Today is 5 months 2 days post op. 100 pounds down, 50 to go. I made it under the BIG 200 mark a little bit ago. Hadn't been under 200 since elementary school. It feels good, real good! Went from a 2-3X top to a regular large. Started at a size 20 jeans, put on my first size 10 today and I didn't even have to suck it in or hold my breath!! I asked Daniel and Jaxon what they thought as I modeled for them. All I got was a shrug. We had a little discussion about what an appropriate answer would be in the future. haha I had to have that same conversation with Johnny last Sunday so I guess it wasn't too surprising.
My hair is still falling out in handfuls. According to others that should be stopping within the next month. It better! There should only be one bald Percival out there and that is my dad. Another funny thing is Wesley's obsession with my arms. They have always been a particularly troublesome area for me. When I'm driving he asks me why they "hang down" and he likes to smack the back of my arms when he is on my lap. He pulls at me and pinches me. He is only two and for some reason my flabby arms have really caught his attention.
This was last Sunday. Johnny had reservations about this dress due to the leggings. I just started wearing them and I'm not so sure about them yet either. I think his mind is having a hard time with the rapid weight loss the same as mine. Especially because he doesn't see me every day right now. I never expected to look in the mirror and not recognize myself sometimes. I didn't expect the emotional relationship I now have with my scale. Its always been a challenge as an overweight woman to separate my personal self worth from my appearance in the mirror. I think that separation is even more important for me now than before.
One really comforting thing is that Johnny has not changed toward me in the least. He still acts the same, talks to me the same, tells me he loves me and that I am beautiful. The weight never mattered to him other than he wanted me to be happy and healthy. I caught myself a good man!
I also for some reason feel I need to state that I went to Tijuana, Mexico to have surgery. The choice for me was practical. In the US a Vertical Gastric Sleeve was $22-30K and there I paid $4,500 cash up front. My insurance wouldn't cover the surgery and I was turning 30. I didn't want to spend my whole life overweight and eventually have diabetes and other issues. I went to Jerusalem Hospital on 2/10/12 with Dr. Mario Almanza. He and Dr. Betencourt were amazing. Dr. Almanza is easily one of the most experienced VGS surgeons in the world because he usually does 6-8 surgeries per day and he has had the surgery himself. There were 7 women having surgery the day I was there. We all had a very positive experience and still keep in touch. I researched a great deal before making this decision. I felt comfortable the entire trip and would recommend it to others in my situation. If anyone out there would like more information contact me and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have. I'm not saying this is right for everyone, but for me it was.
