job on a great loss so far!! Have you tried putting vitamin E on your scar to help fade it? I have a csection incision that is up and down and it took probably a year for it to start to fade. How was your iron deficiency detected...did y9ou have routine blood work or were you having symptoms? I ask because I have had periods of anemia as an adult and I am concerned now that my iron is low even though I take my supplement every day. My hair is falling out too. I heard it stops around 6 months also so I sure hope it does. I got mine cut so I wouldnt be dragging out these long strands!! It seems you are doing everything right and are on your way!! It took me awhile to get the exercise thing going but now Im training to walk a marathon...it is seriously addictive!! What a high I am on after I walk!! Keep us all posted on your progress...I know I love reading everything and wish that this board was as active as it used to be...but now we are all out living life instead of sitting at our computers!!! Hugs to you! Michelle www.active.com/donate/tntwpawv/michelleuschock

Hi Michelle, I have used vitamin E everyday! Someone at work told me to use coca butter so I put that on first and then the vitamin E. I also heard that lavender oil is supposed to help as well but I have not tried that yet. My low iron was detected with my three month blood work plus I was exhausted all the time. I have struggled with low iron on and off for years because I have fibroids in my uterus that cause heavy bleeding during my period. I think I am beginning to feel better but I am not sure if it the "placebo effect" or not. I worry about the iron but I guess I won't know for certain until I have my 6 month check up. I read your profile. Good luck with the reconciliation and with your marathon. I grew up in Pittsburgh so I am a Steeler fan as well. Terry

Hi Terry I think your doing great! You sound alot like me! I started at 270 and have lost 69 lbs. I always wonder if I am losing like everyone else! My hair was falling out alot but I think it has slowed down considerably. I have not really thrown up either, but I do get nasiated on things that dont agree with me. I stay away from sugar also cause I dont wanna find out what dumping is!! I dont exersice either but I do try to walk a few times a week! I think we wouldnt have the saggy arms and bellies if we got motivated!! What do you think!!! But hey were losers and thats what we did this for! Keep up the good work! Patti

Therese, Your post could have been written by me it is so similar to how I feel. I started at 306 and am currently at 213. I'm not iron deficient but potassium deficient. Recently went on an airplane ride that was the most stress free experience in years because I didn't have to worry about fitting in the seat. Congrats on your weight loss. Good luck on yur journey. corgimom

Congratulations. I know what you mean about saggy arms. It's almost embarassing, but not as embarassing as been 200 lbs overweight. LOL. I'm also starting to feel womanly and attractive again. Funny how we dread things like lawn chairs and plane seats. I have had my sister be very upset that I had my surgery, but she's been really impressed about my weight loss now. Down 95 lbs. Yippee. My hair is coming out a few strands at a time. Fortunately I have a lot of hair, so hopefully, no one will notice. My mom says use cocoa butter. She was a nurse for 30 yrs, so she knows. Your scar will get better, but some skin types scar more than others. At least you can cover it up. Can't very well cover up a lot of extra weight. For me, it's a small, very small price to pay. Hugggs, Heidi