Had the Sleeve Surgery on Sept. 3, 2013 and Happy!

Hi all,

I know it's been a while since I posted on this site. Everything is going well! Just been busy at work and also working in a cube, lack of privacy! I have now lost about 85 lbs. The weight loss is slowing down quite a bit, but okay with that so long as I am not gaining anything back! My hair loss has slowed down and may have stopped. I can eat almost everything I could eat before surgery, just in much smaller portions.
I feel like my normal self... no side effects from the surgery! The scars have faded and are barely noticeable. I do have loose skin and once I have lost the remaining weight, will save up to do skin removal surgery.

In April, I ran 10 miles for the Cherry Blossom race in DC. I was able to run the first 6 miles straight and did a run walk for the last 4 miles. In June, I did a triathlon, swam 0.5 miles, biked 15 miles and ran 3.1 miles. I have another triathlon in August and my last one in September. I have full energy to work out and it is much easier to work out now. Before surgery, I was in 1X to 2X shirt size, now am in Large to Medium. In pants, I was 22 to 24W and now am in 14/16. Suit jackets are a 14, getting close to a 12. It's so nice to be able to buy and wear clothes from regular stores!

Hi all,

It's been about 3 months since my surgery and I have lost a total of 60 lbs. People at work are starting to call me "skinny" which I have not heard ever in my life! :) I still have 75 more lbs to lose, so I am not quite half way.

I did a 5k turkey trot on Thanksgiving day (was very cold, in the high 20s or low 30s). I was able to do a run/walk and completed it in about 43 minutes. I have signed up for an 8k which will be on Sunday, Dec. 8. I am hoping that the weather will be a bit warmer this weekend.

At Thanksgiving dinner was able to take one spoon full of sweet potatoes, one spoon of baked veggies, and a couple of ounces of ham and turkey for my meal. I did have a small amount of wine...1/8 of a glass to toast. I had a tiny bite of pumpkin pie and pecan pie later in the evening, and felt sick afterwards... not used to eating sweets. So this will be a deterrent... Was happy to eat my normal portions at thanksgiving and had no desire to snack on the left overs.

I did take leftovers home- ham, turkey, sweet potatoes, kale, and baked veggies. I am still doing the costco premier protein shakes and eating quest protein bars.

I do have to remind myself to take my vitamins. I am swallowing pills, but the multi-vitamin is hard for me to swallow. I may go back to the chewable ones. I can't stand feeling the pill go down my throat.

I have lost quite a bit of hair. I am lucky that I have very thick hair, so it's not noticeable to others but me. I can feel a difference. I have started taking the biotin supplements, so will see if that helps. I am not sure how long it will take for that to work.

I am running (run/walk) 3 days a week and trying to swim at least 2 days per week. I signed up for two triathlons for 2014- one in June and the other in September. I am hoping to reach my goal weight by June, but will see.

It is still hard for me to get all of my fluids down. I do drink half caff coffee, protein shakes and a bit of water at work and while I exercise, but not nearly close to the 64 ounces. I really need to start sipping water all day. This is a habit that will be hard for me to keep. I am hoping I get some fluids from fruit- grapes, apples, etc.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays!

Cheers,
Lisa

I had my 2-month post op visit today and I am now allowed to eat crunchy foods, fruits and vegetables and seeds!!! I am so excited! I bought my first salad today for lunch!!! Was told not to have gummy vitamins as they may stick to my stomach...but have been cleared to swallow pills. So will get a women's one a day vitamin. Even though my weight loss has slowed, am super excited to be able to eat almost everything (still no pizza, pasta, bread, sugar, carbonated drinks or alcohol for a year). I do have energy to walk 5 to 6 miles a day. i bought new running shoes and that has helped with these walks. I am starting a 5k training program on Monday, November 4 that will get me from couch potato to running a 5k in 9 weeks. I signed up to do a 5k turkey trot on Thanksgiving day. I am also trying to get in a few more bike rides before it gets too cold. I hope to start swimming next week as well. I plan to sign up for a triathlon-- will be in June 2014. I need to start training now if I want to do it then.