How are we doing today?

Aloha my OFF family.....I like to do this little survey every few months, and I think it's time again. I so much appreciate your all participating. I think it helps each of us (especially newcomers) to see how the others are working their "tool."

Here are the questions......altered from before:

1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: July 26, 2006/319/5'11"

2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 153 current/166 lbs. lost

3. Main source of protein: Shakes (with added fruit), yogurt, Eating Right (Safeway) soy crisps (my current passion) , chicken, steak w/ mushrooms, chili, shrimp, nuts.

4. How much water are you getting in?: Not sure anymore....but I keep a water bottle with me always and sip a lot.

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I keep vitamins in a weekly " pill box" and a water bottle right beside my place on the couch so I don't forget.

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? One pre-natal plus each day, stool softener... 2 a day, B12 sublinqual (1 a week because my B12 was way high last blood work), Vit. B 1, once a week, Vit. A (5 x week), Vit. D, and one Magnesium daily.

7. Any medical problems? I had a panniculectomy on Dec. 3rd, and that is the biggest medical thing I've had happen. They made a cut from hipbone to hipbone and removed probably five lbs. of skin. My belly is now flat, and I always forget that I don't have to lift it in the shower anymore to wash...Ha!

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Still BAD ....I've been doing NO exercise, and I feel guilty! I keep thinking I'll get back to the pool or at least walking on the beach, so so far it's all talk! (I wish this had changed, but it hasn't. I keep thinking if I exercise I'll lose MORE, and I don't want to.)

9. What your your current challenges? I would like to firm up flabby arms and legs (nothing I can do about the "girls" except surgery). Since Medicare now PAYS for joining a health club, I have no excuse except laziness. Also I have no excuse for not walking on the beach every day.....I don't know what is standing in the way...I wish I did.

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am thrilled to my toes with the results of WLS!! I would do it over again in a heartbeat! I have reached my goal and 22 lbs. pounds below it. That, to me, is a miracle! I thought I would be the ONE that this didn't work for......I had failed so often with dieting.

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? My wow moments are continuing and always blow me away!! Small things lately make me smile inside...like putting on panties without holding on to something, or sitting on the floor with crossed legs and getting up from that position, or shopping in the "petite" section, or never thinking twice about any chair, theater seat, or airplane seat. (I used to dread those things...always worrying that I wouldn't fit or they would break.) Huge wow is just looking in the mirror and seeing a tall, skinny me who sometimes I don't recognize.

I could go on and on because I'm so thrilled with my new life and body, but I want to hear YOUR STORY!!

Thanks for completing these questions with your own success story. We are each a "book" and I want to read yours and be inspired all over again!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Oh! I love it when you do this my dear and sweet big sis. You have such a way of calming things. I hear it in my head just reading you and can only imagine how much better it would be in person. When I need peace in my life I enjoy hearing you. Thanks for just being you.....the sweet and peaceful person that I am proud to call my little big sister.

1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: October 8, 2007 291/5'1"

2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 177.2  113.8 pounds

3. Main source of protein: bars, chicken, shrimp, fish, nuts

4. How much water are you getting in?: The last few days it isn't good but usually about 55 to 60 ounces.

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I keep my vitamins in a container right by my weekly pill holder.

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Two Flintstone w/o iron each day. I was taken off the iron because of severe constipation and also calcium because of the kidney stones reoccurring. I was also taken off the B-12 because the last test it was to high.

7. Any medical problems? I have a hernia now but that is going to be taken care of and then if the insurance approves it I am having a tummy tuck with the hernia surgery.

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? I have not been doing as much as I use to for some reason. I do some walking and so that is something. I have a couple of exercise DVDs and want to start doing that. It is just getting motivated!

9. What your your current challenges? I need to firm up the upper arms really bad. I know that they won't be like they should but at least I would knock someone out behind me if I waved my arms. I would like to do the same thing with the upper legs. I am getting some sagging around the knees. As for the girls.......nothing is going to help them but surgery. Poor things!

