Roll Call

Well Guys & Gals, It has been an extremely long time since many of us posted. So, I think it is high time for roll call! Let me see, today I'm at 154 lbs. That is my forever time LOW. My eventual goal is 138, but I think after I have my butt lift, thigh lift, breast & arms done (tummy is finished)... I'll be close enough. They took off 10lbs from my tummy. I'm sure I've got at least 10 more lbs of skin to go. I've never been more content in my life. I'm wearing a size 8 - 10 in pants and a small shirt. Heck, even my shoe size shrunk! I've joined a private counseling practice working with pre- & post- ops and LOVE it. I've had my counseling degree for 10 years and this is just the place I want to use it. I still hate to exercise, but I've started playing tennis with my son and have signed up for a tennis class and a cardio class through our local community college. I've also made a promise to NEVER use the elevator again. That has been working out great for me. I've developed an intolerance to lactose... there goes my yogurt How are y'all doing? Jackie -242 and counting!

Hello there. I started at 217 and am now down to 157. I have been as low as 151, just couldn't break the 150 mark! I have seen a plastic surgeon for a full tummy tuck and hernia repair. He seems to think about 18 pounds will come off with that. Just waiting on insurance approval...and keeping my fingers crossed. I realize that this would be easier if I were to exercise regularly, but just can't fit it in. Perhaps with the kids back in school I will have more time. Of all the weight I have lost, none and I do mean NONE has come off my breasts. I was a 46 DD to start and I am now a 38 DD. I lost the fat around, but none of the breast tissue. The doc wants to do a breast reduction as well, but I don't think insurance will cover that one. But I can dream. Anyway, nice to see this board. Never found the anniversary board before.

Can't believe it is almost 2 years since we made that leap of faith together! I have lost about 125 lbs but am still struggling. Keep gaining and losing the same 5 lbs. I have decided to step up my exercise and am walking 1 1/2 miles 5 days a week. I am hoping that gets me jump started again. The doctor wants me to lose another 50 lbs. My tummy isn't bad, (it could be better), but my thighs are awful. The skin looks like melting wax. I doubt if insurance would pay for them, and I hate the idea of any more surgery, so I suppose I will just have to live with them. I can eat just about anything, I am lactose intolerant though. Has any one else had marital problems post WLS? I recently found out that my dh of 20 years has had several affairs since my surgery. I am wondering if the two things are in any way related. He says not, but I think it is too big a coincidence. Anyway, physically I feel wonderful. Mentally, life is a struggle right now.

Hello everyone, Yep, almost two years and feeling better than I did in High School. I started at a all time high around 525lb and the day of surgery weighed in at 397 with a BMI o**** Two years later, 3 surgeries and 6 tranfussions with 19 units of blood...2 times on the door step to the other side..... I'm down to 187 lbs with 17% body fat. I now fit into 29x34 levis Pre surgery I was in a 64 waist and a 6xlt shirt..My shirt size is now a small. With all that said....I'm sorry I waited so long to do this....I would do it again no matter what!!!!!! I actually struggle to keep weight on. If I'm not careful I drop 5-8 lbs in a week ( I don't have it to loose!) Lots of people ask me how they can have the success that I have been blessed with and My advice is to not be so carb concious but that dosen't mean chips, and junk, more fruit and natural carbs like veggies, in season fruits. I still eat a limited diet, not much red meat, NO REFINED SUGAR! A Little Alcohol, NO SODA! Slurppies are OK! I do not eat things like Hot dogs or to many processed foods. I try my best to eat things in their natural state, Like shrimp, chicken, some fish, My thoughts are that we now spend so much less on groceries why not buy that much better foods like shrimp, crab and so on. I am so happy to be a bariartic patient and feel bless to have another chance at LIFE Thanks for listening Shawn Stiner

