4 month update

July 19, 2001

Maggi,

You are doing great! And enjoy those classes! I know for me having a friend

go with me to class keeps me in line....most of the time If you can get a

bud to join you, or make a friend in class, it will help!

HUGS and best of luck!

in Ark

July 29, 2001

Shirl!

WONDERFUL NEWS! Enjoy it! You deserve it!

HUGS

in ark

July 29, 2001

Way to go, Shirl! Excellent weight loss! Thanks for the update.

Love,

in OK

303/223 -80 @ 4 months

MGB 3/29/01

Dr Rutledge

July 29, 2001

Hey ,

If you're awake there are a few of us in the chat room.....

Tonya in MN

Re: 4 month update

Way to go, Shirl! Excellent weight loss! Thanks for the update.

Love,

in OK

303/223 -80 @ 4 months

MGB 3/29/01

Dr Rutledge

August 1, 2001

---

Congratulations on your loss!!!

Keep it up!!!

suzanne in Fl.

1.10.01

298/231

In @y..., " Shirl Trotter " <shirltrotter@h...> wrote:

> I haven't posted in a while but I wanted to share my 4 month update.

>

> As of yesterday, I have lost 82 pounds! and 35 1/2 inches!

>

> I can eat almost anything I want, meat, bread, milk - just in small

> quanities. I love and crave fruit.

>

> I have had no vomiting and only one dumping episode - which was

totally my

> fault. I drank chocolate milk and ate pepperoni cheese. I know I

probably

> deserved it.

>

> I now belong to Curves for Women and am actually enjoying working

out at

> lunch time.

>

> Several years ago I had to have radioactive iodine treatment on my

thyroid,

> which killed it. I have been on steadily increasing doses until my

last

> visit to the doctor. I was on the maximum dosage that is made.

Finally, I

> am beginning to be able to lower the dosage, by my next wisit I

should be

> able to lower it again.

>

> I still am in awwwwwwwllllll! I can't believe I am really getting

smaller.

> The people I work with are so supportive, they refer to me as

slim. That

> one name I don't think I've ever been called.

>

> Thanks Dr. R!

>

> Shirl in WV

> 321/239

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

March 6, 2003

don't you feel great??? I remember so well how wonderful it

felt to get below 300. It was indeed a day of celebration. However,

I have since begun to learn that life is short, no one is promised

tomorrow and we should CELEBRATE in the moment. ANYWAY, congrats on

the weight loss and the improved health!! I know you are thrilled.

Cheryl

-214

MGB 6/17/99

> Hello Gang.

> I just wanted to post my 4 month update.

> I am doing really well.

> I am continuing with my vitamins and supplements faithfully and I

have started exercising (need to get more faithful with this!).

> I still don't crave the foods that got me into all this mess in

the first place----I have found some wonderful and healthy

substitutions.

> I have lost 82 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I feel so

hopeful.

> I get wonderful comments from family, friends and acquaintances

and I even have had some cute guys look (it's nice, but I'm deeply

in love with my man---who, btw, is really taking notice now, too).

> I will forever be thankful to Dr. R and all of you who spoke the

truth.

> I am forever grateful for my faith in God.

> Best wishes to all.

>

> Nov. 6

> 376/294

>

March 6, 2003

,

Congratulations! 82 pounds in 4 months is incredible! I wish you continued

success.

in OK

MGB 3/29/2001

303/143

In a message dated 3/5/2003 9:51:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, "

Syphengpheth " <tahneereign@...> writes:

>Hello Gang.

>I just wanted to post my 4 month update.

>I am doing really well.

>I am continuing with my vitamins and supplements faithfully and I have started

exercising (need to get more faithful with this!).

>I still don't crave the foods that got me into all this mess in the first

place----I have found some wonderful and healthy substitutions.

>I have lost 82 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I feel so hopeful.

>I get wonderful comments from family, friends and acquaintances and I even have

had some cute guys look (it's nice, but I'm deeply in love with my man---who,

btw, is really taking notice now, too).

>I will forever be thankful to Dr. R and all of you who spoke the truth.

>I am forever grateful for my faith in God.

>Best wishes to all.

