6 Months Post Op – Weight Loss Surgery Update
Wow, I can’t believe how much my life has changed in the past six months. I’m so busy with life that I’ve neglected my blog and you guys so much. I’m embarrassed! I’m hoping to change that in the coming weeks and I’ll hopefully get back to blogging at least once per week and increase as I can, but for now I wanted to give you an update now that I’m six months post op and losing steadily.
Let me just remind you where I was on 9/7/13 at 369.8 lbs. I was lost as to how to get out of the hole I had stuck myself in. I was unhealthy and getting worse. I was stuck in my depression and parenting at 369.8 was no fun at all.
Things got a little better in the following two years from 2013 to 2015, but I was not making the progress I needed to make. Howard and I would eat healthy for a few days and then slack off over the weekend (starting our weekend on Thursday night and ending on Sunday night). I lost a little weight here and there, but I wasn’t exercising and the weight was just lingering. Around the middle of 2015, Howard finally had enough and he decided he was going to have weight loss surgery. He finally had surgery on 8/17/15 and has lost 190 lbs to date!
I had surgery on 12/30/15 and was at 343.2 lbs in this picture. I didn’t know what to expect even though I had been through it with Howard for a few months. Everybody’s body is a little different and I had never had any surgery before. You can read more about my surgery experience in my 6 week post op and 3 months post op posts.
And now here are my 6 month post op pictures. In my last update, I had lost 40 lbs and now I’ve lost 55 lbs since surgery. I’m still considering myself a slow loser, but I’m starting to feel a little better and the weight loss is pretty steady about about 1-2 lbs per week. These two outfits above are not my most flattering because I don’t have any clothes that really fit, but I can tell you that I wore two swimsuits this weekend and I felt “pretty” in them. I can see my curves forming and things are getting smaller. It’s definitely time to start thinking about buying some new clothes, maybe just at a second-hand store for now. I was blessed by a friend who sent me a TON of clothes from her closet, but I’m just a size too big for those just yet so if I can hang in there just a little longer, I’ll have a whole new wardrobe soon!
As far as my day to day, I’m following the doctor’s orders as best as I can. I may not be following to a tee, but I’m working on it. I’m exercising daily – 1 mile on the NuStep machine and 1 mile on the treadmill – and on Saturdays I join a fit circuit class for an hour of cardio with a little bit of weight training. My surgeon told me to not focus too much on weight training at this time because the cardio is what is going to get the weight off and then I can tone with the weights later on in the process. I’m eating every two hours and drinking water as fast as I can. I don’t always make my water goal, but I come close.
I do have one word of advice if you’re considering weight loss surgery – and I found out the hard way – Don’t get a depo shot for birth control after surgery! I’ve seen an OB/GYN recently and he said that I probably didn’t lose much in the beginning because of that shot that my PCP gave me. He has seen people gain upwards of 60 lbs in 6 months on that shot! So, basically I spent my first 3-5 months fighting my body from gaining weight and that is why I likely didn’t lose as much as I was expecting. Like I mentioned, the weight is finally starting to come off and I’m glad about that, but I could just KICK myself for making such a poor decision right after surgery. I need a do-over, haha!
What else can I tell you about my experience so far? Let me know what you would like to know!
How on earth did I miss this post?? You are looking good, girl! I know my docs have told me that my depression meds will slow my loss, since they slow my metabolism. As far as clothes – fullbeauty.com has some amazing sales, with shirts at $10 on clearance and they have some great sales. I get emails from them daily. I look, but dare not buy. We’re going on vacation late-summer and I have NO idea what size bathing suit to wear. At least by then, there will be some great sales. I can’t wait to feel how you felt in that bathing suit!! You’re fighting the fight and carrying on with your journey and you inspire me, girl! I’m always eager to read your updates, especially since you’re about 5 months ahead of me! Stay strong, friend and we’ll get through this together!
So proud of you little sis! Keep looking forward even when sometimes it may feel like you’re standing still. You’re making progress every day! Love you
If you’re looking for clothing, definitely check out the goodwill to save money! I always go there first so I don’t have to spend a lot on clothes while I’m still losing weight.
You look great, Janet! I can here the determination in your voice! I was surprised to hear that you had the Depo shot, as I know that weight gain is a major side effect! Keep up the great work – and keep drinking water!
Great Blog woman! I personally think your doctor has missed it telling you not to lift weights yet. I can only assume he is not a weight lifter himself. Lifting weights and building muscle is what helps you keep your weight off in my opinion. I personally started lifting weights at over 350 lb body weight and it was 2-3 weeks into working out before I got on board with changing my eating. I credit…well The Lord, first of all, but then the weight lifting along with the cardio as what’s helped my skin to firm and tighten. Obvi I have loose skin but I don’t think it’s as obvious to others as it is to me (however I could be delusional about that! Lol!!). Anyway, please don’t be afraid to start lifting as it truly will help you towards your goals. (Smh at your dr!!) and how exciting that you have new to you clothes waiting on you! That’s added motivation right there.
Thanks, Patti! I have waffled between what you tell me and what he tells me! I’ll start adding weights back into my cardio this week and see what happens. I wish I had time (and money) to hire you to whip me into shape! Thanks for stopping by my little space on the internet.
You look great! And it’s not always pounds! You should do measurements because I promise you will see a big difference! I’m so happy for you!!
You’re looking great, and happier!! I love hearing your story, it’s motivation for myself! While I’m not going the surgery route yet (I don’t think my Dr would say I qualify, unless it’s for a breast reduction that would get a resounding yes, lol) it’s still motivational to hear about your journey, the changes you’re making and how you’re getting through it all. I hope you’ll write more about the emotional journey, the motivation or lack of and how you push through it, and how you keep yourself on track (or get back on track as the story sometimes goes).