intro

August 14, 2004

Welcome Sue-Ellen,

I'm , 45, married for 26 yrs. to my high school sweetheart who has Parkinson's Disease & possible early on-set Alzheimer's . We have 4 children...2 girls 24 & 22 1/2, 2 boys 20 & almost 18. We have 3 grandsons, with another due in October & just found out that our oldest daughter is expecting late March/early April! (We are praying hard for a girl this time!!! Please keep your fingers crossed) LOL Grandchildren are the greatest!!!!!!

I've been diagnosed w/lupus & fibro for about 2 1/2 - 3 yrs now, but have suspected it for much longer. Like you, my first clue was the red face. Looked like I had either been in the sun or out in the cold to long, but it never went away. Now, my hubby says he can tell when I get up in the mornings what kind of day I'm going to have by the degree of redness on my cheeks! I also have multiple back problems, but I've had that for most of my life.

We live in east TN, also in a rural area. We have 4 dogs, 1 hamster, 2 turtles, 1 frog, 3 lizards, 1 bunny, 6 bantam chickens & about 60 birds (finches, parakeets, cockatiels , lories, mini macaws, & misc. other parrots) I guess you could say we really are bird brains, huh!

I don't have much online time right now, so I don't post as often as I'd like, but there are many knowledgeable people on here who are always ready & willing to answer questions or just listen.

-- Intro

My name is Sue-Ellen.

I am 40 years old. I live in rural ok with my husband of 19 years and our 18 year old son. We also have 1 dog, 4 cats, 5 guinea fowl, 8 goats and about 100 chickens. Until one year ago I had always lived in a big city and am very much enjoying living in the country.

I have been sick since May 2001 with fibromyalgia. Yesterday I saw a doctor for the first time since moving here. I went because I needed a prescription to refill my blood pressure meds. The doctor told me he suspects I have Lupus. I have actually wondered this myself before and have tried to study it but never mentioned that to him before he mentioned it. I am trying how to figure out how to be tested. Both financially and because I would have to drive about 2 hours to get to a rheumatologist.

Even though I do not know for sure that I have Lupus, I thought joining this group would be helpful for me to learn more about it.

Probably the biggest suspicion I have about the Lupus is my very red face that looks like all the butterfly rash pictures I have seen online.

Sue-Ellen

August 14, 2004

Welcome Sue-Ellen,

I'm , 45, married for 26 yrs. to my high school sweetheart who has Parkinson's Disease & possible early on-set Alzheimer's . We have 4 children...2 girls 24 & 22 1/2, 2 boys 20 & almost 18. We have 3 grandsons, with another due in October & just found out that our oldest daughter is expecting late March/early April! (We are praying hard for a girl this time!!! Please keep your fingers crossed) LOL Grandchildren are the greatest!!!!!!

I've been diagnosed w/lupus & fibro for about 2 1/2 - 3 yrs now, but have suspected it for much longer. Like you, my first clue was the red face. Looked like I had either been in the sun or out in the cold to long, but it never went away. Now, my hubby says he can tell when I get up in the mornings what kind of day I'm going to have by the degree of redness on my cheeks! I also have multiple back problems, but I've had that for most of my life.

We live in east TN, also in a rural area. We have 4 dogs, 1 hamster, 2 turtles, 1 frog, 3 lizards, 1 bunny, 6 bantam chickens & about 60 birds (finches, parakeets, cockatiels , lories, mini macaws, & misc. other parrots) I guess you could say we really are bird brains, huh!

I don't have much online time right now, so I don't post as often as I'd like, but there are many knowledgeable people on here who are always ready & willing to answer questions or just listen.

-- Intro

My name is Sue-Ellen.

I am 40 years old. I live in rural ok with my husband of 19 years and our 18 year old son. We also have 1 dog, 4 cats, 5 guinea fowl, 8 goats and about 100 chickens. Until one year ago I had always lived in a big city and am very much enjoying living in the country.

I have been sick since May 2001 with fibromyalgia. Yesterday I saw a doctor for the first time since moving here. I went because I needed a prescription to refill my blood pressure meds. The doctor told me he suspects I have Lupus. I have actually wondered this myself before and have tried to study it but never mentioned that to him before he mentioned it. I am trying how to figure out how to be tested. Both financially and because I would have to drive about 2 hours to get to a rheumatologist.

Even though I do not know for sure that I have Lupus, I thought joining this group would be helpful for me to learn more about it.

Probably the biggest suspicion I have about the Lupus is my very red face that looks like all the butterfly rash pictures I have seen online.

Sue-Ellen

July 24, 2005

Ron...I'm glad my posting helped, despite my numerous typos (it was late at night...what can I say?) Look...it isn't easy, but it can be done. Coming here everyday...sharing your struggles, or just learning from the struggles of others (as well as hearing the joys of ultimate success from those who have had the surgery before ) will lead you on to victory.

100 lbs. is a lot to lose. But, before the surgery, I lost 80 plus lbs. three times in my life: the first, through Optifast. The second, through vegetarianism, falling in love and getting rid of my car (I was a student in law school, and I walked everywhere). The third, through Metformin (I was diagnosed with hyperinsulinimia), exercise, and a relatively low carb, low fat, portion controlled diet...part of the time Craig, part Atkins, and part moderation. I worked out about three or four times a week very consistently. Sadly, all three times I gained the weight back.

Story of our lives, eh?

I've been working on breaking free from compulsive eating for the past 20 years. I've gotten better and better at breaking that cycle. Learning moderation. So, this last time when I gained weight...it wasn't as a result of gluttony, but rather some hormonal endocrine problems that I had.