>

>Nov. 6

>376/294

>

March 6, 2003

Thank you, .

I have a good feeling about this!

Nov. 6

376/294

Re: 4 month update

> ,

>

> Congratulations! 82 pounds in 4 months is incredible! I wish you

continued success.

>

> in OK

> MGB 3/29/2001

> 303/143

>

> In a message dated 3/5/2003 9:51:32 PM Eastern Standard Time, "

Syphengpheth " <tahneereign@...> writes:

>

> >Hello Gang.

> >I just wanted to post my 4 month update.

> >I am doing really well.

> >I am continuing with my vitamins and supplements faithfully and I have

started exercising (need to get more faithful with this!).

> >I still don't crave the foods that got me into all this mess in the first

place----I have found some wonderful and healthy substitutions.

> >I have lost 82 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I feel so hopeful.

> >I get wonderful comments from family, friends and acquaintances and I

even have had some cute guys look (it's nice, but I'm deeply in love with my

man---who, btw, is really taking notice now, too).

> >I will forever be thankful to Dr. R and all of you who spoke the truth.

> >I am forever grateful for my faith in God.

> >Best wishes to all.

> >

> >Nov. 6

> >376/294

> >

March 6, 2003

Thank you, Cheryl.

I am extremely happy to be below 300. I haven't been under this number for

over 8 yrs!

And trust me, I DO celebrate---every day!

My goodness, but you had a WONDERFUL weight loss yourself!! Congratulations!

Thanks again.

Nov. 6

376/294

Re: 4 month update

> don't you feel great??? I remember so well how wonderful it

> felt to get below 300. It was indeed a day of celebration. However,

> I have since begun to learn that life is short, no one is promised

> tomorrow and we should CELEBRATE in the moment. ANYWAY, congrats on

> the weight loss and the improved health!! I know you are thrilled.

>

> Cheryl

> -214

> MGB 6/17/99

>

> > Hello Gang.

> > I just wanted to post my 4 month update.

> > I am doing really well.

> > I am continuing with my vitamins and supplements faithfully and I

> have started exercising (need to get more faithful with this!).

> > I still don't crave the foods that got me into all this mess in

> the first place----I have found some wonderful and healthy

> substitutions.

> > I have lost 82 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I feel so

> hopeful.

> > I get wonderful comments from family, friends and acquaintances

> and I even have had some cute guys look (it's nice, but I'm deeply

> in love with my man---who, btw, is really taking notice now, too).

> > I will forever be thankful to Dr. R and all of you who spoke the

> truth.

> > I am forever grateful for my faith in God.

> > Best wishes to all.

> >

> > Nov. 6

> > 376/294

> >

March 7, 2003

,

I am extremely happy with my weight loss. I weigh a heavy number

171, but at 5'7, I can fit into a lot of size 12's so I am indeed

happy. I would love to lose 10 more pounds but being almost 4yrs

out, I can eat pretty normally (but not as " normal " as before

surgery) and I don't lose very easily. I am basically maintaining

which I don't complain about but I do have to watch my caloric

intake. I do eat WW about 4 days a week and this helps me maintain.

If I did WW 7 days a week, I can lose but, I just choose to enjoy

eating out and what I want several days a week and following low cal

several days a week.

Cheryl

> > > Hello Gang.

> > > I just wanted to post my 4 month update.

> > > I am doing really well.

> > > I am continuing with my vitamins and supplements faithfully

and I

> > have started exercising (need to get more faithful with this!).

> > > I still don't crave the foods that got me into all this mess in

> > the first place----I have found some wonderful and healthy

> > substitutions.

> > > I have lost 82 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I feel

so

> > hopeful.

> > > I get wonderful comments from family, friends and acquaintances

> > and I even have had some cute guys look (it's nice, but I'm

deeply

> > in love with my man---who, btw, is really taking notice now,

too).

> > > I will forever be thankful to Dr. R and all of you who spoke

the

> > truth.

> > > I am forever grateful for my faith in God.

> > > Best wishes to all.

> > >

> > > Nov. 6

> > > 376/294

> > >

March 7, 2003

Cheryl,

You certainly give me hope. It's nice to hear that you are 4 years post-op.

