KathyStarling

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Hi.  I am 3 years out today and still doing great.  I have not had any bad experiences since the surgery other than adjusting to all the changes but I have put 25 pounds back on.  I have, like some other people have had, been diagnosed with osteopenia and am taking Fosamax.  However, since that was discovered 3 or 4 months ago, I have had a hyperparathyroid gland removed and am not sure if that extraction may help the osteopenia.  I am hoping so.  I did not have skin removal surgery.  It is too expensive and I am retired and living on Social Security.  It is not as bad as it could be and choosing correct clothing is they key!   Otherwise, I am loving life! 

Hi everyone - I had my 9 month visit on May 18 and I am doing well.  I still, effective now, have 31 lbs to lose and hopefully will do that by the end of the year or before.  I am trying for September but  the loss has slowed down.  My surgeon expected I would due to my age.  The good thing is that I haven't gained.  I know I must push harder with the exercising and that will be the main thing I need to increase.  I am happy with my results and I have had very little discomfort.  That was due to me abiding by the rules.  I believe you "must" develop control to make it easier on yourself.  Don't think for a minute that I wouldn't like to have some of the things that I cook and serve (I do a lot of baking!) but I know better and I don't ever want to go in reverse to the way I was.  I really have a life now.  I can do the simple things like taking a walk or grocery shopping with ease.  I don't have to ride around the parking lot at Wal-Mart looking for the closest parking space so I am not worn out by the time I get to the front door.  I can interact more with our children and grandchildren and great granddaughter.  I couldn't do all of that before.  Just cooking a meal for company was a chore.  Now it is a pleasure.  All of my maintenance med are gone except 1 for which I take 50 mg 1x a day instead of 200 mg 2x per day plus 2 others for the same condition.  I have had no asthma attacks since the surgery.  I am down to a size 12-14 in most of my clothing.  What an improvement from 22-24 sized clothing.  I have a new wardrobe and can shop in the ladies' section of the store instead of the women's.  Consignment shops and great sales at the Wal-Marts and K-Marts are what made that so exciting.  The heat and feeling so very hot all of the time no matter what I am doing is gone.  That is one of the most bothersome and miserable things I was experiencing.  There are not words to express just how wonderful I feel.  I pray that anyone who can commit to the "rules" and can imagine how it "could" be is able to make a decision as I did and become healthier and more satisfied with life as I have.  I feel great that I can enjoy the good things in life because I decided to make a commitment and change my life for the better.  I have had nothing but total support from all of my family and friends and for that I am grateful.  I will continue to make my life better by doing the things as I should with a little of what I want.  I thank God every day for guiding me to a better life and I hope every one who reads this has the same great experience.   My husband and I retired in January of this year and we are both grateful for how I feel and for undergoing this experience.  
Thanks for listening!

Hi,
I am just at 6 months post surgery which was August 18, 2008.  I have lost 98 lbs so far and have 52 more to go.  I have slowed down a bit.  I also have not been exercizing as I should.   I started again yesterday and intend to at least walk 1 mile each day - doesn't sound like much but I am 63 years young and am careful.   I just retired so I should have all the time in the world to do what is best for me.  I have had such good luck with the weight loss because I have "gone by the rules" - no snacking and eating the right foods, the right amounts and at the right pace.  Oh, I have clearly had some incidents but they are minor compared to what I am achieving.  This process is the best thing I have ever done for myself.  My family and friends have been extremely supportive and that is a blessing.

I am so very happy that I feel so great and have so much energy.   Before the surgery, I had no energy, was tired and listliss and would never last even a portion of 1 mile.  My medications are down to 1 now for blood pressure and I am being weaned from it as I speak.  No one but someone who is going through this process successfully can know what that feels like. 

I hope everyone who reads this may benefit and I am always open to conversation and advice.

Kathy