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karen_marie

Gastric Bypass Patients
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  1. Like
    karen_marie reacted to Meryline in Different kind of success pictures   
    December 2015 I had my first back surgery. I could hardly walk, and was heavily medicated with opioids to get through the day. Surgery was a success, until I had a relaps at the same place not even a year later. Long story short. I had 2 nerve blockages that worked for a while, but in the end, my surgeon said I needed to be operated on again.
    We decided to wait and see if the wls would help my back. The pictures below are from March of this year, only 7 days after my wls, and from Saturday.
    The herniation has been reduced to almost nothing, the spine covering the nerve is almost nothing, all due to loosing almost 90 lbs.
    I see my neurosurgeon on Monday, but both I and my physical therapist are sure I won't be having the surgery I'm booked for on October 3rd.
    If that is not a success story, I don't know what is.



  2. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from erin09 in Take 2   
    I don't have to wait too much longer now (my start to surgery process has been much faster than I was expecting!), which is good because I am not known for my excess in patience haha. I've been spending my time doing a few things that I've found suggested in the forums, from my doctors, or just things I thought of:
    Trying to walk 30min more days than not during the week (I have to walk my two dogs after work so that helps) Writing in a private online journal to kind of document my journey (I want to be able to have something to look back on when I'm going through the weight loss and when I'm years down the road). I've been using penzu.com for my journal. Practicing being more mindful of my usual eating habits. The psychologist mentioned at a support class this past weekend to take this waiting time to really pay attention to things like emotional eating - what is the exact emotion that triggers it? for instance, angry is usually not the underlying emotion, since it's usually a defensive reaction to being sad or frustrated times of day I eat/get hungry - see if I have any times of day that tend to be triggers for me to eat. Since I get to work early and eat an early lunch, I've noticed around 2pm I'm looking for a snack to give myself a distraction or break from my very heavy workload. Knowing that, I can plan ahead and make sure to have healthy Snacks for that 2pm break pay more attention to the food I'm eating - start working to slow down my eating and my chewing, really take time to taste flavors and feel textures.
  3. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from monica8773 in Ten days and counting.....   
    Happy to see another Disnerd getting surgery like me You should plan a victory vacation back to Disney so you can take a new pic with Tink and do a cool side by side comparison! But that's me, I'll find any excuse I can to get back to Disney World lol
  4. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from Angie's_Ocean in October '17 RNY buddies   
    Yeah, I hear ya about the one and done! I've got a bit of GERD so RNY is definitely the way to go for me. But I also wanted it because of the major shift it will force me to make in my lifestyle. I know how I am, and I know I'd be able to more safely 'cheat' with a sleeve. So I'm just taking the nuclear option right from the gate haha.
  5. Like
    karen_marie reacted to dredfern in Very saggy lady bits and only half way there!   
    I'm afraid if I get a Tummy Tuck, it would have to be tucked up so far, I'd end up with a beard
  6. Like
    karen_marie reacted to B.Annie in Boobies...ugh   
    I always say that I live in the wrong country only because my boobs don't salute the flag, they bow to a king.


    HW: 328 (02/21/17)
    CW: 275 (preop 53# disowned)
  7. Like
    karen_marie reacted to LadyMoka in Ten days and counting.....   
    So, as I get closer to my surgery date I figured I'd like to share my story! At 5'1 I've always been "chubby" but it wasn't until my late 20's that the weight really started to stay on me. I know part of that was I continued to eat like an active collage kid but was not NEARLY as active. Gone where the walking everywhere, the dancing and the swimming days.Along came the drinking, eating fine foods and watching movies days. Those days took a slight toll and at my first attempt to get in shape I was maybe 190. Lost some weight, moved where there was less chance of activity and gained even more weight back. This time I was 230. In five months I dropped to 150 by cutting carbs, restricting calories waaaaay too much and exercising 5-6 a week for almost 2 hours a day. I was an animal but the weight came back when I slowed the pace after I got married. Slowly the numbers creeped back up. Sneaking their way back into the 200 mark. This time no matter what I did I just couldn't keep the weight off. So I stopped trying. I was healthy...good BP, good cholesterol numbers, no diabetes. It was fine right? But as I kept fooling myself that I was healthy slowly I wasn't so much. I started snoring, got hemorrhoids, slight edema and then I was getting winded walking up the stairs. At 267 I knew this could not end well if I didn't do something. This was my wake up that I needed. Closing into 40 I know that I need to take drastic measures if I want to succeed and make weightloss stick because my short legs are NOT going to be able to carry me if I keep this up. I know this is going to be an amazing opportunity for me and I'm glad I get to share my journey with you all.
     
    HW: 280
    CW: 270
    GW: 140
    SD:9/18/17
    Height: 5'1

  8. Like
    karen_marie reacted to Angie's_Ocean in October '17 RNY buddies   
    Nuclear option => bahahahaha! Never thought about it that way. Thank you!


