Almost 4 month update

WOW!  This is definitely a roller coaster ride, and one that is no where near over yet. In the beginning I really prayed for death I was so sick and in so much pain. I never thought I would get to a point where I didn't regret my decision and I can't say I am totally there yet but losing more than 50% of my weight already has done a lot to make me feel better. I keep thinking I am losing slow (pound wise) when I look at what others have lost at this point out, but then I realize I am more than halfway there and I am NO LONGER OBESE and in ONEDERLAND. I also no longer have to shop in plus sized clothes (they're still big don't get me wrong)! There is such a psychological part of this that nothing can prepare you for. I MOURN my food.I LOVE food, cooking it, reading about i****ching Food Network, shopping for it, and eating it. So, none of that has changed - it is the essence of me. I wold love to be a chef, or open  restaurant. Feeding people makes me happy. I am a foodie. So, there are some concessions that are made on a daily basis. I still can not eat very much at all (my stomach is 60cc, I PRAY For stretching) and it is hard to accept that I can't eat as much as I would like to - not even overeating just more like a normal person. I miss veggies. I still eat them but the amount I can get in is limited. I thank God every day for Core Power Chocolate protein shakes. If not for them I would never get close to my protein requirements. I still can't tolerate any other protein drinks and I really can't handle artificial sweeteners at all so these are a life saver for me. They are higher in carbs than many approve of but I have to pick my battles. I am still losing and I HAVE to get my protein in somewhere. There are many foods I still can't tolerate and I never know what will happen until I eat. 

The hair loss has started. I had thinning hair before and was taking spironolactone for it (plus Aveda Invati shampoo and treatment) and nothing is topping this. Handfuls of hair every day, and shedding like crazy all day long. I hope it stops soon.

Poo is an interesting thing now too. I find that I slow down for 2 days or so about once a week...then I spend an unreal amount of time on the potty. It definitely rules me, there are days the baby is late for Pre-K because I can't get off the potty. I am hoping that changes with time.

My muscle weakness and mobility has gotten SO MUCH BETTER!  My MS is very grateful for the loss of 50+ pounds. I am able to get around so much better and faster. I can go longer distances. THIS was the reason behind my decision to have the surgery and I am glad that it has made such a difference. I remind myself of this on those days when I feel depressed about the surgery, or the way my tummy hurts when I eat, or when I feel sad that I do not want to go on an all-inclusive vacation anymore because I can't eat or drink :) THIS IS MY SALVATION! 

What do you all do for clothes while you are losing? Obviously I do not want to go crazy and buy a ton of new stuff because I will outgrow it (at a pace that can not be planned for, LOL!), but 50 pounds lost does require new clothing, even my stretchy pants fall off now.

It sounds like you're handling the challenges you've been handed quite well...probably a lot better than I could. Keep the protein going in, try to add a little more calcium and iron to firm things up poo wise and water always, always, always. 

As I was quickly sliding down the scale I bought clothes at our local Goodwill. I would drop a size every month and 1 month I dropped 2 sizes. I also took my measurements and shopped online sales at some pretty good sites that I could trust the size charts. As you drop to your lowest weight it's actually harder to buy online and you need to try clothes on since they are all cut differently and you'll be wearing them more fitted.

Enjoy the roller coaster ride for what it is. I hope things get better and more predictable.

--gina

Thanks Gina!!! 

Wow! Just felt a little better after reading this! I am only 3 weeks out and you are right,the emotional side of this is so weird!!! I watch the food channel and see people socially eating and feel kinda weird that my stomach and brain think differently from each other now!! Just glad this is normal ,thanks!-MIke

Mike,

Glad it helps. I know in the beginning I was asking all kinds of questions and scouring the boards like crazy, but I had a very hard time. I am glad my post could be of some help! Hang in there!!

I must say that after reading what you and Mike were discussing, I feel better too. I am just 5 weeks out. When I'm looking for something to watch and I see "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" or "Iron Chef" or "Cupcake Wars" or any of the countless other shows I used to watch about food, I just skip the channel. I can'****ch them, I just can't. I've replaced them with home improvement shows...LOL. The other thing I do now is look at pintrest a lot. I look at low carb foods to get ideas (I also look at recipes with bacon lol). It's not a fun journey so far but, hopefully, the destination will be worth the bumpy ride! 

patricia - I find I can't skip the Food Channel, no matter how hard I try. I love it. I am also on pinterest :) My pinterest id is www.pinterest.com/pamperedpaula (I used to be a pampered chef consultant). 

Your stomach will stretch over time. I can eat about 6-8 ounces now depending on how heavy the food is. Learning to balance your Poo is going to take time. Try adding calcium and iron to your vits. I have weeks where I am messed up and all I deal with is poo then I have weeks of utter blissful normal poos. The littlest thing can upset the balance with this surgery. 

I have hooked up with another DSer that had her surgery three months after mine and I pass my clothes on to her. All the clothes I have come from family, friends, garage sales, good will and anywhere else I can find it cheap. I buy one really nice outfit from Walmart for every size I lose and just live in that one outfit until I go down another size. I did have a lot of old clothes from when I was thinner previously but I am now below that size so begging for clothes from anyone who can pass them on to me. =) I wish you luck!

Thanks IrishMouse! I am glad to know my tummy will get bigger. Vits I am having problems with - they make me sick. I tried liquid multi and they were gross, instantly back out :( I am still taking bentyl and sometimes lomotil. I find the lomotil brings on days of no poo though sometimes I have no choice.