Lucky Gal U.
From the Beginning...
Jun 17, 2009
I haven't signed into this website in AGES! I had surgery 8.5 years ago now. I've had 2 kids since then, the 2nd one just turned two last week. I'm sitting here writing this at 137.2 lbs! My 2nd baby I got all the way up to 189 lbs EEP! But I've worked super hard and here I am again :) I don't think about what I eat anymore. At all. Or weigh stuff or count calories, etc. I just try to eat healthy and stay away from the crap.
I still throw up like once a month. This is usually due to eating too much or eating either french fries or spaghetti so it doesn't happen often.
I have since been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune disorder) which has caused hypothyroidism in me along with a nodule on my thyroid. I had the nodule biopsied like 3 years ago. The results came back inconclusive in that it is impossible to tell whether it is cancerous or not without removing my thyroid. The nodule is very small, the surgeon and my endocrinologist thought a wait and see is best, it could be that the nodule was there my whole life and it was never noticied (my hard working GP caught the hypothyroidism and suggested the U/S in the first place). So we monitored it with scans and it has not changed in size, shape, etc so everything is fine. During my pregnancies I was monitored closely for fluctating hormone levels to prevent and issues. I get blood tests at least annually or if I start to feel crappy again. I am on daily medication for the rest of my life. My body will keep attacking my thyroid until it is useless. This was all a bit much to hear at 28 years old! I am almost 32 now and learning to live with this disease. Some of my most common complaints:
-Hair loss!!! Yup. I thought it was from the gastric bypass (5 years later) and I finally had my GP run some test on me. This is when my TSH came back out of range. Hair loss comes and goes about every 6 months now but my levels are usually fine which sucks.
-Memory loss! Big time. I can't remember names, dates, people, events, important parts of my life. I hate reconnecting with people and feeling stupid b/c I can't remember stuff. Or worse yet they remember something signifigant in our lives together and I can't...makes them feel real special right? I don't want to seem "flighty!!"
-Fatigue!! There was a time where I could sleep 10 hours at night and still not get through the day without a nap. You don't realize that this ISN'T NORMAL! I would nap at work...I just thought it was b/c my infant wasn't sleeping through the night yet. Well I was beyond exhaustion and not functioning properly. Even now when my meds are controlled, if I have a full day I am exhausted for a few days after. Sucks.
-Extreme sensitivity to cold!! I live near Chicago. It gets damn cold here lol.
-Sensitivities to medication-if there is a warning on the box about, you MAY expierience XYZ and a SMALL # of patients expierience XYZ I can bet on having all those side effects. Annoying.
-Weight gain...if I don't watch it of course
There are others I'm sure I am forgetting. I'm also at risk for other automimmune disorders. This is also hereditary so my girls can possibly develop this :(
And that is about it! I came for a visit here b/c my husband was looking into plastic surgery for me. I told him I didn't want until done until I was done having kids. My youngest just weaned a few months ago and we are DONE :P I would need a tummy tuck (and I have to fat areas, the typical apron and then another flap above the belly button). My arms...I'm seeing something with a small scar in the armpit...I'd like to look into that as I scar/keloid with everything and I'm not having that on my arms, in my opinion it is worse. And my thighs...though I see nothing that would improve the look of my thighs enough for it to worth it to me.
I am copying and pasting my old info here...the site has changed so much since I signed up that my old profile format isn't supported anymore. I didn't want to lose all my entires.
6/26/02
Well, I have never included any personal information about myself on my page, but here goes, I will share my story.
I had surgery on 9/5/01. I am 24 years old, 5' 4" (almost!) and at surgery I weighed 255 pounds. I was miserable! I had surgery with Dr. Salvino and Dr. Rosen at Good Samaratin Hospital in Downer's Grove, Illinois through the Wish Center. I highly suggest it. Everything went as well as can be expected during surgery. Lots of pain afterwards, but I'm a wimp. When I went in for my leak test, they had a hard time with my IV cord being too short. I had to wait (standing up no less) for them to find a nurse that would come in and fix it. It took at least 45 minutes!!! I was pooped after that. Also, after they removed the catheter, I could not pee, so they had to put it back...OUCH!!! I went back to work two weeks later, full time.
I wish I had kept better records of my weight loss. I remember going to a wedding the last weekend in October (2 months later) and I had lost 50 lbs by then. So I was about 205.
I had a lot of bad hair loss from monhts four through six. Luckily I have very thick hair, but I still cried over it! My weight loss really slowed down after about 6 months. I was eating too much after visiting with surgeon. He reminded me what portion sized etc... Now I weigh and measure EVERYTHING I eat so I won't overeat. I know I didn't stretch my pouch because sometimes this amount is still too much.
I joined a gym the first week of April. I weighed 170 at that time. I joined Lifetime Fitness in Schaumburg and I'd love a Step Aerobics buddy if anyone is interested! I LOVE step aerobics. I also do weight training. I try to go at least 4 times a week if not more.
Though weight loss has been very slow I have been flying through clothes sizes! I was wearing a 16 only 10 pounds ago, and now I am a 12, almost a 10. I am 161 pounds now. I have lost over 60 inches! My chest west from a 44 D to a 34 C. I went from 54 hips to 38 hips (I think, measurements are at home).
My goal weight will be 135. I am young and I want to be 125, but I know I will be super at 135. Doctor's goal is to be 150, so I am only 11 pounds from that! I have THREE weddings to go to in the near future. One is on 7/20. I need to start looking now for a dress, not last minute like usual but I want to be that size 10! Also, I want to wear sleeveless because its hot and the wedding is in TN and I am still not comfortable with my fat arms. The other two weddings are in August on 24 and on 31. So I KNOW, I will be looking good then! I look good NOW, but you know what I mean. I want to be super sexy! =) For the wedding in July, it is a family wedding and these people have not seen me since MY wedding in 10/00. I was huge then so they will be surprised as they do NOT know I had surgery. I am debating wether to tell them or not.
So that's my story! I will update periodically with weight changes and measurments. Please e-mail me anytime with any stupid question, I don't care, I LOVE TO HELP! I work in human resources with the benefits too, so if you need insurance help, I may be able to assist. Good luck to all.
6/29/02
Lost one pound, now at 160. Still looking to be a size ten. Fifteen more pounds and I am no longer overweight, officially in the "normal" category. I can't wait!
I also found some more data on what weight I was at certain points:
1 mo 230 (-25 lbs)
2 mo 205 (-50 lbs)
6 mo 181 (-74 lbs)
10 mo 159 (-96 lbs)
11 mo 154 (-101 lbs)welcome to the century club!
12 mo 151 (-104 lbs)
13 mo 147 (-108 lbs)
7/3/02
GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!! I went to Target yesterday and I thought, what they hey, I am going to try those size ten pants...and they fit!!!! I was so happy, there were so many people around so I stayed cool, but I thought I was going to start doing cartwheels (I wonder if I would actually be able to do one??) I didn't even go check another pair, because I kept thinking it was that brand and the material was stretchy, yada yada yada. I bought a cute ruffly shirt too.
I usually only weigh myself on Fridays but on Sunday I sneaked it in. After my workout I weighed 159. I thought, well, I sweat alot, that must just be water. Then I thought, well, I drank alot of water too, that weighs something. I told my mom and first thing she said well, you probably weigh less because you have built up your muscles. GEEZ!! I just have to NOT do that because now I am DYING for Friday to come so I can peak. I don't want to be disappointed. I won't change my BMI or offcial weight until then.
7/5/02
10 month anniversary here...offical weight 159. I lost one pound this week. One is better than none. I seem to be loosing about that every week. Only nine more pounds until the doctor's goal. Here are my measurements from the beginning.
------------Pre-Op---8 Mo-----9 Mo----10 Mo---11 Mo---12 Mo.---13 mo.---17 mo.
Neck--------16"------13.5"-----13"------12.5"----12.5"-----13"-----12.5"-----12.25"
Arms--------15.5"----13.75"----12.25"---12.5"----12.25"---12.5"----12"------11.25"
Wrists-------7"--------6"---------6"--------6"--------6"-------6"-----5.75"-----5.75"
Bust---------50"-------40.25"----38"------38"-------37"------37"-----35.5"----35.5"
Chest--------40"-------36"-------34"------34"-------33"------33"-----32"------32"
Stomach-----47.5"-----37"-------35.5"----34.5"-----33.5"----34"-----32.75"----32.25"
(at naval)
Hips---------54.5"-----43"-------41"------41"-------40"------39"-----38.5"-----37.5"
Thighs-------32"------25.5"------23.25"---23.25"---22.75"---22"-----21.5"-----21.5"
Knees-------20"------16.5"------16"------15.25"----15"-----15"-----14.75"-----14.5"
Calves------16.5"-----15"-------14.75"---14.75"----14.5"---14.5"-----14"------14"
Ankles------10"-------9"--------8.75"-----8.75"-----8.5"-----8.5"-----8.5"------8.5"
Body Fat%--61.94----38.94----34.9-----34.19-----32.07---31.22-----29.4
Natural waist -------------------------------------------------------------30"-----30"
Total Lost-------------52.5"-----66.5"----68.75-----74"------74.5"-----80.25"---83"
7/15/02
I forgot to update my profile on Friday with any weight changes. NONE!! I am still at 159. I suppose I deserve it though. I have not gone to the club since July 5th!!! I swear I am going today. Just very busy with family committments and yada yada yada more excuses. Sat around all day yesterday. Back on track here starting NOW! Maybe that will kick in some weight loss then? Well see, I'll update on Friday.
