Greetings my fellow August '04ers! A while ago I mentioned that I was scheduled for another surgery (seems to be "my thing" for the summer *LOL*) and I am proud to say that I have survived (obviously) and that while we're (hubby, me and the doc) are still a little leary, we expect me to make a full recovery as long as I do as I'm told. On June 13th, I had a total hip replacement done on my RIGHT hip. Yes, being 30 does make me a very young THR patient, but it was needed due to years of dealing with osteoarthritis. I got the OA due to having 7 hip surgeries and traction (all but 2 took place before Kindergarten) because of a birth "defect". I was born with congenital hip displaysa (hip out of the joint) and it took all those tries before Kindergarten to fix it. See, after a surgery, I would spend 6 weeks in a spica (body cast) and when the cast came off and x-rays were done, they would discover that even though I was wrapped tightly in the cast, my hip managed to rotate and come out of the joint yet again. Anyway, the THR took twice as long since every implant he tried would pop out the moment he rotated my leg. Once he found one that "appeared" to cooperate, he closed me up and ordered a brace. This left me bed bound for 36 hours (bed pan and all! ****il the brace arrived. So, I had this brace going all the way down my right leg made of metal, plastic, velcro, and padding. It also wrapped around my waist (of course - how else was it to stay attached to my leg). However, even with the brace, my leg started to rotate. Four adjustments to the brace in 3 days did no good. So, the follow Monday (as I was finishing some recovery and therapy in a nursing home) the brace grew in size by 50%. I now had half a brace on my LEFT leg and it was attached (around my rib cage - can you say no more wire bras!) with the plastic and metal (bolts and such) to the full length brace on my right leg. Just this past Wednesday I was given the go-ahead to start weaning myself from the brace. However, I tend to go with my body and I had actually only been wearing the brace when leaving the house for almost a week prior to this appointment. The surgeon was OK with it and said to start weaning from the crutches as I saw fit and work down to a cane. Well, since I'm just "Mrs. Recovery", I decided to get the cane out that day. I then realized that it wasn't offering me the support I still needed on my right side (since I had surgery on my right hip, the cane goes in the left hand), so I still use the crutches. However, I do take baby walks (like from the recliner to the potty) without using anything, but only on occasion. The surgeon looked me dead in the eyes on Wednesday and said that he still couldn't guarantee that this thing (the implant) wouldn't pop right out, though. He had a genuine look of concern on his face. So, I'm going to be faithful to my crutches and possibly the walker (will offer the same support while taking less space) and possibly give the cane another try in a couple of weeks or so. I go back on 8/26 and if things are looking good, I'll be starting physical therapy. I chose to share this with you all because if not for having the RNY, I would have not been able to have the THR. I tried a few years ago, but he said that my weight would just destroy the implant and recovery would be so much worse, etc. (he had a dozen reasons). So, when I sought out WLS, my main reason was to have hip replacement. I miss working so much! I got approved for social security at age 22 in just 1 MONTH! Eight years of not working has taken a toll on me. I miss the social interaction and having a reason to be out of the house. As soon as I had the WLS, I knew I would schedule my THR as soon as I was at a reasonable weight, and I did. Shortly after the WLS, knowing I was soon going to have the THR, I decided to attend college FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! I started college classes online (to avoid the horribly long walks on a bad hip) in January with a major in Health Information Managment. I knew I needed to get an education (specifically, a degree of some sort!) if I was going to find a job after the THR. After all, it's been over 8 years since I've done any kind of office work and while I knew that Excel, Powerpoint, and Access were computer programs, I knew nothing else about them (still don't really - haven't gotten to those classes yet, but at least I have them on my computer now! *LOL*). I know that some of our fellow August '04ers have had a lot of issues with their WLS and I think of them often hoping for solutions to their issues and that they are blessed with a body of good health very soon. I am grateful that things have went so smoothly for me. Because of this surgery, I lost enough weight to get my hip replaced and gained the confidence to attend college so that I will be mentally able to work when I become physically able to work. On a side note, I had always wanted a tattoo and finally decided in January that I deserved it and got it! My hubby paid for it as an early birthday (born in February) gift. I also want to add that amazingly, even though I have sat on my butt (not eating all that healthy) for the past 6+ weeks, I still managed to drop another 3 pounds since June 13th! My initial goal set with my surgeon was to weigh 140 pounds and as of today, I'm at 145! Since gaining even 1 pound over goal would make me "overweight" according to the chart here, I have decided to try and get to 130-135. However, if I was to stay at 145 and am able to have my tummy tuck next summer (like I said, my summers are becoming devoted to surgeries *LOL*), I may just get to my new desired goal. I start 4 classes online in about a month (since I'm certain I won't be totally physically ready to walk around campus just yet), then the next quarter (which will start in January) will be on the campus. After I complete those classes (in March), I will be a certified medical office coding specialist. It is a slight detour (by only 2 classes) from my degree, but the program I'm in only takes 25 students a year and I'm #92, so I figure I got the time. I'm hoping this will allow me to get at least a part time job as I continue to pursue my associate's degree. I am so grateful to have WLS and even though a lot of things happened shortly after I had it (check close to the bottom of my profile page for details), I would definitely do it all again. My only regret is not doing it sooner. I made fun of the surgery for years - saying that if I was to have it done my dinner would consist of a bite of potatoes and then having to lick the steak! *LOL* As I set these long term goals for myself, I also have a few short term ones. The first being to get my house in order because my hubby, along with my 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son, have managed to get us back to living out of laundry baskets and frozen dinners/sandwiches! I also really want to stop , but I claim cigarettes as my stress relievers and until I learn find other ways of dealing with stress, I will continue to contaminate my lungs. Anyway, I just wanted to share this with you all. If anyone managed to read this whole post, thank you for your time. So much has changed for the better and it all began with making that big decision to give up Pepsi forever! *LOL*

Not at all...I still feel fat too! I've lost 114 lbs dropping from 254 to 140 and nekkid feel like I weigh 254 still. You're not alone...it takes our minds a while to catch up with our bodies. You're not alone... Kristy 254/140/140

YOU are soooooooo not alone,here. I have physically lossed weight but mentally I haven't. I feel Wonderful; daily! And I look great in clothes but my mine....say something different . 395/241/175

Okay, the "Grads" board is open now, too. It's for one year or more post-op, which we will all be reaching within the next four weeks or so (wow, the year has gone quickly!) Here's the URL if you want to lur****il your anniversary: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/member-interests/wls_grads/posts.html ---- Leslie -112

Hi Marianne! We are exactly the same height!. You will make it. Just think, you started out 36 pounds higher than me, and you only have 11 to go! Marvelous, Tremendous, Stupendous. So throw a and you will be there soon! Lisa Lap RNY 08/31/05 5'0" 220/127/110