Tag Archives: Progress Photos

Nine Month “Surgiversary” #WLS #VSG

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93 Days until my 1 Year Surgiversary!

Nine months seems like it should be a big milestone, I guess really every three months feels big.  It is a quarter of a year after all.  If you’ve read any of the more recent posts, you know that the last month or two have been WEAK when it comes to weight loss, tracking truthfully, and letting the bad things slip in.  The last couple of months I’ve been rocking the work outs though, so I haven’t gained weight, yay!

I can eat basically anything I want now, with the exception of trying to go gluten free due to a recent allergist appointment.  It’s both a blessing and a curse that my sleeve will let me put almost anything in it.  I can handle social situations like a champ, I no longer feel like the freak eater in the bunch.  It’s only noticeable to the people who know that I had surgery that I eat any differently.  I just eat way smaller portions than most people.

Physically I feel absolutely amazing most days, my new normal is just tiny portions.  I can eat more at a time now that I could in the beginning obviously.  I can normally eat 3-4 oz of dense proteins such as chicken or steak, and 4-5 oz of things like fish (less dense proteins.)  I absolutely can not eat protein and then drink or I throw up, that lesson has been learned a couple of times now.  Soups REALLY fill me up, so I’ve been having those for lunch recently.

If you’d like to catch up on other months in my journey they are below.

One Month Surgiversary Post

Two Month Surgiversary Post

Three Month Surgiversary Post

Four Month Surgiversary Post

Five Month Surgiversary Post

Seven Month Surgiversary Post

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 9 months post op. (FYI If you want to see all progress photo’s here’s a link.)  There’s not much difference between the 7 Month and 9 Month photos, but the difference between the pre-op photos and 9 months is huge.  I’m still not sure what my extra skin status will be.  There are certain ways that if I bend I can see in the mirror droopy skin, I’m not sure how or when or if even if that will stretch back.  We shall see!

Photo’s from 8/22 (Day of Surgery)

Photo’s from 5/22 (Nine 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.

I only take measurements from one side of my body, some choose to take measurements from both and wind up with much higher numbers.  I suppose I’m lazy about measuring!

  • Waist: -12 3/8″ (-1/2″ this month)
  • Hips: -10 5/8″ (-3/8″ this month)
  • Right Thigh: -6 3/8″ (-3/8″ this month)
  • Right Calf: -3 3/8″ (-1/2″ this month)
  • Left Bicep: -3 1/8″ (-0″ this month)
  • Neck: -2 3/4″ (-1/8″ this month)
  • Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 9 1/2″ (-1/4″ this month)
  • Chest Over (cup size): -9 11/16″ (-1/2″ this month)
  • Total Lost: -57 13/16″
  • 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
  • Month 5 Weight Loss -10.0 lbs
  • Months 6-7 Weight Loss -17.8 lbs
  • Months 8-9 Weight Loss -6 lbs
  • Total Weight Loss -106.6 lbs (-93.8 lbs Post Op)
It’s pretty obvious that the weight loss has slowed down.  Part of that is thanks to some stalls, part of that is thanks to jelly beans, and part of that is thanks to things just slowing down because I’m getting a bit smaller.  While I’d love to continue having double digit months, I am content that the scale and measurements both keep moving down, even if its just a little bit at a time.

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

 

Seven Month “Surgiversary” & Weekly Weigh In #WLS #VSG

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I completely missed the 6 month surgiversary.  I took my measurements, but throughout my travels for work I wound up losing them and then of course never got around to taking pictures.

I’ve learned a lot in the last month or two.

