16 Month Post-Op - Check-In

Don't remember if we did one early this morning and I was too derned lazy to look. Today is MY 16 month post-op monthly-surgiversary tra la, tra la. Down 2.5 lbs this month. First official weigh-in under 160. I'm at 158.5. One day for a fleeting moment I was 158 but that was a while ago. Funny but looking at my profile I realize I've lost 8.5 lbs since my 1 year surgiversary. Wow, didn't realize it was that much. Did my measurements as I usually do monthly... again movement. Why, oh who do I continue to lose from my boney fingers, wrists and forearms. I swear if I hold my my finger up, point it and bend it.... "ET Phone Home". Ewwww. When I put my fingers together you see light between 'em. Luckily the rest of me isn't looking frail or too skinny. I'm basically happy here. Would like to tone up more. Lost 1 inch off my belly, .75 off my hips, .5 to .75 off each thigh this month so exercising is paying off slowly. (I won't mention the .5 gain on my waist - think it is the skin sagging from above that makes the circumference grow - aka the trickle down theory.) I wouldn't mind stablizing at 155. That gives me a 4.99 lb swing to still stay under 160. Amazing the silly mind games we play with ourselves, eh? Kathy

SURGERY IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, Maysters, I'm getting ready for my tummy tuck with muscle repair in the morning. I've been so anxious up until the last week, but now am calm and ready. I am drinking as much water as I can hold, until midnight. I want to be as hydrated as possible pre-op, so it will be easier to get the IV in, and so I won't feel thirsty. I haven't eaten much today, and have had four scoops of protein. I've been making sure I've been getting lots of extra protein in the last couple of weeks, and so I'm feeling pretty healthy. I have no idea of how much weight they will remove with surgery, but I've now lost about 180 pounds. My clothes are extremely loose, but I've refused to buy anything until after surgery. I'm hoping to end up about a size 10-12, I've never worn that in my life. As my 16's are very loose now, I think that is realistic. I have to leave the house by 4:30am in order to get to the hospital by 6, so I don't think I'll get much sleep tonight. I can't wait for this huge panni to be gone, and I can move and exercise freely. I'll let you all know how it goes. Debra M. 351/167/?

I'll be praying for you, Deb! Good luck. Hugs, Tracy

Great job Kathy! I know what you mean about the wrist. When I wrap my hand around my wrist, I can almost touch my little finger and my thumb together, there's only about 1/8 inch apart. My watch, which has an elastic band, is starting to look like a bracelet, I need to get some links taken out. I'll be taking my measurements on the 23rd. I know I've lost some inches this time because I recently dropped a clothing size. It was really fun to put a blouse on that I haven't worn since last Spring and it's starting to look a little baggy. I'm almost happy where I'm at. My goal is to stay between 140-150 and I'm at 153.0 this morning. I know that there will be a little bounce-back so I want to get down to at least 140 before that happens. Anyway, I've stayed in "normal" BMI for at least a week now so I think I'm there to stay. So far my weight has been fluctuating between 152.6 and 154. Even though my loss has slowed tremendously, I'm happy with that. I'm healthy, not having any major food issues and I'm still exercising. Life is GOOOOOD! I just looked and we're both at the same BMI...WOOHOOO! Linda

I weighed myself today and I'm at about 164. That's about 4 pounds lost since my one-year anniversary. Like others, my weight loss has been at a virtual standstill for the past 4 months. I joined Weigh****chers to restore some structure to my eating and to shake things up a bit. I fell into too much of a routine and was reluctant to branch out and incorporate more complex carbs and low fat dairy into my diet. Following the core plan, I am eating more fat free dairy like cottage cheese, skim milk as well as good carbs like brown rice, whole wheat tortillas, shredded wheat cereal, etc. I have my bad days, as do we all, but I've been doing this for about 3 weeks and am pleased with the plan overall. I now have the tool to make Weigh****chers work, so I feel real good about it. Exercise is still going strong. I am able to do more high impact exercises (i.e. jogging intervals with my walking, aerobics that require jumping, etc.). I have also incorporated some Pilates into my toning routines to strengthen and slim my mid section. We went hiking the other day and it was great. The only problem I had was the dang bugs!!! As far as clothes sizes are concerned, I am basically in size 12 pants, skirts and blazers and size medium tops. If I don't feel like wearing a body shaper or if the pants are cut small, I will wear a 14. I want to ultimately get down to a size 6/8. Shoe sizes range from 8 wide to 9 medium - depending on the style of the shoe. Wouldn't it be cool to have a shoe size be larger than a pants size? I still have issues with post-op acne. I have the skin of a 14 year old and I don't mean that in a good way. Don't know when this will resolve, if ever. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and invest in ProActive. I think that's about all for now. P.S. That's funny about the pinky finger/thumb measurement. I just tried and I actually can touch my pinky finger and thumb around both wrists. My fingers still look pretty fat, though. Fat fingers yet tiny wrist.... what's up with that?

Sounds like you need to consider changing that name to Former Fat Chick! Way to go girl! Heather