Linda Habay
I am a 40 year old mother of 4 children plus I am grandma too. I am into hot air balloons, Tattoos, and camping with my family and friends. I have known about this kind surgery for 13 years, You could say when it wasn't cool lol but, now they do it Lap, I am more than willing to start my new life. :)
4/26/02 Well today I went to my pre-op appointment All went well. I weight 313. Now I only have 6 days left before I start over with a new Stomach. Woohoo. I am a bit a sarced now, but I wont change my mind! I also been eating all my favorite foods just in case I wont be able to every eat them again. Well beside my favorite foods will be off the eating list. I am not going through this surgery to fail! I want to be thin and healthy. I have plans to back packing in Yosemite Nat. Park next summer. Sure hope my husband can keep up with me. He has always been at a normal weight and a billy goat in the mountains and I always trailed behind beathing very hard begging to stop. Next summer will be diffrent I will be leading him up the hills!
5/1/02 Well, its the day before surgery and everyones calling ,me and wishing me luck. I am worried but its not about going under, its those needles they insist on poking me with lol. You wouldn't know it with the tattoos I have on my body lol. A new life begins tomrrow :)
5/5/02 Well, I am home from surgery and just cant believe how well I feel. I even asked the doctor if he gave one of those little stomachs lol. I am just eating my clear liquids :( I can say I do miss eating foods. I just have to remember what my out come will look like and keep busy, very busy. I did get some sad news when I got home and I am dealing with that the best that I can. I just need to remember to keep my head up high and look forward. Because when one door closes another open!
5/17/02 Its been two weeks since I wrote on here and well figured I should write somemore. Well so far I lost another 30lbs I know if I would start walking I would shed more weight. I been so tired lately. I went back to work so soon. I had Surgery on a Thursday was release from the Hospital Saturday. Rested Sunday, back to work on Monday. Been running every since! My boss didnt want me to have surgery when the doctors wanted me too and so I had to wait till she took her vacation! (I know) But I did it and didnt miss any work :) She watches me like a Hawk so I eat at my desk. My staff and the other staff is noticing a weight change. One came up to me and asked what did I do, I looked diffrent. My face is thinner. I wanted to cry for pure joy!
Today I went and got me some bags to pack old cloths away woohoo. I need to make room for the new ones I should be buying soon, beside I had alot of cloths I never wore and still wont have a chance to wear. Give them away, I say :)
6/11/02 Went to the doctors today for my 30 day check up and I lost 40lbs Woohoo :)Just cant say how happy I am about that.
I also found out why I am not eating well. I am getting the narrowing of my new stomach connection(s) or what ever it is lol.So I will go into in and out surgery thingy and life will be good again. I dont regret this surgery at all. Everyone at work is just watching me shink and its all good :) So some the of other women at work is wanting the same surgery now that they seem me go through it.They just needed a leader into the new world of thinness. Oh yeah, where I work we got a new resident
She is 83 years old and had the stomach stapling some 25 years ago. What a lady! She is so happy now and feels very lucky that her Dietary Superviser (me) had this surgery, Surprize. She is lacking in porteins but guess what, I found her things to eat and she getting her strenght back and boy do we talk about how to eat and what makes us sick and how to deal with things. I think God send us to each other! 83 and so actived, she is! I hope I grow up like her!
6/26/02 Had the scoping done and all is well :) He did see two spots on me. He byopsy but I know its just my lupus attacking my my weak areas. 45 lbs lighter woohoo
8/04/02 Well, I have lost 60lbs so far. I feel like I am not losing enough weight but I need to remember I am just 3 months out. I guess since I been working since my surgery it doesnt even seem like I even had surgery at lease till I eat and I look at my naked body in the mirror and see the scars from the lap. I am always looking in the mirror to see what I lost and how my body is shaping up. I have decided to take up dancing for I can lose the bottom half of me. From the waist down is the hardest part to lose. So, I figured if I move my legs faster and shake my ass it has to fall off :) I almost hate to eat these days it hurts to eat, I think its something I am doing wrong but I havent figured it out yet but I will! Still so glad I had this surgery done!
9/17/02 Not much to report Still hanging in there. I have realized I need to excize in order to lose more weight faster.
10/12/02 Well, I have finally jumped off the plateu woohoo. I was still shinking even if I didnt lose pounds. I brought size 18 women pants and now its a week later and I an wearing size 16 womens. WOW, and drop 5 more pounds. I came to relized that I now weight 220# I am shy of 7# to be 100# lighter. I couldnt stop smiling. Boy, the simple joys of life these days!
