VA Post-op Poll

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: December 28th, 2005 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: 251/44.4/22-24/8.5 W 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size:180/31.9/14-16/8 4. Pounds/inches lost:71 5. Goal weight/BMI:135 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery:high blood pressure, back pain, PCOS symptoms 7. First wow moment after surgery: When my pre-op pants literally fell off my butt when I stood up. 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery: Looking at the scale and seeing the dial to the left of 200 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery: Tonight, I got into an outfit that I wore to dinner the night I got engaged...that was a while ago. 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? getting in my protein...I gotta give it to Profect, it may not be fabulous tasting but it makes it easier. 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? Smelling foods I know I can't eat...like hot wings...love hot wings but I can't tolerate spicy very well or I'd modify for an occassional treat. 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Take your vitamins! Be patient and remember to thank God daily because you're still here!

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: 5/28/2000 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: size 22, BMI: 42, shoe: 7 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: don't ask! size: 8-10, shoe: 7 4. Pounds/inches lost: 100 lbs, gained back 40 5. Goal weight/BMI: 125 AGAIN 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: lack of energy, joint pain, better BP and heart rate 7. First wow moment after surgery: Well, I was at a Feis (Irish Dance Competition) and was leaning against this shelf. I just happened to pull myself up on to the shelf without effort. It was a wow moment! 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery: Being called "Little Lady" by a flight attendant. 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery: You don't look like you gained weight 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? tying my shoes 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? when I realized my doctor lied and said this was a cure. 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Realize you have about two good years to get the weight off, don't be a slave to the scales and enjoy your journey to a new you! Paula

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: Open RNY 1/21/04 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: 320/52/30/9-9.5 wide 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: 155/25/12/8.5 4. Pounds/inches lost: 165 lbs 5. Goal weight/BMI: I'm there. 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: Joint pain, breathing/heart issues, high cholesterol, borderline diabetic 7. First wow moment after surgery: Discovering my collarbone! (I still play with it) 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery: Being proposed to by my number one fan and supporter, who's been there by my side through it all. 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery: Being proposed to. (But before that, it was flying somewhere and not needing a seatbelt extender, AND having scads of room in the seat to get comfy and even put my feet up in my seat.) 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? Walking anywhere I want to go for a distance, often done when shopping (oh yeah, that's gotten easier, too!). 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? Saying no to sugar, carbs, and alcohol. 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Vitamins, protein, water! Don't slack!

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: 8/29/05/LapRNY 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size:310lbs/??/44 pants & 20 shirt/11 1/2 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: 189lbs/27/34 pants & 17 shirt/11 1/2 4. Pounds/inches lost: -121lbs / ??? 5. Goal weight/BMI: 189 lbs/??? 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: blood pressure & sleep apnea 7. First wow moment after surgery: making new holes in belt 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery: friend not recognizing me after not seeing me since surgery. 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery: fitting into size 34 jeans 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? getting in my protein 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? bleeding ulcer 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? How hard WLS is on relationships

:wave: VA Post-op Poll 1. Surgery date/type of surgery: April 2005~~RNY 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: 332 Pounds/28W-30W/Size 9 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size: 156 pounds/8-10/Size 8 4. Pounds/inches lost: 176 POUNDS gone 4EVER 5. Goal weight/BMI: 140 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery: Sleep Apnea, High Blood Pressure, and Migraines! 7. First wow moment after surgery: Bending over to tie my shoes and not being out of breath. 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery: My daughters wanting to show me off to their friends now. Their not embarssed anymore! 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery: Had a bunch of younger men give me catcalls at the bowling alley last Friday. 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? The weight loss 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? Drinking with meals. 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Listen to YOUR body. Stalls happen... That was fun! Chubby No More 332/156/140

1. Surgery date/type of surgery: Nov 3, 2004 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size:401/??66 pants 6XL shirt/12 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size:208/29/38 pants LG shirt/10 4. Pounds/inches lost:166 lbs/ 5. Goal weight/BMI:190 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery:No more...obstructive sleep apnea/gout/pancreitis/type 2 diabetes/hip..knee..joint pain/no more medications of any sort. 7. First wow moment after surgery:When my daughter could reach around me and touch her fingers. 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery:When I could out walk my son through Wash. D.C. 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery: Kayakking for 15 miles in a sit in kayak! 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? Sticking to the basics. 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? The first week after surgery. 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Pre-op planning is essential to long term success. And don't go back to old habits learned in the first year after surgery...stick to your plans and goals...

Hello everyone, This is my first time on this forum but I'm glad to know there are so many people in the area that have gone through this. Here are my answers ... 1. Surgery date/type of surgery:Feb 28 06 2. Starting weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size:356/59.2/a tight 28 3. Current weight/BMI/clothing size/shoe size:310/51.5/ not sure but I can fit into things I haven't been able to wear in months. 4. Pounds/inches lost:46 lbs 5. Goal weight/BMI:175/ less than 30 6. Medical issues that have resolved because of the surgery:I spent 3 days in the hosptial a few weeks ago. It was the Wednesday after Easter weekend. I was de-hydrated. I was so busy running about the weekend before with my step-daugther's birthday, my brother's birthday, and all the other Easter activities that I did not take care of myself. I forget I had just had major surgery and need to take care myself too. 7. First wow moment after surgery:My surgeon (Dr. Eric Yancey, Chesapeake/Norfolk) asked me not to weigh myself until my 1st follow-up 3-4 weeks later. I was convienced that I had not lost much weight. I thought maybe 10-15 lbs at the most. On my follow-up visit (4 weeks to the day) I stepped on the scale and WOW - 30lbs!!! 8. Best overall wow moment after surgery:see below 9. Most recent wow moment after surgery:I was running late for work earlier this week. I had spilled something on my skirt and was looking around for something to wear. None of the clothes I knew I could fit in were clean. I went to the closet and started looking around. I found a skirt my Mom bought me a few months ago that I never wore. I was too embarrassed to tell her I couldn't get it past my hips and it didn't fit me. At first I looked at it for a moment. I thought, "It wont fit." A second later I thought, " oh what the heck" and tried it on. It slipped on easily!! In fact, it was a bit too big now!!! Later that afternoon I told my husband. He was so proud of me. He said he loved me no matter what I weighed but he was proud of all the hard work I'd done so far. 10. What has been the easiest thing since surgery? Not eating too much 11. What has been the hardest thing since surgery? Eating enough protein 12. If you could pass along advice "been there, done that" to pre-ops, what advice would it be? Don't pay attention to the scale, pay attention to your sagging pants!!! Find new ways to celebrate without food, celebrate every little victory, and thank God for every lesson you learn. Be encouraged - just do your best and remember to take care of yourself. Take care and be Blessed!! Janel