An overdue update

I apololgize for my silence over the past weeks. Ive lost track of time while trying to get caught up. As far as my progress, I'm not moving forward in my weight loss as fast as my doctor would like, which is not a good thing. I go back today for my third follow up with him and am not looking forward to my visit. I did see the cardiologist yesterday. He's quite pleased with my progress and says I don't have to come back at all. I've been stuck in a ten-pound range for the last twenty-nine days, and then my digital scales (I weigh myself daily, which helps me keep on track) went berserck on Monday. I replaced its batteries last night and it seems to have regained its senses. While it was down, I resorted to some old behaviors which is not a good thing, so I have to get back on track. My records show that I've lost about 40 pounds in the nine weeks since my surgery; my doctor's records show half that much which is why he is unhappy with me. His last weight for me is a month before my surgery and the nurse wrote down five pounds more on my chart than my weigh-in indicated. My personal records show a starting weight on the day of surgery. There are other disparities that aren't worth visiting at this moment. The biggest issue arose during my last visit (29 days ago) because I wasn't exercising/walking regularly; now I'm doing Leslie Sansone's three-mile walk away the pounds dvd at least five times a week. I've ordered her four mile walk one, which should be here any day now. In the last 29 days, I've only lost 10.6 pounds, so I'm sure he'll have something to say about that. I did run into a bit of a problem while I was in Philadelphia at the beginning of week six. I ended up lifting luggage when I shouldn't have. I felt a burning around my incision on the first day (I had an open RNY) and noticed a widening of the scar in the middrift area. After that, I was more careful about the lifting, etc. Regardless, I'm sure I'll hear something about that today as well. But I must say this. My surgeon's concern is not birthed from a spirit of criticism. He was quick to point out that this "tool" (the surgery) has a very short window of effectiveness (six months to a year). His comments come from the desire to see that the effectiveness maximized. I don't want to undermine the surgery before it even has a chance to do its work. Apparently, I have, in his eyes. I may not be handling the paradigm shift known as WLS as well as I'd hoped. But maximizing my weight loss has not been the only issues surrounding me at the moment. I've been focused on getting our drama ministry back up to speed, getting my office in some semblance of order (I have four stories due for the Delaware Business Ledger on the September 15th and one for the Delaware Business Journal on the 17th), preparing to teach at a regional writers' conference (which I did two weeks ago), getting a gift book proposal written for a potential literary agent (due October 1st) and a gazillion other things I put on hold during my recovery. We're also scheduled to perform in North Carolina in October and I haven't even started preparing. BUT I WILL NOT BE STRESSED, I WILL NOT BE STRESSED, I WILL NOT BE STRESSED. So things haven't been bad; they've been good, in fact. But my WLS progress is stalled, for the moment. I may be stalled, but I'm not stopped, for sure. I want to especially thank Dianne Davis-Lopez for rattling my cage and reminding me that I haven't posted for a while. You guys are more than special and an incredible blessing. I look forward to hearing many good reports. That's all for now. Bye Diane Cook

Diane. Try to stay focused on your original goal. To be healthy. The numbers are all extra's. Imagine saying I only lost 10.6 lbs in a month. 40 lbs in 9 weeks is pretty awesome chickee. Wow!! That is such an accomplishment you hadn't achieve before WLS. So I applaud you on your efforts regarless what the Doc's say. He is right about the exercise. It helps you burn fat and make muscles stronger. Are you getting in the proteins and plenty of water? Try to get on the scale 1 time a week instead of everyday. Journal what you eat. It helps to make sure you get all the proteins in. Try to relax. You sound like you are awfully busy and just a little strssed?? This is not a fad diet. It is your new way of life. Embrace it. Make sure every day counts on making Diane healthy. Gradually get yourself back into the routine. Take time to smell the roses. Okay I'm off my soapbox. Glad to see you are doing sooooooo well. Keep posting. Inquisitive minds want to know. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Actually, I have created a WLS Journey journal, Aug-Dec 2004. I'm a very visual person, in some respects. I have a piece of clip art from my PR firm in 1991 that shows a thin woman zipping out of a morbidly obese body. That's on the cover which I laminated. I have four sections in my journal: the first is a chart that shows the date, wight, total pounds lost, notes, measurements (bust, waist, hips, left thigh), weight loss between doctor's visits, number of days between visits, and the day of the week corresponding to the date. The second section is a monthly calendar in which I write notes about skin issues (for the plastic surgery later), days I don't have a BM, etc. This offers a brief overview of progress and problems. Section 3 is my food intake log where I write down what I ate during the day. Section 4 is my journal notes where I may make more extensive comments about my progress, the day, good things I did or problems I had. I have it spiral bound (plastic spiral things) so it lays out flat our cover to cover like a notebook. Unfortunately, I didn't think to do this until August 25. As far as the scale is concerned, that might be a slightly more difficult habit to break since I've been weighing myself daily for years and years and years. It's my barameter and motivates me to keep moving. I'll have to chew on that one a bit. Stress? Yeah, I do need to deal with that. Perhaps some attititude adjustments are in order. But, I have indeed started the journaling process. But you're right, the focus is on getting healthy, and I do feel that I'm moving closer to that every day. I love soap boxes, especially the soft soap; it's sudsier. Thanks first for caring and second for your insights. Diane C

