Okay its role call time...where are you and what are you doing?

Howdy old friends and new, Love to hear how you are doing with surgery, are you considering it, have you had it, how do you feel if you had it, and what are the pitfalls you have seen since surgery....since I started this I guess I go first... Its been over three years since my surgery.  I had RNY with Dr Kirkland in Phila.  He saved me from obesity but let me down on the shingles illness.  I was disappointed with him on that effort because all he said was it wasn't from the surgery it would have been nice if he took it one more step and helped me with a diagnosis.  I guess that is not a surgeons job.  Anyways... I have had some ups and downs...but still staple as can be.  I like the life I have now.  I hope to stay this way for a very long time.  I would love to loose it all and be 150 lbs but lets be real.  Its not possible or I would be there now.  So I have faced the fact I need to maintain where I am.  I am 225 lbs today.  That is 200 lbs off not too shabby I think.  I do believe that exercise and diet is really the key to our success.  The surgery only helps us to obtain that for ourselves.  Its great to hear everyones accomplishments because it says so much about ourselves.  I have accomplished alot of emotional issues over the three years, its been a real roller coaster but I still survive, I still push to get myself in shape to be healthy.  That is the real goal of this surgery...be healthy, learn new ways of eating, find better choices of foods, how many of us would have settle for a McDonalds meal before surgery and how many of us eat like that now....not many I bet.  We know what is right for ourselves.  We need to focus ourselves and remain committed to helping ourselves to a stronger healther person.  Be loveable, and happy....always know that we have all had experiences that are similar and with us sharing where we are what we do only helps others decide whether the journey is for them. I hope you all have great upcoming holiday seasons, enjoy the family, but most important, enjoy yourself. See ya all soon.  And those that have not been seen here forever, drop in and sign up here and let me know you are still around and loving life as much as I do now. Private messages are accepted too!

Hey friend,  As always you are insightful and on target.   You have come so far and fought the demons.  You have done a great job at dealing with your emotions and sharing your journey. I recently gave a talk at a pre-education session for Dr. Irgau down at CHRIAS.  It was quite emotional.  Dr. Irgau spoke first and stressed that commitment, commitment, commitment is the only way to be successul on this journey.   The other thing he pointed out to the audience was that you do not see obese people in retirement communities.  Answering questions during my part of the presentation helped me to focus on the past four years.  You have certainly been a big part of my journey and introspection.  You have always asked those tough probing questions, that make all of us dig deep.  Thanks for all your support.  Hope to see you soon, and hope that you can get your meds and pain under control.  Have a great holiday season. Rob

Ahhh Rob, you da best!  I have always marveled over your ability to just do what you think is right and continue down that path.  Sometimes I wish I had all the gusto you have just blazin trails with all you do to be physically fit.  Its awesome that you have been able to build a network of team buddies and keep it going.  I wish I felt like a million bucks but as the Dr says I will be my old self soon.  She is just not sure of when soon would be.  Thats okay.  I see other things happening with me and hopefully I can get my butt back to exercise.  I am a bit afraid of how to do things now that I have been away from them.  But with a little help from my friends here I will do okay right?  I do hope to see you guys on Saturday. Debbie

Debbie, It is so nice to see you posting again.I have to say you always up lift me every time you post. I am still struggling to stay on track but I haven't given up the fight. I think accepting ourselves where we are in this journey is so inportant. I can honestly say this is something I have struggled with and am working on. Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves because we exspect more from ourselves than we do from others. I know I have made many mistakes in my journey but I have also accomplished alot too. Exercise has been one thing I didn't do enough of. Ihave been to a back Dr. recently and had an MRI done. I really talked with the Dr. Honestly and feel that he really listened. I think I am finally getting somewhere. He is starting me with pool exercise and we will gradually get to land. I feel there is hope and all is not lost. I will get there one day at a time. I am also working with the nutrientist  and feel with the right diet and exercise I will be healthy even if I don't lose another pound. See you lighter and keep warm. Joanne

Joanne, I am glad to hear you aren't giving up.  Good for you to get a nutritionist.  That is something that we all should do.  May sure what we are eating is giving us the best band for the buck.  Release yourself from feeling guilty when you aren't doing everything right....We aren't always going to be angels but we do have to remember when to take it easy on ourselves.  Have a great holiday....

 

Debbie

It put a smile on my face to see you posting again.  I miss you.  I pray your pain gets better and you and Tim are able to come out and "play" with us.  It has been a long time.  I have been struggling with shoulder pain and lots of family issues in the last couple of months.  It has been hard not to go back to eating junk food all day because that is what I did before and in some ways it is the easy way out, but I am trying to keep in mind why I had this surgery and how far I have come and remember that taking the easy way out is how I got so overweight to begin with.

If I don't see you soon, I wish you a happy, healthy, pain free holiday season.

Love,

Ellen

Ellen,

I see your smile on these posts and it always brings a smile to my face.  You are really a super supporter!  You have come a long way and that is a good thing.  Sorry to hear that shoulder is still giving you some problems.  I hope that the Dr's find something that will work for you.  Its a bad place to have a problem....we use our arms alot. 

Happy holiday season to you too!  I do hope to see you soon.  I want to be painfree soon.  Dr is still playing with my meds.  We can't seem to find the right combo...my body refuses to work with the cheap meds. 

Debbie

 

Your body isn't working the cheap meds...because you are way too special for that   You deserve only the best even when it comes to pain meds. ((hugs)   Ellen

I am quickly approaching my one year anniversary the 20th of this month.  This past year has been a whirlwind of changes in me, my body and my life, whi*****ludes some rather unpleasant things also.  I have lost 112.1 lb to date, I'm down from a size 22/24 into 6 and 8's.  I have overachieved Dr. Irgau's set target of 150 and am currently weighing in at 138.5 as of today.  The surgery and post op care for the most part was uneventful for me, no ill side effects.  I work very hard on eating, planning out my meals and getting exercise in on a daily basis.  I never in a milion years would think that I would come to love to exercise, but yes I do, and the days I don't get anything constructive in, I miss it.  I have come off all my pre-op meds, including high blood pressure meds (2) reflux, and was pre-diabetic.  I have had replacement knee surgery previous, but suffer no ill effects in fact since losing this weight I have had no problems with it at all. 

I do realize that I am only reaching my first year out, and now the challenges and obstacles become more prevalent.  I am looking forward to a lasting life of happiness and health.  I have a tough road filled with many obstacles in front of me, but I am now better equipped both mentally and physically to challenge them right back.

On the sad note, my marriage did not survive this change.  We both thought it would, but in the end it has not...I am happy now probably the happiest I have ever been in my life and relish every new day with a smile!

 

Hi Michelle, so sorry to hear about your marriage not surviving your weight loss.  Keep up the great job and the positive attitude.  You will do just fine.