6 Month Anniversary

Can you believe it has been 6 months already? I sure can't. There are so many things I can do now that I haven't been able to do in a longggg time. I first had WLS Dec. of 1997, weighing in at 396 lbs. I'm not even sure what size I was at the time. I was just wearing whatever 6x stuff I could find. I got down to 255 within a year, but then gradually started gaining until I found myself at 314. I dieted back down to 288 then back up to 310 at the time of my revision to RNY on 10/23/2003. At that time, I was wearing a 30-32. My weight loss has been steady. The first month, I lost 22 lbs. Every month since.. .I've lost either 12 or 13 lbs. I hope I can keep that up! Right now, I'm at 225... wearing a comfortable 20 and a tight 18. That's -85 lbs since my revision and -171 thanks to WLS. I weigh less now than I have since elementary school. As for goals, I want to wear a size 12... I've never been a 12. I want to maintain this way of eating for the rest of my life. Thanks to all of you wonderful WLSers that have supported me along the way! Here's to the next 85 lbs! Jackie

HI JACKIE! CONGRATULATIONS!!! ISN'T IT A GREAT FEELING TO FEEL FREE OF SOMETHING THAT HAS PLAGUED YOU YOUR WHOLE LIFE? I KNOW THAT I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS SURGERY. I THANK GOD THAT MY DR. USED HIS GIFTS TO LEARN THIS SURGERY! I WAS WONDERING WHY THE FIRST SURGERY DIDN'T WORK FOR VERY LONG? I'M ALMOST AT 7 MONTHS, NOW. MY SURGERY WAS OCT.1ST, AND I HAVE LOST 125LBS. I'M PROUD OF ALL OF US WHO HAD THE COURAGE TO CHANGE OUR LIVES. HAPPY 6 MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!! A BIG HUG IS SENT YOUR WAY! YOUR WL FRIEND, JANE 362/237

Jane, I have lots of theories as to why the first surgery didn't work, but who knows for sure? I'm sure it's a combination of things. The first surgery I had was a non-adjustable band. I had surgery at 4 pm one day and was on my way home at 11 am the next morning. My surgeon discharged me by phone and provided no follow up care. I would call and ask if I could come in and the nurse would call me back and re-assure me that I was fine. In addition to no medical support, I didn't have any support groups or know about OH. After a while... "good food" started causing problems "bad food" didn't cause problems... so, I ate the chips, dips, ice cream, etc. and avoided the chicken, lean meats, fruits and vegetables. All and all it = failure; however, according to my first surgeon.. .I was counted as a success since I kept 100 lbs off for over 5 years. When I had my revision, I was still down 86 lbs. from my first surgery... even though I had gained 55 lbs from my lowest weight. This time, I have everything going in my favor: 1. A caring competent surgeon 2. A wonderful support network (e.g., family, OH, Yahoo Groups, and a local support group.... thanks Cen-Tex!). 3. A WLS tool that works in my favor (i.e.... I dump on all the things that packed on the pounds in the past). So, having said all of that... I'm certain to be a success!!!! Your WLS buddy, Jackie

Hey Jackie, you have the same aniversary as I do. I have also lost 80 pounds. It feels great ad I just want to be a size 12 also. I am now a 16 bottom and 14 top. My weight loss has slowed down but I know a lot of it is my fault. Karen

My six month anniversary was April 21. I am down just over 80 pounds and lose slowly...about 5-6 pounds a month now. The important thing to me is that it keeps going down. I have a hard time with protein so am still drinking Isopure. I will want to lose another 40 pounds which I expect to do by Christmas. I don't blame myself for the slow weight loss....and am actually not sure that 80 pounds in six months is slow! I am now about a size 12-14 depending on the brand. When I see that Size 6-8....ahhh!