tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86440076004590934632024-03-05T04:46:13.170-06:00Wake Me Up When I'm ThinRenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-17045808117450311742012-10-29T15:29:00.005-05:002012-10-29T15:29:58.944-05:0011 Months and I'm not a good blogger<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's hard to believe that it's been a little over 11 months since my surgery. I've been at a stall for about the last 2 months. I'll lose and then gain and then lose again and gain again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've not had much time for "me" in the last couple of months. I became a grandma again for the 3rd time at the end of July, school started when we got back from vacation/baby birth, then we went back out west for a big weekend and I brought the grandchildren and my daughter back with me for 2 more weeks and I'm finally recovering from all the festivities there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Basically...it's time to get my butt in gear. Speaking of my butt...I used to tell friends that I had TWO butts...one in the front and one in the back! Well...my extra butt is shrinking and I think that it actually may be smaller than the back butt I'm supposed to have! My real butt is kind of flat anyway...it was when I was young and thin and now that I've gotten 95 pounds off it's kind of reverted to it's old flat self. If only I could have a butt lift in the back! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have reached a couple of milestones in the last few months. First off...if you're a large person you know that a regular bath towel doesn't really cover you up when you get out of the shower. If you're heavy at some point you "graduated" to a bath sheet! There were times I thought I might need a "bath tent" but they don't make those! Anyway...I've used a bath sheet for YEARS! Regular towels in NO way covered up enough of my body that I could dry off with them let alone wrap it around myself and stroll into my bedroom. About 2 months ago I didn't have my bath sheet when I got out of the shower and so I grabbed a regular bath towel and to my surprise...it actually went around my body AND covered everything! I felt a little bit sexy as I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a regular person's bath towel. Not a bath sheet, not an oversized towel but a regular towel! OH HAPPY DAY!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My 2nd milestone....I purchased Queen sized panty hose for the first time in YEARS 2 months ago. I had always either had to get the "Just My Size" hosiery or when they stocked it I would purchase hosiery from Lane Bryant. In high school I purchased Q size Leggs hosiery..back when it came in a full plastic egg. They don't come in the plastic egg any more but I am wearing a Q again! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A third milestone is that I was able to put on the dress I wore in my engagement photos 28 1/2 years ago! A HUGE accomplishment. It's a size 13/14. I LOVED that dress. I didn't fit like it did 28 1/2 years ago...loose in the bust and arms, but I was able to wear it and not Hulk it out! I think that in another 10 pounds I can totally wear it and I just might! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Milestone #4...I can shop in Gap! One of my daughters works for Gap and I can actually fit into size 14 Gap jeans and XL tops! I did treat myself to a few new things a while back. It's great to shop these days. I hardly have to try things on but I like to do it just to see how I look in clothes. It's fun to try on different outfits! I'm not a size 0 or even a single digit size but I really don't care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the last milestone...I can wear clothes my daughters wear. When we were shopping together 3 weeks ago I tried on something and then gave it to my daughter to purchase. It did look better on her than it did on me but just knowing that I even had the opportunity to make a choice was miraculous! Two of my daughters have handed things down to me and the reality that I could borrow something from them is mind blowing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">One thing that has been sort of unreal to me is that men are noticing me. At the beginning of October I attended a 30th reunion with my husband. I had never met any of his friends. When we arrived the first person to meet me was a respected mentor of my husband's. We were introduced and he looked at my husband and said, "Your wife is beautiful inside and out!" I was stunned...it felt good to be noticed and to have someone give me such a nice compliment. I've heard compliments before but I think I never took them as genuine compliments because I didn't feel good about myself. (And yes I've heard things like, "you have such a pretty face." ---We all know that translates to "You're pretty but you'd be prettier if you weren't so fat.) Anyway...Later on in the evening I was introduced to another friend of my husband's. As we spoke his eyes shifted back and forth from my husband to me. In the middle of a sentence he stopped and looked at me and then looked at my husband and said, "Your wife is really beautiful!" It was a great event for me on many levels but to have 2 men who don't even know me pay me such nice compliments made my self esteem soar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have much more to accomplish. I NEED to tone up this body in the worst way. They don't make Spanx that are big enough to suck in all that needs sucking! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway....here are photos from today. My size 14 Gap jeans! A size XL blouse from my oldest daughter. It feels awesome!!! I really want to get down another 8 pounds so that I can be past 100 pounds lost by my year mark on November 16! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-48013153566043047002012-06-24T19:00:00.003-05:002012-06-24T19:02:22.655-05:007 Months +Wow...it's been so long since I've blogged (April 6 was my last post) that they've changed the blogger format in the mean time.<br />
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Whoa! OK. So...what's been happening? Well, in April I had a daughter
and son in law graduate, we packed up our house to get ready to move and
in May we moved. It was only 5 miles but it was still a process. I did
take a picture in May (on the 5th to be exact) These are me wearing my new Old Navy size 16 jeans. They are tight in the picture...don't get me wrong but I could get my butt into them AND this size XL shirt from Old Navy too! <br />
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May was a rough month weight wise. I didn't really lose all that much according to what I "should" be losing, but I did go down another 10 pounds during the month. "They" say that you should lose about 3-4 pounds a week but I haven't done that. I also wasn't exercising or eating enough protein at the time. I'm trying to correct that.<br />
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So a few milestones in the last couple of months, I am able to purchase Q size panty hose. That might seem like it's not something to be proud of but when you had to buy "Just My Size" and just my size was at times a 4X a Q size sounds pretty darn good to me!<br />
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I am solidly in a size 16 now. My 18's are too big and I'm on my way into a size 14. Another milestone...I actually got a size 12 pair of jean on my body without lying down on the floor to zip them up. They are NOT my size but the fact that I could get them on and zip them up is A. MAY. ZING.!!!<br />
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Here's a picture from today next to my "night before surgery" photo.<br />
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Another milestone...I am now wearing a size 38 DD bra! I was wearing a 36 C when I was 20 and my biggest size was a 44D. I'm sure this is more information than anyone ever wanted to know about me but it's my story.<br />
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Today I had my husband take a picture of me in a pair of pants that were at one time tight. When I put them on he said, "First of all those had to have been big on you!" And I was like, "Ummmm...no, they were actually tight at one point!" Another amazing thing. I only wish I'd tucked the shirt in better for the picture because you might be able to see how much bigger in the waist they really are. Anyway...I'm not half my former size but I'm getting there!<br />
