Weight Loss Surgery Directory

By Location By Map
Before & After

There are currently no before and after photos for this member.

See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos.
Goals

keep my focus on leading an active healthy life

1 Person
 in progress, 
0 People
 achieved this
View The Goals Page
Surgeon Testimonial

Paul Cirangle (COE)
DDr. Cirangle has a very matter of fact approach. WLS is a tool and if you do things right it will be the best thing you did for yourself. He doesn't seem to be too warm and fuzzy but very genuine in his belief that WLS is a tool that can benefit me. The office staff has been great, steering me in the right direction.
Member Interests
  • Bicycling - time to dust it off and get moving again
  • Walking - looking to get involved with walking/hiking groups
  • Scrapbooks - lots of ideas - so little time
  • Comedy - love to go to funny movies for a good laugh
  • WLS Grads - over 50's????

Latest Surgery Support Comments

  • Comment by Janine J. on 7/10/08 2:21 am
    Wanted to wish you a happy 1st surgiversary!!!
  • Comment by Ginger C. on 7/9/07 10:47 pm
    Counting off the hours with you, Cathie. Tell Debbie to call me immediately after surgery! I know you'll do well. You have a great surgeon and a wonderful angel! :)
Click here for the surgery support page
July 1, 2007
Today is the first day of the month that marks the beginning of a different life for me. I have steadily been gaining 10 or so pounds for the last 10 years for lots of different reasons. About 10 months ago a friend told me she was going to have a vertical gastrectomy. My daughter had surgery 6 years ago that created many problems for her and our family. so it had not been something I was willing to consider, besides "I wasn't big enough". Well I am big enough and about 2 months ago I decided to go for it! It has been happening so fast - next week I have all my tests and in just 10 days I have my surgery. When I start to worry I try to focus on all the ways my life will be different and fuller. So wish me luck and send good thoughts.
Random Thoughts
cathiet's Blog


Some things never change!
on March 29, 2010 10:41 am
I just reread my posts of the journey and it's amazing how I tell the same story I've been telling my whole life. I think the challenge for me is accepting me as I am and doing what is right for me. I have a quote hanging on my computer "I've finally stopped running away from myself. Who else is there better to be? (Goldie Hawn) I need to breathe that in and live by it. All the carbs I've been eating are making me feel lousy. I read about a carb coma today and I've been experiencing it just didn't know what it was. I am tired often after I eat - naturally it's the carbs that are doing it. Back to basics but because it works not as a form of punishment. I have a challenging life right now but eating wrong and not taking care of myself will do nothing to make it better. I want to lose the 10 lbs I've gained but I want to be healthy. My original goal was to live a healthy and active life - that hasn't changed. I want to take some time for myself in the midst of the craziness so I can be happy and healthy for the kids sake and for mine. I need tpo connect with others who are working to make their lives happy and healthy.
1 comment | Leave a comment.

Where doese time go?
on February 12, 2010 1:32 pm
It has been almost 2 years since I have posted here and it has been a wild ride. In April of 08 I was taking care of my 2 grandkids while their mom was facing her demons. Well she struggled for several months before getting into a rehab program. Her success was short lived though. She returned to live with  me in Nov of 09 after I'd broken my hip, thank god for my weight loss!!. She did well for a few weeks then started a downhill journey that ended with her death in Sept of last year. So now I am raising a 2 year old and 4 year old and grieving the loss of my oldest child. And of course the ugly food monster is raising and rearing it's ugly head. I've gained 10 pounds since Sept and am fearful that if I don't get a handle on the sugar eating it will all come back!!! So maybe sharing here will help me find a better way to deal with the stress and sadness.
Be the first to leave a comment.

Goal is in sight!!!!
on April 29, 2008 1:50 pm
April 29, 2008
I sit with turkey and cheese by my side and reminisce about this journey. I have a lot of challenges facing me right now: caring for my 2 grandchildren while emotionally supporting their hopefully recovering alcoholic mom. This is not where I pictured myself at this stage in my life but with the help of my sleeve and 110 pound weight loss I am physically up to the challenge. I have been eating more sweets lately but am trying to give myself a break. Each day I refocus and work to eat the way I know is best for me, exercise and drink my water. I love clothes shopping now - well I like having the clothes I still don't love trying on clothes. I am adjusting to people's reactions and trying to sort out what a good weight will be for me. People had gotten so used to me big they are schocked that I am so "skinny" - I don't call 176 skinny but I am in a size 12 and that had been my original size goal. Now a size 10 is withing my reach . I'd like to find a goal that I can maintain comfortably without big variations. I don't want to lose more so I have room to play with - my goal is to find a weight and stay there (with 2 or 3 pounds wiggle room)
Be the first to leave a comment.

7 months update
on February 14, 2008 3:51 pm
Feb. 14, 2008

Just over 7 months since surgery and 90 lbs down. Still have about 30 to go but am feeling so much better. Walking almost every day and going to Curves 3 days a week. I'm in a size 14 now and it's lots of fun to shop. I can cross my legs, tie my shoes and walk up stairs without feeling winded. I have so much more energy now and am almost pain free - bad back still bad but not aggravated by all the extra weight. None of this was possible pre surgery. I still love my chocolate - that didn't go away with my stomach but I'm doing a much better job of handling the quantity now. I wish I could say I was perfect but I am learning how to use my tool. Most importantly I'm looking at it as a tool and not a miracle cure.
Be the first to leave a comment.

5 months and still happy
on December 18, 2007 11:42 am
December 18, 2007

Well it's just over 5 months and I'm still happy with the results. I've lost 76 lbs now and more than 40 inches!!!! I feel better than I have in years - lots of energy and little pain from weight related back issues. I'm exercising every day and clothes sizes keep getting smaller  My daughters and their families will be arriving for the holidays and I'm looking forward to keeping up with the grandchildren. There will be food involved but while I still am buying goodies for them I'm not stressing out about eating too much. Having this surgery was truly a life changing event for me!!! I'm only 10 lbs away from onderland and so look forward to that milestone. I love the attention I'm getting but most of all I love feeling happy again.
Be the first to leave a comment.

Browse pages: next >



Archive

Tags
  • None
My Story

Weight has always been a problem for me - even when I was thin it was a problem. I was always an overweight child but I took comfort that there was another girl in my class that was fat! I remember filling bags with penny candy and eating Hostess cupcakes before dinner. I was always willing to run to the store for my mom before dinner because I could sneak a snack. The first time I lost weight was in college and to this day I don't remember how I did it. I was a size 12 when I got married but quickly gained 50 pounds and had to move the weight over to the 200 slot on the scale!! I was able to lose 30 pounds with the help of diet pills then got pregnant. For the next 6 years I battled with about 40 pounds. After my second child was born I lost my weight and went to work for a weight loss company - like an alocoholic working in a bar. I had so many eating issues but never really dealt with them. I would gain and lose 10 - 15 pounds but never really learned how to maintain my weight. In the last 10 years my weight has been creeping and leaping until even I have to acknowledge that I need help. So on July 10 I will be having a vertical gastrectomy. I know there will be some hard times but mostly I'm looking forward to all the things I will be able to do without all the extra weight.