10 Month Update!

Posted by mandytheginger

I’m leasing a new horse, Ritz, and riding at a different barn a bit closer to home. Loving it and bonus is that it’s a great core workout. 🙂 I’m 1.6 pounds from being in ONEderland. As I sit here hovering, I wonder if I’ll ever get to this major milestone. I had hoped to be under by yesterday, which is the day I went to choose a wedding dress with my mom, sister, and to-be MIL. Even though I didn’t make that goal, I had a really, really positive experience. Obviously no photos, but I can say that the size 16 had to be clipped at the back–as in clipped tighter! I was even able to put on a size 10! No, it didn’t zip all the way, but it went around my body and wasn’t stuck or anything, something I would have never dreamed of this time last year. I ordered a size 14 gown (which can be altered down to a size 10 if necessary), size 34D bra/corset (down from a 42D), and a SMALL slip. I told the consultant when she recommended the small that I have never, ever ordered anything in a size small. I’m just floored with those sizes and feel like I want to push myself to lose more and tone up as much as I can in the less than 6 months I have left before the wedding. It just feels like good motivation. I would love to hit a total loss of 100 pounds, putting me at 188.8 by March 18, which I believe is feasible. I’m shooting toward that!

My October Wine Run 5K was canceled (ugh), so I’m searching for another race to keep myself focused on running. I didn’t take measurements yet this month either, sorry. My FitBit band is down to the smallest closure though! It feels surreal to be closing in on one year post-op. I need to find a new physician to work with here in my new location and get one year blood work done to make sure everything is going well. Physically, I feel good, no major issues, but my period has been haywire again. As in 3 bouts in the last 5 weeks, UGH! Annoying, but not the end of the world. Anyway, here are my stats and some progress pics. Isn’t is funny how they make “normal-sized” clothes in bright colors and great patterns? Sports bra and pants are 2 sizes smaller in these photos (XXL –> L). A lot of people have commented on my face looking thinner recently and I can see it in these photos for sure. I actually feel like I look younger. Maybe?

Heaviest weight: 288.8
November 23, 2015: 276.2 (end of pre-op liquid diet/day of surgery)
December 2015: 256.8 (-19.4 in month 1)
January 2016: 248.9 (-16.7 in month 2)
February 2016: 240.1 (-8.8 in month 3)
March 2016: 232.1 (-8 in month 4)
April 2016: 226.0 (-8.1 in month 5)
May 2016: 218.5 (-7.5 in month 6)
June 2016: 210.5 (-8 in month 7)
July 2016: 207.5 (-3 in month 8)
August 2016: 208.9 (+1.4 in month 9, had been 203.9 and gained 5)
September 2016: 201.5 (-6 in month 10, subtracted from weight in month 8)
Total lost: 87.3 pounds

Month 8 update!

Posted by mandytheginger

Just a brief post, but I couldn’t skip my monthly progress check in. Life is busy since we just moved from DC to Raleigh. Things are going well and the fridge is finally stocked again with high protein, mostly clean food. I’ve been keeping up with my butt and ab challenge from my last post (today is day #21), but not a whole lot of other exercise happening at the moment. Honestly, I’m just glad that I did not gain anything over the past month. The loss of my aunt has been very difficult and still is. It’s amazing to me how quickly and easily my brain still tells me that certainly pizza or macaroni & cheese will make everything better. Overall my appetite has been pretty low and I’ve not been meeting my protein goal consistently. I think that is making my hair continue to fall out. So I’m doing my best to get back on track.

Major NSV this month: Not only did I cross my 80 pound loss, but my daily high blood pressure prescription has been reduced to 50% of my previous dosage! That’s what I did this for–my health. It is working. I am using the tools I gained from surgery to meet my goals. My weight loss is slow at this point, but it’s still slugging along and I’ll take it. My wedding in March is a great motivator to keep recommitting to better food choices and more exercise every single time I stray. I have a long way to go to reach my personal goal of 160. (My surgeon’s office does not set one because they don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t achieve success.) My next big milestones are ONEderland in 7.6 pounds (holy cow, I’m so close!!!) and my 100 pound loss in 18.8 pounds.

