Just found this forum - Sept 2004

Mendy, Welcome! I'm so very thankful for wls and all the positive changes in my life. I could still use a little more energy - but WOW it's 200% better than this time last year. - hugs - dea

Dea - I am with you about the surgery. I am so glad that I took the plunge. I almost didn't because my mom was sooooo against the idea. Not really of the surgery, but the risks that you take. Plus it didn't help - everything that she had ever read or seen on tv has been the horror stories not the successes. But even through her doubts, she was there with me at the hospital on the day of the surgery and has been a tremendous support since. She has never been happy with the surgery, but she is so thankful of the major changes I have gone through. It helps that I have been extremely lucky - I have had no troubles with any type of food. I have not thrown up once. I have had just one episode with the dumping syndrome - but my dr. told me that you just have to experience that once - know your limit and not do that again. Believe me I haven't. That was one nasty experience. Do you have any trouble with any types of food? How about hair loss? That I have had trouble with, but now I am on a different vitamin and that has helped. But it seems the last two months I am losing extremely slow. Sometimes it is discouraging. But I know that I have to keep up with watching what I eat and try to exercise more. But that can be so hard since I work an hour away from home and work at least 1 sometimes 2 hours of OT a day, working in the 1/2 hour of exercise seems daunting. But I have started to realize I need to do it for me. It's just hard as a mom to put yourself first. Do you have that trouble too? hugs - Mendy

Mendy, Hey Girl! I'm glad your mom is supportive even if she had/has concerns. My biggest problems stem from the fact I get in too big of a hurry to eat and don't chew well enough - You'd think after one or two times I'd learn but I've thrown up more than I want to think about for that reason. I've also thrown up steak and chicken, - meat needs to be verrrrrrry tender and moist and I have to remember to chew, chew, chew. My hair loss has almost completely stopped and I have new hair growth - thank you Lord! My nutrition rules according to Dea - I have one protein shake a day, take my chewable multivitamin daily - and about 3 times a week sublingual b12. I also use volumizing shampoo and conditioner. I joined the gym and try to go at least twice a week - I'm working on increasing that - but boy oh boy does my life ever get in the way. And YES - being a Mom, wife, and daughter kinda puts me at the bottom of the list to do things for - but I'm trying to convince myself I can be a better mom, daughter, & wife if I take care of me first. Let's keep reminding each other - OK? - hugs - dea

Hi Dea! Welcome to the September '04 baby board! Glad you found us! I love right outside Washington, DC, work PT, and have a 19 year old son who's a soph in college and an 8 1/2 year old daughter. (oh yeah, and a husband . . . not enough time to discuss that one . . . ) I had my surgery 5 days after you, I'm down 120 lbs and want to lose about 12 more to be in the "normal" BMI range. I exercise alot, 45 minutes on the elliptical most days and I'm swimming 2x a week this summer. Maybe you can explain how I put my photo up with my profile???? XO, Sandy

Sandy! Great to hear from you. 45 mins on the Elliptical - WOW - I'm impressed, my first time @ the gym - I almost passed out after 3 minutes. I finally worked my self up to 20 minutes - but then - I've been too busy to go the last week or so - so I'll probably be struggling to make 10 minutes again. Down 120 lbs - You Go Girl Awesome! Keep up the good work. Check out this posting from the main message board regarding posting your own pics - It really works - even for a computer dummy like me - If I can do it - anyone can. http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/messageboard/postdetail/1390101.html?vc=0 Tegan Angel from the Bama Board is a sweetheart and spruced up my profile. Check out her profile.... http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=M1104883309 Tegan Angel ROCKS! Hope to hear from you from time to time. Have a GREAT & blessed week! - hugs - dea