One year surgerversary

I haven't posted in awhile but May 25th was my one year surgerversary of having VGS surgery.  I've lost 145 lbs so far, bouncing between 164-165 this week.  My next goal is 155 lbs which is losing half my body weight.  I think my final goal will be 138.  I read it somewhere that it's the ideal weight for someone with my body frame, which is small.  I thought I was big boned, nope!  I can wrap my fingers around my wrist with an inch to spare.

So, now to the good stuff.  Starting size~ 3X tops, 24/26 bottoms, size 10 undies, size 10 shoe, size 44DDD bra.  Current size~ Large tops, 10/12 bottoms, medium dresses, size 9 to 9.5 shoe, size 36D to DD bra.  I love wearing dresses as long as I have under armour or bike shorts underneath.  I look pretty damn good in them and they cover everything. up.  I'm posting pics of me in a dress, in a swimsuit, then the front and side view of my stomach that I cover up.  My arms are a little visible in the pics, I need to get a good thigh pic though, ugh!  I've almost quit losing my hair and my cousin does a great job of making it look like I have fullness when she says I've lost about half of it.  I can EASILY eat 4 oz, egg, chicken, and steak are the most dense and make me feel full.  Breads are my sliders.  My goal is 800 to 1200 calories a day, though I lose best at 800. 

The belly

Well folks, here it is.  My belly.  It looks pretty normal under clothes, tucked and stuffed into jeans.  But, this is why I bitch about it daily and want a tummy tuck soooo bad. 

 I like the high waisted jeans I can pull over my belly button then tuck the top.

I call this picture "Freddy Krueger attacked an old lady".  See the vertical butt crack looking thing above my belly button?  That is my appendix scar from 3 years ago.  The other cuts are from my gall bladder and VSG surgery.  The stretch marks were graciously provided by my two kids, gaining weight, and losing.  Above the belly button is all wrinkly loose skin.  Below is still fat.

I go for a local plastic surgery consultation  for $50 in 2 1/2 weeks though my mind is basically made up to get the works done in Mexico early next year.  It's just more cost effective to have it done there.  I'm weighing all my pros and cons.  Anyways, this is the body of a 185 pounder who has lost 125 lbs. 

Happy New Year!

As of this morning I was 188.6 lbs, which is 121.4 down from beginning of May and 96.4 lbs down from surgery.  I've changed my final goal to 155 lbs which would be losing half of my body weight.  I have 33.6 lbs to this goal.  Crossing my fingers for meeting goal by spring time.

My Almost 7 Month Update

I have lost 117 lbs and am wearing size 16 jeans and XL tops.  I can fit into 14s but I'm melted and poured right now.  My shoe size is now a 9.5.  On a daily basis, I mostly eat protein foods and can count on my fingers in 8 months how often I've had bread or flour based products.  I drink orange juice or skim milk daily.  The only sweets have once in a while is dark chocolate with a spoon of peanut butter. 

I have a lot of excess skin now on my stomach but it to be expected with 6 tummy surgeries and a lot of fat gone, hopefully 2014 will be my big plastic surgery year.  You are supposed to wait 6 months after your goal weight to get plastics done but it will be about 12K so I have to pay off my VSG surgery first.  My original goal weight was 170 but being at 193 I'm not happy with my upper arm, thigh, or stomach size so I have reset my 2nd goal weight to 155 lbs.  That will be half of my original size. 

Here are some updated pics.  First was taken in October and second was early December.

4 month surgerversary updates

It's been awhile since my last updates.  I'm still having hair loss, but less than I was.  I am currently wearing a pair of Catos size 16 jeans.  I've thought about either wearing my jeans inside out so everyone can see my tag or announcing it randomly to strangers.  My new favorite snack recipe is eggface protein truffles with Click mocha protein, very brownieish tasting.  I have also had 1 spoon of dark chocolate chips with 8 oz skim milk as a snack and 3/4 a coffee cup of grapes, both of which have no protein but satisfy my evil sweet tooth.  I take pole dance class once a week and zumba class three times a week.  On zumba gym days I also bike 1 to 3 miles or do a little arm strength training if I get to the gym early enough.

