I’m seeing my old boss today aka Mr. Billy D Williams. I haven’t seen him in forever. He’s written a book and is having a book signing this afternoon. Since he is always well dressed, I shopped my closet for something equally glamorous. I’m wearing the super sky high heels, black pants, and this lovely top:

This shirt has not fit in some time, but today… like a glove. YAY! I did my hair and made sure my make-up was slamming. Feeling so glam today! Co-workers are asking why I’m so glamorous today, but I do have a business meeting. Gosh!

EDIT:

I needed to put this shirt into perspective. I wore this shirt nearly 4 years ago and it barely fit…psh! it didn’t fit. I couldn’t button it all the way up. I have photographic evidence. Cringing, but posting it anyways because I’m always real.

I’ve come such a long away. In other news, the lady on the left is pregnant! Yay!

I’m so impatient sometimes. Even waiting for my 1 month post surgery mark is proving difficult. I’ve been wanting to update, but keep telling myself, it isn’t the 27th yet. Anywho, I’m down to 228 as of this morning. Weight loss has definitely slowed down, but I know it’s because I’m not eating often enough. Some days, I only eat once a day. Bad Lorie. I’m trying to be better. Also, in true Lorie fashion, I’m going to share some pics from the past week.

This was my girls night out getting ready picture. I love this dress and danced the night away in fishnet stockings/heels with some fabulous ladies. And the extra bonus is that my feet didn’t hurt. Super bonus!

Here’s the makeup from that night. My brows were looking fierce.

I went shopping with a gf over the weekend and since we both had makeup on, we wanted to camwhore.

More camwhoring. Man, my make-up looks glamorous! I loved these sunglasses. Not $169 loved them, but I did love them. The way my smile lines are showing I’m taken back to junior high. I need to find that band picture.

Shoe shopping! I tried on these glitter bomb Steve Maddens and they were so cute, but where would I wear them? The thing I loved about shoe shopping this time is that I no longer have to find wide width shoes. The regulars are fitting me fine. Yay!

I did decide on this super hot sky high pair of stilletos that just had to be mine. I love them. I wore them to work yesterday and while my feet didn’t hurt, my quads are burning today.

Totally unrelated, but my vanity always trumps everything. I did a lunchtime nails on Monday and got another shellac manicure. OPI offers Shellac in their most popular colors. Bastille my Heart is a favorite and I was delighted that they had it in shellac. SOLD!

Lower body progress pic/product placement (Vitaminwater Zero in GoGo=delicious!). The last thing I want is to lose excessive muscle mass. Who wants to be jiggly? I still want to be tone. I bought these workout pants while shopping over the weekend and I must say, my ass looks fantastic in them! I love muscular thighs so I’m actually thankful my quads are burning today.

Shrinking. My legs are definitely getting smaller.

These pants are awesome. them!

This is pre-workout. I was ready to hit it hard!

As for my workouts, Sunday I took a stroll with a co-worker, we did a lil over 3 miles walking. Monday I did about 8 miles walking/jogging. It was my first time running and it felt fantastic. My knee didn’t give me any trouble at all. I also did several chest presses, butt blaster, some pull downs and squats. I attempted leg raises but after all that walking/squats, wasn’t happening. Yesterday, before my trainer, I hit the bike pretty hard and did almost 4 miles in under 15 minutes. The first thing my trainer had me do was leg raises and abs. Then, we headed downstairs to the guido section of the gym and hit the pull down machine, rower, back/bicep machines and then the dreaded forearm machine. I hate that thing. My favorite part of doing the upper body workout in the guido section was there was a hot dad getting after it. He did the rower machine before me and his arms were looking fierce. I told my trainer I wanted arms like his. I don’t think he ever takes me seriously. Hot Dad also did the most neanderthal looking excerise I’ve ever seen. He held a 40 lbs dumbell in one arm, another in the other arm, one arm straight up (the other at his hip) and while holding the weight, walked the length of the gym. Of course, this requires a tongue sticking out face and veins popping out, but it looked tough. After all that magic, I went home to rest. I made sure to eat some protein, showered and watched some TV, then crashed. Such blissful sleep after an awesome workout. I woke up so sore this morning, but so alive!

