4 Month Progress Report

Hello all! I had my 4 month checkup with the surgeon's office yesterday and everything is going right on schedule still. I was very scared because I didn't feel like I had done well this month with the holidays and all and slacking a little on the excercise because it's been so cold (though now I got my gym membership straightened out so I'm able to excercise indoors now). Also, I had this outfit that I had worn to the doctor every time I went since I first started this journey. My "weigh-in outfit". Well last month I was told I was not allowed to wear this outfit anymore because it was starting to look ridiculous. For some reason not having my correct outfit on just put me all out of whack and made me very nervous about the office visit. I didn't have any reason to be nervous, things are still going exactly as they should. This month I lost another 15 pounds (they look for 10-15 pounds/month, so I'm on the high end). I almost cried sitting in the office because this brought me to my first big milestone. This brought me to having lost 77 pounds since the surgery, but more importantly, brought me to a total loss since I started all this of 107 pounds!!! I've lost a small person. The blood work they did last month all looks good, my vitamin levels are all good, cholesterol is great. I'm losing a little hair, but that's normal. Disconcerting, but normal. They say everything is right on track. Things are going very well, and all signs point to them continuing on that road. Thanks to all here who have been so supportive. Marie

Sounds like your doing pretty great. I understand about the clothing looking ridiculous. I, up until after Christmas was still wearing my before surgery clothing. Honestly everything was falling off of me and it was nuts. I just didn't want to spend the money on something I was only going to wear a short while. I am a very cheap person. I ended up buying 3 pairs of pants. All three were extra large and one fits great but the other 2 are so big I look foolish. If it weren't for my lack of clothing to chose from I wouldn't mind but I only have a few pairs of pants that fit. Everything else in my wardrobe is extremely big on me. I want to wait till I am closer to my goal weight before I invest in anything. I still have 59 pounds to my goal and it would be nuts to buy a lot now cause if I ever get there everything will be to big. Maybe that outfit was your security blanket. It is ok to move on though because your going in a better, healthier direction. Maybe you can find something new in the same color. For instance, you could buy a few outfits that are all the same but smaller sizes. Then you can still feel like your wearing the same thing, but something that fits you right. Glad to hear your blood work was good and sorry about the hair loss. I am losing ALOT of hair so I know how you feel. I just keep telling myself that I can either get a wig if it get's to bad or that it will grow back eventually. Best of luck to you Shannnon 363/229/170

Shannon, I don't know where you live, but do you have a GoodWill store in your area? I have bought LOTS of clothes there for VERY small prices. They may not be the "trendiest" things, but basic sweaters and pants, etc... I was not really used to wearing "trendy" things anyway, since they don't make those in size 30W. Also, if they have garage sales or tag sales or whatever in your area you can pick up some GREAT deals on clothes at those. I personally have been blessed because a lady in my church has 5 family members that have had this surgery, and they have passed all their clothing on to me!! I haven't worn the same outfit twice since I came back to work in November!! Good luck finding some new "cheap" clothes!!

you are doing so great!!!!