Number Crunching

Today is the 16 week marker since surgery and I'd like to take a few minutes to share a few incredible numbers with you.  Some of which I can't believe myself.

First, but by no means the most impressive number as you will soon see, my weight loss from March 1 (surgery Mar 25th):



Next, my measurements:

	Pre Surgery 3/23/2011	Week 4 4/24/2011	Week 12 5/19/2011	Week 16 7/17/2011		Total Loss	% Loss
Clothing	T-22 B- 26	T- 18/20 B-26	T- 14/16 B- 20	T-Large B-16
Neck	15.75	14.75	14	13.75		2”	13 %
Shoulders	46.5	44.5	41.75	41		5.5”	12 %
Upper Arm (R)	18	17.5	??	15.5		2.5”	14 %
Bust	47.5	45	42.5	42.25		5.25”	11 %
Waist	44	41	38.25	37.5		6.5”	15 %
Hips	56	54	50	48.5		7.5”	13 %
Upper Thigh (R)	35.5	34.75	31.5	30.25		5.25”	15 %
Center Knee (R)	21.75	20	18.5	18.25		3.5”	16 %
Calf (R)	19.25	18	17.5	17.25		2”	10 %
Weight	283	255.6	228.2	216.8		66.2	49.8 %*

*This is a percentage of excess weight lost. 283 - 150= 133 extra lbs.

And finally, what I believe to be the most impressive:

	LDL	HDL	Total Cholesterol	A1C	Blood Pressure (Avg)	Resting Heart Rate (Avg)
February 2011	126	62	205	5.3	177/134	85
July 2011	64	43*	123	4.8	112/72	65

* the HDL is a bit low but could be attributed to a severe change in diet with too little fat and or adjustments to rapid weight loss

I imagine by now, the insurance company is ecstatic to have spent the money for my surgery.  The changes in my health status are pretty astounding.  This is a true testament to the hazards that excess weight places on your body and how much you can change your life expectancy with just a few simple changes.  I wouldn't have believed it myself, if I hadn't seen it in writing.

Time to go celebrate with an exercise session!

Mission 1: Health

My first mission, if you will, for myself is to tackle this 120lb monkey on my back.  It's no secret to anyone that knows me, I have struggled with weight my entire life.  I was a size 16 in 8th grade despite being active in sports.  I still have my weight watchers card from 1987 where I was a robust 187 pounds.

I have given it a good run in my life.  I don't have any doubts about the effort that I have put into losing weight, over and over and over again. I decided to explore other options late last summer and put those thoughts into action at the beginning of this year by having weight loss surgery.

The weeks and months leading up to the surgery have been a bit of a blur.  So much has been going on with work that I truly haven't had a moment to think about the effects this change would relly have on my life.  I just knew that it was going to be great.

When they called me to actually schedule the surgery, there was this weird moment when I didn't want to commit.  The nurse asked me, "Have you thought about when you owuld like to have surgery?" To which I didn't have an aswer.  I knew that I wanted it, but the reality was a bit more intimidating than I expected.  There was a second where I was going to ask her if I could call her back....  but I knew that there was no reason to not schedule right away. 

"How about March, 25th?" The words rang in my ears like the first chirps of a bird in the dawn of spring.  "Yes, how about the 25th"?  Although it was still nearly 2 1/2 wks away, it felt as if I were going in tomorrow.  Then came the aprehension.  Was I really making the right choice?  Had I really given it my all in trying to accomplish this naturally prior to resorting to such "drastic measures"?

The Friday prior to surgery brought a whole new set of concerns when I realized, "This is my last 'normal' Friday" and that it could quite possibly be my last period.  The risk of death for surgery is really pretty miniscule, but I couldn't help thinking about how that would affect Chad and Justin.  Their whole lives would be torn apart.  Was I being selfish and putting myself at a greater risk than necessary? 

Jitters:  nervousness; a feeling of fright or uneasiness

I was getting cold feet.  There is one thing that has been a constant in my life and that is that I trust myself.  I know that I made the decision with the best information at hand and that at the time the decision was made, it was the right one.  This has always allowed me to avoid the second guessing and the guilt that comes along with, "Did I do the right thing?".  Yes, I had made the right decision and I will follow through with that decision.

Skinny jeans, here I come!