Repost: 1 Year Surgiversary Poll

You can answer now or just cut and paste it and answer on your surgiversary, your choice. I'll try to post it once a week on Mondays. 1. Surgery date/type of surgery: 2. Highest weight/date: 3. Starting weight/BMI: 4. Starting clothing size/shoe size: 5. Current weight/BMI: 6. Current clothing size/shoe size: 7. Pounds/inches lost: 8. Goal weight/BMI: 9. Pounds to goal weight: 10. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: 11. First wow moment after surgery: 12. Best overall wow moment after surgery: 13. Most recent wow moment after surgery: 14. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago: 15. Things that you never thought you'd be doing that you are doing now: 16. Things that you want to do in the future now that you are able: 17. What did you wish that you knew before surgery that you know now? 18. What has surprised you the most since your surgery? 19. Do you have any regrets since your surgery? 20. Any things that you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? 21. Besides the change in size, what other changes have you seen in yourself? Are the changes for the good or bad? 22. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? 23. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? 24. What remains a struggle for you? 25. Do you drink with meals? 26. Do you drink carbonated beverages? 27. Do you drink alcohol? 28. Do you intake protein supplements? If so, how much per day. 29. How has the surgery effected your relationship with spouse or significant other? 30. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your family? 31. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your friends? 32. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your coworkers? 33. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? 34. What is your favorite forum on OH? (Hint, hint) 35. Who has inspired you in your journey the most? Is it someone who know who has had the surgery? Is it someone's profile that you track? Is it someone from your local support group?

My surgiversary was actually a couple of weeks ago, but time constraints kept me from completing the poll. I hope that you don't mind that I enter it now. I must send along my thanks to everyone that contributes to the message board and gives a "voice" to the trials and successes that we each have encountered along this past year. It has been a marvelous journey for me.......No complications along the way, and the successes far outweigh the stalls and trials. I am hopeful (and confident) that the next year will make my goal a reality. Thanks to all, and let's keep up the good work! Repost: 1 Year Surgiversary Poll You can answer now or just cut and paste it and answer on your surgiversary, your choice. I'll try to post it once a week on Mondays. 1. Surgery date/type of surgery: 05/02/2006, RNY 2. Highest weight/date:235 in 2002 3. Starting weight/BMI:211/39.9 4. Starting clothing size/shoe size:18W and 1X/6.5 5. Current weight/BMI:140/26.4 6. Current clothing size/shoe size:6 or 8/6 7. Pounds/inches lost:71 pounds since surgery; I didn't keep track of all the inches 8. Goal weight/BMI:125/23.6 9. Pounds to goal weight:15 10. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: lower triglycerides, lowered blood pressure,, relief from joint pain 11. First wow moment after surgery:being able to choose clothes off the rack and not worry about the fit 12. Best overall wow moment after surgery: Having three people not recognize me all in the same week 13. Most recent wow moment after surgery: wearing a size 4 pair of shorts 14. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago: climb a flight of stairs without gasping for air. There are too many to really list! 15. Things that you never thought you'd be doing that you are doing now: Living the dream of being healthier and happier with myself. Having fought the weight demons for so long, the opportunity to be thin and healthy seemed an impossible goal. 16. Things that you want to do in the future now that you are able:Go on vacation and actually snorkel and take part in activities that I was too embarrassed to do before. 17. What did you wish that you knew before surgery that you know now?Nothing comes to mind. I researched thoroughly, and talked to others who had gone through the surgery, so felt that I was well informed about the procedure and the risks. 18. What has surprised you the most since your surgery? How quickly the weeks go by! Early on, the weight seems to melt away quickly, and it is hard to adjust to the rapid changes. As the weight loss has slowed, this part seems to be getting easier. 19. Do you have any regrets since your surgery?None! Just wish I had considered it earlier. 20. Any things that you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? Tried to exercise more. 21. Besides the change in size, what other changes have you seen in yourself? Are the changes for the good or bad? Mostly good changes. I am more self-confident, and feel better about myself. 22. