WLS : 6 Month Surgi-versary

6 months is here and now gone ...

It's now been 6 months since my life changed forever. This past week was full of appointments for and to do with my WLS and my 6 month surgiversary.
First off a check up with my endocrinologist revealed that my thyroid is now being over stimulated, so again, the dose needs lowered. I will drop down to 150mcg of Levoxyl and stay on the 10mcg of sytomel. Hopefully with this tweak my thyroid can become regular again. All other things appear to be somewhat normal or increasingly better from her standpoint.
Second a trip to my OB/GYN to try to figure out why I have yet to pass this latest pregnancy ( they suspected a chemical pg / early misscarriage ) and to find out where my female health stands at this point. What I got out of it was a pap- oh joy, and a lecture on how this much extra skin stores estrogen reserves and can cause some pain down below ( gee- ya think?! ) He did however run more test, update my chart, and tell me that he is 100% ok with me Trying to get pregnant upon my surgeons realease and that we would work in that direction as soon as I am balanced out again. It was good to see him as I havent seen him since after roo was born - and even better see what the scale said.... 139lbs! Fully clothed. With a script for the fertility drugs in hand that we can use when we are ready and some lab slips in the other I left his office to go upstairs to my 3rd and final appointment for my 6 month check up -

I met with Megan Vulcan the ARNP for my 6th month check up at 1pm. I weighed in and then took myseat anxiously because I was feeling like I havent succeeded in this journey.
HA!
She came in with a chart that showed somem percentages " 40% 41-60% 61-80% 81-100% " and then my name with a 97%. She didn't say anything about this chart at first, and went on to go over my labs, where I learned I am anemic ( need to go back on iron injections ) and that my overall lab work looked good. Infact so good that it led her to that 97% on the paper..... I am 6 months out and have lost 97% of my excess weight! I have <5lbs style="color:#ff0000;">(226)
Jeans size 6 (18)
Tops S-M (XXL)
Shoes 7 (8.5)
Ring 8 (11)

Measurements :

BODY PART DAY OF SURGERY (3/27/09) 6w VISIT (4/20/09) 3m post op (7/14/09) 4 month anniversary (7/27/09) & 6m anniversary (9/27/09) & DIFFERENCE FROM SURGERY DAY!

Left Arm 14.5" 14" 12" 11" 10.75" -3.75"

Left Thigh 28.5" 25.75" 21" 19.5" 18.5" -10"

Left Calf -- -- -2.75" 14" 14" 13"

Chest ( across largest point in bra ) 50.25" 47.5" 42.5" 41" 38" -12.25"
Waist 49" 45.5" 37" 35" 33" -16"

Hips 50" 48" 42" 41" 37" -13"

Neck 15.75" 14.75" 13.5" -- 13" -2.75"

Wrist -- -- -- -- 6" 6" 6"

Total loss 57.75" in 86lbs!

We knew she was special but now THEY think so too!

A few months back my SIL had received a letter in the mail stating that her daughter had been nominated and would soon be tested for the Tessera program, and they would keep her informed as to if she is making it through each step needed to be accepted into the program... we waited anxiously as they " tested " and did their little hoopla they have to do.
I was one proud auntie for sure to be thinking this is amazing, we know she is so special - now THEY think she is too!

While they tested my neice, they never really said what for, but she kinda knew it was something special because a very select few got to do what she was doing, she handled it very well though and went about her normal 8 year old self funloving summer!

Then comes the best news..... I about screamed ( maybe I did scream?! ) as my SIL read me the letter

( of which I will see if I can attach a copy here )

To the parents of VICTORIA WORLEY,

...... Victoria has been selected for entry into the Tessera program!

Then as she read more I cried. I am so stinking happy for this little girl. She is so bright and shows so much promise. Anyone who sees this child work on math, reading and just about anything inbetween can see she clearly is above where she shoudl be. This is a honor for her to do - and I think she will soar with this program!

