Hi everyone!

I just can't believe that it's been 4 years since my lap rny on January 10, 2005.

I've been well, as I hope that all of you have been!!

I am finding harder to say no to food and have put on some weight.   I started out at 263 pounds
and at my lowest was 150 pounds.  I am only 5 feet tall.  Oh what I would give to be taller!!

I haven't posted since July of 2008, and have just been lurking to see if anyone from 2005 has
posted recently.  I really do miss the almost daily posts from back then.  I really feel that it helped
to keep me more motivated.  I know that I never want to be where I was before surgery and
all of my health problems. 

Well, I'll say aloha for now and hope that more people from January, 2005 starting posting
again or maybe I'm not in the right forum.  If that's the case, will someone please let me know.

God Bless and take care.

Love and aloha,
Pat

Aloha to all of you!!!! I can't believe that we are coming up to our 3 year anniversary!!! Sometimes I actually have to step back to make sure that it wasn't all a dream!! I hope that everyone is doing fine. I check this site periodically and noticed that it has gotten very quiet. I really miss all the support and friendships from the early days of post weight loss surgery!! God Bless all and I wish all of you and yours a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous 2008!!!! Hugs, Pat Nicely

Hi all fellow January, 2005!!! I hope that everyone is doing fine!! I'd like to find out if anyone has tried using NutiSystem for additional weight loss? I would like to lose nother 20 pounds and was wondering if it would be worth to try this tool. Last night on QVC (they sell NutriSystem) I heard a person call in who had wls, and she was purchasing the food. I would be most grateful to hear from someone. Have a wonderful week and God Bless!!! Hugs and aloha, Pat

HI ALL Januarians from 2005!!!! I am so glad to hear from you!!! I would periodically check in, and noticed that the postings had come to almost a complete halt! I really missed the friendships and support that I received after my lap rny on January 10, 2005. I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well! Congratulations for doing such a great job!! I am 5' and started out at 263 pounds and am down to 130 pounds. I would love to lose another 10-15 pounds, but I'm not beating myself up. I'm still pretty much on the same food that I was on while I was on my journey. I do give myself a treat every now and then, but I am so fearful of gaining any weight. I never want to see 263 pounds again!! Take care and God Bless to everyone! Let's continue to keep in touch!!!! Love and aloha, Pat

Hi Mitzi!!! Great post!!! It's too bad that we can't get the Hawaii Board going. After my surgery on January 10, 2005, I have always been able to get support and fellowship from this awesome board!!! Well here goes: 1. Starting weight 263 pounds 2. Lowest weight 128 pounds 3. Current weight 128 pounds 4. How many ounces can you eat? I only eat once or twice a day at the most. I keep my protein (fish, chicken, etc.) to about 4-5 ounces. The rest would be my fresh vegetables, normally a salad or raw veggies. 5. Approx. calorie intake 800-1,000 6. How much do you exercise? About 2-3X a week. I have a treadmill at home, but also go to 24 Hour Fitness. 7. How much water a day? 140-145+ ounces 8. Anything you still can't eat? Not that I can't eat it, but have chosen to not eat any bread products, dairy products (except for string cheese), rice, or cereals, crackers, etc. 9. Back to old habits? I have started craving a snack before bedtime, and will usually have some cutup zucchini, broccoli. 10. Are you still trying to lose, if so how much? I would love to lose another 10 pounds since I'm only 5 feet tall. But compared to the 263 pounds that I used to weigh I truly feel blessed. My life is so much happier and healthier!! Please stay in touch, and God Bless you and yours. Hugs and much aloha, Pat

Congratulations Jennifer!!!! I've only had a TT on March 6, 2006. My plastic surgeon told me that because I tend to form bad keloids, he would not recommend that I have my arms done. He said that I would not be happy with the scarring. How have you been? Have you reached your goal? I would like to use 15 more pounds. Have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous 2007!!! Hugs and aloha, Pat 261/130

