Kari M.
checkin' in
Sep 26, 2008
just had my annual physical with my primary care physician. i'm weighing in at 141 lbs. which is exactly what i weighed for last year's physical. not bad. the doctor is satisfied.
my blood tests came back okay. i'm a low risk for cardiac issues; low blood pressure, low bad cholesterol and high good cholesterol (it's all that tuna). interestingly enough, my b1 vitamin levels are low as is my blood volume levels. but iron is normal. so i'm not anemic. doctor thinks it's probably because i haven't been so good about taking my flinstone's vitamins. don't slack people! develope good habits while loosing so you keep them post-surgery.
i'm getting married in less than a month (gasp!) so exercising, regular sleep and sanity in general currently escapes me. but overall, i'm two-thumbs-up!
my blood tests came back okay. i'm a low risk for cardiac issues; low blood pressure, low bad cholesterol and high good cholesterol (it's all that tuna). interestingly enough, my b1 vitamin levels are low as is my blood volume levels. but iron is normal. so i'm not anemic. doctor thinks it's probably because i haven't been so good about taking my flinstone's vitamins. don't slack people! develope good habits while loosing so you keep them post-surgery.
i'm getting married in less than a month (gasp!) so exercising, regular sleep and sanity in general currently escapes me. but overall, i'm two-thumbs-up!
resist
Mar 27, 2008
i continue to fight the snacking demons. must remember, jelly beans do not count as a snack, despite their handy size!
weighing in at 140-142 lbs. depending on time of day. don't like the small weight gain. getting the muffin-top back..ew! i've got to either buy bigger clothes or trim down...sigh.
really, i just need to start running again.
interview with my surgeon
Mar 06, 2008
follow the link to see an interview with my surgeon http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=604282225&channel=332180
i haven't forgotton!
Mar 05, 2008
though i hardly jump on the board anymore, my WLS journey is not over. it never will be.
things/issues i still struggle with are daily protein and liquid intake. i need to be better at my vitamins and good food choices. basically, everything i was learning immediately post-op i'm still re-learning and doing today.
things that save me:
1. fitness classes at my local community college (super-cheap workout with my own personal trainer)
2. drinking lots of green tea instead of snacking at work (good for me and helps me hit my liquid goals)
3. starting over every time i cheat and make poor food choices
4. setting goals for my new body and fitness levels
i'm actually signing up for a 5k race next month. i haven't been running in a while and i miss my lean, runner body. i hope that i'm not being too aggresive with my decision to run a 5k. i'm not trying to win any award, i just want to finish!
things/issues i still struggle with are daily protein and liquid intake. i need to be better at my vitamins and good food choices. basically, everything i was learning immediately post-op i'm still re-learning and doing today.
things that save me:
1. fitness classes at my local community college (super-cheap workout with my own personal trainer)
2. drinking lots of green tea instead of snacking at work (good for me and helps me hit my liquid goals)
3. starting over every time i cheat and make poor food choices
4. setting goals for my new body and fitness levels
i'm actually signing up for a 5k race next month. i haven't been running in a while and i miss my lean, runner body. i hope that i'm not being too aggresive with my decision to run a 5k. i'm not trying to win any award, i just want to finish!
happy anniversary!
Oct 23, 2007
so it's been two years this month since i've had this surgery. wow. it feels like forever ago and just yesterday all at the same time. would i do it again? in a heartbeat!
things i've gotta high-five myself on:
exercise - i've really increased my athletic abilities! from fearing the gym to becoming a regular, this is a very big deal for me. i will admit it, i was one of those unhealthy fat people, none of this 'i'm active but i'm still overweight' kind. nope, i never exercised and used to find excuses to get out of it when i had to. now, i actually get up at 5:15 am to work out 4 days a week. and i've got fitness goals that i never thought i'd ever see applied to me.
running - i can actually run a mile without wanting to die. i ran 1.5 miles this morning (after a 1 mile warm up run/walk).
biceps, triceps, quads oh my! - i actually have muscle-tone people!
flat(er) belly - it's not perfectly flat but still. when i look down, i can see my own crotch and toes!
pedicure - speaking of toes, i can actually paint mine without feeling like the air is going to be squished from my lungs or pulling a muscle.
movement - i can move without lumbering. i feel free.
stuff i need to improve on over the next year:
vitamins - i've been slacking, i admit it.
liquids - since i've been drinking coffee in the mornings, i've been drinking less water. must reverse this trend!
stop cheat-eating - continue to make good food choices, even after i cave and eat a cupcake. no shame, just start over!
things i've gotta high-five myself on:
exercise - i've really increased my athletic abilities! from fearing the gym to becoming a regular, this is a very big deal for me. i will admit it, i was one of those unhealthy fat people, none of this 'i'm active but i'm still overweight' kind. nope, i never exercised and used to find excuses to get out of it when i had to. now, i actually get up at 5:15 am to work out 4 days a week. and i've got fitness goals that i never thought i'd ever see applied to me.
running - i can actually run a mile without wanting to die. i ran 1.5 miles this morning (after a 1 mile warm up run/walk).
biceps, triceps, quads oh my! - i actually have muscle-tone people!
flat(er) belly - it's not perfectly flat but still. when i look down, i can see my own crotch and toes!
pedicure - speaking of toes, i can actually paint mine without feeling like the air is going to be squished from my lungs or pulling a muscle.
movement - i can move without lumbering. i feel free.
stuff i need to improve on over the next year:
vitamins - i've been slacking, i admit it.
liquids - since i've been drinking coffee in the mornings, i've been drinking less water. must reverse this trend!
stop cheat-eating - continue to make good food choices, even after i cave and eat a cupcake. no shame, just start over!
