July roll call

I've lost 81 lbs since my open RNY on October 13, 2003. Not as much as a lot of you but I am feeling so much better. No longer have to take meds for high b/p and diabetes. I no longer snore and keep my husband awake or make hm have sore ears in the morning after wearing his gun-shooting earmuffs to bed. He loves that. I did reach a small milestone... i currently weigh less than my younger sister which has NEVER happened before. But, I do have to say that she has gained some so it wasn't all me. I find that I love to buy new clothes... a lot of summer stuff is starting to go on clearance and I love it. I'm in a 16-18 depending on how it's made. I want to lose at least 100 in a year so I've got 3 months to lose this last 20 lbs. I have been messing up lately because of all the summer parties and also my sister came to visit me from Houston for a week. I did buy me a pedometer and I'm trying to work up to 10,000 steps a day... i am not even close to HALF that yet but I'm going to keep working at it. I'm so proud of you all... you are doing just great. Pamela Open RNY 10-13-03 309/228

Ahhh ... October Budd's, Isn't life grand? Everyone of you are doing great! I am getting there. I lost another 5 pounds this month. Now I am less than i have been in 25 years. I have lost a total of 87# since WLS on 10-13-03. I now weigh 146# and am in a firm size 10 with some 8's. I am still wearing my 14-12 baggies as it is summer and all i do is hang out at the house with the kids. I am going out next week to start my shopping for the work wardrobe I will need when school starts back in August. This summer has flown by. We just returned form the Pepsi 400 race in Daytona. I had a wonderful time parading around on my hubbie's arm. He is so proud of me now and i am to. We went to Wet and Wild in Orlando... LOL. Yep, me in a bathing suit IN PUBLIC! LMAO... I had to ask DH if everything was "covered". He just grinned. I had a great time. Question for ya'll: When are you going to start getting stuff in line for PS? I know/read one of you has an insurance issue and must do it before January, but how about the rest of you? I am hoping for next summer at the end of May for a TT and Lift. I also think i want some sort of work on my neck and eyes. I am not normaly into this kind of thing[PS]... i don't wear make-up much and the lot, but i figured what the heck if the insurance will pay to give me a "flat" tummy and fix what years of abuse have done to the girls i will go for it. I haven't tried alcahol yet or soft drinks. Have you? I am afraid i will dump on the sugar in the mix for the drink. Any suggestions? I would love to go have a drink with DH for a celebration he is going to next week. Judy 10-13-03 233/146/130 16# to goal!!!!!!!!!!

God Judy yo sound like you ae doing wonderful! Congrats girl you deserve it. I have not consulted with a ps yet because I still have around 65 pounds to go but I think I will when I am maybe 20 pounds from goal. I have not tried alcohol as I never liked it before and have no interest now. I have no interest in soda since that is my major problem before surgery. Good luck at your DH's celebration. Tanya -113

Hi All, Congrats on your losses! You are all doing so well! I have lost 88-90 lbs since my consult with my surgeon. I can wear misses size 16 pants and XL tops. I just bought my last outfit at Lane Bryant's (they were having a sale), size 14 capris-smallest they sell! I was at Old Navy, just looking, and saw that they have clothes that are actually too big for me. I could have been shopping there awhile ago! People are starting to notice my weight loss and complimenting me on it! That feels good but also a little weird. I'm continuing the counseling with my psychologist and I feel we are making progress into helping me understand why I turned to food for love and support. I am learning to love myself! I continue to go to Curves 3 times a week and 30-45 minutes each time and walk 2-4 miles every day. I still have issues with looking at pictures of me, I feel so skinny but think I look so fat in my pictures. I put clothes on and think this feels tight, look in the mirror and think that doesn't look too bad, see it in a picture and think it looks baggy! Carol Beck

Hey....my first time in the "October" club forum. I had my surgery on Halloween Day, so I'm just "barely" a member (also describes my dress as I type this at 1:30 AM EST....LOL) I had been scheduled for 11/7, but got a call on 10/30 asking if I could come on Halloween Day. I said yes without hesitating. I was 320 plus...have had no complications, and am under 200 for the first time in 20 years...maybe 25. I look better, and feel great (ladies.....LADIES ONLY.....the line to feel forms to the right....LOL) Pete Elyria, OH

Tanya, I definitely know the feeling of shopping and finding smaller sizes. I had my first experience in Foleys and found myself in a medium skirt. I was smiling all the way to the register to make my purchase and the cashier complimented me on my smile and then asked what made me smile and seem so happy. I TOLD HER THE WHOLE STORY!!! She was so excited for me. Anyway, I have gone from 276 pounds before surgery to 186 pounds (90 pounds loss). Currently size 14 is too big and size 12 is a bit snug so I'm kind of in a weird spot at the moment. However, I can wear a size 9 in skirts (weird!) and I wear mediums. I am so fascinated with the fact that I am so sucessful with the surgery. The 4th of July weekend I went out and got myself a trainer and joined 24 Hour Fitness. This was the best thing that I could have done. My trainer has been very motivating and supportive and because my eating is limited she has me eating every two hours (very small meals). She says this will help get me to 1200 calories and will keep my metabolism up and burning. Because I'm getting ready to really hit the weights and I'm already doing intense cardio 7 days a week, we are working hard to get my calorie intake up to 1200. Who would have ever thought that I would be working out 7 times a week and loving it. I have my college homecoming coming up in October, so that has me motivated too! To all- congrats on your blessed success. Take care and God bless!

I think we are all doing so go well. I have lost 90 pounds so far and want to loose another 10 just to make it -100. I feel good and am happy with my size 14 bottom and 12 top. If and when I get to the -100 that will put me at 155. I'm happy with that. Then after I have TT hopefully I will be in the 140's. I am a Chirstian and this whole journey has been blessed by the Lord for me. I prayed about it and felt peace with the timing of the surgery. Now I can be a better witness for Him. I just wanted to give God the glory. Afterall, He gave the surgeons the wisdom, right? Karen

Hi All, It's great to see how far we've all come! I'm down 83#. Until now, my weight loss has been slow but steady. But now, the scale hasn't moved in 3 weeks! I'm way to far from goal to stop losing. Any suggestions on what you did to kick up the weight loss would be great! The good news is I joined Curves one month ago. I had my 1 mo. measurements done yesterday and I've lost 16.75 inches already! The weight HAS to follow, doesn't it! Jeannie lap rny 10-28-03 295/212/150

Wow! It's so great to see everyone doing so well. As of today I'm down 129 lbs, and am hoping to lose about 20 more. Yesterday I went to the beach for the first time without feeling like an outcast. It was so much fun I went swimming in the ocean and took a hike over a mile to the pier and back without getting winded.

Nine months ago right now I was in surgery!!! Today I am 125 lbs. lighter!! I've gone from a size 24 - 26 to a size 12 - 14. My BMI is currently 25.8, so I'm on the brink of being in a "normal" weight range....for the first time in my life!!! I have 14 lbs. to go til goal, and feel confident I'll achieve it. I'm still losing about 8 lbs. a month. I scheduled an intial consult with a plastic surgeon for next month. Reconstructive surgery itself is a few months off, but I want to start doing my homework!! I may be getting married within the next year, and sure would like to get my tummy tucked before dress shopping!! Kathy