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Karen,
So very glad to hear your read your update, I have such fond memories of the times we've met and because we are on FB, I see some of what goes on in your life and you are amazing. I'm sure it is hard to give up the house that I remember you had built to move into a Town House, but I think as we get "older" it's probably a better thing to have less to care for. I love my house, but often lament the keeping things up part. Luckily, I have a very hyper grown man, who is sort of a brother to me, my original roommates ex, that helps a lot with the house stuff, otherwise I really think I'd have to sell it, which I very likely will do in a few years, just because I don't want the upkeep in my retirement years.
Honestly, most of the successful WLS people I know are either retirees who have the time to take classes and/or be physically active, younger people or those who live within a short commute of their homes. I have a job that ties me to a desk for 8 hours each day and a commute that is, at a minimum, 45 minutes each way, I try to get out and walk and have been making a minimum of 6,000 steps per day and when the weather permits I am up at 10,000 or better, so changes are being made and the onsite gym my company has in our new building will be a plus.
Anyway, I am not whining, though it might sound like I am (lol), just wanting to be more comfortable and the regain I've had is not helping my body move about the way it did say 20 lbs., so my goal is to shed those pounds and see how it frees me and when I get there, I will then look at the need to shed more. . . small goals. Either way, I agree, I am happy that I choose the path I did and no regrets, I am healthier and made wonderful friends as a result of it.
Kind regards, Laureen
My Mantra is that I do not determine my success by the number hanging in my closet, nor will I let the scale determine that success either. . . It is through trial and error I will continue to grow and succeed. . . Laureen
"Success is a journey, not a destination." Ben Sweetland
I am Hala. Mostly loorker than poster here. I am also involved in 2 other private groups on OH and there only so much time in my day to post. Reading is easier.
I am originally from Poland, I left Poland when there still was "the Berlin wall.. Ended up in Canada for a few years, and the last 21 years.. I've been here in US..in SC. I am an engineer, working and managing a small fiber optic company. Life is interesting. I don't have any children. I have really nice BF -5 years, and we have 3 cats...
Had RNY in May 2008, when I was 48, and no longer could lose weight... Before that - it would lose 50 gain 60, lose 70, gain 60...etc... I got divorced in 2006..(short marriage) and decided that I needed to do something before my weight kills me. I am stubborn and determined and I lost 110lbs in less than one year...went from size 2X to size 4, small.. 145 lbs. I had a few complications: hernia, GB, another hernia... Etc.. For the last few years since post op RNY: eating =pain.... Maybe that's why I was able to keep off most of my weight?
Long story short - most likely I have SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and IBS-C, food allergies and intolerances, and some more issues.. My main allergies are soy and dairy...plus a few more...Plus adrenal insufficiency.
At one time - I started drinking too much....I was dealing with low energy, and pain after eating... It was "get drunk or be hungry.." some days I picked one over the other. But when I noticed that I was missing work because of my drinking, and I was drinking whatever whenever... I knew I need to deal with that. And I did.
I started looking for solution to my issues: I had a surgery to fix gut twist, iron to help my anemia, weekly B12 shots (i need them weekly) Hormones (HRT) ..and last but my least - getting diagnosed with a secondary adrenal insufficiency - and get cortisone for that - all of that - I got life back. I am still in some pain after eating, but it is not too bad, and not enough to drink too much or take too many pills.
At times - I still drink too much..but I don't like how that makes me feel, so that does not happen very often.
I am learning how to manage my IBS-C, and adrenal insufficiency, insulin resistance...plus plus...
When my doc put me on steroids for my adrenals - that helped normalize my BS and BP but it also makes me more hungry... But hunger is not not an emergency, right? As long as my BS Is OK I can deal with that. At least most of the time..
I manage my IBS and weight using IF (intermittent fasting) and low carb- low FODMAP diet (also SCD diet to manage SIBO).
I still deal with severe RH if I eat carbs- starches, .but I learned how to eat around it...if I really want to cheat - I can... I try not to...
I had some regain - but I have been around 165 most of my last few years... Middle of last year - I decided to get back to my "goal" of 155..+/-3 lbs. And I am almost there.. 2 more lbs to go.. At my last doc appointment - he told me I am were I need to be weight wise and I am not to lose more weight..2 lbs would be OK but to not go under 150... I think this is a second time ever in my life when a doc told to not to lose more weight...
