May-ers Poll

1. How far post-op are you? Will be six weeks on 7/5 2. What surgery did you have? Lap RNY (proximal) 3. State/country you live in? Maryland 4. Age? 34 5. What was your first (second, etc) WOW moment since surgery? First wow moment was being able to take the extender off of my bracele****ch. The second was fitting into a size 24 skirt. I was a 30-32. 6. Have you reached any of your intermediate goals yet? (Fit into a favorite piece of clothing? Be able to walk a mile without getting winded? Reach a specific number on the scale?) Not really - I didn't set any intermediate goals. Maybe I'll do that now. 7. What is your favorite (or most tolerable) protein supplement? I don't tolerate ANY protein supplements, so this has been a big problem for me. 8. What stage diet are you on? Solids (no raw veggies, no beef, no breads, no caffeine, no carbonated drinks) 9. What food just isn't working for you yet? Absolutely no fruit or nuts. Also, I dumped on cooked spinach last night. 10. Are you exercising? If so, what are you doing and how much? I walk a mile per day. I try to do two miles when I have enough energy but that's not very often. 11. What is your next intermediate goal(s)? 1) Regain energy!!!! 2) Be able to do aerobic and toning exercises and at the same level as I could preop. 3) Get below 250 pounds (hopefully this will happen next week). 4) figure out what to do about my protein deficiency 5) Up my water to 64oz per day 12. How are people reacting to the changes in you? My family acknowledges that I'm losing weight, but I'm so grumpy all of the time that they say they wish I never had the surgery. 13. Do you have any regrets about the surgery? Yes, I started seriously considering wls in June 2004 and I regret that I didn't pursue it back then. If I had, I would have had surgery last October or November and I could be much, much further along in the process. That is my regret - not doing it sooner. I would do it again in a heartbeat - pain and all! Tracy 303/259/130

1. 6 weeks as of July 4th 2. Lap RNY 3. Kansas 4. 40 years of age 5. Bending over to wipe and seeing my neck once again 6. None yet, however, I have boxed up my size 26 uniforms and am now back into my 24 sizes with the exception of my blue jeans. My first short term goal is to go from 287 to 250 before vacation in three weeks, maybe I will slide in 7. Whey chocolate, however, I do not like any of them and have not had to drink much, my physician has requested by the six week check-up, I am to be on three full meals a day with no snacking and no protein drinks in between meals. All protein is to be obtained through the three meals. 8. Solids 9. None really, I still do not feel hungry so I have to push myself to eat the three meals a day. 10. Occassionally go to Curves but I am out in the pool several times a week and I like to swim stationary (freestyle) or run around in the pool doing about 30 laps. 11. To be < #250-this is the tolerable weight limit for my four wheeler. I want to feel comfortable riding in the dunes of Oregon this year. Last year was so uncomfortable. 12. Very positive and supportive. 13. I wish I had done the surgery sooner so my husband, who passed away on 3-30-04, could see the transformation and the energy level I now have.

1. How far post-op are you? 6 1/2 weeks 2. What surgery did you have? Lap RNY 3. State/country you live in? Pennsylvania 4. Age? 31 5. What was your first (second, etc) WOW moment since surgery? First WOW moment was going through all the holes in my pants belt, drilling two new ones, and now being on the last one of those! 6. Have you reached any of your intermediate goals yet? (Fit into a favorite piece of clothing? Be able to walk a mile without getting winded? Reach a specific number on the scale?) No intermediate goals yet, except for dramatic weight loss. I'm coming up soon on a big goal. I've lost 78 lbs. now (55 since surgery). When I hit 100 lbs. lost, I'll be very excited! 7. What is your favorite (or most tolerable) protein supplement? Most tolerable has been milk, one scoop AnyWhey Protein powder (unflavored), and SF Nesquik Choc. Milk mix. 8. What stage diet are you on? I'm on Stage 3...eating a lot of different things...no more puree! 9. What food just isn't working for you yet? Eggs..at least scrambled. Hard boiled is fine, but scrambled/fried/etc. just doesn't work. 10. Are you exercising? If so, what are you doing and how much? I wish I was more, but when I do, its walking. 11. What is your next intermediate goal(s)? Getting to the century mark in weight lost (should come in about 3 weeks!) 12. How are people reacting to the changes in you? So far, very positively. 13. Do you have any regrets about the surgery? Glad you didn't ask me that 3 weeks ago! But now? Absolutely not.

