Technically, 6 months would fall on February 28th. It was that day in August that I went under the knife. I remember having a feeling of readiness; yet few expectations after a failed lap-band procedure in 2006.
Anyway, so yesterday I had an appointment for my 6 month follow up. It was one of those days where you arrive on time only to sit in the waiting room for another 2 hours before being called back. Even then you sit another 30 minutes before the first "visit" occurs.
First comes the infamous weigh in and blood pressure check, followed by a quick consult with the dietitian. We typically discuss any issues I've had with foods (any vomiting? any nausea? etc), what types of foods I've been eating, whether I've been getting a minimum of 60g of protein in daily and what my physical activity looks like.
I explained that I was sick from Dec. 24th through the first week of February; and that I'm JUST now starting to feel among the living (two rounds of antibiotics and allergy meds later). My appetite during that time was hit and miss. And nothing tasted good. Fortunately, it's finally coming back.
Last Friday night we met friends at Bobby's Place on Main for happy hour and dinner. We had half prize appetizers. Then a few hours later ordered side salads. My salad was so heavenly that I had a little more than my stomach was happy with. BAM! Nausea. Thankfully I still had my magic anti-nausea pills. 15 minutes later, I was golden!
I also filled the dietitian in on our Valentine's Day trip to The Melting Pot....the first meal in over a month that was THOROUGHLY enjoyable. One word: OVERINDULGENCE. I spent 30 minutes in pure hell before the magic pills set in.
She didn't seem too concerned...was happy the appetite was coming back and thrilled with my weight loss success. She also seemed content with my activity levels. Surprising I didn't get more of a lecture there. I have a sedentary job; and the most footsteps my Jawbone logs is on weekends.
I did mention to her that I've noticed new food cravings, things I've never "craved" before, per se. I went on to explain that on Superbowl Sunday, Kevin and I stocked up on junk food for watching the game. I then told her that for some reason I also insisted that we get a veggie tray and a fruit tray/fresh fruit for that day. Oddly enough, I had a couple bites of the poor choices (my former faves) and then decided I wanted/craved the fruit and veggies. It sounded so fake; but it was true. I ended up enjoying the fruits and veggies more. It's a phenomena that I've noticed more and more lately. I can't explain it. But she did. She proceeded to explain to me that when you begin eating healthier, your body quits craving the bad foods and starts craving healthier things. I'm having a hard time believing it is happening to me. Such a stark change for me. Another very surreal feeling. Sadly my mind and my stomach aren't always in agreement. At times, I still THINK I want those former faves; but in the end, I can only take a bit or two of them and I'm done. Gone are the days of overindulging on chips, dips and sweets. Fortunately, one or two bites satisfies me.
Anyway, so long story longer.............I am experiencing very different cravings these days. Ones I never thought were possible.
Ok, so once we were done "visiting" I spent another 10 minutes or so alone in the room before the Nurse Practitioner came in.
She went over what the dietitian noted; and then wanted to "check my belly". I have to laugh. She presses around my abdomen and then tells me, "everything looks beautiful". NEVER really thought of my belly as "beautiful", so it tickles me every time she says it.
Lily, the NP went on to tell me she was THRILLED with my results to date. She says that typically they do not see this pace of success on a "revisional surgery". My bypass is considered revisional because Dr. Scott removed my lap-band to do the bypass. I had a former treatment for obesity (the band) that failed me. And typically results are slower on patients like myself. She tried to articulate it more clearly for me by saying that I am beyond their expectations for me at this juncture. This was certainly music to my ears.
She gave me an order for lab work to check my cholesterol and things I currently take meds for. Hopefully soon I'll be able to cut back on my daily maintenance meds, as well as my CPAP. But I'll need to see my specialist for another sleep study likely (as far as the apnea goes). I've been sleeping without my CPAP for a week or so now. Kevin swears that the mask must be too big for me now as the leaking air keeps him awake at night. I've yet to make an appointment with Midwest Chest Consultants....mostly due to the fact that my health plan switched over from PPO to a HSA on Jan. 1. So basically I have to pay 100% of everything till the deductible is met, then I pay coinsurance. Not very practical. I digress. In addition to the lab work order, Lily gave me a prescription for my B12 nasal spray which I take weekly.
From there I was free to go.....AND, I don't have to go back for another SIX MONTHS. I made an appointment for August and set on about my afternoon. After the August appointment, I will be on an ANNUAL schedule. I am so incredibly excited about only having to go once a year thereafter. Particularly with them being an all day adventure and taking place across town, a 45 minute drive each way. Life is Good.
But BY FAR, THE best news of the day was that I had lost 35 lbs. since my last visit, 3 months ago. This was with jeans and bundled up clothing on.
This morning, I weighed myself. I am at 266.8 pounds, down from 356 starting weight. That's 89.2 pounds down in just under 6 months. While utterly overjoyed, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that this is very real, not just some pipe dream. I've far exceeded my own expectations already; and I still struggle to imagine what the future can possibly hold for me. To put it mildly, the loss has given me a new lease on life. Quality of life has improved infinitely. It's VERY difficult for me to put into words the range of emotion and pride and excitement that come into play here. My own mind is literally BLOWN that I am only 11 pounds away from being able to say I've lost 100 pounds. That is HUGE....and so so hard to believe. That milestone will definitely be cause for celebration!!! But like my sales quota, I won't be happy to leave it at that. I'm all about shooting for the stars, overachieving. So I look forward to seeing where this journey lands me when all is said and done. Where will I land (weight wise) and physical appearance wise?! I'm anxious to discover the person who dwells inside me.
For now all I notice when I look in the mirror are subtle changes.....a face that looks slightly thinner, clothes that are fitting me differently, etc. I don't see an overwhelming change like 89 pounds would sound. I do notice that I don't critique photos of me near as badly as I used to. And with that being said, below is a photo Kevin took of me after the hockey game (Mardi Gras night) last night. I had to forgo the first St. Louis Blues, Fat Bluesday event due to illness. So he bought me a shirt at the game I missed. And because they do the whole Fat Bluesday themes at every Tuesday night game in February, I was able to sport my new threads at last night's game. I am very happy that I was able to not only wear a 2X but that I was comfortable with a turtleneck under it AND it went over my ginormous hips. That was a first in years. Just 6 mos. ago I was wearing size 4X shirts so they'd go over my hips without bunching, gathering, etc. I'm curious to see if I ever make it down to a XL. Strange concept.
But first a reminder of my "before" photo. THEN............
and NOW.......
I will try to continue with monthly updates and include my annual follow up appointment updates as well.
Thanks again to all of my family and friends for their positive words and encouragement throughout this ongoing journey.
Love-
Lori
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