 Here are my monthly losses.  I've really slowed down in September but I went from a 20 to a 16 so not all terrible.  I've had more stalls and more slower loss.  
 May 27.6 (inc pre-op), June 17.4lbs, July 15.2lbs, August 17.2lbs, Sept 9.2 lbs

Updated pics of me yesterday in an XL shirt and 16W jeans:

 

84 lbs Down & Pixie Dust

I have lost :::drum roll:: 84 lbs.  My updated goal is to be down 110 lbs by Halloween.  I found the perfect Halloween costume yesterday at Goodwill.  It is a size 18 Avenue dress brand new for $5.  Guess what I'm going to be?  Tinkerbell!  Yep, a size 18 dress fit me perfect so it should be roomy by Halloween.  Just gotta add wings, a wand, and some pixie dust.  I wanted to wear one of those cutesy short costumes but my thighs aren't ready for that yet.  I also got my hair cut short so I would shed less.  It looks goofy in both pics because I don't know how to fix it yet, but here ya go:

No Sugar Added Crockpot Fruit Butter- Greek Yogurt Add-In

Apple butter
1 crockpot full of peeled sliced apples
2 tsp cinnmaon
1 tube 100% apple juice
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
3 tbsp honey

Pumpkin butter
2 cans pumpkin puree
3 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 cup 100% apple juice
3 tbsp honey
3 squirts of sugar free pancake syrup

Blueberry butter
1 bag frozen blueberries
1/2 pkg strawberries
3/4 cup 100% apple juice
4 tbsp vanilla infused honey w/ vanilla bean

I made these 3 as experiments this week.  All of them made the house smell A-MAY-ZING, but the best flavor goes to the apple butter.   The apple could also be made with jarred unsweetened applesauce but I have a handy dandy apple peeler/ corer so it didn't add much prep time.  Cut crockpot on low, add all ingredients,  put butter knives across the top of your crockpot and set the lid ajar so the moisture can escape.  Cook for 6-12 hours until your butter gets thick and rich.  The apple & pumpkin will get darker.  On the apple and blueberry, I used my immersion stick blender in the crockpot to blend until smooth.  The apple and pumpkin made 3 jelly jars each and the blueberry made 2 jelly jars.  They keep in the fridge for 2-3 months.  I'm using them as additions to my daily greek yogurt.

Goofy Real Pics of Me- 300+ lbs (Before)

 January 2011- Ice Skating or attempting it anyways

 September 2011 family pic- this is published no where but here.  I look like I have an intertube around my belly

 October 2011- I'm the Kia Hamstar with a double chin. 

April 2012- birthday party.  This is my heaviest pic

Stalling & Greek Yogurt

Friday was my 14 week surgerversary.  We went to the rodeo and cosmic bowling with my sister and her boyfriend.  I had 2 mixed drinks and 6 pickle chips, all in moderation right?  I gained 2.2 lbs.  Those pounds stuck to me Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and now Wednesday.  A freaking gain then a 5 day stall.  I'm losing more in my waist and thighs, wishing the loss would start in my upper arms and belly.   My boobs are also deflating, same cup size, but def in need of plastic surgery with my tummy.  I'm still in a size 20 though I have a closet of 18s just waiting on my stall to break.

Today I had Fage greek yogurt with strawberries for breakfast, Fage greek yogurt with sugar free cinnamon apples for snack, and 4 oz of monterey chicken with 2 bites of refried beans and salsa for lunch.  Supper will be...more greek yogurt.  I've read about the 2 day greek yogurt diet to break a stall so I'm trying it out.  It's 4 oz of yogurt every 3 hours, like 5 servings per day with up to 2 cups of fruit and plenty of water, that's all.   I had a preplanned lunch meeting at one of my favorite restaurants so I modified it.  Anyways, here are two doctored up greek yogurt recipes if you want to try them.  I don't like greek yogurt, but I'd choose the apple cinnamon one as having more flavor. 

Strawberry Berry Yogurt

3 oz Fage 0% greek yogurt

2 sliced strawberries

1 tsp sugar free berry jam

splash Torani sugar free vanilla- to taste

Mix well

Apple Cinnamon Yogurt 

3 oz Fage 0% greek yogurt

tsp cinnamon

splash Torani sugar free vanilla- to taste

Mix well and top with apple mix to the top of your 4 oz container

(Apple Mix- diced apples, sugar free pancake syrup, cinnamon, dash of vanilla- mix & cook on medium until apples tender- refrigerate)

Me and my sister at the rodeo

Cosmic bowling- rosy red cheeks equals yummy drinks!

