Update from Janie / 3-25-99 post-op

[Guest guest]

I am posting this with Janie's permission. I had

saved one of her updates several months ago and wrote

her to see how she was doing. We don't get to hear

from too many people that far post-op. She also

offered to be a contact- email privately:

whitforj@...

It is so exciting to read about how her life has

changed. I can't wait!!

Margaret in St. Louis

12/13/00

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Hello Margaret. Kudos to a fellow Missourian. I was

born and raised

in Sedalia, MO which is situated between KC and St.

Louis. I don't belong to the pre-op list anymore

because it got to be too overwhelming with

insurance questions. By all means, please feel free

to send this to the group.

I don't think you can put it as an attachment but

maybe you can copy into an e-mail and post that way.

I had my surgery on 25 Mar 99, 20 months ago. I

started out at 350 pounds

and am proud to say that I can almost start a " 200 "

club. Today I weigh 158 pounds for a total of 192

pounds lost. Only eight more pounds to reach

goal. I feel fantabulous. I used to wear the largest

size s and Lane 's had - 32 and above.

Today I wear a regular size 14 dress

and size large in tops and bottoms. My ring size went

from 10 1/2 to size 6.

Bra size from 54 to 36.

I've never felt better in my life. I have more

energy, more zest for life, more confidence. Heck

just more of everything except me. The less I

become, the more I become. I no longer have high

blood pressure, sugar diabetes, aches and pains from

just walking, no huffing and puffing

from just moving to the couch to the table, sleep

better, only need to sleep at night and not have to

take naps just to get thru the day and am not a

slave to food.

I was blessed with this surgery in more ways than one.

I've regained my life, acquired wonderful new friends

and have had no complications.

It's been really smooth sailing for me. Don't get me

wrong. The first month was the hardest of my life.

We're all taught that we need food; must have

food to survive but you learn you don't need it. The

hardest thing for me was the first time venturing

into the grocery store. I wanted one of

everything on the shelf. I religiously stuck to the

liquids and juices for the first

two months and soft foods for the next two. I firmly

believe that is what's helped me to lose so well and

faithfully. It's hard but you can make

it. I couldn't have done it without my husband and

daughter. They were my rocks.

Now I can eat anything I want within limits. If I try

something and it doesn't sit well, I stay away from it

for a while and try again later.

Most cases, at a later date, it will sit O.K. To me,

I think eating after only two weeks, really slows the

losing down. I've hit plateaus and even

gained but have PATIENCE, you will start to lose

again. That's one thing you learn with this surgery.

PATIENCE. PATIENCE. You did not gain this weight

overnight and you will not lose it overnight. I had a

3 month plateau at 175 pounds and thought that was it

but as I say I'm now down to 158.

20 months ago that would not have been possible. I

probably would have gained 75 pounds or more and been

a goner.

So as you can tell, I'm absolutely wonderful. I hope

this helps answer some questions and belay some fears.

Caution. Everyone is different

though. I had no problems and hopefully no one else

will either but this is major surgery and there are

always risks involved but you're in the hands of

a marvelouslly talented Doctor.

Please feel free to e-mail me anytime.

Sincerely,

Janie

25 Mar 99 - 350

28 Nov 00 - 158

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