I had my six-month post-gastric bypass checkup and weigh-in today, and I’ve lost exactly 80 pounds! I’m at 53% of my goal, a bit ahead of the curve (47% at this point is the goal) which is just fine with me! The doctor wants me to go have another sleep study done because my sleep apnea seems to have disappeared. My blood pressure is the lowest it’s been in 20 years (though with the help of drugs, which I’ll be off of in three more months…it went a little crazy after my surgery, and apparently they’ve made some changes to their pre-op protocol because of my complication). My arthritis is so much better…I haven’t even had to take a Tylenol for it in 6 months, and I was on Celebrex and lots of Aleve before.
I wore a size 24/26/28 before. Now I fit into a size 18 sweater, and my watch is loose. I haven’t bought new pants yet, but the skirt I bought is a large. Not an XL, or a 1X, or a 3X like before. I think I need an 18 or 20 in pants…I still have some tummy to lose. At church on Sunday 3 people came up to me and said they didn’t recognize me from the back anymore. I was challenged on my driver’s license photo when I showed it for ID…“this isn’t you!” And a really cute guy flirted with me in line at the grocery store this afternoon. I can walk the mile track down by the lake and not even be winded. A friend told me I’ve lost the equivalent of a third grader. I buy cat litter in these big 27-pound buckets that I can barely lift…and I’ve lost three of them!
But the best part? When I left the doctor’s office, sitting in the waiting room was my good friend’s husband…he was there for his final consultation! I was so happy, I couldn’t stop hugging him! He’s struggled with his weight as long as I have…lost tons with Opti-Fast, and gained it all back. We’ve been so worried about him, and now he’s decided to have the surgery too! He’s watched my friend K lose 120 pounds, and now me, so he’s already got a built in cheering section! I left, got in my car and just cried, because I was so happy for him! And then I stopped by K’s house to tell her, and she said that’s just how she felt when I decided to get the surgery…she cried in happiness for me!
Now if only my boobs hadn’t gotten smaller…oh well, the mammogram tomorrow should be easier!
It feels great, doesn’t it? I’ve lost 50 pounds in the last year from diet and exercise. I never thought complaining about how my clothes fit could feel so good.
Most excellent happy, happy news! I wish you continued success with the loss and I sincerely hope that you truly enjoy excellent health because excellent health is your body’s way of thanking you for taking such good care of you.
Yeah sure you’ve lost lots of weight, your athritis is better, your blood pressure is down, you have thrown of your sleep apnea, you are generally fitter and cute guys flirt with you (OK really cute) but would you say it was worth it?
You are the bravest person in the world! And I’m right there next to you. I had my Roux en Y on October first (less than four months ago). Knowing what kind of fears you have to overcome in order to volunteer for life saving surgery, I just thought I’d stand up and salute you! Everyone else, stand up and salute too! That’s an order!
Don’t you feel amazing now that you have control over what you eat? 80 pounds! Wow! That’s like an entire fourth grader.
Kudos to you and congrats on your new health. You are the bomb!
This is the best part. I now have control. Right now I’m quite hungry, because I just woke up. Sitting next to me at the computer is the remains of my son’s late-night snack…Twizzlers and an opened Pop-Tart (Frosted Strawberry). Two of my favorite junk foods. In the past I would just unconsciously reach down and stuff them into my mouth. But now I don’t. And it’s not just the threat of dumping syndrome…I just don’t feel the need to fill my mouth with food. I still have days when I am really hungry and can’t seem to eat enough, but I am choosing things that are better for me. And I’m still keeping to the low end of my allowed calories. I still have some adjustments to make, because I’m eating too much fruit and a few too many crackers. But I know that if I keep the right foods available, I’ll be fine. I still have to concentrate on protein…made myself a wonderful steak last night. And I’ve added biotin to my vitamin regime in an attempt to slow the hair loss, though at 6 months I’m nearing the end of it anyway.
But it’s such a great feeling to go to a party, eat a nice selection of appropriate appetizers and then not feel the need to keep eating and eating and eating. And I went out trying on jeans yesterday, and I’m a size 18 for sure! Now if I could only find ones with a higher rise…I like my pants at my waist, now that I have one again!
kittenblue Congratulations, that’s just awesome! I’m very happy for you.
Do you have before and after pics posted somewhere? I love the before and after stuff (even though you’re not specifically at your “goal” yet) gives me hope.
You’re doing great! Best wishes on your continued success.
The part that’s scary is changes, and all the new things you feel, like how benches seem so much harder, you can see your muscles work, etc.
Just keep talking to people, making a record of your transition, and learn to adjust. There will be fear, there will be sadness, even. But it’s all worth it. It’s your life we’re talking about, and you’ve done good for it.
Welcome to the club! Since you have lost the equal of a 3rd grader, isn’t it time that you gave this person that you have lost a name? I call mine “Chuck.”
I had my RNY on “Fat Tuesday” in February of 1998. It was the best thing I ever did for my health! I lost from 300 to 145 within a year and then slowly regained to 178. I needed a little help with compulsive eating – I would graze – so my doctor put me on Topomax. Apparently it’s the same as zonegran. (I’m not great at spelling meds.) Since then, I have lost a pound of two a month and I’m back down to 161 and I’m still losing. I would feel great at any weight down to 125.
I no longer build my life around food or think about it all the time. I can eat what I want to when I want to. I just don’t want to as often. I have a healthy relationship with food.
My tastes seem to have changed. I actually crave more veggies than I used to. Cold asparagus with italian dressing is yummy.
It will get more and more fun for you from here on in. People will recognize you only by your voice. Sometimes people will scream when they see you. (Honest!) Some people will stare at you and not believe you are who you say you are.
One of the problems that I have had was in believing that I could really fit into smaller sizes. I would buy clothes that would just hang on me. Shoe sizes are different. (This is a good excuse to indulge yourself.) Even ring sizes change. I used to wear a size 8 in a ring. Now I wear a 4 and 1/2.
But the best part is about physical and emotional freedom. You are so going to love the things that will happen to you!
but I’m happy you’re seeing the results you wanted.
