One Month Post Op Update

So today is my one month "surgiversary"! I'll keep this short and sweet. See my stats below. I'll take an updated pic soon and post it. So far I feel amazing. Not noticing too much a change in my pants, but my tops are starting to get a little loose and I can tell the most in my face. Fun! Fun! Starting Weight of Liquid Diet: 252 Weight on Surgery Day: 243 Weight 1 month Post Op: 221 Total Lost: 31 pounds Inches: (Starting) As of: Jan 14th 2014 R Arm: 16" L Arm: 16 1/2" Waist: 46" Bust: 50" R Leg: 29 1/2" L Leg: 29" Neck: 14" Hips: 52 1/2" As of: Jan 29th 2014 R Arm: 15 1/2" L Arm: 16" Waist: 42" Bust: 46 1/2" R Leg: 28" L Leg: 27 1/2" Neck: 14" Hips: 51" Total Lost: 13 inches As of: Feb 11, 2014 R Arm: 15" L Arm: 15" Waist: 40 1/2" Bust: 46" R Leg: 27" L leg: 26 1/2" Neck: 13 3/4" Hips: 50" Total Lost: 8.25 inches GRAND TOTAL TO DATE: 21.25 Inches. :)

So Far So Good!

This is my last week of liquids only. Next Tuesday I get to have blended foods! Two weeks on blended and then back to solid foods. I wonder what that will be like? Here's a pic of me and the hubby about a month before the surgery.

10th Day Post Op Update

Woo-Hoo!!! I got my staples out today. I'm thrilled because I can go back to sleeping on my side. :) So far i'm down twenty something pounds and 13 inches overall! Have I mentioned how happy I am that I got this done? If not, I AM SO HAPPY THAT I GOT THIS DONE! Here's a picture of me in the hospital the day of my surgery with Dr. Feel Good. I love that I'm holding my mom's hand. :)

4th Day Post-Op Update

What a crazy ride it's been these past two weeks! I started my liquid diet on 1/13/14. The first ouple of days were a little rough, but by the fifth day it was totally doable. My cravings went away, and I was feeling great! The night before my surgery I had my hubby take my "before" pics. So here's a quick recap of surgery day. We had to be at the hospital at 6am on 1/20/14. WE waited in the lobby for a good two and a half hours before I was given a gown, a bed, a shot of heperin in my tummy, and an IV. Then there was another hour and a half wait until they wheeled me back to the OR. Luckily they give you so medication in your IV so that you aren't nervous. I was kind of out of it when they wheeled me in the operating room. It all happened so fast. One second there was a man telling me to think about what I wanted to dream about, and the next second I was semi awake, in some pain, and being stuck in the side with a needle to help manage pain. The next few hours were pretty foggy. I have to admit, that first night was no bueno. I was nauseuous, hot, and half way wondering what I had done to myself. Other than having my wisdom teeth removes a couple of years ago, this is the only surgery I've had. I didn't realize how much stress it puts on your body. Luckily... every day gets better. I still have alot of bloating from the gas they used in the surgery, and I still am kind of terrified to drink more than 1 oz of liquid every half hour, but I know that will go away. I just keep asking myself this question: "How am I going to look in six months?" I can't wait to see for myself! Anywho- here's some stats on my weight. I'll add measurements on the one month post op update. Weight 1/13/14 (start of liquid diet) 252.2 Weight 1/20/14 (surgery day) 231.4 (These numbers come from my home scale by the way... when they weighed me in at the hospital before I was taken back to surgery my weight was 243.) *I also want to say a sincere Thank You to all the friends and family that got me through this surgery. And another thank you to my night nurse, Peace. She was amazing. I'll have to send her a letter telling her how much I appreciated her that first night. Here's my before picture taken the night before surgery. Ewwwwwwww.....

Update on my Pre-Op liquid diet.

