One year out - My journey to today...
I thought I would write an update on myself at one year out (April 6th will be my one year surgiversary). Sorry, this may be long, but maybe it’ll answer some questions for people who are just starting in their journey.
For those who don’t know me, I was referred to the weight wise clinic in the spring of 2007 and was finally accepted into the program in April of 2009. In the year before surgery I had lost 45 lbs on my own by watching what I was eating, exercising and following what they told me to do in the modules and in my appointments with my dietician and nurse. I was approved for surgery in January of 2010 and finally had my VSG on April 6, 2010 and I haven’t looked back!!
I’ve lost 67-70 lbs since surgery and have gone from a size 3X shirt to a large or X-Large and from a tight 24 pants to between a 12 and a 14. I have quite a large panniculus so once that is gone with my panniculectomy I’m sure I’ll be between a 10-12 pants. I find it quite freeing to not have to buy clothes at Addition Elle or Penningtons. I can actually go into a regular store and buy regular clothes. I haven’t been able to do that in a very long time and it feels so good.
I’ve been referred to the plastic surgeon from the clinic (Dr. Toy) and go for my consultation in June. I’m scared and excited all at the same time, and that’s just for the consult, nevermind how I’ll be when I actually go for surgery. The panniculectomy is covered by Alberta Health Care, but I think I may want a lower body lift instead, but I will wait to see what the Dr. says. I’m willing to pay extra to get the results I want.
I typically eat 3 meals a day, plus 2-3 snacks. I can take in just under a cup of food, always trying to eat my protein first. I’ve discovered that making a smoothie with non-fat greek yogurt and fruit help me to get in my required amount of protein and much needed fruits into my diet. Fruit is one thing I miss a lot; I can only eat a half a banana or half a peach at a time because, to me, they are so filling. There are some days I feel I can eat more and some days I get full after just a few bites, I think this has to do with hormones, but I’m not sure. There is nothing I “can’t" eat, but I do try to limit my carbs in the form of breads, pastas, rice, potatoes etc… if I overindulge in these types of carbs I generally feel crappy and overly full afterward so I tend to avoid them. I found one of my biggest mental struggles early out was not eating and drinking at the same time. I find it quite easy now to not drink while I eat, mostly because if I do try to drink it hurts and I don’t like the feeling of pain!
I’ve had many NSVs, my biggest one being my recent trip to Costa Rica. The first thing was I was comfortable in the airplane seats with lots of room to spare and the tray table was able to come all the way down! The trip itself was amazing. We were always on the go, lots of walking, hiking and activity. I would have never been able to do the trip I did while I was still bigger; it’s amazing how much my weight held me back from being able to do the things I always wanted to do.
Sure, in the last year I’ve had my highs, but quite a few lows too. I still struggle to this day with emotional eating and making bad food choices, but, overall I’m doing very well. My major downfall has always been and will continue to be cookies, any type, I crave them and still find it hard to stop once I start eating them. I’ve had many many stalls, some lasting well over a month, trust me this is extremely frustrating, but it does pass and they are normal. Typically my stalls are long but are followed by some 5-8 pound loss as soon as they are over. I’ve grown to accept that my weight will not always just drop.
I have been told by the clinic that I should move into more of a maintenance mode now instead of a losing mode. I was quite disappointed to hear this and told them I would do whatever it took to keep losing even though they didn’t recommend it. I could have done better in my fast losing stage and I do regret that, but I can’t change it. I can only make positive changes now and follow through with them.
My goals for the near future are to get pregnant, I wasn’t able to before because of the insulin resistance and PCOS. I was told at my last appointment that my levels are all in the “normal" range so I think getting pregnant might be easier. Getting pregnant will also put off my plastic surgery goals, but I’m willing to wait if it means I can have kids. Another goal is to get out more and meet new people. This one isn’t so easy when you live out in the country, but I’m willing to attempt it. I don’t feel like the outsider anymore and I think that really held me back in the past. It is time for me to change this!
I have no regrets with this surgery and would recommend it to anyone who is considering this type of surgery.
If anyone has any questions for me, just ask and I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability.
If you've made it this far... I have before and after pictures in my profile, but they are friends only, please feel free to add me so you can see them
Jill
For those who don’t know me, I was referred to the weight wise clinic in the spring of 2007 and was finally accepted into the program in April of 2009. In the year before surgery I had lost 45 lbs on my own by watching what I was eating, exercising and following what they told me to do in the modules and in my appointments with my dietician and nurse. I was approved for surgery in January of 2010 and finally had my VSG on April 6, 2010 and I haven’t looked back!!
I’ve lost 67-70 lbs since surgery and have gone from a size 3X shirt to a large or X-Large and from a tight 24 pants to between a 12 and a 14. I have quite a large panniculus so once that is gone with my panniculectomy I’m sure I’ll be between a 10-12 pants. I find it quite freeing to not have to buy clothes at Addition Elle or Penningtons. I can actually go into a regular store and buy regular clothes. I haven’t been able to do that in a very long time and it feels so good.
I’ve been referred to the plastic surgeon from the clinic (Dr. Toy) and go for my consultation in June. I’m scared and excited all at the same time, and that’s just for the consult, nevermind how I’ll be when I actually go for surgery. The panniculectomy is covered by Alberta Health Care, but I think I may want a lower body lift instead, but I will wait to see what the Dr. says. I’m willing to pay extra to get the results I want.
