Yesterday I was one month out from having Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy surgery. I went for my follow-up with my surgeon and he was very impressed with my progress. According to his scale, I weighed 239.5, having started at 268.8 before I started the pre-op diet on September 16, meaning I have lost 29.3 pounds in 6 weeks.
My clothes have started to fit far differently. The pants that I was in denial of having been too small now aren't. I no longer come home with that red irritated band around my mid-section because my pants are too small and don't fit right. I don't have a single set of pants left in my wardrobe that fit me like that. In fact, today, I put on a pair of leggings that I bought when I was pregnant with Justin. I have had these pants for 10 years, and for the first time ever, they are baggy, in the booty and in the legs. this has never happened to me!
I also found out from the doctor yesterday that I have been cleared to work out as strenuously as I choose. I'm allowed to go back to CrossFit APX, I'm allowed to lift, run, swim, do whatever I feel comfortable with. I am so excited that I can get back to being active again.
I'll be alternating swimming and running in the morning, and CrossFitting 2-3 days a week. If there is anything I have figured out through personal experience and talking to other people who have had the same surgery I did, it is that without diligent compliance and working out, I will be left with a great deal of excess skin hanging down that can only be taken care of surgically. I knew that eventually I would have to have some plastic surgery after all is said and done, but I really don't want to sign on to a tummy tuck, thigh lift, breast lift and reduction, arm skin removal/reconstruction. I'd like to keep the necessary surgeries to an absolute minimum---so to make that happen, I have to focus on some seriously amazing workouts and following the diet plan provided by my doctor.
I didn't take measurements before I started this process, but I did the other night, and unfortunately, left them written down at home. I will update tonight and add my measurements, as well as a side-by-side picture of myself in the same outfit I wore to the hospital for surgery. I'm certain there will be a drastic difference in my appearance, because I FEEL very different, and everyone tells me I look a lot smaller, and my clothes fit very differently than they used to.
My completely unrealistic goal is to be under 200 pounds by 1/1/14. I seriously doubt I will lose 39.5 pounds in the next 2 months...but we'll see how it goes. I'd love to start 2014 in Onderland!
Krista
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
The dreaded 3rd week....
Last Friday, I went to the doctor for my 2 week check-up and was please to hear that according to their scales, I have lost 23 pounds. I was also ecstatic to learn I could start eating "mushy foods". I never thought I would be so happy to hear the words "mushy foods"
This week I have been allowed to add things like refried beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, and pureed foods to my diet. It has been so nice to eat something that wasn't sweet. Now I will say, I have NEVER been a fan of any beans other than green beans, with a specific hatred of refried beans....not so much now. In fact, here in about 30 minutes, I'm going to be making some Huevos Rancheros for lunch. Not only is the protein what I need more of in my diet, but having a bit of cheese, and beans, things that aren't sweet, just makes me HAPPY.
Starting this coming Monday I will be allowed to start adding some moist flaky fish, tuna, (chicken is the last thing to get re-added), I'm allowed cream of wheat, oatmeal, etc. I will continue the "fork tender" or "soft foods" diet for the next 4 weeks. I will be allowed "regular food" beginning on November 18. At this point, I will be eating approximately 1/4 of food at a time. The first 1/4 cup I eat will be my protein for each meal, and then if I am still hungry/want more after that is down, I'm allowed to add things like cooked vegetables.
That part of the 3rd week that is dreaded though is the inevitable stall in weight loss. I have been in a few weight loss groups on f\Facebook for a while, and it never fails that a couple of times each week, someone would come into one of those groups and ask if it was normal to not lose any weight, and state that they were only 3 weeks out of surgery, and how could that be possible with as little as they were eating. I knew it was coming, though I would be lying if I said I didn't hope that I would be the exception to this rather obnoxious rule of weight loss surgery. But alas, I was not the exception, and have been sitting at 245 pounds for a week now. I know I am losing inches, because my clothes are fitting VERY differently, and let's be honest, I can't remember the last time I lost 23 pounds in 1 month. I'm so ready for the scale to start moving down again....but until then, I'll stay on track and keep doing what I'm doing. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that cheating, or going off the program prescribed by my doctor isn't going to do anything but jeopardize my health and long-term success.
