Where does time go?

I can’t believe that I have not written an update since July. So much has changed since that time back in the Summer, and I don’t really know where to even start. I’m now over 5 months post op following my gastric bypass surgery, and I am really starting to see so many differences. My weight continues to drop, and I am enjoying several non-scale victories (NSV’s). The NSV’s have as much, or more, of an impact on feelings of success than pesky numbers on the scale. So, let’s dive in, shall we?

In August, I had a follow up with my surgeon to see how I was doing at this point in my journey. The visit went well, but I was definitely surprised by a few things he had to say. Physically, I was all healed and the surgeon had no concerns about anything from the surgery. Food/vitamins were no longer getting stuck, or at least they hadn’t in awhile, and I was hitting my protein goals. Between my surgery and this appointment with my surgeon, I had lost 42 lbs based on his in-office scale. I was happy with that, and who wouldn’t be happy losing 42 lbs in under 4 months? Well, my surgeon expected more of a loss…closer to 50 lbs.  I was dumbfounded by his response. I’m used to stepping on the scales at appointments and just hoping for a move to the left instead of the right. Any loss at all was praised by the doctor, so I had really expected a pat on the back. That was not to be the case at this appointment. My surgeon told me that he really liked to see closer to 50 lbs lost at that point following surgery. He also informed me that he would like to see another 30 lbs gone before my next appointment with him in December. So, there’s that!!

I have my 6 month follow up at my weight loss clinic next week. This is the biggie…new bloodwork, new BodPod measurements of fat/muscle percentages, body measurements, nutrition and protein analysis. I am really looking forward to this appointment with the team where I started this entire journey. I will learn valuable information which will determine the road ahead. Am I getting enough protein (the number one priority for bariatric patients)? Am I taking, and absorbing, enough vitamins/minerals so that I am not causing long term issues with muscles and organs due to deficiency? Am I losing muscle mass in addition to losing weight?  Am I absorbing enough calcium so that I am not creating issues with bone structure? Answers to these questions will determine if I can continue my supplements and foods as I am now, or if I am going to have to implement changes to prevent physical consequences down the road. I am very excited and a little nervous. I feel like I have finally settled into a good routine that is manageable, and I already take a lot of supplements. I hope I don’t have to revamp everything.

I know this post has been short, but I’ve missed all of you and didn’t want to wait until next week to chat. I plan on giving a big update after my appointment with the clinic. I will have lots of technical information and numbers to share as well as lots of feelings about all that information. So stay tuned for that post next week.