  • I can live in the real world eating everyday foods in restaurants and on the go.
  • With the above being true, I have to be just as vigilant as I was before WLS to make sure that I make smart choices.  I have a built in portion controller now, but overly processed foods and sweets go down very, very easily.
  • I still can’t handle carbonated beverages very well.  I’ve done OK w/ a half of a beer, but another one wound up being no bueno.
  • I threw up for my first time post op.  I some how forgot about my sleeve.  I ate my food and immediately drank water.  The food and the water both came out, luckily I could feel it coming so I made it to the bathroom.  Good reminder that I’m NOT normal when it comes to eating and drinking at the same time anymore.
  • I found my collar bones, they are out all of the time and not just hiding out now.
  • I can feel my hips and my ribs.  I haven’t felt either since probably high school.
  • I was out with a couple of girlfriends this past weekend, and one of them had their sister with them.  I hadn’t seen their sister in well over a year and she didn’t even recognize me.  She had to ask her sister if I was the same “INSERT NAME” as the one she had met in the past.  NICE!
  • The weight loss is MUCH slower now.  I seem to lose a lot two weeks in a row and then stay fairly stagnant for a couple/few weeks.
  • I’ve learned that its very possible to gain post op, especially when things get really stressful and food choices are less and less in my control.  I’ve gotten those things in check and am back in a losing pattern.
  • I’ve quit letting the scale control me.  If it goes up a bit, I re-evaluate what I’m doing, but I no longer freak out.  I am in the marathon part of this process, it’s going to take my body as long as it takes to lose the weight.  As long as I know that I am doing the right things, I WILL eventually get there.
I am shocked almost daily at what my new body can do for me.  We recently signed up for a gym and there isn’t a class that I’ve tried that I couldn’t complete and I feel amazing about that.  I was supposed to take a spin class this weekend but wound up missing it due to need to get some things done at home earlier in the day.  I have so much fun, yes fun, going to the different classes.  Body Pump and Body Step have been awesome.  Yoga was amazing and I am going to start taking it weekly.  I am trying another new class this week called ME (Metabolic Effect, you can read more about it HERE and see a short clip of a class HERE.)  Think 30 Day Shred, but for 30 minutes and bootcamp style.  The class can apparently boost your metabolism for up to 48 hours after the class.  EXCITED!!!

If you’d like to catch up on other months in my journey they are below.

One Month Surgiversary Post

Two Month Surgiversary Post

Three Month Surgiversary Post

Four Month Surgiversary Post

Five Month Surgiversary Post

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 7 months post op. (FYI If you want to see all progress photo’s here’s a link.)  I hadn’t looked at my before pictures for two months, and I was shocked at the change when I looked at them compared to the 7 month post op photos.  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 3/22 (Seven Months Post-Op)

This sports bra needs to go.  Its one that I usually wear over one that is much much tighter to keep the ladies in place when working out.

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.

I only take measurements from one side of my body, some choose to take measurements from both and wind up with much higher numbers.  I suppose I’m lazy about measuring!

  • Waist: -11 7/8″ (-2″ in two months)
  • Hips: -11″ (-2″ in two months)
  • Right Thigh: -5 7/8″ (-1 3/8″ in two months)
  • Right Calf: -3 3/8″ (-3/4″ in two months)
  • Left Bicep: -3 1/8″ (-1/2″ in two months)
  • Neck: -2 5/8″ (-1/8″ in two months)
  • Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 10 5/8″ (-1″ in two months)
  • Chest Over (cup size): -8 7/8″ (-2 1/8″ in two months)
  • Total Lost: -55 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
  • Month 5 Weight Loss -10.0 lbs
  • Months 6 & & Weight Loss -17.8 lbs
  • Total Weight Loss -100.6 lbs (-85.8 lbs Post Op)
My goal for month 8 is to get into ONEDERLAND and get out of the Obese category in the BMI.  Seriously.  I am so close that I can taste it.  I really think that stepping up my workouts is going to be the key!
I think my ultimate goal is to set a final goal weight and reach it by New Years Eve.  I have an estimated goal number in my head, but I think some of it is going to come down to how much extra skin I have.  The more extra skin I have, the harder it is going to be to get into a healthy BMI range.

