December Roll Call!

Hi Everyone, Can you believe December is here already?? This year has really flown by for me. I'm down 102 pounds and doing really well. I need to step up the exercise again as I've been getting lax in that area. Other than that, so far so good, just staying the course and enjoying each day. Family has been a challenge lately, as most of you know, my sister had a heart attack and a massive stroke on November 1. She is just now moved from ICU to a step down. Trach and G-tube are working out well. The next step is to move her to a nursing home in Baltimore as the ones here aren't equipped for the level of care she needs. We still don't know what the future holds for her. She developed a staph infection while in ICU and it's miraculous she lived through it, she was about as ill as a person could get and still be alive. She can't speak at all and has total right side paralysis...some days she recognizes us and some days she doesn't. Thank you for all your good thoughts and prayers, they have been much appreciated. Looking forward to spending an active holiday season with family and friends and completely LOVING the fact that it will be my first holiday time at a decent weight in years. Dr's Irgau and Wynn gave me the ultimate gift that keeps on giving. Linda

Seven and a half months out and down 86 pounds. Feeling great. More and more people are stopping me in the halls at work just to tell me how good I look. What an ego boost!!!! the gym is my new best friend! I've been going religiously for 3 months now. I am actually starting to worry that I am building more muscle than I want. I just want to stay in shape, not trying to build more muscle. I have an appointment with the personal trainer next week. I need to get my bloodwork done. I've been burning the candle at both ends with two jobs, family, the gym, and life in general. I'm still getting about 100 grams of protein every day, my liquid intake is about 90 ounces, and I've been taking the same amount of vitamins since surgery, but I'm feeling more tired. I hope it is just overwork, not lack of some vitamin or protein. Same as Linda, I am LOVING life and enjoying the holidays without even thinking about how embarrasing I'll look at the Holiday party in the suit I bought last year that doesn't fit this year. Actually.....the suit I bought last year will NOT fit this year.......IT IS TOO BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last year I was a 54 inch waist, right now I'm at 40 (sometimes 38). THANK YOU DR WYNN !!!!!!!! Ken

Way to go Ken, you are doing a great job! High five's on the too big suit..yeah!

Hi Linda, I too cannot believe it is December already. Today I am 5months post op and have a loss of -60 lbs. I too have gotten lax in my exercise this month. I have also not been too good with my eating habits. As of today, at 5 months post op, I have rededicated myself to exercising and eating healthy. This is going to be difficult with Christmas coming, but we'll see. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Holiday season. ~Shelly

Hi Shelly, I'm glad you're getting yourself back on the track, you can do it! We can kick each other in the butt to get outside and get that walk in. ...jeez, I really wish we had a butt kicking icon Linda

