leopardgirl

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Well, it seems that I only update my profile once a year, so at least I'm consistent!  I know I rarely post, and should more often, but feel that by the time I do, everyone's covered the bases!

Anywho, not much to report at three years out.  I'm in awe of this surgery, and thank my family, friends, this board and my local support groupies (you know who you are) for being in my life and supporting me.

I did reach my goal, which was lower than my surgeon's goal, and have managed to stay within 5-10 lbs of that weight, and if I get too far up, I low-carb it, and get back to where I need to be.  Nothing like extra chicken wings or cheese to get me back on track.

I love that I can do that.  I love that I can eat what I love, and enjoy it, and not have that guilty feeling when I put fork or spoon to my lips.

I love that my sister had the same surgery that I did, cause we're a DSer household, in every sense of the word (you hear that "Air Freshener Makers"!)  I love that we both eat wings, meat casseroles, and other protein items, and that we can buy it in bulk from Sam's Club - and you know the revenues are up at that place!

I also love that I have this local support group who loves to go out, chat it up, and enjoy good times, not just good food.  I go to the hospital support groups to wrangle in the newbies, and hopefully am able to help them out if need be.

I'm lucky in so many ways, I kinda lose count, but know that the DS helped me get to where I am, and I'm the one that needs to keep this going.

I'm glad that my boyfriend is understanding when I need to get wings at 11 pm cause I'm starving, and he doesn't mind that I need to eat every few hours or get a huge breakfast first thing.  I think he minds that he's gained some weight though, and I swear, its not my fault!  LOL  I know he asked for a "divorce" after a certain odor incident, but he'll live with it if he loves me!  LOL

And like I said, I'm proud of my sister, who's a year out, who's down 110+ lbs.  The only thing is I wish my dad would have been here to see her success.  He'd be just as proud as I am, and be amazed at how far she's come.

Ok, enough with the mushiness, and let's get back to helping out newbies, those looking for a revision, or those who feel things can't possibly be this good after a few years.  Guess what?  It's amazing, and I wouldn't have believed it a few years ago, but now I get to live it.

To those researching - remember, think twice, cut once.  To everyone else - may everyone have success.  I'm so lucky to have it, and I want everyone else to also.

Well, it’s been way too long since I’ve posted and updated, so here goes.  

It’s been over two years since I had my DS, and it’s been quite the ride. I’m ecstatic about my results, but situations in my life haven’t been the best, and dealing with life is hard at best.  

As I had posted back in October 2008, I had been lucky enough to go on a wonderful vacation, and was hesitant to have gone because my dad was so sick. After returning home, things with my dad had been getting progressively worse, and in early November, he passed away. It has been the hardest time of my life - losing my dad, learning to cope, and trying to deal with the aftermath. My dad is one of my best friends, and will continue to be with me always. He supported my decisions, and guided me my whole life, and I feel he’s still doing so. I hope my sadness turns around, and I can reflect back on everything in a better light; I just need time to deal and heal it seems.  

Dealing with my DS has been amazing! I love this surgery with everything in me, and I’m so glad I did my research and learned this surgery was MY best option for life. I eat pretty much what I want, and occasionally I go way overboard, but the consequences don’t put 15 lbs on my ass…maybe a few, but back to basics, and viola, my ass is smaller again…LOL  

I’ve lost around 175 lbs, and am around 5 - 10 lbs from my personal goal (~ 160 lbs). My surgeon wanted me to stop losing (his goal was 178 lbs), so I’m being careful to not go overboard, but I’d like to get to my goal. Someday, plastics will come into play, but I’d love to stabilize then consider my options.  

On another note, my sister had her DS on February 25^th, around 2 years after me. So we’re now a 2 DSer family (my poor mom’s gonna be cooking protein dishes forever!). She’s doing fantastic, and I’m so proud of her. I know she’ll be kickin’ some ass with her DS also.  

I’ve also met an incredible man, and am very happy. He’s good to me, and has met my family and friends, so we’ll see what happens.  

I can’t thank everyone here enough for the support I see given every day, and even though I don’t post often, I read every day. This board is very important, and I belong to a few other boards who offer great support also. In the beginning, I knew no one personally, just here on the net, and this board helped me join a community of other DSers and I’m so glad they’re in my life.  