I'm so excited to head back to CrossFit this week, and I just can't wait. I'm not allowed to lift more than 15-20 pounds for a couple more weeks, but I can do body-weight exercises, and still engage the muscles I haven't been using here for a while. I'm going to start with 2 days a week and build up to 3 days a week. This week also starts the training for the Princess Half Marathon weekend Glass Slipper Challenge, so I will be walking/running 3 days a week.
I am so excited about what the future holds for me, and what it is going to look like. I can't wait to realize the life I've always wanted.
Krista
This week I have been allowed to add things like refried beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, and pureed foods to my diet. It has been so nice to eat something that wasn't sweet. Now I will say, I have NEVER been a fan of any beans other than green beans, with a specific hatred of refried beans....not so much now. In fact, here in about 30 minutes, I'm going to be making some Huevos Rancheros for lunch. Not only is the protein what I need more of in my diet, but having a bit of cheese, and beans, things that aren't sweet, just makes me HAPPY.
Starting this coming Monday I will be allowed to start adding some moist flaky fish, tuna, (chicken is the last thing to get re-added), I'm allowed cream of wheat, oatmeal, etc. I will continue the "fork tender" or "soft foods" diet for the next 4 weeks. I will be allowed "regular food" beginning on November 18. At this point, I will be eating approximately 1/4 of food at a time. The first 1/4 cup I eat will be my protein for each meal, and then if I am still hungry/want more after that is down, I'm allowed to add things like cooked vegetables.
That part of the 3rd week that is dreaded though is the inevitable stall in weight loss. I have been in a few weight loss groups on f\Facebook for a while, and it never fails that a couple of times each week, someone would come into one of those groups and ask if it was normal to not lose any weight, and state that they were only 3 weeks out of surgery, and how could that be possible with as little as they were eating. I knew it was coming, though I would be lying if I said I didn't hope that I would be the exception to this rather obnoxious rule of weight loss surgery. But alas, I was not the exception, and have been sitting at 245 pounds for a week now. I know I am losing inches, because my clothes are fitting VERY differently, and let's be honest, I can't remember the last time I lost 23 pounds in 1 month. I'm so ready for the scale to start moving down again....but until then, I'll stay on track and keep doing what I'm doing. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that cheating, or going off the program prescribed by my doctor isn't going to do anything but jeopardize my health and long-term success.
I'm so excited to head back to CrossFit this week, and I just can't wait. I'm not allowed to lift more than 15-20 pounds for a couple more weeks, but I can do body-weight exercises, and still engage the muscles I haven't been using here for a while. I'm going to start with 2 days a week and build up to 3 days a week. This week also starts the training for the Princess Half Marathon weekend Glass Slipper Challenge, so I will be walking/running 3 days a week.
I am so excited about what the future holds for me, and what it is going to look like. I can't wait to realize the life I've always wanted.
Krista
Sunday, October 6, 2013
The Weight I Didn't Expect to Lose
So I had a moment today where I asked myself, "Why do you feel so good all of a sudden?"
I have felt amazing since the surgery on Monday. I have some itchy incisions, and would almost chew off my own arm to be able to eat something salty/crispy.
But I can feel that there is something VERY different about myself. My perspective, my outlook, my mental place.
It seems ridiculous, being only 7 days out f surgery, but the fact is, I feel this good because I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.
I mean, let's be honest. When you are 5'2, 21 years old and step on the doctor's scale and see a number that starts with "2", no one needs to tell you that you are obese. 17 years later, no one needs to tell me that I am STILL obese. I know it every time I try to sit comfortably in an airplane seat, and try to discreetly ask the flight attendant for a seatbelt extender. I know it every time I have to be concerned about whether the table in a restaurant is anchored in position, or if I can push it further away to have room to fit. I know I'm obese every time I take the elevator up 1 floor to prevent the embarrassment of having to stop at the top to catch my breath. I know that I'm obese every time someone looks at me, completely confused and says, 'YOU? Do CrossFit?' I know that I'm obese when my 9yo son asks me at the beginning of a 5k we are running together, if he has to wait for me, or and go ahead and run his own pace.