OH YEAH!! I am officially an Angel now! Yeah, my first time, I'm so honored. Her name is Danette McKee. Her surgery is July 25th. Please go to her surgery page and wish her the best!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/status.phtml?N=M1011130992
7/18/02
Posting my weight change one day earlier than usual because I am going out of town. I lost one pound, now at 158. I did not go to club yet. I feel so bad that I haven't. Now I am going to TN until Monday. Hopefully I will be motivated to start back again.
7/24/02
Hubby's B-day today, Happy Birthday to HIM!! Well, I took a sneaky peaky at the scale today because Aunt Flo is coming today and I would hate for her to screw up my usual weigh in day of Friday. DOWN THREE POUNDS!!! 155 YEAH!! I haven't lost more than a pound a week in awhile AND I have not been going to the gym. SO that officially puts me in the Century Club at exactly -100 lbs. Five more until doctor's goal and almost 11 months out. NOT BAD at all. Ten more and I am a "normal weight."
Wedding was uneventful. Everyone commented on how great I looked. They were saying I had lost a "Backstreet boy!"
8/2/02
Had my birthday on the 29th! I am 25 =). Lots of presents and lots of eating out. But I did manage to loose one pound. I am 154 now. I am excited about taking my monthly measurements on Sunday. I have been fitting into more clothes. I put on a size 8 skirt and it fit comfortably and I am wearing a size small shirt today. I think the skirt ran big beause I still wear a ten in pants. Its just a number right? I think I am ready to wear sleeveless though. This weekend I am going to start looking for a dress for the two weddings I have this month. I'm thinking black, sleeveless, and knee length, v-neck.
8/4/02
Just updated my measurements above. I have lost 74 inches to date, with 5.25 from last month! Yeah! Unfortunately 2 inches were from the chest area. I want to loose from my arms and legs now. I bought TWO dresses for the weddings yesterday because I could not deceide between them and they were on sale for $45 a piece (from $65) so I will take pictures and have my co-workers and friends help me deceide. I will also scan one and put it here. They are both black and sleveless. Yes, its the classic, little black dress. Am I daring enough to wear them? My arms still are ugly so we'll see. Both are size 12 too =( They didn't have 10's in either style. But they fit well enough.
8/9/02
Weekly weight update...nothing. Great. Maybe even a pound gained, not sure, I could not see very straigt yet (still sleepy). This sucks.
Oh yeah, I am an angel again! Her name is Kalyn Paul. We have the same surgeon. Please sign her page.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=P1019011907
Now I am a long distance angel and a local angel!
8/12/02
Just looking over my profile realizing that I have not updated on anything besides appearance info. Here is what I normally eat in a day. Per surgeon's instructions, I eat no more that 4 ounces at a meal and two at a snack, so I weigh everything. I should just have liquids at snacks, but eating the smaller meal is working for me. I do not like yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, salad, cereal. I don't like cold food, makes me feel weird when I eat it. Cereal does not make me full. Yogurt messes with my pouch. That said, I am limited on my breakfast choices. No time to make eggs everyday. I am on 3 meals/3 snacks a day program and I do not take protein supplements or shakes. Occasionally I will buy bars to eat as a snack.
Breakfast:
Snackwhiches breakfast burrito. Two are in a serving, but I only eat one. I think its 8 proteins, 160 calories and 5 grams of fat. Its about 2 1/2 ounces. Put a piece of american cheese on it to up the weight and protein. Microwaves in one minute. OR
1/2 Sandwhich with light mayo, ham, and cheese. About 3 ounces.
Snack at 10 am:
Options are
Protein bar 1/2 to 3/4 OR
2 pieces string cheese OR
2 pieces americam cheese
Lunch at 12 or 12:30:
4 ounces of whatever was left over from dinner last night, usually 2 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of veggie. I do eat carbs, sometimes one ounce veggie, one ounce rice or potato. OR
4 ounces mac n cheese
Snack at 3 pm
Milk chug OR
Protein bar OR
Cheese if I didn't eat cheese in the morning (too much cheese not good!)
Dinner
Same as lunch
Evening snack
Usually something sweet like fruit
Lately I have been getting hungry when I get home from work and I have been making bad choices like a small bag of chips or some cookies. I really need to break that habit. I do have the occasional sweet, bite size chocolates, few chips etc. I CAN NOT eat ice cream, makes me all woozy. I just eat like a normal person now, when I want to eat something, I eat it, just in a MUCH smaller capacity. There is no way I could eat a whole candy bar, or large bag of chips.
My hair has been falling out again. For about a month now. Just as it was growing in too! It is really bad today. The regrowth is very obvious too. I part my hair to the side and wear it long. I have hair growing in along my forehead. There is so much I have worn it as bangs and pulled the rest back!
8/13/02
Starting to get my pictures into Picturetrail. The website is listed...not done getting all the pics in but its a start.
8/16/02
Drumroll please.....I lost THREE POUNDS!! Down to 151. Two more pounds and I am in the 140's. That is so hard to believe. My BMI is 25.9...25 is normal. But that averages to 26. Once I get to 24.9 I'll say I'm officially normal.
Still working on getting the rest of my pictures up. My scanner at work started scanning all crazy. They can't get to it until Monday. Don't they realize that this is important! =) The cord kept falling out of the back so I really pushed it in...I think I bent some of the prong things...shhh don't tell them!
There is one picture of me before sugery up there, along with one of my cat as a kitten. I have a "sexy" one of me in my black dress that I am DYING to get on here.
I changed my name to Samara K for privacy reasons. I hope I did't "loose" anyone who reads me. If you want to know more e-mail me.
8/19/02
Well, I finally have a picture up here! They "fixed" my scanner, of course nothing was wrong with it when they came in! My next project is to look for a before picture. I just have to remember to do it. For now I have my engagment pic there.
I have to share some excitement. I went to Kohls yesterday and everything in size 8 fit me!! Yes I am in SINGLE DIGITS!! I bought a pair of shorts (8) and a shirt (med). Its weird though I have size 12's in my closet that are just now fitting. I think they are juniors though and those run way smaller. My other 12's are TOO big and my only pair of 10's that I bought a month and a half ago are getting too big. I pretty much wear skirts and carpi's to work now because that is all I have to fit me. I don't want to buy any more summer clothes because they will NOT fit next year. I will however have to buy ALL new fall/winter clothes because I have NONE! I have never been a size eight (except grade school) so I have no clothes. I am going to look on Ebay.
8/20/02
I give up. Can't get the pics up here, see my link above.
8/23/02
Officialy weigh in day, but aunt flo is visiting. No changes of course (better than a gain???) Going to a baseball game tonight and will be seen in sleeveless for the first time EVER in my WHOLE life. Tomorrow night is a wedding, more sleeveless. At the game there is a pre-game party where is all you can eat buffet and all you can drink drinks. My first buffet since surgery, I want to do well. I won't go starving. I'm not a big drinker either, but who knows, maybe I'll get crazy =)
The dress I bought for the weddings is now too big. Its a 12 and I'm an 8 or 10. Its wearble, but I think a correct size would look better. Gonna shop around last minute like usual. Besides, who wants to wear a bigger size when they can wear a smaller one???
8/27/02
I did shop around for a new dress 4 hours before the wedding and FINALLY found a really cute one. Get this...ITS A SIZE SIX!!!! I could not believe it. The 10 was big and there were no eights. I thought, what the hey why not try it on. You can bet I bought that dress. A couple people I knew at the wedding were saying I looked very good. This Sunday is a BIG wedding with a lot of my hubby's family and friends. I am wearing the same dress and he is standing up in the wedding so I am having professional pics taken there. I have never worn a six in my ENITRE life.
My one year anniverasry is in nine days. I'm not where I want to be pounds wise, but I wanted to be a size six. Does getting ONE to fit count? =)
Completely OFF that subject, big problems with not being able to potty. I swear when I finally go I will loose my last 15 pounds!!!!! I hate taking something, I am going to buy some of those Kasia cereals and try that.
9/3/02
What a fun weekend! I had a wedding and of course I was a smash! I can't wait to get pictures!!!! No weight loss changes. Still at 151. My one year anniversary is in 2 days. They were able to fix my pics so they do show up below now!!