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I'm exercising more and hope to see some further weight loss numbers but in the mean time I am feeling much healthier. I actually got on a bike for the first time in years and rode 2 miles with my son. It was really freeing to be on a bicycle and ride. I'm working on trying to get the "bat wings" a little smaller and working on drinking more water, eating more protein etc.<br />
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Here is a pic of me after church today. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to go and buy clothes right now. I can go into a store and pick out a size 16 and try it on and have it fit! It almost makes me cry! I remember when I was a junior size 15/16 in high school and how I would cry because I couldn't find anything in my size. (If only I'd not shopped in the junior department and shopped in misses where clothes fit a woman's body and not a boy body with boobs)<br />
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I got this Michael Kors dress yesterday at a consignment shop called Clothes Mentor for $11! I literally get goosebumps finding clothes for cheap and have gotten quite a few things at thrift stores as well. No sense in spending outrageous amounts of money on clothing that I will have to give away or resell at some point. When I do reach my desired goal...I swear I'm going to buy some fabulous, very expensive piece of clothing. I don't know what it will be but it will be STUNNING!<br />
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Oh and my hair looks a little crazy, I "zhuzzed" it up to quote Carson Kressley and I think I went a little nutso! <br />
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<br />Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-66968067347741330142012-04-06T08:40:00.000-05:002012-04-06T08:40:34.809-05:00Out With The Old, In With The NewOn Monday morning I took all of the clothes that I'd purged from my closet to the various places I'd decided to get rid of them.<br />
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My first stop was Clothes Mentor, a consignment shop for women's clothing. I took the 3 bins in knowing that they wouldn't keep it all but hoping to make a few bucks. They took a few things and I made $38. Not too bad. I took the other things over to Goodwill.<br />
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As I dumped my clothes into a cart at Goodwill I had a feeling of melancholy come over me. I was dumping my life into the bins. The dresses I had worn to my daughters' weddings, clothes I wore in family pictures, my favorite old sweatshirt, jeans I'd worn when I'd gotten "skinny" when I was sick a few years ago. I think that for a split second I wanted to grab them all and take them back home but I got in my car and drove away from the "old" me. In some ways it was liberating and at the same time there's still a bit of sadness a few days later. I haven't really wrapped my brain around it.<br />
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The sadness was eased on Wednesday when I stepped on the scale and realized that I'd lost 70 pounds! What a great day! Next goal...80 pounds. Today I am down 71.8!<br />
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The other day my youngest daughter send me a text asking if I'd like her to bring home some of the jeans that are too big for her. (She too has been losing weight) Of course, I said yes. I'm excited to get my booty into some Gap jeans. I haven't worn Gap clothes since I was in junior high school! My oldest daughter brought a couple of things over for me the other day...and they fit! A regular size 16 pants...not women's plus size.<br />
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It's a good day! I'm headed to the gym now...happy to be a loser.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz_aeUKa8Sj850hU4TBvy9eFUW7d8-oGELrxl1lNPQj_cWnV-iJKcYqnu39pN1uOSlN7waF21v4hhVNjGTjUt4EN-kN9BOQIqRgBT6Oy8fdZeT0qoLsyNiRsfUHF8ZxkvzjkP9RrBrD4/s1600/loser+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz_aeUKa8Sj850hU4TBvy9eFUW7d8-oGELrxl1lNPQj_cWnV-iJKcYqnu39pN1uOSlN7waF21v4hhVNjGTjUt4EN-kN9BOQIqRgBT6Oy8fdZeT0qoLsyNiRsfUHF8ZxkvzjkP9RrBrD4/s320/loser+shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-86455449545666351692012-03-31T18:56:00.001-05:002012-03-31T18:59:03.218-05:00ProgressSo today I decided that it was time to empty out my closet of all the things that no longer fit. We are moving and there's no sense in dragging all that stuff to the new house when I can donate some, sell some at a consignment shop and trash some of it.<br />
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I pulled out one pair of Capri pants that I bought a couple of summers ago. They were my "go to" pants when I outgrew some of my larger sizes. I put them on today and they are just huge. I cannot believe that I used to wear these and have them feel tight around my waist.<br />
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I've come a long way baby! I wish the pictures really showed how big these pants really are. I'm saving them so that one day I can step into one side of them for the final "after" picture.<br />
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I gotta find a new place to take pictures. The shadow is making my hair look so gross and this isn't a great angle for my face either! <br />
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Just a few of the clothes that I'm donating (in the bags) and the ones I'm selling (in the bins). I have 2 more bins' worth of stuff in the laundry right now. Wow!!!!<br />
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This is what I have left!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq9DREcyAscw7ebUvoOMUaBCAGkwRFhJXF72SsabTa8fG_D7cz0FsGouKs8MIKdvb-S6QzTEsLwgYxij9SkR2_uuieecXKKU6iN27EV16pkDzEY9QqVweXpt0esjRBh5yPRRgxRJ7itE/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDq9DREcyAscw7ebUvoOMUaBCAGkwRFhJXF72SsabTa8fG_D7cz0FsGouKs8MIKdvb-S6QzTEsLwgYxij9SkR2_uuieecXKKU6iN27EV16pkDzEY9QqVweXpt0esjRBh5yPRRgxRJ7itE/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This is where the clothes used to be!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuirP57X3lbMfMsz9FSAJBpV6al7cZDS6Jgwf_9QShte4os2uaSvbdn9xnPwZgY3GYq2Ot3OqAFxTkj4d-Taxlc_H1xCiFaB3IqQdTNloMXbvutIsQPPKjqiuB9W-y03c0_Utn1q2shEI/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuirP57X3lbMfMsz9FSAJBpV6al7cZDS6Jgwf_9QShte4os2uaSvbdn9xnPwZgY3GYq2Ot3OqAFxTkj4d-Taxlc_H1xCiFaB3IqQdTNloMXbvutIsQPPKjqiuB9W-y03c0_Utn1q2shEI/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-68304316671201476022012-03-26T20:24:00.000-05:002012-03-26T20:24:26.729-05:00120 DaysI'm not gonna lie...this last month has been rough! I've had THE hardest time getting weight to come off and I've been totally craving carbs. I have been going to the gym but not every day like I should. I've lost 8 pounds in 4 weeks which I guess isn't that bad. I'm down a total of 68 pounds. I wish you could see it better than you can in these pictures. I think the choice of outfit for my "progress" photos isn't the best. <br />
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Anyway...I know I need to change some things...like eating more protein, getting more water in and exercising every single day. That's my goal. 2 more pounds until I'm down 70! I will go to my 2nd daughter's college graduation (and my son in law's as well) on April 20. I want to be down another 10 pounds for a total of 80. I CAN do it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9LffFpbZdF6o6OlVUGaPpK775EJKelmQ22Okt8rLsVYSN9asTI5dP0AlycgIoOrjW_4LlijKogJHz2ReVaST6TKPoHchXCYb-nnk9dYTza8hABK3GbX71omHZjWxgTBHBas9bOawcr8/s1600/120+days+post+op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9LffFpbZdF6o6OlVUGaPpK775EJKelmQ22Okt8rLsVYSN9asTI5dP0AlycgIoOrjW_4LlijKogJHz2ReVaST6TKPoHchXCYb-nnk9dYTza8hABK3GbX71omHZjWxgTBHBas9bOawcr8/s320/120+days+post+op.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
This is a picture of me from about 2 weeks ago when I got dressed to go to church. Maybe you can see the weight loss better in this photo?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mkTFFfYo_PuKOpGdXp2WPsNuoshbIFQOZ1gYGDgTuDgU8UOkNa4n3NYlWXQ0Jlixa8RNEtu4AQ7v0AiNCA25A1POJ8G8rsqmrJfTXBRVnZY9PihtEhUo7EsN1Y49lPg5k6TgWpKfLtY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mkTFFfYo_PuKOpGdXp2WPsNuoshbIFQOZ1gYGDgTuDgU8UOkNa4n3NYlWXQ0Jlixa8RNEtu4AQ7v0AiNCA25A1POJ8G8rsqmrJfTXBRVnZY9PihtEhUo7EsN1Y49lPg5k6TgWpKfLtY/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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The next picture was taken March 2011. I'm thinking I'm looking a lot better than I did last year at this time. What do you think?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCqA6EKFqFDXrwAKabZ4C6nHyvjX-jo6tyUWiUzAFPLLZVOgM3h0Ft5CZuOfDBHWHSmK7o-3kJHmBT9LdTdw4Eqf_54ShLvfnxOeRlqk8szTtRR8xEnFVEeAxQLQEWa4UOoIqTuH6hIQ/s1600/rennie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCqA6EKFqFDXrwAKabZ4C6nHyvjX-jo6tyUWiUzAFPLLZVOgM3h0Ft5CZuOfDBHWHSmK7o-3kJHmBT9LdTdw4Eqf_54ShLvfnxOeRlqk8szTtRR8xEnFVEeAxQLQEWa4UOoIqTuH6hIQ/s320/rennie.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-91074631026991775092012-02-29T11:37:00.000-06:002012-02-29T11:37:23.655-06:00Finally....60 POUNDS!!!About 3 days ago or so I finally reached the 60 pound milestone! I am a happy woman. Today I'm down 61. Plateau's stink and make me depressed. I try to remember that it's just part of the journey.<br />
