Surgery thru Week 2!

I think my worst fears have been confirmed... Not being able to drink enough that you go into dehydration. Thank God that didn't happen to me! Surgery went outstandingly well. I woke up with a couple complications from surgery (dry heaves and high blood pressure),  but that all worked itself out once I got some medicine in me and slept off the anesthesia! In fact, we were on the road driving home by 1pm the next day! I did enjoy my stay in the hospital, but it still never compares to your own couch/bed.

WEEK 1

Any post-op complications that I worried about have been non existent! I have been able to consume enough water and protein to keep me on track! I took pain medicine the first night home but that was just to sleep well.  The first week I was still restricted to clear liquids, so water and isopure were my saving graces. I finally found some flavors of Isopure that aren't the worst thing ever to drink, and that helped! I thought jello and popsicles would be my favorite and I never really had them, just got bored with them, broth also. At the doctors office for my one week check up, I weighed in 12lbs down from surgery. I was happy enough with that!

WEEK 2

At this point I was cleared for full liquids. This added milk, protein shakes and cream soups. I still haven't found a protein shake that I'm found of and at this point, I don't think I will. Everything was still going down just fine, I swear I can gulp water, no more if that "sip sip sip" (and that excites me)! My incisions are practically healed now and I sleep very comfortably in any positions, including on my stomach. 

As far as weight loss goes, it wasn't as great. Within 2 days of my appointment I was down 4 more lbs, and that's where I stayed. I was warned by many people of the dreaded "stall". My body was getting used to the lack of calories and slipped into starvation mode. I hopefully have it figured out how, but I swore off the scale for a few days because it got frustrating seeing the same number day after day! 

I guess I could give you guys my stats. It's just a number, a high number tho. But as the weeks go on, these are numbers I will never see again. This is my reality, and I can either keep it to myself and be embarrassed, or tell everyone and be proud of how well I'm doing! So...

HW (highest weight) : 484

SW (surgery weight) : 458 (I had lost 21lbs during pre-op diet)

CW (current weight) : 442

Thanks for all the support and everyone checking in on me! I can honestly say that everything is going fabulously! 

The New Journey

Four years ago if you would have asked me if I would ever regain the 185lbs that I put my all into losing, I would have just laughed at you! I wasn't content with where I was yet, but it felt amazing and I loved what I was able to do and all that the journey brought me!

Well, over the past 4 years, the weight has been creeping back on. I hurt my knee and in turn replaced the gym with awful eating habits and drinking. Once my knee was healed, I still made excuses to not go work out and the after I gained a good amount back, I was embarrassed to be at the gym!

I'm embarrassed to even admit that, although the weight gain is completely evident by just looking at me. None of the people that I have met recently even know the crazy gym rat I used to be, and that makes me kind of sad. I am not looking for anyone's sympathy nor do I want opinions or criticisms. All I am asking for is support, but if you don't feel like supporting this, that's ok too!

This coming Wednesday, September 9th, I will be undergoing surgery for a Gastric Sleeve. This procedure will remove approx. 85% of my stomach and greatly restrict what I can consume. This is't some gimmick or quick fix miracle cure. This isn't a decision that I have made lightly or without  thorough research. I am going into this with the knowledge that this is only a tool. Although it will restrict my intake, I will still have free will with what I put in my mouth and must choose to make healthy food and lifestyle choices and work my ass off at the gym again! I know the dangers of the surgery, which are minimal in the grand scheme of major surgeries!

From the very beginning of this process (about 2 months ago), I have not wanted to hide it. I feel like there is a stigma surrounding weight loss surgeries and that some people are ashamed to admit they had it. I on the other hand, am a pretty open book about everything. I want people to understand what I'm going thru and hopefully be able to support and not criticize it.

Today I got my final clearance and surgery will be preformed in St. Louis at Mercy Hospital Jefferson (technically Festus, MO) by Dr Jay Snow! I have full confidence in him and I am looking forward to surgery day! I am currently in the midst of a 10 day clear liquid diet. Yeah, it's as much fun as it sounds, haha!  The diet helps shrink the liver, which lies directly on top of the stomach and in larger people can be tough to work around!

The countdown stands at 5 days until the next big journey in my life starts! I'm super excited to get it done and hope most of my friends will be able to stand by me thru this! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me! I will try to update the blog once a week to keep everyone updated in my progress!