Today is my 1 year anniversary!
I have lost 215 lbs in the past year. On April 9, 2008 I weighed 430 and today I weigh 215. I wore a size 34 pants and now I am in an 18. I wore a 5X shirt, and now I buy my shirts in the regular women's department (not Plus Size!) and am usually an XL, but sometimes a L. My top is smaller than my bottom, because it seems as though all of the fat migrated down. I have bony shoulders and collarbone area. The other day my husband was like "OMG, I can feel your ribs. That's weird!" Before surgery I was in a wheelchair and had diabetes (insulin 4x a day) and sleep apnea. None of those things are the case now. I am much happier, have much more self confidence and feel a million times better. It was the best decision I ever made.
It hasn't been easy and still continues to be difficult. I went to the surgeon today for my 1 year post-op visit. My labs aren't all that great. I am low on Vitamin D and Folic Acid. My prealbumin levels are super low (protein). So I've added Folic Acid into my pill case and I got a mega dose prescription for Vitamin D.
And I still miss Coke. I haven't had one since January 2008 but I still crave them.
Plus I still cannot eat like a normal GB patient. I mostly stick to cheese, yogurt, milk, soup, etc. I have never been able to tolerate solid foods (more than 2 bites).
I still have a lot of weight to lose, but it will happen much more slowly now. Hopefully it will continue, though. I'm still way too fat. But getting there.
Here are some before and now pics (and a wedding pic from Sept 2002. I wore a size 28 when I got married. So I want to get remarried so I can have wedding pics that don't make me cringe!):
Whom ever said that people who have WLS are taking the easy way out, have never had this experience. This is a journey and a major challenge. Step by step I am striving to make it as a loser!!
Starting Weight/ Current Weight / Goal Weight (for now)
337/235.2/199
They aren't sure. I've had these issues pretty much the entire time. I could eat a little more i(variety) n the beginning, but it has just gotten to the point where the hours of feeling like crap after trying things just isn't worth it to me. I've had several Upper GIs and 2 endoscopies with no answer.
I had a stomach perf back in July and things got even worse after that. But everything looks "right" in there, so they have no solutions. Funny thing is, I can eat potato chips (or similar foods) and candy just fine. If only they were full of protein, I'd be golden! But I keep a can of Pringles around for when I just need to feel like I am actually eating food (as opposed to all of the liquidy food I normally eat). And I have a couple peanut M&Ms or Reese's Pieces for a treat here and there. I tell myself that they are "good candy" because of the peanut aspect. Protein and all.
Another strange thing is that I don't have dumping syndrome. I had one episode and that is becase I drank Orange Hi-C from McDonald's in a moment of stupidity. But I've had ice cream and juice and candy all with no issues whatsoever. I also had 3 mixed drinks one night around Christmas and didn't even get a buzz at all. Apparently if something is typical for GB patients, I will be the exact opposite!