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A friend posted this in an online weight loss group I belong to. I'll spare you the google image of what I've lost!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsetswnHj-98M5e-rymJpMywrcvyyfEkRPs_R2huP1PnLO8SyRbOJgg-QHRlbBC8QnJdJqVE0v1qWARgkxgsjwebtS_6hdGv-ck4L5WLgl8KRNDBAB1FHJGGrxcG3IYHEg5BPa9TUsLE/s1600/how+much+have+you+lost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsetswnHj-98M5e-rymJpMywrcvyyfEkRPs_R2huP1PnLO8SyRbOJgg-QHRlbBC8QnJdJqVE0v1qWARgkxgsjwebtS_6hdGv-ck4L5WLgl8KRNDBAB1FHJGGrxcG3IYHEg5BPa9TUsLE/s320/how+much+have+you+lost.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-21959541976284827032012-02-19T18:54:00.000-06:002012-02-19T18:54:35.457-06:0090 Days Post opI wish I could say that I'm down another 10 pounds to make it an even 60 but I'm down a total of 58.2 pounds. I am praying that I can be down the other 1.8 by tomorrow...a follow up appointment with my doctor.<br />
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I've been at a little plateau for about a week...the week of my birthday AND Valentine's Day. Maybe there is a coincidence? Although I have to say that after almost a week there is still cake left on the dish and it's probably time to throw it out. <br />
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Some things about the last 3 weeks:<br />
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I'm wishing I could actually get sick when eating carbs but unfortunately that is not a problem for me. I haven't really had any negative side effects from this surgery. No hair loss, no nausea and vomiting, no aversion to foods. I have thrown up (TMI-sorry) once after eating and it was after I ate a totally protein packed lunch. Not sure why I threw up because it wasn't a virus or anything and I felt fine once I had vomited. It's weird...but then again so is my body soooo.<br />
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I can still only eat small portions which is great and I find that when I am really hungry I can hurt myself by eating too fast. I am still a carbohydrate addict. I really would prefer carbs to protein any day and have to make a conscious effort to eat more protein.<br />
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The first pic the before (pre-op) and today and the other one is pre-op, 1 month, 2 months and today. It might be hard to tell the difference but I feel so much better.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfZgbhLt2VYJvE8mYNL3VjpPjURuPk7582gkY0V4lgbe2pJ70p5bSyBzvoMmIuwQuWSobAQFCTUzFL0fzywyp5IFl-46ZbNFOVacLSDfwXp0ZtTw4J9GxQVfzzo9S9BC7JCcFidkuLuY/s1600/rennie+90+day+post+op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfZgbhLt2VYJvE8mYNL3VjpPjURuPk7582gkY0V4lgbe2pJ70p5bSyBzvoMmIuwQuWSobAQFCTUzFL0fzywyp5IFl-46ZbNFOVacLSDfwXp0ZtTw4J9GxQVfzzo9S9BC7JCcFidkuLuY/s320/rennie+90+day+post+op.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4dgx7x61pY-socieTTNeB4FW6KdhRIsIio5ncicMjc2rxYCuGtsUVWnjfysAXgi9q75RbQpy74UVOJOUZCJlCEZ4N2rk63GzohQup7voQqYoACcqE3yRjjalNzI-J2PolMZl3duHRBE/s1600/Rennie+90+post+op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4dgx7x61pY-socieTTNeB4FW6KdhRIsIio5ncicMjc2rxYCuGtsUVWnjfysAXgi9q75RbQpy74UVOJOUZCJlCEZ4N2rk63GzohQup7voQqYoACcqE3yRjjalNzI-J2PolMZl3duHRBE/s320/Rennie+90+post+op.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-18260873999663687432012-01-24T11:46:00.000-06:002012-01-24T11:46:16.508-06:0050 Pounds!Drum roll please....<br />
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As of Saturday, January 21, I am officially down 50 pounds! I had a hard time finding a picture of 50 pounds of fat so this is actually a picture of 100 pounds of fat. But look at half that fat! That's a lot of fat! That's a lot of weight!<br />
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I feel great. I'm continuing to go to the gym. I wish I could say that I have no cravings. I am a carb addict. I would eat carbs over protein at any time so I have to push myself to make sure I am eating protein and not consuming an over abundance of carbs. Some days it's really hard to do and some days I have no problem and don't even think about it.<br />
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I have to reiterate this...the surgery is NOT a magic bullet. It's a tool to help in the journey. I wish that the surgery had changed my palate but it didn't. I wish the surgery would have changed my brain and the way I think about food but it didn't. The surgery changed my stomach physically but didn't change anything mental. It's a good thing for ME to be able to only eat to a certain point.<br />
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Since the surgery we've been out to dinner a few times. It AMAZES me the quantity of food that people consume when they dine. And I used to be one of those people. I could drink 4 glasses of coke at one meal, share an appetizer, have the entree and then eat dessert. That sounds normal right?<br />
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Let me tell you what I ate on Friday night at Texas Roadhouse. I ordered a 6 oz sirloin with a loaded baked potato and steamed broccoli and carrots.They have rolls there too. REALLY yummy rolls. They also have peanuts on the table. I love peanuts. I love the salty, crunchy, chewing of the peanuts. But I also know what too many peanuts will do to me.So here's what I actually ate:<br />
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3 peanuts<br />
1/2 roll<br />
1/3 of the sirloin<br />
about 1/4 of the potato...probably a little less<br />
3 small pieces of broccoli<br />
3 baby carrots<br />
about 1/3 cup of water <br />
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After dinner I was FULL! Now...I probably could have done without the roll. There are a lot of sleevers out there who don't touch carbs at all. I try not to do it too much and I feel like if I have 1/2 a roll I'm doin' alright. <br />
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So...look down there at the picture. See half of that fat? That's what's gone off my body! Amazing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqxTd6UrPF5oPjid6aqqemZfw7742_tgxDX_6Km0n0GycdjLLygcGu2Etr8o-9rlOcUZc0FZbq6zIGxaJ0k5u-pHAgEcW4Xvsf-LIJgHvh2q59a8Re5IxBP8yedyydgT_h_XXKeqIT6Q/s1600/100+pounds+of+fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqxTd6UrPF5oPjid6aqqemZfw7742_tgxDX_6Km0n0GycdjLLygcGu2Etr8o-9rlOcUZc0FZbq6zIGxaJ0k5u-pHAgEcW4Xvsf-LIJgHvh2q59a8Re5IxBP8yedyydgT_h_XXKeqIT6Q/s320/100+pounds+of+fat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-56340352650682719822012-01-16T12:37:00.002-06:002012-01-16T12:41:16.354-06:002 Month Surgiversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqHZL2cVXnArs7vEEaR1jMBS4nWjRppH4I3Fx0FwzpuLLzTWlPorp5TuPpj67XrSn0QLorkldbVb1VyTH6OKAlcBkNtP6gsJNDek_NLE-pamd5eUiH1kUpu2yNa6FbGlaj1YjTRNMbns/s1600/60+days+out+from+surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqHZL2cVXnArs7vEEaR1jMBS4nWjRppH4I3Fx0FwzpuLLzTWlPorp5TuPpj67XrSn0QLorkldbVb1VyTH6OKAlcBkNtP6gsJNDek_NLE-pamd5eUiH1kUpu2yNa6FbGlaj1YjTRNMbns/s320/60+days+out+from+surgery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>So today is my 2 month surgiversary. I am posting the pictures although I don't think they really show the weight loss because my shirt is baggy. (The gray shirt is in the wash so I grabbed the white one.)<br />
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I have been going to the gym since joining last Tuesday. I've been 3 times and my goal is to go every day this next week, excluding Sunday. I'm getting a little faster on the treadmill and am burning about 300 calories and walking 2.25 miles each time. Afterwards I do some weight training for my upper body. My legs and hips are losing more weight and inches than my abdomen which is where I need it the most. Today I started working on the abdominal muscles on the Nautilus equipment.<br />
