Things People Failed to Mention...

It's been a while since my last post, so I definitely wanted to update you all on what's been going on. I finally bought a scale. It was really nice tempered glass scale... only $13.99 plus tax from Ross. It was lovely.... but it didn't work. LOL. So I had to go to Target and spend $24.99 plus tax on a new scale. It works fine, and can store up to 15 weights in its memory so I can track my weightloss... but it's not as pretty. :o)

I made it through the holidays okay and was able to maintain my weight well. I'm hovering right around 300 lbs. now. I haven't been working out like I should, so I'm okay with this hovering weight phase. I was cleared to exericise at my December 13 post-op appointment, but didn't make out to the gym until the next week. Then I caught my mom's cold and going to the gym just wasn't happening.

This week, I was ready to start my workout regimen. Sunday night while tidying up around the house, I started to experience some pain in my abdomen. I laid down and watched a movie, but when it was time for bed, I had trouble going to sleep because I couldn't get comfortable. The next morning, I was sore, but okay. Throughout the day when I would get up at work, I would experience the pain, but it was still bearable.

On my walk back to the parking garage, the pain began to be debilitating. I was stopping at every block, trying to comfort myself through the pain. I texted my sister to see if she experienced the same pains, which she had. Then I called my doctor's office to speak to the nurse. Apparently, you can experience bad adominal pain when you overexert yourself before your port truly settles. I'm feeling better today, and hopefully, it'll be uphill from here.

I'm looking forward to next month when I can schedule an appointment for my first fill. Right now, I'm still able to eat just about anything, I just feel fuller more quickly. Once I get a fill, the true restriction kicks in, and I won't be able to eat as much and will stay full longer. #cantwait

Happy New Year to you all... and thanks for taking this journey with me! #untilnexttime

Dropping the Pounds

Today was my first post-op appointment with my surgeon. I was super excited, because I haven't been weighed since my pre-op appointment on November 22. I have lost a total of 15 lbs.! I could not be more ecstatic, especially since I indulged myself with a few favorites before having my surgery.

The Davis holiday party on Saturday was a blast! Patti and Eric are the best. The food was delicious, and I was able to enjoy it in moderation. I received so many compliments on how great I looked in my dress, and I felt amazing! Thanks to Marcus for being my debonair date for the evening.

It's been 3 years since I last wore this dress!

We're fancy... huh?

I've been able to eat food just fine. I'll get my first "fill" in about a month, so that may change. The key is to concentrate when I eat my meals. I have to focus on chewing my food well and eat slowly. That's a lot harder to do than you may think, especially when you're used to inhaling all your meals. I am most excited that I've now been medically cleared to start exercising. Let the pound shedding begin!

Hello Solids!

Today marked the end of my dreaded liquid diet. I was super excited to eat some real food with substance. While you drop pounds quickly consuming nothing but liquids, there are some awful side effects. The hunger pains were unbearable at times, and the lightheadedness often threw me for a loop. I'll leave the rest to your imagination, but let's just say: if it goes in as liquid... It comes out as liquid. #tmi

I celebrated my first day back on solids by going to lunch with my line sister. We went to Mellow Mushroom in Midtown, a favorite since our days at Grady High. I ordered a Chef Salad with the intention of only being able to eat about half of it and having some leftovers. I spent much of my time chopping up everything finely and the rest of the time making sure I was chewing everything well. It was much tastier than I remember, but a week of liquids will make anything taste good!

I was so satisfied, I decided to go home and take a nap. I've never gotten the itis from a salad, but there's always a first time for everything.

On a completely different note, I will be asking Santa for an iPad! I am typing this post from my older sister's iPad and it's AWESOME! That's huge coming from me considering I have declared a war on all things touch screen.

Ode to the Liquid Diet

Okay, so we're four days post-op now, and I have three days left on my liquid diet. At first, this liquid diet really sucked. Other than the jello and popsicles, I wasn't really feeling too much on the bare list of things I could eat the first week. The protein shakes, which I started drinking the week of my surgery, actually aren't going down that well. The first sip of one sends me straight into a dry heave. #notgood

My mom has been taking really good care of me though--fixing up various liquid concoctions in my rarely used blender. I get full off of 6 to 8 oz. of liquids in a meal setting now, which still amazes me, considering how much I could eat before.

I'm not sure how much weight I've lost, and probably won't know for sure until my post-op appointment with my surgeon on Monday morning. The first thing on my list of things to purchase next pay period is a scale.

Just when I thought this liquid diet was the bane of my existence, it surprised the hell out of me. I'll be attending a fancy holiday party on Saturday with one of my best friends. In a frenzy to figure out what I'd be wearing, I started trying on what I call my fancy dress--those just being really nice $100+ dresses I purchased at a department store for more than likely for a wedding in the past two years or so.