I’ve been reading about many of your stories and journeys as well and your struggles and successes always resonate with me–sorry I’ve been silent, but I’m listening and sending positive vibes to each of you!

Month 7 Update!

Posted by mandytheginger

Hello fellow bariatric surgery champs and readers! I’m squeezing this post in before I dash off on work travel for the next week. Don’t worry–protein shakes are already packed. 🙂

I’m thrilled to report that I continued to lose steadily this month. Even though I often *feel* plateaued and like I’m going nowhere, actually looking at my monthly losses reminds me that I’m doing what I should be. I’ve been trying to amp up my exercise again to help keep it coming off. My pictures this month are the first time that I’m wearing new clothes that are in a size that fits my body snuggly (as opposed to my old, too stretchy gear).

Went for a good run on Sunday. I am using a waist belt instead of an arm band to hold my phone and use RunKeeper while on my runs so I can’t see it while I’m running. I have it set up so that I tells me my progress every 5 minutes, but I just made up a route and kept running. Didn’t know until I got back and stopped the tracker that I had gone over 2 miles! It’s surreal that that distance feels “normal” to me already. I noticed the other day that I don’t get out of breath going up a set of stairs, even though it’s 85+ degrees outside right now! My fitness level feels like it’s really progressing well.

What’s getting tougher is remaining strict about my diet. I am on the side of the fence where you can indulge on occasion as long as it is mindful and in moderation. But it is true that once you have some, something in your brain (or at least mine) makes me feel like I should have more or eat all of it, even if I feel full. It’s a balancing act and I do try to focus on protein and whole foods for the most part. I faithfully take my vitamins, though I recently changed my schedule because my multivitamin made me sick just about every morning since I was taking it before I had a chance to eat. So now I take my calcium citrate at 8a and 2p, then take my multivitamin around 8p. Since your body can only absorb so much of this at a time, that’s why these ones need to be spaced out. I take all the rest in the morning (B12, B50, high blood pressure med, and nexium every other day).

Here’s to doing my best for another month in the midst of work travel and moving to a new state! I know what I need to do and I will stay disciplined so that I can hopefully resign from the 200 club by my birthday in mid-August. Plus my 80 pound reward is a massage–aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh. Have a great week, drink an extra glass of water, and do an extra set of squats during commercials if you’re watching tv!

Six months later.

Posted by mandytheginger

Holy cow! Exactly half a year has passed since my surgery day! How things have changed in that time. I’m pumped about my continued progress, so I’ll give you my stats first, but read on for more stuff I’ve been up to–like dangling from the ceiling by a hammock in aerial yoga!!

Heaviest weight: 288.8
November 23, 2015: 276.2 (end of pre-op liquid diet/day of surgery)
December 2015: 256.8
January 2016: 248.9
February 2016: 240.1
March 2016: 232.1
April 2016: 226.0
May 2016: 218.5
Total lost: 70.3 pounds

Victory! 70 pounds in 6 months is awesome. Super proud of myself. Even though the weight is coming off slower, it’s still coming off nice and steady. I’ll take it. Had my check in with my surgeon and nutritionist this afternoon and they are both very happy with my progress too. My blood work looked great. Vitamin levels are perfect. My cholesterol has dropped almost 50 points since surgery, so I’m at a normal 178. Woohoo!

Two things that I’m dealing with, but trying not to let them bring me down: hair continues to fall out and what I feel like is a massive amount of excess skin already. My nutritionist advised me to up my protein to 70g/day to help with the hair loss, but she also said it’s completely normal and it’s happening at the normal time. Months 4-7 are most typical for people to lose their hair after surgery. As you can see below, I’ve got some serious arm flab. Same is true with my tummy and inner thighs. I have to wear long sleeves when I run to keep from getting irritation from the armband holding my phone. My tummy skin chafes on longer runs just from rubbing on my other tummy skin. Not fun. But it’s part of the process of regaining my health and taking control of my body.