I think size 12 is great----I was there back when I was about 12 yrs old!!

I'm not going to worry too much about the weight amount, I'll be focusing

more on how I feel and look (to myself). I'm 5'5 " and I remember feeling and

looking pretty darn good at 150 lbs.

I'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for chatting with me.

Re: 4 month update

> ,

>

> I am extremely happy with my weight loss. I weigh a heavy number

> 171, but at 5'7, I can fit into a lot of size 12's so I am indeed

> happy. I would love to lose 10 more pounds but being almost 4yrs

> out, I can eat pretty normally (but not as " normal " as before

> surgery) and I don't lose very easily. I am basically maintaining

> which I don't complain about but I do have to watch my caloric

> intake. I do eat WW about 4 days a week and this helps me maintain.

> If I did WW 7 days a week, I can lose but, I just choose to enjoy

> eating out and what I want several days a week and following low cal

> several days a week.

>

> Cheryl

>

> > > > Hello Gang.

> > > > I just wanted to post my 4 month update.

> > > > I am doing really well.

> > > > I am continuing with my vitamins and supplements faithfully

> and I

> > > have started exercising (need to get more faithful with this!).

> > > > I still don't crave the foods that got me into all this mess in

> > > the first place----I have found some wonderful and healthy

> > > substitutions.

> > > > I have lost 82 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but I feel

> so

> > > hopeful.

> > > > I get wonderful comments from family, friends and acquaintances

> > > and I even have had some cute guys look (it's nice, but I'm

> deeply

> > > in love with my man---who, btw, is really taking notice now,

> too).

> > > > I will forever be thankful to Dr. R and all of you who spoke

> the

> > > truth.

> > > > I am forever grateful for my faith in God.

> > > > Best wishes to all.

> > > >

> > > > Nov. 6

> > > > 376/294

> > > >

March 8, 2003

,

It's a natural tendency to focus on the numbers. EVERYONE is numbers

concious regarding weight. It becomes ingrained in us so we can't

help it. What is one of the first things you do at the Doctor's

office?? You get on the scale and weigh, which I used to dread and

it would keep me OUT of the doctor's office when I needed to be

there. My cousin who is a riot has this response about weighing. IF

it has nothing to do with why she's there, ie weight gain isn't a

symptom, she doesn't weigh. If they then ask what she weighs, she

tells them " I weigh one-plenty " . As far as I am concerned, that's

a good enough answer for me.

Cheryl

March 10, 2003

I had a friend who recently had WLS and her insurance company

required a lot of documentation on a lifetime of obesity. She

hadn't allowed the Dr's office to weigh her in like 10 years, so she

ran into a slight problem. She did get her surgery however, lap

RNY, told me it only took 40 minutes. I talked to her a couple days

later. She was at home, and doing great!

manda

> ,

>

> It's a natural tendency to focus on the numbers. EVERYONE is

numbers

> concious regarding weight. It becomes ingrained in us so we can't

> help it. What is one of the first things you do at the Doctor's

> office?? You get on the scale and weigh, which I used to dread and

> it would keep me OUT of the doctor's office when I needed to be

> there. My cousin who is a riot has this response about weighing.

IF

> it has nothing to do with why she's there, ie weight gain isn't a

> symptom, she doesn't weigh. If they then ask what she weighs, she

> tells them " I weigh one-plenty " . As far as I am concerned,

that's

> a good enough answer for me.

>

> Cheryl

January 22, 2005

Hi ,

When I had the first hip done I was told I would need the

other done in a very short time. That was 15 years ago and

it gives me so little trouble it will probably be another

15 years before I need to do anything. Funny how taking

the major source of pain made the rest settle back to

something I could manage.

I swore I was a little long with my first hip. In the end

I realised it was just getting used to it. Funny thing is

that the surgeon says I seem a little long with this one.

At first I thought, " no way - it is ok " , but the longer I

have it the more it seems just a tad long. The walking

stick I used last time is at least 1.5 inches too short

this time.

I guess when we go against the Doctors orders we realise

that we are taking responsibility for it. I tend to be of

the opinion that you obey the doctor unless it is serverely

disruptive to your lifestyle. Or if it is very inconvient

and I know other doctors say it is ok I tend to bend the

rules a bit.