Selina chose to share the acceptance letter that afternoon with Victoria, upon picking her up after school. She was smart enough ( See thats where toria gets it ;) ), to snap a pic as victoria read through the letter and learned of her great accomplishment!


Congratulations Victoria! We are so very proud of you!
( and hat's off to Jeff and Selina too - your raising two terrific kids - and it shows!)

Victoria -

Uncle Mikey, Daya and I along with your Mommy and Daddy as so excited to share this new adventure with you and watch you grow even more. We beleive in you and support you and cannot wait to see your smile as you tell us everything new your learning. Never forget who you are and where you come from - and realize just how blessed you are young lady.

All our love,
Uncle Mikey, Aunt April and Daya too!

I had a lunch date

In the middle of the afternoon there Daya and I were sitting on the lawn, under a huge oak tree eating our watermellon, hamburgers and sipping chocolate milk with a very special lil' man...

Sounds nice huh!

Morgan called a couple of weeks ago to invite Daya and I to his school for the family BBQ so we gladly went and joined him.
It was a beautiful afternoon, the food wasnt too bad ( lets keep in mind it IS school lunch ) and we got to play in the feild at recess time too! His teacher isn't very friendly or accomodating so we didn't get to stay and read or anything like that as Daya and Morgan were hoping - but all in all it was a wonderful treat.

The more I spend time with these lil people the more I love them - its funny to see them in their "environment" they really are fun to watch and for a people watcher like myself its so funny and entertaining!

on a end note Even more so than putting daya in with senior citizens putting daya in with her cousin's classmates .... is like throwing fresh meat to a bunch of sharks. Good lord!

Thanks Morgan for the invite!

WLS: 5 month line up

Key:

BODY PART DAY OF SURGERY (3/27/09) 6w VISIT (4/20/09) 3m post op (7/14/09) 4 month anniversary (7/27/09) 5 Month anniversary 8/27/09 & DIFFERENCE FROM SURGERY DAY!
Left Arm 14.5" 14" 12" 11" 10.5" -4.00"
Left Thigh 28.5" 25.75" 21" 19.5" 19" -9.5"
Left Calf -- -- -2.75" 14" 14" 12" -4.75

Chest ( across largest point in bra ) 50.25" 47.5" 42.5" 41" 40" -10.25"
Waist 49" 45.5" 37" 35" 32" -17"
Hips 50" 48" 42" 41" 37"-13"
Neck 15.75" 14.75" 13.5" -- 13.5" -2.25"
Wrist 7.75" -- -- -- 6" 6" 5.75" -2.00"

-62.75 " lost all over ( of course mostely boobs, butt and stomach :) ). Its been 5m 2 weeks and a few days since surgery and I am holding at 140-142lbs right now. Wearing 6/8 on bottom and 8/10 on top.

My hair is coming back in a little but I still loose a ton daily too!

As sick as it is, I dont see myself in the mirror yet - but am still working on getting moved into my new body. All in all I am extremely happy and so proud of my self! I would have never imaged this freedom, and how bad I really was....

WLS : 5 months post op

You get the idea! ( Mike said he will try to take some comparrison pics this weekend )

Wow - When time flies it really does fly. I keep forgetting to get my 5 month photos taken and put up - so since its past I'll have to put a crappy one up just for your veiwing pleasure.

August 27th - marked 5 months post op.

As of that day I was down 82lbs.

I had about 15-17lbs to go.

Comfortably I am wearing a size 8 ... most are size 6.

The weight loss has slowed way down thank goodness and I am eating more calories now. Trying to get in about 900-1000 a day with working out. It seems to be working well.

Thats about a week ago - and even with a vacation and not eating right I am down 4lbs!

Today's weight at 5 months 2 weeks post op is 142.2lbs!

I wont do measurements till this months anniversary so stay tuned!

Mike said he is now down about 35lbs too!!! Just 20lbs

more to go for him - I am so proud!

Nutty Jumbles

2 Egg Whites

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

1 cup chopped almonds

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup granola clusters ( I used Origin's brand honey oat clusters )