A new kind of Poll.....

I thought it would be really neat if everyone posted their acomplishments since surgery. I think it would be good for the pre-ops to see what is in store for them I know I used to enjoy reading milestones, and wow moments, it gave me something to look forward to. So I will start, I am 11 months out and have lost 115 pounds, before surgery I had bad knees, high blood presure, and tired all of the time. The first thing I noticed was, I had knees, then I could cross my legs, and my favorite, is when my husband and I cuddle I fit like a piece of a puzzle, where before, I was always tossing and turning to get comfortable. I can look in the mirror and like what I see, (I still have some areas that need work). I am out of the plus sizes, and love to shop. Oh, I forgot to say that 2 weeks after surgery I was off meds for HBP. I walk atleast a mile a day, and my knees don't hurt any more. Last night I heard one of my son's friends tell him that his mom is looking good!! He said, I know,she has lost over 110 pounds and I am proud of her. I almost cried!!! And here is what I want to acomplish yet.... 1. go parasailing with my son, (next summer) 2. get on a roller coaster (oct. 9 at Hershey Park) 3. go on a cruise (not planned yet!!!) 4. I want to get a bike and start riding 5. ride in a bike marathon 6. be out of the 200's by Christmas Take care, Dana

I like this poll Dana Ok.....I am 5 months out. Down 105lbs and like you my knees were kicking my behind. Since the weight loss my knees feel great. No more pain at all. My foot used to hurt real bad. To stand for 5 minutes meant someone near me was going to become a seat for me. No more pain in the foot. I had diabetes and hypertension. I and not taking any meds for that anymore . So far so good. Quick funny story. Down 105 a customer of mine that hasn't seen me in about a year says to me your putting on some weight aren't you LOLOLOLOLOLOL. I just smiled and yeah I guess I am. I guess I am still a FA in the end LOLOLOLOLOL. I too look forward to riding a bike. I told the family I want one for xmas. I go out to eat with the family and we would always get a table......not now i want the booth I love the booth the booth loves me me and the booth are friends now . Leonard

The friendship with the booth is hysterical. I'm pre-op. That is one of my goals. LOL

oh yeah speaking of crossing legs. Well you know how women cross their legs? Well I can sit like that and it feels so freakin good. Now I can imagine how that may look for a 6'4" 350lb man to be sitting like that but it's so comfortable. I just make sure I am at home when I do it LOL.

Thanks for doing the poll, Well Leonard we do have alot in common, I also want a bike for Christmas!! And you earned the right to cross your legs wherever you want too!!! And the booth thing I can relate too, I used to squeeze in and could hardly breath, now I have to sit up in the seat to reach the table. Life is good!!!!! Take care, Dana

Hi Dana! Good to hear so many good things are happening for you. And girl, I am so with you on the crossing of the legs thing!!! This poll is coming at a good time, cuz I'm at a stand still on my losing and am at that "I wonder if I'm done" phase.... So I think it will be theraputic for me to list what of things I have accomplished so far... Since my surgery, a little over 18 months ago, I've lost 186 pounds, I remember before surgery, how my knees ached all the time, and I had so much trouble just standing for any length of time. Now I jump up and cheer at my son's soccer games and find no trouble at all in walking or even riding a bike. I rode all the roller coasters at 6 Flags this summer and even walked around in my bathing suit in the water park. I no longer have to drive around the parking lots looking for the closest spot... I don't break out into sweats anymore like I used to - now I reach for sweaters.... brrrrrrr..... I don't have to shop on line at all the plus size sites - which I used to do - because it would help me to avoid the embarrassment of buying the biggest size in the stores, not to mention how tiring it would be for me to trudge through the mall - if the store didn't have a cart to prop me up as I walked, I avoided it - Now I actually enjoy trying things on, even in those small little dressing rooms... A major accomplishment was finally fitting into my husbands jeans. I've always considered him to be of a good, "normal" person waist size and often had thought to myself, if I was only that size I would be happy.... Well, they fit, and still I think... now if I could only get a size smaller...then I'd be happy.... geez what is it with me???? I enjoy being with my son and husband - just walking - by the pier or at the mall - being with them and being healthy - it's all so worth everything! I've not had the problems that others had after surgery, and for that I'm thankful. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. As far as what's I'm looking forward to in goals.... I have about 25 more pounds to go till I'm at my personal goal - sure I could stand to lose even more based on weight charts, but I think I'd look and feel healthy at that number....? I do have so much to be thankful for, this surgery has given me back the life I always wanted. - Healthy, full of energy, good friendships and much love... Thanks Dana, I needed this! (((Hugs))) to you all, wherever you are in your journey! Carla

Wow CJ it is soooooo good to hear from you. You have done wonderfully. And you reminded me of something I forgot, I also can fit in my husbands jeans and they are loose!!!! I think these positive postings are just what the pre-ops need, I know they helped me when I was waiting on insurance approval and having second thoughts as to was all of this worth it. Well I can easily say that it is very worth it and I too would do it agian!!!!! Good to hear from you!! Dana

Wow, CJ. Nice to see/hear from you. Been wondering how you've been. Looks like you are still doing wonderfully. Dianne

Carla! I just looked at your profile! What are you doing with my boyfriends, Andrew and Jason from TLC? You lucky girl! And the leather skirt pic -- you are so small!

This is a great topic, thank you! I'll have to talk about my knees too! For it was my knees that convinced me to have this surgery. Pre-op if I did any aggressive walking at all, aggressive meaning further than from the car into work, they would swell up and give me pain for a week. I no longer have that problem. One goal I had for myself was to be able to lose this weight and play softball again. Well the back problem and insuing nerve damage in my leg took care of that. So it has been decided that a bicycle something like the Bike to the Bay would be my new goal. I have no idea if I will make that goal or not but I will strive towards it. I have energy like I haven't had in years! It's an awesome thing! And I don't feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest nor do I have to take 15 minutes to catch my breath if I have gone up some steps! I can not only wiggle in the seatbelt but my purse fits on the car seat next to me. weeeeeeeeeeeeeee I rode in a puddle jumper (commuter plane) the other day. And not only did the seatbelt fit but I had to tighten and sucker up and had about 6 inches of surplus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First time ever I did not need an extension! And today... I FIT IN MY SON'S JEANS! He had left a pair over here so I decided to try them out. Then I had to call him and tell him I was wearing his jeans lol. I can't wait to get to an amusement park and ride some rides. I have a feeling the lap bar might actually be a lap and not a belly bar now. The most fun I've had in a while was going to the sports bar last weekend - this is where I spend my Sundays during football season. They had not seen me since last football season. What an ego booster that was. Every day is something new. Every day is something exciting. I am thankful every minute for the opportunity to have had this surgery. And my knees love me again.