Roll call! Raise your hand and be counted.

I am Loris and I am over three years out.  My beginning BMI was 63.  I got it down to around 26/27.  I am trying to lose about 5 pounds I have gained.  I know I have the potential to really gain.

I am 50 and have suffered some major loses this year.  I have two mini poodles and the world's best husband.

My best to you all.  Loris

 I am Clinell.  I had surgery 14 months ago.  My BMI was 83 and now is 41.  I still qualify for surgery but I am happy with my size.  I just need plastics to get rid of bob (big ol belly).

Wow, you halved your BMI in 14 months.  What a great job!  Loris

I'm Lesley and I'm 10 months out, and minus 150 and counting.  I am hoping to get a panniculectomy later this summer; I need to lose another 100 lbs and I don't believe that I can do that with a panni hanging almost to my knees.  I'm (anxiously!) awaiting insurance approval.

I'm 36 and work as a technical project manager in the field of academic digital archiving.  I have a sweet orange kitty named Clementine, and am thinking of getting another kitty soon.  I have become quite a gym rat recently, and my goal is to participate in the Danskin women's triathlon next year!

All the best,
Lesley

Clementine, what a cute name.  Good look with the panni.  Check out the plastics forum.  It is really helpful.  Loris

Hi all

My name is Sylvia, I just turned 54 on July 3rd. 

I have 2 birthdays 6 days apart--my real birthday of 7/3 and my surgiversary birthday of 7/9. 

My journey began on 1/31/08 when I went to see Dr. Manfred Chaing at Bariatric Institute of Wisconsin in Waukesha, Wisconsin, which is in the Milwaukee area.  At that time, I weighed 386 pounds with a bmi of 66.  I went through all of my testing during which several co-morbidities I didn't realize (but kind of thought they were there) came to the surface.  Among them were severe sleep apnea, asthma, my chlesterol (all of them) were a mess, hypothyroidism, edema, pain in back and knees, degenerative disc disease and there may have been some I forgot.  Most importantly, my quality of life was non-existent.  I went to work (I am a Payroll Manager) and came home and ate. 

My insurance did cover all of this.  On 6/3/08, I was officially approved and on 6/18 I went to see the dietitican to start the liver diet.  My dr. didn't have a hard requirement nor did my insurance co (fortuantely) for a set % of weight loss because I weighed 407 on that day.  I stuck to my 3 week liquid diet (despite my birthday--I figured I ate enough cake, etc for 3 lifetimes) and got down to my original weight of 386 on my surgery day of 7/9/08.

My appointment is on Thursday for my one year surgiversary.  On 6/17, I went to the dietitican for my one year follow up and I lost a total of 175 pounds, taking my BMI from 66 to 38.  I am just obese now.

I am able to exercise a lot more than I was before and I feel so much better. The only regret is that I couldn't get this sooner but I also didn't have the insurance for it at the time I started considering it.  I guess someone works in mysterious ways.

You all are doing awesome.  Keep it up.

Sylvia

I am so happy for you.  You sound great.  Loris

Thanks.  You are doing great as well

Is your surgeon the same one who did the surgery for Jackie Finley, the woman on the Discovery Health Channel that has lost 400 pounds?  He seems phenomenal--although I think my surgeon is pretty phenomenal as well.

Sylvia

Yes, he is.  He is great in good part due to his staff.  He is very smart and dedicated.  Loris

Hello,

My name is Tommi, I am 45, My surgery was 10-1-2007 I weighed 468 with a BMI of 73 I am now down to 243 and my BMI is 38 or 39 something like that. I am very happy I had the surgery. I would do it again in a heart bear. I also need a panny removal. My top looks small I could wear an XL but my bottom is huge I am in size 20 jeans.

I am learning to live life again instead of hiding out in the house. Although my husband does not seem as thrilled as I am with my new body. Thats a whole other issure.

I am trying to get down to 200 and then have the plastics...............  Lately its a lot harder than it was at first. But I try to stick to protien and water. The exercise is what kills me.  I hate that damn treadmill, bike and anything else that makes you sweat. I do enjoy the pool.

I was very lucky the only complications with my surgery was I developed a soroma sp? and had to have nurses come out and pack it twice a day. But it healed well and now I feel GREAT!!!

Good Luck to all you newbies and the old pros.

Tommi

Happy Independence Day!!!!