ObesityHelp

Well, it seems that I only update my profile once a year, so at least I'm consistent!  I know I rarely post, and should more often, but feel that by the time I do, everyone's covered the bases!

Anywho, not much to report at three years out.  I'm in awe of this surgery, and thank my family, friends, this board and my local support groupies (you know who you are) for being in my life and supporting me.

I did reach my goal, which was lower than my surgeon's goal, and have managed to stay within 5-10 lbs of that weight, and if I get too far up, I low-carb it, and get back to where I need to be.  Nothing like extra chicken wings or cheese to get me back on track.

I love that I can do that.  I love that I can eat what I love, and enjoy it, and not have that guilty feeling when I put fork or spoon to my lips.

I love that my sister had the same surgery that I did, cause we're a DSer household, in every sense of the word (you hear that "Air Freshener Makers"!)  I love that we both eat wings, meat casseroles, and other protein items, and that we can buy it in bulk from Sam's Club - and you know the revenues are up at that place!

I also love that I have this local support group who loves to go out, chat it up, and enjoy good times, not just good food.  I go to the hospital support groups to wrangle in the newbies, and hopefully am able to help them out if need be.

I'm lucky in so many ways, I kinda lose count, but know that the DS helped me get to where I am, and I'm the one that needs to keep this going.

I'm glad that my boyfriend is understanding when I need to get wings at 11 pm cause I'm starving, and he doesn't mind that I need to eat every few hours or get a huge breakfast first thing.  I think he minds that he's gained some weight though, and I swear, its not my fault!  LOL  I know he asked for a "divorce" after a certain odor incident, but he'll live with it if he loves me!  LOL

And like I said, I'm proud of my sister, who's a year out, who's down 110+ lbs.  The only thing is I wish my dad would have been here to see her success.  He'd be just as proud as I am, and be amazed at how far she's come.

Ok, enough with the mushiness, and let's get back to helping out newbies, those looking for a revision, or those who feel things can't possibly be this good after a few years.  Guess what?  It's amazing, and I wouldn't have believed it a few years ago, but now I get to live it.

To those researching - remember, think twice, cut once.  To everyone else - may everyone have success.  I'm so lucky to have it, and I want everyone else to also.

Well, it’s been way too long since I’ve posted and updated, so here goes.  

It’s been over two years since I had my DS, and it’s been quite the ride. I’m ecstatic about my results, but situations in my life haven’t been the best, and dealing with life is hard at best.  

As I had posted back in October 2008, I had been lucky enough to go on a wonderful vacation, and was hesitant to have gone because my dad was so sick. After returning home, things with my dad had been getting progressively worse, and in early November, he passed away. It has been the hardest time of my life - losing my dad, learning to cope, and trying to deal with the aftermath. My dad is one of my best friends, and will continue to be with me always. He supported my decisions, and guided me my whole life, and I feel he’s still doing so. I hope my sadness turns around, and I can reflect back on everything in a better light; I just need time to deal and heal it seems.  

Dealing with my DS has been amazing! I love this surgery with everything in me, and I’m so glad I did my research and learned this surgery was MY best option for life. I eat pretty much what I want, and occasionally I go way overboard, but the consequences don’t put 15 lbs on my ass…maybe a few, but back to basics, and viola, my ass is smaller again…LOL  

I’ve lost around 175 lbs, and am around 5 - 10 lbs from my personal goal (~ 160 lbs). My surgeon wanted me to stop losing (his goal was 178 lbs), so I’m being careful to not go overboard, but I’d like to get to my goal. Someday, plastics will come into play, but I’d love to stabilize then consider my options.  

On another note, my sister had her DS on February 25^th, around 2 years after me. So we’re now a 2 DSer family (my poor mom’s gonna be cooking protein dishes forever!). She’s doing fantastic, and I’m so proud of her. I know she’ll be kickin’ some ass with her DS also.  

I’ve also met an incredible man, and am very happy. He’s good to me, and has met my family and friends, so we’ll see what happens.  

I can’t thank everyone here enough for the support I see given every day, and even though I don’t post often, I read every day. This board is very important, and I belong to a few other boards who offer great support also. In the beginning, I knew no one personally, just here on the net, and this board helped me join a community of other DSers and I’m so glad they’re in my life.  

For those looking into the DS, continue to do so. For those looking for a revision, consider the DS. For those with another surgery, continue to do well.  

For me, the DS has been everything and more. I wish the same for the rest of you.

Well, it seems like I haven't posted in weeks, and I haven't.  Lots going on with my family, and was trying to get ready to take a vacation.

First off, as some of you know, my dad's been pretty sick.  My sis and I were going to cancel our trip, but he was feeling good enough to come home from the hospital the day we left on our cruise, but by Tuesday had to be rushed back in.  As of today, he's home, very weak, but holding his own.  I love that man with all my heart, and he's trying to kill me!  Time to feed him lotsa protein to get him back to where he should be.

Second, I went on an amazing cruise out of the Port of Philly to Bermuda.  Absolutely great (other than that first night going through Hurricane Kyle).  When we finally docked in Bermuda, it was in the low 80s, sunny, and all around gorgeous.  Clean, no begging, just beautiful, and I hope to make it back there again.

C - I ate like a horse!  Was ecstatic that I could have my eggs over easy every day, add bacon or sausage, a piece of wheat toast, and occasionally a half a piece of french toast.  I figured I'm on vacation so I'll enjoy myself.  The dinners were fabulous also, having had surf and turf, sirloin steaks, shrimp, scallops, and any other kind of protein you can think of.  So I ate, walked that ship, shopped on the island, did a little sightseeing.

Lastly, I met some really great people on our trip.  The one in the picture is from our area, so hopefully next time he comes up this way, we're all gonna have a nice italian meal, and talk it on up.

After all was said and done, I got off the ship sunburned, and when I weighed myself the next day, I had lost 2.5 lbs!  WTH?  I ate like that, and lost weight?  The DS never ceases to amaze me.

Sorry I've been MIA.  I'm hoping things look up with my dad, and that life just gets better and better every time I think about it.

I can’t believe it….18 months! Seems like yesterday they were wheeling me into the OR, and asking me my name (I still knew it at that point! LOL)   A quick update….I’m down 162 lbs, and can not believe how much healthier I am. I’m thankful to my family, my friends, my awesome surgeon and his staff. I posted some pics on my profile from a wedding I attended in July. I clean up well….LOL   I can do things now with ease that before seemed monumental, and am grateful that I found out about the DS and followed through after receiving some advice from Diana Cox, our DS insurance guru.   I hope to get to reach goal, and maintain, and live the good DS life. Some days, it just ain’t any better that this!   To my PADS peeps – I love each and every one of you, and I’m so glad that we’ve gotten to know each other well. Our group has grown by leaps and bounds, and I can’t wait to see where we’re at in another 6 months. I remember being the lone DSer at support group, then meeting some other ladies (Jeanne and Cathy O) who had questions about the surgery, and then bugging Chickster (Debbie) to come to support group. To know we had 18 people come out the other night is a testament to how well we’re educating those around us about the DS and its benefits. Makes me wanna cry in my piece of chocolate cake! LOL   I hope we get at least another 18 to join us someday (I’m sure the diner will just LOVE us then!)