Margaret from Australia

4 month update

>

> I had my right hip replaced (OA and AVN)4 months ago

today (Sept 22,

> 2004). I got a Howmedica ceramic/ceramic with a 36mm

ball. I am

> doing well. Mostly I am pain free. Most of the

occasional pain I do

> have is either muscle pain or in my left hip. It also

has OA, but

> not as bad. I am hoping to wait at least 3 years until I

need to

> have that one replaced. I can walk as much as I want.

Sleep is

> wonderful now that I can turn any way I want with no

pain! Great.

>

> I don't know just how much of a leg length difference I

have. I was

> never measured while awake. My Dr. said that its with in

normal

> differences that everyone has. He also said that the way

he measured

> during surgery to get them even was to place two screws

in my pelvis

> and measure from them. It apparently worked, but I would

have

> preferred something less invasive than putting screws in

my bone.

> Yes they were removed, but still.... My right leg was

quite a bit

> shorter before surgery. (not always, but getting shorter

and shorter

> the worse I got). It feels just a little long now, not

much and may

> be just a feeling, so I planned to do nothing for at

least 6 months,

> while my body continues to adjust. But as my left hip

has been

> bothering me more lately, I wonder if I am putting more

of a strain

> on it, and should think about a small lift in that shoe.

>

> My Dr. never lifts the 3 major restrictions of no leg

crossing,

> turning in or bending more than 90. I knew that, and

although I can

> live with no leg crossing (although I may occasionally

cross ankles),

> and turning in is not importart, except that apparently

it happens

> unknowingly while reaching around for something, the 90

degree is

> huge for me. Almost picked another Dr. because of it.

But I was

> rapidly getting worse and worse, and insurance was taking

forever for

> everything. It took me 5 mo. to get a second opinion.

(Calif.)I

> didn't think I could stand the pain of continuing to

fight with

> insurance for another 5 mo. or so to switch Drs. and I

did hear he

> got got results which was the most important thing to me.

So I went

> with him, figuring I would just ignore that restriction

after the

> healing was over. It seems Drs. lift the restrictions

anywhere from

> 3 weeks to NEVER, but the average seems to be 3 months.

So I was a

> very good girl for 3 months (plus 10 days until the

holidays were

> over, just in case he was right), and have gradually been

pushing the

> limits more since then. I am surprised I am still being

as cautious

> as I am. Hes a Dr. with an educated opinion, but his

word is not

> Gospel. Ask 10 Drs. you will proably get at least 8

opionions. But

> its been harder for me to " take risks " than I expected it

to be.

>

> He did say if I " insisted " on putting on shoes and socks,

and doing

> footcare like a normal person, I should place my right

foot on my

> left knee. Well, it only goes there laying on its side.

I can

> barely get my socks on that way, can not yet reach all of

my toenails

> to cut, and the bows on my shoe are so far to the inside,

it

> practically drags on the ground. Can not yet get on boots

for hiking

> or yard work. I do frog type stretches daily, and

although I saw a

> lot of progress at first, have not seen much in a while.

Someone

> please tell me they had the same problem and and by 6

months or so it

> became much eassier?????

>

> Took my first bath this week. Could have earlier, just

didn't. Did

> things a little differently, but it went fine, and will

take them

> more often now.

>

> I garden, but have not yet tried cutting the grass, but

that needs to

> happen soon. It has gotten much easier to go up stairs.

(I don't

> have any). Going down was always easy, but up seemed to

take a lot of

> effort. I still use modified ways to pick stuff up off

the floor, but

> this may well be wearing out the left hip sooner than it

needs to go,

> so will probably try modifing less soon.

>

> I have moved furnature around, and can do most things,

but that

> reaching the right foot easily thing.

>

> I took a tylonal today for my left hip. Probably the

first this

> year. Although I wish I had stocked up on Celebrex a few

months ago,

> I know there will come a day I will need it again.

>

> My energy is still lower than I would like. But much

better than it

> was anytime in the past 6 months or so, and hope to see

it continue

> to improve.

