Losing my hair

Well, it's happened! I knew it would, but hoped it wouldn't. I've always "shed" a lot - especially when I wash my hair. But yesterday when I was getting ready I noticed a RECEDING HAIRLINE! OMG. I thought my hair would thin out but I didn't think I'd get noticeable patches!! Luckily I'm able to pull down some flyaways and cover it. I think it's only noticeable when I point it out to people - which I'm only doing to my mom and husband! I should have washed my hair tonight but now I'm nervous. And I have this irrational fear that I'll go to bed and wake up bald. I didn't think it would affect me this much but there were a lot of things I've reacted differently to than I thought I would. Oh, this journey is so full of ups and downs!

Before & After Photos

Almost 4 months out - wow, what a difference.

Before at 324 lbs:

After at 247 lbs:

Before:

After:

Amazing VSG results on YouTube

Mark - http://www.youtube.com/user/mark45acp

Matt - http://www.youtube.com/user/SweetBabyMatt

PCP follow-up today

I went and saw my primary care doctor today. She is so proud of me. She didn't know much about the sleeve until I asked her for her letter of support and she started doing research about it. She is so pleased with what she has learned and my results that she has since referred two of her patients to check it out. If I helped to change their life around the way mine has been changed then I am very happy!

Yesterday, a student came into my office who hadn't seen me since pre-op. She doesn't know about the surgery and when I stood up she asked "have you lost weight?". It made me smile. For some reason, hearing it from strangers is so powerful! I'm at 247 today - so down 77 lbs. I love being below 250 - it feels like such a milestone to me.

Sleeve diet guide

This is the best document I've found that clearly explains the sleeve diet.

http://www.iabsobesitysurgery.com/Media/Forms/SleeveDietGuide.pdf

Doc Appt & Support Group

Every first Tuesday of the month is support group. I try to schedule my doctor appointments for the same afternoon so I can take the time in between for errands. So today my doctor appt was at 3:45pm and then support group is at 7pm. I went to Target in between to go shopping for my best friend's baby shower on Saturday. But anyway, my doctor's appt went great. I saw Dr. Koppman and he is very happy with my weight loss. I've lost 35% of my excess body weight in just over 3 months. Sounds good to me! I'm down to exactly 250. Which means I'm down 74 lbs and I'm halfway through the 200s! I can't even IMAGINE how I'm going to feel when I'm in the 100s. Oh my gosh, that will be amazing.

One thing I spoke with Dr. Koppman about is the time I stay full. See, I get full very quickly but I'm hungry again in only a couple of hours. He said he's not surprised since my stomach still empties just like pre-op. With the sleeve surgery, a new "pouch" is not made and the pyloric valve is still functioning normal. But he said to try and see if I can manage to eat some veggies with my protein to keep my satiety longer. So, I'll work on that.

Support group was great. There were a lot of people at this one - about 30. The theme was "Depression and Anxiety". Since I came straight from the doctor's/Target, Steve didn't come with me this time. But it was very interesting to hear the other people's stories. We talked about the common things as bariatric patients that make us depressed and/or anxious. We did talk a little about the clinical side of depression and anxiety but it was more focused on the emotional side. It was so refreshing to hear others talk about how overwhelming the bariatric plan is to their life. I find that to be so true. My days have to be so carefully planned. Between eating, drinking, vitamins, and the required time in between, it seems as though there isn't enough hours in the day. And that doesn't even include exercise which seems so elusive to someone who works full-time, tries to manage a household, tries to maintain a personal life, and makes sure she spends quality time with her husband. But I think it ties to the topic of last month's support group which was "be kind to yourself". I can't do everything - I can only do what I can. And I'm doing pretty darn good so I'm happy with that! I think as time goes on and I become more comfortable with my routine then I'll be better able to add in the extras.

Overall, good day. :)

Three months - Reflections

I'll have my husband take pictures soon, but in the meantime here are some reflections as I pass my three month "surgiversary".

I think I'm a fast loser. But ya know what? I wish it was faster! I don't think anyone is ever happy with the rate of loss. We bariatric folks are put through A LOT. Our whole lives change! Is it to much to ask for instant gratification??? Haha - of course it's crazy talk, but I really think that is my problem. I feel like I DESERVE to be at goal because I had a major surgery, a major life change. Impatient? ABSOLUTELY!

As far as eating goes, I know I'm not the model patient. I can barely get in 2 oz at a time and I know I'm not hitting my protein goal every day. But I do what I can. I listen to my body and I've found a balance between my doctor's orders and my body's orders.

At the last support group I went to, the counselor said that we should be nicer to ourselves. We are so concerned about others' feelings and others' perceptions of us. But what about our feelings and perceptions of ourselves? Take time to breathe. Relax. Do what you enjoy. Most of us enjoyed eating and now...well, not so much. So concentrate on the other things you enjoy. Concentrate on family and actually talking while having a meal together.

I can't believe how much I've changed during these first three months. I can only imagine how I'll look back on the next three months! Having the sleeve surgery was the best decision I've ever made. Don't get me wrong - it's the hardest thing I've ever done and it is still an everyday struggle for me. But I wouldn't change it for all the biscuits and gravy in the world!