9/6/02
So yesterday was my one year anniversary. Yeah me. Lost 104 pounds to date. That comes out to 2 pounds per week. I'm actually disappointed. I could have lost 2 lbs. per week on my own. Yeah, I might gain it back. In all honesty I get jealous when I read of other people loosing down to 125 pounds by their 10 months mark or other similar stats and they have to worry about not loosing anymore. I would KILL to weight that little. I still feel fat. The damn scale won't go below 150. I took my measurements and I think my arms got bigger, exactly what I DON'T WANT. Am I being selfish? Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Are my goals unreasonable? What am I doing wrong? I can NOT eat over 4 ounces. Yes, I do snack occasionally but who doesn't? I see all these adds saying loose 20 pounds, loose 40 pounds and I think WOW I'm not like most people that need to loose that much weight, JUST 15 MORE. But it won't come off and I feel like a dumb ass or looser. I hope to God I'm not done loosing that this isn't it for me. People say I look great. Of course I look great to them, look at me BEFORE. Anything would look better. Usually I feel good, but it got to me yesterday. I thought I could beat this. Ok, done complaining.
9/8/02
I went shopping. I went BIG time shopping. My dad gave me some Express gift cards that I have been waiting to use till I got to goal, but I needed new winter clothes because I HAVE NONE. I have never been this size. I will need a winter coat as well. Anyway, the gift cards have over $400 on them!!! Their clothes are really expensive and NOTHING was on sale. Between $35 and $50 for one item. I have nto bought clothes that expensive in so long. I feel bad but I really needed them. I got four shirts a sweater and a skirt for $190. Not bad. Two of the shirts are going back changed my mind. The tops were medium and large and the skirt 7/8. Mind you this is a juniors store too. I felt really intimidated being there becuase everyone was a size zero (literally I heard them ask for it). I don't deal well in social situations where I feel that way, but I just told myself I BELONG THERE TOO! I went to Target and got a shirt, pants and a skirt that I had wanted and they were all on clearance!! The pants were a size SIX and the skirt an eight...I would have fit a six skirt but there were none. The top was a medium. I went to Kohls and they had those really cute jeans there that are washed out and boot cut BUT THEY ARE NOT LOW CUT!! They actually went over my belly button. I tried some at Expess and I was like YEAH RIGHT! I got two pairs of dress slacks both size sixes and a jean skirt also a size six. Now the pants are a little snug but they fit. If I had bought the eights I would be able to tuck in a shirt. BUT I WILL LOOSE MORE WEIGHT!!!! So I am just being prepared. I went to Payless and bought new boots too. I spent about $150 of my money. Not bad. I can't wait for it to get out of the 90's now!! Its so hot for September!
9/13/02
Official weigh in day. Lost one pound, puts me at 150. Been three weeks since I lost anything. I really thought I would be in the 140's today because I felt like I had lost. I need to get back to exercising. I am so mad at myself for stopping. I only went ONCE in August and none is September. That is what I get!!!! I am going to start back this weekend. SHAME ON ME!!
My flab is looking better. Seems like things are moving and disappearing. My three areas of concern are my upper arms, because they are flabby and wrinkly, my tummy above my belly button because there is this flab there that hangs over cute jeans and my knees because there is wrinkly skin there preventing me for wearing shorter things.
9/17/02
Bought TWO new winter coats at Kohls this weekend. A black pea coat and a Columbia jacket (baby blue). Went to Target bought some undies and a shirt. Went to Express again yesterday and bought a sweater a top and some jewelry. SOMEBODY STOP ME!!! I can't stop spending money. Were going to go broke!!!!
9/24/02
I did not update my weight on Friday. I didn't even want to think about getting on the scale. We had two birthdays and a pot luck lunch last week. I ate way too many sweets. I don't eat much of them, just grazed on them all day. I know when to stop before I dump and when I can go and get more. REALLY BAD!!! Sunday I finally got on the scale and I actually DID NOT GAIN. Still at 150. I am very thankful. That whole exprience though of thinking I had gained got me jumpstarted. I am back to going to the club. I've gone two days in a row and plan to go today as well. I have to drive by it to get home and I have my gym bag with me so no more excuses. It helps that my husband is rededicated too. Its boring by yourself and I am intimidated to go there alone sometimes. I wish there was a Curves by me but none yet.
Is it just me or are the boys finally starting to look at me? I am wearing all my really cute new clothes. Knee length skirts with knee high boots. Hee hee, honestly I like the attention and ITS ABOUT TIME!!!
9/26/02
I added my body fat % to my measurements above. Its amazing to think that I have gone from 62% body fat to 31%!! That is HALF!! I checked out whats normal and one site said 20-25%, another said 25-30% and the last said 25-32% so I'm guessing I'm borderline. There is a website I used where all you need is your stomach and hip measurements (and weight of course.)
9/27/02
Weekly weight in. I lost two pounds! Yeah! I would have liked three because I worked really hard this week but hey I'll take what I can get. Now at 148 lbs. Only thirteen more to my personal goal and I am 7 pounds below doctor's goal. I worked out everyday except Wednesday (too sore!) Patting myself on the back.
10/5/02
Monthly update/weekly update/measurements update (measurements are updated somewhere in the middle of my profile.) For the week I lost one pound. Puts me at 147. For the month total I lost four pounds for a grand total of 108 pounds lost in 13 months. I lost almost 6 inches this month! Two more stinky pounds and I am a NORMAL BMI.
10/15/02
Didn't update with a weekly loss becuase I didn't have a weekly loss last week. Feeling good though. I've suddenly been very thirsty and I drank almost 100 ounces of water on Sunday!! Could not believe that! Pretty much still shopping thougth I am DONE!! Went with my skinny girlfriend (125 lbs) to buy jeans. Its a store called Lucky Brand jeans, very cute stuff, very expensive. Anyway, she buys really cute ones and tells me to try some on. I figure if she got a six (usually she's a four) than I should get 10's and 12's. The guy there picks out jeans for you. Well, the 10's are hanging on me. Eights are way too big!! He was hesitant to give me the six (she is OBVIOUSLY thinner than I am) but the 6's fit AWESOME!! Hers were a different style, the low hippy ones and mine were the higher ones. I would never have gotten into hers, they were tight on her. I bought them, $80. What a splurge!
I've been seriously considering a body lift, though with what money I don't know. I looked on some plastic surgery websites at before and after pictures...WOW!! They looked great. I never thought mine was bad enough to warrant surgery but these people looked just like me! Soooo if I loose 10 more pounds I will go for a consult and TRY to get something covered.
10/18/02
Lost one pound this week. Puts my BMI at 25.1. Soooo close to normal! I had a craving for pumpkin pie this week and I happened to mention it to my co-workers SO one gal brought in two pumpkin pies and another gal brought in these pumpkin squre things. Of course I had to eat them BOTH because they were for me. VERY small piece of pumpkin pie because I know it makes me get *woozy*.
10/25/02
Lost one pound, YEAH! Finally made my long time goal, weight 145 now, BMI is 24.9 NORMAL! I am a normal weight! My next goal will be to weigh 140 or lower by my "yearly exam" on 11/25. I was thinking of the little things I can do now, goals I have made, thought I would make a list.
* Can cross my legs at the knees and it looks normal/sexy
* Can walk and run up a flight of stairs without wondering where the closest bathroom is so I can hide to catch my breath
* Jump into my husbands arms and not kill him
* Husband can pick me up and carry me without risking his life
* Shop at normal sized stores
* Can tuck in my shirt and not look fat
* On a scale with weights I won't need the 200 pound weight
* On a scale with weights I won't need the 50 pound weight
* My collar bones and hip bones stick out
* When I lay down my ribs are VERY obvious
* My waist curves in where it should
* I don't worry that others are looking at me when I eat to see what a pig I am
* I don't worry at a lunch meeting if I will "have enough to eat"
* While I'm eating I'm not dreaming of my next meal
* People call me skinny (ALOT)
* Got up the courage to finally volunteer at a local organization
* SIZE 6!!!
* Sleeveless tops
* Weigh less than everyone in my family
NEXT GOALS
* Shop for a bathing suit (going to Central America in March)
* Get the courage to actually wear bathing suit without T-shirt over it (NEVER EVER EVER done that)
* Weigh 135
* Size 6-8 in the juniors section
* Low slung jeans with shorter style top
11/1/02
Wow its November. I swear the leaves fell off the tress overnight (literally!) I don't know why but I have been REALLY looking forward to Christmas this year. I took out all of my ornaments already to see what I have so I can go by more! They are all over already and I want to get on it why there is still a good selection. ANYWAY!!! No weight loss to report still holding at 145.
11/21/02
Its been awhile since I updated, would like to do so weekly. VERY VERY VERY busy lately. I have been eating terribly though, I would probably be banned from here if anyone new. I am too embarressed to even put it in writing. I need to start working out again. I know what I am doing wrong yet I can't stop. Maybe I need therapy again, but it didn't do much for me before. On the plus side a 125 lb. chick from work lent me a shirt to match a skirt. Well she gives it to me and I look and its a size 3. Yeah ok, I'm deluding myself there. Well, if you could see me I am wearing that shirt right now! Ok, and as I am writing that a co-worker brings me a pecan pie cookie. Somebody kill me.
