Lets Get to Know Each Other Again......

My name is Jamie Ellis, I am currently 34 yrs young, married 9 years (together 16 years) no children, 5 furbabies (meow). I had Lap RNY 100cm proxie bypass ~4 yrs ago (10/9/2002) at Albany Medical Center in upstate NY with Dr. Paul T Singh. I started qt 320#, was required to lose 10% preop, lost 45# (15% actually), so day of surgery 275#, was 30yo with joint pain (knees, ankles, back), high BP for a yr on an BP med (Altace), dyslipidemia and RX a statin drug (didn't take decided WLS would fix it), dx with fatty liver (NASH) after gallbladder ultrasound, & was generally going down the road of my mom with diabetes any moment I believed (so take drastic measures or risk being blind, on dialysis, losing limbs, impotence, baldness, stroke and heart attack risk compounded with the ravages of diabetes)....Had just finished my Master's in May 2002 as Psych Nurse Practitioner (been a psych nurse 10 yrs at that point) so everything in my life was awesome and I felt successful in every other aspect of my life except my wt, gained/lost usual 100# 3x in my short life, knew at that pace I'd soon be 400# so researched heck outta WLS. Lost 100% of my excess wt (at 5'9'') got to 163#. Over past 3 yrs have bounced up/down gaining/losing same 10# over and over. I stay a size 8, sm/med depends on cut (I have been same size 3 seasons in a row how awesome is that!), a great success from my starting 4x/26-28! I discarded all clothes from 10->4x, as I live in the moment, where I am today, I don't subconsciously set self up oh what if I gain I may need, NOPE none of that...so far so good! Am I scared of regain? sure, do I obsess? Nahh I weigh monthly, cause I feel for me I no longer want that hunkametal to rule my life, it had for so long, I am more than a number, my success is measured better so many other ways. Had a complication 1 mo after initial WLS had adhesions form/wrap around my small intestines causing stricture/blockage, so 2nd operation to cut them, knock on wood fine since....Decided to have plastics (darn skin issue major drawback of WLS I think) 6/9/2004, self pay Lower Body Lift and breast augmentation only (hey cut it off or fill it out my motto to loose skin!) didn't have terrible amount luckily 4-5# removed with LBL. (Total cost $12,750 included implants, surgeon fee, 2 night hospital stay, OR/anesthesia in case anyone wanted to know www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com Dr. King was my excellent PS well versed with WLser's, then on 11/11/2005 had inner thigh Lipo as well (same day procedure). For me the plastics were to find harmony w/ myself in my new body and to look as I felt. I wanted to have WLS to have a tool to change my life. It certainly has, HEALTH was my focus, losing almost 160# was a side-effect/bonus in my mind. I am off my BP med (took 100# wt loss for that to happen) I am not perfect, (and work on not trying to be) I still battle with food issues (aka HEAD issues) but have conquered many. I eat a 'southbeach type' of food plan/lifestyle, high protein, good carbs/good fats, I do 1-2 protein shakes a day (PVL whey gourmet are my favs http://www.a1nutritionproducts.com/buy/pvl/whey_gourmet rasp/caramel/white choc/vanilla are best but all are great 15 flavs)...drink 16-24 oz fluid (non calorie/non carbonated/non caffeine) most days, I take a Centrum multivitamin one a day, calcium citrate (upcal D 500mg 2x day and citrical w/ MG & D 500mg 2x day), B12 sublingual 1,200 mcg qd, and iron ferrous gluconate 300mg tab (35mg elemental in that) with vit C 500mg once a day, My dexascan was normal at 1.5 yrs out (and showed 3% INCREASE in bone density at 3.5 yrs out!) labs last visit (I go every 3-6 months to clinical nutrition MD/bariatrician doc) were perfect. Although I can emotionally eat, I find I do so less often, developing a new mindset, dispelling old beliefs and well IT AIN'T SO BAD to be hungry now is it (versus the alternative , being full and 320#!). I exercise almost daily (yup 6-7x week, I can count on one hand the days I didn't last yr and still have fingers left over!) most weekdays I get up 4:30am-5am to get ready to go to the gym, I do 30-60 min cardio (alternate) and then if 30 min cardio I do 30 min wt lifting/nautilus equipment, if 60 min cardio that's it. Also do intermittent pilates/yoga classes when offered 1-2x week for 8-12 week sessions, stretch everyday, 100 crunches on balance ball 5x week. Weekends I have more time and may do just 4 mile powerwalk home or more at gym depends. THIS I have found helps me find BALANCE in my life, it certainly #1 helps me maintain my wt, but more than that it makes me feel healthy/lean/strong. The other side-effect is a stress reliever (I love my work but I too get stressed!) *I* now love exercise, started preop walking then went to walking/curves 3x week to curves 6x week with treadmill, to a gym. I keep it changed up to stay interesting and challenge myself. I believe this tool only works as hard as we do (certainly after the first 6-12-24 *depending on your body* months of honeymoon is!), it gives us the one up to change out habits/lifestyle/old negative thought patterns to a new healthy life if we choose. I am active professionally with WLS, this opportunity afforded me ability to work with others doing preop psych consults for surgery, postop counseling, professional speaking to other health care providers (docs/Np's) re: pre/post op issues (medical/nutritional/psychological), running/participate in numerous online groups a monthly in person support group. I feel support is another key to my success, I attended my local group weekly preop every week postop for a yr. I still go at least quarterly (its a haul over 1 hr one way). Sharing with others and receiving from others is awesome. I believe together we can succeed, coming out of our own isolation we imposed due to this horrid disease (morbid obesity) is another key. Well I have rambled so so much more than anyone probably cares.....LOL~ I do still feel young at the wls game, but what an awesome journey it has been! I wake up each day looking at life as a new adventure! Take Care, Jamie Ellis Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Hi LisaMarie, My name is Gail. I live on Long Island. I am 46. I will be celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary in Sept, and I have 2 wonderful daughters. I had WLS 17 months ago. I lost and kept off 90 lbs. I have not reached my goal weight. I would still like to lose 15-20 lbs.I am so happy I had this surgery!! I have not posted here in many months, but I am still a regular lurker! I wanted to say Hi! Gail

