I arrived right on time - 8:45 am. There was a lot of traffic driving into Nashville and I was sure I was going to be late. As soon as I checked in and sat down, they called me back to the lab to have blood drawn. I was expecting this too. They check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies every 3 months post op. It doesn't bother me at all to have 6 test tubes of blood taken out of my arm. In fact, I thanked the lab tech for doing it BEFORE I was weighed. I am looking forward to the results of those tests.
Next stop was the nurses station. I hopped up on the scales - crossing my fingers and hoping for minus 66 lbs. I was so excited when she said I was down 68 lbs! I started at 285 lbs and I am now 217 lbs. She did some quick calculations and said that I was at 50% of my excess body weight gone. I asked her what they were figuring as my ideal body weight. I was a little surprised when she said 149 lbs. She further explained that they go off the standard Metropolitan Insurance chart which does not take into consideration body frame size. I told her that if they wanted me to be at 149 lbs, they were going to have to take off a limb - probably a leg!
She said for my height of 5'10", my ideal range would actually be between 149 lbs and 175 lbs. She asked if I had a personal goal and I told her that I was aiming for 160 lbs. She was very happy with that - it is in the middle of the range and would put me at a healthy BMI of 23 which is also in the middle of the range for IDEAL BMI. My BMI is already down from 41 pre-surgery to 31 currently! I am just one point away from being considered overweight rather than obese.
In summary, I have lost 54% of my excess body weight (for my goal weight) and have decreased my BMI 10 points. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself!
Off to see the good Doctor. He told me that I am at a point that he would not normally expect to see until 6 months post op. He was very pleased. Then, I got my normal lecture. I MUST eat 3 meals a day. I MUST get in my protein requirements. I MUST get in my fluid requirements. These are things that I continue to struggle with every day. He explained the necessity for 3 meals a day is mainly for developing a habit. A healthy habit of eating. Something I have never experienced and will really need to work on.
Spent some time with the Dietitian who gave me the same lecture, but followed up with some suggestions for helping me get my protein intake higher.
Waiting for the results of my lab work. I don't have to go back to see the surgeon for 3 months!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my family and friends who have extended such support and encouragement. It means more to me than you can imagine. I know that some would have rather I didn't have the surgery - felt that it was too drastic of a solution for weight loss. Even with the difference of opinion - you continue to cheer me on. Your encouragement is so motivational for me.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank YOU!
