Adrienne G.

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 Today I went to the gym to do cardio dance for the 2nd time and the instructor called out at the last minute and Stephen changed the class to KICKBOXING (with Dave nonetheless).  WOW -- should I stay or go?  The old me (well not that old) would have left in  heartbeat but I decided to stay and I DID IT!!!!  I didn't know the routine (nobody did) but I got an awesome cardio workout and was boxing, jabbing, punching and kicking for the entire hour.  I actually do have endurance LOL.  I am so proud of me.  TOOT TOOT (yes I'm tooting my own horn)   Wonder how I'm gonna feel in the morning?
P.S. - there were some people that left

 Well.... officially 4 months post op and it's been wonderful up until last week.  Caught a cold and had a hard time finding something to take that worked.  Liquid tylenol cold/flu seemed to help.  Felt horrible on Saturday so went to the ER and YEP, I was dehydrated BUT at least I fit in the "regular" hospital gown (and the nurse didn't even seem to hesitate when she grabbed it and handed it to me - lol).  Felt a little better after the IV fluids but today I just did not feel well - tired, fatigued.  Went  to follow up with my PCP and had a mental breakdown (felt really bad for the PA and the nurse because they were soooo excited about my weight loss and I was crying like an idiot).  Yes, I am loosing but it doesn't seem to be any faster than before the surgery.  I am not expecting to lose the weight overnight but I did expect more pounds to be shed after the surgery not be the same as I was loosing with weight watchers and the gym.  I am totally confused and people say listen to your body.... excuse me but WTF - my body is totally confused and doesn't tell me anything!!!!! Am I eating too much or not enough, am I exercising enough (I would hope 5 days a week is enough - a sista needs a lil break).  I really need to get a hold on this because I am going to drive myself crazy (just like Dr. Steele & Colleen were worried about).  Sending the NUT an email because I'm actually wondering if I'm eating enough.  1200 cal sounds like alot at only 4 months out BUT I think my body may need it or more (especially with the exercise program I'm doing and did my body ever adjust to the 1st 64 lbs I lost).

I am one totally confused 106 pounds lighter Diva

WOW... 3 months already under my belt and it's a smaller belt   The week has been filled with lots of appointments... starting with they eye doctor on Monday (need reading glasses); ortho that afternoon to check my knee (arthritis & worn cartilage) so I gotta put the reading glasses on to read the tylenol arthritis bottle - LOL!!!! It's all good.  Nutrition on tuesday... got an A+ need to add some carbs and a 2nd protein shake.  Post op with Colleen on Friday and right on track.  Need to follow up with PCP on the anemia & whatever is causing my dry mouth at night.  It feels really great to know that I am doing "this" right.  Hoping that I will be able to take a step back and breath and enjoy (Colleen's advice too).  Don't want my tool to become my job.  My life is fabulous and so am I   I am so blessed -- 44 is coming up and looking forward to it

Muah!!!!!

I finally decided to clean out the closet.  Being the super organized person that I am... bought storage containers and had labels ready.  At this point, I'm not sure what I will do with the clothes but I wanted them out of my closet (so I could spread out my new stuff).   I had already gone through most of my winter stuff which was way too big (26/28 & 30/32) but still had bundles of spring/summer stuff that is already too big.  As I began the process, I ran across of few exciting things that I bought late this summer size 22/24 and became pissed.  Not upset... just out right pissed.  I felt like I was packing up actual dollar bills (and lots of them).  I am truly excited about the new me BUT truly did not like packing up the clothes.  It's not just the money it also felt like I was packing up my security blanket and there is no turning back.  Makes me start feeling lots of pressure to make sure this is a successful journey and that I cannot go back.  Not that I want those 100 lbs back but this feels very final and I cannot seem to let my brain move forward.  I think this is the first time since I began the process last April, that I can actually say that I am scared and afraid of failure.  I need to find Adrienne real quick because I don't like these feelings
Who would have thought that clothes would bring on these emotions.... it's the little things that can get you

2011 -- the beginning of my new life and what an awesome life I have been having.  Lost 96 lbs (the additional 4 to make it 100 would have been nice BUT I'm sure it will happen in the next few weeks).  Went from 20/25mg lisinopril/hctz down to 5mg of lisinopril.  Joined and enjoy the gym and personal training.  Went from 26/28 (and sometimes 30/32) clothing to 18/20 (actually my new jeans are 16 - but they are skinny stretch).  Life is just great.  I don't plan on making any new year's resolutions because my philosophy is... if it ain't broke don't fix it.  I did so well in 2011 that I'm just gonna keep on doing the same thing (maybe only better).  I am beginning to let my brain accept what the clothes, pics, and scale have been telling me.  I plan to enjoy my success in 2012.  Happy New Years and wishing everyone on the forum health, happiness, and success.