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? Giving up the comfort foods that helped make me overweight, like sweets and sodas. 23. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? Learning to not drink with meals. 24. What remains a struggle for you? The urge to snack! 25. Do you drink with meals? No. 26. Do you drink carbonated beverages?Rarely....I have had about three sodas in the past 12 months. 27. Do you drink alcohol? Rarely. 28. Do you intake protein supplements? If so, how much per day.Yes--generally have either a drink or protein bar each day. 29. How has the surgery effected your relationship with spouse or significant other? No difference that I can tell. 30. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your family?None-everyone is very supportive. 31. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your friends?No changes with my friends. They have had questions, but are supportive of the positive changes they have witnessed. 32. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your coworkers?No difference. 33. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Remember that this is an on-going journey, and not always a quick trip. There are stalls along the way, so just remember to enjoy the ride. Sometimes we need to slow down to appreciate how far we have come. 34. What is your favorite forum on OH? (Hint, hint)Maysters! No doubnt! 35. Who has inspired you in your journey the most? Is it someone who know who has had the surgery? Is it someone's profile that you track? Is it someone from your local support group? I read on the message boards each day, and must say that Becky Sue and Kathy have been great to follow. I met Becky briefly during the pre-op meetings, and I have followed her progress along the way. I feel that I "know" many of the regular posters on the board, and they put into words the experiences that we are all going through. It is a reminder that we are all in the same boat...

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: 5/9/05 / Lap RNY 2. Highest weight/date: 12/04 / 358 3. Starting weight/BMI: 358 4. Starting clothing size/shoe size: 30/32 / 10 5. Current weight/BMI:243 6. Current clothing size/shoe size: 18/20 10 7. Pounds/inches lost: 115 8. Goal weight/BMI: 175 9. Pounds to goal weight: 68 10. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: Asthma cleared 11. First wow moment after surgery: When people tell me how good I look 12. Best overall wow moment after surgery: Just feeling better 13. Most recent wow moment after surgery: Some one told me a strong wind would blow me away. I know I am not that thin but it felt good. 14. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago: Walk 3 miles 15. Things that you never thought you'd be doing that you are doing now: 16. Things that you want to do in the future now that you are able: Vacation more now that I won't be as tired. 17. What did you wish that you knew before surgery that you know now? 18. What has surprised you the most since your surgery? 19. Do you have any regrets since your surgery? None at all I would do this again in a heart beat. 20. Any things that you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? Exercise more 21. Besides the change in size, what other changes have you seen in yourself? Are the changes for the good or bad? I feel much more confident about myself. 22. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? 23. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? Some of the cravings 24. What remains a struggle for you? Grazing 25. Do you drink with meals? No 26. Do you drink carbonated beverages? Tryin gnot to 27. Do you drink alcohol? very rarely 28. Do you intake protein supplements? If so, how much per day. no 29. How has the surgery effected your relationship with spouse or significant other? not at all, nothing is different 30. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your family? Not at all they are very supportive 31. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your friends? They are supportive for the most part. One thinks this is the easy way out but I have changed her thinking on that. 32. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your coworkers? They are amazed but still supportive. 33. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Take it one day at a time this is not an easy fix. It takes time to get the weight off. 34. What is your favorite forum on OH? (Hint, hint) The May board. Everyone is so supportive. 35. Who has inspired you in your journey the most? Is it someone who know who has had the surgery? Is it someone's profile that you track? Is it someone from your local support group? I watch Kathy all the time I think she is one of the most supportive and has some wonderful information. I wish I could be as supportive as she is. I had a close friend at work who was so supportive of me, she was considering the surgery, she had to have an emergency hysterectomy and ended up having some major complications after and ended up passing away 3 weeks later. She was always there for me. I know she is watching over me now.

