June rollcall

Well thought I would post to see how everyone is doing ?? well I am done 98 lbs and am really starting to feel the results of this surgery and how much my life has changed from it so I thought maybe we could all post what are some of the biggest changes or goals we have made since the surgery. 1. I walk nearly everyday at lunch for about 30 minutes 2. I have gone from a size 26-28 to a 16 3. I have frosted my hair blond 4. I go to the tanning bed 5. I went and had my first (and not my last) pedicure 6. I overheard my 17 year old daughter complain to her friend that her mom only wears one size bigger than her now 7. I can go to sleep without fear that I am not going to wake up 8. my blood pressure is normal 9. I still feel like everyone sees me as the FAT girl and am having a hard time adjusting to my new roll in society as a normal size person, We had a photo album a work of a remodel we did on our building a new assist manager ask me who "THAT GIRl" was because she had never seen her before and I had to tell her it was me she about fell of her chair. 10. I wish I could write a book on 101 things to do with canned tuna Hope everyone has a great month KAthy -98 lbs

1. I am fighting a cold right now. I feel foggy. 2. I was 256 lbs, now I'm 168 lbs. That means only 12 lbs till I reach my goal and 100 pound mark. After that, when I am in the 150's I will just try to eat right most of the time and exercise as much as possible. If I loose any more weight fine, if not, fine. 3. I went from a 24/22 to a 16/14. Size 12 is within reach if I squeeze. 4. Unlike most MO's I never considered myself obese. I felt and acted like I was thin. When I see pictures of myself from back then it is unbelievable, I was a cow. 5. The only thing I miss is my hair and the ability to stop my gas. It comes out with a vengence now. That's ok, I'm smaller and quicker and can make quick get-a-ways. Karen -88 lbs

Hi Kathy, Thanks for starting this months roll call. I am behind a little this month. 1- I am down 105 pounds since surgery and 135 since my highest. 2- I have gone from size 32 jeans to size 16 3- I can shop for chothes in the regular womens department and not the plus size 4- I wear the smallest size in Lane Bryant 5- I can bend over and tie my shoes 6- I am starting to feel sexy 7- I cut my hair in a bob and I love it 8- I can run after my kids and boy are they suprised 9- I can get in and out of my swimming pool without holding onto a chair 10- I hold my head up when I walk and look poeple in the eye 11- I have been seriously flirted with by some really hot guys (hubbie better keep an eye on me!) 12- I am starting to like myself 13- I have normal blood pressure, normal blood surgar, acid reflux is gone, heal spurs gone, and back pain is much better! Thank you all for being there with me on this journey. We should all be proud of ourselves for choosing life over existance! Tanya -105

1. I have lost 135# 2. gone from a tight 26/28 to a loose 14 3. I like my protein. 4. I'm not the biggest person in the room anymore. 5. Had to re-size my wedding ring (from a 9 to a 6.5 and I can STILL take it off at 6.5! I hadn't cleaned it for years before WLS 'cause I couldn't get it off.) Just last week I shopped at a store that didn't even CARRY plus sizes! Too much fun! Geraldine

Hello all..Well I ahve lost 94 lbs and 104 inches. Though I have not lost any weight in a while and I am hungry all the time. I have gone from a 30 to 16 in pants 5/4 XL 32 to a Large Blonde hair Got to meet Trace Adkins and he told me I look hot!!! Ride bikes with my Daughters Sit at the pool (no t getting in nor in a bathing suit) Cross my legs Not the "Fat person" anymore in the room that makes the jokes.. Ate steak for the first time a week ago.. Having a formal Party in a week (have a dress ) for the first time Get compliaments from Hubby all the time, just calls to tell me how beautiful and proud he is of me!! I love him sooo.. Battling a lot of lower back pain and skin hanging problems.. Just frustrated on weight loss but am grateful for how far I have gotten. A little scared.. of new life and thinking this is all I am going to lose... Peace and Prayers... Ann in NC 10/6/03 Lap Ryn

