Cyn

and i just wanted to share how happy im feeling!.
i have just got under 200 pounds from a starting weight of 283. to prove to myself that this is a hell of a lot of weight, i tried picking up to large Water bottles, you know the kind that fit of water cooler. two of them weigh 38 kgs which is the amount i have lost. i could believe how heavy they were, no wonder it was so hard for me to do things like get up from a chair, walk or even climb stairs. i didnt last 2 minutes with the bottles in my hands before i gave up. it made the weight loss SO real.
my hair was falling out alot of late, so last week i went and had it cut very short and dyed red. i feel 20 years younger!
the best thing of this operation is that i feel so normal. i have got into a routine of what to eat, exercising and just being without that horrible pressure of trying to control my eating. i have stalled a lot during the months, but as i knew it would happen, i didn't worry too much which would never have happen pre-op. i have become a bit addicted to sport... something i never thought would happen. I walk every morning for about an hour, and go to spinning classes twice a week and fat girls aerobics class also twice a week too... the aerobic studio loves me as im a great advertising for them ! lol everything someone asks me what im doing to lose weight i say that i go to the aerobics studio.....
i eat basically anything within reason, no sugar of course, but i dont feel limited by my food intake. This could be due to the fact that i suffered from years of nothing being able to eat nearly anything without being sick (due to the horrible lap band). For me, a meal that i can sit down and eat with my family - no matter what the portion size- is brilliant.
i tried to find photos of me pre op today, and could only find 6 photos of myself that i have kept in the last 2 years! i would always either shy away from the camera, or delete them from the computer/camera asap. i thought how sad it would be for my children not to have any photos of me with them. i am going to change that!

I have the BEST pen pal EVER!!!! I got a box FULL of goodies, it has 2 boxes of pita Snacks (cinnamon and original), baby spoons (in ALL colors, loved them), a measuring tape to keep track of the immense amount of inches I will be losing, LOL, dieter's tea which I intend to start drinking immediately, sugar free hershey's chocolate, SF vanilla, and 2 liquid Water enhancers, plus the best thing in the box, a heart warming card which not only made my day, but it makes this journey that I am about to begin SO REAL!!!
Thanks again Laura, loved everything in my box and thanks Tasha for putting RNY pen pals together!!! May God fill you all with with many blessings...

I have RA and have for about ten years now. I had RNY due to my weight gain because of prednisone. I have been on prednisone for about 5 years. I decided to have the surgery to reduce my weight with the goal of getting of the steroids. I have struggled with finding a treatment that worked, but now receive monthly iv infusions for my RA. I had my RNY June 5, 2011. I have lost 99lbs and have gone from a size 22 to a size 10. However my biggest accomplishment is that I have gone from a dosage of 20mg a day on steroids to 2.5 and weaning myself to 0 this month. I am happy to report that my joints are happier and not hurting as much. I am playing soccer 4 times a week without needing lots of pain medication. Bottom line this surgery will not cure RA, but it will impact your quality of life with the disease. Please feel free to ask me any questions.

I think you just have to find something you like / love and does not seem like a chore whether thats working out at a gym, doing a class or alone at.home for me, I love love zumba I used to love.going to.class but my joints slowed me down now that im loosing weight I got it for the wii and I am hoping as I lose weight I can start it up again and maybe get back to class again. However I am with Sammi , it would be nice to have an accountability partner or a workout partner makes it so much easier good luck ladies!
Cyn-shakiraa Dos 12-17-12

ohhhh electric blanket sounds heavenly ! ,@ Gen Yes just the digits walking around in sweats ,hoodie, socks and mittens, when I work on my laptop I wear mittens thank goodness im not at work yet do not know how thats gonna work lol usually I was the one blasting the fan while everyone was freezing........
Cyn-shakiraa Dos 12-17-12

isn't it wierd, I'm actually cold my hands and feet are frozen all the time! hot lemon Water, hot teas are my friends , wonder what the summer will be like!
Cyn-shakiraa Dos 12-17-12

Congrats!!! Truly that is exciting news! We are proud of you!

Good news here!! My egd from yesterday showed my ulcers pretty well healed. Dr says unless pain starts up again I don't need another egd and they are on their way to healed!! Yay!!

Doesn't even look like the same person!! even your teeth look skinny!!! How exciting!

thank you nicole I appreciate the will wishes
Cyn-shakiraa-*12/17/12*Sent from my mobile Rnytalk.

tomorrow is finally the day they put the stent in, I'm so exited ready for this leak to heal ready for this nausea to go away, ready for the jp drain to possibly come out, ready to start healing!
Cyn-shakiraa-*12/17/12*Sent from my mobile Rnytalk.

that is always tough hope they figure it out soon for you get some rest !
Cyn-shakiraa-*12/17/12*Sent from my mobile Rnytalk.

Hey the thrift stores, especially in the nicer areas of town seem most economical. I have a sewing machine that I need to relearn to sew, because I refuse to give away name brands like Calvin Klein, Tahari, etc or those really classic pieces.... :-) and I am worried about my shoe size, I have heels I haven't worn that are sexy as hell but i cant wear because of my back and weight.....and they can't be returned. :-(
I have already let go of bags to claim on taxes, as I do every year, but also because though my surgery isn't until 2/26 I REFUSE TO GO BACK !

Wow you sound like me a few months ago. My surgery was 7 Nov and my weight was 291. Now 224. Just did a second purge last weekend of clothes. I laugh at some stuff I used to wear. HUGE.

I've drank ginger ale to help calm a queasy stomach. I was actually given ginger ale post op in the hospital. The nut said that the whole "bubbles stretch out the pouch" thing is a myth. It's the sugar and empty calories that are the culprit.

I've done the crackers and gingerale thing a few times. I had a really bad stricture and before they could get in to do the endoscopy I had a few days of wait time and basically the only thing I drank was super flat gingerale because I was so nauseous. I feel like if it calms your pouch and you're not doing it often- just when you're really struggling- it is fine. We're still human so we're going to get sick with stomach bugs and normal people do the brat diet to work back to full foods so it should be fine.

congratulations on the weight loss to everyone any number is phenomenal! especially when we take great strides to hit them. It upsets me when people say " you took the easy way out" especially when people who have medical conditions which prevent you from excersising, which affect your joints, your heart, your lymphatic.system, which made you take medication that made you gain weight , people who speak with no knowledge behind their words, than to get this surgery than have complications, or to not have them but need to retrain your body, mind and soul to eat again, deal with nausea, vomiting, Hair loss, loose skin, dizziness, lack of energy, roller coaster of emotions! This is a healthy free of complications person not to mention all of us who have secondary complications who are.still dealing with things and they think we took the easy way out ? Truly upsetting these people need some education in their lives. on a seperate note I have been doing this to help with nausea and came across this article this morning if anyone is interested.
hope you guys have a blessed day !
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4769/Why-You-Should-Drink-Warm-Water-Lemon.html
Cyn-shakiraa-*12/17/12*Sent from my mobile Rnytalk.

It honestly does get easier. While even now almost a year out I sometimes forget to chew the heck out of my food and will still have issues. My husband and kids all know the look when it happens and just roll their eyes and say mom.... chew your dang food. Something we have done so mindlessly our whole lives... EAT... we have to now be really aware of. Hugs your way girlie.

It does get better. I would eat one item at a time. I found then and even now mixing foods makes me feel off or slightly nauseated. But each week it gets easier. Hang in there :-)