Feeling Great Six Months Out!

It's been almost 6 months (actually next Friday, 10/30 will be) since my WLS. I have to say that I look and feel like a completely different person. During this journey, I have gone from a size 22/24 to a size 14 and I've lost a total of 88 pounds. I can't say it was easy. The first couple of weeks were very difficult and learning "how to eat" along the way has been a struggle.

Now that I'm almost six months out, I feel healthier than I ever have in my entire life. I'm very diligent with taking my vitamins each and every day, and I really think that has helped. I was never one (before WLS) to take vitamins on a regular basis. Now, it's just become part of my every day routine.

I'll be curious to see what my doctor says when I go for my six-month checkup at Barix next Tuesday. Hopefully, my bloodwork will come back all normal and there will be no concerns about anything. Like I said, I feel great and I'm having no issues with my food intake.

There are two things that I need to work on: water intake and exercise. I can see these two being a struggle for the rest of my life. They always have been for me. If I'm not thinking about it, I forget to drink my water. My hectic lifestyle (crazy busy full-time job and three young children) prevents me from getting in exercise on a regular basis. While I feel that I'm very active (much more than I was before WLS), I still feel that this is something I need to focus on. With the weather getting much colder and days shorter here on the East coast, it is very hard to do anything outdoors. I do have a treadmill in my rec room that I need to utilize, and I will try to focus on that throughout these winter months.

As for my food intake, I have found that I'm able to eat almost anything without any nasty issues. I am still very diligent in staying away from sugars and I check every single label still for the sugar content. I've found that I can splurge here and there on carbs (very rare) and I can treat myself to a piece of sugar-free candy -- and I'm very content. I really don't miss all the high-sugar foods and candies that I used to devour before WLS.

My weight is now 183 pounds (I'm 5'8", so I still have a few pounds that I'd like to lose). I haven't weighed this little since right before I got married 12 years ago. Other than the extra tire that I have around my mid-section (hey, what do you expect from three c-sections?), I am happy with my body. I love getting dressed each morning and I feel so much more active than ever before!

This was absolutely the best decision I've ever made in my life (next to marrying my wonderful husband). I am completely satisfied with the results and the jumpstart this WLS has given me on the rest of my life. I feel (and look) like a completely different person and I'm so excited about living my life in this new body.

For anyone thinking about this surgery, I can tell you that it can be a lifesaver and will completely change your life! However, don't expect it to be a miracle -- you have to work hard to make it work! WLS is just a tool to get you to where you want -- it is not a miracle cure. It will fix you physically, but it will not change what's up in your head!!!

Until next time, peace out!

A wonderful first...

It's been almost 6 months (and 85 pounds) since my WLS and I'm still experiencing those "firsts" every once and a while. Last night was a perfect example. I went to the Flyers home opener -- my first hockey game since losing the weight. I have to say what a delight it was putting on that Mike Richards jersey and not feeling like the Pillsbury Dough Boy stuffed in it. It was also a real treat to sit in my seat at the game and not feel like a sardine shoved in a can. The game was great (Flyers won in OT) and it was an overall great night!! (I was even able to eat a few Chickie & Pete's crab fries and cheese dip!).

This makes me realize how many more "firsts" I will have as I continue down this journey. Here are a few of the firsts that I've experienced in the last six months:

1. Fitting in a size LARGE sweater -- I don't think I've been in that size since high school!

2. Being able to shop for clothing in normal department stores and not just plus-size stores like Lane Bryant and Avenue.

3. Walking into meetings at work with people that I haven't seen for months, and watching their faces as they stare at me in misbelief.

4. Being able to walk up a few flights of stairs and not being out of breath.

5. Looking in the mirror and actually liking the reflection of what is looking back.

I'm sure there will be many more "firsts" and I look forward to experiencing them!

Until next time, peace out!!