Well I had my one month post surgical follow up appointment with the doctor yesterday. Actually, with Lily, his Nurse Practitioner. She was VERY pleased with my progress and assured me that I'm right on point with the plan.
I weighed in at a total of 36 lbs. down since August and 13 lbs lost since my last visit (3 weeks ago). She took a look at my incisions and still says they look beautiful. Not how I'd describe them; but whatever. They looked healthy, normal and are healing. Lily says the redness of the scars will fade in time; and most scabs are gone.
Just this week the one incision that was still tender and a little uncomfortable began healing. I no longer have that discomfort. I can bend and twist and life is good.
I had two main questions I wanted to ask the dietitian and the nurse.
1) I wanted them to know I had advanced my diet progression faster than their brochure recommended; and wanted to confirm that I was to go by what my stomach would tolerate. I also wanted to confirm that in doing so, I wasn't sabotaging my "plan".
and
2) Was it normal for the weight loss to slow down once the food progression began? And what type of weigh loss should I expect before the next visit (Nov. 20)?
Regarding the second question, as you can imagine, it's very normal for the weigh loss to taper down once you begin eating more and more solid foods. Therefore, my personal results were well within reason. (I had been growing concerned that I was no longer dropping that 1-2 lbs overnight. The scale seemed to stall at 320). What a HUGE relief!!!
In the back of my head, the fear of failure still shows it's ugly head and often. I felt like I failed with the lap-band, even if the professionals swear it failed me. I do not want failure to be an option now, after all I've gone through.
Lily said I should expect to lose in the neighborhood of another 15 lbs. by my pre-Thanksgiving follow up on Nov. 20th. That would take me to a total of 50 lbs down. I could handle that?!
As far as the diet progression and my acceleration endeavor, no problem so long as my tummy can handle it, the dietitian said.
I've been VERY lucky in that my stomach has healed very nicely and seems to be tolerating foods nicely. I think I have an advantage in that I had lots of practice in chewing foods properly with my lap-band. So that's not been an issue. I have a food scale; and when eating at home I measure everything. This keeps me from overeating and risking that full nauseated feeling that is pretty unpleasant. I've only experienced it twice in the month since surgery. Once when eating my Tilapia dinner. I never did finish those left overs 'cos I though maybe the Tilapia didn't agree with me. In retrospect, I think it was just a case of slightly overeating.
The second time was when Kevin and I went out to Culpepper's for dinner. I was enjoying a Cobb Salad like I hadn't had one in years; and BAM! I got nauseated for obviously going over my 4 oz. limit. It was sooooo good!
Fortunately, the hospital prescribed me some anti-nausea meds when I was released. So I was able to take one in each of the above cases, lie down, go to sleep and it all passed.
I haven't had any sugar or carbonation cravings. I'm not even drinking as much iced tea. I've transitioned to water, which seems to quench my thirst (and not stain my teeth). I did make sure that we stocked up on all things I thought I'd possibly crave (only healthier versions). So we have a nice stash of those alternatives should a craving strike. I should say that I am deathly afraid to "learn" what would happen if I did try to eat things high in sugar. So, so far, I haven't felt the urge to stray from sugar-free options. Here's what my current supply looks like. Sadly, I feel (in my head) I must have the options handy. But I notice I don't really eat them on the daily. Something comforting just knowing they are there, though!
Here are some "BEFORE" surgery pics of me.
And here is one my husband took for me yesterday (I'm not big on the whole "selfie" movement. And I am not photogenic. So forgive the dorky look....keep in mind this is me posing for a pic my husband is taking. And he's not one to wait until I'm posed or my hair is just right, he just snaps away and captures all my geekness. God love him!