summer 2007
Jul 18, 2007
july 18, 2007 @ 138 lbs. size 8
so i've been slacking at the gym thing lately. one of my jobs increased hours and my temp commute of 3.5 hours/day kinda sapped the life blood out of me. so for the past few months i've hardly worked out. i feel a little bloated as i'm hovering a little too close to my unofficial freak-out weight cap of 140 lbs. but this month i've tried to stop eating less candy and junk food, changed my work schedule, added a work-out class of 2 hours mon-thurs morning and i hope to get things back on track. stay tuned.
so i've been slacking at the gym thing lately. one of my jobs increased hours and my temp commute of 3.5 hours/day kinda sapped the life blood out of me. so for the past few months i've hardly worked out. i feel a little bloated as i'm hovering a little too close to my unofficial freak-out weight cap of 140 lbs. but this month i've tried to stop eating less candy and junk food, changed my work schedule, added a work-out class of 2 hours mon-thurs morning and i hope to get things back on track. stay tuned.
the latest
Mar 20, 2007
march 21, 2007 @ 135 lbs. size 6
i go up and down 5 lbs. depending on the time of the month. i'm beginning to get annoyed with my period but i'm thankful the plumbing is working after not having had one for several years, though i can't say i missed it really.
i still continue to try and hit protein goals and find that i function better if i take my vitamins, drink all my fluids and eat properly. huh, i guess cupcakes and cookies don't make a great meal, darn. but really, this is how everyone should be eating, right?
i ran this past weekend with a friend training for a half-marathon. we ran 6 miles and i wasn't even sore. maybe i should train for a half-marathon too. or maybe get my head examined.
i go up and down 5 lbs. depending on the time of the month. i'm beginning to get annoyed with my period but i'm thankful the plumbing is working after not having had one for several years, though i can't say i missed it really.
i still continue to try and hit protein goals and find that i function better if i take my vitamins, drink all my fluids and eat properly. huh, i guess cupcakes and cookies don't make a great meal, darn. but really, this is how everyone should be eating, right?
i ran this past weekend with a friend training for a half-marathon. we ran 6 miles and i wasn't even sore. maybe i should train for a half-marathon too. or maybe get my head examined.
update!
Feb 27, 2007
feb. 27, 2007 @ 134 lbs.
it's been forever i know. but life has just gotten so busy! i'm working two jobs, in a math class at my local community college, dating a great guy and working out at least 4 days a week with heavy weights and cardio. i'm really seeing a difference in how much weight training is making on my extra skin! everyone should lift!
i'm wearing a size 8/6/4 petite, depending on the brand (i wish sizes would be consistant!) and am noticing that pre-period symptoms (like the bloating and cramping) are really noticable when i'm this small. i freaked out and thought i'd gained weight when my clothes were fitting tight for a week and so i banned almost all sugary sweets from my diet (which, really, is a good thing for me) but was relieved when the period started.
i've posted some recent pics, esp. some my dad took of me from behind and i didn't recognize my own self! check 'em out.
it's been forever i know. but life has just gotten so busy! i'm working two jobs, in a math class at my local community college, dating a great guy and working out at least 4 days a week with heavy weights and cardio. i'm really seeing a difference in how much weight training is making on my extra skin! everyone should lift!
i'm wearing a size 8/6/4 petite, depending on the brand (i wish sizes would be consistant!) and am noticing that pre-period symptoms (like the bloating and cramping) are really noticable when i'm this small. i freaked out and thought i'd gained weight when my clothes were fitting tight for a week and so i banned almost all sugary sweets from my diet (which, really, is a good thing for me) but was relieved when the period started.
i've posted some recent pics, esp. some my dad took of me from behind and i didn't recognize my own self! check 'em out.
my journey (story reads from top to bottom)
Oct 23, 2006
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oct. 1, 2005 @ 242lbs
only 10 more days! i've been reading online profiles and am amazed at all these people have to go through to get WLS. my prep wasn't so bad, blue cross just had me do one session with a psych doctor and i was given a battery of tests at the hospital. the worse was the UGI - that fizzie powder is terrible and made me bloated. then i had to drink some chalky stuff and they made a movie of me swallowing. my gag reflex started working overtime and they nearly didn't get the shot! i've got my pre-op check-in and final blood work appointment next friday afternoon and then surgery on monday at 10 am. i'm second for the day which hopefully means the doc will be nice and warmed up by the time I'm under. the whole process of going under kind of freaks me out. i'm afraid they won't know when i'm totally asleep and what if i wake up? i know that's not likely to happen but still, the threat is there. mostly i'm just excited and focused, like a race horse getting ready to take off.
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oct. 9, 2004 @ 242 lbs.
i thought i should document this transformation with some pics because its been helpful for me to view pics on other profiles. bear in mind, this is late the night before my surgery, i'm in my pjs and i've got no make up on. this is the absolute worst photo & you've been warned! (scroll down for before/after full body comparisons)
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oct. 14, 2005 @ 242 lbs
it's been four days since my WLS and i'm feeling much better. this surgery really wiped me out! the hospital experience wasn't as traumatic as i though it'd be though i did have some family members there almost all the time that first day. that was helpful. i was pretty drugged up & sleepy but just hearing them talk in the background was comforting.
they sure don't let you rest much in the hospital though! i had someone poking or proding every few hours, even through the night. my main issue was the nausea i had from the anesthesia. oh, and the horrible cramping i had from all that gas they pump into you! i still feel it moving around in me and it's not comfortable. feels like i might be hatching my own alien. i finally got up and took my first walk on tuesday morning and was released that afternoon.
these last few days at home have been a blur of tv, movies, reading, napping, short walks up and down the hallway, and sipping, sipping, sipping. i am really quite tired though i feel much better every day. today is the first day i ventured down stairs, though i think a celebratory nap is in order!