For those looking into the DS, continue to do so. For those looking for a revision, consider the DS. For those with another surgery, continue to do well.  

For me, the DS has been everything and more. I wish the same for the rest of you.

Well, it seems like I haven't posted in weeks, and I haven't.  Lots going on with my family, and was trying to get ready to take a vacation.

First off, as some of you know, my dad's been pretty sick.  My sis and I were going to cancel our trip, but he was feeling good enough to come home from the hospital the day we left on our cruise, but by Tuesday had to be rushed back in.  As of today, he's home, very weak, but holding his own.  I love that man with all my heart, and he's trying to kill me!  Time to feed him lotsa protein to get him back to where he should be.

Second, I went on an amazing cruise out of the Port of Philly to Bermuda.  Absolutely great (other than that first night going through Hurricane Kyle).  When we finally docked in Bermuda, it was in the low 80s, sunny, and all around gorgeous.  Clean, no begging, just beautiful, and I hope to make it back there again.

C - I ate like a horse!  Was ecstatic that I could have my eggs over easy every day, add bacon or sausage, a piece of wheat toast, and occasionally a half a piece of french toast.  I figured I'm on vacation so I'll enjoy myself.  The dinners were fabulous also, having had surf and turf, sirloin steaks, shrimp, scallops, and any other kind of protein you can think of.  So I ate, walked that ship, shopped on the island, did a little sightseeing.

Lastly, I met some really great people on our trip.  The one in the picture is from our area, so hopefully next time he comes up this way, we're all gonna have a nice italian meal, and talk it on up.

After all was said and done, I got off the ship sunburned, and when I weighed myself the next day, I had lost 2.5 lbs!  WTH?  I ate like that, and lost weight?  The DS never ceases to amaze me.

Sorry I've been MIA.  I'm hoping things look up with my dad, and that life just gets better and better every time I think about it.

I can’t believe it….18 months! Seems like yesterday they were wheeling me into the OR, and asking me my name (I still knew it at that point! LOL)   A quick update….I’m down 162 lbs, and can not believe how much healthier I am. I’m thankful to my family, my friends, my awesome surgeon and his staff. I posted some pics on my profile from a wedding I attended in July. I clean up well….LOL   I can do things now with ease that before seemed monumental, and am grateful that I found out about the DS and followed through after receiving some advice from Diana Cox, our DS insurance guru.   I hope to get to reach goal, and maintain, and live the good DS life. Some days, it just ain’t any better that this!   To my PADS peeps – I love each and every one of you, and I’m so glad that we’ve gotten to know each other well. Our group has grown by leaps and bounds, and I can’t wait to see where we’re at in another 6 months. I remember being the lone DSer at support group, then meeting some other ladies (Jeanne and Cathy O) who had questions about the surgery, and then bugging Chickster (Debbie) to come to support group. To know we had 18 people come out the other night is a testament to how well we’re educating those around us about the DS and its benefits. Makes me wanna cry in my piece of chocolate cake! LOL   I hope we get at least another 18 to join us someday (I’m sure the diner will just LOVE us then!)

Well, we had another PADS get together today, and I had a wonderful time.  I'm happy to say we had 16 people attend - most were post-ops, a few pre-ops, and some others who were happy to be along for the ride.

I'm happy to say we all ate like horses, and I hope everyone had a great time.  I was ecstatic to have everyone to my place (along with my sister), and we love having people over.  Nothing like spending some good quality time with ones you enjoy being around.

We had loads of appetizers - pepperoni, cheeses, crackers, shrimp cocktail, crab bites (thanks mom!), dips, more dips, more crackers, nuts, and anything else I may have forgotten.

We also had a clothing exchange, although I have a lot of clothes left in our upstairs office!  I hope everyone found something!

After we did that, I put out more food - we had luncheon meats, meatballs with sauce, dreamfield's pasta, deviled eggs, rye breads, etc.  I have a ton of food left over, but with all that protein, who could go wrong?  LOL

Thanks to all the attendees for bringing stuff, and I loved all the interaction with all you fine women, and our resident stud and lone gentleman.

