Fwd: Welcome to Graduate-OSSG

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In a message dated 12/10/2000 3:54:35 AM Pacific Standard Time,

kc6@... writes:

> Hello,

>

> My name is Becki. I was 39 when I had the gastric. I

> had the R-NY 7/29/99 and to date have lost 128 lbs. My

> starting weight was just over 400 lbs. I am pleased at

> my progress.

>

> My next step is to have the apron removed. Hopefully

> that will kick in the losing again. I have been

> " stuck " for the last 7 months in spite of increasing

> my activates, and walking a couple of miles 5 days a

> week.

>

> My husband also had the R-NY 15 years ago. He has been

> my support through this. He was my inspiration to get

> the R-NY. It wasn't until I met him that I understood

> that this was even a possibility for me. No doctor had

> ever mentioned it in spite of my many diets I had been

> on I and was unsuccessful.

>

> My surgery ended up being a 3 in 1. My gall bladder

> had stones in it that I didn't know about so that was

> removed as well as having an umbilical hernia the size

> of a soft ball repaired along with the R-NY. My

> incision was 18 inches long. I struggled even after

> the R-NY to lose any weight. I was violently ill from

> the time of surgery until 1/2000. My weight loss was

> slow. I had lost 18 lbs in 6 weeks, in spite of barely

> being able to keep much down. Milk ended up being my

> friend. One of the only foods back then I could

> tolerate. I followed exactly what I was to do. Doc

> said that can happen and not to worry about it. Things

> would settle out.

>

> December 18th, I woke very ill. I thought it was a bad

> case of the flu. My husband said I think you have a

> blockage of food. I said impossible, I haven't eaten.

> He kept insisting. After literally being ill all day,

> and violently, I called my doctor. He said try some

> meat tenderizer in water, drink it and see what

> happens. In a 24 hour period I couldn't even keep down

> 1/2 cup of water, was bringing up massive amounts of

> brown fluid. My husband said enough it was time to go

> to ER. I was admitted immediately. I had no idea how

> ill I was. I was severely dehydrated, and had a SBO.

> They wanted to wait because " these things have a way

> of resolving themselves. " On December 24 I had another

> surgery. I had many adhesions, and a twisted intestine

> that caused a blockage. This incision was 15 inches.

>

> I have been through much but still would do it again.

>

> Thanks for listening.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/15/2001 1:23:03 PM Pacific Standard Time,

Tson@... writes:

> Subj: RE: Welcome to Graduate-OSSG

> Date: 01/15/2001 1:23:03 PM Pacific Standard Time

> From: Tson@...

> To: Graduate-OSSG-owneregroups

>

>

>

> Hi Everyone,

> My name is Todd son ..... Yes guys have WLS issues as well.

> Hopefully

> I am welcome here and can find some additional help and support in my

> continued transition

> into my new life and can help be a support to others as well.

> Last summer I learned about the RNY gastric Bypass from my

> Sister-in-law...at that time I weighed 370lbs with BMI (Body Mass Index)

> well over 50. After

> joining several OSSG lists and others and doing other online research I

> decided that this

> surgery was my last great hope of getting my life back. I had been fighting

> my weight since High School....been on more diets than I care to think

about

> including various medically supervised programs using different

drugs...only

> to at age 46 find myself at 370lbs and sitting on the sidelines of life

> no longer able to enjoy many of the activities that I loved. While awaiting

> for insurance approval I decided that I wanted to be as healthy as possible

> prior to surgery so I went on a Atkins type WOL (way of Life) to help lose

> weight and joined this list for support and info. I chose Atkins (Protein

> type)

> because it was most similar to my Drs. post-op diet. By the time my

> insurance

> was approved and my surgery was scheduled ....I had lost 70 lbs. So Dec

> 8/99

> I had my open proximal RNY by Dr. Sherman in SLC Utah. I can hardly

> believe that a year has past already. I am truly a new man...nearly half

the

>

> man I used to be now weighing in at 198lbs (Drs goal wt. 200)....I have

gone

>

> from wearing a 3X shirt to a large...from a 48in waist pant to a 34in...

> from

> taking 2 BP meds a day to none.....from sitting on the sidelines to

playing

> in the game and playing to win. This surgery and the Atkins WOL has been

> the best thing that I ever done for myself and yes I would jump right on

the

> table and do it again in a heartbeat. I have had just a few

> complications.....

> shortly after the surgery and small blood clot was detected in my left

> calf...

> it caused some pain but was not in a major vein and could be treated with

> meds.

> . I have never vomited.....and can tolerate all foods....although food does

> not

> taste as good now...I eat to live, not live to eat.

> I can eat 6oz portions now...I eat my protein first, then

> veggies....and try to limit the breads and pastas, potatoes, rice and

sweets

> (CARBS) . I exercise 5-6 days a week both cardio and strength training for

> about 45-60mins a day. I have my bodyfat tested monthly and its has gone

> from over 40% to 18% and I'm hoping to get it below 15% someday. I have

> taken a new job in Walled Lake MI and my family is still in Wichita KS I

fly

> home weekly....using no seat belt extenders...yes the tray table really

does

> come down. I can go the a restaurant and not worry about whether I will fit

> in the booth. My love life with my spouse has greatly improved and my self

> confidence is at a all time high. My daughter was married Jan 6th and I

was

>

> able to go to a store and buy a tux size 42 reg right off the rack and only

> needed the pants

> hemmed (the last suit a bought was a size 56 portly from a big and tall

> shop) .I also

> decided that I needed a better smile to go with the new me so I have braces

> now,

> and hopefully in 20 months they will come off, because I have allot more to

> smile about these days.

>

> What are my big issues .....still feeling fat at times....dealing with a

> spouse that was

> more confortable with me at 350lbs than at 196....(she feels fatter

> now.....)

> and wishing that food would taste great again...its seams that many of the

> food I really enjoyed

> taste bland.....another issue is that I want to be more socially

> active....and find myself wanting to

> flirt with other women....not sure what all this means....anyway maybe

> together we can help

> get thru this journey....

>

> Todd in Michigan

> 370/196/15%bodyfat this year...

> 4/00 Body for Life 250lbs

> 12/8/99 RNY 300lbs

> 8/99 Atkins 370lbs

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/16/2001 1:50:27 PM Pacific Standard Time,

EReece@... writes:

> Subj: RE: Fwd: Welcome to Graduate-OSSG

> Date: 01/16/2001 1:50:27 PM Pacific Standard Time

> From: EReece@... (Reece, Elanne (Legal))

> To: Haasevp@... ('Haasevp@...')

>

> Welcome and congratulations-remember you need to make yourself happy and

> to

> be happy with your body size-I am sure in time your wife will get used to

> the new and healthy you! It took my husband about 2 years to get used to a

> thin attractive wife and now after more than 7 years, it is like he has

> forgotten that I was a lady of size and let me tell you my marriage is

> better than ever, not sure if it is because I feel better about me or

> because my husband likes having a skinny wife or maybe a little of

> both-whatever it is-nothing tastes as good as being thin feels! So again,

> congratulations on your amazing success!

> Regards,

> EJ Reece

> pre op 270 BMI 41 24/26 5'8 "

> post op 135 7+ years BMI 20 6/8

>