12/3/02
Well, Thanksgiving was very uneventful. Still holding at 145. Didn't gain any weight and I pretty much sat on my ass, shopped, and ate over my 4 day weekend. Yesterday the other woman in my department (we're close) asked if I wanted to committ with her to really be strict about diet and exercise until Christmas. We both want to loose 15 pounds (I know it won't happen by Christmas just short term set date of doing this). Our BMI's are the same (24.9) but she is like 4' 9" and weighs 119 I think so it kinda weirds me out! I did Tae Bo last night (no going to club snowed like crazy yesterday) but I have my gym clothes today and I am going! I would like to weigh in the 130's by Christmas so that's only 6 pounds.
12/16/02
Finally lost a few pounds, three to be exact. Puts me at 142. Only three more to loose by Christmas. Being in the 130's has always been my DREAM! Went shopping this weekend. My mom bought me a jean skirt for Christmas that I picked out. It was a size 4! From the Gap. The 2 fit but was snug. If I try to wear these low slung jeans though I need like a size 10 because of all this hanging skin. If it fits at my natural waist (two inches above my belly button) I can wear the small size.
1/9/03
Happy New Year!
I think I lost a pound not sure, too groggy to look at the scale today. 141 lbs. I'm not an everyday weigher. Its been a while since I updated, very very very very very busy at work. When I get home, its late, I'm tired and I still have other crap to do. Hubby is NOT a help in the house unless I ask. Why do I have to ask? Does HE ask me to do the dishes? No I just do them! If he did they would never be done. Ok, done complaining! Good news is I tucked in a shirt today. YES! First time since high school! Grey trousers and a white pinstripe top and a black belt. I look very cute! Both size 6. What else can I say? I really want to weigh 135 and then 129. Its so few pounds away but so far at the same time. If I would just get my big ass to the gym! I bought new work out clothes for motivation AND my girlfriend from work said she wants to join so more motivation.
1/17/03
140! Lost one pound. Exercise does WONDERFUL things!
1/24/03
139..FINALLY I DID IT!!! Lost one pound and got into the 130's! I NEED to take my measurements, I've been lazy about doing that. I'm now officially a size 4 in pants. Sixes are just too big. I'm in shock over that.
1/31/03
Ok, I posted the other day and that is gone. Had some really really bad constipation (blush) over the weekend. I took like 8 laxatives over three days and NOTHING!!! So I had to take a suppository (BLUSH BLUSH). That was the ticket!!! I had been including some Kashi cereal everyday and I was lax about that last week. I'm back on schedule now =)
AND...I lost ANOTHER POUND! 138 now! A pound a week doesn't sound like much but for so far out and sooooo close to goal I'm loving it!
2/7/03
No loss. I have my period though. Still at 138. I've been eating like crazy this week, usually happens during my period so I just let it play out, no use fighting right? Cookies, cake, cookies, candy, cookies, in small amounts of course but it adds up.
Met a fellow WLS'er for lunch this weekend. She looked AWESOME, down 50 lbs. in three months! You go girl!
There is also this woman that is our insurance contact at work. She lives out of state and her and I started chatting via e-mail for insurance problems but also becuse she used to live in the area. We really started getting friendly and found all kinds of coincidences and similarities between ourselves. We are both swim suit shopping when I happened to mention that I need like a size 6 and was having a hard time finding it and she was like, wow I'm a 6 too. I was like cool, but I'm "flappy" because I've recently lost over 100 lbs. Next thing I know I have a voice mail from her saying, OMG we have more in common than you think! And I had an e-mail too saying she lost like 150 lbs! I e-mailed back and said I had gastric bypass, did she maybe have that too???? And she did! Only one month after me! WOW we have so much in common its crazy! She was the same staring height but has reached an INCREDIBLE 122 pounds! I'm soooo jealous but VERY happy for her too. Its a small world huh!
3/5/03
Has it been a month since I updated??? Ooops, time flies! Well that means I've only lost a pound since then, now at 137. Today starts Lent so I've got to be good now. I'm fasting today something I didn't do last year because I was scared, but its alright. I'm hungry but I'm drinking water. I'm not COMPLETELY fasting. I'm allowed one meal but instead I'm just taking a bite or two of something when I get hunger pains and I'm drinking milk to get protein in. One day won't kill me. I'm preparing for my trip to Guatemala in 16 days! Starting to buy clothes. It blows my mind that I have to find the smalles size on the rack (4). And I still want to lose another 8-10 pounds, though I don't think I will change sizes. If I do I will have to shop int he juniors for pants and I don't like the way they fit. I would kill for a tummy tuck. I can just grab my skin and pull it out its pretty gross. I wonder how much I would weigh without this. I thought too that this summer I could wear some mid-thigh shorts but the skin hangs on my inner thighs, doens't look good. The backs of my legs are surprisingly ok though. So now I'm on the prowl for old lady style knee length shorts (hard to find) and the capri's that go only just past the knee, again hard to find because its only MARCH. I found several of the kind that go to the calf but being only 5 foot 4 they look more like floods on me. Oh and I actually WANT TO WEAR TANK TOPS!! I wore one ONCE last summer and I'm totally prepared to wear them this summer but not finding them fast enough for my trip. TTFN
4/7/03
Well I'm back from Guatemala! What a great trip. We went on a huge nature hike through the mountains that took over two hours and I would have NEVER EVER been able to do that a year ago. It was a very hard hike. The next day we drove 8 hours to the ancient Mayan ruins and hiked a few miles and walked up these 8-10 story temples. VERY VERY VERY difficult! Did I mention it was in the jungle in close to 100 degree weather? I'm so dang proud of myself. Food was good, just TOO plentiful so I think that counteracted all of my activities, i.e., no weight loss since last update. I'm VERY good at maintaining which is a wonderful thing considering my food choices. I think I've hit 135 but my scale is off. IF I went to exercise I could check it there and then fix my scale. And eventually I will take my measurments again.
Oh I'm an angel for Jaimie Pinney now, good luck Jaimie!
4/13/03
Oh LOOK! My lazy ass finally took my measurements! Despite next to no weight loss I have lost 2.75 inches. See the "graph" toward the top of my profile.
6/6/03
Wow its been awhile. I haven't updated because there has been nothing to update. I was maintaining my weight for some time at 137. This week I decided to lose these last 10 pounds that I don't want. So I put my mind to it and lost a pound! WOO HOO at 136 now. I like to watch my BMI thing go down!
Oh and I'm always watching the Q&A's I love to read them. My e-mail address is current, please feel free to send any ?'s my way.
6/20/03
Started Atkins diet on Sunday and I lost two pounds. THe last pound I lost must have been just a fluke because I was back to 137 everytime I weighed after that. But I'm officially 135 now!
6/24/03
Well SATURDAY morning I woke up and had lost another 2 pounds!! OMG OMG OMG, this puts me at the office exact weight that every office chart says is my "ideal" weight! WOO HOO! 133!
I lost a little control this weekend...all day grad party on Saturday and I ate buttercream icing (mind you on Atkins, that is a HUGE NO NO!) That threw me out of Ketosis. Sunday, another grad party...no splurges. Monday at Great America...hot cranky and no food. Well my hubby and I split a funnel cake with ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and cherries. Yeah we just shot it all to hell! Well back on track today and hopefully can get myself back into ketosis, today if not tomorrow.
9/23/03
Wow, just over 2 years post op. My anniversary came and went without my remembering. I've FINALLY moved on with my surgery. I don't read the QA's anymore and I don't think about my surgery everytime I eat. I still think about it when I have to go out to eat just because I'm always scared I'll eat to fast or too much and I'll make myself sick. I still get sick like once a month and then its for like two days and then goes away. I'm still not happy with my body. I'd never thought I'd look like this. I don't think plastic surgery is an option espcially since babies are in my future. Plus no cash.
I had got down to about 133 but I swear I have to fight for those pounds! I got up to about 140 after having my birthy my hubby's b-day losing my job (my company announced it was closing so we thought we would go out to eat and eat whatever we want everyday to make us feel better!) Then I went on a cruise and good lord you can eat 24 hours a day on those! Anyway I'm at about 138 right now, right where my body likes to be. As soon as I cut out the little debbies every day my body lost two pounds. I started to try to have kiddies with the hubby but since I lost my job we decided to wait. I found a new job though before they kicked me out of the old one. Now I'm just waiting to get myself settled before I spring it on them then I need time off! I'm back on Atkins though I would like to get under 130 still. Mostly now because I know I can pig out and I'm sure I will when I get pregnant so this way it won't seem like so much when I gain weight. If I don't gain more than 25 I'll be happy.
So thats it for now. I'm just living my life. Its so weird because at my new job NO ONE knows that I was heavy or had surgery. I've only eaten with my boss and he's a guy so he's just like oh your a girl so you don't eat much. I'm debating about bringing personal pictures of myself in for my desk (wedding pics and such) because those will reveal my secret!
I've updated my e-mail address I'm always willing to help anyone out if they like, answer questions and such. Just put WLS in the subject.