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oct. 19, 2005 @ 226lbs (-16lbs)
my one-week post opp appointment was yesterday. i'm down 16 lbs. from my pre-opp weight of 242 lbs. i don't feel like i've lost any weight at all because i'm still pretty bloated, though much better than last week. the doc pulled off those sticky tapes and now i'm rolling down my pants so my tummy incision marks don't get bothered. i wore freshly-laundered jeans the other day and that really wasn't a good idea. oh, nail polish remover works well for getting the tape residue off.
i'm back at my temp job (it's desk-work) and trying to get in all my protien/liquid. it's harder than i thought it would be and i always drank lots of water before. i had some yummy broth soup this week and even sucked a french fry and some pepperoni for spice (though i don't recommend it) last weekend. it was lovely but frustrating because i couldn't eat it. i do miss spicy, flavoured food but i am not hungry at all. i can't wait to try full liquids this weekend. hum, milk and cream-based soups. maybe even watered-down malt 'o meal? we'll have to see what the pouch and digestive tract can handle.
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oct. 28, 2005 @ 227 lbs (-16 lbs) *i know i've lost more weight than this but i'm not weighing myself at home, just at the doctor's office.
i've transitioned to full liquids now which means i can have most cream-based soups and malt 'o meal with lactaid milk. i found the perfect shake formula for my pouch. it's max muscle's max pro. one scoop mixed in 6 oz. of lactaid milk gives me 36 grams of protien. i do one in the am and a slightly smaller one at night to hit my target of 65 grams of protien.
head hunger has pretty much gone away now and i'm no longer missing food. of course, that's because i'm eating all kinds of soups. i can really pack away quite a bit! last night i had easily one cup of soup and then i had a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. that's the most i've eaten since surgery.
it's still strange not being hungry or craving foods. i've been flipping through recipe books and reading them but mostly i'm too scared to try anything that might aggravate my pouch.
i'm not weighing at home, just the doc's office, so i don't go scale crazy. next appt. is in two weeks but i can tell i've lost more weight because i'm comfortably wearing an oxford shirt that used to be tight in the upper arms and shoulders before WLS. now, it's loose and comfortable. so i guess that i'm around 220 lbs, maybe less.
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nov. 15, 2005 @ 214 lbs (-28 lbs)
i had my 6 week check-up today and weighed in at 214 lbs! that is a 28 lbs loss from my pre-opp weight of 242. yea! the weight loss feels so good. i'm eating many foods but sticking to the ones that work best for me like eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, some sausage, and peanut butter. the doc said i could pretty much try everything, just do small quantities and eat slowly (though he suggested i give raw veggies and bread a few more weeks). i've been having issues with chicken breast meat, it's so dense it often gives me that "stuck" feeling, but the doc said dark meat would be better initially. i still work to get protein and fluids in and i've been cleared for any kind of exercising program...so now it's on me to get moving.
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nov. 21, 2005 (-28 lbs.)
on a side note, the black chucks (shoes) i thought i'd worn out to the point of uncomfortable are now fitting again. i guess it's true that one's feet can loose weight?
for a while there i felt a sharp pain under my right breast/upper hip area when i sat for long periods of time. according to the doc. it was just my body getting adjusted to my new sense of ballance. i'm standing straighter and taller these days. the soreness went away after about 2 weeks.
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dec. 10, 2005 (-30 lbs. or more i'm sure)
i'm not weighing myself at home and my next doctor's visit isn't until january so i've got no idea how much i've lost but i did squeeze into a lovely skirt size 14/16 tonight (it was snug, but it fit!). i'm comfortably loose in my size 22 slim-fit jeans and i'm swimming in my size 24s. size 20 khaki pants are starting to need a belt and i'm finding all those cute shoes i've bought over the years but stopped wearing because they weren't comfortable are becoming comfortable again. hurrah! i can wear/buy cheap trendy shoes again! i was starting to think that strong otheopidics were my only option.
i'm eating almost everything except large quantities of straight meat. steak and chicken bits in soup or heavily sauced are fine. but i've had a few blockages on steak so i'm steering clear for now. i ate a whole pizza slice this week and really enjoyed it. crackers have replaced the role of bread in my life these days and i really like crackers 'n cheese, cream cheese or peanut butter. yum!
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dec. 22, 2005 @ 200 lbs. (-42 lbs)
surprise! i've lost 42 lbs. since my surgery. wow, i'm so close to one-derland, i may even get there before my doctor's check up on jan. 11. the last time i weighed 200 was dec. 2000 when i graduated from college. now, only 6 years later, i'm back down to that same weight.
i'm eating pretty much everything. i enjoyed two cocktails on my birthday (dec. 17) and even had three pieces of sushi that weekend. two eel pieces and a spicy tuna, yum. i'm gonna hafta start buying new clothes soon, my underwear is definatly loose and my pants keep slipping down.
the best part of the weight loss so far? tramping all over magic mountain and not having my feet dying on me. and fitting in all those rides that were getting too cozy. and seeing my face emerge from my chin! oh, and i can sit cross-legged and my feet don't fall asleep!
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jan 11, 2006 @ 195 lbs. (-47 lbs)
i keep staring at myself in the mirror. my face is emerging slowly from my neck and it's so encouraging! i feel almost a little infatuated with myself, i can't stop looking at my jaw line and remembering how very recently it wasn't there, strange.
clothes continue to fall off me and i can fit in a size 18 mostly. in skirts i can wear loose 14/16 and i'm wearing an XL top. this is down from pants sized 24/26 and tops 2xl/3xl at my highest weight.
i find myself thinking often about what i'm going to look like & what size i'll be in when the weight is done coming off. i've found a few high school photos of myself and keep looking at them wondering how much i weighed in them. i never kept a journal in high school but i'm guessing i was around 170 lbs. around age 18.
food goes down pretty well these days. i'm still leary of straight meat protein but can do ground beef, very tender/juicy steak or pork just fine. getting in all my liquids/protein everyday is not yet a habit. i find myself counting protein grams at the end of the day and often nip downstairs for a quick egg, protein bar or shake. i like the bars best, i think it's the chewing satisfaction.
i haven't dumped that i'm aware of. but over christmas i did have two incidents of eating too much/too quick and had a not-so-pleasent gagging episode for about 10 min. but i'd still do the surgery again in a second.
