Hair

Well, my hair is starting to fall out. Not that I am going bald but I am seeing a lot more hair on my hands when I wash my hair. It is an inevitable side effect of rapid weight loss; because the first month or so I was not getting enough protein. It will grow back. Lucky for me I have thick hair so it probably won't be noticeable, but I have gone back to my natural curly hair. All the blow drying and flat ironing seems to be more stress than my tresses need.

On a positive note, I am now a size 10 (I was a size 18 before surgery). One thing I have noted is that sizes have gotten bigger - meaning the last time I was this weight (about 20 years ago) I was a size 14. They have defiantly reworked women's clothes sizes to make us all feel smaller, but I'm not complaining.

I am meeting with a personal trainer at the Y on Monday to get a fitness assessment. I need to get on a program to tighten everything up. My skin and muscles need tightening. After all we will be in Hawaii in about 6 weeks and don't want to look all "saggy" at the pool.

Surgiversary

I had my 3 month Surgiversary on Tuesday. All has been going well, except that I found out that I am iron deficient and now take 3 iron tabs a day. If you have never taken iron I will tell you there are 2 bad side effects - this falls into the TMI category so don't finish this sentence if you would rather not - my poop is now a greenish black and I have lots of constipation.

On Friday I saw the surgeon. He is very pleased with my progress - 50 lbs down (I have lost 87% of my body fat), no more high blood pressure, no more diabetic tendencies, no more sleep apnea. I just need to be diligent about taking my vitamins and that darn iron. As a way of reinforcing that message I was told that one of the deficiencies that could result from not taking my vitamins is irreversible neurological damage. That scared me.

I have been trying to get to the Y 2-3 times a week. I am up to 10 minutes on the elliptical machine now and do 10 circuit weight machines - total weight lifted at last visit 10, 225 lbs. I am meeting with a Y "wellness" coach next week to get some exercises to tighten my flabby upper arms and sagging butt.

Jena and I went to her Alumnae picnic at GMS last night. None of the teachers, staff or parents there knew about my surgery. Most boldly looked me up and down and then said, "Wow, you lost a lot of weight." I just said, "Thanks." I have been so open about things, but didn't feel I needed to explain it to everyone there. It felt weird and good.

So glad it's finally summer weather here. I think I will go for a swim.