8 Month Surgiversary Tomorrow :) Update and pics

[aclabombard13]

Ok, so tomorrow will be 8 months since I got my sleeve done. I can hardly believe how fast it's gone, but on the other hand, the old me feels like a lifetime ago. First let's deal with numbers...

Then -

Weight - 260lbs pre-op diet, 230lbs at surgery
BMI - 42
Pant size - 22
Shirts - 2x/3x

Now -

Weight - 136lbs
BMI - 21.9
Pants - 3/4
Shirts - S/M

HUGE changes, right? You aren't kidding! Still trying to wrap my mind around it all.

I will try to address some of the questions I get on a regular basis:

Food -

I haven't tracked in a while (even though I probably should) but I would guess I take in around 1200 calories a day. I am not super strict on carbs anymore, but it's not really effecting me. I am still working to get my protein levels where they should be on a daily basis. I will eat small, thin ham and cheese omelets for breakfast (sometimes a half piece of wheat toast with butter w/ it). I also have recently started making smoothies for breakfast. I use vanilla Atkins shakes, frozen fruit and greek yogurt. (SOOOOOOO GOOD) I still snack on cheese and nuts and love popcorn. Lunch I can do a very small half sandwich or small salad, egg salad wrapped in a piece of lettuce, breadless BLT using Turkey bacon and light mayo, chili, soup, etc. Dinner I will eat very small amounts of chicken, pork tenderloin, steak, roast beef, or seafood. I will also have a small amount of veg and/or mashed potatoes or mashed carrots. Pasta still causes problems for me and rice only seems to like me in the form of Sushi. I can't handle deep fried food. Not sure if that's my lack of gallbladder or my picky sleeve, but I don't seem to miss it that much anyway. Other than that I can eat pretty much anything, just not lots of it. I eat fruit, I eat ice cream, sometimes I have munchos and always opt for real butter. I am NOT perfect!

Exercise -

So, I haven't lost any weight in 15 days (in-fact I am bouncing between 136 and 138 regularly). But I am basically at goal, so I try not to worry about it. Mostly I am just trying to live and enjoy this second chance that I've been given. I am going to the gym 3-4 days a week and doing weight training. I also try to do some stuff here and there at home, plus I am just a hell of a lot more active these days in general. I do about 60 squats with 15lb dumbbells (20 reps of 3 different exercises) and 20 weighted lunges. I do ab exercises, leg exercises, assisted dips and assisted pull ups. I do flys, row, and bench press. I am just glad I don't really need to do so much straight cardio anymore. I actually really enjoy weight training... especially when I go with my husband

Skin -

Yes, I do have loose skin! I hide it well under my new "little" clothes, but it is there. I exercise like I do because I am scared to put on a bathing suit this spring when we go on vacation. The worst areas are my stomach, inner thighs and upper arms. Over the last few months (3 or so) I've seen the biggest improvement in my arms. But I have seen great improvement in my stomach and thighs as well, just not to a point where I am as comfortable with them as I am my arms. BUT make no mistake, I am grateful, proud and even AMAZED at just how good my skin is considering I've lost an entire adult! I've certainly seen worse and was expecting it to be worse. I strongly believe that me being proactive with the exercise has made a big difference.
Funny thing is I am starting to love the look of my arms now that they have muscle tone and definition and I am beginning to see the outline of my abs at the top of my stomach. Now I just need the skin to go away! LOL

So.... Here are a few pics. A couple to demonstrate my skin mostly. Thanks for following my journey


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[Brenda2012]

You look great!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful journey

[Flymudder]

Oh wow... you look great, Congrats!!

[Soccermomkerry]

amazing!!!!

[Its_Me]

Wow, just wow. You look absolutely amazing. Your journey is an inspiration to me, thank you for sharing and encouraging others.

[djssv0523]

WOW!!! I am so jealous! You have done absolutely fantastic! I can't begin to imagine how amazing you must feel...aaahhh someday. Couple of questions if you dont mind? How tall are you? What was your diet like a couple months out? Is it similar to what your eating now?

Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment.

[goestogym]

You are amazing--Love seeing and hearing about your progress!

[Lucy61]

Your journey is an inspiration, I just looked thru all your pictures and wow what an amazing transformation. I have been hitting classes for leg/butt, core and then zumba (one class ea day), and let me tell you the lunges & leg lifts have my legs hurting today. I'm just curious to see how my skin reacts to the loss. I keep it well moisturized to help keep some of the elasticity there (I'm 51, so I've lost a lot due to age) and my boobs are turning into mud flaps (will fix that once I hit goal )

[aclabombard13]

I am 5'6" .... My diet a couple months out was NOTHING like it is now. I found out in my 5th month that I had a stricture, so before that I had a hard time tolerating a lot of foods. However, strangely enough, I was able to handle small amounts of tender steak. But I ate a lot of soft foods. At a couple months out, you should be able to tolerate a lot of proteins as long as they are tender, moist and chewed well. I know everyone is different, so they may not. Unfortunately it's trial and error for a while.

[mletort]

Awesome, Angela! Your journey is an inspiration and something to reach for! I too am looking at this surgery(when I have it) as a second chance to do that right thing! Reading what you have done tells me that I can do it!! Good luck as you continue the healthy new you!! I think you will have a wonderful vacation!!

[becca72]

truly AWEsome...I am so happy and proud for you! You are just gorgeous
I added you to my list of girl crushes...no homo, though

[kallima_butterfly]

Baby u look amazing!

[Just Jean]

You are amazing, awesome and inspiring!!!Thanks for sharing with us.

[niamh]

There they are again! :P

[Joelle]

Wow! you look awesome!! Congrats!! I am hoping to be at goal at the 6 month mark!