here i am now:
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jan. 13, 2006 @ 195 lbs. (-47 lbs.)
i've been taking some measurements of myself and thought i should post what i've got so far:
oct. 10 @ 242 lbs. size 22/24 bottoms, 2XL/3XL top
mid-upper arm (7" down from shoulder) - 16" around
bust (w/ casual - not underwire bra on) - 49.5"
waist (under clothes) - 44.75"
hips (7" down from waist) - 53.75"
left* upper-thigh (13" down from waist) - 30"
right upper-thigh - 30.25"
* my left leg has always been slimmer and more muscle toned as it's my lead leg way back from gymnastics days.
okay, now the current stats using the above measurement instructions (it's important to measure the same place on the body each month):
jan. 10 @ 195 lbs size 18 bottoms, XL top
mid-upper arm - 14" (that's two whole inches from EACH arm gone)
bust - 44" (that's over 5" less, can you believe it?)
waist - 38.5" (that's 6.75" less)
hips - 48"
left upper thigh - 26"
right upper thigh - 27.5"
drum roll please....i've lost a total of 26.25" inches & 47 lbs. from my body since oct. 2005!
other changes i've noticed - i had to take out a link in my watch chain and the rings that used to fit on my ring-finger are now fitting my middle finger or thumb.
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jan. 17, 2006 @ 191 lbs. (-51 lbs)
i lost another 4 lbs. between last week and this one. due to a mix-up at the doctor's office they had to reschedule my 3 month check up so i got to weigh myself twice on their scale. apparently i'm above average with how much weight i've lost at this stage. while i was wondering if i'd loose even more than 100 lbs. with this surgery at this rate, my doctor thinks i'll still be at target and warned me that he expects the loss to dramatically slow down over the next few months. which makes me glad that i'm not weighing myself at home regularly. i'll stick to the doctor's scale so i don't become obsessed.
everything is going really well these days, i'm eating just about everything i want (well, i still *want* to eat a whole mess of food but i am adjusting to eating less and know i don't *need* larger servings) and having no problems swallowing/digesting my food. clothes continue to fall off me but i haven't bought anything new yet.
my next goal it is to step up the exercise for toning and overall health.
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feb. 4, 2006 @ 191 lbs? (haven't weighed recently)
i finally bought new clothes! i splurged at old navy and got some size 18 cords that were snug on me when i got them two weeks ago. now i'm hitching them up all day. it's not as bad as before, when i was swimming in clothes four sizes too large, but still, this is crazy - in a good way!
i've started a new job for some cash and i'm seeing it's mostly gonna be spent on progressively smaller and smaller clothes. i did buy a little reward for myself, my first zip-up hoodie. i've been wanting one for years but i always looked like a stuffed sausage in them and the extra-big sizes were always more money. but i found an XL at old navy with a snug fit for only 12 bucks! i grabbed it and have worn it almost every day since. now that i'm 50 lbs. lighter, i find myself more chilly than i used to be on a daily basis and it cracks me up that i wear the hoodie almost every work shift. my job as a barista isn't a cush desk job either - i'm moving up and down for 8 hours at a stretch and still manage to need a sweatshirt. in the old days, i woulda been dripping with sweat in just a t-shirt!
i'm going through a few more adjustments to my center of balance and i've been noticing some more sore muscles in the lower back and trunk area. partly from the new job, partly from the weight loss. i know they'll be going away soon and it's a small price to pay for a new lease on life. really, it's more of a bother than a real pain.
oh, i also got some new tennis shoes for work and my workout walks/hikes and had a little ah-ha! moment in the store. after much trying on of various sizes and brands, i settled on a pair of new balance shoes in a size 8! i used to wear 8.5-9! i can't believe how much this weight loss has affected every part of my body, jeez.
with my next paycheck i'm heading straight to the bras. i'm really hoping these boobs will shrink down to a c-cup or less but i'm not expecting it. i've had a large chest since forever and it's totally not cool. now that i've lost weight, i'm seeing some sagging (epp!) so i need to get me some new bras with lotsa support action! i'm also seeing some saggy skin under my upper arms and i'm starting to look llike someone who's lost a lot of weight, damn. i know weight training will help my body reabsorb this but i've yet to get any sort of weight routine started. i guess that's next on the list (can you tell how excited i'm not?).
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march 15, 2006 @ 178 lbs. (-64 lbs)
first off, i've updated my before/after photos, so please check it out:
don't i look happy? well, i am. things i'm enjoying now are increased flexibility (i can't get enough of crossing my legs and sitting indian-style on chairs - not just floors), ease of movement, the fact that my tummy goes *in* when i sit down instead of sticking out farther than my chest (i love reading magazines and books in my lap now), smaller cuter clothes, and more energy. things i don't like right now are the gurgling after eating, hair loss and the chore that getting all my protein/liquids/vitamins can sometimes be. i noticed that i have less episodes of blocked food if i'm on top of my liquids so i'm really making an effort to drink, drink, drink all day! individual bottles of water make it easier and less overwhelming.
here's some measurement updates:
march 15, 2006 @ 178 lbs. size 16/L bottoms and L or XL (if it's the smaller old navy kind - i don't like tight clothes) top
mid-upper left arm - 13.25"
bust - 41.50"
waist - 36"
hips - 44.75"
left upper thigh - 25.25"
right upper thigh - 25.75"
neck - 14"
i'm down 37.75" total inches on my body. it's amazing, where did those inches go?
also, my periods are getting absolutely regular and i've been having a 28-day cycle the last two months. yea for periods!
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22 may 2006
i've gotten more involved with real life and have neglected my virtual profile a bit! but i count that as a good thing. stay tuned for updated photos. no real problems. i just had my 6-month check-up only seven months out from surgery. i'm somewhere in the neighborhood of 161 lbs. will post measurements and pics eventually.