I'm so glad to see you 10/03 buddies checking in!! I've missed you guys!! My all time high was 313, and today I weigh 143, for a 170 lb. loss. I've been successfully maintaining within my goal range of 140 - 145 for about 8 months now. I do watch it very closely...if I don't eat enough I slip too low, and if I snack too much I start to creep higher...so I weigh myself almost everyday to keep an eye on it. I once wore a size 26/28, and today wear a size 4 or 6. I had hernia repair and tummy tuck last November...which was far more challenging than RNY, but still worth it. I doubt I will ever have any more reconstructive surgery, but sure could use it! At the moment I suspect another hernia, in spite of the abdominal meshing. I see a doctor to check it out next week. Life is good, but very different for me. I got married to a wonderful man in April. I met him shortly after WLS and he's super supportive. I co-lead a monthly support group, which really helps me stay on track. I have found that I am more "fragile" since WLS, but it is still worth it by far. I've had Lyme Disease all summer, which has really diminished my exercise, which in turn causes me to be weaker...something I didn't need! I think I'm beyond it now and strengthening, though. I watch my nutrition very closely, and demand that my PCP watch my blood counts closely just to make sure all is good...and it always is!! It is great to check in with all of you. I think in some ways this is the hardest part of our journey...how to maintain our weightloss long term. I know I am having to fight bad habits trying to creep back into my life more and more. Just in the past couple of weeks I have tried small amounts of refined sugar for the first time, and have discovered I can tolerate them. In fact, I feel better after eating a small amount (less than a scoop) of regular icecream than I would if I ate the same amount of sugar free icecream (not worth the gas pain, in my opinion!). I guess that isn't bad as long as the quantity doesn't increase or become a frequent habit. So far I have the self control, but the future scares me sometimes! Kathy

Hi everyone! Boy, has it been a long time since we did a roll call! Thanks for starting one up, Kathy! What a life changing experience, aye? I weigh less now than I did in high school. I've lost 180 lbs. , have had my tummy tucked, a hernia repair, and the extra skin from my arms removed. I wouldn't change a thing! I would go through it all again. The tummy tuck was more difficult than the gastric bypass, but I think the hernia had a lot to do with that. I can eat just about anything, now. It's great not to wake up in the morning and think about what I'm going to eat today. Food is no longer an issue in my life. I can concentrate on other things. I went to boyscout camp with my son, this Summer. It was so much fun! I shot a BB gun and did archery for the first time in my life. I hiked for miles and didn't get out of breath or have pain in my back and legs. I work out and lift weights 3 to 5 times a week. I also have a lactose intollerance, now. That makes it even more difficult to get that calcium in, but I just keep taking the Viactive chews a few times a day. Cheese and a little icecream and sourcream don't seem to bother me, so I eat those, too. Take care everybody! Love, Jane

Two years, WOW! Where did time go? I guess with the fat. I started at 275 or should I say I finished being fat at 275. Now down to 120 lb 5'6" Size 2. I have been there for about 9 months now. I had a tummy tuck a year ago. Can eat just about anything in small portions. I love the other side ,the thin side the wild side. I would never go back. Soooo glade I made the decision to have the surgery. Against everyone I knows advise . First thing I ever did on my own ,the best thing to. One plus of the surgery is people (the pain in the butts) do recognizes me I just walk on bye. Funny things that have happen many people think my husband is cheating on me. My 9 year old feels its necessary to tell everyone how big mom use to be, and now mom where's her clothes. I have a 20 year old son I am 37 all his friends say is that your mom or sister. Only down side is I have no boobs. I mean none. I have skin lost of skin. I have to stuff the skin in to my bra size 34 B if I did not have the skin I would where a size 34 AA. insurance won't pay for the removal and I don't have $5,000 to pay for it. Have enter several contests trying to win boobs no luck yet. Never thought I would want to win the boobie prize. ttfn Carolyn

Hi all, It's so nice to read how everyone is doing... I just can believe it's been 2 years since the surgery. I've been maintaining my weight for over a year something I've never been able to do before. Over the years I dieted my way up to morbid obesity by loosing weight and meeting my goal only to gain more ... and this was/is my biggest fear even after the surgery. I finally, for the first time in my life, got control over my weight, I can eat pretty much anything now, I'm just mindful of what I put in my mouth (97% of the time ). My stats are: I went from 223 to 111, keep in mind I'm only 5'1", had a tummy tuck and arm reduction in January (took 5# of skin off). I exercise regularly, weight myself every day, I'm still working on not being obsessive about gaining weight, but now if I gain 2# instead of going into a full panic attack, I simply am careful and off it goes again... Life is good... Now if I could only find a way to loose years ...would be nice to go from 47 to 23.