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: LAP RNY 5/9/05 2. Highest weight/date: 241 5/8/05 3. Starting weight/BMI: 241/40 4. Starting clothing size/shoe size: 22W/ 6 medium 5. Current weight/BMI: 140/24.9 6. Current clothing size/shoe size: 8/ still a 6 medium, can't get much smaller! 7. Pounds/inches lost: 101 8. Goal weight/BMI: 140 9. Pounds to goal weight: ZERO!! (feels good to type that!) 10. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, IBS 11. First wow moment after surgery: went to return to work and my pants didn't fit! 12. Best overall wow moment after surgery: buying a 2 piece bathing suit! 13. Most recent wow moment after surgery: going hiking and outlasting my kids 14. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago: way too many to list 15. Things that you never thought you'd be doing that you are doing now: wearing the size clothing I wore in high school, becoming a Partylite consultant! 16. Things that you want to do in the future now that you are able: too many to mention, this is wide open! 17. What did you wish that you knew before surgery that you know now? how much easier it would be the farther out you get 18. What has surprised you the most since your surgery? having to make myself eat since I don't really get hungry 19. Do you have any regrets since your surgery? only that I didn't do it sooner 20. Any things that you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey? no 21. Besides the change in size, what other changes have you seen in yourself? Are the changes for the good or bad? better self esteem, more confidence, it's all good 22. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? clothes shopping! 23. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? dealing with body image 24. What remains a struggle for you? grazing/snacking 25. Do you drink with meals? no 26. Do you drink carbonated beverages? no 27. Do you drink alcohol? no 28. Do you intake protein supplements? If so, how much per day. Use too, but doc/nut want me to get my protein from my food now 29. How has the surgery effected your relationship with spouse or significant other? no, he's been behind me 110% from the start 30. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your family? no 31. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your friends? no 32. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your coworkers? sometimes I hear a little tinge of jealously 33. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? hang on! the first year is one h*ll of a roller coaster ride! But, it's worth it! 34. What is your favorite forum on OH? (Hint, hint) May, of course! 35. Who has inspired you in your journey the most? Is it someone who know who has had the surgery? Is it someone's profile that you track? Is it someone from your local support group? I know several people who had the surgery and seen their lives change for the better. I knew that I could do it too, and I'm glad I did!

1. Surgery date/type of surgery:May 6 2005 Open RNY 2. Highest weight/date:327/2005 Might have been higher seeing as tho when I decided I was going to do this I cut back a lot before my first dreaded weigh in. 3. Starting weight/BMI:327 BMI 56 Super Morbidly Obese 4. Starting clothing size/shoe size:30/32 5X Size 11 wide shoes 5. Current weight/BMI:191 BMI 32.8 6. Current clothing size/shoe size: Some size LG some XL(Mostly size 14s) Shoe size 9-10(not wide) 7. Pounds/inches lost:136 pounds lost. Inches unknown 8. Goal weight/BMI:150lbs is my goal weight 9. Pounds to goal weight:41 10. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery:None 11. First wow moment after surgery:My brothers g/f hugged me and she weighs all of 105 pounds and she was just startled that she could get her arms all the way around me with room left to spare! That shocked us both. 12. Best overall wow moment after surgery: The other day was the FIRST time I have seen someone for the first time since way before my surgery. Well she SCREAMED like crazy for about 5 full minutes. And she said if it weren't for my eyes/smile she'd have passed me on the street never knowing it was me. 13. Most recent wow moment after surgery:Friends at my former job telling me I was thinner than they had ever known me. At the time I was "only" down about 35-40 pounds. 14. Things that you can do now that you couldn't a year ago: OMG so many...I play a lot with my kids...I swing on swings, see saws, slide down slides, Walk for hours with no pain, no being out of breath! 15. Things that you never thought you'd be doing that you are doing now:Wearing size 14s and complaining they are baggy! I lived in baggy clothes before now I hate feeling my legs move around inside my pant legs. Planning a vaca and looking forward to all the walking involved! 