9 month post op update - Goal reached!

Good morning! It's been just over 9 months since I had RNY at Humber. Like many my first goal was to get to "one-derland". My centre told me they consider a 100 pound loss a success. I wasn't sure if they meant 100 from highest or surgery and got different answers when I asked lol. So my next goal was 180 - that's 100 pounds from highest. Then 166 - 100lbs from surgery. If I made it to 164lbs then I would be considered overweight not obese so that was my next goal! I shared this with my centre and they said that it would likely take 12-18 months and hesitated about whether it was possible. My pre-op BMI was 50.5 (Super Morbildly Obese) and now it's 29.9 (overweight). Here's my scale goal progress:

Goal 1 (199) - reached Oct 9, 2016

Goal 2 (180) - reached Dec 12, 2016

Goal 3 (166) - reached Feb 25, 2017

Goal 4 (164) - reached Mar 1, 2017

Next scale goal is 150! 

My weight loss has slowed significantly compared to the beginning but that's to be expected. I've lost hair (a lot), have a lot of excess skin that will require surgery, wear a size 10/12 or large/XL (compared to size 22/24 or 3x/4x), I sit with my legs crossed comfortably, take the stairs with ease, feel better and most importantly I'm healthier! I still battle my food demons daily but now I'm winning the battle. I don't regret this at all! This is a life long journey and this time I'm excited to see what happens when I don't give up!

To the pre-op people - I remember the long wait and frustration but hang in there because you're in for a heck of a ride!

Hugs

Nikki

Wow, you've done GREAT and are continuing to lose!  What an inspiration!

I'm so happy for you!

Hugs,

Kathy

Thanks so much!!

Congrats...that is awesome news.

At what point did you start to lose your hair and has it started to grow back yet?

I am 2 weeks post op so still learning about how my pouch works.  Did you reach these goal by food alone or by living in a gym?

Hope these aren't to personal.  I am limited to what I can do at a gym from a neck surgery a couple years back.

Thanks and congrats,

Laura

My hair started to fall out around month three until month 9. It got very thin but most people didn't notice except my hairdresser. 

Thanks Monica ...did it start growing back after month 9?

Yes and now my hair dresser is back to thinning it out because it's thick. So thankful. That to me was the most stressful part of this journey but I'm vain haha. 

Hi there - I noticed it a lot between month 2 and 3 then it seemed to slow down until month 6 which was bad again. I'd say I've lost probably half of my hair! It's not super noticeable to others I don't think (my hubby says it looks good but he also said I looked good at 280lbs so he doesn't count lol) - I don't have bald spots - but I had thin hair to begin with. Lots of hair but thin. Now I can see my scalp in many places and notice that my ear(s) poke through my hair :( I do notice new growth (lots of tiny hairs about an inch long) that stick straight up lol. I just started noticing this about 3 weeks ago. So I know it's coming back. It can be shocking to see how much hair is in the brush after a shower. I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and scalp treatment - not sure if it's making a difference but makes my scalp tingle which is nice lol. I get them cheaper than the salon at Winners.

In terms of the gym - full disclosure I haven't started exercising yet so it's been on food alone! I said to myself at the beginning that I'd wait for a stall and then I'd join the gym but I haven't hit a stall yet. I also fully realize this is an excuse. I did buy an elliptical last weekend and have used it twice and intend to use it at least 3 days a week to help with toning and continued health and weight loss.

I haven't had any pop (or anything carbonated) in over a year - I used to live on diet coke. Now I drink water or herbal tea - that's it. No alcohol either - not even a sip. I haven't had any bread since before staring opti (nor bread products like wraps), no rice, no refined sugar, etc. I do have potatoes sometimes and usually it's sweet potato and only a fork full. I've tried some things - like one bite of cheesecake at Christmas but for the most part I don't. I don't want to be misleading either - I've tried trigger foods that I know I should stay away from like chips, crackers and pretzels. I fooled myself by measuring my intake and tracking it but the reality is I need to stay away from those foods. I simply make sure they aren't in the house. I weigh and track every bite in the free app "My Fitness Pal". I still love food - I'm a foodie - but now I love high quality food in a small quantity instead of low quality food (fast food) in large quantities. It feels great!

On a side note it's been refreshing to see how this has impacted the whole family - my hubby has lost 35lbs (he jokes and says he had no choice and is a by-product of me - we have no bread in the house, no cookies or sweets, etc) and my teenage son has lost about 15lbs (he didn't have much to lose) but is very health aware now and doesn't eat fast food very often.

I hope that helps and good luck on your journey!  

Thanks

Nikki

Fantastic!

You have done amazing.  Keep up the fantastic work!