70

I have lost 73 pounds as of today. SEVENTY THREE!!
it is just still totally unbelievable to me. And so exciting.

My brother and sister in law had baby Lucy on January 5th. My goal was to loose 70 by the time she got here. I am happy to say, I reached that goal :) I was at the hospital when my aunt and uncle came to visit. They hadn't seen me since probably last summer. And my aunt said, "Tara! wow you look great!" I was confused at first--then remembered. I have lost the equivalent of a middle school aged child! I am so thrilled with my success.

I have started to loose some of my hair. Not fun. But I know it will grow back. Just takes less time in the morning to dry it. I think my hair stylist is pretty happy about it. It is less to color and cut.

I can wear Old Navy tops now. I used to have to wear the plus sizes but I am down to an XXL and almost an XL. I can wear things that are fashionable. My shoes are getting too big too. Who doesn't want to shoe shop!?

This has been a head trip since the beginning. Before surgery I would think about how I would feel when I got to certain sizes or weights. And I was never close to how emotional I would get. It is the little things.
Not having to lift your leg in the car so you can buckle your seat belt. Have to scoot your seat closer to the steering wheel because your bum isn't as big anymore, so you are too far away from the pedals. Not being out of breath when you climb the stairs in your home. Fitting into the chairs at work in the conference rooms. Your glasses getting too big. (yup!! they got too big. Had to have them adjusted). So many little things. And of course I celebrate the big things too.

To put it in a heartbeat--I'm happy. Happy with my decision and happy with where I am headed. This is a crazy journey & and I can't wait to see what happens next!!

I'm shrinking!

I am amazed how quickly I have seen results with my surgery. It is so great! I have been feeling pretty great lately.
The 1st month was BRUTAL. It was a lot of trying to get to get used to all the changes. My pouch is smaller. A LOT smaller. I only holds about 4 oz total. If you put 2 medicine cups together (the ones you get on the top of your cough medicine) opening to opening, that is how much I eat. Vastly different than what I have been used to the span of my life so far. For a while I didn't get the feeling of "hunger" or being full. So if I ate too much--even one bite too many--it will come right back up. Not the heaving that most people have when they are throwing up, more like when a baby spits up. Just comes back up. Not the most fun after eating. I really have to be careful when eating. The other thing I have to get used to is texture of food. I wasn't usually one for having texture issues with food, BUT I AM NOW! No eggs, dry chicken, ground meats, deli meats.... things like that. So I am still quite limited on what I can eat. It will get better as time goes on. I don't drink for about 20 minutes before or after eating. Have to have room in my tummy for what I am eating.  Just really watching what I am eating. :)
About 2 weeks ago, I was finally able to eat fresh veggies. I cannot tell you how amazing that day was. You try eating cooked mushy vegetables for 3 months. Then tell me how much you miss tomatoes and cucumbers.

But after all that.... I have lost--as of today--56 lbs. What!? so crazy. But I am absolutely thrilled!! I will buy pants to fit into, and they will be too big in 3 weeks. Thankfully, tops are okay to wear big. Even my shoes are getting too big. Not in length, but my feet must have been wider. I am wearing rings and bracelets that have been too small for years. It is just really an amazing feeling.

I know what you are thinking--desserts. That is when you find out that the Cheesecake Factory has a low carb sugar free Cheesecake. And this is when you realize that everything is right in the word and that the no sugar thing might just be okay.

and it's done

Well, I'm 1 week out. I can't believe how fast it all went!

My brother Clayton brought me to the hospital and I had to check in by 7:45 am. Needless to say, it was a sleepless night. I had the most anxiety about the IV. My mom had bad veins and I had a feeling I would inherit them. Sure enough, I did. They stuck me 4 times before settling on the crook of my arm. Not very convenient, but whatever. Clayton was such a champ on keeping my mind off what was going to happen. He was a huge blessing.

I didn't go in until after 11. They wheeled me back and I then sat in the OR hall way for another 20 min. It was brutal. They wheeled me into the OR and asked me to move over to the operating table. And that's all I remember until waking up.

I woke up as Clayton was leaving for class. Lots of pain. Phew. I thought I prepared myself but I wasn't even close. I had excellent nurses and was doped up in no time.
I remember my friend Heidi coming and sister in law Anna. Don't remember what we talked about :) but they were there. Heidi helped me get up and walking the first time. Not too bad 4 hours post surgery!

Over the next 24 hours I just slipped in and out of sleeping. And Anna came back to drive me home. Having my staples and drain removed was NOT pleasant. Came home and went to bed.
The next morning I checked into a hotel and waited for my friend Hayley to come up to stay with me. The next few days were pretty rough. Vomiting and severe nausea.  Nit good.
Came home Sunday night. I discovered I could start sleeping in my side and that has made all the difference!

Slowly but surely I'm getting stronger and feeling more like myself.

Oh! I've lost 22 lbs so far :)

6 days

Tomorrow I go in for lab work & my surgery class.  I get a very large book (I'll post a photo later) with what I can and cannot do after surgery. I also have to get an ultrasound on my g gallbladder to see if they will need to remove that while in the ER.

I'm feeling really nervous and anxious. But still feeling good about it.  More to come...

less than a month...

So...October 16th is the day! It's less than 1 month away.
I'm scared, nervous, excited and every emotion in between.  Of course I'll kerp everyone in the loop!
I've feel so blessed with all of the support I've received from all of you. ♥

2 months

Here we are! Took forever to get here.

October 16th. Time to get thin....

officially

Well....it's official: I'm approved. The irony is I had to use my surgery stash to buy a new car. So....I've got to save up again. I'm shooting for October. Unless someone I know wants to give me their winning lottery ticket :)

Good news though!!