>

> Have not yet tried a bike. But hope to get to the gym

soon and try

> theirs. The last time I tried (one year ago, my right

hip could not

> raise high enough to peddle around). I am hoping I can

now, though I

> am sure my Dr. would not approve. I think much of his

consertivitism

> is covering his butt.

>

> People at work are constantly amazed at how well I am

doing. I am

> greatful, but feel like this is how I am supposed to be.

I walked

> normally with no limp or cane for 40 some years, why

shouldn't I now?

> Oh, one girl at work, who started as my limping was

getting worse and

> worse always assumed I had a " wooden leg " until she

finially found

> out it was my hip joint rotting away. She had never seen

me walk

> normally until recently, so she is doubley amazed.

>

> I guess thats the drift of it. Sorry its so long. Any

questions

> feel free to ask.

>

> Always greatful this group is here for us.

>

September 7, 2005

Tad,

Wow, I'm really impressed by the progress you've made with bilaterals!! How

exciting!! Have you reached the point where both of your CIs sound

equalized? (i.e. one side does not sound louder than the other) Also, have

you noticed any sound difference to music? Does it sound richer? Fuller?

I plan to go bilateral later this year or next. When I saw my surgeon last

week for my 9 month post op, he asked me what I thought about the

possibility of having my other ear implanted. It didn't take me long to

offer my opinion. <smile> He said I could start the process as soon as my

audi returns to town next week. Depending on how quickly we are able to

receive insurance approval (something he does not anticipate having any

problems with), I may elect a December surgery date. If it takes longer, I

will delay surgery until next summer when I'm out of school.

Please keep us posted on your progress!! It sounds like you're doing GREAT!!

<smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

September 8, 2005

,

It's almost equalized. Not quite there yet though. I can still tell

the difference with the quality of the sound I'm getting from each

ear and the older implant is definatly more trained. It's already 14

months old in that ear compared to the 4 months in my new ear. But I

have to admit that I think I'm hearing more sounds with my new

implant than I am with the older implant. Basically that's because

of the 22 electroids I can get with the Freedom processor compared

to the 20 electroid I get with the Nucleus 24 Contour processor

(bte). Soon that will all change when they get the software working

in the Freedom processor to be used on the older implant. What blows

my mind is the fact I can get 10 db with the freedom implant. I hear

that many new implantees are getting about 10 db with the Freedom.

Amazing how technology improves in leaps and bounds.

Listening to music has improved tremendously for me. I may be

missing out on some of the deep base sounds but now I have ALL of

the high pitches and mid range sounds and I really do think music

sounds so much bette than before. I'm really enjoying it. I can't

even believe I can understand some of the words being said in these

songs. Something I didn't notice until my last mapping last month

and definatly listening bilaterally.

It's only going to get better. I have been told my other implantees

that it's still getting better after each mapping even after one

year.

I'm so glad that you are going bilateral. It will be worth it and it

will take time to train. Got all the time in the world so enjoy

it. )

Tad

September 9, 2005

Tad,

Your experience reminded me of my visit to the audie. Speech is so much more

crisper with the Freedom than with the 3G, so much more. When the audie had

just the Freedom on, and then just the 3G, I am astonished by the

differences. It is no wonder that I have struggled with the 5 year-old

implant compared to the almost 2 month-old implant.

September 9, 2005

,

That's interesting. Since that's the case, I wonder if the speech

discrimination in your newly implanted ear will eventually surpass that of

your older CI ear?

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

September 26, 2005

Congrats on your weight loss. Keep up the good work.

Monroe

CELOS-Corporate Office

704-682-0260 (cell)

704-871-0031 (office)

npm@...

www.clos.net

4 month update

> Hi all,

> just a quick note to announce my four month anniversary. I had my

> surgery in March with the wonderful Dr. Walsh and his fabulous team.

> I was 340 and now I am 255, I feel GREAT!!!! My 3 month blood work

> came back A-ok with the exception of that pesky thyroid number. It's

> still too high so they are sending me to an endocrinologist. (It was

> high before surgery, I had a couple of more specific tests at that

> time that determined everything... uptake, etc.. were fine. I don't

> see the specialist until December so I guess they're not too worried

> about it..lol.)