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Here's to another successful month!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-36445374694500103712012-01-11T09:23:00.000-06:002012-01-11T09:23:52.289-06:00OH MY GoodNESS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO0_wproAD6xub0-Gv-Bi_uXj9yw0YeP0a8nnWxRGp1kYTeP0bq3cv3oTxPtxZnIWekMRH7eiUuy3CDjZxn8md02Pz59wFMGztDkYopqTv1G603VN1fQJ0iehPMZCzeFeBrGt4bJ2kH0/s1600/woman-waist-measuring-tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUO0_wproAD6xub0-Gv-Bi_uXj9yw0YeP0a8nnWxRGp1kYTeP0bq3cv3oTxPtxZnIWekMRH7eiUuy3CDjZxn8md02Pz59wFMGztDkYopqTv1G603VN1fQJ0iehPMZCzeFeBrGt4bJ2kH0/s320/woman-waist-measuring-tape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Ok...so I've measured my body twice since beginning this journey. I was astonished at how large my body was. I mean to see the numbers...WHEW! What an eye opener.<br />
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The last time I measured I had lost a total of 14+ inches. I finally measured again today. OH WOW!!!<br />
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I have lost a total of....(drum roll please) 26.5 inches from my body.<br />
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Here's the breakdown:<br />
neck: -1 inch<br />
arm: -.25 inch<br />
chest: -4 inches<br />
waist: -4.75 inches<br />
hips: -9 inches!!!!!!<br />
thighs: -7.5 inches!!! <br />
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What the heck? I can't believe that my hips and thighs were so much bigger than they are now. No wonder I can move better!<br />
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It was an eye opener that I need to do more for my upper body to lose inches.<br />
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Non scale victory- Today I went to the gym and walked 1.6 miles in 30 minutes.Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-37059116195840562342012-01-10T08:09:00.000-06:002012-01-10T08:09:32.554-06:00Yippie!!!!A great few days weight wise!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYwdXTC_YOoSz82iI-y2Y8jUIgiwmVeSqog_40J8-RQWS3LCrYWkWav__3YgXgYSafCguktd6H-1YFXlHacpb6riEDTv4G-yop3UTqP6ObX4FCA0MHkkfwS8P08K4wpZruC9Ip09avvE/s1600/shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYwdXTC_YOoSz82iI-y2Y8jUIgiwmVeSqog_40J8-RQWS3LCrYWkWav__3YgXgYSafCguktd6H-1YFXlHacpb6riEDTv4G-yop3UTqP6ObX4FCA0MHkkfwS8P08K4wpZruC9Ip09avvE/s320/shopping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
On Friday I had to go shopping again for some more clothes. I went to Avenue because I saw that they were having a sale of 60-70% off on some of their clearance merchandise. I tried on several pairs of jeans and found one that fit perfectly.<br />
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Guess what size it is? It's a size 16!!!! AND they fit!!! AND I bought them! I got some tops that were on sale for $7 too. My daughter and I went back on Saturday and I purchased a top in a size 14/16! A. MAY. ZING! It's a great feeling to be buying smaller sizes.<br />
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I've had some non-scale victories as well. Yesterday I had to clean up my son's room. He loves Star Wars stuff and had a little play area set up with rocks and figures and ships and animals...it could have been a movie set. I really needed to vacuum in there but couldn't do it around all the stuff so I had to sit on the floor and put things away in bins and pull things out from under the bed...you know how it is...especially if you have boys.<br />
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Anyway...at one point I noticed how easy it was to reach and move to get what I wanted and I had the realization that as I've lost weight my body has really changed. I used to get so sweaty and exhausted when I did tasks like that but yesterday I could move without feeling like I was exerting myself. As I drove to the doctor's office I thought about how it felt the "day I woke up fat". I remember sitting on the floor with my 5 month old baby wearing a pair of jeans that were probably two sizes too small. I remember the feeling in my legs and feeling like my legs were stuffed into my skin. The reality was that my fat was making my skin stretch in my legs. I hated the feeling. Unfortunately I got used to it and packed on even more weight over the years.<br />
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But yesterday I had the opposite sensation. It was a small epiphany for me.<br />
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I did go to my 6 week weight check and nutrition class yesterday. It was really the beginning of the 8th week for me because I am a little behind my meetings due to the holidays.<br />
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I always dress "light" on the days I have to weigh in. Had it not been so cold outside I would have worn Capri pants and a light blouse. Instead, I chose my light weight khaki pants and a new cotton top. I always step on the scale with great trepidation, even when I expect to see a loss. "Will it be enough? Do I only think I've lost and I've really gained?"<br />
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So I stepped on the scale and the nurse said, "Oh WOW! You're doing REALLY good." Then she wrote down the number, did a short calculation and announced that I've lost a total of <u><i><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">47 </b></i></u>pounds! I was ecstatic!<br />
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The nutrition class was great. I am allowed to eat any foods that agree with me including raw vegetables so that means I can now have salad. I've been craving salad!<br />
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The next part of this process is to join the gym. I need to tone up and firm up some of these muscles so that I can get rid of my "front butt". I've said before to some people that I have two butts. One regular butt and one butt in the front where I used to have a stomach! I need to get that firmed up. It will NEVER be what it was without surgery. TOO many babies and WAY TOO much weight have stretched that skin out to the point that it will never go back to being smooth. It will always be flabby and saggy. However, it can be smaller. I need a smaller "front butt". I have a friend, Sharon, who has a blog called <a href="http://myotherbutt.blogspot.com/">My Other Butt</a> (you can click on that and see her blog). I was introduced to her blog by another mutual friend and was intrigued right away because I KNEW she knew what I was experiencing. Her "other butt" is almost gone! She had a lap band procedure and has done GREAT!<br />
<br />
So I'm feeling really good about my decision to have the surgery! It has been a tremendous tool for me! I can sense my thoughts about food changing as well. I finally threw out cookies and goodies that we made over Christmas. I don't think that would have ever happened before...mostly because I would have felt the need to eat anything that was in my house.<br />
<br />
I'm now in the next lowest 10's for weight. I have not seen these numbers since the birth of my 2nd daughter almost 24 years ago!<br />
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I haven't decided when I will tell what my starting weight was. Yesterday I saw the picture of me that they took on my initial consultation with the doctor in June. I didn't even recognize the girl in the photo. It kind of gave me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that I did that all to myself. I can't dwell on the reasons why. I just have to keep moving forward and let go of all that.<br />
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Here's to another great week!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-68512668182905895542012-01-01T21:04:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:04:20.913-06:00Do These Genes Make Me Look Fat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTruDWMzNvWacecM3otlye9IbBgoHMNofuPAuCeyCelwa5MLtc-PBZKnH56qOIBCUTdnMzKLYEwvf0LvOlV8pmpwjWnQkuQxGd9ZY4SF9bDe6SRNLXBjgEdrHX5Jhv6h3ki4lxttv0n5A/s1600/jeans+-+May+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTruDWMzNvWacecM3otlye9IbBgoHMNofuPAuCeyCelwa5MLtc-PBZKnH56qOIBCUTdnMzKLYEwvf0LvOlV8pmpwjWnQkuQxGd9ZY4SF9bDe6SRNLXBjgEdrHX5Jhv6h3ki4lxttv0n5A/s320/jeans+-+May+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Got this pic from here: <a href="http://www.losinghalfmyweight.com/">http://www.losinghalfmyweight.com/</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Update...I'm now down a total of 44 pounds since June and 28 pounds since my surgery 6 weeks ago. I am feeling pretty normal and am eating regular food. I'm not making perfect choices with food but it was Christmas and we baked too much. I'm not gorging myself though. I have had more baked goods than I should have. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I was down to only 1 pair of pants fitting me and lots of tops are looking WAY too big and baggy on me. I had to go get a new pair of jeans. I didn't want to get too many because I know in another 4 weeks I will need a smaller size.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I went to try jeans on the other day at a couple of places. I grabbed a couple of different sizes, 18's and 20's and by accident grabbed a size 16. The first pair I tried on and got zipped and they looked awful and my fat rolls were totally obvious because it popped out the top! Talk about a muffin top! It was more like an inner tube over flowing my pants BUT not only did they go up my thighs but they actually fit over my hips AND zipped up!!! When I looked at the size it was a 16! I did a little happy dance in the dressing room knowing that in about 20 more pounds I will fit into it for real!<br />
