kevinopks

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In many ways it's been a long 6 months post-surgery. But, in others it has flown by. There have been times that I have thought I'd never get past a plateau. Times I hated the scale because the fraking numbers wouldn't go down...or worse, would go up. But, for now, the surgery seems to have helped me do something I could not do without having this extra tool in my weight-loss toolkit. 

A short recap - I started this journey in January 2015 after years of trying so many different things that I had just given up on the idea of being healthy. But, after a weigh-in at 322 lbs., I just couldn't put it off anymore. Come June it was time for the big day. 

Yes...that's me just out of recovery. 

Now, after 6 months I think there is a bit of a change. 

My weigh-in this morning was 210. Quite a change. I have lost 112 lbs. 

My BMI has gone from 48.9 to 31.9 for a 17% loss. 

My waist has shrunk 12 inches - from a tight 50 inches to a comfortable 38 inches. 

Some things I have noticed, besides just the numbers: 

• I can fit in a booth in a restaurant. And have a few inches between me and the table. 
• I can fit in movie theater seats without wedging myself into the armrests. 
• I can buy clothes just about anywhere now. And no longer pay extra for the Big & Tall (which I have never been). 
• I can stand for a pretty good length of time without my feet hurting. 
• Climbing stairs isn't a chore anymore. 
• I don't get out of breath when I walk for too long. 
• I can bend over and pick up things off the floor without having to have support. 
• I can hug my wife and we can both touch our hands behind each others' backs. (She had surgery as well)
• Our grocery bill has plummetted. We have gone from $150-$200/week to averaging $50/week. 
• I look at the portions served in restaurants and wonder how anyone can eat so much. 
• I find myself looking at my reflection in windows as I walk by a store and sometimes don't recognize myself. 

So, it's been quite a road. But, it is not over, yet. I still have 30 lbs. to lose to hit my weight-loss goal. I'll get there. 

Be well,

Kevin

This morning I stepped on the evil weight measure and was actually kinda pleased. I've now reached one of the "magic" milestones of having lost 20 lbs. since surgery (19 days ago). Since I've started on this journey in January that makes a total of 47 lbs. from my largest weight.

Clothes are feeling a bit loose, but not down a size, just yet. We went through all the clothes we had put back after growing out of them over the holiday weekend. Found that we have more clothes of some sizes than others, but overall there won't be a need to buy complete wardrobes every time we lose a size. Thinking I may be healed up enough to try some exercise. We'll see how that goes and then maybe we'll see the pounds drip off regularly.

We tried something new for dinner tonite. Went to KFC. Trudy and I split two thighs (original recipe, but only had one small bite of skin) of a 3-piece individual meal. Between us we could not finish the two individual sides and we tossed the biscuit. We ate too much, too fast, though...so there was a bit of discomfort for a bit. But it was OOOOOOOHHHHHHH so good.

Today is the two-week anniversary of Trudy​'s and my surgery. We've both lost a bit of weight and looking forward to more. Today is a big thing, though, as we get to start adding meat and veggies to our diet. We can add tuna, seafood, deli chicken and turkey. Plus soft-cooked veggies and fruits. And, we can add mayo and mustard. Still can't eat anything near a large portion...which is a good thing. But, we get some variety to tastes and textures now. 

Went for the 1-week post-op check-up yesterday afternoon. They removed my staples and replace with tape sutures. I can now shower facing the shower head. WOO HOO! Most of the soreness is gone, but I find I can still stretch too far, too fast and get a reminder that I'm not fully healed yet. :) We can add eggs, refried beans and cottage cheese to the diet now. And we did. Eggs are good and cottage cheese is lovely. 

Have lost all the water-weight from fluids pumped in at the surgery center. And have started to lose real weight. I'm tracking my food intake daily and seem to be taking in about 350-450 calories each day with about 56 oz of clear liquids and 45g protein. Doc says that is wonderful. And with that I'm down 11 lbs from my pre-op weight and 38 lbs since January, when I started this journey. Still have a long way to go, but this is a new lifestyle. I have time...if not always the patience. 

I am looking forward to being healed enough to get back on my Harley and even maybe do some real exercise. Eventually, I'll add in a full exercise routine, but for now, doc said just focus on healing my tummy and moving enough to keep moving periodically through the day. 

Onward to a new me. 

Today is the day we add some food with substance back into our diet. Don't get excited...no steak or chocolate cake. But, we are pigging out on Greek yogurt, protein-enriched oatmeal soup, and we get our protein shakes back...well, one/day sipped between meals. And for a later meal will be cream soup. Actually looking forward to it. Of course still pushing water. Have to stay hydrated.

Slept easier and longer last night. Got almost 5 hours straight. Pain is down to just mild ache with the occasional OMGKMN from gas bubbles moving around. Of course, have to get up and move around regularly. Soon the pounds will start rolling off. And it will all be worth it.

Slept alright last night. Had to get up every two hours to hit the bathroom. Still on clear liquids today. Going to try some broth to get something savory instead of all the sweet we had yesterday. Less pain this morning, but not gone. Everything is still sore and achy. And all the gas pockets are still around...making their presence known whenever I move and spiking the pain level to a 10. Oh yeah...

Had the surgery. Didn't feel a thing. Then I woke up. Lots of pain. It was eventually manageable, and on a 10-1 scale left the surgery center with about a 1 to 2 pain level.

Lessons learned - bring sweat pants and slip-on shoes to wear home. A drop of jello the size of a similar chip of ice affects you totally differently than the ice.

now home and trying not to over do anything. Resting. Sitting. Burping. Oh...the burping. Time to heal. 

Have been on the pre-op liquid diet for a week. Have lost 13 lbs. this week. I don't recommend this to just anyone, but have already gone down a full inch in my waist. Tomorrow is the big day when I get my stomach cut out. Am excited and apprehensive at the same time. I've never had any surgery before. But, this is the change I need to be able to really enjoy the rest of my life. 

Wish me luck!