Hi Lisa I was busy getting ready for our annual barbecue when this was posted, but I want to be included. I haven't been here often this summer, but will be around more when the weather changes. I am Brenda Knoll and am 59.5 years old. I have been married happily for 41 years after being together for 3 years in high school. I have four children, (2 sons and 2 daughters), and nine grandchildren (4 grandsons and 5 granddaughters). I had surgery 7/28/05 and have lost 107 lbs. since that date and 137 total lost. Since surgery, I am no longer taking my 3 blood pressure meds or using the C-Pap machine as my blood pressure is 110/60 and I no longer have sleep apnea. I am retired from the Chemung County Emergency Management Office and enjoying it with my hubby. I am presently wearing sizes 16-18 (some 14) depending on cut and style. That is down from a size 32W!!! It still seems strange buying clothes off the "regular" size racks rather than the "plus" size section. Congratulations to all of you who have had successful surgeries and weight losses. To all of you who are waiting for your surgery or just beginning the journey: I would not hesitate to have this surgery again in a heartbeat!!!! I thank God daily for making this possible. I only wish that I had done it years ago when I was much younger. If this is definitely what you want, do not let anyone or anything stop you in reaching your goal. I had several setbacks, but withthe encouragement from this board, I finally accepted that if God saw fit for me to have this surgery, then He would get me through it at the right time so I never gave up and put my faith in Him. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me and supported me not to give up. This has been one of the best things that could have happened for me. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} Brenda

Now it is my time to respond officially... My name is Jenny and I am having my surgery in Rochester with Dr. Boss. I have just done my psyche exam and my second of three nutrition appointments. I am 5'5 and about 270 pounds. In real life I have multiple jobs.. I am a computer person about half of the time so I can stay right at home and do my work. I have a degree in music education and use that in a couple of ways by teaching one day a week at a private K-6 school, teaching piano lessons one day a week and directing multiple handbell choirs at my church. I have been married for 15 years and have a wonderful 11 year old son. He is really looking forward to me being able maybe keep up with him and participate in some of the events that he is in.. biking, soccer, horseback riding.. Hopefully this will happen during the first part of Nov.. but I won't know until I have one more nutrition appointment and then meet with the doctor.. that's about it for me.... Jenny

Hi Lisamarie and all.. My name is Angel. I live on Long Island. I am married to a wonderful man for 21 years. We were high school sweethearts. I am the mother of two. A 24 year old daughter and 19 yr old son. I am 42. I had my RNY Nov. 10th 2004. with Dr. Adaniel. I am at goal and loving life. I'm down a total of 129 lbs from my highest weight. God Bless ~Angel 255/222/126 at Goal!