What is everyone down to these days?

Okay maybe you aren't down you are up and happy.  What's life like as that POST OP, OLD HEAD POST OP, PRE OP, etc....you get my drift.   What are you feeling these days?  One good thing is you are still coming in and checking what others are doing, some are willing to state what they are doing so it helps others.  That is really what this site is for helping those who don't really know what to ask. Overall Feeling:  I am doing better....illness is always a pain but we must know that they can be overcomed.  We are more powerful then we think most of the time.   Food is boring these days....did I just say that?  LOL.  Yes nothing seems to taste good.  Very helpful with keeping with my pant size but is it really how you have to be? Execerise - slow to nothing because of illness and trying to get my way back. Vitamins - Some days I am good and other days...well overcome by the day I guess.  Interesting that was talking to someone who was lax with vitiamins aka calcuim and they saw difference in bone scan....Do yourself a favor and try to stay on track with these.....They are our life line to good health. Well Happy New Year and hope to see you all soon. Debbie

Thanks for this post, Deb...I think it will be a great teaser to get people back to posting, or at least stopping by. I feel pretty good these days.  I am at my goal weight of 150 pounds, and my TT/Breast Reduction is done.  The incisions are still healing due to the allergic reaction I had to the absorbable sutures but each day it gets better and better.  Once they all work themselves out, I will heal.  I am in a size 10 Levi's and regular medium to large t-shirt. I have not been sick in almost 2 years, so I can't complain about illness, but I do still have lingering back and tailbone pain.  The back pain is now managed with just medication, but the tailbone pain is to the point where I need steroid/xylocaine injections.  I got the first one today.  I admit that I don't exercise but my daughter and I are checking into the Women's Workout Express near us and will start going together a couple of times a week.  I have also been negligent with my vitamins but I am back on track with those now.  I had labs done this morning so we will know soon how my body is doing on the inside. I think I look pretty good now but still have some work to do on the upper abdomen and would like to tone up the loose skin on my arms, legs, and rear end.  I don't want any more surgery.. I am still eating pouch-friendly but splurge once in awhile and eat breads or a few chips.  Everything that goes into my mouth is always a high protein choice first, then I'll have veggies or fruit if there's room. Life is good now and I can see the light that was so dim for so many years.  I have even started thinking about going back to school!  Again!  Kind of expensive for me right now though, with Erica in college and paying for all her stuff, I don't think I can afford to go back right away I would love to hear from others just to see what has happened to them, and how they are doing.   KathyG.

Debby, Nice post, and hopefully enough to get some responses...  I am waiting for you to get back on top of things. What are you feeling these days?  Life is good, although sometimes a bit hectic.  Trying to help with three households can be tiresome.  Work gets in the way of a totally awesome time, but gotta spend some time making some money.   I am looking to set some new goals for this year (topic of last PMRI meeting). Overall Feeling:  I usually feel energized.   Since I'm getting seven quality hours of sleep per night, my energy has gotten even better (thank goodness I found melatonin)..   Food - portions having gotten to near normal size occassionally, but I still eat six meals a days.  Most of the time I can force myself to eat smaller portions and find that although I can eat more I really don't need it.  I still get a significant amount of my protein from Unjury.  Trying to keep the carbs at 30 percent.   It's not too hard, as long as I plan, but if I have to eat out it gets real tough. Exercise - ok. Vitamins - always.  I'll be getting my labs in Feb. but don't expect anything significant.  I added a B complex because of the long-term studies about malabsorption problems.   My vitamin routine is almost as important as going to the gym.  Calcium at night, slow-release iron, B-12, multivitamins, papaya extract, tonalin cla, and Acidophilus at breakfast and lunch. Get this new year off to a rolickng start. Rob

Hi Debbie (peeking from around the corner). I am almost 3 years post op. Doing great with the weight loss. I have been maintaining now for a little over a year. I think I am thankful that the ulcers and associated pain keep my meals very small so.....  I am on a 2008 plan/agreement between Dr. Peter's and I and if by the end of this year my ulcers (which will have their 3rd birthday in April) are not better we are going to discuss further options.  Life post-op. I have to be honest. I am still, after all this time finding myself in some ways. But I guess I shouldn't expect to, in 3 years, to be completely comfortable and at ease with everything when I had 40 years with my former self. Make sense? Things are coming along great, just a tad slower than I thought it would.  Excercise. I jump out of bed and jump in the shower? Does that count? Nah, didn't think so :). No planned excercise, but weight no longer stops me from hours of walking in the mall, etc.  Vitamins - I am most times good with them. Then other days... pretty much like you are experiencing. More on than off though. I keep them there with my other daily meds that I have to take so unless I am running very late in the morning I am good.  Overall feeling - Good. Very good. I would not change this part of my life for anything? Love ya girlie! Gigee