<br />
It took several places of trying on jeans...mostly because I can't see spending more than $20 on a pair of pants right now. I finally purchased one pair and came home a happy girl. I have some shirts that I need to get rid of as well as some other pants. I'll purge my closet tomorrow. It's almost time for a new black skirt because in another couple of weeks I won't have anything to wear to church. I'm solidly in a size 18/20 top but it has to be a women's size. They are cut fuller than a junior size 18.<br />
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Another 2.6 pounds and I'll be in the next lowest 10's for my weight. Again...some day I will confess my highest weight but I'm not ready to do that now.<br />
<br />
Things I need to work on:<br />
<ul><li>Eating more protein.</li>
<li>Writing down everything I eat during the day.</li>
<li>Drinking more water.</li>
<li>Taking my vitamins every day.</li>
</ul>People who haven't seen me for a while are noticing how much I've lost and it feels great! Here's to a better week! Happy New Year...Happy New ME!</div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-13547662044395440202011-12-17T20:56:00.000-06:002011-12-17T20:56:59.902-06:00PicsGot on the scale this morning and I'm now down 26 pounds since my surgery and 38 pounds since my initial consultation in June. I'm feeling better and better and went to try clothes on in a store yesterday. I can now fit into a size 20 pair of jeans. I would say that in another 10 pounds I will look better in those jeans. I didn't purchase them because I have one pair of jeans that size that fit me and when they are too big I will HAVE to purchase another pair.<br />
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Here are some pics for comparison. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kZ9p4BhD-mhLJZdq90r6GHVV6UGSXTpJ3Ir0l9_OoUDB7PfHo_FNk3jq06ITZYNUmRASMrHgjJgJGLisrAohjNFYkniOWH5IigPbSFp9zdtLQI-7OmVNu15jb77yhND2SBykFrjSQak/s1600/248791_10150221484539040_613079039_7134988_6980361_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kZ9p4BhD-mhLJZdq90r6GHVV6UGSXTpJ3Ir0l9_OoUDB7PfHo_FNk3jq06ITZYNUmRASMrHgjJgJGLisrAohjNFYkniOWH5IigPbSFp9zdtLQI-7OmVNu15jb77yhND2SBykFrjSQak/s320/248791_10150221484539040_613079039_7134988_6980361_n-1.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is me back in June with my granddaughter at the zoo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3NKLIXxJbOjt153N1ElbEb5mwijKCLdjw_kwwUzY1eE-1681yDiOQw88hYelzIP19Jkf6A74OSKQqcgJjT4nUyLXi4u51xxj9wI-YMqSX1XwNYFjoFy-WXsWPX-foz9IYyD1Lt8Jidw/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3NKLIXxJbOjt153N1ElbEb5mwijKCLdjw_kwwUzY1eE-1681yDiOQw88hYelzIP19Jkf6A74OSKQqcgJjT4nUyLXi4u51xxj9wI-YMqSX1XwNYFjoFy-WXsWPX-foz9IYyD1Lt8Jidw/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is November 15. The night before surgery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqrJRa9Eu0SBnR3lWn43E7UlWE3BmUE89CzW3rfK-ac2M_GkOfgEk-SnbJywEsQvgG_miKffQjNOslXb7GMV2O1uYjNCa76pThe6Ar4kOa2OLRaxWNL6RJsyp57bzZWEH1v-FLoQ936Q/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqrJRa9Eu0SBnR3lWn43E7UlWE3BmUE89CzW3rfK-ac2M_GkOfgEk-SnbJywEsQvgG_miKffQjNOslXb7GMV2O1uYjNCa76pThe6Ar4kOa2OLRaxWNL6RJsyp57bzZWEH1v-FLoQ936Q/s320/011.JPG" width="209" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is me December 17. One month and 1 day out from surgery. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I still have a ways to go but I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There are cynics out there who will say that this is the "easy way out" but I have news for you...I've never done anything harder. It's an aid to my weight loss goals. I still have to watch what I eat...even more than I ever have. I have to exercise and keep track of what I am eating through out the day. The biggest difference is that I see a loss in weight most days that I step on the scale and it motivates me to keep going!</div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-70564858549056322712011-12-14T09:46:00.000-06:002011-12-14T09:46:50.785-06:004 Weeks Post Op<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyNLt5ChVYM4-Wthlmh-TRLBAQUO0EKqiemVU1PqD-UfF3VLXSg9cv_GxuqKG3KUQ2_JUh_hJl3rRFnABlG5DFAFER9DJeXGSeaIl86hIeic6VH6Z35YYADviwn3bEHaE0RPQMMnoqbE/s1600/measureTape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyNLt5ChVYM4-Wthlmh-TRLBAQUO0EKqiemVU1PqD-UfF3VLXSg9cv_GxuqKG3KUQ2_JUh_hJl3rRFnABlG5DFAFER9DJeXGSeaIl86hIeic6VH6Z35YYADviwn3bEHaE0RPQMMnoqbE/s320/measureTape.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hard to believe that 4 weeks ago I had my surgery! I'm feeling back to normal physically and can pretty much do what I want. I need to start walking again if the weather would cooperate. It's probably time to join a gym since the weather here will only get worse over the next couple of months.<br />
<br />
So...here are the latest stats...I got on the scale this morning and I am down 23.6 pounds since the surgery and 35.6 since my initial consultation in June. I've also lost a total of 17 inches off my body.<br />
<br />
When I get dressed there are some clothes that appear larger to me than I remember them being. I'm sure that's because my body is getting smaller and my perspective is changing. It feels good to be able to fit into some things that I haven't worn for a while. In another 4 weeks I will have to purchase some new clothes. THAT will feel even better! I'm just trying to make due with what I have for the time being. Most all of my jeans are too big. I have one pair that fit and I'll wear those until they are falling off.<br />
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I finally went to the nutritionist yesterday for my 2 week follow up. She reminded me that I need to eat more protein. Protein helps you lose weight. I am supposed to eat 60 grams of protein a day. Yesterday I got it all in and got on the scale this morning to see a victory. It's wonderful.<br />
<br />
So far I am able to tolerate most things. I had BBQ chicken for dinner last night but could only eat about 1/4 of a chicken breast. I also had steamed broccoli and carrots. A good dinner and filling. I am still dealing with issues about my head hunger and my sweet tooth. It helps when I can see the numbers on the scale going down. In another .4 pounds I'll be into the next lowest 10's! I haven't seen those numbers in a long time...since 2002.Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-80339762347584456862011-12-11T22:17:00.001-06:002011-12-13T16:30:54.784-06:00Week 3.5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWgqKxmingn0v6Rbg8Hwq7Cedv7-iQxD2EqZevbJaBEa4dGt15WGvivPP0EqMnZRWJEnRtDwwXi-2AeuqtFdeLknj-CJ5yE3kjc-be_yFwauvr6id2wKoh4E-7LAI1qnl9nySJ9hDvYg/s1600/All+I+Want+for+Christmas+Slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWgqKxmingn0v6Rbg8Hwq7Cedv7-iQxD2EqZevbJaBEa4dGt15WGvivPP0EqMnZRWJEnRtDwwXi-2AeuqtFdeLknj-CJ5yE3kjc-be_yFwauvr6id2wKoh4E-7LAI1qnl9nySJ9hDvYg/s320/All+I+Want+for+Christmas+Slide.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So I didn't blog last week but things have been going pretty well. I started into my "Week 4, 5, 6 Soft Food Diet". This part of the diet allows me all sugar free beverages except for carbonation, caffeine and alcohol. I don't drink alcohol so that's not a big deal for me. I've also not had caffeine in a long time so I don't feel a desire for a diet coke at all. I'm also allowed to have skim milk, low fat cream soups, soups of any kind, cooked cereal, cream of wheat, thinned grits (NASTY) mashed potatoes, crispy toasted bread, low fat cottage cheese, canned chicken, tuna, shaved deli meats, ground beef, ground turkey, cooked canned or pureed vegetables, cooked canned or pureed unsweetened apple sauce and bananas. <br />
<br />
I actually ate chili a week ago with beans in it...didn't bother me one single bit. I only ate about 6 bites of it and I was full. The next day I tried a scrambled egg again...UGH! NOT good. A lot of people on the VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) forum say that they can't eat bread but toast has not been a problem for me at all. The diet calls for no other fats other than margarine or I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray but I hate eating margarine on bread and I'm not spraying some ick on my toast. So I have used real butter sparingly on my toast without any ill effects.<br />
