2 months out.

Today is 2 months out of surgery.

Things are still going well.

I even made it through my first big FOOD holiday without any real problems. 

So here I was last month.

from the front

and here I am this month

last month from the side

This month from the side

I am down a total of 34.6 pounds from the date of my surgery. For two months out I guess that is not to bad. I have not done my measurements yet this month, but I am going to try and do it tonight. I am glad to see the number going down on the scale, I just wish that my brain would catch up with it. I know that other people that have had this surgery can relate to this, but when I look in the mirror, I have a very hard time seeing the weight going away. Everyone keeps saying they can see it, but I can not. I have heard this is pretty common with people that have had this surgery and will not always be this way. A friend of mine said usually around the 6 month mark your brain finally kicks in and you can start to see a real change in yourself. Right now I am just enjoying seeing the numbers go down on the scale, my clothes fitting looser and feeling better in general!

jeans

I'm finally back in REGULAR jeans!! 

I am so excited. 

I can't wait to be down more sizes but I love being in regular jeans!!

woo hoo

ps. excuse the morning hair. I had not done it yet. 

Have I mentioned....

Have I mentioned that I miss soda. 

I mean I really miss soda. 

I miss drinking it, even though I know it is not good for me. 

I am struggling with drinking water, juice and milk. 

I just miss having the variety. 

However, I don't miss it enough to have changed what I have done.

I am so grateful every time I get on that scale and see the numbers go down. 

I had a check up for my thyroid the other day. 

My pulse is down by 20 points, or whatever you call it. It used to rest in the 90's and now it rest in the 70's. 

My blood pressure which has always been good. It usually hangs around 110/70 something. When I went to the doctor the other day, I had Briea walking, Ayla in a stroller, and Andrew who is 5 months in a back pack. We had been shopping all morning and when they took my blood pressure it was 90/ 70 something. I like the idea that I am getting healthier. I am enjoying working out more. My body does not hurt the way it used to. It also is easier to move. I guess I never realized how all that weight affected my movements. But it did. 

So while I miss soda...It's ok. 

To quote some very wise words, form a very wise man...

"I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"

Finally a Combo I like!!

After surgery, water becomes a constant. 

But you can only take it for so long. Or at least that is the case with me. 

So I finally found a combo that I like that is ok. 

You are a loud to have a little juice each day but you are supposed to water it down. 

Well that just is no good either. So I can drink as much of the Ocean Spray Diet as I want. No sugar. Yippee. So I mix the 2 half and half. 

Yummy!!! 

Just a tip for anyone out there that needs a little break from water!!
ps. this is not my apple juice of choice. It is a little high in sugar. there are better ones, but this was what the gas station had this morning when I stopped in. 

1 month post!

Well here are the stats for my 1 month out post. 

(I plan on posting pics and stats each month on my surgery date.)

So here we go. 

From my last check in with the surgeon, on 9/15 I am down 32.4 pounds. 

From my actual surgery date of September 26 till today October 26 I am down, 23 pounds.

Here are my pictures. 

 This is my day of surgery-9/26

 This is today 10/26

 

This was pre surgery 9/26

 This is today 10/26

As for inches-

I have gone done 1 1/4 inch on my neck

2 inches on my upper arms

1 inch on my forearm

Almost 3 inches on my waist. 

3 inches on my abdomen

1 inch on thighs

I still have a ways to go but I am happy with the results so far.

Protein, Protein, Protein.

Well if you have never been on this journey here is something new for you to know. When you are preparing for bariatric surgery and after, a word that will be drilled into your brain is PROTEIN!! 

You must have it EVERYDAY, at every meal. You have to have it for your body to rebuild and also to loose the weight. 

Before surgery, I had no problem getting my protein in. I actually liked the protein shakes. I thought they tasted pretty good. 

However, and if you ever go through this, you will hear this as well....Surgery changes they way certain things taste. 

For me...it was the protein shakes. I just can't get them down. I have tried different brands, flavors, etc. No Luck. 

So I am trying hard to get my protein in other ways. I have tried a couple different protein bars. That is harder than you think because while they say they are good for you, a lot of them are packed with sugar. No good for someone who has just had bariatric surgery due to dumping syndrome.  So I try to find protein bars that are 5g of sugar or less but don't taste like something that has been behind your refrigerator for months. 

They say before surgery your goal should be 60-80 g of protein a day. After you should be able to work up to 80-120g per day. That may not sound like a lot but when your stomach is the size of an egg, it is a lot to get down. On top of drinking all the fluids and such. 

I am not complaining. I do not regret my decision to have this surgery. All I am saying is that it is a learning curve. It helps to have friends that have gone through it. They are a wonderful resource to have. They answer questions and can actually tell you what they have experienced and what works. I am not knocking my doctors, because they are great. However, there is something different when you talk to someone who has actually walked the walk. So if anyone out there in blog land is preparing or just had surgery and is having problem with your protein...don't feel bad. You are not alone. I don't think I am hitting my goals either. But I am doing the best I can...and that is working so far. 

rockin it!

went to Wal-Mart the other day while my mom was here helping. I just needed to get out of the house. I was getting a little cabin fever. However, I was not really ready to walk. So my mom said I should hope on the old Walmart Hog and take it for a spin. And I did just that. Rolled through the store, wave to folks as I went by. The worst part is, is that it beeps when you back up... Very annoying!