Come out and play!

Yikes, it's hot outside! It's nice and cool by the computer... 1. What do you do for a living? Right now, nothing. I was laid off a few years ago and have done temp work since then. My main focus is finishing my undergrad degree so I can apply to grad school - I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up (corporate librarian), and it requires a master's. 2. What surgery did you have? Laproscopic RNY 3. Have you had any hair loss yet? What are you doing about it? I already had thin hair on top, thanks to genetics. Now I'm losing hair all over! Not too much yet, just enough to be disturbing. 4. What's your favorite snack? That hasn't changed - Mt. Olive zesty dill pickles, either whole or spears. I add a tablespoon or so of red pepper flakes to the jar, because I just can't get enough of spicy food! 5. Is there a food that you really miss that you could have right now? Um, this is probably going to gross out anyone who wasn't raised in an Asian household... there are two foods that I miss and probably can't have again. One is a bowl of hot rice with a raw egg mixed into it (plus flakes of dried fish, dried fish eggs, and dried seaweed). It's a great breakfast. The other is chicken gizzards braised in hot spicy oil. I could never eat this when my husband was in the house... it scared him! Luckily I can still have most of my other favorite foods, in appropriate quantities. My very favorite food is steamed blue crabs, and I had some on Sunday. Yum... 6. How many sizes have you dropped? Bottoms: started at a very, very tight 28; currently comfy in 24s Tops: started at 2x, although 1x would have fit if the belly weren't in the way; currently wearing 1x and some XLs. 7. What's your goal? I want to weigh less than my husband, who's 6' and 155 pounds. Anything after that is a bonus. 8. Who is your big supporter after WLS? My husband! Then again, very few other people know...

1. What do you do for a living? - I am a Personnel Coordinator for my local Community Action Program, and also a full time student, majoring in Criminal Justice, and also Mommy to the cutest 5 year old in the world! 2. What surgery did you have? - Lap RNY 5/2/05 3. Have you had any hair loss yet? What are you doing about it? - Had some breakage about 2 weeks after surgery, but I really think it was due to sleeping on my back in the same spot. (I'm a belly sleeper) Right now I'm taking biotin and maintaining my protein goals. 4. What's your favorite snack? - Extra Sharp brick cheddar, SF fudgesicles, Rita's sugar free Ice, and the 100 cal oreo packs. 5. Is there a food that you really miss that you could have right now? - Not really, I miss the large quantities though, if I'm really craving something, I'll have a bite. 6. How many sizes have you dropped? A plus size 18/20 to a junior 15/16! 7. What's your goal? - anything not obese or overweight 8. Who is your big supporter after WLS? - I would have to say myself, no one is unsopportive, but most can't understand the lifestyle change Thanks Ana, this was fun!

1. Bookkeeper 2. RNY-proximal (5/23/05) 3. No hair loss, started taking Biotin and I think it's actually slowed my hair loss of pre-surgery days! 4. Pre-op: Spicier Nacho Doritos, Post-op: 4 oz Buttermilk, Frozen Vanilla yogurt or SF Fudgesicle. 5. I really miss Fast Food Hamburgers but I don't want to try them either. Although, I still have trouble with bread. 6. Not sure, I'm still wearing the same sizes, but much more room in them. My shorts have an elastic waist band and my blouses used to be tight now they are much more roomier. 7. I'd be happy with a loss of 123 but really want to lose 136.5 (1/2 of my pre-op weight. (I've lost 35 so far at just past 8 weeks) 8. Husband

Hi Ana! Thanks for putting this out there!! Its so fun to see other peoples responses and where they are at in this process (I get so tired of hearing the words Journey, walking, water and protein.....so Im trying to find other words to use! heehee) 1) I am a facilities manager for a small specialty financing firm here in AZ. Basically Im an office manager but I dont deal with the human resources issues.......thank goodness! 2) Lap RNY 3) Nope, none yet........but they say to expect it 3-6 months post.....yikes! 4) I love to snack on anything crunchy. Lately its been more nuts and maybe a chip or two or three or five. I dont overdo it though. 5) A week ago I would have said anything mexican foodish......but now, I dont miss any type of food.....I just miss food. 6) Im still wearing the same clothes....22/24 and 3x. They are fitting better, but I havent dropped any sizes. 7) Just met with my doc yesterday. He wants me to be 190-200. I was like HUH? That seems a little heavy for me. Im taller than average but Im not 6'! I stated at 291.....I would LOVE to get to 171. But for now his goal of just under 200- is my goal also. 8) My biggest supporter is my friend Erica who is 5 yrs post op. I cannot say enough good things about her. She keeps this all very real for me.