I went shopping with the children today and went to the sales rack and found something so wonderful! Two size 16 misses blue jeans for only $6.00 ea. Well, you know I had to buy them both :)
And even the misses fit my wide hips. At work this week was bad and good. Remenber I talked about one of my residents that had her stomach staple some 25 years ago. Has I am writing this she may not be with us any longer :( This makes me very sad. She was a great Lady and had some very wise things to always say. One thing she would always tell me is " When you feel like a has-been just take one bite and throw the rest out." She knew all about dumping. I will miss her! She was a angel on earth to me! but the good thing this week is one of my other resident that I dont talk a lot to came up to me and told if I keep losing all this weight I will be a shadow of me and I was doing good, keep up the work. :) Wow they noticed. Even if I dont lose more weight I am ok how I am! I think I look good! And isnt that what counts!
11/10/02 Well I am dropping inches woo hoo! The holidays are around the corner.I am so so glad I did this surgery. It fun to see people I havent seen in awhile and they look at me and go what diffrent about you? Then they realize its the weight. I have to giggle in delight to watch peoples facs when they notice the almost 100# lost. Then I say something dumb Like" oh I lost some weight here and there :)
1/11/2003 New Year
Well I survive the holidays, But I did eat some candy but, this time, not the whole thing by myself, just 2-3 pieces though the day. I am now about a 105 # lighter. Needing to go buy some size 14's pants but hate to give up my 16's because there is really no wear to them. You know, when you are bigger you keep the cloths you have forever,, since they are to find 1.To fit your figure or 2. Even to find some that doesnt cost you a arm and leg to buy. So you wear them till thread starts showing in the inter thigh area. Thinking about that, I will not miss my legs rubbing together durning the summer!!!!! Woo hoo and making a nasty rash. People keep telling to stop losing but, at this point I tell them "I have no choice, That is why I had the surgery. When my body feels like it done it will stop." I don't mind getting skinny. It is long other do! Is it summer yet? I am so looking forward to summer. The warmth! I cant deal with winter this year. I am aways cold. My husband is calling me la-LA. Well summer will be here soon. IS it summer Yet?
3/29/03 Well I am down to a size 12 and weight about 188. I dont remember being this small but I can now wear my 8th grade Gradution dress, Yes I still have it. Some women save their Wedding grown somehow I managed to save my Dress. It is sized 11/12.( Very cool). My 41th Birthday is near and I am hoping to be a size 10. Then I will stop losing weight. Yeah right, I have a choice when I stop. I am now the support group leader for Merced's first WLS. It has been fun and I meet some interesting people alone the way. I still run into to people and they are shock when they see me. They want to know where the other half of me is. What do you say to that. :)
5/14/03 Well its been 1 year and 8 days since I had my surgery. My weight is 181# and boy do I feel good! This is a fun adventure for me. I love to go out dancing! I love wearing a size 10 in cloths. My husband says I am a shopping addict :)I am still running the local support group which is also alot of fun.
I been so busy with life, never a dull moment for me :) I look at my before and after pictures and think wow that was what I really looked like :( and I thought I was happy at a 313# but, that means at 181# I am on the top of the world! I am so Happy I choose to do this surgery. Now I need a tummy tuck but if there is a will, there a way!
7/9/03 Well my weight has been on a stand still I am been weighting between 172 and 178. Still a size 10. I know if I can get a Tummy Tuck I would fell so much better. When I eat I have stand up or Lay down so my food flows through me. Sounds weird. I do believe that all my excess skin has no where to go but force back into my gut. I have heartburn until I stand up. My husband and I tooked pictures together last week. I wanted an updated Old Time Picture of us. Wow, did we look good together. I keep looking at the pictures. Now I have before and after picture of us. All I know is, Thank God for this surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8/16/03 Finally I lost more weight and drop another size. WooHoo. I cant beleive I am wearing a size 8! I never thought that in my wildest dreams and prayers. I really really want a tummy tuck now. I am still addicted to cloths shopping for the first time in my life. My hubby just shakes is head. Now that I cant hide the facts that I was eating that extra piece of food . I now hide the fact I am buying more cloths. I have more cloths than I need but I cant help it. I buy cloths when they go on sale. I dont think anything I do own I got for full price. I keep telling myself I am going to stop buying cloths. I been a shopping fool. I think I will need to start a new support group for shopping addicting. I know, I havent spent over $300. for all the cloths and things I brought. I love to bargin hunt and I have gotten very good at it. I never knew Walmarts had cleareance racks, when you are fat, cloths dont seem to be important since you never find anything on the clearence racks in your size unless, you dont need that size anymore! Well happy shopping all, I am off to Walmart! lol
8/30/03 I am still still losing weight. It's hard to believe but I am. GO figure! Still running into people who havent seen me. I love the reaction I get. It's is a great high!