Sadly, on a person my size, you really can't see a 36 lb. weight loss. However, I have had many friends tell me they can see it in my face. I can see it in my face and legs. Last week we went somewhere and Kevin said to me, "I can really see it in your clothes. You aren't filling that shirt out any more". Then he proceeded to kiss me and say, "I'm proud of you". What sweet music for my soul to hear!!! In the above picture I am wearing a polo I had in a tote downstairs because it was too small. I was able to salvage it! What a FUN feeling to rediscover old clothes and turn them into new ones again! Yay! I have lots of clothes I am hoping to make use of this fall/winter. It beats having to buy new ones. Plus, I don't want to buy clothes until I get to a size I plan on remaining in for a while. I went through 3 huge totes of old clothes and some old shoes. The things I cannot use I'll be donating to Women of Another Chance. It feels good to be able to fit in some older items that I was sad to out grow. While it seems 36 lbs is a lot of weight, the reality is it is only ONE size in my clothing. Regardless, it's nice to donate the old stuff as I don't plan on going back to that size.
Mentally speaking, I still have trouble imagining me being any other size than this. I can't imagine a thinner version of myself. I guess I'll meet her when y'all do.
Things I've experienced, learned, discovered, etc. in the past month:
1) It's easier to measure food than to "guesstimate" 4 ounces.
2) Despite the weight loss, my energy level is down big time. Doc says this is normal for the first 1-3 months. I'm living for the day when I'm not wiped out at 6:30 pm!
3) We went to see the Little River Band at the Alton Amphitheatre last Friday. I was actually able to navigate up and down the stairs 3 times without getting winded. I cannot express how wonderful that was.
4) I love that on most days (not yesterday as evidenced in the pic above), I have MY ankles back and can fit into some shoes I once thought I'd have to give up for life. Even if this means looking at old Harley-Davidson scars (don't ask). I can't wait for the day I can rock a pair of strappy sandals. I'm living for that moment!
5) My boobs are slowly shrinking. So I no longer fill out the cups which looks ridiculous...but I'm too cheap to keep buying bras so I'm waiting for bigger changes before I do!
6) a mere 36 lbs makes a big difference in mobility.
7) Going up and down the stairs to the man cave is getting easier. Look out, Kevin!
8) I'm DOING this! Yea, it's only been one month. But I'm taking it ONE month at a time....now on to the next...........
9) There is a direct correlation between my mobility and my happiness (I never realized this before).
10) I feel energized mentally.
11) Last night I pulled weeds while Kevin hosed out the garage. It felt good to be out there working and making the yard look nicer (even if we have a long way to go on that note).
12) I still get hot, tired and winded when I exert myself physically; but it is better than it was before and it will continue getting better.
13) I care about my appearance more than I did a month ago. It's as if I'm slowly getting my "ME" back.
14) I am thirsty all the time. And I find it helpful (to get to my 64 oz minimum) if I use my Des Peres Hospital mug (which holds 28 oz). I tell myself if I drink two full mugs of water daily, I'm doing good. The NP agreed.
15) If I take my vitamins at bedtime (multi, iron and regular meds), I have all day to down 3 Oscal at separate times.
16) ProBiotics help with the gas that is inevitable with gastric bypass. My husband is still laughing at the lady (on a bypass forum) who says she practically levitates off the chair.
17) My rings are loose. They can go on or off easily. That's a first!
18) If I want to drop more rapidly, I will need an exercise regimen. Right now I rely on our weekend running as a family as my exercise. But I need to carve out some time daily to even do a 7 minute workout each day to help...and build from there. This will be my WIP....work in progress.
19) My former surgeon (who did my lap-band) was all over the KC news this week. His office was closed, he was evicted for failure to pay rent and his patients up a creek. Glad I'm no longer under his care. Here's the link to the story: http://fox4kc.com/2014/09/26/weight-loss-surgeons-disappearance-leaves-patients-in-perplexing-situation/ and http://www.kshb.com/news/region-kansas/evicted-doctor-working-to-return-medical-records
20) My current surgeon's office would not take my unopened bariatric vitamins (that dissolvables that make me nauseated-the Bari*Activ MultiVitamin and Calcium) and give to another patient. I didn't want them to go to waste. So I took them on my appointment hoping to help a patient who couldn't otherwise afford them. So I had to walk in the lobby after my appointment and offer them to whoever was sitting there. Fortunately a woman took me up on them, so they didn't go to waste. I am now buying my own multi vitamin and calcium. It's just easier for me to swallow a pill and not deal with taste than to take a dissolvable that nauseates me! I have informed the company who sends them to only send me B-12 and Iron in the future.