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am so happy with my life now. I wouldn't change any of the experiences that I have had since having surgery. My best days then were not as good as my worst days now. I told my wls doctor that if I never lost another pound I am satisfied and happy since I would have never ever been where I am today.

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? The WOW moments that I have are always amazing to me. I hold up some clothes and think there is no way that is going to fit on this body and low and behold it does. Sometimes it is even to big! I can't always wrap my mind around that. I got hit on a couple of weeks ago in the Wal Mart produce department. I just wish he was a younger guy and kind of hunky but at least it happened to me. ha ha It has been many many years since that happened. I can do so much more than I ever could before. I am looking so forward to being able to play with my little grandson. Just 7 weeks!

I too could go on and on with the great amazing things that are happening to me. I just thank God every day for allowing me this opportunity to live my life the way it was meant to be lived.

Thanks so much, Karen for doing this and letting us look back and see the changes. We sometimes get so busy and preoccupied that we at times forget to remember.

Aloha dear Brenda...my little ray of sunshine!!

You are always so positive and encouraging......I hope you know how much you add to the OFF. I don't know how you keep shining even when things are not happening the way you'd like. I'm so sorry about the job not coming through, but then my experience has always been that when something doesn't happen that I wanted, there is a reason...and sometimes I don't get to know that reason for a long time...but eventually I "get it" and am glad that I was forced to learn patience...that is always my stumbling block......patience.

I love your wow moments.......especially the "getting hit on in a WalMart!" That is so good for the old ego, isn't it. I think we get so used to being invisible(or worse...being the butt of jokes) as fat people, we have to do double takes when someone gives us a once over and then a double take. I always look behind me because they MUST be looking at someone else....Ha!

Thank you for telling your story....as always, I am inspired and so grateful for the miracle that WLS has given to a sister. Keep up the great work!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen....This sounds interesting.  Thanks .
1.Surgery; 11/19/08   270lbs highest..day of surg. 254 Age: 66
2.Current; 205  lost total 65lbs.  5'7"
3.Source of protein; Shakes, chicken, chili, steak, PB. and eating anything I find has high protein.
4.I get in at least 64oz of water and drink 2 cups decaf coffee each morning
5. I take my vitamins and supplements each day
6. 1 Multivitamin, 1 Calcium, Protein bars or shakes for snacks
7.Medical problems...Off all but one BP med, 1 thyroid med.
Aches and pains have been minimized greatly and I have so much more  P&V these days.
8.I need to get to the gym more but do walk indoors at local college auditorium (free)
9.I need to firm up belly and midriff. That's where I carried all my excess weight.  I have lost a total of 53 inches and that is mostly hips, waist and bust but that is all over.
10. I would have RNY again in a heart beat and am looking forward to hitting Dr.s goal of 161 by summer and then going below that for my own goal but if it doesn't happen then I'll know my body is satisfied with the weight goal of 161.  Hey, I would look pretty dang "snertzy" at that goal.
11.  People I haven't seen for a long time give me compliments and I can run up and down my stairs in my 2 story home, fit comfortably in booths and shopping in regular sizes instead of Plus Size depts.
There are so many many more things that are so great after this surgery. It's been a wonderful ride so far.

Sandy
6.

Aloha Sandy and THANK YOU SO MUCH for participating in this little survey. You are doing fabulously good on this journey........and I have a feeling you have the "stuff" to make it all the way to your goal and beyond if you choose to do so.

You will be surprised how much this little group will help you get through. I have been with the OFF since way before my surgery and when I look back, it is BECAUSE of being able to come in here with every little success and failure that I eventually succeeded. I do not take that for granted, and will try and give back what was given to me so unselfishly.

Keep up the great work!! You ARE an inspiration!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Good Afternoon Maui Karen.......

Here are the questions......altered from before:

1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height: August 29,2007/ 242/5'3"

2. Current weight and lbs. lost.     weight 121/ lost 121

3. Main source of protein: Beef, chicken,pork, seafood

4. How much water are you getting in?:  Minimum of 120 ounces

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes, I an very strict about this.

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking?  Flinstones Complete Chewables ,  Twin Labs Calcium Citrate Chewables, B-12,  iron.


