Time flies when you're melting!

Oh my....has it really been 9 weeks since my surgery?!? 

Every Wednesday, I mentally celebrate the day I was reborn. Yesterday was 9 weeks out.....as of today, I'm down 43lbs! 

And now I'm 250lbs!

 

Most recent pic- smaller scrubs, baby!

So much has happened that's non-weight loss related: my husband and I are buying a house and, come the end of the month, I'll be getting one hell of a workout moving! 
I take my pre-nursing exam in two days, so I'm cramming and stressing (but not feeling the urge to stress eat- thank you, Sleevie Wonder!)
I've also been working like crazy since I returned to work full-time .

The downside to working full-time, 12 hours shifts at a job that is constantly chaos (welcome to health care) is that I've had to leave work and go to the E.R. for IV fluids. I promised myself that I wouldn't get behind on my fluid intake...but when you're running yourself ragged for 12 hours at a time, it's easy to get behind. I was staring at my computer screen and my vision went blurry, I felt light headed and dizzy, and the room was spinning. I realized this must be what it felt like when the dehydration kicked in- it was 5p.m. and I'd only had 20oz of fluid for the day at that point. 
I sat at the nurses station and sipped water with my eyes closed, trying desperately to shake it but, after 15 minutes, decided I'd be safer going to the E.R. and getting IV fluids in me so I'd get re-hydrated quicker. 4 hours and 1 bag of fluid later, I was good to go.

Know how it feels to be in the bed so you're humble when you're standing next to it

Another problem I've had is the dreaded hair-loss; it has begun. The hair loss happens for two reasons: first, because it's a normal reaction to anesthesia. Second, it's because eating and drinking for the first week after surgery is difficult, and you can't get much protein in. I'm not too concerned about it because I have a ton of hair...I think my temporary hair loss is will help me know how it feels to have average hair thickness. I'm also not worried because, early on, I was pretty good at getting my protein in. I've started taking biotin...I'll let you know how that works.

Drain hair after one shower!

Lastly, another problem I've run into is pain- not from surgery, but just from life in general. I have a bad back and a bad knee; since I can no longer take ibuprofen and Aleeve, my doctor prescribed me Ultram, a non-narcotic pain medication. The problem is, it does nothing for me! My back pain was so bad yesterday, I could barely get out of my car. I've had my tens unit running non-stop....I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to figure out what we can do. No doc...please don't suggest massage therapy =)

Because of my knee and my back (and killing myself at work), I'm not getting in my exercise like I should. My goal is to get better habits and make exercise a regular thing as soon as I'm physically able. Part of me is a bit nervous about exercising and sweating...I'm worried I'll just dehydrate myself again. I need to find the perfect balance.
 
I'm happy to report that I still can't eat much; I'm so full so quickly! I've been doing great with getting all of my protein in just eating real food. I haven't had to have a protein shake in a long time. 
Even with these problems popping up, I'm still thrilled with my results and I'd highly recommend this surgery. In fact, I've had a few friends talk to me and share that they're starting this journey. I'm so excited for them and happy to help them as much as I can; everyone deserves to feel happy and healthy! 

HW: 380lbs.
SW: 283lbs.
CW: 250lbs.



 

It's easier than being obese

Hell, lots of things are easier than being obese.
Society isn't kind when you wear your problems on the outside.

At four weeks post-op, I went back to work. I'd been dreading this because it was already hard to get in all my fluids and protein when I'm sitting at home doing nothing- I'd anticipated it to be really difficult when I returned to my job as a nursing assistant in a hospice center. I spend 12 hours running after call lights, bed alarms, phones, bathing, feeding, bending, lifting, caring....it's hard to take time to take care of yourself when you're taking care of others.

On top of that, I went back to work to a full-time position and on day shift; ultimate craziness. When you're house hunting though, full-time income helps.

The title of this post comes from a conversation I had with a colleague my first day back; everyone knew why I was gone for 5 weeks. I have a blog about my surgery, so it's no surprise that I'm pretty open about it. She stopped me in the hallway to ask how I was, did I have any complications, and what my life looked like now- "how much can you eat? How about drinking?"
Lots of people ask these questions and I don't mind patiently answering them. After I explained to her that I have to measure out 3 oz of food every time I eat, she asked "isn't that hard?" My response popped into my head instantly: "it's easier than being obese". The look on her face made it seem like my answer really struck home for her...like a light came on.

Yes, my new lifestyle is hard. I'm constantly measuring food, liquid, checking the time to see if it's been 30 minutes so I can resume drinking, has it been three hours already? I need to eat again, tracking my protein intake, tracking my water, being sure to exercise, and lately, fighting off nausea every time I eat or drink....surgery isn't the easy way out. It's not for everyone. It takes discipline and commitment, same as losing weight any other way. The difference is, this way is more efficient and effective.
-stepping down from the soapbox-

My first day back went fine...I got all of my protein in, despite my nausea, and came in a little short on my fluids despite stopping and sipping every time I passed by the nurses' station. I only felt pain in my abdomen a few times when bending/lifting. My coworkers were great about not letting me do too much lifting, but still...it's part of the job.
On July 1st, I was graduated from pureed foods to soft foods- canned chicken, tuna, greek yogurt, soft cooked vegetables, things like that. I think that's why I'm having the nausea; my system may be in shock after being on liquids/pureed foods since May 28th when I started my pre-op diet.
The scale is stuck at 30lbs lost. It's frustrating, but to be expected. I'm still losing inches. The clothes I wore before surgery are now too big and the smaller clothes I had when I lost weight the first time are now fitting me. I'm trying to get out and be more active, but it's hard when you're so exhausted from taking in minimal calories. I feel like I could nap 24/7.

Another problem that's reared it's ugly head is my menses- between my polycystic ovarian syndrome and my endometriosis, periods are rough for me. Guess what weight loss triggers? For me, it was a two-week long period coupled with some of my ovarian cysts rupturing. Before surgery, the only thing that moderately helped was ibuprofen, and lots of it. I'm no longer able to take ibuprofen because it can cause stomach ulcers in my tiny new stomach; my only option is Tylenol, which is USELESS when it comes to ruptured cysts and endometriosis. I had to call my doc and ask her for Ultram, a "narcotic-like" pain reliever (I put that in quotes because, seriously? This stuff isn't stronger than tylenol, though is is better at taking care of period pain....but whatever).

As of Wednesday, I'll be 5 weeks out. Stats so far:
HW: 380
SW: 283
CW: 263
I'm gonna buckle down and see how much ass I can kick this week.