How are we doing?

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

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

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

2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 168 current/151 lbs. lost (and kept off). Went up to 185 once, but it came back down when I babysat my 3 little grandsons (6, 4, & 2). They ran me 24/7 and the weight just fell off....

3. Main source of protein: I try and drink a 30 grams of protein shake from Costco each day. Almost every morning I have a small yogurt with a handful of fruit/nut/granola (Kashi go Lean). If I have bananas or blueberries those go on top....yum!

4. How much water are you getting in?: Not sure anymore....but I keep a water bottle with me always and sip a lot. Probably not enough. I do drink a lot of coffee (maybe 4 cups a day.)

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. Doc has added some things......double Vit. D3, fish oil supplement, joint stuff, etc.

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? One Costco "WOMAN" plus each day, stool softener... 2 a day, B12 sublinqual (1 a day now because I was having memory problems), Vit. B 1, once a day( change by my nutritionist), Vit. A (5 x week), Vit. D, and one Magnesium daily (helps with regularity). Oh, also calcium....about 2000 mg. daily


7. Any medical problems? I had a panniculectomy on Dec. 3rd last year.. 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! Oh, and Kaiser Hawaii has now stopped doing any cosmetic surgery for free.....I just made it for the tummy tuck before they stopped doing them.......Lucky for sure. Most recent "problem" is a cataract surgery complication. Stitches in my Left eye for another couple of weeks.

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, but so far it's all talk or wishful thinking! (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.) I actually did get on Kaiser's "Silver and Fit" and found several gyms that will be free. Next step....GO THERE AND WORK OUT! =)

9. What are your current challenges? Well....I wish I didn't have those evening cravings. I usually end up with milk/cookies, or a sweet of some kind. I don't dump.......I guess I'm thankful for that, but at others I wish my body would give me a kick in the buh-tocks!

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 7 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!! Lately I am still amazed when I can slide into a pair of 8 or 10 jeans or pants. In the past I couldn't cross my legs....now I do it all the time and the crossed over leg almost touches the ground. I can maneuver behind bookshelves and narrow places with ease. I could go on and on because I'm so thrilled with my new life and body, but I want to hear YOUR STORY!!

I am going to the gym......well, maybe tomorrow

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

1. Surgery date & weight/height at surgery: OCT 17, 2006 5'6" 334lbs

2. Current weight and lbs. lost: 180lbs now, I lost a total of 154lbs gained some back and I finally lost it and am now down 5lbs more than when i stopped losing after I had my WLS!!!

3. Main source of protein: Meats and cheeses. Can't stand the shakes much anymore. I do have protein bars on occasion though. Pure protein I find to be the best.

4. How much water are you getting in?: Not sure anymore....I do drink alot of water when I am at work but when I am at home it seems I am drinking other liquids. BUT I do get in my water although maybe not enough every day.

5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, etc? Yes I am trying VERY hard to keep up with taking my vitamins and I do drink my water everyday. 

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? One Prenatal vitamin, 2 vitamin D3 5000 IU, B12 500mcg 3 of those, and 4 Biotin 1000 mcg. Not sure what the Dr will have me change after the results of my blood tests come back.


7. Any medical problems? So far nothing big that I know of. I am having a problem with my hair falling out now after over 4 years being out! That is why I started taking the Biotin. Hopefully that will help soon. As for the pain that I am having it has nothing to do with WLS at all.

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? WALKING. That is about all I do. I do not sit while at work, I walk. I pace. I stand. I come home I take Bandit out for his potty walk so I walk more. I walk before I go to work also. I bought a BMX bike last year and I hurt to bad to ride it much at all. This year I have a bigger seat on it and hopefully I will be able to ride it longer. (looks silly with a bigger seat on it but hey I need comfort lol) When it gets warm enough I plan on using the pool for some water exercises.

9. What are your current challenges? Eating anything I want!! I do not dump anymore on what I eat! I do get sick or feel sick if I eat too much at one time though. Also at times I wish I never tested the sugars again!!! But I can take it or leave it anymore. As long as I know I can have it I am ok.

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? I am thrilled that I had WLS!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat if needed!!!!! My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner!!