7. Any medical problems?  None

8. What kind of exercise are you doing?  Walking. I am in the process of joining Golds Gym. I am waiting for my medical card from my health insurance. They are paying for the fees.

9. What your your current challenges? I would like plastics done. Don't see it happening anytime soon.

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am thrilled. I feel wonderful and have endless amounts of energy.I would do it again in a heartbeat.

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? Running up and down stairs. Playing on the ground/floor with my grandchildren. Walking for miles and not tiring out. No more high blood pressure, acid reflux or diabetes!!     Being in a Junior size 0-3 clothes!!!

Thanks Karen...these are always fun!!

Love ya....hugs....connie d

Aloha beautiful Connie.......YOU are such an inspiration on a daily basis! But, reading your story is even better. For newcomers I think it is so important for them to see that we old timers really DO try to stay on track with vitamins, water and exercise (well, some of us don't do so well here). This is a journey that requires participation and isn't something that is magic.

Good for you on joining Gold's Gym. That will help with the loose skin. I want to join 24 hour Fitness here on Maui......or Curves. Both are FREE under Medicare's new plan. Hopefully someday you can have plastics for whatever part of you is bothering you most. I'm so glad I had my belly done......I still pay my belly many times during the day to see if it's really gone!! LOL

You are such an important part of the OFF....thank you for all that you contribute.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hi Karen,

I'n not sure if I've ever responded to this survey before, but if I did, it was early out. It's so interesting to see where we've come from, and for some, where we're going.

1. Surgery Date:  Sept 6, 2006   234  5'3"

2 Current weight:  124---down 110lbs

3 Main  source of protein:  dairy, chicken, fish, beef, occasional protein shake or bar

4:  How much water:  At lelast 60 oz of water alone, but I  usually drink at least another 16-24 oz of 1% milk a day 

5 Vitamin/water?  Since I started putting a pill box with all of my vitamins next to my toothbrush/paste, I have not skipped a single dose. It so keeps me on top of things. I seldom drink closer to my meals than 30 minutes, every now and then I'll slip, but I do always wait the 30 minutes after eating to drink.

6 What vitamins?  I take 2 of everything!  A multi vitamin every morning and evening, a b-12, and a  b complex with it. Then, before I leave for work I take my calcium, and then take that again when it''s time to start drinking after lunch. On Sundays I add a 50,000 iu of Vit-D to the mix 

7 Medical problems?  Yep....small bowel obstruction, hernia and gallbladder all went down at the same time, just about this time last year. My surgeon said I'm only the third WLS patient of his that has had  a SMO, it could happen to anyone, and of course we know about hernias and gallbladders!

8 exercise:   Nope, sorry, I'm bad and I know it! Before my ankle injury (three months post op) I was swimming, walking, the whole bit. Then when I hurt my foot the  exercise pretty much stopped. I need to use that $25 treadmill we bought a couple of months ago, but don't. 

9  Challenges.  Oh man, where do I start?  Not exercising is a big one. Keeping up my calories every day is  another. Sometimes I'll do my fitday account and see that I've had less than 1000 cals and I have to spend 'my evening getting more in. I'm sure some would call it grazing, and sometimes that's how I feel. I really worry about getting back into bad habits, but I also worry about not getting in enough nutrition. Then there's sugar. I don't dump unless it's a LOT of sugar, so I only allow myself 3 pieces of Dove dark chocolate a day. I about kissed my nutritionist's feet when she said it was a good thing. Yeah,,,,,,there's still too much of a good thing. Yep, I worry about that too!

10  WLS as a whole:  You bet Ii'd do it again in a heartbeat! I have no regrets about my decision and often wonder what my life would be now if I hadn't had the surgery. I also wonder where I'll be in 10 years, but hope that it will be in a positive place. 

11  WOW moments: Hmmmmm,  let's see. Having Gary be able to wrap his arms all the way around me. Crossing my legs, not having them rub together and make that swooshing noise when I walk, having people say "well, you're such a little thing", sitting in theater seats with my purse next to me, having room in airplane seats, having a hard time finding clothes because I'm too small, not the other way around. Not rubbing up against my clients when I shampoo them or cut their hair. Having a pair of panty hose that are too big....who would have ever thought that?

