lauriekp
Coming up on my 2nd Surgiversary!!
Jun 21, 2008
JUNE 21, 2008. Ok, for sure this past year has been the fastest of my life. Things are great...my weight fluctuates between 154 and 159, and I feel good at this weight. I actually put on size 8 pants the other day - that's something I never thought I would be able to do. I was lined up to have a LBL in April, but decided to cancel when my iron levels weren't great, and life was just too busy to slow down.I am enjoying my girls who are getting ready to turn 7 and 9 - wow. I have definitely needed the extra energy to keep up with them.
My home has been involved in the floods of Iowa, and we are busy trying to recover and repair. I'm hoping the FEMA will come through for us, but we are fortunate to have great family and friends.
I still experience wow moments, and often don't recognize myself. It is amazing, and I am so grateful for the impact gastric bypass has had on my life.
My health is the best it has been in over 20 years. I don't snore , I have no acid reflux, my cholesterol and triglycerides are very low.
I wear shirts tucked in and belts on a regular basis. I just feel like there are so many more opportunities for me now in every aspect.
All my best,
Laurie
1 year and almost 3 months post-op
Sep 14, 2007
Life is good. I had my gall bladder out on July 9th - a small blip on the radar. I am now weighing in at 162 - below goal. I have got to post some new pictures, but it is overwhelming to me to do what others seem to do so easily with computers. I am feeling great, and still so thankful for this surgery.
My daughters are 6 and 8 now - summer birthdays - keeping me running and I love it. Finally, I have the energy to keep up with them. In fact, when we went to the Stqte Fair, I had way more energy than anyone left at the end of the day. That was a wow for me because I had always been the first one to poop out in the past. Oh, and my youngest (Jenna) won the Mom Calling Contest at the fair - over 50 contestants - so precious, really.
Not much is new. Guess I'll go work on posting those new pics.
Really Close to My Surgiversary!!!
Jun 23, 2007
My surgiversary is in 4 days!! I weighed 171 pounds yesterday which is 3 pounds from my goal. At my 9 month eval they had me weighing in at 187 and said that I could MAYBE lose 10 more pounds, so it will be interesting to hear what they have to say next week. I'm very anxious to see my bloodwork - hope it is still as good as it was at 6 months. I did go to a consultation for plastics - and am approved for a breast reduction/life and a pannilectomy (spelling??) - the surgeons I went to are big on doing the belt lipectomy - hard for me to imagine doing all that, but as I look at my saggy everything, there are days it really sounds wonderful. I am feeling really good (in clothes) 
no, I have a LOT more energy now and it's just more fun to jump out of bed and start each new day. My husband, kids, family and friends have really been such an important support system for me through all this - I don't know if I have ever been happier. It is true that weight loss does not make your marriage better, your kids more well-behaved or your money prblems go away....BUT it's still the best thing I've done for myself since marrying my husband. I know I need to post new pictures - I'm so challenged in that area! Some day I'll figure it out! More after my 1 year eval next week...
no, I have a LOT more energy now and it's just more fun to jump out of bed and start each new day. My husband, kids, family and friends have really been such an important support system for me through all this - I don't know if I have ever been happier. It is true that weight loss does not make your marriage better, your kids more well-behaved or your money prblems go away....BUT it's still the best thing I've done for myself since marrying my husband. I know I need to post new pictures - I'm so challenged in that area! Some day I'll figure it out! More after my 1 year eval next week...
I'm almost at 9 months out... March 24, 2007
Mar 24, 2007
Time just flies by. I am down 84 pounds now - which is about 18 pounds from my goal weight. I am feeling great, and very lucky to have been able to have this surgery. The other day, a friend's husband came up to me and said that he kept looking at this skinny hottie and wondering who it was and then realized it was me - I think that was the best compliment to date. I am still embarrassed when people say things, but it is nice to get positive feedback. The down side? Well, that would be the hanging bag that was once my belly and my oh so saggy boobs. I didn't think I would go for plastics, but I'm definitely changing my mind on that since I can gather up that skin and envision a flat stomach - that would be sooooo great! I have been so busy and haven't been able to visit this site much - I miss all the wonderful people here!
I made it to ONEDERLAND!
