148 lbs lost total!

Hi everyone, I saw my dietician today and weighed in at 120 lbs, 8 lbs below my goal. I am blown away. In January 2004, I weighed in at my highest weight: 268 lbs. Since then, I have lost 148 lbs. Since my actual surgery date, I have lost 112 lbs. Astounding. There is concern that my weight loss hasn't stopped or really slowed down (see profile for details...don't want to bore you with all the details). Initially my dietician wanted to see my every two weeks for weight checks but now wants to see me every week. I have lost 6 lbs since last week, which is the last thing I wanted to do. I really wanted to maintain between the 125-128 range. And I have been working hard on trying to maintain that and not lose. But I keep losing. Pretty much the plan is this: I need to see my PCP Friday for a complete physical. I need to "throw the RNY rules out the window for now" per my dietician, see her every week and see my surgeon next week. They really want to get on top of things now. Yikes. It iks scary when your doctors and medical professionals are nervous. Again, though, I have to say that I am blessed to have the surgeon (Dr. Drinkwater in Nashua) and the team that he has involved in my care. The aftercare, which is so very important when having WLS, is PHENOMINAL with this program. I know that they will make sure I am okay. That is pretty much my update for the time being. It is so very strange being told that I need to gain weight, that I need to eat as much as I can and anything that I can, etc. Of course, this is just until I stabilize and then the rules will be back into affect, but nontheless....it is so weird being in this position. I never imagined it would have turned out this way. I always thought I would struggle with 20 lbs to get to goal, as this seems to be the norm. I guess everyone is different. I only hope that my health doesn't decline because of my rapid loss and my current weight. I will keep you all posted. Hugs, Denise highest January 2004/day of surgery/current/goal 268/232/120/128 8 lbs below goal

Hey you! Awsome job on the weight loss. But slow down would ya? I hope you went to the meeting tonight. I just couldnt go. I have been tired all week and its an hour away for me. But I will be at the next one. I have to go at least once a month. I need to feel connected. I have been going thru some weepy-self concious stuff. I am so paranoid about everything and think everyone is mad at me. I am a mess lately. I cant hold a conversation without feeling like I am going to cry. I can tell its hormones. I felt this way when I was pregnant. I AM NOT NOT NOT PREGNANT.....don't go there But I start to wonder if everyone IS mad at me. Did you go thru this? Chris

I just wanted to share .... no one missed a meeting. ( I don't think so, anyway ) the meetings are only the 1st and 3rd Wed. of each month ( not every other .. some months will have 5 Wednesdays, you see ? ) I just asked Jen about this the other day Next meeting is Wed. July 6th !!! SEE YA'LL THERE !!! Kym with a " y"

Denise, Wow! Great job. You look absolutely amazing......And I am not interested in hearing about your thighs! If I wound up looking like that I would spend the rest of my life streaking through Manchester. really, you look amazing. Congratulations. Carrie 27 more days for me!!

You DO look amazing Denise!!! I hope all goes well with your appts. I have a question... its a concern of mine, I hope you dont mind me asking! Since you were about the same weight as I am now.... did you find as you lost the weight you have a lot of excess skin? Dr. D said thats a possibility for alot of people... and Im kind of leary about that. (although it wont change my mind about surgery of course!)

Hi Angela! I don't mind you asking any questions at all! Seriously...I am an open book about this surgery because I know I had a ton of questions and loved when people were open with me. As far as the skin. I do have a lot of excess skin. I do believe that if I worked out more, it wouldn't be as bad. I think it is better than I htught it would be, but it is still pretty bad, IMO. My thighs are the worst. When I wear short shorts or a bathin suit, you can really see how bad they are. The inner part is very wrinkly and saggy. I have extra skin on my tummy, too, but for some reason it doesn't bother me as much. My arms have extra skin, too, but the part that bothers me thr most is definitely my thighs. Of course, I would rather have extra skin than be obese! But if I could go back in time, I would have exercised consistently. I don't think it would have totally elimated the problem but I know I would be more toned. Everyone says to me, "Wow! You have no extra skin!!!" But that is because they don't see me naked! LOL! It is definitely not as noticable in clothes, for which I am grateful. But when I wear tank tops, I am a bit self-conscious. I knew I wouldn't have a perfect body after the weight loss and I definitely don't. However, it could have been worse in terms of extra skin. I have no regrets about the surgery but do wish I worked out more. Any other questions don't hesitate to write! Best of luck, hon! Hugs, Denise

Thank you so much for answering my question!! Just to give you an update, I had my appt. with Dr D. and he said that I qualify for WLS!! So I had my appt with the nutritionist and we went over goals for the next month.... I go back on 8/08 again.... I also have my packet for the psych. eval. I know you have to send it in but do they contact you with an appt after that? Did you personally have to go through any counseling or just your psych eval? I guess Im asking did they make you have any follow-ups with them?? The nutritionist said they might or they might not.... Im just so excited to get things going!! I opted to exercise 3 days a week for 30 minutes.... she asked me if that was too much to start out at but I told her no... it reminded me when Jenn told me if I feel Im up for the challenge have at it! Anyways thanks again, and you look amazing!