9 Weeks Post-Op Update

I'm back from sunny Florida and am happy to report that we had a wonderful time at Wizarding World of Harry Potter and a week long stay in Destin!  It was wonderful to experience vacation at this weight.  Before I get into my stats and such though, I wanted to share something scary that happened at Wizarding World (Universal).  

We just arrived and of course my 8 year old couldn't wait to ride the Hogwarts Express (I felt the same way though)!!  We had arrived, got in line for the train and took a few pictures of each other - we were all smiles.  Then all of a sudden I felt like I was going to pass out.  I haven't felt this at all post-surgery and don't have any history of this pre-surgery.  I was literally all smiles one minute and then sliding down the castle walls the next.  I kept blacking out and hearing that high pitch noise in my ears.  I kept it together the best I could as to not alarm my 8 year old, but I was a mess.  It took everything I had not to just let my body pass out completely.  We got to the front of the line pretty quickly and my husband had to use my shoulders to guide me on the train because I literally couldn't see.  The park workers noticed this right away and got me in an air conditioned train car sitting down immediately.  They brought me water and such.  It took me more than the short train ride to recover.  I didn't feel even slightly better until we exited the train and went and had some food.  Now, I only share this story because after talking to my dietitian we came to the conclusion that I had a severe drop in blood sugar that caused that issue.  Although I had eaten as I normally do and was well hydrated, because I was just physically doing more yet eating the same amount of calories, it caused an issue.  She told me anytime I know more activity is coming, I should add a small amount of carbs (fruit or yogurt, etc.) to my diet. If you have followed me, you know I stay pretty low carb.  Lesson Learned.  After 2 more less crazy episodes like that throughout that first day, I was back to normal.  It took me an entire day to get past that.  Let this be advice to any of you - if you know you are going to be doing far more physical activity than normal, at least review your food journaling or planning and make sure you have had some type of carb before you move forward.  

After several days at WWHP, we headed to the beach condo for a week of the ocean and relaxation.  It was everything I needed it to be.  We played a lot, laughed a lot and I found it very easy to plan food.  We ate breakfast and lunch at the condo and went out every night for dinner.  Being in Florida, I had awesome bites of fish, shrimp, crab, etc.  It was delicious and made me very easy for me to eat.  I typically ordered an appetizer or shared a few bites from my husband's plate.  

We arrived home on Monday and I decided not to weigh until today - my normal date for weigh ins.  Today is the day!

My stats to date:

• Start Weight: 283.2
• 10/1-4/13:  Supervised Weight Loss Phase + Pre-Op:  -60 lbs
• 4/13-5/13:  Month 1 Post-Op:  -20 lbs
• 5/13-6/13:  Month 2 Post-Op:  -10.2 lbs
• 6/14-7/13:  Month 3 Post-Op:  -4 lbs (and counting)
• Total Post-Op Weight Loss So Far:  -34.2 (and counting)
• Total weight loss:  -92.8 lbs
• Current Weight:  190.4

A few NSVs:

• Walking miles and miles at Universal WWHP and besides the first day, having no issues and felt full of energy.
• I was able to get into a 12 when I returned home.  Not all the 12s fit, but one pair did and that felt A-Mazing!
• I bought a few size medium tops/skirts/dresses when I've found them for a steal.  For kicks, I tried them on just to see how they fit.  Interestingly enough, the skirts fit.  They are forgiving (not a tight pencil skirt or anything), but to just be able to pull them on was such a wonderful feeling.  I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing them as they don't fit the way they should yet, but it was a NSV for sure.
• We took a lot of pictures on vacation - pictures I would have totally avoided last year.   It was fun to see pictures of me that I didn't hate.  In fact, it was an odd experience to actually see the pictures.  In the past, if I would get in a photo, I would see the pic later and think I looked way bigger than I thought I did.  It was always a bummer.  Well when my husband and I looked at the pictures we took on this trip, naturally I expected to see me looking bigger than I thought.  That didn't happen.  I actually looked at the pictures and couldn't believe how much smaller I looked.  I was shocked. I kept looking at the picture expecting it to expand or something before my eyes but it didn't.  Maybe I've not fully connected that my body is smaller, but the pictures help.  I have looked at them every day since I first saw them - I think I'm always double checking to be sure I actually saw them accurately.  LOL

Here’s to seeing less of me next week!

JC

First I want to Congratulate on the Pictures!!!  If you can figure it out you should post on our new weekly post "Fashion Friday"!

Secondly, it's great you figured out  why you felt faint because it took me months to figure it out!  We go to Disney every year and a year ago I had a really bad spell that forced me to look into it.  I always keep several of my favorite nut bars with me and a bottle of water if I know I'm not going to be able to get some quickly.

Congrats on the weight loss!!  When you hit the 100 pound loss make sure you get a gold apple for your signature.  I'm sooooo jealous of those! I stopped my weight loss at 97 lbs because I thought I was getting too thin....one of the biggest mistakes of my journey!

Thanks Roz!!  My hubby kept saying that I didn't eat enough and I kept telling him I ate what I always do so I just didn't get it.  I'm glad I talked to the dietitian and she helped me figure out a strategy for any future trips like that.  

I appreciate the nice comments on the weight loss too.  How do I get the gold apple?  I'm getting close!  It's really exciting to think that I've really lost 2/3 of what I wanted to lose already.  Once I get down to 150, I'm going to re-evaluate my BMI and just how I look/feel and decide how much more I want to lose.

I'll check out the Fashion Friday too!

JC 

What a wonderful report, well, not the sick part of course but all the rest. 

I love the picture part.  It took me years to go by the mirror and not see the fat me. 

You are so close to 100 lost, hurray.  You will be there in the next few weeks!!!

Thanks Price!  Yeah I keep wondering if my brain will ever catch up.  I'm sure it will at some point, but sure shocks me every single time.  It's like that doing laundry too - I start wondering who some of the shirts or pants belong to not realizing they are mine!

YAY!

JC

I had forgotten about that.  I did the laundry thing too,   and would get something out to wear and think, no way I'm going to fit into THAT.

Exactly - I'd panic in the past if something was washed and dried because I knew it would shrink and fit different.  I have those same fears even at a smaller size.  I think, "wow this really shrunk" and then am stunned when I can still slide it on.  HA!

Ouch on the scary almost passing out thing!  Im glad you were able to resolve it on the first day and still enjoy your vacation! 

But the stats are amazing!  You're doing so great! I love my 12's,  my only dilemma is I really need to stop buying clothes because we aren't done yet...but its a good dilemma 

Congrats again on your progress and know the fun is really just beginning!

Oh girl, you are preaching to the choir on the clothes buying.  I see all this cute stuff and want to get it now, but I've been focusing on smaller sizes lately too just so I always have something that fits.  I've actually been going out on a limb and have been buying size Mediums.  MEDIUMS?   I still can't believe it!  Some of them even already fit - albeit just a bit tight.  I'll get there though!