Well, looking by my last entry, I guess I'd forgotten about my blog.  :)  I was busy and blogging isn't my livelihood, so I kind of let it go by the way-side.

Now however, I have some time, but even moreso, I have some news to share in the bariatric world of my life.

In 3 days, I am getting my surgery to remove the excess skin from my abdomen.  They call it a panniculectomy.  I am very nervous.

I also have to stay at my sister's house because I have my surgeries up in Wisconsin, so I'll be celebrating my 10th anniversary with my beloved man alone.  Well, my sister will be here, but it certainly isn't the way I ever envisioned my milestone 10th anniversary.  It was supposed to be a vow renewal on a Caribbean beach somewhere with a new ring, new dress, etc.  Um, not.

So we will celebrate some other time.

I hope to have a bunch of weight lost by this procedure.  I am conservatively thinking "if they take 5 lbs. of skin, then I guess that would be good...", secretly thinking about the number that I'm aiming for again, as I have gained some weight.

The workouts will begin consistently again:  5-6 times a week.  I *am* going to download *and use* MyFitnessPal (I *hate* tracking my food, but in honoring my commitment to myself, it must be done.), and I am going to eat right.  Cut out the carbs (which I said I wouldn't do (I think everyone says that, but we all slip and I'm ashamed of myself), cut out eating out, cut out anything that isn't on point for MY WELL BEING.

Pictures will be forthcoming.  Oh yeah, I'm going to show it all.

Well it's been 9 months now since my surgery. I have lost 146 lbs. What a miracle (to me, it qualifies) has transpired in the past 9 months. Not only have I shed pounds, but I have worked out diligently and I have lost so many inches.

I secretly hoped that by the time I reached my goal I would be in a REGULAR size 16. I've exceeded that; I am not at my goal (24 lbs. to go) and I've attained fitting into size 14 jeans. With a real zipper and button, no less!

I can wear heels. I can bend, I can move. I have a life now. And I'm so eternally grateful that I do. Continuing on toward my goal. I am really striving to make it by my 1-year "surgiversary". To still have 3 months to lose 24 lbs. seems attainable. We'll see what this road is offering.

Here are some recent pictures:

May 8, 2011

Today is my 7-month post op "anniversary". Actually it was on the 6th, but this was the soonest I could get my picture taken.

Since I last wrote, I have lost more poundage, have been in the hospital for a hernia repair (which was, by far, much worse in pain than my gastric bypass procedure EVER was!), someone moved out of our home, and well... there's just been a lot going on.

Up until my surgery 3 weeks ago, I have been working out diligently and increasing the intensity of my workouts. I use Leslie Sansone's "Walk Away the Pounds" videos. She guides me through a 3- or 4-mile walk that incorporates a full-body workout and lots of them have resistance bands or weights that are used as well. They are EXCELLENT workouts, and I don't need to have a gym membership! I firmly believe that my results are directly related to the investment I make in exercising with Leslie. I wish I could thank her personally.

I had an umbilical hernia from carrying around too much weight. My surgeon (GOD BLESS MY SURGEON!) tried fixing it during my gastric bypass procedure, but it didn't "stick". Both he and my regular doctor insisted that I get this done immediately (have to be cautious about obstructed bowels with these hernias). Well it ended up being the size of the Grand Canyon. Really ouchy. So I had that done April 19th.

That day was also a bittersweet day for my husband. His daughter who was living with us because of a court-ordered change in custody 2 years ago, turned 18 and she in turn left and went back to her mother (who committed the crime against her when she was 15). It was a GOOD day for me in regards to this situation, though, as the past two years were incredibly difficult for me.

So onward I go. I have now lost a total of 122 lbs. In SEVEN MONTHS. It's simply astonishing to me that I have this new chance. Which I am not about to "blow" or screw up.

Here are my pictures. My before picture is on the left, and my current picture is on the right.

March 6, 2011

Five months post op today. I was so hoping I could report a 100-lb. loss to the blog, but alas, I am only at 98 lbs... in FIVE MONTHS!! WOW! I am thrilled as they usually consider the first 6 months to lose 100 lbs as good. I've done it in about 5. By the time I come home from my next business trip, I should have it knocked out. I'm SO excited.

So here is my before and current picture:

And here's "5 months of faces" to show my progress as I've gone along. I don't know why, but I can really tell the difference between last month and this...

I can now regularly do 3-mile walks with Leslie Sansone (DVDs that are much better than a walk down the road) and I have even done 4 miles. I golfed yesterday and had a blast.

Sleep apnea: GONE

GURD: GONE

Aching joints: GONE

High blood pressure: GONE

New outlook on life: PRICELESS

I still have a long way to go, but once I get to that 100-lb. loss, I will feel like I'm the most accomplished person alive. I can eat better now, I have it figured out and traveling is no longer a problem. Little steps.