Here’s a photo of dinner one night last week. Stir-fry with zoodles (zucchini noodles), soy-garlic chicken, and veggies. Took about 20 minutes and was super yummy. Frozen veggies are my friend.

Another blogger wrote about this a while back–she was always interested in trying aerial, but was terrified of the fabric ripping from the ceiling and dropping to the floor. SAME. I was terrified of that happening even after losing 70 pounds. It will rip or completely tear off the ceiling tile and I’ll smash into the floor. But last Wednesday, two of my best gal pals and I went to try it out. It was so fun! I was able to do most things, but it was tough! It requires so much strength. We hung upside down for like 5 minutes straight–like feet wrapped up in the hammock and all. It gave me a couple bruises and made me feel a little nauseated, but overall it was a great experience and I’m looking forward to taking that basics class again sometime. Next time I’ll get a picture upside down! (I’m on the left in the pic.)

The fifth month.

Posted by mandytheginger

Happy 5 month surgiversary to me! Time just continues to screech by. I’m doing pretty good. I haven’t lost as much as I’d hope this month, but it’s clear that my body is still changing. The inches are melting off and people at work are really noticing that I look different. Many people have randomly made comments about how good I look and how my skin is glowing and the smile on my face couldn’t be wider. They’re right—I feel good.

Running has been going well, though I missed 2 runs over 5 days last week while I was traveling. Tonight I worked late and was exhausted, but I made myself get off the couch and run before it got too dark outside. It was a great run and I ran faster and further than my average. That makes me feel like my body appreciated the rest and now I can get back to it full speed ahead.

Work and life has been really busy lately. Lots of stress all around. I’ve been doing my best to make good decisions and keep my planning on point. I took some leftover Easter candy to work today so that it wouldn’t be in the house to tempt me anymore. I did pretty great over the weekend while I was traveling, with the exception of having half a milkshake. I’m not mad about. It tasted great and I made good food selections otherwise.

My hair is really starting to fall out and I hate it. I can see some thin spots around my temples. I don’t think anyone else would notice, but I do. I’m taking all of my vitamins, getting in my protein, and taking an additional biotin supplement, but none of that even seems to be slowing it down. My arm flab is getting worse too. I knew this would happen, but I just wasn’t prepared for the low feelings it causes me sometimes. I don’t regret surgery in the slightest, but it sucks to have so much excess skin that I can’t wear smaller clothes that would fit me if it weren’t for that skin.

Alright, here are my stats.

All those pounds gone also means that a majority of my current wardrobe makes me look frumpy and shapeless. Here’s the latest pile headed for Goodwill.Here’s a picture of me (on the left) with one of my best friends, all sweaty after a dance class. I feel like I look SO skinny in this photo. I’m so happy that I have such supportive friends who are all in for fun workouts as a way to spend time together. One of the things my surgeon has mentioned before in support group about hitting a “comfortable” stage post-op is to not “take your foot off the gas.” It’s easy for me to eat pretty much anything I want at this point, even if it’s just a small amount. It’s easy to say or think “oh, I’m not eating that much of it” and fall back into old habits. The shock to your hunger hormones is strongest in the first 18 months post surgery, so it’s important to stay as strict and focused as you can. I keep this in the back of my mind and try to drag it to the front every single time I’m about to put something in my mouth. Here’s to getting stronger, sticking with it, and soaking up the compliments from my family, friends, and coworkers!

3 month update!

Posted by mandytheginger

I’m behind on posts big time, BUT it’s time to get it back together! I have tons to catch you all up on, but this post is going to be focused on my weight and measurements update for my three month surg-aversary. I can’t believe it’s been three months already–time is flying by. Yet somehow when I weigh myself, progress feels extremely sluggish.

