Three months post-op [pics]
So, it's been a full 3 months, 13 weeks, 92 days. I have grown accustomed to this new way of life. I have seen changes physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I am grateful for my sleeve.
The first month I lost 31 pounds. The next two months I lost 30 pounds. I knew the weight loss would slow down, but anyone would take a 20 pound average loss over three months if offered. I have 34 more to go before I get to my first real goal: 200 pounds. I hope that will happen over the next few months, but I know that putting a time frame on the weight loss is a losing proposition. My body is becoming much healthier, and it will lose the weight when it's well and ready.
As the weeks have passed, I've set goals that are outside the arena of food, and acheiving those goals has given me strength and satisfaction I didn't have before. I have run for five minutes (IN A ROW!). I have completed week four of the Couch to 5K challenge, and run for 13 minutes three times this week with walking intervals in between. A full half mile of running is something I thought impossible just a season ago. I fully intend to complete running an upcoming 5K in mid-April. I actually enjoy going to the gym, and it has become something of a habit for me. I have played a couple hours of volleyball each week, and not felt like the fattest guy on the court. I am eager for my singles tennis league to start up this coming week, and hope to legitimately compete now that I have more stamina and am a little lighter-footed around the court.
Emotionally and mentally, the self-esteem that comes from astonished, and unsolicited compliments is astounding. I don't go a week without someone saying, "WOW!! You look great!" That feels good. The compliment is often followed by, "You must feel so good?" And, I DO. Seeing actual thigh muscle, instead of just thigh mass after a run feels good. Not seeing more than one chin in the mirror feels good. Being able to spend time jumping on the new trampoline with the kids without fearing the posted weight limit feels good. Having my wife's embrace reach all the way around me feels good.
As I said on my one-month post, I am glad I made this decision for myself now. I am glad I didn't wait and do it in ten, or fifteen years only to miss out on the activity and fun I get to have with my family now. I'm excited about helping to coach my son's upcoming soccer season, and not feel debilitated huffing around the field with a pack of energetic 6 year olds.
In the interest of full disclosure, I still have tough days. I still make some poor food choices as I did before. Lucky I am that my sleeve doesn't allow me to gorge myself, but I still know when I've made mistakes. There are times when I am stressed out, and I still turn to food as comfort. I hope to find another quickly accessible outlet, and exercise has helped a little, but I'm still turning to food on occasion. I sometimes have a hard time finding filling, quick and cheap protein sources. But I know that they are out there, and I need to put forth the effort to acheive as much as I can.
Again, gratitude goes out to those who have been there to help and encourage along the way. Support from others is a big piece of the success pie when it comes to weight loss surgery. I thank those who inspire me with their successes, and hope to pass along that same encouragement to those who are newer to this road than I.
Chad
Left: Before. Right: One Month
Below: Three Month
I am grateful for my sleeve.
The first month I lost 31 pounds. The next two months I lost 30 pounds. I knew the weight loss would slow down, but anyone would take a 20 pound average loss over three months if offered. I have 34 more to go before I get to my first real goal: 200 pounds. I hope that will happen over the next few months, but I know that putting a time frame on the weight loss is a losing proposition. My body is becoming much healthier, and it will lose the weight when it's well and ready.
As the weeks have passed, I've set goals that are outside the arena of food, and acheiving those goals has given me strength and satisfaction I didn't have before. I have run for five minutes (IN A ROW!). I have completed week four of the Couch to 5K challenge, and run for 13 minutes three times this week with walking intervals in between. A full half mile of running is something I thought impossible just a season ago. I fully intend to complete running an upcoming 5K in mid-April. I actually enjoy going to the gym, and it has become something of a habit for me. I have played a couple hours of volleyball each week, and not felt like the fattest guy on the court. I am eager for my singles tennis league to start up this coming week, and hope to legitimately compete now that I have more stamina and am a little lighter-footed around the court.
Emotionally and mentally, the self-esteem that comes from astonished, and unsolicited compliments is astounding. I don't go a week without someone saying, "WOW!! You look great!" That feels good. The compliment is often followed by, "You must feel so good?" And, I DO. Seeing actual thigh muscle, instead of just thigh mass after a run feels good. Not seeing more than one chin in the mirror feels good. Being able to spend time jumping on the new trampoline with the kids without fearing the posted weight limit feels good. Having my wife's embrace reach all the way around me feels good.
As I said on my one-month post, I am glad I made this decision for myself now. I am glad I didn't wait and do it in ten, or fifteen years only to miss out on the activity and fun I get to have with my family now. I'm excited about helping to coach my son's upcoming soccer season, and not feel debilitated huffing around the field with a pack of energetic 6 year olds.
In the interest of full disclosure, I still have tough days. I still make some poor food choices as I did before. Lucky I am that my sleeve doesn't allow me to gorge myself, but I still know when I've made mistakes. There are times when I am stressed out, and I still turn to food as comfort. I hope to find another quickly accessible outlet, and exercise has helped a little, but I'm still turning to food on occasion. I sometimes have a hard time finding filling, quick and cheap protein sources. But I know that they are out there, and I need to put forth the effort to acheive as much as I can.
Again, gratitude goes out to those who have been there to help and encourage along the way. Support from others is a big piece of the success pie when it comes to weight loss surgery. I thank those who inspire me with their successes, and hope to pass along that same encouragement to those who are newer to this road than I.
Chad
Left: Before. Right: One Month
Below: Three Month
HW: 316 / SW: 294 / CW: 197.5 / GW: 195
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
First 5K: 29:50 mins. on 3/12/11 (4 month surgiversary)
This is a wild ass ride ain't it? 
Chad, you're looking great, and certainly seem to have a healthy attitude about life. Isn't it amazing how much better you can feel after only 3 months? I'm glad you chose to have the surgery early, instead of waiting until your mid-fifties like I did. I realize now that I missed out on a lot of life along the way, and wish I had done this a loooong time ago.
Keep up the great work. It's certainly paying off for you!
Keep up the great work. It's certainly paying off for you!
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