New photos added

Hey everyone!
I added a few new photos to my profile.  Ed can't remember his password and Chris doesn't have an OH acount, so I put some new pics of them in my profile.

Ed had his surgery September 27, 2004.  He has lost 230+ to date.  I had my surgery on OCtober 4, 2006.  I have lost 160 pounds+/- 5 or so. Christopher had his surgery March 1, 2007.  He has lost 330 pounds to date.  Ed's ex-wife/Chris's mom had her surgery March 17, 2007 and has lost 150 pounds. 

Do the math.  870 pounds between us.  Awesome at best, humbling for me.

   

Kathy, congratulations to you and your family.  This surgery is an amazing tool, last December when we had our Saturday meeting at PMRI we each had to say how much we lost and I was writing the totals down and added them up, it was over 2,000 lbs.  My jaw still drops when I think about that. 

I know I need to get out of my slump and get myself focused again.  When I was in my accident in Jan I hurt my back and neck and can't do much exercise without being laid up for a couple of days, so because of this I  have found some unwanted pounds back.  I also find myself munching just to be chewing.  Not good. 

Congrats again and have a great weekend.

Thank you Deanna,
This really has been a life saver for our family.  In the year before Chris had his surgery, he was hospitalized 5 times with MRSA infections under his arms and on his face and abdomen from the skin lesions common to obesity.  The fact that he is a carrier had something to so with that but since his surgery, he has only had one episode of infection on his knee that did not require hospitalization.  We don't see Chris very often and every time we do, he looks different/better.  Since Ed's surgery, he hasn't even been sick except for minor colds.  Prior to that he was in the hospital 5 or 6 times a year with respiratory problems and cellulitis.  As for me, I get minor colds like anyone else, but I haven't been sick either.  I mean, I have female issues with pre-menopause but those are inevitable no matter how heavy we are.  LOL!  Heart disease doesn't just go away either but so far, my condition remains stable.


I am in a slump as well and know exactly what needs to be done.  Ulcer pain rules my diet. The meds work but breakthrough pain sends me right to the bread and crackers.  It's the only thing that works for the acute pain.  With those carbs comes a few pounds.  I still announce my total weight loss as 160 pounds because it IS what I have lost, whether I play with 4 or 5 pounds or not. Today I weigh in at 154 pounds. I'll take that but all I need to do is get back on the protein and fluids and the 4 or 5 will drop in just a couple of days.

I totally understand the exercise issue.  I never have been on an exercise regimen because of the arthritis in my back and hips.  The heart rhythm problems prevent me from doing anything aerobic without monitoring and they don't do that at the gym.  When my heart rate goes above 130 (within 10 or 15 minutes of starting exercise) I run into problems with prolonged supraventricular tachycardia and have to stop, so I can't exercise long enough to make any difference.  Walking is good though. The back and hip pain stops me in my tracks after about 2 miles, so that's my limit.  Given my limits, I feel like I am doing pretty well.