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The weight loss has slowed down a bit. I've only lost another 2 pounds since my last visit. I NEED to get out and do some walking. It's been so cold out in the morning that I've dreaded it and gone back to sleep. I decided that I need to join a gym where I can walk on the treadmill and use some weights to strengthen my upper arms.<br />
<br />
I will admit to eating a cookie here and there (and they're not even whole cookies...just a bite or two) and although it's not on the diet I have not really felt "guilty" about having ONE cookie. In times past I could sit and scarf down a box in no time at all! Having your stomach fill up so fast is a benefit and really makes you not want any more than just a taste most of the time. I have overdone it on food and it's not a good feeling.<br />
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Non scale victory today...wearing a blouse that I haven't worn in about 3 years and having it be a little big!<br />
<br />
Also took measurements and am down a total of 17 inches! It will be time for new jeans soon. I can pull of all but one smaller pair that I've had for a while, without unzipping them. Even some of my shoes are feeling looser.<br />
<br />
People are noticing my weight loss and even my husband says I feel smaller when he hugs me. Life is good.<br />
<br />
All I want for Christmas is to be another size down! I think I can do it!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-44517214982014117772011-11-29T08:55:00.000-06:002011-11-29T08:55:03.180-06:00And In This Corner, Weighing In At......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ7Dlys-tpjbEN6yXq2kZlM27S5Km2Pa__TMS0xRk3u9Xt9CBaNPIy1b2yh0tSehEd9kjhu6NtPLYo-ui7Y-RxonKg4AinSWZgI9MVXwqb4g8DF3SZRkM1Voc8fEK_DMDU2Y_UMyd0oU/s1600/scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ7Dlys-tpjbEN6yXq2kZlM27S5Km2Pa__TMS0xRk3u9Xt9CBaNPIy1b2yh0tSehEd9kjhu6NtPLYo-ui7Y-RxonKg4AinSWZgI9MVXwqb4g8DF3SZRkM1Voc8fEK_DMDU2Y_UMyd0oU/s320/scale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>.....Well honestly I'm not ready to say how much I weigh on this blog yet but someday I swear I will. It will make your jaw drop.<br />
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Here's some of what's been going on since my last post a week ago.<br />
<br />
Wednesday, Nov 23, I had my one week follow up appointment with the doctor. I got some staples removed and of course weighed me. I was down 18 pounds in a week! It was wonderful! I pretty much felt like crap but the weight loss made it worth it. I was also down a total of 27 since June 10, when I had my initial consultation with the surgeon.<br />
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I was "promoted" to the next food level which allows me to add reduced fat creamed soups and drinkable yogurt to my food plan. Truth be told I really wanted a tuna fish sandwich!<br />
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Thursday, Nov. 24-Thanksgiving. I wasn't really worried about Thanksgiving because I felt like I could have some soup and maybe some runny mashed potatoes and feel fine. That's pretty much what I did. It did fill me up and I didn't feel like I was missing out on too much. I wasn't hungry in the way I would have been prior to surgery. I did have a couple of bites of moist turkey which satisfied me. I was a little nervous about how it would make my tummy feel but all was well.<br />
<br />
Friday brought a new challenge because I REALLY wanted something to chew. I had some tomato soup for lunch and added 3 Cheese-It crackers. NOT the best idea. It didn't bother me at all, except in my brain because I knew I shouldn't really have crackers. I figured it couldn't be all that bad since it was all soggy and mushy from the soup. I resolved that Saturday I would not add any extras to my food plan.<br />
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On Saturday I needed to go to the grocery store. I hardly eat a thing but the rest of my family needs to eat. I have been tracking my calorie intake and I'm basically surviving on any where from 300 to 500 calories. It's not a great way to sustain yourself when you have much to do. So basically I almost passed out at Walmart because by 3 in the afternoon I'd managed to get water in but also only about 4 ounces of a protein shake so that was only about 75 calories for the day. Walking around Walmart, pushing a cart and shopping pretty much did me in. Luckily my husband was there, took me to find a seat, gave me some applesauce and I waited for him to finish.<br />
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It was an interesting phenomena to be in Walmart surrounded by food but not really have the desire to want to buy something to eat it. Nothing really sounds that great except for tuna fish!<br />
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I joined a group online called Obesity Help and have found a lot of people in the same circumstances as I am. It is a great resource to have and a great way to feel supported by people who KNOW what I'm going through.<br />
<br />
One thing I've found is that EVERY single surgeon out there has their own idea of how to "graduate" food levels. There are some people who are eating soft foods within 4 days of surgery. My surgeon, however, seems to be very conservative. His plan is for you to be on liquids for a week, then for the next two weeks to be on modified liquids with the soups and yogurt added in and then at week 4 to add soft meats, cheeses, etc.<br />
<br />
Well....one of the gals I met on the site had surgery the same day I did and she's been eating ALL kinds of stuff including eggs. I REALLY wanted something savory. The protein shake, sweet drinks, water, broth thing gets old REAL fast. So I made myself an egg on Sunday night. NOT the best idea I've ever had! That thing just sat on my stomach and made me feel terrible. I was up until 2 a.m. drinking water trying to get it down and out of my tummy. Lesson learned.<br />
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I go back to the doctor on Friday to have the rest of the staples removed. I've lost another 3 pounds since being there last week so the losing has slowed down significantly. It can be a little discouraging because I'm like, "Geeze, if I'm only eating like 500 calories a day and I can't lose more weight than this is it going to be worth it?" But I have read a lot and talked to a lot of people and I'm assured that my body is just adjusting and that I'll start losing more again.<br />
<br />
Non Scale Victories- I put away my summer clothes NEVER to wear them again. I will donate them to the local clothes closet in the spring when they want summery clothes. It felt wonderful to say, "it's all too big!"<br />
<br />
I also go out my winter clothes and all of my jeans from last year are already too big. I'll just have to wear baggy clothes for now. I'll have to get a couple of slacks at the new year for sure! Whoot!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-21144050729469999302011-11-22T18:08:00.000-06:002011-11-22T18:08:41.420-06:00The Incredible Shrinking WomanSo...I had my Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy on the 16th...6 days ago. I thought I'd feel better than I do. It's still a bit painful to swallow stuff and have "food" which is just liquids in my tummy for now. I see the surgeon tomorrow for a follow up. I was totally wishing they could undo what they'd done to me about 30 minutes after I woke up in the recovery room. I felt awful.<br />
<br />
Today I'm feeling slightly better. I actually got up, got a shower, did my hair and makeup. I took a picture of myself and put it side by side with a photo I took on October 27. All I can say is A. MAY. ZING.! I took my measurements and I'm down 14.25 inches since the surgery! I guess feeling like garbage is paying off.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPrtJtP1rUJHXlEYEjE1WKugMBvMtRx6iLd09Fo29_iCa19Zht-XcaCwjT_RMtN2UxKsLMdAH_I4O9k6R2xwZ0M-jabaanIWjWR40Ri3wC2r2riJywyHCJhqUAnMQHrKwzIDgN0GoqOE/s1600/rennie+side+by+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPrtJtP1rUJHXlEYEjE1WKugMBvMtRx6iLd09Fo29_iCa19Zht-XcaCwjT_RMtN2UxKsLMdAH_I4O9k6R2xwZ0M-jabaanIWjWR40Ri3wC2r2riJywyHCJhqUAnMQHrKwzIDgN0GoqOE/s320/rennie+side+by+side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="widget-item-control"><span class="item-control blog-admin"></span></span> <br />
