15 weeks post vertical sleeve

Today is 15 weeks since I had VSG.  Tomorrow is one of my follow up appointments.  I have pretty well settled into my new ways and it feels good.  Here's the details:

WEIGHT:  I am down 63 lbs.  My weight is 188.8 down from 252.  I am finally a starting to "feel" the weight loss.

SIZE:  I am in a 16 down from a 20/22.  I could wear a 14 but I am comfortably wearing a 16 for now.  Most tops I am buying are a Large.  This is super exciting for me.

FOOD:  I am keeping the carbs down but not keeping track or anything.  I am eating 3 times a day and having my protein scoop in my coffee.  This is great because then I don't need sugar or creamer :).   I do enjoy a chip or a snack or a bite of something yummy if I want it.

EXERCISE:  I so need to be getting better at this.  I have done a bit of running but nothing steady.  I know it's good for me and I need to do it more.  I also need to get into some simple weight lifting with dumbbells.  There is no reason not to.  I am just being lazy and procrastinating.

HOW I FEEL:  most days I have a ton more energy than I used to.  Keeping the carbs and sugars down are definitely helping with this.  My confidence is starting to increase and I am enjoying the differences in me.

STRUGGLES:  One of the biggest things that remains an issue for me is knowing when to stop eating.  I know what my portion sizes should be.  I know to eat slow.  Yet it's a struggle for me most days.  I eat fast and too much , which seems like a ridiculous amount compared to how much I used to eat.  And although I am thankful that I get a full feeling in my belly, that is not how it should be.  I should not eat until discomfort.  This is something I am working on.  It's quite eye opening for me that my love of food and how I eat so fast is not really "normal". You would think being full would be a great thing to achieve after eating so little.  But for me, there is usually a bit of sadness that I am full and a desire to eat more even though I am full.  Very eye opening.

For now I take it day by day, meal by meal but I am less focused on eating than I used to be.  I have adjusted into my mew lifestyle and I hope it continues to be smooth down the road.  I have had several people come up and ask me about my experience.  They are obese and considering surgery. What works for one isn't for everyone but I am glad to share my journey.

12 weeks after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

It's been 12 weeks since my vertical sleeve gastrectomy.  The weight came off pretty quick in the beginning and has slowed down significantly.  However, I consider myself losing at a healthy rate now.  I have hit few stalls recently which I hear is normal.  One was a week and a half, and the other was two and a half weeks.  Frustrating, yes, but I continued on.  Having had surgery I feel a bit different about my weight in general.  I don't feel like I am on a diet anymore.  I don't feel like there is an end to this like I have always felt in the past regardless of what program I was doing.  This feels permanent.  I feel like I am so much better equipped on my journey.

So, let's get to the changes.
Size:  I am wearing a size 16 right now.  That's down from a 20, which I am positive should have been a 22 had I bought the actual size I needed.  I played the game of only buying the "big 20's" so I wouldn't have to face the fact that I actually needed a bigger size.

Weight:  my weight is currently 195.7 down from 252.  That's over 56 lbs.   I am happy to be in onederland but it sure has been a tough few weeks getting here with these pesky stalls! I looked at my last post from 6 weeks ago and I am down 11 pounds.  Not the fastest loss but the way I see it I am hopeful it's a permanent loss.

Eating:  my plan calls for 3 meals a day and a protein supplement.  I use the obesity help website and usually I find it useful for how others in my boat are faring.  I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning with a protein scoop in it.  This is helpful not just to get my protein in but it takes the place of the cream and Splenda I used to use.  My three meals are usually 2-3 oz(by volume, not weight) and consist of mainly protein and sometimes veggies now.  I try to keep the carbs/sugars way down and protein up.  However, if I am at a birthday party or picnic I will allow myself a tiny bit of cake or something of the sort on occasion.  After all, this is not a diet.  This is my new life and I deserve to live! Some of my favorite meals are an egg with a sausage link, turkey chili, chicken and pork( I do lots of different recipes with these) cheese sticks, almonds, etc.

How I feel:  I am assuming it's keeping the sugars/carbs down thats helps with this, but I do have more energy.  I cannot even explain how groggy I used to feel all day long, even with several cups of coffee. I am not one of the many lucky post-op people who loses their appetite and cravings, but I do feel that keeping the carbs down that I am able to keep them at bay.  My full feeling is now back to normal almost,  if I eat too much or too fast(I am still learning) I get loud hiccups.  It's kind of become a laughing matter at work with my lunch buddies.

Exercise:  I am happy to say that I have started running again.  My longest run is 2.5 miles at this point.  Not my longest or fastest run ever, but the best in a LONG time.  Feels good to be back in the game.  I had forgotten how nice that post run feeling of accomplishment feels :)

My attitude:  I am sure my husband, kids, and family are thrilled that the miserable, self loathing Jen is gone and that spunky Jen is back!

Well, that's it for now.  Right now I am taking it day by day.  Each day feels like an investment of what's to come.  I am starting horse riding lessons this week in preparation for hopefully buying a full size horse for our farm.  We currently have mini horses, goats, and chickens but I told myself that when the weight came off I would follow my dream of owning and riding my own horse!


I hope you are all doing great?!