Clothes are definitely feeling looser. I wanted to wear a pair of skinny jeans that used to hug my curves perfectly, but sadly, they’re too big now. I shopped my closet this morning and found a pair of jeans I’ve never worn, tags still on and they’re fitting magically. This is just one more exciting thing that’s happened this week. I’m finally back at the gym. Yesterday was my third day in a row. I’m only doing cardio (did 6 miles Wednesday), and light strength training, but my trainer is definitely pushing the envelope on what he thinks I can do post surgery. Leg raises? I’m not sore in my stomach, but it just feels like it’s too soon to work core that hard. I can do leg presses, and calf extensions, curls, butt blaster all with no problem, but leg raises feel like a stretch. I’m down another 5 lbs since post op visit and that’s awesome blossom. I can’t remember how much hubs told me he’s lost but I know he’s still losing. Ready for pictures?

Hubs and I went to the dentist last week on my last day off before returning to work. His pants are fitting him soo loose now. I have to take pictures because he doesn’t notice it.

I know these are 2 different angles, but look at how defined my chin is looking? I’m loving that! My face just looks so much fuller on the left. Yay!

These are the fantabulous jeans I’m wearing today. My butt looks awesome in case you can’t tell.

My hair is a lil wonky today, but trust that it feels magical to the touch. I love winter time. My hair gets all soft and silky. I try to condition it even more so it doesn’t get dry/brittle.

That’s it for my vanity. Good morning to you all!

Here’s a one month side by side, but this is before my surgery. First picture is from my brother’s bday party 11/26 and Christmas is on the right. Cowboy’s shoulders look smaller already right? It’s amazing. I’ll have a more full body pic like the Christmas photo at the end of January.

Have a great day, lovelies!

Not the easy way out…

6 month post op

Tony the Tiger – his 10 month update

I should note that my last update was probably written while I was still taking pain meds. I’m trying to be better about documenting my progress. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I love discussing this.

Even though I’m cleared to drive, mumsy wanted to drive me. She’s so sweet. My Mom has never met a stranger, so she instantly befriended a young lady in the waiting room while I was filling out paperwork. She is planning bypass so we talked about our post surgery experience with the bypass/sleeve. She was awaiting her last nutrition appointment before she could schedule her surgery. I was really enthusiastic/positive about everything so I’m sure she’s really looking forward to her opportunity. I was so excited to see how far I’ve come and to talk with the surgeon.

Have I mentioned how dreamy he is? Dr. Garth Davis = SWOON In other news, I started BC and the Nuva Ring hasn’t given me any drama. I’m loving it. I was all worried about being emo and I’m the total opposite. I’ve found myself more calm/positive/girly.  I’ve been watching more OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) something I’ve never done. LOL!

Enough lollygagging, here’s the big update from today. I’m down another 10 lbs since surgery, y’all. Yay me! I don’t know if I’ve discussed the numbers but I’m ready. I’m 5’3″ so my numbers are and should be even more shocking.

Highest weight (October 2010) – 280 lbs
Pre-op appointment (begin liquid diet)- 272 lbs
Surgery day – 250 lbs
Today – 239 lbs

Isn’t that amazing? Since pre-op, I’ve lost 33 lbs and 41 lbs since last year. I’m sooo happy with my results. Onederland aka under 200 lbs is not too far away. That is my first mini goal for myself. I’m anxious to see how long it takes me. The nurse today mentioned a goal weight for me but I was so ecstatic with my current weight that I didn’t catch it. I was too enamored with my surgeon to ask him either. What can I say? His eyes mesmerize me. I’ll hopefully have that info for you guys shortly. We also discussed diet changes. I can now consume puree consistency, ground chicken, ground turkey and tuna. Yay! more protein!

I bought a scale so hubs and I could track our progress at home. His next appointment with the doc is 4 weeks away and mine is 6 weeks away. I know we won’t lose as fast in the coming months and I want to keep us on track. Let’s go through husband’s numbers… They’re even more amazing and he’s 2 weeks ahead of me.

Highest weight/pre-op liquid diet – 442 lbs
Surgery day – 422 lbs
Post Op appointment – 412 lbs
Yesterday – 393 lbs

Total lost? 49 lbs. Amazeballs!

It’s also important to note that I was torn between what kind of scale to get. He wanted me to get one that went up to 440 (close to his highest weight) but I knew he had to be under 400 and I was soo happy to be right.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it has been exciting, rewarding and soo soo wonderful. I’m still never hungry. You know that feeling when your stomach is growling and demanding food? I no longer have that. I no longer have something demanding my attention and causing me to eat things just because they’re convenient. It is so freeing. Sometimes “eating” has felt like I’m force feeding myself. I can only consume about 3-4 oz at a time, and that’s ok. I know I’ll be able to consume more as my diet changes.