I'm so aware of my obesity, that every new thing that comes along to "help" me, I have tried, for the most part. I've tried Weight Watchers, Atkins, Medically supervised diet, purchased "the P.I.N.K method, Insanity, choked down beets. Every meal I order in a restaurant, I would wait for the waiter to respond with some cute little quip about, "Are you sure you really need to eat that?" I see how fast food workers when I pick up dinner for my entire family and they assume all of that food is for me. I am keenly aware every single day of how I look, and every single day, until last Monday, my mind has been pre-occupied with, "What am I going to try next?"
Well, Last Monday, I answered that question permanently. I chose to have a surgical procedure to help me reach my goals. Since my surgery, I have yet to ask myself during a weight loss commercial, "Hey, I wonder how much that costs and whether or not it will work for me?" I don't feel the need to get online and google the latest fad diet like "Sensa". I am following the instructions of my surgeon to a "T" and doing what I am supposed to do to allow this tool to work. Starting tomorrow, I start walking and getting in some more intentional exercise. I feel good enough to do it, and it will only continue to help me go down this path.
The weight I never expected to lose, was the weight of the world on my shoulders. I'm no longer an easy target for the next "get thin quick" fad diet, because I know what I'm doing, and I have taken a HUGE step to help me going forward. I feel lighter emotionally. I feel happier. I in no way believe that this would be the answer for everyone, but it is absolutely what has happened to me. The rest of this journey is going to be filled with difficult decisions and ups and downs, but I know, without hesitation, that I have made the right decision for ME!
Krista
I have felt amazing since the surgery on Monday. I have some itchy incisions, and would almost chew off my own arm to be able to eat something salty/crispy.
But I can feel that there is something VERY different about myself. My perspective, my outlook, my mental place.
It seems ridiculous, being only 7 days out f surgery, but the fact is, I feel this good because I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off of my shoulders.
I mean, let's be honest. When you are 5'2, 21 years old and step on the doctor's scale and see a number that starts with "2", no one needs to tell you that you are obese. 17 years later, no one needs to tell me that I am STILL obese. I know it every time I try to sit comfortably in an airplane seat, and try to discreetly ask the flight attendant for a seatbelt extender. I know it every time I have to be concerned about whether the table in a restaurant is anchored in position, or if I can push it further away to have room to fit. I know I'm obese every time I take the elevator up 1 floor to prevent the embarrassment of having to stop at the top to catch my breath. I know that I'm obese every time someone looks at me, completely confused and says, 'YOU? Do CrossFit?' I know that I'm obese when my 9yo son asks me at the beginning of a 5k we are running together, if he has to wait for me, or and go ahead and run his own pace.
I'm so aware of my obesity, that every new thing that comes along to "help" me, I have tried, for the most part. I've tried Weight Watchers, Atkins, Medically supervised diet, purchased "the P.I.N.K method, Insanity, choked down beets. Every meal I order in a restaurant, I would wait for the waiter to respond with some cute little quip about, "Are you sure you really need to eat that?" I see how fast food workers when I pick up dinner for my entire family and they assume all of that food is for me. I am keenly aware every single day of how I look, and every single day, until last Monday, my mind has been pre-occupied with, "What am I going to try next?"
Well, Last Monday, I answered that question permanently. I chose to have a surgical procedure to help me reach my goals. Since my surgery, I have yet to ask myself during a weight loss commercial, "Hey, I wonder how much that costs and whether or not it will work for me?" I don't feel the need to get online and google the latest fad diet like "Sensa". I am following the instructions of my surgeon to a "T" and doing what I am supposed to do to allow this tool to work. Starting tomorrow, I start walking and getting in some more intentional exercise. I feel good enough to do it, and it will only continue to help me go down this path.
The weight I never expected to lose, was the weight of the world on my shoulders. I'm no longer an easy target for the next "get thin quick" fad diet, because I know what I'm doing, and I have taken a HUGE step to help me going forward. I feel lighter emotionally. I feel happier. I in no way believe that this would be the answer for everyone, but it is absolutely what has happened to me. The rest of this journey is going to be filled with difficult decisions and ups and downs, but I know, without hesitation, that I have made the right decision for ME!
Krista
Thursday, October 3, 2013
post-surgery update
Good morning!