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? My wow moments are seeing myself in the mirror and wonder who it is...lol, feeling my boyfriends arms around me...ALL the way around me and then some!!! Rick is about 140 pounds soaking wet and he can still hold me in his arms and it feels so good!!!!!!!!! I can ride a horse again!!! I can sit in a movie theater seat and be comfortable!!!!!! I can sit in a booth in a restaurant and have space in between me and the table!!! I am wearing a size 14 almost a 12 now and it feels great!!!! I can do so many things now that I couldn't do just over 4 years ago!!! I also grew "balls" and got a life away from what I had back in Michigan!! I love my new life and how and where I live now!!! I thank GOD and Dr Foote everyday for giving me my life back!!!!!!!! I like you Karen could go on and on but I won't take up all the room here so others can post their answers....thanks for doing this again!!!

HUGS

Aloha Judy, and thank you for participating. You have done so great with all that has happened in your life during the weight loss years.

My eating has leveled out, like yours, and I can eat anything without physical problems. (Oh, wait, I did hit the bathroom after eating half a taco salad.)

When I really need to get protein in, I use the shakes.....but they are getting to be only a fill-in when I can't get in some "real" protein.

Keep up the great work. You are sounding happy lately.

Aloha nui loa,

Karen

Hi Karen!  Here ya go


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

2. Current weight and lbs. lost:  134lbs. Lost 108 lost. Got down to 117 at one point, looked and felt awful! 

3. Main source of protein:  Meat, fish, milk, some cheeses, cottage cheese.

4. How much water are you getting in?: At LEAST 72 oz plus about 24 oz milk each day


5. Are you keeping up with vitamins/water, et****ep one of those weekly 2 a day boxes filled with my vitamins and meds. It sits on my bathroom sink next to my toothbrush. I never leave the bedroom/bathroom in the morning without brushing my teeth, or go to bed without doing the same. With my pill box right there I never, ever miss a dose of anything.

6. What vitamins & supplements are you taking? Two Centrum Silver a day, four calcium citrate a day, four stool softeners a day, 2 50,000 iu's Vit D3 a week, B12 daily.

7. Any medical problems? Oh yeah......  Had a small bowel obstruction/hernia repair/gallbladder removal about 18 months out from surgery. It was what caused me to get down to 117 lbs. Then, about a year later I had an inguinal hernia repaired. Rare in women, and of course I'd be different....lol

8. What kind of exercise are you doing? Walking, and some weight training just added in. I'd love to run with the family, but since I only have an Achilles tendon stitched together with a wing and a prayer, walking is it for me. It's okay, they need a cheerleader!

9. What are your current challenges?  Finding time to eat when I'm busy at work. Like yesterday; I didn't even make 1000 calories, ate my dinner too fast and lost it. Dang!

10. How do you feel about the whole WLS experience? Well, I'm so pleased and believe so strongly in WLS I'm the post op support group leader for our local Center of Excellence. It's wonderful to share my experiences with newbies and help them along the way. My only regret is that I didn't do this 20 years ago!!!

11. What are some of your "wow" moments? WOWs?   Almost too many to list. Sitting in an airplane comfortably, having my purse next to me in a theater seat, crossing my legs, wearing a size FOUR, being told I'm petite and tiny, Gary wrapping his arms all the way around me, not being invisible, people taking me more seriously. Gosh, the list could go on and on!!!

Aloha Susan........Wow....I thought I knew your story, but I didn't! I did not realize you got down so low and it was because of a medical problem. I, too, got down to 150 and looked and felt awful! My friends were kind, but when I would see pictures of myself at that weight, I was gaunt, pale, sickly looking. Being 5'11" tall, I need at least 165 lbs. to look healthy, at least I feel healthy at that weight.

Great idea about the meds/vitamins. I keep mine beside where I sit on the couch but still forget and end up taking a whole bunch late in the evening....not so smart!

You will make a terrific support group leader! I'm glad you decided to do that. The groups I attended before and after WLS were tremendously helpful.

Love the WOWS! I can identify.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen,

I love this post!  So helpful to a newbie like me.  I hope you will continue to raise this same post periodically.  It's very inspirational.

BTW, I'm tall, too.  5'10"  Would you believe I weighed 135 when I got married?  I would really like to get down to 155 again, but would be happy with anything between 165 and 175.  Sizes have changed so much in the last 30 years, I have no idea what size I'll end up, but mostly I just want to be healthy and mobile again.  

And yes, like others have posted here, I can't wait for my sweet husband to put his arms around me again!  :)

Vickie