I spent the entire day with mom and it was good to catch up and discuss how I’ve been doing post op. I always love our chats and I really love having this new dynamic in our relationship. We looked at old pictures on my facebook and she could already see the changes in my face. At the end of January, I’ll post my one month post op pictures. I have a picture from Christmas on my facebook and I’ll post that side by side at the end of January. January 27th, lovelies. Mark your calendars!

I hope you all are having a fantabulous new year. I know I am!

Ooh! One more sidenote…. Dr. Oz was on Oprah and he discussed weight loss in men…. for every 35 lbs lost… that equals a 1 inch gain in penis length. It tapers off after awhile, but isn’t that amazing? Hubs has never been lacking in that department, but I’ll have to investigate that progress and report back. Yay!

I’m alive! If you’re friends with me on facebook, you know that already, but today is really the first day, I’ve felt like blogging. Surgery went beautifully. My surgeon actually does the stitches on the inside and has some kind of glue on the outside to minimize scarring. I’m excited to see just how small my incisions heal to.

The only time I felt severe pain was right after. I remember coming out of anesthesia, moaning in pain. It felt like an elephant was walking on my chest. The nurse wasn’t having it and kept telling me that I had enough pain medicine in me to kill a horse and that I shouldn’t be in any pain. Just the kind of nurse I needed. LOL!  I was wheeled to my room and still groggy. The night nurse wrapped me in a binder around my torso. That thing rocks. I felt no pain as soon as that thing was on. Hubs stayed with me and I tried to sleep. As soon as my family left, I started my laps around the hospital floor. Cowboy did some of the laps with me. I knew that I needed to do as many of those as possible so I could wake up my bowels and move all that extra air they pump into you out. I started slow, 1 lap, then 4, then 30 minutes straight, then 45 minutes straight, then an hour. I’d do them every hour and I’d sleep in between the hours. I met a couple of my fellow surgery buddies along the way and advised them to walk as much as possible. They weren’t lucky enough to get binders, but I assured them the walking would help.

This entire time, I couldn’t have anything to eat or drink. I wasn’t hungry, but I was super thirsty. I kept brushing my teeth to keep my mouth moist. I did my upper gi test in the morning to check for leaks. The first thing I got to drink was barium, gross! Everything checked out fine and I was finally allowed to sip some broth, water, popsicles. I knew my catheter would be coming out soon so I saved some pain meds just in case it hurt. It didn’t. Thank you baby Jesus. I stopped taking my pain meds and started walking, and going to the bathroom all my myself. I was anxious to head home, but that wasn’t happening until later in the evening.

I didn’t want to take pain meds when I got home either, but when my mom came to visit yesterday she told me that I needed to so that I could keep moving and healing. I’ve been taking them every 8-10 hours and it’s been working beautifully for me. I’m finally able to have full liquids, so cream soups, protein shakes. Sipping slowly isn’t easy and liquid vitamins are so gross. Other than that, I have no complaints.

The weirdest thing is not being hungry. Like not at all. When I do eat, I feel full quickly. I need to get more protein in, and that will probably be my next meal. Protein! I’m so glad everything went so well and that I’m not in severe pain anymore. As far as numbers go, I haven’t weighed myself yet, but I did get to my pre-surgery goal weight and I don’t feel bloated or like there’s extra liquid still in me. I’ll definitely update my weight progress on Tuesday. While in the hospital we noted that my bed had a scale built into it and hubs has lost another 5 lbs so total lost is around 35 lbs for him. Yay!

Hello, friends.

I had to work yesterday so I didn’t get to attend his pre-op appointment with him. My mom picked him up and took him. He’s lost another 10 lbs this past week! His total weightloss since before pre-op diet is 32 lbs. Amazing, right? He’s almost under 400 lbs. What an awesome Christmas present. I’m sooo sooo proud of him. He was super excited about all the foods he can eat now. He’s still not on solids but soupy messes for the next couple of weeks. The surgeon was really pleased with his progress and I’m so thankful everything has gone as well as it has.

My sinuses were kicking my ass all day yesterday. As soon as I got home I took my Walgreens version of Actifed that they keep behind the counter and took my happy ass to bed. I talked to mumsy for a few minutes, but I knew I was down for the count. Sleeping for nearly 12 hours equals awesome. I’m hoping today runs smoothly and that I can get some shopping done today and then MORE sleeping before all the festivities start. Yay!

