8 Months VSG Check-In

Hello everybody! Guess what? It’s been 8 months since I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG)! I think the post title might have given that away. So, things are going well, trucking along. Remember when my doctor told me to be careful about getting lax with my food intake? I should have listened more closely. I ate a lot of sweets this month (a lot for me post-VSG, not a lot for pre-VSG me). The last few days I’ve done a lot better. But, I had lost a couple of pounds more than what the scale said this morning, but have put it back on. It’s disappointing, but I’m not flogging myself over it. Which is a new thing, not flogging myself over food.

I had a couple of NSVs this month though! One is that I can wear a ring again that I haven’t been able to wear in 10 years. I also kind-of danced in my living room. When I was younger, I danced every time I heard music. As I got bigger, I stopped. Not because I was bigger, but because I was hurting (I know, it’s a catch 22, if I’d kept dancing, I probably would have felt better). Anyway, I put on some routines from The Fitness Marshall, who is both fun and hilarious (in addition to having several curvy people do the routines with him) and it was awesome. I dance so badly you guys, but it was fun and made me breathe really really hard.

Also this month, I finally figured out that I probably haven’t been reliably hitting my protein and liquid goals for the day. I was miscounting how much water I was drinking, so to kill two birds with one stone, I added a second protein drink in the morning. So, I’m drinking two Premier Protein drinks (22 oz.) and another 30 oz of water before about 11:00 a.m. (this is way easier to do at work when I’m sitting at my desk). Then I’ll have my lunch and half an hour later I’ll start drinking. I finish another 30 oz of water around 2:00 p.m. I drink more through the afternoon and evening, but not in such a focused way since I’ve already hit my goal.

This weekend, I saw some people who I haven’t seen in a few months, and was surprised at how many compliments I got. I have really started to forget that I look very different than I did less than a year ago, or even just a few months ago. Brains are weird you guys.

I’ve signed up for a fitness-tracking program at work where I can earn points toward prizes and such. So, I’m tracking my workouts better because every time I workout, I get more points added. I also just bought a Fitbit Alta for a really good price, so hopefully that will increase my movement. I just got it on Monday, so I don’t have time to judge how it’s going yet!

So here are my stats so far:

• Before VSG, I was 300 pounds and my measurements totaled 361.75 inches.
• My 1-month post-op numbers were: 266 pounds and 330 inches.
• My 2-month post-op numbers are: 250 pounds and  316.5 inches.
• My 3-month post-op numbers are: 237 pounds and 304 inches.
• My 4-month post-op numbers are: 230 pounds and 297.5 inches.
• My 5-month post-op numbers are: 228 pounds and 296 inches.
• My 6-month post-op numbers are: 221 and 289.25 inches.
• My 7-month post-op numbers are: 216 pounds and 283.75 inches.
• 8-month post-op numbers are: 214 pounds and 280.5 inches.
• So, I’m down 86 pounds and 81.25 inches!

This is what a typical day looks like for me nutrition wise:

• 1 or 2 Premier Protein drinks (typically my breakfast and morning snack),
• 3 small meals,
• 80 oz. of liquid (this includes the protein drinks),
• B-12, calcium, multivitamin, and biotin,
• 60-80 grams of protein

I’m not going to do a big collage photo this month, I’ve run out of time and want to get this post done, so you will just have to make due with a picture from this week and one from my highest weight.

Remember, I’m not a healthcare professional, but I’m happy to answer any questions you have based on my own experience.