OK, April 2005 surgery folks...how are you doing?

Today is October 6, 2005. I had my surgery on April 4th, 2005. I started at 268, and today I reached 199. That was a mighty big hurdle. My health is great, my diabete and high blood pressure is great. I went from size 26-28 to an 18. I would like to lose another 20 pounds and I would be very happy! The plateaus have been kinda hard, but I'm just ever so grateful to have good health and lose weight too! How is everyone doing with their weight and health? Please share your story. I'm really interested in everyones tale to tell!

I started at 262, last Friday I was 180 but I've gained four pounds this week. This is my first weight gain since surgery. I probably experimented too much with new foods and poor choices. I feel pretty good except for chronic constipation. It's awful and negatively impacts my outlook on life. I go for my six month post op visit at the end of the month. I won't let the doctor get rid of me until he comes up with a viable solution. His last suggestion was "take a Colace stool softener every day". I've been doing that for four months without success! I'm tired of feeing tired and I'm tired of never being hungry and never really enjoying eating an more. I love to cook and bake but I do it for others now. I think my hair loss is slowing. That's good!

Hello Lynda, Hey don't feel bad! I was on a plateau for 3 weeks and I gained... It was about a month ago. And I called my surgeon and he had me come in a month early for my 6 month checkup and which was 5 month, Ok well he said that I had to up my protein count to 80 -100 grams per day and get in at least 100 ozes of water per day... I looked at him, he gave me the look to kill! I said, " There is no way I can get anymore in!" Then he also add that I needed to do a different excerise so I started to walk a mile a day now half mile in the morning and a half a mile in the evening, then I go lap swimming 2 times per week. That jump started the weight loss again. I lost 4 pounds this last week and left the 400's behind. I am at 398lbs. The constipation issue, are you eating any green leafy veggies? I was suffering from the same thing and started eating spinach and cabbage and its works wonders. I love my cheese and it was soooo painful there for awhile until someone said to start eating some leafy green veggies and BAM! It works... Also I use MOM once a week to clean out the pipes. Water is a biggy too. I am able to drink at least 100 ozes of water a day no problem at all.... But I have been slipping here and drinking to much coffee lately. I love my cup of Hazelnut joe. Well dan its getting late and I have put off my dinner for the last 4 hours I need to get at it. Take care, Tom

Lynda, You sure are a very pretty lady. I can hardly wait to see a photo of you after you are all done losing weight. Don't be discouraged about a few pounds. It will go away. I had a hysterectomy in 1992. Even though I don't have periods anymore, I still have the bloating and monthly weight gain, for about a week. I had gotten down to 204, then all of a sudden I was 210. For about a week, then it went away, and I was losing again. I've taken the attitude, if I lose I lose, if not, oh well. And the weight comes off little by little. I've learned to roll with the flow. I'm much happier this way. I'm 5'7", and have always been over 200 since the age of 19. A pound or 2 weight gain doesn't make me panic anymore. I was at 199 a couple of days ago, just now I weighed 201. My husband used to go to AA years ago. They have a cool serenity prayer... The Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr I had some hair loss too. Good Luck for the next 6 months to all of you!!!

I had surgery april5, 2005. I was 330 and now I am 245..85lbs! Down from a 30/32 to 22/24. I have had 4 endoscopys to check for strictures..too much vomiting. Now I take Reglan (for gastroparesis) 4 times a day. I was constipated util I took this. I also take 4 colace a day! And MOM once a week. Ask your MD about a possible slow digestive tract and what to do. Julia

Gained.......... oh, don't say gained......... now I am nervous............... no scales for 17 days.............. darn, I convinced myself that choices were stay the same or lose a little.................... but you said GAINED. Oh goody, I could have gained.............LOL. Kisubg nt gaur bt fustfuls too! About the constipation.......... have you tried sugarfree gum, many people can chew them and get a laxative effect. Try one slice, then two if one doesn't work, and so on.

