It gets harder and harder each month to remember what it was like to eat and live prior to surgery, even though I did it for 32 years. Eating 2-4oz at a time is my new normal. I’ve never had this much energy, nor have I ever felt this great. I workout 5-6 days a week, and it just feels so normal, it’s what my body wants.
I did have a rough month with the scale. The first couple of weeks it just wasn’t moving, so I took a break from the scale and had my husband hide it from me. I was so happy to see that it had moved this morning. Even though this month wasn’t my biggest weight loss month to date, it was a very great month in terms non-scale-victories (NSVs). Loss of inches, and also great that it’s the first month that people have commented on a daily basis about my weight loss. I have a hard time seeing the changes since I see myself everyday, so it’s very encouraging to hear others notice. I also finally had to break down and buy new clothes this month. I was out of pants. I didn’t have any other sizes in my closet to turn to, and I obviously couldn’t leave the house pant-less. I also had to buy new bras, I have dropped 8″ in my band size, almost 10″ at this point. Jeans I bought at the beginning of the month are already getting too big. I have to remind myself of the NSVs when the scale doesn’t move, but sometimes that is hard to do.
Now that I am four months out from surgery, there really isn’t anything that I can’t eat. That is both a blessing and a curse. It means that I can eat things that I really shouldn’t, but it also means that its easier to eat in out or eat in social situations and still feel “normal.” I focus a lot on listening to Sleevie McGavin and trying to pay attention to wether it s satisfied or not. For anyone that has been obese the majority of their lives, they know what I mean. I spent years, decades even, not knowing what satisfied really was. I knew how to eat until it hurt, I knew how to eat until I went into a food coma, but I didn’t know how to eat until I had just enough to be satisfied. I have a second chance at life with my new stomach. I am having to relearn a lot, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I am so excited knowing that I will get to live a longer healthier life thanks to my sleeve.
I have gotten back into exercising, see my 6 Month Challenge for more information on that! I’m doing really well working towards my goal of 100 pounds by the 6 month mark (February 22nd), but I’m not entirely sure that I will hit the full 100 by then. Things are certainly slowing down. BUT, I will hit the 100 pound mark by next spring, regardless of whether it is at 6, 7, 8, or even 9 months out. I WILL. I WILL.
Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 4 months post op. (FYI If you want to see all progress photo’s here’s a link.) I really started to notice changes at the three month post op mark, but this month, the changes are even more dramatic when compared to surgery day. I still have my “fat tire” around my mid section, but it continuously gets smaller. I’m hoping that one day it will be gone, ha!
Photo’s from 8/22 (Day of Surgery)
Photo’s from 12/22 (Four Months Post-Op)
Measurements
I forgot to take pictures before I started the pre-op diet, but I did take my measurements the day that I started the two week pre-op diet. The numbers below include changes since 8/8, the day I started the pre-op diet.
- Waist: -7 7/8″ (-2″ this month)
- Hips: -8″ (-3″ this month)
- Right Thigh: -3 3/4″ (-7/8″ this month)
- Right Calf: -2 5/8″ (-0″ this month)
- Left Bicep: -1 7/8″ (-1/2″ this month)
- Neck: -2″ (-1/2″ this month)
- Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 8 5/8″ (-1 1/2″ this month)
- Chest Over (cup size): -5 5/8″ (-2 1/4″ this month)
- Total Lost: -38 3/16″
- Pre Op Weight Loss -12.8lbs
- Month 1 Weight Loss -20.8lbs
- Month 2 Weight Loss -16.6 lbs
- Month 3 Weight Loss -12.4 lbs
- Month 4 Weight Loss -10.2 lbs
- Total Weight Loss -72.8 lbs (-60 lbs Post Op)
Tata for now,
Scale Warfare
Amazing job!
The difference between the two sets of photos is dramatic! You’re completely shrinking away, which is so awesome!! I hope you’re shopping the sales, lady, because those new clothes won’t be in the closet for long.
I love hearing how great your life is now, post-sleeve. It gets me even more excited to join you on the other side.
I was looking at the top row of photos, thinking that two were “then” and two were “now”. Gee, I thought, she hasn’t really changed much … I can’t see a difference at all …
lol
Scrolling down a bit, I see how much you have changed! Awesome work and I’m glad it is all gong well for you with your new buddy Sleevie. Have a great time over the Christmas period, in a way that has nothing to do with overeating. That is my wish for myself, too.
Congrats on your progress – you look AMAZING!!