Would I do this again? YOU BET YOUR ASS I WOULD! HA!

Hugs,

Debra

Today is not quite my 4th month surgiversary, but it will have to do. I was in Poughkeepsie on that date and no access to scales to mark the event.

As of today, I have lost 93 lbs. NOW I am starting to feel the difference.

For me, it has definitely taken that long. I am exercising and can actually do most of it. Some of the workouts I do are still pretty tough, but I modify the exercise (not the pace) and continue on. I am feeling stronger. I couldn't keep up with my sister-in-law (love you, Denise!) but I am pretty pleased with my progress.

Do I ever see myself being a workout fanatic? Where I am right now from where I was 4 months ago, I guess in a certain respect, I am; however, what I mean is that I never see myself wanting to strive for some athletic prowess... no marathons, no decathalons (ha ha). I just want to move enough to be strong and keep my body functioning as it should.

The eating isn't really so much better. I guess, if I looked at it, though, maybe it's just a very small and gradual thing and it is a bit better. I was able to eat meat for dinner 3x last week, which felt absolutely awesome. But then a few days later, that "puke feeling" came back and well... so there you are.

My hair is shedding. I have to add more protein to my diet. 60-80 grams per day and I make it to about 40. So today, I've gotten to 57 and haven't had dinner yet, so it's progress.

Five sizes down. I am thrilled. TEN inches lost in my hips already. I couldn't even get the measuring tape around me.

I don't carry my seatbelt extender on the plane anymore. I don't need it!

It feels good to be able to trudge from one end of the airport to another at a very brisk pace and not feel like I'm going to have a stroke when I get to my destination.

All in all, huge progress. Here is my latest picture with the "before" for comparison....

WOW! Non-scale victories (NSVs) Abound!

The number astounds me... 87.

Eighty-seven pounds--GONE. That means I am officially past the 1/2 way mark in my journey and it has not yet been four months.

I am SO grateful.

A couple days ago, I was in the Philadelphia airport dashing to make a flight. I was able to walk very quickly (almost a run, but not quite--I'm not dilusional) from one end of the F terminal to the other and arrived not feeling like I was going to have a heart attack!

My seatbelt extender, given to me by one of my favorite flight attendants, has been my constant companion until now. Now my extender will be given back to said flight attendant; it is no longer needed.

Yesterday I was walking with my husband into Walmart. I cannot describe it to you adequately, but my legs felt powerful and lithe. I know they aren't fully lithe yet, but it was the first time I have ever felt that. Strong, in control, powerful, and WELL. Golly it felt great.

Yeah, my clothes are falling off me. I went bra shopping and went from a size 46 to a size 40. That is FOUR SIZES down. Yay, me!

It's starting to mean something to me. It's starting to feel "real" for lack of a better, more prosaic term. And what a heady experience that is.

Yesterday I went and saw both my physician and my surgeon for my 3-month post-op checkup.

• All in all it was a great report...I'm down 84 lbs.
• My blood pressure is normal
• Sleep apnea gone
• GURD is gone
• My feet are drastically improved

However, my umbilical hernia is back. :( I need to have that repaired within the next 3 months no exceptions. I know it is for my benefit, but I dread telling my boss that I need to take 2 more weeks off work after being off just 3 months ago for 12 weeks. ACK.

OH and here is something I would like to pass on to people (I didn't know it, and find it fascinating). Earlier in December, I wrote that my legs were horribly swollen. So swollen, in fact, that I couldn't flex my ankles. They put me on a water pill which helped, but I wanted to find out why.

At that time, I hadn't yet tried Inspire or BElieve*. I was NOT getting my protein in--not even remotely close. Well that is why my legs swelled up! Both my physician and my surgeon (2 separate visits) told me that not getting adequate protein will make your legs swell because if protein cannot be found in the blood stream, it goes to tissue to find it. So if you are reading this and you are new to the process, make a commitment that no matter what you will get in as much protein as you are able. I do NOT have circulatory problems, which was my biggest concern (or that I was in kidney failure--I'm not, thank goodness).

Since that time, however, I've been taking Inspire and/or BElieve (I tried lots of proteins out there, and these are perfect for me). I don't have the problem anymore--not even when flying.

Speaking of flying, I don't need my seatbelt extender anymore! That is a huge NSV for me!Oh and I went and bought my first new bra after my dr's appts... I went from a 46 to a *40*!!! Can't get over it!!

(NOTE: BElieve and Inspire are products from www.bariatriceating.com . They are proteins specifically made for bariatric patients--out of the best whey protein isolates. If you have happened across this website and are exploring bariatric surgery options OR are post surgery and looking for a protein that your new pouch will like, I suggest you give this website a look-see. This is the only protein I will now ever use because I tolerate it well and it is not too much to drink. Our pouches are tiny and swollen after surgery. We need lots of protein but don't have lots of room!)