Michelle V.

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I'm 16 months out and have hit my goal back in Dec 07 a little over one year out.  I'm maintaining nice and have found a peace within myself.  This surgery has not only helped me out physically it has also helped me mentally.  I've dealt with alot of things since this has happened but overall I find myself in a happier place than before, even though all the changes have not always been what I thought would happen.  Overall I'm very glad and am told I glow, from my new found happiness. If I had to do it over again, I would in a NY second.  I've taken up yoga and am learning more and more about it, the meditation helps calm me and put me in a better place for my overall health.   I still lift weights and do the elliptical but I love my yoga.  I am looking into plastics now and would like to get some work done really soon.  Summer is coming and I'm a new me to enjoy it this year once again!!

Holy cow where does the time go.  I'm a little over 10 months out this month and down a total of 97.5 lb from my surgery day.  I have about 14 lb to go to my personal goal and I've surpassed my doctor's target weight of 150.  Although he said to lose the extra 15 in case I put them back on.  I get compliments all the time and usually the first thing out of peoples mouths are "You weren't that heavy were you" UM, yes I was.  lol
I feel great and my 9 month checkup was perfect.  We are starting to think about a possibility for plastics next year, and he's documenting all the rashes and such I get under the panni so hopefully the insurance will be able to do something about it.  I'm so thankful and grateful everyday for the new life my surgeons, support group peeps and support staff over at St. francis Bariatric have given me.  Without them I wouldn't be where I am today!  I should be able to surpass the 100lb mark by my one year surgiversary which was my ultimate goal coming into this journey.  So things are busy, the boys are busy with school and activities and I'm like the energizer bunny running them and getting life at home organized.  On a sad note though my dh and I are having tremendous marriage difficulties and at this point we've been in counseling for about 5 months and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, so I'm not really sure where this is all leading.  I need to get new pics and update soon!

I'm feeling great.  Thank you Dr I for giving me back my life.  I'm down to 160 as of Friday, still wobbling a bit up and down between 162 and 160 but on Friday morning it was 160.  I've updated my picture on here also.  This past weekend we went hiking.  The first time albeit it was a small hike but still!  I was very happy.  I also have taken up yoga, not too great at it, but I love to do it.  Life is busy and so different from how I was last summer at this time.

So I've finally broken through my first official plateau....and boy it seemed like a long one.  I spent almost 6 weeks maintaining the same weight, although I will say I took up everyone's advise and measured and the inches were still melting off during this period of time.  I've been feeling great and increasing the types and styles of exercise I've been doing.  I've been looking into pilates and/or yoga as a therapeutic type of exercise for my mind and body.  I will say as a teenager I played sports, weighing in around 10 lb less than now and I was never as much of an exercise nut as I am today.  I love it, I miss it when I skip a day for rest...it's insane but it's great for me.  

Food has still been hit or miss with me, one time I can have a certain something and it sits fine and the next time, forget it.  I never know what to eat at some points, it becomes discouraging and I resort to liquid diet probably more than I should.  Thank goodness my water and protein consumption have been right on par.

I am still dealing with alot of body dismorphia...no matter what I try and how many pictures I will pose for these days I still can't believe the girl looking back at me is in fact me.  Someday I hope it will all catch up and make it self good.

I am hoping to reach my goal (slowly but surely) by my first surgiversary, which is 4 months away, I only have around 20-25 more to go so hopefully this can be accomplished.

I am still so happy I decided to pursue this surgery and would never trade it in for anything!

Unfortunately for me this month showed 0 lb loss, but on the bright side, I did lose inches and lots more of them.  I've restarted my cardio routine, which I had gotten away from lately, also the carb monster has been my very good friend this month, hence no weight loss.  I've really got to be diligent as this is a tool (I remind myself daily) and not a magic cure all.  I'm in good spirits and the compliments keep flowing in.  I get to see my little sister today, who hasn't seen me since Feb 15th.  So I'm very excited about that. 

other than that I've been enjoying life and all it has to offer.  DH isn't always the most supportive but that is another story for another day.

I am over the six month marker and did not log in.  I've lost almost 80 lb in this period of time and have done remarkable changes to my body, that if you asked me six months ago did I think I would look, feel or act the way I do now, I would have said a resounding NO!

I am off almost all my pre-op meds.  I still have 1/2 of a BP pill and we are weaning me off of that.  So hopefully by my one year surgiversary I will be completely pill free!  It feels so great

I have also gotten my hair cut shorter, not wholely by my choice, but I'm happy with the results right now.  It seems to not be falling out in clumps like it was before so I'm very happy about that. 

Other than that, life is great.  I have had the most positive experience a person can have with this surgery and would highly recommend anyone thinking about it to really delve in deep to see if it is right for them.

Hopefully I won't be so lax in the future...but it happens.

and things have never been better.  I have very few side effects from this surgery and right now I can definitely say that this is the best decision I have ever made in my entire life.  I've dropped 55 lb to date and am enjoying things like I never have.  I can walk, exercise and enjoy life again.

I have been bad and neglecting my blog here...ugh

I had my surgery 11/20, it was great, came through with flying colors and all the nurses in the hospital were great.  They were very helpful and gently prodded me to move, move, move.  I really felt that the care was the best!!  

Ok now I will try to update.  I went for my two week appt on 12/7.  At that time I have lost 18lb and as of weigh in on Monday 12/11 I'm down 20.  Good news so far.  I have had no dumping or anything so that is great.  I am getting in 70-80 g protein a day and at least 64oz of water.  So far so good.

I am back at work full time so that is keeping me busy, what I did find out is that I am not a homebody after all these years of working!!

That's it for now!

So here I am one week and counting.  All of the pre-op appts are done except for the clearance with Dr. B on this Thursday.  I'm a go.  I have alot of things to do at work and home but I have a week to accomplish them.  It's getting a bit surreal to me at this point that a week from now I'll be at the hospital checking in and starting a new life.  I'm very excited, scared and exhillerated (sp?) all at the same time.  I believe I have made the best overall choice for my health and longevity.  I can't wait!!

me

I had my PATS testing done this a.m.  Found out that a few of the pre-op clearances did not reach the hospital.  Not sure where the fall out happened but hopefully it will be resolved today.  Then I had my questionnaire with the nurse and then off to blood work.  It really wasn't half as bad as I thought as they only took 6 vials...lol  My arm is of course sore but then I was carted off to anthestiology (sp??) where I met the head of anestestiology and had a sit talk chat with him for a few minutes.  After that I was whisked off to xray to have a chest xray done and now I'm home.  This part of the appointment today was supposed to be three hours and they whizzed me through in 2...yeah home to eat (which I hadn't gotten to do) and then here.  Next and final appointment is today at 1pm...I go see the dietician and talk the balance of the support staff.  I'm not really sure how long this appointment is but I am on my way.  I have to be at the hospital at 8am on the 20th and my new life begins!!

more later