Update - Nearly 3 Weeks out!

Those of you who say this is a "wild ride" make a good point.  Even though change is slow, I know I'm going down.  I can feel it in my clothes.  I've lost over 30 pounds (counting my liquid diet two weeks pre surgery).  Now that I can eat soft foods, I'm trying things and finding those that work and those that don't.  I made ground turkey chili yesterday and really like it.   I was so-so on the low fat refried beans so many rave about.  Poached egg with a little cheese is yummy to me.  I'm using isopure for protein.  I'm getting my 50-60 g of protein and at least 64 oz of water every day.

I feel good, except that I haven't started exercising.  At my size, with my foot and knee problems, I have to wait for clearance for the pool.  Meanwhile I am trying to put on a few extra steps here and there.  I have my post op appt. next week and will know more then. 

I'm learning - and thanks to all of your posts, I feel like I'm on the right track!

Mary you are doing great...keep up the good work!!!

Mary, you're doing AWESOME!  With protein, with water, even with exercise!  You don't have to be on a formal program - that works for some, it never worked for me.  I've had chronic back and knee issues for 13 years (I was broad-sided on the passenger side), and I'm afraid I'll always be a little lop-sided and limpy because of it.

But you CAN move your body more than in the past - park your car farther away than you normally would.  Take stairs instead of elevators when you can.  Avoid TV in favor of housework or walks around your neighborhood.  When you're feeling ready, you might try biking.  Swimming & water aerobics are awesome!  IT ALL COUNTS!!!  And you'll be amazed by how good it feels to do ANYTHING once there's less of you to haul around!

Just want to give you one thing to store in your brain...  Losing weight does NOT assure anyone that leg/back/foot problems are going to go away.  In fact, for a while they may even get WORSE - because your body will be adjusting to a new center of gravity, and because the lost weight often means you will be moving MORE and therefore using those joints more.  It's frustrating as heck, I wish someone would have shared that issue with me earlier on.   But yes - even 170 pounds less than I was, I still have back pain, I still have trouble with my left knee, and it sucks. 

But it sucks a WHOLE LOT LESS than it did hauling another full-size human around on those same joints!!!

YAY YOU!

Mary:

I am very impressed with your progress and with your fantastic, positive attitude.  Way to go!!

RP

Thanks, both of you!  

Darla - I really appreciate you putting a little reality on it.  I had a total knee replacement last November, and it just never has quite healed or something - still have pain, but not as debilitating as it was before knee surgery.  I know I shouldn't expect miracles, and I'll try not to.  I have a friend that lost 160 or so several years ago and she told me she had to do chiropractic and physical therapy to get her GAIT straightened out.  Turns out we compensate and have to relearn how to walk right.

Darla - you are a bright light around here!  I'm so glad I got to meet you and even got a hug!  I am kind of shy, so I hope I was warm and friendly right back at you!  I meant to be.

Thanks!

You're doing such a great job, Mary.  Your attitude is amazing.  I'm still trying to get in enough fluids 6 months later.  Once you get to full diet, it gets so much easier.  It still takes months of adjustments, but you start to feel "normal" again.  I still have my aches and pains, too.  I've been delaying the exercise portion.  I'm so bad.  I had all the best intentions to walk all summer, but didn't and now it's getting cold...I'm a wimp.  I was going to join a club, but now money is more than tight.  I bought a couple of weights and an exercise tape...so we'll see.  Arthritic hips and shot knees don't help either.  From what I get from you, I'm going to guess that you're not going to let any excuse stop you.  You're SO on track!  Karen

Thanks Karen and RP - your encouragement is worth so much!

Mary-
Your post is very encouraging to me.  As everyone knows I start my journey tomorrow.  I am not good on the exercise end of this weight loss yet either.  I am a person that needs a buddy to actually exercise with.  I'm working on that.  I have many friends that offer to walk with me, well I never have been a fast walker nor a long distant one either.  I'm planning on taking it one step at a time as long as I am moving forward.  Sounds like you are doing good and hopefully soon you'll get the clearance to do more.
Have a great day!!
Donna

  Donna - you are going to do great!  I can't wait to see you on the losers' bench.  I also have friends that want to walk with me, but I'm not ready for that yet.  I'll probably start with the pool after my post op meeting, and then, like you - I'll take it a little at a time.
It's great to be doing this - glad you'll be there tomorrow!  I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Holy buckets, Mary!

You're bolting strong right out of the gate! GREAT JOB! We'll have to make you the Fall '09 poster child for RNY! :o) Looks like your attitude and support system are helping you use your tool to its fullest! WOW, and getting in the soft foods like a champ! Keep up the wonderful work!

I just got my surgery date today, so I plan on being close behind you!

Continued best wishes!
Shannon