Looking like sunshine

Today was my first follow-up visit with my surgeon. I was really looking forward to this, and was full of energy this morning. After breakfast I went for my usual walk and ended up walking a full 20 minutes instead of the 15 I was planning. It really felt good. When I got to the doctor's office this afternoon the receptionist handed me a follow-up form to fill out, and it felt great to be able to report that I had been eating only the things I was supposed to eat in the amounts I was supposed to have. I could also report that I had been having no nausea or vomiting or stomach pains at all. Then I went in for the weigh-in. For the first time in a long time I was excited to step on the scale in a doctor's office! And what do you know? I was down 16 pounds since the morning of surgery 20 days ago! Then I went to wait for the doctor. He walked in with the sheet I had filled out in his hand and a big smile on his face, saying, "Looks like you are doing great - how do you feel?"

When I replied, with a big smile of my own, that I felt great, he said, "You really do look great. You look like sunshine!" He couldn't have said anything to make me happier!!! After talking to me for a bit and answering some questions, he checked out my little laparoscopic incisions and said I was doing terrific. I got clearance to go to the pool and do any exercises I want to do.

By the way, when I asked Dr. M how they normally count the weight loss, he said, "Oh we count from your highest weight to what you are now. We want to make sure you get credit for everything you have lost." So that is how I am going to report it here. Not just from date of surgery, but from my highest point last fall. And that means my total weight loss to date is - drum roll, please - 39 pounds!!!

Hooray for me!!!

Changes

Sunday - two days ago - I went to church for the first time since surgery 2-1/2 weeks earlier. I hadn't worn anything but pants and shirts and nightgowns for awhile, so I wanted to look extra nice and feel dressed up. I chose my favorite skirt and one of my favorite tops and began to dress. I put on the skirt and it almost fell off! Then I put on the top and it simply hung from my shoulders. I couldn't believe it!!! I had filled out this same outfit when I last wore it just over a month ago. Yes I had lost 13-1/2 pounds since the morning of my surgery, but about 20 pounds since I last wore this particular skirt and blouse. The difference in the fit prompted me to take a good look in the mirror. This is what I saw: The planes of my face are taking a more defined shape, my neck is thinner, my shoulders and the back of my neck are not so rounded, by belly is quite a bit less round, my upper arms are a bit smaller, and the top part of my chest is narrower.

Then, when I sat in the car and fastened my seat belt, I exclaimed in amazement, "I have a lap!!!" It has been so long since I had more than three or four inches of leg beyond my belly (I have short legs - remember?)! And Sunday, there were 6 or 7 inches showing. Woo-hoo!!! I could actually fold my hands together and put them in my lap instead of on top of my belly. I could rest my scriptures in my lap instead of on top of my belly. And the comments I got!!! So many people gave me that semi-puzzled look and said, "You really look great today."

When I got home, I got out the tape measure and took all the measurements to compare to the week before. I had lost more than 8 inches in just one week, and 2 of those inches were off my belly!!! I guess it is time to go through the closet and drawers and clothes boxes and pull out clothes in the next couple of sizes down. Wearing my own old clothes is going to be such fun!

Snow - or not....

This morning I took my walk in snow - big, wet, puffy flakes coming down from the sky. I took Joanna to work at 11:30, then parked the car and walked around the sidewalks of The District (walking next to the buildings was a bit of protection from the snow). I walked right past Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Marble Slab Creamery, and the Red Robin, and was not bothered at all by the sight or smell of food and treats. I think I will walk there more often; it's a nice change.

This evening, the sun is shining again with not a cloud in the sky, and I am ready to walk again through the neighborhood before the sun goes down. Utah is great in the Spring - you never know what to expect!

Singin' In the Rain

Today, I took my walk in the rain. It was a bit chilly, but I went a little bit further - out five minutes, then back home. It was fun, and yes, I did sing as I walked. ;)

I also got out the Wii Fit and tried it for about 30 minutes. I didn't do anything really strenuous, just deep breathing and an easy yoga pose to warm up, then a couple of balance things and the basic step aerobics. Ended with another yoga pose and more deep breathing. It kind of wiped me out for a bit afterwards, but felt good while I was doing it.

Walkin' In the Sunshine

We have had such beautiful days yesterday and today! The breeze has been a bit nippy, but the sun has been bright and shining as I walked around the short block across the street from us. The crocus are gorgeous - all purple and yellow - and the hyacinths and daffodils are opening up. I even had a great conversation with a robin who was keeping me company yesterday the whole length of my neighbor's yard. Walking felt so-o-o good. I could walk at a fairly brisk pace, too; my 1/4 mile took no more than 8 minutes, with no hurting knees or hips and no shortness of breath. I am loving this!!!

Class tonight

The surgical group my surgeon is a part of was one of the pioneering practices in weight loss surgeries. It is all they do. One thing they have come to be really big on is education, both before and after surgery. I was required to attend three different classes about the procedure - pros and cons and what to expect - before one of their doctors would even perform the operation. A follow-up that is held at their center, and which they strongly recommend during the first month or two, is a group class with a licensed clinical social worker. The therapist who works with them had gastric bypass surgery herself almost six years ago and devotes part of her practice to helping those who have also had (or are planning to have) weight loss surgery.

There were five of us there at her class tonight (with our support people in tow). Three of us had the surgery a month or less ago. I very much enjoyed hearing what the therapist had to say about recognizing the things that would be "hazards" to reaching our weight loss goals and learning the best way for us to deal with the hazards. I also enjoyed the various comments made by others in attendance. Know what I gleaned from the whole thing? No one but you can be responsible for your success or failure on this journey, because you, and you alone, determine what your attitude is and what it will be. No matter what anyone else says or does or puts in front of you, the attitude you choose to take will determine what you will or will not do. I was reminded of something I heard someone say in a support group meeting back in November that struck a chord with me enough that I wrote it down.

It may be hard, but I risked my life to do this,

and I'm not going to mess it up.

I'm going to print that on card stock and hang it on my wall. Attitude is everything.

Real food - Yay!!!

Tonight (well, Sunday night - I just noticed it is after midnight) I actually ate something that resembled a "real" meal! How does this sound? Refried beans, cottage cheese and salsa, anyone? Of course the amounts were miniscule - 2 Tblsp beans, 1-1/2 Tblsp cottage cheese, and 1/2 Tblsp salsa - but it sure was tasty! Actually, I had scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa for breakfast the other morning. That was good too. Other than that, my most recent meals have been yogurt, split pea with ham soup, and bean with bacon soup. Not bad at all!

Did I mention that when I put actual clothes on today (not just nightgown and robe), my pants were actually loose?!! Not around the waist - I'm still pretty sore and puffy across my belly - but I could gather up a whole fistful of fabric on each side seam just below my belly. Haven't done that in awhile with these pants!!!