11 month check in!

Hi to all the December crew! I know everyone is busy,but lets take some time out and get caught up with each other! How,s everyone doing? What is everyone eating now,and how much?And I want to hear some bigtime BRAGGING,How much have you lost?How close to goal are you? What are your plans to celebrate your 1st anniversary? I am doing great.I have lost a total of 143#s. I have to lose 50 more to get to goal.To celebrate my anniversary,I plan to send my surgeon a great Christmas gift!!! (and buy new clothes) I love you all! Melinda

Morning, I have lost a total of 172lbs. Down from 338lbs to 166lbs. I eat pretty much what I want but meats still don't agree with me to well. I'll probably make my darling husband take me out to celebrate as my one year lands on a Friday It's hard to believe that a year has already come and gone and what a change for us all. We are all new people in new bodies and happier for it all. Do I regret having this surgery? I sometimes miss eating certain foods but then I ask myself. Was those foods healthy for me in the first place. What do I like the most about having this surgery? Quick weight loss and gave me back my life and will to want to live. I did not care if I lived or died. Well that's not totally true. I did not want to leave my husband and son behind but I was tired of not being able to breath and walk without having to stop. What do I dislike the most about the surgery? Throwing up or making myself throw up. I know some people tell me DON'T make yourself throw up but when my pouch is upset I would rather handle it then walk around feeling the pressure and pain build up. I really hate being out in public and having to use a public bathroom to throw up in Donna 338/166

Forgot to tell you I don't have a real goal and don't want to put that pressure on myself. I look good at 166lbs and if my body decides to stay at 166lbs then so be. I'm also seeing some flab so if I lose more then I'll be sagging big time I'm going to send my surgeon a christmas card. I was thinking of chocolates but would that seem funny to send a WL surgeon candy? Donna

Good Morning Melinda, As far as my WLS goes, I am doing ok... I have lost a total of 118 lbs. Starting weight of 295, Day of surgery weight 285, and currently 177. I would ultimately like to lose another 22lbs, but will be very happy and content to only lose another 12 lbs. This would put me at an average weight for my height. I started out with a BMI of 43, which was extremely obese, and now I am normal with a BMI of 24.6. I am no longer having to take any meds for diabetes, high blood pressure, or reflux. My back does not continuously hurt, and I can mow the yard and do other things without getting short of breath. I can once again tie my shoes in the center of my foot instead of the inner side of my foot. And I have come down from wearing 26/28 sizes to wearing 12's. And I no longer have a double chin. My first anniversary is now 17 days away... I can't believe it has already been a year since surgery... Not sure what I am gonna do to celebrate it yet. I just thank my lucky stars for having this new lease on life. I don't always make the best food decisions, but they are a heck of alot better than they used to be. I hope that everyone here feels as good as I do... Hugs, Susan

Hi Melinda, It seems so strange that it has been almost a year since surgery! WOW. I feel like I have come such a long way. I started at 287, but went into surgery at 242. I have gone from surgery day 242 down to today's weight of 125! Have gone from a BMI at 242 pound 40.3 down to 125 pounds and a BMI of 20.8! WOW WOW WOW I am at the low side of normal now! YEAH!!!! Have about 5 more pounds to lose and then I think I will be happier with myself. Oh, I am now wearing mostly 4s.... that is a wow in itself. lol This was the best thing I could have ever done for myself! HAPPY REBIRTH TO US ALL!!!! Kathy LAP RNY 12/16/04 287/242/125/120

Hola! I'm taking Spanish this semester so I had to add that part I've been doing great and am pretty much eating whatever I want. I avoid high carb stuff and things I know aren't good for me. To date I have lost 160# since my journey began (140# since surgery) and am at a stand still right now. I've been upping my fluid intake and eating better choices so am hoping that will get me started again. As for goal, I don't have a definite one. I would like to lose about 70 to 80 more pounds. With my height and frame size, I think I would look the best around that area. I am not sure what I will be doing for the 1st anniversary. I think just celebrating being alive would be great for me. If I'd not had this surgery, I don't think I'd be sitting here right now and that's scary. I am off all meds that I was on prior to surgery (with exception of anti-depressant) and my health is a lot better. I thank God every day for this 2nd chance I've been given. I see my doc next month for the yearly checkup and I think I will give him a big hug and tell him thank you for saving my life!!!!!! Have any of you found that you've become shop-a-holics now? I sure have... I buy clothes all the time now. I went from a 5X to a 2X (sometimes XL) so now I love clothes again... No more ordering from specialty catalogs for this gal. Ok well I'm off to go SHOPPING again so catch you all later..... ((((HUGS))))) Chelle 423/403/263/180????

