8 Months Surgiversary and Stats

It has been a busy few months - we have been helping the mother-n-law sell her house and buy a smaller property, we moved into a rental cottage about 30 mins west of London, and I had a few months contracting up in Manchester which kept me away from home.

I have not been to the gym as much as possible (ok at all) but I have been walking a lot.

We are now settled into the new house, and the sell/buy for the MIL will be complete in less than a month - so life is getting calmer.

Yesterday was my eight-month surgiversary - it was also ten years since I met the Hussyband, so we have a double celebration by going out to dinner. I managed most of a starter and stole a few bites of his pudding - a lush raspberry mousse.

I have been stalled almost constantly since we moved house - alternating between 111-113kgs for the last eight weeks. To say it has been frustrating has been an understatement. I have been constipated - lots - even though hitting my liquid requirements. I am adding in fibre supplements to try and fix this as I really hate Dulcolax which I have been taking once a week just to clear the pipes (funny story, popped two the other day and the plumber - a real one - finally showed up to fix the loo just as they kicked in....OOPS!)

A bad chest infection in April which resulted in ten days of antibiotics and steroids did not help matters either.

This morning I broke the stall, for how long I do not know, and hit 109.8kgs - first time I have been below 110kgs since about 1998.

In terms of measurements, I am still seeing shrinkage on the tape measure - 12cm off the hips and another 7cm off my waist since Feb. It is also becoming evident in my clothes - I am now wearing a size 14-16 dress depending on the cut/fabric (I do prefer 50's style dresses) and thankfully the boobs have stopped shrinking with them firmly planted at the moment as 36D.

There have been a lot of shopping expeditions of late - new bras, knickers and lots of new dresses, I should be right now for the next six months or so, and everything I have bought will be able to be taken in for next year (I am being careful about getting classic styles/shapes that are tailorable - getting a new wardrobe is almost as expensive as the surgery! Well, not quite.

Other than constipation I am not noticing much in the way of bad side effects. The hair loss has slowed back to normal levels, and there are days I still get exhausted and fall asleep early (who doesn't?) The only thing that is niggling me at the moment is a pulling feeling on the right side of my belly about 2 inches above the belly button - not sure if it is muscular or something internal but will touch base with the surgeon again soon and get him to check it out.

There is a lot of loose skin on my upper arms and belly now, which is annoying me, and hotter days is quite uncomfortable. I find the flapping noise most disconcerting when I exercise (the main reason I haven't been to the gym as much of late).

Stall aside I am still on track. I have lost over half of what I want to lose in the first eight months since surgery - aiming for around 80kgs - 30kgs to go! Doctors say you lose 50% in the first 6-8 months, 20% in the next six months, then the final 30% can take another 18 months.

Will take pictures again soon that are not selfies I promise!

Facts and Figures - 5 Months Surgiversary

It has been a crazy two months since Christmas. Freelance work dried up as expected in January/February - and I have made the decision to go back into full-time work (I hate interviewing!) We are moving house in four weeks to Twyford (between Reading and Maidenhead, UK) so I have been house hunting for us, house hunting for my mother in law who is going to move into a much smaller place in West London, and helping her get this house on the market.

Oh, and I joined the gym. I made the painful decision not to go back to my beloved PT, as the gym he has moved to doesn't have a pool, and is (to be honest) kind of grotty. So I rejoined Virgin Active and been alternating between a few of their branches, concentrating on Booty Barre (a mix of ballet, pilates and yoga), swimming, aquaerobics and the gym floor where my program is mainly consisting of me not looking like a fool (rowing, treadmill, kettlebells, TRX and upper body weights).

I spent most of January stalled. Not a little stall. A big stall. The needle did not move on the scales from the second week of January until last weekend. I was seeing a difference in clothes, yay. But nothing on the evil machine. Yes yes, stalls are normal. But dammit, I am still allowed to hate them. I adjusted my calorie intake up an extra 100-200 calories and things seem to be moving again.

I am meeting my liquid targets of 2-3 litres of water a day. Some days are easier than others. Why was it so easy to drink a bottle of wine with dinner six months ago, but getting in 750 ml of water before lunch such a struggle?!?!?!?

Energy levels are good - if I do a double session at the gym I tend to crash early (or have an afternoon nap - oh the joys of the under-employed).

So the stats. This week was  five months since surgery, I had hoped to have lost more by now, but according to NOSC I am still ahead of the curve, and everyone loses at a different speed (yeah yeah - so sick of hearing that one, it is on par with "sip sip sip"). Hopefully, once we move and I go back to cooking everything from scratch again I will see more consistent results.

Height: 5'10" (nope, still haven't gotten any shorter)
Weight: 118.4 kg/261 lbs (a loss so far of 28.3 kg/62.4 lbs) 

Measurements: A total of 86 cms so far. The most noticeable being 28 cms off my hips. My boobs have shrunk (sob) but it hasn't been too bad, the majority of the shrinkage has been across my back, and I have gone from a 38DD to a 36C. The plus side of going to a C-cup means I can buy cheap bras from Primark for the first time ever! And they still have a great shape (my boobs that is). I am finding that whilst I am not losing a lot of cms on my arms, the skin is a LOT looser - future plastic surgery there I predict!