> I have been buying new clothes on ebay (lots cheaper!!). I went and

> tried on several name brands in a department store...yes, that's

> right, I can wear department store sizes...then looked for that

> brand on ebay..it's been a very successful way to get transition

> clothes on the cheap. I was a very, very tight (like worn threadbare

> at the thighs and do not put in the dryer tight) size 30 jeans

> before surgery, and now I can wear size 22. What a difference!!!!

> I also had to go buy a new bra...what an uplifting experience. I had

> been wearing the same ones since before surgery...85 pounds later I

> decided that they were too strectched out (the bras) to keep

> wearing. I am going to petition NASA and FEMA about this, though. I

> am going to suggest they build space crafts and/ or housing out of

> the same material because, let me tell you, those old bras were made

> of the strongest damn stuff on earth.....

> anyway......

> I joined a gym and signed on with the resident personal trainer for

> 5 sessions...that's going well...wanna feel my muscles?!? The

> biggest difference is in my upper arms...I swear that I was born

> without deltoids...but now I have them...musta been stuck deep down

> in the fat!! Biceps and triceps, too..cool.

> Everbody has commented on how great I look, except, of course, my

> ex. If he ever does mention something...I am thinking of that old MC

> Hammer phrase.... " can't touch this!!!! " lol. (but secretly, I

> noticed that he, and the new Mrs. have found some of the weight I

> lost).

> Ok, enough of the rambling...

> Thanks for listening...I love that you all are always here...

>

> Karin

>

> PS...I'm still betting on the Beaver as the star...until Dr. R says

> nope.

>

September 28, 2005

From: " kewlkew " <kewlkew@...>

Date: Sun Sep 25, 2005 1:52 pm

Subject: 4 month update kewlkew

Offline

Send Email

Hi all,

just a quick note to announce my four month anniversary. I had my

surgery in March with the wonderful Dr. Walsh and his fabulous team.

I was 340 and now I am 255, I feel GREAT!!!! My 3 month blood work

came back A-ok with the exception of that pesky thyroid number. It's

still too high so they are sending me to an endocrinologist. (It was

high before surgery, I had a couple of more specific tests at that

time that determined everything... uptake, etc.. were fine. I don't

see the specialist until December so I guess they're not too worried

about it..lol.)

I have been buying new clothes on ebay (lots cheaper!!). I went and

tried on several name brands in a department store...yes, that's

right, I can wear department store sizes...then looked for that

brand on ebay..it's been a very successful way to get transition

clothes on the cheap. I was a very, very tight (like worn threadbare

at the thighs and do not put in the dryer tight) size 30 jeans

before surgery, and now I can wear size 22. What a difference!!!!

I also had to go buy a new bra...what an uplifting experience. I had

been wearing the same ones since before surgery...85 pounds later I

decided that they were too strectched out (the bras) to keep

wearing. I am going to petition NASA and FEMA about this, though. I

am going to suggest they build space crafts and/ or housing out of

the same material because, let me tell you, those old bras were made

of the strongest damn stuff on earth.....

anyway......

I joined a gym and signed on with the resident personal trainer for

5 sessions...that's going well...wanna feel my muscles?!? The

biggest difference is in my upper arms...I swear that I was born

without deltoids...but now I have them...musta been stuck deep down

in the fat!! Biceps and triceps, too..cool.

Everbody has commented on how great I look, except, of course, my

ex. If he ever does mention something...I am thinking of that old MC

Hammer phrase.... " can't touch this!!!! " lol. (but secretly, I

noticed that he, and the new Mrs. have found some of the weight I

lost).

Ok, enough of the rambling...

Thanks for listening...I love that you all are always here...

Karin

PS...I'm still betting on the Beaver as the star...until Dr. R says

nope.

September 29, 2005

,

Congratulations on a great weight loss! Isn't it amazing how fast the

weight has come off? My surgery was 18 months ago and I haven't felt this

good in years. I am 56 yrs. and don't feel near that age! Now, before

surgery that was another story!

Keep us informed of your progress!

Star in MO

3/15/04 Dr. Hargroder in Joplin

312/161 (surgery/present)

Size tight 30 to a size 10-12!!!! Whoooooo-Hooooooo!

4 month update kewlkew

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