3/15/04
Just thought I'd stop by and say...I'M PREGNANT!! Woo hoo...just took one try too :) I'm 18 weeks now and can't wait to find out the sex :) Gained 8 pounds so far!
0 comments
I still throw up like once a month. This is usually due to eating too much or eating either french fries or spaghetti so it doesn't happen often.
I have since been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease (an autoimmune disorder) which has caused hypothyroidism in me along with a nodule on my thyroid. I had the nodule biopsied like 3 years ago. The results came back inconclusive in that it is impossible to tell whether it is cancerous or not without removing my thyroid. The nodule is very small, the surgeon and my endocrinologist thought a wait and see is best, it could be that the nodule was there my whole life and it was never noticied (my hard working GP caught the hypothyroidism and suggested the U/S in the first place). So we monitored it with scans and it has not changed in size, shape, etc so everything is fine. During my pregnancies I was monitored closely for fluctating hormone levels to prevent and issues. I get blood tests at least annually or if I start to feel crappy again. I am on daily medication for the rest of my life. My body will keep attacking my thyroid until it is useless. This was all a bit much to hear at 28 years old! I am almost 32 now and learning to live with this disease. Some of my most common complaints:
-Hair loss!!! Yup. I thought it was from the gastric bypass (5 years later) and I finally had my GP run some test on me. This is when my TSH came back out of range. Hair loss comes and goes about every 6 months now but my levels are usually fine which sucks.
-Memory loss! Big time. I can't remember names, dates, people, events, important parts of my life. I hate reconnecting with people and feeling stupid b/c I can't remember stuff. Or worse yet they remember something signifigant in our lives together and I can't...makes them feel real special right? I don't want to seem "flighty!!"
-Fatigue!! There was a time where I could sleep 10 hours at night and still not get through the day without a nap. You don't realize that this ISN'T NORMAL! I would nap at work...I just thought it was b/c my infant wasn't sleeping through the night yet. Well I was beyond exhaustion and not functioning properly. Even now when my meds are controlled, if I have a full day I am exhausted for a few days after. Sucks.
-Extreme sensitivity to cold!! I live near Chicago. It gets damn cold here lol.
-Sensitivities to medication-if there is a warning on the box about, you MAY expierience XYZ and a SMALL # of patients expierience XYZ I can bet on having all those side effects. Annoying.
-Weight gain...if I don't watch it of course
There are others I'm sure I am forgetting. I'm also at risk for other automimmune disorders. This is also hereditary so my girls can possibly develop this :(
And that is about it! I came for a visit here b/c my husband was looking into plastic surgery for me. I told him I didn't want until done until I was done having kids. My youngest just weaned a few months ago and we are DONE :P I would need a tummy tuck (and I have to fat areas, the typical apron and then another flap above the belly button). My arms...I'm seeing something with a small scar in the armpit...I'd like to look into that as I scar/keloid with everything and I'm not having that on my arms, in my opinion it is worse. And my thighs...though I see nothing that would improve the look of my thighs enough for it to worth it to me.
I am copying and pasting my old info here...the site has changed so much since I signed up that my old profile format isn't supported anymore. I didn't want to lose all my entires.
6/26/02
Well, I have never included any personal information about myself on my page, but here goes, I will share my story.
I had surgery on 9/5/01. I am 24 years old, 5' 4" (almost!) and at surgery I weighed 255 pounds. I was miserable! I had surgery with Dr. Salvino and Dr. Rosen at Good Samaratin Hospital in Downer's Grove, Illinois through the Wish Center. I highly suggest it. Everything went as well as can be expected during surgery. Lots of pain afterwards, but I'm a wimp. When I went in for my leak test, they had a hard time with my IV cord being too short. I had to wait (standing up no less) for them to find a nurse that would come in and fix it. It took at least 45 minutes!!! I was pooped after that. Also, after they removed the catheter, I could not pee, so they had to put it back...OUCH!!! I went back to work two weeks later, full time.
I wish I had kept better records of my weight loss. I remember going to a wedding the last weekend in October (2 months later) and I had lost 50 lbs by then. So I was about 205.
I had a lot of bad hair loss from monhts four through six. Luckily I have very thick hair, but I still cried over it! My weight loss really slowed down after about 6 months. I was eating too much after visiting with surgeon. He reminded me what portion sized etc... Now I weigh and measure EVERYTHING I eat so I won't overeat. I know I didn't stretch my pouch because sometimes this amount is still too much.
I joined a gym the first week of April. I weighed 170 at that time. I joined Lifetime Fitness in Schaumburg and I'd love a Step Aerobics buddy if anyone is interested! I LOVE step aerobics. I also do weight training. I try to go at least 4 times a week if not more.
Though weight loss has been very slow I have been flying through clothes sizes! I was wearing a 16 only 10 pounds ago, and now I am a 12, almost a 10. I am 161 pounds now. I have lost over 60 inches! My chest west from a 44 D to a 34 C. I went from 54 hips to 38 hips (I think, measurements are at home).
My goal weight will be 135. I am young and I want to be 125, but I know I will be super at 135. Doctor's goal is to be 150, so I am only 11 pounds from that! I have THREE weddings to go to in the near future. One is on 7/20. I need to start looking now for a dress, not last minute like usual but I want to be that size 10! Also, I want to wear sleeveless because its hot and the wedding is in TN and I am still not comfortable with my fat arms. The other two weddings are in August on 24 and on 31. So I KNOW, I will be looking good then! I look good NOW, but you know what I mean. I want to be super sexy! =) For the wedding in July, it is a family wedding and these people have not seen me since MY wedding in 10/00. I was huge then so they will be surprised as they do NOT know I had surgery. I am debating wether to tell them or not.
So that's my story! I will update periodically with weight changes and measurments. Please e-mail me anytime with any stupid question, I don't care, I LOVE TO HELP! I work in human resources with the benefits too, so if you need insurance help, I may be able to assist. Good luck to all.
6/29/02
Lost one pound, now at 160. Still looking to be a size ten. Fifteen more pounds and I am no longer overweight, officially in the "normal" category. I can't wait!
I also found some more data on what weight I was at certain points:
1 mo 230 (-25 lbs)
2 mo 205 (-50 lbs)
6 mo 181 (-74 lbs)
10 mo 159 (-96 lbs)
11 mo 154 (-101 lbs)welcome to the century club!
12 mo 151 (-104 lbs)
13 mo 147 (-108 lbs)
7/3/02
GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!! I went to Target yesterday and I thought, what they hey, I am going to try those size ten pants...and they fit!!!! I was so happy, there were so many people around so I stayed cool, but I thought I was going to start doing cartwheels (I wonder if I would actually be able to do one??) I didn't even go check another pair, because I kept thinking it was that brand and the material was stretchy, yada yada yada. I bought a cute ruffly shirt too.
I usually only weigh myself on Fridays but on Sunday I sneaked it in. After my workout I weighed 159. I thought, well, I sweat alot, that must just be water. Then I thought, well, I drank alot of water too, that weighs something. I told my mom and first thing she said well, you probably weigh less because you have built up your muscles. GEEZ!! I just have to NOT do that because now I am DYING for Friday to come so I can peak. I don't want to be disappointed. I won't change my BMI or offcial weight until then.
7/5/02
10 month anniversary here...offical weight 159. I lost one pound this week. One is better than none. I seem to be loosing about that every week. Only nine more pounds until the doctor's goal. Here are my measurements from the beginning.
------------Pre-Op---8 Mo-----9 Mo----10 Mo---11 Mo---12 Mo.---13 mo.---17 mo.
Neck--------16"------13.5"-----13"------12.5"----12.5"-----13"-----12.5"-----12.25"
Arms--------15.5"----13.75"----12.25"---12.5"----12.25"---12.5"----12"------11.25"
Wrists-------7"--------6"---------6"--------6"--------6"-------6"-----5.75"-----5.75"
Bust---------50"-------40.25"----38"------38"-------37"------37"-----35.5"----35.5"
Chest--------40"-------36"-------34"------34"-------33"------33"-----32"------32"
Stomach-----47.5"-----37"-------35.5"----34.5"-----33.5"----34"-----32.75"----32.25"
(at naval)
Hips---------54.5"-----43"-------41"------41"-------40"------39"-----38.5"-----37.5"
Thighs-------32"------25.5"------23.25"---23.25"---22.75"---22"-----21.5"-----21.5"
Knees-------20"------16.5"------16"------15.25"----15"-----15"-----14.75"-----14.5"
Calves------16.5"-----15"-------14.75"---14.75"----14.5"---14.5"-----14"------14"
Ankles------10"-------9"--------8.75"-----8.75"-----8.5"-----8.5"-----8.5"------8.5"
Body Fat%--61.94----38.94----34.9-----34.19-----32.07---31.22-----29.4
Natural waist -------------------------------------------------------------30"-----30"
Total Lost-------------52.5"-----66.5"----68.75-----74"------74.5"-----80.25"---83"
7/15/02
I forgot to update my profile on Friday with any weight changes. NONE!! I am still at 159. I suppose I deserve it though. I have not gone to the club since July 5th!!! I swear I am going today. Just very busy with family committments and yada yada yada more excuses. Sat around all day yesterday. Back on track here starting NOW! Maybe that will kick in some weight loss then? Well see, I'll update on Friday.
