Wow…

It has been six months (yesterday) since my Gastric Sleeve Surgery.

First month was terrible. Honestly–terrible.  I had a reaction to the pain medication, didn’t walk when I should have, and was very nauseous.  But… I would not change a thing. Not one.  Nope.

I have gone from 11 daily medications to 3 (one is only once a week instead of daily) but no more daily pill box.

I can walk. Really walk and not be exhausted.  It is odd.  I don’t even realized what I have accomplished until I look back during the day.

The surgery group I have gone through stated that most people over eat and throw up.  Push themselves – push their new stomach.  I have made myself sick and end up hiccuping…painfully…but so far not to the point of throwing up.  I didn’t like that before surgery, I didn’t see myself eating to that point of vomiting.

November 7, 2015–315 lbs

With girlfriends in Helen, Georgia. Was afraid of walking, let alone keeping up with the other family.

May 13, 2016 –283 lbs

November 16, 2016–212 lbs

Same door. Crazy to see how much I filled up the door in the May picture compared to today. Oh, and I wear heels now.

Okay- first goal met.

Blessings.

Jerry Ann

This picture was taken 4 months ago at work.  Day one of my liquid diet (with protein shakes-Phase 1).  Weight 293.8. Ugh.

Size 26/28 or 3x to 4x pants and shirts.  Not my largest, and most certainly not my smallest.  Reminder to self that this is day 1.  A beginning again.  I have struggled, as most have, with maintaining diets or even tricking myself by calling it lifestyle change.  Daily criticism from my inner being.   My heaviest was 315 pounds.

Here I am with Carmen August 20, 2006.  My wedding day.  Weight: 276 pounds.  I have gone up and down so much, but there are certain dates I can remember my weight.  The exact weight.  Weighing that morning and thinking I am supposed to be beautiful on my wedding day.  All I could think about was how hard it was going to be to walk on the beach.  How fat I would look in the pictures.

What I ended up thinking about was my new family.  David has been a complete supporter of me.  Not necessarily of my diet plans or choices, but in general 100% my cheerleader.

I was in Drill Team (dance team) in high school in the 80’s.  I am on the far left of the above picture.  Dancing was wonderful.  I was anywhere from size 12 to an 18/20 during those four years, but I could still dance. I was bullied a lot too, but that is another story for another day.  I even choreographed a lot of the dances then.  I want to be able to kick as high as I used to, well maybe.  I do want to be able to have my nose touch my knees without screaming.  Goals, right?

So…I am a far bit behind in posting my journey.  I will be catching up with you over the next month.  Thank you, and continued prayers and thoughts are appreciated.

Blessings.
Jerry Ann

Changes have been going on here a lot lately.

I have made the choice to have Bariatric Surgery.  I have fought with my weight for as long as I can remember.  I battled my weight even when I didn’t think it was an issue. My mother putting me on diets whether I wanted to lose weight or not.  Dealing with bullies due to my weight or the size of my breasts.  Well, I have finally made the choice that I cannot do it alone anymore.

I will be turning 50 this August, and I truly would like to have help with my weight now.  I know that it is not an easy fix.  I have read, and reread articles telling how difficult it is.

I am on the right path.  Changing.  I don’t believe anyone should stay in the same place forever.  Changes are good, whether we make them or someone does it for us.  David being laid off is a big change.  But one that we should be dealing with for a long time coming. Financially we are struggling-losing the main provider, but this change will make us evaluate the things we don’t have to have to things we need.

Surgery is hopefully not going to pushed aside because of this financial set back.  I have been in process for approval with our insurance for months.  Sharing is very difficult.  Prayers appreciated.

Jerry Ann