re: Old Time Lurker's

Okay guys, Where are you? Haven't heard from a few of you in awhile. I know your new lives are full and your energy levels are high. Please let us know "How you are doing" Mamasita (Kathy & Amber). Hopeforallofus (Karen), CJ, Patti C,, Claire, Ken, Clint, Leigh, Fran, Cynthia, Tammi. If I forgot anyone please respond also. Miss you all. ((HUGS)) Elissa

Don't forget Shay! I would love to know how Shay is doing!

I was just thinking of Shay today and wondering how she is doing. i did see Patti C in the doc's office awhile back and oh baby she is lookin good! I wonder how Mish is, she had her surgery same time I did. I'm with you, inquiring minds are wonderin' how the heck ya'll are!

Hello, I'm CJ, and I'm an old time lurker Hey Elissa, sounds like you had a blast on your last trip! How awesome is life after WLS!!! I'm doing great, don't post much, but I do check in on the boards from time to time. I'm down 176 lbs and 13 months out. Dr. Peter's said I have about 20 lbs to go to goal, but my personal goal is another 50...so, we'll see where I end up. I'm thrilled at how much healthier I am each passing day. I'm thankful for Dr. Wynn and this new start I won't be at the meeting tomorrow. Sorry I'll miss the Panera Bread and TJ outing. Maybe next time. ((hugs)) Carla

All I can say is WOW, CJ. Life is crazy, busy for us all. Thank God we have all this new energy so we can keep up with it. So happy for you. Thanks for letting me know you are still out there and doing okay. Elissa

Hi Elissa, Like CJ I check the boards often and I always learn something that I didn't know before. It is a continuing learning process. Today is my 10 month anniversary.... Wow time really does pass quickly. I would hate to think where I would be today without this surgery. As you know I was one of the ones that had a really difficult time due to complications but under the skilled care of Dr. Irgau and Brett I made it. Along those lines you and the others were basically my lifeline. It took me 3 1/2 months before I could go back to work part time and 5 months before I was able to work my regular schedule. I struggled with protein, vitamins, calcium, etc. But eventually I found the right mix with everyone's help. I still slack off on the protein but it is something I continue to work on. I am at least able to tolerate some of the products. I really like the hot chocolate that they sell at the doctor's office but it is too expensive. Has anyone found anything else similar? It truely is an incredible experience, what works for one may not work for others. I have never had any problems with sweets. In fact I had ice cream and cake for my grandson's birthday last night and no problem. I still can't eat too much at a sitting which is a blessing but I sure can snack (all day) and I have really started watching myself in that area. Most of the time I snack on heathful items but too much of a good thing is not good at all. One of the things I did was join Weigh****chers with my husband and I am trying to modify the plan to fit my needs. I actually joined because my husband who was heavy to begin with gained weight as I lost. What I don't eat, he does. He is not a good candidate for the surgery so we have to look at alternative ways for him to lose weight. So we are combining forces and doing this together. I have lost 124 lbs so far and struggle for each pound that I do lose. I am always looking at ways to make sure I continue to be successful as I move forward. I am still scared to death that I will gain it back. I have a closetful of clothes that I refuse to get rid of because I think well I might need them again. We still struggle with our insecurities. I think the difference is we have the energy now to try to do something about it. I love the idea of being able to exercise if I want to. It gave me back some control. Thanks for asking, the little e-mails that you send are a real pick me upper. I love to hear about everyone elses success. One of these days I will get up to the PMRI meeting and I would love to have went to this one. Take care all and God Bless.

Hi Karen, A good sub for thebhot chocoalte they sell is Diet Swiss Miss mixed with Carb Countdown. I use the 2%. I usually drink a 12 oz mug of it and it comes in at 20 grams of protein plus a calcium kick too. I sometimes put vanilla in with it, cinnamon, sometimes some decaf instant coffee, other times I will use peppermint extract. It's good stuff, give it a try! Would have loved for you to be able to come to today's PMRI, it was alot of fun and we went to lunch and Trader Joes after. Glad you updated and don't be a stranger! Keep on hanging in there. Linda

Congrats on the success! I would suggest that you get rid of those old clothes so there's no turning back! Get rid of the crutch! I felt so much better when I was able to give all those old clothes away!!!

hi all. just lurking. checking in on all of you. i hope you are all doing well. things down here are great. playing lots of golf. i heard it snowed up there yesterday, it was 70 and sunny today. love my new house, making lots of friends. the superbowl was tough down here. the job is great, i work for a great surgeon. i operate just about every day. the patients are very different from you guys. they are much more sensative. my "say it like it is" style is offensive to some, but theyre starting to get used to this yankee. if you get some time drop me a line to let me know how youre doing. [email protected]. hope you are doing well, exercising and getting lots of protein. brett.

HEY HEY HEY Brett!!! So good to "see" you!!! Glad to hear all is going well for ya. But you can leave the 70 degree stuff out next time buddy!!! Unless you are planning to share!!! Things are going well for me ... working out like a fiend and loving every minute of it. Imagine that? Running now, rowing, just started boxing and weight training. Starting to build some pretty serious guns!!! I LOVE it! Will have to post a pic of them someday when they get a little bigger!!! Skin issues are much better than I expected except for the tummy area ... and the hernia is not helping ... will have to get that taken care of. Not looking forward to more surgery, but will certainly appreciate the strain off the back. The weigh loss is slow at this point, but I am still working off the inches. Just purchased my first pair of size 4-6 workout pants. Hard to believe that I started out in a size 28-32. Again thanks so much my friend for all your help ... my life is so much better these days with the loss of that weight. I was on my way to a wheel chair, now I am playing kickball at the gym. Totally different life for sure. Please stop back by again soon. It is always so good to hear from you and know all is going well with you also!!! Hugs, Tammy