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july 9, 2006 @ 155 lbs (about)
okay, pre-opp bra shopping wasn't easy - finding something to support the gals without making me feel like i'm wearing a straight-jacket and dealing with the limited selection in the 44/46 D to DD range.
post-opp i'm down to a 36 D but bra shopping hasn't gotten any easier. now i'm looking for bras that are full coverage to support what's left of the gals (as demi is NOT an option because that implies my boobs have some sort of natural lift which they so don't now) and try finding Ds in the lower 30s, sigh.
admittedly, i'm not doing any high-end bra shopping as i am continuing to loose weight and am not willing to shell out more than 15 bucks for a bra i'll wear a month or two.
i'd take floppy, flabby boobs and my slimmer size 10-12 body over a firm larger boobs and the fat body it came with any day. i'm just posting this so you'll are forwarned.
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july 13, 2006 - no idea what i weigh right now, something like 155 lbs?
i am falling in love with my hands. i can't stop starting at them. they're actually boney, my wrists are tiny and the veins are sort of popping out on the top part of my hand. it sounds gross but since they've been pudgy things for as long as i can remember, i'm celebrating this recent change. they look more like my mom and aunt's hands, and the dimples i used to have are only memories. they look like a strangers hands but wait! they're mine! oh, my ring size is down from a 9 to a 7. this is also good.
i promise to post pics soon. honest. the digital camera is in hawaii with my dad right now. be back at the end of the month.
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july 19, 2006
i've signed myself up for a body building class. this will be a great test of my personal discpline and commitment level. we start each class with running 3 laps around the track. seriously, i didn't think i could do it. and i can't run all three laps. but i'm walking some and running some and my hope is by the time this class ends, i'll be running each lap.
today, we timed ourselves running (or in my case, run/walk) a mile and my time was 11:19. i post this here so i know what record i've got to beat in 6 weeks. i'm already improving from just the few days of class i've completed.
we also did a military press and a squat machine with which i can lift 55 lbs. and 130 lbs. respectively. these numbers i hope to laugh at one day but right now i'm proud of.
watch out arnold, i'm going to kick your ass!
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aug. 1, 2006 @ 150 lbs.
finally some updated pics! here's my face close up in my 'before' shirt that is huge on me now. see below for current full-body comparisons.
i'm wearing a size 10 now in pants. i still fit a size large shirt because the boobs, flat as they're getting, are not flat enough yet for a medium. but i'm wearing mostly mediums in pants sizes.
here's a pic of me ready to go out for the night.
in the new size 10 pants!
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aug. 18, 2006
as part of my push to goal weight by my one-year out from surgery date, i'm getting real serious about the gym. for the last 5 weeks i've been in there lifting weights and running for 2 hours 4 days a week. and i signed up for more of the same for september through december. i'm gonna be one ripped chick by the time christmas rolls around. you could even call me a gym bunny. but then i'd have to crush you with my amazing new muscles.
seriously though, the gym is doing some amazing things besides making me slimmer. my posture has improved. my body is more toned. i sleep better. i feel better. every movement i make throughout the day flows more. i feel like i'm always dancing. i've got more energy and stamina than i had in high school. today at work i was pushing up my sweater sleeves and i was surprised by the hard feel of my biceps.
this is such a long way to come for someone who had a love/hate relationship with her body. it's amazing to me to see the changes my exercise is doing to my body and i love the thrill of moving up a dumbbell size. now i just hope i'm excited enough to maintain this level of exercise the rest of my life.
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aug. 22, 2006 @ 144 lbs.
finally! an update on my measurements! and there's lots of progress between march and now, wow.
mid-upper arm (left) - 11.25" (was 13.25 in march)
bust - 38" (was 41.50 in march)
waist - 32" (was 36" in march)
hips - 38.50" (was 44.75" in march)
left/right upper thigh - 22.50" (was 25.25" and 25.75" in march)
neck - 13" (was 14" in march)
total inches lost from march to aug. = 8.75"
total inches lost from surgery so far = 46.50"
yea!
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oct. 3, 2006 @ approx. 140 lbs. size 8 pants, medium tops
when will i stop dropping sizes? i'm approaching my one-year mark next week and i'm wearing a lovely size 8 at 142 lbs. i'm thrilled. i work out all the time. i eat better. i love how i look. i'd like to stop loosing, please!
i've been buying/wearing the minimum wardrobe for my whole weight loss journey so as not to spend too much money on clothes i wear for only a month. but damn, i'm ready to stop loosing already! i know it's silly to complain about it and i'm not really tweaked out, i'm just wondering when i can start laying down some cash for serious, well-made and flattering office and formal wear.
other than complaining, (hee!) i'm really into the gym these days. here's a shot of me last month (at size 10) flexing my new muscles. check 'em out!
oct. 1, 2005 @ 242lbs
only 10 more days! i've been reading online profiles and am amazed at all these people have to go through to get WLS. my prep wasn't so bad, blue cross just had me do one session with a psych doctor and i was given a battery of tests at the hospital. the worse was the UGI - that fizzie powder is terrible and made me bloated. then i had to drink some chalky stuff and they made a movie of me swallowing. my gag reflex started working overtime and they nearly didn't get the shot! i've got my pre-op check-in and final blood work appointment next friday afternoon and then surgery on monday at 10 am. i'm second for the day which hopefully means the doc will be nice and warmed up by the time I'm under. the whole process of going under kind of freaks me out. i'm afraid they won't know when i'm totally asleep and what if i wake up? i know that's not likely to happen but still, the threat is there. mostly i'm just excited and focused, like a race horse getting ready to take off.