I'm on my third day now of only liquids. The first day was a little rough... I was CRAVING a cheeseburger dipped in cold ranch dressing. Mmmmm.... After writing that, I'm pretty sure I am still craving it! Haha. But to be honest, it really isn't that bad... this liquid protein diet. Physically, I feel full. Mentally, not so much but it gets easier every day. I can't believe i'm 5 days away from the surgery. Have I mentioned how excited I am? I'm ready for it!

Pre Op Liquid Diet Starts TODAY.

Last night I chewed upon several Girl Scout Caramel Delight cookies, fully aware that this is the last thing I will formally "chew" for the next month. Wish me luck. I'm going to need it. STATS: (Don't judge) Starting Weight: 252.2 HOLY SHIT. I've never seen that number before on a scale, and I promise myself this... I will never see that number on a scale again.

VSG: It's a big deal, bro!

Hello. My name is Meagan and I am tired of being fat. Ever since I can remember, my weight is something that has bothered me. I've always been overweight and have always tried the next fad diet to try and keep it under control. I started taking Phentermine when I was 19 and went from 195 to 155 in about 3 months. It was incredible! I felt pretty good about how I looked, but still not great. I knew that I couldn't be on this magical diet pill for the rest of my life, and I knew that the effects of the pill would keep being less and less potent. Fast forward ten years and multiple yo-yo dieting attempts and trips back to the doctor to get Phentermine... my metabolism is shot. Oh, and as I'm sure you've already guessed, I'm now Obese. Eww. I don't even like saying the word. I just turned 29 and am heavier than I have EVER been, and ever thought I would be. 240 lbs. On my 5'8" frame I can carry it better than someone who is 5 feet tall obviously... but I no longer can hide the dredded tummy roll. My face looks like I've been stung by a bee, and my wardrobe consists mainly only of maxi skirts, loose tops and the color black. Anything to look thinner right? So rewind 7 months ago. I was at a happy hour with my sister and my mom when my mom mentioned getting weight loss surgery. The thought had passed my mind a few times in the past, but it was nothing I took seriously. About a year ago I got real big into calorie counting and going to ZUMBA every other day where I would torch the calories! (usually burning aournd 1200 every class) This routine went on for about 6 months. Then the Zumba gym closed down, I changed jobs, and back the lazy Megs came. The crazy part about that 6 month spree of healthy eating and excercise was that I lost only 4 pounds. NO THANK YOU. So back to my mom. She went to a consultation with Dr. Kim over in Colleyville and called me after the appoitment. She told me to try it out and just go in for a consultation. So I did, and I'll never forget what Dr. Kim said to me. He said: "I sit here and I see an attractive young women who has succeeded at every aspect of her life: except weight loss. You aren't going to be the biggest girl in the room, but you also don't want to ever become that girl, and you feel like you are on a slippery slope towards morbid obesity." Yep. He nailed it. We went over the different weight loss surgery options and I decided that Vertical Sleeve Gastronomy was the best choice for me. It's permanent, and the most effective. I've been doing my research for the past 3 months and the postitive reviews from the people who've had it done are about 99%. December 30, 2013 was one of the better days I've had this year. I got approved for a loan with my credit union and was able to book my surgery date. I cried off an on throughout the day... happy tears of course. January 20, 2014 is my surgery day. I have to do a liquid only diet starting January 13th so that my liver will shrink enough for the surgeons to do their thang, but I'm actually excited to get it started. I'll let yall know how it goes. :) This blog is going to be my way of looking back on my life after surgery, and it will also be a fun way to hold myself accountable. I can't wait to see where I am on my 30th birthday. Hopefully healthier, happier, and looking better than ever! Wish me luck!

Here's a picture of me right before being wheeled off to have my EGD.  This procedure is done to see whether or not you have a hernia.  If you DO, it takes $6000 off the cost of the surgery.  This day (12/13/13) would determine if I was going to be able to afford the surgery.  If I didn't have the hernia, the option for surgery was out.  Too expensive.  Luckily, I do have a hernia, and also a new life awaiting me because of it. :)