6 month post op- reflections

Minus 100 pounds later.....

  6 Months ago today at this hour I was headed to Winchester Hospital- close to 300 pounds and freaking out would be an understatement.

Fast forward to today, conveniently, I hit the 100 pound loss mark this morning- exactly 6 months after my surgery! I did my measurements this morning and that is even more astounding- if that is possible! I have lost a total of 56 inches-of fat I presume! I mean that is almost 5 FEET of FAT! My BMI has gone from a 48 Morbidly Obest, to a 31- which is still in the obese category- which annoys me! But I am sure it will still be going down. I have gone from a size 28/30 to my all time low the other day of SIZE 12! I think that particular pair of pants ran big- but WHO CARES!?!

So those are the factual numbers and stats. But even more important are the changes in my everyday life. I am definitely happier, healthier, and more comfortable in my own skin. My sister in law was asking me the other day what it feels like to lose a hundred pounds and my answer surprised me. I told her I feel completely comfortable and normal, and that isn't the weird part, it was more bizarre to be so big, and feel so strange. I feel like I am the way I am supposed to be now, and it's not really a big deal, if that makes any sense.

I still have challenges, but things are getting better. I have been getting sick alot but its kind of part of the drill now, and not so dramatic and drawn out as it was in the early days. I was able to have a couple glasses of wine and lots of yummy appetizers at a ****tail party this past weekend so that was great. I have noticed a pattern, when i have wine, I am able to eat much more easily. I heard that it relaxes all your muscles so that's prob why everything goes down fine! Definitely not something to do every day but nice to know.

I still get sick from basic stuff that is fine one day and hits me wrong the next- that is most maddening. Eggs, most veggies, red meat and pasta are still off limits.
But crispy pizza, high quality bread, chicken, fish, cheeses and most everything else are fine in small amounts. I subsitute splenda for sugar in everything and they even have a splenda brown sugar now so I do all my baking and no one even notices the difference. I am still a soup addict, and yogurt, power bars and protein icecream will always be my staples.

I definitely need to work on my exercise routine, it has been haphazard at best. I feel like I have alot more energy in general, but if I do a workout it depletes half my calories for the day, and I cant just eat more like most people do. So I am working on that puzzle.

I still have 12 pounds to go to reach my original goal...and I had given myself a year to do that! I suspect I will be going below that goal, whether I like it or not. That is one of my concerns, being able to stop losing when I want/need to.

Right now the biggest bummer is my hair loss. It has been going on for 2 months now with no signs of letting up. Thank god I started with so much hair...but I can tell the difference big time. 

But overall I am finally ready to say I made the right decision. I did not feel that way for the first 4 or 5 months...I had serious regrets and even asked Dr. Ameri about my options for reversal....he laughed! Now I know for sure it was the answer for me...because honestly right this second, if i could get my paws on a Boston Kreme donut, I'd be scarfing it down! Hey I am still me, and thank god this tool keeps me in check.

Here's to the next 6 months and healthy years ahead. Thankyou to OH for helping me navigate this journey, especiall Eggface! I dont know what I would have done without you all, the info and support have been priceless. The journey is far from over so let's keep helping one another!

Thought for the Day:
"What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?"

Feel free to check out my blog.....
http://chubclubdropout.blogspot.com/

What a ride..thanks for sharing. You've done wonderfully!!

Thanks for the post.  For this pre-op, you are an inspiration!

S....

Well done! I hope I will be as successful as you!

Thank you for sharing! It is so valuable to have others' experiences to learn from and draw strength from. This is a wonderful forum. Congratulations on your continued success, and on not losing yourself in the process!

Congratuations on your 100 lb loss.  I had surgery the day after you.  I have never had a regret and have only had to deal with sickness a few times.  I wish I would more often sometimes just to keep me in check.  I'm not to 100 yet, I'm at 84 lbs gone and 32 left to go before my goal.  I have no fear that I won't be able to stop losing. 

I feel incredible and like you said right where I need to be.  Like I fit in finally.  I have a hard time not seeing myself as obese still.  I still look in the mirror and see fat.  But I no longer avoid the camera.  I no longer think I can't do an excercise because of my weight.  I no longer avoid the mirror.  I can't wait to get rid of the excess skin once I hit goal.  I excercise 5 days a week and since I see results, it inspires me to continue.  Not like before when it never seemed to make a difference by going to the gym.  I'm healthy, happy and ready to take on the world...especially the mall!!!!!!

Again, congrats on your success and I wish you all the best going forward.  Keep up the good work. 

Wonderful NEWS ! I know how you are feeling after all the weight loss..I myself had my surgery March 31st 2008...and am a lil past you in post op months and still have some trouble eating pasta..never liked it much anyhow but red meat cant eat..but i eat cheese,crackers..yogurt etc..

 

Keep up the good work.

 

- Patti

Beautiful post - thank you!  I'm a month ahead of you, 7 months yesterday, and down 102 lbs., and 63 inches!  It is amazing to think of all those inches!!  I have about 58 more pounds to go, and the weight loss has slowed from about 15 lbs. per month to 10 last month, but that's OK.  My hair loss has also slowed, thank goodness, but no new growth yet.  I cut it short to hide the thiness beter.  My biggest WOW moment was when my tiny marathon runner sister, who hadn't seen me until 6 months post-op,  said "You look normal now.  You don't stand out in a crowd because of your weight anymore."  I guess that's a compliment.....
Good luck to you as you continue on this wonderful path to a better life!