Today is both my 6 month post-op appointment, and my 42nd birthday. This is what I looked like at my birthday with my family at First Watch last year:
I had just started looking into bariatric surgery, was looking forward to my first information session and already knew that if I did it, this might be the very last birthday cake of my life. Being diabetic at the time, I couldn't have much, but I did enjoy that carrot cake. I was 243 pounds.
This year I celebrated my birthday with my family at an Indian's Game at Progressive Field this weekend. My mom (the person laughing hysterically in the picture below) brought her "birthday hat" which I consented to wear for the picture. That's my brother who was kind enough to acknowledge he was related to both of us.
When I was getting ready for the game I realized that I didn't have an Indian's shirt in my size any more. I asked my son if I could try on one of his, a men's Medium, and it fit! Last year I would have worn a men's XL or XXL. I had a lot of NSVs that day. My favorite was realizing that when all the kids and I went to go to the batting cages, we could climb over empty seats and (wait for it) climb BETWEEN the bars of a railing instead of making people in the row stand up for us to get out. I stood there looking at those bars for about 10 seconds before I suggested it. I kept thinking "OK, those bars are about 16 inches apart. You know you should be able to get through there now." before I really believed I could do it - and then I proved myself right!
This morning as people wished me a happy 42nd birthday I realized that I am healthier, in better shape, and happier than I was at 22. How wild is that?!?
Today at my 6 month post-op appointment I found out I have lost 67% of my excess weight - 60 pounds since surgery for a grand total of 89! At 5'2" and 154 pounds the doctor was very impressed. I told him that while I would be fine staying this weight, I'm going to keep working the program and just see where my body ends up. My ego would like to lose 11 more pounds at least so that I could say "I lost 100 pounds!". My brain has decided that my body fat measurement is a better indicator of success for me at this point than the scale. My goal is to hit 25% body fat or less. I'm at 30% right now, and weight loss has definitely slowed down. I only lost 17 pounds over this past 3 months, but I also lost over 5% in body fat. I'm hoping I can get the next 5% off by my surgiversary. I also signed up to be an "angel" to new bariatric patients - being willing to talk with them over the phone about my experience, and visit them in the hospital.
I jogged 28 minutes today, even though I considered taking the day off from training with the combination of appointments and my birthday - but then I realized that keeping my momentum going meant more to me than sitting at home relaxing. I hummed the olympic theme again to myself on my final lap, and my boys told me "Good Job, Mom!". As a birthday favor, they didn't complain about training today ;)
I made a new composite picture - unfortunately when my computer's hard drive died a couple months ago I lost my "doorway" preop picture (you can see it to the left of this post on the previous composite), but I found one from last Christmas that shows most of me. This is my PreOp/ 1 month post/ 4 month post/ 6 month post-op composite picture.
I couldn't have gotten this far without the support of my husband Albert, my family, my friends, my mentor JoJo, and my online and in-person support groups. Thank you so much for helping me re-start my life. I'm not done, and I'm sure I will have challenges and bumps in the road, but I can't believe how far I've come already. In my wildest dreams I didn't imagine that this much would have changed in 6 months.
I had just started looking into bariatric surgery, was looking forward to my first information session and already knew that if I did it, this might be the very last birthday cake of my life. Being diabetic at the time, I couldn't have much, but I did enjoy that carrot cake. I was 243 pounds.
This year I celebrated my birthday with my family at an Indian's Game at Progressive Field this weekend. My mom (the person laughing hysterically in the picture below) brought her "birthday hat" which I consented to wear for the picture. That's my brother who was kind enough to acknowledge he was related to both of us.
When I was getting ready for the game I realized that I didn't have an Indian's shirt in my size any more. I asked my son if I could try on one of his, a men's Medium, and it fit! Last year I would have worn a men's XL or XXL. I had a lot of NSVs that day. My favorite was realizing that when all the kids and I went to go to the batting cages, we could climb over empty seats and (wait for it) climb BETWEEN the bars of a railing instead of making people in the row stand up for us to get out. I stood there looking at those bars for about 10 seconds before I suggested it. I kept thinking "OK, those bars are about 16 inches apart. You know you should be able to get through there now." before I really believed I could do it - and then I proved myself right!
This morning as people wished me a happy 42nd birthday I realized that I am healthier, in better shape, and happier than I was at 22. How wild is that?!?
Today at my 6 month post-op appointment I found out I have lost 67% of my excess weight - 60 pounds since surgery for a grand total of 89! At 5'2" and 154 pounds the doctor was very impressed. I told him that while I would be fine staying this weight, I'm going to keep working the program and just see where my body ends up. My ego would like to lose 11 more pounds at least so that I could say "I lost 100 pounds!". My brain has decided that my body fat measurement is a better indicator of success for me at this point than the scale. My goal is to hit 25% body fat or less. I'm at 30% right now, and weight loss has definitely slowed down. I only lost 17 pounds over this past 3 months, but I also lost over 5% in body fat. I'm hoping I can get the next 5% off by my surgiversary. I also signed up to be an "angel" to new bariatric patients - being willing to talk with them over the phone about my experience, and visit them in the hospital.
I jogged 28 minutes today, even though I considered taking the day off from training with the combination of appointments and my birthday - but then I realized that keeping my momentum going meant more to me than sitting at home relaxing. I hummed the olympic theme again to myself on my final lap, and my boys told me "Good Job, Mom!". As a birthday favor, they didn't complain about training today ;)
I made a new composite picture - unfortunately when my computer's hard drive died a couple months ago I lost my "doorway" preop picture (you can see it to the left of this post on the previous composite), but I found one from last Christmas that shows most of me. This is my PreOp/ 1 month post/ 4 month post/ 6 month post-op composite picture.
I couldn't have gotten this far without the support of my husband Albert, my family, my friends, my mentor JoJo, and my online and in-person support groups. Thank you so much for helping me re-start my life. I'm not done, and I'm sure I will have challenges and bumps in the road, but I can't believe how far I've come already. In my wildest dreams I didn't imagine that this much would have changed in 6 months.
First of all Happy Birthday!!! You look great and I'm glad that you feel good too. It won't be long before you hit that 100 pound mark. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chubarella - I feel great (aside from the poison ivy itch)!
ReplyDeleteAnother thing, you look raging hot (and not in the temperature way)! Happy belated birthday and LOTS of love and THANK YOU for all you are doing for us. Andy says he got the goodie box :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet :) Lots of love right back atcha' - plus prayers you are released on oral meds soon!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated bday! You look.great!
ReplyDeleteMy blog is: mynewpouch.Blogspot.org