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare


Weekly Weigh In Week 24 #WLS #VSG

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In the last two weeks, I’ve lost 8 pounds.  Those two weeks were HUGE victories for me, as they were the most I’d lost in two weeks since maybe Month 2.  I knew not to expect big things this week, yesterday morning after seeing the scale up .4 pounds (which is actually 0, since our brand spankin’ new scale weighed me in 0.4 lbs heavier than the old one), I decided to not weigh in this week.  I am doing all of the right things, so when the scale doesn’t move, or it bobbles up and down less than a half of a pound at a time, it’s mentally smart for me to ignore the scale.  Otherwise, I get frustrated and focus too much on the scale.  So the scale is hidden for the week, or maybe two weeks, we will see how I am feeling next week.

I reached a pinnacle moment in two departments this week, that I can’t wait to post about.  The first one is regarding clothes and there will be a Tuesday post to discuss it.  The second is about Week 5 of Couch 2 5k, which I will write about on Wednesday.

The Weekly Weigh In

  • Pre-Op 2 Week Liquid’ish Diet -12.8 lbs
  • Weeks 1-10 Post Op -40.6
  • Weeks 11-20 Post Op -22.2
  • Week 21 Post Op-NWI
  • Week 22 Post Op -3.2
  • Week 23 Post Op -4.8
  • Week 24-NWI
  • Total: -83.6 lbs

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

Five Month “Surgiversary” & Weekly Weigh In #WLS #VSG

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Five months?  Has it really been that long since surgery?  I am finding it harder and harder to remember life pre-op.  I am loving the new life that I am living.  Everyday is another chance to move towards a healthier future.  I now spend my time looking forward to being active instead of finding ways to avoid activities at all costs.  That’s not to say that I didn’t exercise before, readers of this blog know that I did, but no where near the intensity that I am able to now.  My body is changing, my insides are changing, I feel absolutely AMAZING.  It’s hard to imagine how I am going to feel in another few months.

The odds of me hitting 100 pounds lost by the 6 month mark are pretty small at this point.  I’ll be honest though, I really don’t care!  I know that I am going to get there in the next few months, and I know that I am doing the right things on a daily basis.  I keep my protein over 80 grams a day, recently adding a second protein shake back into the mix so that I am over 100 on some days.  My carbs are usually less then 40 or 50 grams.  My calories range between 700-900 calories a day, some days a bit less, some days a bit more.

There has only been one thing that I have had an issue with post op (carbonated beverages), which makes me love my sleeve even more everyday.  Somedays or really some meals my eyes are bigger than my stomach is, so I wind up putting more food on my plate than I can actually eat.  For some people that might be a problem, but I have learned to listen to my bodies que’s that it is done eating, usually a tiny burp or hiccup.  I have added alcohol back into the mix, albeit only a tiny amount.  I might have a half of a glass of wine here or there, but never more than once a week, probably more like twice a month.

I’ve been posting once a week about my activity.  I’m working my way through Couch 2 5k (C25k) as well as doing the 30 Day Shred, 30 times.  I did have to stop doing 30 Day Shred everyday, and my knees are VERY thankful for it!  I had no idea that I’d enjoy C25k and 30 Day Shred as much as I do.  Granted while running I sometimes want to stop, but so far I’ve been able to push myself through those times.  I’ve already signed up for a 5k to run with one of my girlfriends.  I am also signed up to walk a half marathon with another one of my girlfriends in June which I am super excited for!  It will knock two items off of my 40 by 40 list.

I’ve written posts about how I find the thought that WLS is the “easy way out” to be complete BULL $HIT, and I still entirely agree.  This is NOT the easy way out.  While yes I do have a tool that helps me every single moment of the day, it is just a tool.  I could eat chocolate all day long, I could eat chips all day long, it’s up to me to get in my protein in, it’s up to me to exercise.  The Sleeve is very different than surgeries like Gastric Bypass, you don’t get dumping syndrome with the sleeve (apparently a few people do, but the average person doesn’t.)  Foods don’t get stuck in the Sleeve the say way that they get stuck in the Lap Band.  It’s truly up to me to make the smart choices that help me move forward in my weight loss.

If you’d like to catch up on other months in my journey they are below.

