Hi All,
My names Christine, I just got OK'd for surgery and am waiting for appointment. This is my second attempt to have this done, first time around after finishing classes I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer and was rushed into surgery for that on March 2012, Also had Radiation Treatments July 2012, I am Happy to say I am now Cancer free!! So back to what I want to be a healthier stronger me, I finished classes again Dec. 24th with Keiser and just got OK'd to meet Surgean. I want to have the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass done because I have alot to loose. Ive never been able to loose weight on my own and have thyroid issues that don't help. I look forward to all your advice and support and I congradulate you all in your success stories. "Good work all, Take one day at a time and celebrate each achievment"

My name is Elizabeth Nelms, I had the Lap Band in 2004, only lose about 70 pounds from 2005 to 2011. I had a Total Hip Replacement May 2011, lose 70 more pounds after that. Recently I have gained 40 pounds back and I and trying to take the weight back off. I am an emotional eater, I had an event that happened to me in October. Cookies are not my friends anymore. I had never liked them in the first place. Back in September started back at school and started a part time job. I also eat under stress. I have signed up for weight loss class, which is an exercise program, meets 4 days a week. I have also signed up for a yoga class that meet 2 times a week. Had my bad fill on the 11 of this month. I have already lost 10 pounds, I hope I dont gain the weight back....

Hi Anita, I'm scheduled for the 6th and am getting alitlle anxious

Hello, I am Celia and I had RNY surgery in 1993. I was at 300lbs when I went into surgery and stablized at @ 143lbs over 18 months. There were no medical issues from the surgery, but plenty leading up to the surgery. It saved my life. I continued to maintain that weight until I reached my early 50's, then middle age creep crept in. I did not learn how to eat properly once I had the surgery, so I can not blame anyone other than myself. Additionally, I was a drinker and that did not help matters. Long story short, I reached 206 lbs last year and decided that I had gone through too much to allow the weight back. Twenty years with at least 15 years at a healthier weight is success to me; I consider myself in that 5% often talked about.

i am now at 167, exercising and determined to reach my goal weight of 130lbs. As I said earlier, the surgery saved my life. Had I known then what I know now, I would have exercised more then and learned how to handle the emotional eating that was the cause of the weight gain in the first place. For those of you considering the surgery, know that it is not a cure all! Ask yourself and be totally honest about why and how you gained the weight. Deal with the emotional issues if that is the reason, as those issues will raise its' head again after the surgery and the weight loss. Begin an exercise program that is sustainable and give yourself time.

The best to you with your decisions.

Feel free to add me as we can encourage and learn from one another. After 20 years I still have problems eating all the calories allowed, as I quickly get full. I eat about every 2.5-3 hours and drink half my body weight in water.

My suggestion is to think about what kind of exercise personality you have. Do you prefer to exercise with other people or alone? Do you like team sports or individual sports? Do you like a structured program or to be more free form? Do you like outdoors or indoors?

Once you answer some questions like that, you can narrow down the activities you might enjoy.

For example, if you like to exercise in a group with structure than a treadmill at home is not a good idea. :laugh: You need group classes or some sort of program. If you like to exercise alone but want to be outdoors, then going for a walk at lunch might be a good start. Over time the walk can go longer and eventually turn into a run. But, if you hate the outdoors, then a treadmill is great. If you hate to sweat, then activities that happen in water might be more fun for you than a spin class. (People sweat buckets in spin class.)

Also, try not to limit yourself to just a few activities. Most people, when they think of exercise, think of going to the gym or maybe going running or joining a sports league and that's about it. But there are so many more things that count as exercise including:

dancing (ballroom, square, ballet, contra, club, salsa etc.)
bowling
yoga or pilates
crossfit or weight lifting
swimming
diving
water aerobics
biking
hiking
gardening
skating (ice or roller, artistic or speed skating)
Tai Chi
Zumba and other group aerobics classes set to music
Jumping Rope
Skate boarding
surfing
tennis and other racquet sports
soccer
baseball or softball
volleyball
bocce ball
cricket
skiing (water or snow)
mountaineering
martial arts
running
triathlon (swimming, biking & running)
walking
kite flying
gymnastics
track and field (like hurdles or shot put or javelin)
hand ball
golf
horseback riding

And that's just off the top of my head!

Im 29, 1 daughter (8 years old), had roux-en-y gastric bypass 1/22/13. Ive been overweight since 12 and obese since freshman year in high school. Current weight 293. Highest adult weight 320 and lowest adult weight 220. Weight goal 150-175. Took me
approximately 6 months from 1st appointment to surgery. I was approved with my 1st attempt. I have HTN, OSA, and insulin resistance. Excited to be healthier and my weight loss journey.

