MsCristal

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Just swole up!!

Hey there,

I ran out of room to document the rest of my story....

08.08.05--147lbs

Hey there.  I know it's been awhile since I last updated.  Just wanted to check in and say I am still maintaining, still working out daily, focusing on protein, water and vitamins, but I still fight the carb demons.  I know this is a lifetime journey and I am going to enjoy everyday because I know this has been a blessing from the Lord for me.

David took this picture of me yesterday and he told me he had to get a printed copy of it to put on his desk.   It's funny how someone can capture you at the right moment and angle LOL!!

09.13.05--145lbs

Hey everyone!  Wow, I am coming up on 23 months post-op and I cannot believe it.  I try my best to update at least once a month, but as time goes by, it seems that other things occupy your life.  I guess the business of getting on with your life happens. 

I have to say that these last few months have been awesome.  My husband David is enjoying his WLS journey and looking too fine!  I am still working out every weekday morning and eating what I should MOST of the time.  I have a terrible weakness for sweets and lately, I have been letting them get the best of me.  I was always glad that I never dumped on sugar, but now I wish I did.  I've gained about 5-7lbs back and I am not sure I like that.  My lowest weight was 139lbs and I think I looked pretty good, but others said I was beginning to look too thin.  I am still wearing size 6; just filling it out a bit more.

Maintenance is so much harder than losing the weight.  Shoot, I was fat for over 30 years and I know gain and lose weight, but I've never concentrated on maintaining my weight.  I have not been on my scale in a couple of weeks, so I am not sure of my exact weight.  I do know that I am an emotional eater and am trying to make a conscience effort to ask myself why I am eating when I am not hungry.  The problem is that most of the time I am not hungry when I eat.  If I listened to my body, I would probably weigh 120lbs.

Bottom line:  I need to keep a food journal, and back away from the candy and desserts.

I did have a body fat analysis done this past Saturday and the scale said 141lbs (I really think it was off) and my body fat percentage was 20.02%.  According the the research I've done, that is a little outside of a female athletes body fat.  Not too bad for a girl who spent most of her life overweight!!

I am thinking of taking up running as an addition to my exercise regime.  I know that would give me that sleek, muscular look I desire.  David goes jogging every weekday morning, so that is an opportunity for me to join him at least 2-3/week.  I'll keep you posted on that.

**Pre-ops/new post-ops**- Please take this journey very serious as it is a lifestyle change.  Don't think you can't possibly gain weight, because you can.  I am only up 5-7lbs, but that could easily turn to 15-20-25lbs.  The first 18 months is the tool working, but the rest is all up to you.  I've learned that you have to stay on top of your game or you will gain weight.

10.20.05--145lbs

**H A P P Y  2-Y E A R  A N N I V E R S A R Y  T O  M E !!!**

Wow, what can I say?  I am just so blessed to have made it as a 2-year post-op with no complications, sickness or pain.  Thank you, Jesus!  I am still maintaining at 145lbs, still working out every weekday morning, still focusing on protein, still drinking 100+ ozs. of fluid, and still taking my vitamins.  This tool is so amazing, but you do have to work at it and the further out you get, the more mindful you must be.  Those food demons do rear their ugly head and the former fat girl in sometimes trys to get out (sometimes that heffa wins too!).

This has been an amazing journey and I so very thankful for the support of my precious husband, David, my beautiful friend Shamim, and most of all my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ!

Be Blessed.

12.05.05--148lbs

Wow, I haven't updated in a bit.  I've been busy enjoying life, I guess.  I decided to go back to school to pursue my MBA.  I am doing this online thru the University of Phoenix and it is truly challenging!  I stay prayed up, that's for sure.

Shamim came to visit back in November and he had such a great time.  She looks simply beautiful.  Here is a picture of us while she was here. 

Here is a picture of all 3 of us.  I only wish I had a before with all of us so you could see the difference.

Not much else is going on.  I am looking forward to Christmas and having time off to spend with my family.

Have a wonderful and blessed holiday!  Until next time...

01.06

Happy New Year, everyone!  Things are going well.  I am on oh.com daily, but rarely post.  It seems the further out you get, the more you get on with enjoying life.  I will never forget where I came from and how the Lord blessed me with this journey. 

 I started graduate school back in October and that seems to be taking a lot of my time.  I picked up a couple of unwanted lbs during the holiday season, so I am trying my best to get on track.  My clothes still feel the same but I want to get it under control before those 3-5 become more.

Not much else going on.  Be Blessed! 

03.17.06--145lbs

Wow, I cannot believe it has been this long since I last updated!  I am online everyday reading messages and such, but I figure there isn't much to say.  I thank the Lord everyday for this blessing and it is something I do not take for granted.  I still exercise 5x/week and try eat 4-5 time a day (protein first, of course).  That seems to work for me.

We took the kids to Fiesta Texas (six flags) for Spring Break and everyone had a blast.  That was the first time since I lost the weight riding on rollercosters and it was such a great feeling!

07.06.06 - 145lbs

Hello All!

