It feels like forever since I’ve given y’all an update, so let’s get with it today.
I am now 107 days post-surgical. That’s 3 1/2 months. In the 5 months before surgery, I pushed the scale back 30 pounds.
In the 3 1/2 months since surgery, I have slammed that scale back 51 pounds.
That’s right. I have now lost 81 pounds since March. ? Woohoo! ?
Allow me to share some other things I’ve lost:
• TWO blood pressure medicines.
• 75% of a heart med
• pressure on my CPAP machine
• knee pain
• back pain
• THREE sizes in my jeans.
I am celebrating each of these and more.
Before surgery, I would have to cook in 10-15 minute increments separated each time by 10-20 minutes seated because of horrible back pain. Yesterday, I sat down when there was a wait for something to finish cooking. It was GLORIOUS!
I did good with the holiday eating, mainly because my surgeon’s nurse practitioner (NP) told me ahead of time how to do it. She said if there was a food that I dearly loved – carbohydrate or sweet – to get a tiny spoonful of it on my plate. After I ate my protein, I had barely enough room for that dab of dressing and touch of mashed potatoes, but was able to put each one in my mouth and allow my tastebuds to relish them. I even got to have a cherry and bit of crust from the pie. THAT was wonderful!
Doing this taught me that I CAN go to events and refrain from wrecking myself.
Now for the downer. I said at the start I’d be honest and transparent:
I have very little strength in my legs.
I can walk around fine, stand good, but walking up steps is difficult and getting up from kneeling requires help. Earlier this week, I knelt down to plug a cord in under my desk and when I went to stand back up, I toppled over. (Obviously Im not a Weeble.) I’m so glad it was on carpet! I had to crawl over to a chair to use it to push and pull my body upright.
Now, I have to confess, when I started doing my project of interviewing authors (you should watch those, you’ll find some great ideas for books to read) I kinda sorta dropped riding the bike. So, for about three weeks, I’ve not been riding. I started back yesterday. I’m going to keep that up, even in this busy ten days leading to my book launch party (are you coming?). Then my plan is to start at the gym doing strengthening exercises.
Do you think I’ll be able to squat and kneel by Christmas? I’ll let you know how that goes.
Listen, if you have any questions about this bariatric journey, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m happy to share with you what I know and what I’ve experienced. I want to see you living life instead of just existing.