<div class="post-header"></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-72312749094736607562011-11-18T18:57:00.000-06:002011-11-18T18:57:46.878-06:00I'm not gonna lie...As soon as I woke up from the surgery I thought to myself..."just put my stomach back and let me go home!" I was in quite a bit of pain and VERY groggy from the pain medication.<br />
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Honestly I didn't have any issues with not being able to eat anything until Thursday because I was so out of it after the surgery. Food was the last thing on my mind. I haven't really had any hunger pains at all. I have felt my tummy growl this afternoon but that's because I've been sleeping on and off since I got home.<br />
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The doctor presented my husband with this lovely photo of my guts. He says he loves my guts but honestly who wants to see this? (I'm assuming someone might since I'm posting it here) My doc was very surprised that I didn't have diabetes because of the fat infiltration in my liver. He says that as I lose weight this will go away.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMveqWOoX5_8QpPg3UIRFFQESmKnWhHFE0HzVqY82euJ6QATmDWZdtIBeTGZAbL2h5bj7wUOCVBQYWtVTDgIsvE6UPzTORLgY2aBh-Q5HyhJJCK4zrCaEF3fwn6BaaZTGnv2tg3nUrQg/s1600/rennie+stomach+surgery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMveqWOoX5_8QpPg3UIRFFQESmKnWhHFE0HzVqY82euJ6QATmDWZdtIBeTGZAbL2h5bj7wUOCVBQYWtVTDgIsvE6UPzTORLgY2aBh-Q5HyhJJCK4zrCaEF3fwn6BaaZTGnv2tg3nUrQg/s320/rennie+stomach+surgery.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
See all that fat? It's disgusting isn't it? I wonder why they don't lipsuction it out when they are doing the surgery? That would be swell wouldn't it?<br />
<br />
Anyway...the first night was pure hell. I didn't sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time because I had all these IV fluids going into me and I was up going to the bathroom ALL night long. I wasn't all that happy about them coming into my room to change the sharps container at 3 a.m. either.<br />
<br />
At 8:00 a.m. they took about 4 of us down to the radiology department to do a scan of our stomachs to see if they were still holding, any leaks etc. The barium was so gross it made me gag. I really wanted a huge swig of water but there is no such thing as huge swigs right now.<br />
<br />
Back to the room around 8:30 and I was brought clear liquids to drink. Protein drinks, Crystal Lite, chicken broth, water. They also brought me a sheet of paper to keep track of my liquids. I'm to drink 1 ounce of liquid every 15 minutes...and it should take just about 15 minutes to get that one ounce down too. I'm forever drinking but it is getting a lot better.<br />
<br />
I have NO desire to eat any real food at this point. In fact tonight my family ordered pizza from my favorite pizza place but it kind of looked like my stomach pictures up there so I wasn't feeling cheated at all.<br />
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Last night around 8 or so I got on the scale...One day and 6 pounds gone. Today when I got home...another 4 pounds since Wednesday. I know it will slow down but I'm going to make the most of this by following the guidelines strictly. On Thursday, just in time for Thanksgiving, I can add yogurt drinks and soup to my regime. I'm good with that. I don't feel like I have to have pie or anything like that at all. I'm so looking forward to this new life.<br />
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I stayed an extra night in the hospital because my white count was up a little bit but after this morning's blood work it was working it's way down so I was discharged. I have to give myself lovanox shots for the next 7 days to thin my blood and prevent blood clots, got an RX for liquid hydrocodone and also for Zofran. I really haven't felt nauseated at all since a few hours after surgery. I'm getting used to swallowing for now.<br />
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Look for more updates later.Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-25601951142298266682011-11-15T20:44:00.000-06:002011-11-15T20:44:14.766-06:00Dawn of a New Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggF4YM2uBeYZ7g3eTohZaMzdlDPmU4r-hGk11LYtnx5I9zu2TOZZxhb3ZEGf-qtsFmG8GkXfnaQuJAmh43QgbSaRx4LKG3UFnubo7OKc0Fh_qeVNsj3-eeh4hNSJ027z1E_YIPygeoofQ/s1600/dawn-of-a-new-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggF4YM2uBeYZ7g3eTohZaMzdlDPmU4r-hGk11LYtnx5I9zu2TOZZxhb3ZEGf-qtsFmG8GkXfnaQuJAmh43QgbSaRx4LKG3UFnubo7OKc0Fh_qeVNsj3-eeh4hNSJ027z1E_YIPygeoofQ/s320/dawn-of-a-new-day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>My Mama always said you've got to put the past behind you before you can move on.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> - the movie Forrest Gump</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Tomorrow morning I begin anew. Here are the classic before shots. It's me today but not me tomorrow. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hLx_Bt_hMjD97rCVabsAqecKiAwGkeLoXONFJdYq0vv_KpNo1WH-6z-2WzaxWMq2wZcsJaZZrD-HlwKWVtTXLnUzOb-9rfWltK1NVstdXIabDTyJBI64G8zhyGLQnj-2NFchrm6iRZc/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hLx_Bt_hMjD97rCVabsAqecKiAwGkeLoXONFJdYq0vv_KpNo1WH-6z-2WzaxWMq2wZcsJaZZrD-HlwKWVtTXLnUzOb-9rfWltK1NVstdXIabDTyJBI64G8zhyGLQnj-2NFchrm6iRZc/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDISmLkqJpzVKJMm5B_7PnAEs9rVKRBp0ok8oABG5LhM6gG15gCYSWEKycZkkTiAK8oyJXNZLG-B1oYHdqwxHhYtjrP_QvESZ6-3V1LUL39jSEbA2v7Br02trvDzLkPjkwum-RE2Y01g/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDISmLkqJpzVKJMm5B_7PnAEs9rVKRBp0ok8oABG5LhM6gG15gCYSWEKycZkkTiAK8oyJXNZLG-B1oYHdqwxHhYtjrP_QvESZ6-3V1LUL39jSEbA2v7Br02trvDzLkPjkwum-RE2Y01g/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>P.S. I'm either crazy or brave to post these pictures for the world to see. But then again, I let people see me every day so....</em></div>Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-83905965192707652352011-11-12T11:27:00.001-06:002011-11-12T11:31:57.896-06:00Ch, ch, ch, changes...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh_rsgRWVxO4ovuoh3ZUoQviStr3oHVJDE-cXUeE7tIh78pErsofyb_eU4fPfht_-a2UGrEs6MsnD40bBUIsvTSiWd-O3eM42Lhz07ChCkamrrWASaBT97FfWdR3d90JnYyZaOFxD9e4/s1600/midlife+recreation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh_rsgRWVxO4ovuoh3ZUoQviStr3oHVJDE-cXUeE7tIh78pErsofyb_eU4fPfht_-a2UGrEs6MsnD40bBUIsvTSiWd-O3eM42Lhz07ChCkamrrWASaBT97FfWdR3d90JnYyZaOFxD9e4/s320/midlife+recreation.gif" width="244" /></a></div><br />
So this morning I've been thinking....I got on the scale this morning and realized that after today I will NEVER see the number that I saw on there today! This is the last weekend before my surgery. I am more than excited!<br />
<br />
On Wednesday I went to take my stress test and to the pre surgery class. I got my "Bariatric Bible" which tells me what I can eat for the next 7 weeks and beyond. I'm not gonna lie...the first 3 weeks sound like hell but I know it will be so worth it!<br />
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And I <b><i><u>chose</u></i></b> to have the surgery right before Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I'm really o.k. with it. I had to go grocery shopping yesterday. (I do have a family that needs to eat regular food while I am working on liquids and soft foods.) It was interesting to me how much money I didn't have to spend on groceries. Walking down the aisles and knowing that I cannot put certain things in my mouth kept me from even putting them in my cart. Instead of feeling disappointed at the things I cannot eat I am excited about the weight I will lose and getting back to a healthy weight.<br />
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Today I've been a little emotional thinking about how much life will change for me in 4 days. I don't find myself wishing for a cookie or feeling like I'll miss out on food which I obviously will for a while. I find myself thinking about who I will become after this procedure. I find myself thinking, "When people see pictures of me at my daughter's college graduation they will wonder who is standing with my husband and daughter." , "When I am about 5 months out I might just be wearing a size 12 skirt." and things of that nature. I'm really only thinking about the positive things that will come out of this.<br />
<br />
I have thought about the negatives, the lose skin, the nausea etc. But overall I'm happy that I can get past those things. I did find out that 2 years post op I will be able to have a tummy tuck. That will be another wonderful day in my life. My stomach has not looked the same since November 1984 when I was about 4 months pregnant with my first child. The stretch marks came even then. My post pregnancy body was such a disappointment to me. I never had the opportunity for my stomach to shrink because the skin was so stretched after my first baby that it just hung there. Not puffy or swollen but hanging. Not a pretty sight. Lucky (and I do say lucky) for me I have a hernia. SO...that means when it's time for that to be fixed I can score a tummy tuck.<br />