Anyway, Karen, thanks for ths, it's made me realize just how far I've come and what I have to be grateful for. You're a gem!  

Aloha my special sister.....THANK YOU SO MUCH for telling your story. I have never put it all together and this helps to see where you came from and where you are today.

You are so good about vitamins and water. I'm afraid I've stopped observing the 30 minute rule after eating. If I were trying to lose weight I think I would go back to following that rule, but since I'm NOT trying to lose, I figure I can sip while I eat until I get into trouble.

Dove dark chocolate! Oh, my....a woman after my own heart! I LOVE dark chocolate, and so far have only had occasionally the sugar free kind....but that's not really very satisfying. I may have to try the Doves...and hope it doesn't trigger anything bad.

LOVE your wow moments!! Those are the kinds of things that inspire me so much. Each time someone shares a wow moment, I think OMIGOD....me too! Me too!!

Thanks, sweetie, for sharing your story. YOU are a jewel!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

1. Surgery date & weight at surgery/height:  June 29, 2004; 347 (pre-op before starting pre-op diet, lost about 23 pounds on that diet); 5-3 1/2

2. Current weight and lbs. lost:  170; lost about 170 pounds, more or less

3. Main source of protein: one protein shake (waiting for AchievOnes to come back); chicken, beef, cheese, eggs, peanuts, peanut butter, nuts, cheese, cheese, and more cheese; and oh, did I mention cheese?

4. How much water are you getting in?: Enough, plus enough from veggies and fruits to float away

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes .

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Prenatal vitamin, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12 (500mg), iron, 2 Fiber-Cons, stool softener to counteract the effects of the iron, calcium citrate-magnesium-zinc

7. Any medical problems? I had a revision of a right knee replacement, just finished PT. My legs keep swelling for no apparent reason other than "leaky veins" (the excuse the PCP gives me), so on Saturday, I up the diuretic I have, get my legs elevated as much as I can because during the week while I'm at work I can't. So far so good on the knee replacement, but it's still early.

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Still doing a lot of PT but now at home. Did 33 minutes on the little mini-bike I have plus some stretches this morning while I was talking to Brenda (I find it helps to talk to someone to get me through my exercising ... I don't realize how long I've been doing it). I also do some other PT stuff at night in bed: clamshells with a PT band, leg lifts with weights, slides, other stretches for my hammies and my patellar tendon and quads. I want to add this into my morning routine now that I don't have to go to PT anymore. I can't afford the gym, so this will have to do. I may see if I can do the senior center's pool for $2 now and then ... if they'll consider me a senior ... I'm close!

9. What your your current challenges? Exercising, as always, because of my knees. I have no plans to get plastics done. I have enough worries about my job without taking more time off for elective surgery. And I had enough pain from these two knee replacements to keep me from ever wanting to have plastics. I just want the knee to feel somewhat normal again.

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? The best decision I have ever made.

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? Fitting in an airplane seat without spilling over into the other seat and not having to use a seatbet extender. Being able to get down on the floor (pre-knee replacement) and get up without groaning. Crossing my legs. Fitting into a size small pair of capris, and learning it was a size that was smaller than my best friend Rox (and I was never smaller than her). Shopping for smaller clothing in a regular store not Lane Bryant. Giving away and/or selling all my 3X-30W clothing. Having my mother/aunt say I had a skinny butt. Having my mother saying, at last, that she was proud of me (bet she never thought she would say that about my weight ... she said I would gain it all back). Looking at this skinny face in the mirror at wondering who it was. Meeting all these wonderful people online and in person. Walking up and down the falls in Jamaica and knowing I couldn't have done that before when I was 347 pounds. Walking around the pyramids of Tulum, even on my damaged replacement knee, and knowing I passed that trip up when I was 300 pounds. Fitting in the little lift cars at the St. Louis Arch and saying, "I would never have fit in these at 347 pounds." I could go on and on, there have been so many!