Re: Life at 382 days post-op/Introduction (long)

February 16, 2003

welcome to the group MOnte and congratulations on the weight loss.

Lori Owen - Denton, Texas

CHF 4/14/01 479 lbs.

SRVG 7/16/01 401 lbs.

Current Weight 339.5 lbs. and loosing again

Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce

On Sun, 16 Feb 2003 23:29:01 -0000 " Monte Norton "

writes:

> Hi All,

>

> My name is Monte. I am a 36 year old male and had LAP RNY w/gall

> bladder removal on 1/30/02. My starting weight was 660 lbs.

>

> This has been an amazing journey so far, a journey that started in

> early September of 2001. At that point, I had really lost all hope

> of

> winning my war with obesity. I was in constant pain, had no

> endurance, and at times, just could not leave my house to face the

>

> constant jibes and mockery I experienced when out in public. I was

> literally planning my suicide. One night I was talking on the phone

>

> to my best friend of 17 years, and something I said set off an alarm

>

> in his head. He drove over to my house at 11 PM to confront me about

>

> whether I was considering suicide or not. When I admitted I was, he

>

> called 911. A police officer showed up and told me I had a

> choice… I could go willingly to the hospital, or he would take me

> in

> by force. I went willingly, and during my intake at the hospital, my

>

> intake nurse asked me if I had considered WLS. At the time, I

> really

> didn't know much about it, having really only heard the horror

> stories about the procedures of the 70's. She told me that there

> had

> been many advances in the field, and I really should look into it.

> In

> fact, it was the hospital psychiatrist who referred me to

> Commonwealth Surgeons. The info packet they sent to me included a

> video that described the RNY and had several patients who described

>

> the changes in their lives since their surgery. While watching that

>

> tape, I began to see just the faintest glimmer of light at the end

> of

> the tunnel. I had my initial consultation with Dr. Harrington in the

>

> middle of Oct 01, and instantly felt that I would be safe in his

> hands.

>

> As for food, I did have a problem at about 4-5 months out where I

> wasn't able to keep solid food down. At first, I thought it was

> allergies (peak of the hay fever), and it didn't really bother me

> because I really had no appetite anyway. It lasted about three

> weeks,

> and then I went in for an endoscopy. The doctor found nothing wrong

>

> and said it must be psychological. I doubted him at the time, but he

>

> must have been right, because I haven't had a problem since then.

> I've thrown up just twice since then.

>

> I still (serious knocking on wood here lol) rarely get hungry. I

> make

> sure I get in my protein (mostly from shakes), vitamins, and water,

>

> and eat a little here and there to keep things rolling. Don't get me

>

> wrong, occasionally I think about how nice it would be to really

> chow

> down on a footlong sub from Jersey Mikes (that I could rarely finish

>

> even when I was pre-op) or a bacon double cheeseburger with fries,

> but when I weigh those with more weight loss (and the freedom it

> entails), I can dismiss those thoughts pretty easily. Most of the

> time, food is like an ex-girlfriend... when we see each other, I

> remember the good times, but then I think about how destructive the

>

> relationship was, and I look forward to going on about my business.

>

> Perhaps that 3 weeks I mentioned above was just a messy divorce lol.

>

> As a pre-op, I was living for the next meal or binge of sugar, but

> now I can look forward to life.

>

> These days, I rarely have trouble with food disagreeing with me. I

> stay away from fried foods, other than a bite or two here and there,

>

> as they tend to upset my pouch. I eat protein with a few bites of

> veggies, and avoid the carbs (bread, pasta, rice, etc.). I have no

> idea how much my pouch will hold, because I really don't push it to

>

> see how many forkfuls I can fit in. I can pretty much eyeball how

> much food I want for my meal, and either throw away or box the

> rest.

>

> 95% or more of what I drink, other than protein shakes (made with

> water and powder only) is water. I have had 7-8 sips of diet soda in

>

> the last year. As a pre-op, I would go to 7-11 in the morning, fill

>

> up a Double Gulp (64 oz) with Dr. Pepper, sip on that all day, then

>

> stop in for a refill on my way home (and usually had a 2 liter in

> the

> fridge in case that wasn't enough).

>

> As far as sugar, I tend to avoid it. I probably have a bite or two

> about every two weeks (usually on a holiday, birthday, etc.). Before

>

> surgery, I averaged over a half pound of chocolate a day, not to

> mention doughnuts, other candy, and any other sweets I could get my

>

> hands on. Nowadays, I enjoy walking out of 7-11 with a bottle of

> water or a bag of beef jerky. I have no idea if I dump or not, and I

>

> really don't want to know.