Hey Everyone! This past month has keep me on the edge of my seat and unbelievably busy. Hubby has been real ill ... in and out of the docs office and ER. Has been on IV antibiotics and is still in so much pain, the docs said that the percocet won't even touch it now. My heart aches for him, I so wish there were some way to help relieve the pain. At this point all I can do is be in prayer for him and pick up those things that he normally takes care of to allow him time to rest and heal. If you are a believer, please be in prayer for him. Needless to say, with hubby being down, I am pulling a bit more around the home front and church and my back is paying the price ... this hernia is getting a bit beyond ridiculous at this point ... I NEED to get to the docs ASAP and get it taken care of. It is really causing me a lot of back pain (stomach muscles are totally shot and need repair so I have NO back support and with the hernia getting bigger and sticking out more, along with the huge tummy, it is putting even more stress on my back) At any rate, I find myself crying in pain daily at this point, and I have never been one to cry with pain. This is really hurting. For those of you that are pre-op, please don't let this scare you ... I had a hernia before my WLS and while the docs tried to take care of it with my surgery, they told me then that the hernia was huge and I really need the stomach muscles repaired and the mesh put into place to help hold it and they are not able to do all that along with the RNY because of infection concerns. They had hoped that it would hold out for a while at least to offer me some relief and it did, but unfortunately it did not hold forever. Okay, enough whining ... sorry. The good part of this month... I managed to make it through Thanksgiving without a problem. As a matter of fact, I lost a pound the next day ... can't ever remember that happening before! This month has finally brought me some weight loss again. I lost 4 pounds!!! I know that is not much compared to what all you guys are doing ... but for me right now ... it is like hitting the weight loss lottery (even though I don't gamble )!!! I am thrilled! Can we say YEAH??!!! Currently I am 6 pounds above WLS goal, 12 pounds above average, and 29 pounds above my ultimate dream goal (which does not look likely at this point). I have to remind myself that I should lose quite a bit if they allow me reconstructive surgery with the hernia repair also, as I have quite a bit of extra tissue in the tummy area. But even my tummy which has been the hardest place for me to lose, came down about 4 inches this month!!! Can we say Double YEAH!!! On the downside, exercise has really slagged this month with hubby being so ill ... simply could not leave him home alone too often. Want and need to get back to it as soon as I can. It still boggles my mind that I would miss exercising! At family gatherings this month, I had so many calling me skinny ... I know I am far from skinny, but I sure appreciated the compliments. I feel I am finally getting comfortable in my skin, at least sometimes. Then there are other times that are still so hard. Sometimes I feel like I am ever bit as fat as I ever was, and feel like a failure. Other times, I feel pretty good about myself and try to give myself credit for all the hard work it has taken me to lose this weight. Mine has not come off easily and that scares me ... I hope and pray that I will be able to maintain the loss. And it would really be a boost to me if I could lose a bit more at least. Will the concerns ever go away? Christmas is coming upon us so soon ... and for the first time in forever, I could not wait to start celebrating. I was begging everyone else to start our traditions early this year. First time that has ever happened! Usually they have to put a bug under me to get me to move. I have even taken the boys to see the lights displays already ... we went out on Thanksgiving eve!!! And while money is real tight this year and we won't be doing a whole lot in the way of presents, I am still looking forward to our traditions and keeping foremost in my mind the real reason why my family celebrates this holiday season. Hubby is losing a great deal of weight (without surgery and not becasue of his illness). He is down I think close to 65 - 70 pounds now. It sure blesses me to know that all that I have learned about good nutrition and good food choices is helping out my family. I am hoping and praying that with out new lifestyle my two youngest will never have to deal with the pain and limitations of obesity. Sorry for another marathon post ... just call me jabber jaws! Oh speaking of matathons ... I am entering a a 5 k? Not completely sure yet, but am seriously mulling it over! For all of you, my friends, I wish you peace, prosperity and much love! Hugs, Tammy

Hi Tammy, Wishing you peace, prosperity and much love right back atcha...oh and also a BIG ole dose of extra good health for you and yours. If you go entering any 5K's..I wanna go too! Linda

7 months post-op, down 130lbs!!! I am working out 4 days/week,180 minutes of aerobic activity + challenging weight training, I am more active now than in the last 5 years! I am planning on teaching my neice and nephews how to snow ski this month for their christmas present. I like all of the compliments that I get on how nice I look. I like the fact that I can wear all of the smaller clothes that I have not worn in years. I am really busy now, I started working a second job at Ski Roundtop in PA. on the weekends. My goal is keep building up my thigh muscles, ski 5 days this month and keep working out 4 days a week, getting 80-110gms of protein, drinking alot of water-- oh heck just plain living right!!!! I want to wish all Merry Christmas, love and prosperity in the New Year! Happy Hanaukah, Kwanza and Festivus to all who dont celebrate Christmas!

Hi Charles, VERY cool on the ski job, something I have always wanted to learn to do. You've been doing a great job and I'm glad you're feeling so good. As for the holiday thing, I'm up for all of it. LOL am polishing the Festivus pole as we speak, and maybe this year I will do better with those feats of strength! Linda

Hi Linda and everyone, I am down 58 pounds and I feel WONDERFUL!! I am getting in about 85 to 95 grams of P daily and I am planning, finally., to join a gym very close to the house. ( I think Shay and Vernette also go there -New Casle Swim and Fitness Center). I know this will help me gain back some of my strength in both my arms and legs. I also attend a soul line dancing class weekly which is so much fun and also a great workout. I am having some hair loss but Julie Walenta says it is from the early months of low protein and nutrients and it should be OK. I got some wonderful suggestions for the extra vitamins and plan to buy some this week. I am now wearing size 16 comfortably and some size 14's. I feel like I am in someone elses body!! My mind has not caught up with my image yet and it amazes me that people are so amazed by my image. I have begun to sell my clothes to coworkers and will let you all know what I have soon. The clothes are in sizes 24 and down. Everything form coats to jeans.(some even still have the tags on them!!). If you are interested in hearing more --let me know. I feel truly blessed by our doctors and the support I have recieved from all of you at PMRI and the NCC support program. I have never felt alone. May Peace and Blessings surround you now and throughout the holidays. Take care and I will be seeing (less) of you (smile) Terre