New to the group, my introduction

[NewBeginningsForMe2012 35]

Hi all! I'm 55 years old and was sleeved on Nov. 6, 2012. I lost 45 pounds in the 6 month pre-sleeve diet, and have lost another 51 pounds since I was sleeved 18 weeks ago. My start weight was 285 pounds, and I'm 5"3" tall. I wore a PLUS size 26 W pants, and a PLUS size 3-X tops. I now wear a size 16 regular pants, and a large shirt. I feel so much better, and can do so much more! I have 39 pounds to go, but have hit a stall at 189 pounds for about a week now. They say it's normal, and we all hit stalls. I hope it doesn't last to long. I have lost over 45" all over my body, and all my blood work this passed month was PERFECT! No more high B.P. or meds to take for it, great blood sugar levels, great cholesterol, even my kidneys are working perfect now! My doctor doesn't even know why that is, but she's thrilled about it! LOL No more acid re-flux, and all my joints are feeling better too. For my work outs I do Zumba 2 on our Wii, and I love it! I burn over 600 calories in a 48 minute work out, and it's FUN! In the spring, summer, and fall I go for walks with our dogs, and ride my 5 speed cruiser bike with my husband. This will be my first summer in over 25 years to buy, and WEAR a bathing suit. I'm looking forward to summer for a change! It's not always been easy, but it's SO WORTH IT! Kathy

[WillowAnn 7]

Surprising how little action there is in the groups I joined...

Anyway, Kathy, I wanted to congratulate you on your awesome progress! I know it must feel great!

I am 59 years old, 5' tall (ok, almost...) and was 200# last November when I decided to do this. I was 180# the day of my surgery, which will be 3 weeks ago tomorrow. Today the scale says 167. So I was one of those people who got a lot of "are you sure you need to do this?", but I knew - after dieting myself from 113 at age 12 to that 200 mentioned above - that I needed it for my health. I knew I could lose - obviously I did lose pre-op with no requirement or help - but I had reached the point where I was actually afraid of the losing because of the extra weight that I knew would accompany those pounds when they came back.

My surgery was done at St. John Oakland Hospital (where more bariatric is surgeries are done than in any other Michigan hospital - and it shows), by the wonderful Dr. Kerry Kole from theSt. John Providence Weight Loss Center of Excellence. Nice group, nice staff.

Clearly I am totally new to this experience and can't say much yet about how it will feel or work out long-term. So far, so good!

Would live to see more activity on this group. A smaller group means better feed-back for the participants...

[CharmingTortoise 83]

Hi All!

I'm pre-surgery but have a tentative surgery date of August 19. I am working through the Weight Loss Services at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey. My surgeon will be Dr. Nagle. I started the journey at 246 and I'm 228 now. I'm hoping to be around 216-220'ish by the time I have the surgery. The more I can lose now the less I will have to fight with later!

Super congratulations to both of the gals above me for their great losses! You are inspirational.

[jsrmanatee 51]

hi everybody! i'm jackie and i'm in midland, michigan. my doctor is Dr. Cudjoe and my surgery is in alma on June 11th. i am so excited for this.

when i decided to start this process in late january, i weighed 398. holy crap, right! i have changed my diet, stopped drinking pop and eat many, many, vegetables and i now weigh 379! yeah 19 lbs gone!

my goal weight is 180, but i seriously will be happy with 250 realistically. i can't wait to be able to go places again and walk around and have fun. i am way to young to be this immobilized and cut off from the world. i hope by next summer to be able to take my son to michigan's adventure Water park.

so, everyone feel free to friend me on here and on Facebook, i am almost always on facebook and i have a page too, it's https://www.facebook.com/WhiskeyBottlesAndCatFoodCans.

i can't wait to get to know everyone. have a great day all!

jackie sue redmond