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?!