I've posted pics on my profile of our bathing contest entries.  Enjoy, and thanks to everyone who attended.  Luv yas!

That’s right.  One year ago, my life changed, all for the better.  I know that if I hadn’t had the courage to change my life, and have the DS, I wouldn’t be sitting here today, enjoying normal, everyday occurrences - I wouldn’t be able to cross my legs, run up a flight of steps, shop like a maniac, play with my niece and nephew, and still have energy to do more.

When I came out of surgery with a complication, I was happy to be alive, but did have some buyer’s remorse…what the hell did I do to myself?  What I did was save my own life.  I chose to live with a surgery that would give me normalcy, and complication or not, I was going to push through the initial weeks of bewilderment, and work it to the fullest.

 

I had my one year checkup today with my surgeon, and he’s in awe of my progress.  I was his third DS patient, and he calls me the poster child for the DS for the rest of his patients.  I’ve been lucky enough to meet some amazing women and men who’ve had the same surgery, and are all doing so well.  I love getting together with the group, and I think we have a blast and enjoy every minute of our gabfests.

Even though my vitamin D level was low (taking 50,000 IU 2Xs/day), and so was my fasting glucose, he still thinks I’m doing wonderfully.  He told me I have maybe another 25 lbs to lose, to 178 lbs, but to be honest, I’m not sure where I should end up.  I just want to feel healthy, look healthy, and I haven’t felt this great since I was a young teen (many moons ago).

 

Every day I read these boards, and I still learn something new.  I’m in awe of the progress the post-ops have made, and I can hear the excitement in the posts of the pre-ops.  It’s great because I get to live it all over again, and hear little pieces of myself in every post, good or bad, happy or sad.

But one thing always comes to my mind.  The DS has given me a NORMAL life, and I can’t say that I work my tool.  I think my tool’s working me…LOL  I eat normal, I drink normal, and I’m just NORMAL.  No one stares at me if I’m in a buffet line, getting a few things on my plate or two, or three.  I always save room for dessert when I go out, and pre-op, I’d be mortified to order a dessert, and actually enjoy it, but now, I may have a bite or two, but it’s so nice to still be able to have dessert, and not feel any guilt.  An ex-bf told me I looked like a skinny girl.  I still can’t grasp that.  It’s amazing, wonderful, and just plain fan-f*$(ing-tastic.  Looking in that mirror has proven difficult, but I certainly like what I see (most days!)…LOL

 

To those pre-ops, still researching, or in the process of getting approved, keep at it.  It’s worth every ounce of energy you put into it.  You won’t be disappointed.

To those post-ops…you’re MY ROCK.  You teach me things, you listen to my problems (even if someone else has posted a similar question), and you know me….cause you are me.

 

And now I get to be me, only HEALTHIER, and sometimes, better and sexier (thank god for bottle blondeness).  I love my DS, and I couldn’t be happier.  I wish everyone success in their quest.

I’ve posted pictures on my profile if anyone cares to look.

Yesterday was my 8 month surgiversary, and I just can not believe how much my I have changed in those months.  As I was being wheeled into surgery I thought, "Man, I better come out of this alive", and then thought, "Hell, if I don't, how would I even know?"  LOL

I've been lucky enough to post an 11 lb loss for month 8, for a total of 117 lbs gone from my highest weight.  At times it seems too good to be true, and then I remember that I had the DS and my whole way of working my tool is that I work my tool, and I get to enjoy myself along the way.  I'm not a great one to stick to a diet, so I do have some carbs (sometimes too many), but always make sure to get in my protein, my vitamins, and anything else I need to take.

I've also been lucky in that I no longer have to take warfarin (coumadin) because my blood clot in my leg has dissolved, yet I still have swelling in that leg.  I'll take that anyday over continuing my morbid obesity.

My sister is in the process of being approved for the DS, and she knows what I've been through, and has decided that this is the best surgery for her also.

I'm amazed at how I could change in 8 months, and I'm grateful every day of my life for this wonderful surgery, my surgeon, my family and my friends.  I'm truly blessed!

Seems like just yesterday that I posted my 6th month update, and now I'm posting my 7th.  Anyway, here goes!