>

> My biggest vice (and we're still talking about food here, right?) is

>

> potato chips. But now a bag of chips lasts me 2-3 weeks instead of

> one sitting. So I don't feel guilty when I have a few.

>

> As a pre-op, I didn't stand up unless I had a plan for where I was

> going to sit down again. Now, I can walk around Wal-Mart (always

> wondered just what the fuss was about... now I know lol) without a

> problem. I even have hope for romance and maybe even a family some

> day, something I never really felt I deserved until now.

>

> Anyway, that's the unabridged version of my journey so far. Thanks

> for having me,

>

> Monte in VA

> LAP RNY 1/30/02

> Dr. Harrington/ Commonwealth Surgeons

> Pre-Surg. Wt. - 660

> 2/11/03 Wt. - 345 (-315)

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

February 16, 2003

welcome to the group MOnte and congratulations on the weight loss.

Lori Owen - Denton, Texas

CHF 4/14/01 479 lbs.

SRVG 7/16/01 401 lbs.

Current Weight 339.5 lbs. and loosing again

Dr. Ritter/Dr. Bryce

On Sun, 16 Feb 2003 23:29:01 -0000 " Monte Norton "

writes:

> Hi All,

>

> My name is Monte. I am a 36 year old male and had LAP RNY w/gall

> bladder removal on 1/30/02. My starting weight was 660 lbs.

>

> This has been an amazing journey so far, a journey that started in

> early September of 2001. At that point, I had really lost all hope

> of

> winning my war with obesity. I was in constant pain, had no

> endurance, and at times, just could not leave my house to face the

>

> constant jibes and mockery I experienced when out in public. I was

> literally planning my suicide. One night I was talking on the phone

>

> to my best friend of 17 years, and something I said set off an alarm

>

> in his head. He drove over to my house at 11 PM to confront me about

>

> whether I was considering suicide or not. When I admitted I was, he

>

> called 911. A police officer showed up and told me I had a

> choice… I could go willingly to the hospital, or he would take me

> in

> by force. I went willingly, and during my intake at the hospital, my

>

> intake nurse asked me if I had considered WLS. At the time, I

> really

> didn't know much about it, having really only heard the horror

> stories about the procedures of the 70's. She told me that there

> had

> been many advances in the field, and I really should look into it.

> In

> fact, it was the hospital psychiatrist who referred me to

> Commonwealth Surgeons. The info packet they sent to me included a

> video that described the RNY and had several patients who described

>

> the changes in their lives since their surgery. While watching that

>

> tape, I began to see just the faintest glimmer of light at the end

> of

> the tunnel. I had my initial consultation with Dr. Harrington in the

>

> middle of Oct 01, and instantly felt that I would be safe in his

> hands.

>

> As for food, I did have a problem at about 4-5 months out where I

> wasn't able to keep solid food down. At first, I thought it was

> allergies (peak of the hay fever), and it didn't really bother me

> because I really had no appetite anyway. It lasted about three

> weeks,

> and then I went in for an endoscopy. The doctor found nothing wrong

>

> and said it must be psychological. I doubted him at the time, but he

>

> must have been right, because I haven't had a problem since then.

> I've thrown up just twice since then.

>

> I still (serious knocking on wood here lol) rarely get hungry. I

> make

> sure I get in my protein (mostly from shakes), vitamins, and water,

>

> and eat a little here and there to keep things rolling. Don't get me

>

> wrong, occasionally I think about how nice it would be to really

> chow

> down on a footlong sub from Jersey Mikes (that I could rarely finish

>

> even when I was pre-op) or a bacon double cheeseburger with fries,

> but when I weigh those with more weight loss (and the freedom it

> entails), I can dismiss those thoughts pretty easily. Most of the

> time, food is like an ex-girlfriend... when we see each other, I

> remember the good times, but then I think about how destructive the

>

> relationship was, and I look forward to going on about my business.

>

> Perhaps that 3 weeks I mentioned above was just a messy divorce lol.

>

> As a pre-op, I was living for the next meal or binge of sugar, but

> now I can look forward to life.

>

> These days, I rarely have trouble with food disagreeing with me. I

> stay away from fried foods, other than a bite or two here and there,

>

> as they tend to upset my pouch. I eat protein with a few bites of

> veggies, and avoid the carbs (bread, pasta, rice, etc.). I have no

> idea how much my pouch will hold, because I really don't push it to

>

> see how many forkfuls I can fit in. I can pretty much eyeball how

> much food I want for my meal, and either throw away or box the

> rest.