  9. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from Angie's_Ocean in October '17 RNY buddies   
    Yeah, I hear ya about the one and done! I've got a bit of GERD so RNY is definitely the way to go for me. But I also wanted it because of the major shift it will force me to make in my lifestyle. I know how I am, and I know I'd be able to more safely 'cheat' with a sleeve. So I'm just taking the nuclear option right from the gate haha.
  10. Like
    karen_marie reacted to aqua24 in The need to eat until stuffed   
    Shelterdog64 has offered very sound advice.
    I haven't posted much on this site because honest sound advice is not appreciated. People jump all over those who try to help others with this sound advice. It seems to have become accepted to bully those advisors. This has intimidated me from seeking out the assistance that I need or providing advice.
    Being a medical professional is not an indicator of superior communication skills. There are many people offering questionable advice while claiming to be medical professionals.
    My program is run by someone who is a hardcore straight shooter. Many people don't like her...her job isn't to be liked. Her job is to ensure people are knowledgeable and prepared for their surgery. After surgery, her job is to provide support and ensure success. She doesn't pull punches but it is because people did something drastic and need to be successful and stay safe.
    You may not like the advice but it doesn't mean the person was inappropriate.
    Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App
  11. Like
    karen_marie reacted to Freedom2Thrive in 16 and 340 lbs - My Journey   
    This is a story about a young man who always had a smile on his face but knew he was different. Whether it be his heart or his waistline he always had the biggest in his class. He never let it hold him back because he saw the best in people when they couldn't see it in him.

    He wasn’t always so confident about what life would hold for him. At the age of 12, he had gotten to 220 pounds. Due to a condition unrelated to his weight he suffered pain in his legs and ankles and required surgery to repair a curvature in his legs. Post-op, he gained even more weight. From age 12 to 16 he gained about 120 pounds.

    It's hard to see the pain behind this cutie's smile, but when he was 16 he told a psychiatrist that he was ready to die. He felt like he maxed out on his potential in life and it would be okay if he wasn't around anymore. It was an extremely stressful time and he had no proper way to cope with anything, and he let himself get to 340 pounds. He had no values. He had no beliefs and he saw no purpose.


    In 2010, his mom read a magazine article about the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program. Through STOMP, patients can access a team of health professionals, support groups and, for those who meet specific criteria, bariatric surgery. At the time, the program was focused on teens with other health issues, such as Type 2 diabetes, but he was still a solid fit. After three months, he had lost 20 pounds and the team was looking at surgical options. In August 2011 and weighing 300 pounds, he had a Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, a form of bariatric surgery

    In less than a year he lost around 80 pounds, weighing 220 pounds. His life had changed significantly when it came to eating, but he was prepared for that and knew he would have to manage this for the rest of his life.

    It wasn't perfect and for a few years post-op he struggled with multiple different complications, but he found a way to push through them and find some balance in his life.

    He began to find purpose in his life. He went to nursing school, driven by the care and passion that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals poured into him along his journey. He wanted to give back and make a difference in other people's lives. He wanted others to see that they were just as worth the love and care he received.
     
    He found values. He became accountable for his actions and saw what was truly important in his life. He became a lover of travelling, eating delicious food and engaging in fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
        
    He developed a new set of beliefs - that every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of himself because he is human - perfectly imperfect and worth it.



