SDmovergal

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Here I am to update you on my progress.   Quite a bit has happened since I was last on this site.   After switching employers, i began stress eating and balooned up to 233 lbs.  Over the past 7 months, I started eating properly again and currently am hovering at 195.   I want to lose another 20 lbs. and i'll be satisifed.  My job is going well, although stressful at time.  I turned 60 this past year and my Dr. had me have a bone density exam.  I found out that I have no significant loss, but did find out that i have shrunk 2-1/2".  I was last height measured the morning of my surgery, when i was at 5-10-1/2".  I am now 5'7-1/2" tall.    I don't feel shorter, but recognize it in my slacks/jeans.  The doctor said it was not surprising.  

 

I do some traveling for my job and several on several committes of a national kind that are work related.  I know that at my former weight, i never would have had the courage to do any of that.    I am grateful for the second chance at life the surgery gave.   

Hard to believe, that I am 12 yrs post-op.  Time really does fly when you are having fun.   My new job is great, i have a total weight loss of 35 lbs, still haven't broken the plane of 200 lbs, but i will be there soon.   I know that i am going to have to be continually vigilant about what i put into my mouth.   My biggest downfall is diet sodas.....how I wish I had not picked up that first one post-op. 
I'm back down to a size 16 and I am comfortable there.  I feel good, blood pressure and all of my blood work continues to be in the normal range.  With the job change, my health plan changed and I had to change primary care physicians.   The new doctor says that I am his first "old timer" RNY patient, being 12 years post-op.  
I will be 58 years old in April, and without this surgery, i know I never would have seen this happen.  I knew that I was on a downward spiral, spinning out of control.   I am proud of my scar, my 37 stitches.    I took the wonderful that the surgery gave to me and have continued to work it.   I have seen many people that have taken the gift and did not continue to work their program and they are in some cases, larger than they were pre-surgery.   That is so sad, and thanks to many on this board, who shared their stores, so that I could be educated and uplifted when I needed help.
Barbara

2/4/10
Another year has passed by.   My job continues to challenge me, i travel a bit and work for a great company.   I know that in today's environment I should be very grateful to have a steady job.   i am still carrying around the extra weight, try, try, try to lose it.   A week ago, i had major oral surgery and am restricted to a soft diet.   Perfect opportunity to lose weight, and i am going to take it. i am going to be like this for 5 more weeks and this will be a great starter for my getting back to using my pouch.   i cannot chew anything, everything must go into the blender, so no snacking/grazing.   i also have stopped drinking diet sodas, strictly water and iced tea.
i am still recovering from the surgery, but want to begin walking at lunchtime again, getting back into a routine.   Hubby bought me a Wii fit for Christmas and i have been doing some yoga exercises with it.  It's not as easy as it looks, i have never been graceful, lol.
I'll try to update in 3 months and post how my weight loss is going.

An early Happy Re-birth day to me!   My journey began 7 years ago and boy has my life changed!   I have a new husband, a new home, a new job and a new outlook on life. I have been unable to take off the extra weight that i have packed on, but i have hope.   I began a new diet a week or so ago, and am being coached for 8 weeks by a nationally know nutritionist.    I am part of a 100 person test group who is serving as a control group .   The program focuses on nutrition and exercise (go figure).  We are told to count sugars and carbs, that is our entire focus.   I really like the program, we talk about eating smart, eating healthy.   I am allowed only 15 grams of sugar/day and 6 servings of carb.  The good thing is that i can have almost unlimited protein which is ideal for those of us who have had WLS.
If anyone is interested in the program, you can download the program highlights at www.jorgecruise.com

The past year i have had the opportunity to do quite a bit of travel for my job.   I uploaded a couple of pics, one is taken at an awards ceremony where the company that I work for received a national award from the Department of Defense.  I consider it a personal triumph, because a year previously, i began working toward that goal and didn't give up until it was achieved.    The second pic is taken during a balloon ride in San Diego at sunset.   I am terribly afraid of heights, i had bought the balloon ride for two for my husband for Christmas last year, thinking that he could take his son, but i conquered my fears and went up and really enjoyed it.   We had a private ballon ride during a picture perfect sunset in San Diego.   I never could have done that when i was obese.   I couldn't have even gotten into the basket, and i know that my fear of height would have kept me from trying.   

My sister in law had WLS this past year and is doing great.    I've had some personal battles, and for the most part has triumphed.  Life is good and i am no longer living in fear.   

Lots of changes since the last time i posted. I have re-married, we have moved to San Diego and i have a new job. Life is wonderful, although there have been some rocky moments; i won't lie. i still hover around the 220 range. My hubby and i have a challenge underway for me to lose 40 lbs. in 8 months. If i can accomplish this, we are going on a vacation of my choice next winter. i have already picked out the island in the caribbean - told him this was going to cost him. i know that i can lose the weight, i just need to knuckle down, stop my between meal snacking - the curse of us all. i hear about so many people who have been given this wonderful tool and then manage to re-gain most if not all of their weight. i have not and will not do that. i have suffered too much, gone through too much to lose it ! During my last visit with the dr. my blood work came in great. My iron has been a bit low, blood pressure is perfect as is my blood sugar and cholesterol. Dieting continues to be difficult, life never changes, i am going to join weight watchers, beginning tomorrow night. i am going to join with a friend from work. We are having a group weight loss challenge at work. i don't plan on winning, just participating for support. Wish me well!