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oct. 9, 2004 @ 242 lbs.
i thought i should document this transformation with some pics because its been helpful for me to view pics on other profiles. bear in mind, this is late the night before my surgery, i'm in my pjs and i've got no make up on. this is the absolute worst photo & you've been warned! (scroll down for before/after full body comparisons)
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oct. 14, 2005 @ 242 lbs
it's been four days since my WLS and i'm feeling much better. this surgery really wiped me out! the hospital experience wasn't as traumatic as i though it'd be though i did have some family members there almost all the time that first day. that was helpful. i was pretty drugged up & sleepy but just hearing them talk in the background was comforting.
they sure don't let you rest much in the hospital though! i had someone poking or proding every few hours, even through the night. my main issue was the nausea i had from the anesthesia. oh, and the horrible cramping i had from all that gas they pump into you! i still feel it moving around in me and it's not comfortable. feels like i might be hatching my own alien. i finally got up and took my first walk on tuesday morning and was released that afternoon.
these last few days at home have been a blur of tv, movies, reading, napping, short walks up and down the hallway, and sipping, sipping, sipping. i am really quite tired though i feel much better every day. today is the first day i ventured down stairs, though i think a celebratory nap is in order!
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oct. 19, 2005 @ 226lbs (-16lbs)
my one-week post opp appointment was yesterday. i'm down 16 lbs. from my pre-opp weight of 242 lbs. i don't feel like i've lost any weight at all because i'm still pretty bloated, though much better than last week. the doc pulled off those sticky tapes and now i'm rolling down my pants so my tummy incision marks don't get bothered. i wore freshly-laundered jeans the other day and that really wasn't a good idea. oh, nail polish remover works well for getting the tape residue off.
i'm back at my temp job (it's desk-work) and trying to get in all my protien/liquid. it's harder than i thought it would be and i always drank lots of water before. i had some yummy broth soup this week and even sucked a french fry and some pepperoni for spice (though i don't recommend it) last weekend. it was lovely but frustrating because i couldn't eat it. i do miss spicy, flavoured food but i am not hungry at all. i can't wait to try full liquids this weekend. hum, milk and cream-based soups. maybe even watered-down malt 'o meal? we'll have to see what the pouch and digestive tract can handle.
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oct. 28, 2005 @ 227 lbs (-16 lbs) *i know i've lost more weight than this but i'm not weighing myself at home, just at the doctor's office.
i've transitioned to full liquids now which means i can have most cream-based soups and malt 'o meal with lactaid milk. i found the perfect shake formula for my pouch. it's max muscle's max pro. one scoop mixed in 6 oz. of lactaid milk gives me 36 grams of protien. i do one in the am and a slightly smaller one at night to hit my target of 65 grams of protien.
head hunger has pretty much gone away now and i'm no longer missing food. of course, that's because i'm eating all kinds of soups. i can really pack away quite a bit! last night i had easily one cup of soup and then i had a 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. that's the most i've eaten since surgery.
it's still strange not being hungry or craving foods. i've been flipping through recipe books and reading them but mostly i'm too scared to try anything that might aggravate my pouch.
i'm not weighing at home, just the doc's office, so i don't go scale crazy. next appt. is in two weeks but i can tell i've lost more weight because i'm comfortably wearing an oxford shirt that used to be tight in the upper arms and shoulders before WLS. now, it's loose and comfortable. so i guess that i'm around 220 lbs, maybe less.
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nov. 15, 2005 @ 214 lbs (-28 lbs)
i had my 6 week check-up today and weighed in at 214 lbs! that is a 28 lbs loss from my pre-opp weight of 242. yea! the weight loss feels so good. i'm eating many foods but sticking to the ones that work best for me like eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, some sausage, and peanut butter. the doc said i could pretty much try everything, just do small quantities and eat slowly (though he suggested i give raw veggies and bread a few more weeks). i've been having issues with chicken breast meat, it's so dense it often gives me that "stuck" feeling, but the doc said dark meat would be better initially. i still work to get protein and fluids in and i've been cleared for any kind of exercising program...so now it's on me to get moving.
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nov. 21, 2005 (-28 lbs.)
on a side note, the black chucks (shoes) i thought i'd worn out to the point of uncomfortable are now fitting again. i guess it's true that one's feet can loose weight?
for a while there i felt a sharp pain under my right breast/upper hip area when i sat for long periods of time. according to the doc. it was just my body getting adjusted to my new sense of ballance. i'm standing straighter and taller these days. the soreness went away after about 2 weeks.
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dec. 10, 2005 (-30 lbs. or more i'm sure)
i'm not weighing myself at home and my next doctor's visit isn't until january so i've got no idea how much i've lost but i did squeeze into a lovely skirt size 14/16 tonight (it was snug, but it fit!). i'm comfortably loose in my size 22 slim-fit jeans and i'm swimming in my size 24s. size 20 khaki pants are starting to need a belt and i'm finding all those cute shoes i've bought over the years but stopped wearing because they weren't comfortable are becoming comfortable again. hurrah! i can wear/buy cheap trendy shoes again! i was starting to think that strong otheopidics were my only option.
i'm eating almost everything except large quantities of straight meat. steak and chicken bits in soup or heavily sauced are fine. but i've had a few blockages on steak so i'm steering clear for now. i ate a whole pizza slice this week and really enjoyed it. crackers have replaced the role of bread in my life these days and i really like crackers 'n cheese, cream cheese or peanut butter. yum!
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dec. 22, 2005 @ 200 lbs. (-42 lbs)
surprise! i've lost 42 lbs. since my surgery. wow, i'm so close to one-derland, i may even get there before my doctor's check up on jan. 11. the last time i weighed 200 was dec. 2000 when i graduated from college. now, only 6 years later, i'm back down to that same weight.
i'm eating pretty much everything. i enjoyed two cocktails on my birthday (dec. 17) and even had three pieces of sushi that weekend. two eel pieces and a spicy tuna, yum. i'm gonna hafta start buying new clothes soon, my underwear is definatly loose and my pants keep slipping down.
the best part of the weight loss so far? tramping all over magic mountain and not having my feet dying on me. and fitting in all those rides that were getting too cozy. and seeing my face emerge from my chin! oh, and i can sit cross-legged and my feet don't fall asleep!