I typically eat 3 meals a day, plus 2-3 snacks. I can take in just under a cup of food, always trying to eat my protein first. I’ve discovered that making a smoothie with non-fat greek yogurt and fruit help me to get in my required amount of protein and much needed fruits into my diet. Fruit is one thing I miss a lot; I can only eat a half a banana or half a peach at a time because, to me, they are so filling. There are some days I feel I can eat more and some days I get full after just a few bites, I think this has to do with hormones, but I’m not sure. There is nothing I “can’t" eat, but I do try to limit my carbs in the form of breads, pastas, rice, potatoes etc… if I overindulge in these types of carbs I generally feel crappy and overly full afterward so I tend to avoid them. I found one of my biggest mental struggles early out was not eating and drinking at the same time. I find it quite easy now to not drink while I eat, mostly because if I do try to drink it hurts and I don’t like the feeling of pain!
I’ve had many NSVs, my biggest one being my recent trip to Costa Rica. The first thing was I was comfortable in the airplane seats with lots of room to spare and the tray table was able to come all the way down! The trip itself was amazing. We were always on the go, lots of walking, hiking and activity. I would have never been able to do the trip I did while I was still bigger; it’s amazing how much my weight held me back from being able to do the things I always wanted to do.
Sure, in the last year I’ve had my highs, but quite a few lows too. I still struggle to this day with emotional eating and making bad food choices, but, overall I’m doing very well. My major downfall has always been and will continue to be cookies, any type, I crave them and still find it hard to stop once I start eating them. I’ve had many many stalls, some lasting well over a month, trust me this is extremely frustrating, but it does pass and they are normal. Typically my stalls are long but are followed by some 5-8 pound loss as soon as they are over. I’ve grown to accept that my weight will not always just drop.
I have been told by the clinic that I should move into more of a maintenance mode now instead of a losing mode. I was quite disappointed to hear this and told them I would do whatever it took to keep losing even though they didn’t recommend it. I could have done better in my fast losing stage and I do regret that, but I can’t change it. I can only make positive changes now and follow through with them.
My goals for the near future are to get pregnant, I wasn’t able to before because of the insulin resistance and PCOS. I was told at my last appointment that my levels are all in the “normal" range so I think getting pregnant might be easier. Getting pregnant will also put off my plastic surgery goals, but I’m willing to wait if it means I can have kids. Another goal is to get out more and meet new people. This one isn’t so easy when you live out in the country, but I’m willing to attempt it. I don’t feel like the outsider anymore and I think that really held me back in the past. It is time for me to change this!
I have no regrets with this surgery and would recommend it to anyone who is considering this type of surgery.
If anyone has any questions for me, just ask and I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability.
If you've made it this far... I have before and after pictures in my profile, but they are friends only, please feel free to add me so you can see them
Jill
Hi Jill,
Thank you for sharing your story. I enjoyed reading it. The details really help to give the whole picture of what to expect during the entire journey. You mentioned that you wish you had done better during the fast losing stage. I guess that means maybe in the beginning you lose weight faster? How long does this last?
Congratulations on all of your success,
Christa
Thank you for sharing your story. I enjoyed reading it. The details really help to give the whole picture of what to expect during the entire journey. You mentioned that you wish you had done better during the fast losing stage. I guess that means maybe in the beginning you lose weight faster? How long does this last?
Congratulations on all of your success,
Christa
Generally the fast losing stage is your first 6 months after surgery. I generally followed the plan (protein first, complex carbs and if room simple carbs) but at that time it was the summer and I'm a big gardener so I had so much fresh produce to enjoy. I found myself eating a lot more carbs than I should have and maybe not working out like I should have to lose more while it was "easiest".
I also discovered that it was very easy to snack on crackers, cookies and chips because they are slider foods. They had tons of calories and generally provide you with no nutritional value. It's a daily struggle to avoid them and tell myself that I don't want them. I do want them, and that's the problem. I try to avoid going down those lanes at the grocery store because I just end up frustrated and pissed off at myself that I even want them in the first place.
When I start getting cravings for bad things I tend to turn to gum. It gives me the satisfaction of chewing on something with minimal calorie damage. I also try to drink as much as I can to fool my body into thinking it's full, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Thanks for the congratulations... I'm proud of myself :)
I also discovered that it was very easy to snack on crackers, cookies and chips because they are slider foods. They had tons of calories and generally provide you with no nutritional value. It's a daily struggle to avoid them and tell myself that I don't want them. I do want them, and that's the problem. I try to avoid going down those lanes at the grocery store because I just end up frustrated and pissed off at myself that I even want them in the first place.
When I start getting cravings for bad things I tend to turn to gum. It gives me the satisfaction of chewing on something with minimal calorie damage. I also try to drink as much as I can to fool my body into thinking it's full, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Thanks for the congratulations... I'm proud of myself :)
Jill,
Thanks you for sharing your beautiful story. You journey has taken you to new heights and I know you will continue to be a success. I ready your story and it makes me reflect on my own journey and it makes proud to have come this far with of course the help of you and the rest of the gang.
Kee.
Thanks you for sharing your beautiful story. You journey has taken you to new heights and I know you will continue to be a success. I ready your story and it makes me reflect on my own journey and it makes proud to have come this far with of course the help of you and the rest of the gang.
Kee.
HW:274 SW:238 CW: 150.0 1St goal: 199.8 2nd goal:174 (100 pound lost)
My Persoanl Goal: (HIgh)150 (Low)140
1st goal acheived December 27th/2010. 1 week after my 3rd month surgery anniversary.
2nd goal acheived June 4th/2011. 2 weeks after my 8th Month Surgiversary.
Gall Bladder surgery April 12,2012
You can either believe it will happen.....or believe it won't. Both are self fulfilled prophesies. For Me it has happened. My Surgery was September 21/2010
Thank you for your honesty Jill. I have been referred to Dr. Birtch too, and am going to have a gastroscopy on Monday - then will get the "yay" or "nay" from him. I too live in the country and so find it hard to get to the gym etc. Were you happy with Dr. Birtch? How was the follow up at the WW clinic?
Thanks!
Jenn
Thanks!
Jenn
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