9/14/03 Well today is a rough day for me. I keep looking in the mirror still asmazed at how I am looking. Its hard believing I am this small as a person.. Whoa! I feel sad that my best friend couldn't be here to enjoy it with me. I really do hate this day!
My husband has been so understanding with me. He is a God send too. You as person goes through some head trips losing weight and almost feeling reborn.The weight comes off, you feel wings coming out really to take the air on. You also figure out any little addictions you may have. I know I am a social eater.I am so grateful I did this surgery. I just got to keep practicing slowing down when I eat. I began eating fast as a child, I remember trying to beat my grandfater at eating the fastest. Sigh, and I wonder.
I still weight 167# So that is good! I am not feeling sorry for me eating. "If I have only known about this surgery in 1998. He would be alive today!" (I thought they still did it the old way.)
So yes, I have some guilt but most of all I miss my Mike.
I know if we both have gotten a chance to be thin together, Nothing would stop us from causing trouble. hehehehe
10/5/03 Well I am still losing weight, it unbelievable to me. and I can now wear a size 6 in clothing. Wow, makes me wonder what will happen we I get a tummy tuck and done. I have so much extra skin that rump area is breaking down and it painful to sit.
A body lift is more what I need. I am liking that I am still getting smaller. I will seeing the doctor about this skin problem I have. NO Insurance now but, I will again. Till then I will keep recond of my skin breaking down.
10/28/03 Woo hoo I started a new Job! I am of course running another Kitchen. I guess that is what a chef does. It been very stressful this first week I been there a week and havent had a day off yet. This place has been missed managed for so long it so out of compliance. I have it better in the kitchen but still need to work on it.Any time there is new management come changes so, I also been but out fires with all my new employees. Stress has been very very high and I only turned to bad foods once a day. I guess I am doing good since I still lost another 5 pounds. My real problem is taking in enough fluids. I keep going and forget to drink water. I am hoping to have this job and all its employees settled down in the next 2 weeks. Then in 3 months I should have insurance again. I heard its Atena, God I hope not because I dont heard good things about them. AT least I had my surgery done already! I am hoping for Blue Cross PPO that way I may have a better chance of a insurance helping me out with a Tummy tuck and butt lift. Life, one just got to imbrace it!
11/22/03 I am in still in wonder how well I am doing with this surgery. Today my husband said I was getting VEIN. (WHO ME?)
People just dont understand how wonderful it is to be thin, Specially the ones who have been closer to thin most or all of their lifes. It a true freedom! I actually care how I look, Whats so wrong with that? Before I just worried if I had food strains on my cloths. Vein, I am not vein. Just very happy with life!
1/17/03 Well things are going good. I finally got that nasty flu and did fine even lost 5 lbs which is ok with me. I find when I am not working and I am home with my family I always eat. Whats up with that? I am still losing inches which is good. Everyone tells me to stop losing. I know I dont have much more to lose and I do wonder where it comes from when I do lose more weight. I am without medical insurance and I am hating it. My6 nlupus is in full flare but I keep going. What choice do I have? I should have insurance in April. Almost a year without insurance. I will find out if this insurance will cover a tummy tuck. I am so saggy all over and I am hating so much. I kinda get jealousy knowing someone else is getting surgery and I have to wait for medical to kick in and then pray this insurance will help me out. I am surviving the cold and damp weather. I just wear my cloths layed.
3/20/04 God where does the time go? I gain up some weight but not much so I am just a little worried. The good news is that Our local Newspaper is doing a story on me and other people in my support group. This should be fun for all of us! I am so looking forward to summer this year. Life is still GREAT!
7/10/04 Wow I cant believe I Havent been keeping up with my profile. I am now 2 years out and feel I should be thinner and I feel like I am eating like a PIG. But I am settled at one weight so I must be doing ok. I did go see a surgreon to remove the excess skin, now its a hurry up and wait. My two best friends are having thier stomachs redone. I cant wait for the 3 of us to be thin together! I dont think that has every happen. We all been hanging out since grade school one of us has always been over weight. I am still glad I had this surgery.