  12. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from sassy683 in October '17 RNY buddies   
    10/27 for me! Still amazes me how fast this has all gone. I only went to the free info seminar my surgeon's practice holds on 7/29 - that's just shy of 3mos from when I started to when I'll have surgery!
  13. Like
    karen_marie reacted to BigViffer in A whole new life   
    Jesus, your boyfriend sounds like an @sshole. I totally understand that he didn't have surgery and doesn't have to change his lifestyle, but it wouldn't kill him to be a little more considerate in the first few months.
    The first month can be very difficult emotionally. I've seen people literally fall apart and get sloppy wet crying face feeling that they were a failure because they had to resort to surgery. Those same people today are happier than ever and more confident than they have ever been since I have known them.
    Stay the course, follow the plan, and things will get better.
  14. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from Monasmle in Ready to start dating   
    The dating world is most DEFINITELY crazy haha I don't miss it one bit For me, I don't think I'd be comfortable really talking about it in any detail until a few dates in, once I got a feel for the guy and was comfortable with him. I'd probably just say something about having had abdominal surgery recently and that I've really taken a keen interest in bettering my health. Then ask a question to turn the convo back to being about them - someone else in the forums mentioned that was a good tactic for anyone asking questions you're not yet comfortable answering.
  15. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from FluffyChix in Ready to start dating   
    First off, good on you for getting away from the toxicity! I was stuck in one of those (my first marriage) for 10yrs before even realizing what I had been dealing with. So I'm always super happy when I hear about people seeing what's happening and getting out sooner rather than later.
    As far as dating, I was definitely a big girl when I went back into the dating world after my divorce a few years ago. I never experienced any guys I went out with not responding to my body very positively, even as I started working out and losing some weight. And they did not have a thing for big girls - I was probably the biggest they'd gone out with. They're more attracted to your confidence I think. I noticed that making a big difference as I went on more dates.
    Since I met my now-husband being big like I am, I can't comment on the eating small amounts part of your question. But we've had a lot of talks about the surgery and he's been very vocal about wanting to understand everything it entails (he even went with me to the free info seminar to learn). I have shown him some YouTube videos of others showing their excess skin and commenting that I'll probably look similar to them after I've lost a lot of weight, and he seems totally fine with it. He's more focused on the fact that I'll be able to be healthier, rather than my boobs won't be as full, etc. He's also a pretty trim and active guy, so he's trying hard to understand what I've gone through in my dozens of weight loss attempts and just being supportive when he knows he can't ever fully understand. I'm very lucky to have such a supportive spouse, since I know that not everyone going through this journey is that lucky.
    I think dating may be a little bit of a challenge post-surgery for you, just because I think it may take some trial and error to find the right guy. Because the right guy will be supportive no matter what, and won't care about the excess skin and all that. Best of luck in the dating world!
  16. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from Monasmle in Ready to start dating   
    The dating world is most DEFINITELY crazy haha I don't miss it one bit For me, I don't think I'd be comfortable really talking about it in any detail until a few dates in, once I got a feel for the guy and was comfortable with him. I'd probably just say something about having had abdominal surgery recently and that I've really taken a keen interest in bettering my health. Then ask a question to turn the convo back to being about them - someone else in the forums mentioned that was a good tactic for anyone asking questions you're not yet comfortable answering.
  17. Like
    karen_marie reacted to Precious517 in Ready to start dating   
    You are so right. I think it is definitely going to be a challenge. Mainly because I know my self worth and I refuse to settle for less. The dating world can be crazy at times...lolol I'm not sure if wls is one of those topics that should be discussed from the very beginning(after couple dates) or wait later down the line.
    I'm so happy you let the past go. Even more, you met and married a supportive & loving husband!!


    Sent from my SM-G360T1 using BariatricPal mobile app


  18. Like
    karen_marie reacted to Deleted Account in It's Coming Off! 😃😃😃   
    Lol! Thank you. I've always needed to see just a hint of light at the end of the tunnel person. 😀
  19. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from Deleted Account in It's Coming Off! 😃😃😃   
    That's great news! I remember reading your initial post worrying that you weren't losing, so I'm glad that stress has (literally) started to melt away
  20. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from hmills653 in Ladies: The Body differences when you are slimmer   
    That would be so crazy! I'll just take being a more normal size again, not these over the shoulder boulder holders I've got now haha my roommate in college used to put a cup on her head and say it was big enough to be a hat
  21. Like
    karen_marie reacted to hmills653 in Ladies: The Body differences when you are slimmer   
    I wish I could get small enough to not need one
  22. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from DaniO in Writing/typing in a journal for your journey   
    Just curious as to how many others have kept some sort of private journal (hand written or typed/online) that they use to document the progress of their journey. I know a lot of people blog and have YouTube channels (feel free to share both!) that are viewable by the public, but my journaling is done on a site called Penzu, which is a private online journaling platform. I used it when I went through my divorce from my first husband, and it was actually very helpful to get all my thoughts typed out without worrying about others reading them. I could just lay it all out as bluntly as I wanted.
    I may eventually share some of my journal entries with friends and family, but right now it's my space to say what I want, keep track of all the pre-op appointments I've got scheduled, and just have a place to store all of my thoughts. I did splurge and pay the $20 to upgrade for a year of Penzu Pro, which basically lets me have multiple journals (so my WLS is a separate journal of its own), and different text and background styles, as well as the ability to download/print my journal if I want down the road.
    What are you doing to document your journey so that you can go back and 'relive' it down the road?
  23. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from zallykatz16 in Weight loss journey book?   
    I use an online journal called Penzu. It's private, unless you want it to be public, so it's a great way for me to 'write' about my journey. I like going back and reading and reliving, and I'm hoping to continue as I progress. I'm only pre-op right now, but I think getting all my thoughts and feelings down in a safe, private space will help me.
  24. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from gelyscomet in Things you wish you had   
    There is a thread that I came across on here a little while ago that had put together a suggested hospital checklist from suggestions of dozens of members here. I tweaked slightly, but this is what I'll use for my general guideline to plan before surgery. I think some things will be left to the wayside, but a good starting list.
    Hospital Stay Checklist.pdf
  25. Like
    karen_marie got a reaction from jenique in What are you looking forward too? [emoji4]   
    I feel like I could make such a huge list, but I'll share some of my top picks:
    My husband to be able to pick me up Go horseback riding again Fit on roller coasters again Comfortably fit in an airplane seat and lower the tray Be more adventurous in the sack Shop at 'normal people' stores for clothes Run farther distances without my hips hurting

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