Photos
I'm Not In Any Photos Yet.
Before & AfterThere are currently no before and after photos for this member. See these instructions if you wish to submit your own Before & After photos.
Goals
0 People in progress, 1 Person achieved this |
Surgeon TestimonialLyudmila S. Pupkova M.D.My first impression of Dr. Pupkova was that she seemed very approachable and down to earth, she gave us an informative presentation of the two different procedures, being interrupted many times to answer questions which never bothered her in the least. She made it perfectly clear that this is a tool and that the key to it lies in our desire to succeed and stick with doing the right thing within utilizing it. After the consult I was able to go upstairs to the patient area, where I met with a patient that had invited me to visit with her, someone I had met here on OH. While visiting with her I was able to see the doctor interact with her patient and once more, I was sure she is the doctor I want for my procedure. She is very caring about her patients, even to giving them her own cell phone number when they are leaving to go home after surgery. The staff at Barix was friendly and my overall impression of the facility and people working there was that it is first rate. Member Interests
- Business & Career - Work as a Legal Secretary for an International Corporate Law Firm in NYC
- Family & Friends - 3 grown & flown - 4 grandchildren
- Games & Entertainment - Enjoy playing computer games and Playstation 1
- Dogs - My best 4-legged friend, Dillinger, a Rottie mix, almost 11, an 87 lb. lapdog
- Poetry - I write poetry from time to time
- Music - Love music, lately into Country, but like pretty much all but Rap
- Grandchildren - 4 of 'em, Sami (girl) 9, Dylan 5-1/2, Vaughn 20 mths, Avery Grace 6/8/07.
|
One Year Post-op Visit w/Dr. Pupkova on October 31, 2008 7:24 pm
Today I met with my surgeon and she was very pleased with my numbers (I have lost a total of 78.3 lbs.) and how I am looking, she said I look smaller than the size 12 I can now fit into and agrees that probably 15-25 more pounds would be a good weight for me. What she told me is to keep up the exercise and NO EXTREME MEASURES should be taken and she emphasized that 2X, meaning that I should eat as prescribed, which the NUT told me that now that I am over a year and not losing at a fast pace any longer, is to down my protein intake to about 50, protein should still be first source of eating and Dr. P said my activity level should be within reason, cardio 3 or 4x a week and weight/strength/core 2 or 3x a week, so that it is at a level I can maintain over the course of my lifetime, said it's good to mix it up and such to keep it interesting. I am to keep up with my vitamins and calcium supplements pending the outcome of my bloodwork, which I had not gotten done due to lack of paperwork (I could not find it), and things will be adjusted if need be once the bloodwork comes back.
Barbara the NUT went over the pyramid of food choices with me, explaining the nutrional needs I now have at this stage and when I asked about calories, she basically told me that if I stay at the 1000 level, I should continue to lose weight at the rate of .5 to a 1 lb. a week, give or take, but that I can expect the weight loss to be considerably slower, which is pretty obvious to me.
I feel good about how this visit went and am optimistic that eventually I will reach my goal, even if it takes time for me to get there. I was reminded that factors of age and body type, etc., play a part and that I have done an excellent job of using my tool and will continue to succeed if I simply follow the plan. That is my commitment, which was made when I chose this way of life one year and 2 weeks ago.
Be the first to leave a comment.
Gratitude - First Year Post-op Post on October 17, 2008 10:00 am
I posted this on the PA and OFF on my Surgiversary 10/16/08
No loss for words today . . .
One year ago today, I was nervous and excited, at peace with the decision I had researched and determined to be the right choice for me. I went to Barix to begin a new life journey. . .
10/16/2007: 236 lbs.
10/16/2008: 169.5 lbs.
Shed: 68.5 inches (my height is only 60 inches)
Today I am looking back at all the wondrous moments and look forward to my ability to live "normal" in a world that I don't know how to be "normal" in and perhaps I am not supposed to be "normal" but just okay with who I am and the gifts I bring into this world, gifts I am still trying to tap into and learn to believe that I have.
I experienced many of the WOW moments that we all do as post-ops, some of which were the realization that I could put my seatbelt on without lifting my butt, being able to put a regular bath sheet towel around this body of mine, not the kind we use for a beach towel, flying coach to Germany to celebrate my youngest granddaughter's 1st Birthday, I was able to feel comfortable for the very first time in my life flying and had at least 6 inches of extra seatbelt, whereas the year before when I went to meet the baby for the first time, I had to lift my overhung stomach, suck in and just barely was able to strap myself in, not to mention the embarrassment of having others look at you with distaste that they have to sit next to the "fat person", whether it be plane, train or bus. To shop in any clothing store, I still have a hard time realizing that one and have not been in many, which is probably a very good thing for my bank account  !
A personal moment of satisfaction came with my Barix Buddies, Team Mission Possible on July 4th 2008, I crossed the finish line in my first 5K, along with my friend Arlene, not to brag too much, but I believe we were the first "walkers" (of our group) to cross the finish line, meaning we walked the entire 5K, never would I have attempted to do such a thing before. There are many more, but I think I documented most of them along the way.
I will not claim to be the poster child for this journey as I cannot say, like some, that I've never tested the boundaries of my pouch, for I have and perhaps it is why I am not at "goal", but what I can say, is I make choices on what I do and when I find myself stress eating or emotional eating,  I am aware of what it is I am doing and I can stop, verbalize what I am feeling and renew my dedication to change the things I can, one day at a time. Today, I make much better choices then at any other time in my life and I abide by the rules in my protein, exercise and water regimen, as well as my vitamin supplements. That dirty word "exercise"  has become something I do routinely and if I miss a day I feel like I missed something important in my life.
I have struggled comparing myself with others on this path, what I have come up with is that no two journeys are the same, I am where I am and it's a far away place from where I was one year ago. I still have thoughts that tell me I am not enough, that I don't fit in with the rest of you,  I still wobble, but I have come to believe that if I work this to the best of my ability, if I continue to stay steadfast and keep "successing" I will achieve some measure of personal satisfaction, but as the word "successing" suggests, there is no end in sight, it's a continuous journey and along the path there is so much to be gained.
The friendships I am forming as a result of this journey are one of the best parts of this journey and when I wobble, I know one of you will extend a hand of support,  so while I have lost my padding, I have gained more than I could ever hope to and there is much more to come. . .
Thanks to all of you for being a part of the journey that I am on!
In loving gratitude, Laureen
1 comment | Leave a comment.
|
Archive
Tags
|
|
Waiting for Approval
Send Message
Member Card
Block Member
Health Tracker 
Comment by 
Comment by 
Comment by 
