9 MONTHS POST-OP TODAY

Today is my 9 month anniversary from surgery. The inches have flown off . I have lost 12 inches off my chest, 17 inches off my waist, 19 inches off my stomach, 16 inches off my hips, 11 inches off of each thigh, I've lost 5 & 6 inches off of each knee & about 6 inches off of each calf. There are a couple of other things that I measure as well. These are the major areas. I have lost a total of -131.25 inches! However, my weight loss is crawling downward, slowly, or so it seems. I am very happy when I run into someone that I haven't seen in a while & I see how shocked they are at my weight loss. I have gone from a tight 24/26 to a very comfortable 16 or a regular large. My shoe size has dropped from 8.5 W to a 7! I have kept up with my lab work. I suggest that everyone does that. Get copies of all tests for your own files. My cholesterol became normal at 3 months PO. My tryglicerides became normal at 6 months PO. My blood pressure is normal, now. My GERD is gone. Surgery has been such a blessing. However, I am not absorbing my calcium (& I do use 1500mg of calcium CITRATE daily). We don't absorb calcium CARBONATE properly. The test that we need is called a DEXA scan. It measures bone density. I now have osteopenia. It is when your bone density is between normal & having osteoporosis. If anyone has any advice on this dilemma, I would appreciate hearing what you know. My iron levels are, also, low. My BMI is 30, now. Down from 44 or 45. My daughter has a real problem with the butterfly that is emerging within me. She does not want me to date. I have been dating a gentleman for about 4 months & she said a lot of vicious things to him & about him. Last week he told me that he really cares about me, but can't take her attitude...... I went through this surgery to gain my health back & have a full life. That includes being in a relationship to me. So, needless to say, I am sad about this most recent occurrence in my life. She is the most important thing to me, besides God. But she wants to be the ONLY important thing to me, as far as people go. Hopefully, she won't do this to me again. I hope my words have helped someone & thanks for letting me blow off some steam.....

Karen- great job on the weight loss and the loss of inches. You should be very proud of yourself- Way to Go!! Sorry to hear about your daughter. I use to be just like her as a child. My situation was somewhat difference-however, It was the same. My father died when I was 12- and my mom started dating again when I was 15. That was so very hard and just seemed to tear my world apart. It has a lot to do with jealously, insecurity,and loneliness. I would suggest some counceling for your daughter and also for you to help you not feel guilty for her feelings. Good luck with all of this, and again GREAT JOB on the weight!!!