18 Month Roll-Call

Who is around? How are you doing at 18 months post-op? Kathy

Hi, I haven't posted on here for awhile. I've been lurking a bit recently but until about a month ago I didn't have internet access. I let it drop over the summer and now have DSL and I don't know how I ever put up with dial up before!! Anyway, I had my 18 month check up today. I'm doing great. I've lost 120 lbs and was told today that I have 20% body fat which to me is just unreal. I have been having some trouble with my iron levels but my Dr. thinks it's because I have very hard periods with heavy bleeding, clotting, etc., so I have to see a GYN and see what can be done there. I don't have many problems with food as long as I follow the rules but my body really rebels when I overeat or eat ANY sugar or high fat foods so I've learned to be good!! But there's no food in the world that could make me feel as good as fitting into a size 4 jeans did!!

hey kathy, It's Marla...still around..don't really post much... but i do lurk and I thank you for all that you do to keep this board going! I am down 100 lbs....need to really get back on track to the basics and try to start to lose again... been holding this weight for quite some time now... I really want/need to lose another 40lbs before I think about a tummy tuck! My excercise is going well.. I think that is keeping me out of danger with gaining weight for sure. SO...I need to start to work harder at trying to lose...(boy do I realize more then ever how addicted I truly am to food.) I have been going to 2 support groups per month and that helps as well as coming to OH. I need to schedule an appointment with my dr. as I haven't seen her since June... Probably time for more blood workl. So that's my update. Hugs to all Marla

HOWDY... doing okay here... started consistently exercising again and my wt was 170, went to a conference out of town... No exercise... ate whatever I wanted (within reason) and geez... wt when I got home was 165... shakes head... Im never gonna figure this out. I dont think I was eating enuff even tho I felt like I was eating all the time.... Going for labs soon... pcp just ordered from the list I brought him. Am being followed up by my pcp as I left my surgeon in PA. Feeling good.... U?" Karen

I'm doing great. I do get very tired, but I've been very busy and don't get enough sleep. I had my physical Wed. I'm down 164 lbs and have been the same weight for several months. He drew blood to keep track of my levels. Haven't heard anything yet. This new chance at life is great. I am hungry a lot, but eat healthy. I faithfully take lots of vitamins and haven't even had a cold since my open RNY. Happy holidays.

I usually don't post anymore but still check the boards daily. Maintaining is very hard for me and I'm either way up or way down. I can't seem to get to a median with my weight and still struggle with binging episodes. I have to take things an hour at a time. Wanda from this board has helped me tremendously as well as continuing to come here to OH. I just know I cannot and will not allow myself to go back to the old me. I appreciate Kathy and the others that keep this board alive. I love all of you! Candy

i'm down 153 pounds and loving this new life. Just want to loose 50 more and then I'm done. Saving for plastic's. Lexi

I post once in a while.I am doing quite well except I had my first cold since my by-pass but am doing better (last week ).I would do this surgery again in a heart beat.I started at 216 and a womens size 20.I am short so I was as tall as I was wide.Now I fluctuate from 117-120 and its fine with me.I wear a size 3. I was born weighing 140 I always say.I think now my head has caught up with how my body looks.Took a while I would walk by a mirror and double take or if someone was looking at me I would look around to see who they were looking at.I have had some plastics done.I had the excess skin removed from my arms and implants done in January.I had the skin removed off my stomach in May.Very happy with both surgeries.Didnt loose too much weight with the plastics just smoothed me out and I lost inches .My arms were the worst,.. the skin before plastics just hung off.I always had big arms.I am amazed how much the implants helped as well.When I lost my weight I had nothing(no boobs) no hanging but flat as a board so I was super pleased with my surgery.I have to say I eat to live not live to eat.I am very strict because I have a very picky pouch.I feel like I have been given a new life and I am so thankful for it.I struggled since I was a young kid with my weight as probably all of you have and now its not so bad.I have to have my 18 moth blood work done probably after Thanksgiving.Thank -you all for posting I read a lot on this board since there really isnt any good support groups in my area and my doctor and packed and moved to Alabama.Have a good Sunday and a good Thanksgiving stay warm you northerners its chilliny here in south Fla so I know its cold~Laura~

Hi there, I'm here. Doing pretty well. My 18 months will be 11/23. I'm down 131 lbs, 2 more lbs to drs. goal (140) and 7 to mine. Haven't done as well with the exercise in the last month and a half. We are doing a major remodel and I've been so busy with that I haven't been exercising as much as before. Remodel should be done in 4-6 weeks so I plan on starting back into my walking/jogging. Geez, I'll probably have to pretty much start all over. Cold and rainy weather isn't helping with my attitude.

Hi Maysters, It's always so good to hear what all of you are up to. I am *finally* starting to feel like myself after a pretty difficult abdominoplasty 8 weeks ago. Will probably return to work this week, two weeks later than I thought. With the tt, I am now just below my goal of 150, at 5'5". I began at 351, and in my heart didn't believe I would achieve a normal BMI. I am now learning, for the first time in my life, how to maintain a weight. I am eating the same as I have been throughout this process. I will allow myself a SF treat a day, but otherwise try to eat very healthy, and am religious about taking my vitamins and water. I have restarted my exercise regime of four workouts a week, but at less strenuous levels until I get my strength back. I live in fear daily of weight regain, and I hope this fear is what keeps me healthy. Coming up to the second go around of holidays, I know I can eat small portions of everything I want, and be satisfied. I have faith that I will make it through the Christmas season and not overeat. Fortunately for me, we don't go to many parties or official functions where food can be an issue. I am just starting to enjoy wearing size 8 clothes, although there is no room in them for any regain! It will be an adventure to fill my closet over the next few months. I still hope to have plastics on my arms and breasts sometime later next year, if I can find a way to afford it. I ran into an old friend on Saturday, who I had not seen since before my WLS. This is someone whom I had known very well, and spent many, many hours with over the years. She literally didn't know me, even after talking to me for a few minutes. I had to tell her who I was. It was a funny encounter, yet it has bothered me that I could be so unrecognizable to someone who knew me, and not just on a superficial level. My body image will take a long time to adjust to the person I am today. When someone congratulates me on my "success" I thank them, but always say, see me in five years, then I can tell you if I've been successful at this. Best of luck to all of you, Debra M.