ObesityHelp

6-22-05 / Post-op almost 3 years !!
My 3-year anniversary is coming up next month. I feel and look fantastic. I am keeping the ALL of the weight OFF and LIFE is good. I did have a physcial last month and I am still anemic (low iron). I have struggled with that since the surgery.
Otherwise everything else healthwise couldn't be better.
My husband and I found out we are going to be Grandparents for the first time in Jan. '06. So we are extremely excited about that. People ask me all the time....would you do this Gastric by-pass again and I tell them YES...in a heartbeat.
I am truly happy and hope others feel the same !@!@
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12-30-03 / Post-op 1 year and 5 months !!
I am doing fine. I am now down 197 #s and I feel great. I weigh 155 lbs. now and wear a size 12. I plan to start more of an exercise program for the new year. I was interviewed on WCCO Radio a couple of weeks ago. Everyone is so curious about gastric by-pass surgery. It was fun doing the interview.
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9-1-03 / Post-op 1 year and 1 month !!
Wow - this year has flown by. I am doing great. I had my one year check-up with my surgeon last month. He hardly recognized me. Everything is fine. I weigh 182#s now and I have lost a total of 170#s total. I wear a size 14. My goal is to weigh 152#s. I plan to have a tummy tuck next year and amazingly enough...my skin is tightening up pretty good...better than I thought it would. I still have days when I get very tired. My body tells me when I need to rest.
Otherwise... LIFE is grand and I am living it to the fullest !!
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05-12-03 / Post-op 9.5 months - I am down 150#s
I just had my yearly physical with my regular doctor. My cholestrol is now 164 verses 227 last Jan '02. All my blood work came back great! This surgery has made me feel so much better. I went to Garage sales this past weekend and bought a ton of size 14-16 clothes for the summer to wear. I had my hair permed last week and it looks great too! Life is GOOD >>>>>
My husband and sons are so proud of me!!! Looking forward to summer and staying active.
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03-27-03 / Post-op 8 months - I am down 142#s.
I am feeling pretty good these days. Wearing a size 16-18 and loving it. My hair is not falling out anymore. I plan on getting a perm next month...I need it bad!!
My surgeon and his assistant did not even recognize me when I went in for my 6 month check-up. I think they were in total shock. They tested my blood and I was low in iron so I am now taking a iron supplement daily.
I got a promotion at work and I had a great vacation with my husband in Puerto Plata. Life is going good for me. Kinda scary...waiting for someone to pull the rug out from under me.
All I know is that I have not been this happy in years !!
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01-03-03 / Post-op 5 months - I am down 112#s.
I have been extremely busy and have not had time to sit down for an update. I am feeling great and I love the new me !!
The holidays were not too tough. I had a few nibbles of sweets but that was it. It makes me feel sluggish and light headed so I stay away from it. My hair has thinned but I believe it is getting better now. I started my B-12 shots the last 2 months and believe they help alot. My surgeon Dr. Glenn Burleson says that the pill form under the tongue is good enough and that the B-12 shots are not necessary. I have consulted Dr. Clayton where I attend his support group in River Falls, WI and he totally disagrees.
So I started the shots and I can feel the difference.
Before the surgery I wore size 28 pants and 3XL tops. I am now wearing size 22 pants and 1XL tops. I had a breast reduction the summer of 2001 before this gastric by-pass surgery. I wore a
48DD-F bra before the reduction and now I am a 40B.
I need to go buy some clothes soon. I would like to get down to my goal of 165-180 by summer time.
My husband and I going to Puerto Plata this winter for a week vacation. Looking forward to buying a new swim suit before we go. I cannot believe how happy I am these days...I would do this again in a heart beat.
In the past few months I have heard of alot of people who have died from this surgery from complications. I would still take the chance to feel this good. Life was passing me by and I was not happy and I felt terrible. It is worth the risk !!
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10-31-02 / Post-op Week #13 - I am down 63#s. I started water aerobics twice a week now and I really enjoy it. My energy level is better. Down (2) sizes in pants and ready for another leap! I get compliments everyday from people. I had someone ask me the other day....How do you quit losing weight ? I said I am not worried about that. I still have many pounds to go.
When I look in the mirror I like what I see and I am so glad I had this surgery. My husband has turned quite romantic these days. He is so proud of me.
My hair is thinning which bothers me a little but only I notice it. My hair is very thick anyway.
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10-3-02 / Post-op Week #9 - I am down 47#s. We just had our son's wedding this past weekend. I had so many compliments on how great I looked. It was fun and I felt good. I even danced which I normally would not because of my weight. My goal is to really start exercising everyday and drink more water. My weight loss has slowed lately and I need to keep it moving !!
I am not eating more than normal but my body is adjusting to the smaller daily intake.
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9-9-02 / Post-op Week #6 - I am down 38#s and I am feeling good. I was off work for (4) weeks then came back part time for (2) and now today I am back full time. I am able to eat regular food, but very small amounts. Food just does not seem very important to me like before. At times I have to make myself eat. People are noticing and the compliments really lift my spirits. My son is getting married in (3) weeks and he swooped me up in his arms yesterday and said I cannot wait to dance with you at the wedding. He told me how proud he was of me. Words cannot express how good that made me feel. It made my day......
I take my (2) Flintsone vitamins and a Theragram also everyday.
I stay away from soda/pop. I also have not had a cigarette yet. I never had such will power before and now it seems like it is no big deal to turn the other cheek. This surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself....
My ANGEL Jacque Piper is down 80 lbs. and she is looking so HOT !!!! GO girl GO.......
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I am post-op as of 7-30-02. My surgery went good other than an allergic reaction to the morphene the first two days along with a severe migraine the last two days that I was in the hospital.
Friday - I went to see my surgeon and I have lost 18#s so far and feel pretty good. He also removed my (2) drain tubes which I was glad to part with. I do get tired fast and need a nap during the day. I have two more weeks off of work so I am thankful for that. I want to thank my WLS Angel Jacque Pieper who also is a WLS post-op. She was a wonderful e-mail messenger and true friend to me. I LOVE her so much !!!!
I look forward to the better days to come. People who hear that I had the surgery now ask a zillion questions. Some people are curious and I believe others are very jealous and feel threatened by me. Sometimes I feel like I am experiment that they want to follow up on. Only I know the outcome of it.
I will succeed and carry on...

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Excited for my RNY surgery 7-30-02

The big countdown is here ! I have met my ANGEL Jacque Pieper from River Falls, WI. She has such a strong personality and the heart of a Lion. I thank GOD for sending her to help me through this. She had surgery in May and has lost 60lbs. and feels great. I am so PROUD of her...
I joined the River Falls support group and enjoy it. I think it will help Jacque and I very much.
I start my liquid diet tomorrow. I also quit smoking (2) weeks ago without any problems. I feel better too. I want to be in the best physical health possible for the surgery. My family is nervous for me but supportive.
SV