Four weeks post-op

I'm so sorry It's been almost three weeks since I posted an update.  I took a video at the two week mark, but it was 30 minutes long and YouTube wouldn't let me upload it, saving you from my ramblings.  Here's a quick recap:

• My liver showed major improvement from my gall bladder surgery to my weight loss surgery
• My diet was advanced to soft foods meaning I can eat meat, dairy, and well-cooked vegetables that can be cut with a plastic fork
• I began taking my life-long supplements that include a multivitamin, probiotic, calcium, and acid reducer (this one is only for the first year to prevent ulcers)
• I now weigh less than Steve for the first time in our marriage

I started feeling pretty good at about the two week mark and was given the clear to exercise more intensely and I was back up to walking about an hour a day.  Then week three came and I started having issues with number two.  I'm going to leave it at that and just say that a week later, it's not 100% resolved, but it's definitely improved.  It zapped all my energy and I was only able to exercise a couple times for about 30 minutes in the past week.

Today, I am four weeks out and am starting to feel good again.  My weight loss stalled last week, but I do notice my body changed even though the number on the scale only moved about a pound.  I've lost over 90 pounds since my highest weight last year with 45 of those pounds coming off since my first visit to Dr. Roller's office in July.

Up until a week ago, I was feeling so good that I started jogging to train for the Disney Princess 5K I want to run at Disney World in a little over a year.  It was short lived because this past week I have felt terrible and been shaky, nauseous, and just exhausted most of the time.  This week I decided to pretend that I felt better in hopes of my body getting on board.  Well, I think it's working, but it's a slow process.  It feels like I'm taking two steps forward and one step backward, but that's still progress.  Even if it's slower than I would choose, I'm in a better place than I was the day before and my health is only improving.

I've decided I may have jumped the gun a bit on learning to run and I need to focus on walking and building up my strength and endurance.  Yesterday I was able to walk for about 30 minutes at a pace of 2 mph.  My goal is to build that up to an hour at 3 mph by the end of the month.  Wrigley helps out by going to the community center most days where he does his school work in the library room that connects to the track where I walk.  He's done a great job staying focused and getting his work done which allows me to focus on my work.

Eating is still hard.  Especially last week when I didn't feel good and had no appetite, but I had to eat. My plan consists of eating 1 ounce of lean meat protein at each meal.  If I'm still hungry, I should eat another ounce, then add an ounce of non-starchy vegetables.  The goal is to be able to eat 3 ounces of protein with 1/4 cup vegetables at the 3-6 month mark.  I'm able to do about 2 ounces of meat right now, so I think I'm progressing well.  We are definitely saving money on food!  I really do miss eating vegetables and look forward to getting to eat the way I did in preparation for the surgery, but I'm a few months away from that.

These past couple weeks I've experienced a lot of changes in my body (for the better).  I was able to buy a couple t-shirts at regular stores and even a t-shirt from our homeschool co-op.  That was something I couldn't have done in over a decade. Everyday tasks are getting easier.  Things like tying my shoes, getting out of bed, standing up/sitting down, bathing.  My seatbelt doesn't get locked up in the car and I can wear a seatbelt in the back seat.  These are dumb, little things, but they give me glimpses into the future where I don't have to waste so much time thinking about or preparing to do simple tasks.

Now here's a weird confession: I find that I touch myself a lot.  Ewe, no!  Not like that!  When I'm watching TV, or laying down for bed, I find myself running my fingers over my jawline that didn't exist a few weeks ago.  I can feel my collar bone and shoulder blades.  I can even feel my pelvis (I think) and hip bones.  They are all parts of me that I don't recognize and it feels like we're being introduced to each other.  When I went to my first support group meeting I noticed that everyone looks like they are in various stages of melting.  I'm now seeing my body start to melt.  It's interesting how it happens though.  It doesn't just proportionally disappear.  I have what I call an "apron" of fat that is like a muffin top on steroids that decided to go rogue.  My legs are pretty muscular and normal size all the way up, but my stomach hangs about 100 pounds of pure fat like an apron resting on my legs (which is why it's so hard to exercise).  My apron, decided that the middle would shrink a little, the right side decided it would hang a little lower, and the left side is just chillin' waiting for an invitation to the party.  It's not attractive.

I've also learned that skin looks better with fat under it.  Maybe not in overall appearance, but hanging skin without fat looks like you blew up a balloon a couple years ago then decided to let the air out.  It has all these weird lines and stretch marks that were nearly invisible now taking center stage.  BUT....I'll take all this new weirdness over my death row body any day.  The doctor said that I will definitely need skin removal surgery on my stomach after I lose the weight, then hopefully I can stay out of the hospital for 40 years.  He said he would not be surprised if my skin hangs down past my knees.  Maybe I could make a kangaroo pouch and have a permanent fanny pack!  Better yet, can you donate excess skin? Maybe to burn victims or something?  I have some pristine skin that's never even seen the light of day.

Anyway, I've been sleeping well, so it's been hard to post on here, but I'll try to do better.  I still need to finish up my story and I plan to work on that for my next post.  Do you have questions for me?  Have you always wondered something about weight loss surgery, but felt it was inappropriate to ask? I'm your girl.  Lay it on me and I'll do my best to represent "my people." That's why we have the anonymous comment feature. 😀