The First Step to the Best Days of My Life - Houston, TX

Tomorrow is my first consultation with the surgeon & nutritionist. I'm planning on having a surgery date before I leave!

I've spent years building up to this moment. Unable to exercise. Watching my health getting worse. Dieting, loose a few pounds, gain that back plus a few more pounds. I want to play with the kids! Ride my bike. Wear cute clothes from off the rack on a "regular" department store! Still be able to breathe when I walk across a room!

I'm tired of being depressed because of everything I CAN NOT DO! I HATE going past a mirror! Who is that fat, unhealthy girl? I don't want to be her any more!

Visits went well yesterday and I left with my goal achieved: My new, healthier life begins Wednesday, February 26, 2014!

I was so disappointed when I got on the scales only to learn I gave gained yet another 1½ pounds over the past 6 weeks. Just another kick to my self esteem. I am going to work hard on the mindset of seeing it as a confirmation that this procedure is the right decision.

Whew! Day one is history!

Today I clearly learned:
Our society is obsessed with food! It's everywhere and the focus of most social gatherings.

Diet Challenges:
First day. I'm short one 8oz protein drink and 8 oz glass of water. I just could not eat as much as they wanted. I don't eat that often or that much when I am NOT on a diet! The 8oz of water I will drink during the night.

CONFESSION: I have decided a few small oyster crackers would be divine in my broth! Lol!

I am on Day 9 of my 14 day preop diet. I have only lost 4 pounds total and have been stuck here since Day 5. Anyone else have this issue?

It is now Day 10 of my preop liquid diet and I have only lost 4 pounds. I haven't cheated by honestly thought I could hope to loose at least 10 pounds during this process. I spoke with my doctor's office today. They are not alarmed and say this is perfectly normal. Apparently your body goes into preservation mode & hangs on to the weight so we don't starve ourselves. Thanks body, but I AM starving for a great steak or Tex-Mex cheese enchiladas and a HUGE Coca~Cola!!

Pardon my poor editing and too much help from auto correct in the last post!

Went for my pre-op at the hospital yesterday. 5 tubes of blood donated, (lol) a urine sample, and a lot of instructions for Wednesday. Finally, a tour of the patient rooms and a great meeting with the nurses. We shared a few laughs and I left feeling more confident than ever this is the right choice for me.

Day 4 Post Op. I had a textbook Gastric Sleeve procedure on Wednesday. Came home on Friday. Will update more in the next few days.

My surgery was positively text book from the doctor's perspective. Minimal pain and no complications. I spent 3 days and 2 nights in the hospital. I had the absolute best nursing care a person could ever hope to have!

Coming home to a quiet house was nice. I've been experiencing very unexpected emotions. Nothing I would describe as depression, just unexpected self doubt. Thoughts like, "I am going to be an awful exception to weight loss & not loose even with the sleeve as a tool." "I will never celebrate the incredible amounts of weight loss I see others celebrating 3, 6, 12 months out!" Many negative, self doubts that caught me completely off guard. I am told these feelings are not uncommon which is comforting and I will continue to work through them.

My total weight loss at 10 days out was 20 pounds, with 4.6 pounds coming off in the 14 day pre-op two week liquid diet.

So far, I believe the Sleeve was and will be a great investment in my health.

My doc said he is pleased with my weight loss & recovery. He does not consider me to be a slow loser though I do. 26 pounds in 3 weeks and seemingly on a plateau which I understand is normal. Need more exercise and to get ALL my protein in, which is still a struggle to do.

I want 50 pounds gone already. I want to be in One~derland!! My daughter gets married the end of May. I want her to be surprised and proud of me!

Exactly one month ago today I invested in myself and had the VSG. Today I woke up 30 pounds lighter and more encouraged because I know the best is yet to come!

Six weeks later. I don't see much difference but I have gone from a size 26 to a size 20!