Pre-surgery, I was the perfect size 26 plus. I could squeeze my behind into a size 24 dress with the help of woman's BFF and best invention of the modern century... SPANX! Today I tried on this gorgeous black and cream silk Maggie London dress I bought for a former coworker's wedding in November of 2007. Now, it was a little tight back then when I wore it to her wedding. I was popping out the top, and the banded waist wasn't the most comfortable. I just added a shrug to it so that people couldn't tell how poorly it actually fitted.

Today, I tried this dress on as an option for this fancy holiday party. Much to my surprise, this dress fit perfectly... no Spanx needed. This was the greatest feeling in the world. I tried on this multi-print Robbie B. dress that I attempted to wear to my sorority meeting that was way too tight around the midsection just a few weeks ago... fits PERFECTLY without the help of Spanx! This has totally made my week and made up for this painfully tasteless liquid diet I've been on.

The cherry on top of this ice cream sundae of a day was a surprise visit from one of my oldest pals. She came bearing a get well balloon, roses, and a bag full of things I could eat on my liquid diet. #thanksAMT

In the words of Ice Cube... "Today was a good day!" Until next time folks...

Alive and Well

Yesterday afternoon, I had my procedure. Everything went very well. I remember scooting onto the operation table and placing my arms in the extension brackets. The next memory I had was of people shaking me trying to get me to wake up.

I had to stay in the hospital a little longer than expected because my blood pressure spiked after the procedure. I think it was because I was so uncomfortable and agitated in that hospital bed. I could literally feel every single piece of metal underneath it sticking me in my behind! Can you say The Princess and the Pea? LOL

After a long and bumpy car ride home, I was finally able to relax in the comforts of my own king size bed... It felt great! My mom and my sister have been taking great care of me, and thanks to my new friend Roxicet, I am not in too much pain. :o)

On a completely totally different note, I'd like to give a birthday shout out to the Greatest Rapper of All Time.... Shawn Corey Carter... known to you people as Jay-Z!

I'm Being Tortured by My Co-Workers

Today marks the start of all my pre-op preparation. Last night, my big sister, who had her lap band surgery in September of 2009, took me to the grocery store to purchase all of the goodies I'll need for my liquid diet. I was able to eat a light breakfast this morning (boiled egg, dry toast, and protein shake), but at noon today, I have to start a pre-surgery clear liquid diet (water, flavored beverages, clear broths, popsicles, and jello).

What I wasn't expecting was to walk in to work and smell all of the holiday goodness. Apparently, our floor is having it's annual holiday party today. I guess I shouldn't delete all those all-staff/all-section emails without reading them first. It wouldn't be so bad, but I'm approximately 10 feet from the conference room and can smell all of the permeating deliciousness!

Something tells me that today will be a half day! :o)

A Lifelong Battle

I have been overweight my entire life. Even as a child, when I was a healthy weight, I was still bigger than all the other kids in my class. As the cycles of my life fluctuate, so does my weight. I've tried every diet out there and have had no luck. I'm an emotional eater. I eat when I'm sad... when I'm happy... when I'm bored... when I'm celebrating. Pretty much, my jaws never stop moving.

Last year I decided to look into bariatric surgery as an option to help me lose the weight. However, as a "hard-working" (I use that term very loosely) government employee, I had some pretty crappy benefits. So crappy, in fact, that I had to wait until open enrollment to change my insurance coverage to a plan that will cover the surgery. #painintheass

In February of 2010, I began the eligibility process to get approved for surgery. My insurance company (CIGNA) made me jump through fire-lit hoops before approving me. After six months of monthly support group meetings, six weigh-ins with my PCP, a host of torturous lab tests, and completely cleaning out my Health Reimbursement Account, I was approved! My surgery is scheduled for 12:00 noon on Friday, December 3, 2010, and I couldn't be more ecstatic.

I have been very private about this entire process, because there was a time when I wasn't sure I was going to be able to complete it. Also, people are judgmental, and I didn't want to be judged for taking such a drastic measure to lose weight. Through the monthly support groups, I have learned that not everyone will be excited and supportive of you during this process. Up to this point, I have only told my family and a few close friends. But now, I'm taking it worldwide... okay, maybe not worldwide, but this blog is a start.

Technically this is the third blog I've created. The first two where spur of the moment ideas that never really took off, and like with most things, I became very bored with them quicker than it took to create them. This one is different. This is a part of my every day life for the rest of my life. I can't forget about it or get bored with it because I'm living it.

I promise to be as real and emotionally raw as an OCD control freak can be. I want to share this with people out there who struggle every day with their weight. I want them to know that if I can do it, so can they. I hope to inspire a least one person. But most importantly, I want to live a long and healthy life. This is really corny, but I feel like Friday is the first day of the rest of my life. I’m glad you’ll be along for the journey… whoever you are.

Operation Skinny Biatch is in full effect! #lehgo