2/15/05 I havent wrote on here in a long time! Well so much has happen to me but I am surving :) I get to see what it like to date has a thin person by his choice. I miss my husband but I am not going to let grass grow under my feet. I wont beg either. I will miss my old life but, the new one will be fun too. I was in our local newpaper woohoo, about the surgery and that I run a support group for wls. Isnt it fun to be thin?
4/25/05 Well life takes funny turns all the time. I am dating wonderful man I have known for some 24years. I feel so much more self of sure of myself. Losing my weight off was the best thing for me. Phyically and Mentally. Dating was fun while it lasted.
4/1/06 My God I cant believe its been a good while since that wrote. My Life took so many twisted and turns. Some good, Some bad, That I forgot to write. My weights about the same 168-178 always playing with those 10# My body feels driffrence And I feel I need to go to doctor but insurace is what I dont have :( But soon I just got to paid out the noise. and if it is something they can connect the surgery to it may not pay since I need to hold the insurance 6mos. Any how,lfe is still good exspecially when find a best friend(other than g/f's) to share things & life with :)
7/24/06 Well I found out I had a bad Hernia( oh course I pray for it , just got the wrong one for the tummy tuck through insurance to pay for it) no wonder why I been pain for years, but what a painful surgery so glad I didnt get the tummy tuck with that repair. I am getting married in 30 days to a wonderful man. I still wonder how I got so lucky. He as known me some 25yrs so he knows all about me. We are having a country wedding theme. I always been the wedding planner / chef now I am the bride. I am planne of my wedding but I wont cater my own wedding. Yeah I am excited and, I am thin doing this. A dream wedding, A dream Man and, Hoping to start my own business instead of running everyone elses after the wedding woohoo! God does work in strange ways. I will try to post new pics soon
12/30/07
I'm still around and still running the support group. In one year I gained 50 lbs not good. It's all about my lifesytle. The new job is killing more than helping me. I hope to be back home and working out to lose my weight back down.
5/8/10 newest update I tranfered my job now I at work less than 5 mins vs 3 hours. Moved to Santa Maria Ca. Which in some part was a blessing because after many years watching people in my support group get their bodies fixed and cheering them on but, inside I was crying. I found Dr Katzen in Beverly Hills and he got my insurance to pay for my work. What a Saint he is and a blessing. Even when things went south he was right there by my side, like I was the only he was taken care. I heard rumor of him but , one day I was on obesity help looking and dreaming again after many rejections or not having enough money to pay up front. I saw his name again and, thought what the hell, I will try another doctor. To my surprise My Husband & I liked him. He was working with my vision of me then made suggestions. No promise that the insurance would pay but he'll try and when I got the approval from Jane his right hand gal from his office I couldnt believe my journey was about to end 8 years and 4 days later Gastic by pass May 2, 02 Plastic Surgery May 6, 10 I still need to finish my work but my Cake was the Tummy Tuck everything else the doctor is doing for me is the Icing. I will keep you posted on my work
2/14/11 I finish the second part done of my surgery. The thigh lift and breast lift. I made it through just fine until I found out I have 4 drains coming from my body. The first surgery when two drains were in me I hated it but, to discover 4 of them, my mind went south. Maybe most people it wouldn't bother I didnt like were he paced them. My legs took some time to heal but once again that was just me. I look good in cloths and everyone tells me how thin I am. I maybe going back for one more lift for the back lift. It all depends on were the drains are placed. I like the boobs now but didnt at first. I thought I was flat chested. Went a hanging D to a full tight C. Its like the new hair cut when you first get it you dont like it but then you get use to it and everyone tells you "you look great." Then you start believing them. Keep everyone posted
9/23/2019. Still keeping the weight off . even dropping a few more pounds. A few health issues nothing too serious. But they can't blame it on my weight. Now it's you didn't take your vitamins. Oh whatever!
My daughter ended up having the weight loss surgery. She is two years out and is doing great with it. She ended up at my same surgeon. He wanted to do the sleeve but she said no, she wanted be like her mother and aunt ( my sister) in case there was issues, she us to turn too. Yes my sister is doing great too with her surgery. She has a one year out than me.
Life is good
About Me
Before & After
rollover to see after photo