Muah

Annual Award Ceremony today and YES I DID wear my new size 18/20 red dress!!!!!  By the end of the day I was beyond ecstatic.  I had so many genuine compliments and actually began to think "maybe that is me in the mirror".  What an awesome day...god is good!!!! 

Had to take a break from the forum.  I appreciate everyone's stories, feedback, etc. but it was getting to be too much for my over analytical brain.  I was falling into a really bad spot on comparing (others weight lose vs mine, what others can eat vs me).  My team and I knew that going in this would be the biggest hurdle for me.  I can be my own worse enemy.  I'm now 6 weeks out and feeling pretty good (anemia is still an issue).  Heading back to work tomorrow (in a super cute outfit - lol).  Started lifting light weights today and can resume my regular exercise regimen (core strengthening and all) in 2 more weeks.  I am super excited because it feels like I am returning to my "regular" schedule.  Being home 6 weeks was a good thing and I honestly needed it.  MY food regimen is working very well.... have tolerated most things very well (had some yucky dry chicken salad that sat in my pouch for hours).

All is well --- loving life

Today I am officially 17 days post op and down 74 pounds total (10 of those are post op).  Went to church today wearing a size 18/20 dress.  An 18/20?? I don't even have any memories of even reaching for anything under a size 24.  My son saw me before I left and said "damn.... the dress is banging"  LOL.  I have to admit, I felt pretty good wearing it too .  Still hanging in there on the pureed diet but I am really craving a "crunch" factor.

Feeling real blessed!!!

Today is post op day 9 and yesterday was my first day on pureed food.  Although I felt fine I was so afraid that I had eaten too much or that I had stretched the pouch  I think my issue yesterday was that I didn't get up early enough to start the liquids before the puree.  So today, I set the alarm (YES, on a Saturday) to get some liquid in before my actual breakfast.  Today's meals were 2tsp yogurt & 1 oz cheese for breakfast, 1/4 cup egg beaters for lunch, 1oz chicken & 1/2 cup bean soup for dinner.  Had 2 protein shakes and a lot of liquid sipping throughout the day.  Total protein for the day was 83 (I just couldn't dare do another shake).  I'm hoping the doctor will be okay with my choice to switch out the 3rd protein shake since I got enough protein in via foods.  BTW the bean soup puree was YUMMY!  Took a 45 min walk because the gym is under renovation and you can't find any of the equipment.  I have 1 incision that is a little red (I'm thinking because my tummy is so itchy maybe I scratched the actual incision vs my lite scratching around the incisions - lol).  All in all today was an excellent day.  So looking forward to post op follow up on Monday because I need my car keys

This is probably going to be long -- so feel free to skim...

I am now officially post-op day 4.  I had hoped to post sooner but I was so tired.  I'll start from surgery day.  Surgery weigh in was 282.4 (I scared the nurse when I gasped -- I lost 64 pounds preop).  Surgery was scheduled for 1:00 and the time actually flew by.  Dr. Steele came in at 12:30 and let me say... she is awesome; tough but so caring and genuine (read prior blog).  We were running late and Dr. Steele went into action; requesting a new OR and the last time I remember seeing was 2:45 and then it was 8:00.  Morphine was great although the gas and nausea were horrific.  Got settled in my private room and walked the hall around 10:30.  Didn't really get a lot of restful sleep because vitals were taken every hr.  Up bright and early on Friday for a walk (could not wait for that catheter to be removed).  Was totally grossed out by the drain and was praying that it would be removed before I went home (and it was!!!).  Due to how tired I was and the gas, I stayed on the morphine pump until late Friday night and didn't started drinking until the wee hours Saturday morning.  When Dr. Steele visited on Saturday she was more than happy for me to stay another night (BP was a little low and I wasn't even on my meds) but I really wanted to go home and execute my recovery plan from the comfort of my own home.  As far as pain -- I think the removal of all the damn tape was the worse!!!!! The drain wasn't even that bad; although I refused to look at it.  Rested well Saturday night and drank 8 oz of protein shake on Sunday (but it took 4 hrs).  Had a visit from a home health nurse (Dr. Steele's orders lol) and today is like a totally new day.  Took a really nice walk (ipod playing "I'm coming out" ).  Have had 2 protein shakes today (about 1 hr to drink each).  Cannot do the greek yogurt - it's way too sour.  Broth, popsicles, and water as much as I can.  Going to the gym tomorrow (YES, approved by the doctor but need to be careful of strenuous workout -- need to keep in as much fluid as possible, so no massive sweating).  I am not getting on the scales until I have my 1st post-op visit on Monday.  All in all I think everything is going very well (but I do need to pace myself because I have a tendency to over do it).  BTW -- I forgot my pillow on the ride home and )Baltimore streets are a mess so that was a little uncomfortable.  "System" working well peri-colace is great!!!

Thanks to everyone for all of the prayers and support