I've been lucky enough to lose another 7 pounds for month 7, for a total of 106 lbs gone forever.  Even though I know I weigh 235, I still transpose the numbers, thinking i'm at 325.  It's surreal, yet real.  I hope I can wrap my head around it.

I love my energy level, the fact that I can do things this year that last year seemed impossible.  I walked around at the local carnival with my mom, sister, niece (who's 6), and nephew (who's 4.5)...FOR 3 HOURS, AND I WASN'T EVEN TIRED!!

I love every minute I get to spend with the two little ones..they're my world, and I look forward to whatever they have in store (the little devils that they can be!).

I'm doing the Walk from Obesity this year, and I'm proud to say I've raised some monies for the cause.  I wasn't aware just how many people would support me in my quest, because I felt like I was invisible before.  Now, LOOK OUT!  I find myself being more bold, more gutsy, and I'm loving it!  For anyone that's interested, here's my page. 

http://walkfromobesity.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=239806&u=239806-188890394&e=1235950707

If you want to help the cause, please donate, and if not, say a prayer that I kick some butt and do the best job I can do when I'm there!  I'm also setting up the clothing exchange, because let's face it, it's not easy flying down those sizes and trying to keep up with clothes that fit!

Wish all us walkers good luck, and here's to everyone that's put forth an effort to end obesity, no matter how they go about it.

Six months has come and basically, its flying right on by.  What's my life like after all these months?  Fantastic!  I'm so grateful to have found this surgery to make my life better than I ever thought it could be.

As of 8/21, I was down 99 lbs.  99 lbs!  I can't believe it.  I've also lost almost 80 inches overall.  I'm down from a size 32 to a size 24 in jeans, with room to spare.  I'm down to a size 18/20 in tops.  I actually enjoy shopping now (mostly window shopping, but good nonetheless).

I've learned many things about who I am, and where I want to be in my life as my journey continues.  I've also learned that I enjoy helping others in their quest for WLS, and have become the Angel Coordinator for my surgeon's office.  I'm even going to do the Walk from Obesity!

On another note, I'm waiting for the day that my sister comes out of lurkdom and signs up to be on here.  She's my support system, and I know that she would like to have the DS also, and I told her that HERE is the place to be.  She's learned a lot over the past month, and has signed herself up to go to an information session (I'll go with her - so I can be her support system).

I read these boards religiously every day, and even though I rarely post, everyone's in my thoughts, prayers, and chicken swinging antics.

I love my DS!

Wow!  5 months has seemingly flown by, and along with it, many sizes in my closet.  I never would have thought 5 months ago that I'd be down from a size 32 to a size 24, let alone accomplishing half of what I have been!

I look in the mirror, and just can't believe that I've lost 91 lbs so far.  Totally incredible to think that I'd usually be gaining weight at a rapid pace, and in reality, the lbs are melting off.  For the most part, I'm good with my supplements, and am getting my labs done in 2 weeks for my 6 month checkup.  I struggle with fluids sometimes, but have found I still can eat my way to 90 grams of protein every day.  I've even had a donut (Dunkin, not Krispy Kreme) to speed up the process when I hadn't lost anything for a couple of weeks.

I thank heaven above for allowing me to come out of the surgery alive, kicking, and in my case, no screaming.  I had a rough start, but it's only made me love my DS more because I know deep down inside that I fought for getting healthy.  I find myself with more energy than I've ever had in my life.  I play with my niece and nephew, swim, exercise, cut grass, weedwhack, even have better sex (and not just with myself anymore...LOL), and enjoy everything that life has to offer with more zest and zeal.  The DS has given me the most amazing outlook, one that I had after my breast cancer was put into remission, making me realize all the beautiful everyday occurences that I had taken for granted, but not now.  I love that feeling, and I know everyone here knows or will know what I'm talking about.

This board has been my sanity-checker (I'm not too sure about some of you!  ), and you keep me in line.  I've enjoyed becoming an angel, and I think paying it forward is rewarding to everyone involved.  Knowledge, in my case, may be a dangerous thing...lol

To anyone out there who's not sure about having WLS, do your research, and come on over to the DS bench.  As Jeanne says, come to the dark side...We've got cookies (and donuts, etc etc).  This surgery is all it's touted to be, and so much more.