Friday, just for fun

I'm Janet.  I just turned 52.  I had the duodenal switch (DS) surgery at the end of last year.  Merry Christmas to me.  I have lost 68 lbs so far.  No kids, No DH.  I have a dog, a cat, a crazy squirrel, and a lot of raccoons and deer (that are not welcome).

I am a licensed CPA, but I work in Corporate America in Silicon Valley, CA.  I don't do taxes (well, for a living).  I left my job (answer to my prayers) 6 weeks ago through a mutual agreement, so I have had time to get in touch with my new DS, bathroom and eating habits.   Every couple of days I get a non-surgical victory of some sort, so it's been nice to have this time.

I live in the Sequoia forest, so there are always a million things to fix or build.  I use a wood stove for heat, cut my own firewood, can veggies, and build/fix on my house.  I don't exercise, but I'm physically active working on projects and getting ready for winter.  Because of the DS, I am able to work with my tools like I used to.  I'm building muscles again. 

This summer I have a list of projects to get done - and I am looking forward to knocking them out.  The biggest is rebuilding a deck on the front of the house.  I also have a huge Norwegian family reunion in North Dakota that I’m driving to – road trip. 

Oh - and I guess I need to start looking for work somewhere in there....

I would love a road trip through that area.  It is one I have either only sped through or not visited at all.  Glad you found us here in the LWs

I'm Laura and I had a revision 3 years ago next month.  I had my first WLS in 2002 and it didn't go well, to say the least.  Back then there were no pre op requirements or education and practically no follow up.  I just went in, said I wanted WLS and since my insurance didn't require pre authorization I was scheduled for surgery a few months later.  I did well the first few years, lost all the excess weight and then proceeded to regain almost all of it because I thought that surgery would cure my weight problems and I never would be obese again, without having to put any effort into it.  Of course, I was wrong.  I learned the hard way, not only about regain but also about not supplementing properly.  I was sent home from the hospital with instructions to take one multivitamin and about 1500 mg of calcium a day, plus iron if I was still menstruating (which I wasn't).  I had my labs regularly but they didn't really check for much and by the time I was 8 years out I was very sick, to the point of barely being able to function plus I had terrible side effects from eating poorly, mainly constant diarrhea and gas and frequent accidents.  I was a mess and very much regretted having WLS.  I went back to my surgeon begging for a reversal but I was told I could be revised so I didn't malabsorb as much but I couldn't be reversed.  

That was nearly 3 years ago and it's been a long road but I am pretty much back to normal, whatever that is.  I lost all the excess weight and then some, going lower then I planned or wanted to.  I have no clue why because I feel like I eat very well but I totally avoid sugar and gluten.  I make sure to get in my protein first and avoid refined carbs but other then that I eat pretty much what I want.  I am still waiting on that bounce back and I am sure it will find me sooner or later.  I have not been obese for over 2 years now, which is a record for me.  I am still learning about maintenance and I don't have any words of wisdom because I really don't know what I am doing.  This is all new territory for me so I am playing it by ear.

As far as the summer goes, I guess I am also weird in the sense that I don't care for the heat any more.  I used to love the warm weather but lately I enjoy the cold weather much more.  It has more to do with menopause I think then anything else but I just don't tolerate the heat that well.  It is easier for me to warm up then it is to cool down.  I also have a problem with too many clothes.  I'm not used to my clothes lasting very long and now I have things that I have been wearing for 3 summers now, plus I still like to buy new clothes.  Well, new to me since I love thrift stores.  I have more clothes then I can humanly wear and I still find things that I forgot I had that I have never worn.  I have my favorites that I wear all the time and things I never wear but I can't bring myself to get rid of.  I can't really wear shorts or short dresses because my legs are pretty bad but I like longer dresses and have quite a few of those.

I don't have any plans for the summer other then riding my bike as much as I can.  I hate exercise and riding my bike is the only activity that I enjoy so at least I am getting in some movement since I work at a desk all day.

Tazz, I've been here long enough to follow a good bit of your later journey and I so appreciate everything you have done for this group.  You have been such a support and so open and honest about your journey which seems to be in such a happy spot right now.  Your weight is holding, as is your job and exercise.  thanks for sharing with us.

I'm 4.5 years out from sleeve surgery. I live in Nor CA and I used to be a big triathlete but then I got injured and couldn't workout for 1.5 years. I have a husband and 2 kids and start a new job on Monday.

For the summer, I am slowly coming back from my injury and this week I am starting to bike again. My goal is by the end of the summer to be biking and swimming pretty regularly and maybe even doing some strength training. I want to be able to start running again by the Fall and I want to be in good enough shape to do a Sprint or Olympic triathlon by then too even if I can't actually run without aggravating my head injury.

When I lost weight with WW in the distant past, I was running.  When my hip broke down and I had to stop, of course, I gained it all back.  Plus got depressed.  Exercise becomes such a part of our lives and not only our physical health, but our mental health is affected.  I hope you will be able to do things that will keep you stable, physically and mentally.  Slow is the key.   

Great thread Price!

My name is Maria. I am a 47 year old wife, mother and grandmother. I have 3 sons, 32, 17 and 16.

2 adorable granddaughters 5 and 12.

I have been a nurse for 23 years, mostly in cardiac surgery but recently transferred to step down to lose some of the stress of being in the icu.

I have a trusty yellow lab, Buddy Love who keeps me walking and a sassy adopted cat named Ziggy.

I love to read, cook, garden and spending time with my family and friends. Love being out on the motorcycle with my hubby of 19 years.

I also have developed a love of yoga. I would have never guessed that 3 years ago!

Had wls in July of 2010. Struggling with some regain (reached 131 and got back up to 157, down to 147 now) but on the losing path again. And boy has it slowed down.

This board is truly a blessing. I got away from it when I was struggling with my weight going up, but since I have come back, it is so much easier.

Love my Lightweights!!!

I don't think any of our Dr groups, no matter how good they are, do a very good job of telling us how easy it is to regain.  For me, it is a constant battle but I am trying hard to reword that to my new way of life, putting it in the positive.  Keep on keeping on.  You just can't let your guard down and relax and let bad habits sneak back in.

You are so right Price. I let those simple carbs sneak back in, not focusing on protein first. Sure kicked me in the butt!

I love keep on keeping on. I think may become one of my new mantras!

Thanks Price! Love ya honey!

Maria