One Month Surgiversary Post

Two Month Surgiversary Post

Three Month Surgiversary Post

Four Month Surgiversary Post

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 5 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 1/22 (Five 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.

I only take measurements from one side of my body, some choose to take measurements from both and wind up with much higher numbers.  I suppose I’m lazy about measuring!

  • Waist: -9 7/8″ (-2″ this month)
  • Hips: -9″ (-1″ this month)
  • Right Thigh: -4 1/2″ (-3/4″ this month)
  • Right Calf: -2 5/8″ (-0″ this month)
  • Left Bicep: -2 5/8″ (-3/4″ this month)
  • Neck: -2 1/2″ (-1/2″ this month)
  • Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 9 5/8″ (-1″ this month)
  • Chest Over (cup size): -6 3/4″ (-1 1/8″ this month)
  • Total Lost: -45 5/16″
  • 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
  • Month 5 Weight Loss -10.0 lbs
  • Total Weight Loss -82.8 lbs (-70 lbs Post Op)
Hitting an even 10 pounds this month thrills me.  There was a week or two that I was certain I wouldn’t hit the double digits for this month.  As you can see, I just barely hit the double digits and the pounds per month is decreasing slightly each month.  Completely OK with me, as long as the scale keeps moving in the right direction.
I am 2.2 pounds away from being in the same weight “decade” that I was when I graduated from high school, which is one of my personal NSV’s.  Once I get past that mark, I am going to be shooting for the 100 pounds lost mark and then shortly after that ONEDERLAND.  Seriously I haven’t had a weight that started in the 100′s since 9th grade.
The scale goes down very slowly some weeks, heck some weeks it doesn’t move at all, but I am learning to work through those weeks.  I keep focusing on working out and making sure that I get my protein in.  LOVE my sleeve!!!

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

Just for my own record keeping (this weight is on Monday the 23rd, one day after my 5 Month Surgiversary Weigh In)

The Weekly Weigh In

  • Pre-Op 2 Week Liquid’ish Diet -12.8 lbs
  • Weeks 1-10 Post Op -40.6
  • Weeks 11-20 Post Op -22.2
  • Week 21 Post Op-NWI
  • Week 22 Post Op -3.2
  • Week 23 Post Op -4.8
  • Total: -83.6 lbs

 

Four Month “Surgiversary” #WLS

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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.

One Month Surgiversary Post

Two Month Surgiversary Post

Three Month Surgiversary Post

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)
72.8 pounds AND 38+” lost in four months.  I am by no far the quickest loser, nor am I the slowest, regardless I am so happy with the progress that I am making.
I am thinking of hiding the scale again for another month.  We will see how I do with it being out, if I start getting obsessive with again, it will get hidden :)

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

Three Month “Surgiversary” and Weekly Weigh In #WLS

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Has it really only been three months since surgery?  It is almost starting to seem like I’ve always lived this way.  Time is just flying by!  I’m feeling really good, I have plenty of energy.  The move this past weekend, I was running around every where, up and down all of the stairs in the house, and never got winded.  I did feel incredibly sore each morning, but heck I was getting in big work outs each day unpacking, moving boxes, going up and down stairs, etc.

I can pretty much eat any food.  I haven’t found anything that Sleevie McGavin isn’t fond of.  I just eat incredibly small portions.  Depending on the food, I eat between 2-4 oz.  I always stick with protein first, and rarely have room for more.  I try new things every few days or weeks, so far so good.  I have even done fine with steak, bbq, chicken, all seafoods, pork, etc.  I have learned how to incorporate eating out into my new life.  Chipotle bowls (minus the rice) now make 5 meals for me.  I can even get 4-5 meals out of the three taco meal at Chipotle.  I still do not eat rice or pasta, but will have a part of a tortilla now and again.

I have gotten back into exercising, see my 6 Month Challenge for more information on that!