Jan 08, 2007
January 8, 2007
Yep, I've been in Onederland now for about a month and it's nice here - I think I will stay here forever! I just had my six month appointment and I am SO PSYCHED - my cholestorol went from 245 to 138 and my triglycerides went from 545 (no that's not a misprint) to 150 - those numbers truly are amazing to me. I now feel like getting out of bed every day and can't wait to see what each new day brings. I find myself actually looking strangers in the eyes - I NEVER did that before - I guess I'm not afraid to see their reactions to me anymore - what a great feeling! My wonderful husband bought me an ipod for Christmas (pink, even) - so that will pump up my workouts once we get it filled with great tunes! I love this life I'm living now - soooooo glad I had the surgery. You know how you don't realize how bad things are until something dramatically changes? Yeah, I'm living that. I was in such denial about how my weight was effecting my life. I still have weight to lose - about 30 more pounds to my personal goal of 164. Talk to you soon!
Yep, I've been in Onederland now for about a month and it's nice here - I think I will stay here forever! I just had my six month appointment and I am SO PSYCHED - my cholestorol went from 245 to 138 and my triglycerides went from 545 (no that's not a misprint) to 150 - those numbers truly are amazing to me. I now feel like getting out of bed every day and can't wait to see what each new day brings. I find myself actually looking strangers in the eyes - I NEVER did that before - I guess I'm not afraid to see their reactions to me anymore - what a great feeling! My wonderful husband bought me an ipod for Christmas (pink, even) - so that will pump up my workouts once we get it filled with great tunes! I love this life I'm living now - soooooo glad I had the surgery. You know how you don't realize how bad things are until something dramatically changes? Yeah, I'm living that. I was in such denial about how my weight was effecting my life. I still have weight to lose - about 30 more pounds to my personal goal of 164. Talk to you soon!
December 4, 2006
Dec 04, 2006
I haven't written for a long time, but I'm doing really well. The weight loss has slowed down quite a bit, but as of yesterday, I'm in ONEDERLAND with hopes of never returning to TWOderviller! LOL! This means I have lost 72 pounds since I started this journey. The surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I feel like I have control over my life again, and that there are so many possibilities for me now. What a great tool! I still get sick if I drink milk or eat white bread or too many carbs, but I'll take that anyday over weighing 270 pounds. I still haven't figured out how to update my profile in certain areas, but I also haven't spent much time here lately, either. I'm too busy living my life, and that has been a great thing. I will say that my stomach is pretty gross - I can grab handfuls of skin, but it all seems to tuck in pretty nicely into my clothes - thank God for SPANX! - I love those wonderful gut sucking in panties! I'm looking forward to my 6 month eval - life is good!!!!!!!!
My old posts from July 3, 2006 to September 24, 2006
Oct 26, 2006
The Final Flight
© By Patty L. Hamon
I watched a shooting star
as it raced across the sky.
I was awestruck by it's beauty
in the darkness of the night.
Surrounding it like diamonds,
like tiny twinkling lights,
a million shining brothers
witnessing it's flight.
Sometimes in the evening
I will stand outside my door
and admire the peaceful heavens
and I'll glimpse a shooting star.
I'll wonder at it's glory
and the nature of all things,
at the silence of it's dying
and sweet sadness, it's death brings.
When the angels look down on us
as we go about our lives,
to them, a fleeting moment
like the shooting stars, we spy,
will our passing go unnoticed
into the darkest night?
Will we be a brilliant beacon,
like that star on it's last flight?
Lord, I want to shine that brightly
and like moths drawn to a flame,
bring others to Your mercy
and honor to Your name.
And when my days are finished
may You look upon my life
like a glorious shooting star
as I take my final flight.
July 3, 2006......I'm on the losing side and doing pretty well minus the extreme hunger. I am only allowed to have clear liquids, no protein, no pudding, no nothing that could possibly fill anyone up. LOL. I actually was finally able to post my picture on this site - crazy - thanks to the help of Charlie (OH member)!! I had gained about 6 pounds in the hospital (fluids and all), but this morning I weighed myself and am down about 10 lbs since Friday. It's the only time in my life I have been thankful for gas and diarrhea! This afternoon I am supposed to get my drain out - I think I will be very glad to depart with that!!
