Ready to Tackle my 40s with a New Body!! - Boston, MA

Feeling good. Did my first full body workout yesterday, a combo of cardio and weights. The only hard thing was trying to figure out what weights I can do and not pushing myself too much.
I haven't been wearing my binder at night. Kinda over it. I did wear my spanx while working out.
My weight is finally coming back down! I was all messed up!!

-When I started my journey I was 165lbs.

-Right before surgery 168 lbs ( stomach issues made it tough to get right foods in)

-after not working out and eating way too many carbs, diet all messed up, I was up to 174lbs. I think period week too.

-after week 4 and I saw 174lbs, and my stomach meds changed, I cleaned up my diet and started seeing weight come off.

-3 weeks of clean eating, off meds for stomach issues, I feel so much better. My weight is 166.5lbs

My goal is 165lbs by New Years!! I can do that easy peasy!!

1/13/16 is my 3 month follow up and my goal is 163, maybe even 160lbs if my exercising goes well.

My stomach issues: I had gastritis which kicked off initial weight loss, issues on and off still for 2 years, stress related. Upper endoscopy this summer found no ulcers ( thank goodness) but I had Hpylori and yeast in stomach. 3 week course of antibiotics and then antifungal. Had to wait til after surgery to retest if gone. Test was negative but still felt "off ". Was taken off Prilosec (stomach med) and cleaned up diet.
Also Had ultrasound of gallbladder ( history of stones) and was found to have big enough stones to possibly need to be surgically removed. Seeing a surgeon in a few weeks. That explains horrible feeling after "cheat meals".
I still have everyday yucky feeling, so I'm getting a 4 hr!! Lactose breathing test, I might have some intolerance that explain other stomach issues.
I also need to get tested for SIBO, small intestine bacterial overgrowth.

I without a doubt feel better eating limited processed foods and simple carbs. It's obviously good for my stomach and weight.


Well that's my long update!! What a long ongoing journey! But worth it!

Hi I've been busy lately. I thought I would write out an update on the last couple of weeks.
Sleep: back to normal. Stopped using foam pillows weeks ago. Highly recommend those. I can actually lay on my stomach too for a little bit now.
Incision: looks great. I have a tiny healing scab at end, when it heals which should be soon I can put silicone strip they had me buy for it. I will let u gals know if I like it. I haven't done anything to my incision. No lotions or massages. I did clean it with dual soap initially.
Food: I finally got back on my clean diet. Not working and working out had thrown me off my routine. Now I'm back to minimizing processed foods. I feel so much better.
Weight: it went up 5 lbs. peaked 4 weeks. Now down 1lb.
Measurements: down 1" waist and hips.
Clothes: finally can wear my jeans again. They were a little tightish before and now tight well. Tops have more room at waist.
Activity: initially couldn't walk fast. Now I'm close to baseline walking. I'm cleared to do any activity just within reason and listen to my body.
Swelling: oh boy at night it can get bad. I wear spanx to help and sometimes my binder still.
Follow ups: I go at my 3 month appt.
Work: I'm a nurse and have a very active job. I just went back this past week and was fine. Boosting patients will be just a little tricky. I could of technically been ok at 4 weeks but glad I took 6.
Worth it: yes!!! However I had lost 70lbs total and my upper abs are still lax. In the future I will need a reverse tummy tuck to lift skin up.
I hope I can just learn to deal with it IF NOT I need to start saving. I feel guilty spending another $10000 on my body. My husband is supportive but I'm sure he has limits.

I have been very active the last 5 days and feeling overall pretty good. Tylenol and Motrin 2x a day. I'm tired but my endurance is improving. I try to sit in recliner for 1/2 hr increments when I can to rest up muscles and continue on with the day.
Sleeping wise. So much better. I am no longer using foam head/leg pads. I do have several pillows around me and do use one by my legs to adjust through the night. No more benedryl for sleepaide.
I've used the spanx that goes right up to bra line during the day and actually cut binder in half and use it still on lower part of abd where it's still swollen. At night I use my other full length binder on.
I went out for the first time with my husband Saturday night for my bday, we went to dinner and then went to a going away party for a coworker. I wore a full body spanx that night no binder, it felt strange with no binder, but went well. I was definitely tired after. Mentally so needed it!! Great to dress up and see my friends and get tons of hugs and good lucks.
I did wear jeans but they wear my baggy ones because my normal ones don't fit. Too swollen.
So overall doing better. Thank goodness!!