Hi all, Glad to be in a New Year. Last year was a bomb for me. Hysterectomy, broken wrist, not able to exercise either time for 7-8 wks each. My eating habits have not changed, however, I did gain about 10 lbs from lack of exercise. Not to mention the fact that all the muscle I had worked on became a little flabby. In comes the Body Image issues. But I'm already hard back at work. I've got 8 lbs off since Xmas and I'm getting to the gym at least 3 x's a week again. I'll probably never be able to do the 5 times a week like I did the 1st 3 yrs, due to working and taking care of my Mom and daughter now. I am still attending 2-3 support groups each month. Helps to keep me focused and positive.  Especially Partners in Change. At PMRI , 2nd Tuesday of the month, with Margaret Keenan  as Moderator.  And the bonus is: Free group physc help on this journey. I am still keeping a food, vitamin & exercise Journal. I will not alter my vitamin regime.  My health is all fringed on following some basic rules.  I had my 4 yr check-up with Dr. Irgau. I have an appointment next month with the PMRI Dr and nutritionist. Gotta get off this plateau. I want to get off that last 50 lbs so I can hopefully get to my goal weight. Damn me for having sooooo much to loose. I'd have been there if I'd had the surgery before I got to be 400 lbs.  As for how I'm feeling. A bit stressed, my personal life has been hectic. I am just grateful I am healthy and I can deal with the other turmoils in my life. My PC is getting tired and I really need a new one. I was trying to avoid Vista til the bugs are out of it. I was thinking about Gigee and hooray she posted. I think about all the old timers and hope you are all doing well. Hope you are out there lurking and will let us know how you are doing.  ((HUGS)) Elissa

Hi sweet Elissa. I have been a bad girl about keeping up with the board and friends. I hope to begin attending the support groups again soon. I am glad to see you are still posting them for the month :)   Board is quiet... looks like ya'll need my big mouth around here again :)

GiGi...It is sooooooooooooo great to see you posted again.  I hope you stir up this site and get people jumping again.  Winter is the blah time for everyone and maybe we can get so action going.  I miss seeing you and hearing from you.  Your support at the beginning of this journey for me was fantastic.  We all still need it. To answer Debbie's question.  I am 2 1/2 years out and still struggling everyday with making good choices.  Some days are better than others.  I work hard to remember to take all my vitamins and I am guessing that is a throw back from having to take 12-15 pills daily before the surgery.  I am off all that medication and I am thrilled.  I still hate to take pills though.  I could exercise more than I do but some is better than none.  I still stress eat and that is something I am working so hard on.  No one tells you what to do when the stresses come up and all you knew how to do was eat a box of cookies or such to help you deal with it.  I could not have made this journey without the support groups that are out there.  Everyone needs to make an effort to come to meeting and start posting on this board for themselves and you need to come back for ME.  I need new ideas and help on the bad days.  I don't post when I am having a bad day because it could be 4-5 days before anyone answers and by then I have worked out my issue on my own.  Let's get back in gear here and work with each other. OK  I am done lecturing now.  Have a great day. Stay Warm Ellen

You need new ideas.... yeah! Me too! What is most different is that before and through the first 2 years of this journey I always ate out. Now my son and grandson live with me so I cook every night. Talk about needing ideas.. ugh. Been years since I have done all this cooking. But you know, I forgot how much I loved to cook. I collect cookbooks so you can always find me with a cookbook in hand. Now how to cook these pork chops tonight and make it healthy for everyone :) Thank goodness my grandson is not a picky eater. The biggest change in cooking is that I used to fry everything. And on nights that I am tired I seem to fall back into the comfortable don't have to think about it cooking frying stuff.... sigh. Ok girlfriend. It will take more than me, lets get this online support/community going again :) Gigee

We are here to support each other even lurkers....New Ideas would be nice.  Hope others will come out of closet to say the least here.  Debbie

Ok, I'll bite!  I usually just lurk and feel guilty because it's such a quiet board - like I should post more... These days:  Well, it's all good!  Had a major job change (went from teaching middle school to high school) to where people didn't know me pre-op.  Funny how people treat you differently...  Anyway, I went from 298 before my DS to my current 155.  I'm wearing a size 2 (!!!!!) jeans and mostly mediums on top (big rack ). Overall feeling:  Awesome!  I've done things this year I never thought I would.  At a retreat for the new job, we went to a place in Rehoboth (Jungle Jim's, I think it was called) for a fun night.  They had a rock wall there, and I figured I'd try it.  Out of all the healthy, fit people I work with that tried it, only 3 people made it to the top - and I was one of them!!!  I'd never have managed pre-op.  It was an incredible victory for me. Food - continues to be fun.  I eat portions that look normal for a small woman and don't have to avoid anything.  It's all yummy! Exercise - I'm with Gigee on this one, 'cause jumping out of bed is pretty much it for me.  Unless you count sex.  Then, I exercise frequently...  DH is really happy about that... Vitamins - I am religious about my vitamins.  Three times a day, without fail.  DSers have to be vigilant because of the increased malabsorption of our operation.  I have labs on Tuesday, so I'll find out if I have to tweak anything. This was fun!  I'll poke my head in more.