How are we doing? (Yet again!)

Aloha Lynn.......Thank you so much for responding to my little survey. It is SO GREAT to have someone almost four years out reporting that you are using your tool and keeping the weight off. What a shot in the arm you are!!

I'm curious if you still have blood work done, and if so, is that why you take so many different vitamins? I have had blood work every six months, and that is why I only take one B12 a week, and Vit. Å five days a week instead of seven. Interesting what our bodies need after this surgery, isn't it.

Congratulations on being SUCH A FABULOUS LOSER!! LOL

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen, I take by B-12 every day because I like my B-12 lab level to be as close to 2000 as I can get it.  I get my blood work done once a year from my surgeon's office and then 6 months later I see my PCP for my yearly checkup.  My PCP will do any blood test I ask her for.  My ferritin has been running about 49, so I take 8 Tender Irons because I want it above 100.  I don't ever want to have an iron infusion.  I am having trouble with my Vit A level.  I can't seem to get it up.  That's why I take dry A every day.  My surgeon's office has me get my A tested every 3 months.  My D level was at the low end of normal, so I take a lot of dry D every day.  I take magnesium because I don't want to get low on that and it also helps with constipation.  My surgeon's office tests my magnesium every year.  I take B-100 because you can never have enough B vitamins. I really believe that we all should get copies of all our lab results and put them in an excel file.  I have an excel file with all my results since before my surgery.  I watch my own levels.  If a level starts dropping I increase that vitamin. My secret to keeping the weight off is to not have any temptation in the house.  Our 3 sons are grown and married so I just buy good foods to keep in the house for hubby and me.  I have never had candy, cake, cookies, soft drinks, or ice cream since my surgery.  I am too afraid to get back into the bad habits.  

1. SURGERY DATE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT: April 25, 2006/290/5'1" 2.CURRENT WEIGHT AND LBS. LOSTt: 132 current/158 lbs. lost 3. MAIN SOURCE OF PROTEIN: Protein shakes and smoothies, yogurt, cottage cheese w/SF jam, grilled chicken, grilled steak, shrimp,  string cheese. 4.WATER CONSUMPTION?: Approx. 70 oz. a day. I sip constantly. 5. ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH VITAMINS? Yes, I keep vitamins in a weekly " pill box" and take with protein shake in morning and calcium again at night, and I carry a water jug everywhere I go and everyone makes fun because of how large it is. 6.WHAT VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS ARE YOU TAKING? Multi-vitamin 1 daily,  B12 sublinqual (1 daily), Vit. B complex daily, Vit. A (daily), Calcium nitrate 2 xs daily, biotin daily. 7. ANY HAIR LOSS? Lost a little about 4 months out, but now it's OK. 8. WHAT KIND OF EXERCISE ARE YOU DOING? Mainly just being more active with living.  Since I hurt my upper left arm I have been limited to going to the gym which I really miss but until they can diagnose the problem, which Xray and MRI have failed to do so far (see Dr in an hour again). 9. WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT CHALLENGES? The cookie jar.  When I am in pain (severe) I want to return to old way of comfort which was food.  And the cookies which do not feel bad going down were easy...I have stopped that and pray and can continue to stay out of the jar. 10. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WHOLE WLS EXPERIENCE? Still the best thing I have ever done for me other than receiving Jesus as Lord.. 11. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR "WOW" MOMENTS? IDear Karen, I still am amazed at the difference in size of undies and clothes when I fold them on laundry day.  From 13 to size 5 undies in amazing to me.  I still shake my head when I put them away.  My shadow still takes me by surprise HAHAHA.  Who is that anyway?  And when I get on elevator and see myself next to the other people, I can't believe I am no long the heaviest person on the elevator and wondering if the people want to get off when they saw me due to weight allowed...Know what I mean? 12. DO YOU HAVE AN "ISSUE" WITH SLEEPING? Yes, I have always needed less sleep but now it is rediculous  I also take OC sleep aide. 13. OK, we're being open sisters here....ANY PROBLEMS WITH CONSTIPATION? Not now but at first awful!

Aloha sweet sister Joan! What a nice surprise to see your beautiful face. You have been missed!

You are doing so great with maintaining, and you give me such hope because we had our surgeries only 3 months apart. Seeing OFFers like you lets me believe that I CAN keep this weight off and continue to live a life of freedom, health and fitness.

I LOVE your WOW moments!! The elevator image was powerful.....and I have been the one who looks down trying to be invisible when in an elevator with normal people who I'm guessing are disgusted with this fat woman sharing the elevator with them. No more!! Thanks for the wonderful wow moment that I can share with you. Same with the seeing myself in a window.........WOW...is that really me? I used to HATE catching a glimpse of myself!!

You really put the cherry on the top of the chocolate sundae of this survey this time around. (don't you love how I still use food as my happy descriptions!) Thank you, darlin, and please don't stay away so long.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

No chance of feeling like a wayward child with you my Friend.  I feel encompassed by your love and concern.  You are a success story also my Friend.  I know you will continue to do well as you adjust your eating for each phase of this journey.  And as always your encouragement and support is true Aloha fashion. Thanks for being the woman God created you to be.