>

> 95% or more of what I drink, other than protein shakes (made with

> water and powder only) is water. I have had 7-8 sips of diet soda in

>

> the last year. As a pre-op, I would go to 7-11 in the morning, fill

>

> up a Double Gulp (64 oz) with Dr. Pepper, sip on that all day, then

>

> stop in for a refill on my way home (and usually had a 2 liter in

> the

> fridge in case that wasn't enough).

>

> As far as sugar, I tend to avoid it. I probably have a bite or two

> about every two weeks (usually on a holiday, birthday, etc.). Before

>

> surgery, I averaged over a half pound of chocolate a day, not to

> mention doughnuts, other candy, and any other sweets I could get my

>

> hands on. Nowadays, I enjoy walking out of 7-11 with a bottle of

> water or a bag of beef jerky. I have no idea if I dump or not, and I

>

> really don't want to know.

>

> My biggest vice (and we're still talking about food here, right?) is

>

> potato chips. But now a bag of chips lasts me 2-3 weeks instead of

> one sitting. So I don't feel guilty when I have a few.

>

> As a pre-op, I didn't stand up unless I had a plan for where I was

> going to sit down again. Now, I can walk around Wal-Mart (always

> wondered just what the fuss was about... now I know lol) without a

> problem. I even have hope for romance and maybe even a family some

> day, something I never really felt I deserved until now.

>

> Anyway, that's the unabridged version of my journey so far. Thanks

> for having me,

>

> Monte in VA

> LAP RNY 1/30/02

> Dr. Harrington/ Commonwealth Surgeons

> Pre-Surg. Wt. - 660

> 2/11/03 Wt. - 345 (-315)

>

> Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

>

> Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe

>

February 16, 2003

Monte,

Welcome to the list and back to the land of the living. I am glad

you had a friend that cared enough about you to get you help. You

are blessed and I hope he is still in your life enjoying the " new

you "

You sound like a very nice guy and I am sure romance is right around

the corner. Just be ready for it when it comes your way and know

that you deserve it!

You deserve your health back...

Romance and happiness in your life...

and the freedom to walk through Wal-mart

God bless you, Monte, and congratulations on a fabulous loss so far!

Carol G.

> Hi All,

>

> My name is Monte. I am a 36 year old male and had LAP RNY w/gall

> bladder removal on 1/30/02. My starting weight was 660 lbs.

>

> This has been an amazing journey so far, a journey that started in

> early September of 2001. At that point, I had really lost all hope

of

> winning my war with obesity. I was in constant pain, had no

> endurance, and at times, just could not leave my house to face

the

> constant jibes and mockery I experienced when out in public. I was

> literally planning my suicide. One night I was talking on the

phone

> to my best friend of 17 years, and something I said set off an

alarm

> in his head. He drove over to my house at 11 PM to confront me

about

> whether I was considering suicide or not. When I admitted I was,

he

> called 911. A police officer showed up and told me I had a

> choice… I could go willingly to the hospital, or he would take

me

> in

> by force. I went willingly, and during my intake at the hospital,

my

> intake nurse asked me if I had considered WLS. At the time, I

really

> didn't know much about it, having really only heard the horror

> stories about the procedures of the 70's. She told me that there

> had

> been many advances in the field, and I really should look into it.

In

> fact, it was the hospital psychiatrist who referred me to

> Commonwealth Surgeons. The info packet they sent to me included a

> video that described the RNY and had several patients who

described

> the changes in their lives since their surgery. While watching

that

> tape, I began to see just the faintest glimmer of light at the end

of

> the tunnel. I had my initial consultation with Dr. Harrington in

the

> middle of Oct 01, and instantly felt that I would be safe in his

> hands.

>

> As for food, I did have a problem at about 4-5 months out where I

> wasn't able to keep solid food down. At first, I thought it was

> allergies (peak of the hay fever), and it didn't really bother me

> because I really had no appetite anyway. It lasted about three

weeks,

> and then I went in for an endoscopy. The doctor found nothing

wrong

> and said it must be psychological. I doubted him at the time, but

he

> must have been right, because I haven't had a problem since then.

> I've thrown up just twice since then.

