Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hi Everyone!

I love this new format!

I tried 2 times already to post this introduction so let's see if 3rd time is a charm.

Were to start?

I was banded on June 22, 2001 by Dr. Raul Rosenthal at the Cleveland Clinic in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I weighed 264lbs the day of surgery at 5'3. Today I weigh 147, a total loss of 117lbs. I lost 95lbs the first year and 22lbs the second year. I am hoping to lose the remaining 10-15lbs this next year. Doesn't that sound amazing? I am actually happy and thrilled that I "only" lose 22lbs in one year...tickles the heck out of me!

When I would diet pre-band, I was in such a hurry to lose all the weight NOW. With the band I knew this was going to be a life style change, not a diet. I was ready!

What a ride it has been! There have been ups and downs...but happy to report there are more ups then downs.

This surgery has changed my life in so many ways! I am living life, instead of just existing!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

wednesday,

I see the third time was a charm ;-)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wednesday, I am in awe of your weight loss - CONGRATS!!! :( And you mean to tell me you participated in a triathlon, too?! You are my hero!!! :(

I'm waiting to be banded on August 27 - I hope that one day I can post here that I weigh 147. :P Thanks for sharing - you give hope to those of us who are waiting!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Originally posted by wednesday

Hi Everyone!

What a ride it has been! There have been ups and downs...but happy to report there are more ups then downs.

This surgery has changed my life in so many ways! I am living life, instead of just existing!

I am so happy for you! I hope to do as well as you did ..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks, guys!

Yes, I did a sprint triathlon in May and I kicked butt! I did much better then I thought I would! I am now training for an international length triathlon which is a 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and a 6 mile run. It isn't for another year, but I am starting now.

Good luck to both of you on your band journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Wednesday,

I just wanted to say Hi!

Any new developments on the upper GI? I can't remember when you said you were going in for it.

Anyway just wanted to say hello and that we are thinking about ya :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wednesday, you are the bomb! Did you ever have any interest in sports before losing all the weight? I can't imagine my getting involved in running no matter how little I weigh, but I did play volleyball right up until my first baby was born and I'd love to get back into that for real.

So how did the running start with you? A new thing, or revisiting an old thing?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Tina~My upper GI is tomorrow, Tuesday. Thanks for the well-wishes. I will post the results for all of you so you won't worry.

Alexandra~I was athletical before I became obese, but I was not a runner...absolutely hated it! Now, I love it! I run about 9-10 miles a week. I am working myself upto a 6 mile run. The only reason why I started running was for the the triathlon and now it has just kinda stuck.

I highly recommend finding exercise and activities that you enjoy, besides just going to the gym. You will be more inclined to stick with an exercise program that has variety. That is just my advice after 2 years of this. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have never run in my life, except one lap around the reservoir in high school. I almost died.

I have dreams in which I'm running freely, though--so maybe I really do want to. :( Someday, I'd like to chase my daughters through a meadow and not die doing it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's totally doable, Alexandra.

How I started was when I was walking I would throw in small runs, even if it was for a block. I did this for almost 6 months until I could run a half mile without stopping. I think I could have done this sooner, but I really did not push it at all.

It took me another 5 months to work upto 2 miles comfortably. I have now been spending 1 month on my 3 mile with 2 and 1 mile runs thrown in.

So you see, all in all it took me a year and I haven't really pushed myself that hard. I really worked on distance and the more I did it and built up my endurance the better my times got.

I KNOW you can run through that meadow with your daughters someday, I have faith!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well done on the weight loss Wednesday. I remember when you ran your tri I thought it was so amazing. One of my goals is to run in a marathon (not a good enough swimmer for a tri). You truly are an inspiration.

Gotta say am loving this site so many inspiring people. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks, Wednesday! I'm going to keep my goals more modest than a marathon or triathlon, that's for sure. They are:

1. Learning, again, how to ice skate.

2. Rollerblades!

3. Keeping up with the girls for a whole day, even if it involves roller coasters. :P

4. Having the remotest possibility of swapping clothes with my daughters, some day. I want to be their size--not the other way around. :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

These are all doable goals, Alexandra. I found it very inspiring to set mini goals for myself. It was awesome when I actually hit them!

I look forward to watching you conquer your goals!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×