One Month Surgiversary Post

Two Month Surgiversary Post

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 3 months post op. (FYI If you want to see all progress photo’s here’s a link.)  I’m really starting to see a lot of changes in the photos, especially in my stomach area.  I have less and less of a fat tire around my stomach every month which is really exciting.  My weight loss is slowing down each month.  I am happy to still be in the double digits though.  Hopefully with the increased activity, I will be able to stay in the double digits each month for as long as possible!

Photo’s from 8/22 (Day of Surgery)

Photo’s from 11/22 (Three 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: -5 7/8″ (-1 1/8″ this month)
  • Hips: -5″ (-0″ this month)
  • Right Thigh: -2 7/8″ (-3/4″ this month)
  • Right Calf: -2 5/8″ (-1/4″ this month)
  • Left Bicep: -1 3/8″ (-1/4″ this month)
  • Neck: -1 1/2″ (-0″ this month)
  • Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 7 1/8″ (-3/4″ this month)
  • Chest Over (cup size): -3 3/8″ (-2 1/2″ this month)
  • Total Lost: -27 9/16″
  • 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
  • Total Weight Loss -62.6 lbs (-37.4lbs Post Op)
62.6 pounds AND almost 28″ lost in three months, I am so happy with the progress that I am making!  I feel like an entirely new person. It’s hard to put into words.
Onto the Weigh In Portion…I actually still haven’t unpacked the scale, so I am using the weigh in that I did on Friday before packing it.  With as much moving as I’ve done in the last few days, the scale is bound to be lower than this!
  • Pre-Op 2 Week Liquid’ish Diet -12.8 lbs
  • Week 1-10 Post Op -40.6
  • Week 11 Post Op -1.8
  • Week 12 Post Op -3.4
  • Week 13 Post Op -4.0
  • Total: -62.6 lbs

Tata for now,

Scale Warfare

 

Two Month “Surgiversary” and 50 Pounds Down! #WLS

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Me and Sleevie McGavin have now spent two months together.  It’s been a great ride so far, and I can not wait to see what the future has in store for us.

One Month Surgiversary Post

I won’t lie, the first couple of weeks were rough, but honestly those weeks feel as though they are a distant memory at this point.  There are still days when food just doesn’t seem to want to go down, particular during certain parts of my monthly cycle.  I have been lucky though and haven’t run into any foods (yet) that my body completely doesn’t like.

I’m working on weening myself off of two protein shakes a day.  My surgeons office wants me to get in at least 80 grams of protein per day, and on days when I plan well, I can get by with only one protein shake.  There’s no way at this point that I can get by with none, I just can’t eat enough actual food to get me to 80.

I now sometimes forget that I even had surgery.  I feel AMAZING, I have tons of energy most of the day, though I do get pretty tired at night sometimes.  In those instances that I forget that I had surgery, I’m reminded after the first bite of food that I didn’t chew well enough.  The food seems to sit right above my stomach for a few minutes until it works its way into my sleeve.  Very quick yet uncomfortable reminder to slow down.  Getting in my 64 oz of water a day is still a challenge sometimes.  I can drink water much more quickly than I could initially, but I still can not gulp like I was once able to.

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 2 months post op.  When I first say the 2 month pictures that we took this morning I was disgusted, I felt like there was still no change.  My husband convinced me that there was, and once I put those pictures against the ones from the day of surgery WOWZAS was I shocked.  I can finally see a change!!  (FYI If you want to see all progress photo’s here’s a link.)  The sports bra that I am wearing in each of the photos is the same size.  The photos from 8/22 the sports bra and shorts both look like they are trying to eat me!  The sports bra is probably at a point now that it is too big, if I pull down on it I can almost cover my stomach.