>

> I still (serious knocking on wood here lol) rarely get hungry. I

make

> sure I get in my protein (mostly from shakes), vitamins, and

water,

> and eat a little here and there to keep things rolling. Don't get

me

> wrong, occasionally I think about how nice it would be to really

chow

> down on a footlong sub from Jersey Mikes (that I could rarely

finish

> even when I was pre-op) or a bacon double cheeseburger with fries,

> but when I weigh those with more weight loss (and the freedom it

> entails), I can dismiss those thoughts pretty easily. Most of the

> time, food is like an ex-girlfriend... when we see each other, I

> remember the good times, but then I think about how destructive

the

> relationship was, and I look forward to going on about my

business.

> Perhaps that 3 weeks I mentioned above was just a messy divorce

lol.

> As a pre-op, I was living for the next meal or binge of sugar, but

> now I can look forward to life.

>

> These days, I rarely have trouble with food disagreeing with me. I

> stay away from fried foods, other than a bite or two here and

there,

> as they tend to upset my pouch. I eat protein with a few bites of

> veggies, and avoid the carbs (bread, pasta, rice, etc.). I have no

> idea how much my pouch will hold, because I really don't push it

to

> see how many forkfuls I can fit in. I can pretty much eyeball how

> much food I want for my meal, and either throw away or box the

rest.

>

> 95% or more of what I drink, other than protein shakes (made with

> water and powder only) is water. I have had 7-8 sips of diet soda

in

> the last year. As a pre-op, I would go to 7-11 in the morning,

fill

> up a Double Gulp (64 oz) with Dr. Pepper, sip on that all day,

then

> stop in for a refill on my way home (and usually had a 2 liter in

the

> fridge in case that wasn't enough).

>

> As far as sugar, I tend to avoid it. I probably have a bite or two

> about every two weeks (usually on a holiday, birthday, etc.).

Before

> surgery, I averaged over a half pound of chocolate a day, not to

> mention doughnuts, other candy, and any other sweets I could get

my

> hands on. Nowadays, I enjoy walking out of 7-11 with a bottle of

> water or a bag of beef jerky. I have no idea if I dump or not, and

I

> really don't want to know.

>

> My biggest vice (and we're still talking about food here, right?)

is

> potato chips. But now a bag of chips lasts me 2-3 weeks instead of

> one sitting. So I don't feel guilty when I have a few.

>

> As a pre-op, I didn't stand up unless I had a plan for where I was

> going to sit down again. Now, I can walk around Wal-Mart (always

> wondered just what the fuss was about... now I know lol) without a

> problem. I even have hope for romance and maybe even a family some

> day, something I never really felt I deserved until now.

>

> Anyway, that's the unabridged version of my journey so far. Thanks

> for having me,

>

> Monte in VA

> LAP RNY 1/30/02

> Dr. Harrington/ Commonwealth Surgeons

> Pre-Surg. Wt. - 660

> 2/11/03 Wt. - 345 (-315)

February 16, 2003

Monte,

Welcome to the list and back to the land of the living. I am glad

you had a friend that cared enough about you to get you help. You

are blessed and I hope he is still in your life enjoying the " new

you "

You sound like a very nice guy and I am sure romance is right around

the corner. Just be ready for it when it comes your way and know

that you deserve it!

You deserve your health back...

Romance and happiness in your life...

and the freedom to walk through Wal-mart

God bless you, Monte, and congratulations on a fabulous loss so far!

Carol G.

> Hi All,

>

> My name is Monte. I am a 36 year old male and had LAP RNY w/gall

> bladder removal on 1/30/02. My starting weight was 660 lbs.

>

> This has been an amazing journey so far, a journey that started in

> early September of 2001. At that point, I had really lost all hope

of

> winning my war with obesity. I was in constant pain, had no

> endurance, and at times, just could not leave my house to face

the

> constant jibes and mockery I experienced when out in public. I was

> literally planning my suicide. One night I was talking on the

phone

> to my best friend of 17 years, and something I said set off an

alarm

> in his head. He drove over to my house at 11 PM to confront me

about

> whether I was considering suicide or not. When I admitted I was,

he

> called 911. A police officer showed up and told me I had a

> choice… I could go willingly to the hospital, or he would take

me

> in

> by force. I went willingly, and during my intake at the hospital,

my

> intake nurse asked me if I had considered WLS. At the time, I

really

> didn't know much about it, having really only heard the horror

> stories about the procedures of the 70's. She told me that there

> had

> been many advances in the field, and I really should look into it.

In

> fact, it was the hospital psychiatrist who referred me to

> Commonwealth Surgeons. The info packet they sent to me included a

> video that described the RNY and had several patients who

described

> the changes in their lives since their surgery. While watching

that

> tape, I began to see just the faintest glimmer of light at the end

of

> the tunnel. I had my initial consultation with Dr. Harrington in

the

> middle of Oct 01, and instantly felt that I would be safe in his

> hands.