16. Things that you want to do in the future now that you are able: In July I am going with my hubby and kids to HersheyPark and I want to go on rides with the kids and not be the "picture taker" that I was when we went 2 years ago. 17. What did you wish that you knew before surgery that you know now?How to know when you are full before u were sick to your stomach from overeating. 18. What has surprised you the most since your surgery? How little I can eat and feel full! 19. Do you have any regrets since your surgery?NONE....well ok one...I wish I had done this sooner! 20. Any things that you wish you would have done differently during your post-op journey?I still wish I could learn to eat slower. 21. Besides the change in size, what other changes have you seen in yourself? Are the changes for the good or bad? I think I am friendlier with people. I always assumed people hated me so I had a HUGE attitude. I mean I still have it when needed but I dont show it off as much. I am also a million times more self conscious than I ever was before. Those are good changes. As for bad....I dont even want to admit this BUT I find myself so much more INtolerant of Obese people who whine and complain they are "so fat" but yet say it with a huge bowl of ice cream in front of them. Or tell me they are so jealous of all the weight I have lost but they had the same opportunities I did at the same time and chose not to take them. But especially when they ask me to help them go thru this journey and they expect me to do everything for them. They want it handed to them and that wont help! I love helping people amd talking to anyone who will listen about WLS but if you dont have "it" then u will not succeed even if it is handed right to u. I know this is wrong, and I do NOT show it outwardly to them I REALLY dont!!! I still try to be supportive but at the same time I refuse to support denial if that makes sense. The other day I saw pictures of myself from before my surgery and just cried. I asked all of my family how, if they TRULY love me, could they not help me see just how fat and disgusting I was then. Sounds bad but one pic of me I was sitting on my moms sofa which is a 3 cushion sofa and I took up TWO of them all by myself!!! My kids laugh when I say this but 67% of the couch was JUST ME!! How did I not see that! I just cant understand it. I still have issues I need to work on mentally I mean I was the fat person whining while eating the ice cream so who am I to judge. Ugh n/m dont mind me and please no hate mail or slamming me. This is just MY personal rant I guess. 22. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? Remembering to take my vitamins 23. What has been the hardest thing since surgery?Losing my hair and it not growing back no matter how much protein vitamins or fluids I take in everyday! 24. What remains a struggle for you? Getting in enough fluids in a day 25. Do you drink with meals? No but i dont wait as long after as I should. 26. Do you drink carbonated beverages? NO!! 27. Do you drink alcohol? No 28. Do you intake protein supplements? If so, how much per day.No 29. How has the surgery effected your relationship with spouse or significant other?I am much happier with myself so I am much more affectionate with him. 30. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your family? They have been so supportive from day one and like I said earlier I am so much more outgoing, have a lot more energy now than I did before. 31. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your friends?Well with certain friends I have ahard time talking about my weight loss because they are so heavy with no real goal to change that. I feel the need to want to "save them" all from the weight issues. Especially the ones with severe health issues. I dont want to lose them to this beast called Obesity when there is a way out. 32. How has the surgery effected your relationship with your coworkers? N/A 33. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Go slow....dont expect too much. Dont set unrealistic goals. Be proud of yourself every step of the way especially for making the decision to change your life. 34. What is your favorite forum on OH? (Hint, hint) May 2005 because we are all at the same point in our lives.Some at goal some not, but we all started out the same and no one can relate to us IN the moment anywhere else. 35. Who has inspired you in your journey the most? Is it someone who know who has had the surgery? Is it someone's profile that you track? Is it someone from your local support group? My greatest inspiration is my mother. She did not have WLS but she was diagnosed with stage 3 GastroEsophageal Cancer 17 months ago and had to have something called a resection which is very similar to WLS. Seeing her go thru that made me realize that I am her daughter and I had the strength to do this for myself, her and most especially formy children.