I'm pretty much at goal weight (and other news)

I had my 9 month post-op check-up yesterday with the surgeon and his team. So, here's the scoop: I stopped taking my HBP meds 7 weeks ago and my pressure was perfect: 120/80. I have my own machine at home, so I knew this, but it's great to have it taken "officially." Also, before surgery, I had elevated cholesterol levels, but wasn't on medication. My surgeon said to me yesterday, "You have the cholesterol of a newborn." I was so happy to hear those words. His average patient (he's done a little over 400 patients) loses 76% of their excess weight. I've lost 92%!!!!! Because I had 100 pounds to lose, working out the percentages is easy. I've lost 92 pounds accordingly to their scale and 97 pounds accordingly to mine. But I weight myself unclothed, first thing every Monday morning, before I eat or drink anything. The NP told me that the 5 pound difference in my # and theirs could easily be attributed to the fact that I was fully clothed and had already eaten breakfast and half my daily intake of water. So, I pretty much at goal. I'd love to lose another 7-8 pounds but I'm really going to have to fight for them. My BMI is 26.5, it was a 42.3 before surgery. I'm so happy with my results. I had some minor complications and even with them, I'd do this again in a NY minute!!! It's just another validation that I did the right thing by having WLS. Oh, one more thing, the surgeon told me of the results of a recent study that WLS is the only procedure that is widely done that improves both the QUALITY OF LIFE and LIFE EXPECTANCY!!! That's why more and more insurance companies are approving it. Just thought I'd share some good news with folks who are appreciate it more than the average person... Thanks so much for all your inspirational stories and for helping me keep my focus. Love, L*

Hi Laura, Congrats! I have not had my surgery yet , but wanted to thank you for sharing this with us . It really inspires me to read about your success . I am so happy for you ! You GO Girl !!!!!! I am sure no matter how hard you have to fight to get those 7-8 lbs off that you want to lose that you will succeed no matter what it takes ! Thanks again ! and Carol

Laura: ~WOW congrats on the successes so far! Your story sounds very much like mine...I lost 45# preop then 100# by 7 mo out. (I needed to lose 157#) I lost 100% of my excess wt eventually by 1 yr but those last 15# WERE NOT the tool or surgery THEY WERE ME! My healthy habits/choices/lifestyle...meaning watching carbs, watching portions, avoiding grazing and exercise/fluid loading!. The average is 75-80% EWL but SOME get to 100% (some is hard work, some of that is luck, some is genetics, as I always say the body is the ruler! it does what it wants despite our efforts to influence!).... I thought that the last 15# would surely come off easy of by 1 yr! Well not true the malabsorbtionof calories decreased at 7mo for me (as bodylearbs towork with the changes and tries to normalize) and I could eat larger quantities/varieties of food, MY HUNGER returned w/ a vengence and well we lose that new motivation a little and think life will always be like this. If you can take anything I learned KEEP up withthe changes, the choices that are healthy, avoiding sweets, exercise etc...for this tool can serve us well but things do get more challenging for most of us as time goes on! Not to take anything away fromyou just a caution! I regained 10# at 1 yr out! BECAUSE I got ****y, I thought life was easy now and i could et this or that (mainly breads/potatoes, carbs from crackers) but nope made me more hungry, fell into some grazing and whammo 10# regain and HOLYMOLEY I was scared! BUT I regrouoped looked to the south beach to help guide my life and upped my exercise. I too lost the BP meds at 100# loss, no need for cholesterol meds either, my joint (knee/back) pain was gone and those were the bigger accomplishments vs the pounds lost! Keep up the healthy choices and you'll be golden! Hugs feel free to email me anTake Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"ytime!

Laura, Hun CONGRATS on reaching goal. that is just awesome... You should be so very proud of yourself. Also good about the BP and the cholesterol. I know mine went down so much as well. Feels great to take charge of your life for a change. Take care Debra P