Hello Janice, Well I am doing Ok! I feel that I could be doing better though. I have dropped 138 lbs. in just 5 1/2 months, I started out at 536lbs. and now in the 300's so thats a milestone for me. But the weightloss is getting slower and its getting to me somedays, but I have figured it out that I have to just get off my rear and get out and walk a couple times a day and I do Ok then. But with winter comming on, I am getting nerveous about putting on weight. But thats my Old habits and thinking so I have to save up, so I can go to the gym and it should come off with no problem then. But overall I am doing great, I have went down from wearing a size 6xl -7xl shirts to a 4 xl and my pants are now 4 xl from 6xl's, and i noticed today that my 4xl pants are getting WAY baggy now... So I guess if I am not losing pounds I am losing inches! LoL. I am putting off buying anymore clothes until X-MAS. By then I will be shopping in the Wal-Mart and secound hand stores. Infact last week I was in Wal- Mart and they have 4xl men's clothes... I was so surprised to see that... OMG I can't wait til next monthes check gets here... Food issues - Well I still throw up some,but have learn to stay away from chicken,turkey and beef unless its dried or jerky then it OK. I could not eat eggs right out of surgery but I just baught some a couple weeks ago and made scrabbled eggs and cheese and it was great, did not throw them up. I was so scared that I would.... I eat alot of soups and soft foods like cheese, cottage cheese, beans and hummus, I found out that I can eat crunchy bagel bites or pretzels, I think I should not have done that but I did, that is my treat now, some sour dough prestzels bits and cheese, Yumm Yumm! Oh my feet are shrinking also. I was wearing a size 10 1/2 shoe now I can get into a size 9 with now problem. Infact my 10's are so loose..... Yes I have to say people are taking notice of my weightloss too. Two of the bus drivers did not notice me. I haven't seen them for a couple months, and my landlord even said I he could see the change, but like he said I have a ways to go.... I remarked, " Yep I do and you won't know me in another year or two.. Well its getting late and I have to get some dinner going. I have to tell myself to eat... LoL! Take care, Tom 536/398/200 -138 lbs...

WE have a clothing exchange here in Indy .. I havent had to buy clothes during my weight loss.. Go to your state website and see if you can get one started.. everyone brings what they have shrunk out of and you pick up the next 2 sizes you will need. It is free and informal and a great way to blend with others in your area.. I have met some wonderful friends this way!! And I get great support from people further out.. some of them are in sizes 6-12 but still gather for support and friendship. Our next one is tomorrow and we start off with Breakfast at Dennys then at 1 we will have fruit and veggie trays with some chicken i am bringing we have a pole barn all set up with tons of clothes already hung and waiting.. we have been working on this for 2 weeks!! Actually longer because a few of us shop at garage sales and goodwill and exchange what we have.. Linda

April 25th I was 5'2" and weighed 296 lbs. I was wearing 3X's and size 28's. Today I am 5'2",(imagine that), weigh 216, comfortable in a size 18. I eat 1/2 bacon egg and cheese crosaunt for breakfast.. the other half goes to a friend I work with. then 2 ounces of cheese snack.. lunch is usually mandairian oranges or applesauce. then more cheese for afternoon and dinner is meat and potatoes. I constantly have herbal tea or water mixed with juicy juice next to me. I exercise at Curves 3-4 times a week during my lunch hour and on weekends I work around the house or ride my motorcycle. I see my Dr on the 28th I think for my 6 month check up Linda Linda

Hi Janice I had surgery 04/04 as well. To date I'm down 97lbs - my goal is 100lbs. I'm 3 lbs away. I'm concerned that losing so much in such a short period of time might mean I'll have problems stopping but I'll deal with it one thing at a time. My health is great, my energy is great. I can't remember the last time the house looked this good and my attitude is pretty good. My family sits down for dinner every night and they are eating much healthier. Best, Lisa 254-157-154