Sara F.

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I'm just over my 11 month marker... HOLY COW!!!!! Time has flown! I can't believe it. I am sticking to a weight between 110-115 (depending on the day) and have been here for about 5 weeks now. My original goal weight was 135lbs, so I'm a little lower than that. But no complaints! I'm healthy! My labs are normal. My fertility issues are resolved. My life span has probably tripled. I just can't believe that a year ago I was wearing size 22 pants. Now I'm in a size 2. That right there amazes me.
I get to have my one year visit with Dr. Gluck next month. I'm eager to see what he says. I'm really eager to see that pre-op photo that they took.
Until then, hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year I am thankful for oh so much, I hope you are too.

Sara

Well, the class reunion went well. There were a few that didn't recognize me. I didn't get too many comments to my face, but as soon as I walked away the chit chat began. This time I actually enjoyed it!
I am doing really well. Holding my weight in the low 120's. I was hoping not to go any further, so I'm pleased. My labs are all coming back wonderfully. I am taking in enough protein. Starting to experiment a little on the extras. Nothing naughty, but I am expanding my diet to a little beyond protein bars and chicken, so that's good. 
Enjoy these last days of summer. Fall will soon be upon us! Time to rake the yard!!

Ok, so tomorrow I will be 8 months post-op. I am doing wonderful!! I can't believe it! I have my 10 year school reunion tomorrow. I can't believe it. Oh how time flies. But I am kinda nervous about it... well nervous and excited. I am just curious how many questions I'll get asked. We shall see.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

I was getting a little stressed and hormonal today. I went shopping. My way of relaxation... but my mind was on a mission! I wanted chocolate! I looked at all my normal protein bars, nothing sparked, but then I found Snickers Marathon Crunchy Honey and Toasted Almond! OH MY!!! This is it! Not too much sugar. Not too much fat. Only 10 grams of protein verses my normal 20 grams, but who cares, it looked yummy to me! I opened that packet up as soon as I left the store. DELICIOUS! I savored every bite. Almost too good to be true! I had to share....
Hope everyone has a marvelous Friday and an exceptional weekend!

Here's a link if you want to see my new treat http://www.marathonbars.com/crunchy_honey_toasted_almond.php

This summer has been in the mid to upper 80's. I must say that it is alot more comfortable now though. I think my internal thermostat was seriously adjusted! I still don't like the humidity for sure, but the heat I can handle. I am just hoping that this winter I don't freeze to death! LOL
Anyway, since I am able to get outside and not be glued to the air-conditioning, we have been doing alot of cooking on the grill. I am a HUGE fan of Benetino's Bistro Sensations sausage. They can be found at Walmart in the hotdog/brat area. One sausage is almost 3 ounces. It has about 15-19 grams of protein, depending on the flavor, low fat, and absolutely delicious! Even my husband loves them (he doesn't know that they are chicken sausage yet though, he he he).
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer as well. Enjoy the heat like we never have before!

I am six months post-op and 107 pounds down from by heaviest weight (80 since the day of surgery). I think I have added that many years, ok maybe not that many, to my life expectancy! I am as they would say, as healthy as a horse, just not so big anymore! I am truely thankful for this surgery and for all of the family/friends that have supported me. My wonderful husband, Greg, is an amazing man. He has stood by my side through this and supported everything. (this is starting to sound like a grammy/oscar speech) I hope that any of you out there that are starting out and wondering why in the heck you did this, that you will see that there is hope. It will get better. If you have any questions please ask.

Love to all,
Sara

My surgeon has now started a new group thing. Every 4 months we a group of patients that have similar surgery dates come together and meet up with a social worker. She asked us how things are going and warned that some of us may go through a bit of depression. I can assure that most of us there were not even close to that! We were all very pleased with are choice to have surgery. We actually kinda blended her out of our discussions and just talked about us. It was nice to hear some stories and how others are doing that are at the same length out from surgery. 
I was able to step on the scale at the doctors office though. That scale tells you so much, I'm surprised it doesn't tell you your future. But I was pleased to learn that I am at the BMI of 26.8. It tells you your predicted weight... mine was 123lbs. HOLY COW!!!!! I don't think I will even think of that as my goal. I am aiming for 135, I think If I go any lower, I'll disappear! 

I cannot believe how fast these 4 months have gone. It's amazing. I am really slowing down on my weight loss now, which is good. I don't think I want to lose too much more. I am down to a size 8/10 pant, WOW! I haven't been this small since middle school. I hear alot from my friends that I shouldn't lose more weight or I'll start looking too skinny and unhealthy. I am hoping to drop just another 10-15 and I will be all set. But who knows, I'm only at my 4 month marker. I just hope that my health continues to be good. I am doing really well with the protein and fluid intake. I am walking 3-4 times a week.  I am following all of my dietary rules, still no carbs yet. It's not too hard. I am finding that my breakfast is always a protein bar. I never was a breakfast eater, so that seems to be pretty easy. Each one contains 19-20g of Protein, less than 6g of Fat, and less than 5g of Sugar. It's a Pure Protein bar, comes in a box of six. I can only find them at walmart or online.
Well I have a meeting with the behavioral health lady at the surgeons office (everyone has to do it at 4 months) this week. It should be nice and quick. Then in June I have have a bunch of appointments at my 6 month marker. The dietitian, the surgeon, and my family doctor. Dr. Gluck's office warned me to wear something nice because they'll be taking my picture. For some reason, I don't really mind it now. I guess that's a good sign! lol
That's all for now. Have a wonderful week. Hopefully the sun will be shining where ever you are!

Wow, the time has certainly gone by quick. This coming week I will have another checkup. I had my labs drawn this week for that upcoming appointment. My family doctor let me sneak a look, WOW! My triglycerides have dropped from 1500 before surgery down to 200 now. It's still not perfect according to the American Medical Association, but it's a whole lot better for sure! My vitamin levels are doing good.
Now that the weather has warmed up, I'm doing alot of walking. I take my black lab, Ebony, with me all the time. We have a beautiful trail right by our house that takes us down along the local river. Yesterday, we spooked about 20 turkeys back there! I have a goal set that by the end of this summer I will climb Mt. Baldhead. It's a BIG hill in Saugatuck, MI, down by where my parents live. It's 282 steps to the top. I have never attempted the climb, so we'll see how I do. Here is a link if you want to see... http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGM056-037
So that is all for now. I am feeling great. I would recommend this to anyone! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. 

           I am feeling great! I am looking great (so my hubby tells me)! I don't regret any of this. It has taken me a while to get here, but I truely am pleased with the outcome so far. I am now weighing in at a BMI of 29.9. That is a big marker for me. I am no longer "obese." That title has haunted me for a long time. I don't ever want to see that again!

I had a wonderful weekend. I met up with my parents yesterday and we went to some of the resale shops in their area. I am finding that those are the best places to shop for clothes when you are changing sizes so often. I made out! I think I got 10 shirts, 5 pants, and 2 jackets for a great price. I just about cried when I fit into a Columbia jacket that is a size SMALL! Holy Cow! It amazed me. It's funny how I look at clothes now. I will look at something and think that I'll never fit into that, then I try it on, and wha-lah, it fits. I don't think my mind has caught up with my weight loss yet!

Well that's all for now. Hope everyone is doing well, staying healthy and happy!