>

> As for food, I did have a problem at about 4-5 months out where I

> wasn't able to keep solid food down. At first, I thought it was

> allergies (peak of the hay fever), and it didn't really bother me

> because I really had no appetite anyway. It lasted about three

weeks,

> and then I went in for an endoscopy. The doctor found nothing

wrong

> and said it must be psychological. I doubted him at the time, but

he

> must have been right, because I haven't had a problem since then.

> I've thrown up just twice since then.

>

> I still (serious knocking on wood here lol) rarely get hungry. I

make

> sure I get in my protein (mostly from shakes), vitamins, and

water,

> and eat a little here and there to keep things rolling. Don't get

me

> wrong, occasionally I think about how nice it would be to really

chow

> down on a footlong sub from Jersey Mikes (that I could rarely

finish

> even when I was pre-op) or a bacon double cheeseburger with fries,

> but when I weigh those with more weight loss (and the freedom it

> entails), I can dismiss those thoughts pretty easily. Most of the

> time, food is like an ex-girlfriend... when we see each other, I

> remember the good times, but then I think about how destructive

the

> relationship was, and I look forward to going on about my

business.

> Perhaps that 3 weeks I mentioned above was just a messy divorce

lol.

> As a pre-op, I was living for the next meal or binge of sugar, but

> now I can look forward to life.

>

> These days, I rarely have trouble with food disagreeing with me. I

> stay away from fried foods, other than a bite or two here and

there,

> as they tend to upset my pouch. I eat protein with a few bites of

> veggies, and avoid the carbs (bread, pasta, rice, etc.). I have no

> idea how much my pouch will hold, because I really don't push it

to

> see how many forkfuls I can fit in. I can pretty much eyeball how

> much food I want for my meal, and either throw away or box the

rest.

>

> 95% or more of what I drink, other than protein shakes (made with

> water and powder only) is water. I have had 7-8 sips of diet soda

in

> the last year. As a pre-op, I would go to 7-11 in the morning,

fill

> up a Double Gulp (64 oz) with Dr. Pepper, sip on that all day,

then

> stop in for a refill on my way home (and usually had a 2 liter in

the

> fridge in case that wasn't enough).

>

> As far as sugar, I tend to avoid it. I probably have a bite or two

> about every two weeks (usually on a holiday, birthday, etc.).

Before

> surgery, I averaged over a half pound of chocolate a day, not to

> mention doughnuts, other candy, and any other sweets I could get

my

> hands on. Nowadays, I enjoy walking out of 7-11 with a bottle of

> water or a bag of beef jerky. I have no idea if I dump or not, and

I

> really don't want to know.

>

> My biggest vice (and we're still talking about food here, right?)

is

> potato chips. But now a bag of chips lasts me 2-3 weeks instead of

> one sitting. So I don't feel guilty when I have a few.

>

> As a pre-op, I didn't stand up unless I had a plan for where I was

> going to sit down again. Now, I can walk around Wal-Mart (always

> wondered just what the fuss was about... now I know lol) without a

> problem. I even have hope for romance and maybe even a family some

> day, something I never really felt I deserved until now.

>

> Anyway, that's the unabridged version of my journey so far. Thanks

> for having me,

>

> Monte in VA

> LAP RNY 1/30/02

> Dr. Harrington/ Commonwealth Surgeons

> Pre-Surg. Wt. - 660

> 2/11/03 Wt. - 345 (-315)

February 16, 2003

Monte what struck me most about your post, was how everyone did their job.

Your friend, the police officer, the intake nurse, the docs. You must be a

wonderful person to have such a good friend. It is more usual for these

people to not notice. It is heartwarming to see the system work.

Fay Bayuk

300/175

10/23/01

Dr

February 16, 2003

Monte what struck me most about your post, was how everyone did their job.

Your friend, the police officer, the intake nurse, the docs. You must be a

wonderful person to have such a good friend. It is more usual for these

people to not notice. It is heartwarming to see the system work.

Fay Bayuk

300/175

10/23/01

Dr

February 16, 2003

Hey, Monte, welcome aboard -- you've done great so far, keep it up. Don't

forget the exercise (I, the original couch potato, can't believe I just said

that.).

Life at 382 days post-op/Introduction (long)

Hi All,

My name is Monte. I am a 36 year old male and had LAP RNY w/gall

bladder removal on 1/30/02. My starting weight was 660 lbs.

