Linda V.

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 It's 9 years out and I weight 271 today which is as low as I ever was after GBS.  This past year has been difficult with lots of issues with my back and knees and physical therapy.  Have been a cadidate for knee replacement for over 15 years (to my knowledge) and the bones in my spine are degenerating, so I know that I have to really get with it if I don't want to be in chronic pain.  

I've hired a personal trainer and we're working together 2x a week.  The workouts really tire me out and I seem to have no energy for the next few days.  Also, more trouble with knees and back.  I think we might be overdoing things and need to get with my orthopedic doctor to see if he can help me out with some sensible guidelines.  

Anyway, hopefully, next year, I can say that I've broken the 271 barrier.

I've been using Diet to Go for 2 meals a day, 6 days a week.  I add breakfast of oatmeal, blueberries, walnuts and soymilk.

Also add snacks -- try to go for things like yogurt and fruits and sometimes almonds.  Not great, but better than it has been.  

It's been 8 years since GBS.  If I had an opportunity to do it over again, I would.  I weigh about 280 now.  No, I am not happy with my weight but the arthritis is much better and I feel better. I am more active now.  I am still a compulsive eater.  I guess that if I were doing more of a protein diet I might be smaller but all I can think of is heart disease and cancer and all that fat I would be eating if I were eating more animal meat.  I eat oatmeal and walnuts and blueberries for breakfast.  I eat way too much dark chocolate.  Those are the big kickers.  I eat more nuts during the day and add in dried fruits.  The rest of my diet is more Mediterranean, lots of fruits and vegetables.  I am 65 years old now. 

I am still hungry a lot.  food seems to go right through me and I can eat a lot -- but nothing like what I used to eat.  I went to Dr. Anez's office several years ago and the nutritionist said that I can eat more than many people who were the same number of years out.   Maybe my pouch has stretched out.  I've considered asking for a revision but Dr. Anez doesn't do revisions.  I've also had pulmonary embolisms 2X in the last 4  years -- almost died about 16 months ago - large ones in both lungs.  No -- I'm sure it had nothing to do w/GBS.  But I'm not exactly a good surgery candidate.  So will just have to live w/my girth or figure out a way to eat less.  

I still take my vitamins and have a doctor following my blood profile.  She does thyroid and I get my blood drawn about 3x a year.  Hopefully she's doing  most (if not all the things) of the things Dr. Anez's office would do.  I really should go back there for a follow up.  I'm just such a maverick and I'm sure they don't like us types. 

Anyway, I am contented enough with things.  For what I'm doing and putting into it, I guess I'm getting about what I deserve.  And I have such a crappy body and metabolism.  I'm not one who will ever be thin, no matter what.  If Dr. Anez had done a Distal -- maybe things would be better.  But then, maybe I wouldn't be so healthy -- who knows. 

OK.  There you have it.  8 years out guys.  Good luck!