Labor Day cookout at mamas~check out the healthy grub.  So good!  I didn't lose eating this either, crazy!

3 Month Update

So, Saturday made 3 months since I had my sleeve.  I've lost 76.8 lbs total and 51.8 lbs post-op.   So far, chicken is my best restriction food.  I feel fuller eating it than anything else so I try to eat it frequently.   An average day in my belly is a fried egg (no oil/butter) for breakfast, a protein bar or jerky for lunch, and some grilled chicken and a couple bites of veggies for supper. I usually have milk at night to up my protein uptake.  I still struggle to try and drink 64 oz of water daily. 

Exercise wise, I've upped the anty.  Two days ago I took a pole dancing class and will continue with weekly or bi-weekly lessons.  My arms most def got a workout, I can still feel it 2 days later.  I got a 5 & 10 lb weight from Wally World to try to start strengthening my arms.  They are way too flabby.  I also have an exercise ball to working out with.  I have began to walk 5 miles, but need to get into the routine daily. 

Hair.  What to say.  I shed more than my cats.  It's crazy.  I can run my fingers through my hair and have enough to make a little hair doll, so gross.  Little blonde hairs follow me everywhere.  I bought some Nioxin shampoo from a salon for $24 and some biotin, so hoping it works before I go bald, lol. 

I am in a solid size 20, down from a tight 24/26.  They are getting roomy in my hips so I'm ready to drop down to an 18.  I have a whole wardrobe of 16/18s which was generously provided by my stylish cousin.  Below is my comparison pics- tiny but you can see a huge difference (pun intended).

Beach bound

I went to the beach from Friday to Monday.  I had 2 small slices total of Ultimate California pizza with wheat crust, pesto, chicken, artichokes, spinach, sun dried tomatoes, and feta cheese (it's tradition, yum), 2 small servings of frozen non-fat or fat free yogurt with fresh berries, coconut, and nuts, one Bahama Mama, and one Lifesaver mixed drink as my cheats over the course of 4 days.  We stayed at an oceanfront resort with 17 pools, hot tubs, and lazy rivers so I did A LOT of swimming and walking on the beach.  I lost 2.8 pounds on vacation! Total weight loss- 64.2 lbs.  10 week post op loss 39.2lbs~average 3.92 lbs per week.

 size 22 cover up, swimsuit is a 22/24 top with a 3X bottom that is getting HUGE

 Face close up. 

This is a 3X top that literally is falling off me.  I like this shirt and tried to make it look like an off the shoulder deal.  Going to the can't wear pile.  See my tummy is getting much smaller :).

60 pounds!

I finally finally FINALLY hit 60 pounds down.  This is the next day at work at 60.6 lbs.  My 22's are literally falling off my hips so I tried to find some 20's at the store today.  Walmart had no 20's capris.  I went to the thrift before work and found this Apt9 khaki capri's new with tags for $5!  They are very snug in the tummy area but fit fine everywhere else.  I was maybe 12-13 years ago since I fit in a size 18 so I'm wearing them ALL day today.  I have a few 18's in my closet but they are still too tight.  I am also wearing a new Wally World size 20 tee that fits great, down from a 3x or 26/28.  My hips and belly seem to be the slowest to SHRINK already.  Now back to your regularly scheduled programming :).

2 Month Surgerversary

Today is my 2 month surgerversary. HW 1st week of May 310. 5/25-285, 1 month post op 269.2, 2 month post op 253.2. ttl weight lost 56.8, post op 31.8. I just pulled a 12 hr shift and it's HOT, so pardon the hair. Starting size tight 24 or 26, today baggy 22s (pictured) or 20s. I've been stalling for a week again but I can tell the difference in my pics.

Skinny jeans whoop whoop

Today I'm down 56.8 lbs.  Yesterday I wore Old Navy skinny jeans in a size 20 and they were not tight on my stomach at all.  I bought them a few years ago as goal jeans and when I bought them they wouldn't even slide above my knees.  If I could lose more in my stomach and upper thigh area I would probably be another size down.  My bra size has went from a 44DDD with overhang to a 42DDD perfect fit. 