This has been an amazing journey so far, a journey that started in

early September of 2001. At that point, I had really lost all hope of

winning my war with obesity. I was in constant pain, had no

endurance, and at times, just could not leave my house to face the

constant jibes and mockery I experienced when out in public. I was

literally planning my suicide. One night I was talking on the phone

to my best friend of 17 years, and something I said set off an alarm

in his head. He drove over to my house at 11 PM to confront me about

whether I was considering suicide or not. When I admitted I was, he

called 911. A police officer showed up and told me I had a

choice. I could go willingly to the hospital, or he would take me

in

by force. I went willingly, and during my intake at the hospital, my

intake nurse asked me if I had considered WLS. At the time, I really

didn't know much about it, having really only heard the horror

stories about the procedures of the 70's. She told me that there

had

been many advances in the field, and I really should look into it. In

fact, it was the hospital psychiatrist who referred me to

Commonwealth Surgeons. The info packet they sent to me included a

video that described the RNY and had several patients who described

the changes in their lives since their surgery. While watching that

tape, I began to see just the faintest glimmer of light at the end of

the tunnel. I had my initial consultation with Dr. Harrington in the

middle of Oct 01, and instantly felt that I would be safe in his

hands.

As for food, I did have a problem at about 4-5 months out where I

wasn't able to keep solid food down. At first, I thought it was

allergies (peak of the hay fever), and it didn't really bother me

because I really had no appetite anyway. It lasted about three weeks,

and then I went in for an endoscopy. The doctor found nothing wrong

and said it must be psychological. I doubted him at the time, but he

must have been right, because I haven't had a problem since then.

I've thrown up just twice since then.

I still (serious knocking on wood here lol) rarely get hungry. I make

sure I get in my protein (mostly from shakes), vitamins, and water,

and eat a little here and there to keep things rolling. Don't get me

wrong, occasionally I think about how nice it would be to really chow

down on a footlong sub from Jersey Mikes (that I could rarely finish

even when I was pre-op) or a bacon double cheeseburger with fries,

but when I weigh those with more weight loss (and the freedom it

entails), I can dismiss those thoughts pretty easily. Most of the

time, food is like an ex-girlfriend... when we see each other, I

remember the good times, but then I think about how destructive the

relationship was, and I look forward to going on about my business.

Perhaps that 3 weeks I mentioned above was just a messy divorce lol.

As a pre-op, I was living for the next meal or binge of sugar, but

now I can look forward to life.

These days, I rarely have trouble with food disagreeing with me. I

stay away from fried foods, other than a bite or two here and there,

as they tend to upset my pouch. I eat protein with a few bites of

veggies, and avoid the carbs (bread, pasta, rice, etc.). I have no

idea how much my pouch will hold, because I really don't push it to

see how many forkfuls I can fit in. I can pretty much eyeball how

much food I want for my meal, and either throw away or box the rest.

95% or more of what I drink, other than protein shakes (made with

water and powder only) is water. I have had 7-8 sips of diet soda in

the last year. As a pre-op, I would go to 7-11 in the morning, fill

up a Double Gulp (64 oz) with Dr. Pepper, sip on that all day, then

stop in for a refill on my way home (and usually had a 2 liter in the

fridge in case that wasn't enough).

As far as sugar, I tend to avoid it. I probably have a bite or two

about every two weeks (usually on a holiday, birthday, etc.). Before

surgery, I averaged over a half pound of chocolate a day, not to

mention doughnuts, other candy, and any other sweets I could get my

hands on. Nowadays, I enjoy walking out of 7-11 with a bottle of

water or a bag of beef jerky. I have no idea if I dump or not, and I

really don't want to know.

My biggest vice (and we're still talking about food here, right?) is

potato chips. But now a bag of chips lasts me 2-3 weeks instead of

one sitting. So I don't feel guilty when I have a few.

As a pre-op, I didn't stand up unless I had a plan for where I was

going to sit down again. Now, I can walk around Wal-Mart (always

wondered just what the fuss was about... now I know lol) without a

problem. I even have hope for romance and maybe even a family some

day, something I never really felt I deserved until now.

Anyway, that's the unabridged version of my journey so far. Thanks

for having me,

Monte in VA

LAP RNY 1/30/02

Dr. Harrington/ Commonwealth Surgeons

Pre-Surg. Wt. - 660

2/11/03 Wt. - 345 (-315)

Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG

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February 16, 2003