I was referred in December to Richmond. I had to lose 26 lbs, which sounds minor.10 percent...I should be able to do that, right? Well,it took me until the end of May to do it, and I struggled to get there. I realized that I wasn't putting my full focus on losing weight. I was scattered. I had this huge work project, and I was afraid that I couldn't really abandon it...and so, I just couldn't seem to get it together. Also, I was in the process of ending a relationship with someone I really loved...and i needed to comfort myself.

Finally, after having lost maybe 12 lbs and getting stuck (up two lbs down a lb, up a lb. down two lbs..) for months and months...I just got a hold of myself. "What are you afraid of, Robynn? Why aren't you doing this?" I saw my friend Pam focus like a laser, lose the weight, have the surgery...and shrink before my very eyes. And she started the program not too long before me. but, unlike me, she was unwavering in her diet efforts, and got that weight off in like six weeks or something crazy like that.

I wound up having my surgery four months after she did. And we had to lose just about the same amount.

So, yeah...there were some issues blocking my path. Things I had to deal with, things that were stealing the limelight. I finally decided enough was enough. I was going to put that focus there no matter what. laser beam.

And I made it. And on June 8th, weighing in at 235 (formerly 261.5) I had the surgery. I was out 6 weeks as of Wednesday, and I now weigh 203. Three lbs. from the "Onederfuls" as we call the under 200 mark. I was great the first three weeks...but I've had some vomiting issues...largely due to my inability to eat slowly enough...mindfully enough. But, other than extreme fatigue (which is understandable given what our bodies are having to do), I have been just fine. I generally do not miss food (occasionally I do, but it goes away). And in fact, I frequently have to remind myself to eat. There's a first time experience for you!

I look so much better...and my blood work, etc. is just night and day. I feel better, too...except for the fatigue. So, I'm down a total of 58.5 lbs. from my orientation date.

100 lbs is a lot. On the other hand, you are a man...and theoretically, yours will come off more quickly. Plus, I would venture to guess that you are much heavier than I am (given that you are being asked to lose 100...by the way, that's not a punishment...it's a mitigation for you of the risk of surgery. You want to be in the best place you can possibly be when you have surgery.) Anyway, the heavier you are, the faster you lose both before and after surgery. So that's the good news.

I'm telling you, power down the water. try to drink a gallon a day or so. Try to get some exercise in. Why don't you and your sister take a.m. and p.m. walks together...even if you guys can only manage a 10 minute walk right now? Keep records, and work towards walking an hour a day...better if you can ultimately get up to 2 hours.

The major thing is to modify your lifestyle in gradual ways...ways that are liveable, you know? Even though the surgery is a very powerful too...it is just one more tool in the toolkit. You will still need to be moderate and mindful in your eating, incorporate exercise into your life, and drink your water. The only difference is that you'll have a physical barrier to overeating (a reduced stomach) and you'll absorb fewer calories. but people can beat the surgery. they can work around it. They can regain. That scares the peewad out of me. I am not going to be one of those people. Period.

So, the habits are so so so important to break. Before the surgery...and during the early stages post-surgery, the honeymoon period where you can't really eat...and if you eat something bad you puke it up. The period where you lose weight, period. During that time, you need to really deal with yourself. level withyourself. Talk some turkey and get those habits under control before you have the opportunity to stretch out your tummy, to "work the system" so to speak, and figure out ways to cheat. Don't get there.

Take the time you need for yourself. make yourself a priority. Don't ignore your feelings. Journal, if that helps. Get therapy if you can. If you can't, read some of the great books out there aimed at overcoming emotional eating. Read "Love Hunger" and some of the books by Geneen Roth. Go to support groups. Look online at obesityhelp.com, and go to the photos and click on the before and after photos. They are truly inspirtational, and if you click on the photos, many times you'll see the person's journal of their journey from before to after. You learn a lot that way. And, it keeps you focused, because you can see and read just how much their lives have changed for the better.

You can do this, and we're here to help you, and Pam B and others get there.

Welcome, friend. YOU CAN DO THIS.

RobynnBBQ Man wrote:

Greetings all! I am new to this group, but not to Kaiser's WLS program. My name is Ron and I live in Napa. I've been lurking for a short time to get a feel for the group. Then, Pam B. posted and it could have been me posting the same thing. Of course, my particulars are a little different, but the same story all the same. I started in the program a couple years ago in SSF and seemed to "fizzle out". A year or so later, I started again and got to the point of meeting with Dr. Baggs at Richmond. He told me I'd have to lose 100 lbs. before he'd do surgery and that news devastated me more than I could believe. For whatever reason, he wanted me to lose 20 %, rather than 10%. Plus I have a smoking problem I'm trying to beat. Of course, as you all know, they won't do surgery unless you quit smoking. So I'm in double jeopardy.

In any event, my sister (with whom I share an apartment) started the process herself and has lost about 35 lbs. or so. She inspires me, but I need more support that she does, apparently. Robynn's reply to Pam B. is a very inspirational email for me. I have printed it and plan to re-read parts of it daily. (Thanks Robynn!)

Since my sis has an appt. at Richmond on Wednesday, I'm going to go with her and see what I have to do to get back in the groove of things. I'm hoping they won't make me start over from scratch. That will just suck. Having been obese all my life (I'm 47 now), I need this surgery more than ever. I have too many co-morbidities in my life to not do this. I just have to remember that my relationship with food is a destructive one and I need to win the battle.

I may not be the best poster here, but I'll be here daily, reading everyone's postings and will let you all know of my progress in the program. I'm so glad I found you all.

Ron

July 24, 2005