Introductions

Hi Ana,

I think you will find that the support you can get on OH will be really helpful. I believe it has been a key factor in my own success. 

I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible, life-changing journey. 

Hi Kearstyn,

I'm sorry that I didn't see your post sooner. I hope that the scale has started to move again for you. I can absolutely relate to your frustration and fear as I had the same issue myself at the beginning of my own journey. It you check out my profile, you will see that I did indeed lose all of my excess weight and have been successful. You can and will too. The way that my surgeon explained it to me is that our bodies do not lose weight in a steady slide, but rather in a stair step fashion. You will lose for a while and your body will start to 'freak out' and try to regroup and hold onto it's precious fat reserves that we are working so hard to get rid of. It will eventually lose the battle and you'll see another drop. So you'll see a drop, then a stop, then a drop, then a stop. Knowing this helped me from an 'intellectual' perspective, but I have to admit I always had a big sigh of relief as I saw the next drop. The other thing I wanted to tell you is that if you haven't done so already, it's important to take full body measurements and photos ... I know, we hate to do the photos, but it's important. So take full front, profile and yes... backside photos. It will be important as you proceed so that you can start to get your head around the changes that are indeed happening. If you can, take these photo in front of a door. Use the same door each month. With time, you'll start to see more and more of the door. It will help you see what your family is telling you that they are seeing. 

I have some more tools and techniques that may help you get your head around the changes that are happening and will be glad to share. 

I wish you all the best as you make this incredible, life-changing journey. 

Hi All --

My name is Celia, and I'm a stay-at-home mom to  three children. I have been battling obesity my entire life. At one point, I lost over 100 lbs -- only to gain it all back, and then some.

I'm here today, weighing in at 273 lbs -- I'm only 5'2", so that puts my BMI right up around 50. I never thought I would ever get this big... especially when I lost my weight and was 140 lbs soaking wet.

I'm giving it one more shot, to try and change my lifestyle once and for all... find something that works for ME permanantly...

I look forward to being inspired by everyone here! Thank you for having me!

Hi Celia,

Welcome to the group. Like you, I had battled my weight most of my life. Now that I'm about 2.5 years out, I have to say that while I do pay attention to my weight, I am not obsessed by it and am able to keep the excess weight off. There are a number of surgical solutions and all have their pros and cons.  I hope you'll find the solution that will best enable you to get and keep the excess weight off.

Wishing you all the best,

Hi,

My name is Kevin and I has my RNY done on October 12th by Dr. Alexander Abkin in New Jersey.

I am doing well so far.  I am walking every day and just started weight training this past Monday on a Bowflex that someone donated to me.

Hi everyone.

Looking forward to chatting with all of you.

Kevin

Hi Kevin

Congratulations on your recent surgery. I'm impressed that you worked on getting some weight off before surgery. It will likely hold you in very good stead as you not only take off the remainder of the excess weight, but also as you work to maintain all of the loses and associated gains. 

I look forward to getting to know you as you make this incredible journey.

All the best,

Thanks Barbara, I appreciate that.

: )

Greetings, all!  

My story is similar to others.  I was skinny toddler, but started gaining early on.  Pudgy kid, gain and lose some.  In 8th Grade I starved myself with cottage cheese and water only until I'd lost 45 lbs. Remained thin and slowly put on weight but was comfortable weight of 120ish when I graduated High School.

Of course, beer, pizza and working at desk all day I started working and gaining steadily. I was about 40 lbs overweight when became pregnant.  I gained 85 lbs with my pregnancy and only lost 30ish after the birth of my daughter, Jaime.

Over the next 29 years, I yo-yo'd in weight, losing as much as 75 lbs twice and gaining more each time.  I'm 52,  I have severe osteoarthritis in my left hip, beginning osteoarthritis of the right hip, 3 compressed and one bulging disk in lower lumbar and mild sleep apnea.   I have to have hip replacement but the ortho-surgeon refused until I reached preferably 35 BMI.  My surgeon advised I have bypass surgery as they didn't trust I'd keep weight off another way.

My highest known weight was 292, I began my 6 month WLS program at 287.  I went back on Herbalife and lost 34 lbs before my VSG on 02/08/10 at 253 lbs. Normally, I'd have lost 75+ lbs in the same time frame, if I could've walked normally and exercise some.  At my one week follow up I was back up to 258, probably water weight they said.  (Since I'm only on liquid diet and was dealing with swollen legs, ankles and feet.)

Hello I am new to this group. My name is Lisa. I hpoe to have surgery soon. I have weighed as much as 310. Now I am about 279. My goal is around 165.

Hi, I'm Toni Ann, I live in NY.  Been married for almost 11 yrs, but hubby and I have been together since HS, 21 yrs altogether.  We have 2 beautiful boys.  I love riding with my husband on the back of his Harley, I love tattoos, and friends, and just spending time with the men in my life.

I had my Lapband done in 12/9/2009, and to date have lost 42 lbs.