Hi Melinda and everyone! Okay, here's the BRAGGING! I've lost 126 lbs. since last summer, when I started my 3 month insurance-related, doctor supervised weight loss.. I NEVER thought I'd ever weigh below 200 again in my life. Heck, I never thought I'd weigh less than 275!! My highest weight ever was something over 300 lbs., but not sure how much. BMI at time of surgery was 43.5, and I weighed 286. This a.m. I weighed 173. I'd like to get down to 160 -- to that BMI of 26. I'm 5' 6", and large boned -- yes, really. We're talking size 12 shoes!!!! I'm off all meds except Synthroid. My internist says I'll probably always need it. No big deal! Before surgery, I couldn't walk one block. Now I can walk for 1/2 hour! I'm physically stronger and I have incredible energy. This weight loss has given me a new lease on life. I showed my surgeon my before pic last week, and asked if he remembered me that way. I think he was surprised. He said, "I love seeing 'after' pictures." So I think I might send him a before and after pic for Christmas in my card. How will I celebrate? HMMMmmmmm. Maybe by some new clothes. Yes, I'm REALLY enjoying buying clothes, 'cause I look so darn good in them! In fact, I'm a little afraid I'm becoming rather Narciccistic (sp?)!! I don't mind having my picture taken anymore. Thanks for asking. Mary P. S. BTW, I think I'm the oldest of us Dec. 2004 folks! I'll be 62 on December 15th, so I'll have lots of celebrating to do.

well haven't posted much but here goes; I'v lost 150 Lb woohoo I went from 320 to 170 today. My goal is 150 but Dr.s goal was 180. I'm happy now if I don't loose anymore right, lol did't have any complications I guess I saved them all for afterwards. Found a knot in my breast. It was cancer, Have had 2 surgerys so far they got it all (the cancer lol) but I am starting chemo this Thursday, if anybody has went through chemo let me know, I'm preaty scared but thankfull to be alive.

hi debra,i am sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time! I am a two time cancer survivor myself.I had lymphoma cancer(Hodgkins disease) and had high dose chemo for 9 months.I was in remission for 5 years,then was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last August.Had to have a complete hysterectomy.Chemo is not an easy thing to go through,but it's worth it in the long run.Take it easy,get plenty of rest,try to eat healthy foods,most importantly,remain POSSITIVE! Think good thoughts.Get a support group.You willl have good days and bad.Just keep in mind,they have made great strides in the fight against cancer,and most likely you will lose your hair.It will come back though.Mine came back curly!! Go shopping,buy a wig,buy some hats. I became a hat person.I still wear hats even when my hair grew back! if you want to talk to me please feel free,my e-mail is [email protected]. I will be thinking of you and keep you in my prayers! Melinda

WOW. Just looking at these huge losses, I am so far behind you all. I am down by 96 pounds since surgery. Don't know what my loss was before surgery, because I never stepped on the scale. I'm sure I was well over 300 pounds at one point, but I was down to 294 on the day of surgery. I finally made it into Onederland and I've been stuck since. These past three months the weight loss just hasn't been happening. I have increased my protein and water intake and I hope to eventually reach my goal. I have 48 pounds left to lose. I just lose it very slowly. I have began to pick up some new clothes (well, more like slightly used) from the local Value Village. Got some size 36 x 30 Black Levis for only $4.99. I also have a Christmas party this Friday (Nov 18th) and my whole outfit came from Value Village for under $20. (except the shoes and purse) I love trying on size 14....instead of size 28. Take care. Many blessings to you all, Karen G