OH YEAH!! I am officially an Angel now! Yeah, my first time, I'm so honored. Her name is Danette McKee. Her surgery is July 25th. Please go to her surgery page and wish her the best!
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/status.phtml?N=M1011130992
7/18/02
Posting my weight change one day earlier than usual because I am going out of town. I lost one pound, now at 158. I did not go to club yet. I feel so bad that I haven't. Now I am going to TN until Monday. Hopefully I will be motivated to start back again.
7/24/02
Hubby's B-day today, Happy Birthday to HIM!! Well, I took a sneaky peaky at the scale today because Aunt Flo is coming today and I would hate for her to screw up my usual weigh in day of Friday. DOWN THREE POUNDS!!! 155 YEAH!! I haven't lost more than a pound a week in awhile AND I have not been going to the gym. SO that officially puts me in the Century Club at exactly -100 lbs. Five more until doctor's goal and almost 11 months out. NOT BAD at all. Ten more and I am a "normal weight."
Wedding was uneventful. Everyone commented on how great I looked. They were saying I had lost a "Backstreet boy!"
8/2/02
Had my birthday on the 29th! I am 25 =). Lots of presents and lots of eating out. But I did manage to loose one pound. I am 154 now. I am excited about taking my monthly measurements on Sunday. I have been fitting into more clothes. I put on a size 8 skirt and it fit comfortably and I am wearing a size small shirt today. I think the skirt ran big beause I still wear a ten in pants. Its just a number right? I think I am ready to wear sleeveless though. This weekend I am going to start looking for a dress for the two weddings I have this month. I'm thinking black, sleeveless, and knee length, v-neck.
8/4/02
Just updated my measurements above. I have lost 74 inches to date, with 5.25 from last month! Yeah! Unfortunately 2 inches were from the chest area. I want to loose from my arms and legs now. I bought TWO dresses for the weddings yesterday because I could not deceide between them and they were on sale for $45 a piece (from $65) so I will take pictures and have my co-workers and friends help me deceide. I will also scan one and put it here. They are both black and sleveless. Yes, its the classic, little black dress. Am I daring enough to wear them? My arms still are ugly so we'll see. Both are size 12 too =( They didn't have 10's in either style. But they fit well enough.
8/9/02
Weekly weight update...nothing. Great. Maybe even a pound gained, not sure, I could not see very straigt yet (still sleepy). This sucks.
Oh yeah, I am an angel again! Her name is Kalyn Paul. We have the same surgeon. Please sign her page.
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=P1019011907
Now I am a long distance angel and a local angel!
8/12/02
Just looking over my profile realizing that I have not updated on anything besides appearance info. Here is what I normally eat in a day. Per surgeon's instructions, I eat no more that 4 ounces at a meal and two at a snack, so I weigh everything. I should just have liquids at snacks, but eating the smaller meal is working for me. I do not like yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, salad, cereal. I don't like cold food, makes me feel weird when I eat it. Cereal does not make me full. Yogurt messes with my pouch. That said, I am limited on my breakfast choices. No time to make eggs everyday. I am on 3 meals/3 snacks a day program and I do not take protein supplements or shakes. Occasionally I will buy bars to eat as a snack.
Breakfast:
Snackwhiches breakfast burrito. Two are in a serving, but I only eat one. I think its 8 proteins, 160 calories and 5 grams of fat. Its about 2 1/2 ounces. Put a piece of american cheese on it to up the weight and protein. Microwaves in one minute. OR
1/2 Sandwhich with light mayo, ham, and cheese. About 3 ounces.
Snack at 10 am:
Options are
Protein bar 1/2 to 3/4 OR
2 pieces string cheese OR
2 pieces americam cheese
Lunch at 12 or 12:30:
4 ounces of whatever was left over from dinner last night, usually 2 ounces of meat and 2 ounces of veggie. I do eat carbs, sometimes one ounce veggie, one ounce rice or potato. OR
4 ounces mac n cheese
Snack at 3 pm
Milk chug OR
Protein bar OR
Cheese if I didn't eat cheese in the morning (too much cheese not good!)
Dinner
Same as lunch
Evening snack
Usually something sweet like fruit
Lately I have been getting hungry when I get home from work and I have been making bad choices like a small bag of chips or some cookies. I really need to break that habit. I do have the occasional sweet, bite size chocolates, few chips etc. I CAN NOT eat ice cream, makes me all woozy. I just eat like a normal person now, when I want to eat something, I eat it, just in a MUCH smaller capacity. There is no way I could eat a whole candy bar, or large bag of chips.
My hair has been falling out again. For about a month now. Just as it was growing in too! It is really bad today. The regrowth is very obvious too. I part my hair to the side and wear it long. I have hair growing in along my forehead. There is so much I have worn it as bangs and pulled the rest back!
8/13/02
Starting to get my pictures into Picturetrail. The website is listed...not done getting all the pics in but its a start.
8/16/02
Drumroll please.....I lost THREE POUNDS!! Down to 151. Two more pounds and I am in the 140's. That is so hard to believe. My BMI is 25.9...25 is normal. But that averages to 26. Once I get to 24.9 I'll say I'm officially normal.
Still working on getting the rest of my pictures up. My scanner at work started scanning all crazy. They can't get to it until Monday. Don't they realize that this is important! =) The cord kept falling out of the back so I really pushed it in...I think I bent some of the prong things...shhh don't tell them!
There is one picture of me before sugery up there, along with one of my cat as a kitten. I have a "sexy" one of me in my black dress that I am DYING to get on here.
I changed my name to Samara K for privacy reasons. I hope I did't "loose" anyone who reads me. If you want to know more e-mail me.
8/19/02
Well, I finally have a picture up here! They "fixed" my scanner, of course nothing was wrong with it when they came in! My next project is to look for a before picture. I just have to remember to do it. For now I have my engagment pic there.
I have to share some excitement. I went to Kohls yesterday and everything in size 8 fit me!! Yes I am in SINGLE DIGITS!! I bought a pair of shorts (8) and a shirt (med). Its weird though I have size 12's in my closet that are just now fitting. I think they are juniors though and those run way smaller. My other 12's are TOO big and my only pair of 10's that I bought a month and a half ago are getting too big. I pretty much wear skirts and carpi's to work now because that is all I have to fit me. I don't want to buy any more summer clothes because they will NOT fit next year. I will however have to buy ALL new fall/winter clothes because I have NONE! I have never been a size eight (except grade school) so I have no clothes. I am going to look on Ebay.
8/20/02
I give up. Can't get the pics up here, see my link above.
8/23/02
Officialy weigh in day, but aunt flo is visiting. No changes of course (better than a gain???) Going to a baseball game tonight and will be seen in sleeveless for the first time EVER in my WHOLE life. Tomorrow night is a wedding, more sleeveless. At the game there is a pre-game party where is all you can eat buffet and all you can drink drinks. My first buffet since surgery, I want to do well. I won't go starving. I'm not a big drinker either, but who knows, maybe I'll get crazy =)
The dress I bought for the weddings is now too big. Its a 12 and I'm an 8 or 10. Its wearble, but I think a correct size would look better. Gonna shop around last minute like usual. Besides, who wants to wear a bigger size when they can wear a smaller one???
8/27/02
I did shop around for a new dress 4 hours before the wedding and FINALLY found a really cute one. Get this...ITS A SIZE SIX!!!! I could not believe it. The 10 was big and there were no eights. I thought, what the hey why not try it on. You can bet I bought that dress. A couple people I knew at the wedding were saying I looked very good. This Sunday is a BIG wedding with a lot of my hubby's family and friends. I am wearing the same dress and he is standing up in the wedding so I am having professional pics taken there. I have never worn a six in my ENITRE life.
My one year anniverasry is in nine days. I'm not where I want to be pounds wise, but I wanted to be a size six. Does getting ONE to fit count? =)
Completely OFF that subject, big problems with not being able to potty. I swear when I finally go I will loose my last 15 pounds!!!!! I hate taking something, I am going to buy some of those Kasia cereals and try that.
9/3/02
What a fun weekend! I had a wedding and of course I was a smash! I can't wait to get pictures!!!! No weight loss changes. Still at 151. My one year anniversary is in 2 days. They were able to fix my pics so they do show up below now!!
9/6/02
So yesterday was my one year anniversary. Yeah me. Lost 104 pounds to date. That comes out to 2 pounds per week. I'm actually disappointed. I could have lost 2 lbs. per week on my own. Yeah, I might gain it back. In all honesty I get jealous when I read of other people loosing down to 125 pounds by their 10 months mark or other similar stats and they have to worry about not loosing anymore. I would KILL to weight that little. I still feel fat. The damn scale won't go below 150. I took my measurements and I think my arms got bigger, exactly what I DON'T WANT. Am I being selfish? Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Are my goals unreasonable? What am I doing wrong? I can NOT eat over 4 ounces. Yes, I do snack occasionally but who doesn't? I see all these adds saying loose 20 pounds, loose 40 pounds and I think WOW I'm not like most people that need to loose that much weight, JUST 15 MORE. But it won't come off and I feel like a dumb ass or looser. I hope to God I'm not done loosing that this isn't it for me. People say I look great. Of course I look great to them, look at me BEFORE. Anything would look better. Usually I feel good, but it got to me yesterday. I thought I could beat this. Ok, done complaining.