Funny little things. They say this is more mental than physical, which is scary in an unknown kinda of way. But I'm starting to see what they mean. I can't imagine what it will be like at the 6 mo or 12 mo marks. I'm sure it will be more magnified.
All in all, the changes that have taken place in a mere 30 days are remarkable. I look forward to seeing what unfolds in the next 30. I'm still amazed at science and medicine and how far I've come in 4 weeks (recovery wise). I like to think that I've already had my living hell with the lap-band. I've had pretty good luck with the bypass so far. And I hope it stays that way.
I booked Fox's birthday party and ordered the cake. Surprisingly, the cake lady didn't have a sugar free option, or so she said. This floored me given all the sugar free mixes and frosting you see in the average grocery store and knowing how my Mom and Abbie manage to bake with Splenda and Truvia. But I'm hoping to come up with an alternative I can enjoy at his party, too. I have a while yet, his birthday is in December!
I also asked the NP if I had to give up alcohol forever. Not that I drink much; but Kevin and I have a weekend winery trip booked again for our anniversary this year. My favorite of the Grafton wines is "Autumnberry", only available this time of year. So I had hoped to enjoy some that weekend. I was surprised to learn that alcoholism is 5x more likely in gastric bypass patients. This is due in part to them giving up one addiction for another. SCARY statistic. But she told me I CAN have wine occasionally (which is all I drink it anyway) but warned me that it will take a LOT less to get me "drunk" now due to certain parts of my intestinal anatomy that were sacrificed during my surgery. She said I may not be able to drink an entire glass. And that I need to sip it and see how I feel, that a couple sips could actually get me pretty woozy. Interesting. I wouldn't have thought about that. So I was glad we had the discussion. It was good preparation. Maybe we should have a contest to see how many sips it will take for me to get buzzed on Autumnberry? Anyone care to venture a guess?? Answer on or around October 26th!!!
This weekend is my 30 year high school reunion. I organized it single handedly. I wish I could have been down 100 lbs before it. But I had to wait for insurance to approve the procedure and that cost me a year. Oh well, I can at least go knowing I'm taking care of myself now.
On October 18th, I've enlisted a cousin I've never met (yea my family is crazy big like that) to take our family portraits. I'm not at my goal weight; but I'm still proud of and love my family. So I can't wait to have pics with Fox and Kevin for our holiday cards. It's been 3 years since we last had a photo shoot. Check out my cousin's website: http://aaronkranz.smugmug.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/aaronkranzphoto/timeline .
I'm looking forward to a trip to Vegas in November. I am hoping I will be able to walk more and have more endurance by then. We love Vegas!
With so much going on, my brain is all over the place. So I apologize for the lack of organized writing and random thoughts. But I wanted to get an update out; as I know several who have been waiting for it. I will blog monthly from here on out. Here's hoping I can remember everything that happens on the daily at the end of each month!!!
Wishing you all a great week and a fantastic Autumn season!!!
Lori
PS-For those following in my footsteps, there isn't much I haven't eaten in the past two weeks (remember I accelerated my own diet progression and I was lucky to be able to tolerate it). A few things as examples that I'm eating and have been for a week or so now:
Pasta Con Broccoli
Chicken Flautas
Tuna Salad
Chicken Salad
Melba Toast
Cobb Salad
Eggs
Grits
Rice
Refried Beans
Taco Soup
Taco Salad
Chips
Frito Scoops
etc
The only things I'm still avoiding: bread, sweets with sugar in them and carbonated beverages.
Great job Lori. So glad you are healing without any complications. Keep up the good work.
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