Introduction

[Guest guest]

I've just reached my one year anniversary of open RNY (8/27/02 - Dr.

Armstrong, Milwaukee, WI) and thought I would introduce myself.

I've been lurking for quite some time and have gotten lots of valuable and

helpful information from all of you. I'm 51 yo, 5'7 " , my weight the date of

surgery was 409 and my current weight is 231, bringing my total weight loss

to 178. I'm thrilled with having made it this far, but am not satisfied

with where I am. The weight is coming off much slower now, giving my body a

chance to catch up with the loss. But I sometimes find my self struggling

with the same food choices that I've heard so many of you talk about. By

choice I have never gone back to eating sweets (cake, cookies, candy), but

find that I can obsess over Blue Bunny frozen treats and the like. I try to

limit my carb intake and find that on the days that I'm able to keep that

number low, I do much better. However, I do occasionally slip. My surgeon

(he's just the best!) is more than pleased with how far I've come and told

me that even if I never lost another pound my surgery would be considered a

success. My health has improved so much -- no more diabetes or high blood

pressure and much better controlled asthma. I am so much more mobile now,

and although I am still looking at both knee replacements, I love this new

freedom. But I still don't feel totally comfortable at this weight. I've

lost a lot of sizes but still have to shop in the Plus Size department. I'm

really looking forward to that first purchase of what I consider " normal "

size clothing! I've been extremely fortunate in that even though my family

(mother and siblings) have not been very supportive (they never mention, ask

about or even acknowledge the surgery or weight loss), I have a great

network of friends who've been just wonderful. I get so much encouragement

from the people I work with and hardly a day goes by that I don't get a

compliment from at least one person.

Well, I think I've chatted on long enough. I'm really looking forwarding to

exchanging information and experiences with all of you.

Kathy Kosterman

Racine, WI

postop - 8/27/02

409/231/180???

-178#