9/8/02
I went shopping. I went BIG time shopping. My dad gave me some Express gift cards that I have been waiting to use till I got to goal, but I needed new winter clothes because I HAVE NONE. I have never been this size. I will need a winter coat as well. Anyway, the gift cards have over $400 on them!!! Their clothes are really expensive and NOTHING was on sale. Between $35 and $50 for one item. I have nto bought clothes that expensive in so long. I feel bad but I really needed them. I got four shirts a sweater and a skirt for $190. Not bad. Two of the shirts are going back changed my mind. The tops were medium and large and the skirt 7/8. Mind you this is a juniors store too. I felt really intimidated being there becuase everyone was a size zero (literally I heard them ask for it). I don't deal well in social situations where I feel that way, but I just told myself I BELONG THERE TOO! I went to Target and got a shirt, pants and a skirt that I had wanted and they were all on clearance!! The pants were a size SIX and the skirt an eight...I would have fit a six skirt but there were none. The top was a medium. I went to Kohls and they had those really cute jeans there that are washed out and boot cut BUT THEY ARE NOT LOW CUT!! They actually went over my belly button. I tried some at Expess and I was like YEAH RIGHT! I got two pairs of dress slacks both size sixes and a jean skirt also a size six. Now the pants are a little snug but they fit. If I had bought the eights I would be able to tuck in a shirt. BUT I WILL LOOSE MORE WEIGHT!!!! So I am just being prepared. I went to Payless and bought new boots too. I spent about $150 of my money. Not bad. I can't wait for it to get out of the 90's now!! Its so hot for September!
9/13/02
Official weigh in day. Lost one pound, puts me at 150. Been three weeks since I lost anything. I really thought I would be in the 140's today because I felt like I had lost. I need to get back to exercising. I am so mad at myself for stopping. I only went ONCE in August and none is September. That is what I get!!!! I am going to start back this weekend. SHAME ON ME!!
My flab is looking better. Seems like things are moving and disappearing. My three areas of concern are my upper arms, because they are flabby and wrinkly, my tummy above my belly button because there is this flab there that hangs over cute jeans and my knees because there is wrinkly skin there preventing me for wearing shorter things.
9/17/02
Bought TWO new winter coats at Kohls this weekend. A black pea coat and a Columbia jacket (baby blue). Went to Target bought some undies and a shirt. Went to Express again yesterday and bought a sweater a top and some jewelry. SOMEBODY STOP ME!!! I can't stop spending money. Were going to go broke!!!!
9/24/02
I did not update my weight on Friday. I didn't even want to think about getting on the scale. We had two birthdays and a pot luck lunch last week. I ate way too many sweets. I don't eat much of them, just grazed on them all day. I know when to stop before I dump and when I can go and get more. REALLY BAD!!! Sunday I finally got on the scale and I actually DID NOT GAIN. Still at 150. I am very thankful. That whole exprience though of thinking I had gained got me jumpstarted. I am back to going to the club. I've gone two days in a row and plan to go today as well. I have to drive by it to get home and I have my gym bag with me so no more excuses. It helps that my husband is rededicated too. Its boring by yourself and I am intimidated to go there alone sometimes. I wish there was a Curves by me but none yet.
Is it just me or are the boys finally starting to look at me? I am wearing all my really cute new clothes. Knee length skirts with knee high boots. Hee hee, honestly I like the attention and ITS ABOUT TIME!!!
9/26/02
I added my body fat % to my measurements above. Its amazing to think that I have gone from 62% body fat to 31%!! That is HALF!! I checked out whats normal and one site said 20-25%, another said 25-30% and the last said 25-32% so I'm guessing I'm borderline. There is a website I used where all you need is your stomach and hip measurements (and weight of course.)
9/27/02
Weekly weight in. I lost two pounds! Yeah! I would have liked three because I worked really hard this week but hey I'll take what I can get. Now at 148 lbs. Only thirteen more to my personal goal and I am 7 pounds below doctor's goal. I worked out everyday except Wednesday (too sore!) Patting myself on the back.
10/5/02
Monthly update/weekly update/measurements update (measurements are updated somewhere in the middle of my profile.) For the week I lost one pound. Puts me at 147. For the month total I lost four pounds for a grand total of 108 pounds lost in 13 months. I lost almost 6 inches this month! Two more stinky pounds and I am a NORMAL BMI.
10/15/02
Didn't update with a weekly loss becuase I didn't have a weekly loss last week. Feeling good though. I've suddenly been very thirsty and I drank almost 100 ounces of water on Sunday!! Could not believe that! Pretty much still shopping thougth I am DONE!! Went with my skinny girlfriend (125 lbs) to buy jeans. Its a store called Lucky Brand jeans, very cute stuff, very expensive. Anyway, she buys really cute ones and tells me to try some on. I figure if she got a six (usually she's a four) than I should get 10's and 12's. The guy there picks out jeans for you. Well, the 10's are hanging on me. Eights are way too big!! He was hesitant to give me the six (she is OBVIOUSLY thinner than I am) but the 6's fit AWESOME!! Hers were a different style, the low hippy ones and mine were the higher ones. I would never have gotten into hers, they were tight on her. I bought them, $80. What a splurge!
I've been seriously considering a body lift, though with what money I don't know. I looked on some plastic surgery websites at before and after pictures...WOW!! They looked great. I never thought mine was bad enough to warrant surgery but these people looked just like me! Soooo if I loose 10 more pounds I will go for a consult and TRY to get something covered.
10/18/02
Lost one pound this week. Puts my BMI at 25.1. Soooo close to normal! I had a craving for pumpkin pie this week and I happened to mention it to my co-workers SO one gal brought in two pumpkin pies and another gal brought in these pumpkin squre things. Of course I had to eat them BOTH because they were for me. VERY small piece of pumpkin pie because I know it makes me get *woozy*.
10/25/02
Lost one pound, YEAH! Finally made my long time goal, weight 145 now, BMI is 24.9 NORMAL! I am a normal weight! My next goal will be to weigh 140 or lower by my "yearly exam" on 11/25. I was thinking of the little things I can do now, goals I have made, thought I would make a list.
* Can cross my legs at the knees and it looks normal/sexy
* Can walk and run up a flight of stairs without wondering where the closest bathroom is so I can hide to catch my breath
* Jump into my husbands arms and not kill him
* Husband can pick me up and carry me without risking his life
* Shop at normal sized stores
* Can tuck in my shirt and not look fat
* On a scale with weights I won't need the 200 pound weight
* On a scale with weights I won't need the 50 pound weight
* My collar bones and hip bones stick out
* When I lay down my ribs are VERY obvious
* My waist curves in where it should
* I don't worry that others are looking at me when I eat to see what a pig I am
* I don't worry at a lunch meeting if I will "have enough to eat"
* While I'm eating I'm not dreaming of my next meal
* People call me skinny (ALOT)
* Got up the courage to finally volunteer at a local organization
* SIZE 6!!!
* Sleeveless tops
* Weigh less than everyone in my family
NEXT GOALS
* Shop for a bathing suit (going to Central America in March)
* Get the courage to actually wear bathing suit without T-shirt over it (NEVER EVER EVER done that)
* Weigh 135
* Size 6-8 in the juniors section
* Low slung jeans with shorter style top
11/1/02
Wow its November. I swear the leaves fell off the tress overnight (literally!) I don't know why but I have been REALLY looking forward to Christmas this year. I took out all of my ornaments already to see what I have so I can go by more! They are all over already and I want to get on it why there is still a good selection. ANYWAY!!! No weight loss to report still holding at 145.
11/21/02
Its been awhile since I updated, would like to do so weekly. VERY VERY VERY busy lately. I have been eating terribly though, I would probably be banned from here if anyone new. I am too embarressed to even put it in writing. I need to start working out again. I know what I am doing wrong yet I can't stop. Maybe I need therapy again, but it didn't do much for me before. On the plus side a 125 lb. chick from work lent me a shirt to match a skirt. Well she gives it to me and I look and its a size 3. Yeah ok, I'm deluding myself there. Well, if you could see me I am wearing that shirt right now! Ok, and as I am writing that a co-worker brings me a pecan pie cookie. Somebody kill me.
12/3/02
Well, Thanksgiving was very uneventful. Still holding at 145. Didn't gain any weight and I pretty much sat on my ass, shopped, and ate over my 4 day weekend. Yesterday the other woman in my department (we're close) asked if I wanted to committ with her to really be strict about diet and exercise until Christmas. We both want to loose 15 pounds (I know it won't happen by Christmas just short term set date of doing this). Our BMI's are the same (24.9) but she is like 4' 9" and weighs 119 I think so it kinda weirds me out! I did Tae Bo last night (no going to club snowed like crazy yesterday) but I have my gym clothes today and I am going! I would like to weigh in the 130's by Christmas so that's only 6 pounds.