Overall, I feel pretty darn good. Here I am with my wonderful fiance celebrating our second anniversary. This is the smallest I’ve been in at least 5 years. People are really noticing the difference in my face now–even my boss said “you’re shrinking!” when I passed by her yesterday. My jeans and all of my work pants just hang and make me look frumpy. I have bought just a few things, but I’m going to have to make a trip to Goodwill to get some stuff soon. I seriously need to get new underwear. Honestly, they barely stay up for 5 minutes before they slide all the way down haha!

I went for an 11 day stretch (up until today) without dropping an ounce. So frustrating. Today I finally broke out of “stuck” and dropped 1.5 pounds. Phew. Should I really be surprised? NO. I have had a rough couple of weeks for different reasons (will explain in next post) and I just about instantly started to revert to bad habits–less healthy choices, too little exercise, no meal planning/regular eating intervals to keep from getting too hungry, and eating when I’m not really hungry. UGH. Have I learned nothing?

Fortunately, though I made some bad choices here and there, two things have changed for me.

I did not beat myself up and continually let the negative self-talk go on and on. I ate half of an Arby’s beef and cheddar sandwich. Was it healthy and nourishing to my body? Not as much as it should have been. Can I make a better choice at my next meal? Yes. Then let it go, woman, let it go.
I did not push my tiny pouch. My portions are still pretty small and I didn’t try to cram it in just because it tastes good. When I felt full I put it down at that moment.

So, here’s the update!

Heaviest weight: 288.8
November 23, 2015: 276.2 (end of pre-op liquid diet/day of surgery)
December 2015: 256.8
January 2016: 248.9
February 2016: 240.1
Total lost: 47.7 pounds, 23 inches

For all my belly aching about being stuck and coming close but not meeting my goal of 50 pounds lost by 3 months, I actually feel proud of myself and proud of my progress. As much as I hate what I looked like 3 months ago, I am so SO glad I have these photos because I can really see the changes to my body.

Next time: starting with my therapist, check up with my surgeon, annoying (TMI) problems since surgery, recipes/meal notes, support from friends.

Until then, current mood:

Drum roll, please. (AKA Month 2 Update)

Posted by mandytheginger

Alright! Tomorrow is two months since I had my sleeve done. Things are going really well and the weight keeps coming off steadily.

I eat about 800-1,000 calories per day, take all my vitamins, and try hard to hit 50 oz of fluid per day. I’m doing high intensity Zumba-like dance, a squat challenge, and a beginners’s full-body lifting program. Working to regain stamina and keep my core strong.

I realized the other day that I currently feel like losing weight is easy. WAIT, WTF! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND??? If it was so easy why on earth was I morbidly obese for most of my life? Oh, right, it’s not. I happen to have the “right combination of tools,” as my surgeon would say, to fight the disease. That includes now a tiny pocket stomach that feels full with less than 1/2 cup of any food. Amazing how not feeling ravenously hungry all the time can make this big of an impact.

So, the numbers. In summary, I’ve lost 39.9 pounds and a combined 16.75 inches from around my body! Wow! For comparison, I remember one time when I worked really hard, dieted strictly for an entire year and lost 40 pounds.

November (heaviest weight): 288.8

End of pre-op liquid diet/day of surgery: 276.2

December: 256.8

January 2016: 248.9

Total lost: 39.9 pounds, 16.75 inches

I am so, so happy about this month’s progress and it marks a major milestone. For the first time in many years, I am closer to 200 pounds than I am to 300 pounds. Right now, I am targeting 100-120 pounds lost total by November 2016, which is one year since surgery. I’m well on my way and inspired to keep going!

I really notice the difference in my face, belly, and thighs.

Here are 3 of my 5 incisions, all healing wonderfully. More time and I expect they will fade until they are almost invisible. The largest one by my belly button is just about an inch long.

Happy Monday!

Mandy's Sleeve Story

A Blog About Bariatric Surgery

beforeandafter

10 Month Update!

Month 8 update!

Month 7 Update!

Six months later.

The fifth month.

3 month update!

Drum roll, please. (AKA Month 2 Update)