I have really struggled with my weight since the late 1980s, and reached my highest about 2 years ago (278). I started looking into WLS in December '05, and went to the seminar in March "06. I was very lucky to get through all the steps was approved within one week of my surgeon submitting my paperwork. I will have surgery on June 27, 2006, so I have been white knuckling my way through a 2 week liquid only diet until then. I can honestly say that liquids only have been one of the biggest challenges of my life. My stomach growls all the time, but someone said to me the other day that as she was losing 150 lbs, every time her stomach growled, she thought to herself..."another pound lost". That thought has helped!
I think the people I have met on this website and throughout this process so far are some of the absolute nicest people in the world! Best wishes to you all!
I will write from the other side soon...
July 27, 2006......I'm back to work, feeling pretty darn good most days and down 30 pounds as of yesterday. (1 month post-op) This journey has been, well, WEIRD, but cool. The weirdness comes from other people's comments and once overs, and being able to eat something one day and having it make you feel miserable the next. I still get really tired by the end of the work day, which is a little frustrating, but my husband has been sooo good about picking up my slack if I have to go to bed early. God love him! I'm eating things like chili, chicken quesadillas, shrimp, cottage cheese, oatmeal - SO much better than that liquid diet. :-) My husband took new pictures this week - I still look BIG - especially from the side, but I can see it in my face. Everyone is asking me when they can buy my clothes - I guess for a fat girl, I have a pretty stylish work wardrobe! Nice to know people want my clothes, anyway. I started working out again - feels good when I'm there, but I still struggle with getting to the gym, what to wear, too tired, etc. More in a couple of weeks...
August 29, 2006
Amazing how time flies!! I am 9 weeks out today and down 44 pounds. I'm anxious to get to 50, but still am amazed every day when I get on the scale and it says 226 instead of 262. I am feeling really good now. I have been exercising and hating it every time until I get to the gym, then I always feel better! I have some new pictures to put on here, but I never seem to have the time to get it done - it's always a big production for me to post pics cuz I never remember how. What's new? Let's see......I love SPANX - they keep my wiggly, jiggly tummy in tact and give me confidence to wear pants that fit and show my reemerging figure. I am able to just eat now, too, for the most part, without too much thought. I do concentrate on getting protein in first, but I don't have to make myself stop cuz I just get full really easily - it's great!! I actually feel more free from the chains of food than I have felt in as long as I can remember. I'm not saying this process has been entirely easy, but it is amazing!! I would have this surgery again in an instant - NO REGRETS!!! I'm working on exercises that will help my arms, legs and well, weight loss in general, but I noticed I do not have the upper body strength I had pre-op, which is weird to me. More later.......I LOVE Dr. Glascock and WLS!!
September 3, 2006
Below is a picture of me at 8 weeks post-op. I am down 44 pounds here, and feeling much better. It's fun to hear people's comments except when they ask me to stand up or turn around - I HATE THAT!! Oh well, I guess it's the price we pay, huh? LOL
September 24, 2006
I'm down 53 pounds now and am easily wearing a size 16. No more XXL tops for me, either! I am feeling really good most days, but still feel crappy if I eat any carbs at all. My 3 month eval is in 3 days - I planned a day of beauty around my appointment - getting my hair done, a facial and shopping for some new clothes. Thank goodness some of the girls in the office are letting me borrow some clothes or I would have nothing right now. I'm surprised by my reluctance to shop - but it's just been hard for me to spend money on new clothes when I know the scale is still moving. I also am struggling to find my style in this new size. My hair is falling out and is sooooooo dry since surgery. I have split ends for the first time in my life. I try to be really good about taking my vitamins and B1 supplement and drinking my water, but taking that darn Anti-gall medicine isn't my strong point. I just really hate taking so many pills, but then I read on this site about the complications that come from not taking vits and meds, so I do it. My husband has been awesome in this journey - noone compliments more than he does. My 7 year old tells me she doesn't think I will ever be as skinny as my mom (her grandma) which is kind of funny because I'm wearing the same size Grandma wears right now! I have no regrets about having this surgery - I sometimes wish I had more energy at this point, but I do have more than I had pre-op. I have not been working out as much as I planned to, but that is going to change soon, cuz it needs to!! More later......
About Me
Fayette, IA
Location
22.0
BMI
Surgery
06/27/2006
Surgery Date
Jun 14, 2006
Member Since