Foods I have loved this month: Prawns (that won't change - the ultimate post-gym lunch), Whipped Philadelphia Cream Cheese with Garlic and Chives, Burrata with roasted pumpkin, confit egg yolk and pine nuts (Charlottes W5), fresh mint tea (my go-to for getting in ridiculous amounts of water), Potted Mackeral (Hare and Hounds), and Microwave Poached Eggs - perfect eggy goodness in 90 seconds.

The joy of moving - I will be creating recipes again this time next month. I miss cooking. Almost as much as I miss being able to run around the house naked! Almost. 

Facts and Figures - 12 Week Stats

Seasons Greetings Festive People!

What a crazy year it has been....contracts all over the country, singing on stage, this surgery, and another year with my beloved, all gone by in the blink of an eye.

The last few weeks have included closing two bids, a week in Cornwall with a friend from Oz and her squidget, a week soaking up the sun in St Lucia (god I needed some sun this year!) and now Xmas is upon us, and we are readying for a week in Scotland in a secluded cottage, just the two of us,

Food consumption has been good, getting most of my liquid targets, and whilst I haven't started at the gym yet, I have been walking a lot (usually lugging a heavy backpack!)

So onto the nitty gritty...

Height: 5'10" (this really will never change!)
Weight: 125.1kg/275lbs (a loss so far of 21.6kg/47.6lbs) - I got a bit excited earlier this week thinking I had hit the 50lbs mark, but I just can't count!

Stats: A total of 69.5cm lost since surgery. 

	15-Sep-15	01-Nov-15	19-Dec-15
Arm Left	46	44	42.5
Arm Right	44	44	42
Calf Left	56	55	54
Calf Right	57	54	52
Thigh Left	89	84	80
Thigh Right	86	80	77
Bust	116	112	108
Natural Waist	109	105	102
Hips	160	148	136

I Almost Forgot....6 Weeks Post Op Pics!

My beloved is up and I have made him take pics. So here we go, six weeks post-op pics...can you see a difference?

Facts and Figures - 6 Week Stats

Morning Ladies and Gents,

Sorry I have been so quiet of late - not much to say. I get up, schlepp into London, work, schlepp home, eat, sleep and repeat. Bleurgh.

I have been stalled for the last two and a half week, not getting enough water, and not enough fibre has meant I have been seriously constipated. As a result my body has gone into starvation mode. I think I have managed to address that the last few days - been getting my two litres of liquids last three days, and have stopped having a protein bar for breakfast on the Tube (gone back to Weetbix). Movement has returned on both the scales and my bowels (thank fuck!)

Last weekend we went to Bath for a belated birthdaversary (my 44th birthday and our 8th wedding anniversary were on the 13th of October). I caught up with a school friend who I have not seen for...well, a lot of years. And it was great to spend time (albeit too short) with her and her partner. Gerry and I had lots of soaking time in hot baths, massages for him and facials and manicures for me.

But we are not here today to talk about what I have been up to. Today is all about the stats...so without further ado.....

Height: 5'10" - well that should not, and has not changed!

Weight: 134kgs (295lbs) - so far I have lost 12.7kgs (28lbs)

Measurements: I have lost 34cms in total from various body parts. I see a distinct difference in my face, neck and boobs - I would say that I have dropped a cup size, and am now on the last hook on my bras. Also see a difference in my ankles - my winter ankle boots sit nicer. I think I am losing from the top and tail - everything is squeezing into my bottom! cms gone from the hips which is AWESOME.

My energy levels have been low, but I am getting through. sleeping like a log. I am managing to eat a quarter to half a cup of food at lunch and dinner...will add half a protein bar in  on the Tube home in the afternoons to see if I can keep my protein high, whilst not going overboard on calories. I am also finding a pint of milk a day helps both in getting my liquids in and not letting my calories drop too low.

Some foods are easier to eat than others, and I find I am getting sick of smoked salmon. But will post later this week on foods.

Stay well peeps - this tool is a journey, and the road is long and twisty with hills and valleys.

Stats and Pics - The Night Before Surgery 16 Sept 2015

Twas the night before Surgery, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, there better not be no fucking mouse!

The stockings were packed in the overnight bag with care,

In hopes that Thursday morning soon would be there.

The Hussyband is nestled all snug in our bed,

Where visions of martinis dance in his head.

And the MIL is watching TV downstairs, and I upstairs in my den,

Had just settled in to watch a cute comedienne.

When out on the street there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the sofa to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The light from the lamps on the sparkling wet street

Gave the lustre of mid-day....oh fuck this shit it is just another bloody urban fox.

So tomorrow is S-Day. Surgery. I am booked for theatre at 2.30pm GMT so think of me.

This is the first on what will start out to be fortnightly, then monthly stats updates. They say the first three months will see the most dramatic change....so only time will tell right.

Height: 5'10"

First Appointment - 13 August 2015: 146.7kgs (323 lbs)
Second Appointment - 8 September 2015: 145.1kgs (319 lbs)
Third Appointment - 15 September 2015: 142.8kgs (314 lbs)

Arms: 46cm (Left) / 44cm (Right) - measurement taken 10cms up from inside the elbow
Thighs: 89cm (Left) / 86cm (Right) - measurement taken 23cm above knee
Calves: 56cm (Left) / 57cm (Right) - measurement taken 13cm below knee
Bust: 116cm - bra on
Waist: 109cm - natural waist, just below ribs
Hips: about 160cm - it's all about the base.