I’m thrilled for you and look forward to watching you shrink, shrink, shrink.

I need to go, and I feel you would be the perfect motivator.

“Yes. Buy that $400 leather coat. You NEED it.”

Also, I am happy that things are going so well for you so far after the surgery! I’m looking forward to the next photo update. Maybe you should paste different heads on you every time. Like, the head you could photoshop on this time could be, say, Richard Nixon. I say him because his name first popped into my mind. Which is an issue I will face at a later date.

There is nothing to be nervous about - it will be much easier than you think. It is harder mentally, than physically. The hardest part is the 1 month after surgery, when you’re only drinking broth. You’re not going to be hungry, but mentally, you will miss chewing. I suggest stocking up on sugar-free popsicles — they will be your saviour during this time. I have had no problems with my surgery. One of my incisions got infected, but that was minor.

I am five months out now. I have lost 64 pounds since surgery, 84 pounds total. I can eat pretty much anything, just in smaller amounts (like about 1/4 of what I used to eat). I can even eat sweets (but very small amounts — otherwise I throw up). I do not feel deprived in any way.

Absolutely everything about my life is better these days. I can physically go and go and go and not get tired. I have tons of energy. I can shop in just about any store, and wear clothes I actually like. The effect this has on one’s mental state cannot be overstated.

The one thing I was careful about was telling people about my surgery. Anyone you tell will be always keeping tabs on what you eat, etc. Personally, I’ve only told a handful of people (and you guys, of course). If someone who is overweight asks me what I’m doing to lose weight, I’m honest with them (maybe this will help them out). With others, I just say I’m watching what I eat and exercising (which is true). I just don’t want to be a spectacle or be judged.

If you haven’t checked out http://www.obesityhelp.com, you’ll want to do that. I go there every day for inspiration and wisdom. Just don’t compare your weight loss with others. Everyone’s body is different, and everyone’s surgery is different. Some surgeons bypass more intestine (which results in faster weight loss but more food intolerances and malabsorption issues). Other surgeons like mine bypass less intestine (which results in a bit slower weight loss but less food intolerances and malabsorption issues). I’ve heard that at the end of one year, we all lose about the same amount of weight though.

If you have specific questions, you can email me anytime.

untitled

Nice huh?

Congrats on your continued success and way to go on running!!!