Question of the day...

Hello all, I figured we need a question of the day, it's been a while since we had one. We are all at or just about at 8 months post op now... Is there anything that you would change or do differently at this point? What is your greatest acheivement since surgery, something that you could never do before?

MINE: Is there anything that you would change or do differently at this point? #1- I would have had my surgery done laparoscopically as I first intended instead of settling on a surgeon who advertises LAP but then when you finally meet him, you find out that he doesn't. GRRR!!! I don't like the scar, not a good job sewing me back together! #2- I could have exercised more...UGH...I AM walking now though! #3- Can't think of any more... Still the best decision of my life! What is your greatest acheivement since surgery, something that you could never do before? CROSS MY LEGS!!!! WALK WITHOUT PANTING NO MORE DIABETES I no longer have to worry about the size of chairs, my purse and I can fit into any chair you set before us! I dont' snore anymore! Get up and down off the floor gracefully! ....Awwww hell....What CAN'T I do now?!!! Still have not attempted a cartwheel though, still affraid I will break my wrists! lol Your Turn!

HI Tracy- Good questions! Is there anything that you would change or do differently at this point? I wish I could have had it done lap instead of open or questioned it a little more. Maybe spent more time here than I did. You think you do so much research and come to find out you still don't know everything. What is your greatest acheivement since surgery, something that you could never do before? Wow, this is a HUGE question. I can: -cross my legs -sit on my one leg and cross my other leg over -wear sandles -paint my toes -EXERCISE -ride some rides at the fair (amusement park is next!) -wear pants that have no elastic, with a button and a zipper -wear a shirt that doesn't need to hang to my knees -chairs are no longer a worry -can sit in a booth at a resturant -quit smoking for surgery -run -go up and down the steps with laundry and not have to stop and can breath when I'm done and don't have to sit down and rest -stand for long periods of time Oh, I know there is more, but that is just right off the top of my head. Tracy- I was kidding around with my husband the other day that I felt so good I could almost do a cartwheel and I thought "what if I break my arm or my wrists!!??" Funny what we all want to do!! Good questions! Have a great day! Kathy

There are only two things that I would change about my "experience" **I would rather have had my surgery done Lap (doctor fixed a hernia and removed my gall bladder at the same times as surgery so it was done open b/c of the amount of time in surgery). **The other thing is how much I exercised at the beginning. I am doing better now (I say that and I need to get ready for the gym). Things I can do since surgery: **I can cross my legs and I do so w/out really thinking about it. Before surgery I had to position myself just right and I would still cut off circulation in the leg on the bottom...really uncomfortable. **I can sit on the floor and play with my boys and actually get up by myself and with out any problems. **I can exercise for an hour!! I was able to exercise oh maybe 10 or 15 mins before surgery and be wiped out for the rest of the day! **I don't mind talking to strangers, I'm much more out going. I guess I was paranoid before, thinking that they would say something mean or that they would just talk about me as I walked away. I know there are so many other things....i'm just going blank right now. Anyway... off to the gym! ~Rachel

HI there Tracy, Thanks for posting a question of the day. I have not reaIly been posting much. Just hanging around answering some posts. Is there anything that you would change or do differently at this point? NO Tacy there is nothing I would do differently at this point now. What is your greatest acheivement since surgery, something that you could never do before? Tracy there are so many one of which is : I used to run a bit on the boardwalk, I am starting again. I could never cross by legs now......I CAN I can give myself a manicure now. I can now sit in a regular beach chair and it won't collapse, I fit fine in a movie theatre chair without sitting on top of someone else. I can buckle my seat belt after a manicure without messing up my nails. I can see the buckle when I get in. I could not see my collarbone before ....IT IS THERE. I don't have a hard time drawing blood, because of the weight loss my veins are sitting right there. If I wanted to think hard there are so many that normal size people do every day and I had a hard time doing before but can do now..... Have a great Tuesday guys.....Lorraine

Good question. Things I would have done differently...I would have probably started a gym earlier to get me really "into" exercising. I find that I still have to fight the mindset of not liking to exercise. I mean, really, once I get myself to do it, it isn't bad at all...it's just getting motivated to do it. I found it funny about the cartwheel thing because last night I was laying in bed thinking about things I haven't done that I might like to try, etc., and I was thinking about doing a cartwheel. I've never been able to do one since I have been obese pretty much my entire life. I don't know if I could do one now or not. I have always been fond of watching gymnastics and I was thinking about that and whether there is someone that offers classes to adults to do gymnastics. I think it might be fun. I still don't know how to skate either. I have told myself I will try it, but I am scared I will fall and break a bone. I also plan to really LEARN to ride a multiple speed bike. I have one now, but my driveway is NOT the place to learn...it goes straight downhill! I have updated my pics on my profile too, so you can see the before and after. Christy

Just checked out your profile before/after pics. You look so great!!! You should be so proud!

Is there anything that you would change or do differently at this point? Requested that the surgeon make my pouch smaller so I'd be eating less at this point. I think I eat too much and that's why the scale won't move. What is your greatest acheivement since surgery, something that you could never do before? I CAN RUN!!! Jogging on my 'mill. Giving myself a pedicure. Reaching my entire back to scratch without a backscratcher. As well as the many usual things, fitting into chairs, booths, etc. Nona

"Is there anything that you would change or do differently at this point?" I'd probably never have started smoking again- I quit for 45 days before surgery and started again 2 weeks post-op. I want to quit so bad. "What is your greatest acheivement since surgery, something that you could never do before?" My greatest achievement is incorporating jogging, up to a half mile, in my exercise routine. Things I have never done before- see above (jogging) Things I have not been able to do for at least 16 years- cross my legs no more seat-belt extension on the airplane sleep apnea gone snoring gone fit into booths and chairs fit on all the rides at Santa Cruz Beach can wrap a regular sized towel (not a beach towel) around me, with nothing hanging out. can get up from any position with ease can see my vagina, lol. can fit into our stall shower, bend over in it, and shave my legs can feel muscle tone under my loose skin can breathe easier can hike trails with ease ......the list goes on and on! I'm so glad I did this for myself. BTW, If you go to my journal page I now have a web link to picturetrail.com where I have added some recent photos of my journey. Have a great day everyone!!!

Diane, Me too on the smoking....I quit for 4.5 years!!!! Started up again and have been smoking for over 2 years again. Dumbest thing I ever did, now I am affraid to quit because the first time I quit I gained 50 pounds!!! That would devastate me now! I figure I'll try again when I get to goal! Thanks for the nice compliment! Tracy