ECUJenn

Hello all amazing people! I agree with everyone that it has taken some time to get on the new site. I just recently became a resident of Onederland! Which is amazingly exciting for me! Been through one boyfriend and on to the next! Below is a picture taken at a formal in December with a few of my best friends from high school. I hope everyone is doing AMAZING!

1. Have been dating a wonderful guy for about a month now. Absolutely insane to me! 2. We went on a roadtrip to Washington DC this past weekend because some of his friends were running the marine corps marathon. I was able to walk around the city without complaint. AND it has reaffirmed that my ultimate goal is to run a marathon. The surgery has not made me happier. My decision that I was worth it has made me happier!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I went on a date with an adorable and charming man who told me I'm beautiful' date=' not cute, not nice smile, not great personality, BEAUTIFUL....other than my son, I believe that's the first time I've ever heard that. HW 312, pre-op (RNY) 255, current weight 198[/quote']

That is awesome! I am also dating a guy for the first time since my divorce in 2008. He has been doing all of the right things! I can't believe how much has changed in my life in the last two years. Not just the surgery but it is a huge part of it. We are all so awesome!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I bought a bra at Victoria Secret!!!!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I bought a bra at Victoria Secret!!!!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I have had this conversation with my mom several times that I know how horrible I felt physically before surgery and sometimes I wonder what took me so long to make I this decision (I'm only 34 but have been obese pretty much my entire Adult life) I wonder if people feel the way that I felt, that they weren't worth feeling any better. Sometimes I want to say "you don't have to feel like sh*t all the time" there are options.

But then I remember that I had to come to this place on my own and so does everyone else. Everyone is a full and whole person no matter their weight!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Does anyone feel weird when people say' date=' "You look amazing!" I think wow, did I really look that bad before, or is it such a drastic change, they are trying to get used to the new me? I still see the psychologist so I can try to deal with being a 26/28 in my head and living now in the size 16 body. She said people were comfortable with what I looked like before and now I'm asking them to change how they "see" me and they might not accept it. [/quote']

I understand where you are coming from but I try to look at it as affirmation that I made the right decision for me. I say thank you for every compliment and use it as motivation to continue on this journey. At the end of the day I did this for me but to have other people share in my joy is awesome.

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I danced until I was 14 years old when I quit because I was tired of being the fat girl dancing. Tonight I tried Zumba for the first time and did FANTASTIC. It was so great to be dancing again and not feel like I was going to die!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 229 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I bought THESE shoes today and can actually walk in them without feeling like a weeble.

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I had my first glass of wine about 3 months out. Now 6 months out I have a glass every few weeks. One and done is what I like to call it because I would be sick on the floor on more than one. One thing I didn't think about preop is that alcohol is pretty much all sugar so you don't just have the alcohol but the sugar too. One glass I am feeling good, two (I tried once) and not only am I drunk but sugar overload kicks in.

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

My experience was every day was different. Six months out there are still things that were wonderful one day and horrible the next. It sucks to be in that process, but hoping you better ASAP.

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I go back and forth between regret. I had surgery on Aug 6th. I am struggling as well. I knew it would be hard but it's harder than I thought. I feel like a failure because I struggle with protein' date=' Water or Vitamins on a given day. Yesterday got all my Protein but was short on my Water. My issue is I am not hungry so I have to force the food down to get my Protein. The shakes are disgusting to me these days. Since surgery my sense of smell is even better than before so even unflavored protein smell horrible.[/quote']

I still hate pretty much every Protein Drink out there and I am 6 months out. However, at this stage I have never felt better in my adult life. This surgery is a huge change, don't let anyone tell you it is the easy way out, but I am so grateful I had the courage to do it for myself.

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Hey everyone...I developed a UTI last week and my doctor prescribed antibiotics on Friday evening' date=' it is now Monday and I have spent the last 3 days in bed. I feel better UTI wise but I was wondering if any of you have been on antibiotics since surgery and had them just knock you down?

I have my 6 month with the surgeon tomorrow morning so I am going to talk to him but I have scoured the board and haven't found anything similar?

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk[/quote']

Just an FYI. Had my appointment and my surgeon had No idea why the medication knocked me on my butt. I am, however, feeling much much better.

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Hey everyone...I developed a UTI last week and my doctor prescribed antibiotics on Friday evening, it is now Monday and I have spent the last 3 days in bed. I feel better UTI wise but I was wondering if any of you have been on antibiotics since surgery and had them just knock you down?

I have my 6 month with the surgeon tomorrow morning so I am going to talk to him but I have scoured the board and haven't found anything similar?

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I think I may be writing to myself' date=' but that's ok. I am about to undergo surgery--they think I have a hernia. Not fun.[/quote']

Oh no...take care of yourself! I hope you feel all better afterwards!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Same race, 2 years apart!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 236 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

Same race, 2 years apart!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 240 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

It is a bit silly but I met my ex husband when I was 19. We got divorced about 5 years ago. But this week a guy asked me for my number and took me on a date for the FIRST time in my entire life. 34 years! Totally have no idea how to handle this but holy moly it's kinda fun!

My doctor says that your old stomach will continue to produce acid for some time after surgery. He puts everyone on Prilosec for a year after surgery to reduce the symptoms and reduce the risk of ulcers. I will say that the only time I consistently feel bad is if I forget to take that pill!

I have been really careful not to get back into a daily coffee routine because I had not realized how dependent I had gotten on that prior to surgery. However, my program does allow 8-10 ounces of caffeinated beverages per day. i.e. coffee or tea.

I went shopping with my Mom last night and as I was walking up to her she said " that's the second time tonight I have barely recognized you, I feel like you are a different person" also...did another 5k tonight and finished with less than 15 minute mile splits for the first time ever. More walking/running training tomorrow. So excited to feel like I can run!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 247 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I have lost almost half of my hair. Getting a short cut tomorrow. My hairdresser said I can probably grow it out after a year or so. It sucks' date=' but I knew it would happen. I even take Biotin, to no avail.[/quote']

Awww...my hair is falling out massively too. Not quite that bad, but it can be hard to stomach. I decided to grow mine out when I got the surgery and I am trying to stick with it. My hair was always my favorite feature, but I am trying to focus on new things about myself that I like

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 247 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

I have been doing a 5k training program since about 4 weeks out, but I finally got in 4 one minute run intervals as part of my 3 miles tonight!!! 5k on Saturday night and another on August 10. If you have a Fleet Feet store in your town check out their No Boundaries program. It is a great way to incorporate exercise and meet some great motivators!

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 247 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

So you know how I said a few days ago that I was trying not to let my hair falling out bother me? Well, today I was at my moms house and saw the back of my head for the first time since all this started and I have a bald spot...well, not really, but you can definitely tell the hair is thinning. I know this is somewhat normal, but I am kinda freaking out about it. Is anyone else seeing this?

HW 344, DOS 320, Surgery Date 2/20/13, CW 263 Sent from my iPad using RNYTalk

My hair is falling out BIG TIME. I'm trying not to let it bother me but it still does.

I'm down from HW 344 to 248. My goal weight range is between 187-157 so I still have a ways to go. Been a bit stalled for the last few weeks but noticing positive changes in my clothes so trying to focus on that. So thankful to this forum because it helps me stay focused on the positives.

At the blood drive I went to tonight two really awesome things happened: 1. My resting heart rate had dropped 30bpm and 2. They used a regular sized blood pressure cuff.

Plus, one of the ladies there told me that she just loves talking to me because I have such a positive aura. The last few years have been really tough in my life but it all started to turn around in August 2011 and hasn't stopped. This is the best my life has been in years and I am trying to stay focused on it getting even better!