I'm melting, I'm melting! (Photo Whoring)

This was me one week ago on Saturday with my girls, 261 I think.  I'm the big girl in the blue tee.

Facebook mirror pose this morning~ 257.6

Big difference in one week, huh?!

50 Pounds Down & Fat Back

I've lost  an even 50 lbs this morning!  The scale has came so close.  261.2, 261.6, 261.2, 261.8...it's such a tease.  50 lbs is 10 bags of sugar.  When you think about it, imagine strapping 10 bags of sugar and carrying it all day.  That would be a bitch.  I have 90 lbs to go to goal, so it's like I'm lugging 18 more bags of sugar around until then.  Ekkkk!!! 

Now that I've lost 50 lbs, size 22s fit comfortably or baggy, depending on the brand.  Today I am wearing Merona jeans from Tarjay that I couldn't squeeze my ass in last year.  I hope to find some 20s at the thrift or a yard sale to get ready for the next size down.  I have no loose skin yet (bonus!) but I do notice I have back fat.  It's on each side and I can pitch a whole handful with some to spare.   Under my arms I look like I have bat wings too.  Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun Bat Girl!  I know I need to lift weights for my arms but how in the world do you exercise back fat? 

Happy One Month Surgerversary to Me!

Well, today is my one month surgerversary.  I've lost 40.8 lbs total and 15.8 lbs since surgery.  I'm still yo-yo stalling for over a week now.  I lost .8 Saturday, gained .4 yesterday.  I'm been in a blah blah mood because I've been eating right, but I know it's the dreaded stall, and I can now fit back in a size 22 bottoms.  I have the sleeve of steel and can handle eating up to 4 oz of anything but those yucky protein drinks.  I made zucchini lasagna last night with tons of protein goodness.  I also went swimming for the first time since surgery Saturday for four hours.  The water felt awesome!  My stomach was like a little buoy floating in the water. 

So, where have I lost it?  My face, my lower arms, my lower butt, and my stomach.  Check out my pics to see a 2 month difference.

                                            Face shot~April 2012~ highest weight 310lbs

                                                    May 25, 2012~ 285lbs~ surgery date

                                              June 25, 2012~ 269.2 ~ 1 month post-op (same shirt)

22 Days out, cheater cheater, cucumber eater, and the dreaded stall?

I've lost 43.2 lbs including pre-op.  I am 22 days out and starting to feel a normal level of energy.  I fall asleep about as soon as my head hits the pillow at night.  If I could have a recliner to work at all day it would be so much easier.  I have a little method at night.  I lay on my right side on a memory pillow and wedge one behind my back.  Feels perfect.  Three of five incisions are healed, red, and shiny.  The one under my boobs and below that one has one dissolvable stitch sticking out, so I'm putting band-aids on them and hoping they heal by next week so I can swim. 

I have tried to start getting proteins in and have successfully ate scrambled egg white, scrambled egg, boiled egg, cheese string, 2 oz Wendy's chili, taco bell refried beans, 1/2 oz protein bar, and a seeded peeled cucumber.  Yeah, I know cucumber has no protein but I was craving it and it was so good.  My favorite canned soup is currently Campbell's Harvest Orange Tomato Soup.  Three days and I couldn't finish a can.  It look me 3 meals to eat a small Wendy's chili.  I added a pack of reduced fat sour cream because of the 30 minutes of no drinking rule.  It takes away some of the spice.  I can eat 2-3 oz per meal but can take big sips of water.  I haven't made it to 64 oz yet though.  It has to be ice cold to get down.  The only thing I can't stomach is protein drinks.  I feel sick every time I drink one  and 8 oz takes me 4 hours. 

My willpower is much better than before surgery.  At work last week they brought in 3 pizzas one day and 4 dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts the next.  KK chocolate iced creme killed doughnuts are my kryptonite, I usually have 3.  I banned them from coming in the office and didn't even sneak and lick the tops of any.  Score!  Soon I have to start cooking again.  I know my kids are tired of freezer meals.  I've been avoiding the kitchen since it's the smell of food I like that seems to trigger my whiny vents. 