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jan 11, 2006 @ 195 lbs. (-47 lbs)
i keep staring at myself in the mirror. my face is emerging slowly from my neck and it's so encouraging! i feel almost a little infatuated with myself, i can't stop looking at my jaw line and remembering how very recently it wasn't there, strange.
clothes continue to fall off me and i can fit in a size 18 mostly. in skirts i can wear loose 14/16 and i'm wearing an XL top. this is down from pants sized 24/26 and tops 2xl/3xl at my highest weight.
i find myself thinking often about what i'm going to look like & what size i'll be in when the weight is done coming off. i've found a few high school photos of myself and keep looking at them wondering how much i weighed in them. i never kept a journal in high school but i'm guessing i was around 170 lbs. around age 18.
food goes down pretty well these days. i'm still leary of straight meat protein but can do ground beef, very tender/juicy steak or pork just fine. getting in all my liquids/protein everyday is not yet a habit. i find myself counting protein grams at the end of the day and often nip downstairs for a quick egg, protein bar or shake. i like the bars best, i think it's the chewing satisfaction.
i haven't dumped that i'm aware of. but over christmas i did have two incidents of eating too much/too quick and had a not-so-pleasent gagging episode for about 10 min. but i'd still do the surgery again in a second.
here i am now:
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jan. 13, 2006 @ 195 lbs. (-47 lbs.)
i've been taking some measurements of myself and thought i should post what i've got so far:
oct. 10 @ 242 lbs. size 22/24 bottoms, 2XL/3XL top
mid-upper arm (7" down from shoulder) - 16" around
bust (w/ casual - not underwire bra on) - 49.5"
waist (under clothes) - 44.75"
hips (7" down from waist) - 53.75"
left* upper-thigh (13" down from waist) - 30"
right upper-thigh - 30.25"
* my left leg has always been slimmer and more muscle toned as it's my lead leg way back from gymnastics days.
okay, now the current stats using the above measurement instructions (it's important to measure the same place on the body each month):
jan. 10 @ 195 lbs size 18 bottoms, XL top
mid-upper arm - 14" (that's two whole inches from EACH arm gone)
bust - 44" (that's over 5" less, can you believe it?)
waist - 38.5" (that's 6.75" less)
hips - 48"
left upper thigh - 26"
right upper thigh - 27.5"
drum roll please....i've lost a total of 26.25" inches & 47 lbs. from my body since oct. 2005!
other changes i've noticed - i had to take out a link in my watch chain and the rings that used to fit on my ring-finger are now fitting my middle finger or thumb.
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jan. 17, 2006 @ 191 lbs. (-51 lbs)
i lost another 4 lbs. between last week and this one. due to a mix-up at the doctor's office they had to reschedule my 3 month check up so i got to weigh myself twice on their scale. apparently i'm above average with how much weight i've lost at this stage. while i was wondering if i'd loose even more than 100 lbs. with this surgery at this rate, my doctor thinks i'll still be at target and warned me that he expects the loss to dramatically slow down over the next few months. which makes me glad that i'm not weighing myself at home regularly. i'll stick to the doctor's scale so i don't become obsessed.
everything is going really well these days, i'm eating just about everything i want (well, i still *want* to eat a whole mess of food but i am adjusting to eating less and know i don't *need* larger servings) and having no problems swallowing/digesting my food. clothes continue to fall off me but i haven't bought anything new yet.
my next goal it is to step up the exercise for toning and overall health.
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feb. 4, 2006 @ 191 lbs? (haven't weighed recently)
i finally bought new clothes! i splurged at old navy and got some size 18 cords that were snug on me when i got them two weeks ago. now i'm hitching them up all day. it's not as bad as before, when i was swimming in clothes four sizes too large, but still, this is crazy - in a good way!
i've started a new job for some cash and i'm seeing it's mostly gonna be spent on progressively smaller and smaller clothes. i did buy a little reward for myself, my first zip-up hoodie. i've been wanting one for years but i always looked like a stuffed sausage in them and the extra-big sizes were always more money. but i found an XL at old navy with a snug fit for only 12 bucks! i grabbed it and have worn it almost every day since. now that i'm 50 lbs. lighter, i find myself more chilly than i used to be on a daily basis and it cracks me up that i wear the hoodie almost every work shift. my job as a barista isn't a cush desk job either - i'm moving up and down for 8 hours at a stretch and still manage to need a sweatshirt. in the old days, i woulda been dripping with sweat in just a t-shirt!
i'm going through a few more adjustments to my center of balance and i've been noticing some more sore muscles in the lower back and trunk area. partly from the new job, partly from the weight loss. i know they'll be going away soon and it's a small price to pay for a new lease on life. really, it's more of a bother than a real pain.
oh, i also got some new tennis shoes for work and my workout walks/hikes and had a little ah-ha! moment in the store. after much trying on of various sizes and brands, i settled on a pair of new balance shoes in a size 8! i used to wear 8.5-9! i can't believe how much this weight loss has affected every part of my body, jeez.
with my next paycheck i'm heading straight to the bras. i'm really hoping these boobs will shrink down to a c-cup or less but i'm not expecting it. i've had a large chest since forever and it's totally not cool. now that i've lost weight, i'm seeing some sagging (epp!) so i need to get me some new bras with lotsa support action! i'm also seeing some saggy skin under my upper arms and i'm starting to look llike someone who's lost a lot of weight, damn. i know weight training will help my body reabsorb this but i've yet to get any sort of weight routine started. i guess that's next on the list (can you tell how excited i'm not?).