*raises hand* I can’t quite put my finger on the why. I’m definitely more excited than nervous, but that feeling is definitely running through me all the time. On the way home I called a very valuable resource for some reassurance. She is one of my mom’s friends, who was also one of my first bosses. Amazing woman and mother. She had all of her children prior to having weight loss surgery like my mom, but she lost 200 lbs (my mom lost 100) with bypass and has kept it off. Amazing. She’s pretty involved in the community so every question I had, she had an answer. I’m forgetting what else I wanted to discuss.

This has been quite an emotional journey for me. At my last consult before scheduling the surgery, I went by myself. I was waiting in the reception and I started crying. I was finally coming to terms with needing the surgery. I started going to the gym in October of last year, I was working out with a trainer 2-3 times a week and lost 20 lbs pretty quickly before Christmas. Over the holidays, I gained 10 back and then fell off the wagon as far as going to the gym goes. I went back in February or March, but not as regularly as I was last year. In August, I started really going back to the gym. New trainer, closer to home. I’ve lost those ten I gained back and almost another 10 as a result of being on the pre-op shake diet with my husband. 30 lbs in a year. Would you be happy with that? It doesn’t sound like enough to me and I don’t want to fool myself into thinking I can do this on my own without the surgery. I have finally accepted that. I don’t look at it as the easy way out. There was one amazing youtube video I found that explained just that. I’ll need to post my favorite videos here so I can reflect on those in the coming months.

My OB and I discussed my surgery and she was soo excited and had reassuring stories of women that had successful pregnancies post surgery so that was good to hear. Even though the thought of pregnancy is at least 12-18 months away, I’ve been pretty focused on that lately. After making my husband dinner (oatmeal again), I scoured youtube for those videos. The first one I found was a woman that was 39, never had children before surgery, got pregnant and then lost the baby 3-4 months out.  She was 11 months post surgery but wasn’t concerned with the weight loss once she found out she was pregnant. I didn’t watch all of her emotional video, and she hadn’t really updated after that episode either. The next video I found was of a woman who was 34, had a child already, but wanted another. She was only 9 weeks post op but hadn’t really thought of any kind of BC post surgery. Her and her husband had discussed it and he told her, do you really want to miss a chance to have kids? She was comforted that he was ready to have children, ready to try. There was a time in their marriage where he didn’t want to try. That spoke to me, but I definitely want to be at my healthiest prior to conceiving. I’m still nervous about using this new BC, but looking forward to seeing how that goes as well. I just don’t want to hurt anyone’s equipment while using it. That’ll probably be the next thing I scour youtube for.

I’m definitely considering getting back on youtube to discuss my journey. I’ll definitely still blog and get it in writing, but I love seeing the progress videos of all these women/men who have had the surgery and all the months along their way. I think journaling things will definitely help me later on down the road when I hit the stalls or slow periods of weight loss. I talked to my mom yesterday. I could just hear the sheer joy in her voice leading up to my surgery. She’s awesome. I’m so lucky to have such an amazing support system.

My post op patient was doing very well yesterday. He said he didn’t take any pain medicine the entire day. I was so glad to hear that. My mom’s friend said that it slows the healing process as well as your bowels and who wants that? I made him some more oatmeal and we watched an episode of storage wars. I think I prefer him watching this show vs. scouring craigslist for junk. He’s been more affectionate lately and I have been loving that. I think the hierarchy between me/his mom has finally shifted. I was there the entire time through his surgery/post op and I know he wanted his mom, but I don’t think she was there as much as he would’ve liked. I almost didn’t want to discuss that, but it’s me and that was important to me. I’ve talked to her more throughout his surgery than I have our entire marriage and I did it with a smile on my face and no mean words behind her back. Progress!

Things are so much better. I got home last night after work and attended to my patient. He wanted a popsicle and some soup. I asked him to let things cool down and not consume so fast so he wouldn’t have any pain. He told me he walked around a bit and that he was just feeling uncomfortable. We took a short walk at night and I didn’t hear him in too much pain. So thankful for that. He ate some oatmeal during the day with no problems. He was seeming kind of down so I searched youtube for gastric sleeve patients and found the coolest guy. He’s from Southern California and he has kind of a cholo accent. His videos were excellent. He’s about the same height as my husband and his story was just so uplifting. I’m hoping that made Cowboy feel better about the months ahead. I found a girl to watch too, so thank you, youtube for being such a fabulous source of information. His post op appointment is tomorrow, so I’ll have an update for you guys on Friday.