The Good, the Bad and the Not So Ugly

I've been having some issues with my sleeve playing bad head games on me. The psychologist at my surgeon's office suggested that I don't go off my daily 30 mg dose of Cymbalta and I'm glad I didn't. I've been stalled for about six weeks now, going back and forth from 207 to 210. The stall is getting SO DISCOURAGING. My highest weight was 273 and I'm feeling a lot better, but I'm still so far away from my goal of 135-140 pounds. I'm about five-and-a-half months out.

The NSVs are definitely a tradeoff with the negatives.

NSVs (Non-Sleeve Victories) include going off one of two blood pressure meds, going off an anti-inflammatory med, knees and feet feel a lot better. I'm about out of another pair of too-big jeans. My stress incontinence is about over, and my cheekbones are starting to emerge. My husband says my sleep apnea is waning and I'm not snoring nearly so much if I nap or fall asleep without my CPAP.

On the negative side, I am definitely grieving food, although I believe you can still eat beautiful, fabulous food prepared well -- just not as much of it and definitely not some things. My face looks like a red-dotted road map with zits and I've been having hair loss, although I think I may be turning the corner on that. The nausea that hits if I eat too quickly is a little disconcerting, but I'm dealing with it.

But all in all, I'm glad I did it. I feel much better and have lots more energy.

Onward,
Carol

Another Weigh Day Down

Woke up to find that -- dry and unpainted as hubby would say -- I was down to 218. Go figure after the crazy, up-and-down weight week I've had.

The math shows I'm down about 55 pounds total since my highest weight of 273 last summer, and about 37 since my gastric sleeve surgery Dec. 27. Just for my friends who worry, the largest portion of that came in the first month and then my loss settled down to 1-2 pounds per week.

Have been having some minor issues with nausea when I haven't expected them. My nausea medicine is a lotion you rub on the inside of your wrist and usually, it makes those nasty feelings go away. I had gotten cocky and forgotten to carry it, but I got it renewed and I'll be keeping it in my purse. Prevention will make those feelings go away methinks.

Having some "head hunger" while down at our "cabin in the woods" in Texas where I fed many of the bad habits that made me gain weight. Lusting after hubby's Fritos and French onion dip, and fortunately there are no Fritos in the house because I threw them out. When I looked in the frig and opened up the French onion dip, it was covered with mold. Ick and hallelujah!!!! Can't even attack it with celery. Saved me from myself.

I'm thinking it would be good to come up with something that could satisfy my snacking desire on a low-calorie basis. Will have to think about that and when I come up with something -- I'll definitely share it.

Onward,
Carol