Photo’s from 8/22 (Day of Surgery)

Photo’s from 10/22 (Two 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: -4 3/4 ” (-2 1/8″ this month)
  • Hips: -4 1/4″ (-1 1/2″ this month)
  • Right Thigh: -2 1/4″ (-3/4″ this month)
  • Right Calf: -1 7/8″ (-1″ this month)
  • Left Bicep: -1 1/8″ (-1″ this month)
  • Neck: -1 1/2″ (-1/4″ this month)
  • Chest Under (ribcage/bra band area): 5″ (-2″ this month)
  • Chest Over (cup size): -1 3/16″ (-7/8″ this month)
  • Total Lost: -21 15/16″
  • Pre Op Weight Loss -12.8lbs
  • Month 1 Weight Loss -20.8lbs
  • Month 2 Weight Loss -16.6 lbs
  • Total Weight Loss -50.2lbs (-37.4lbs Post Op)

I know a lot of people measure both their right and left side of their body, but that’s a lot of effort.  I’m pretty happy seeing the inches fall off where it’s easiest for me to measure!  The pictures make it look like I’m losing my boobs, but from the measurements the band and cup size are still in the same  proportion, so while my bra size has changed in the band, it hasn’t changed in the cup.  I’m starting to really hurt for clothes as I’m running out of sizes that I have in my inventory that fit.  This is a great dilemma to have, except we are closing on a new house in less than a month and every spare penny is going towards saving for the house and things for the house (TWENTY SEVEN WINDOWS NEED BLINDS…)

One Month “Surgiversary” #WLS

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It’s been a month since I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy!  I can’t believe it’s been that long, time has certainly flown by.  I’ve been through a lot over the last month and have learned a lot of lessons about my new life with Sleevie McGavin.

The first couple of weeks were tough.  I read on a lot of forums about people having these incredible quick and easy recoveries.  People who go shopping on day 2 and sky diving on day 3.  OK, sky diving is an exaggeration.  I tore a stomach muscle and was in a lot of pain.  The first days home I couldn’t even get in 2 oz of protein shake, so I focused on water.  I wound up back in the hospital for two nights due to tearing my stomach muscle from a popped stitch.  By the end of the first week though, things were getting better.  I was on bed rest until day 8 or so, and slowly began moving again after clearance from my doctor.  I am so happy that I was able to take two full weeks off from work, and honestly, I probably could have used a third week.  The first week back to work was no cake walk for me, but I got through it.  I allowed myself to go bed as early as I needed too, and I was very careful about ensuring that I took things slowly.

A month later, I am getting in 64+oz of fluids a day, in addition to my two protein shakes.  I’ve gotten in a routine with all of the supplements that I need to take.  I am progressing through the mushy/pureed phase and adding more and more things with a bit of texture (chicken salad or tilapia for example.)  I am feeling really good.  I do still get tired easily, but it gets better everyday.

There are moments when I wonder WTF did I do to myself.  But the majority of the time when those moments happen, they fade quickly or I remind myself that I needed this tool to be healthy.  I have had some head hunger issues, but I haven’t indulged in any of them.  We went to a festival this past weekend and there was a lot of food there, in incredibly large portions.  The smell of the food enticed me, and there were a few things I really wish I could have tried.  None of the things I wanted to try though had any nutritional value, so I reminded myself it was OK, I didn’t NEED fried Oreos, ha!  I also noticed people eating these huge portions of food, and it was like watching people eat in slow motion.  It seemed so glutenous and unnecessary.  Then I remembered that a month or so ago, I was eating that way too.

Below are photos from surgery day and then photos from 1 month post op.  I’m so disgusted looking at them.  I see absolutely no difference, maybe my ankles are smaller.  I know my clothes are getting bigger, heck I can now pull down most of my jeans without unzipping them, I just wish the loss would show up in the pictures.

Photo’s from 8/22 (Day of Surgery)

Photo’s from 9/22 (One Month 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: -2 5/8″
  • Hips: -2 3/4″
  • Right Thigh: -1 1/2″
  • Right Calf: -7/8″
  • Left Bicep: -1/8″
  • Neck: -1 1/4″
  • Chest Under: -3″
  • Chest Over: -5/16″
  • Total Lost: -12 7/16″

I know a lot of people measure both their right and left side of their body, but that’s a lot of effort.  I’m pretty happy seeing the inches fall off where it’s easiest for me to measure!