12/16/02
Finally lost a few pounds, three to be exact. Puts me at 142. Only three more to loose by Christmas. Being in the 130's has always been my DREAM! Went shopping this weekend. My mom bought me a jean skirt for Christmas that I picked out. It was a size 4! From the Gap. The 2 fit but was snug. If I try to wear these low slung jeans though I need like a size 10 because of all this hanging skin. If it fits at my natural waist (two inches above my belly button) I can wear the small size.
1/9/03
Happy New Year!
I think I lost a pound not sure, too groggy to look at the scale today. 141 lbs. I'm not an everyday weigher. Its been a while since I updated, very very very very very busy at work. When I get home, its late, I'm tired and I still have other crap to do. Hubby is NOT a help in the house unless I ask. Why do I have to ask? Does HE ask me to do the dishes? No I just do them! If he did they would never be done. Ok, done complaining! Good news is I tucked in a shirt today. YES! First time since high school! Grey trousers and a white pinstripe top and a black belt. I look very cute! Both size 6. What else can I say? I really want to weigh 135 and then 129. Its so few pounds away but so far at the same time. If I would just get my big ass to the gym! I bought new work out clothes for motivation AND my girlfriend from work said she wants to join so more motivation.
1/17/03
140! Lost one pound. Exercise does WONDERFUL things!
1/24/03
139..FINALLY I DID IT!!! Lost one pound and got into the 130's! I NEED to take my measurements, I've been lazy about doing that. I'm now officially a size 4 in pants. Sixes are just too big. I'm in shock over that.
1/31/03
Ok, I posted the other day and that is gone. Had some really really bad constipation (blush) over the weekend. I took like 8 laxatives over three days and NOTHING!!! So I had to take a suppository (BLUSH BLUSH). That was the ticket!!! I had been including some Kashi cereal everyday and I was lax about that last week. I'm back on schedule now =)
AND...I lost ANOTHER POUND! 138 now! A pound a week doesn't sound like much but for so far out and sooooo close to goal I'm loving it!
2/7/03
No loss. I have my period though. Still at 138. I've been eating like crazy this week, usually happens during my period so I just let it play out, no use fighting right? Cookies, cake, cookies, candy, cookies, in small amounts of course but it adds up.
Met a fellow WLS'er for lunch this weekend. She looked AWESOME, down 50 lbs. in three months! You go girl!
There is also this woman that is our insurance contact at work. She lives out of state and her and I started chatting via e-mail for insurance problems but also becuse she used to live in the area. We really started getting friendly and found all kinds of coincidences and similarities between ourselves. We are both swim suit shopping when I happened to mention that I need like a size 6 and was having a hard time finding it and she was like, wow I'm a 6 too. I was like cool, but I'm "flappy" because I've recently lost over 100 lbs. Next thing I know I have a voice mail from her saying, OMG we have more in common than you think! And I had an e-mail too saying she lost like 150 lbs! I e-mailed back and said I had gastric bypass, did she maybe have that too???? And she did! Only one month after me! WOW we have so much in common its crazy! She was the same staring height but has reached an INCREDIBLE 122 pounds! I'm soooo jealous but VERY happy for her too. Its a small world huh!
3/5/03
Has it been a month since I updated??? Ooops, time flies! Well that means I've only lost a pound since then, now at 137. Today starts Lent so I've got to be good now. I'm fasting today something I didn't do last year because I was scared, but its alright. I'm hungry but I'm drinking water. I'm not COMPLETELY fasting. I'm allowed one meal but instead I'm just taking a bite or two of something when I get hunger pains and I'm drinking milk to get protein in. One day won't kill me. I'm preparing for my trip to Guatemala in 16 days! Starting to buy clothes. It blows my mind that I have to find the smalles size on the rack (4). And I still want to lose another 8-10 pounds, though I don't think I will change sizes. If I do I will have to shop int he juniors for pants and I don't like the way they fit. I would kill for a tummy tuck. I can just grab my skin and pull it out its pretty gross. I wonder how much I would weigh without this. I thought too that this summer I could wear some mid-thigh shorts but the skin hangs on my inner thighs, doens't look good. The backs of my legs are surprisingly ok though. So now I'm on the prowl for old lady style knee length shorts (hard to find) and the capri's that go only just past the knee, again hard to find because its only MARCH. I found several of the kind that go to the calf but being only 5 foot 4 they look more like floods on me. Oh and I actually WANT TO WEAR TANK TOPS!! I wore one ONCE last summer and I'm totally prepared to wear them this summer but not finding them fast enough for my trip. TTFN
4/7/03
Well I'm back from Guatemala! What a great trip. We went on a huge nature hike through the mountains that took over two hours and I would have NEVER EVER been able to do that a year ago. It was a very hard hike. The next day we drove 8 hours to the ancient Mayan ruins and hiked a few miles and walked up these 8-10 story temples. VERY VERY VERY difficult! Did I mention it was in the jungle in close to 100 degree weather? I'm so dang proud of myself. Food was good, just TOO plentiful so I think that counteracted all of my activities, i.e., no weight loss since last update. I'm VERY good at maintaining which is a wonderful thing considering my food choices. I think I've hit 135 but my scale is off. IF I went to exercise I could check it there and then fix my scale. And eventually I will take my measurments again.
Oh I'm an angel for Jaimie Pinney now, good luck Jaimie!
4/13/03
Oh LOOK! My lazy ass finally took my measurements! Despite next to no weight loss I have lost 2.75 inches. See the "graph" toward the top of my profile.
6/6/03
Wow its been awhile. I haven't updated because there has been nothing to update. I was maintaining my weight for some time at 137. This week I decided to lose these last 10 pounds that I don't want. So I put my mind to it and lost a pound! WOO HOO at 136 now. I like to watch my BMI thing go down!
Oh and I'm always watching the Q&A's I love to read them. My e-mail address is current, please feel free to send any ?'s my way.
6/20/03
Started Atkins diet on Sunday and I lost two pounds. THe last pound I lost must have been just a fluke because I was back to 137 everytime I weighed after that. But I'm officially 135 now!
6/24/03
Well SATURDAY morning I woke up and had lost another 2 pounds!! OMG OMG OMG, this puts me at the office exact weight that every office chart says is my "ideal" weight! WOO HOO! 133!
I lost a little control this weekend...all day grad party on Saturday and I ate buttercream icing (mind you on Atkins, that is a HUGE NO NO!) That threw me out of Ketosis. Sunday, another grad party...no splurges. Monday at Great America...hot cranky and no food. Well my hubby and I split a funnel cake with ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and cherries. Yeah we just shot it all to hell! Well back on track today and hopefully can get myself back into ketosis, today if not tomorrow.
9/23/03
Wow, just over 2 years post op. My anniversary came and went without my remembering. I've FINALLY moved on with my surgery. I don't read the QA's anymore and I don't think about my surgery everytime I eat. I still think about it when I have to go out to eat just because I'm always scared I'll eat to fast or too much and I'll make myself sick. I still get sick like once a month and then its for like two days and then goes away. I'm still not happy with my body. I'd never thought I'd look like this. I don't think plastic surgery is an option espcially since babies are in my future. Plus no cash.
I had got down to about 133 but I swear I have to fight for those pounds! I got up to about 140 after having my birthy my hubby's b-day losing my job (my company announced it was closing so we thought we would go out to eat and eat whatever we want everyday to make us feel better!) Then I went on a cruise and good lord you can eat 24 hours a day on those! Anyway I'm at about 138 right now, right where my body likes to be. As soon as I cut out the little debbies every day my body lost two pounds. I started to try to have kiddies with the hubby but since I lost my job we decided to wait. I found a new job though before they kicked me out of the old one. Now I'm just waiting to get myself settled before I spring it on them then I need time off! I'm back on Atkins though I would like to get under 130 still. Mostly now because I know I can pig out and I'm sure I will when I get pregnant so this way it won't seem like so much when I gain weight. If I don't gain more than 25 I'll be happy.
So thats it for now. I'm just living my life. Its so weird because at my new job NO ONE knows that I was heavy or had surgery. I've only eaten with my boss and he's a guy so he's just like oh your a girl so you don't eat much. I'm debating about bringing personal pictures of myself in for my desk (wedding pics and such) because those will reveal my secret!
I've updated my e-mail address I'm always willing to help anyone out if they like, answer questions and such. Just put WLS in the subject.
3/15/04
Just thought I'd stop by and say...I'M PREGNANT!! Woo hoo...just took one try too :) I'm 18 weeks now and can't wait to find out the sex :) Gained 8 pounds so far!
About Me
NW Suburbs, IL
Location
22.5
BMI
Surgery
09/05/2001
Surgery Date
Jul 21, 2001
Member Since