Hi Diane, It sounds to me like you are definitely moving in the right direction, perhaps not at the speed that your doctor thinks is appropriate but to me those kinds of opinions are subjective anyway. One doc says more, one says less....as a matter of fact, this topic was brought up at our support group meeting on Saturday by Brett the PA at Dr's Irgau, Wynn and Peters office. The topic of the meeting was The First Three Months as a post op. Brett said that many people come in asking where they should be at a given time or if they are on schedule, or if they are losing too slowly. He said do the math...once you average out your weight loss dividing total number of pounds lost by number of weeks out, it's usually a pretty good number and most people are much happier when they see the actual progress that way. He also said that they really only expect 1 - 2 pounds each week and they are happy with that. Of course most people lose faster than that, but the numbers do have a tendancy to ebb and flow that's for sure! I'm glad your also focusing on other benefits of health rather than just scale numbers ( which are notoriously inaccurate unless averaged over a period of time ) Is it possible that instead of keeping you on track, that weighing in daily may be sabotaging you on some level? After all it's not unheard of to gain lose 5 pounds over night due to fluid retention etc. I have had months where that time of the month has caused as much as a 10 pound shift. Not to mention varying salt/ fluid levels in our bodies at any given time. If you like to weigh every day, how about writing down the daily number then dividing by 7 at the end of the week and using THAT number as your official number. It will more accurately reflect where you are for the week. I think you're doing a wonderful job and you certainly have a positive attitude in adressing potential problems. You may not be a big loser right now in your doctors charts, but you sure are a winner in WLS success! Good luck to you, Linda

Thanks, Linda. You make an excellent point about averaging, which I think I will. I survived my doctor's appointment today. He reinforced the amount of food I should be eating at each meal: 1/2 cup for the first six months, edge up to 2/3 by 9 months and a full cup by a year. I am eating too fast . . . taking 15 to 20 minutes to eat a meal rather than 30, but I can work on that as well. I did have a pleasant surprise when I arrived at the doctor's office. Shay was there! It seems that she came down with Shelly. I didn't get to see Shelly, but it was nice to talk to someone whose name has become familiar to me. On the plus side, I guess the doctor figured that I lost five pounds more than I did this time since they were five pounds off last month. . . Regardless, I am happy to be on the other side of this surgery and moving in the right direction. Thanks for your encouragement. Diane C

Well, well it is delightful to see your smiling face on the boards. I got your email and will respond. I think you are doing a great job. I'm happy to hear that your doc's appt went well, too. I was feeling badly that you were apprehensive about visiting the Dr today. So glad it worked out well. How funny, running into Shay! Another cage-rattling episode! You certainly must be feeling healthier to keep up that fast-paced lifestyle of yours. And that is what this is all about, being healthy. Take care of yourself and pop in often. Dianne

Dear Dianne, I just wanted to let you know that I am so glad to see your face on the board once again. I truly don't have any words of wisdom that have not already been shared, other than like you, I am not the "norm" in this path and know how difficult it can be. My only additional advice is something I know you already know and are practicing, and that is to simply seek direction and peace through prayer and then trust that our creator has you in His hands. If you ever need a shoulder of someone who is on a similar path, perhaps a half step in front of you (but ever ready to stumble), please do not hesitate to contact me. Likely I won't have any sage advice, but perhaps it can offer you some comfort to know that not all of us go down the same path at the same speed. Hugs, Tammy

Dear Diane, YOU CAN DO IT!!!! All of us on the boards are standing with you to see that you get healthy, strong, and fit! The pounds will come off. I don't know if you remember, but we had surgery on the same date. June 21st. I am down 40 pounds as well. We all think it should be more and it should be faster but this is how it is working. I began at 242 and I am 5'2". This was the beginning weight at surgery time. My last weight at Dr.'s office was 5 pounds heavier. I happened to be in the hospital the other day with someone in my family and ran into Dr. Wynn. She thought I was down 60 pounds by looking at me. My family and friends think the same thing. But no it is only 40. Exercising is an absolute must. I began a gym a little over a month ago and can now do 2.5 miles on the treadmill. Two months ago I couldn't walk a block without being out of breath etc. Be encouraged and feel free to post any time and I'll try to encourage you as well. It would be good to hear how you're doing since we have the same date and are still at the same loss. God Bless and know we are praying for you, Mama