It has been so long since my last update!  I have been so busy with school, family, church, work and friends that I really don't spend much time online (and when I am online, it is all about school ;-) I am doing well in school (holding a solid 3.8 in the MBA program).  Not too shabby, huh? LOL!

Anyway, maintaining my weight is going well.  I continue to exercise every weekday morning (although I fell of the wagon the last couple of weeks because our vacation.  David and I went on a couple's cruise to Cozumel with as a marriage retreat with our church.  We had such an awesome time!!  I will be sure to update my photobucket with some pics from the cruise.

All in all, things are going great.  I am healthy, very happy and extremely blessed!  Until next time...

10.20.06 - *****3 year WLS Anniversary****

I simply cannot believe 3 years have passed since I had surgery.  I am so very thankful to the Lord for the blessing of WLS.  I am healthy and very happy.  I am still maintaining my weight.  It fluctuates between 145-150lbs and I am still rockin' those size 6's.  I am a little curvier than before, but I am okay with that.  I still exercise every weekday morning and try my best to eat well, although I do eat way too may sweets! 

I have been busy pursuing my MBA in HR and that takes a lot of my time.  I still lurk on BAF, and the TX message board because I believe staying connected is the key to long-term success. 

Not much else is going on.  Both David (my hubby) and Shamim (my best friend) are still doing awesome.  They both look amazing.  In fact, David recently ran a 10k (about 6 miles) and I was so proud of him!  And Shamim was on T.V. in ATL looking fabulous! 

I do update my photobucket much more than my profile.  I guess because pictures help tell the real story. I will be adding some new pics pretty so please check me out every once in awhile ;-)

Until next time…Be blessed!

~~Long Term Habits of Successful Gastric Bypass Patients~~

edited by Albert Wetter, M.D.

The first postoperative year is a critical time that must be

dedicated to changing old behavior and forming new, lifelong habits. The success of weight loss surgical procedures is most commonly defined by the total weight loss during the initial weight loss phase. However, foremost in the minds of patients undergoing surgery for morbid obesity are the questions "Will this be a long-term permanent solution?" and "What can I do to insure my lifelong success?" In other words, how can I maintain at least 74% of your initial weight loss after your successful gastric bypass? The following are findings from a survey of patient’s habits following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

*Eating*

Successful patients ate three well-balanced meals and snacks maximum twice daily. Daily servings for each of the food groups included three servings of protein, three servings of vegetables, one serving of fruit, two servings of bread/starches, and two servings of sweets.

*Drinking*

Successful patients drank water and did not drink carbonated beverages. On the average, patients drank 40-64 oz of water per day: 58% of patients did not drink carbonated beverages of any kind; 55% did not drink juices or sweetened beverages; 53% did not drink caffeinated beverages; and 74% did not drink alcoholic beverages. Carbonated beverages may be detrimental to the long-term success of gastric bypass for the following reasons:

Carbonation: When the cold beverage is consumed, it warms and releases gases, distending the stomach pouch. The stretching of the stomach then creates undue stress and subsequently causes stretching of the anastomosis

Caloric intake: Many carbonated beverages are high in calories, are low in nutritional value, and contain simple sugars. Not only do they add additional calories with low nutritional value, but they are absorbed quickly into the blood stream, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, elevated insulin levels, and increased hunger.

Caffeine: Many carbonated beverages contain caffeine, an appetite stimulant, which is detrimental to initial weight loss and long-term weight control.

*Vitamins and Supplements*

Successful patients took daily multiple vitamins, calcium, and iron if needed; 92% of patients took a daily multiple vitamin, 68% took supplemental calcium, primarily in the form of Tums, and 40% continued to take supplemental iron, such as Trinsicon or Chromagen.

*Exercising*

Successful patients exercised regularly to maintain their weight; 77% of patients exercised. The average was four times per week for at least 40 min. Patients reported exercise as a key factor in their ability to maintain their weight. Exercise helps you to keep your weight in check and keeps you in control.

*Sleeping*

Successful patients slept 7 hours per night on the average, and 76% of patients rated their personal energy as being average or high.

*Personal Responsibility*

Successful patients took personal responsibility for staying in control. Of the patients, 70% weighed themselves at least weekly. They were found to have a general feeling that maintaining their weight was indeed their own responsibility and that the surgery was a tool that they used to reach and maintain a healthy weight. By weighing often and allowing themselves only a few kilograms of leeway, patients stayed in control.

Patients NOT successful lacked at least one or more of the six success habits. The most common were lack of exercise, poorly balanced meals, constant grazing and snacking, and drinking carbonated beverages.

*Conclusion*

The first postoperative year is a critical time that must be dedicated to changing old behavior and forming new, lifelong habits.

To be successful after a gastric bypass, you must eat three well-balanced meals and maximum of two snacks daily; drink water and avoid carbonated beverages of any kind. Remember to take your multiple vitamins, iron, and calcium regularly. You must and slept 7 hours per night. Regular exercise is imperative and above all, weight control is your own personal responsibility.

Enough said.  Until next time...be blessed.