This week I had lost .4, .4, .2, gained 1.4, lost it, now I guess I'm stalling.  Hopefully it doesn't last long because I like those 1 lb a day drops.  I have lost in my face, waist, lower butt area, and lower arms.  My bottoms are fitting looser but I'm still in the same size.  My goal is to lose 10 more lbs by the end of the month.  Wish me luck!

Week 1 Post-Op & Mexican Chicken Broth recipe

I had water, gatorade, jello and Mexican Chicken Broth.  What is Mexican Chicken Broth?  It is a tasty broth I tried to copy from some I tried in Mexico.

Saute 1 lb diced chicken breast & some diced onion with cumin and garlic powder in a little olive oil in a medium pot.  Add 2 containers low sodium chicken broth and bring to boil.  Cut to low, add 1 pkg taco/mexican dry rice, and put lid on.  Cook for 8-10 minutes until rice is done.  Add handful cilantro.  Done!  I sipped 3 oz of the broth at a time for 3 days and served hubby and mama Mexican Chicken & Rice. 

I haven't started exercising yet.  I worked Thursday and Friday at my desk job.  Saturday I went to yard sales and the farmers market (where I sampled some delicious goat cheese).  I came home and weeded my garden and staked all my plants.  I felt a little dizzy afterwards but I was bending over, standing up, bending over, well you get the idea. 

I'm having a really hard time drinking enough liquids.  I just get bloated full at 3 oz.  I was told yesterday I could start full liquids.  My daughter made me a 3oz protein shake with skim milk and 1/2 scoop of Unjury chocolate powder.  I had to lay down on my side 10 minutes for the pain to go away.  I drank 1/2 a can of V8 juice this morning and had no issues.  Hubby is gone to Wally World to get me some pudding, greek yogurt, and instant mashed potatoes, so we shall see how I handle those.

Last two days in TJ

I can't get onto VST to paste my first two posts so starting in the middle...

On to Monday (recovery day 3).  I stayed in the room most of the day resting and watching HBO.  Omar picked me up and I visited 2 patients in the hospital, Janett and Sandra and gossiped for a while. I have head hunger BAD so a lot of time was discussing months of menus.  I REALLY want an omelet with goat cheese and some buffalo chicken dip, maybe together.  It changes day to day.

   Omar took me to get a mani/pedi.  Dr. Kelly said he usually pays for patients pedis, and Omar paid for my nails.  He is a brave soul to hang out in a nail shop/salon with all women and even got his hair cut.  We went back to the hospital and one patient needed a fan so Omar and I went to the store and he bought a fan.  We assembled it (I did put in 4 screws...) .  I got back to hotel around 9pm.  Sweet stuff is tasting weird to me and I didn't like the hotel broth, very plain.  I tipped $1 for room service to bring me a big tub of ice for my drinks.  I felt 100% safe while in Tj.  I didn't leave the hotel without Omar or Cecy.  At the hotel you have to have a room key to press a floor in the elevator and your room has 3 locks.

On Tuesday, Omar picked me up and we visited the hospital.  I got to see a picture of my stomach.  It looked pink, bloated, and gross with some fat stuck to it.  Asta la vista belly!  I went with Dr. Kelly, Omar, and Dr. Kelly's son to a nice Chinese restaurant.  The broth was delicious though I could only drink 4 sips of beverage and maybe 3/4 inch of a teacup of broth before I felt that full feeling.  This pic is when I was finished eating.

We drove around Tijuana and I was shown different areas- industrial, residential, downtown.  I got some good photos of the crew.  I told my mom I had a "bodyguard" in Tj to make her feel better, so of course I had to have Omar pose as one.  It works, right?

 This is a great pic of the inside garden area of Florence Hospital.  It is a very nice hospital.

We went back to the hospital and Cecy met us and took me across the border.  She gave me a mango popsicle by Nestle (Frizz?).  I ate most of it, sooo good.  I traveled with a license and certified birth certificate- no passport cause I was born in the USA, I was born in the USA (what, no one else heard this song in there head??).  We crossed the border in 59 minutes with only a small lecture.  I was told a passcard is around $50 or an enhanced license is available in some states for border crossing only.  Back in the USA.