Hi. Brand new here. My name is Jill. I am 53 years old and had RNY surgery in May of 2007. I lost about 155 pounds, got divorced, developed alcoholism, got sober (finally), had a re-gain of about 45 pounds, and then re-lost it. I have found that this is a daily adventure! I use my WLS tool, along with the program of Overeaters Anonymous to guide my life. After a recent food relapse, I went back to the nutritionist, and am now on my second day of eating back on my plan, and it feels WONDERFUL. Found this site today and decided to start tracking my food here.

Hello Jill, congrats on deciding to get to a healthier you in all facets of your life. Do you mind sharing what you eat on a normal day after meeting with the dietitian? I ask as I have trouble getting all my food in for the day. I had my RNY in '93 and I am thankful that I have not done permanent damage to my pouch by overeating, but I want to ensure I get what I need to lose the fat, not the muscle mass. Thanks and congrats again. Celia

Hello everyone, My name is Tanya, I am a mother of a 18 month old boy and have finally saved for my VSG down in Tijuana. I am scheduled for my surgery April 12th. I also am trying to lose weight before my surgery, if my BMI is under 49, I would save $1000 and as I mother that money could go to SO many other places! I have struggled with my weight my whole life, I remember being bigger than all my friends through 4th grade. I have never had motivation like I do now, I want/need to break the weight cycle before it takes hold of my son. I would love to hear any advice or info you all can share. Please add me and help me stay accountable and on this very important track!

Hi Tanya:

I wish you all the best! The only thing I can say is, (and you probably know this already and have done it) make absolutely certain that your surgeon is board certified! That goes for any surgeon no matter where you go.

My insurance requires me to lose 12 pounds before my surgeon can resubmit my paperwork again. So, I trying to get through that. I want the gastric sleeve as well. You're having your surgery on my birthday! God bless you and have a safe and successful trip and surgery!

Peace,
Carlygirl412
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Thank you so much! I am super excited to have the surgery and receive the tool for my weight loss. Also, it is a great reminder to check certifications, that was one thing I never thought to do with an international doctor. Thanks again!

Hi, I'm scheduled for this Wednesday..how are you feeling and adapting 1 week out? Lori

Hello, my name is Nora, I'm 58, wife, mom to 2 boys and grandma to 2 boys and a girl. I work full time and am hoping to retire in the spring of 2015 and I'm waiting for my surgery date. I've seen the surgeon, dietician, social worker, surgical nurse and am scheduled to meet my internist on Feb. 20. If all goes well I should ahve a surgery date 4 to 6 weeks after that. I can't wait to get out there and to fit into clothes and rollercoasters and go for a horseback ride.. so many things I haven't been able to do for so many years. I was playing roadhockey with my grandson on Saturday and I sure would love to be able to outscore him. I'm happy to be on this site, my dietician recommended it although I'd found it a couple of years ago, I never really used it. If anybody is looking for a friend, I am, too.

Hello! My name is Tiffany and I was banded on 11/5/2012. I decided to get the band because I just had a baby 1/12 and was struggling with my weight for years before my lat child. I started my journey 8/20/2012 @ 334. The day of my surgery 11/5/2013 @ 318. As of 2/25/2013 I am at 296. Although I feel the weight loss is slow, it has been steady.

I know I needed to do this so I can enjoy my children. I have now set a weight loss goal of 2 lbs per week. I hope to accomplish this and stay away from the slider foods.

Hi
my name is patricia and I hope to have the sleeve done this year around thanksgiving. I am looking forward to it but I am also a little worryed. I have been over weight all my life. I would like to be healthy and keep up with my little girl.

Hello Fellow WLS Peeps!
My name is Niki. I am a 36 year old wife and mother of 3 from Regina Saskatchewan Canada. I am super active in teh community, school council and my son'd Taekwon-do directors board. I run an in-home daycare and have done so for 14 years now. So all this attention on everyone but me has left me with a heavy burden to carry... my weight! I had Roux-en-y surgery on November 19, 2012... the day my life changed! I was 336 lbs, with pain in my hip so bad, I hadnt been in my basement family room in 6 months. I was on high blood pressure, cholestrol, heartburn meds as well as lasix for my continuous swelling in my feet and legs. I was not a happy lady!! When I went to my family doctor 2 weeks after the sugery, I no longer needed any medications! Oh so happy!! So far I have dropped 90lbs. And am feeling better then I have felt in 15 years I am caring about myself, my appearance, my health and my life. I have also inspired my husband, who is type 1 diabetic, to pay more attention to himself. As well as my three lil loves - my children. Well... that's me. I am on the right path but would love to have someone to share this journey with who is doing it too.
Cheers ~ Niki

Hi my name is Linda and I have not yet had the surgery but I am scheduled to have it on monday, September 23 at 10:00am. I have been overweight since I was a teenager. I am now 40 need to get serious about losing my weight. I live in northern ontario with my two children and the most wonderful and supportive husband. I have a goal to loss 40 pounds before my surgery and get fitter to hopefully have a quicker recovery.