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march 15, 2006 @ 178 lbs. (-64 lbs)
first off, i've updated my before/after photos, so please check it out:
don't i look happy? well, i am. things i'm enjoying now are increased flexibility (i can't get enough of crossing my legs and sitting indian-style on chairs - not just floors), ease of movement, the fact that my tummy goes *in* when i sit down instead of sticking out farther than my chest (i love reading magazines and books in my lap now), smaller cuter clothes, and more energy. things i don't like right now are the gurgling after eating, hair loss and the chore that getting all my protein/liquids/vitamins can sometimes be. i noticed that i have less episodes of blocked food if i'm on top of my liquids so i'm really making an effort to drink, drink, drink all day! individual bottles of water make it easier and less overwhelming.
here's some measurement updates:
march 15, 2006 @ 178 lbs. size 16/L bottoms and L or XL (if it's the smaller old navy kind - i don't like tight clothes) top
mid-upper left arm - 13.25"
bust - 41.50"
waist - 36"
hips - 44.75"
left upper thigh - 25.25"
right upper thigh - 25.75"
neck - 14"
i'm down 37.75" total inches on my body. it's amazing, where did those inches go?
also, my periods are getting absolutely regular and i've been having a 28-day cycle the last two months. yea for periods!
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22 may 2006
i've gotten more involved with real life and have neglected my virtual profile a bit! but i count that as a good thing. stay tuned for updated photos. no real problems. i just had my 6-month check-up only seven months out from surgery. i'm somewhere in the neighborhood of 161 lbs. will post measurements and pics eventually.
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july 9, 2006 @ 155 lbs (about)
okay, pre-opp bra shopping wasn't easy - finding something to support the gals without making me feel like i'm wearing a straight-jacket and dealing with the limited selection in the 44/46 D to DD range.
post-opp i'm down to a 36 D but bra shopping hasn't gotten any easier. now i'm looking for bras that are full coverage to support what's left of the gals (as demi is NOT an option because that implies my boobs have some sort of natural lift which they so don't now) and try finding Ds in the lower 30s, sigh.
admittedly, i'm not doing any high-end bra shopping as i am continuing to loose weight and am not willing to shell out more than 15 bucks for a bra i'll wear a month or two.
i'd take floppy, flabby boobs and my slimmer size 10-12 body over a firm larger boobs and the fat body it came with any day. i'm just posting this so you'll are forwarned.
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july 13, 2006 - no idea what i weigh right now, something like 155 lbs?
i am falling in love with my hands. i can't stop starting at them. they're actually boney, my wrists are tiny and the veins are sort of popping out on the top part of my hand. it sounds gross but since they've been pudgy things for as long as i can remember, i'm celebrating this recent change. they look more like my mom and aunt's hands, and the dimples i used to have are only memories. they look like a strangers hands but wait! they're mine! oh, my ring size is down from a 9 to a 7. this is also good.
i promise to post pics soon. honest. the digital camera is in hawaii with my dad right now. be back at the end of the month.
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july 19, 2006
i've signed myself up for a body building class. this will be a great test of my personal discpline and commitment level. we start each class with running 3 laps around the track. seriously, i didn't think i could do it. and i can't run all three laps. but i'm walking some and running some and my hope is by the time this class ends, i'll be running each lap.
today, we timed ourselves running (or in my case, run/walk) a mile and my time was 11:19. i post this here so i know what record i've got to beat in 6 weeks. i'm already improving from just the few days of class i've completed.
we also did a military press and a squat machine with which i can lift 55 lbs. and 130 lbs. respectively. these numbers i hope to laugh at one day but right now i'm proud of.
watch out arnold, i'm going to kick your ass!
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aug. 1, 2006 @ 150 lbs.
finally some updated pics! here's my face close up in my 'before' shirt that is huge on me now. see below for current full-body comparisons.
i'm wearing a size 10 now in pants. i still fit a size large shirt because the boobs, flat as they're getting, are not flat enough yet for a medium. but i'm wearing mostly mediums in pants sizes.
here's a pic of me ready to go out for the night.
in the new size 10 pants!
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aug. 18, 2006
as part of my push to goal weight by my one-year out from surgery date, i'm getting real serious about the gym. for the last 5 weeks i've been in there lifting weights and running for 2 hours 4 days a week. and i signed up for more of the same for september through december. i'm gonna be one ripped chick by the time christmas rolls around. you could even call me a gym bunny. but then i'd have to crush you with my amazing new muscles.
seriously though, the gym is doing some amazing things besides making me slimmer. my posture has improved. my body is more toned. i sleep better. i feel better. every movement i make throughout the day flows more. i feel like i'm always dancing. i've got more energy and stamina than i had in high school. today at work i was pushing up my sweater sleeves and i was surprised by the hard feel of my biceps.
this is such a long way to come for someone who had a love/hate relationship with her body. it's amazing to me to see the changes my exercise is doing to my body and i love the thrill of moving up a dumbbell size. now i just hope i'm excited enough to maintain this level of exercise the rest of my life.
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aug. 22, 2006 @ 144 lbs.
finally! an update on my measurements! and there's lots of progress between march and now, wow.
mid-upper arm (left) - 11.25" (was 13.25 in march)
bust - 38" (was 41.50 in march)
waist - 32" (was 36" in march)
hips - 38.50" (was 44.75" in march)
left/right upper thigh - 22.50" (was 25.25" and 25.75" in march)
neck - 13" (was 14" in march)
total inches lost from march to aug. = 8.75"
total inches lost from surgery so far = 46.50"
yea!
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oct. 3, 2006 @ approx. 140 lbs. size 8 pants, medium tops
when will i stop dropping sizes? i'm approaching my one-year mark next week and i'm wearing a lovely size 8 at 142 lbs. i'm thrilled. i work out all the time. i eat better. i love how i look. i'd like to stop loosing, please!
i've been buying/wearing the minimum wardrobe for my whole weight loss journey so as not to spend too much money on clothes i wear for only a month. but damn, i'm ready to stop loosing already! i know it's silly to complain about it and i'm not really tweaked out, i'm just wondering when i can start laying down some cash for serious, well-made and flattering office and formal wear.
other than complaining, (hee!) i'm really into the gym these days. here's a shot of me last month (at size 10) flexing my new muscles. check 'em out!