1. What do you do for a living? I'm an unemployed social worker - I was laid off 1 1/2 years ago. 2. What surgery did you have? Lap RNY 3. Have you had any hair loss yet? What are you doing about it? Yes and I'm taking Biotin. 4. What's your favorite snack? I guess it is more of a meal rather than a snack, but I'm really into Taco Bell's pintos and cheese right now. 5. Is there a food that you really miss that you could have right now? I really miss PIZZA, but I can't have it. 6. How many sizes have you dropped? Just one size so far. 7. What's your goal? Meeting my nutritionist's goal of 180 lbs. 8. Who is your big supporter after WLS? My friend Peggy - she had WLS in March and can relate. My husband (bless his heart) tries, but he just doesn't understand sometimes. Diane

1. What do you do for a living? -clinical laboratory scientist a.k.a. lab tech 2. What surgery did you have? -open rny 3. Have you had any hair loss yet? no What are you doing about it?getting in my protien and taking my vitamins. 4. What's your favorite snack? -it varies but right now it is a handfull of peanuts. 5. Is there a food that you really miss that you could have right now? -cold stone creamery oreo and cream in a waffle cone, yummy!!! 6. How many sizes have you dropped? -3 sizes 7. What's your goal? -to lose half of me which will put me at 163lbs. 8. Who is your big supporter after WLS? - my entire family has been behind me from the start. Deri

I did this once but somehow it kicked me out... 1. What do you do for a living? - I'm an HR Generalist for a large engineering facility. 2. What surgery did you have? - Lap RNY 3. Have you had any hair loss yet? What are you doing about it? - Not yet. I've been pretty lucky getting all my protein in from the very beginning and have been taking Biotin since a couple months before surgery, not that THAT really means anything... But, so far, so good... 4. What's your favorite snack? - SF Fudgescicles! 5. Is there a food that you really miss that you could have right now? - Not really, no, I tolerate most things pretty well and anything I shouldn't be eating, surprisingly, I don't miss... 6. How many sizes have you dropped? - I'm not sure, at least from a 24 sometimes 26 to a 22 on bottoms but many things I can still wear, just differently and some 22s don't fit, while others are really lose.. 7. What's your goal? - short term, to ride the coasters with my son sometime yet this summer... Long term, 140ish... 8. Who is your big supporter after WLS? My hubby, he's been great!

Hey ladies! I want to thank all of you for your wonderful responses. It's nice to have a little fun and forget about plateaus, getting in enough protein and water, etc., etc. You are all doing a great job. NO one said this was easy but man we're all doing the best we can. We'll all be at goal before we know it. Love to all! ana

1. What do you do for a living? I am a software support manager at a University Hospital. 2. What surgery did you have? Lap-RNY 3. Have you had any hair loss yet? What are you doing about it? No hair loss yet. Also taking the biotin from GNC in hopes of stopping it before it starts. 4. What's your favorite snack? soy nuts 5. Is there a food that you really miss that you could have right now? I miss almonds, pistachios and fresh vegetables. I need to wait until Aug 2 before I try those, and then very carefully! 6. How many sizes have you dropped? My size 32 clothes are becoming loose. I've lost 51 lbs, I'm probably a 28 now. 7. What's your goal? 170 lbs 8. Who is your big supporter after WLS? My friend Barbara. She is 5 years out from her WLS. She has kept off the 187 lbs she lost! Lori 384/332.5/170

1. Hi, I am an assistant principal and mother of one. 2. RNY Open - Proximal 3. At this time I have not experienced any hair loss and I am going to start on the Biotin this week. If I am proactive maybe it will help. 4. My favorite snack is Wheatles with Peter Pan Low Carb Peanut Butter 5. I really miss cheeseburgers from McDonalds and Wendys but things are getting better. 6. I have gone from a size 26 to a 22 and it feels great!! 7. My goal is to be healthy and perhaps get down to 165. 8. My husband is my best support. He keeps me on track with protein and orders ANY and EVERYTHING for me to try. This site has also been very helpful and informative. Thanks guys!