1. 6 weeks 5days post op 2. Open RNY 3 Philadelphia PA 4. 34yrs 5. I havent had any, I am annoyed with my family asking me how mich I've lost 6. under 300 lbs 7. Unjury unflavored in OJ 8. Regular foods (well chewed) 9. to scared to try many new foods, chicken, turkey and eggs with cheese is all I eat and soft vegetables 10. walkin 20 min mile 3-4 times a week 11. 20 lbs lost in next 6 weeks 12. Overall people are supportive 13. no regrets Joanne 322/294...,165

1. How far post-op are you? 6 weeks this Tuesday 2. What surgery did you have? LAP RNY 3. State/country you live in? Stuck in Georgia (military) 4. Age? 27 5. What was your first (second, etc) WOW moment since surgery? My only WOW moment so far has been "WOW, I can eat more than the Doctor said I would be able to eat..." 6. Have you reached any of your intermediate goals yet? (Fit into a favorite piece of clothing? Be able to walk a mile without getting winded? Reach a specific number on the scale?) Fit into last springs capri pants 7. What is your favorite (or most tolerable) protein supplement? NOTHING, me and protein DO NOT agree... same with vitamins! 8. What stage diet are you on? UUMMM.... not sure.... my nutritionist hasnt called me back to answer this very question! 9. What food just isn't working for you yet? everything so far... 10. Are you exercising? If so, what are you doing and how much? I have been walking A LOT these past few days, I think I may have to keep this exercise thing up! lol 11. What is your next intermediate goal(s)? I dont know... I guess it would be to drink a protein drink and not throw up. 12. How are people reacting to the changes in you? So far so good, everyone treats me fragile! lol And EVERYONE feels like sh*t when they have to eat in front of me, which I find funny because I dont guilt them or anything. The only visible change is in my face, other than that there are no big shocking visible changes for people to rave about.... 13. Do you have any regrets about the surgery? I think I might regret that my surgeon SUCKS. I had a bad visit with her and now I regret having her operate on me. Other than that, no regrets... yet! Kathy 283/253/160

1. I am 6 weeks post. 2. What surgery did you have? Lap RNY 3. State/country you live in? Phoenix, AZ 4. Age? 29 with 8 yrs experience (Im 37) 5. What was your first (second, etc) WOW moment since surgery? Hmmm, wow moment........I havent had one yet. Well, does getting on the scale and having GAINED 4 lbs count as a wow moment? yikes... 6. Have you reached any of your intermediate goals yet? (Fit into a favorite piece of clothing? Be able to walk a mile without getting winded? Reach a specific number on the scale?) I put on a dress that I havent been able to wear in a few years but just havent been able to give away. It fits, a little tight in the bust, but I say another 10 lbs and I will wear it all the time! 7. What is your favorite (or most tolerable) protein supplement? I like the CIB. 8. What stage diet are you on? Im bringing in regular foods slowly. 9. What food just isn't working for you yet? I am finding chicken and tuna salad are not working well. 10. Are you exercising? If so, what are you doing and how much? Yes, I walk 1.5-2 miles 3-5 times a week. Sometimes twice a day if I dont have anything else going on. 11. What is your next intermediate goal(s)? I want to be at 40lbs lost by July 18th, thats my two month date. 12. How are people reacting to the changes in you? They notice the loss, especially at work. They are very very very supportive. I just wished I could see the difference. 13. Do you have any regrets about the surgery? NO WAY!

1. How far post-op are you? -7 weeks out 2. What surgery did you have? -open rny 3. State/country you live in? -Ohio 4. Age? -30 5. What was your first (second, etc) WOW moment since surgery? fitting my size 22 and 24s. It has been awhile. 6. Have you reached any of your intermediate goals yet? Fit into a favorite piece of clothing? -getting there Be able to walk a mile without getting winded? -yes!!! Reach a specific number on the scale? -yes,under 300lbs,first shortterm goal acheived!! 7. What is your favorite (or most tolerable) protein supplement? -The syntax nectar lemonade and fuzzy navel, drinking one right now!!! 8. What stage diet are you on? -regular foods 9. What food just isn't working for you yet? -eggs, tofu or anything like it. 10. Are you exercising? If so, what are you doing and how much? -Yes, 1 hour cardio 4-5 times a week 11. What is your next intermediate goal(s)? -to get to 275lbs 12. How are people reacting to the changes in you? -went to a cookout friday, got loooots of compliments, I am just feeeinger too. 13. Do you have any regrets about the surgery? -None, I have been blessed to be complication-free so far. Deri

Hi Kathy and Rich: 1. 6 weeks post-op as of today 2. Lap RNY 3. Pennsylvania 4. 48 5. First smaller size pair of pants I got into 6. I'm a slow loser....my first specific goal would be to see the scale hit BELOW 200. A number I haven't seen for a loooong time. Not there yet. 7. I love the IDS Whey Protein in Vanilla Cinnamon from Bariatriceating.com Also like the GNC Protein powder in chocolate carmel. 8. I'm on solid food now 9. Nothing has made me sick yet. Only problem I had was eating too quickly...that made me 10. I just got approved to go back to Curves...started back today. Hoping to make it at least 3 times a week. 11. I'd have to say getting into another smaller size pair of jeans I have ... try them on once a week. 12. Nothing major yet.....just some "I can see it in your face" comments. 13. No regrets !!!!!!