The Dreaded 3 Week Stall

I was hoping that the "3 Week Stall" was a myth, but here I am standing on my scale that has not moved since last Thursday.

I have read countless comments on WLS support groups about weight loss stalls. Let me tell you it really is heartbreaking and discouraging. Everyday somebody asks "How much weight did you lose this week?". I have to say "None" and they look at me sideways. Yes I am following my diet and exercise plan to the letter.

I have a protein shake in the morning followed by water, water, and some more water. I then go for a nice 30 minute walk. Lunch I have about 6 to 7 bites of tomato soup and drink more water until I have a light yogurt in the late afternoon. I had a scrambled egg for dinner and was only able to eat about 4 bites of that before I became full. So why the stall? Many people say it is because we dropped a lot of weight quickly in the beginning and now with getting in so few calories are body goes into starvation mode and clings onto everything it can. It isn't supposed to last long. Maybe this is true I really don't know. I am just going to stick to my plan and maybe kick up my exercise routine to jump start my metabolism.

I am feeling better and my energy level is starting to rise. I take my little guy for morning walks he makes it a few blocks before he climbs into the jogging stroller. It is a great way to spend some quality time with him looking at trees and the cranes, even some brave squirrels that come up looking for treats. I really can't wait until I am given the ok to start swimming again. It is starting to warm up into the 80's and the pool is calling my name.

If you have experienced a stall please leave a comment and tell me all about it. I am in need of some support while trying to get over this hurdle.

2 weeks post-op

I had a small set back going into my second week post-op. I started to run a fever, headaches and was feeling so fatigued. I called my surgeon and let him know how I was feeling. He was very concerned and asked if I had any other symptoms and I said no. I was put on 7 days of liquid antibiotics and was told to take it easy. I got in a little trouble after I told my surgeon that a few days prior to getting sick that I was out running errands and hitting up Target. I guess it was to much to soon and since I was on a clear liquid diet and was getting in very little calories, my body just got worn out. Lesson learned!

After a couple of days resting and taking it easy I started to feel better and have some energy. It is hard being stuck in your house all day and not really allowed to do much. I am a stay at home Mom and I am used to running errands and taking trips to the park. So being told to take baby steps is hard for me. I feel like one of those Disney princesses trapped in a tower. My best friend Cherokee did come for a visit and she brought goodies (sugar free ice pops, and some gossip magazines). I haven't seen her for a few weeks and she noticed my weight loss as soon as she walked in the door. It felt good to see her face and for her to be able to see some changes in my weight!

 

 

 

Three great things did happen at my 2 week doctor appointment. 1) I was cleared to be able to pickup my toddler. 2) I lost another 7lbs. and 3) I am finally able to eat blended soups, and yogurt!

 

So the first thing I did when I left my surgeons office was go across the street to Panera Bread and order a bowl of broccoli and cheese soup and a bowl of chicken noodle. I got home and poured the broccoli and cheese in my Nutribullet and gave it a good whirl. I took about 4 bites and was completely full. I was happy but it is a very strange feeling to be full after just four bites. I still don't get hungry I mean I don't have hunger pangs, so in the morning I make a protein shake and just sip it till it's gone and it is still hard getting in all the recommended amount of liquids and protein. It is going to take me some time to learn the ropes of my new little franken-tummy.

 

Surgery to 1 week Post-Op

The morning of my surgery I woke up excited and ready to start my new life as a "Sleever". We had to be up and on the road at 4:45am so unfortunately my children were fast asleep and I was unable to give them a kiss goodbye. I think that was the hardest part of my day.


I started to get a bit of the jitters after walking through the hospital doors but by the time I got to the pre-op room I was calm. Everyone was super nice and had smiles on their faces. The one thing I was nervous about was the weigh-in. You go on this liquid diet to shrink your fatty liver and sometimes the surgeon starts the operation only to have to abort it because the liver didn't shrink enough. So when I stepped on the scale and had lost 18 pounds during those two weeks I was overjoyed!!

                           (Wattz took this picture of me while I was in pre-op. He couldn't get over how calm I was!)


So the surgery went great and I had a little pain at first but later I was up and doing laps around my floor at the hospital. I would get tired and sleep then wake up and walk again. I was not allowed to drink anything or have ice chips that night. I was only allowed a sponge on a stick to wet my mouth. Worst part was the next morning I had to do the x-ray and swallow the barium drink on an empty tummy..SO GROSS! Everything looked good so after sipping on some fluids I was cleared to go home. The first few days were rough especially for my toddler who I could not pick up (No lifting over 15 lbs).

Your first few days will go as follows: Sleep, Walk, Drink, Repeat! Walking is important to help move all that gas out that they pump you full of during surgery. The gas is more painful than the incisions trust me! As for the liquids, basically  all you do is drink, drink, drink!

Today I went to my 1 week post-op appointment  and my doctor was pleased with my 7 lbs  weight loss for the week and how well I was healing. Things are getting back to normal and I have to say that I haven't felt hungry at all and that is such a weird feeling for a big girl! Can't wait to see where this journey is going to take me!