Kathy, LOVED your post! Funny and so inspirational. Here's what's changed in my life since Oct. 17th, 2003...other than the fact that I've lost 124 lbs. 1. I'm alive. (I actually died -no heartbeat, no breathing - three times from obesity related problems in the months before surgery.) 2. I don't take any medicine anymore and don't need a c-pap. Sleep apnea is gone. Diabetes is gone. Deathly high blood pressure is a thing of the past. Cholesterol and triglycerides are completely normal, etc, etc. etc!!! 3. No longer on oxygen. Don't have to worry every night that I might not wake up. 4. No longer walk with a cane. No longer need handicapped plates. 5. Go to the gym every day. 6. I can run! On purpose...not cause somebody is chasing me. 7. People who've known me for years don't recognize me. 8. I have the "awful" problem of being chased around the house all the time by my husband of 34 years who tells me I'm "hot." (Hot? Me? Geesh, I'm a senior citizen! This is so cool.) 9. I am the smallest person in my family. 10. Someone picked me up the other day. Love it! Sandra in San Antonio Open RNY 317/193/185 5'7", 55 yrs old

Things have come a long way in 8 short months... 1- I have gone from a tight 24-26 to a comfortable 12 and still can't believe they fit so good... 2- I no longer have "pain" when i get up or walk. 3- I feel "YOUNG" again. 4- People are looking at me in a different light... they actually talk to me now. Go Figure! 5- I see pics of me and just wonder who it is... I still see me FAT, but I'm workin' on that one. 6- I am blessed to be able to eat anything in moderation and it doesn't bother me. 7- I shop in regular sizes, but get upset when i can't find anything to purchase just like before WLS... just smaller. 8- I love the feeling of sitting in a chair and crossing my legs just as tight as i can and have the chair cuddle around me... mmmm. I remember when i fell into the chair and spilled over the sides in desperation...errr. Advice: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER forget where you came from! It makes the victory so much sweeter. Judy 233/151/130

Hello October Buddies! What has changed since surgery??????? EVERYTHING! I have lost 95lbs. Gone from a size 20-22 to a 10-12. Health Problems are GONE!! No Medications!!! I can cross my legs like a lady and I feel sexy. I walk with my head held high and don't let people walk all over me! I get compliments ALL the time and LOVE it! Who knew the sex life could get any better!!! We exercise as a family and even go bike riding!! (ME.....on a bike!) I feel like a get more respect from people. Guys hold doors open for me! My SIL is jealous as Hell.......oh well.....not gonna let it bother me! Remember all those jugs of cooking oil we used to go through.........now it is FF Cooking spray and FF Butter spray.....Who knew food cooked in these things could be just as tasty!! I bought my new swim suit the other day....NOT A Bikini, But so cute! I wear sleeveless tops now......you would never catch me in a sleeveless before! My Brothers call me skinny! I am smaller than my Mom.....who used to harp on me about my weight! I could go on and on.... Life is great! I am proud of all of you! Ladena lap rny 10/13/03 259/164

1. I went from size 24 to 12. From 251 to 166, -85! 2. I can wrap a normal-sized towel around me. 3. I can tie my shoes - then run! 4. I can cut the grass without killing myself (unfortunately I have a push mower!) 5. I still need to exercise more. 6. I must quit smoking! One day at a time! Judy

What has changed? My whole life and my outlook on same! 1. I can tie my shoes, pickup toys from the floor, bend over without fainting from lack of oxygen. 2. I can cross my legs comfortably! 3. Went from a 26/28, 3x to 16 and XL. 4. Can buy clothes at Sams Club on sale! 5. Have shipped off 3/4 of my closet to Goodwill, etc. 6. Enjoy having sex with my spouse even more, if that is possible, and am working on not being embarrassed by how I look. 7. Receive compliments all the time on how I look, I am finally starting to think maybe they could be right sometimes! 8. Notice that others greet me often and men I don't know smile at me and hold doors open! Either I am really pathetic or I look better than before! 9. I can eat anything but don't want to! Weight loss has gone from 300 to 198 and still losing. My weight loss has slowed! I lose 3 lbs than gain back 2 for a few days, then lose 5 and gain back 2. Like my body is fighting with itself over this and losing often. HA! I feel really good and can move without pain! This is the best thing I have ever done! LeeAnn 10/14/03 300/198/150