1 YEAR
I can't believe it's been a whole year. Wow...time really flies! Yesterday, one year ago,September 12, 2017 I had my surgery at St. Joe's in Hamilton.
I have lost 90 pounds. I wear a size 6 or 4 on the bottom and size 4 or 2 on top. This is a miracle to me. For the past 3 months I have not lost a pound, but have been fluctuating up and down between 2 pounds. This tells me that I am probably done loosing weight. I really wanted to lose another 10 pounds (just to be safe - as a cushion) but it is what it is. I really am grateful and the truth is that I have never been this weight (141-143) consistently for this amount of time. I guess what is scary is that it puts me within 2 pounds of being "overweight". I know I still have a lot of work to do "in my head" to rid me of the diet culture that I have been living with all of my life. I'm just trying to relax, breathe deep, and remember what I decided to do to my body a year ago, and continue to make wise decisions regarding what I put into my body and how I move my body (exercise).
For me the exercise of choice has been walking daily and lifting weights. I really believe that if I had not been doing this consistently that I would not have been as successful in such a short period of time. I also believe that it has completely transformed my body in the way that it looks and how I feel under clothes. I also believe that it has given me strength and confidence that in the past I could only have dreamed. I most certainly believe that it is the "secret sauce" that will help me maintain my weight in my twilight years. I add this section on weight loss, because before I had my surgery this is what I read over and over and over again from others and in articles that would help with weight loss after surgery and how to live your life post-op. I made the decision right there that if I was going to go through with this surgery, that exercise would have to play one of the most important roles in my life. It has and it will....
I would also like to point out that 30 years ago (in my 20's) I was an aerobic instructor. I faithfully taught at least 2 classes a day. Cardio played a huge role in my life. I was about 10 pounds heavier than I am now. I was never able to get below 150 pounds. My body looked ok, but not strong. I am now 57 years old now and lift weights. I am between 141 and 143 pounds. My body looks completely different than it did 30 years ago. I am strong and fit and my clothes fit me differently than they did then.
This is really not what I planned to talk about for my one year anniversary. I thought I would talk about my journey with food and what the ups and downs were going to be for me. Truthfully there have not been many "downs" at all. I have had an easy journey so far. But again, maybe it's been because of the exercise.
I really am posting this as "food for thought" for all of those considering surgery and having upcoming surgeries. Our bodies are amazing and precious things. If you are able, it would be wise to do some research into how you are going to move your body after surgery, make the decision, and stick to it.
I wish all of you success. Here is my before and after picture.
Referred May 2016, Orientation July 4, 2016, Pre-Nutrition Class March 31, 2017, Nurse April 10, 2017, Blood work/ECG April 13, 2017, Ultra-sound April 27, 2017, Psychologist May 30, 2017, Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy June 5, 2017, Internist June 13, 2017, Dietician June 14, 2017, 2nd Round of blood work August 2, 2017, Surgeon September 6, 2017, Surgery September 12, 2017 - St. Joe's Hamilton - No Opti
Height 5"4" HW 231 SW222 CW141
PreOp-9 lbs M1-20lbs M2-11lbs M3-13lbs M4-7lbs M5-8lbs M6-7lbs M7-5lbs M8-5lbs M9-2lbs M10-0lbs M11 - 0lbs M12 - 0lbs
Thank you and all the best to you.
Barb
Referred May 2016, Orientation July 4, 2016, Pre-Nutrition Class March 31, 2017, Nurse April 10, 2017, Blood work/ECG April 13, 2017, Ultra-sound April 27, 2017, Psychologist May 30, 2017, Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy June 5, 2017, Internist June 13, 2017, Dietician June 14, 2017, 2nd Round of blood work August 2, 2017, Surgeon September 6, 2017, Surgery September 12, 2017 - St. Joe's Hamilton - No Opti
Height 5"4" HW 231 SW222 CW141
PreOp-9 lbs M1-20lbs M2-11lbs M3-13lbs M4-7lbs M5-8lbs M6-7lbs M7-5lbs M8-5lbs M9-2lbs M10-0lbs M11 - 0lbs M12 - 0lbs
What an inspiration! I hope I have just as much success.
