Where are you on your journey?

Hi Everybody, The board has been painfully slow lately. I just thought I'd come out of lurksville and post a challenge to all of you (myself included). There seems to be lots of pre-ops and newbies around here. It's always so much fun to get others perspective on things. It's so neat to see how everyone deals with the unique issues that a super morbidly obese person with a BMI over 50 has. Even though some of our waistlines may be shrinking....our big ole heart is still in the format of a SMO..maybe it always will. What I am trying to say..rather poorly, I might add...is come on out here and introduce yourself, tell us where you are on your journey, and what your plans for the future may be. I have always received so much inspiration from each of you, no matter if you are 2 weeks into getting your surgery requirements done or if you are a "postie" 2 YEARS out from surgery. We all can learn from each other I'm sure you agree. So come on out and play awhile..we don't bite..well, not much anyway HugsGinger

Hey, Ginger, I lurk here some, but post mainly on the main message board. I am 13.5 mos out from surgery. I have lost a total of 189 lbs since my first consult in Jan 05. I had my one year check up today and my surgeon was so thrilled with my progress, he gave me a big bear hug!! I love that guy! I have had a very uneventful post op journey--no complications and no complaints. I am fairly compliant with the diet, vitamins, and water, but struggle with the exercise component. One year ago I couldn't even walk to the end of my driveway to get the mail, and I pulled up a chair to the stove while I sat down to cook. Today, I can walk a mile without breaking a sweat. Hooray for wls!!

Hi Vickie, Yes, horray for wls!! you are doing terrific. Isn't it amazing how a walk to the mail box everyday...can turn into a mile walk..wow, like I said before..theses are truly things that make an SMO smile Ginger

I am 19 months out from surgery. I have lost 203 lbs. I have stayed the same weight for about 4 months so I guess I am not going to lose much more. Two years ago I went for my first Doctors visit. I remember how bad I felt out of breath all the time just feeling sluggish. I not bragging or anything but yesterday I rode my bicycle to my Support group meeting. It was about 95 miles. I got there by 2 00 in the afternoon and could have ridden another 25 or 30 miles I was not even tired. I am so thankful I had this surgery. I am hoping to lose some more weight in the next 6 months or so. I would like to tone up some more. John

Hi John, I remember you from back when I just began this wls journey myself. It is so neat to have a man's point of view and how they are doing! My son had wls over 2 years ago, and the weight just fell off of him. It is so cool to see the guy that was always heavy..going up and down stairs, skipping 2 steps at a time..even bouncing!! Good for you and your bike riding trip..that is so far from my mind right now! Hugs,Ginger

Hey Not a newbie or a postie.. somewhat of a lurkie... LOL I am STILL waiting for my surgeon and facility to get accredidated so my insurance will pay for the surgery. I am totally pre-op complete. I've had every test and jumped thru every hoop. I was on a diet that was basically the same as a post op. With a full size stomach this was a huge challenge. Now I just make better choices. I don't eat fast food. I don't drink pop and I avoid carbs as much as possible.I read the labels on EVERYTHING. I feel as if it's a lifestyle change and not a diet and I am happy about that. Less to get used to when I get to the other side. Hanging in here doing my time in waitsville... or is it weightsville??

wls chick, I am so amazed how you have totally stuck with all the hoops they make you jump through, changed the way you deal with food..and still play this cruel waiting game you are forced to face. Many people would had given up..but not you! You are gonna be sooo successful when you get to the "official" loser's side. I'll be the one holding the banner saying.."YOU DID IT! HugsGinger

Hi Ginger! I am ashamed to admit that I USED to be a postie, I wish I had more time because this board means so much to me. This was the first board that I was welcomed onto with warm kind encouragin words, and now almost a year later, here I am , 4 months out and down 109 pounds!! I am no longer SMO (technically anyways) I am OBESE, and couldn't be happier! I no longer have sleep apnea or asthma symptoms, or back and knee pain! I am in a size 14/16 and love shopping now! If anyone needs anything, I may not post much, but I always check my email, so PLEASE feel free to drop me a line! Karyn

AAAAHHHH Sandra, You caught me! I thought I could weasle out of this one myself! The day of my wls I weighed 343. I had steadily gone up in weight for so long..I told my son to remember the number 343 for me...I didn't dare write it down...let alone confess it. I had open RNY where the dr found a hernia which they "chopped" out of my intestines, and a stomach ulcer, that they didn't know was there. I had a 14 day hospital stay...that shall we say was a nightmare. Now I am 6 months out and I now weigh 259.(where I have been stuck for weeks!) Like many of you, I feel like I have just made a small dent in the total picture. I try not to compare myself with others, but that is so hard not to do that. I can only compare myself to...myself right? For the most part I am doing pretty good, I just took my last blood thinner med..and now I have to wait a month..then go to the pulmonologist to see if my blood clot had corrected itself. I'm just plugging along..looking for inspiration from all of you guys! HugsGinger

Hi I am Dawn I will soon be 41 years old. I am a daily lurker I don't post much but love reading everyones posts. my surgery was Oct 14th and I am a little over 6 months out and I am down 147 lbs. I started at 375lbs and now weight 228lbs. This sure has been a wild ride.I love my new life. I use to be a 5 or 6 x now xl is getting a little big. I feel great I wish I had did this 10 years ago when my Doctor first brought it up. Some of the weird stuff that has come from the surgery No one knows who I am . I really look alot different. Every thing I own is to big not to small. I now have a lap that all 4 schipperkes can sit on at the same time. None of my rings fit not even on my thumbs. My shoes are all now to wide I love this site and would do this surgery again in a heart beat. I would like to get down to 165lbs that is my goal. The last time I weighted that I think I was 15 or 16 years old. all my adult life I have been a super morbidly obese. Dawn 375/228/? Dawn 375/228/?