Hi Deb!! Congratulations!!!! You have truly done awesome in your journey!!!! I'm so proud of you!! I had my lap rny on January 10, 2005. I started out at 261 pounds and currently weigh 135 pounds. I would like to lose another 15 pounds but the scale has just not moved. What type of surgery did you have? I'm only 5 feet tall so I don't have much room for expansion, if you know what I mean That is great that you are now in a size 9 pant. Wow!! May I ask how tall you are and how much you currently weigh? I currently wear a size 10-12 depending on the brand. I was really hoping that I would end up in a smaller size. I still need to size up in my pants because of my hips. I've also had a TT on March 6, 2006. I couldn't afford to have the full body lift because I had to pay 100% of the cost. I still have issues where I think I am overweight, but I have also read other posts on the WLS Graduate Message Board that other individuals are also having this problem. I guess some of us will always feel that we have not been completely successful. Have a wonderful holiday season!!!! God Bless you and yours!!! It's so nice to see the January, 2005 group posting. I really miss the support and friendship from the early days. I guess everyone's gone on to different paths at this point of their journey. Please continue to post here. I've tried several times to revive this Message Board without successs. Hugs and aloha, Pat 261/135 - 5 feet tall

Hi Stacy!! I would say that you are doing just SUPER!!! I wish I was as motivated as you are. I had lap rny on January 10, 2005. I have lost 120 pounds and would still like to lose another 15 pounds. May I ask if you have reached your goal? I have been using a treadmill at home since the WLS, and joined 24 Hour Fitness in January, 2006. I was laid up for awhile because I had a TT on March 6, 2006. I really should be going back to workout at the gym. Are you only working with your personal trainer? That is a lot of money!! Would you not be able to join a club like 24 Hour Fitness or something similar? Than you would only have to pay a monthly fee which is about $30.00 and you can go as many times as you want within the month. Keep up the great work!!! You are awesome!!! You are my inspiration to start working out at the gym again!!! Take care and God Bless! Hugs and aloha, Pat

Stacy, that's a good question! I never thought of taking it in a capsule form. I would suggest that you check with your surgeon who did your WLS. Because of the absorption problem, I'm not sure of the amount that you would need to take. Hope this helps!! Hugs, Pat

Hi Becky!! I'm sorry to hear that you are having a hard time with your move. You are such a strong person just to have made the move in the first place. I can't imagine every having to do that. I was born and raised in Hawaii, and except for trips have never lived anywhere else. I can sympathasize with you regarding not telling people about your WLS. I face that problem on almost a weekly basis. Someone will see me and notice that I have lost over a 100 pounds, but when they ask me how I did it; and I tell them with gastric bypass. They suddenly become very quiet and standoffish. I don't know if it's because they don't know how to respond to it because they don't know enough about it, or they just think that I went to such an extreme. I would encourage you to keep up your spirits. Just keep telling yourself that you did this for yourself so that you could have a healthier and happier life. Like anywhere so far from the U.S. I know that shortly you will adjust to your new life and surroundings. Congratulations to you for taking language lessons. That is an awesome positive step in the right direction. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and either e-mail me or post on this site. I'm here on a daily basis, and I'm always here for you!!! Have a wonderful week!!! Hugs and aloha, Pat

Hi Stacy! How have you been? I must be one of the few exceptions. I still only consume about 600 calories per day. I still drink one protein shake per day and take 2 multi-vitamins, biotin, B-12, iron and calcium. I just saw my surgeon 2 weeks ago, and he told me that if this works for me, that it's all good. I use the treadmill 3X a week and also go to 24 Hour Fitness. I drink about 140+ oz. of water everyday. I mainly eat veggies and 4 oz. of a protein, normally chicken or fish. I also do only 2 meals per day, and my surgeon said no snacks from the very beginning right after surgery. Hope this helps. I really feel that it is an individual thing. Take care!! Aloha, Pat

Hi Lou Ann! Remember me, I e-mailed you earlier regarding your back problem. My heart goes out to yoiu, as I too went through the same ups and downs that you are going through. Don't give up, there is an answer out there. You just need to find the right doctor. I had my back problem for 8 years before I finally found a resolution to it. There are days when I thought I just could not go on. Please e-mail me if you would like, and we can talk. I will keep you in my prayers. Take care and try to stay positive, although I fully know how hard that can be. Hugs and aloha, Pat