I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on Monday, and am home now and recovering. The day of the surgery, as soon as I woke up, I couldn't stop crying. I was in a lot of pain, and thought I was going to throw up, which I understand is completely normal. They gave me pain medicine, and anti-nausea medicine, and I haven't really needed that since. I had a pain button to push if I needed it, and only pushed it maybe 5x in the hours I was at the hospital, and 2 of those were Monday night to help me sleep. I still have some discomfort when I sip too much too fast, but I'm getting better at knowing what the limitations are.
I got home from the hospital on Tuesday, about 8:00 pm. I tried sleeping in my bed, but honestly, I was too uncomfortable laying flat, so about 3:30 am yesterday I came downstairs and got comfortable in the recliner. I've only taken 1 dose of pain medicine since getting home, and haven't needed any of the anti-nausea medicine.
Yesterday, my friend Faith came over and spent some time with me. I wasn't sure how I would do home alone for the day because I was still pretty woozy late Tuesday. I was feeling ok yesterday, but it was incredibly nice to have someone to talk to. We also went for a walk in the neighborhood. walking is the key to getting the gas they used to pump up my stomach for the surgery to be absorbed into my body, and taken care of.
My goal for the first week home is to be sure I get in all the proper fluids and nutrition. I am supposed to get in 60-80 grams of protein each day, and 64 oz of water. Yesterday I got in a little over 50 grams of protein, and all of my fluids. I'm trying a different approach today to be sure I can get it all in.
I got on the scale, reluctantly, because with all the fluids and gas pumped into me at the hospital, I expected it to be more than the morning I had the surgery. I started my pre-op diet at 265.8, I went into surgery at 255.3, and today, I'm at 253.8, so I have lost exactly 12 pounds since I started the pre-op diet.
Today, I feel incredibly good. I haven't needed pain medication in 36 hours, so I'm going to drive today, to work, to turn in my September time sheet, and some files that I didn't get to work on. This will be my first time driving since the surgery. Don't want to over-do it though.
I'll keep posted on how things are going. I go back to the doctor next Friday, October 11 for my 2 week follow up. between now and then, I'm going to try to avoid the scale, and just listen to my body.
Until next time!
krista
I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on Monday, and am home now and recovering. The day of the surgery, as soon as I woke up, I couldn't stop crying. I was in a lot of pain, and thought I was going to throw up, which I understand is completely normal. They gave me pain medicine, and anti-nausea medicine, and I haven't really needed that since. I had a pain button to push if I needed it, and only pushed it maybe 5x in the hours I was at the hospital, and 2 of those were Monday night to help me sleep. I still have some discomfort when I sip too much too fast, but I'm getting better at knowing what the limitations are.
I got home from the hospital on Tuesday, about 8:00 pm. I tried sleeping in my bed, but honestly, I was too uncomfortable laying flat, so about 3:30 am yesterday I came downstairs and got comfortable in the recliner. I've only taken 1 dose of pain medicine since getting home, and haven't needed any of the anti-nausea medicine.
Yesterday, my friend Faith came over and spent some time with me. I wasn't sure how I would do home alone for the day because I was still pretty woozy late Tuesday. I was feeling ok yesterday, but it was incredibly nice to have someone to talk to. We also went for a walk in the neighborhood. walking is the key to getting the gas they used to pump up my stomach for the surgery to be absorbed into my body, and taken care of.
My goal for the first week home is to be sure I get in all the proper fluids and nutrition. I am supposed to get in 60-80 grams of protein each day, and 64 oz of water. Yesterday I got in a little over 50 grams of protein, and all of my fluids. I'm trying a different approach today to be sure I can get it all in.
I got on the scale, reluctantly, because with all the fluids and gas pumped into me at the hospital, I expected it to be more than the morning I had the surgery. I started my pre-op diet at 265.8, I went into surgery at 255.3, and today, I'm at 253.8, so I have lost exactly 12 pounds since I started the pre-op diet.
Today, I feel incredibly good. I haven't needed pain medication in 36 hours, so I'm going to drive today, to work, to turn in my September time sheet, and some files that I didn't get to work on. This will be my first time driving since the surgery. Don't want to over-do it though.
I'll keep posted on how things are going. I go back to the doctor next Friday, October 11 for my 2 week follow up. between now and then, I'm going to try to avoid the scale, and just listen to my body.
Until next time!
krista
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