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There are some whose reactions to my decision have been less than supportive. They've never been me and they've never been this over weight and they've never tried to lose weight unsuccessfully for almost 27 years. Those that are supportive have been great! I'm really excited to recreate this body. The thin girl in me is ready to emerge again!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-41409643098315339012011-11-07T16:41:00.000-06:002011-11-07T16:41:18.077-06:00Day 1 Of Liquid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLpFnb8KyZwsfL0R-Tjhzazx6f8buq-qONwC0dkNBqbMDu6Z_vZ7Zdkye4chRLqcspcUIkQc4XsLDsvxq-dydoXiba5rgpZ-DCwpuddbxLaxJWv1KK5l_rdi8G1LR4dEeO8GIXXlekMU/s1600/eat+my+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLpFnb8KyZwsfL0R-Tjhzazx6f8buq-qONwC0dkNBqbMDu6Z_vZ7Zdkye4chRLqcspcUIkQc4XsLDsvxq-dydoXiba5rgpZ-DCwpuddbxLaxJWv1KK5l_rdi8G1LR4dEeO8GIXXlekMU/s320/eat+my+plate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I'm not gonna lie...this sucks! <br />
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<br />
I've had 2 protein shakes today, lots of water and I want to eat my fist off! It's going to be worth it in the end....right?!<br />
<br />
I know it will be worth it in the end but you have no idea how much I just want to go in my kitchen and eat something...anything. It can be healthy, I'd eat a banana, an apple or some cottage cheese but I don't think I'm allowed to do that at all. Just the shakes and one lean cuisine or Healthy Choice type dinner.<br />
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Now to go make spaghetti for the rest of the family. Can I lick the spoon of the pasta sauce?Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-984966726246058022011-11-05T21:00:00.000-05:002011-11-05T21:00:51.594-05:00A date which will live in...what's the opposite of Infamy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByDsz5O6r2BRcmqIE8WFXGee5iV2IfoBznkD1HcvX1QP7e4wPA-gSOP1xfiMyC7DHAPoaVsGrtMnpoET3gtVnWqqo4fvybICP0_j96T7iAtB62L6cbc4jnPbG0FaIQus7zlONKypZkOE/s1600/happiness-just-ahead-street-sign1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByDsz5O6r2BRcmqIE8WFXGee5iV2IfoBznkD1HcvX1QP7e4wPA-gSOP1xfiMyC7DHAPoaVsGrtMnpoET3gtVnWqqo4fvybICP0_j96T7iAtB62L6cbc4jnPbG0FaIQus7zlONKypZkOE/s320/happiness-just-ahead-street-sign1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Apparently the opposite of infamy are dignity, goodness, innocence, morality, righteousness and virtue. I think the most appropriate word for this situation might be goodness.<br />
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In any case...I finally have my surgery scheduled for Wednesday, November 16. I will begin my liquid/low cal diet on Monday. I'm supposed to have 2 protein shakes a day and one dinner which should be a Lean Cuisine or Healthy Choice type frozen dinner. I also have to go in for a stress test on the 9th. I figure I should do pretty well on that actually. If they make me run they might have to get the paddles out though!<br />
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The reality of what I will be going through probably hasn't really sunk into my brain yet. I do know that I'm very prepared for the reality of eating a half a boiled egg and feeling satisfied. I mean, for how many years have I been eating the way I have been. I am praying with all my might that I'll do alright for the 10 days on this low, low cal diet before the surgery.<br />
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Now, let me just say a little something about the picture I chose for this blog entry. It says Happiness Just Ahead. I am generally a very happy person. The thing is that I know that I will be happier at a healthier more normal weight. I know I'll be happier not having to shop at plus size stores. I know I'll be happier in some ways that I am not happy in right now. It's not that I expect the surgery to "fix" everything in life. Like I said, I'm pretty darn happy right now! I have a husband who loves me whether I have the surgery or not, I have awesome kids and grandkids, I have a great place to live, a nice car to drive, I have a great spiritual life, I have wonderful friends, a fulfilling job in my church. So it's not that I'm looking for the surgery to "make me happy". I'm just looking for the surgery to help enhance my already happy life. Plus I'm looking forward to buying a pair of jeans that are meant for fit one person and not a pair that two people can wear.<br />
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So....some happiness is just ahead. Before the happy part will come some uncomfortable stuff but I'm ok with that.Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-9151780321134447392011-10-29T22:33:00.002-05:002011-10-29T22:33:42.714-05:00AND THE LETTER CAME.........in the mail today! I got approved for surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-15156105571641054112011-10-25T17:12:00.000-05:002011-10-25T17:12:48.241-05:00Is this an answer????<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIZP5WqB03BX6qEpEmp9NlVDIh1Q0sb5viSs6aJRnoRLGUP_jlnVh3inmIC0yPIivqViJgzMSR0p-BnQkAjQyYoeCaTzUR3d-_wNVMYKoOE0NHGRK4sJPcBGVFZEPkPtNhXJM2kAqtxI/s1600/break-free-statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIZP5WqB03BX6qEpEmp9NlVDIh1Q0sb5viSs6aJRnoRLGUP_jlnVh3inmIC0yPIivqViJgzMSR0p-BnQkAjQyYoeCaTzUR3d-_wNVMYKoOE0NHGRK4sJPcBGVFZEPkPtNhXJM2kAqtxI/s320/break-free-statue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Could this be possible?<br />
<br />
I called the insurance coordinator at my physician's office and she said that she had not heard from my insurance company on the approval yet. She said all paperwork was submitted on Oct 13. It's been 12 days so I thought...what the heck I'll call and find out.<br />
<br />
So I just got off the phone with them and the representative said that a letter had been sent out today. One to me. One to the physician. She couldn't find a copy because it might not have been scanned in yet. I asked her if she could find the letter itself. After about 2 minutes she came back to the phone and said that she couldn't find the letter but that according to the documentation,<span style="font-size: large;"> I MEET THE CRITERA!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">After I hung up the phone with her I sat there for a second after the butterflies subsided and thought..."Wonder why they don't just say...so you're obese enough to have the surgery!"??? I guess, "You meet the criteria" is a MUCH nicer way to say the same thing!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I don't care how they say it!!!! I'm pretty excited and in a couple of days I will have "official" word and then we can set the date for surgery. In all reality it looks like it will probably be the week of the 7th or possibly the 14th. Just in time for Thanksgiving! That's one way to make sure you don't over eat! </span><br />
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I can't believe that I will finally be able to break free from this body. OH trust me...I know the new body I'll have won't be beautiful. It will be quite ugly but it WILL be healthier! And honestly, I can't lie...I cannot wait to buy normal sized clothes!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8644007600459093463.post-71413272358397430102011-10-07T19:58:00.000-05:002011-10-07T19:58:52.418-05:00I'm Waaaaiiiittttttiiiiinnnnnngggggggg....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW2J55eWRKtRcVQOE8TraxllDBJRs0rrStxMXa7TFnX82yBCsnGft_jtoY5oUNX2fBybt7V_S4KhYs053uhOHCPA7X87FTsyDX-lErrUG5NNJAUQ3D-Qv38cZD3hac_L-bbDsDeZ0GnA/s1600/waiting.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW2J55eWRKtRcVQOE8TraxllDBJRs0rrStxMXa7TFnX82yBCsnGft_jtoY5oUNX2fBybt7V_S4KhYs053uhOHCPA7X87FTsyDX-lErrUG5NNJAUQ3D-Qv38cZD3hac_L-bbDsDeZ0GnA/s320/waiting.gif" width="287" /></a></div>If this takes any longer I might just be dead and not have to worry about the surgery at all! Why is it that the people who are involved this are on vacation? The insurance coordinator person at my doctor's office was out of town last week. I decided that I'd give her a few days to catch up calling back the thousands of overweight people who are waiting to hear about their approvals for surgery.<br />
<br />
So....yesterday I finally call the office only to find out that she is OUT on Thursday and Friday THIS week too! Are you for real? Blech. I'll wait till Monday. It's Columbus Day so I hope she's not off that day too!Renniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08595870101952757885noreply@blogger.com1