St. Joe's Hamilton Orientation - Dec. 4/17; Pre-nutrition class - Feb. 9/18; Nurse - Mar. 12/18; CT Scan - Apr. 16/18; Gastroscopy - May 1/18; Internist Appt - May 3/18; Dietitian - June 11/18; Social Worker - July10/18; Consent - July 24/18; Surgery - Sept. 17;
Hi..and thanks. Hopefully you will. Remember it's all about the decisions you make. All the best for an incredible journey!!
Barb
Referred May 2016, Orientation July 4, 2016, Pre-Nutrition Class March 31, 2017, Nurse April 10, 2017, Blood work/ECG April 13, 2017, Ultra-sound April 27, 2017, Psychologist May 30, 2017, Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy June 5, 2017, Internist June 13, 2017, Dietician June 14, 2017, 2nd Round of blood work August 2, 2017, Surgeon September 6, 2017, Surgery September 12, 2017 - St. Joe's Hamilton - No Opti
Height 5"4" HW 231 SW222 CW141
PreOp-9 lbs M1-20lbs M2-11lbs M3-13lbs M4-7lbs M5-8lbs M6-7lbs M7-5lbs M8-5lbs M9-2lbs M10-0lbs M11 - 0lbs M12 - 0lbs
You look incredible! Congrats on your success!
Ref to Sudbury July 4/17 Sleep study July 29/17 Orientation Sept 13/17 1on1's Feb 2/18 OTN Feb 27/18 Pre op Mar 13/18 Surgery Mar 22/18 St. Michael's w Dr. Grantcharov Opti-10lb M1=-24lbs M2=-11.5 M3=-7.5 M4=-8 M5=-9 M6=-8.5 M7=-6.5 M8=-8 M9=-5 M10=5.5 M11=-2.5 M12=-5 M13=-4
Thanks. I hope all if going well for you too!
Barb
Referred May 2016, Orientation July 4, 2016, Pre-Nutrition Class March 31, 2017, Nurse April 10, 2017, Blood work/ECG April 13, 2017, Ultra-sound April 27, 2017, Psychologist May 30, 2017, Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy June 5, 2017, Internist June 13, 2017, Dietician June 14, 2017, 2nd Round of blood work August 2, 2017, Surgeon September 6, 2017, Surgery September 12, 2017 - St. Joe's Hamilton - No Opti
Height 5"4" HW 231 SW222 CW141
PreOp-9 lbs M1-20lbs M2-11lbs M3-13lbs M4-7lbs M5-8lbs M6-7lbs M7-5lbs M8-5lbs M9-2lbs M10-0lbs M11 - 0lbs M12 - 0lbs
Thank you!
Referred May 2016, Orientation July 4, 2016, Pre-Nutrition Class March 31, 2017, Nurse April 10, 2017, Blood work/ECG April 13, 2017, Ultra-sound April 27, 2017, Psychologist May 30, 2017, Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy June 5, 2017, Internist June 13, 2017, Dietician June 14, 2017, 2nd Round of blood work August 2, 2017, Surgeon September 6, 2017, Surgery September 12, 2017 - St. Joe's Hamilton - No Opti
Height 5"4" HW 231 SW222 CW141
PreOp-9 lbs M1-20lbs M2-11lbs M3-13lbs M4-7lbs M5-8lbs M6-7lbs M7-5lbs M8-5lbs M9-2lbs M10-0lbs M11 - 0lbs M12 - 0lbs
Congratulations on your journey and success, always great to hear from someone my age who is doing well, I know I too need to get back to exercise, just having a hard time fitting into my life, I've finally decided to join a gym and see where I go from there.
57 - 6'0" - HW:288 SW:260 CW:185
TWH: Referral Aug. '16, Orientation - Nov. 30 '16, Surgeon Oct. 6 '17, Start Optifast Feb. 5'18 - Surgery Feb. 26'18
Opti -25; M1 -23; M2 -17; M3 -7; M4 -5; M5 -5; M6 -6; M7 -0; M8 -2; M9 -0; M10 -2; M11-0; M12-4;
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