I see wonderful group of people here and I got used to read your stories... Real life stories... It makes me humble, makes me appreciate my life and puts "poor me" in perspective.
BTW - English is not my first language, plus I read and type on a tablet (autocorrect- typos) - so be gentle on my gramar/spelling
Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG
"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"
"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."
Thanks Linda
I remember your sister fighting cancer. Hope those bad side effects leave her soon. George still has limited energy and lots of stomach trouble. After being the patient many, many times during our marriage, I can truly say it's easier being the patient. Not that George is a bad patient, it's the worry and picking up the slack that you do as caregiver that totally wears you down.
Thank you Eileen. We accept prayers, good thoughts and vibes, and swinging chickens. This will be an ongoing process of wait and worry from scan to scan.
There was never mention of a biopsy until George changed doctors. Thank God we moved. The other two docs were convinced it was nothing. We have excellent insurance that would not have questioned a biopsy.
We now know why they call it "practicing" medicine.
Hi! Kennewick Karen here, Never being one for brevity, it is hard to even get started when so much time has passed. Feb of 2005 was my "rebirth." I joined what was then called the OVER FIFTY FORUM about a year before I actually had surgery. My insurance had added a clause that said "Even if medically necessary we won't cover weight loss surgery." I was so angry, but at 377 lbs and gaining I had just given up. I think my mom, tho scared of the surgery, realized that she might lose me if I didn't have surgery. She loaned me the money and my miracle took place. The weight fell off. By June I was down 150 lbs and on a road trip celebrating the fact that I could fly without a seatbelt extension. I zigged and zagged my way from Arkansas, Missouri, Georgia,Florida, and Texas meeting many women who had provided me with so much support.
I'm still considered obese at 195 lbs and 5'3". I can do whatever I want to do. I wear a regular size 16 and tho I would mind being smaller, I like myself as I am. I no longer fear walking in front of strangers. I take long walks, camp with a group called "GIRLS ON THE FLY." I belong to a gym and can do 60 minutes on an eliptical as well as water aerobics. No one in the class bats an eye as I enter or exit the water. Life isn't perfect; I'm 67. My arthritis is bad and I seldom give in to taking anti-inflammatories so I do hurt a lo****er exercise helps .
Since 2005 both of our children have married. Our daughter has 4 children and our son and his wife are expecting their second little boy in July. Mike and I love being grandparents. We are in the process of remodeling a 1600 sq foot condo and have our house on the market.
Can't believe I almost forgot another major event of 2025-16: my routine mammogram in November turned out to not be so routine. A small malignancy was found in my left breast. In January I had a lumpectomy followed by a SAVI procedure ( twice a day radiation for 5 days). I felt very fortunate to be a good candidate for this internal radiation. I am taking a daily pill called Tamoxifin. Not really crazy about this pill, but no bad side effects so far.
Regrets? None. As I am not sure I would be alive without this surgery. I admire anyone who can lose weight and maintain the loss without surgery. At age 55 if I could have I would have. I never have felt like I had to keep my decision a secret. If someone hasn't walked in my shoes they have no business telling me what I should or shouldn't do.
Im enjoying reading updates. Many of you I have met in person. It's hard to explain to friends and family the need to meet these STRANGERS in person, but I am so glad I did! A free ticket to Dallas ended up at an Embassy Suites in Dallas with an intimate group of 24. We had never met, but came from all over the country, the only thing in common being Weight Loss Surgery and the Over Fifty Forum. I will never forget us all crowding into one suite for our first few hours. Candy, I still wear my "ITS A FRIEND THING," t-shirt tho there isn't much left to it!
You are all probably wishing I would shut up already! I will close hoping to hear from more old friends.
Karen C
Oh Debi, I'm so glad you came! Your trip to Europe sounds like a wonderful bucket list item! You are the bomb! That you have kept your weight off for this entire time is fabulous!
I will always remember meeting you in San Francisco during one of my check ups! We had such a great visit. You will always be a friend.
I would love it if you came here once in a while to share your success...
Laughing about you using meditation to keep you from poking people in the eyes....hahaha! You crack me up!
Wow...that's a goal. 500 miles. I can sing it don't know if I could walk it. But it would be a great accomplishment. Good luck and have fun. You will earn your 2 week vacation.