Lost 18 lbs pre-op
Lost 7 lbs first week of post-op
Total of 26 lbs lost

To Tell or not to Tell...

This is a question many WLS patients ponder. It is a hard and very personal decision and one you have to make on your own.

 The day that Wattz and I agreed this was the right path for me I didn't want to tell anyone. I felt "ashamed" and was "embarrassed," scared of what people would think. I did of course tell my Mom, my sister Slim, and my BFB Cherokee and my Honeybee. These are the people who know how I have struggled with my weight and all my failed attempts of trying to get healthy.

Telling my Grandma was going to be tough, she is a health nut and a former majorette and model. My "Mama" works out, takes her vitamins, eats healthy, and watches the" Doctors" and "Dr. Oz" religiously. She is 74 and looks like she is 55 no joke. She can still get on the floor and play with my toddler, no problem getting down or up. I put off telling her for a bit. Then I needed for her to babysit so I could go to some of my doctor appointments. I was going to make up some story but I hated the thought of lying to her and I am a horrible liar. She was nervous at first but she is now on board and fully supports me (probably because Dr. OZ had a special on the Gastric Sleeve) "Thank goodness". I then told my brother Jay Bird and my Dad. So my whole inner circle knew of my choice and were all excited for me.

 Going through this process is not easy, you really have to face your demons head on and accept that you are the person that did this to your body. Now I am starting to feel better about myself and I am starting to not care what others think. My whole life I have worried what people think and say about me and I'm sick of it!  It's not fair and honestly even if they don't like it, this is the best decision for ME! I thought to myself people are going to notice my weight loss and  are going to ask a million questions and honestly I don't want to feel like I am hiding something. My sleeve is a tool, not a magic pill people. I will be on a strict low calorie diet, have to journal everything I ingest, and work out!

So I said "SCREW IT" and threw caution to the wind  and I started a countdown on my Facebook 5 days and counting. Friday before I head in for surgery I will post a link to this blog and everyone will be able to follow my journey. I feel in control of my life and am so happy that I am having my surgery.

My Sleeve Wish List

 When I first started considering WLS I wrote a wish list of all the things I would look forward to once I hit my goal weight!


1. Take our first family photo...I have mastered the art of the "Selfie" it is all about the angle. But to get an actual family photo straight on is my nightmare. I am looking forward to the day that I won't want to hide my body behind somebody else.

2. Never having to hear the phrase "You have such a pretty face." it is the kiss of death!

3. Being able to run around with my kids and not feel like my heart is going to explode.

4. To buy clothes at stores other than Lane Bryant! This will be a very exciting day, it will be nice choosing what to wear because I like looking good, instead of choosing what makes me look less fat.

5.  Not having to wear jeans in 100 degree weather. I live in Florida and my legs haven't seen daylight in about 20 years.

6. No longer being the "Fat Friend". My best friend Cherokee is a Latin beauty and has curves in all the right places. My friend Honeybee is a long haired, curvaceous young 20 something and is just beautiful. They love me for me and never have put me down and are always there for me. But damn  I want to look hot too!

7. To no longer fear cheap flimsy lawn chairs. It is like jumping out of a plane every time you sit. It is a leap of faith and praying to God that today not be the day you break your first chair. I have never actually broken a chair but it is a ligament fear!

8. To have a better sex life. That's right I'm going there! I am a freak I am not going to even lie.

9. Walk down the isle in a form fitted wedding dress and feel confident ! I have been with my fiancé going on 10 years and have been engaged for 3yrs.

10. Just to be healthy, happy, and fit!

3 more Days!

Since my last post it was decided that I would move forward with my surgery as planned. After I heal and have the clearance from my surgeon to drive then I will be going with my Grandpa to his remaining radiation treatments.

I am only 3 days away from my surgery and I must say things are going pretty great. I have lost a total of 13 pounds since starting my pre-op diet and the others were right it does get easier. I have had my struggles along the way. I think the all liquid diet really puts you at your worst and I have had battles with  head hunger. I have caught myself just walking around the kitchen and staring in the fridge. I just shake it off and keep telling myself that I can do this.

I know these next 3 days are going to be a blur and I am trying to get all my housework and errands done so Wattz doesn't have to worry about anything but the kids. He is taking a week vacation so he can be home with me and take care of our toddler since I will not be able to lift anything over 15 pounds.

I wouldn't have been able to get through this whole process without my family and my wolf pack(Cherokee and Honeybee). I appreciate you listening to me bitch and moan when I was having internal struggles, being such motivators and being so positive when I just wanted to give up, and for taking turns watching my children so that I could go to all of my doctor appointments. I love you guys so much and you all mean so much to me. I just can't thank all of you enough!

I know this post has kinda been all over the place but that is pretty much how my mind is right now. Pre-surgery jitters and nerves are setting in.